THE visit of Pope Francis will inevitably resurrect a controversial and unresolved issue on the introduction of Christianity to the Philippines – just where was the first Holy Mass celebrated? On his arrival, the Pope noted that the Church in the Philippines was preparing to celebrate the fifth centenary of the “first proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ on these shores.”
The introduction of Christianity on Philippine shores is generally linked to the celebration of the first Holy Mass, and Butuan City and Limasawa, Southern Leyte, both claim to be the venue of this historical religious rite. A dear friend, Rolly Narciso, is among those feverishly pushing for the official recognition of Masau in Butuan City as the true site. It’s hope that this controversy in the country’s history will have been resolved by March 31, 2015 when the Philippines celebrates its 500th year of Christianization.
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