January 23, 2026 – The Episcopal Commission on Catholic Education (ECCE) held its first formal Council meeting on January 23, 2026, at the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center in Manila. The meeting was presided over by Archbishop Charlie M. Inzon, OMI, D.D., ECCE Chairperson, and attended by Rev. Fr. Raymond Joseph L. Arre, ECCE Executive Secretary; Most Rev. Daniel O. Presto, D.D.; and Most Rev. Dave Dean D. Capucao, Commission Members, and a member of the CEAP Secretariat.
Archbishop Inzon briefly presented the background of the ECCE, noting that it evolved from the former Episcopal Commission on Catechesis and Catholic Education and was formally established as a separate commission in 2024, with the present meeting marking its first formal Council gathering. He also noted that while the ECCE is aligned with the Dicastery for Culture and Education in Rome, it is presently anchored under Catechesis and Evangelization in the Philippine context.
Fr. Arre presented a brief report on the Commission’s accomplishments and its ongoing partnership with the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP), which currently hosts the ECCE office and provides interim staffing support.
The Episcopal Commission on Catholic Education (ECCE) reported its active participation in national discussions on key education issues during a recent CBCP Plenary Assembly and in the issuance of joint pastoral statements addressing concerns in education and governance. The Commission also affirmed its involvement in legislative advocacy efforts in collaboration with CEAP and other Catholic education stakeholders, particularly in support of private schools, including proposals to expand the FAPE voucher program, provide facilities support through DepEd, and implement feeding programs in Catholic schools. In this context, the Council discussed the ECCE’s expanding role in addressing national and moral issues affecting Catholic education and its expected responsibility in crafting official CBCP positions on sensitive concerns, while emphasizing the need for proactive guidance, the strengthening of Catholic school identity, and the development of clear formation frameworks in response to concerns on corruption and graduate formation.
Looking ahead, Archbishop Inzon proposed the creation of a Council of Experts on Catholic Education to serve in an advisory capacity, supporting curriculum development, formation initiatives, and the crafting of public statements on issues affecting Catholic schools. The ECCE also identified key long-term priorities, including preparation for the Great Jubilee in 2033 and the 2028 National Elections, with plans to develop formation modules on Catholic social teaching, responsible voting, corruption and discernment, and Jubilee spirituality for Catholic school leaders.
The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the ECCE’s commitment to clarify its governance and public voice, deepen its advisory role, and strengthen the formative and prophetic mission of Catholic education in the Philippines.
The meeting likewise underscored CEAP’s continuing initiative to work closely with the ECCE through institutional partnership and interim operational support, reaffirming CEAP’s commitment to collaborate with the CBCP in strengthening the governance, formation, and public witness of Catholic education in the Philippines.