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CBCP

VOLUME 19
NUMBER 23

November 9 22, 2015

PROTAGONIST OF TRUTH, PROMOTER OF PEACE

CBCPMONITOR.COM

CBCP reminds BECs:

Be agents of change

CBCP: No to
religious ivory
THE Catholic hierarchy is
actively protesting poaching
by discouraging the clergy
from using ivory for religious
devotional objects.
The Catholic Bishops
Conference of the Philippines said the Church must
do its part and vowed to
raise awareness about the
illegal ivory trade, insisting
that animals must be treated
with respect.
Archbishop Socrates Villegas, CBCP president, urged
his fellow bishops to reject
the use of materials extracted
or derived from protected
and endangered species, especially new ones.

By Raymond A. Sebastin

THE head of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Wednesday,
Nov. 11, reminded delegates
of the ongoing National Basic
Ecclesial Communities (BEC)
Assembly at San Fernando de
Dilao Parish in Paco, Manila
of their dignity as People
of God who are called to
become instruments of social
transformation, starting with
the family.

No to poaching, trafficking
I appeal to my brother
bishops of the Philippines
to prohibit the clerics from
Ivory, A7

WHATS INSIDE
A3 - Forgiveness
in family has
power to rebuild
society, Pope
says

B1 - The Lord
God made them
all (Pastoral
Moral Guidance
On the Poaching,
Trafficking and
Decimation of
Endangered
Species)

The Church is the People of God. We are

not a political party. We are not a corporation. Neither are we an NGO. We are Gods
people, for no other reason than it is God
who gathered us together. And we are with
God, in Whose heart we find our beginning
and our end, stressed Archbishop Socrates
B. Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan in his
homily, speaking on behalf of his brother
bishops.

Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas, CBCP President, delivers his homily during a Mass to start the 3rd Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) National
Assembly at the San Fernando de Dilao Parish Church in Manilas Paco district on Nov. 11. ROY LAGARDE

Military, NPA urged to declare

tribal communities peace zones
BOTH government forces and
Communist insurgents are being urged to declare indigenous
communities across the country
peace zones.
This recommendation was
made by Cardinal Luis Antonio
Tagle upon his visit in the camp
site of protesting Lumad people
at the Liwasang Bonifacio in
Manila on Wednesday morning,
Nov. 11.
We are calling on both the
military and the NDF (National
Democratic Front) to declare
as peace zones the areas of our
indigenous brothers and sisters,
Tagle said.
Peace Zones, A7

On Climate Change:
Understand, Act, Pray
Supporting #NowPH

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle visits the camp site of Lumad or indigenous people from Mindanao
staging a protest in Manila on November 11. ROY LAGARDE

After a Mass culminating

the observance of the Year
of the Poor on Saturday,
the archdiocese sounded its
10-point reform agenda to the
clergy, the religious, and more
than a thousand churchgoers.

The agenda contains certain

calls and petitions of the poor
sectors of society such as workers, farmers, urban poor, fisher
folks, and women.
The agenda also carried
out calls from persons with

disabilities, youth, elderly,

prisoners as well as petitions
for better social services for
the poor.
The liturgical celebration,
presided over by Tagle, was

THE world looks forward to the UN

Climate Change Forum in Paris on
30 November to 11 December. That
shall be in the 21st year since the UN
Framework Convention on Climate
Change in 1992, and the 11th year
since the Kyoto Protocol of 1997.
The objective of this United Nations Climate Change Forum is to
achieve legally binding and universal
agreement on Climate Change.
The urgency is clear. Global warming,
caused by the way we human beings use
this planet, is no longer disputable. The
threshold of disastrous warming by two
degrees Celsius shall soon be breached
unless we decide to change our ways.
The burden of responsibility for carbon
emissions is with the leading industrial
nations like the China and the United
States. But we must all do our part.
Last, April 24th, 2015, the Feast of
the Holy Spirit, Pope Francis published

Fr. Edu Gariguez, executive secretary of the National Secretariat for Social Action (NASSA)/
Caritas Philippines, along with other attendees of the Community-Managed Disaster
Risk Reduction (CMDRR) Summit sign a tarpauline to symbolize their proclamation of
the Cebu City Declaration on climate change and disaster preparedness in Cebu City,
Nov. 7, 2015. NIRVA DELACRUZ

values people, especially the poor,

noting that solving climate and
disaster risks must begin and end
with persons and communities
Change, A6

APPEALING once more to concerned government agencies in

the Yolanda rehabilitation efforts,
Palo Archbishop John Du voiced,
Please do what justice demands.
Two years after Yolanda, the
government continues to be under
fire as many families have yet to receive the much needed assistance.
Delaying delivery of projects
denies justice to our people, Du
said in his homily during a Mass
for the second anniversary of typhoon Yolanda at the mass grave
built in the courtyard of the Palo
Cathedral.
The prelate cannot but express
dismay over the slow pace of the
governments rehabilitation efforts.
I cannot fail to make an appeal for those people responsible

his encyclical Laudato Si!: On Care for

Our Common Home. He wished this
letter to impact on the Paris Forum. It
is a letter addressed to all inhabitants
of this planet, seeking dialogue on the
alarming deterioration of our planet
earth. It is a powerful document that
has caught the attention of people
throughout the globe. Its multi-layered
message urges all to come together to
care for our earth, our common home.
The document admirably links
four issues into an integrated whole,
pointing out that if there is a problem
with one, there shall inexorably be
problems with the others. These are:
first, faith or non-faith in a Creator
God; second the controlled or uncontrolled manner of production through
which humanity meets its needs; third;
environmental use or abuse; and finally, the effects of the environmental
Climate, A7

Reform, A6

Church, Yolanda partners back pro- Archbishop to govt: Do what justice

poor solution to climate change
demands for Yolanda survivors

THE Catholic Churchs humanitarian and social action arm and

its program partners have affirmed their commitment to an
environmental approach that

Agents, A6

God looked on everything he had made, and found it very good (Gen. 1:31).

Church pushes 10-point reform agenda for the poor

CARDINAL Luis Antonio Tagle wants to take the Churchs
service to the poor to a higher
level through 10 doable objectives under a reform-oriented
agenda of the Manila archdiocese.

Church for society

Villegas went on to point out that BEC
is not about having large membership given
that its primary focus is being not a Church
for the Church, but being a Church for
society.
This simply means that BEC must be a

for the rehabilitation, if it is true

that there are still some amounts
intended for rehabilitations and
projects, he said.
Archbishop Du also lamented
that politics is still getting in the
way and hampering Yolanda recovery efforts particularly in Leyte.
If there is a pressing demand to
act for the common good of our
people, your duty is not towards
your political party or personal
preferences or your very own family but always give the priority to
the people in need regardless of
who we are, he said.
Among the priorities, he said,
should be on building permanent
shelters for the thousands of
people who remain homeless.
In Tacloban alone, hundreds of
Survivors, A6

Charitys not seasonal, says Cardinal Tagle

ILLUSTRATION BY BROTHERS MATIAS

CBCPMONITOR@CBCPWORLD.NET

CARDINAL Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle said the Church should

continuously focus on helping the
poor, saying that charity must not
be seasonal.
The cardinal on Saturday, Nov.
8, led the closing of Manila archdioceses observance of the Year

of the Poor at the La Concordia

College in Manila.
The election is near. Many
people are again showing love for
the poor. I hope that this is real
love and in the Church, caring
for and serving the poor is not
Charity, A7

A2 WORLD NEWS

November 9 - 22, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 23

CBCP Monitor

Choirs, tailors, builders make

Vatican Briefing
preparations for papal visit to Kenya
NAIROBI, Nov. 6, 2015 - Kenyans are working on final preparations for Pope Francis Nov.
25-27 visit, his first stop on a
three-nation visit to the continent.
Construction of the stage for the
papal Mass is almost complete. For
his Nov. 26 open-air Mass at the
University of Nairobi, Pope Francis
will use the same altar used during
the May 23 beatification of Blessed
Irene Stefani, an Italian member of
the Consolata Missionary Sisters
who cared for wounded and sick
soldiers in Kenya and Tanzania
during World War I.
Father Stephen Okello, papal
visit coordinator, also coordinated St. John Paul IIs 1995
papal visit. He said church leaders picked the altar, made by
Consolata missionaries in Nyeri
more than a hundred years ago,
because it was a symbol that
the popes visit touches every
Catholic faithful in the country
despite the fact that he will visit
Nairobi only.
At the base of each side of the
altar are engravings, including
symbols of the Eucharist, a bird
feeding its hatchlings, a dove,
a fish and a lamb. The altar includes the inscription in Latin,
Redemisti Nos Domine Sanguine
Tuo, meaning, You saved us
Lord by your blood.
Bishop Dominic Kimengich
of Lodwar, head of the bishops
liturgy committee, said there was
great excitement over the coming

Pope: 'Deplorable' leak of private docs doesnt dampen

Vatican reform
On Nov. 8, Pope Francis spoke out for the first time on what
has been called the most recent Vatileaks scandal with the
theft of confidential information by the Holy See, but offered
his assurances that the reform process would move forward.
The stealing and publication of the documents was a mistake,
and a deplorable act that does not help, the Pope said Nov. 8,
explaining that he had called for the study connected with the
confidential documents, with which he was well acquainted.
Francis spoke to pilgrims in St. Peter's Square about the scandal in his post-Angelus comments, acknowledging that many
have been troubled by the news of the scandal in recent days.
Nonetheless, Francis offered his assurances that his reform would
move forward. (CNA)

In this Oct. 22 photo, a tailor in Kangemi, outside Nairobi, Kenya, works on a vestment to be used by Pope Francis during his lateNovember trip to the country. CNS PHOTO/THOMAS MUKOYA, REUTERS

of the pope, and all Catholics are

preparing themselves to receive
their leader in a special way by preparing themselves for the Mass.
In coastal Kenya, along the
Indian Ocean, various choirs were
preparing songs in Swahili. In
Westlands, a Nairobi suburb, the
Consolata Shrine Choir practices
three times a week.
Agnes Karambu a member of
the Consolata Shrine Choir, was
18 when St. John Paul visited
Nairobi.
I danced during the reception

of the pope in 1995; this time I am

going to sing at the papal Mass,
she said. I feel twice blessed to
witness and participate in two
papal visits in my lifetime.
Gregory Nanzia, the choir
director, was in high spirits as
he led his choir during a recent
rehearsals.
For me, this is a special privilege, to be leading this choir at
this time, and participating at the
papal Mass will be a special blessing for me, he said.
At St. Joseph the Worker Parish

in Kangemi, papal vestments are

being prepared at a convent right
in the middle of the slum that
hosts 20,000 Catholics in 30 small
Christian communities.
Jesuit Father Paschal Mwijage,
pastor of St. Joseph the Worker,
said, By visiting Kangemi, Pope
Francis will be giving us a lot of
hope and happiness.
After visiting Nairobi, Pope
Francis is scheduled to go to
Uganda Nov. 27 and visit Bangui,
Central African Republic, Nov.
29-30. (CNS)

Cardinal Tong calls on voters to reject

same-sex marriage
CHINA, Nov. 6, 2015 - Cardinal John Tong
Hon of Hong Kong has called on Catholic
voters to reject same-sex marriages and support
political candidates that uphold the core values
of marriage and family in future elections.
In a statement released by the Hong Kong
Diocese on Nov. 6, Cardinal Tong criticized
modern social trends and liberal political movements advocating same-sex marriage under
the guise of equality and the fight against
discrimination.
If taken further by enacting a proposed ordinance banning sexual orientation discrimination, such trends would turn the society upside
down, he warned.
He urged the faithful to take into consideration the stance of each candidate and their

political parties with regard to the core values

of marriage and the family, and the proposed
sexual orientation discrimination ordinance, in
an upcoming district council election on Nov.
22 and elections in the future.
Cardinal Tong said a recent workshop on
lovemaking techniques held by a students
organization at a local university clearly demonstrated the virtual propagation of sexual
liberalization under the umbrella of academic
freedom.
The workshop reportedly included a demonstration by sex workers of the use of sex toys
and erotic massage.
It is a misguided culture that has publicly
and pompously intruded on peoples lives and
is directly affecting the next generation, the

cardinal said.
It sees the core values and key concepts of
marriage and of the family continually being
challenged and misinterpreted, he said.
The bishops message comes ahead of a gay
pride rally in the territory on Nov. 7 and a
Christian family festival on Nov. 11.
It was the second time Cardinal Tong has
spoken out against same-sex marriage in less
than two months. He signed a pastoral letter
opposing it on Sept. 21.
It is also believed to be the first time that
a local bishop has urged the faithful to vote
based on a particular agenda, when in the
past bishops have only advised people to vote
according to their conscience and church
principles. (UCAN)

Those whove stayed what now for Christians in Syria and Iraq?
ROME, Italy, Nov. 5, 2015
- War in Iraq and Syria have
taken a heavy toll on the Chaldean Christians of the Middle
East. Now Chaldean bishops
like Archbishop Bashar Warda
of Erbil, Iraq are asking what
they can do to help Christian
refugees survive and preserve
their faith in times of trouble.
For me, my plan is how
to help the Christian families
who decided to stay, to stay
and live with dignity. Thats my
big concern, the whole plan,
Archbishop Warda told CNA
Oct. 28.
To be honest, I cannot tell
anyone to stay. There are hundreds of reasons which encourage people to leave. There is no
one reason to really urge and
help them to stay. But we hope
and we have faith that this community would stay, and, please
God, be strengthened by the
prayers that weve receiving,
he said.
Archbishop Warda was one
of the bishops at the Chaldean
Catholic bishops synod, which
took place in Rome Oct. 24-29.
The Chaldean Catholic
Churchs patriarchal see is
Babylon, based in present-day
Baghdad. The Church has a
presence in Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, Israel and Egypt,
as well as in France and the
U.S. There are over 400,000
Chaldean Catholics around
the world, according to the
Catholic Near East Welfare
Association.
Violence in Iraq after the
2003 U.S. invasion and the
rise of the Islamic State group
in Iraq and Syria has resulted

in the targeted killings and

expulsions of many Christians.
The brutal conflict has caused
millions of people, including hundreds of thousands of
Christians, to flee their homes.
Many have fled to Jordan,
Lebanon and Turkey, while
others are displaced within their
home countries. Displaced Iraqi
Chaldeans have tended to move
to Erbil and Dohuk.
The pressures to emigrate
abroad are enormous, the archbishop said. Today if you offer
a visa to all the refugees they
will take it, he explained. But
we know that some of them
would leave with tears.
Not everyone would like to
leave, because during the time
when there was a possibility to
go they preferred to stay.
The Chaldean bishop in
Lebanon is doing his best
to care for the refugees and to
convince them to stay in the
Middle East.
Iraqi Christians who remain
in the Middle East would be
more likely to return to their
homes in the Nineveh Plains
and Mosul, Archbishop Warda
said. But once they leave the
Middle East it would be the end
of the story.
The Chaldean Church does
not want to force families to
stay, he noted. Rather, the
Church wants just to be with
them, and even help them with
the material needs and spiritual
and pastoral needs they want in
this difficult time.
Everything is changing, but
still, we would like to respond
to the immediate needs of
the refugees, which is shelter,

health, education and other

material issues, the archbishop
said, pointing to the bishops
work with different Catholic
aid agencies.
The Chaldean bishops are
working with displaced bishops,
clergy, and religious sisters from
Mosul to ensure spiritual and
pastoral care for their flock.
Archbishop Wardas home
city of Erbil, in the Kurdistan
region of northern Iraq, is a safe
region, though it shares a 650
mile-long border with territory
controlled by the Islamic State
group.
The welcoming attitude of
the Kurdish government was really a big help which was given
to the Christian refugees, and
Yazidis, the archbishop said.
We have in Kurdistan some
1,800,000 refugees, he added.
The diocese itself is hosting
10,300 Christian families who
left Mosul and the Nineveh
Plain. But some 3,000 Christian families left since 2014.
The archbishop said it would
be very hard to go back to
Mosul. Even if it were to be
freed from the Islamic State,
we need some time.
But to the Nineveh Plains
and its villages, yes, people
would really like to go back
and rebuild life. It would be
difficult, it is not really be an
easy choice. The commitment
and risk is high, especially when
you have this kind of broken
trust between the communities,
but I think the mission of the
Church and all Christians is to
stay and build bridges. Weve
done it before, I think we will
be able to do it again.

