Monitor

CBCP

MAY 28 - JUNE 10, 2018 VOL. 22 NO. 11 CBCPMONITOR@AREOPAGUSCOMMUNICATIONS.COM

PROTAGONIST OF TRUTH, PROMOTER OF PEACE

UGNAYAN A3: NEWS A7: DIOCESAN NEWS B1: PASTORAL CONCERNS

THE NEWS SUPPLEMENT Message of Pope Francis for the Int’l Marian Youth
Taiwanese bishops discuss China deal, Bishop shares 3 elements of
OF COUPLES FOR CHRIST Vigil held in Italy on May 12, 2018
papal visit with Pope Francis a ‘peaceful life’

Bishop favors
impeach raps
against 8 justices
in Sereno ouster
A CATHOLIC bishop is
supporting plans to impeach the
magistrates who voted to oust
Chief Justice Maria Lourdes
Sereno.
Manila Auxiliary Bishop
Broderick Pabillo said the eight
justices who ruled in favor of
the quo warranto plea brought
by the government to invalidate
Sereno’s appointment “have
abused their power”.
“They have done something
unconstitutional, especially
those who should have inhibited
themselves,” said Pabillo, who
chairs the bishops’ Commission
on the Laity.

8 justices
Retired Chief Justice Hilario
Davide Jr. earlier said the
justices can be impeached for
violating the Constitution which
provides that the chief justice
may be removed from office
only through an impeachment
process.
He was referring to Associate Young people rendered a number during the launching of the National Youth Day (NYD) 2019 held at the International Eucharistic Congress Pavilion in Cebu City on May 26, 2018. Slated for April 23 to 28, more
Favors / A6 than 10,000 youth are expected to attend the NYD 2019 that will be held in Cebu for the first time since NYD was conceived in 1986. SAMMY NAVAJA

Archbishop Soc Cardinal Tagle

urges flock to resist
murders, vulgarity
By Roy Lagarde
A TOP Church offi-
cial has rallied the
people to resist and
stand up against
the ‘reign of mur-
der and vulgarity’ in
the Philippines.
Archbishop appeals to avoid ‘malicious Former PPCRV chief wants more vote
insinuations’ on priest’s murder
Priests lead a funeral procession carrying the coffin of Fr. Mark Ventura’s coffin in Tuguegarao City,
May 7, 2018. MARK SALUDES
A CATHOLIC Church official is
appealing for people to avoid
speculation surrounding the brutal
killing of Fr. Mark Anthony Ventura.
Archbishop Sergio Utleg of
Tuguegarao requested that
consideration be given to the impact
of such speculation may be directly
having on Ventura’s family and
friends.
Archbishop Socrates
Villegas of Lingayen-
Dagupan lamented that the
country has had enough
killings and statesmen have
gone scarce.
“Isn’t it too much? Will
we not stand up yet? If not
now, when?” said Villegas in
his message for the feast of
Mary Help of Christians on
buying convictions
As local authorities are
investigating the killing from all
angles, he urged the public to let
the evidence come to light and let
the probe take its course.
“We do not want to speculate
on what the reasons are for his
death. Neither do we want that the
investigation be muddled by the
May 24. “It would be naive But among the social ills
to hope things will improve that are ripping the country
without us lifting a finger.” apart, he said that the spate
According to him, the of killings and the vulgarity
country’s situation demand “incredibly” top the list.
both prayer and action to Today, he said, murder is
defend the Catholic values offered as a solution to the
from “anti-Christian forces” problems and vulgarity is
sowing death, fake news, glorified as a way of life.
corruption, and violating “It’s too much!” said
constitutional rights. Villegas, stressing out that
Borongan City residents cast their votes during the recent barangay elections. ALREN BERONIO
WITH vote buying continuing
to be a top election violation, an
erstwhile head of a Church-based
poll watchdog group is calling
on authorities to secure more
convictions.
Henrietta de Villa, former
chairperson of the Parish Pastoral
Council for Responsible Voting
(PPCRV), argued that too often
Appeals / A3 persons engaged in vote buying or
vulgarity and murder and
anti-Christian. “Think.
Pray. Let us act together.”
A former head of the
Catholic bishops’ leadership,
Villegas has consistently
been an vocal critic of the
government’s bloody war on
drugs that killed thousands
of people and mostly poor.
Flock / A7
selling don’t get convicted.
“Catching and convicting a big
fish for vote buying would be a
dramatic deterrent,” she said.
The group had earlier revealed
there has been a tremendous
increase in the incidence of vote
buying in the recent barangay and
youth council elections.
De Villa said it is “s o sad
PPCRV / A7
laments ‘crisis
of truth’
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle calls for prayers and
fasting against the “crisis of truth” the country is
facing today. ROY LAGARDE
CARDINAL Luis Antonio Tagle has
said the country is on the brink of
“crisis of truth” and warned that
among its casualties is the common
good.
In a letter to Manila’s parishes,
he lamented the continued spread
of fake news and the growing legal
debacle throughout the country.
Without citing a specific
issue, he said that legal experts
give the country “conflicting
interpretations” of basic questions
of law.
“The crisis of truth has sown
seeds of suspicion, mistrust and
fragmentation. Partisan politics has
turned into political ‘tribalization’.
The common good is one of the first
casualties,” said Tagle.
Saying that the country needs
“renewed outpouring of the Holy
Spirit,” he declared May 20 to 31
as days of prayer, fasting and action
“for truth and common good”.
At 3pm, he ordered the ringing
of church bells to commemorate
Jesus’ death and the praying of
the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy in
parish churches, chapels, convents,
schools, homes, and offices.
“We accompany our prayer with
fasting,” Tagle said. “Through
fasting we redirect our focus from
ourselves and our groups to the
community.”
For those who cannot engage
Laments / A7
A2 WORLD NEWS
Ireland votes to repeal abortion
ban, drawing disappointment
from pro-life groups
Save the 8th Rally, 2018. Courtesy of the Save the Eighth campaign.
DUBLIN, Ireland— Exit polls
released on Saturday morning
are projecting the repeal of the
abortion ban in Ireland, a decision
pro-life groups are calling tragic and
disappointing.
“The result of today’s referendum
is a profound tragedy for the Irish
people and the entire world,” said
Marjorie Dannenfelser, president
of the Susan B. Anthony List, in a
May 26 press release.
“While other Western nations
including the United States
acquiesced to the extreme abortion
lobby, Ireland has been a shining
beacon of hope for its strong
defense of unborn children and
their mothers,” Dannenfelser
continued, adding that “we are
filled with sorrow at this outcome.”
A statement from the Save the
8th campaign, a group which
fought against the legalization of
abortion in Ireland, called the vote
a “tragedy of historic proportions,”
but commended those who stood
up for the right to life, saying “we
are so proud of all those who stood
with us in this campaign.”
The campaign additionally noted
that they would continue fighting
for the right to life in Ireland, saying
that “every time an unborn child
After punishing Christian cake baker, Colo. civil rights board revised
DENVER, Colo.— A new
law will revise the Colorado
Civil Rights Commission,
after the commission
gained attention when its
decision in a free speech
case involving a Christian
cake baker was taken to
the U.S. Supreme Court.
Before the Colorado law
was changed, the governor
was allowed to appoint
all seven commission
members, with no more
than four being from the
governor’s own party.
The new law, signed
by Colorado Gov. John
Hickenlooper May
22, now limits the
governor to appointing
three Democrats,
three Republicans
and one unaffiliated as
commissioners. Four
members must be from
classes protected by law,
three members must be
considered workers, and
three members must be
serving as business owners.
The commission
will now be subject to
legislative audit as well.
The new law says that
if a commissioner has
been rejected by the state
senate, the governor
cannot re-appoint him or
her to the commission for
a period of two years, the
Denver Post reports.
The changes come
following a February vote
by Republicans on the
Colorado legislature’s
Joint Budget Committee
to withhold funding from
the commission until
legislative changes were
made. The commission
May 28 - June 10, 2018 Vol. 22 No. 11 CBCP Monitor
Vatican Briefing
Marriage proclaims ‘love is possible,’ pope says
Marriage is a sacrament not only for the bride and groom, but
for the entire Catholic Church, because it proclaims that “love is
possible,” Pope Francis said. “It is true there are difficulties, there
are problems with the children or with the couple themselves --
arguments, fights,” he said May 25 at morning Mass in the Domus
Sanctae Marthae. Seven couples celebrating their 25th or 50th
wedding anniversaries were among those present at the Mass.
But the witness of couples who continue in love, who overcome
the difficulties, he said, proclaims the beauty of God’s plan for
humanity. (Cindy Wooden/CNS)
Abortion doesn’t protect women’s human rights, Vatican official says
It is a contradiction to claim that promoting access to safe
abortions is somehow protecting the human rights of women
and girls, a Vatican representative said. “In fact, abortion denies
the unborn child his or her most basic right -- to life itself,” said
Archbishop Ivan Jurkovic, Vatican observer to U.N. agencies in
Geneva. Jurkovic spoke May 25 at the World Health Assembly, a
meeting of the member states of the World Health Organization
to set W.H.O. policies and programs. He was addressing one of
the agenda items of the May 21-26 meeting, specifically on the
global strategy for the health of women, children and adolescents.
(Carol Glatz/CNS)
Pope to police: A nation can’t survive without families teaching values
The world lacks tenderness today, but families can help bring it
back, Pope Francis said. “The family is the place of tenderness,” he
told thousands of Italian police officers and their family members
during an audience at the Vatican May 25. “This era is lacking in
tenderness; it’s necessary to recover it and the family can help with
has his or her life ended in Ireland, regard to the equal right to life of this now,” he said. The pope met with officials and staff of the Italian
we will oppose that, and make our the mother, guarantees in its laws police force working in Rome as well as officials from the department
