Home⇛International Journal of Transformative Multidisciplinary Studies⇛vol. 2 no. 2 (2026)

Making Room for the Filipino Nones: An Exposition of Its Theological and Ecclesiological Mandate from the Lens of Christus Vivit

Jerwin Tampe

Discipline: theology and religious studies

 

Abstract:

1 Notre Dame of Marbel University, Koronadal City, South Cotabato, Philippines * jerwintampe@ gmail.com Volume 2, Issue 2, June 2026 In a nation deeply rooted in Catholic tradition, this study establishes the existence and emergence of Filipino Religious Nones, identified as religiously disaffiliated yet engaged in diverse, personalized spiritual practices. Their growing presence in the country, especially in Catholic schools, underscores the need for contextual accompaniment. While being religiously disaffiliated may be temporary, the necessity of journeying with them is crucial to their faith-life integration as young individuals. Identified as individuals with reflexive spirituality, as spiritual bricoleurs, and as pilgrim-seekers, this paper highlights Pope Francis' mandate in Christus Vivit 235 to accompany them, grounded in its theological and ecclesiological underpinnings, namely, being in the heart of God and of the Church. It underscores the imperative for the Church to make room and embrace these Nones as seekers of truth, affirming their dignity and fostering non- coercive encounters rooted in Trinitarian communion and incarnational presence. This study employed a document review of Pope Francis' Christus Vivit structured in three interconnected phases: (a) historical background, situating the text within its original context; (b) exegesis, providing a close textual analysis to elucidate the author's intended meaning; and (c) hermeneutics, exploring contemporary theological and pastoral applications. This methodology gives birth to a heuristic framework for accompaniment, especially for the Nones. This heuristic framework emphasizes the integration of elements of theological Tampe, IJTMS, 2 (2), 947-972, 2026 948 conversation and healthy pastoral restlessness, aiming to shed light on the tensions in becoming credible witnesses of evangelization without presumption or proselytism.



References:

  1. Barron, R. (2023). When did “conversion” become a dirty word? Word on Fire. https://www.wordonfire.org/articles/barron/when-did-conversion-become-a-dirty-word/
  2. Coggiatti, M. (2023). When evangelizers proselytize: Ivereigh responds to Bishop Barron. Where Peter Is. https://wherepeteris.com/when-evangelizers-proselytize-ivereigh-responds-to-bishop-barron/
  3. Cornelio, J. S., & Salera, J. (2020). Digital religion and Filipino youth. Philippine Studies: Historical and Ethnographic Viewpoints, 68(4), 434. https://doi.org/10.1353/phs.2020.0012
  4. Cornelio, J. S. (2011). Being Catholic as reflexive spirituality: The case of religiously involved Filipino students (Asia Research Institute Working Paper No. 146). Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore. https://ssrn.com/abstract=1743931
  5. Cornelio, J. S. (2016). Being Catholic in the contemporary Philippines: Young people reinterpreting religion. Routledge. https://www.academia.edu/download/54801190/Being_Catholic_in_the_Contemporary_Philippines_-_Young_People_Reinterpreting_Religion.1_2.pdf
  6. Enriquez, V. (2013). From colonial to liberation psychology: The Philippine experience. Philosophy East and West, 63(2). https://philpapers.org/rec/ENRFCT
  7. Francis. (2019). Christus vivit: Post-synodal apostolic exhortation to young people and to the entire people of God. Libreria Editrice Vaticana. http://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papafrancesco_esortazione-ap_20190325_christus-vivit.html
  8. Fuller, R. C. (2001). Spiritual, but not religious: Understanding unchurched America. Oxford University Press. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=T--S0LEC2EC&oi=fnd&pg=PA1&dq=Fuller,+R.+C.+(2001).+Spiritual,+but+not+religious:+Understanding+unchurched+America.+Oxford+University+Press.&ots=YLsa6b6e0A&sig=PNX6QYKcvbQzRzzOMUlr7LFoB-E
  9. Lipka, M. (2015). 5 facts about Catholicism in the Philippines. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2015/01/09/5-facts-about-catholicism-in-the-philippines/
  10. Mercadante, L. A. (2014). Belief without borders: Inside the minds of the spiritual but not religious. Oxford University Press. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=dkWkAgAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=Mercadante,+L.+A.+(2014).+Belief+without+borders:+Inside+the+minds+of+the+spiritual+but+not+religious.+Oxford+University+Press.&ots=hFcqC-R68V&sig=zBBpzNbvCVWrCAqBMaActHiJ2wY
  11. McCarthy, R. J., & Vitek, J. M. (2018). Going, going, gone: The dynamics of disaffiliation in young Catholics. Saint Mary’s Press. https://read.nxtbook.com/ncea/momentum/2018_fall/going_going_gone_the_dynamics.html
  12. Pew Research Center. (2015). America’s changing religious landscape. https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2015/05/12/americas-changing-religious-landscape/
  13. Pew Research Center. (2015, April 2). The future of world religions: Population growth projections, 2010–2050. https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2015/04/02/religious-projections-2010-2050/
  14. Pew Research Center. (2024, January 24). Religious nones in America: Who they are and what they believe. https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2024/01/24/religious-nones-in-america-who-they-are-and-what-they-believe
  15. Philippine Statistics Authority. (2023, February 22). Religious affiliation in the Philippines (2020 Census of Population and Housing). https://psa.gov.ph/content/religious-affiliation-philippines-2020-census-population-and-housing
  16. Reyes, R. (2023). Sharing Christ with young urban nones in Metro Manila. Journal of Adventist Mission Studies, 19(2), 126–147. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1548&context=jams
  17. Rice, B. (2019). Christus vivit: A new vision of youth and young adult ministry. Catechetical Review, 6(1), 34–35. https://review.catechetics.com
  18. Silva, W. (2023). Portuguese cardinal-designate on World Youth Day: No converts. The Catholic Thing. https://www.thecatholicthing.org/2023/07/12/portuguese-cardinal-designate-on-world-youth-dayno-converts/
  19. Smith, C., & Denton, M. L. (2009). Soul searching: The religious and spiritual lives of American teenagers. Oxford University Press. https://ministryarchitects.com/wpcontent/uploads/2015/04/Youth-Ministry-Studies-2005.pdf
  20. Synod of Bishops. (2018). Young people, faith, and vocational discernment. Libreria Editrice Vaticana. https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/synod/documents/rc_synod_doc_20181027_doc-finalinstrumentum-xvassemblea-giovani_en.html
  21. SWS. (2020). Record-high 83% of adult Filipinos say religion is “very important”. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1257504/record-high-83-of-filipinos-sayreligion-very-important-sws
  22. Taylor, C. (2007). A secular age. University of Notre Dame. https://ndpr.nd.edu/reviews/a-secular-age/
  23. The Bible Project. (2023). The meaning of “listen” in Hebrew. PursueGOD. https://www.pursuegod.org/hebrew-word-study-shema/

Tools


Copyright © 2026  KITE Digital Educational Solutions |  Exclusively distributed by CE-Logic