CBCP Monitor - CBCP Media Office

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Pope: Immigration is
an opportunity for
fostering peace
Strong fight vs illegal
drugs sought in Catholic
schools
Taizé: An icon of unity and
hope in a divided world
Illegal drugs / A6
Protagonist of Truth, Promoter of Peace
January 19 - February 1, 2009
Vol. 13 No. 2
The CROSS
A Supplement Publication of KCFAPI
and the Order of the Knights of Columbus
cbcpmonitor@cbcpworld.net
www.cbcpnews.com
AFTER some arrests of students accused of
trafficking illegal drugs, a Catholic clergy urged
educators to strengthen its campaign against
illegal drugs in their campuses.
Msgr Gerardo Santos, head of the Catholic
Educational Association of the Philippines
(CEAP), said the campaign against illegal drugs
has long been there, it is just a matter of strictly
enforcing it.
Santos said Catholic schools and even public
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Php 20.00
Bishops strongly oppose
Bicol war games
CATHOLIC bishops have vowed to resist the
upcoming RP-US Balikatan Exercises, which
will be staged in three Bicol provinces in
April. Legazpi apostolic administrator Bishop
Lucilo Quiambao said the public should not
be deceived by the Philippine and US governments’ claim of “humanitarian missions.”
Quiambao feared the presence of US military
could increase the rate of sex trade in their
region.
“The morality of people dwindles because
War games / A6
Church leaders vow fight
vs injustices, corruption
By Roy Lagarde
Several Christian denominations converged at
the headquarters of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) in Manila last
January 17 and prayed for the breaking of the
scandal of disunity.
The religious leaders who were present to mark
this year’s “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity,”
include various groups composing the National
Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP).
CBCP Episcopal Commission on Ecumenical
Affairs chairman Bishop Antonio Tobias said the
current situation of the country signals for stronger
ties among Church leaders.
“What is happening now in our country is a
call for us to work together as Christians,” Tobias
said.
He said that the social and political problems
that put the nation more deeply divided are manifestations of many things that they have failed to
do as pastors.
“All these things that are happening now will
boomerang to us,” Tobias said, adding that as
Church leaders they are supposed to impose morality among the believers.
NCCP chairperson Bishop Nathanael Lazaro
of the Iglesia Evangelica Metodista En Las Islas
Filipinas (IEMELIF) said national unity would help
the nation get through socio-political crisis.
He said Church leaders must intensely search
for ways “to forge unity amongst us to help bring
healing to our land.”
“With a multitude of divisions among our
Fight / A6
© Roy Lagarde / CBCP Media
LEADERS of various Christian
churches have vowed to strengthen
their efforts in working for unity
among the faithful in what they described as “a politically and socially
divided nation.”
Cardinal Paul Josef Cordes, head of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum (second from right), exchanges pleasantries with Papal Nuncio Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams (center), CBCP
President and Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo (right) and former Ambassador and Cor Unum consultant Henrietta de Villa (left) at the NAIA VIP Lounge upon his arrival on January 19.
The Vatican official is in town to talk to the bishops on Pope Benedict’s first encyclical “Deus Caritas Est”.
© Roy Lagarde / CBCP Media
Church not spared from recession CBCP firm on
—Vatican official pushing values,
Cardinal Paul Josef Cordes, head of Pontifical Council Cor Unum, (left) is welcomed
by Papal Nuncio Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams (right) upon his arrival at the
Ninoy International Airport last January 19.
A TOP Vatican official said that even the Roman Catholic Church
was not spared from the global economic meltdown.
Cardinal Paul Josef Cordes, head of the Pontifical Council Cor
Unum, said the financial crisis has affected the Church’s charitable
activities around the world.
“This is a serious concern for the Church and we try to get wealthy
people to get the money for the poor,” he said upon his arrival at the
Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), January 19.
But Cordes, a German, said the tough economic situation the world
is facing has, somehow, its positive side too.
He cited the suicide early this month of German billionaire Adolf
Merckle who was buffeted by financial turmoil and struggling to
salvage his business empire.
What happened to him was not a good thing, he said, but they
have realized that money is not everything they need.
Recession / A6
not poll bets
THE leadership of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the
Philippines (CBCP) distanced itself from the mounting calls for Chief
Justice Reynato Puno to run as president in 2010 polls.
CBCP President Archbishop Angel Lagdameo said the Church will
not back particular candidates, but instead provide “moral guidance”
to the people to help them choose the right ones.
“For us in the Church we are indifferent. Let it find its course,”
said Lagdameo, who heads the archdiocese of Jaro in Iloilo.
He said that when it comes to politics, the Church has always
maintained a non-partisan position—the same reason it has never
endorsed political candidates.
But Lagdameo said the increasing support for Puno is quite not
Pushing values / A6
‘Please have mercy,’ CBCP Cardinal wants to ‘purify’ Black Nazarene devotion
chief begs abductors
A TOP Roman Catholic Church official pleaded with the abductors
of three workers of the International Committee of the Red Cross
(ICRC) to “please have mercy.”
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president
Archbishop Angel Lagdameo said the ICRC staff has never done
harm to anybody for them to be abducted.
On the contrary, he said, they have been extending a hand to
those in need.
“I’m praying and hoping that they will be soon released out of
compassion,” Lagdameo said.
The Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) said Swiss national Andreas Notter, Italian Eugenio Vagni and Filipina Mary Jean Lacaba remain in good condition after they were kidnapped in Sulu last week.
The three were on a humanitarian mission when unidentified
group of armed men held them captive and took them to a still
unknown location.
Authorities suspect the Al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf bandits are
behind the abductions, although local officials have also said a former
provincial guard could be involved.
“They are fine, unharmed and not being separated,” said PNRC
chief and Senator Richard Gordon.
The militant Islamic group Abu Sayyaf is one of the several rebel
organizations involved in the resurgence of violence in Southern
Mindanao during the past year.
They are also known for the series of hostage-taking which began in the early 1990s with a spate of bombings, assassinations and
kidnappings or priests and businessmen.
The group has also been trying to evict Christians from its Basilan
Island base. (Roy Lagarde)
THE head of Manila’s Roman Catholic Church was unimpressed
with how some devotees behaved during the traditional Black
Nazarene procession in Manila last January 9.
Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales said the way
some devotees had shown their atonement was ‘excessive,’ and
thus entails to ‘purify’ their devotion.
Devotees briefly interrupted the activity as they untimely rushed
to touch the reputed miraculous image while a Mass for the Black
Nazarene was ongoing.
The cardinal, who presided the activity, then
shortly stopped the ceremony, which the devotees didn’t seem to mind.
The situation was again put back to
order with police barricading were
able to control the jolting Nazarene
devotees.
Rosales said the problem
happens when devotees get
too emotional just to touch
the statue of the Black
Nazarene.
“That’s the devotion we
want to purify. When one’s
emotion gets too high, it takes
over the reason, the holiness
of the event and the devotion,”
he said.
Devotion is good, he said, “but if
you see them climbing, scampering... do you
want that? Of course not!”
“We want to let them express their own devotion in a quiet and
very humane way with charity for others and without disturbing
others,” he also said.
The Manila archbishop said “fanaticism” has no place in the
image of Christ “and that exactly what we have been telling the
people.”
“We still have a long way to go and there are many things to
purify even in religious matters because there are excesses,” said
Rosales.
He said ensuring the religious activity would not go beyond its
real intention serves as challenge for them as church leaders.
“We have to take that as an assignment and mission since
we are guiding the people and helping them in manifesting and living the true devotion,” he said.
“I always have the great hope in the quality of the Filipino people. It’s not as bad as
you think,” Rosales added. “An over
devotion could be given the right
direction and that exactly what I
want the Philippines to have
not only in matters of politics
and economy but also in daily
Christian living.”
Rosales’ homily during the
Mass focused on love, understanding and forgiveness.
He exhorted the believers not
to lose hope as he cited that one
of the traits of the devotees of the
Devotion / A6
World News
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CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 2
January 19 - February 1, 2009
Pope moves 10 closer
to sainthood
VATICAN CITY, January 19, 2009—On Saturday,
the Holy Father authorized the Congregation for
the Causes of Saints to announce the approval of
the miracles and heroic virtues of several Servants
of God.
In order for Servants of God to move onto beatification, the next “step” toward sainthood, the
congregation must recognize their heroic virtue
and certify that one posthumous miracle took place
through the Servant of God’s intercession.
Canonization, the next “step” requires an additional miracle unless waived by the Pope.
Those who were recognized with a miracle
are:
- Servant of God Ciriaco Maria Sancha y Hervas,
Spanish cardinal archbishop of Toledo, founder
of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of
Cardinal Sancha (1833-1909).
- Servant of God Carlo Gnocchi, Italian diocesan
priest and founder of the “Pro Juventute” Foundation (1902-1956).
- Servant of God Bernardo Francisco de Hoyos,
Spanish professed priest of the Company of Jesus
(1711-1735).
- Servant of God Raphael Rafiringa (ne Louis),
Madagascan professed religious of the Institute of
Brothers of Christian Schools (1856-1919).
- Servant of God Eustachio Kugler, (ne Joseph),
German professed religious of the Hospitaller
Order of St. John of God (1867-1946).
Those Servants of God acknowledged as having
heroic virtue are:
- Servant of God Juan de Palafox y Mendoza,
Spanish bishop of Osma (1600-1659).
- Servant of God Robert Spiske, diocesan priest
and founder of the Congregation of Sisters of St.
Hedwig (1821-1888).
- Servant of God Carolina Beltrami, Italian
foundress of the Institute of “Immaculatine” Sisters
of Alessandria (1869-1932).
- Servant of God Mary of the Immaculate e
Conception Salvat y Romerio (nee Maria Isa-
800 children march for
peace in streets of Bethlehem
JERUSALEM, January 15, 2009—The Latin
Patriarch of Jerusalem, Archbishop Fouad
Twal, led a procession for peace through
the streets of Bethlehem with more than 800
children, who offered their prayers for the
innocent victims of the conflict in Gaza.
According to a press release, bishops from
the Holy Land Coordination of the Bishops’
Conferences of the United States and of
Europe also participated in the procession,
as they were in the region to promote “solidarity with local Christian communities and
to share in the difficult pastoral life of the
Church.”
At the end of the event, the Patriarch said,
“In these days in which we are witnesses
of the horror in Gaza, I say to all of you:
violence, whatever its origin, and whatever
its form, must be condemned.” “As we are
gathered here in the name and in the spirit
of the Prince of Peace, the Child who has
been born to be the light of the world and
the hope of all human beings, I want to
condemn the violence in the Middle East,
especially the attacks in the Gaza Strip,”
he added.
Archbishop Twal later warned against the
temptation of violence “because although it
would seem it can resolve our problems,”
it is only “a false hope. This violence only
brings complications in the search for a just
solution to the conflict, which is ardently
desired by the people of this land and of the
world.” (CNA)
Portuguese cardinal warns against
marrying Muslims
LISBON, Portugal, January 16,
2009—The Patriarch of Lisbon,
Cardinal Jose Policarpo, warned
the women of Portugal this
Wednesday of the problems that
can arise from marriage with
Portuguese men of the Muslim
faith.
During an interview with Portuguese Radio and Television,
Cardinal Policarpo addressed
the thorny issue of growing
Muslim immigration on the Iberian peninsula and the resulting
increase in mixed marriages.
“I suggest caution with love.
Think twice before marrying a
Muslim, think about it seriously,” he said, adding such unions
invite a host of problems that
“not even Allah knows where
they will end.”
The cardinal warned against
Muslim beliefs regarding women and pointed out the lack
of dialogue with Muslims in
Portugal.
“It is only possible to dialogue
with somebody who is open to
it. For example, dialogue with
our Muslim brethren is very
difficult,” he said, although he
did express hope over “small
advances” that have been made
recently.
Part of the problem with
dialoguing with Muslims, he
explained, is that Portuguese
Catholics “know very little about
their own faith and much less
about the beliefs of others.”
“If we want to dialogue with
Muslims we need to understand
their concept of life and their
faith. Therefore, the first thing is
to get to know them better and
then show them respect,” the
cardinal said. (CNA)
Cardinal Francis George
take executive action soon to reverse current policies against government-sponsored
destruction of unborn human life.”
“I urge you to consider that this could be
Google to team up with Vatican
VATICAN CITY, January 18, 2009—Google, a symbol of the seemingly endless possibilities of the Internet, will team up with the Vatican Television Center and Vatican
Radio in a joint venture to give Benedict XVI his own YouTube channel.
According to the Vatican press office, texts and video footage of the Pope’s speeches
supplied by Vatican radio and television would be posted directly onto the videosharing Web site.
Details of the initiative will be announced Friday in conjunction with the publication
of Benedict XVI’s message for the 43rd World Communications Day. Saturday is the
feast of St. Francis de Sales, patron of journalists.
The theme for the day, which will be celebrated May 31, is “New Technologies, New
Relationships: Promoting a Culture of Respect, Dialogue and Friendship.”
Henrique de Castro, Managing Director Media Solutions for Google, will be present
at the press conference to announce the initiative between the Internet company and
the Vatican.
Also present will be Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli, president of the Pontifical
Council for Social Communications, Monsignor Paul Tighe, secretary of the same council, and Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of Vatican Radio, Vatican Television
Center and the Vatican press office. (Zenit)
Mexican bishop will continue
warning against ‘sins of the
voting booth’ despite threats
MEXICO CITY, January 8, 2009—Bishop Florencio Olvera
Ochoa of Cuernavaca in Mexico announced this week that
despite the threats he has received, he will again publish his
“Decalogue of electoral sins” for the 2009 election season, which
will be decisive for the state of Morelos.
The bishop published a similar Decalogue in 2006, inspired
in the principles of the Church’s Social Doctrine, earning him
a lawsuit, which was later dismissed. “My duty is to take
care that love of country is made a priority, especially in
Morelos where there will be decisive elections and in which
the people must choose life, family, dignity and peace,” the
bishop said.
Bishop Olvera Ochoa said his “10 commandments” of the
voting booth would be “proclaimed from the pulpit,” and he
reiterated that the main message would again be voting for
“candidates who support life.”
“The Decalogue I issued only contains principles that stem
from natural law and the Social Doctrine of the Church,” he
added.
In 2006, the Worker’s Party in Morelos filed a lawsuit
against the bishop for allegedly violating the constitution and
for “meddling in political affairs.” The party, which is openly
pro-abortion and pro-homosexual, felt it was “singled out”
by Bishop Olvera Ochoa, who said at that time that a Catholic
could not vote for parties that defend abortion, gay unions and
euthanasia.
The lawsuit was dismissed, but party officials said a lawsuit
would be filed again if the bishop reissues his Decalogue.
(CNA)
Chinese women oppose onechild-policy, want more children
Cardinal Jose Policarpo
Bishops call on Obama not to abandon pro-life policies
WASHINGTON DC, January 19, 2009—In
a letter made public today, the U.S. bishops
ask president-elect Barack Obama to continue President Bush’s pro-life policies particularly on the conscience rights of health
care professionals, not providing foreign aid
for promoting abortion and embryonic stem
cell research.
The letter, sent on January 16 by Cardinal Francis George, the President of the
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
(USCCB), notes that he is writing on behalf
of all the American bishops in order to assist the new Administration in serving the
common good.
After acknowledging that the presidentelect will face difficult decisions when he is
sworn into office, Cardinal George writes
that he anticipates that “some want you to
bella), Spanish superior general of the Institute
of Sisters of the Company of the Cross (19261998).
- Servant of God Liberata Ferrarons y Vives,
Spanish laywoman of the Third Order of Carmelites (1803-1842).
Additionally, during a private audience on December 22, 2008, the Holy Father authorized the
Congregation for the Causes of Saints to recognize
the heroic virtues of Servant of God Jose Tous y
Soler, a Spanish priest of the Order of Friars Minor
Capuchins and founder of the Capuchin sisters of
the Mother of the Divine Shepherd (1811-1871).
(CNA)
a terrible mistake—morally, politically, and
in terms of advancing the solidarity and
well-being of our nation’s people,” Cardinal
George says.
Cardinal George also touches on the
regulation issued last month by the Bush
administration protecting the conscience
rights of health care workers calling it a
“long-overdue measure for implementing
three statutes enacted by Congress over the
last 35 years.”
The prelate describes the legislation,
which has been attacked by the ACLU, as a
“common-sense regulation, which explicitly
protects the right of health professionals
who favor or oppose abortion to serve the
basic health needs of their communities.”
He adds, “Suggestions that government
involvement in health care will be aimed at
denying conscience, or excluding Catholic
and other health care providers from participation in serving the public good, could
threaten much-needed health care reform
at the outset.”
The president of the U.S. bishops then
turns his attention to the Mexico City Policy
clarifying that rather than reducing aid
for family planning, it has “ensured that
family planning funds are not diverted to
organizations dedicated to performing and
promoting abortions instead of reducing
them.”
“Once the clear line between family planning and abortion is erased, the idea of using
family planning to reduce abortions becomes
meaningless, and abortion tends to replace
contraception as the means for reducing family size. A shift toward promoting abortion
in developing nations would also increase
distrust of the United States in these nations, whose values and culture often reject
Pro-life / A6
BEIJING, China, January 16, 2009—China’s National Family
Planning Commission (NFPC) has found that 70 per cent of
women want to have two babies or more. Under the country’s
rigid family planning law Chinese couples are restricted to one
child, except for rural residents, members of ethnic minorities
and parents who are themselves only children.
“Our research shows that 70.7 per cent of women would like
to have two or more babies,” said Jiang Fan, NFPC deputy minister. “Some mothers think only children suffer from loneliness
and can become spoiled.”
The results are embarrassing to the authorities who have
always tried to advertise the idea that one child was what most
people wanted.
The survey, which was conducted in 2006, was released only
yesterday.
Li Bin, minister responsible for the NFPC, said never the
less that the authorities are likely to stick to their family
planning policies. For her “China’s family planning policy
underpins the country’s economy and demographics.” The
government’s goal remains 1.36 billion people by the end
of next year.
For would-be violators breaking the one-child policy can be
costly in financial terms but also in job discrimination.
In several cases the authorities have also forced women to
have an abortion, especially in the provinces.
China introduced this family planning policy in the 70s,
but it has not been spared from criticism. In fact, it has led to
selective abortions since most families would rather have boys
than girls. The net effect has been an unbalance with a 107-100
male-to-female sex ratio at birth.
Likewise it has led to profound social changes, first and
foremost to the extended family which as late as the mid- 80s
could have up to four generations under the same roof. Now
the nuclear family prevails instead.
Another consequence has been a demographic decline
with increasing labour shortages that in a few decades might
lead to fewer people supporting an ever larger number of
elderly.
The policy has also affected more people at the bottom of the
social ladder since fines on violators tend not to deter richer
families. In fact wealthier couples tend to have two children,
with one in ten having even three.
What is more, information has come to light, causing scandals,
that many top party officials have used their position to break
the ban. (AsiaNews/Agencies)
News Features
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 2
January 19 - February 1, 2009
A3
Pope: Immigration is an
opportunity for fostering
peace
Rather than an occasion for strife, the Pope exhorted Christians
to strive to use the phenomenon of immigration as “an opportunity
for an encounter between civilizations.” What is needed are prayer
and action “so that this may always take place in a peaceful and
constructive way, in respect and dialogue, preventing any temptation to conflict and exploitation,” he said.
The Holy Father recalled in a special way sailors and fishermen,
who suffer every sort of abuse. “In addition to the usual difficulties,”
Pope Benedict added, “they suffer restrictions in regard to going
ashore and bringing chaplains aboard, and face the risks of piracy
and the harm of illegal fishing.
“I express my closeness to them and my hope that their generosity,
in activities of aid by sea, may be repaid with greater consideration.”
At the conclusion of today’s Angelus, Pope Benedict issued an
appeal for peace in the Gaza Strip with an emphasis on helping the
innocent victims of the violence. “Let us also remember today before
the Lord the hundreds of children, elderly, women, the innocent
victims of the unprecedented violence, the injured, those mourning
their loved ones and those who have lost their possessions.”
Finally, the Pontiff recalled that today begins the Week of Prayer for
Christian Unity, which ends on January 25 with the Holy Father with
celebrating vespers in the basilica of St. Paul’s Outside the Walls.
“In a special way,” he said, “I address the Catholics scattered
throughout the world so that, united in prayer, they may not tire of
working to overcome the obstacles that still obstruct full communion
among all the disciples of Christ. The ecumenical effort is all the
more urgent today, in order to give our society, marked by tragic
conflicts and lacerating divisions, a sign and an impulse toward
reconciliation and peace.” (CNA)
VATICAN, January 18, 2009─Praying the Angelus January 18th,
Pope Benedict XVI spoke of the World Day of Migrants and Refugees,
and encouraged Christians to look at immigration as “an opportunity
for an encounter between civilizations” that can take place peacefully
through prayer and action.
The Pontiff pointed out how this year, especially dedicated to
St. Paul, he is choosing to point migrants’ attention to St. Paul as
a model. “Saul, this is his Jewish name, was born into a family of
Jewish immigrants to Tarsus, an important city in Cilicia,” the Pope
explained.
“Paul grew up tricultural, Jewish, Greek and Roman, with a
cosmopolitan mentality. When he converted from persecutor of
Christians to apostle of the Gospel, Paul became an ‘ambassador’
of the risen Christ in order to make him known to all, in the conviction that in him all peoples are called to form the great family of the
children of God.”
This, the Holy Father added, “is also the mission of the Church,
now more than ever in this time of globalization.” Benedict XVI
exhorted Christians to strive to proclaim the Gospel, “especially to
those who do not know it, or who find themselves in difficult and
painful situations.”
Pope Benedict recalled the wide variety of reasons that people
become immigrants: in some cases, serene and well integrated, and
in others, difficult and often dramatic. “I would like to confirm,”
he said, “that the Christian community looks at every person and
every family with attention, and asks St. Paul for the strength for a
renewed effort in order to foster, in every part of the world, peaceful coexistence between men and women of different ethnicities,
cultures, and religions.”
Families key in
‘edu-communication’
VATICAN, January 18, 2009─Teaching young
people to make good use of the new means of
communication is the responsibility of parents,
according to the president of the Pontifical Council
for Social Communications.
Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli said this Friday
in a video message he sent to the VI World Meeting
of Families, which ended today in Mexico City. The
theme of the five-day event was “The Family as
Educator in Human and Christian Virtues.”
In the message broadcast by Catholic.net TV, the
archbishop spoke “one of the most serious challenges that families and the whole Church faces in
this moment ─ finding themselves in an environment shaped by the means of communication ─ is
the formation of new generations in human and
Christian values.”
He noted the prevalence and impact of the media, which he said has become “the air we breathe,”
and warned that the “messages of the media,
which are many and in every type of format, are
often contradictory, and it is not unusual for them
to diverge from the values that we want to live in
the family.”
Fear?
The archbishop asked: “Must this be a reason for
fear or rejection of the moment in which we find
ourselves living? Must we believers remain outsiders in regard to the culture of our time, depriving it
of our active participation and our message?”
Archbishop Celli answered that it doesn’t have
to be this way: “The family and the ecclesial
community must be the place where meaning is
created, in which we learn to filter, to decide, to
choose what is seen and heard. The family and the
community are an occasion for dialogue between
the Church and the world.”
Citing Benedict XVI, the prelate pointed out that:
“Together with the transmission of the faith and
love of the Lord, one of the most important tasks
of the family is that of forming free and responsible
persons.
“Educating children so that they make good use
of communications media is the responsibility of
parents, the Church and schools, so that they be
able to express serene and objective judgments
that then guide them in the choice or rejection of
programs.”
It is for this reason, the archbishop stressed, that
“for years the Church has promoted formation for
the critical perception of the media, also called
edu-communication.”
Movies
For example, continued Archbishop Celli, “good
films, chosen according to the age of the children,
are a perfect means of deepening values and developing criteria in children.”
He said these films can be “of benefit to the
whole family, so that there is not just one group
that engages the media but [all] are active participants and missionaries of the Word in the digital
culture.”
The prelate continued: “This is why it is necessary not to leave children by themselves, but to
be with them so that they use new means of communication, such as cell phones, video games and
computers, which are spreading in a surprising
way, with moderation, creativity and ability.
“They are protagonists in this new field and can
do much good for their friends if they share with
them the life of faith. How important it is that society
support families so that these new media promote
a culture of respect, dialogue, friendship!”
“May our Lady of Guadalupe, communicator par excellence,” Archbishop Celli continued,
“protect and guide families and all of society so
that it be ever more harmonious, peaceful and
just.” (Zenit)
Dominican bishops call for an
end to ‘shameless corruption’
SANTO DOMINGO, January
16, 2009—In a pastoral letter to
mark the upcoming feast of Our
Lady of Altagracia, patroness of
the country, the bishops of the
Dominican Republic have made
an urgent call for an end to the
malaise affecting Dominican
society, especially corruption.
“Corruption, drug trafficking
and crime are three great evils
that affect Dominican society,”
the bishops said in their pastoral letter. In some sectors
of society, these “works of the
flesh” are made manifest in a
“crude and shameless fashion,”
they said.
The bishops denounced administrative corruption, fiscal
evasion and indifference, which
they described as “entrenched in
some areas.” These places need
Catholics to “make a clear and
defined proclamation of the living Christ, with a message that
brings hope to the world.”
“We need to sow the message
of Christ in these sectors and
among the urban and rural population, Dominican families and
young people and immigrants,”
the document states. The bishop
also expressed their concern for
the “constant loss of moral values
due to the widespread sexual
promiscuity” promoted in
many cases by the media. They
also lamented the “progressive breakdown of moral and
spiritual values,” which has
led Dominicans to promote a
culture “founded on greed, the
obtaining of power, sexual licentiousness and selfishness.”
In a reference to the Pauline
year, the bishops concluded
their statement by calling on
Catholics to “listen to the Apostle and learn from him,” as a
“master of the faith and of the
truth, in which the reasons of
the unity between the disciples
of Christ are rooted.” (CNA)
MANILA, January 14, 2009—The
National Secretariat for Social Action, Justice and Peace (NASSA)
will proactively pursue programs
on sustainable agriculture and the
environment for the year 2009.
In an interview with CBCPNews, Sr. Rosanne Mallillin, SPC,
NASSA Executive Secretary said
they are waiting for the draft
Memorandum of Agreement
between her office and the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources under Secretary Jose Atienza.
She said NASSA will have
three-fold functions under the
draft agreement which she believes will be signed and become operational within the next
couple of weeks.
“We will be part review committee for permits
and applications for mining operations and we
will also be part of the monitoring body for existing mining projects and look into the existing
Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Mining Act of 1995 to immediately institute changes,”
Mallilin disclosed.
She said they are in the process of identifying
experts to compose the 5-man committee to seriously look into the Mining Act of 1995.
“The five-man committee which will conduct an
objective examination of the 1995 Mining Act will
have a forester, a socio-anthropologist and three more
independent but concerned Filipinos,” she added.
Mallilin said there’s a strong possibility the committee will have Bontoc-Lagawe Bishop Emeritus
Francisco Claver, S.J. as one of the five-man com-
Photo courtesy of NASSA
www.flickr.com/photos/sanjoselibrary
NASSA: Environment and
sustainable agriculture
priorities in 2009
mittee members considering his expertise in moral
theology, anthropology, his expertise of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act and his being a member
of the country’s Indigenous Peoples.
As far as sustainable agriculture is concerned,
Mallilin said they will continue to do training
programs in the regional and diocesan levels.
