CBCP

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Vol. 11 No. 1
Recoletos
January 8, 2007 Mission
Congress: ‘Serving Dishes
from God’s Kitchen’
Separation of Church and
State: Its Impact on the
Arena of Politics
Papal Homilies on the
Solemnity of Mary, Mother
of God and the Epiphany
All–NFP Program in Ipil
Prelature and Cagayan de
Oro Archdiocese
1
www.cbcponline.net/cbcpmonitor cbcpmonitor@cbcpworld.net

Court Dismisses CBCP Calls for

Bishop’s Libel Case
THE court has dismissed a libel ac-
tion brought by a Canadian mining
company against Dipolog bishop
Jose Manguiran over a report which
appeared in a Church-backed primer
that accused mining officials of
anomalies.
“Self-renewal”
THE head of the Catholic Bishops’
Conference of the Philippines (CBCP)
has used his Christmas message to
urge the people for “self-renewal”, an
apparent reference to the county’s
Protagonist of Truth, Promoter of Peace political crisis.

Court Dismisses / P4 CBCP Calls / P4

January 8, 2007 Vol. 11 No. 1 Php 16.00

CBCP Head Calls for Peace, Development

By Miami Ebilane
CATHOLIC Bishops’ Conference of
the Philippines (CBCP) President
Archbishop Angel Lagdameo rang
the New Year with a renewed call for
peace and development based on
respect on the dignity of man and
equality among Filipinos.
“The promotion of development
demands collective intervention and
responsibility of government,
churches peace keepers and the en-
tire society,” he said.
“This is best proven not only in
time of calamities brought about by
typhoons, fires and tsunamis but
also in the normal times.”
“It will be a better year when
more and more of the marginalized
and exploited are offered opportuni-
ties to work for and acquire their per-
manent shelter, genuine health ben-
efits, liberating education, dignified
employment and above all sufficient
food,” he said.
But peace, he added, does not
only mean the mere absence of hos-
tility, hatred and war, in the climate
of violence and counter-violence.
Peace, as a moral imperative, “is
brought about by justice, requiring
respect for human dignity and hu-
man rights, the promotion of the

Photo credit: Roy Lagarde

For Lagdameo, underdevelop-
ment breeds conflict, not peace.
He stressed that development
means giving food on the table of
the poor, secured employment,
less expensive medicine, scholar-
ships for the poorest children and
decent home for squatters and
slum-dwellers.
common good by one and all, and
the constant practice in solidarity,”
the prelate explained.
“Unless there is work of justice
and love in our situation, our peace
will be in a precarious state. It is
difficult. But together we can do it,”
CALM AFTER THE STORM. A quite disturbing tranquility is rather displayed by these four children frolicking atop a half-buried house
he added. devastated by Typhoon Reming in Cagsawa, Legaspi City. With donations coming in trickles and sluggish government aid, the
CBCP Head / P4 children’s innocent faces are seemingly all that’s needed to conquer the destruction wrought by the killer typhoon.

Benedict XVI Int’l Aid Pours in for Typhoon Victims

Names 2 New DONATIONS continue to pour in for A partner of CAFOD, NASSA officer for the Philippines and Cam- solidarity with them in their hour of

Bishops
POPE Benedict XVI has ap-
pointed two new bishops for the
Dioceses of Calbayog, Samar
and Bangued, Abra.
Bishop Isabelo Abarquez,
50, currently the auxiliary bishop
of the Archdiocese of Palo since
2003 and the parish priest of
Santo Niño Parish in Tacloban
City, was named as the new
bishop of Calbayog.
Born in Panlaan, Dumanjug,
Cebu on July 8, 1956, he was or-
relief as Church aid group works to
reach victims of the recent typhoon
and mudflows that have devastated
many communities.
London-based Catholic Agency
for Overseas Development (CAFOD)
has committed £50,000 (roughly P4.7
million) to the National Secretariat for
Social Action—Justice and Peace
(NASSA) of the Catholic Bishops’
Conference of the Philippines
(CBCP).
ECPPC Holds Reg’l
Prison Service
has already been working in the af- bodia, said in statement.
fected area providing food and other US-based Supreme Council of
basic goods to some one million the Knights of Columbus (KC), mean-
people affected by the killer typhoon. while, also donated $50,000 or 2.4 mil-
The initial relief will end this lion pesos to help victims of Typhoon
month but NASSA will continue Reming which hit the Philippines late
working in the many areas to pursue of November last year.
rehabilitation programs. The KC has more than 200,000
“NASSA will continue to assess members in the Philippines, many of
the situation to ensure aid is targeted whom have been working to help
to those most in need,” Clodagh those affected by the storm.
Byme, CAFOD’s program support “This contribution expresses our
Catholic Missionary in Mindanao
Missing, Feared Kidnapped
© http://mj527.multiply.com
need, and I am confident that Knights
around the world will add their own
contributions to this effort,” Supreme
Knight Carl Anderson said.
With the help of funding from
CAFOD, KC and other aid agencies,
the NASSA will continue to distrib-
ute food as well as medicines, blan-
kets, mosquito nets, sleeping bags,
materials to temporary shelters, and
kitchen utensils for survivors. (Roy
Lagarde)

dained priest at the age of 31.

Bishop-designate
Abarquez is succeeding Arch-
bishop Jose Palma, who was the
bishop of Calbayog from 1999
to March 2006, when he was
appointed archbishop of Palo.
Palma has been the dioc-
esan administrator of Calbayog
until the appointment of
Abarquez.
At the same time, the Holy
Father also named Fr. Leopoldo
Jaucian as the bishop of
Bangued.
At the time of his appoint-
ment, he was the Provincial Su-
perior of the Central province of
the Society of the Divine Word
(SVD).
The Diocese of Bangued
comprises the entire province of
Abra. The bishop-elect will take
over from current diocesan ad-
ministrator, Reverend Pablo Nilo
Peig.
The announcement was
made January 5. The dates of in-
stallation of both bishops will be
announced later. (CBCP News)
Assembly
THE CBCP-Episcopal Commission
on Prison on Pastoral Care
(ECPPC) held its first Regional As-
sembly of Chaplains and Volun-
teers in Prison Service in Visayas
and Mindanao at the Holy Family
Retreat House, Cebu City, last Dec.
4 to 7, 2006.
With the theme, “Healing and
Restoring Hope and Dignity to the
Community”, the assembly aimed
at providing a forum where the
Chaplains and Volunteers can ad-
dress the issues and concerns in
the prison ministry.
There were around 100 volun-
teers and chaplains who attended
the gathering that came from the
regions of Visayas and Mindanao.
In order to make a diocesan
plan for Volunteers in Prison (VIP)
Units, Mr. Gerald Bernabe spoke on
the Integrated Pastoral Program for
the Prison Ministry of the Church
and the Vision to complete human
development of the prison society.
ECPPC Holds / P4
by Santosh Digal
CAGAYAN De Oro, January 5,
2007—It is feared that a Catholic
missionary priest who went miss-
Conference on St. Thomas
ing in the southern Philippines five
days ago has been kidnapped. Fr
Aquinas, Contemporary
Lucio Bola, 46 years, works at the
Scalabrinian Seminary in a village
called Pardo in Talisay, Cebu. He
Philosophy Slated went home to Mindanao for the
Christmas holidays on 30 Decem-
THE University of Santo Tomas ber, near Balingasag town, Misamis
Oriental province. There has been
Graduate School (UST-GS) will hold
a two-day national conference on St. no news of him since 31 December.
A niece of his said that on that day,
Thomas Aquinas and Contemporary
Philosophy at the Tanghalang Fr Bola had said he was going to
bless a house in Lagonglong. He
Teresita Quirino, inside UST Campus,
on January 18 and 19, 2007. went out at 3pm and never returned.
“We are now looking into
A fruitful discussion and ex-
change of ideas from eminent per- groups that could have possibly
been stalking him,” said Misamis
sonalities showing the relevance of
St. Thomas to contemporary scene Oriental police chief, Superinten-
dent Lyndel Desquitado. He would
is the aim of the conference. The
Thomistic philosophy vis-à-vis new not identify the groups and said
there was currently no proof that
philosophical issues will also be dis-
cussed on the conference. the priest had been kidnapped.
In the past, Christian priests in
Conference / P4
the southern Philippines have been
kidnapped and even killed by Mus-
lim extremists such as the Abu
Sayyaf, an armed band with links to
the Al-Qaeda terror network.
Meanwhile, the priest’s family
has asked the mayor of Cagayan de
Oro, Vicente Emano, for help. They
visited the mayor on 3 January and
told him how the priest’s brothers
and sisters were murdered in sepa-
rate incidents in 1982 and 1983.
The archdiocese of Cagayan
De Oro is also searching for the mis-
sionary. A diocesan spokesman,
Msgr. Abacahin, said: “We are do-
ing everything possible to find
him”. He appealed to the people to
collaborate.
He has also offered to negoti-
ate with those who may have cap-
tured the priest: “I am pleading to
the group that I am willing to go to
whichever place they ask, no mat-
ter how far that is, just to get him
back.” (AsiaNews)

