Professional Documents
Culture Documents
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Ugnayan
The News Supplement of Couples for Christ
Vol. 16 No. 7
Php 20.00
AFTER a group of university student leaders declared recently its intention to campaign against lawmakers opposed to the Reproductive Health (RH) bill, several youth organizations representing an even bigger number of young people blasted the mistaken notion that majority of the youth are easily swayed by proRH propaganda.
Youth Pinoy! President Eilleen Esteban criticized the statement made by the Student Council Alliance of the Philippines (SCAP) national spokesperson JC Tejano as irresponsible and very assuming. Tejano has said that we are ready to launch the full force of the youth against anti-RH legislators [by campaigning against them]. But Esteban took Tejanos statement as a hollow threat, [just a] propaganda to make them seemingly look huge but the truth is they are just a noisy minority. SCAP is in no position to make wholesale statements
Youth / A6
Thousands turn up for the annual Walk for Life organized and led by the Knights of Columbus in the Philippines in support of the Catholic Churchs advocacy on life and the family, and the campaign against the legislation of the Reproductive Health Bill, March 24. The walk for life was held a day before March 25, commemorated as the Day of the Unborn in the Philippines and some other countries. See story on A8.
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World News
29, 2012. Other countries cited for violations during the same period include Burma, China, Iraq, Iran, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Turkey, and Vietnam. During the reporting period, the commission found that Egyptian authorities continued to prosecute and sentence citizens charged with blasphemy and allowed official media to incite violence against religious minority members, while failing to protect them or to convict responsible parties. According to the commission, the police and courts fostered a climate of impunity in the face of repeated attacks against Coptic Christians and their churches. In October 2011, security forces were accused of shooting Coptic protesters during street clashes that left at least 24 people dead and 200 injured. Last years report marked Egypts first appearance on the list of countries singled out for concern by the government commission, which maintains a list of countries found to have engaged in or tolerated systematic and egregious violations of religious liberty. The commissions most recent reporting period was also a time of difficulty for religious believers in the Peoples Republic of China, where authorities have pursued a policy of nationalistic control over the Catholic Church and other institutions. In its 2012 report, the commission said the Communist nation continues to interfere in the religious activities of Chinese Catholics, particularly through its harassment of both state-recognized and unregistered clergy. Commission members accused Beijing of blocking Catholic clergy from communicating with the Vatican, and said the government continues to deny Catholic leaders the right to abstain from activities that contravene Holy See policies. Figures from the U.S. governments Congressional-Executive Commission on China, cited by the religious freedom commission in its report, allege that at least 40 Roman Catholic bishops remain imprisoned or detained, or were forcibly disappeared
CBCP Monitor
March 26 - April 8, 2012
Vol. 16 No. 7
WASHINGTON D.C., March 23, 2012Egypt is still among the worlds worst violators of religious freedom, according to a U.S. commission whose 2012 report has named it as a country of particular concern for the
second year in a row. In Egypt, an epicenter of the Arab Spring, hope turned to dismay, as human rights conditions, particularly religious freedom abuses, worsened dramatically under military rule, the U.S.
Commission on International Religious Freedom stated in its report released March 20. The report covers the period from April 1, 2011two months after Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak resignedto Feb.
Vatican Briefing
Pope blesses Eucharistic Congress bell
During March 14s general audience Benedict XVI blessed the 50th International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) bell. The IEC will take place June 10-17 in Dublin. The bell was presented to the Pope by an Irish delegation, led by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin. The bell has been touring Ireland and up to around a quarter of a million people have rung it, according to a press release published by the Irish Catholic Bishops Conference. (Zenit)
Pope sends condolences to family of Italian engineer
Heartfelt sympathy is expressed in the telegram that the Cardinal Secretary of State, Tarcisio Bertone, sent March 12 in Pope Benedict XVIs name, to the Archbishop of Vercelli, Enrico Masseroni, on the occasion of the funeral of engineer Francesco Lamolinara. The Italian technician, kidnapped in Nigeria on May 12, 2011, was killed together with his British colleague, Christopher McManus, last March 8, during a military action intended to free them. The Holy Father wishes to send his relatives the expression of his sympathy and assure them of his heartfelt participation in the grave mourning that has stricken them. (Zenit)
Benedict XVI: Mary invites us to pray for more than ourselves
Benedict XVI shifted the focus of his catechesis series on prayer today, turning to teachings on prayer as found in Acts of the Apostles and the writings of St. Paul. He began his reflections with a look at Marys prayer. If the Church does not exist without Pentecost, neither does Pentecost exist without the Mother of Jesus, since she lived in a wholly unique way what the Church experiences each day under the action of the Holy Spirit, the Pope said in the general audience. He considered Marys prayer at the beginning of Jesus life up through the beginning of the Church and beyond. (Zenit)
Controversial Vatican stem cell conference cancelled
A controversial scientific conference which featured proembryonic stem cell researchers and was sponsored by the Vaticans Pontifical Academy for Life has been canceled, just one month before it was set to take place. I am infinitely relieved that the Church has avoided a major blunder which would have confused the faithful for decades to come, said one member of the Pontifical Academy who asked for anonymity in commenting to CNA. The 3rd International Congress on Responsible Stem Cell Research was scheduled to take place at the Vatican April 25-28, concluding with an audience with Pope Benedict XVI. (CNA)
Popes use of cane is nothing new, Vatican clarifies
Pope Benedict XVIs use of a cane during his trip to Mexico is not a new development or a sign of debility, according to the vice-director of the Vatican Press Office. Its nothing new, Fr. Ciro Benedettini told CNA, explaining that the Pope uses the cane while passing through the Vatican Gardens. At almost 85 years of age, its prudent for him to walk with a cane, the Vatican spokesman noted. There is no reason for alarm, nor anything new in reference to the Popes health. (CNA)
Vatican hosts first cultural summit of African ambassadors
The first cultural summit for African ambassadors to the Holy See is being hailed as a success by its organizers. It went much better than we had expected, with everybody involved very keen to do it again but perhaps over two or three days next time, Father Theodore Mascarenhas of the Pontifical Council for Culture told CNA on March 26. The one-day event involved over 40 diplomats from 23 embassies, many of whom flew in from across Europe for the occasion. (CNA)
Pope names bishop once accused of improprieties to Vatican council
www.i.telegraph.co.uk
Coadjutor Bishop Peter Shao Zhumin (right) and Father Paul Jiang Sunian of Wenzhou
Pope Benedict XVI has appointed a German bishop who had been accused of financial irregularities and hitting children to the Vaticans health care council. Retired Bishop Walter Mixa of Augsburg was named a member of the Pontifical Council for Health Care Ministry March 21. It is the 70-year-old bishops first appointment as a member of a Vatican dicastery. He served as the bishop of Augsburg and the German Military Ordinariate until he resigned in 2010. (CNS)
Vatican announces investigations into document leaks
The spate of detentions of underground clergy since the fall of last year was a decision coming from the government, he noted. On March 2, a bureau chief of the United Front Work Department of the Communist Party of China told a joint meet-
ing of leaders of the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association and the Bishops Conference of the Catholic Church in China that he hoped the two Church bodies could do a good job in converting the underground community. (UCAN)
Pope Benedict XVI has established a commission to investigate a series of leaks of letters exchanged among Vatican officials and between the officials and the pope himself. Archbishop Angelo Becciu, Vatican substitute secretary of state, said March 16 that the papal commission would try to shed light on the whole affair, while a Vatican tribunal would look into taking legal action against those who gave the documents to reporters, and the Vatican Secretariat of State would carry out an administrative review of every Vatican office. While some of the leaked letters are gossipy, others include allegations of serious financial misconduct. (CNS)
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CBCP Monitor
Vol. 16 No. 7
March 26 - April 8, 2012
News Features
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banishing all divisive hatred. The presidential candidates from Mexicos three main political parties attended the Mass, along with President Felipe Calderon and his family. Church authorities expected at least 300,000 people to attend the Mass, and Mexicans turned out in force, with many taking long trips just to see Pope Benedict on his first trip to the country since being elected in 2005. The journey was not easy for many. Thousands of the faithful walked more than three miles
from parking lots in the town of Silao, 220 miles northwest of Mexico City. This is nothing too difficult, quipped Jose Trinidad Borja, 81, a retired hardware store owner from Queretaro who boasts of having participated in the annual eight-day diocesan pilgrimage to the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City for 65 straight years. An army of vendors hawked water, coffee and tamales along the route in addition to Vatican flags and photos of Pope Bene-
The cry of the poor: Pope likely to repeat October synods evangelization document nears launch criticism of Cuba embargo
VATICAN City, March 21, 2012The Catholic Churchs position on the U.S. economic embargo of Cuba is no mystery, the Vatican spokesman said, and theres a good chance Pope Benedict XVI will publicly criticize the embargo when he visits Cuba. At the same time, Pope Benedict also will call for greater freedomsparticularly religious freedomand respect for other human rights during his stay in Cuba March 26-28. The churchs calls for an end to the embargo, which the United States imposed in 1962, are not peculiar to its Cuba policy, and are not concessions granted in negotiations with the communist government. They follow from established principles of Catholic social teaching, which have been applied to a variety of countries over the years. The Holy See maintains that the embargo is something for which the people suffer the consequences and which does not reach the aim of promoting the greater good, said Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman. The people suffer; therefore, the Holy See does not believe it is a measure that is positive or helpful. The position of the Holy See has been repeated many times, Father Lombardi told reporters March 16. Its not a mystery. The Vaticans position on economic embargoesnot just the embargo against Cuba, but even briefer embargoes against Iraq and Libyahas been repeated many times and is explained in the official Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church. The church recognizes international sanctions as a legitimate and potentially effective means of trying to pressure a government to change its ways when it threatens peace or oppresses its people. However, in a way that is both reasonable and motivated by concern for people, especially a societys weakest members, classic Catholic social doctrine places conditions on the use of sanctions. The purpose of sanctions must be clearly defined and regularly evaluated by the international community as to their effectiveness and their real impact on the civilian population, the compendium said. Economic sanctions in particular are an instrument to be used with great discernment and must be subjected to strict legal and ethical criteria, it said. The compendium also said that an economic embargo must be of limited duration and cannot be justified when the resulting effects are indiscriminate. In other words, if the nations rulers are the target, its not right that only the countrys powerless suffer because of the embargo. Pope Benedict, like Blessed John Paul II before him, is expected both to call for an end to the U.S. embargo and for increasing freedom in Cuba, especially in the area of religious freedom. In fact, Pope Benedict did just that in late 2009 when he welcomed a new Cuban ambassador to the Vatican. He said he knew Cubans were suffering from the global economic crisis, which together with the devastating effects of natural disasters and the economic embargo particularly strikes poorer people and their families. At the same time, the pope said the real key to progress in Cuba is to put the person and his rights, his material and spiritual well-being, at the center of concern. Indeed, the primary capital to be safeguarded and saved is man, the whole person. The church is prepared to help and already shows its dedication to the Cuban people through its educational and charitable work, although small VATICAN City, March 22, 2012The document that will guide the deliberations of the worlds bishops as they chart the re-evangelization of the West is on the verge of being released. Things are going well at this stage and the working document, the instrumentum laboris, is about to be published, Cardinal Francis Arinze told CNA. It is the actual one that every participant in the synod in October will have. The former prefect of the Vaticans Congregation for Divine Worship is now a member of the preparatory committee for this years Synod of Bishops. It will take place at the Vatican October 7-28 under the title of The New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian Faith. Cardinal Arinze said the working document will outline the necessity to revisit those areas of the world that have been evangelized maybe for 1000 years or 500 years and where the faith was once very strong but where now people are rather cold in the faith. It will also stress the need for this new freshness and new ardor to be communicated using new technology, he said. This years Synod of Bishops will help launch Pope Benedicts Year of Faith, which also relates to the Churchs New Evangelization efforts. It marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council and the 20th of the publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Cardinal Arinze believes that life in the Western world has many other offers to the human person which are attracting or even distracting people away from Christianity so that the message of Christ can sometimes
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in size, the pope said. He added that he hoped concrete signs of openness to the exercise of religious freedom would continue to multiply as they have in recent years. In 1995, three years before he went to Cuba where he made similar points, Pope John Paul laid out the ethical criteria for evaluating economic embargoes. In a speech to diplomats serving at the Vatican, he said economic embargoes must be used with great discernment and must be subject to rigid juridical and ethical criteria. It is an instrument of pressure to urge governments that have broken the international code of good conduct to rethink their choices. Still, in a certain sense, it is also an act of force and, as several current cases demonstrate, it inflicts great privations on the population of the countries that are its object, the pope said. Pope John Paul said the matter was not simply theoretical for him. I often receive requests for help from people who are the victims of this isolation and indigence. I want to remind you diplomats that before imposing such measures, the eventual humanitarian consequences of sanctions must be taken into account and the possible harm sanctions can cause a population must be weighed against the evil one wants to remedy, he told them. (CNS)
be forgotten, given a second place, put as a footnote. So someone has to come who has the enthusiasm of an evangelizer, who has the convincing power of a witness who lives with conviction what that witness is preaching and who is also ready to use modern methods to contact people. This should also involve a direct appeal to the intelligentsia of western society, said Cardinal Arinze. When St. Paul went to Athens he didnt avoid the men of culture, the elite, but he presented the message of Christ to them in terminology that would be suitable for that group. Despite the focus being on the West, the 79-year-old Nigerian cleric believes that the rest world will also play its part and benefit from the New Evangelization. Africa can contribute because theres a type of freshness which the African countries bring to the practice of Christianity which can contaminate those who have been evangelized for more years. (CNA/EWTN News)
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EDITORIAL
Opinion
Where goest thou?
CBCP Monitor
March 26 - April 8, 2012
Vol. 16 No. 7
LIVING is hard and employment is scarce. Prices are high and take-home pays are low. Human dignity is also low and criminality is likewise high. There are less and less educated Filipinos and wherefore more and more ignorant ones. The multi-national corporations are raking in the money and the consumers are shelling out the little cash they have. The murders, crooks and law breakers are becoming more daring while the police authorities are becoming less able to accomplish their taskif emerging as law offenders themselves. Human life has become cheap, human dignity is low and basic human rights are held but by a selected few. The Executive Department is merely looking and talking much but in fact doing nothing much, if any. Most of the local public officials from the provincial to the municipal levels are indifferent to the miserable plight of their constituentsunless their own self-interests are being undermined by fed-up people in their jurisdictions. The relatively few wealthy individuals are well secured in both their lives and livelihood while millions of poor and miserable families are fast becoming not only more and more angry but also progressively feeling desperate. Meantime, the administration merrily continues taxing them from birth to death, charging them the infamous VAT. You are my boss! When the over-all chief of government shouted such a surprising and promising declaration upon assumption of Office, people thought they were really sovereign after all. They were actually then made to believe that government was of their making, by their own choosing and for their own well-being. Thus it was that they cheered long, loud and clear. They then thought that at last, their liberator has come and their liberation was at last on hand. But after less than three or so years, the on-the-ground reality came to fore and the cat is out of the bag! The previous administration was bad but the present one is not really that great either. Questions: What will the present government do? Will it simply show someone signing papers, holding folders and other futile advertisement of industry and dedication? What will the present generation do? Will it be contented by merely holding strikes, by simply making rallies and doing protests? Would it merely go to the streets and stage its Noynoying spectacle? Where goest thou, Philippines? You are anywhere but in possessing of truth, in experiencing justice, in enjoyment of peace, in foreseeing development.
Illustration by Bladimer Usi
Pastoral Companion
ON 7 March 2012, at the former cemetery site of the archdiocese, 67 evacuee families affected by Typhoon Sendong had the inaugural blessing of their new transitional shelter homes. These low-cost housing units were constructed under the supervision of Catholic Relief Services which had teamed up with the archdiocese in the relief and rehabilitation efforts in the aftermath of Typhoon Sendong on Dec. 16-17. Thirty-five families coming from the washed-out area of Macasandig had been housed in the basement of Our Lady of Fatima Parish Church in Camaman-an. Thirty-two other families, formerly living under the Marcos bridge, had been given shelter on the grounds of Sacred Heart Parish in Kauswagan. These two groups were now coming together in Amakan Villageso called, because the walls of the housing units are made of interwoven bamboo slats (amakan). Each housing unit has a floor space of 18
square meters. A slightly tilted roof made of galvanized iron sheets provides some air circulation from the top in addition to two open windows on the sides. Common cooking and toilet areas are also located to serve the needs of a cluster of ten housing units. In the coming weeks, CRS will be completing 50 more amakan-type housing units on the open grounds of San Jose de Mindanao Seminary. Nearby, 33 units are being constructed on the open field of St. John Vianney Theological Seminary. Among the evacuee families expected to occupy these housing units are the 40 families living in tents (called shelter boxes) on the grounds of Mount Carmel Parish. Other families will be coming from the evacuation centers in barangay covered courts in Macasandig and Tibasak. In addition to these transitional shelter arrangements which may last from several months to one or two years, the archdio-
Love Life
groceries through the efforts of their marketing staff who bring the products to Manila every week. The farmers in Gratia Plena patiently explained to us how they produce the natural fertilizer by composting the rice stalks and husks. We saw those spread out at the back of the building, waiting for time to transform them to rich soil once again after the farmers had sprayed them with home-made fermented ingredients. They said that the artificial fertilizers had depleted the soil of natural minerals and vitamins and had killed the helpful organisms so that it takes years for the soil to be alive again. Organic farming, while more tedious and takes longer to accomplish, involves more people and keeps funds within the community, unlike commercial fertilizers and pesticides that siphon our money to multinational companies. My trip to the rice paddies during their harvesting time filled me with even more insights into the life of the farmers and their families. I found out that very few farmers in the Philippines have their own land. Most of them are hired. So a hectare of rice land would need around 25 persons to prepare the land and plant the seedlings, each one given a space they would take care of from land preparation to planting to weeding and then to harvesting and threshing. Each one is paid P150 a day for the five days of preparation and planting. In order for more income per family, not only the
Love Life / A5
Candidly Speaking
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THIS is everyones war, a universal struggle. We all need to overcome our carnality and sensuality to allow reason and eventually our faith to take root and dominate in us. This is because we are meant to be spiritual men, not carnal men. Reason, will, faith, hope, charityall these make up the spiritual character of our life. We have to acknowledge the true dimensions of our life, the range and scope of our humanity. We are not meant to be animals only, ruled by instincts and the senses, nor even rational animals, which is how our classical philosophers define man to be. Thats already a lot, but not quite enough. We have to be careful with the many ideological definitions and descriptions of man that can contain certain elements of truth but still miss the core point. Man is not just a social, economic or political being. He is a lot more than these. Much less is he a purely material being, completely imprisoned in time, space and worldliness, and detached from God, the eternal, supernatural, perfect being, who created him to be Gods image and likeness,
as what some Marxist doctrine teaches. There is something spiritual in man, because he can think, judge, reason, love, etc., operations that transcend the material dimension of our life. Since operations are determined by nature (operare sequitur esse), then he must be spiritual because he is capable of spiritual operations. Since our spirituality is not self-generated or self-created, then we must understand that it comes from an eternal spirit whom our reason alone can start to identify as God. We actually have some inkling of God which we should try, with Gods grace, to develop and cultivate as fully as possible. Thats why we are said to be a naturally religious being that we should bring to maturity. Thats the natural consequence of being spiritual. From God our spirituality can never be detached, although it can choose to cut away from its creator and preserver. In its objective reality, our spirituality is always bound up with God. It now depends on us to conform our spirituality in its subjectivity to this objective reality.
