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Monitor

20.

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CBCP

VOLUME 19
NUMBER 10

May 11-24, 2015

PROTAGONIST OF TRUTH, PROMOTER OF PEACE

CBCPMONITOR.COM

Missionaries sound
alarm on palm oil
plantations
FARMERS, indigenous peoples, and the environment are
in trouble if unbridled expansion of oil palm plantations is
allowed in Mindanao, says an
organization of Catholic missionaries.
The Rural Missionaries of
the Philippines-Northern Mindanao Sub-Region issued the
call for better engagement by
government leaders, companies
and stakeholders as oil palm
development swells.
They are particularly concerned about how peoples
access to food and land ownership has been undermined
by massive crop and land use
conversion from staple food
production to oil palm.
Thirty years of the palm

CBCPMONITOR@CBCPWORLD.NET

PH Catholics join Pope in fight

vs. indifference, secularism
By Raymond A. Sebastin

FILIPINO Catholics
lauded the timeliness
of Pope Francis prayer
intentions for May,
expressing optimism
that these will rally all
Christians worldwide,
with the help of Mary,
to be one with the less
fortunate in a world becoming numbed to the
pains of others.

Plantations, A7

The Holy Fathers [universal]

prayer intention is just what the
world needs now, especially here
in the Philippines where many
suffer because of corruption and
the culture of indifference, said
Fr. Joel Saballa of the Immaculate
Conception Parish in Novaliches,
Quezon City.
Quoting John 12:26, the missionary invited all the faithful to
step out of their comfort zones
in order to look closely at the
situation of their poor brothers
and sisters, and do what they can
for them.

WHATS INSIDE
The many names of
God and the blessing of
peace, B1

Pope Francis celebrates Mass for the opening of the 20th general assembly of Caritas Internationalis in St. Peters Basilica on May 12, 2015. Caritas will elect its new president
on May 14 and the candidates are: Archbishop Youssef Soueif, president of Caritas Cyprus and Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle who has reportedly emerged the
stronger choice to head the global confederation of Catholic charities. Daniel Ibanez/CNA

Experts: BBL may pass with

risky transition period
THE Moro Islamic Liberation Front may face some
difficulties with the projected
transition period for the Basic
Bangsamoro Law (BBL), which
lasts for a year because it has
to solidify its mass base into a
political party in preparation
for the 2016 elections.
This was the observation of
Cotabato Archbishop Orlando
B. Quevedo, OMI and for-

mer ConCom Commissioner

Christian Monsod. The latter
added the MILF should be
trained as managers because
they have been trained as warriors.
The lawyer said time is
running out to pass the BBL
because even the Commission
on Elections (Comelec) said
the passage of the law and a
plebescite will have to happen

within 120 days.

Granted it be passed by
June and some constitutional
issues be resolved by end July,
then a plebiscite by October
and the transition period of
one year will not be there,
Monsod said.
They need a longer transition period, Quevedo stressed.
He explained due to limited
time, the MILF will have

Follow, serve Christ

The verse reads: Whoever
serves me must follow me; and

Fight, A5

Churchs anti-crook drive seeks

end to vote trade

to undergo crash courses on

management.
Asked if President Aquinos
convincing power would be
enough to win over enough legislators to pass the BBL, Monsod said he cannot answer such
because it is question of politics
within the majority coalition
and also in plenary even the
thinking and interest of the
BBL, A6

Mindoro folk seek bishops support vs. Intex mining

A GROUP of Mangyans and farmers are
seeking support from the Catholic Bishops
Conference of the Philippines to oppose a
nickel mining project in Mindoro.
The Kaisahan ng mga Mindoreo Laban
sa Dayuhan at Dambulang Pagmimina
(Kalasmina) particularly ask the bishops
to help gather signatures in support of a
petition against the operations of the Intex
Resources.
We hope for the active support [of the
CBCP] so that our cause will win, said Ian
delos Santos, Kalasmina spokesperson, in
a letter to CBCP.
Kalasmina has recently launched a
signature campaign in support of the petition to be presented to the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources and
to the House of Representatives.
We actively protest the operation of
Intex because of its wide coverage, over 4
towns and 2 provinces that cause destruction of lives and livelihood of local communities and farmers, he said in Filipino.
(CBCPNews)

The Archdiocese of Manila (RCAM)s Huwag Kang Magnakaw campaign HUWAG KANG MAGNAKAW FACEBOOK PAGE

S TA RT I N G o u t a s a
campaign against syst e m i c t h i e v e r y, t h e
Archdiocese of Manila
(RCAM)s Huwag Kang
Magnakaw has recently
included in its mission
the task of fighting vote-

buying and -selling in

the countr y ahead of
the forthcoming 2016
elections, urging every
Filipino to stop trading
their votes at the expense
of their future.
Together with Radio

Veritas, Adamson University, the Association

of Major Religious Superiors of the Philippines
(AMRSP), the Diocese
of Balanga, the Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto
Anti-crook, A6

Cardinal Tagle will be a great asset

for Caritas
Some of the effects of mining on the environment include erosion, the formation of sinkholes, loss of
biodiversity, and the chemical contamination of soil, groundwater, surface water. File photo

Tagles reminder: Santacruzan all about Cross, not clothes

WHILE Santacruzan
these days, like other May
festivities, conjure up images of glitz and glamor,
of the prettiest barrio
lasses in gowns worthy of
Imelda, the capitals chief
shepherd stressed this
should not be the case,
and called on would-be
participants and spectators to focus on what the
event really is about: the
Holy Cross.
Cross-centered
In a recent interview
over Church-run Radio
Veritas, Manila Archbishop Lus Antonio G.
Cardinal Tagle urged the
faithful to ensure the

solemnity of this otherwise wholesome and

commendable Catholic
tradition by not allowing it to devolve into
what he called a mere
fashion show stripped
of its religious and historical significance, and
to recapture its Crosscentered message.
It is not a fashion
show. It invites us to reflect on the Cross, and
how through it, Jesus
Christ made our salvation
possible, he explained.
Helena and Constantine
According to Tagle,
Santacruzan is a delightSantacruzan, A6

Archbishop Luis Antonio G. Tagle of Manila CNA

MANILA Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle will be a great asset if elected
president of Caritas Internationalis, a
priest said.
Fr. Edu Gariguez, executive secretary
of Caritas Filipinas, said Tagle has all it
takes to lead the confederation of Catholic relief, development and social services
organizations worldwide.
I think he represents the values and

qualities that are important to lead Caritas

organizations globally being in Asia and
from one of the poor and developing
countries because Caritas is about working
for the poor, Gariguez said.
Good combination
He said what is good about Caritas
involvement in the Philippines is its focus
Caritas, A6

A2 WORLD NEWS

Pope: Spare no effort in defending life, family

In his meeting with the bishops from Mozambique, a southeast

African nation, Pope Francis urged support for public policies that
promote the family and protect human life. Spare no efforts in
supporting the family and in the defense of life from conception
to natural death, he said May 9 in the Vatican. In this sense,
remember the options appropriate to one of Christs disciples
and the beauty of being a mother, accompanied by the support
of the family and the local community. The family must always
be defended as the main source of fraternity, respect for others
and the primary path of peace. (CNA)

Dates of Popes Cuba trip announced: Sept. 19-22

Pope Francis historic trip to Cuba will take place Sept. 19-22,
the Catholic Bishops Conference of Cuba has announced on May
11, a day after Pope Francis met privately with Cuban president
Raul Castro at the Vatican. Castro said after the meeting that he
will start praying again and return to the Church if the Pope
continues what he has been doing. News of the Popes visit to
Cubawhich will take place directly before he travels to the
United Stateshad been confirmed by Vatican spokesman Fr.
Federico Lombardi S.J. April 22. Pope Francis will be the third
consecutive Pope to visit the Caribbean island: St. John Paul II
did so in 1998, and Pope Benedict XVI in 2012. (CNA)

Synod will endorse Church teaching on family Cardinal Pell

Cardinal George Pell, prefect of the Vaticans Secretariat for the

Economy, spoke this weekend on issues surrounding the family
and the upcoming Synod of Bishops, saying the synod is unable to
change Church teaching. Church teaching, he said, referencing papal
documents such as those of St. John Paul II on marriage and family
cant be abdicated, (because) its based on the teachings of Christ.
Christ is very clear about divorce, very clear about adultery; and not
quite as important, but still very important, St. Paul is explicit about
the conditions that are required for proper reception of communion.
When it comes to Octobers Synod of Bishops on the Family, the
cardinal said he expects the synod will massively endorse the tradition of the Churchs teachings on these issues. (CNA)

Virginia bishops on the death penalty:

Were having the wrong debate
RICHMOND, Va., May 9, 2015As discussions surrounding a more humane death
penalty in the United States continue, the two
Catholic bishops of Virginia have released a
statement asking the faithful to take a stance
against the use of capital punishment in todays
society.
By ending the use of the death penalty
we would take one important stepamong
significant others we must taketo abandon
the culture of death and embrace the culture
of life, Bishops Paul S. Loverde of Arlington
and Francis X. DiLorenzo of Richmond said
in a May 6 statement released by the Virginia
Catholic Conference.
Their statement comes after the Supreme
Court recently heard arguments in a case challenging Oklahomas use of drugs for lethal injection as a violation of the Constitutions ban on
cruel and unusual punishment.
Several states have also been discussing means
of execution for death row inmates. Last year,
the Virginia General Assembly considered legislation that would have allowed pharmacies to
create drugs used for lethal injections without

disclosure to the public. Another measure

proposed that if lethal drugs were not available, death row inmates would be executed by
electrocution instead.
To these issues, the bishops responded, We
should no longer debate which inmates we
execute or how we execute them. Instead, we
should debate this: If all human lives are sacred
and if a civilized society such as ours can seek
redress and protect itself by means other than
taking a human life, why are we continuing to
execute people?
They went on to reference Pope Francis
March letter to Federico Mayor, president
of the International Commission against the
Death Penalty, in which the Pope strongly
spoke out against capital punishment, saying that there is no humane way of killing
another person.
Let us not choose whether to use lethal
drugs, electric chairs, gas chambers, or firing
squads. Let us take the more courageous step
and choose life instead, even when it seems
unlovable, the bishops wrote in response to
Pope Francis comments.

The belief that the poor and vulnerable have

the first claim on our consciences, the bishops
said, is seen in our opposition to abortion and
euthanasia, and in our responsibility to welcome
immigrants and refugees.
But our faith also challenges us to declare
sacred even the least lovable among us, those
convicted of committing brutal crimes which
have brought them the ultimate penalty, the
penalty of death.
The Virginia bishops quoted a 2005 U.S.
Bishops statement on the matter saying that,
No matter how heinous the crime, if society
can protect itself without ending a human life,
it should do so.
Bishops Loverde and DiLorenzo acknowledged that this teaching challenges many
people, including ourselves, especially in light
of the violent crimes for which those on death
row have been sentenced.
However, they emphasized, The death penalty does not provide true healing for those who
mourn, nor does it embody the Gospel of Life,
which each of us is called to affirm even in the
most difficult circumstances. (CNA)

Prayer breakfast speakers urge supplication for

religious liberty, family

Fr Gustavo Gutierrez: the poor are the starting point of

liberation theology

Attention to the poor was the point of departure for liberation theology claimed Fr. Gustavo Gutierrez Merino, widely acknowledged
as the founder of the movement, in a May 8 article in the Vaticans
newspaper. Fr. Gutierrez underscored that this attention to the poor
came from what liberation theologians experienced in their own
lives and lands. We referred to the poor as non-persons, but not in
philosophical sense, because it is obvious that each human being is a
person, rather in a sociological sense; the poor, that is, are not accepted
as persons in our society. They are invisible and have not rights, their
dignity is not recognized, the Peruvian theologian wrote. (CNA)

Want to help families? Evangelize them, Pope says

Speaking to the bishops from the Republic of the Congo, Pope

Francis encouraged them in their ministry to families, urging the
need for evangelization of peoples and cultures alongside inculturation. Mentioning the importance of forming the laity for their
apostolate in the socio-political sphere, Pope Francis said May 4
in the Vatican that family pastoral ministry is an integral part of
this accompaniment. The reluctance of the faithful to embark on
Christian marriage reveals the need for profound evangelization,
which involves not only the inculturation of faith, but also the
evangelization of local traditions and culture. (CNA)

Vatican approves statutes for papal commission for protecting minors

The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors received

temporary approval of its first set of statutes. US Cardinal Sean
OMalley of Bostonone of the popes top cardinal advisers and
president of the pontifical commission, had submitted a draft of
the statutes, which were approved by mandate of the supreme
pontiff April 21 by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of
state. The Vatican released a copy of the approved statutes May 8.
Their approval is good for three years. The four-page document
outlines the structure, nature, activity and goals of the commission, which Pope Francis established in December 2013. (CNS)

Pope: Marriage is brave promise to love like Jesus,

not showy ceremony

A Christian marriage isnt just a big ceremony held in a church

with nice flowers and everyone wearing fancy clothes and taking
lots of pictures, Pope Francis said. Marriage is an act of faith
between a man and woman who are both fragile and limited, but
courageous enough to follow Christ and seek to love each other as
he loves them, the pope said May 6 during his general audience
in St. Peters Square. Men and women, courageous enough to
carry this treasure in the earthen vessels of our humanity are an
essential resource for the church and for the whole world, he
said. May God bless them a thousand times for this! (CNS)

Pope tells Swiss Guard soldiers to arm themselves with

Gospel, rosary

Wearing armor and carrying medieval-era weaponryhalberds

and swordsis not enough. Pope Francis told Swiss Guards
that they should always be armed with a pocket-edition of the
Gospel and a rosary. In addition to serving and protecting the
pope, a Swiss Guard is a Christian with genuine faith, he told
members of the corps May 4. Living that faith means receiving
the sacraments by attending Mass regularly, going to confession
frequently, but also reading the Gospel daily, he said. The thing
I say to everyone, Ill also say to you: always have on hand a small
Gospel to read as soon as you have a quiet moment. (CNS)

UN head looks to religions for moral leadership on climate change

Promoting sustainable development and mitigating climate change

will take more than just global policies and agreements, it will
also take a strong, unified stance from the worlds religions, the
secretary-general of the United Nations said at the Vatican. To have
development without destruction and to transform our economies,
however, we must first transform our thinking, and our values. In
this, the worlds religions can provide valuable leadership, U.N.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told religious leaders, scientists and
scholars. If ever there were an issue that requires unity of purpose
among governments, private businesses, civil society and faith-based
groups, it is climate change, he said, giving the opening address
at a Vatican-sponsored workshop April 28. (CNS)

Peace is handcrafted with forgiveness, respect, justice, pope says

Peace takes hard work and must be built one person at a time
working each day by forgiving others, ending injustice and stopping greed, Pope Francis told elementary school children. People
also have to do more to stop condemning those who have made
serious mistakes and instead help those who are incarcerated,
especially juveniles, to start over and return to society, he said.
Its easier to fill prisons than help them learn how to make better choices in life, Pope Francis said May 11 during a one-hour
encounter with thousands of children, parents and educators taking part in an Italian initiative called The Peace Factory. (CNS)

CBCP Monitor

WASHINGTON D.C., May 7,

2015Prayer is sorely needed as
existential threats face faith, the
family, and religious liberty in the
U.S., Catholic leaders insisted at a
prayer breakfast held in the nations
capital on Thursday.
The crisis of marriage and
family today cannot be separated
from a crisis of faith and a crisis of
meaning. And so we must pray for
our nation and for our families,
said Bishop Richard Malone of
Buffalo at the National Catholic
Prayer Breakfast in Washington,
D.C. on May 7.
The prayer breakfast has taken
place each year in Washington,
D.C. since 2004. Catholic leaders
in business and politics, as well
as bishops, priests, and religious
attend. Attendance at the 2015

breakfast was estimated at over

1,000. Past speakers have included
President George W. Bush, Sean
Cardinal OMalley of Boston,
and Archbishop William Lori of
Baltimore.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R)
joined Bishop Malone in addressing the crowd about the need for
prayer, as challenges are presented
to religious liberty and the family
in todays crisis of faith, as Bishop
Malone said.
Abbott, a Catholic, shared his
deeply personal story of a horrific
accident that left him confined
to a wheelchair as an adult. He
prayed that God would grant him
the best possible outcome. God
answered his prayers, but not in the
manner he expected.
[God] responded by giving me

challenges that made me stronger,

Abbott said. I learned, as it turned
out, that faith doesnt mean trusting God to stop the storm. Instead
it means trusting him to strengthen
us as we pass through the storm.
In the same way, the Church in
the U.S. must pray for strength to
weather the storm that threatens
its ability to practice the faith in
public, he said.
In America today, we are in
a time of great need. There is an
urgent need to pray, now more
than ever, especially the need to
pray for our religious liberties,
he insisted, citing the contraception mandate, legalized abortion,
and the push for acceptance of
same-sex marriage.
We see these assaults of faith
continue across the entire country.

We see this with the Catholic Little

Sisters of the Poor being forced to
choose between a law being imposed upon them by their government or instead choose to follow
the law of their Lord, he said,
referring to an ongoing lawsuit
between the nuns and the federal
government over their being forced
to violate their consciences and
provide their employees coverage of
contraceptives, sterilizations, and
abortions through a third party.
Yet through prayer there is
hope, he added, quoting Pope
Francis and exhorting the faithful
to prayer.
I have found that there is no
force as indomitable, as formidable, as prayer to almighty God.
And as Pope Francis has said, and
I quote, To not pray is to close
the door to God so that he can do
nothing. He went on and said that
On the other hand, in the face of
a problem, a difficult situation, a
calamity, is opening the door to
the Lord so that he can come in.
The family also faces a crisis
of faith, Bishop Malone insisted.
Recent Popes have connected this
crisis of faith with a crisis of the
family, he added, noting that faith
and family are interwoven.
The family needs to be reawakened and supported in its vocation
and its mission, he said, noting
that young Catholics need to be
taught to pray in order to be goods
husbands and wives as adults.
He also noted the importance of
a close accompaniment that encourages baptized married couples
to rely on the grace received in the
sacrament and that demonstrates
the Churchs great affection and
esteem for the vocation of marriage. (CNA)

Bishop goes to 21-kilometer pilgrimage-on-foot to celebrate

67 years of the Diocese of Daejeon
DAEJEON, South Korea, May 9, 2015For
Mgr Lazzaro You Heung-sik (pictured with
Pope Francis), bishop of Daejeon and president of the Episcopal Commission for Justice
and Peace, a 21-kilometre pilgrimage on foot
provided the opportunity to thank the Korean
martyrs for the blessings they gave the diocese of
Daejeon. Sixty-seven years after its creation, we
can celebrate given the large number of priests
and faithful we have today. All this is due to
their sacrifice.
The official birthday is 8 May. When it
was created, in 1948, this diocese had a foreign

bishop, three Korean and 15 French priests and

18,000 Catholics.
During the Korean Civil War [1950-1953],
out of the 24 priests we had we lost ten: one
Korean and nine French missionaries, all killed
by the Communists.
The sacrifice made by these martyrs and all
those who preceded them during the persecutions under the Empire of Korea have produced
great results.
Today there are 300,000 Catholics in Daejeon, 306 Korean priests and about a thousand
religious. Initially, there were 13 parishes. Now

there are 134.

In addition to the great Mass in the cathedral,
Mgr You led the faithful last Wednesday on a
pilgrimage to the places of the martyrs.
On the occasion of the 31st anniversary of
their canonisation, we wanted to thank them
for everything they have done, he said. The
pilgrimage lasted 21 kilometres, and no one had
their mobile turned on.
I reminded the faithful that it is thanks
to them that the Church has grown and that
popes have come to Korea. I encouraged them
to follow their example of holiness. (AsiaNews)

Card Cleemis reiterates Indian Churchs service to Nepal earthquake victims

NEW DELHI, India, May
8, 2015Card Mar Baselios
Cleemis Thottunkal, president of the Catholic Bishops
Conference of India (CBCI),
issued an appeal On behalf
of the Catholic Church of
India.
Expressing solidarity and
support for quake victims
in Nepal, he made a plea to
the conscience of the bishops, priests, and men and
women religious to encourage the community of the
faithful, public institutions
and people of good will to
make voluntary contributions to this humanitarian
emergency.
For several days, Caritas
India has been on the ground,
involved in rescue and recovery. The Indian Catholic
Church was among the first
to express its solidarity to
the people of Nepal, offering
prayers and condolences to all
those who lost loved ones and
property to the quake.

The 25 April earthquake is

considered the worst in recent
Nepali history. Some estimate
that the death toll could top
10,000.
In the days after the earthquake, which registered a
magnitude of 7.9, a series of
aftershocks repeatedly hit the
country, causing terrors and
panic in the population.
The worst damages and
losses were recorded in this
phase. Many ancient monuments and holy sites were
razed to the ground.
Now rain has made recovery operations more difficult,
raising fears of disease and
outbreaks.
More than ten days after
the quake, many people are
still living out in the open, not
even a tent over their heads.
Drinking water is also in
short supply and there is rising concern about the impact
of possible epidemics on the
most vulnerable, especially
children. (AsiaNews)

ASIANEWS.IT

Vatican Briefing

May 11-24, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 10

CBCP Monitor

NEWS FEATURES A3

May 11-24, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 10

Pope: Marriage is brave promise to love like

Jesus, not showy ceremony
VATICAN City, May 6, 2015A Christian marriage isnt just a big ceremony held
in a church with nice flowers and everyone
wearing fancy clothes and taking lots of
pictures, Pope Francis said.
Marriage is an act of faith between a
man and woman who are both fragile
and limited, but courageous enough to
follow Christ and seek to love each other
as he loves them, the pope said May 6
during his general audience in St. Peters
Square.
Men and women, courageous enough
to carry this treasure in the earthen vessels
of our humanity, are an essential resource
for the church and for the whole world,
he said. May God bless them a thousand
times for this!
The pope continued a series of talks
about the family by focusing on the beauty
of Christian marriage as a sacrament that
builds up the church and the world.
A Christian marriage is not simply a
ceremony that you have in church with
flowers, the dress, photos. Christian marriage is a sacrament that takes place in the

church and is also something the church

does, ushering in a new domestic community, he said.
All Christians are called to love each
other like Christ loves them, and to be at
the service of each other, he said. But the
love between husband and wife is given
greater, even unthinkable, dignity when
St. Paul says the love between a husband
and wife reflects the love between Christ
and his church, the pope said.
Just as Christ loves his church, every
husband, too, must love his wife and give
himself completely for her, he said.
Looking up from his text, the pope
asked all of the married men in the
crowd if they fully grasped what was
being asked of them. Such responsibility and a commitment to offer so much
love and dignity to a woman is no
joke, you know; its serious, he said
to applause.
While the analogy between husbandwife and Christ-church may be imperfect,
he said, its spiritual significance is revolutionary, and simple at the same time, and

within the means of every man and woman

who trust in Gods grace.
This love has been inscribed by God in
the human creature, and with Christs
grace, countless Christian couples, even
with their limits, their sins, have achieved
it, the pope said.
The selfless, reciprocal, fruitful and
indissoluble union between a man and a
woman is part of Gods original plan and
the sacrament of marriage is a great act of
faith and of love, he said.
Marriage gives witness to the courage
to believe in the beauty of the creative act
of God and to live that love that drives one
to always go beyond, beyond oneself and
beyond ones own family, he said.
The Christian vocation to love without
reserve and without measure is what, with
Christs grace, is at the foundation of the
free consent that constitutes marriage,
the pope said.
The pope said the church is intimately
bound up in every Christian marriage and
it is edified with each unions successes
and suffers with every failure.

But we must ask ourselves in all seriousness: Do we fully acceptwe as faithful

and pastors, toothis indissoluble connection between the relationship of Christ
and the church with the relationship of
marriage and the human family? Are we
willing to seriously take on this responsibility? That is, that every marriage takes the
path of the love Christ has for the church?
This is something huge.
Such a path takes courage, and that is
why whenever I greet newlyweds, I say,
Look, the courageous ones! Because you
need courage to love each other as Christ
loves the church, he said to applause.
At the end of the audience, the pope
noted May 8 marked the 70th anniversary
of the end of World War II in Europe.
He said he hoped humanity would
learn from past mistakes.
Given the current conflicts that are
tearing apart certain parts of the world,
the pope asked all leaders to commit themselves to seeking the common good and
promoting a culture of peace.
Among the tens of thousands of faithful

Statutes for Vatican commission on

protection of minors released

Whats unprecedented about

Pope Francis Year for Mercy

JEANNE TRISHA REMIGIO

VATICAN City, May 8, 2015

After meeting for the first time
as a complete entity in February,
the Vatican Commission for the
Protection of Minors has published
their formal statutes, effective for
three years.
The effective protection of minors and a commitment to ensure
their human and spiritual developmentare integral parts of the
Gospel message that the Church
and all members of the faithful
are called to spread throughout
the world, the Pope said in his
chirograph for the commission.
Dated March 22, 2014, the
chirograph is the official papal
document which established the
foundation of the commission. It
was published May 8 along with
the statutes.
The statutes were approved by
Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal
Pietro Parolin April 21 by mandate
of Pope Francis. They were published in the original Italian and
in English.
Effective ad experimentum,
meaning to the test for three
years, the statutes serve as temporary, yet formal acting guidelines
for the commission.
Once the three years is up, modifications can be made before setting
the permanent guidelines, which
will be approved by the Pope.
Announced in December 2013,
the commission is currently headed
by Cardinal Sean P. OMalley of
Boston, while Boston priest Mons.
Robert Oliver serves as its secretary.
Established by Pope Francis last
March in order to explore various
proposals and initiatives geared
toward the improvement of norms
and procedures for protecting
children and vulnerable adults, the
commission met for the first time
with all of its members Feb. 6-8 in
the Vatican.

Composed of a maximum number of 18 members, the commission is described in the statutes

as an autonomous institution
attached to the Holy See and an
advisory body to the Holy Father
with public judiciary rights.
With the protection of minors
as a topic of paramount importance, the statutes emphasize
that the purpose of the commission is to propose initiatives to
the Pope which promote local
responsibility in dioceses and
for the protection of minors and
vulnerable adults.
In his chirograph, the Pope
noted how there have been many
painful actions that have caused
the entire Catholic Church to do
a very critical examination of conscience, which has included asking
victims and society for forgiveness
due to the harm these actions has
caused.
The commission, he said, is a
response to these actions and marks
the firm beginning for initiatives

of many different types, which are

intended to repair the damage, to
attain justice and to prevent, by
all means possible, the recurrence
of similar incidents in the future.
Made up of a president, secretary
and various officials, commission
members dont need to be Catholic,
but must be persons of recognized
competence in the protection of
minors.
All members must be appointed
by the Pope, and will serve in three
year terms, which can be renewed
when term comes to an end.
Members of the commission
are divided into various working
groups. Once the group finishes
their area of study and issues a
proposal, they move on to a different topic.
Proposals must be approved by
two thirds of the commission before they are presented to the Holy
Father. It not approved, the group
will continue to study and redraft
the proposal.
Each group is to have modera-

tor appointed by the commissions

president, and each moderator is
to choose 3 collaborators to assist
in the topic being studied.
Various working groups have
already been established within
the commission. As of February,
groups addressing the needs and
care of abuse survivors and bishops
accountability had already met.
Confidentiality regarding reports or information received in
the course of the commissions
work was also addressed in the
statutes.
Pope Francis stressed in his
chirograph that he relies on the
commissions members for the
effective protection of minors and
vulnerable adults, regardless of
religion they profess, because they
are the little ones on whom the
Lord looks with love.
To my collaborators in this
work, I ask for all efforts possible
to assist me in responding to these
needs of these little ones, he said.
(Elise Harris/ CNA/EWTN News)

Tagle warns traders of political contributions

MANILA, May 4, 2015Manila Archbishop
Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle warned businessmen of making political donations for their
personal gains.
With only a year to go before the 2016 polls, he
said many traders would attempt to buy influence
with political contributions.
Please dont tell me it is altruistic. It is giving
so I could get something in return, Tagle said. In
fact, some give and the giving violate the dignity
of the recipient.
The cardinal made the statement at the annual
business forum on corruption of the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals
(BCBP) on May 2 in Pasay City.
In his talk Rallying Christians toward morally
upright inclusive growth, Tagle reminded business leaders to prioritize human dignity.
The ethics of looking at others not in a
condescending manner (but) seeing in others
a neighbor, brother and sister, not simply as a

client, not simply as a beggar who clings to my

benevolence, he said.
Tagle also called on the businessmen to include
the poor Filipinos in their growth and development plan.
He also said that businessmen should initiate
person to person encounter with the marginalized sector and realized they are just like us with
feelings, dreams and heartaches but with a lot of
goodness.
Its not just a matter of giving them something
but also learning from them. They possess wisdom
that could make the country and our businesses
grow, the cardinal said.
If they are not included and not heard, I dont
know what type of growth and for whom that
growth is being proposed, he also said.
Tagle added: Let not inclusive growth be a
lofty idea. We are talking about human beings. It
is human encounters that we get human insights
from inclusive growth. (CBCPNews)

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle

FILE PHOTO

More transparency sought under new Comelec leadership

MANILA, May 5, 2015With
the appointment of new poll
chief, a Catholic bishop is calling
on the Commission on Elections
(Comelec) to be more transparent
in its capability to hold automated
elections next year.
Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo said he has high
hopes that under new Comelec
chair Andy Bautista, the poll body
will strictly implement the law
on the automated election system
(AES).
I hope he will meet my expectations that the Comelec will be

more transparent and will follow

the AES law, said Pabillo, who
chairs the CBCPs Committee on
Public Affairs.
The bishop is among vocal critics
of the Comelec, especially in its
conduct of the previous automated
elections.
He was also one of the signatories of a protest letter to the
Comelec, criticizing the agencys
Php 268.8-million extended
warranty contract given to Smartmatic.
The controversial deal for the
diagnostics, repair and refurbish-

ment of the precinct count optical

scan (PCOS) machines was nullified by the Supreme Court (SC) in
February 2015.
Fr. Jerome Secillano, executive
secretary of the CBCP Public Affairs Committee, also expressed
confidence in the new Comelec
chief.
The priest said Bautista did
well as head of the Presidential
Commission on Good Governance
(PCGG).
Appointing him at Comelec is
a good choice, Secillano said. Im
hoping that he will do the same in

present in St. Peters Square was a large

group of Chinese Catholics from the
Diocese of Wenzhou.
The pope met with them before the start
of the audience after he gave indications
to Vatican security to deviate the popemobiles usual route through the square and
head to where the group was standing,
sending a few undercover Swiss Guards
scurrying when the vehicle did not take
its expected turn.
The pope descended from the popemobile to greet members of the large and
enthusiastic group of pilgrims who waved
Chinese and Vatican flags. They vigorously
shook the popes hands or grabbed at him
while he smiled and blessed a few babies.
Also in the audience was a uniformed
delegation from the Harlem Globetrotters
basketball team.
The Globetrotters performed for Pope
Pius XII in 1951, St. John XXIII in 1959
and Pope Paul VI in 1968. They met St.
John Paul II a number of times and even
awarded him honorary player in 2000.
(Carol Glatz/Catholic News Service)

his new office.