2 World News
Warsaw’s Archbishop Collaborated
With Communists
VATICAN CITY, January 6,
2007—The new pastor of the
Warsaw Archdiocese, Arch-
bishop Stanislaw Wielgus,
admitted that he collaborated
with the secret services of the
Communist regime in Poland.
The prelate made this ad-
mission, reported on Vatican
Radio, after Friday’s publica-
tion of a statement by
Poland’s Ecclesiastical His-
torical Commission, headed
by Wojciech Laczkowski,
which confirms that the prel-
ate collaborated with the Se-
curity Service of the Ministry
of Internal Affairs.
Poland’s Ecclesiastical
Historical Commission clari-
fied that, in virtue of the analy-
sis of the documents of the
National Memory Institute, “it
cannot be affirmed that this
collaboration had conse-
quences for persons or insti-
tutions.”
This type of collabora-
tion was prohibited by the
episcopate.
Archbishop Wielgus
took canonical possession of
the archdiocese on Jan. 5 and
this Sunday, he is due to take
possession of Warsaw’s Ca-
thedral of St. John the Bap-
tist.
In a note broadcast on
Vatican Radio’s Polish pro-
gram, Archbishop Wielgus
stated: “Driven by the desire
to undertake important studies
for my scientific specialization,
I allowed myself to be in-
volved by those contacts with-
out the necessary prudence,
and without the courage and
determination to break them. I
confess this error.
“I do not know if the
documents that the Historical
Commission has presented to
me are the only ones or if oth-
ers will appear, but today I
confirm with full conviction
that I did not denounce any
one and that I tried not to harm
any one.”
Dignity of the Person is Founded on
Human Rights
VATICAN CITY, January 1,
2007—Following today’s Eu-
charistic celebration marking
the Solemnity of Mary Mother
of God and before praying the
Angelus from the window of
his private study overlooking
St. Peter’s Square, the Pope
said: “Today we contemplate
Jesus, born of the Virgin Mary,
in His attribute of true ‘Prince
of Peace.’ He ‘is our peace,’
Who came to break down the
wall that divides men and
peoples, in other words ‘hos-
tility’.”
Benedict VI recalled how
it was Paul VI who wished “that
the year should begin under
the protection of Most Holy
Mary, venerated as the Mother
of God,” and that January 1
“should mark the World Day
of Peace, so that each year may
start in the light of Christ, the
great pacifier of humanity.
“Today,” he added, “I re-
new my hope for peace to the
governors and leaders of na-
tions and of international or-
ganizations, and to all men and
women of good will. I do so
particularly with the special
Message that I prepared to-
gether with my collaborators in
Archbishop Stanislaw Wielgus
Archbishop Wielgus
added: “I again acted wrongly
when, in recent days, given
the feverish media campaign,
I denied the facts of this col-
laboration.
“This has endangered
the credibility of the
affirmations of persons of the
Church, among whom are
those bishops who have sym-
pathized with me.
“I know that for many of
you this withdrawal from the
truth is as painful a fact as my
involvement of so many years
ago.”
Archbishop Wielgus
ends his statement asking with
a repentant heart to be re-
ceived in the archdiocese as a
“brother who wants to unite
and not divide, to pray and
unite the people of the
Church, in the Church of saints
and sinners, which we all are.”
Finally, the prelate sub-
mits with humility to any de-
cision made by Benedict XVI.
The Holy See and the
bishops of Poland addressed
the issue with communiqués
published on Dec. 21.
On that occasion, the
Vatican press office explained
in a statement: “The Holy See,
in choosing to appoint the
new metropolitan archbishop
of Warsaw, took into consid-
eration all the circumstances
of his life, including those re-
garding his past.” (Zenit)
the Pontifical Council of Jus-
tice and Peace and that has as
its theme this year: ‘The Hu-
man Person, the Heart of
Peace’.”
That Message, said the
Holy Father, “touches upon an
essential point: the value of
the human person, who is the
column that supports the en-
tire grand edifice of peace. To-
day there is much talk of hu-
man rights, but it is often for-
gotten that they need a foun-
dation that is firm, not relative
or subjective. This foundation
can only be the dignity of the
person. And respect for this
dignity begins with the recog-
nition and protection of
people’s right to live and pro-
fess their own religion freely.”
The Pope concluded: “To
the Holy Mother of God we
trustingly address our prayer
that sacred respect for all hu-
man beings and the firm refusal
of war and violence may de-
velop in people’s consciences.
Help us, Mary, you who
brought Jesus into the world,
to welcome from Him the gift
of peace and to be sincere and
courageous builders of peace.”
(VIS)
Benedict XVI Accepts Resignation of Archbishop Wielgus
VATICAN CITY, January 7,
2007—In a note released at
midday today, the apostolic
nunciature to Poland stated
that: “Metropolitan Arch-
bishop Stanislaw Wielgus of
Warsaw, Poland, on the day in
which he was scheduled to
enter the Cathedral Basilica to
begin his pastoral ministry in
the Church of Warsaw, has
presented His Holiness
Benedict XVI with his resigna-
tion from canonical office, in
accordance with canon 401 par.
2 of the Code of Canon Law.
“The Holy Father has ac-
cepted the resignation of Arch-
bishop Stanislaw Wielgus and
has appointed Cardinal Jozef
Glemp, primate of Poland, as
diocesan administrator of War-
saw, until further notice.” The
note bears the signature of
Archbishop Jozef Kowalczyk,
apostolic nuncio to Poland.
For his part, Holy See
Press Office Director Fr.
Federico Lombardi S.J. re-
leased the following declara-
tion to journalists today:
Holy See Reaffirms Death Penalty Stance Kids Can Be Missionaries Too, Pope Says
VATICAN CITY, January 1,
2007—In the wake of the execu-
tion of former Iraqi dictator
Sadaam Hussein, the Vatican
reaffirmed its condemnation of
the death penalty.
Jesuit Father Federico
Lombardi, director of the
Vatican press office, made that
comment Saturday, the day
Hussein was executed by hang-
ing at a former military intelli-
gence headquarters in
Baghdad’s Shiite neighbor-
hood of Kazimiyah.
“A capital execution is al-
ways tragic news,” he said, “rea-
24 Missionaries Died Violently in 2006
VATICAN CITY, January 6,
2007—Twenty-four priests, re-
ligious and laypeople were
killed in 2006 while carrying
out their missionary work—
just one person less than
2005’s figure.
The Vatican missionary
agency Fides published the re-
port on deaths, not only of mis-
sionaries but also of all the
ecclesiastical personnel who
died violently or sacrificed their
lives, aware of the risk they
faced, rather than abandon
their commitment to give wit-
ness and engage in the
apostolate.
The list of the Vatican
Congregation for the Evange-
lization of Peoples avoids ex-
plicitly the term “martyrs,” so
as not to intervene in the judg-
ment that the Church might
eventually give on them.
Nevertheless, the Church
proposes them for remembrance
Birth Rate Rises After Six Years
TOKYO, Japan, January 2,
2007—With the birth of more
than one million babies in 2006,
Japan has recorded the first in-
crease in its birth rate in six
years, according to govern-
ment data released yesterday.
The falling population of
the land of the rising sun has
raised concerns about the
country’s chances of maintain-
ing its economic growth and
about the government’s abil-
ity to finance growing pension
requirements.
The estimates, based on
preliminary figures of births
“Archbishop Wielgus’
conduct in the past years of
the communist regime in Po-
land has seriously compro-
mised his authority, even with
the faithful. Therefore, despite
his humble and touching re-
quest for forgiveness, his res-
ignation from the see of War-
saw and its prompt acceptance
on the part of the Holy Father
seemed an appropriate way to
address the disorientation that
has been created in that coun-
try.
“It is a time of great suf-
fering for a Church to which
we all owe so much and which
we love. A Church that has
given us pastors of the stature
of Cardinal Stefan Wyszybnski
and, above all, of Pope John
Paul II. The universal Church
must feel spiritually united to
the Church in Poland and sup-
port her with prayer and en-
couragement, so she may soon
recover her serenity.
“At the same time, it must
be remarked that the case of
Archbishop Wielgus is not the
sons for sadness, even if it is
about a person who has been
guilty of grave crimes.”
Father Lombardi added:
“To kill the guilty one is not the
way to rebuild justice and to
reconcile society. The risk also
exists that, on the contrary, the
spirit of vengeance will be fu-
eled and new violence be sown.
“In this dark time of the life
of the Iraqi people one cannot
but hope that all those respon-
sible will make every effort so
that in a dramatic situation chan-
nels of reconciliation and peace
will finally be opened.” (Zenit)
and prayer for their eternal rest.
Africa is the continent
that registered the greatest
number of victims last year:
nine priests, a nun and a lay
volunteer died violently. In
Kenya three priests were mur-
dered, and in Nigeria, two
priests disappeared.
The second continent
marked by violent deaths in
2006 is America, where six
priests, a nun and a layman lost
their lives. The Church lost
two of its members in Brazil.
Two priests, a nun and a
layman lost their lives in Asia.
One religious died vio-
lently in Oceania.
Fides explained that the
list is provisional, as the names
must be added of those on
whom there will never be any
information, those who “suf-
fer in all corners of the planet
and pay with their lives for their
faith in Christ.” (Zenit)
and deaths registered at mu-
nicipal offices, showed the
number of babies born in 2006
was 1,086,000, 23,000 more
than a year earlier.
In 2005, the fertility rate of
Japanese women, or the aver-
age number of children a
woman bears in her lifetime,
dropped to 1.26. Health Minis-
try data showed this trend has
reversed and the fertility rate
is rising. In 2006, the rate rose
to 1.29. All the same, the minis-
try said the rate was expected
to start dropping again this
year. (AsiaNews)
first and will probably not be
the last time that personalities
of the Church are attacked on
the basis of documentation
from the security services of
the former regime. There is an
enormous amount of material
and, in attempting to assess
its value and draw reliable
conclusions, it must not be
forgotten that it was produced
by officials of an oppressive
and blackmailing regime.
“So many years after the
end of the communist regime,
with the loss of the great and
unassailable figure of Pope
John Paul II, the current wave
of attacks against the Catholic
Church in Poland, rather than
a sincere search for transpar-
ency and truth, has many hall-
marks of being a strange alli-
ance between the persecutors
of the past and their adversar-
ies, a vendetta by those who
used to persecute the Church
and were defeated by the faith
and the thirst for freedom of
the Polish people.
“‘The truth will make you
VATICAN CITY, January 6,
2007—Children can also be
missionaries and “witnesses
of God’s tenderness,”
Benedict XVI said while cel-
ebrating Missionary Child-
hood Day.
The Holy Father ex-
plained today after praying
the Angelus that this day is
observed worldwide on the
solemnity of the Epiphany, as
it “is the feast of Christian
children who live joyfully the
gift of faith and pray that the
light of Jesus will reach all the
children of the world.”
“I thank the children of
‘Holy Childhood,’ present in
110 countries, as they are pre-
cious cooperators of the Gos-
pel and apostles of Christian
solidarity in favor of the needi-
Pro-family Leader Praises Pope’s
Statement on Demographic Decline
ILLINOIS, USA, January 5,
2007—The president of the
World Congress of Families,
Allan Carlson, has praised
Pope Benedict XVI for his
comments on European popu-
lation decline, saying that the
Pontiff’s remarks are “far-
sighted and courageous.”
Speaking to the Roman
Curia in December, during a
traditional meeting before
Christmas, Pope Benedict XVI
said that low birthrates in Eu-
rope reflect the fact that many
couples no longer seem to
want children—a tragedy
which, the Pope said, has
“penetrated my soul.” The
Pope added: “If we do not re-
learn the basic foundation of
faith—if we do not recover the
certainty of faith—it will be
ever more difficult for us to
give others the gift of life and
the challenges of an unknown
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 11 No. 1
January 8, 2007
free,’ says Christ. The Church
is not afraid of the truth and
her members, to be faithful to
their Lord, must be able to ac-
knowledge their own faults.
We hope that the Church in
Poland will be able to live and
surmount this difficult period
courageously and clearly, so
that she will be able to con-
tinue to offer her precious and
extraordinary contribution of
faith and evangelical energy to
the Church in Europe and the
world.” (VIS)
est,” he said, ad-
dressing the crowd
gathered in St.
Peter’s Square.
The Bishop of
Rome encouraged
“educators to culti-
vate in little ones
the missionary
spirit, so that impas-
sioned missionaries
will arise among
them, witnesses of God’s ten-
derness and proclaimers of his
love.”
The Pontifical Society for
Missionary Childhood, part of
the Pontifical Missionary So-
cieties, aims to foster in chil-
dren the desire to be mission-
aries and to help other chil-
dren with prayer and financial
support.
This society, founded in
1843, also helps educators—
parents, catechists and teach-
ers—to foster the universal
missionary dimension in the
education of children.
Above all, children give
of their savings, which Mis-
sionary Childhood allocates
yearly to support some 4,000
projects for the world’s needi-
est children. (Zenit)
future.”
“Secularism is a societal
death-wish,” Carlson ob-
served. “Those who believe
that life has no higher pur-
pose than self-gratification
won’t make the sacrifices nec-
essary to raise a family. Empty
churches lead to empty nurs-
eries.”
European countries,
which have the lowest rates
of religious observance in the
world, also have the lowest
birthrates. Of the ten lowest
birthrates, 9 are in Europe –
the tenth is in Japan, where a
similar process is underway.
Carlson noted: “Italy’s
birthrate is 1.2 children per
woman. Spain’s is 1.15. A na-
tion needs a birthrate of about
2.1 just to replace current
population. For Europe, demo-
graphic winter is fast becom-
ing a reality.” (CWNews)
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 11 No. 1
January 8, 2007
“EVERY missionary, every Christian
must feel like a waiter in a banquet,
who serves the dishes from the
kitchen of God: in the first place, the
dish of renewal in communion with
the Church and complete adherence
to Christ; and, in the second place,
the dish of gratitude, which is the
matter of the mission,” noted Fr.
Lauro Larlar, OAR, prior provincial
of the Order of the Augustinian Rec-
ollects (OAR) Province of Saint
Ezekiel Moreno in the Philippines.
He said this at the closing rites
of the recently concluded 3rd OAR
international mission congress held
at the San Sebastian College-
Recoletos, C.M. Recto Avenue, Ma-
nila last December 4-6, 2006.
Highlighted with the theme
“The Recollect Missionary Yester-
day, Today and Tomorrow”, the
three-day mission congress was held
“for the purpose of studying the mis-
sionary vocation as integral part of
the Augustinian Recollect identity”
and in commemoration of the Fourth
Centenary (1606-2006) of the arrival
of the Augustinian Recollect mis-
sionaries in the Philippines.
The big event was successfully
participated by a close to 1,000 del-
egates, guests, and members of the
Augustinian Recollect family world-
wide—Recollect bishops, priests,
deacons and brothers, Augustinian
Recollect sisters, Secular Augustin-
ian Recollect Fraternity members,
and college seminarians, novices
and theology students of the Prov-
ince of Saint Ezekiel Moreno.
The OAR Mission Congress
kicked off with a solemn Mass, held
December 4 at the San Sebastian
Bukidnon Family and Life Apostolate: Making A Difference
By Sr. Lucy Lucine, RVM
THE Family and Life Apostolate
(FLA) of the Diocese of Malaybalay
in the province of Bukidnon is mak-
ing a difference to many families of
varied religious background and cul-
ture. It is currently intensifying its
effort to conduct family and pro-life
seminars in schools, parishes and
other communities to address family
issues and concerns.
The seminars, which include
Personality Integration, Pre-marriage
course, Human Sexuality, Recollec-
tion and Reflection sessions, are
conducted to high school students
and out of school youth. The semi-
nars are given to help young people
understand their sexuality and be-
come deeply aware of the realities of
who they are—a special person, a
gift, sons and daughters of God. The
following specific topics were help-
ful: Dignity of the Human Person,
Sexuality, Love, Boy-Girl Relation-
ship, Choices and Integration, Life
of Teen-agers and Chastity Cov-
enant.
Helping parents become aware
of the situation of the family in mod-
ern society and their responsibility
in promoting Christian values is an-
other major concern of the FLA pro-
gram. This is done through various
values seminars and spiritual activi-
ties, such as: “Parenting in a new mil-
lennium”, family retreats, recollec-
tions, mid-life workshops, and mar-
News Feature
Recoletos Mission Congress:
‘Serving Dishes
from God’s
Kitchen’
By Bob R. Acebedo
Basilica (Manila), with the papal
nuncio Archbishop Fernando Filoni
as presider and concelebrated by
five Recollect bishops from other
countries—Olavio Lopez Duque
(Bogota, Colombia); Jose Luis
Azcona (Marajo, Brazil); Emiliano
Antonio Cisneros (Chachapoyas,
Peru); Hector Javier Pizarro
(Trinidad, Colombia); Mario Molina
(Quiche, Guatemala)—and over 80
Recollect priests.
In his homily, the papal nuncio
stressed the principal characteristics
that make a true missionary: “fidel-
ity to Christ, communion with the
Church, and zealously imbued with
Marian spirit”.
A euphoric sense of nostalgia
even more filled the solemn Eucha-
ristic celebration with the singing
during the communion of the all-too
familiar Spanish classic Venid, venid
Jesus a consolarme, composed 70
years ago by the Augustinian Rec-
ollect missionary Fr. Domingo
Carceller, OAR.
riage encounter. Participants of
these activities are able to rediscover
their responsibility to each other as
couples and their role as first teach-
ers of their children.
Likewise, the apostolate is com-
mitted to defend the sacredness of
life and sanctity of the family which
is subtly assaulted by certain gov-
ernment programs being promoted
under the guise of welfare and de-
velopment. For instance, a prayer
march-rally was held at Valencia City
last summer to address the issue. The
diocesan clergy and religious sisters
of Bukidnon actively participated in
the rally which was attended by
more or less 10,000 people represent-
ing the different parishes. Moreover,
resolutions on
anti-life bills were
drafted and sent to
concerned authori-
ties.
The Family
and Life apostolate
also responded to
issues on contra-
ception and steril-
ization. Hence, the
campaign on natu-
ral Family Planning
(NFP) is intensi-
fied. Information
drive on the effects A Prayer March-Rally held at Valencia City last May 22, 2005 which
was actively participated in by the diocesan clergy and Religious
and the evils of Sisters of Bukidnon. The rally was attended by more or less
contraception and 10,000 people representing the different parishes in the diocese.
Combining aspects of “theol-
ogy, history, anthropology and prac-
tical living of the mission as part of
the charism of the Augustinian Rec-
ollect Order”, lecture topics and
speakers of the three-day mission
congress included the following:
“Global Presentation of the Mis-
sions of the Order”, by Fr. Javier
Desiderio Ayala Guerra, OAR Prior
General; “The Iter of our Missions
in the Past”, Fr. Angel Martinez
Cuesta, OAR; “St. Ezekiel Moreno
as Augustinian Recollect Mission-
ary”, Prof. Emmanuel Luis
Romanillos; “Theology of the Mis-
sions after the Second Vatican Coun-
cil”, Fr. James Kroger; “The Mission
Today: Challenges, Practices, Meth-
odology, with special attention to the
mission activities in Brazil”, by Most
Rev. Jose Luis Azcona Hermoso,
OAR, DD, bishop of Marajo, Pa. Bra-
zil; “The Recollect Missionary
Works in China and Taiwan”, Fr. Jose
Javier Pipaon Monreal, OAR; “The
Identity of the Augustinian Recol-
sterilization is also given priority. The
training of NFP motivators is regu-
larly done to increase the number of
acceptors. At the same time a semi-
nar on Natural Family Planning (NFP)
is conducted in the hope that people
will have a deeper understanding of
the function of the human body ac-
cording to God’s plan. NFP is “a way
of life”, and not a method which re-
quires a learning process. As accep-
tors of NFP, they need to learn to
SACRIFICE as they practice periodic
abstinence, cooperation, under-
standing and generosity between
husband and wife. This will result in
LOVE MAKING and GIVING LOVE.
The FLA workers and promot-
ers are also made to participate in
seminar-workshops to equip them
with more knowledge and skills on
Family and Life issues, and con-
cerns. In addition, there is the con-
tinuous updating of the workers
through parishes and deanery meet-
ings, quarterly diocesan assembly,
and participation to regional and
national congress on family life.
The family life workers are sus-
tained in their commitment by spiri-
tual sessions like Core Group reflec-
tions, recollections and retreats given
by the Diocesan FLA coordinator.
The spiritual formation inspires and
strengthens the workers to persevere
in the tasks entrusted to them.
lect Missionary”, by Most Rev.
Emiliano Cisneros, OAR, DD, bishop
of Chachapoyas, Peru; “The Mis-
sionary before the Present Realities
of the Society”, by Most Rev. Mario
Molina, OAR, DD, bishop of Quiche,
Guatemala; “Inculturation and In-
terreligious Dialogue”, by Most Rev.
Hector Javier Pizarro, OAR, DD,
bishop of Trinidad, Colombia; “Re-
sponse of the Augustinian Recollect
Sisters to the Call of Mission”, by Rev.
Mo. Maxima Pelaez, AR, Mother Gen-
eral of the Congregation of the Au-
gustinian Recollect Sisters; and “The
Future of the Recollect Missions in
Africa”, by Fr. Don Besana, OAR.
The closing ceremonies of the
mission congress were capped with
a solemn Mass held December 6 at
A Summary Account of Four
Voyages – And a Year’s Pontificate
by Sandro Magister
ROMA, December 27,
2006—In the address
that he gave to the Ro-
man curia just before
Christmas, Benedict
XVI identified the uni-
fying element of the
four trips he took out-
side of Italy in 2006: to
Poland, Spain, Ger-
many, and Turkey.
The unifying and
decisive element, he
said, was “the correla-
tion of the topic of
‘God’ and the topic of
‘peace’.”
This is because, if this correla-
tion is lacking, and “if reason remains
closed before the question of God,
this will end up leading to the clash
of cultures” and religions: a clash
“that looms threateningly” over the
entire planet.
Benedict XVI demonstrated that
the response to the fundamental
question of God affects a series of
related questions.
In Poland, he said that man’s
desire to “banish God from history”
has its most striking memorial in
Auschwitz and Birkenau. But even
amid His apparent absence, God
“does not cease to remain with us,”
like the rainbow after the flood.
In Spain, there arose the great
question about why Europe “practi-
cally doesn’t want to have any more
children.” The pope’s reply is that
the man of today has become “un-
sure about man himself.” And this
explains the disintegration of the
family, the tendency toward de facto
couples, the removal of the differ-
ences between the sexes: it is a “deni-
gration of corporeality” that leads to
man’s self-destruction. The Church
has a duty to raise its voice in de-
fense of this endangered man.
In Germany, the pope continued,
preaching that God is all the more
necessary today because in some
3
the San Sebastian College quad-
rangle, presided by Bishop Mario
Molina, OAR of Quiche, Guatemala,
and concelebrated by other 12 bish-
ops—which included Cagayan de
Oro archbishop Antonio Ledesma,
Ozamiz archbishop Jesus Dosado,
Balanga bishop Socrates Villegas,
San Carlos bishop Jose Advincula,
Kabankalan bishop Patricio Buzon
and Surigao bishop Antonieto
Cabajog—and some 95 priests.
The international mission con-
gress was the third organized by the
Order. The first congress took place
in Madrid, Spain, at the crypt of St.
Nicholas of Tolentino in St. Rita par-
ish in 1990; and the second was held
in Alcobendas, near Madrid, Spain,
in 1995.
regions most people have not even
been baptized, and the faith is seen
as belonging to the past. Benedict
XVI linked to this issue the priest’s
role as a “man of God,” who is celi-
bate not for pragmatic reasons, but
precisely because he is “seized by a
passion for God.” He also linked to
the question of God the dialogue
between faith and reason, which he
explored in the lecture at the Univer-
sity of Regensburg.
In Turkey, Benedict XVI wanted
to show his solidarity with those
faithful of Allah who “precisely on
the basis of their Muslim religious
convictions struggle against vio-
lence and in favor of synergy be-
tween faith and reason, between re-
ligion and freedom.” Because this is
exactly Islam’s task today: to elabo-
rate the proper synthesis between
the faith and “the real achievements
of Enlightenment thinking” that
Christians have reached over centu-
ries of “laborious and never-finalized
research.”
The latter is an approach to dia-
logue that is much more effective
than a thousand ceremonial em-
braces, as is proved by the “open
letter” addressed to the pope last
October by 38 Muslim intellectuals
and leaders from various nations,
including the grand mufti of Istanbul.

4 News
Papal Prayer Intention: That
Pastors Lead to Peace
VATICAN CITY, January 6,
2007—During the month of Janu-
ary, Benedict XVI will pray that
pastors lead their followers along
the path of peace.
The Holy Father will ask
that: “In our time, unfortunately
marked by many episodes of
violence, the pastors of the
Church may continue to indicate
the way of peace and under-
standing among peoples.”
The Apostleship of Prayer
announced the intention se-
Bangued Diocese Holds DYD ‘06
THE diocese of Bangued held their
sixth Diocesan Youth Day, which
was attended by a good number of
youths from different vicariates
and parishes last Dec.16, 2006.
Held biannually, the gathering
traces its beginnings when the dio-
cese celebrated the Taize Pilgrimage
of Trust in Abra some years back.
For this year the goal was to
develop social awareness among
the youth; to discover the social
CBCP Head / from p1
Will 2007 be a better year? The
CBCP leader asks and quickly pro-
vides the answer: “It will be, if we
do not insist on doing the things
that produced our problems.”
Lingayen-Dagupan Arch-
bishop Oscar Cruz, meanwhile, di-
rected his thoughts to continuing
political and social crisis saying
people cannot have a genuine
“happy new year” because of the
country’s current situation.
“But it is truly hard to expect
that the year 2007 would be really
happy. This is not pessimism but
reality, not surrender but the truth—
Conference / from p1
Prominent philosophy profes-
sors and scholars from the Philip-
pines and abroad have been invited
as speakers for the conference.
On the first day of the confer-
ence, Prof. Herwi Rikhof, Ph.D from
the University of Utrecht, The Neth-
erlands will discuss the “Adoptive
Sonship: Developmental Thinking
of St. Thomas Aquinas”; Prof.
Florentino T. Timbreza, Ph.D. from
De La Salle University will discuss
“St. Thomas Aquinas in the Age of
Cybernetics”; Prof. Rainier A.
Ibana, Ph.D. from Ateneo de Ma-
nila University has the topic “The
Contemporary Relevance of St.
Thomas’ Philosophy of Education”
and Rev. Fr. Dr. Fausto B. Gomez,
O.P. from University of Santo
Tomas on “The Relevance of St.
ECPPC Holds / from p1
Other goals of the gathering
were to get deeper understanding,
appreciation of the direction and
programs of the prison ministry
and to commit oneself to work in
restoring dignity and healing
hurts.
It also aimed at building a com-
munity and sharing among each
Church Celebrates National Bible Week
THE whole nation celebrates the
National Bible Week on January 22-
28, 2007.
This annual event, which cul-
© Alessandra Benedetti/Corbis
minates with the National Bible Sun-
day on January 28, is observed by
Bible believers all over the country
as a time to affirm the importance of
God’s Word in their individual lives.
Instituted by Presidential Proc-
lamation Nos. 22 and 1067, it reminds
Filipinos to regularly seek the Lord’s
guidance and will by reading, study-
ing and living the Scriptures.
This year’s theme is “God’s
Word: Standard of Justice and Right
Living.”
lected by the Pope. Thousands CBCP-Episcopal Commission
of the faithful worldwide join the on Biblical Apostolate chairman
Holy Father in offering their Bishop Arturo Bastes said the
prayers and sacrifices for the in- people need to turn to God’s Word,
tention. where we find guidance for our life
The Pope also prays every and faith as individuals, family and
month for an apostolic intention. nation.
This month the intention is: “That “As Christians we believe that
the Church in Africa may become God’s Word should be the standard
a constantly more authentic wit- of justice and right living. It must
ness of the Good News of Christ become the norm, the ideal, the
and be committed, in every na- benchmark, the banner, the measure,
tion, to the promotion of recon- the pattern and the yardstick of our
ciliation and peace.” (Zenit) life as a Christian nation,” he said.
Among all the books only the
Bible is God-inspired, said Bastes.
situation of the young people in
their own parishes and most espe-
‘Nature Church’ Gutted by Fire
cially to respond to their social NEW Year’s Eve fire destroyed Las
needs. Piñas’ Mary Immaculate Parish
The Youth Day was hosted by Church known as the “Nature
St. Narcissus Parish in Bucay who Church,” located in Moonwalk Vil-
brought not only social awareness lage.
to the youth but also of their role The fire broke out around 12
in the Church’s renewal and as midnight and quickly spread be-
builders of faith, hope and love cause the structure was made
through community immersions. mostly of wood and anahaw leaves.
(Miami Ebilane) Initial investigation revealed
the fire might have started from a
“kwitis” (a firecracker) that landed
considering that the nation’s on the church at the height of the
present is difficult and the country’s New Year celebration.
future is rather bleak,” said Cruz. Built in 1985, Nature Church
He also cautioned Arroyo not has become a favorite tourist desti-
to underrate the country’s political nation and considered one of the
situation because people still do not most popular churches in Metro
forget the failings of her adminis- Manila because of its serene and
tration and were left behind last “nature” ambience.
2006.
“This fact alone already as- Court Dismisses / from p1
sures a good amount of social
unrests in the country. It is not hard Dipolog
to foresee more angry people stag- City Prosecu-
ing more protest rallies and marches tor Rodrigo
this year,” Cruz added. (with reports Ladera found
from Roy Lagarde) no basis for
t h e the primer tends to dishonor or
company’s
claim that the
Thomas Aquinas’ Teaching on Jus- primer report,
tice Today”. Bp. Jose Manguiran published
Then on the last day, Prof. last year, was
Manuel B. Dy, Ph.D. from Ateneo de defamatory.
Manila University will discuss “St. The primer, published by the
Thomas Aquinas and Gabriele Dipolog Committee on Mining Is-
Marcel on Justice”; Prof. John F.X. sues led by Bishop Jose
Knasas, Ph.D. from Center for Manguiran, alleged “IP dealers”
Thomistic Studies University of St. Pablo Bernardo and Juanito
Thomas Aquinas, Houston, Texas Tumangkis of irregularity over 3
will have a topic on “Being and the million “royalty payment” sup-
21st Century Thomist” and Rev. Fr.
Dr. J. Antonio E. Aureada, O.P. from
University of Santo Tomas on CBCP Calls / from p1
“Sanctifying Grace: A Vindication In a statement, the prelate said
of Participative Existentialism in St. Advent-Christmas is a call to repen-
Thomas Aquinas” tance and reform of conduct.
The UST-GS is a Center of Ex- “Under the guidance of Jesus
cellence for Philosophy recognized the Savior, may leaders and follow-
by the government’s Commission on ers pursue the way to moral integ-
Higher Education. (CBCP News) rity, political sincerity, honesty and
transparency in relationship,” he
said.
“May everyone correct his/her
other the best practices being mistakes or sins with sincere humility
adapted by the volunteers. and sense of humor. May everyone
This is the second time that the outdo each other in generosity and
ECPPC had their Regional Assem- understanding,” said Lagdameo who
bly. The first was on July 2006 with is also the archbishop of Jaro.
the chaplains and VIPs (Volunteers He asked God to bless leaders
in Prison) from the southeast, who serve the government, military,
southwest and south Luzon. (Mi- churches and various groups.
ami Ebilane) Manila Archbishop Gaudencio
“For this reason, the Sacred Scrip-
tures if used in teaching, are valu-
able for reproof, useful for correc-
tion and are an excellent guide for
right living for persons both as indi-
viduals and as a nation.”
PBS General Secretary Nora
Lucero, meanwhile, affirms the PBS’
burden to help change the country.
“We believe that the Bible is a
potent catalyst for change—in our-
selves, our families, our communities,
our nation. For this reason, we part-
ner with kindred spirits in promoting
the integration of these values into
the Filipino standard and way of
Aside from the
anahaw roof, and capis
lights, the pews are also
made of the trunks of
mango trees.
Fire fighters were
able to prevent the con-
flagration from totally
destroying the Church.
There were no reports
of injuries.
“It’s very frustrat-
ing,” said a 45-year old
churchgoer. “We al-
most lost a great struc-
ture.”
According to estimates, P1 mil-
lion will be needed to reconstruct
the church.
Parishioners, meantime, are
posed to be for legitimate ances-
tral domain owners.
Ladera cleared Manguiran
and eight others including a priest
stating that because nothing in
discredit the complainants, it was
unlikely to be considered defama-
tory.
“The issue that the royalty
payment did not go to the legal
beneficiaries but with the dealers
does not constitute malversation,”
the court said.
“It simply states that the royalty
payment is with them. Whatever hap-
pened or what was done to the money
was not brought up.”
Bernardo and Tumangkis de-
Cardinal Rosales, meanwhile, has re-
newed call for peace, including an
end to poor perception and under-
valuing its meaning.
Peace is not gained through the
cessation of a battle, he said. Conflict
continues even in the time of peace.
“People desiring peace must
wage war against greed and ambition.
Where there remains still a single
proud and greedy man, there can be
no peace in his world,” said Rosales.
Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop
Oscar Cruz said Christmas is time for
hope, especially for those who pur-
sue justice and peace.
He said that Christmas should
bring light to “big socio-moral dark-
ness basically due to odious and
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 11 No. 1
January 8, 2007
life,” said Lucero.
The PBS leads the yearly cel-
ebration of the National Bible
Week and National Bible Sunday
as part of its advocacy to make
the Scriptures relevant to the
lives of Filipinos everywhere.
Churches nationwide will
rally behind and actively partici-
pate in the various activities slated
for the weeklong celebration.
In Manila, the celebration will
culminate with a Bible Fiesta at
the Folk Arts Theatre on Jan.27.
Highlights of this event include a
Bible exhibit, seminars, youth fo-
rums, art workshops, storytelling
sessions, and a concert featuring
some of the country’s top bands and
artists.
There will also be a fun run,
where proceeds would be used to
purchase Bibles for victims of calami-
ties.
Different local government
units will also have their own com-
memorations during their respective
flag-raising ceremonies on January
22. During the week, they will also
hold motorcades, host Bible quizzes,
talent shows, and other creative ac-
tivities to highlight the importance
of the Bible. (CBCP News)
© Ronna Reyes
having their daily mass at a chapel
near the main church, and every
Sunday at the town’s multi-purpose
hall to accommodate more church-
goers. (Miami Ebilane)
nied allegations and accused
Manguiran and his group for char-
acter assassination and noted
that the imputation of being just
an “IP dealer” is too harsh.
The complainants legal team
argued that it was libelous be-
cause they were made with malice
in order to embarrass, humiliate,
discredit and cause dishonor their
clients.
“Worse, they are direct and
conclusive imputations of the de-
vious crimes of ‘large scale’ or
‘mass swindling,’ malversation,
and of ‘selling my people’ with-
out having even laid the basis of
their conclusion,” Bernardo said.
(CBCP News)
ominous politics.”
“Sad but true, we have to admit
that in our country during these try-
ing times, there is too much lying,
stealing and cheating, too much graft
and corruption, too much greed for
power and wealth, too much abuse
of human rights and killing of hu-
man lives. In short, there is too much
darkness in our midst—even during
this Christmas season,” he said.
Cruz said that with Christ as the
light, the big “social darkness”
brought about by corrupt and cor-
rupting individuals could be over-
come.
He urged the faithful to remain
vigilant to defeat the darkness. (Roy
Lagarde)
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 11 No. 1
January 8, 2007 Feature 5

© http://www.flickr.com/photos/giltron/33457146
7 QUESTIONS for
Bp. Honesto F. Ongtioco
For the ecclesiastical see of Cubao, even
as a fledgling city-diocese created only
over three years ago, there’s seemingly
no lacking in the number of priests—
and seminarians too—with the guest
priests doubly outnumbering the regular
or incardinated ones. For what reasons, this and other issues
were some of the startling revelations made by Cubao Bishop
Honesto F. Ongtioco when he recently talked in an interview with
CBCP Monitor.