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 16 No. 7
March 26 - April 8, 2012
Opinion
Catholic faithful in action
II to Benedict XVI and Accion Catolica, a gift of the Spirit to the Church; Prof. Sandro Calvani, Director of the Asean Center of Excellence on U.N. Millenium Development Goals, Asia Institute of Technology talked on For a more humane world values and choices areas which call for Christian lay peoples attention. Oana Tuduce of Romania did a Presentation on the Catholic Action (Vatican Council II, Christifidelis Laici and Church Teachings), while Chiara Finocchietti talked on the IFCA Identity and Objective. Delegates from the different countries talked about their respective countries, the role of the laity in the church and the goals and programs in each country. This columnist gave the report for the Philippines. The participants were also divided into three small groups to discuss the catholic action in their country. Dr. Babes and this columnist gave the report of their respective groups to the plenary session. All of us four participants from the Philippines considered ourselves blessed by the Holy Spirit to have contributed, in our own way, to the active discussion in the conference as well as the participation in the liturgy as lectors and choir members. Because of the hectic schedule of the conference, the participants did not have the chance to visit Bangkoks historical and famous places as well as had some shopping. However, the organizers were kind enough to give a half day bus city tour of Bangkok. To Accion Catolica, the bishops and priests and lay participants of the Conference, congratulations, more power and may our good Lord bless us all in our apostolate in the propagation of lay action in our respective countries. *** The Chrism Mass in the Diocese of Kalookan will be held 7:30 a.m. at the San Roque Cathedral. Blessing of the Bishop Deogracias Iniguez Conference Room will follow on the occasion of the launching of his 50th Sacerdotal Anniversary in 2013. *** Happy Birthday and Happy Sacerdotal Anniversary to Fr. Bubuy San Andres, our former co-anchor at Hello Father 911 Saturday Edition, Radio Veritas846; also the sacerdotal anniversary of Fr. Ildefonso de Guzman, both from the Diocese of Kalookan. Condolence to the family of former Malabon City Vice Mayor Arnold Vicencio for his untimely demise due to a motorcycle accident.
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Fr. Francis Ongkingco
Duc in Altum
BANGKOK, Thailand. As of press time, this columnist as President of Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas (Laiko), together with other Laiko officers Dr. Amelita Dayrit-Go (Vice President for Luzon) and Engr. Nida Ruiz (Vice President for Visayas), is attending the First Continental Meeting in Asia in Bangkok, Thailand. Another Filipina, Ms. Reyna Deloso attends the Conference and represents her organization International Young Christian Students Asia as its Asian Coordinator. The conference is from March 22-25, 2012 with the theme 50 Years after Vatican II: Catholic Action, a gift from the Holy Spirit; Lay peoples commitment in the church and in the society for a more humane world. It is sponsored by Foro Internacional Accion Catolica (Accion Catolica) or International Forum of Catholic Action (IFCA) and is supported by the Italian Bishops Conference. The Accion Catolica officers Ms. Maria Grazia Tibaldi and Chiara Finocchietti ably managed the conference. Accion Catolica is an Italianbased organization recognized by the Pontifical Council of the Laity in 1995. It is made up of Lay Apostolate Associations which are constituted at national level. Its goals are to be a place where catholic action associations from different countries share their concerns and support one another; to analyze the worldwide dimension of the great problems that contemporary society poses to the Church and to Catholic Action; and to encourage and promote new evangelization in different pastoral contexts and set ups. Different countries from Asia, Africa and Europe sent their delegations Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, India, China, Burundi, Romania, Italy and of course, the Philippines. The Taize Community in France was also represented. The Bishops and clergy also attended the Conference and presided over the daily Masses during the Conference: His Excellencies Louis Marie Ling Mangkhanekhoun, I.V. Dei, Bishop of Pakse, Laos on Days 1 and 3; Domenico Sigalini, Bishop of Palestrina (a place close to Rome) on Day 2 his 6th Episcopal Anniversary on March 24; and Felix Machado, Bishop of Vasai, India on Day 4. The priests-concelebrants were Fr. Michael (Thailand), Fr. Aniceti (Myanmar) and Fr. Salvador (Burundi). Bishop Machado talked about the Evangelization in Asia in the Third Millenium: challenges and proposal for the continent and for the world; Bishop Sigalini talked about the Lay People in the Church from Vatican Council
Whatever iUpgrade
THE word upgrade always rings a sweet note to our ears. The list of possible things we can upgrade is endless: smart gadgets, car accessories, house and kitchen appliances, our burger, coke and fries, additional perks and products included in our purchases, etc. An upgrade is always appreciated and desired even though it may require paying a little more or having to change the entire gadget or appliance. Upgrades can be accidental or improvements that dont radically or dramatically change the product itself. Say, a smart phone with additional screen features, short-cuts or a newer version of a program. Essential upgrades are those that give a greater advantage to work or certain practical needs. These changes dont have to be necessarily big. For example, minor technological improvements in speed, space and security can save one millions in investments. Whether essential or accidental, we are always inclined to upgrade. This only demonstrates our natural predisposition for what is good, how something can be improved and in a limited sense, perfected. This inclination originates from Gods creational design aimed at mans ultimate and authentic good which is union with Him. Choosing to live according to this truth is what will give man true happiness and identity. If man, however, forgets this divine design, he will reduce his existence and also his identityto simply materially and superficially improving what he has, and not who he can and ought to be. A disorder begins in ones endless insecurity of acquiring material things which will shrinks his hearts capacity to grow in love and generosity. In order to avoid reducing personal growth only in material things, one has to consider the importance of upgrading oneself spiritually. If professionally or socially, we are eager to find our place, our talent and even our fame as someone good in something, the spiritual life also demands that we strive for our spiritual identity to develop our spiritual I. Jack Philip says, It is a healthy thing to develop a spiritual I because it drives one to pursue skills and talents and to emulate specific role models. Aspiring to be like Francis of Assisi or Teresa of Calcutta may be the first sign of a vocation or ones first step along the path to holiness. Of course, it is much better to aspire to be somebody whose life reflects the Gospel values. The question of identity is a dangerous one if left unanswered. (J. Philip, I Choose to be Free: The Power of Faith, Hope and Charity) One must, however, be cautious when attempting a spiritual upgrade. We can be falsely led to think that such an improvement will depend on how much we invest or sacrifice in time for prayer, virtues, apostolate and community service. As much as all these are signs of our desires to be holy, we must constantly remind ourselves that the work of upgrading, that is, the work of our holiness depends solely on God. Philip continues saying that we undoubtedly are fulfilled when striving for the good and holiness. But he warns us of a hidden danger even in our effort to attain our spiritual I. He says, We find self-fulfillment in practicing certain virtues or in acquiring specific spiritual traits. This means that we unconsciously identify ourselves with the good that we are capable of doing. Good deeds (e.g., prayer, fasting, service to ones neighbor, or engaging in some apostolic activity) are certainly laudable, but it would be very dangerous to identify ourselves with the spiritual good that we are capable of doing. (Ibid.) In other words, there too is the danger of becoming attached to the materiality of our spiritual life. This happens when the spiritual things we do (and mistakenly think of solely capable of doing), become an end in themselves rather than a means to transform us into and identify us with Christ. If we, therefore, are to achieve a genuine spiritual upgrade, we must be ready to downgrade ourselves. Downgrading is another term for being humble. John the Baptist had as his motto He must increase, and I must decrease. This is essentially what spiritual upgrading is: allowing Christ to take more control of our lives (i.e. thoughts, words and actions), by being less ourselves, by being less sure of ourselves, and by striving to trust more in Him each day. Here are some examples where humility can be lived: Prayer is the humility of the man who acknowledges his profound wretchedness and the greatness of God. () Faith is the humility of the mind which renounces its own judgment and surrenders to the verdict and authority of the Church. Obedience is the humility of the will which subjects itself to the will of another, for Gods sake. Chastity is the humility of the flesh, which subjects itself to the spirit. Exterior mortification is the humility of the senses. Penance is the humility of all the passions, immolated to the Lord. (St. Josemara, Furrow, #259) Living these examples shows how we are upgraded spiritually when we let God do the upgrading with His grace. This is because only He can give us grace, without which we are literally incapable of doing anything except to dispose ourselves to its action. Disposing ourselves is further achieved when we first empty ourselves of any obstacle to His grace (i.e. pride, greed, fame, etc.), then purify ourselves further which is made possible with the acts of humility mentioned by St. Josemara, and expanding our possibilities to receive more grace through the constant exercise of human virtues. We can end with St. Augustines wonderful analogy on upgrading. A container has to be empty before it can be filled. Well, then pour out the evil that is in you, since you should be filled with goodness. Imagine that God wants to fill you with honey, but if you are full of vinegar, where are you going to put the honey? First you have to empty the container, and then you have to clean it and wash it, even though you may get tired and you may need to scrub it, so that it is capable of receiving something. (In Ep. I Joann. 4, 2, 6: PL 35, 2008)
Love Life / A4
Atty. Jo Imbong
Pro Bono
though, El Ministro has been attacked as a Catholic fundamentalist and affiliate of the notorious Opus Dei. How far will things go? It remains to be seen. The problem in Italy is something we Filipino Catholics should consider. Italy has a 1978 law that allows abortion in the same three cases as in Poland. While it is mostly Catholic, the Faiths teaching does not influence the majority of Italians. One pretty bambolina, very Catholic, declared in UTube, I want to choose my life. Mama mia! Fact is, Italys abortion law is reportedly one of the most liberal in Europe. This is tragic. It is said that to tragedy belongs a world that is not in the hands of the living God. In those far-away places we listed, the grand cathedrals are bare of worshippers, their kneelers unused, their confessionals empty. In this country, the Church naves are packed, the aisles bursting, the queues to the Santo Intierro and the Virgin of Manaoag unending. There is a so-called modern world of 195 countries in the world (thats actually 196 minus the Philippines, the one man standing) self-isolated, complete in itself, far from its Creator and Sustainer, where the last paling shimmer of a once proud and true Kingdom of freedomthat of God and his graceis only a remnant that makes no demands on the heart and consoles itself only by its own poor and paltry false freedom. Not in this country! The Filipino soul stands its groundbuffeted, tempted maybebut it knows whereof it stands.
Catholic voice are as violent as ever, faulting the bills sponsors as writing a law according to the wishes of another countrys leader (the Holy See). The pro-choice voices got it all wrong, in Poland and in this country. When Christ was asked, Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar or not? he refused to fall into a sly trap and squelched the Pharisees with a smart answer, Give unto Caesar what is Caesars and to God what is Gods. What Jesus is actually saying is, over and above Caesar, regardless of who he is or what he is, stands GOD. That is Jesus real answer. And that is the Churchs answer to pro-RH Congressmen, to media surveys, to so-called street opinion, and to opinion mongers. That will always be the Churchs voice. Truth cannot be silenced. Christs retort silenced the Pharisees, and the Pharisees withdrew. With a new government, can Poland still redeem itself of its 20 years of abortions? Perhaps, not likely. Not with a new Deputy Speaker in Parliament that is openly pro choice, not in a Parliament that has its first trans-sexual member elected, not with another elected MP who heads Polands Planned Parenthood Institute, not with another new member who is reportedly an LBGTBQ (thats for Queer, if you must know) activist. And how about mother Spain? Could it be possible to overturn former Prime Minister Zapateros liberal abortion law of 2010? Spains new Justice Minister, Ruiz-Gallardon, recently announced plans to tighten the countrys abortion laws. Last time we heard
Philippines, my Philippines
of uncollected trash, urban street dwellers, bus terminal toilets, illmaintained resort facilities and the peace and order situation, etc.what kind of fun exactly are we trying to sell? One big sore that continues to fester in our consciousness is the presumption that Manila is the Philippines, and that what matters most for the country is what the Manila medias headlines reveal. As divisive as that viewpoint is that which presupposes that the worthiest Filipinos are those who make decisions and pass laws. An unchecked preoccupation with the affairs of those headliners, in fact, could dull our sensitivity to the needs of our fellow countrymen in the shadowsthose in remote barangays and far flung islandsthey are Filipinos, too, and they are too poor to care about oil price hikes, politicians popularity surveys, the impeachment trial, even the blazing issue of the RH Bill. Who really cares? Politicians own islands big enough for their whole clan to live in while the island residents do not even have electricity and proper toilets. It is no wonder then that their constituents would rather migrate to Manila to squat and sleep like sardines in hovels. And in the Big City, are we really expressing solidarity with the poor when we give them old toys and used clothes during Christmas? What concept of charity would children of the rich have when from a tender age they are shown that discarded toys are good enough for the poor while they always have new ones? What kind of love do the rich show when they invite orphans to their homes in exclusive villages to partake of their Christmas feast? They feel nice about doing good but have they ever wondered how these orphans feel or think once they are back to their bowl of lugaw at the orphanage? May not love move charitable people to want less, to be voluntarily poor, to say enough to themselves, in order to create more opportunities to spread the nations wealth more evenly? The nations wealth in natural resources is more than enough to free every Filipino from want but who are benefitting from them? Not our small kababayans. When our miners who risk their
And Thats The Truth / A6
father works. I saw the wives and older children involved too. I even saw children as young as 9 years old working side by side their fathers, all quietly bent in cutting the sheaves of palay and looking up only when we passed by. Before noontime, a couple of girls around 12 years old arrived carrying the lunch for their parents. This means that the children skip school during the planting and harvesting time, if
they even go to school at all. My greatest shock was to find out that the farmers do not get paid during harvest time. The arrangement with the land owner is that each farmer would get one sack of palay rice for every 13 sacks he/she harvests and threshes. It takes around 3-4 months from planting to harvesting. So the rest of the months, the farmers wait and wait, often
Love Life / A7
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POPULATION control efforts among Mindoros local Iraya Mangyan tribe remained futile after rural health workers failed to introduce birth control methods to tribal members. Iraya Mangyan indigenous people refusing artificial contraception insisted that they need more children for their community to grow and to have more help in tending to farm lands. They go away whenever rural health workers arrive. They dont want rural health workers talking
Local News
about reducing the number of their children because for them children are very precious since they lose many of them. They like to have children, said Sr. Lilia J. Frondoza of the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception who assists the community through medical missions and other means. Their children often die of TB, malaria and gastro-intestinal problems. These are what should be addressed, she added. The Iraya Mangyans live in the municipalities of Puerto Galera, San Teodoro and Baco in Oriental Mindoro but most are in Occidental Mindoro, particularly in the municipalities of Abra de Ilog, Paluan, Mamburao and Santa Cruz. They are known producers of rice, bananas, sweet potatoes and other root crops. Frondoza, who has been working in poverty alleviation in Mindoro since the 1990s, taught Iraya Mangyans the rudiments of cultivating land and selling crops. Owing to instruction in organic farming, too, the quality of Mindoro rice has improved. The nun, however, was concerned that population controlshould its implementation succeedwill have disastrous consequences on the people. Mawawalan tayo ng pagkain, at sila yung mga indigenous na kababayan natin na nagpo-produce ng rice at corn. They still plant up in the mountains, she pointed out. Hindi papayag sa birth control ang mga Mangyan dahil precious sa kanila
CBCP Monitor
March 26 - April 8, 2012
Vol. 16 No. 7
Luisita / A1
farmer-beneficiaries, thus nullifying the constitutionality of stock distribution option (SDO). The SC also assured the HLI of just compensation based on the lands value in 1989 of P40, 000. Just compensation for the 4,335 hectares was calculated to a total of P173 million. The HLI, however, filed a motion for the reversal of the grant to the farm workers beneficiaries of the option to remain as stockholders of the Hacienda Luisita, Inc. It also asked that the point of reckoning date in determining the valuation of the lands
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should be moved to January 2, 2006 from 1989, as ordered by the SC, which was the date of issuance of the Notice of Coverage. To make 2006 as a point of reckoning as demanded by the Cojuangcos, he also said, is the height of injustice as this would force the government to pay the family an exorbitant sum of P10 billion. To this day, however, Hacienda Luisita remains undistributed. This motion is a clear attempt by the Cojuangcos to derail the distribution of the land, Pabillo claimed. (CBCPNews)
opportunities. Although volunteering for parish work may not be a money-making venture for fresh graduates, it is nevertheless an opportunity to serve the Church especially for Catholic school-raised students, according to Baaga. The priest, who is the president of Adamson University, also encouraged fresh graduates to take some time to rest from schoolwork before getting employed. I advise them to take rest
Casino / A1
first before looking for jobs. Their vacation can also be a time for them to rest and think more deeply about their plans in life, he said. Earlier, Legazpi Bishop Joel Baylon advised students and graduates to spend some time for spiritual recollection during their summer break so as to have meaningful observance of Lent. Baylon, who chairs the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Youth, also invited the young faithful to gather their friends and attend to-
gether summer camps and leadership conferences being organized by the parishes near them and youth organizations in their community to make their summer vacation more meaningful. While it is great to be with friends on vacation, it is also fulfilling to be with them in attending summer camps, youth conferences or Bible study classes, which are alternative activities this summer where they can even learn a lot from, he added. (YouthPinoy)
of, and in exchange for, the peoples rights and the countrys sovereignty, US military troops and aid are welcomed by PNoy to instigate further rights violations on the ground, said Karapatan spokesperson and Tanggo Bayi convener Cristina Tinay Palabay in a statement sent to CBCPNews. Palabay recalls the 2005 rape incident in Olongapo City, involving a U.S. Marine personnel. We do not want another case of Nicole where the perpetrators go unpunished by virtue of the Visiting Forces the pro-life message. Cojuangco also accused Catholic bishops of being a stumbling block to taxpayer-funded contraceptives and sterilization provided under the RH bill, claiming the Philippines was still in the dark ages. The bill, however, has been proven by other lawmakers to be 80 percent redundant, considering that similar provisions are found in the Magna Carta for Women passed by Congress in 2009 and other government issuances, F4L pointed out. Clueless of ill effects? The congresswoman herself appears to be in the dark about the ill effects of artificial contraceptives which she wants to distribute to women at the expense of taxpayers. Oral contraceptive pills are classified by a World Health Organization (WHO) research unit as Group 1 carcinogens along with asbestos, arsenic, formaldehyde, and plutonium, F4L said. F4L called on Cojuangco to carefully study the Churchs position on the RH bill, instead of engaging in juvenile attacks unbecoming of a legislator. For instance, the group said, the Church is opposed to chemical pills because these can
