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THE CROSS A3: NEWS A6: LOCAL NEWS B1: PASTORAL CONCERNS
A SUPPLEMENT PUBLICATION Filipinos throng St. John Paul II relic Put Bataan nuke plant to ‘eternal rest’ – bishop Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for the 2018
OF KCFAPI AND THE ORDER OF
Word Day of Prayer for Vocations
THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
A 71-YEAR-OLD
Australian nun has been
released by the Philippine
authorities after being
held for 22 hours.
Sr. Patricia Anne Fox, a
missionary of Our Lady of Sion,
was released at around 3:30pm on
April 17 and was brought back to
their convent in Quezon City.
She was arrested April 16 by
six operatives of the Bureau of
Immigration because she was
deemed an “undesirable alien” for
joining “political activities and anti-
government rallies”.
“Actually, I thought I was coming
only to answer questions,” Fox told
the media shortly after her release.
“I have been here for 27 years and
this happened only now.”
The nun was freed after it was
established that she holds a valid
missionary visa making her a
“properly documented alien”.
The BI said that Fox is not covered
by inquest proceedings as the latter
will only apply to aliens arrested
after being caught in flagrante
violating immigration laws.
But the missionary will still be
under investigation to determine if
deportation charges should be filed
against her.
Under the immigration law,
foreigners are barred from joining
mass actions or political activity
as the act amounts to violating the
Activity / A7 Sr. Patricia Anne Fox walks free from the Bureau of Immigration (BI) office in Manila where she was held for almost a day, April 17, 2018. ROY LAGARDE
EDITORIAL
Monitor
CBCP
Saints also Candidly Speaking
committed sins Fr. Roy Cimagala
PROTAGONIST OF TRUTH, PROMOTER OF PEACE
Pedro Quitorio
Editor-in-Chief THAT is one thing for sure. Never again, never allowing himself to get him after we fall. This is what we can
think that to be a saint, one has to be discouraged by his defects and sins, conclude from those very consoling
Nirva’ana E. Delacruz Ron Ramos spotlessly clean from beginning to end. always quick to go back to God asking parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin
Design Artist
Associate Editor We need to disabuse ourselves from for forgiveness and for more grace, and and the prodigal son.
this false idea of holiness. also fast to learn precious Pope Francis, in his latest Apostolic
Roy Lagarde Mercedita Juanite In fact, the opposite is quite true. To lessons from his mistakes and sins. Exhortation, Gaudete et exsultate,
News Editor Circulation Manager
be a saint, one has to be prepared to In fact, in a certain way, his defects, echoed the same truth. “Not everything
Christine Paguirigan Marcelita Dominguez be hounded by all sorts of temptations the temptations around, and the sins a saint says is completely faithful to
Managing Editor Comptroller and to be buffeted by all kinds of he may commit would constitute as a the Gospel,” he said. “Not everything
weaknesses. And yes, from time to strong urge to go back to God as quickly he or she does is authentic or perfect.
The CBCP Monitor is published fortnightly by the time, he might fall and commit even as possible. He does not allow them to What we need to contemplate is the
CBCP - Media Office with editorial and business offices
at 3rd Floor, CBCP Compound, 470 General Luna a grave sin. But he also knows how to separate him from his Father God. totality of their life, their entire journey
Street, Intramuros, Manila. Email Address: cbcpmonitor@ bounce back. And on the part of God, we can of growth in holiness, the reflection
areopaguscommunications.com, Business: (632) 404 - 1612.
ISSN 1908-2940. This is the real secret of becoming a be sure that he would be filled with of Jesus Christ that emerges when we
saint—his capacity to begin and begin tremendous joy when we come back to Candidly Speaking / A5
CBCP Monitor April 16 - 29, 2018 Vol. 22 No. 8 OPINION A5
Christ-centered Shepherds
Living Mission of God’s People By the Roadside
Fr. James H. Kroeger, MM
Fr. Eutiquio ‘Euly’ Belizar, Jr. SThD
POPE Francis, known as of my life? And, what is “Have always in mind for the love of Jesus Christ,
the “people’s pope,” has
entered the sixth year of
my relationship with Jesus
Christ?” [January 9, 2017].
the example of the Good
Shepherd, who came not to
never tire of being merciful!
