For Filipino Catholics in S'pore, a time to reckon with changes to faith

Correspondent For Filipino Catholics in Singapore, Pope Francis' visit next week is an opportunity not just to celebrate their faith but also to reaffirm it, as they come to terms with their leader's more progressive ideas and as they navigate a multi-religious, more secular society.

- Raul Dancel

"It will be a big event," said Ms Joy Cardoza, a 41-year-old domestic worker.

She said the church she goes to every Sunday has been abuzz over the historic papal visit.

"There were souvenirs and memorabilia everywhere. Everyone's excited," she said.

There are more than 200,000 Filipinos currently living in Singapore, nearly all of them born into the Catholic faith.

Ms Cardoza said she put her name in the Papal mass ballot, but unfortunately missed out.

Ms Mae Santos, 48, an architectural coordinator, managed to land a slot for the mass that the 87-yearold pontiff will celebrate at the 50,000-seat National Stadium on Sept 12.

She said she does not relish the thought of having to queue for four hours before the mass can even start.

"But I still want to do it because it's a once-in-a-lifetime event.

Some go to Rome just to see the Pope. This time, he's coming to us," she said.

The visit is also an opportune moment for Filipino Catholics in Singapore to reckon with the changes that their faith is going through under Pope Francis' liberal papacy.

He has, for instance, preached tolerance and openness towards the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. In 2023, he formally approved letting Catholic priests bless same-sex couples, as long as the blessings are not confused with the ritual of marriage, and called out the "hypocrisy" of those who criticised him for that decision.

Ms Shaey Nicolas, 44, who owns a beauty salon at Lucky Plaza, said she agrees with the Pope on this score. "We all deserve to be blessed.

We are all sinners after all. We are human. We make mistakes. But God accepts us all," she said.