voices known.” to respect, and, as far as practicable, of public safety’s medical assistance division. Among the huge
“Abortion was wrong yesterday. by its laws to defend and vindicate number of family members present, there were family members of
It remains wrong today. The that right.” officers killed in the line of duty or by acts of terrorism. Pope Francis
constitution has changed, but the Several Irish lawmakers thanked the police force for “the service it renders to the pope and
facts have not,” the statement had previously said that if the the church.” However, he used his speech to highlight the role and
continued. referendum successfully repealed importance of the family when it comes to creating good citizens and
Exit polls by the RTÉ are the eighth amendment, they handing down religious faith. (Carol Glatz/CNS)
projecting 69.4 percent of citizens would propose legislation allowing
voted against keeping the Eighth unlimited abortion up to three Everyone must have affordable health care, Vatican official says
Amendment in the Republic of months into pregnancy, and up Everyone should have access to essential health services and no
Ireland’s constitution, while 30.6 to six months into pregnancy in one should have to fall into poverty to obtain needed care, a Vatican
percent voted to keep it, according cases where there might be risk to a representative said. “For many poor communities, families and
to the BBC. mother’s physical or mental health. individuals, access to the much-needed health care services remains
80 percent of the votes have been Despite the high percentage of an unachieved objective,” said Archbishop Ivan Jurkovic, Vatican
counted, according to the New the population—78 percent—that observer to U.N. agencies in Geneva. “At the same time, hundreds
York Times, but official results are identifies as Catholic, polling was split of millions are pushed into extreme poverty because they have to
expected on Saturday evening. in the weeks leading up to the vote. pay for health services entirely from their own meager resources,”
On May 25, Ireland held a On March 9 the Irish bishops had he said. “Since everyone should have the possibility of benefiting
referendum on whether to repeal released a pastoral message on the from necessary health services without falling into poverty, the
the country’s Eighth Amendment, right to life, entitled “Two Lives, virtue of solidarity urges us to work toward this goal.” Jurkovic
which recognizes the equal right to One Love.” spoke May 23 at the World Health Assembly, a meeting of the
life of the mother and the unborn They warned that changing the member states of the World Health Organization to set W.H.O.
child. Under current law, the Irish Constitution would serve no policies and programs. (Carol Glatz/CNS)
practice of abortion in Ireland is purpose other than to withdraw the
illegal, unless the mother’s health right to life from some categories of Cameroon bishops alarmed by ‘blind, inhuman, monstrous violence’
is deemed to be endangered. unborn children. The situation in English-speaking regions of Cameroon is “marked
The Eighth Amendment was “To do so would radically change by blind, inhuman, monstrous violence and by a radicalization of
passed in Ireland in 1983, with the principle, for all unborn children positions that alarm us,” said the president of the Cameroon
upwards of 67 percent voter- and indeed for all of us, that the bishops’ conference. “Let us stop all forms of violence and let us
approval. It reads, in part: “The right to life is a fundamental human stop killing each other,” said Archbishop Samuel Kleda of Douala,
State acknowledges the right to right,” they said. (CNA/EWTN the president, in a statement May 16. “Let us save our country from
life of the unborn and, with due News) an unfounded and useless civil war.” Caritas Internationalis, in an
appeal launched May 15, reported that the conflict in Cameroon
“has forced 160,000 people out of their homes into the bush and
a further 26,000 to cross into Nigeria as they flee regions ‘stalked
reviews allegations of whether it be the holocaust, part” on grounds of by fear and death.’ Whether a person speaks English or French has
discrimination and makes whether it be—I mean, we “hostility to religion.” become a reason to kill.” (Cindy Wooden/CNS)
policy recommendations. ... can list hundreds of Kennedy appeared
Colorado’s Civil Rights situations where freedom critical of the commission, Pray for families, receive an indulgence, Vatican says
Commission was involved of religion has been used saying, “Tolerance is Catholics who participate in the World Meeting of Families in
in a case that is currently to justify discrimination. essential in a free society. Dublin in August or pray with their families during the Aug. 21-26
before the U.S. Supreme And to me it is one of the And tolerance is most event can receive a plenary indulgence, the Vatican announced.
Court. most despicable pieces meaningful when it’s “So that the faithful prepare spiritually to participate in the event
The case involves of rhetoric that people mutual… It seems to in the best way, His Holiness Pope Francis willingly concedes
baker Jack Phillips of can use—…to use their me that the state in its the gift of indulgences,” said the decree released May 22 by the
Masterpiece Cakes in religion to hurt others.” position here has been Vatican Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life. To receive the
the Denver suburb of The lawsuit was neither tolerant nor indulgence, it said, people must be “truly repentant and motivated
Lakewood. decided in favor of the respectful of Mr. Phillips’ by charity” and dedicate themselves “to the sanctification of the
In 2012, Phillips was plaintiffs in 2013, and a religious beliefs.” family, following the example of the holy family of Jesus, Mary
sued by a same-sex couple Colorado judge ordered At the same time, the and Joseph.” The conditions necessary for receiving a plenary
after he declined to make Phillips to receive anti- justice had wondered indulgence include having recently gone to confession, receiving
a wedding cake for them discrimination training whether a victory for the the Eucharist and offering prayers for the intentions of the pope.
on the grounds that and to serve same-sex plaintiff’s argument would Those who cannot travel to Dublin for the event in August still
doing so would violate his weddings or stop serving enable discrimination. can receive the indulgence, the decree said, “if, spiritually united
religious beliefs. Phillips weddings altogether. “It means that there’s with the faithful present in Dublin, they recite as a family the Our
had offered to create a He chose to stop serving basically an ability to Father, the creed and other devout prayers” for the good of families.
different cake for the weddings through his boycott gay marriages,” (Cindy Wooden/CNS)
couple. The couple was bakery, which he had said Kennedy, who is
able to obtain a rainbow- opened in 1993. considered a swing vote Pope: Church must go where people are indifferent, hostile to the faith
themed cake from a Phillips lost appeals at in the case. The most desolate places in the world in need of Christ are where
bakery near Phillips’ cake the state level, and the “If you prevail, could people are indifferent, even hostile to God and his love, Pope
shop. Colorado Supreme Court the bakery put a sign in its Francis said. The church’s mission is to bring the faith to the ends
Colorado law did not declined to take the case. window, ‘We do not make of the earth, he said, especially to these “extreme peripheries,”
recognize same-sex In June 2017, the U.S. cakes for gay weddings’?” and to use the many means possible, including social networks, he
unions as marriages at Supreme Court agreed Kennedy asked Solicitor said. The pope’s remarks came in his message for World Mission
the time. to hear the case, known General Noel J. Francisco. Sunday, which will be celebrated Oct. 21. This year’s message, titled
The couple took the case as Masterpiece Cakeshop “And you would not posit “Together with young people, let us bring the Gospel to all,” was
before the Colorado Civil v. Colorado Civil Rights that an affront to the gay dedicated to young people. (Carol Glatz/CNS)
Rights Commission, which Commission. community?”
ruled that by declining Attorneys for the baker Francisco, who backed Christians, Muslims need to cooperate, not compete, cardinal says
to make the cake, the have argued that forcing Phillips’ case, suggested A competitive attitude between Christians and Muslims fosters
baker had violated the Phillips to advance a that the baker could the belief that religions are a source of tension and violence, not
state’s anti-discrimination message about marriage say he does not make peace, said Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran. “It is important that we
law categorizing sexual that is contrary to his faith “custom-made wedding Christians and Muslims recall the religious and moral values that
orientation as a protected violates the Constitution’s cakes for gay weddings, we share, while acknowledging our differences,” said the cardinal,
class. protections for free but most cakes would president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue. “By
In the commission’s speech. not cross that threshold.” recognizing what we hold in common and by showing respect for
unanimous vote In oral arguments in While there are dignity our legitimate differences, we can more firmly establish a solid
against the baker, then- December 2017, U.S. interests at stake, foundation for peaceful relations, moving from competition and
Commissioner Diane Supreme Court Justice Francisco said, and he confrontation to an effective cooperation for the common good,”
Rice said: “Freedom of Anthony Kennedy had would not minimize he said in a message to Muslims. The annual message was for
religion and religion has asked whether the the same-sex couple’s Ramadan, which began May 16, and Eid al-Fitr, the feast marking
been used to justify all commission decision dignity interests, “there the end of the monthlong fast, which will be on or around June
kinds of discrimination could stand if at least one are dignity interests on 15 this year. The Vatican published the message May 18. (Carol
throughout history, member based his or her the other side here too.” Glatz/CNS)
whether it be slavery, decision “in significant (CNA/EWTN News)
CBCP Monitor May 28 - June 10, 2018 Vol. 22 No. 11 A3