“We sent a three-man team to Bangkok for the
PAN-ASIA conference in Bangkok led by Cesar
Gomez, the region’s coordinator for sustainable
agriculture,” she said.
It is expected they will echo the information
they received at the nine-day training due to end
on Monday, January 19th.
It was learned that NASSA is the lead agency
for sustainable agriculture in Asia under Caritas
Asia. (Melo M. Acuña)
Bishop says Catholics should seek
‘separated’ brethren in sincere dialogue
BATAC, Ilocos Norte, January 9,
2009─At a recent launching of a
book on Ecumenism in this city,
Laoag Bishop Sergio Utleg said
Catholics should reach out to
‘separated’ brethren in the faith,
in the spirit of sincere dialogue.
“It is now time for us to reach
out to our ‘separated’ brethren
in sincere, open and constructive
dialogue in the spirit of genuine
ecumenism,” Utleg urged.
Commenting on the merits
of the book, the bishop said the
volume is a “must-read” for
everyone who sincerely pursues
the spirit of ecumenism.
The book “Out of the Depths,
Revisiting the epicenter of Aglipayanism”, was written by Fr.
Ericson Josue, parochial vicar of
Immaculate Conception Parish,
Batac.
In his message, Utleg reminded Catholics that the Roman
Catholic Church in Batac and in
IIocos Norte has definitely come
“out of the depths” of pervasive
schism and is once again, if not
the majority, at least the more
established and recognized
Church in most towns.
Josue’s book is an attempt “to
retrace the Aglipayan movement in Batac, the epicenter of
Bishop Sergio Utleg
the ‘tremors’ of the schismatic
outbreak in the province”, the
“recovery and coming back to
life in the northern province, particularly Batac, the late Gregorio
Aglipay’s hometown.
With this book, the author also
thanked those who “painstakingly
worked to preserve and sustain the
Church in Northern Ilocos” especially the 20th century pastors.
The launching held on the 14th
of December 2008 at the KALIPI
Training Center in Batac City was
attended by the Catholic Clergy
and faithful of the Diocese.
It also marked the first centenary of the re-edification of Roman Catholicism in Ilocos Norte
and Batac, in particular.
Present during the launching
were Bishop Rosario Acoba of
the Iglesia Filipina Independiente of the 2nd District, Fr.
Romeo Magsingit, Founder and
Chief Minister of the Phil. Aglipayan Reformist Church, Inc.
and other Aglipayan brothers
who responded to the invitation
and gesture of ecumenism of the
local Roman Catholic Church.
Josue, who has written his
first book in 2007 on the life and
legacy of Bishop Alfredo Verzosa,
the 4th Filipino Roman Catholic
Bishop and son of Vigan, is a nonresident instructor of Church History at the Immaculate Conception School of Theology in Vigan
City. (Fran C. Quitoriano)
Opinion
A4
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 2
January 19 - February 1, 2009
EDITORIAL
Dreaming of peace
WHILE most of us are still glued to the picture tube mesmerized
by the most expensive presidential inauguration ever in Barack
Obama, perceptions have gone far and wide but mostly verging
on a new era of gratifying the “American dream”.
And so is the global anticipation—especially in the ambit of
foreign policies that has made the world tired and consumed
with the consequences of unpeace. Peace has become a political
commodity bought with the greed of world economy which is
mostly at the hands of likes of Uncle Sam.
And while the inaugural celebrations heighten even in worlds
so much apart from the US Capitol in Washington, Obama has
reaffirmed almost in haste his pledge to invest in the U.S. military
and review major weapons programs as he vowed to renew and
strengthen US alliances with other countries.
The old saw attributed to Vegetius (Epitoma Rei Militaris), “si
vis pacem para bellum,” (if you want peace prepare for war) is
still surprisingly phenomenal even as the same inaugural address
trains the world to defeating the enemies of peace by broadening
the US military air arsenal and building up special operations
forces by 65,000 or so.
But the Vatican thinks differently as the Holy Father, Pope
Benedict XVI in his message during this year’s World Day of
Peace pursues the insights of his predecessors that one has to
fight poverty in order to build peace. The wedge between and
Christianity and the political world gets wider even as the Pope
expands the meaning of poverty to the affective, moral and
spiritual. He says: “On one hand, I have in mind what is known
as ‘moral underdevelopment,’ and on the other hand the negative
consequences of ‘superdevelopment.’”
Illustration by Bladimer Usi
Hereabouts, peace may not be as worse as those habitually beamed
by CNN. But even at home we have itches to scratch—some deeply,
others hopelessly. But given a political culture that as turbulent as it
is corrupt; a communist insurgency that is hinged on an ideological
anachronism and, pitifully, banditry; a contentious proposition of
an independent Islamic republic in Mindanao—peace may still
be far off in the offing.
Francisco F. Claver, SJ
Afterthoughts
CAN our vaunted Filipino sense of humor be harnessed to help us
get through the sickening corruption of our times? The question
occurred to me when I received the two jokes recounted below
from an American religious, Marist Brother Kevin O’Neill, who’d
worked with us once in Malaybalay. The jokes, evidently, are going
the rounds of Filipino communities in the States that he is in close
touch with.
The first is about how corruption is supposedly looked at differently in America than in the Philippines:
Q. What’s the difference between corruption in the US and the
Philippines?
A. In the US, they go to jail. In the Philippines they go to the US.
And the second is about Filipino super-expertise in corrupt
practices:
Three contractors are bidding to fix the White House fence. One
is from the Philippines, another from Mexico and the third an
American. They go with a White House official to examine the fence.
The American contractor takes out a tape measure and does some
measuring, then works some figures out with a pencil.
“Well,” he says, “I figure the job will run to about $900: $400 for
materials, $400 for my crew and $100 for me.”
The Mexican contractor also does some measuring and figuring.
“I can do it for $700”, he says. “$300 for materials, $300 for my crew,
and $100 for me.”
The Filipino doesn’t do any measuring or figuring, but leans towards the White House official and whispers: “$2,700.”
The official, incredulous, says: “What? You didn’t even do any
Church leaders hold seminars on peace building. The others clasp
their breviaries and dream of peace.
Addressing the Root Causes of the
Drug Crisis
AT the very root of the crisis is the lack of appreciation of the
God-given meaning of human life and dignity. As in the days of
the Old Testament, so today we are asked to choose between life
and death. “I have set before you life and death... Choose life...
by loving the Lord, your God, heeding his voice, and holding
fast to him” (Dt. 30:19-20). To choose life is to live the newness
of life in Christ such as integrity, justice, love, and fidelity to his
commandments. To choose death is to choose sin, vice, crime and
all death-dealing values and behavior; it is to ignore the meaning
of life in Christ.
It is, therefore, for reasons of the call to human life in its very
depths that we all need to address the root causes that drive people
to use drugs. Among these causes are peer pressure, the negative
quality of relationships within the family, the rigidity or laxity
of home discipline, ignorance or apathy, a lack of self-esteem,
the influence of hedonism through mass media, and laxity of law
enforcement at various levels.
February is Pro-life
month
Information about illegal drugs and their deleterious effects
is necessary. But even more imperative is religious and value
formation that should be given within the family, by schools, and
by churches. A holistic strategy involving all sectors of society is
indispensable to respond effectively to the drug crisis.
ATTENTION Most Reverend Bishops,
Parish Priests, Family and Life Ministers,
Catechists, organization leaders…Attention
Everybody! February is Pro-life Month!
Ever since 1988, we have been celebrating
February of each year as Pro-life Month. This
began with the Presidential Proclamation 214
of former President Cory Aquino declaring
every second week of February as “Respect
and Care for Life Week”. Since many pro-lifers
found a week too short for the many activities
lined up, we have extended it to one month.
So get your groups together and plan out
what is most appropriate and effective in
your area to promote the value of human
life from conception to natural death. Year
2009 is the 21st year that we are celebrating
and we are happy to inform you that many
parishes have come up with very interesting
activities such as rallies, vigil and prayer services, seminars and forums or conferences,
contests for the youth (poster-making, songwriting, slogans, dramas and videos).
According to the ORDO, February 1 is
Pro-life Sunday. If your parish cannot have
the main celebration on February 1, any
other Sunday of the month will do. It would
While we should “punish the pusher”, we must “save the user,”
we do not condone the possible fault of the drug dependent
person. But we must assist the liberation and reintegration of
the individual.
Reintegration means more than medical treatment. It requires
pastoral care. As an integral human process, the rehabilitation of an
individual addicted to drugs requires getting “to know the individual
and to understand his inner world; to bring him to discovery or
rediscovery of his dignity as a person, to help him to reawaken
and develop... those personal resources, which the use of drugs
has suppressed” (John Paul II, To the Participants at the VII World
Congress of Therapeutic Communities, September 7, 1984; cited in
Charter for Health Care Workers, no. 95). Such process needs the
services of skilled and compassionate physicians, psychologists,
social workers, guidance and spiritual counselors—acting in the
manner of Jesus, the Compassionate Healer.
--Choose Life, A CBCP Pastoral Letter on the Drug Crisis,
1997
ISSN 1908-2940
CBCP Monitor
Protagonist
of
Tr u t h ,
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of
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Pedro C. Quitorio
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LAYOUT BY LAURENCE JOHN R. MORALES
Associate Editor
measuring like the other guys! How did you come up with such a
high figure? How do you expect me to consider your service with
that bid?”
“Easy,” the Pinoy explains, “$1,000 for you, $1,000 for me, and we
hire the guy from Mexico.” The next day, the Pinoy and the Mexican
are working on the Fence.
Jokes only—but with a special sting (because right on target?):
the first reminds us that the worst practitioners of the “art of corruption” among us are the relatively well-off, people who really
don’t have to steal to survive and who almost always get away
with their criminal thieving. The second shows how our supposed
penchant for improvisation makes for superior inventiveness even
in corruption—a deplorable misuse of a God-given talent?—and for
ease in enticing others to become complicit in its evil. Actually, it
is this same devious talent that prompts the thoughts I’m proposing for consideration in this column: Is it possible for us to think of
humor not just as a mechanism to cope with the evils corruption
brings in its wake but for something more drastic—to imaginatively,
creatively use humor as a means of purging the body politic of the
poison that it is?
The reasoning behind my proposal is probably most simplistic,
but I put it down in black and white anyway in the hope that it
will catch and start more of us thinking along its lines. I have only
two arguments to make: one from Philippine culture, another from
Christian faith.
First, from culture: If there is one glaring defect common to the
Afterthoughts / A6
Sr. Mary Pilar Verzosa, RGS
Love Life
be good if someone could speak at all the
Masses on that Sunday (after Communion)
to explain the significance of the celebration,
especially on the awareness campaign we are
having these days to stop the Reproductive
Health Bill from passing in Congress.
Some Family and Life Ministries have
managed in the past to request their bishop
or parish priest to take up a second collection during the Sunday Mass in order to
have funds for their programs. While we
commend the volunteers who offer their
time and talent to run the family and life
programs, having funds will help them be
more effective. There is a call right now to
enhance the Natural Family Planning programs in order to counteract the well-funded
contraceptive-abortifacient promotion of
the government and international funding
agencies. People are generous. If they see
that their contribution will go to good causes,
they are very willing to give. Often, we only
need to explain to them the urgency of the
problem and how we intend to respond and
they will donate.
Highlights of Pro-life Philippines Foundation activities will be the National Conference
Fr. Melvin P. Castro
Peace
Of laughter and red-hot
coals—the humor that saves
MEXICO CITY. Under the watchful eyes of Our Lady, the 6th World
Meeting of Families is about to conclude. Although the Holy Father
was unable to be physically present, he sent his Papal Legate, Cardinal Bertone to represent him. And thanks to technology, at the end
of the recitation of the Holy Rosary Saturday night (January 17) at the
esplanade of the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Holy Father
transmitted by video his Papal Message.
It is quite ironic, by the way, that here in Mexico where Our Lady
appeared as a Pregnant Mother, abortion is legal and has recently
been even more amplified.
There were testimonies of family members, professionals, and
theologians on the shadows and lights facing the families around the
world. One of my favorite ones is the study about the direct correlation between the family’s eating meals together and the strengthening of family ties and growth of virtues among the children. Well,
may the Servant of God, Fr. Patrick Peyton forgive me, the study
shows the family that eats together stays together.
Our own Bishop Soc Villegas presented a very inspiring talk on the
on Responsible Parenthood-Natural Family
Planning on Feb 20 (Friday) followed by the
National Convention on Feb 21. Both events
will be held at the Bahay Ugnayan Building,
Good Shepherd Compound, Quezon City.
Expected to attend are parish family and life
ministers, organization leaders, government
workers, school faculty and guidance counselors. Dynamic pro-life speakers will tackle
Issues and Challenges in setting up NFP
programs, Understanding Sexuality and
Fertility, and the basics of NFP. During the
workshops, sample modules and resources
for training will be presented according to
the target sector that various groups wish
to organize.
Pro-life Month will end with the Youth
Congress on Feb 28—a priority activity as
we believe that it is so important to build
pro-life leaders among the youth in order
to counteract the prevailing anti-life culture
that is responsible for so much devastation
of lives and families these days.
For reservations and information on how
we can help you organize your Pro-life Month
activities in your own areas! Contact Pro-life
office at 911-2911, life@prolife.org.ph.
The 6th World Meeting
of Families
situation of the family in the Asian continent. Among other beautiful
things, he mentioned that the Holy Family lived in Asia and hence, our
particular attachment to the family. He also noted the Asian people’s
natural tendency to contemplation, to silence, and to dialogue. Our
inclination to communion strengthens our being family. He noted as
well the shadows facing the family in Asia such as the adoption of
certain Western attitude that leads to rebuke of authority.
Bro. Frank and Sis. Gerry Padilla of the Couples for Christ Foundation also shared their thoughts and experiences in an ecclesial
movement in strengthening family ties and values.
The concluding Mass will be at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. We spent some calmer moments inside the Basilica to behold
and pray before the miraculous image of Our Lady. I could not
explain the utter joy and so many other emotions beholding Her.
We took advantage of the time to pray the Rosary silently to thank
Her and beg Her to safeguard our country from many anti-family
and anti-life forces.
Ave Maria!
Opinion
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 2
January 19 - February 1, 2009
Abp. Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ, DD
Pastoral Companion
DURING the clergy meeting on January 12 in
Cagayan de Oro, we discussed the summary
of the Catechetical Review and Strategic Planning started by a core group earlier. We then
recommended that the process of reviewing and planning our catechetical program
should be continued and brought down to
the parish level.
In this regard, each priest/deacon received
a copy of the New National Catechetical
Directory for the Philippines 2007. We suggested that the district priests discuss the
contents of this book during their monthly
meeting over the next six months. They could
discuss one chapter at a time—e.g., for one
hour, like a BEC session. The priests could
take turns in facilitating the discussion. A
written summary would be presented at the
next clergy meeting for consolidation with
the other reports.
There were five reasons why we invited
everyone to read and reflect on the NNCDP
together.
1. This is a concrete follow-up of our Archdiocesan Pastoral Assembly held last December 12-13. The Second Plenary Council of the
Philippines (1991) considered catechesis as
the most fundamental area of renewal. The
National Pastoral Consultation on Church
Renewal (2001) affirmed this by making
“Integral Faith Formation”—through
catechesis—as the first of its nine pastoral
priorities.
2. The NNCDP incorporates and integrates all our ad intra ministries—i.e.,
Catechetics, BEC formation, Liturgy, Bible
Apostolate, Family Life, Youth, etc. It also
points out their intimate relationship with
our ad extra ministries—i.e., the social apostolate and works of charity.
3. Parish priests are the primary “educators in the faith” and “the key source for
the parish catechetical ministry” (NNCDP,
nos. 441-442). Without the support of the
parish priest, the catechetical program in
the parish will be hobbled and may become
moribund.
4. Concretely, the NNCDP gives us a
comprehensive framework for evaluating
our current catechetical program – as we
approach the end of the school year, and
prepare for the coming school year.
5. For the individual priest, the NNCDP
can serve as a pastorally-oriented synthesis of our theology courses in the
seminary. For instance, the threefold
Pastoral animation of
Daditama
THE unique experience of Daditama for 2009 (communion of
churches in the Ecclesiastical Province of Davao), is now under the
leadership of the Diocese of Mati , with Bishop Patricio Alo, D.D.,
at the helm. This method of revolving the pastoral animation of
Daditama among the dioceses that comprise it, keep it constantly
alert, alive and enthusiastic. This has ensured stability and continuity in our common efforts for a more engaged and relevant pastoral
action in the sub-region. We wish and pray for Bishop Alo and his
pastoral team, all of God’s graces for another fruitful Daditama
year in 2009.
The preparations for the community consultations on the peace
process in Mindanao among the stakeholders are now well on its
way. Professional researchers from the academic community of
Christians and Muslim have been collaborating with the Bishops
Ulama Conference (BUC) in preparing the process and materials
for a more meaningful and comprehensive consultations among the
peoples of Mindanao as for their aspiration for justice, peace and
development. On Monday January 19, 2009, the team of experts will
be presenting to the BUC and Mindanao Bishops the plan of implementing the consultations. Let’s all hope these efforts will receive the
greatest and widest support from all the Mindanao stakeholders.
Bishop Rimando and Fr. Pete Lamata of the Archdiocese of Davao
are spearheading the preparations for the DADITAMA BEC CONGRESS that will be held in June this year. Said congress aims to
gather BEC members and leaders in a wholesome exchange of their
wealth of experience in building and forming and sustaining BECs
in their respective dioceses. BECs have been a part of the ecclesial
landscape in this part of the country for at least the last 30-40 years.
Surely, the results of the last 2nd National BEC Congress on Rural
Development held in Cagayan de Oro City will also be given ample
consideration.
The Diamond Jubilee celebration of the Archdiocese of Davao
was launched by Archbishop Fernando R. Capalla at the San
Pedro Cathedral during the Misa de Gallo last December 17,
2008.
Rev. Euly B. Belizar, SThD
By the Roadside
I MUST confess that I often have mixed feelings about the devotion to the Santo Niño.
Now please don’t get me wrong. I will defend
it as best as I can. But to be honest, there are
times that I feel embarrassed watching the
devotion’s supposed-to-be cultural or artistic
expressions that seem often rooted in showbiz
and tourism-related commerce rather than
in authentic prayer or worship. That’s not to
say that I have become a self-appointed judge
or an expert on the cultural expressions of
our devotions. That’s just to say that, to my
mind, there are impurities in our devotions,
particularly to the Santo Niño, that even an
ordinary Catholic, in the simplicity of his
faith, must be able to distinguish and sift from
its genuine elements.
First, true devotion to the Santo Niño is
definitely not in the same league as our devotion to saints. In our devotion to a saint, for
example, we mainly enlist a fellow believer
and disciple who is in heaven to intercede
for us, to pray for us in our needs. On the
other hand, our devotion to the Santo Niño
is essentially aimed at praise and worship
of him who, though truly human, is also
truly God. It is therefore a grave mistake to
treat the devotion as just one of the many we
cultivate towards saints. The Child Jesus, as
one Catholic school’s name rightly declares,
is “divine” to whom worship, not simply
veneration, is due.
Two, focusing on the Child Jesus doesn’t
mean the devotion’s significance is chronological or biological. A story is told of a Pinoy
non-Catholic, baffled by the devotion, asking
a Catholic friend why after celebrating the
feast of the very adult Jesus Nazareno every
ninth of January, Filipino Catholics revert
to the childhood of Jesus in the Santo Niño.
“How could you go,” he asked, “from the
adult Jesus backward to the child Jesus without being downright silly?” Now the Pinoy
Catholic was fast on his feet, “Igan (friend),”
he paused. “You have to remember that Jesus
is both God and man. As God he certainly can
do anything. In other words, he can be both a
child and grown man just so he could be with
his people. Isn’t that the language of love?”
This answer might contain some profound
theology. But let’s not miss the point: The
Catechetics and the
NNCDP
pattern of Christian Faith indicated in No.
213—in terms of Creed, Code, and Cult;
or Jesus as the Truth, the Way, and the
Life—can give us a manner of envisioning
the interconnection among our various
parish ministries.
To start off the discussions on Chapter One
of the NNCDP at their next district meeting,
three guide questions were proposed to the
priests:
1. What are the expressions of religiosity
(devotions) in your parish today?
2. What are the core values behind these
expressions of religiosity (devotions)?
3. How do you include these core values
in your catechesis?
They were of course free to focus on
other matters of relevance to your local communities. In due time, members
of the catechetical core group would be
suggesting guide questions for the other
chapters. We proposed that this collective
effort at catechetical renewal would be our
way of starting off the next 75 years of the
archdiocese after our jubilee celebrations
last year.
Bp. Guillermo V. Afable, DD
DADITAMA
The Archdiocese of Davao began as a Prelature Nullius or what is
called now as Territorial Prelate in December 17, 1949. This means
that the entire Davao Province, which at that time was still part of
the Archdiocese of Zamboanga, acquired its own jurisdictional figure
setting it apart from the other dioceses with quasi-episcopal jurisdiction. Subsequently, Most Rev. Clovis Thibault, PME was elected its
first Prelate Ordinary and was installed on June 24, 1950.
Later, it was elevated into a diocese on July 11, 1966. The Most Rev.
Clovis Thibault, PME, JCL, DD became the first Bishop of Davao.
On August 1, 1970 the Diocese of Davao with a population of
918,520 people was erected as Archdiocese with the Most Rev. Clovis
Thibault, PME, JCL, DD as its first Archbishop and the Most Rev.
Antonio Ll. Mabutas, JCD as its first Coadjutor Bishop.
Archbishop Antonio Ll. Mabutas, JCD, DD succeeded Archbishop
Thibault upon his retirement and became the second Archbishop on
December 9, 1972.
The story of the Archdiocese of Davao took another significant turn
upon the assumption by Archbishop Fernando R. Capalla, DD of the
pastoral care of the archdiocese and became the third Archbishop
of Davao on November 28, 1996 upon the retirement of Archbishop
Antonio Ll. Mabutas.
To date, the Archdiocese of Davao has three suffragan dioceses,
namely Tagum covering the two provinces of Davao del Norte and
Compostela Valley, Mati covering the entire province of Davao
Oriental , and Digos covering the province of Davao del Sur. The
entire DADITAMA is, therefore, in solidarity with the Archdiocese
of Davao in their thankful remembrance of the past, their joyous
celebration of the present and their confident look to the future that
lies ahead.
Our next DADITAMA quarterly pastoral meeting will be on
March 4 and 5 in Davao City. Our brother Bishops and Priests and
other pastoral workers are most welcome to join us to see, feel and
walk with us and share in these two days of solidarity in mission.
For arrangements, just contact Bishop Patricio Alo of the Diocese
of Mati.
Afterthoughts on the
devotion to the Sto. Niño
Child Jesus and Jesus Nazareno is one and
the same person. The devotion to the Santo
Niño’s significance is not chronological but
spiritual.
Speaking of spiritual significance, we ask:
Who is the Santo Niño for us?
One, he is Jesus himself, the “light of the
world” (Jn 9:5). Isaiah foretold his coming
in no uncertain terms. “The people who
walked in the darkness have seen a great
light. Upon those who dwelt in the land of
gloom a light has shone” (Is 9:1). Why so?
Isaiah continues: “For a child is born for us,
a son is given us. Upon his shoulder dominion rests” (Is 9:5). I have a sister who would
tell me that even if she arrives home tired
and weary from work, her face always lights
up whenever she sees her little boy coming
to meet her. Meeting Jesus the Santo Niño
is infinitely different because this child,
again in the words of Isaiah, is meeting the
“Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, FatherForever, Prince of Peace” (Is 9:5). The joy
born of this meeting is infinitely different
(in the sense of ‘better’) too.
Two, the Child Jesus is God who has
shared with us completely our own humanity. The “God-Hero” and “Prince of
Peace” had become a “child with Mary his
mother” being visited by shepherds and
representatives of humankind, the Magi
(Mt 2:11-21). The clear and simple message
of the childhood of Jesus is the humility of
God that humans like us need to learn again
and likewise put into practice. Whenever
the president or a high government official
visits victims of calamities in the country, it
touches many. But they do not cease to be
high government officials. The president
eventually returns to Malacañang and to
comfortable life; so do other government officials. When Jesus became a human being,
as is seen in the Santo Niño, he completely
took upon himself our human condition
without returning to the comfort and glory
of heaven even when things became difficult and tough except after his mission
was accomplished. He has truly become the
‘Emmanuel’, that is to say, “God-with-us”
(Mt 1:23). Because the Child Jesus is truly
man and truly God, it is most appropriate
to pray to him. In fact, a growing number
of people, including non-Catholics, attest to
how the Santo Niño hears and answers their
prayers. Stories about this, in matters big and
small, abound. And it’s no wonder because
this baby is Jesus Christ himself in whom
God blesses us “with every spiritual blessing in the heavens”, such as being “chosen”
in Christ “to be holy and blameless in his
sight…predestined…through Christ Jesus
to be his adopted sons and daughters” (Eph
1:3-5).
Three, the Child Jesus is a powerful gospel statement long before the gospels were
written. The statement simply tells us that
in heaven the greatest is the child and only
in becoming like little children will we be
able to enter God’s Kingdom (Mk 10:14-15;
9:36-37; Mt 19:14). Whenever I ask people
why Jesus considers children the greatest in
the kingdom of heaven, they almost always
point to the innocence of children. But this is
not quite the teaching of Scriptures. Rather
the Scriptures underline the instinctive recognition by children of their dependence on
others. We always see children, for instance,
together with people they love and depend
on: parents, siblings, relatives, friends. Only
when a child is lost that that child is alone.
Only when we acknowledge our dependence
on God and other members of the human
family will we begin to understand what
heaven is all about. The song that says,
“People who need people are the luckiest
people in the world”, now takes on a new
meaning.
Four, Jesus in becoming a small vulnerable
child gives us a direct call to protect, defend
and care for him in the small, the weak and
vulnerable among us. Worth mentioning are
the defenseless, ‘poorest of the poor’ children
in the womb and in abusive homes as well as
the sick and the elderly who can no longer
give nor be of use to society. In his Midnight
Mass homily on December 24, 2006 the Holy
Father, Pope Benedict XVI, brought this
point home to all Catholics. The Baby Jesus
is the face of everyone who is completely
under our power, utterly dependent on us to
not only survive but to also grow in humanRoadside / A6
A5
Jose B. Lugay
Laiko Lampstand
Common sense
economics makes sense
THREE professors, James S. Gwartney of Florida State University, Richard L. Stroup of Montana State University and Dwight
R. Lee of University of Georgia wrote their book “Common
Sense Economics” and outlined “Ten Key Elements of Economics” “Seven Major Sources of Economic Progress” and “Ten
Elements of Clear Thinking About Economic Progress and the
Role of Government.”
They mentioned that these are indicators that would
classify and differentiate the progressive first world countries
from the third world and the corruption-ridden countries.
These readings may be used in finding the causes of
recent events now blared in recent headlines—the drug case
involving the Department of Justice prosecutors, the takeover of
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as the Drug Czar, the World
Bank’s blacklisting of some Chinese Infrastructure Contractors
of China from participating in future infrastructure projects for
the Philippines. Here are the ABC’s of economics.
“Economic progress comes primarily through trade,
investment, better ways of doing things, and sound economic
institutions.”
“The foundation of economic progress is a Legal System that
protects privately-owned property and enforces contracts in an
even handed manner”
Ten Elements of Clear Thinking about Economic Progress
and the Role of Government:
1.
