Professional Documents
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The News Supplement of Couples for Christ
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Vol. 16 No. 3
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THE CATHOLIC Bishops Conference of the Phi l i p p i n e s ( C B C P) called on the Aquino administration to review its policy on mining and logging, especially their impact on the ecology.
Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, CBCP president, said such move is important to prevent a repeat of environment-related tragedies that occurred recently which claimed hundreds of lives. We take the occasion to make an appeal particularly to the authorities concerned that our prayer and appeal is to make a serious revisit of many of our laws like our logging laws and practices as well as mining laws and development plans, said Palma. The events that happened in the previous months should lead us to be truly serious about our mining and logging laws and the like, he said. Palma made the statement during a press conference marking the end of the 104th plenary assembly of the bishops collegial body on January 30. According to him, recent tragedies such as flooding and landslides were also caused by negligence of humans. With many lamentable calamities, certainly there is the dimension of natural perspective (but) very simple analysis show that there are human factors, which can be corrected with regards to mining, logging laws, especially with the implementation, he said. Last December, strong typhoon wrought havoc over Mindanao with its heavy rainfall resulting to massive flash floods and the death of 1,257 people and 85 others missing.
Earlier this month, some 25 people were also killed during a landslide that occurred in a mining site in Compostela Valley. The CBCP had long been appealing on the government to repeal the Mining Act as well as for an end to illegal logging in the country. Tourism, not mining Echoing similar call, Puerto Princesa Bishop Pedro Arigo said Palawan provinces tourism industry must be developed rather than exhaust its natural resources in mining operations. Arigo said the inclusion of Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) in the New 7 Wonders of Nature is a good indication that tourism is the better way to generate income and provide employment. He stressed that mining operations in Palawan, though it may offer some temporary employment, threatens to destroy their most precious resources: water and soil. We dont need mining because tourism alone, using the pristine beauty of nature of Palawan creates livelihood for the people without destroying the environment, Arigo said. He added that the Church and other organizations will continue its campaign against mining and other threats to the environment. Mining operations there are ongoing. Its just sad to say that our enemy (in this fight) is the government, according to him. Arigo made the statement after Bernard Weber, president of the New 7 Wonders based in Zurich, Switzerland, officially announced that the PPUR is among the worlds seven new wonders of nature.
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Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, prays with Papal nuncio Archbishop Guiseppe Pinto during the 104th CBCP plenary assembly at the Pius XII Center in Manila, 28 January 2012. In his opening remarks, Palma called on his fellow prelates to bring hope to a nation plagued with problems.
CBCP head: Church must bring hope to country beset by social, political problems
CHURCH leaders are called to bring hope to the country marked by calamities, social problems and political chaos, the head of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines said. Under the dark clouds and in the midst of poverty and suffering, CBCP president and Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma urged his fellow prelates to own and declare that there is hope. As bishops, we are to give people a reason for living and hoping, said Palma in his speech during the opening of the 104th CBCP plenary assembly on January 28, 2012 at the Pope Pius XII Center in Manila. It is not a wishful thinking but a well-grounded hope when we expect of blessings and good things to come, he said. The Church official spoke about the thousands of people who died and hundreds of houses swept away in Iligan, Cagayan de Oro and Dumaguete due to Typhoon Sendong last December. Aside from the natural calamities, there are also a lot of other factors that cause untold pain and suffering to the Filipinos, according to him. He cited the reality of graft and corruption, unemployment and unabated devastation of forests and seas which led to poverty and related problems. Palma also cited the obvious confrontations among the main branches of our government which make us wish we are not stuck up in pinning down the guilty but instead we are now marching and collaborating with each other in implementing laws and programs that bring
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Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo of the CBCPs National Secretariat for Social Action, leads on Jan. 23 the launching of the book Mindoro Campaign: Protecting Island Ecology, Defending Peoples Rights, which is intended to ramp up their fight against destructive mining in the country.
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resentative, in strengthening the Churchs Biblical apostolate in the country. According to him, Pacquiao likes reading the Bible and making him as the
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Military archbishop: U.S. invasion led to fewer Iraqi Christians
As President Barack Obama withdrew the last U.S. troops from Iraq on Dec. 15, he said they were leaving behind a sovereign, stable and self-reliant, country. But there are signs that Iraqi Christians' plight has worsened since then. At a time of increased political instability, we continue to receive disturbing reports, said John Pontifex of Aid to the Church in Need on Jan. 20. He said an attack took place earlier in the month against security personnel outside the residence of Kirkuk's Archbishop Louis Sako. Archbishop Sako, who was indoors at the time, told Aid to the Church in Need that the situation is less stable now that U.S. troops are gone, with much of the turmoil stemming from the power struggle between Sunni and Shiite Muslims. Pontifex says there is a ticking bomb regarding Christianity in Iraq. Few Christians, no matter how deep their roots are in the local society, feel able to withstand the pressure to leave. Fear of an attack forced Archbishop Sako to cancel the Chaldean Catholics' midnight Christmas celebration last month. Services were moved to the daytime, and Christians were warned not to display decorations outside their homes. Nevertheless, it appears that many of the Catholics who fled Iraq would return if safety improved. Monsignor John Kozar, president of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association, recently spoke of the strong determination some Iraqi Catholics have to go back home. He recently visited Jordan, where many Christians from Iraq now reside. I think they have a yearning to return to the homeland, and that homeland for them means practicing their Chaldean-rite Christianity, the monsignor said. That has become very, very important to them. (CNA)
World News
CBCP Monitor
January 30 - February 12, 2012
Vol. 16 No. 3
ROME, Italy, Jan. 28, 2012U.S. Military Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio says the collapse of Iraqs Christian population is among the legacies of America's invasion in 2003. Yes, you can say in a certain sense that the invasion of Iraq did provoke this tremendous diminution of the Christian population in that country. And what the future holds, that still remains to be seen, the archbishop for the armed forces told CNA during his visit to Rome on Jan. 16. His comments come only a month after the final pull-out of U.S. troops from Iraq, where they remained following the invasion that toppled dictator Saddam Hussein. Aid agencies estimate that over the course of eight years, the Catholic population of Iraq fell from over 800,000, to less than 150,000 now. Archbishop Broglio believes Catholicism suffered after the invasion because of a perceived closeness to its previous ruler. He said Saddam Hussein tended to trust Catholics, and gave them positions of responsibility. One prominent Iraqi Catholic was Husseins Foreign Minister Tarik Aziz. And even if Catholics werent particularly part of the regime, they became identified with the regime, Archbishop Broglio said. Before, they were a minority that was protected, but now they are a minority that is not protected.
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Vatican Briefing
Vatican official backs call for transaction tax
Cardinal Peter Turkson of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, has declared his support for a tax on financial transactions. The cardinal voiced his support during his recent address to the annual board of directors meeting of the International Cooperation for Development and Solidarity (CIDSE), an international alliance of Catholic development agencies based in Brussels. One way of bringing economics and finance back within the boundaries of their real vocation, including their social function, would be through taxation measures on financial transactions, he told the directors. (Zenit)
Pope tells whats most important on path to priesthood
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nesian Buddhist community (Walubi) and the Indonesian High Council Kongchu. Indonesia has long been shaken by incidents of violence
against Christian minorities and Ahmadis, although the majority of the population practice a moderate form of Islam. (AsiaNews)
Benedict XVI says the most important thing on the journey toward the priesthood and in priestly life is a personal relationship with God in Christ. The Pontiff also emphasized that the study of theology must be connected with the life of prayer. It is important, he said, that the seminarian well understands that the object that he applies himself to is in fact a Subject who calls to him, that Lord who spoke to him, inviting him to spend his life in service to God and to his brothers. (Zenit)
News.va to open French, Portuguese editions
The www.news.va Web site will soon be available in French and Portuguese, announced Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli. A year after its birth, the site, which brings together Vatican news sources, is already available in Italian, English and Spanish. Visits to the Vatican news site come from some 180 countries worldwide. Archbishop Celli said that the vast majority of news.va contacts come from social networks: 65% from Facebook, and about 30% from Twitter. (Zenit)
Vatican corruption charges well beyond reality
The official Vatican spokesman says an Italian television broadcast claiming to disclose financial corruption at the Vatican exaggerated the situation. Fr. Federico Lombardi, S.J., questioned the debatable journalistic methods employed in the broadcasts diffusion of private documents. The information in the program stretched well beyond reality, he said in a Jan. 26 statement, adding that the general situation of the government is not as negative as they want to make people believe. Accusations of financial mismanagement in the Vatican were broadcast Jan. 25 on a prominent Italian television network in a show entitled Gli intoccabili. (CNA)
Bethlehem university takes concerns to Vatican
MANGALORE, India, Jan. 27, 2012A Catholic businessman marked Indias Republic Day yesterday by establishing a small community in a Karnataka state village for poor people from different religions. Poverty has no caste or creed barriers. Similarly, values of caring and sharing have no religious borders, said Eric Correa, founder of Sauharda Nagara (village
right-wing Hindu groups during the past few years. Correa said he decided to establish the community after becoming frustrated with the tension existing among people on account of religion. If poor families could come together they would be better disposed to share and care for each other, he explained. Correa, who runs an electrical generator business, has spent 30 million rupees on the project. He said he plans to build 64 houses in another village soon. He said he had experienced an internal call of conscience to help the homeless. Rohidas Kulal, a Hindu beneficiary, expressed happiness that he can now live under his own roof. He said he had been living in a rented room with his wife and two children. Ashiq Mohammad, a Muslim resident, said religious divisions have made people forget how to relate to other others. He said the hamlet will help its residents live in harmony. When one is sick or meets with an accident no one will look at their religion, he added. (UCAN)
The Israeli-built wall between Jerusalem and the West Bank is deterring staff and students from attending Bethlehem Catholic University, officials from the school say. We lose students but we also lose faculty who have been teaching at the University and who come from Jerusalem but dont want to go through that humiliation every day, Brother Jack Curran, the universitys Vice President for Development, said Jan. 18 during a two-day visit to Rome. The young people are very resilient and are willing to put up with a lot but it does concern us for the future, he said. (CNA)
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CBCP Monitor
Vol. 16 No. 3
January 30 - February 12, 2012
News Features
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nity and mutual respect In our dialogues we cannot overlook the great moral questions about human life, the family, sexuality, bioethics, freedom, justice and peace. By defending the Churchs authentic tradition, he observed, we defend man and we defend the creation. (CNA/EWTN News)
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VATICAN City, Jan. 24, 2012Pope Benedict XVI believes that in a noisy world of constant communication people need silence more than ever. He outlined his thoughts in his message for World Communications Day 2012, which is titled Silence and Word: Path of Evangelization. The Popes letter was released Jan. 24 at the Vatican press office by Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli, head of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications. When messages and information are plentiful, silence becomes essential if we are to distinguish what is important from what is insignificant or secondary, the Pope says in a statement that will be read in Catholic churches around the world on May 20, 2012. This makes it possible to share thoughtful and relevant opinions, giving rise to an
receive via television, radio, the Internet and various forms of social media. In silence, we are better able to listen to and understand ourselves; ideas come to birth and acquire depth; we understand with greater clarity what it is we want to say and what we expect from others; and we choose how to express ourselves, he says. He also observes that silence can allow other people to express their thoughts. In this way we avoid being tied simply to our own words and ideas without them being adequately tested, and therefore, space is created for mutual listening, and deeper human relationships become possible. Pope Benedict believes that this use of silence is often more eloquent than a hasty answer, because it permits seekers to reach into the depths of
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MANILA, Jan. 25, 2012 Church and environmental groups are up in arms again over a foreign mining companys relentless call for nickel mining project in Mindoro. The list of grievances these groups is holding against the Intex Resources seems to be growing after it announced last Jan.18 in Oslo Stock Exchange that they had entered into a memorandum of understanding with the MCC8 Group Co. Ltd., a Chinese state-owned construction firm to impel the operation of the Mindoro Nickel Project (MNP). Andy Whitmore of the Philippines Indigenous People Links (PipLinks) is questioning the incessant campaigns of Intex for the MNP as both national and international investigations have raised serious concerns about the project. They shouldnt be putting our releases seeking to boost investment in the project until they were able to provide answers in the investigation conducted by the Norwegian Contact Point, Whitmore said. Whitmore was referring to the investigation of the Norwegian National Contact Point disclosing that Intex violated certain provisions of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises; from the questionable acquisition of Free, Prior, Informed Consent (FPIC) to the unconventional Environment Impact Assessment that they failed to present to the local authorities. Jaybee Garganera, national coordinator of Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) said both the OECD and the local investigation team have produced conclusive evidences that the Mindoro Nickel Project is unacceptable to the host communities. It is the height of corporate irresponsibility that Intex is rushing the sale of the project, and washing its hands of accountability. The consortium that speaks of green mining concept is still far from reality thus will not impede in our call for Intex to pull out the project and just respect the local ordinance filed in 2002 prohibiting the entry of all large-scale mining in Oriental Mindoro, he added. Community rejection For his part, Jon Sarmiento of Alyansa Laban sa Mina (Alamin) said: This
investment is on high risk! The MNP does not have social acceptability; they are just wasting their time and resources campaigning for the project. Mindoreo will remain vigilant over this matter. We will protect our remaining forest and will not allow anyone, even big companies to extract the minerals underneath the forest on itself is our wealth, he said. Alamin is a network of civil society organizations, Church and local government units in Oriental Mindoro established in 1999 to consolidate peoples opposition to the Mindoro Nickel Project. In 2009, the Environmental Compliance Certificate for Intex had been revoked after local protest and a hunger strike was done against the project. Commissioner Dionisia Banua of the National Commission on the Indigenous Peoples ensured that despite the current partnership NCIP will ensure that the FPIC will be served and implemented with integrity. Bigger call Fr. Edu Gariguez of the CBCP Nassa reaffirmed its stand that the government mining policy is like selling our lands to foreign investors with liberal conditions while our people continue to grow in poverty. We stated that the adverse social impact on the affected communities far outweigh the gains promised by the trans-national corporations, Gariguez explained. He concluded, We have a bigger call to this government, refrain from promoting the minerals industry, and promote the rights of the Filipino people, repeal the mining act of 1995, and pass the Alternative Minerals Management Bill that secures all these rights and prioritizes environmental protection and food security over mineral resources. The groups expressed their ire as they launched recently the book, the Mindoro Struggle: Protecting Island Ecology, Defending Peoples Rights, a compilation of several studies on the Mindoro critical ecosystems, including mining threat to food security and the Final Statement of the Norwegian NCP on the violated OECD Guidelines. (CBCPNews)
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EDITORIAL
Opinion
Reasons for hoping
CBCP Monitor
January 30 - February 12, 2012
Vol. 16 No. 3
THE Church must bring hope to a country beset by social, political problems. This was, more or less, the gist of the address of CBCP President Archbishop Jose Palma at the opening of the 104th Plenary Assembly of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines. This is precisely what this country needs today. Here are excerpts of his address: To hope is to recognize the lights and shadows around us yet confidently expecting blessings and good things to come. Hoping is not closing our eyes to the sad realities that plague our nation. How can we not see and think of around 3,000 who died and hundreds of houses swept away in Iligan, Cagayan de Oro and Dumaguete due to typhoon Sendong last month? We know many other dioceses devastated by calamities last year. How true what our brother of happy memory, Bishop Francisco Claver had observed: Some years back, in 1993, a study of natural disasters occurring all over the world in the years since 1903 was reported...Typhoons, tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, droughts, floods, mudslides destructive occurrences of natural causation...The study had the Philippines at the top of the list with more than 700 such disasters during the 90 years studied. India came second with just about half...With such a record of calamities, we can rightly call ourselves the Natural Disaster Capital of the Worlda distinction we would rather not have! Aside from the natural calamities, there are a brood of factors that cause untold pain and suffering to our people. The reality of graft and corruption, unemployment and unabated devastation of our forests and seas led to poverty and related problems. At this time with the obvious confrontations among the main branches of our government make us wish we are not stuck up in pinning down the guilty but instead we are now marching and collaborating with each other in implementing laws and programs that bring about growth and development. Certainly we can say there are dark clouds in the sky. Under the dark clouds and in the midst of poverty and suffering, I reiterate, I feel a great hope. I pray that we, as members of the CBCP, own up and declare that there is hope. We hope because in (Pope John Paul IIs 2003 Apostolic Exhortation) Pastores Gregis, that is what we are called to be: harbingers of hope. As bishops, we are to give people a reason for living and hoping. Whether we are kneeling in prayer or picking pieces of broken lives or rebuilding communities, or revisiting diocesan programs or planning for the 25th anniversary of PCP II in 2016 or the 5th centenary of Christianity in 2021 may we have that eager expectation of blessings and good things to come. In every here and now we know that as bishops we should be men of communion, open to all, gathering into the one pilgrim flock those which the goodness of the Lord has entrusted to us, helping to overcome divisions, to heal rifts to settle conflicts and misunderstandings, to forgive offenders and promote the reign of God in our church in the Philippines.