Agreement (VFA), Palabay said. In effect, the US bases are back, despite the governments denial and its insistence that these troops are only in the country for short periods of time. This is a clear encroachment on our sovereignty and a violation of our Constitution. Also, the United States new defense strategy called Rebalance to Asia is but a euphemism for economic domination and political repression not only in the Philippines, but in the Asia Pacific region, she furthered. (Noel Sales Barcelona/CBCPNews) lead to very early abortions. Its irresponsible for a lawmaker to recommend chemical contraception without disclosing its dangerous side effects and without considering the ethical and moral implications. Women deserve to know the truth about the pill, F4L added. The group also labeled as erroneous and misleading Cojuangcos facile claim that the [family planning] method being espoused by the Church does not work. RH bill trampling on civil, religious rights For Rep. Kimi Cojuangco to accuse the Church of meddling in state affairs is deceptive, F4L said. The bill carries provisions that will trample upon individual and religious rights, such as forcing Catholic hospitals and doctors to provide contraceptives and sterilization services and mandating Catholic schools to teach contraception to students, it added. Worse, Catholic taxpayers will shoulder the expense, F4L said. The proponents of the bill are in fact the ones seeking to impose their own views, using taxpayers money, and with the coercive force of law, F4L furthered. (CBCP for Life)
deterioration, Cruz said. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) is planning to develop a Las Vegas-style casino facility in Manila. Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez has immediately welcomed the plan saying it would help them achieve its targeted 10 million annual tourist visits by 2016. To think that the Philippine Government plus Pagcor are looking forward to some kind of a Las Vegas Philippines, the Aquino claim of following the Matuwid na Daan is the joke of the decade! he said. Aside from gambling hubs, the 120-hectare Entertainment City shall also house luxury hotels, malls, museums, cultural centers, sports arenas, residential villages and theme parks. The Church, Cruz stressed, believes that
Youth / A1
gambling and subsequent addiction do nothing but to destroy morals of individuals. The prelate also said gambling is associated with other negative spillover activities and crimes and one of his concerns is how the government will mitigate the effects of these issues. Gambling, he added, could also result to loss of normal domestic and/or standard social relationships, inclusive of job, profession or occupation. These are some of the more common errant value system and erratic behavioral pattern of those victimized by Gambling Addiction, Cruz also said. These marked liabilities have, not only personal, but also social repercussions, which can be anything but dignifying and inspiring, he said. (CBCPNews)
the bill by abruptly cutting interpellations has so far been futile, with House leaders deciding to prioritize urgent legislative measures before going on a six-week break. In a privilege speech, Cojuangco went as far as claiming that a rally had been scheduled on March 25, the Day of the Unborn which is also observed in other countries. But the group Filipinos for Life (F4L) denounced the speech, saying that Cojuangco had spoken utter falsehoods, and called on the lawmaker to get her facts straight. Rep. Kimi Cojuangco needs a fact-checker. First of all, no massive rally has been called to mark the Day of the Unborn, an international celebration promoting the dignity of human life. Rather, it was suggested by Pro-Life Philippines that pro-life groups hold candle-lighting activities for the unborn; prayer meetings to spread the message of life and love; poster-designing contests revolving around the pro-life theme; seminars and exhibits related to prolife issues; printing and distribution of leaflets and other information materials to encourage awareness of culture of life issues; and rallies or small public meetings to propagate
about the voice of the youth on the RH issue, Esteban said. They are not even a quarter of the majority of the voting youth that they claimed to be, even if we talk of the numbers game. You want to talk about the voice of the youth that reckons real numbers? the youth leader said. Talk to millions of Catholic youth based in our 86 dioceses, the Catholic schools and the transparochial organizations with millions of members that extend globallythen we could talk of a threatening number. In my opinion, the youth are the most intelligent sector in the voting population, Esteban said, adding that she was at the PPCRV Command Center during the 2010 election, mobilizing millions of young people who wanted to take part in the historic first automated election. And their power to move on causes they truly believe in is just so spectacular that its almost miraculous, she said. They are the vigilant and idealistic slice of the pie that inquires, critically studies and acts on a sound judgment. What made SCAP think that the youth will just give away their precious votes just because the candidate voted against the bill?! Thats wishful thinking. RH bill benefits only a few We the members of Federation of National Youth Organization are really standing up against the RH bill because we know that it will only destroy our family, our values, our morality, lalo na
And Thats The Truth / A5
ng mga kabataan, said National Federation of Youth Organizations (NFYO) Council Member Maria Lea Dasigan. Kung di pag-aaralan, hindi natin maiintindihan na ang RH bill ay para lamang sa kapakanan ng mga iilan at hindi talaga para sa kapakanan ng mga kabataan. Personally, she added, I dont believe na marami [silang mga pro-RH] na parang nananakot na majority of the voting population are young and for the RH bill. I really dont think so. The NFYO has organizations in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, and its members have recently come up with a signature campaign, the result of which they intend to send to Congress. Part of the groups preparations for the 2013 elections is educating its various organizations on electoral candidates who are true to pro-life legislation. I am part of the youth and I oppose the RH bill Even students of the University of the Philippines pointed out that newly elected University Student Council (USC) chair Heart Dio, who expressed support for the RH bill at the SCAP press conference, does not reflect their convictions. Heart Dios seat in the USC was favored by a mere 17.02% of UPs student population. Heart was voted into the council by 3,290 students out of roughly 19,300. Tell me, does Heart Dio speak
the voice of UPs studentry? Ideally, yes. But in reality, no, stated Kiboy Tabada, convenor of UP Against the RH Bill. Heart was reported to have said that lawmakers should not belittle the youth vote, that they should listen to what the youth are actually saying. Listen to the youth? Or listen to you? I am part of the youth and I oppose the RH Bill. I believe that a lawmakers vote for the RH Bill is a vote against the real welfare of the youth, against the future of the youth. And I speak for the youth who stand against it and for the rest of my generation who do not know that its their future thats at stake. On this matter, Heart Dio does not speak my voice. By what strong mandate can Heart speak the youths voice? Pro-life legislators can bank on youth support The engineering student also reiterated his groups all-out support for legislators who act on a genuine, lifeaffirming concern for the youth and for the future of the country. To pro-life legislators, stand your ground. The youth are with you. The youth know that you have our best interests in mind in your opposition to the RH Bill. There is no honor in instilling fear to get you to vote for the measure. There is no honor in ruining someone elses credibility to forward our own. We from UP Diliman ought to know this. We remain ready to
speak for and defend our position by its merits. And we will stand with and campaign for you by your merits as real representatives of the youths welfare, Tabada said. John Walter Juat, also of UP Against the RH Bill, said that though the proRH student group was free to present its views, they do not represent even close to the majority of those in the youth sector. While the pro-RH camp may choose to go with wrath, he continued (referring to the news items title RH bill foes face the wrath of student groups), the anti-RH camp will choose the peaceful but strong assertiveness to convince our legislators to take a stand against this divisive bill, and support the pro-life legislators in the next election. The pro-RH individuals noted in the article may be university leaders, but they do not intimidate us, even a little bit. The fight to preserve our nations pro-life, pro-family, pro-God culture will continue and will not stop until this RH bill is finally trashed. RH bill is not the answer World Youth Alliance Asia Pacific (WYAAP) regional director Renelyn Tan criticized the misleading assertion that the RH bill will empower women as well as provide a solution to poverty. Working with young people in World Youth Alliance Asia Pacific al-
lows me to see the great concern they have on issues relating to women and children. Our members clearly do not want women dying during childbirth or children missing out on opportunities but unfortunately, the current RH bill version does not provide a holistic way of addressing the fundamental causes of poverty and challenges to true women empowerment, Tan said. In an earlier statement, Tan explained that she and other young people find it unfortunate that the media often portrays young people as callous, who dont know when to stop. But this is not true, she asserted. Kaming mga kabataan, we are all made for excellence and we really hope that our government, our institutions, our leaders and civil society will be able to provide [the necessary conditions] because our lives should be seen as an expression of our intrinsic and inviolable dignity. We would like to reiterate that young people are not only sexual beings. Much has been said about the RH bill, but it cannot be an issue totally conclusive of a young persons future, Esteban of Youth Pinoy! added. Education comprises the biggest chunk, though were not talking about sex education here but good quality education that leads to an individuals progress, she said.
lives for a measly pay are killed in collapsing mining pits, media cameras focus on the victims and the charity people extend to their grieving familiesagain another opportunity for dogooders to shinebut where are the capitalists who should have invested more in the workers safety in the first place? Why wont the media expose them? Does the public even get to know who they are? Recently, a Vietnamese boat was caught off Palawan smuggling 39 (!) marine turtles (four of them dead). The incident
reached the local authorities ear but apparently not the media. So, were the smugglers detained or fined, the boat confiscated, the turtles returned to the sea? If anyone knew the answers, no one is saying anything. Where is love of country here? Whether its about a Taiwanese boat illegally fishing off Batanes or Japanese tropical fish traders behind dynamite fishing in Mindanao, the stories reflect a pattern of neglect on the part of our authorities to protect our territory and resources. Are we simply being tolerant or are we
selling our country cheap? What happened to the Chinese nationals caught manufacturing shabu in Ayala Alabang? How come nothing was heard about them after the discovery? Didnt our media think it was newsworthy, as they did about the Filipino drug mules executed in China? And speaking of drug mules, why is it that no one runs after their connections in China? Do they want us to believe that our kababayans will peddle the smuggled drugs by themselves in Tiananmen Square?
Foreign aid is another item that goes unexamined in the Filipinos vocabulary. Such aid never comes without strings attached; whether it is cash, goods, medicines or military support given in exchange for our natural resources and our cherished values as a people, we stand exploited, believing we are helped when in fact we are being used. Sad to say, our leaders do not seem to know any better, and in fact, would even tend to take advantage of our peoples ignorance in entertaining foreign aid. Shouldnt
we, instead of boasting were more fun, just call our beloved country User-friendly Philippines? How many of those we elect to public office truly love our country and our people? When they are bent on polishing their image, cosmeticizing history to make heroes of themselves and eternal villains of political enemies; when they substitute shallow slogans and publicists yarns for solid leadership; when their pursuit of truth is propelled only by vested interests; how can they unite the Filipinos to deliver
themselves from poverty and march on to genuine progress? We need to unshackle ourselves from superficial thought habits in order to understand the true meaning of freedom, heroism, democracy, service, human lifeand be humble enough to admit that we are our own oppressors. Our national anthem ends with Aming ligaya na pag may mang-aapi, ang mamatay nang dahil sa iyo. We do not love our country enough to believe in it, fight for it, suffer for it, die for it. And thats the truth.
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 16 No. 7
March 26 - April 8, 2012
Diocesan News
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2nd District Lanao del Norte Representative Fatima Aliah Dimaporo, a member of the Nine Young Legislators (9YL), explains to participants the rights of citizens and the duties of legislators to oppose the RH bill.
JARO, Iloilo CityDespite the short notice and the ongoing final examinations in most schools, hundreds of youth and pro-life supporters from various institutions and organizations in Iloilo City gathered in a youth forum on the controversial reproductive health bill.
Organized by the Commission on Family and Life of the Archdiocese of Jaro and the Citizens for Life in cooperation with the University of San Agustin, the forum was held on March 16 at the University of San Agustin. Speakers include 1st District Davao
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Briefing
Cebuanos rally anew vs RH bill
CEBU City Less than a week before the adjournment of session in Congress for a six-week break, another public demonstration of rejecting the Reproductive Health (RH) bill was held in Cebu City. Cebuanos took to the streets on March 17 for a show of force against the legislative measure that has had a growing number of socio-civic groups, family and life advocates, child development specialists and faith-based organizations voicing out their opposition. Dubbed Lenten Walk for Life, the event started at Plaza Independencia and proceeded up to Plaza Sugbu, in front of the Cebu City Hall. (Miguel de Dios)
82K families to be evicted over Laguna Bay dike project
sitios and subdivisions simultaneously started from first to eight Stations. They converged at 4 p.m. at the park timed for the ninth Station. The participants, in solemn procession resounded the Pananagutan song as they continued with the Stations along the half-kilometer route in the main avenue toward the Church, bearing placards that cried out loud with The BECs of St. John the Baptist Parish in Taytay stage their Lenten activity the messages of each in a form of a human Cross to show their opposition to RH Bill. Station. The salvific meaning of sacrifice is re- ing of Lord I Lift Your Name on High as vealed at the Cross where our Lady stands they were welcome to the celebration of the venerated at the 11th Station being the Eucharist until 7 p.m. Mother of Life, who cares for us like her The parish human Cross was distinctive Son from her womb to the tomb. The Di- in its four-hour of pro-Life, Evangelical and vine Mercy is adored in the 14th Station as Catechetical initiative of the faithful in the the Risen Christ, the Redeemer, who pours public arena. Himself out in selfless love. St. John the Baptist BECs claims their The human Cross was formed in front Lenten human cross is the fourth biggest in of the church at around 5:20 p.m. in the the world with about 700 participants last 14th Station. When the Gospel reading pro- year and this year. nounced that Christ is risen the Jubilee Third place is held by Oslo, Norway Red Cross was erected at the center of the hu- Cross in May 2010 with 935 participants; man Cross. Effingham, Illinois, USA 9/11 AnniverA dove, an image of the Holy Spirit, was sary in September 2011 is second with 2,000 also formed to the left of the Human Cross. participants. Paper slips written with penitents petitions The distinction of the biggest human and messages were burned as holocaust cross in history as declared by the Guinness by Bro. Nelson Cruz, the Parish Pastoral World Records is held by the University of Council Coordinator, as everyone sang All Sto. Tomas, in Manila. In March 2011, UST to Jesus I Surrender. formed its Ash Wednesday Dominican Bro. Nelson led the recital of the Apostles Cross, that had 24,000 participants. (Ding Creed. Penitents were greeted by the sing- Fernandez) the sisters on weekends or free days are a personalized way of accompaniment much appreciated by the evacuee families. We have also encouraged our ministry workers to offer various kinds of seminars in the evacuation centers for those interested e.g., on the Bible, Natural Family Planning, values formation for family life, devotion to the Divine Mercy, etc. Catechists and formators of Basic Ecclesial Communities may also find a receptive audience among the evacuee families. As we continue to move on in the season of Lent and approach the events of Holy Week, com-
ANTIPOLO CityAbout 82,000 families will lose their homes due to the P23 billion-worth Laguna Lake road-dike project. This was the revelation of the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) after they saw the blueprint of the so-called 2020 Laguna Lake Master Plan of the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA). When done, the Pamalakaya expects around 500,000 people to be left homeless and penniless, since most of their livelihood comes from fishing in the lake. (Noel Sales Barcelona)
Only about 50% of graduates will land a job Anakbayan
QUEZON CityWhile graduating students are busy getting their grades, preparing their attire for graduation, and thinking about where they should go after the graduation rites, a sad reality faces the newly gradsabout half of them would not land a job. Based on the statistics, says Anakbayan chairperson Vencer Mari Crisostomo, only 40.8 percent to 37.4 percent of all youth members of the labor force in the past decade have been able to land any job; and 43 per cent of jobless youth do have a college degree. (Noel Sales Barcelona)
Luisita farmers decry series of harassments
TARLAC City Farmworkers of the controversial Hacienda Luisita decried the alleged harassments of private security hired by the Yuchengco Groups Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation. In a statement, the Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura revealed that some alleged hired goons of the RCBC had recently attempted to disperse the farmworkers-on-camping, near the 184-hectare land in Brgy. Balete, which the farmworker-beneficiaries began to till since July last year for food and livelihood. The said parcel of land, also inside the Hacienda Luisita territory, was purchased by RCBC 16 years ago from the Hacienda Luisita, Inc. management. (Noel Sales Barcelona)
Siete Palabras at Sto. Domingo Church to air on Good Friday
houses will have a floor space of 21 square meters. Homelot sizes may range from 40 to 80 square meters. The challenge now is to negotiate for the purchase of more housing sites at affordable prices. In this regard, the archdiocese is looking at the possibility of helping homeowners associations acquire and develop a threehectare area in upper Macasandig. An access road is being cleared with the assistance of government equipment. Other possible sites in Indahag and Lumbia are also being eyed by these homeowners associations. Xavier University on its part had a ground-breaking
Love Life / A5
ceremony on March 3 for its 570 permanent housing units to be constructed on its five hectares in Xavier Ecoville, Lumbia. In one sense, the archdioceses contribution is not so much in housing, but in the spiritual ministry focused on the multiple and complex needs of evacuee families that have been traumatized by the sudden loss of loved ones or of entire homes. The Association of Women Religious of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro (AWRACO) has designated various congregations of sisters to particular evacuation centers. Household visits by
munity activities like the block rosary, outdoor Stations of the Cross, and Mass celebrations can be an effective way of creating new bonds of solidarity among evacuee families. In the Lenten Message of Pope Benedict XVI, we are reminded of the exhortation in the Letter to the Hebrews (10:24): Let us be concerned for each other, to stir a response in love and good works. Let this be our own call as we continue to be one with our brothers and sisters in their journey of transition from evacuation centers to the creation of more sustainable and life-giving human communities.
