CBCP Monitor - CBCP Media Office

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Our Lady of Peña de
Francia in devotion
and tradition
Imitate St. Paul’s
Passion, says the Pope
Church: Condoms don’t
stop AIDS
Ugnayan
The CROSS
Couple for Christ Supplement
Knights of Columbus Supplement
[email protected]
www.cbcponline.net/cbcpmonitor
THE Roman Catholic Church is telling the
people that using condoms to prevent the spread
of the deadly Human Immunodeficiency Virus
(HIV) is unreliable.
The Church is making the claims despite a
widespread scientific consensus that condoms
are impermeable to HIV which causes Acquired
Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the PhilCondoms / A6
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Protagonist of Truth, Promoter of Peace
September 1 - 14, 2008
Vol. 12 No. 18
Php 20.00
Silsilah Davao chapter
laments emergence of
Christian vigilantes
MEMBERS of Silsilah Dialogue Movement –
Davao Chapter lamented the emergence of
Christian vigilantes in Mindanao as well as the
killing of innocent Christian civilians by some
units of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front
(MILF).
Vigilantes / A6
Migration weakens
Filipino families -CBCP head
Former Ambassador to the Vatican Leonida Vera greets Antipolo Auxiliary Bishop Francisco de Leon at a Thanksgiving Mass on August 23.
Says primary casualty of worker migration is the
subordination of family bond and values
By Melo Acuna
A TOP Catholic Church official is calling on authorities to halt promotion of
overseas employment because of its
negative social impacts.
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the
Philippines president Archbishop Angel
Lagdameo said the massive migration
of workers is weakening the Filipino
families.
He said that while the overseas Filipino workers contributed much to the
country’s economic gains, the increased
number of parents now working abroad
has resulted in prolonged separation of
families.
Worse, he said, it has also led to radical change in the family structure: the
emergence of single-parents and femaleheaded families, and households headed
by older children of OFWs.
Lagdameo made the statement in an
interview with Church reporters at the
sidelines of the International Catholic
Migration Commission’s Consultation
on Migration Issues and Priorities in
Asia at the San Carlos Seminary in
Makati City, August 28.
He said the government is completely
misguided because the way it is pushing for employment abroad deals only
on boosting the country’s economy.
“The negative impacts [of migration]
are not being considered because they
are only [after the] economic benefits of
the country,” Lagdameo said.
The Jaro archbishop said the primary
casualty of worker migration is the subordination of family bond and values.
The great concern for the local
churches is the “marital problems result-
ing from separation, the incidence of fake
marriages, divorces and domestic violence which cannot be made up simply
by economic and developmental solutions,” he said.
He pointed out that the ethical problems “are much greater than economic
problem.”
“While the social impact of migration,
economic wise, is good because it supports about 15 million families, there are
also other social impacts which maybe
related to morality, separation of the
members of the family, husbands separated from the wife and vice versa, parents separated from their children and
vice versa, which have negative impacts
on the families,” he said.
Records from the Philippine Overseas
Employment Administration showed
Church, Eco group seek
peaceful solution to
Mindanao crisis
A CATHOLIC bishop and an environmental coalition have jointly appealed for peace in Mindanao as
Muslims commence the holy month of Ramadan on
September 1 and as Christians mark the “Creation
Month.”
“September 1 is a propitious day to declare a
ceasefire, stop the cycle of violence and resume the
stalled peace process in Mindanao,” said Kalookan
Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez, Jr. who also chairs the
Public Affairs Committee of the Catholic Bishops’
Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).
“The first day of Ramadan, the most venerated
month in the Islamic calendar falls on September 1,
which is also the beginning of the Creation Month
that is celebrated by Christians from various denominations to remind the faithful about our shared responsibility to care for the earth,” Iñiguez explained.
Environmentalist Roy Alvarez, EcoWaste
Coalition’s Vice-President, echoed the church leader’s
hope for peaceful settlement of the raging conflict in
Mindanao as the group warned against the harmful
impact of violence to frontline communities and their
environment.
“We urge all parties involved to return to the negotiating table and reject all forms of violence that
only lead to community devastation and carnage. For
the benefit of the people and the environment, please
agree and move to silence the guns,” Alvarez said.
The EcoWaste Coalition lamented that the
country’s environment is already in a sorry state and
that the military conflict is only aggravating the situation, saying that the “bullets, grenades, improvised
explosive devices and other war tools destroy wildlife, disturb native habitats and poison the air, water
and soil with toxic chemicals.”
Amid the spate of violence in Mindanao, Iñiguez
and the EcoWaste Coalition recalled the United Nations statement on environment and development,
popularly known as the 1992 Rio Declaration, which
says that “warfare is inherently destructive of sustainable development” and that “peace, development
and environmental protection are interdependent and
indivisible.”
Iñiguez and the EcoWaste Coalition deplored the
huge amount of resources being wasted in the escalating conflict by government and non-government
forces, which could otherwise be directed to meet the
basic needs of the rural and urban poor, including
ensuring the people’s access to primary health care,
humane housing, sustainable jobs and to a healthy
and safe environment.
“It is our hope that all forces on both sides of the
fence will rise to the occasion, respect the Ramadan
and the Creation Month, silence their guns and resume the elusive search for just and lasting peace in
Mindanao,” Iñiguez and the EcoWaste Coalition
stated.
Last August 27, Archbishop Angel Lagdameo exhorted the faithful to offer a prayer for peace in the
violence-rocked region “in solidarity with the
Mindanao Bishops as well as the thousands of innocent people who are forced to evacuate and live in
uncertainty and fear because of the current crisis and
war.” (Roy Lagarde)
Migration / A6
CBCP Episcopal Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People chairman and Maasin Bishop
Precioso Cantillas chats with Papal nuncio Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams (right) and a participant of the recently held Asian Consultation on Migration.
Thousand lives will be ‘wasted’ in
death penalty revival
OVER 1, 000 lives of inmates
await to be “wasted” if death
penalty in the country will be
revived, Catholic Church officials
warned Monday.
Tagbilaran Bishop Leonardo
Medroso said it’s “very tragic”
that some lawmakers are out
again calling for the restoration
of state executions.
Medroso, Chairman of the
Commission on Canon Law of
the Catholic Bishops’ Conference
of the Philippines, said that capital punishment system doesn’t
work for victims’ families, and
that the state is better off without
it.
He argued that the death penalty do nothing to curb the violence that has poised on so
many communities in the country.
“Violence must not call for
more violence. We are in favor
of justice but not call of capital
punishment,” said Medroso.
The bishop said he was disappointed upon learning that Manila 6th District Representative, a
pastor of the Metropolitan Bible
Baptist Church, filed a bill seeking to revoke the law that repealed the death penalty.
“That’s why I’m saddened that
they are going to resurrect this
kind of bill that would harm
again life. Life is always preDeath penalty / A6
Arroyo makes bare-faced attempt to justify
unpopular programs for lumads, says IP group
AN Indigenous People’s Rights advocacy group in Davao City has
branded President Gloria
Macapagal Arroyo as one used to
making bare-faced attempt to justify unpopular programs for the
Indigenous Peoples (IPs).
Judy A. Pasimio, executive director of the Legal Rights and Natural Resource Center (LRC-KsK)
said Arroyo is not yet tired of recounting to the public her unpopular programs with no relevance for
the IP communities.
In a communiqué sent to
CBCPNews, Pasimio said that de-
spite the existence of the Indigenous People’s Rights Act,
the government has remained impervious to the
issues of the indigenous peoples.
In a recent briefing on the Memorandum
of
Agreement on
Ancestral Domain (MoA-AD)
in Waterfront Insular Hotel, organized by
the Bishops Ulama Conference
(BUC), a tribal chieftain
questioned the government panel for their blatant disregard on the issues
confronting the IP communities.
Pasimio
said that even
Arroyo’s pronouncement
that differences on the
issue of anLumads / A6
CBCP Monitor
World News
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Vol. 12 No. 18
September 1 - 14, 2008
© http://www.flickr.com/photos/meteorry/1211513257
In Kirkuk, Catholics
and Muslims pray
together for peace
By 2015, deaths will
surpass births in the EU,
study reveals
According to the BBC, this severe demographic winter, the
result of the drop in the birth
rate and the increase in abortions in many countries of the
European Union, will lead to a
continual decrease in Europe’s
population starting in the year
2035.
Eurostat also said that the
current population of Europe is
495 million. In 2035 it will reach
its apex of 521 million, from
which it will fall until 2060,
when the population will be 506
million.
The report also said that the
index of retirees versus working-age people will increase
from 25 percent currently to 53
percent by the year 2060. That
is, for every retiree above the
age of 65, there will be only two
people working.
This index could reach as high
as 60 percent in some states of
the EU, including Bulgaria, the
Czech Republic, Latvia,
Lithuania, Poland and Romania.
(CNA)
Church in Ecuador places posters against
abortion in all parishes throughout country
QUITO, Ecuador, Aug. 27, 2008—The Church
in Ecuador has placed posters in parishes
throughout the country in support of life
and against the possibility of legalizing
abortion through the new Constitution,
which will be subject to a national vote in
September.
According to Ecuadoran media, the post-
ers have the heading, “Mommy, I’m not a
tumor, I’m your son,” and the Church is hoping they will inform Catholics about a baby’s
developmental process and the different
methods used to carry out abortions.
Quoting Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta,
the posters pose the question: “If a mother
can kill her own child in her own body, why
Young African woman crawls 2.5
miles to attend Sunday Mass
can’t we kill each other?”
The bishops of Ecuador have raised serious questions about the new Constitution
over the possibility that it will leave the door
open to legalized abortion. In light of the
upcoming referendum, they have stepped up
efforts to encourage voters on the need to
protect human life in all its stages. (CNA)
Photos courtesy of AVAN
LONDON, Aug. 29, 2008—
Eurostat, the European Union’s
statistical service, has released
a report indicating that by the
year 2015, deaths in the region
will outnumber births, and that
by the year 2060, for every person above the age of 65 there
will only be two people of
working age.
KIRKUK, Iraq, Sept. 1, 2008— were many dynamic Christians
Prayers for peace and coexistence working with Muslims in many
were held in the cathedral of ways, and today we need that.
Kirkuk, in northern Iraq, with We thank the Catholic Church for
hymns, psalms, petitions, and bringing us together”.
readings from sacred Scripture,
Later, a young Muslim told me:
attended by both Christians and “I had never been inside a CathoMuslims: Sunnis and Shiites; Ar- lic church. I did not know what
abs, Kurds, and Turkmen.
to expect. As soon as our joint purThe prayers were heard by re- pose was stated again clearly -ligious leaders, tribal chiefs, po- to pray for deep lasting peace for
litical and military leaders. Two our beloved Iraq -- another expeMuslim women were among rience united all of us. Songs from
those who read prayers for peace. the small choir, words from
Many people spoke. “With speakers, the beautiful church
prayer”, said Archbishop Sako, building, and people sitting next
“we can
to one
realize
another,
reconk n e w
ciliation
that deep
and eslasting
tablish
peace
peace.
was the
Prayer
o n l y
changes
powero u r
ful purheart,
pose that
m i n d
enables
a n d © http://www.flickr.com/photos/chris-kutschera/195897076/
stranghelps us
ers to sit
to be open-minded and to accept side by side and pray together.”
differences in a positive way. This
At the end of the religious cermeeting on the eve of Ramadan is emony, we sat together at the
an appeal to fast, pray, be open to same table for a simple meal, and
conversion and to work for peace people representing different
and reconciliation. In this special ethnic, cultural, and linguistic
spiritual way we can win over the groups told me: “We are all
violence and thereby strengthen people who believe in the goodharmony and fraternity”.
ness of God; why can’t we gather
Appreciation for the Catholic and pray for the one thing all of
initiative was expressed by the us want and need -- the deep,
mayor of Kirkuk, who called for heartfelt desire for peace and the
peace and true coexistence. A blessings that this peace would
Sunni imam recalled that “in the be for our beloved nation, Iraq?”
early Islamic caliphate, there (AsiaNews)
Indian archbishop says extremists
persecute Christians for helping the poor
Archbishop Raphael Cheenath
ROME, Aug. 28, 2008—Archbishop Raphael Cheenath of CuttackBhubaneswar in India said this week the recent wave of violence
against Christians by Hindu extremists showed that Christians, “especially Catholics, are persecuted above all because of our social
efforts to help the poor.
In an interview with the L’Osservatore Romano, Archbishop
Cheenath also said, “We Catholics have never proselytized but we
have always given good example by helping others. I think that for
these people who are fanning the flames, our charitable work is an
unforgivable sin.”
He noted that the current problems go back to December of 2007
and January 2008. “At that time, the ire of extremists was concentrated on the destruction of the belongings of Catholics, and now it is
on the direct attack of people. The number of victims is still not
definitively known. I have received news of five victims and numerous wounded, some seriously. I pray to God this will all end soon
and reason will soon prevail again,” he said.
The archbishop went on to say, “It is not necessary but it is fair to
say that people are using a pseudo-religious pretext for matters of a
political nature. Catholics in Orissa are a small community, about
one percent of the population. Our faithful support peaceful coexistence with those who belong to other faiths and they have, whenever
possible, good relations with their Hindu neighbors.”
Archbishop Cheenath also mentioned the case of a young lay missionary named Ranjie Majhie who worked at an orphanage in
Panampur. She may have died during a fire at the orphanage making
sure that all of the children were able to escape the flames.
“The children and some of the nuns probably hid in the neighboring plantations. However, I cannot say anything definitive about her
fate. I pray that God will protect these innocent victims,” the archbishop stated.
Asked about what would happen to the Pastoral Center of the
diocese, he said the center’s director, Father Thomas, “has surely fled
from the Hindu fanatics who were gathered outside the building to
set it on fire. I have spoken to him by phone. He has described the
events with anguish. I have told him to pray fervently and to save
himself.”
“As far as I know, the pastoral center has suffered serious damage,
perhaps irreparable. This was a work that many of faithful sacrificed
greatly for. We were very proud of it,” the archbishop said. (CNA)
Franciscan monks savagely beaten at Italian monastery
TURIN, Italy, Aug. 29, 2008—On Wednesday
hooded attackers assaulted Franciscan monks
at a monastery in the Alps foothills near
Turin, leaving one priest severely injured and
the three other victims hospitalized. The
Archbishop of Turin, Cardinal Severino
Poletto, called the attack “beyond comprehension” and only explicable if the attackers
had been “either drugged or possessed, or
both.”
The 48-year-old Father Sergio Baldin, the
guardian of the San Colombano Belmonte
monastery and three elderly monks from the
Franciscan order of Friars Minor were having their evening meal when they were attacked, the Times Online reports.
Three hooded men gagged and bound the
monks before punching, kicking, and beating them with clubs.
Father Baldin suffered severe head injuries
and “serious respiratory problems” because
he choked on his food during the assault. He
has had brain surgery and was in a coma.
Father Salvatore Magliano, 86, Father
Emanuele Battagliotti, 81, and Father Martino
Gurini, 76, were still treated at a hospital but
suffered less serious injuries, according to the
Times Online.
Father Battagliotti, speaking from his hospital bed, said the monks had been eating a
dish of spinach when they heard noises outside.
“I got up to have a look, but the moment I
got to the door I was attacked % suddenly,
immediately. I was struck on the head with a
blow which made me totter,” he said.
He then explained how Father Baldin came
to his aid:
“He put himself in front of me to try and
defend me, but he too was knocked down
without mercy. They hit him until he stopped
crying out. Then they beat Father Salvatore
and Father Martin as well. It was terrible.”
Cardinal Poletto visited the victims at the
hospital.
While the cardinal suggested drugs or demonic possession may be to blame, police
said the motive was robbery.
Though the monks reportedly only had
small amounts of money, a spokesman said
Father Sergio Baldin
“Presumably the attackers thought they
would find riches at the monastery.”
Father Gabriele Trivellin, provincial head
of the Friars Minor, said the assault expressed
“mindless, savage and gratuitous violence,”
adding that the attackers had continued beating the monks even though they offered no
resistance.
The attackers were the object of a manhunt
as of Wednesday, the Times Online reports.
(CNA)
VALANCIA, Aug. 28, 2008—The Little Sisters of the Abandoned Elderly in Chissano (Mozambique) took into their home this week a 25
year-old African young girl named Olivia, who despite not being
baptized at the time and not having any legs, crawled 2.5 miles every
Sunday to attend Mass.
According to the AVAN news agency, the nuns said that one day,
they saw “something moving on the ground far away,” and when
they drew near they saw, “to our surprise, that it was a young woman.”
“We were able to talk to her through a lady who was walking by
and who translated into Portuguese what she was saying to us” in
her dialect, they said.
The sisters said that although “the sand from the road burned the palms
of her hands during the hottest times of the year,” the young woman
crawled to Mass, “giving witness of perseverance and heroic faith.”
The young woman received baptismal preparation from a catechist,
who periodically visited her at home. After she was recently baptized, one of the benefactors of the sisters donated a wheel chair for
Olivia. (CNA)
Bishop: Mexico City’s
abortion law a challenge
Says society needs to be aware of rights of unborn
TEXOCO, Mexico, Sept. 1, 2008—
The preservation of Mexico
City’s legalization of abortion
isn’t a defeat for the Church, but
rather a call to greater action, says
the president of Mexico’s episcopal conference.
Bishop Carlos Aguiar Retes of
Texoco told ZENIT this in light
of Mexico’s Supreme Court decision Thursday to uphold the capital city’s legalization of abortion
on demand through the first trimester, which came into force in
April 2007.
The 8-3 vote opens the way for
other states in the country to follow suit, and makes Mexico City
one of the few places in Latin
America that allows the procedure without limitations.
Bishop Aguiar Retes said he
doesn’t consider the Supreme
Court’s decision to be a defeat for
the Church, rather “a greater
challenge. We need a greater social conscience on the culture of
life and the rights of the newly
conceived.”
He said there are two main elements of this challenge: “In the
first place, we must articulate and
organize ourselves to clarify to
society and its agencies the concepts in all the aspects and dimensions—ethical, cultural, medical,
anthropological, social and juridical.
“In the second place, as soon as
we begin to generate a social conscience, the latter must see to it
that politicians legislate according
to society’s view and to truth.”
Bishop Aguiar Retes says he
admires and respects the three
court justices who voted in favor
of life: “It isn’t easy to go against
the majority and they were able
to hold their position in a very
dignified way.
“Moreover, they truly decided
on their vote, going to the heart
of the matter, that is, that there is
human life from the moment of
fertilization.”
He added that the pro-life elements of society did what they
could in this case: “I think the arguments presented before the
Court, by those who manifested
themselves in favor of life, are
more than sufficient to show that
life begins at conception.
“Now they must be made
known in all realms of society.”
(Zenit)
Vol. 12 No. 18
September 1 - 14, 2008
Reproductive
Health Bill not
‘pro-poor, profamily,’ says
Catholic pro-life
group
MANILA, August 24, 2008—The controversial Reproductive Health Bill is not
intrinsically “pro-poor, pro-life and profamily,” said a Catholic pro-life group.
Marita F. Wasan, executive director,
Pro-Life Philippines Foundation Inc., refuted the stand of professors of the University of the Philippines (UP) School of
Economics, who found the RH bill to be
pro-poor, authentically pro-life and profamily.
The Reproductive Health Bill pending in the House of Representatives is
authored by Albay Congressman Edcel
Lagman and others.
The economists have a distorted idea
in claiming that 10 percent of poor families have only one child while 57 percent
have nine or more.
Statistics from the National Statistics
Office (NSO) prove that the Total Fertility Rate (average number of children per
woman) is 3.2 as of 2006; that the average
household size in the Philippines is five.
The claim that 57 percent of poor women
have nine or more children does not seem
to be with NSO data, Wasan argued.
The economists also claim that among
the poorest 10 percent of women are of
reproductive age and 44 percent of pregnancies are unwanted. But according to
the 2006 Family Planning Survey (FPS),
11 percent of married women of reproductive age in the poorest sector have
unmet needs for family planning. The
two sets of data do not match with the
economists’ claim, Wasan said.
“According to the 2006 FPS, 19.9 percent of women do not want to use contraceptives because they want to have
children; 3 percent, because of their religious beliefs; and 2.9 percent because they
don’t know enough about contraceptives.
They should also know that 30 percent
of women do not use contraceptives for
fear of side-effects. Among women who
didn’t finish elementary, the second
most reported reason for their refusal to
use contraceptives is their desire to have
children,” Wasan said.
The UP economists cited the increase
in the number of poor Filipinos—from
30.4 percent in 2003 to 33 percent in 2006.
The total fertility rate (TFR) decreased
from 3.5 in 2003 to 3.2 children in 2006.
The TFR (6.0 in 1973) has been steadily
decreasing. Population Growth Rate has
also been decreasing—from 3.01 in 1970
to 2.04 in 2007 and is projected to decrease to 1.9 next year. Zero population
growth is expected to be achieved by
2025.
The economists got the data all wrong,
she said.
“Despite decreasing fertility and population growth rates, is poverty increasing?” Wasan asked.
Meanwhile, Mati Bishop Patricio Alo
said the Reproductive Health Bill is “unlawful” as it contains matters such as use
of contraceptive pills and abortion.
The RH bill contradicts the Philippine
Constitution and the divine and natural
law; that the individual right of women
to space their children as they deem appropriate is subject to the right to life for
everyone, from conception to natural
death; and that artificial contraceptives,
some of which are abortifacients, have
adverse side effects on health.
According to the Catholic teaching,
the use of contraception and abortion are
intrinsically immoral.
“There are many countries with higher
population densities than the Philippines, yet they are richer than our country. There are also many more countries
with lower population densities than the
Philippines, and yet they are poorer than
us,” Wasan said.
The Catholic Church across the country is soon to launch national ‘signature
campaign’ against the RHB.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of
the Philippines and Manila Archdiocese
are spearheading the massive signature
movement in every diocese, parish,
Catholic school, church institution, and
organization.
The Church poses serious objections
in contraceptive programs, which supposedly champion the cause of women,
but ignore the proven harmful side effects of contraceptives and, in some instances violate women’s rights.
The Church faults the Department of
Health for the disregard and mere ‘lip
service’ it pays to Natural Family Planning.
The proposed Bill as well as the Appropriations Act of Fiscal Year 2009 is
setting aside more than P2 billion from
tax payer’s money for the purchase of
contraceptives. The Church stresses that
this money could instead be used to provide education, livelihood and basic services.
“If they [economists] got it right from
‘studious reading,’ a decreasing population should be followed by a lower poverty incidence. But this is not happening.
Because poverty is not caused by overpopulation but by the excessive greed of
those who are in economic and political
power,” said Wasan. (Santosh Digal)
News Features
A3
Christians should imitate St.
Paul’s passion for evangelizing,
says Pope Benedict
VATICAN CITY, August 27, 2008—During today’s general audience in the
Vatican’s Paul VI Hall, Pope Benedict
XVI spoke about the life of St. Paul. Recounting that the Church honors the
great missionary in a special way this
year, the Holy Father said that Catholics should emulate Paul by sparing no
energy and enduring trials for the sake
of the Gospel.
After making clear the significance
of this year as the 2,000th anniversary
of St. Paul’s birth, Pope Benedict noted
Paul’s Jewish birth in Tarsus, his Hebrew name “Saul” and his training as a
“tent” maker. The Holy Father explained that from around the age of 12,
Paul was instructed in Jerusalem in the
strict Pharisaic tradition, on the basis
of which, the future saint “viewed the
Christian movement as a threat to orthodox Judaism”.
The great missionary, Pope Benedict
noted, persecuted the Church “until a
dramatic encounter on the road to Damascus radically changed his life.”
The Holy Father recalled Paul’s historical fame as a Christian and apostle,
not as a Pharisee, and the saint’s three
missionary journeys, which are told by
St. Luke in the Acts of the Apostles. The
three missionary journeys spurred the
so-called Council of the Apostles, which
decided that pagan converts to Christianity were not required to observe the
Mosiac Law, the spread of the Gospel
to Europe via Macedonia, the “birth”
of the term “Christian in Antioch, and
the writing of Paul’s Epistles.
Pope Benedict also highlighted Paul’s
arrest and imprisonment in Jerusalem,
and later in Rome. St. Luke closes his
account of St. Paul’s life noting that the
great missionary spent two years of
house arrest in Rome.
The Holy Father concluded by reminding his audience of St. Paul’s
words: “I do everything for the sake of
the Gospel.” With this summary of
Paul’s journeys in mind, Pope Benedict
continued, “Let us pray that the Lord,
who made Paul see the light and know
his Word and who touched the interior
of Paul’s heart, … will also make us see
the light so that our hearts may also be
touched by his Word and so that we may
also give the world the light of the Gospel and the truth of Christ, for which it
thirsts.”
Pope Benedict indicated that next
week’s audience address will focus on
the conversion of St. Paul. (CAN)
Ex-Vatican envoy ‘happy to be back’
MANILA, August 26, 2008—She might
have lost one big position in the Vatican
but being back to the Philippines is
something not worth regretting.
Former Vatican ambassador Leonida
Vera said things do happen like that but
that would never stop her from helping
the Catholic Church and the country.
And being home to the place where
she belongs is worth it, saying she could
even be more in touch with poor people
who needs help the most.
“Being sent back to Manila is nothing
I should be sorry with because there are
a lot of things that I can still do to a lot of
poor people here,” Vera told
CBCPNews.
In fact, Vera said, she is all ready and
excited to face various works she left
when she was sent to Rome in 2004.
Before her appointment as Philippine
ambassador to the Holy See, Vera sat on
the board of Caritas Manila, Family
Crusade International, Edsa Shrine and
the Children Rosary Movement.
She has also been serving with the Order of Malta Philippines, one of the most
ancient religious Catholic Order committed to care for the sick, handicapped
and terminally ill people.
‘Leaked’
Vera resigned her post last January, a
move that stunned many people and
even the Catholic Bishops’ Conference
of the Philippines.
Earlier reports said that Vera resigned
from her post to give way to her successor, Cristina Ponce-Enrile, who was chosen by Malacañang but whose appointment still has to be formalized that time.
This prompted many bishops to criticize the Malacañang move for failing to
seek at least their side on the matter before it chooses an envoy to the Vatican.
Vera admitted she quit before the new
ambassador, wife of Senator Juan PonceEnrile, was named but she already knew
that Mrs. Enrile would replace her even
before she tendered her resignation.
There were even allegations that Mrs.
Enrile’s appointment was a concession
between her husband and the
Malacañang for his support to the Arroyo administration.
But Senator Enrile was quick to deny
the accusations.
At first, Vera admitted, she was hurt
upon learning she already has a replacement even without being notified by
Malacañang or the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Getting the information from unofficial sources and something that just
“leaked” from friends of Mrs. Enrile was
something hard to accept at first.
“I think it’s unfair because I tried my
best to serve well our country and our
Church and our OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers) in Rome,” Vera lamented.
But Vera said that ironing out the
“pain” and accepting the reality did not
take much time for her. “Things really
happen like that. And I’m very happy
that I’m back,” she added.
No ill-feelings
Vera also said she has nothing against
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo,
who she said, has been “very nice to me.”
She said she is certain that Mrs. Arroyo and even Department of Foreign
Affairs secretary Alberto Romulo would
have wanted the things to happen properly.
“I know from the beginning the president and the DFA secretary have nothing to do with what happened. That’s
one thing I’m very sure of,” she said.
“It leaked maybe because of the excitement of many friends of Cristina
Ponce-Enrile that she’s going to be appointed to the Vatican to take my place.
But it’s OK. Things happen like that,”
Vera said.
Before she left Rome, Vera said Pope
Benedict XVI assured her of his “continued prayers and blessings” for the Philippines.
She also thanked the CBCP for supporting her all the way especially at the
height of controversies surrounding her
abrupt resignation as Vatican ambassa-
dor.
“It was very uplifting (that the CBCP
was behind me). I found out that they
really appreciated my work,” Vera said.
Untainted
Last Saturday, a thanksgiving Mass for
Vera, led by Bataan Bishop Socrates
Villegas and Antipolo Auxiliary Bishop
Francisco de Leon, was held at the Shrine
of Mary Queen of Peace on EDSA.
In his homily, Villegas said other government officials should take a cue from
Vera who vacated her post with her integrity still intact and her reputation untainted.
The prelate said Vera must serve as a
model for public officials as she selflessly worked for the welfare of the
Church and Filipinos in Rome.
“Tita Nida comes home to us as she
left us—whole. There is reason to give
thanks because not all public officials
Relatives of desaparacidos
call for justice
MANILA, August 27, 2008 -- Relatives of Filipino gentina, Chile and Bolivia.
activists who have disappeared without a trace are
“Unlike in some countries where dictators were
still hoping they will be told of the truth of what held accountable, in the Philippines there is no clohappened to their loved ones.
sure whatsoever,” Fr. Mercado said.
Speaking at a jointly organized CBCPNews and
He added a religious non-government organiCMN Forum yesterday, Dr. Edita Tronqued Burgos, zation known as “Religious of the United Nations”
mother of Jonas Burgos who had been missing for has made their presence felt both in New York and
485 days said she hopes she would be
in Geneva.
informed of Jonas’ whereabouts soon.
“There’s definitely no room for
Jonas Burgos has not been seen since
desaparacidos today,” he further said.
April 28, 2007 when gunmen dragged
Fr. Mercado compared the plight
him from a restaurant in Ever Gotesco
of Dr. Burgos and her companions
Mall along Commonwealth Avenue,
with the grieving relatives of the
Quezon City, to a waiting Toyota Revo
missing passengers of the ill-fated
whose license plate was traced to anM/V Princess of the Stars.
other vehicle that was impounded last
“The passengers’ relatives want to
year at the 56th Infantry Battalion
bury their loved ones in order for them
camp in Bulacan.
to have closure to the tragic incidents,”
Other victims’ relatives said their
Fr. Mercado explained. He said this is
loved ones vanished without a trace.
what Sulpicio Lines cannot understand.
One was looking for her father, a la- Dr. Edita Tronqued Burgos
He added the relatives will always be
bor leader said to have been abducted by law en- hoping against hope their next of kin are still alive.
forcers at the height of a strike at a multi-national
“We call on those responsible to surface all vicsoda company in 1987.
tims of enforced disappearances soonest,” Dr.
Another mother from Angeles City said his son Burgos added.
was simply a tricycle driver when abducted by still
A march from the University of Santo Tomas
unidentified men over a year and a half ago.
along España towards Plaza Miranda was held last
Fr. Eliseo Mercado, Jr., OMI said the desaparacidos August 30 in commemoration of the “International
were common in Latin America, particularly in Ar- Day of the Disappeared”. (Melo Acuna)
© http://vileydsidiotz.multiply.com
CBCP Monitor
like Tita Nida finish government service
like her,” Villegas said.
He said it’s very rare among the public officials who finish their term the way
Vera did. “Some leave government because their names have been tainted by
scandal. Some leave government because
they did something wrong to the people
they represented,” Villegas said.
“The coming of Tita Nida is an encouragement for those in the public service.
It is an inspiration for those in public
service that someday your turn will
come,” he also said.
“Someday, the end will come. Someday, the appointment will cease, the authorization will stop. Like that day
comes as death comes, we pray that all
government officials will be able to finish their terms untainted by scandals
clean and clear, transparent like clean
water. And Tita Nida is a fine example
for all of us,’ he added. (Roy Lagarde)
Lipa archdiocese launches
Tubig Batangan
LIPA CITY, August 29, 2008 -- First it was Pondong Batangan
(the forerunner of Pondo ng Pinoy), then came Botikang
Batangan.
Now, the Archdiocese of Lipa has Tubig Batangan, a water purifying station put up through the initiative of the
Lipa Archdiocesan Social Action Commission (LASAC).
Archbishop Ramon C. Arguelles, who blessed the office
where Tubig Batangan’s distilling and purifying machines
are located, lauded the project as this would benefit the
poor of the Archdiocese.
LASAC Project Director Louie Casala said the initial
funding of the project came from a long-time benefactor, a
Filipino doctor from the Parish of St. Mary Magdalene,
Bayanan, San Pascual, Batangas, who is currently residing
in the United States.
The donor, who requested anonymity, has helped a deserving student finished college through a scholarship
grant but wanted to continue his donation to LASAC.
He gave an initial funding to this project, the proceeds
of which would partly go to the Commission’s scholarship program and partly to cancer patients under the care
of Cancer Warrior’s Foundation (Batangas chapter).
Under the agreement, CWF will take care of the promotions and delivery while LASAC will take care of production and monitoring of the project.
Several children stricken with cancer and under the care
of CWF, together with their parents, were present during
the inauguration and blessing. (Fr. Nonie Dolor)
CBCP Monitor
Opinion
A4
Vol. 12 No. 18
September 1 - 14, 2008
EDITORIAL
Just war
ON the chilling occasion of the deadly and dreadful war now taking
place in Mindanao—on otherwise naturally rich and potentially
prosperous region in the country”a persistent question that comes
to mind is one and the same. Is the war in Mindanao just?
If so, what makes it a just war? Who sees to it that the war is just?
In the event the war is just, why not have war all over the country
in promotion of the sorely needed justice in the land?
The unconscionable truth is that war makes a great business. As
people are killed in war, there are always those who make big
money in war trafficking. Just for the record, let it be noted that as
the resources of others are destroyed by war, those however who
make war their trade, in effect, build up their wealth.
But the question remains and begs for an answer: When is a war just?
The answer to this is curiously found also in questions: Was there
ever a just war in human history? Was the 1st World War just?
Was the holocaust just? Was the systematic extermination of the
Jews just? Was the 2nd World War just?
Was the atomic bomb explosion in Hiroshima just? Was the
indiscriminate killing of many thousands of civilian men, women
and children just? Is the Iraq War just?
In other words: Is it just to have thousands of invading soldiers killed
and more thousands of locals sent to their death as “collateral
damage”—with more people still to be killed as the days go on and
as the war continues?
Thus far, history has not yet given humanity a just war. Despite
philosophical or theological rationalizations, there is no such animal
as a just war. Only fools say otherwise. Only clowns wear smiles
during war. And only those, whose business is war, rejoice when
war is actually waged.
Abp. Angel N. Lagdameo, DD
In and Out of Season
Everybody else—if still alive and well—think, feel and say that
there are no winners in war. And those who want war let them go
to the front lines and do their war dance until they stop a bullet at
hitting somebody else in its way.
(This piece was delivered at the Consultation on
Migration Issues and Priorities in Asia held at the
Bahay Pari, San Carlos Pastoral Formation Complex, Makati City last August 28-29)
The war in Mindanao is grim and gross. And those who are the
casual factor of the war, those who provided the occasion for it, are
not only censurable but also squarely answerable for the debacle:
to agree to what is basically not agreeable, to promise what cannot
be really done, to give way to what is not theirs to dispose of, and
to expose the lives of others while very carefully saving their own
hides.
WE come to conclude our consultation on
the migration of our Asian sisters and brothers to the globalized world with profound
gratitude to the Holy Spirit who guided our
interaction, to the Holy Family of Jesus,
Mary and Joseph who are our icons for migrant families and also gratitude to the International Catholic Migration Commission
(ICMC) and our CBCP Commission for Migrant and Itinerant People (ECMI), and to
one another. Maraming Salamat po. Thank
you very much.
