Monitor

CBCP

FEBRUARY 20 - MARCH 5, 2017 VOL 21, NO. 4 CBCPMONITOR@AREOPAGUSCOMMUNICATIONS.COM

PROTAGONIST OF TRUTH, PROMOTER OF PEACE

Dagupan City GLENN MUNOZ LOPEZ Cebu City SAMMY NAVAJA

Manila City ROY LAGARDE

Thousands of Filipinos march in Manila, and in the cities of Cebu and Dagupan to oppose the revival of the death penalty and denounce extrajudicial killings during the simultaneous Walk for Life on Feb. 18, 2017. Participants of the prayer rally expressed alarm
over the increasing death toll which has reached to over 7,600 as a result of the governments war on drugs.

Thousands walk
By Roy Lagarde against killings, a sea of
white shirts, hallmark of the
pro-life movement, took over
MANILA Signs in the Quirino Grandstand and
hand, prayers loudly filled the area with prayers.
recited, thousands It was the first of its kind
in recent years that various

against killings,
gathered pre-dawn lay Catholic groups come
Feb. 18 in downtown together to pray, defend the
Manila to call for an sanctity of life, and oppose
end to extrajudicial the spreading culture of
killings and oppose violence.
Mrs. Zenaida Capistrano,
the death penalty.

death penalty
Dubbed the Walk for Life,
the rally was attended by
around 20,000 people from
at least 21 dioceses in Luzon
and from other Christian
churches, organizers said.
At the biggest rally yet
president of the Council of
the Laity of the Philippines
(CLP), said the rally wanted
to demonstrate that life is
sacred.
Life is just borrowed from
God, it must be cared for
Walk / A7

Old pastoral letter cites death Archbishop wants Church housecleaning

squad existence in Davao
WHILE Malacaang denied
theres such a death squad
in Davao city, a church
document issued more
than 15 years ago cited the
existence of the group that
carried out secret killings of
suspected criminals.
As early as November
2001, the Archdiocese of
Davao wrote a pastoral
letter,Thou Shall Not Kill,
in expressing alarm over the
spate of extrajudicial killings
in the city.
Although it stopped short
of linking President Rodrigo
Duterte to such killings while
mayor of Davao City, the
letter deplored his supposed
tolerance on criminal groups
like the Davao Death Squad
to kill.
It is an admission of
failure in the fulfilment of its
obligation to prevent crime
and its recurrence, part of
the statement, signed by then
Davao Archbishop Fernando
Capalla, read.
Duterte has repeatedly
denied his involvement in
any summary killings as
Davao mayor and claimed
that the term Davao Death
Squad or DDS was only
invented by his local political
rivals.
The Human Rights Watch
(HRW) reported at least
1,424 cases of summary
executions in Davao City
from 1998 to 2015.
The data does not include
those killed in nearby cities
where the allegedly DDS have
expanded.
Redemptorist Fr. Amado
Picardal, former spokesman
of Coalition of Summary
Executions, said the victims
in Davao City alone include
more than 130 minors and
the youngest is 12 years old.
He said Duterte has been
accused of operating a death
squad but he has not been
prosecuted because no
witnesses have come out.
Picardal left Davao City in
2011 after he was reassigned
to Manila but he lamented
that until 2015, summary
killings still occurred in the
city.
A retired police officer
supposedly confirmed
at a news conference on
Monday the existence of
DDS and implicated Duterte
in extrajudicial killings in
Davao City.
Arthur Lascaas narrated
several killings that Duterte
allegedly had ordered. And
at one point, he broke into
tears when he recalled his
role in the deaths of his two
brothers because they were
Pastoral / A7
THE Catholic leadership must take
President Rodrigo Dutertes criticisms
against the Church seriously by initiating
intense hierarchal housecleaning, an
archbishop said.
Retired Archbishop Oscar Cruz, head
of the Churchs dispensation desk, said
its a golden age for the bishops to be
more alert and brave in dealing with
cases of clerical offenses.
The bishops should be now more
CFC to lawmakers: As servants, be the
first to protect life
A CATHOLIC family-
oriented group called on
legislators to use their power
to protect human life and
oppose the revival of the
death penalty.
The Couples for Christ, a
global Catholic lay ecclesial
movement, reminded
lawmakers what should
really matter them: common
good.
Our legislators are where
they are because they have
been blessed with the gift
of life. We ask that they, as
servants of the people, be the
first to protect life, it said.
Instead of restoring the
capital punishment, the
group said lawmakers should
instead protect the countrys
most vulnerable people,
calling upon them to banish
poverty, fight corruption and
attentive. You just dont keep your eyes
closed to these matters. If you do, there
and his brutal campaign on drugs.
He also questioned the Churchs
will be more, said the prelate. moral ascendancy to criticize his drug
The former Lingayen-Dagupan war when it needs to police its own
archbishop said its a very positive ranks.
issue when someone attacks the Of course, it is painful. But if it is the
Churchs lapses for its leaders to have truth, what can you do? said Cruz.
a firm stand against offenders. The archbishop said the Church
Duterte has repeatedly cursed the needs to be more vigilant and failure
bishops and priests for lambasting the to address its problems would only
increasing cases of extrajudicial killings Housecleaning / A7
Sending rouge cops to Mindanao
an insult Malaybalay bishop
reform the justice system.
We believe that there are
more effective ways to stop
criminality such as the fair
and efficient administration
of justice, poverty alleviation
and implementation of Police officers attend a 2-day on the Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary at
programs to nurture families St. Joseph Church in Camp Crame, Quezon City, Sept. 9, 2015. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
and strengthen moral
values, the CFC said. SENDING erring cops to atonement.
We pledge to support Mindanao is an insult to We are insulted if we
government in efforts to the region and its people, a deserve the unruly service
achieve the common goal Catholic bishop said. of these people, Cabantan
of peace and order in our Bishop Jose Cabantan of told Manila archdiocese-run
land, it added. Stop the Malaybalay said Mindanao Radio Veritas on Friday.
restoration of the death should be turned into President Rodrigo Duterte
penalty! dumping place where rogue earlier said erring policemen
CFC / A7 policemen are reassigned for Cops / A7
A2 NEWS February 20 - March 5, 2017 Vol 21, No. 4 CBCP Monitor

