CBCP Monitor - CBCP Media Office

•C1
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The CROSS
DOCETE Vol. XXVI No. 118
A
A Catechetical
Catechetical publication of the Episcopal Commission on
Catechesis
Catechesis and
and Catholic
Catholic Education
Education
A
A supplement
supplement Publication
Publication for
for KCFAPI
KCFAPI and
the
the Order
Order of
of the
the Knights
Knights of
of Columbus
Columbus
Rosales calls for
concerted effort to
grapple climate change
www.cbcponline.net/cbcpmonitor
A RANKING official of the Catholic bishops’
hierarchy has called on the faithful and the government to tackle the moral dimension of climate change.
In a statement, Manila Archbishop Gaudencio
Cardinal Rosales said it’s time for the country
to take action on the growing challenge to advance the common good.
Rosales / A6
[email protected]
Protagonist of Truth, Promoter of Peace
September 17 - 30, 2007
Php 20.00
Vol. 11 No. 19
Bishop: Jueteng could
topple Arroyo gov’t too
IF jueteng toppled the previous regime, the
Arroyo government could also fall for same
reason, a Catholic bishop said.
Anti-gambling crusader Archbishop Oscar
Cruz voiced his sentiment, expressing out
strongly over the illegal gambling’s continuing operation in the country.
“If the previous administration fell primarily
on account of jueteng, the present administration
could also fall due to jueteng—among so many
Jueteng / A6
Bishop Arigo appeals “save
Palawan from mining”
KCFAPI kicks
off jubilee
festivities
Bishop / A6
Blessing the flock. Cebu Archbishop Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal blesses the faithful after Mass, at the newly declared Diocesan Shrine of the
“Mahal na Señor, Santo Cristo de Burgos” in Sariaya, Quezon on September 14.
Philippine Bishop speaks before London Parliament on Mining
Arroyo that encourages further entry
of foreign mining companies to explore
the countries natural resources.
Applying the See-Judge-Act methodology, Gutierrez presented before his
audience the status of mining industry
in the country, and how it contributed
in environmental degradation and destruction of people’s livelihood.
He also presented cases of mining companies whose non-compliance with government regulations have left both communities and environment devastated.
He cited as examples the cases of Lafayette
in Rapu-rapu, Albay, TVI in Siocon,
Zamboanga and Marcopper in Boac.
BALANGA (Bataan) Bishop
Socrates Villegas broke his silence on his role during the
celebrated Technical Sgt.
Vidal Doble case.
Almost a week ago, opposition Senator Panfilo Lacson
said he would invite the Roman Catholic Archbishop of
Manila, Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales and Bishop
Socrates B. Villegas to the
Senate hearing on the contro-
versial “Hello Garci” case on
their respective roles in handing over Doble to military authorities.
In a statement, Villegas said
he received calls from priests
within the San Carlos Seminary after their normal lives
were disturbed with the presence of former NBI Deputy
Director Samuel Ong and
ISAFP operative Vidal Doble.
Media practitioners milled at
the seminary complex’s only
gate along Epifanio delos
Santos Avenue.
He said he received a call
from one Medy Poblador
whom he knew as one of
former President Corazon
Aquino’s assistants but later
on learned to be part President Gloria MacapagalArroyo’s staff.
Seminarians / A6
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of
the Philippines (CBCP) have been very
critical of the so-called 24 Priority Mining Projects of the government and
called for the closure of large scale mining projects.
In its pastoral letter issued in January 2006, the CBCP said “the promised
benefits of mining by these
transnational corporations are outweighed by the dislocation of communities especially among our indigenous
brothers and sisters, the risks to health
and livelihood, and massive environmental damage.”
Last May, the Mindanao bishops
joined forces and staged protests to stop
the open-pit copper and gold mining
operation of Xstrata, an Anglo-Swiss
company, in Tampakan, South
Cotabato.
Gutierrez said the mining activities
pose great hazards to the environment
and will displace the indigenous people
of his diocese.
Speaking before an international forum, Gutierrez hopes to bring to the
international community a greater
awareness of the evils that destructive
mining practices havoc on the environment and people ’s lives. (Pinky
Barrientos, FSP)
KCFAPI / A6
Dominican provincial, two others quit
THE Provincial of the Dominican Province of the Philippines, Fr. Edmund C.
Nantes, OP, UST Rector Fr. Ernesto
Arceo, OP and his Vice Rector Juan
Ponce, OP resigned from their posts recently for still unknown reasons.
The Master General of the Order of
Preachers Fr. Carlos A. Azpiroz Costa,
OP accepted the resignationof the three
officials. Fr. Costa arrived in Manila recently on a regular visit to the congregation.
Fr. Costa who is also the Grand Chancellor of UST “believes that a new leadership team will be better able to create
the consensus necessary for future developments at the University and Hospital, especially as UST begins preparations for its 400th anniversary in 2011.”
No cause was specifically stated as reason for the three priests’ resignation.
“With the best interests of the University, which is Asia’s oldest institute, and
Dominican / A6
Marian exhibits open La Naval centennial
THE Santisimo Rosario parish on the
University of Santo Tomas (UST) premises is set to kick off rosary exhibits on
September 8 in honor of Mary on her
nativity.
The show of ancient images, prints,
paintings and sculptures of the Santisimo
Rosario is done in the backdrop of the
centennial of the canonical coronation
of La Naval, the first Marian image in
the Philippines to be crowned on papal
order in 1907.
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The exhibit features different images
of the Sto. Rosario, and unique rosary
beads. The special element is a photo
display of the Nuestra Señora del Rosario
de La Naval during her stay in the UST for
13 years before it was transferred to the
Sto. Domingo Church in the 1950s, according to parish pries Fr. James
Alamillo, OP.
The venerated image of the La Naval
was brought to the university campus
Marian / A6
Impact
Impact magazine is 41. It may be
the oldest runningAsian magazine for
human transformation in the region.
Get updated with the latest trends in social
development vis-à-vis the social teachings
of the Church.
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Or write to: Impact, 470 Gen. Luna St. , Intramuros, Manila.
Or call (02) 404-1612 / 404-2182 / 527-41-39
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It was to help seminarians, says
Bishop Villegas on Doble case
○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○
EPISCOPAL Commission on Social Action, Justice and Peace (ECSA-JP) Chair
and Bishop of Marbel Most Rev.
Dinualdo Gutierrez, DD, spoke on mining issues in the Philippines on September 18, in a public forum in London Parliament.
The meeting was chaired by a member of Parliament Clare Short, who led
a fact-finding delegation in the country
in 2006 to investigate the impact of destructive mining practices on poor
communities and the environment.
Gutierrez discussed the controversial
revitalized mining priority program
(EO 270) of President Gloria Macapagal
THE Knights of Columbus Fraternal
Association of the Philippines, Inc.
(KC FAPI) launched its year-long celebration of 50th anniversary of foundation with a solemn mass presided
by Most Rev. Deogracias Iñiguez,
bishop of Kalookan, with KC scholarpriests as concelebrants, on September 14 at San Agustin Church,
Intramuros.
The Eucharistic celebration was
also offered in commemoration of the
30th death anniversary of KCFAPI
founder Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ,
regarded as Father of the Knights of
Columbus (KC) in the Philippines.
In his homily, Iñiguez extolled the
virtues of Fr. Willmann, whose vision for the KC led to the development and revitalization of the organization in the Philippines; considered as one of the big religious organizations of laymen in the country
today.
He said that Fr. Willmann’s efforts
to develop the vision-mission of KC
left a lasting legacy to those who follow him.
The prelate challenged the KC to
follow the examples set by Fr.
Willmann, who worked for the
marginalized and the miserable sectors of society during his lifetime.
“May the inspiration of Fr.
Willmann be a reminder to all KC’s
of this vital ministry of the cross of
Christ,” the bishop said.
Likewise, the prelate praised the
KC for placing themselves and their
resources at the service of the Church
and marginalized members of society.
“The declaration of the Church of
the year of Social Concerns is a confirmation of the call of the Church on
the KC,” said Iñiguez.
Starting them
young. A young
girl holds a candle
as she prays at
the Carmel
Church in Lipa,
Batangas. She
said her mother,
a Marian devotee,
is most
instrumental in
forming her faith
at a very a
young age.
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© Roy Lagarde / CBCP Media
PUERTO Princesa Bishop Pedro D. Arigo called on
the national leadership to spare the country’s “last
frontier” from the ill effects of mining.
In an interview over Catholic-run Veritas 846,
the Apostolic Vicar of Puerto Princesa said he believes there are interested persons lobbying for
permits because some circumvent existing rules and
regulations. He is about to issue his third pastoral
statement on mining “where I would expose the
anomalies regarding the issuances of permits.” His
earlier pastoral statements on mining were issued
in 2005 and 2006.
“There are procedures before a mining company
is given a permit,” Bishop Arigo said. Interested
companies ought to secure consent from the residents of affected communities and there are areas
in Palawan where mining cannot be allowed, he
pointed out.
“There are about a hundred mining applications
in the province,” Bishop Arigo said. He added permits ought to be given by barangay officials, municipal executives, provincial government, the
Palawan Council for Sustainable Development,
DENR, and finally, the Office of the President.
“There are a lot of persons lobbying for these
companies because there’s a lot of money involved,
proof of which are areas not supposed to host mining companies [but] have been allowed entry,”
Bishop Arigo explained.
© Roy Lagarde / CBCP Media
By Melo Acuña
CBCP Monitor
World News
A2
Vol. 11 No. 19
September 17 - 30, 2007
Vatican responds to questions
on artificial alimentation
© Lynsey Addario/Lynsey Addario/Corbis
VATICAN CITY, September 14, 2007—Made
public today was a response from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith to
certain questions raised by the United States
Conference of Catholic Bishops concerning
artificial nutrition and hydration.
The replies were approved by the Holy
Father during an audience granted to Cardinal William Joseph Levada, prefect of the
congregation. The text of the responses has
been published in its Latin original and in
English, French, Italian, German, Spanish,
Polish and Portuguese.
“First question: Is the administration of
food and water (whether by natural or artificial means) to a patient in a ‘vegetative state’
morally obligatory except when they cannot
be assimilated by the patient’s body or cannot be administered to the patient without
causing significant physical discomfort?
“Response: Yes. The administration of
food and water even by artificial means is,
in principle, an ordinary and proportionate
means of preserving life. It is therefore
obligatory to the extent to which, and for as
long as, it is shown to accomplish its proper
finality, which is the hydration and nourishment of the patient. In this way suffering
and death by starvation and dehydration are
prevented.
“Second question: When nutrition and hydration are being supplied by artificial
means to a patient in a ‘permanent vegetative state,’ may they be discontinued when
competent physicians judge with moral certainty that the patient will never recover
consciousness?
“Response: No. A patient in a ‘permanent
vegetative state’ is a person with fundamental human dignity and must, therefore, receive ordinary and proportionate care which
includes, in principle, the administration of
water and food even by artificial means.”
An English-language note accompanying
the responses indicates that: “When stating
that the administration of food and water is
morally obligatory ‘in principle,’ the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith does
not exclude the possibility that, in very remote places or in situations of extreme poverty, the artificial provision of food and water may be physically impossible, and then
‘ad impossibilia nemo tenetur.’
However, the obligation to offer the minimal treatments that are available remains
in place, as well as that of obtaining, if possible, the means necessary for an adequate
support of life. Nor is the possibility excluded that, due to emerging complications,
a patient may be unable to assimilate food
and liquids, so that their provision becomes
altogether useless.
Finally, the possibility is not absolutely
excluded that, in some rare cases, artificial
nourishment and hydration may be excessively burdensome for the patient or may
cause significant physical discomfort, for example resulting from complications in the
use of the means employed.
“These exceptional cases, however, take
nothing away from the general ethical criterion, according to which the provision of water and food, even by artificial means, always
represents a ‘natural means’ for preserving
life, and is not a ‘therapeutic treatment.’ Its
use should therefore be considered ‘ordinary
and proportionate,’ even when the ‘vegetative state’ is prolonged.” (VIS)
U.S. Bishops call for end to human trafficking
WASHINGTON, DC¯, September 14, 2007—The U.S. bishops
urged congress to reauthorize
legislation to combat human
trafficking.
In a statement released
Wednesday, Bishop Gerald
Barnes of San Bernardino, California, chairman of the episcopal Committee on Migration,
asked that the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA), set
to expire in October, be reauthorized.
“This legislation should be re-
authorized, adequately funded,
and aggressively implemented,” said Bishop Barnes,
while noting that “as many as
700,000 persons are trafficked
globally each year, men, women,
and children.”
Human trafficking, the bishop
added, is a “horrific crime
against the basic human dignity
and rights of the human person.”
Bishop Barnes included in his
statement a request for the federal government to place emphasis on the recovery and care of
victims, particularly “child trafficking victims, who are most
susceptible to the long-term horrors of this crime.”
In his statement the 62-yearold prelate also asked that the
general public, and Catholics
specifically, work together to
end human trafficking.
Bishop Barnes wrote: “We call
attention to this tragic reality to
raise awareness among Catholics and others of good will
about its devastating impact on
vulnerable persons.
“We urge Catholics to work
together to identify survivors of
human trafficking and to help rescue them from their bondage.”
“In the end,” the bishop stated,
“we must work together ¯
Church, state and community ¯
to eliminate the root causes and
markets that permit traffickers to
flourish; to make whole the survivors of this crime; and to ensure that one day soon trafficking in human persons vanishes
from the face of the earth.”
(Zenit)
Shimon Peres: Within a year the most important
Israel-Holy See problems resolved
ROME, September 7, 2007—The
Israeli President Shimon Peres is
“quite optimistic” regarding negotiations between Israel and the
Holy See and has declared that
“within year’s end the most important problems will be resolved”. Answering a question
put forward by AsiaNews , during
a press conference, he also said
that he had invited Benedict XVI
to visit Israel.
In his first foreign visit as president, Peres was received in audience today by the pope in Castel
Gandolfo and also met with Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio
Bertone, Msgr. Dominique
Mamberti, and Secretary for relations with states and Oded Ben
Hur, Israeli ambassador to the
Holy See.
According to a Vatican press
office statement, discussions focused on the possibilities for
peace between Israel and Palestine in the “the current international climate, which appears to
be particularly favourable”. In
November in fact, there will be a
peace conference in Washington.
The Vatican hopes that “each of
the parties involved will do all
in their power to meet the expectations of the populations, bowed
by crises that has lasted for over
60 years now and which continues to sow the seeds of death and
destruction”.
In order to study “common initiatives in favor of peace”, the
pontiff also met today with Saudi
Foreign Minister, Prince Saud Al
Faisal. Saudi Arabia and the Arab
League have long put forward a
peace programme for the Middle
East.
On the long standing question
of the implementation of the Fundamental Agreement, 13 years on
from its signing, the Holy See
statement urges “a rapid conclusion to the important ongoing
negotiations and the beginning
of a constant dialogue with Israeli
Authorities and local Christian
communities, in view of their
participation in working for the
common good”.
Last September 3—after a long
summer pause—and
after years of deadlock, negotiations
between the Holy
See and Israel recommenced. They aim to
lead to an agreement
regarding issues of
taxation and Church
properties, which
have been waiting
implementation
Israeli President Shimon Peres
since 1993.
The Vatican statement makes ence in the region are the cause
no reference whatsoever to a pos- of the blocked peace process.
sible visit by Benedict XVI to Is- “Hama’s, he said, is not lookrael, even if the pope has already ing for a political solution, but
expressed a positive opinion in an ideological one: the destructhe past. Peres told journalists tion of our nation”. The Israeli
that he was “moved” by the president instead, expressed his
pope’s reaction to his proposal trust in the President of the Paland defined Benedict XVI as estinian Authority, Abou
“great spiritual figure”, under- Mazen, and his commitment to
lining that “the Spirit” incarnated the November peace conferin the religions can give an im- ence. Peres revealed that it will
portant impulse to peace and the not only focus on political iselimination of violence, “assas- sues (two peoples – two states),
but also on the question of colsins and killings”.
According to Peres, Hamas laboration in the economic and
extremism and Iranian interfer- ecological field. (AsiaNews)
Chinese couple sues communist government for forced abortion
CHINA, September 13, 2007—A
Chinese couple is suing the communist government of China for
a forced ninth-month abortion.
Under the provisions of the onechild policy, Chinese citizens are
required to obtain a license to
have a first child. Conceiving a
child before marriage is an offence.
A young couple, Yang
Zhongchen and his wife Jin Yani,
had to wait until Jin was the
minimum age of 20 before being married. This meant that
their first child, a girl, was illegal.
Attempts to bribe local “family planning” officials failed and
while Yang was out of town, Jin
was abducted on September 7 by
Some Army of
Mary members
excommunicated
local officials a few weeks before
her due date.
Jin described the incident in
which she was taken to a local
clinic and her clothes stripped
from her. Doctors “pushed a
large syringe into my stomach.
It was very painful. It was all
very rough.” Doctors then pulled
the dead baby from her body
with forceps.
While forced abortion is technically illegal in China, it is
known that officials, faced with
quotas, frequently succumb to
what is usually described as
“over-zealousness” in enforcing
the official one-child policy. Yang
and Jin are suing for $38,000 in
medical expenses and $130,000
for psychological distress.
“They can’t really compensate
for all that we have suffered,”
Jin told local media. “Our baby
will never come back ... we just
hope this kind of thing will
never happen again.”
The couple’s previous attempt
at redress in the courts failed. The
judges ruled they had broken the
law by conceiving out of wedlock. Local family planning officials claimed Jin had consented
to the abortion. The couple is appealing the decision.
Even while China continues to
be courted by governments and
international business interests
for its thriving economy, the
government is determined to
keep domestic opposition to its
population control policies un-
der wraps.
Chen Guangcheng, a blind,
self-taught lawyer, has been imprisoned on fabricated charges
to keep his campaign against the
policy out of the international
media eye. His activism placed
him at the forefront of a growing civil rights movement
against the one-child policy and
forced abortion.
Guangcheng caught the attention of international media and
was placed under house arrest
from September 2005 to March
2006 after talking to Time magazine. Authorities arrested him in
June 2006 for destruction of property and assembling a crowd to
disrupt traffic. (Hilary White /
LifeSiteNews)
QUEBEC CITY, Canada, September 12, 2007—Certain members
of the Community of the Lady of
All Nations, a movement commonly known as the Army of
Mary, have incurred excommunication.
The Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith issued a declaration of excommunication that
applies to certain members of the
group.
The Canadian bishops’ conference explained in a statement:
“Following earlier consultations
with the bishops of Canada and
also with the Congregation for
Institutes of Consecrated Life and
Societies of Apostolic Life, the
Congregation for the Doctrine of
the Faith has issued a declaration
of excommunication that applies
to various members of the Army
of Mary.
“Despite repeated warnings by
the bishops of Canada, including
Cardinal Marc Ouellet, archbishop of Quebec City, members
of the Army of Mary earlier this
year participated in ordinations
forbidden by and not recognized
by the Catholic Church. The actions obliged the congregation to
issue the declaration, it states,
because of ‘the very grave situation’ and given there was no
‘hope of another solution.’”
The bishops affirm that the
doctrinal congregation’s declaration was made with the approval
of Benedict XVI.
Those who incurred excommunication include Father JeanPierre Mastropietro, for having
attempted to perform ordinations not approved or recognized
by the Church.
Others who are excommunicated, claim to have been ordained by him as deacons and
priests.
Members of the movement and
its associated works who have
entered into schism by participating in the ordinations despite an
earlier warning issued by Cardinal Ouellet, and who remain “determined to continue to associate with” the movement also incurred excommunication, as did
“whoever knowingly and deliberately embraces” the heretical
teachings of the Army of Mary.
The Vatican declaration states
the excommunications are “latae
sententiae,” incurred automatically.
The congregation statement
said: “It is our hope that the clarification provided by this present
declaration will assist those whose
faith may be harmed by this schismatic group to remain faithful to
the Catholic Church.” (Zenit)
Secret directive issued to
eradicated religion spreading
among soldiers in Nokor
SEOUL, South Korea, September
13, 2007—Religion “is spreading
like a cancer inside North Korea’s
armed forces, whose mission is
to defend Socialism;” for this reason it “must be eradicated without delay since it comes from our
enemies from around the world,”
this according to a booklet prepared by the Propaganda Department of the North Korean Army
titled Saving Our Soldiers from the
Threat of Religion.
A copy reached a member of
the Committee for the Democratization of North Korea, a group
of political exiles and refugees
that had it translated and released.
“We should not look, listen,
read
the
documents,
broadcastings and video or audio materials made by the enemy. The enemy is using radio
and TV to launch false propaganda through well-made, strategic news and intrigue,” the
booklet warned.
“They are placing spies within
international delegations entering our borders to spread their
religions and superstitious beliefs and win our citizens over to
their side. [...]
“Religion and superstition are
like poison that corrupts socialism and paralyses class con-
sciousness. Our soldiers must,
more than ever, instigate a revolutionary awakening to defy the
enemies’ maneuvers.”
Religious worship is allowed in
North Korea as long as it is the
personality cult of Kim Jong-Il and
his father, the late Kim Il-Sung.
Followers of traditional religions have obstacles to surmount, especially Buddhists and
Christians, such as joining Communist Party-controlled organizations.
Those who do not join are persecuted, often brutally and violently. Anyone engaged in any
kind of missionary activity is the
recipient of a similar treatment.
Since the end of the Korean
War in 1953 about 300,000 Christians have disappeared in North
Korea—any priest or nun who
was alive then has disappeared,
most likely persecuted to death.
About 100,000 are surviving in
labour camps with hunger and
torture as their main companions
and, for some, with death just
around the corner.
This is corroborated by former
North Korean officials and ex
prisoners who have said that
Christians in the camps are
singled out for especially harsh
treatment. (Joseph Yun Li-sun /
AsiaNews)
Vatican, US bishops investigating
Georgetown theologian
WASHINGTON DC, September
14, 2007—Both the Vatican and
the U.S. bishops are investigating a book, which raises issues
about the uniqueness of Christ
and the Church. Fr. Peter Phan
of Georgetown University
authored the book, titled Being
Religious Interreligiously.
The Dallas priest and prominent theologian is a former
president of the Catholic Theological Society of America. The
book in question was published
by Orbis in 2004.
According to a report by John
L. Allen Jr., Fr. Phan received a
July 2005 letter from the
Vatican’s Congregation for the
Doctrine for the Faith. It presented 19 observations under six
headings, charging that Phan’s
book “is notably confused on a
number of points of Catholic
doctrine and also contains serious ambiguities.”
The central problems with Fr.
Phan’s text are reportedly related to: Christ as the unique and
universal savior of the world;
the role and function of the
Catholic Church in salvation;
the saving value of non-Christian religions.
The letter said the book is in
conflict with the 2000 Vatican
document Dominus Iesus, which
states that non-Christians are “in
a gravely deficient situation in
comparison with those who, in
the Church, have the fullness of
the means of salvation.”
The congregation asked Fr.
Phan to write an article to correct the problems and to instruct
Orbis not to reprint his book. Fr.
Phan reportedly replied in April
2006, offering to comply under
certain conditions.
According to Allen, Bishop
William Lori of Bridgeport,
chair of the Committee on Doctrine for the U.S. bishops, also
wrote Fr. Phan in May.
The bishop said the Vatican
had asked his committee to examine the book, and that it
wanted Fr. Phan to respond to
an enclosed three-page set of
observations. He indicated that
his committee would publish its
own statement. (CNA)
CBCP Monitor
News Features
Vol. 11 No. 19
September 17 - 30, 2007
A3
VATICAN CITY, September 13,
2007—This
morning
in
Castelgandolfo the Holy Father
received the Letters of Credence
of Jozef Dravecky, the new ambassador of the Slovak Republic
to the Holy See.
In his English-language address to the diplomat the Pope
recalled how next year marks the
15th anniversary of diplomatic
relations between the Slovak Republic and the Holy See. In this
context, he thanked the ambassador for his reassurance that
Slovakia is committed to fulfilling the two unresolved points of
the “Basic Agreement” between
the two States, regarding “conscientious objection and the financing of Church activities.” The
other two points, concerning
Catholic education and spiritual
ministry to Catholics serving in
the armed forces, have already
been ratified
On the subject of education,
Benedict XVI reiterated the importance of States guaranteeing
“the Church the freedom to establish and administer Catholic
schools, affording parents the
opportunity to choose a means
of education that fosters the
Christian formation of their children. ... Indeed, a solid education
that nourishes all the dimensions
of the human person, including
the religious and spiritual, is in
the interest of both Church and
State. In this way, young people
can acquire habits that will enable them to embrace their civic
duties as they enter adulthood.”
“The family,” he went on, “is
the nucleus in which a person
first learns human love and cultivates the virtues of responsibil-
ity, generosity and fraternal concern. Strong families are built on
the foundation of strong marriages. Strong societies are built
on the foundation of strong families. Indeed, all civic communities should do what they can to
promote economic and social
policies that aid young married
couples and facilitate their desire
to raise a family.
“Far from remaining indifferent to marriage,” he added, “the
State must acknowledge, respect
and support this venerable institution as the stable union between
a man and a woman who willingly embrace a life-long commitment of love and fidelity.”
“The rich cultural and spiritual
heritage of Slovakia holds great
potential for revitalizing the soul
of the European continent,” said
the Pope noting how the ambassador had “drawn attention to
the heroic sacrifices made by
countless men and women in
your nation’s history who, in
times of persecution, labored at
great cost to preserve the right to
life, religious liberty, and the freedom to place oneself at the charitable service of one’s neighbor.”
Benedict XVI concluded by expressing the hope that “the celebrations marking the 1150th
anniversary of Sts. Cyril and
Methodius will renew Slovakia’s
vigor to bear witness to these
timeless values. In this way, she
will inspire other member States
of the European Union to strive
for unity while recognizing diversity, to respect national sovereignty while engaging in joint
activity, and to seek economic
progress while upholding social
justice.” (VIS)
Australia, RP Catholic schools
join immersion program
NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, September 17, 2007—Students of
Australia’s leading educational
institutions
visited
St
Columban’s Academy in
Cauayan, Negros Occidental last
August 19-22, in a ‘life-changing’
immersion program.
Some 12 scholars of the St.
Joseph’s Nudgee College took
part in numerous community
service programs while learning
about the challenges people face
in one of the most impoverished
regions in the country.
“It was difficult to define the
experience of being involved in
the inaugural Immersion Experience to the Philippines because
it was a life-changing one that
had implications for the heart,
soul and mind of each boy who
journeyed there,’ said Curtis
Skinner in a statement posted at
the Nudgee website.
“To see the joy in some of the
local Filipino students simply because we were there was something that brings about a certain
kind of humility each of us needs
to feel at some time in our lives,”
the year 10 student said.
He said their 3-day visit were
filled with meeting new faces
and experiencing the work of fellow Christians, “exemplifying
the true Christian ideal.”
Aside from St. Columban’s
Academy, the Australian students also visited four others
schools in far-flung areas of
Negros Occidental to know their
situation and meet other students.
With them were their three
teachers Matthew Hawkins, the
program coordinator, Toni
Riordan and Brian Garrone.
The foreign students said they
would share with others their
experiences during their fourday sojourn at the said school.
Skinner said the camaraderie
they’ve had was “uplifting”,
learning to help each other and
worked in a committed way to
understand the work going on
in each place they visited.
“Within each of us some special memory touched our hearts
but now it is time to think about
what the Nudgee Community
can do to assist programs in
place or to help facilitate the
Brothers’ goals so that we can be
a true Sign of Faith,” he said.
“On behalf of the inaugural
group of “Pag-Inupdanay... with
Spirit” students, I would like to
sincerely thank the Nudgee
community for its support of this
program,” Skinner added.
(CBCP News/Fr. Jose Rembert
Rivera)
© Robert Jaeger / Pool/epa/Corbis
Strong societies
are built on
strong families
Without the Lord’s Day,
Sunday, life does not flourish
VATICAN CITY, September 9, 2007—This
morning the Pope celebrated Mass in
Vienna’s cathedral of St. Stephen, a Gothic
structure with a campanile 136 meters high
and a frontage incorporating two Roman
towers more than 60 meters high.
In his homily, Benedict XVI reflected upon
the meaning of Sunday, the day of the Lord.
“In the word ‘dominico’ [Sunday],” he said,
“two meanings are inextricably intertwined,
and we must once more learn to recognize
their unity. First of all there is the gift of the
Lord, this gift is the Lord himself: the Risen
One, Whom Christians simply need to have
close and accessible to them, if they are to be
themselves. ... The encounter with the Lord
is inscribed in time on a specific day.”
“We need this encounter which brings us
together, which gives us space for freedom,
which lets us see beyond the bustle of everyday life to God’s creative love, from which we
come and towards which we are traveling.”
“Without the Lord and without the day that
belongs to Him,” the Holy Father insisted,
“life does not flourish. Sunday has been transformed in our Western societies into the
weekend, into leisure time. Leisure time is
certainly something good and necessary, especially amid the mad rush of the modern
world.
Yet if leisure time lacks an inner focus, an
overall sense of direction, then ultimately it
becomes wasted time that neither strengthens nor builds us up. Leisure time requires a
focus, the encounter with Him who is our
origin and goal.”
“The early Christians celebrated the first
day of the week as the Lord’s day, because it
was the day of the resurrection. Yet very
soon, the Church also came to realize that
the first day of the week is the day of the
dawning of creation, the day on which God
said: ‘Let there be light.’ Therefore Sunday is
also the Church’s weekly feast of creation,
the feast of thanksgiving and joy over God’s
creation. At a time when creation seems to
be endangered in so many ways through
human activity, we should consciously welcome this dimension of Sunday too.”
“In this Sunday’s Opening Prayer we call
to mind firstly that through His Son God has
redeemed us and made us His beloved children. ... To be someone’s child,” the Holy
Father concluded, “means to be a free person, not a slave but a member of the family.
And it means being an heir. If we belong to
God, Who is the power above all powers,
then we are fearless and free. And we are
heirs. The inheritance He has bequeathed to
us is Himself, His love.”
At the conclusion of Mass, the Pope went
out into the adjoining square where he
climbed a podium to pray the Angelus. Before the Marian prayer he said: “Just as Mary
bore Him in her womb ¯a defenseless little
Child, totally dependent on the love of His
Mother—so Jesus Christ, under the species
of bread, has entrusted Himself to you, dear
brothers and sisters. Love Him as Mary loved
Him! Bring Him to others, just as Mary
brought Him to Elizabeth as the source of
joyful exultation! The Virgin gave the Word
of God a human body, and thus enabled Him
to come into the world as a man. Give your
own bodies to the Lord, and let them become
ever more fully instruments of God’s love,
temples of the Holy Spirit! Bring Sunday, and
its immense gift, into the world!”
Following the Angelus, Benedict XVI presented a Letter he has written to children who
participate in the initiatives of the Pontifical
Work of the Holy Childhood. “In you I see
young collaborators in the service that the
Pope renders to the Church and to the world,”
the Holy Father writes in his Letter. “You
support me with your prayers and with your
commitment to spread the Gospel.”
There are many children, the Letter proceeds, who do not know Jesus, and many
more who lack the basic necessities of life.
“The Church gives them her special attention, especially through the work of missionaries. And you too feel called to offer your
contribution both individually and in groups.
Friendship with Jesus is such a beautiful gift
that we cannot keep it to ourselves.” (VIS)
Manila Shrine organizes
Marian pilgrimage
MANILA, September 15, 2007—
Saint Anthony Shrine in
Sampaloc, Manila is organizing
a Marian pilgrimage to seven
Churches in Batangas, Laguna
and Rizal in observance of the
Marian month of October.
Dubbed as a journey of faith,
the pilgrimage hopes to help
devotees reminisce the development and history of the Marian
devotion.
Fr. Cielo Almazan, OFM, parish priest of St. Anthony Shrine
and one of the pilgrimage chaplains said the activity is being
organized to give the devotees
and Shriners the opportunity to
deepen their understanding and
appreciation of the Catholic faith.
“This gives a purpose to our
pilgrimage other than just idle
curiosity,” explained Almazan.
“Sure, we will all be excited to
see our countryside in Laguna,
Batangas and Rizal, but we will
try to add in a balance way, a
Catholic spiritual experience. We
add a dimension of faith,” he
said.
The priest said the pilgrimage
is a special project of the Education Ministry of St Anthony
Shrine.
“No Marian organizations are
involved here. This is being organized in-house, so to speak,”
the pastor said.