QUEZON CityThe Dominican Province of the Philippines (DPP) will again be holding the Siete Palabras at the Sto. Domingo Church in Quezon City on April 6 with the same theme as last year: Ang Pasyong Mahal sa Buhay ni Juan. Fr. Christopher Jeffrey Aytona, OP, chairman of the DPP Media Board, said the organizers intend to stress that Christian religion is a significant part of the Filipino culture. A live telecast of the Lenten special will be aired by GMA-7, with a simultaneous broadcast by Radio Veritas 846 on Good Friday. (Levine Andro H. Lao)
Candidly Speaking / A4
with no other source of income. If the area has water irrigation, planting can be two times a year. Otherwise, the farmers just wait for the next rainy season, and pray that no typhoon would devastate what they had so laboriously planted. I left the place with deeper commitment to help our poor brothers and sisters in
whatever way I can at present, through assisting with more Pondo ng Pinoy projects, through giving out information on what is the state of agriculture in our country, and through joining efforts in lobbying for more just laws, policies and programs. My heart was filled with resentment at how our government and
rich people have so neglected such an important sector of our society, but my heart was filled with inspiration from the stories of the farmers, their faith in a God who year in and year out do not abandon them but continue to send the rain and the sun and the wind to be able to put rice on our tables.
empty and idle but rather fired up in love and desire for the good. Chastity is more a matter of affirmative action of love than that of denying oneself. I tell them to be wary of pride that can come from ones privileges in looks, health, talents, intelligence, etc., things the young are most vulnerable to, as well as gluttony and laziness. These are where the devil can gain a foothold on us. Temptations should as much as possible be ignored, and if not, then tackled while still far from ones heart. I also tell them to be highly disciplined in their thinking and imagination, to keep close if discreet guard on their senses,
especially the eyes and the touch, to minimize unnecessary pacute and pa-charming with the girls. And when the sting of the flesh manages to come, then one has to do what comes naturally and supernaturally, including intense prayers and sacrifices. Saints have done extraordinary things like wrapping themselves with thorns, rolling on snow, whipping with spikes, etc. One can do what the Spirit inspires him. Recourse to the sacraments and devotion to our Lady, Mother most chaste and Mother of Fair Love, helps a lot. Take it from the saints.
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CBCP Monitor
Vol. 16 No. 7
The Knights of Columbus in the Philippines lead participants from various pro-life organizations in the annual Walk for Life from Intramuros to Rajah Sulayman Park, March 24.
Allen Paolo Guballa, State Chief Squire, also spoke as part of the program, which ended with the release of white balloons as the song Habang May Buhay was played. The Walk for Life took place a day before the Day of the Unborn, a special day officially designated in several countries including the Philippines for
celebrating the sacredness of the lives of babies before birth. Besides the Philippines, other countries that mark March 25 with a pro-life theme are El Salvador, Argentina, Guatemala, Chile, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Uruguay, Peru, Panama, Paraguay, Slovakia, Cuba, Austria and Romania. (CBCP for Life)
Markings
CELEBRATED. Msgr. Joselito C. Asis celebrated the 25th anniversary of his sacerdotal ordination with a thanksgiving Mass on March 19, 2012 at the Chapel of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines headquarters in Intramuros, Manila. Daet Bishopemeritus Benjamin Almoneda and some 12 priests concelebrated. Also in attendance during the event were Asis mother, siblings, relatives, friends and executive secretaries and staff of various Episcopal commissions of the CBCP. Currently assigned as the secretary general of the CBCP, Asis was born on October 4, 1960 in Paracale, Camarines Norte and was ordained to the priesthood in 1987 at Daet by the late Bishop Celestino Enverga. He finished his Licentiate and Doctorate in Canon Law Magna cum laude from the Angelicum University in Rome, in 1994 and 2000, respectively. Among his various pastoral assignments include a stint as Catechetical Director, Chancellor, Oeconomus, Mass Media Director, Judicial vicar and parish priest in the Diocese of Daet. He was also assigned as secretary to the Papal Nuncio Gian Vincenzio Moreni at the Apostolic Nunciature in Manila from 1995 to 1998. In 2007, Asis was serving as Vicar General of the diocese when he was called to Manila to assume the post of assistant secretary general and assistant treasurer of the CBCP. Asis will have another thanksgiving celebration on Easter Sunday in Paracale, Camarines Norte at the parish of Our Lady of Candelaria where he said his first Mass 25 years ago. CELEBRATED. The Diocese of Mati marked the twin anniversaries of the diocesan 5 kw Catholic stations Radyo Totoo DXHM-Heart of Mary, 549 khz, and DXDV (Dei Verbum)-Spirit FM, 97.5 mhz, on March 19, Feast of St. Joseph. Both stations were formally inaugurated on the feast of St. Joseph, the stations patron saint DXHM, 21 years ago on March 19, 1991, and 18 years later on March 19, 2009, the total music station, DXDV Spirit FM. The two stations are members of the nationwide umbrella of the Catholic Media Network (CMN) formerly known as the Philippine Federation of Catholic Broadcasters (PFCB) based in Manila, and affiliated to the Episcopal Commission on Social Communications. DXHM and DXDV-Spirit FM are both identified as CMN Mati, and have a website, ww.cmnmati.com which is capable of live streaming. The anniversary celebration was highlighted with a Eucharistic celebration in thanksgiving to God for the continued existence of the radio stations despite the huge costs and financial obligations of keeping both stations running and operational. Mati Bishop Patricio H. Alo, Founder and Station Director, celebrated the Eucharist at 8:30 a.m., followed by snacks for everyone and a sharing in word and agape for the radio personnel and block-timers. The slogan Kasaligan sa Kamatuoran or Nothing but the Truth remains the stations battle cry as it has been through the years, focused on the vision/mission of Media Evangelization to live out Jesus summons to go out to the world to preach the good news (Mt. 28:19), thus proclaiming the Truth in Jesus Christ as He ushers in a Kingdom of Truth, Love, Freedom, Peace, and Justice. INAUGURATED. Philippines first environment-friendly chapel, solar-powered and constructed from indigenous and recycled materials was opened in a simple blessing ceremony March 19, in Bacolod City. Located within the area of the Greenheart Hermitage on the campus grounds of the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos, the chapel was a collaborative effort of three Negrense artists who offered their talents and skills pro bono to build the earth chapel out of their common advocacy to protect the environment. The chapel structure was made of indigenous materials that include mud, bamboo, rice straw and stalk and cogon grass. Recycled objects including wine bottles, discarded tiles, discarded wood slab and other bits and pieces were also added in the structure. Brother Tagoy Jakosalem, a Rekoleto friar and an official presenter of The Climate Reality Project, did the interior of the chapel. He conceptualized and incorporated renewable energy into the structure, making the chapel true to form and function in its liturgical scheme. The chapel is the first solarpowered religious edifice in the country, it is envisioned both to have a sound spiritual and environmental atmosphere, LED lights are used to illumine the interior. Wine bottles are incorporated in the structure, natural lighting effects emanating from the green-colored wine bottles, serving as recyclable stained-glass windows, said Jakosalem, a religious environmentalist who was personally trained on climate change science by Nobel Laureate and former US Vice President Al Gore through The Climate Reality Project. The other two artists who worked with Jakosalem were Marisol Alquizar, a visual artist who spends her time building mud houses in Negros island; and Nunelucio Alvarado, a leading social-realist in the country. Alquizar designed the chapel while Alvarado transformed his pen and ink version of Kristo ni Alvarado into a colourful mosaic as the chapels centerpiece.
youth, their mission and vision as members of the Church and how it enhanced their spiritual life. The priest said there had been a 100 percent positive feedback from the young people who participated in the international gathering. Garganta noted that the report shows positive gains and effects on the youth in their involvement during the World Youth Day 2011 Madrid celebration, as most participants have grown in their understanding of their relationship with God, their role in the
A CHURCH official is inviting Filipinos to participate in the worldwide event promoting energy conservation and care for Mother Nature. Fr. Conegundo Garganta, executive secretary of the Episcopal Commission on Youth (ECY) of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), specifically urged the youth to encourage their family, friends, community, and other people in their network to observe the Earth Hour on March 31. As in the past years, I enjoin everyone to join in the observance of Earth Hour this 31st of March 2012, the last Saturday of this month, and to extend this invitation to everyone within our respective networks to take part, Garganta said. Let us join millions in our country and around the world in switching off non-essential lights for one hour, from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m., and using this time to engage in activities which promote care for our planet, he added. The priest likewise urged young Filipinos to join the I Will If You Will campaign. The ECY has started off with its "I Will if You Will" statement the ECY will change its office light bulbs to compact fluorescent lights if you will switch off your lights on March 31, join the I Will If You Will campaign, and share these two with your community. This campaign empowers people to share to the world their own personal contribution on how they can willingly do ways to save Mother Earth, Garganta added. Organizers of the Earth Hour hope that the initiative will spur people to be more aware of their energy usage and its effect to the environment. The initiative began in Sydney, Australia in 2007 and has since become a global event. (YouthPinoy) Church and the significance of the Eucharist in their life. He furthered that the report also mentions the participation of the ECYs official media delegation to document and cover the Filipino youth participants during the World Youth Day celebration. YouthPinoy! the youth media arm of the Filipino Catholic Youth was the one who conducted the media coverage for the Filipino delegation. (Jandel Posion)
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CBCP Monitor
Vol. 16 No. 7
March 26 - April 8, 2012
Pastoral Concerns
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Piety / B2
File photo
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Updates
By Fr. Jaime B. Achacoso, J.C.D.
IN recent years, there has been a growing number of so-called healing ministries. One hears of healing Masses, healing services or simply prayer meetings for healing. There is at least one regular Healing Mass featured on national television, and at least one temple has been erected in recent years primarily as a venue for the ministry of a socalled healing priest. On the other hand, the Philippines has always been known for faithhealers, a good number of them turning out to be bogus, to the consternation of gullible or simply desperate victims. What does Canon Law provide for this phenomenon, especially in the hands of ordained ministers? The Instruction on Prayers for Healing Ever sensitive to what is happening in the world, the Holy Seethrough the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF)had in fact issued an Instruction regarding prayers for healing on September 14, 2000, above allthe document statesas a help to local Ordinaries so that the faithful appeal is sometimes made to a claimed charism of healing. These prayer meetings for healing need to be properly discerned from a liturgical perspective, particularly by the Church authorities, whose responsibility it is to watch over and give appropriate norms for the proper functioning of liturgical celebrations. Hence, the publication of the aforementioned Instruction. Disciplinary Norms The second part of the Instruction proceeds to give the disciplinary norms for such prayer meetings in 10 articles, as follows (italics added to emphasize the parts more relevant to local phenomena). Art. 1 It is licit for every member of the faithful to pray to God for healing. When this is organized in a church or other sacred place, it is appropriate that such prayers be led by an ordained minister. Art. 2 Prayers for healing are considered to be liturgical if they are part of the liturgical books approved by the Churchs competent authority; otherwise, they are non-liturgical.
CBCP Monitor
March 26 - April 8, 2012
Vol. 16 No. 7
Healing Masses
liturgical prayer meetings and liturgical celebrations properly so-called is to be carefully avoided. 3. Anything resembling hysteria, artificiality, theatricality or sensationalism, above all on the part of those who are in charge of such gatherings, must not take place. Art. 6 The use of means of communication (in particular, television) in connection with prayers for healing, falls under the vigilance of the Diocesan Bishop in conformity with can. 823 and the norms established by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in the Instruction of March 30, 1992. Art. 7 1. Without prejudice to what is established above in art.3 or to the celebrations for the sick provided in the Churchs liturgical books, prayers for healing whether liturgical or non-liturgical must not be introduced into the celebration of the Holy Mass, the sacraments, or the Liturgy of the Hours. 2. In the celebrations referred to 1, one may include special prayer intentions for the healing of the sick in the general intercessions or prayers of the faithful, when this is permitted. Art. 8 1. The ministry of exorcism must be exercised in strict dependence on the Diocesan Bishop, and in keeping with the norm of c.1172, the Letter of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith of September 29, 1985, (31) and the Rituale Romanum (32). 2. The prayers of exorcism contained in the Rituale Romanum must remain separate from healing services, whether liturgical or non-liturgical. 3. It is absolutely forbidden to insert such prayers of exorcism into the celebration of the Holy Mass, the sacraments, or the Liturgy of the Hours. Art. 9 Those who direct healing services, whether liturgical or non-liturgical, are to strive to maintain a climate of peaceful devotion in the assembly and to exercise the necessary prudence if healings should take place among those present; when the celebration is over, any testimony can be collected with honesty and accuracy, and submitted to the proper ecclesiastical authority. Art. 10 Authoritative intervention by the Diocesan Bishop is proper and necessary when abuses are verified in liturgical or nonliturgical healing services, or when there is obvious scandal among the community of the faithful, or when there is a serious lack of observance of liturgical or disciplinary norms. In Summary: 1) It is licit for the faithful to pray to God for healing. When this is organized in a church or other sacred place, it is appropriate that such prayers be led by an ordained minister. These prayers can be of two types: Liturgical, if they are part of the liturgical books approved by the competent Church authority; Non-liturgical, if they are not part of such officially approved liturgical books. These also fall under the vigilance of the local Ordinary in accordance with c.839, 2. Confusion between non-liturgical prayer meetings and liturgical celebrations properly so-called is to be carefully avoided. 2) It is the competence of the Bishop of the Diocese to issue norms for his particular Church regarding liturgical services of healing, which must be followed by those who prepare such liturgical services. Permission to hold such services must be explicitly given, even if they are organized by other Bishops or Cardinals, or include such as participants. Given a just and proportionate reason, the Diocesan Bishop even has the right to forbid the participation of an individual Bishop. 3) Anything resembling hysteria, artificiality, theatricality or sensationalism, above all on the part of those who are in charge of such gatherings, must not take place. Those who direct healing services, whether liturgical or non-liturgical, are to strive to maintain a climate of peaceful devotion in
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Healing priest Fr. Fernando Suarez performs his healing ministry after celebrating the Holy Mass.