Taiwanese bishops discuss China Pope to canonize Blesseds Paul VI,

Oscar Romero in Rome Oct. 14
deal, papal visit with Pope Francis
VATICAN— Pope Francis discussed
the state of the Church with Taiwan’s
bishops this week, while assuring
them that episcopal appointments
in China will remain the purview of
the Holy See.
A small group of seven Taiwanese
bishops met with Pope Francis
for their ad limina visit May 14.
During the visit, the Taiwanese
bishops invited Pope Francis to
visit the country on the occasion of
the National Eucharistic Congress,
scheduled to take place next March.
“The pope did not say yes or no,
but he smiled,” Archbishop Hung
Blesseds Paul VI and Oscar Romero to be canonized October 14. They are pictured in undated combination
Shan-chuan of Taipei told Catholic photos. CNS/FILES/OCTAVIO DURAN
News Agency.
A papal visit to Taiwan has already VATICAN— Pope Francis will Blessed Romero’s martyrdom;
been proposed. Taiwanese President Archbishop Hung Shan-Chuan of Taipei. BOHUMIL PETRIK/CNA declare Blesseds Oscar Romero, the Salvadoran archbishop was
Tsai Ing-wen officially forwarded Paul VI and four others saints Oct. beatified three months later in San
the pope an invitation to visit the October and November 2017, two “a possible diplomatic agreement 14 at the Vatican during the meeting Salvador.
country via Cardinal Peter Turkson, conferences in Rome and in Taipei between China and the Holy See... of the world Synod of Bishops, an The Salvadoran bishops’
who was in Taiwan in September celebrated the 75th anniversary of would mean breaking relations with institution Blessed Paul revived. conference and many Salvadorans
2017 for the International Congress their diplomatic relations. Taiwan.” The date was announced May had hoped Pope Francis would
of the Apostleship of the Sea. Speaking Oct. 5, 2017, Matthew “There is a strong interaction 19 during an “ordinary public preside over the canonization in San
Hung told CNA that Taiwan “is like Lee, Taiwan’s ambassador to the between Taiwan and the Holy See,” consistory,” a meeting of the Salvador, particularly because of the
a miniature of the universal Church. Holy See, stressed at one of these he added. pope, cardinals and promoters of difficulty and expense of traveling to
All the religious congregations are commemorations that “Taiwan The Holy See’s diplomatic sainthood causes that formally ends Rome. Others, however, argued that
in Taiwan, both male and female cares a lot about friendship with relations with China were the sainthood process. holding the ceremony at the Vatican
congregations. They have many the Holy See. Our ties are marked established in 1942, and the During the consistory, Cardinal makes it clear that Blessed Romero
activities, and the government by a tight and growing friendship Holy See moved its nunciature in Angelo Amato, prefect of the is a saint for the entire church, not
never interferes with their activities. that is reflected in humanitarian Taiwan during the Chinese Civil Congregation for Saints’ Causes, just for the church in El Salvador.
In addition, all the interreligious projects, in cultural exchanges, War, in 1949. The nunciature— formally petitioned the pope Salvadoran Cardinal Gregorio
relations are peaceful.” in educational and interreligious officially called the ‘nunciature “to enroll in due course among Rosa Chavez told TV2000, the
According to Archbishop Hung, dialogue.” to China’—has not been led by the saints” six candidates for Italian bishops’ television station,
the bishops’ meeting with Pope Archbishop Paul Richard a nuncio since Oct. 25, 1971, canonization “for the glory of God that he hoped Pope Francis would
Francis lasted about 1 hour, and Gallagher, the Holy See’s Secretary when the United Nations ceased and the good of the whole church.” make a brief trip to San Salvador in
bishops spoke with the pope for Relations with States, to recognize the Taipei-based Each of the candidates, the January to pray at the tomb of by-
primarily about family issues and underscored at the same meeting government as that of China. At cardinal told the pope, gave “a then St. Oscar Romero. The pope
vocations in Taiwan. that “the Holy See will keep on being that time, the Holy See transferred convinced and coherent witness will be in Central America for World
“The pope asked how many a Taiwan’s companion in the family its nuncio to Taipei and did not to the Lord Jesus. Their example Youth Day in Panama.
vocations there were in Taiwan, of people.” appoint a successor. Since then, continues to enlighten the church Blessed Paul VI, who was born
and we told him we had 12 vocations Despite these mutual declarations the mission in Taipei is headed and the world in accordance with Giovanni Battista Montini, was
in 7 dioceses, that are quite a few. of friendship, there has always only by a chargé d’affairs. the perspective of mercy that your pope from 1963 to 1978. He
The pope wanted to understand why been the concern that the Holy See Archbishop Hung also told CNA Holiness never ceases to indicate presided over the final sessions of
there were not so many vocations,” would drop diplomatic relations that “the pope is well informed,” and propose.” the Second Vatican Council and
Archbishop Hung said. with Taiwan if it gets a diplomatic about negotiations with China, and Briefly giving a biographical its initial implementation. He also
Taiwan might also be affected by agreement with China. China that the pope said to the Taiwanese sketch of the candidates, Cardinal wrote “Humanae Vitae,” a 1968
an eventual China – Holy See deal. regards Taiwan as rebel province, bishops that episcopal appointment Amato said that during El Salvador’s encyclical on married love, the 1975
The Holy See has long maintained not a sovereign nation. must stay in the Holy See’s hands. civil war, Archbishop Romero, apostolic exhortation “Evangelii
diplomatic ties with Taiwan. On Archbishop Hung noted that (Andrea Gagliarducci/CNA) “outraged at seeing the violence Nuntiandi” on evangelization and
against the weak and the killing of “Populorum Progressio,” a 1967
Parish turns garbage dump into mini zoo priests and catechists, felt the need
to assume an attitude of fortitude.
encyclical on social development
and the economy.
On March 24, 1980, he was killed Speaking in 2013 to a group
SHEEP, peacocks, native said. “Soon, someone
while celebrating the Mass.” of pilgrims from Brescia, Italy,
pigs, hamsters, chickens, donated monkeys;
Reviewing the facts of Blessed Pope Paul’s home diocese, Pope
lovebirds, and other another donated doves.”
Paul’s life, Cardinal Amato Francis said his predecessor had
animals thrive today in One of the monkeys was
highlighted how, as a high-level “experienced to the full the church’s
what used to be garbage donated by an individual
official in the Vatican Secretariat travail after the Second Vatican
dump inside a parish who could not afford to
of State during World War II, the Council: the lights, the hopes, the
church compound in give the animal optimal
future pope “organized charitable tensions. He loved the church and
Quezon City. care, Tuazon noted.
assistance and hospitality for those expended himself for her, holding
The area was first Today, the monkey is in
persecuted by Nazism and Fascism, nothing back.”
transformed from a good shape.
particularly the Jews.” And, beatifying Pope Paul in
rubbish dump into a “It also serves as a
Pope Francis then certified that 2014, Pope Francis noted that even
garden in 2017, shared Fr. rescue center,” he said.
he had solicited the opinion of the in the face of “a secularized and
Roland Tuazon, Santuario It started with 3 native
cardinals, who agreed that “these hostile society,” Pope Paul “could
De San Vicente De Paul pigs, the priest pointed
same blesseds should be proposed hold fast, with farsightedness and
parish priest. out. Now they have 23.
to the whole church as examples of wisdom—and at times alone—to the
“We started it last year,” One has promised to
Christian life and holiness.” helm of the barque of Peter while
he said. “It’s an effort of donate a pair of ostrich, In 2017, Santuario De San Vicente De Paul transformed a garbage dump
on its grounds into a mini-zoo that houses peacocks, sheep, monkeys, and Blessed Romero, the archbishop of never losing his joy and his trust in
the parish in response he said, noting that the lovebirds, among others. OLIVER SAMSON San Salvador, was assassinated one the Lord.”
to the challenge by Pope area can be developed
day after calling on the government Pope Francis referred to him as
Francis.” further. ornamental plants are encourages, supports,
to end its violation of the human “this great pope, this courageous
Known as the Laudato “My dream is to make also grown in the garden. and rewards families
rights of El Salvador’s people. Christian, this tireless apostle,”
Si Community Garden, it really economically Aside from the Laudato and communities that do
While Catholics inside and outside who demonstrated a “humble and
more animals were viable,” Tuazon said. Si Garden, the parish’s urban gardening.
El Salvador recognized him as a prophetic witness of love for Christ
brought in after they The garden and its fishpond is home to In 2016, the parish
martyr immediately, his sainthood and his church.”
put pigs to generate and “mini zoo” are open to several fishes and a launched urban gardening
cause was stalled for years as some The other men and women to be
provide the area with the public for free, assures number of ducks. contests, rewarding
church leaders debated whether canonized include: Father Francesco
organic fertilizer, Tuazon the priest. According to the priest, outstanding urban
he was killed for his faith or for his Spinelli of Italy, founder of the Sisters
recounted. “Everyone is welcome, if people are also welcome gardeners with prizes
politics. Adorers of the Blessed Sacrament;
“When people saw some he is interested,” Tuazon to fish in the pond for ranging from Php5,000
As Pope Francis told a group Father Vincenzo Romano, who
animals here, they started said. leisure. to Php20,000. (Oliver
of Salvadoran pilgrims in 2015, worked with the poor of Naples,
donating animals,” he Vegetables, herbs, and The parish also Samson/CBCPNews)
even after his death Blessed Italy, until his death in 1831; Mother
Romero “was defamed, slandered, Catherine Kasper, the German
Priest: Ireland’s vote on ‘right to life’ could affect Filipinos his memory tarnished, and his founder of the religious congregation,
martyrdom continued, including by the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ;
AS the people of Ireland decide regard to the equal right to life of missionary appealed to the Catholic his brothers in the priesthood and and Nazaria Ignacia March Mesa, the
today in a referendum whether to the mother, guarantees in its laws faithful “to stand firm in the faith in the episcopate.” Spanish founder of the Congregation
uphold or repeal a provision which to respect, and, as far as practicable, that we received five centuries ago In February 2015 Pope Francis of the Missionary Crusaders of the
gives equal rights to the life of by its laws to defend and vindicate for God has a plan for us for being signed the formal decree recognizing Church. (Cindy Wooden/CNS)
the mother and the unborn child, that right.” the Christian nation in Asia.”
a Filipino missionary in Ireland “Another point that is critical In connection to this, Ayuyao Appeals / A1
believes the decision will have a in this issue,” Ayuyao expounded, shared his experience as part of the
great impact on Filipinos and the “is that when abortion is legalized, Filipino community in Ireland. spreading unfounded rumors and Ventura and eight women.
Philippines. those who work in the health care “Filipinos make the Church in malicious insinuations,” Utleg said. But the archdiocese still vouched
“The issue is very serious for the sector will be obliged to perform Ireland more vibrant. They are very The archbishop said he trusts that on the Ventura’s integrity, even
reason that it will change not only abortions whenever they are active in their different parishes.” the police is doing its job “faithfully” describing him as “a dedicated
the Constitution of the Republic demanded.” “The Irish people are fond of in order to come out with solid priest, a zealous pastor, and
of Ireland but also what the Irish “Many nurses here in Ireland are them when they celebrate popular evidence, arrest the killers and missionary to the peripheries”.
people and other pro-life nations of Filipino descent with Catholic devotions here, like the Sto. Niño, determine the mastermind. “He was beloved by all who knew
represent,” said Fr. Leonard S. background, so, they will be bound Nuestra Señora de la Peñafrancia, “Obviously he had enemies. We him. He was an affectionate person,
Ayuyao, SSS, currently assigned to by law to assist in abortions even if San Miguel, and the Simbang Gabi, do not know who they are or why sympathetic, close and intimate to
the Blessed Sacrament Chapel in it is against their consciences,” the because they express their faith they had to kill him,” said Utleg. many people: rich and poor, men
Dublin, Ireland. priest disclosed. even when they are in a foreign “We hope and pray that the real and women, young and old,” Utleg
According to the priest, the He also noted the essentially land, which is not being done by truth will come out so that justice for added.
Irish people’s decision on the 8th “Catholic and family-oriented” the Irish Catholics nowadays,” he Fr. Mark will finally be served,” he said The 37-year-old priest was
Amendment of their Constitution values of the Irish and how the revealed. Utleg made the statement shot dead by still unidentified
can have repercussions for pro-life choice to legalize abortion will “Our countrymen there at home after President Rodrigo Duterte motorcycle-riding men just he was
Filipinos and their nation, sending “destroy their identity,” officially can be more prayerful and strive insinuated that illicit affairs may be blessing children after celebrating
it “a message.” making them a “secular country.” more to understand the Church’s behind the priest’s killing. Mass in Gattaran, Cagayan on April
teaching in faith and morals because In his speech before residents and 29.
‘Right to life’ More vibrant Church in Ireland people who promote the ‘pro- local officials of Tabongon, Cebu He was a known environmental
The 8th Amendment reads “The As the Church in the Philippines choice’ agenda are ignorant of the on Sunday, Duterte also showed a activist and advocate of tribal
State acknowledges the right to prepares to commemorate 500 truth,” Ayuyao added. (Fr. Mickey matrix titled “Possible Motive (Love people’s rights in Cagayan province.
life of the unborn and, with due years of evangelization, the Filipino Cardenas/CNS) Triangle” and has on it pictures of (CBCPNews)
A4 OPINION May 28 - June 10, 2018 Vol. 22 No. 11 CBCP Monitor

EDITORIAL

A prolife awakening for Catholic Ireland

WHAT happened in Ireland few days ago was unimaginable
two decades ago. In a May 25 referendum, voters decided
by a margin of 66.4 percent to 33.6 percent to remove the
right to life of the unborn from the constitution. It repealed
the Eight Amendment of the Irish Constitution that for ages
protected the unborn.
The turnout of the referendum stunned not a few. “Like
many others who advocated a NO vote in the referendum,
I am deeply saddened that we appear to have obliterated
the right to life of all unborn children from our constitution
and that his country is now on the brink of legislating for a
liberal abortion regime,” said Archbishop Eamon Martin of
the National Marian Shrine in Armagh, Northern Ireland.
In the public discourse leading to the referendum, abortion
was obviously framed as a human rights issue for women and
for prenatal humans. In social media and in public debates the
discussion was mostly converging on very secular perspectives.
Some observers easily noticed that the Catholic Church was
conspicuously absent in online discourse which meant to
some as reflective of the condition of the Church in the wake
of successive sexual abuse scandals by the Irish clergy.