Please!” Hurrah for
his pontificate (March 13, Expressed simply, every be served but to serve; to At the 2016 Chrism
2013-2018). He has often
spoken insightfully on
vocation must be anchored in
one’s friendship with Jesus.
seek and save that which
was lost” [April 17, 2016].
Mass, Francis noted: “As
priests, we are witnesses to
Sister Patricia!
priests and religious. In his Authentic Shepherding. “Every ordained minister is and ministers of the ever-
first apostolic exhortation, Pope Francis boldly states: called to follow the example increasing abundance of the
Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy “People love their priests; of the Good Shepherd, who Father’s mercy; we have the
of the Gospel), Francis invites they want and need their gave His life for His sheep” rewarding and consoling “Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted”
everyone to daily engagement shepherds! The faithful never [November 16, 2017]. task of incarnating mercy, (Mt 5:5).
with Jesus. “I invite all leave us without something Sharing People’s Lives. as Jesus did” [March 24,
Christians, everywhere, to do…. There is a good and For Pope Francis, the work of 2016]. In Evangelii PARI: Ngayong Year of Priests and Consecrated Persons,
at this very moment, to a healthy tiredness. It is the priests and religious does not Gaudium, Francis quotes kung makakita ka ng pari o relihiyoso, ano’ng gagawin mo?
renewed personal encounter exhaustion of the priest who consist of “purely mechanical Thomas Aquinas, asserting (Priest: Now that we are celebrating the Year of Priests and
with Jesus Christ…. I ask all wears the smell of the sheep, jobs, like running an office, that “mercy is the greatest of Consecrated Persons, what will you do if you meet a priest
of you to do this unfailingly but also smiles the smile building a parish hall…. For all virtues” and “it is proper to or religious person?)
each day. No one should of a father rejoicing in his us priests, what happens in God to have mercy” [EG 37]. Estudyante: Magmamano po ako, at magtatanong:
think that this invitation is children or grandchildren…. the lives of our people is not Hearts for the Poor. ‘Father/Sister. Saan po kayong detention center o jail
not meant for him or her” The smell of the sheep and like a news bulletin: we know Pope Francis challenges nanggaling o dadalhin?’ (Student: Father/Sister, I’ll pay
[EG 3]. the smile of a father!” [April our people, we sense what is his fellow priests and the my respects and ask: Which detention center or jail are you
Pope Francis continues: 2, 2015]. going on in their hearts. Our religious to examine their from or will be brought?)
“Each of us is very dear to Speaking of the “priest- own heart, sharing in their authenticity in living spiritual As I write an Australian nun named Sr. Patricia Fox, the
God, who loves us, chooses shepherd in his parish or suffering, feels ‘com-passion,’ poverty. Thus, in Evangelii Superior of a religious congregation named Notre Dame
us and calls us to serve…. in the mission entrusted to is exhausted, broken into a Gaudium, Francis has a major de Sion (Our Lady of Sion), after 27 years of missionary
We would do well each day him,” Francis noted that thousand pieces” [April 2, section on the inclusion of work among the Philippines’ indigenous peoples and
to pray … to grow more like this mission “brings him joy 2015]. the poor in the Church and lumad in relative anonimity, is being held in detention by
him who ‘no longer calls us whenever he is faithful to it, Pope Francis frequently society [EG 186-216]; he NBI and Bureau of Immigration agents. Curiously she is
servants but friends’ (Jn whenever he does all that reiterates: “I ask you in strongly reiterates his desire: being charged for “undesirable alien” activities. Her lawyer
15:15)” [May 29, 2016]. This he has to do and lets go of the name of Christ and the “I want a Church which is characterizes her arrest as a mis-labeling of her missionary
is a clear challenge for clergy everything that he has to let Church: never tire of being poor and for the poor” [EG work with and for poor minorities as “political” or even as
and religious: to be “close to go of, as long as he stands merciful” [April 21, 2013]. 198]. Our Church needs “partisan political activity”.