As first bishop of Cubao, how that would not be enough as a

many priests do you have at motivation. And if we just have
present vis-à-vis the number of to accept priests and seminar-
parishes in the diocese? ians from other dioceses, it
Well, good enough. We wouldn’t be good either for the

Separation of Church and State:

have 42 parishes in the diocese,
34 of which are administered by
the diocese and 8 are adminis-
tered by some religious congre-
gations. With regards to the
number of priests in our dio-
other dioceses. That’s why, we
have come to a point where we
have to temporarily stop the
processing of applications for
incardination which, in itself, is
also not an easy process. The

Its Impact on the Arena of Politics
By Bp. Leonardo Y. Medroso, DD
THE convergence of various cul-
tures, legal systems and religions has
through the years produced pecu-
liar effects in the relationship be-
tween the State and the Church in
the Philippines. The various powers
that colonized the country have left
an indelible imprint in the country’s
laws and life and consequently
worked together in shaping up the
relationship between the Church and
the State. That there is a separation
of Church and State is a fact. This is
and to judge its own cases.
It goes without saying that each
of these stipulations presupposes
the fundamental purpose of affirm-
ing the Church’s autonomy vis-à-vis
temporal powers, and, its “inherent,”
“exclusive,” “native,” “original” free-
doms and rights “independent of
civil power.” They are not actual pre-
sentation of the relations between
Church and State, nor are they prac-
tical guidelines on how separation
of Church and State should be car-
cese, let me classify them into
2 kinds—the regular priests or
those incardinated to the dio-
applicant will have to undergo
a probationary period by serv-
ing at least 3 parishes. Also,
cese of Cubao and the guest applying does not necessarily
priests who are in staying in imply or guarantee that the per-
Manila on temporary basis for son will be incardinated after 5
purposes of study, sabbatical years or so. There is yet an
dental dimension, it has inherent right
leave, or for further exposure. evaluation process. You see,
to use temporal or earthly realities to
We have 37 regular priests and this is one thing that is beauti-
accomplish its mission.
55 guest priests in the diocese. ful about a new diocese. We are
Second, in accomplishing its
At present, however, we have still developing some policies
mission, the Church does not look
temporarily stopped process- and there are yet not fixed tra-
for any privileges or special conces-
ing applications for ditions that would tie us up to
sions from civil authority, which
incardination of guest priests. something. It’s still open for
would compromise its intrinsic and
Right now, we have some 40 growth, for a wider space, for
essential goal, that is, the salvation
pending applications. Aside creativity.
of each human being. In other
from diocesan priests, there are
words, the Church is not going to
also a good number of priests What about the problem of way-
enter into any deals, which would
from religious orders who are ward, so to speak, priests? Do
taint the sincerity of its witness.
intending to transfer to the dio- you have such in your area?

amply evidenced in the various con-
stitutions of the country. The prob-
lem is the nature and style of separa-
tion. What does separation of
Church and State mean?
The Philippine Constitution de-
scribes this relationship in this man-
ner: “No law shall be made respect-
ing an establishment of religion or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof.
The free exercise and enjoyment of
religious profession and worship,
without discrimination and prefer-
ence, shall forever be allowed. No
religious test shall be required for
the exercise of civil or political
rights.”
Simply put, the separation of
Church and State doctrine as ex-
pressed in the present Constitution
implies two things, namely, 1) that
no religion may be established as the
official religion of the State nor pro-
hibits the free exercise thereof; 2) that
the State shall not favor one religion
over the others. It logically follows
from the aforementioned that the
State shall allow the free exercise and
enjoyment of any religious creed or
conviction one may choose to ad-
here to.
The present code of canon law,
on its part, maintains and rightfully
claims the moral personality of the
Catholic Church and the Apostolic
See by divine ordination which
serves the basis for the autonomy
of its jurisdictional authority and
character and independence in the
human community. It further lays
claim, among others, the freedom to
preach the gospel and to render moral
judgment on any matter of human
affairs; to establish and direct
schools; to promote formation and
education in the Catholic religion at
all levels of education; to train its
own ministers; to appoint and send
papal legates; to establish the matri-
monial regimen for its faithful; to ac-
quire, retain or sell temporal goods
for the attainments for its own goals;
to punish with penal sanctions those
of the faithful who commit delicts;
ried out in day-to-day transactions
and political interactions. But they
do provide the ready foundation for
the establishment of such relation
together with the Church’s convic-
tion that it has supreme authority
over its juridical code. By virtue of
her mission to spread the gospel
message and to unify the spirit of
all, the Church stands forth as sign
of that unity which allows honest
dialogue. It requires mutual esteem,
reverence and harmony through the
recognition of lawful diversity.
The Church and the State, has
for numerous times, shown a great
level of collaboration in a number of
issues as evidenced by the various
concordats the Church has estab-
lished with different states. While
the authority of the State is limited
to the temporal affairs of man and
the Church on the spiritual matters,
recent events have shown that the
Church has been more and more con-
cerned with the development of man
for, as members of society, the mem-
bers of the Church has the same duty
to promote the common good as
does the State. It is in the arena of
politics that the separation of Church
and State is being most often in-
voked.
Church-State Relations Ac-
cording to Vatican II
The most fundamental principle
governing Church-State relation-
ships is that the Church has a very
specific purpose in the world and it
is not constituted as an entity op-
posed to the State. Therefore, it is
important to keep in mind the Con-
ciliar statement of Gaudium et spes,
no. 76, which puts this issue in its
proper perspective.
Several important points must
be highlighted in this statement.
First, the Church affirms the natural
and supernatural dimensions of each
and every human being. Even
though the direct and primary con-
cern of the Church is the transcen-
7
Third, in view of its mission, the
cese. Well, I would say,
Church should have true freedom to
preach its message. The message in general we have a
concerns the faith, society, moral What do you think are good clergy. When I
judgments in matters relating to poli- the reasons for the in- came, God has
tics, but especially the fundamental flux of priests and blessed me with good
rights of human beings and salva- seminarians in your clergy. I always tell
tion of souls. The Church merely diocese? people that our clergy
claims its inherent right to witness You see, as much are the best in the
to and stand up for human rights and
salvation of souls and do so with
as possible we would
like to have our own QUESTIONS world, not just in the
Philippines. Now, with
courage and authority. stable pool of priests. regards to the ques-
Fourth, the Church does not And also, as a policy in the dio- tion on what we do with so-
exercise political or temporal power. cese of Cubao, only those called wayward or problematic
Therefore, the means it has the right incardinated to the diocese can priests, I usually refer them to
to use are those which correspond be appointed as parish priests. experts. That’s the advantage
to the Gospel message. The Church With regards to the number of of being in the metropolitan
can in fact become a leaven in the our seminarians, at present we Manila, we have a lot of pro-
political arena by preparing and en- have 32 minor and major semi- fessional resources. If one has
couraging suitable persons who narians undergoing their forma- one to solve, transferring him
would work for the welfare of all tion and 4 deacons who are to another parish may just not
people according to the Gospel mes- about to be ordained. For me, be the solution. But referring
sage. this is quite a good number al- him to a competent profes-
ready. In some cities, not only sional or an institution can help
in the Philippines but even in because their expertise is to
The Church and Its Involve-
other countries, it seems there help priests, sisters or even lay
ment in Political Life
is a downward trend in terms people.
of priestly vocations. But why
If politics is to be understood in
the increase in priestly voca- Moving on to another subject,
a broad sense, that is, the
tions in a city like Cubao? I what about the Church’s agenda
community’s pursuit of the common
think one reason—according on social concern? How is this
good, then the Church cannot but
to some of our seminarians and being realized in your diocese?
be involved in it. The common good
priest-applicants desiring to As far as being exposed to
embraces the sum total of conditions
serve in Cubao—is the cama- social concerns, I believe it is
of social life by which individual,
raderie of our priests. This has very strong in our diocese. We
families, and groups can achieve
greatly attracted them, they have what we call an integral ap-
their own fulfillment in a relatively
say. Another factor also is mi- proach, not just spiritual, but as
thorough and ready way.
gration. Among our 4 deacons, Pope Benedict XVI said “you
Christian involvement in politi-
2 of them came from the have to address not just the
cal life is actually based on the com-
South—one is from Cotabato spirit but also the basic human
mitment of Christians in the world.
and the other is from Aklan— needs”. These two—spiritual
For more than 2000 years people of
and they have transferred to and basic human needs—are
the faith has actively engaged them-
Cubao because their families the important components of
selves in the life of the world, sub-
have moved to Quezon City. real evangelization. We have a
mitting themselves to duly consti-
strong involvement of people in
tuted authority, willingly cooperat-
Isn’t your fatherly stance or social service. For instance,
ing with it, in accordance to the dic-
treatment to your priests and whenever we are in need of vol-
tates of their conscience and the
seminarians one of those rea- unteers for some of our social
light of the Gospel, in the work for
sons? concern programs and activi-
the pursuit of the common good. For
Not necessarily. If a semi- ties, lay people easily sign up.
these people “man cannot be sepa-
narian or priest transfers to Even if there are no natural ca-
rated from God, nor politics from
Cubao simply because of the
morality.” 7 Questions / P8
prelate’s personality, I think
As one early Christian writer
Separation / P9
 CBCP Monitor
6 Opinion Vol. 11 No. 1
January 8, 2007

Editorial

Mary, the Icon of a New Year

“The Human Person,
BRUSHING the foreseers and the superstitious the Heart of Peace”
aside, there is nothing better than the contemplation
of Mary, the Mother of God, at the onset of a new
year. This, of course, may not sound very
comfortable with those who are in the work of
ecumenism and those sensitive, if afraid, of anything
that smacks of a further divide among Christians.
Fertility is the anthropological sense of a woman
in gestation. Which was why, in natural religions,
this image always finds prominence in agricultural
communities longing for a bountiful harvest. In
Christianity, the icon of Mary gestating the Son God
goes far beyond the anthropological significance.
It typifies a Pauline groaning (Cf. Rom 8) for the
birth of the Son who will restore all things that have
been squandered by a sinful nature.
But Christians of today would be satisfied and
settle for an icon of a pig, a rat or even a monkey.
And that’s all it takes for a happy New Year. Or so
it seems.

In Search of New Leaders

THERE are marked indications that the 2007
midterm elections are key to the future of this
country. Unquestioningly, as it were, the present
administration cannot remain blameless of an on-
going long litany of big socio-moral reversals and

A Better Year? We
scandals, likewise with their consequent painful and
shameless political and economic disasters. Abp. Angel N. Lagdameo, DD
Deep discontent among the people with their
repeated public expressions of resentment and
dissent, loud clamors for economic relief and better
In and Out of Season can make it happen!
social services, pitiful cries for enough food and
needed medicine—all these are but some of the THE greeting of everyone on the First beyond what justice can provide” he/she can do to promote peace and de-
indicators of the intense pain and profound fear of Day of 2007 is “Happy New Year.” May (Gaudium et Spes 78). Unless there is velopment. We can do it!
people all over land. 2007 continue to be under the shadow work of justice and love in our situa- Will 2007 be a better year—seven
It can be said that the forthcoming elections— of Christmas. According to one popular tion, our peace will be in a precarious being “biblically” a perfect number?
in the event that these were held at all—can make song: “The real meaning of Christmas is state. It is difficult. But together we can Hopefully and prayerfully it will be if we
or break this nation. The past six years can be said the giving of love everyday.” Accord- do it! do not insist on doing the things that
as one long big bad dream. The allegations of the ing to the Servant of God, Pope John “The new name for peace is devel- have produced our problems. Jesus of
Paul II “It is always Christmas in the opment” (Populorum Progressio). The Christmas will be telling us “The time of
infamous triad of lying, cheating and stealing
hearts of Christians.” We can do it! We promotion of development demands col- fulfillment/perfection has come… Repent
continue to stand out. The reported wanton raiding can make it happen! lective intervention and responsibility (that is, change your mind and behav-
of the national resources through graft and The first day of every New Year of government, churches, peace keep- ior), and believe in the Gospel” (Mark 1/
corruption has become a matter of course, if of since 38 years ago is a World Day of ers and the entire society. This is best 15). “Clothe yourself with new self, cre-
worse. The extrajudicial killings, political murders Peace. Peace does not mean only the proven not only in time of calamities ated according to the likeness of God in
and criminal assassinations have become part of absence of hostility, hatred and war, in brought about by typhoons, fires and true righteousness” (Eph 4/23).
the day-to-day life in the country. the climate of violence and counter-vio- tsunamis but also in the normal times. High hopes! Great hopes! It will be
The May 2007 elections can be a blessing or a lence. Peace, as a moral imperative, “is Development must be seen in terms of a better year when more and more of the
curse to this country, can give or dissipate its hopeful brought about by justice, requiring re- food on the table of the poor, secure marginalized and exploited are offered
future—which is all that the silent majority of spect for human dignity and human employment for the millions here in the opportunities to work for and acquire
Filipinos are yet trying to hold on to. rights, the promotion of the common country, low cost medicine for the fami- their permanent shelter, genuine health
If the electorate really wants to have some kind good by one and all, and the constant lies of workers, scholarships for the benefits, liberating education, dignified
of a general guide in the choice of the candidates practice in solidarity.” (PCP-II 307). poorest, decent homes for squatters and employment and above all sufficient
who need and deserve their precious votes, then “Peace is the fruit of love which goes slum-dwellers. Each one must ask what food. It will be for them a New Year.
we have to seriously look for reformist, nationalist,
populist public officials. Otherwise, this country will

Character Change Rev. Euly B. Belizar, SThD

continue to have the usual “trapos” who are experts
in keeping the repugnant status quo in the national
political community now infamous for self-worship
and pursuant self-service.
vs. Charter Change? By the Roadside
Roadside
Reform the rotting political system. Enact
nationalist legislations. Have populist politicians.
This may be the fresh call of the New Year. THERE were super typhoons that hit the tion wouldn’t have to be done by the ticularly the hierarchy, would do well to
Philippines towards the end of 2006. I lawmakers themselves (which raised not heed the counter call. After all, there is
speak of Super typhoon Milenyo and so unfounded suspicions that they were no denying the fact that our evangeliz-
Super typhoon Reming. But there was out to advance their own political inter- ing efforts which, for more than three
ISSN 1908-2940 another kind of super typhoon that al- ests) but by delegates to be directly centuries, have been on-going, have not
most turned our history upside down. I elected by the people specifically for the clearly transformed Filipinos into a more

CBCP Monitor
speak of the tempest called Charter purpose of reviewing our constitution in country-oriented cluster of communities
Change via Con-Ass or Constituent As- view of a more deliberate charter change. ready and willing to sacrifice the self and
sembly pushed sans the least inhibitions But what caught everyone’s atten- selfish interests for the country or the
Protagonist of Tr u t h , Promoter of Peace
by Administration lawmakers in the tion as well as collective enthusiasm or greater community to attain the common
House of Representatives. bafflement was the CBCP’s call for ‘char- good.
The uproar it caused in the citizenry, acter change’. This is, as others would The late Pope John Paul II is a model
Pedro C. Quitorio Pinky Barrientos, FSP led especially by the Catholic Bishops say, the other kind of “Cha-Cha”. Instead worth emulating when he unhesitatingly
Editor-in-Chief Production Manager
Conference of the Philippines, El Shaddai, of calling into question the systems and begged the world’s forgiveness for the
the Jesus Is Lord Movement and even structures now in place through the sins and shortcomings of the Church
Baltazar R. Acebedo Marcelo T. Dalanon down the centuries. Clerics and respon-
Managing Editor
the Iglesia Ni Cristo, compelled a turn- present constitution, the CBCP urges
Circulation Manager
around in the president’s strong pro-Cha- everyone to call into question the deep- sible lay faithful could easily spot the
Dennis B. Dayao Ma. Lourdes G. Ebilane Cha stance. est root of all the diverse manifestations arrogance of the pro-Cha-Cha lawmak-
On-Line Editor Marketing Supervisor I woke up one morning to find the of the malaise that has plunged the coun- ers. We should not turn blind to our own
landscape eerily different. The Speaker try into the pit of near despair — the Fili- even as we speak most legitimately about
Roy Q. Lagarde Hernani Ramos of the House declared he and the other pino character. the need for character change before any
News Editor Comptroller pro-administration lawmakers were with- Almost instantaneously reactions charter change.
drawing their move to change the Char- were strong and varied. The one from a To my mind there really is very little
The CBCP Monitor is published fortnightly by the CBCP opposition between the two Cha-chas. We
ter through Con-Ass and were instead lady senator caught my attention. She
Communications Development Foundation, Inc., with
now espousing the same through Con- demurred in her usual feisty manner that have another name for “Character
Layout by Denz Dayao

