Poor man among the poor

Bishop Ambo David is a member of the clergy I deeply respect and look up to. I got to know him up close and personal in 1990, when he stayed in the Filipino Chaplaincy in Paris, France, to study French for his doctoral studies in the Scriptures at the École Biblique in Jerusalem.

The Filipino migrant workers in France listened to his homilies and talks because he brought the truth and reality of Jesus Christ to their life struggles as domestic helpers, far from home and alienated in a foreign land.

To date, he is still fondly remembered among the migrant workers. I am still in Paris and, in our reflections, we simply could not understand the issues hurled against him that are so contrary to his integrity and moral convictions.

We have experienced Bishop Ambo David as a prophetic voice of the Lord, committed to bring to light the forces of evil and darkness.

He is a shepherd who tends to his flock and protects them from wolves and brigands. He is a poor man among the poor.

He does not capitalize on any episcopal use of pomp and power in his ministry, but chooses to accompany the least and the lost of the diocese through their 14 mission stations.

Truly, the local Church of Caloocan provides witnessing to Christ among his people. Not all bishops are the same. We pray that Bishop Ambo continues to inspire fellow bishops and clergy, and the Filipino communities here and overseas, in the pursuit of truth and justice, peace and progress in our land.

MSGR. MANUEL GABRIEL, Convener, National Clergy Discernment Group, nationalclergydiscernment2009@gmail.com