The inputs that were given by Mr. John
Klink and Mr. Johan Ketelers, President and
Secretary respectively of ICMC, the inputs of
Bishop Precioso Cantillas and Fr. Edwin
Corros, chair and Executive Secretary of
CBCP-ECMI, the interaction of the forty participants facilitated by the Bishops who
chaired the seven sessions of the two days of
consultation were very enlightening and challenging.
In our exchanges we saw the concerns and
experiences of our Asian migrants from different perspectives. On the whole, migration
is a challenge, a permanent challenge to the
“Catholicity” of Christ’s Church in our Asian
continent. The fact of migration deepens the
identity of the Catholic Church as a “communion in diversity” on inter-cultural, inter-faith and inter-religious communion, the
special place of migrant peoples for the encounter with the “other” in the spirit of hospitality and dialogue.
The National reports of 18 Episcopal Conferences which include diverse situations,
enumerable concerns and challenges experienced by our Asian migrants reveal the
emerging responses of the local churches.
Migrants are vulnerable people; they are
exposed to and many of them do suffer from
alienation, loneliness, exploitation, discrimi-
This is certainly not the way of the honorable much less the actuation
of rational individuals. These are the characters squarely accountable
for the War in Mindanao.
At their feet should be laid the dead and mutilated bodies of the
war victims. In due time, justice will surely catch up with these
purveyors of injustice—as it is already haunting and hunting them
right now.
Pastoral Care of Migrants
WE are aware of the many serious problems of morality, poverty,
and injustice that affect people, especially women, who migrate
from the provinces to the big cities in our own country. They are
often exploited in the tourism industry. However, on this occasion
we focus our attention on the plight of migrants and overseas
workers.
Our reflection moves us, first of all, to thank the Filipinos abroad for
the manifold sacrifices they have undertaken for us here at home.
Their endurance in the face of adverse conditions, their determination
to turn risks into opportunities, their courage in the face of real
physical threats (for example, seamen in the Persian Gulf) and
moral dangers are to be admired. The courage of these migrant
workers has shown us how to believe in life and to hope against many
odds.
Although much has been done by our priests, religious sisters, and
lay faithful, we wish to humbly acknowledge before our migrants
and overseas workers the limitations that beset the Philippine
Church in its pastoral care for them and their families. But, as we
become more and more a nation of migrants, we are training and
assigning more church personnel, clergy as well as laity, to this
particular ministry. We appeal to the Major Superiors of Religious
Men and Women to do likewise. The need for pastoral care is
great and urgent. Although many good things come from migration,
it is also attended by many evils, such as exploitation, broken
families, moral degradation, loneliness and other psychological
sufferings.
ISSN 1908-2940
CBCP Monitor
Protagonist
of
Tr u t h ,
Promoter
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Pedro C. Quitorio
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nation, lack of due process when tried, absence or deficiency in security. Women and
children in particular are exposed to incidence
of trafficking and false hopes in a foreign
country. The ethical perspective is unavoidable in the migration.
Of great concern for the local churches are
the marital problems resulting from separation, the incidence of fake marriages, divorces
and domestic violence, which cannot be made
up simply by economic and developmental
solutions. The ethical problems are much
greater than economic problem. (Unfortunately, our government in the Philippines
seems to be concerned only with economic
remittances from our OFWs.) A social issue
that needs to be addressed to countries receiving our OFWs is the issue of the OFWs’
right to be with their families. How is this
going to be concretized?
The dignity and human rights of the migrants is a matter of pastoral concern. It was
well said, I think, that if the person is not
respected, if the family is weakened, the whole
society is likewise weakened.
In this concluding remark, I would like to
raise some proposals which I have picked up
from the interventions and inputs.
1. The church in Asia because of the communal aspects of some problems of migrants
should consider organizing common approaches in solving their common problems.
2. The local churches can share their creative and wholistic perspectives, and solutions. The present consultation is a practical
beginning of net-working among the episcopal conferences as sending and receiving
countries.
3. It was also suggested that a united Asian
voice (advocacy) be organized to address issues of migration, answering the question,
such as “what can the church do in the concrete to help incoming and outgoing migrants. What government policies does the
church agree, disagree with, as helpful or not.
The migrants can at least be properly warned
and advised.
Participation in the
likes of the MOA-AD
“CBCP Pastoral Letter on the Occasion of National Migration
Day”, 1988
Migration,
a permanent challenge
THE United Nations declared the 1960s “the Decade of Development”,
development being understood mainly in economic terms. The 1970s
were declared “the Second Decade of Development”, because, it was
clear, the development sought in the 1960s had not happened as hoped
for. In 1967 Pope Paul VI went beyond the two decades’ understanding of development in his landmark encyclical Populorum Progressio
(the Development of Peoples). In it he laid out his ideas on total and
integral human development—the development “of the whole man
and of all men”. The encyclical and its definition of development as
not only economic but holistic, touching all other areas of human
living as well, has been the lodestar for the Philippine Church’s work
in social development since then.
In those two decades, scientific journals (in sociology and anthropology especially) devoted much space to development studies and
projects. Going over them, one was hard put to find instances of
successful attempts. It did seem they were mostly about what not to
do in development work!
Since development, purely economic or total and integral as
Populorum Progressio would have it, is part of the broader subject of
social change, the question those of us in social action work were
forced to confront was simply this: how to bring about change in
society, in a whole people, as widely as possible. All kinds of books
and articles were being put out on the theoretical aspects of development in the sixties and seventies, but the study I found most useful
was a book titled “Cooperation in Change” by Mr. Ward Hunt
Goodenough, a cultural anthropologist. I liked it for its firm theoretical basis, but more so for its eminent practicability.
His idea was the soul of simplicity itself: Since in social chafnge, it
is people who are the targets of change, for change to occur on a
broad basis and with some firm assurance that it will take, the very
people who are to change (or to be changed!) have to be brought in
into every phase of the change process: accepting the necessity itself
of change, planning for it, setting goals, deciding on means and the
4. Linkages between the ICMC and the
Asian churches should be continued and supported and developed. Coherence and partnership will surely be the first of sharing of
data about migration, about legal and illegal
migrants.
5. To get the local churches involved, the
Parish Pastoral Councils or their equivalents,
where such exist, must be made aware of the
realities of migrants to and from the Parish.
In this way the pastoral aspects will be considered or addressed. It is in this level, I think,
that many of the pastoral and ethical concerns of migrants can be successfully addressed.
6. Many of the local clergy are not involved
or concerned with migrant issues. And if they
are interested, they do so only
“envelopmentally” i.e. for the migrants’ contribution to the church. The priests in the parishes should be encouraged to take the lead
in the pastoral care of migrants.
7. Since the problems of migrants can involve not only the families, but also the communities, a kind of networking among the
different commissions within the Conference
will be helpful. And so the ECMI for example
can link up with the commissions on the laity, family, women and youth and even social action.
8. Migration, it has been stated, is a wonderful opportunity for evangelization. It is
an opportunity to bring the migrants to the
Church and the Church to the migrants. On
the part of the Philippines, where before
“Mother Spain” evangelized the Filipinos
through the Spanish Missionaries, now is the
time for the Filipino OFWs, laity at that, to
re-evangelize “Mother Spain”.
How necessary it is therefore that our future OFWs, migrants are also prepared to give
witness to their Catholic faith in a foreign
country. As the receiving country helps them
earn their livelihood to support their families back home, they in turn not only work
for consumerism but also to “walk their faith”
as a people on the move.
Francisco F. Claver, SJ
Afterthoughts
use of available resources, evaluating each stage of the process, changing directions if previously selected ones were not producing the
desired results, etc., etc. Simply put, the people to be developed have
to be in on the process from the very beginning, own it, assume
responsibility for every phase of it. Hardly a revolutionary idea—
and a most common-sensical one—it is actually the principle behind
what I discussed once in these columns, the AsIPA or Asian Integral
Pastoral Approach which has been operative in many dioceses of the
country today. Yet, for all its simplicity, it is a principle that is sinned
against again and again by governments and technocrats or professed change agents.
Within our own experience in the Philippines, if we are to give one
main reason for the utter failure of President Marcos’ “New Society”,
it is precisely because it went against this basic principle: It was
totally his idea and project, not the people’s; worse, it was going to
be brought about by force—martial law was declared, he claimed,
for the very purpose.
More recently: The same mistake is at the base of the widespread
rejection of the MOA-AD, the memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain, that the government proposed to enter into with the
MILF as the final solution to the age-old Muslim Mindanao question.
No consultation was held on it among the people most affected, the
Muslim and non-Muslim peoples of Mindanao in particular, the whole
nation in general (although one of the main authors of the memorandum claims something along these lines had been done on the Muslim side). Consultation—getting the people concerned to have their
say on the subject of the Memorandum—this was the least one would
look for in the participation in change that we are talking of here. It
defies reason how (and why) the principals in the making and promoting of the Memorandum could overlook such a fundamental
requirement for its success.
When one comes down to the ultimate reason why participation in
Afterthoughts / A6
CBCP Monitor
Opinion
Vol. 12 No. 18
September 1 - 14, 2008
Rev. Euly B. Belizar, SThD
By the Roadside
WAR is raging again in Mindanao. And
it’s being felt throughout the archipelago.
The sight of people fleeing their homes
on prime time television, of soldiers being hit and killed at times because of allegedly delayed rescue and reinforcement operations, of rebel attacks and
military counter attacks while politicians
blame one another for the pass the country has come to again—all these have
made me think of whether we really are
on the right side of the planet. Even here
in Borongan, Eastern Samar, my hometown, we are feeling part of the impact.
There are Mindanaoans, mostly fisherfolks, in some of our barangays, some of
them Muslim, many more are Christian
who have taken refuge in our shores, despite our obvious poverty. It’s not hard
to see why. “I’m running from having to
run for my life,” one man at our B.E.C.
meeting said to me.
For many in the Philippines it feels,
(too) many times, like the side of the earth
where we are is constantly turned away
from the sun. It seems we are just moving from darkness to darkness, with no
one to blame for it but ourselves. We
have successfully kept our sun from dawning. Darkness has come to settle upon us
like a veil. The rice and fuel crisis has
scarcely left us but just as fuel prices are
beginning to ease down, here comes a
major government fiasco involving a
Memorandum of Agreement with MILF
rebels that has met intense opposition
and cynical suspicions for lack of proper
consultation. Rebel expectations having
been raised, the negative reaction appears to have fanned violence and
counter violence. We are told that lasting peace is the ultimate aim of the MOA.
Time for a reality check. Peace has now
become even more elusive instead, a victim in fact of the country’s brand of politics.
Only when our side of the earth faces
the sun again will the veil be lifted. I’m
not simply talking of the sun of reason
or of common sense. I’m talking of the
real Sun Christians recognize as their
Lord and Master. (And, may I add, we
Christians shouldn’t be embarrassed to
talk like Christians). It’s true, it would
not be realistic to expect everyone, especially non-Christians, to see things from
this perspective. But, again, have we
Christians who make up the majority of
the Philippine population faced the real
Sun and allowed him to lead us through
the darkness we are in? I have heard so
many songs that describe the loved one
as the “light”. Nothing lights up more
than God’s love that Jesus Christ brings.
No wonder he also calls himself “the light
of the world. He who follows me will not
walk in darkness. He will have light and
life” (Jn 5:12). Don’t we find here a simple
explanation to why we are where we are?
As human beings we experience that life
can be so “veiled” until we discover love
or meaning. St. Paul in his second letter
to the Corinthians, for instance, says the
same thing of the experience of Israel during Old Testament times when seen in regard to his and other disciples’ discovery
of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament, as we
know very well, tells us of so many excesses, such as of kings marrying so many
wives or justifying the massacre of their
enemies as part of God’s providence etc.
All these tell us that the old covenant
looked and pointed to a more perfect
stage and phase. The Old Testament is like
the side of the earth not yet turned towards the sun; it is covered with a veil
like the Philippines and the world of today. It is only in Jesus Christ, St. Paul reminds us, that that veil is removed and
the face of God as well as his will revealed. “Up to this day”, he notes, “however often they read Moses, the veil remains over their understanding. But for
those who turn to the Lord, the veil will
be lifted” (2 Cor 3:15-16)
When our lives face the sun who
is Jesus Christ, he even makes clear to us
how we are to live so as to have peace and
the blessings of ‘shalom’. The way is exposed by and through his gospel which
teaches that, to truly live, a human being
must go through a total personal transformation that begins with the heart and
the interior life fired by the Spirit of God.
This is in real contrast to the all-surface
existence exemplified by the scribes and
Pharisees of his time as well as by the
lifestyles the world we live in approves
of today (when ‘looking good’ is preferred to ‘being good’, to paraphrase Pope
Paul VI). (I notice my laptop’s WORD capitalizes Pharisee every time I write it but
not Jesus Christ—which makes me wonder in recognition of who its makers must
be).
If peace were to be decided by a scribe
or a Pharisee in Mindanao or in the whole
Philippines or in the entire world, he
would be satisfied, for example, with
people not being killed or murdered.
Jesus tells us to go farther and deeper than
that. “But,” he emphatically declares, “I
Lawlessness strikes
again a heavy blow
DIGOS City used to be spared from the usual bombing incidents
that happen in neighboring cities like Davao City, Kidapawan
City, General Santos City. This fortune is no longer true. Recently, our City’s tranquil environment, on the eve of the launching of the week long 8 th celebration of Araw ng Digos City, was
once again struck by a terror attack. A second Metro Shuttle bus,
this time bound for Malita, was the victim of another bombing
incident. Innocent lives of men, women and children lost and
several others injured. The vivid and gruesome images of the
victims continue to alarm, agitate and worry officials and citizens of our city. What have become of us?
The situation of un-peace in many parts of Mindanao, including our own province of Davao del Sur has been part of the lives
of peoples that especially injure and further deprive the poor of
decent and peaceful living. Mutual respect and tolerance and solidarity among the tri-people of Mindanao continue to be as uncertain as ever.
But I think there is a more dreadful disease in our society
today that brings about a culture of wanton violence perpetrated
either by paramilitary groups or criminal syndicates. It is, I believe, the contempt for order and the rule of law. There is this
prevailing atmosphere and environment of lawlessness and lack
Sr. Mary Pilar Verzosa, RGS
Love Life
A REUNION of Twins and Multiple Births
was held last August 16 at the Good Shepherd Convent. Over twenty-five sets of
twins and one set of triplets showed up
with their parents. The activity was to organize the families in preparation for the
third Festival of Twins in December.
The idea of holding a Festival of Twins
is the brainchild of Natalie Palanca, a
Marian devotee and freelance journalist.
Natalie has a set of twin-grandchildren who
are residing with their parents in the USA.
And having attended Festivals of Twins in
some States, Natalie dreamed of holding
one in our country. Last February 2004, as
part of Pro-life Week, and in cooperation
with the City of Manila the first Festival of
Twins was held at the Tent in Intramuros.
Over 80 sets of twins showed up then. In
2005, over 300 sets of Twins and 13 sets of
Triplets attended the Second Festival held
at Raja Soliman, Baywalk, Manila
People have asked me why Pro-life Philippines is involved in activities for twins
and multiple births. Nowadays, when one
child in the womb is in danger of abor-
When peace is an
elusive victim
say to you, whoever gets angry with his
brother will have to face trial…So if you
are about to offer a gift at the altar and
there remember that your brother has
something against you, go at once and
make peace with your brother. Then come
and offer your gift” (Mt 5:22, 23-25).
In high school Latin I remember translating a saying of the ancient (Christian)
Romans: “Qui iracundiam vincit, magnum inimicum vincit (he who conquers
anger conquers a great enemy)”. But, we
need to ask, how do we do that precisely?
For the disciple the key to the answer
lies in the commandment of brotherly
love which opens up three options to
him: dialogue (Jesus’ instructions on fraternal correction), reconciliation (the
command to mend a wounded relationship before offering the altar sacrifice,
and the Parable of the Prodigal Son) and
forgiveness (the cry at Calvary: “Father,
forgive them…”). In the Philippine context all three are under direct threat from
the cycles of deceit and treachery, of violence and revenge. In effect, we only
have the specter of more and more destruction of life, property and good will
looming in our horizons. I say we Christians be the first to pinch ourselves from
this nightmare to the words of St.
Maximilian Kolbe: “Hatred is not a creative force. Only love is.” When Lincoln
greeted one of his enemies, some of his
friends said to him: “He is your enemy.
You should rather eliminate him.” To
that Lincoln said: “Isn’t that what I do
when I make him my friend?” Such a
Christian advice from a politician!
Add to that my next suggestion: Let’s
take Lincoln’s advice on what to do with
our enemies, but let our prayer be that of
St. Francis of Assisi: “Lord, make me an
instrument of your peace. Where there is
hatred, let me sow love. Where there is
injury, pardon. Where there is doubt,
faith. Where there’s despair, hope. Where
there is darkness, light. And where there
is sadness, joy. O Master, grant that I may
not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love. For it is in giving
that we receive. It is in pardoning that we
are pardoned. And it is in dying that we
are born to eternal life.” Let every cleric
or lay, every soldier or rebel, every student or teacher, every farmer or fisherman, every professional or amateur—let
everyone say or hear this prayer as often
as every day.
Then peace will elude us no more.
Bp. Guillermo V. Afable, DD
DADITAMA
of social discipline. There is disorder in law making, disorder in
law enforcement, circumventing the laws, and failure in bringing the outlaws to answer for their crimes. No wonder there is
lawlessness all around, from the simple traffic rules to the more
demanding and intricate rules of the IPRA law and the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL)
Peace is in everyone’s hands. We start simply with reversing
and abandoning the contempt for law and order. Instead, we develop and practice a holy respect for the rule of law. Lawmakers,
law enforcers, and law abiding citizens must come together for
the common good of all without fear or favor, especially for the
good of the ones most marginalized by lawlessness. We start with
the little things, because there are no quick fixes for societal ills.
September 8 is the celebration of the 8th Araw ng Digos City. It
is also, as every Catholic knows, the birthday of Mama Mary.
Both the Mediatrix Cathedral Parish and the San Isidro Parish in
Digos City will come together for an aurora procession and
concelebrated mass in our Lady’s honor, and together with the
city officials and employees, and people of good will, to entrust
ourselves once more to the maternal care of the Queen of Peace.
May she continue not only to protect us, but also to guide us into
the ways of peace.
Twins are double
blessings
tion because children have begun to be
considered as burden, Pro-life wants to
insist on the fact that if one child is a blessing, TWINS are DOUBLE BLESSINGS!
The Association of Twins has been gathering families to support each other in raising up their twins according to God’s plan.
Although parents claim that it has not
been easy to provide for their twins or
triplets or quadruplets, they have never
regretted that they were blessed by God
with these children.
Last Saturday, the daughter of Natalie,
Mrs. Milette G. Hammond and her twins,
Jaclyne and Mikhaela came to the Philippines just to share their experiences during the reunion. It is hard to imagine that
these pretty fourteen year olds were once
premature babies struggling to survive,
and now excelling in academics and sports,
thanks to the loving care of their parents.
Mr. Benjie Santillan, President of Prolife Philippines, gave the Welcome Remarks and proudly showed his own set of
twins, ten year old boys looking exactly
alike and looking like their dad!
A Message of support was given by Mrs.
Menchu Sarmiento, Executive Director of
Philippine Airlines Foundation. She was
responsible for providing free airfare for
the Hammond Twins, and she related how
these past years, PAL Foundation has carried three sets of the conjoint (Siamese)
twins from the Philippines to the USA for
surgical separation. She then called the
parents of the Aguirre twins to stand up
amid a big round of applause for the successful surgery.
The Inspirational Talk that was to be
given by Sec. Lito Atienza, who had been
very supportive of the first two Festivals,
was given by his Undersecretary Mrs. Tess
Castillo with her own story to tell. She is
the widow of a twin–Mr. Castillo and his
twin brother have both passed away.
The families went home with bags of
surprises—coloring books, toys, and lots
of food given by sponsors solicited by
Natalie and the pro-life groups.
Those interested in joining the Association of Twins and Multiple Births can call
the Pro-life office at 911-2911.
A5
Fr. Melvin P. Castro
Speaking of Mary
Promoting the Cause
of Our Lady,
Mediatrix of All Grace
THE upcoming 5th National Pilgrimage in honor of Our
Lady, Mary, Mediatrix of All-Grace is set on 12 September
2008.
It will be preceded by a Triduum, all to be held at the
San Sebastian Cathedral, Lipa City. The actual day of the
National Pilgrimage, will start with a Eucharistic Procession at 4 a.m. from the Lipa Cathedral ending at the Site of
the Parish of Mary, Mediatrix of All-Grace. The Conferences and Talks will be delivered beginning 8 a.m. until
lunch time.
The culminating concelebrated Holy Mass will be held
at the compound of the Carmelite Monastery at 3:30 p.m.
Allow me as well to invite you to join us in an organization dedicated to promoting the cause of Our Lady, Mary,
Mediatrix of All-Grace and dedicated as well in heeding
her request of Total Consecration following the devotional
way of St. Louis Marie Grignon di Montfort.
A call to a more perfect devotion
Make our Marian devotion more meaningful and relevant. JOIN the Confraternity of Mary, Mediatrix of All
Grace and learn St. Louis Grignon de Montfort’s method of
true devotion to Our Lady by reading his book and eventually consecrating yourselves to her through a holy slavery of love. Now, slavery may sound too harsh to modern ears and yet this most singular slavery frees and unshackles one from sin and vice. But this consecration is not
a mere recitation of a formula. It far transcends that. It is a
state of mind and soul. It is a way of life, a real and lasting
true devotion. Learn more!
Christ must be the ultimate end of all devotions
Let us read what St. Louis Grignon di Montfort wrote in
his book, True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin, the mustread manual of a sincere and real devotee of Our Lady. If
devotion to the Blessed Virgin is necessary for all men
simply to work out their salvation, it is even more necessary for those who are called to a special perfection. I do
not believe that anyone can acquire intimate union with
our Lord and perfect fidelity to the Holy Spirit without a
very close union with the most Blessed Virgin and an absolute dependence on her support.
Since she is the sure means, the direct and immaculate
way to Jesus and the perfect guide to Him, it is through her
that souls who are to shine forth in sanctity must find Him.
He who finds Mary finds life, that is, Jesus Christ who is
the way, the truth and the life. But no one can find Mary
who does not look for her. No one can look for her who
does not know her, for no one seeks or desires something
unknown. Mary then must be better known than ever for
the deeper understanding and the greater glory of the
Blessed Trinity.
Following therefore the teaching of the saints and of the
popes, especially Pope John Paul II and many great men
we too can call ourselves, and become the loving slaves of
our Blessed Lady in order to become more perfect slaves
of Jesus. Mary is the means our Lord chose to come to us
and she is also the means we should choose to go to Him,
for she is not like other creatures who tend rather to lead
us away from God than towards Him, if we are over-attached to them. Mary’s strongest inclination is to unite us
to Jesus, her Son, and her Son’s strongest wish is that we
come to Him through His Blessed Mother. He is pleased
and honored just as a king would be pleased and honored
if a citizen, wanting to become a better subject and slave of
the king, made himself the slave of the queen. That is why
the Fathers of the Church, and St. Bonaventure after them,
assert that the Blessed Virgin is the way which leads to our
Lord.
To establish another link of True Devotion to the Lipa
apparition, one ought to recall that in Mother Cecilia of
Jesus’ (Prioress of Lipa Carmel in 1948) official account of
the apparitions she wrote, “On the 25th (Sept. 1948) the
Lady told the following, I wish you all to consecrate yourselves to me on October 7 and be my slave’....”
From Teresing Castillo’s own words, the 7 October 1948
entry of her Life and Testimony: The much-awaited day
finally came. A Mass was celebrated at the hermitage by
our beloved Msgr. Obviar. As soon as Mass was over, the
whole community consecrated itself to Mama Mary following the devotion of St. Louis Grignon di Montfort.
A nation of true devotees
Imagine the abundance of blessings and graces the Filipino nation would receive if its citizens follow Our Lady’s
wise counsel to the Carmelite nuns of Lipa in 1948. In fact,
it is our lofty goal. We desire the greatest number of souls
to consecrate themselves to Our Lady and be her slaves of
love. This is the main reason why we are forming The
Confraternity of Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace.
We call upon the countless children of Mary to forge
ahead and make the necessary step to perfect their devotion. Read St. Louis Marie Grignon di Montfort’s timeless
masterpiece, True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin for it is
the key to a new level of Marian spirituality and interior
life. Let us, Filipinos, take the lead and set the world on
the fire of true Marian devotion!
Membership
Membership is open to Catholic clergy, religious and
laity. Realizing that different people have varying degrees
of understanding and spirituality and thus may take some
time to fully grasp the real and profound meaning of this
devotion, we propose the following different levels of
membership:
Full-pledged Confraternity Member: an individual who
agrees to read True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin and
afterwards go through the 33 days preparatory period prior
to consecrating himself or herself to Our Lady as a slave of
love.
Associate Member: an individual who may not be ready
to do the consecration yet but believes in the benefits of
this apostolate and agrees to help in the confraternity’s
various tasks and projects.
Patrons of the Confraternity: Donors and supporters–
those individuals who believe and support the
Confraternity’s cause through donations, both in cash and
kind.
CBCP Monitor
Local News
A6
Vol. 12 No. 18
September 1 - 14, 2008
CRS to send additional aid Bishop wants
revamp
in
gov’t
to people displaced by war
peace panel
in Mindanao
MANILA, September 1, 2008%Additional relief aid from the USbased Catholic Relief Services may
come sooner should their on-going assessment of the Mindanao
situation proves the need for assistance of internally displaced
persons in the Archdiocese of
Cotabato including parishes in
some towns in North Cotabato.
Michael Frank, CRS Country
Representative, in an interview
with CBCPNews said they have
their men on the ground, in Davao
and Cotabato cities trying to find
out the extent of the displaced
people’s requirements.
“This is on top of the original
$25,000 worth of food and temporary shelter assistance including
cooking utensils which we are
currently distributing in southern
Philippines,” Frank said.
It may be recalled that CRS
Philippines had earlier sent relief
aid to families who have been displaced by the ongoing hostilities
in Mindanao.
Frank said they have not noticed any increase in number of
displaced persons but they have
heard of the people’s reluctance
to go back to their villages due to
on-going hostilities between the
Moro Islamic Liberation Front
and government troopers.
“We’re analyzing the recent
events, facts and figures and decide soon enough,” Frank added.
(Melo M. Acuna)
England and Wales Catholic Church
joins relief effort in Mindanao
THE Philippine Catholic Church’s appeals for help following the
ongoing hostilities in Mindanao have brought responses from around
the world.
One of the most high profile has come from the Catholic Church of
England and Wales, which has joined the relief efforts conducted by
the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.
The Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD), the official relief agency of the Catholic Church of England and Wales, has
announced series of initiatives to help those affected of the conflict.
The relief effort is being coursed through its partners in the country like the CBCP’s National Secretariat for Social Action—Justice
and Peace (NASSA).
In Mindanao, CAFOD’s other partners such as “Pakigdait” and
“Ecoweb”, which work in the affected communities, are distributing
rice, mats and other relief supplies to the displaced.
“CAFOD will be providing support to our partners to carry out
relief work and ensure people’s needs are met in the immediate
aftermath of the attacks,” said Alex Cooney, South East Asia program manager.
The agency said they already have set up a registration service to
help reunite families and are offering trauma counseling.
The organizations are also lobbying for peace talks between the
Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to get
back on track.
“It’s vital for peace talks to resume with participation at all levels
as these events are creating further divisions in the communities in
Mindanao,” Cooney said.
The CAFOD is urging for a peaceful resolution in Mindanao conflict following attacks by groups linked to the MILF and subsequent
counter attacks and bombings by government forces.
The National Disaster Coordinating Council said at least 74, 581
families or 362, 475 persons were displaced due to fighting. Of these,
33,438 families of 156, 059 persons are staying in 152 evacuation centers.
Placed under a state of calamity were Linamon, Kauswagan and
Munai in Lanao del Norte, and Lanao del Norte province itself.
The NASSA continues to appeal for assistance for the victims of
armed conflict in Mindanao region.
It said the escalating tensions and sporadic encounters continue to
trigger the influx of displaced peoples in various evacuation centers.
“The provision of emergency relief assistance could hardly reach
its intended beneficiaries due to the very volatile peace and order
situation,” the NASSA said.
“We further request that assistance will come in the form of cash so
that we could easily facilitate the transfer to affected areas,” it added.
The agency said financial aid may be deposited to the following
account details: PHILTRUST CBCP CARITAS FILIPINAS FOUNDATION, INC. PESO A/C 003200137783.
“Your help and assistance will go a long way in delivering relief to
the victims of war and armed conflict,” the NASSA said. (CBCPNews)
Migration / A1
that there are some 516,466
documented OFWs deployed
in various countries all over
the globe.
Instead of just working for
the acquisition of jobs abroad,
Lagdameo said he is hopeful
that the government will also
work for the improvement of
the workers’ rights in their
foreign destination.
“I hope that our Episcopal
Commission on Migrants and
Itinerant People (ECMI) will
be able to craft some suggestions for our government to
legalize these migrants in the
future… That’s the reason why
they are talking now about the
rights of the migrants for the
families so they can migrate
no longer as individuals but as families. They
will not be separated from each other,”
Lagdameo said.
Poverty cause of migration
Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences
Secretary General Archbishop Orlando B.
Quevedo, OMI said poverty in the home country often leads people in the Asian region to
migrate to more affluent countries.
“Poverty and underdevelopment are common characteristics of the Asian countries of
origin,” said Quevedo in his welcome address
at the same consultation.
“For the poor the greener pasture is certainly always on the other side of the fence,”
he added.
Quevedo said “migration is then not so
much a sign of luxury as a sign of poverty—
even an imperative of poverty.”
He noted the globalizing aspect of economic development “where economic borders are literally set aside by the ‘free mar-
ket’ and its economic process; where poor
countries cannot really compete with the big
and powerful; where the freedom of economic processes sorely need juridical and
ethical norms for the benefit of poor countries; where access to the whole global village has become actual for poor people because of the tools of social communication
but where physical and economic access is
also now being very much restricted because
of social, economic, and cultural reasons, often expressed through migration laws.”
“How the Catholic social principles of the
universal destination of created goods and
of solidarity are applicable in this kind of
global village has become a major consideration,” the prelate said.
Call for united Asian voice
Lagdameo has called for what he described
as “a united Asian voice” in advocacy to be
organized immediately “to address migration issues answering the question such as
‘What can the church do in the
concrete to help incoming and
outgoing migrants? What
government policies does the
church agree or disagree with,
as helpful and not?”
He said the linkages between the International
Catholic Migration Commission and the Asian church
should be continued and supported and developed.
“Coherence and partnership will surely be the fruit of
sharing data about migration,
about legal and illegal migrants,” he said.
“To get the local churches
involved, the Parish Pastoral
Councils or their equivalents,
where such exist, must be
made aware of the realities of migrants to
and from the parish,” the prelate explained.
He added the pastoral aspects “will be considered or addressed” because “it is in this
level that many of the pastoral and ethical
concerns of migrants can be successfully addressed.”
He observed many of the local clergy are
not involved or concerned with migrant issues. “And if they are interested, they are so
only ‘envelopmentally,’ i.e. for the migrants’
contribution to the church,” he further noted.
The two-day consultation on migration was
sponsored by the International Catholic Migration Commission. The participants included some 40 representatives who were
mostly Catholic bishops from Vietnam,
Myanmar, Timor Leste, Philippines, Nepal,
India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Hong
Kong, South Korea, Malaysia, Japan and
Singapore among others. (With reports from
Roy Lagarde)
Lumads / A1
cestral domain in Mindanao had
already been resolved is questionable.
“IP leaders have insisted that
any resolution that does not include all three peoples of
Mindanao, Moros, Christians and
Lumads is void and such MoA-Ad
is questionable,” she said, adding:
“Arroyo’s plans reveal her ignorance on the issue of ancestral domain for the IPs. This is fundamentally different from agrarian reform. The IP’s ancestral domains
have been theirs for generations;
Death penalty / A1
agrarian reform is in essence, giving and awarding land to the landless.”
Pasimio also said that because
of Arroyo’s disregard to the concerns of the IPs numerous problems including conflicts with
would-be agrarian reform beneficiaries and ancestral domain claimants such as the case of Cojuangco
land in Don Carlos, Bukidnon
arise.
“The Manobos in this area are
tying to claim back their ancestral
land, which have been put up for
land distribution under agrarian
reform,” said Pasimio.
She also said that indigenous
peoples have often had to bear the
brunt of government’s development priorities.
“Where government has opened
up areas for mining investments
for example, human rights violations have followed. In Columbio,
Sultan Kudarat, people opposing
mining operations have been labeled as leftists and rebels; worse,
some of them have been arrested,”
said Pasimio. (Mark S. Ventura)
fully to us is that we did not—
and still do not—matter, even
though the ostensible reason for
thinking them up was our common good, our common peace.
The New Society and the
MOA-AD may be dead, but the
problems they tried to solve still
are with us, their solutions as
pressing as ever. The problems
continue, and if there’s anything
clear about them, it is that they
cannot be solved in the way they
have been approached so far.
What is needed is the concerned
and active participation of all of
us in looking for solutions that
work. We begin by confronting
the issues honestly and forthrightly, and discerning deeply on
them with the help of the Spirit
of Wisdom. Real participation in
decisions for the common good—
its actualization is why we’ve
been speaking all along in these
columns of the urgent need of
forming circles of discernment
and, in the Church, basic ecclesial
communities, people of genuine
faith-discernment and—action.
Afterthoughts / A4
matters like the New Society or
the MOA-AD is of utmost importance, it is simply that bringing
it to play in questions of the public good is a real recognition of
the human dignity of each citizen, no matter how lowly or insignificant they may seem to
those who hold power. The dishonoring of the human dignity
of ordinary citizens—that to my
mind is the greatest sin in the two
cases I’ve been citing here. In their
total disregard of us citizens, the
message they put across too pain-
cious,” Medroso said.
“Secondly, life comes from our
Creator so we don’t have any
right at all to take life,” he added.
Abante’s House Bill 4482 revives Republic Act No. 8177,
which imposes death by lethal
injection on those found guilty
of heinous crimes.
The lawmaker said there has
been a rise in the commission of
capital offenses after the capital
punishment was abolished in
2006—reason why he is pushing
for the death penalty’s return.
But Medroso said there are
other means of punishing people
in the name of justice.
He cited “perpetual imprisonment” as one instance so that inmates will be given a chance to
change their lives.
“We don’t lose hope for conversion of people,” said Medroso.
Msgr. Roberto “Bobby”
Olaguer, chief chaplain of the
New Bilibid Prisons, said there
are almost a thousand inmates
who were sentenced to death.
Of the figure, he said, around
65 of those convicted criminals
already have specific dates for
MANILA, August 22,
2008— Because of the
peace negotiation fiasco that resulted
from the row over
the Bangsamoro
homeland pact, a
Catholic bishop
called for an overhaul of the government peace panel.
Cotabato Auxiliary Bishop Jose
Colin Bagaforo said
the revamp is necessary to prevent a repeat of the blunder
that produced the
memorandum of
agreement on ancestral domain.
Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo
“I hope the government panel in the
peace negotiation will be re- made.
“The government should just
placed because of their previous
actions (concerning the ques- throw the whole MOA-AD away
tioned memorandum of agree- and just create a new one. They
ment on ancestral domain, or should revamp the whole MOA,”
Bagaforo said.
MoA-AD),” Bagaforo said.
He also called on the Supreme
The bishop sought the replacement of peace panel chairman Court to issue an injunction rule
Rodolfo Garcia and presidential against the accord to block its repeace
process
adviser vival.
The deal is currently under the
Hermogenes Esperon, Jr.
Bagaforo said it is important scrutiny of the High Court after
for the government to appoint local government officials in
new members of its peace panel Mindanao have questioned its
who are qualified and credible to provisions and apparent lack of
transparency.
hold the positions.
Foremost among the proviAlso, he urged the government
sions
being questioned is the proto scrap its agreement with the
MILF and replace it with a new posed expansion of the current
coverage of the Autonomous Reone.
He said it is not enough for the gion in Muslim Mindanao and
government to just state that they the plan to turn it into the wider
would no longer sign the agree- Bangsamoro Juridical Entity.
ment until proper revisions are (Roy Lagarde)
Condoms / A1
ippines backs the claims about
permeable condoms, despite assurances by the Department of
Health (DOH) that they are untrue.
CBCP’s Episcopal Commission
on Family and Life executive secretary Fr. Melvin Castro said:
“They are wrong about that…
this is an easily recognizable fact.”
Castro cited the case in African
countries and Thailand where
AIDS is prevalent than ever even
if they’ve been promoting the use
of condoms.
“The authorities are giving the
people false assurances that using condoms for safe sex. There
can never be safe sex,” the priest
said.
He called on the government
to stop promoting “false security”
to the people that condom will
solve the problem on the deadly
virus.
Castro said the Church stands
by its teaching that the best way
to prevent the spread of HIV/
AIDS is abstinence and not condom use.
The Church’s official comment
came in response to a remark by
DOH officials that it was time for
the churches and religious organizations to faced reality and
lifted the ban on condom use to
help end HIV/AIDS.
He underscored that the primary way to combat AIDS is
through behavioral change and
monogamous partnerships between men and women.
“That’s why what we are campaigning to people is about fidelity to their partners, and of
course, abstention from sexual
intimacy,” Castro said.
The church opposes any kind
of contraception because it claims
it breaks the link between sex and
procreation—a position the
Vatican has fought to defend.
DOH Undersecretary Mario
Villaverde on Thursday said condom use is needed to further
lower the 0.1 percent HIV/AIDS
prevalence in the country, adding that condoms are 95 percent
effective in preventing the disease.
He made the statement amidst
the Church’s strong opposition in
the passage of the reproductive
health bill, which basically promotes the use of artificial forms
of contraceptives, including
condoms.
For the health official, using
condom for family planning and
to prevent HIV/AIDS are two different matters and should not be
taken generally. (CBCPNews)
Vigilantes / A1
On August 30, several Muslim Imams, ustadz, Muslim youth leader,
two priests, a seminarian and a religious sister as well as members of
the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) who are members of Silsilah-Davao gathered at the Redemptorist monastery in
Bajada, Davao City, for a forum and to evaluate themselves on what
they can contribute to peace in Mindanao.
Those who attended the forum have gone through the Silsilah
Christian-Muslim Dialogue seminar in Zamboanga City.
Fr. Amado Picardal who is also a member of the Silsilah wrote in
his blog that the members lamented the emergence of the Ilagas, the
Christian vigilantes.
Picardal said that they are worried of the danger that the presence
of vigilantes in Mindanao could turn the whole thing into a Christian-Muslim conflict.
“The Christians in the Forum also expressed their concerns about
the ongoing military operations against some Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) units that have led to collateral damage among
Muslim civilians,” he further wrote.
The Muslims in the Forum were also horrified and saddened by
the killings of innocent Christian civilians perpetrated by some MILF
units under Commanders Bravo and Kato.
“They (Muslims) said that it was un-Islamic and must be condemned. This has contributed to the breakdown of the peace process,” said Picardal. (Mark S. Ventura)
them to be executed.
Olaguer said the Church is
against death penalty because all
human life has dignity and other
means are available to punish
heinous criminals.
“We seek to build a culture of
life in which our nation will no
longer try to teach that killing is
wrong by killing those who kill,”
he said.
Olaguer said the Church prison
ministry is doing all efforts to help
inmates turn their lives around.
“Let’s give them a chance to get
on with their lives,” he said.
“In my experience (as NBP
chaplain), there are some who are
already in the death row but eventually emerged as leaders in our
prison ministry,” he said.
(CBCPNews)
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 18
September 1 - 14, 2008
Diocesan News
News Briefs
Lipa archdiocese launches water purification
project
LIPA City -- A project initiated by the Lipa Archdiocesan Social
Commission, dubbed “Tubig Batangan,” set up a water purifying station in the city. Archbishop Ramon Arguelles said the
project would benefit the poor of the archdiocese. Project director Louie Casala said the initial funding of the project came
from a Filipino doctor in San Pascual town, who is currently
residing in the United States. The donor, who requested anonymity, has helped a deserving student finished college through
a scholarship grant but wanted to continue his donation to
LASAC. (Fr. Nonie Dolor)
Priest wins co-op election in Bicol
NAGA City -- A parish priest won a seat as director of the
Camarines Sur II Electric Cooperative (Casureco II) last Aug. 30.
Msgr. Zosimo Sañado, parish priest of Naga City’s Metropolitan Cathedral Parish of St. John the Evangelist, ran unopposed
representing Naga North District. In the past elections, the position was always hotly contested by a number of candidates with
local politicians fielding their own candidates. (Elmer Abad)
Prelate twits defenders of ‘just war’
DAGUPAN City -- Archbishop Oscar Cruz has twitted officials
defending as a “just war” the fighting between government and
Moro Islamic Liberation Front troops in Mindanao. He said
only those who have much to profit from the ongoing conflict
can call it a “just war.” “If so, what makes it a just war? Who sees
to it that the war is just? In the event the war is just, why not
have war all over the country in promotion of the sorely needed
justice in the land?” he said. (CBCPNews)
Ilagas alarms Church officials
DAVAO City -- Church officials here are worried at the emergence of Christian vigilantes, particularly the Ilagas, who vowed
to fight the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), saying that
they could spark a Christian-Muslim conflict. “Christians in the
forum also expressed their concerns about the ongoing military
operations against some MILF units that have led to collateral
damage among Muslim civilians,” Redemptorist priest Amado
Picardal said at dialogue forum staged recently. (Mark Ventura)
N. Cotabato church workers, pols to campaign vs
Ilagas
NORTH Cotabato -- Church workers here have expressed fears
the resurgence of a Christian vigilante group, which gained
notoriety in early ‘70s during the martial law years, will again
imperil or endanger the lives of militant and progressive religious and lay workers. Rev. Felixberto Rodenas, Sr., spokesperson for the Promotion of Church Peoples’ Response (PCPR) in
North Cotabato, said the revival of the Ilaga (an Ilonggo term
which refers to a rat) is sending a “strong signal”, not only to
the Muslims in Mindanao, but also to those individuals or groups
that have progressive or militant ideals. (CBCPNews)
Archbishop pushes for declaration of ceasefire
COTABATO City -- The archbishop here urged the government
to declare a ceasefire with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front
(MILF) with the upcoming observance of the Ramadan. Cotabato
Archbishop Orlando Quevedo said the military may consider
the declaration even of an “informal ceasefire” in Mindanao at
least during the month of Ramadan since rebel factions it has
been pursuing in recent weeks have already. (CBCPNews)
Priest warns vs BUC in discussions vs MOA
MANILA -- A peace advocate said that members of the BishopsUlama Conference (BUC) should not be allowed to participate
or even lead the discussions regarding the Memorandum of
Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MoA-AD) between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Instead
of the BUC, the proponent said the discussions should be led by
non-partisans like the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). The warning was aired by Father Eliseo “Jun”
Mercado, lead convenor of the National Peace Council.
(CBCPNews)
Bishop calls for military presence in Iligan
ILIGAN City -- Even as residents from Lanao continued to return to their homes a week after a Moro Islamic Liberation
Front attack, a Catholic bishop asked government Monday for
continued military presence in Iligan City. Iligan Bishop Elenito
Galido also requested President Arroyo to assure residents of
military presence in the area and to “bring to justice” the MILF
commanders behind last week’s attack. (CBCPNews)
Bishop: MILF attacks a wake-up call
MARAWI City -- The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)’s
attacks on some provinces in Mindanao on Monday should be a
wake-up call for government and the public, a Catholic bishop
said Tuesday. Marawi Bishop Edwin Dela Peña said the bloody
incident is a product of the stalled peace negotiations and could
go worse if the proper measures are not immediately taken. “I
think this is also a wake up call to everyone that this is one
problem that we really have to deal with,” dela Peña said. (Roy
Lagarde)
Ulamas, bishops to initiate peace efforts in
Mindanao
CAGAYAN de Oro -- An inter-faith group composed of Catholic bishops and Muslim scholars expressed its willingness to
accelerate its peace efforts in Mindanao. Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio J. Ledesma said that the Bishops-Ulama Conference (BUC) is responding to the Palace’s call that the group
should facilitate peace dialogues between the government and
Moro National Liberation Front (MILF). “The religious groups
from the Christian and Muslim sides are willing to show that
these issues could be solved by consultation,” Ledesma said.
(Maryann Alasay Zamora)
Afable urges people to make Vocation Month
fruitful
DIGOS City—Bishop Guillermo Afable has urged his people to
make the celebration of Vocation Month this September fruitful. Afable invited his people to organize something together
to launch this very important month-long celebration. “I
strongly suggest that you engage our youth and the children of
your Parish, the School and the small Christian communities
and your family so that they become active subjects of the Vocation Month,” Afable said. (Mark Ventura)
Bishop calls for justice for victims of Digos blast
DIGOS City— Even as he grieved for the victims of a bus bombing in Digos City on September 1, Digos Bishop Guillermo
Afable called on authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Afable condemned the bombing as a “heinous crime against
innocent men, women and children,” adding it cannot justify
whatever motive the perpetrators may have. (Mark Ventura)
A7
US bishop to celebrate Mass at
Peñafrancia festival
NAGA CITY, September 1, 2008 -- A bishop
from the United States who was deeply taken
by the profound devotion of Bicolanos to our
Lady of Peñafrancia is coming to experience
first hand how the festival is celebrated.
The Most Reverend Salvatore J. Cordileone,
D.D., bishop of the Diocese of San Diego,
California, U.S.A. will be the main celebrant
of the Traslacion mass on September 12 at
the Basilica Minore during the Peñafrancia
Festival honoring the Patroness of Bicolandia.
Father Luisito Occiano, director of the
Caceres Commission on Communications
said the bishop was deeply fascinated how
Filipinos, particularly the Bicolanos celebrate
Peñafrancia fiesta even in America.
The bishop has observed the deep devotion and attachment they have to Our Lady
of Peñafrancia which he says is fantastic and
his curiosity led him to come to the Philippines to see for himself this activity.
Meanwhile, Father Occiano confirmed that
the Archdiocese of Caceres projects a bigger
crowd expected to grace the occasion this
Most Reverend Salvatore J. Cordileone, D.D.
year.
He noted that more requests are coming in
from the different nearby parishes express-
ing their intention to send representatives to
join the processions as ‘voyadores’ or those
who are organized to be given opportunity
to carry the images of the Divino Rostro and
Our Lady of Peñafrancia.
Two weeks prior to the festival bookings
in hotels and transportation facilities have
increased with them having registered a
‘fully-booked’ status.
The center of the celebration will be the
Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Peñafrancia
along the Basilica Road and the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral where the image of the
Patroness will be housed during the festivities.
Local authorities are bracing for more than
a million people to flock Naga City to join
the celebration.
“On the part of the church, we are prepared
to make the festival as orderly and as meaningful as possible to the devotees of Our Lady
of Peñafrancia who go out of their way to
come and honor the mother of our Lord,”
Occiano further disclosed. (Elmer Abad)
Nuncio’s visit casts a good sign
in troubled Mindanao
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, August 27, 2008 -- Amidst news advisory of foreign countries
against safe travel in Mindanao,
the visit of Apostolic Nuncio in
the Philippines Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams, D.D, in the
Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro
City has cast a confidence vote
on the peace and order situation
here.
“The visit of the Papal nuncio
is a good sign, he is giving confidence on the peace and order
situation in Mindanao,” said
Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio Ledesma S.J. in an interview with CBCPNews.
The Papal Nuncio arrived in
Cagayan de Oro August 26 upon
the invitation of Archbishop
Ledesma in view of the yearlong celebration of the diamond
jubilee of the archdiocese.
He led the Pontifical Mass at
the Metropolitan Cathedral last
August 28 in celebration of the
feast of St. Augustine, the patron
of the archdiocese.
“We have so many events that
we have to be grateful for. We
have received precious gifts especially this time in life with
some foreign countries giving
advisories not to visit Mindanao”
said Fr. Calvin Poulin, SJ, University Chaplain of Xavier University–Cagayan de Oro during
a short programme to welcome
the nuncio.
It may be recalled that
Canada, United Kingdom, New
Zealand and Australia issued
travel advisory to their nationals against traveling in
Mindanao.
“We strongly advise you not
to travel to Mindanao, including mainland Mindanao, the
Zamboanga Peninsula and the
Sulu Archipelago, due to the very
high threat of terrorist attack, including kidnapping, and related
counter-terrorism operations.
Armed clashes between the Philippines Armed Forces and Moro
Islamic Liberation Front are continuing after fighting broke out
on 10 August 2008 in central
Mindanao. If you are in these areas, you should consider leaving,” quoted from the website
of Australian’s Department of
Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The nuncio visited a poor community in Macabalan, and attended the opening of
Paghanduraw, a traveling photo
exhibit showcasing the history
of the Archdiocese of Cagayan
Papal Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams led the cutting
of the ribbon at the opening of Paghanduraw, a traveling photo exhibit that
showcases the history of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro City last August 26.
de Oro City.
He also visited the province
of Camiguin together with Arch-
bishop Ledesma and the clergy
of the Archdiocese. (Maryann
Alasay Zamora)
Daet backs signature drive
against repro health bill
DAET, Camarines Norte, August 26, 2008 -- The Diocese of
Daet has supported the signature drive initiated by the Archdiocese of Manila against the
Reproductive Health Bill in
Congress.
“This diocese supports the
move of the Most Reverend
Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales
of Manila to launch a signature
campaign in support of the
stand of the Catholic Church
to counter the Reproductive
Health Bill filed in Congress
legalizing the use of artificial
family planning methods.”
This was the statement made
by Father Ernesto Core,
spokesman of the Diocese of
Daet and parish priest of San
Felipe parish in Basud,
Arguelles to speak at
Int’l Marian Congress
on Lipa ‘Apparition
LIPA CITY, August 19, 2008 -- Lipa Archbishop
Ramon C. Arguelles is set to leave for Rome,
Italy and Lourdes, France today, August 19
to speak before the International Marian
Congress on a very controversial topic, “Is
the apparition at Carmel Monastery (Lipa)
real?”
“I am perplexed,” Arguelles said, sharing
his sentiments to the clergy in the recently
held archdiocesan retreat at the Carmelite
Missionary Center of Spirituality at Tagaytay
City last week.
Arguelles mentioned the April 12, 1951
declaration of the Commission of Bishops
assigned to investigate the so-called apparition that began in 1948. The said commission
declared the so-called apparition was “not
supernatural.”
The prelate also disclosed that among the
members of the Commission, it was only
Archbishop Sancho of Vigan who did not sign
the document.
“I will be very objective in my presentation,” said the archbishop, “although you already know my sentiments about this.”
A staunch Marian devotee, Arguelles has
started the National Pilgrimage to Lipa, in
honor of Mary Mediatrix of All Grace, to pray
for World’s Peace and Sanctification of the
Clergy.
The September 12 annual gathering has
attracted thousands of Marian devotees to
Lipa Carmel from different dioceses all over
the country.
This year’s annual pilgrimage will be the
fifth. (Fr. Nonie Dolor)
Camarines Norte in an interview with CBCP News.
Core said the diocese headed
by Bishop Gilbert A. Garcera,
D.D. will continue to make a
stand on moves not in accordance with the teachings of the
church like what is being espoused by the house bill.
This stand is made concrete
through the Diocesan Commission on Family Life Ministry
which has initiated a campaign
and implemented programs for
the faithful to further understand the concept of respect for
life and to value its dignity.
Core expressed alarm upon
confirming reports that some
public high schools in the province are teaching that ‘there is
no life yet in the womb of a
mother’ and used this to justify the use of artificial family
planning methods.
“Indeed, something has to be
done so the children will not
be confused with the wrong
teachings being fed to their
young minds. To tell them that
‘there is no life yet in the womb
of a mother’ is not correct and
it is misinformation,” Core
said.
“With this development,
Cardinal Rosales’ signature
campaign in Manila will not be
difficult to replicate in the
province because the diocese is
ably supported by students,
teachers, catechists, Catholic
schools and the faithful in the
province of Camarines Norte”
Core concluded. (CBCPNews)
People, Facts & Places
A8
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 18
September 1 - 14, 2008
Markings
Around 50
50 lay
lay leaders
leaders from
from 24
24 dioceses
dioceses in
in Luzon
Luzon gathered
gathered at
at Subic
Subic International
International Convention
Convention Center,
Center, SBMA
SBMA Freeport,
Freeport, Zambales
Zambales last
last August
August 8-10,
8-10, 2008
2008 for
for aa seminar
seminar on
on
Around
“Training for
for Effective
Effective Women’s
Women’s Desk”.
Desk”. Organized
Organized by
by the
the CBCP-Office
CBCP-Office on
on Women,
Women, the
the meeting
meeting discussed
discussed situationers
situationers on
on women’s
women’s concern,
concern, the
the prevailing
prevailing sexual
sexual
“Training
behavior of
of the
the young
young that
that leads
leads to
to pre-marital
pre-marital sex
sex and
and early
early pregnancy,
pregnancy, the
the impact
impact of migration on the family and reproductive health.
behavior
Pampanga marks
centennial of first
Filipino cardinal
THE centennial of the birth of the Rufino Car- 1960. Cardinal Santos was installed as archdinal Santos, the 29th Archbishop of Manila, bishop of Manila on March 25, 1953. He was
was celebrated in his hometown Guagua, only 45 years old then. He would serve for
Pampanga on Aug 26.
two decades until his death in 1973 at age 65.
Manila Archbishop
On the 35th anniversary
Gaudencio B. Cardinal
of his death on Sept 3, 2008,
Rosales was the main celCardinal Rosales presided
ebrant at a Mass at the Imover the Eucharistic celebramaculate Conception Partion at the Manila Cathedral
ish Church at 10 a.m.
at 8 a.m.
Concelebrating with him
The sixth of nine children
are San Fernando Archof Gaudencio Santos and
bishop Paciano B. Aniceto,
Rosalia Jiao, Cardinal
the auxiliary bishops and
Santos was born in Barrio
clergy of San Fernando
Santo Niño, Guagua. He enand Manila, the bishops
tered San Carlos Seminary
and priests of the
on July 25, 1921.
suffragans of the two archHe pursued higher
dioceses, according to a Rufino Cardinal Santos
priestly studies at the
statement from Manila
Pontificia
Universita
Archdiocese.
Gregoriana and obtained a Baccalaureate in
Cardinal Santos was the first Filipino to Canon Law in 1929 and a Doctorate in Sacred
become a prince of the Church. Pope John Theology in July 1931.
XXIII gave him the red hat of the cardinal
He was ordained priest on Oct 25, 1931 and
during the public consistory on March 31, then served as assistant parish priest in Imus,
Cavite and as parish priest in Marilao,
Bulacan.
During World War II, he was arrested and
sentenced to die by firing squad, but was rescued by Liberation forces on the eve of his
execution.
He was also responsible for the building
of several important structures in the archdiocese, among them the Our Lady of
Guadalupe Minor Seminary along Edsa,
Makati City, the Pius XII Catholic Center in
Paco, the Villa San Miguel in Mandaluyong,
and the St. Paul’s Hospital (now Cardinal
Santos Medical Center).
The celebrations were initiated by the
Holy Angel University Center for
Kapampangan Studies, in cooperation with
the Archdiocese of San Fernando and the
Municipality of Guagua.
The formal opening of an exhibit of Cardinal Santos memorabilia, loaned by the Archdiocese of Manila and the Kapampangan Museum at Clark, will follow the unveiling ceremonies, said church sources. (Santosh Digal)
New York’s Fil-Am community to launch
San Lorenzo Global Hour
A PASTORAL outreach dubbed San Lorenzo Global Hour will highlight
this year’s celebration of New York’s Filipino community of the feast of
San Lorenzo Ruiz on Sept. 28.
Themed “Celebrating the Filipino Migrants around the World (Filipino Diaspora) with the sub-theme: “Celebrating the Filipino Young
Adults,” the feast of San Lorenzo will be celebrated with a 2 p.m. Pontifical Mass led by Most Rev. Onesimo Gordoncillo, archbishop of Capiz at
St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
Fr. Erno Diaz, New York’s archdiocesan director of the Filipino
Apostolate, in a press release said this year’s event will involve the launching of a pastoral outreach dubbed San Lorenzo Global Hour to global
migrant communities which will be beamed worldwide through cable or
satellite television.
Cardinal Edward Egan, the archbishop of New York, formally invited
Gordoncillo on behalf of the Filipino Apostolate to be the main presider
and homilist of the liturgical celebration.
Gordoncillo will be feted with a testimonial dinner at Jing Fong Restaurant on 18 Elizabeth Street and Bayard in historic Chinatown on September 26. Dinner’s proceeds will partly go to the typhoon Frank disaster
relief. Gordoncillo, who comes from an area badly hit by the typhoon,
will personally receive the donations. Donors can specify if they want
their donations to go to Capiz or Aklan or Iloilo, three of the hardest hit
provinces.
Novena Masses are scheduled from August 30 to September 27 in the
Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz, 378 Broome Street, New York City.
The feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz, the first Filipino saint and considered the
patron saint of Filipino migrants is celebrated annually on Sept. 28. A
layman who was married with three children, Lorenzo was martyred
along with 15 other companions for their faith in 1637 in Japan. (CBCPNews/
Fr. Erno Diaz)
Iligan diocese holds Youth Encounter
THE Diocese of Iligan has recently held a Youth
Encounter organized by men and women religious congregations of the diocese with the
theme “Youth: Walk for Faith.”
Almost 3,000 youths from the different
schools and parishes of Lanao del Norte and
Iligan City gathered at St. Michael’s Gymnasium for the Youth Encounter which was held
last August 16 at 9:00 a.m.
The Encounter started with a walk parade by
students of St. Michael College and youths of
the Catholic Campus Ministry from the Cathedral of Iligan to the Gymnasium.
It was a concert–talk shared by Alvin
Barcelona, a writers of inspirational publication Kerygma, with his band members.
“As we walk in Faith, we need to STOP
(Search, Think/Reflect, Open, Pray) because
when we STOP, the more we see Jesus, the more
we deepen our relationship with Him and as
we walk with others, the more we bring others
to Jesus, the more we walk happily to Jesus,”
Alvin emphasized in the first session.
“To see beyond the cross is to live in thanksgiving, to live in freedom, to live in trust, in
Faith and Hope, and most especially to live in
Parish Youth apostolate conducts
formation course
TO strengthen the Christian
faith and practices of the youth
in the parish, the St. Francis
Xavier Parish Youth Apostolate
Kapatagan Chapter is holding
a series of training courses on
Youth Formation at the Parish
Formation
Center
in
Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte.
Started on June 25, the training course is held every Saturday and will culminate on October 25, 2008 to coincide with
the SFX parish day celebration.
More than 100 youth ministers composed of Majestic
Choir, CCRM Youth, Acolytes/
Knights of the Altars, Bible Ministry, Legion Juniors, Youth
Catechist, BEC Youth, SHJYouth, Holy Cross Ministry,
Youth for Christ and the Lectors
Guild are participating in the
Youth Formation Training
Course with the theme: “If You
Heard Their Call… Come and
be Part.”
Fr.
Melchor
“Bobot”
Alquilita, pastor of Saint Francis
Xavier Parish said the formation
course seeks to strengthen the
Christian faith and spiritual development of the youths as future leaders of the church.
The formation sessions scheduled every Saturday of the
month have the Bible, Catholic
Doctrines and Church History
as topics and given by different
formators for the development
of youths’ organizations.
(Wendell Talibong)
love because to walk in faith is to walk home
in the Lord,” he said before the concert ended.
The program concluded with a Eucharistic
celebration presided by Most Rev. Elenito
Galido, bishop of Iligan.
In his homily the bishop challenged the
youths to work for peace and continue to become witnesses of God’s love to one another.
“May this youth encounter, energized our
youthful hearts and spirit to help in God’s mission and continue our work together for peace
and become true witnesses of God’s love,”
Bishop Galido said. (Metot Nillas)
Ateneo de Davao hosts int’l media confab
THE Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU), a private Catholic university founded and administered by the Society of Jesus (SJ) hosted an
international media conference last August 21 to 23.
The conference was organized by the Asian Congress for Media
and Communication (ACMC), a Philippine-based Asian-wide organization of educators and practitioners in the field of media, communication, and language education.
This year’s conference centers on the theme, “Media in Asia: A
Tool for Human Rights Education and Monitoring,” which is also in
support of the United Nations commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights, which began on December
10, 2007 .
In a communiqué distributed by ACMC it said, “The international
conference has a purpose of bringing together lectures, practitioners,
and students interested in the academic discourse of complex interconnections between media and human rights at a time when both
have become central tenets of political, cultural, and policy debate.”
The conference’s immediate aim, it further said, “is to develop in
the participants a foundational knowledge on the role of media and
the academe in reporting on human rights issues so as to be able to
bring this discourse to the classroom.”
“Its long-term aim is to influence the way journalism is taught
with the view of developing more socially-aware media practitioners of the future,” the communiqué read. (Mark S. Ventura)
CELEBRATED. Fr. Jaime
Achacoso, 25th anniversary of
sacerdotal ordination, August
15, 2008. A priest of the Personal Prelature of the Holy
Cross (Opus Dei), Achacoso
obtained his Doctorate in
Canon Law from the University of Navarre, Spain in 1985.
He has been the Secretary the
Canon Law Society of the Philippines since 2001 and is a
Consultor of the Episcopal
Commission on Canon Law of
the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines. He is
currently Associate Editor of the Philippine Canonical Forum
and writes a regular column on canonical issues in the CBCP
Monitor. He is involved in pastoral work with professionals and
students in Metro Manila.
CELEBRATED.
Cagayan de Oro,
75th anniversary of
foundation as a
Diocese, August 28,
2008 with a pontifical Mass presided
by the Most Rev.
Edward Joseph
Adams, DD, Apostolic Nuncio to the
Philippines at the
Metropolitan Cathedral of St. Augustine. On January 20, 1933,
Pope Pius XI in a Papal Bull entitled, “Ad Maius Religionis” divided Mindanao into the Diocese of Zamboanga and the newly
erected Diocese of Cagayan de Oro, of which Fr. James Thomas
Gibbons Hayes, SJ, was appointed as the first Bishop. The original territory, in 1933, included the provinces of Surigao, Agusan,
Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, Lanao and the island of Camiguin.
In 1939 the provinces of Surigao and Agusan were constituted
into a separate diocese. In 1951, Misamis Occidental and Lanao
were made a separate prelature. Later, in 1961, the province of
Bukidnon also became a separate prelature. The present territory of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro with Archbishop
Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ as Ordinary now comprises the Provinces
of Misamis Oriental and Camiguin.
CELEBRATED.
Our Lady of
Lourdes Parish,
Binuangan,
Misamis Oriental,
45th anniversary of
foundation as a
Parish, July 7,
2008; with a Procession and Eucharistic celebration
presided by Msgr.
A b e l a r d o
Cabillan, HP first
parish priest. The concele brated Mass was attended by 11 priests
from the Archdiocese. The Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in
Binuangan is known for its miraculous grotto of the Our Lady of
Lourdes located few miles away from the Parish Church where
many sick were healed from their physical ailments.
DEDICATED. Our Lady of Sorrows Parish Church, F.B. Harrison,
Pasay City, by Most Rev.
Broderick Pabillo, Auxiliary
Bishop of Manila, September 6,
2008. Early last year, the Church
was partly gutted by a fire
caused by faulty electrical wiring. Through the common efforts of parishioners and generous benefactors, the burned
portion of the Church was reconstructed and the entire structure refurbished. The parish
church of Our Lady of Sorrows
is under the care of the priests
of the Society of St. Paul, a religious congregation founded by
Blessed James Alberione. The
parish administrator is Fr.
Rollin Marie Flores, SSP.
DIED. Sr. Ma. Beatriz M. Elumbaring, RVM, August 6, 2008.
Bibliodrama facilitators’
training held
A SIX-DAY training for cross-cultural groups of Bibliodrama practitioners was held recently at the
Bukal ng Tipan at Maryhill,
Taytay, Rizal. The practitioners
underwent skills upgrading in
the use of bibliodrama elements
and the preparation of modules
commonly used in retreats and
recollections, Liturgy and other
participative church activities.
The participants were composed of two Divine Word missionaries, seven religious
women from five congregations,
a Redemptorist theologian from
continental USA and four youth
Ministry volunteers from Hatsal
Community in Seoul, South Korea.
Fr. Martin Jaggi of the Bontoc
Pastoral Center and Bukal ng
Tipan’s Joy Candelario acted as
facilitators. A pioneer in
bibliodrama in the Philippines,
Candelario underscored Episcopal Commission on Biblical
Apostolate or ECBA’s vision for
this multi-dimensional approach
to the Word to be integrated into
the different ministries in the parish in the near future.
Sr. Gemma Labestre, MST
formator and active worker in
the Retreat ministry in Jaro, described bibliodrama as “most effective in knowing Jesus (Wordmade-flesh) personally and in effecting an experiential learning
of the power of the Word.”
The bibliodrama approach has gained more adherents in the Philippines over the
past few years with special emphasis on various elements including reading of the Word,
bibliodrama dance, faith-sharing,
silence and play.
Bukal ng Tipan, under its Director Fr. Mark Legase, CICM, is
a mission spirituality center for
community and practical skills
training, retreats and recollections in Taytay, Rizal. Its
Bibliodrama series includes Basic and Facilitators’ Trainings and
the Talitha Kumi Dance Seminar.
(Fran Quitoriano)
CBCP Monitor
B1
Vol. 12 No. 18
September 1 - 14, 2008
Pastoral Concerns
Our Lady of Peña
de Francia
Principalmente a la Misa: A pastoral letter on the veneration of
© www.flickr.com
in devotion and tradition
over. It has described the fervor
of Bicolanos and has become a gift
of faith for Christians everywhere
that, as Bishop Gainza foresaw, is
for the good of the Church and
Mary’s cult and glory. Through the
centuries and across the globe, devotion to Our Lady has been
marked by characteristics of its
origin: Mary’s tutelage under the
title of Peña de Francia, her image brought in solemn processions, acts of homage for favors
through visits and pilgrimages,
and especially the Mass.
This devotion calls for a continuing reflective practice. On
one hand, the object of devotion
is God; it is to love God. It actively comes from the inward attitude of deep fervency and intimacy of dedication. On the other,
at the core of devotion, is the fact
still of God providing and caring
for all creation. Passive in the
sense of abandonment to God’s
devotionals, e.g. novenas; practices, e.g., relics and images.
They blend altogether in a ritual
action of sacred time and space.
The ritual becomes a communal
expression of perspectives, powers and possibilities. Consistently observed, it becomes a tradition effectively binding persons to the history of one’s past
and to the future of the next generation.
2. Reflection on tradition
2.1. The title of Our Lady of Peña
de Francia and her tutelage in the
novena. Let us then renew our
faith in celebrating the devotional tradition of Our Lady of
Peña de Francia -2.1.1. Title and tutelage. The desire of Fr. Miguel de Covarrubias
to promote the devotion to Our
Lady of Salamanca found at the
mountains of Peña de Francia in
Spain resounded in the supplica-
Lady of Peña de Francia to be on
the Sunday after the fluvial procession. Significant in the titles
and observances for Our Lady of
Peña de Francia is the fuller title
for Mary as the Queen of Heaven
(and the Angels). This title itself
was introduced into the divine
office by Clement VI in the 14th
century as a preparation for Easter recalling Mary’s part in the
reopening of heaven to men and
reigning as the Queen of Angels.
By papal decree, the feast for the
Most Holy Name of Mary has also
been determined as the octave of
the feast of the Nativity of Mary.
Hence, the veneration of Our Lady
of Peña de Francia describes her
birth, her participation in redemption, and finally her Queenship.
The Easter imprint on Mary’s
queenship readily leads further
to understanding it as the fruit of
her assumption into heaven. The
intercessions of Our Lady of Peña
© www.peñafrancia.net
1. The origin of devotion
The devotion to Our Lady of
Peña de Francia was initiated
through the vow of Fr. Miquel de
Covarrubias to have an image of
Our Lady made for veneration.
This vow fortuitously took form
through the request from those
called cimarrones to have an image of our Lady for their own. The
more public veneration of the
image is attested to in Fr. Miguel’s
letter on May 1, 1710:
The image of Our Lady, under
the title of Peña de Francia, was
brought in solemn procession to the
completed chapel. And there, she
did many favors to all, all who made
a visit, and principally at the Mass
on Saturdays.
Since the date, the devotion has
endured and spread in the city,
province,
region and
t h e
world
© Roy Lagarde / CBCP Media
“The image of Our Lady, under the title of Peña de
Francia, was brought in solemn procession to
the completed chapel. And there, she did
many favors to all, all who made a visit, and
principally at the Mass on Saturdays.”
Archbishop Leonardo Z. Legaspi, DD
own will and
work, devotion is
really a gift of the
Holy Spirit. While
then the love of God
directs acts of devotion
in the midst of daily life
to be righteous, frequent and immediate
and, at the same time,
requiring detachment
from things finite-never in order to get
something back for
deeds done--it is also
active in celebrating
God’s provident
care since creation.
God himself is
the source and
summit of devotion; God is the beginning and end of
devotion.
In the experience of communion with
God, interiority in devotion is externally objectified, in
tions of those called cimarrones
(montaraces) at Mt. Isarog to have
their own place for worship. The
image carved in local form and
color by a native artisan eventually came to be venerated as
Bicol’s own Lady of Peña de
Francia. Here, one sees the indication, even of old, for the essential link of devotion to the liturgy. The veneration of Mary
leads the community to worship.
The orientation to liturgy and
worship is through Mary’s title.
Bishop Gainza accounts for Our
Lady of Peña de Francia being the
Queen of Angels. This title is related yet to two other Marian
feasts: the Nativity of Our Lady
and the Most Holy Name of
Mary. The Nativity of Our Lady
indicates the imminent transfer
of the image of Our Lady of Peña
de Francia from her shrine to the
Cathedral through the traslacion.
