It is often said that Pope Francis showered inspiration and compassion to Filipinos during his five-day visit to the Philippines last year.

The Filipino clergy said they have been moved by the Holy Father to conduct themselves better in doing their duties.

But while clergymen have been inspired, Msgr. Rex Ramirez, vicar-general of the Archdiocese of Palo, admits that the Pope's visit did not miraculously cure the problems faced by the local church. He said bishops and priests still face the same issues that have been hounding the church even before the Pope’s visit.

"Sa palagay ko, ang mga problema sa simbahan ay ganoon pa rin. The Pope's visit, though it was a special affair, hindi puwedeng makapagbago sa sanlibutan, kahit sa diocese. 'Yung day-to-day problems namin, ganoon pa rin," he said.

Ramirez said this includes financial problems among parishes in his area, especially for fixing of churches and chapels, many of which were destroyed by super typhoon Yolanda in 2013.

"May mga parishes pa rin na hindi maayos 'yung churches nila kasi resources are limited," he said, adding that donations during special occasions, like Christmas, are welcome but are still not enough.

But the bigger problem, he said, is that while Pope Francis' visit has encouraged Catholics to hear masses more often, they are not exactly driven to get involved in other church activities

"'Yung mga tao, hindi gaanong nagko-contribute sa mga gawain ng simbahan.... Dito sa aming archdiocese, hindi pa ganoong open sa participation ang mga tao. Maraming nagsisimba, pero kapag nanghingi ka na ng volunteers for activities, kulang pa rin," Ramirez said.

For this, he said the archdiocese of Palo is devising an "action plan... to bring the people back to the church."

"Iniisip namin 'yung outwardly directed na actions, helping the poor in a more practical way: 'Yung dadalaw halimbawa sa ospital, masanay sila sa ganoon... Merong mga organizations for that, pero relatively small lang sila," he said.

Ramirez said he hopes the inspiration of Pope Francis will translate into these activities.

"I suppose people are very busy making a living, but part of the Catholic life is to help each other, care for each other na kahit hindi sa simbahan, masanay sila... to consider the parish a bigger family," he said.

'A deeper commitment'

Msgr. Bernie Pantin, assistant secretary-general of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), meanwhile said the Pope’s pastoral visit led to a "deeper commitment" among priests, which still manifests evena year after the papal visit.

"Ang ini-emphasize kasi ni Pope Francis, i-rekindle 'yung service natin sa mga tao. 'Yun ang bilin ni Pope Francis—be with them, especially the poor, take care of the poor. 'Yun talaga 'yung nag-remain... It's the commitment of priests, 'yun ang nakikita ko," he told GMA News Online.

Pantin also said that after the visit, many of the dioceses in the country "are trying to reorganize the way they run" the local church affairs.

This, he said, includes the continuation of policies introduced a couple of years ago, like the "standard living allowance" for priests, and limiting the honorary title "monsignor" to diocesan priests over the age of 65.

The standard allowance is important to avoid competition among priests over big parishes, Pantin said.

He added: "Sinabi niya, we are here for service... Pinahinto na rin 'yung pagtawag ng 'monsignor' unless 65 ka na, kasi ang punto niya, hindi ka naman nag-pari para sa title lang," he said.

Further, "Maraming dioceses, 'yung services talaga 'yung tinitingnan nila, saka 'yung preparations against calamities dahil parang ordinary na lang, madalas mangyari 'yun."

Resurgence of faith

Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) co-founder Henrietta de Villa said she saw that the morale of the Filipino clergy has been evidently high in the aftermath of the Pope's visit.

"Naku, napaka-high!" she replied when asked about the clergy's morale.

"We would call it a resurgence of faith... Si Pope Francis kasi brings not just doctrine or moral lessons. He makes you experience actually 'yung pagmamahal ng Panginoon, saka 'yung mercy and compassion."

She added: "This inspires you, parang talagang tinatawag ka na gawin mo rin 'yung ganu'n, na isabuhay mo rin 'yung ganu'n—mas malaking pang-unawa sa iba, mas mabilis na pagpapatawad, saka 'yung humingi ng tawad. 'Yung mga gusto nating maramdaman mula sa ating simbahan ay ipinaramdam sa atin ni Pope Francis."

De Villa, who served as the country’s envoy to the Holy See (Vatican), said since the visit, she has noticed that priests and even ranking officials of the church have been more accessible in their pastoral work.

"Sa simbahan, 'yung tinatawag natin na hierarchy—mga obispo, cardinal—parang very conscious sila, especially after the visit of Pope Francis, na talagang maging mabisa at meaningful itong Jubilee Year of Mercy... na maipakita ang pagmamalasakit sa mga isinasantabi ng lipunan. There is consciousness na ipasatupad 'yung pagkalinga ng Panginoon para lalo sa mga minamaliit sa lipunan," she said. —APG/JST, GMA News