At the Mexico border, Catholic

t

Vatican Briefing
Cardinal Burke sent to Guam to oversee sex abuse trial
The Vatican has sent Cardinal Raymond Burke to
Guam to act as presiding judge at the trial of Archbishop
Anthony Apuron, who was removed from office in June
2016 following allegations of child sex abuse. Cardinal
Burke is a canon lawyer and former prefect of the
Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, the Holy
Sees highest court. He currently serves as the chaplain
of the Knights of Malta, where he has clashed with the
Holy See over the removal of the Grand Chancellor of
the Knights. He is also one of four cardinals who signed
the controversial dubia, a letter asking Pope Francis
to clarify parts of his apostolic exhortation Amoris
Laetitia. Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Mller, who leads
the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF),
appointed Cardinal Burke to the Guam trial. (CNA)
Amid controversy, council of cardinals backs
Pope Francis
In the wake of several contentious events surrounding
the Vatican recently, Pope Francis advisory board in
his ongoing reform of the Roman Curia affirmed their
support of the Pope and his work. On behalf of the
group, Cardinal Oscar Andrs Rodrguez Maradiaga
greeted Pope Francis at the start of the councils of
cardinals Feb. 13 meeting. He thanked the Pope for
his Christmas address to the Roman Curia Dec. 22,
and acknowledging his encouragement and direction
for the work of the council, a Vatican communique
stated. In relation to recent events, the Council of
Cardinals expresses its full support of the work of the
Pope, while ensuring full adhesion and support to his
person and his Magisterium, it added. The statement
comes just over one week after posters criticizing the
Pope were plastered on walls of the city center of Rome
Feb. 4. (CNA)
bishops unite for migrants
BROWNSVILLE, Texas, Feb 16, 2017
Along the U.S.-Mexico border, Catholic
bishops of both countries stressed the
right of people to migrate and the need
for the Church to welcome them.
In this difficult moment in our
history we hear the cry of our migrant
brothers and sisters whose voices
reflect the voice of Christ Himself,
the bishops said in a joint statement.
We reiterate our commitment to
care for pilgrims, strangers, exiles, and
migrants affirming that all persons
have a right to live in conditions
worthy of human life. If these are not
given they have a right to migrate.
Regarding the right to migrate,
they cited Pope Pius XII, whose 1952
apostolic constitution Exsul Familia
Nazarethana addressed issues of
migration and refugees after the
Second World War.
The bishops pledged to monitor the
suffering of migrants on both sides
of the border and voiced support for
Catholic agencies and individuals
that offer spiritual, legal and material
assistance to migrants.
In the Church there are no
strangers, migrant families should
feel at home in every church as their
homeland, the bishops said, citing St.
John Paul II.
The biannual meetings of the bishops
from the border dioceses of Texas and
northern Mexico began in 1986 to help
show the communion of the universal
Church. The meetings have always
kept a focus on the lives and pastoral
needs of migrants.
The joint message that came from the
latest meeting was titled The cry of Christ
and voice of the migrant moves us. It was
published in English and Spanish.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, as
immigrants and refugees sought for
a place to live and work hoping for
a compassionate human response,
the bishops said. Today this history
repeats itself.
The bishops recounted visiting
detention centers and respite centers
for mothers and their adolescent and
minor children. The condition of
these places have been described as
intolerable and inhumane.
They invoked Jesus words from
Matthew 25, when he describes the
Last Judgment welcoming those
who will inherit the Kingdom of God
because I was a stranger and you
welcomed me, I was hungry and you
gave me food.
The bishops described immigration
as a global phenomenon driven by
economic and social conditions. Poverty
and insecurity makes families feel that
migration is the only way to survive.
The migrant has a right to be
respected by international law and
national law as he or she faces the
violence, criminality and inhuman
policies of governments as well as the
worlds indifference.
Migrants are often subject of punitive
laws and mistreatment by authorities,
both in their home country, the
countries they pass through, and at
their destination.
It is essential that governments
adopt policies that respect the human
rights of migrants and undocumented
residents, they said.
The bishops invoked the patronage
of Our Lady of Guadalupe and asked
everyone to join them in prayer.
(CNA)