The feast of the Most Holy Name
of Mary marks the return of the
image from the Cathedral to its
shrine through the embarcacion,
sakay or the fluvial procession.
Bishop Gainza especially underlines the principal feast of Our
de Francia need no longer be
traced to circumstances at the
carving of her image. Rather, the
marvel God had done is for the
cimarrones to have faith by desire
and their being attentive to the
value of life. By her assumption,
Mary is after all, “the image and
beginning of the Church as it is
to be perfected in the world to
come” and is the sure hope and
solace to the People of God on its
sojourn on earth.”
Sunday, the Lord’s Day, being
the last day for the traditional
novena, brings all of Mary’s intercessions “to gather all things
in him (Christ)” in whom all
“things in heaven and on earth”
have their fullness. Our Lady of
Peña de Francia is a figure of the
communion of the faithful with
Christ for the renewal of creation.
This eventual link of the titles of
Our Lady of Peña de Francia to
the assumption, seen even before
dogmatic definition, makes the
Peña de Francia devotion truly
an insight of faith among
Bicolanos. It is, more so, a call for
the continuing maturity in faith
as a gift and pledge for all in the
Christian community and society, the nation and the world.
2.1.2. The novena. Describing
the role and work of Our Lady
of Peña de Francia draws attention to how the devotee conforms his life to God in the
Church and in society. In this,
devotion is inspired and guided
through a narrative largely
known as the novena. It is the
novena that also directs expressions in ritual acts meaningful
for the devotee and significant
for the community.
Based on the widely used novena to Our Lady of Peña de
Francia in the vernacular, the following elements are edifying It is addressed to Mary as
Blessed Virgin and Queen. These
titles speak of Mary’s role and
work according to the plan of God
for salvation and for the glory of
the Blessed Trinity. Mary’s role
is fulfilled through her co-operation in the redemption by Christ
enduringly present and salvific
through the Holy Eucharist.
Throughout the novena, Mary
brings the devotee to hope in the
singular goal of salvation. This
hope concerns the individual
devotee and the devotee’s relations. For the individual devotee,
to hope is to have a stronghold
for healing and help through all
uncertainties or threats, sin and
weaknesses, pain and death. For
the devotee’s own relations, to
hope is to extend the same help,
comfort and protection through
Mary to one’s family, relatives
and associates, and all devotees
especially those in need of mercy.
Salvation, as the goal in the novena, speaks of submission to and
judgment in the mercy of Christ,
in the love of God and for the
glory of the Trinity. Confidence
in divine glory must be the disposition of the individual devotee and for those whom the graces
of Mary are to be extended. It is
the contrite heart needing forgiveness, renouncing sin and its
allures that places Mary with
Kabikolan katood mong anan—the
entire communion of the faithful—confident of divine glory.
Edifying as the novena is, it
urges further attention. First, the
nature of devotion precludes attachment to finite things, and even
so, relations. This urges the devotee to actively seek the good of
others. This is not merely from
superfluous altruism, but from an
alterity of respect and compassion
with the other. For, is it not in giving that we receive, in loving our
neighbors that we really love?
Second, the novena to Our Lady
of Peña de Francia offers a way
towards a transforming humandivine relationship. The devotee
Peñafrancia / B5
B2
CBCP Monitor
Updates
Vol. 12 No. 18
September 1 - 14, 2008
Interpreting
liturgical norms
FATHER Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina
Apostolorum university, answers the following question:
A: Although the Church’s canon law was first codified only in
1917, the codification reflected a long legal tradition eventually rooted in Roman law.
Thus, expert canon lawyers are able to drink from a deep
wellspring of traditional interpretations in stating the meaning of laws. Most canonists will claim that doubts regarding
the objective meaning of a law are fairly rare.
They do occur, however, and are usually clarified over time
by an authentic interpretation promulgated by the legislative
authority, by a new law that further clarifies the question at
hand, or by development in canonical doctrine until a consensus is reached among the practitioners of the craft.
The Holy See has a special body dedicated to the authentic
interpretation of laws. Its first decision regarding the 1983
Code of Canon Law dealt with the meaning of the word
“iterum” (which can mean either “again” or “a second time”)
in Canon 917 which refers to reception of Communion. The
decision fell on “a second time” as to how often one may
receive Communion in one day.
All but the most essential aspects of liturgical law are found
outside the Code of Canon Law and have never been completely codified into a single volume.
Within liturgical law we must distinguish between laws applicable to the ordinary and extraordinary forms of the Roman rite.
The rites of the extraordinary form are meticulously determined, a factor which endows this form with a particular beauty,
reverence and spiritual force when celebrated with due care.
Over four centuries this rite generated a considerable body
of jurisprudence gathered together in the volumes of authentic decrees of the former Congregation of Rites. Fortunately,
this series of complex laws were frequently digested by sedulous scholars into descriptive manuals for use of priests and
masters of ceremonies. Two of the best of these have been
republished: A. Fortescue and J.B. O’Connell’s “The Ceremonies of the Roman Rite Described,” updated by Father Alcuin
Reid, OSB, and the even more complete Italian “Compendio
di Liturgia Pratica,” by L. Trimelloni.
The interpretation of the norms of the ordinary form presents
some particular difficulties. The rite’s relative youth (at least as
regards its rubrics) means that there is little in the way of historical jurisprudence that could clarify any doubtful passages.
There is also the difficulty that in general the rubrics quite
deliberately eschew detailed descriptions of the rites so as to
leave a certain degree of flexibility. For example, both the
extraordinary and ordinary forms indicate that the priest pray
with hands extended, but the latter rite makes no determination as to distance and position of the hands, leaving this up to
the discretion of the celebrant.
Also, the existence of official translations can sometimes
make interpretation difficult especially when translations vary
the meaning of a text, even among countries sharing the same
language. We saw this discrepancy in a recent column (Dec. 4,
2007) when some liturgists interpreted the English translation
of the introduction to the lectionary to conclude that the Alleluia is omitted if not sung, an inference absent from the original Latin and other modern translations.
Unlike the liturgy, canon law has no official translations
and only the Latin text may be used for legal purposes.
Another factor is the involvement of other instances of liturgical legislation besides the Holy See, such as legitimate
customs and bishops’ conferences. The conferences may propose particular adaptations for their countries requiring approval from the Holy See before becoming particular law.
They may also publish other documents such as guidelines on
certain liturgical questions which, while not strictly legally
binding, in practice become a legal point of reference.
In spite of these difficulties liturgical interpretation is not
arbitrary.
The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments
sometimes makes authentic interpretations of the liturgical
texts. For example, it declared that No. 299 of the General
Instruction of the Roman Missal, in stating that a celebrant’s
facing the people seemed “more desirable,” did not constitute
a legal obligation.
Such authentic interpretations throw light on the mind of
the legislator regarding similar texts and so help in resolving
disputed points. In some cases historical decision regarding
the extraordinary form are still useful in understanding the
present form.
Another means is to examine the use of a particular word
throughout the official documents so as to gauge its overall
sense. Compared to civil law the totality of liturgical ordinances constitutes a relatively small corpus, and this makes
such comparisons fairly easy.
Finally, again unlike much civil law, liturgical law is actually designed to be clearly understood by non-experts and so
it actually means what it says based on a literal reading. Therefore priests, deacons, sacristans and other liturgical actors are
absolved of the need for a law degree in preparing for Mass.
The difficulty in liturgical law is not usually in the understanding but in the faith, love and will to carry it out. (Zenit)
Photo courtesy of Sr. Ann Marie Nemenzo, FSP
Q: Is there a Church document or scholarly treatise on “how” to
interpret liturgical laws and norms? In civil law there is something
known as “legal methods.” This course and treatise contains a collection of “maxims” or accepted rules and standards of interpretation
when reviewing cases or statutes. For example, I read in one of your
responses an interpretation of the meaning and use of the word “fitting” as used in a particular liturgical norm. In civil law one could
consult an official text or case to provide a standard for interpreting
the term. Is that standard for interpretation discussed or defined
anywhere either by the Church or by scholars? This seems to go to the
heart of many challenges with interpreting Church norms. -- S.M.,
Westfield, Indiana
The law on preaching
By Fr. Jaime B. Achacoso, J.C.D.
AT times I have been asked by my teen-aged
son whether listening to the homily is essential to attending Holy Mass. I can only surmise that it was a veiled reference to the quality of some homilies, especially those which
tend to be long-winded or unrelated to the
scriptural readings of the Mass, or worse with
political undertones.
On the other hand, I have always been
puzzled as to why at times there are Masses
with homilies and at other times there is no
homily. I was even more puzzled when in
one particularly politicized Mass, a wellknown political figure was asked to step up
to the podium to speak after the reading of
the Gospel. Can you please enlighten me on
this matter, so I can explain to my son.
Since the people of God are first brought together by the word of the living God (c.762 in
principio), among the principal duties of the
sacred ministers is the authoritative proclamation of the Gospel to the faithful (cf. c.762
in fine).
Such authoritative presentation of doctrine
to gatherings of people is called preaching,
and the Code mentions several forms of
preaching, of which the homily is singled out
as the pre-eminent form.
The Homily
Among the forms of preaching the homily is preeminent. It is a part of the liturgy itself, whereby
the mysteries of faith and the norms of Christian
living are expounded from the sacred text through
the course of the liturgical year (c.767, §1).
A 1964 Instruction provides a fuller description: By a homily derived from the sacred
text is understood an explanation either of some
aspect of the readings from holy scripture or of
another text from the Ordinary or Proper of the
Mass of the day, taking into account the mystery
which is being celebrated and the particular needs
of the hearers.1
The Code established the following norms
regarding the homily:
a) Obligation to preach: A homily is to be
given at all Sunday Masses and at Masses celebrated on holy days of obligation; it cannot be
omitted without a serious reason (c.767, §2).
Furthermore, if a sufficient number of people
are present it is strongly recommended that a homily also be given at Masses celebrated during the
week, especially during Advent or Lent or on the
occasion of some feast day or time of mourning
(c.767, §3).
b) Proper Subject: The homily is reserved to
the priest or deacon (c.767, §1). This question
had been debated for a time due to the apparent margin for lay preaching given by c.766.
It was authoritatively settled in 1987 by the
Pontifical Council for the Authentic Interpretation of Legislative Texts, which declared
that the reservation of the homily to ordained
ministers stipulated in c.767 cannot be dispensed by the diocesan Bishop.2
The Instruction of 1997 is more explicit:
“The homily, therefore, during the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, must be reserved
to the sacred minister, Priest or Deacon to
the exclusion of the non-ordained faithful,
even if these should have responsibilities as
pastoral assistants or catechists in whatever
type of community or group… For the same
reason, the practice, on some occasions, of
entrusting the preaching of the homily to
seminarians or theology students who are
not clerics is not permitted.
Indeed, the homily should not be regarded
as a training for some future ministry. All
previous norms which may have admitted
the non-ordained faithful to preaching the
homily during the Holy Eucharist are to be
considered abrogated by canon 767, §1.” 3
The reason is none other than the fact that
the homily is an integral part of the Eucharistic liturgy, which demands that its subject be
an ordained minister.
c) Content: In the homily the mysteries of faith
and the norms of Christian living are to be expounded
(c.767, §1). The homily must express the faith of
the preacher, his love for God and the people,
with a special emphasis on the sharing of the
people in the eucharistic sacrifice.
by the diocesan bishop concerning the exercise of
preaching are to be observed by all (c.772, §1).
It is to these non-homiletic forms of preaching that the dispositions for the participation
of the non-ordained faithful mentioned above
apply. The 1997 Instruction summarizes these
as follows: “Preaching in churches or oratories by the non-ordained faithful can be permitted only as a supply for sacred ministers
or for those particular reasons foreseen by
the universal law of the Church or by Conferences of Bishops. It cannot, however, be
regarded as an ordinary occurrence nor as an
authentic promotion of the laity.” 4
Conclusions
By way of conclusion and in answer to the
questions posed at the start, we can summarize the all the foregoing as follows:
The homily is the pre-eminent form of
preaching, whereby the mysteries of faith and
the norms of Christian living are expounded
from the sacred text through the course of
The homily is the pre-eminent form of
preaching, whereby the mysteries of faith
and the norms of Christian living are
expounded from the sacred text through the
course of the liturgical year (c.767, §1). It
should be an explanation either of some
aspect of the readings from holy scripture
or of another text from the Ordinary or
Proper of the Mass of the day, taking into
account the mystery which is being
celebrated and the particular needs of the
hearers.
With the option taken by the Second
Vatican Council to make the sermon homiletic—i.e., based on the scriptural readings
of the day’s Mass—there is a greater need for
the minister of the word to plan and prepare
his homilies, so that the systematic explanation of the doctrine of Christian faith and
morals is not neglected.
d) Obligation to attend the homily: The
obligation of preaching a homily in Sunday
Masses and in those celebrated on holy days
of obligation (c.767, §3) seems to imply a corresponding obligation on the part of the faithful to be present at the homily, since it forms
an integral part of the Eucharistic liturgy, attendance to which is obligatory on those days.
Other forms of preaching
Aside from the homily, which occupies
pride of place in the forms of preaching, the
following are also mentioned in the Code:
a) Spiritual exercises or sacred missions: At
certain times according to the prescriptions of the
diocesan bishop, pastors are to arrange for those
types of preaching which are called spiritual exercises or sacred mission (c.770). These are periods
of recollection in which the faithful—through a series of conferences
or meditations based on the word of
God—are made to consider the fundamental realities of their Christian
vocation.
b) Radio or television talks on
Christian doctrine—for the giving
of which, the prescriptions of the conference of bishops are to be observed
(c.772, §2).
c) Other types of preaching. Without specifying, the Code lays down
the duty of the pastor of souls to
arrange for his flock—if not the previously mentioned spiritual exercises or sacred missions—other types
of preaching adapted to their needs
(c.770). In any case, the norms issued
the liturgical year (c.767, §1).
It should be an explanation either of some
aspect of the readings from holy scripture or
of another text from the Ordinary or Proper
of the Mass of the day, taking into account
the mystery which is being celebrated and
the particular needs of the hearers.
1. A homily is to be given at all Sunday
Masses and at Masses celebrated on holy days
of obligation; it cannot be omitted without a
serious reason (c.767, §2). Furthermore, if a
sufficient number of people are present it is
strongly recommended that a homily also
be given at Masses celebrated during the
week, especially during Advent or Lent or
on the occasion of some feast day or time of
mourning (c.767, §3).
2. The homily, during the celebration of
the Holy Eucharist, must be reserved to the
sacred minister, Priest or Deacon, to the exclusion of the non-ordained faithful, even if
these should have responsibilities as pastoral
assistants or catechists in whatever type of
community or group. For the same reason,
the practice, on some occasions, of entrusting the preaching of the homily to seminarians or theology students who are not clerics
is not permitted.
3. The obligation of preaching a homily in
Sunday Masses and in those celebrated on
holy days of obligation (c.767, §3) seems to
imply a corresponding obligation on the part
of the faithful to be present at the homily,
since it forms an integral part of the Eucharistic liturgy, attendance to which is obligatory on those days.
(Footnotes)
1
S.C.Rites, Instruction Inter Oecumenici, 26.IX.1964,
n.54.
2
Cf. AAS 79 [1987], 1249.
Instruction Ecclesia de Mysteriis (15.VIII.1997), Art.3,
§1.
3
4
Instruction Ecclesia de Mysteriis (15.VIII.1997), Art.2,
§4.
CBCP Monitor
Diocese
Vol. 12 No. 18
September 1 - 14, 2008
B3
LEFT: PASAKALYE, Street dances and pantomimes depicting Masbate’s historic past. CENTER: St. Anthony of Padua Cathedral. RIGHT: The 40th
anniversary celebration highlights one of the diocese’s priority concerns “ sensitivity and responsiveness to the plight of the poor.
Diocese of Masbate reaches 40
braces for 50 year Jubilee
th
THE Diocese of Masbate caps its three-year overture of being church this September 25,
2008 when the same diocese turns 40 years old. Expected to grace the occasion and to
preside over the Mass of thanksgiving that day is His Excellency, Most Rev. Edward Joseph Adams, the Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines. To join the celebration are the Bishops of Bicol, other Bishops and Clergy particularly the Clergy of the Diocese of Sorsogon,
the Mother Diocese which gave birth to Masbate in 1968.
The Official Seal
of the Diocese
By Rev. Fr. Errol G. Bataga, Jr.
THE Official Seal of the Diocese of Masbate drew its inspiration
from the Coats of Arms of the first two Shepherds of the local
Church, namely, the late Most Rev. Porfirio R. Iligan, D.D. and the
Most Rev. Joel Z. Baylon, D.D.
The dark and bright theme of the seal was obviously influenced
by the past and future theme of Bishop Iligan’s Coat of Arms. It
envisions a church rocked by tumultuous waves of the ocean but
moves towards the tranquil waters of inland habitat to establish
herself there and endure forever. The inscription: “Diocesis
Masbatensis Insulae Philippinarum”, was taken from the original
dry seal used since 1968 for the official documents of the diocese.
On the upper left side of the seal is a Star representing Mary who is
known as the Stella Maris, and is found in the Coat of Arms of Bishop
Baylon. Like a star that guides seafarers to the safety of the shore and
to their homes the Blessed Mother also guides us safely to Jesus her
Son. The Lily imposed on the islet at the middle right side is symbolic of St. Anthony of Padua, the titular Patron of the diocese.
The Galleon depicts the Hispanization and Christianization of
Masbate. The Dove is the Holy Spirit that directs the church to its
eternal destiny. The Bamboo Cross is a sign of life lived to the full;
it is where the loving hands of God touches the helplessness, as
well as the sinfulness of humanity in order to reconcile everything to
Christ (Cf. Eph 1:10). The Islands are the mainland Masbate and the
two smaller islands of Ticao and Burias; these may also be scenes
typical of any entry point to the whole ecclesiastical jurisdiction.
Atop the main trunk of the seal is the Biretta — a cap which a
priest, bishop or cardinal wears. The biretta is placed there to
denote headship among the people of God which is proper to
ordained ministers alone. The breastplate type encapsulation of
the seal calls to mind the words of the Lord to Peter: “...but I have
prayed that your own faith may not fail; and once you have turned back,
you must strengthen your brothers” (Cf. Lk 22:32). The Breastplate,
being a kind of armor is cast to safeguard and protect so that the
gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it (Cf. Mt. 16:18).
The theme
for this year’s
celebration
is, “Responsable na Paga t a m a n ,
Pagpamahala,
kag Pagbalik sa
Dios san mga
Ginpaniwala
Niya sa Aton”
(Responsible
Care, Governance,
and Restoration to
God of all that He has
entrusted us, or simply
put, Stewardship).
By virtue of the Papal Bull,
Sorsogenensis Dioecesis, issued by
His Holiness, Pope Paul IV, the
Diocese of Masbate was born on
March 23, 1968. Most Rev.
Porfirio R. Iligan, D.D. became
its first Bishop. Twenty one
priests were assigned to the diocese at its inception.
Last September 25, 2006 preparatory activities and programs
were initiated for the 40th Anniversary of the Diocese. Most Rev.
Joel Z. Baylon, D.D., the second
bishop of Masbate then already
spoke of milestones during his
homily in the following words:
“Thirty eight years is quite a long
time already for an ordinary person
to achieve at least a few of his dreams
in life. For the Diocese of Masbate,
the 38 years brought about a number of milestones too. St. Anthony
High School Seminary was built to
be a helping hand for the Diocese by
producing not only priests but also
parish and civic leaders. There were
the birth of many religious organizations, the acquisition and building of
diocesan schools, the renovation and
expansion of the cathedral and today
the hand in hand effort of the church,
the government and the ordinary
people to build a civilization of love.”
Among the activities and programs launched in 2006 were: the
Symposium on the Hispa-nization
and Christianization of Masbate,
the Trade and Skills Fair cum Diocesan Exhibit, the Paila sa Kabataan
(Youth Showmanship), the Diocesan Family Bible Quiz and the
MUMHO, a Masbateño version of
the Pondo Ng Pinoy. The theme
was: “Simbahan nagalakaton, buhay
Diosnon pakusugon, komunidad
pahiwagon” (Church on a Journey,
strengthen divine life, mobilize
communities).
In 2007 some of the initiatives
were provided a sequel and there
were also innovations. Thus another symposium was held,
Schedule of Activities of the
40th anniversary celebration
September 2008
20 Saturday
8:00am
1:00pm
21 Sunday
10:00am
22 Monday
23 Tuesday
24 Wednesday
25 Thursday
26 Friday
1:00pm
8:00am
2:00pm
8:00am
1:00pm
8:00am
4:00pm
6:00pm
8:00am
4:00pm
7:00pm
9:00am
PasaKalye
Feria Mercantil
Handumanan
Mass for the Diocesan
Lay Organizations
and Movements
Diocesan Bible Quiz
Regata
Kite Flying
Simposio
Skills Training c/o
TESDA
Ordinacion
Friendship game
Dinner c/o MBMG
MUMHO Day
Thanksgiving Mass
Orgullo Masbateño
Bicol Bishops’ Meeting
Diocese of Masbate holds Unang Hakbang
Formation Workshop and Youth Congress
By Maria Lique
THE Masbate commission on
Youth and Campus Ministry
held the Unang Hakbang— a
formation program for Youth
Ministers last May 27-30, 2008
at Balay Padi and St. Anthony
High School Seminary
(SAHSS), Masbate City.
Together with the Youth and
Campus Ministry were Diocesan Director Rev. Fr. Emerito
R. Castilto, Diocesan Youth
Coordinator Ms. Maribeth Dablos,
and Diocesan Youth Leaders Mr.
Julius Abejuela and Sr. Mariz
Tugbo, DSJ.
Eighty-four delegates from the
different parishes of the Diocese of
Masbate participated in the formation program spearheaded by
Bishop Joel Z. Baylon, DD. The program aimed to synergize efforts
and initiatives on youth ministry.
The 84 participants were
grouped into two with a separate
Opening Liturgy. Sr. Mariz
Tugbo, Joseph Angelo Guevarra,
and Maria Lea Dasigan, acted as
speakers for the first group which
was accommodated at Balay Padi
while Miss Maribeth Dablos, Mr.
Stephen Borja and Mr. Dexter
Lucero were in charge for the second group at SAHSS. The formation program ended on May 30
in a separate closing liturgy.
Meanwhile, the Youth Congress 2008 in collaboration with
the 40th Anniversary Celebration
of the Diocese of Masbate, under
the theme “Responsable na pagataman san mga Regalo san Dios sa
mga Kabataan”, started on May 31,
a day after the end of Unang
Hakbang. This was participated
in by 126 participants including
the Hakbangers, vicarial and parish youth leaders and coordinators.
This event ended in a Closing
Liturgy presided over by Bishop
Baylon at the Cathedral of St. Anthony of Padua which was followed by a Santa Cruzan with the
Jubilee cross. These two events
which ran for four full days were
indeed a success.
Saudan sa may Simbahan (Feria
Mercantil) was accentuated with
the barter system, Handumanan
(Masbate Heritage Information
Center) was thought to be an offshoot of the Diocesan Exhibit,
PasaKalye (Street march/dance;
to the street; prelude) was introduced as an adaptation of the
Paila sa Kabataaan, Orgullo
Masbateño (Masbateño’s Specialty) was conceptualized to
showcase the local culture and the
Galleon Festival was pursued as
a church-based revelry about the
Masbateño identity, history and
goal. Here started the yearlong
celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the diocese. The theme
was: “Pagdumdom san Kinaagi, Pagatubang san Presente … para sa
Masbate” (Recalling the past, coping with the present... for
Masbate).
For this year 2008, two important documents were issued: one
was the Pastoral Letter on the
Celebration of the 40th year Anniversary of the Diocese of
Masbate by Bishop Joel Z. Baylon,
the other was the Advisory on
the Proper Celebration of the 40th
Anniversary of the Diocese by
the Diocesan Commission on the
Doctrine of the Faith (DCDF) in co-
operation with the Diocesan
Commission on Canon Law
(DCCL).
Bishop Baylon underscored
in his Pastoral Letter three aspects of church existence
which he said needed attention, namely, strengthening of
the Christian Communities,
sensitivity and responsiveness to the needs of the poor
and care for the youth and
children. The DCDF as well as
the DCCL pointed out in the
Advisory the fact that 40 years
is symbolic for a celebration,
but a 40th year anniversary
may not be considered a jubilee celebration. Therefore, the
Diocese of Masbate on its 40th
anniversary not only aptly
contemplates its present difficulties and struggles, but at
the same time looks forward
to sure hope of a better future.
Up ahead on the 50th anniversary of the diocese, the initiatives of today could have already matured and could well
be the best parts of the coming Jubilee Celebration ten
years from now.–Diocesan
Commission for Social Communications and Media Affairs (DCSCMA)
Pangadyeon para sa
Ika-40 na anniversaryo
San Dioceses San Masbate
By Most Rev. Joel Z. Baylon, DD and Rev. Fr.
Errol G. Bataga, Jr.
O Ama san tanan na kalalangan kag buhay
labaw sa tanan an pagkamoot mo sa imo katawohan.
San kami nagkasala, ginpadara mo sa amon an Kaligtasan.
Paagi sa imo Bugtong na Anak na nakiusad sa amon
kasaysayan
binalik mo kami sa imo grasya kag pangataman.
Sa bulig san Banal na Espirito danay mo kami na binilog
kag gin-andam
agud magin angayan sa imo panimalay - an wara’n
katapusan mo na Kahadian.
Batuna an amon pagpasalamat
sa tanan na grasya sa sulod san kuwarenta ka-tuig
na pagigin-simbahan mo didi sa Diocesis san Masbate, kag
mailaan mo lugod an amon pagdumdom san imo
paginmalulot sa amon.
Bendisyuni kami sa imo padayon na pakiupod
lalo na gayud sa mga kaagi-agi san kalisudan kag pagtios
agud dili kami mabulág saimo
kag maabot namon an katumanan san amon kaluwasan.
Sa tunga san mga pagtilaw kag pag-agyat san kinab-an
buligi kami na mag-ungod pa gayud para magin buhay
na komunidad,
nagamangno sa kada usad, labi na sa mga pobre kag
nagatestigo sa imo Ebanghelyo sa amon mga buhay.
Sa pangamuyo san Mahal na Birhen Maria,
an pinakauna na bunga san Bag-o kag wara’n katapusan
na Pakigsumpaan,
kag sa pangataman ni San Antonio de Padua, an amon
Mahal na Patron,
mahatagan lugod sin kahumanan sa amon an imo
halangdon kag banal na
kapagbot-an.
Ini tanan amon ginaayo sa malipay kag nagapasalamat
na puso
sa ngaran ni Kristo kag sa Espirito Santo, kaupod Mo,
usad na Dios sa panahon na wara’n katapusan. Amen.
Features
Vol. 12 No. 18
September 1 - 14, 2008
© www.rcam.org
B4
CBCP Monitor
Reproductive Health and the Catholic Faith:
Lagman Bill and the Catholic Moral Tradition:
Agreement and Conflict
By Eric Genilo, SJ
I. Introductory Notes
a. Reproductive Health
* The Catholic Church uses the terms
“reproductive health” and “reproductive
health care” with a specific Christian
meaning. The way the Church uses these
terms is different from the usage of the
UN, WHO or other organizations.
* “The Church considers the terms “reproductive health” and “reproductive
health care” within a more general concept of health. These terms embrace, each
in its own way, the person in the entirety
of his or her personality, mind and body.
They foster the achievement of personal
maturity in sexuality and in the mutual
love and decision making that characterize the conjugal relationship in
accordance with moral norms.”
(from the message of the Holy See
to First World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth in
Lisbon 1998)
* Reproductive health is viewed
by the Church always in the context of the integral good of the
whole person and every person.
* The Church rejects the act of
abortion or access to abortion as a
dimension of reproductive health.
e. Preventing Discrimination
* The Church affirms the equal dignity of all persons and is against any
form of discrimination.
* The Bill prohibits the refusal of quality health care services and information
based on a patient’s marital status, gender or sexual orientation, age, religion,
personal circumstances, and nature of
work. (Sec. 21, a, 5).
a. Respecting the sound judgment of parents and couples
* The Church objects to any coercion
by the state on the decision of parents to
decide the number and spacing of their
children.
* In various sections, the Bill affirms
the rights of parents and couples to freely
decide the number and spacing of their
children. Its two-child recommendation
is only meant as an ideal for families in
their decision-making. (Sec. 3, g; Sec. 16;)
* The Bill emphasizes that it is not co-
f. Care for the poor and vulnerable
* The Church urges the government
to extend preferential aid to those who
are more vulnerable in society.
* The Bill has various provisions that
address the specific needs of disadvantaged groups such as the poor, senior
c. Interpreting Church Teaching
* In interpreting its own teaching, at times
the Church speaks in a diversity of voices.
* Within the hierarchy and among the
catholic laity there are conservatives, moderates and liberals. Depending on their
views, their interpretation may vary.
* It is important to listen to the various voices and discern the position that
most embodies the whole of the Church’s
moral tradition.
II. Points of Agreement Between
Lagman Bill and The Catholic Moral
Tradition
* There are certain points in the House Bill
that protection of the unborn begins at
conception. This difference between implantation and conception is crucial.
* Any device (e.g. the IUD) or medicines
that prevent the implantation of a fertilized embryo is not contraceptive but is
abortifacient and therefore any promotion
of such devices or medicines would be a
violation of the Philippine Constitution.
* The current version of the Lagman
Bill does not define clearly when the
protection of life begins. Although it
mentions the constitutional illegality of
abortion it does not state directly that
human life is to be protected upon conception. This is important because there
are some contraceptive means that are
actually abortifacient in effect (IUDs)
while there are contraceptive means that
can be abortifacient if used after concep-
The Church objects
to artificial means
of birth control that
involve direct
human intervention
to prevent
conception, either
temporarily or
permanently. What it
objects is what some
would call a “cafeteria style” of family
planning where all
methods of family
planning are all
presented as equally
good and acceptable.
© Corbis
b. The Difference between Abortion and Contraception
* Abortion is the “the directly
intended termination of pregnancy before viability or the directly intended destruction of a
viable fetus”
* Contraception is “every action which, either in anticipation
of the conjugal act, or in its accomplishment, or in the development of its natural consequences, propose, whether as an
end or as a means, to render procreation
impossible” (Humanae Vitae)
* Contraception is different from abortion. They involve different acts, they
have different effects, they have different moral meanings, although they are
both seriously wrong acts, they are
treated differently by the Church.
* Abortion merits an automatic excommunication while contraception does not.
* Some contraception methods/devices do not lead to abortion [condoms]
* Some contraception methods/devices can lead to abortion [IUDs and
morning-after-pill prevent implantation
of fertilized ovum]
* We need to be clear and precise about
what we are objecting to; we object to
condoms for their contraceptive effects;
we object to IUDs and morning after pills
for their abortifacient effects.
law. (Sec. 3, m; Sec 7, d)
on Reproductive Health which are in agreement with the Catholic moral tradition.
* These positive points of agreement
can be the starting point for a reasonable and civilized discussion between the
legislature and the hierarchy.
ercive and no punitive measures will be
imposed on families who exceed two
children. (Sec 16)
c. Provision of comprehensive information on reproductive health
* The Church teaches that the correct
use of one’s conscience is dependent on
its proper formation and access to necessary information for decision-making.
* The Bill states that one of its aims is
to provide relevant, adequate and correct information on matters that pertain
to reproductive health. (Sec. 3,g)
d. Prohibition of abortion
* The Church has made a clear and
firm stand against the legalization of
abortion in order to defend the life and
dignity of the unborn.
* The Bill states that it continues to
proscribe and penalize abortion as a
crime in the Revised Penal Code. It states
that its provisions on assisting complications arising from post-abortion complications are not intended to violate this
© Corbis
b. Respect for the conscience
* The Church teaches that the decision
of a well-formed conscience must be respected. A person must not be made to
act contrary to his or her conscience except if it involves grave harm to one’s
self, to others, or to the common good.
* The Bill makes it clear that conscientious objections of health care providers
based on ethical and religious beliefs
will be respected. (Sec 21a, 5)
citizens, women in prostitution, differently-abled persons, and women and
children in war crisis situations. (Sec 2;
Sec 3, j)
III. Points of Conflict Between Lagman
Bill and The Catholic Moral Tradition
a. Abortion
* There are some who take the position that protection of the unborn begins upon implantation of the embryo
in the womb (such as stated a previous
version of the Lagman Bill [House Bill
17], Introductory Section, Par. 7). The Philippine Constitution declares that protection of the unborn begins at conception
(Art. II Sec. 12) The Church also teaches
tion has already occurred but implantation still has not happened (birth control pills, for example.) The Bill must
make it very explicit that no devices or
methods would be provided that is
aimed at the prevention of implantation.
b. Mandatory RH and Sexuality Education
* The Bill states that the Sexuality Education curriculum shall be common for
both public and private schools starting
from Grade 5 up to Fourth Year High
School. (Sec 12)
* Private Catholic schools would
strongly object to this provision. In conscience, Catholic educators would refuse
to teach methods of family planning
which they consider immoral or unacceptable according to Catholic norms.
* This provision can be accused of violating the freedom of religion and freedom of conscience of Catholic educators
as well as the freedom of Catholic parents who prefer sex education based on
Catholic teachings for their children. The
Church would consider it unjust for a
Catholic school to be penalized if it refuses to teach methods of family planning that is against its moral teachings.
* A better solution would be to allow
private schools to implement their own
sex education curriculum and to allow
Catholic parents with children in public
schools to choose whether or not to allow their children to attend the sex education classes in their schools.
c. Providing the full range of RH services
* The Bill states that the Reproductive
Health Care Program will provide the full
range of information and services pertaining to all methods of family planning including surgical methods. (Sec.5, f, 1& 6 )
* The Church objects to artificial means
of birth control that involve direct human intervention to prevent conception,
either temporarily or permanently. The
above provision will be interpreted by
some sectors of the Church as direct promotion by the government of methods
of family planning that are immoral. This
is what some would call “cafeteria style”
of family planning where all methods of
family planning are all presented as
equally good and acceptable.
* For some sectors of the Church, this
would not be objectionable because it
respects the use of reason and the exercise of conscience of persons when making moral decisions. These sectors
would focus on the formation of conscience to help Catholics make decision
faithful to their religious and moral values.
* Some may see this provision
as recognition of the existence of
a diversity of religious views on
the morality of artificial contraception and sterilization. While
the Catholic Church views contraception and sterilization as immoral, the Protestant Churches
and some Moslems do not. Some
may argue that since the Bill is to
be applied to all Filipino citizens,
it should respect different religious and moral positions on
contraceptives and sterilization.
d. Natural and “Modern” Methods of Family Planning
* Advocates of Natural Family
Planning will object to the Bill’s
use of “modern” to describe artificial means of family planning
(Sec 3, a; Sec. 12, f). This gives the impression that the natural methods are not modern or not scientific thus giving a negative
image to NFP methods.
* Current natural family planning
methods such as the Standard Days
Method, the Two Day Method, the Billings Method, the Basal Body Temperature Method, and the Symptothermal
method, and the Lactational Amenorrhea
Method are based on the latest scientific
research on the reproductive system.