ILLUSTRATION BY BLADIMER USI

At the aftermath, the Irish Church felt the need to be
missionary in its pastoral ministry. “The Irish Church after
the Referendum must renew its commitment to support life…
The Church is called to be pro-life, however not only in words
and statement and manifestations but to be pro-life in deeds,”
Archbishop Martin was quoted as saying, as he pointed out
that “reshaping the Church of tomorrow must be marked by
a radical discovery of its roots.”
The next World Meeting of Families will be held this
August 25-26 in Ireland. This obviously is an opportune Consequences of the Panaghoy
time to boost the Irish Church. “In August, we will united
as a family, to renew that sense of family when the World quo warranto decision Bp. Broderick Pabillo
Meeting of Families comes here. We have the privilege of Pope
Francis coming, and today I cannot think of his visit being
more timely; to come here and remind us of the importance
of May 11
of family, of the love we have of family, of the reality that,
yes, families get bruised sometimes, but they should never MUCH has been written on why the Quo such a decision: not even provided by law.
be broken,” said Bishop Brendan Leahy of Limerick, Ireland. Warranto Decision of the Supreme Court 1. It tells us that the justices of the 4. The Supreme Court is now seen
Perhaps, the abortion referendum will provoke Ireland to on May 11 was flawed. Legal luminaries, Supreme Court cannot be trusted in as a Duterte Court. It has lost its
a prolife awakening. former chief justices, numerous lawyer interpreting the Constitution. With independence from the executive
groups, church people, academic circles, convoluted arguments, they can bend branch. It can no longer put a check to
The battle in public opinion NGO leaders, politicians and many the interpretation according to their the whims of the one in power.
others have expressed and continue purposes. This case clearly bears this 5. The justices in the Supreme Court
IT used to be that the ‘war zone’ is quite far and remote from us. to express their indignation at the out. can easily become a barkadahan of
But now with the new technologies which have made the world blatant disregard for the Philippine 2. The decision to oust the Chief likeminded persons. Anyone with
smaller and more tightly interconnected, the ‘war zone’ has spread Constitutions and for the rules of law. Justice of the land sends a signal that a different view can be taken out
out quite widely and is now quite near to all us, irrespective of Of course, there are also defenders of nobody is safe in the country anymore. by themselves. Not only does the
where we are. And many times too close for comfort. the decision but their arguments are so If the Chief Justice herself cannot get Supreme Court as an institution lost its
It’s about the battle in the area of public opinion. If you flimsy. From now on, it could no longer justice, who else can? I do not say that independence. Each of the justices has
follow the American talk shows in YouTube, for example, be invoked that because a decision the Chief Justice is without fault. I lost his/her independence. Each has to
you will most likely have a good picture of how things are comes from the Supreme Court it has just ask that she be tried in the proper look over his/her shoulder if his/her
there—a lot of vicious exchanges interspersed with frivolous to be right. The High Court has made an forum – in the senate according to decisions and ways will sit well with the
commentaries that only show the kind of mentalities, cultures, enormous blunder, and it will take a lot impeachment rules where she can gang. Objective justice will not anymore
ideologies people have. of effort—and perhaps time—to redeem defend herself. be the main concern. Who can trust such
There’s a lot of slamming and bashing, nitpicking and fault- itself, if ever. 3. No appointed officials, even of a court?
finding, absolutizing what is relative, dogmatizing what simply But some are asking, does it really constitutional bodies such as the The quo warranto decision and how
are matters of personal or class preferences. Yes, a lot of matter that the decision was reached in ombudsman, the commissioner on audit it was arrived at have brought down the
useless noise. Rash judgments, suspicions, reckless comments this way? The process may be wrong, and the commissioner of the COMELEC, Supreme Court. People are protesting
are having a field day. The large networks cannot anymore but what consequences will it have in can be free from now on from undue because they know that it is also bringing
truly say that they are being objective and fair since they only our democratic life? pressure in doing their job. They have down our democracy. Dictatorial rule
cater to some segments of society who share their views. In From a non-lawyer’s point of view, to kowtow to those in power or else they is already upon us. Can we take this
other words, they have become subjective big-time. They here are some of the consequences of can be eased from their office by means without a whimper?
cannot be trusted anymore as purveyors of truth and justice,
and active agents of peace and the common good. When they
say, for example, that they are “Moving Truth Forward” or
Living Mission Being an authentic
that they are the “Most Trusted Name in the News” or that
they are “Objective and Balanced,” we can now readily say that Fr. James H. Kroeger, MM “missionary disciple”
we are actually being taken for a ride. Tell it to the Marines. Year of the Clergy and Consecrated Persons
What is now made very clear is that they are all carriers of
their own interests and agenda that are over and above what
they profess as their service toward the common good. IN Evangelii Gaudium, Pope evangelization of today’s we are always ‘missionary is the most concrete way of
The world of public opinion is in great need of redemption. Francis proposes a profound world…. All renewal in the disciples’” (120). serving Jesus.
And its savior can, of course, be only Christ who is the savior of missionary renewal of the Church must have mission Sensitivity to the fringes Addressing bishops,
everyone and of everything in this world. Without him, forget entire Church; certainly as its goal if it is not to fall and margins. From the priests, and religious in
it, we will never have a decent exchange of views in the world of the clergy and religious prey to a kind of ecclesial beginning of his ministry the Manila Cathedral on
public opinion. What we will have is the remaking of the Law of are central to this renewal. introversion” (27). as Bishop of Rome, Pope January 16, 2015, Francis
Talion—eye-for-an-eye, tooth-for-a-tooth kind of discussion. Of Francis asserts that we need A pivotal insight of Pope Francis has asserted that emphasized the challenge
course, there will always be those who would say that involving an “evangelizing Church Francis is that “we are all the authority of the clergy to serve the poor and needy,
Christ in this business of public opinion will destroy the very that comes out of herself,” missionary disciples” and consecrated persons “those living in the midst
character of public opinion and will defeat its purpose. not a Church that is “self- (119); through baptism, is always linked to service, of a society burdened by
We need to overcome that myth if we want to remain referential” and “lives within “all the members of the especially to the care and poverty and corruption,
human, let alone, Christian. Our public opinion need to reflect herself, of herself, for herself.” People of God have become protection of the poorest, tempted to give up.” Those
the dignity that we all have as persons and as children of “I dream of a ‘missionary missionary disciples” (120). weakest, the least important, in Church leadership face
God who are ruled by truth that will always be infused with option,’ that is, a missionary All Christians are “agents the most needy, those readily the “challenge of proclaiming
charity. For a truth and justice without charity would not be impulse capable of of evangelization…. Every forgotten, the marginalized, the radicalism of the Gospel
truth and justice at all. It is not true that putting Christ at transforming everything, so Christian is a missionary to and those on the fringes in a society which has grown
the center of our public discussion of issues would undermine that the Church’s customs, the extent that he or she has of society. In Argentina, comfortable with social
our earnest pursuit for what is truly fair and just in our life ways of doing things, times encountered the love of God Francis was known as the exclusion, polarization, and
in common. It is not true that putting Christ at the center of and schedules, language in Christ Jesus: we no longer “slum bishop” for his regular scandalous inequality”; they
our public discussion of issues would simply ask us to pray and structures can be say that we are ‘disciples’ and contact with the poor; he must remember that “the
and suffer and thereby adversely affect our pursuit for social suitably channeled for the ‘missionaries,’ but rather that believes that such service Living Mission / A5
progress and justice.
With Christ, there will always be prudence and tact, delicacy
and compassion, broad-mindedness and respect for opposite Our blessings and Candidly Speaking
views in our discussions and debates. Charity will always
prevail irrespective of how different our opinions may be. misfortunes Fr. Roy Cimagala

Monitor
CBCP
WE should have the proper attitude his creation. He has endowed us with have, etc.,-- these things should lead us
towards our blessings and misfortunes. intelligence and will and showered us to be most thankful to God and to keep
Given our condition, these are with his grace such that we truly become being close to him, always doing his will,
PROTAGONIST OF TRUTH, PROMOTER OF PEACE unavoidable items in our life and we his image and likeness, and adopted because away from him, we can only
just need to know how to handle them, children of his through Christ in the have problems.
Pedro Quitorio
so we can take advantage of them rather Holy Spirit. Even our misfortunes can be a source
Editor-in-Chief
than get spoiled by them. This basic truth about ourselves of blessing as long as we go through
Nirva’ana Delacruz Ron Ramos The basic attitude to have is, of course, should infuse us with a deep sense of them with God. Everything will always
Associate Editor Design Artist to count our blessings always, rather joy and confidence, in spite of whatever work out for the good, St. Paul reassured
than brood over our misfortunes. Our problem, difficulty, mistake and sin we us. (cfr Rom 8,28)
Roy Lagarde Mercedita Juanite blessings are obvious and countless, can commit. Let’s always remember the We have to be wary of a strong current
News Editor Circulation Manager
and we need to take account of them parable of the prodigal son. No matter trend in the world today where people
Christine Paguirigan Marcelita Dominguez especially as we go through the usual how much we abuse God’s goodness, tend to depend simply only on their
Managing Editor Comptroller challenges, trials and difficulties in our God will always welcome us back if we own resources instead of going to God.
life. We tend to take them for granted. decide to go back to him. Such attitude, no matter how brilliant,
The CBCP Monitor is published fortnightly by the Areopagus To be sure, God is always there for us. Besides, it would be good if we are talented and gifted a person is, cannot
Communications, Inc. with editorial and business offices at
Ground Flr., Holy Face of Jesus Center & Convent, 1111 He will never fail us. It’s rather us who constantly aware of the many good cope with all the challenges in life.
F. R. Hidalgo Street, Quiapo, Manila. Editorial: (632) 404 - can fail him and ourselves. things that we enjoy in life and that Sooner or later, he will be overcome by
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of God, and in fact, the masterpiece of breathe, the food we eat, the family we Candidly Speaking / A7
CBCP Monitor May 28 - June 10, 2018 Vol. 22 No. 11 OPINION A5

A lesson from Ireland

Life Matters By the Roadside
By Carlos Antonio P. Palad Fr. Eutiquio ‘Euly’ Belizar, Jr. SThD