Government promotes economic progress by protecting the rights of individuals and supplying goods that cannot
be provided through markets.
2.
Government is not a corrective device.
3.
The costs of government are not only taxes.
4.
Unless restrained by constitutional rules, special interest groups will use the democratic political process to fleece
taxpayers and consumers.
5.
Unless restrained by constitutional rules, legislators
will run budget deficits and spend excessively.
6.
Government slows economic progress when it becomes
heavily involved in trying to help some people at the expense
of others.
7.
The costs of government income transfers are far
greater than the net gain to the intended beneficiaries.
8.
Central planning replaces markets with politics, which
wastes resources and retards economic progress.
9.
Competition is just as important in government as in
markets.
10. Constitutional rules that bring the political process
and sound economics into harmony will promote economic
progress.
We as a people have a long way to implement the changes that
will make our economic system conform to the standards stated
above. These changes in the system are expected to be initiated
by the policy makers and the managers who will implement
these policies. Many people appointed as managers in government are mostly political appointees whose main qualification is
their being close associates with the appointing powers-that-be,
notwithstanding that there are many other qualified professionals, CESOs—who qualified by taking a masteral degree and
passing the civil service examination for executives.
The corruption-prone government transactions, is another
matter. No advanced economic system can correct it since the
problem is a moral problem. Let us review Pope Benedict’s
statement about the “subtle and widespread blight” of corruption in his message to the bishops of the Dominican Republic
last July, 2008:
“The mission of the laity is the establishment of the temporal
order, and to act in a direct and concrete way, guided by the
light of the Gospel and the Church’s teachings and inspired by
Christian love.”
“For this reason,” he said, “it is necessary to ensure that lay
people receive adequate religious formation so as to enable them
to face the numerous challenges of modern society.”
It is their task to promote human and Christian values
that illuminate the political economic and cultural life of the
country with the aim of instituting a more just and a more
equitable social order in accordance with the social doctrine of
the Church”, he said.
Pope Benedict further said, that the laity “must provide the
example of honesty and transparency in the management of
public affairs in the face of the unseen and widespread blight
of corruption, which at times touches areas of political and
economic power, as well as other spheres of public and social
life.”
These words of advice, if they have to be implemented, must
start with the young whose moral conscience is in the formative
stage. I give up hope on the government managers who, in not
a few cases, are inept such that even the President has to do
micro-management for them. It is either that these managers are
not qualified to manage their assigned areas of responsibility
or they are there to make money for themselves and for their
superiors’ funds needed for running in the next election.
Local News
THE operations of over a thousand Bigasan sa Parokya will continue
beyond its December 31, 2008 deadline after Agriculture Secretary
Arthur Yap and National Food Authority Administrator Jessup Navarro favorably considered NASSA Executive Secretary Sr. Rosanne
Mallillin’s recommendation for extension.
The bigasan operations will go on until further notice as social
workers from the Department of Social Welfare and Development
validate the recipient lists generated from various parishes.
The validation will cost the government at least P 5 million.
It was learned there are 1,793 rice outlets in various parishes across
the country serving millions of Filipino consumers. There are also
210 rice outlets run by Inter-Faith groups nationwide.
“I strongly recommended the government continue its Bigasan
sa Parokya project because if they will opt to close it, more people
would suffer from the present P18.25 a kilo to P25.00 to a kilo,” said
Mallilin.
Asked of the initial capital for the Bigasan sa Parokya project,
Mallilin said the initial capital outlay of P15,000.00 was provided by
the Office of the President-Religious Affairs under Undersecretary
Valdez.
Mallilin said a good case study for social workers are the beneficiaries in the Diocese of Marbel in South Cotabato where most of their
clients come from indigenous peoples including B’laan and T’bolis.
Reports have it that Ilonggos in South Cotabato do not buy NFA
rice and would rely on commercial rice in the market.
“The indigenous peoples of South Cotabato would suffer should
the government put a stop to the operations of our Bigasan sa
Parokya,” she added.
In a related development, NFA Administrator Jessup Navarro
confirmed reports that locally purchased palay are now being milled
for delivery to various NFA warehouses.
This was an offshoot of the farmers request conveyed by Mallilin
to government agriculture officials led by Secretary Yap.
“The farmers asked me to convey their request to Secretary Yap
that locally purchased palay be given priority in milling and distribution so that imports will not be perceived as their priority,”
she said.
In a separate interview with CBCPNews, NFA spokesman Rex
Estoperez said they have been given priority to locally purchased
palay for milling and eventual distribution to continue to meet the
demand for P18.25 to a kilo rice. (CBCPNews)
Fight / A1
people that has continued to bring immense
devastation to and decay in our culture and
institutions, despite the seeming hopelessness of our situation, we the people of God
have hopes that things can get better,”
Lazaro said.
“We know that it is imperative for us to be
united, and it has not been easy... nevertheless, our theme recognizes the possibility that
pieces fragmented as they are can become
one when they obey God,” he added.
Lazaro said Church people are not real
evangelizers if they will not help the poor
and fight against social injustices including
corruption in the government.
He said that peace, unity and development continue to elude the country because
nobody seems to care that much.
“We cannot afford to drift through the
motions of religious life complacent of the
societal deterioration around us. We have
to live up being light and salt of the earth,
and the light have to come out in the open,”
said Lazaro.
He said that religious leaders have vital
role in Christian formation, especially for
those who have responsibilities in social
and public life.
Both Tobias and Lazaro also welcomed
the call of Chief Justice Reynato Puno for
religious leaders to be pro-active in “redirecting the destiny” of the country from its
moral decadence.
“We should really heed Justice Puno’s
call for us to work together for moral force,”
said Tobias.
Lazaro said it’s high time for Christians,
especially the Church leaders, to roll their
sleeves and work together in ways that will
address the ills gripping the country.
“It will be unfaithfulness to the Gospel of
Christ if we do less,” he said.
“Forging unity is in our hands. If this is so,
could the destiny of our people also be in our
hands? I believe so,” Lazaro said.
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
is an expression of the ecumenical movement that seeks to heal divisions within the
church, promote dialogues among churches
and Christian communities.
Every year, on January 18-25, Christians
worldwide are encouraged to pray together
as an expression of unity.
Other Churches composing the NCCP
include the Convention of Philippine Baptist
Churches (CPBC), Episcopal Church in the
Philippines (ECP), Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI), Iglesia Unida Ekyumenical
(UNIDA), Lutheran Church in the Philippines (LCP), The Salvation Army (TSA),
The United Methodist Church (UMC) and
the United Church of Christ in the Philippines UCCP).
Afterthoughts / A4
corrupt in our nation today it is their utter shamelessness. So we
should ask ourselves: Can humor—jokes, laughter, even ridicule
at their expense—help cure them, re-enkindle in them an ordinary
Filipino sense of hiya? I don’t know for sure, but I believe it’s worth
trying. Add this to the praying I suggested in my last column as one
thing we could do.
And secondly, from faith: Prayer and ridicule don’t seem to go
together. In fact the latter could well deny the former, at least in this
sense, that it seems to sin against Christian charity. But then Christ
himself constantly used ridicule against his enemies among the
Pharisees of his time. And so did Paul the Apostle in his quarrels with
Judaizers. He even talks of pouring red-hot coals over the heads of
one’s enemies by doing good to them (see Romans, 12, 21)—something
we will be doing to our corruptors if we are to be able to help them,
through ridicule and humor, to cease from continuing the harm
they’re doing. So, pouring burning coals on their heads, as Paul
teaches? It is a thoroughly Christian act of charity that we should
give more thought to in the intransigent fix we are in as a people.
For laughter and humor can indeed be salvific—for both the corrupt
themselves and the victims of their corrupt ways.
An afterthought: If the jokes I cited above are being widely
circulated among Filipino expatriates in America, I suspect it is
in reaction to the deep shame they feel in the constant citing of
their country of origin as one of the most corrupt in the world
today. So they trade jokes—even painful ones—for their possible
cathartic effect.
Recession / A1
War games / A1
“We need more than money. We need help
for the poor people but we need a relativization of money too,” Cordes told reporters.
“This means that money is not the most
important thing of the world. This crisis
perhaps could give us a push in order to discover other values than money,” he added.
A Filipino Catholic archbishop earlier said
that there has been a noted decline in the
collections during Masses, which could be
attributed to the tough financial times.
Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar
Cruz said even as the Church has seen a 20
percent increase in the number of churchgoers recently, the amount of mass collections
has been scarce.
For instance in his archdiocese, he said,
the collections notably has gone down by
40 percent.
Cordes is in the country upon the invitation of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of
the Philippines (CBCP) to deliver a lecture
about Pope Benedict XVI’s first encyclical
“Deus Caritas Est” on January 22 to the
bishops.
He was welcomed at the airport by Papal
nuncio Archbishop Edwards Joseph Adams,
CBCP President Archbishop Angel Lagdameo and Ms. Henrietta de Villa, one of the
Cor Unum consultors. (CBCPNews)
Illegal drugs / A1
Pro-life / A2
schools already have networks with the
authorities and other groups advocating
against illegal drugs.
“It’s just that we lack the consistency and
sustainability of the programs,” he said.
The Church official admitted that the
country is in an era when people do not really care much about school rules or laws,
so it happens.
But Santos said this could serve as more
reason for the Catholic schools to step up
measures to fight and flush out the menace
of illegal drugs.
“The Catholic schools should address
this in a pro-active way. Although we are
reacting to it now, I think we really have to
address the issue of drugs in campuses and
the issue of the youth,” he said.
Security measures were stepped up recently in several colleges and universities in
Metro Manila amid reports that the problem
of illegal drugs in schools is getting worse.
At De La Salle College of St. Benilde
(DLS-CSB), for instance, administrators said
they have already stepped up their security
measures to forestall drug pushers and users
to enter their campus.
The move came after one of its students,
Vince Rendell Yu, was caught by government authorities last week for alleged possession of illegal drugs.
Catholic bishops earlier said they are more
than willing to help in the fight against illegal
drugs by intensifying awareness campaigns.
They also said that all sectors must join
hands in combating the hazards brought by
illegal drugs. (CBCPNews)
abortion, at a time when we need their trust
and respect.”
Moving on to the embryonic stem cell
policies initiated by President Bush, Cardinal George explains that the policies make
certain that “Americans are not forced to
use their tax dollars to encourage expanded
destruction of embryonic human beings
for their stem cells,” especially since new
scientific breakthroughs “are said by many
scientists to be making embryonic stem cells
irrelevant to medical progress.”
“To divert scarce funds away from these
promising avenues for research and treatment, toward the avenue that is most morally controversial as well as most medically
speculative, would be a sad victory of politics
over science,” he writes. (CNA)
Devotion / A1
Black Nazarene was they never stop hoping
despite hardships they are facing in life.
During the procession, minor mayhems
also took place as devotees struggle to get
close to the wooden cross-bearing Black
Nazarene image.
Many believe that wiping a piece of cloth
or just touching the image can wash away
sins, cure illnesses or bring miracles.
Around a million took part in the procession as the centuries-old statue was paraded
through the streets before returning to the
Quiapo Church.
This year’s feast was so far the biggest
crowd ever in the past years as thousand of
devotees attended Mass every hour and the
entire procession. (CBCPNews)
of their presence. Prostitutes will run after
them, they will for them,” he said.
The bishop said they have long been campaigning against prostitution and they will
do anything to stop the spread of it.
Quiambao said they are also apprehensive
about the spread of the HIV virus in country,
saying that “we do not know how clean they
are and we do not know where this people
came from.”
“If it is purely humanitarian purpose like
what they are saying but our concerns cannot
be just be ignored,” he said.
The Balkatan is a joint Filipino-American
military exercise, which Philippine Army
officials said would focus on engineering
works and medical missions in the provinces
of Albay, Masbate and Sorsogon.
Quiambao said all prelates based in Bicol
are going to meet next week to be able to
make a common stand on the issue.
“All of us will sign a resolution against
it. I think it will be a strong voice against
these Balikatan Exercises,” he said.
(CBCPNews)
Pushing values / A1
a surprise for him.
“I know that he is gathering much support
because of his integrity. He is a very good
person and that is actually very appealing
right now to many people,” he said.
The CBCP head said it’s really up to the
Supreme Court’s chief magistrate to heed
the public’s call for him to run for public
office.
CBCP Media Director Msg. Pedro Quitorio, for his part, said that instead of endorsing
candidates, the Church would rather engage
in political education of the people.
“What we do in our political educations
is endorse the qualities of people that they
should look for when they vote,” he said.
But the choosing of candidates, Quitorio
said, should still be left to the wisdom and
conscience of the mature and informed
voter.
For his part, Puno said he will not run in
the 2010 polls upon the advice of his grandchildren.
However, the calls for him to run remain
persistent such as the signature campaign
launched by Iglesia Filipina Independiente
Bishop Nilo Tayag. (CBCPNews)
UST to confer
honorary degree
on Cordes
VATICAN’S Pontifical Council Cor Unum president Cardinal
Paul Josef Cordes is to be conferred honorary doctorate by the
University of Santo Tomas (UST).
University officials said honorary degree in Sacred Theology,
honoris causa, will be awarded to Cordes in a simple ceremony
at the UST Thomas Aquinas Research Complex on January 23.
Cordes, whom Pope Benedict XVI made cardinal in Oct. 2007,
started the international gathering of the youth in 1983, now
known as the World Youth Day.
The Vatican official now heads the Vatican dicastery that provides international relief during emergencies and calamities.
Cordes was born in Kirchhundem, Germany. He studied theology in Germany and France. He became a priest in 1961 and
completed his doctoral work in the University of Mainz.
Pope Paul VI named him auxiliary bishop of Paderborn. In
1980, Pope John Paul II made him vice-president of the Pontifical Council for the Laity.
The honorary degree will be the 73rd to be conferred by UST
since the Pontifical University moved to its Sampaloc campus
from Intramuros in 1927.
Cordes will be the 10th cardinal to receive an honorary doctorate from UST after Rufino Cardinal Santos, Jaime Cardinal
Sin, Joseph Cardinal Hoffner of Germany, Sebastiano Cardinal
Baggio of Italy, Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, Josef Cardinal Glemp
of Poland, Eduardo Cardinal Pironio of Argentina, Francis Cardinal Arinze of Nigeria, and Alfonso Cardinal Lopez Trujillo of
Mexico. (CBCPNews)
Prelate underscores
lessons of Sto. Niño
“A CHILD, being small in size symbolizes
humility while his trusting spirit portrays his
innocence and willingness to follow what is
good. This kind of attitude is needed by us
Christians before we can enter the kingdom
of heaven.”
This was the statement made by Caceres Archbishop Leonardo Z. Legaspi,
O.P., on the Feast of Sto. Niño in his radio broadcast over Radio Mindanao
Network’s dwNX in Naga City.
The prelate expounded on what
Our Lord Jesus said when he reprimanded the apostles when
they tried to prevent the children from coming near Him.
“Those who will not accept the kingship of God like the little children cannot come to Him because in them lives God,” he said.
He touched on the importance of children in our lives as
Christians.
“They are instruments so that we do not forget God. Whenever
we look at the face of a child and listen to his laughter, we are bent
to believe in Him because even Jesus was attracted to the children.
Our care for them teaches us how to love,” he added.
He mentioned the obligation of parents to care for their
children.
“They have the right to receive love from their parents,” he
disclosed.
Meanwhile, he pinpointed the shortcomings of the apostles in
yesterday’s gospel and how the message can be applied today.
“Jesus scolded the apostles because they failed to see the
goodness in a child. Today, sex crimes and corruption are considered ‘big’ sins more so that the children are the victims,” he
further disclosed.
He reiterated the reminder made by the Lord: “Do not deject
the children; instead be like them.” (Elmer Abad)
Lawyer urges CBCP to help
address judicial issues
© Roy Lagarde / CBCP Media
Photo courtesy of Cabanatuan diocese
Bigasan sa parokya to
continue operations
Vol. 13 No. 2
January 19 - February 1, 2009
Photo courtesy of Diocese of Kalibo
A6
CBCP Monitor
Lawyer Katrina Legarda of Bantay Korte Suprema movement discusses
judicial issues and the role of the Church in addressing corruption at a weekly
media forum organized by CBCP Media Office and CMN network. With her
in photo is CBCP Media Director Msgr. Pedro Quitorio III.
A FEMALE lawyer called on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference
of the Philippines (CBCP) to intervene in the formation of future
lawyers in the country.
Atty. Katrina Legarda of the Bantay Korte Suprema movement
said it’s high time for Church leaders to interfere on the matter
because corruption is already plaguing even the judiciary.
The Bantay Korte Suprema was launched recently to help
ensure that the appointment of new Supreme Court (SC) justices
will be transparent and free from political influence.
Legarda made the comment at the height of the bribery case
allegedly involving officials of the Department of Justice (DOJ)
and reported moves to impeach Chief Justice Reynato Puno.
The recent controversy hounding the country’s judiciary, she
said, is just a reflection of the “systematic corruption” that the
country have today.
“And I think it is time for the CBCP to address this on a more
practical level,” Legarda said at the “The Forum,” a weekly media
discussion organized by Church-based media organizations.
She said Church leaders can examine law schools or review
legal ethics courses as some ways to enhance the moral quality
of lawyers in the country.
From there, she said, the CBCP can “find out whether or not
we can address this or make this stronger.”
The lawyer said the bishops and priests cannot just keep talking
about how everyone must adhere with the Catholic doctrines because
“there’s so much hypocrisy in the government.” (CBCPNews)
Roadside / A5
ity: the poor, the hungry, the thirsty, the persecuted, the oppressed.
Devotion to the Child Jesus has one test: taking up the struggle for
social justice and the preferential option for the poor.
Finally, it’s undeniable that the Santo Niño is tremendously
popular in the Philippines. His image is seen in virtually anywhere,
such as in our homes, stores, places of work, business, in cars, hotels,
vans, buses, tricycles etc.
But the Santo Niño needs to be in the most important place of our
lives—namely, our hearts.
Diocesan News
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 2
January 19 - February 1, 2009
News Briefs
Preserve devotion to Sto. Niño, says prelate
OZAMIZ CITY—Abp. Jesus Dosado called on his flock to
“preserve and strengthen” devotion to Sr. Santo Niño.” The
devotion to the Santo Niño, which was marked Jan. 18, takes
root into the very lives of its devotees, he said. The prelate said
the depiction of Christ the Child as king and military ruler is
medieval in origin. (Wendell Talibong)
Priest notes youth’s vital contribution to Church
A7
Bishop sees new peace
paradigm for Mindanao
Photo courtesy of Msgr. Juanito Figura
DAVAO CITY—A priest here has emphasized the significant
contributions of the young people especially in the growth and
development of the Church. Fr Marbendear Morallas said that
if young people will only be given the chance to take an active
role in the activities of the Church then they can contribute
something to its progress. (Mark Ventura)
Gov’t, private sectors appeal for food aid
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—Church leaders, public officials
and businessmen appealed for aid for flood victims from at
least 46 villages and 18 towns in Misamis Oriental. Abp. Antonio Ledesma urged the faithful to show “solidarity” with the
victims and acting on their faith by coming to the aid of the
victims. (Bong Fabe)
Prelate: There’s is still hope behind bars
TACLOBAN CITY—Palo Archbishop Jose Pala reminded the
inmates that despite their very sad condition, there is still hope,
and that God is very loving and merciful. “Do not despair, for
there is hope in the Lord,” he said. (Pinky Barrientos, FSP)
Liturgist urges faithful to follow St. Paul’s example
DAVAO CITY—Archdiocesan liturgist Fr Joel Caasi has urged
Catholics to follow the example made by St. Paul when he recognized Jesus in glory on his way to Damascus. Caasi said that
today the Church needs a person like St. Paul who has the willingness to heed Christ’s call of conversion. (Mark Ventura)
Prelate welcomes move to declare CDO mining-free
zone
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—Abp. Antonio Ledesma has backed
moves in Congress declaring this city a “mining-free zone”.
Ledesma said that the mining, whether small-scale or large-scale
and hydraulic flash mining are among the long-term factors that
aggravated the effects of natural calamities. (Bong Fabe)
Ramos-Horta willing to help in Mindanao peace process
DAVAO CITY—Timor Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta has
expressed willingness to help in the resumption of peace talks
between the government and the MILF, only if both parties will
agree and invite him. Ramos-Horta made the statement following a proposal made by peace advocates for him to mediate in
the Mindanao peace process. (Mark Ventura)
Anti-life devices source of corruption, says prelate
MATI CITY—Mati Bishop Patricio Alo has again reiterated his
call to preserve the sanctity of life even as he reminded people
who are supporting anti-life devices as promoting the very
source of corruption. Alo said moves like promoting the use of
contraception, abortion, and euthanasia are sources of corruption. (Mark Ventura)
Illegal drugs, not war is the worst problem in Basilan
—bishop
ISABELA, Basilan—The problem on illegal drugs is more critical
in war-torn Basilan province than their peace and order situation, a Catholic bishop said. Isabela Bishop Martin Jumoad said
that he too was wrong in assuming that the armed conflict in
Mindanao is the worst problem they have. (CBCPNews)
Concerted efforts needed in fight vs illegal drugs
CAPIZ CITY—The Catholic Church is involved in the campaign
to educate the general public on the evils illegal drugs bring to
the community. Capiz Abp. Onesimo Gordoncillo said they
have tie-ups with government personnel including medical
practitioners to conduct seminars and awareness campaigns
in various parishes. He added the community must be united
in fighting illegal drugs. (CBCPNews)
RP Christian youth hits Gaza atrocities
QUEZON CITY—The interfaith Student Christian Movement of
the Philippines scored the latest atrocities committed by Israeli
troops against Palestinians in Gaza strip. “We condemn the
continuous indiscriminate attacks on civilians and civilian installations like schools, houses, temples and other public domain
creating massive abuses and humanitarian crisis in Gaza,” the
group said. (Noel Sales Barcelona)
Bishop rejects role in DOJ bribery probe
SAN FERNANDO, La Union—A prelate doesn’t want to be a
member of an independent panel set to probe the alleged bribery
of justice and prosecutors who ordered the dismissal of the socalled “Alabang Boys” drug case. Bishop Artemio Rillera said
he cannot and will never accept the offer of the Department of
Justice (DOJ) for him to join the panel. (CBCPNews)
DAVAO CITY—Archbishop Fernando Capalla never loses hope for
peace to reign in Mindanao even as he said that the island will soon
know and experience a new way of peacemaking.
Capalla said that this is because the Bishops-Ulama Conference
(BUC) in a very strong and clear statement appealed for the resumption and creation of a new peace panel by the GRP.
“Most important of all was the proposal of the bishops and ulama
for a wider, more participative and credible community consultations throughout Mindanao,” said Capalla, also a co-convenor of
the BUC.
“GRP has responded positively,” he added.
Capalla also said that even before the creation of a new GRP
negotiating panel the government had already requested the BUC
“to lead in the region-wide community consultations on the peace
process” which it called “a new peace paradigm.”
Capalla noted that for several years the region has been witnessing
various activities towards lasting peace conducted by many peaceloving groups and this constitute the “peace process.”
“This time the focus of attention are the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front
(MILF), “ he said, adding:
“For the past 10 years these two groups, who have been claiming to
speak of their respective constituency—GRP for the Filipino people
and MILF for the Bangsamoro people—had been negotiating and
forging a peace agreement.”
He said the supposed signing of the Memorandum of Agreement
on Ancestral Domain (MoA-AD) which is not actually a peace
agreement but a collective intent to consult failed due to the lack
of consultations.
As a result the GRP dissolved its negotiating panel and suspended the peace negotiations which resulted to war. (Mark S.
Ventura)
Church group blasts PSG for ‘abuses’
MIDSALIP, Zamboanga del Sur—Catholic
Church officials here denounced the Presidential Security Group (PSG) for allegedly forcing
three parish workers to strip shortly before
President Arroyo’s visit last January 6.
The Ecclesiastical province of Dipolog,
Iligan, Ozamiz, Pagadian, Ipil and Marawi
(DIOPIM-DCMI) Committee on Mining
Issue said the act caused tension during Arroyo’s hour-long visit.
The group said three presidential guards
confronted at least three San Jose parish
workers for wearing shirts with inscriptions
“Stop Mining and Corruption.”
It said the three PSG men ordered the
three to strip.
Tito Natividad Fiel of the DIOPIM Committee on Mining Issues (DCMI) said “the
church workers’ names were withheld until
the inquiries have been finished.”
Arroyo, who at the time was on a fourday Mindanao swing, was to visit the local
parish and meet San Isidro Parish Priest
Raymun Ugwu and assistant parish priest
James Kutav.
But she opted to stay at the municipal hall
and did not proceed to the church.
The visit came after several emissaries
from Malacañang in Manila met with local
church officials last month to endorse the
president’s trip.
“The priests would have aired the people’s
concern against the influx of mining companies
in the town,” said Ma. Benita Clamonte of the
Justice and Peace and Integrity of CreationMindanao of the Columban Missionaries to
DIOPIM Committee on Mining Issues.
She added that at about 9:30 a.m. of said
day, “almost every person and vehicle were
on standstill because of President Arroyo’s
scheduled visit to San Isidro parish.
Ugwu, for his part, said he belatedly
learned of the incident from those who were
asked to go and remove their t-shirts with
captions advocating for earth protection
and no mining.
Clamonte said that for the past 10 years,
residents under the local parish had been at
the forefront of anti-logging and anti-mining
campaigns.
She noted some have been threatened by
people identified with mining.
Some local parish officials believed the
chief executive’s decision not to visit the par-
ish church was due to maneuvers by some local officials of Midsalip and Zamboanga del
Sur. (Wendell Talibong and Melo Acuna)
Catholic radio for temporary closure
OZAMIZ CITY—The Board of Directors of
a catholic radio station here has decided to
cease operation for six months of both AM
and FM facilities of radio station Dxdd.
Board of Directors’ Secretary and Treasurer
Fr. Marvin Osmeña confirmed the board resolution executed November last year that placed
Dxdd AM/FM on six-month temporary closure in order to realign and modify its financial
status and upgrade technical facilities.
The BOD is composed of Ozamiz archbishop Jesus A. Dosado, CM as chairman of
Sulu battered by strong
winds, big waves
JOLO, Sulu—Hundreds of families from
four municipalities of this province have
been affected by strong winds and big
waves since January 12.
Information gathered by Christopher Lee
of DSWS-ARMM said the towns of Indanan,
Pangutaran, Patikul and the capital town
have been affected by winds and waves.
In Jolo alone, 401 houses were totally destroyed houses while 121 partially in five different villages of Tulay Zones 1 & 2, Bus-bus,
Port Area, Chinese Pier and Takut-takut.
The Jolo Municipal Government has
89 Badjao families under its care. Notre
Dame College of Jolo has extended assistance to affected victims.
Fr. Emmanual A. Sison, OMI, Notre
Dame of Jolo College president, appealed
for assistance. Benefactors may send their
donations to Notre Dame College of
Jolo Peace Center/CES or deposit cash
contributions to Notre Dame of Jolo College, Metrobank Account No. 113-3030203618 or Allied Bank Account No. 00092100534-7. (Jonathan Domingo, OMI)
the board; vicar general Msgr. Emie Bienes
as vice chairman; Fr. Antonio Sagrado; Fr.
Edgar Calog; Fr. Mario Magcanam; Fr. Marvin Osmeña; Fr. Maximino Naron, Jr. and Fr.
Edgar S. Canama the newly appointed priest
in-charge of Dxdd AM/FM.