* The use of the word “modern” to describe the use of artificial means of family planning can also give the impression that outdated (and ineffective) methReproductive / B5
CBCP Monitor
Statements
Vol. 12 No. 18
September 1 - 14, 2008
Joint Communique of the
Moro Islamic Liberation
Front (MILF) and the
Bishops of Mindanao
THE first-ever peace dialogue
between the Catholic Bishops of
Mindanao and the Moro Islamic
Liberation Front (MILF) held at
the Archbishop’s Residence in
Davao City on August 14, 2008
was capped with utmost sincerity, trust and cordiality, a historic
significant initiative as a way forward in advancing the common
quest for genuine peace, unity and
development in Mindanao.
Both the MILF and the Bishops
reiterate their unwavering moral
commitment to pursue the path
to peace, solidarity, justice and
development in Mindanao, and
resolve and support to the continuation of the peace process
between the MILF and the government until its successful conclusion is achieved.
The Bishops and representatives of the highest leadership of
the MILF called on all sectors of
the society for sobriety and calmness in confronting and resolving the issues besetting the forging of the GRP–MILF Memorandum of Agreement on the Ancestral Domain.
Both Parties appealed for an
immediate declaration of
ceasefire to the ongoing armed
clashes in some towns of North
Cotabato, and immediate provision of relief assistance and rehabilitation programs for the affected communities by all concerned institutions, local and international.
Dialogue and educational programs must be intensified, particularly by the religious leaders
and academic institutions, relative to the ongoing peace process
in Mindanao.
The Bishops were led by Arch-
bishop Fernando Capalla of
Davao, co-convenor of the Bishops-Ulama Conference, and the
MILF officials by Mohagher Iqbal,
who is also the Chairman of the
MILF Peace Negotiating Panel.
Those in attendance are Archbishop Fernando Capalla of
Davao, Archbishop Orlando
Quevedo of Cotabato, Auxiliary
Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo of
Cotabato, Bishop Honesto
Pacana of Malaybalay, Bishop
Juan de Dios Pueblos of Butuan,
Bishop Nerio Odchimar of
Tandag, Surigao del Sur, Bishop
Edwin dela Peña of Marawi City,
Bishop Antonieto Cabajog of
Surigao City; MILF Peace Panel
Chairman Mohagher Iqbal, MILF
Senior Peace Panel Member Atty.
Datu Michael Mastura, Ustaz
Mohammad Montasir and Ustaz
Mohammad Abdullah, both
members of the MILF Central
Committee, MILF AHJAG Chairman Atty. Abdul Dataya, MILF
Peace Panel Head of Secretariat
Jun Mantawil, MILF Peace Panel
Secretariat Member Mohajirin
Ali, and MILF CCCH Secretariat
Head Rasid Ladiasan.
Done this 14th day of August,
2008 in Davao City, Mindanao,
Philippines.
For the Mindanao Bishops:
ARCHBISHOP FERNANDO
CAPALLA, DD
Archbishop of Davao
For the MILF:
MOHAGHER IQBAL
Chairman, MILF Peace Negotiating Panel
B5
Praying for peace in
Mindanao
THE conflict and crisis occasioned by the controversial and
delicate Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain between the Republic of the Philippines and the MILF—in the
absence apparently of due consultation with concerned parties—has developed in the last few weeks into a war.
As is already being done in several dioceses, we urgently
and strongly recommend that we pray for Peace in Mindanao.
We may use the following prayer and/or similar prayer for
this intention:
God our Father, you reveal that those who work for peace
will be called your children. Help us to work without ceasing
for that justice which brings true and lasting peace. Hear our
prayer and grant peace to Mindanao that we may rejoice in
your mercy and praise you without end. Mary, Virgin of Light,
remember your first shrine in Mindanao and let “the dawn
from on high break upon us, to guide our feet into the way of
peace.” (Lk. 1:79) Amen.
We offer this prayer as one nation and in solidarity with the
Mindanao Bishops as well as with the thousands of innocent
people who are forced to evacuate and live in uncertainty and
fear because of the current crisis and war.
Instead of only blaming the people who are responsible for
this unfortunate happening in our country, let us also pray,
approaching Mary, the Virgin of Light to help us. We are confident that She who is the Mother of all Abrahamic children
will unite us in peace
+ANGEL N. LAGDAMEO, DD
Archbishop of Jaro
President, CBCP
August 27, 2008
Peñafrancia / B1
URGENT APPEAL
from the Convenors of the
Bishops-Ulama Conference
20 August 2008
WE, the undersigned convenors of the Bishops-Ulama Conference, most earnestly and urgently appeal to the Government of the Republic of the Philippines
(GRP) and to the Central Committee of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)
to put an immediate STOP to the fighting between their respective combatants,
to order them back to their barracks and headquarters, to release captives and
hostages, and to arrive at an immediate ceasefire agreement.
We also appeal most earnestly and urgently to the Philippine National
Police, their CAFGUs and CVUs as well as to the local MILF Security Forces to
restore order in the affected areas in North Cotabato and Lanao del Norte
including the contiguous cities of Kidapawan and Iligan respectively.
We call on local, national, and international aid agencies to provide immediate assistance to the displaced residents, and their damaged houses, chapels
and properties, with special attention to the poor, the sick, the babies, and the
little children.
We call on all religious leaders in Mindanao—our bishops, ulama, ai’mah,
ustadzes, pastors, priests, religious men and women—to help us make this
our earnest and urgent appeal heard, accepted, and answered throughout the
region. We likewise strongly and urgently appeal to print and broadcast
media to take utmost care in reporting only the facts and to avoid spreading
disinformation, incendiary comments and unconfirmed rumors.
Finally we respectfully remind everyone who believes and loves God,
whom we call by many names, to intensify sustained personal and communal prayer accompanied by self sacrifices, to ask Him for an enlightened use
of our reason, for calmness and sobriety in our emotions, for compassion and
forgiveness in our hearts. For we believe that Christian, Islamic, and indigenous faiths put great emphasis on the power of sincere and constant prayer.
To the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and to the
Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) we offer ourselves and our confreres to
be facilitators of your intensive information campaign regarding the peace
process in general and the peace negotiations in particular especially the
Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) so that our
people especially the Mindanaoans may know, understand, and accept whatever you decide and agree on their behalf.
FERNANDO R. CAPALLA
Archbishop of Davao
BUC Co-Convenor
HILARIO M. GOMEZ, JR.
UCCP Bishop Emeritus
BUC Co-Convenor
HAMID A. BARRA
OIC Ulama League of the Philippines
BUC Co-Convenor
is to grow into his relationship with God,
with Mary’s help, through stages beginning, and not only with, the human heart
contrite before the mercy of God, but
still towards peace in the love of God
till the joy of union in divine glory. The
devotee is to aspire and has to be guided
to progress in spiritual maturity.
The nine-day novena prayers, especially at the Cathedral, on the festivities
for Our Lady of Peña de Francia, underscore the need for progress in spiritual
maturity. These prayers, from a commentary on the Gospel of St. Luke and
the Most Holy Name of Mary, depict the
intercession of Our Lady of Peña de
Francia for the devotee conforming his/
her life to God’s will. Prayers speak of
the soul seeking enlightenment about
its origin and grateful for divine favors
in public and in private, protection from
the perils of the world on the journey of
becoming an imitator of God, being
faithful to one’s state of life and obligations, and finally attaining eternal happiness grateful of Mary’s intercession.
The novena prayers are an instruction
on the dignity and destiny of persons.
They are a pedagogy for the transformation of persons from creation to conformity with God’s love and will onto communion in God’s glory. In the devotee
being drawn towards a community-forothers to the glory of God, the prayers
encourage him/her to break from the
usual and comfortable perspectives and
powers. It leads him/her to being touched
by God in ordinary daily events of existence to give one’s part for the good of the
Church and society. The novena, affirming the Eucharist as really present and
salvific, points to the Eucharist being
made more meaningful in today’s pressing conditions and concerns.
2.2. The tradition of solemn processions:
The traslacion and the embarcacion or
the fluvial procession
2.2.1. The solemn processions. The break
from ordinary life only to rebound to a
more ordered way of living is observed
is the power of ritual action in devotion,
particularly in the solemn processions
in honor of Our Lady of Peña de Francia.
Present observance of the feast of Our
Lady is in fact introduced by the novena
to the Divino Rostro and is concluded
by the celebration of the Eucharist on
Sunday. This frame of reference unites
the festivity for Our Lady to the mission
of Christ. The novena to the Divino
Rostro vividly recalls the redemption of
man in Christ. The Eucharist makes its
graces really present for the individual,
for others and for the entire Christian
community. Done still within the feast
of Mary’s nativity upholding her to be
the Mother of God, the novena to the
Divino Rostro sees in the Eucharist a
prophetic message: God is always faithful to his covenant. Mary is the attentive
virgin faithful to this love of God for his
people. Uniting yearnings of peoples old
and new, Mary sings the Magnificat, the
song of the chosen people who, through
the overshadowing of Mary by the Holy
Spirit, continue their journey to become
the People of God, the Church. In this
way is the image of Our Lady of Peña de
Francia said to follow the image of the
Divino Rostro.
2.2.2. The traslacion % the transfer of
the image of Our Lady from its sanctuary to the Cathedral % is penitential in
character. Bishop Gainza attests to the
traslacion being, on one hand, “para cortar
algunos abusos”—to end self-interests by
both the cimarrones and the espanoles, even
the sacerdotes. On the other, it was to accommodate the greater number of
people visiting Our Lady. Traditions are
not built on abuses, rather upon the aspirations of persons. People visiting Our
Lady venerate and seek her intercession
that the community of faith serves for
the good of all. Penitence is for the failings of the community to act as the redeemed people of God by persistently
clinging to self-serving interests.
Still, at the traslacion the Holy Spirit,
who showed the Father’s loving faithfulness in sending Jesus for man’s salvation, calls to the People of God. He calls
them to the freedom of the poor of the
Lord that for Mary, the Virgin-in-prayer,
meant the freedom to praise and to faithfully love God in response – “I am the
servant of the Lord, be it done to me
according to his word.” Indeed, the
traslacion and the boya, can now be seen
as that “sea of humanity” % and, not of
rowdy “self-interests” % bearing the
image of Our Lady. The traslacion is an
intercessory procession. Rather than taking any of the fineries and adornments
from the image of Our Lady, it is to give
Mary fitting signs of thanksgiving that
the deeds of the Lord may be fulfilled in
us, as it was for her. It is to pray with her
to praise and love God faithfully, as she
did; and, to be a servant of the Lord for
the community, as she is.
While at the Cathedral, Mary is the
Virgin-Mother. She is the type and ex-
emplar of the Virgin-Church that by
preaching and baptism brings men to
new life, renewed as disciples of Christ.
Thus at Cana, when Mary interceded for
the temporal needs of the occasion, Jesus
worked the first of his signs that confirmed the faith of the apostles and the
community on him as the one sent by
God. This is the same faith Jesus entrusts
to Mary and John at the foot of the cross.
The Church cares for disciples as they
care for the Church.
2.2.3. The embarcacion or fluvial procession. The mutual care between the Church
and disciples is further enacted at the
embarcacion or the fluvial procession
bringing back the image of Our Lady to
its present Basilica. Mary is the virginpresenting-offerings. At the presentation
of Jesus in the temple, Mary’s “heart
pierced with a sword” is oriented to
Jesus’ being “a sign of contradiction.”
The Christ-child, according to Simeon’s
greeting, is “…a light for all nations and
the glory of the people Israel.” Just as
Mary offered Jesus to be the light for all
nations, so all disciples – devotees now
– have to be reconciled with God by restoring all things in Christ.
Hence, Our Lady’s principal feast day
on Sunday, celebrates the Virgin-Mother
in union with her Son in the work of
redemption. As Jesus “offered himself
as the perfect sacrifice to God,” “Mary
“…united herself with a maternal heart
to this sacrifice…” In the Sunday Eucharist Jesus perpetuates his sacrifice on the
cross and entrusts it to the Church. The
Church continues to pray in union with
Mary who, assumed into heaven (as
Queen of Heaven and the Angels), has
never abandoned her mission of intercession for salvation. The Eucharist on
Our Lady’s feast day celebrates the eternal love of God. It challenges the
Church—especially the devotees of
Mary—to imitate her, to act in the solidarity of charity.
3. The continuing challenge: The practice of tradition
Bishop Gainza was edified by the fervency devotees give to their visits,
prayers and adornment of the image of
Our Lady, by the order bogadores
(voyadores) give in assuring solemnity at
processions, and by the involvement
personalities in government and society give for the fitting celebration of Our
Lady’s feast. These observances have,
however, dimmed severely, diminishPeñafrancia / B7
Reproductive / B4
ods such as the old calendar
method and withdrawal are natural family planning methods being endorsed by NFP advocates.
* Withdrawal has never been recognized as an NFP method and the
calendar method has already been
replaced by more accurate methods based on body symptoms.
e. Free Ligation
* The Bill directs public hospitals to provide indigent mothers
delivering children in government hospitals to be provided
free ligation if they request for
it. (Sec. 5, i )
* This provision may be interpreted as evidence of the
government’s bias for artificial
means of birth control and providing improper enticement for
the poor to have sterilizations.
This provision makes it easier for
people to choose artificial means
of birth control over natural family planning.
f. Consultation
* The Bill does not mention any
consultation with religious
groups or churches, unless these
groups are under the category of
NGOs. (Sec. 24)
* Such an omission might be
interpreted to mean that religious
and moral beliefs of citizens are
not significant factors in the formation of policies and programs
involving reproductive health. A
more explicit mention of consultation with religious groups can
avoid criticism on this point
g. Employer’s Responsibility
* The Bill states that CBAs
should ensure the provision of an
adequate quantity of reproductive
health care services, supplies and
devices. (Sec 17, Sec 21, c) But what
if it is a Catholic institution?
Should a Catholic school be forced
to provide for contraceptive services for its employees if such an
act would be against its moral
teachings? The Bill should not penalize Catholic employers if they
choose not to provide for contraceptive services and devices if it
goes against their consciences.
h. Freedom of Speech
* The Bill penalizes anyone
who maliciously engages in
disinformation about the intent
or provisions of this Act (Sec 21,
a, f). Malicious intent is difficult
to prove and there are wide disagreements about many aspects
of the population question that
the Bill is trying to address. It
could be a violation of the freedom of speech of dissenting
groups if they are prevented
from speaking out to challenge
the Bill. It is true that there are
some opponents of the Bill who
do not use correct information.
But to stop public debate on the
issue of contraceptives through
the use of penalties will not solve
the problem but instead will turn
the Bill into a coercive and undemocratic act in violation of the
freedom of speech.
III. Points to Consider Necessity
of Dialogue
* The government must continue to maintain dialogue with
the Catholic Church and other
faith groups. Legislation that disregards or violates religious and
moral beliefs will provoke opposition among the clergy and
the laity, and will have very little
chance of passing into law. The
government, the Church, NGOs,
religious groups and other dialogue partners must keep a level
of civil discourse that is reasonable and rational.
a. Manner of Discourse
* In all forms of discourse on
reproductive health, responsible
parenthood and population, there
should be an effort to gain some
form of reasonable consensus that
respects basic values of all stakeholders.
* A belligerent and antagonistic approach that uses insults,
demonization of opponents, distortion of information, threats,
and emotional arguments distract
from and do not contribute to finding a proper response to urgent
reproductive health and population concerns. Unfortunately,
some sectors in the Church use
these wrong ways of discourse.
They only cause confusion and
make it appear that the Church is
irrational, insensitive, and crude.
b. Democratic Process
* It is not to be in keeping with
the democratic nature of our society for the Church to speak above
the heads of its members and simply deal with legislators and leaders of government through pressure politics and threats.
* The Catholic Church, in proposing its view of how to protect
the life, health, and dignity of the
human person should not only
speak to leaders and legislators
but more importantly it should
speak to its members and form
their consciences in order that they
may exercise their moral choices
through democratic and participative forms of political action.
c. A Way of Proceeding
* “In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; and in all
things, charity.”
* For things pertaining to protecting human life and dignity,
we need to come to a consensus
for the common good;
* For things that can be left to
individual decisions without violating human life and dignity, we
need to respect freedom of conscience;
* In all our discussions, we need
to speak and act with charity and
understanding as members of the
same human community.
Reflections
B6
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 18
September 1 - 14, 2008
Cross – Sign of God’s unconditional love
Feast of the Triumph of the Cross; Jn 3:13-17,
September 14, 2008
By Bishop Francisco M.
de Leon, D.D.
THE altar crucifix in Christ the
King Parish, Green Meadows, is
unique because of its particular
depiction of Christ. Instead of the
traditional portrayal of Christ
beaten, bloodied and in the
throes of an agonizing death, this
one shows a stylized Jesus in all
His glory, draped in flowing
robes, his limbs stretched out
straight and strong along the
beams, as if the cross was a
throne for a king, rather than the
tool for an executioner. This crucifix is a presentation of the feast
that is celebrated by the Church
in its liturgy today—The Triumph of the Holy Cross.
The cross as triumph? If you
were to wear a necklace of a cross
in Palestine during Jesus’ time,
people would find it weird, to say
the least. Crucifixion was the cruelest form of execution during that
time. They would never use it as a
form of decoration on their neck
or body. When Jesus was crucified,
he hanged there, naked and
pierced, scorned and rejected by
his own people, the figure of defeat. How devastating it must have
been to His followers who have
lived with him, loved Him and
believed in Him only to see Him,
as Paul described it, having “emptied himself, taking the form of a
slave,” dying there like that. But if
it ended there, then Jesus’ crucifixion would be like other crucifixions. Remember how Spartacus
and his followers were crucified.
After three days,
Jesus rose again
from the dead. It
is when we contemplate the
cross as victory
that the crucifixion becomes so
much more.
But it did NOT end there. After
three days, Jesus rose again from
the dead. It is when we contemplate the cross as victory that the
crucifixion becomes so much
more. Then we see it as the culmination of God’s supreme act of
love for all of us, an act that began with the Nativity when He
became a man like us; he grew in
age and wisdom before God and
man and, then, as a grown man,
set out on his mission and to end
it by humbling Himself, “becoming obedient to the point of
death, even death on a cross.”
It is then that we see it as validation of all that He came to
teach us, that to follow Him is to
love Him and to love Him is to
serve others. Most of all, as a victory over intolerance, injustice,
greed and self-absorption, it becomes an act of triumphal redemption. However often we
might stumble in life, we know
that it is done, that we have already been redeemed. We rejoice
and we are glad!
Fr. Roy Cimagala
Can we, clergy, hack it?
WITH our times getting complicated and
hot-button issues popping up, one wonders whether we, priests, can ably act as
true beacons of light and moral compasses we are expected to be before all
the Church’s faithful.
With this recent public debate on reproductive health, for example, not a few
people have complained that they hardly
hear anything from their priests about
this issue, outside of rallies called for
this purpose.
They said that it’s lamentable, because
the issue involved in reproductive
health concerns them everyday, and yet
they hardly get any guidance or reminder from priests other than occasional motherhood platitudes.
If ever, they said, the words are full of
condemnatory tones with hardly any explanation why, for example, contraception
is morally wrong and why they ought to
be careful about the reproductive health
bills now pending in Congress.
Much less do they hear anything about
how to develop authentic conjugal love
and conjugal chastity, using both supernatural and practical arguments. This is
what they want to hear, they said, and
not just skills in natural family planning.
Many, for example, want to know
how to live chastity when one of those
fierce clashes with one’s own sexual
urges takes place. It’s the priestly inability to offer feasible advice in this area
that turns many people off and leads
them to seek solutions in other, usually
immoral, sources.
In the end, they said, the Church campaigns manage to attract only a few and
very specialized following—usually old
women and what they call “Catolico
cerrado”—and can even alienate the
young ones who are actually also looking
for truth and fairness in issues like this.
I believe this is a concern that has to
be attended to urgently. Many Church
documents and exhortations have already been issued by Popes, councils,
bishops, etc., urging the clergy to be at
par with these modern challenges. But
what are the results?
I’m afraid these have largely fallen on
deaf ears. There’s still a lot of room for improvement. Only a little percentage of the
clergy appears to be competent in handling
our current Church and world situation.
Most of us are still groping in the dark,
clumsy and unsure about what to do and
what to say. Many just get satisfied with
celebrating the sacraments, without
doubt necessary and indispensable. But
this, given the times, is not enough.
There is need for the average priest to
learn to pray and study, to articulate and
apply relevant doctrine to concrete situations, to build and strengthen an abiding sense of the Church, to develop the
skill for effective evangelization in
today’s setting.
We priests are supposed to be the sacramental representation of Christ, head
of the Church. We should be able to say
to the people, “It is I (Christ), do not be
afraid.” Christ said these words to his
apostles who thought they saw a ghost
walking on the lake toward them.
A few are wondering how many
priests are truly internalizing, not just
externally tweaking, our sacramental
identification with Christ as priest. We
are not Christ’s ghosts, nor Church bureaucrats and performers.
Instead, there is a lot of priestly complacency and mediocrity nurtured in a
culture of tolerance and impunity. This
has to be wiped out. A strong infusion
of authentic spiritual life and a firm
grounding in sound doctrine are needed.
It’s painful to hear priests succumbing to spiritual lukewarmness and doctrinal ignorance, confusion if not outright error. It’s painful to see them entangled in petty quarrels, envy and rivalry among themselves.
You can just imagine if they get involved in highly scandalous situations!
The formation of priests should be an
ongoing, endless affair. There’s need for
continuing renewal of commitment, because this simply is the requirement of
love and fidelity that’s supposed to animate the priestly vocation.
The formation in the seminary also
has to be carefully developed with
eagle-eyed supervision from the authorities. There, heroic dedication, obedience
and discipline should be learned as essential signs of love. We have to purge
the seminary of bad eggs.
In the end, we priests should try to do
our best in our priestly life and ministry,
and to make our best better always. This
is how we can hack the current challenges.
Bo Sanchez
Nurture your secret life
“YOUR assignment is to clean the toilet
everyday.”
Many years ago, I was part of a celibate brotherhood. And on my first day
there, an older brother gave me my assigned chore: Toilet cleaning.
“I don’t know how to clean toilets,” I
muttered meekly, “can you teach me?”
“Let’s start with the toilet bowl,” he
smiled, as he grabbed a sponge, sank
his hand into the toilet water, and started
scrubbing the insides of the bowl. Believe me, every hair on my body stood
on end and my innards shook violently.
“Gee… uh, I recall Mom using a
stick…” I mumbled, but he interrupted,
“But this cleans it so much better,” his
forearm almost disappearing inside the
Throne.
With his hand still dripping, he
handed me the sponge and said, “You
want to try?” I almost choked and wondered if God could take my life that second.
“Okay…” I held the foam as manly
as I could. Being at a loss for words, I
started praying in tongues. I plunged my
hand into the water, and realized that
my state-of-life discernment was over.
That very night, I was going to escape
the brotherhood, and get married.
But the days became weeks, and the
weeks, months.
I cleaned that toilet for a whole year.
And I began to love it. It became “my
toilet” and “my sponge”. I’d have withdrawal pangs if I didn’t clean the toilet
in a day.
Indeed, the celibate brotherhood
taught me the meaning of “The Secret
Life”.
You see, I was already preaching in
big prayer rallies at that time. After such
events, people took my pictures, got my
autograph, and—hear this—tried very
hard to shake my hand. Oh, if they only
knew what I held just a few hours before.
My “public life” was symbolized by
the microphone.
But my “secret life” was symbolized
by the sponge. And it put me in my place,
keeping pride away from my heart.
I love Bill Hybell’s definition of
“Character”: Character is who you are
when no one’s looking. It’s easy to be a
disciple in front of an applauding crowd.
But when no one’s looking, was I still a
disciple?
Thanks to my sponge, I had an answer:
Yes!
I remember one Saturday night. We
had a big feast—and all the brothers
washed the dishes together. We even
sang happy songs while soaping, rinsing, and drying.
That night, I was soaping. When it was
almost over, I was removing a stubborn
food particle stuck in a fork—when I
noticed something about the sponge in
my hand. It looked oddly familiar.
I gasped. Because I knew my sponge!
What was it doing here in the kitchen?
Just to be sure, I rushed to the toilet and
opened the cabinet under the sink—the
usual place where I stored my sponge. It
wasn’t there.
I entered the kitchen hesitantly, wondering whether to tell the brothers. But I
saw them singing and happy. How could
I break their cheery mood? So I decided
to join the singing, get my sponge, and
soap the few remaining plates. (To this
day, I have never told them what happened that night. When they read this,
they will kill me.)
I have a question for you: How’s your
secret life?
Who are you when no one’s looking?
In the unspectacular, mundane, routine of your day?
I tell you. Nurture your Secret Life.
***
I believe that on Judgment Day, God
will give me a 365-room mansion in
heaven. And when I ask Him why the
lavish reward, I’d expect Him to say,
“Because of your preaching to thousands,” or “Because you founded a Home
for the Elderly,” etc. But instead, He’d
say, “For each day you cleaned that toilet with love in your heart…”
Atty. Jo Imbong
‘Meminisse Iuvat’
“It is helpful to recall, when new
dangers threaten Christians and the
Church, the Spouse of the Divine Redeemer, that We—like Our Predecessors
in bygone days—have turned in prayer
to the Virgin Mary, our loving Mother,
and have urged the whole flock entrusted
to Our care to place itself confidently under her protection.”
THUS wrote Pope Pius XII 50 years
ago on July 15, 1958. That was his last
Encyclical. It might as well have been
written for today.
For today is not a good time for
the Christian family, not a good time
for parenting, not a good time to raise
our children.
We have a strongly pro-family
Constitution that was enshrined in
1987. It describes the Filipino family
as “sacred.” It acknowledges the right
of the unborn to be protected from
the moment of its conception, without exception. Ours is one of very few
constitutions in the world that has
done so. It also assures parents of their
God-given and therefore, inviolable
right to the moral upbringing of their
own children. This right may not be
exercised by anyone other than a parent, because only a parent knows and
understands his own child. The Constitution guarantees it.
Despite these clear and strong commands of the Constitution, some representatives of the people who were
sworn into office to promote the welfare of all, are bent on approving
measures that will undermine the
rights of parents, of the unborn, of
children and their families, rights that
come from God the Creator, and
therefore may not be trespassed.
The bills “encourage” a two-child
family. This insults and violates the
autonomy of spouses guaranteed by
the Constitution, to raise a family according to their religious convictions
and the demands of responsible parenthood.
Despite the confirmed dangers and
cancer-causing properties of common
birth control pills and depo-provera,
these drugs will be made accessible
to girls and women as “essential
medicines.” And yet, what are truly
essential medicines are those badly
needed for malnutrition, tuberculosis, anemia, infections, hypertension,
pneumonia, and many childhood diseases. All business establishments, including Catholic-run hospitals and
schools will be required to provide
contraceptives on demand, under
pain of fine and imprisonment.
The unborn will be protected only
after it clings to the mother’s womb.
But when it reaches the womb, the
womb will have been destroyed by
the chemicals in the pill and depoprovera. The baby is starved and will
eventually die. While the bills do not
legalize abortion, they prepare the
ground for it.
Young and vulnerable children
will undergo sex education and all
methods of family planning starting
Grade 5, although this is already being done today in schools even in
lower grade levels. If their parents
object, there is a fine and imprisonment waiting. In western countries,
promiscuity in teenagers is attributed
to sex education outside the confines
of home and family. That is why the
West now gives abstinence education.
Three BILLION pesos is the budget
of Health Department for contraceptives and a nationwide family planning program. There is also P386 Million for POPCOM. These are apart
from 2.4 Million Dollars from the
UNFPA for this year alone, and another $2.2 Million for 2009. This
money is for “population and development-reproductive health” that
dooms our country to zero population growth. Today’s average family
has three children compared with
seven in the ’70s. But the billions of
pesos spent in the last 30 years of active population control programs
have not reduced poverty nor benefited the poor. And if these measures
become a law, our time-honored Filipino values about human life, family
life and marriage will be replaced by
a destructive counterculture.
At this crucial hour, is there a Christian path that will protect and preserve our threatened Faith and culture?
As citizens, our Christian duty is
to live and witness our Faith. Know
that “contraception is wrong not because the Church speaks against it.”
Rather, “the Church speaks against it
because it is wrong.” Be not afraid to
speak out forcefully against evil, for
evil is not negotiable.
Whenever we speak, we stand on
what our Faith teaches us. This is the
authentic way to live it. And when
we stand on what we believe as
Catholics, no human authority can
override us. The law assures it.
In Meminisse Iuvat, Pope Pius XII
warned that “anyone who knowingly ignores Christianity or tries to hinder, insult, or undo her teachings, weakens
thereby the very foundations of society.
It is a harmful and reckless policy to do
battle with Christianity, for God guarantees, and history testifies, that she will
exist forever.
“If a Christian way of life flourishes
again, as it did in the age of the
Apostles and martyrs, then we can
reasonably hope that the Blessed Virgin Mary—who longs with a
mother’s heart that all her sons
should live virtuously—will graciously heed our prayers and will
soon grant, in response to our petitions, happier and more peaceful
times for the Church of her Only Begotten Son and for the whole human
society.”
CBCP Monitor
Social Concerns
Vol. 12 No. 18
September 1 - 14, 2008
By Fr. Savino Bernardi, CS
FILIPINO seafarers are the prime
movers of the maritime transportation industry in the world. They are
found on board in all kinds of ships:
yachts in Greece, containers ships in
Rotterdam, tankers in Nigeria, general cargo ships in Buenos Aires. They
keep the goods moving and delivered
to all ports, at times in risky weather
or in difficult conditions. The Filipinos serve the maritime world with
professionalism, reliability and with
time education to redeem their family from
poverty or to subsidize the education of
their younger siblings. Once the maritime
profession becomes more established,
they look into the acquisition of a lot and
house, a family car or business.
Full of risks and challenges
The life of a seafarer, however, is fret
with risks and challenges, and this not
only by storms and waves, but due to
the nature of the forever-temporary or
casual employment. The good salary is
the primary attraction of many young
people as they choose which college
no-chance of landing a job onboard.
The Filipino seafarers are indeed professional and sought out by international
shipping companies and the number of
Filipino seafarers onboard is increasing
steadily every year. Among the many
reasons of preference for Filipino seafarers are the professional preparation,
the knowledge of English, the Filipino
cultural and social characteristics and his
ability to adapt. Furthermore, in the
profit-oriented shipping industry, the
relatively low wages makes their employment still very attractive. However,
not infrequent would be cases of exploi-
character, personality and motivation.
Efforts are made from several directions
to achieve this objective.
Already during the educational years
Nautical Schools are training future cadets with strong elements of discipline,
respect, reliability and commitment.
However, from experience of the environment in several of these schools,
more must be expected starting from
self-discipline and improvement on
group dynamics. Crew must be cohesive
to make the life of each one on board
easy. Individuals must prioritize the
wellbeing of all even before personal
B7
try is now shopping for highly professional, skillful and versatile officers to whom entrust their ships and
crew. As ships are becoming more
computerized and automated in
these days a cadet contingent will always be necessary, but in an ever
shrinking number. On the other hand,
the quest is on to entrust expensive
ships and cargo to officers of quality
and reliability. Who will these be?
This multi-million dollar opportunity
is there for the Philippines to take or
lose it depending on the quality of
officers the system is willing to pro-
The life of seafarers: An odyssey
a smile in most of the 55,000 ships
moving around the globe. They number about 300,000 in international
vessels, and perhaps 100,000 more in
the domestic routes and deep-sea fishing industry. One million families in
the Philippines depend on their work
and earnings while the seafarers
brave their long and lonely absence
from home and the uncertainty of the
sea. Judging from known data, about
1 percent of them meets the deadly
perils of the sea and still more suffer
from accidents or sicknesses.
For the reason of their endurance
and bravery and the undisputed professionalism, the Filipino seafarers
remain sought out in the international
employment. In these days, the whole
world is asking for more of them,
from the rank of officers particularly.
Now, the world turns to the Philippines to source out 15 to 20 thousand
and more officers, in the next 10 years
to man their ships. This is an awesome challenge putting the maritime
schools, training centers and the
whole of the regulatory system under an enormous pressure. But the
Philippines must and, I am sure, will
deliver, and in the process modernize and perhaps re-invent its system
to successfully meet the challenging
demands of the time.
These are the realities and challenges the Filipino seafarers are facing. In the last 30 years, they grew in
number from 60,000 to the about
300,000, or 25 percent of the crewing
hands in the world. They have made
the Philippines shine and in the process they have helped the country’
economy with 2 to 3 billion dollars
each year.
The much higher salary in US dollars is attractive and many parents encourage their children to take up mari-
course to enroll in.
In the Philippines, the seafaring profession begins with the dream of many
thousands of young people enrolling
into one of the 94 Nautical Schools in
the country. Often the parents are behind them to encourage their son
(mostly) to take up the maritime course
so that one day they could contribute to
bring the family out of poverty or to
provide a good education for their siblings.
The fees are high and the chances of
success very slim. Three years later, only
about 15 percent successfully complete
their academic course. They are still under-graduates but they can already apply for deployment on board as ordinary seafarers (OS). The 4th year is designed to acquire “on job training” (OJT)
experience which would seal their professional preparation as graduate seafarers or “able seamen” (AB), and open the
door to the seafaring career. To succeed
on this is the second hurdle of the profession as opportunities are limited and
often given only to the brightest students. In the end only about 5,000 succeed, while the remaining thousands
settle for an undergraduate position of
“ordinary seamen” (OS). In any case, all
come to swell the number of new applicants into the job market already saturated by at least 300,000 “unemployed”
seafarers. For many it is the beginning
of the “Luneta Park experience”, and the
endless and frustrating application journey to several of the 360 Manning Agencies in Manila. Many end up as “utility
boys”, struggling an existence in Manila
with a promise of a position onboard as
it may come available. Each year only
about 8,000 – 10,000 new hires can be
counted. For hundreds of thousands of
them, remains the cruel prospect of a
costly and miserable life in Manila, away
from their families and with a slim or
tation for even lower wages, placement
fees (not allowed), payment delays, contract substitution on board, early termination of contract, endless litigation on
compensation, age-limit restrictions,
blacklisting, unnecessary re-training
demands, etc. In ultimate analysis, a contract on board is, for most of them, often
hanging on a thin thread of good luck,
good health, good records and good submission to a system at times less than
fair.
Meeting challenges head on
It is often heard in these days that the
maritime industry is moving fast to a
higher level of technological developments and there is a need to prepare seafarers for these new challenges.
The demand is to forge officers who
will stay longer on this profession with
the assistance of a thorough and continuous training. On the other hand, the ratings will need to be encouraged and
helped to look beyond the opportunistic dollar-earning job for few years only
and instead to make of it a career possibly also by rising on the ranks of officers themselves. In other words, the maritime industry is looking for stability in
employment, in capital investment and
in a reservoir of professional and dedicated personnel to draw from. This vision intends to elevate the maritime
employment to a “career” for life and a
“love” for the sea.
Where are the Filipino Seafarers in
this vision? They still hold a prime position for the foreseeable future, but some
improvements must take place.
I am happy to hear, sometimes softly
other times loudly, the mention of some
important factors for better employability: commitment, dedication, responsibility, trustworthiness, reliability, men
of character and high moral standards.