Vatican appoints pastoral envoy to Medjugorje

Pope Francis on Feb. 11 appointed Archbishop Henryk
Christian florist loses religious liberty
Hoser of Warszawa-Praga as a delegate of the Holy
See to look into the pastoral situation at Medjugore,
the site of alleged Marian apparitions in Bosnia and
case, will appeal to US Supreme Court
Herzegovina. The mission has the aim of acquiring a
deeper knowledge of the pastoral situation there and SEATTLE, Wash. A differing beliefs must eventually sued her and a her commercially marketed
above all, of the needs of the faithful who go there in Washington state florist have room to coexist, she lower court ruled against wedding floral services to
pilgrimage, and on the basis of this, to suggest possible must pay fines and legal added. her, ordering her to pay a Ingersoll and Freed because
pastoral initiatives for the future, stated a Feb. 11 costs for conscientiously In 2013, Barronelle fine and legal costs. theirs would be a same-
communique from the Vatican Secretariat of State. objecting to serving a same- Stutzman, owner of Arlenes She appealed her case sex wedding--constitutes
The mission will therefore have an exclusively pastoral sex wedding, as the states Flowers in Richland, Wash., to the Washington State sexual orientation
character, it added. (CNA) supreme court upheld a declined to serve the same- Supreme Court, which discrimination under the
lower courts decision. sex wedding of a long- upheld the lower courts WLAD.
Vatican bars Sodalit founder from contact with Its wrong for the time customer who had decision on Thursday, The law does not compel
members state to force any citizen requested her service, citing saying that as a business speech or association,
A newly released decree from the Vaticans to support a particular her Christian religious owner Stutzman had to the court added, stating
congregation for religious life states that the founder view about marriage or beliefs that marriage is abide by the states anti- that it is a neutral,
of the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, Luis Fernando anything else against between one man and one discrimination law despite generally applicable law
Figari, may not have contact with members of the their will. Freedom of woman. her religious beliefs. that serves our state
community. A Jan. 30 decree of the Congregation speech and religion After hearing of the The State of Washington governments compelling
for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of arent subject to the incident, the office of the bars discrimination in interest in eradicating
Apostolic Life addressed to the superior general of the whim of a majority; state attorney general public accommodations discrimination in public
Sodalitium, Alessandro Moroni Llabres, directs him to they are constitutional wrote her that she was on the basis of sexual accommodations.
order that Figari be prohibited from contacting, in any guarantees, Kristin violating the states law orientation. Discrimination Stutzman has announced
way, persons belonging to the Sodalitium Christianae Waggoner, senior counsel by discriminating on basis based on same-sex marriage that she will appeal her
Vitae, and no way have any direct personal contact with with the group Alliance of sexual orientation, constitutes discrimination case to the U.S. Supreme
them. The Sodalitium Christianae Vitae is a society of Defending Freedom who and asked her to stop on the basis of sexual Court. We stand to lose
apostolic life which was founded in 1971 in Peru, and argued the case before declining such weddings. orientation, the courts everything we worked for
granted pontifical recognition in 1997. CNAs executive the Washington Supreme Stutzman refused out of opinion stated. and own, she stated back
director, Alejandro Bermdez, and its global director Court, stated Feb. 16. conscience. We therefore hold that in October, noting that legal
of operations, Ryan Thomas, are both members of the This case is about The American Civil the conduct for which fees from the case could top
community. (CNA) crushing dissent. In a Liberties Union and Stutzman was cited and $2 million by the end of the
free America, people with the state of Washington fined in this case refusing case. (CNA)
Without women, there is no harmony in the world,
Pope says