editorial and business offices at 470 Gen. Luna St.,

Intramuros, Manila. P.O. Box 3601, 1076 MCPO. Edito- Con (constitutional convention), some- the Church, particularly the hierarchy change”. Don’t we call it “conversion”?
rial: (063) 404-2182. Business: (063)404-1612. thing the CBCP had been advocating all “should beat their breasts” for much of The very first summons that issued from
Email: cbcpmonitor@cbcpworld.net Website: along. It wasn’t so obvious; but the shift the sorry state of the ‘Filipino character’ the mouth of the Savior-Emmanuel in the
www.cbcpworld.net/cbcpmonitor was nothing short of dramatic. Now the that could be behind the great Filipino very first gospel of Mark is the soul of
effort to change the Philippine constitu- debacle. I submit that the Church, par- Roadside / P8
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 11 No. 1
January 8, 2007
Melo M. Acuna
Issues and Concerns
DURING the last week of 2006, I had the
chance to be with my closest friends and
relatives in Bicol, particularly in Legazpi
City and the nearby towns of Daraga,
Camalig and Guinobatan. I saw people
trying their best to get back on their feet
and begin all over again. It was common
to hear of stories about the struggles
faced by those who lost their loved ones
and their meager properties.
The only home listed under my name
in Tagas, Daraga may have to be moved
somewhere as the threat of lahar flows
from the 2,462 meters Mayon Volcano may
come rushing again with unexpected rain-
fall over the next few years.
Shortly before Christmas, I saw a
front page newspaper item which said
American Peace Corps volunteers
brought cheer to a number of children in
Albay. My first impression was to be
thankful for the gesture. However, I
learned that they indeed brought cheer
to nearly a hundred children. That was
all and it got front page play up in one of
the most prominent dailies. The figure
was too small compared to those served
by the Philippine National Red Cross,
Department of Social Welfare and Devel-
opment and the Catholic Church-run
Caritas Manila and Caritas Philippines.
It occurred to me that the token as-
sistance may simply be to neutralize the
Rachel Mourns For
Her Children
LAST December 28, over a hundred
women and a few men gathered at South
Cemetery, Makati for the annual Mass
for Aborted Babies.
Most of the women, and the few men,
have been involved in abortion—as
aborted women, partners of aborted
women, relatives and friends who led
them to abortionists. Some came to
grieve over the fact that they took con-
traceptive pills, injectables, or IUD. They
now realize that they are abortifacients.
Even those ligated admitted that the act
led them to an anti-natal mentality and
were there to express their regret.
The Mass was held at the Haven for
Angels, a building at the entrance of the
cemetery built by Mayor Lito Atienza,
since south Cemetery actually belongs
to the City of Manila. A nicely decorated
tiny coffin was displayed in front of the
altar.
The women came forward one by
Teresa R. Tunay, OCDS
…and tha
thatt ’s the tr uth!
truth!
TWO things last Christmas made me re-
flect on the future: First, Boom tarat-tarat
and second, child beggars.
Where I heard Christmas Eve Mass,
the priest during his homily asked two
young boys to “sing” Boom, tarat-tarat.
You know the tune of the moment? A
couple of years back, it was Ispageti
Pataas-Pababa, followed by Otso-Otso.
Now it’s Boom tarat-tarat. The priest’s
point, it seemed, was that such a non-
sensical tune is so popular that every-
body knows it, and to prove his point, he
randomly picked a child—and then an-
other—to chant it, one after the other.
Both cooperated with gusto, then the
priest solicited the crowd’s applause,
“Palakpakan natin sila!”
The Mass was held in the open air,
and due to the traffic noise nearby, punc-
tuated by bursts of firecrackers, one had
to strain to catch every word of the hom-
ily. So it seemed the priest was admon-
ishing the faithful to teach worthwhile
songs to children, but we doubted if the
message got across. In that part where
we stood, many young people were talk-
ing, texting, or in a tête-à-tête. Bunches
Opinion
Happy New Year!!!
controversies brought about by Lance
Corporal Daniel Smith, earlier sentenced
to a maximum of 40 years for the rape of
one lady named “Nicole.”
It was not a surprise for media prac-
titioners to be bombarded with press re-
leases from the Embassy of the United
States of America in Manila. Their pub-
lic relations strategy may be described
as remarkably active and aggressive.
Even simple meetings and visits to the
countryside by Ambassador Kristie
Kenny got good coverage. It is to be
expected as they simply try to do some
“damage control.” One thing is certain:
the American government will do every-
thing to protect their citizen anywhere in
the world. It is a manifestation of their
strong political will to serve and protect
their constituents. Sadly we could not
expect the same treatment from our for-
eign affairs and labor department person-
nel. Reports have it that a number of
Filipinos are languishing in jails abroad
while several others have been executed
for various crimes. Did they get the at-
tention due them from our diplomats?
The Visiting Forces Agreement
signed in Manila last February 10, 1998
by the American Ambassador to the Phil-
ippines Thomas C. Hubbard and Foreign
Secretary Domingo L. Siazon, Jr., was rati-
fied by the Senate of the Philippines but
Sr. Mary Pilar Verzosa, RGS
one to drop into the coffin the names of
their dead babies (by abortion, miscar-
riage or still birth). Some wrote letters or
prayers for the babies. They were all
encouraged to name their baby. Some
wrote down three or four names that they
admitted they had aborted.) Naming their
baby is “humanizing the baby” and helps
them to the truth that he or she was not
just a mass of blood and tissue. It also
helps them release their grieving, an im-
portant step in the healing of the post-
aborted traumatic syndrome.
After the Mass, a couple of women
bravely though tearfully related the inci-
dent of their abortions and how they were
led back to God. Now they are active
pro-life counselors and volunteers. I was
invited to share how Pro-life began the
ministry to post-aborted women and not
just to pregnant women. I apologized to
the women, saying that I and the Church
were not there when they needed us, thus
Boom, tarat-tarat
and child beggars
of trendy teenagers were simply prom-
enading, while kindergarteners chased
one another and tumbled in the grass to
their hearts’ content, some landing on the
flowering hedges and crushing them be-
yond revival. By the sheer grace of God
I managed to stay focused in spite of this
park-like atmosphere. Only at noche
buena did I realize how the Mass im-
pacted the people with us then, as they—
family friends—had an animated discus-
sion of the Boom tarat-tarat thing.
The general impression was, they’d
rather not see gimmicks in the homily but
they can tolerate such if these could drive
the message home. But this was not the
case here, they agreed, when the priest’s
attempt at audience participation and his
soliciting applause for it not only over-
whelmed and obscured his point, but
worse, robbed the Eucharistic celebration
of the solemnity it deserved.
Another thing that got their goat
(and which we had all endured in silence
during the Eucharist) was the “announce-
ment” before the blessing. The blessing
was given only after all the winners of
the parol-making contest were called and
was considered an “executive agree-
ment” by the Americans and no longer
required the American senate’s imprima-
tur.
It is indeed timely for the country’s
well-meaning lawmakers to take a long,
hard look at the very controversial pro-
visions of the Visiting Forces Agreement
after the Daniel Smith caper.
While the Court of Appeals con-
curred with the decision of Regional Trial
Court Judge Benjamin Pozon, the cus-
tody issue was considered moot as Daniel
Smith was already in the hands of the
American embassy officials. It was in-
deed surprising that the Court of Appeals
did not say anything, not a word, on the
executive decision to transfer Smith’s
custody to the Americans sans any court
order. It would have been remarkable
decision had the Court of Appeals said
anything about the “turn-over” a couple
of days before New Year.
While we have already welcomed
2007 with our prayer for peace, I came
across an article from the Canadian Mes-
senger dated January 2007 with an ap-
propriate title “Seeking truth is the Key
to peace!” It also had a striking question
for everyone: “Can we live in a world of
lies and not be affected adversely? The
answer is in your hands. Happy New
Year!!!
Love Life
all of them made poor and regrettable
decisions. Abortion is not only a dead
baby. A woman could go on for years
with her guilt, anger, depression, com-
pulsive behavior, substance abuse, pro-
miscuity or sexual dysfunctions. Now,
more and more men admit similar dysfunc-
tions. Much of those could have been
avoided if there were more people speak-
ing out to prevent the abortions.
The event was organized by the
Manila Health Department, the
Kababaihan ng Maynila Rachels Sup-
port Group, and Pro-life Philippines.
We encourage parishes to organize
Mass for the Unborn, set up Memorial
Monuments for the Unborn, Mass for
Aborted Babies, Counseling and Re-
source Centers, seminars and youth fo-
rum on pro-life topics.
Contact our office at tel. 911-2911,
tel/fax 421-7147, life@prolife.org.ph. Or
contact me personally at 0919-2030-637.
their creations acknowledged amidst
much adlibbing and cheering. All that
hooting and clapping stirred the crowd
so much that it made the blessing sound
like a second thought, and the Mass, a
noontime TV show. A lady guest who’s
a far cry from the “manang” type even
said, “Yung iba nga doon pasko lang
kung magsimba eh, tapos bibigyan mo
pa ng showbiz na misa!” (Some in that
crowd would go to church only on Christ-
mas day, so why give them a Mass that
smacks of show business?) Then an-
other said, “What concerns me are the
kids. I’m sure the priest meant well, but
he sent mixed signals. The children there
will not hear an explanation from their
parents but they will remember that kids
like them were asked to sing gibberish
during Mass and got public approval for
it.”
That discussion made me wonder
about the future of our Church—which
is in the hands of the children. How are
we raising our young on the Word of God
today?
The second thing that spurred me
the truth / P8
7
Jose B. Lugay
Laik
Laikoo Lampstand
Extrapolations for
Year 2007
YEAR 2007 came in leaving behind a political tumult
that has involved the Church and left the laity won-
dering what is their future role in the scheme of things.
While the attempts to rush cha-cha ended up initially
as a victory for the Church with its “character
change” as a substitute definition for cha-cha, the
Administration looked at it as a temporary respite for
the perceived threat of a people power revolution.
The prayer rally at the Luneta controlled whatever
opposition anger there was to steamroll a revolution.
The call for character change by Archbishop
Lagdameo strategically needed at this time, requires a
critical mass to effect real change—a sane, sober, pa-
triotic laity to deliberate on constitutional change.
The Administration, knowing there is no longer
any danger of a people power uprising, once again
positioned to bankroll another Peoples’ Initiative to
change the constitution. Truly, the motive is clear—
constitutional change before 2010, GMA’s end of ten-
ure, a positioning advantage for the ruling class of
the country, selfish ends of the same politicians com-
promising the foreseen bright future of the Philippines
among its ASEAN neighbors.
In spite of this dim prognostication, let us do an
exercise in extrapolation for year 2007—considering
whatever positive things we see today and project-
ing its benefits in the near future, thus harnessing the
optimism and hope for the future by our Filipino masa.
Increasing migration of Filipino workers. The
obvious benefit and a continuing one for the next few
years is the remittance of dollars—improving the sta-
bility of the peso vs. the dollar and the eradication of
our foreign debt. This generates business for con-
sumer goods in the Philippines. On the export side,
Filipino processed food and condiments, will have
more demand—encouraging the setting up of Jollibee
stores as well as other Filipino restaurants where our
people congregate abroad. Practical and affordable
real estate promos for housing will boom considering
the increasing applications for Fil-Am double citizen-
ship.
The Catholic churches abroad long wanting for
more Sunday goers will find a new niche of patrons
from migrant Filipino families. Religious beliefs shown
by inculturated Filipino celebrations of fiestas will soon
be familiar happenings in hitherto sedate and agnos-
tic surroundings. Closeness of family life and the care
for the elderly will still be a stand-out characterization
of the Filipinos here and abroad. With all these in
mind, surveys will surely rate us Filipinos again as
among the happiest people in the world.
Increased improvement of the economy through
tourism and infrastructure spending. Since the world
is now a global village and Filipinos are adaptable to
change, in this techocentric and I. T. environment,
the proliferation of call centers and business outsource
providers will spread to other cities in the Philippines
creating more consumer-spending, fun loving young
graduates seeking for more facilities for malling com-
puter centers and places of relaxation. The push for
medical tourism and high-end retirement subdivisions
will increase real estate development including the
building of hospitals or modern clinics and drugstores.
This type of development will proliferate in all areas
readily accessible to the big cities like Manila, Cebu
and Davao. The building of highways and monorail
systems in the planned super regions will promote
local tourism and generate more jobs in the hitherto
farming areas of the country.
The empowerment of the villagers in the coun-
tryside. While the Basic Ecclesial Communities are
being promoted by the parishes, those beyond their
reach are being helped by other non-government or-
ganizations in all types of advocacy. The poverty prob-
lem is directly addressed by the construction of
houses and community building by Gawad Kalinga
and other organizations like Jubilee Homes. The
graduates of the livelihood training programs of many
NGOs can now access funds through the Grameen
bank type of lending program of Micro-lending insti-
tutions.
NGOs also help villagers and indigenous people
who are affected by mining of their virgin forests. The
poor communities, if left alone, could be fodder to the
machinations of salaried public relations officers of
mining firms. Hence without their knowing it these
local leaders have sold their patrimony for a pittance.
We see more advocacy groups led by bishops and
environmentalists who will keep on this advocacy
work in the years ahead. This will generate more com-
Laiko / P8

8 Commissions
Rationale
WHILE there is an existing CBCP
Commission on Health Care, a sepa-
rate office on Bioethics was also cre-
ated to deal with problems and is-
sues that do not necessarily fall
within the competence of the Com-
mission on Health Care. As de-
scribed in the Constitution and By-
Laws of the CBCP, the functions of
the Commission on Health Care are
restricted to dealing with medico-
moral problems related only to
health care which includes such is-
sues as the physician-patient rela-
tionship, patient’s rights and the
physicians’ obligations, right to
health care delivery systems, pre-
ventive health care, and euthana-
sia. The Office on Bioethics deals
with issues other than health care
issues. In fact, the sphere of com-
petence of the Office on Bioethics
is much broader than that of the
Commission on Health Care as it en-
compasses other issues that have
to do with the practice of medicine
and a host of other life-issues.
These include abortion and fetal
research, contraception, steriliza-
tion, organ transplant, human ex-
perimentation, genetic engineering
and reproductive technologies, etc.
Objectives
The office acts as an advisory
body to the CBCP regarding deci-
sions and opinion to be taken in
matters related to bioethics, dis-
seminates and defends whenever
necessary the teachings of the
Church on bio-ethical issues, espe-
cially in the Philippine context.
Specific Objectives
It assists CBCP in making moral
judgment regarding certain moral di-
lemmas of bio-ethical concern.
It helps CBCP to shape public
and government policy on bio-ethi-
cal concerns.
It promotes discussion of
medico-moral issues, as these
touch the lives of the Filipino popu-
lace.
The Head of the Office may or-
ganize its unit, carry out its pro-
the truth / from p7
to think about the future was a line
in the gospel for the Feast of the Holy
Family: “…The child grew and be-
came strong, filled with wisdom…”
(Lk. 2:40) It evoked in me images of
child beggars who swooped down
on motorists at intersections in
Metro Manila last Christmas day.
They grew in number by the ten-
fold around that time, suddenly
sprouting where there used to be
none—like mushrooms after the rain
or vultures flocking at the smell of
rotting flesh. These child beggars
are in a sense workers, in that they
go out there and try to make money
using the only working skill they
Roadside / from p6
character change: “The time has
come. The Kingdom of God is at hand!
Repent and believe in the good news”
(Mk 1:14). This was echoed in Vatican
II’s characterization of the Church as
“Ecclesia semper reformanda”.
We are indeed the Church always
in need of reformation because we are
fundamentally a Church of sinners, a
truth perhaps nowhere more graphi-
cally illustrated for Filipinos than by
the Filipinos who call themselves
Christians but who, at the same time,
have collectively failed to transform
our archipelago into an image of the
kingdom. As a cleric charged with pro-
claiming the gospel to our people, I
plead guilty. I beg forgiveness for my
failures.
But conversion which informs char-
acter change is scarcely enough; that is,
if it ends only in the ‘radical change of
the mind or heart’ but leaves structures
of sin unchallenged or untouched. I’ve
Office on Bioethics
By Fr. Elmer R. Ignacio
grams and whatever may be needed
to accomplish the objectives of the
office.
Activities
The office tries to create more
awareness among the Bishops of
the existence of the Office of Bio-
ethics and the basics of bio-ethics
through:
• Seminar-Workshop on Bioethics
in the local Church.
• Participation in the decisions re-
garding proposed bills of bio-
ethical concerns which shall be
passed to the law-making body.
• Acquisition of library materials
(e.g., newsletters, reprints of
books on bio-ethics, subscription
of international journals.
• Dissemination of materials on bio-
ethics to the Bishops.
• Linkages and collaboration with
have: looking pathetic. Theirs is a
high risk job—darting in and out of
traffic, exposing themselves to the
elements—but they don’t have SSS
benefits, accident insurance, etc. It’s
simply a hand to mouth existence
from day to day, depending on
strangers’ generosity or qualms of
conscience.
I ache to help those “child work-
ers” but not in the way they want to
be helped. I do the doable: I befriend
them while waiting for the green light.
I let them know I care though my car-
ing is not expressed in alms. I ask
them about their parents, school,
“Ano gusto mong maging paglaki
had plenty of time to research on the late
Pope John Paul II’s thought on societal
transformation. It struck me how, letter
after letter, exhortation after exhortation,
address after address, he spoke not only
of conversion as essential in our search
for a transformed society bearing the im-
age of God’s kingdom but also of the
need to transform structures and sys-
tems that further selfishness and greed
instead of compassion and generous
sharing among human beings and na-
tions. The question is: Are there such
structures and systems embodied in the
Philippine constitution? Or are selfish-
ness and greed propelling moves to
change it?
The answer to selfishness and
greed in human hearts and in human
systems of laws or structures of social
living? Proclaim and fulfill the gospel of
justice and love both in our national
character and, if need be, in our charter
as well.
groups working along the line of
bio-ethics (UST Department for
Bio-ethics, Southeast Asian Cen-
ter for Bio-ethics, CPG Nurses’
Guild, Catholic Lawyers’ Guild of
the Philippines) are also estab-
lished through:
• Exchange of bio-ethical materials,
newsletters and other resources.
• Collaboration with different bio-
ethical groups for on-going pro-
grams like seminars, etc.
Latest Project of the Office on
Bioethics
The International Congress on
Bioethics held last December 5-7,
2005 was sponsored and organized
by the Pontifical Commission on
Life, the CBCP Office on Bioethics
and the UST Department of Bioeth-
ics to celebrate the 10th Anniversary
of the publication of John Paul II’s
mo?” (What do you want to be when
you grow up?) and then I tell them to
go home. “Tell your parents some-
body told you they should work
harder for you. You were not born to
beg. You are whole and smart and
you’ll become even better when you
grow up, so stop begging now.” Their
responses range from a blank stare to
a submissive “Opo”. Then I drive on
wishing I could just kidnap all of them
and give them a new life starting with
a good bath, a bowl of lugaw, and an
appetite for self-respect.
In some countries in conflict,
many children are abducted to be
brainwashed into becoming “free-
Laiko / from p7
munity consciousness for environ-
ment care and sustainable develop-
ment.
The frequencies of disasters—
typhoons, earthquakes, landslides,
have created well-trained disaster
and relief entities. More civic-con-
scious Filipinos here and abroad
become the sources of help through
fund raising and medical missions.
Technical people are now alerted to
research on predictive and preven-
tive systems including geohazard
mapping, rain gauges and monitor-
ing systems for tsunamis. Advance
planning for relief and rehabilitation
in disaster prone areas are now pro-
vided with resources—funds and
people.
While the schools are still inad-
equate during normal times, the dev-
astation caused by disastrous ty-
phoons has created need for more
and better constructed school-
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 11 No. 1
January 8, 2007
encyclical, Evangelium Vitae. It was
held at St. Thomas Aquinas Re-
search Complex (TARC) of the Uni-
versity of Santo Tomas in Manila.
The congress focused on the
basic issues in Bioethics, that is, the
value of human life at its beginning,
its end and some special questions
such as “stem cell research,” “or-
gan donation” and “social justice
and the quality of life.”
The event generated 320 par-
ticipants, more than what the orga-
nizers expected. The speakers and
reactors from different countries ad-
dressed the various concrete issues
and present concerns regarding hu-
man life.
© Roy Lagarde / CBCPMedia
Upcoming Conference on Bio-
technology
The CBCP Office on Bioethics
together with the Episcopal Com-
mission on Family and Life, and the
Episcopal Commission on the Laity
are sponsoring an international con-
ference on Bioethics and the Fam-
ily on January 9-10, 2006 at the
EDSA Shangri-la Hotel. The confer-
ence has the theme: “The Challenge
of Biotechnology to Human Life and
the Family”.
The Officers
Chairman
Bishop Jose F. Oliveros
Cooperators
Fr. Fausto Gomez, OP
Vice-Chairman Fr. Dionisio M. Miranda, SVD
Bishop Ernesto A. Salgado
Mayumi S. Bismark, MD
Edna Monzon, MD
Members Angeles Tan Alora, MD
Archbishop Leonardo Z. Esperanza Rivera, MD
Legaspi, O.P.
Archbishop Diosdado A.
Talamayan
Executive Secretary
Fr. Elmer R. Ignacio
Tel. (044) 641-1466
e-mail:
elmerignacio41465@yahoo.com
7 Questions / from p5
dom fighters”—gun toting murder- lamities, we have our monthly
ers at age 12. medical mission-outreach in the
There are also countries where diocese. Then there is also our
children of the urban poor are taught Hapag-asa project, feeding not
to pick pockets even before they only the mal-nourished but more
learn how to read or write. I recall so the undernourished children.
the gospel verse and wonder how a
culture of begging such as ours can What about the Church’s engage-
nurture street-smart children to ment in politics? Do you think it
“grow and become strong, filled with is also part of the social concern
wisdom.” What does the future hold agenda?
for a country that has very little love Yes, again we also have a
for the least of its citizens? strong group on public affairs, ac-
If you want to have a glimpse tively working, for instance, on
into a nation’s future, see how it is voter’s education before and dur-
treating the least of its children to- ing political elections. This time, we
day. And that’s the truth. will also extend our work even after
elections—that means, monitoring
the performance of those who will
houses and evacuation areas. Inno- win in the elections. So it’s not just
vation in this area is now being educating people prior to the elec-
done—the building of earth-cement tions to come up with honest,
structures. This is a challenge to the peaceful and clean elections, but
schools of architecture and engi- even after that, they have to know
neering—to add in their curriculum the performance of those candi-
design for Philippine conditions and dates who were voted.
materials engineering using locally
available sources What is your perception of main-
The opportunities to do good stream, or secular, media?
for this country is endless. Let us You know, we should not see
not spend more time in the political them as another party or enemy.
bickering of our highly charged so- Rather, we should be working with
ciety. Let us sit calmly and learn them in the same direction, work-
more from the Compendium of the ing for the truth, and this is pos-
Social Doctrines of the Church. I am sible when there is a strong rap-
addressing this to the Laity who port between church people and
should be reminded all the time that the media. Particularly, for in-
we compose 99 % of the Church. stance, we in the Church should
Without the Laity’s concern and always make ourselves available to
participation in the transformation the media as source of information.
of society, the Philippines will stay Otherwise, if we shun them, they
stagnant in its present political go to the wrong source, and that
quagmire. becomes a problem for us.
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 11 No. 1
January 8, 2007
A few decades after Christianity was
first introduced into Philippine soil
by Ferdinand Magellan, another
Spanish conquistador, Miguel Lopez
de Legaspi, together with a group of
Jesuit missionaries set foot on the
shores of Bohol. In the seaside vil-
lage of Bool, three kilometers from
the center of today’s Tagbilaran City,
Legaspi made a blood compact with
a local chieftain, Datu Sikatuna, thus
sealing the first international treaty
of friendship in Philippine territory
immortalized in the diocese’s coat of
arms and the province’s official seal.
Spreading from the first mission
centers Baclayon and Loboc, the
Christian faith eventually spread
throughout the island as more par-
ishes were established. Beautiful
stone churches and conventos were
built through forced labor. On the 8th
of November 1941, Pope Pius XII rec-
ognizing the maturity of the local
Church officially erected the Diocese
of Tagbilaran. At first, left to the care
of the Apostolic Administrator, Arch-
bishop Gabriel Reyes of Cebu due
to the outbreak of World War II, the
diocese finally saw its first bishop in
the person of Bishop Julio Rosales,
who assumed his post on Septem-
ber 25, 1945 with his motto “Te Amari
Faciam.”
A gifted organizer, Bishop
Diocese 9
bishop of Cebu but remained over-
seer of Tagbilaran until the second
bishop arrived in 1952.
Bishop Manuel Mascariñas, a
son of Antequera, Bohol and erst-
while Bishop of Palo, Leyte as-
cended as second bishop of
Tagbilaran on January 29, 1952 with
his motto “Confido in Domino”. Pa-
ternally continuing the pastoral pro-
cess begun by Bishop Rosales, he
erected two more buildings for the
rapidly expanding seminary, intro-
duced the 40 Hours Devotion, es-
tablished the For More Priests Club
(now St. Joseph Vocation Society),
founded more diocesan high schools
in the parishes, and initiated the re-
treat movement. He represented the
diocese in the Second Vatican Coun-
cil and started the Aggiornamento
in the diocese. Later in his term, he
was assisted by an auxiliary bishop.
Bishop Juan Nilmar, initiated the
proper administration of the tempo-
ral goods in the diocese and intro-
duced the Catholic Bishops’ Confer-
ence of the Philippines Pension Plan
for the clergy.
Bishop Onesimo Gordoncillo, a
Negrense, bearing the motto
“Veritatem Tuam Annunciabo,”
took over in 1976, as the third bishop
of the diocese. Aside from effectively Diocese of Tagbilaran
pursuing the programs of his prede-