Dosado has commissioned the volunteer
Internal Auditor Bro. Robert Castro to make
an internal audit of Dxdd AM/FM and to
present his Auditing results on March 10,
2009 during the BOD monthly meeting.
However, Dxdd AM/FM station Manager
Fernando G. Dumanjug submitted to Archbishop Dosado and Fr. Canama a petition
that seeks a review of the board resolution.
Dumanjug underscored that said resolution
violates the constitutional provision on the rights
of employees and the right to due process.
“Board of Directors had passed the resolution without prior consultation and conference to Dxdd AM/FM employees who are
party in interest,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dxdd AM/FM priest incharge Fr. Edgar S. Canama stressed that
the BOD resolution aiming to place Dxdd
AM/FM on six-month temporary closure
is still subject for legal consultation from
CBCP legal counsel Atty. Sabino R. Padilla,
Jr. before its implementation.
Dosado clarified that the archdiocese of
Ozamiz will not abandon the radio apostolate
being the modern pulpit of evangelization.
On Sunday, January 18, 2009, Dxdd FM
marked its 29th anniversary, while on February
14 Dxdd AM, will mark its 39th anniversary.
“All those involved in the Corporation and
in its Radio Stations are an extension of the
Bishop in his office of evangelization. We need
to professionalize ourselves in the performance
of our apostolate. Those who work for the
Gospel must not be left behind in the practice
and use of the instruments of communication
by those who work only for their livelihood,”
Dosado said. (Wendell Talibong)
Cagayan flood damage posted CBCP Communications Development Foundation, Inc.
to household was put at P70
at P1.7 B Damages
million, crops at P85 million
Offers the following training programs for 2009:
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY— The continuous flooding in key areas in Northern Mindanao brought about by the tail-end of a cold
front has damaged at least P1.7 billion worth
of properties, according to the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council and Office of
Civil Defense in Region 10.
Damages to household was put at P70
million, crops at P85 million and other agricultural products at P5.8 million, RDCC
figures showed.
OCD also pegged the number of houses
totally destroyed at 671 and houses partially
damaged at 2,309.
There were 7 deaths recorded and 3 missing.
This as the Philippine Atmospheric,
Geophysical and Astronomical Services
Administration (PAGASA) reportedly issued a bulletin Friday warning of landslide
and flashfloods due to the tail-end of a cold
front that is continuing to affect Eastern and
Northern Mindanao.
“Visayas and Mindanao will have cloudy
skies with scattered rainshowers becoming
widespread rains over Eastern and Northern
Mindanao and Eastern Visayas which may
trigger flash floods and landslides,” the
bulletin said.
“The eastern section of Luzon will experience mostly cloudy skies with scattered light
rains,” it continued, adding that the rest of
the country will be partly cloudy to at times
cloudy with isolated rains.
Moderate to strong winds blowing from
the northeast will prevail over the entire
archipelago and the coastal waters will be
moderate to rough.
Because of this, PAGASA advised fishing
boats and small seacraft not to venture out
to sea due to big waves while advising larger
seacraft to be on the alert for big waves.
PAGASA said the northern, eastern, and
western seaboards of Northern Luzon would
be “rough to high” while the southern seaboard of Southern Luzon, the seaboard of
Eastern Visayas, the seaboard of Western and
Central Visayas, and the seaboards of Eastern
Mindanao will be “rough to very rough.”
OCD figures also said that as of Thursday
at least 302,388 persons in Northern and
Northeastern Mindanao provinces have been
affected by widespread floodings brought
about by continuous rains, strong winds
and big waves.
The report said that at least 7 persons were
reported dead, 4 missing and several others
injured all over this city, Misamis Oriental
province and Caraga Region.
In Cagayan de Oro City, 5 persons have
been reported dead. (Bong D. Fabe)
1. Systems Administration (SysAd)
• A highly technical training course for Systems
and Network Administrators, this program is
offered specially to those administering local
area networks of Catholic schools. The training
features bandwidth and server management on
a Linux platform.
2. Educational Technology (EdTech)
• This training module is intended for teachers
of catholic schools. It teaches how to integrate
computer/internet applications into the academic
subject/curriculum.
3. Information Technology Awareness Seminar
• This seminar is an introduction to information
technology. Participants are taught the basic
knowledge and skills in computer, internet and
multimedia. This is best for school administrators,
nuns, priests and bishops.
4. Web Design
• This program is about learning how to conceptualize, design, and maintain web sites. The
module is tailored for catechists, pastoral workers and youth groups interested in harnessing
websites as a new avenue for catechesis and
evangelization.
5. News writing
• This seminar-workshop features writing news
stories from a distinctively catholic perspective
which CBCPNews calls “Catholic Journalism”.
This is especially intended for those involved in
print media or those contemplating on putting
up one.
6. Introduction to networking
• Intended for computer technicians, this training module teaches basic skills in network management which includes hardware configurations,
IP addressing and network structuring.
7. Multimedia for Catechists
• This training course is an introduction to the
amazing world of multimedia which includes videography, video editing and online sharing. This
is best for catechists and pastoral workers.
Most of these training programs are conducted for free, especially to institutions that are members of
the CBCPWorld Network. Trainings are held either at the CBCPWorld Training Center in Intramuros,
Manila or at local dioceses. Interested party may contact CBCP Media Office at tel/fax 5274139
/ CBCPWorld at tels. 404-2182; 404-1612.
A8
People, Facts & Places
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 2
January 19 - February 1, 2009
Vatican Official to grace UST’s
clergy homecoming
speaker in the event.
A year shy of their platinum anniversary, UST
ALPA will unveil the UST Central Seminary’s
new Bishop’s Gallery as tribute to its professoremeriti and former rectors. Also to be honored
in the homecoming cocktails are the Dominican
formators, the Golden Jubilarians of Batch 1959,
and the Silver Jubilarians of Batch 1983.
Special recognition will also be given to the new
Thomasian Bishops, Jaro, Iloilo Auxiliary Bishop
Gerardo Alminaza, and Apostolic Nuncio to Haiti
Archbishop Bernardito Auza.
Coinciding with the celebration is the UST
Central Seminary’s 80th year as the Interdiocesan
Seminary of the Philippines. (Kris Bayos)
© Roy Lagarde / CBCP Media
THE head of the Vatican council that oversees
global charitable activities is among the illustrious
guests of 74th homecoming of the UST Alumni
Priests Association on January 20 to 21.
Paul Josef Cardinal Cordes, president of
the Pontifical Council for Cor Unum, will be
among the speakers of the two-day celebration
of reflection, renewal and fellowship themed
“Thomasian Clergy: Radiating the Light of God’s
Kindness.”
Cordes will talk about Church teachings and
his experiences in the field of Catholic Charity in
the light of Pope Benedict VXI’s encyclical “Deus
Caritas Est,” while Fr. Enrico Gonzales, O.P., dean
of the UST Faculty of Philosophy, will be the main
Former Ambassador to the Holy See Henrietta de Villa
welcomes Cardinal Paul Josef Cordes (right).
© Roy Lagarde / CBCP Media
E. Timor president extols Church,
Filipino religious
East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta (right) with La Salle President Brother Armin Luistro at a
forum held at De La Salle University on January 17.
PRESIDENT Jose Ramos-Horta paid
tribute to Filipino religious, priests and
nuns actively involved in helping East
Timorese people.
Speaking before a crowd of academics, business and civil society leaders at
a forum co-sponsored by International
Peace Foundation, De La Salle and
Far Eastern Universities on January
17, President Ramos-Horta said the
Catholic church is the oldest institution
in his country.
Coming from a country with 95-97%
Roman Catholics, Ramos-Horta said
the conflict between Indonesia and his
country was political.
“The Church is a part of our history,
the only one that can claim hundreds of
years of experience but beyond that, it is
the Church that provides the growth of
Timorese identity, the Church has contributed enormously to education, health
and culture over the years,” he said.
He added most of them have gone to
poor mission schools ran by priests and
nuns who were their teachers then.
He said he has instituted subsidies
to the Catholic Church because the
Church is “an extra-ordinary institution
in education, there’s no better quality
education other than coming from the
Catholic church.”
Mr. Ramos-Horta said he has provided US $1.5 million in subsidies for
the Dioceses of Dili and Baucau.
“Fr. Jojo and other Filipino missionaries whose names I could not remember
helped our people, they touched base
with our youth, especially during the
time of conflict,” he added.
He said “Filipino nuns played an extraordinary role in healing the wounds,
providing shelter and education.”
“I have tremendous admiration for
the nuns in East Timor and I have
discussed this with Bishop Basilio of
Baucau and Mr. Xanana Gusmao that it
would be better if we hire hundreds of
Filipino nuns and other nationalities to
teach in our schools; they would teach
and do social work,” he said . “The nuns
are hard working, they don’t demand
huge salaries and I do confess they really work,” he added.
The Society of the Divine Word, Sisters of St. Paul Chartres and Religious of
the Virgin Mary have Filipino missionaries in East Timor. (Melo M. Acuna)
Dagupan holds first family bible congress
A ONE-DAY Family Bible Congress attended by bible animators,
catechists, BEC coordinators, Youth and representatives of various
religious organizations and movements including Couples for Christ,
Marriage Encounter, Christian Family Movement among others was
held on January 17 at St. Therese Parish in Dagupan.
Sponsored by the Archdiocesan Biblical and Family and Life Apostolates under Reverend Frs. Fidelis B. Layog and Winston Estrada,
the congress was graced with the presence of Dagupan Auxiliary
bishop Renato Mayugba as guest speaker.
Mayugba said the congress was an opportunity for the different
ministries and apostolates to work together, towards “a concerted
and collaborated effort of building our Basic Ecclesial Communities
with its families grounded in the Word of God.”
The Congress announced the availability of subsidized bibles
sold at P50.00 per copy. These cheap bibles are intended for poor
families following the program of the Episcopal Commission on
Biblical Apostolate that envisions of bringing five million bibles for
five million families in the next five years.
Layog said more that 500 delegates attended the First Family Bible
Congress. (Marcelita L. Dominguez)
OMI sends scholastics
to Argentina
FOR the first time, at least two
Filipino Oblates have been sent
to Latin America late last year to
undergo scholasticate studies.
The Philippine Province of the
Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI)
said Mark Pagente and Angelo
Roberto are now studying at the
Oblate Argentina-Chile scholasticate in Cordoba, Argentina.
The move to send scholastics to
scholasticates other than the International Scholasticate in Rome was
aimed to offer new and varied experiences of the global context in which
Oblates are called to mission.
As part of their initial preparation, Pagente and Roberto spent
five months studying Spanish at
the Instituto Cervantes in Manila.
Both had started studying theology at the Loyola School of Theology
before they were called and sent to
complete their studies in Argentina,
to be with other Oblate scholastics
from the Latin American region.
Pagente hails from Siquijor province in Central Philippines, while
Roberto comes from Don Carlos,
Bukidnon in Mindanao. (CBCPNews)
Markings
ORDAINED. Fr. Luisito Bactong Quidet,
to the sacred Order of Priesthood
by Archbishop Antonio J. Ledesma
of the Archdiocese
of Cagayan de Oro,
December 9, 2008.
Quidet, a native of
Binuangan, Misamis Oriental was
ordained in his parish of Our Lady of
Lourdes, Binuangan,
a day after his 30th birthday. It was the first time in the history of the
parish to hold an ordination for vocation promotion. The ordination was
concelebrated by 68 priests from the archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro and
diocese of Malaybalay. Quidet was born and raised in the same town.
He said his thanksgiving Mass at the parish at 2:30 in the afternoon of
the same day.
CELEBRATED. Fr. Nestor Z. Candado, SSP, 25th anniversary of
ordination to the priesthood among
the congregation of the Society of
St. Paul, December 27, 2008 at Sto.
Niño Parish, Arevalo, Iloilo. Currently
the Regional Superior of the SSP
Australian Region, Candado has
been in Australia for the past 25 years
of his Priestly life. A native of Iloilo,
he was sent to Australia as a Junior
Professed member from the Philippines. He was ordained priest at St. Jude
Parish, Scoresby (Melbourne), Australia on November 27, 1981.
Officials from the CBCP Commission on Ecumenical Affairs and National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) get together for a breakfast fellowship
at the CBCP compound during the opening of the week-long celebration of Week of Prayer for Christian Unity on January 17, 2009.
Caceres archbishop marks 25th year as head of local church
THE Most Rev. Leonardo Z. Legaspi, OP,
DD, Archbishop of Caceres has commemorated his silver anniversary last January 18
as head of the archdiocese.
This was confirmed by archdiocesan
spokesman Father Jay Jacinto who is also
secretary to the archbishop.
“Although there [was] no grand celebration or fanfare to commemorate the event,
the local members of the clergy are asking
the faithful to pray for the church leader so
that he may be granted good health so he can
continue to lead and implement his advocacies in the archdiocese,” Jacinto said.
It may be recalled that prior to his assignment in Caceres in 1984, he was the first
Filipino Rector of the Dominican University
of Santo Tomas in Manila.
“At this stage, Archbishop Legaspi continues to focus on the Social Action Center’s poverty eradication projects and the
strengthening of the faithful’s devotion to
Archbishop Leonardo Z. Legaspi
Our Lady of Peñafrancia, the Patroness of
Bicolandia,” he disclosed.
When asked on the condition of the local church leader’s health, he replied “The
Archbishop just arrived from Manila after
undergoing a medical check-up and he is
fine. He even holds office now.”
The local clergy is planning to hold activities in Caceres sometime this summer to
highlight the significance of the 25th year
anniversary of the prelate.
“It is but right that we honor the Archbishop’s stay and the service he devotes to
the faithful of the archdiocese for a quarter
of a century now and we plan to have this
sometime in March or April of this year,”
Jacinto added.
The prelate is credited for the many accomplishments he has achieved in his stint
in Caceres.
“New parishes and vicariates were created under his administration including the
Prelature of Libmanan; and the pursuit of
social action advocacies intended for poverty
eradication goes on under Archbishop Legaspi’s administration of the local church,”
Jacinto concluded. (Elmer Abad)
ORDAINED. Reverends Alfredo Martinez Baisa and Joseph Angelo Surban Toledo, to the Sacred Order of Priesthood by Bishop Jose R. Rojas,
Jr. of the Prelature of Libmanan. A native of Lupi, Baisa was ordained at
his own parish of St. Peter in Lupi on January 3, 2009. He celebrated his
Thanksgiving Mass at 10 a.m. on the same day. Toledo was ordained
on January 10, 2009 at the Most Holy Trinity Parish church in Ragay
town. Baisa is concurrently assigned to help in the Parish of St. Rose of
Lima in Pasacao town while Toledo, who hails from the island province
of Catanduanes, is assigned to assist in the Most Holy Trinity Parish in
Ragay, Camarines Sur. The newly ordained priests were the first ones to
be ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Rojas since he assumed leadership of the local church in July 2008.
CELEBRATED. Sr. Luz Roma, Sr. Josefina Blancia,
Sr. Trinidad Sinagpulo, Sr. Lilia Islao, Sr. Blanca
Dineros, Sr. Dominga Reyes, Sr. Gertrude Dilla,
Sr. Eufrosina Parma, Sr. Lourdes Lomibao, Sr. Vita
Ureta, Sr. Clara Gasalao and Sr. Carmen Villegas,
golden jubilee of religious profession among the
Daughters of Charity; January 10, 2009. Rev. Fr.
Venerando Agner, CM, Provincial Director of the
Daughters of Charity presided the thanksgiving
Mass. Eight other Vincentians and one Diocesan
priest concelebrated.
CELEBRATING. Sr. Ma.
Lupeciña N. Amamio, Sr. Ma. Fe P. Bigwas, Sr. Ma. Silva R. Castillones, Sr. Ma.
Herminia G. Gornes, Sr. Ma. Nancy G.
Lao, Sr. Ma. Felisa G. Quinto, Sr. Ma
Josielinda S. Tanudtanud, Sr. Ma. Myrna
G. Vallecera, Sr. Ma. Teresita A. Varon,
Sr. Ma. Marissa R. Viri; silver jubilee of
religious profession. Sr. Ma. Josefina A.
Lledo, Sr. Ma. Apolinaria R. Tambien, Sr.
Ma. Virginia C. Taran and Sr. Ma. Irenea
H. Veña; golden jubilee of religious profession among the Religious of the Virgin Mary;
February 2, 2009. A thanksgiving mass will be celebrated at the Our Lady
of the Assumption Chapel, RVM Generalate Compound, N. Domingo St.,
Quezon City.
B1
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 2
January 19 - February 1, 2009
RP to host Taize international youth meeting
A WORLDWIDE assembly
of young people in search of
God and the desire to commit
themselves in the Church and
society called “Taizé Pilgrimage
of Trust on Earth” will have its
international meeting in Manila
on February 3-7 next year.
Brother Alois, the Prior of
Taizé community in France has
made the announcement during the 31st European meeting
organized in Brussels from
December 29, 2008 to January
2, 2009.
The Taizé brothers have
asked the coordination of the
Episcopal Commission on
Youth (ECY) of the Catholic
Bishops Conference of the
Philippines (CBCP) to facilitate
communication with the local
bishops in organizing youth
meetings in preparation for the
2010 gathering in Manila.
“Since last year, they have
been visiting bishops, laying
down the plans for the pilgrimage of trust. They have conducted retreats for the regions,
engaging young people to a
retreat. Part of that is to make
them aware that there is a preparation for 2010, which would be
in the first week of February,”
said ECY executive secretary Fr.
Conegondo Garganta.
At least, three brothers, Andreas, André and Ghislain were
around sometime last year and
have visited several dioceses
and met with different youth
groups. While they were around
they led regular prayer meetings
on Tuesday evenings at the chapel of the Little Sisters of Jesus
in Mandaluyong and every
Thursday noon at the CBCP
chapel. On Monday evenings
they joined the prayers led by
a group of young people at the
EDSA shrine.
The brothers are expected to
come again at different times
during the year to oversee the
preparations, Garganta said.
He explained that the commission provides a linkage to
the different youth ministries
in schools and youth groups all
over the country.
The executive secretary noted
the positive effect of the brothers’ meeting with the youth.
“There are a lot of good things
that are happening as a result
of their contact with our young
people, especially in terms of
their activities in prayer. It
gives our young people the
opportunity to focus more on
the significance of prayer, and
from that our young people
[develop] somehow a way of
looking at life. If they are students [or] young professionals,
they become more intimate with
RP TO HOST / B5
Pastoral Concerns
Taizé: An icon of unity and
hope in a divided world
in Asia (Calcutta, India in 2006), Latin America
(Cochabamba, Bolivia in 2007) and Africa (Nairobi,
Kenya in 2007).
An international youth meeting was organized
in Manila in 1991 attended mostly by young people
from the Philippines and neighboring Asian countries. But since the 1970s, the brothers had already
been visiting the country; and had invited Filipino
youth to participate in international meetings in
Taizé for a three-month period every year.
Another meeting is set to happen in Manila in
2010 with trust, peace, and reconciliation as central
themes. The aim is to “support young people in
their search for God and in their desire to commit
themselves in the Church and society.”
Meeting young people in various gatherings
they organized here last year, Brother Andreas
observed the inherent ability of Filipinos to cope
with difficult situations they encounter in life.
“I think it’s a treasure that you have here. Your
faith is very alive. But we should also be [aware
that we] are called to work for a better society.
These are two things [we have to remember], how
can the people keep their relationship with God,
and [how] can we reach out to others,” he said.
By Pinky Barrientos, FSP
IN a world divided by ethnic strife
and differing religious and cultural
backgrounds, the Taizé community
becomes an icon of hope, a promising sign that reconciliation is possible to happen among divided
Christians and separated peoples.
Taizé’s way of life is a metaphor of what a real
community is all about. The members, numbering almost a hundred today, and from different
nationalities and religious backgrounds live
together as a community, bound by the monastic
vows of obedience, poverty, celibacy and to live
in community with the brothers.
Against the backdrop of boiling conflicts and rising casualties spawned by the Second World War,
Brother Roger, a Protestant, founded the monastic
community in 1940, motivated by the intuition that
Christians should be ferments of peace in humanity. Many years later, Brother Roger described his
spiritual journey thus:
“Marked by the witness of my grandmother’s
life, following her I found my own Christian
identity by reconciling within myself the faith of
my origins with the Mystery of the Catholic faith,
without breaking fellowship with anyone.” (Letter
from Taizé, 2008)
‘Pilgrimage of trust’
Taizé, that small village in France, through the
years, has become a hub of spiritual activity where
young adults from across the globe come in greater
numbers to take part in weekly meetings. These
young people join the brothers in their prayers
and participate in group reflection and sharing
on the word of God.
The Taizé prayer, which is consisted of singing
the psalms, chanting short prayers, reading and
meditating the Scriptures punctuated with long
moments of silence, have touched the hearts of
young people in search of deeper meaning in life.
Through singing and silence, young people are
led to reflect deeply on the Scriptures and allow
the word to speak into their hearts.
Brother Andreas had participated in these meetings prior his joining the community in the early
90’s. Coming from a politically-divided Germany,
his first experience of Taizé meeting in 1989 as a
young man left an impressive mark on him.
“In this meeting (1989 Pilgrimage of Trust), we
were supposedly to bring together young Christians from West and East Germany, which was a
big sign of unity and hope for the country. I got to
know what Taizé is all about, how this community
managed to bring people together beyond the
borders of what exists in humanity,” he said.
“The pilgrimage of Trust is an invitation for
young people to find their way as Christians
called in today’s society,” said Brother André,
from Indonesia.
Brother André had first attended a weekend
Simple lifestyle
Although their ministry gets them to travel
around the globe, the brothers’ lifestyle is marked
with simplicity. They earn their keep by working just like ordinary people in the world. Some
brothers live in small fraternities in other countries
among the poor in Bangladesh, Senegal, Brazil,
New Zealand and Korea.
“[Work] is something very strong in my community,” said Brother Andreas. He explained
that Brother Roger made it very clear from the
beginning that the community should not accept donations but rather live by the produce of
its work.
The community has a pottery workshop that
churns out items for sale in Taizé. Brothers who
had no knowledge of pottery discover their innate
artistry within the workshop halls.
“We have the pottery, print, music, some brothers write books,” Brother Andreas said. “The
brothers who never knew pottery before, now
have to learn it,” he added.
BANNER: The Community at prayer in the Church of Reconciliation in Taizé (Photo by Sabine Leutenegger CH-Wil).
PHOTO WALL: (From top left, clockwise) Three young Filipinos at a workshop in Brussels. Young people from different dioceses
attend weekend retreats and prayer meetings organized by Taizé brothers during their visit in the country last year. (Photos
courtesy of the Taizé brothers)
retreat organized by the brothers in his native Indonesia in 1993, as a young professional. He went to
Taizé in 1996, stayed with the community to discern
his vocation and eventually joined the group.
“The pilgrimage is not limited in one week in
Taizé. [We] encourage them [participants] to go
back to their countries and to live as witnesses to
the world bringing peace and reconciliation to this
world which is so often marked by division,” said
Brother André.
Spirit of reconciliation
The Taizé’s spirit of reconciliation has spread
out of its confines since its foundation, reaching
out to as many people as possible through international youth meetings in various continents.
Each year, the community organizes a European meeting in coordination with local parishes
and church communities. In 2005, after Brother
Roger’s death, the community had expanded its
reach to other continents with meetings organized
An incarnation of Jesus’ prayer
By its very being, the ecumenical community
has truly become an incarnation of Jesus’ priestly
prayer, “May they all be one. Father, may they be
one in us, as you are in me and I am in you.” (cf.
John 17:1-26)
The profound understanding of being called to
become a sign that points to God as love was never
lost on Brother Roger even early on as revealed in
his writings.
“Since my youth, I think that I have never lost
the intuition that community life could be a sign
that God is love, and love alone. Gradually the
conviction took shape in me that it was essential
to create a community with men determined to
give their whole life and who would always try
to understand one another and be reconciled, a
community where kindness of heart and simplicity
would be at the centre of everything.”
B2
Readers’ bows to the
Presider
(Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina
Apostolorum university, answers the following query:)
Updates
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 2
January 19 - February 1, 2009
The Juridic aspects of the
administration of baptism
A: This question is often broached and is sometimes subject
to degrees of confusion.
First of all, I would say that, strictly speaking, it is not correct to
say that readers are sharing in the ministry of the priest celebrant.
Rather, they are fulfilling a specific lay ministry within the celebration itself.
In fact, the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM),
No. 59, clearly excludes the presidential character of reading in the
Latin rite, to wit: “By tradition, the function of proclaiming the readings is ministerial, not presidential. The readings, therefore, should
be proclaimed by a lector, and the Gospel by a deacon or, in his
absence, a priest other than the celebrant. If, however, a deacon or
another priest is not present, the priest celebrant himself should read
the Gospel. Further, if another suitable lector is also not present,
then the priest celebrant should also proclaim the other readings.”
Not every liturgical gesture requires a theological foundation.
Some are customary signs of courtesy and respect that add overall
decorum to the celebration.
Monsignor (now bishop) Peter Elliott describes the reader’s
bow in his “Ceremonies of the Modern Roman Rite”: “The lector
(comes to the sanctuary and) makes the customary reverences;
first bowing deeply to the altar …, then bowing to the celebrant,
before going to the ambo ...”
The sanctuary situation described here seems to correspond to
that of our ZENIT reader’s parish church. Two bows are described.
The first bow toward the altar is based on the Ceremonial of Bishops, No. 72: “A deep bow is made to the altar by all who enter the
sanctuary (chancel), leave it, or pass before the altar.”
The second bow, toward the priest celebrant, is not explicitly
prescribed in the liturgical books, but may be considered as customary and based on an extension of the indications for reverence
toward bishops in the Ceremonial, Nos. 76-77:
“The bishop is greeted with a deep bow by the ministers or
others when they approach to assist him, when they leave after
assisting him, or when they pass in front of him.
“When the bishop’s chair is behind the altar, the ministers should
reverence either the altar or the bishop, depending on whether they
are approaching the altar or approaching the bishop; out of reverence for both, ministers should, as far as possible, avoid passing
between the bishop and the altar.”
It is noteworthy that none of these texts explicitly mention
readers, and are only applicable insofar as they enter or leave the
sanctuary, or, in a very broad sense, assist the presiding celebrant.
It does not appear that these bows form a stable and obligatory part
of the rites for those who exercise the ministry of reader.
Indeed, in describing the Liturgy of the Word the Ceremonial
of Bishops, No. 137, makes no mention of any bows: “After the
opening prayer, the reader goes to the ambo and proclaims the
first reading …”
Therefore if, for example, the seating arrangements are such
that the readers are in the sanctuary from the beginning of Mass
and have no need to cross in front of the altar, they could exercise
their ministry without making any of these bows.
© Christian Costuya / CBCP Media
Q: I have been asking lay readers at the parish to bow to the
presider of the Mass when they approach the sanctuary to proclaim
their reading. I remembered studying this in the seminary when
reviewing the proper gestures and postures of the people during
Mass, as well as those participating in the liturgical ministries. In
my parish church the tabernacle is in the center and the priest
sits to the left of the altar. The pulpit is to the right. From reading
Church documents, I have been only able to identify the person
they should bow to in Masses where the bishop presides. From a
theological as well as liturgical point of view, it is my understanding
that the priest as presider (in persona Christi) at the Mass is where
the liturgical ministers would bow, signifying they are participating
in his ministry as presider. Am I instructing the people correctly?