He said dialogue with the

Islamic State is not possible because they would not imagine
themselves in any position of
dialogue.
We are infidels to them,
he said.
Rather, he suggested Christians could engage with other
victims of the Islamic State
group and try to build bridges
of peace and trust.
At the Chaldean bishops
synod, one group of bishops
focused on the practical issues
facing internally displaced persons and refugees. These issues
include knowing their location,
their needs and priorities, ways
to help, and how to contact
hem.
The archbishop said there has
been an increase in the needs
of these people.
A second bishops group at
the synod focused on issues
related to culture and identity.
These include questions such
as how to welcome the refugees and help them keep their
identity, and also the issue of
homeland.
The Chaldean bishops synod
also discussed liturgical questions. Two-thirds of the Chaldean community is outside of
Iraq. Second generation immigrants speak English, French,
German, or Swedish.
This creates liturgical issues
of language, translation, and
official texts issues which also
bear on morning and evening
prayer. The Chaldean bishops
typically hold a synod every
year. They have decided to
dedicate a future synod to the
Chaldean liturgy. (CNA)

Cardinal: Pope Francis to visit Mexico in February

Pope Francis will visit Mexico City in February 2016, Cardinal
Norberto Rivera announced on Sunday. I have a piece of news
that everyone already knows: the Holy Father comes to visit us,
and he comes on the afternoon of Feb. 12. So from that day we
will receive him with much love, the cardinal said. The cardinal
made the announcement during Sunday Mass at Mexico Citys
cathedral Nov. 1, Televisa reports. He suggested that the date of
the Popes arrival in Mexico was very close to Feb. 12. The Vatican has not yet made an official announcement of the trip. (CNA)
Pope: Every Christian must be prepared for martyrdom
On Oct. 30, Pope Francis reflected on the life and death of Blessed
Oscar Romero, who was recognized as a martyr earlier this year,
stressing that each Christian ought to be ready to give their life for
the faith. A martyr is not born. It's a grace that the Lord allows,
and that in a way concerns every baptized person, Pope Francis
told a group pilgrims from El Salvador Oct. 30. Bl. Oscar Romero
was Archbishop of San Salvador (the Salvadoran capital) from
1977 until his March 24, 1980 martyrdom. Quoting a phrase of
Bl. Romero, the Pope said that We must be willing to die for our
faith, even if the Lord does not give us this honor. (CNA)
Pope Francis sets up foundation to boost Catholic education
Observing the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council's
declaration on Christian education, Pope Francis on Oct. 28
established a foundation meant to promote Catholic education
worldwide. I am grateful to the Congregation for Catholic Education for the initiatives organised for this 50th anniversary of the
declaration Gravissimum educationis, the Holy Father wrote in
an Oct. 28 chirograph, a letter circulated in the Roman Curia.
I am likewise pleased to learn that the same Dicastery wishes to
constitute on this occasion a Foundation named Gravissimum
educationis, with the aim of pursuing 'scientific and cultural
ends, intended to promote Catholic education in the world',
he wrote, quoting the foundation's statutes. The Pope's letter
instituted the Gravissimum educationis Foundation in Vatican
City, making it subject to canon law, Vatican City civil law, as
well as its own statutes. (CNA)
Excluding people isn't Christian it leads to war, Pope says
Pope Francis said that those who form private, exclusive groups
mimic the attitude of the Pharisees, leading to conflict and division, whereas true Christians open the doors with prudence
to everyone. There are two paths in life: the path of exclusion
of persons from our community and the path of inclusion, the
Pope said Nov. 5 at daily Mass in the chapel of Vatican Citys St.
Martha Guesthouse. While the path of exclusion might be small,
it is the root of all wars: all calamities, all wars, begin with an
exclusion. One is excluded from the international community,
but also from families, from friends. How many fights there
are! On the other hand, the path that brings us closer to Jesus
is quite another, it is contrary to the other: to include. (CNA)
Pope advises new bishop to have mercy, patience, short homilies
Ordaining a Rome pastor and seminary spiritual director as an
auxiliary bishop of Rome, Pope Francis pleaded with him to be
merciful and to give short, clear homilies. Ordaining Bishop
Angelo De Donatis, 61, Nov. 9 at the Basilica of St. John Lateran,
Pope Francis reminded the new bishop of something he had
told him earlier. "Let your words be simple so that everyone can
understand. Don't give long homilies," the pope said. "Allow me
to ask you to remember your dad and how very happy he was to
have found another parish in a town nearby where the Mass was
celebrated without a homily! "Homilies should be the transmission of God's grace. Simple, so that everyone can understand
them and everyone will want to become a better person," Pope
Francis told the new bishop. The Mass was celebrated on the feast
of the dedication of the basilica, which serves as the cathedral of
the Diocese of Rome. (CNS)
Pope wants to visit Czestochowa, Auschwitz, Polish
president says
Pope Francis wants to visit the Marian shrine of Our Lady of
Czestochowa as well as the Auschwitz concentration camp when
he travels to Poland next year, according to Polish President
Andrzej Duda. After meeting Pope Francis Nov. 9, Duda told
journalists of the pope's desire to visit the two historical sites
during his apostolic trip to the country in July for World Youth
Day 2016. The Polish president said that the pope also wished
to follow the footsteps of his predecessors and pray at the Auschwitz concentration camp where more than 1 million people,
the majority of them Jewish, were systematically murdered by
the Nazis. (CNS)
Pope: Dignity of workers must never be compromised
The dignity and rights of workers must never be compromised,
not only with regard to fair wages and pension, but also in
their right to rest, Pope Francis said. The pope met Nov. 7
in St. Peters Square with an estimated 23,000 members of the
Italian National Social Security Institute, which oversees the
governments disability and pension structure. Work and rest
are connected, Pope Francis said, and true rest comes when one
has a secure job that gives dignity to you and your family. He
praised the institutes work in defending workers rights based on
the natural and transcendental dignity of the human person
while acknowledging that their work is both an honor and a
responsibility. (CNS)

CBCP Monitor

A3

November 9 - 22, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 23

Forgiveness in family has power to rebuild society, Pope says

VATICAN, Nov. 4, 2015 Delivering
his Wednesday general audience address
a little more than a week after the close
of the Synod on the Family, Pope Francis
spoke on the role of forgiveness in helping
families become a force for the betterment
of society.
The practice of forgiveness not only
preserves families from division, but
allows them to aid society in becoming
less evil and cruel, the Pope said during
his Nov. 4 weekly audience address in St.
Peters Square.
Christian families can do a great
deal for todays society, as well as for the
Church, he said.
The pontiff also spoke on the role of the
recent Synod on the Family in reviving
our hope in the familys vocation and
mission in the context of forgiveness.
Pope Francis reflected on the recently
concluded Synod on the Family, describing it as an event of grace.
This years Synod, which ran from
Oct. 4-25, was the second and larger of
two such gatherings to take place in the
course of a year. Like its 2014 precursor,
the focus of the 2015 Synod of Bishops
was the family, this time with the theme:
The vocation and mission of the family
in the Church and the modern world.
At the conclusion of the three-week
Synod, the Vatican released a final document based on the gatherings theme compiled and voted upon by its participants.
Pope Francis is expected to write an Apostolic Exhortation on the theme of the

Vatican City - September 2, 2015. Pope Francis blesses a family in St. Peters Square during the Wednesday general audience on September 2, 2015. CNA

family based on this document.

While the Pope is still reviewing the
final document, he explained that he
wanted it to be publicized so that the
public could have a part in the fruit of
the past two years work.
I wanted the text to be published in
order that everyone might participate in
the work which he have seen undertaken
together for two years, he said.

Vatican spokesman
confirms money
laundering investigation

Federico Lombardi at the Holy See Press Room in Vatican City for the Annual Report of
the Authority of Financial Information (AIF) on the activities and supervision of financial
information for the prevention and combating of money laundering and terrorist
financing. CNA

VATICAN, Nov. 5, 2015 Investigations into money laundering, insider trading and market
manipulation through a Vatican
office were launched after an initial
report was filed by the Vatican
Financial Intelligence Authority
in February 2015, the Vatican
spokesman said.
Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, the spokesman, issued a statement Nov. 4 about the investigations involving the Administration
of the Patrimony of the Apostolic
See. The office, known by its Italian acronym APSA, handles the
Vaticans investment portfolio and
its real estate holdings.
The Vatican spokesmans statement comes on the heels of a
report by the British news agency
Reuters that Giampietro Nattino,
chairman of a private Italian bank,
had accounts at APSA and used
them for personal trades on the
Italian stock market.
The Reuters article says investigators looked at Nattinos
activities between May 22, 2000,
and March 29, 2011. The investigations revealed that the Italian
banker transferred more than 2
million euros out of his APSA

account to a Swiss bank account

several days before stricter financial regulations at the Vatican went
into effect, Reuters reported.
The report also states that the
Vatican Financial Intelligence
Authority passed its findings on
to Vatican City State judicial
authorities regarding Nattinos
activities and recommended the
Vatican prosecutor, Gian Piero
Milano, also investigate possible
involvement by some members of
the APSA staff.
Although APSA in 2012 told
investigators from Moneyval
the Council of Europes Committee of Experts on the Evaluation of
Anti-Money Laundering Measures
and the Financing of Terrorism
that the Vatican decided in 2001
to phase out individual accounts,
the Vaticans internal investigation revealed that accounts like
Nattinos were active until 2009.
Father Lombardi said the Vatican prosecutors office requested
the involvement of Italian and
Swiss judicial authorities in the
investigation by requests sent
through diplomatic channels on
Aug. 7, 2015. (Junno Arocho
Esteves/Catholic News Service)

Meanwhile, while he is reviewing the

document, life continues to move forward, especially for families, he said.
You are continuously writing of the
beauty of the Gospel in the family in the
pages of real life, the Pope remarked.
In a world which at times is barren
of life and love, you speak every day of
the great gifts which are marriage and
the family.

Pope Francis compared the family to

a gym in which reciprocal forgiveness
is exercised.
No love can endure for long, without
self-gift and forgiveness, he said, reflecting
on the Our Father prayer which calls
us to forgive as we ourselves are forgiven.
We cannot live without forgiveness
or, at least, we cannot live well, especially
in the family.

Forgiveness should be exercised

every day, the Pope continued, saying
we must take into account our fragility and pride. He also warned against
allowing too much time to pass before
forgiving; otherwise, it becomes more
difficult.
Do not allow the day to end without
saying Im sorry, without making peace
between husband and wife, between
parents and children, between brother
and sister between daughter-in-law and
mother-in-law!
In learning to forgive and ask forgiveness, wounds are healed, marriage is
strengthened, and the family becomes
fortified against our own acts of meanness, both small and great, the Pope said.
Dont finish the day at war, understand?
Pope Francis offered his assurance to
families that, by walking in the path of
the Beatitudes as recounted in Matthews
Gospel, and by learning to forgive and be
forgiven, everyone in the great family of
the Church will develop the ability to give
witness to the renewing power of Gods
forgiveness.
For this reason, he expressed his desire
for families to rediscover the treasure of
reciprocal forgiveness during the Jubilee
of Mercy.
We pray that families may always be
more able to live and build concrete paths
of reconciliation, where no one feels abandoned to the weight of his debts. (Ann
Schneible/CNA/EWTN News)

Faith, hope, love make Pinoys survivors bishop

CEBU City, Nov. 8, 2015 Whats the secret
to Pinoys signature survivor smile? It is
nothing but faith, hope, and love, says a priest.
Disasters bring out the best [in Filipinos] when in the first place because there
was something in good in them to begin
withWhat makes it possible for the
best to be brought out there is because
in our hearts there is already [something
good]: faith hope and caritas, said Cebu
Auxiliary Bishop Dennis Villarojo during his welcome address at the Community Managed Disaster Risk Reduction
(CMDRR) Summit ongoing now at the
Hotel Elizabeth, Cebu City.
[There is] the gift of Godthe seed
of Gods love in our hearts nurtured on a
daily basis, he added.
Caritas = love
Villarojo stressed ultimately it is faith

that has sustained Filipinos after weathering so many calamities and hardships.
He noted: If we dont have this faith,
hope, and caritas, even if theres no disaster, no matter how many disaster, no good
can come from our lives. No good cannot
be brought out because there is no good
in the first place.
According to the prelate, extreme situations can also force Filipinos to reveal a
dark side which was seen days after super
typhoon Yolanda struck many part of the
Visayas.
Daily practice of faith, hope, love
Disaster do not always bring out the
best in people. Sometimes they bring
out the worst Sometimes they begin
to loot department stores and houses,
he said.
To counter this, the prelate is quick to

note the importance of a daily practice of

being loving, hopeful, and full of faith in
ordinary life sans disasters.
While stressing the practical side of
disaster risk management, Villarojo also
mentioned the need to practice faith,
hope, and love every day.
As we commemorate this disaster called
Yolanda, we take this opportunity to create
a template for disaster risk management, a
template for relief operations to be ready
for everything but again, we dont wait
for disaster to strike, on a daily basis, we
exercise faith hope, and charity, he said.
Organized by CBCP National Secretariat for Social Action (CBCP NASSA)/
Caritas Philippines, the CMDRR Summit
is the first event of its kind gathering over
a hundred representatives from Caritas
Internationalis member organizations.
(Nirvaana Ella Delacruz / CBCP News)

PREX still brings life-changing experiences to many priest

GUIGUINTO, Bulacan, Nov.
9, 2015 A priest has observed
how the Parish Renewal Experience (PREX) continues to bring
powerful and moving experiences
of Jesus to the faithful, especially
those far from the Church.
PREX is actually not an organization but a spiritual formation
that is considered as a new way of
life in seeing Christ in others. Its a
revival of ones commitment as he
strengthens his sense of belongingness to his parish and his Catholic
faith, said Fr. Abel Sampana, parish priest of Sta. Rita de Cascia.
Better understanding of Scripture
He has observed how lifechanging and moving each PREX
seminar is to the faithful and most
of all, to the unchurched.
According to Joven Joaquin,
Sta. Rita de Cascia parishs PREX
head coordinator, the parish held
its 36th PREX seminar from Nov.
6 to 8 at the Msgr. Andres Valera
hall where more parishioners who
would want to renew their faith
in Jesus Christ were able to participate in the three-day activity
held every two months.
PREX enabled me to have a

PREX organizers and guests with their spiritual director, Fr. Abel Sampana (seated) during the second day of the seminar, Sta. Rita
de Cascia Parish, Guiguinto, Bulacan, Nov. 7, 2015. CBCP NEWS

better understanding of the Word

of God and allowed me to be of
service to Him and His people.
After attending our PREX seminar
years ago, I was able to discover the
gift God gave me and be an active
lector and commentator of our
parish, shared Gemma Almiana,
a lay volunteer.
Personal sharing
PREX is a humbling experi-

ence that lets you have a deeper

encounter with the Lord, said
Eddie Anastacio and Ver Dimanlig
when asked about their impression
of PREX classes over the years.
We are overwhelmed with how
participants would react everytime
we declare our experiences of
Gods love and miracles.
The said laymen were the seminars guest sharers who both come
from San Pascual Baylon Parish in

Obando, Bulacan.
It is said that PREX is not an
organization, but it is good to be
organized at the parish level,
at the diocesan level and at the
national level, noted Manny and
Abel Gaite, National Association of Parish PREX Secretariats
(NAPPS) president and current
national chair couple in a document. (Myraine Carluen Policarpio / CBCP News)

Public school teacher behind YouCat Filipino

QUEZON City, Nov. 4, 2015 A social
studies teacher from Krus na Ligas National High School who translated the
Youth Catechism (YouCat) into Filipino
is hopeful that his simple contribution
reaches as many young people as possible now that the book is available in a
language they easily understand.
I notice that many of our youth care
little about the details of their faith, if
at all. They get distracted by so many
things that have nothing to do with
their salvation like TV, gadgets, and
social media, lamented MC Kenneth
M. Baluyot in an interview.

MC Kenneth M. Baluyot (right) with Manila

Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle (left). PHOTO
FROM BALUYOTS FACEBOOK ACCOUNT

Youth-friendly
The 28 year-old expressed assurance
that his baby, YouCat Filipino, is a superior alternative in that it can do much
in terms of helping Catholic Filipinos,

especially the youth, understand their

faith better.
According to him, the book answers
527 questions young Catholics are
eager to ask.
Baluyot went on to share that the two
years he dedicated translating YouCat,
in between fulfilling his teaching duties,
was a fruitful experience.
Not everyone is given the opportunity to get published, he boasted,
considering himself fortunate for
having been picked by Claretian Communications Foundation through the
recommendation of Fr. Jonathan A.
Bitoy, CMF to do the work despite his
unworthiness.
Passion for catechesis
Baluyot also enjoys volunteering for
Miriam Adult Education as a Christian

Living instructor.
Before YouCat Filipino, he served as
a creative consultant for newsletters in
his parish and barangay.
Originally, my contract with Claret
was only good for a year, and it only
involved me translating the foreword
Pope Benedict XVI wrote for YouCat.
But the need to consult with various
editors to check the reliability of the
concepts being translated prolonged the
period, he added.
While generally easy, Baluyot admitted translating YouCat into the national
language was not without its difficulties.
Challenges
As far as ordinary sentences were
concerned, I could translate them easily. But when a certain paragraph was
already of a highly dogmatic, liturgical,

and even scientific nature, thats when I

had to ask my priest-friends for help,
he explained.
For Bible verses in YouCat, the public school teacher said he just had to
lift directly off Clarets own Biblia ng
Sambayanang Pilipino.
YouCat Filipino is now available at
the Claretian Bookstore at 8 Mayumi
St., U.P. Village, Diliman, QC. For
inquiries, interested parties may contact
at (02) 921-39-84 / 922-00-11 or email
cci@claret.org.
Participants of the 1st International
YouCat Congress (Congress of Mercy)
to be held from Nov. 5 to 7 at the Development Academy of the Philippines
Convention Center, Tagaytay City,
Philippines will receive complimentary
copies of the book. (Raymond A. Sebastin / CBCP News)

A4 OPINION

November 9 - 22, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 23

CBCP Monitor

EDITORIAL

THE country has never seen so much pain and misery more than those
brought about by super typhoon Yolanda, with the exception perhaps
of the Japanese occupation and World War II. But two years after, the
massive outpouring of assistance, philanthropy, and religious concern
for the survivors was unprecedented. On the other hand, government
neglect, corruption, and political maneuvering was massive and unprecedented, too--made worse by cover-up and lies, as an ongoing
political ad of a presidential candidate would bear.
Archbishop John Du of the Archdiocese of Palo in Leyte continues to
call for justice. At the Mass during the second anniversary of typhoon
Yolanda he bewailed that delaying delivery of (government) projects
denies justice to our people...(and) if there is a pressing demand to act
for the common good of our people, your duty is not towards your
political party or personal preferences or your very own family but
always give the priority to the people in need regardless of who we are.
Two years of rehabilitation work and rebuilding of survivor communities were mostly the efforts of international and local aid-agencies,
church groups, and various non-government organizations. Every
bit of morsel and assistance were put to good use without having to
worry about bureaucracy and corruption which habitually characterize
government schemes that ironically characterizes Daang Matuwid.
The National Secretariat for Social Action (NASSA)/Caritas Philippines, which is just one of the many aid agencies of the Catholic Church,
has worked so hard to respond to the need of rehabilitating typhoon
victim communities. We do not just construct shelters. We build lives.
We come out with programs that covers everything from livelihood down
to ecosystem recovery, says NASSA exective secretary Fr. Edu Gariguez.
In collaboration with Caritas agencies, he reports that about Php 3.29
billion has already been used in rehabilitation during the last two years,
benefitting 955,000 typhoon survivors in the Visayas.
After two years of rehabilitation efforts, the words of Pope Francis
to the clergy and the religious at the Palo Cathedral last January still
reveberates even more meaningfully: Today, from this place which
has known such profound suffering and human need, I ask that even
more be done for the poor. Above all, I ask that the poor throughout
this country be treated fairlythat their dignity be respected.