A seafarer must be a “solid” person in
considerations.
In the pre-departure seminars, value
formation should be an integral part of
the program together with practical
pointers on professional seamanship,
good relationships and team-ship with
company authorities and officers. A
“solid” character is built from within and
the output in performance reflects the
sound, clear and strong motivations of
the inner-self.
It is a wide perception that Filipinos
have the “ingredients” for it and that is
the reason why they have the winning
edge on employability. However, development is needed just like in the field of
knowledge and professionalism. It is particularly the development of the camaraderie spirit that comes to bridge all differences in harmony and direct the attention of all toward a positive and dynamic
inclusion of each individual. The objective is a good level of sharing as a gift of
one to all and all to one on board as well
as in the social inclusion of all stakeholders of a particular agency: directors, officers, ratings, and their families.
The Apostleship of the Sea has always
been committed to help develop the
human and Christian values on seafarers. Perhaps it is only in the Philippines
that value programs have been conducted through seminars and spiritual
retreats for maritime students, Christian
leadership courses, and communication
on values during the pre-departure information and family apostolate for the
families of seafarers. A wealth of opportunities are available therefore, and
the increasing number of Filipino seafarers in the international maritime sector—regardless of wage competition—
indicates that the effort is rewarded.
Highly professional Officers
In this field of employment, the international maritime transportation indus-
duce. Is the Philippines up to the challenge?
What appears to be clear are certain given factors.
Every maritime employer will
base his decision on the quality of the
crew, education and training as major factor for employment. About 25
percent of ship owners are prepared
to pay good price for “good quality”
crew. These may also be willing to
support continuous training of their
crew. About 20 percent of ship owners care less about “quality” and go
for “cheaper” crew. These are not prepared to spend for re-training any
more than necessary.
The remaining 55 percent of ship
owners mix the two standards within
the regulatory and commercial pressure. Cost of re-training could be
taken up for selective personnel.
Reputable companies are not willing to sacrifice safety and standards
for a cheaper deal. However, they may
accept different standards of crew depending on area of operation, flag of
registry, pressure from charterer, etc.
Generally, employers will not ignore cost, but they constantly search
for officers (and crew) who offer the
“best value” for the price they pay.
The answer to the challenge for
more and better Officers remains in
the commitment to invest now and
wisely for the future by all concerned
parties: the principal, the agent, the
training center, the government and
the seafarer. All have a part to share
to establish a lasting partnership
which in time will be rewarded with
success.
Fr. Savino Bernardi, CS is a Scalabrini
priest ministering to seafarers as Director and NSD Coordinator of the
Apostleship of the Sea (AOS)-Manila.
Peñafrancia / B5
ing tradition and darkening the
vision of faith and culture. Still,
from the foregoing, the Spirit calls
to the vision of faith: the Church
at the service of salvation in society. The tradition resounds in a
cry: “Viva la Virgen!”—it is the
veneration of Mary, Our Lady of
Peña de Francia as the Queen of
Heaven and of Angels; she is the
hope for our union with God in
the restoration of all things to
Christ. The tradition becomes the
means to promote the vision. It
is through the renewal of the
devotee’s identity and vocation,
of the inter-relationships in the
Church, and of its service in society. Some key activities can be
named without precluding other
ways and initiatives.
3.1. The renewal of the devotee’s
identity and vocation
In this aspect crucial is the formation toward the development
of devotion and Christian maturity, such as offered for Marian
spirituality in Our Lady of Peña
de Francia being the Queen of
Heaven and of Angels. Toward
this formation is the renewal of
the novena itself; it is still largely
allegorical and subjective in affection. Further, it means promoting
an education of faith especially
seen as a pedagogical process
from birth to finally a communion with God, as seen in the life of
Mary. That is, a continuity of instructions for children, youth and
adults and other circumstances,
such as for instance in the adaptation of the rite of Christian initiation. In particular, with the performance of devotion still beset
by self-interested affections, complicated yet by the breadth of history and distances, renewal means
a habituation of the heart. That is,
learning by the performance of
devotion in its prayers and acts,
e.g., processions, and no less of the
liturgy and the sacraments,
through training and practice especially in the home, in communities, school and the parish. This
renewal is a discipling of the devotee, a formation of heart. Else what
would the eye see or the ear hear,
or enter into the human heart unless taught and trained for what
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God has prepared for those who
love him?
The renewal of inter-relationships in the Church
In this aspect significant is the
imaging of the Church as a sacrament of unity. The devotion is
intimately oriented to salvation
made real through the Eucharist.
However, the immediately observed inordinate conduct particularly at processions works
against the Church being seen an
effective instrument of unity.
Nonetheless, the same failing
points to the task of the Church:
to promote a moral vision among
the faithful. Immediately urgent
certainly is for devotees, especially the bogadores, to organize
themselves for the sake of order
in the procession and devotion.
They themselves at their best are
the “guardians of honor” for Our
Lady’s image. One way is to prevent any defilement of Our Lady’s
image and her fineries. Another
is to gather in “stations of prayer”
to greet her and her Son with
signs of praise and thanksgiving;
for instance, flower-offerings,
lighting of candles, waving of
handkerchiefs, etc. particularly
during the processions.
Indeed, inculcating vision
among the faithful is to build them
up to care for Mary as she cares
for the Church. In building-up the
faithful together as groups or communities in the Church, spiritual
guidance and direction, such as in
retreats and recollections, is vital.
In building-up the services of the
Church, pastoral direction is critical. For incorporating individuals into the Church, the liturgy
and preaching, and catechesis
have to be intensive; for improving the lives of people, social action and mission have to be extensive. Facilities may get to be
improved and programs coordinated, but there need not be the
“crossing of boundaries” to have
more activities. Rather, paramount is to build up the infrastructure of resources in the Church %
the priests and religious, lay elders and workers, cooperators and
volunteers, and the new leaders
of the future after them, with the
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local and global participation of
devotees. It is no longer farfetched to even set up centers for
the spiritual-pastoral care of devotees abroad. Bishop Gainza nonetheless noted reluctance among
the cimarrones (montaraces) as well
as of the espanoles and sacerdotes to
render, among other things, accounts of Our Lady’s action in
their lives. Preserving and transmitting Our Lady’s interventions
will enable the Church to grow in
devotion. Indeed, after St. Thomas, is it not that ceremonial precepts help to obtain justice in relations among persons for them
to attain to the peace of God?
In the renewal of the Church’s
service in society
In this aspect, needed is the collaboration between the Church
and the state. Public officials and
personalities from social sectors
have been present at the festivities of Our Lady of Peña de
Francia. Their presence is a representation by the people. People
giving public expression to their
religious faith, especially
through the processions across
the city, inaugurate a sacred time
or season and dedicate a sacred
space, a place of pilgrimage. The
city—together with it, the province and the entire region—is reminded by Mary’s assumption
that it is also on pilgrimage.
As in a place of pilgrimage,
leaders are seen as elders of the
faith, the feast of Our Lady of Peña
de Francia calls upon public leaders to give the time and space conducive to the faith-expression of
the people. This means the
Church and state working together for the solemnity of the
celebration. In the least, it is to
have less of commercialization.
Instead, it is to challenge and direct agencies and corporations to
offer services for the increase of
social and spiritual capital. Unchecked, commercialization is a
distraction from religious motivations and an eventual destruction of the intellectual, moral and
cultural fiber of society. Seen as
immediately appropriate alternatives are activities celebrating the
learning, values and cultural genius of a people; for example on
communication-technology as
well as in the regeneration of cultural heritage, etc. Strategic initiatives are far more lasting on ecology and livelihood security and
sustainability, etc. In sum, recommendations negative and positive
are to raise the capacities of people
for their faith to bear fruit in quality of life. The efforts – by the
Church and the State together –
are a solidarity of charity especially for the most vulnerable. In
the faith attaining to a quality of
life, is this not the healthy attitude
towards possessions that assures
life, security and liberty? In raising the capacities of people, is this
not for their aspiration to equality, freedom and dignity under
God that democracy is all about?
A concluding prayer
These reflections and recommendations are to promote veneration of Our Lady of Peña de
Francia. The observance of its
devotion and tradition is narrated by the novena and the ritual
action of processions and other
acts. They are oriented to and
completed by the memory of
Jesus’ redemption perpetuated
principally at Mass, in the Eucharist, to assure our salvation. Thus,
the true mark of Our Lady’s devotee is the prayer and service for
the good of the other in the care
by the Church for salvation in
society. This becomes the source
of his/her own sanctification. The
devotee unites him/herself with
Mary as she united herself with
the sacrifice of her son Jesus. So,
to her we pray %
“Offer your Son, Holy Virgin,
and present to the Lord the
blessed fruit of your womb. Offer for the reconciliation of us all
the Holy Victim pleasing to
God.” Amen.
Given at the Archbishop’s Residence, City of Naga, Republic of
the Philippines, this 7th day of August in the year of Our Lord 2008.
+LEONARDO Z. LEGASPI, OP,
DD
Archbishop of Caceres
Entertainment
B8
Poor
Below average
Average
Above average
Excellent
Abhorrent
Disturbing
Acceptable
Wholesome
Exemplary
plenty of moments with some
cute and funny punch lines
thrown here and there in between incredible action sequences. Unfortunately there is
nothing new presented for a
storyline save for more scheming of the Sith against the Republic, more explosions and special
effects. While the editing is
witty, engaging and thrilling
and helps to keep the flow
smooth and understandable even
for non-Star Wars fans. However, the musical scoring falls a
little short to support the sequences but since this is an animated version one can let this
cheesiness pass.
What does it mean to be a good
leader? The film makes several
points on the teacher-student /
master-apprentice relationship.
First, the importance of listening
which should be a two-way deal.
Students need to listen to the wisdom of their teachers while
teachers in turn need to be attuned to the creativity and freshness of their students’ opinion.
Second, respect is earned by
“walking the talk”. Anakin could
have never gained Ashoko’s trust
and loyalty if he had not shown
courage and dedication to do
what is right. Likewise, Ashoko’s
perseverance and loyalty not
only won Anakin’s respect but
MAC en COLET
SI PIA (KC Concepcion) ay isang real
estate executive sa kompanya ng
kanyang Daddy (Philip Salvador).
Hirap si Pia na patunayan ang sarili
sa kanyang ama at matindi ang pressure na binibigay sa kanya nito. Sa
gitna ng pagkaabala sa trabaho,
itinuloy ni Pia ang bakasyon sa
Santorini, Greece upang makapagisip-isip kung dapat pa niyang
ituloy ang pagtatrabaho sa ama. Sa
di inaasahang pagkakataon ay
magku-krus ang landas nila ni Seth
(Richard Gutierrez), ang mayamang
playboy na naging ex-boyfriend ng
kanyang mga kaibigan kung kaya’t
matindi ang pagkainis niya rito.
Pero dahil si Seth ang may-ari ng
kanyang tinutuluyang hotel sa
Santorini, napilitan siyang pakisamahan ito. Isinumpa ni Pia sa
kanyang sarili na hindi siya
pwedeng main-love kay Seth dahil
bukod sa ito ay certified babaero,
hindi si Seth ang tipo ng lalaking
magugustuhan ng kanyang Daddy
para sa kanya. Pero sa pagdaan ng
mga araw sa Santorini, sa gitna ng
romantikong lugar, ay tila
magbabago ang ihip ng hangin sa
dalawa. Si Pia na kaya ang huling
babae sa ni Seth. Mapanindigan kaya
ni Pia and sumpa sa sarili?
Isang karaniwang kuwentong
pag-ibig ang For the First Time na
inilagay lamang sa ibang lugar.
Matagumpay ang pelikula sa
pagdadala sa manonood sa matulaing lugar ng Santorini, Greece.
Napakaganda ng tanawin na tila
nanaisin ng sinumang makakapanood ng pelikula ang puntahan
ang lugar na ito. Pasado ang pagarte ni KC Concepcion kahit pa ito
ang una niyang pelikula at hindi
maitatangging napaka-ganda ng
kanyang rehistro sa kamera.
Si Richard Gutierrez ay wala
namang bagong ipinakita. Hindi
gaanong ramdam ang kilig sa
dalawa at tila mababaw ang
kuwento sa kabuuan. Masyadong
mataas ang antas ng pamumuhay ng
mga karakter sa pelikula na hindi
arok ng masa. Ito ang klase ng buhay
na papangarapin lamang ngunit
hindi ang lahat ay mabibigyan ng
pagkakataong maranasan.
Labas tuloy ay isang artipisyal na
daigdig ang ipinakita ng pelikula
at malayo sa katotohanan. Hindi rin
gaanong nakakadala ang daloy ng
emosyon ng mga tauhan. Salamat
Vol. 12 No. 18
September 1 - 14, 2008
Technical
Assessment
Moral
Assessment
CLONE Wars takes place in between Episode 2: Attack of the
Clones and Episode 3 Revenge
of the Sith. The movie opens
with the Republic clone troopers led by Jedi generals Anakin
(Matt Lanter) and Obi-wan
(James Arnold Taylor) fighting
the droid army. Complicating
matters is Master Yoda’s decision
to assign a PADIWAN (apprentice), Ahsoka Tano (Ashley
Ekstein) to serve under Anakin.
They are quickly assigned to rescue Jabba’s kidnapped son so
they can form an alliance with
the Hutts as latter control a safe
trade passage crucial for winning the galactic war. Unknown
to them, the kidnap is staged by
Sith Count Dooko (Christopher
Lee) and his apprentice Asaji
Ventress (Nika Futterman) to
discredit the Jedis and win the
Hutt’s support. Much of the film
follows Anakin and Ahsoko’s
attempt to rescue the baby Hutlet
and forge a treaty with Jabba.
The movie is presented with
good stylish animations and enjoyable CGI’s, although the characters feel stiff and look like the
miniature dolls sold as merchandising. The sceneries are almost breathtaking and action is
dynamic enough to keep the audience glued for an hour and a
half. This animated version has
CBCP Monitor
Title: Star Wars – The Clone
Wars
Cast: (VOICE) Matt Lanter,
Ashley Eckstein, Dee
Bradley Baker, Tom Kane,
Nika Futterman, Ian
Abercrombie, Corey Burton,
Catherine Taber, Matthew
Wood
Director: Dave Filoni
Producers: Catherine Winder,
George Lucas
Screenwriters: Henry Gilroy,
Steve Melching, Scott
Murphy
Music: Kevin Kiner
Editor: Jason Tucker
Genre: Animated Science
Fiction
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Pictures
Location: USA, Singapore
Running Time: 98 min.
Technical Assessment:
½
½
Moral Assessment:
CINEMA Rating: For viewers
age 13 and below with
parental guidance
also his fondness and protection
of his teenage apprentice.
The movie is safe and decent
with numerous violent sequences, though non-graphic,
given the premise of war and action animation. Parents are cautioned to guide their very young
children when watching the film.
Ni Bladimer Usi
Title: For the First Time
Cast: KC Concepcion, Richard
Gutierrez, Nor Domingo, Jake
Cuenca, Carla Humphries,
Denise Laurel, Candy
Pangilinan, Beatriz Saw
Director: Joyce E. Bernal
Producer: Malou N. Santos
Screenwriter: Vanessa Valdez
Editor: Marya Ignacio
Genre: Romance/ Drama
Cinematography: Shayne
Clemente
Distributor: ABS-CBN Film
Productions
Location: Manila
Running Time: 110 minutes
Technical Assessment:
Moral Assessment:
CINEMA Rating: For viewers 14
and above
na lamang sa ilang epektibong
patawa ni Candy Pangilinan at
nagkaroon kahit paano ng buhay
ang pelikula.
Makapangyarihan ang tunay na
pag-ibig lalo pa’t wagas and
hangarin nitong alalahanin ang
kapakanan ng minamahal. Ito ang
nais sabihin ng For the First Time
sa kabuuan. Pero sa likod Pero sa
likod ng mensaheng ito ay
makikita ang mga karakter na
bulagsak sa salapi, walang pakialam sa paligid at sadyang
napakadali ng buhay. Bagay na
hindi magandang halimbawa sa
sinumang kabataang makakanood.
Hindi malinaw ang naging pagbabago ng karakter ni Seth.
Sadyang nakakailang at mahirap
paniwa-laan ang paghingi niya ng
tawad sa lahat ng babaeng kanyang
nasaktan. Pawang peke ang dating
nito. Si Pia naman ay pina-patunayang pilit ang sarili sa ama
gayong malinaw na hindi buo ang
kanyang loob na kontrolin ang
kanyang emosyon.
Talaga bang hindi na uso ang pagakyat ng ligaw sa mga kabataan at
ang pakikipag-relasyon ba’y
talagang palihim na sa mga
magulang? Nakakabahala ang
ganitong umuusbong na kultura.
Hindi gaanong napalalim ng
pelikula ang maraming dahilan ng
paghi-hiwalay ng mga relasyon at
pagkawasak ng pamilya. Pawang
ang mga ito ay normal lamang at
karapat-dapat na tanggapin bilang
bahagi ng buhay-pamilya.
Buhay Parokya
Look for the three missing items: Crucifix
image, Marian image and Last Supper image. (Illustration by Bladimer Usi)
CBCP Monitor
C1
Vol. 12 No. 18
September 1 - 14, 2008
Clergy and Laity –
A holy partnership
characteristics of a
basic ecclesial
community.”
5)
generous in
helping meet parish financial concerns. In the words
of one parish
priest: “They also
show example of
financial generosity to Church concerns by their active practice of tithing.”
Clergy – Laity
Unity
Archbishop Ramon Arguelles celebrated the Mass at the end of the Clergy-Lay Congress. Co-celebrants were (from left)
Bishop Patricio Alo, Bishop Antonio Tobias and Bishop Denis Wiehe of Seychelles.
By Ernie Maipid, Jr.
MORE than 400 Couples for Christ leaders and more than 110 members of the
clergy, including five bishops, met just a
day before the 27th CFC anniversary to
discuss the ways by which there could be
greater coordination and cooperation
between CFC and the clergy in all the
parishes of the country.
The workshops were very fruitful and
focused on determining both the
strengths and weaknesses in the existing relationship between CFC and the
clergy. The activity started from the
premise that CFC abides by its vision
which states: “Moved by the Holy
Spirit, one with the Catholic Church,
blessed to witness to Christ’s love and
service, Couples for Christ is a united
global community of family evangelizers that sets the world on fire with the
fullness of God’s transforming love.”
Being one with the Church, CFC
bears a deep respect for the office of the
clergy (both priests and religious) and
beyond them, the Church hierarchy,
starting with the bishops.
The Gift of the Clergy to CFC:
The following positive points about
the relations between the clergy and
CFC were brought out during the
workshop discussions:
1) “The clergy bring the gift of the
Holy Eucharist, the Source of
strength for our families.”
2) “The clergy allow families to live
out the Gospel through homilies
and counsel.”
3) “The clergy strengthen our relationship with Mama Mary; they
provide deep foundation in
Church teachings.”
4) “The clergy serve as admirable example of how to give self fully to
God.”
5) “The clergy help guide the pastoral formation of CFC through the
mission of building the Church.”
CFC leaders described their parish
priests in a variety of positive traits:
1) Intelligent, bearing a wealth of
theological knowledge
2) Accessible, approachable, available and accommodating.
3) Humble, committed, inspiring and
supportive of the work of CFC in
the parish, particularly CFC’s
strong programs for the youth and
the poor.
4) Cognizant of the gift that the
movement brings to the Church,
which posture enables them to
give effective spiritual direction to
the group.
The clergy and religious are a definite blessing to the laity, as examples of
lives given entirely to the Lord, dedicated to poverty, chastity and obedience, wholly focused on God and detached from all worldly lures, attuned
to the Spirit and apart from the flesh.
The Gift of CFC to the Clergy
The laity have a responsibility to stand
up for God and witness to His Word while
living and working in the world. Just as
the clergy focus on prayer, the
sacramentals and a life witnessing to total submission, lay people likewise fight
in defense of life, truth, justice, unity and
love within the temporal setting.
The bishops and priests who attended
the congress spoke of CFC as:
1) their true companions in mission,
citing their exceptional missionary
spirit and their determination to
go to remote places that even the
clergy dare not go.
2) representing the fullness of Catholic spirituality with their active
parish involvement, their awareness of moral issues, their committed responsibility for the poor,
their family formation and their
womb-to-tomb evangelization.
3) as God’s instrument for bringing
people back to the Church. “They
ease my work as a priest” said one
clergy Congress participant. “CFC
takes time for parish involvement.
Their dedication and commitment
flow from a personal conversion.
Theirs is zeal, energy, warmth and
presence. They are generous in
sharing time, talent and treasure.”
4) eager to help infuse a truly alive
Church spirit through their being
pastors, showing professionalism
in undertaking the apostolate, helping families and showing endurance in mission. As another priest
put it. “CFC best exemplify the
cooperation:
The workshop
discussions highlighted the following themes in the
area of unity and
1) Role as Church
Both clergy and religious and the laity form Church. One without the other
is an incomplete definition of Church.
Both clergy and religious and the lay
need a common reading of the Spirit’s
movements in these times and what
roles they play in response to these
leadings and challenges.
2) Building Relationships
As a result of this common understanding of the Spirit’s directions for Church
today, the clergy and religious, as well
as the laity are called to forge closer ties
and build strong relationships. The
clergy needs the lay people to complete
the work that they are praying for and
offering sacramentals for. The laity likewise needs the clergy to provide the spiritual anchor for their dynamic and passionate involvement in the world. Without this dedicated outpouring from the
clergy, the heart of lay action will be
dead.
3) Communications
Key to a fruitful relationship is good
communication. Both need to make
known to the other what leadings the
Spirit may be prompting them to and
how they are poised to respond. Lay
people need to know what the clergy
are thinking and planning, what brings
them to their decisions, what rationalizations and justifications, inspirations
and encouragements they receive. On
the other hand, the laity likewise needs
to make known their visions and responses to the clergy for their good appreciation and understanding.
4) Family Witness
A parish brings families together.
Family is the unit of society established
by God where father, mother and children work in unity to promote home life,
and form the anchor for future generations. It is the aim of Church in general
to promote the Christian family and ensure their alignment with God’s plan. This
is the mission which Couples for Christ,
as a Christian movement, has adhered to
for the last 27 years. Through their living witness of Christian family life, CFC
helps parish priests perform the goals and
programs they set for families in the parish and to make basic ecclesial communities a reality. BECs start with families
practicing Christian beliefs and aligning
themselves to God’s call to unity and love.
This is exactly what CFC is propagating.
There is no need for acknowledgement
and recognition. This is God’s command
for His work “to bring all of creation to
unity under Christ.’
5) Parish Formation
As an organized movement, CFC
implements a pastoral formation program on which is anchored the spiritual training of its close to a million
members. In the greater interest of
Christian witness, CFC can share their
basic formation program with people
from the parish seeking nourishment in
their Christian faith walk.
This may include our Foundations of
Christian Living series, which can actually stir up in these individuals the need
for the support of a Christian community.
The Pre-Cana talk series adapted in
the parishes have likewise been stepping
stones for young couples to be evangelized into seeking out a Christian community so they can live out the married
life according to the Christian principles
of unity, love and service.
6) Parish Mobilization
The pastor may influence the active involvement of their parishioners in the
Church activities, liturgical celebrations,
community outreaches and general parish directions. CFC may be tasked to initiate parish involvement that may not necessitate the parishioners’ opting to join
CFC, but which may just be purely inspired or encouraged. It will also be well
for CFC to have to work with non-CFC
groups, especially the parish religious
associations, and other ecclesial groups
and movements in the interest of achieving Christian unity in the parish.
7) The Church of the Future
It is important for the Church of this
generation to prepare the groundwork
for the Church of the Future. The Spirit
leads us to two mission stops: the
youth and the poor. The youth of today need to hear God’s call for them to
know Him, to love Him, and to serve
Him. The poor, who are bereft of many
of life’s present opportunities, also cling
to God for hope. Every parish needs to
bring their youth and their poor closer
to God in their work of establishing the
base for tomorrow’s Church. It is incumbent on those who have resources
in the parish to lift up the lowly. The
youth and the poor are especially loved
by God. It is our common mission, as
Church, to bring Christ to them.
What began in the Congress this year
— the laity sitting with the clergy to
dialogue — is expected to spark greater
fruitfulness for the active engagement
of Church in the challenges that beset
our world today.
Note: The above are the outputs from
the Bishops-Clergy-Lay Congress held on
June 20, 2008 at the Valle Verde Country
Club. The talks delivered by the bishops
and the leaders of CFC were so inspiring
and the discussions at the workshop so animated that many bishops sounded the call
for similar congresses in other areas of the
Philippines.
In response to this call, CFC is scheduling
a Bishop-Clergy-Lay Congress in the major
island groupings of Luzon, Visayas and
Mindanao. The first of these echo congresses
is scheduled for November in Tarlac.
The spirit that moved a pilgrim –
my days down under
By Clarke S. Nebrao
I COULD not imagine how God will
bring me to experience the fullness
of his plans for our community until
he brought me to the great land down
under, Australia. Three full weeks of
faith experiences and of a spiritual
journey with people from the community and the larger church defined
my mission on being a pilgrim
moved by the Spirit to witness His
immense love in my life and the
Couples for Christ community that I
love.
World Youth Day-Sydney Style
The World Youth Day in Sydney
was one great faith experience. It reminded everyone of the “New Pentecost” in the Church abiding in love
and spirit of unity under one amazing God. The opening statement of
His Eminence George Cardinal Pell,
Archbishop of Sydney, set the tone
for the activity. He said, “Christ is
calling you home - to love, healing
and community. If you take God’s
hand, He will do the rest. Trust is the
key. God will not fail us.”
The presence of our beloved Pope
Benedict XVI was electric. His wisdom
was deep and His love for the Father
showed in every word he addressed to
the young. He challenged all of us to
reflect on what kind of world we are
handing on to the future generations. He
repeatedly stressed that we need to surrender our lives to Christ and be empowered by the Holy
Spirit so we could courageously face the difficulties and challenges of this
world.
Ministries and GK on the
move
CFC Youth for Christ
and CFC Singles for Christ
members in Sydney gave
everything they had to
give – their time, talents
and their hearts — during
the youth festivities that
they spearheaded. These
included not just the World
Youth Day activities but
also the preparations for
the SFC Oceania Leaders
Conference and the Youth for Christ
Global Leaders Forum.
Two of our Gawad Kalinga beneficiaries, who had the good fortune to
be pilgrim delegates for the World
Youth Day, were privileged to be with
the group that went with the Pope
during His “Boat-a-cade” around the
The spirit / C4
Ugnayan
C2
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 18
September 1 - 14, 2008
Joe Tale, CFC Executive Director
Our faithful God
WITH the euphoria of our 27th
anniversary, we need to build on the
blessings and move with the
momentum!
“Build on the blessings.” The first half
of this year was indeed full of blessings
- the overflow conferences, the
groundswell of support for our One Time
Big Time campaign that resulted in our
debt-free status, and the expansion of our
evangelization work to areas we have
never before explored (such as the OFW
programs and the informal settlers from
the railroad tracks).
Many of the clergy have expressed
their support for our community and our
work, clear indication that as long as we
simply “move with the momentum” and
allow the Spirit to work through us and
in us, we shall be known,“by our fruits,”
as a people who follow His ways.
Archbishop Roberto Rivas of the
Caribbean, during the recentlyconcluded CFC Caribbean conference,
announced to the huge crowd gathered
that he and the clergy in his diocese stand
squarely behind CFC and its
International Council. Bishop Paul
Hinder of Saudi Arabia expressed his
appreciation to CFC and the IC for being
the clergy’s companions in mission.
Closer to home, many bishops have
expressed the same sentiments.
The leaders conferences in
various parts of the world
enhance our global perspective
as a community dedicated to
bringing God’s message to all
the parts of the world. The most
recent conferences in Miami,
Florida for the North American
region and in St. Lucia for the Caribbean
region exuded the spirit of a new
springtime in CFC and the joy, hope and
love that the Philippine conferences
manifested.
With all of these blessings, the Lord
simply showed us His faithfulness.
What then is our proper response? I
believe that the message “Build on the
blessings, move with the momentum!”
is the response we need to give. The
Lord is asking us not to rest on our
laurels, He is telling us not to be
complacent. He is asking us to build on
these blessings and to use them to gain
more blessings for the people He has
given us to nurture and pastor, most
especially the poor.
God has been so faithful to us, both in
our individual spiritual lives and in our
community life. In our regular
assemblies, both in the small chapter
groups and in the larger gatherings, we
have heard stories upon stories of
personal blessings. We have heard
wonderful testimonies of sicknesses
healed, jobs secured against all odds,
relationships mended, heart’s desires
achieved. These are real miracles.
Underlying all of these is our
faithfulness. What forms should our
faithfulness to our God take? There are
two simple ways, ways which from our
early days in community have been
impressed upon us as requisites for a
faithful life - our prayer time and our
Scripture reading, our “speaking to
God” and our “listening to God.”
Speaking to God is easy. We all do
this many times during the day, and
most especially when we need
something. I am reminded of the movie
“Bruce Almighty” where God allows a
mere mortal (Jim Carey) to experience
being God for a day and to listen to the
pleas of all the people of the world. The
mere man is of course overwhelmed at
the continuous avalanche of prayers and
petitions for temporal needs.
Man, by nature, raises up his concerns
to a higher being. What may not come
as naturally is to LISTEN!
In the midst of the noise of the world
around us, the cacophony of sounds and
events, we should, as Bishop Leonardo
Medroso advised during CFC Bohol’s
16th anniversary recently, LISTEN TO
GOD. But precisely because of the noise,
we should always insure that it is indeed
God whom we are listening to.
The prophet Elijah showed us how to
listen. In 1 Kings 19, it is said that Elijah
fled from those who meant to kill him
and all throughout his journey, he was
protected by angels who provided not
just protection but food, water and sound
advice. After walking for forty days and
forty nights, he came upon Horeb, the
mountain of God, and there he hid in a
cave. When he was sent a message to
stand on the mountain and wait for the
Lord who would be passing by, he did
as instructed.
“A strong and heavy wind was rending
Joe and Babylou Tale wuth Archbishop Roberto Rivas of the Caribbean
the mountains and crushing rocks before the
Lord - but the Lord was not in the wind.
After the wind there was an earthquake - but
the Lord was not in the earthquake. After
the earthquake there was fire - but the Lord
was not in the fire. After the fire there was a
tiny whispering sound. When he heard this,
Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went and
stood at the entrance of the cave. A voice said
to him, ‘Elijah, why are you here?’” 1 Kings
19:11-13
God was not in the noisy
manifestations of wind, earthquake and
fire. He was in the “tiny whispering
sound.” He was in the midst of peace
and calm. And perhaps, that is why we
often do not hear Him because we get so
absorbed in the hustle and bustle of the
world around us.
But should we simply listen? Should
our listening be passive? Do we stop at
simply hearing the voice of God? I
would think not.
God is asking us to LISTEN and then
to ACT. And what we act upon should
resonate from what we hear. The Word
of God must move us to do what is asked
of us.
This is not an easy task because we all
find the comfort of where we are situated
too difficult to leave. But God is always
a faithful God. As long as we listen, He
will always lead us to the right way. And
that is the real blessing.
Joe Yamamoto, Philippine Missions Director, International Council Member
Starfishes and pebbles in
building God’s kingdom
IT is always fascinating to think how
each one of us was called into a life in
the Community and how each one of us
uniquely contributes to the whole. It is
said that the whole is the sum of its parts.
Many times though, it is not by giant
strides or earth shaking events that shape
the work particularly of helping build
God’s Kingdom while in this life.
One Sunday as I reread the story of
the Starfish Thrower, I could not help
but be impressed with the reality that in
our life our determined efforts make a
difference in the life of people, one person
at a time. For those who are not familiar
with the story, it goes this way:
“Once upon a time there was a wise
man who used to go to the ocean to do
his writing. He had a habit of walking
on the beach before he began his work.
One day, as he was walking along the
shore, he looked down the beach and
saw a human figure moving like a
dancer. He smiled to himself at the
thought of someone who would dance
to the day, and so, he walked faster to
catch up.
As he got closer, he noticed that the
figure was that of a young man, and that
what he was doing was not dancing at
all. The young man was reaching to the
shore, picking up small objects, and
throwing them into the ocean.
He came closer still and called out
‘Good morning! May I ask what it is that
you are doing?’ The young man paused,
looked up and replied, ‘Throwing
starfish into the ocean.’
“Why are you throwing starfish into
the ocean?” asked the somewhat startled
wise man. To this, the young man replied,
‘The sun is up and the tide is going out. If
I don’t throw them in, they’ll die.’
Upon hearing this, the wise man
commented, “But, young man, do you
not realize that there are miles and miles
of beach and there are starfish all along
every mile? You can’t possibly make a
difference!’
At this, the young man bent down and
picked up yet another starfish, and threw
it into the ocean. As it met the water, he
said, “It made a difference for that one.’
(adopted from the Star Thrower, by Loren
Eiseley)
The story makes you think: Should
one be intimidated by the seeming
futility of tackling the insurmountable
problems in life or should he
courageously choose to take the high
ground of taking on the realities of life
and his own world and doing something
about the problems that go with it? One
should not miss the opportunity of
making a difference by acting on his
chosen option.
In another light, picture a builder who
sets aside a few pebbles at a time, and by
recruiting other committed builders,
patiently piles more pebbles that become
mounds of pebbles. The accumulated
pebbles can then be mixed with other
building materials and made into bricks;
bricks that will become the foundation
of castles and homes and kingdoms!
For us Christians, evangelization
means inviting and journeying with one
person at a time to become a disciple of
Christ. And as we bring more people to
God, they become disciples ultimately
belonging to a discipled nation.
Everything starts with one determined
step to follow the Lord.
There is another inspiring story, this
time about a physically handicapped
person who proved that, with dedication
and determination, one can do almost
anything. Don Bennett was the first
amputee to reach the summit of Mount
Rainier in North America, one of the
highest and most difficult to scale even
on two legs. He did not succeed at the
first attempt and had to plan on taking
the climb several times. Finally when
he did it, he was asked how he achieved
the climb of 14,410 feet on one leg and
two crutches. He replied: “ONE HOP AT
A TIME.” He also said that when the
going got roughest, when he was near
total exhaustion, he looked at the path
ahead and said to himself, “you just need
to take one more step, and anybody can
do that.” And he did.
The leaders in CFC, like leaders
everywhere, face a similar challenge in
trying to accomplish the extraordinary:
the mountain looks too steep and too
high to even think about climbing it.
Getting ourselves and others to change
former mindsets and habits and replace
them with new ones is indeed very
daunting. In our CFC experience as well
as based on observations of leaders and
members over time, the most effective
change processes are incremental; big
problems and concerns are broken down
into small, doable steps. Then a person
gets to say yes to the process not once
but numerous times.
In CFC, the very first habits and
commitment that were inculcated among
the members were our daily prayer time
and Scripture readings. And corollary to
this expectation of change in our lives,
the household heads were expected to
actively follow up the progress of their
members by asking during their ‘one on
ones’ – “How is your prayer time?” and
“How is your Scripture reading?” The
monitoring and follow up process is
consistently successful and has been
effective in ensuring that members
experience change and transformation
in their spiritual lives.