And is there a particular liturgical document that covers this area
well for instruction?—G.D., Halifax, Nova Scotia
By Fr. Jaime B. Achacoso, J.C.D.
it. Thus, the Code stipulates the following
general principles:
1) Registry in the place of Baptism. In
I am a parish priest and I have at times been
contrast to the criterion of the CIC17—which
confronted with unusual requests from people—
required communication of the fact of baptism
both from my and from other parishes in Metro
to the parish where the baptized has (or will
Manila—to administer baptism to their chilestablish) his domicile or quasi-domicile—the
dren or relatives. To cite a few: a young mother
new Code stipulates just keeping one registry,
requested that her infant son be baptized in the
precisely in the place where the baptism took
hospital before they check out after delivery;
place. The subjects responsible for this are:
another couple wanted their baby baptized in
1º The parish priest of the place where the
their home to facilitate the reception that would
Baptism is celebrated must carefully and
follow; on other hand, a returning Catholic bornwithout delay record in the baptismal book
again wanted to be baptized in the presence of
the names of those baptized, making mention
his family to set an example. What does Canon
of the minister, parents, sponsors, witnesses if
Law lay down for all of these?
any, and the place and date of the conferred
baptism, together with an indication of the
The Minister of Baptism
date and place of birth (c.877, §1).
The fundamental physiognomy in the in2º The minister of baptism, whoever it is—if
tervention of the minister is the same in all the
Baptism was administered neither by the parsacraments: he acts in persona Christi and the
ish priest nor in his presence—must inform
effect is always a grace of Christ, not of the minthe pastor of the parish in which the Baptism
ister who applies the sacramental sign. Thus,
was administered, so that he may record it in
his role is purely instrumental. In this regard,
accord with c.877, §1 (c.878).
the juridic requirements for the administration
2) Testimonial proof of Baptism. Aside from
of baptism follow closely the requirements of
the written record, Canon Law admits testimothe sacrament as instituted by Christ.
nial proof of the administration of Baptism,
a. Requirements for validity. For validity, the
with different degrees of proof two cases:
minister of Baptism is any human person:
1º If it is not prejudicial to anyone, to prove
1) who carries out the sacramental sign in its
the conferral of Baptism, the declaration of a
essential elements;
single witness who is above suspicion, or the
2) who has the due intention of doing what
oath of the baptized person if the Baptism was
the Church wants in this regard. Thus, the
received at an adult age (c.876).
juridic norms regulating the different kinds of
2º All other cases require at least one witministers affect only the licitud of the adminness, other than the baptized person. Thus,
istration of the sacrament.
the Code stipulates that one who administers
b. Requirements for licitude.
Baptism is to see to it that, unless a sponsor is
1) The ordinary minispresent, there be at least
ters of Baptism, as estaba witness by whom the
“A
young
mother
requested
that
her
infant
lished by the Code, are
conferral of Baptism can
son be baptized in the hospital before they be proved (c.875).
the following:
a) Any cleric—Bishop,
3) Data in the Baptischeck out after delivery; another couple
priest or deacon (c.861,
mal Registry. As previwanted their baby baptized in their home to ously mentioned, the
§1)—who is not suffering from any canonical facilitate the reception that would follow; on following data should
penalty restricting him
recorded carefully:
other hand, a returning Catholic born-again be
from exercising such
names of the baptized,
wanted to be baptized in the presence of his minister, parents, godfunction.
b) Especially entrusted
witnesses if any,
family to set an example. What does Canon parents,
to the Parish Priest. In
place and date of BapLaw lay down for all of these?”
the old Code, Baptism
tism, place and date of
was reserved to the parbirth. Furthermore, the
ish priest. In the new Code, it is only espe- the local Ordinary will permit this only for a Code distinguishes the following cases:
cially entrusted, and this for reasons of good grave cause.
i) If it is a question of a child born of unmaradministration—i.e., for the pastoral and
2º Hospitals. Baptism is not to be celebrated ried mother (c.877, §2):
record-keeping aspects of the administration in hospitals, unless the diocesan Bishop has
1º the name of the mother is to be inserted if
of the sacrament (c.530, 1º).
decreed otherwise, except in case of neces- there is public proof of her maternity or if she
In any case, c.862 emphasizes this special sity or some other compelling pastoral reason asks this willingly, either in writing or before
connection of the administration of Baptism to (c.860, §2). The local Ordinary can permit this two witnesses;
the parish priest: Outside the case of necessity, without any limitation by the Code; and—it
2º if paternity has been proved either by
it is not lawful for anyone, without the required would seem—even the competent Chaplain some public document or by his own declarapermission, to confer baptism in the territory or priest in case of some other compelling tion before the parish priest and two witnesses,
of another, not even upon his own subjects. It pastoral reason.
the name of the father is to be inserted;
would seem, however, that such permission
3º in other cases, the name of the one bap4) Other Canonical Requisites. Here we are
should not be denied without serious reason.
referring to dispositions of the Code, not just tized is recorded without any indication of the
c) Special prerogative of the Bishop over purely ritual requirements (which would be in name of the father or the parents.
adult baptism. The baptism of adults, at least the particular rituals and liturgical books).
ii) If it is a question of an adopted child
those who have completed fourteen years of
a) Baptismal font. Every parish is to have a (c.877, §3):
age, is to be referred to the Bishop so that it may baptismal font, with due regard for the cumula1º the names of the adopting parents are to
be conferred by him, if he judges it expedient tive right already acquired by other Churches. be recorded;
(c.863). This is consistent with the fact that all The local Ordinary (…) may permit or order
2º and also the names of the natural parents,
the process of Christian initiation of adults has (…) that there be a baptismal font in another at least if this is to be done in the civil records,
been placed in a particular way within the con- church or oratory within the boundaries of with due regard for the prescriptions of the
text of the power of the diocesan Bishop.
the parish (c.858, §§1-2). The mens legislatoris conference of Bishops.
2) The extraordinary ministers of Baptism in is clear: In the places where baptism is to be
normal circumstances. Can.861, §2 states: If the ordinarily administered, there should be a fixed Conclusion
ordinary minister is absent or impeded, a catechist baptismal font.
As to the questions posed at the start, the
or other person deputed for this function by the
b) Choice of name. Parents, godparents and following can be said in summary:
local ordinary confers baptism licitly….
1) It is categorically prohibited by c.860, §1
the parish priest are to see that a name foreign
3) Extraordinary minister of Baptism in to a Christian mentality is not given (c.855).
to administer baptism in a private home, uncase of necessity. This is a scenario which is
c) New Holy Oil. The minister must use less the local Ordinary has permitted this for
distinct from the cases when the ordinary oils pressed from olives or from other plants a grave cause.
minister is simply absent or impeded. By this that have been recently consecrated or blessed
2) It is likewise prohibited by c.860, §2 to
is understood not only the danger of death, by the Bishop; he is not to use old oils unless administer baptism in the hospital, unless any
but also—by extrapolation—the prolonged there is some necessity (c.847, §1). This oil of one of the following reasons exist:
situation of absence of the ordinary minister. catechumens—as it is called—is blessed by
a) a case of necessity—e.g., danger of death
In this case, the extraordinary minister is any the Bishop in the Chrism Mass of Holy Thurs- of the child—as judged by the competent
person with the right intention (c.861, §2). The day. The accepted praxis is that the Holy Oil Chaplain or priest, or indeed by anyone in the
absolute necessity of baptism for salvation consecrated in the most recent Holy Thursday case of danger of death of the child.
is the justification for this criterion that the be used.
b) another compelling pastoral reason—as
Church has always maintained.
judged by the competent Chaplain or priest,
e.g., the family would be going to a place far
b. Registry and Proof of Baptism.
The Celebration of Baptism
The juridic situation that arises from the from the parish Church or any other ordinary
a. Place for Baptism. The Code both stipulates reception of this sacrament demands that the minister of Baptism.
the ordinary place for baptism, and prohibits— necessary measures are taken to safeguard
c) permission by the local Ordinary—who
except in case of necessity—certain places.
not only the public good of the Church, but can give this, at his own discretion, without
1) Proper Place: Church or oratory. Outside also the rights of the faithful that stem from any limitation by the Code.
the case of necessity, the proper place for baptism is a church or oratory (c.857, §1). The Code
further prioritizes the locality of such church or
oratory as follows:
1º Proper parish. As a rule adults are to be
baptized in their own parish church and infants
in the parish church proper to their parents,
unless a just cause suggests otherwise (c.857,
§2). In this regard, the Code provides for the
possibility of facilitating access to Baptism by
multiplying the churches or oratories that can
have a baptismal font within the same parish
(c.858).
2º Another parish. If due to grave inconvenience, because of distance or other circumstances, a person to be baptized cannot go or be
taken to the parish church or to the other church
or oratory mentioned in c.858, §2, baptism may
and must be conferred in some nearer church
or oratory… (c.859).
2) Another Fitting Place. In the case of grave
inconvenience previously mentioned, if not
even another church in a parish other than that
of the one to be baptized is possible, c.859 ends
by allowing baptism to be celebrated even in
some other fitting place.
3) Prohibited Places. On the other hand, the
Code explicitly prohibits the celebration of
baptism, except in case of necessity or permission by the local Ordinary, in certain places. It
is interesting to note the difference in the degree
of prohibition, manifested by the increasing
margin for permitting the contrary:
1º Private homes. Outside the case of necessity, baptism is not to be conferred in private
homes, unless the local Ordinary has permitted this for a grave cause (c.860, §1). Thus,
CBCP Monitor
January 19 - February 1, 2009
‘Remembering the past
with gratitude’
‘Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever’ (Heb. 13:8)
To our Clergy, Religious, and Lay
Faithful on the occasion of the Diamond
Jubilee of the Local Church in Davao,
December 1949-December 2009.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
Greetings of peace and joy in the Lord!
Our Local Church in Davao, a small
portion of the Mystical Body of Christ to
which we all belong and in which we are
bound by one faith and one baptism, will
be sixty (60) years old on 17 December
2009. It was separated from its mother diocese, now the Archdiocese of Zamboanga,
on 17 December 1949 and at the same time
created as a Prelature of Davao. Its first
bishop-prelate was the Most Rev. Clovis
Thibault of the Society of the Foreign Missions of Quebec (PME). Subsequently this
ecclesiastical jurisdiction was elevated to
the rank of Diocese on 11 July 1966, and
finally on 29 June 1970 it was promoted to
the metropolitan status of an archdiocese.
Monsignor Thibault then was promoted
and became the first Metropolitan Archbishop of Davao.
It is our custom to consider the span of
time between 60-75 as a diamond period
or anniversary. In Church language it is
called a jubilee. This stage and period of
the history and life of our local Church
certainly calls for a grand celebration, one
that brings about spiritual, moral, and
pastoral renewal. An in-depth renewal
of the local Church will surely energize
and strengthen the faith of its members
both in their interior and exterior life and
relationships.
Under the abiding inspiration and light
of the Holy Spirit whom we must invoke
constantly, and the gentle and motherly
intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
the paternal protection of St. Peter, patron
of the Diocese, and the prayers of St. Paul,
model of all missionaries, we shall have
a yearlong celebration beginning on 17
December 2008 – the launching day of the
diamond jubilee – to climax on 17 December 2009. Our diocesan-wide activities,
which hopefully will involve everyone
and every parish, school, religious community, diocesan agency and church
lay association and movement, shall be
guided by the memorable words of the
late Pope John Paul II who had said that
the purpose of a jubilee is “to remember
the past with gratitude, to live the present with enthusiasm, and to look to the
future with confidence” (Novo Milennio
Ineunte, n. 1). We shall see to it that the
focus of this remembering is Jesus Christ
who “is the same yesterday, today, and
forever” (Heb. 13:8).
By “everyone” I refer
to all our priests, religious
men and women, and our
lay faithful. Among these
lay faithful or lay men and
women, I would like to
mention in a special way
the children and grandchildren, who are now
young professionals, of
those lay leaders who
were close and active collaborators of our local
Church and of Archbishop Thibault and Archbishop Mabutas. Following somehow the noble
and edifying example
of their parents their involvement can be a source
B3
Diocese
Vol. 13 No. 2
of personal blessing and an opportunity to
grow in the practice of the faith. This noble
heritage reminds us of that famous French
saying “Noblesse Oblige,” which literally
means, nobility obliges, which connotes a
moral obligation.
There are actually three ways of remembering or three kinds of memory.
The first way in remembering is, when
our memory slides quickly back into the
past and returns to the present without
learning anything. The second way is,
when remembering brings back disturbing and depressing memories. The
third way, which is the right way, is to
remember the past in a prayerful and discerning manner. Prayerful discernment
worthy of the name allows us to recall
and remember reflectively the providential and mysterious moments when
the Good Lord was inspiring, leading,
caring, and protecting the local Church
over the years, and over time and space,
amidst great difficulties and trials, but
also amidst joys and successes.
This prayerfully discerning way of
remembering provides the light and
spiritual energy that makes us live the
present with enthusiasm and guides us
to look to the future with confidence. We
believe that this will certainly happen
because such kind of discernment leads
us to discover and experience what St.
Peter and St. Paul and other holy persons had found out that Jesus Christ the
Risen Lord has been, is and will always
be mysteriously present among us and
within us until the end of time and space,
for He is “the Way, the Truth, and the
Life” (John 4:6).
Church history tells us that the whole
island of Mindanao and Sulu was formerly part of the Diocese of Jaro in Iloilo,
my home province and diocese. Later on
the entire island was created as a diocese
with Zamboanga as the seat of the new
ecclesiastical jurisdiction. Before this time,
historians tell us, the Davao areas were
considered part of the Caraga region especially during the Spanish time. I found
this out personally when I checked the
baptismal records in San Pedro Cathedral handwritten in Spanish language.
But when in December 1949 the Davao
parishes and mission outposts became a
prelature, it included only the provinces
of Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte, and
Davao Oriental. The reason was, because
other new church jurisdictions were being
created and separated from the mother
diocese of Zamboanga. These three
provinces are now independent dioceses
with their respective bishops. These are
known in Church parlance as suffragan
dioceses of the Metropolitan Archdiocese
of Davao. They are the dioceses of Digos,
Tagum, and Mati.
Naturally, San Pedro parish and
church, being the first parish and containing historical records, liturgical materials
and artifacts, can be a formidable aid in
remembering because as the seat of the
Metropolitan Archdiocese all important
Davao / B4
Administrative Decree establishing the conditions of
the Jubilee Indulgence on the occasion of the Diamond
Jubilee Celebration of the Archdiocese of Davao
(17 December 2008 – 17 December 2009)
To the Clergy, the Religious and the Lay Faithful of the Archdiocese of
Davao:
1. The establishment of the Archdiocese of Davao as a local Church is a historic moment of graces and blessings for all the settlers and inhabitants of the
entire Davao Province. It is the fulfillment of God’s loving plan for His people
and the expression of solicitude of Our Holy Mother, the Church, who looks
after the needs of her flock dispersed to the ends of the earth.
2. The historical journey of the local Church of Davao began with the arrival
of the Augustinian Recollects as early as 1848. The Society of Jesus replaced
them a few years later. In 1937, the Foreign Mission Society of Quebec, Canada,
known as the PME Fathers, took over the parish of San Pedro and continued
the work of evangelization and mission in the whole Province. On December
17, 1949, it was created a Prelature Nullius, with the Most Reverend Clovis
Thibault, PME, D.D., as the first bishop prelate. The Prelature was elevated to
the rank of a Diocese on July 11, 1966 and into an Archdiocese on June 29, 1970
with Tagum, Digos and Mati as its suffragan dioceses. With the pastoral zeal
and personal charism of the Most Reverend Antonio Ll. Mabutas, D.D., the
2nd Metropolitan Archbishop of Davao (1972-1996), the local Church has seen
even more the strengthening of its mission and work of evangelization.
3. In deep gratitude to God’s providence and to the countless men and
women who have worked in the vineyard of the Lord, the Archdiocese of
Davao has become to this day the light of Christ in the world, proclaiming the
Word of God with steadfast spirit, celebrating the mystery of faith through
the sacred liturgy and the sacraments, and serving the needs of the faithful
especially the poor and the marginalized.
4. As we stand at the portals of the diamond jubilee, we beseech God’s infinite
mercy and love as well as the blessings of this holy year. We hope that it shall
be for us a year of God’s favor and benediction, a year of the remission of sins
and of the punishments due to them, a year of reconciliation, justice and peace,
a year of conversion and great devotion. With the themes: “Remembering the
Past with Gratitude, Living the Present with Enthusiasm and Looking to the
Future with Confidence”: “Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever”
(Hebrews 13:8), we wish to nurture and develop an appreciation of our own
history and humble beginnings, to recapture the spirit of renewal that was so
ardently desired by the APAD II, and, consequently, to strengthen the pastoral
structures and programs of evangelization and renewal in which the Archdiocese is presently engaged and is deeply committed to.
5. The Jubilee Year shall commence on the 17th day of December 2008 and
shall culminate on the same date of the year 2009. In this spiritual year of God’s
favor, I hereby invoke the authority given to me as the Diocesan Bishop of this
local Church, within the limits of my capacity and jurisdiction, to grant partial
indulgences to all the faithful who fulfill the conditions prescribed herein.
6. An indulgence is defined as the remission in the sight of God of the temporal punishment due for sins, the guilt of which has already been forgiven, which
the faithful Christian who is duly disposed gains under certain prescribed
conditions through the action of the Church which, as the minister of redemption, dispenses and applies with authority the treasury of the satisfactions of
Christ and the saints. An indulgence is partial and plenary accordingly as it
removes either part or all of the temporal punishment due to sin. Indulgences
may be applied to the living or the dead (CCC n. 1471; Code of Canon Law,
canons 992-997).
7. The following are the conditions for gaining the jubilee indulgences:
a. Pilgrimage to one of the following seven Churches: San Pedro Cathedral,
Sta. Ana Shrine, Our Lady of the Assumption, Sto. Rosario in Toril, Sacred Heart
of Jesus in Calinan, Carmelite Monastery Chapel in Bajada and the Perpetual
Adoration Chapel (Pink Sisters)
b. The prayers to be recited while in pilgrimage: five times Our Father, Hail
Mary and Glory Be, and One Hail Holy Queen
c. The Sacrament of Reconciliation within the jubilee year
d. A Holy Mass offered for the said intention
e. An act of Charity.
8. I therefore exhort you, dearly beloved faithful of the Archdiocese of Davao,
to take advantage of this holy crusade of prayers and to gain these spiritual
treasures of the Diamond Jubilee Year. Pray for the intentions of Our Holy
Father, Benedict XVI, pray for our very own local Church, that the Kingdom
of Christ my be firmly established in our midst, and finally, pray also for me,
your humble servant, as I shall celebrate in this jubilee year the 75th year of
my life’s journey here on earth.
Signed on this day, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, the 8th day of
December in the Year of the Lord, 2008 at the Office of the Archbishop, Archbishop’s Residence, 247 Florentino Torres Street, Davao City, Philippines.
FERNANDO R. CAPALLA
Archbishop of Davao
Prepared by Fr. Pete Lamata
© farm1.static.flickr.com
Archdiocese of Davao
B4
CBCP Monitor
Features
Vol. 13 No. 2
January 19 - February 1, 2009
Delighted in God’s light
By Sr. Arlene M. Quibod, OP
BEFORE the Transfiguration happened, Jesus together with Peter,
James and John went to the top of
Mount Tabor. Certainly the journey
to reach the high place entailed effort
and hardships. There Jesus shone in
splendor and the three disciples had an
extraordinary experience. Peter wants
to build a dwelling and remain on the
mountain, “it is good for us to be here”
probably to prolong the positive experience. Yet, a journey does not fix in
emotional ‘highs’ or in ‘climax insights’
only, much more when the journey
is a spiritual one, an experience with
God that brings incredible light into
our lives if we allow ourselves to walk
with him with faith and trust.
My own experience about the DVP
(Directors of Vocations in the Philippines) Phase III module “Family Relation in Vocation Promotion” held at the
OAD Formation House in Talamban,
Cebu City last December 1-5, 2008 can
be likened to Peter’s experience in the
Transfiguration.
The first day was a moment of
“Slowing Down”, from driving too fast
with my vocation ministry calendar of
activities and the many expectations
of the seminar. This process allowed
me to actively listen to Fr. Bernard A
Monteron, M.Afr lecturing on “Family
and the Church” and “Family: Foundation of Vocation.” Every couple is
an instrument of Jesus’ light called to
spread it in their particular home.
Pope John Paul II in his message
to Christian Families during the 40th
World Day of Prayer for Vocations said,
“…Christian families, proclaim joyfully
to the world the wonderful treasure
which you, as domestic churches,
possess! Christian couples, in your
communion of life and love, in your
mutual self-giving and in your generous openness to your children, become,
in Christ, the light of the world. The
Lord asks you daily to be like a lamp
which does not remain hidden, but it
put “on a stand, and gives light to all
in the house”. I like to affirm the need
for parental love as a solid support to
the young people searching and growing in communion with their God. As
Vocation Animators, we are challenged
to work and journey hand in hand with
the families, specifically the families of
our candidates.
The second day was a moment of
“Holding On”. After Sr. Daisy A.
Carmona, SMI, explained the theory
of Genogram, I made-up partially
my own Genogram. In the process
I imagined myself as if I were on a
mountain cliff looking for something
to hold-on for a better understanding
of my family experience. Likewise,
with my co-participants, foreigners
and Filipinos, both were in one way or
another in the same boat, overwhelmed
with many realizations and insights.
We hold on to the truth that there is no
such a perfect family in this world no
matter how we desire it consciously
and unconsciously. We believe that our
family is a unique gift given by God. It
is given not out of chance but with a
certain purpose.
The third day was a moment of “Let-
Illustration by Bladimer Usi
Delighted / B7
Letter to the Editor
Fr. Luis P. Supan
The Question Box
Questions on Evolution
This year is the bi-centennial of Charles Darwin’s birth (Feb. 12, 1809). His work,
The Origin of Species, is one of the most influential books of modern times. Darwin
concluded that all forms of life, no matter how complex, evolved from simple forms
through the mechanism of natural selection.
How does the Church consider evolution?
The late Pope John Paul II, in his address to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences on October 22, 1996, said “Today, almost half a century after the publication
of the Encyclical (Humani Generis, 1950), new knowledge has led to recognize
that the theory of evolution is more than a hypothesis. It is indeed remarkable that
this theory has been progressively accepted by researchers, following a series of
discoveries in various fields of knowledge. The convergence, neither sought nor
fabricated, of the results of work that was conducted independently is in itself a
significant argument in favor of this theory.”
Is there a continuity in the teachings of Humani Generis and the abovementioned address of John Paul II?
John Paul II, in the same address, said: “In his Encyclical Humani Generis
(1950), my predecessor Pius XII had already stated that there was no opposition
between evolution and the doctrine of the faith about man and his vocation, on
condition that one did not lose sight of several indisputable points.”
What are those “indisputable points” of the Christian faith that one should
not lose sight of?
Basically, all the revelation found in the first three chapters of Genesis. First
of all, the very important revealed truth that God is the creator of everything—both
the material and spiritual worlds. Second, by “creation” is meant the act by which
God—through the omnipotence that belongs only to Him—gave existence to
everything, out of nothing. Third, God created the universe freely, not compelled
by anything, but only out of His infinite goodness. Fourth, creation (matter and
spirit) is in itself good, for it is a work of God. Fifth, man occupies a special place
in creation: he is not one more inhabitant of the earth. He is called to personal
communion with God and to cooperate with Him in governing what He had created. Sixth, man is capable of carrying out this lofty mission because God gave
him a spiritual and immortal soul. Man is very much a part of the material world,
and yet he received a calling that transcends the same material world. Seventh,
sin entered the world through the sin of disobedience by the first man and woman,
when they transgressed the command of God.
Is the account of man’s creation in the first two chapters of Genesis compatible with the theory of evolution?
The Teaching Authority of the Church (Magisterium) has never given a formal
rejection of evolution, even when it was still considered a hypothesis. First, we
should recall, as stated above, that the message of Holy Scripture is a religious
message. The sacred writer used the style of expression prevalent and accepted
in his own culture; but behind those simple words, a true and divine message was
being transmitted. Second, man, using his reason, can investigate the proximate
causes of the world (and that includes himself); this is the field proper to empirical
science. The theory of evolution belongs to this field of knowledge. One hundred
years from now, vast amounts of knowledge about man and the material world
will surely have been achieved, and yet the basic points of divine revelation about
creation would be the same. Knowledge given us by science cannot be contrary to
knowledge given by Revelation, as long as those who develop these two levels of
knowledge (i.e., scientists and theologians) are intellectually honest. Surely, openness to each other’s knowledge, rather than mutual distrust among the experts,
would further the pursuit of the truth about man and the world.
Why was Humani Generis not yet ready to accept the theory of evolution,
especially in relation to the evolution of man’s body?
Simply because in 1950, evolution was still considered a hypothesis, not
yet a scientific theory, as explained by Pope John Paul II (Cf. no. 1 above). Science (i.e, the true kind, not “pseudo-science”) progresses slowly. If a hypothesis
is verified by facts through experiments, then it becomes a theory which, in turn,
can be used to predict phenomena. Thus, Pius XII said: “For these reasons the
Teaching Authority of the Church does not forbid that, in conformity with the present state of human sciences and sacred theology, research and discussions, on
the part of men experienced in both fields, take place with regard to the doctrine
of evolution, in as far as it inquires into the origin of the human body as coming
from pre-existent and living matter ─ for the Catholic faith obliges us to hold that
souls are immediately created by God. However, this must be done in such a way
that the reasons for both opinions, that is, those favorable and those unfavorable
to evolution, be weighed and judged with the necessary seriousness, moderation
and measure, and provided that all are prepared to submit to the judgment of the
Church, to whom Christ has given the mission of interpreting authentically the
Sacred Scriptures and of defending the dogmas of faith.[Cfr. Pontifical address
to the members of the Academy of Science, November 30, 1941] Some however,
rashly transgress this liberty of discussion, when they act as if the origin of the human body from pre-existing and living matter were already completely certain and
proved by the facts which have been discovered up to now and by reasoning on
those facts, and as if there were nothing in the sources of divine revelation which
demands the greatest moderation and caution in this question. (Humani Generis,
no. 36; italics added).
Charles Darwin himself was slow in including man in the law of evolution of
living things. It was only in 1871, twelve years after The Origin of Species was
published, that his other work, The Descent of Man came out of the press.
I AM Ria Edeliza S. Imperial, a student of School of the Holy
Spirit of Quezon City. I have read your article on “The BBC’s
Call” in the CBCP Monitor Vol. 12 No. 23.
I admire your courage for writing such an article. Your
desire for justice and democracy motivated you to write on
the subject. I agree with your opinion of the current status
of the country’s concept of democracy and the people’s
vigilance.
At present, the Philippine government is facing controversies regarding the present national leadership’s desire
to prolong its term of office. It is true that once the ruling
national leader changes the current system of our government, Filipino citizens would be deprived of their freedom
to choose a ruler who could better govern our country.
First of all, if charter change or Martial Law is implemented, the abuse of power will be evident. The authorities may
use their positions for their own welfare, neglecting the needs
of the citizens of the country. If the democratic government
is replaced by the parliamentary form of government, the
president or prime minister will be more powerful. This is
because both legislative and executive branch will be under
his supervision.
It is true that a parliamentary form of government has
its positive side because the prime minister’s ruling term is
shorter compared to that of a president’s term; so that in
case the people are no longer confident in what the prime
minister is doing, he or she can be voted out of the position.
