I am greatly honored for this opportunity to greet the people of God in the Archdiocese of Manila.

Today, you formally launch the year of evangelization in preparation for the 400th anniversary in 1995 of the Archdiocese of Manila and the 400th anniversary as well of the Dioceses of Cebu, Nueva Caceres, and Nueva Segovia.

The year 1995 will be a truly special year for the Philippines because it will also see a second visit of His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, to our country — the third Papal visit in the last 25 years.

The history of the Philippines cannot be written accurately without mentioning the great influence of the catholic church in the lives of the Filipino people.

The history of our People Power Revolution of February 1986 cannot be retold without the prayers and heroic witnessing of countless Filipinos at EDSA.

And now the Holy Father, John Paul II, has asked all Catholics to launch a program called “evangelization 2000!!!”. The regenerative effects of this program will be a great boost to the attainment of our own shared vision of “Philippines 2000!!!”.

For we must remind ourselves that it is not only economic progress and political stability we are after.

We also seek the total human development of 65 million Filipinos. This involves, beyond the material sphere, their spiritual upliftment.

Your mission of evangelization is no less relevant today than it was four centuries ago.

That the Church in the Philippines works for the progress of our people in accordance with Christ’s teachings of faith and good works has been demonstrated in innumerable ways. That the Catholic Church in the Philippines remains a major guide not only in the spiritual lives of our citizens but also in other aspects of national life is unquestionable.

Our government vigorously pursues programs to empower our citizenry that each Filipino may have all the opportunities to realize his full potential.

Our government espouses the ideal that god’s gift of freedom is best appreciated if we all work at enabling every man, woman and child in this country to achieve the full flowering of his talents.

Our government firmly believes that the faith, trust and obedience we repose in our lord’s teachings are expressed in our efforts to attain our aspirations for peace, justice, progress and abundance. Our government believes that service to country and people is also service to the almighty.

For while the patterns of human life may have been altered by the triumphs of modern science, our moral imperatives remain the same — to serve God and our fellowmen, to practice love and charity unto each other, and to find and nurture, within ourselves, that seed of spirituality with which God has blessed every human being.

May your efforts meet with the utmost success, and may God’s goodness come upon us all.

Salamat sa inyong lahat, mga mahal na kababayan, at binabati ko kayong lahat ng isang maligayang Pasko at masaganang Bagong Taon!