ON May 25, the people of the Republic

of Ireland voted by a landslide (66.4%)
to remove their Constitution’s “Eighth
Amendment,” which for 35 years was a
strong defense against the liberalization
of abortion laws in the country. The
8th Amendment—technically known
as Article 40.3.3—reads as follows:
“The State acknowledges the right to
life of the unborn and, with due regard
to the equal right to life of the mother,
guarantees in its laws to respect, and, as
far as practicable, by its laws to defend
and vindicate that right.” In practice, it
was a constitutional ban on abortion,
and protected the right to life of unborn
babies in Ireland even as most of Europe
crushed this right in the name of various
secular ideologies.
This line of defense is now gone, and
as of this writing, the Irish government is
quickly moving forward with legislation
to permit unrestricted abortion in the
first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
The Eighth Amendment itself was
approved by the Irish people in a
referendum in 1983, with 66.9% voting
in favor. That was only 35 years or a
generation ago. What changed? From
being one of the most Catholic countries
in the world, Ireland became yet
another typically secularized European
country. The sexual abuse crisis in the
Church there (probably the worst in the
worldwide Church), the complacency
of the hierarchy, and the doctrinal and
moral confusion and lukewarmness
of many clergy and laity accelerated
the fall of Irish Catholicism. In 1984,
Mass attendance in Ireland stood at
87%; in 2011-2012 it stood between
30-35%, and most likely it has gotten
worse since. The Irish media was almost
entirely one-sided in favor of repealing
the amendment, and the Irish youth
voted way more than 80% to repeal it: a
troubling sign for the future. Vocations
are at a free fall, with only one diocesan
seminary left open (Maynooth) in the
Republic of Ireland itself and only seven
men starting their priestly formation
there in 2017. This is a far cry from the
days—well within living memory—when
Ireland sent thousands of missionary
priests all over the world. In our very
own Philippines, Irish missionaries—
Redemptorists, Columbans, Carmelites,
and others—served numerous parishes
and were indispensable to the continued
evangelization of our people in the 20th
century. Today, what was once the
motherland of missionaries is itself in
dire need of missionaries.
The grim lesson from all of these is
that we cannot afford to be complacent.
We should not look at Ireland and say,
“that won’t happen here, we Filipinos
love children too much!” I have been
active in the pro-life movement for
some time now, and I clearly remember
the complacency of many Catholics
in the face of what was then the
Reproductive Health (RH) Bill. I kept
hearing variations of “It won’t pass, this
is the Philippines!” and “Mama Mary
will protect us” when I warned some of
my fellow Catholic activists about the
grave danger that it will pass. And pass
it did. Long before the RH Bill passed,
however, the Filipino people were
already being desensitized to dangers
of contraception by the relentless
drumbeat of media and government
support for it.
At presen, many anti-life and anti-
family laws are pending in Congress:
will we Filipino Catholics continue to
be quiet and complacent? If we do,
then before long we may be legalizing
abortion and euthanasia too.
To the depths and back:
the priest who survived
a burning car crash
FR EDMEL R. is among the youngest priests of the Diocese
of Borongan. But after a near fatal accident he went through
last February 13, 2018, on the eve of Valentine’s Day, he
has shown a maturity not only of mind but also of faith
well beyond his years. He will be the first to object to this
characterization, I suppose; still, I do not believe I am the
only one who has noticed.
Returning from a priests’ assembly to a string of
scheduled acts, he was in a hurry to reach his assignment,
the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady Parish, Guiuan,
Eastern Samar, when he slipped into an unintended doze
while at the wheel, something that could have come from a
lack of sleep or fatigue or both. In the instant that he came
to, his car was swerving to the left lane and he instinctively
turned the wheel to the right. To his horror, he realized he
overdid his effort and before he could correct himself, he
found himself headed to an electric post and, even as he
was staring death in the face, he also found himself praying
loudly and especially calling on the Blessed Virgin’s name
for help. By this time his car had also burst into flames, but
for some reason he could not explain, he could not detach
himself from his seat belt and thus could not flee from the
vehicle. Mercifully, a man handed him a bolo which he would
use to cut the belt and break himself free from the burning

Without the Holy Spirit, car. He ran to the waiting company of sympathetic mothers,
daughters and curious onlookers till he was brought finally

we are nothing Duc in Altum to the local hospital.

DATELINE: San Diego,
California: In his latest
General Audience at St.
Peter’s Square, Pope
Francis reflected on the
Sacrament of Confirmation
which “confirms” the grace
of Baptism. He talked about
the importance of the Holy
Spirit in our everyday life.
He said “only the Spirit of
Christ can make us ‘salt
that gives taste’ and ‘light
that illuminates the world’
It is during Confirmation
that we are anointed with
Chrism, we are given the
great gift of the Holy Spirit,
so that we can bear witness
to Christ before the world.”
Chrism is the oil mixed
with perfume that has been
consecrated by the bishop
during Chrism Mass in
the morning of Maundy
Thursday.
Pope Francis catechized
that with Baptism, we are
reborn to new life while
with Confirmation we are
given the strength to go
forward as Christians. Thus,
“without the strength of
the Holy Spirit we can do
nothing: it is the Spirit that
gives us the strength to
move forward. It is God’s
great gift to us. It is in our
heart and in our soul, and it
guides us in life so that we
may become salt and light
of the world.”
The Pope further said that
“during Confirmation it is
Christ who fills us with his
Spirit and makes us sharers
of his own life and mission,
in accordance to God’s
saving plan. To be true
Christians, we must take
an active role in fulfilling
the Church’s mission in the
world.”
***
Most Rev. Pablo Virgilio
S. David, Bishop of
Kalookan, ordained two
(2) new priests in the
Diocese: Rev. Jay Arvin
De Leon and Rev. Rene
Richard Bernardo. In his
homily, Bishop David said
that kenosis is a lifetime
discipline; it is emptying
of oneself so that Jesus
will appear, talk and act
through us”. He stated that
to follow Jesus, one must
prepared to be in danger,
be denied and be crucified
like Him. Jesus said “you
are not my slave but my
friend. No love is greater
than be ready to offer one’s
life for his friend”.
A Deacon was also
ordained in the person
of Rev. Philippe Angelo
Garcia. It is by the grace of
God that two priests and
a deacon were ordained in
the Diocese of Kalookan
during the Year of the
Clergy and Consecrated
Atty. Aurora A. Santiago
Persons. It is the theme of
the 6th year in our 9 years
journey to Year 2021, the
500th year of Christianity
in the Philippines. It was
in March 1521 when the
First Mass was celebrated
in the Philippines and the
first sacrament of baptism
was held. Congratulations
Fr. Richard, Fr. Jay-Ar and
Rev. Angelo!
***
The item in CBCP News
caught my attention. It
says “Hagonoy’s 116th
priest-son celebrates
thanksgiving Mass.” Rev.
Fr. Niňo Jomel Halili De
Leon had his Thanksgiving
Mass in our parish church,
The National Shrine of St.
Anne. Fr. De Leon had his
secondary and priestly
religious formation at the
Immaculate Conception
Seminary (Minor) and the
Immaculate Conception
Major Seminary in
Guiguinto, Bulacan.
He stated in his homily
what a true servant of God
is: “Love must be expressed.
It’s not just about words.
It’s about imitating Jesus
with one’s actions. God’s
love is not choosy. He loves
everyone. The Holy Spirit
comes in his special way
to each of us because you
are preciously loved.” Fr.
De Leon is the latest to be
member of the Sacrament
of Holy Orders in Hagonoy,
together with Msgr. Sabino
Vengco, Jr.. Having been
born in Hagonoy, Bulacan,
I am very proud that despite
the scarcity of producing
priests, my hometown
continues to contribute
members of the priesthood.
Congratulations Fr. Niňo!
***
In a week’s time, two
bishops passed on: Bishop
Jose Oliveros of the Diocese
of Malolos and Bishop
Camilo Gregorio, Bishop
Emeritus of the Prelature
of Batanes. Eternal rest
grant unto them oh Lord,
and let perpetual light shine
upon them. May they rest in
peace, Amen.
Following the death of
Bishop Oliveros, Pope
Francis appointed Bishop
Honesto Ongtioco of the
Diocese of Cubao as the
Apostolic Administrator of
Malolos. His appointment
includes “all the faculties
and rights to exercise the
office of a diocesan bishop.”
The current bishop of
Batanes is Bishop Danilo
Ulep.
***
Happy Birthday to my
brother Benito Santiago Jr.
Happy 101st Birthday of my
mother Gloria Santiago in
Heaven.
Unknown to him, another priest, Fr Moses C., the
Moderator of their Team Ministry, was also on his way back
to the parish. Having been contacted by the bishop about
Fr Edmel’s accident and told to not hurry too much as help
had already come to Fr Edmel, still Fr Moses drove in the
direction of his brother priest. He never made it. On that
fateful, gloomy and rainy afternoon before Valentine’s Day, a
truck’s rear smacked and pounded his service vehicle killing
Fr Moses instantly. When he eventually heard of the tragedy,
Fr. Edmel confessed to feeling like his own heart was breaking
and bleeding for an older brother and a mentor.
Yet in the days and months that passed when he went
through the harrowing process of recovery, he became a some
kind of a local social media sensation updating fellow priests,
friends, relatives and classmates on his latest condition or
the latest procedure and treatment he was having, while also
asking for prayers and offering his own prayers for anyone in
need. As we have witnessed periodically through photos or
visits, he suffered very serious burns especially on the left side
of his body and legs, burns that, clearly even to onlookers,
must have been extremely painful at one point or another. In
all this he honestly has been sharing his hopes and doubts, his
desolations and consolations, his perplexities and humor. He
has opened some of us priests’ and lay people’s eyes not only
to the reality of suffering but also to the need to bravely move
on with life while embracing it. What matters is “following
Him” and rediscovering how suffering is a way to do just
that, even when life seems to have run out of “roads” or even
“legs” to walk on by.
Indeed the Year of the Clergy and Consecrated Persons has
been hardly uneventful for the Borongan Clergy. Nor has it
been uneventful for the Church all over the Philippines. The
recent killings of Fr Marcelito Paez of the Diocese of San Jose
and of Fr Mark Ventura of the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao are
jolting events. Both crimes are still unsolved and, although it
hardly came as a surprise, the president’s remarks linking Fr
Ventura’s death to his alleged affairs, not only added insult to
the injury weighing heavily on the memory of someone who
is no longer able to defend his good name; it further casts
into light the open hostility of the current administration
to whatever and whoever reminds him of the Catholic
Church. The trolls that tirelessly and unquestioningly
support him daily pound on the Church, on priests
By the Roadside / A7
Living Mission / A4
poor are at the center of the disease of those who live
Gospel, are at the heart of a double life.” Beware of
the Gospel; if we take away “the disease of gossiping,
the poor from the Gospel we grumbling and back-biting….

