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Family and Life Annual Conference 2026

Asia/Manila
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Family and Life Annual Conference 2026 

The 10th Family and Life Conference returns this October with a powerful theme: “Rekindle: The Joy of Love in Action” Family and Life Conference of the Commission on Family and Life of the Archdiocese of Manila, in constant collaboration with the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Family and Life (CBCP-ECFL), Couples for Christ, and Pregnancy Support Services of Asia (PSSA).

The 10th anniversary of Amoris Laetitia, Pope Francis’ landmark exhortation that continues to inspire the Church in proclaiming the beauty and joy of love in marriage and family life.

For the past years, the Church, through the Commission on Family and Life, has continued to promote the beauty and dignity of marriage, the sacredness of human life, and building of strong and loving families. This conference is indeed a celebration of love that inspires renewed faith, stronger families, and a deeper commitment to the Church’s mission of bringing the joy of the Gospel into family life.

View Full Schedule Breakout Sessions Meet the Speakers 

Commission on Family and Life Archdiocese of Manila 

Conference Objectives

Rooted in Catholic tradition and responsive to modern challenges, these objectives guide our exploration of faith, ethics, and social responsibility in a rapidly changing digital world.


✨ About the Conference

The CFL Manila Conference 2026 is a gathering of families, parish leaders, and communities united by the mission of living out faith in today’s digital and modern world. Through prayer, talks, and fellowship, we will rediscover the heart of the Church in guiding families and strengthening human connection.

Full Program Schedule

Prepare for a day filled with spiritual renewal, insightful learning, and meaningful connections.

From morning Mass to breakout sessions and plenary talks, the 10th Family and Life Conference offers a thoughtfully curated program designed to inspire, equip, and celebrate every participant.


Here's what to expect throughout the day:

Breakout Session Topics

Speaker: Dr. Dean Edward A. Mejos

Description:

Discover how digital tools can be used to nurture faith, strengthen wisdom, and foster authentic human relationships. 

Speaker: Bro. Bong Arjonillo

Description:

Celebrate the vital role of retirees in family and parish life, and how their wisdom continues to inspire younger generations. 

Speaker: Paul and Denice Price

Description:

Practical approaches to guiding young couples in their journey of faith, love, and commitment.

Panel Discussion

The Joy of Love in Action: Faith, Family, and Mission

Moderators: Fr. Migs Ramirez & Ms. Karla Lozano

PANEL DISCUSSION

The Joy of Love in Action: Faith, Family, and Mission

Moderators: Fr. Migs Ramirez and Ms. Karla Lozano

Description and Overview: The panel discussion “The Joy of Love in Action: Faith, Family, and Mission” seeks to explore how the Church can make the message of Amoris Laetitia tangible through compassionate accompaniment, truthful communication, and concrete pastoral action. As families encounter increasingly complex realities, the Church is called not only to proclaim the truth about marriage and family life but also to walk patiently and lovingly with people in their joys, struggles, wounds, and questions.

Through the experiences and perspectives of the panelists, the discussion will highlight that accompaniment does not mean compromising Church teaching, nor does proclaiming the truth require judgment or condemnation. Rather, it calls for a pastoral approach rooted in listening, compassion, mercy, and the dignity of every person.

The conversation will focus on three important dimensions of accompaniment:

Communicating the Truth with Love

Mr. Edwin Lopez

Mr. Lopez will explore how the Church can communicate the truth of the Gospel and her teachings on marriage and family with clarity, compassion, and understanding. The discussion will emphasize that effective evangelization begins with listening and building relationships of trust. 

Key points include: 

  • Avoiding judgmental and condemning language
  • Building trust before offering correction or guidance
  • Listening as the first act of evangelization
  • Communicating Church teaching in a way that respects the dignity and experience of every person

Compassion without Compromise

George and Cynthia Campos

George and Cythia will share the best practices and experiences of Couples for Christ (CFC) in accompanying families in challenging and irregular situations. The discussion will demonstrate how pastoral accompaniment can offer welcome, friendship, hope, and pathways toward deeper communion with the Church while remaining faithful to the Gospel and Church teaching. 

Particular attention will be given to accompanying: 

  • Cohabiting couples
  • Couples who are civilly married
  • Single parents
  • Couples with previous marriage/s
  • Families seeking guidance, healing, and a renewed relationship with the Church

Bearing One Another's Burdens

Fr. Renz Valente

Fr. Renz will address the reality of mental health crises within families and the pastoral responsibility of the Church to respond with compassion and hope. Families today face pressures that can affect relationships, emotional well-being, and their sense of belonging.

The discussion will examine:

  • The impact of social media, family conflict, economic pressures, and isolation
  • Recognizing the struggles and burdens experienced by individuals and families
  • The role of parish communities in reducing loneliness and isolation
  • Creating communities where people feel heard, welcomed, and supported
  • The complementary roles of spiritual care and mental health professionals
  • The importance of knowing when pastoral accompaniment should be
  • complemented by professional mental health support

Overall Message

At the heart of the discussion is the conviction that the joy of love becomes visible when the Church chooses to accompany people where they are, walk with them patiently, speak the truth with love, and help them discover the healing and transforming presence of Christ.

In the spirit of Amoris Laetitia, the panel will invite participants to move from simply knowing the Church's teaching to living it through relationships of encounter, accompaniment, discernment, and mission. The family, parish, and Church community are called to become places where no one carries their burdens alone and where every person can encounter the truth and mercy of Christ.