Upon his appointment as Comelec chief, Bautista is also serving
as board member of the Parish
Pastoral Council for Responsible
Voting (PPCRV).
Amid the many controversies
surrounding the Comelec, he
added that Bautista has the wherewithal to lead the poll body.
This is the biggest challenge
to date to alter public perception by ensuring the credibility
of the forthcoming elections,
Secillano said. (Roy Lagarde/
CBCPNews)

VATICAN City, May 8, 2015

In tune with his knack for making history, Pope Francis Year
for Mercy will include things
no other jubilee has: worldwide
missionaries of mercy, and
holy doors in every diocese for
pilgrims to walk through.
For the first time in the
history of the Jubilee tradition,
there will be an opportunity
for individual dioceses to open
a Holy Doorthe Door of
Mercy, Archbishop Rino Fisichella said May 5.
Each of the four major basilicas in Rome has a holy door,
which are normally sealed shut
from the inside so that they
cannot be opened. The doors
are only opened during jubilee
years so that pilgrims can enter
through them in order to gain
the plenary indulgence that is
connected with the jubilee.
The rite of the opening of
the Holy Door is intended to
symbolically illustrate the idea
that the Churchs faithful are
offered an extraordinary path
toward salvation during the time
of jubilee.
As part of the Holy Year
for Mercy, holy doors will for
the first time be designated in
dioceses. Their location, the
archbishop said, will be either
in the cathedral or in a church
of special significance or a shrine
of particular importance for
pilgrimages.
Head of the Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization,
which is in charge of organizing
the Jubilee for Mercy, Archbishop
Fisichella spoke with journalists
at the presentation of the logo
and calendar of the Holy Year.
The jubilee was announced by
Pope Francis during a March 13
penitential service, the second
anniversary of his papal election. It will open Dec. 8the
Solemnity of the Immaculate
Conceptionand will close
Nov. 20, 2016, the Solemnity
of Christ the King.
At the official proclamation
of the jubilee during Vespers on
the vigil of Divine Mercy Sunday, the papal bull of indiction,
Misericordiae Vultus, or The
Face of Mercy, was presented.
The term papal bull refers
to an official papal document
of special importance. The
papal bull of indiction refers
to a document presented when
something major is announced,
such as a jubilee, and is a fundamental document detailing the
intentions and outcomes hoped
for by the Pope.
In the papal bull for the Jubilee
on Mercy, it was noted that the
diocesan opening of the Door for
Mercy is a sign that the jubilee is
not limited to Rome, but extends
to local Churches around the
world as a visible sign of the
Churchs universal communion.
Archbishop Fisichella said
that the idea of the doors on a
local level is intended to be a
sign of the pilgrimage that is
done, and the sign of receiving
the indulgence.
The indulgence is the characteristic of the jubilee, he said,
so the doors will allow all those
who cannot come to Rome and
who are living the jubilee in their
dioceses to be able to have, also
on the level of the expressive sign
in their pilgrimage, the receiving
of the indulgence in passing
through the Holy Door.
The Holy Doors in Rome

major basilicas will be open

throughout the Year for Mercy,
beginning with St. Peters on
Dec. 8, when the jubilee will
officially begin.
St. John Laterans door will
open Dec. 13, St. Mary Majors
Jan. 1, 2016, while that of St.
Paul Outside the Walls will open
Jan. 26, 2016.
A special path leading toward
the Holy Door in St. Peters
will be marked out for pilgrims
traveling to Rome during the
jubilee year, so that they may
pass through it and obtain the
indulgence.
Another novelty Pope Francis
has included in his jubilee are
the Missionaries of Mercy,
who will receive a special mandate from the Pope during the
Ash Wednesday Mass in St.
Peters Basilica in 2016 before
going out to dioceses around the
world as ambassadors of mercy.
The idea of the missionaries,
Archbishop Fisichella noted,
is to build upon the central
content of the faith and to call
the Church once again to its
missionary priority of being a
sign and witness in every aspect
of its pastoral life.
The priests selected as missionaries will be chosen jointly
by diocesan bishops and members of the pontifical council
for evangelization, he said. The
priests must be also patient and
have a keen understanding of
human frailty, but also a readiness to express Gods mercy in
the sacrament of Confession.
He said bishops emeritus are
being considered due to their
years of experience and ability
to anticipate the needs of others.
Although the reference to
the Missionaries of Mercy in
the papal bull of indiction gave
special emphasis to their role
during Lent, the archbishop said
they would be available for the
entire jubilee.
Pope Francis himself is set
to make five jubilee signs as
a witness of the corporal and
spiritual works of mercy on
designated days throughout the
Holy Year. Although the dates
of the Popes works are given
in the official calendar, it has
not been announced what the
works will be.
One possible idea, the archbishop said, is to have a Mass
with prisoners inside St. Peters
Basilica so that they can participate in the jubilee not just from
their cells, but together with
the Church. The idea, however,
has not been confirmed.
As a sign of the Popes charitable
love, Archbishop Fisichella said
that effective measures will also
be taken to meet real needs in
the world that will express mercy
through tangible assistance.
The official website for the
jubilee has already launched
in seven languages: Italian,
English, Spanish, Portuguese,
French, German, and Polish.
Heavy emphasis will also be
given to social media in promoting the events of the jubilee and
informing followers of the different activities surrounding it.
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram,
Google Plus, and Flickr can all
be found on the official website.
Archbishop Fisichella also noted
that his council is currently exploring the idea of an app that
will better integrate information
surrounding the jubilee. (Elise
Harris/ CNA/EWTN News)

A4 OPINION

May 11-24, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 10

CBCP Monitor

EDITORIAL

WHOEVER lives the mission of Caritas is not simply a charity worker, but is a true witness of Christ, one who seeks Christ
and allows Christ to seek him, one who loves with the spirit of
Christ, a spirit of gratuitousness and gift. All our strategies and
plans remain empty unless we carry this love in us. This was
what Pope Francis told the over 300 Caritas delegates from across
the world at the opening Mass of the 20th General Assembly of
Caritas Internationalis held at St. Peters Basilica in Rome on
May 12. Caritas Internationalis, which is the main charity arm
of the Catholic Church, is slated to have a major event from May
12-17 on the theme One Human Family, Caring for Creation.
This certainly differentiates substantially the charity work of
the Catholic Church from the humanitarian work of well-funded
philanthropists. In Ecclesia in Europa, Saint Pope John Paul
II already pointed out that serving the mission of the Church
by means of a charity that evangelizes is the commitment and
the responsibility of everyone. (No. 33). With the values of
the Gospel in tow, it is caritas that, more than anything else,
evangelizes, especially by witnessing to the joy of the Gospel
even in the midst of poverty, injustice and suffering.
Pope Francis told the delegates that the source of the organizations global work lies in the simple and docile welcome of God
and neighborThis is the root. If you cut this root, Caritas
dies. It is in this spirit that even the social and organizational
structure of these charitable institutions should manifest. Let
us ask the Lord for the grace to understand the true dimension
of Caritas, for the grace not to fall into the deception of believing that well-organized centralization is the way, for the grace
to understand that Caritas is always on the periphery, in every
particular ChurchThe Caritas of each particular church, even
the smallest, is the same. There is no big Caritas or small Caritas,
all are the same.
For Pope Francis, belief in God and assisting others go hand in
hand. Faith according to him is to welcome God and express
this in service to our brothers and sisters. Word, sacraments
and service lead to and nourish each other to wash the feet
and bathe the wounds of the suffering and to prepare a table for
them All our strategies and plans remain empty unless we
carry this love in us. Not our love but his. Or better yet, our
love purified and strengthened by his love.
At the end of the day, its all about faith, love and the spirituality of charity workersand not simply about mobilization and
strategic social action work that even makes use of high-level corporate systems. And here comes the rub. If only to deliver and
manage a most systematic charity work, some Catholic charitable
institutions hire top-level workers sans the Catholic values cited
by Pope Francis. Of late, for instance, an international Catholic
charitable institution was accused of hiring workers that oppose
fundamental Catholic moral teachings. Hereabouts, many are
just too secular and too mainstream.

The Eucharist in the Churchs

dialogue with the poor
IN the Churchs dialogue with the poor, the Eucharist, on one
hand, upholds and reaffirms values that negate causes of poverty.
It confronts selfishness and greed which are the roots of many
forms of injustice, with the self-sacrificing love of Christ. It calls
into question apathy and individualism which desensitize people
from feeling the pain of the poor and suffering by Christs invitation to be a family calling the one God as Our Father.
It confronts oppressive totalitarian leaderships that put political
and economic advantages above people, with Christs leadership
of servicethat of the Master and Lord who washed the feet of
his disciples (Cf. Jn 13:13). Above all, the Eucharist challenges
utilitarianism, consumerism, and materialism that treat the poor
and the weak as commodities and tools that can be used for
ones gain and pleasure with Christs self-donation that breaks
and shares oneself so that others may live. For each celebration
of the Eucharist makes sacramentally present the gift that the
crucified Lord made of his life, for us and for the whole world.
From our participation in the Eucharist, we are sent forth to be
witnesses of Gods compassion toward all our brothers and sisters.
On the other hand, Jesus is encountered in the Eucharist as the
Bread of life (Jn 6:35). He is such by being both the Word that
comes from heaven (Jn 6:51), the bread of the poor received
in the proclamation of the scriptural Word and in Holy Communion. He is the daily bread we pray for in the Our Father.
In the Holy Communion Jesus gives himself as our bread to
feed us. And so, we in turn should go to our brothers and sisters
who are hungry, and become bread to feed them in compassion
and love, in the works of mercy, in giving life, and giving it
abundantly. The celebration of the Eucharist indeed abounds
with such indications of how the Eucharist expresses Christs and
the Churchs preferential option for the poor as she realizes her
mission in Asia.
-- From the Theological and Pastoral Reflections in preparation
for the 51st International Eucharistic Congress

CBCP

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Christs witnesses, not aid workers

The BBL enigma

Views and Points

Oscar V. Cruz, D.D.

WHAT is intended to promote unity and harmony in the country is precisely dividing the
people in general. What is envisioned to bring
about peace and progress in Mindanao is not
exactly making people in Mindanao jump for
joy, neither pacifying the fears nor resolving the
reservations of the people in Luzon and in the
Visayas. Thus stands the enigma of the BBL
proudly promoted by the present administration and fervently affirmed by its well-rewarded
supporters.
It is anything but a secret that in Mindanao
itself, there are non-friendly groupings such as
the well-known MNLF, the fearsome ASG, the
dangerous BIFF, plus apparently other newlyemerging militant groupingsin addition to
MILF that precisely pushed the MNLF aside
with the support and patronage of the incumbent administration. The above-said major
groupings may not be exactly warring factions
among themselves whereas one apparently
simply comes from anotheras a mother gives

birth to a child. One thing however is definitely

certain: there is more than but one armed group
in Mindanao other than the MILF that has
come to fore recently although the MILF remains the centerpiece of the BBL.
So arise some reasonable questions as the following: How come the ruling administration is
trying to forge an agreement with but the MILF?
Are other said gun-owning and toting groups
expected to but humbly submit to the BBL MILF
in the event that the latter rule in Mindanao with
the patronage of the reigning administration?
Will there really be peace in Mindanao when
most of the people there are neither Muslims nor
exactly MILF constituents or sympathizers? In
other words and in the sphere of ground realities,
is the BBL really the way to justice, peace and
development in Mindanao?
It is a matter of record that the BBL envisioned blessed phenomenon was precisely
accompanied by the SAF manslaughter that
took place precisely with the deadly participa-

And Thats The Truth

Teresa R. Tunay, OCDS
ONE unforgettable discovery
I made while living among the
Muslims for a whole year in Egypt
is their concept of gratitude. Its all
enveloped in the phrase Alhamdulillah which means Thanks be to
God or Praise be to Allah. Our
Egyptian friends (and even their
small children) would utter it, especially when thanking God for their
blessings, butas I observedit
wouldnt be limited to blessings
alone. A cat scratches your leg
when you step on its tailAlhamdulillah! You burn a dish youre
cooking Alhamdulillah! You hit
your thumb while hammering in a
nail on the wallAlhamdulillah!
Why for goodness sake would
you thank God for that which in
another land or another culture
would be called tough luck, clumsiness, or stupidity? Simpleour
highly educated friends would
explain: Alhamdulillah because it
could have been worse.
The startled cat could have
bitten you, gashed a vein, given
you rabies. Be thankful it is only
a scratch. Only the bottom of
the dish is burnt, just scrape it
off and eat the rest, thankful you
didnt burn whole kitchen. Thumb
hurting? Thank God its only

your thumb, and its still intact

besideswhat if it was smashed,
along with the forefinger? Still,
Alhamdulillah!
Alhamdulillah may not make
sense to you but it does have its
value regardless of your religionit
teaches you to be calm as you take
a lesson to be careful next time: if
you want the universe to keep you
from unnecessary harm, do have
presence of mind.
This attitude common to all
Arabic-speaking peoples has a
parallel among the followers of
Buddha who taught thus: Let
us rise up and be thankful, for
if we didnt learn a lot today, at
least we learned a little, and if
we didnt learn a little, at least we
didnt get sick, and if we got sick,
at least we didnt die; so, let us all
be thankful.
As children we are taught to say
Please, Sorry, and Thank Youthe
utterance of which is the hallmark
of well-behaved, well-mannered
children. Thank You seemed the
most often used in childhood,
reflecting to a certain extent the
kind of upbringing our parents
gave us. As adults we are delighted
to see toddlers barely beginning to
talk and yet are prompted, What

Marriage redefined?

tion of some MILF and BIFF members. This is

interesting if not actually disgusting: Talking
about peace here with killings going on at the
same time somewhere. No wonder then that
although the administration tries to lord it over,
the legislators however are markedly divided on
the pro and contra of the BBL while the justices are on the watch about its constitutionality
they will certainly be asked to pronounce upon
in due time. Meantime, Mindanao is anything
but in peace long since and up to now.
There is another nagging questionafter
the 2016 elections. If and when the BBL were
eventually approved by all the branches of the
Philippine government, if and when the coveted
Peace Prize is eventually obtained by someone
at all costs, what happens next? Will the incoming administration continue to support and
promote the BBL? Will there be true and lasting
peace in Mindanao? Will this region be an example of social harmony, plus its accompanying
socio-economic development? Interesting!

Gratitude: just good

manners?
are you going to say? whenever
they are handed gifts or goodies.
And when children forget, they are
reminded: Say thank you.
But saying Thank You is not just
a sign of good mannersit is the
foundation of sound spirituality as
well. Having gratitude in our consciousness shows we take nothing
for granted, for we realize that the
origin of everything is a love that
wills for our good. Others may call
it Force, Energy, Power, et al, but
those who embrace its mystery do
not hesitate to call it God.
When we recognize that we are
created by Godthat without God
we could not have come to be and
that this God loves uswe cannot
but be grateful for everything we
have and are. Gratitude this deeply
known and felt translates into real
action that effects positive concrete
results. Take your bodyif you
regard your body as a gift from
God, you express your gratitude
by taking good care of the one
and only body you have. You value
good health, ergo you dont abuse
your body by introducing harmful
substances to it (eat, drink, sniff,
insert, inject, etc.). A popular
quote goes Your life is Gods gift to
you; what you do with it is your gift

to God. Just replace life with

body and youve got it down pat.
If humility is regarded as the
mother of all virtues, gratitude is
its twin sister, the manifestation
of ones awareness of ones place
in creations network of love. The
most peaceful beings on earth are
not those who possess the most numerous material things, but those
who are most grateful. Gratitude is
the key to a truly rich life. It opens
us to bravely welcome the unknown, empowers us to overcome
failures, clears our vision to see
the unexpected as Gods surprise
visits in our lives. Gratitude curbs
our greed, tames the beast in us,
and intensifies our satisfaction for
whatever we have; it emboldens us
to share with others not only what
we have but also who we are.
Thirteenth century German
philosopher and theologian Meister Eckhart (1260-1328) sums up
the magnificence of gratitude with
these words: If the only prayer
you ever say in your entire life is,
Thank you, it will be enough.
Indeed, gratitude frees our whole
being, because it uncovers before
our inner eye the truth that we are
a part of God and God is a part of
us. And thats the truth.

Candidly Speaking
Fr. Roy Cimagala

US President Barack Obama came out of the

closet sometime ago and announced that he
is for same-sex marriage. He said that was the
conclusion of his long period of evolving.
Many political observers, however, say that he
originally was for it, then against it, then was
reconsidering, and then finally is for it again.
They say this flip-flopping is a reaction of a political animal to changing political conditions.
Well, we know how this stance is called in
our country. Weather-weather lang ni, bai.
To a certain extent, this attitude is valid given
the temporal nature and autonomous character
of politics.
But when used indiscriminately, it can enter
into forbidden territory as when it is applied on
matters of faith and morals, and on the fixed
nature of things. And I am afraid this is what is
happening in this present issue.
Marriage is not a political issue that has to

be defined, and its problems resolved, solely

or mainly in a political way. Marriage has a
universal, immutable nature, applicable to all
of us regardless of race, gender and whatever
condition we may be in. When nature of things
is involved, we just accept it, we dont redefine it.
Marriage simply has to be a stable relationship between a man and a woman, because
it involves a love that entails the use of sex
whose primary purpose is procreation before
it provides pleasure and other benefits to the
couples concerned.
Thats simply the nature of sex and marriage.
It is not a religious imposition, but rather a
result of a careful, comprehensive metaphysical study of the matter. If we pursue this study
thoroughly, then we will arrive at the conclusion
that marriage in itself has properties of exclusivity, unity and indissolubility.
Of course, people can have a varying un-

derstanding of the nature of sex and marriage,

and so we just have to undertake a continuing
discussion, clarification and formation. The
government should also feel the duty to do this.
This is everyones responsibility.
But we just cannot stop at the level of thatis-your-stand-and-this-is-mine, since the issue
at hand is not a matter of opinion or personal
preferences. It binds everyone to conform to this
nature of sex and marriage, in a way that should
be more forceful than the binding quality of our
tax and traffic laws.
Ironically, the latter laws on taxes and traffic
are more strictly pursued than our marriage
laws. It seems we are now having the wrong
priorities, the wrong emphasis on our varied
concerns.
I was shocked when I heard President
Obamas reasons for supporting same-sex marCandidly Speaking / A5

CBCP Monitor

OPINION A5

May 11-24, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 10

Along the Way

The Domestic Church

Duc In Altum

Fr. Amado L. Picardal, CSsR, SThD

THE Christian Family is the domestic church.

This is the assertion of Vatican II in Lumen
Gentium, the Dogmatic Constitution on the
Church. In his post-synodal exhortation, Familiaris Consortio, written 34 years ago, Pope
(now Saint) John Paul II, spelt out what this
ecclesiological vision on the family means. What
follows is my own summary and interpretation
of John Paul IIs vision of the domestic church.
What I find significant is that he applied the
Vatican II vision of the Church as communion
and as people of God that participates in Christs
prophetic, priestly and kingly mission to the
family. Accordingly, the Christian family as domestic church is a community - a communion
of persons bound by love. The Christian family is a community that participates in Christs
prophetic, priestly and kingly mission. g
Communion describes the relationship
among the members of the family - between
husband and wife and between parents and
children and among siblings and other members
of the extended family. Communion, which is
a translation of the Greek word Koinonia, connotes loving union (one in heart and mind), fellowship, solidarity, partnership, friendship and
participation. The Tagalog words like kapuso,
kapamilya, kapatid, kaibigan and kaugnay can
aptly apply to communion. This communion is
concretely expressed in table-fellowship (common meals and celebration). The communion
of the table is an expression and a means of

Atty. Aurora A. Santiago

communion. A family that eats together stays

together. Communion is also expressed in the
sharing of material and spiritual goods and
resources (time, talent and treasure). This is
called the communion of goods. Communion
does not only describe the relationship between
the members of the family. It also applied to
the relationship between the family and other
Christian families in the neighborhood and
community (BECs), and with the wider Church
(parish, diocese, universal).
As a prophetic community, the family is
called to be a believing and evangelizing community. The home is the first venue for the proclamation of the Gospel and the transmission of
faith. The parents are the first evangelizers and
catechists. They do this not only by words but by
their good example and witness. The Christian
values and morality are first taught and imbibed
within the family. Parents have the right and
duty that the children are educated in the faith
at home and outside the home. The family can
also join other families in neighborhood/BECs
gospel sharing and occasional seminars.
As priestly community, the family is a community in dialogue with Goda praying and
worshipping community. The family that prays
together stays together. The family must set
aside time for family prayer - praying the rosary
or other forms of prayer. Active participation
of the family in the liturgical celebration in
the parish church and the BECs is a concrete

Traffic Time,
My Prayer Time
SOMEONE told me, I really
want to pray but I dont have time.
Im so busy from morning to evening. I just smiled.
Many of us have these words as
our lame excuse for not praying. I
do understand. We are really busy
with many things, but it is not an
excuse not to find time to pray.
Heres my question: If we dont
have time to pray because we are
busy, how come we can squeeze out
some time for some other things?
As the old saying says, Kung
gusto, may paraan. Kung ayaw,
maraming dahilan.
If theres a will, theres a way. I
guess we dont really see the importance of prayer in our life.
If we really have that desire to
pray, we can find a way! Heres one
creative way: Our daily travel time
to school or work is a potential
prayer time. Whoa!!! Yes, why not?
Recent studies show that the
Philippines is fourth among Asian
countries and placed ninth in the

world in terms of negative traffic

situations.
Our average one way commuting time is 45 minutes before we
reach our destination. Thats 1.5
hours a day of sitting unproductively in the traffic everyday! What
a waste of time! Why not use that
time to creatively reflect and pray?
Yes, our travel time may neither
be the ideal moment nor place to
pray. But its possible.
Theres a way of disposing
ourselves in prayer even in the
jeepney, taxi or train. Its a matter
of practice. Here are some suggestions:
Begin with an awareness exercise. Be aware of your feelings
while in the traffic. Then inhale
and exhale for a while. Ignore the
noise of the street and the hot
atmosphere. Dispose yourself in
Gods presence. God is also present in the traffic. Then start doing
something creative.
1. Why not read a short Bible

By the Roadside
Rev. Eutiquio Euly Belizar, Jr., SThD

LEST I be misunderstood, my interest in writing about Manny Pacquiao has really nothing
to do with his celebrity status as a boxer. My
interest is in what his relationship with Filipinos worldwide tells us about ourselves. It is
beyond dispute that Manny Pacquiao, especially
when he goes into big fights, effectively unites
Filipinos behind him, whatever their language,
place of origin, politics, religion or gender. For
example, I found it more than interesting that
the known terrorist Basit Usman even made
himself vulnerable to an assassins bullet when
he stopped to check on Manny Pacquiaos Fight
of the Century at which Manny Pacquiaos
champion status was likewise assassinated, as it
were, by Mayweathers smarter defensive and
evasive skills, as well as dirty tactics. The resulting defeat by the Pinoy icon was as resounding
as the collective disbelief and grief of ordinary
Filipinos. Initially, Pacman himself objected,
saying he thought he won the fight but later
admitted that, although he did his best, his
best was not good enough at least to the judges
and the computer stats.
What I find striking is how Filipinos identify
with Pacman in his victories and also in his
defeats. There is no dearth of real heroes in the
Philippines, what with so many official ones in
historys textbooks and unofficial ones in OFWs
etc., in addition. But no one among them
has achieved the celebrity status of a Manny
Pacquiao in such a sensational and spectacular
fashion, especially when we consider his dramatic rise from a starving street kid to one
of the worlds highest paid and highest earning
athletes. His victories over bigger and stronger
foes were nothing short of incredible. But it is

expression of this.
As a kingly/servant community the family is
a community in the service of humanity. It is
called to concretely express loving service and
charity at home, in the wider community and
in society. The parents should teach the children
to become men and women for others and use
their talents and gifts not only in caring for each
other and their parents but also in the service
of the poor and the needy. Thus, they grow up
aware of their responsibility to work for justice
and peace, to care for the environment and
eradicate poverty.
The vision of the Christian family as a
domestic church is indeed a lofty vision an ideal that seems unattainable. After 34
years since John Paul II came out with his
post-synodal exhortation and as the Synod
of Bishops once again focuses on the family,
I wonder how many are aware of this vision
and its meaning and implication. I wonder
how many families are really living according
to this ideal. It would appear that through
all these years, there has been little effort to
promote this vision of the Christian family
and consequently the number of families that
are trying to make this vision a reality is not
that many. The year 2016 has been declared
by the CBCP as the year of the Family and
the Eucharist. I hope that more effort will be
given to promoting the beautiful vision of
the Christian family as the domestic Church.

Pitik-Bulag
Fr. Wilfredo Samson, SJ

verse and reflect upon it?

2. When going to work: Pray
for guidance from the Holy Spirit
as you begin the day. Bless the
people you will be meeting. Pray
for the grace you will need for the
day, like patience, understanding
or sensitivity. Or discern your
priorities.
3. When going home: Review
your day from morning to afternoon. Hows your day? Is it fruitful
or not? Why? See how God accompanied you. Any misgivings?
Any moment you did not listen
to His prompting? Ask God for
forgiveness. Any graces received?
Thank God for it.
4. Check your cell phone. Any
friends or relatives youre not in
touch for a long time? Send them
a text message or give a call.
5. While in traffic, pray for your
family and friends, especially those
in need. Or look at the people in
front of you inside the bus. Are
they happy or look sad? Pray for

them.
6. Plan ahead or evaluate your
work.
Dont just curse the traffic or play
a game in your phone. Be creative.
There is no such idle time to people
who can see God in all things including the traffic.
The key here is disposition and
creativity. For once we think of
God or any spiritual thoughts, we
are already praying.
I smiled when I saw this as
inside the bus this morning: DO
NOT PRAY FOR AN EASY LIFE.
PRAY FOR THE STRENGTH
TO ENDURE THE DAILY
TRAFFIC.
Why should I curse the MMDA
and hate the traffic if I cannot
avoid it? Its useless and pathetic.
Why not instead use these traffic
moments as my time to catch up
with God?
Now, you dont have an excuse
to say that you dont have time
to pray.