Cultural ecology
TOGETHER with the patrimony of nature, there is also an historic,
artistic and cultural patrimony which is likewise under threat. This
patrimony is a part of the shared identity of each place and a foundation upon which to build a habitable city. It is not a matter of
tearing down and building new cities, supposedly more respectful
of the environment yet not always more attractive to live in. Rather,
there is a need to incorporate the history, culture and architecture
of each place, thus preserving its original identity. Ecology, then,
also involves protecting the cultural treasures of humanity in the
broadest sense. More specifically, it calls for greater attention to
local cultures when studying environmental problems, favouring a
dialogue between scientific-technical language and the language of
the people. Culture is more than what we have inherited from the
past; it is also, and above all, a living, dynamic and participatory
present reality, which cannot be excluded as we rethink the relationship between human beings and the environment.
A consumerist vision of human beings, encouraged by the mechanisms of todays globalized economy, has a levelling effect on cultures,
diminishing the immense variety which is the heritage of all humanity. Attempts to resolve all problems through uniform regulations or
technical interventions can lead to overlooking the complexities of
local problems which demand the active participation of all members
of the community. New processes taking shape cannot always fit
into frameworks imported from outside; they need to be based in
the local culture itself. As life and the world are dynamic realities,
so our care for the world must also be flexible and dynamic. Merely
technical solutions run the risk of addressing symptoms and not the
more serious underlying problems. There is a need to respect the
rights of peoples and cultures, and to appreciate that the development of a social group presupposes an historical process which takes
place within a cultural context and demands the constant and active
involvement of local people from within their proper culture. Nor
can the notion of the quality of life be imposed from without, for
quality of life must be understood within the world of symbols and
customs proper to each human group.
Many intensive forms of environmental exploitation and degradation not only exhaust the resources which provide local communities
with their livelihood, but also undo the social structures which, for
a long time, shaped cultural identity and their sense of the meaning of life and community. The disappearance of a culture can be
just as serious, or even more serious, than the disappearance of a
species of plant or animal. The imposition of a dominant lifestyle
linked to a single form of production can be just as harmful as the
altering of ecosystems.
In this sense, it is essential to show special care for indigenous
communities and their cultural traditions. They are not merely one
minority among others, but should be the principal dialogue partners, especially when large projects affecting their land are proposed.
For them, land is not a commodity but rather a gift from God and
from their ancestors who rest there, a sacred space with which they
need to interact if they are to maintain their identity and values.
When they remain on their land, they themselves care for it best.
Nevertheless, in various parts of the world, pressure is being put on
them to abandon their homelands to make room for agricultural
or mining projects which are undertaken without regard for the
degradation of nature and culture.
--Laudato Si, 2014

Monitor
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Yolanda two years after

Views and Points

Principle of participation

Oscar V. Cruz, D.D.

ON the occasion of the forthcoming local and

national elections that as a matter of course
bring about the presentation of candidates for
elective public offices, the registration of voters
and other related matters, it might be not only
right and proper but also quite relevant to have
even given a little look at the Social Doctrine
of the Church pointing out the inherent significance and consequences of the Principle
of Participation in matters that have social
relevance to the life and plight of the people.
Considering his human dignity and ingenuity, his social nature and disposition, his rights
and obligations, his personal perception and
vision, his ethical and/or moral convictions among other human particulars - it becomes
not only natural but even mandatory for man
to participate in many and different, continuing or periodical social agenda for his own good
and welfare. And the primary reason for such
a Participation is precisely because man is not
only a member of society but also directly or

indirectly affected by decisions made for and

about the society he is a member of.
Let it be duly observed, however, that one
thing is when someone is by deceit and/or by
force deprived of his rightful participatory
intervention in socio-economic, cultural, and
political issues, directly or indirectly affecting
his present life and/or future lot. And quite
another thing is when certain individuals
on their own and for whatever reason, refuse
to participate in social issues as if society has
nothing to do with them and so too, they have
nothing to do with society - both of which
stances are objectively wrong, considering that
the Principle of Participation is both a right
and an obligation. The truth of the matter
is that the said Principle is in fact meant to
safeguard and promote the rightful concerns
and just interests of the participants themselves.
Thus it is that when someone dares to claim
that he/she has nothing to do with society and
society has nothing to do with him/her such

The last two mites

that participating in questions and issues affecting society are irrelevant as far as he/she is
concerned - this is not simply an expression of
indifference but a confirmation of ignorance.
The common saying that No man is an island
has its basic and concrete references to such an
indifference - if not the actual scorn of social
realities which directly or indirectly affect man
precisely as a social being - something that is
both a reality and a profundity.
Conclusion: The calls made by different
groups of people to abstain from participating
in the forthcoming elections for one reason or
another, may be well-intentioned but contrary
to the said Principle. In the event however
that their Participation is in fact ignored or
neutralized for one devious reason or another
- such as due to cheating in the elections - this
would call for another Participation, viz.,
moving for the ouster of the cheaters, the
elected, and all those involved in thus violating
the Principle.

And Thats The Truth

Teresa R. Tunay, OCDS

THE Gospel story of the poor

widow donating all she had in the
name of charity comes alive for
me as Im reminded of a woman
named Camille, in our day and
age, who in her 70s did not hesitate to give her all because I felt it
was what God wanted me to do.
When Camilles daughter-inlaw who was diagnosed to have
stage four lung cancer decided
to go through chemotherapy she
pledged her moral and financial
support when the doctor recommended six cycles of the treatment. The doctor matter-of-factly
told her, If she does not get any
treatment shell be good for three
to six months. Camille had been
made to believe she would spend
about 200,000 pesos on the procedurewhich according to the
doctor could extend her life a few
more months.
Retired, Camilles only income

comes from the rental of her house

and her small SSS pension (which
is set aside for maintenance medicine), but her needs are simple.
Not at all rich but financially independent, she had been saving all
those years she was employed, living within her means, not having
either debts or luxuries, spending
wisely while preparing for old age,
the unexpected (illness) and the
inevitable (her own funeral). She
had life savings big enough to see
her through an emergency because
she did not want to be a burden
on those she would leave behind.
Hoping and believing that the
few more months the treatment
would add to her daughter-inlaws life meant preparation time
for the latter and the whole family,
Camille readily footed all the bills.
Its the price of compassion, she
would say.
After the prescribed six cycles of

Candidly Speaking

chemotherapy, Camille began to

feel the pinch because the bills had
run up to a millionfive times she
was ready for. And yet she prayed
Lord, all I have comes from You,
You do with it then as you please.
Thy will be done. The doctor
recommended another three cycles
of treatment.
Then Camille, on her daughterin-laws eighth chemotherapy
cycle, Camille fell ill and had
to be hospitalizedat the same
time the former was being treated.
Camilles illness, although alarming in its symptoms, was not
life-threatening, and she was sent
home after passing several tests,
but was told by her cardiologist
to rest from being a caregiver.
Otherwise you might go ahead of
your patient. Yet she continued
to provide for her patient believing God still wanted her to, until
the jars were empty.

Then the pinch turned into a

grip, like that of a strong hand
around her neck, as her daughterin-laws bills kept coming faster
than her credit card could recover.
Camilles faith was being tried.
When will the chemotherapy sessions stop, she would wonder. Her
savings had been drained, flowing
like water through her fingers.
Feeling worn out and powerless,
Camille was not certain anymore
if the Lord still wanted her to
go on giving. Whom would she
listen to: her cardiologist or her
daughter-in-laws oncologist? In
fact, she had asked me for a spiritual director to help her discern.
She asked, What more does God
want of me? I have given out of
love all that I had. What if I die
tomorrow? Does God want my
family to go into debt in order to
give me a decent burial? Now she
And Thats The Truth, A6

Media today

Fr. Roy Cimagala

THANKS to the wonders of the Internet, we
now have easy access to many things, among
them, newspapers, and magazines. We dont
have to subscribe to local and foreign papers
to be able to read them.
With this exposure, Im certain we are also
forming many views and opinions, and we
slowly discern the various underpinnings,
political, ideological, religious, and otherwise,
that the media outfits have.
I personally find it very interesting to compare opinions, styles, approaches, and see how
they play out. Theres a thrill always in observing the flashes of genius as different writers
argue and often clash.
Also I want to fish, even if only tentatively,
the different trends and biases the different
papers can have. These considerations always
shed some light on things to make them more
understandable.
Almost automatically, several categories
emerge in the mind as I instinctively try to
sort out, classify, brand, and label the different positions. Among these categories are the

conservative/liberal, right/left, open-minded/

close-minded, serious/commercialized.
With all these developments, we need to pay
more attention to what is fundamentally important to those involved in the media. What
is clear is that everyone in the media, just like
everybody else, should realize very sharply our
need for continuing formation.
This need cannot be set aside, much less,
alienated. This is the lifeblood of our profession, as it is in any other profession. Anyone
who marginalizes the need for formation in his
work is doomed to stagnate, if not fail miserably.
And formation should not just be some
vague and generic term. It should strike us as
something urgent, and with many concrete
elements that need to be attended to.
For example, people in media should know
how to attain greater independence and gain
better objectivity, how to adapt to a fastchanging world driven by technologies that
develop quite speedily these days, etc.
These are some concerns that need to be
looked into if we in the media wish to really

serve the people and contribute to the common good.

We have to be sensitive to subtle tricks, personal, social, and cultural, that can warp the
integrity of our profession. These tricks are a
constant threat. We cannot be nave.
It would be good if we could have an inventory of biases and other conditionings that can
affect our work. Some of them are unavoidable,
but at least if we are aware of them, we can do
something about them.
We have to be wary that unless we simply
content ourselves with catering only to the
ignorant and the impressionable, we need to
improve our competence to satisfy the legitimate expectations of a more demanding and
discerning audience.
But before we start thinking of what new
style and techniques to learn to attain this goal,
we have to remember one basic, indispensable requirement, one that needs continuing
renewal and purification, given the condition
of our life and work.
Candidly Speaking, A7

CBCP Monitor

OPINION A5

November 9 - 22, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 23

ALDUBbing Values

Whatever

Fr. Francis Ongkingco

WEVE done it again! The Philippines has once more hit the global
trending limelight as it becomes a
Twitter worldwide phenomenon
with ALDUB! BBC called it The
Most Popular Show You Have
Never Heard Of because its more
popular in the Philippines than
any other part of the globe.
ALDUB, according to BBC,
smashingly dethroned Brazils
2014 Twitter record for its victory
over Germany during the World
Cup. The British channel continued to analyze the elements that
made this simple scripted snippet
go viral and now media-lucrative.
Personally, I believe what makes
it a socio-cyber media success
is the simplicity of the quasiscripted romantic sad-turnedinto-a-happy affair. It is spiced
with the common ingredient
of Filipino humor and slapstick
that is always welcomed as a brief
sought-for respite for the nerves of
our politically-socially and traffic
jammed countrymen.
Then it mixes this romantic
comedy with the sought-after
kilig effect (Literally: to tickle the
emotions) that every human relationship naturally has. Finally,
it sprinkles the entire concoction
with a very basic moral lesson: Getting into a Real Relationship 101.
Pretty much up to this point,
one can say that the romantic
vignette is an entertaining and a
good vehicle to remind ourselves,-especially the youth--how certain
values are important to consider
if they wish their own future relationships to be meaningful and
lasting.
However, as I thought more

about this, I started having my

doubts about the effectiveness of
how the show effectively communicates values and if its message
is really forged into firm convictions in the minds and hearts of
our youth.
The reflection that follows is not
an attempt to dishearten ALDUB
fans the world over. Nor does it
seek to discredit the good intentions of the producers behind the
show. Perhaps, my point is better understood in the following
scenario:
DAUGHTER: Mom, Im going out with Alec.
MOTHER: Okay dear, but
remember no holding hands, no
this and that, blah, blah, blah.
[Mother fixes her daughters collar and hugs her]DAUGHTER:
[Rolls eyes at her mom.] Ugh,
mom, youre so conservative!
What makes you think we going
to do any of that.
MOTHER: Remember ALDUB, honey! Just reminding
you.
[Mom kisses her daughter on
the cheek]DAUGHTER: You
dont have to worry, mom. Thanks
to ALDUB, I know how to carry
on with my relationship well!
[Daughter hugs mom and leaves
the house]
Of course this is totally unreal!
But in reality, how many parents or children would really use
ALDUB (or any show for that
matter) as a moral reference to
remind themselves and others
about treasuring and transmitting
values on courtship and marriage?
If at all, we may be witnessing
something that we could call the

Be Vigilant While There

Is Still Time
PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
signed into law Republic Act No. 9369 on Jan.
23, 2007 amending the election laws which
improve the election process and adopt systems
involving automated election system to ensure
the secrecy and sanctity of the ballot and voting, counting, consolidating, canvassing, and
transmission of election results and other election process in order that the electoral process
shall be transparent and credible and the results
be fast, accurate, and reflective of the genuine
will of the people.
Sec. 6 of R.A. 9369 enumerates the minimum system or functional capabilities of
AES while Sec. 7 provides that all electronic
transmissions from one location to another
shall utilize secure communication channels
to guarantee the authentication and integrity
of transmission.
As stated in the online petition of Facebook
Account of Change.Org, there are still doubts
in the minds of the voting public about the
legitimacy, integrity, and credibility of the 2010
and 2013 automated elections, especially
those involving flagrant violations of R.A.
9369 (Automated Elections Law) and related
election laws, and the outright removal and/or
effective dilution of the major security features
of the SMARTMATIC PCOS machines.
Those major security features are, but not
limited to the following: (1) Ultra Violet
Detectors (Sec. 7 and 13) It is intended to
prevent the use of fake ballots and the preloading of spurious votes into the CF cards;
(2) Source Code Review (Section 7) It is
intended to insure the integrity and credibility
of the automated election system by subjecting the source codes of the entire system to
independent review and forensic examination;
(Source Code is defined by R.A. 9369 as the
human readable instructions that define what

Fr. Carmelo O. Diola

ALDUBBING of values.
Dubbing refers to the process of voicing over the original
language with a local tongue so
that a foreign film or song can be
understood. Through this course
something of the original message
and cultural nuances are lost in the
translation.
In the case of ALDUB, we are
witnessing an attempt to make
the local culture understand
and rediscover certain values (i.e.
pertaining to love and courtship)
that perhaps, have been lost in
tradition. But how much of this
cultural dubbing is genuinely
capable of sending a lasting moral
lesson to viewers? Are fans, for
example, more inclined to live
these values that give meaningful,
lasting, and fruitful relationships?
We are not attempting to overanalyze or dissect the simplicity
and viral attractiveness of ALDUB. Lets just take it for what it
is, right? But I cant help reading it
as a symptom of traditions and institutions that are no longer properly functioning in our society and
how values are being neglected or
classified as morally and culturally
irrelevant for the times.
What are some things we can
read off from the ALDUB phenomenon?
First, more and more the familys role of nurturing and modeling virtues for its members is
being substituted by media and
other external mediums. There
is nothing really negative about
this, except that what is shown
in movies or TV will still be far
from reality unlike the virtues that
exemplary parents can teach and

leave as a legacy to their children.

Second, values can be communicated through countless creative
channels. But one cannot risk
losing the true essence of certain
values through mediums like slapstick, comedy, and reality shows.
There is a need to go beyond an
entertaining scheme in order to
transmit them.
These shallow attempts are a
subtle revival of our very own
infamous Juan Tamad (John the
Bum). The comical icon of laziness
in Juan was an attempt to arrest
the vice of sloth in the youth. But
in presenting him to be a funny,
happy-go-lucky and cool chap, I
believe my generation had a more
lasting memory of his foolishness
instead of the more important lesson on diligence.
How, I ask, can a people still
maturing in good governance
and battling constant bouts with
historical dementia (i.e. still
remember which EDSA is real?)
properly absorb and apply values
when these are sugar-coated and
comically transmitted? Undoubtedly, through such romantic snippets they may be aware of what is
good, but media cannot go so far
as to teach them how to be good.
Finally, ALDUB is staged within another show, Eat Bulaga. This
hosting show often has hot, gyrating, slut-wearing dancers who
constantly come in and out of
the stage and without fail steal the
limelight. With this, one wonders
how long will the faint glimmer of
romantic kilig lessons of ALBUD
on decency, love and courtship
remain faintly lit in the hearts and
minds of millions of viewers?