may be better guided in this area, though promoting what is good and correcting what is to be avoided. Furthermore, to ensure the correct approach and to make clear the reasoning behind the norms, the CDF had judged appropriate to preface the disciplinary part of the Instruction with an extensive doctrinal note. Christian Meaning of Suffering and the Proliferation of Healing Ministries The Instruction starts by stating that the longing for happiness, deeply rooted in the human heart, has always been accompanied by a desire to be freed from illness and to be able to understand the meaning of sickness when it is experienced. This is a human phenomenon, which in some way concerns every person and finds particular resonance in the Church, where sickness is understood as a means of union with Christ and of spiritual purification. Moreover, for those who find themselves in the presence of a sick person, it is an occasion for the exercise of charity. Prayer for the restoration of healththe Instruction continuesis therefore part of the Churchs experience in every age, including our own. What in some ways is new is the proliferation of prayer meetings, at times combined with liturgical celebrations, for the purpose of obtaining healing from God. In many cases, the occurrence of healings has been proclaimed, giving rise to the expectation of the same phenomenon in other such gatherings. In the same context,
Art. 3 1. Liturgical prayers for healing are celebrated according to the rite prescribed in the Ordo benedictionis infirmorum (Rite of Blessings of the Sick) of the Rituale Romanum and with the proper sacred vestments indicated therein. 2. In conformity with what is stated in the Praenotanda, V., De aptationibus quae Conferentiae Episcoporum competunt of the same Rituale Romanum, Conferences of Bishops may introduce those adaptations to the Rite of Blessings of the Sick which are held to be pastorally useful or possibly necessary, after prior review by the Apostolic See. Art. 4 1. The Diocesan Bishop has the right to issue norms for his particular Church regarding liturgical services of healing, following c.838, 4. 2. Those who prepare liturgical services of healing must follow these norms in the celebration of such services. 3. Permission to hold such services must be explicitly given, even if they are organized by Bishops or Cardinals, or include such as participants. Given a just and proportionate reason, the Diocesan Bishop has the right to forbid even the participation of an individual Bishop. Art. 5 1. Non-liturgical prayers for healing are distinct from liturgical celebrations, as gatherings for prayer or for reading of the word of God; these also fall under the vigilance of the local Ordinary in accordance with c.839, 2. 2. Confusion between such free non-
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example of the Via Crucis in Jerusalem which ends with a station at the Anastasis, the celebration could end with a commemoration of the Lords resurrection. 135. Innumerable texts exist for the celebration of the Via Crucis. Many of them were compiled by pastors who were sincerely interested in this pious exercise and convinced of its spiritual effectiveness. Texts have also been provided by lay authors who were known for their exemplary piety, holiness of life, doctrine and literary qualities. Bearing in mind whatever instructions might have been established by the bishops in the matter, the choice of texts for the Via Crucis should take a count of the condition of those participating in its celebration and the wise pastoral principle of integrating renewal and continuity. It is always preferable to choose texts resonant with the biblical narrative and written in a clear simple style. The Via Crucis in which hymns, silence, procession and reflective pauses are wisely integrated in a balanced manner, contribute significantly to obtaining the spiritual fruits of the pious exercise. The Via Matris 136. As Christ and Our Lady of Dolours
were associated in Gods saving plan (Lk 2, 34-35), so too they are associated in the Liturgy and popular piety. As Christ was the man of sorrows (Is 53, 3) through whom it pleased God to have reconciled all things through him and for him, everything in heaven and everything on earth, when he made peace by his death on the cross (Col 1, 20), so too, Mary is the woman of sorrows whom God associated with his Son as mother and participant in his Passion (socia passionis). Since the childhood of Christ, the Blessed Virgin Marys life was entirely lived out under the sign of the sword (cf, Lk 2, 35). Christian piety has signalled out seven particular incidents of sorrow in her life, known as the seven sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Modelled on the Via Crucis, the pious exercise of the Via Matris dolorosae, or simply the Via Matris, developed and was subsequently approved by the Apostolic See(140). This pious exercise already existed in embryonic form since the sixteenth century, while its present form dates from the nineteenth century. Its fundamental intuition is a reflection on the life of Our Lady from the prophecy of Simeon (cf. Lk 2, 34-35), to the death and burial of her Son, in terms of a journey in faith and sorrow: this journey is articulated in seven stations corresponding to the seven dolours of
the Mother of Our Saviour. 137. This pious exercise harmonises well with certain themes that are proper to the lenten season. Since the sorrows of Our Lady are caused by the rejection of her Son (cf. John 1,11; Lk 2, 1-7; 2, 34-35; 4, 28-29; Mt 26, 47-56; Acts 12, 1-5), the Via Matris constantly and necessarily refers to the mystery of Christ as the suffering servant (cf. Is 52, 13-53, 12). It also refers to the mystery of the Church: the stations of the Via Matris are stages on the journey of faith and sorrow on which the Virgin Mary has preceded the Church, and in which the Church journeys until the end of time. The highest expression of the Via Matris is the Piet which has been an inexhaustible source of inspiration for Christian art since the middles ages. Holy Week 138. In Holy Week, the Church celebrates the mysteries of salvation accomplished by Christ in the last days of the earthly life, beginning with his messianic entry into Jerusalem(141). The people are notably involved in the rites of Holy Week. Many of them still bear the traces of their origins in popular piety. It has come about, however, that in the course of the centauries, a form of celebrative parallelism has arisen in the Rites of Holy Week, resulting in
two cycles each with its own specific character: one is strictly liturgical, the other is marked by particular pious exercise, especially processions. This divergence should be oriented towards a correct harmonisation of the liturgical celebrations and pious exercises. Indeed, the attention and interest in manifestations of popular piety, traditionally observed among the people, should lead to a correct appreciation of the liturgical actions, which are supported by popular piety. Palm Sunday Palms, olive branches and other fronds 139. Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday, or Passion Sunday, which unites the royal splendour of Christ with the proclamation of his Passion(142). The procession, commemorating Christs messianic entry into Jerusalem, is joyous and popular in character. The faithful usually keep palm or olive branches, or other greenery which have been blessed on Palm Sunday in their homes or in their work places. The faithful, however, should be instructed as to the meaning of this celebration so that they might grasp its significance. They should be opportunely reminded that the important thing is participation at the procession and not only the obtaining of palm or olive branches. Palms or olive branches should
not be kept as amulets, or for therapeutic or magical reasons to dispel evil spirits or to prevent the damage these cause in the fields or in the homes, all of which can assume a certain superstitious guise. Palms and olive branches are kept in the home as a witness to faith in Jesus Christ, the messianic king, and in his Paschal Victory. The Paschal Triduum 140. Every year, the Church celebrates the great mysteries of the redemption of mankind in the most sacred triduum of the crucifixion, burial and resurrection(143). The Sacred Triduum extends from the Mass of the Lords Supper to Vespers on Easter Sunday and is celebrated in intimate communion with Christ her Spouse(144). Holy Thursday Visiting the Altar of Repose 141. Popular piety is particularly sensitive to the adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament in the wake of the Mass of the Lords supper(145). Because of a long historical process, whose origins are not entirely clear, the place of repose has traditionally been referred to as a a holy sepulchre. The faithful go there to venerate Jesus who was placed in a tomb following the crucifixion and in which he remained for some forty
Piety / B7
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 16 No. 7
March 26 - April 8, 2012
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IT was April of 2009, during the Augustinian Missionaries of the Philippines (AMP) Summer Mission Encounter, that Bishop Gilbert Garcera, then National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the Philippines, was invited as a speaker and talked about the mission challenges in Asia. It was in that sharing that I was again awakened and challenged by the realities of missionaries and the mission demands in the world specifically in Asia. In that talk, Bishop Garcera oriented the AMP Sisters of the history, nature, objectives and mission involvement of the four societies under the Pontifical Mission Societies. On May 25 of the same year, the PMS National Director called for a reorientation/re-organization meeting of all PMS-MEC (Mission Education Committee) members from among the Catholic Schools in Manila. My superior, Sr. Ma. Cecilia P. Bayona, AMP, delegated me to be our Congregations representative. In that meeting the new National Director, Rev. Fr. Socrates Mesiona, MSP, was introduced and in the ensuing deliberations a recollection about the Societies fruitful and laborious journey for the last seventy-five years or so was presented which gave encouragements to the participating delegates and a deeper understanding of the hows and whys of MEC surfaced. The heads of schools and those involved in school apostolate and evangelization mission were inspired. That was the start of an interest-provoking journey. That meeting in May was followed by an invitation to attend the Luzon Regional Assembly of Diocesan Mission Directors and Collaborators in San Fernando, Pampanga on July 1-4, 2009 with the theme: Let the Children Come to Me (Lk. 18:16). In that assembly we were inspired
the children in the depressed area near their school. The last one who shared was also a teacher-program coordinator in Bicol which employed the Club Model. They organized students clubs in the school which take charge of missionary involvement in and out of the school. After all the sharing, I have come to realize that all the activities, programs and services they are involved with are closely related or is at par to what our Mission school apostolate as a Congregation used to engage in, that is, our Outreach Program and Services only with different and varied expressions and creative responses. From that assembly I was encouraged to strengthen it all the more in the school where I am presently assigned here in San Agustin Diocesan Academy, Jaen, Nueva Ecija. Thereafter the assembly, I took the initiative of inviting the PMS Team from Manila to conduct an orientation and leadership training in our school and it was successfully done. We invited Fr. Socrates Mesiona, MSP, the National Director with Brother Anthony Dameg and Sister Hermie de Guzman
who facilitated the two-day orientation and leadership training. The students pledged to support and embrace the objectives and good intentions of the two societies, namely, the Association of the Holy Childhood and the Society for the Propagation of the Faith. We organized the whole school as an add-on feature to what is existing and being practiced in our day to day strivings of giving witness to our charism and spirituality in prayer and in building life-giving communities among teachers, non-teaching personnel, students and in our outreach area in Sitio Macapulo in San Pablo, Jaen, Nueva Ecija. This is another form of enhancing our leadership capabilities and promoting the spirit of sharing our mindfulness in praying even just one Our Father and one Hail Mary and Glory Be for themselves and other children and youth in the world particularly in the five continents namely America, Oceania, Europe, Asia and Africa. The output of the orientation and leadership training developed us all the more to pray for each other, for other children, help and inspire other children and share whatever we have
to others who have less or none at all. Inspired and spirited realizing that these faith-filled experiences are also in line with the thrust of our Congregation as Augustinian Missionaries, one of which is developing little praying missionaries. I shared this with other school leaders in our Diocese bearing in mind the power of prayer, the very core of our being missionaries. In our monthly meeting of all school administrators on August 20, 2009 held in Barangay Balaring, General Natividad, Nueva Ecija, Fr. Ariel Musngi, our Diocesan Mission Director of the Diocese of Cabanatuan, shared the PMS orientation to school administrators encouraging them to organize their schools in this undertaking. Since that summer of 2009 I became a regular participant of the activities organized by PMS national office. Even if I am based in Nueva Ecija, I would try as much as possible to attend meetings of the Mission Education Commission which are usually held in the national office in Manila. We have also participated inter-school activities held in Metro Manila. Indeed, we come to a collective realization that the little amount we have shared can facilitate a multitude assistance these Societies can share. To date, we have enlisted 558 High School students and 33 personnel to the Society for the Propagation of the Faith and 86 Grade School pupils to the Society of the Holy Childhood. We pray that these faith-laden undertakings bear much fruit in all our apostolic involvement. Let us continue to pray for one another that we can reach out for more children and youth in our own locality praying for one another. More power to the Pontifical Mission Societies Philippines, to the God who calls us all to share n His redemptive mission and to all of us commissioned by Him in the formation and education of little missionaries of our time!
THE Pontifical Mission Society (PMS) is already starting preparations for the upcoming Grand Mission Festival on April 18-20 in Marikina Sports Complex, Marikina City. According to Anthony Dameg, PMS senior staff, the registration of participants and follow-ups of Catholic schools and religious congregations that will participate in the mission festival are being done. Dameg also said that promotions about the mission event, such as radio interviews, are being done with the help of Parto Communications. He disclosed that several mission ambassadors will be present during the GMF such as GMA 7 Anchorman Mike Enriquez, GMA 7 Reporter/News Anchor Mariz Umali, Celebrity siblings Makisig and Mayumi Morales, Actor Aljur Abrenica, TV Host and PBA player Chris Tiu and Miss Philippines Earth 2011 Athena Imperial. PMS estimates around three to five thousand participants for the Grand Mission Festival. As of the moment, there are 1,000
participants who have already registered for the event. Deadline for registration with a fee of Php 500.00 that includes food and accommodation will be on March 30. Walk-ins are also welcome during the event itself but have to pay the fee of Php 1,500.00 but without food and kit, in order to participate. Main speakers for the mission festival are Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle and Bo Sanchez while workshop speakers are Fr. Francis Lucas and Fr. Bong Osial. Mass celebrants for the three-day event are Antipolo Bishop Gabriel Reyes, bishopchairman of the Episcopal Commission on Family and Life (ECFL) who will celebrate the opening Mass; Marawi Bishop Edwin Dela Pena, bishop-chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Mission (ECM) who will lead the Mass on the 2nd day; and CBCP President and Cebu Archbishop Jose S. Palma for the send-off mass. Bukas Palad Music Ministry will be one of the performers during the said event. (Jandel Posion)
nature of the Church and the missionary work here in the country and abroad. He also taught the participants on how to awaken the missionary spirit of every person especially the children. Mesiona and Dameg were joined by Msgr. Santiago Agoo, Jr. who shared about faith in the biblical perspective; and Fr. Edgar Rivero, who gave a brief historical presentation of mission in the prelature. Isabela Bishop Martin Jumoad presided the opening and send-off mass for the said seminar. Jumoad pointed out that if we talk about faith and mission, we should be
first rooted and anchored in the Word of God and we must always pray. The bishop also said that loving Gods Word and praying is the heartbeat of our mission. The seminar is in its second run after the clergy and religious sisters seminar last February 27. Other seminars for faith and mission are slated on April 10 for the catechists and April 14 for the teachers of Claret schools. The seminar in May which will coincide with the celebration of Flores de Mayo will be dedicated for the youth and children. The series of seminars will end in November. (Jandel Posion)
Bible Campaign
to raise awareness on the importance of Gods Word and to raise funds for the printing of five million Bibles for distribution to the Filipino poor. It was made even more memorable by several unusual sights: nuns wearing jerseys over their habits, families striding together in cadence, excited students running with their teachers, white-haired grandmas and grandpas registering alongside policemen and soldiers. It was an amazing sight. Ive never seen anything like it, says sportscaster Chino trinidad who emceed the Bible Run with former beauty queen turned newscaster Joyce Burton Titular. Bishop Pabillo was particularly moved by the participation of some 20 blind runners from the Resources for the Blind. It was a beautiful experience because it showed that they were one. their presence is also important; it signifies that they are not outcasts of society. He added that it was encouraging to witness the determination and sac-
rifices of Filipinos to raise funds to subsidize the cost of the Bibles that will be put in every home through the MTBO Campaign. Members of the MTBO Advisory Committee: Bishop Broderick S. Pabillo DD, Fr. Oscar A. Alunday, Mr. Rod G. Cornejo, Mr. Rene E. Cristobal Sr., Dr. Philip C. Flores, Mr. Dante M. Lanorio, Fr. Antonio B. Navarrete, Fr. Art B. Orense, Dr. Natividad B. Pagadut and Mr. Albert S. Tanlimco.
praise God for the tremendous show of support and unity from different sectors for the first ever Bible Run held in the country. pray that the interest spurred by the MTBO Bible Run for the Bible Campaign will grow and spread more rapidly throughout the country so that every poor Filipino family will soon have access to the Word of God. To learn more about how you can be part of the Campaign and make significant change, call us at PBS
526-7777, ECBA 527-9386 or visit www.bible.org.ph and www. ecba-cbcp.com. Donations can be made by making a deposit to the following bank accounts: PBS-MTBO Account #393-064934 (BPI Sta. Mesa Branch) Fax deposit slip to 521-5803 or ECBACBCP Account #0251-021376 (BPI-Tayuman Branch) Fax deposit slip to 527-9386. For credit card paymentsgo to PBS website (www.bible.org.ph)
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By Atty. Miguel L. Abas, CFD
Features
CBCP Monitor
March 26 - April 8, 2012
Vol. 16 No. 7
AS baptized Catholic, I made a personal resolve to respond to the Church call for the laity to take part in the task of evangelization as provided for in the Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity. For the past 37 years up to the present, I have been involved in the apologetic catechesis founded on the Sacred Scriptures and Tradition of the Church, as my humble contribution to the task above-mentioned. Long before the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines of 1991 (PCP-II) was ever convened, apologetic catechesis and biblical apostolate of the Catholic Faith Defenders, Inc., has been there to assist the Philippine Church in addressing its special problem created by the coming of the fundamentalist groups to our shores through their persistent attacks on catholic teachings and practices, especially against Marian devotion and the use of religious statues that have won over a number of Catholics to their ranks. (DECREE NO. 219, PCP II) It was in the early part of the year 2000 that I started to receive various unpleasant comments from some of the catholic faithful and clergy alike, on the use of apologetic approach in the biblical study of the catholic doctrines and practices. In spite of this negative attitude and indifference of our catholic brethren, it did not diminish my burning desire to help educate Catholics and our separated brethren in the fundamentals of the Catholic faith duly illustrated and confirmed in the Bible pages. After evaluating this indifference of our Catholic brethren, I learned that it was because they have the feeling that with the passage of the Vatican Council II document on the Decree on Ecumenism, apologetics is already inappropriate and a hindrance for the attainment of the desired unity with our separated brethren. This is the attitude which Pope Paul VI had prophetically commented in 1965, when he forewarned the temptation for Catholics to shelve the controversial points, to conceal and to deny, if necessary, those teachings of the Catholic Church which are no longer accepted today by our separated brethren. We have called it a ready temptation because it can appear a small matter to minimize and remove from their path certain truths, certain dogmas which are the object of controversy, in order conveniently to reach the much-desired union, whereas Christianity is divine truth which we have no right to change, but must verify and accept for our salvation The aim is good but the method is not. (PAUL VI, COMMENTARY ON THE DECREE ON ECUMENISM, PAR 4 & 5). This is now happening in our times. Even the Decree on Ecumenism itself does not prohibit, rather it decreed to all Catholics to explain the Catholic faith to everyone, when it said: The attainment of union is the concern of the whole Church, faithful and shepherds alike. This concern extends
Bro. Wendell Talibong, a Catholic Faith Defender from the Archdiocese of Ozamiz, explains the doctrines of the Catholic faith during a debate.