Whatever 0.38 seconds cannot understand the whole

Fr. Francis Ongkingco
THIS is how short it took a Rubik’s
Robot to solve the famous puzzle cube
invented by the Hungarian sculptor
and architecture teacher Ernő Rubik
back in the 1980s. This record unseats
the previous record of .637 seconds by
Albert Beer, a German engineer and
his robot Sub1 Reloaded.
According to the BBC, the inventors
believe that more efficient motors
could actually produce a faster result.
Sadly, it seems, they have lost the
interest to continue fine-tuning the
robot. There were also some “minor”
problems, such as damaging a number
of cubes during the tests.
When I try my hand at the cube, I end
up getting overcome by frustration. An
hour would be insufficient for me to
solve it. I would get envious seeing
many young boys dexterously flipping
the cube, their fingers like a spider
spinning a colorful web in a blur, and
within minutes complete the cube.
This attempt to efficiently solve
puzzles intrigued me to relate it to
how we face life’s many challenges.
It isn’t so much about simply solving
problems but more like going through
different activities at different
moments and intensities. During the
day, what counts isn’t so much the
speed or output of what we do, but
the love and sacrifice we put in them.
This doesn’t mean that we can forgo
a more structured and scheduled day.
We still need to put a lot of premium
on one of man’s most valuable
treasures in life: time. Neglecting the
efficient and productive use of our
time could enslave us to presumption
and laziness. I once read an interesting
reflection that helps to value time:
If you want to know the value of one
year, ask a student who failed a course.
If you want to know the value of one
month, ask a mother who gave birth
to a premature baby.
If you want to know the value of one
hour, ask lovers waiting to meet.
If you want to know the value of
one minute, ask the person who just
missed the bus.
If you want to know the value of
one second, ask the person who just
escaped death in a car accident.
And if you want to know the value
of one-hundredth of a second, ask the
athlete who won a silver medal in the
Olympics.
(Marc Levy, Et si c’était vrai...)
There is, however, another element
that must combine with time: the
intention behind everything we do.
This changes the gameplay of the day
because the good use of time isn’t
reduced to speed or an outcome, but
in the reason behind for doing things
which has to be love. Pope Francis lists other
No matter how efficient and
productive we may get in our work and
relationships, if we are spending them
out of self-love and gain, then we will
end up becoming sad and lonely. But if
we work, study, or play out of love for
God and others, then even the smallest
and most hidden human reality can
have eternal underpinnings.
message of Jesus Christ.”
Beware of clerical
diseases. Perhaps the most
pointed address of Pope
Francis to alert the clergy and
religious to some possible
“diseases” in their life and
ministry is found in his 2014
Christmas message to the
Roman Curia (December
22, 2014). Francis listed
fifteen items; some are noted
here. There is “the disease of
thinking we are ‘immortal,’
‘immune,’ or downright
‘indispensable’; … it is an
effect of the pathology of
power, from a superiority
complex.” “Another disease
is the ‘Martha complex,’
excessive busy-ness…. Jesus
called his disciples to ‘rest a
while’.”
possible diseases such as
“spiritual Alzheimer’s disease
[which] consists of losing
the memory of our personal
‘salvation history,’ our past
history with the Lord and
our ‘first love’.” One sees
“the disease of existential
schizophrenia; this is the
Brothers, let us be on our
guard against the terrorism
of gossip!”
Quality preaching is
essential. In particular,
Pope Francis has spoken to the
clergy in Evangelii Gaudium
about the homily and good
preaching (135-159). Francis
noted: “Preparation for
preaching is so important a
task that a prolonged time of
study, prayer, reflection and
pastoral creativity should be
devoted to it” (145). “What is
essential is that the preacher
be certain that God loves him,
that Jesus Christ has saved
him and that his love always
has the last word” (151).
Speaking to newly ordained
priests, Francis said: “May
your homilies not be boring;
may your homilies touch the
heart of the people because
they come from your heart,
because what you are telling
them is what you carry in
your heart.” (April 26, 2015).
“Let us ask the Virgin Mary …
to make us love the Church
as Christ, her Son and our
Lord, loves her” (December
22, 2014).
A6 LOCAL NEWS
Women invited to confab
on ‘feminine giftedness’
Participants at the first Jewels Conference in 2016 learned more about God’s special
design and plans for them as women. SVRTV
AIMING to gather thousands
of women to empower them
to see how “they are meant
to shine and bless the world,”
Shepherd’s Voice Radio & TV
Foundation, Inc. (SVRTV)
invites women of all ages
to the RADIANCE: Jewels
Conference 2018 on June 2,
2018 (Saturday) from 8:00
a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the SMX
Convention Center in Pasay
City, Manila.
“Women have to play
different roles all at the same
time. The Jewels Conference
will inspire them how to
manage these roles altogether
and allow them to see the
beauty of these roles the way
God designed it to be,” said
Ruby Jean Albino, marketing
director of SVRTV, in an
interview with CBCPNews.
Since Jewels is open
to women of all ages, the
conference’s content was
designed to be relevant to
young professionals but also
to grandmothers.
“In whatever season
women are in, they are
called to be a blessing to
others. That’s innate in them.
Tuition hike in Catholic
schools defended
AN official of the Catholic
Bishops’ Conference of the
Philippines responded to
critics blasting Catholics
schools over an increase in
tuition rates.
Bishop Roberto Mallari
of the CBCP Commission
on Catechesis and Catholic
Education said the
institutions did not want
to raise tuition but had to
ensure that the quality of the
schools wasn’t hurt.
“Private schools are forced
to increase tuition and other
fees to ensure effective
curriculum implementation
and maintain the quality of
student services in general,”
said Mallari.
The prelate also pointed
out that they need to keep in
step with the requirements
of the industry, including
the Department of Education
(DepEd).
“DepEd and other quality
assurance institutions
require a set of standards
that intend to promote
student achievement and
organizational effectiveness
in response to the demands of
ASEAN and the global work
community,” he said.
Mallari said Catholic
schools cannot just rely on
Favors / A1
Justices Teresita Leonardo-
de Castro, Diosdado Peralta,
Lucas Bersamin, Francis
Jardeleza, Samuel Martires,
Noel Tijam, Andres Reyes Jr.,
and Alexander Gesmundo.
Opposition lawmakers,
meanwhile, said they are
filing the impeachment
charges before May 30 or
before the 17th Congress ends
its second regular session.
‘Disgrace and ignominy’
Fr. Edwin Gariguez,
Jewels Conference is going
to be a venue for them to
be reminded of that again,”
added Albino.
According to a press
release, the event also
“seeks to empower women
in their personal journey of
balancing their roles, careers,
relationships, and dreams.”
A one-day event, the
conference will feature lay
preacher and international
speaker and author Bo
Sanchez, Rissa Singson-
Kawpeng of Kerygma
Magazine, Sr. Eppie Brasil
of Regina Rica, TV actresses
Dimples Romana and Ai Ai
De Las Alas, and worship
leader Veia Lim-Vinas.
Interested parties may
choose the kind of ticket
they want online at www.
jewelsconference.com or
at The Feast near them.
Freebies like a Jewels
journal plus reserved
seating area for premium
buyers (ticket priced at
Php1,400.00) await them.
Regular tickets are at
Php995. (Nirva’ana Ella
Delacruz / CBCPNews)
the assistance provided by
the government if they are to
meet the required standards.
“The support given by the
government to participating
schools help substantially
in increasing operational
vitality. However, given the
huge financial requirements
in safeguarding student
support services and teacher
and staff development, among
others, private schools often
effect minimal fee increases
to bridge finances,” he added.
According to him, the
tuition fee increase came
in consultation with the
parents. “They were made
to understand the principles
and objectives of such,” he
said.
On the other hand, the
bishop said that Catholic
schools will continue to
offer scholarships and other
subsidy initiatives to help
poor but deserving students.
“Private schools return
the cost of fees in terms
of keeping quality as an
imperative,” Mallari said.
The DepEd has earlier
approved the tuition fee
increase of 212 private
schools in Metro Manila
for school year 2018-2019.
(CBCPNews)
executive secretary of
the bishops’ National
Secretariat for Social
Action (Nassa), said the
justices who ousted Sereno
“no longer have honor and
credibility”.
“They brought disgrace
and ignominy to the judicial
system with their evident
partiality and subservience
to political patron in
Malacañang. They should
resign or be impeached,” he
said. (CBCPNews)
May 28 - June 10, 2018 Vol. 22 No. 11 CBCP Monitor
A woman venerates the pilgrim relic of St. Augustine at the Basilica Minore de Sto. Niño on May 26. The bone relic, under the custody of the Postulator General Fra. Dennis
Ruiz of the Order of Discalded Augustinians in Rome, arrived in Cebu City on May 20 and will be touring different parishes in the country until June 28. SAMMY NAVAJA
DOJ extends Sr. Fox’s deadline to leave PH
THE Department of Justice
(DOJ) granted a reprieve to
Sr. Patricia Fox, who has been
ordered to leave the country
for allegedly violating the
terms of her missionary visa.
DOJ Secretary Menardo
Guevarra asked the Bureau
of Immigration to comment
on Fox’s petition to review
her case in 10 days.
In his order that was
issued few hours after Fox’s
camp filed the petition,
Guevarra said that the nun
has until June 18 to leave the
Philippines.
The BI earlier said that that
71-year-old nun has until
May 25 to leave the country
or else she will be deported.
The bureau arrested Fox
on April and detained her Sr. Patricia Fox files a motion for reconsideration on the Bureau of Immigration’s order for her to leave the country on April 30. CBCPNEWS
overnight. An order for her
to leave the country was then Filipinos. clarified that Fox can still process.
issued for alleged participation “My wish is to be able to visit the country, provided “It is injustice to order Sr.
in political activities. continue my mission work she apply for a tourist visa. Pat’s deportation with no
Fox, who spent the last together with the poor and Sr. Mary John Mananzan clear outline of what she has
27 years in the Philippines, I hope this will be the result of the Movement Against done against the interests
said she wants to remain in of my petition,” she told Tyranny said that to deprive of the Philippines and the
the country and continue
her ministry for the poor
reporters.
The Immigration bureau
Fox of a review is a violation
of her right right to due
Filipino people,” Mananzan
said. (CBCPNews)
Youth urged: ‘Take pride in your faith’
SPEAKING to some 200 delegates
coming different vicariates and parishes
across the diocese of Malolos, who
flocked to the vicariate of Sta. Maria
for the “DID (Days In the Diocese),” a
priest urged young people to take pride
in being Catholic.
“Remain a ‘Kabataang Katolikong
Bulakenyo’ who takes pride of our faith,”
said Malolos Diocesan Commission on
Youth (DYC) chairman Fr. Gener Garcia.
“You are the next servant leaders of the
Church, let us preserve and foster it.”
He urged the diocesan youth to utilize
activities like the DID “to keep them
aware about the rich culture of the
diocese and the splendor of the Catholic
faith.”
Malolos youth gather for learning and fellowship during the “Days In the Diocese” in the vicariate of Sta. Maria from
According to Angelo Caburnay, May 18 to 20, 2018. PHOTO COURTESY OF RAINIER POLICARPIO
diocesan youth coordinator, the said
youth event also aims to strengthen the DID was only launched last year, offered in honor of the Blessed Virgin
relationship between potential youth with the Vicariate of Hagonoy being during Sta. Maria’s town feast. The
leaders and the Church as well as to its first host. This program aims to young leaders participated in the
enhance fraternal charity among the orient the participants about the traditional offering of flowers to Mary
future Church leaders. “Through D.I.D., structure of the DYC through activities before a concelebrated Mass presided
the delegates will also learn about the and programs like cultural immersion over by Iba Bishop-elect Bartolome
practices and traditions of the parishes in the local community, Eucharistic Santos, a native of Sta. Maria.
in the host vicariate,” said Caburnay. celebrations, and simultaneous The three-day event was held in