Almazan also mentioned this
is the first time the parish community, the devotees and the
mass-goers of St Anthony Shrine
are being invited to join.
The pilgrimage will visit
Marian churches known to be
miraculous and flocked to by
people, like the Our Lady of
Caysasay in Taal, Our Lady of
Lourdes in Tagaytay, Our Lady of
Mediatrix of All Grace in Lipa, Our
Lady
of
Perpetual
Help
(Redemptorist Divino Amor)
also in Lipa, Our Lady of Turumba
in Pakil, Our Lady of Guadalupe in
Pagsanjan, and Our Lady of Peace
and Good Voyage in Antipolo.
According to Almazan these
Marian Churches and Shrines
“are known and flocked to by
people because they contain images which ordinary Catholics
believe are miraculous or they
have been found miraculously.”
The pilgrimage includes
catechesis, singing of Marian
songs and celebration of the sacraments.
“In every church we will visit,
we will pray one decade of the
Franciscan Crown, which recalls
the 7 joys of Mary, promoted by
the Franciscans in the middle
ages, especially St. Bernardine of
Siena,” said Almazan.
A Franciscan Crown is a rosary
consisting of seven decades that
commemorates the seven joys of
the Blessed Virgin (the Annunciation, Visitation, Birth of our
Lord, Adoration of the Magi,
Finding of the Child Jesus in the
Temple, the Resurrection of our
Lord, the Assumption of the
Blessed Virgin and her Coronation in heaven), in use among the
members of the three orders of
St. Francis.
Fr. Long Gutay, OFM, the historian of the Franciscans in the
Philippines, will explain to the
pilgrims the history of the
Marian devotion, while Fr.
Almazan, a bible scholar, will
give a biblical perspective of the
Blessed Mother as an ordinary
girl.
Almazan said the upcoming
pilgrimage is the parish’s response of giving life to the
archdiocesan vision of having
NUESTRA SEÑORA DE LA PEREGRINA ( Our Lady of the Pilgrims ) at St. Anthony
Shrine – Church in Bustillos, Sampaloc, Manila.
and being “with Mary as companion.”
While other parishes and
schools express their devotion to
Mary in the forms of exhibits or
pilgrimages abroad, the parish
community of St. Anthony, instead have opted to express their
devotion through a local pilgrimage.
“Our community at St. Anthony Shrine has chosen to have
a local pilgrimage, south of Manila, where the pilgrims will also
see churches built by the
Franciscans,” opined Almazan.
The pilgrimage has the theme,
‘A Journey of Faith with Mama Mary
as Companion’.
The pilgrimage is scheduled on
October 6, 2007 with a fee of
P1,200.00 per person inclusive of
transport, meals and prayer materials. Interested pilgrims may
register at the St. Anthony
Shrine’s Office, or call Gingging/Elma at 734-65-26. Due to
limited seats, only 45 pilgrims
can be accommodated. Last day
of registration will be September
25, 2007. For enquiries, please
contact Angie at 0917-6285827 or
Marie 0916-2066461. (Pinky
Barrientos, FSP)
CBCP Monitor
Opinion
A4
Vol. 11 No. 19
September 17 - 30, 2007
EDITORIAL
The state of marriage
BOTH perception and reports have it that marriages in the country
are becoming less and less stable, and wherefore more and more
prone to failure. The eventual victims are as usual, the children
born of the abandoned conjugal unions. This has no reference
really to marriages in fact entered into by people in the
entertainment industry, or by couples at least one of whom is a
movie personality or someone the like. The noted increasingly
weak and wherefore ultimately failed marriages are contracted
by ordinary Filipinos.
The focal question is, why are there progressively more so-called
“broken” marriages even among those with supposedly strong
Filipino family tradition and culture? Where have many married
couples failed really? How come even much lavish and well
celebrated weddings ended up with civil annulment. The ground
invokedisnotonlystandardbuttheverypredictable“psychological
incapacity,” whatever this is.
Down to earth analysis of this sad phenomenon now obtaining in
the country, especially in Metro-Manila and other metropolitans,
shows that there seem to be three more signal factors, one or more
of which are found common among thus terminated marital
unions. While all apparently started rather well, gradually but
surely they began to turn sour, then unbearable and finally
discarded.
The first reason for marriage failures in the country—and probably
elsewhere in the world—is the serious distortion of ethical
principles as well as moral values. A good number of men and
women get married for the wrong reasons, for worldly motives
and/or with unrealistic expectations. There is practically nothing
sacred about human sexuality. Nor is marriage sincerely
considered as a lifelong covenant.
Abp. Angel N. Lagdameo, DD
The second cause for unsuccessful marriage among Christian
couples is precisely the erosion of their faith. The saying of
prayers has become some kind of a sign of weakness, a mere
recourse when people are in trouble. Going to Church is looked
upon as a practice observed simply by old women and little
children, the poor and the sick.
In and Out of Season
ONE of the important gadgets an airplane
has is called “attitude indicator.” What is
it? It is a unit that indicates or tells the pilot
the position of the aircraft in relation to
the horizon. When the nose or the front of
the airplane is pointed above the horizon,
it has a “nose-high attitude” and the airplane is said to be climbing up. When the
front of the aircraft is pointed down, the
aircraft has a “nose-down attitude” and it
is said to be diving or going down. Pilots
are concerned about the “attitude” of the
airplane because it indicates the performance of the airplane: going up or going
down. And so we can say of the airplane:
attitude results in performance. The attitude of the airplane determines the performance. Since performance depends on attitude,
it is necessary to change attitude in order to
change performance.
A basketball team can lose the game because while the players’ abilities say “win,”
their attitude say “lose.” A student’s aptitude tests may show that he is intellectually capable, but because he has a bad attitude, he fails the test. A person’s attitude,
like that of an airplane, determines his performance. It could mean the difference between success or failure, win or lose, promotion or demotion. A positive attitude leads
to positive performance; a negative attitude leads
to negative performance.
The shepherd boy David knows how to
play the harp (guitar!) and to sing joyful
songs. His music comes from within his joyful spirit. When King Saul is in bad mood
or under some evil spirit, David is called
in to play the harp and sing happy songs.
The third reason is personality disorder—specially the anti-social
type.Thisliabilityisbeyondordinaryhumanweaknessandinmany
instancesincurablenotwithstandingallappearancesandarguments
to the contrary. It is fatal for marriage intents and purposes.
The Supreme Court
DURING these days of frustration in the search for truth and times
of exasperation in the pursuit of justice, the Supreme Court of the
Philippines stands at the summit of hope especially for those who
feel or know that they are victims of the Executive Department
in its despotic moves. It is enough to think of certain so called
“Presidential” proclamation and “Executive” Orders ultimately
undermining human dignity and offending human rights.
When approached and called upon to intervene in putting a stop
to excesses of the Executive Department, the Supreme Court
under the present leadership manifested no partiality to personal
status or public stature of respondents in its quest for what is true,
right and just. In fact, it is now public knowledge that the High
Court has been lately taking the high moral ground in looking for
and safeguarding the intent of the law.
There is no mistaking that the Supreme Court now is no longer
contended by merely passively waiting for the submission of
evidence but has in effect taken a pro-active stance in the resolution
of celebrated cases. It is enough to recall the Summit it called
recently in order to have a better judicial grasp of the odious and
infamous extrajudicial killings. Recently there is the adoption of the
Habeas Data provision in response to cases of “disappearances”
through abductions shamelessly perpetrated, or so everybody
believes, precisely by those walking in at the halls of power.
It would be great if the celebrated Plunder Case recently resolved
by the Sandiganbayan would be appealed to the Supreme Court for
a final and executory sentence. Considering its obtaining integrity,
courage and competence, there could be no tenable cause to doubt
the merit of its decision. When the national leadership has its hands
inpracticallyallsubordinatedgovernmentinstitutionsandagencies
ultimatelytomaneuvertheirmoves,thecountrystillhasachampion
in the defense and promotion of the common good as the sum total
of the good of the citizens of the land.
ISSN 1908-2940
CBCP Monitor
P r o ta g o n i s t
of
Tr u t h ,
Promoter
of
Peace
Pedro C. Quitorio
Kris P. Bayos
Associate Editor
Feature Editor
Melo M. Acuña
Rowena T. Dalanon
Managing Editor
Marketing Supervisor
Dennis B. Dayao
Ernani M. Ramos
On-Line Editor
Circulation Manager
Roy Q. Lagarde
Marcelita Dominguez
News Editor
Comptroller
The CBCP Monitor is published fortnightly by the CBCP
Communications Development Foundation, Inc., with
editorial and business of fices at 470 Gen. Luna St.,
Intramuros, Manila. P.O. Box 3601, 1076 MCPO.
Editorial: (063) 404-2182. Business: (063)404-1612.
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.cbcpworld.net/cbcpmonitor
Layout by Denz Dayao
Editor-in-Chief
Pinky Barrientos, FSP
David’s music and presence, his dancing or
body language refresh Saul’s feelings and
the evil spirit departs from him (1 Sam. 16/
14, 21-23). In this way David has found favor before King Saul. The happy attitude
of David expressed by his body language
and surely by the happy look on his face, is
contagious. The inner feeling of David determines David’s performance before King
Saul, and they in turn change the attitude
of King Saul and his performance. Attitude
is an inward feeling expressed by behavior. It
can be seen, it can be felt without a word
being said. Attitude may be hidden, but
body language shows it.
“God sees not as man sees, because man looks at
the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the
heart” (1 Sam. 16/7). The heart or the mind
which God directly sees cannot hide from
God man’s true intentions or plans. On the
other hand, man who looks at the outward
appearance can sometimes be deceived or
misled. While it is true that we should not all
the time judge people by their appearance,
yet oftentimes a man’s actions betray his real
attitude. His actions become the “window of
the soul” through which we see the inner feeling expressed by his behavior.
An attitude can sometimes be masked
outwardly. A person can live a “masked
life” putting on different masks to fit the
occasion, to hide his real self. People who
see his outward appearance are deceived.
But usually cover-ups do not last long. The
performance, the deceit, the lie or dishonesty will soon betray the attitude. And the
real attitude, which has a way of struggling
its way out, will explain the performance.
Questioning the aggressive
promotion of HPV vaccines
Would that the Supreme Court of the Philippines under the
leadership of the present Chief Justice stay in course in being the
court of last recourse of the people who maybe fooled, exploited
or trampled upon by some discredited, distrusted and disrespected
high officials.
FOREIGN-OWNED pharmaceuticals are
once again promoting aggressively their
products. Cervarix, a vaccine against the
sexually-transmitted
human
papillomavirus (HPV) developed by
GlaxoSmithKline, was recently launched
in Manila following the launch last year of
Gardasil, another HPV vaccine developed
and marketed by Merck. Cervarix and
Gardasil, which are being marketed with a
lot of media hype, are touted to be 100%
effective against certain strains of HPV, believed to be responsible for some 70% of
cervical cancers.
In the United States, Merck is pushing to
have the FDA-approved Gardasil mandatory
for all children as young as nine who attend
public schools. “Pre-teens have very robust
immune responses to vaccines,” argues a
Merck’s spokesperson. So far, Virginia and
Texas have signed bills making Gardasil
mandatory. Cervarix, on the other hand, has
still to be approved in the U.S. and the EU.
Merck’s PR blitz comes as no surprise
considering that Gardasil has a peak revenue potential of $2B to $4B, assuming that
the States will make it mandatory.
But inoculating pre-adolescent girls for
a sexually-transmitted virus has raised
many concerns for parents, patient advocates, and Christian groups. For example,
a survey of 1,600 mothers and fathers published in the journal Pediatrics found that
35 percent are against having their child
inoculated. Rightly so, their protests rest
on fundamental issues of necessity, safety,
ethics, and morality.
Attitude results in
performance
“An attitude,” writes John C. Maxwell in
his book “The Winning Attitude,” is “the
advance-man of our true selves; it is our
best friend or our worst enemies; … an
outward look based on past experience …
it draws people to us or repels them from
us … an attitude is never content until it is
expressed … an attitude is the librarian of
the past, the speaker of the present, the
prophet of the future.”
John C. Maxwell also writes, “Do you feel
the world is treating you well? If your attitude towards the world is excellent, you
will receive excellent results. If you feel soso about the world, your response from the
world will be average. Feel badly about
your world and you will seem to have only
negative feedback from life.”
We are each responsible for our view of
life. Our attitude and action towards life
help determine what happens to us. As St.
Paul writes: “A man will reap only what he
sows” (Gal. 6/7). Two salesmen of shoes
were sent to an island to sell shoes. The
first salesman was shocked to find that no
one in the island wore shoes. So he called
the home-office: “I will return home tomorrow. No one here wears shoes.” The second
salesman however was excited by the same
situation. And so he wired the home office:
“Please send me 10,000 pairs of shoes. Everyone here needs shoes.” A person’s attitude, his view of the situation, determines
his performance.
[Recommended reading: John C. Maxwell, The Winning Attitude . Published in
Nashville, Tennessee, by Thomas Nelson,
Inc. 1993]
Sr. Mary Pilar Verzosa, RGS
For one thing, these drugs work against
4 out of 100 HPV strains, and only 2 out of
these 4 strains affected by this drug have
been related to cervical cancer. These are
drugs that affect a small subset of viruses
that are transmitted through sexual contact. Thus, if a young girl is not going to
have sex, there is no reason for her to be
given the drug. In addition, Barbara Loe
Fisher , president of the National Vaccine
Information Center questions the need for
a mandatory HPV vaccine when regular
pap smears on women could catch the HPV
early before it develops into cancer.
In the last six months of 2006, Vaccine
Adverse Reporting System (VAERS) received 385 cases on adverse effects of
Gardasil requiring additional medical attention, a third of which were children 16
years and younger. VAERS is a programme
co-sponsored by the FDA and the Center
for Disease Control. In a worst case scenario, the Washington-based Judicial
Watch reported the deaths of three young
women, the youngest only 12 years old,
tied up to the use of the vaccine.
Ms. Fisher’s further statement on the
safety of vaccines is likewise disturbing.
She observes that American kids’ vaccine
doses against various diseases have
doubled since the 1980s, and during that
time, there has been an increase in the
number of autism, attention deficit and hyperactive disorder, learning disabilities,
asthma, and diabetes in which vaccines
could be a contributing factor.
In the meantime, the Texas Catholic
Love Life
Bishops has asked the Texan governor to
rescind his executive order making the
Gardasil mandatory. Their statement cites
parental concern about their daughters’ innocence, the possibility of encouraging promiscuity, and giving young girls a false
sense of security regarding sexually transmitted disease. Echoing Ms. Fisher, they
suggest that it is not the only avenue for
disease prevention. Indeed, as the bishops
emphasize, the most effective way to avoid
contracting the virus is to abstain from
sexual relations before marriage and to remain faithful within the marriage. And together with the Concerned Women of
America, they maintain that the choice to
have a child immunized against HPV must
ultimately rest with the parent.
And yet, through all the public debate
on this very important issue, the Philippine
Bureau of Food and Drug, having approved
the marketing of Gardasil last year, have,
once again, recently approved, post-haste,
the marketing of Cervarix, making the Philippines the only one so far among the Asian
countries to do so.
Before we allow these big pharmaceuticals to foist these drugs upon us, it is perhaps wise and prudent for us to first look
into the hidden truth behind the media hype
so we can address the issues raised by those
who, like the United States, have learned
some lessons from past experience.
For truly, is HPV vaccine good for our
children? Or, as Ms. Fisher so aptly puts it,
is it this just “profit-making on the backs
of nine-year-old girls?”
CBCP Monitor
Opinion
Vol. 11 No. 19
September 17 - 30, 2007
Jose B. Lugay
Laiko Lampstand
THE Gawad Kalinga phenomenal success in
building homes for the poor was originally
a social outreach for the poor by the organization Couples for Christ, which started in
1995. To date, with the progress of the implementation of their GK777 target declared in
2003 i.e., to build 700,000 homes in 70,000
communities in 7 years, and with the support of many interested sponsors donating
funds for the project, in due time they will
be successful in meeting the GK777 targets.
Then in 2006, Gawad Kalinga and Tony
Meloto, head Elder, received the prestigious
honor of the Ramon Magsaysay Award both
for community service and as an individual.
Another award was given to him—the Philippine Daily Inquirer Award as the Most
Outstanding Filipino of the year 2006. While
Gawad Kalinga was mentioned as a project of
Couples for Christ chaired by Frank Padilla,
the focus of the awards was Tony Meloto’s
achievement.
Last June 22 during CFC’s 26th anniversary,
the election of the new officers, that is, of the
Elders Assembly of Couples for Christ, was
held. Prior to this there were separate meetings held between CFC elders siding with
Frank Padilla and those with Tony Meloto at
the invitation of the member bishops of the
CBCP Episcopal Commission on the Lay
Apostolate. The Bishops recommended that
the elections be postponed (to avoid the
break-up) until such time that agreement on
both sides could be reached. Frank Padilla’s
concern was that Gawad Kalinga was veering
away from CFC’s mission. He expressed,
“The basic danger is that GK will become a SOCIAL work that has lost its SPIRITUAL foundation. Couples for Christ because of Gawad Kalinga
is veering away from the vision/mission of CFC
and from Catholic teachings and because of
Gawad Kalinga’s enough manpower and resources are not given to the other ministries
of CFC, like evangelization and catechesis”.
Coming out with this grave accusation and
the breaking away of Couples for Christ from
Gawad Kalinga now that it has gained international recognition, is a big concern for the
Catholic Laity in general.
Despite the Bishops’ advice to the two factions to postpone the elections, which formalizes the leadership control of Gawad
Kalinga, and to deliberate further on the resolution of their problem, the elections were
held and there are now two factions, Gawad
Kalinga and Couples for Christ for Family
and Life. This puts a dilemma on the Vatican
recognition of Couples for Christ. Ironically,
not even the Council of the Laity under the
Episcopal Commission on the Lay
Shameless and
hopeless
IF the reports and statements about the now
infamous ZTE broadband deal were true—
and there are indications and arguments to
that effect—it has to be admitted with great
pity that the present administration is
shameless, and the country is thus hopeless.
In addition to many scandalous graft and
corruption in government that insults the
intelligence of many and assault the sensibility of the general public, the said deceitful transaction has effectively made the personalities therein involved as consummate
national liabilities. Unless they make a repentant about-face from their sins against
the people—and there are clear indications
that they would not—their life would be
their curse and their death would be their
unrest.
Where will it stop? The corruption that
has become endemic to the present government has received a distinct mention in the
DADITAMA
AFTER a year of introducing our All-NFP
program in nine pilot parishes in the archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, I am heartened
to note the positive response of many
couple-users as well as provider-counselors
for the program. It is in this light that I have
requested our NFP trainors to expand this
program to all parishes that are ready and
interested.
“All-NFP” in our program carries three
connotations: (1) We are including all modern methods of NFP; (ii) We would like to
reach out to all kapilyas and households; and
(iii) We are promoting NFP all the way, i.e.,
without any admixture of artificial contraceptives.
In this respect, I would like to make some
clarifications in response to questions raised
about our All-NFP program.
a) As a church program, we do not condone the use of “back-up” contraceptive
Laiko / A6
Views and Points
and the Senate combined, appear incapable
of making the Executive Department toe the
line of veracity, probity and propriety. It as
to be admitted that evil is not that easy to
dispel.
When will it stop? This question merely
brings to fore one painful question: Will the
shamelessness perceived appended to the
administration and the hopelessness popularly felt by the county as a whole stop only
by 2010 if the law had its way, or before by
a fortuitous event? Or not even after, by force
of machinations against the existing Constitutions of the Land? No matter what will
stop it, how and when, the fact remains that
meantime, these are not hopeful times,
much less peaceful and happy days.
One thing is certain: The relatively long
existing truly frustrating and at times even
disgusting Philippine situation cannot but
eventually end—somehow, sometime.
Guidelines concerning political
involvement of the lay leaders
the electoral process. The Diocese of Tagum
and Mati use the term “resign” while the
Diocese of Davao and Digos use “leave of
absence.” The manner of relinquishment is,
in some instance, automatic or as formal as
requiring a written document. After the elections, the lay church leader is not sure
whether he/she can still resume his ministry in the Church. The manner and criteria
for re-commissioning the “resigned” or “on
leave” lay leader is not clear in some instances.
4. A number of lay participants questioned
the abovementioned local regulation. It was
perceived as inconsistent with the right and
duty of the lay faithful, as well as the encouragement by the Church to precisely exercise
this right and duty. The regulation even came
across to some as offensive and punitive. This
was, at least, recognized and acknowledged
by most, if not all.
5. The local regulation has been established
in Daditama because of past experiences
where the lay leaders who ran for civil office
became the cause of division among the
church organization or the Christian community undermining the primary role of
church leaders in being at the service of unity
among peoples. Furthermore, it has been
experienced in the past that one’s position in
All-Natural family planning:
A realizable dream
Apostolate has a direct line to the Vatican.
Couples for Christ, through Mr. Frank Padilla
was able to get that privilege from the Pontifical Council for the Laity. In its statutes, it
states, “Couples for Christ (CFC) is a private international association of the faithful of pontifical
right recognized by the Pontifical Council of the
Laity. It is committed to the work of global evangelization and renewal, with the goal of winning the world for Jesus Christ through the power
of the Holy Spirit”
This break away from the mother organization is not the first incident of its kind. In
the 1950’s, the Christian Family Movement
was brought to the Philippines by Pat and
Patty Crawley of Chicago bringing with
them the Inquiry Method (Observe-JudgeAct) of Cardinal Joseph Cardijn. This was
adopted by the Christian Family Movement
headed by Tony and Teresa Nieva here in
the Philippines. In 1969, Fr. Gabriel Calvo of
Spain introduced the Marriage Encounter
(ME). The evangelization process was very
much liked by Filipino couples hence the
Marriage Encounter groups grew rapidly.
Quoting from CFMs 50 th Anniversary Book,
A Journey of 50 Years, the breaking away of
an apostolate group is described:
“The first local Marriage Encounter was held
Oscar V. Cruz, DD
whole of Asia, not too long ago. The same
corruption has been in fact affirmed by the
Filipinos themselves quite recently. This
standing fact in the Philippines may no
longer be belittled much less denied even
by expert Malacañang apologist. In this case,
it is not enough to clean but the base of the
pyramid of scandals in this government. The
cleaning, if this were still at all possible,
must start from its top. And whereas this is
very unlikely, people should not hold their
breath waiting for government honesty and
integrity. Disgust and repulsion would only
be their inevitable lot.
How will it stop? With the infamy of lying, cheating and stealing popularly appended to the still existing administration,
it is quite unlikely that the consequent graft
and corruption therewith affiliated would
stop during its whole existence. For all intents and purposes, even the Supreme Court
Bp. Guillermo V. Afable, DD
DURING the quarterly Daditama Assembly
last September 5-6 in the City of Mati, an
important issue was discussed in the light of
the last national elections and in view of the
upcoming Barangay and SK Elections in October. Participants were asked to share and
discuss the issue of the political involvement
of the lay church leaders. The following were
underlined.
1. Church teaching and Church law underscores the right and duty of lay faithful to
actively participate in politics. Consequently, Church law does not also inhibit
the lay faithful to exercise their right and
duty.
2. All of Daditama encourages our lay
church leaders to give Christian witness, by
word and deed, in the arena of politics. They
should run for office if necessary or support
wholeheartedly those candidates who are
deemed trustworthy, in the light of the guidelines provided by their local hierarchy. Thus,
the Church through these lay faithful may
render positive contribution in bringing
about a new culture in Philippine Politics.
3. Lay church leaders in Daditama, however, who choose to actively participate in
the electoral process, are asked to give up
their offices and ministry during and after
The CFC – GK strife
and the rest of the laity
the Church was used by some lay leaders for
their own political purposes to the disadvantage of other members of the faithful who
did not have such positions. Above all, the
more significant reason for the regulation is
the recognition that politics is a proper arena
of apostolate and ministry for the laity that
needs their utmost dedication and commitment just as much as to their church ministry. Thus, the laity should be afforded the
utmost time and space for this apostolate by
relinquishing their church leadership’s role
and function.
Obviously, the issue seems to have been
thoroughly discussed. However, further refinement of the local pastoral guidelines or
regulations need to evolve in the light of
changed circumstances and always in consonance with Church’s social teaching regarding the apostolate of the laity in social transformation.
Copies of the Moral Catechesis on Political Exercise (Cebuano), authored by Fr. Juan Macalisang
of the Diocese of Digos was shared with the different dioceses. Those who are interested to secure
copies will please send your request through email
address: [email protected]
My
email
address:
[email protected]
Abp. Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ, DD
Pastoral Companion
methods during period of abstinence for the
Standard Days Method. We promote NFP
as a way of life that abides by the natural
fertility rhythm of the human body through
periodic abstinence—i.e., without Drugs,
Injections, Devices or Operations (no DIDO).
As a matter of fact, a considerable number
of our SDM-users have reported shifting
from the use of contraceptives to SDM-NFP
as their personal choice.
b) We do not subscribe to the
government’s “population control” program. As a church-based program, our AllNFP program is unreservedly pro-life and
promotes the goal of responsible parenthood. It is precisely by promoting All-NFP
that we hope to provide a positive alternative to the use of contraceptives and the evils
of abortion.
c) We have withdrawn a memo of agreement between local government and a
church-based organization to emphasize the
point that we are not under the government’s
program. (In fact, the aborted memo was
intended to ensure that government agencies would promote only NFP methods). At
any rate, we shall continue to dialogue with
government agencies that are interested to
promote NFP methods. This is part of our
evangelizing mission to bring Christian
family values into the market place.
d) We welcome the continuing support
of volunteers who teach the earlier-known
NFP methods. We only ask all NFP advocates not to hinder the couple’s right to information with regard to added options in
terms of simplified NFP methods. Making
available the information on a broad range
of scientifically-based NFP methods and respecting the couples’ freedom of choice is,
to my mind, a pastoral imperative for the
archdiocese.
A5
Nicolo F. Bernardo
Lifeguard
Turn East
TABOOS on divorce, same-sex marriage, artificial contraception, and premarital sex are often stereotyped as Catholic squeamish. But this oversimplified take overlooks the objections
being raised by Eastern faiths as well, which will be the topic
of the coming 14th Asia-Pacific Congress on Faith, Life, and
Family in Thailand. Buddhists and Hindus will be among the
participants and lecturers. The interfaith event could be a strategic stride considering the common goal among religions for
strong family ties, an ethic of life, and the natural family.
If it surprises some that John Paul II, a celibate, had written a
lot on the ethics of sex, it should be no less surprising that the
Hindu Vatsyayanna, the author of the Kama Sutra, was a lifelong celibate and ascetic! Like John Paul, Vatsyayana had noble
reasons in mind when he wrote the Kama Sutra, despite the
rehashing of modern adaptations. He taught that human sex is
different from that of animals and therefore must be elevated
through art. Marriage is sacred and its consummation must
have its share of rituals. For marriage to last, women should
know how to attract their husbands, hence his advices. The text
stresses love, as distinct from desire or passion. Hinduism idealizes monogamy, taking the faithful Rama and his chaste Sita
as models in the story of Ramayana.
Contraception and abortion are among the few things the
Kama Sutra refuses to give recipes. Vatsyayana felt that either
procedure disturbs the natural symmetry of reincarnation,
death, and rebirth. For this reason too, the Hindus neither allow artificial reproduction by insemination or test-tube babymaking. For them, the only allowed method of family planning is brahmacharya or sexual continence.
International Hindu author Jagad Guru Siddhaswarupananda
Paramahamsa (Chris Butler) explains that “even sex in marriage is considered illicit if it is engaged in simply for sense
gratification and not procreation.” Hindu reformist Mohandas
Gandhi thus was known for being a staunch opponent of the
Planned Parenthood Federation in India, saying: “How is the
suspension of procreation to be brought about? Not by immoral and artificial checks that are resorted to in Europe, but
by a life of discipline and self-control…it is a sin to bring forth
unwanted children, but…a greater sin to avoid the consequences
of one’s own actions.”
Hinduism considers marriage as a sacrament (samkara), just
like Catholicism. Since marriage was regarded from the time
of the Vedas as a form of sacrifice, there is no excuse to dissolve
it. The individual has the responsibility to maintain the mutual partnership in the “visible” and “invisible” world. The
concept of “soulmates” is strong in Hinduism, where partners
must purify together their souls as they are believed to transmigrate into the next life still as a pair. The first act of creation,
according to Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, occurred when the primordial seed realized that “he was alone: he did not enjoy: one
alone does not enjoy: he desired a second, and became like
man and woman in close embrace.”
The story echoes the original solitude of Adam in the Bible.
Meanwhile, the Buddhist Dhamma text of Sri Dhammananda
defines that “marriage is a bond of partnership for life entered
into by a man or a woman.” Marriage is a lifetime bond where
divorce and premarital sex are taboo. This explains their low
incidences in Buddhist cultures like China, Korea, and
Singapore. Divorce is only permitted because of human constraints, “though the necessity would scarcely arise if the
Buddha’s injunctions were strictly followed,” says
Dhammananda. Marriage is a “an institution created by man
for his well-being and happiness…to maintain order and harmony in the process of procreation”
Buddhism maintains that there must be no thought of either man or woman being superior; each is complementary
to each other in a partnership of equality. Therefore if a man
demands fidelity from the wife, he must be willing to give
the same to his partner. The Buddha realized that one of the
main causes of man’s downfall is his involvement with other
women (parabhava sutta).
For Buddhists, birth control is accepted so long as no killing is involved, no akusala kamma, no abortifacient used. But
more than this, Buddhists celebrate life. Conception is viewed
as an instance of collective karma, indicating a karmic affinity or association between mother, father, and child in countless past lives.
Natural family planning, with its required periods of abstinence, is more in conjunction to the Buddhist way of life. Buddhists are called to refrain from sexual gluttony. According to
Elizabeth Abbot in the History of Celibacy, the Buddha “exhorted
spouses to be faithful to each other and, at the very least, strive
for periods of sexual abstinence.”
In 1996, the Dalai Lama, while accepting people with homosexual tendencies, affirmed Buddhism’s objection to homosexual activities, saying: “A sexual act is deemed proper
when the couples use the organs intended for sexual intercourse and nothing else. Homosexuality, whether it is between men or women, is not improper in itself. What is improper is the use of organs already defined as inappropriate
for sexual contact.” (Beyond Dogma, 46). The Hindu Jagad Guru
opines that homosexual activity has become acceptable today
because of the “hedonistic” culture. Homosexuality “eliminates the hassles that come with having sex…such as supporting the wife and children and having responsibilities in married life.” Such a person escapes from the duty of encountering the woman, of bearing and uniting with her.
All these similarity of sentiments with Christianity speaks
of a common threshold of values. The culture of life based on
natural law is indeed for every man, woman, and child, regardless of religion, culture, or race. If in the West, family
values seem at a lost, we can turn to where the sun rises. This
is a strategy conceived by John Paul II during UN conferences
on population and the family, but is hardly maintained in
national or local levels despite the “commonwealth” of traditions. In this cultural battle, Buddhism and Hinduism may
yet offer the pro-life movement a new voice, a new face, a
new ally.
How then do we envision the expansion of our All-NFP program?
(1) All-NFP should be viewed as a separate program with its own
modules and training manuals. It is a program of our Christian Family and Life Apostolate, but should go beyond present CFLA structures and personnel. There is need to train many more providers for
every kapilya and to reach out to interested couples even in the remotest areas.
(2) We also invite religious lay organizations to promote All-NFP
among their members as well as in the localities where they are
present. In particular, I am encouraging the Catholic Women’s League
to train providers among their ranks and to spearhead NFP promotion in pilot areas after notifying the parish priest and parish council
members.
(3) Ideally, each parish arranges or an initial orientation talk on
All-NFP for all parish leaders and kapilya representatives (e.g. durPastoral / A6
Local News
A6
Laoag faithful
condemns killing of
Father Rigonan
THE Diocesan Commission on Lay Apostolate
(DCLA) of Laoag condemned in no uncertain terms
the killing of Rev. Fr. Florante Rigonan, pastor of St.
Isidore Parish Church. In a statement sent to
CBCPNews, the DCLA said “the death of Apo Flor is a
great and irreplaceable loss for us lay faithful.”
The statement said their members “grieve to see
Apo Flor lying in his cold casket instead of continuing the selfless service that the first Filipino saint
Lorenzo Ruiz exemplified.”