However, if the new form of government is approved, there
might be abuse of power because the present leader will be
the country’s prime minister. If ever Martial Law is implemented, people will be deprived of much freedom and the
present leadership will be enforced on them.
I am aware that our country is experiencing economic crisis
and like the majority of our countrymen who are no longer
contented with the present government, I also hope for an
improved economy and a better government. I understand
the people’s cry for the impeachment and removal from
power of our present leader. Nevertheless, I am afraid also
that too much democracy will cause an imbalanced state.
People will continue to fight against the administration
which will disrupt the effective implementation of the rules
and laws provided for in the Constitution.
Lastly, if we have to fight for democracy, we must first
find a possible effective leader who can replace the present
one. We cannot leave the position vacant; hence, if we want
to attain a better system of government, we need to work
together towards the improvement of the Philippine government and democracy.
Ria Imperial
High School Student
Batasan Hills, Quezon City
Davao / B3
activities and functions of the Diamond
Jubilee celebration will be held there.
For this reason and because of its enduring historical value and symbolism, the
Cathedral structure and surroundings
will be renovated. New structures like a
columbarium and ossorium for the ashes
and bones respectively of our beloved
dead shall be built. Here the sight of their
names to the churchgoers will surely
place in a prayerful perspective the constant remembering in our prayers and the
eucharistic sacrifice of the Mass.
One historical fact worth remembering always and with discernment and
perhaps restudied with utmost care are
the lives and evangelizing works of the
early and later missionaries – Spanish,
Americans, Europeans—who brought
the Catholic faith into this Land of Promise and nurtured it with their prayers
and sacrifices, their sweat and blood.
The earliest ones were the Spanish missionaries of the Augustinian Recollects
(OAR) and the Society of Jesus (SJ). After
them came the American and European
missionaries from the Oblates of Mary
Immaculate (OMI) and the Missionaries
of the Sacred Heart (MSC). Many other
congregations and societies of religious
men and women as well as many lay
ecclesial movements and associations
followed and enriched the local churches
in Mindanao with their charisms and
apostolates. The particular churches in
Mindanao are vibrant and flourishing
because of them.
The successive dismemberment of
church territories, demanded by the
spread of the faith, creation of new
parishes, ordinations of native priests
and bishops, influx of new religious
communities, and rise in the number of
church structures, institutions, and agencies, was supposed to be only a matter of
numbers and territorial extension. But
over the years a new kind of dismemberment occurred and had a negative
effect on the Christian soul and spirit. A
new wave of fragmentation affected the
minds and hearts of Catholics worldwide
especially in the area of morality and its
relationship to the issues of human life,
human rights, population, demography,
and governance.
The main causes of this new fragmen-
tation and its consequent confusion were
the changes in the people’s world views
which were so different, even contrary, to
the biblical world view. Most important
of these recent causes were the industrial
revolution which started in England in
the 19th century, the rise of Marxism,
Leninism and communism in Russia,
the First and Second World Wars, the
new scientific discoveries, the space age,
and now the new information technology. There were many other secondary
causes that affected the way people look
at life and society and the world. All
these are still prevalent today and are
affecting our attitudes and behavior. Our
planned renewal should take these into
account and restore the biblical world
view, God’s revealed view, and start the
unification process.
In response to this fragmentation,
there emerged new counter movements
of renewal and restoration that unified
and brought back unity, integrity, communion, wholeness, and true peace in
the individual and community in certain
parts of the world. This new process of
unification is sometimes called total human development. In the Church it has
been called aggiornamento or updating
which climaxed in the historic Second
Vatican Council. The Council was also
called a New Pentecost.
In our country the updating process,
also seen as a unifying process, was carried out with the use of the documents
of Vatican II which inspired the Second
Plenary Council of the Philippines
(PCP II). In our local Church both also
inspired the decrees of the First and
Second Archdiocesan Pastoral Assemblies (APAD I and APAD II). All these
new ways of being church were meant
to bring about the authentic remembering that had the power to renew while
preventing dismemberment of the spirit
and life, and increased the momentum
of the unification process.
In view of the forgoing reflection I
wish to invite and enjoin everyone in
the local Church – clergy, religious and
lay faithful – to be personally involved
in the preparation and celebration of the
Diamond Jubilee. Our personal involvement and participation shall be our way
of living our baptismal consecration and
thanking God for the gift of faith and for
the many blessings that have come to us
for belonging to the Church, the Mystical
Body of Christ. Inspired by the words of
Pope John Paul II, our jubilee activities
shall focus on the triple implications
and challenges of remembering with
gratitude, living with enthusiasm, and
confident looking to the future.
The personal and sustained prayers
and voluntary sacrifices of everyone are
needed for the success of this celebration. I wish to give special importance to
the prayers of the little children and to
the prayers, pains and suffering of our
sick brothers and sisters in hospitals and
clinics offered to God together with the
pains and sacrifices of Jesus on the Cross.
The efforts and plans of those who will
constitute our various preparatory committees, I would like to entrust to the
daily prayers and sacrifices of our prayer
groups and communities, especially our
contemplative communities--the Carmelites, Benedictines, Capuchin Sisters, and
Sisters of Perpetual Adoration.
May I also ask a special prayer for myself. I will be 75 years old on 01 November
2009. By law I have to tender my resignation to the Holy Father as archbishop
of Davao months before November. I
shall join my own thanksgiving with
everyone.
Let us pray that the Blessed Virgin
Mary, Mother of the Church, Saint Peter,
patron of the Diocese, and Saint Paul,
model and inspiration of all missionaries,
will surely help us with their intercessory
prayers. Together with them we shall
prayerfully remember with a discerning
heart the hand of God who guided and
cared through the years for our Local
Church, the Lord’s Vineyard in Davao.
Let us also pray to St. Mary Magdalene
because she was the first woman in the
history of salvation to see personally
the Risen Lord. Her prayers can help
us experience the presence of our Lord
even now and be open to the power of
His resurrection which is the real source
of spiritual renewal.
Devotedly in Christ,
FERNANDO R. CAPALLA, DD
Archbishop of Davao
Feast of St. Mary Magdalene
CBCP Monitor
B5
Statements
Vol. 13 No. 2
January 19 - February 1, 2009
‘Work in Every Part of the World for
Peaceful Coexistence’
Dear Brothers and Sisters!
Today is the World Day of Migrants
and Refugees. Because this year we are
celebrating the Pauline Year, and thinking
of St. Paul as the great itinerant missionary
of the Gospel, I chose the
theme: “St. Paul Migrant,
Apostle of the Gentiles.”
Saul, his Jewish name,
was born into a family
of immigrants in Tarsus,
an important city of
Cilicia, and grew up in
three cultures—Jewish,
Hellenistic, and Roman—
and with a cosmopolitan
mentality. When he
converted from being a
persecutor of Christians
to being an apostle of
the Gospel, Paul became
the “ambassador” of
the risen Christ to make
him known to all, in the
conviction that in him
all peoples are called to
form the great family of
the children of God.
This is also the Church’s
mission, more than ever in
this time of globalization.
As Christians it is
impossible for us not to
feel the need to transmit
Jesus’ message of love,
especially to those who
do not know him, or who
find themselves in difficult
and painful situations.
Today I have immigrants particularly in
mind. Their reality is indeed diverse: In
some cases, thanks be to God, it is peaceful
and they are well integrated; in other cases,
unfortunately, it is painful, difficult and
sometimes even dramatic.
I want to insure that the Christian
community looks on every person and every
family with attention and asks St. Paul for
the strength of a renewed dedication to
work in every part of the world for peaceful
coexistence of men and women of different
ethnicities, cultures and religions.
The Apostle tells us what was the secret of
among us, giving value to the phenomenon
of migration as an occasion of the meeting
of civilizations. Let us pray and act so that
this always takes place in a peaceful and
constructive way, in respect and dialogue,
preventing every temptation to conflict and
abuse.
I would like to add a special word for sailors
and fisherman, who for some time have been
experiencing great uneasiness. Besides the
usual difficulties, they are also suffering
from the restrictions of bringing chaplains on
board, as well as from the dangers of pirates
and the damage of illegal fishing. I express
my nearness to them and the wish that their
I want to insure
that the Christian
community looks
on every person
and every family
with attention and
asks St. Paul for the
strength of a renewed
dedication to work
in every part of the
world for peaceful
coexistence of
men and women of
different ethnicities,
cultures and religions.
his new life: “I too,” he writes, “have been
conquered by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:12);
and he adds: “Be my imitators” (Philippians
3:17). Indeed, each one of us, according to
his own vocation and in the place where he
lives and works, is called to bear witness to
the Gospel, with a greater concern for those
brothers and sisters who have come from
different countries for various reasons to live
generosity in being of assistance at sea be
compensated by greater consideration.
Finally, my thoughts to turn to the World
Meeting of Families, which is concluding
in Mexico City, and the Week of Prayer for
Christian Unity, which begins today. Dear
brothers and sisters, I invite you to pray for
all these intentions, invoking the maternal
intercession of the Virgin Mary.
‘We Are a People Who Belong to Christ’
A meditation jointly prepared by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the
Commission on Faith and Order of the World Council for Churches on the occasion of the observance of
the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
CHRISTIANS are called to be
instruments of God’s steadfast
and reconciling love in a world
marked by various kinds of
separation and alienation.
Baptized in the name of the
Father and Son and Holy Spirit,
and professing faith in the
crucified and risen Christ, we are
a people who belong to Christ, a
people sent forth to be Christ’s
body in and for the world. Christ
prayed for this for his disciples:
May they be one, so that the
world may believe.
Divisions between Christians
on fundamental matters of
faith and Christian discipleship
seriously wound our ability to
witness before the world. In
Korea, as in many other nations,
the Christian gospel was brought
by conflicting voices, speaking a
discordant proclamation of the
Good News. There is a temptation
to see current divisions, with their
accompanying background of
conflicts, as a natural legacy of
our Christian history, rather than
as an internal contradiction of the
message that God has reconciled
the world in Christ.
Ezekiel’s vision of two sticks,
inscribed with the names of the
cannot do for themselves. It is a
highly evocative metaphor for
divided Christians, prefiguring
the source of reconciliation found
at the heart of the Christian
proclamation itself. On the two
pieces of wood, which form
Divisions between Christians on
fundamental matters of faith and
Christian discipleship seriously
wound our ability to witness
before the world. In Korea, as in
many other nations, the Christian
gospel was brought by conflicting
voices, speaking a discordant
proclamation of the Good News.
divided kingdoms of ancient
Israel, becoming one in God’s
hand, is a powerful image of
the power of God to bring about
reconciliation, to do for a people
entrenched in division what they
the cross of Christ, the Lord
of history takes upon himself
the wounds and divisions of
humanity. In the totality of Jesus’
gift of himself on the cross, he
holds together human sin and
God’s redemptive steadfast love.
To be a Christian is to be baptized
into this death, through which
the Lord, in his boundless mercy,
etches the names of wounded
humanity onto the wood of the
cross, holding us to himself and
restoring our relationship with
God and with each other.
Christian unity is a communion
grounded in our belonging to
Christ, to God. In being converted
ever more to Christ, we find
ourselves being reconciled by
the power of the Holy Spirit.
Prayer for Christian unity is an
acknowledgement of our trust
in God, an opening of ourselves
fully to that Spirit. Linked to our
other efforts for unity among
Christians—dialogue, common
witness and mission--prayer for
unity is a privileged instrument
through which the Holy Spirit
is making that reconciliation in
Christ visibly manifest in the
world Christ came to save.
A pastoral call for
environmental
protection
To our brothers and sisters in the Archdiocese of Cagayan
de Oro:
During this period of calamity I would first like to express
my solidarity and prayers for all those families who have
been displaced by the sudden floods. These first occurred on
January 3 with the swelling of the Cagayan de Oro river. Then
on January 11 until now flash floods have taken place more
extensively throughout various parts of the city and several
municipalities in Misamis Oriental.
As of the latest reports more than 75,000 persons have been
displaced and 44 barangays in the city have been affected.
In visiting some of the displaced families that have been forced
to seek shelter in chapels or formation centers of the church or
community centers in the barangays, I see the faces of children
with their mothers waiting patiently for some assistance.
On the other hand, I am also heartened to see many parish
communities mobilizing to distribute relief goods among those
© Mark Sia
(Papal Message on the occasion of the World Day of Migrants, January 18, 2009; delivered before praying the
Angelus with those gathered at St. Peter’s Square)
“In visiting some of the
displaced families that have
been forced to seek shelter in
chapels or formation centers
of the church or community
centers in the barangays, I see
the faces of children with their
mothers waiting patiently for
some assistance.”
displaced communities.
Many individuals, companies and organizations have also
sent their assistance in goods or in cash to the Bishop’s House or
directly to the parishes affected by the floods. These are indeed
signs of solidarity and brotherhood regardless of religious or
cultural differences.
Even as we attend to the immediate needs of displaced
families, we must not lose sight of the long term factors that
have aggravated the effects of natural calamities. Among these
man-made factors are:
a. Continued logging operations in the upstream areas of
the city; these include the more remote areas of the city and
watershed areas in the ARMM region and Bukidnon
b. Hydraulic flush mining that have caused the heavy siltation of Iponan river and its tributaries
c. Small scale and large scale mining in other upland areas
of the city
d. Lack of solid waste management that has led to clogging
of the city’s drainage canals
e. Similarly housing developments that have obstructed the
natural flow of water
These and many other factors have to be reviewed carefully
by public officials with the participation of civil society groups.
The church and other parish communities are ready to join
and support all these efforts for a safer, cleaner and brighter
Cagayan de Oro and surrounding areas.
Archbishop Antonio J. Ledesma, S.J.
Archbishop of Cagayan de Oro
14 January 2009
RP TO HOST / B1
prayer,” said Garganta.
The response of the youth has been
very good in terms of participation
according to Garganta. Most of their
stories after their retreat tell of their
unique and life-changing experience.
It helps them to focus and appreciate
the value of prayer and to continue to
do the habit of praying.
‘Taizé experience’
Filipino youth have been invited
to Taizé to participate in the international meetings and live with the
community for a three-month period.
The three-month “Taizé experience”
has been going on annually since the
1970s when the brothers first visited
the country.
The commission facilitates and
recommends the youth who will go
to live in Taizé for three months. The
first batch of delegates goes before
Lent. A second group leaves before
Advent.
Garganta said it is a continuing
program between the commission and
the Taizé community that every year
at least two batches of 3-5 delegates are
sent, or depending on the number of
participants the brothers would want
the commission to send.
“We prepare them, interview them,
and give them orientation. We select
those who will be sent to live there for
three months,” the priest said.
Those who have lived in Taizé come
back to the country and continue to
live in the community where they
originated.
But they are not expected to start
or build another community. Instead
they are expected to give witness of
their experience through a prayerful
life and service rendered to the Church
and society.
Taizé is not a movement, explained
Brother Andreas, one of the brothers
who visited the Philippines last year.
He said Taizé’s late founder, Brother
Roger, was very precise in making it
known that Taizé is not a movement.
“The young people that we meet, we
make sure to send them back to the local
Churches,” said Brother Andreas.
“It is more of witnessing, group gathering together, doing the Taizé prayer,”
Garganta said.
The young priest is very optimistic of
the forthcoming meeting. Noting that
it will happen few months before the
national mid-year elections, he expects
the pilgrimage of trust will become a
source of renewal for 2010 and even
beyond.
“We look forward that this pilgrimage of trust will influence our young
people in terms of becoming more
mature, in making most of the opportunities especially now that we are
preparing and looking forward to 2010
elections,” Garganta said.
“We expect our young people to contribute a lot in terms of living up their
vocation as young Christians [adept in]
selecting leaders capable of leading the
country towards real transformation,”
he added.
The Taizé Community
Back in 1940, an international ecumenical community was born in a small
French village named Taizé. Founded
by Brother Roger, the community now
with members comprising almost a
hundred is composed of Catholics and
from various Protestant backgrounds,
from around 30 nations.
The ecumenical spirit behind Taizé’s
way of life has made it become a “parable of community”, a sign of reconciliation between divided Christians and
separated peoples in today’s modern
world.
Through the years, young people
all over the world have been going to
Taizé to take part in weekly meetings
and experience the brothers’ way of life.
They join the community for prayer
three times a day and participate in
group reflection and sharing on the
word of God.
2010 Meeting in Manila
Next year’s meeting in Manila will be
a new phase in the “Pilgrimage of trust
on earth” began by Brother Roger. The
pilgrimage has the over all theme of
“inner life and human solidarity” and
aims to support young people in their
search for God and commitment to the
Church and society.
In a letter to Brother Alois, ECY
Chairman Jose Baylon conveyed his
pleasure to have Manila host the 2010
meeting.
“We are grateful for this great blessing for the Church in the Philippines to
welcome young pilgrims and to gather
them for a week of reflection, silence,
sharing and witnessing in faith. We
believe that young people are called
to bring the Good News of God’s love
by living simple yet upright lives, by
reaching out to be of service to others, by communal action on behalf of
justice and truth,” the Masbate bishop
said.
He extended his invitation to the
pilgrim participants saying: “Affirming your struggles and your dreams
as young people in your search for the
truth and in your commitment to live
the spirit of communion in the Church
and in society, we invite you to journey
with us and share your own stories of
hope and reconciliation.”
The bishop said the Church in the
Philippines looks forward to the auspicious event with eagerness.
“And we look forward to share with
you our life, with all its joys and hopes,
and especially those found in our treasure, the Filipino youth,” he added.
Arjen, a Mindanaon who is currently staying in the Taizé community
was delighted at the announcement of
the venue of next year’s meeting. Addressing the thousands of participants
gathered in the halls of Brussels Expo,
she said:
“Like other young people, we too
have dreams and struggles. And we
want to search for the truth to be
found in living in the spirit of Christ.
The Pilgrimage of Trust will give us
a boost. It will help us to deepen our
faith and our commitment to live in
communion, in the Church and in our
society. It will also help us to unite not
only Filipinos but other young people
who are involved in their places. On
this journey, we would also like to
share with you our life, our joys and
our hopes. We wish to share our faith
with you and then open new paths of
hope together. We need support from
you young Europeans, and that is
why we would like to invite you and
to welcome you, the young people of
Europe, for the Pilgrimage of trust in
the Philippines.”
Held annually, the recently concluded European gathering had assembled
40,000 young people all over Europe.
The upcoming meeting in Manila will
be the 5th of its kind in Asia after gatherings held in Chennai, India in 1985
and 1988, Manila in 1991 and Kolkata,
India in 2006. (Pinky Barrientos, FSP)
B6
CBCP Monitor
Reflections
Vol. 13 No. 2
January 19 - February 1, 2009
What authority do you exercise?
4th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Dt 18:15-20; 1 Cor 7:32-35; Mk 1:21-28)
By Fr. Carlos V.G. Estrada
JESUS began to teach in the synagogue at
Capharnaum on a Sabbath day. “His teaching
made a deep impression on them because, unlike
the scribes, he taught them with authority.” I am
sure that you would have met persons who, like
Our Lord, impressed you because they knew
(or appeared to know) what they were talking
about.
What makes a person teach
with authority? Let me share
with you some experiences. A
certain Catholic school organizes
a yearly alumni reunion. In
past years, the program always
featured sexy dancing girls in
skimpy attire. Some alumni
had complained about this
to the school authorities and
organizers but, for some reason,
no one could (or preferred not
to) do anything about it. In one
reunion a few years ago, one of
the organizers confided to me
that they were taking out the sexy
dancers. He explained that one
of the alumni in the organizing
committee that year, a popular
singer in the country and a bornagain Christian, had set his foot
down and said there would be
no indecent presentations. The
others had listened to him. He
had spoken with authority and
made a deep impression on the
others.
Now consider this. Watch those
MMDA traffic enforcers along
EDSA who frantically flag down
cars for some traffic violation.
Most drivers stop. However, you
also see several drivers ignoring
them and driving on while
the traffic enforcer helplessly
(and hopelessly) attempts to
stop them. Clearly, the traffic
enforcers make no impression
at all on those drivers. Though
they may have authority, it
is not recognized. For all you
know, the driver may even be
laughing at them behind his
tinted windows.
Why do some people make
an impression and exercise
authority that is followed and
why are others considered
laughing stock? Respect for
authority does not come only
with position or conferral.
The person with authority has
to make an impression. I am
convinced that one impresses
others most when he walks the
talk or, to use a tired but tried
expression, when he practices
what he preaches. Jesus not only
talked, He acted accordingly. He
not only claimed He was God,
He showed it by miraculously
healing others, forgiving sins,
casting out demons, and living
virtuously.
If you want others to respect
your authority, give good
example first of all. It is not
enough for parents to tell their
children to go to Mass on
Sundays, they have to lead
the way by not only going to
Mass themselves, but to show
the importance they give to it
in their care for punctuality
“Why do some people make an impression and exercise authority that
is followed and why are others considered laughing stock? Respect for
authority does not come only with position or conferral. The person
with authority has to make an impression. I am convinced that one
impresses others most when he walks the talk or, to use a tired but
tried expression, when he practices what he preaches.”
and spending time in prayerful
silence both before and after
Mass. A boss can show his
employees how important their
work is by working hard and
well, and practicing the virtues
that make it possible to offer
that work to God, like charity
and justice.
What authority did that wellknown singer have? Though he
may not have been a Catholic,
others knew him for his virtuous
and upright life. If he could veto
the sexy-dancer routine, it was
because people knew he himself
did not patronize that type of
entertainment. What makes
people drive away calmly from
traffic enforcers trying to stop
them? They probably realize
that since these enforcers do
not themselves drive, they tend
to apply the law arbitrarily and
inconsistently. If you want to
make an impression and teach
with authority, you must also
act accordingly.
Fr. Roy Cimagala
Let people’s devotion be
WHEN some of my troubled friends,
especially those abroad, tell me their
faith is weakening because of problems,
I usually tell them to come visit Cebu
in January for the feast of the Sto. Niño
and participate in the Sinulog.
Through the years, I have formed
the conviction that seeing the devotees
throw themselves in heartfelt devotion
to Señor Sto. Niño would be enough to
get a strong stimulant for one’s faith, no
matter how sagging that faith may be.
Regardless of the impurities that
surround the celebration, it cannot be
denied that the germ of faith is active
there. It’s faith in the raw, unedited
and unexpurgated that spontaneously
expresses itself in mass piety.
Yes, there had been claims that
the celebration has been marred
with commercialism, superstition,
irrationalities, or that it’s just staged and
all contrived. But to me, these ought to
be expected. Even a good seed sown in
good ground cannot avoid weeds when
it starts to sprout.
Thus, these gatecrashers can only
mean the faith celebrated here is real.
Nothing is perfect in this life. Good and
authentic things attract bad and fake
things. This has been the law of our life
ever since we fell into sin.
Rather the perfection resides in one’s
heart, when it tries to understand and
cope with the abject reality of things the
way our Lord understood, coped and
loved everyone in his earthly life and
even up to now.
It’s a matter of discerning and
order, etc. But there’s nothing we can do
to regulate the core of such devotion.
The heart of this expression of popular
piety, irrespective of its human and
natural limitations, is a mysterious and
supernatural event. We cannot fully
define it. We can only describe it, but
that’s going to be an endless process.
It’s a heart that is vitally in contact with
of the feast of the Sto. Niño in Cebu!
How can you explain a massive
turnout of people, in the most diverse
conditions, sinners all with earnest
desires to be holy, all of a sudden turn
“religious” and pious in an organic
way, drawn in trance-like fashion to
an image? It’s as if the great multitude
is just one body.
“The heart of this expression of popular piety, irrespective of its
human and natural limitations, is a mysterious and supernatural
event. We cannot fully define it. We can only describe it, but that’s
going to be an endless process. It’s a heart that is vitally in contact
with God, ever breaking new frontiers, ever emitting fresh insights
and experiences. ”
reconciling, forgiving, drowning evil
with an abundance of good. Perfection
is in charity, expressed and lived in all
aspects of our life.
I would say, let these expressions
of popular devotion be. We can
try to regulate the peripherals of
the celebration, making them more
theologically sound, socially attuned,
respectful of the demands of peace and
God, ever breaking new frontiers, ever
emitting fresh insights and experiences.
Relevant to this point, Pope Benedict
once said:
“The adventure of Christian faith
is ever new, and it is when we admit
that God is capable of this that its
immeasurable openness is unlocked
for us.”
This is what happens in the celebration
For sure, there are psychological,
social, cultural and historical factors
involved here. But we would be sorely
missing the point if we just stop there,
and we make them the primary elements
to explain the phenomenon. No, there
must be something deeper.
There’s a spirit that moves us together,
and thanks to the way we, the Cebuanos,
are in general, this spirit thrives because
the people are largely a people of faith.
We as a people are not stuck in the purely
human and natural level.
We believe more than we understand.
Our deepest knowledge of things is
based on faith more than on our reason.
We still are largely an innocent and
simple people, because we stick to faith
more than to our thinking.
Innocence and simplicity are no mere
absence of knowledge, as happens in a
little child whom we describe as innocent
and simple. They are a matter of having
God rather than us as our ultimate guide
and source of knowledge.
Thus, innocence and simplicity are
compatible with having great knowledge
of things, including knowledge of evil.
But it’s a knowledge derived from one’s
link with God and not from one’s own
idea only.
Let’s thank God that we have this
popular piety when we celebrate the
feast of the Sto. Niño. It only unravels
the kind of people we are.
We can have all sorts of defects and
commit the whole gamut of mistakes.
But we have faith. And we correspond
generously to this gift God is giving
us.
Bo Sanchez
Hardwork magic works
I SMILED at the lovely woman
beside me.
She smiled back, her large
round eyes singing.
Hard as I tried, I couldn’t recall
gazing at a more ravishing sight
in my life. And it wasn’t just
physical, mind you. It was her
peaceful presence, her gentle
nature, her bearing both feminine
and strong at the same time.
“Good day, isn’t it?” I
intoned, attempting to hide my
nervousness.
“Yes, though it’s a teensy
bit warm,” her soft voice
whispered.
In truth, the day was hot
and the air quite still. But I was
oblivious to it, caught up in the
vision of the angel before me, as
though the very air I breathed
was part of this apparition of
loveliness.
“Are you… uh, doing anything
tonight?”
The princess chuckled. “Why
do you ask?”
“Well, I was wondering if
you’d like to spend it with me.
Alone, if possible.” My voice
is more than perfect.”
She squinted. “We’ll see. If you
do the right things and say the
right words....”
Suddenly, the Bishop—who
was in front of us—announced,
“Dearly beloved, this is the
number of questions. I recall
answering, “Yes, I do,” to each
of them. He told me to put a ring
in her finger, and I followed the
instructions to the letter. I guess
I did the right things and said
the right words that day, because
One is that all apparitions of
loveliness, no matter how lovely,
will not last. After awhile, every
enchanting princess becomes a
broom-riding witch. (And I, the
gorgeous prince in her eyes, turns
into an insect-munching, slimy-
“All apparitions of loveliness, no matter how lovely, will not last.
After awhile, every enchanting princess becomes a broom-riding
witch. (And I, the gorgeous prince in her eyes, turns into an insectmunching, slimy-skinned, foul-smelling toad.) This happens to
everybody. No exceptions.”
trembled and my chest felt like
it wanted to explode.
“Aren’t you going a little too
fast?”
Her naughty grin gave me
confidence, so I shook my head.
“Nope. In fact, I think the timing
wedding of the century!” At
once, a thousand people cheered
behind us. Marowe, radiant in
her white wedding gown, gave
out a shy giggle. I laughed more
uproariously.