‘Ambula Coram Me’

Rosales is credited with initiating the
process of setting spiritual and ma-
terial foundations of the diocese
through intensification of the devo-
tion to the Sacred Heart, the
Apostleship of prayer, the Confra-
ternity of Christian Doctrine, the Le-
gion of Mary, the Knights of Colum-
bus, the Catholic Women’s League,
and the establishment of diocesan
high schools in parishes with big
conventos.
In 1949, he organized the first
diocesan mission team composed of
the latest ordained priests, Fr. Pelagio
Dompor, Fr. Mariano Gaviola, Fr.
Pedro Namoc, Fr, Matias Morgia, Fr.
Gaudioso Sucre, Fr. Simeon Daquipa,
Fr. Saturnino Felicitas, and Fr. Placido
Cajoy, sending them in two-pronged
parish-to-parish mission that culmi-
nated with the arrival of the image of
our Lady of Fatima. Most notewor-
thy of the legacies of Bishop Rosales
was the founding of the Immaculate
Heart of Mary Seminary in 1950. That
same year, he was appointed Arch-
cessors, he is credited with introduc-
ing the Parish Pastoral Council set
up, elevating eight priests to the rank
of Honorary Prelate, while complet-
ing the auditorium and chapel of the
Taloto seminary. During his admin-
istration, the “Diocesan Thrust,” ini-
tiated by the Bohol Clergy, ushered
the diocesan focus towards the es-
tablishment of the Basic Christian
Communities.
Another son of Bohol, Bishop
Felix S. Zafra from Clarin and erst-
while bishop of Dipolog, came to
serve the diocese as fourth bishop
of Tagbilaran on December 2, 1986.
“Ut Vitam Abundantius Habeant”
(That they may have life more abun-
dantly) has been his guiding motto.
Early in his term the Diocese of
Tagbilaran gave birth to the Diocese
of Talibon. It was also during his term
that the diocese experienced vigor-
ous growth brought about by eccle-
siastical landmarks like the National
Eucharistic Year, the Ruby Jubilee of
the Immaculate Heart of Mary Semi-
by Fr. Harold Parilla
nary, and the Second Plenary Coun-
cil of the Philippines. The term of
Bishop Zafra saw the proliferation
of the Perpetual Adoration chapels
in the parishes. It was also through
the favorable climate created by the
bishop that religious sisters who
now outnumber the priests, came to
establish houses, schools, and min-
istries in the diocese. More parishes,
too, were erected.
In 1993, Bishop Leopoldo S.
Tumulak took over as the fifth Bishop
of Tagbilaran. Ever mindful of his
motto, “Unitas in Caritate” (Unity
in Love), he steered the Diocese to-
ward convening the first ever Dioc-
esan Synod in 1997. The Synod ar-
ticulated among other things its vi-
sion of a renewed local Church, a
community of disciples journeying
in faith, living out in earnest the vo-
cation of prophet, priest and king,
with Mary as model. Following the
inspiration of the Second Plenary
Council of the Philippines, the ve-
hicle for this vision of renewal was
aptly identified as the Gagmay’ng
Simbahanong Katilingban (Basic
Ecclesial Communities). The forma-
tion and enrichment of the Basic
Ecclesial Communities became
thereon the basic diocesan pastoral
thrust. Manifesting an important
component of the vision, the Synod
also decreed the implementation of
the New Financial System (NFS).
Under the NFS, motivated by the
experience solidarity and fraternity,
the standardization of the allowance
of the clergy and centralization of
funds were instituted.
In 2005 the See of Tagbilaran
was rendered vacant following the
appointment and subsequent instal-
lation of Bishop Tumulak as Bishop
of the Military Ordinariate of the
Philippines. As Apostolic Adminis-
trator, Bishop Tumulak continued at
the helm of governance until the ca-
nonical possession of the Diocese
in December of 2006 by Bishop
Leonardo Medroso, the sixth Bishop
of Tagbilaran. With the recently in-
stalled bishop’s episcopal motto,
“Ambula Coram Me”, the
Tagbilaran diocese can indeed but
remain hopeful as ever in faithfully
“walking or journeying with the
Lord”.

Separation / from p5
Important Facts puts it: (Christians) reside in their
own nations, but as residential
taining conditions of life which
are more in keeping with hu-
aliens. They participate in all things man dignity.”
as citizens and endure all things as There is another urgent
Name: Dioecesis Tagbilarana Institutes of Consecrated Life/So- foreigners… They obey the estab-
Suffragan of Cebu cieties of Apostolic Life
reason why the Christian citi-
lished laws and their way of life sur- zens of today are asked to be
Area: 1,734 sq. kms. Men passes laws… So noble is the posi- more involved in political mat-
Population: 541,545 Society of the Divine Word (SVD) tion to which God has assigned them ters. With an eye adept for right
Catholics: 515,629 (95%) that they are not allowed to desert moral judgment the same Sa-
Women
Bishop: 1 Association of Women Religious in it.” cred Congregation for the Doc-
Priests: Tagbilaran (AWRET) With history sweeping men to trine of Faith observed that the
Diocesan 159 Handmaids of Christ the King (ACR) live in democratic forms of govern- evolution of civil society into
Religious 12 Daughters of Mary of Leuca (DML) ment, the call of the Catholics to ac- a more democratic and more
Sisters: 146 Dominican Daughters of the Im-
maculate Mother (OP)
tively participate in the affairs of the participative society has
Seminaries: Daughters of St. Therese (DST) State becomes more urgent. For in spawn a mentality and a posi-
Pre-College 1 Minores Ancillae Sanctissimae these societies the citizens are sud- tion that is alarming. It is called
College 1 Trinitatis (MAST) denly pushed to the forefront of a pluralistic mentality, a
Missionary Sisters of Mary (MSM)
© Denz Dayao / CBCPMedia

Diocesan Divisions: Mercedarian Sisters of Berriz

governance, making them active par- conceptualization that eventu-
Vicariates 7 (MMB) ticipant in directing the body politic. ally leads to cultural relativism.
Parishes 50 Missionary Sisters of the Holy Spirit Christians are no exception to this In the name of freedom the pro-
Chaplaincies 4 (SSpS) demand. After all, the life of a de- moters of this tendency envi-
Chapels 737 Sisters for Christian Community mocracy cannot be productive and
(SFCC)
sion a system that governs the
Educational Centers Missionary Institute of St. Therese fruitful without the active and re- acts and behavior of man.
of the Child Jesus (MIST) sponsible involvement of everyone. This system oftentimes
Universities/College/Graduate Ursuline Missionaries of the Sacred Here the Christians are expected runs counter to the standard
School: Heart (UMSH) to contribute their share to the de-
Directed by religious 1 Franciscan Sisters of the Immacu-
of natural ethics and sound
Enrolment 6,578 late (FI) velopment of political solutions and morality. Called ethical pluralism, it ment to clarify some important ele-
Associate diocesan member 1 Handmaids of the Holy Trinity Sis- legislative choices which could ben- sanctions the decadence of the prin- ments of Church teaching in this area.
Enrolment 1,023 ters (HHT) efit the common good. In concrete ciples of natural moral law. It teaches At the same breath it is calling
Little Sisters of Saint Francis (LSF) the right of suffrage and other civil citizens to claim complete autonomy
High Schools: Sisters of Saint Francis of Perpetual
all Christian citizens, in the face of
Diocesan Adoration (OSF)
rights have made this active partici- with regards to moral choices that these dangerous modern tendencies,
(with auxiliary members) 18 Canoness Nuns of Saint Augustine pation possible. The result to such they make. It also facilitates the law- to be more actively involved in the
Enrolment 8,343 (CRL) active participation of all citizens, makers to enact laws that are political affairs of the State. The
Contemplative Sisters of Saint Au- including the Christians, is observed oftentimes unethical and even im- “Doctrinal Note” of the Sacred Con-
Directed by religious 4 gustine (OSA) by the Holy See as indeed encour-
Enrolment 3,083 Sisters of the Presentation of Mary (PM) moral in the pretext that they are just gregation for the Doctrine of Faith
Birhen de la Paz (HBP) aging, making life more in tune with respecting the freedom of choices of put the imperative this way: “If
Elementary Schools: Missionary Workers of Jesus the the dignity of human person. As the citizens. It is precisely because Christians must recognize the legiti-
Directed by religious 4 Worker (WCW) Cardinal Ratzinger noted: “The great of the emergence of these ambigu- macy of differing points of view about
Enrolment 2,801 Philippian Sisters (SSPN) strides made in our time give evi- ities or questionable positions that the organization of worldly affairs,
dence of humanity’s progress in at- the Church comes out with a docu- Separation / P10
 CBCP Monitor
10 Papal Homilies Vol. 11 No. 1
January 8, 2007

Dear Brothers and Sisters, human opinions, even sol-

As in a mosaic, today’s liturgy
contemplates different events
and messianic situations, but
attention is especially fo-
cused on Mary, Mother of
emnly proclaimed human
rights would end by being
weakened and variously inter-
preted. “Consequently, it is
Solemnity of Mary, important for international
agencies not to lose sight of

God. Eight days after Jesus’
birth, we commemorate the
Mother, the Theotokos, the
one who gave birth to the
Child who is King of Heaven
and earth for ever (cf. En-
Mother of God
the natural foundation of hu-
man rights. This would enable
them to avoid the risk, unfor-
40th World Day of Peace tunately ever-present, of slid-
ing towards a merely positiv-
istic interpretation of those

trance Antiphon; Sedulius).
The liturgy today medi-
tates on the Word made man
and repeats that he is born of
the Virgin. It reflects on the
circumcision of Jesus as a rite
of admission to the commu-
nity and contemplates God
who, by means of Mary, gave
his Only-Begotten Son to lead
the “new people”. It recalls the
name given to the Messiah
and listens to it spoken with
tender sweetness by his
Mother. It invokes peace for
the world, Christ’s peace, and
does so through Mary,
Mediatrix and Cooperator of
Christ (cf. Lumen Gentium,
nn. 60-61).
We are beginning a new
solar year which is a further
period of time offered to us by
divine Providence in the con-
text of the salvation inaugu-
rated by Christ. But did not
the eternal Word enter time
precisely through Mary? In
the Second Reading we have
just listened to, the Apostle
Paul recalls this by saying that
Jesus was born “of woman”
(Gal 4: 4).
In today’s liturgy the fig-
ure of Mary, true Mother of
Jesus, God-man, stands out.
Thus, today’s Solemnity is
not celebrating an abstract
idea but a mystery and an his-
toric event: Jesus Christ, a di-
vine Person, is born of the Vir-
gin Mary who is his Mother
in the truest sense.
Today too, Mary’s virgin-
ity is highlighted, in addition
HOMILY OF HIS HOLINESS
BENEDICT XVI
St Peter’s Basilica - Monday, 1 January 2007
to her motherhood. These are
two prerogatives that are al-
ways proclaimed together, in-
separably, because they
complement and qualify each
other. Mary is Mother, but a
Virgin Mother; Mary is a vir-
gin, but a Mother Virgin. If ei-
ther of these aspects is ig-
nored, the mystery of Mary as
the Gospels present her to us,
cannot be properly under-
stood.
As Mother of Christ,
Mary is also Mother of the
Church, which my venerable
Predecessor, the Servant of
God Paul VI chose to proclaim
on 21 November 1964 at the
Second Vatican Council.
Lastly, Mary is the Spiritual
Mother of all humanity, be-
cause Jesus on the Cross shed
his blood for all of us and from
the Cross he entrusted us all
to her maternal care.
Let us begin this New
Year, therefore, by looking at
Mary whom we received from
God’s hands as a precious
“talent” to be made fruitful, a
providential opportunity to
contribute to bringing about
the Kingdom of God.
In this atmosphere of
prayer and gratitude to the
Lord for the gift of a new year,
I am pleased to address my
respectful thoughts to the dis-
tinguished Ambassadors of
the Diplomatic Corps accred-
ited to the Holy See who have
desired to take part in today’s
solemn Celebration.
I cordially greet Cardinal
Tarcisio Bertone, my Secretary
of State. I greet Cardinal
Renato Raffaele Martino and
the members of the Pontifical
Council for Justice and Peace
and express to them my deep
gratitude for the commitment
with which they daily promote
these values, so fundamental
to social life.
For this World Day of
Peace, I addressed the cus-
tomary Message to the Gov-
ernors and Leaders of Na-
tions, as well as to all men and
women of good will. Its theme
this year is: The human per-
son, the heart of peace.
I am deeply convinced
that “respect for the person
promotes peace and that, in
building peace, the founda-
tions are laid for an authentic
integral humanism” (Message
for World Peace Day, 1 Janu-
ary 2007, n. 1).
This commitment is espe-
cially incumbent on every
Christian who is called “to be
committed to tireless peace-
making and strenuous de-
fense of the dignity of the
human person and his inalien-
able rights” (Message, n. 16).
Precisely because he is cre-
ated in the image and likeness
of God (cf. Gn 1: 27), every hu-
man individual without dis-
tinction of race, culture or re-
ligion, as a person is clothed
in God’s same dignity. For this
reason he should be re-
spected, nor can any reason
ever justify an arbitrary use of
him, as if he were an object.
In the face of the threats
to peace that are unfortunately
ever present, the situations of
injustice and violence that
persist in various areas of the
earth and the continuing
armed conflicts often over-
looked by the majority of pub-
lic opinion, as well as the dan-
ger of terrorism that clouds
the serenity of peoples, it is
becoming more necessary
than ever to work for peace
together. This, as I recalled in
my Message, is “both gift and
task” (n. 3): a gift to implore
with prayer and a task to be
carried out with courage,
never tiring.
The Gospel narrative we
have heard portrays the scene
© BALLESTEROS/epa/Corbis
rights” (ibid.).
“The Lord bless you and
keep you... lift up his counte-
nance upon you, and give you
peace” (Nm 6: 24, 26). This is
the formula of the Blessing we
heard in the First Reading,
taken from the Book of Num-
of the shepherds of bers. The Lord’s Name is re-
Bethlehem, who after hearing peated in it three times. This
the Angel’s announcement go gives one an idea of the in-
to the grotto to worship the tensity and power of the Bless-
Child (cf. Lk 2: 16). Should we ing, whose last word is
not look again at the dramatic “peace”.
situation marking the very The biblical term shalom,
Land in which Jesus was which we translate as “peace”,
born? How can we not entreat implies that accumulation of
God with insistent prayers for good things in which consists
the day of peace to arrive as the “salvation” brought by
soon as possible in that region Christ, the Messiah an-
too, the day on which the cur- nounced by the Prophets. We
rent conflict that has lasted far Christians therefore recognize
too long will be resolved? him as the Prince of Peace. He
If a peace agreement is to became a man and was born
endure, it must be based on in a grotto in Bethlehem to
respect for the dignity and bring peace to people of good
rights of every person. I ex- will, to all who welcome him
press to the representatives of with faith and love.
the nations present here my Thus, peace is truly the
hope that the International gift and commitment of Christ-
Community will muster its mas: the gift that must be ac-
forces so that a world may be cepted with humble docility
built in God’s Name in which and constantly invoked with
the essential human rights are prayerful trust, the task that
respected by all. For this to makes every person of good
happen, people must recog- will a “channel of peace”.
nize that these rights are not Let us ask Mary, Mother
only based on human agree- of God, to help us to welcome
ments but “on man’s very na- her Son and, in him, true
ture and his inalienable dig- peace. Let us ask her to
nity as a person created by sharpen our perception so
God” (Message, n. 13). that we may recognize in the
Indeed, were the consti- face of every human person,
tutive elements of human dig- the Face of Christ, the heart
nity entrusted to changeable of peace!