Fr. Florante Rigonan was shot to death by still unidentified men last August 30, at a village in Pinili
town after a visit to a regular parish benefactor.
“The murder of Apo Flor reawakens us on the
present state of our consciousness as a people” for “it
strikes on our utter indifference to the incessant calls of
our church for justice and peace,” the statement added.
They described the killing as “a testament to our longoverdue and plaintive woes over many unresolved senseless killings in our Diocese (which includes Laoag City
and all towns of Ilocos Norte province), and the proliferation of loose firearms that led to these killings.”
The DCLA statement added “as lay faithful, we are
guilty of being part of these crimes unless we do not
exert efforts to eliminate them” as “we have become
a community of unrepentant and daring criminals,
innocent and helpless victims, indifferent and distant
spectators, and a weak and inefficient government.”
The statement acknowledged sheer apathy and
neglect resulted to “so many alarming incidents, we
have allowed so much evil to happen in our Diocese”
and due to negligence and indifference, “we have
caused the death of Apo Flor—an extreme commission of sacrilege against our own Church.”
The DCLA called on the faithful “if we are to deem
our rightful place in the Church, let not our conscience
rest until that day that the conspirators and perpetrators of this crime—true murderers, not fall guys, are
brought to justice.”
“We hereby charge our government officials and
the police authorities, who are also our fellow lay
faithful, to speed-up the investigation and bring to
justice whoever has taken part in this deliberate evil
act,” the statement added.
The commission said they are tired of seeing so
much “innocent blood shed because of countless negligence, hefty excuses and irrational, excessive desires; let Apo Flor’s be the last.”
The DCLA statement was signed by its President
Winifred S. Velasco.
In an interview over Catholic-run Veritas 846, Police Chief Supt. Leopoldo Bataoil, PNP Region 1 Director, said his operatives at the Ilocos Norte Provincial Police are still investigating the brutal murder.
“Rest assured of our best efforts to investigate the
case,” Bataoil said. (Melo Acuna)
Catholic leaders reflect on 9-11
AS the world remembers the fateful terrorist attacks
on World Trade Center six years ago, Catholic leaders
in the Philippines shared their views on the series of
tragic events that changed the political spectrum and
altered military strategies.
CBCP President and Jaro Archbishop Angel
Lagdameo said he hopes the 9-11 attacks be the last in
our history.
“May we no longer have a repeat of the 9-11 terrorist attacks in the future,” the archbishop said.
Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz said
there are “three realities” that have always been fatal
to the world and these are “wrong religions, wrong
values and wrong knowledge.”
Kalookan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez, Jr. said the 9-
11 incident, “showed the vulnerability of the world
power (United States of America) and its immature
overreaction.”
Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra said “God forbid!
May it (9-11 attacks) not be repeated.” He added “as
we pray for the souls and the loved ones of those who
perished, let’s contribute to the peace and security of
all through our upright and God-fearing lives.
Former Jesuit Provincial Fr. Romeo Intengan, Jr. said
“it is very sad that anyone would kill fellow human
beings, including fellow Muslims, in God’s name.”
He added “there was less chance that 9-11 would
happen had the United States of America been fair and
evenhanded in its treatment of Israel and the Palestinians.” (Melo Acuna)
WITH former President Joseph
Ejercito Estrada’s conviction of
plunder by the special anti-graft
court known as Sandiganbayan,
Catholic leaders expressed hopes
the ruling should be considered a
warning sign that nobody is above
the law.
CBCP President and Jaro Archbishop Angel N. Lagdameo, said
in a statement “we respect it (the
decision) as a human judgment by
a human court tasked precisely to
examine the case.”
He added they look at it “also as
a call to repentance and a call for
change or conversion affecting not
only the person of President
Estrada but also many others in
our government.” He further said
“the one who will profit from the
good fruit of such a decision or
judgment is no less than the country itself which is known to have
been suffering from all kinds of
graft and corruption and plunder.”
The CBCP President said they
are praying for (former) President
Estrada “that he may have the
THE Catholic Church will lead a
discussion on climate change at the
College of the Holy Spirit in Manila on September 22-23.
The Archdiocese of Manila Ecology Desk organized the event, together with the Columban Fathers,
Lingkod Tao Kalikasan Foundation
Inc., and other partner institutions.
The lecture is entitled “Global
Warming, Hamon sa Sambayanang
Kristiyano”.
The conference will see leading
national and international climate
change experts giving commentaries and interactive workshops.
In a statement posted at the Archdiocese of Manila’s website, the organizer said the event is primarily
aimed at examining the issues of
climate change and what the
people can do about it.
“The conference aims to raise the
consciousness of the faithful on the
serious condition of God’s creation
by understanding Global Warming and climate change in the light
of the social teachings of the
Church,” it said.
The concrete plan of action that
will be formed from the two-day
discussion will be carried out to
various parishes “to strengthen
and expand” environment programs of the archdiocese.
Manila Archbishop Gaudencio
Cardinal Rosales earlier urged his
flocks to join the event, saying that
all Filipinos have a moral duty to
look after the environment.
“As stewards of God’s creation,
we have a responsibility to uphold
its integrity, raise our voices
against its abuse, and act together
to promote its protection,” he said.
“I therefore enjoin all priests,
Marian / A1
Rosales / A1
KCFAPI / A1
He emphasized that KC members have the responsibility to assert their ministry as “living witnesses of the servant ministry that
Jesus performed in the Cross.”
After mass, KC State Deputies
Alonso L. Tan, Dionisio R. Esteban
Jr., and Sofronio R. Cruz, laid a
wreath of flowers at the foot of Fr.
Willmann’s statue amidst fireworks and music.
Ronulfo G. Infante, Chairperson
of Golden Jubilee Committee, officially unveiled the anniversary
logo and introduced to the public
the jubilee theme “KCFAPI: 50
Years of Fraternal Service”.
The KCFAPI theme song was
also presented and played to the
crowd. Fr. Carlo Magno, from the
Archdiocese of Manila Music Ministry composed the theme song that
reflects the family spirit and service
orientation of the organization.
The KCFAPI management also
handed down certificates of appreciation to employees who have
rendered 10 to 30 years of service
to the company.
here on earth—sooner or later. But
the end is inevitable. This is inevitable. This is infallible,” he added.
Cruz, the most outspoken of the
country’s Catholic bishops,
brought the issue of gambling to
the president’s doorway.
During the senate hearing in
2005, the prelate and his
whistleblowers—testified that Arroyo, her immediate family and
her associates had received money
from the illegal numbers racket.
He was the first to accuse Arroyo of using gambling money to
support her presidential campaign
in 2004.
He had been describing
Arroyo’s alleged links with
jueteng as “outrageous”, considering that she came to power after
the ouster of Estrada primarily on
the account of jueteng payolas.
“Jueteng is cruel. It is evil and
vile. On one hand, it is deceptive
and exploitative of already poor
people who even gamble away
their few pesos. On the other hand,
jueteng is corruptive of public officials and thus destructive of their
honor and integrity,” said Cruz.
“Meantime, the known jueteng
lords and operators have all the
fun, exercise great influence and
become the untouchables in this
country,” he also said.
According to Cruz, jueteng is
currently alive and strong especially in Regions 1 to 5.
“Practically anybody and everybody know this—except those who
should precisely know it and must
do something to stop it,” he added.
(Roy Lagarde)
on the night of December 30, 1941,
three days after Sto. Domingo
Church in Intramuros was
bombed by invading Japanese
forces during World War II. The
much-venerated image was left
unharmed because it had been
placed in a vault for safekeeping.
On October 10, 1954, a Marian
year, she was brought to her new
shrine in Quezon City.
Rei Nicolas of the Museo de
Santo Domingo in Santo
Domingo Church, Quezon City
conceptualized and designed the
exhibit. Various prints, paintings
and sculptures were borrowed
from collectors Tom Joben,
Jerome de Jesus, Noel Abquilan,
Gino Marasigan, Manny Castro,
Dr. Jojo Valencia, Jun Manaban
and Marian devotees from San
Fernando, Pampanga and
Quezon City.
A unique batik painting of the
Santisimo del Rosario (Our Lady of
Holy Rosary) was commissioned
from Sri Lanka, courtesy of Fr.
Napoleon Sipalay, OP.
Bro. Jessie Yap, OP, Jamis
Patrick Jaring, and Peter Paul
Nicolas did lots of researches for
the exhibit.
Fr. Ernesto Arceo, rector of UST
will open and bless the exhibit.
Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, OP, chair
of the centennial celebrations and
Manila Vice-Mayor Isko Moreno
will be present at the inauguration rites.
The exposition runs until October 14. (Santosh Digal)
Pastoral / A5
Laiko / A5
ing the Parish Coordinating
Council meeting) in order to
have a common understanding
of the goals and NFP methods
being introduced. This would
then prepare the stage for a
weekend training seminar for
providers that would come from
various kapilyas .
In retrospect, we can view our
All-NFP program as a continuation and expansion of the
archdiocese’s earlier efforts in
promoting natural family planning. As we now try to realize our
dream in extending this program
to all parishes and all kapilyas, it
would be good to keep in mind
that our foremost concern is to
help Catholic, as well as other,
couples make an informed and
responsible choice with regard to
natural family planning and the
goals of responsible parenthood.
Working together, in lighting one
candle after another, is our way
of being proactive, pro-family and
pro-life.
during a weekend conducted by Fr.
Reuben Tanseco, S.J., and Sito and
Sony Sison with other CFM officers
at the Loyola Retreat House in
Angono, Rizal, in October 1969. Soon
after, it was replicated in Metro Manila, Baguio City, Batangas, Quezon,
Cebu and Davao.
“To meet the growing demand,
several priests and encountered
couples were trained to conduct the
weekend for CFMers as well as nonCFMers. Among the latter were
members of a Catholic charismatic
community called Ligaya ng
Panginoon (The Lord’s Joy). After
some time, its spiritual director, Fr.
Herbert Schneider, S.J., expressed
the desire of its encountered members to make their follow-up activity
a charismatic prayer meeting. Fr.
Schneider requested CFM assistance
in formulating a suitable program.
So was born one of the earlier charismatic groups which evolved into
Couples for Christ whose first meetings were held in Quezon City.”
This was not the end of the
Jueteng / A1
Seminarians / A1
“She asked me if I was aware of
the ongoing crisis inside the San
Carlos Seminary compound,”
Villegas said.
The prelate said he was told of a
military plan to flush Atty. Ong and
Sgt. Doble out of the seminary.
Villegas stressed he was alarmed
of possible scenarios “about endangering the lives of our seminarians.”
He said he was asked if he could
help defuse the tension and he committed to do everything to protect
the seminarians.
Bishop Villegas said he reluctantly took the military helicopter
that fetched him from Bataan to
Camp Emilio Aguinaldo in Quezon
City and was briefed of the actual
situation and while on the way to
San Carlos Seminary, he called
Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales to seek his blessings
and was “admonished to exhaust
all means to avoid violence.”
He said Sgt. Doble seemed skeptical of his presence at the complex.
Villegas said he allowed Sgt. Doble
to talk to his wife who later asked
to be brought to his family at Camp
Emilio Aquinaldo.
“I wish to state categorically that
I did what I did because of my love
and concern for our distressed and
confused seminarians whose building was trespassed and whose seminary rhythm and priestly discipline
were distracted,” Villegas said.
He added he got into the picture
“for our seminarians not for anyone in government.”
He said he did take Doble out of
San Carlos Seminary complex because it was part of being bishop
“whose main duty is to be a father
to his priests and future priests.”
Villegas added “if there was indeed to be military operations in
the seminary to bring Mr. Doble
and Atty. Ong that day, I wanted to
be with our seminarians and priests
at the moment of crisis to assure
them, to console them and tell them
I was ready to die with them.”(Melo
Acuna)
spiritual strength to face the new
situation which is not beyond the
reach of divine mercy.”
Manila Archbishop Gaudencio
Cardinal Rosales said the
Sandiganbayan decision elicits
three impressions. In a statement
released to the media, Cardinal
Rosales said “the law is to be respected and part of the law is the
provision to appeal to the higher
court for reconsideration, for a
lesser verdict or pardon, etc.” He
said this should be the alternative
“instead of settling the score in the
streets or elsewhere.”
He added “the verdict, even if
still appealable, should remind all
that the privileged authority to
lead and to serve is always, and
without exception, for the welfare
of the people served.” He said this
should be a constant reminder to
the people elected or appointed to
serve and the moral in this is “BE
MORAL.”
The Archbishop of Manila further said “as we sympathize with
the former president in the con-
tinuing learning story of his life,
we also include him in prayer for
the virtues of humility and patience.”
Former CBCP President Archbishop Oscar Cruz of LingayenDagupan said “the Estrada verdict
was right though current President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has a lot
of blunders.”
He added “if the court already
passed judgment on a former president, convicting future chief executives would be easier.”
Isabela (Basilan) Bishop Martin
Jumoad said the law is hard but it
is the law and reconciliation is too
far because “the offender has to be
punished as equality must be the
policy.”
The bishop from Basilan added
“with the verdict rendered by
Sandiganbayan, it has strengthened the foundations of our judicial system and has proven nobody
is above the law.” He called on
Estrada sympathizers to accept the
verdict however painful. (Melo
Acuna)
Manila Confab to tackle climate change
He said mining should not be
allowed in areas where watersheds would be severely affected. Agricultural areas and
fishing grounds should not be
placed at risk for it would directly affect the residents’ livelihood. “Ancestral domain should
not be encroached,” he further
said.
He suggested alternative
sources of livelihood would be
more beneficial for Palawan,
considered the country’s “last
frontier.” He said agriculture is
one good alternative to mining.
Asked why no foreign companies expressed interest in agriculture business in Palawan,
Bishop Arigo said “nobody
would like to invest as most
companies would like to cash in
on minerals instead.”
Jubilee activities
KCFAPI Executive Vice-President Theresa Curia said the launching activities and subsequent jubilee updates “aim not only to inform but to promote KCFAPI and
its successes to all members of the
Association, the Order and the general public as well.”
A year long series of activities
dubbed as Big 8 for 2008 are lined
up for the jubilee celebration which
will culminate with a Golden Jubilee Ball on September 13, 2008 at
the Manila Hotel. (Pinky
Barrientos, FSP)
Vol. 11 No. 19
September 17 - 30, 2007
Nobody is above the law, say
bishops on Estrada conviction
Bishop / A1
other well-recorded grave sociomoral liabilities,” he said.
Cruz, head of the People’s Crusade Against Gambling, cautioned
that there is always a judgment day
for everyone especially those who
relentlessly commit crimes.
He said Estrada’s plunder conviction because of his ties to jueteng
should serve as a warning to the
government to take the “national
shame” seriously.
“Jueteng is definitely not a small
issue. It proved nothing less than
the crime of plunder. It provided
the penalty of “reclusion
perpetua”. It even cancelled the
civil rights of an ex-chief executive
of the land,” said Cruz, who also
heads the archdiocese of LingayenDagupan.
“There is an end to everything
CBCP Monitor
As a people and as a country,
he said, “We are in a position to
do our part in addressing climate
change.”
Rosales pointed the need for
concerted effort to somehow
solve the problem and by making use of the country’s abundant
natural resources without doing
irreversible harm.
“On the individual level, we
need to inculcate energy efficiency
and energy conservation measures in our daily lives as well as
in our workplaces and communities,” he said.
He said using less electricity
and gasoline, planting trees, segregating garbage and turning
away from a highly consumerist
and wasteful lifestyle are the best
things people could do to save
the environment.
religious congregations, seminarians, all Catholic organizations
and institutions in the Archdiocese
and neighboring dioceses to take
part in this conference,” Rosales
added.
Speakers include Columban
missionary Fr. Sean McDonagh,
writer and international speaker
on varied environmental issues
and former Department of Agriculture official Dr. Rogelio Conception.
Manila Auxiliary Bishop
Broderick Pabillo will also lead a
concelebrated “ecologically inspired” Mass at the end of the program.
The participants will come from
parishes, Catholic schools, religious congregations and other
church organizations of the Manila
archdiocese. (Roy Lagarde)
The prelate also asked the government to take serious moves
in taking policy measures that
seek to address the extent and
impact of climate change.
While global scientists have
long warned about global warming, local environmentalists said
the issue was not given as much
attention in this country.
“On the national level, let us
call on government to encourage
and prioritize the use of renewable sources of energy which the
Philippines is abundantly blessed
with,” said Rosales.
“The warming of our planet is
not a natural occurrence; it is
mostly a man-made situation.
Unless we reform our ways,
there will be no miracles for us
in the future,” he added. (Roy
Lagarde)
Dominican / A1
Hospital in mind and with desire to assist with those preparations, the Master has asked his
Vicar over UST, Fr. Quirico
Pedregosa OP, to remain in office for the foreseeable future.
The Master has also named
former Rector of UST, Fr. Rolando
V. De La Rosa OP, as Acting Rector
(Article 12 of the General Statutes
of UST) until the office can be filled
in accordance with Article 10 of the
General Statutes of UST,” said the
statement, issued by UST Secretary
General, Fr. Isidro Albano, OP.
The Secretary General also said,
“The redevelopment project for the
UST Hospital will remain an important priority of UST.
Further studies will need to be
undertaken in order to find the
most effective redevelopment
plan.
The goal of redevelopment will
be to ensure that the UST Hospital
can continue to offer the highest educational standards of formation for
future doctors and other allied medical practitioners and the highest level
of medical care and service in both
its Clinical and Pay divisions.” (Melo
Acuna / Santosh Digal)
break-away phenomenon. Trying to improve on the M.E. Calvo
format, the Jesuit priests made
the Marriage Encounter groups
more relevant to the family challenges of the day especially when
they started using M.E. guidebooks for meetings addressing
local needs. With this success, the
original Marriage Encounter
apostolate broke away from the
Christian Family Movement.
Other family life groups like
Bukas Loob sa Diyos was formed
which split into another faction,
SERVIAM.
With these events that had transpired we pose the following
questions: Should the break-away
of an apostolate from the original organization be considered as
a normal phenomenon of
growth? What is the stand of
CBCP on this matter? While public associations are directly supervised by CBCP through
ECLA, Couples for Christ as a private association accessed world-
wide influence through the Pontifical Council of the Laity. Now
that there is an internal dissension, should it not be the duty of
the Pontifical Council of the Laity to mediate? Will the formation of the Couples for Christ for
Family and Life as a private association be under the direction
of the Episcopal Commission on
Family and Life or under the direction of the Episcopal Commission on the Lay Apostolate?
This break-up may possibly
diminish support for Gawad
Kalinga’s Housing for the Poor.
This will be a great disservice to
the poor, not only of GK projects
in the Philippines but also in
other parts of the world. The poor
and the hungry can not be evangelized without first having the
basic necessities of life, rice and
viand on the table, and roof over
their heads. To discontinue the
building of homes for the poor is
a greater roadblock to the evangelization of the laity.
CBCP Monitor
Features
Vol. 11 No. 19
September 17 - 30, 2007
A7
Abortion is “deep
wound,” says Pope
VIENNA, Austria, September 7,
2007—Abortion is not only a
“deep wound” in society, it is also
the antithesis of a human right,
says Benedict XVI.
The Pope delivered this message today to the members of
government and diplomatic
corps in Austria, during an address in the reception hall of
Vienna’s Hofburg Palace, the seat
of the Austrian presidency.
On the first day of the Holy
Father’s seventh international
apostolic trip, he called for the
defense of human rights: “The
fundamental human right, the
presupposition of every other
right, is the right to life itself.
“This is true of life from the
moment of conception until its
natural end. Abortion, conse-
quently, cannot be a human right
¯ it is the very opposite.”
“It is ‘a deep wound in society,’” the Pontiff said, recalling a
phrase often repeated by Cardinal Franz König, a former archbishop of Vienna who died in
2004.
Advocate
Benedict XVI continued: “In
stating this, I am not expressing
a specifically ecclesial concern.
Rather, I am acting as advocate
for a profoundly human need,
speaking out on behalf of those
unborn children who have no
voice.
“I do not close my eyes to the
difficulties and the conflicts
which many women are experi-
encing, and I realize that the credibility of what we say also depends on what the Church herself is doing to help women in
trouble.”
The Pope then appealed “to
political leaders not to allow children to be considered as a form
of illness, nor to abolish in practice your legal system’s acknowledgment that abortion is wrong.”
“I say this out of a concern for
humanity,” he clarified.
The Holy Father also made reference to euthanasia, or “actively
assisted death.”
He warned, “It is to be feared
that at some point the gravely ill
or elderly will be subjected to
tacit or even explicit pressure to
request death or to administer it
to themselves.” (Zenit)
Parents’ association in Spain calls for
resignation of Minister of Education
MADRID, Spain, September 14,
2007—The National Catholic
Confederation of Associations of
Parents of Students is calling for
the resignation of Spain’s Minister of Education and Science,
Mercedes Cabrera, over her incompetence in addressing the decline in education in the country.
The confederation’s call for
Cabrera’s resignation came after
a decision to allow students to
advance to the next grade even if
they fail four subjects.
In a statement, the confederation explained that the measure
adopted by Minister Cabrera
demonstrated her “incompetence” in providing a solution for
Spain’s failing schools, which
rank last in Europe.
According to the organization,
lowering the demands on students is “bad for everyone.” Students are less motivated to excel
academically and teachers feel
undermined and unappreciated.
Parents are discouraged in their
effort to teach kids the value of
studying hard. The confederation
also said the policy would result
in more kids having to repeat
grades and that repeating students would be mixed with students “who take their studies seriously.”
“A minister who does not have
decorum to acknowledge her ineptitude in combating the failure
of schools and in proposing realistic measures that are based on
effort, as other European countries like France and Great Britain have done, and who seems
more interested in indoctrinating
than in educating, has no other
solution than to resign,” the confederation said. (CNA)
Korean church officials warn about
meeting with Archbishop Milingo
SEOUL, South Korea, September
14, 2007—The Archdiocese of
Seoul has cautioned Catholics
against meeting or consulting
with the excommunicated Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo, who
is currently residing in South
Korea with his wife.
Archbishop Milingo is the
former archbishop of Lusaka,
Zambia. In a diocesan bulletin,
dated September 9, the archdiocese said lay Catholics must consult with their parish priests if
they are invited to any meetings
with the excommunicated prelate.
Milingo is promoting his U.S.based Married Priests Now
movement in South Korea. The
77-year-old is married to South
Korean Maria Sung, who is a
member of the Unification
Church, founded by Reverend
Moon Sun-myung.
Milingo incurred automatic
excommunication in 2006 when
he ordained four bishops without papal approval.
The former archbishop came to
South Korea to take part in an
“International Symposium on
Catholicism Today” which the
Unification School of Theology
held in June at their premises in
Gapyeong, 55 kilometers northeast of Seoul. During the conference, Milingo repeated his argument for married priests.
Fr. Peter Pai Young-ho, secretary general of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea, told
UCA News September 12 that
“since Milingo is excommunicated, he has no authority to
gather former Catholic priests or
facilitate their Catholic priestly
ministry.”
Fr. Pai said Milingo fraternizes
with Catholics and visits Catholic institutions as though he still
holds episcopal office.
“It was reported that he has
shown himself in Catholic
archbishop’s attire and held
prayer meetings with local
Catholics in several shrines in the
country,” the priest reported.
“The shrine authorities, who did
not recognize him, welcomed
him, thinking he was a foreign
archbishop visiting Korea.”
(CNA)
ROME, Italy, September 14, 2007—The former
director of the Holy See’s Press Office, Joaquin
Navarro-Valls, said he was not surprised by the
success of Pope Benedict XVI’s book, “Jesus of
Nazareth,” and said, “In my opinion, the center,
the principal focal point of this pontificate is
what I would call the ministry of the intellect.
At a time in which there is great confusion in
all levels of conception, the Pope is carrying out
a stupendous ministry to the intellect, with extraordinary conceptual richness, and people are
very sensitive to this. They have understood the
value of the word the Pope is offering to all
humanity,” Navarro-Valls said during an interview with Vatican Radio.
For Navarro Valls, “the book is part of this
ministry to the intellect. Obviously there are
very beautiful pages, of even an aesthetic nature; but it is conceptually very rich. How can I
explain it? For Catholics it’s not enough to accept the divinity of Jesus; it’s also necessary to
reflect on the meaning of the historical Jesus,”
he said.
“An effort to clarify, to rationalize—a word
often repeated by the Pope in this book—is
needed,” Navarro Valls continued. “There is
rationality of the faith in this pontificate, which
was implicit in some way in the enormous body
of work of Cardinal Ratzinger and is naturally
confirmed in his pontificate.
“This kind of message is very current. It’s
like an enormous catechesis but at a higher level
© Gianni Giansanti/Immaginazione/Corbis
© Alessandra Benedetti/Corbis
Navarro-Valls: Focus of
Benedict XVI’s pontificate is
“ministering to the intellect”
Joaquim Navarro-Valls
that the people understand, that they follow, that
the people feel they have understood. Returning to the book, many pages confirm what we
are saying. I think it is precisely this that the
people appreciate,” he said.
“To be honest, I must say I am not the least bit
surprised at the initial success of this book, which
will surely be a success in the long run,” the
former Vatican spokesman said. (CNA)
Democrat dominated US Senate
votes to resume funding to
international abortion agencies
WASHINGTON, DC, September 12, 2007—The
US Senate voted last week to resume funding to
international groups that conduct abortions, rejecting the “Mexico City policy” that disallows
such funding.
Although the Bush administration hasn’t made
a formal statement about the measure, President Bush has publicly warned the Democratic
leadership in the Congress that he will veto any
attempts to fund abortion.
“After witnessing their good sense on the
Kemp-Kasten provision, I am extremely disheartened to see our Senators reject the Mexico
City Policy,” said Deirdre McQuade, a spokesman for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. The Kemp-Kasten provision prohibits funding to groups that force women to have
abortions or sterilizations, and was approved
on the same day the Mexico City policy was
rejected.
The measure’s principal opponent, Senator
Sam Brownback, told the Associated Press that
“It’s a gut-check issue about where you stand on
life... where you stand on whether or not we
should be using taxpayer funds for abortion”.
Brownback was also the chief proponent of the
Kemp-Kasten provision.
Senator Barbara Boxer, who supported the
measure, called the Mexico City policy “shameful” and offered a common “hard case” argument for abortion: “I take the case of the mother
who walks into one of these clinics with a child
who is the victim of rape or incest and the mother
is desperate: Where can I take my child? We can’t
tell you because if we tell you, we are going to
lose our funding.” Boxer has a history of rabid
support for abortion, even going so far as to
oppose the US partial-birth abortion ban.
Cardinal Justin Regali, in a letter written to
the Senate before the vote was taken, pointed
out that “the new congressional leadership has
endorsed the general consensus that Congress
should work to ‘reduce abortions.’ Unfortunately some of the means proposed, such as expanded contraceptive programs, have been
shown to be failures at achieving this goal and
pose other moral problems. However, we should
at least be able to agree that such efforts are
hollow if programs to reduce abortion must be
implemented through organizations that perform and promote abortions.”
The measure, part of a $34 billion foreign aid
appropriations bill (H.R. 2764), must now be
approved by both the House and the Senate in a
final bill negotiated between the two houses.
(Matthew Cullinan Hoffman / LifeSiteNews)
Pavarotti honored a divine gift, says Pontiff
MODENA, Italy, September 9, 2007—Luciano
Pavarotti “honored the divine gift of music,”
said Benedict XVI in a message read at the funeral Mass of the Italian tenor in Modena’s cathedral.
The telegram, signed in the Pope’s name by
Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, secretary of state, was
read at the beginning of the funeral Mass celebrated Saturday by Archbishop Benito Cocchi
of Modena.
The message said: “Apprised of the sad news
of the passing of the tenor Luciano Pavarotti the
Pontiff expresses sentiments of grief over the
death of the great artist who, with his extraordinary interpretive talent, honored the divine gift
of music.
“In entrusting his soul to the mercy of God,
the Holy Father asks, for his family and those
who held him dear, the support of Christian
hope which alone can relieve the sorrow for the
grave loss and he gives to you and those participating in the funeral rites the comforting apostolic blessing.” (Zenit)
Australian bishop urges Amnesty International to
Bush refuses to support forced abortions by UNFPA
reverse new policy on abortion
SYDNEY, Australia, September
13, 2007—The president of the
Australian Catholic Bishops
Conference, Archbishop Philip
Wilson, says its not too late for
Amnesty International to reverse its new policy promoting
access to abortion.
Archbishop Wilson said
Amnesty’s shift away from a
neutral stance on abortion is
deeply regrettable.
“Catholic people have had a
long association with Amnesty
International, going right back
to its inception and the two
bodies have been closely
aligned in their commitment to
social justice,” he said.
But Amnesty’s new position
on access to abortion is “at odds
with the Catholic understanding of the dignity of the human
person and sexuality,” he said.
“In adopting this position,
Amnesty has moved to a concept of human rights founded
not upon the good of the human person, but simply upon
the autonomy of the individual.
He noted that some Catholic
school groups have withdrawn
from membership of Amnesty
as a result.
Archbishop Wilson said he
had written two letters on behalf Australia’s Catholic bishops during the past year, urging Amnesty International to
abandon the policy change.
“It is not too late for Amnesty
International to take stock of the
damage being caused by this
change of policy and to return
to its former neutral stance on
abortion,” he said. “I would
urge them to do so.” (CNA)
WASHINGTON DC, September 13, 2007—President Bush has withheld funding from the United
Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for the sixth
straight year because it continues to engage in
programs of forced abortion and sterilization.
Over the last six years the president has refrained
from giving the UNFPA $200 million under the
Kemp-Kasten Amendment.
The research behind the president’s decision
comes from work done by the Population Research Institute (PRI) between 1998 and 2001.
PRI found violations in several countries. Chinese family planning officials told investigators
that there was “no distinction” between the work
that they were doing in a given area of China
and the UNFPA’s work there.
They also discovered that the UNFPA itself
spoke of coercive sterilizations in Peru in an
internal report published in 2000, calling them
“family planning decisions made external to the
person.” (The UNFPA later denied that this report existed.)
In 2000, the UNFPA smuggled abortion devices into Pakistan under the guise of reproductive health kits labeled “for safe delivery.” Refugee women were pressured into accepting abortions.
Reacting to the findings, President Bush in
2001 decided to slash $34 million from the
UNFPA budget, money that would have contributed directly to their forced family-planning
accounts. (CNA)
A8
People, Facts & Places
THE Diocese of
Lucena held its first
ever Joint Diocesan
Convention of the Diocesan Council of the
Laity (DCL) and the
Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs) last
September 8 at the
Quezon Convention
Center in Lucena
City.
The theme chosen
for the event was
“The Christian Family: Life and Foundation of the BEC.”
Attended by at
least 3,000 priests, religious sisters, officers of the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC)
and Parish Council
on Economic Affairs
(PCEA), and members of the Basic
Ecclesial Communi- Second from left, Msgr. Elmer Abacahin and Lucena Bishop Emilio Marquez during the DCL-BEC convention in Lucena.
ties from the 34 parishes of the diocese, the event started support and sustain the continued growth cluded the following activities: formal
launching of the book “Vademecum Laici
with an 8:00AM procession dubbed of the BECs in the diocese.
“Alay-Lakad para sa Pamilya – Munting
Rev. Msgr. Elmer S. Abacahin, Execu- – Kabarkada Pastoral (A Layman’s PastoSambayanang Kristiyano” from the St. tive Secretary of the Office on Basic ral Companion),” and the oath-taking
Ferdinand Cathedral, Lucena City to the Ecclesial Communities (BECs) of the of the newly elected diocesan lay-leadCatholic Bishops’ Conference of the Phil- ers of the Diocesan Council of the Laity
Quezon Convention Center.
In his pastoral message, His Excellency ippines (CBCP), delivered the keynote and the Diocesan Coordinating Council
Most Rev. Emilio Z. Marquez, D.D., address. Msgr. Abacahin expounded on on the BECs.
Bishop of Lucena, expressed sentiments the significant role of BECs in pursuing
The said convention was organized by
of gratitude to all those who took part in the vision of the local Church in the Phil- the Diocesan Council of the Laity and
organizing the event and thereafter reit- ippines to be a true community of dis- the BEC Diocesan Coordinating Council, both under the supervision of Rev.
erated the thrust to which all pastoral pro- ciples of Christ.
grams in the diocese should be directed:
He likewise commended the organiz- Msgr. Mariano P. Melicia, Jr., Diocesan
the formation, intensification, and propa- ers of the event, led by Bishop Marquez, Pastoral Director.
gation of the Basic Ecclesial Communi- saying that with the kind of unity and
In June 2004, Bishop Marquez conlively participation he witnessed among vened the Second Synod of Lucena which
ties as the new image of the diocese.