Only a little later was the element of
financial stewardship and ‘tithing’ injected.
Despite the set of teachings that have been
used for the last two and a half decades,
the financial support record of the
members leaves much to be desired. In
reality, there are forms of financial support
given by members to other members that
remain largely uncounted or
undocumented and yet definitely exist:
‘pass the hat’ for sick members, victims of
calamities, those who suffer from
economic displacements, and even
conference subsidies given by other
members for poorer brethren. The
preceding examples fall into the category
of resource sharing that is familiar to every
CFC member.
How then do we encourage the
majority (about 75 to 80 percent of general
membership) who are not regular ‘givers’
to contribute regularly? How do we
inspire them to take on the responsibility
of helping the community’s finances?
How do we inspire and motivate
everyone to “make a difference?”
How do we make them stakeholders
to and active supporters of the life and
mission of CFC?
Here, the “Prayer Bank” concept can
be considered as a doable reinforcement
to the expected belief and habit changes
among CFC members. Simply stated,
after his or her prayer time, the member
sets aside a coin (a one peso coin may be
a suitable starting point) and puts it into
a clear plastic bottle that serves as his
‘prayer bank.’ He tracks his daily prayer
time with this simple and easy step.
In emphasizing the power of simple
steps, Cardinal Rosales said: “Ano mang
bagay maski maliit, basta’t malimit ay
patungong langit” (Anything, even if
small, if done frequently can lead to
heaven.) Small things repeatedly done
have a way of changing habits and belief
systems. Or as the saintly Mother Teresa
once said: “…not great things but small
things done with much love.”
The whole idea of the ‘Prayer Bank’
revolves around the process of
reinforcement of the desired growth in
the area of prayer habit while being
careful not to equate prayer with finance
building. The ‘prayer bank’ concept
should be looked upon as an offering to
God and considered a measure of
faithfulness to prayer time and scripture
readings. Setting aside the coin is simply
a visible measure of a required and
desired daily activity. Growth in prayer
life and scripture reading is the primary
intent; the financial offshoot is secondary.
A few years back, Bulacan struggled
with their tithing and contribution. After
much prayer, discussion and
discernment with the other leaders, the
Bulacan area head gathered the MCG one
teaching night and passed around plastic
bottles of mineral water free to all the
attendees. After everyone had taken his
fill of the cold refreshing water, they
were asked by the area head to save the
empty bottles and start saving a peso a
day beginning the next day. He then
encouraged and exhorted the leaders to
cascade the idea to their household
members.
In a month’s time, tithing and
contribution doubled and in a few more
months, their finances quadrupled! It all
started with an inspiration to take simple
daily steps.
The ‘Prayer bank’ is similar and yet
different, because one connects it to his
daily prayer time and scripture reading.
It refines habits that are integral to the
identity and covenant of a CFC member.
How do we grow from here?
I recommend the following steps:
1. Persevere in our evangelization – like
the starfish thrower, a starfish at a
time; one person at a time invited to
the CLP and each starfish thrower (the
CFC reader) committing to serve in
the CLP
2. Be a kingdom builder! Lay a brick at a
time (tithe), then set aside a pebble at
a time (prayer bank). Remind yourself
and everybody else that the
contribution is not a substitute for
tithes. To one who tithes, it is simple
to add flavor to his daily prayer life
with the ‘prayer bank.’ The ‘prayer
bank’ should be a big help to those
who do not yet contribute and should
lead them to the practice of tithing.
Do not look on this as a dilemma of
Tithe ‘OR’ Contribution but as a good
example of the bountiful blessing of the
‘AND.’ My Tithe AND my Prayer Bank !!
No one should be too rich not to resort
to a ‘prayer bank’ nor too poor to begin
to help.
3. Deepen your spiritual life – against
all odds and difficulties. One Hop at a
Time!! Taking the ‘hop at a time’
attitude develops confidence and
strengthens competence in achieving
the call to be ‘families in the Holy
Spirit renewing the face of the earth.’
Two Scriptural readings are
appropriate models for this process of
changing our paradigm from reluctant
giver to joyful sharer of God’s blessings.
The multiplication of the loaves and
fishes
We all know this story. The multitude
of 5,000 (not counting the women and
children) has been rapt in attention at
Jesus’ preaching. Jesus notices that it is
approaching evening and the people have
not eaten. Instructing his disciples to feed
the crowd, he is met with the very
negative “But we have nothing here.
Send them away.” Jesus’ response? “Why
not feed them yourselves?’ to which the
disciples counter: “We only have five
loaves and two fish.” Undaunted, Jesus
lifts up the meager provisions to heaven,
says a prayer and instructs his men to
begin distributing the food. Lo and
behold! When everyone had eaten, and
they gathered up the leftovers, they were
able to fill 12 baskets!
It is noteworthy that this is the only
miracle recorded in all four gospels. It
must have created quite a stir in those
days, such that all four evangelists record
almost identical details of the event – the
number of people pegged at 5,000; the
five loaves and two fish; the 12 baskets of
leftovers; the act of Jesus of raising the
provisions and praying to the Father.
What is significant in this account is
that the miracle occurs only AFTER Jesus
has offered it up as a sacrifice to the
Father. This is what is also asked of us.
Our peso may be small but, if lifted up
as an offering for the greater good, will
multiply and benefit an even greater
multitude than Jesus fed.
The widow’s mite
Was the widow foolhardy to part with
her last money? Or was she so trusting of
the Lord’s goodness and mercy that she put
her life on the line, so to speak? Some
commentaries have suggested that the story
of the widow’s mite was actually a parable,
and that Jesus meant to simply call attention
to the state of our heart whenever we give.
Whatever the purpose of the
evangelists, the story does evoke in us
the same desire to be pure of heart
whenever we go and offer our
contributions for the Lord’s work. It also
assures us that no matter how small our
offering (remember that those who
offered at the same time as the widow
did were presumably wealthy and gave
so much more) the Lord will accept it
and allow it to multiply for the
furtherance of His kingdom.
I end with a prayer for each one of us to
understand that growth in spiritual life
and the passion for evangelization begin
by faithfully taking incremental steps.
Conversion occurs by stages and the last
of these is the ‘conversion of the wallet.’
CBCP Monitor
Ugnayan
Vol. 12 No. 18
September 1 - 14, 2008
Mary in times
of distress
C3
A bishop speaks about CFC
BISHOP Paul Hinder was born in Switzerland. He was appointed Bishop of the Apostolic Vicariate of Arabia
in 2005. His vicariate includes 2 million Catholics across the entire Arabian Peninsula. In this interview, the
bishop speaks of the role of CFC in his vision for his flock in the region.
What is your vision for the Church in the Middle East?
My vision or my wish is to give proper care to all Catholics in the whole of the Peninsula. But
that is right now not a given because of the particular situations we have in the different countries,
especially in the countries where we don’t have many Catholics, and also for a few Catholics in
Saudi Arabia. That is my hope and I’m working on it step by step but it will take time. Maybe we
will never get to the ideal situation but we have to work with what we have.
Of course, I wish we can have more space where the brethren can worship all throughout the
peninsula. I would also like to achieve better coordination among lay people and movements in
our Vicariate.
How do you think CFC can support you in this vision?
By Arnel Santos
A MARIAN Recollection with the theme, “Mary In
Times of Distress” was conducted by Couples for
Christ on August 19, 2008 at Xavier Gymnasium,
San Juan, Metro Manila. The event was attended
by the Mission Core Group of CFC, with Rev. Fr.
Melvin Castro as guest speaker. Fr. Melvin is the
Executive Secretary of the Episcopal Commission
on Family and Life.
Fr. Melvin explained that “the world is yearning for the triumph of God” and Mary has been
the instrument for this triumph of Christ.
Thus, in Guadalupe (1531), at the time when the
Aztecs were offering the lives of children as sacrifice
to false gods, Mary made an apparition as a woman
wearing black ribbon and overshadowing the sun.
For the Aztecs, the black ribbon meant pregnancy, while the sun was the greatest of their
gods. Mary’s apparition became a source of conversion. The Aztecs realized that the womb is sacred and Mary is more powerful than the sun.
According to Fr. Melvin, the message of Our
Lady of Guadalupe is very relevant today, especially in the discussion on reproductive health.
“This issue is beyond condoms,” but a battle between the Woman and the Serpent. We are in a
spiritual warfare and “we are strong in our position because we see the bigger picture.”
In Rue de Bac (1830), Mary introduced herself as
the “tender mother”. She has shown that she assumed
to heaven, body and soul, because she did not sin.
On our last days, Fr. Melvin said, we shall rise
again- body and soul, our body at its age when it
was most beautiful, citing St. Thomas Aquinas.
For us, this should mean that we must take care of
our bodies. “Our bodies are God’s” such that “even
within marriage, we are called to chastity.” There
should be no place for contraceptives in our marriages.
In Lourdes (1858), Mary appeared as the “Immaculate Mother” to Bernadette who was a poor
and uneducated 16-year old lass. This evokes for
CFC a lesson, especially in its work with the poor
through Gawad Kalinga.
Fr. Melvin noted the Gawad Kalinga slogan, “The
Best for the Least” and said that we can only say “the
best for the least” because the work “is for the Lord.”
In Fatima (1917), Mary appeared as the Mother
of Peace, five (5) days after Pope Benedict XV
wrote a letter addressed to the world, praying
“Lord, give us peace.” Mary’s apparition showed
that God answers the prayers of His Church.
In Lipa (1948), three years after World War II,
Mary appeared as the Interceding Mother, Our
Lady - Mediatrix of all Graces.
Before Mary’s apparition in Lipa, it was the
demon who first appeared. This illustrated that
we indeed are in spiritual warfare. It was also a
reminder for us not to allow the devil to gain the
upper hand. To ensure our triumph, we should
not be content with “routinary piety.”
“Mary is not an obstacle to the Lord,” Fr. Melvin
emphasized. “She draws us closer to her Son. The
more that we are in love with Mary, the greater our
love for Christ. The more we promote devotion to
Mary, the more we promote the love for God.”
Fr. Melvin exhorted the CFC leaders to consecrate themselves to Mary, “to offer everything to
God, through Mary.” For, as was promised in Fatima,
“In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph.”
Fr. Melvin cited St. Louie Marie de Montfort who
said that in the latter times, those consecrated to
Mary will be her army to defeat the enemy.
“CFC,” Fr. Melvin continued, “is part of that
army. Despite our sinfulness, our Lord will use
us to defeat the evil one. God gives miracles. We
will receive them if we need them.”
CFC plays an important role in our Vicariate, particularly among the Filipinos. In terms of care
of the family life, of the life of the couples and the Singles for Christ, community life in CFC helps
them come to terms with their situation as expatriates especially for those who are alone. I expect
Couples for Christ to fully follow the Catholic teachings.
I’m a bit disappointed that the movement suffered a crisis in the Philippines. Taking the current
situation of the movement in consideration, particularly in relation to their existence in the vicariate, I made a decision not against anybody. I am aware that there are already so many branches and
groups that multiply and some are unnecessary, but all of them basically have the same spirituality
and that’s why I decided simply to take one branch of CFC. Some may question my decision but I
took this decision and we have to live with it
CFC is recognized globally, and in the Vicariate they are doing a good job in developing the
spiritual health of the people.
What is your message for CFC?
I would like to take off from my last pastoral letter as it addresses the very important point on
how to become responsible Christians. It starts with the basic mystery that each baptized person
should confirm that he is the dwelling place of Jesus Christ in his heart. If we take our daily
decisions and if we are organizing and shaping our spiritual life according to this mystery, that
Jesus Christ is dwelling in our heart by faith, then I think we are in a certain sense making the right
decisions.
We have to throw away or cast out spirits which are against the spirit of Christ for there are forces
sometimes who are attacking us tempting us, questioning us in a way which could be dangerous for
our Catholicism or our being Christians.
And if we apply it to the life of the Couples or of the Singles for Christ, the basic mystery is
always the same.
I encourage everyone to look into that and to be proud that we are living and walking temples of
Jesus Christ wherever we are. We should take better responsibility for how we are proclaiming
Jesus Christ in this world. If the way we live out or witness to Christ in our lives is not good, then
we make Jesus Christ look bad. But if the lives we lead witness to Jesus in a good way, then we are
doing it for the glory of Christ and not for our own glory. That is my essential point and the rest
should be a consequence of this basic mystery.
Bishop Paul
Hinder with
Noli and Sam
Manuel (left),
Princess
Mayella Salcedo
and Ace Lu.
One amazing experience
Wendy Poon Tip, CFC
Trinidad & Tobago
IN October 2007, when Archbishop Robert Rivas of the Archdiocese of Castries decided he
would take a group of persons
with him to Rome to witness him
receiving his Pallium from the
Holy Father, Mark and I instantly
indicated that we wanted to be a
part of the group. We certainly
wanted to share in the joy of the
Caribbean people as we were
going to witness not just Archbishop Rivas receiving his Pallium but also Archbishop Donald
Reece of the Archdiocese of Jamaica. How amazing — two
Archbishops from the Caribbean!
On the afternoon of Wednesday June 18, however, just a week
before our departure on June 26,
in an attempt to chase a
neighbor’s dog out of our yard, I
twisted my right ankle and damaged the ligaments. The doctor
said it would take six weeks to
heal. I was distraught but determined not to let it prevent me
from traveling. Mark made the
necessary arrangements for me
to have a wheelchair at my disposal on our arrival in Rome. So
began our amazing pilgrimage.
On Sunday June 29, the Feast
of Sts. Peter and Paul, the day of
the Pallium ceremony at the St.
Peter’s Basilica, Mark and I were
escorted to an area designated for
persons in wheelchairs. To our
amazement we found ourselves
sitting very close to the right of
the altar! Thus we saw everything up close and personal.
Next day we all went back to
the Vatican for a special audience
with Pope Benedict XVI with all
the Archbishops and their especially chosen guests. Once again
Mark and I were escorted to the
designated area for wheelchairassisted persons and once again
we found ourselves in a very advantageous position. While waiting for our Holy Father, Mark
and I began to reflect on the goodness of our God and how this
seemingly unfortunate injury
was bringing us blessings that we
never could have imagined.
His Grace Archbishop Rivas
presented his sister Lenore and
his Dad Bill to the Holy Father.
Moments later we were asked by
the Vatican security to move
from the area where we were
seated so we began to get excited
thinking that maybe the Holy
Father was going to be making
his way down the center aisle to
greet other persons. Again all
the wheelchair-assisted persons
were directed to a special area but
this time we found ourselves being led directly onto the stage
area to greet the Holy Father!
What a truly amazing moment.
A once in a lifetime opportunity
and it happened when we least
expected. Our hearts are just so
full of thanks and praise to God
for this amazing privilege. We
believe now, more than ever, that
God truly desires to give us all
so much more than we deserve.
On this pilgrimage, we experienced in a real way the immense
love of God through each and every one with whom we shared
twelve memorable days together. Persons who were all
On a mission of mercy
Robert Jimenez
THE Give Kare Health Foundation conducted a
surgical mission for the poorest of the poor in
Maasin, Leyte last August 7 to 10, 2008. A total
of about 60 patients, with problems ranging
from cleft lip to hernia to thyroid, were operated on. More patients would have been operated on if not for the fact that 15 boxes of surgical and medical equipment and supplies were
left behind in Manila due to a problem at the
baggage handling section of the airline. The
equipment arrived only the following day, Friday, August 8.
The local CFC headed by Dr. Jerome Paler
and the Gawad Kalinga council of Maasin were
on hand to provide much needed physical and
spiritual support. The operating area was adjacent to the chapel and it is indicative of the CFC
culture of intercessory prayer that for the entire
three days, the chapel resounded with the loud
prayers and songs of worship of CFC Leyte
members.
The surgical team was composed of Drs. Joe
Yamamoto, Oscar Tagulinao, Bernard Cueto, Diony
Lopez, Irene Tangco, Noe Babilonia, Bernadette
Hogar, Juliet Cruz and Jeffrey Chua, ably assisted
by nurses Bettina Davadilla, Tristanne Jusayan,
Carmen Lopez
and
Robert
Jimenez, and
Manny Patayon.
Dr. Yamamoto
also
visited
Bishop Precioso
Cantillas of the
diocese of Leyte.
The bishop reiterated that in his
diocese, Christian Life Programs are going
full blast and that
he is fully supportive of CFC
and its vision and
mission.
strangers before the pilgrimage
became truly wonderful caring
friends, taking turns to push my
wheelchair, carrying our bags,
wrapping my bandages or simply enquiring how I was feeling.
The love among us all was real
and we were privileged to experience it first hand. Our lives are
richer for it and our faith renewed
because of it. We will forever remember this as the most amazing experience in our lives and
we hope it will give witness to
the fact that God can take an unfortunate situation and turn it
into a blessing if only we trust
Him. As we are told in Romans
8:28 We know that in all things God
works for good with those who love
Him…
Ugnayan
C4
Seychelles:
Love Paradise
SEYCHELLES, an archipelago consisting
of 155 islands and the smallest population of any sovereign state of Africa,
became the love paradise of the continent as Couples for Christ leaders from
the country gathered for the Disciples
Weekend.
The Deepam Cinema was packed and
the voices of praise and thanksgiving
surrounded the entire town attracting
even bystanders to the event.
Testimonies of love were rendered by
our CFC missionaries in Seychelles: Lito
and Ofie Samaniego together with CFC
East and Central Africa Coordinator,
Clarke and Cynthia Nebrao.
The Governance Team of CFC
Seychelles took turns in sharing as well
the challenges of loving in the context
of the Seychellois society.
The Disciples Weekend in Seychelles
would not have been complete without
the blessing of His Lordship Bishop
Denis Wiehe, Bishop of the Diocese of
Victoria, Seychelles.
In his message to the community he
said, “ I love three things about Couples
for Christ. One, CFC empowers the local leadership of the country to take on
the work of evangelization. With the
local leadership in place, we can
evangelize more people in this
country.
Two, CFC is very missionary.
You don’t wait for things to
settle down, but with urgency,
you move on to reach more
people to know God’s love. It is
in this missionary spirit that the
disciples of Jesus carried the love
of Christ to all the nations.
It is my wish that CFC
Seychelles will bring families, especially the men, back to Christ.
Third, CFC is very much within
the structure of the Catholic
Church. You are bringing back
the fire of the Holy Spirit in our
Church. It is because of this fire
that CFC, in less than 2 years of
its establishment here in
Seychelles, have exceeded my
expectations. Now, let us love
one another as Jesus loved us so
we can evangelize and bring individuals, families and this country back to God’s loving arms.”
Go out to all the world and
proclaim the good news
Fr. Paul Uwemedimo
“GO out to all the world and tell the Good
News.”
This was Christ’s command to his
apostles before he ascended into heaven.
And it remains his command today……
not just to his apostles but to his whole
Church.
We are to preach the Gospel to the
ends of the earth. Everywhere and
always we are to tell the good news of
God’s love, God’s love revealed and
offered to us through Jesus Christ,
through Jesus Christ who died for our
sins and rose to give us life.
Pope Paul VI wrote an apostolic
exhortation to the whole Church “On
evangelization in the modern world.”
In that exhortation, he said. “We wish
to confirm once more that the task of
evangelizing all people constitutes the
essential mission of the Church.”
The Church, said the pope “exists in
order to evangelize” and the
evangelizing is “our deepest identity.”
According to the Pope, evangelizing is
“the grace and vocation proper to the
Church.” This is our essential mission
and vocation as Christians…as
Catholics. And it is of course our
essential mission and vocation as
members of Couples for Christ, a
missionary community.
As members of CFC, we can say
together with our mother Church: That
CFC exists in order to evangelize, that
evangelizing is CFC’s deepest identity
and the grace and vocation proper to
CFC. We exist as CFC, to take our part
in the essential mission of Christ’s
Church through being families in the
Holy Spirit renewing the face of the
earth, evangelizing families and
building the Church of the Home,
evangelizing the poor and building the
Church of the Poor.
“CFC,” says the Lord Jesus Christ “Go
out to all the world and tell the Good
News.” Let us make the words of St Paul
our own: “I must proclaim the Good
News of the kingdom of God,”
Brothers and sisters, let us never ever
lose our evangelizing zeal. Let us never,
ever lose our zeal to make others fervent
evangelists.
Evangelizing is the task of every
member of CFC, and not just of the leaders.
indeed evengelizing is the task of every
Catholic and every Christian, .and not just
those in groups and communities like
CFC. Let us seek to stir up
in all Christians this desire,
this compulsion to preach
the Gospel, the good news
of God’s love, the Good
News of Jesus Christ, the
Good news of God’s
Kingdom.
Let me again quote
Pope Paul: “... the person
who
has
been
evangelized goes on to
evangelize others. Here
lies the test of truth, the
touchstone
of
evangelization: it is
unthinkable that a person
should accept the Word
and give himself to the
kingdom
without
becoming a person who
bears witness to it and
proclaims it in his turn.”
The pope reminds us
about the many millions
of people struggling with
all their energy “to
overcome everything”
which he says “ condemns
them to remain on the
margin of life.” He
mentions “ famine,
chronic disease, illiteracy,
poverty,” and “ injustices
in
international
relations…especially in
commercial exchanges.”
He
also
mentions
“situations of economic
and
cultural
neocolonialism” which he
says are “sometimes as
cruel as the old political
colonialism.” The Church, he says, as the
Catholic bishops have repeated, “has the
duty to proclaim the liberation of
millions of human beings, ….the duty
of assisting the birth of this liberation,
of giving witness to it, [and] of ensuring
that it is complete.”
The Pope asks how we could possibly
proclaim Jesus’ new commandment of
love “without promoting in justice and
in peace the true, authentic advancement
of man”. He says that in evangelization
we cannot and should not “ignore the
importance of the problems ….
concerning justice, liberation,
development and peace in the world”
“This” he says “would be to forget the
lesson which comes to us from the
Gospel concerning love of our neighbor
who is suffering and in need.”
I think these words of the Pope should
encourage us and affirm us that we are
on the right path with our thrust of total
Christian liberation, with the work of
the social ministries and with our stress
on Gawad Kalinga. Pope Paul also says
that the most important aspect of
evangelization is the silent witness of
Christians living lives of love and
goodness.
I thank God that we in CFC are on the
right track and I pray that we would
continue on that right track. I pray that
we will continue to have an increasing
zeal for evangelization, to build the
Church of the home and to build the
Church of the poor. I pray that we in
CFC would be shining examples of
silent witnessing, living lives of love and
goodness, lives that cause others to
wonder why we live as we do, lives that
would cause others to seek after what
we have, to seek after who we have.
I pray that we would increasingly be
captured by God’s heart of love for the
poor, that we would give our lives in
service of the poor, that we would
increasingly speak out on issues of social
justice, as well as on issues of family and
life. Indeed that we would not just speak
out but that we would fight with passion
to eradicate oppression, injustice and
poverty, that we would fight with
passion to promote a culture of justice
and of life, of love and peace, to promote
true health and prosperity.
I pray also that we would never forget
the need to explicitly proclaim, to both
rich and poor, the need for repentance
and faith and the call of Jesus to follow
him as Lord, God and Savior
I also pray that CFC would
increasingly appreciate the part of the
Eucharist in life and in evangelization.
“Evangelizing” says Pope Paul “ is in
fact the grace and vocation proper to the
Church, her deepest identity. She exists
in order to evangelize, that is to say, in
order to preach and teach, to be the
channel of the gift of grace, to reconcile
sinners with God, and to perpetuate
Christ’s sacrifice in the Mass, which is
the memorial of His death and glorious
resurrection.”
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 18
September 1 - 14, 2008
The Vicar General of
Novaliches breaks bread
with North B leaders
ON August 25, 2008, the leaders of North B met with Fr. Antonio Labiao, the
Vicar General of the diocese of Novaliches, for a simple breakfast at one of
the eateries in Quezon City.
It was a lively time of fellowship as the group expressed its gratitude for
Fr. Tony Labiao’s continuing support for the work of evangelization and
Gawad Kalinga programs being undertaken by the CFC Sector.
Fr. Tony also gave precious advice to the leaders on how best they could
support the parish programs and also continue the sector’s good relationship
with the parish priests. He also talked of the need for close coordination in
the holding of CFC activities especially those that need clergy support, such
as Eucharistic celebrations, and the use of the church’s facilities.
Fr. Labiao also told the group that the Parishes have initiated a ‘poverty
mapping project’ in the diocese and urged the GK team of the Sector to help
in this regard. North B’s Family Ministry members, specifically those from
Singles for Christ, will coordinate the engagement, as per North B’s Ermi
Sebastian, Family Ministry Head.
The sector leaders led by sector head Ernie Balarbar, in turn updated the
good priest on the evangelization work, including the holding of the recent
Rosary night attended by 840 members and where the key speaker was Bishop
Ted Bacani.
It was agreed that more meetings would be held between the parish and
CFC with the Vicar General inviting the Sector to send representatives to
some vicariate meetings involving lay organizations.
North B’s GK Head, Rene Reyes, will coordinate the presentation of the
GK Programs to the parish leaders of the areas within the sector’s area of
responsibility.
The other leaders in attendance were cluster heads Bong and Alice Bongcac,
Bobot and Echie Bautista, Steve Krueger and Terence and Thel Grana. Also
present were Cathy Balarbar, Cynthia Reyes, Dida Sebastian and Jun and
Angie Dimarucot.
The spirit / C1
city. The fruits of our GK work captured the interest of the foreign press,
particularly the Italian and the European based journalists, who featured
the amazing testimonies of young Filipinos transformed by the love of God.
Holy Encounters
My World Youth Day journey
would not be complete without my
own holy encounters with consecrated men and women. especially the
princes of the church, our Bishops and
Cardinals. There was His Eminence
Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, Archbishop of Manila, and his pilgrim
buddies Bishop Francisco De Leon,
Auxiliary Bishop of Antipolo, and
Bishop Elenito Galido, Bishop of
Iligan. Aside from Cardinal Pell, the
other bishops from Australia were
Bishop Kevin Manning (Bishop of the
Diocese of Parramatta), Bishop Julian
Porteous (Auxiliary Bishop of
Sydney), Bishop Terence Brady (Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney), Bishop Peter Elliot, Auxiliary Bishop of
Melbourne, Bishop Anthony Fisher,
O.P., Coordinator for the World
Youth Day and Auxiliary Bishop of
Sydney, and Bishop Timothy
Costelloe, SDB, Auxiliary Bishop of
Melbourne.
The African Bishops were led by
William Cardinal Napier of the archdiocese of South Africa, Archbishop
Ignatius Kaigama (Archdiocese of
Jos, Nigeria), Bishop John Ayah (Diocese of Ogaja, Nigeria), Bishop Dominique Bulamatari and Bishop
Daniel Nlandu Mayi (Auxiliary Bishops of the Archdiocese of Kinshasa,
Democratic Republic of the Congo).
I was so happy to see them since I
was reminded that it was in the continent of Africa where my love for
the missions grew deeply.
I also had occasion to meet the Indian Bishops — Bishop Victor
Lyngdoh (Diocese of Nongstoin, India) and Bishop Anil Joseph Thomas
Couto (Diocese of Jullundur, India. I
also met Sr. Valerie whose love for
CFC is so contagious as she passionately pursues a stronger CFC community in Australia. Fr. Lawrence
Cortez, Executive Secretary to Archbishop Denis Hart, Archbishop of
Melbourne, continues to give his all
for the mission in a foreign land
while earnestly longing for home in
the Philippines.
One highlight of my WYD experience was meeting His Eminence
Stanislaw Cardinal Rylko, President,
Pontifical Council for the Laity, who
affirmed the work of Couples for
Christ when he said that “Couples
for Christ is doing great work for the
family around the world. Keep up the
good work.”
While my pilgrimage was a
deeply-felt faith experience, nothing
could be greater than the birth of our
second daughter, Carmen Phylicia.
She was born in Manila, on the feast
day of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, July
16, at the same time that I was embarking on my pilgrimage. For those
who know our story as a family, our
only prayer was for a very normal
delivery. Indeed, the Lord was very
faithful as Baby Carmen was born
without the blood incompatibility
like the one that Callista Malaika, our
first daughter, went through.
Pope Benedict XVI, in his homily
on the last day of the World Youth
Day, said, “Our eyes have been
opened to see the world around us as
it truly is, charged with the grandeur
of God, filled with the glory of His
creative love. How many of our contemporaries have built broken cisterns in desperate search for meaning - the ultimate meaning that only
love can give? These gatherings in
fact form the stages of a great pilgrimage across the world, to show
how faith in Christ makes us all children of one Father who is in heaven
and builders of a civilization of love.”
Bishop
Bishop John
John Ayah,
Ayah, Clarke
Clarke Nebrao,
Nebrao, Cardinal
Cardinal Stanislaw
Stanislaw Rylko,
Rylko, President,
President, Pontifical
Pontifical Council
Council
of
of the
the Laity,
Laity, Fr.
Fr. Paul
Paul Uwemedimo
Uwemedimo and
and Msgr.
Msgr. Jude
Jude Okulo
Okulo
CBCP Monitor
D1
Vol. 12 No. 18
September 1 - 14, 2008
The Cross
A Supplement Publication for KCFAPI
and the Order of the Knights of Columbus
KCFAPI Officers. (Standing from left) Ronulfo Antero G. Infante, Senior Manager, Management Information System; Dr. Jaime Talag, Medical Consultant; Gari M. San Sebastian, Manager, Fraternal Benefits Services; Atty. Rizal V. Katalbas, Manager, Legal Services; Joselito
E. Mañalac, Senior Manager, Corporate Services & Research; Efren C. Caringal, Vice President, Actuarial & BC Holders’ Services; Edwin B. Dawal, Manager, Financial Management & Accounting Services. (Seated from Left) Joseph P. Teodoro, Vice President, Fraternal
Benefits National; Magdalene G. Flores, Vice President, Finance; Carmelita S. Ruiz, Underwriting & BC Conservation; Ma Theresa G. Curia, Executive Vice President; Loren T. Mercado, Manager, Human Resources & Administrative Services; Pedro P. Luberia, Senior Manager,
Corporate Audit.
KCFAPI salutes Capitol
Council No. 3695
An annual memorial Mass and meeting was held last November 2007 to honor Capitol Council 3695 deceased brother knights.
Photo shows the widows and council officers: (at the head table from right to left) Chaplain Fr. Arnold Boehme, Past Grand
Knight Rey Ventura, Former Financial Secretary Gene Bautista, Treasurer Rene Pieda. Also in photo are Past Grand Knight
Ruperto Carpio, Advocate Justice Hector Hofilena, Past Grand Knight Jess Non, Chancellor Mario Nery, and Past Grand
Knight Antonio B. Borromeo.
By Joselito E. Mañalac
AS the Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Philippines, Incorporated (KCFAPI),
celebrates its 50 years of fraternal service this September 9,
2008, we, the officers and staff,
take the opportunity to salute and
pay tribute to Capitol Council
No. 3695, the home council of illustrious gentlemen who are
principal contributors to the success of KCFAPI.
Brother Oscar Ledesma served
KCFAPI with distinction during
three terms: as Trustee from 19681979, as Chairman of the Board
of Trustees and President from
1979-1984, and again as Trustee
from 1985-1988.
Brother Basilio King undertook the management reins of
KCFAPI as its first General Man-
ager from 1958-1975 and successfully steered its early corporate
directions and affairs.
The outstanding examples of
service by Bro. Ledesma and Bro.
King started the series of generous and unqualified contributions of Capitol Council No.
3695 to KCFAPI’s growth and
stability as the fraternal family
protection provider of brother
knights and families in the Philippines.
The first Luzon Jurisdiction
State Deputy, dearly departed
brother, Engr. Lauro M. Cruz,
served five terms occupying positions such as: Trustee from
1980-1988, Chairman of the
Board of Trustees in 1989, as
Managing Trustee in 1990, as
President from 1991-1993, and
again as Trustee from 1994-2003.
Several notable members also
contributed their invaluable
time, talent, experience, and influence in serving KCFAPI as
Trustees. They are Brother and
Atty. Juan C. Reyes, Jr., 1981-1982
and 1992-1995, and dearly departed Brother and Former
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Querube
C.
Makalintal, from 1982-1985 and
1988-1991.
Today, this tradition of faith- says: MARAMING SALAMAT,
ful and distinguished service is PO!
still carried on by another member of Capitol Council. He is
none other than Brother Anto- KCFAPI Board of Trustees from
nio B. Borromeo. He now serves Capitol Council No. 3695
a second term as President that
Basilio King,(+) 1958-1975 Genstarted last year and owns the eral Manager; Oscar Ledesma,(+)
record distinction of being 1968-1978 Trustee, 1979-1984
KCFAPI’s Golden Jubilee Presi- Chairman and President, 1985dent. He first
1988
Trustee;
served as Trustee
Lauro M. Cruz, (+)
from 1993-1994,
1980-1983 Trustee,
and in 2001. He
1984-1988 Trustee,
then was called to
1989 Chairman,
serve again as
1990 Managing
Trustee and was
Trustee, 1991-1993
elected Treasurer
President, 1994
from 1995-1998,
Trustee, 2000-2003
and as President
Trustee, 1984-1988
from 2002-2004.
Trustee,
1989
History clearly
Chairman, 1990
manifests
that
M a n a g i n g
from its birth until Atty. Jesus Laxamana
Trustee, 1991-1993
its 50th Foundation
President, 1994
Anniversary, KCFAPI owes its Trustee, 2000-2003 Trustee; Juan
success to a very great measure C. Reyes, Jr., 1981-1982 Trustee,
to the tradition of exemplary 1992-1995 Trustee; Querube C.
and voluntary service of distin- Makalintal,(+) 1982-1985 Trustee,
guished members of Capitol 1988-1991 Trustee; Antonio B.
Council No. 3695.
Borromeo, 1993-1994 Trustee,
To all the members of Capitol 1995-1996 Treasurer, 1997-1998
Council No. 3695 headed by its Trustee, 2001 Trustee, 2002-2004
Grand Knight and Atty. Jesus President, 2007-present PresiLaxamana, the KCFAPI family dent.
KCFAPI holds medical mission
for Intramuros residents
By Loren T. Mercado
THE Knights of Columbus Fraternal
Association of the Philippines, Inc.
(KCFAPI) held a medical mission among
Intramuros residents at the KCFAPI
grounds on August 31.
Dubbed as Oplan KC: Kalusugan para
sa Community, the activity was organized in view of KCFAPI’s 50th foundation anniversary on September 9.
Intramuros residents were given free
check up of vital signs and consultation
from volunteer medical practitioners
headed by
KCFAPI
Medical
consultant
Dr. Jaime
Talag.
F r e e
medicines
and vitamins were
distributed
and a
feast
Mr. Antonio B. Borromeo, KCFAPI President,
speaking before the residents of intramuros during the medical mission last August 31.
of congee and milk were given to more
than 300 residents of various barangays
in Intramuros.
The community expressed their appreciation for the free medical check up
given to the neighborhood.
“Nakatulong sa amin ang ginawang
activity ng KCFAPI, libreng check [up]
at gamot para sa aming di kayang
magbayad. Mahal ang mga gamot
ngayon kaya laking pasalamat naming
sa libreng vitamins at gamot sa sipon at
lagnat,” said Carlos Santos.