His Excellency asked us a
my bride obliged my request.
We did spend the rest of the day
together. And the next 365 days
thereafter.
Yes, it’s been a year since, and
I’ve learned some truths about
being a lover.
skinned, foul-smelling toad.)
This happens to everybody. No
exceptions.
But here’s the second truth
I’ve learned: That this too isn’t a
permanent condition.
That if I keep on doing the right
things and saying the right words
each day—I can bring back our
romance to life again. If I continue
to say “Yes” to God’s questions of
love, and follow His instructions
to the letter…the apparition of
loveliness in my heart returns.
No doubt about it.
With a kiss, the frog becomes
a prince again—and the witch a
lovely princess once more. Yes,
it is magic, but magic that you
work very hard for.
To my forever bride, thank
you for a magical first year. The
many times we laughed. The many
times we cried. Even the many
times we fought—and ended up
in each others’ arms before the
end of each day. Yes, you are the
most beautiful gift God has ever
given me. Next to God, you will
always be the greatest thing that
ever happened to me.
CBCP Monitor
Social Concerns
Vol. 13 No. 2
January 19 - February 1, 2009
B7
GMOs: A way of
making money
The ICC—Last hope for justice
By Fr. Shay Cullen
© flickr photo
By Fr. Seán McDonagh, SSC
International Criminal Court (ICC) in The
Hague and are now trying to negotiate that
the indictments be lifted.
Such deals must never be done; it would
be betrayal of all those innocent children
and women that have been raped and
murdered. Many will find it inconceivable
that human beings can inflict such terrible
savagery on innocent people. The ICC is
our only hope for justice for such criminals
guilty of crimes against humanity, genocide
and war crimes.
The Mai-Mai ethnic militias are equally
bad and attack villages, they rape, plunder
and murder men women and children. The
testimonies of the survivors have been taken
less. He says he is innocent and will never
surrender to the tribunal.
The killings and atrocities were so
widespread and intense, the UN Security
THE murder and senseless killing of innoCouncil called for Sudan’s President Omar
cent civilians have to stop. The “InternationAl-Bashir to cooperate. He has refused and
al Criminal Court” has to be strengthened to
now Luis Moreno-Ocampo has requested
bring those accused of war crimes to justice.
the ICC to issue an arrest warrant for him.
It is the impunity of government leaders that
The warrants for Harum and a Militia
make them so aggressive that causes atrocileader Ali Kushayb were issued in April
ties to be committed. Gaza is a living hell,
2007.
civilians are wounded, killed, and punished
The ICC was established in 2002 by the
as well as the resistance fighters or terrorists
United Nations to extend justice to nations
as branded by Israel. Now with as many as
and where the leaders have total power and
900 killed, most of them women and chilimpunity from prosecution in their own
dren, and 3500 wounded as I write this, the
countries. The crimes it can investigate and
death toll continues to rise and there is no
try are genocide, crimes against
interest in a ceasefire. Hamas has
and war crimes. Human
much to answer for by provoking
Gaza is a living hell, civilians are humanity
rights group are advocating that
the attacks and Israel for invading
wounded, killed, and punished the definition of “Crimes against
and bombing.
be expanded to cover
Dr. Mad Gilbert interviewed on
as well as the resistance fight- Humanity”
crimes like wholesale trafficking
BBC has never seen worse despite
ers or terrorists as branded by of women and children into sex
his work in war zones for many
years. The unbalanced and exces- Israel. Now with as many as 900 slavery. This could put politicians
and law enforcement officials into
sive use of violence by the greatest
military power in the Middle East killed, most of them women and the spotlight and hold them acis unjustified. They have to do more children, and 3500 wounded as I countable.
Against Humanity”
to settle the underlying injustices
write this, the death toll contin- as“Crimes
defined by the Rome Statute of
behind the Palestine problem. The
government-supported spread of ues to rise and there is no inter- the International Criminal Court
Explanatory Memorandum “are
Jewish settlements in the West Bank
est in a ceasefire.
particularly odious offenses in
unchecked by Israel puts them in
and recorded by brave human rights workthat they constitute a serious attack on
the wrong. What is needed is social and
ers, some of them survivors of massacres
human dignity or grave humiliation or
political justice through a peace settlement
themselves like Leah Chishugi who lived
a degradation of one or more human beto right this grave historical wrong against
through the Rwandan massacre 14 years ago
ings. They are not isolated or sporadic
the Palestine people. Violence from either
and has made a remarkable documentary
events, but are part either of a governside is not the answer.
that is disturbing but essential to bring these
ment policy (although the perpetrators
The Catholic charity “Caritas” reported
killers to trial some day.
need not identify themselves with this
last December a terrible massacre of villagThen there is Ahmed Mohammed Harum,
policy) or of a wide practice of atrocities
ers who sought refuge at a Catholic Church
who is indicted by the International Crimitolerated or condoned by a government
the day after Christmas in the Eastern
nal Court as the alleged master planner
or a de facto authority......”
Congo. Scores have been hacked to death
and organizer of the militia attacks against
They are soon to link up with Transparand body parts have been scattered in these
civilians that killed an estimated 200,000 and
ency International to bring charges against
brutal attacks allegedly by a ferocious rebel
drove up to 3 million people into refugee
corrupt Philippine officials that have
group called the Lord’s Resistance Army,
camps fleeing for their lives. He is charged
stashed plunder abroad and bought propled by Joseph Kony. They mutilate their
by the ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocamerty in other countries. The people of the
civilian prisoners and thousands of children
po for war crimes committed when he was
countries hosting the stolen wealth ought
have been forced to be sex slaves and fightinterior minister. He is presently Sudan’s
to push for investigations and support such
ing soldiers. Kony and other rebel leaders
Minister of State for humanitarian affairs no
trials. France is showing the way.
have been indicted by the UN mandated
ON January 1, 2009, Cardinal Renato Martino, President
of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, gave a wide
ranging interview to the Vatican’s newspaper, L’Osservatore
Romano on political, economic and social issues which have
attracted the Vatican’s attention during 2008. The Cardinal
believes that violations of human dignity are the root of all
conflicts including the one now raging in the Gaza Strip. He
went on to state that religious tensions play a minor role in
fuelling world conflicts. It is rather, countless economic and
social injustices that foment violence.
What caught my eye in the press release by Carol Glatz of
the Catholic News Services were the Cardinal’s reflections
on the scandal of hunger in the world. Famine and lack of
nutrition are to be blamed on the poor distribution of plentiful
foodstuffs, not overpopulation, according to the Cardinal. The
responsibility for the food crisis “is in the hands of unscrupulous people who focus only on profit and certainly not on the
well-being of all people,” said Cardinal Martino.
A more just system of distribution and not the manufacture
of genetically modified foods is the key to addressing the
problem, he said. “If one wants to pursue GMOs (genetically
modified organisms) one can freely do so, but without hiding (the fact) that it’s a way to make more profits,” he said.
Utilizing genetically modified foods calls for “prudence” because genetically modified organisms can increase yields in
some instances but people must not abuse their power to be
able to manipulate nature. The author of the Catholic News
Service report, Carol Glatz, writes that, if Cardinal Martino’s
remarks have been correctly reported, then this looks like a
massive setback for the GMO industry. Previously Cardinal
Martino had been seen as little short of Monsanto’s (a giant
The possibility that the
Vatican would endorse GMOs
alarmed bishops in many
countries of the Majority
World. Bishop Dinualdo
Gutierez of Marbel in the
Philippines who was at the
forefront of a campaign
to prevent the planting
of Bt corn in his diocese,
implored the Cardinal not
to endorse GMOs. For him
and many other bishops and
religious in Asia, Africa and
Latin America, a Vatican
endorsement of GMOs would
strengthen the hand of
agribusiness corporations
such as Monsanto who were
browbeating poor countries
into accepting GMOs.
ting Go”. Convinced that God
has a reason for giving the kind
of family that I have and with
the help of Mr. T. Ong, I offered
to God my family as it is, with
its giftedness and weakness. The
graceful acceptance of the deepest root was an eye-opener for
me to believe that in our brokenness we experience completeness, in our hurts we can share
what is happiness, in our crosses
there is resurrection and in our
darkness the Light will continue
to shine even in the midst of the
dark clouds.
The fourth day was a moment
of “Trusting God”. After having
gained and equipped myself with
knowledge of family relations in
the context of vocation accom-
paniment and learned skills on
effective accompaniment of the
candidates, I place my trust and
hope in the providence of God.
I do believe that with the grace
of God my learning will shine
and continue to give light to the
young people I am journeying
with, together with their family.
With God’s blessing, I continue
to hope that the light He had
bestowed on me in vocation
ministry will continue to radiate
among the youth.
The fifth day was a moment
of “Moving Forward”. Though
like Peter I said “it is good for us
to be here”, deep inside I knew
that to give birth to the light we
received we need to move on to
go back to our commitments…
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to our normal life. Aware of
our challenging mission in the
Church, I was called once again
to keep moving forward and
continue to walk my journey in
communion with God. I prayed
that despite the hard labor I
may always find the source
of light and life in Christ “to
be like a lamp which does not
remain hidden, but is placed
“on a stand, and gives light”. I
may not see the whole picture
of the pathway as I carry the
lamp in my ministry yet I am
hopeful and joyful to journey
with the youth because I believe
that God’s light will continue to
shine on and on, for the Holy
Spirit will continue to sanctify
and enrich the Church with gifts
of life and vocation.
Aside from the highlight activities mentioned above, there
were many activities (film viewing, theater presentation, outing
at Family Park, play therapy,
city tour, social night…) that
made my experience more solid.
Though I have to set aside meetings and other activities in order
to participate, it was worthwhile! It was a grace more than
an opportunity to participate in
this module. This is the bottom
line of everything I have experienced. I am also grateful for
all the persons who in one way
or another made this module
successful and meaningful for
us vocation animators in the
Philippines.
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© flickr photo
Delighted / B4
Agribusiness Corporation) man in the Vatican, working
hand in globe with the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See to try
and achieve the papal blessing of GMOs as a key tool in the
fight against hunger.
It is very heartening to hear that someone such as the
President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace can
change his mind on crucially important issues. In August
2003, it was reported in many papers around the world that,
according to Archbishop (now Cardinal) Martino, the Vatican was preparing an official report on plant biotechnology
which would come down in favour of genetically modified
food. In an article in The Times, (London, August 5, 2003),
Richard Owen claimed that Cardinal Martino favoured endorsing GMOs as a way of solving world hunger. He quoted
the Cardinal as saying that he lived in the U.S. for 16 years
and that “I ate everything that was offered to me, including
genetically modified products. They had no effect on my
health. The controversy is more political than scientific.”
The possibility that the Vatican would endorse GMOs
alarmed bishops in many countries of the Majority World.
Bishop Dinualdo Gutierez of Marbel in the Philippines who
was at the forefront of a campaign to prevent the planting of
Bt corn in his diocese, implored the Cardinal not to endorse
GMOs. For him and many other bishops and religious in
Asia, Africa and Latin America, a Vatican endorsement of
GMOs would strengthen the hand of agribusiness corporations such as Monsanto who were browbeating poor countries into accepting GMOs.
The Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace held a two-day
consultation seminar on GMOs in Rome on November 10
and 11, 2003. A press release after the seminar stated that
the Pontifical Council “will not fail to offer its contribution
to enlighten consciences so that plant biotechnology is an
opportunity for all not threat.” Critics of the consultation
pointed out that most of the speakers were either from agribusiness companies or strongly in favour of it.
Dr. Doreen Stabinsky, a geneticist and adviser to the
GMO campaign of Greenpeace, told the conference that she
almost turned down the invitation to speak because of the
overwhelming presence of GMO advocates. Margaret Mellon, the director of the food and environment programme
at the Union of Concerned Scientists also criticized the preponderance of pro-GMO speakers. The change of mind by
the Cardinal will be welcomed by those who are promoting
sustainable agriculture in every corner of the globe.
B8
Entertainment
Moral Assessment
 Abhorrent
 Disturbing
 Acceptable
 Wholesome
Exemplary
Labis na ikinababalisa ng dalagitang
si Carmen Catacutan (Empress Schuck)
ang mga usap-usapan tungkol sa kanilang mag-anak na nakatira sa isang lumang bahay na palaging nakapinid ang
mga bintana. Isang bukas na lihim ang
pagiging manglalaglag (abortionist)
ng kanyang inang si Amparo (Melissa
Mendez), bagama’t ito ay palasimba
at laman ng kanilang bahay ang napakaraming imahen at rebulto ng mga
santo. Bunga nito, siya’y nililibak ng
kanyang mga kamag-aral bagama’t siya
ay isang ulirang mag-aaaral. Isa ring
ulirang anak si Carmen, masunurin,
at matiising tumutulong sa pag-aalaga
ng kanyang lolong baldado, si Amang
(Pocholo Montes). Dahil sa husay
ni Carmen bilang isang mag-aaral,
pagtitiwalaan siyang tumulong ng
kanyang gurong si Mr. Davide (Ricardo
Cepeda) sa gawain nitong pagsusuri
sa mga test papers, bagay na magiging
isa pang dahilan upang higit siyang
libakin ng kanyang mga kapwa magaaral. Matutuklasan din ni Carmen na
ang isa sa kanyang mga kamag-aral
na nanglilibak sa kanya ay magiging
“pasyente” ng kanyang ina, at tuluyang
magiging biktima gawa nito. Habang
nagluluksa ang buong paaralan sa pagkamatay ng dalagitang nagpalaglag,
maghihimagsik naman ang kalooban
ni Carmen at haharapin ang ina hinggil
sa karumal-dumal nitong gawain. May
isang pangyayaring pagdurusuhan sa
Technical Assessment
 Poor
 Below average
 Average
 Above average
 E
xcellent
piitan ni Amparo sa loob ng pitong
taon. Sa kanyang paglaya, may ibubunyag siyang lihim kay Carmen.
Sa simula pa lamang ng Hilot―kung
saan ipinapakita ang isang sanggol
sa sinapupunan ng kanyang ina at
wala kang maririnig kundi ang tibok
ng kanyang puso―ay malalaman mo
nang naiiba ito sa karaniwang mapapanood sa mga sinehan, sapagkat
ang pangunahing layunin nito ay
ang ipakitang masama ang abortion.
Diumano’y ‘low budget” film ito: ang
mga tumustos sa paglikha ng pelikula
ay si Melissa Mendez (ang mismong
gumanap na hilot), at ilan sa kanyang
mga kaanak na naniniwala sa kanyang
layunin. Sapagka’t mga bagong mukha
ang mga artista, at taos-puso ang
kanilang pagganap, naging lubhang
makatotohanang ang dating ng pelikula. Pawang damang-dama ng mga
nagsiganap ang kani-kaniyang papel―
lalo na sila Schuck, Mendes, Cepeda at
Montes. Maliwanang at maayos ang
daloy ng istorya, madaling sundan at
unawain. Nakakaengganyo ang Hilot
sa kabila ng kakulangan nito sa special
effects at musika, at sa editing
Bagama’t layunin ng Hilot na ihantad
ang kasamaan ng abortion, sinisiyasat
din nito ang maaaring ugat sa buhay
ng mga gumagawa nito. Bagama’t
ipinakikita ring maliwanag nito na
kasawiang-palad ang kahahantungan
ng isang abortionist, inilalahad din ng
Title: Love me again
Cast: Angel Locsin, Piolo Pascual, Ricky Davao, Ronnie
Lazaro
Director: Rory B. Quintos
Genre: Drama;
Distributor: Star Cinema Productions
Location: Australia
Running Time: 120 min.
Technical Assessment: 
Moral Assessment: ½
CINEMA Rating: For viewers 14 and above
Vol. 13 No. 2
January 19 - February 1, 2009
Titulo: Hilot
Pangunahing nagsiganap:
Melissa Mendes, Empress
Schuck, Glenda Garcia,
Ricardo Cepeda, Pocholo
Montes
Direktor at Manunulat: Neal
Tan
Direktor ng Potograpiya: Renato de Vera
Mga Prodyuser: Melissa Yap,
Glenda Yap, Merwyn Yap
Distribusyon: Emerge Entertainment Productions
Lugar: Caloocan.
Technical: 
Moral: 
CINEMA Rating: For viewers 14
and above
pelikula kung ano ang pinanggalingan
ni Amparo, ang mga pangyayari sa
kanyang buhay na naging dahilan ng
kanyang pagiging “manglalaglag.” Sa
kadulu-duluhan, hindi mo masisisi ang
isang abortionist sapagkat lumalabas na
siya’y isang biktima din ng kalupitan
ng buhay. Sino ngayon ang may sala?
Ang pag-aasawahan ba? Ang mga lalaking malilikot at mga babaeng hindi
naturuang igalang ang kanilang mga
katawan? Ang Simbahang Katoliko ba
na sa kabila ng kanyang kapangyarihan ay hindi maakay ang masa tungo
sa tunay at malalim na pananalangin
at pakikipag-ugnayan sa Diyos? Ang
pamahalaan ba na walang ngipin upang
ipatupad ang batas at pigilin ang gawain
ng mga manglalaglag? Ang masalimuot
bang lipunan na binubuo ng mga taong
lulong sa paghahanap ng mababaw na
kaligayahan? Higit pa sa isang pelikula,
ang Hilot ay isang hamon―sa inyo, sa
amin, sa ating lahat―upang pugsain
ang karumal-dumal na gawaing pagkitil sa buhay ng nasa sinapupunan
sa pamamagitan ng isang masusing
pagtanaw sa ating kapaligiran at sa
kaibuturan ng ating mga puso.
MAC en COLET
Buhay Parokya
Matapos magpalipat-lipat ng trabaho sa lungsod, matatagpuan ni Migo (Piolo Pascual) sa kanilang bayan sa Bukidnon
ang buhay na kanyang nanaisin at mamahalin – ang pagrarancho sa kanilang pag-aaring lupain. Makikilala niya at
magiging kasintahan dito si Arah (Angel Locsin). Sa Bukidnon
nais buuin ni Migo ang kanyang mga pangarap kasama si
Arah. Ngunit maaaksidente ang ama ni Arah (Ricky Davao)
at mapipilitan siyang mangutang sa isang Australyanong amo
ng kanyang tiyuhin (Ronnie Lazaro) bilang paunang bayad sa
pagtatrabaho ni Arah bilang cook sa rancho nito sa Australia.
Labag ito sa kagustuhan ni Migo at hindi niya papayagang
umalis si Arah. Subalit sadyang hindi mapipigilan si Arah
sa pag-alis. Maiiwan si Migo sa Bukidnon at matagal ang panahon na lilipas na hindi niya kakausapin si Arah. Malulugi
ang rancho ni Migo at magdedesisyon itong sundan si Arah
sa Australia. Magkakagulatan ang dalawa sa Australia lalo na
sa madadatnang pagbabago ni Migo kay Arah. Ikakasal na rin
ito sa kanyang among Australyano. Makuha pa kayang muli
ni Migo ang pag-ibig ni Arah matapos niya itong talikuran ng
mahabang panahon?
Kung tutuusin ay isang karaniwang kuwento ang Love
Me Again. Walang masyadong inihain kung kuwento ang
pagbabasehan. Isang magkasintahang pinaghiwalay ng pangangailangan at pagkakataon ngunit muling pagtatagpuin
ng tadhana sa isang kalagayang magiging mahirap para sila
magkabalikan. Hindi rin masasabing nailahad ng pelikula ang
tunay na kalagayan ng mga kababayan nating nagtatrabaho
sa ibang bayan. Malaking ambag lang ang panibagong bihis
nito na kinunan pa sa matulaing lugar ng Bukidnon at maging
ang Outback, Australia ay nakakaigaya rin. Ngunit hindi rin
naman ganuon kabago sa paningin ang Australia dahil pawang
ordinaryong rancho at gubat rin lang ang ipinakita sa pelikula.
Bagama’t hindi matatawaran ang husay sa pagganap ng mga
mga pangunahing nagsiganap na sina Locsin at Pascual,
walang gaanong kilig na maramdaman sa dalawa. Epektibo
naman sila sa mga eksenang ma-drama. Maayos naman ang
daloy ng kuwento, yun nga lang, hindi maitatatwang, walang
gaanong bago.
Kapuri-puri ang pinakitang pagmamahal at pagsasakripisyo
ni Arah para sa pamilya. Tunay siyang huwaran ng karamihan
sa mga Pilipinong nangingibang-bayan para maghanapbuhay.
Ipinakita rin na ang Pilipino ay isang huwarang mangagawa at
saan man siya mapadpad, hindi matatawaran ang kanyang galing at kasipagan. Mayroon lang ilang nakakabahalang imahe
ng kababaihan ang ipinakita sa pelikula. Bagama’t malakas
ang personalidad na inilarawan ni Arah, pawang angat pa
rin ang papel ng lalaking Australyano pagdating sa yaman,
lakas at kapangyarihan. Ang pag-aasawa nga ba sa ibang lahi
ang tanging susi upang umangat ang isang Pilipina sa buhay?
Nakababahala ang sinasalmin ng pelikula nitong katotohanang
nangyayari sa lipunan, at higit pa ring nakababahala ang nangyaring pagtatalik sa labas ng kasal. Bagama’t kaugnay ito ng
pananabik at wagas na pag-ibig, hindi pa rin ito magandang
halimbawa. Dapat na gabayan ang mga batang manonood.
CBCP Monitor
By Bladimer Usi
Look for the images of Saint Jude Thaddaeus, Mary
Magdalene and Sto. Nino (Illustration by Bladimer Usi)
C1
C1
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13
12 No. 225
December
January
198- -February
28, 2008 1, 2009
The Cross
A Supplement Publication of KCFAPI
and the Order of the Knights of Columbus
The KCFAPI Board of Trustees with Msgr. Francisco G. Tantoco at a testimonial dinner tendered in his honor on December 18, 2008: (from left to right) Jose D.
Bacalanmo, Jr., Msgr. Pedro C. Quitorio, Alonso L. Tan, Patrocinio R. Bacay, Pedro M. Rodriguez, Jr., Dionisio R. Esteban, Jr., Antonio B. Borromeo, Sofronio R.
Cruz, and Antonio T. Yulo. (Inset: Msgr. Tantoco with EVP Ms. Teresa G. Curia and KCFAPI Officers)
KC to Walk for Life in
support of CBCP
By Paul Oblea
THE members of the Knights of Columbus will “walk for life” on March 21,
2009 in support of the call of the Catholic
Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.
It will be held simultaneously in Manila,
Cebu and Davao to be coordinated by
the three State Jurisdictions of Luzon,
Visayas and Mindanao.
In Manila, Luzon State Deputy Alonso L. Tan will lead about 10,000 participants in this rally for life.
The purpose of the Walk for Life is to
make the people aware of Republic Act
5043 known as the Reproductive Health
Bill which is now on its 3rd reading at
the House of Representatives.
This rally is expected to raise the
awareness of people on the negative
consequences of the Bill to the family,
the basic unit of society. The Knights
of Columbus is undertaking this informational campaign in line with its Pro
Life stance.
For the Luzon Jurisdiction, the Walk of
Life will be led by State Deputy Alonso
L. Tan. It will commence with a concelebrated mass to be led by the Most
Reverend, Bishop Honesto F. Ongtioco
at 7:00 am. He is the State Chaplain of
the KC Luzon Jurisdiction and Bishop
of the Diocese of Cubao. The venue will
be announced later due to the growing
number of participants coming from the
different councils in Metro Manila and
nearby provinces like Cavite, Bulacan,
Laguna and Rizal. Various institutions
are being invited to join this rally such
as: Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Philippines, Inc., Catholic
Universities, Colleges and High Schools,
the Philippine National Police, Phil.
National Red Cross, Daughters of Mary
Immaculate, Columbian Squires, Fourth
Degree members of the Knights of Columbus. All members of the Knights of
Columbus are requested to wear their
council uniform T-Shirt with KC logo.
On January 22, 2009, the Knights of
Columbus in the United States will
take part in the 36th annual March for
Life in Washington, D.C. About 100,000
participants are expected to join.
Ms. Carmelita Ruiz, Underwriting Manager, one
of the presenters during the planning conference held December 18, 2008.
By Ira J. Tee
THE Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Philippines, Inc. celebrated Christmas with
special guests from Senden Home Foundation, Inc., a temporary shelter for homeless boys, last
December 19, 2008.
Conceptualized and organized by a group of volunteers, the event dubbed “Paskong KCya”
provided an avenue for employees to share their blessings and bring smiles to 33 young boys.
KCFAPI Executive Vice President, Ma. Theresa G. Curia, together with the Board of Trustees and
employees, welcomed the children at the ground floor lobby where the young boys sang Christmas
carols which they have especially prepared for the occasion. After the presentation, KCFAPI Chairman Patrocinio R. Bacay and President Antonio B. Borromeo handed the Association’s donation
to the Foundation amounting to P30,000. Apart from it, the Board of Trustees also distributed gift
packages.
Mario Lacabana, Executive Assistant and Educator of Senden Home, expressed his thanks in
behalf of the entire Foundation and handed a pastel drawing to Mr. Bacay as a symbol of Senden
Home’s appreciation. Along with Mr. Lacabana were Senden Home staff Rose Sison, Rommel
Unera, Eduardo Galcing, Takahachi Abay and Irma Gatbonton.
After sharing a hefty meal, the kids enjoyed fun games, song and dance presentations and various prizes.
Mr. Bacay thanked the employees, especially the event organizers, for the unique celebration of
the yuletide season.
“Your generosity makes a difference in the lives of the more than 30 homeless boys of Senden
Home. Thank you. You truly did a wonderful thing,” he said.
The panel during the presentation of the 2009 Plans, Programs and Budget: (L-R) Dionisio Esteban Jr.,
Sofronio Cruz, Chairman Patrocinio Bacay, President Antonio Borromeo and Treasurer Antonio Yulo.
Not in photo are Pedro Rodriguez, Jose Bacalanmo Jr. and Corporate Secretary Alonso Tan.
KC Group of Companies
celebrates Family Day Special
CHILDREN of the employees of KC Group of
Companies were treated for a day of fun and excitement as the company celebrated Family Day
Special last December 24, 2008.
Unmarried employees brought along their
relatives ages 12-below to participate in the said
activity. Members of the Family Day Committee
gathered the kids at the 3rd Floor Social Hall for a
2-hour movie entertainment and snacks. Madagascar II was a big hit to the kids, they were laughing
and giggling at the antics of the cartoon characters.
After watching the movie the children scampered
towards the life-size portraits of Alladin and Jasmin for a photo shoot.
Lunch was served followed by a simple program
attended by KCFAPI President Bro. Antonio Bor-
romeo, Treasurer Bro. Antonio T. Yulo, and EVP
Ms. Ma. Theresa Curia.
The children eagerly joined the games hosted by
Jollibee who also provided the prizes for the winners. Adding excitement to the program was the
appearance of two Jollibee Mascots, Jollibee and
Hetty, who gamely posed for some souvenir shots.
Special prizes were also given to children who displayed their talents at the dance floor. And before
the program ended, loot bags were distributed to
everyone with the Committee making sure that no
child will go home empty-handed.
Family Day 2008 Committee was headed by Bro.
Edwin B. Dawal and members Michael De Castro,
Rommel Guanzon, Luisa Manuel, Melissa Obmina,
and Rowena Patricio. (Denise Solina)
The kids enjoyed unlimited souvenir shots with Jollibee and Hetty
during the KCFAPI Family Day held December 24, 2008.