“We affirm and recognize the role of the members of the local Church, he “sees primarily provided for, among others,
the BECs in the realization of the local a great hope for the realization of our com- the mission of intensifying, edifying,
and propagating the Basic Ecclesial
Church’s renewal,” Bishop Marquez said. mon vision for the Diocese of Lucena.”
The event concluded with a Communities (BECs) as the new image
Apart from a number of presentations
by select groups of participants, the as- concelebrated Mass presided by Bishop of the Diocese.
The recent convention was specifisembly witnessed a power point presen- Marquez together with the priests of the
tation which aimed at detailing the events diocese. The Bishop’s homily delved on cally intended to pursue such mission.
that led to the emergence of the Basic the affair’s theme, “The Christian Fam- It is likewise a response to the invitaEcclesial Communities in the Diocese of ily as the Life and Foundation of BECs.” tion of the CBCP for all dioceses in the
The convention’s program also in- Philippines to prepare for next year’s
Lucena as well as reinvigorating the com2n d National Rural Congress. (Alwin
mitment of the community of faithful to
Marikina parish elevated to diocesan shrine
most half of whom were “native sons” of Marikina. The
city has produced many
priests over a number of
years. The Parish of Our Lady
of the Abandoned alone has
had twelve of its parishioners
ordained to the priesthood.
Built over a period of three
years after construction
started in 1687, the church
eventually became a parish in
1690. In October 21, 1791, the
church was consecrated under
the title of Our Lady of the
Abandoned. This is the second parish in the Philippines
to be dedicated under such
title of Mary after that of Sta.
Ana in Manila.
The National Historical Institute (NHI) declared the
church a national historical
landmark in 1990, when the
parish
celebrated
its
tricentennial. Since that time,
the old grandeur of the
church was restored, especially with the construction of
the retablo for the image of its
patron.
The increasing number of
devotees to Our Lady of the
Abandoned coming from
Marikina and other places in
Metro Manila and provinces
prompted the elevation of the
church into a diocesan shrine.
After the image received an
Episcopal Coronation in 2002,
the parishioners and devotees
petitioned the Holy See for a
canonical coronation.
In October 2005, the image
was canonically crowned
through a Papal Bull issued
by Pope Benedict XVI, just a
couple of days after his election. It was one of the first decrees signed by the newly
elected pope. Likewise, the
image of Our Lady of the
Abandoned in Marikina is the
first Philippine Marian image
Pope Benedict authorized to
be canonically crowned in his
pontificate.
The parish is the second
Vol. 11 No. 19
September 17 - 30, 2007
Markings
ŒŒŒŒŒŒŒŒ³
Lucena holds joint laity
and BEC convention
THE parish church of Our
Lady of the Abandoned in Sta.
Elena, Marikina City was elevated into the Diocesan
Shrine of Maria, Inang Mapagampon ng Marikina (Nuestra
Senora delos Desamparados de
Marikina) last August 5 coinciding with the Feast of the
Dedication of the Basilica of
St. Mary Major in Rome.
The Bishop of Antipolo,
Most Rev. Gabriel V. Reyes,
D.D., together with Bishop
Jose Advincula, Bishop of San
Carlos, Negros Occidental
and Bishop Francisco de
Leon, Auxiliary Bishop of
Antipolo, led the elaborate
rites witnessed by a big number of Marian devotees from
Marikina and other places,
including government officials led by Marikina City
mayor Marides Fernando and
Congressmen Marcelino
Teodoro and Del de Guzman.
About twenty priests also
concelebrated in the Mass, al-
CBCP Monitor
church in the Diocese of
Antipolo to be declared as a
diocesan shrine after that of
the Church of Our Lady of
Aranzazu in San Mateo, Rizal,
while the Cathedral-Parish of
the Immaculate Conception
in Antipolo City was declared in 1956 as the National
Shrine of Our Lady of Peace
and Good Voyage.
With the canonical coronation of the image of Our Lady
of the Abandoned and the elevation of the church dedicated to her into a diocesan
shrine, it is hoped that more
devotees would flock into this
newest shrine in the Diocese
of Antipolo and “journey
with Mary” as she leads more
faithful to her Son, Jesus. (Fr.
Joel Victorino)
(For more information
about the Diocesan Shrine of
Our Lady of the Abandoned,
call (02)646-1781. The shrine is
located along J.P. Rizal Street,
Sta. Elena, Marikina City.)
Heavy downpour. Catholic priests hold bright umbrellas under heavy rain during Mass at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church for the 4th National Pilgrimage to
Lipa in Batangas on September 12. Cebu Archbishop Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal, CBCP President and Jaro Archbishop Angel N. Lagdameo, Lipa Archbishop
Ramon C. Arguelles and other prelates led the celebration annual celebration. (Roy Lagarde)
INSTALLED. MOST REV. JULIUS SULLAN TONEL,
DD., 50; as prelate-ordinary of the Prelature of Ipil,
September 11, 2007; by Most Rev. Romulo G. Valles,
DD, archbishop of Zamboanga. Bishop Tonel succeeds
Archbishop Antonio Ledesma as third bishop of Ipil.
The Prelature of Ipil was entrusted under the care of
Diocesan Administrator Rev. Fr. Nador Jesualga upon
the installation of Most Rev. Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ as
Archbishop of Cagayan de Oro. The newly-installed
prelate will have jurisdiction over 16 towns of
Zamboanga-Sibugay and three other towns from
Zamboanga del Sur.
ELEVATED. OUR LADY OF THE ABANDONED CHURCH in Sta. Elena, Marikina City
into a Diocesan Shrine of Maria, Inang
Mapag-ampon ng Marikina (Nuestra
Señora delos Desamparados de
Marikina), August 5, 2007. Most Rev.
Gabriel V. Reyes, bishop of Antipolo, together with Most Rev. Jose Advincula,
bishop of San Carlos, and Most Rev. Francisco de Leon, auxiliary bishop of Antipolo,
led the elevation rites witnessed by Marian
devotees from Marikina and other places.
Built in 1687, the Church was consecrated
under the title of Our Lady of the Abandoned in October 21, 1791. The National
Historical Institute declared the church a
national historical landmark in 1990, when
the parish celebrated its tricentennial. In October 2005, the image was canonically
crowned through a Papal Bull issued by Pope Benedict XVI, just a couple of days after
his election. It was one of the first decrees signed by the newly elected pope. Likewise,
the image of Our Lady of the Abandoned in Marikina is the first Philippine Marian image
Pope Benedict authorized to be canonically crowned in his pontificate.
ELEVATED. CHURCH OF ST. FRANCIS
OF ASSISI in Sariaya, Quezon as a Diocesan Shrine of the Mahal na Señor, Santo
Cristo de Burgos, September 14, 2007.
The first church of Sariaya dates from
1599. The second church, built in 1605,
was replaced by a third in 1641. In 1703,
the town was transferred to Lumang
Bayan, but the earthquakes and floods of
1743 ruined the church and the town. The
current church was built in 1748. The
Bishop of Lucena, Most Rev. Emilio Z.
Marquez, led the elevation rites with Archbishop Angel N. Lagdameo, Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal and Bishop Reynaldo G.
Evangelista.
CELEBRATED. FR. NESTOR MALLARI GUNGON, 25TH
anniversary of sacerdotal ordination, September 19,
2007 at St. Joseph Parish, Gagalangin, Tondo, Manila.
Fr. Gungon celebrated a 6:30 AM mass with indigent
families from 38 barangays as his honored guests. In
the afternoon he celebrated his thanksgiving mass with
Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales as homilist. Fr. Gungon
was ordained to the priesthood at the Manila Cathedral
on September 18, 1982 by the late Jaime Cardinal Sin.
He completed his high school, philosophy and theology studies at San Carlos Seminary in Guadalupe,
Makati. Right after his ordination, he was assigned in a
parish in Pateros. In 1984 he was assigned as parish
priest of Christ the King Parish in Las Piñas. He is
currently the parish priest of St. Joseph Parish and
director of St. Joseph High School in Gagalangin. At
present, Fr. Gungon in involved in an ongoing project helping poor parishioners get
proper education. St. Joseph School offers free evening classes for high school and
adult education classes for poor parishioners.
RE-ELECTED. SR. INOCENCIA TORMON, FSP, as
General Councilor of the Daughters of St. Paul during
the General Chapter of the Congregation, September
16, 2007; in Ariccia, Rome. A native of Iloilo, Sr.
Inocencia was first elected General Councilor during
the 8th General Chapter in 2001 and served as General Councilor for Formation for 6 years. Prior to her
election as General Councilor in 2001, Sr. Inocencia
served the Philippine province as Junior and Novice
Mistress, Spiritual Animator, Provincial Councilor and
Provincial Superior. True to the congregation’s universal spirit, the present General Council is a mixture of
various nationalities; Brazilian, Italian, Colombian, Japanese and Filipino. The General government will lead
and govern the congregation for the next six years.
PASSED TO ETERNAL REWARD. S. Ma. Flora S. Nini, RVM , August 6, 2007; S. Ma.
Ignacia C. Magdalena, RVM, August 30, 2007
Guadalupe shrine turns five
THE Archdiocesan Shrine of
Our Lady of Guadalupe in
Makati celebrated September
12 its fifth anniversary of establishment.
In time for the anniversary,
the Shrine issued a manifesto
on the alarming persecution
of journalists and activists,
the armed conflict in
Mindanao, threats on the unborn and the family, and environmental destruction.
Titled “Karapatan sa Buhay:
Pinakapundamental sa lahat ng
Karapatang Pantao (Right to
Life: Fundamental of all Human Rights),” the manifesto
states the Shrine’s advocacy
on human rights of the unborn, sick, aging, disabled
and others whose lives are
threatened by the culture of
death.
“Naninindigan kami laban sa
abortion, euthanasia, at
pagwawalang bahala sa mga may
sakit, matatanda at may
kapansanan. (We stand against
abortion, euthanasia, and taking for granted the sick, aged
and disabled),” the manifesto
stated.
Parish priest and Shrine rector Msgr.
Salvador Jose said the theme of the manifesto only shows the Shrine’s identity,
being the only pro-life shrine in the country.
“Being the rector of this Shrine since
its inauguration, I find this year another
encouraging year to continue with the
Shrine’s devotion to protect and respect
life,” Jose said.
Jose added that this year’s advocacy is
in response to Pope Benedict XVI’s call
to protect life, being the most significant of the human rights. He likewise
said that the theme of the manifesto is
selected in time for the commencement
of the congressional session, where a
number of anti-life legislations are set
for plenary debate.
“Through cooperation with pro-life
groups, the Shrine and its recent manifesto hope to influence our lawmakers
to dwell seriously upon the passage of
anti-life bills. We may not actively
lobby against these bills in the Congress,
but we focus more on attitude-building
of the faithful,” he said.
For the past years, the Shrine issues
manifesto to live up with its pro-life advocacies. The Shrine issued manifestos
on drugs, 2-child policy, hopelessness,
and gambling. (Kris Bayos)
CBCP Monitor
B1
Vol. 11 No. 19
September 17 - 30, 2007
B2 Updates
B5 Statements
Cremation and
corporeal burial
7th Regional
consultation
meeting of the
Filipino Ministry in
Europe
B3 Diocese
Archdiocese of
Tuguegarao
B6 Reflections
In time we build
our eternity - by
sharing and being
concerned with
others
B7 Social
Concern
NRC - II starts
local consultations
Pastoral Concerns
B4 Commissions
Clarifications on the
dialogue between
CBCP Commission on
the Laity and the two
conflicting groups of
CFC
7
QUESTIONS
Highly industrialized countries must
share ‘clean-technologies’
Most Rev. Jose F.
A Papal Message to Environmental Conference sent to Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomaios I of Constantinople on
the occasion of the VII Symposium on Religion, Science and Environment, held in Greenland on Sept 12.
To His Holiness Bartholomaios I
Archbishop of Constantinople
Ecumenical Patriarch
IT gives me great joy to greet you and all those
taking part in the Seventh Symposium of the
Religion, Science and the Environment movement, which this year turns its attention to the
subject: “The Arctic: Mirror of Life”. Your own
dedication and personal commitment to the
protection of the environment demonstrates
the pressing need for science and religion to
work together to safeguard the gifts of nature
and to promote responsible stewardship.
Through the presence of Cardinal McCarrick I
wish to reaffirm my fervent solidarity with the
aims of the project and to assure you of my
hope for a deepening global recognition of the
vital relationship between the ecology of the
human person and the ecology of nature (cf.
Message for the 2007 World Day of Peace, 8).
Preservation of the environment, promotion of sustainable development and particular attention to climate change are matters of
grave concern for the entire human family.
No nation or business sector can ignore the
ethical implications present in all economic
and social development. With increasing clarity scientific research demonstrates that the
impact of human actions in any one place or
region can have worldwide effects. The con-
sequences of disregard for the environment
cannot be limited to an immediate area or
populus because they always harm human
coexistence, and thus betray human dignity
and violate the rights of citizens who desire
to live in a safe environment (cf. ibid., 8-9).
This year’s symposium, dedicated again to
the earth’s water resources, takes you and various religious leaders, scientists, and other interested parties to the Ilulissat Icefjord on the
west coast of Greenland. Gathered in the magnificent beauty of this unique glacial region
and World Heritage site your hearts and
minds turn readily to the wonders of God and
in awe echo the words of the Psalmist praising the name of the Lord who is “majestic in
all the earth”. Immersed in contemplation of
the “work of his fingers” (Ps 8), the perils of
spiritual alienation from creation become
plainly evident. The relationship between individuals or communities and the environment ultimately stems from their relationship with God. When “man turns his back on
the Creator’s plan, he provokes a disorder
which has inevitable repercussions on the rest
of the created order” (Message for the 1990
World Day of Peace, 5).
Your Holiness, the international and multidisciplinary nature of the symposium attests
to the need to seek global solutions to the
matters under consideration. I am encouraged
by the growing recognition that the entire
human community—children and adults, industry sectors, States and international bodies—must take seriously the responsibility
that falls to each and every one of us. While it
is true that industrializing countries are not
morally free to repeat the past errors of others, by recklessly continuing to damage the
environment (cf. ibid., 10), it is also the case
that highly industrialized countries must share
‘clean-technologies’ and ensure that their own
markets do not sustain demand for goods
whose very production contributes to the proliferation of pollution. Mutual interdependence between nations’ economic and social
activities demands international solidarity, cooperation and on-going educational efforts.
It is these principles which the Religion, Science and the Environment movement courageously upholds.
With sentiments of deep appreciation, and
mindful of our commitment to encourage and
support all efforts made to protect God’s works,
(cf. Common Declaration, 30 November 2006),
I pray that the Almighty will abundantly bless
this year’s symposium. May he accompany you
and all those gathered with you, so that all
creation may give praise to God!
From the Vatican,
BENEDICTUS PP. XVI
Traslacion ‘07 marks opening of Tricentenary devotion to INA
THE Archdiocese of Caceres
launched the opening of the threeyear preparation of the Tricentenary
devotion to Nuestra Señora de
Peñafrancia, endearingly called INA
by the Bicolanos, on the occasion of
the Traslacion last September 7.
During the Traslacion, the Miraculous Image of Ina and Divino Rostro,
borne on the shoulders of male devotees are transferred from Basilica
Minore to the Naga Metropolitan
Cathedral to begin the Novena of
Prayers and Holy Masses.
In the afternoon of the 8th day of
the Novena, a fluvial procession in
the Naga River capped the feast,
where the Image of Our Lady is returned to her sanctuary on board a
pagoda.
The Traslacion was culminated
with a solemn Eucharistic celebration
held at the grounds of Naga Metropolitan Cathedral led by Caceres
Archbishop Leonardo Z. Legaspi,
O.P., D.D., with other Bikol bishops
of the Bikol Dioceses.
Members of the clergy, religious,
government dignitaries, other sectors
of society and the Catholic faithful
participated in the event.
The devotion to Nuestra Señora
de Peñafrancia shall mark its 300th
year in 2010. For almost 300 years,
Ina guided her children in their journey of faith under the mantle of her
love and care.
Three-year preparation
Archbishop Legaspi has singularly
chosen the over-all theme for the
Tricentenary celebration as “Growth
in Holiness under the Mantle of Ina”.The
significance of the celebration calls
for a three-year preparation in a spirit
of gratitude and thanksgiving.
The first year (September 2007 –
September 2008) has the theme “Remembering the Gift of Devotion to Ina”.
The historical background of the devotion will be revisited for a deeper
understanding of the piety, which
started with the vow of Fr. Miguel
Robles de Covarrubias 300 years ago
for the many favors he received from
Ina.
The highlight of the first year is
the launching of the Tricentennial
Celebration after the Traslacion. This
Traslacion / B2
The image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia in procession from Basilica Minore to Naga Metropolitan Cathedral to begin the novena
of prayers.
Daughters of St. Paul opens 9th General Chapter
THE Daughters of St. Paul opened their 9thGeneral Chapter last August 29 at Ariccia, Rome with 71 participants
representing five continents. An international congregation of women religious; the Daughters of St. Paul are
dedicated to evangelization in the culture of the media.
The congregation, founded in 1915 by Blessed James
Alberione, with the collaboration of Venerable Sister Thecla Merlo, today number 2,490 members with
261 young women in formation. There are 248 communities throughout the world from which they
carry out their apostolic mission through distribution centers, book centers and the production of books,
magazines, music, film and internet content as well
as critical formation in the use of film, radio, television and other media.
The members of this congregation are commonly
called Paulines who have found a model in Apostle
Paul, whose passionate love for Jesus Christ gave
fruitfulness and meaning to all his creative apostolic
activity.
Today the expansion of the Paulines has extended
to 52 nations throughout the world. They are present
in first world countries as well as in areas of tremendous poverty; in traditionally Christian nations such
as Latin America, and where the Church is in the
minority, as in Japan, or in Islamic countries like
Pakistan. In the past ten years the missionary foundations include four countries in Eastern Europe, two
in Latin America; five in Africa, and two in Asia,
most recently Vietnam. Plans are underway for foundations in South Sudan and Indonesia.
Although the places and cultures are very diverse,
all are permeated by a powerful and ambivalent media that challenges the Church to a proclamation of
the truth and the values inherent in the Christian faith.
For this reason, the Paulines, mandated by the Church,
creatively use the media apostolically, according to
the situation and possibility. This is, in fact, their
Charism.
One of the prominent issues discussed during their
General Chapter, was regarding the responsibility of
the Congregation to evangelize effectively within the
complex and difficult reality of everyday communication—how to reach the very poor with the Word of
God; how to intensify synergy and collaboration with
the laity; how to define and live meaningful relationships in community; how to give a ‘soul’ to communication.
The members continue to live up to being apostles of
Jesus Christ and refine their personal and congregational
choices in the fire of the Holy Spirit to know how to look
realistically at the deeper aspects of humanity and seek
new ways to evangelize in the modern areopagus of communication.
The Chapter expects the election of a new General Government and will establish apostolic priority choices for
the next six years.(More info on the Congregation and Chapter
proceedings may be found atwww.9cg.paoline.org)
Oliveros, D.D.
MOST Rev. Jose F. Oliveros is the bishop of the Diocese of Malolos.
In this issue of CBCP Monitor, he talks about the preparations the
diocese is spearheading for its upcoming golden jubilee celebration;
the presence of various institutions that respond to social concerns of
the diocese; the diocesan family and life apostolate; the quantity of
vocations entering the diocesan seminary; the ongoing formation program for the clergy; the reactivation of BEC program in the parishes;
and his perception of secular media’s treatment of Church issues.
What are your preparations for the upcoming diocesan jubilee
celebration in 2012?
We will celebrate our jubilee on March 11, 2012. We launched
the five-year preparations for the Golden Jubilee last March 10,
2007. The themes adopted for the five-year celebrations are in
conjunction with the Vision of the Synod of Diocese of Malolos
(1987). For this year, the theme is as that of the CBCP: “Salita ng
Diyos, Salita ng Buhay”; for the second year it will be “Bumuo ng
isang masiglang Sambayanan ng Diyos”; for the third year we have,
“Bumuo ng isang Mapagmahal na Sambayanan ng Diyos”. In the
fourth year, it will be Bumuo ng isang Mapagtiwalang Sambayanan
ng Diyos” and finally, in the fifth year, “Bumuo ng isang
Napapanahong Sambayanan ng Diyos”.
There will be a diocesan synod to culminate the five-year
preparations for the golden jubilee. But we will hold a pastoral
assembly first before the synod. Right now, I am conducting a
Pastoral Visit to the 105 Parishes of the diocese, different Charitable Institutions and the Catholic Schools. The data from the
Pastoral Visit will be used for the Pastoral assembly.
How is the continuing agenda for social concern being implemented in your diocese?
The continuing agenda for the social concern is primarily answered by the different charitable institutions of the Diocese of
Malolos. Ours is one of the few dioceses in the Philippines that
have a complete Institution that caters to the need of the different sectors of society. The institutions are as follows: Bethany
Orphanage; Emmaus House of Apostolate for the aged; Galilee
Homes for the rehabilitation of drug addicts; Nazareth Home for
the street children; Tahanang Mapagpala, another home for the
aged; Bethlehem House of bread, feeding center; Caritas Malolos
for the medical needs of the less fortunate; and St. John of God for
the mentally ill.
Again, in connection with the five-year preparations for the
jubilee, and with the help of the Diocesan Shrine of the Mother of
the Eucharist and Grace in Sta. Maria, Bulacan, I have also
launched “Sukat Sapatos project” that provides free shoes for 50
needy children every beginning of school year. A dialysis center
that accepts two to three patients a day for free have also been
established, as well as feeding program for poor parishes, by providing them free 50 cavans of rice annually.
How is the family and life program in the diocese?
The Diocesan Commission on Family and Life is composed of
the Executive Committee coming from three family life related
organizations namely: Couples for Christ (CFC), Christian Family Movement (CFM) and Servi Christi (a diocesan-based family
life apostolate). The Commission focuses on leadership formation among couple leaders with three major programs: Pre-Cana
Program, Post-Cana Program and Pro-Life programs. Each organization/movement has its own set of programs and services
which the CFL commission utilized when the Parish asked for
assistance especially on Post-Cana programs (such as: Marriage
Encounter Weekend (ME), Tipanan or Ugnayan, Solo Parent program, Sons and Daughters Encounter (SADE) and other formation programs).
The Commission gives emphasis on the formation and development of Parish Pre-Cana Counselors. They undergo training
on Basic Module for Pre-marriage Counseling and monthly enrichment seminar (every third Saturday of the month) for their
own development and updates. Out of 102 parishes of the diocese, almost 50% are regular participants of the monthly enrichment seminar.
The Commission likewise gives special attention to Pro-Life programs and activities: orientation seminar on Pro-Life and anti-life
issues, organizing/launching a pro-life rally and legislative advocacy: signature campaign, mobilizing and lobbying at Philippine
Congress building. The Commission also put up a diocesan quarterly newspaper for education and information purposes.
Due to inadequate diocesan staff to supervise the whole diocese, the CFL did its best to establish and organize vicarial leaders. Two vicarial CFL leaders were organized with their own set
of officers, programs and plans of action (Vicariate of San Miguel
and Valenzuela). They set up a parish family counseling center
and a parish center for natural family planning services.
How are the vocations in your diocese?
The Seminary population is increasing; there are now 104
seminarians in the Immaculate Conception Major Seminary. The
seminarians do not only come from the Diocese of Malolos but
also from the neighboring dioceses such as, Antipolo, Zambales,
Bataan and Puerto Princesa. The candidates also are generally
much older than the previous years. There is an increased number of professionals (college graduates with work experience)
7 Questions / B2
Updates
B2
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 11 No. 19
September 17 - 30, 2007
Slide shows at
homilies
(Fr. Edward McNamara, professor of Liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum University, answers the following questions:)
Q: Are there guidelines for slide shows shown during the homily at Mass?
Are there guidelines for who (pastor/bishop) can authorize slide shows?
Are there guidelines for the music played during a slide show? Is it OK to
have a slide show and no homily? — M.M., Howell, New Jersey
Q: Each year, in our archdiocese, on two Sundays the homily at all the
Masses is replaced by a recorded fund-raising appeal, one for the
archdiocesan annual appeal and one for Catholic Charities. The celebrant
does not give a separate homily. In the past it has been an audio recording;
one year it was to be a video. I am not at all opposed to giving money to the
archdiocesan appeal and Catholic Charities, but this seems like an abuse of
the rubrics for Mass. — B.W., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Cremation and corporeal burial
THE Church has always held a preference for corporeal body. The body of a
deceased loved one forcefully brings to
mind the mystery of life and death and
our belief that our human bodies are
temples of the Holy Spirit and destined
for future glory at the resurrection of
the dead. In addition, the body which
lies in death recalls the personal story
of faith, the past relationships, and the
continued spiritual presence of the deceased person.
This is the body once washed in baptism, anointed with the oil of salvation,
and fed with the bread of life. This is the
body whose hands clothed the poor and
embraced the sorrowing. The human body
is so inextricably associated with the human person that it is hard to think of a
human person apart from his or her body.
Thus, the Church’s reverence and care for
the body grows out of a reverence and
concern for the person whom the Church
now commends to the care of God.
The Order of Christian Funerals reflects
a theology and a tradition in which burial
of the body has been the principal manner
of final disposition of the body. The longstanding practice of burying the body of
the deceased in a grave or tomb as was
Jesus, continues to be encouraged as a sign
of Christian faith. However, owing to contemporary cultural interaction, the practice of cremation has become part of Catholic practice in the United States and other
parts of the western world.
Disposition of the bodies of deceased
Catholics by means of cremation is a
fairly recent development. The 1917
Code of Canon Law forbade the practice, and this prohibition continued until 1963. While making allowance for
cremation (as long as it was not chosen
as a sign of denial of Christian teaching)
the 1963 instruction Piam et constantem
issued by the Holy Office urged that “the
practice of burying the bodies of the
faithful is by all means to be kept.” This
1963 concession is provided for in the
1969 Ordo Exsequiarum, the Latin edition
of the revised Catholic funeral ritual and
was later incorporated into the 1983
Code of Canon Law in canon 1176: “The
Church earnestly recommends that the
pious custom of burying the bodies of
the dead be observed; it does not, however, forbid cremation unless it has been
chosen for reasons which are contrary
to Christian teaching.”
Although cremation is now permitted it does not enjoy the same value as
burial of the body. Catholic teaching
continues to stress the preference for
burial of the body of the deceased. Likewise, the Church clearly prefers and
urges that the body of the deceased be
present for its funeral rites, since the
presence of the human body better expresses the values which the Church affirms in its rites.
Sensitive to the economic, geographic,
ecological, or family factors which on
occasion make the cremation of a body
the only feasible choice, however, the
Administrative Committee of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops
has recommended that the entire body
of bishops that they request an indult
from the Holy See permitting the presence of cremated remains during the full
course of Catholic Funeral rites. Likewise, the Bishops’ Committee on the Liturgy has directed the Secretariat for the
Liturgy to begin the preparation of additional rites and texts for the Order of
Christian Funerals to provide for the
presence of the remains of the cremated
body.Email us at [email protected]
Committee on the Liturgy | 3211 4th
Street, N.E., Washington DC 20017-1194
| (202) 541-3000 © USCCB. All rights reserved.
- Commission on the Liturgy, USCCB
7 Questions / B1
entering the seminary. Every year there are 5 to 6 seminarians
being ordained to the Priesthood. The Seminary has at present
14 Priests-formators, all with degrees on various fields of specialization.
Does the diocese have a continuing formation program for the clergy?
The Diocese has a continuing formation program for the
clergy; it has recollection every month, pastoral retooling for
priests every 3 months, and an annual retreat. But besides the
regular programs, we also have formation modules for priests
according to aged bracket such as, neo-presbyters, young clergy,
middle-aged clergy, senior clergy, and the retired clergy, with
the help of the KADIWA sa pagkapari of Msgr. Sabino Vengco. We
also send some priests regularly for studies abroad and have an
official agreement for three-year sabbatical of some priests in
the Dioceses of Oakland, Chalan Kanoa, Saipan, and HoumaThibodaux, Louisiana.
How is the BEC program in your diocese?
We have started to reactivate the BEC program in the parishes
through the Commission on Formation since the previous BEC,
i.e. KRISKA is only being implemented in very few parishes.
The Commission on Formation has already conducted seminars
to foment the start of the Basic Ecclesial community with the
theme: “Luhod-Lingkod” Prayer and work united.
What is your take on the secular media’s treatment of Church
issues in the news?
To be honest, the treatment of mainstream Media with regard
to Church issues is minimal. The Diocese however has its own
diocesan paper managed by the Commission on Mass Media,
SANDIGAN. This year the Commission on Mass Media has
launched a citation award for parish and Catholic school newspapers to encourage at least in the print sector the importance of
reaching people through mass media.
Traslacion / B1
year also marks the 125th anniversary of Divino Rostro, (August 26, 1882) when for the
first time the image was carried together with
Ina and enshrined in the Cathedral due to the
threat of “Cholera morbo”.
The theme for 2008–2009 is “Renewing our
Faith through Ina”. This will be dedicated
towards appreciating the devotees’ giftedness so that they may develop a more vibrant and relevant faith life. After remembering the past, the challenge is to find the
significance of the Devotion to Ina in the
contemporary life of the devotees.
The second year of celebration invites the
devotees to rekindle their devotion and love
for Ina. They are called to relive the past towards a more dynamic Marian spirituality.
Likewise, they are also challenged to not
only become inheritors of the past but the
protagonists of the present. This call to renewal will be concretized by series of activities like catechesis, Marian missions and pilgrimages in the Parish, exhibits, video documentaries, Marian retreats for the Bicol clergy,
commemorative stamp and pilgrimages.
Together with this renewal of Marian
spirituality is the Bicolanos’ commitment to
protect the environment with the plan to
rehabilitate the Naga River.
Another celebration that is highlighted
for 2008 is the Silver Anniversary of Archbishop Legaspi’s Installation as the 3rd Archbishop of Caceres.
The theme for the third year (September
2009 – September 2010) is “Sharing the Future in Hope”. This theme hopes to move the
devotees to look forward into the future with
the intent of sharing the fruits of the devotion to the next generations. It impels them
to look forward with confidence. Convinced,
not only of the significance of the devotion
to Our Lady of Peñafrancia but also joyfully
anticipating and sharing the immense fruits
of such devotion. The third year is a call to
action, to share the fruits of the devotion to
Ina, Our Lady of Peñafrancia.
Jubilee year
September 2010 marks the Jubilee Year.
But prior to this, the devotees are asked to
remember the past with faith (2007), to celebrate the present with love (2008) and to
share the fruits of the future with hope (2009).
The last year of preparation will highlight
International Pilgrimages and Marian conferences, the celebration of the Silver Jubilee
of the Basilica and the launching of a film and
a book on Ina.
In 2010, the Bikolanos will celebrate in
thanksgiving the grace of 300 years of devotion in the spirit of “Growth in Holiness under
the Mantle of Ina.” It will be a year of grace, a
year of favor from the Lord. From 1710 to
2010, Mary journeyed with the Bicolanos for
three hundred years and will continue to journey with them in the future.
In his Pastoral letter on the Tricentenary
Celebrations, Archbishop Legaspi stressed the
importance of remembering the past as a
means for Bicolanos to grow in their devotion
and faith in God through Mary.
“Our act of remembering is not simply
to bask on our past glory, but with the view
of growing in our devotion and faith. We
recall the past so that we may appreciate all
the more this precious gift of devotion. Our
ultimate goal, which is the true spirit of
Marian devotion, is to be closer to her Son,
Jesus. Mary herself, urges us: “Do whatever he tells you,” the Archbishop said.
(Lina Salazar, FSP)
A: The most recent norms regarding the homily are found in the instruction
“Redemptionis Sacramentum.” Here are two key norms:
“[64.] The homily, which is given in the course of the celebration of Holy
Mass and is a part of the Liturgy itself, ‘should ordinarily be given by the
Priest celebrant himself. He may entrust it to a concelebrating Priest or
occasionally, according to circumstances, to a Deacon, but never to a layperson. In particular cases and for a just cause, the homily may even be
given by a Bishop or a Priest who is present at the celebration but cannot
concelebrate.’
