By Christina Hermoso  The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) will hold an online conference in place of its cancelled plenary assembly this July due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (MANILA BULLETIN) CBCP-NASSA/Caritas Philippines chairman Kidapawan Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo said, the permanent council officers of the CBCP together with the heads of the episcopal commissions will meet online this July. The bishops gather for their plenary assembly January and July every year. “We have cancelled our plenary assembly this July because of the pandemic. Hopefully, we will be able to hold it again in January next year. The permanent council officers and the heads of the episcopal commissions will, instead, meet online,” Bagaforo said over Church-run Radio Veritas. The CBCP has, likewise, postponed the bishops’ annual retreat to January, which is usually held before the July assembly. “Our agenda will include the Church’s response and contribution to the crisis brought about by COVID-19, including our guidelines and reflections on the ‘new normal,’ our pastoral actions and pastoral approaches,” the prelate said. Bagaforo said they will also tackle the Church’s position and stand on the controversial Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, “with the Church’s stand as the most urgent issue.” Preparations for the Church’s observance of the 500 years of Christianity in the country will also be part of the agenda, the bishop said. The Philippines is set to celebrate the 500th year of the arrival of Christianity in the country next year.