How the possible Vatican-China agreement

A womans value is not based on her material
accomplishments, but simply in the beauty and
harmony she brings to the world, just by her very being,

Pope Francis said. While neither man nor woman is
superior to the other, they play different roles, the
Pope said. Man does not bring harmonyIt is she who
brings that harmony that teaches us to caress, to love
with tenderness; and who makes the world a beautiful
place. Often we hear people say, the Pope said Feb. 9,
that it is necessary in this society, in this institution,
that here there should be a woman because she does
this, she does these things. (CNA)
Pope: In healthcare, we are responsible to the
most vulnerable
When it comes to healthcare and using our resources
wisely, we have a responsibility to protect and take care of
the most vulnerable in society, especially the elderly, Pope
Francis told members of the Italian bishops conference.
To optimize resources means to use them in an ethical
and responsible manner and not to penalize the most
fragile, he said Feb. 10. It is necessary to be vigilant,
especially when patients are elderly with a heavily
compromised health, if they are suffering from serious
and costly diseases for their care or are particularly
difficult, such as psychiatric patients, he continued. Pope
Francis spoke to the Charity and Health Commission of
the Italian Bishops Conference on the eve of the 25th
World Day of the Sick and the 20th anniversary of the
National Office for Pastoral Healthcare. (CNA)
Vatican meeting calls organ trafficking a crime
against humanity
After a conference on organ trafficking at the Vatican
Feb. 7-8, participants signed a statement agreeing
to unite in fighting the crime of organ trafficking
submitting 11 proposals for implementation by
healthcare and law enforcement professionals around
the world. The creation of the statement was one of the
main objectives of the Summit on Organ Trafficking
and Transplant Tourism organized by the Pontifical
Academy of Sciences. ...we the undersigned pledge
our commitment to combat these illicit and immoral
practices as a community of stakeholders fulfilling the
directive of Pope Francis to combat human trafficking
and organ trafficking in all their condemnable forms,
the statement, published Feb. 9, reads. (CNA)
could be problematic
WASHINGTON D.C., The archbishop
emeritus of Hong Kong expressed
serious concerns about a possible
agreement between the Vatican and
China on the appointing of bishops.
The agreement would essentially
allow the government to pick candidates
for bishops and put pressure on the Pope
to veto them.
Because how can you allow the
initiative of selection of bishops in
the hands of an atheistic government
and totalitarian government? I want it
to start from the Holy See, Cardinal
Joseph Zen said.
Cardinal Zen spoke to CNA of the
possible agreement between the Vatican
and the Chinese government on the
ordination of bishops there. The current
Archbishop of Hong Kong has expressed
hope that it will come about.
Currently, Cardinal Zen explained,
Cardinal Joseph Zen. FILE PHOTO
the Vatican approves certain names
of people as candidates and the Hong Kongs current archbishop, where Lei Shiyin, an excommunicated
government does pay attention to Cardinal John Tong Hon, has Chinese bishop forced his presence to
these names, approving some of them. defended the new proposal, noting the ordination and took part in it.
The Chinese government accepts this that the Chinese government must now The incident was a slap in the face
compromise instead of having more recognize the Pope as the supreme head of the Holy Father, Cardinal Zen said.
problems, he said. of the Church and insisting that the How can the government allow such
In the new proposal, however, final authority on appointing bishops things? Or even to order such thing? Its
episcopal candidates would be elected rests with the Pope. very unkind. Its a way to say we are still
by the clergy, with the Pope having the I would prefer the other way around, the masters.
final say of accepting or vetoing the Cardinal Zen insisted. The government The state has also meddled in the
candidates. has not shown promise that it would internal affairs of Catholic schools in
The problem, Cardinal Zen insisted, accommodate the Vaticans past Hong Kong, he said, which could prove
is that the government will inevitably concerns, but rather has proven that it especially detrimental in the future.
meddle in the clergys election. There wants control over the church in China. As church we have full freedom, he
is no real election in China, he said. Even after so much dialogue, he added, but we have suffered a heavy
The pressure would then be put on said of the government, still they were drawback, which is they have taken away
the Pope if he must repeatedly veto so unkind to the Church. He pointed our right of running education. They
government-appointed candidates. to the recent ordination of two bishops have changed the law. (CNA)
CBCP Monitor February 20 - March 5, 2017 Vol 21, No. 4 NEWS A3