Separation / from p9
they are also called to reject, as inju-
rious to democratic life, a concep-
tion of pluralism that reflects moral
relativism. Democracy must be
based on the true and solid founda-
tion of non-negotiable ethical prin-
ciples, which are the underpinning
of life in society”
With that in view, we can safely
conclude that active participation in
the politic life of the nation is all the
more imperative to all Christian citi-
zens.
Here in the Philippines partici-
pation of the Church in politics is
active, vocal, visible. To put it
bluntly, the Church is actively in-
volved in the political as well as in
the socio-economic affairs of the
nation. In fact, it is because of this
that oftentimes it has been accused,
mistakenly perhaps, of too much in-
terfering in purely temporal affairs,
of transgressing the constitutive
principle of separation of Church
and State. But, when we come to re-
flect on it, has our participation in
the political life of the State been suf-
ficient? Or, has the Church been ef-
fective in its participation in view of
her mission to evangelize society in
general and politics in particular?
Has the common good been suffi-
ciently met through this participa-
tion? With the presence of the mas-
sive graft and corruption in the coun-
of our history. Here, we will find out
that involvement of the Church in
temporal affairs and therefore in poli-
tics, has undergone an interesting
evolution. Msgr. Lope Robredillo, a
priest of the Diocese of Borongan,
was once commissioned by the
CBCP Permanent Council to under-
take a brief historical survey of the
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the
Philippines from 1945-1995. In that
study, he made this interesting con-
clusion:
“In describing the 50 years of
its existence, it is important to take
into account the ecclesiological
framework within which the confer-
ence operated and moved, as well as
the changing and diverse historical
experiences of the Filipino people
which shaped it. As is true of par-
ticular churches in other nations, the
major shift in ecclesiological para-
digm in the Philippine Church, which
entailed changes in values and ori-
entations, transpired in the Second
Vatican Council. Accordingly, the
history of the Catholic Bishops’ Con-
ference of the Philippines may be
conveniently divided into two major
parts: a) Before the Second Vatican
Council and b) After the Second
Vatican Council. During these two
periods, it can be observed that when
the CBCP responded to the various
challenges which the particular situ-
with a Church as a social institution.
In this concept the Church is a soci-
ety and the Hierarchy possesses the
power of jurisdiction and gover-
nance. The rest (the faithful) is con-
sidered as mere passive subjects of
this power. Its mission is the salva-
tion of souls while the means to
achieve it is grace that can be had
through the preaching of the Word
of God and the administration of the
sacraments. Of course, within this
parameter involvement in politics
and in socio-economic affairs of the
Nation is narrow and limited. Its con-
cern was mostly religious. In the area
of temporal affairs, the Church en-
gages itself in works of mercy and
charity, a kind of social welfare.
When Vatican II, however, came out
with its ecclesiology that declares
that the Church is People of God, it
opened a novel way of understand-
ing participation in the temporal
spheres. A shift was created and a
dramatic shift at that. It may not be
that immediate, but certain and
gradual. Church in the Philippines
slowly assimilated in its system the
social action which is directly de-
rived from this concept of the Church
as People of God. Justice and peace
has become the focus of its activity.
At the time also dramatic events in
the country hastened its growth and
development. The declaration of
ready source of inspiration and em- the world that the Church is pushed
powerment by the Church in the Phil- to go on in its involvement in poli-
ippines in its bitter struggle against tics. But it is rather the tragic effects
the dictatorial rule. EDSA 1 may per- that graft and corruption has done
haps be the culminating point of the to our citizenry, our system of gov-
Church involvement in the political ernance, our values, our morality, the
affairs of the country. plight of the poor and the needy. As
In all we can say that the Church the Bishops Conference eloquently
in the Philippines, after the Second expressed it: “Why has the Church
Vatican Council, has never wavered been usually pro-active in address-
in her commitment to participate in ing the subject of politics since the
the political affairs of the civil soci- end of World War II and especially
ety. For it is sure in its stand. Its main since the Martial Law years and the
reason is: integral evangelization. restoration of our democracy in
“The task of the Church,” PCP II 1986? There is one main reason: Phil-
declared, “in announcing a message ippine politics – the way it is prac-
of liberation, of saturating every ticed – has been most hurtful of us
strata of humanity with the values as a people. It is possibly the big-
of the Good News will necessarily Separation / P12
have political repercus-
sions, for the values of
the Kingdom of God of-
ten serve as counter-
signs to prevailing politi-
cal systems and prac-
tices.” After all politics
is not over and above the
natural law and the moral
law. Politics has moral and
religious dimensions that
the Church has to look
into and be involved with.
However, the more
urgent reason why the
Church in the Philippines
actively participates in
© Denz Dayao / CBCPMedia

try can we rightly conclude that the
Church has failed in her mission?
To properly answer these que-
ries, let us go first into the history of
the Church in the Philippines in the
area of its participation in politics and
in other socio-economic activities of
the nation. Let us take a brief review
ation of the Country presented, it did
so within the possibilities of its per-
ception and ecclesiological frame-
work”
Before Vatican II, the Church in
the Philippines has been shaped by
the theology of the Council of Trent
with an ecclesiology that concerns
Martial Law certainly created a situ-
ation whereby the leaders of the
Church could dig deep into the
ecclesiology offered by Second
Vatican Council and could thereby
respond with determination and con-
fidence to the challenges at hand.
People of God concept has been the
the political affairs of the
state in recent times is the
existing graft and corrup-
tion of our society. It is
not just the fact that the
Philippines is listed as
among the first ten of the
most corrupt nations in
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 11 No. 1
January 8, 2007
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
We celebrate with joy the Solemnity
of the Epiphany, the “manifestation”
of Christ to the peoples who are rep-
resented by the Magi, mysterious
figures who came from the East. We
celebrate Christ, the destination of
the pilgrimage of peoples in search
of salvation.
In the First Reading we listened
to the Prophet, inspired by God, to
contemplate Jerusalem as a beacon
of light which guides all the peoples
on their journey through the dark-
ness and fog of the earth.
The glory of the Lord shines on
the holy City and attracts first of all
his own children, displaced and dis-
persed, but also, at the same time,
the pagan nations who come to Zion
from all sides as to a common home-
land, enriching it with their goods
(cf. Is 60: 1-6).
The Second Reading presents
what the Apostle Paul wrote to the
Ephesians, that is, through God’s
loving designs the convergence of
Jews and Gentiles in the one Church
of Christ was “the mystery” made
manifest in the fullness of time, the
“grace” of which God had made him
steward (cf. Eph 3: 2-3, 5-6).
In a little while we will say in the
Preface: “Today, you revealed in
Christ your eternal plan of salvation
and showed him as the light of all
peoples”.
Twenty centuries have passed
since that mystery was revealed and
brought about in Christ, but it has
not yet reached fulfillment. My be-
loved Predecessor, John Paul II, be-
gan his Encyclical on the Church’s
mission by writing: “As the second
Millennium after Christ’s Coming
draws to an end, an overall view of
the human race shows that this mis-
sion is still only beginning”
(Redemptoris Missio, n. 1).
Several spontaneous questions
arise: in what sense is Christ still the
lumen gentium, the Light of the
peoples, today? What point - if one
can so describe it - has the universal
journey of the peoples toward God
reached? Is it in a phase of progress
or of regression? And further: who
are the Magi today? How, thinking
of today’s world, should we inter-
pret these mysterious figures of the
Gospel? To answer these questions,
I would like to return to what the Fa-
thers of the Second Vatican Council
said in this regard. And I am pleased
to add that immediately after the
Council, the Servant of God, Paul VI,
exactly 40 years ago on precisely 26
March 1967, dedicated to the devel-
opment of the peoples his Encycli-
cal Populorum Progressio.
The whole of the Second
Vatican Council was truly stirred by
the longing to proclaim Christ, the
Light of the world, to contemporary
humanity. In the heart of the Church,
from the summit of her hierarchy,
emerged the impelling desire, awak-
ened by the Spirit, for a new
epiphany of Christ in the world, a
world that the modern epoch had
profoundly transformed and that, for
the first time in history, found itself
facing the challenge of a global civi-
lization in which the centre could no
longer be Europe or even what we
call the West and the North of the
world.
The need to work out a new
world political and economic order
was emerging but, at the same time
and above all, one that would be
both spiritual and cultural, that is, a
renewed humanism.
This observation became more
and more obvious: a new world eco-
nomic and political order cannot
work unless there is a spiritual re-
newal, unless we can once again
draw close to God and find God in
our midst.
Before the Second Vatican Coun-
cil, the enlightened minds of Chris-
tian thinkers had already intuited and
faced this epochal challenge.
Papal Homilies
Solemnity of the Epiphany
HOMILY OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI
Vatican Basilica - Saturday, 6 January 2007
Well, at the beginning of the
third millennium, we find ourselves
in the midst of this phase of human
history that now focuses on the
word “globalization”.
Moreover, we realize today how
easy it is to lose sight of the terms of
this same challenge, precisely be-
cause we are involved in it: this risk
is heavily reinforced by the vast ex-
pansion of the mass media. Al-
though, on the one hand, the media
increase information indefinitely, on
the other, they seem to weaken our
capacity for critical synthesis.
Today’s Solemnity can offer us
this perspective, based on the mani-
festation of a God who revealed him-
self in history as the Light of the
world to guide humanity and lead it
at last into the Promised Land where
freedom, justice and peace reign.
And we see more and more clearly
that on our own we cannot foster
justice and peace unless the light of
a God who shows us his Face is re-
vealed to us, a God who appears to
us in the manger of Bethlehem, who
appears to us on the Cross.
Who then are the “Magi” of to-
day, and what point has their “jour-
ney” and our “journey” reached?
Dear brothers and sisters, let us
return to that special moment of
grace, the conclusion of the Second
Vatican Council on 8 December 1965,
when the Council Fathers addressed
certain “Messages” to all humanity.
The first was addressed “To
Rulers” and the second, “To Men of
Thought and Science”. These are
two categories of people who, in a
certain way, we can see portrayed in
the evangelical figures of the Magi.
I would then like to add a third
category, to which the Council did
not address a message but which
was very present in its attention in
the conciliar Decree Nostra Aetate. I
am referring to the spiritual leaders
of the great non-Christian religions.
Two thousand years later, we can
thus recognize in the figures of the
Magi a sort of prefiguration of these
three constitutive dimensions of
modern humanism: the political, sci-
entific and religious dimensions.
The Epiphany shows them to
us in a state of “pilgrimage”, that is,
in a movement of seeking, often
somewhat confused, whose point of
arrival, in short, is Christ, even if the
star is sometimes hidden.
At the same time, the Epiphany
shows to us God who in turn is on
pilgrimage, a pilgrimage to man.
There is not only the pilgrimage of
man towards God; God himself has
set out towards us: who is Jesus, in
fact, if not God who has, so to speak,
come out of himself to meet human-
ity? It was out of love that he made
himself history in our history; out of
love that he came to bring us the seed
of new life (cf. Jn 3: 3-6) and sow it in
the furrows of our earth so that it
might sprout, flower and bear fruit.
Today, I would like to make my
own those Messages of the Council
which have lost nothing of their time-
liness. For instance, one reads in the
Message addressed to Rulers: “Your
task is to be in the world the promot-
ers of order and peace among men.
But never forget this: It is God, the
living and true God, who is the Fa-
ther of men. And it is Christ, his eter-
nal Son, who came to make this
known to us and to teach us that we
are all brothers. He it is who is the
great artisan of order and peace on
earth, for he it is who guides human
history and who alone can incline
hearts to renounce those evil pas-
sions which beget war and misfor-
tune”.
How can we fail to recognize in
these words of the Council Fathers
the luminous trail of a journey which
alone can transform the history of
the nations and the world?
11
Christ is light, and light cannot
darken but can only illuminate,
brighten, reveal. No one, therefore,
should be afraid of Christ and his
message! And if, down through his-
tory, Christians as limited people and
sinners have sometimes betrayed
him by their behavior, this makes it
even clearer that the light is Christ
and that the Church reflects it only
by remaining united to him.
© Pool/L'Osservatore Romano/Osservatore Romano/POOL/Corbis
“We have seen his star in the
East, and have come to adore the Lord”
(Gospel acclamation, cf. Mt 2: 2).
What amazes us each time when
we listen to these words of the Magi
is that they prostrated themselves
before a simple baby in his mother’s
arms, not in the setting of a royal
palace but, on the contrary, in the
poverty of a stable in Bethlehem (cf.
Mt 2: 11).
How was this possible? What
convinced the Magi that the Child
was “the King of the Jews” and the
King of the peoples? There is no
doubt that they were persuaded by
the sign of the star that they had seen
“in its rising” and which had come
to rest precisely over the place where
the Child was found (cf. Mt 2: 9). But
even the star would not have suf-
ficed had the Magi not been people
inwardly open to the truth.
In comparison with King Herod,
beset with his interests of power and
riches, the Magi were directed to-
ward the goal of their quest and when
they found it, although they were
And further, in the “Message to cultured men, they behaved like the
Men of Thought and Science” we shepherds of Bethlehem: they rec-
read: “Continue your search with- ognized the sign and adored the
out tiring and without ever despair- Child, offering him the precious and
ing of the truth”, and this, in fact, is symbolic gifts that they had brought
the great danger: losing interest in with them.
the truth and seeking only action, Dear brothers and sisters, let us
efficiency and pragmatism! “Recall too pause in spirit to contemplate the
the words of one of your great image of the adoration of the Magi.
friends, St Augustine: “Let us seek It contains a demanding and ever
with the desire to find, and find with timely message. It is demanding and
the desire to seek still more’. Happy ever timely, first of all for the Church,
are those who, while possessing the which, reflected in Mary, is called to
truth, search more earnestly for it in show to mankind Jesus, nothing but
order to renew it, deepen it and trans- Jesus.
mit it to others. Happy also are those Indeed, he is the All and the
who, not having found it, are work- Church exists solely to remain united
ing toward it with a sincere heart. to him and to make him known to the
May they seek the light of tomorrow world. May the Mother of the Incar-
with the light of today until they nate Word help us to be docile dis-
reach the fullness of light”. ciples of her Son, the Light of the
This was said in these two nations!
Council Messages. Today, it is more The example of the Magi of that
necessary than ever to flank the lead- time is also an invitation to the Magi
ers of nations and researchers and of today to open their minds and
scientists with the leaders of the great hearts to Christ and to offer him the
non-Christian religious traditions, gifts of their research. I would like to
inviting them to face one another repeat to them, and to all the people
with the light of Christ, who came of our time: do not be afraid of
not to abolish but to bring to fulfill- Christ’s light! His light is the splen-
ment what God’s hand has written in dor of the truth. Let yourselves be
the religious history of civilization, enlightened by him, all peoples of
especially in the “great souls” who the earth; let yourselves be envel-
helped to build up humanity with oped by his love and you will find
their wisdom and example of virtue. the way of peace. So may it be.
© Maurizio Brambatti/epa/Corbis

12
On the Standard Days Method
(Lifted from the Letter of Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, SJ to Mindanao
Bishops and FLA Coordinators, 29 December 2006)
IN July 2003, at the plenary as-
sembly of the Catholic Bishops’
Conference of the Philippines, all
the bishops present, with Arch-
bishop O. Quevedo presiding,
had a lengthy discussion on
SDM. We passed an affirmative
consensus vote, with no objec-
tion, recognizing SDM as a
method that “could be used by a
diocese in its program of Natu-
ral Family Planning,” provided
it was not combined with contra-
ceptives and it was not seen as
part of the government’s “cafete-
ria” approach of promoting con-
traceptives. This guideline takes
into consideration the words of
caution expressed in Cardinal
Trujillo’s communication of May
2003. This then is the standing
guideline adopted by CBCP,
which should be respected by our
FLA workers in Mindanao.
It was with this guideline in
mind that the Prelature of Ipil con-
tinued and expanded its program
for natural family planning which
included not only SDM but all
modern, scientific NFP methods.
We can summarize this program
with the numbers 1-6.
We have one comprehensive
All-NFP program to promote Re-
sponsible Parenthood through
Natural Family Planning. This
includes all recognized scientifi-
cally-based NFP methods today,
and not only SDM. Indeed not
all women are qualified to adopt
SDM. In this sense, SDM is of-
fered only as an added option.
There are two general approaches
of family planning that we differ-
entiate – the natural vis-à-vis the
Separation / from p10
gest bane in our life as a nation and
the most pernicious obstacle to our
achieving of full human develop-
ment”
In this regard, the Church in the
Philippines had summoned support
from all levels of society. In particu-
lar, it addressed the laity to be more
active in politics as this is precisely
the sphere wherein they are called
to transform the world in the spirit of
the Gospel and according to Chris-
tian values and conscience. PCP II
put it loudly: “In the Philippines to-
day given the general perception
that politics has become an obstacle
to integral development, the urgent
necessity is for the lay faithful to
participate more actively, with sin-
gular competence and integrity, in
political affairs. It is through the la-
ity that the Church is directly in-
volved. .. Our Plenary Council stands
on record to urge the lay faithful to
participate actively and lead in the
renewing of politics in accordance
with values of the Good News of
Jesus”
Hence, the Church has to in-
volve itself in political life, under-
stood in the broad sense, of the
State. The Church has the right to
preach the gospel without hindrance,
© Images.com/Corbis
artificial. We also point out that
it is not a question between “mod-
ern contraceptives” and “tradi-
tional NFP methods,” but rather
that there are modern, scientifi-
cally-based NFP methods as well
which are equally if not even more
effective than contraceptives.
We address the three felt
needs of many young couples
today—namely, (1) they want to
plan their families; (2) they prefer
natural family planning; and (3)
they want to choose among avail-
able NFP methods. In the pro-
cess we have articulated four pas-
toral guidelines—namely, (1) we
are pro-life as our first principle;
(2) we are for responsible parent-
hood as our goal; (3) we are for
natural family planning as our
means; and (4) we are for enabling
couples to make an informed and
responsible choice, based on the
formation of a right conscience.
We are following a five-step
approach in order to systematize
and decentralize the program to
reach every kapilya community
or barangay. The first step is a
parish-level orientation for all
leaders. This is followed in step
two by a providers’ training. Step
three is a kapilya-level orientation
followed by individual counsel-
ing at the household level (step
four). The fifth step is quarterly
monitoring at the parish and
prelature levels. Finally, we pro-
vide information on six modern
NFP methods, which include
SDM and the Two-Day Method
(TDM), another simplified
method based on cervical mucus
observation.
to teach its social doctrines and to
discharge its duty among the people
of God. It has, likewise, the right to
express moral judgments, even on
matters touching the political order,
whenever basic personal rights or
the salvation of soul makes such
judgment necessary . It is precisely
because of this that the Church and
the State, while respecting there re-
spective autonomy, have to collabo-
rate with each other for the protec-
tion and realization of the common
good. Recently the relationship of
the Church with the State has been
described by the Philippine Bishops
as one of ‘critical solidarity’.
While collaborating with the
State, the Church retains its native
and inherent right to speak out in
prophetic wisdom against any form
of injustice or violation of the moral,
social, political and economic order.
The Role of the Bishops and the
Clergy in Politics
As pointed out earlier, the
Church may teach moral doctrines
covering politics but cannot actively
take part in partisan politics. It is in
the latter that the clergy are prohib-
ited from getting involved. Yet, there
Feature
All–NFP Program in Ipil
Prelature and Cagayan de
Oro Archdiocese
(Sixteen PPastoral
1. We are for responsible parent-
hood, not for population control.
Responsible parenthood is exer-
cised through natural family plan-
ning.
2. Since the Church is only for natu-
ral family planning, we consider it
a pastoral imperative to promote
all scientifically-based NFP meth-
ods in our All-NFP program.
These methods include BBT,
BOM, STM, LAM, SDM, and
TDM.
3. Values formation is integral to our
NFP promotion. Our four pastoral
guidelines represent these values:
(1) We are pro-life. (2) We are for
responsible parenthood as our
goal. (3) We are for natural family
planning as our means. (4) We are
for enabling couples to make an
informed and responsible choice,
based on the formation of a right
conscience.
4. The main pastoral challenge of the
local church is not so much to con-
front the government or an inter-
national conspiracy but rather to
address the three felt needs of
many couples today: (1) They
want to plan their families. (2) They
prefer natural family planning. (3)
They want to choose among NFP
methods.
5. We do not condone mixing con-
traceptives with SDM or any other
NFP method. We present absti-
nence as an option in itself, and
integral to the meaning of NFP.
6. SDM has become the most widely-
acceptable NFP method in our
records because of its simplicity.
However, there are preconditions
that have to be carefully explained
by NFP providers to interested
couples. SDM cannot be the ex-
clusive NFP method to promote;
but neither should it be the ex-
cluded method.
7. We acknowledge the scientific
is no provision in the present Con-
stitution, which bars the clergy and
the religious from partisan politics.
It is by virtue of the Church’s own
laws and tradition that prohibits the
clergy and religious from any in-
volvement in partisan politics.
Canon 287, § 2 contains a negatively
formulated juridical norm for the cler-
ics and therefore precise and strong
in its prohibition. It states: “They are
not to have active part to political
parties and in governing labor unions
unless, in the judgment of compe-
tent ecclesiastical authority, the pro-
tection of the rights of the Church or
the promotion of the common good
requires it.” Like canon 285, § 3,
which prohibits the clergy from hold-
ing public office, this restriction on
political activity is based on the dis-
tinctive role of the clergy and the la-
ity. Needless to say, political activ-
ity ordinarily belongs to lay persons.
It is the responsibility of the
clergy to promote unity in the com-
munity. They are ordained and con-
figured to take care of all the faithful,
not just segments of the community
as members of political party. The
Church therefore prohibits the clergy
from involvement in partisan politics
since they are considered symbols of
astoral Statements)
bases for SDM which was devel-
oped through computer simulation
of actual cycles, pilot studies and
clinical trials. This study is recog-
nized by the World Health Orga-
nization. Our own experience in
the field with more than 1,000
SDM-users over four years cor-
roborates this.
8. Presenting SDM with other NFP
methods is a win-win solution.
Couples first learn about fertility
awareness. They then learn to
compare, combine, or shift to other
NFP methods. The “competition”
is not between NFP methods, but
rather between NFP and artificial
methods or no method at all.
9. In order to reach out to all kapilya
communities, even in the remot-
est areas, we are implementing a
five-step program: (1) parish-level
orientation; (2) providers’ train-
ing; (3) kapilya orientation; (4)
household counseling; and (5)
monitoring.
10. Our All-NFP program is carried
out mostly by resident couples
and housewives in numerous
communities. As NFP providers,
they voluntarily share their time
and knowledge about NFP meth-
ods with interested neighbors in
the barangay, regardless of reli-
gion or culture.
11. Church groups are open to en-
tering into principled collabora-
tion with national government in-
sofar as its present policy direc-
tion is to promote only NFP. We
are aware of the risks, but we are
also aware of the positive oppor-
tunities in reaching out to many
more couples who are looking for
reliable NFP methods.
12. We believe that a proactive and
comprehensive NFP program (by
not excluding simplified NFP meth-
ods or simply criticizing others) is
the best answer of the local church
unity in the Church and in the com-
munity and certainly partisan politics
is, by its very nature, divisive. For
them to take an active part in partisan
politics, with its wheeling and deal-
ing, compromises, confrontational and
adversarial positions, would be to
weaken their teaching authority and
destroy the unity the represent and
protect .Consequently, the clergy,
“witness of future things, should
keep a certain distance from any po-
litical position or effort.”
The bishops and the clergy, like
all citizens, have the right to make
their own choices . Together with
the faithful they are in fact, obliged
to take a clear action when the hu-
man person requires help, when
human rights are to be defended,
and to work for peace and justice .
In expressing the choices they are
to avoid giving the impression that
their opinions are the sole legitimate
ones. They are, however, to refrain
from intervening in partisan politics
unless there is an issue of just so-
cial order. In this regard, the late
John Paul II made a strong position:
“Presbyters who, in generosity of
their service to the evangelical ideal
feel the tendency towards immers-
ing themselves in political activity,
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 11 No. 1
January 8, 2007
to the evils of abortion and con-
traceptive use.
13. The evidence-based test for any
NFP program is to see how it actu-
ally addresses the felt needs of
many couples “on the ground.” In
this light, we extend an open invi-
tation to any diocese or FLA
worker to first visit the All-NFP
program sites in Ipil Prelature or
pilot parishes in Cagayan de Oro
before making any a priori judg-
ments.
14. We welcome working in unity
with other FLA workers and dio-
ceses, while respecting differ-
ences in perceptions and ap-
proaches. It is by trying out new
NFP methods and sharing pasto-
ral innovations under the guid-
ance of their bishops that the lo-
cal churches can mutually grow in
wisdom and grace.
15. We are ready to work with other
organizations promoting All-
NFP—e.g., hospitals, schools,
government agencies, NGO’s,
mass media. NFP is a women’s is-
sue. It is central to family life. Cre-
ating a culture of natural family
planning is everyone’s concern.
16. From our pastoral experience, we
can attest that NFP, including
SDM, is a valid, viable, and vital
option for a growing number of
couples today.
+ Antonio J. Ledesma, S.J., D.D.
Archbishop of Cagayan de Oro
(January 2007)
Abbreviations:
NFP (Natural Family Planning)
SDM (Standard Days Method)
BBT (Basal Body Temperature)
TDM (TwoDay Method)
BOM (Billings Ovulation Method)
FLA (Family Life Apostolate)
STM (Sympto -Thermal Method)
NGO (Non-Government Organization)
LAM (Lactational Amenorrhea Method)
in order to contribute more effec-
tively to healing political life, by
eliminating injustices, exploitation
and oppressions of all kinds, are
reminded by the Church that, along
that road, it is easy to see oneself
involved in party struggles, running
risk of collaborating, not in the birth
of a just world, to which we all as-
pire, but rather, to new and worse
forms of exploitation of poor people.
They should know, in any case, that
they do not have the mission or
charism from on high for that en-
deavor in political action and par-
ticipation.”
This prohibition is, however,
not absolute. Whenever the defense
of the rights of the Church or the
promotion of the common good re-
quires, the prohibition could be re-
moved on exceptional cases. With
the condition that the evaluation of
the circumstances which justifies
cleric’s participation in politics falls
upon the legitimate ecclesiastical
authority and is never left to the per-
sonal judgment of the clergy. Spe-
cifically, it would require the consent
of the bishop, after having consulted
the presbyteral council and also, if
the case requires it, the bishops’ con-
ference.
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 11 No. 1
January 8, 2007 Statements 13
New Year’s Messages