ONE month after the passage of Typhoon Sendong on Dec. 16-17, the city of Cagayan de Oro is slowly getting back on its feet. Nearly a third of the citys population was severely affected by the flood waters. More than 10,000 families sought refuge in evacuation centers in public schools, barangay covered courts, and churches. Others stayed with relatives or friends. Out of the archdioceses 21 city parishes, 17 riverside parishes were extensively inundated. Hardest hit were the parishes in Macasandig, Balulang, Carmen, Cathedral, Consolacion, Puntod, RER, Kauswagan, Bulua and Canitoan. The government has declared a no-return policy for six sitios that are actually part of the rivers delta. These are Cala-Cala, Isla de Oro, Isla Delta, Isla Copa, Isla Bugnaw, and Isla Baksan. More than four thousand houses on these sites were washed away by the rampaging waters of Cagayan de Oro River. The government has also restricted construction of houses within a 15-meter distance from the river. Although the flood waters reached
Love Life
is Pro-life. Streamers with those words were hang at almost every street corner in the City of Manila, because Lito Atienza, President of Pro-life Phil, was the Mayor of Manila then. We were elated when His Holiness began his homily in Luneta while looking up at the giant streamer hanging from one of the hotels across LunetaThe Filipino Family is Pro-life. His statement was met with thunderous clapping from the crowd of four million, as the media had estimated. All around Rizal Park, we had also printed dozens of tarpaulin streamers of Blessed John Paul embracing a baby. It was indeed a very memorable Prolife Month that year. While we look back at year 2011 filled with struggle to ensure that the Reproductive Health Bill will not pass Congress, along with the other anti-life bills that somehow keep getting filed by different titles from year to year, we look forward to even more action and with more commitment from the pro-lifers who will not relent or slack their zeal to defend life. We have invited once again Michael Voris of the St. Michael Communications Media Network, USA to give a series of talks in Cebu, Bacolod, and Manila. A convert, he has made it his life mission to explain via media the teachings of the Catholic Church. Listening to him last year, we know that he will once again speak with much animation, inspiration and truth in words that the lay people will truly understand and be challenged with. Coming for a series of talks
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Acts and Decrees of the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines, 1991
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I REMEMBER Blessed Pope John Paul II beginning his pontificate way back in October 1978 with words that have become emblematic of his papacy: Do not be afraid. Open, I say open wide the doors to Christ. Those were bold words thrown as a challenge to a world that has gone far from God, from religion, from morality. Thanks to God, we can say that since then, big strides have been made in different areas of human life. Still, we have to understand that allowing Christ to enter more and more into our lives is an ongoing affair. It never stops. We can never say we have enough of Christ. We need to continue opening doors, big and small, external and internal, to Christ. Of particular interest to us now is the area of politics. The way its done and practiced here and abroad, we can definitely say that Christ is still ostracized, considered as a
bother, irrelevant, useless, a persona-nongrata. This is unfortunate, since in the range of our human affairs, politics occupies a very important and crucial position. Its about how we organize and govern ourselves as a people, a state, a nation. Its about how we are pursuing our common good that definitely is not only material, but also spiritual, given our nature and condition. But so far, politics seems to be understood only as the art of acquiring power and keeping it as long as possible, of dominating and controlling others, of amassing more wealth and influence over others. That its a most noble way of serving others is often forgotten. That it necessarily involves sacrifice and heroism and utter self-giving is hardly known. If theres an appearance of service, it for sure is merely
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 16 No. 3
January 30 - February 12, 2012
Opinion
Psychological incapacity
of their childrenif any. This is marriage in the order of nature and according to the norm of right reason. Take away its essential nature, any of its intrinsic attribution or inherent finality and there can be anything but marriage in the true significance and proper connotations of the matrimonial reality. It is wherefore not really hard to know and accept the truth that there are individuals who are basically unfit for the marital life more specifically on account of a peculiar personality constitution. This peculiarity is in effect dissonant with the assumption of the obligations inherent to the Marriage Covenantespecially in conjunction with its institutional finality of the spousal good of both the man and the woman concerned. Over and above the purely material plus the carnal and/or generative attributes on the part of both the parties, theirs should be the capacity to mutually contribute to their own good or benefit as qua spouses. In other words, it is the finding of a clinical psychology as well as the conclusion of psychiatry that by dint of nature, there are persons who suffer from a disability of their psyche such that they are constitutionally unsuitable for marriage intents and purposesthrough no fault of their own. In legal parlance, such a personal disability is known as Psychological Incapacityspecifically in conjunction with marriage. It might be but right and proper to know more about this malady considering that it is neither fun nor pleasure for anyone to be afflicted by it.
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Atty. Aurora A. Santiago
Oscar V. Cruz, DD
out in a glass-walled room on the ground floor, prayed the rosary the whole night, while a select group of exorcists conducted a kabbalah-based ritual several storeys up the building. Because I was to write about the ritual, I was allowed to observe the preparation, and was given enough information about what was to happen. It was a large area the group chose to sit in. The exorcists had a pentagram drawn and Latin prayers written inside a huge circle of salt where they were to sit still during the ritual. While kabbalah is Jewish, the exorcists had on hand the crucifix, holy water, some Catholic saints images including Marys, the Egyptian ankh, the swastika, and lots of candles burning. For my own protection I was sent to stay with the prayer warriors during the ritual itself. The prayer warriors room was encircled in salt, a substance the exorcists believed could shield one against evil spirits. All of us inside that room were warned never to look outside the glass walls lest we see someone we know but whos actually an evil spirit wanting to infiltrate our ranksthey said evil spirits could take on many forms, and the most convenient way to disarm us was to appear as people we know or trust.
much violence all around us, and many families are breaking down. The Philippines has a reputation of being one of the most corrupt countries in Asia. Two corrupt presidents have been removed by people power and now we have former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (known for her piety) under hospital arrest, awaiting trial for election sabotage and plunder. The Chief Justice of the Supreme CourtRenato Corona has been impeached and is now being tried in the Senate. There is a general who has been imprisoned due to corruption (and he is now serving as a lay Eucharistic minister inside the prison). Recently the chief of the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) was implicated in a kidnapping case. There appears to be a gap between what we believe (faith), and how we live (our morality). This is referred to as split-level Christianity. The kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe in the Gospel. (Mk 1:14-15) The response that Jesus expects in proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom is repentance and faithwhich are preconditions for discipleship. What Jesus emphasizes is not only faith or belief but also repentancewhich is a
of a multi-sectoral Executive Committee. An Operations Center was set up at the Xavier University gym to facilitate the supervision of camp management and to act as a clearing house for the provision of goods and services to the various camps and affected areas. Early in the relief work, the need for accurate data was felt in identifying and profiling the survivor families of Typhoon Sendong. With the help of many youth volunteers and seminarians for interviewing and encoding, the archdioceses data management team has designed a computer pro-
gram that generates disaggregated information for the families affected by the floods. This information has been made available to DSWD and other organizations to help them in prioritizing families for permanent housing units. Another urgent need that is still felt by Typhoon Sendong survivors is post-trauma counseling. Coping with the loss of loved ones or an entire home needs time and sensitivity to heal. Debriefing sessions have been conducted by university teams and doctors to prepare local volunteers, including the archdioceses women
religious from a dozen congregations. There has been one suicide case on Jan. 5 in an evacuation center an indication of the desperation felt by many traumatized survivors. One notable example of accompaniment in the evacuation centers and affected areas has been the presence of the Daughters of Charity sisters. Four separate batches of 15-17 sisters each have arrived to work quietly for a week at a time among the different centers to help distribute relief goods, systematize records, make house-tohouse interviews, help the sick receive medical attention, etc. In one barangay,
the profile of a DC sister walking with a Muslim woman guide, both with head veils, to interview affected Muslim households shows another dimension of solidarity in moments of adversity. The Holy Spirit and RVM sisters have also sent teams to assist the displaced families. The local church has not forgotten to remember the names of the dead and missing in this tragedynow exceeding a thousand. Memorial Masses were said in the Cathedral on Dec. 30 and Jan. 7. A candlelight ceremony by the riverside was held on Jan. 25, the 40th day of Typhoon
Sendong. Evacuation Centers and temporary resettlement sites also have their religious services. We have made available the open grounds of both theological and college seminaries and some parish churches for temporary housing of more than two hundred families. The ongoing challenges of social preparation for building new communities continuein the midst of remembering loved ones who have perished. It is with this hope that in the foreseeable future we can repeat the Psalmists plea, You have turned my mourning into dancing (Ps. 30:11).