“[67.] Particular care is to be taken so that the homily is firmly based
upon the mysteries of salvation, expounding the mysteries of the Faith and
the norms of Christian life from the biblical readings and liturgical texts
throughout the course of the liturgical year and providing commentary on
the texts of the Ordinary or the Proper of the Mass, or of some other rite of
the Church. It is clear that all interpretations of Sacred Scripture are to be
referred back to Christ himself as the one upon whom the entire economy
of salvation hinges, though this should be done in light of the specific
context of the liturgical celebration. In the homily to be given, care is to be
taken so that the light of Christ may shine upon life’s events. Even so, this
is to be done so as not to obscure the true and unadulterated word of God:
for instance, treating only of politics or profane subjects, or drawing upon
notions derived from contemporary pseudo-religious currents as a source.”
It is clear, therefore, that the priest or deacon who gives the homily must
be physically present. Thus, tapes or videos cannot replace the homily.
Likewise the proper place for an appeal is preferably after the post-Communion prayer, although in some cases a priest may effectively tie in a
direct appeal with the themes of the liturgy during the homily. If a taped
appeal is to be made, a priest may shorten his homily so as not to prolong
the Mass.
It could be argued that when the bishop himself makes the tape or video,
it is merely a modern version of a pastoral letter. These letters, which the
bishop addresses to the whole diocese as its pastor, usually deal with matters of particular concern. Because of their importance they are sometimes
read out at Mass in place of the homily.
A case could be made for this argument, but I believe that when dealing
with regular annual appeals, and not some particular pastoral concern, it is
still better to place them at the end of Mass and not replace the homily.
I am unaware of specific norms regarding the use of slide shows or presentations. But the norms above would certainly exclude the substitution of
the homily by a presentation.
Another question is if they may be used as aids to the homily. The question has been debated among pastoral liturgists and I find the arguments
against their use more convincing.
Images tend to remind people of television and thus they tend to induce
a passivity that distracts from the core message being transmitted by the
words.
Some would argue that “an image is worth a thousand words,” but this is
a fallacy for whatever message is suggested by an image is understood in
words by our linguistic intelligence. We think and hear in words, and
nothing is understood without words. The spoken word is indispensable
for all interpersonal communication.
Faith, as St. Paul said, is transmitted above all by hearing—which is one
reason why preaching has always been privileged in Church practice. *
Veneration of altar
at the end of Mass
(Lifted from Zenit, Fr. Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina
Apostolorum university, answers the following question:)
Q: What is the procedure for the veneration of the altar by concelebrants at
the end of Mass? Do all concelebrants venerate the altar, or is this only
reserved for the main celebrant? When concelebrating, I merely bow to the
altar, but have noticed that many others kiss the altar.—M.C., Durban,
South Africa
A: This topic is dealt with succinctly in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, No. 251: “Before leaving the altar, the concelebrants make a
profound bow to the altar. For his part the principal celebrant, along with
the deacon, venerates the altar with a kiss in the usual way.”
Thus the principal celebrant kisses the altar, and simultaneously all
concelebrants bow deeply. This norm presupposes that the concelebrants
remain standing at their seats.
After making this bow, the concelebrants may leave the sanctuary in
several ways, depending on the numbers involved and the logistics of the
movements.
If there are many concelebrants, and the tabernacle is not present in the
sanctuary, the bow they made as the principal celebrant kissed the altar
may be considered as sufficient, and they begin at once to leave their places
in an orderly way, following the acolytes.
If the tabernacle is present in the sanctuary, then, after kissing the altar,
the main celebrant goes to the front of the altar and all the concelebrants,
remaining at their places, may genuflect along with him before beginning
the exit procession. If this is likely to cause logistical difficulties, or if there
is no space in which to genuflect, then it is sufficient for the principal
concelebrant to make the genuflection.
If there are few concelebrants, then they line up with the principal celebrant and servers in front of the altar and all bow or genuflect together as
the case may be.
Monsignor Peter J. Elliott describes some other particular cases in his
ceremonies guide, in Nos. 449-450. He states:
“If a long recessional hymn is being sung, the concelebrants may come
before the altar in twos and bow or genuflect in pairs. In this case, the
servers leading them to the sacristy should move slowly, so as to avoid
breaking up the procession. If there are many concelebrants, and they are
arranged in positions away from the sanctuary area, they may remain in
their places until the principal celebrant and other concelebrants and servers have left the sanctuary and follow in a separate procession. However
this is not ideal as it diminishes their role.
“On arriving in the sacristy, if there is room for them, the concelebrants
should line up facing the crucifix or image or the processional cross, held
by the cross bearer, and so as to allow the principal celebrant to come to the
center of the room. All make the customary reverence together and then
proceed quietly to the designated place or vesting room where each
concelebrant un-vests, in a spirit of recollection and peace.”
CBCP Monitor
Diocese
Vol. 11 No. 19
September 17 - 30, 2007
THE Archdiocese of Tuguegarao comprises the civil territory of Cagayan Province, that is, Cagayan mainland which lies
on the northeastern part of the island of
Luzon and the Babuyanes group of islands: Camiguin, Calayan, Babuyan, Fuga
and Dalupiri. The province borders Ilocos
Norte and Apayao to the west, and
Kalinga and Isabela to the south.
Due to the harsh geographic conditions
of the Ilocandia, a vast number of Ilocanos
migrated to the verdant and fertile land of
Cagayan. Today, people of Ilocano descent
form the majority of the population. However, the Ybanags were the original and
more numerous groups prior to the
Ilocano migration. The Ybanags were the
first converts to Christianity in this territory. Other ethnic groups who are also
original settlers of Cagayan are the
of Manila and founder of the University
of Santo Tomas in Manila. The See of the
Diocese of Nueva Segovia, retaining its
name, for the sake of accessibility, was
transferred to Ciudad Fernandina (Vigan)
in 1760.
Our Lady of Piat and the evangelization
of Cagayan
To understand the evangelization of
Cagayan, one has to know of the history
of Our Lady of Piat, patroness of the region. During their missionary journeys, it
has been a practice of the Dominicans to
carry an image of the Virgin of the Holy
Rosary with them. In 1604, the Dominicans brought to the Santo Domingo
Church in Lal-lo (Nueva Segovia) an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary from Macao
(China). To facilitate their evangelization
Segovia, (Lal-lo) in 1995, to commemorate the 400 th anniversary of the evangelization of Northern Luzon. Archbishop
Diosdado A. Talamayan reminded the
faithful of the powerful role of the Lady of
Piat in the evangelization of Northern
Luzon.
To mark the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the miraculous image of Our Lady
of Piat from Macao, the faithful of the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao honored her in 2004
with different activities attended by devotees and by the papal representative,
Francesco Cardinal Marchisano. The climax of the occasion was her second canonical coronation, a very rare privilege
given by the Holy See, by the Papal Nuncio Antonio Franco.
The faithful’s display of popular religious piety to the Blessed Mother of Piat
B3
was appointed Bishop of Tuguegarao. On
November 7, 1966, the Territorial Prelature
of Bayombong comprising of the civil
provinces of Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino
was separated from the Diocese of
Tuguegarao. The civil province of Isabela
was separated from the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of Tuguegarao, giving way to
the creation of the Diocese of Ilagan on
January 31, 1970.
Elevation to a Metropolitan See
The Diocese of Tuguegarao was elevated to a Metropolitan See on September 21, 1974. Bishop Teodulfo Domingo
was appointed as first Metropolitan Archbishop of Tuguegarao. The Archdiocese
of Tuguegarao was canonically erected and
its metropolitan installed on April 10,
1975. Archbishop Domingo erected new
the Holy Spirit descending on us in a New
Pentecost, we, the People of God in the
Archdiocese of Tuguegarao, envision our
Archdiocese to be a Community of Disciples and a Church of the Poor that will
further be:
A. A WITNESSING COMMUNITY
As disciples of Christ, we want our faith
to be Christ-centered, Marian, inculturated,
deeply founded on the Word of God and
in the teaching of the apostles as handed
down to us by the Magisterium. Love will
be the force that binds us together. Our
life will be so integrated with our faith
that we shall become a leaven in our community and so to the World, upholding
the values of the Gospel and witnessing to
its truths.
The Archdiocese of Tuguegarao
IMPORTANT FACTS:
Archbishop ……………………… 1
Priests:
Diocesan ………………………. 69
Religious ………………………. 21
Filipino ………………………. 19
Foreign ……………………….. 2
Sisters:
Filipino ………………………… 94
Foreign ………………………… 4
Seminaries:
Major …………………………... 1
Minor …………………………... 1
Seminarians:
Theology ……………………….. 11
Philosophy …………………… 31
Regency ……………………… 1
Diocesan Divisions:
Vicariates ………………………. 7
Parishes ……………………… 43
With Resident Pastors ………… 42
Entrusted to Diocesan
Clergy ………………………… 33
Entrusted to Religious
Clergy …………………………… 10
Educational Centers:
Universities …………………… 2
Colleges ……………………… 4
High school:
Diocesan/Parochial ……… 15
Directed by Religious …… 8
Population ……………….............. 1,358.402
Catholics ……………………....... 1,086.722
Area …………………………........ 9,000.7
Archbishop Diosdado A. Talamayan, DD
The Diocese of Bangued
Saint Peter Metropolitan Cathedral, Tuguegarao City
Malauegs, Itawits, Gaddangs, and groups
of nomadic Aetas. Present day Cagayan is
a melting pot of different Filipino ethnic
groups—Ivatans (from the northern islands of Batanes), Pampangos, Tagalogs,
and Visayans—who, due to socio-economic reasons, have made Cagayan their
home. Recent years also saw the influx of
Muslims from Mindanao who established
a well represented community in
Tuguegarao City, Aparri and Abulug. Today, more than a million people call this
province of 9,002 square kilometers their
home.
The Dominican Mission
When we speak of Cagayan Valley, we
refer to Cagayan, Isabela and Nueva
Vizcaya and Quirino, provinces surrounded by the Carraballo, Sierra Madre
and Cordillera Mountain Ranges in the
northeastern part of the island of Luzon.
These four provinces formed one big province known as Cagayan, established by
the Spaniards in 1583. Thus, to speak of
the Christianization of Cagayan is to
speak of the Christianization of the entire
Region II.
Governor Perez Dasmariñas, in his capacity as Vice Royal Patron of the King of
Spain, formally assigned the evangelization of the Cagayan Valley region to the
Dominicans in 1594. Fathers Diego de
Soria and Domingo Castelar were assigned to open the new mission. The first
church in the region, the Santa Maria
Magdalena Church in Pata, started in 1595
under the supervision of Fathers Miguel
de San Jacinto and Gaspar Zarfate. In the
same year, through the efforts of Fr. Diego de Soria, the first recorded Cagayano
converts, Chieftain Siriban and seven other
companions; were baptized in Pata. The
Dominican mission in Cagayan Valley
continued uninterruptedly for more than
three hundred years.
Seat of the Diocese of Nueva Segovia
On August 14, 1595, Pope Clement VIII
elevated the Diocese of Manila to the status of a Metropolitan See and created three
new suffragan dioceses: Nueva Caceres in
Southern Luzon, Cebu in the Visayas, and
Nueva Segovia in Northern Luzon. Lallo (Cagayan), renamed as Nueva Segovia,
capital of the province till 1839, then became the seat of the new ecclesiastical jurisdiction of Nueva Segovia which comprised then of the entire Northern Luzon
up to the provinces of Zambales, Tarlac
and Pangasinan. The first bishop of Nueva
Segovia was Fray Miguel de Benavides,
OP, who was later named the third bishop
work in the Itawes, where the natives were
always at war, the friars brought the image of Our Lady with them. It was probably between 1610 and 1612 that the image was enshrined in the Church of Santo
Domingo in Piat. The natives fell in love
with the brown Madonna that they made
the image their own. Perhaps, it is her dark
complexion that made the natives fell in
love and identified themselves with her.
Thus, a popular piety had developed from
then on. In 1623 a chapel was constructed
to enshrine the image. The devotion of
the natives to the dark image of Mary sustained, inspired and guided the work of
evangelization in the region. According
to the historical records of the friars, more
than 10,000 faithful gathered around Our
Lady on the occasion of the blessing of the
chapel in 1623. This figure greatly indicates how much the image had been instrumental in bringing many souls to
Christ’s Church. Many miraculous cures
and actions had been attributed to the
powerful intercession of the Lady of Piat.
Today pilgrims, not only from all over
Cagayan and the Philippines but from all
over the world, flock to the Minor Basilica
of Our Lady of the Visitation of Piat.
The obvious predilection of Popes to
the Marian image in Piat is made manifest
by the various interventions of the Holy
See. Pope Leo XIII issued a decree on November 17, 1883 granting a plenary indulgence to the faithful who made their Confession, received Holy Communion and
visited the shrine on July 2, the feast of the
Visitation in the old liturgical calendar.
The image of the brown Madonna of
Cagayan was canonically crowned as Our
Lady of Piat, patroness of Cagayan Valley, in 1954 by the then papal Nuncio to
the Philippines, Msgr. Egidio Vagnozzi,
in Tuguegarao, during the closing ceremonies of the Marian Year.
To cater to the needs of the multitude of
devotees of Our Lady of Piat, the old ermita
had to give way to a new shrine worthy of
a Queen. Archbishop Diosdado A.
Talamayan laid the cornerstone of the new
shrine on June 20, 1988. On July 18, 1995
the magnificent temple, constructed from
the love offerings and efforts of devotees
here and abroad, was solemnly dedicated
by Jaime Cardinal Sin. On June 22, 1999,
through the efforts of Archbishop
Talamayan, the new shrine was granted
the status of a Minor Basilica by the late
Pope John Paul II who was then represented by Antonio Cardinal JavierreOrtas.
The image was brought back to the
original seat of the Diocese of Nueva
in no way makes them less Christ-centered
since their devotion brings them closer to
Christ and His Church.
The Diocese of Tuguegarao
Pope Leo XIII’s Bull Quae Mari Sinico created the Diocese of Tuguegarao. The new
Diocese of Tuguegarao comprised then of
the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva
Vizcaya, Quirino and the Batanes group
of islands. An American, Maurice Foley,
was named as its first bishop (1911-1917).
The bishop convoked the First Diocesan
Synod in 1912.
Bishop Santiago Sancho (1917-1927)
from Bicol succeeded Bishop Foley.
Among his achievements was the founding of the San Jacinto Seminary. He campaigned for vocations to the priesthood
and encouraged lay associations. The Second Diocesan Synod was convoked on
April 12-14, 1923.
Bishop Constancio Jurgens, CICM (19291950), a Dutchman, was fondly called the
Catechist-Bishop. The Diocese of
Tuguegarao during his time was considered a model diocese in the area of
catechesis. He also fomented different religious organizations and movements. To
increase the level of instruction among
male Catholics, he invited the Jesuits to
open the Cagayan Valley Athenaeum
which eventually became the University
of St. Louis under the care of the CICM
Fathers.
The Third Diocesan Synod was convoked on April 27-28, 1935. On November 30, 1950, the Prelature of BatanesBabuyanes was separated from the Diocese of Tuguegarao. By virtue of a Decree
dated February 6, 2002 issued by the Congregation for Bishops, the Babuyanes
group of islands was separated from the
Prelature of Batanes and was put under
the pastoral care of the Archbishop of
Tuguegarao. Batanes then became a
suffragan of the Archdiocese of Nueva
Segovia and the Babuyanes incorporated
to the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of
Tuguegarao.
Bishop Alejandro Olalia (1950-1954)
from Pampanga focused on the establishment of parochial schools for secondary
education. Upon the vacancy of the Diocese in 1954, the Most Rev. Juan Sison (19541957) was appointed Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese. He organized the
Catholic Action and encouraged the lay
faithful to join religious organizations
such as the Holy Name Society and the
Catholic Women’s League.
On July 2, 1957 the first Cagayan born
bishop, Teodulfo Domingo (1957-1987)
parishes, established parochial schools,
among them the Lyceum of Aparri, sent
some members of the clergy to earn ecclesiastical and civil degrees here and abroad.
Noteworthy to mention was the construction of the San Jacinto Seminary in its new
site in Alimannao, Peñablanca. As Archbishop Domingo advanced in age, his secretary, Msgr. Diosdado A. Talamayan, was
appointed as his auxiliary bishop on October 20, 1983. Upon Archbishop
Domingo’s retirement, Bishop Talamayan
was appointed as the second Metropolitan Archbishop of Tuguegarao on January 31, 1986 and installed on April 10, 1986.
In July of the same year he created the
Priestly Formation Institute at the Lyceum
of Aparri for the formation of collegiate
seminarians and candidates for theology
from secular and civil institutions. It now
exists as the Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary in Aparri, Cagayan.
First Archdiocesan Pastoral Assembly
(FAPA)
After the promulgation of the Acts and
Decrees of the Second Plenary Council of
the Philippines (PCP II - 1992) and the celebration of the 400th Year Anniversary of
the Church’s organized presence in the
Archdiocese (1594-1994), Archbishop
Talamayan convoked the First
Archdiocesan Pastoral Assembly on November 26-30, 1995, Year of the Eucharist.
The faithful of the Archdiocese were represented by the members of the clergy,
some delegates from the different religious communities working in the ecclesiastical jurisdiction, and representatives
of the laity from different sectors of society. The delegates gathered together to
discern, listen and plan the pastoral action
to be executed in the Archdiocese as the
world enters the third millennium. Archbishop Talamayan pointed three objectives
of the FAPA: to prayerfully assess the
present pastoral situation in the archdiocese; to arrive at an appropriate response
to the pastoral situation of the archdiocese in the light of the Acts and Decrees of
the PCP II; and to draft a pastoral plan
meant to guide pastoral activity in a determinative manner for the years to come.
After days of discussions and discernment, the Acts and Decrees of the FAPA
were promulgated on April 10, 1996. The
Acts and Decrees of the FAPA defined the
vision of the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao
in these words:
Grateful for the past four hundred years
of the Church‘s organized presence here
in Cagayan, and confident that the not too
distant future holds a greater promise of
B. AN EVANGELIZING COMMUNITY
Guided by the servant-leadership of our
ordained ministers, we shall be an evangelizing community. Through an on-going, well-organized and coordinated program, we shall proclaim the true faith, and
bring the fruits of salvation to all our
people. In all levels of society, from the
family to the neighborhood to the
barangay up to the parish and archdiocese, we will introduce renewal programs
to all our faithful; but making special efforts to reach the male, young and the rural sectors of the population.
Our aim will not only be to form the
laity into good Christians, but more specially, to form them to be leaders of the
community. These dedicated, committed,
informed lay leaders will be empowered
so that they become subjects, rather than
objects of evangelization; active rather that
just passive co-workers; and co-responsible
agents, rather than just mere functionaries. With them we shall form small Christian communities centered on the Word
of God, supportive of one another and
united in faith and love with the whole
Church.
C. A SHARING COMMUNITY
We shall be a community that will be
committed to justice, peace, truth, and a
special love for the poor. The needs of the
poor shall be given special attention. They
shall not be discriminated against availing
of the spiritual goods of the Church, especially, the Word and the Sacraments. The
rich shall be taught about their obligation
to share their goods and alleviate the suffering of the destitute, while the poor shall
be encouraged to take an active role in the
evangelizing mission of the Church.
BECs: Archdiocesan Pastoral Thrust
Following the Acts and Decrees of the
PCP-II, the Archdiocese also envisions a
renewed local faith community. The FAPA
document clearly states in art. 83: “Basic
Ecclesial Communities (BECs), being the
‘new way of being Church’ according to
PCP-II are to be vigorously promoted in
the parishes for the full living of the Christian vocation and are to be looked upon as
means of evangelization”. Other parishes,
particularly those in the Itawes Vicariate,
have advanced a great deal in the formation and implementation of BEC related
programs. However, a great majority of
our parishes are still starting to form and
implement their BECs program. To oblige
and to make clear that BEC is the
archdiocesan pastoral thrust, the archTuguegarao / B7
Commissions
B4
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 11 No. 19
September 17 - 30, 2007
Clarifications
Regarding the Dialogue between Members
of the Commission for the Laity of the
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines and the Two Conflicting Groups of the
Couples for Christ on August 28, 2007
AFTER hearing reports on the
dialogue in Radio and TV, and
reading newspaper articles about
it, especially the news item on
the front page of the Inquirer
dated September 1, 2007, “We
Have Vatican Support, says
Meloto,” I deem it my duty to
make clarifications about what
transpired during the abovementioned dialogue:
First, we discussed the complaint of the group of Bro. Frank
Padilla that the Couples for
Christ, because of Gawad Kalinga,
is “veering away from the vision/mission of CFC and from
Catholic teachings and because of
Gawad Kalinga enough manpower
and resources are not given to the
other ministries of CFC, like
evangelization and catechesis.”
Social Action is too much stressed
at the expense of spirituality and
evangelization.
The group of Frank Padilla explained that Gawad Kalinga is a
good project and has done much
good but, on several occasions,
in wanting to get more donors
and partners for its projects, it is
hiding its identity as a CFC
project or ministry and also its
connection with the Catholic
Church.
They gave a number of examples of this. I will cite only
two: 1 st: Malyn Alonso who has
been working for 4 years as
project director in the Gawad
Kalinga in Brookside, Payatas,
Quezon City reported the following during the dialogue:
She was one of the groups of
Gawad Kalinga leaders who went
to a prospective donor organization. She was at that time wearing her CFC ID. When they were
about to enter the said
organization’s office, she was told
to remove her ID. The reason
given was that the prospective
donor might not like to give to a
project that is identified with a
religious organization. Nobody
from the group of Bro. Joe Tale
denied this report.
Mimi David, head of the Education Ministry of CFC, paraphrased orally during the dialogue the following written report she made: When we were
asked by the Children’s Rosary
Crusade to have our children
(Sibol, Sagip) participate in this
activity, I informed a top leader
for help in mobilization and support. His reply: “Let us pray
about it. We don’t like our partners to see us as sectarian and
identified with the Church.” I
was surprised and pained at this
response and had to call Frank
Padilla immediately as the GK
Board Chairman, to which he
said, “I will talk to him. You continue with the engagement.”
The leader, mentioned by
Mimi David, was present in the
dialogue. He said that he had not
told Mimi David: “We don’t like
our partners to see us as sectarian and identified with the
Church.” It is a pity that Mimi
right recognized by the Pontifical
Council of the Laity. It is committed
to the work of global evangelization
and renewal, with the goal of winning the world for Jesus Christ
through the power of the Holy Spirit.”
To evangelize is to follow the
command of Our Lord Jesus:
“Make disciples of all nations.”
Therefore CFC should not
downplay or downgrade this
first purpose of CFC for the sake
of getting more donors or partners. Gawad Kalinga was established by CFC because of the
teachings and values of CFC and
the Catholic Church. It was the
teachings of CFC and the Catholic Church that inspired CFC
“Couples for Christ, together with its ministries, was founded primarily to “make disciples of all nations”, to build up the Kingdom of Christ, not just for “building a nation.” If Gawad Kalinga wants to operate more
freely and more broadly than the vision/mission and nature of CFC will allow, then let it
be a civic organization or an organization with
a vision/mission and nature different from
that of CFC.”
- Antipolo Bishop Gabriel Reyes, DD
David was no more present when
the leader denied her statement.
But she is standing by her words
and is ready to face the aforementioned leader any time.
During the discussion, it was
pointed out to the group of Bro.
Joe Tale that they themselves
emphasized that Gawad Kalinga is
a child of CFC, is a ministry of
CFC and that “CFC is the heart
of Gawad Kalinga” and that Gawad
Kalinga cannot be separated from
CFC. If so, then Gawad Kalinga
should adhere to the vision/mission of CFC, and to the CFC statutes which were approved by the
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of
the Philippines and by the Pontifical Council for the Laity of the
Vatican. The first paragraph
(Number 1.1) of the Statutes of
the Couples for Christ under the
heading “Nature and Purpose”
says: “COUPLES FOR CHRIST
(CFC) is a private international association of the faithful of pontifical
Biblical Apostolate opens
Certificate Program on
Biblical Studies
THE Archdiocese of Manila Biblical Apostolate (AMBA)
launched a Certificate Program on Biblical Studies last September 11 at San Carlos Pastoral Formation Complex in
Makati with four modular courses offered at various intervals covering both Old and New Testaments of the Bible.
The certificate program aims to provide students and members of faith communities with richer insights into the bible.
The first module starts September and will go on until October with Old Testament I: Genesis to Joshua as subject matter.
The next module slated November 6-December 13 will tackle
Old Testament II: Judges to Apocalyptic Literature. The third module covers New Testament I: The Gospels, Early Christians Literature, and Jesus as Apocalyptic Prophet . Classes for this module
are scheduled on January 8-February 2008. The fourth module
is New Testament II: Acts of the Apostles—the Book of Revelation;
slated from March 4 until April 2008.
A series of 24 lectures, the biblical course is patterned after
the program offered in Vanderbilt University Divinity School.
The students will be given an introduction to the history,
literature and religion of ancient Israel and early Judaism as it
is presented in the Old Testament, the Hebrew Bible and the
Tanakh.
The program boasts of a roster of formidable names in biblical studies as professors, notable among them are Most Rev.
Arturo Bastes, Most Rev. Broderick Pabillo, Most Rev. Pablo
David and Fr. Gerry Tapiador.
Classes are held every Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7-9 PM at
Lay Formation Center at San Carlos Pastoral Formation Complex.
The first session for the first module on the Old Testament
was held in the evening of September 11 after the launching.
The launching also coincided with the 2nd anniversary celebration of Catholic Bible School on the Air, a biblical program
co-produced by the Archdiocese of Manila and Daughters of
St. Paul and aired on Veritas 846 every Sunday at 8-9:30 PM.
(Pinky Barrientos, FSP)
members, who provide most of
the manpower in Gawad Kalinga,
to work for the poor through
Gawad Kalinga. So, Gawad Kalinga
should not downplay or hide its
identity as a CFC ministry and
its connection with the Catholic
Church. Gawad Kalinga was meant
to be a witness to Christ, namely,
that it was the teachings of Jesus
Christ and love for Him that
made people work for the poor
in Gawad Kalinga. In this way,
people will be attracted to Christ.
It was further explained that
CFC is not an ecumenical association, in the sense that it is composed of different religions on
equal footing. The CFC Statutes,
no. 9.1, says: “COUPLES FOR
CHRIST is a Catholic community,
though open to membership by nonCatholic Christians.” Statute 9.61
says: “COUPLES FOR CHRIST will
follow whatever guidelines on relationship with non-Catholics that the
bishop may have for his diocese.”
Another complaint of the group
of Bro. Frank Padilla was that
Gawad Kalinga “was accepting donations even from corporations
manufacturing contraceptives,
contradicting the CFC’s pro-life
stance.” (Inquirer, “Bishops to
Discuss Couples for Christ Split,”
page A23, August 28, 2007) Tony
Meloto’s answer to this in the
same Inquirer’s news item proves
that this complaint is true. He
says: “GK is nonpartisan. We do
not take any side in building a nation
in the same manner that we do not
pass judgment on any corporation
that we engage. We do not even ask
them what their (corporations) products are as long as they want to help.”
The Statutes of CFC, no. 9.42, says:
“COUPLES FOR CHRIST will conform to and support official and orthodox Church teachings and stand
on issues.” Receiving funds from
drug companies that produce
contraceptives is against Church
teaching and policy.
Couples for Christ, together
with its ministries, was founded
primarily to “make disciples of
all nations”, to build up the Kingdom of Christ, not just for “building a nation.” If Gawad Kalinga
wants to operate more freely and
more broadly than the vision/mission and nature of
CFC will allow, then let it
be a civic organization or an
organization with a vision/
mission and nature different
from that of CFC.
It dawned on me sometime after the dialogue that
the couple Frank Padilla and
Gerry Padilla, are members
of the Pontifical Council for
Family of the Vatican. This
Council is headed by Cardinal Trujillo and is composed
of bishops, priests, and lay
people. Frank and Gerry
Padilla were appointed
to this Council mainly
because Frank was then
the “head” of CFC. The
Pontifical Council for
the Family is against
receiving funds
from corporations
that produce artificial contraceptives. So there is
an additional
reason
that
urges Bro. Frank
Padilla to object
against receiving
donations from
drug companies
that produce contraceptives.
The group of Bro. Joe
Tale said that these cases
of veering away from the
vision/mission of CFC and some
teachings of the Catholic Church
are isolated cases. This does not
happen in most Gawad Kalinga
projects in the country. The
group committed themselves
to look into the matter and
make whatever corrections
are needed. But, it was
pointed out to them that, although these cases may be
isolated, they are important
because they involve their
top leaders in Gawad Kalinga and
their wrong mind-set can easily
influence the members.
The group of Bro. Joe Tale also
said that these complaints can be
solved without the group of Bro.
Frank Padilla getting out of the
CFC. Bro. Frank Padilla answered that they have aired these
complaints long enough but the
situation is still the same.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines has no
authority over the Couples for
Christ in the national level. It can
only make recommendations to
the Couples for Christ, not impositions. Only the Vatican,
through the Pontifical Council of
the Laity, has authority over it in
the national and international
level. But every diocesan bishop
has authority over it in his diocese. Each diocesan bishop has
power to deny permission to
CFC to function in his diocese,
even if the association is international.
But the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines,
through the Commission for the
Laity, has the duty to inform the
Pontifical Council of the Laity
about the CFC regarding matters
that it deems to be serious. Since
Bro. Joe Tale and the CFC Council committed to stop the practice of Gawad Kalinga from accepting funds from companies that
produce contraceptives, the
CBCP Commission for the Laity
will not make any report about
this to the Pontifical Council for
the Laity. In the light of this, the
original CFC, with Gawad Kalinga
as one of its ministries, retains
its recognition as an international private association of the
faithful, which was given by the
Pontifical Council for the Laity
in 2005. It also retains its recognition as a national private association of the faithful, which was
given by the CBCP in 1996.
Then the group of Bro. Joe Tale
was asked whether they have any
complaints regarding financial
anomalies against the group of
Bro. Frank Padilla. They said,
“None”. The group of Bro. Frank
Padilla had also no complaint regarding financial anomalies
against the group of Bro. Joe Tale.
Finally, we discussed whether
the two groups can unite. After
exchange of views, the two
groups decided that “the most acceptable option at the moment is
to separate ways due to some
clear differences in mission,
charism, and other points of deep
disagreement. However, both
parties are not closing the door
on remaining as one united
CFC.” Another reason given for
the temporary separation is to
diffuse the heightened and
mounting tension and animosities between the two groups
caused by accusations hurled
against each other.
The original CFC, with Gawad
Kalinga among its ministries, under the leadership of Bro. Joe Tale
continues as a national and international private association of
the faithful.
The group of Bro. Frank
Padilla will form the Couples for
Christ for Family and Life. In
order to get official recognition
from the Church, the new
Couples for Christ for Family
and Life should start as a diocesan association, then, later can
apply for recognition as a national association if it has
branches in other dioceses and
even later as an international association. As a diocesan association, it can go to other dioceses
provided the bishop of the place
permits.
The group of Bro. Joe Tale said
that the new group should not use
the name, Couples for Christ for
Family and Life because it will
confuse the people. It was pointed
out that as long as the names are
explained it will not cause confusion. In the Philippines, we have
Marriage Encounter and Worldwide Marriage Encounter, Mother
Butler’s Guild and Mother
Butler’s Mission Guild. The
Franciscans have OFM, OFM Capuchins, OFM Conventuals.
Among the Carmelites there are
Order of Carmelites and Order
of Carmelites Discalced.
The dialogue ended with the
participants giving one another
the sign of peace.
This is not the minutes of the dialogue but a clarification of important things that happened or were
said in the dialogue. I am doing
this because some news reports and
columnists have misinterpreted
some things that transpired or
were said in the dialogue.
+GABRIEL V. REYES, D.D.
Chairman, CBCP Commission
on the Laity
September 6, 2007
Pondo ng Pinoy Community Foundation
is looking for an EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Principal Task: responsible to the Board for the day-to-day financial and program operations.
Qualifications: Masters Degree in Social Development, Business Management/
Administration/Economics or related fields. At least five years in management of similar
organizations. Will accept Religious or Lay, male or female applicants.