Duc In Altum

Atty. Aurora A. Santiago

the computer equipment will do.); (3) Voter

Verification Paper Audit Trail (Sec. 7) It
intended to assure the voter that his votes had
been correctly read and counted by the voting
machine; and (4) Digital Signatures (Sec. 19
and 20) It is intended to authenticate all
transmitted election results and prevent the
transmission of fake election results via unauthorized network intrusion or hacking.
The online petition stated that counting
machines must provide each and every voter
his voter a receipt which shall be dropped in
the old yellow ballot boxes, which after the
votes closed, shall be turned over to the local
representatives of accredited citizens arms or
the organized group for manual count and subsequent verification with the automated count
prior to the transmission of the election results.
It will be recalled that despite public outcry
to install those security features in the last
elections, both former Comelec Chairman
Sixto Brillantes and SMARTMATIC arrogantly, haughtily, and repeatedly refused to
act on these serious problems despite clear
and uncontroverted evidence and the filing
of numerous complaints before the Supreme
Court, the Joint Congressional Oversight
Committee on the AES, the Department of
Justice, the Ombudsman, and the PNP/CIDG
(Cyber Crime Unit) by different civil society
groups and personalities.
We call on Comelec Chairman Andres
Bautista that under his watch, the COMELEC
will implement the installation of the security
features in the PCOS machines and finally
listen to the voice of the people. Inaction on
the part of the citizenry will get us nowhere.
We only deserve the government that we have.
We, the Filipino people, must all be vigilant,
while there is still time (exactly 6 months to
2016 elections). Let us now act before it is too

P.O.G.I. (Presence Of God Inside)

late. Let us use social media to barrage not only

the Comelec but also the Executive, Legislative,
and Judicial branches of government to respect,
uphold, and protect our right of suffrage and
the sanctity of the ballot by providing us with
a totally transparent and credible system of
counting, transmission, and canvassing of our
votes this coming 2016 elections.
***
Erratum in my column last CBCP Monitor
issue: The Episcopal Installation (not Ordination) of Most Rev. Pablo Virgilio Siongco
David, D.D. as the new bishop of the Diocese
of Kalookan is on Jan. 2, 2016. Pope Francis
appointed him Bishop of Kalookan on Oct.
14, 2015.
***
The Diocesan Councils of the Laity and
National Lay Organization members of Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas (Laiko) elected
the 15 members of the Board of Directors
during its 19th Biennial Convention at Summit Circle Hotel at Cebu City. The Board
then elected among themselves the national
officers. Elected are Ms. Zenaida Capistrano
(National President), Dr. Ma. Julieta Wasan
(Executive Vice President), Engr. Victorino
Lahoz (VP for Ecclesiastical Province of Manila), Mr. Loreto Guinhawa (VP for Luzon),
Dr. Rene Josef Bullecer (VP for Visayas), Mr.
Edgardo Malay (VP for Mindanao), Ms. Rosalinda Basas (Secretary), Ms. Gertrudes Bautista
(Treasurer), Justice Maribel Liban (Auditor),
Mr. Glenn Barcelon (PRO). Directors are Dr.
Romeo Cruz, Ms. Amparo Lim, Mr. Raymond
Daniel Cruz, Mr. Rouquel Ponte, and Mr.
Albert Loteyro. Dr. Amelita Dayrit-Go (ExOficio Board Member). Their 2 year-term of
office starts on Jan. 1, 2016 and ends on Dec.
31, 2017.
Duc In Altum, A7

The Eucharist

Rev. Fr. Alan Gozo Bondoc, SVD

THE Eucharist is the source and

summit of our Christian life because we encounter Jesus Himself.
In the Eucharist, we experience
the healing power of Jesus. When
we are broken, it is in the Eucharist that He restores us. When we
are damaged and discouraged because of our past wounds, He lifts
us up and gives us hope. When
we are emotionally-drained and
fall into anxieties and stress, He
fills us with His assuring love and
renews us.
In the Eucharist, our soul is
satisfied with both the Word and
the Body of Jesus that we receive.
When we feel hungry and thirsty,
He gives His own Body and

Blood. When we are at a loss and

are confused, He gives us enlightenment and direction through
His Word.
In the Eucharist, we are always
welcomed and accepted by Jesus. When we feel rejected and
wronged, He comforts us because
for Him, everyone is welcome to
come. When we are tired, weary
and weak, He offers Himself to be
our dwelling place and solace.Our
constant contact with Jesus Christ
in the Eucharist will transform us
from woundedness to healers and
from hungerers to feeders.
My experience of the Eucharist
as a priest was all about becoming
available for God to be His instru-

Spaces of Hope

ment and becoming a channel of

His power--maging daluyan ng
Kanyang Kapangyarihan. He
works His miracle through me by
transforming the bread and wine
into His Holy Body and Blood.
In the Eucharist, we witness
Gods hands at work in us.
He is made real before our eyes.
He draws us nearer to Him.
He allows Himself to be seen
and touched.
He wants us to be part of Him
and Himself to be in us. Every
Eucharist I celebrate brings meaning to my life; it leads me to the
fullness of life, and gives my life a
certain newness.
Personally for me, the Eucharist

is more than just a celebration but

a Presence that I encounter. It is
not a ritual to be read but a Relationship to be nourished.
I remembered that it was in the
Eucharist that I heard for the first
time Gods calling to me to be a
priest. I was eight-years old then,
but it is within the Eucharist that
my priestly vocation story began.
The Eucharist became as though
my burning bush wherein God
drew me closer to Him.
In the Eucharist we give ourselves to God and Jesus gives
Himself to us.
Let us continue to offer ourselves to God in the Eucharist that
He may transform and bless us.

Our Journey Continues

WHEN Pope Francis concluded the Synod of Bishops in the Family
last October 24, 2015, he had this to say:
In effect, for the Church to conclude the Synod means to return to
our true journeying together in bringing to every part of the world, to
every diocese, to every community and every situation, the light of the
Gospel, the embrace of the Church and the support of Gods mercy!
This journeying together is a key theme in the apostolate of Pope
Francis. Benedict XVI had used the term pastoral accompaniment.
Pastoral accompaniment is most crucial in the on-going formation of
priests. If pastoral work is basically a journey of accompanying the laity
and the family, we ought also to agree that priests themselves should
also be willing to be accompanied. We cannot give what we do not
have. But who accompanies priests?--their fellow priests and the laity.
Pastoral accompaniment is a two-way street.
What good is a well-designed and even well-funded continuingformation program if priests do not want to be accompanied? How do
we form a mindset open to pastoral accompaniment? To answer this
question, we first need to identify facilitating and hindering factors in
promoting a mindset open to pastoral accompaniment.
***
One facilitating factor is seminary formation work which emphasizes
responsible freedom. In this set-up the formator is no longer seen as a
watchdog but rather a companion and the seminarian is held primarily
responsible for his formation. Hence, there are regular dialogues between
the seminarian and his lay and/or priest companion, in addition to
dialogues with fellow seminarians and people in the parish.
Another plus factor would be parish realities that reflect the larger
environment. Due to a variety of factors the lay faithful are now less
passive and more vocal and active, a recognition of their inherent dignity,
especially among the Millennials.
In todays world, the faithful, notwithstandng those who continue
to see the priests words as final, no longer just accept what priests say
just because they are priests. Many of the faithful want and need to be
convinced. This facilitates pastoral accompaniment since companions
are meant to be subjects of their destinies, not passive objects of the
clergys decision-making process. Modern means of communication,
which makes accessible so much information, add to this new reality.
A third factor is the example of two recent Popes, Benedict XVI and
Francis. By stepping down from a position of power (Pope Benedict
XVI) and by making himself (Pope Francis), in terms of his person and
office, accessible to very ordinary people, these two Popes courageously
and humbly show that the essence of power is service. Those who think
that the essence of power is control would not be comfortable with
pastoral accompaniment.
***
One can argue that the same factors can also hinder. These factors may
be perceived as threats and their values not internalized. A seminarian
who undergoes accompaniment in the seminary may just go through
the motions and just pretend. While an accompaniment relationship
in the seminary can certainly help detect such cases, the system is not
perfect and certain negative mindsets persist through time.
A second hindering factor is that upon ordination and subsequent
assignment in a parish, the priest may feel the overwhelmed by the
pastoral leadership position he is thrust into and develops, and merely
hangs on to, a coping mechanism that provides a line of least resistance.
After all, pastoral work requires certain knowledge, skills, and values. Of
course, seminary work is supposed to provide him with these qualities
but realities on the ground can be very disorienting and intimidating.
This does not even mention our brokenness and the debilitating effects
of sin in our lives as well as our blinds spots and group biases.
The priest then develops habits and ways that of proceeding not necessarily optimal for his new role. Then, once established, these patterns
of behavior become sacrosanct and should not be disturbed. This, upon
closer look, may actually be the best time to offer continuing formation.
At this point, too, there is a given formation program, i.e. the presence
and influence of older priests. Whether the latter have also slid into a
comfortable pattern of life that no longer is permeable to change or is
still open to contuinuing formation is something that influences the
younger priest in his need for continuing formation.
A third hindering factor is the emphasis on the vocational while
overlooking the professional dimension of the ordained priesthood.
While the vocational dimension is basic and certainly crucial, this also
demands professional advancement so to respond more perfectly to our
vocation and to serve the faithful better.
That the professional dimension seems to be lacking is seen in diocesan
set-ups which give little consideration to trainings and other professional
advancements of priests in their assignments, particularly in parishes.
I hope I am wrong in this. Hence, the system for assigning priests in
parishes may take just a passing cognizance of matching personal gifts
and their development with parish needs.
Is there room perhaps for a mechanism in the local church that looks
at continuing professional advancement? Or should we just continue
to rely on our being called and overlook that human means for selfdevelopment are also part of Gods plan?
***
There are many moments when pastoral accompaniment happens in
the life of the priest vis-a-vis the laity. A privileged and recurring moment is the preaching of the Gospel. As Presbyterorum Ordinis 11 puts
it, The People of God are joined together primarily by the word of the
living God. And rightfully they expect this from their priests. Since no
one can be saved who does not first believe, priests, as co-workers with
their bishops, have the primary duty of proclaiming the Gospel of God
to all...
One can argue then that effective preaching is the key success indicator in the clergys role as pastoral companions.
Before this idea is dismissed as being too narrow, we ask ourselves, Is it not true that when one preaches, many interconnected realities come to the fore? In other words, preaching is
not an isolated reality but stands and falls with other realities in
our lives. When one preaches, other aspects of life are involved:
how we pray, how we deal with people, what we read and study,
how we wrestle with the Biblical text, our priorities in life, how
we spend our time, etc.
Then when one gives a homily many realities outside of oneself are
likewise affected: parish life, parish programs, corporate worship, a
shared vision, creating a common parish language, etc.
All these come together in that moment when we give a homily.
In other words, the homily reveals our deepest selves and our multifaceted relationships. A homily is like an intellectual, emotional, and
spiritual thermometer. One can say that homilies are symptomatic of
the condition of our souls.
How much time and effort we give to preparing our homilies have
been masterfully mentioned in Evangelii Gaudium, sections 145-159.
I need to revisit it again and again if I am to become a better pastoral
companion.
***
With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the
right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we
are in... (Abraham Lincoln)

A6 LOCAL NEWS

November 9 - 22, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 23

Reform, A1

held at the Corcodia College in

Manilas Paco district.
On the frontline of the push
for the reform and development
agenda is the Archdiocese of
Manila-Commission on Social
Services and Development chaired
by Fr. Enrico Martin Adoviso.
We are gathered here not because our task is finished in managing the Year of the Poor. We are
gathered here because we want to
finish poverty which kills human
life.And it starts here in our 10
point-reform agenda, Adoviso said.
We hope that the government
will listen to the voice of the people, and we hope that the people
will support us as we lobby these

reform agenda, he said.

For his part, Fr. Luke Moortgat,
who heads of the archdioceses
Committee of the Year of the Poor,
said the agenda is in response to
Pope Francis call to bring love
and mercy to all the people with
a special attention for those who
suffer from injustice, disabilities,
mental illness, other long-term
diseases, and rejection.
We teach the poor the message
of Christ so that they will be filled
with hope and on their turn will
evangelize others, he said.
The closing ceremonies of the
Year of the Poor ended with a
medical mission and other services
for the poor. (CBCP News)

And Thats The Truth, A4

feels very much like the widow in

the Bible who gave her last two
mites, but in my case, God has
taken my only luxurysecurity
in old agemy last two million.
Reason will tell us that it makes
no sense to give away the little we
have without thinking of our next
meal. Something inside our head
will hiss: That poor widow who
gave away her last pennyshes
history, she cant do that today and
survive! In these hard times the
sane thing to do would be to first
make sure you have everything
you want before giving to others
anything you no longer need
whether they are outgrown clothes
and toys, coins you drop into the
collection plate, or million-peso
donations to charity.
But as the poor widows story
shows, it is not the face value of
the donation that matters, but the
well of love from which the donation springs. Jesus says the widows
last two copper coins are more
valuable than the big sums which
in reality are but loose change
for the rich givers, because the
former is given out of compassion
for the needier, while the latter is

donated to make the donor look

good in peoples eyes. Conversely,
thenif what matters is the love
from which we givemaybe even
our last two coins would be worth
nothing if we give them in order to
win the communitys praise, while
the millions we donate quietly and
soon forget about might become
more pleasing to the Lord.
Plumbing the depths of this
story (and that of Camilles) may
yet lead us to another layer of
truthit is not just about the size
of or our gifts or the love that accompanies it that God is opening
our eyes to.
I believe God wants us to realize that our donations and love
are His, only passing through our
hands. As Camille says, I could
not have given if I did not first
receive, and I could not shown
mercy if I was not known mercy.
Our giving is our Thank You to
our Giver and Lover. After we
give, God alone remains; it would
be sheer conceit to gloat over the
merit of our donationswhether
they be mites or millions. We give,
and then must forget that we did.
And thats the truth.

Agents, A6

vehicle of communitarian renewal,

of change, even for people who
refuse to believe in God, and those
who mock the Catholic Church.
We are all for them just the same,
he said.
The prelate went on to tell the
audience that if they wanted to see
what being BEC is like they should
look no further than the people sitting next to them, saying each one
of them mirrors the Divine.
If you cannot see God in your
neighbor, you can never see Him
anywhere else. You have to see
Him first within you If you
cannot find the image of God in
your neighbor, its your problem,
not your neighbors, he explained.
Knowing God in oneself
According to Villegas, there
is no point in wanting to share
God to others if one has no prior
relationship with Him.
If you do not know God, how
can you imitate God? If you do not
know God, how can you follow
God? the prelate asked.
However, Villegas stressed that
the best place to find BEC is in
the family.
Where can we find BEC?
At home! The family is the first
Church. It is the picture of Gods
love, he exclaimed.
Moreover, he warned the faithful that when love is not discovered in the family, there is no hope
in encountering it elsewhere.
Trinity = community
According to Villegas, BEC
originates in a God Who is Himself a family, a community or
Communio of Persons: Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit.
Communio is directed towards missio [mission], solidarity
towards fellowship, unity towards
concern for all, one-ness towards
mutual responsibility, he added.
In conclusion, Villegas challenged BEC members to be a
Church of the Poor.
Every BEC should be a Church
of the Poor. It is not because the
Church has a duty to provide poor
people free with food, shelter,
and medicine. It means that they
are given a voice and are able to
participate fully in the life of the
Church, he said.
Noting that most of them are
adults, the prelate urged assembly
participants to do their best to
woo the youth.
Young people may not always
listen to their elders, but they
watch them and learn from their
example, he said.

Furthermore, Villegas invited

the delegates to try to reach out
and win back fallen-away Catholics, former Catholics who now
profess a different creed and those
who reject religion altogether.
Talks, motorcade
Nearly 2,000 BEC members
from the countrys various arch/
dioceses are in Manila from Nov.
11 to 14 to celebrate the 50th
anniversary of the closing of
Vatican II and to take part in the
culminating activity for the Year
of the Poor.
This years 3rd CBCP-BEC Assembly is hosted by the Archdiocese
of Manila (RCAM) and its suffragan dioceses of Kalookan, Novaliches, Pasig, Cubao, Paraaque,
Malolos, Antipolo, and Imus.
Besides Villegas, other prelates
expected to grace the activities
include Cotabato Archbishop
Orlando B. Quevedo, OMI, Cebu
Archbishop Jose S. Palma, and
Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio
G. Cardinal Tagle.
Quevedo is set to give a talk on
Nov. 12, Thursday, entitled BECs
in the Philippines Thanksgiving
for 50 Years of Vatican IIs Spirit
of Renewal.
Palma is scheduled to preside
over the concelebrated Mass later
that afternoon.
Meanwhile, on Nov. 13, Friday,
Tagle is assigned to discuss BEC
in the Philippines: Responding as a
Community of Missionary Disciples
to the Challenge of Pope Francis to
be a Poor Church for the Poor.
In a statement, Fr. Amado L.
Picardal, CSsR, executive secretary
of CBCPs Episcopal Commision
on BEC, said that roughly 10,000
leaders and members of BECs
nationwide are predicted to join
the delegates in the culminating
activity at the Cuneta Astrodome
on Nov. 14, Saturday, from 12:00
noon to 5:00 p.m.
Motorcades from various dioceses and parishes in Metro Manila
will converge along Roxas Blvd.
near the Department of Foreign
Affairs, the priest added.
Among the personalities expected to share their talents during the
program are Jamie Rivera, Jimmy
Bondoc, and the singing priests
known as Priests in the City.
The Papal Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Giuseppe Pinto
will read a message from Pope
Francis to the assembly while
Tagle will celebrate the culminating Mass at 4:00 p.m. with
bishops and over 200 priests as
concelebrants.

CBCP Monitor

After Synod, PH bishops seek

to reach grassroots
THE Catholic hierarchy wants
to reach out and listen more to
Catholics views on family issues,
gathering information from the
grass roots.
A bishop said they want to follow-up the three-week Synod with a
conference to know the present needs
and concerns of Filipino families
so the Church could set up a more
comprehensive plan to address it.
According to Bishop Gilbert
Garcera, chairman of the CBCP
Episcopal Commission on Family
and Life (ECFL), the challenge
now is reinforcing the content of
the Synods final document.
What is important now is for us
to relay this to our people, reflect
on what really happened and find
ways wherein, in our context and
culture, we could respond to these
problems, Bishop Garcera said.
For this purpose alone, he said
the ECFL is organizing a postsynodal conference to be held in
Bacolod in February next year.
Garcera was among the seven
Filipino delegates to the Synod
that discussed how the Church

can better serve families and those

in difficulty.
Healthy decentralization
According to him, the conference is a way of heeding Pope
Francis call for healthy decentralization of power in the Church.
During a ceremony to mark the
50th anniversary of the Synod of
Bishops at the Vatican on Oct. 17,
the Pope urged for a greater role of
the laity and for bishops conferences to iron out certain problems.
So one thing very important
is to relay this to our people for
them to reflect and organize more
workshops so that we could come
up with a response, Garcera said.
Research
And to better support and
accompany families, the prelate
emphasized the need for research
and updated records in the parish
churches.
He said among the vital information needed include statistics
and identifying unmarried couples, model families, couples who

Bishop Gilbert Garcera, chairman of the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Family and
Life (ECFL). ROY LAGARDE

are separated, and even families

with homosexuals.
How can we help the families
if you dont have these basic data?
he asked.
Role of BEC
For Archbishop Romulo Valles
of Davao who also joined the
Synod, the family apostolate must
reach the parishes and the Basic
Ecclesial Communities (BEC).