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Local News
CBCP Monitor
January 30 - February 12, 2012
Vol. 16 No. 3
outcomes and (2) appropriate to a Higher Education Institutions (HEI) function vis--vis the development of the Filipino nation. The position paper, approved last January 24, commented on the recommendation and cited legal obstacles that may prove to be potentially harmful, most especially to private HEIs, CEAP said in an article posted in its website. It stressed the fact though that CEAP fully supports ef-
forts towards an authentic quality assurance framework within the parameters of participatory governance and also reiterated CEAPs commitment to partner with CHED and the Department of Education in providing quality education to Filipinos, it added. One entails a paradigm shift from knowledge transmission to learning/ learner-centered education while the other entails a horizontal typology to dif-
ferentiate HEIs; a typologydifferentiated QA; and a vertical classification within each type, it further said. In response to the recommendation, the CEAP National Tertiary Education and National Advocacy Commissions initiated consultations and discussions among CEAP HEIs. The CEAP Board also took up the matter in their Strategic Planning meeting last January 17. (Jandel Posion)
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RH Bill so I hope we keep track of it, he said over Radyo Veritas. Castro is the executive secretary of the Episcopal Commission on Family and Life of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines. The CBCP official said the people must remain vigilant even as they also monitor the impeachment trial against
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Corona at the Senate. My appeal to the faithful, pro-family and pro-lifers is not to forget that interpellation of RH Bill (which) takes place in the morning session of the Senate, he added. Although there is no active interpellation in Congress these days, we must still be watchful, Castro said. (CBCPNews)
Jose Palma, CBCP president in a press conference, Jan. 30. The prelates observed that more people are suffering because the government is giving more attention on ousting Corona. According to CBCP vice president and Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas, a speedy impeachment trial is needed so that the country can return to normalcy. We pray that this process be resolved as soon as possible and that the attention that the poor needs be given as soon as possible, he said. For him, the poor Filipinos are the silent victims of the trial. Government services are delayed
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and not delivered because we are so concerned with the process. The prelates made the statement as they ended their three-day plenary assembly at the Pius XII Catholic Center in Manila. Last week, the House prosecution panel said they are looking to present some 100 witnesses in the impeachment trial of Corona. Senator Francis Pangilinan immediately expressed concern saying, if true, it could take 10 months for the prosecution to present all their witnesses excluding defense witnesses. Still, the bishops appealed to the faithful to maintain their trust that the
senator-judges are fully capable of handling the trial judiciously. We exhort the people to give their respect and trust to the senator-judges and, of course, our respect and trust in the Constitutional processes, said Palma. They also exhorted the public to closely monitor the proceedings and pray so that truth and justice will be achieved in the impeachment trial. We exhort our brothers and sisters, fellow Filipinos, to pray, study and to do whatever is legally or morally possible so that truth and justice will be attained or realized. We exhort the people to pray especially for wisdom and guidance, said Palma. (CBCPNews)
Kinseys ideas and continue to use them in public policy formulation. It is thus headline material when someone like Reisman would travel all the way to the Philippines to deliver a talk entitled A History of How Judeo-Christian Nations Now Face Pandemic Sex Disease/Crime. Reismans talk was essentially about the destruction of lives, of souls, on a massive scale, no thanks to the unleashing of toxic sexual promiscuity worldwide via sex education, the mainstreaming of pornography and the relaxing of sexual mores, among other aftereffects, the 76, media expert said. A visiting professor of law at Liberty University School of Law (Virginia, USA) and a Vatican consultant on legal matters, Reisman used her knowledge of law, scientific research, and Catholic Church declarations to trace how we got to where we are since Kinsey. There is a war we are hardly aware of, even as it infiltrates our personal lives, from our media consumption, to fashion, sexual norms, and trendy ideas through a rampant but subtle conditioning of the mind. It is a battle between life and death, good and evil, perdition and salvation, an inescapable battle with long tentacles drawing us all in, whether we like it or not, extending to how we craft our laws via proposed legislations inimical to the values that our modern civilization
is founded on. But anti-life legislation such as the Reproductive Health bills and the Anti-Discrimination bills are merely an offshoot of the war that has long begun in the classroom, she said, via the kind of sex education inspired by Kinsey that schoolchildren receive, specifically the pleasure principle, the belief that being human is all about the pursuit of pleasure, particularly sexual pleasure. Kinseys belief that children are sexual from birth, Reisman pointed out, is behind the teaching of sex to children at inappropriate ages, but this is just the tip of the iceberg, just the beginning of a long complex chain of consequences, including pornography through constant media exposure, sexual promiscuity, the rise in sex crimes (rape, child abuse, child prostitution), sexually transmitted diseases, abortion, homosexuality, pedophilia, depopulation campaigns cloaked in reproductive health, etc. The 76 year-old media expert rounded up the usual suspects in the espousal of the Kinsey-inspired lifestyle and outlook, naming the International Planned Parenthood (IPPF), academics with Ph.Ds., certain famous corporate funders, and even the United Nations. Baal worship has returned after 1948 in sex science robes, she described. Understandably, she was aghast the most at the way
pedophiles now want to be called minor-attracted persons, an otherwise minor note that left many in the audience gasping at the thought. She called on all men to stand up in the fight against sexual maleducation and rally behind upholding life at all stages. It is a mans office to defend and protect women and children! she declared. She especially did not hide her displeasure over the current proposals for the RH bill and the socalled Anti-Discrimination bill in the Philippine legislature. She called on the rest of society to rally against these bills and join the fight in seeking solutions to the problem of the sexual and cultural contagion by upholding fidelity and chastity and other traditional values that engenderinstead of cheapensex and its sacred nature and purpose. As a way of encouragement after the barrage of thought-provoking data, Reisman happily reported a past achievement in her long career of debunking fraudulent scientific claims: In 1994 she won a libel suit lodged by Playboy magazine against her in Holland, the worlds (epi)center of pedophilia. With solid evidence, she accused the smut publication by saying their pornographic work abused children and had been abusing children since the 1950s.
If we can win in Holland, she said, we can win anywhere. The former singer and songwriter has come a long way with this victory and with an advocacy she did not originally set out to pursue. Employed by the US Department of Justice, she only wanted to have an objective look at the Kinsey studies, until she wound up being among the top whistleblowers of our time against truth-benders and the conspiratorial politicking of truth. At the end of the talk, Reisman roused the audience with exhortations delivered with apostolic zeal. Redeem the culture by following Gods commands, she said. Lobby against Kinseys Sexology field because it is the weakest link (in our adversarys counter-arguments)! The talk was sponsored by the Alliance of Holy Family International. Spiritual director Fr. Edgardo Bing Arellano gave some inspirational remarks that called the audience into action after hearing what they heard. He underscored that healing is possible for the sexually addicted by devoting ones life to God and seeking Christian and not purely psychological professionals for help, if needed. Reisman will be at St. Theresa's College in Cebu on February 4. More information about Dr. Judith Reisman can be found at her website. (Resty S. Odon)
Theres no specific program aside from the CCT (Conditional Cash Transfer) but its not the answer. We need a structural policy for sustainable growth, Pabillo said. Pabillo also chairs the National Secretariat for Social Action, Justice and Peace of the Catholic Bish ops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). Based on the SWS survey conducted from Dec.3 to 7, 2011, while the countrys poverty rate dropped at the end of 2011, the hunger rate went up during the same period. The poll found that those who claimed to be experiencing hunger climbed from 21.5 percent (about 4.1 families) in September last year to 22.5 percent (about 4.5 million families) in December. The survey, which used face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adults nationwide,
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also showed that severe hunger rose in all areas except in Metro Manila, where it fell by 1.3 points to 5 percent. The hunger rate rose by 9.7 points to 25 percent in the Visayas and by 6.7 points to 19.7 percent in Mindanao. Pabillo attributed such problem in the countryside to the governments inability to implement genuine reforms in agrarian and labor issues. One big problem is on land reform which causes hunger, he said. Other problems include the contractualization, lack of job generation and low wages for workers. The Church official also lamented the Aquino administrations subservience to the business sector over the people struggling of poverty. As of now, business interests win out over the poor under, Pabillo said. (Roy Lagarde/CBCPNews)
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too are Luana Stolgenberg and Kay Painter, pro-life activists who are effective because they speak from their hearts about how they regret their abortion decision. Ever since their conversion, they have been speaking on how they were led too easily to have an abortion as a way out of their problem because it is legal in the US. But abortion was not the answer, and in fact, it wreaked havoc in their lives, killing not only the innocent child in the womb but killing their spirit as well. They will be speaking in the Nurses for Life Forum on Feb. 23, to seminarians on Feb. 24, and joining the Life Chain-March for Life Rally on Feb 26 to culminate the activities of Pro-life Month. For a copy of PP 214 and other materials you can use to promote Pro-life Month, contact Pro-life Philippines office at 733-7027, 0919-233-7783, life@ prolife.org.ph.
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about growth and development. His comments would seem to be in direct reference to the ongoing row between the Aquino administration and the Supreme Court. Certainly we can say there are dark clouds in the sky, said Palma. Given the above agenda, we know we are given hope, trustworthy hope. Hence we can face our present even if it is arduous; our present can be lived and accepted because it leads to a goal, he said. Around 100 bishops gathered last Jan. 28 until 30 in a closed-door meeting to tackle Church and other pressing national concerns. It was the first plenary assembly that was presided by Palma being the new head of the bishops collegial body with Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas as vice president. (CBCPNews)
Book on Mindoro struggle Prior to the bishops plenary assembly, the CBCPs National Secretariat for Social Action, Justice and Peace (Nassa) and other environmental groups launched a book about mining in Mindoro. Mindoro Campaign: Protecting Island Ecology, Defending Peoples Rights is a compilation of several studies on the Mindoro critical ecosystems, including mining threat to food security. It would record and remind us of the struggle of others against mining, said Nassa chairman and Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo at the launch in Intramuros.
The 158-page book was also made in coordination with environmental groups Alyansa Laban Sa Mina (Alamin) and Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM). According to them, they hoped the book could raise awareness about the impact of mining to the community and the environment and would motivate others to oppose it. It would spread the good news of the peoples struggle even if it is quite difficult because we are up against big money, foreign businesses and sometimes the policies of our own government, said Pabillo. But if the people continue to struggle [against mining], Im sure the Lord will be with us, he said.
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Vol. 16 No. 3
January 30 - February 12, 2012
Diocesan News
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Puerto Princesa Bishop Pedro Arigo presides the first anniversary Mass for slain environmentalist Dr. Gerry Ortega at Aborlan cemetery in Palawan, January 24.
The Mass was a celebration of Dr. Gerrys life, having led a very meaningful, beautiful and fruitful life just like what Jesus did in service of the truth and in the service of others, fighting against corruption for people to have a better quality of life in
Palawan, he further said. Arigo, however, expressed sadness that a year after the murder, investigators are still working on the case that shocked the country and the international environmental advocates.
After one year the investigation is still in its preliminary stage with the first preliminary investigation was dismissed by a panel of prosecutors from the Department of Justice, he said. The Ortega family filed for
a motion for reconsideration, which was once again dismissed. Arigo acknowledged Justice Secretary Leila De Limas timely intervention by ordering a reinvestigation of the case. He underscored the need to
Briefing
Bacolod youth plant mangrove seedlings to protect environment
Members of Basic Ecclesial Communities of Taytays St. John the Baptist Parish gather at Tikling junction for Holy Mass and prayers offered for victims of the tragedy.
TAYTAY, RizalThe Basic Christian Communities (BECs) of St. John the Baptist Parish, Taytay appealed to authorities to institute security measures along a junction in Taytay that has become the deadliest place in the municipality because of number of fatalities involving killer trucks. On January 12, a runaway dumptruck from Cabrera quarry site rammed through the busy junction killing five people, while 14 others were reportedly injured and hospitalized. About 10 vehicles were damaged, three in total wreck, and the Police outpost also badly hit.
The BECs asserted that the recurrence of fatal mishaps in the highrisk vicinity of Tikling junction only shows the ugly results of long time neglect of the local government to ensure public safety. Four roads converge in Tikling junction, one of which is the steepsloped Cabrera Road that has become the deadliest place in the town involving killer trucks which earned the label of monstertrucks. Around five fatal incidents were recorded since 2006 that left several dead and injured, and properties damaged.
On January 20, parishioners from the hilltop sitios of Cabrera and Hapay na Mangga went downhill to Tikling and met with others coming from the Church to pray and offer Mass for the deceased Enrico Enriquez (the truck driver) and his wife Maricel, Noel Almorado, Kevin Ruz and Gaylord Makiputinand those injured. Taytay parish priest Msgr. Peter Caonero celebrated the Holy Mass which coincided with the pa-siyam (9th day of novena prayer) for the deceased. In his homily, Caonero aired the peoples call on the government for a critical evaluation of the Cabrera quarry relative to the frequenting of killer-trucks in the vicinity and also its adverse environmental impact. The prayer of the faithful included pleas for the institution of safety measures in Tikling junction, stoppage of killer trucks from plying the steep-sloped Cabrera Road coming from the quarry site, and justice and indemnification for the victims. Immediately after the Mass, Caonero blessed and incensed the separate death landmarks. As of this writing, Noel Almorado and Kevin Ruz, both of Barangay Dolores, have not yet been buried due to financial difficulty. The Mass offering and collection were given to their relatives who were present during the Mass. (Ding Fernandez)
BACOLOD City The Commission on Youth of Bacolod diocese held a mangrove planting activity in Brgy. Balaring, Silay City last Jan. 21 as a manifestation of their care for the environment. Led by DCY director Fr. Arnold Deletina, the youth planted around 600 mangrove seedlings. Participants were composed of 10 DCY staff, 27 youth from Silay City`s San Diego Parish, 15 parishes, 3 youth groups and 7 schools. (Freddy Junsay)
UNISDR chief praises CDO local relief operations' response to Washi
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
CAGAYAN DE ORO City The chief of the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) on Jan. 25 heaped praises on this citys multi-sectoral relief operations immediate response to aid survivors of the catastrophe. There have already been many natural disasters that happened in Cagayan de Oro but these were not considered as disasters because they have very little impact to the city, unlike tropical storm Washi, said Margareta Wahlstrom, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moons special representative on DRR. (Bong D. Fabe)
Iloilo parish asks help for fire victims
ILOILO CityThe Immaculate Conception Parish in Tanza, Iloilo City has launched an appeal to help hundreds of families left homeless by a recent fire that hit the city. Parish priest Fr. Norberto Taccadao said that the important things the victims needed at present are food and kitchen utensils. On Jan. 22, a devastating fire hit three barangays within the city as they celebrated the famous Dinagyang Festival. Donors who would like to send financial donations, in cash or check, or who would like to get more information on how they can help, are advised to contact the Parish Office at telephone / fax number (+63) (33) 337-4570. (Fr. Mickey Cardenas)
UN-FAO urged to see the plight of Filipino fishermen
ANTIPOLO CityThe fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) urged the UNs Food and Agriculture Organization to visit the Philippines and find out why the fishermen are considered the poorest of the poor. Pamalakaya chair Fernando Hicap said that the UN rappoteur for the right for food, Oliver Schutter should be sent to the Philippines and check on the living conditions of millions of small fisherfolks, especially those who are in threat of losing their homes and livelihoods because of development projects being pushed by both private and public sectors in different parts of the archipelago. (Noel Sales Barcelona)
Bacolod sends aid to Sendong victims
BACOLOD CityThe faithful of Bacolod diocese showed their spirit of brotherhood and generosity by responding to the call of Bishop Vicente M. Navarra to help the victims of Typhoon Sendong. The bishops appeal generated a total cash donation of P785, 524.75 as of January 4, 2011. The relief goods were sent to Negros Oriental via the Diocese of Dumaguete through the help of Island Merchant Corporation and the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos. A 20-footer container van of relief goods for Cagayan de Oro and a 10-footer for Iligan, respectively, were transported for free through Negros Navigation. (Mercedes Buena)
Nationalize oil industry to halt price hike, govt. told
QUEZON City The Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) called on the Aquino administration to nationalize or to put under State control the petroleum industry in the country in order to prevent further increases in pump prices. The call came amid the statement of Energy Secretary Jos Ren Almendras to put a ceiling on profits of oil companies operating in the Philippines. Kadamay Sec. Gen. Gloria Arellano said it is not enough to put a cap on oil companies profits, since they would find ways to amass more profits, despite the fact that most of the Filipino populace are already in penury. (Noel Sales Barcelona)
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Churchs Bible ambassador could inspire more people to read the Scripture. Manny has always been very religious and we are happy that he is deepening his faith and his understanding of the Bible, said David, chairman of the CBCPs Commission on Biblical Apostolate. Thats why I asked him
if he could partner with us in promoting the reading of the Bible among Catholics, he said. The prelate added he is convinced that the popularity of Pacquiao will be a big help in promoting not only Bible readership but also in making the Bible available in every Filipino home. We want to make the
Bible more available to the poor people thats why we subsidized it at P50 we would like to produce 5 million Bibles for 5 million poor Filipinos and Catholics within 7 years, David said. Aside from Pacquiao, he said, they are also seeking the help of other personalities to help boost their campaign.