Send your resume with your latest picture to Pondo ng Pinoy office at Rm 313 Third Floor,
Pope Pius X Catholic Center, 1175 U.N. Ave., Paco, Manila or email to:
[email protected]. For more information, call Ms . Rose Serna at Tel 527-8113/4
CBCP Monitor
Statements
Vol. 11 No. 19
September 17 - 30, 2007
B5
7th Regional Consultation Meeting of
the Filipino Ministry in Europe
August 27 - 31, 2007, Dublin, Ireland
WE, the Filipino Chaplains and
Pastoral Workers representing the
different Migrant Filipino Communities in Europe (Belgium, England, Germany, Greece, Norway,
Switzerland, plus Israel and Lebanon), together with the Chairman
and the Executive Secretary of the
Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples (ECMI) of the Catholic
Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), gathered for the 7th
Regional Consultation Meeting on
the Filipino Ministry in Europe in
the Retreat Center of the
Redemptorists, Marianella,
Dublin, Ireland from 27th to 31st
August 2007. The meeting focused
on the theme: “Filipinos and their
families, contributors to European
Church and Society”.
The Message of Archbishop
Agostino Marchetto, Secretary of
the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples, reminded us that our
Filipino migrants in Europe “…are
called to be the new and youthful
witness of that very Faith which
your country received from Europe so many generations ago”
(John Paul II, Homily at the Holy
Mass on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Pontifical Philippine College, 17 May 1987). The
same message states that “the Filipinos and Filipinas in Europe are
not just arms, not only labor force,
...being reunited with their children, they give witness to the importance of the family, a value that
Europe has somehow lost, or at
least neglected”. From the sharing of our experiences in ministering to the Filipino migrants and
their families, and the testimonies
of two families that were invited
in the meeting, we strongly affirm
that, indeed, in the words of Pope
Benedict XVI, “the migrant family
is in a special way a resource as
long as it is respected as such” (Angelus on the occasion of the World
Day of Migrants and Refugees, 14
January 2007) and that the primary
value of the family that our Filipino migrants demonstrate is an
essential part of their witnessing
to the Faith and is their significant
contribution to the European
Church and Society.
Certain representatives from
the Philippine government and
that of Ireland who deal directly
with migrants were invited to the
meeting to inform the assembly
on important matters concerning
migrants. Clarifications were done
on several issues, especially those
relating to the education of the children of migrants, particularly in
Ireland.
The presence of the Most. Rev.
Diarmuid Martin, Archbishop of
Dublin, at the concluding Eucharistic celebration was an assuring
gesture of the receiving Church’s
caring and welcoming attitude toward the Filipino migrants. He expressed his appreciation for the
Filipino migrants who have “injected” freshness and vitality into
the faith life of his archdiocese.
The participating chaplaincies
reported on the situation of their
ministry among the Filipino migrants. It was good to learn of the
numerous effective programs being implemented for the migrants.
The sufferings and pains of our migrants were also presented, challenging the pastoral workers to
serve them with greater dedication.
The sharing of experiences, information and prayerful reflections brought us to the following
realizations:
1. That migrants are a valuable
human resource for both Church
and society and as such deserve a
Pastoral Statement
on the brutal killing
of Rev. Fr. Florante
Rigonan
BEFORE midnight of August 28, we were shocked by the
news of an incident that we never have imagined would
ever happen. With utter disbelief, we all share the pain of
this extremely sad and alarming incident that sent a chilling, disturbing message to our Diocese. A priest died, one
of God’s loving and dedicated servants, in the person of
Fr. Florante Rigonan. The parish priest of Pinili has died,
not from natural cause, but by being brutally and senselessly murdered.
Astounded by the brutality and senselessness of the incident, I, your Pastor, and the whole clergy of the Diocese
of Laoag, hereby strongly condemn the murder of Fr.
Rigonan, our brother in the priestly vocation.
The death of Apo Florante is another tangible testimony
to the distressing truth that our province is indeed becoming an open field for audacious murderers, loose firearms and unresolved murder cases. Through the years, we
have condemned this alarming state of peace and order in
the province, and now the life of one of our advocates for
a peaceful and orderly society has been added to the cold
statistics of the victims, even as our appeals continue to
be lukewarmly considered and disregarded.
I thank our government officials in the municipal and
provincial levels, and the Philippine National Police for
their prompt response to the incident, and their sincere
efforts to solve this abominable crime. However, good
intentions are not enough. We expect and demand from
our law enforcing agencies that in the soonest possible
time they come up with a credible suspect, that the
perpetrator(s) be apprehended, and that after a speedy and
fair trial, the criminals be duly punished.
Only then can we say that justice has been served and
we can affirm that the bullet-riddled and mud-soaked lifeless body of Apo Florante has merited the proper attention of our government and of those who are supposed to
serve and protect our people in fulfillment of their sworn
duty.
To all of you who witnessed or know something about
this shameless murder, we appeal that you come out into
the open and bear witness to the truth. To the perpetrators
and conspirators of this crime, listen to the voice of God
in your conscience and confess your sin in order to be
worthy of God’s infinite mercy. To the parishioners of St.
Isidore Parish, Pinili, we urge you: make penance for this
crime that claimed the precious life of Apo Florante. To
all our faithful in the Diocese of Laoag, we enjoin you to
rise from your silence and indifference and actively participate with us as we steadfastly and fearlessly work, and
not just hope, for a peaceful, orderly and just society.
We all pray to Jesus through the Blessed Virgin Mary,
the mother of the clergy, who mourns with us today over
the death of Apo Florante, that she intercede for us, for
the speedy and just resolution of Apo Florante’s murder.
For the clergy of the Diocese of Laoag,
+ MOST REV. SERGIO L. UTLEG, DD
Bishop of Laoag
corresponding acceptance and humane treatment by everyone including the migrants themselves.
2. That it is common for Filipino migrants to be supporting
their own family with them
(spouse and children) and the
family they have left behind (parents, siblings and other relatives).
While they sometimes feel burdened by the demands of their
families back home, they nonetheless work long hours to meet
these demands—a fact which
hampers the practice of their
faith, or even threatens their own
economic security.
3. That the Filipino migrants
with their families continue to witness to their faith through active,
lively and vibrant liturgical celebrations, apostolic works, charitable services, and other activities
which often call for sacrifices.
4. That there is an ever-pressing need for migrant families to
lead their children to integrate to
the new culture without losing
the good Filipino culture, traditions and values.
5. That there is an urgent desire and a sacrificing effort in the
Filipino migrant families to stay
together and remain united.
6. That migrants need proper
education and on-going formation on the importance of the Sacrament of Matrimony and its corresponding documentation.
7. That there is a need to
strengthen the organization of our
ministry through the active participation of lay leaders among the
migrants, to broaden our linkages
with other migrant cause-oriented
groups, and to increase migration
advocacy programs.
With the above realizations, we
renew our commitment to the
ministry among the Filipino migrants and their families and we
ECMI Executive Secretary Fr. Edwin Corros, CS (leftmost, first row) with participants of the regional consultation meeting.
propose the following:
1. Heighten awareness in the
receiving Church and society and
among the migrants themselves
of their valuable presence and
contribution in these institutions.
2. Ensure sustained value formation which will enable migrants to understand their material and economic gains in the
right perspective of an authentic
Christian development.
3. Involve more migrant families in meaningful liturgical celebrations, apostolic and social
services, and deepen their understanding of these activities
through a renewed prayer life.
4. Continue family education
and formation programs on Filipino culture and values to ensure
a well-balanced integration of the
second generation with the Filipino way of life.
5. Organize and support activities and programs that will bring
families together, like Family Day,
Family Visitation and others.
6. Strengthen the Catechesis on the
Sacraments and provide assistance
for their proper documentation.
7. Establish a stronger organization among Chaplaincies and
other organizations working for
the care of migrants and the promotion and protection of their
rights with an eye towards eventually creating an international
organization of Filipino chaplaincies.
8. Establish an effective communication network (website)
among ourselves.
Finally, we turn to the Holy
Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, who also experienced the
migrant’s life, and learn from
them the love they have for each
other and their faith and trust in
the heavenly Father which kept
them united and strong in their
life’s journey.
We implore the Divine Assistance for all the Filipino migrants
and their families, and for all the
pastoral workers ministering
unto them.
Because I love our seminarians!
I WISH to present the following recollection
of events that led to my involvement in the
Doble incident at San Carlos Seminary.
Around late morning of June 13, 2005, I received a phone call from our seminary priests
at San Carlos Seminary asking for help because the seminary could not continue its regular program for our future priests on account
of the disorder in the compound caused by
the presence of Atty. Ong and Mr. Doble in
the seminary premises and the consequent
media presence by the only gate of the seminary. The seminary needs to maintain an atmosphere of prayer, reflection and study. I
promised to help and go to Manila to assist
them. That same morning I also received another call on my mobile phone from Ms. Medy
Poblador whom I knew as one of the assistants of former President Corazon Aquino
(later on I realized that she was no longer an
assistant of the former President but had become a staff for President Gloria Macapagal
Arroyo). She asked me if I was aware of the
ongoing crisis inside the San Carlos Seminary
compound. I said yes as I expressed concern
for our seminarians inside the compound
whose priestly discipline of study, prayer and
silence was being disturbed by the presence
of Atty. Ong and Mr. Doble. She said there
were plans to use military force to get Atty.
Ong and Mr. Doble out of the seminary. I raised
alarm about endangering the lives of our
seminarians. Medy asked if I was willing to
help. I said “Of course, for our seminarians I
will do everything!”
She then asked me if I could come to Ma-
nila. I said yes and promised to be in Manila
in two and half hours. She replied that it might
be too close to the military deadline. She then
offered that I be fetched by helicopter from
Balanga City. Reluctantly because I knew the
condition of most military helicopters, I
agreed. My seminarians’ welfare was foremost
to me.
I was fetched by the military helicopter at
the PNP Camp in Balanga City. I landed in
Camp Aguinaldo and was brought to the AFP
Officers Club where they offered me lunch. I
declined because I wanted to be brought immediately to the seminary to relieve the situation. Commodore Danga and General Adan
offered to orient me briefly of the situation
using the television. I was shown television
footage of the wife of Mr. Doble at the gate of
the seminary asking for help that her husband
may be allowed to leave the seminary. I was
told by one of the military officials that the
wife was under their care inside the officers’
quarters. After the brief orientation, I took a
black van offered by Commodore Tirso Danga
and went to San Carlos Seminary alone with
the driver. On the way, I called Archbishop
Rosales on my mobile phone to seek his blessings. He assured me of his blessings and admonished me to exhaust all means to avoid
violence. I went to the visitors’ reception area
where I found Mr. Doble alone. I introduced
myself and told him I was there to bring him
out of San Carlos Seminary. Seeming skeptical of me, I said I have a cell phone of your
wife to prove to you that I am a good person
and I will cause you no harm. Mr. Doble talked
to his wife on the phone. After the conversation, Mr. Doble said to me he was ready to go
with me, I asked Mr. Doble where he wanted
me to bring him. He said “To my family.” I
brought him to the seminary chapel to pray.
Bishop Cortez and some priests came to send
him off. Mr. Doble thanked them and asked
for understanding for the troubles to the seminarians.
The black van brought us to Camp
Aguinaldo at 1:35 pm. I was led to a room in
the AFP Officers Club where Mrs. Doble and
the children were waiting. Having brought
Mr. Doble back to his family, I left the room
out of reverence for the intimacy of the moment. Some of the officers expressed thanks
to me but I told them I really did it for our
seminarians not for anyone in government.
I wish to state categorically that I did what I
did because of my love and concern for our
distressed and confused seminarians whose
building was trespassed and whose seminary
rhythm and priestly discipline was disturbed.
I did it as a bishop whose main duty is to be
a father to his priests and future priests. If there
was indeed to be military operation in the
seminary to bring out Mr. Doble and Atty.
Ong that day, I wanted to be with our seminarians and priests at that moment of crisis to
assure them, to console them and tell them I
was ready to die with them.
From the Cathedral of Saint Joseph, Balanga City,
+SOCRATES B. VILLEGAS, DD
Bishop of Balanga
September 7, 2007
STANDING ON COMMON GROUND: Annual Human
Life International Pilipinas National Congress
Cebu Midtown Hotel, Cebu City, August 25, 2007
WHEREAS, Philippine culture is essentially Christian and the value it
gives to human life and to the family is something shared by all Filipinos, Christians and Non-Christians alike;
Whereas, Philippine society is
grounded on the firm belief of the
inviolability of life as enshrined in
Natural and Divine Positive Law;
Whereas, this belief system is enshrined and clearly acknowledged
in the Philippine Constitution
which is pro-life and pro-people and
which specifically respects the right
of families to found their families
according to their religious convictions. Wherefore, on the basis of
these common grounds, we, the
lawmakers, government officials,
and members of civil society, alike,
now present in this Annual Human
Life International Pilipinas National Congress hereby resolve to:
a. Refuse to give in to the over-
population propaganda being aggressively advocated by the government and to resist population
control in any form—abortion,
mass sterilization and distribution
of artificial contraceptives, etc.—
and vehemently oppose the passage of any bills reinforcing and
attempting to enshrine an alien
“Culture of Death”;
b. Commit to relentlessly pursue the promotion of Fertility
Awareness at all levels of society,
especially on the grassroots;
c. Earnestly urge government officials, local and national, as well as
lawmakers, to support programs
and legislation that genuinely
strengthen the family—the basic
unit of society—and to invest in its
total development, instead of espousing programs/bills that tend
to destroy it;
d.Upholdthedignityofhumansexuality in the context of God’s plan for
mankind and the value of marriage;
e. Resist all efforts to push the propagandaadvocatingfreedomofsexual
orientation. The legalization of same
sex marriage—gateway to “marriage
a la mode” eventually undermining
the stability of our families;
f. Uphold the exclusive responsibility and the right of parents over
the education of their children in human sexuality and to work towards
enabling parents to help their children achieve sexual integrity and to
espouse saving sex for marriage.
Trusting our future and the future of our people to our Father God,
with the light of the Most Holy Spirit
and through the intercession of our
Lady, Mary Mediatrix of all Grace,
we hereby commit ourselves to the
endeavor of constructing an authentic Culture of Life in our beloved
land. We affix our signature this 25th
day of August 2007, in Cebu City,
Philippines.
Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal
Most Rev. Angel N. Lagdameo, DD
Most. Rev. Julito B. Cortes, DD
Most Rev. Leonardo Y. Medroso,
DD
Most Rev. Jesus Y. Varela, DD
Senator Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr
Congressman Eduardo C. Zialcita
Congressman Roilo S. Golez
Congressman Rene M. Velarde
Congressman Hermilando O.
Mandanas
Congressman Raul V. del Mar
Congressman Bienvenido Abante, Jr
Councilor John Carlos de los Reyes
Rene Josef Bullecer, MD
Orestes P. Monzon, MD
Atty. Jo Imbong
Atty. Jane Aguilar
Dr. Ligaya Acosta
Dr. Fenny C. Tatad
Rev. Fr. Joe Sweggmann
Rev. Fr. Ervy Davy Lajara
231 Delegates coming from 36 archdioceses and dioceses
CBCP Monitor
Reflections
B6
In time we build our eternity - by sharing
and being concerned with others
26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Seafarers’ Sunday
(Amos 6, 1.4-7; 1 Tim 6, 11-16; Lk. 16, 19-31)
September 30, 2007
they do not care at all.” They will all go to exile—
and soon! Indeed soon enough the Assyrians came
and destroyed Samaria and sent the rich to exile to
Nineveh.
St. Paul told Timothy in our second reading:
“Fight the good fight of the faith and win for yourself the eternal life to which you were called.” What
is the good fight of the faith? For many of us its the
life of faith lived in love. By the love we show to
others we shall stand before God. God is not a
feeling. It is a sharing. We truly love when we
share. We share what the Lord has gifted us with—
it may be time, or money, or talent, or concern—
because whatever we have is not only for us. We
are just stewards. They are meant for others too.
Nobody can say thatI have nothing to share. Pondo ng
Pinoy reminds us of this. Nobody can say I don’t
have 25 centavos to share. No matter how small, as
long as it is given constantly with love will earn us
our eternal reward.Anumang magaling, kahit maliit
basta’t malimit ay patungong langit.
This Sunday we remember our Filipino Seafarers. They are a great force, more than 250,000 thousands of them, and they bring in a lot of money to
our country, but at great sacrifice, hard work and
much loneliness. As we admire them, we support
them with our prayers. We also try to understand
their families. May their wives and children appreciate and value what these men are doing. We
also pray that they—the sailors and their families—may not forget that their true home is in
heaven and as they work so hard for their wellbeing here on earth they may not lose sight of
their true home, of the port of call of every life.
May they also strive for eternity by caring and
helping the less fortunate ones.
Virtual world
stuck in one place or in one timeframe anymore. While we have our
own niches, we need to continually
interact with more and more people
in the richness of their variety.
This is especially meaningful to
me, since only recently did I get reminded that a person grows precisely in being a person to the extent that he is able to develop more
and better relationships with God
and with others.
We can have our preferences and
all that, but at the end of the day
what really matters is when we are
able to be open to everyone no matter how different one may be from
us.
Back to the virtual world, many
wonderful uses can be found. You
want to browse through new books
not yet available locally, you can
do so in the virtual bookstore.
Or you want to read books in a
library, attend classes on economics, or visit a museum, or pray in a
particular chapel, you can do so in
the virtual world. You’ll be afforded a certain degree of interaction with other characters there.
Your life grows in the virtual world.
I was told that there are now millions actively participating in this
community. There is also the possibility of changing your identity,
or having different identities.
Though the user profile is still elitist in character, it is believed that
that will soon change.
As can be readily seen, the possibilities the virtual world offers can
be mind-boggling. And thus the
need to humanize and Christianize
it is becoming urgent. It cannot be
allowed to develop mainly through
purely economic and social criteria.
That’s why I was happy to know
that a group of young men, professionals and experts in this field, are
studying the possibility to put heart
and soul into this exciting stage of
our development.
They’re drumming up a number
of activities and conferences to familiarize more and more people
about the possibilities of the virtual world. They are inviting those
interested to help in any way they
can. There’s a lot of work to do.
There’s a need to create a good,
healthy culture of the virtual world.
It should help people to become better persons, where pursuit of
knowledge and widening of network would make them more open
to the others.
We have to prevent the virtual
world from becoming a center for
vices and empty and frivolous, if
not sinful, pursuits. Sad to say, this
is what we are seeing often these
days. With the wrong attitude,
people can worsen in selfishness and
narrow-mindedness when they use
the virtual world.
For sure, a certain level of human and moral maturity is needed
here. To distinguish between the essential and non-essential, the prudent and the dangerous is a skill to
master if one doesn’t like getting
lost in the maze.
We have to learn to be very discriminating, without being discriminatory. Those who will be
working in this field should have a
good and firm grasp of what really
constitutes the good of man and his
proper development.
Bo Sanchez
Cherish your chosen one
GETTING married is the greatest mistake
anyone can ever make.
Being wed is the height of insanity, the most
ludicrous commitment, the totally illogical decision any human being can fall into.
Tell me. Why will I commit myself to be with
one woman for the rest of my life—and thereby
reject 3.2 billionother females in the world? Along
the way, I’ll meet a girl who’ll be more beautiful, or more intelligent, or more charming, or
sexier, or holier… So why nail myself down to
one choice, permanently—and suffer the agony
of simply watching beauties pass me by?
And in western countries, one out of two
marriages ends up in divorce. That blows my
mind. That’s a pathetic 50% failure rate! I won’t
buy a car, a stereo, a shaver, or even a nail clipper if there’s a 50% chance that it’ll conk out on
me. I simply won’t!
And why stay with one person “in sickness or
in health, in riches or in poverty, till death do us part”?
Is my mind fried? If my shirt shrinks on me
because I eat too many pizzas, don’t I just throw
it away and buy an XL? (That will be the day.)
And if I outgrow my ancient computer, don’t I
just look for an updated version?
By Ambassador Henrietta T. de Villa
Si Dindo’y litung-lito, ganito ba ang pagboto?
Ang watcher may kamera, ba’t di gamitin, hulihin
ito.
Hindi niya natiis, lumabas, nagtanong
Sa guro, nagsasalansan ng papel – may computer at
tabako.
Bakit ganitong kagulo, walang batas sa presinto?
Musmos ka pa Dindo, kailangang matuto.
Madalas naghahari sa pagpili ng liderato
Mga nakatira sa mansion, magagara ang kotse
Malaman ang passbook – ang wika ay tseke.
Gintong hikaw nag-uumapaw, pagkain litsong baka,
Sa kanila, tao kahit sino, laging may halaga.
By Fr. Roy Cimagala
THAT’S the world created by the
Internet. It’s a 3-dimensional electronic environment where a user
as an avatar can interact with a
viewer to change variables. Now
you don’t have to go out to socialize. All you need to do is to turn on
your Internet.
As of now, it is concentrated on
games and, sadly, other not-so-clean
fun gimmicks, like dating services
and soft-porn. But it need not stop
there. Many other useful possibilities exist.
This is definitely something new
to me, and to most of my generation, I believe. When someone
talked about it recently, I can’t help
but feel suddenly old, useless and
irrelevant.
I realize I had to double time to
catch up with the developments. Interesting things are now happening in this virtual world. I have to
break that digital divide. I hope the
transition will not be very painful
and costly.
In short, at issue here is the challenge today for most of us to acquire media literacy. We can’t get
Boboto na si Dindo
Si Dindo ay tuwang-tuwa, handang bumoto
Suot bagong damit, may ballpen sa bulsa
Pumasok sa presinto, nagulat sa nakita.
Botante ba ito? May baril na dala
Ang kapal ng pitaka, namumudmod ng pera.
Botante ba ito? Lasing – alak ang hininga
Habang bumoboto, ang cellphone kinokopya.
By Bishop Broderick S. Pabillo, DD
WE live in time but we are for eternity. Because
this 26thSunday is a Sunday for the seafarers we can
use their example. They travel and make their living in the sea, but they are for the land. They enjoy
on land what they earn working in the seas. This is
also similar to all of us. We live now and work on
earth but we are not for the earth but for our heavenly home. There we will truly enjoy our being.
So we strive for eternity in time. For those who
believe in eternity, time is a treasure, because in
time we determine our situation in the world to
come.
The parable of the rich man and the poor man,
Lazarus, is not emphasizing the difference between
the rich and the poor. Rather, it highlights the manner in which God will judge our attitude towards
riches and the things we enjoy in this world. The
rich man, who in this world dedicated his time to
feasting and having a good time, while not showing any concern for the poor, will experience a sad
change in his future life. This is what happened to
the rich man of the Gospel. Unfortunately for him,
he lived as if eternity did not exist. The rich man is
not condemned for being rich, but for being unmerciful, for being uncaring, for not having pity
for the man who lies at his gate. He was thinking
only of himself. In the parable, Jesus Christ teaches
us that in eternity—and perhaps even in the time
of one’s earthly life—God will justly reward each
person according to how he shares his gifts to others. This teaching should also enlighten our present
life, so that we too may speak about living the
present in light of eternity. In other words, the
thought of a future life should spur us to be just and
express solidarity in our present life.
The people in the capital city of Samaria were
condemned by God in the time of Amos. They
were living a luxurious life—lying on ivory beds,
eating the tender meat of sheep and beef, drinking
choice wine, anointing themselves with first class
ointments and whiling away time composing
songs as if they were king David, and all the while
the whole country was falling down, the poor were
being abused and left to care for themselves. Their
condemnation is: “About the ruin of their nation
Vol. 11 No. 19
September 17 - 30, 2007
And then there’s the catastrophe some call kids.
I mean, do I really want to wake up in the middle
of the night to entertain a self-centered, bald,
toothless tyrant in diapers? Do I really want little
rampaging monsters to break the most expensive furniture in my house? Do I really want
juvenile creatures to stay in the phone for six
hours straight, listen to noise they call music
that you believe came directly from hell, and
mope around uncommunicative, catatonic, and
depressed because another demented juvenile
creature (called boyfriend) hasn’t called for the
past thirty minutes?
Why should I go through the torture? Marriage is insanity.
But a few years ago, on my 32nd birthday, I
gave myself a special birthday gift: I got married to a lovely woman—and committed myself to insane living.
Marowe is her name, the one person I chose—
out of 3.2 billion females. Yes, we now have a
tiny tyrant that wakes us up at night, and in the
near future, we will most likely have little monsters that will destroy our house during playtime,
and creatures from outer space that we will call
teen-agers.
Why?
Because of three reasons.
FAITH. We believe that God calls us into
marriage. And if He called us there, that means
He’ll be there to meet us. We will suffer all things—
just let us be with our God.
HOPE. We confidently expect the best blessings—immeasurably much more than all the
hardships. God will bless us beyond our wildest dreams.
LOVE. Oh yes, there will be other females
who’ll be more beautiful, or more intelligent,
or more this and more that… But they’ll only be
just that—females—like flowers in the field of a
million hectares of flower fields.
But not this woman—my Marowe—the one
beautiful flower I have personally chosen, personally picked from her roots, personally
planted in my own clay pot, personally watered everyday, personally watched everyday,
and personally loved everyday. Because of my
love for her, there will be no one like her.
In my heart, she will eternally be the most beautiful flower of them all.
Because in the end, there will only be faith,
hope, and love.
And the greatest of these is love.
Hinagpis ni Dindo: Saan ako tutungo
Hihingi ng katarungan – Malacañang o Sandigang
Bayan?
Paano ang pagboto – isang balota, isang tao?
Paano ang bayan, binuwag na troso?
Ang balota nilibing sa puntod, ginawang pulutan
Ng kasakiman at kadiliman ng kapwa Pilipino.
Inang Bayan, kailan, kailan ang ilaw sa pagboto ng
wasto?
(This poem was written during the workshop on poetry in the 2 nd
National Congress on Good Citizenship at NCPAG, University of
the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City. August 17-18, 2007)
Atty. Jo Imbong
Are you pro-life?
CAN you be what it takes to be one?
First, a pro-life track is not a pastime. It is not a diversion,
not a let-me-try-it-once sort of thing which you write about as
“What-I-Did-Last-Summer”. There is no such thing as a prolife dilettante.
Second, it is not a matter of sporting a round pin on your
lapel that declares, “Pro Life Ako”. You don’t wear your conviction, you live it, breathe it, dream it. Eventually, you will
exude it. “For where your heart is, there your treasure is too.”
It becomes a calling.
Third, there is no such thing as a medium-rare pro-life advocate. This kind of work is total and uncompromising. If you
flip-flop on Truth, you will find yourself brokering compromises. Eventually, what is true can become false, and vice
versa. “It depends...”
Fourth, you do not attach the Pro-Life sash on your torso.
Someone else gives you that title because you show it in the
bills you write in Congress, in the City ordinances you author, and—this is the litmus test—in the way you stubbornly
speak out for the unchangeable truths about human nature
such as the undeniable reality that the human embryo is truly
human, a truth as real as the fact that all members of Congress
started their honorable existence as a human embryo.
Fifth, if you are honestly pro-life, you are testifying in favor of no vested interests. Rather, you are openly a credible
witness of the case for humanity and its right to continue in
this planet and be its steward, not its captive.
Sixth, if you are pro-life, you have no presumptions about
yourself having any power to amend life’s definitions. These
are already written into humanity’s heart with un-erasable
ink. Where others have attempted to define what sort of “thing”
is the human embryo, they have only managed to weave a
convoluted twine about themselves. It is like forcing a size 8
shirt over a size 14 torso. Pathetic, ridiculous, over-stretched.
Seventh, if you are an authentic defender of life, you stand
on your convictions fuelled by nothing personal—whether
this be what your Archbishop will think of you, or what image that will do for you in your next High School Reunion—
that sort of thing. Rather, you embraced the pro-life agenda
because you have freely said “Yes” to an irresistible invitation: “Follow me.” (Matt. 4:19)
And what does yourYes mean?
St. Paul says it better: “Now you have not received a spirit
of bondage so as to be again in fear; but you have received a
spirit of adoption as sons, by virtue of which, we cry, ‘Abba!
Father!’ “ (Romans 8:15)
Thus, you did not choose to be pro-life. You were handpicked and called. Adopted, to be more accurate. And you
were prepared for this commissioning not yesterday or on
the opening of Congress, but even before you were conceived
on Day One.
Finally, if you answered the “call”, you might be tempted
to harbor lofty feelings about yourself. Don’t.
According to Fritz Tillman, a moral theologian, “when a
man has done his best, he may not delude himself into believing that he has produced something out of the ordinary, something for which he can be proud or boastful. After all, he has
only performed his duty to God by means of the gifts that
God gave Him. ...‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done
what it was our duty to do.’” (Luke 17:10)
For sure, it won’t be easy, this pro-life avocation. There is
another condition attached to it, and this is the willingness to
undergo sacrifices for the sake of the great task enjoined. In
Tillman’s words: “Because of the sublimity of the undertaking there is the awesome seriousness of the choice with which
the Lord confronts every man. If someone puts his hand to
the plow and looks back, he is not fit for the kingdom of God
(Luke 9:62). ...The Savior confronts man with a decision which
allows no hesitation or vacillation, but demands an unconditional assent.”
The characteristic traits which God seeks in His pro-life
child are: purity of intention, tenacity, consistency, truthfulness, character, humility, and fidelity.
The Lord never watered down His demands. He preferred
to let the rich young man, whose willingness had at first so
captivated Him, depart, just as later He permitted His disciples to leave when their faith proved too weak (Matt 19:30).
Pro-life. Can you?
CBCP Monitor
Social Concern
Vol. 11 No. 19
September 17 - 30, 2007
B7
NRC-II
NRC-II starts
starts local
local consultations
consultations
Address of His Holiness Benedict XVI to
the participants of the 12th Congress of the
International Commission of Catholic
Prison Pastoral Care
Castel Gandolfo
6 September 2007
Dear Friends,
I am pleased to welcome you as you gather in Rome for the Twelfth World
Congress of the International Commission of Catholic Prison Pastoral Care.
I thank your President, Doctor Christian Kuhn, for the kind words expressed
on behalf of the Executive Board of the Commission.
The theme of your Congress this year, “Discovering the Face of Christ in
Every Prisoner” (Mt 25:36), aptly portrays your ministry as a vivid encounter
with the Lord. Indeed, in Christ the “love of God and love of neighbour have
become one”, so that “in the least of the brethren we find Jesus himself, and in
him…God” (“Deus Caritas Est,” 15).
Your ministry requires much patience and perseverance. Not infrequently
there are disappointments and frustrations. Strengthening the bonds that unite
you with your bishops will enable you to find the support and guidance you
need to raise awareness of your vital mission. Indeed, this ministry within
the local Christian community will encourage others to join you in performing corporal works of mercy, thus enriching the ecclesial life of the diocese.
Likewise, it will help to draw those whom you serve into the heart of the
universal Church, especially through their regular participation in the celebration of the sacraments of Penance and the Holy Eucharist (cf. “Sacramentum Caritatis,” 59).
Prisoners easily can be overwhelmed by feelings of isolation, shame and
rejection that threaten to shatter their hopes and aspirations for the future.
Within this context, chaplains and their collaborators are called to be heralds
of God’s infinite compassion and forgiveness. In cooperation with civil authorities, they are entrusted with the weighty task of helping the incarcerated
rediscover a sense of purpose so that, with God’s grace, they can reform their
lives, be reconciled with their families and friends, and, insofar as possible,
assume the responsibilities and duties which will enable them to conduct
upright and honest lives within society.
Judicial and penal institutions play a fundamental role in protecting citizens and safeguarding the common good (cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church,
2266). At the same time, they are to aid in rebuilding “social relationships
disrupted by the criminal act committed” (cf. “Compendium of the Social
Doctrine of the Church,” 403). By their very nature, therefore, these institutions must contribute to the rehabilitation of offenders, facilitating their transition from despair to hope and from unreliability to dependability. When
conditions within jails and prisons are not conducive to the process of regaining a sense of worth and accepting its related duties, these institutions fail to
achieve one of their essential ends. Public authorities must be ever vigilant in
this task, eschewing any means of punishment or correction that either undermine or debase the human dignity of prisoners. In this regard, I reiterate
that the prohibition against torture “cannot be contravened under any circumstances” (Ibid., 404).
I am confident that your Congress will provide an opportunity to share your
experiences of the mysterious countenance of Christ shining through the faces
of the imprisoned. I encourage you in your efforts to show that face to the
world as you promote greater respect for the dignity of the detained. Finally, I
pray that your Congress will be an occasion for you yourselves to appreciate
anew how, in attending to the needs of the imprisoned, your own eyes are
opened to the marvels God does for you each day (cf. “Deus Caritas Est,” 18).