The Cross
C2
Antonio B. Borromeo
Patrocinio R. Bacay
A NEW year has just begun. With the financial crisis still not
abating, 2009 has been called the worst recession since the Great
Depression of the ‘30s. Therefore, 2009 is a challenging year for all
industries, insurance companies and mutual benefit associations not
excluded. For this, KCFAPI is once again gearing up its programs to
be able to face the new year with vigor and vitality.
“Sustaining Growth Through Fortified Fraternal Service” is our
banner theme for the year. Focus will be given to our Benefit
Certificate Holders and their beneficiaries. New products
are in line to cover more brother knights and their families.
Since our operations for 2008 was the best in history of
KCFAPI, the dividends declared for the BC Holders will
also be unprecedented.
Intensified thrusts on Corporate Social Responsibility and Corporate Governance across the Association
are major drivers geared for the long term growth
of the Association.
The year has just begun but rest assured we are
ready to face the uncertainties of the business and
what the economy will bring for the year.
I AM happy to greet your New Year with good news
from KCFAPI board. In the recent meeting, the board
approved the awarding of additional dividends to
all Benefit Certificate Holders to the tune of P20M.
The P20M additional dividend will be given as
paid-up additional coverage for the brother
knights and their families. We are aware of
where the value of our peso may land. We are
hopeful with the added coverage to the Benefit
Holders, the impact of inflation maybe at least
cushioned.
Our sales force are gearing up their efforts
to reach out to more brother knights and their
families while each one in KCFAPI tries to
serve our brother knights with utmost care
and efficiency which they fully deserve.
Let each one have a year of blessings
and joy.
Luzon Deputy’s Message
Alonso L. Tan
were able to ask questions to the
participants.
As we usher in the New Year,
let us be reminded of the many
tasks that still lie ahead. The
many things that we have yet to
do, to our Parish, to our Communities, to our Youth, to our
fellow knights and most important of all – to our family. Let us
resolve to keep the family, the
most basic unit of society, the
smallest church, ever so intact
and protect it from all forms of
aggression. Let us be vigilant in
upholding the sanctity of marriage for without it, there could
be no family to speak of.
Our family is threatened with
a bill pending in Congress – RH
5043. It had already passed on
Visayas Deputy’s Message
second reading. The third and
final reading could be the nail that
would seal the coffin of the family
as we know it. Let us call on our
Congressman not to affix their signature on the said Bill. If they had,
encourage them to withdraw their
signature and let them know that
this Bill will only do more harm
than the perceived goodness that
it will do to women.
We depend on you our District
Deputies to spread this stand to
councils under your care. Let
your congressman know that we
are no longer part of the silent
majority as we will now be the
Voice of the weak and the oppressed and the Defender of the
helpless and the innocent.
Vivat Jesus!
Bro. Dionisio R. Esteban, Jr.
AS the whole world faces the
Year 2009 with mixed feelings,
We, brother knights and families in the Visayas Jurisdiction
extend to one and all a hopeful
and Happy New Year!
May we draw inspiration from
the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary
and Joseph, even as we are faced
by a global economic crisis.
Energized by FAITH in the
Divine Providence, may we rise
up to the challenge and celebrate
LIFE by giving one another the
priceless gift, as the Lord taught
us—LOVE, and together HOPE
for peace, unity and happiness
for all mankind.
May our feeling of anxiety and
uncertainty of the New Year 2009
be overcome by our overwhelming Excitement, Joy and Love of
being one complete family, in
accord with the Divine Will.
As Knights of Columbus,
now more than ever, is the appropriate time to exemplify the
lessons of CHARITY, UNITY,
FRATERNITY and PATRIOTISM through our membership
and service programs. At the
Visayas Jurisdiction, various
activities and programs will be
implemented and continuously
improved, with the aim of sharing our EXPERIENCE OF A
Vol. 13 No. 2
January 19 - February 1, 2009
President’s
Message
Chairman’s
Message
LAST December 6 and 7
we had our District Deputies’ Mid-year Meeting,
wherein we took stock of
what we have, acknowledged our weaknesses and
collectively tried to find
solutions to our problems.
Our programming was
quite different from the traditional as we have added
or innovated on some of it.
Two of the big hits were the
regional consultation with
a State Officer and State
Officials where problems
or concerns were discussed
on a more personal basis.
The other was the twoway Open Forum where
even the resource people
CBCP Monitor
LIFETIME with the rest of
our neighbors, friends and
even strangers.
Let us, as we continue
the work of our Order—In
Solidarity With Our Bishops and Priests—for the
Church, Family, Council,
Community and Youth, be
inspired by the temporal
simplicity yet overwhelming love and beauty of the
Holy Family.
Again, may we all have a
Happy New Year 2009 that
is truly a CELEBRATION
OF LIFE as it ought to be.
Vivat Jesus!
Mindanao
Deputy’s Message
Sofronio R. Cruz
ONE of the most important events in our State
Jurisdiction which is fast
approaching is the Annual Meeting (Convention)
to be held in Zamboanga
City on April 30-May 1,
2009 for State Squires
and May 1-3, 2009 for our
Brother Knights. Enjoyable and meaningful activities have been planned
and laid out for every
council and member participation.
Councils are called to
submit to the State their
best activities conducted
along the areas of service on Church, Family,
Council, Community and
Youth and to report them
on form STSP (page 24 of
council report form book)
for judging and awarding
during the convention.
Council winners in each
of the 5 areas will be the
Jurisdiction’s entry to the Supreme Council Contest and any winning council at the Svzupreme Council level, Grand Knights will
be invited to the Supreme Convention to receive the award, all
expense paid.
Councils and members are also enjoined to participate in the
convention raffle. The fellowship program also offers excellent
opportunity to show our talents in song and dance contest while
there are interesting learning program and activities for Columbian Squires participants; gain new friends and renew previous
acquaintances.
So come and join our State Jurisdiction Convention and be a better
Knight and Council, together with our families and friends.
See you there. Vivat Jesus!
Health Tips
By Dr. Jaime Talag
Laughter is
still the best
medicine
NOWADAYS, with all the problems encountered due to global crisis,
laughter is still the cheapest yet the best medicine available.
Laughter, even for just 15 minutes a day, decreases the stress
hormones called cortisol and increases the good hormones called
endorphins which are natural substances in the body that makes the
body glow and boost your immune system.
Although the exact number of muscles used by our body to smile
is still an issue, it is nice to know that it takes fewer muscles to smile
than to frown, hence, less effort and conserves body energy.
Announcement:
New Payment Facility
OUR ROOTS
Established by the Knights of Clumbus Fraternal on October 10, 1982
as a mortuary for K of C members, Holy Trinity Memorial Chapels was
later opened to the general public.
OUR FACILITIES
* A three-storey building with homelike chapels complete with family
rooms, kitchen, toilet and bath, and extended lobby to accommodate
visitors and catering services
* Top-of-the-line funeral hearses (Cadillac and Mercedes Benz)
* The only funeral parlor in the area with a DENR-approved water
treatment facility
* Ample parking space
OUR VISION / MISSION
To be the premier provider of memorial care befitting the dignity of a
man
To provide compassionate memorial care to the departed and their
bereaved families through the delivery of excellent services.
OUR SERVICES
* Complete 24-hour funeral & cremation services and a wide range of
casket selections, both local and imported
* Two units of state-of-the-art cremation machines with advanced
technology that passed US industry and DENR standards for quality
and performance
* Accredited servicing mortuary of all major life plan companies
ACCREDITED LIFE PLAN / PRENEED COMPANIES
1. Provident Plans Int’l Corp.
2. Prudential Life Plan
3. Legacy Consolidated Plans, Inc.
4. St. Peter Life Plan
5. Lifetime / Pacific Plans, Inc.
6. Coco Plans
7. Paz Life Plan
8. Eternal Life Plan
9. Philam Plans
10. Himlayang Pilipino Life Plan
11. Eternal Life Plan
If you are a BPI Express Teller accountholder, just enroll your reference number in BPI’s bill payment facility. Then you can start paying
your insurance contribution through the bank’s electronic channels.
You can enroll in three ways:
1. Call Express Phone 89-100 or 1-800-188-89100 TOLL FREE, dial
“0” for Other Products and Services, then another “0” for Other
Concerns.
2. Log on to www.bpiexpressonline.com (for existing Express
Online users only)
3. Visit your branch of account
Once enrolled, payments can be made through any of the following:*
· ATM
· Telephone, just dial 89-100
· Cellphone, just go to Globe Services>My Favorites>BPI Mobile
· Internet, just log on to www.bpiexpressonline.com
*Payments via telephone, cellphone and internet are available to
accountholders who are enrolled users of these channels.
LAYOUT BY LAURENCE JOHN R. MORALES
* Top-of-the-line facilities
* Excellent personalized services
* 17 air-conditioned chapels with family room, CRs and bathroom
* Ample parking space and landscaped garden
Now you can pay your insurance contribution with utmost convenience through BPI’s bill payment facility.
The Cross
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 2
January 19 - February 1, 2009
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A Catholic difference
By Carl A. Anderson, Supreme Knight
Editor’s Note: The following is adapted from an address delivered by Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson at the Nov. 15, 2008 meeting of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, which observed the 20th anniversary of Pope John
Paul II’s apostolic exhortation Christifideles Laici (On the Vocation and Mission of the Lay Faithful in the Church and in the World).
IT was once popular to speak of the Christian
evangelization of culture — indeed, even of the
transformation of culture. Yet, over time we have
experienced a contrary development. We might
say instead that a sort of truce has been reached.
In some areas, a new optimism has emerged about
the benefits of secularism; in others there has developed a gradual accommodation.
I am not speaking about the recognized and
proper autonomy of the secular order and its institutions, but about something entirely different.
In the United States, the popularity of Harvey
Cox’s 1965 book, The Secular City, promoted the
idea that secularization was part of a divine plan,
which Christians should embrace. Cox viewed
“secularization as the liberation of man from religious and metaphysical tutelage, the turning of
his attention away from other worlds and towards
this one.”
He argued that secularization is “emancipation”
and that it “is the legitimate consequence of the
impact of biblical faith on history.” Moreover, he
maintained, “We must learn…to speak of God in a
secular fashion and find a nonreligious interpretation of biblical concepts.”
A surrender to the ‘secular’
In the more than 40 years that have passed since
the publication of The Secular City, we have found
that regardless of any positive effects, secularization has drained meaning from Christian life.
Secularizing the way Christians think affects the
values by which they live. From a cultural standpoint, we have indeed learned “to speak of God
in a secular fashion” and increasingly found “a
nonreligious interpretation of biblical concepts.”
Such tendencies have increasingly diminished the
distinctiveness of Christian life.
Christifideles Laici puts the issue more simply
and more starkly: Secularism as a cultural force
“sustains a life lived as if God did not exist” (34).
In the public life of society, secularism goes even
further: It is not content simply to regard religion
with indifference, but it increasingly regards religious faith as an obstacle to “emancipation” and
“liberation.”
Since the Second Vatican Council, the lay
faithful have come to a greater realization of
their responsibility to work for the renewal of
society. The demands of social justice make an
urgent appeal upon conscience. In an effort to
realize the demands of justice, the Catholic philosopher Jacques Maritain once observed that
Christians had advanced their journey toward
a more just and humane society through what
he termed the “evangelization” of the secular
conscience.
Yet today, the effect of a pervasive secularization may be said to have accomplished the reverse
— the secularization of the Christian conscience.
Or perhaps more precisely, secularism has prevented the adequate formation of the Christian
conscience.
Although Harvey Cox was writing as a Protestant professor at Harvard Divinity School, the
fundamental disposition that he represented has
also permeated the Catholic community. It has
done so in three areas that critically affect the formation of the lay faithful and their ability to carry
out their mission.
First, certain sacramental and homiletic practices
have undermined the power of the sacraments in
the formation of the Christian conscience. One
might say that we have learned too well to “speak
of God in a secular fashion.”
Second, Catholic education has experienced the
increasing influence of Enlightenment assumptions regarding the purpose of the university,
posing challenges to an adequate understanding
of the harmonious relationship between faith and
reason, and of the essential unity of the education
experience.
Third, the Catholic family, which for generations was universally recognized for its shining
witness to the inherent bond between the unitive
summaries of the mission of Pope Benedict XVI’s
pontificate, and also of the lay faithful today. I
think that is why Pope Benedict presented such
beautiful meditations in his encyclicals Deus
Caritas Est and Spe Salvi on the theological virtues
of faith, hope and charity. These virtues are the
foundations of Christian moral life, which in order
and procreative aspects of marriage, has in many
ways become indistinguishable from the lifestyle
of the larger secular culture.
These three developments pose considerable
obstacles to the formation of laypersons, who are
otherwise capable of fulfilling their mission for the
renewal of society.
to be authentic, must combine a vocation to love
and a vocation to truth.
Both encyclicals represent the recovery of a
fundamentally Christian way of thinking as a
prerequisite to a Christian way of living. The reevangelization of what we might call a Christian
consciousness must continue and include concepts
such as “right reason,” “natural law,” and even the
“common good.” It is doubtful whether the laity
can effectively influence culture in an enduring
way without such a recovery.
The Holy Father has repeatedly reminded us
that Christianity is not an ethical system—or
any other system for that matter—but rather an
event, an encounter with a person. Since this is an
encounter that occurs in the personal history of
every believer, it is at the same time ever new. It
is the fundamental responsibility of the lay faithful
to bring the reality of this event— this encounter
with Jesus Christ — into every aspect of history,
and therefore into every aspect of culture. The
reality of this event must be made present within
the family, as well as within the public and governmental life of society.
We have often heard repeated the words of John
Paul II: “Do not be afraid! Open wide the doors to
Christ.” These words are repeated in Christifideles
Laici. At the very least, this means that for an authentic renewal of society to occur, Christ cannot
be regarded as an abstraction separate from the
concrete, lived experience that we call culture.
To the contrary, Christ must be invited into our
culture — to permeate it and to transform it as
only he can.
Christ and culture
The solution, I believe, must be found in an approach that takes as its basis a view articulated by
Father Romano Guardini. In a letter to Pope Paul
VI in 1965, Father Guardini wrote: “At the time
of my first theological studies something became
clear to me that, since then, has determined my
entire theological work: what can convince modern people is not a historical or a psychological or
a continually ever modernizing Christianity but
only the unrestricted and uninterrupted message
of Revelation.”
A year earlier, then-Father Joseph Ratzinger
put forward the issue in a slightly different way.
Speaking to university students at Munster Cathedral, Father Ratzinger said, “It has been asserted
that our century is characterized by an entirely
new phenomenon: the appearance of people incapable of relating to God.” He then continued,
“I believe the real temptation for someone who is
a Christian…does not just consist in the theoretical question of whether God exists…. What really
torments us today, what bothers us much more
is the inefficacy of Christianity.... What is all this
array of dogma and worship and Church, if at the
end of it all we are still thrown back onto our own
poor resources? That in turn brings us back again,
in the end, to the question about the Gospel of the
Lord: What did he actually proclaim and bring
among men?”
These words, written four decades before his
election to the papacy, provide one of the clearest
Catholic identity
Thus, a primary responsibility of the lay faithful
must be a new engagement in the renewal of parish
life, especially the role of parish as a eucharistic
community.
It makes little sense to ask the lay faithful to
work for the transformation of secular culture
without, at the same time, urging them to renew
the sacramental life of the parish community. In
this regard, the Synod of Bishops on the Eucharist
in 2005 and the recent Synod on the Word of God
provide a rich blueprint for such an undertaking.
In his April address to Catholic educators at The
Catholic University of America, Pope Benedict
stated that an institution of Catholic education is
a place to encounter God’s “transforming love and
truth,” a place to form an authentically Christian
conscience and to live a distinctively Christian
way of life.
Later that same day, Pope Benedict said to the
bishops of the United States, “One of the great
challenges facing the Church…is that of cultivating a Catholic identity which is based not so
much on externals as on a way of thinking and
acting grounded in the Gospel and enriched by
the Church’s living tradition.”
This work of renewal is fundamental to the mission of the laity in our time, and our responsibility
is irreplaceable. The laity has a specific mission,
one that must be accomplished always in solidarity with our priests and bishops, and always
“hinged” to the heart and mind of the Church.
Only in this way will the lay faithful be capable
of first understanding and then accomplishing
this mission.
It may well require that we put away half-measures. We cannot hope to renew society if society
cannot detect a difference in the way Catholics
marry, raise their families, conduct their businesses
or serve in government. In other words, we can
never hope to renew society unless we ourselves
are committed to renewal in our own lives. And
we can never hope to renew society as long as
we find ways to accommodate social values that
are fundamentally opposed to the values of the
Gospel.
This is not just a question of getting more Catholics to accept specific aspects of the Church’s social
doctrine. Instead, it is a matter of the formation
of a Catholic conscience that is disposed toward
conforming one’s life to the imitation of Christ.
Historically, this task of formation was accomplished by a combination of institutions, such as
Catholic schools and universities, parishes and the
family. It is obvious that these traditional institutions are no longer adequately carrying out this
mission.
In the long term, considerably more will have
to be done, as John Paul II said, to “remake the
Christian fabric of the ecclesial community itself”
through consideration of new initiatives to further
the formation of the lay faithful.
Families should be encouraged to assume their
responsibility as the first and primary educators of
their children through the development of family
prayer, catechesis and the reading of sacred Scripture. Catholic schools and universities should be
asked to review their mission in light of how their
activities advance the formation of the Catholic
conscience of their students.
The Knights of Columbus today stands in a
unique and privileged place to assist in the great
effort of renewal of Church and society—especially
through our witness to charity and unity. In the
days ahead it is necessary that we increase this
witness especially within our Catholic schools
and parishes.
In all this, our task is nothing less than to realize
the promise of the prayer that concludes Deus Caritas Est: “Show us Jesus. Lead us to him. Teach us
to know and love him, so that we too can become
capable of true love and be fountains of living
water in the midst of a thirsting world.”
Knights plan Congress, Festival in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe
THE Knights of Columbus will hold its
First International Marian Congress on
Our Lady of Guadalupe from August
6-8, 2009, following the organization’s
127th annual convention in Phoenix.
The Congress will conclude with
a Guadalupe Festival at Jobing.com
Arena on August 8. Nearly 20,000 attendees are expected from throughout
the United States and from Mexico.
Co-sponsored by the Knights of
Columbus, the Diocese of Phoenix,
the Archdiocese of Mexico City and
the Center for Guadalupan Studies,
the Congress will be held at the JW
Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and will
feature talks by experts from throughout United States and Latin America
on Our Lady of Guadalupe.
“The centrality of Our Lady of
Guadalupe to the Americas as ‘the
Christian Hemisphere’ is clearly evident throughout North and South
America,” said Supreme Knight Carl
Anderson, who will speak both at the
Marian Congress and at the Guadalupe Festival. “Her message today is
one that has as much importance and
meaning today as it did nearly 500
years ago.”
Our Lady of Guadalupe is honored
as the Empress of the Americas and devotion to her is widespread throughout
the hemisphere, and in a particular way
throughout Mexico and the Southwestern United States.
The lectures will focus on the meaning
of the message, some of the scientifically
inexplicable aspects of the image, and
the relevance of Our Lady of Guadalupe
in today’s world. Speakers include Dr.
Jose Aste Tonsmann from Peru, who has
done extensive studies of the reflections
in the image’s eyes; Rev. Msgr. Eduardo
Chavez, who oversaw the cause for
canonization of St. Juan Diego – the Indian to whom Our Lady of Guadalupe
appeared in December 1531; and other
experts on key elements of Our Lady of
Guadalupe and her message.
The Guadalupe Festival will feature
an afternoon of music, prayer and in-
spiration speeches. Appearing will be
best-selling author Imaculee Ilibagiza,
Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera of
Mexico City, Bishop Thomas Olmsted
of Phoenix. Special invited guest speakers include actor Eduardo Verastegui.
Performers at the festival will include
Irish singer Dana, a mariachi band and
matachin dancers.
A schedule and more information are
available at www.guadalupefestival.
org (KCNews)
Knights to join March for Life
MANY Knights and their families
are planning to take part in the 36th
annual March for Life in Washington,
D.C., which will take place Jan. 22, the
anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court
decision Roe v. Wade.
Each year the than 100,000 participants march from the National Mall
to the Supreme Court building. The
previous evening, pilgrims fill the
Basilica of the National Shrine of the
Immaculate Conception to celebrate
the Vigil for Life.
The Supreme Council, which financially supports the March for Life, will
be providing a newly designed sign
for participants to carry during this
year’s march. The new, two-color sign
features “We Choose Life,” along with
the Order’s emblem.
Others are encouraged to participate in the 5th annual Walk for Life
West Coast on Jan. 24 in San Francisco
or in any number of smaller marches
and walks for life organized around
the country. Knights will also be
sponsoring and participating in prolife prayer services and processions in
their own communities.
Meanwhile, Knights in Canada
are encouraged to organize pilgrimages to the 2009 March for Life in
Ottawa, which will take place May
14—marking 40 years since the House
of Commons adopted the “omnibus
bill” that liberalized restrictions on
such things as abortion, contraception
and homosexual activity. (KCNews)
The Cross
C4
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 2
January 19 - February 1, 2009
A man of God and true Knight!
IN celebration of the Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of
the Philippines, Inc. (KCFAPI) Golden Jubilee last year, the Association paid tribute to one of the pillars of the Order of the Knights of
Columbus in the Philippines, Msgr. Francisco G. Tantoco Jr., through
a testimonial dinner last December 18, 2008 at the Social Hall of
KCFAPI in Intramuros, Manila.
The occasion was attended by KCFAPI Board of Trustees and Officers led by Bro. Patrocinio R. Bacay, KCFAPI Chairman together
with the Luzon State Officers headed by Luzon Deputy Bro. Alonso
L. Tan.
The simple yet very touching and memorable testimonial dinner
started with an invocation by Msgr. Pedro C. Quitorio III who also
introduced the honoree during the later part of the program.
KCFAPI President, Bro. Antonio B. Borromeo gave a true-to-life
experience opening remarks being one of the active members of Capitol Council 3695 where Msgr. Tantoco served for almost five years
of his knighthood. Msgr. Quitorio also prepared a heart-warming
video presentation for the man of the hour.
Msgr. Jun, as he is fondly called, was initiated into the Order
through Capitol Council 3695 on March 29, 1957. After a 3-year stint
as Chief Squire of Circle No. 784 in Quezon City, he became the first
National Chairman for the Columbian Squires in the Philippines at
the youthful age of 18, a position he held from 1957 to 1964. At the
Knights of Columbus Supreme Convention in 1958, he was awarded
the “Special Service Citation” by then Supreme Knight Luke E. Hart
“in recognition of his deep interest, unswerving devotion to ideals,
and inspirational direction of the Columbian Squires”. Later, as a
priest, Bishop Jose Sorra appointed him as the National Director
of the Youth Committee which became the Episcopal Commission
on Youth Apostolate of the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the
Philippines.
In 1959, Msgr. Jun hold the distinction of being the youngest
Fourth Degree KC in the world and the first Filipino Columbian
graduate to receive such honors. Only 20 years old at that time, he
was granted special dispensation by then Supreme Master William
Mulligan for conferment of the degree rites. At the same year, he
obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering at the
Feati University.
Msgr. Jun was also the youngest Grand Knight recorded in the
KC 80 year-old history when he was elected as Grand Knight of
Gomburza Council No. 5310, Brixton Hills, Quezon City upon its
institution in June 12, 1962. Gomburza Council was then the only
“all-youth” Council in the Philippines and possibly in all the places
where the Knights of Columbus existed.
Under the tutelage of Bishop Godofredo P. Pedernal of the Diocese
of Borongan, he took up special studies in theology at the East Asian
Msgr. Francisco G. Tantoco, Jr.
Pastoral Institute. He was also given special seminary formation in
time for the reception of his minor orders of Tonsure, Porter, and
Lector. He was ordained priest for the Diocese of Borongan on December 27, 1969 at the Holy Redeemer Church in Quezon City.
Msgr. Jun was appointed National Secretary of the Order from 1968
to 1984 and National Treasurer from 1985 to 1986 during the time the
Order was under one jurisdiction. He also held the position of Executive
Secretary of the Knights of Columbus Community Services, Inc. (KCCSI)
for ten years, from 1964 to 1974. KCCSI, an affiliate of the Knights of
Columbus in the Philippines, handled projects for the social and economic improvement of both rural and urban communities.
He held more offices with the Knights of Columbus in varying
capacities. He would be sent as official delegate to a number of Supreme Council conventions and represent the Order in both local
and international gatherings.
Msgr. Jun also ministered to the faithful of Malagasang 1 and 2 in
Imus, Cavite and in Isla Puting Bato in North Harbor, Tondo, Manila. With Father Willmann, and later with Cardinal Sin, he guided
the Daughters of Mary Immaculate where he is still the National
Chaplain until today. He also became the National Chaplain of the
Catholic Youth Organization in the Philippines from 1977 to 1992.
On April 25, 1985, Msgr. Tantoco was incardinated to the Archdiocese of Manila and was appointed as the Executive Director of
Caritas Manila from 1986 to 2004. As the Executive Director, he
expanded his work not only in feeding the poor but in raising their
dignity as children of God. He worked for the collaborative efforts
even of international agencies to beef up resources for the poor. It
was during his stint that the Caritas Manila was awarded Ora et
Labora Award by the San Beda College in 2003.
Presently, he holds the following offices: Vicar General and Moderator Curiae; Member of the Archdiocesan Finance Board; Member
of RCAM Priests’ Pension Plan Committee; Vice-Chairman of Hospicio de San Jose; Member of the Board of Consultors and Member
of the Presbyteral Council.
Though he has been active in both church based organizations
and non-government organizations, there is only one thing that is
a trademark of Msgr. Jun, his passion to help the poor. Msgr. Jun is
truly a living example of being a true knight and a man of God. We
are indeed proud of him! (Gari San Sebastian & Denise Solina)
Meet the New BC Holders’
Relations (BRO) Manager:
Mr. Levi Clyde R.
Almalvez
MR. Almalvez joined our Association
last July 1, 2008. He has successfully
completed his probation and is now officially the new BRO Manager effective
January 1, 2009. As BRO Manager, he
oversees the department with its two
(2) sections: the BRO Claims & Benefits which cover benefits and claims
administration and the BRO Conservation & Support which processes
amendment, reinstatement, deposits
and surrenders.
Levi, as he is commonly called, is 45
years old, married with two daughters
and a graduate of the University of the East with a bachelor’s degree in Political
Science. He brings with him 23 years of life insurance experience, which he acquired
from a commercial life insurance company where he last worked as a Regional
Administration Manager for South Luzon and Bicol regions. His work entailed
underwriting, policy services and benefits administration, claims processing, office
administration of five district offices and coordination with the sales force.
Fraternal Benefits Group
Schedule of Activities:
January 16-17, 2009
Luzon Area Managers Planning Conference
Holiday Inn, Clark Field
January 20-21, 2009
Fraternal Service Training (Luzon)
City State Tower Hotel, Manila
January 23-24, 2009
Visayas and Mindanao Area Managers Planning Conference
Golden Prince Hotel, Cebu City
February 6-7, 2009
Fraternal Service Training (VisMin)
Venue to be announced
March 6-8, 2009
Fr. Willmann Annual Family Service Awards
Cebu City
March 24-25, 2009
Fraternal Service Training (Luzon)
Home Office, Intramuros
April 23-24, 2009
Fraternal Benefits Convention
Venue to be announced
Young residents of Senden Home Foundation pose with some employees of KCFAPI who organized the Paskong KCya.