The Pacman and

the Filipino

perhaps because he used to be as poor as most

Filipinos that they feel one with him
As a priest, I find it remarkable how his
real Christian name Emmanuel is hardly not
seen for its symbolic value. Translated even in
the Gospels as God-is-with-us, I see in the
phenomenon called Emmanuel Pacquiao Gods
way of grabbing our attention to His presence
in our midst. That the original Emmanuel
himself went through disappointing, dismaying
and violent defeat, especially in His crucifixion
on His way to His resurrection is, to my mind,
somewhat dramatized in Pacmans defeats and
rising-again victories. Not that Im predicting
that he would rise again by defeating another
foe or foes in a blaze of glory before he hangs up
his gloves. A greater victory than one in the ring
would perhaps be his victory over the politics of
corruption and patronage in which he himself
is sometimes inevitably entangled. The victory
that he could help achieve with greater impact
would be over the excruciating poverty and
social injustice among his own constituents and
in the very country that immensely idolizes him.
Again, as a priest I hope and pray for another
distinct victory: That Pacman overcomes the
distorted view of the Catholic faith (in which
he grew up) that he might have received from
his non-Catholic friends as well as from unenlightened Catholics around him (alas, it could
include Mommy D, too). His abandonment of
the rosary and the sign of the Cross before his
every fight has certainly earned him a lot less
sympathy from priests, bishops and conscientious Catholics who look at it as caving in to the
distortion of Mariolatry from his influential
non-Catholic pastor friends. It also considerably

lessened the number of those who pray for him,

not excluding the upright ones who are already
in heaven whose prayer, if he is to believe St.
James, is powerful with God (Jas. 5:16). I am
hoping that Pacman does not distort, with his
friends, the valid veneration of Mama Mary
and the saints and call it worship that it is not.
As long as that victory is not achieved, defeat at
the hands of Mayweather can only point to an
ongoing inside defeat he suffers from.
Ernest Hemingway in his novel The Old Man
and the Sea once wrote:
But man is not made for defeat. He can be
destroyed but not defeated.
Is this the reason why Manny Pacquiao,
with fellow Pinoys supporting him, has not
really accepted his defeat at the hands of Floyd
Mayweather, Jr.? It is hard to say. But in my
book both fighters have really suffered defeat
at the hands of pride: Pacman when he predicted he could easily beat Mayweather and
the latter when he continually touts Pacman
as not within his league and can easily defeat
him again and again in as many times as they
might hypothetically meet in the ring. Pride is
the great blindfold. Pacmans prior prediction
of victory blinded him to the strengths of his
foe; Mayweathers basking in self-glorification
blinds him to his hugging and running dirty
tactics, among others.
I agree with H. W. Beecher who said that
defeat is a school in which truth always grows
stronger. And the truth that we must let grow
stronger is this: The hero is really not out there
in someone like Pacman but in ourselves whenever the values that define who we are define
the way we live.

Importance of
Communication
WORLD Communications Day is celebrated by the Universal Church
every Feast of the Ascension, this year, May 17. In his message for the 49th
World Communications Day, His Holiness Pope Francis chose family as
the focal point since it is the subject of reflection by the Church in the
two Synods: the recent extraordinary assembly and the ordinary assembly
scheduled for next October. He said it is in the context of the family that
we first learn how to communicate. He believed that communication is
intertwined with body languagewhen the Blessed Virgin Mary visited
her cousin Elizabeth and the infant in her womb leaped; when family
members accept one another because there is a bond between them.
Pope Francis said the family is an environment in which we learn
to communicate in an experience of closeness, a setting where communication takes place, a communicating community. The family is
a community which provides help, which celebrates life and is fruitful.
Once we realize this, we will once more be able to see how the family
continues to be a rich human resource, as opposed to a problem or an
institution in crisis.
Communication in the Church is important so that there is a medium
where the message from the hierarchy will reach the ministries and parishioners and vice-versa. Through communications, the bishops message
and circular reach the parishioners through the respective parishes.
To propagate the importance of communicationnewspaper, television, radio and social mediaMost Rev. Francisco de Leon, D.D., Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Kalookan, issued a circular advising
all parishes to conduct a second collection in anticipated Masses and
Sunday Masses on May 16 and 17 to support the Mass Media Ministry.
***
Radio Veritas will celebrate its 46th Anniversary on May 17 and to
commemorate this occasion, the management will continue the traditional out-of-studio remote program at SM Skydome at 1:00 p.m. The
anniversary is always observed on the Feast of the Ascension and the
World Communications Day. Congratulations to Radio Veritas on its
anniversary and also for being number 4 most listened to radio station
nationwide as per the latest Nielsen Survey. Congratulations to Radio
Veritas President Fr. Anton C.T. Pascual and Program Directress Sr.
Judy Zamar, all its anchors, hosts, reporters, writers, administrative and
technical staff. To all the radio listeners, thank you for always listening
to Radio Veritas 846, the Word, the Truth.
***
I would like to greet my family, relatives, friends and all our readers
Happy Mothers Day. This is the first time that my celebration of Mothers
Day is without our Inay Gloria Angeles Santiago. We were in Ohio last
year when we celebrated Mothers Day with Inay. Although we prepared
ourselves for the eventual passing of Inay, it is still a very painful experience of losing her. It really hurts to the core, especially when she had a
cheerful disposition and was nice to be with; she was like an older sister
to us. She was very strong and could move around before she suffered
a mild stroke last October, which made her bedridden. It was also very
frustrating for Inay to be bedridden when she used to be very active in
the house and was always with us for family outings and eat outs.
To show how strong Inay was, she was able to hurdle the 21-days
interstate road tour our family took last spring. We travelled by land
to different states from West Coast starting at Panorama City (in Los
Angeles via Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Memphis-Tennessee) to East Coast (Washington D.C., Maryland,
Philadelphia-Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York), Canada (Niagara
Falls), back to West Coast (via New York, Ohio, Indiana, Chicago, Iowa,
Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Las Vegas-Nevada) to Panorama City.
Please allow me dear readers to quote this prayer: If roses grow in
Heaven, Lord please pick a bunch for me, place them in my Mothers
arms, and tell her theyre from me. Tell her I love her and miss her, and
when she turns to smile, place a kiss upon her cheek, and hold her for a
while. Because remembering her is easy, I do it every day, but theres an
ache within my heart that will never go away. I love you Inay.
***
All Filipinos, I presumed, were not happy when our very own Manny
Pacquiao lost to Floyd Mayweather by unanimous decision in the socalled Fight of the Century. As almost all Filipino sports analysts had
predicted before the fight, Manny must knockout Mayweather, otherwise,
he will lose by decision because his opponent is a good defensive boxer.
We witnessed the new style of boxing Mayweather had introduced in
this century.
***
We would like to greet our family friend Rev. Fr. Charlie de Guzman,
SVD, a very Happy Birthday. The same greetings go to Sis. Ida Nocum,
Immediate Past Chairman of the Parish Pastoral Council of San Roque
Cathedral of the Diocese of Kalookan; also Kate Buenconsejo, staff of
Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas.
Candidly Speaking / A5

riage. They had the usual rationalizing taste of the tolerance bit. Its
a reasoning that has overreached its
purpose, trying to go to a bridge
too far.
This alibi about tolerance, while
it has its merits, should not be
the only, much less, the primary
consideration to make, especially
in issues like marriage. There are
many other more fundamental
and indispensable considerations
that precede it.
Obama was quoted as saying:
No matter who you love or what
God you worship, you can still
pursue happinessI will support
you every step of the way.
So, if one happens to love an
animal in a sexual way, he is free
to marry it, and bestiality can
now be elevated to the level of
marriage? Or if one happens to
fall in love with his own sister,
or his own brother, he can also
marry her or him, and incest can
be marriage?
Anything is always possible with
man. Thats why we need laws

based on some absolute truths to

guide and educate us.
Or if one happens to believe in
violence and terrorism as his own
God, it would just be ok? The
words of Obama did not include
any qualifier as to who can be the
object and God of ones love and
devotion.
I may be exaggerating and blowing out of proportion Obamas
words, but these words certainly
give us a direction that, in their
most lenient interpretation, can be
considered potentially dangerous.
There are things that we cannot
and should not tamper. Marriage is
one of them. Everything has to be
done to strengthen it. Those who
violate them, while we always have
to be charitable and fair, should
be dealt with clearly, and even
strongly.
I have no problem with gays.
I know many of them and they
are excellent persons, workers and
friends. But lets not call what is
wrong, right, and bad, good, just
because we are friends.

more and the desire for physical

comforts at the expense of their
prayer life and relationship with
the Lord.
Most of us forget to see Christ
in the faces of the poor, the sick,
and the indigenous people, he
lamented.
Fr a n c i s c o b e l i e ve s t h i s
mounting secularization reminds the Church to prepare
for the life to come, and to remember to turn to the Blessed
Mary and pray her rosary in
keeping with her requests in
Fatima, Portugal.

Popes intentions
Jesus through Mary will surely
keep our Christian nations and
communities safe from lukewarm
faith, he added.
The Holy Fathers universal
prayer intention for May is: That,
rejecting the culture of indifference, we may care for our neighbors who suffer, especially the sick
and the poor.
Moreover, his intention for
evangelization is: That Marys
intercession may help Christians
in secularized cultures be open to
proclaiming Jesus.

Fight, A1

where I am, my servant also will

be.
According to Saballa, Christ
is one with the poor, the sick,
and the suffering, which makes
it all the more imperative for
those who call Jesus their Lord
to care about these people,
loving them unconditionally,
helping them without counting
the cost.
Whenever we serve our brothers and sisters, especially the poor,
the sick, and the suffering, it is
really Christ we minister to, the
priest added.

Big challenge
For Professor Nestor Limqueco
of the Company of St. Dominic
(CSD), overcoming an indifferent
society challenges all to respond to
the needs of others, particularly
those in the margins.
The culture of indifference, he
explained, is very much rampant,
and its mere presence is a wakeup call for the faithful to examine
themselves and find ways to share
the fruits of contemplation.
My personal experience as a
Catholic educator is to counteract
the harmful influences of media on

the youth. Secularism is so strong a

force it makes young minds aloof and
insensitive to the world in which they
live, as well as to the plight of people
among whom they live, he added.
Through Mary
We are also invited to proclaim
the Joy of the Gospel amid an
increasingly secularized culture.
Culture must be evangelized so
that the people will be sanctified.
Todays challenge is to evangelize
the local culture, Limqueco said,
urging all to draw inspiration from
Mother Mary, in whose honor the

whole month is dedicated.

The Blessed Lady, he noted, is
the first disciple of her Son, the
first to receive the Word during
the Annunciation, and first to
bring the Good News during the
Visitation.
Greed, comfort
Meanwhile, Br. Martin Francisco of the Blessed Sacrament
Missionaries of the Poor (BSMP),
who serves Dumagat communities in the Sierra Madre, blamed
the culture of indifference on the
propensity of many to acquire

A6 LOCAL NEWS

May 11-24, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 10

CBCP Monitor

Prelate wants end to sacrament fees

THE head of the Archdiocese of LingayenDagupan has reiterated his position against
the arancel or the fixed donations for sacraments and sacramentals, assuring his flock
that its abolition through Pananabangan
(stewardship) will not make the Church
poorer, but more credible.
More credible
The Church will not get poorer with
Pananabangan. The Church will become
more credible, more prophetic and more
Christ like with Pananabangan. The arancel system is both a painful scourge on the
long suffering people and a shameful stain
in the vestments of the Churchs ministers.
The arancel imprints an invisible and foul
price tag on our priestly stole. It has been
tolerated but in the beginning it was not
so, says Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop
Socrates B. Villegas in a recent pastoral
letter.
The prelate moreover laments how the
practice of having fixed rates for the sacraments and sacramentals smacks of bad taste
and intellectual dishonesty on the part of
the Church, stressing blessings and sacra-

Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas FILE PHOTO

ments must not appear as religious services

rendered in exchange for fees.
Regular giving
Giving to the Church must become a
regular habit with or without the sacraments. It is certainly true that the sacraments and blessings of the Church are not
a reward for a virtue nor a prize for being
good. In the same way, the blessings and
sacraments of the Church must not appear
as religious services rendered in exchange
for fees. It is the duty of the priest to offer
them. It is the duty of every child of the
Church to sustain their Mother diligently
and generously, he explains.
Stressing Pananabangan is not about
money, Villegas states it is the perennial
issue about finances that becomes the test if
stewardship has indeed been taken to heart,
reminding the Lingayen-Dagupan faithful
that a clear sign of this spirit is their fidelity
to the abolition of the arancel.
According to him, it is the policy in his
archdiocese as indicated in the computerized
parish accounting system that the parish offices should not require parishioners to make

Ground corruption worsens poverty in PH bishop

WHILE it is old news that the
culture of corruption causes nationwide poverty, a bishop asserts
its practice on the ground level
worsens the plight of Filipino families, and heightens the effects of
natural calamities in the country.
Project monitoring
Corruption on the ground
level is still there. That is why
the national government has
to see to it that its services really reach the ordinary people
on the ground, said Borongan
Bishop Crispin B. Varquez in a
Radio Veritas report, expressing doubt whether projects and
their implementation undergo
monitoring.
The prelate also stated he agrees

with the outcome of a poll released

recently by the Social Weather Station (SWS).
I agree with the result of the
survey as I observed the people
on the ground, especially here in
my diocese. At least two super
typhoons, Yolanda and Ruby, hit
us, he declared.
11.4 million poor
Covering the first quarter of
2015, the SWS survey holds that
as many as 51 percent of Filipino
families, equivalent to roughly
11.4 million individuals, consider
themselves poor.
It shows that the Visayas has the
most number of Filipinos, about
70 percent of them, who state
they experience poverty. This is a

5 percent increase from last years

poll result of 65 percent in the
same region.
Varquez moreover challenged
government officials to ensure the
public they receive the services they
deserve, and not look after their
personal interests.
Continuous programs
Meanwhile, the bishop added
his diocese, in tandem with various non-government organizations
(NGO), continues to hold livelihood programs in the communities
affected by the calamities.
Part of the poll reads: The First
Quarter 2015 Social Weather
Survey, conducted from March
20-23, 2015, found that 51 percent
(estimated 11.4 million) of families

consider themselves as Mahirap

or Poor. This is just a point below
the 52 percent (estimated 11.4
million) in December 2014, and 3
points below the 54 percent average for the four quarters of 2014.
Food-poor
It adds, The March 2015
survey also found that 36 percent
(est. 7.9 million) of families consider the type of food they eat as
Mahirap or Poor, termed by SWS
as Food-Poor. This is 5 points
below the 41 percent (est. 9.1
million) Self-Rated Food-Poor
in December 2014 and the 41
percent four-quarter average of
2014. (Raymond A. Sebastin/
CBCP News with reports from
Romeo Ojero II)

Bishop urges Aquino to prosecute corrupt allies

A CATHOLIC bishop reiterated his call for
President Benigno Aquino to prosecute all officials, including his own allies, allegedly involved
in the pork barrel scam.
Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo
said Aquino should use his remaining time as
President to fulfill his promise of tuwid na
daan.
He said that pork scandal should not be
used to pin down only the members of the
political opposition but also the allies of the
administration.
They should go after those involved in the
pork barrel scam even if they are allies. Its more
believable if they do that. They should not
tuwid na daan in taking down their enemies,
Pabillo said during a press conference to launching of the Serviam
Foundations Servant Leadership in Public
Service forum at the Archdiocese of Manila
main office in Intramuros, Manila on Wednesday.
With only a year to go before Aquinos term
ends, he said the people have yet to see if the
path is really straight because many are still
corrupt and poor. (CBCPNews)

Security of slaves
The arancel can give us better security
but that that is the security of slaves not of
freemen. I know a few of us grumble and
complain secretly wishing to return to the familiar and secure instead of the adventure of
a new Church. Complainers end up defeated.
When we allow our fears to guide our actions
we lose our vision and get imprisoned by our
griping, he says. (Raymond A. Sebastin/
CBCP News)

Caritas renews aid

appeal for Nepal
CARITAS Filipinas will continue
to send aid to Nepal after another
major earthquake rocked the
country yesterday, killing dozens
of people.
Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo, former president of
Caritas Filipinas, said reiterated the
agencys appeal for aid amid growing need of earthquake victims.
Our appeal (for aid) is ongoing. We may not be able to help
them all but we are part of the
Caritas Internationalis (network)
helping the people on the ground,
Pabillo said.
Lets continue to help them
with whatever we can give to show
our concerns including our prayers
for them, he said.
Caritas Filipinas, also known as
the National Secretariat for Social
Action, is the advocacy, development and humanitarian arm of

opposition to the majority coalition will be there because this is a

matter of national consequences.
We are hoping and a bit optimistic that they will see the
primacy of the peace process in
improving the situation in the
country, he further said.
The prelate said he believes lawmakers vehemently opposed to the
BBL are a minority.
Asked if the MILF leadership
would accept a watered down
version of the BBL, Quevedo said it
will all depend on which part of the
bill would be watered down. He
said self determination provision
would be very significant.
Quevedo said the familiar names
in Mindanao are organizing themselves into political parties to
challenge the MILF in the coming

Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo FILE PHOTO

the Catholic Bishops Conference

of the Philippines.
Its local partner, Caritas Manila,
also has an ongoing fund raising
campaign including a second
collection at Masses in churches
under the Archdiocese of Manila
last May 3.
Fr. Anton Pascual, executive
director of Caritas Manila, said
cash donations are now at around
P300,000, not including yet those
gathered in the second collection.
The second collection will
only be held once but we and our
networks continue to accept donations, Pascual said.
At least 65 people were reportedly killed on Tuesday when a 7.4
magnitude quake hit Nepal, which
is still reeling from a devastating
quake nearly three weeks ago that
claimed more than 8,000 lives.
(CBCPNews)

believe in Him to go forth, communion

and mission are profoundly interconnected.
(Evangelii Gaudium, 20, 23)
Through a talk show type of creative segment, the last session called Mission Accomplished, young delegates were reminded
to always remember to pray to [God] in our
bedrooms or when we pass by the chapel in
our school or the church near our house.
The pastoral brief of the session revealed
that KFC is inspired by Pope Francis pastoral
exhortation Evangelii Gaudium that says
communion with God leads to mission.
Mark of a true friend
As Sarah Felix, a KFC facilitator from
Metro Manila East-A, reminded the kids
during the third session on May 2 that they
can be good models to their friends, inviting them to KFC activities. Finding ways
to talk to them about Jesus is a mark of a
true friend, she added.
This is exactly what IKV delegate Czarlyn
Ariza of Cebu has learned.
Ill try to pray [more] so that the Lord
will know that we love Him, the 11-year
old said. She also shared that shell continue
to tell her non-KFC friends about the IKV
and the ministrys kids camps.

farmers and some workers unions

to have a dialogue with President
Benigno Aquino III.
But he is doing these interventions in a very quiet way and
without publicity, Gariguez said.
And hed been effective.
Not just an NGO
In the past calamities, he
added that Tagle was among
those who contacted the Caritas
Filipinas immediately to offer
help.

elections provided by the BBL.

Maguindanao Governor Esmael
Mangudadatu has organized his
Bangsamoro Reform Party while
the MILF has its own, he noted.
Former Congresswoman Samira
Ali Gutoc Tomawis said the organic act has provisions about
a police force but has not been
realized. She believes the Private
Armed Groups will be addressed by
government in due time. There will
come a time to decommission the
MILF, the PAGs and other groups.
The former legislator said she
looks forward to the passage of
the BBL because a recent march
of the Moro National Liberation
Front and the MILF in Marawi
City shows the two groups
united front. (Melo M. Acua/
CBCPNews)

Anti-crook, A1

Princesa, and Archdiocese of

Iloilo, among many other church
organizations, the Huwag Kang
Magnakaw movement has expanded its thrust in a bid to
enliven and revive the culture
of honesty among Filipinos a
year before they cast their votes.

Some 2,736 CFC Kids for Christ International Kids

Village (IKV) delegates attended the three-day event,
which was held at the San Agustin University from May
1 to 3, 2015.IKV 2015 DOCU TEAM

This year, IKV, the biggest annual event

of KFC gathered kids aged 4 to 12 years
old from Qatar, New Zealand, Malaysia,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Oman and the
Philippines.
The event, which ran from May 1 to 3,
carried the theme Love Project with the
anchor verse John 21: 15-17. (Nirvaana
Ella Delacruz/CBCPNews)

Caritas, A1

not just on charity and emergency

response, but also on development work and justice-related
advocacies.
This means that Tagle has good
combinations of experiences, he
said, that would make him worthy
of the Vatican post.
According to him, the cardinal
played major roles in raising issues
affecting the marginalized sector to
the government.
On several occasions, he said
the cardinal served as a bridge for

Bad taste
The so-called fixed donations violate
the spirit with which we slowly abolished
the arancel system of Church sustenance.
It smacks of bad taste and intellectual dishonesty to say that we have no fixed rates
for the sacraments and church services on
one hand and yet insinuate softly later a
certain amount to be offered, he adds.
While he admits he old system of Church
sustenance is familiar and feels secure, Villegas points out this is the security of Egypt
not the hope of the Promised Land.

BBL, A1

Group grows kids missionaries

WHAT is the power of a childs faith witness?
This kids ministry is trying to find out.
CFC Kids for Christ (KFC), Couples
for Christs ministry for children aged 4 to
12 years old, wrapped up its 18th International Kids Village (IKV) on May 3 at the
San Agustin University gym where 2,736
kids learned about about loving God back,
reaching out to their families, friends and the
KFC community, and being joyful in loving.
According to International KFC coordinator Nic Escalona, Jr., since 2011 with the
Lead IKV, KFC took on the direction of
actively forming young missionaries for the
Church.
Young Christ followers
Since [then], the tone was like that, we
teach the kids to go on mission, reach out
to others, to be leaders as young as they are,
to set good examples to their friends, he
explained, adding that even the Move IKV
of the following year talked about moving to
serve others.
Through chants, dancing, short skits,
creative competitions, workshops on various
topics and even a firehose bath, kids were
taught that the word of God constantly
shows us how God challenges those who

fixed donations for Church services.

He really has the charism of

Pope Francisthe genuine love
and concern for the poor and the
marginalized, he said.
Whatever work is given to the
cardinal, his commitment and
dedication is really there. Thats
the kind of leadership that we
need, Gariguez also said.
As a theologian, the priest said
Tagle will also be an advantage
because Caritas needs theological
guidelines.
Caritas is not just an NGO but

also [part of the] Church, said

Gariguez.
Caritas Internationalis is due
to elect a new president and
secretary general during its 20th
general assembly on May 12 to 17
in Rome and the Filipino cardinal
is reportedly a strong candidate
for the post.
Gariguez said he and Caritas
Filipinas chairman Archbishop
Rolando Tirona will be in Rome
next week to attend the meeting.
(Roy Lagarde/CBCPNews)

Obedience, respect
In a statement, the campaign
led by Fr. Nono Fajardo underscores its desire to challenge
incumbent Commission on
Elections (Comelec) officials,
as well as those seeking elective
posts not to use foul means of
securing votes, to obey the law,
and to respect voters rights.
Moreover, it exhorts citizens
to practice vigilance in order to
ensure a transparent, peaceful,
and orderly 2016 presidential
elections.
With the concerted efforts of
all, the drive hopes to end nationwide corruption, and speed
up the rebirth of honesty in
peoples hearts.
Seed of renewal
Manila Archbishop Lus Antonio G, Cardinal Tagle stated
in an earlier report that the
advocacy is a continuing journey in uprooting the culture of
stealing on all levels of society
by planting the seed of honesty,
integrity, and generosity.

He stressed this will enable

Filipinos to reclaim their stolen
dignity as a people.
Let us ask forgiveness for sins
committed against the 7th Commandment and ask God to heal
our land, he added.
Corruption at home
Meanwhile, Fajardo, who
also chairs RCAMs Ministry
of Public Affairs, told CBCP
News that the Philippines has
practically become a country of
thieves, with almost everyone
guilty of violating Gods 7th
Commandment at some point:
from the highest bureaucrat
who dip their fingers in the
taxpayers coffers, down to the
grade-schooler who copies his
classmates homework.
Corruption is not the monopoly of politicians. Without
us being aware of it, weve all
been guilty of corruption
Children stealing coins from
their parents pockets, students
cheating during exams, etc.,
he noted.
Support
The public may show its support to the campaign by tuning
in to the Huwag Kang Magnanakaw program aired over
Veritas 846 on Fridays from 7:00
a.m. to 8:00 a.m. (Raymond A.
Sebastin/CBCPNews)

Santacruzan, A1

ful custom, which tells the story

of how Queen Helena, the mother
of Eastern Roman Emperor Constantine, was able to find the Cross
on which Christ was crucified,
during a pilgrimage to the Holy
Land.

That is the reason why the

Santacruzan procession has characters in costumes named Reyna
Elena and Constantino, the prelate added. (Raymond A. Sebastin
with reports from Roxanne Dela
Rosa /CBCP News)

CBCP Monitor

A7

May 11-24, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 10

Priest blasts weak implementation of

PHs child protection laws
OLONGAPO CityAn Irish
missionary priest and human
rights advocate lambasted existing child protection laws in the
country, noting that their weak
implementation causes the worsening cases of injustice against
Filipino children.
The culture of ignoring the
individual personality and rights
of children is part of this injustice.
The children can grow up with a
grudge, a desire for justice, anger at
being denied it, turning to revengeseeking and even violence, said Fr.
Shay Cullen, founding president of
Preda Foundation.
Corruption, bribery
Cullen said despite the ratification of the United Nations
Convention on the Rights of the
Child in 1991, child-protection
laws suffer from poor enforcement.

In the Philippines, experience

shows that mostly [the laws are
not properly implemented]. Police, prosecutors, judges are more
favorable to the abusers than to
the children. More accused child
abusers and rapists are allowed to
go free than are convicted, he said.
According to him, corruption,
bribery, favoritism, lack of belief
in the law, and the incompetence
of police, prosecutors, and judges
are reasons behind ineffective child
protection laws.
For all these, there are good,
honest, hardworking judges for the
most part that take pride in carrying out justice. The good judges
restore peoples trust and respect in
the judicial process, but they are all
too few, Cullen said.
The Preda Foundation has advocated the protection of women
and children since 1969. It also

promotes human rights, peace, and

non-violence in the Philippines.
Child pornography
The priest also chided the seeming connivance of big business
and government officials, resulting
to the unabated increase of child
pornography cases in the country.
We see the likely result of this
connivance and colluding between
big business and government officials. Horrific crimes against children are being done and continue
daily over the internet, he said.
RA 9775 explicitly orders the
Internet Server Providers (ISPs)
to install software to block the
transmission of child porn images
and cyber-sex where children are
forced to do sexual acts live on
camera sent through the internet
to paying customers in other cities
or countries, according to Cullen.

Despite the existing anti-child

pornography laws, sexual and pornographic crimes against children
are still being committed as filters
that could block the transmission
of pornography online have not
been installed as the law says, he
noted.
The horrific videos were sold in
the USA and EU countries. Is this
a civilized country, is Christianity
dead? Is the Philippines a morally
failed state? Why can this happen
openly and uncontrolled? Cullen said.
The answer is insatiable greed
and the lust for money, pleasure
and power. The authorities have
vital questions to answer and all of
us must challenge politicians and
corporations everywhere and act to
end such crimes and do justice for
the children, he added. (Jennifer
M. Orillaza/CBCP News)

Fr. Shay Cullen being interviewed by a Polish network

PREDA

Iloilo prelate reveals couples Antipolo youth learn feeling, thinking, doing well
secret to happiness
ANTIPOLO Inspired by Pope Francis message to young Filipinos during his Encounter
with the Youth at the University of Sto. Tomas
(UST) last January to be wise, use three languages: think well, feel well and do well, the
Diocese of Antipolo youth ministers held their
4th KaDA Youth Leaders Exchange (KYLE) on
April 24 to 26 in Kalaoasis Calawis, Antipolo.
Immersion experience: their 4th KaDA
Youth Leaders Exchange (KYLE) delegates
meets Calawis Residents during the immersion
portion of the event from April 24 to 26, 2015
in Kalaoasis Calawis, Antipolo. (Photo: KYLE
2015 Media Team)
Guided by the KYLE Mantra What I think,
I feel and I do, I feel what I think, and I feel what
I do, I do what I think and I do what I feel to
think, to feel and to do, more than a hundred
delegates plunged into a three-day adventure,
emerging as empowered youth leaders.
Inner leaders
Hosted by Nuestra Seora Dela Annunciata Parish, Boso boso, Antipolo, the event gathered youth
leaders from various parishes for the sole purpose of
deepening their understanding of the Popes message to the Filipino youth during his visit Jan. 18
visit to UST, improving as leaders in the process.
The young people learned how to think:
being critical, to feel: being compassionate and
humble, and to do: love and action, through

4th KaDA Youth Leaders Exchange (KYLE) delegates have the opening liturgy to the event, which ran from April 24 to
26 in Kalaoasis Calawis, Antipolo. KYLE 2015 Media Team

the sessions, inputs, chill-out nights, liturgies,

Taiz prayers and syntheses.
Encouraging the participants to unleash the
leader within, plenary speaker Fr. Bienvenido
Miguel Jr., said they have now released their
inner leaders and are ready to be the minds,
hearts, and hands of Christ to the people.
Love in action
To strengthen relationships, there were back-

to-back youth ministers meetings and team

building activities such as mudslides, Catch
the Pig and obstacle courses.
Also, encouraging the young people live
out Love in Action and Receiving with Humility, the KYLE delegates immersed with
the young residents in Baranggay Calawis,
joining different activities prepared for the
immersion program. (Chrixy Paguirigan/
CBCPNews)

Painters offer Yolanda thanksgiving gift

Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo IKV 2015 Docu team

ILOILO CityWhat keeps married people happy? Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo through
a story showed that choosing to be
happy with ones spouse is the key
to married bliss.
Telling, a story of a Couples
for Christ couple during his
post-Communion message at the
closing Mass of the 18th International Kids Village (IKV) at the
University of San Agustin (USA)
gym in Iloilo City, Lagdameo narrated that a husband and wife were
interviewed separately about their
secret to happiness.
According to the prelate, the
husband said: I will tell you my
secret, but I do not want my wife
to hear about it You know the
secret to my happiness is please
do not tell hermy wife, my
wife.
Likewise, the wife was also asked
and she revealed, I do not like my
husband to hear my answer..What
is the secret of my happiness? The
secret of my happiness is my husband, Lagdameo related.