With these sentiments I extend my heartfelt wishes to you and all the participants in the Congress for the success of your meeting and willingly impart my Apostolic Blessing to you and your loved ones.
By Pinky Barrientos, FSP
THE second National Rural
Congress (NRC II) slated
middle of next year is expected to gain active participation from the rural poor as
parishes kick off its consultations at the local level.
In a letter sent to all dioceses, ECSA-JP Chair Most
Rev. Dinualdo Gutierrez, DD,
reiterated the aims of the local assembly: a) to know the
needs and current situation
of the rural poor; b) to analyze the impact of social legislation and its implementation in the light of the social
teachings of the Church; c) to
identify the roles of BEC’s
and other Church groups;
and d) to propose strategic
plans.
NRC-II Ad-Intra and AdExtra secretariat have formulated guidelines for the consultations both for the parishes and diocesan level.
Meanwhile, following the
parish consultations, the diocesan rural congress and
sub-regional consultations
will begin simultaneously in
the first quarter of 2008. The
data generated from these
consultations will be col-
lated, in time for the National
Rural Congress scheduled
sometime middle of next
year.
In its recent meeting, the
NRC II central committee
and members of the secretariat discussed and laid out
plans on the effective participation of people at the local
level. There will be simultaneous nationwide consultations in Luzon, Visayas and
Mindanao. The workshops
will tackle particular situations of sectors involved,
such as, farmers, fisherfolks,
miners, and indigenous
people (IP). However, it will
also include cross-cutting issues concerning women,
youth and elderly.
The social teachings of the
Church will serve as a framework for analysis, and will
be presented in the language
and dialect understood by
the poor. The See-Judge-Act
methodology will be applied both at the local as well
as national levels.
The data gathered from
local consultations will be
raised to the national level
for crafting national policies
and engagements with government, business and other
stakeholders.
Listening to the voice of the
poor
The NRC II enlisted the
collaboration of consultants
from NGO’s and people organizations (PO’s) to make
the local consultations effectively meet its objective, to
listen to the poor.
The consultants from
NGO’s raised important issues such as poverty, population, government budget
allocation for basic services,
human rights violations,
empowerment of the rural
poor, and social justice for
discussion which the central
committee took note of.
Meanwhile, research
groups composed mainly of
NGO’s and PO’s listed down
possible areas where they can
help: such as providing inputs and making instruments
for consultations, help collate or synthesize the outputs
of the local consultations,
help develop systematic pressure points and areas of engagements with government, business and academe,
and organize symposiums
later to present researches
and policy studies on the rural poor.
The National Rural Congress of 1967 opened a door
which led to a deeper involvement of the Philippine
Church in social issues concerning the plight of the poor.
The Church’s concern in rural issues spawned the formation of diocesan social action
centers, rural cooperatives,
advocacy groups for agrarian
reforms, and others.
However, in a pastoral
statement issued early this
year the CBCP acknowledged the need to review the
continuing issues that hound
the rural poor. In calling for
the second National Rural
Congress the statement said,
“This time our farmers must
do the speaking by themselves, the discerning, the
proposing of their own ideas,
the planning of how we must
as a people come together to
work for the common good
of the country…”
Thus the National Rural
Congress will provide an opportunity for the rural poor
to find their voice and be
heard, both by Church and
government; and become key
players in rural development.
Tuguegarao / B3
bishop issued a Decree on the implementation of programs relevant to the formation of basic ecclesial communities in all
parishes and other pastoral structures in
the archdiocese.
The Pastoral Secretariat monitors the
pastoral action that takes place in the archdiocese and sees to it that all the
archdiocesan commissions have their plan
of action aligned to the pastoral thrust of
the archdiocese. Working closely with the
secretariat is the BEC Service Office. The
secretariat is composed of the directors and
members of all the archdiocesan commissions.
Diocesan Clergy and Vocations
There are 68 diocesan priests presently
working in the archdiocese. Majority of
them are assigned in parishes in mainland
Cagayan. Through the initiative of Archbishop Talamayan, a good number of the
diocesan clergy have already earned their
ecclesiastical and civil degrees here and
abroad. Some priests are on study leave
abroad while others are on loan to other
dioceses here and abroad. There exists a
strong bond of camaraderie among the
priests and the archbishop. Ongoing formation for the clergy is provided for. Every year, two priests are sent to undergo
renewal courses at the Mundelein Seminary (USA) thanks to the cooperation of
the Archdiocese of Chicago. Priests also
attend regularly the updating courses
given by the Episcopal Commission on
the Clergy in Manila. The archbishop also
encourages priests to join clerical associations—Opus Spiritus Sancti Movement and
the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross,
which foment priestly spirituality and formation. A good number of priests belong
to the group of junior and middle aged
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clergy. A foundation for the hospitalization of the clergy has been established to
take care of the clergy’s health. Through
the initiative of Archbishop Talamayan, a
new Clergy Retirement Home is being
constructed.
There is sufficient number of vocations
to the diocesan priesthood. Ordinations
are held almost every year. The rectors of
the seminaries in the archdiocese are assigned as Vocation Directors. The priests
and members of the laity, particularly parents, are tasked to promote priestly vocations. The San Jacinto Seminary helps secondary students to discover their vocation
to the priesthood. Major seminarians are
sent for formation at the local major seminary or in seminaries in other parts of the
country or abroad.
Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life
Following the decrees of the FAPA, an
association of religious men and women
working in the archdiocese has been established. The association meets regularly
and attempts to integrate their different
charisms with the pastoral needs of the
local church.
There are five institutes of consecrated
life for men working in the archdiocese.
Majority of them are assigned to parishes.
The Order of Friars Minor (OFM Franciscans) takes care of three parishes
in the Vicariate of Santa Ana (Sta. Teresita,
Sta. Ana and Casambalangan). The islands
of Camiguin and Calayan are entrusted
to the Order of Preachers (OP - Dominicans). The parishes in the Vicariate of
Pamplona (Pamplona, Sanchez Mira,
Namuac, Dana-ili, Claveria) are under the
pastoral care of the priests of the Society
of the Divine Word (SVD). The priests of
the Congregation of the Immaculate
Heart of Mary (CICM) serve as administrators and chaplains of the University of
St. Louis Tuguegarao. A new Pious Union
of Men was established by Archbishop
Talamayan: the Eucharistic Healers of
Mary (EHM), who are tasked to take care
of the spiritual needs of the sick, especially
the elderly members of the clergy. There
are twenty-two religious clergy who work
in the archdiocese.
There are seven religious institutes for
women actively working in the Archdiocese. The Poor Clare Monastery of the
Eucharistic Lord in Iguig houses the Poor
Sisters of St. Clare (OSC). This contemplative community of nuns is the powerhouse
of prayer of the archdiocese. The Sisters of
St. Paul of Chartres (SPC) collaborate in
the fields of education (St. Paul University
Philippines in Tuguegarao and St. Paul
School Aparri) and of health care (St. Paul
Hospital in Tuguegarao). This year the SPC
sisters celebrate the centenary of their presence in the archdiocese. The means of social communications are under the care of
the Daughters of St. Paul (FSP). The sisters
run a bookstore and help in radio broadcasting. The Congregacion de Religiosas
Dominicas de Sta. Catalina (OP) runs the
St. Catherine Academy in Gattaran. To cater to the poor and malnourished children,
the Missionaries of Charity (MC) of
Mother Theresa are in Aparri. The Sisters
of the Poor of St. Catherine of Siena (SDP)
take care of the formation of the youth,
especially those who are out of school. The
Franciscan Apostolic Sisters (FAS) is a congregation founded in the archdiocese by
Fr. Gerardo Filippetto, OFM. The sisters
collaborate in the administration of
schools, offices and other special assignments entrusted to them. Archbishop
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Talamayan was instrumental in their reorganization and in the acquisition of their
status as a congregation of Pontifical Right.
The Holy Spirit Sisters (OSS) is a society
of apostolic life and collaborates in the upkeep of the Archdiocesan Renewal Center. The sisters belong to the Opus Spiritus
Sancti Movement composed of priests, religious and lay people. There exists in the
archdiocese a secular institute for women
of the OSS.
The Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of
Mary (SIHM) are considering a more stable
presence in the Archdiocese. They intend to
work in the field of ecology. Also under
negotiation is the presence of the Holy Face
Sisters (HFJ) who help in the promotion of
Eucharistic adoration, particularly in the
Parish of the Holy Cross (Ballesteros).
Respect for the different charisms of these
forms of life in the Church is highly observed. Their respective legitimate autonomous character, however, does not segregate them from the pastoral programs of
the archdiocese. An annual get-together of
all the clergy and members of the institutes
for consecrated life and of the society of apostolic life working in the archdiocese is celebrated in the month of December.
Lay Organizations and Movements
Heeding the call of the Second Vatican
Council, the Archdiocese continues to foster a more active role of the laity in the
Church. There exists an Archdiocesan
Council of the Laity which implements
programs and foment the collaboration
of the lay faithful in all aspects of ecclesial
life. They are sent to attend updating seminars and other formation courses in order
to train them professionally in their respective field of apostolate.
Appreciative of the orthodox initiative
of the lay faithful, pastors of souls are ever
supportive of the activities and apostolate
done by the different religious organizations and movements in the archdiocese.
For the sake of vigilance and to dispense
the richness of the sacraments, every organization or movement has its own
priest-spiritual director.
Many lay faithful are also given the opportunity to collaborate in the liturgical
activities. They work as extraordinary
ministers of communion, lectors, acolyte,
cantors, etc. As permitted by Church law,
they are sometimes called upon to share
their life experiences and reflections in the
form of witnessing to inspire other members of the faithful.
The Year of Jubilees of Archbishop
Talamayan
For more than two decades of service to
the people of God in the archdiocese as
their local ordinary, Archbishop Diosdado
A. Talamayan has opted to follow the
good examples and “fortes” of his predecessors. He has used his energy in con-
structing, restoring and beautifying various ecclesiastical buildings. Working
closely with the National Center for the
Culture and the Arts and some experts,
historical churches and structures were
restored. New structures, such as, the Basilica of Our Lady of Piat complex, were
constructed under his leadership and in
cooperation with his local and foreign
benefactors. Though busy with these temporal constructions, the archbishop was
not remiss in his primary duty as a pastor—to look after the spiritual welfare of
the faithful. His office is always open to
listen to people from all walks of life. The
poor and underprivileged have a special
place in his heart.
To honor and celebrate the life and mission of Archbishop Talamayan, October
19, 2006-2007 has been declared in the archdiocese as a Year of Jubilees. The following anniversaries of the archbishop are observed with festivities in the entire ecclesiastical jurisdiction: January 31, 2006 –
20th Year of Appointment as Metropolitan
Archbishop; April 10, 2006 – 20th Year of
Installation as Metropolitan Archbishop;
October 19, 2006 – 74th Birthday and
Launching of the Year of Jubilees; November 30, 2006 – 50th Anniversary of Priestly
Ordination; January 12, 2007 – 23rd Year
Anniversary of Episcopal Ordination; July
5, 2007 – 40th Year of Foundation of the
Lyceum of Aparri; and October 19, 2007 –
75th Birthday and Closing of the Year of
Jubilees.
The Year of Jubilees is a year of thanksgiving for the faithful in the archdiocese
as we thank the archbishop for his years
of service in this ecclesiastical jurisdiction.
The following activities are observed for
the spiritual and temporal enrichment of
the faithful: groundbreaking ceremony
and construction of the Clergy Retirement
Home; the implementation of the BECs as
an archdiocesan pastoral thrust; tree planting; the erection of two new parishes: Divine Mercy (Leonarda) and Holy Family
(Gaddu); cultural activities (fund raising
concert, dinner concert and free piano concert); youth vigils and encounters; parish
pastoral visits; mass confirmations; outreach programs to the underprivileged
(medical missions and gift giving to the
Aetas and prisoners), and sports activities
(basketball games between the NCAA and
UAAP champions, UST and San Beda, in
Aparri and Tuguegarao).
In thanksgiving for the self-sacrificing
example of Archbishop Diosdado A.
Talamayan, the faithful thank the Almighty for having sent them a shepherd
who in his 23 years of service have accomplished so much. The celebrations during
this Year of Jubilees are an invitation for
the faithful to continue working with their
local ordinary who works “in aedificationem
Corporis Christi” (for the building of the
Body of Christ).
CBCP Monitor
Entertainment
B8
Vol. 11 No. 19
September 17 - 30, 2007
Title: Rogue Assassin
Running Time: 103 mins
Cast: Jet Li, Jason Statham, Terry Chen, John Lone, Ryo Ishibashi
Director: Philip G. Atwell
Producers: Steve Chasman, Christopher Pezel, Jim Thompson
Screenwriters: Lee Anthony Smith, Gregory J. Bradley
Music: Bryan Tyler
Editor: Scott Ritcher
Genre: Action
Cinematography: Pierre Morel
Distributor: Lions Gate Films
Location: Vancouver, Columbia Canada
Technical Assessment:
Moral Assessment:
CINEMA Rating: For mature viewers 18 and above
WHEN Rogue (Jet Li), an
infamous and elusive assassin, killed and murdered FBI agent Tom Lone
(Terry Chen) and his
family, Lone’s partner
John Crawford (Jason
Statham) vows to find
him to personally
avenge
his
partner’s death.
Three years later
Rogue resurfaces
to ignite a bloody war
between Chinese
Triad leader Chang
(John Lone) and Japanese
Yakuza head Shiro (Ryo
Ishibashi). Crawford, eager to capture Rogue at all
costs, leads his team of
crime specialists to
meddle into the conflict
between the Chinese and
Japanese mafias. But his
thirst for vengeance conflicts with his interest of resolving the turf
war for it affects his professional judgment,
thereby jeopardizing his team’s operations.
Meanwhile, Rogue starts to unveil as a
complex and complicated assassin with the
series of betrayals that he does with his
bosses. When Crawford finally comes face
to face with Rogue, he discovers that nothing about Rogue and his plans are what
they seem to be.
Dubbed as the ultimate martial arts duel
movie of the year, Rogue fails as an actionthriller feature in more ways than one. The
martial arts aspect is limited into being a
mere business than a pivotal device to move
the story forward. The choreography seems to be uninspired
and run-of-the-mill. The twists
and turns of the story could have
been interesting but they still
appear clicheic because of the
rather slow moving treatment.
The production design, cinematography and special effects actually worked although much of the
milieu is left unexploited. Jet Li and
Jason Statham’s screen partnership
does not blend well as compared
to other inter-racial tandems.
Vengeance is the ultimate
weapon, so Rogue says. The entire movie runs with the central theme of revenge that is apparently not the best motivation for a human person. Vengeance is as evil as greed that
eventually destroys the human spirit. Crawford has lived
a self-destructive life since he
swore upon his friend’s grave that he would
seek justice with his own hands. Eventually, he loses his wife and child and his
own self. The same motivation coupled
with his action of betrayal has also caused
him his downfall. The same is true with
Rogue’s character. He justifies his violent
actions from his past experiences. He kills
for a reason. However, the central theme
of vengeance may have worked for the
genre but it does not help the audience’s
processing as to what actions are acceptable and unacceptable. Rogue only leaves
disturbing and questionable moral judgments. Ultimately, CINEMA finds the
graphic violence and theme of the movie
fit for mature audiences only.
Moral
Assessment
Abhorrent
Disturbing
Acceptable
Wholesome
Exemplary
Technical
Assessment
Poor
Below average
Average
Above average
Excellent
CINEMA
Rating Guide
VA - For viewers of all
ages
V13 - For viewers age
13 and below with
parental guidance
V14 - For viewers 14
and above
V18 - For mature viewers 18 and above
NP - Not for public
viewing
Title: The Brave One
Running Time: 110 mins
Cast: Jodie Forster, Terrence Howard, Naveen
Andrews, Carmen Ejogo, Nicky Katt, Mary
Steenburgen, Lenny Venito, Zoe Kravitz
Director: Neil Jordan
Producers: Joel Silver, Susan Downey
Screenwriters: Roderick Taylor, Bruce A. Taylor, Cynthia
Mort
Music: Dario Marie
Editor: Tony Lawson
Genre: Drama/Action/ Suspense/Crime
Cinematography: Philippe Rousselot
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Location: New York, USA
Technical Assessment:
Moral Assessment:
CINEMA Rating: For mature viewers 18 and above
RADIO host Erica Bain (Jodie
Forster) is happy and much
in love with fiancé David
(Naveen Andrews), and both
of them are contemplating
marriage. On a late evening
walk in Central Park however, they are accosted by a
gang of three ruffians who
attack them and give them a
savage beating. David dies.
While Erica needed a threeweek hospital confinement.
She feels very deep sorrow
for the loss of her fiancé; at
the same time she dreads going out into the streets because what happened could
happen again. Then she de-
cides to acquire a gun. With
lessened fear, she still feels
nervous walking the streets,
until she kills a robber in a
grocery store she is in, in selfdefense. She feels a kind of
“rightness” in doing it. Soon
after she turns into a woman
vigilante defending the defenseless by shooting the
villains. Callers to Erica’s
radio show are expressing
alarm over the vigilante killings, which incidents are
being investigated by Detective Sean Mercer (Terrence
Howard).
The focus of The Brave
One is on Erica, a normal
Title: Foster Child
Running Time: 90 mins.
Cast: Cherry Pie Picache, Eugene Domingo,
Jiro Manio, Alwyn Uytingco, Kier Segundo
Director: Brillante Mendoza
Producer: Robbie Tan
Screenwriter: Ralston Jover
Music: Jerrold Tarog
Editor: Charliebebs Goheta
Genre: Drama
Cinematography: Odessey
Flores
Distributor: Seiko Films
Location: Mandaluyong
Technical Assessment:
Moral Assessment:
½
CINEMA Rating: For viewers 14
and above
ANSWER TO THE LAST ISSUE:
IGNORANCE ITSELF IS WITHOUT A DOUBT A SIN FOR THOSE WHO DO
NOT WISH TO UNDERSTAND; FOR THOSE WHO, HOWEVER, CANNOT
UNDERSTAND, IT IS THE PUNISHMENT OF SIN. ST. AUGUSTINE
QUOTES IN QUIZ Booklets
available at BOOKSALE stores in
SM, Robinsons and selected malls
in Manila. For mail order text
09192803036.
Aligaga si Thelma (Cherie Pie)
sa pag-asikaso sa kanyang foster
child na si John-John (Kier).
Tatlong taon ng alaga ng pamilya
ni Thelma si John-John. Sanggol
pa lamang ito mula sa ampunan
ng mapunta sa kanila sa
pamamagitan ng Kaisahan
Buhay Foundation (KBF), isang
NGO na tumutulong sa mga
batang inabandona ng magulang.
Isa si Thelma sa mga foster parents na regular contact ng KBF
upang tumanggap sa mga batang
nangangailangan
ng
pansamantalang kalinga ng
pamilya hanggang sa maihanap
ng KBF ng habambuhay na magaampon, banyaga man o lokal.
Regular na binibisita ng Social
Worker na si Ms Bianca (Eugene)
happy woman whose self
and life undergo changes
from the time she loses her
beloved David. Jodie Forster
fits the role of Erica to a T:
playing happy, miserable,
scared, nervous, determined,
unable to control self, etc. Although Terrence Howard’s
role as Detective Sean Mercer is not that substantial, he
is able to play his sedate and
upright character up to the
end. Erica’s vacillating
thoughts and emotions are
complemented by the light
and shadow backdrop especially at night on lonely
streets, while “looking for
trouble”. Directing, story,
cinematography and music
give adequate contribution to
the making of a suspenseful
action crime drama.
After the death of David
and her release from the hospital, Erica becomes a frightened woman and hopelessly
lost with her fiancé dead. Every time she tries to go out,
she is expecting attack at any
moment. Until she buys a
gun which make her feel
empowered; and angry at
the same time, that such a
tragedy could happen to her
and David. The first time she
kills, she is aware about
ang mga foster families katulad
nila Thelma at personal niyang
kinukumusta ang mga pamilya
nito. Mahirap lamang ang
pamilya ni Thelma, may asawa
at dalawang anak na tinedyer —
sina Yuri (Jiro) at Gerald (Alwyn)
subalit
maayos
nilang
naaalagaan ang foster child na
ipinagkakatiwala sa kanila
katulad ni John- John. Totoong
napapamahal at napapalapit sa
kanila ang bata dahil sa tagal nito
sa piling nila. Paano kung tulad
ng inaasahan ay makatagpo ang
KBF ng mag-aampon kay JohnJohn at kailangan na siyang
umalis sa poder ng pamilya ni
Thelma?
Simpleng salaysay ang hatid na
kuwento ng pelikula sa
katunayan ay halos wala itong
climax. Subalit nabigyan ito ng
kulay ng epektibong pagganap
ng mga pangunahing tauhan.
Matipid at payak ang disenyo ng
produksyon ngunit mapapansin
na naging kalakasan ito ng
pelikula
upang
lalong
mabigyang laya ang sining ng
sinematograpiya kung saan
nakapaglaro ang kamera sa mga
detalye at nakapaghatid ng
paglalarawan ng pisikal na anyo
ng kahirapan. Samantala
madalas ay malikot ang kuha ng
panning shots at hindi maganda
ang epekto sa paningin ng
manonood (nakakahilo sa mata).
“feeling good” about it. As
she continues to find bad elements to kill, whether in
defense of self or others, she
begins to question whether
she is still the same person
or she has changed because
of her ease in shooting down
evil persons. The character
Erica looks (on screen) determined and cold-blooded
as she kills them. Two or
three times she seeks persons she could talk to
(Among them Detective
Mercer, who has become a
friend, although he is checking up on her) about what is
happening to her, but she
never managed to find
someone. The detective and
she meet when she finally
meets up with and kills the
three guys responsible for
David’s and her suffering.
Despite knowing already
who Erica really is and what
she has just done, The Brave
One ends with an unsettled
question? Should she be
taken it or go scot-free? Is
Erica a hero or villain? Did
she do justice or seek vengeance? The central idea of
the story and its ending may
be better analyzed and deliberated on by a mature
audience.
Nakaaliw naman ang mga natural na pagdeliver ng mga voice
over at paglapat ng mga tunog.
Isang positibong pelikula ang
Foster Child. Ipinakita nito na
hindi hadlang ang kahirapan
upang makatulong sa kapwa.
Hindi katulad ng ibang
pelikulang tumalakay ng
kahirapan kung saan ginagawa
itong dahilan upang makagawa
ng di maganda. Ang “Foster
Child” ay hindi pinakita na
pabigat sa lipunan ang mga
mahihirap. Sa halip a y
katuwang sila ng lipunan sa
paghahatid ng kahit na konting
kalinga na buong puso at
pagmamahal
nilang
ipinagkakaloob
sa
nangangailangan nito. Sa
paghahatid ng tulong sa kapwa
ay mainam na nauunawaan at
suportado ng bawat miyembro
ng pamilya. Binigyan-pansin
din sa pelikula ang kadakilaan
ng gawain ng isang social
worker at isang inspirasyon ang
pagpapakita nila ng malasakit
sa kapwa. Katulad ng maaaring
asahan, ang pag-ako ng
responsibilidad ng pag-aalaga
sa lumalaking bata ay pwedeng
maglapit ng husto sa isa’t isa at
mahirapan na magkalayo. Kaya
sa isang foster parent na katulad
ni Thelma, ang aspetong ito ng
damdamin ang dapat niyang
bantayan at pairalin ang isip.
CBCP Monitor
C1
Vol. 11 No. 19
September 17 - 30, 2007
The Cross
The Golden
Jubilee Logo
A Supplement Publication for KCFAPI
and the
the Order
Order of
of the
the Knights
Knights of
of Columbus
Columbus
and
THE Knights of Columbus epitomizes the
ideal Catholic gentleman. True to the objectives of the Order, the life of a Brother
Knight is imbued with faith, fraternity and
concern for the family.
The Golden Jubilee Logo illustrates heartshaped hands as a
symbol of love
and KCFAPI’s
offer to help the
Brother Knight
fulfill his hopes
and dreams for his
family.
The three territorial Deputies: SK
Alonso L. Tan, SK Sofronio R. Cruz,
and SK Dionisio Esteban, led the
wreath-laying ceremony with other leaders of the Order of the Knights of Columbus: KCFAPI Chairman, SK
Patrocinio R. Bacay; KCFAPI Adviser,
SK Teodoro O. Arcenas Jr.; KC Foundations Chairman, SK Justice Joey Reyes;
Director for Philippine Affairs, SK
Eduardo G. Laczi; Supreme Director,
Alberto P. Solis; Past Mindanao Deputy
Ernesto B. San Juan; and Fourth Degree Members Honor Guards.
KCFAPI kicks off
jubilee festivities
MANILA, September 14, 2007—
The Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Philippines, Inc. (KCFAPI) launched
its year-long celebration of 50th
anniversary of foundation with
a solemn 9 AM mass presided
by Most Rev. Deogracias
Iñiguez, DD., bishop of
Kalookan, with KCFAPI
scholar-priests Fr. William
Araña, Fr. Joel Cariaso, Fr. Benjamin Fajota, Fr. Isabelo San
Luis, Fr. Renato Sapungan, Fr.
Asis Bajao, Fr. Kenneth
Ezpeleta, Fr. Emmanuel
Hipolito and Fr. Milan
Torralba, at San Agustin
Church, Intramuros.
The Eucharistic celebration
was also offered in commemoration of the 30th death anniversary of KCFAPI founder Fr.
George J. Willmann, SJ, regarded
as Father of the Knights of Columbus (KC) in the Philippines.
In his homily, Bishop Iñiguez
extolled the virtues of Fr.
Willmann, whose vision for the
KC led to the development and
revitalization of the organization in the Philippines; considered as one of the big religious
organizations of laymen in the
country today.
He said that Fr. Willmann’s
efforts to develop the visionmission of KC left a lasting
legacy to those who follow him.
The prelate challenged the
KC to follow the examples set
by Fr. Willmann, who worked
for the marginalized and the
miserable sectors of society
during his lifetime.
“May the inspiration of Fr.
Willmann be a reminder to all
KC’s of this vital ministry of the
cross of Christ,” the bishop said.
Likewise, the Bishop also
praised the KC for placing themselves and their resources at the
service of the Church and
marginalized members of society.
“The declaration of the
Church of the year of Social
Concerns is a confirmation of
the call of the Church on the
KC,” said Bishop Iñiguez.
He emphasized that KC
members have the responsibility to assert their ministry as
“living witnesses of the servant
ministry that Jesus performed
in the Cross.”
After mass, KC State Deputy
for Luzon Alonso L. Tan, State
Deputy for Visayas Dionisio R.
Esteban Jr., and State Deputy for
Mindanao Sofronio R. Cruz, laid
a wreath of flowers at the foot
of Fr. Willmann’s statue amidst
fireworks and music.
Ronulfo G. Infante, Chairperson of Golden Jubilee Committee, officially unveiled the anniversary logo and introduced
to the public the jubilee theme
Big 8 for 2008!
IN celebration of the 50th Anniversary of
KCFAPI, eight major events were designed to highlight the beginnings and
milestones of the Association, to strengthen
its relationship with all its stakeholders
and promote awareness of the Association
among its members and the mainstream
public.
The Official Launching of the Golden
Jubilee activities was held September 14,
2007 with the presentation of the Anniversary Theme: “KCFAPI: 50 YEARS OF FRATERNAL SERVICE”. The 50th Anniversary
logo was also unveiled to the public and
the KCFAPI theme song was sung for the
first time.
KCFAPI will actively participate in KC
Family Day, an event organized by the
Order during the months of December
2007 and May 2008, where members and
their families can enjoy games and sports
activities.
KC-ing Galing, is an all-male chorale
competition for KC members and their
immediate family members slated on
April-May 2008. Contestants will be
judged based on one free-style song and
their delivery of the KCFAPI Song.
KCFAPI Coffee Table Book and
Videography, a documentation which will
highlight the Association’s history and its
milestones with respect to its mission and
objectives. The book and CD will include
subsidiary companies and affiliates including testimonies of individuals who have
been part of KCFAPI’s success. This will be
formally launched to the public before the
Golden Jubilee Ball on September 13, 2008.
BC Holder Bonanza, a KCFAPI’s way
of expressing its gratitude to BC
Holders; who have continually supported the Association. Golden Certificates will be issued from
September 2007 to December
2008. Raffle prizes will be
given to BC Holders with
Golden Certificates during
State Convention.
Fraternal Service Convention,
an incentive for KCFAPI sales
force which aims to improve
our service to our Brother
Knights by holding sessions
on development of sales and
interpersonal skills. This gathering on September 2008 is a
special venue where our field
representatives from various
areas can also establish network and share knowledge
and best service practices.
There will be Jubilee Updates through various media
such as The Cross , souvenir
program, KC Website,
newsletters and supplement feature in major newspapers will be released to
emphasize the Association’s
momentous accomplishments.
The year long celebration will culminate with a
Grand Jubilee Ball at the
Manila Hotel on September
13, 2008. (Ronulfo G. Infante)
“KCFAPI: 50 Years of Fraternal
Service”.
The KCFAPI theme song was
also presented and played to the
crowd. Fr. Carlo Magno, from
the Archdiocese of Manila Music Ministry composed the
theme song that reflects the family spirit and service orientation
of the organization.
The management also handed
down certificate of appreciation
to employees who have rendered 10 to 30 years of service
to the company.
Jubilee activities
KCFAPI Executive VicePresident Theresa Curia said the
launching activities and subsequent jubilee updates “aim not
only to inform but to promote
KCFAPI and its successes to all
members of the Association, the
Order and the general public as
well.”
A year long series of activities dubbed as Big 8 for 2008 are
lined up for the jubilee celebration which will culminate with
a Golden Jubilee Ball on September 13, 2008 at the Manila Hotel.
(Pinky Barrientos, FSP)
The KC Family is
represented by
“50” with the
father in a prayerful mode and the
mother (in top
view perspective)
embracing her
children.
TheBrother Knight is
perpetually inspired
by the Spirit to provide continual support to his family
even in the event of
reduced earning due
to old age or his
untimely demise.
Circles dominate the logo as they represent
totality. In its effort to achieve its mission and
objectives of growth and stability, KCFAPI’s
contribution spans to benefit the KC Family,
the Order, and the Nation in its corporate
social responsibility programs.
For fifty years of fraternal service, KCFAPI
has been a reliable instrument in protecting
the KC Family. The assurance that KCFAPI
provides is truly a gift from God that a
Brother Knight can give to his family.”
(Lorena T. Mercado)
KC Visayas convenes
pro-life summit
VISAYAS State Officers, Cebubased District Deputies and Provincial Deputies gathered for a
Pro-Life Activism Leaders Summit last September 1, 2007 at the
KCFAPI Conference Hall, Archbishop Reyes Ave., Cebu City.
The activity was part of the continuing implementation of the
Visayas Jurisdiction’s thrust to actively pursue PRO-LIFE advocacy,
among others, which the State Officers have manifested during their
recent courtesy call on Cebu Archbishop Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal.
Dr. Rene Josef Bullecer, Country
Director-Philippines of Human
Life International and renowned
Pro-Life and anti-indecency crusader, was the main resource
speaker. Joining him were officers
from the Archdiocese of Cebu ProLife and Family Volunteers namely:
Bro. Tony Valle and Dr. Silver
Martinez, who are also active members of the Knights of Columbus.
The topics presented revolved
on the Church Pro-Life Advocacy,
the Beginning of Human Life and
The Global Depopulation and
Anti-Life/Family Bills.
While expressing confidence that
“anti-life bills” will have a hard time
in Congress, attendees expressed
concern upon knowing that local
ordinances on Reproductive Health
(a.k.a. Reproductive Health Code)
with provisions for allocation of
government funds for family planning/artificial birth control, have
already been passed by seven local
government units in Cebu.
According to Dr. Bullecer, the
Population Commission has projected that by the end of 2007, all
municipalities and cities in Cebu
would have passed their own local
version of the “Reproductive Health
Code.” This development will result to the promotion of the use of
contraceptives and is expected to encourage more abortions.
During the Open Forum that followed, the Visayas KC leaders arrived at a consensus to actively defend life and family by mobilizing
KC Councils to embark on parishbased education of the Pro-Life Program, the promotion of natural
family planning, including the side
effects of contraceptives which have
been traced as the cause of cancer
and other catastrophic diseases, especially among women.