God in prayer and close to the firm amid the flock which the When he ordained thirteen priests and religious, living Governments usually find suspicious any priests’ or
people” [January 9, 2018]. Lord has entrusted to him: priests on May 11, 2014, a simple life-style, who are religious’ involvement in poor people’s struggle for justice,
Everyone must daily ask: Feed my sheep (cf. Jn 21:16- Francis said: “And here I Christ-centered shepherds of human dignity and human rights. Perhaps this is due, at
“Is Jesus Christ at the center 17)” [April 17, 2014]. want to pause to ask you: God’s holy people. least in part, to an intentional or unintentional ignorance
by politicians of the teaching of Vatican II and of the 1971
Gaudete et Exsultate! Synod of Bishops that the work for justice is constitutive
of the proclamation of the Gospel. If Sr. Patricia is being
Duc in Altum detained for her involvement in this type of activity, the
Atty. Aurora A. Santiago government is hard put to explain it as making her “an
undesirable alien”. Since when efforts by a Filipino or an
alien priest or religious to help our poor and indigenous
peoples achieve justice and a humanly dignified life an
undesirable action? In fact, isn’t this the whole end of
DATELINE: Los Angeles, California lives with love and by bearing witness Accept daily the path of the Gospel, even any and every political activity? Why would priests and
On March 19, 2018, the Feast of St. in everything we do, wherever we find though it may cause us problems: that religious, citizens or aliens, who prod government to do
Joseph, on the 6th of his Pontificate, the ourselves.” He also enjoined everyone is holiness.” what is basically its job, be considered enemies of the state
Holy Father, Pope Francis, signed his to be holy by loving and caring for the 4. Signs Of Holiness In Today’s World instead of its collaborators to whom it owes a huge debt of
latest Apostolic Exhortation “Gaudete et husband or wife. Be holy by working in – Pope Francis enumerated 5 great gratitude?
Exsultate” (Rejoice and Be Glad) with a his workplace with integrity and skill. expressions of love for God and neighbor This brings us to the unsaid but implicitly acknowledged
sub-title “On the Call to Holiness in the If a parent or grandparent, be holy which are “of particular importance bottomline: suppression/persecution of persons and
Contemporary World”. The object of patiently teaching the little ones how to in the light of certain dangers and aggrupations perceived as opposing or critical of the current
the exhortation is sanctity and vocation, follow Jesus. If a person in authority, be limitations present in today’s culture.” dispensation. Official statements from seats of power
the call to holiness for all baptized lay holy by working for the common good These are (1) Perseverance, patience almost always deny any political persecution by government
faithful. It is a call to become saints and renouncing personal gain. Holiness and meekness; (2) Joy and a sense of of elements of the opposition or of government’s critics.
by witnessing evangelical joy in the is an encounter between one’s weakness humor; (3) Boldness and passion; (4) On the other hand, acts of government’s agents, such as in
everyday life of a person. and the power of God’s grace. In community; (5) In constant prayer. the case of Sr Patricia and the EU socialist party delegate
This is the 3rd Apostolic Exhortation 2. Two Subtle Enemies Of Holiness 5. Spiritual Combat, Vigilance And whose entry was recently blocked at the airport, contradict
of the Pope since his papacy. The – Gnosticism and Pelagianism are two Discernment – Pope Francis cautioned such denials.
first, “Evangelii Gaudium” (Joy of the false forms of holiness. Gnosticism that Christian life is a constant battle. As Church we need to take seriously the words and actions
Gospel), was released on November fails to realize that without God and “We need strength and courage to issued from government and opposition sources with plenty
24, 2013, and was addressed to “the without flesh, it is incapable of touching withstand the temptations of the devil of discernment. This is not only to determine truth or
bishops, the clergy, consecrated persons Christ’s suffering flesh in others. Even and to proclaim the Gospel. This battle falsity but also to identify and seize opportunities to give
and the lay faithful” on the proclamation when someone’s life appears completely is sweet, for it allows us to rejoice witness to Jesus Christ while facing up to the challenges
of the Gospel in the world today. It wrecked, God is present there; we can each time the Lord triumphs in our confronting the Church in our country at this time. We need
touches, among others, the obligations and must try to find the Lord in every lives.” He further said that “the path to consolidate our spiritual resources and respond “with
of the Christians to the poor. The human life. Pelagianism trust only in of holiness is a source of peace and one heart and one mind”, that of the Risen Christ.