After much applause from

the 2,736 IKV delegates, the
prelate added that the same
couple was interviewed years
after when they were already in
their 80s and the husband said:
You know all throughout my
life, I have found my wife tried
and true.
Lagdameo celebrated the events
closing Mass together with Rev.
Oswald Duran, OSA, Fr. Frederick Comendador, OSA, USA
president, Fr. Jessie Tabobo, OSA,
Fr. Antonio Nombrefia, OSA, and
Rev. Paul Patrick Alipao of the
USA Campus Ministry.
This year, IKV, the biggest
annual event of CFC Kids for
Christ, gathered kids aged 4 to
12 years old from Qatar, New
Zealand, Malaysia, Kingdom
of Saudi Arabia, Oman and the
Philippines.
The event, which ran from May
1 to 3, carried the theme Love
Project with the anchor verse
John 21: 15-17. (Nirvaana Ella
Delacruz/CBCPNews)

Parents reminded: Keep kids

Jesus connection
ILOILO City, May 3, 2015What connection is more important than wifi? Its the link to Jesus,
of course.
This is the message of Rev. Paul
Patrick Alipao to some 2,736 CFC
Kids for Christ International
Kids Village (IKV) delegates
earlier today at the San Agustin
University gym.
Keep your children connected
to Jesus as He is the vine and we are
the branchesThose who remain
in Him will always bear fruits,
said the deacon, who was tasked
by Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, D.D. to be the homilist for
the IKVs closing Mass on May 3.
This is also the invitation for
you be exemplars to your children
so that they may see Jesus more
clearly, love Him more dearly and
follow Him more nearly in your
way of life, he added.
The soon to be ordained priest
stressed that parents should be
the first ones to teach their kids
about Gods commandments, the

doctrines of the Church and to

show the young ones how to love
their neighbors.
Parents should also strive to live
out the virtues of honesty, integrity, kindness, he said.
According to Alipao, parents
role in forming little seekers, little
lovers and little followers of JC
cannot be stressed enough.
I thank you for bringing your
children to such formative and
meaningful event like thisCongratulations, our dear parents!
Alipao said in closing.
Kid delegates and their parents
from countries like Qatar, New
Zealand, Malaysia, Kingdom
of Saudi Arabia, Oman and the
Philippines gathered in Iloilo City
for the 18th IKV themed Love
Project with the anchor verse
John 21: 15-17.
This years IKV ran from May
1 to 3 at the University of San
Agustin grounds, Iloilo City.
(Nirvaana Ella Delacruz/CBCPNews)

TACLOBAN CityGiven what they consider

to be a second life, nine prominent Leyteo
artists paint a thanksgiving mural as a token
of thanks to God and the Church.
The undertaking originally embarked on as a
project for profit with feasibility studies in place,
the project of painting the Sto. Nio Churchs
18-foot ceiling mural would soon become an
extravagant sign of gratitude for lives spared
during super typhoon Yolanda.
For each of us to do this mural is a thanksgiving, said Crispin Asensi, a member of KasiKasi
Art Association that undertook the painting of
the mural.
Survivor artists
We are survivors of typhoon Yolanda and are
still here given the chance to paint once more
and to thank God for this new life, he added.
According to, working on the project gave
all nine artists different feelings, but a sense of
religiosity dominated. We got closer to God
and felt our work was being blessed because we
were doing our work while the Mass was going
on, he recalled.
Asensi was joined by other professional artists: Ernie Ybaez, Rico Palacio, Dante Enage,
Archie Zabala, Archie Prisno, Billy Pormida,
Jass Diaz and Jun Olimberio.
History of renewed faith
The oil canvass painting, seen at the entrace
of the iconic church, depicts the history of the
local churchs faith and devotion to Seor Sto.
Nio de Tacloban, as well as details that explain
the transfer of the Sto. Nio fiesta celebration
from January to June 30. The painters can only
describe the obra as a legacy, a unique, once
in a lifetime undertaking.
According to some historical accounts, on
the Sto. Nio images return voyage to Tacloban, following repairs made in Manila, the

ship that was carrying it

was gutted by fire. The
ivory image was then
jettisoned before the
ship completely. It is
said that right after the
image went missing, a
cholera epidemic broke
out in Tacloban claiming countless lives.
Following long days
of search, word reached
the local government
and church leaders that
the image was being
venerated in a remote
community in Semirara
island in Antique province. A group of men
were tasked to retrieve
the icon, which they
were able to do so in
secret as the local folks
were not willing to return the image.
New look
The icon finally returned to Tacloban on
June 30, 1889. It is believed that on the same
day, people sick with
cholera started to recover
and the local economy Mural made by Yolanda survivors mounted on the ceiling of the Sto. Nio Church in
flourished once more. Tacloban City EI BALLESTEROS
This marked the beginThe Manila-based architects who concepning of a more fervent
tualized the design of the newly-rehabilitated
devotion to Seor Sto. Nio de Tacloban.
Although the original plan of painting the Sto. Nio Church edifice deemed it better to
entire ceiling of the church would have taken do away with the original plan considering
four years, the final output was the mural at the the installation of mosaic windows. (Eileen
Nazareno-Ballesteros/CBCP News)
main entrance door.

Plantations, A1

oil industry only proved broken

promises of development, livelihood, and food security, the
RMP-NMR said in a joint statement with the Center for Trade
Union and Human Rights and the
Hong Kong-based Asia Monitor
Resource Centre.
The statement was released on
Monday following National Oil
Palm Conference held in Davao
City on May 9 to10.
The conference was attended by
30 representatives from 20 organizations of indigenous peoples,
farmers, trade unions, agricultural
workers and advocates from different provinces of the country and
from Indonesia.
Dislocation
They said that palm oil planta-

tions in the country made expansion through land accumulation.

However, the groups lamented
that this drive became more aggressive in the past years resulting
in the dislocation of entire peasant
and indigenous peoples communities.
Oil palm plantations forced
their way into these communities without respect for indigenous peoples ancestral domain,
desecrating ancestral burial sites
and other important aspects of
indigenous peoples tradition and
culture, they said.

According to them, people and

groups opposed to oil palm expansion have become targets of threat,
harassment, and extra-judicial
killings.
Farmers and supposed agrarian reform beneficiaries, they
said, have been relegated to being landless agricultural workers
heavy toil, enduring hazardous
working environments and slave
wages.
Agricultural and mill workers
are made to accede to unfair labor
practices and labor flexibilization
policies, the statement read.

Violence, unfair labor

They claimed that militarization has spawned at an alarming
spate of human rights abuse of
civil and political rights.

Environmental problems, health

hazards
The groups also warned against
the use of harmful agrichemicals in
oil palm cultivation such Furadan,

Glyphosate and Paraquat.

These chemicals, they said,
pose health hazards not only to
farm workers directly handling
these toxic materials but also to
entire communities affected by the
contamination of water systems.
They also warned against allowing foreign companies to develop
a million hectares of palm oil plantations.
The statement said it will result
in massive destruction of forests,
loss of biodiversity, and will inevitably contribute to the problem of
climate change.
Critical issues surrounding oil
palm must be effectively tackled
with urgency in light of the irreversible ecological impact that
will affect future generations, they
said. (CBCPNews)

A8

May 11-24, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 10

PH to host World Media

Congress 2016
2016 seems to be a busy year with the Philippines hosting several international events,
one of which is the World Media Congress
on February 10 to12, 2016 with the theme
Synergy in Media: Empowering People at
Adamson University, Manila.
Organized by the Geneva-based International Christian Organisation of the
Media (ICOM), formerly known as Union
Catholique Internationale De La Presse
(UCIP), the event will also be the venue
for the awarding of the prestigious Titus
Brandsma Award, aside from 8 other awards
for outstanding journalists and media organizations.
For nominations, interested parties may
visit http://www.icomworld.info/aw/aae.
htm and they may send an email to icom@
bluewin.ch for the mechanics and further
details.
Deadline for award nominations is on Sept.
30, 2015.
The ICOM is a world forum of professionals in the secular and religious journalism, says
a press statement released by the organization.

Currently, the group boasts 8,000 members

worldwide who value ethics and values, accuracy and objectivity, and respect for peoples,
cultures, and religions.
Some of ICOMs aims include the promotion of the right to information, freedom of
opinion and ethics of journalism; support
for formation and ongoing development for
journalists; organization of events to stimulate collegiality, solidarity, conviviality and
dialogue among media and journalism professionals; realization of in-depth analysis and
reflection on timely themes; promotion of
communication as a means of education; fostering of exchange of information, experience,
and media development; encouragement
networking and friendship in view of healthy
and necessary exercise of ones profession.
Interested parties may contact, Mr. Guilian Geronimo through +639054533290;
t h ro u g h e m a i l : i c o m w o r l d m e d i a c o ngress2016ph@gmail.com; Facebook fanpagehttps://www.facebook.com/icomworldmediacongress2016ph; or Twitter @
icomwmc2016. (CBCPNews)

The Titus Brandsma Award, a biennial recognition for

outstanding media and communications practitioners,
is given by the Order of Carmelites in the Philippines.
The award is named after Titus Brandsma, Dutch
Carmelite friar, who died in infamous Dachau
concentration camp, where he died. Beatified by
the Catholic Church as a martyr of the faith, he was
vocal about his opposition against the Nazi ideology.
CARMELITES

CBCP, UST, Iranian embassy hold interreligious dialogue confab

SEVERAL prominent offices and
institutions came together to hold
the International Conference on
Interreligious Dialogue with the
theme The Approach of Islam
and Christianity Towards Religious Extremism and Violence,
which was held at the Buenaventura Garcia Paredes, O.P. building
of the University of Santo Tomas
(UST) from April 29 to 30.
The international event was
jointly organized by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the
Philippines (CBCP) Episcopal
Commission on Interreligious
Dialogue; Cultural Section, Embassy of the Islamic Republic of
Iran; Center for Interreligious
Dialogue and Civilization Iran;
and the UST Institute of Religion
through its Professional Advancement and Research Committee.
During the event, Asst. Prof.
Val G. Brillo of UST Institute of
Religion and Russell Berrie Fellow,
Interreligious and Ecumenical
Dialogue underscored the social
and political preconditions and
precipitants of terrorism, such
as modernization and political
discrimination.
In an interview with CBCP
News, Fr. Albert Alejo, SJ, Board
Chair of the Philippine Jesuit
Refugee Service, said infographics on hot-button issues should
be created to better understand
history. Right now, in many
forum about BBL, Mamasapano,
usually the problem is people do
not understand history. But what
we have done to make people
understand history? Now is the

Fr. Carlos Reyes, Executive Secretary of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, Episcopal Commission on Interreligious
Dialogue, on Friday, April 30, 2015, described children as the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, saying they show lessons valuable
to interreligious dialogue. VANESSA PUNO

time for infographics [on topics]

such as on climate change, social
entrepreneurship, and road map
to peace as examples.
Alejo presented different kinds
of timelines, saying, My proposal
is a multilayer Mindanao timeline,
political history, economic history, socio-cultural history and
ecological history, which is a way
to transform and revisit Philippine
history.
Ali Asghar Mohammadi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Embassy of the Islamic
Republic of Iran, Manila, in his
inspirational message, discussed
the core religious precepts and
divine values for the realization
of interreligious dialogue.

Prof. Rasoul Rasoulipour, High

Consultant, Center for Interreligious Dialogue and Civilization
and Head of the Department
of Theology, Shahid Motahari
University, Tehran in Iran, in his
message said people of good will
adhere to rational principles, an
understanding of social values
and social life that would lead the
communities living rationally.
He also said there should be a way
to measure in order to interpret
religious text, such that there will
be a common understanding for
all, which could pave the way to
peace.
Prof. Bagher Talebi Darabi
emphasized the acceptance of
diversity as the foundation of

interreligious dialogue. He also

said good relations with others are
built when there is respect. Darabi
also said there are various challenges to a global dialogue such
as universal human rights, global
ethics, and universal spirituality,
which lead to a separate discourse,
not only religious but also secular.
He noted how secular issues need
to be integrated into interreligious
dialogue.
Dr. Seyed Hashem Moosavi,
Director, Strategic Studies of the
University of Al Mostafe, Iran,
meanwhile, stressed that religious
leaders have a role to pave the
way for peace and understanding
through interreligious dialogue.
(Vanessa M. Puno/ CBCP News)

Moms trained on traditional health skills

PROMOTING traditional health care for the
family and for the community through the caring hands of mothers.
This was the aim of a seven-day training
for 18 women from Barangay Don Martin
Marundan (DMM) in Mati City, who underwent a basic traditional health skills training
from April 25 to May 2, organized by the City
Mayors Office.
This training will help me to monitor the
health of my family and my community. At the
same time, I will use my knowledge to use traditional methods of healing in times of sickness,
said Leonita Ruanes, 35, a mother of three.
She said they were trained on traditional massage (hilot), ventosa, including how to prepare
herbal medicine, oil and ointments for common
illnesses courtesy of instructors from the St. Camillus Hospital Foundation Community-Based
Health Care Program.

Jenelyn Maloloy-on, 37, a mother of five,

and president of the womens federation of the
barangay said that aside from the knowledge in
health care, the women will earn from selling
their herbal medicine and ointments.
They will also earn from service fees in providing traditional massage and ventosa.
The women said they want to utilize their
knowledge about Mother Natures gifts for
healing, instead of relying only on synthetic
medicine.
The training program was started last year and
has been run in different barangays.
The latest batch finished their training with
a Holy Mass officiated by the Director of St.
Camillus Hospital Foundation of Mati, Fr. Angel Crisostomo, followed by a short ceremony
attended by local officials headed by Mati City
Mayor Carlo Luis Rabat last May 2. (John
Frances C. Fuentes/CBCPNews)

Some 18 mothers attended a health skills training, which

included workshops on traditional massage and ventosa,
from April 25 to May 2 in Barangay Don Martin Marundan
(DMM) in Mati City. JOHN FRANCES FUENTES

Peace builders summit held

RECOGNIZING the role of
young people in the development of the country, a leadership
summit was held from April 27
to 29 at the Banaybanay National High School Covered Court
to empower young people and
make them partners in peacebuilding.
Yo u t h f o r Pe a c e M o v e ment (YFPM) Davao Oriental
(DavOr) Chapter President Fiel
Melan Bulaong said the summit
is like a one-stop-shop youth
camp where some 140 participants from 14 barangays learned
about their role in peace-building and how not to become part
of insurgency, among others.
Haradave Orfanel, 23, convenor of YFPM DavOr chapter said
young people are prone to being
recruited by leftist groups, which
is why the event aims to prepare
them to resist such invitations.
Organized by the YFPM
DavOr chapter, the summit
trained young people about be-

Some 140 participants from 14 barangays attended a leaders summit on peace-building

from April 27 to 29 at the Banaybanay National High School Covered Court in Mati City,
Davao Oriental. JOHN FRANCES FUENTES

coming future leaders, she added,

through activities on behavioral awareness, good governance,
drug awareness, environmental
awareness, insurgency awareness,
spiritual enhancement, team

building, among others.

RJ Pandili, 21, convenor of
YFPM DavOr chapter said they
also want young people to know
their responsibilities as Filipino
youth.

He said the summit, which

has had 22 r uns already in
Davao Oriental and neighboring provinces, also informed
the youth about government
projects designed to promote
their welfare.
LTC Benjamin Daniel D.
Tianco, Commander of the 20th
Infantry Battalion, during an
interview, said the youth summit
is the militarys way of forming
young people to become good
Filipino citizens and at the same
time, build their capacity to become future leaders.
According to Bulaong, the
summer youth camp was organized in partnership with the
local government units of Davao
Oriental and Banaybanay, together with the Armed Forces of
the Philippines (AFP).
The three-day summit focused
on the theme: Youth Convergence: Partner in Peace and Progress. (John Frances C. Fuentes/
CBCPNews)

CBCP Monitor

John Paul II Institute

marks major family
ministry milestones
THE Pope John Paul II Institute
for Studies on Marriage and the
Family in Bacolod marks major
milestones this year with its first
batch of Summer Masteral program graduates and the launching
of the first Diocesan Institutes on
Marriage and Family (DIMF).
The first batch of graduates
is composed of sixteen students,
priests, religious and lay family
ministers, who completed their
research methods and other
major subjects. On May 1, the
Institute initiated the individual
defense of their thesis titles.
True to the spirit of the JPII
Institutes service to the local
Church, Fr. Ronaldo Quijano,
the Institutes Dean of Studies
said: The students thesis titles
were reflective of the concerns
of the family ministry of their
respective dioceses. These were
studied under the light of the
core-curriculum provided by the
Institutes main campus in Rome
of Master of Arts in Education
specializing on Marriage and the
Family.
Summer Academic Program
As part of a continuing project, the JPII Institute conducted
its fourth cycle of the Summer
Academic Program of Masters of
Education in Marriage and Family from April 7 to May 2.
According to Quijano, initially
the Institute offered only a twoyear program with thesis-writing
during the usual academic year
but, due to the request of delegates from other dioceses during
the previous national conferences
of the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Family and Life (ECFL)
held in Bacolod, the summer
program was launched in 2012
in consortium with the Graduate School of the University of
St. La Salle.
Twenty-eight students enrolled
this summer. They came from the
Archdioceses of Lipa, Manila,

Cebu, Zamboanga, Davao, and

Cagayan de Oro; from the Dioceses of Laoag, Baguio, Urdaneta,
Balanga, Lucena, Legazpi, Kabankalan, San Carlos, Bacolod,
Surigao del Sur, Tagum, and Ipil
and from the Apostolic Vicariate
of Calapan. There were also two
foreign students from Thailand
and China.
The JPII Institute designated
a residence for all students at
the Centro Giovanni Paolo
II Headquarters where they
w e r e a l s o p r ov i d e d e d u c a tional scholarships with free
board and lodging. The summer course participants also
enjoyed community life with
spiritual formation, visits at
the offices of the Bishop and
the Commission on Family
and Life, exposure to the different diocesan ministries and
excursions, and socio-cultural
activities of the province.
First Diocesan Institutes on
Marriage and Family
Aside from the ongoing success of the summer program
Quijano happily reported that
a clear sign of the growth of
the Institute after a decade of its
operation, which he also considers a miracle of St. John Paul II,
is that in May, the Diocese of San
Carlos, through the encouragement of Bishop Gerry Alminaza,
is starting its Diocesan Institute
on Marriage and Family (DIMF).
This will be followed by the
Diocese of Baguio which will
also open its own DIMF in June,
thanks to the enthusiastic support of Bishop Carlito Cenzon,
he added.
We envision that more and
more lay faithful, religious and
priests are getting involved in
promoting renewal of the Church
considering the family ministry
as a diocesan priority, the priest
concluded. (Fr. Mickey Cardenas/CBCP News)

Youth invited to Taiz prayer,

solidarity gatherings
THE Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines Episcopal
Commission on Youth (CBCPECY) is calling on young Filipino
to participate in the prayer and
solidarity gatherings of the Taiz
community this May.
Marking the 75th year of the
Taiz community, members exhorted the Filipino youth to observe a day of prayer on May 12
(or any nearby date) and do acts
of solidarity throughout the year.
The celebration will be observed
not just in the country, but also in
different parts of the globe.
The event also commemorates the
100th birth anniversary of Bro. Roger Schutz, founder of the ecumenical
community of Taiz in France.
Young people around the world
are invited to recall the life of
Schutz and heed his call to follow
Christ by organizing prayer gatherings where they live and finding
practical ways of demonstrating
solidarity with others.
In Taiz, a presentation on
Schutz life will be shown on May
10. A variety of workshops and a
prayer of thanksgiving will follow.
In the Philippines, prayer gatherings will be held in the following
locations:
Northern Luzon: Alaminos
City (Diocese of Alaminos), May
13, 6:00 p.m. St. Joseph Cathedral

grounds; in some parishes of La

Union province (Diocese of San
Fernando) Saturday, May 09,
6:00 p.m.
Central Luzon: Lubao, Pampanga (Archdiocese of San Fernando),
May 10, 7:00 p.m; San Antonio
de Padua Parish Church, May 12,
6:00 p.m.;
Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel in
San Rafael Arkanghel Parish,
San Antonio de Padua Parish
Church, Malolos City, May 12,
6:00 p.m.
Metro Manila/National Capital
Region: Makati City, May 13,
5:30 p.m.
at St. John Bosco Parish Church;
Our Lady of the Pillar Parish (Santa
Cruz Church), May 4, 7:30 p.m.;
Marikina City, May 12, 3:00-7:00
p.m.; Marist School, Marikina
Heights, May 12, 6:00 p.m.; Our
Lady of Remedies Parish, Malate;
Episcopal Commission on Youth,
May 12, 6:30 p.m.,
CBCP Building, 470 Gen. Luna
St., Intramuros
Mindanao: Lantapan, Bukidnon
(Diocese of Malaybalay), May
06, 3:30 p.m. Nuestra Seora de
Guadalupe Parish Church.
For more details, interested
participants may visit http://www.
taize.fr/en_article17740.html.
(Jennifer M. Orillaza/CBCP
News)

Markings
APPOINTED. Pope Francis has appointed a new bishop to the Apostolic Vicarate of Bontoc-Lagawe. The appointment of Fr. Valentin Dimoc
was announced by the Vatican at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6.
Bishop-elect Dimoc will be the fifth bishop of the vicariate, which covers the two civil provinces of Ifugao and the Mountain Province. The
vicariate has been without a bishop since January 2013 after Bishop
Rodolfo Beltran, who served the area for seven years, was installed
as Bishop of La Union. For two years, it has been under the care of Fr.
Joseph Requino, who was named administrator by the Vatican. The
bishop-elect is currently the vicariates social action and development
center director and rector of the Mission Station of Ayangan. With his
appointment as new prelate, Dimoc will be the 133rd member of the
Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, of which 94 are active
and 39 retired. No date has been set for the Episcopal ordination and
installation of Dimoc as bishop of Bontoc-Lagawe.
DIED. Msgr. Jose Chito Bernardo passed away on on May 2, 2015,
11:43 p.m., the eve of the fifth Sunday of Easter. He was 69 years old.
Friends and family paid their last respects at the St. John Mary Vianney
Galilee Development and Retreat Center for Priests (Tagaytay City)
from the afternoon of May 3 to noon of May 4. From there, his remains
were transported to St. Andrew the Apostle Parish Church (Makati City)
for Mass at 3:00 p.m. Bernardos wake resumed at Bahay-Pari, San
Carlos Pastoral Formation Complex (Makati City) from 5:00 p.m. to
10:00 p.m. on May 4 and from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on May 5.After
the 9:00 a.m. Mass in Bahay-Pari on May 6, his remains were cremated at the Loyola Memorial Chapels and Crematorium (Makati City).
His ashes were then brought to St. James the Great Parish Church
(Muntinlupa City) in the afternoon. Inurnment followed the 3:00 p.m.
Funeral Mass on May 7.

PASTORAL CONCERNS B1

May 11 - 24, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 10

File Photo

CBCP Monitor

The many names of God and the

blessing of peace
TO kill in Gods namethis is one of
the most painful contradictions of our
time! And it has turned many away from
religion. In fact, whenever news networks
flash reports on the deaths even of helpless
civilians and innocent children resulting
from religious conflictsor at least from
the violence of groups proclaiming one
religious allegiance or the otherthe
question is often raised whether religion
is part, if not at the heart, of the problem.
This only strengthens secularist tendencies. Where religion is blamed for bloodshed and mayhem, the State endeavors
to protect its population and to keep the
peace by keeping demonstrations of faith
and signs of religion to a minimum, if not
suppressing its public display altogether.
But enforced secularism only triggers
religious militancy, and soon the cycle of
provocation, confrontation and violence
spins out of control, leaving in its wake
the mangled bodies of victims who die,
invoking Divine succor, slain by those
invoking Divine commands.
Pope Francis has won the admiration of
all, and continues to inspire. But it will
not do for us merely to look up at him,
and applaud. He means to show the way,
and to prove to all that with a heart that is
full to the brim with invincible love made
possible only by as invincible a faith in a
God of love, then one can sit peaceably at
table with men and women who invoke
God by other names and to break bread
with them as brothers and sisters. It is not
enough to beam at news of Pope Francis
breaking barriers. We must join him in
bringing forth the fruits of faith!
Tolerance is not good enough, for
toleration is letting be, and is perfectly
consistent with being indifferent if not
secretly spiteful of the other. It is not
tolerating the other that is the Christian
precept, but a welcome of the other, particularly those that the Scriptures call the
anawimthe poor of the Lord, they who
have none else to defend them. In the
Old Testament, Gods people, particularly
in times of difficulty, recognized that God
could work through the hands even of
pagan rulers. God, they understood, was
far more generous than their pettiness,
and presided in majesty high above all
divisions that humankind set up between
themselves. Jesus is the incarnation of the
supreme welcome of the other. He did
not only tolerate societys outcasts. He
sought them out and sat at table with
them. He did not only avoid picking
a fight with Romans. He healed the
centurions servant after praising him for
his faith. And the welcome he extended
to the Greeks who sought him out as the
fateful days of the Passover drew near gave
him occasion to discourse on his mission
and that of the community he was leaving behind. The Fathers of the Church
ardently believed that the Logos of God
was more than any category or class could
contain, and they wisely thought of logoi
spermatikoigerms of truth that would
be found beyond the visible confines of
the Church.
The Philippines is large enough an
archipelago for Christians and Muslims.
There have been hurtful incidents,
painful events for which Christians and
Muslim alike must ask for each others
forgiveness. But all these years, we have

OPAPP

(A talk delivered by Most Rev. Socrates B. Villegas, Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan

and president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines at the Interfaith Dialogue
held at the University of Santo Tomas on April 30, 2015)

The Philippines is large enough an archipelago for

Christians and Muslims. There have been hurtful incidents,
painful events for which Christians and Muslim alike must
ask for each others forgiveness.

managed to live not only side by side,

but to deepen in our appreciation of each
others spiritual and cultural treasures.
Many Muslims have attended schools
and colleges run by Catholic religious
congregations in the Philippines, and
many Muslims have welcomed a partnership with Catholics in initiatives for
the poor and the hard-pressed. We can
still show the world what it is for us all
who worship one God how he sons and
daughters can live as one.
God is the ultimate motive for charity! Human goodwill is not enough; it
is fragile, it is tossed about with changing moods, it is thoroughly afflicted by
that deeply-rooted malady of the human
condition called sin. Religion cannot be
the reason for conflicts. It cannot justify
in any way assaults against life, offenses
against liberty, crimes against the dignity of others. In the name of God,
most gracious and most merciful,
an immensely powerful and beautiful
invocation, well-known to Muslims all
over the world, but not unfamiliar to
Christians as well. In the Old Testament,
as God passed by the prophet who had
concealed himself in the cleft of the rock,
he revealed his name: The merciful, the
compassionate. They who truly worship a merciful and compassionate God
certainly blaspheme God when, in his
name, they raise their hands against their
brothers and sisters. Nothing should
be more pleasing to God, no offering
more acceptable than that all his sons
and daughters should live together with
the mercy and compassion by which He
wishes to be known!
I return to Pope Francis examplethe
prophet of our times truly sent by God.
He seeks out every opportunity to pray
with persons of other faiths. He welcomes
every chance to dialogue with them on
issues that matter to the world. He is
welcoming because he truly loves. And
that is the key to it all. One of the ancient
hymns of the Church captures it well:
Ubi caritas et amor, ibi Deus est!...Where
charity and love are, there God is! It should
not matter as much that we call him by
different names. And the narratives that
are sacred to us may be different. We will
respect these differences; we will rejoice
in them and be enriched by them. But
we must recognize that when we can live
in love, dialogue in love, pray in love and
make room for each other in love, there
Gods face is resplendent!
No, religion is not the cause of the
misery the world suffers. It is rather
because Gods face is eclipsed by political and economic agenda, ideologies and
affiliations that we have been scourged by
hardly atrocities without precedent. It is
because the men and women who make
decisions allow the arrogance of office
and the intoxication of power to dull the
mercy and compassion by which alone
God is worshipped and glorified.
What will save the world from all the
cruelty and hatred, the destructiveness
and the recklessness that have visited
so much misery on so many is a return
to religion, an earnest quest to seek the
face of God my our brothers and sisters
in genuine worship of that God who
chooses to be known as All Merciful, All
Compassionate.