“This is also one of our ways in reaching workshops geared to raise socio-civic Norzagaray, Pandi and Sta. Maria, the
out and helping those parishes with awareness. three towns covered by the host vicariate,
inactive youth commissions.” Community bands also performed the from May 18 to 20. (Myraine Joly
Raising socioc-civic awareness “Serenata,” a traditional presentation Carluen-Policarpio / CBCPNews)
SALAKYAG PARA SA SANGNILIKHA 2018 in Zamboanga City. Pushing for the passage of the Rights of Nature Bill, Philippine Misereor of Partnership, Inc. (PMPI) and
NASSA/Caritas Philippines kick off the caravan with a press conference held at Silsilah Center May 28. Panelists are, from left, Fr. Marciano Villagracia, media director
of the archdiocese of Zamboanga ; Bonifacio Laborada, SOS Vitali; ;lawyer Cesar Jimenez, city councilor and chairman on environment and ordinance; Fr. Sebastiano
D’ambra, Silsilah Movement; Yolanda Esguerra, national coordinator, PMPI; and Fr. Edwin Gariguez, executive secretary, NASSA/Caritas Philippines.
CBCP Monitor May 28 - June 10, 2018 Vol. 22 No. 11
Bishop shares 3 elements of
a ‘peaceful life’
Bishop Isabelo C. Abarquez with the newly-ordained deacons from his diocese on May 3, 2018: Rev. Ronee Christi Obong, Rev. Jun Mark Guillemer, and Rev. Jonathan Alamin.
REV. ALAMIN’S FB ACCOUNT
CALBAYOG CITY, Samar— A Catholic
bishop in this diocese has exhorted his
flock to refrain from worrying a lot, and
to instead observe three elements to a
peaceful life.
Speaking to more than a thousand
people, Calbayog Bishop Isabelo C.
Abarquez highly encouraged this year’s
participants of Pentecost Vigil 2018,
comprising members of different church
organizations of Calbayog and nearby
parishes, to have the “silence of the
mind, the simplicity of the heart, and
the serenity of the soul.”
The prelate also reminded the faithful
that “by worrying a lot, we become a
nation of worries.”
Re-experiencing peace and joy
Meanwhile, Reverend Jonathan B.
Alamin, one of the invited speakers,
stressed the active role God plays in
everyday life. He said: “Everything in
Faithful reminded: Imitate your
intercessor saints
OBANDO, Bulacan— A newly-
ordained bishop reminds the
faithful that when asking for
the intercession of the saints,
they must be ready to follow
their examples first.
“Before we say our
intentions, before we call to
our patron saints, we must
first imitate them,” said
Iba bishop-elect Bartolome
Santos, Jr. during his homily
at the San Pascual Baylon
Parish in Obando, Bulacan
on May 18, on the second day
of the annual Fertility Dance
Festival.
“I assure you: if we emulate
the life of our patron saints…
our prayers will be answered
at once.” he said.
Remembering the poor
Santos emphasized the life
of St. Clare of Assisi, the saint
honored commemorated on
the second day of the three-
day festival. He explained
that everyone must do their
best to follow the example of
Flock / A1
Human rights advocates labeled
the deaths “extrajudicial killings” and
accused President Rodrigo Duterte,
who is known for his tough language,
of emboldening killers.
Nearly two years of the Duterte
administration, police have killed more
than 4, 200 people they say are drug
dealers who resisted arrest.
The government also reported that it is
investigating around 16, 355 “homicide
cases” that may be drug-related.
Human rights groups said the figure
PPCRV / A1
and hateful” that many
politicians are neck-deep in
the practice of vote buying.
“Instead of decreasing,
it even increased,” she
said, noting the need
for intensified voters’
education.
De Villa also lamented
DIOCESAN NEWS A7
What was Bishop Oliveros
last message to the youth?
The late Malolos Bishop Jose Oliveros. PHOTO COURTESY OF CELINE PAOLA ABACAN
STA MARIA, Bulacan— Church because ‘You, my
At the culmination of the beloved young servant
recently concluded “Days In leaders are also the hope of
the Diocese” (DID) here, a our Church,” he said.
message written by the late The bishop also lauded
Malolos bishop Jose Oliveros the relevance of the event’s
a day before he died was read theme for the year.
to the delegates. He said: “Your theme
“I wish to extend my heart- ‘#praying… #serving…
felt greetings to our youth #witnessing’ is indeed
who participated in our a suiting challenge of the
our lives is God’s initiative.” He added that with this great gift, “all yearly ‘Days In the Diocese’. Church to every youth to be
One of the newly-ordained deacons of baptized have experienced what Mary, This is one special occasion an active part of the body
Calbayog diocese, Alamin said, “Looking the apostles and disciples experienced where our young people are of Christ who is deepening
back on my own journey, where I am during the descent of the Holy Spirit”, still responding to God’s call one’s prayer life, acting in
now is not my personal achievement, which happened 50 days after Jesus’ despite the many comforts of every appeal to serve, and
my effort nor success.” resurrection. living and the temptations of developing his mind and
“It is the Holy Spirit that has been our present times,” reads the inner self to become a witness
filling me with his graces, guiding me Best place to encounter God message. of the Gospel of salvation.”
on my path,” shared Alamin, who said Celebrated annually, this year’s The cancer-stricken prelate Oliveros then assured
his sense of peace and joy upon entering Pentecost vigil was hosted by the Light emphasized the great role of the youth of his “relentless
the seminary is the same as on the day of Jesus Calbayog chapter, with the the youth, calling them the support and prayers,” giving
of his ordination on May 3. theme “The Holy Spirit: Renewing hope of both the nation and them his blessing.
“One of the things I have learned in my Servants of Evangelization.” the Church. During his term, Oliveros
personal journey is the truth that one’s Before the holy Mass, several activities “There is a continuing had always reserved a special
vocation is both a gift and a mystery, were held like the singing of Salve Regina, call, and may you remain place in his heart for the
and that it is something divine,” Alamin Bible enthronement, praise and worship, responding, my dear youth. youth, having been an active
continued. testimonies, and prayers of supplication There is a saying that you are supporter of youth programs
from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. of May 19. the hope of the nation. These and activities. (Myraine
Great gift Guest and parish priests concelebrated words are also applicable Joly Carluen-Policarpio/
Abarquez also reminded the faithful the Mass with Abarquez, who ended his and existing in our Mother CBCPNews)
that the “Sacraments of Baptism, homily with “[The] heart is the best
especially Confirmation, are like place to encounter God.” (By Carl Laments / A1
Pentecost on our part.” Bordeos/CBCPNews)
in fasting due to sickness love” over the 12-day period.
or age, the archdiocese has These include, he said,
recommended concrete activities that promote
actions of charity and service. charity and reconciliation
The cardinal also and even the holding forums
encouraged parishes, on the Constitution, Charter
convents and schools to change, and federalism.
organize “feasts of truth and (CBCPNews)
her beauty to any man…
Candidly Speaking / A4
Instead, she offered it to the
Lord, who gave it to her in When we count our their lives, or just taking
the first place,” the prelate blessings, we unavoidably him for granted. There is so
added. are led to God who is the much secularism around, so
source of all good things. In much paganism, where the
Honoring of 3 saints this, St. James in his letter basic equality of men where
Furthermore, Santos said told us very clearly. “Every everyone loves one another is
the Lord “will always listen” good and perfect gift is from forgotten and is replaced by
to the prayers of those who above, coming down from the law of the jungle where
follow the footsteps of the the Father of the heavenly the strong and fortunate can
saints. lights…” (1,17) easily take advantage of the
“That’s why it is not Nowadays, I see many weak and the unlucky.
surprising why when we pray people, even many young It would be good if from
to God through St. Claire’s ones, already looking sad and time to time we pause and
intercession, they will be depressed because they are take account of the many
answered. Why not, now that more aware of their problems good things God has given
she’s with the Lord?” he said. and difficulties rather than us. It would lead us to realize
The Obando Fertility Dance the many blessings they have. what is really important in
Festival, celebrated every Some have even gone to life, and to avoid getting
Iba Bishop-elect Bartolome Santos delivers a homily during the second day of the
Obando Fertility Dance Festival, May 18, 2018. PHOTO COURTESY OF GETHSEMANI CINDY GOROSPE May 17 to 19, is a religious the extent of knowing only entangled and lost in the
celebration where childless the bad things in life, and drama of life.
St. Clare, who gave up her a Perhaps we have talents as couples dance in prayer to nothing of the good things. Remember that we are
lavish lifestyle in exchange well. Do not forget about beg for the intercession of the I guess such phenomenon meant to be always happy
for serving the poor. the poor. Let us do what town’s triumvirate saints: St. is due in large part to the and calm even in the midst
“When we ask for the St. Clare did. Or maybe, we Paschal Baylon, St. Claire of trend of ignoring God in of our misfortunes.
intercession of St. Clare, let have physical beauty, or even Assisi, and Our Lady of the
us also look into ourselves,” kindness; let us lift them up Immaculate Conception of By the Roadside / A5
said the bishop. “Perhaps to the Lord.” Salambao. (Luke Godoy/
we have treasures as well. “[St. Clare] did not offer CBCPNews) and religious like they are the Savior’s acts through
either womanizers or child his crucifixion is the same
molesters or troublesome Spirit that pervades them
missionary foreigners. It too even in the pains they go
could be higher because the year end data person, this after Duterte insinuated
seems anyone who resists through, just as he himself
only covered from July 2016, when Duterte that Fr. Mark Ventura was killed because
the evils of extra-judicial stayed on with the Savior till
came to power, to September 2017. of his alleged illicit affairs.
killings and human rights he gave up that same Spirit
Activists said many of those were “Now, vulgarity has taken another
abuses as well as oppose at death. Today we must pray
executions, which the government has twist—to mock the memory of the
certain government policies earnestly that he guide us in
repeatedly denied. murdered; to calumniate a faithful
on moral-religious grounds, our sufferings, strengthen
If they were not killed by police, departed who cannot defend himself;
which often includes priests our faith into charity, and
Villegas lamented that authorities to gossip about the dead; to add
and religious, becomes fair turn our darkness into day.
“have been incredibly yet systematically inconsiderate sorrow to the grief of
game for vilification or, worse, When I saw Fr Edmel at a
unable to trace the killers and bring the those they have left behind,” he said.
assassination. The Year of hospital I joked, seriously,
wheels of justice to roll.” Is murder to be excused due to the
the Clergy and Religious is, saying, “You are suffering
The archbishop also criticized the unproven immorality of the killed?
without a doubt, our window because of our sins.” To that
mocking of the memory of a dead Enough!” added Villegas.
to how our government, and he smiled.
world governments for that Today I would say to the Frs
matter, could be instruments Edmel out there: Remember
that among those who “[The] barangay being The Philippine Drug leading to the way of the the prophet Elijah when he
won in the elections are [a] small unit but basic Enforcement Agency said Cross, instead of Easter. went to Mt Horeb to meet
individuals included in the form of governance, voters 60 barangay officials This is why the likes of Fr the Lord. Scripture says
government’s narco-list. in the community should who won fresh mandates Edmel and other priests and Elijah encountered the wind,
“It’s a sad commentary know who are involved in in last week’s polls are religious, both young sand earthquake and fire there
on the voters’ conscience— prohibited drugs and how among the 207 village old, who go through the but that the Lord was not
lacking in conscience,” evil this is and [its] effect officials tagged in the depths of human suffering in them. He was in the “qol
said the country’s former on people, especially to the government’s narco-list. are an important lamppost. demamah daqah” or literally
ambassador to the Vatican. youth,” she added. (CBCPNews) The Spirit that pervaded “the sound of silence”.
A8 PEOPLE, FACTS, AND PLACES May 28 - June 10, 2018 Vol. 22 No. 11 CBCP Monitor