Happy New Year! Really? Hopes for 2007

Beloved People of the Archdio-
cese:
GREETINGS of peace and joy in
the Lord our God! May I espe-
cially greet our Muslim brothers
and sisters as they celebrate a
very special day in their religious
life. May God’s spiritual bless-
ings through Eid’l Adha abound
for their benefit and for our whole
region!
I have three hopes for the
New Year. The first hope is this:
Year is this: that all major political
divisions and conflicts at the na-
tional level will end in 2007. These
conflicts have been a major cause
of a lack of rapid progress and
development in our country. We
know that the economy has
grown but the benefits are still to
reach the ordinary people. Unity
and stability in 2007 would make
it more possible for economic
benefits to reach the grassroots.
My final hope is this: that
political governance in 2007 from

GOOD spirit, best wishes and high
hopes cannot but accompany the
greetings of “Happy New Year!” said
and heard the world over. However,
during these particular times in the
life of our country, the truth has to
be said that the greetings carry a
good amount of reservation.
In other words, with the doubts
and ears that accompany the day to
day living of millions of Filipinos, it
is rather easy to say “Happy New
Year!” But truly hard to expect that
the year 2007 would be really happy,
this is not pessimism but reality, not
surrender but the truth—consider-
ing that the national present is diffi-
cult and the country’s future is rather
bleak.
The peso has never been buying so
much less. Filipinos leave the coun-
try to find work abroad. They not
only finance their families but also
fund the government.
So many extrajudicial and politi-
cal killings still go on, with most of
the killers remaining free to kill
again—and again. No less than two
billion pesos were allegedly set aside
not really to stop but simply to
lessen graft and corruption in gov-
ernment. But the Philippines contin-
ues to top the horror roll in cheating
and stealing of public funds.
There is also the still pending
charter change that makes the
present administration copiously
salivate for reasons really known
© http://www.flickr.com/photos/drgnmastr/348170755/
that all the families in the Arch- top to bottom will be significantly
diocese of Cotabato may witness less burdened with graft and cor-
in 2007 the coming of definitive ruption. In this way the delivery
peace in our region. There are still of social and economic services
many obstacles to the signing of to the people would substantially
a long-desired peace agreement improve. The quality of life
between the government and the among our average citizens and
Moro Islamic Liberation Front. especially the poor would also be
But with mutual sacrifices and the greatly uplifted.
prevailing good intentions of May I urge you to pray with
both parties including the efforts me for these hopes to come true.
and encouragement of all other Once again a blessed and pros-
stakeholders in Mindanao, we perous New Year for you and your
pray that a peace agreement will families!
be a gift from the Lord to the
staging more protest rallies and people of Mindanao in 2007. +Orlando B. Quevedo, O.M.I.
marches this year. My second hope for the New Archbishop of Cotabato
And there is the May 2007 mid-
term election—so far still scheduled
to this writing. The exercise brings
both good and very bad news. It is a
promising event as people will be given
opportunity to once again choose their
political leaders according to the con-
stitution—with or without the ever
interesting and intriguing “Garci fac-
tor” in one form or another.
But there are also the standard
guns, gold and goons that usually
accompany elections in this coun-
try. Therewith go killing, violence and
cheating—as a matter of course. If
fact, these usual accompaniments of
the election process have already

It is said that all economic indi-
cators are up, investments are pour-
ing in, the peso is never that strong.
Yet, millions do not have enough to
eat. People die for lack of medicine.
© Images.com/Corbis
only to the national leadership and begun towards the end of last year.
its allies incorporated. This fact alone
already assures a good amount of
social unrest in the country. It is not
hard to foresee more angry people
Happy New Year! Really?

+Oscar V. Cruz, DD
Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan
Time as a Challenge
ANOTHER way of looking at humans (we are made into God’s

Human Life is Worth Living New Year is to take time as a chal-

THE approach of the New Year 2007 again augurs fresh
hope for new beginning. It evokes anticipation, better
tomorrow, bright days ahead, no matter the dark omi-
nous shadow at the heel of the old year that is fast
fading to the irretrievable past. For lodged deeply in
man’s being is that stubborn hope that springs eternal.
Hope, however, does not work on a vacuum. It
feeds on perceived reality. And as different people have
different ways of perceiving realities, it is no wonder
that man’s hope to survive or succeed differs. One
places his hope on the market and therefore gauges
his better tomorrow with the economic growth or, at
least, stability. With the growing strength of the peso
vis-a-vis the U.S. dollar, some Filipinos hope that we
are at last in a break through towards quality life, de-
velopment, and progress. At least this is what the lat-
est Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey told us as
bannered by the Philippine Star December 29, 2006 is-
sue: “Despite a spate of natural calamities and political
upheavals in the year just past, most Filipinos still look
to the New Year with hope.” Others hope that global-
ization will somehow catch up with us and sweep the
Philippines to finally reach the economic tiger status
in the region offering to the Filipinos life that approxi-
mates first world citizens. Others place hope in the dis-
covery of science, the growing wonders of the chips in
the cyberspace world and the virtual images they cre-
ate, the advance of technology, human endeavors and
unheard of inventions. All help to fuel man’s hope for
the New Year, notwithstanding the challenges on its
train.
No matter the boast of modern man, however, he is
still disturbed with fears and apprehensions lurking
deep in his being. Can he survive the ever growing
challenges of life, the precarious peace based on a bi-
lateral agreement of contending parties, the deep-
seated hatred of one class against the other, the insa-
tiable hunger for more power and wealth among the
lenge and not as a comparison
with the past as a score of events,
mostly sad and bad. If we look
rich and powerful in the face of poor people stretching back at the calamities of the past
out their gaunt hands to reach out for a piece of dry year—both natural and man-
bread or a bowl of rice to stave off the gnawing pain of made—questions like, “did we
hunger, the graft and corruption in public office, the deserve all these?” or “are we that
bombings, summary killings, robbery and petty thefts? hopeless?” keep bothering us.
It is no wonder that one great scientist in the midst of But the New Year is made up
all these staggering discoveries made by man, the of newly created opportunities
power they have unleashed, the riches they have helped wherein we can start anew;
to amass, pensively made this wry statement: “I just wherein we can come together in
hope that after all these discoveries man will wake up a common desire, shared by both
to find the universe friendly.” the rich and the poor, the strong
The Church perceives reality from the perspective and the weak, the learned and the
of faith. Its hope for man and for the society in which he less educated, in order to arrive at
lives is based on the belief that God is not a distant God, a better and united community of
but a God who hears the cry of the poor, a God who citizens and believers in any faith.
cares, a God who takes on human flesh and blood and Communal desiring has ba-
dwells among His own, a God who dies that the whole sically nothing to do with wealth.
creation might live. It is this God who is the hope of Because any concern with wealth
man. As St. Paul spiritedly put it: “Indeed, the whole immediately divides people. It
created world eagerly awaits the revelation of the sons also has little concern with power,
of God… because the world itself will be freed from its position and parties; these are
slavery to corruption and share in the glorious freedom equally divisive and, sometimes,
of the children of God” (Rom 8: 20 & 21). It is this kind of violently discordant.
hope that the Church offers to a humanity that is caught The Holy Father Pope
up in shivers due to the spate of so much violence and Benedict XVI has called the at-
wanton killings. It is based on the perception that Christ tention of believers in his Mes-
conquered sin, death and all that are connected with it. sage on the World Day of Peace
In Him and with Him we too can conquer sin, death and (2007) to People and their Lead-
all the ugly things and occurrences that ever rear up to ers, reminding all that the Heart
destroy human life and values. “If God is for us, who of Peace is the Human Person.
can be against us” (Rom 8: 31)? Looking for what we should
And so, when the believer greets you “Happy New hold in common in our search for
Year”, he is expressing his deep conviction that human Unity and Peace, let us start with
life is not only friendly—it is worth living. what is common to all, because
Happy New Year to one and all. whatever belief, tradition, system
or status people hold on to, we
+Leonardo Y. Medroso, DD Filipinos have the same nature as
Bishop of Tagbilaran
image and likeness (Gen 1:27),
having the same values as believ-
ers and owning the same aspira-
tions for the good of every one
and tied together with the same
needs to become fully Filipino and
a true believer.
Without doubt the only way
to proceed to a common goal (or,
better still, a vision) is for abso-
lutely everyone to make a sacri-
fice of one’s individual or group
ambition.
National progress is not a
matter of debate, competition or
fame seeking. Nations that had
broken the barriers of impoverish-
ment and disunity showed us that
the price for unity and progress
is discipline and sacrifice. New
laws may not shape us into what
we want. But what we desire and
aspire for we can put into life, bet-
ter than the law. In people and
nation building to say “let us be
one is the same as let us a make a
sacrifice.”
May I end this Message
with the Prayer of the Holy Fa-
ther Pope Benedict XVI: “May
Mary (Mother of Jesus) show us,
in her Son, the Way of Peace, and
enlighten our vision so that we
can recognize Christ’s face in the
face of every human person, the
heart of peace.”
Manigong Bagong Taon po
sa inyong lahat!
+Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales
Archbishop of Manila