In Davao, we will make sure

that there is a contact person on
family and life in every BEC.
This will be a lot of work but Im
confident because we have the
network down to the grassroots,
said Valles, CBCP Vice President.
He added: More things are
needed to be done and you cannot
just look at the family today the
way you look at them years ago.
(Roy Lagarde / CBCPNews)

Churchs Yolanda rehabilitation work unique priest

A CATHOLIC priest takes pride in the fact
that the Church is second to none when it
comes to helping Yolanda survivors get back
on their feet.
Our emergency response is like no other.
We focus on the nine dioceses that had received the brunt of the typhoon And we
choose the poorest of the poor. This is what we
call service, said Fr. Edu Gariguez, executive
secretary of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP)s National
Secretariat for Social Action (NASSA)/Caritas
Philippines, in an interview at a Yolanda
second-year commemoration exhibit in Cebu.
According to the priest, many non-government organizations (NGOs) pick only one
area they wish to help, lamenting that they
tend to concentrate on relief work.
More than relief
But it should not stop there. They must
go beyond mere relief and push through early
recovery and eventual rehabilitation. This is
the more humane way of helping, he stressed.
Gariguez pointed out that the Catholic
Church in the Philippines, through NASSA/
Caritas Philippines and its sister organizations,
has already reached at least 1.8 million people,
or 20 percent of the total affected population
in the 9 provinces worst-hit by Yolanda.
We do not just construct shelters. We

build lives. We come out with programs that

covers everything from livelihood down to
ecosystem recovery, he added.
These Caritas Internationalis Member
Organizations (CIMOs) are also carrying
out Yolanda rehabilitation programs either
directly or through bilateral programs with
affected dioceses.
These include:
Caritas UK (CAFOD)
Caritas Spain
Caritas Austria
Caritas USA (Catholic Relief Services)
Caritas Germany
Caritas Italiana
Caritas Switzerland
Caritas Czech
Caritas Netherlands (Cordaid)
Caritas Canada (Development & Peace)
Caritas Belgium
Caritas Luxembourg
CHARIS Singapore
Php 3.29 B
Gariguez went on to share that the total
funding cost for the overall Caritas response
now amounts to Php 3.29 billion.
Meanwhile, NASSA/Caritas Philippines
ongoing three-year rehabilitation program
for typhoon survivors called #REACHPhilippines, in partnership with the nine Yolanda-

hit dioceses, zooms in on the provision of

disaster-resilient homes, installation of water
and sanitation facilities, hygiene promotion,
food security and livelihood assistance and
trainings, community-managed disaster risk
reduction trainings, capacity building, community organizing and ecosystem recovery.
We dont only give food, but houses. We
have a livelihood component. We are only
living out the integral human development
which the Church teaches, he added.
Most massive rehabilitation program
#REACHPhilippines is reportedly the
most massive rehabilitation program led by
the Philippine Catholic Church.
To date, it has benefited as many as 955,000
people affected by Yolanda with funds
amounting to Php 1.22 billion.
A notable contribution of the beneficiaries
in the #REACHPhilippines program comes
in the form of sweat equity, which plays an
important role in ensuring a stronger sense of
ownership and accountability.
Moreover, transparent and honest spending is being practiced in all levels from the
national down to the diocesan social action
centers (DSACs) through regular financial
monitoring, evaluation, and auditing from
international auditing companies. (Raymond
A. Sebastin / CBCP News)

Survivors, A1

families in bunkhouses are already

complaining over the delay of their
transfer to permanent shelters.
Hundreds more are needing
assistance even for temporary
resettlement and livelihood.
Palo Mayor Remedios LoretoPetilla said that among her administration is giving priority on relocation including those who will be
affected by the road heightening
and tide embankment project,
along the 27.3-kilometer shoreline
from Tacloban to Tanauan.
She also assured of non-partisan
help from the local government
of Palo, one of the towns in the
east coast of Leyte province that
were hardly hit by the typhoon on

November 8, 2013.
Archbishop Du appealed on the
business sector to shun economic
opportunism which, according to
him, is unethical way of making
profit especially in these critical
times of need.
He warned, The Scriptures
cannot make this clear to us, it
is God who executes justice for
the oppressed, who gives food to
the hungry, upholds orphans and
widows, the brings the way of the
wicked to ruin.
He also challenged Yolanda survivors who became beneficiaries of
the generosity of so many people
adding, we should also be generous to one another especially those

who have nothing.

Let us also extend and join our
hands, our efforts and be one for
the sake of our brothers and sisters
who have not really recovered,
Archbishop Du said.
Encouraging the people, he
said, Whenever you feel tired and
see that the road seems so long and
endless, try to remember how far
we have already recovered.
Archbishop Du also emphasized
the need for every one to heed
what Pope Francis stated in his
encyclical, Laudato Si.
Never in our history that the
entire world had been drawn on
the more concerted action and
awareness regarding our respon-

sibility for humanity and Gods

creation, he said.
He added, The prevalent cult
of unlimited human power and
technocratic paradigm for development is now properly challenged.
Du also expressed hope that the
stakeholders in the society will
consider this in drafting the roadmap to social and moral recovery
and for the future.
Tacloban City and others towns
in Leyte and Eastern Samar also
held activities on Sunday to mark
the second year of the most devastating storm to hit the Philippines.
(Eileen Nazareno-Ballesteros/
CBCPNews)

Change, A1

through community-managed disaster risk

reduction (CMDRR).
The impact of climate change-induced
hazards is global, and cuts across all sectors,
regardless of gender, culture, economic or political position, but it must be recognized that
the impact is greatest on the poor, the most at
risk, and the marginalized, participants of the
CMDRR Summit declare in a Nov. 7 manifesto.
Cebu City Declaration
Besides the Catholic Bishops Conference
of the Philippines (CBCP)s National Secretariat for Social Action (NASSA)/Caritas
Philippines, the conference held in Cebu from
Nov. 6 to 7 was attended by representatives
of various Caritas Internationalis MemberOrganizations (CIMOs), Diocesan Social Action Centers (DSACs), government agencies,
and Yolanda-affected communities.
Given their disadvantage, CMDRR delegates stress in their Cebu City Declaration
that a plan of action on climate and disaster
risks must use community-managed disaster
risk reduction as the strategy.
They also point out that climate and disaster
risks should be viewed as a development issue, ensuring that adaptation, mitigation, and
disaster risk reduction measures are gender-

responsive, rooted in indigenous knowledge

systems, and considers the most vulnerable.
Empowering survivors
Building resilient communities is increasing individual and community capacity to
survive, bounce back, and transform the
systems and structures, empowering them to
have increased influence in policy advocacy
and actualization of plans to address the root
causes of disaster risks. Further, it highlights
community-managed disaster risk assessment,
analysis and implementation of disaster risk
reduction measures as the centerpiece approach
in realizing this, they explain.
In line with these, NASSA/Caritas Philippines and fellow development actors claim
their role in building on communitys voices,
knowledge, and expertise to speed up local and
sustainable disaster risk reduction measures
through systematic documentation, advocacy,
action, and good practice.
As such, they vow to push for policies that
will raise awareness and boost education and
training programs on the causes, effects, and
long-term forecasting of climate and disaster risks, and to link resources that will ease
knowledge management and transfer, research,
documentation, and capacity building.

Call for action

CMDRR delegates go on to recognize the
call for urgent action that considers proper
resources and processes that enable communities for resilience building, funding environmentally-sound technologies, and supporting
community initiatives in the sustainable use of
natural resources.
They further emphasize that climate change
adaptation and resilience strategies require
diversified approaches in social protection,
livelihood and income generation, savings
and insurance, shelter, water and sanitation,
and hygiene.
Networking at all levels is essential.
Communities must engage with governments, media, and other stakeholders to
work together to develop solutions. There
is a critical need for joint efforts. The role
of parish-based units such as the Basic
Ecclesial Communities (BECs) is likewise
essential in strengthening community organizations, they explain.
All actors are stewards. They must be accountable and transparent in its initiatives and
efforts in reducing climate and disaster risks,
and the devastation it is causing on natural
environments, they add. (Raymond A. Sebastin / CBCP News)

CBCP Monitor

DIOCESAN NEWS A7

November 9 - 22, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 23

Youre the hope of the

Keep on loving Tagles
missions priest to
silver anniv message to parish seminarians
SAN PEDRO City--Manila Archbishop Luis
Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle, DD encouraged
the faithful of San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish in San
Pedro, Laguna to continue reaching out to others in mercy, compassion, and love on its 25th
founding anniversary on Nov. 15 in a message
sent to the said parish recently.
When we are merciful and compassionate
we love. And this is what our faith is all about:
the love of God for us, our love for God, and
our love for others, especially the poor and the
powerless, said the cardinal in his message.
Your patron, Saint Lorenzo Ruiz, expressed
his love for God with the ultimate sacrifice of
his life. We, too, are called each day to give of
our life and offer it to others through mercy
and compassion, he added.
He also reminded the priests and parishioners about the Holy Father Pope Francis
constant message of mercy and compassion

which is based on Gods love for us, our love

for God and others.
Tagle said: I extend my warm greetings to
the priests and the parishioners of San Lorenzo
Ruiz Parish in San Pedro, Laguna on its 25th
founding anniversary. I congratulate you all
on the dedication/blessing of the altar of your
church. These are wonderful reasons to gather
and celebrate your oneness as a community
and your faith.
The cardinal also congratulated the leaders of
the parish and its constituents for the solemn
dedication and blessing of its new altar which
will take place within a concelebrated Mass on
the anniversary day at 9:00 a.m.
The prelate finally said may your celebration
lead you to greater love for God and greater mercy
and compassion for your fellow human beings.
Cardinal Tagles predecessor ArchbishopEmeritus Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales, DD

together with San Pablo Bishop Buenaventura

M. Famadico, DD and San Pablo BishopEmeritus Leo M. Drona, SDB, DD including
members of the clergy and guests will grace
the silver jubilee celebration of Erection of the
parish of San Lorenzo Ruiz here.
The main event and the crowning affair
of the celebration will be highlighted by a
concelebrated Mass at 9:00 a.m. at the San
Lorenzo Ruiz Parish Church to be led by Tagle
and Famadico together with concelebrating
priests. Drona will preside over the Holy Mass
at 6:00 p.m.
Church documents showed that the parish
of San Lorenzo Ruiz located at Pacita Complex
2A-Guevarra Subdivisions, San Pedro city was
declared a parish through a decree dated Novr.
17, 1990 signed by the late Bishop Pedro N.
Bantigue, DD. (Fr. Romy O. Ponte/CBCP
News)

GenSan hosts religious brothers convention

GENERAL SANTOS CityThe
Association of Mindanao-Sulu
Religious Brothers (AMSRB)
held its annual convention at the
Sarangani Highland Resort in
General Santos City from Oct. 26
to 28, 2015.
Thirty-two brothers from
seven different religious congregations came together to
enjoy one anothers presence
through sports and evening
socials where they got to share
stories informally.
Fr. Jomar Sibug, OP gave the input on the theme of the convention:
AMSR Brothers Waking Up the
World. He reviewed with the attendees the Apostolic Letter of Pope
Francis to all consecrated persons.
Sibug is the superior of St. Antoninus House in General Santos
City. He is also the promoter of
Missions of the Dominican Province of the Philippines and the

Spiritual Director of Our Lady of

Perpetual Help Seminary of the
Diocese of Marbel.
Those who were present during
the convention were from: Society
of Divine Word 1; Priests and
Brothers of the Sacred Heart 1;
Order of St. Benedict 2; Brothers
of the Holy Family 4; Oblates of
Mary Immaculate 4; Brothers of
the Sacred Heart 8; and Marist
Brothers 12
A week earlier, the regional
conventions of Visayas and Luzon
were held in Boracay and Batangas
respectively.
The Mindanao-Sulu Brothers are tentatively scheduled to
host the triennial convention of
the National Federation of Religious Brothers in the Philippines
(NFRBP) from Oct. 26 to 28,
2016.
The organization of this AMSRB assembly 2015 was under the

The Association of Mindanao-Sulu Religious Brothers (AMSRB) held its annual convention
at the Sarangani Highland Resort in General Santos City from Oct. 26 to 28, 2015. BR.
ROLAND PONTEVEDRA, SVD

leadership of: Br. Arnel Alfanta,

FMS (chair); Br. Roland Pontevedra, SVD (secretary and acting
vice chair); and Br. Romelito
Valen, SC (treasurer).

The group elected Br. Yohanes

Sismade, SCJ as the new vice chair
for one year to fill in the vacant position. (Br. Roland Pontevedra,
SVD / CBCP News)

Climate, A1

attitude on human society

and human lifestyle, especially the poor. We have
many problems on all four
fronts. But the Popes message is a message of hope. If
we confront the problems
in honest dialogue, and
act, there is hope for us in
coming together to care for
our common home.
In this context, we must
all do our part to act against
further global warming.
We call on our parishes,
our Catholic schools, our
politicians, our non-government organizations, and
our youth to support the
resolution of the National
Climate Change Commission of the Philippines to
reduce our national carbon
emissions by 70 percent by
2030.
While we urge the Climate Change Commission
to further clarify how this

admirable goal might be

actually achieved, we are
happy to join our Catholic
youth groups and young
environmentalists [#NowPH] in recommending
fifteen concrete ways to
combat global warming:
Grow a tree.
Switch off and unplug.
Good bye plastic
Segregate
Reduce, reuse and recycle
No to burning of wastes
Promote renewable energy
Bring your own tumbler
Use energy efficient appliances
Walk, bike or carpool
Recycle electronics and
batteries
Environmental and energy awareness
Save water: use pail, dipper and cups
Think before you print
Support earth products

With Pope Francis Laudato Si, I would like to

further suggest that as the
UN Forum on Climate
Change nears, we renew
our relation with our Father
in heaven who created our
world not just as nature
for unthinking economic
exploitation, but as a gift
of his loving goodness for
us to cherish and preserve;
that we examine our lifestyles to see how they may
have been intertwined with
customs and the use of
products which contribute inexorably to global
warming, e.g., our over
dependence on motorized
vehicles, our increasing dependence on air conditioners; that we appreciate how
global warming, the loss of
our forests, the unmitigated
pollution of our surface
waters and aquifers, and
the increasingly violent ex-

treme weather occurrences

adversely affect especially
our poor.
With Pope Francis, let
me conclude by inviting all
to a Prayer for Our Earth:
All powerful God, you
are present in the whole
universe and in the
smallest of your
creatures. You embrace
with your tenderness all
that exists. Pour out upon
us the power of your love,
that we may protect life
and beauty. Fill us with
peace, that we may live
as brothers and sisters,
harming no one.
O God of the poor, help
us to rescue the abandoned
and forgotten of this earth,
so precious in your
eyes,Bring healing to our
lives, that we may protect
the world and not prey
on it, that we may sow
beauty, not pollution

and destruction. Touch

the hearts of those who
look only for gain at the
expense of the poor and
the earth. Teach us to
discover the worth of each
thing, to be filled with
awe and contemplation,
to recognize that we are
profoundly united with
every creature As we journey towards your infinite
light. We thank you for
being with us each day.
Encourage us, we pray, in
our struggle for justice,
love and peace.
Laudato Si, 246
From Catholic Bishops
Conference of the Philippines, November 11, 2015
(Sgd)+SOCRATES
B. VILLEGAS
Archbishop of
Lingayen Dagupan
CBCP President

Peace Zones, A1

Caught in the crossfire

The church official deplored the
deterioration of the situation of
Lumad communities in Mindanao, and said that it is alarming that
some of them have been killed.
Cardinal Orlando Quevedo
earlier said many Lumads have
been forced to flee their communities as a result of ideological
conflict between the military and
the New Peoples Army, NDFs
armed wing.
When the NPA go to their
communities, they either recruit
or train and so forth. And the
military goes in to prevent NPA
of doing that, so the Lumads are

caught in the crossfire of this ideological conflict, he said.

According to him, it is very
important to emphasize other
circumstances behind the human
rights abuses committed against
the indigenous peoples.
I hope that our Lumads will
realize that they have to discern
for themselves that they have
to look at their situation and to
find out who is taking advantage
of them, Quevedo said.
Hundreds of Lumads arrived
in Manila last month to call on
the government to act against the
killings of indigenous peoples and
stop the militarization of their

communities.
Lumad is the umbrella term
for multiple different indigenous
communities in Southern Philippines.
Pull-out of military
Tagle said attaining peace
means pulling the government
forces out of the tribal communities and dismantling paramilitary
groups, including the MagahatBagani.
Members of the MagahatBagani paramilitary group were allegedly involved in the slayings of
Lumad leaders in Surigao del Sur.
Let justice reign and for the

authorities to hold accountable

those behind in the killings of the
Lumad leaders, Tagle added.
The cardinal, along with some
priests and nuns, also brought
food and water and gave financial
aid to the Lumads.
He also said that his position on
the Lumad issue reflects the stand
of many bishops, particularly
those based in Southern Philippines.
Lets do everything that we
can [so] our Lumad people can
return home and into their ancestral lands safely and peacefully, he said. (Roy Lagarde /
CBCPNews)

Ivory, A1

blessing any new statue, image or object of

devotion made or crafted from such material
as ivory or similar body parts of endangered
or protected, nor shall such new statues or
images be used as objects of veneration in
any of our churches, Villegas said.
I propose to my brother bishops to enforce the directive that no donation of any
new statue or religious object made from
ivory or materials extracted, taken or derived
from protected and endangered species shall
be accepted and blessed, he said.
In his recent encyclical on the environment, Pope Francis has warned against unprecedented destruction of ecosystems by a
world that commodifies and exploits nature.
Villegas said the ivory trade and poaching,

Missionary Society of the Philippines (MSP) Bursar General Fr. Rommel Cruz at an MSP
thanksgiving dinner on Oct. 11 at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club in Mandaluyong
City. JOHN FRANCES FUENTES

MANDALUYONG City--An official of the Missionary Society of

the Philippines (MSP) reminded
the seminarians of the society that
they are the hope and future of
the missionary endeavors of the
Church.
You are the pillar of the mission, MSP Bursar General Fr.
Rommel Cruz told the seminarians during the MSPs thanksgiving
dinner on Oct. 11 for 50 years of
doing mission in the country and
in the different parts of the world.
According to the priest, whenever an areas MSP priest gets
reassigned to another assignment,
people would always, What will
happen to us? What will happen
to the mission? Who will replace
you?
The seminarians will be the
ones to continue the mission. The
mission of the MSP, said Cruz to
the benefactors and friends of the
MSP present at the dinner held at
the Wack Wack Golf and Country
Club in Mandaluyong City.
I believe in the purity of their
hearts, he said, adding that the
seminarians have pure hearts that
is why they submitted themselves
to seminary formations rigorous
training in the preparation for the
priesthood and missionary work

outside the Philippines.