to everyone, according to his talentin his theological and historical research To achieve this purpose, study is of necessity requiredMost valuable for this purpose are meetings of the two sidesespecially for discussion of theological problemswhere each can treat with the other on an equal footingprovided that those who take part in them are truly competent and have the approval of the bishops It is, of course, essential that the doctrine should be clearly presented in its entirety. Nothing is so foreign to the spirit of ecumenism as a false irenicism, in which the purity of Catholic doctrine suffers loss and its genuine and certain meaning is clouded. At the same time, the Catholic faith must be explained more profoundly and precisely, in such a way and in such terms as our separated brethren can also really understand. (DECREE ON ECUMENISM, CHAPTER II, pars, 5,9,11 & 12) The above-quoted provisions of the Decree could only be attained through APOLOGETICS, which explain and defend the truth of the Catholic faith, for the truth shall set us free (John 8:32). The Church being the pillar and mainstay of truth (1 Timothy 3:15), must explain the faith and confirm it with the Sacred Scriptures and its Sacred Tradition under the guiding arms of its Magisterium. Thus, Pope Bene dict XV , in
his Encyclical Letter, SPIRITUS PARACLITUS. Dated November 15, 1920, urged the faithful to read and study the bible, with the aims of: First, that from the Bible pages we learn spiritual perfection Second, it is from the Bible that we gather confirmations and illustrations of any particular doctrine we wish to defend. (par 47,48) Moreover, the Code of Canon Law of 1983, English Translation, has reminded the lay people of their duty and right to know Christs teaching: Lay people have the duty and the right to acquire the knowledge of Christian teaching so that they may be able to live according to this teaching, to proclaim it and if necessary to defend it (Can. 229, PAR 1) The duty of the lay people to defend the truth is made more urgent by the another Encyclical Letter of Pope Leo XIII, PROVIDENTISSIMUS DEUS, on the study of the Holy Scriptures, dated November 18, 1893, thus, For there is nothing which We believe to be more needful than that truth should find defenders more powerful and more numerous than the enemies it has to face (Inspiration Incompatible with Error, pp. chapter 22) All the above-quoted Church documents, speak of explaining and defending the Holy Faith, because the Church is aware that since the birth
of Christianity, it has been subject to attacks and distortions of its doctrines to which it had to defend itself. The Philippine Church, after it had experienced the demolition agenda of the fundamentalists in the latter part of the 1980s and its seeming success, had admitted that, They succeeded because the Church has failed in many ways to satisfy the spiritual hunger of many of the faithful. This we must correct. The Philippine Bishops point many challenges raised by the presence of the fundamentalists, one of which is: We are also challenged to provide catechesis which will enable Catholics to make a defense to anyone who calls to account for the hope that is in you. (1 Peter 3;15) (PCP-II 1991, DECREES NOS 223,224 & 225). To respond to these above-cited challenges, the Church in the Philippines had decreed for its faithful and shepherds to do something to stop this phenomenon, to wit: Faced with these realities, there is a need of widespread catechesis and apologetics. We need not apologize for apologetic catechesis. Since its birth, Christianity has been subject to attacks from which it has had to defend itself. Jesus had to answer objections to His teachings, as the Gospels testify Apologetics has always been part of the pastoral and theological tradition of the Church. We must today be willing and
able to defend our teachings in public fora, and we need to equip the faithful so that they can defend their faith. Parish priests must encourage and support the training of lay catholic faith defenders (PCP-II, DECREE NO. 222) While the Philippine Church has such vision, the Universal Church had also confirmed the urgent need for apologetics, to explain and defend the Catholic faith. No less than the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, William Cardinal J. Levada, who assumed the post from Pope Benedict XVI, made a statement at a conference on new apologetics. The rise of new atheism and the popularity of books that distort church doctrines call for a new apologetics to explain and defend the Christian faith. Proclaiming the good news always involves explaining and defending the faith, tailored to the sensibilities of particular times and places. Today, withthe so-called new atheism addressing thousands on college campuses, with books caricaturing the doctrines and philosophy of the Christian tradition how ripe are the times for a new apologetics! Defending the faith does not mean being defensive and, to be effective, it must be well thought out and based on a renewed fundamental theology where faith and reason, credibility and truth are explored as necessary foundations of the Catholic Christian faith, (CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE, by Cindy Wooden, Vatican City, May, 2010) Finally, the most recent Church pronouncement on the need for apologetics is that of January 6, 2012, embodied in the Notes and Recommendations of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith as among the activities to be observed of this Year of Faith declared by Pope Benedict XVI in his Apostolic Letter, PORTA FIDEI dated October 11, 2011, is quoted hereunder; 3. It would be useful to arrange for the preparation of pamphlets and leaflets of an apologetic nature (cfr. 1 Pt 3:15), which should be done with the help of theologians and authors (RECOMMENDATIONS NO. 8 ON THE LEVEL OF EPISCOPAL CONFERENCES) All had been said. Based on the above-quoted Church documents, one could readily conclude that apologetic catechesis is still fully alive and is needed of the times. However, in the conduct of this apostolate, we are also concerned for everybody involved to have a change of heart and that the apostolate must be pursued with due respect, humility and love to all, especially to our separated brethren in order to attain the muchdesired unity as Christs wish for His people that, May They Be One. (JOHN 17:21) (Atty. Miguel L. Abas, CFD is a Diocesan Biblical Apostolate Coordinator of the Diocese of Dipolog; also a member of the Catholic Faith Defenders based in Dipolog)
www.catholicfaithdefender.blogspot.ca
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 16 No. 7
March 26 - April 8, 2012
Statements
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friends, health; it seems that Gods attitude towards him is precisely one of abandonment, of total silence. And yet Job, in his relationship with God, speaks with God, cries out to God; in his prayer, despite everything, he preserves his faith intact and, in the end, he discovers the value of his experience and of Gods silence. And thus, in the end, turning to his Creator, he is able to conclude: I had heard of thee by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees thee (Job 42:5): nearly all of us know God only through hearsay, and the more we are open to His silence and to our silence, the more we begin to know Him truly. This supreme confidence, which opens way to a profound encounter with God, matures in silence. St. Francis Severio prayed, saying to the Lord: I love you, not because you can give me heaven or condemn me to hell, but because you are my God. I love You, because You are You. As we approach the conclusion of our reflections on the prayer of Jesus, a number of the teachings from the Catechism of the Catholic Church come to mind: The drama of prayer is fully
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revealed to us in the Word who became flesh and dwells among us. To seek to understand his prayer through what his witnesses proclaim to us in the Gospel is to approach the holy Lord Jesus as Moses approached the burning bush: first to contemplate him in prayer, then to hear how he teaches us to pray in order to know how he hears our prayer (n. 2598). And how does Jesus teach us to pray? In the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church we find a clear answer: Jesus teaches us to pray not only with the Our Fathercertainly the central act in his teaching on how we are to praybut also when [He himself] prays. In this way he teaches us, in addition to the content, the dispositions necessary for every true prayer: purity of heart that seeks the Kingdom and forgives ones enemies, bold and filial faith that goes beyond what we feel and understand, and watchfulness that protects the disciple from temptation (n. 544). In surveying the Gospels, we saw how the Lord is the interlocutor, friend, witness and teacher of our prayer. In
Everyone especially the Government should be concerned with the welfare of the poor
A Lenten Message
WE, the bishops and clergy of the Visayas Clergy Discernment Group are one with Pope Benedict XVI in his Lenten message to be concerned for each other, to stir a response in love and good works (Heb 10:24). This Lenten Season, the Holy Father invites us to reflect on the heart of Christian life which is charity. Being concerned means being responsible for our brothers and sisters and not being indifferent to their plight. The true followers of Christ hold the griefs and sufferings of the poor as their own (cf. Gaudium et Spes, 1). In the context of the Philippine society, we witness the miserable situation of a sizeable number of our people who are hungry, jobless and homeless. The unabated oil price increases result to the skyrocketing price of basic commodities, which in turn, add a heavier burden to our already suffering people. Pope Benedict XVI also exhorted in his Lenten message that we must not remain silent before evil. With the resurrection of Jesus Christ, He conquered sin, death and the law. His resurrection spells hope and total salvation, the salvation of the whole person. A challenging implication of this is that God chose to partner with us in his project of salvation. Since salvation is both a gift and a task, we have to struggle untiringly for the salvation of all. In this light, we echo Pope Benedict XVIs exhortation in Caritas in Veritate that governments must safeguard and value the human person who is the source, the focus and the aim of all economic and social life (cf. Caritas in Veritate, 25). Independent research institutions, however, have recently reported that oil companies have overpriced the pump price of oil by 8%-43%. In addition, the government is said to have benefited from the unregulated oil price increases as it earned revenues of P48 billion pesos annually or a total of P239.6 B in the last five years due to the 12% VAT on oil. We thus call on the Aquino Government to manifest that it is indeed concerned with the well-being of the Filipino people by taking steps to alleviate their sufferings such as: regulating the oil industry so that oil companies will be stopped from overpricing the price of oil; removing the VAT on oil; and instituting price control over basic commodities. May Jesus Christs death and resurrection inspire all of us to work for a transformed world: a new heaven and a new earth where there is no more hunger, injustice, oil price hike, exorbitant taxes, skyrocketing prices of basic commodities, graft and corruption, unfair labor practice, land monopoly, profitorientedness and insatiable greed; where all people enjoy the fullness of life, truth, justice and genuine peace. As Christ lives, BISHOP GERARDO ALMINAZA, DD Auxiliary Bishop of Jaro Head Convenor of the Visayas Clergy Discernment Group (VCDG) March 20, 2012
Masses with Children, does not apply to Masses celebrated for the whole parish community. With respect to Good Friday I would say that even though it is not a Mass it is one of the most ancient and important celebrations of the year and merits the maximum degree of adherence. The Congregation for Divine Worships circular letter on the celebration of these feasts is very explicit: 64.Theorderforthecelebration of the Lords passion (the liturgy of the word, the adoration of the cross, and Holy Communion) that stems from an ancient tradition of the Church should be observed faithfully and religiously and may not be changed by anyone on his own initiative. 66. The readings are to be read
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in their entirety. The responsorial psalm and the chant before the gospel are to be sung in the usual manner. The narrative of the Lords passion according to John is sung or read in the way prescribed for the previous Sunday (cf. n. 33). After the reading of the passion, a homily should be given, at the end of which the faithful may be invited to spend a short time in meditation. Regarding the Easter Vigil the indications are similar: 2. The Structure of the Easter Vigil and the Significance of Its Different Elements and Parts 81. The order for the Easter Vigil is arranged so that after the service of light and the Easter proclamation (which is the first part of the Vigil), Holy Church
meditates on the wonderful works that the Lord God wrought for his people from the earliest times (the second part or liturgy of the word) to the moment when, together with those new members reborn in baptism (third part), she is called to the table prepared by the Lord for his Church, the commemoration of his death and resurrection, until he comes (fourth part). This liturgical order must not be changed by anyone on his own initiative. Thus these rites have an inner spiritual logic that is broken when the rite is not respected. Some of the manipulations described by our reader are so egregious that one could say that the rite is no longer that of the Catholic Church. seem to instrumentalize the Holy Eucharist, taking away the centrality of the Holy Sacrifice and converting the Eucharistic liturgy into a simple backdrop for the healing ministry of the healing priest. Secondly, the over-emphasis on such healing Masses seem to have resulted in the neglect of the real healing ministry in the Catholic sacramental tradition, which is the administration of the Anointing of the Sick, preceded by sacramental Confession and followed by Holy Communion (viaticum)to the detriment of the sick persons concerned who would have been deprived of the sacramental graces involved (which include also the healing of the body should such be spiritually beneficial to the person concerned).
the assembly and to exercise the necessary prudence if healings should take place among those present. This is to avoid unduly fomenting hysteria orwhat could be worseany backlash of religious skepticism should such alleged cures later on prove to be bogus. Thus, when the celebration is over, any testimony of such alleged cures should be collected with honesty and accuracy, and submitted to the proper ecclesiastical authority for proper authentication and evaluation. 4)Prayersforhealingwhether liturgical or non-liturgicalmust not be introduced into the celebration of the Holy Mass, the sacraments, or the Liturgy of the Hours. The Instruction from the Sacred Congregation
for the Faith was quite taxative on this point. Therefore, so-called Healing Massesunless just an ordinary Mass with prayers for healing included in the Prayer of the Faithful are clearly contradictory to this norm. 5) Authoritative intervention by the Diocesan Bishop is proper and necessary when abuses are verified in liturgical or nonliturgical healing services, or when there is obvious scandal among the community of the faithful, or when there is a serious lack of observance of liturgical or disciplinary norms. To conclude, I would like to echo a pair of observations made by a couple of diocesan priest friends of mine during a recent study session. Firstly, the so-called healing Masses that he has witnessed
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Ref lections
God is described in Isaianic four songs (Isa 42:1-4; 49:1-7; 50:4-9, 52:13-53:12) which attempt to give sense, meaning and purpose to Israels historical experience of exile in Babylon. The author probably hoped that in identifying themselves with the Servant of Yahweh so described, the people of Israel would find meaning in their seemingly senseless history, painful and humiliating as it was. The 1st Reading is part of the third song which portrays the Servant who does not refuse the divine vocation to bring the message of liberation to Gods people. Though people do not accept him, yet he persists in obeying God, willingly submitting to insults and beatings: I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; my face I did not shield from buffets and spitting(Isa 50:5-6). He has great confidence not in his own power but in the power of God who called him (v 7), The Church takes the Servant of God in Isaiah to refer to Jesus who, according to the 2nd Reading (Phil 2:6-11), was obedient to the Fathers will. Like the suffering Servant, he accepted the task of proclaiming the gospel to the poor, taking up their cause, and of liberating men from sin. His faithfulness to the task was proven by his acceptance of his death on the cross, a shameful and humiliating death, even as the Servant of Yahweh, though harshly treated, submitted and opened not his mouth, like a lamb led
CBCP Monitor
March 26 - April 8, 2012
Vol. 16 No. 7
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Reflections on the Passion/Palm Sunday (B) Alay Kapwa Sunday, April 1, 2012
By Fr. Sal Putzu, SDB
JESUS entry into Jerusalem was the first scene in the last act of his life. That was a day of glory in his life, the apex of his popularity. It could have been the prelude to his crowning as King of Israel, or at least as the official recognition that he was, indeed, the longawaited Messiah. Such was the feeling of all his disciples and of the greatest majority of the crowds of admirers that welcomed him with shouts of Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! He had had his moments of glory before, while still in Galilee, when people, at the sight of the miracles he was performing, shouted, We have never seen anything like this! God has visited His people! But it was especially after he had miraculously fed a crowd of five thousand men (without counting women and children!), with just five loaves of bread and two fish, that the popular enthusiasm exploded. They wanted him king and they shouted it loud and clear. So loud and so clear, in fact, that Jesus had to slip away in all haste and hide himself, so as to avoid the inevitable unpleasant political consequences of that excessive enthusiasm. But while he had always avoided the crowds enthusiasm, Jesus enjoyed the rapturous welcome given him by the simple people of Jerusalem as he entered the Holy City, surrounded by his delirious disciples. He accepted that manifestation of love with a grateful heart. He saw their sincerity, their need for affirmation and guidance. He saw their happiness in seeing the prophecies of old fulfilled in him. He received their crown of love and glory with the same joy and condescension with which parents receive the manifestations of affection of their children. But Jesus knew also that their enthusiasm would be short-lived. He foresaw that most of those who were acclaiming him now would fall silent and lack the courage to stand up for him in the face of the violent mob that would be mustered by his enemies, just a few days later in front of the Roman Procurator. That was going to be one of the many cases in which the majority, made up of good people, grows silent, out of fear or shame, and a small minority upstages them with their raucous shouts full of hatred. Jesus knew that such a change of scene was part of the final act in the drama of his life. It was an integral part of the fatal Hour when his love and obedience were to be put to the severest test. He knew that and accepted it both in principle and in practice. In fact, when the time came for him to be vilified, accused unfairly, beaten up by rascals, mercilessly scourged and crowned with thorns, nailed to the cross and jeered by his enemies, Jesus accepted all that with immense patience, humility, and love. Yes! He accepted even that with LOVE. One could even say that he accepted those manifestations of rejection and hatred with the same love with which he had accepted the cheers of his supporters when he entered Jerusalem in triumph. He accepted with love all those terrible sufferings unfairly inflicted on him because he knew that they, too, were part of the package deal with which he paid the ransom
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about the liberation of the Israelites from the situation of slavery in which they had been living in Egypt. That sacrificial meal, during which the participants ate the roasted Paschal Lamb, was synonymous with freedom
File photo
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Incarnation, the Son of God united himself in a permanent way to every human being with a solidarity that makes him share in all the miseries of every individual (including the deadly consequences of sin), and makes every human being a sharer in Christs dignity, holiness and glory. This is why Jesus coming out of the tomb alive, transformed, immortal . . . concerns us, too. It concerns all human beings. His Resurrection is also mankinds resurrection, because it marks mankinds liberation from the oppression of sin.
glorious clarity perceived through the eyes of faith. Hence, Easter is also Gods reclaiming what had been lost or destroyed through our sinfulness. No human expression can exhaust the transforming greatness of this mystery. The Church has been proclaiming it during her 20 centuries of existence through her liturgy, her creeds, and her life. She will continue to do so until the liberating power of the Resurrection will have reached its full manifestation in the Kingdom of heaven. There are a billion and one reasons
for celebrating, then, as we remember, re-live and rejoice in the Resurrection of Jesus because it is our resurrection, too. But we have also to do our share. The resurrection of Jesus challenges us to live a new life. We have to get rid of the old yeast of corruption and wickedness, and live a life characterized by sincerity and truth. (See 1 Cor 5:7-8.) We have to set our hearts on what pertains to higher realms (Col 3:1). Then will our actions ring the joyous notes of the Easter alleluia, and we shall become a living proof of the truth of Christs Resurrection.