3 reasons why the condom fix fails Samurai martyr beatified in Japan
TOKYO, Japan A 17th Takayama did not want to
TACLOBAN City In the light of has microscopic hole through which youngsters is a terrible practice, said century Catholic Samurai and fight against other Christians,
Education Secretary Leonor Briones the human immunodeficiency virus the prelate. martyr was beatified during and this led him to live a poor
objection to the distribution of condoms can permeate; and third, since the We cannot correct a mistake by a Mass in Osaka, Japan on life, because when a samurai
to high school students, church-based young generations of today easily making another mistake. Feb. 7. does not obey his chief, he
organization continuously oppose become curious with new discoveries, Cardinal Angelo Amato, loses everything he has,
the Department of Health (DOH)s this will drive them to try it, he Parental consent needed Prefect of the Vaticans Fr. Anton Witwer, a general
distribution of free condoms because speculated. Recently, Briones decided against Congregation for the Causes postulator of the Society of
of three reasons that show why it Fr. Raymund Sotto, spiritual director supporting the DOHs distribution of of Saints, presided over the Jesus, told CNA in 2014.
is not the solution to HIV and teen of FALA and St. Rafael the Archangel free condoms as a means to curb the Beatification Mass of Justo Ten years passed, and the
pregnancies. Parish priest, said, Giving condom increasing number of HIV/AIDS cases Takayama Ukon, who was chancellor became more fierce
Engr. Albert San Gabriel, coordinator to schools is not the solution to the among the youth. declared a martyr by Pope in his persecution against
of the Family and Life Apostolate (FALA) increasing issue on HIV and early Briones move came after the DepEd Francis in January last year. Christians. He eventually
and pastoral counselor of Sto. Nio pregnancy. legal teams analysis of the Supreme Takayama Ukon was born crucified 26 Catholics, and
Church in this city since 2004, disclosed The priest suggested the ABC Court ruling on the Reproductive in 1552 in Japan during the by 1614, Christianity in Japan
in an interview the danger of exposing method to counter the increasing HIV Law and President Rodrigo Dutertes time when Jesuit missionaries was completely banned.
senior high school students, who are cases as well as teen pregnancies. executive order on Reproductive were being introduced within The new boycott on
technically minors, to the use of condom. Educate the students on the ABC Health programs. the country. By the time Christianity forced Takayama
San Gabriel, who is also a member method, A-abstinence from sex outside Securing parental consent on issues Takayama was 12, his father to leave Japan in exile with
of Human Life International in the marriage, B=be faithful to one another like this was one factor that prompted had converted to Catholicism 300 other Catholics. They
Philippines cited three reasons for and C-conversion of heart to the value the DepEd to back off. and had his son baptized fled to the Philippines, but
his fear. of love and sacredness of sex as a gift We analyzed what our role is as Justo by the Jesuit Fr. not long after his arrival,
of God in marriage, explained Sotto. in this program because these Gaspare di Lella. Takayama died on February
ABC For Bataan Bishop Ruperto Santos, children are minors. Parental consent Takayamas position in 3, 1615.
First, they do not know how to use the distribution of condoms is hardly is needed in this issue, she said. Japanese society as daimyo In 2013, the Japanese
it correctly; second, according to (Dr. the solution to these youth issues. (Eileen Nazareno-Ballesteros/ (a feudal lord) allowed bishops conference
CM) Rolands latex study the condom Selling or giving condoms to the CBCPNews) him many benefits, such as submitted the lengthy 400-
owning grand estates and page application for the
raising vast armies. As a beatification of Takayama
More areas to adopt V-Day candy-giving Catholic, Takayama used his
power to support and protect
to the Congregation for
the Causes of Saints. On
the short-lived missionary Jan. 22, 2016, Takayamas
MANILA The annual expansion within Japan, advancement in the cause
candy-condom face-off wont influencing the conversion of for canonization was further
be limited to just the Dangwa thousands of Japanese. promulgated when Pope
flower market by next year as When a time of persecution Francis approved his decree
more areas vow to replicate set in within the country of martyrdom.
the pro-life initiative in their under the reign of Japans Since Takayama died
parishes and areas. chancellor Toyotomi in exile because of the
The replication of candy- Hideyoshi in 1587, many weaknesses caused by the