The Bursar General also asked
them to pray for more young men
who will join the MSP so they can
serve more areas where missionaries are needed.
Through your help and
through your prayers, the mission
will continue. More seminarians
means more mission, he added.
The MSP, which was established
by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP)
in 1965 in gratitude for the gift
of the mission done by foreign
missionaries before, houses their
seminarians in a 40 year-old seminary in Tagaytay.
Our seminary is already dilapidated and we fear for the safety of
our seminarians staying there,
Cruz told the congregation.
He said the thanksgiving dinner
is one way of raising funds for
the putting up of a new seminary
building in the same location to
replace the old one.
The dinner was also the MSPs
way of thanking benefactors for
supporting MSP projects like the
ongoing construction of the Parish
of the Our Lady of the Abandoned
in Mandaluyong which is under
the care of the MSP. (John Frances
C. Fuentes/CBCP News)

Candidly Speaking, A4

This requirement hopefully will

give us a firm grounding, a sound
sense of perspective, a clear focus,
and sense of purpose. Its the understanding that our media work
is not just our work but rather is
part of the divine redemptive plan
for all mankind. We have to attune
our work to that context.
This is our usual problem. Many
of us still have the primitive pagan
notion that the business of communication is purely a human
affair, so completely personal,
private or autonomous that God
has nothing to do with it.
Or at best, that it is just a social
phenomenon, ruled purely by
some social consensus, with God
and His commandments playing
no more than a cameo role.
Of course, with this attitude we
become most vulnerable to all sorts of
pressures and temptations that certainly
distort the standard of justice and fair
play, of freedom and truth, etc.

Unaware of the divine character

and redemptive mission of our
work, we can tend to go in circles,
stuck in the mud of wranglings, selfrighteousness, and useless speculations or worse, prone to the tailspin
of frivolity, greed, and inanities.
This does not mean that media
work should be some kind of
sacred, rigid, and monolithic business. It can go mundane. It can
and should respect the legitimate
plurality of opinions proper of our
autonomous earthly affairs.
But when there is this awareness of the divine character of our
work, then the search for justice,
freedom, and truth can be pursued, hindered less by our tendencies to be shallow in thinking, rash
in judgment, rough in manners.
Even when there are conflicting
views, there will always be charity
in the discussions. Even when we
are having fun, we dont forget
God. This is our media challenge.

Duc In Altum, A5

The election was supervised

by the Committee on Elections
chaired by Immediate Past President and Ex-Oficio Board Member Atty. Aurora A. Santiago
with Past President Ernesto Burdeos and Outgoing President Dr.
Amelita Dayrit-Go as members
(Outgoing Board Member Engr.
Apolinario Carandang as alternate
member) while Laiko Outgoing
National Spiritual Director and
Outgoing Chairman of the CBCP
Episcopal Commission on the

Laity observed the proceedings

with Cursillos in Christianity Vice
President Sis. Goerth Bendoy.
***
We greet the Diocese of Kalookan clergy November birthday celebrators: Fr. Mhandy Malijan,OP.,
Fr. Octavio Bartiana, Fr. Rey
Amante as well as Fr. Luisito
Alambra who is also celebrating
his sacerdotal anniversary this
month. Happy Birtthday also to
my sister Victoria Santiago and my
sister-in-law Ma. Loreto Santiago.

Charity, A1

trafficking, and decimation of other endangered species is precisely that.

In the Philippines alone, he admitted that
endemic species are hardly cared for. And
on a global scale, he added, the problem is
nothing less than alarming.
Historical value
No matter the beauty of a work of art, it
cannot justify the slaughter of wildlife, the
use of endangered organic forms and lending a seal of approval to the threat posed to
biodiversity by poachers and traffickers,
he added.
Every instance of beauty is a reflection of
the infinite beauty of the Creator. We cannot, without offending the Creator, deface

his creation, Villegas also said.

On the other hand, the CBCP head said
old religious images and statues using such
materials may still be kept and used in respect to their historical value.
Those statues and images of ivory and
other analogous materials from protected
and endangered species already in use probably for centuries before the issuance of this
pastoral guidance, should be safeguarded,
and may remain in use for purposes of devotion and in recognition of their historical
value, he said.
In 2012, the CBCP had already emphasized that the Church does not condone
ivory smuggling and supports the international ban on ivory. (CBCPNews)

seasonal, Tagle said.

The Manila archbishop said
serving the needy is not a matter of
ideology, but a moral and spiritual
imperative.
Its not because we have a
political party to follow. No! This
is what our faith calls us to do,
he added.
The prelate also echoed Pope
Francis previous statement, saying
when a part of the Church becomes
worldly, it becomes just another
non-governmental organization.
Being a Church of the Poor is
not just a socio-economic project the Church is not only a

social work body, he added. This

is the big challenge that is stated
in the PCP-2 being the Church
of the Poor.
In the same occasion, the archdiocese also bared its 10-point
reform agenda for the poor.
The agenda contains certain
calls and petitions of the poor
sectors of society such as workers,
farmers, urban poor, fisher folks,
and women.
It also carried out calls from
persons with disabilities, youth,
elderly, prisoners as well as petitions for better social services for
the poor. (CBCP News)

A8 PEOPLE, FACTS, AND PLACES

November 9 - 22, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 23

Tagle graces
post-Synod
forum

Exhibit shows Yolanda survivors

resiliency, industry

Faces of survival: The Yolanda commemoration exhibit held from Nov. 6 to 8 at

the Ayala Center in Ceby City celebrated the resiliency of Filipinos and showed
the rehabilitation work done in the provinces worst-hit by the super typhoon.

Slippers made by Yolanda: survivors in the Archdiocese of Palo. RAYMOND A.

SEBASTIN

RAYMOND A. SEBASTIN

CNA

MANILA Archbishop
Lus Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle took part in
the Special Theological
Forum on the Synod on
the Family on Nov. 11,
Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to
12 p.m., at the Church of
the Ges, Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU),
Loyola Heights, Quezon
City, where he spoke on
the recent Synod.
The prelate from
Cavite has recently reprised his role as delegate
president of the Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of
Bishops on the Family, serving its 14th
installment from Oct. 4 until Oct. 25 at
the Vatican City.
Other invited respondents wee as follows: Dr. Mariles Borja (Department of

CBCP Monitor

Theology, School of Humanities, AdMU);

Dr. Jayeel Cornelio (Development Studies Program, School of Social Sciences,
AdMU); Sr. Mary Yunja (East Asian
Pastoral Institute); and Fr. James Gascon (LST-Center for Family Ministries).
(Raymond A. Sebastin / CBCP News)

AN exhibit showcasing the resiliency and

industry of Yolanda survivors opened
Friday, Nov. 6, at the Ayala Center, Cebu
City, in commemoration of the disasters
second anniversary.
Themed Faith, Hope, and Caritas, it
features photographs chronicling the past
two years of rehabilitation work in the nine
worst-hit provinces of the country, and
how survivors managed to recover from
the devastation wrought by the typhoon.
Gallery of recovery
These are: Leyte, Western Samar,

Eastern Samar, Cebu, Palawan, Antique,

Aklan, Capiz, and Iloilo.
According to Fr. Edu Gariguez, executive secretary of the Catholic Bishops
Conference of the Philippines (CBCP)s
National Secretariat for Social Action
(NASSA)/Caritas Philippines, the exhibit includes submissions by volunteer
photographers from the affected communities.
Trash to cash
Moreover, it displays recycled and
handicraft products made by survivors

like slippers, accessories, and bags, among

others, in line with the Churchs mission
to help them become financially independent and fully self-sustaining.
Organized by the NASSA/Caritas Philippines, in tandem with Diocesan Social
Action Centers (DSAC), and members
of the worldwide Caritas federation,
the mini exhibit is part of the ongoing
Community-Managed Disaster Risk
Reduction (CMDRR) Summit.
The exhibit is expected to run until
Sunday, Nov. 8. (Raymond A. Sebastin
/ CBCP News)

Free talk on Divine Mercy,

Cloistered Dominican nuns join Jubilee
Immaculate Heart set

year opening
THE Cloistered Dominican
Nuns of Queen of Angels
Monastery held a Holy Mass
to join all the other members
of the Dominican family
around the world on Nov.
7 to mark the Feast of All
Saints of the Order and the
commencement of the 800th
year anniversary celebration
of the foundation of the
Order of Preachers by St.
Dominic.
In line with the celebration,
the congregation announced
their upcoming activities for
the said 8th centenary.
According to Sr. Mary of

the Sacred Heart of Jesus, on

March 10 and 11, 2016, the
nuns will have a Holy Rosary
Pilgrimage with all the faithful
and the Dominican family.
The highlights of the said
rosary pilgrimage are Marian
exhibits, Eucharistic celebrations, Agape, and the living
rosary.
Along with our brethren
and affiliates around the world,
we are pleased to inform you
that His Holiness Pope Francis has granted the possibility of receiving the plenary
indulgence to all the faithful,
participating in the Jubilee

celebrations like receiving the

Holy Eucharist, joining in a
pilgrimage to the Dominican
churches and chapels, and
praying for the intentions of
the Supreme Pontiff, said
Queen of Angels Monastery
Prioress Sr. Mary Lourdes, OP
in a statement.
We encourage and invite
all of the faithful to be one
with us in celebrating this
significant milestone as well
as the grace of Gods love and
mercy in this year of the great
Jubilee, Sr. Mary of the Sacred
Heart of Jesus said.
At the heart of the Jubilee

is the attentive listening to the

Spirit of God for collective and
personal renewal, she added.
The Order of Preachers will
celebrate its 800th founding
anniversary or the approval of
the Order by Pope Honorius
III.
The Jubilee Year, themed
Sent to preach the Gospel,
will be celebrated from Nov. 7,
2015 (Feast of All Dominican
Saints) to Jan. 21, 2017 (the
date of the second Bull of
confirmation of the Order of
Pope Honorius III). (Myraine
Carluen Policarpio / CBCP
News)

K of C council offers 1st aid at La Loma cemetery

Fr. Omer Prieto. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

THE Diocese of Cubaos Formation

Ministry invites the public to take part in
a Year of Mercy-inspired gathering that
will reflect on the link between the Divine
Mercy devotion and the consecration to
the Immaculate Heart of Mary on Nov.
14, Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., 3/F
Chancery Building, Diocese of Cubao,
Lantana St. cor. New York St., Cubao,
Quezon City.
Convergence
As we look forward to several celebrations coming up in the Church, I could
sense a certain convergence. I find the
Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy very
timely, considering that we in the Philippines will be celebrating the Year of the
Eucharist and the Family in 2016, shared
Fr. Omer Prieto, a Marian speaker and
retreat master for the laity, religious, and
the clergy both here in the Philippines
and overseas.
According to him, the celebration
echoes the theme chosen for the 51st International Eucharistic Congress in January: Christ in You, the Hope for Glory.
Prieto noted this pertains specifically to
a new indwelling of Christ in us realized

through consecration to the Immaculate

Heart of Mary and made possible by
Gods Mercy.
Way to glory
Themed Divine Mercy, Our Way to
Glory, the free event is part of the formation series on Living Our Consecration
to the Immaculate Heart of Mary begun
by the Diocese of Cubao in line with the
call of the Catholic Bishops Conference
of the Philippines (CBCP) to live out the
consecration to the Immaculate Heart in
June 8, 2013.
This year, it aims to prepare the faithful spiritually for the forthcoming 51st
International Eucharistic Congress (IEC)
to be held in Cebu in Jan. 2016.
While the event is open to all, participants are encouraged to bring their own
lunch.
The Sacrament of Confession will be
available in the morning and Anticipated
Sunday Mass will be celebrated to end
the activity.
For inquiries, interested parties are
advised to contact: 0916-4350-392 or
(02) 505-78-25. (Raymond A. Sebastin
/ CBCP News)

KNIGHTS of Columbus Council

#12878 of San Jose de Agudo Parish put
up a first aid station on Sunday, Nov.
1 at the La Loma cemetery to address
emergencies that may crop up during All
Saints Day activities.
Aside from offering free blood pressure
check, we have also prepared some first
aid medicines just in case anyone in the
area will need them, said council Grand
Knight Conrad D. Mercado, describing
the project which has been ongoing for
five years now.
Our members are also on stand-by
to help if any untoward emergency happens, he further explained.
This effort is to provide assistance to
individuals who flocked to the memorial
park to
remember and pray for their departed
loved ones during the weekend
With the support of their parish priest,
Fr. Ruben Maybuena, and KO2 District
Deputy Rommel Lopez, the council
and volunteers pledged to continue the
project.
We see the need for this charitable
activity during this time of year. And as
members of this fraternity, we remain
united in extending relief to our fellowmen, added Deputy Grand Knight
Teodorico C.

Knights of Columbus Council #12878 of San Jose de Agudo Parish put up a first aid station at the La
Loma cemetery, Nov. 1, 2015. CBCP NEWS

Aside from gaining public commendations, this particular endeavor of the KofC
San Jose de Agudo Council #12878 in
Caloocan City, has also received a Columbian Award and was featured in Columbia
Magazine in 2012.
More than receiving distinguished
awards and special mentions, we have
been doing this because we experience
joy and pleasure every time we manage
to serve a person who approached our
station, Mercado said.

On the other hand, the council has

been known for its various parish and
community programs which all exemplify
the orders four main principles: charity,
unity, fraternity, and patriotism.
Meanwhile, several other Knights of
Columbus councils nationwide have also
conducted their respective projects and
activities during the commemoration
of All Saints Day and All Souls Day.
(Myraine Carluen Policarpio / CBCP
News)

Relic exhibit highlights saints significance

Sto. Nino Mission Chapel Chaplain, Fr Robert Palencia, blesses the exhibition
of relics. MHARK DOMINIC M. MACARANAS

Day, a group of devotees in this city

launched a public exposition and
solemn veneration of the holy relics
of the saints, reminding the faithful
of their powerful witnessing.
With the theme I Believe in
the Communion of Saints the
Friends of St. Pope John Paul II
made available for public viewing
and veneration relics and memorabilia of 30 saints at the Sto. Nino
Mission Chapel in downtown
Iloilo City.
According to the custodian of
the holy relics, Mhark Dominic M.
Macaranas of the Jaro Archdiocesan
Campus Ministry, The initial exposition was timed in line with our
celebration of All Saints Day and
All Souls Day as well as the Feast
of the Sacred Relics which, based

on the old Liturgical Calendar, was

observed every Nov. 5.
Significance of the saints
Among the objectives of this religious event, Macaranas explained,
is to make the faithful understand
the true meaning and essence of All
Saints Day in relation to All Souls
Day and to redirect the peoples attention from the paganized Halloween to the veneration of the saints.
Macaranas observed that the
Church still has to do more to
educate the faithful on the significance of the saints in our time and
to introduce the vast array of holy
men and women whose examples
and virtuous lives are worthy to be
followed.
Friends of St. Pope John Paul II

In this task, the Friends of St.

Pope John Paul II would like to
help the Church in bringing the
people in closer contact with the
saints through their sacred relics and
in educating the faithful about the
value of the saints relics according
to the tradition of the Church, he
added.
The Friends of St. Pope John Paul
II was organized in Iloilo after the
relics of the newly-canonized Popes,
St. John Paul II and St. John XXIII,
where brought to the city for public
veneration on May 20 to 22, 2014.
John Paul II is known to be the
Pope who canonized and beatified
the most number of saints and
blessed, more than all his previous
predecessors put together.

Relics for public veneration

In a list provided by the Friends of
St. Pope John Paul II, the relics exhibited for public veneration in the
Sto. Nino Mission Chapel includes
bone fragments of St. Jude Thaddeus
and St. Vicent Ferrer, part of the funeral cloth of Blessed Mother Teresa
of Calcutta as well as sand from the
beach where San Pedro Calungsod
was known to be martyred.
The initial exhibit of the holy
relics started on Oct. 27 and will
conclude on Nov. 12, 2015.
In order to bring the more
people closer to God the sacred relics
will also be brought later, upon invitation, to parishes, schools, religious
communities and hospitals, Macaranas added. (Fr. Mickey Cardenas
/ CBCP News)

CBCP Monitor

November 9 - 22, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 23

PASTORAL CONCERNS B1

The Lord God made them all

Pastoral Moral Guidance On the Poaching, Trafficking and Decimation of Endangered Species
ALL of creation reflects the glory of
God, for it is true of all creatures great
and small that The Lord God made
them all. The human person is called to
share in the awesome work of creation,
not to deface it.
In his acclaimed encyclical on the
environment, Pope Francis points to
the relation between the defense of
biodiversity and Christian spirituality:
The divine Persons are subsistent relations, and the world, created according
to the divine model, is a web of relationships. Creatures tend towards God, and
in turn it is proper to every living being
to tend towards other things, so that
throughout the universe we can find
any number of constant and secretly
interwoven relationships.
This leads us not only to marvel at the
manifold connections existing among
creatures, but also to discover a key to our
own fulfillment. The human person grows
more, matures more and is sanctified more
to the extent that he or she enters into
relationships, going out from themselves

nothing less than alarming. More and

more species pass into extinction, while
we go on with our reckless ways, failing to see that we diminish ourselves
tremendously and probably imperil our
own future in the measure that we lead
other species to their doom.
Our Ethical Pastoral Response
The Catholic Church must do its
part.
I appeal to my brother bishops of the
Philippines to prohibit the clerics from
blessing any new statue, image or object
of devotion made or crafted from such
material as ivory or similar body parts of
endangered or protected, nor shall such
new statues or images be used as objects
of veneration in any of our churches.
Those statues and images of ivory and
other analogous materials from protected and endangered species already in use
probably for centuries before the issuance of this pastoral guidance, should be
safeguarded, and may remain in use for
purposes of devotion and in recognition

No matter the beauty of a work of

art, it cannot justify the slaughter of
wildlife, the use of endangered organic
forms and lending a seal of approval
to the threat posed to biodiversity by
poachers and traffickers.