There are other bishops who are directly in touch with some personalities, celebrities, because they have a big influence on the people, said David. Some of our known comedians are very serious people, very spiritual people and we are happy that they are partnering very closely with us, he said. (CBCPNews)
politics. I get the impression that many politicians think that to be effective in politics, one has to bury charity six feet under the ground. Rather, they feel they need to deepen their skills in being nasty, mean and wily. In the madness of it all, some politicians fall to such an extreme form of self-righteousness that they would have no qualms using the name of God, quoting Bible passages, to advance their own selfish designs. They tend to paint their opponents as all evil and themselves as no evil at all. We need to correct this anomaly urgently, since given its effects on us, it can indeed be a flowing wellspring either of good or evil things. We need to allow Christ to enter politics. Those directly involved in it should realize that given the nature and character of politics, they have to be strong and firm in their spiritual and moral life. Otherwise, they just bet swallowed up the monster. Christ humanizes politics and politicians. Christ sets their proper standards. The fine points of Christianity are not
meant to hinder politics, but precisely to purify it and to protect it from falling into the grip of the devils game, to which it is very vulnerable. Christ certainly demands from politicians that they undertake constant personal conversions, assiduous study and development of their political skills in monitoring developments, in dialoguing, consulting and consensusmaking, in making prudent decisions and implementing them. Christ would certainly enlighten us as to what would constitute our proper and integral development. This has been the subject of many opinions, theories, ideologies and systems. But without Christ, these ideas just wont have the proper spirit to bring us to our authentic end. Christ would make us see the big picture without neglecting the small details and the constitutive parts. He will teach us the ways of prudence, and ultimately of love, that would include precisely its difficult partwhat to do with mistakes, opponents, failures, etc. Lets open politics to Christ!
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CBCP Monitor
Vol. 16 No. 3
UST NEO-CENTENNIAL EUCHARISTIC CELEBRATION. A thanksgiving Mass highlights the entry of UST into the new century as inspired by the examples of its alumni martyrs and saints. Main presider at Mass was His Excellency Jose S. Palma (center) and concelebrated by Archbishop Leonardo Legaspi (left) and Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle (right).
off at Plaza Mayor. Noontime gave way to quiet moments, a perfect prelude to Kumpisalang Bayan sa Pamantasan held at the UST Chapel and Seminary Grounds at 3 p.m.
A Eucharistic celebration with a Neo-Centennial twist followed at 4:30 p.m., held in the Open Field, and capped by 40,000 Voices and fireworks display at Angelus hour. Pursu-
ing USTs neo-centennial theme was the Grand Fiesta all over the campus at 7 p.m. capped by a Grand Variety Show at the UST Grandstand and Open Field. (YouthPinoy)
Priest formators and hundreds of seminarians from eight seminaries in Central Visayas gathered January 18-20 in Bacolod for their yearly assembly.
AN annual gathering of priest formators and seminarians from various seminaries in Negros and Panay Islands has tackled philosophical issues that directly touch the formative lives of future clergy. Some 285 delegates composed of 32 seminary formators and 253 seminarians re-evaluated the adequacy of Christian Philosophy on seminary formation vis--vis the relativistic, materialistic and anti-metaphysical paradigm of the post-modern era. Participating seminaries include St. John Marie Vianney Seminary (San Carlos), Little Way Seminary (Kabankalan), St. Joseph Seminary (Dumaguete), St. Vincent Seminary (Jaro), Santa Maria Mater et Regina Seminary (Capiz), Sto. Nio Seminary (Aklan) and St. Peter Seminary (Antique). Hosted by the Sacred Heart Seminary community, delegates and Sacred Heart seminarians were accommodated in host families to provide them with more formative opportunities. The seminary fathers, led by Very Rev. Fr. Jesmar V. Manato, SHS Rector, together with the core group of seminarians and parents, have coordinated with selected parishes and chaplaincies for the hosting of the delegates.
The host families are from the parishes/chaplaincies of Our Lady of Holy Rosary (Eroreco), Holy Family (City Heights), Our Lady of Peace & Good Voyage (Airport), St. Therese (Cameroli), Our Lady of Fatima (Sta. Ana), Immaculate Conception (Bakyas), Sto. Nio (Helvetia), Our Lady of Miraculous Medal (Homesite), Immaculate Conception (Villamonte), Triumph of the Holy Cross (Camingawan) and San Isidro Labrador (Tangub). The annual gathering is randomly hosted by one of the eight participating Diocesan seminaries since it began at Roxas City, Capiz in 2001. Held from January 18 to 20, the three-day event commenced with a caravan along the major thoroughfares and landmarks of Bacolod City followed by an opening mass at the Sacred Heart Shrine which was presided by Bishop Vicente M. Navarra. The philosophical symposium held in the morning of the second day was followed by sports activities in the afternoon and solidarity night in the evening. A 9 a.m. Mass in celebration of the feast of St. Sebastian followed by a Fellowship Lunch, culminated the three-day affair. (Sem. Giovani G. Garde/CBCPNews)
Agenda and other legislative initiatives which impact education. At the end of the two-day Congress, COCOPEA will adopt resolutions that would serve as framework of the education reform agenda on K+12 and Quality Assurance. In 2010, COCOPEA held its 3rd National Congress at the height of the campaign for the May 2010 elections which served as a platform for the presidential candidates to articulate their education agenda. It was in this congress that President Aquino presented for the first time his Ten-Point Agenda for Philippine Education, which includes the K+12 program, mother tongue instructions and the expansion of GASTPE. COCOPEA President Jose Paulos Campos, Ed.D. has invited all member schools to participate in the congress. (Jandel Posion)
Markings
INAUGURATED. The Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupans first cloistered monastery was inaugurated January 21. The Poor Clare Monastery of Saint James the Apostle, located at the Brgy. Nancapian, Malasiqui in Pangasinan is the result of almost a year of work by its parishioners. Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas, who initiated the project, led the blessing at 10 a.m. According to him, one of the very first concerns he immediately attended to when he was appointed to the archdiocese was to build a contemplative monastery as the powerhouse of our active ministry. The prelate also said that the blessing of the monastery will be the only opportunity for the public to see its interior. The inauguration coincided with the start of the archdioceses jubilee year. CELEBRATED. The Diocese of Cubaos Ministry for Youth Affairs (MYA-Cubao) marked the 10th anniversary of Jesus and Me (JAM) youth formation program on January 28. Organizers have chosen the theme I in you, you in me (John 14:20) which captures the very identity of every JAMMER (young people who had already attended the JAM Formation Program). Activities during the whole day celebration include group dynamics, Holy Eucharist which was presided by the Diocesan Youth Director, Fr. Jojo Monis, competitions such as Cheering, Commercial Spoof, Skit presentation and Parlor Games; and awarding of winners and Certificates to Parishes and Top 10 Jammers. The anniversary celebration gathered all the graduates of JAM Formation Program. The first batch of JAMMERs had their weekend camp on January 25-27, 2002 at San Jose Seminary in the Ateneo de Manila University campus in Loyola Heights, Quezon City. From then on, other parishes followed suit and to date, 18 parishes have already adopted the program. CELEBRATED. Holy Name Society of the Philippines (HNS) 26th anniversary, January 22, in Mati, Davao Oriental. A solemn Mass at the San Nicolas de Tolentino Cathedral Parish presided by parochial vicar Fr. Carmelito Salisad opened the celebration. Present for the grand affair were Rev. Fr. Rey Adalid, OP, national spiritual director, Bro. Felix Nonong Tobillo, national president, along with his wife Bhaby Tobillo, Bro. Laureano Culala, Jr., executive vice president, Bro. Apolinario Carandang, executive secretary, along with his wife Angeles Carandang, and Bro. Judge Candido Villanueva of Cavite, a retired Makati RTC judge. The officers and members of the HNS Mati unit led by its president Bro. Agustin Gonzaga and Sis. Annabelle Ortega and Bro. Lucio Jabilles, 1st and 2nd vice presidents respectively, warmly welcomed the national visitors upon their arrival in Mati on January 21. The messages delivered by the National Executive Board representatives, including the episcopal message of Mati Bishop Patricio Alo echoed creative challenges emanating from the theme Journeying Faith To Salvation.
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Vol. 16 No. 3
January 30 - February 12, 2012
Pastoral Concerns
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(Message of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI for the 46th World Communications Day that will be observed on 20 May 2012)
DEAR Brothers and Sisters, As we draw near to World Communications Day 2012, I would like to share with you some reflections concerning an aspect of the human process of communication which, despite its importance, is often overlooked and which, at the present time, it would seem especially necessary to recall. It concerns the relationship between silence and word: two aspects of communication which need to be kept in balance, to alternate and to be integrated with one another if authentic dialogue and deep closeness between people are to be achieved. When word and silence become mutually exclusive, communication breaks down, either because it gives rise to confusion or because, on the contrary, it creates an atmosphere of coldness; when they complement one another, however, communication acquires value and meaning. Silence is an integral element of communication; in its absence, words rich in content cannot exist. In silence, we are better able to listen to and understand ourselves; ideas come to birth and acquire depth; we understand with greater clarity what it is we want to say and what we expect from others; and we choose how to express ourselves. By remaining silent we allow the other person to speak, to express him or herself; and we avoid being tied simply to our own words and ideas without them being adequately tested. In this way, space is created for mutual listening, and deeper human relationships become possible. It is often in silence, for example, that we observe the most authentic communication taking place between people who are in love: gestures, facial expressions and body language are signs by which they reveal themselves to each other. Joy, anxiety, and suffering can all be communicated in silenceindeed it provides them with a particularly powerful mode of expression. Silence, then, gives rise to even more active communication, requiring sensitivity and a capacity to listen that often makes manifest the true measure and nature of the relationships involved. When messages and information are plentiful, silence becomes essential if we are to distinguish what is important from what is insignificant or secondary. Deeper reflection helps us to discover the links between events that at first sight seem unconnected, to make evaluations, to analyze messages; this makes it possible to share thoughtful and relevant opinions, giving rise to an authentic body of shared knowledge. For this to happen, it is necessary to develop an appropriate environment, a kind of eco-system that maintains a just equilibrium between silence, words, images and sounds. answer and permits seekers to reach into the depths of their being and open themselves to the path towards knowledge that God has inscribed in human hearts. Ultimately, this constant flow of questions demonstrates the restlessness of human beings, ceaselessly searching for truths, of greater or lesser import, that can offer meaning and hope to their lives. Men and women cannot rest content with a superficial and unquestioning e x c h a n g e of skeptical opinions and experiences of lifeall of us are in search of truth and we share this profound yearning today more than ever: When people e x c h a n g e information, they are already sharing themselves, their view of the world, their hopes, their ideals (Message for the 2011 World Day of Communications). A t t e n t i o n should be paid to the various types of websites, applications and social networks which can help people today to find time for reflection and authentic questioning, as well as making space for silence and occasions for prayer, meditation or sharing of the word of God. In concise phrases, often no longer than a verse from the Bible, profound thoughts can be communicated, as long as those taking part in the conversation do not neglect to cultivate their own inner lives. It is hardly surprising that different religious traditions consider solitude and silence as privileged states which help people to rediscover themselves and that Truth which gives meaning to all things. The God of biblical
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The process of communication nowadays is largely fuelled by questions in search of answers. Search engines and social networks have become the starting point of communication for many people who are seeking advice, ideas, information and answers. In our time, the internet is becoming ever more a forum for questions and answers indeed, people today are frequently bombarded with answers to questions they have never asked and to needs of which they were unaware. If we are to recognize and focus upon the truly important questions, then silence is a precious commodity that enables us to exercise proper discernment in the face of the surcharge of stimuli and data that we receive. Amid the complexity and diversity of the world of communications, however, many people find themselves confronted with the ultimate questions of human existence: Who am I? What can I know? What ought I to do? What may I hope? It is important to affirm those who ask these questions, and to open up the possibility of a profound dialogue, by means of words and interchange, but also through the call to silent reflection, something that is often more eloquent than a hasty
with Members of the International Theological Commission, 6 October 2006). In speaking of Gods grandeur, our language will always prove inadequate and must make space for silent contemplation. Out of such contemplation springs forth, with all its inner power, the urgent sense of mission, the compelling obligation to communicate that which we have seen and heard so that all may be in communion with God (1 Jn 1:3). Silent contemplation immerses us in the source of that Love who directs
us towards our neighbors so that we may feel their suffering and offer them the light of Christ, his message of life and his saving gift of the fullness of love. In silent contemplation, then, the eternal Word, through whom the world was created, becomes ever more powerfully present and we become aware of the plan of salvation that God is accomplishing throughout our history by word and deed. As the Second Vatican Council reminds us, divine revelation is fulfilled by deeds and words having an inner unity: the deeds wrought by God in the history of salvation manifest and confirm the teaching and realities signified by the words, while the words proclaim the deeds and clarify the mystery contained in them (Dei Verbum, 2).This plan of salvation culminates in the person of Jesus of Nazareth, the mediator and the fullness of all revelation. He has made known to us the true face of God the Father and by his Cross and Resurrection has brought us from the slavery of sin and death to the freedom of the children of God. The fundamental question of the meaning of human existence finds in the mystery of Christ an answer capable of bringing peace to the restless human heart. The Churchs mission springs from this mystery; and it is this mystery which impels Christians to become heralds of hope and salvation, witnesses of that love which promotes human dignity and builds justice and peace. Word and silence: learning to communicate is learning to listen and contemplate as well as speak. This is especially important for those engaged in the task of evangelization: both silence and word are essential elements, integral to the Churchs work of communication for the sake of a renewed proclamation of Christ in todays world. To Mary, whose silence listens to the Word and causes it to blossom (Private Prayer at the Holy House, Loreto, 1 September 2007), I entrust all the work of evangelization which the Church undertakes through the means of social communication. From the Vatican, 24 January 2012, Feast of Saint Francis de Sales. BENEDICTUS XVI
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Updates
CBCP Monitor
January 30 - February 12, 2012
Vol. 16 No. 3
Baptism by multiplying the churches or oratories that can have a baptismal font within the same parish (c.858). 2 Another parish. If due to grave inconvenience, because of distance or other circumstances, a person to be baptized cannot go or be taken to the parish church or to the other church or oratory mentioned in c.858, 2, baptism may and must be conferred in some nearer church or oratory(c.859). b) Another Fitting Place. In the case of grave inconvenience previously mentioned, if not even another church in a parish other than that of the one to be baptized is possible, c.859 ends by allowing baptism to be celebrated even in some other fitting place. In other words, despite the general provision for baptism to take place in the proper parish of the subject, Canon Law is sufficiently flexiblefor pastoral reasonsso as to allow baptism to be celebrated in any other church or
local Ordinary will permit this only for a grave cause. 2 Hospitals. Baptism is not to be celebrated in hospitals, unless the diocesan Bishop has decreed otherwise, except in case of necessity or some other compelling pastoral reason (c.860, 2). The local Ordinary can permit this without any limitation by the Code; andit would seemeven the competent Chaplain or priest in case of some other compelling pastoral reason. 2) Other Canonical Requisites. Here we are referring to dispositions of the Code, not just purely ritual requirements (which would be in the particular rituals and liturgical books). Hence, the following are canonical requirements: a) Baptismal font. Every parish is to have a baptismal font, with due regard for the cumulative right already acquired by other Churches. The local
catechumensas it is calledis blessed by the Bishop in the Chrism Mass of Holy Thursday. c. Registry and Proof of Baptism. The juridic situation that arises from the reception of this sacrament demands that the necessary measures are taken to safeguard not only the public good of the Church, but also the rights of the faithful that stem from it. Thus, the Code stipulates the following: 1) General Principles: a) Registry in the place of Baptism. In contrast to the criterion of the CIC17 which required communication of the fact of baptism to the parish where the baptized has (or will establish) his domicile or quasi-domicilethe new Code stipulates just keeping one registry, precisely in the place where the baptism took place. The subjects responsible for this are:
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were sufficient adorers present at all times. The only thing absolutely required is that adoration must be interrupted for the celebration of Mass. The text quoted from the introduction to the Order of Solemn Exposition enunciates general principles regarding the relationship between adoration and Mass and is not meant as a practical norm to be applied rigidly. There are many ways to bring out the meaning of Eucharistic worship in its correlation with the Mass without having to necessarily conclude the adoration before Mass. For example such correlation can be highlighted through appropriate prayers, reflections and songs. There are also some practices to be avoided so that this correlation is not obscured and especially that it remains clear that, as the pastor said, The highest act of adoration is the Mass itself. This is why it is no longer permitted to celebrate before the Blessed Sacrament exposed. The Mass, as the infinite sacrifice of Christ, cannot be made more holy by the presence of the monstrance, and this practice can easily detract attention from the Churchs supreme act of worship. While this is true, I see no difficulty in attending to the spiritual needs of those who may not be able to arrive at the 7 p.m. Mass and yet desire some time before the Lord.