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 16 No. 7
March 26 - April 8, 2012
Social Concerns
nature. Today, all that has changed, the forests and animals are long gone and a greatly diminished environment is all that remains. When the American-Spanish war broke out in 1898 and soon became the American-Filipino war, 90 percent or more of the rainforests were intact. Today, there is hardly three percent left, all have been logged out and mostly shipped abroad. After the World War II, the logging hardly ever stopped, and still today it continues. In Pangasinan on Western Luzon Island, a fifty kilometer road has been cut there to the last remaining rainforest. Loggers are still at it and either the government agencies are in cahoots or totally inept to stop it. In the village of Hukay, Calatagan, Batangas, huge swaths of mangrove have been cut to shreds damaging the land, causing erosion and the ocean to invade the rice fields and causing a huge loss to the agriculture in the area. Food loss is the result, hunger soon follows. Their survival depends on mixed farming and the bonus of the mango harvest. They too are facing food crises as prices of rice and other essential
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Predas CEO Fr. Shay Cullen visits small farmers during harvest time.
The poor people in the developing world are facing a growing food crises that is getting more serious. Most of them do not have fertile land or the means to plant and nurture it. The best lands are owned and protected and unused by rich and wealthy families. It is investment in property for them not land to use for growing food.
Besides, even unused public land is not distributed with the means to help poor families grow their own food, they are turning the land into housing projects for the rich or they are leasing the land to foreign companies for food production to be shipped back to foreign lands. There will be an additional 2.5 billion people in the world by
2050, how can they survive? If we act now and get involved with the agencies fighting the world hunger through Fair Trade and social justice, we can help halt the destruction of the environment and end chronic hunger. This we cannot ignore, we cannot turn away, we have to stand up for them and help them overcome the food crises.
hours. It is necessary to instruct the faithful on the meaning of the reposition: it is an austere solemn conservation of the Body of Christ for the community of the faithful which takes part in the liturgy of Good Friday and for the viaticum of the infirmed(146). It is an invitation to silent and prolonged adoration of the wondrous sacrament instituted by Jesus on this day. In reference to the altar of repose, therefore, the term sepulchre should be avoided, and its decoration should not have any suggestion of a tomb. The tabernacle on this altar should not be in the form of a tomb or funerary urn. The Blessed Sacrament should be conserved in a closed tabernacle and should not be exposed in a monstrance(147). After mid-night on Holy Thursday, the adoration should conclude without solemnity, since the day of the Lords Passion has already begun(148). Good Friday Good Friday Procession 142. The Church celebrates the redemptive death of Christ on Good Friday. The Church meditates on the Lords Passion in the afternoon liturgical action, in which she prays for the salvation of the word, adores the Cross and commemorates her very origin in the sacred wound in Christs side (cf. John 19, 34)(149). In addition to the various forms of popular piety on Good Friday such as the Via Crucis, the passion processions are undoubtedly the most important. These correspond, after the fashion of popular piety, to the small procession of friends and disciples who, having taken the body of Jesus down from the Cross, carried it to the place where there was a tomb hewn in the rock in which no one had yet been buried (Lk 23, 53). The procession of the dead Christ is usually conducted in austere silence, prayer, and the participation of many of the faithful, who intuit much of the significance of the Lords burial. 143. It is necessary, however, to ensure that such manifestations of popular piety, either by time or the manner in
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which the faithful are convoked, do not become a surrogate for the liturgical celebrations of Good Friday. In the pastoral planning of Good Friday primary attention and maximum importance must be given to the solemn liturgical action and the faithful must be brought to realize that no other exercise can objectively substitute for this liturgical celebration. Finally, the integration of the dead Christ procession with the solemn liturgical action of Good Friday should be avoided for such would constitute a distorted celebrative hybrid. Passion Plays 144. In many countries, passion plays take place during Holy Week, especially on Good Friday. These are often sacred representationswhich can justly be regarded as pious exercises. Indeed, such sacred representations have their origins in the Sacred Liturgy. Some of these plays, which began in the monks choir, so as to speak, have undergone a progressive dramatisation that has taken them outside of the church. In some places, responsibility for the representations of the Lords passion has been given over to the Confraternities, whose members have assumed particular responsibilities to live the Christian life. In such representations, actors and spectators are involved in a movement of faith and genuine piety. It is singularly important to ensure that representations of the Lords Passion do not deviate from this pure line of sincere and gratuitous piety, or take on the characteristics of folk productions, which are not so much manifestations of piety as tourist attractions. In relation to sacred representations it is important to instruct the faithful on the difference between a representation which is commemorative, and the liturgical actions which are anamnesis, or mysterious presence of the redemptive event of the Passion. Penitential practices leading to selfcrucifixion with nails are not to be encouraged. Our Lady of Dolours
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145. Because of its doctrinal and pastoral importance, it is recommended that the memorial of Our Lady of Dolours(150) should be recalled. Popular piety, following the Gospel account, emphasizes the association of Mary with the saving Passion her Son (cf, John 19, 25-27; Lk 2, 34f), and has given rise to many pious exercises, including: the Planctus Mariae, an intense expression of sorrow, often accompanied by literary or musical pieces of a very high quality, in which Our Lady cries not only for the death of her Son, the Innocent, Holy, and Good One, but also for the errors of his people and the sins of mankind; the Ora della Desolata, in which the faithful devoutly keep vigil with the Mother of Our Lord, in her abandonment and profound sorrow following the death of her only Son; they contemplate Our Lady as she receives the dead body of Christ (the Piet) realizing that the sorrow of the world for the Lords death finds expression in Mary; in her they behold the personification of all mothers throughout the ages who have mourned the loss of a son. This pious exercise, which in some parts of Latin America is called El Psame, should not be limited merely to the expression of emotion before a sorrowing mother. Rather, with faith in the resurrection, it should assist in understanding the greatness of Christs redemptive love and his Mothers participation in it. Holy Saturday 146. On Holy Saturday, the Church pauses at the Lords tomb, meditating his Passion and Death, his descent into Hell, and, with prayer and fasting, awaits his resurrection(151). Popular piety should not be impervious to the peculiar character of Holy Saturday. The festive customs and practices connected with this day, on which the celebration of the Lords resurrection was once anticipated, should be reserved for the vigil and for Easter Sunday. The Ora della Madre 147. According to tradition, the entire
body of the Church is represented in Mary: she is the credentium collectio universa(152). Thus, the Blessed Virgin Mary, as she waits near the Lords tomb, as she is represented in Christian tradition, is an icon of the Virgin Church keeping vigil at the tomb of her Spouse while awaiting the celebration of his resurrection. The pious exercise of the Ora di Maria is inspired by this intuition of the relationship between the Virgin Mary and the Church: while the body of her Son lays in the tomb and his soul has descended to the dead to announce liberation from the shadow of darkness to his ancestors, the Blessed Virgin Mary, foreshadowing and representing the Church, awaits, in faith, the victorious triumph of her Son over death. Easter Sunday 148. Easter Sunday, the greatest solemnity in the liturgical year, is often associated with many displays of popular piety: these are all cultic expressions which proclaim the new and glorious condition of the risen Christ, and the divine power released from his triumph over sin and death. The Risen Christ meets his Mother 149. Popular piety intuits a constancy in the relationship between Christ and his mother: in suffering and death and in the joy of the resurrection. The liturgical affirmation that God replenished the Blessed Virgin Mary with joy in the resurrection of her Son(153), has been translated and represented, so as to speak, in the pious exercise of the meeting of the Risen Christ with His Mother: on Easter morning two processions, one bearing the image of Our Lady of Dolours, the other that of the Risen Christ, meet each other so as to show that Our Lady was the first, and full participant in the mystery of the Lords resurrection. What has already been said in relation to the processions of the dead Christ also applies to this pious exercise: the observance of the pious exercise should not acquire greater importance than the liturgical celebration of Easter Sunday
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nor occasion inappropriate mixing of liturgical expressions with those of popular piety(154). Blessing of the Family Table 150. The Easter liturgy is permeated by a sense of newness: nature has been renewed, since Easter coincides with Spring in the Northern hemisphere; fire and water have been renewed; Christian hearts have been renewed through the Sacrament of Penance, and, where possible, through administration of the Sacraments of Christian initiation; the Eucharist is renewed, so as to speak: these are signs and sign-realities of the new life begun by Christ in the resurrection. Among the pious exercises connected with Easter Sunday, mention must be made of the traditional blessing of eggs, the symbol of life, and the blessing of the family table; this latter, which is a daily habit in many Christian families that should be encouraged(155), is particularly important on Easter Sunday: the head of the household or some other member of the household, blesses the festive meal with Easter water which is brought by the faithful from the Easter Vigil. Visit to the Mother of the Risen Christ 151. At the conclusion of the Easter Vigil, or following the Second Vespers of Easter, a short pious exercise is kept in many places: flowers are blessed and distributed to the faithful as a sign of Easter joy. Some are brought to the image of Our Lady of Dolours, which is then crowned, as the Regina Coeli is sung. The faithful, having associated themselves with the sorrows of the Blessed Virgin in the Lords Passion and Death, now rejoice with her in His resurrection. While this pious exercise should not be incorporated into the liturgical action, it is completely in harmony with the content of the Paschal Mystery and is a further example of the manner in which popular piety grasps the Blessed Virgin Marys association with the saving work of her Son.
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It made clear how evil the regime was. It had a saving value for the people of El Salvador. Therefore, he was not really defeated, nor was he silenced. Indeed, like the Servant of Yahweh, one can assume that Romero has already been crowned with victory in heaven, for he was obedient to his
vocation to proclaim the gospel of liberation to the poor. Our analogy, to be sure, has its limits, because, for one thing, unlike Christs, Romeros death has no eschatological significance. Still, it somehow gives us an idea how the death of Jesus was a victory over the forces of darkness.
Finally, the last sentence uttered by Jesus on the Cross, It is finished! proclaims that, with his impending death, he has completed his mission to the very end as regards his pain-filled redeeming passion. It is finished! means Mission accomplished! It is the cry of
a victorious soldier. Such was Jesus Christ throughout his Passion. And the culmination of his triumph is precisely his death. Thats why he can then hand over the Spiritthe life-giving Spirit that will bring Christs salvation to allthe very last act of the Messiah.
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due for the liberation of all human beings from their bondage to sin. Such is the wonderful and generous love we celebrate todaya love that enjoys all manifestations of affection, loyalty, and admiration; a love that endures rejection, tortures, and even death by crucifixion with unconquered patience, humility, and a loving and forgiving heart. There is so much we can learn, so much we should learn from this. But when the hour of utter desolation arrived in Gethsemane and the awareness of the crushing weight of human wickedness pressed his sensitivity, like the grapes that are crushed in the wine press, and made his sweat turn to blood, then the frailty of Jesus human nature cracked. That torment was so terrible that the brave man who had endured all forms of opposition with unflinching strength, this time broke down and pleaded with the Father that he might be spared the cup of suffering and humiliation that awaited him. But his humble plea lasted only a split of a second. It was immediately followed by the total acceptance of the Fathers will. It happened three times. And three times, in the dark night of Gethsemane, Jesus conclusion was: Your will, not mine, be done!
the Father in expiation for the sins of mankind, and the selfgiving of Christ to all believers as food and drink of eternal life. Hence, the life of the priestof any priestmust be a life of total self-giving to God and to His people. A priest no longer belongs to himself. He has been consecrated, made sacred, and offered up to God for ever. And God sends him to his brethren that he may be the sacrament of Christs total self-giving to his brethren. The Eucharist is LIFEGIVINGa source of life that flows from the sacrifice of the Cross and enlivens all the souls that it touches, heals, and renews with its fresh stream. The priestany priestis, likewise, called and sent to be a bearer, in the power of the Spirit, of the supernatural life earned by Christ, the Eternal Priest, on the altar of the Cross. A priest must give life, even at the cost of his own mortal life, in imitation of Christ. This should give us some idea of the greatness of the nature and mission of the Catholic priest. We should pray that each of them may always be mindful of such greatness and live it out not just when he is at the altar, but in every moment of his life.
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Moral Assessment
Entertainment
Technical Assessment
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 16 No. 7
DISTRICT 12 is in the Republic of Panem which is ruled by the elite in the distant Capitol. The citizens of Panems 12 districts exist to serve the Capitols needs. An earlier uprising of the Districts results in the extinction of District 13, and the creation of The Hunger Games, a televised survival reality show that has contestants called tributesa boy and a girl from age 12-18 from each Districtparticipating until all but one remains alive. Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) lives with her mother and younger sister Primrose in District 12. When Primroses name is drawn to be District 12s girl tribute, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She together with Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) are swept away to the Capitol to be trained at jungle survival with 22 other youngsters, knowing fully well that they would be compelled to kill in order to win, and, in fact, could even be each others killer. Unfairly compared with Twilight, Hunger Games is of a totally different genre. The former is romance/adventure; the latter is adventure-scifi. The only thing they have in common is their box office aim: teenage girls as the primary target audience. Lawrences intensity as the heroine Katniss carries the movie, but, of course, with the able support of secondary actors
that include Donald Sutherland, Wes Bently, Stanley Tucci, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, and others. It is a film version of the trilogy by Suzanne Collins who is also its handson scriptwriter. The Hunger Games incorporates touches from Greek mythology and Roman history as well as themes from productions in the not-sodistant past, like broadcasting of violent contests to pacify the masses (Vengeance on Varos), best friends fighting to the death (Amok Time, a Star Trek episode), the bloodthirsty crowd (Survivor). The plot is fast paced, making its 140 minutes running time strangely entertaining and thought provoking at the same time. The Hunger Games as entertainment for the elite in the Capitol is the reality tv show to end all reality tv shows. Unlike the ordinary survivor shows, it is not just a question of being voted off the islandit means having to kill human beings for no reason at all but to satisfy the murderous instincts of the audience, and we ought to know the dire consequences of such an episode on the life of the winner-killer. The hunger in the movie could be two-facedthe audiences hunger for bloodshed and managainst-man violence, and the actual hunger of the contestants who must for instance navigate
TITLE: The Hunger Games CAST: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Lenny Kravitz, Stanley Tucci, Donald Sutherland DIRECTOR: Gary Ross DISTRIBUTED BY: Lionsgate GENRE: Action/Drama/Sci-Fi/ Thriller LOCATION: USA RUNNING TIME: 142 minutes TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT: MORAL ASSESSMENT: Cinema rating: For viewers 14 years old and above
a mine field in order to get to the food pile. The Hunger Games may actually mirror a reality in human society where the decadent and powerful one percent in the Capitol live in abundance with no other concern but to adorn and indulge themselves while the impoverished and powerless 99 percent work like beasts of burden just to survive and do the elites bidding. The movie attempts to insert a ray of hope towards the end with the decision of the two youngsters, but still, it fails to assure that the hope is potent enough to effect a turn towards justice. Watch with cautionwe shouldnt let such slick reality shows dictate our realities.
MAC en COLET
Ni Bladimer Usi
Buhay Parokya
Look for the images of the Saint Francis of Assisi, Saint Peter, and Holy Bible. (Illustration by Bladimer Usi)
TITLE: The Witness CAST: Gwen Zamora, Pierre Gruno, Marcelino Ledrandt, KimberlyRyder, Feby Febiola, Agung Saga DIRECTOR: Muhammad Yusuf GENRE: Suspense, Thriller/Drama DISTRIBUTOR: GMA & Skylar Pictures LOCATION: Indonesia RUNNING TIME: 110 minutes TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT: MORAL ASSESSMENT: Cinema rating: For viewers 18 years old and above
SYNOPSIS: A Filipina expat who works as general manager of a hotel in Jakarta finds her whole family massacred by a mysterious man. Her parents, her only sister Safara, her maid, security, are all dead. She was also shot but somehow managed to survive. Haunted by the incident and a strange dream that keeps coming over and over, she then decides to uncover all the mystery by herself to find out the reason of what she has been going through.
TITLE: Mirror Mirror CAST: Lily Collins, Julia Roberts, Armie Hammer, Sean Bean, Nathan Lane, Michael Lerner and Mare Winningham DIRECTOR: Tarsem Singh GENRE: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Comedy CINEMATOGRAPHY: Brendan Galvin DISTRIBUTED BY: Relativity Media LOCATION: Czech Republic RUNNING TIME: 95 minutes Technical Assessment: Moral Assessment: Cinema Rating: For viewers 13 years old and below with parental guidance
SYNOPSIS: An evil queen steals control of a kingdom and an exiled princess enlists the help of seven resourceful rebels to win back her birthright.
Vol. 16 No. 7
CBCP Monitor
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them and how they remained steadfast in continuously planting seeds of faith in different places. The last session for the night, Nothing is Impossible was given by Arnel Santos, MM Sector Head and Singapore Country Coordinator, who talked about how God envisioned the unthinkable and gave men impossible missions to overcome, with Him as the source of all empowerment. The day was concluded with the pray-over of all the participants. Sunday morning commenced with the Holy Mass presided over by Msgr. Rommel Kintanar who delivered a very inspiring homily. The highlight of the Mass was the imposition of the Brown Scapular on all the participants. After the opening worship by Nick pineda, the winners in the various competitions
the previous day were announced. The final session, Mission Accomplished was given by Mannix ocampo, CFC-International Council member, in which he urged all the men to respond actively to the call of duty and eventually proclaim the greatness of the Lord in their daily undertakings. He then led the throng of the 500 true men of God and about 80 women into a prayer of commitment to be empowered Servants of the Lord. The conference ended with the jubilant praisefest led by Bobbee Mella, CFC-USA SoLD National Head and Germany Country Coordinator. once again, as Magellan did more than 400 years ago, the sands of Mactan Island bore witness to a commitment to proclaim God to the ends of the earth!
CFC Executive Director Melo Villaroman, Jr. addresses CFC Middle East leaders.
