Something truly inspiring just happened here in the Philippines. On May 21, 2025, Elder Patrick Kearon, a top leader from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, had a warm and meaningful visit with Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David (who many know as “Bishop Ambo”) at the San Roque Cathedral Parish.
This meeting was much more than just a formal get-together. It’s important because it shows new ways that big churches are working hand-in-hand. It also highlights how much The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints genuinely cares about what the local Roman Catholic leaders are trying to achieve for our communities. Simply put, they have a strong, positive relationship that’s already making a real difference in people’s lives.
Photo Credit: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
A Growing Friendship Built on Shared Values
Cardinal David recently returned from Vatican City, where he was one of the cardinals who helped choose Pope Leo XIV. So, he has some very special insights! Elder Kearon, meanwhile, is in the Philippines on a 10-day trip. His goal isn’t just formal meetings, but to truly connect with people and other faith leaders across the country.
“It was wonderful to see Cardinal David again,” Elder Kearon shared. “He always cares for those who might be forgotten. I remembered what Jesus taught in Matthew 25:40 — ‘Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.'” This quote beautifully shows that both leaders believe deeply in serving others and helping those in need. This shared value is at the heart of their mission and underlines how much The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints respects and supports the goals of the local Catholic leadership.
They’d actually met before, in August 2024. Then, just a few months later, in December 2024, Archbishop David was named a Cardinal by Pope Francis. During their latest visit, Cardinal David even shared personal stories about the process of choosing the new Pope. He also spoke warmly about how Pope Francis supported him during tough times. It’s clear there are deep, personal connections, even among global faith leaders.
New Partnerships: Directly Supporting Bishop Ambo’s Efforts
This meeting wasn’t just about good feelings; it was about putting faith into action. Elder Kearon deeply admired Cardinal David’s tireless work with the poor and marginalized. And here’s where it gets exciting: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is actively stepping up to support these key Catholic projects.
They talked a lot about Cardinal David’s regular visits to “Persons Deprived of Liberty” (PDLs), or people in jail. He gives them spiritual guidance and emotional support. They also discussed ways to help people struggling with drug addiction. Cardinal David wisely sees this as a public health problem, not just a crime. This kind and thoughtful approach is fully supported by the Church.
After their main discussion, Elder Kearon actually joined Cardinal David at a gathering of 250 people who were either on parole or had recently been released from jail. These individuals are part of the Kaagapay Ministry Project. This program, run by the Diocese of Caloocan, helps people recover from drug addiction by offering emotional and psychological support, with the help of dedicated church volunteers. For decades, Cardinal David has been a strong champion for helping people rebuild their lives and find spiritual healing.
To help the Kaagapay Ministry, Elder Kearon gave Cardinal David 30 sets of the Church’s “Finding Strength in the Lord: Emotional Resilience” books. These guides teach people how to improve their emotional well-being using Christian teachings and practical life skills. What’s more, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also donated 250 food kits and 250 hygiene kits for the parolees and former detainees. This kind of hands-on help makes a big difference and directly supports the goals of the local Catholic outreach.
A History of Trust: Years of Working Together
Photo Credit: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
This strong relationship isn’t new; it’s been built over many years. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines have had a strong and lasting friendship. They’ve worked together on many humanitarian projects and built trust through open conversations between their faiths. Cardinal David fondly remembered working with the Church on various projects even when he was just starting his ministry in Pampanga.
Their strong bond was clearly seen in January 2020, when Cardinal David attended a lunch with other faith leaders hosted by Elder Quentin Cook, another top leader from the Church. There, he shared a powerful message about love and service. More recently, in November 2023, when a fire in Navotas City affected 160 families, the Church, working directly with Cardinal David and the Catholic Diocese of Caloocan, quickly provided essential supplies. But they didn’t stop there. Their teamwork led to even more projects, like planting 600 bamboo trees and building two greenhouses to help people get more food and support local jobs.
This latest meeting between Elder Kearon and Cardinal David is more than just a formal visit. It shows a deeper promise to work together and do good for everyone. It clearly shows how The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not only building a strong relationship with the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines but is also dedicated to actively helping and improving the vital humanitarian and community work of the local Catholic leaders.