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 16 No. 3
January 30 - February 12, 2012
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more trees and be more careful in segregating their garbage. Canoy said the children donated gifts for typhoon victims, such as kitchen wares which will be sent to the victims of typhoon Sendong in Iligan and Cagayan de Oro. [They did that] with the little amount that they spared for their offerings, they realized that it is already a big help for those who will receive them, he said. The priest encouraged everyone, especially the parents and in charge of formation and catechesis of children to really exert an extra effort in teaching, guiding, and molding their young Christian life according to the teachings of Christ so that as they grow and mature, their lives will always be rooted in the values of the Gospel. The children are indeed, the future and the hope of our Church, he furthered. (Jandel Posion)
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Features
CBCP Monitor
January 30 - February 12, 2012
Vol. 16 No. 3
A YEAR after the infamous 1973 Roe vs. Wade US Supreme Court decision, which legalized abortion on demand in that country, a prominent international pro-life advocate traveled to Asia and called on Filipinos to remain staunchly pro-life. Rev. Fr. Paul Marx, the late founder of Human Life International (HLI), spoke to different groups about the issues surrounding the legalization of abortion in the US, and Sr. Mary Pilar Verzosa, RGS, was among those present. The film on what happens to the baby in an abortion touched me, just as I am sure it was a shock to all of those in the audiencemostly nuns and parents. I dont even remember where that forum was held but we were told that the guest speaker was Rev. Fr. Paul Marx, OSB, the Founder of Human Life International. That was in 1974, Sr. Pilar recalled. The main message of Fr. Marx to the Filipinos then was that we should do our best never, never to allow abortion to be legalized in the Philippines, said the nun, who was working in the Good Shepherd Home for Unwed Mothers at the time. I thought that showing the same film to schools and parishes would inform the public that there are alternatives to abortion, and our Maternity Home was one of them. I then asked him for a copy of the films he was showing. He generously gave me copies of four titles and even a 16mm projector that I would lug around from school to school and even travel by bus or air to the provinces equipped with those films. That was my simple intention in giving seminars, she added. Sr. Pilar carried out the work on her own for a long time until family
well as in the provinces, explained the mother of the countrys pro-life movement. Trained counselors offer free, compassionate and effective help to the callers or to those who walk in. Hundreds, if not a couple of thousands, of babies have been saved and girls
and women have returned to the Lord through the timely availability of our volunteer pro-lifers. Eventually, however, the need for advice was no longer confined to single expectant girls, she said. The population control mentality was seeping into the consciousness
of people, so intensive education on Gods Plan for our Fertility, Sexuality, Marital Relationships, and Responsible Parenthood had to be conducted. CBCP for Life is running a bi-weekly column by Sr. Pilar Verzosatitled Love Lifeto appear Mondays and Thursdays. (www.cbcpforlife.com)
wealth and efforts to change this unjust divide between the haves and have not. But its not an easy task. In Davos, Switzerland the world leaders have lost their way. Greed and excess has damaged the world economy and they cant fix it. Trying to make this a more honest, loving and compassionate world where equality and justice reign is the true goal of Christianity. When Jesus of Nazareth proclaimed that it was coming, the corrupt rich elite called him a blasphemer and a rebel, a danger to the nation and to their elite status and tortured him and handed down the death penalty in cruelest way possible. Today
around the world, human rights advocates and those committed social workers dedicated to helping the victims of abuse and hardship, work to bring about a just society based on democracy and greater equality. They are vilified and condemned, tortured and killed. Yet more heroes rise up to take their place and carry on the mission. The irresponsible rich and their deluded followers call such heroic striving for spiritual and social transformation class warfare, Jesus called it the road to the Kingdom of God where the poorest and their supporters would live in dignity and be the most blessed instead of being the most despised and cursed.
CBCP Media
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 16 No. 3
January 30 - February 12, 2012
Statements
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SINCE last Tuesday, 24 January until this noon (of 30 January), 99 members of the CBCP gathered here at Pius XII Catholic Center for the Bishops Seminar and the 104th CBCP Plenary Assembly. We are happy to share with you what transpired during these days. With me are members of our CBCP Permanent Council, prelates who are already familiar with you: Abp. Soc Villegas and Bp. Pablo Ambo David. They are with me because Abp. Soc is Bishop-in-charge of media concerns, and Bp. Ambo David is Chair of the Episcopal Commission on Biblical Apostolate. To us the past week was most significant and fruitful. On Tuesday, we were privileged to listen to the findings of a study conducted by professors from 10 universities in the period of 10 months. Such study focused on the submitted Diocesan Pastoral Plans (DPPs) after PCP II in 1991 or specifically after the National Pastoral Consultation
on Church Renewal (NPCCR) in 2001. A great interest was generated by insights from our DPPs 20 years after PCP II. The next days were ever more engaging. The document VERBUM DOMINI on the Word of God in the life and missions of the Church, reflected and elaborated from the perspective of BEC, Clergy, Seminary Formations, etc. gave us much joy and consolation and also proposed to us serious challenges. Indeed Gods word is alive. Its both a gift and a task. The Plenary which started last Saturday was an opportunity for us to look forward in hope to great events we expect to happen in the universal church, to wit: Launching of the year of Faith on October 11, 2012 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the opening of Vatican II and the 20th anniversary of the publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. We underline our eager expectations
and the blessings (from the pastoral perspective) of the forthcoming Synod of Bishops on Oct. 7-28, 2012. Said Synod is on New Evangelization. Finally, I would like to add how excited we are as we look forward to the CANONIZATION of Bl. Pedro Calungsod. We are joyful to think that if we have San LORENZO RUIZ de MANILA, soon we will have SAN PEDRO CALUNGSOD, Bisaya. In my opening message (during the plenary assembly) I said that to hope is not to close our eyes to the sad realities around us. In that address I pointed out that our country is considered the natural disaster capital of the world. What complicates and saddens even more the life of millions are human factors all of us are called to examine ourselves, particularly our individual and collective failures. We know that the first challenge to renewal is personal. Then social change will follow.
We profess that the road to renewal, growth and development also beacons us to rise and get actively involved with the realization of things hoped for. Lifting up our hearts in prayer and from the perspective of FAITH, commenting on the ongoing impeachment trial of CJ RENATO CORONA, our collective sentiment is to exhort our brothers and sistersour fellow FILIPINOSto pray, study and to do whatever is legally and morally possible that TRUTH and JUSTICE maybe attained or realized. We exhort people to pray especially for wisdom and guidance. We hope that the process will redound to the common good. Finally we exhort people to give our respect and trust with the Senator-judges and the constitutional processes. Finally, having been presented videos of the effects of typhoon SENDONG in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, and also of the APECO (Aurora Pacific Economic
Zone and Freeport Authority) in Aurora we take the occasion to make an appeal particularly to the authorities concerned: our prayer is to make a serious revisit of our logging laws and practices, mining laws, aggressive development plans as well as the impending RH Bill and the proposed Senate Bill 2814 Racial Anti-Ethnic, Racial or Religious Discrimination. We fear of their grievous consequences to our people now and in the future. As bishops we are aware of our multiple ills, concerns and problems. Yet Hope springs eternal. We believe in the God who loves us. We believe in the good in the human hearts. We believe that FILIPINOS can love and even sacrifice for the common good. +JOSE S. PALMA, DD Archbishop of Cebu CBCP President 30 January 2012
The Church Has Recognized in the Way a Special Gift That the Holy Spirit Has Given Our Time
(Address of Pope Benedict XVI to the members of the Neocatechumenal Way; on January 20, 2012)
Christ the Priest and of His Body the Church (cf. Sacrosanctum Concilium, 7). At first glance this might seem strange, because it seems that the work of Christ refers to the historical redemptive action of Jesus, his Passion, Death and Resurrection. In what sense, then, is the liturgy the work of Christ? The Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus are not only historical events; they reach into and penetrate history, but also transcend it and are always present in the heart of Christ. In the liturgical action of the Church there is the active presence of the Risen Christ who makes present and effective for us today the same Paschal Mystery; it draws us into this act of gift of Self that in his heart is always present, and causes us to participate in this presence of the Paschal Mystery. This work of the Lord Jesus, who is the real content of the Liturgy, the entering into the presence of the Paschal Mystery, is also the work of the Church, which, as his body, is a single entity with Christ -- Totus Christus caput et corpussays St. Augustine. In the celebration of the sacraments, Christ immerses us in the Paschal Mystery for us to pass from death to life, from sin to new life in Christ. This applies most especially for the celebration of the Eucharist, which, being the summit of Christian life, is also the cornerstone of its rediscovery, to which the Neocatechumenate tends. As your Statutes read, The Eucharist is essential to the Neocatechumenate, as a postbaptismal catechumenate, lived in small communities (art. 13 1). Precisely in order to promote the rapprochement to the wealth of the sacramental life by people who have strayed from the Church, or have not received adequate training, the Neocatechumenals may celebrate the Eucharist in small communities, after the first Vespers of Sunday, according to the provisions of the diocesan bishop (cf. Statutes, art. 13 2). But every Eucharistic celebration is an action of the one Christ together with his one Church and therefore DEAR brothers and sisters, This year I have the joy to meet you and share with you this moment of sending out for the mission. A special greeting to Kiko Argello, Carmen Hernndez and Father Mario Pezzi, and an affectionate greeting to you all: priests, seminarians, families, formators and members of the Neocatechumenal Way. Your presence today is a visible testimony of your joyful commitment to living the faith, in communion with the whole Church and with the Successor of Peter, and to be courageous heralds of the Gospel. In the passage we heard from St. Matthew, the apostles received a clear mandate from Jesus: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations (Mt 28:19). At first they doubted, in their hearts there was still uncertainty, wonder before the event of the Resurrection. And it is Jesus himself, the Risen onethe Evangelist underlineswho draws close to them, makes his presence felt, sends them to teach all that he has communicated to them, giving a certainty that accompanies every preacher of Christ: And behold I am with you always, until the end of the world (Matthew 28:20). They arewordsthatresonatestrongly in your hearts. You have sung Resurrexit, expressing faith in the Living One, the One who, in a supreme act of love has conquered sin and death and gives to man, to us, the warmth of the love of God, the hope of being saved, a future of eternity. In these decades of life of the Way, one of your strong commitments has been to proclaim the Risen Christ, responding with generosity to his words, often abandoning personal and material safety, even leaving your own countries, facing new and not always easy situations. Bringing Christ to the people and bringing people to Christ: essentially open to all those who belong to this Church. This public character of the Holy Eucharist is expressed in the fact that every celebration of Holy Mass is ultimately directed by the Bishop as a member of the Episcopal College, responsible for a particular local church (cf. Vatican Council II, Dogmatic Constitution. Lumen Gentium, 26). The celebration in small communities, regulated by the liturgical books, which should be followed faithfully, and with the particular features approved in the Statutes of the Way, has the task of helping those who are undergoing the Neocatechumenal itinerary to receive the grace of being inserted into the saving mystery of Christ, which makes possible a Christian witness capable of assuming the traits of radicality. At the same time, the gradual growth in faith of the individual and of the small communities should promote their integration into the life of the larger ecclesial community, that finds in the liturgical celebration of the parish, in which and for which the Neocatechumenate is implemented (cf. Statutes, art. 6), its ordinary form. But even during the way it is important not to separate from the parish community, right in the celebration of the Eucharist which is the true place of the unity of all, where the Lord embraces us in the various states of our spiritual maturity and unites us in the one bread that makes us one body (cf. 1 Corinthian 10:16f). Courage! The Lord does not fail to accompany you and I assure you of my prayers and I thank you for the many signs of closeness. I also ask you to remember me, too, in your prayers. May the Holy Virgin Mary with her maternal gaze assist you and may my Apostolic Blessing sustain you, which I extend to all the members of the Way. Thank you!