giving, its a good ripple newly-converted Catholics maltreatments he suffered
effect to bring back the real abandoned their beliefs. in his homeland, the process
essence of Valentines day, By the 1620s, most for beatification is that
said LoveLife Philippines missionaries were either of a martyr, Fr. Witwer
vice president for internal driven out of the country or explained.
affairs Paul Guimary, who into underground ministry. Takayamas life exemplifies
volunteered to distribute These missionary priests the Christian example of a
candy in Dangwa on Feb. 14. would have been of the same great fidelity to the Christian
After this years candy- era as those featured in the vocation, persevering despite
giving near the University recent movie Silence by all difficulties, Fr. Witwer
of Sto. Tomas in the director Martin Scorsese. continued.
Dangwa flower market, the Although the film is based As a Christian, as a
Archdiocese of San Fernando, on a fictional novel by the leader, as a cultural person,
Pampanga and a member of Japanese author Shusaku as a pioneer of adaptation,
the Light of Jesus community Endo, many of the events and Ukon is a role model and
in Puerto Princesa committed Pro-life volunteers from various organizations distributed candy packs with messages on true love and chastity on Valentines Day
people depicted in Silence there are many things
in the vicinity of the Dangwa Flower Market in Sampaloc, Manila, Feb. 14, 2017. PHOTO COURTESY OF RYAN BORJA CAPITULO
to bring the initiative to their are real. we can learn from him,
area. Instead of denying their Father Renzo De Luca, and
Guimary added: You can project head for this years and private individuals in San A join project of Prolife faith, Takayama and his father Argentinian Jesuit and the
see that theres really a good candy-giving, some 20 Pedro, Laguna also gave away Philippines, Filipinos for left their prestigious position director of the 26 Martyrs
effect and were sending volunteers gave away 15,000 candies in their areas. Life, LoveLife Philippines, in society and chose a life of Museum in Nagasaki, told
a good message that love candy packs to mostly young Its a breath of fresh air and YouthPinoy, the candy- poverty and exile. Although Vatican Radio.
triumphs. People would people buying flowers for to bring back the essence of giving project this year many of his friends tried to In this era of political
prefer celebrating the essence their special someone on the real love. Candy symbolizes mobilized volunteers from persuade Takayama to deny distrust, I think he will be
of Valentines which is love day of hearts. that love is sweet and that is Student Catholic Action Catholicism, he remained helpful for people other than
and not just about lust. The Aside from Dangwa, pro- what we should celebrate and UP Diliman chapter and strong in his beliefs. Christians. (CNA)
thing is, the impression on life volunteers from St. Pauls not lust, added Guimary, the Social Service Faith in
Valentines day is all sex, College Manila, Our Lady of who is also a member of the Action of Payatas, Quezon
motels but this time, no. the Rosary parish in Bicutan, Board of Trustees of Prolife City. (Nirvaana Ella How this couple has stayed married
According to AJ Perez, the Diocese of Pasig youth, Philippines. Delacruz/CBCPNews)
(and in love) for 75 years
Muslim refugee hails Pope Francis as the example of religion MADRID, Spain Eulogio
Martnez and Martina Abian
They got married a year
later. It was a really big
VATICAN Nur Essa, a Muslim Syrian are 100 and 95 years-old, day, as it is for all engaged
woman whose family was brought to respectively. couples in love that marry--
Rome from Lesbos by Pope Francis They were married Nov. 26, not like today, where people
last April, said that the openness he 1942, in Guadalajara, Spain, get married and then just
has shown to those of different faiths and they will soon celebrate change spouses, Martina
has deeply impressed her. their 75th anniversary. On the said.
For me, I was surprised, she occasion of World Marriage They had seven children.
told CNA. (He is) very open to all Day, which coincides with Eulogio joined the Civil
of the cultures, all of the religions, the feast of Saint Valentine, Guard, a police force in Spain,
and he sets an example for all the Marriage Encounter and because of his work and
the religious people in the world, movement gave them the promotions he had to move
because he uses religion to serve 2017 Lifetime of Love several times. I went with
the human being. award. him everywhere, Martina
Essa, 31, has met the Pope on several But in a world where told ABC.
occasions, most recently during the nuptial unions fall tragically After a lifetime together,
Popes visit Feb. 17th to Roma Tre apart--or increasingly fail they said they were sure