B2 UPDATES

May 11 - 24, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 10

CBCP Monitor

File Photo

Threats to the Filipino Family

By Fr. Jaime B. Achacoso

Incensing the Easter Candle

The angel of the Lord revealed to Joseph the

dangers which threatened Jesus and Mary, forcing them to flee to Egypt and then to settle in
Nazareth. So too, in our time, God calls upon
us to recognize the dangers threatening our
own families and to protect them from harm.

File photo

THESE words of Pope Francis, addressed

to a gathering of families at the Mall of Asia
Arena last 16 January 2015, provide a good
introduction for our consideration of yet
another piece of papal magisterium during
the memorable visit of the Vicar of Christ to
the Philippines early this year. In that packed
20,000-seat arena, Pope Francis unmasked
the very grave threats to the Filipino family, which therefore constitutes very grave
threats to Philippine society. As he would
later on affirm:
Every threat to the family is a threat to
society itself. The future of humanity, as Saint
John Paul II often said, passes through the family (cf. Familiaris Consortio, n.85).

(Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy and dean of theology at the Regina Apostolorum university, answers the following
query:)
Q: During Easter season, is it correct to incense both the paschal
candle and the cross during Mass? -- F.O., Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
A: If incense is used at Mass the cross should always be incensed
during all seasons of the year. As specified in No. 87.d of the Ceremonial of Bishops (CB), this is done at the entrance procession
and at the presentation of gifts.

Whenever incense is used

for the entrance procession,
it follows reasonably that it
could be incensed with
three double swings as
during the vigil.
The incensing of the Easter candle is prescribed only during
the Easter vigil before the singing of the Exsultet. In this case the
deacon first incenses the Book of the Exsultet with three double

Incensing / B7

The New Ideological Colonization

Perhaps taking the cue from that misplaced
allusion of President Aquino to the colonial
period of Philippine historywhich he
wrongly characterized as a period of lack
of ecclesial sensitivity to the plight of the
Filipinos under the yoke of Spanish colonizationPope Francis raised the specter of a
more dangerous colonization: the new ideological colonization. In the mind of the Pope,
this ideological colonization constitutes the
greatest threat to the Filipino family.
Beware of the new ideological colonization
that tries to destroy the family. Its not born of
the dream that we have from God and prayer
it comes from outside and thats why I call it
a colonization. Let us not lose the freedom to
take forward the mission God has given us, the
mission of the family. And just as our peoples
were able to say in the past No to the period of
colonization, as families we have to be very wise
and strong to say No to any attempted ideological colonization that could destroy the family.
What was the Holy Father referring to as
ideological colonization? He himself would
flesh it out in the following terms:
The family is also threatened by growing
efforts on the part of some to redefine the very
institution of marriage, by relativism, by the
culture of the ephemeral, by a lack of openness
to life.
Let us try to understand these components
of the ideological colonization that the Pope
was speaking of.
1. The Effort of some to redefine the
very institution of marriage. There is no
doubt to what Pope Francis was referring
to: The repeated attempts to legalize divorce
(which will redefine marriage as dissoluble
union) and to legislate same-sex unions
(which would redefine marriage as a union
not only between a man and a woman, as
established by nature itself, but would include same-sex marriage). The propaganda is
relentless, with arguments as ridiculous as citing the factwhich the divorce proponents
in the Senate and Congress present as something negativethat the Philippines is the
only Catholic country that remains without
a divorce law. A more objective mind should
instead recognize such statistic as a badge of
honor for the Filipino family.
2. Relativism. Underpinning the attempt to redefine the natural institution of

marriagewhich was established in the very

nature of man himself, beautifully outlined in
the account of Genesisis a more insidious
error that has plagued human thought since
its inception in the 13th and 14th Centuries:
Relativism. Put plainly, it is the mindset that
there are no absolutes; everything is relative
to the human intellects understanding of it.
Reality itself is put in question; what exist are
concepts in the human mind, which may not
necessarily correspond to reality. It is what
lies behind that oft-heard expression among
liberals: your truth is different from mine.
The criterion of truth is not anymore the
agreement of the mind with reality, but rather
the consistency of the minds concepts among
themselves. What is true is what makes sense
to me. This leads to situation ethics, which
is the argument justifying contraception:
there are no intrinsically evil acts; morality
depends on the circumstances and even the

The propaganda
is relentless, with
arguments as
ridiculous as citing
the factwhich the
divorce proponents
in the Senate and
Congress present as
something negative
that the Philippines
is the only Catholic
country that remains
without a
divorce law.
intentions of the subject. Unfortunately, this
error is quite prevalent even in many Catholic schools and quite a number of Catholic
universities in the Philippines.
3. The culture of the ephemeral. Without moral absolutes or objective truths, the
good and the beautiful cease to have objective meaning. From subjective relativism one
simply floats to the culture of the ephemeral.
If there are no objective truths and moral absolutes, then everything is passing. This leads
to what the Pope refers to as the culture of
the ephemerali.e., everything is disposable;
nothing lasts. Even people are disposable
when they are no longer useful or pleasurable. The sad phenomenon of asylums for the
elderly (when their children have disposed of
them) or of institutions for the disabled and
infirm (when society has disposed of them)
or of divorced women and abandoned children (when their husbands have disposed of
them), so prevalent in the West, is the glaring
proof of this culture.
4. Lack of openness to life. The final
result of the aforementioned forces is the lack
of openness to life, also described by previous
pontiffs as the contraceptive mentality and the
culture of death. Only a philosophy grounded
on being can fully appreciate the goodness of

every human personmade in the image and

likeness of God and destined to be one with
Him in Heavenas not something relative,
consensual or ephemeral, but individually
loved into existence by God. It is the failure
to grasp this truth that lurks under the arguments justifying contraception and abortion, in favor of a greater good ascribed to
physical, economic, social and even political
well-being. Only an intellect untrammeled
by the aforementioned errors is capable of
understanding that to be is far better that
to be healthier, to be better educated, or
to be financially better off . The arguments
for contraception all boil down to this.
Pressures on the Filipino Family
As if the threats of ideological colonization were not enough, the Filipino family is
further subjected to a series of pressures, outlined by Pope Francis in the following terms:
The pressures on family life today are many.
Here in the Philippines, countless families are
still suffering from the effects of natural disasters. The economic situation has caused families
to be separated by migration and the search
for employment, and financial problems strain
many households. While all too many people
live in dire poverty, others are caught up in
materialism and lifestyles which are destructive
of family life and the most basic demands of
Christian morality.
Again let us look at each of them briefly:
1. Natural disasters. The very reason for
the papal visit was to console the Filipinos
who had been affected by natural disasters
in the Visayas the previous year. The stark
reality of the forces of nature was dramatically brought to the worlds consciousness
with the vivid television images of the Pope
celebrating Mass under wind and rain, not
only in Tacloban City but even in Manila.
But together with those heart-rending images should also have come the realization
of a force stronger than typhoons and earthquakes, which was the cause of the resilience
of the Filipinos and the Filipino family in the
face of such natural disasters: their faith in
God, their hope in His loving Providence and
their great love for Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
2. Financial problems. As the Pope
pointed out, on the one hand all too many
people live in dire poverty and such financial problems strain many households. Too
much poverty is the real problemnot too
many peopleand (as he also pointed out
in the very first address directed to state officials) corruption is at the root of it. On the
other hand, the economic situation is forcing
many families to be separated by migration
for employment elsewhere. As recent studies have shown, the number one cause of
the breakdown of marriages and families in
the Philippines is now the OFW syndrome.
While everyone is praising the OFWs as the
unsung heroes keeping the Philippine economy afloat, nobody seems to be addressing the
cost of such overseas employment in terms of
estranged spouses and maladjusted children.
The absence of the father (male figure to be
emulated) is causing so many young Filipinos
to be effeminate (if not outright homosexuals), while the absence of the mother (the
feminine figure) is at the bottom of an even
greater incidence of lesbianism.
3. Materialism and lifestyles
which are destructive of family life and the
most basic demands of Christian morality.
These are actually the direct fruits of the
new ideological colonialism. The Filipino is
Family / B7

CBCP Monitor

FEATURES B3

May 11 - 24, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 10

Christ in you, our hope of glory

The Eucharist: Source and Goal of the Churchs Mission

Theological and pastoral reflections in preparation for the 51st International Eucharistic Congress
(Second of a series)
II. The Eucharist: Christs work of
redemption realized

B. The mystery proclaimed That

all may receive Christ
The mystery has to be proclaimed
unceasingly so that all may receive
Christ and all may be presented to
Christ (Cf. Col 128). Paul considers
himself a minister of the Gospel of
hope that is meant to be preached to
every creature under heaven in order
to bring to completion the Word of
God, the mystery which used to be
hidden but now manifested (Cf. Col
1:23, 25-26). Paul took upon himself the mission that Christ sent his
apostles to do: that by preaching the
gospel to every creature they might
proclaim that the Son of God, by his
death and resurrection, had freed us
from them power of Satan and from
death and brought us into the kingdom of the Father.
The Gospel was to be preached,
however, not only by word, but also
by means of sacrifice and Sacraments,
around which the entire liturgical life
evolves. Hence, through the power of
the Holy Spirit, men and women are
plunged into Christs Paschal Mystery.
By gathering together regularly to listen to the apostles teaching and to eat
the Supper of the Lord, they proclaim
the death of the Lord until he comes.
The Church is constantly built up into
a sacrament of communion and oneness as she constantly comes together
to celebrate that Paschal Mystery:
reading those things which were in
all the scriptures concerning him (Lk
24:27) and celebrating the Eucharist
in which the victory and triumph of
his death are again made present. (Cf.
Council of Trent, Session XIII, Decree
on the Holy Eucharist).
II. The Eucharist: source and goal
of the Churchs mission
A. Eucharist as Sacrament of love, sign
of unity, bond of charity

CBCP News

Most Rev. Piero Marini, President of the Pontifical Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses opens the Plenary Assembly held in Cebu City on April
24-28, 2015. Seated with him are: Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma who hosts the 51st International Eucharistic Congress that will be held in Cebu on January
24-31, 2016; Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles who is the Chair of the CBCP Committee on Eucharistic Congress; and Fr. Vittore Boccardi, SSS, Secretary of
the Pontifical Committee for Eucharistic Congress.

CBCP News

A. The mystery Christ in You, the

hope of Glory. (Col. 1:24-20)
Having been told that the Collosians were adopting Christianity to
their culture and their beliefs, Paul
had to assert with firmness that Christ
possesses the fullness of redemptive
power (1:19). Everything in the world
is made for the sake of Christ. Right
from the opening chapter of this letter, Paul applies the words all and
everything to Christ over and over
again.
This important Pauline teaching
is echoed without ambiguity by the
Vatican II Constitution on the Sacred
Liturgy as it affirms that the great
works that God wrought among the
people of the Old Testament were but
a preparation for the work that Christ
was to accomplish in order to redeem
humankind and give glory to God.
The Paschal Mystery of his passion,
death and resurrection was to be the
central cause of salvation. It was by
dying (that) e has destroyed our death,
and by rising, (that he) has restored
out life. (Preface of Easter I) By
the mystery of his dying and rising,
Christ has indeed become our hope of
glory. For the Holy Spirit whom he
handed over as he breathed his last on
the Cross (cf. Jn 19:30) brought forth
the wondrous sacrament of the whole
Church (From the Prayer after the
seventh reading of Easter Vigil) so that
just as Christ was sent by the Father, so
also does his Church, the community
of his disciples, to continue proclaiming his work of redemption.

sign of unit and bond of charity, the

Holy Spirit is invoked upon the bread
and wine so that they may become the
Body and Blood of Christ (consecratory epiclesis). A little later in the
celebration, the same Holy Spirit is
invoked on the assembly so that they
may become one body, one spirit in
Christ (communion epiclesis).
So great indeed is this mystery! By
the action of the Holy Spirit, the fruits
of the earth and work of human hands
are transformed to become life-giving
bread and spiritual drink. By the action of the same Holy Spirit, those
who eat and drink of the Body and
Blood of Christ are transformed into
the one Body of Christ. Th are then
sent forth to transform their families,
their places of work, the society, and
the world. The Eucharist transforms
the assembled community into a
communion of life, charity and truth
in order to become an instrument
for the redemption of all and as the
light of the world and the salt of the
earth. (LG 9) For in the Eucharist,
the one whom the Father has sent to
do his will (Cf. Jn 5:36-38; 6:38-40;
:16-18) draws us to himself and makes
us part of his life and mission. (Cf.
Benedict XVI, Post-Synodal Exhortation Verbum Domini).

Archbishop Jose Palma orients the participants of the Plenary Assembly from 47 countries on the Cebu City Sports Center that will be one of the venues of the
51st International Eucharistic Congress.

Partaking of the bread broken and shared

in Eucharistic Communion, the Christian individual and
community cannot remain indifferent to the call
to share and give of oneself to become
bread for the life of the world.

2. The transforming power of the

Holy Spirit
For the Eucharist to become the
sacrament of Christs love, effective

CBCP News

1. Christs presence in the Eucharist

That which Christ accomplished
through his life, preaching, and, above
all, his Paschal Mystery, continues to
be present in his Church, especially
in her liturgical celebrations. Indeed
that which in him was visible has
passed on to the Church especially in
her Sacraments. Through the power
of the Holy Spirit, Christ continues to
enrich us with his life, and united with
his own, we are able to offer worship
acceptable to the Father by means of
signs perceptible to the senses.
The Eucharist therefore is the perpetual embodiment of what Christ has
given to his Church by his total gift of
himself. It has become the sacrament
of his love for which he gave himself
up to death, death on the Cross (Cf.
Phil 2:8). It has become the sign of
the unity for which he prayed on the
night before he died: Father, may
they be one as you and I are one (Jn
17:21). It has become the bond of
that charity which he demands of his
disciples in what he gave them as h
new commandment (Cf. Jn 13:34). It
is all this that he asks of his disciples
to do in memory of hi. Sacrament
of love, sign of unity, bond of charity:
Christ intends the Eucharist to be.

CBCP President and Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas joins the Plenary Assembly participants in the ocular inspection of the ongoing construction
of the Pavilion that will be the main venue of the 51st International Eucharistic Congress.

3. Transformed and sent to transform

That which they received (the Body
of Christ), they are called to become.
(Cf. St. Augustine, Sermon 272:1314). The Eucharist has an intrinsic
missionar y dimension on account
of its institution. For at the Last
Supper, not only did Christ take the
bread and the cup of wine for these
to become life-giving bread and saving cup. He also washed the feet of
his disciples which he bade them to
do to one another (Cf. Jn 13:14).
Their washing one anothers feet in
humble and loving service will have
to be a mirror of Christs entire life
of service and mission. Transformed
by their encounter with the Lord in
his Word and in his Body into people
of service and charity, the faithful are
sent to transform their communities
into living and life-giving fellowship.
They Eucharist realizes its nature and
purpose when it transforms places and
people into communities of love and
service.
B. The Eucharist and Mission
Along the same vein, it was after
they felt their hearts burning within
them by the words they heard from
the Risen Christ and by recognizing
him in the breaking of the bread
that the disciples of Emmaus (Cf.
Lk 24:30-32) felt the urge to go in
haste to share with the brethren the
joy of their meeting with Him. (Cf.
John Paul II, General Audience, 21
June 2000; John Paul II, Apostolic
Letter Dies Domini; on keeping the
Lords Day). Partaking of the bread
broken and shared in Eucharistic
Communion, the Christian individual
and community cannot remain indifferent to the call to share and give of
oneself to become bread for the life
of the world. For this reason, the
celebration of the Eucharistic Sacrifice is the most effective missionary
act that the ecclesial community can
perform in world history. (Cf. John
Paul II, Dies Domini, 45). Every part
of the Eucharistic Celebration reveals
an inseparable connection between
communion and mission by which
the Church emerges as both sign and
instrument of unity (Cf. LG 1). It will
be worthwhile to see some parts of the
Eucharistic Celebration and how the
mission is constitutively contained
therein.
1. Introductory Rites
When the people are gathered
(Order of the Mass, in the Roman
Missal, 3 rd typical edition, n. 1).
Having come from various places,
circumstances, and situations, we are
formed by the various elements of the
Introductory Rites into an assembly
of worship. Our coming together in
response to Gods call is already the
first movement of the creative power
of the Eucharist by which we become
Gods covenanted people. The priests
greeting The Lord be with you or
its equivalent is a solemn declaration
that we are now formally an assembly
for Gods worship, the Lords dwelling place. The Lord be with you is
at the same time a statement of faith:
that Christ, the Risen Lord, the sender
of the Holy Spirit, is truly present in
the assembly at the celebration of the
Holy Mass! The same words are p art
of the greeting of the Angel unto the
Blessed Mother as he announced that
she has been chosen to bear the Emmanuelthe God who is with us in
her womb (Cf. Lk 1:28).
The Holy Spirit whom
Christ, the Risen Lord, sends at Holy
Mass is the One who enables us to
remember the great favors that God
has done for us. With our hearts filled
with gratitude and praise, we are then
Eucharist / B7

B4 FEATURES

May 11 - 24, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 10

FSP

A Journey of Faith

CBCP Monitor

The Daughters of St. Paul during a pilgrimage to Lipa City on the occasion of the 75th foundation anniversary of the Philippine province in 2013

By Sr. Pinky Barrientos, FSP

St. Paul have 2,267 sisters whose apostolic

presence is spread in 51 countries across five
continents throughout the world.
Inspired by the zeal of the Apostle Paul,
who according to Alberione, would use
every available means of communication
in his time to spread the Gospel, he urged
all Daughters of St. Paul to travel the paths
of the world, spreading the light of God
everywhere, carrying out a ministry similar
to that of St. Paul.

Every Pauline sister draws inner strength

from the well of Pauline spirituality centered on Jesus Master, Way, Truth and Life
in carrying out her apostolic ministry, always striving to reach the same goal as their
patron, the Apostle Paul: It is no longer I
who live but Christ who lives in me. The
daily Eucharist, the Word of God, daily
prayer and fraternal communion are source
of light and support to help them discern
the signs of the times so as to respond to the
needs of the Church
and the world.
Venerable Thecla
Merlo urged all the
Daughters of St. Paul
to zealously proclaim
the gospel with hearts
ablaze with Gods
love. How many
people there are in
the world who do
not know and love
the Lord! Apostles
are needed but genuine apostles whose
hearts are filled with
love for God Our
apostolate is participation in the apostolate of Jesus.
The ever evolving technology of
communication propelled the Pauline
sisters to embrace
its challenges with
deep faith, always
conscious of the
admonition of the
founder to bring the
gospel to the people,
wherever they are,
with whatever means
available.
How many times
do you ask yourselves: where, how
and toward what is
humanity moving,
this humanity that is
constantly renewing
itself on the face of
the earth? (Blessed
James Alberione)
With the vast possibilities that modern technology of
communication has
opened up, the Sisters have enthusiastically embraced its
potentials to reach
a broader audience
that would benefit
from the word of
God. So, along with
book publishing

On Philippine soil
The Philippine province, which celebrated its 75th anniversary only last 2013,
has at present 179 professed sisters living
in 18 communities within the country
and abroad. The Sisters carry out their
apostolic ministry through book publishing, production of radio and television
programs, media education and literacy,
managing an online shop and 18 media
centers throughout the country, conducting biblical animation and outreach, organizing book missions and visits to families,
schools and parishes.
The Sisters outreach program has taken
on a more meaningful dimension this year,
as the local church celebrates the Year of the
Poor. Each community in the province has
intensified its outreach program to the poor
through media animation, bible ministry
and catechesis.
In Pasay, where the central house is
located, a group of sisters from the community regularly conduct their outreach
ministry to the inmates at Pasay City Jail,
children in conflict with the law who are
housed in Pasay City Youth Home and to
poor residents living in Pasay cemeteries
and nearby slum areas.
The program resonates well with the desire of Pope Francis for the Church to have
a deeper commitment towards its most
marginalized members, whom the pontiff
said, suffer the worst discrimination
not merely because of meager resources
at their disposal but due to the lack of
spiritual care.

and other traditional means of communicating the Gospel, the Sisters now
make their presence felt in cyberspace
by maintaining blogs and social media
sites so that through these multimedia
platforms the Gospel will further spread
and permeate todays internet-savvy
generation.

Gospels, she continued.

Despite challenges on all fronts, the
Daughters of St. Paul strain ahead with
hope, invigorated by the wisdom and
sacrifices of their pioneers whose faithfilled life was a constant reminder of
Gods fidelity and of his promise I am
with you always!

FSP

CELEBRATING the centennial of a

religious congregation this year is extraordinary, in view of the fact that it coincides
with the celebration of the Year of Consecrated Life as declared by the Vatican. For
the Daughters of St. Paul, whose existence
in the Church turns 100 this year, the
Vatican proclamation gives an extra boost

Alberiones unfathomable faith in God

led him to found five religious congregations, four aggregated institutes and an
association of lay cooperators. The first of
these religious congregations is the Society
of St. Paul which was founded in 1914,
followed by the Daughters of St. Paul in
1915. The other congregations include
the Pious Disciples of the Divine Master,
the Sisters of Jesus the Good Shepherd
(Pastorelle) and the Sisters of the Queen

Gratitude
True enough, one cannot celebrate the
present moment without looking at the past
with a grateful heart and counting the innumerable blessings the Lord has showered
upon the congregation in superabundance.
In this centenary of their foundation,
the Daughters of St. Paul worldwide look
back with gratitude to their founder Blessed
James Alberione and co-foundress Venerable Thecla Merlo, two visionaries whose
hearts were imbued with profound faith
in Divine Providence and who, with enormous courage unhesitatingly responded to
the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
Themed 100 years of Pauline consecrated life, a journey of faith and love,
the celebration is also an occasion for
all the Paulines to commend the pioneer
sisters who bore the difficulties of the
foundational years, trail blazing the path
for each Pauline Sister who will follow them
through the years.
Sr. Evangelina Canag, former provincial
superior of the Philippine province and one
time General Councilor said that Blessed
James Alberione, whom Paulines used to
addressed to as Primo Maestro, meaning
First Teacher in honor of Jesus Master,
had always insisted on the nuns to always
trust in Divine Providence. Trust coupled
with action.
But trusting in God does not mean we
do nothing on our part. During the early
days, Primo Maestro used to send sisters to
knock on doors and ask for old newspapers
from families. The sisters would then bring
all those old newspapers to the recycling
plant in exchange of clean paper to use for
printing books, Sr. Evangelina said.

of Apostles. The four

aggregated institutes
are the Institute of
St. Gabriel the Archangel for men, Institute of Our Lady
of the Annunciation
for women, Institute
of Jesus Priest for
diocesan priests and
Institute of the Holy
Family.

During the early days,

Primo Maestro used to send sisters
to knock on doors and ask for old
newspapers from families.
The sisters would then bring all those
old newspapers to the recycling plant
in exchange of clean paper to use for
printing books

Pauline heritage
The seed of foundation was planted
in Alba, Italy, on a
memorable night
that divided the
19th and 20th centuries. The young Alberione, still a seminarian at that time
was praying before
the Blessed Sacrament exposed at the
Cathedral of Alba.
While deep in prayer,
he felt the profound
stirrings in his heart
to do something for
the people of the new
century.
That initial spark
from the Holy Spirit
finally took shape
on August 20, 1914
upon the foundation
of the first branch
of the Pauline family, the Society of St.
Paul; and the birth of
the Pauline charism,
which defines the
spirituality and mission of the Pauline
family.
The congregation
of the Daughters of
St. Paul was established a year later,
on June 15, 1915
with a handful of
young women whom
Fr. James Alberione
gathered together to
work for the apostolate of the press.
The fledgling group was led by Teresa
Merlo, who took the name of Thecla on
her profession day in honor of St. Pauls
first woman disciple. She became the first
Mother General of the Daughters of St.
Paul, and closely collaborated with Alberione in founding the other Institutes of
the Pauline Family. Today, the Daughters of

FSP

on the significant role consecrated persons

fulfill in the life of the Church.
The Vaticans proclamation of the Year of
Consecrated Life was also inspired by the
celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the
Dogmatic Constitution on the ChurchLumen Gentium, which dedicates a chapter on
the topic of religious life, and of Perfectae
Caritatis, a Decreeon the Renewal of Religious Life.So there is a common thread
that holds all of these celebrations together.
Highlighting the importance of the occasion Pope Francis stressed in his apostolic
letter that the celebration would be appropriate for each charismatic family to reflect
on its origins and history, in order to thank
God who grants the Church a variety of
gifts which embellish her and equip her for
every good work (cf.Lumen Gentium, 12).
As the Churchs event encourages all
consecrated religious to take a profound
look on their life of consecration, the pope
also said it is important for all those called
to consecration to look to the past with
gratitude.

Challenges
Always an inspiration and a source of
strength for all those who followed him,
Alberione urged all Daughters of St. Paul to
make use of every means of communication
that modern progress provides, with the
aim of forming a new mentality in society,
a mentality that will assure spiritual vitality for souls and Christian life for society.
As true with any great endeavors
challenges are not lacking, but faith in
the God who calls is much greater. The
Daughters of St. Pauls Mother General
Sr. Anna Maria Parenzan said as much, in
a letter to all the sisters on the occasion
of the centenary.
Our Centenary offers us the opportunity to celebrate the memory of the marvels
the Lord continues to work through our
poverty and littleness. The continual developments in the field of technology give
always [a] new face to our mission and []
challenge us to always start afresh, with the
faith that marked our beginnings, she said.
We think of the strength and courage of
our sisters: especially those who live in perilous socio-political situations, and those
who dedicate themselves without reserve
to the Lord through illness and advancing
age, transforming themselves into living

A hundred years after that initial impulse, the flame of apostolic fervor continue to burn in the heart of each Daughter
of St. Paul. Despite diversities in culture
and language all the sisters are united to a
common goal to preach the gospel and
to make Jesus known in every corner of
the globe.

STATEMENTS B5

May 11 - 24, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 10

File Photo

CBCP Monitor

Do not be afraid of Pananabangan!