this is what breathes life into each work of evangelization. You do it in a way that helps those who have already received the baptism of faith discover the beauty of the life of faith, the joy of being Christians. The following of Christ requires the personal adventure of looking for him, of going with him, and always involves going out of the closed-ness of ones ego, breaking down the individualism that often characterizes the society of our time, to replace selfishness with the community of the new man in Jesus Christ. And this happens in a deep personal relationship with him, in listening to his word, in walking the path that he has shown us, but it also happens inseparably with believing with his Church, with the saints, in whom one always discovers again and again the true face of the Bride of Christ. It is a commitmentwe knowthat is not always easy. Sometimes you are present in places where there is need for a first proclamation of the Gospel, the mission ad gentes; often, however, in areas that, despite having known Christ, have become
indifferent to faith: secularism has eclipsed the sense of God there, and eclipsed Christian values. Here, your commitment and your testimony is like yeast that, with patience, in time, with sensus Ecclesiae, causes the dough to rise. The Church has recognized in the Way a special gift that the Holy Spirit has given our time, and the approval of the Statutes and of the Catechetical Directory are a sign of this. I encourage you to offer your original contribution to the cause of the Gospel. In your valuable work, seek always a deep communion with the Apostolic See and with the Pastors of particular Churches, to which you belong: the unity and harmony of the body of the Church are an important witness to Christ and his Gospel in the world we live in. Dear families, the Church thanks you; it needs you for the new evangelization. The family is an important cell for the ecclesial community, where one is formed in human and Christian life. With great joy I see your children, many children who look to you, dear parents, to your example. One
hundred families are leaving for 12 missions ad gentes. I invite you not to be afraid: he who carries the Gospel is never alone. I greet with affection the priests and seminarians: love Christ and the Church, communicate the joy of having met him and the beauty of having given Him everything. I also greet the itinerants, directors and all the communities of the Way. Continue to be generous with the Lord: He will sustain you with his consolation! A while ago I was reading the decree with which the celebrations which are in the Catechetical Directory of the Neocatechumenal Way are approved; celebrations which are not strictly liturgical, but are part of the itinerary of growth in faith. It is another element that shows you how the Church accompanies you with a patient discernment that includes your richness, but also looks to the communion and harmony of the whole Corpus Ecclesiae. This gives me the opportunity to offer a brief thought on the value of the liturgy. The Second Vatican Council defines it as the work of
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Ref lections
CBCP Monitor
January 30 - February 12, 2012
Vol. 16 No. 3
An exegetical reflection on the Gospel of the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B (Mark 1:29-39) February 5, 2012
By Msgr. Lope C. Robredillo, SThD
IF one takes a bleak look at the world, he will see that the present, like the past, is a story of suffering and evil. There is much experience of evil that we read from the accounts in newspapers, magazines and the internet, and hear from the reports on television and the radiosuffering that stems from injustice, hunger, poverty, unemployment, deprivation of freedom, abuse of human rights, wars and natural calamities. And there is the suffering that is unseenhiding behind the smile of a prostitute, the clown and the movie star and behind the joyful scenes that people upload in social networks, like Facebook. In the 1st Reading (Job 7:14.6-7), Job found himself in a similar situation: the experience of so much suffering. Eliphaz told him that his suffering resulted from his unfaithfulness to Yahweh, for prosperity and joy come from faithfulness (Job 4:7). Of course, this is a popular understanding that unfortunately is very common even among Christians. If one prospers, this is counted as reward from God for something good one has done; if one suffers, God must have given punishment for an evil deed one has committed. Job, however, protested against such theology, for he has, as far as he knew, been faithful to God, and yet he suffered (Job 23:11). This probably explains why, as we notice from the 1st Reading, Job had a negative view of life and his world (Job 7:1-3). In todays Gospel, however, we are told that Gods will is not suffering and evil; on the contrary, it has happiness and peace. It may be recalled that, last Sunday, it was noticed Jesus word had authority and power (Mark 1:27), and in the concrete, it had power to save (cf Jas 1:21). In the Gospel, which continues to tell us what Jesus did in Capernaum, we see that Jesus preaching of the Kingdom of God includes saving people from
suffering. The Kingdom of God was not only preached; it was also being made present in his healing and exorcism ministry. For example, he cured Peters mother-in-law of fever (Mark 1:30), and expelled many demons (v 39), both of which being considered as manifestations of the demonic power. Here we see the meaning of the preaching of the word: it is delivered in order to defeat the forces and manifestations of evil, save us from suffering, and let us thereby experience the joy and happiness of the Kingdom. The word is thus meant to effect transformation in our personal lives and in the life of the community. Being a bearer of the word in virtue of his incorporation into Christ through baptism, the Christian has a vocation to alleviate human suffering and free his fellowmen from the experience of evil. As at baptism he has been freed from the clutches of the Devil, he has to use the power given him to free others from Satans bondage. This is the call which Peters mother-in-law received. She was healed of her infirmity through Jesus word, and so she began to serve (v 30). Having heard and having been formed by the word of God, a Christian therefore has a
responsibility to break the history of suffering. The 2nd Reading also gives us an example of Paul himself. As a follower of Christ, he felt it was his obligation to preach the gospel (1 Cor 9:16). And what was his purpose? To save: I have become all things to all, to save at least some. All this I do for the sake of the gospel, so that I, too, may have a share in it (1 Cor 9:2223). Like Paul, we, Christians, have the calling to preach the word with power. We have to show that our belief in the Word makes us servants and partners in accomplishing Christs work of effecting liberation and happiness to men who suffer. Like Peters mother-in-law, we exercise our discipleship in roles of lowly service to heal the world of sin and suffering. In our recent history, the Acquired Immunity Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is an example of evil that has engulfed the lives of thousands of men and women. The Christian has the duty to show that his being a disciple of Jesus can help the world be freed from evil not only by looking after the needs of AIDS victims, putting the service of science and technology to discover a cure for it, but also by making his own life the preached word. He shows, for example,
that a chaste life, a life that knows faithfulness to ones wife and abstinence on Fridays is a way of defeating the forces of current evils. Fittingly enough, only recently, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) issued a pastoral letter on AIDS late last year (2011), to create awareness among people, because the diseases is taking a heavy toll in terms of human lives. Much has to be done to put an end to the epidemic; obviously, condom is not the solution. The Christian community has much to contribute to halt the increase of incidence. To be sure, we can always describe the world in terms of history of negative experiences, but such history need not be one of continual suffering. Evil in history must be put to an end. Christians have a vocation to shift its course because they themselves have experienced pockets of salvation effected by the Word. And Gods will to happiness will become effective when we ourselves allow him to use us as his instruments-through which the power and authority of the Word work to make the world a better place to live in, in transforming the world so it may concretely mirror the vision of the Kingdom of God.
where there is acceptance, togetherness, wholeness and happiness. Which is why Jesus was angry at the misery (pain, loneliness, ostracism [Mark 1:42]) which accompanied the disease, and took pity on the leper. He healed him of his leprosy. The consequence was of course more than just the restoration of the sick mans health. Even more important to Mark was the fact that he was socially and religiously made whole again. He returned to his family, to his circle of friends, and was restored to the normal religious community. People could now associate with him, and he could participate of the sacrifice in the Temple. Of course, today, we have few lepers,
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WHATEVER
OH no! Jesus is falling! the boy screamed! Quick! St. Michael, catch the crucifix! he ordered. St. Michael swooped down from the sky, but came a little too late and could not catch the falling crucifix. St. Josemara! Save Jesus from hitting the ground! the boy made one last plea. A prayer card of St. Josemara glided like a surfboard from nowhere and caught the falling crucifix before it hit the ground. Yahoooo! St. Josemara saves the day again! Jovy cried out in joy. Next time, he pointed to the statue of St. Michael, you had better be more alert. If St. Josemara were not close by, then Jesus would have hit his head on the ground. Now lets form a circle
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CBCP Monitor
Vol. 16 No. 3
January 30 - February 12, 2012
Social Concerns
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Currently, there is an ongoing project dubbed as Paa Campaign for children whose feet, legs or limbs, have been amputated. The children who have been diagnosed with Osteosarcoma or bone cancer wish to have synthetic or alternative feet. CWF is also advocating to lower the prices of drugs and to provide free medicines for Leukemia patients in over 14 tertiary government hospitals in the country. The foundation continues to ask for help from generous people to provide the needs of the children. Auste is also calling for help from the government and the church as well. We need the support of the CBCP in raising awareness by including childhood cancer in the topics or issues [being] discussed [by them]. We need the [backing] of the bishops [to support] their local cancer warriors by allotting a Sunday, a week, or a month of the year to childhood cancer, Auste said. CWF will be celebrating the International Childhood Cancer Awareness Day on February 15, 2012 to commemorate the lives they are helping and the lives they have lost. For your donations and inquiries, you may contact James Auste at jamesauste@ yahoo.com or visit www. cancerwarriorsfoundation.org.
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The Mission Society of the Philippines (MSP) as an Associate Member. A missionary in the Hosororo Parish, Region I, Guyana, South America. How did I end up here in Guyana? Why the missions? I have no ready and certain answers. I believe I have the same questions myself. Where God leads me, I am not always ready to go. When I tried to look into the reality of Vocation or Call in the Bible, there is a recurring theme of initial rejection of the call. I noticed that this is common... Abraham (How am I to know that I shall inherit the land?), Moses (I am nobody), David (I am too small) Isaiah (I have unclean lips), Jeremiah (I am too young), John the Baptist (You should baptize me, instead), Peter (Depart from me, I am a sinner), Paul (I am a persecutor of believers), Mary ( I dont know man) Jesus (Take this cup away from me, for I dont want to taste its poisonJC, Superstar). It seems that where I dont want to be, there is where God wanted me. In John 21, I found the closest explanation to this reality. After Peter, as it were, professed his love for three times, the Lord told Peter, I am telling you the truth: when you were young, you used to get ready and go anywhere you wanted to; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will bind you and take you where you dont want to go. (John 21:18) It does imply some MATURITY
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(But when you are old). I am not really certain of what God wants of me... I am just more open to this reality. After all, I am only the one called, He is the one calling. He calls the shots. It is his vineyard, not mine. It is his work, not mine. I dont know where will this lead me But as long as God is the one leading this becomes my vocation. I allowed this experience to sink down on me. This week I came to realize that I receive only US$25 monthly. I can receive the same amount by celebrating two masses in Cabanatuan Diocese. There are no stipends in almost all the masses and sacraments in Hosororo. You received without pay, give without pay becomes real more than ever. I was asked by some close friends if I have no regrets. I told them, that the benefits may not be tangible but the inner battles won are worth it. Whereas before, I would sometimes feel different going to far places for masses and receive the same stipend, now no more. Here and now, I know I will not receive anything: be it near or far, land or river, wet or dry, with food or nothing. I go because I was sent, not because I will be given. I am certain of one thing . . . I go for the mass, not for the mass stipend. And its freedom! It feels good. The missions afterThis is how I answered the Evaluation Questions after the Three Year
Mission in Guyana: How were the Goals of the MSP Associate Program accomplished from your experience: * It was truly a privilege for me, a diocesan priest, to be given the opportunity to serve in the missions. Whereas before, my knowledge and take in the missions were very limited. Now I understood why amidst the sacrifices of the missioners, God is there to show His all-abiding love and support. * The MSP has shown its support in the foreign missioners. There are many ways: correspondence, email, sms texting. The magazines, calendars, scripture guides and all. * I want to believe that my fellow priests and the Bishop have shown interest and support to the missions. Even in the way I perform my tasks in the apostolate, I feel different and a better priest now and I pray, always. In the summary statement after our evaluation: This is what I wrote: MISSION IS A TWO-EDGED PRIVELEGE. IN TRUTH, WHEN THE MISSIONARY SETS HIS SIGHT IN THE MISSION, GOD SETS HIS SIGHT ON THE MISSIONARY. GOD DOESNT ONLY TAKE OVER THE MISSIONS, BUT TAKES THE MISSIONARY AS HIS OWN MISSION. HE CONVERTS HIM TOO. HOW CLEVER GOD IS! YOU MAY RUN BUT YOU CANNOT HIDE
corruption and social welfare secretary Corazon Dinky JulianoSoliman is delivering poverty reduction programs through conditional cash transfers. Cash transfers will ease the hunger for a while and will get more children vaccinated and into school, but they will not change the deeply rooted causes of poverty and hunger in the Philippines. That is due to the structural inequality in society where the 1 percent of the 96 million people owns 70 percent of the wealth. That calls for government reform and a just redistribution of wealth in such a way that the poor will develop through equal opportunity into a strong dignified middle class. But first human and civil rights must be top priority.