The Global Context

On a global scale, the problem is

For the Catholic Bishops Conference

of the Philippines, November 4, 2015
+ SOCRATES B. VILLEGAS
Archbishop of Lingayen Dagupan
President, Catholic Bishops Conference
of the Philippines

Roy Lagarde

Our Local Context

The Church in the Philippines is very
concerned that not enough dimension
is given this very important aspect of
spirituality: respect for the will of the
Creator manifest in the diversity of life
and in the crucial role each plays in the
wisely balanced scheme of nature.
In the Philippines alone endemic
species are hardly cared for. Poaching
is rampant. Our seas and waters are
overfished. Wildlife is surreptitiously
traded because there are both buyers
and sellers.

of their historical value. I propose to my

brother bishops to enforce the directive
that no donation of any new statue or
religious object made from ivory or
materials extracted, taken or derived
from protected and endangered species
shall be accepted and blessed.
No matter the beauty of a work of art,
it cannot justify the slaughter of wildlife,
the use of endangered organic forms and
lending a seal of approval to the threat
posed to biodiversity by poachers and
traffickers.
Every instance of beauty is a reflection
of the infinite beauty of the Creator. We
cannot, without offending the Creator,
deface his creation.
All creatures great and small, the Lord
God made them all!

Thomas Breuer

to live in communion with God, with

others and with all creatures. In this way,
they make their own that Trinitarian dynamism which God imprinted in them
when they were created. Everything is
interconnected, and this invites us to
develop a spirituality of that global solidarity which flows from the mystery of the
Trinity. (Laudato Si n. 240).

B2 UPDATES

CBCP Monitor

CNA

November 9 - 22, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 23

Vatican City - October 7, 2015. A newly married couple and Swiss Guard at the Wednesday general audience in St. Peters Square on October 7, 2015.

Streamlining the processes for the

declaration of marriage nullity:
Understanding the Motu Proprio Mitis
Iudex Dominus Iesus (Part III)
By Fr. Jaime B. Achacoso, J. C. D.

Nullity of Marriage (cc.1671-1691),

shall from the 8th day of December
2015 be replaced in its entirety as
follows:
This Part III is a simple comparison
of the new canons 1671-1691 that are
supposed to replace the corresponding canons 1671-1691 of the Code
of Canon Law (the canons governing
the process for the declaration of mar-

riage nullity) by 8 December 2015.

I have arranged the existing canons
of the Code of 1983 (English) in a
column, with the corresponding new
canons established by the new motu
proprio (in their original Latin form
and in their English translation) in
another two columns. I have deliberately used the unofficial translation
by the Canon Law Society of America

(CLSA), despite the recent publication of the official Vatican translation,

for the simple reason that I think the
former is better English; hopefully
the official Vatican translation shall
be revised soon.
In the last and concluding Part IV
of this long article, I shall attempt to
synthesize the novelties of the new
legislation.

CNA

PREVIOUSLY, we had discussed a

hermeneutic key for the proper understanding of the new motu proprio,
which is supposed to innovate the
process for the declaration of nullity
of a canonical marriage (Part I); followed by another discussion regarding

the fundamental criteria that governed

such innovation.
As we saw in Part I, Pope Francis
solemnly declared what seems like a
sweeping innovation of the process for
the declaration of marriage nullity:
Having duly considered the matter
we decree and define that in Book VII
of the Code of Canon Law, Part III,
Title I, Chapter 1, Cases to Declare the

Vatican City - October 14, 2015. A newly married couple waiting for a blessing from Pope Francis in St. Peters Square during the Wednesday general audience on October 14, 2015.

CBCP Monitor

UPDATES B3

November 9 - 22, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 23

CIC 1983 Canons

Mitis Iudex
Canons (Latin)

Mitis Iudex
Canons
(CLSA English)

PART III : CERTAIN SPECIAL PROCESSES

TITLE I: MATRIMONIAL PROCESSES
Chapter I: Cases Concerning the Declaration of Nullity of Marriage

PART III : CERTAIN SPECIAL PROCESSES

TITLE I: MATRIMONIAL PROCESSES
Chapter I: Cases Concerning the Declaration of Nullity of Marriage
Article 1: The Competent Forum

Art. 1 - De foro competenti et de tribunalibus

Art. 1 The Competent Forum and Tribunals

Can. 1671. Matrimonial cases of the baptized belong by their

own right to the ecclesiastical judge.

Can. 1671, 1. Causae matrimoniales baptizatorum iure proprio ad

iudicem ecclesiasticum spectant.

Can. 1671, 1. Marriage cases of the baptized belong to the

ecclesiastical judge by proper right.

Can. 1672. Cases concerning the merely civil effects of marriage

pertain to the civil courts, unless particular law lays down that, if
such cases are raised as incidental and accessory matters, they
may be heard and decided by an ecclesiastical judge.

2. Causae de effectibus matrimonii mere civilibus pertinent ad civilem

magistratum, nisi ius particulare statuat easdem causas, si incidenter
et accessorie agantur, posse a iudice ecclesiastico cognosci ac definiri.

2. Cases concerning the merely civil effects of marriage belong

to the civil magistrate unless particular law establishes that an
ecclesiastical judge can investigate and decide these cases if they
are done in an incidental or accessory manner.

Can. 1673. The following tribunals are competent in cases

concerning the nullity of marriage which are not reserved to the
Apostolic See:
1 the tribunal of the place where the marriage was celebrated;
2 the tribunal of the place where the respondent has a domicile
or quasidomicile;

Can. 1672. In causis de matrimonii nullitate, quae non sint Sedi

Apostolicae reservatae, competentia sunt:
1 tribunal loci in quo matrimonium celebratum est;
2 tribunal loci in quo alterutra vel utraque pars domicilium vel quasidomicilium habet;
3 tribunal loci in quo de facto colligendae sunt pleraeque probationes.

3 the tribunal of the place where the plaintiff has a domicile,

provided that both parties live within the territory of the same Episcopal Conference, and that the judicial Vicar of the domicile of the
respondent, after consultation with the respondent, gives consent;

Can. 1673, 1. In unaquaque dioecesi iudex primae instantiae pro

causis nullitatis matrimonii iure expresse non exceptis est Episcopus
dioecesanus, qui iudicialem potestatem exercere potest per se ipse vel
per alios, ad normam iuris.

4 the tribunal of the place in which in fact most of the evidence

is to be collected, provided that consent is given by the judicial
Vicar of the domicile of the respondent, who must first ask the
respondent whether he or she has any objection to raise.

2. Episcopus pro sua dioecesi tribunal dioecesanum constituat pro

causis nullitatis matrimonii, salva facultate ipsius Episcopi accedendi ad
aliud dioecesanum vel interdioecesanum vicinius tribunal.
3. Causae de matrimonii nullitate collegio trium iudicum reservantur.
Eidem praeesse debet iudex clericus, reliqui iudices etiam laici esse
possunt.
4. Episcopus Moderator, si tribunal collegiale constitui nequeat in
dioecesi vel in viciniore tribunali ad normam 2 electo, causas unico
iudici clerico committat qui, ubi fieri possit, duos assessores probatae
vitae, peritos in scientiis iuridicis vel humanis, ab Episcopo ad hoc munus approbatos, sibi asciscat; eidem iudici unico, nisi aliud constet, ea
competunt quae collegio, praesidi vel ponenti tribuuntur.
5. Tribunal secundae instantiae ad validitatem semper collegiale
esse debet, iuxta praescriptum praecedentis 3.
6. A tribunali primae instantiae appellatur ad tribunal metropolitanum
secundae instantiae, salvis praescriptis cann. 1438-1439 et 1444.

Can. 1672. In cases concerning the nullity of marriage which

are not reserved to the Apostolic See, the following are competent:
1 the tribunal of the place in which the marriage was celebrated;
2 the tribunal of the place in which either or both parties have
a domicile or a quasi-domicile;
3 the tribunal of the place in which in fact most of the proofs
must be collected.
Can. 1673, 1. In each diocese the judge of first instance for
cases of nullity of marriage, for which the law does not expressly
make an exception, is the diocesan bishop, who can exercise
judicial power personally or through others, according to the
norm of law.
2. The bishop constitutes for his diocese the diocesan tribunal
for the cases of nullity of marriage, without prejudice to the faculty
of the same bishop to approach another nearby diocesan or
interdiocesan tribunal.
3. Cases of nullity of marriage are reserved to a college of
three judges. A clerical judge must preside, the remaining judges
can even be laypersons.
4. The bishop moderator, if a collegial tribunal cannot be
constituted in the diocese or in a nearby tribunal chosen according
to the norm of 2, is to entrust cases to a single clerical judge who,
where possible, is to employ join two assessors of upright life,
experts in juridical or human sciences, approved by the bishop
for this task; unless it is otherwise evident, the same single judge
has those things which are attributed to the college, the praeses,
or the ponens.
5. The tribunal of second instance must always be collegiate
for validity, according to the prescript of the preceding 3.
6. The tribunal of first instance appeals to the metropolitan
tribunal of second instance, without prejudice to the prescripts of
cann. 1438-1439 and 1444.

Article 2: The Right to Challenge the Validity of Marriage

Art. 2 - De iure impugnandi matrimonium

Can. 1674. The following are able to challenge the validity of

a marriage:
1 the spouses themselves;

Can. 1674, 1. Habiles sunt ad matrimonium impugnandum:

1 coniuges;
2 promotor iustitiae, cum nullitas iam divulgata est, si matrimonium
convalidari nequeat aut non expediat.

2 the promotor of justice, when the nullity of the marriage has

already been made public, and the marriage cannot be validated
or it is not expedient to do so.
Can. 1675, 1. A marriage which was not challenged while both
parties were alive, cannot be challenged after the death of either
or both, unless the question of validity is a necessary preliminary
to the resolution of another controversy in either the canonical or
the civil forum.

2. Matrimonium quod, utroque coniuge vivente, non fuit accusatum,

post mortem alterutrius vel utriusque coniugis accusari non potest, nisi
quaestio de validitate sit praeiudicialis ad aliam solvendam controversiam
sive in foro canonico sive in foro civili.
3. Si autem coniux moriatur pendente causa, servetur can.1518.

2. If a spouse should die during the course of a case, can.

1518 is to be observed.

Art. 2 -- The Right to Challenge a Marriage

Can. 1674, 1. The following are qualified to challenge a
marriage:
1 the spouses;
2 the promoter of justice when nullity has already become
public, if the convalidation of the marriage is not possible or
expedient.
2. A marriage which was not accused while both spouses were
living cannot be accused
after the death of either one or both of the spouses unless
the question of validity is prejudicial to the resolution of another
controversy either in the canonical forum or in the civil forum.
3. If a spouse dies while the case is pending, however, can.
1518 is to be observed.

Article 3: The Duties of the Judges

Art. 3 - De causae introductione et instructione

Art. 3 -- The Introduction and Instruction of the Case

Can. 1676. Before he accepts a case and whenever there appears to be hope of success, the judge is to use pastoral means
to persuade the spouses that, if it is possible, they should perhaps
validate their marriage and resume their conjugal life.

Can. 1675. Iudex, antequam causam acceptet, certior fieri debet

matrimonium irreparabiliter pessum ivisse, ita ut coniugalis convictus
restitui nequeat.

Can. 1675. The judge, before he accepts a case, must be

informed that the marriage has
irreparably failed, such that conjugal living cannot be restored.

Can. 1676, 1. Recepto libello, Vicarius iudicialis si aestimet eum

aliquo fundamento niti, eum admittat et, decreto ad calcem ipsius libelli
apposito, praecipiat ut exemplar notificetur defensori vinculi et, nisi libellus ab utraque parte subscriptus fuerit, parti conventae, eidem dato
termino quindecim dierum ad suam mentem de petitione aperiendam.

Can. 1676, 1. After receiving the libellus, the judicial vicar, if

he considers that it has some
basis, admits it and, by a decree appended to the bottom of
the libellus itself, is to order that a copy be communicated to the
defender of the bond and, unless the libellus was signed by both
parties, to the respondent, giving them a period of fifteen days to
express their views on the petition.

Can. 1677, 1. When the petition has been accepted, the presiding judge or the ponens is to proceed to the notification of the
decree of summons, in accordance with can. 1508.
2. If, within fifteen days of the notification, neither party has
requested a session to contest the suit, then within the following
ten days the presiding judge or ponens is, by a decree, to decide
ex officio the formulation of the doubt or doubts and to notify the
parties accordingly.
3. The formulation of the doubt is not only to ask whether the
nullity of the particular marriage is proven, but also to determine
the ground or grounds upon which the validity of the marriage is
being challenged.
4. If the parties have not objected to this decree within ten
days of being notified, the presiding judge or ponens is, by a new
decree, to arrange for the hearing of the case.

2. Praefato termino transacto, altera parte, si et quatenus, iterum

monita ad suam mentem ostendendam, audito vinculi defensore,
Vicarius iudicialis suo decreto dubii formulam determinet et decernat
utrum causa processu ordinario an processu breviore ad mentem cann.
1683-1687 pertractanda sit. Quod decretum partibus et vinculi defensori
statim notificetur.
3. Si causa ordinario processu tractanda est, Vicarius iudicialis,
eodem decreto, constitutionem iudicum collegii vel iudicis unici cum
duobus assessoribus iuxta can. 1673, 4 disponat.
4. Si autem processus brevior statutus est, Vicarius iudicialis agat
ad normam can. 1685.

2. After the above-mentioned deadline has passed, and after

the other party has been
warned to express his or her views if and insofar as necessary,
and after the defender of the bond has been heard, the judicial
vicar is to determine by his decree the formula of the doubt and
is to decide whether the case is to be treated with the ordinary
process or with the briefer process according to cann. 1683-1687.
This decree is to be communicated immediately to the parties and
the defender of the bond.

5. Formula dubii determinare debet quo capite vel quibus capitibus

nuptiarum validitas impugnetur.

3. If the case must be treated with the ordinary process, the

judicial vicar, by the same decree, is to arrange the constitution
of a college of judges or of a single judge with two
assessors according to can. 1673, 4.

Can. 1677, 1. Defensori vinculi, partium patronis et, si in iudicio sit,

etiam promotori iustitiae ius est:

4. If the briefer process is established, however, the judicial

vicar proceeds according to the norm of can. 1685.

1 examini partium, testium et peritorum adesse, salvo praescripto

can. 1559;

5. The formula of the doubt must determine by which ground

or grounds the validity of
the marriage is challenged.

2 acta iudicialia, etsi nondum publicata, invisere et documenta a

partibus producta recognoscere.
2. Examini, de quo in 1, n. 1, partes assistere nequeunt.

Can. 1677, 1. The defender of the bond, the legal representatives

of the parties, and also the promoter of justice, if involved in the
trial, have the following rights:

Continued on the next page

B4 UPDATES

November 9 - 22, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 23

CBCP Monitor

Continued from the previous page

CIC 1983 Canons

Mitis Iudex
Canons (Latin)
Can. 1678 1. In causis de matrimonii nullitate, confessio iudicialis
et partium declarationes, testibus forte de ipsarum partium credibilitate
sustentae, vim plenae probationis habere possunt, a iudice aestimandam
perpensis omnibus indiciis et adminiculis, nisi alia accedant elementa
quae eas infirment.
2. In iisdem causis, depositio unius testis plenam fidem facere potest,
si agatur de teste qualificato qui deponat de rebus ex officio gestis, aut
rerum et personarum adiuncta id suadeant.
3. In causis de impotentia vel de consensus defectu propter mentis
morbum vel anomaliam naturae psychicae iudex unius periti vel plurium
opera utatur, nisi ex adiunctis inutilis evidenter appareat; in ceteris causis
servetur praescriptum can. 1574.
4. Quoties in instructione causae dubium valde probabile emerserit
de non secuta matrimonii consummatione, tribunal potest, auditis partibus, causam nullitatis suspendere, instructionem complere pro dispensatione super rato, ac tandem acta transmittere ad Sedem Apostolicam
una cum petitione dispensationis ab alterutro vel utroque coniuge et cum
voto tribunalis et Episcopi.
[Old cc.1682-1683 have disappeared totally, since Mitis Iudex has done
away with the automatic appeal of the 1st Instance decision of nullity.]

Mitis Iudex
Canons
(CLSA English)

1 to be present at the examination of the parties, the witnesses,

and the experts, without prejudice to the prescript of can. 1559;
2 to inspect the judicial acts, even those not yet published, and
to review the documents presented by the parties.
2. The parties cannot be present at the examination mentioned
in 1, n. 1.
Can. 1678, 1. In cases of the nullity of marriage, a judicial
confession and the declarations of the parties, possibly supported
by witnesses to the credibility of the parties, can have the force
of full proof, to be evaluated by the judge after he has considered
all the indications and supporting factors, unless other elements
are present which weaken them.
2. In the same cases, the testimony of one witness can produce
full proof, if it concerns a qualified witness making a deposition
concerning matters ex officio, or unless the circumstances of things
and persons suggest otherwise.
3. In cases of impotence or defect of consent because of
mental illness or an anomaly of a psychic nature, the judge is to
use the services of one or more experts unless it is clear from the
circumstances that it would be useless to do so; in other cases
the prescript of can. 1574 is to be observed.
4. Whenever, during the instruction of a case, a very probable
doubt emerges that consummation of the marriage did not occur,
having heard the parties, the tribunal can suspend the case of
nullity, complete the instruction for a dispensation super rato, and
then transmit the acts to the Apostolic See together with a petition
for a dispensation from either one or both of the spouses and the
votum of the tribunal and the bishop.
Art. 4 The Judgment, its Appeals and its Execution
Can. 1679. The sentence which first declared the nullity of
the marriage, when the deadlines ordered by cann. 1630-1633,
becomes executed.