Pastoral Letter on Stewardship

Reviewing Pananabangan
Let us allow the Pastoral Letter on
Stewardship issued by the bishops of the
United States to guide us: As each one has
received a gift, use it to serve one another
as good stewards of Gods varied grace (1
Pt 4:10).
What identifies a steward? Safeguarding material and human resources and
using them responsibly are one answer;
so is generous giving of time, talent, and
treasure. But being a Christian steward
means more. As Christian stewards, we
receive Gods gifts gratefully, cultivate
them responsibly, share them lovingly in
justice with others, and return them with
increase to the Lord.
Pananabangan as has been repeatedly
said is NOT about money. It is NOT
a fund raising scheme. It is a way of life
lived with gratitude, lived responsibly and
shared generously.
The enemies of Church renewal are
indifference, cowardice and loss of the
sense of the sacred. The globalization of
indifference must be fought with the compassion of Pananabangan. The cowardice
and timidity so prevalent in crisis must
be won over by the culture of courageous
giving. We show our true colour when
we are put in hot water. The loss of the
sense of the sacred must end with the
culture of communion and active social
engagement.
Pananabangan helps us to face our
dragons and conquer them. This spiritual program helps our people to get
involved and come out from our sheltered
piety. It helps us to understand that the
parish office is not a venue for business
transactions for the sacraments and sacramental but an encounter between fellow
stewards. Pananabangan gives us courage
to commit to the Lord and live by this
commitment to love like Jesus without the
fear of ever lacking. This spiritual program
will open our hearts to the reality that
everything is holy because everything is
grace. The Beatitudes are our magna carta
for Pananabangan. The life example of
Jesus, the primary steward of the mercies
of God, is our only model to follow.
Adopting Pananabangan
The Word of God upon which we must
always base our homilies during the liturgy
has abundant references to stewardship.
I encourage you our brother priests to
look at the Word of God with the eyes
of Pananabangan, to constantly flavour
the homily with Pananabangan tones and
repeat the three fold message of gratitude,
responsibility and generosity (GRG) as the
hallmarks of the stewardship spirituality.
Without resorting to judgmental moralizing, let us prophetically speak against
indifference, cowardice and the loss of the
sense of the sacred.
The Pananabangan envelopes that
we have made available to parishes and

schools may be filled up also with commitments to give time and talents beyond
the customary money pledges. I encourage our school directors to regularly talk
to our academic communities on the
spirituality of stewardship during school
convocations, retreats and seminars. The
Pananabangan manual of formation is
ready and available for this purpose.
In the context of prayer and from your
pastoral sensitivity, the Pananabangan
formation may be adopted as an extended
formation series. Candidly, if the Pananabangan module is reduced to a crashed
half a day seminar, it will most likely not
achieve its desired effect of becoming a
lifestyle for Christs disciples. It needs
time for patient assimilation and pondered
reflection. It needs to simmer and take
roots. Haste is waste.
Implementing Pananabangan
Although Pananabangan is NOT about
money, it is the perennial issue about money that becomes the test if Pananabangan
has indeed been taken to heart. One of the
clear signs of our Pananabangan spirit is
our fidelity to the abolition of the arancel
or the fixed rates for the sacraments and
sacramentals in the Church. It is our
archdiocesan policy as indicated in the
computerized parish accounting system
that the parish office should not require
the parishioners to make fixed donations
for the services of the Church. The so
called fixed donations violates the spirit
with which we slowly abolished the arancel
system of Church sustenance. It smacks
of bad taste and intellectual dishonesty
to say that we have no fixed rates for the
sacraments and church services on one
hand and yet insinuate softly later a certain
amount to be offered.
The Church will not get poorer with
Pananabangan. The Church will become
more credible, more prophetic and more
Christ like with Pananabangan. The arancel system is both a painful scourge on
the long suffering people and a shameful
stain in the vestments of the Churchs
ministers. The arancel imprints an invisible and foul price tag on our priestly stole.
It has been tolerated but in the beginning
it was not so.
Giving to the Church must become a
regular habit with or without the sacraments. It is certainly true that the sacraments and blessings of the Church are not
a reward for a virtue nor a prize for being
good. In the same way, the blessings and
sacraments of the Church must not appear

first lesson for the other members of the

community. They must possess the qualities of a good communicator so that they
can facilitate formation seminars.
The Archdiocesan Director for Pananabangan should have a general archdiocesan listing of the Pananabangan Team
for every school and parish. The Parish
Pananabangan Team must also receive
commissioning in the principal parish
Mass on Pentecost Sunday, May 24, 2015.

and complain secretly wishing to return

to the familiar and secure instead of the
adventure of a new Church. Complainers
end up defeated. When we allow our fears
to guide our actions we lose our vision and
get imprisoned by our griping.
God wants us all to have a vision,
to pursue our vision. Our vision is ICTHUSintegration of faith and life,
catechesis, thanksgiving, unity and service.
It does not matter if we do not completely

to be a steward of Mother Nature and

Mother Church,
in spite of who I am and what I have
done,
and in spite of the infidelities He knows
I will still commit.
I believe in the power of giving
and in the power of loving like Jesus;
because love is the only way to holiness;
giving is the best proof of loving;
and perfect renunciation leads to un-

All the material offerings from the

Pananabangan must be administered by
the Parish Board of Temporalities chaired
by the parish priest together with some
trusted lay leaders in the parish. In the case
of schools, the material offerings that may
be generated from the school community
must be administered by the School Board
of Temporalities composed of students,
teachers and the school director.
The Parish Pananabangan Team must

achieve it fast; what matters is we keep

moving on, pushing forward to our
Promised Land. Griping and complaining
and worshipping idols in the desert were
the greatest sins of the chosen people.
Complainers are losers and they pull us
backwards.
I plead with you. We have begun the
journey of Pananabangan. There must be
no turning back now. It might take our
whole lifetime to achieve but let us not

limited fruitfulness.
I believe that in freely giving my time,
in humbly sharing my talents,
and in generously sacrificing my treasures,
the Lord will always provide.
He will take care of all my needs,
and bless me with infinite reward on
earth and in heaven.
I will be the first to give.
I will not wait for the others.
I will keep on giving even if others do
not give.
I will not be afraid to have none.
I believe that the best time to share is
now, not tomorrow,
for tomorrow is an excuse of the greedy.
I will keep my needs and wants simple
and few,
for I believe that in reducing my selfishness,
I will grow in happiness and holiness.
I am a steward of the Lord.
I will return all these to Him with
abundant yield!
Much is asked of me because much has
been given to me
I praise the Lord for His kindness to me
Now and forever.
Amen.

File Photo

WE have taken great strides together as

a presbyterium in particular and as an
archdiocese in general in pursuing Church
renewal through the path of the stewardship spirituality which we have inculturated in Pangasinan as Pananabangan. I
want to commend many parishes that have
adopted the Pananabangan formation
seminars as their primary parish formation program. I trust that the handful who
are still planning to start will be inspired
by the success of those who have started
Pananabangan three years ago and are now
reaping the rich harvest of the spirituality
of Pananabangan.

The arancel system is both a painful scourge on the long

suffering people and a shameful stain in the vestments of
the Churchs ministers. The arancel imprints an invisible
and foul price tag on our priestly stole.
as religious services rendered in exchange
for fees. It is the duty of the priest to offer
them. It is the duty of every child of the
Church to sustain their Mother diligently
and generously.
SUSTAINING PANANABANGAN
Every parish and Catholic school in the
Archdiocese of Lingayen Dagupan must
have a permanent Pananabangan Team
composed of three to five persons with the
capacity to conduct formation programs
regularly and continuously. They may
come from the pool of catechists, liturgical
lay ministers or BEC coordinators. Their
commitment to live Pananabangan is their

not handle the material offerings from the

Pananabangan program.
Do not fear Pananabangan
We are at the threshold of seeing a
Church renewed. Expectedly, there will
be birth pains. We might be tempted to
return to the fleshpots of our Egypt. The
old system of Church sustenance is familiar and feels secure but that is the security
of Egypt not the hope of the Promised
Land. The arancel can give us better security but that that is the security of slaves
not freemen. I know a few of us grumble

allow the generations following us to say

later that we had a chance to change the
destiny of Lingayen - Dagupan but we
did not do our duty when the challenge
faced us. Many generations of Catholics
will be grateful to us for the zeal that we
show today.
Let us renew our commitment to Stewardship. Let us proclaim together.
I believe in the God of love,
the owner of everything who possesses
everyone.
I believe in the God of mercies who has
chosen me

From the Cathedral of Saint John the

Evangelist, Dagupan City, May 1, 2015
+SOCRATES B. VILLEGAS
Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan

B6 REFLECTIONS

May 11 - 24, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 10

CBCP Monitor

The Holy Spirit, the source of all gifts in the Church

Solemnity of Pentecost, John 20:19-23 (B) May 24, 2015
By Fr. Sal Putzu, SDB

Jean II Restout

AN extraordinary outpouring of
the divine Spirit on all mankind
had been foretold by the prophet
Joel (see Jl 3:1-5), but the effect of the fulfillment of such
a prophecy went beyond every
expectation. PENTECOST was
not just a matter of people speaking previously unknown foreign
languages or having visions. It
was A NEW CREATION. It
brought into existence A NEW
MANKIND, a new People of
GodTHE CHURCH.
The new creation and the new
people of God started with the
handful of some 120 disciples of
Jesus. (See Acts 1:15.) It effected
in them a radical change, both
as individuals and as a group.
The bystanders were struck by
the fact that those unschooled
Galileans could express themselves in foreign languages. (See:
Acts 2:7-12.)
But what mattered most was
the inner transformation that
had taken place in those simple
folks: from fearful, they had
turned daring; from ignorant,
they had become learned; from
being a confused and scattered
crowd, they had been fashioned
into a well-knit community,
characterized by brotherly love,
with an inspiring leadership and
a deep sense of mission.
This new creation, like the
first, was to go on till the end
of time. And we are part of it.
All through the centuries, the
Spirit has continued to enliven
the Church with His presence. It

From fearful, they had turned daring;

from ignorant, they had become learned;
from being a confused and scattered crowd,
they had been fashioned into a well-knit community,
characterized by brotherly love

is from Him that the sacraments

derive their sanctifying efficacy;
the leaders are enlightened in
the fulfillment of their pastoral
duties; the martyrs are strengthened in the confession of their
faith; and all the faithful experience His indispensable assistance
in the fulfillment of their duties
in their daily life. It is from the
Spirit that the Church continually feels the need for, and draws
the inspiration and courage to
undergo conversion.
The Spirit is the origin of
all the great movements in the
Church, which, in every generation, enriches it with initiatives and institutions that are
like fresh shoots bursting forth
from the ancient trunk that no
passing of centuries fossilizes or
destroys.
It is the gifts of the Holy
Spirit that empower each individual believer to walk the
road of holiness and bring
about in oneself that wonderful
transformation that configures
a person to Jesus the divine
model. Finally, it is the Holy
Spirit who enriches us with
his seven gifts, and who brings
about in us that abundance
of virtuous dispositions that
we call his fruits, and which
are the signs and means of an
authentic life of discipleship.
Pentecost, then, is not the
nostalgic commemoration of an
extraordinary event buried in the
sands of the past. Rather, it is the
yearly culminating celebration
of a perennial eventthe lifegiving presence of the Spirit in
the Church today.

Blessed Trinity: the source and fulfillment of all love

Solemnity of the Blessed Trinity, Matthew 28:16-20 (B) May 31, 2015
By Fr. Sal Putzu, SDB
CREATED in the image and likeness
of God, man is the most noble of all
creatures. Without baptism, however,
we are only the privileged recipients
of Gods creative love. Through baptism, instead, we also receive Gods
redeeming and elevating love by
becoming personally related to each
of the three Divine Persons. In fact,
through this sacrament, we become
children of the eternal Father, brothers/sisters of Gods Son, Jesus Christ,

(1 Jn 3:1).
As such, impelled by the Spirit who
dwells in us, we dare call God Abba,
Father, the same delicate appellation
which Jesus himself used when addressing his eternal Father. (See Rom
8:15; Gal 4:5-7 and Mk 14:36.)
Our relationship with the Blessed
Trinity has a dynamic orientation.
By its very nature, it tends to bring
us ever closer to the Divine Persons,
till we come to contemplate them
face to face, i.e., we experience
their love in the most direct and full
manner. In fact, if we are children,

nate Word, our Kuya and Savior,

that we find the deep roots of our
undeserved adopted divine childhood that enables us to call God our
Father. And it is
in Jesus, as Godmade-man, that
we are partners
and custodians of
the welfare of each
human being.
Finally, it is in
the Spirit of love
and joy that all the
holiness of God

human architect can construct.

The Blessed Trinity is our origin,
our final destination and our reward; the One we belong to, and in

also its demands. Our daily behavior has got to be in keeping with our
being children of light for God
is light (1 Jn 1:5). Everything in

Whom alone our being will find the

fulfillment it longs for.
But the greatness of our present
dignity and of the final destiny that
comes to us from our baptism has

us: our thoughts, attitudes, words,

and actions should form a living
doxolog y, a continuous hymn of
praise to the Father, the Son, and
the Holy Spirit.

and sacred abodes of the Holy Spirit.

This life-giving relationship with
each Person of the Blessed Trinity
is neither a temporary role, nor an
external label. Rather, it effects a permanent transformation in our being.
We become a new creation. (See
2 Cor 5:17.) We acquire the greatest
dignity in the universe.
And all this, not on account of any
personal merit on our part, but solely
because so much has the Father
loved us that we are called Gods
children and so, in fact, we are

we are also heirs: heirs of God and coheirs with Christ (Rom 8:17).
Such a set of interrelated relationships affects all aspects of our life.
It is as children of our heavenly
Father that we face our daily challenges and problems with trust-filled
faith. We know that He loves and cares
for us as no earthly father can do. His
universal fatherhood is a constant
reminder that we are members of the
family of humankind and all human
beings are our brothers and sisters.
It is in Jesus Christ, Gods incar-

Bishop Pat Alo

ENCOUNTERS

Jesusin the Bible

and in Islam
WHY is it that in the world the greater number recognizes
Jesus as Redeemer? He is the Way, the Truth and the Life (Jn.
14:6). Moreover, He is Love. He asks us to love and forgive
even our enemies (Mt. 5:43-48). He asks us to be humble and
care for the needs of others (Lk. 14:11, 18:11; Mt. 25:31-46).
Even the Koran of Islam has this about Jesus. In Surah
(chapter) 3:45: Behold! the angels said, O Mary! Allah giveth
thee glad tidings of a Word from Him: his name will be Christ
Jesus. The son of Mary, held in honor in this world and of
those nearest to Allah. In Surah 3:55: O Jesus! I will take
thee and raise thee to Myself...I will make those who follow
thee superior to those who reject faith.... In Surah 43:63:
When Jesus came with Clear Signs, he said: Now have I
come to you with Wisdom, and in order to make clear to you
some of the points on which ye dispute: therefore fear Allah
and obey me.
The Koran asks the people to fear Allah and follow Jesus.
Why not? Jesus only teaches love, humility, truth, forgiveness
and care for one another. One fundamental law of Jesus is:
Judge not and you shall not be judged. For with what judgment you judge you shall also be judged (Mt. 7:2). Forgive
and you shall be forgiven (Mt. 6:12-15).
While we work for reconciliation it is always profitable to
see common points in the Bible and in the Koran.

dwells in us with
its transforming,
sublimating effects. Thanks to
him, the poverty
and frailty of our
human nature can
surge to unprecedented degrees
of sanctity and heroism. In the power
of the Spirit, our heart can learn to
love and rejoice as God does, and the
barrenness of our person can become
the most splendid cathedral which no

Luca Rossetti

The Blessed Trinity is our origin,

our final destination and our reward;
the One we belong to, and in Whom alone our
being will find the fulfillment it longs for.

Bo Sanchez

SOULFOOD

Stop for directions

IN my life, I have found three
places that give me a deep sense of
the presence of God: 1) A scenic
mountain with lovely forests; 2)
A tranquil beach under a blue
sky; 3) And the passenger seat of
Rogers red car.
You see, my friend Roger drives
like a mad man. Once he starts
driving, those riding with him
instinctively reach for their wallets and tearfully kiss the photos
of their loved ones.
Every time I ride with him, my
prayer life is enhanced. Deepened. Invigorated. It feels as
though Heaven becomes so near
to my soul.
One fateful day, I was riding
with him again. We were blazing
through a highway like a cruise
missile. Roger looked at me and
said, Bo, I have good news and
bad news for you.
Whats the good news? I
inquired between my Hail Marys.
Were efficiently moving at an
average speed of 140 kph.
Involuntary spasms shot
through my body. Are you
trying to tell me that well be

arriving at our destination in no

time?
Thats the bad news
What?
Were lost. I have no idea
where we are.
St o p t h i s c a r N OW ! I
screamed.
We s c r e e c h e d t o a h a l t ,

Were prone to commit the same

idiocy: We get busy, do a million
things, hop here and there, move
fast, get efficient.
But gosh, efficiently going
where?
What are your highest dreams,
anyway?
Your deepest aspirations?

We get busy, do a million things,

hop here and there,
move fast, get efficient. But
gosh, efficiently going where?
What are your highest dreams,
anyway?
asked around, got info, and
t u r n e d b a c k : We w e r e e f ficiently and swiftly driving
towards the opposite direction. At 140 kph!
I realize thats no isolated
incident among human beings.

What do you think will give

you gut-level, soul-deep joy?
Stop for awhile. Take a break.
Retreat. Listen well. Pray desperately. Read a map of life. Know
His dreams for you.
When I was thirteen years old,

I saw myself doing two things:

preaching to a crowd of people
and helping the poor. After
many years, those two dreams
are reality.
Each Sunday, I preach to
15,000 people every Sunday.
Im also an author with 36 books
and counting.
Almost 20 years ago, we built
ANAWIM, our home for the
abandoned elderly. Ive also
partnered with other ministries for the poororphanages,
centers for pregnant women in
crisis, home for sexually abused
children, scholarships for poor
kids, etc.
Ive made a decision.
Im not riding with Roger
again until Im 80. (No matter
how much he assists me with my
spiritual life.)
Because I think I still have a
few more God-Dreams to fulfill.
Stop the rush. Stop and ask
for directions. Ask the deeper
questions. Where do you really
want to go?
I know you have many more
God-Dreams to fulfill.

CBCP Monitor

SOCIAL CONCERNS B7

May 11 - 24, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 10

Francis mercy and compassion is falling on deaf ears

The two Dumagat mothers: Maritess and Rosario, who

were arrested without a search warrant seven months ago
are still languishing in jail despite the fact that the said
arrest was declared illegal by the Department of Justice.

File Photo

MILLIONS welcomed Pope Francis, braved the rains, waited for long
hours to see and listen to his message
on the mercy and compassion of God.
In Malacaang, he talked about reforming the social structures, which
perpetuate poverty and the exclusion
of the poor. That was three months
ago. Now, it is business as usual.
Last March,the Department of Labor
gave a measly Php 15 increase in the
minimum wage of workers in Metro
Manila, which is not even enough to
pay the price hike of MRT according
to a labor leader. With the increase of
price of food items so many people now
simply buy noodles and tuyo for their
regular viand. Yet business is growing
and everyone sees the construction
of condominiums all over the cities.
Moreover, 11 Filipinos are now among
1,000 billionaires in the world. Should
those who create wealth continue to be
sacrificed inthe idolatry of money and
the dictatorship of an impersonal economy
(Letter of the Pope # 55), getting only
a Php 15 increase?
The scavengerswork hard to sort out
garbage to feed their families. Yet the
government, instead of appreciating
their effort to create employment for
themselves, frequently harass them. I
contributed a wheel to the kariton of
one scavenger whose family sleeps on
the sidewalk. That kariton was confiscated together with its goods. That
meant hunger for several days. Fortunately, his kariton was returned but not
the kariton and the goods of his other

companions. The desire to remove

eyesores from the streets has become
more important than food for hungry
stomachs.
The National Housing Authority
which is supposed to be in charge of
promoting low-cost housing for the urban pooris now a partner of Ayala Land
in building condominiums for the urban rich in North Triangle, on a piece
of land earmarked before as an area
for priority development for the squatters. Added to that,last April 8, 2015,
Secretary Florencio Abad released the
Php 286.7 million to continue the relocation in North Triangle in line with
the Administrations goals of spending
on the right priorities by focusing on
the needs of the poor and vulnerable
localities. But were also enhancing the
countrys economic progress through
partnerships with private companies to
create a better life for all, and not just
for the fortunate few. I hope I interpret
it wrong: as the Administrations goal
in the Public-Private Partnership of using public money to create a bitter life
for all, and notfor the fortunate few.
While riding a pedicab in North Triangle, I asked the driver where he lived.
Here in this place but I was relocated
to Montalban last year. I am back here

Sidney Snoek

By Fr. Pete Montallana

Eucharist / B3

Family / B2

naturally adaptive and adoptive,

part of his tropical islander heritage. While this can be a strong
virtue (think of the Filipino
OFWs functioning very well
anywhere in the world), it can
also be a bane when it comes to
the facility with which Filipinos
adapt and adopt negative influences from overseas. One only
has to observe the immodest
and even erotic fashion styles,
the indecent public display of
affection, and increasing rates
of pre-marital and extra-marital
sexual relationships to arrive at
this conclusion.
These are the real problems
which should be addressed by
the government, instead of
squandering resourcesand the
peoples patienceon population control through contraception.
The Mission of the Filipino
Family
In the face of all the threats
and pressures before them, Pope
Francis nevertheless ends with
a challenge to the Filipino fam-

to earn money for my family. From

experience, relocation without job opportunities has always been a failure.
Demolition of squatter families homes
has actually increased the number
families living in the streets. In a few
months, there will be more families
there as law enforcers implement this
bitter life.
Just one more piece of data. The
two Dumagat mothers, Maritess and
Rosario, who were arrested without a
search warrant seven months ago are
still languishing in jail despite the fact
that the said arrest was declared illegal
by the Department of Justice. The
military, which got them jailed, is not
liftinga finger toredress the injustice.
The protectors of the Filipino people,
especially of the vulnerable, are actually pushing people to look for other
protectors.
The unjust structures are simply so
well entrenched in government that
nothing substantial will really happen
if we do not rely on ourselves, on the
thousands, tens of thousands and millions who have internalized the message
of the Pope. Let us act andrespond with
mercy and compassion to the sufferings
of millionsnot to dole out crumbs but
reform unjust structures.
The first momenttoward change is

to see reality from the perspective of the

poor otherwise, we will be hooked up
with our own hidden agenda. We should
no longer pre-judge the poor with
arguments that simply blame them for
their situation. Experience being with
the poor and listen to what happened
to them in their provinces and why they
were not able to cope with life. Reread our history from ourperspective,
those who are still conquered. For
believers, this is a privileged moment
to discover the wounded hands and
feet of the Risen Lordamong the poor.
Such painful realities can becomethe
source ofcourage to leave ones comfort
zone and embrace the dirty poor as truly
kapatid.
The second moment toward change is
to experience the joy that Pope Francis
radiated. That joy supports us to be
fearless and perseveringdoing wherever the Spirit leads. It could be doing
research on the effects of the contractualization law, why so muchland is in the
hands of a few, corruptioncases,unjust
economic policies, etc. For others, it
couldbe articulating in the media what
the marginalized could not express. For
Church people, it would mean conscientisizing and empowering people.
Becoming a compassionate presence
with the squatters within ones parish
can lessen the suffering of the urban
poor. Solidarityamong the farmers, the
workers, the urban poor, the indigenous
people, and networking with the civil
society, especially with the democratized
social media will create the groundswell
needed to change. It is possible to create an inclusive society. Courage! It is
I, The Lord tells the fearful apostles.

ily, which is at the same time a

mission.
Our world needs good and
strong families to overcome these
threats! The Philippines needs holy
and loving families to protect the
beauty and truth of the family in
Gods plan and to be a support and
example for other families. Every
threat to the family is a threat to
society itself. The future of humanity, as Saint John Paul II often
said, passes through the family
(cf. Familiaris Consortio, 85). So
protect your families! See in them
your countrys greatest treasure and
nourish them always by prayer and
the grace of the sacraments. Families will always have their trials,
but may you never add to them!
Instead, be living examples of love,
forgiveness and care. Be sanctuaries of respect for life, proclaiming
the sacredness of every human
life from conception to natural
death. What a gift this would be
to society, if every Christian family lived fully its noble vocation!
So rise with Jesus and Mary, and
set out on the path the Lord traces
for each of you.

empowered by the same Holy

Spirit to lift up our hearts and
voices in prayer and praise. As
on the day of Pentecost , the
Holy Spirit unites the assembly as Church, gives power to
the Word of God, consecrates
bread and wine into the sacrament of Christs Body and
Blood, and transforms us into
Christ through Holy Communion.
The words of greeting are
therefore very comforting: they
reassure us that our assembly is
graced with the presence of the
Risen Christ and of the Holy
Spirit he sends. In this Eucharistic assembly, Christ meets
us in the person of the priest,
and he wants us to see him in
the person of one another. He
speaks to us when the Scripture
is read. He gives himself to us
in the sacred signs of bread and
wine. To become a worshipping
community that encounters the
Lord, we are helped by certain
rituals and prayersa common
song, common movements,
common posture and gestures,

c o m m o n p r a ye r s , a n d e ve n
common pauses for silence.
The various elements of the
Introductory Rites are intended
to establish unity among those
who have gathered, dispose
themselves to listen properly
to Gods word, and to celebrate
the Eucharist worthily, always
in view of sending them forth
as instruments of unity, proclaimers of the Word, and bread
broken and shared for the life
of the world. The Introductory
Rites constitute the beginning
of the movement of being chosen, called, and formed into an
ekklesia, a priestly people that
God will send to proclaim
the glorious works of him who
called them from darkness into
his marvelous light. (1 Pt 2:9).
2. Liturgy of the Word
Having thus been disposed
b y t h e In t r o d u c t o r y R i t e s ,
the faithful now listen to the
p ro c l a m a t i o n o f t h e Wo rd .
God and his people engage
in a dialogue in which the
great deeds of salvation are

proclaimed and the demands

of the covenant are continually
restated. (Pope Francis, Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii
Gaudium, 22) G o d s p e a k s
and expects a response. The
dynamic course taken by the
proclamation, meditation, explanation, and assimilation of
the Word is intended to make
out of the assembled community doers of the Word and
not hearers only (Jas 1:22),
heralds and not only recipients
of divine revelation. For the
Word of God has the power
to illumine human existence,
compels its hearers to take an
inward look at themselves and
out into the world, and stir an
irresistible impulse to engage
oneself in the world toward
the realization of justice, reconciliation, and peace. Special
help in this regard is expected
from well-prepared homilies
through which God seeks to
reach out to his people through
the preacher and which display
Gods power through human
words. Delivered by a pastor

who truly knows his people

and who communicates well,
the homily can actually be
an intense and happy experience of the Spirit, a consoling
encounter with Gods word, a
constant source of renewal and
growth. (Cf. EG, 135).
The Holy Spirit who causes
the Word of God to be proc l a i m e d a l s o e m p owe r s t h e
faithful to hear, understand and
carry out their lives. Having
received the Holy Spirit at Baptism and Confirmation, they
are called to conform their way
of life to what they celebrate
in the liturgy. By the witness
of their lives, the faithful are
sent out to be the bearers of
the same Word they heart so
that it may speed on and be
glorified and that Gods name
be exalted among the nations.
(Cf. General Introduction to
the Lectionary, 7). Indeed,
the words of eternal life that
we receive in our encounter
with the Lord in the Eucharist
are meant for everyone. (To be
continued)

Incensing / B2

swings, as if it were the Book of

the Gospels. He then goes to the
Easter candle and walks around
it while incensing it with three
double swings.
The liturgical books make little further mention of incensing the Easter
candle. However, CB 88 permits the
use of incense for any procession of
some solemnity, and No. 95 allows
for the incensing of relics and images
exposed for public veneration at the
entrance procession.
Thus, since the Easter candle is
the primary symbol of the Risen
Christ during this season, I think
that, whenever incense is used for
the entrance procession, it follows
reasonably that it could be incensed
with three double swings as during the vigil. However, this would
always be something optional and
not obligatory.
The liturgical books, however,
would seem to exclude that this
gesture should be repeated during
the presentation of gifts. CB 95 is

quite clear that images and relics

are incensed only at the beginning
of the celebration, and only the
gifts and cross are mentioned.
Likewise, in the detailed norms
for the solemn celebration of the
Easter Vigil in the extraordinary
form, the candle is incensed only
at the Exsultet and is definitely
not included in other moments in
which incense is used, especially
during lauds, which in this form is
united to the solemn Mass of the
Vigil, albeit in an abbreviated form.
There do not appear to be any other
moments in the extraordinary form
in which the Easter candle as such
is incensed.
However, even before the Second Vatican Council some authors
recommended the custom of
decorating the baptistery during
the Easter octave and to incense
the font after Mass, vespers or
Eucharistic adoration. This custom could also be followed in the
ordinary form.