By Tom Sentillas
LAST March 9 to 11, 2012 all roads led to Digos City as about 5,000 leaders of the Couples for Christ (CFC) community gathered at the beautiful and brand new Davao del Sur Coliseum in Mati, Digos City for the Mindanao Leaders Conference, an annual gathering of CFC leaders in Mindanao. The theme for this years celebration is proclaiming the Greatness of the Lord taken from the Magnificat or Canticle of Mary (Luke 1:46-55). The three-day event started on Friday afternoon with a mass presided by Digos City Bishop Jimmy Afable assisted by Fr. Bong Lunas and guest priests. In his homily, Bishop Afable expressed happiness that CFC now embraces Mary as part of its devotion. The bishop was the first parish priest in Davao to formally accept CFC as a community when he was still parish priest of San pablo parish of Davao City. He recalled that even then, he had advised CFC to include Mary in its formation and teachings. Davao Sur AGT member Roel Habaradas led the worship that opened the conference, followed by a cultural presentation by the Davao del Sur provincial Tourism Office and Southern philippines Agri-Business and
Marine and Aquatic School of Technology (SpAMAST) featuring native and modern dances. provincial Board Member Didi Cagas welcomed the delegates. The highlight of the evening was the dance interpretations of Broadway musicals phantom of the opera, Cats, West Side Story and Grease by CFC members from the Mindanao regions. CFC North Central Mindanao was adjudged the best presentation with their rendition of Grease. Day 2 started with a mass presided by Fr. Bong Lunas and the guest priests. After the mass, it was now the turn of Davao del Sur Governor Douglas Dodo Cagas to welcome the delegates to the province. The conference proper began with a powerful worship led by Jimmy Ilagan of the CFC Board of Elders. As an introduction to the chosen theme, Fr. Bong Lunas expounded on Magnificat as a canticle of Gods love for the lowly, and a canticle of adoration, trust and gratitude. He ended by saying that the Magnificat is not just the song of Mary. It is the song of the Church. It is the song of our community, our own song. Jun Uriarte, a member of the CFC International Council, expounded on Talk 1, proclaim the Greatness of the Lord. Quoting pope John paul IIs Redemptoris Missio, he declared: I sense that the mo-
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By Ricky Cuenca, CFC Chairman
Ugnayan
By Joe Yamamoto
CBCP Monitor
March 26 - April 8, 2012
Vol. 16 No. 7
MASAYA NG masaya a ko t h i s 2 0 1 2 . Wh y ? Because I am experiencing a new spirit in CFC proclaiming the goodness of the Lord. This spirit of joyful proclamation was alive among our CFC members in the January Leaders Conference in Araneta, the Baguio Magnificat Conference attended by 2,300 couples and the MCG Teaching in Christ the King. In the First Fruits in Ateneo we received abundant blessings of p1.2 Million contributed by Metro Manila MCG members. The SFC Icon in Bohol, the Mindanao Magnificat conference in Davao, the SoLD Mens conference in Cebu and the other activities of CFC, Ancop and the Family Ministries were all very successful and spirit-filled where the attendance exceeded all expectations. The same spirit of praise, love and gratitude shines in the USA and in other places. We can truly say CFC is on Fire! I am filled with gratitude for Gods saving power in C F C . G o d h as a pl a n f o r CF C t o e v a n g e l i z e and to set the world on fire. our YES to CFC took us to great challenges resulting in a deeply rooted pro c es s o f F ai th fo r m a t i o n . I c a n s e e n o w h ow God loves CFC and the purpose that He brings to o ur c o m mu n i ty oN FI R E E V A N G E L I Z A T I oN . And o u r c o m mi tted r e s po n s e t o G o d s c a l l i s a c o ns ta n t YE S. The Magnificat story, the spirit of Mary, her humility, o b ed i en c e and gr a t i t u d e we r e m a n i f e s t e d among CFC couples in the general assemblies that I at ten d ed as I trav e l l e d a c r o s s U S A . I f e l t t h e strong FAITH, the excitement and vibrant energy of inspired members. I experienced the power o f Go d s savi n g l o v e a mo n g CF C c o u pl e s i n t h e assemb l i es th at w er e f i l l e d t o c a pa c i t y - - i n N e w Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia; Miami, Jacksonville, orlando, Florida; Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Texas, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Jo se, F reemo n t, Ca l i f o r n i a a n d L a s V e g a s . I believe in my heart that this same vitality is being exper ie n c ed i n C an a d a , E u r o pe , L a t i n A m e r i ca , Middle E ast, A fri c a , o c e a n i a a n d A s i a . Something noble and magnificent is happening in CFC an d th at i s wh y t h i s ye a r , 2 0 1 2 , e x c i t e s me. our on F i re evan g e l i z a t i o n i s ma s s i v e , u r g e n t , bo ld and i n so l i d arit y w i t h t h e Ch u r c h a n d o t h e r Christian movements. We are blessed as a global co mmu n i ty o f evan ge l i z e r s f a s h i o n e d i n l o v e a cco rdin g to G o d s p la n . The CFC community is ready for great transformation, for positive growth changes, for strategic approaches and innovations, for the empowerment o f i ts l ead ers a n d m e mb e r s a n d t h e m o v i n g fo rward o f th e g l o ba l o r ga n i z a t i o n t o e n t e r i n t o new t erri to ri es, to s e t t h e w o r l d o N FI R E . Truly, we have many blessings to thank God fo r. T his i s th e Year of t h e L o r d f o r o n Fi r e E v a n gelizati o n . My s o u l p ro c l ai m s t h e gr e a t n e s s o f t h e L o r d ! our Yes wi l l al so l e a d t o t h e w i n n i n g o f s o ul s fo r Go d !
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In the same Gospel, Jesus commanded, Gather the crumbs! and the disciples were able to fill twelve baskets of crumbs. Fr. Jojo explained that the twelve baskets of crumbs signifies the Church. We are the crumbs, which Jesus wants. If alone, latak ka lang, tinga nga lang (you are just the dregs); but with other crumbs, we can fill up twelve baskets pa rin. Fr. Jojo admonished those present to not be insecure if you only have crumbs. Trust the God who can provide us with daily bread. The little that you have when you give it to God, God can multiply it. Reconciliation The Eucharist is a meal of reconciliation. The words of Jesus, Take this, all of you.. is an offer of reconciliation as Jesus wants us to be fed, with his own peace and reconciliation The Good News is Christ is willing always to forgive us, said Fr. Jojo, but it is we who, sometimes, cannot forgive ourselves. The Eucharist is the greatest manifestation of the love of God. We should rely on the mercy of God. Fr. Jojo concluded that in Eucharist, God invites us to rewrite our stories, giving us chances. We see how weak we are. When gathered in Eucharist, we serve a God who is love and who willingly offered Himself to us, to be eaten, to be consumed. We are invited to be blessed, to be broken and shared.
Lawrence Fernandez
Writer/Lay-out Artist Circulation Staff
Vangie Mecedilla
The Ugnayan News Supplement is published by the Couples for Christ Global Mission Foundation, Incorporated with editorial offices at 156 20th Avenue, Cubao, Quezon City. Editorial trunk line: (063)709-4868 loc. 23; Direct line : (063)709-4856
look for what they have. After finding out that there were two fishes and five loaves, Jesus blessed that and was able to feed the 5,000. Fr. Jojo said that, a lot of times, thats our attitude. We say, wala, but we have the gifts; we are not just recognizing them. What an offense to the Giver of gifts. Recognize that in us, we have two fishes and 5 loaves. When God blesses that, thats something, Fr. Jojo continued. Instead of comparing and complaining, we have to be contented. Count the two fishes and five loaves in you. They matter.
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 16 No. 7
March 26 - April 8, 2012
Ugnayan
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By Jun Uriarte
By Lance Fernandez
DURING the Leaders' Assembly of CFC-Singles for Christ last March 17 at the AFp Theater, Fr. Joel Jason emphasized that we have to go through the Lenten Season in order to cherish victory which is Easter. If that's the case, the MMLA can be compared to Easter for it was victorious in planting a positive mindset about Lent. Around 1,000 leaders and members of CFC-SFC Metro Manila got this message loud and clear during the assembly that started with the Holy Mass celebrated by Rev. Fr. Arnold Magana. Nino Tuyay, SFC fulltime pastoral worker, led the praise and worship. Then, the stage was turned over to Fr. Jason who delivered a talk entitled "Journey Towards Easter: The path to Conversion." Fr. Jason started by pointing out that people do not want to go through the Lenten Season due to the suffering and sacrifice that it entails. However, he stressed
that this season is vital to conversion. Fr. Jason's talk was divided into two main parts: the Lenten meaning of ashes and the principles of conversion. Jason mentioned that the ashes which are placed on our foreheads during Ash Wednesday is a symbol of man's transience. This means that nothing lasts forever on earth, even human life. Since people are always reminded of their morality, they delay aging by prolonging youthfulness. However, it would be better to treasure every moment and make them fruitful in this life and in the next. Man's transience is also evident in the fleeting character of worldly possessions and the three attitudes that people have towards the riches of the Earth. The first attitude is a stoic one wherein people are suspicious of earthly goods. The second attitude is that of an addict wherein man craves in excess of what he needs. The third attitude towards earth's possessions, and the most ideal, is that of a mystic who understands that the goods
of this world are just a glimpse of the riches that are waiting in heaven. With that in mind, Jason invited the attendees to have the mindset of a mystic that can delay immediate gratification for the greater reward. Transience also implies the common origin of men as manifested in the same quality of ash
that is used in all churches during Ash Wednesday. Therefore, the Lenten Season calls for everyone to view others as an equal being regardless of titles and life status. The third meaning of the Lenten ash focuses on its penitential character. When ash is placed on a person's forehead, God invites him to revoke his wrongdoing
through confession and conduct penance through prayer, fasting and alms giving. The penitence that the ash brings also calls us to reconcile with ourselves, with God and with our neighbors. Lastly, the ashes during Lent signify purity because it underwent heating before being used. Thus, the ashes remind man of his true beauty and to refrain from denying who he truly is because of sin. In relation to this, God's intentions are pure when he calls his disciples. Instead of breaking them, He will recreate those who have been anointed. With the nature of the Lenten ashes clarified, Fr. Jason revealed the five key principles of conversion. The first principle states that God is not mad at His children but rather mad about them. This means that God is willing to do anything for His children and even His anger is a manifestation of his love. True conversion can only happen if people would realize that God is a God of love. The second principle states that the past does not define the future of a person. Therefore, the
soiled memories of the past can be buried in order for conversion to begin. The third principle clarifies that conversion is a process and that the focus must not only be towards the vision. This also certifies that God is a God of process and He has a concrete plan for his children. principle number four points out that conversion is going beyond limitations. Man creates limitations that stop him from gaining success. However, everyone is called to be a child of God no matter what the circumstances are. Finally, conversion will only happen if man changes from a selfseeking to a self-giving state. Catholics are called to undergo the paschal death which only happens when a person is willing to purify his desires for God's cause. The Leader's Assembly ended with a praisefest led by Rob Escano, SFC Metro Manila Head, and the announcement of Lucena, Quezon as the venue of the upcoming CFC-SFC Metro Manila Conference.
B y M a bel l e Di m ayu ga
AFTER a successful Mission Core Gathering Last February 25, 2012, the Governance Team of Isabela headed by the newly anointed provincial Area Director Amang Roxas and the new provincial Area Head Rommel B. Ancheta with his wife Layle had a dinner fellowship with Most Rev. Bishop Joseph A. Nacua, oFM Cap, DD at the Chancery of Saint Ferdinands Cathedral in Gamu, Isabela. It was a night of fellowship, stories, and laughter where everyone gained insight regarding the direction of CFC in Isab ela an d o f th e C h ur c h in the Dio c ese. During the fellowship,
Bishop Nacua recognized CFC as a blessing to the Diocese of Ilagan. Bishop Nacua also emphasized that our community should remain focused in evangelizing more families. Despite the big challenges ahead, the community being regarded as a blessing is an affirmation of the work and mission that were pa s s i o n a t e a b o u t . o u r w o r k o f evangelization in the province of Isabela will not be possible without the support of Bishop Nacua a n d t h e pa r i s h pr i e s t s . In line with CFCs theme this year, the Governance Team of CFC Isabela and the Diocese of Ilagan will work handin-hand in proclaiming the Lords Greatness to everyone.
formation retreats or community relations activities. More than eighty areas in Metro Manila, the philippine provinces, and other countries are opening their doors for these missionaries. France, Italy, Malta, Greece, and Switzerland are gearing up for the great adventure in July while the USA and Australia are set to welcome backpackers in August and September respectively. SFCs who are more than willing to pay for their own fares, sacrifice their time, leave their families and career for a while to fulfill their calling, get out of their comfort zones and contribute to the proclamation of Gods love can take part in these spiritfilled mission trips. Having the full armor of God, packed with overflowing passion and love for the mission, SFC is ablaze and is set to conquer the world for Christ. To know more about this great adventure, interested parties may send an email to sfcbackpackers@sfcglobal.org.
By Vic Alvarez
THE Lipa Archdiocesan Commission on Family and Life Ministry joined the worldwide celebration of The Day of the Unborn last March 25 at the plaza Independencia, Lipa City,Batangas at 6:30 AM. Couples for Christ Batangas came in force, in a show of solidarity not just with the Church but with all pro-lifers everywhere. Holy Mass was concelebrated by Lipa Archbishop Most Rev. Archbishop Ramon C. Argulles, parish priest of the Lipa Cathedral Msgr. Boy oriondo, and Archdiocesan Family and Life Commission Director Fr. Eugene pealosa. Aside from Couples for Christ,
the other organizations who joined the celebration were Daughters of Mary Immaculate at Samahan ni San Jose. In his homily, Archbishop Arguelles deplored the situation in our country where babies are being abandoned by their own parents, where contraception is widespread, causing very negative influences on society, where abortion is resorted to in order to avoid having another child. During the Mass, prayers were said for babies who were aborted, who were not baptized and who never had a name. After the Mass, everyone went on procession from plaza Independecia to the Lipa Cathedral, holding aloft pro-life placards saying obey Gods Will, No to RH Bill.
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Aganon gave the prologue, expounding on the significance of the Magnificat from which CFC's theme this year is based on. over the course of the conference, four talks were delivered and all of them delved on the faithfulness of Mary to her Son, Jesus. From these words, we learned that Mary was always there for Him at all phases of His life and therefore, she could be considered the first disciple of Jesus. It was also Mary's "yes"
to Angel Gabriel hat paved the way for mankind's salvation. The Blessed Sacrament was exposed at the end of the Saturday sessions. The CFC West C Magnificat weekend ended with a praisefest and healing session. As the echo conference came to its inspiring end, everyone was spiritually high and ready to emulate Mary and ready to take on the mission that God has entrusted to them.
By Beth Comalig
MoRE than 580 CFC and Family Ministry members from Metro Manila East A sector geared up for the echo Magnificat Weekend last March 9-11, 2012 at Teachers Camp in Baguio City. Friday night was showtime! participants performed Glee-style and when all the notes had been sung, Cluster 2 was declared champion with their rendition of Nothing Gonna Stop Us Now and Victory to our King. CFC Spiritual Director Monsignor Allen Aganon gave the prologue after the Saturday opening worship led by Chito Nepomuceno after which Edwin Cruz gave the first session entitled "proclaim the Greatness of the Lord." He was followed by CFC International Council Member and Family Ministries Director Mannix ocampo who gave the talk entitled "All Generations Will Call Me Blessed." The third session, entitled "Lifting Up the Lowly" was delivered by Vic Yamamoto. Sharers were mostly comprised by
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members of the Sector Governance Team who humbly shared their own stories, their own Magnificats. Saturday's activity ended with the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament led by Msgr. Aganon. George Campos, CFC East A Sector Head, used the opportunity to urge the participants to continue to support the Build My Home project, a fundraising activity to enable CFC to complete payments on its new Home Office in Cubao, Quezon City. on Sunday, Rudy Talosig gave the fourth and last talk entitled "God is Faithful to All Generations." Afterwards, the Cardillo family, whose members span two generations most of whom serve in CFC and SFC, shared how faithful God has been to them over the years. Before the event came to its conclusion, the brown Scapular was imposed on every delegate. The conference proper ended with a worship led by Erick Fresnosa who urged everyone to learn, live and love like Mary in response to God's call in proclaiming His greatness.
and trials, but we should remember Gods promise that he will be with us forever, that his mercy is infinite and everlasting. He traced his own generation of believers from his grandparents --his grandfather is still strong at 100 -- to his parents, and now to his own children, all four generations. The occasion was memorable to Melo as that day (March 11) was also the birthday of his wife, Nini, and at the same time their wedding anniversary. To the delight of the participants, Melo serenaded Nini with their love song of yesteryears. As a fitting end to the talk, Bishop Afable did the imposition of the Brown Scapular on the leaders of the community who in turn imposed the scapular on all the delegates. The conference ended with a very lively praisefest led by Bebot Matela of General Santos City. Filling the coliseum to the rafters, the jubilant crowd vowed to proclaim the great-
ness of the Lord in their respective areas, following the example of Mary. This years conference was jointly hosted by the CFC communities of Davao City and Davao del Sur.
CFC volunteers, led by Noel and Baby Malamug, Ifugao provincial Area Head, a day of work but also a day full of fun and bonding. The Ifugao State University (IFSU) Dean of School of Nursing, Nancy Ann Gonzales, also an active CFC member, demonstrated how the giant earthworm could be eradicated through the use of liquid concocted with lime. The day ended with the owner and recipient appreciating and committing to join
the Christian Life program, which will be conducted during the lull of farm activities after the planting and while waiting for the harvest season. This initiated move will be duplicated in many places of Ifugao as a tool to introduce Jesus Christ to the residents. Indeed, repairing the beautiful Rice Terraces has become one gateway to evangelization. Haggiyo CFC Ifugao!
Villaroman Jr.
Ponte