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sadness is due to what St. Josemara teaches, there is something between you and God. (cf. The Way, no. 662) Children, however, are seldom sad. This is because of their openness to almost anything and above all because they have not yet learned the art of being self-centered. They are not attached to plans, schemes nor try to assume an I-already-know attitude before their parents. And they are ready to turn almost anything into an occasion to live and enjoy life. This must be every Christians attitude before God. God Himself says in Proverbs 8, that it is His desire-longing to be with the children of men and to spend His time with them playing. Isnt there a more attractive way to describe how God wants to be with us and spend that time with us? How can we not respondexcept when we dont
know how to be childliketo such an enchanting proposal? How many of us have wishful thoughts of becoming children once again just to rid ourselves of our personal complications? Imagine, God wants to play with us? And these are the basic points: 1. It is always something invitational. This means that we are free to play or not to play this game of love with God. 2. Like all games, it has some rules to follow. There are no games without rules. Rules exist not to for themselves but so the game can be played well. The Ten Commandments, that is the universal moral guide for man, describes the playing field. In this game, one doesnt play with the rules, but uses the rules in order to play and to love. 3. God wants us to enjoy ourselves playing this game with Him. Sometimes
we may not understand it in the beginning, but with time, practice, patience and faith, we start enjoying it. We even develop better skills to play it. 4. The best part is that He wants us to win this game. The only real way to win is never to get tired of playing with Him. If we never abandon a childlike stance characterized by trust and humilitywe will most like find God helping us to play in order to win. 5. Oh, I almost forgot If youre a child, then it would naturally mean inviting other children to this game of love. Thats when the fun really begins! So what are you waiting for? Start playingI mean praying, or whatever it may be there really seems to be no difference if they are both lovingly done in the presence of our Father God.
sight. People turned away their sight from them. Jesus did not follow the prevailing attitude toward lepers. He had come for the sick and the outcast, and he remained faithful to his mission. Even when the most outcast of allthe lepersapproached him, he did not back off in horror. Not only did he welcome them, but even stretched out his hand and touched them. (See todays Gospel.) The merciful love that Jesus felt for the man featured in todays Gospel was stronger than the horror which the purulent limbs most likely arouse in him as a man. Jesus power, pity, and love had their day. Thanks to them, a man was cured. A man was saved. And he and all the others gave praise to God. Leprosy is no longer so widespread and dreaded in our time. Modern medicine has done a lot to curb and cure it. But another type of leprosy, that spiritual leprosy called sin, is still with us. It affects not only a
Outcasts / B6
few but all humans. It affects all of us. Its effects in us are even more destructive than leprosy or AIDS. Surprisinglyand sadly somany seem unaware of its presence and devastating effects. Others simply deny the existence of sin or call it by other sanitized names. Pope Pius XII lamented that one of the tragedies of our times was the loss of the sense of sin. But ignoring or denying it does not prevent its spread or its destructive effects. If anything, they make things worse . . . . Such is the strategy of the devil! Who will save us from such a plague? No progress in science or technology can offer the cure. Only Jesus can. We, the spiritual lepers of our time, have only one hope: JESUS. The only cure is his merciful LOVE and his GRACE. Our humble prayer is the one of todays Gospel: Lord if you will to do so, you can cure me! (Mk 1:40).
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but we have a number of modern counterparts whom our unkind society normally rejects. We can think of moral lepers: prostitutes, guest relation officers, calls girls and criminals. We also have physical lepers: HIV and AIDS victims, tuberculars, neurotics and psychotics. And to some extent, we have social lepers: dockworkers, squatter settlers, barkers, hold-uppers and smalltime thieves (big-one ones, ironically, are often honored in high places). In many ways, they are the alienated, the unwanted in our contemporary world. We normally discriminate against, if not exclude, them from the respectable society. We erect various walls to keep them out, in much the same way that the Jews put barriers between those within and those outside the respectable Jewish society. But if the Gospel (Mark 1:4045) has any lesson, it is that we
are invited to accept such people to the Christian community where no one is excluded on the basis of money, morality, and gender: There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave or free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus(Gal 3:27), for our vocation is to be one: to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace: one body, one Spirit one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all (Eph 4:3-6). So as Christians, we have to make every effort that all people, no matter the kind of leprosy they have, should have a place in our Christian community, where humanity, justice and dignity are restored, and where they will be accepted, and treated as fellow Christians. We have to make every effort to support them, and uplift them from misery through our love and concern for them.
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Entertainment
Moral Assessment
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 16 No. 3
Technical Assessment
TITLE: We Bought a Zoo CAST: Matt Damon, Colin Ford, Thomas haden Church, Scarlett Johansson, Patrick Fugit, Elle Fanning DIRECTOR: Cameron Crowe SCREENWRITER: Aline Brosh McKenna, Cameron Crowe PRODUCER: Julie Yorn, Marc Gordon GENRE: Adaptation, Drama LOCATION: California, USA RUNNING TIME: 124 minutes
WE bought a zoo is based on a real story that took place in England. Journalist Benjamin Mee (Matt Damon) recently lost his beloved wife and is raising their two children singlehandedly. Sevenyear-old Rosie (Maggie Elizabeth Jones) is adorable and a breeze to look after but 14-year old Dylan (Colin Ford) is a difficult case, sullen, withdrawn, and causes a lot of trouble in school. Following an impulse to make a fresh start, Benjamin quits his job and decides to move
his family away from the city where all the memories of their sweet and happy life haunt them. His house-hunting leads him to a spacious, modestly priced property in a bucolic setting. It would have been perfect, except that it comes with a rundown zoo which is maintained by a handful of volunteers led by Kelly (Scarlett Johansson) who do it out of sheer love for the animals. The new owner of the property would have to take this shuttered down zoo and the animals, including some endangered species. The title alone, We bought a zoo, would have us expecting comic relief at least half the time. The other half could be spread out evenly among cute animal shots, clever animal tricks, and heroic animal deeds that would all endear wild four legged creatures and other species to humans. But no, the movie has none of thosewhich is what makes this number most unusually precious in Hollywoods history of animal movies. First, the animals are simply themselves, animals in an animal park, not trained performers in a glittery circus. Snakes crawl, big cats growl. The animals here are low profile, and
even when a couple of them have to be deployed, it is done in order to advance the story and not to inject cheap excitement as is done by movies which rely on gimmickry to catch public attention. This is so because We bought a zoo is not about animals but about persons who discover themselves and one another through experiences that eventually cause their growth. The zoo just happens to be the setting, and the animals, the necessary props for such transformative human interaction to take place. This is about personsand there is not one person here who can be called a bad guy. There is no villain in this story, not even the fussy zoo inspector Walter Ferris (John Michael Higgins) the character that causes the most stress in the others is just there to faithfully do his job, or Benjamins brother Duncan (Thomas Haden Church) who is not very encouraging of his brothers moves or decisions at the start. We bought a zoo is definitely family entertainment and has much to say about familial devotion, love of creation and the environment, dedication to work, friendship and parentchild relationships.
MAC en COLET
Ni Bladimer Usi
Buhay Parokya
Look for the images of CBCP president and Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, Saint Valentine, Blessed Pope John Paul II (Illustration by Bladimer Usi)
CORIOLANUS (Ralph Fiennes) is a tough Roman General who plays important role in fighting the civil unrest at the height of hunger in Rome. Impressed of his skills as soldiers, the politicians including her manipulative mother Volumnia (Vanessa Redgrave) make him their leaders where he realizes the plights of Roman people experiencing hunger and unrest. The politicians take his realization as a display of weakness and ineffectiveness as a leader and therefore accuse him of being a traitor. He turns his back from political allies and joins the side of the former
TITLE: Coriolanus CAST: Ralph Fiennes, Gerald Butler, Ashraf Barhom, Brian Cox, James Nesbitt, Jessica Chastain, Vanessa Redgrave DIRECTOR: Ralph Fiennes GENRE: Drama, Mystery, Suspense LOCATION: United Kingdom RUNNING TIME: 122 minutes TEChNICAL ASSESSMENT:
MORAL ASSESSMENT: Cinema Rating: For viewers 14 years old and above
enemy Aufidius (Gerard Butler) to whom Coriolanus offers his life and services for their cause. When his mother appeals for him to reconsider return to the service, Coriolanus breaks down to the dismay of Aufidius. Coriolanus is an adaptation of Shakespereans play. Despite in modern times but successfully kept to the essence of the original story and delivery of significant lines. The director did a good job in bringing out the tough and soft sides of the characters in the film. The scene between the son and the mother is very well portrayed. The production design in camouflage is a bit over because it is not actually a war movie. But the fight and killing scenes can be very violent. Many of the bloody scenes are irrelevantly given close up shots. Nonetheless the musical scoring and sound effects are good. Overall, the film is seen with efforts to do well in the technical aspects however, there are lapses that overtaken these intentions. There is honor in fulfilling a duty and for being of service to the people. But when the interest is questioned, a person is called to reflect and may need to make tough and/or unpopular decisions that may generate various reactions and direct opposition. In this crucial decision, betrayal is a common dilemma that a person must face. Coriolanus has experienced both being betrayed and being accused of betrayal. But in the end, he had the guts to face off with the circumstances of his actions.
Vol. 16 No. 3
CBCP Monitor
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The clergy who concelebrated the Holy Mass pose with Papal Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Giuseppe Pinto.
Stewardship emphasizes the importance of faithful generosity, especially in giving tithes, and contributing to the International Mission Fund (IMF) and Build My House (BMH) Fund. CFC members faithful generosity help provide the fuel for the missions, especially in countries and areas where CFC is not yet present. Villaroman ended his talk by encouraging everyone to keep on burning with Gods fire in their hearts. He also led the crowd in a lighting ceremony, which featured a huge cross of lights in front of the stage, and everyone in the coliseum lifting their lit-up cellphones, as a symbol of commitment to be on fire for the Lord. The CFC missionaries to foreign countries were also prayed over during this time. The conference ended with a powerful worship led by Goi Villegas, YFC Metro Manila Head. The nourishing talks, sharings and powerful worship sessions during the CFC On Fire Conference is the first salvo of the year for CFC to live out its theme for 2012 -- to proclaim the greatness of the Lord.
that embody the message of each of the talks. Monsignor Allen Aganon began the retreat with the Prologue, explaining Marys Magnificat as a canticle of Gods love to the lowly, and also a canticle of adoration, trust and gratitude. According to Msgr. Aganon, the Magnificat is not just the song of Mary, but the song of the Church and of CFC, for it expresses our being loved by God, despite our unworthiness, and reminds us that everything we have experienced is grace. The first talk, Proclaim the Greatness of the Lord, was given by International Council (IC) member Jun Uriarte who explained that evangelization is CFCs primary mission. Just like Mary, who carried forth the Good News and declared, My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, we in CFC are called to do the same. We are called, too, to go in haste and evangelize. However, we
CHINA Bank turned over, last January 28, a check for P1 million representing the banks donation to Couples for Christs Sendong fund. Alex Escucha, Group Head of Corporate Planning of China Bank (fourth from left) presented the check to CFC, represented by CFC ANCOP Tekton Foundation President Eric de los Reyes and (from the right) Bong Arjonillo, himself a China Bank executive, IC member Rouquel Ponte and
CFC Chairman Ricky Cuenca. Also present were CFC members who are (or were) China Bank employees (from left) Tony and Aileen Carreon and Bob Uyquiengco. According to Escucha, the P1 million represents the banks counterpart donation to the P1 million earlier generated from the bank-initiated campaign among its clients and employees.
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By Melo Villaroman, CFC Director
Ugnayan
By Ricky Cuenca, CFC Chairman
CBCP Monitor
January 30 - February 12, 2012
Vol. 16 No. 3
Hearts ON FIRE!