14
Thank You,
Lord
The Business of Renewal
By Fr. Roy Cimagala
THE New Year certainly evokes the idea of
a new beginning. However else we may
think of the first day of the year, it is unde-
niable that with it we think we are begin-
ning again.
But this business of having to begin
and begin again, highlighted by the New
Year’s Day, should make us more aware of
the deeper importance of this task. It should
remind us of our duty to renew ourselves.
Truth is we need to renew ourselves
deeply and thoroughly, not only superfi-
cially and partially! This should not just be
an idea, a slogan or a routine. It has to be an
all-embracing program of life and a
functional life-long strategy.
To begin again is not
just a matter of course.
That is to say, remove
the hype that accom-
panies it, there is re-
ally nothing in it.
To begin again is
a grave human
necessity that
springs not only
from our nature
but also from
our belief that
we are meant for
a supernatural
destination.
Yes, dearie
and sweetie,
that’s just how
the cookie
crumbles in our life
and world. Physi-
cally and externally,
we may not be able to
avoid the effects of time
and the onslaught of old-
age. But deep within us, there
is something that’s supposed not
to age and die.
That is the reason for this business of
ours to begin and begin again. We are sup-
posed to prepare ourselves in this life for
that leap to eternal life. With every new be-
ginning, it’s like we’re making another wind-
ing of our earthly spiral to catapult us to
eternity.
For this, we have to understand that
what is involved is not just purely human
and natural things. What is involved is the
renewal of our soul, that, it conforms more
and more to its spiritual nature and super-
natural end. That is to say, our renewal
should not just be cosmetic, skin-deep,
pegged, nailed and tacked to external ap-
pearances and earthly things only. It has to
plumb the depths of our heart.
Reflections
By Bp. Jose Manguiran
THANK you Lord that each person
is different; in color and shape, in
talents and interest, by its differ-
ences, you make each one beautiful.
Thank you for the uniqueness
of others: Thank you that others
know what I do not know, thank you
that others pick up jobs which I do
not like, thank you for what I can do,
which others cannot. By unique-
ness, you make each one a donor.
Thank you for my failures; with-
out them I cannot appreciate suc-
cess. Thank you for the sufferings
and inconveniences I meet in daily
living; without them I cannot under-
stand happiness. Thank you for the
realization of my sinfulness for I see
the need of your forgiveness and the
need to forgive others. Thank you
that I cannot answer many questions
by logic; I must answer them by
faith. Thank you for the people
© Dave Reede/Corbis
around me; for how can I fulfill your
law of “love your neighbor” if there’s
no one to love.
Thank you Lord for joining us
in humanity; You showed us person-
ally how to join with you in divinity.
Our heart should not be dominated
only by the material and temporal. It has to
be liberated from these confinements, and
made to freely beat its proper lifeblood.
And that’s none other than God. Its
proper language is love, it is self-giving,
the one Christ lived and commanded us to
do. It is not self-centeredness or greed. It is
giving of oneself.
Its food is the truth, ultimately found
in doing the will of God, again as Christ
said and fulfilled especially with his death
on the Cross. “My food is to do will of him
who sent me.” (Jn 4, 34)
In short, to achieve our goal of
loving God truly, we have to un-
derstand that his means that
our freedom is fully ex-
pressed only when lived
in obedience to God’s
will, when our free-
dom is so tied to our
obedience to God
that both mean the
same thing to us.
This is the
purpose of our
continuing re-
newal in this life.
For Christian
believers, to pur-
sue this renewal
outside of this
context would be
foolishness and a
pure waste of time.
Many New
Years will come our
way, bringing in
things big and small,
new and old. Whatever
combination of things
each New Year may bring, we
should not forget the real purpose
of this cycle. It is to bring about another
renewal, a winding of that spiral that
launches us to eternal supernatural life with
God.
And this renewal cannot be stopped
even by our own sins, failures and mistakes,
which can be expected to come. Our Father
God is endlessly merciful, and as long as
we play the prodigal son always, we can
expect God’s mercy to be given to us. It is
his joy to do this.
On our part, we should realize then that
our own failures and mistakes, our weak-
nesses and difficulties need not separate
us from God. They precisely can be the oc-
casion to bring us closer to him, in a way
that is even more intimate since we would
be asking for his help and his forgiveness.
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 11 No. 1
January 8, 2007
Patroness of the Philippines FROM THE INBOX
Last Sunday’s issue of the Philippine
Daily Inquirer has a (I suppose) paid adver-
tisement calling the attention of the Filipino
Catholics regarding Our Lady of Guadalupe
as the Principal Patroness of the Philippines
it’s time to change the constitution or not.
Will changing the constitution solve what
make our nation and our people sick? A few
and that the ORDO has an error in printing
of the problems that beset our country and
the Immaculate Conception as the principal
our people are: graft and corruption, poverty,
patroness.
lawlessness, and lack of credibility of some of
May you clarify this?
our government and church leaders. Will
Marlo of Cavite
these problems be eradicated by changing
the constitution? Archbishop Angel
Why not support Cha-Cha? Lagdameo is absolutely right. The constitu-
tion does not commit graft and corruption.
I hope CBCP will support Charter Change People like us and the ones who are in
through Constitutional Convention or Con- Malacanang and in Congress are the ones
stituent Assembly as these are all provided in who commit graft and corruption. Why
the Constitution. It’s high time to shift to FED- change the constitution then? Let’s change
ERAL-PARLIAMENTARY so that we the people who are in power!!!!
Mindanaoans can move forward. Metro Ma- I pray that our church leaders will help
nila is not Philippines. Big businesses paying us reflect on what’s the right thing to do. As
taxes in Makati exploited the resources and for me, NO to Cha-cha! NO to Con-Ass! NO
people of Mindanao. to Con-con.NO to election of con-con del-
Metro Manila has all the bad news that egates in May 2007. Instead, people should
painted our country so badly and bloody just be consulted in May 2007 whether they want
like what ABS-CBN is broadcasting. If you cha-cha or not.
watch and listen to ABS-CBN news, it seems Thank you very much. God bless the Phil-
that nothing good happened within 24 hours ippines!
around the country. Our country is ruled by Edwin
few families from Luzon and Metro Manila.
It is easier to change the system than What Little Faith
changing the attitude and characters of our
leaders both at the local and national levels.
I would just like to share some thoughts
Create a system that would produce our de-
about the current stand and situation of our
sired leaders. In fact, Jesus Christ’s teach-
country. I really felt sad that the Church in our
ings have been with us for more than 2,000
years already and the Church including the
country is acting like the activist during my
college days ...after the Edsa revolution it has
priests and bishops have difficulty changing
been a medium of abuse that is why from then
the attitude and characters of the people. Even
on comes the religious organizations being
the Church introduced changes in its system
active in politics in terms of endorsements
after Vatican II.
etc. The picture of a peaceful Church, prayer-
Our crop of politicians who are corrupt
ful Church, unified Church, non political
and greedy were voted by Catholics. Most of
Church was gone ...it became a power hun-
our politicians are Catholics too.
gry Church ...power by influencing politics
Increase the wages of Church workers
...I just hoped that faith and prayer will be
working in the different parishes around the
used again as the cornerstone of our church
country in order to be the model to the private
in order to seek political stability in our coun-
companies.
try ...bishops to priest ...all I can say for those
M. Jamonir
who resort and use other people for rallies
and such political movement as a hidden mo-
Not time to Cha-Cha tive ...WHAT LITTLE FAITH THEY HAVE
IN THE LORD ...or perhaps they are resort-
Am one of those who believe that it’s ing to faith without action is useless....but
not time yet to change the constitution. While again even without action if one has faith as
our bishops are for con-con as a way of big as a mustard seed ...bottom line would
changing the constitution, I would like to re- still be little faith.
quest them to help the Filipinos reflect whether Anna M.
Bo Sanchez
You can Choose to be Happy
I recall a few years back, I “my five reasons for being which I want to be thankful
felt depressed. happy are lovely Lily, sexy for. It could be small stuff
I had a million prob- Sylvia, pretty Pamella, terrific like, “Today, I watched the
lems! I had conflicts to deal Tanya, and gorgeous Grace.” sunset,”; or “A little kid put
with, a few storms in my (I was still single at that time, her arms around me today
Catholic community, plus a so I could make jokes like and that felt so good”; or
number of personal trials as these.) Fearing that lightning “My wife and I ate at
well. To top it all, my dan- may strike me anytime, I de- Macdonald’s ‘cuz that was
druff was getting worse cided to become serious. all I could afford but felt
and my pimples are erupt- “First reason, Lord: You. t’was a candlelight dinner
ing again. I prayed, “Lord, We have a great relationship. in Shangri-la.”
are you sure you want me You love me so much, and uh, Because of this prac-
to continue preaching and I love You sometimes. What tice, the way I see life has
writing? I know I’m good- a God! Second, I have a beau- changed. Because from
looking (depression has a tiful family. Dad’s old and the moment I wake up, my
way of making me halluci- Mom’s (bleep!), yet we’re still antennas are up—looking
nate), but shouldn’t You together… Third, despite of for the five things I’m go-
have picked someone much it all, I have a great Catholic ing to be thankful for. I’m
holier and wiser and more group. Fourth, I’ve got a fan- no longer focused on the
loving? tastic job as preacher, writer, bad things that happen,
As I poured out my helping the poor… Can it be but on God’s great bless-
grief before God, and as I better than this? And fifth, I’m ings each day.
felt His tender comfort, a in love with this one girl. (Not Happiness is a
crazy question popped in five!) Pretty, sweet, loving, choice.
my mind: “Bo, give me five honest, and insane enough to You and I have every-
reasons why you should go out on dates with me.” thing that we need for hap-
be happy today.” And before I realized it, piness. Happiness isn’t
“Happy? Lord, how my “lousy feelings” left me “out there” but something
can I be happy at a time like and I felt happy! that’s deep within us. We
this?” You know, it worked so choose to be happy. We
But the question re- well, even to this day, I’ve de- choose to make our lives
mained lodged in my brain, cided to do this daily. Before I great.
and I couldn’t give it up. go to bed, I recall five things What will you
“Well,” I mumbled, that happened during that day choose?
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 11 No. 1
January 8, 2007
A native African father search-
ing for his family, a white African
searching for a way out and an
American journalist searching to
expose the truth… three charac-
ters brought together by an in-
valuable pink diamond amidst
the Civil War in Sierra Leone in
1999. Danny Archer (Leonardo
DiCarpio) is a mercenary who
convinces Solomon Vandy
(Djimon Hounsou) to team up
with him to sell the blood dia-
mond the latter found when he
was enslaved by the rebel forces.
In return, Danny promises to find
Solomon’s captive family
through his connections. They
recruit Maddy’s (Jennifer
Connely) help in exchange for
names and information on the
diamond trade for the expose she
is hoping to feature. Unfortu-
nately, to Solomon’s heartbreak,
his son, Dia (Kagiso Kuypers)
has been indoctrinated by rebel
soldiers and is transformed into
GRIFFIN (Dermot Mulroney) a
life insurance salesman has
just been diagnosed as termi-
nally ill with inoperable can-
cer and has less than two
years to live. He attends a lec-
ture on the process of coping
with death. There he meets
Phoenix (Amanda Peet) and is
attracted to her. They fall in
love and their relationship
deepens when they discover
they are soulmates. Both
eventually learn that both are
cancer cases. Instead of stay-
ing at the hospital for treat-
ment, they decide to spend
their remaining days having
“fun”, which to them means
doing things they haven’t
done or wouldn’t do under or-
dinary circumstances. These
pranks often include risks or
CBCPMonitor
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as cold-blooded child soldier.
Edward Zwick transforms a
socio-political issue into a highly
riveting and powerful film. He maxi-
mizes the potentials of the intelli-
gent scripting of Leavitt with a per-
fect balance of pushing the horror
of a situation before going to the
next sequence. The plot moves flaw-
lessly with unforgettable lines and
impressionable characters.
DiCarpio and Hounsou give brilliant
performances and so does the
young Kuypers. The cinematogra-
phy reveals the stunning beauty of
Africa and the appalling violence of
war with excellent editing piercing
it tightly. The scoring is chillingly
romantic. The film is perhaps one
of the best of its genre.
This is the type of movie that
makes one thankful he is merely an
onlooker of actual events and situ-
ations through the celluloid’s drama.
Blood Diamond is an insightful
movie exposing atrocities of con-
sumerism, exploitation and corrup-
Title: GRIFFIN AND PHOENIX
Cast: Amanda Peet, Dermot
Mulroney, Sarah Paulson,
Blair Brown
Director: Ed Stone
Producer: Amy Israel
Screenwriter: John Hill
Music: Roger Neil
Editor: Plummy Tucker
Genre: Romance/Drama
Cinematography: David
Dunlop
Location: USA
Technical Assessment:
Moral Assessment: ½ a l w a y s j u d i c i o u s i n o n e ’s
CINEMA Rating: For
viewers 14 and above
some kind of small infractions of
the law like breaking into a the-
ater or throwing graffiti over a wa-
ter tank high up in a tower.
Griffin and Phoenix is a re-
make of a 1976 TV-movie which
featured Peter Falk and Jill
Clayburgh as the ill-starred lov-
ers. In the present film, Amanda
Peet and Dermot Mulroney look
good together and their on-
screen chemistry is enhanced by
their good performances. But
though this love story is sad and
poignant and there are tearjerker
elements, strangely, it fails to
emotionally involve the viewer.
The over sentimental and melo-
dramatic screenplay as well as the
plot development somehow do
not project authenticity. This
plodding story lacks vitality or
that spark which could have put
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tion and gives a well backhand
wakeup for the indifference and
hypocrisy not only of world lead-
ers and those in power but also of
the common people living thousand
of miles away from the conflict and
violence. The horrors of war is ex-
cruciating affecting families and
children and its scars are irrevers-
ible. But what is worse is how soci-
eties take advantage of poverty and
conflict to further their personal in-
terests. A haunting question is not
what one is willing to risk to get
what he wants but to know in the
depths of his person what really will
make him happy. As a native poeti-
cally says every person at the core
is good. So does Danny Archer re-
alize this that despite his fiery de-
sire to get out of war torn continent
and after all the risks he put has
been through, he makes a most
noble sacrifice for Solomon’s fam-
ily. Recommended for older audi-
ence because of the violence and
gore.
it in the same league as say
The Notebook and A Walk to
Remember.
Since Griffin and Phoenix
is a love story, most would ex-
pect it to be innocuous or
harmless. But this is not the
case. Here are two people star-
ing death in the face and they
decide to live it up, to “seize
the moment”, since their time
is short. There is nothing
wrong with living life to the
“fullest” but shouldn’t one be
choice of action? In this
movie, the couple does things
in the spirit of “fun” but often
their pranks are not only risky
or harmful to themselves but
are also destructive. Vandal-
ism or breaking the law or
sexual indulgence without
marriage cannot be justified
whether one is dying or not.
Suicide has a romantic aura
and is floated as a way out of
their predicament, something a
Christian should not consider.
The lead characters also vent
their frustration and perhaps
anger on others like Phoenix
quarreling with a stranger over
the latter’s son and Griffin de-
stroying his and other
peoples’ cars with no provo-
cation. We understand their
state of mind but we do not
condone their acts. Parental
guidance is needed not only
for the above but also for pro-
viding the proper perspective
regarding terminal illness and
dying.
(Middle Name)
______________________
Signature
Title: BLOOD DIAMOND
Running Time: 135 min.
Cast: Leonardo di Carpio,
Djimon Hounsou,
Jennifer Connelly, Kagiso
Kuypers, Arnold Vosloo,
Anthony Coleman
Director: Edward Zwick
Producer: Gillian Gorfil
Screenwriter: Charles Leavitt
Music: James Newton
Howard
Editor: Steven Rosenblum
Genre: Action/Drama
Cinematography: Eduardo
Serra
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Location: Sierra Leone, Africa
Technical Assessment:
Moral Assessment:
CINEMA Rating: For viewers
18 and above
Location: Taiwan
Technical Assessment:
Moral Assessment: ll½
CINEMA Rating: For viewers age 13 and below with parental
guidance
UNABLE to control his irresist-
ible gambling habit and heavily
in debt, Slipper/Fong (Jackie
Chan) and his buddy-partner
Octopus (Louis Koo) quickly ac-
cept an offer for them to do a rob-
bery. Offered three million dol-
lars to do the job, they do not
bother to find out what it is that
they have to look for and take
out. They find themselves driven
to a hospital. Thinking it must
be the expensive medicines they
are to target, they begin to se-
lect and take them down from the
shelves. But quickly, to their
surprise and shock, they are di-
rected to pick up a newborn
baby, of a Mrs. Lee, and take it
out. Bedlam breaks out. The law-
men, hospital security, the men
hired to make sure the kidnap-
ping succeeds, run after the two
men with the baby. Everyone
and everything get mixed up.
Inspite of the hectic chase, the
two guys, by hook and by crook,
manage to escape with the new-
born, for now. What happens
next? What is this unusual oc-
currence about?
It turns out that a wealthy
shady boss wants that particu-
lar baby to be his grandson, his
own son having died without
giving him an heir. So desper-
ate is he that he ups the reward
to thirty million dollars for the
child to be handed to him. Al-
though little Matthew
(Medvedev) appears to be the
central character, it is Jackie
Chan, with his buddy Louis
Koo, who draws in the viewers
to enjoy watching him and his
comic antics. Martial arts, more
intricate and strenuous, span
the movie where dangerous
stunts are needed to escape the
pursuers or to save the baby
from close-calls, life-threatening
situations and from being taken
from them or falling into the
15
Title: ROB-B-HOOD
Running Time: 125 min.
Cast: Jackie Chan, Louis Koo,
Michael Hui, Gao Yuan
Yuan, Chen Bao Guo,
Matthew Medvedev (the
baby)
Director: Benny Chan
Producer: Jackie Chan, Benny
Chan, Albert Yeung, Way
Zhong Jun
Screenwriters: Jackie Chan,
Benny Chan, Alan Yuen
Music: Chan-Fai-Young
Editor: Yan-Ch-Wai
Genre: Comedy
Cinematography: Anthony Pun
Distributor: International
Sales Emperor Motion Pic-
tures/Viva
wrong hands. The mix-up and
jumbled plot used a lot of re-
hashed situations from past
movies depicting babies in the
care of adults. Fong and Octo-
pus as total baby care givers is
interesting to watch. They go
from being leery to doting and
then caring tenders. As bud-
dies in the film they displayed a
believable camaraderie. Fans of
Jackie Chan and his kind of mar-
tial arts, would be entertained
by Rob-B-Hood
From protagonist to an-
tagonist, Jackie Chan has taken
the role of the bad guy instead
of the good. But viewers are
given a character to feel sympa-
thy for because of his weak-
ness. Jackie as Fong made a
mess of his growing up, went
into gambling and thievery and
getting into the kidnapping
mess. Koo as Octopus his
buddy is a womanizer and hates
babies, wants his wife to abort
their expected child. Both get
arrested, serve their time, with a
reduced sentence for their be-
havior and cooperation. Mat-
thew is returned to his real par-
ents and grandmother. The
shady boss discovers that the
baby is not the one that he
thinks it is. Although there is
no blood and gore, or cruelty,
younger viewers should be able
to see that Jackie has taken a
bad-guy role, and showing his
apathy and neglect of his fam-
ily, until his father calls his at-
tention. He is sorry and for-
given. Also that the martial arts
feats and the situations the
child is put into should never
be let to happen. In filming no
such sequence are made to take
place. In the film, it is the com-
puter generated images that imi-
tate what is supposedly real-life
but are not. Thus, the need of
guidance for young viewers.

16 People, Facts & Places
Cor Jesu Seminary Celebrates 25th Anniversary
COR Jesu Seminary (CJS) of the Diocese of
Dipolog had for years, been forming men to
dedicate their lives to the service of the Church
and society. Just more than a month ago, the
institution celebrated its silver jubilee, twenty-
five years of enduring service to the Church of
Dipolog with the theme “CJS 25 NA BALIK
UG KITA KITZ”.
Cor Jesu Seminary (CJS) was founded in
1980 by the first bishop of Dipolog, Msgr. Felix
S. Zafra, D.D. The bishop appointed Fr.
Gregorio B. Canonigo, Jr. as rector during the
first three years of its existence. Canonigo re-
assumed the post in 1999 until 2004. Other
members of the clergy who served as rectors
of the seminary after Canonigo were Fr. Arnold
Caboverde, Fr. Luis Lapinid, Fr. Genaro
Daguplo, Fr. Philip Alicayos, Fr. Severo
Caermare and Fr. Manuel Recera, who cur-
rently holds the post.
Thirty priests and one deacon have been
ordained since the seminary was founded 25
years ago.
The silver jubilee also served as a grand
homecoming for all the seminary alumni, both
lay and priests. The gathering was a conglom-
eration of various sectors in society—priests,
ECMI and Yahoo One on Pinoy Connect Project
PINOY Connect, a
project dedicated to
OFWs and their families,
was launched by Yahoo
Philippines in collabora-
tion with the Episcopal
Commission on Mi-
grants and Itinerant
Peoples (CBCP-ECMI) last December 5, 2006
at Mandarin Oriental Hotel.
The venture was initiated to help OFWs
maintain good relationship with their loved
ones in the Philippines. Pinoy Connect offers
varied services to the Filipinos who have ac-
cess to the internet with the intention of main-
taining and fostering close family ties among
OFWs and their families left behind in the
country.
Palo Seminary
Needs Help
PARTICULARLY for the seminar-
ians at the Sacred Heart Seminary
in Palo, Leyte, seminary life isn’t
all that easy and tranquil. Aside
from the rigors of academic and
spiritual formation, seminarians
have to bear the inconvenience of
sleeping in dormitories with dilapi-
dated ceilings and floors, tilting
beams, and some of which with
its windows completely gone.
This was disclosed by Fr. Gil Manaog,
Rector of Sacred Heart Seminary, Palo, Leyte,
as he appealed for more help in the major
repair of the almost rickety seminary infra-
structures—the main building which houses
the minor seminary dormitory, auditorium,
chapel, and the father’s residence building.
The diocesan seminary, which was built
some fifty years ago, is home to both minor
(high school) and college (Philosophy) semi-
narians.
For its part, the Palo Leyte Alumni of
the Seminary (PLEASE) Foundation, an as-
sociation of alumni seminarians and priests
of Sacred Heart Seminary headed by its presi-
dent Atty. Ricardo Ribo, has come up with a
fund raising project in response to Fr.
teachers, lawyers, businessmen, policemen,
politicians and farmers.
“This event has been the reality of the
dream of all the alumni of Cor Jesu Seminary,”
says Fr. Melvin Rey Ogoc. Ogoc serves as
Spiritual Director of the Seminary, at the same
time, the secretary of the Committee on the
CJS Alumni.
The event, which started on November 28,
2006, lasted for three days. Fifty-seven alumni
attended the affair. The 3-day gathering gave
the participants opportunities to look back on
their seminary days, grateful for what they had
received in formation and the friendships they
had nurtured during their seminary training.
The bishop of Dipolog, Most Rev. Jose
Manguiran, D.D. celebrated the Eucharist dur-
ing the homecoming. Using the metaphor of a
hat as an image to represent the task a person
is called to render, the bishop stressed that
like Christ who endured His life for mankind,
each participant is called to wear their hat as a
symbol of responsibility and to carry their load
with love and hope in Jesus.
The celebration was capped with a Jubi-
lee banquet and awarding of prizes for selected
alumni. (Fr. Manuel Recera)
Aside from the email that Yahoo could
offer, Yahoo! Messenger allows users to send
and receive instant messages or to chat with
relatives and friend without having to pay.
Yahoo! Photos is another service that Ya-
hoo encourages OFWs to utilize when they
need to share pictures without having to down-
load them through a regular email.
There is also the Yahoo! Groups that would
keep friends connected for certain interest or
concern.
Yahoo! Mobile also allows internet users
to send SMS again without having to pay ex-
tra unlike in the usual use of mobile phone.
ECMI Chairman, Bishop Precioso Cantillas,
SDB, DD delivered his statement of support
during Yahoo’s launching of Pinoy Connect.
(Fr. Edwin Corros, SC)
Manaog’s appeal for help. Dubbed as
Handog Ko Sa Seminaryo, the project aims
to distribute raffle tickets in exchange for
major prizes like laptop computers and
cellphones, and the proceeds of which will
be used for the major repairs of Sacred Heart
Seminary infrastructures. The raffle draw is
slated this January 28, 2007 at the Sto. Nino
de Leyte Shrine, Commonwealth Avenue,
Quezon City.
For those still interested to help or re-
spond to Fr. Manaog’s appeal, they may con-
tact the following: Fr. Gil Manaog, Rector, Sa-
cred Heart Seminary, Palo, Leyte, Tel. Nos. (053)
323-2214, 323-2476; or Atty. Ricardo Ribo,
PLEASE Foundation President, Tel. No. (02)
411-9306, (CP) 0919-3274512. (B. Acebedo)
Markings
APPOINTED. Bp.
Isabelo C. Abarquez,
50, as Bishop of
Calbayog (Samar); by
Pope Benedict XVI;
January 5, 2007. Prior
to his current ap-
pointment, Abarquez
was auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of
Palo (Leyte). He succeeds Archbishop Jose
Palma, erstwhile bishop of Calbayog since
1999 and who was appointed archbishop
of Palo in March of 2006. A native of Cebu,
Bp. Abarquez was born on July 8, 1956. He
took up his Philosophy and Theologate
degrees (A.B. Philosophy and Bachelor in
Sacred Theology) at Seminario Mayor de
San Carlos in Cebu City. Ordained priest on
June 23, 1987, he was then ordained auxil-
iary bishop of Cebu on February 18, 2003.
Among his pastoral assignments prior to
his Episcopal ordination were: as Formator,
Professor and Spiritual Director of Pope
John XXIII Seminary, Cebu City in 1988-
1991; and in 1990-1991 as Procurator of the
same Seminary; Pastoral Director in 1992-
1994, and in 1998-2002 as Rector of San
Carlos Seminary College, Cebu City; as
Spiritual Director for 12 years at the Padre
Pio Contemplative Community in Cebu City.
He is also a former member of Cebu
Archdiocesan Board of Consultors and like-
wise as Rector of Cebu Metropolitan Ca-
thedral.
APPOINTED. Fr.
Leopoldo Jaucian, SVD,
46; as Bishop of
Bangued (Abra); by
Pope Benedict XVI;
January 5, 2007. Fr.
Jaucian is the Provincial
Superior of the Central
Province of the Society
of the Divine Word (Societas Verbi Divini
or SVD). Born on July 27, 1960 in Santa,
Ilocos Sur, Jaucian took his Philosophy
studies (A.B. Philosophy) and Postulancy
formation at Christ the King Mission Semi-
nary in Quezon City in 1977-1979; and his
Novitiate from Divine Word Seminary,
Tagaytay in 1979-1981. Thereafter, he went
to Taiwan for Overseas Training Program
(OTP) in 1982-1984 as well as for his Theo-
logical studies at the Fu Jen Catholic Uni-
versity, Taipei, Taiwan in 1984 – 1987. He
was ordained priest to the Society of the
Divine Word on March 12, 1988 at the Di-
vine Word Academy Chapel in Urdaneta,
Pangasinan. His former assignments in-
clude: as Assistant Pastor of St. Joseph the
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Worker Parish in Chiayi, Taiwan in 1988–
1989; as Campus Minister at Fu Jen Catho-
lic High School, Chiayi, Taiwan in 1989–
1992; Assistant Principal, Campus Minister
and Assistant Director of St. Jude Catholic
School, Mendiola, Manila in July 1995 to
July 2000; and Parish Priest, SVD Manila
District Superior and Vicar Forane-Vicariate
of San Jose de Trozo of St. Jude
Archdiocesan Shrine, Manila in August
2000 until March 2005. On March 1, 2005,
he was elected Provincial Superior of the
SVD Central Province in the Philippines, a
position he has held up to his current epis-
copal appointment.
CELEBRATED. Order of
Augustinian Recollects
(OAR), 4th Centenary (400th
year) in the Philippines;
1606-2006. In May of 1606,
with the prior royal license
granted by King Philip III
of Spain, the Augustinian
Recollects arrived in Cebu, and shortly
thereafter proceeded to Manila. Upon their
arrival in Intramuros, the thirteen Augus-
tinian Recollect pioneers were temporarily
sheltered in a small house until they found
better accommodations at the Santo
Domingo Convent (Dominicans) and like-
wise in San Agustin Convent of the
Augustinians (OSA). Later, the Augustin-
ian Recollect friars were able to buy a big-
ger house in Bagumbayan (the present
Luneta Park) with the money they obtained
through begging. Their small church served
the spiritual needs of the people living in
Bagumbayan and other nearby places. This
was their preparation for their first mission
assignment in Mariveles, Bataan in Septem-
ber 1606.
CELEBRATED. Msgr. Roberto Guiuan, 75,
retired military (AFP) chaplain; 50th sacer-
dotal ordination anniversary; November 30,
2006. Born on January 19, 1931 in Pampanga,
Guiuan was ordained priest on November
30, 1956. In May 14, 1978, Pope Paul VI
made him a Papal Chamberlaine, earning the
honorary title of Monsignor. He became a
Parochial Vicar in Northern Samar from 1957-
1959, in Eastern Samar from 1959-1960, a
parish priest in Western Samar from 1960-
1964, and subsequently as Vicar Forane of
Catarman (Northern Samar) from 1962-1971.
He entered the military service thereafter
and served as military chaplain in different
military units in the country until his retire-
ment in 1991. He is currently serving as re-
tired guest priest of Diocese of Parañaque.