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News and Stories
Bishop of Borongon Sends Message of Gratitude "I have seen that in each of you is lodged that warm love of the eros that happily combines with the unselfish, nay, Christian, love of the agape. This is seen in your great work of love for the poorest of the poor in my diocese, healing them not only physically but spiritually."
Dear Dr. Vic & Mary Trinkus: Yes, I know full well how much you have done to my diocese. Up to now you are still in the lips of my people, talking about you and your mission, so deep indeed is the impression that you have left behind. Memories of the professional approach to medicine, of your proficiency in handling the patients, your efficiency and the seemingly easy way of handling the scalpel and all, are there to stay. But there were small things that may escape the eyes of many, but not of the patients themselves and those who have the ability to perceive. I have heard of teary eyed patients looking up to you mumbling the word of “salamat” (thank you) to you; of doctors, nurses and other staff seeing you fervently praying together before you put on the gown, the gloves and all; of auxiliaries who saw faith in the way you handle the scalpel and the needle, stitched the wounds and apply the medicine; of relatives who were deeply moved by the way you visited their operated ones, the manner you talked to them, consoled them. Yes, these did not escape the observation of my people, making your second medical mission “bulig” a truly memorable one. In their name, may I kindly express my sincerest gratitude to you.
I have, however, a personal reason to thank you. The Holy Father, Benedict XVI, when he wrote the first Encyclical “Deus Caritas Est”, eloquently discussed the evolution of love as the dynamic interplay of the eros and the agape. They are not opposite elements, he said. They form the two aspects of one and the same love, that is, the ascending love (eros) and the descending love (agape). Eros is at first wild, covetous, selfish. Yet it has that overpowering drive to climb every mountain and transcend any obstacle with great fascination and firm determination in pursuit of the great promise of happiness. As it draws near to the other, “it becomes less and less concerned with itself, increasingly seeks the happiness of the other, is concerned more and more with the beloved, bestows itself and wants to be there for the other.” It is at this point that the element of agape enters into this love, “for otherwise eros is impoverished and even loses its own nature.” It has to be tamed by agape, disciplined by its calming yet firm touch, to be sustained by its divine life (Deus Caritas Est, n. 7). In the medical mission that you have undertaken in my diocese you have existentially shown me what this eros and agape looks like. I have seen that in each of you missionary doctor is lodged that warm love of the eros that happily combines with the unselfish, nay, Christian, love of the agape. This is seen in your great work of love for the poorest of the poor in my diocese, healing them not only physically but spiritually. Thank you very much.
With sentiments of deep esteem and high personal regards, I beg to remain
Sincerely yours in Christ,
+Leonardo Y. Medroso, DD
Bishop of Borongan
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