Santos, who lives in Barangay 655,
brought his two children to be checked
by a pediatrician.
It was not only the recipients who were
benefited by the medical mission but
even those involved in the activity said
they also profited in another way.
“Personally, I regard this activity as
a humbling experience, being of help
to our less privileged neighbors who
can barely buy their own medicines and
undergo medical consultations brought
me the feeling of being needed. It will
definitely be a memorable experience
for me too as I got to be a pharmacy
assistant for a day,” said KCFAPI’s Human Resources Staff Kristianne
Guevara.
Dr. Talag also said that seeing the
many people who came to the medical
mission and having the support of many
of his colleagues and employees made
the activity worthwhile despite the exhaustion they experience.
Dr. Paul Brigino, a surgeon and a
fourth-degree Knights of Columbus
member, said it has always been his passion to do volunteer work in many communities since he was in medical school.
It was his first time to join KCFAPI in
this undertaking and was more than glad
to join them again in future medical activities.
The affair was spearheaded by
KCFAPI medical consultant Dr. Jaime M.
Talag, a team of KCFAPI employees
with Executive Vice President Ma.
Theresa G. Curia, medical practitioners,
and barangay officials who volunteered
their time and expertise.
The affair started at 8:00 a.m. with the
Prayer for the Canonization of Venerable Fr. Michael J. McGivney led by Mr.
Edwin B. Dawal, Former District Deputy
of M-47 and the Association’s Financial
Management and Accounting Services
Manager.
KCFAPI President Mr. Antonio B.
Borromeo gave a warm welcome to the
residents and explained briefly that
Knights of Columbus is an organization
of Catholic gentlemen and how one can
be a member.
He added that the Medical Mission was
organized by KCFAPI, the insurance arm
of the Knights of Columbus, with the
aim of extending help to the less-privi-
leged residents of Intramuros.
The medical check up was one of the
many activities organized by the Association as its corporate social responsibility programs for the Intramuros community.
The event was generously supported
by chairmen of recipient barangays, volunteers, medical specialists and sponsors; Chairmen Jose Caranto of Brgy.
658, Pedrito Yacub, Sr. of Brgy. 655 and
Gladys de Jesus of Brgy. 657; Ms. Irma
Villafranca, General Manager of NYKFil; Dr. Paul Brigino, Chancellor of Council 5124 Balut, Tondo; Dr. Mary Rosalyn
Talag; medical specialists from
Philamcare – Dr. Maria Lourdes Fallar,
Dr. Marietta Pajares, Dr. Maribel Cruz
and Dr. Victorio dela Cruz-Mendiola;
medical specialists from Cavite Hospital Dr. Jerwin Philip Tibig and Dr. Luis
Juan Arroyo; and Nutrens of Nestle Philippines and various pharmaceutical
companies.
KCFAPI
Sales
continue
to soar
FOR two months now KCFAPI has
registered a monthly first year contribution income of over 9 million
pesos.
KCFAPI sales continue to pursue an upward direction. The trend
started in the month of April 2008
when sales first started to post a
positive variance in a single
month.
This positive development in
sales is attributable to the growing acceptance of the KC US Dollar Supreme Plan which accounted
for almost 50 percent of the total
sales.
Another factor is the entry of the
Gold Series plans to the maturity
stage. The undiminished popularity of the Special Plan for Elderly
Knights (SPEK) also contributed to
the increased sales.
The KC US Dollar Plan has been
acknowledged by those who are
getting the insurance plan as a safer
and more profitable place to keep
their dollars. Furthermore, the fraternal association has been accepting the Philippine peso for owning a KC US Dollar Plan.
With the approval of Enhanced
College Savings Plan last June 2008
the fraternal benefits group is optimistic that the upward trend is
sustainable and will be a major factor for them to be able to deliver
an ambitious ten million pesos first
year insurance contribution income in the month of September
2008. (Joseph P. Teodoro)
CBCP Monitor
D2
Vol. 12 No. 18
September 1 - 14, 2008
K
K
Celebra
Celebra
of
of Frat
Frat
“You must put on the armor of God… and hold your ground. Stand fast, with the truth
as belt around your waist, justice as your breastplate, and zeal for the propagation of the Gospel
of peace as your footgear. (Ephesians 6:13-15)
I DIRECT these words of encouragement of St. Paul to the members of the Knights
of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Philippines, Inc. who, on 9 September 2008, mark
their Golden Founding Anniversary.
Committed to the ideals of charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism, and inspired by your
Founder, Fr. Michael McGivney, you have, for fifty long years, engaged in faithful voluntary
service to the Church. Your almost 80,000 Knights and their families from all councils in the
Philippines are united for mutual support, both spiritual and material.
Now, your well deserving fraternal Order begins a new chapter in its life. The many works of charity that your Organization
is noted for, its assiduous promotion of the values of human life, family and marriage, fidelity to the Faith, and promotion
of priestly and religious vocations are all things to be proud of.
On the occasion of your anniversary, no better words of congratulations can be offered than those of Pope Benedict
XVI: “May the Holy Spirit make you creative in charity, persevering in your commitments and brave in your initiatives, so
that you will be able to offer your contribution to the building up of the civilization of love.”
Happy Golden anniversary! Vivat Jesus!
Archbishop EDWARD JOSEPH ADAMS
Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines
GREETINGS to the Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Philippines, Inc
on your 50th foundation anniversary!
The past half century has shown the growth of your association not only in terms of
membership but also in structure. You are at the threshold of a new era when you are poised
to cross over to second corporate life. This is both a challenge as well as an opportunity. The
opportunity lies in the greater benefits that your members can derive from a well-managed
institution with its inherent checks and balances. The challenge is for your association to be
more committed to the values of God’s kingdom especially those that regard the poor with
compassion and generosity.
Our vision of fullness of life applies to the community of God’s people and not just
to an association. Your transition should move you towards that fullness of life which can
be found in your love and service for others especially the poor and destitute. Your growth in structure should be overshadowed
by your growth in faith and in your complete trust in the providence and goodness of God.
God bless you all.
GAUDENCIO B. CARDINAL ROSALES
Archbishop of Manila
I BELIEVE that it is the spirit of gospel of stewardship that has moved KCFAPI through
the years to reach your organization’s Golden Founding Anniversary on September 9 this year.
Proof of this spirit of stewardship at work in your order are the almost 80,000 members
nationwide who are bonded in the fraternal association.
Through the KCFAPI you have built a constituency, a network of trust, support,
communication, creating an impact across barriers of time and distance.
In the spirit of “Love your neighbor as yourself”, you are taking care of other people’s
“talents or treasures” as if they are your own, because the Lord God who is the primary, original
and ultimate owner has told you so.
At the heart of stewardship is the theology of creation: that every life and everything,
all that we are and all that we have belongs to God, the original owner, and they are merely
entrusted to us. From this theology of creation we derive the principle of stewardship, that the steward, although not the
owner, behaves as if he is the owner. He therefore behaves in relation to the trust with gratitude, responsibility and generosity.
Congratulations. May God bless you.
THE exemplary fraternal service of the Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Philippines, Inc. (KCFAPI) s
There is something about the Association that is different, distinctive, something rare to be found in any other instit
In pursuit of charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism—ideals that are concretely unfolded in the lives of the more th
While it was Venerable Fr. Michael J. McGivney who founded the Knights of Columbus in the United States in March
He was initiated into the First Degree on June 30, 1938 through the Manila Council 1000 in Intramuros, Manila, and was
War II, Fr. Willmann led KC members in undertaking the Order’s projects including the provision of welfare assistanc
halls for USAFEE soldiers. He was nabbed, and imprisoned at the University of Santo Tomas and later at the concentrat
war, Fr. Willmann and a few surviving KC members revived the lone KC chapter in the Philippines. He recruited ordi
Under his leadership, KCFAPI was founded on September 9, 1958. With a seed capital of P32,000—contributed by 64 b
association to provide low-cost insurance protection for Filipino brother knights and their families.
The Jesuit priest envisioned KCFAPI to serve as the financial arm of KC councils in meeting their responsibility to th
primarily by Ambassador Oscar Ledesma, Basilio King, Roman Mabanta and Mardonio Santos.
For fifty years, the Association has continuously evolved into a service organization with a strong family orientation
the KCFAPI provides its members a variety of life insurance products for the financial stability of their families.
A strong pillar of financial strength, KCFAPI has already paid death and living benefits amounting to over a billion
In its mission to be collegiate scholars and 114 vocational scholars from
become a premier across the country.
mutual benefit association (MBA) in the 1950’s to 1960’s
country, KCFAPI has
Incorporated under the leaderover P2.4 Billion re- ship of Fr. George J. Willmann,
sources and consis- S. J. Licensed by the Insurance
tently earns the seal Commission as a mutual benefit
of sound financial society, 46 K of C members and
management, busi- 18 councils contributed P500.00
ness practices, con- each to raise a seed capital of
tinuous improve- P32,000.00. Roman Mabanta, Sr.
ment and compliance and Basilio King served as the
Fr. George J. Willmann
with regulatory re- first Chairman/President and
quirements. In fact, KCFAPI has earned the distinction of first General Manager, respecbeing the first MBA to be ISO 9001-2000 Certified since tively.
January 2007.
At the end of the decade—To- KCFAPI’s permanent home in
Through the years, KCFAPI remained true to its found- tal Protection Benefits: P28.4M;
ing principles of charity, unity, fraternity, and patrio- Total Resources: P3.4M.
tism. The organization is renowned for its dedicated support for both the church and country.
1970’s
The KC Philippines Foundation, Inc., for instance, a
Built a new and permanent Home Office in Intramuros,
100 percent affiliate of KCFAPI backed more than 200 Manila. Founded the Knights of Columbus Philippines
PRESENT MEMBERS OF T
(2007 -
ANGEL N. LAGDAMEO, D.D.
Archbishop of Jaro and CBCP President
IN the name of the Society of Jesus in the Philippines, I rejoice with and congratulate
you on this 50th anniversary of your beginnings as the Knights of Columbus Fraternal
Association of the Philippines, Inc. (KCFAPI).
From the small undertaking of 64 Knights under the direction of the late Fr. George J.
Willman, S.J. in 1958, your association has burgeoned into a nationwide instrument of service
and fraternal support. I applaud this growth and encourage every effort you can make to
strengthen the foundations of the Filipino family at a time when enormous economic and social
pressures test its very foundations. Your commitment to be more concerned with Mindanao
and parts of the country distant from Manila is also commendable, as are the efforts being
made to develop the spiritual life and community service of your employees.
I extend to all those associated with the KCFAPI my prayerful best wishes in this anniversary year, a jubilee that almost
coincides with the 125th year of Fr. Michael J. McGivney’s original founding of the Knights of Columbus in 1882. May God
bless all of you with renewed enthusiasm and courage so as to carry on and face the future with the best of the traditions
that have energized your organization over the last half-century.
Sincerely yours in the Lord,
PATROCINIO R. BACAY
Chairman
SOFRONIO R. CRUZ
Vice Chairman
ANTONIO B. B
Pres
Rev. Fr.. JOSE C. J. MAGADIA, S.J
Provincial of the Society of Jesus
THE growth of the Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Philippines, Inc.,
(KCFAPI) from insignificance in 1958 to a multi-billion insurance system 50 years after
is indeed phenomenal. It escapes ordinary imagination how it survived and conquered
victoriously even the most critical economic environment that the country has gone
through.
The success deserves a “magnificat”. The Lord has done great things for KCFAPI. And
what the Lord has done was bring the right people, the likes of Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ,
Oscar Ledesma, Basilio King, Roman Mabanta, Sr., Mardonio Santos and a lot more who never
sought their personal interests but that of the Order and of the Church. What these
“fraternalists” have done was renew the economic order within their realm according to the
social teachings of the Church.
These gentlemen and their successors managed KCFAPI and its subsidiary companies within the ambit of the mind
of the Church which had been beautifully verbalized by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) in its
1998 Pastoral Exhortation on Philippine Economy that stated: “While the entire Church (clergy, religious, and laity) has the
mission to renew every aspect of human life in accordance with the Gospel, it is the specific vocation of lay people to renew
the temporal order, including economics. ‘By reason of their special vocation it belongs to the laity to seek the kingdom of
God by engaging in temporal affairs and directing them to God’s will.” (Lumen Gentium, no. 31) Hence they have to renew
economic life with the values of the Gospel and of the Kingdom of God, which are authentically human values, such as
integrity, justice, equity, service, preferential option for the poor, responsible stewardship.”
The next 50 years of KCFAPI is a fresh challenge to the next generation of managers, trustees, executives, area
managers, fraternal counselors and staff not only to meet their annual targets—but the target of God’s Kingdom.
Vivat Jesus!
Msgr. PEDRO C. QUITORIO
KCFAPI Chaplain
DIONISIO R. ESTEBAN, JR.
Member
AMB. HILARIO G. DAVIDE, JR.
Advisor
GUILLERMO N. HERNANDEZ
Member
His Eminence
GAUDENCIO B. CARDINAL ROSALES
EDIJERA A.
Adv
CBCP Monitor
C3
Vol. 12 No. 18
September 1 - 14, 2008
KCFAPI,
KCFAPI,
ating
ating 50
50 years
years
ternal
ternal Service
Service
pans fifty years today.
tutions as this one is managed by Brother Knights and families for Brother Knights and families.
han 60,000 members nationwide—KCFAPI has been fulfilling important objectives of the Order in the Philippines.
1882, it was Fr. George J. Willmann who nourished and nurtured the Order in the Philippines which was started in 1905.
s appointed Chaplain of the Council, a position he held up to the time of his death on September 14, 1977. During World
ce to prisoners freed from the Japanese concentration camp in Capas, Tarlac, and operation of canteen and recreational
tion camp in Los Baños, Laguna, where he and other prisoners were later freed by American liberation forces. After the
inary and prominent people. He organized new councils in various parts of the country.
brother knights and KC councils, KCFAPI was organized under Philippine laws as a non-stock, non-profit mutual benefit
heir members as provided in the first two purposes of the Order. His vision was carried out by his successors in office
n covering more than 60,000 members with more than P8.5 billion in Total Protection. As a fraternal beneficiary society,
n pesos since inception.
Foundation, Inc., a charitable and civic foundation which
provides scholarship to poor but promising youth (children of K of C members or non-members) who wish to
pursue college education, as
well as providing financial assistance to victims of calamities.
Granted income tax exemption by the Bureau of Internal
Revenue. At the end of the decade—Total Protection Benefits:
P373M; Total Resources: P38.9M
1980’s
Founded and incorporated
Compass Development Corp., a
subsidiary operating the Holy
Trinity Memorial Chapels
n Intramuros, Manila
which now has a state of the art
crematorium and water treatment facility. Founded and
incorporated Mace Insurance Agency, a non-life insurance subsidiary that provides coverage at the most affordable premium rate.
Office of the Insurance Commission approved in-
CARL A. ANDERSON
Supreme Knight
Holy Trinity Memorial Chapels
crease in KCFAPI’s insurance coverage limit to P350,000.00
per benefit certificate holder. Founded and incorporated
Christopher Foundation, a charitable and civic foundation which supports the livelihood projects sponsored by
K of C councils. Established Services Offices at Cebu,
Cagayan De Oro, Cabanatuan and Davao.
At the end of the decade—Total Protection Benefits:
P1.52B; Total Resources: P235.6M
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
- 2008)
WARMEST greetings and congratulations to the Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association
of the Philippines, Incorporated of its 50th Foundation Anniversary.
As one of the premier Mutual Benefit Associations in the country the Knights of Columbus
has continuously distinguished itself as a model of stability and service in the industry. As a member
of the contractual savings sector it encourages and promotes the practice of thrift and the value
of personal savings among its members through its life insurance programs. By pooling and providing
funds through investments in the unified thrust of the government and the private sector the
Association indirectly helps invigorate the economy and therefore contributes in the arduous task
of nation building.
As we face together the continuing challenge of the times, both locally and globally, let us
show more commitment and stronger resolve in fulfilling our individual roles in the development
of our country’s progress. As your organization embarks on its fraternal journey to your second golden jubilee I encourage and enjoin
all of you to continue to actively participate in our shared effort to help our country move forward.
Thank you.
MARGARITO B. TEVES
Secretary of Finance
MY congratulations to the Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Philippines, Inc.
(KCFAPI) as it celebrates its Grand Jubilee.
KCFAPI’s journey to growth is not different from The Miracle of the Loaves in which seven
loaves of bread and a few small fish “miraculously’ fed four thousand people and left over seven
baskets full. The seed money of KCFAPI came from 64 generous knights who dreamed of providing
insurance benefits to members and their families, raising P32,000 for the cause. In fifty years,
the fund has grown to more than Php 2 billion assets, propelled KCFAPI as one the top five Mutual
Benefit Associations in the country, and paid millions in death and living benefits to members and
their families as envisioned by its pioneers.
With such growth, KCFAPI will undoubtedly continue to reach out for greater endeavors. May
you continue to meet your commitments to your stakeholders, continuously develop your human
assets, and have enough to sustain your social undertakings. Your Grand Jubilee, far from being a destination, is a launching port
for higher goals and bigger dreams. We, in the Insurance Commission, wish you all the best.
EDUARDO T. MALINIS
Insurance Commissioner
BORROMEO
ident
. MARTINEZ
visor
IN my own name and on behalf of the Knights of Columbus Supreme council, I wish to offer
congratulations to you and all those who are involved in the Knights of Columbus Fraternal
Association of the Philippines Inc., as you celebrate KCFAPI’s 50th anniversary.
You have much to be proud of, and much to look forward to, as you mark this golden jubilee
milestone. By providing affordable insurance products to Filipino Knights and their family members,
you are carrying out the vision of our Order’s founder, the Venerable Father Michael J. McGivney,
who included a death benefit when he began the Order in 1882.
You are also extending the hard work of Father George Willman, S.J. known as the “Father
McGivney of the Philippines”, who responded to the needs of knights in the Philippines by founding
KCFAPI.
I recall with great fondness my visit to the Philippines in 2005 for the centennial of the founding
of the Order in your country. Filipino Knights are a great asset to the Church, their communities and our fraternal order. The great
dedication and enthusiasm of your brother Knights provide a great example to Knights of Columbus everywhere.
As you embark on the next half century, I ask that you and your fellow administrators assure the future of KCFAPI through
wise and selfless governance. In this way, you will provide financial security for Knights and their families for generation to come,
and bring to life the order’s principles.
With best wishes and kind regards, I remain.
Fraternally,
ANTONIO T. YULO
Treasurer
ALONSO L. TAN
Corporate Secretary
FIFTY Years ago Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ., encouraged 64 Filipino knights by themselves
or representing their councils to organize a mutual benefit society which will cater to the growing
fraternal life insurance needs of members in the Philippines. Fr. Willmann wanted to affiliate with
the insurance system in the United States of America. However, this was not possible due to
administrative and technical concerns.
Fifty years later from this humble beginning of Php32,000, your fraternal association grew
to become a financially stable company and a strong partner of the Order in our country. Through
all those years we have continuously assured the financial security of KC members and their
families, rendered charitable and benevolent projects for the community and provided financial
wherewithal to the Knights of Columbus in the Philippines.
It is my distinct honor and privilege to thank the founding members and councils, the benefit
certificate holders, the men and women past and present who have worked and are still connected with us, the area managers and
fraternal counselors who have been devoting their time serving in our frontlines, everyone in our Order who have in one way or another
supported us and most especially the members of the clergy who have always prayed for our success.
Happy 50 Years of Fraternal Service.
VIVAT JESUS!
PATROCINIO R. BACAY
Chairman - KCFAPI
PEDRO M. RODRIGUEZ, JR.
Member
PANFILO O. PACUBAS, SR.
Advisor
ROGELIO S. SIPALAY
Member
TEODORO O. ARCENAS, JR.
Advisor
IT is my privilege and honor as the Golden Jubilee President to extend fraternal greetings
and best wishes to all stakeholders of the Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the
Philippines, Incorporated, (KCFAPI), on the celebration of its 50th Foundation Anniversary.
The members of the Board of Trustees and its Advisors together join me in congratulating
the management team, employees and field sales representatives for being faithful and true to
the vision of KCFAPI’s founders—Rev. Fr. George J. Willmann, S.J., and the 64 founder-members
composed of Knights of Columbus councils and brother knights, who included Bro. Basilio King and
Bro. Roman Mabanta.
During the past decades we have seen the tremendous growth in number of Catholic men
from the lower income groups of Filipino society recruited into the membership in the Knights of
Columbus. The need for a family protection plan, which only an insurance program could guarantee,
continues to be more relevant today and may even be considered imperative for new recruits, as it is for our K of C USA brothers.
Like Fr. Willmann, SJ, we will always remain sensitive to the needs and restricted resources of the economically underprivileged
members of the Knights of Columbus in the Philippines. Inspired by our founders’ vision, the undertaking of KCFAPI’s mission remains
steadfast, ever bold and more meaningful today.
On this anniversary, I enjoin all to rededicate ourselves to the worthy and noble fraternal crusade of providing a secure and
dignified financial future for Knights of Columbus families, whatever their present status in life may be.
This is the supreme fulfillment of the dream of our Order’s venerable founder, Servant of God Father Michael J. McGivney,
that blossomed into reality in the organization of the Knights of Columbus so that “widows and orphaned children of dearly departed
brother knights may not find themselves in dire financial straits and may continue to persevere in the practice of their Catholic faith.”
With my warmest congratulations, I say “onward Christian soldiers” for there is still much for us to accomplish in this lifetime.
Vivat Jesus!
ANTONIO B. BORROMEO
President - KCFAPI
CBCP Monitor
D4
Vol. 12 No. 18
September 1 - 14, 2008
Big 8 for 2008
THE Golden Jubilee activities dubbed Big 8 for 2008 in celebration of KCFAPI’s
50th Anniversary have been designed to create awareness and highlight the
beginnings and milestones of the Association. It also aimed to strengthen the
KCFAPI’s relationship with all its stakeholders (i.e. Order, BC Holders, Church,
Sales Force, Employees, Suppliers, and the General Public).
The Launching
Held last September
14, 2007 at the KCFAPI
Social Hall, the Jubilee
Logo and theme “50
Years of Fraternal Service” were unveiled and
the KCFAPI song,
“Hands of Love” was
first heard.
It
jumpstarted a year-long
series of activities that
somehow reflected the
fruits being reaped today by the Order and the Church due to the heroic
fraternalists who built selflessly this institution 50 years ago.
KC Family Day
The Association supported the Order’s KC
Family Day activities
(Marikina for Luzon;
Cebu, Iloilo and
Tacloban for Visayas)
by providing medals
for the games and tshirts for raffle. In accordance with the Church,
the family is a top priority concern of the
Knights of Columbus—and so it is, with KCFAPI through the years.
KC-ing Galing Chorale
Competition
To make the KCFAPI
Song known to KC
members, an All-Male
Chorale Competition
was held during the
State Convention of the
3 jurisdictions. Prizes of
up to P50,000 were
awarded to the winners.
It was not about the tune
or even about the lyrics
of the song; it is about the singers and the generations before them who have
seen and have benefited the works of “the gallant men united in a cause,
protecting us, assisting us…fully able to build God’s Kingdom in our midst.”
KCFAPI Coffee Table
Book and Video Documentary
Written by KCFAPI
chaplain, Msgr. Pedro
Quitorio III, the KCFAPI
Coffee Table Book,
“Fifty Years of Fraternal
Service: A Saga of Faith in
Action” tells about how
a small seed grew as big
as the vision it carried
through 50 years. A
video documentary of
the same title tells in
sound and images about a phenomenon called the Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Philippines, Inc.
BC Holder Bonanza
Special
edition
Golden Jubilee Items
and Cellphones are
drawn monthly for our
valued BC holders who
pay their contribution
on or before due date or
on every approval of reinstatement. Grand
prize includes a family
trip to Hongkong
Disneyland. These, indeed, are symbols, of 50 years of quality fraternal service that KCFAPI has
rendered to its worthy members all through the years.
Fraternal Service Convention
This incentive program for our sales force
is aimed to motivate
sales productivity. The
Convention also aims to
improve our service to
our Brother Knights by
holding sessions on
new products and by
providing information toolkits. This is a regular feature of KCFAPI that has
been perfected all these years, for the sake of its members. In pursuit of the
worthy objectives of KCFAPI, these men are businessmen of the Order, underwriters for the Lord.
Jubilee Updates
Various information
drives are being undertaken to emphasize the
Association’s accomplishments and activities, not only to the Order but to the general
public, as well. But the
underlying content of
the information drives
is actually the mission
of the Order which is to
help its members and
ultimately the bigger
community, the Church. It is in the sense that “faith in action” is translated
into every endeavor that KCFAPI commits itself and accomplishes.
Golden Jubilee Ball
This culminating activity on September 13,
2008 at the Manila Hotel
shall be a grand occasion
to gather past and
present employees, sales
force, Board of Trustees,
clergy and other special
guests who have played
a significant role in
KCFAPI. It shall be a
“night of nights” to
mark and celebrate the
great things that the Lord
has done to all those who have witnessed the impact of KCFAPI in their lives.
Morales tops
Golden Jubilee
Sales Contest
BRO. BONIFACIO Morales of the Central
Luzon Believers topped the Golden Jubilee
(Early Passers Category) sales contest sponsored by KCFAPI. He bested about 800 other
fraternal counselors nationwide. Bro. Morales’ feat made him one of the strongest contenders for the 2008 Fraternal Counselor of
the Year, a much coveted achievement which
he won four times before.
The Golden Jubilarians sales contest was
one of the two incentive scheme devised by
the fraternal benefits group to motivate the
sales performers to attain the elite Annual
Family Service Awards. The other one is the
Presidential Gold Watch Incentive which will
end on September 30, 2008.
Qualifiers in the Golden Jubilee Sales Contest will attend an improvement seminar on
September 12, 2008 in a hotel in the metropolis (venue to be announced separately). The
seminar is intended to enhance the selling
skills of the participants. The following day
Saturday, September 13, they will be invited
to the Grand Jubilee Ball at the Centennial
Ballroom of the Manila Hotel at seven o’clock
in the evening.
The other contenders for the FC OF THE
YEAR also qualified themselves in the sales
contest making the fight for the top sales performer of the year too close to call. Here is
the complete list of all 27 fraternal counselors
who passed the Golden Jubilee Sales Contest.
Early Passers – Golden Jubilarians – (January-March)
Luzon Jurisdiction: Bonifacio M. Morales
(CLB1); Lauro L. Evangelista (CLB1); Danilo
M. Tullao (NEL); Ariston V. Francisco (CLB1);
Maximo V. Castro, Sr. (CLC); Veronica C.
Casupanan (CLB1); Rosa D. Hernandez
(MMC).
Visayas Jurisdiction: Maria Teresa G. De La
Mota (WVB); Raymund S. Depol (WVC);
Inocencia P. Deiparine (CVA).
Mindanao Jurisdiction: None.
Regular-Golden Jubilarians (January-June)
Luzon Jurisdiction: Dominador R.
Hermosura (NEL); Mauricio P. Pangda (NEL);
Reynaldo Q. Segismundo (NWL); Romarico
Z. Ramos (NLP); Rene P. Cruz (CLC);
Reynaldo D. Valencia (MMD); Amado S.
Miranda (CLD); Luis F. Ferrer (CLB1);
Venancio F. Capiral (SL); Armando E. Muyot
(MMA); Raymundo M. Alkuino (SL); Teofilo
A. Samson (SL);
Golden Jubilarians
Visayas Jurisdiction: Jose L. Calvo, Sr.
(WVB); Ambrosio B. Belgica, Jr. (WVB).
Mindanao Jurisdiction: Leticia J. Zambrano
(CM); Marteliano A. Alcontin (NM); Emma
M. Saclote (NM) (By Joseph P. Teodoro)
Remembering our past
By Sis. Ma. Theresa G. Curia, EVP
KCFAPI is turning 50 Years in less than 15 days!
Everyday, the countdown moves nearing September 9 and the scheduled Grand Celebration on September 13. As Executive Vice President, I have had
mixed feelings in trying to ensure that every detail
of the preparation will be in its proper place. Of
course, we see unexpected deviations from the
original plans but I am very thankful to Him that
everything comes just in time.
At this special edition of The Cross (CBCP Monitor supplement), it is worth recalling those people
who were instrumental in bringing KCFAPI to
where it is now. I have not personally met some of
them but through the historical documents available, I have become so inspired by these gentlemen. Acclaimed in their own professional fields of
expertise, they shared their time, talents and treasure in running KCFAPI.
Fr. George J. Willmann, S.J.—The Fr. McGivney
of the Philippines and the Father of KCFAPI. He
served as the Spiritual Director of the Founder
Members being the Philippine Deputy at that time.
He enjoined Bro. Roman Mabanta and Bro. Basilio
King, gentlemen with extraordinary talents and
business acumen, to serve the church, the community, and our Association.
In addition to establishing KCFAPI and the KC
Philippines Foundation, Inc., he also established
the Daughters of Isabella in the Philippines, which
was later reorganized under the name Daughters
of Mary Immaculate (DMI). (I have been delighted to
learn about this especially now that I serve as the Vice
Regent of DMI Rosarian Circle in Baliuag, Bulacan).
Ambassador Oscar Ledesma—Immediate successor of Fr. Willmann. As quoted from the speech of
our dear late Former Luzon Deputy Lauro M. Cruz:
“When Don Oscar assumed the position, the Philippines Deputy was a very powerful individual in
the Knights of Columbus in the Philippines. He
was not only the head of the Philippine Jurisdiction but also automatically the Chairman and President of KCFAPI. He himself appointed the members of the Board of Trustees and dictated the policies of the insurance system in the Philippines.
Aware of the need to provide “check and balance”
in an independent and effective Board of Trustees
in policy making, credibility in its decisions, and
assurance of continuity of the Corporation, Don
Oscar created the Founders Committee.”
The humility and dedication of Don Oscar
brought him closer to members and earned their
respect for him. He always allowed free exchange
of opinions and ideas before giving his own views
and obtaining a consensus. His unforgettable advice on making important decisions in KCFAPI
which we always remember is, “THIS IS NOT OUR
MONEY. IT IS MONEY ENTRUSTED TO US.”
An excerpt from the statement of Mardonio R.
Santos reads: “It was Bro. Ledesma who inspired
the foundation board members to be the first and
foremost donors in fund raising for worthy causes.
This he has initiated by donating to the KC Philippines Foundation the reimbursement by the Supreme Council of his transportation in attending
the annual Supreme Council Convention in the U.S.”
Bro. Basilio King—the first General Manager of
KCFAPI. He accepted this position on the condition that he will not be given compensation. He
Mardonio R. Santos—the third Philippine
Deputy of the Knights of Columbus. He was the
Chairman and President of KCFAPI from 1984-1988,
then as Chairman from 1992-1995. He was elected
as the first Filipino Supreme Director and concurrently the Vice Supreme Master of the Fourth Degree in June of 1989.
Bro. Isagani V. Tolentino was the General Manager of KCFAPI and the President of PhilAsia Life
in the year I joined KCFAPI. He would come to his
office very quietly, and as he approached my office
going to his room, he would gently greet me with
a soft “Good Morning”. Bro. Tolentino was part of
the group that conceptualized business ventures
for the Association. It was during his term when
we bought PhilAsia Life Assurance Corp., started
held said position for 16 years until his death. The
KC insurance system benefited from his vast business experience and affiliations. As General Manager of KCFAPI, he was very devoted to his job.
No conference or engagement in his other companies was too important that he could not be called
to attend to a KCFAPI concern. He devoted a large
part of his life in the service of KCFAPI. (The story of
Basilio King in the service of KCFAPI has inspired me
the most.)
Bro. Roman G. Mabanta., Sr.—the first Chairman and President of KCFAPI. As such, he was the
acknowledged strategist. He was initiated in the
Order on May 5, 1919. He was already a well-known
businessman before he joined KCFAPI. He served
the Association from 1958-1975.
Anchor Finance and Investment Corp., Holy Trinity Memorial Chapels, and Mace Insurance Agency,
Inc. He was quick in decision making and was always ready to give business advice. Mr. Tolentino
became KCFAPI’s President in 1989 until his retirement in June 1990. He was member of the Board
of Trustees in 1975-1979 and 1989-1990. When I was
the Audit Officer of this Association, I can still recall his advice: “Talagang ganyan, Tes, maraming
magagalit sa iyo… Gawin mo lang ang trabaho
mo….”
Bro. Manuel G. Lopez became the General Manager of KCFAPI after the term of Bro. Tolentino.
He became Executive Vice President in 2002 until
his retirement in February 2006. It was during the
leadership of Bro. Manuel Lopez that I had spent
the most number of years at KCFAPI. It was during his term that we built the new edifice which
we now know as the National Headquarters of
the Knights of Columbus. It was also during his
term that we introduced a new computerized system which paved the way for dramatic improvements in manpower and operational efficiencies.
With the lifting of the limitation on the amount of
coverage that we can offer to our members,
PhilAsia Life was sold, yielding added benefits
for the members of KCFAPI. His charisma and
leadership inspired the employees to perform and
do their best.
This recognition and thanksgiving will not be
complete without mentioning Brothers who have
served the Association:
H. E. Jaime Cardinal Sin, DD, Lauro M. Cruz, Sr.,
Cristeo P. Aquino, Ramon Consing, Antonio M.
Albert, Sr., Jose L. Burgos, Ramon Campos, Vivencio
de Guzman, Fernando G. de Leos, Nicanor Fuentes,
Bishop Mariano Gaviola, Justice Juvenal K.
Guerrero, Alejandro A. Judan, Jr., Jesus S. Lazatin,
Justo Lopez, Leonor S. Lozano, Speaker Querube
Makalintal, Hermenegildo B. Reyes, Carlos E.
Santiago, Alfredo V. Silva, Alejando Tanabe, Angel C. Veloso.
Felipe B. Alfonso, Hector M. Aguiling, Joven B.
Joaquin, Arsenio R. Lopez. Eduardo G. Laczi, Carlo
Ricardo H. Magno, Antonio A. Mansuelo, Antonio
M. Ortiguera, Pablo D. Panlilio, Juan C. Reyes, Jr.,
Ernesto B. San Juan, Commissioner Rene Sarmiento,
Rogelio Sipalay, Dr. Ruperto P. Somera, Alfredo O.
Taruc, Edgardo G. Valencia, Jaime M. Yulo, Congressman Isidro C. Zarraga.
Yes, most of us—employees and benefit certificate holders of the present generation—never had
the chance to meet these distinguished gentlemen.
But their memories will continue to linger. Their
ideals, examples and talents have brought KCFAPI
to where it is now and we hope to nurture everything that has been planted, in the manner it should
be.
In Fr. Willmann’s last appeal, as quoted by Ambassador Ledesma in his first message to the
Knights in the Philippines, we are asked to “Spiritualize all of our activities, for whatever we do as
Knights of Columbus must be related to our Faith,
and be Christ-oriented.” Truly, putting faith in action is what carries the Knights of Columbus and
KCFAPI through the years.
With the guidance of our highly esteemed present
Board of Trustees and advisors, we shall aspire to
live out the virtues of these gentlemen who selflessly served our Association.