Galbines ordained,
installed as bishop
of Kabankalan
Bishop Louie Galbines of Kabankalan is greeted by crowd after his episcopal ordination
at the San Sebastian Cathedral in Bacolod City on May 28. PHOTO FROM BACOLOD PNP
FACEBOOK PAGE
THE Diocese of Kabankalan
has a new shepherd to lead
its flock.
Bishop Louie Galbines
was officially installed as the
diocese’s third bishop during
a ceremony presided over
by his predecessor, Bishop
Patricio Bauzon of Bacolod
his episcopal ordination
led by Cardinal Gaudencio
Rosales, Manila’s Archbishop
Emeritus, at the San Sebastian
Cathedral in Bacolod City.
Before his appointment as
bishop in March, Galbines
served as a priest in the
Bacolod diocese for 24 years
Pope names new
bishop of Bayombong
POPE Francis has appointed
a new bishop of Bayombong
in Nueva Vizcaya.
Most. Rev. Jose Elmer
Mangalinao, who is currently
the Auxiliary Bishop of
Lingayen-Dagupan, will take
over the role from Bishop
Ramon Villena who retired
in 2016.
A bishop for just almost
two years, he will be third to
head the 36-year-old diocese
with more than half a million
Catholics in 20 parishes.
Mangalinao grew up in
Cabiao, Nueva Ecija and
was ordained a priest for
the Diocese of Cabanatuan
in 1985.
Few years after his
ordination, he earned
a licentiate in theology at
the Pontifical Gregorian
University in Rome.
Prior to becoming a bishop, Pope Francis names Lingayen-Dagupan Auxiliary Bishop Jose Elmer Mangalinao as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Bayombong.
Mangalinao was serving as
GLENN MUNOZ LOPEZ

on Tuesday.
Dozens of bishops and
clerics attended the ceremony
at the St. Francis Cathedral in
Kabankalan City, including
some officials of the Apostolic
Nunciature in Manila.
where he held vital positions,
including vicar general and
rector of the Sacred Heart
Seminary.
At 51, he will oversee a
diocese with about 30
parishes and chaplaincies
the Vicar General of the
Cabanatuan diocese and the
president of the College of the
Immaculate Conception.
Other posts he held include
formator at the Maria
Assumpta Seminary and
parish priests at the Saint
Isidore the Worker parish
in Talavera town, the Three
Kings parish in Gapan, and
later on at the St. Nicholas of
Tolentine Cathedral. Villegas.
In May 2016, he was The Catholic Church in
appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Bayombong said a date for
the Archdiocese of Lingayen- his installation would be
Dagupan, currently headed announced in due course.
by Archbishop Socrates (CBCPNews)

New Iba bishop’s marching order: Keep

The bishop’s canonical serving around 800,000
installation came a day after Catholics. (CBCPNews)

Batanes Bishop Emeritus

Camilo Gregorio dies
Batanes Bishop Emeritus Camilo Gregorio (1939-2018). LORENZO ATIENZA
RETIRED Bishop Camilo
Gregorio of the Prelature
of Batanes died Monday
evening, May 21. He was 78.
Fr. Deo Layug, Batanes
prelature’s Vicar General,
said that Gregorio died
of cardiac arrest at about
9:10pm.
The prelate has been at
the Cardinal Santos Hospital
in San Juan City due to
pneumonia since May 9.
The priest said that
Gregorio also suffered mild
stroke last Thursday while he
was under dialysis treatment.
Gregorio was the fourth
prelate of Batanes which he
served for almost 14 years
until he retired in May 2017.
He was the also fourth
prelate the die this year
after Bishop Jose Oliveros
of Malolos who succumbed
to prostate cancer on May 11.
Like Oliveros, his last
major public appearance
was during the ordination of
Msgr. Bartolome Santos Jr,
as a bishop at the Malolos
Cathedral on April 30.
Gregorio was ordained
priest for the Diocese of San
Jose in Nueva Ecija in 1963
after he finished his theology
studies at the University of
Santo Tomas.
He also has a doctorate
in theology at the Pontifical
University of Saint Thomas in
Rome and a master’s degree
in educational administration
at Fordham University in
New York.
Upon his return to the
Philippines, Gregorio was
named rector of the Maria
Assumpta Seminary in
Cabanatuan from 1971 to
1974.
He also became assistant
secretary in the Apostolic
Nunciature, the papal
embassy in Manila, in 1984.
In 1987, he was appointed
Auxiliary Bishop of Cebu.
Two years later, he became
the bishop of Bacolod.
In 2003, the Vatican has
appointed him as head of the
Batanes prelature.
Bishop Gregorio was
buried May 28 after the
necrological service at the
Immaculate Conception
Cathedral in Basco, Batanes.
(CBCPNews)
the churches ‘clean’
THE new bishop of the Diocese of Iba moments of weakness and anxiety.
urged the faithful to treat their churches “Please love us your priests despite
with respect and keep them “clean”. our shortcomings,” he appealed.
That was the first message Bishop Santos, 50, was appointed by Pope
Bartolome Santos Jr., preached as the Francis back in February. He was
new spiritual leader of thousands of ordained to the episcopacy on April 30.
Catholics across Zambales province. The diocese has been without a bishop
“There are many definitions of clean since October 2014 when Archbishop
and I will leave it up to all of you Florentino Lavarias was installed as
to expound,” Santos said during his head of the Archdiocese of San Fernando
installation Mass at the St. Augustine in Pampanga.
Cathedral May 25. About a hundred other bishops,
The church must be kept clean and priests, religious and more than
neat at all times, according to him, two thousand well-wishers filled
“because that’s the most beautiful place the cathedral throughout the entire
where we can gather and meet together, ceremony with Lavarias as the installing
in God’s house”. prelate.
“Beautiful or not, old or new, if our In his homily, the archbishop
church is clean, we know that our God Bishop Bartolome Santos speaks during his installation reminded the congregation that priestly
of mercy and compassion will always be as the new bishop of the Iba diocese at the Saint ministry is about Jesus.
with us,” he said. Augustine Cathedral in Iba City May 25. TV MARIA SCREEN “It is Jesus who is the essence of
Santos, a priest from the Malolos
GRAB
our very own vocations as priest,” said
diocese praised for his pastoral care and his first address that he is going to do Lavarias.
administrative experience, was installed his best to serve the public. “Let us continue to pray for Bishop
as the fifth bishop of Iba. The bishop also asked the faithful to Bart not only so that he can do many
While he did not deliver the homily pray for him and the clergy that they will things but for him to be more like Jesus,”
for the service, Santos assured during strive to live their mission even during he added. (CBCPNews)
Old churches featured in PHLPost’s latest commemorative stamps
THE Philippine Postal
Corporation has released
commemorative postage
stamps featuring old
churches that are among the
country’s “national cultural
treasures”.
As the country marks the
National Heritage Month,
the agency honors the
churches built during the
Spanish colonization and
have remained intact for
centuries. In celebration of
Postmaster General Joel National Heritage
Otarra said that efforts Month, the
Philippine Postal
to preserve these cultural Corporation
edifices have been undertaken releases new
in conjunction with exhibits commemorative
stamps featuring
and public awareness centuries-old
on “these unique and Spanish colonial
irreplaceable ecclesiastical churches.
monuments”.
He said that PHLPost, the sacks of coins. Namacpacan Church, it is “national shrine” located in
National Commission for • Santa Monica Parish located in Luna, La Union. Miag-ao, Iloilo. It was also
Culture and the Arts and Church. A Baroque church • Nuestra Señora Del declared as a UNESCO World
FUNtastic Philippines, a in San Nicolas, Minalin, Patrocinio De Maria Church. Heritage Site in 1993.
group of photographers, have Pampanga that was founded A baroque church located in PHLPost has issued 80,000
collaborated to work on the in 1614. Baljoon, Cebu. copies or 20,000 pieces each
miniature pieces of art called • Santa Catalina De • Nuestra Señora De La of the block of four stamps
stamps. Alejandra Church. A Baroque Asuncion. A Baroque church with a denomination of P12
Featured in the “block of church located in Brgy. in Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur. each.
four” stamps include: Tayum, Abra. • Nuestra Señora De La Another 5,000 pieces of
• San Matias Parish Church. PHLPost has also issued Asuncion Church. A newly the souvenir sheet of stamps
An ultra-Baroque structure limited copies of souvenir restored church located in were issued to highlight some
in Tumauni, Isabela. stamps sheets featuring: Dauis, Bohol. The church of the old churches in the
• Santa Monica Parish • San Carlos Borromeo was destroyed when a Philippines.
Church. A Baroque and the Church. A Baroque church magnitude-7.2 quake The stamps were designed
oldest church in Panay island. located in Mahatao, Batan devastated Bohol in 2013. by PHLPost in-house artist
its five level belfry is also the Island, Batanes. • Santo Tomas De Vic Serevo and coordinated
biggest, and most likely the • Santa Catalina De Villanueva Church. A with Judith Neric ng Filipino
heaviest bell in Asia which Alejandria Church. 17th century Baroque Heritage Festival Inc.
was casted in 1878 using 70 Commonly known as Romanesque church and (CBCPNews)