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B8 FEATURES

May 11 - 24, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 10

Moral Assessment

DECKARD Shaw (Statham)

swears vengeance against Dom
(Diesel), Hobbs (Johnson) and
their team for putting his older
brother in a comatose. He chases
them one by one and almost kills
Dom. Fortunately a Mr. Nobody
(Russell) intervenes in time and
offers Dom a chance to outsmart
Shaw if he and his team will rescue
Ramsey (Nathalie Emmanuel) and
retrieve her creationGods Eye, a
program which allows the user to
use all cameras worldwide as a spycam. For the mission, Mr. Nobody
reunites Doms team, including his
girlfriend Letty Ortiz (Rodriguez)
whose memory is slightly erased
after a car accident in the previous
Fast and Furious movie.
One seriously needs to be a Fast
and Furious fan to make sense of all
the time jumps and characters featured in the past sequels. But taking
this franchise as a standalone, the
plot is both thoughtlessly thin and
fabulously absurd. Really? A group of
race car drivers turned spy. Really? A
vengeful brother who talks too much
before his lethal blow. Really? An
unknown financer who has all the
money, technology and resources at
his fingertips yet turns to a bunch of
underground ex-criminals to retrieve
something as precious and delicate
as a spy program. Setting aside the

BEFORE Manny Pacquiao, there was Kid Kulafuito

ang mensaheng nasa mga poster ng pelikulang Kid Kulafu.
Inilalahad ng Kid Kulafu ang dinanas na paghihirap ng
Pambansang Kamao na si Manny Pacquiaoang mga
pagsubok at pasakit na bumalot sa kanyang buhay, kasama
ng amang manhid at ng inang matatakutin bagamat deboto.
Sa kabila ng lahat, hindi naglaho ang pangarap ng batang
Emmanuel na umangat sa buhay at iahon ang kanyang
pamilya mula sa kahirapang dinaranas. Nang matuklasan
ng batang Pacquiao na siya ay may kaibang kakayahan sa
suntukan, ginamit niya ito bilang hagdanan upang marating
ang pangarap nang buo ang loob at walang walang lingonlingon, kahit na sa harap ng malalaking balakid.
Sa simula pa lamang ng pelikula ay mababakas na ang
kakaibang kalidad ng Kid Kulafumahusay ang potograpiya, ginagawang kapanapanabik ang istorya. At bagamat
may mga mabibigat na eksena (tulad ng paglalabanan
ng military at rebelde), ang mga ito ay pinaraan lamang
at hindi pinalawig upang manipulahin ang damdamin ng
manunuod.
Kahanga-hanga ang pagganap ng mga artista, lalo na
nila Alessandra de Rossi na bigay-todo ang pagsasalarawan
kay Dionisia, at Buboy Villar na sadyang pumailalim sa
pagsasanay bilang boksingero at nagbigay-buhay sa batang
Pacquiao na hindi nakilala ng publiko. Ang matalinong
paggamit din ng
mga simbulo ay
nakatulong sa makinis at malalim
na pagbubuo ng
salaysay.
May ilang mga
kritikong iginigiit
na hindi isang lehitimong pelikula
ang Kid Kulafu
kungdi isang advertisement, isang
a n u n s i yo , a t a n g
ibinebenta nitong
produkto ay ang
pambansang kamao na hindi na
naman kailangang
ibenta diumano
pagkat mabili na
ito. Maaari ngang
walang isang cine m a t i c p l o t n a DIRECTOR: Paul Soriano
matuturingan ang- LEAD CAST: Robert Villar, AlessanKid Kulafu ngunit
dra de Rossi, Cesar Montano
kung isasa-alang- SCREENWRITER: Froi Medina
alang natin ang la- PRODUCER: Marie Pineda
yunin ng pelikula, EDITOR: Mark Victor
tama ang ginawa- GENRE: drama [biographical]
ng hagod at habi CINEMATOGRAPHER: Odysse
Flores
ng direktor (Paul
DISTRIBUTOR:
Star Cinema
Soriano). Pagkat
LOCATION: Southern Philippines
n a g i n g p a k a y n g RUNNING TIME: 70 mins.
b i o p i c n a K i d TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT:
Ku l a f u n a i t u o n

ng manunood ang
MORAL
ASSESSMENT:

kanilang pansin sa
papel na ginampa- CINEMA rating: V14
nan ng tadhana sa
buhay ni Emmanuel Pacquiao, hindi ito umasa sa isang
tradisyonal na sangkap tulad ng plot upang mabuosa
halip, tinuhog nito nang buong husay ang ilang mga pangyayari, karanasan, at eksena sa buhay ng Pilipinong idolo
upang palitawin na ang paglalakbay ni Pacquiao tungo sa
rurok ng tagumpay ay iginuhit ng tadhana.
Tiyak na may ilan ding mahahalagang pangyayari sa buhay
ni Pacquiao ang nalaktawan sa ginawang pagtatagni-tagni
ni Soriano sa Kid Kulafu, at ang pagtatapos ng pelikula sa
pagtatagumpay ni Pacquiao bilang boksingero, ngunit dapat
alamin ng manunood na hindi isang dokumentaryo ang
Kid Kulafu; bagkus, ito ay isang salaysay sa nais magbahagi
ng pag-asa at inspirasyon sa mga makakapanood nito, lalo
nat kung sila ay nasa abang kalagayang tulad ng kampeyon
noong kanyang kabataan.
Hindi maikakaila na may mga magagandang values na
lumutang sa Kid Kulafu, tulad ng pagiging masunuring
anak (ni Manny), kababaang-loob, pagmamahal sa pamilya, matatag na pagtitiwala sa Panginoon, disiplina upang
matamo ang tagumpay.

Kid Kulafu

Technical Assessment

Abhorrent
Disturbing
Acceptable
Wholesome
Exemplary

Poor
Below average

Average

Above average

Excellent

Fast and furious 7

DIRECTOR: James Wan
LEAD CAST: Vin Diesel, Paul
Walker, Dwayne Johnson, Jason Statham,
Gary Scott Thompson
SCREENWRITER: Chris Morgan, Gary Scott Thompson
PRODUCER: Vin Diesel ,
Michael Fottrell, Adam
McCarthy, F. Valentino
Morales, Neal H. Moritz,
Thomas Tull, Samantha
Vincent
EDITOR: Leigh Folsom Boyd,
Dylan Highsmith, Kirk M.
Morri, Christian Wagner
GENRE: Action, Crime,
Thriller
LOCATION: USA, United
Arab Emirates, Canada,
Japan
MTRCB rating: PG
CINEMA rating: A14
RUNNING TIME: 124 minutes
TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT:

MORAL ASSESSMENT:
CINEMA rating : V14

storyline, the action sequences are

exhaustingly overextended. One
chase scene allowed us to take a
long bathroom break and buy some
snacks. Yes, it does achieve that

Buhay San Miguel

Lolo Kiko

Buhay Parokya

CBCP Monitor

moment of heart pounding thrill

but without a solid storyline as its
backbone, the film would need
several overstretched action scenes to
sustain its audience. The production
design is superficial and superfluous. It makes everything glossy and
clean but disengages the audience
as nothing is relatable anymore.
Camerawork and scoring scream
high budget production but with
cardboard performances and flat storyline, technicalities are wasted. The
only good thing you can appreciate
in the film is the redevelopment of
Walkers character so the succeeding
franchise can continue even without
him. Overall, Fast and Furious 7
is okay for adrenaline junkies with
nothing better to do.
Fast and Furious 7 tries hard to
celebrate family as demonstrated by
the number of times the characters
had lines that mentioned this word.
Yet, the actions and decisions of the
characters contradict the principle.
Family is protecting each other,
not teaming up to kill someone
else. Family is sacrificing ones self
but do you bring your whole team
and endanger them in the process?
The sentiment is touching but it
feels empty and shallow because of
the violence and thrills of the chase
and action scenes. Definitely, not
a movie for the younger audience.

Brothers Matias

Bladimer Usi

Look for the image of Mother Teresa,

Holy Rosary and Chalice.
(Illustration by Bladimer Usi)

The Cross

A Supplement Publication of KCFAPI and the Order of the Knights of Columbus

CBCP Monitor. Vol. 19. No. 10

May 11-24, 2015

KC holds 10th National Convention

Hundreds of members of the
Knights of Columbus in the Philippines gathered together with
their families to attend the 10th
Knights of Columbus National
Convention held at the SMX
Davao Convention Center, Lanang, Davao City from May 1 to
3, 2015. You will all be Brothers:
Our Vocation to Fraternity was
the theme for the said convention.

Filipino Brother Knights received a congratulatory message from the Supreme Knight
Carl Anderson through a video message. Part
of which, was reiterated by Deputy Supreme
Knight Logan T. Ludwig during his speech at
the convention.
Mabuhay! In behalf of the Supreme officers and directors I offer you a special word
of greetings as you gathered for your 10th
National Convention. Your convention
overlaps for a very special meeting in Rome
convened by Pope Francis in anticipation for
the canonization of Blessed Junpero Serra, a
shining example for the Knights of Columbus
everywhere. I have very much hope to travel in
Mindanao, yet, I have been asked in behalf of
the Knights of Columbus to deliver one of the
major addresses in this very important meeting. So I must be in Rome, said Anderson.
Inspired by the example of Pope Francis,
the Knights of Columbus gave more than 70
million volunteer hours of service and $170
million to charitable causes. These efforts made
a difference on the lives of millions of people,
according to Anderson.
Each of you makes an important contribution
to our church and communities. By working
together, we again achieved records in charitable
giving, we continue recruiting more men to our
beloved Order, and we have provided protection
thru our insurance programs, he added.

Mindanao Deputy, Bro. Balbino Fauni (standing, center) together with the other officers of the Order of the Knights of Columbus during the 10th Knights of Columbus National Convention held from May 1-3,
2015 at the SMX Davao Convention Center.

Sales Growth
Anderson cited that last year 2014, was
the 14th consecutive year of insurance sales
Convention, C3

KCFAPI Employees
A Physical and Spiritual Encounter with the
visit the Correctional
Abandoned/Outcast
Institution for Women

Patients of the Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital with KCFAPI employees during
their visit at the Dermatology and Leprosy Services Center of the said institution in
Caloocan City in line with KCFAPIs Year of the Poor Activities.
TEAM LOVE BANK. KCFAPI employees headed by the VP MIS, Underwriting & Admin.
Services Group, Mr. Ronnie Infante visited the inmates of the Correctional Institution for
Women in Mandaluyong City in line with the Year of the Poor Activities.

AT the start of the Year 2015, the

Knights of Columbus Fraternal
Association of the Philippines,
Inc. (KCFAPI) organized a project
dubbed as Year of the Poor activities. The project, spearheaded by
KCFAPI EVP, Ms. Ma. Theresa G.
Curia aims to engage employees
towards evangelization in line with

the theme of the Catholic Church:

Year of the Poor by way of activity projects that will benefit the
needy and the less privileged sector
of our society. In view of this, there
will be monthly themed activities
from April to August 2015. For
the month of April, the project
Correctional, C3

9th Gathering of KC Priests

Last April 29 to May 1, 2015, the 9th Gathering of KC Priests was successfully held
at the Rivier Retreat House in Davao City with the theme: Priestly Renewal in Pope
Francis Vision of the Church of the Poor. A total of twenty-two priests attended the
Gathering with fourteen from Luzon, one from Visayas and seven from Mindanao. The
Program for the Gathering focused on the Messages given by Pope Francis himself at
different venues during his Papal Visit to the country last January 2015.

THE six sessions lined up each saw

a 15-minute film showing of the
Popes actual homily/message immediately followed by a 45-minute
reflection by the assigned Priestspeakers:

1. The Challenges of building modern society on solid

foundations - (Fr. Julius Cuison
Archdiocese of LingayenDagupan);
Priests, C3

WAY back during the time of Jesus

Christ, people with leprosy were
shunned as outcasts and looked
upon as cursed. Because of social
condemnation, they were avoided
and forced to live in recluse without any support or means of
livelihood. It was only through
Gods unconditional love and care
of the sick and their faith in Him
that they were given hope to live.
To this day, it is but sad to know
that despite the progress in modern
science and medicine, there are still
people in our society who view our
brothers and sisters with lepers in
the same manner as before.
On the morning of April 25,
2015 a group of 7 employees
namely, MM, Greg, Eva, Marichu,
Jerome, Gemille and Manny, gathered at the KCFAPI home office
to embark on a trip to the Dr. Jose
N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital.
Their objective, to visit abandoned
patients stricken with leprosy and
confined at the said hospital with
the hope to at least bring out a
smile from their faces.
Despite minor setbacks in its
preparation the group, led by Ms.
Marianne Gatdula of the Underwriting Department, pushed on
with quest accompanied by Rev. Fr.
Benjamin D. Fajota of the Archdiocese of Manila. After two hours of
travel under the scorching summer
heat and traffic, the group finally arrived at the doorsteps of the Dr. Jose
N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital.
Upon arrival, the group was met
by the nurse-on-duty, James, who
briefed the employees about the
hospital and their patients at the
Dermatology and Leprosy Services
Center as well as hospital safety

guidelines. The group learned that

the Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital is one of the few
existing hospitals in the country
(and the only one in Luzon) that
mainly treats patients with Leprosy. In passing, the hospital will
also be celebrating its anniversary
from May 17-20, 2015. Nurse
James also informed the group
that most of their patients were
abandoned by their families and
are of senior age.
After the briefing, we were led
to one of the dorms where the
in-house patients were gathered.
Upon stepping into the dorm we
were met with patients of various
conditions. Some were rendered
blind, some had amputated legs,
arms, or fingers, while some had
skin blemishes and other manifestations, but it was their warm
smiles and eager greetings that
immediately melted our hearts.
At that instance our exhaustion
and stress from the preparations
and travel were forgotten and in
a way we felt rejuvenated. As we
were setting up for the Eucharistic celebration our interaction with the patients deepened
our familiarization with them
that it opened our hearts on
their thoughts and ideas. The
celebration itself was quite an
experience, despite the discordant singing from our brothers
and sisters we felt that they sang
with heart and soul which gave
deeper meaning to the mass. We
felt Gods Spirit reign down upon
us that day. The reality we faced
then so overwhelmed us that during the mass Fr. Fajota went out
of his way and approached each

patient to give them the Holy

Communion.
After the Eucharistic celebration
we gave a short video presentation
and talked about Fr. George J.
Willmann and his works which
most of the patients intently listened to. This was followed by a
short entertainment by our very
own, Bro. Jerome, with the song
Who I am which wooed the
hearts of the patients. Not to be
outdone, the patients later on treated us with a presentation. Nanay
Adela gave us a soulful rendition
of Tanging Yaman while Tatay
Manuel treated the audience with
memorable Kundiman songs that
kept everyone in a jovial mood.
After awhile the group distributed merienda packages and other
giveaways to the patients, not only
in one dormitory but to all patients
in the adjacent dorms who could
not join in the affair. This gave
us an opportunity to acquaint
ourselves with other patients like
Nanay Nora, from Nueva Ecija,
who was silently seated beside the
door. During our short conversation I learned that ever since she
was dropped off at the hospital
by her family 3 years ago she was
never been visited again nor had
she heard any news from them.
As we rounded the other dorms
to distribute food, each ptient we
approached had nothing but smiles
and gratitude for the gesture.
As final part of the event, Ms.
Gatdula introduced to the patients representatives from Alysons
Chemical Ent., Inc. After orienting the audience on how to make
(home-made) liquid dishwasher,
the representatives proceeded to

explain the steps in making liquid

dishwasher, to the delight and
enthusiasm of the patients. After
some clarifications the patients
expressed their keen interest to pursue their newly learned skills as an
income generating activity. Later
on Nurse James intimated to us
that this was the first time in their
hospital that patients were taught
of a livelihood program. He added
he will raise to the hospital officials
the idea of its potential financial
help to their patients.
It was almost four o clock in the
afternoon when it was time to wrap
things up and bid farewell to our
brothers and sisters at the dorm.
But before we could say a word one
of the patients spoke out to express
his heart felt gratitude for our visit
and was later on followed by other
patients. The gesture moved us
that when it was our turn to say
our piece some of us gave them an
emotional farewell and thanked
them for what they have shown us.
Looking back at what we experienced, what we thought would be
a trip to a place of sorrow, misery
and hopelessness for the patients of
the Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital would turn out to be
a moment of Gods hand touching
the hearts of not only our brothers
and sisters ostracized by society but
our hearts as well who personally
witnessed how these people carried
on their lives with zest and camaraderie anchored by their deep hope
and faith in God. Truly it was a
spiritual journey for us as it made
us realize how God reaches out not
only to the sick but also to the poor
in spirit. (KCFAPI News/Gemille
Isabel Gloria)

C2

May 11-24, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 10

Alonso L. Tan

Ma. Theresa G. Curia

Chairmans Message

Curia Settings

The Cross

Labor for Life

LET me start by greeting all mothers a
Happy, Happy Mothers Day!!! Thank you
so much, Mothers, for giving us life to
experience all the unique adventures in our
earthly lives and for being there to guide us
through each of them.
This month of May likewise commemorates Labor Day in recognition of all those
hard-working breadwinners. We salute all
dedicated workers who sacrifice their time,
effort, convenience and for many, even their valuable family time just to
be able to earn a decent living for their families. Unfortunately, our country
is beset with an obvious disparity in the distribution of wealth - the bulk
being owned and controlled by only a few. Thus, many Filipinos have no
choice but to slug it out in a limited and highly competitive labor market.
Many breadwinners are forced to accept blue-collar jobs offered in other
countries or make the most of dirty, low-paying, menial jobs locally. In
industrialized countries, jobs are mostly automated, orderly and clean.
Locally, however, the ordinary laborer, primarily the underprivileged, is
forced to take on demeaning, dirty and at times, shameful jobs. Thus, aside
from sacrificing his time, effort and convenience, the ordinary worker at
times also needs to give up his personal pride.
Let us therefore acknowledge this month the efforts of our poor workers who continue to give up a lot for the survival and well-being of their
family. Many of our countrymen, including fellow KC brother-knights,
are engulfed in the common race to improve their financial status. As a
brotherhood of Catholic men, the Knights of Columbus can help our
less-fortunate worker-neighbours better prepare for lifes contingencies
by providing them thru KCFAPI with hope and affordable insurance
protection. Just as Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ brought hope and relief to
the depressed WWII captives during the war by saying daily Masses to
them and giving them catechism and inspirational talks, the K of C thru
KCFAPI, for its part, offers long-lasting help and protection to the family
even after the loss of a brother-Knight who is also the breadwinner.
In our own personal way, let us try to show appreciation for a
hard-working employee or labourer with a simple smile or a short
greeting. Hopefully, our smile or greeting at that instance will help
lighten the load that he/ she is forced to carry in support of his/her
family or loved ones. VIVAT JESUS!

Arsenio Isidro G. Yap

Presidents Message
MY mother Carlita Generoso was born
on November 4, 1927 in Quezon City
by komadrona. Shell be 88 on her
next birthday. Shes now very frail and
almost bed-ridden. She could no longer
stand nor sit on her own. She has to be
prepped up on her chair to eat, to bathe
and everything.
Her mind wanders a lot nowadays.
Although she seems to recognize us and
is aware of our presence, she could no
longer remember our names. Im the only one she recognizes and
know by name whenever shes lucid. She asks for me whenever
Im not around. However, to her, I have different personalities. I
am her son. I am her brother. I am her husband. Maybe because
from among us siblings, I am the one she had spent the most time
with. We shared the same office for almost forty years, conversing
a lot each day. Sharing views on different matters, personal, social,
business, religious and even matters that are trivial. We quarrel too,
whenever our opinions are poles apart.
Let me tell you her story and at least two miracles that she had
experienced. Yes two, not one. How lucky or bless can one get?
She graduated Cum Laude from the University of the Philippines in Diliman with a degree on Pharmacy. She first worked as an
over-the-counter pharmacy clerk at the Far Eastern Drug Company,
maybe the Mercury Drugstore of that time. There she met my
father who fell in love with her upon seeing her for the first time.
My mom refused to marry my father until he converts into her
Catholic faith. They got married on February 14, 1954. I was born
the following year and a brother a year and half later.
My parents resigned from their employment in the early months
of 1958. Soon thereafter they founded two separate companies.
My mother with her elder sister and mother organized the Leitz
Pharmaceutical Laboratory, producing over-the-counter medicines.
My father founded the Alysons Chemical Enterprises, a trading
firm of chemicals.
Their businesses were thriving when disaster struck our neighborhood. A fire broke from a chapel behind my moms laboratory
and gutted several dozen houses including our house, lab, my
grandparents and an aunts house. Slowly they picked themselves
from the ashes and soon started to be ahead.
They also begun to be active in church. My mom joined the
Mother Butler Guild and my father the Knights of Columbus and
even joined the Cursillo movement.
My mom had a laparotomy in the mid-sixtys. It was an emergency operation as she was in extreme pain and the doctors could
not find anything wrong with her. It was supposed to be an open
and close operation as she was found to have an advanced stage
of stomach cancer. The main surgeon opined that since they had
already opened her up they might as well try their best. She was
given five years to live, the first year being critical whether she
could survive it or not. Her stomach was completely removed. Her
esophagus was directly connected to her small intestines making
it very difficult for her to swallow. It has now been fifty years since
her operation and shes still alive. Was the surgeon extremely good?
Did she get lucky? Or was it a miracle?
Sometime in early 2000, she started to lose her eyesight. She
had her eyes examined by her doctor and was told that it was irreversible. She was suffering from macular degeneration. She went
to the United States to consult with other specialists there only to
be told that it was irreversible and she would eventually lose her
eyesight. The fate that she would suffer scared her a lot especially
when she could no longer read large marker pen written six inches
tall letters and left her confined at home. My mom is a fighter and
would never give up. She prayed a lot. She prayed harder. After
about a year in such a condition, her vision started to improve
contrary to what doctors were telling her. She visited her doctors
here and in the US and were amazed at her inexplicable recovery
from a certain blindness. Did she get lucky a second time? Or was
it another miracle?
Why is mom so blessed? Is it because she prays a lot? Is it because
she gives to charities even when she has no money for it? She could
have been dead fifty years ago. She could have been blind for at
least ten years by now. Prayers, Charities and her strong Faith
spelled the difference.
I pray that somehow Im also blessed as I pray to our Lord that
He allows my mother to enjoy the last remaining years of her life
without pain. Am I blessed or not? Or is it my mom whos blessed?
Even if shes losing control of her faculties or not, Im glad shes
not in pain and has a cheerful disposition.
I offer this piece to all the mothers who had brought their
children into this world no matter what they would have to suffer and endure just to raise us their children and be the person
that we are today. Without their sacrifices, we could not attain
the successes we are enjoying today. Tell your mom that you love
her and that you appreciate what she has done in your life before
its too late. Before she could no longer remember who you are.
Happy Mothers Day.

Womanhood
MOTHERS Day is highly significant for
most of us. After all, nobody can come into
the world without a mother. For this article
however, please allow me to dwell on Womanhood. A chunk of time is admirably set
aside for the whole world to give credit to one
half of the earths inhabitants. For how can
we not give honor to somebody who spent
9 months nurturing us even before we had
any consciousness about anything?
In the last fifty years, the cause of respecting and giving importance to the role of
women has taken dramatic leaps. Writers,
thinkers, and media, undoubtedly have
contributed immensely to the growth of
the peoples awareness of this issue. Even
theologians, both men and women, have
written extensively on the theology of the
woman. Unfortunately, only a few of us
have access to the literature. Even our
popes have been quoted and misquoted
on this topic.
I wonder if anybody can claim at all to
be an authority on the subject. The field
is so rich, so vast, so complex and even
mysterious. My only credential on why I
can write about it is that I am a woman.
From the little that I know, one topic which
has tickled my imagination is when they
say that all persons have the feminine and
masculine dimensions in their very persona.
The female gender exhibits, obviously, the
feminine dimension to a greater degree. The
men, on the other hand, have more of the
masculine dimension.
What happens if some persons have
developed the other side of them in a
very significant degree, hand in hand with
what is basically theirs? Well I think these
are the people who are more grounded,
more integrated and have better rounded
personalities. So we see men who are very
caring, inclusive and who have no prejudices
against women. And some women, despite
their femininity are very decisive, assertive,

less emotional, have the right and left brains

developed.
They usually make good leaders, facilitators, conflict solvers. They see a wider
spectrum of sides on the issues that they are
studying. Usually also, these people reach
out better to others in ministry. I suspect
that when Pope Francis urged us to think
better, love better and do better, the ones
who have a balance of the feminine and
masculine in them are able to accomplish
the mandate better.
I think the feminine dimension is not just
about the biological parts or roles of women
in society. When we honour womanhood we
do not compare women with men. Neither
do we like to prove that they are better than
the latter. We do not advocate choosing
women over men.
Upholding womanhood or the feminine,
is not just paying attention to the details
of being woman. Giving importance to
the female gender means that we like to
give all elements of society equal chances
and opportunities for development. It is
making sure that nobody is discriminated,
taken for granted, or taken advantaged of.
In this outlook, we recognize that there are
complementary roles for all sectors of society. Children have their share of making the
old people tender and loving. The old are
inspired by the hope and enthusiasm of the
young. On the other hand, young people
learn from the wisdom of the old. And they
are led to appreciate what the older generations have done for them to reach where
they are now. Similarly, men and women,
and all the different variations of options
of becoming human, undertake various
roles in society to make our world a better
place to live. Humans and non-humans
have symbiotic roles for existence. The past
influences our present, and the now should
look into the future so we dont get stuck
on the present.

Womanhood is all about recognizing

complementary roles in life. It is giving a
chance to everybody and taking care of the
welfare of each one. It is recognizing that
we depend on each other and that we do
not exist for ourselves alone. We cannot
survive on earth if there was only one group
of beings.
It is a call to be more inclusive in our
thinking; not to be competitive; to be peace
makers and peace builders; to be non-violent.
In this stance we see the flourishing, side by
side, of mercy and compassion, justice and
peace, vision and action.
Being inclusive is giving everyone a chance
to be useful, giving all a chance to develop
themselves so that one day they can contribute to the running of society. If we eliminate
one sector, we shall be the poorer for it. If
we recognize the importance of everyone and
everything, we do not only glorify God, who
is the Creator of all. We also benefit from
the contributions of many. We learn from
many sources, and by mutually sharing our
resources, we enhance our gifts and capabilities. We improve the human race.
Indeed, when we honor womanhood we
facilitate equal opportunities for all. We recognize that tender loving compassion coexists
with justice and the laws. We honor varieties
of gifts in the whole of creation and therefore,
we give glory in various ways to the Creator,
who is Father and Mother of the Universe.
Womanhood speaks of openness, wide
horizons, big hearts that embrace many,
complementariness, completeness in outlook
and vision. It is a call to everyone, to both
men and women to develop the feminine
dimension in each one. All of us should be
pregnant with ideas, creativity, love and service. We should give birth to new approaches,
better ways of doing things and developing
our world as agent of the Kingdom.
So our advocacy is not just about women.
It is all about womanhood.

Michael P. Cabra

My Brothers Keeper
Mother: Underinsured yet the most priceless in the family
MOMS value is priceless, but
if you have to put a peso figure
on the things she does for the
family, her worth would be up
this year over last. From yaya
to cook to household financial
manager, mother does a little bit
of everything. I believe the value
of the tasks a typical mother
does is much higher than last
year. On the contrary, based on
studies, if you paid a man to do
tasks like cooking, helping with
homework, and cleaning up, the
salary would be even higher. A
man putting in the same hours
at the same tasks would earn 8
percent more.
The imbalance is reflected in
life insurance. Among individual
policies sold to married couples,
the amount of coverage on women is substantially lower. Many
families couldnt afford to pay for
the services that a mom does for
free. Thats why its important to
consider what a parent provides
when deciding how much life
insurance to buy.
Its no secret that moms shoulder a lot. Based on statistics,

she shops, cooks and cleans for

the family 90% of the time. As
what most insurance analysts say,
Both parents should be insured
whether they dont work outside
the home. Besides replacing lost
income, life insurance can also
can be used to pay for the services
a parent provide the family, such
as childcare.
To calculate how much life
insurance to avail, consider all
that a parent does for the family and how much it would
cost to replace what that parent
provides. Let us not assume our
in-laws or own parents will pick
up the task if one of them passes
away. They might not have the
physical capability or time to
assume that responsibility, no
matter how devoted they are to
their grandchildren.
Mothers tend to be underinsured. According to LIMRA
(Life Insurance Management and
Research Association), a global
research and consulting group,
about 57 percent of women have
life insurance - roughly the same
portion as men -- either through

a group policy at work or an

individual policy they own. But
married couples are less likely
to buy individual coverage for
wives than husbands, and the
amount of coverage purchased
for women is about 69 percent
of mens coverage. Two-thirds
of single moms have life insurance, but among women with
coverage, only one-third of
single moms say their families
could cover expenses over a significant length of time should
they die, according to LIMRA.
Calculating how much to purchase depends on a familys
circumstances. Besides paying
funeral and other final expenses,
loved ones can use life insurance
proceeds to replace lost wages,
help pay off a mortgage, pay for
the kids college education and
assist with the daily expenses of
running a household.
If youre wondering what to get
Mom for Mothers Day, simple
gifts, time spent with family, and
maybe a little pampering are the
way to go. Based on surveys, 61%
of moms say they prefer home-

made presents from the kids,

and 17% of moms dont want
gifts from their children. Asked
to name the favorite gifts theyve
ever gotten from their kids, cards
and artwork top the list, followed
by breakfast in bed. Most moms
want to spend time with their
families on Mothers Day. 69%
said spending the day with the
whole family was their favorite
way to enjoy the holiday. Only
7% each said by themselves or
with their husbands without the
kids. Almost 18% said with the
kids, without the spouse.
As far as the best possible
purchased gifts, a day at the spa
and a weekend getaway with
the family topped the list. Gift
cards, a weekend getaway with
her husband, dinner at the best
restaurant in town and chocolates followed closely.
Thinking about a vacuum
cleaner or electronic gadget?
Think again. Household appliances and electronics are the least
popular choices.
Happy Mothers Day to all
Moms out there!

