This is the official log of the IEC 2016 in Cebu City
The controversial logo posted in the FB page of IEC 2016 on the Ecumenical aspect of the Congress.
Frequently Asked Question: Is the Congress only for Catholics?
Answer: Although organized by the Roman Catholic Church, the IEC is open to all Christians and people of goodwill. In the light of ecumenism espoused by Vatican II, the challenge for us is to deepen fraternal bonds and mutual faith in Jesus Christ, despite theological and doctrinal differences among religions.
The logo does not promote the heresy of indifferentism. Look at it closely. The Cross, symbol of Christianity, is at the apex of all the symbols of other religions. Thus, it is not on the same level with others. The Cross is the culmination of man’s religious longing for God. It is the perfection of communion with God which other religions only have partially or imperfectly. The Cross towering over the other symbols of religions especially in Asia recalls to mind Missio ad Gentes: mission to the Gentiles or the world in obedience to the great commission (Mt. 28:19-20).
The Philippines, being the foremost Christian nation in Asia, being the host country, has a permanent missionary mandate: to be a light on the top of the hill. The Cross on top is the Light of Christ. Ecclesia in Asia. The other religions already contained the seed of the Gospel, praeparatio evangelica. Thus, they are more disposed to receive the light of Christ’s Gospel compared to societies ruled by secularism, materialism, hedonism, atheism and consumerism.
Asia, Open wide the door for Christ! Behold I come and knock, he who opens the door and let me in, I will dine with him and he with me (Rev. 3:20). Let not the Eucharist, the sacrament of charity and the bond of unity be unto us a source of hatred and division.