MANILA, Philippines, January 16, 2016 – Leading Philippine telco and digital services provider PLDT and mobile leader Smart Communications are providing internet connectivity for the 4th World Apostolic Congress on Mercy (WACoM4) which will be held for the first time in the country and is expected to be attended by 7,000 delegates and devotees from around the world.
Set on January 16 to 20, the apostolic congress will be held in a different location for each day of the congress. At every stop, there will be a mass celebration and talks on the event’s message on “Communion in Mercy; Mission for Mercy” to be broadcasted by the various organizations from different countries.
WACoM4 will start at the historical Manila Cathedral where Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle will lead the homily of the celebration. The following celebrations for the respective dates will be held at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion on the 17th, Padre Pio National Shrine in Sto Tomas, Batangas on the 18th, the Divine Mercy National Shrine in Marilao, Bulacan on the 19th and culmination will be a high mass to be held at Las Casas Filipinas Azucar in Bagac, Bataan.
Through PLDT and Smart services, connectivity in all the locations will be provided to support the communications needs of the different media press centers and venues of the global apostolic event, as well as connectivity for the local news partner organizations including Radio Veritas, TV Maria, and Catholic Media Network
“Through the rich connectivity we will provide, Filipinos all over the country and religious devotees around the world can share in the experience of the congress. We are honored to be the digital partner to help them make that happen,” said PLDT and Smart spokesperson Ramon R. Isberto.
WACOM4 aims to propagate the culture of mercy in the Church and in the world. As the bastion of Christianity in Asia and the world’s third-largest Catholic population, the Philippines is presenting this international congress as a “Pilgrimage of Mercy” that will bring delegates to different holy places each day. This congress offers an opportunity for all to be oriented to the Filipinos’ lived faith in Jesus, the Divine Mercy Incarnate.
WACOM was first held at the Vatican in Rome, Italy on April 2-6, 2008. Led by its President, Christoph Cardinal Schonborn, O.P., where more than 4,000 delegates gathered from all over the world reflecting on the Theme: “Be Witnesses of Mercy”.
