ASEAN integration: Implications for the Philippine Catholic Church

• Main Author: Laxa, James B.
• Format: text
• Published: Animo Repository 2016
• Subjects: Southeast Asia—Economic integration; Ecotheology—Catholic Church; Catholic Church. Pope (2013- : Francis). Laudato si; Economics; Religion
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/faculty_research/7744
• Institution: De La Salle University

There is much at stake for the Philippine Catholic Church as the Philippines becomes fully integrated into the ASEAN. The ASEAN integration's backbone is the creation of the ASEAN Economic Community that shall ensure the free flow of goods, services, and human resources. Despite all the rhetoric of economic success like inclusivity and shared prosperity, what the world has seen is the devastating impact of free trade to the poor and weak members of the world, not to mention the destruction of the environment. This article intends to look at the critical role of the Church through the lens of the Catholic Social Teachings, in particular, the recent document on climate change, Laudato Si.