Roberto T. Cruz

Touching Base with the Foundations

A Kiss for Mom

ONCE again we give recognition to the most
important woman in each of our respective
lives Mommy, Mama or simply Nanay.
Without her, we would not be here. She
is the workhorse of the house, the unsung
heroine who does multi-tasking activities
even if she is stereotyped to be a subservient
partner to her macho husband. The man
is the presumed breadwinner while the wife
only cooks, cleans the house and takes
care of the children. She is considered as the
weaker sex, helpless and dependent on her
husbands money. Yet aside from the regular
house chores, Mom painstakingly carried
each of her children for nine months in her
womb, breastfed them, acted as chaperon to
school, attended parent-teacher meetings,
tutored them, dressed them up and even
prepared the needed materials for their numerous school projects.
How important is Mom for the children?
The mothers role in a family is so important
because so many things are linked to her
actual success or failure as a mother. The
childrens individual characters are said to
reflect the kind of upbringing given them
by the mother. This, in turn, reflects her
own character, her biases, values, beliefs and
principles. In some families, if the ancestral
mother wrongly brought up her kids, the
problem is passed on to the succeeding
generations and it becomes an endless chain

of faulty upbringing. The question then

becomes: how will the improper system of
upbringing be set right?
It is important that we all have tangible
models of good mothers who will guide
us especially during difficult times. It is
the mother who is expected to form and
strengthen the childs foundation. But we
observe that the amount of challenges that
need to be hurdled by the family is partly
determined by social status the poorer a
family, the more difficult and varied the
challenges become primarily moneyrelated food, clothing, education, safety
and social acceptance. But dont get me
wrong because even the rich face the same
challenges. Though the father is commonly
presumed to be the main breadwinner, the
mother is expected to have solutions to
most, if not all, of the problems.
Throughout various stages in our life,
children experience different surrogate
mothers. Teachers act as mothers in school.
Young tots cling to their Yaya as a substitute
mother whenever Mommy is not around.
Even grandmothers at times take on the
maternal role when lola is more hands-on in
rearing her apos. Occasionally, even friends
become surrogate mothers especially during
those instances when children have tampo
against their own Mom. Nowadays, with
the internet and social media, one does

not even need physical contact to find a

surrogate mom who can comfort him/her
during bad times.
It is said that we reap what we sow. The
children will give back as much as they received from their parents the amount of
love, attention and guidance given them. The
true test of such reciprocity comes when the
mother advances in age and loses her productivity, her strength and in some cases, even
her memory. Will the children patiently care
for her just as she took care of them when
they were small, defenseless and naive kids
with many questions?
For the Collegiate scholars as well as the
seminarians and priest-scholars, the Foundations act as their parent during their scholarship grants. Like a mother who nurtures her
children in need, the Foundations help fulfill
the educational dreams of our scholars without expecting any repayment after. However,
the Foundations hope that its graduate-scholars fully appreciate the new horizons opened
to them by the Foundations. Any expectation
of reciprocity would then focus on the ability
and commitment of each scholar-graduate to
cascade similar forms of assistance given them
to others presently in need. Dont forget to
kiss your mother during Mothers day and
tell her that you love her.
Congratulations to all Mothers!!!

The Cross

C3

May 11-24, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 10

Our Missionary Heritage

Thanks to the faith and sacrifice of so many, Catholic institutions

ave served countless neighbors in need
By SK Carl A. Anderson
IN his apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis called
for a new missionary spirit among
Catholics. This challenge has particular resonance for Knights of
Columbus, especially throughout
North America and the Philippines where we have benefited in
so many ways from the devotion
and sacrifice of countless missionaries.
The great Catholic institutions
of these countries were built by
men and women filled with a great
missionary spirit. In the United
States, though many of these missionaries confronted the obstacle of
anti-Catholic bigotry, they nonetheless seized an opportunity offered by our nations commitment
to the free exercise of religionan
opportunity offered nowhere else
on earth.
And with that opportunity they

constructed an unprecedented
network of institutions to provide
for the health, education and welfare of millionsCatholics and
non-Catholics alikefor whom
the government did not provide
an answer.
These institutions, though, were
not intended to simply fill a gap left
by the limitation of government.
They were not, as Pope Francis has
reminded us, merely NGOs, that
is, volunteer non-governmental
service organizations. Their mission was greater. These Catholic
institutions gave witness to the
transcendent dignity of each human being they served, especially
those whose dignity the government often neglected.
Pope Benedict XVI addressed
this missionary spirit when he
spoke at St. Patricks Cathedral in
New York City during his 2008
visit to the United States. On that
occasion, he stated that faith and
a spirit of constant conversion and

self-sacrifice [was] the secret of the

impressive growth of the Church
in this country.
Pope Benedict then went on to
observe: We need but think of
the remarkable accomplishment
of that exemplary American priest,
the Venerable Michael McGivney,
whose vision and zeal led to the
establishment of the Knights of
Columbus, or of the legacy of
the generations of religious and
priests who quietly devoted their
lives to serving the People of God
in countless schools, hospitals and
parishes.
These missionaries and the
institutions they built offered
something that government could
notthe promise of the Gospel of
Life (Evangelium Vitae). This was
not a promise spoken about on
Sunday mornings; it was a promise
lived out in the day-to-day life of
the poor and suffering.
You and I are called not only to
sustain these Catholic institutions,

but also to sustain the promise

they represent. Pope Benedict
challenged us to be faithful to this
great Catholic missionary heritage:
In the finest traditions of the
Church in this country, may you
also be the first friend of the poor,
the homeless, the stranger, the sick
and all who suffer.
We must preserve the free exercise of religion, which allows us
not only to make that promise,
but also to keep it. The autonomy
of our religious institutions is
not extrinsic to the missionary
nature of Christianity; rather, it
is essential.
Today, people too often view our
faith communities in a legalistic
or institutional way that fails
to understand their true spirit. In
Father McGivneys day, people too
often viewed Catholics through
the lens of prejudice and bigotry.
He had a simple answer: Live the
principles of charity, unity and
fraternity in ways people can see

The Gentle Warrior

Deogracias Fajota (Archdiocese

of Manila)
Vice President for Luzon
Fr. Ruben Buela ( Diocese
of Legazpi)
Vice President for Visayas
Fr. Ray Bernard Martinez (
Diocese of Capiz)
Vice President for Mindanao Fr. Reynaldo Mission (
Diocese of Marbel)
Secretary Fr. Julius Cuison (Archdiocese of LangayenDagupan)
Treasurer Fr. Felix Labios
(Diocese of Iba )
Auditor Fr. Reynaldo
Retardo ( Diocese of Tagum)
As a fitting end to the 9th
Gathering, the KC Priests
concelebrated the Opening
Mass of the 10th KC National Convention at the SMX
Convention Center Lanang,
Davao City with Davao Bishop
Romulo G. Valles presiding
together with Archbishop Antonio J. Ledesma of Cagayan
de Oro.

Knights of Columbus App

He encouraged the Filipino Brother
Knights to recruit more.
To do the great work of our Order we
must grow the membership of the Order.
I ask every Brother Knight to commit
asking at least three Catholic men to join
us in this fraternal year, said Anderson.
To help explain the benefits of the
membership, the Supreme Council developed a new app, designed for both
iPhone and iPad to give an overview of the
charitable works dedicated to the Church
and Fraternal benefits.
This app will look at who the Knights
of Columbus are: Why join the Knights
of Columbus? or if youre already a member and looking to answer that question
for others, this overview explores who
the Knights of Columbus are and what
they do in the areas of Charity, Faith and
Security for families.
The greatest fraternal benefit that we
could offer the world is the opportunity
to offer the Christian brotherhood with
men and their families, men that take
Christian life seriously, according to
Anderson.
We live up to Pope Francis decision
to Fraternity, that each person becomes

Program Proper
Aside from the presence of the
officers of the Knights of Columb u s Fr a t e r n a l A s s o c i a t i o n o f t h e
Philippines, Inc. (KCFAPI) and its
wholly-owned and majority-owned
companies, the three-day convention was graced by some prominent
individuals like Davao City Mayor
Rodrigo R. Duterte, who gave the
welcome address.
The three Knights of Columbus State
Deputies, Bro. Arsenio Isidro G. Yap (Luzon), Bro. Rodrigo N. Sorongon (Visayas)
and Bro. Balbino C. Fauni (Mindanao)
rendered their accomplishment reports
from 2010 - 2014.
Members of the clergy also participated
in the convention, among them: Zamboanga Archbishop Most Rev. Romulo T.
Dela Cruz, DD, Cotabato Archbishop
Most. Rev. Orlando Cardinal B. Quevedo, DD, Davao Archbishop Most
Rev. Romulo G. Valles, DD, Cagayan
de Oro Archbishop Most Rev. Antonio
J. Ledesma, DD and Catholic Bishops
Conference of the Philippines (CBCP)
Media Director and KCFAPI Spiritual
Director, Msgr. Pedro C. Quitorio III.
(KCNews/Yen Ocampo)

punishment. Convicts were brought back

into the social mainstream adjusted and
rehabilitated with a better outlook in life.
Last April 25, 2015, the Group headed
by KCFAPI Vice President-MIS, Underwriting & Admin. Services Mr. Ronnie
Infante visited the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City. In
cooperation with the Spiritual Directress
of the Institution Lulu Santos and Jail
Warden Loreta Vargas, fourteen employees
of KCFAPI set foot in the heavily guarded
institution and provided entertainment to
the inmates.
It came not as a surprise when a sup-

posed ordinary outreach program turned

out to be something special considering
that the group is composed of a combination of young and talented individuals.
Evangelization through music was the
game plan that was used by the group.
It started with an orientation regarding
the life and works of KCFAPI founder,
Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ followed
by a short musical showing the life of a
teenager who lost his way but was able to
regain the proper path in life. Using the
hit songs from famous Filipino musicians
such as Alapaap by Eraserheads, Sugod by
Sandwich, Beer by Itchyworms, Blue Jeans

by APO Hiking Society and the classic hit

Anak by Freddie Aguilar, the inmates were
treated to a live musical performance from
the team. The presentation was greeted
with cheers and a handful of applause
from the 30 women audience showing
their appreciation and love. To end the
presentation, the group members handed
out small tokens consisting of toiletries
and snacks to more or less 40 inmates of
the correctional. As a farewell to the group,
the inmates showed their dance routine,
which they have been practicing for several
weeks already. (KCFAPI News/Eddon Jose
Sarmiento)

CHAPTER TWO
--------.--------The Battleground

Part XIX of Chapter One of The

Gentle Warrior series
CHAPTER ONE: Training
Major March stood over the body of
General del Pilar and said to Lieutenant Quinlan: Bury him here with full
military honors, and place a cross over
his grave with this inscription: General
Gregorio del Pilar, Killed at the Battle of
Tirad Pass, December 2, 1899. An Officer and a Gentlemen.
George thought: These Filipinos are
men! Greater love than this no man hath,
that he lay down his life for his friends!
He volunteered for the Philippines,
He asked his family to pray for this his
four sisters, and his brother. His father.
They prayed, with all their heart.
He was chosen.

at the deck of the ship, waiting for one

they loved; a couple of agents dashing
up the gangplank, against the traffic,
waving papers; everybody busy; all of
them noisy; but all of them smiling!
Calesa drivers were calling out to him
from a distance, but the Jesuit Brother
who was guiding him said: We have
our own calesas.
The group of American Jesuits who
came on the boat were ushered into
the tiny carriages. When George sat
down in the calesa, he saw the broad
belt tighten around the belly of the
horse, and he felt very sorry for that
little horse. Their bags and boxes and
trunks were loaded into other carriages.
They started out from the pier, heading
for the Ateneo in a little caravan.
A little boy, selling newspapers, standing in the street and looking up at him,
with big eyes. George made a gesture,
trying to convey to the boy that he had
no Philippine money. The boy smiled. A
flash of white teeth. Bright brown eyes.
The policeman at the intersection,
waving them on, smiling, saluting the
Jesuits as they passed. A mother wheeling her baby, in a baby carriage. A little
girl, carrying her baby sister on her hip.
Caratelas in the streets, the tiny horses
trotting happily along. The music of
their hooves on the cobblestones.
(To be continued on the next issue.)

Priests, C1

2. The Poor is at the center

of the Gospel (Fr. Benjamin
Deogracias Fajota - Archdiocese of Manila)
3. The family threatened by
the growing effort to redefine
the very institution of marriage
( Msgr. Pedro C. Quitorio III
Diocese of Borongan )
4. When I saw the catastrophe from Rome, I felt I
had to be here (Msgr. Pedro
C. Quitorio III Diocese of
Borongan )
5. Marginalized people weep
(Fr. Jeronimo Ma. J. Cruz
Diocese of Caloocan )
6. It was a frail child who
brought Gods goodness, mercy
and justice into the world (Fr.
Reynaldo Mission Diocese of
Marbel)
During the second day, April
30, 2015, the KC Priests were
updated about the current
thrusts and directions of the K
of C Order, the KC Foundations and KCFAPI with the
following talks:

Cause for Fr. George J.

Willmann, SJ by Bro. Roberto T. Cruz KCPFI and
KCFGJWCI Executive Director for Special Projects and the
Museum
Cause for Fr. Michael J.
McGivney by Sis. Ronalin
R. Regino Promotions Coordinator
The K of C Order, KCFAPI, KC Philippines Foundation and KC Fr. George
J. Willmann Charities, Inc.
by Justice Jose C. Reyes, Jr.
Chairman of both Foundations and KCFAPI Corporate
Secretary
Each complete day began
with the Priests Morning
Prayers and ended with the
Holy Eucharistic Celebration being concelebrated
by all KC Priest-Attendees.
During the April 30 Mass
celebration, with his spouse,
Sis. Ofelia as witness, KC
Foundations Chairman Justice Jose C. Reyes awarded

Convention, C1

a neighbor who cares for others; thats

charity, thats unity, thats fraternity and
that is the Knights of Columbus way. Let
us go forward in the next fraternal year
committed to being witnesses to the love
of Christ in every corner of the society,
he ended.

Part I of Chapter Two of The Gentle Warrior series

When George went down from the

gangplank, at the pier in the Port Area,
from the SS President Grant, he was
impressed by the sunny cheerfulness of
the people. Not only the people were
sunny. The whole dock was sunny! It
was bathed in brilliant sunlight, the brass
rail of the ship gleaming, little flames of
sunlight dancing on the hood of the only
car on the dock, heat waves shimmering
up from the warm boards on the pier.
There were cargadores carrying heavy
sacks of sugar, but they were calling to
each other, helping each other, laughing.
A little girl was at the foot of the gangplank, looking up at him with bright
brown eyes, and holding out a necklace
of small white flowers. A Filipino family
was welcoming their son, who had come
with George on the ship. His mother
was hugging him, weeping. George
could see her tears, in the sunlight. Even
the tears were beautiful. George was
thinking: Tears of love! Remembering his own mother, who wept on the
steps of Saint Andrews, when he carried
his valise up the stone stairs, and disappeared through the great wooden door.
There was a crowd of people on the
dock, vendors selling things; baggage
boys carrying suitcases; some families
standing in little groups, looking up

way of life.
As we prepare to welcome our
pope to the United States later
this year, let us strive for a record
of accomplishment that we can all
be proud of.
Vivat Jesus!

growth. The insurance arm of the Order

has now $97 billion of life insurance in
force, and later this year, will reach the
100 billion milestone.
we also received the A++ superior
ranking from AM Best and were again
included in the Fortune 1000 list. These
records are testament to nearly 1500 field
agents and general agents. These highly
trained and dedicated Brother Knights
work hard towards our vision in protecting our future.
Second year in the row, the Knights
of Columbus has been certified as the
Worlds Most Ethical Companies by
the Ethisphere Institute. We are proud
of these achievements and now these
accomplishments must be the foundation on which we build the future, said
Anderson.
He acknowledged the sales force as
more Catholic families than ever are
protecting their financial future with their
top rated insurance products.
International Events
Supreme Knight Anderson was proud
to announce that the Knights of Columbus has three international events
in which it will play a larger role in the
coming year.
I would like to draw your attention to
these three international events -Special
Olympics World Games in Los Angeles
2015, World Meeting of Families 2015
in Philadelphia with Pope Francis, and
the 2016 World Youth Day in Poland,
Anderson stated.
He reminded his fellow Brother Knights
that they must stand shoulder to shoulder
with Pope Francis in bringing the witness
of charity in every corner of the society.
Pope John Paul Shrine
The Knights of Columbus celebrated
the opening of the permanent exhibit of
Saint John Paul II in Washington, DC.
This Shrine and its world-class exhibit
expresses in a very concrete way that the
Knights of Columbus is committed to
the call of Saint John Paul II for new
evangelization.
This Shrine will remind us that there
will always be a John Paul II generation,
said Anderson.

By James B. Reuter, SJ

1. The Philippines

so as to overcome self-centeredness,
greed and cynicism.
Pope Francis similarly challenges
us today with even greater determination to be, in his words, neighbors who care for each other. This
is truly the Knights of Columbus

the Foundations gift of chalice each to five KC Priests

who due to the distance of
their respective diocesan
assignments, still had not
yet received their chalice
since the completion of their
scholarship grants with the
KC Fr. Willmann Charities,
Inc. and/or their ordination
to the Priesthood. These included: Fr. Julius Cuison, Fr.
Renato Alegre, Fr. Ramelle
Rigunay, Fr. Reynaldo Mission and Fr. Jeronimo Ma.
J. Cruz.
To cap the Gathering, the
KC Priests tackled business
matters during which they
first amended the Constitution and By-Laws of the KC
Priest-Scholars Association
(KCPSA). This was immediately followed by the election
of the new set of officers for
the KC Priest-Scholars Association. Elected to their
new posts were:
President - Fr. Benjamin

KCFAPI gives BRO Award

The Knights of Columbus Fraternal
Association of the Philippines, Inc.
(KCFAPI) recognized its outgoing Board
Members in a separate program last May
1, 2015 during the 10th Knights of Columbus National Convention.
Tagged as BRO Award, which means
Board of Trustees Grand Recognition
Program for Outstanding Leadership and
Performance, awardees were Juan Abraham O. Abando, KCFAPI Independent
Trustee; Alonso L. Tan, KCFAPI Chairman and Supreme Director; Rodrigo
N. Sorongon, KCFAPI Board Member
and Visayas Deputy; Balbino C. Fauni,
KCFAPI Board Member and Mindanao
Deputy; and Arsenio Isidro G. Yap, KCFAPI President and Luzon Deputy.
Presenters were KCFAPI Executive Vice
President Ma. Theresa G. Curia, KCFAPI
Spiritual Director Msgr. Pedro C. Quitorio III and Deputy Supreme Knight
Logan T. Ludwig as Guest Presenter.
Major changes for Luzon Jurisdiction
The Knights of Columbus Luzon
Jurisdiction will soon be divided into
two Luzon North and Luzon South
Jurisdictions.
The announcement was made by Deputy Supreme Knight, Logan T. Ludwig as
special guest and as official representative
of the Supreme Knight Carl Anderson
during the 10th Knights of Columbus
National Convention.
He named the following as the new
set of deputies effective Columbian Year
2015-2016:
Luzon North Deputy Justice Jose C.
Reyes, Jr.
Luzon South Deputy Ramoncito A.
Ocampo
Visayas Deputy Anthony P. Nazario
Mindanao Deputy Reynaldo C.
Trinidad

Correctional, C1

will focus on people who were abandoned

or those considered outcast of our society.
In a society where a person once branded
and labeled as a convict, it would be next
to impossible for that person to regain
his social standing in life. It is for this
reason that Team Love Bank composed
of employees of the Knights of Columbus
Fraternal Association of the Philippines,
Inc. (KCFAPI) opted to help those who
are in prison.
The group, fueled by the faith that even
though the hands of justice had penalized
them, reformation from the inmates is
not far behind. Not losing hope that even

though they made some mistakes in their

past, a second chance is still in order. This
is the very essence of our criminal justice
system that incarceration is not to punish
the individual but rather to reform the
person.
Tracing the history of the institution as
far back as 1931 when women prisoners
were transferred from the Old Bilibid prison to its current location in Welfareville in
Mandaluyong, its old name was changed
from Womens Prison to Correctional
Institution for Women. This was in keeping with the emerging trends in penology,
which emphasized correction rather than

C4

May 11-24, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 10

The Cross

Catholic group defends Justice Reyes

against bribery allegation
A CATHOLIC mens fraternal organization has dismissed as reckless allegations
of corruption leveled by administration
ally Senator Antonio Trillanes VI against
Court of Appeals Associate Justice Jose C.
Reyes, Jr.
The Knights of Columbus (K of C), the
countrys and the worlds largest Catholic
fraternal service organization of men, said
the charges were an imprudent imputation after Trillanes accused Reyes of accepting P25 million to halt Makati Mayor
Junjun Binays suspension.
The 336,000-strong Philippine K of C,
in a resolution, believes that the senators
claim is only meant to smear and destroy
name, honor, and integrity of Reyes and
of the Court of Appeals and even the
Philippine Judiciary itself .
Among the signatories of the resolution
is former Supreme Court Chief Justice
Hilario Davide, Jr., Vice Chairman of the
Knights of Columbus Fraternal Associa-

Justice Joey Reyes

tion of the Philippines, Inc., that serves

insurance needs of KC members in the
country, and Msgr. Pedro Quitorio III,
Spiritual Director of the KCFAPI.
As an active member in Church organizations such as Knights of Columbus,
and Couples for Christ and Lay Minister
of the Holy Sacrament, they said Reyes
leads an exemplary life of Christian virtues
and values.
He is a man of strong moral fiber,
lives a simple life and is without vices,
and has never succumbed to corruption,
they said.
They added that Reyes various positions in the private sector such as being
Trustee and Secretary of the KCFAPI, belonging to the five biggest mutual benefit
associations in the country, Chairman of
its two (2) foundations, the KC Philippines Foundations that help fund collegiate scholars and Fr. George J. Willmann
Charities, Inc. that supports seminarians

RESOLUTION EXPRESSING FULL AND UNQUALIFIED TRUST AND CONFIDENCE IN COURT OF APPEALS ASSOCIATE JUSTICE JOSE C. REYES, JR. AND
DENOUNCING AND CONDEMNING THE RECKLESS ACCUSATION OF BRIBERY AGAINST HIM BY SENATOR ANTONIO TRILLANES IV
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS FRATERNAL ASSOCIATION OF THE
PHILIPPINES,INC. (KCFAPI) BOARD OF TRUSTEES
and the
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS (K OF C) LUZON, VISAYAS AND
MINDANAO JURISDICTIONS

and licentiate of priests are visible proof

of public recognition of his integrity, independence and ethical principles.
They also said that the Judicial and
Bar Council has even nominated Reyes
more than twice for appointment to the
Supreme Court.
Copies of the resolution were provided
to SC Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereo
and CA Presiding Justice Andres Reyes, Jr.
Other signatories of the resolution
include the KC State Deputies: KCFAPI
President Arsenio Isidro Yap of Luzon,
Rodrigo Sorongon of Visayas and Balbino
Fauni of Mindanao; Alonso Tan, KCFAPI
Chairman and KC Supreme Director;
Raoul Villanueva, Treasurer; Rogelio Garcia, Trustee and Juan Abraham Abando,
Trustee.
Reyes earlier denied Trillanes claim and
accused the senator of trying to intimidate
the judiciary through harassment. (Roy
Lagarde/CBCPNews)

Manila Council 1000

celebrates 110th
founding anniversary

RESOLUTION
EXPRESSING FULL AND UNQUALIFIED TRUST AND CONFIDENCE IN COURT
OF APPEALS ASSOCIATE JUSTICE JOSE C. REYES, JR. AND DENOUNCING AND
CONDEMNING THE RECKLESS ACCUSATION OF BRIBERY AGAINST HIM BY
SENATOR ANTONIO TRILLANES IV
WHEREAS, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV has accused Justice Jose C. Reyes, Jr. and Justice Francisco Acosta, Chairman and a member,
respectively, of the Sixth Division of the Court of Appeals of committing the crime of bribery for each having received P25 Million in
to
consideration for the grant and issuance of Temporary Restraining Order (TRO), later upgraded to a Writ of Preliminary Injunction,
prevent the enforcement of a preventive suspension order issued by the Ombudsman against Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay, Jr.
WHEREAS, Senator Trillanes IV then filed with the Senate a resolution urging its Committee on Justice and Human Rights to investigate
the alleged bribery, supposedly in aid of legislation.
WHEREAS, Justice Jose C. Reyes, Jr. is a highly respected citizen and jurist, who rose to become a Justice of the Court of Appeals
through sheer merit and possession of the highest degree of integrity, honesty, competence, probity and independence; and the Judicial
and Bar Council has even nominated him more than twice for appointment to the Supreme Court.
WHEREAS, Justice Jose C. Reyes, Jr. is a devout Catholic who is active in Church organizations, such as the Knights of Columbus and
Couples for Christ; and serves as a Lay Minister of the Holy Sacrament, which truly manifest his deep spirituality and fear of God; he is a
man of strong moral fiber, lives a simple life and is without vices, and has never succumbed to corruption.
WHEREAS, as just among the visible proofs of public recognition of Justice Reyes integrity, honesty, competence, probity and independence, high moral and ethical principles and deep spirituality, are his holding of various positions of trust and confidence in the private
sector, such as, inter alia, Trustee and Secretary of the Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Philippines, Inc. (KCFAPI),
belonging to the biggest five mutual benefit associations in the Philippines, that exclusively serves the insurance needs of the members (as
well as members of their families) of the Order of the Knights of Columbus in the Philippines which as of today has a total membership
of 336,360 spread all over the Philippines under its Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao Jurisdictions; Chairman of the two foundations of the
KCFAPI, namely, the KC Philippines Foundation, Inc. and the KC Fr. George J. Willmann Charities, Inc. which, among other things,
provide scholarship programs, including scholarship for seminarians, many of whom are now Catholic priests in active service of the Catholic
Church; and as Director of the Keys Realty & Development Corporation, a KCFAPI wholly-owned corporation which also operates the
Holy Trinity Memorial Chapels and Crematorium.
WHEREAS, the Trustees/Directors, Officers and Staff of the KCFAPI and of the foregoing foundations and company, as well as all the
State Deputies and Officers representing the 336,360 members all over the Philippines in its three Jurisdictions of Luzon, Visayas and
Mindanao, know and can fully attest to the fact that Justice Jose C. Reyes, Jr. has led and continues to lead an exemplary life of Christian
virtues and values who follows the path of righteousness and justice; his integrity, honesty, competence, probity and independence as a
justice constantly inspire all of them.
WHEREAS, the accusation of bribery made by Senator Trillanes IV against Justice Jose C. Reyes, Jr., without even any offer of a semblance of truth, is a reckless and an imprudent imputation, which remains clearly malicious and merely serves to smear and destroy the
name, honor, and integrity of Justice Jose C. Reyes, Jr. as well as of the institution he is faithfully serving - the Court of Appeals - and even
the entire Philippine Judiciary itself.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Philippines, Inc., through its Board of Trustees, and the
Knights of Columbus in the Philippines, through the States Deputies of its Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao Jurisdictions, have resolved, as
they hereby resolve, to:
I
EXPRESS, and to let the public know of such expression, its full and
unqualified trust and confidence in Justice Jose C. Reyes, Jr., Chairman
of the Sixth Division of the Court of Appeals, who is an exemplary Catholic
gentleman of utmost integrity, honesty, competence, probity and
independence and who is serving the Court of Appeals for the cause of
truth and justice with utmost commitment, dedication, loyalty and fidelity.
II
DENOUNCE AND CONDEMN Senator Antonio Trillanes IV for recklessly
and imprudently accusing Justice Jose C. Reyes, Jr. of the crime of
bribery and hastily filing with the Senate a resolution for the investigation by
its Committee on Justice and Human Rights of the alleged bribery,
allegedly in aid of legislation.
Let copies of this Resolution be provided Justice Jose C. Reyes, Jr., the Honorable Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Maria Lourdes
A. Sereno, and the Honorable Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeals Andres Reyes, Jr.
Adopted this 16th day of April 2015 in the City of Manila.
ALONSO L. TAN
Chairman

RAOUL A. VILLANUEVA
Trustee-Treasurer

JUAN ABRAHAM O. ABANDO

Trustee (Independent)

HILARIO G. DAVIDE, JR.

Vice Chairman

BALBINO C. FAUNI
Trustee & Mindanao Deputy

ROGELIO V. GARCIA
Trustee (Independent)

ARSENIO ISIDRO G. YAP

Trustee-President
& Luzon Deputy

RODRIGO N. SORONGON
Trustee & Visayas Deputy

MSGR. PEDRO C. QUITORIO III

Spiritual Director
(NOTE: JUSTICE JOSE C. REYES, JR., Trustee-Secretary, took no part out of delicadeza)

Speaking during the 110th Founding Anniversary of the first Knights of Columbus Council
in the Philippines, (Council 1000), former Chief Justice Hilario Davide, Jr. urged the
public to pray for peace in Mindanao.

THE KNIGHTS of Columbus

Manila Council 1000 celebrated
their 110th founding anniversary
last April 23, 2015 at their council
chamber in Intramuros, Manila
with Honorable Hilario G. Davide, former Chief Justice of the
Supreme Court as Guest of Honor
and Speaker.
Davide, who is also the Vice
Chairman of the Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of
the Philippines, Inc. (KCFAPI)
lauded Council 1000 for their
membership growth for the past
eleven decades of Columbianism
in the Philippines.
What is important is you have
two multiplier effects. First one
is your family, because your immediate family automatically became a member of the Knights of
Columbus by affinity and second
is your children, who also became
members of the Knights of Co-

lumbus and they will become the

strong foundation of your council,
Davide said.
He also urged the public to pray
for peace in Mindanao.
The true measure of love is
love without measure and the little
things we can do in this life could
mean a moment of great transformation, Davide added.
Meanwhile, the incumbent Manila Council 1000 Grand Knight,
Brother Jun Florendo thanked
those in attendance, including the
KCFAPI Chairman and Supreme
Director and Past Grand Knight of
Council 1000, Brother Alonso Tan.
Our warmest thanks to our
Worthy Past Grand Knights, Worthy Council Officers, Council
Staff, Worthy member-Knights,
my family and friends for attending this momentous event.
Vivat Jesus, Florendo cited. (Yen
Ocampo)