By Paul Dobbyn
THE Christian Brothers have expanded their empowerment of disadvantaged youth in the Philippines with the opening of an Edmund Rice Centre in Kabankalan diocese.
The centre, recently opened by the diocese’s Bishop Patricio Buzon, includes three classrooms, office space for wider ministry operations and food provision services to the most needy of children.
Christian Brothers Oceania Province director of mission Dr Bill Sultmann said Bishop Buzon had thanked the Brothers for their service to the diocese over almost a decade.
“The bishop noted this service included outreach to the educationally disadvantaged and food provision for 450 students in local schools,” Dr Sultmann said.
“It also included community engagement programs designed to creatively empower and support small communities in their development and confrontation of poverty.”
Present at the opening of the latest Edmund Rice Centre were clergy, representatives from community agencies, the community of Brothers in the diocese, the ministry leader from Maasin diocese and various other province executives.
Dr Sultmann said local community leader Br Rod Ellyard paid tribute to those Brothers who had served the Kabankalan diocese.
“Brother Ellyard also gave emphasis to new initiatives which address not only the outcomes of poverty but seek to provide solutions,” he said.
Province leader Br Vince Duggan thanked various groups for their support of the Christian Brothers’ mission.
They included the local Church, the Columban Fathers represented by Fr Brian Gore, the financial assistance of the Edmund Rice Foundation and the substantial donation from a particular philanthropist.
