Solca in question – is Sona better compared?
The Archdiocese is on the brink of change, with a new leader taking over and a need for transparency about the state of various parishes and schools. Amidst this transition, the idea of a State of the Local Church Address (Solca) has been proposed to keep the faithful informed.
While the Solca is not a historically established term within the Catholic Church, it is a contemporary pastoral practice that could prove beneficial. The annual State of the Nation Address (Sona) is a constitutional mandate for the President, but the idea of a Solca aims to provide a similar platform for the Archdiocese.
In 1971, President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. used the Sona to announce a call for a democratic revolution. However, less than a year later, he declared martial law and destroyed all democratic institutions. The Solca, if implemented, would not replicate the extravagant traditions associated with the Sona but would focus on providing a substantive address about the state of the Church.
One of the visions of Archbishop Palma was to have a standardized living allowance for the clergy, but it is unclear if this was implemented. Archbishop Palma left a sum of P2 million when he left his position at the richest parish in the archdiocese, suggesting a need for financial transparency.
The Church is not a democracy but it is not a dictatorship. It is a communion of believers. The recent Synod on Synodality demonstrated this, with a lay person's vote having equal value as the vote of a Cardinal. It is time to allow the laity to be more involved in the Church beyond obeying, paying, and praying.
The Solca would provide an opportunity to share the many accomplishments of the Archdiocese that the people would be proud of if they were informed. It would also address the state of different parishes and schools, providing a state of the parish (or school) address.
In the democratic process, protests outside the halls of Congress, including the burning of effigies, are considered essential. Similarly, a counter-Sona is delivered by the opposition to provide a different perspective. In the proposed Solca, this could mean allowing for questions and feedback from the faithful, ensuring a balanced and inclusive address.
As Archbishop-elect Abet Uy takes over as the new leader of the Archdiocese, the Solca could provide a platform for him to outline his vision and goals for the future. It is time to move towards a more transparent and inclusive Church, and the Solca could be a step in that direction.
[1] Early Church Organizational Origins: A Historical Overview. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Early-Christian-church/Origins
[2] The Papal States: A Brief History. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Papal-States
[3] Christian Movements: A Comprehensive Guide. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Christian-movements
[4] The Synod on Synodality: A New Era of Participation. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2021-10/synod-on-synodality-laity-participation.html
- The implementation of a State of the Local Church Address (Solca) could provide a contemporary platform for transparency and leadership within the Archdiocese, comparable to the State of the Nation Address (Sona) in the realm of politics.
- Finance transparency is critical, as evidenced by the P2 million left by Archbishop Palma, the previous leader of the richest parish in the archdiocese, suggesting a need for financial disclosure.
- In the spirit of inclusivity and participation, the Solca could invite questions and feedback from the faithful, offering a balanced and comprehensive state of the parish and schools address.
- As the newly appointed Archbishop-elect Abet Uy assumes leadership, the Solca could serve as a platform for him to articulate his vision and goals for personal growth, education, business, and general news within the Archdiocese, following the example of democratic processes and contemporary Christian movements.