second, “Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of their own powers and feel superior to joy, given to us by the Spirit. How can In the likes of Sr Patricia we see the image of this Risen
Love), was released on March 19, 2016, others because they observe certain we know if something comes from the Christ again, with the wounds in his hands and side, but in
again addressed to “bishops, priests and rules or remain intransigently faithful Holy Spirit, not from the spirit of the “real flesh blood”, eating with us in our poverty, challenging
deacons, consecrated persons, Christian to a particular Catholic style. “They world or the devil? The only way is our Herods with the truth and proclaiming it with a love
married couples and all the lay faithful,” fail to realize that in this life human through discernment, which calls for that does not refuse to suffer for “the least of the brethren”.
and is focused on love in the family. weaknesses are not healed completely something more than intelligence or Her witness could certainly heighten the animosity of
As in the first two apostolic and once for all by grace. God commands common sense. The gift of discernment pro-administration trolls and support groups. But it could
exhortation, Pope Francis again focus you to do what you can and to ask for is all the more necessary today because also bring people of faith to a greater appreciation of their
on the clergy, the consecrated persons what you cannot, and indeed to pray to contemporary life proclaims so many baptismal commitment to proclaim Christ Jesus, especially
and the lay faithful; he calls them to him humbly.” distractions as equally valid and good.” now that it has become fashionable to badmouth his Church
holiness, which is not a prerogative of 3. In The Light of the Master – Let us, therefore, pray to the Holy and his Gospel by holders of the highest powers.
the few but a gift offered to all. Everyone “Nothing is more enlightening than Spirit to give us the strength, courage, Unlike the disciples on the way to Emmaus, may we
is called to sainthood, regardless of turning to Jesus’ Words and seeing the right discernment to inspire and recognize his presence as he walks among us and with us.
status in life. his way of teaching the truth. Jesus encourage one another to become holy. Hurrah for Sr Patricia because she is pointing him out to
explained with great simplicity what it us in the breaking of the bread that is his Body at the tables
Gaudete et Exsultate consists of means to be holy when he gave us the *** of our teeming rural and urban poor.
five chapters: Beatitudes. Pope Francis said: “What Happy 5th Wedding Anniversary
1. The Call to Holiness – Pope Francis must one do to be a good Christian?’, to my brother and sister-in-law Dr. Candidly Speaking / A4
declares that being holy “does not the answer is clear. We have to do what Andres and Jinky Santiago, and special
require being a bishop, a priest or a Jesus told us in the Sermon on the greetings to their sons Rome and Ella. grasp their overall meaning have their role to play.
religious or a life dedicated to prayer. Mount. The word “happy” or “blessed” Happy Birthday to my brother-in-law as a person.” (22) Let us remember that God
We are all called to be holy by living our thus becomes a synonym for “holy”. Roberto Imperial. On our part, we should try wants all men to be saved.
our best to be very faithful. But (cfr. 1 Tim 2,4) He created
it is also understood that our us for that purpose, to be
And That’s the Truth / A4
best efforts can sometimes fail like him and to be with him
the website creator. Fake faith, but also forward them claims repeated, no matter of disinformation is that it us. We can still commit errors for all eternity. And even
news creators are experts at without verification. Classic how ridiculous or illogical discredits others, presenting and even grave ones. But if we spoiled the original
making sensational headlines examples of these are fake they sound.” Remember them as enemies, to the point there’s always hope. God does design God had for us, he has
or “clickbaits”—for example, news that either praise or that law of propaganda of demonizing them and not abandon us. He is willing repaired so well that we can
“Pope endorses Trump”—to lambast political candidates, attributed to the Nazi Joseph fomenting conflict. Fake to go through the complicated say that we are better off this
attract readers “who want to dignitaries. and celebrities. Goebbels: “Repeat a lie often news is a sign of intolerant process of becoming man time after sin than before sin.