University, a public research university to happen in the first place- they couldnt live without
in Rome where she currently studies. -how did this couple stay each other, not because it
She was one of four students of the married, and happily at that? is a routine, or they are used
university to ask the Pope a question, In an interview with the to it, but because of love.
which he answered during his visit. Spanish ABC daily, Eulogio One of their children told
Essas question was about the and Martina both agreed that the newspaper that Martina
integration of immigrants in Italy: Pope Francis hosts a lunch with Syrian refugees at his residence in Vatican City, Aug. 11, 2016. LOSSERVATORE the key to success that keeps recently had a hip operation
ROMANO
what they must do to integrate into them together and in love and Eulogio could not wait to
their host country, but also what the service there. create opportunities for students to after 75 years is patience visit her at the hospital.
rights of the immigrant are. They went from Damascus to Turkey, meet together and to reflect on their and above all, loving each Even though they still have
Before this, Essa and her husband and then from Turkey to Greece, where Catholic faith and what it means other a lot. a lot of energy, Eulogio said
and their little boy met Pope Francis they stayed in a refugee camp for one for them in their own studies and in People dont put up with that he would prefer to go
when he brought them to Rome April month before they were fortunate being citizens in todays world and in anything, with the slightest before she does so she can
16th, 2016, along with two other Syrian enough to be chosen as one of the society. trouble, its over, Martina enjoy life and look for another
refugee families who had been staying families the Pope brought back to Its a very diverse campus, he said, lamented. In fact, she man. Martina laughed, but
in a camp on the Island of Lesbos. She Rome. with students of no faith or of different finds herself baffled at how insisted, Im dying with him,
said that the Pope greeted them and Pope Francis visited Roma Tre religions, including Muslim students. marriages can break up so theres no body else like him.
blessed her son. University at the request of the Dean I think its very interesting and quickly: We always discuss Marriage Encounter said
Essa also had an opportunity to of the university, who wanted to invite beautiful to be a chaplain inside of things, and why not? You that Eulogio and Martina
speak with him at length when they a public figure for the universitys 25th a state university, he said, because have to have patience. are proof that love can last
were invited to be guests at a lunch anniversary. it means creating dialogue, creating Eulogio recalled when they a lifetime.
Aug. 11th at the Vatican, which Essa According to Fr. John DOrazio, who collaboration. started going out together Its not a question of luck:
said was an honor. is a Catholic chaplain assigned to the Its almost like mission work, she was 18 and he was 23. I You have to want to love, to
Hes very, very modest, a very university by the Diocese of Rome, the because youre working in a place asked her if we could have a cultivate the relationship,
simple man, a very real human being, last pope to make a formal visit was St. where there are all kinds of different relationship and I realized to work through those
she said. John Paul II for the universitys 10th people, different backgrounds, that she had already been differences that any couple
Essa has both an undergraduate anniversary in 2002. different points of view. So its a good looking forward to it, he has. And also its that you can
degree and a masters in microbiology, The chaplaincy just finished place to create bridges, he said. laughed. learn to love well, they said
and is studying biology at Roma Tre. constructing its first Catholic chapel Pope Francis talks a lot about Yes, its true, I liked him in a statement.
She said that she and her husband for students nearby to the university, creating bridges and not walls. And a lot, Martina responded, The witness of these
are both from the city of Damascus something theyve been wanting to do I think that also the chaplaincy he was very handsome, very spouses stands out in Spain
in Syria and chose to flee the for a long time, Fr. DOrazio said. in a state university is all about formal, he captivated me. when, according to data
country because her husband had He said that although students creating bridges of dialogue and Hes 100 years old and look from the National Institute
been asked to join the military dont live on campus, they still try to collaboration. (CNA) at him! Couple ./ A7
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