The Church in the Philippines

Gregory Popcak has released a free e-book to provide clinical guidance and spiritual support for Catholic women suffering from postpartum depression. The psychologist and EWTN Radio host created the resource to address the mental health needs of new mothers, noting that approximately 1 in 7 women are affected by the condition.

Popcak told the National Catholic Register that the book aims to offer a holistic perspective on healing by combining medical, psychological, relational, and spiritual tools. He noted that people of faith are not immune to mental health problems and emphasized the importance of responding to these struggles in a way that reflects the Catholic view of the person.

A primary focus of the e-book is helping mothers navigate the spiritual guilt that often accompanies mental health struggles after childbirth. Popcak stated that the resource seeks to break the stigma surrounding these symptoms within the Catholic community.

Archbishop Charles Brown presided over a Mass on September 17, 2026, to mark the 75th anniversary of the Archdiocese of Caceres. The celebration took place at the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral compound.

During the Mass, Brown, the apostolic nuncio to the Philippines, described the Church as a shared journey where every member is valued. He compared the nature of the Church to a procession or caravan where no one is excluded or unnecessary. Brown noted that this journey includes bishops, priests, families, and lay Catholics. He specifically identified parents as the most important people for passing the Catholic faith to younger generations.

The anniversary Mass concluded the Union of Bicol Clergy gathering and served as the seventh day of the novena to Our Lady of Peñafrancia.

Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan urged Congress to pass an anti-political dynasty law following a Supreme Court ruling that lawmakers have a constitutional duty to do so. In a social media post, David told Congress that the Supreme Court has spoken and called for the immediate enactment of the law.

The Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the 39-year failure of Congress to pass the law constitutes a grave abuse of discretion and a continuing violation of its constitutional duty. While the 1987 Constitution does not set a specific deadline, it directs the state to prohibit political dynasties as defined by law and to guarantee equal access to public service. The court directed lawmakers to act with utmost urgency and pass the law at the earliest opportunity.

David noted that the mandate has remained unfulfilled because Congress is responsible for defining what constitutes a political dynasty. He questioned if the personal interests of lawmakers might prevent them from passing legislation that restricts political dynasties. The court observed that despite numerous bills being filed since the ratification of the Constitution, political dynasties continue to spread, including within the party-list system.

Cardinal Jose Advincula of Manila released a 340-page book of his homilies during a Mass at Manila Cathedral on Sept. 15, 2026. The volume, titled Audiam: A Listening Heart for a Synodal Church, compiles sermons delivered during his five years of ministry as the archbishop of Manila.

The book features a foreword by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, the former archbishop of Manila who currently serves as pro-prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Evangelization. The title is taken from Advincula’s episcopal motto, which translates from Latin as I will listen.

Archbishop Charles Brown, the apostolic nuncio to the Philippines, said the collection provides a way for readers to encounter the cardinal's pastoral voice through his written words. During the launch, Advincula presented a copy of the book to Archbishop Gilbert Garcera, the president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines.

Natasa Govekar, director of the theological-pastoral department of the Dicastery for Communication, told Catholic digital missionaries to act as leaders of communion rather than online influencers. Speaking at the first Asian Catholic Digital Missionary Assembly on September 11, 2026, at the Radio Veritas Asia headquarters in Quezon City, Govekar urged participants to prioritize relationship building and collaboration.

Govekar stated that Christian influence is not measured by audience size or follower counts. She said digital missionaries must work together as a community instead of as individuals. She noted that communication is the giving of self in love and that Christ is the perfect communicator.

Govekar explained that Catholic digital communication should help people encounter and live the Gospel instead of just attracting online attention. She said fruitfulness comes from daring to share vision and hope.