SW News: About 500 children belonging to homeless families on the streets of Metro Manila in the Philippines received the sacrament of Baptism on September 6 through the initiative of the Tulay Ng Kabataan Foundation which works among them. The solemn mass baptism took place in the parish church of San Jose in Navotas, one of the poorest suburbs of the capital, under the auspices of Bishop Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan.

The bishop, who is also the president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines and the Foundation, was assisted by Fr Matthieu Dauchez, the founder of Tulay Ng Kabataan. Children of all age groups filled the pews with their parents dressed in their best to be welcomed into the bosom of the Church.
Speaking on the occasion, Bishop David said he was overwhelmed with lots of joy and he thanked all those who are supporting the Foundation. He said, “This day has been very meaningful for all of us, especially for me, personally.” The prelate cited the day’s Gospel in which Jesus reprimands His disciples for preventing the children from coming to Him. The local ordinary of Kalookan also said that many destitute people really wish to “come close to Jesus and to bring their children too. But they are being prevented. There are many factors in their lives, especially poverty. It is very heartbreaking when people don’t come to church because they feel the poor have no place in the church.

“That is why Tulay Ng Kabataan, instead of waiting for people to come to church, ensures the Church is going to them and making them feel they are most welcome. They are also expected by Jesus to come and touch the heart of the Church because they also belong to Christ.” He said it was a privilege to be part of this wonderful foundation that is reaching out to the children, especially those of the poorest of the poor.

The founder of the Foundation, Fr Matthieu, said the members of the NGO visit families on the streets who believe that they do not belong to the Church and stay away from the sacraments because of their poverty. He said that the volunteers interact with families and bring them to the sacraments. He also expressed his happiness after being able to organize the mass baptisms with the help of Bishop Virgilio David. Now we can see that there are 500 more children of God, he said.