know the truth”. Lies are big What is called the “illusory enough and it becomes the and hypersensitive attitudes, and dying for us on the cross That’s because with our sin,
business, you see? truth effect” also plays a huge truth.” A piece of fake news and leads only to the spread and remaining with us for all God became man and gave us
Answer 2: Even part in the propagation of is a lie, so….? of arrogance and hatred. time in the Church and with a better deal of how to be with
supposedly intelligent and fake news. Recent research Answer 3: Yes, someone That is the end result of the sacraments just to bring him in spite of our tendency
educated people like some in psychology reveals that who spreads fake news in untruth.” us back to him. to go against him. Somehow
lawyers and doctors and exposure to fake stories social media, even with the If you’ve been dragged This truth of faith our dignity as children of
university professors believe leaves a subtle impression intention of “informing into participating in this should fill us with joy and God enjoys a greater status
may unwittingly become each time. Experiments everybody”, may be straying fake news thing, is there an confidence, and instead of since by becoming man God
purveyors of fake news. prove that each time we from The Truth because he/ easy fix to the problem? It is mainly worrying about how shares our nature so we can
People have a conscious receive a forwarded false she has become so anxious, correct to see it as a problem to avoid sin, we should be more intimately share with
desire for true information, story on Facebook, and then contemptuous, angry, and because one who is lost more interested in doing his divine nature.
but due to carelessness receive the same multiple emotionally fired up that he/ in the world of fake news what is good, what God wants It goes without saying that
or personal bias, they are times from more friends and she loses sight of what is good has a divided heart. There us to do and to accomplish we should not trivialize our
prone to consume—and friends of friends, the story and doesn’t bother anymore is a sure fix but it may not in this world. True sanctity tendency to sin. We should
spread—false information. grows more familiar and that to discern the data received be that easy: abstain from is not so much a matter of fight it as much as we can.
Messages may appeal to familiarity, according to the in the light of Christ’s social media and reconnect being too concerned about But that reality should not
people because they respond experts, casts the illusion teachings. (That’s what you with The Truth “I am the sin as of doing the will of undermine God’s will that
to their own desires or of truth: “The illusory truth get for squandering your truth…” (John 12:6) until God. Sanctity is more joy he is bent on saving us—of
prejudices, thus they not effect comes to play when hours on social media). Pope He makes you whole again. than worry, more action than course, with our cooperation
only accept such messages on we hear or read fake news Francis says “The tragedy And that’s the truth. caution, although the latter also.
A6 LOCAL NEWS April 16 - 29, 2018 Vol. 22 No. 8 CBCP Monitor
Militant groups call for government reform and continuation of peace talks during a
rally in Manila. FILE PHOTO
Tagum diocese gets new bishop POPE Francis has appointed a US- Aseo was born in Kapaong town, studies at the Center for Family
based Filipino priest as the new also in Davao del Norte. After Ministries (CEFAM) at the Loyola
bishop of the Diocese of Tagum in his minor and major seminary School of Theology of the Ateneo
Davao del Norte province on April 7. formations at St. Francis Xavier de Manila University.
Father Medel Aseo, 63, of the College Seminary, he studied Other posts he held include
clergy of the same diocese will be the theology at St. Francis Xavier diocesan director of the Apostolate
fourth bishop of Tagum, replacing Regional major seminary, both in for the Family, vicar forane and
retired Bishop Wilfredo Manlapaz, Davao City. member of the College of Consultors
who just turned 77 years old on the Immediately after his ordination from 1991-1996 and chaplain for
same day. in 1979, he served as parish vicar Filipino sailors in the archdiocese
The bishop-elect is currently on at the Santo Niño parish in Panabo of Liverpool, Great Britain from
mission at the Saint Mary Parish and, between 1980 and 1983, parish 2003 to 2006.