The Pro-Life Advocacy will
also be integrated in the Christian Life Program Orientation
that is being implemented by the
Visayas Jurisdiction as a pre-requisite for those who intend to join
the Knights of Columbus.
Towards the end of the summit, the
Visayas Deputy, Bro. Dionisio R.
EstebanJr.,ledtheattendeesinaPledge
of Commitment to Defend Life and
Family. (Bro. Junjie Navales Cruz)
CBCP Monitor
The Cross
C2
Vol. 11 No. 19
September 17 - 30, 2007
Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association
of the Philippines
By Joselito E. Mañalac
A COUNCIL of Knights of Columbus
(Manila Council #1000) was organized in
the Philippines on April 23, 1905, by a
group of American Knights serving in the
US military and colonial government.
During the early years of Manila Council
#1000 only Americans were accepted as
members. Filipinos from families belonging to the elite segment of Manila society
were accepted only towards the near of
World War II. During this period a young
Jesuit priest in Manila, Rev. Fr. George J.
Willmann, became an ardent and active
member, and later on was the driving force
behind the activities of Filipino Knights.
During the post World War II reconstruction period, Fr. Willmann saw the
Knights of Columbus as an organization
that would be instrumental in the economic, moral and spiritual recovery of the
war-devastated country. He petitioned the
Supreme Office, the headquarters office of
the Order of Knights of Columbus in New
Haven, Connecticut, for permission to expand the membership in the Philippines
by establishing new councils throughout
the archipelago. His request was granted
and other new councils were established.
He was later appointed as Territorial
Deputy, the highest officer of the Knights
of Columbus for the Philippines.
As the membership in the Knights of
Columbus grew, men belonging to the
middle-income class of society were accepted into the organization.
ance system provided insurance protection and savings benefits for Knights and
their families. Besides serving as an instrument to care for Knights and families,
the pooling and investment of fraternal
insurance premiums, called benefit certificate contributions, ensured the
organization’s growth, financial stability
and ability to accomplish outreach service
programs for the Church, Community,
Council, Family and Youth.
Fr. Willmann saw the need for a fraternal insurance benefits system because
families depended so much on the continued well-being and income earned by the
Filipino Knights specially those in the
middle-income class. But providing for
this need was very difficult due to the problems of communications caused by the
vast distance from Supreme Office.
Through the effort and representations
of Fr. Willmann, the Supreme Office finally approved the establishment of a local fraternal insurance system in the Philippines on August 1, 1958 and gave permission for the use of the name “Knights
of Columbus.” Encouraged by Fr.
Willmann, sixty four Filipino Knights and
Councils donated P500.00 each to serve as
the initial capital paving the way for registration as a non-stock non-profit corporation with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC). Then on September 9,
1958, the Knights of Columbus Fraternal
Association of the Philippines Incorporated (KCFAPI) was duly licensed by the
Insurance Commission (License No. 174)
to operate as a Mutual Benefits Association (MBA), more specifically as a fraternal benefits society, for the exclusive benefit of Knights and their families in the
Philippines. KCFAPI was also certified as
a tax-exempt organization under Section
27(c) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Objectives
The primary goals of the Order of the
Knights of Columbus, is “to render pecuniary aid to its members, their families and beneficiaries of members and families” and “to render mutual aid and assistance to its sick, disabled and needy members and families.” (Sections 2.a and 2.b of its Charter Constitution).
These purposes were accomplished
through a unique and exclusive fraternal
insurance system that at the time was
based at the Supreme Office. The insur-
On September 5, 2007, in time for its 49 th year celebration as a Mutual Benefit Association, the Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the
Philippines, Inc. (KCFAPI) was issued the Certificate of Authority by Insurance Commissioner Eduardo T. Malinis (center). W ith him in photo are
KCFAPI President Antonio B. Borromeo and EVP Ma. Theresa G. Curia.
KCFAPI’s insurance system is based on
sound and modern scientific actuarial principles. Knights and family members who
are insured with KCFAPI are called Benefit
Certificate holders.
The unique advantages of the fraternal
insurance system are: a) life insurance plans
are priced lower and provided more value
than those offered by commercial life insurance companies; b) not less than Fifty
Percent of its net surplus earnings are returned yearly to benefit certificate holders
as cash dividends and value added insurance protection or maturity benefits; c) part
of the net surplus earnings are used to support the Knights of Columbus Order’s
membership expansion and development
programs; d) part of the net surplus earnings are also used to assist the programs of
Catholic Church and clergy in the Philippines; and, e) a portion of the net surplus
earnings is used to fund the benevolent activities of its two foundations—the Knights
of Columbus Philippines Foundation Incorporated and the Fr. George J. Willmann
Charities Incorporated.
In addition to the above advantages, the
fraternal nature of its services differenti-
Sound and scientific actuarial principles
As the fraternal benefits provider for
Knights and immediate members of their
families (wife, children and parents),
ates KCFAPI from other commercial life
insurance companies, like: a) one half of
the death benefits proceeds may be advanced beneficiaries of incontestable benefit certificate holders up to a maximum
of P100,000.00; b) fast and less documents
required for benefit claims; c) Knights are
each provided P10,000.00 free accidental
death benefits.
KCFAPI is governed by a nine-person
Board of Trustees. Trustees are brother
knights who serve without compensation
and who volunteer their expertise, experience and influence. Its operations are administered by a professional management
team. The main office is located at the Fr.
George J. Willmann Center at General
Luna corner Sta. Potentiana streets in
Intramuros, Manila. KCFAPI also maintains six Service Offices in the provinces,
namely: in the cities of Cabanatuan, Nueva
Ecija; Cebu and Iloilo in the Visayas; and,
Cagayan de Oro, Davao, and Zamboanga
in Mindanao.
As of December 2006, total assets of the
Association amounted to P2.1 Billion and
posted a total net worth of P424.5 Million.
Its subsidiaries, namely, Keys Realty and
Development Corporation, Mace Insurance
Agency and Anchor Savings Bank, posted
a Total Net Income of P5.3 Million and a
total increase in net worth of P40.4 Million.
KCFAPI Foundations
True to its objectives, KCFAPI established two foundations: KC Philippines
Foundation, Inc. and the KC Fr. George J.
Willmann Charities. These foundations,
which serve as the soul of the Association,
provide collegiate scholarships to poor but
deserving children of KC and non-KC
members and scholarship grants to seminarians and priests. Since their inception
in 1978, 203 college students and 114 vocational students have graduated and 97
priests have been ordained. Consistently
aligning its programs to contribute to our
society’s well-being, the Foundations are
also involved in livelihood programs to
promote financial independence, programs for the youth and family life counseling workshops.
Last year, SEC granted KCFAPI another
50 years of corporate life, and last June, the
Insurance Commission renewed its license
to operate as a Mutual Benefits Association.
* * * Messages * * *
“Christianity, from its very beginning, has
meant fellowship, a network of relationship
constantly strengthened by hearing God’s
Word and sharing in the Eucharist, and enlivened by the Holy Spirit” (Pope Benedict
XVI, Sacramentum Eucharistia, no. 76)
It is most appropriate to highlight these
words of Pope Benedict as the Knights of
Columbus celebrate the origins and foundation of the Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Philippines (KCFAPI) some
50 years ago.
It is good to remember that theirs is a
fellowship, a network, of Catholics around
the world in view of strengthening not only
their Catholic faith, but also their respective
families and eventually their neighborhood
and institutions – through active, radical,
heroic and faithful witnessing of Christian
Gospel values, which find their summit in the
Eucharist.
The Knights of Columbus must also be
configured to Christ in response to Mary’s
command “Do whatever he tells you to do”
(John 2, 5). The first miracle of Jesus contains the last will and testament of Mary for
all to follow. It is the compendium of Christian
discipleship.
Angel N. Lagdameo, DD
President, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the
Philippines
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September 9, 2007
Antonio B. Borromeo
President
Knights of Columbus
Fraternal Association of the Philippines
Intramuros, Manila
PHILIPPINES
Dear Brother Borromeo
I am grateful for this opportunity to extend the congratulations and best wishes
as the year of celebrations leading up to the
50th anniversary of the Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Philippines
begins. You and all those involved in KCFAPI
have reason to be proud of your history as
you plan for an even greater future of providing financial security for members and
their families in the Philippines.
As you know, this year the Knights of
Columbus Orderwide is celebrating the 125th
anniversary of its founding by the Servant
of God Father Michael J. McGivney in 1882.
Just as the Supreme Council has recalled its
roots and rededicated itself to the values
and virtues of Father McGivney, I urge FiliCarl A. Anderson
pino Knights to now look to the great example of service provided by your founder, Supreme Knight, Knights of Columbus
Father George J. Willmann, as you prepare
for and celebrate KCFAPI’s golden anniversary.
I recall with great fondness my visit to the Philippines in 2005 for the centennial of the
Knights of Columbus in your country. I saw firsthand the strength of the Order in the
Philippines and the great Catholic and fraternal spirit of the Filipino Knights. By building on
Father Willmann’s foundation and drawing on the virtues of your people, I know that the
Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Philippines will continue to provide financial security and protect families for many generations to come.
Wishing you continued success, and with fraternal greetings and kind regards, I remain.
Fraternally,
(Sgd) Carl A. Anderson
Supreme Knight.
The KC Luzon Jurisdiction led by Luzon Deputy Alonso L. Tan plant new seedlings at the La Mesa Dam Watershed area.
Knights plant trees to honor priest
ABOUT 220 knights from all over Metro Manila participated in the launching of tree-planting project dubbed
“Puno Alay ko sa Kalikasan” at the La Mesa Dam Watershed
area last September 1. The undertaking was the first big
event of the Knights of Columbus (KC)—Luzon Jurisdiction under the leadership of SK Alonso L. Tan, Luzon
Deputy.
The KC Luzon Jurisdiction undertook the first tree planting program to address the environmental concerns of the
nation, especially global warming poised by lack of trees.
Luzon Deputy Alonso L. Tan and State Program Director Bonnie Martinez, together with State Community Director Bro. Ramoncito Ocampo, and Bro. Carlos Gubat,
State Ecology Chairman of the Luzon Jurisdiction, led the
knights in planting new seedlings at the Watershed area.
The 300 seedlings planted by the knights in the area will
help prevent erosion and generate clean air for Metro Manila.
The project was done to commemorate Fr. George J.
Willmann’s 30th death anniversary. Fr. Willmann, SJ is regarded as the Father of the Knights of Columbus in the
Philippines.
HAVE
YOU EVER BEEN
DECLINED
FOR
LIFE
INSURANCE?
Prior to tree planting, the knights visited the gravesite
of Fr. Willmann at the Sacred Heart Novitiate in
Novaliches, Quezon City.
Luzon Deputy Alonso L. Tan led the knights in the wreath
laying and prayers for the good priest. Bro. Bonnie Martinez
and Bro. Ramoncito Ocampo distributed T-shirts to commemorate the event.
The event was capped with a mass offered by the State
Officers of the Luzon Jurisdiction of the Knights of Columbus. Fr. Miguel Cahanap, the mass presider, extolled the
virtue of tree planting.
Fr. Cahanap blessed the knights and the project after the
mass. He praised the knights for embarking in a laudable
endeavor worthy of emulation by other organizations.
The families of the knights were also present to lend
support to their husbands.
SK Alonso L. Tan expressed his appreciation to all those
who helped and participated to ensure the success of the
worthy project.
Bro. Carlos Gubat helped procure the seedlings from
the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
(Paulino L. Oblea)
NOT ANYMORE. K of C members and their immediate families (parents,
spouse, children) who are between 50 and 85 years old are accepted
for life insurance coverage regardless of health conditions. There are
no health questionnaires and no medical examination to undergo.
The insurance premiums are affordable. Avail now of the Special Plan
for Elderly Knights (SPEK)! The earlier, the better.
Contact Your Local Fraternal Counselor now.
Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Phils., Inc.
General Luna corner Sta. Potenciana Sts., Intr amuros, 1002 Manila
Trunkline No. 527-2223/ FBG Direct Line No. 527-2243
Email Address: [email protected]
CBCP Monitor
C3
Vol. 11 No. 19
September 17 - 30, 2007
DOCETE
A Catechetical Publication of the Episcopal Commission
on Catechesis and Catholic Education
Vol. XXVI No. 118
DOCETE has a
new home!
Towards a Review
of Integration in
Catechesis
By Joseph L. Roche, SJ
THE New National Catechetical Directory for the Philippines
(NNCDP), 2007, has updated and
brought into sharper focus, “integration,” as one key factor in
catechetical methodology. Originally proposed in the NCDP of
1985, Maturing in Christian Faith,
the notion of “integration” has
developed over the years to the
extent that our national catechism, the Catechism for Filipino
Catholics, incorporates it as an essential element in the exposition
of every topic throughout the
whole catechism, while in two
recently published Catholic religion textbook series for elementary and high school levels, it
functions as the formative factor
in every chapter of the student
texts as well as the Teacher’s
Manual.
Nevertheless, in actual catechist in-service-training programs, and in the long, demanding process of creating religion
textbooks, certain misunderstandings and confusions arise
regarding what are the various
forms of integration, why they
are needed, and how to carry
them out. This article proposes
to comment on the NNCDP exposition of integration precisely
in line with the effort to improve
and upgrade our catechist formation programs. Much could be
gained in helping the catechistsin-formation to understand better and to actually practice, exercise, the major forms of integration, in their catechetical teaching.
Integrated Catechesis
According to the NNCDP, “integration, as the first principle of
catechetical methodology, refers
to the holistic, unified character
of all authentic catechesis. As
such it has many “forms” or “applications.” But in one way or
another, all forms of integration
are aimed at “closing the gap”
between the concrete catechesis
— how the faith is being communicated — and the way faith
is actually lived in daily life by
the ordinary Catholic Filipino”
(#368). The goal is to emphasize
faith’s experiential dimension, to
correct the common catechetical
defects of “head-knowledge
only,” or mere “rote memorization of formulas.” Faith is not
just believing / thinking with the
head, but doing (with hands) and
praying/worshipping (with the
heart) as well, “bringing Christ
into the minds, wills and hearts
of today’s Filipino.”
Unfortunately, this primordial
ideal of “Life Integration” seems
often to be presumed rather than
pursued in catechist formation
programs. Most formators are
rightfully concerned primarily
that the student catechists accurately learn the content of their
courses which are objectively
true and basic for Christian living. But as experience has shown,
the “Good News” must be communicated in a way the catechized can assimilate it, at their
level of experience and growth.
Student complaints about the irrelevance of their religion
courses to their daily life are com-
mon, as are religion teachers’
woes about “ignorant Catholics,”
including graduates of our
Catholics schools. Hence the need
to constantly re-affirm in word
and practice that the primary
goal of all catechesis is to bring
the catechized into living fully
the Christian way of life, in intimacy with Jesus Christ.
The NNCDP points out that
one “primary means to achieve
this “Life Integration,” called
“Structural Integration,” is to focus on the structure of the message itself, showing the distinction yet intrinsic relationship
between the three essential dimensions of the faith: doctrine
(Creed), morals (Commandments/virtues) and worship
(prayer/ sacraments).” (#369)
This breakdown of Christian
Faith into its three
essential dimensions is a constant
theme throughout the whole Directory. It is illustrated both objectively and subjectively in the Table
introducing
NNCDP’s Chapter IV on the “Basic Content of the
C h u r c h ’ s
Catechesis.”
(#213) Moreover
Faith’s subjective
operations of “Integrated Believing, Doing and
Trusting” are explained and illustrated in a triangular Diagram in
chap. III, “Foundations
of
Catechesis”
(#199f, and fn.72).
Nevertheless, not a few difficulties have arisen in fostering
operational competency in making effective use of these fundamental distinctions. Some have
complained that it destroy the
unity of Faith, apparently confusing unity which presumes distinction with identity which denies it. Many more have had
much difficulty in accurately
identifying what precisely falls
under doctrine, what under morals, and what under worship. Yet
the need to recognize clearly the
difference between a Creedal
truth, a commandment and a sacrament, as well as the human acts
of believing, acting morally, and
praying, surely outweigh the
above difficulties. Fostering effectively a personal living Faith
in the catechized surely demands
a sense of, a feeling for these three
distinct realities in the faithful
following of Christ.
For formed catechists/religion
teachers, a further step is needed.
For within each of the three dimensions ¯ doctrine, morals and
worship ¯ there are multiple elements that need to be integrated
(Dimension Integration). For
example, the NNCDP warns that
“only by inter-relating the articles of the Creed on Jesus Christ
can an adequate grasp of Jesus
Christ’s person and mission be
communicated. In Morals, freedom, conscience and the com-
THE DOCETE is the official publication of the Episcopal Commission on Catechesis and Catholic Education (ECCCE). The vision at its inception was to
provide catechists and religious educators nationwide with resource materials to keep them abreast
with the latest trends and recent developments in
the catechetical ministry.
Last year, we attempted to consolidate the Docete
publication with the perspectives of the Catholic Educators Association of the Philippines (CEAP). We wanted
to say through the joint publication that the prayer of the
Lord “that all may be one” applies to all of us engaged in
the ministry of Catholic education.
We want to be one! We want to unite! We are
stronger together! One plus one equals three, not
two. We are stronger when we are united!
This is the spirit behind DOCETE joining the CBCP
Monitor. We wish to be at the mainstream of the
mandments have to be “integrated” in order to be properly
grasped, and in Worship, all the
sacraments are unified and integrated around the Eucharist as
their center.” (#370)
This integration may add a dimension that is beyond the capacities of many ordinary catechist formation programs. Much
depends on what level the catechists will be operating: ¯ what
is not relevant for the catechesis
of the early elementary years
becomes quite desirable for upper high school catechesis. Genuine understanding of anything,
however, comes from perceiving
inter-relations. In catechesis, this
means sensitivity to th e interconnections exemplified above
in the NNCDP. (#370)
The special value of this dimen-
sion integration for catechists/religion teachers is that it offers
them wide possibilities for concrete “student activities/assignments” that can develop student
capacities in “applying” the Faith
to their daily life. For example,
let the students pick one Creedal
truth and show how it modifies
their thinking and personal vision of life. Or ask them to give
an example of how they actually
judged the morality of a particular act by applying a specific commandment. Or they’re asked to
indicate how their growing in
their personal prayer life helped
them to deeper love and appreciation for the Eucharist?
Perhaps the most “operable”
integration as far as catechist formation goes is “Source Integration.” The NNCDP explains how
“the primary sources of
catechesis¯Scripture, Tradition
and human experience ¯must be
used creatively and adapted to the
concrete catechesis being carried
on. This process … [must be]
faithful to both God’s revelation
and the human factors involved
in the catechesis.”(#371) This ideal
is recognized by all, yet its effective implementation is not easy
to achieve. Each of the three primary sources involves many onesided methods that can frustrate
an integral, holistic formation in
the faith. The “experts” are not
infrequently the unwitting
apostolate of Catholic media. There is no better
way to do this than to join the pages of the CBCP
Monitor.
Now that DOCETE has found its new home, you
our dear readers are assured of the regularity of
issues of DOCETE plus many more articles and feature stories from the other apostolates and ministries of the bishops’ conference. No man is an island. No man stands alone. We are brothers and
sisters. We are happy to belong to the family of the
CBCP Monitor.
From the Cathedral of Saint Joseph,
+SOCRATES B. VILLEGAS, DD
Bishop of Balanga
ECCCE Chairman
September 12, 2007
causes of the difficulty. It is very
important to recognize that the
point of view of the religious
educator/catechist is not identified with that of the Biblical exegete, the systematic, moral or
liturgical theologian, etc. The experts in their proper areas of research have priorities, methodologies and goals that are not
identical with those of the catechists/religious educators.
A practical indication of the
special uniqueness of the Religious educator’s perspective was
manifested at the publication of
the Catechism of the Catholic
Church. Many experts, while admitting the valid aspects of the
catechism, could only offer a specialized critique of CCC’s handling of their area of research.
Few had any means for an adequate evaluation of the whole
work. But for the religious educator, a holistic approach is absolutely necessary. First, with Scripture, whose study cannot be limited to the historical critical
method alone; second, for a balanced approach to Catholic doctrine, avoiding much of the
never-ending, no-consensus polemics of individual theologians;
third, as a basic need for a clear,
sound exposition of the general
principles of Catholic morality
(e.g., as proposed in “Veritatis
Splendor”); and finally, for the
newer approaches fostering active participation in the liturgy
and a fervent sacramental life in
the Catholic community. This
stress on the need for a holistic
approach makes serious demands on experience, prudence
and courage of those in charge of
catechist formation.
The final two integrations
shift the focus from the Good
News itself to the recipients of
the catechesis and their environmental context. The NNCDP describes “Subject Integration” as
focusing on “how those being
catechized actually assimilate and
interiorize the catechetical instructions
being
given
them.”(#372) It advises the catechist to “get in the shoes” of the
catechized and speak to them directly, in a clear way they can understand, imbibe and make their
own the particular content of the
catechesis.” This confirms the current educational emphasis on
“student learning,” and develops
the new stress on the catechetical
recognition of the extraordinary
importance of the imagination
and personal affectivity in communicating the faith.
While there is broad consensus about the value and importance of this “Subject Integration,” experience over the past 25
years has indicated a surprising,
unexpected consistent weakness
among religion teachers in this
integration. Whatever may be its
various causes and influences, the
fact remains that most catechists/
religion teachers have not been
exercised in this way of focusing
on how their students actually
learn what they’re being taught.
College educated student catechists undergoing their formation studies, commonly admit
that the religion teachers in their
journey from elementary to college, rarely paid any concern to
such integration.
This subject integration , of
course, connects directly with
the first “Life Integration” between the catechesis and daily
life, but now focused more
sharply on the students’ learning process itself. Some help
have been sought in pursuing a
new “Apologetics of Beauty,”
which opens up catechesis to a
broader and deeper humanistic
methodology. This, in turn,
broadens the focus from the subjects’ personal capacities to their
concrete Environment or Context. Due recognition is awarded
to the social sciences for their
important contributions toward
improved understanding of the
catechetical context and the best
means for communicating the
Gospel Message. But the primacy of the Gospel itself must
be maintained if catechesis is to
be a vibrant dimension of the
Ministry of the Word, not just an
interdisciplinary hybrid pursuit.
Conclusion
The NNCDP concludes its exposition of integrations by showing how the principle of integration “can be grounded in Scripture through the five activities by
which the apostolic Church lived,
celebrated and communicated the
mystery
of
the
Risen
Christ.”(#373) It develops the
narrative in Acts 2:42, 44-47
which describes the five central
activities carried on in the early
Church’s life and ministry: the
Kerygma or proclamation of the
Good News of Jesus Christ;
didache or teaching of the Good
News; the leiturgia, or breaking
of the bread together and praising God; the koinonia, or the community holding all things in
common; and finally, the diakonia,
or witness of loving service of all
in Christ. These basic activities
represent the basic “Christian
practices” which constitute the
“Christian way of life, and hence
the goal of all the integrations.
A final connection that helps
to understand the value and purpose of the integrations are their
relationship to “Systematic
Catechesis” (#378) which was
described in detail by John Paul
II’s Catechesi Tradendae (#21).
Each of the individual elements
provides a new insight into the
“integrations.” 1) “Systematic”
means improvised but programmed to reach a precise goal;
2) dealing with essentials, without any claim to tackle all disputed questions; 3) yet sufficiently complete, not stopping
short at the initial proclamation;
and 4) constituting an integral
Christian initiation. In actual
practice, the difference between
“systematic” and our ideal of
“integration” occurs at times
when the catechesis is overly
systematic – exemplifying in a
somewhat distorted fashion the
four qualities given above—but
not integrated in a balanced
manner because of concentrating
only on “head knowledge” to the
detriment of morals and worship.
CBCP Monitor
DOCETE
B4
Vol. 11 No. 19
September 17 - 30, 2007
The Association of Catechetical Centers and
Colleges with Religious Education (ACCCRE)
By Sr. Jesusa Enginco, OP
Birth and Growth
ON October 28-30, 2006 an Ad Hoc Committee of 10 members met at Sta. Isabel
College, Manila to map out the program
for the First National Organizational Meeting held on January 10-12, 2007. It was
ECCCE’s response to the expressed needs
of Diocesan Catechetical Directors/
Catechetical Formation Centers and Colleges/Universities with Religious Education at an assembly in July 2006 held in
Bataan for a more solid formation programs
for catechists/religion teachers.
Most Rev. Socrates B. Villegas, ECCCE
Chairman, took the first step of preparing
the necessary documents for the establishment of an Association filed with the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC). The
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS were approved by SEC on July 5, 2007.
Purposes of the Association
1. To promote continuing improvement in
the religious education capability of member schools through formation programs,
faculty development and system improvements, particularly in the area of catechesis
and educating future religious educators.
2. Institutionalize a network among members
to promote collaboration and exchange of
“best practices” in religious education for
both faculty and administrators.
3. Promote and implement self-accreditation
among member schools as a process towards, and commitment to, continuing improvement in quality religious education.
4. Provide assistance to sustain catechetical
centers and schools with religious education which may have problems related to
financial, academic, and other concerns,
also to assist in the establishment of new
catechetical, centers and schools.
5. Advocate on behalf of member schools in
issues involving’ governmental and ecclesiastical policies which concerns and affects religious education.
First Trustees of the Association
Dr. Linda Tacorda
Sr. Wilma Esmael, OND
Dr. Ma. Lucia Natividad
Dr. Emil Canlas
Sr. Elizabeth Butay, MCST
Ex-Officio: Most Rev. Socrates B. Villegas
- ECCCE Chairman
Fr. Roderick C. Salazar, SVD - CEAP
President
ACCCRE holds first
Organizational Meeting
History, Process, New Direction
By Sr. Jesusa Enginco, OP
By Msgr. Gerardo O. Santos
ACCCRE held its first organizational meeting at St. Michael Retreat House, Antipolo City last
January 10-12, 2007 with the
theme: New Beginnings - Association of Catechetical Centers and Colleges with Religious Education
(ACCCRE).
The meeting was attended by 58
participants made up of Regional/
Ecclesiastical Province Representatives, CEAP Religious Education
Commission Members, Heads of
Catechetical Centers and Heads of
Colleges/Universities with Religious Education.
The meeting had the following
objectives: a) to hold the formal
launching of ACCCRE; b) to establish a stronger network of collaboration and communion; c) to
provide updates on the Asian
Mission Congress, FABC Meeting on Family Catechesis and
International Consultation on
Adult Religious Education
(ICARE); d) to present the Compendium on the Social Doctrine
of the Church and Compendium
of the Catechism of the Catholic
Church; e) to review and finalize
the proposed ACCCRE and RCD
strategic plan for 2007-2010; and
f) to provide a forum with Bishops on catechetical issues and
concerns.
The participants elected the
following as ACCCRE Board
Members/Regional Directors:
Msgr. Gerardo O. Santos, NCR
President
Fr. Nolan Que, NCR
Sr. Mary Augustine Cuenco,
OSB, Luzon
Teresita Talamera, Luzon
Msgr. John Luza, Visayas Vice-President
Fr. Johnny Autida, Mindanao
- Treasurer
Dr. Emil Canlas, Secretary
As of September 2007,
ACCCRE has 37 Catechetical/RE
Centers listed as members, out
of 51 registered at ECCCE.
The National Catechetical Directory for the Philippines
THE Congregation for the Clergy, Vatican City
on 12th of February 2007 granted the request of
the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines for “recognitio” in accord with Pastor bonus, n. 94 and the General Directory for
Catechesis, no. 282, to the New National
Catechetical Directory for the Philippines
(NNCDP) in a Decree:
“Having sought the required collaboration
of the Congregation for the Doctrine of
the Faith and having reviewed and, where
necessary revised, the text in question, the
Congregation for the Clergy hereby grants
the requested ‘recognition’ to the New
National Catechetical Directory for the
Philippines.”
“The Dicastery is grateful to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines for their
initiative in producing this ‘Directory’
which is the fruit of much labor and intense study on their part.”
“It is hoped that this document will serve the
Particular Churches of the Philippines well
and be positive instrument in effecting the
New Evangelization in their midst.”
History and Process
CBCP-ECCCE Publications
Excellent Resource
materials for
Catechists,
Religious
Educators, and all
who want to deepen
their understanding
of the Catholic faith.
Available at
CBCP-ECCCE Office
470 Gen. Luna St.
Intramuros, Manila
Contact nos.
Tel. (02) 527-4161
Fax 527-5417
Email: [email protected]
website: eccceonline.org
In 2001, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of
the Philippines took the initiative through Most
Rev. Leonardo Z. Legaspi, OP, DD, the then
Chairman of the Episcopal Commission for
Catechesis and Catholic Education of revising
the National Catechetical Directory for the Philippines
(NCDP) published in 1984.
Since the publication in 1984 of the NCDP,
entitled Maturing in Christian Faith, many new
advances and initiatives have arisen which substantially affect the catechetical ministry in the
Philippines. Most important are the publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church
(CCC) in 1992, the revision in 1997 of the General Catechetical Directory of 1971 [GCD], entitled the General Directory for Catechesis
[GDC] and the promulgation of the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church
by His Holiness Benedict XVI on the 28 June
2005. Of significance also are the magisterial
documents of the Church in the Philippines: the
Acts and Decrees of the 2nd Plenary Council of
the Philippines [PCP II] of 1992 and the Catechism for Filipino Catholics [CFC] of 1997
whose directives are: Renewed Catechesis, Renewed integral Evangelization’ and
“Christocentric, rooted in the Word of God, systematic and inculturated”
The revision of the Directory was designed
from the start to be “participative”, a common
work involving as many catechetical leaders and
experts as possible thus a committee of experts
was organized under the able leadership of
Msgr. Gerardo O. Santos, ECCCE’s Executive
Secretary. Thus the following: Fr. Rene de
Guzman, SDB & Sr. Corazon Manalo, DC for
Catechetics; Dr. Mina Ramirez & Dr. Armando
de Jesus for Social Science; Msgr. Manuel Gabriel
for Pastoral Ministry; Fr. Jimmy Belita, CM for
Dogmatic Theology; Fr. Dionisio Miranda, SVD
for Moral Theology; Fr. Anscar Chupungco, OSB
for Liturgy; and Fr. Joseph Roche, SJ as Consultant.
In September 2001, the first partial draft on
the revision of the catechetical directory was
ready for review and critiquing. The work of
further drafts and revisions continued for two
years with a total of more than three years work.
Extensive Consultation
In July 2003, Most Rev. Socrates Villegas, DD
took over the Chairmanship of ECCCE. However, he requested Archbishop L. Legaspi to continue the project till its completion.
Archbishop L. Legaspi then embarked on an
extensive consultation on the draft of the document. The consultation was done from September 2003 to November 2003. Comments were
solicited on the following areas: the over-all
format and flow of the content, particular comments on the preface and chapters and suggestions for improved “reader-friendly” layout and
presentation.
In 2004, after getting the endorsement of the
CBCP Assembly, the final copy of the New National Catechetical Directory for the Philippines
(NNCDP) was sent to Rome for its study, review and approval. The Congregation for Clergy
sent back its general and specific observations
for amendment. On March 2005 Bishop Socrates
Villegas assisted by Msgr. Wilfredo Fabros finalized the amended draft directory.
New Direction
In its Decree, the Congregation for the Clergy
stated: “It is to be hoped that this document will
serve the Particular Churches of the Philippines
well and be a positive instrument in effecting
the New Evangelization in their midst.”
This hopeful message is clearly stated in the
NNCDP in Article 6: “the overall aim of the
NNCDP is to present a clear, practical and concise form, principles and guidelines for an updated, integrated and inculturated catechetical ministry in the Philippines.”
UPDATED. The NNCDP presents new advances and initiatives that have risen in
the past years in the catechetical apostolate.
INTEGRATED. The NNCDP identifies integration as a catechetical principle making
Religion as “core” of the curriculum.
INCULTURATED. The NNCDP is to be understood “in context” with the living realities that Filipinos today face.
COMMUNITY-FORMING. At best, the
NNCDP will help strengthen church life
and its dynamic state of mission.
Debt of Gratitude
The Catholic faithful are indebted to Most Rev.
Leonardo Z. Legaspi, the Architect of Contemporary Philippine Catechesis; Most Rev. Socrates
B. Villegas, DD, present ECCCE Chairman and
to many experts and catechetical practitioners
who have contributed to the work, truly a labor
of love in the service of integral faith formation, the church’s priority in our country.