WE saw how a single YES to the call led to greater things! Marys YES, to be specific, led to the salvation of man! Our Yes! will also lead to the winning of souls for God! Masayang-masaya ako (I am very happy) this 2012 because I have seen the story of our FAITH and the saving power of God in CFC. God has a plan for CFC. Our YES to CFC is a historical process of our faith formation. In the Annunciation, we saw how the Angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she will be the mother of God. Mary simply and humbly accepted Gods will, Behold the Handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to thy word. We see Marys virtues of obedience, humility and gratitude which molded CFC in the course of our 30 years existence. Traveling in haste to visit her cousin Elizabeth, Mary proclaimed joyfully in her humility her thanks to the Lord for the great things that He had done for her. Marys expressions reveal the features of God. She magnifies God who is merciful, a God who lifts up the lowly and fills the hungry with good things. Our Magnificat direction for the year invites us to be like Maryto simply accept the will of God and allow God to lavish upon us His great love. Through humility, gratitude, joy and obedience to Gods plan, the Lord affirms us today, Behold I have given you the power. And nothing will harm you. Rejoice because your names are written in heaven. As CFC disciples, we are called, we listen to the call, we are empowered by the Lord, and we act on the call to evangelize and to set the world ON FIRE. And our reward is eternal life in Heaven. In the course of CFC history, we experience the hand of God in the many blessings we receive in the community. In June 2011, we celebrated our 30th anniversary, the Pearl of Great Price. Around 100,000 members congregated at the Luneta, with delegations from all over the Philippines and the world. The CFC provincial chapters and family ministries Kids for Christ, Youth for Christ, Singles for Christ, Handmaids of the Lord and Servants of the Lord, filled Luneta Park. We walked with joy in the ANCOP Global Walk to help our poor brothers and sisters. Fifty thousand army of Christ walked on the dawn of August 21st at the Mall of Asia to share their love for the poor. Whole familiesmothers, fathers, children, youth, grandmas and grandpas and various religious organizations, schools and associations, even dogs, joined forces with CFC members to complete the 5 kilometer walk. The ANCOP Global walk happened simultaneously in the provinces and globally. So as you see, the love and generosity of God our Lord for CFC cannot be outdone. Based on results, we are blessed as a global community of evangelizers fashioned in love according to Gods plan. We are blessed with the Election of the new leadership team in CFC! We have in the new International Council of 9 members, a good combination of the old and new, of continuity and change, of stability and dynamism, the combination of the energy of the young and the wisdom of the experienced, of the foundation of tradition and the openness to adapt to the changing times. The election of the new IC was an affirmation that the CFC community was ready for transition, for positive growth changes, for strategic approaches and innovations, for the empowerment of its leaders and members and the transformation of the global organization to enter into new territories, to set the world ON FIRE. Truly we have many blessings to thank God for. Gods greatest gift is His own Son Our Lord, in His birth and resurrection. Like Mary, we simply and humbly accept and enjoy Gods precious gift. We experience the grace of the Lord in our Yes to evangelization. We are mission ready, not afraid to set the world on fire. Just like Mary, we have found favor with the Lord in our calling as evangelizers and missionaries. The Holy Spirit will come upon us and the power of the most High will overshadow us as we set the world on fire with the fullness of Gods transforming love. We need not go further to see this happening! All throughout our CFC history, we experience the mighty hand of God in the many miracles and blessings we receive and in the transformation in our lives. We just need to open our eyes and hearts to see the fulfillment of our purpose in CFC. CFC will live to evangelize the world, spreading the good news for the greater glory of God. Our mandate together is to fulfill the CFC vision of families in the Holy Spirit ON FIRE, building the church of the home and the church of the poor. There is only one plan and that is Gods plan for CFC. We listen, reflect and discern together submitting to the will of God in all humility, obedience and thanksgiving. In doing so, we continue to transform. We are strong leaders in obedience to Gods loving plan. The loving plan of God for CFC is now revealed in the multiplication of our members and the spiritual deepening of our community. Our anointment as leaders of CFC is to continue the transformation process in our personal journey to holiness and in actualizing love and unity among us. Every leader in CFC has a role to play in setting the world on fire. God has to be revealed again and again. Our love for God with all our heart, our soul, our mind and body and our love for each other as we love ourselves will transcend all boundaries. Together, let us open our hearts to on fire evangelization. Just as Christ died on the cross to save us, He made the Apostles shine to continue His mission on earth to make disciples of all nations. Today, we are reminded to go back to the basic, to focus on what is important, our calling to be EVANGELIZERS and MISSIONARIES. Just like the two disciples on the Road to Emmaus, our Christ experience will set our hearts burning to proclaim His name to the ends of the earth.
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 16 No. 3
January 30 - February 12, 2012
Ugnayan
By Joe Yamamoto, CFC Council
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By Ernie Balarbar
(Eds Note: Ernie is the sector head of Metro Manila North B. Here he shares his sectors experience in implementing CFCs newest educational program, Cornerstone.) WHAT is the Cornerstone Program all about? It is one of CFCs evangelization gateways and a component of our work with the poor, in partnership with the Ateneo Center for Education (ACED). It is aimed at supporting the elementary and high school students learning process in public schools. The CFC Metro Manila North B Sector was one of the sectors tasked to implement the Cornerstone program this school year. We were assigned five public elementary schools and one high school in Quezon City. We believe that it was Gods design that five elementary schools were assigned to us, because there are currently five clusters in our sector. Therefore, each cluster was assigned one elementary school, except for one cluster that has an additional
high school assignment. Other Metro Manila sectors partnered with us so that they may gain the required experience that will prove useful when they implement the Cornerstone program in their own areas this coming school year. What happens in the Cornerstone program of each elementary school? Thirty (30) Grades 2-3 pupils (called tutees) who cant cope up with the rest of the class or are slow in Reading, Math, etc, and who are pre-selected
by the school authorities, are tutored every Saturday by our volunteer brothers and sisters from the CFC community. Each tutor handles three tutees using the materials prepared by ACED. After the tutoring sessions, they are given kids values formation/catechism. The tutees are then given a light meal to end the half-day activity. The parents of the children are also included in the program. Once a month, they meet with our CFC volunteers. They are
given talks on Values Formation and Christian Parenting. In the high school, the 30 top performing students from 3rd & 4th Year, also pre-selected by the school authorities, undergo a formation program that aims to enhance their character, leadership and moral values. The YFC program is currently being adopted for this. Volunteers come from the CFC community, including members of Youth for Christ Campus-based from various universities. Last December, the children assigned to our sector were treated to some faith-filled fun at our Christmas party. Some 30 tutees were also blessed to join a Jollibee party last January 5, hosted by a balikbayan friend from Canada. They were treated to a wonderful experience and came to a deeper understanding of the true meaning of Christmas i.e. sharing and giving. We in North B praise God for the opportunity to serve Him through Cornerstone and commit to setting hearts on fire with it as one of our avenues. We pray that other people may also be moved to discover the Lords goodness through the program during this year, and the years to come.
CFC ANCOP-Tekton Foundation hosted its inaugural Charity Golf Tournament on Friday, January 13, 2012, at the Villamor Golf Course, Pasay City, Philippines. Funds raised will go to CFC ANCOPs two major programs, namely: the Child Sponsorship Program (CSP) and Community Development Program (CDP). The priority beneficiary areas are Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, two cities in Mindanao that were ravaged recently by typhoon Sendong. Eric de los Reyes, CFC ANCOP President, awarded trophies to the winners, namely: Ms. Lally Trinidad, Champion in the Ladies Division; Dino Justiniani, Champion for the Class C (HDCP 25 & above); Mel Latinazo, Champion for Class B (HDCP 19-24); Doming Santillan, Champion for Class A (HDCP 18 & below); Abe Avena, Overall Gross Champion; and Greg Monteclaro, the 1st CFC ANCOP CUP Champion. For the team competition, 1st Runner up was composed of Rudy Diez, Tristan Tatel, Ramon Lopez and JB Balicanta. The 1st CFC ANCOP Cup Team Champion was bannered by Abe Avena, Chito Recto, Reggie Ragojos and Greg Monteclaro. The following were hole sponsors: GT Radial, Erica Crafts, KIG Glasswares, Letty Alconcel-Santiago, Solis Household West B, and Feati U CE Batch 65. Patrons and donors were: Airnergy and Renewables Corp., i-Remit Inc., Montebello Villa Hotel, Maxibuilders, Rene Bello, Ben Gamez, and Art Alabanza.
for the helpless and the needy in distress. For the mayor of Markham, the visit was made more meaningful by the signing of sisterhood agreements with Paranaque City and Las Pinas City. The agreements were forged to foster cultural and economic exchange and cooperation between the cities. The agreement with Paranaque
was signed on January 17 between Paranaque City Mayor Florencio Bernabe and Mayor Scarpitti at the Paranaque City Hall while the agreement with Las Pinas City was signed on the same day with Vice Mayor Louie Bustamante. The sisterhood agreements were facilitated by Couples for Christ and ANCOP in Canada and the Philippines.
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Ugnayan
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 16 No. 3
By Beth Comahig
IN 2012, CFC is tasked to respond to the call to Proclaim the Greatness of the Lord. It was fitting, then, that on January 8, the Feast of the Epiphany, around 1400 leaders from CFC and the Family Ministries gathered at the Ateneo Grade School covered court to proclaim Gods greatness at the first Mission Core
Bishop Paul Hinder blesses Executive Director Melo Villaroman during the Mass offering
their unique circumstances: grieving the loss of a beloved husband; serving the victims of the recent Typhoon Sendong; responding to the call of mission by choosing fulltime missionary work over a highly-paid secular job; going on short-term mission to non-English speaking countries and allowing God to see missionary work as a way of proclaiming Gods love. The different sharings were instrumental in helping the Mission Core Group members present to remember
that, just as it was during the Epiphany that God revealed Himself to the three Magi, we, too, are invited to know what the Epiphany is to each of us, i.e. what does the Lord want us to see and act on. As we proclaim the greatness and goodness of the Lord in our lives this year, God also calls us to be the salt of the earth and light to the world, spreading His good news of salvation and sharing His love to all, especially to the needy, to those in suffering and to the poor.
By Tina Rodriguez
LAST January 15, 2012, more than 700 leaders of Couples for Christ (CFC) gathered at the Meralco Fitness Center in Ortigas Avenue to attend the CFC Evangelization and Mission Conference, spearheaded by the Evangelization and Mission Office (EMO). With the theme Blazing the Trail, the conference aimed to do the following: inspire and exhort the CFC leaders to action through a clear understanding of the CFC Road Map; to introduce the new CFC integrated structure, i.e. the pastoral and mission structure that can best deliver our shared strategies, and to encourage leaders to be involved in resolving key issues on the structure; and engage leaders in action planning on how to deploy the Road Map. The whole day event, which coincided with the Feast of the Sto. Nino, started with the Celebration of the Holy Mass, led by Bishop Paul Hinder, OFM Cap,
the Vicar Apostolic of Southern Arabia. In his homily, Bishop Hinder told the leaders that they are called to take care of Jesus Christ in the world, and that each child that comes into the world, whether in good health or not, is a blessing. The conference began with CFC Chairman Ricky Cuenca exhorting the leaders on the importance of continuing the journey of CFC from pearl to gold. The first session had the entire nine-man CFC International Council (IC), namely Ricky Cuenca, Melo Villaroman Jr., Rouquel Ponte, Joe Tale, Joe Yamamoto, Mannix Ocampo, Manny Garcia, Jun Uriarte and Nonoy Dalman forming a panel to help define the CFC Roadmap for 2012. Jun Uriarte served as the panel moderator. Rouquel Ponte talked on pastoral formation as a way of life for CFC members and dis-
cussed plans for strengthening the households and formation. Joe Tale spoke about CFCs evangelization headways, including gateway events (evangelistic events that are aimed at attracting non-community members) and point-of-entry events (the Christian Life Program or CLP). Mannix Ocampo discussed the response and involvement of the Family Ministries to the roadmap, while Melo Villaroman Jr. talked
about how CFC is to build the Church of the Poor, focusing on three elements, i.e. ANCOP, Cornerstone and the Social Ministries. The afternoon session featured something new -- Rouquel Ponte explained the CFC Intercessory Prayer, and how it would be incorporated into the CFC culture and way of life, especially in the household meetings. Ponte then led everyone in the intercessory prayer
and Holy Rosary. Joe Yamamoto continued the discussion on the Road Map by sharing the thrusts for leadership formation, including the dream to someday have our own CFC Leadership Institute. Manny Garcia also spoke about how the One CFC Global Database can help further CFCs evangelization and mission work. Nonoy Dalman expounded on the importance of being good stewards and transparent with our transactions and other aspects of CFC Finance. He was followed by Melo Villaroman who spoke about the new CFC integrated structure. The panel answered questions from the floor after every presentation. Kirby Llaban then introduced certain key people who talked about best practices, namely: Lynda Geraldez of HOLD International Missions, who talked about the HOLD Mission Express as a way to raise short-term and longterm missionaries who can go on foreign mission even with
their own funding; Lawrence Quintero of Youth for Christ, who shared how the YFC Live Loud Worship Concert has become a gateway event for non-YFC members and the parents of YFC members; Rob Escao of Singles for Christ, who discussed how SFC Metro Manila has been able to use their online database in evangelization; Jimmy Ilagan of CFC Metro Manila Central A, who shared how CFC in their sector has also been blessed by the use of the online database; Gift of Life Core Group members Aldy and Joy Katigbak, who talked about how Blessed John Paul IIs Theology of the Body (TOB) has been taught and streamed down to a number of community members, and how the TOB will be integrated into CFCs pastoral formation; and Nic Escalona Jr. of Kids for Christ, who shared about the KFC Global Day of Service as a gateway event. It was a long but fruitful day for all involved, with everyone going home excited to blaze the trail for the Lord.
LiveLoud!
By Ditas Garcia
I will give thanks forever. I will bring praise forever. I will worship forever. Lord Jesus I surrender! THIS was the prayer which was repeatedly sung by about 7,000 youth at the end of the Youth for Christ LiveLoud concert last January 21. The Cuneta Astrodome was filled to the rafters with youth eager to express their love for God through music. YFC LIVELOUD 2012 has been held annually for the past three years. It
that the youth live out their faith not just in words but also in action. It means making every day, every action, and every word as a living proclamation of their deep and great love for God. Its more than singing or launching their original compositions but its their way to attract other youth to another way of life, a life dedicated to spreading the Good News. The concert is open to non-community members. This has been an effective gateway evangelization strategy because non-community members who attend the LiveLoud concert would be
is a campaign to enable the youth to share their God given talents in music either through songwriting, singing or instrument playing. YFC LIVELOUD is also a spring board program with one goal of sharing new original songs with the whole of YFC. It is through the annual YFC LIVELOUD PRAISE CONCERT where the youth can share, teach and launch new YFC original songs. But above all, YFC LIVELOUD means
open to attend the YFC youth camp and other YFC activities. The LiveLoud concert held last January 21 was notable for its very high energy, a level maintained through the entire concert. Everyone praised and worshipped the Lord through songs with beat and tones appealing most particularly to the youth and the not so young. There was also sharing of Gods love and faithfulness through testimonies that touched everyones hearts.