which is under the Greensburg diocese priest first in Manay and then Cateel He was also assigned as pastor of
in Pennsylvania, USA since 2017. in Davao Oriental. the St. Therese of the Child Jesus
In the meantime, the pope He then became vice-rector and Parish in Nabuturun, Compostela
named Manlapaz as the apostolic procurator at the Seminary College Valley in Davao (2006-2007);
administrator “sede vacante” of the of Tagum between 1983 and 1985 member of the Galilee Centre for
diocese until Aseo takes canonical and from 1986 to 1988, he was priests in Tagatay City (2008-2015);
possession. parish priest in Maragusan, in the and vice-administrator of the parish
The new bishop’s appointment Davao del Norte. of Saint Michael the Archangel in
came as he also marked his 39th Subsequently, between 1988 Tagum City (2016-2017). (Roy
Bishop-elect Medel Aseo of Tagum. PHOTO FROM SFC SOUTHEASTERN MINDANAO FACEBOOK PAGE priesthood anniversary on Saturday. and 1991, he did his postgraduate Lagarde/CBCPNews)
Confab on fake news set One more public veneration set for
St. John Paul II relic
IN response to Pope Francis’ • Ilsa Reyes, co-host of
message for the 52nd World Salitang Buhay, DZMM
Communications Day, the Teleradio, who will discuss
Daughters of Saint Paul and about “Fake News and Social
the Society of Saint Paul are Media Journalism”; and
inviting the public to a whole • John Nery, editor and FOLLOWING the huge who were not able to venerate
day symposium on the theme columnist of Philippine Daily turnout of devotees, the last weekend.”
“Fake News and the Pope: Inquirer, who will speak Manila Cathedral is planning More than 20,000 people
Informing=Forming.” about “The Pope and the to hold another public flocked to the cathedral,
The symposium will be Protectors of News” veneration of the blood relic of attended Masses, and venerated
held on May 5, 8:30 a.m. to Barrientos noted the St. John Paul II next month. the relic of the pope who visited
5:30 p.m. at the Daughters of extensive experience and A long queue of people was the Philippines twice.
St. Paul, 2650 FB. Harrison knowledge of the guest witnessed inside the cathedral In his February 1981 visit,
St., Pasay City. speakers to expound on the on April 7 and 8; and, to his first trip to the country,
“We are all aware how theme. “[The speakers’] ideas accommodate more devotees, John Paul II celebrated Mass
crucial the pope’s message and experiences will surely the relic will be exposed for at the Manila Cathedral. Two
is considering the prevalence liven up discussion and help veneration again on May 13. months later, he declared the
of conflicting messages and participants to come up with Cathedral’s rector Fr. Regie cathedral a minor basilica.
fake news that are being practical guidelines in line Malicdem said the veneration The rector said he was glad
disseminated in the media with the pope’s message on will mark the 37th anniversary at the orderly flow of the
at present. Today, anybody how to deal effectively with of the assassination attempt exposition and said people
can become a victim of the problem of fake news, against the pope, who was from different provinces have
fake news!” said Sr. Pinky and elevate the use of social shot in St. Peter’s Square in given generally good feedback
Barrientos, FSP, Daughters media as a forum for critical 1981, on the feast of Our Lady about the manner in which
of St. Paul Provincial and uplifting discourse, and of Fatima. the veneration was held.
Councilor on Apostolate, in most especially, as a platform “So the plan is to have a “The veneration was
the event invitation. for evangelization.” longer schedule for public orderly,” Malicdem said.
The congregation Interested parties may veneration,” he said. “We just “No untoward incident
invited the following visit the organizer’s World need to give chance to those happened.” (CBCPNews) A boy prays in front of the blood relic of St. John Paul II, April 7, 2018. CBCPNEWS
media practitioners and Communications Day 2018
communicators to give the Facebook page and the FB
talks: event.
• Fr. Norman Peña, To confirm attendance
SSP, Dean of Studies of and for other inquiries,
Saint Paul Seminary and participants may contact:
executive secretary of the Sr. Pinpin at tablantej@
Episcopal Commission on gmail.com, 0943- 5563-
Culture, who will speak 667 or Novice Almir at
about “Good News in Fake almir.bagabaldo@gmail.
News-Towards a Journalism com, 0977-0826-990.
of Peace”; (CBCPNews)