Article 4: Proofs

Art. 4 - De sententia, de eiusdem impugnationibus et exsecutione

Can. 1678, 1. The defender of the bond, the advocates of the

parties and, if engaged in the process, the promotor of justice,
have the right:

Can. 1679. Sententia, quae matrimonii nullitatem primum declaravit,

elapsis terminis a cann. 1630-1633 ordinatis, fit exsecutiva.

1 to be present at the examination of the parties, the witnesses

and the experts, without prejudice to can. 1559;
2 to see the judicial acts, even if they are not yet published,
and to inspect documents produced by the parties.
2. The parties themselves cannot be present at the sessions
mentioned in 1, n.1.
Can. 1679. Unless the evidence brought forward is otherwise
complete, in order to weigh the depositions of the parties in
accordance with can. 1536, the judge is, if possible, to hear witnesses to the credibility of the parties, as well as to gather other
indications and supportive elements.
Can. 1680. In cases concerning impotence or defect of consent
by reason of mental illness, the judge is to use the services of
one or more experts, unless from the circumstances this would
obviously serve no purpose. In other cases, the provision of can.
1574 is to be observed.

Can. 1680, 1. Integrum manet parti, quae se gravatam putet, itemque

promotori iustitiae et defensori vinculi querelam nullitatis sententiae vel
appellationem contra eandem sententiam interponere ad mentem cann.
1619-1640.
2. Terminis iure statutis ad appellationem eiusque prosecutionem
elapsis atque actis iudicialibus a tribunali superioris instantiae receptis,
constituatur collegium iudicum, designetur vinculi defensor et partes
moneantur ut animadversiones, intra terminum praestitutum, proponant;
quo termino transacto, si appellatio mere dilatoria evidenter appareat,
tribunal collegiale, suo decreto, sententiam prioris instantiae confirmet.
3. Si appellatio admissa est, eodem modo quo in prima instantia,
congrua congruis referendo, procedendum est.
4. Si in gradu appellationis novum nullitatis matrimonii caput afferatur, tribunal potest, tamquam in prima instantia, illud admittere et
de eo iudicare.
Can. 1681. Si sententia exsecutiva prolata sit, potest quovis tempore
ad tribunal tertii gradus pro nova causae propositione ad normam can.
1644 provocari, novis iisque gravibus probationibus vel argumentis intra
peremptorium terminum triginta dierum a proposita impugnatione allatis.
Can. 1682, 1. Postquam sententia, quae matrimonii nullitatem declaraverit, facta est exsecutiva, partes quarum matrimonium declaratum
est nullum, possunt novas nuptias contrahere, nisi vetito ipsi sententiae
apposito vel ab Ordinario loci statuto id prohibeatur.
2. Statim ac sententia facta est exsecutiva, Vicarius iudicialis debet
eandem notificare Ordinario loci in quo matrimonium celebratum est. Is
autem curare debet ut quam primum de decreta nullitate matrimonii et
de vetitis forte statutis in matrimoniorum et baptizatorum libris mentio fiat.

Can. 1680, 1. The party, who considers himself or herself

aggrieved, as well as the promoter of justice and the defender
of the bond have the right to introduce a complaint of nullity of
the judgment or appeal against the sentence, according to cann.
1619-1640.
2. After the time limits established by law for the appeal and
its prosecution have passed, and after the judicial acts have been
received by the tribunal of higher instance, the college of judges is
established, the defender of the bond is designated, and the parties
are admonished to propose observations within the prescribed time
limit; after this time period has passed, if the appeal clearly appears
merely dilatory, the collegiate tribunal confirms the sentence of the
prior instance by decree.
3. If the appeal is admitted, the tribunal must proceed in the
same manner as the first instance with appropriate adjustments.
4. If a new ground of nullity of the marriage is alleged at the
appellate grade, the tribunal can admit it and judge it as if in first
instance.
Can. 1681. If an executive sentence has been issued, at any time
one can go to a tribunal of the third grade for the new proposition
of the case according to the norm of can. 1644, if new and grave
proofs or arguments are brought forward within the peremptory
time limit of thirty days from the proposed challenge.
Can. 1682, 1. After the sentence, which declared the nullity
of the marriage, has been executed, the parties whose marriage
has been declared null can contract a new marriage unless a
prohibition attached to the sentence itself or established by the
local ordinary has forbidden this.
2. As soon as the sentence is executed, the judicial vicar must
notify the local ordinary of the place in which the marriage was
celebrated. The local ordinary must take care that the declaration
of the nullity of the marriage and any possible prohibitions are
noted as soon as possible in the marriage and baptismal registers.
Art. 5 - The Briefer Matrimonial Process before the Bishop

Article 5: The Judgement and the Appeal

Art. 5 - De processu matrimoniali breviore coram Episcopo

Can. 1681. Whenever in the course of the hearing of a case a

doubt of a high degree of probability arises that the marriage has
not been consummated, the tribunal can, with the consent of the
parties, suspend the nullity case and complete the instruction of
a case for a dispensation from a nonconsummated marriage;
eventually it can forward the acts to the Apostolic See, together
with a petition, from either or both of the parties for a dispensation,
and with the Opinions of the tribunal and of the Bishop.

Can. 1683. Ipsi Episcopo dioecesano competit iudicare causas de

matrimonii nullitate processu breviore quoties:
1 petitio ab utroque coniuge vel ab alterutro, altero consentiente,
proponatur;

Can. 1682, 1. The judgement which has first declared the

nullity of a marriage, together with the appeals, if there are any,
and the judicial acts, are to be sent ex officio to the appeal tribunal
within twenty days of the publication of the judgement.

Can. 1684. Libellus quo processus brevior introducitur, praeter ea

quae in can. 1504 recensentur, debet:
1 facta quibus petitio innititur breviter, integre et perspicue exponere;
2 probationes, quae statim a iudice colligi possint, indicare;
3 documenta quibus petitio innititur in adnexo exhibere.

2. If the judgement given in first instance was in favor of the

nullity of the marriage, the appeal tribunal, after weighing the
observations of the defender of the bond and, if there are any, of
the parties, is by its decree either to ratify the decision at once,
or to admit the case to ordinary examination in the new instance.

2 recurrant rerum personarumque adiuncta, testimoniis vel instrumentis suffulta, quae accuratiorem disquisitionem aut investigationem
non exigant, et nullitatem manifestam reddant.

Can. 1685. Vicarius iudicialis, eodem decreto quo dubii formulam

determinat, instructore et assessore nominatis, ad sessionem non ultra
triginta dies iuxta can. 1686 celebrandam omnes citet qui in ea interesse
debent.

Can. 1683. If a new ground of nullity of marriage is advanced

in the appeal grade, the tribunal can admit it and give judgement
on it as at first instance.

Can. 1686. Instructor una sessione, quatenus fieri possit, probationes

colligat et terminum quindecim dierum statuat ad animadversiones pro
vinculo et defensiones pro partibus, si quae habeantur, exhibendas.

Can. 1684, 1. After the judgement which first declared the

nullity of the marriage has been
confirmed on appeal either by decree or by another judgement,
those whose marriage has been declared invalid may contract a
new marriage as soon as the decree or the second judgement has
been notified to them, unless there is a prohibition appended to

Can. 1687, 1. Actis receptis, Episcopus dioecesanus, collatis consiliis

cum instructore et assessore, perpensisque animadversionibus defensoris vinculi et, si quae habeantur, defensionibus partium, si moralem
certitudinem de matrimonii nullitate adipiscitur, sententiam ferat. Secus
causam ad ordinarium tramitem remittat.

Can. 1683. The diocesan bishop himself is competent to

judge the cases of the nullity of marriage with the briefer process
whenever:
1 the petition is proposed by both spouses or by one of them,
with the consent of the other;
2 circumstance of things and persons recur, with substantiating
testimonies and records, which do not demand a more accurate
inquiry or investigation, and which render the nullity manifest.
Can. 1684. The libellus which introduces the briefer process, in
addition to those things enumerated in can. 1504 must:
1 set forth briefly, fully, and clearly the facts on which the
petition is based;
2 indicate the proofs, which can be immediately collected by
the judge;
3 exhibit documents on which the petition is based in an
attachment.
Can. 1685. The judicial vicar, by the same decree which
determines the formula of the doubt, having named an instructor
and an assessor, cites all who must take part to a session which
must be held no later than thirty days according to can. 1686.
Can. 1686. The instructor, insofar as possible, collects the proofs
in a single session and is to
establish a time limit of fifteen days to present the observations
in favor of the bond and the
defense briefs of the parties, if there are any.
Can. 1687, 1. After he has received the acts, the diocesan
bishop, having consulted with the instructor and the assessor,
and having considered the observations of the defender of the
Laudato Si / B7

UPDATES B5

November 9 - 22, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 23

CNA

CBCP Monitor

Vatican City - August 19, 2015. A couple married for 25 years celebrating their anniversary at the general audience in Paul VI Audience Hall with Pope Francis on August 19, 2015.

Continued from the previous page

CIC 1983 Canons

the judgement or decree itself, or imposed by the local Ordinary.
2. The provisions of can. 1644 are to be observed even if the
judgement which declared the nullity of the marriage is confirmed
not by a second judgement, but by a decree.
Can. 1685. As soon as the sentence is executed, the judicial
Vicar must notify the Ordinary of the place where the marriage
was celebrated. This Ordinary must ensure that a record of the
decree of nullity of the marriage, and of any prohibition imposed,
is as soon as possible entered in the registers of marriage and
baptism.

Mitis Iudex
Canons (Latin)
2. Integer sententiae textus, motivis expressis, quam citius partibus
notificetur.
3. Adversus sententiam Episcopi appellatio datur ad Metropolitam
vel ad Rotam Romanam; si autem sententia ab ipso Metropolita lata sit,
appellatio datur ad antiquiorem suffraganeum; et adversus sententiam
alius Episcopi qui auctoritatem superiorem infra Romanum Pontificem
non habet, appellatio datur ad Episcopum ab eodem stabiliter selectum.
4. Si appellatio mere dilatoria evidenter appareat, Metropolita vel
Episcopus de quo in 3, vel Decanus Rotae Romanae, eam a limine
decreto suo reiciat; si autem admissa fuerit, causa ad ordinarium tramitem
in altero gradu remittatur.

Mitis Iudex
Canons
(CLSA English)
bond and, if there are any, the defense briefs of the parties, is to
issue the sentence if moral certitude about the nullity of marriage
is reached. Otherwise, he refers the case to the ordinary method.
2. The full text of the sentence, with the reasons expressed, is
to be communicated to the parties as swiftly as possible.
3. An appeal against the sentence of the bishop is made to the
metropolitan or to the Roman Rota; if the sentence was rendered
by the metropolitan, however, the appeal is made to the senior
suffragan; and against the sentence of another bishop who does
not have a superior authority below the Roman Pontiff, appeal is
made to the bishop selected by him in a stable manner.
4. If the appeal clearly appears merely dilatory, the metropolitan
or the bishop mentioned in 3, or the dean of the Roman Rota, is
to reject it by his decree at the outset; if the appeal is admitted,
however, the case is remitted to the ordinary method in the
second grade.

Article 6: The Documentary Process

Art. 6 - De processu documentali

Can. 1686. A marriage can be declared invalid on the basis of a

document which proves with certainty the existence of a diriment
impediment a defect of lawful form or the lack of a valid proxy
mandate; the document must not be open to any contradiction
or exception. It must be equally certain that no dispensation has
been given. When a petition in accordance with can. 1677 has
been received alleging such invalidity, the judicial Vicar, or a
judge designated by him, can omit the formalities of the ordinary
procedure and, having summoned the parties, and with the intervention of the defender of the bond, declare the nullity of the
marriage by a judgement.

Can. 1688. Recepta petitione ad normam can. 1676 proposita, Episcopus dioecesanus vel Vicarius iudicialis vel Iudex designatus potest,
praetermissis sollemnitatibus ordinarii processus sed citatis partibus
et cum interventu defensoris vinculi, matrimonii nullitatem sententia
declarare, si ex documento, quod nulli contradictioni vel exceptioni sit
obnoxium, certo constet de exsistentia impedimenti dirimentis vel de defectu legitimae formae, dummodo pari certitudine pateat dispensationem
datam non esse, aut de defectu validi mandati procuratoris.

Can. 1687, 1. If the defender of the bond prudently judges that

the defects mentioned in can. 1686, or the lack of dispensation,
are not certain, he must appeal to the judge of second instance.
The acts must be sent to the appeal judge and he is to be informed
in writing that it is a documentary process.
2. A party who considers him or herself injured retains the
right of appeal.

Can. 1689, 1. Adversus hanc declarationem defensor vinculi, si

prudenter existimaverit vel vitia de quibus in can. 1688 vel dispensationis defectum non esse certa, appellare debet ad iudicem secundae
instantiae, ad quem acta sunt transmittenda quique scripto monendus
est agi de processu documentali.
2. Integrum manet parti, quae se gravatam putet, ius appellandi.

Art. 6 - The Documentary Process

Can 1688. After receiving a petition proposed according to the
norm of can. 1677, the diocesan bishop or the judicial vicar or a
judge designated by him can declare the nullity of a marriage by
sentence if a document subject to no contradiction or exception
clearly establishes the existence of a diriment impediment or a
defect of legitimate form, provided that it is equally certain that
no dispensation was given, or establishes the lack of a valid
mandate f a proxy. In these cases, the formalities of the ordinary
process are omitted except for the citation of the parties and the
intervention of the defender of the bond.
Can. 1689, 1. If the defender of the bond prudently thinks
that either the flaws mentioned in can. 1688 or the lack of a
dispensation are not certain, the defender of the bond must appeal
against the declaration of nullity to the judge of second instance;
the acts must be sent to the appellate judge who must be advised
in writing that a documentary process is involved.
2. The party who considers himself or herself aggrieved retains
the right of appeal.

Can. 1690. Iudex alterius instantiae, cum interventu defensoris vinculi

et auditis partibus, decernet eodem modo, de quo in can. 1688, utrum
sententia sit confirmanda, an potius procedendum in causa sit iuxta
ordinarium tramitem iuris; quo in casu eam remittit ad tribunal primae
instantiae.

Can. 1690. The judge of second instance, with the intervention

of the defender of the bond and after having heard the parties,
will decide in the same manner as that mentioned in can. 1688
confirmed or whether the case must rather proceed according to
the ordinary method of law; in the latter event the judge remands
the case to the tribunal of first instance.

Article 7: General Norms

Art. 7 - Normae generales

Art. 7 - General Norms

Can. 1689. In the judgement the parties are to be reminded of

the moral, and also the civil, obligations by which they may be
bound, both towards one another and in regard to the support
and upbringing of their children.

Can. 1691, 1. In sententia partes moneantur de obligationibus moralibus vel etiam civilibus, quibus forte teneantur, altera erga alteram et erga
prolem, ad sustentationem et educationem praestandam.

Can. 1691, 1. In the sentence the parties are to be reminded

of the moral and even civil obligations which can bind them both
toward one another and toward their children to furnish support
and education.

Can. 1688 The judge of second instance, with the intervention

of the defender of the bond and after consulting the parties, is to
decide in the same way as in can. 1686 whether the judgement
is to be ratified, or whether the case should rather proceed according to the ordinary course of law, in which event he is to send
the case back to the tribunal of first instance.

Can. 1690. Cases for the declaration of nullity of marriage

cannot be dealt with by the oral
contentious process.
Can. 1691. In other matters concerning the conduct of the
process, the canons concerning judicial powers in general and
concerning the ordinary contentious process are to be applied,
unless the nature of the case demands otherwise; the special
norms concerning cases dealing with the status of persons and
cases pertaining to the public good are also to be observed.

2. Causae ad matrimonii nullitatem declarandam, processu contentioso orali, de quo in cann. 1656-1670, tractari nequeunt.
3. In ceteris quae ad rationem procedendi attinent, applicandi sunt,
nisi rei natura obstet, canones de iudiciis in genere et de iudicio contentioso ordinario, servatis specialibus normis circa causas de statu
personarum et causas ad bonum publicum spectantes.

2. Cases for the declaration of the nullity of a marriage cannot

be treated in an oral contentious process, mentioned in cann.
1656-1670.
3. In other procedural matters, the canons on trials in general
and on the ordinary contentious trial must be applied unless the
nature of the matter precludes it; the special norms for cases
concerning the status of persons and cases pertaining to the
public good are to be observed.

B6 REFLECTIONS

November 9 - 22, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 23

CBCP Monitor

The best way to prepare for the end of the world

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Mark 13:24-32 (B) November 15, 2015

By Fr. Sal Putzu, SDB

RUMORS and fears about an
impending end of the world are
recurring events, especially now
that man has developed and
stock-piled so many destructive
weapons.
Others see the end of all life
on earth as the inevitable result
of the ever-increasing pollution
and of the irresponsible exploita-

Gods plan. Thanks to divine

revelation, we know about the
end much more than science or
human pessimism can predict.
We know the essence of it, what
really matters: Christ, the Son of
Man, will surely come with great
power and glory to pass judgment on all men, and assemble
his chosen ones from the farthest
bounds of earth and sky. (See
Mk 12:26.)
The morbid curiosity of in-

tion of its resources.

In both instances, the end
is seen as a man-made result,
whether abrupt or gradual, and
with no saving dimension.
Somehow, Christ is left out of the
picture, and so are the realities of a
judgment and everlasting reward
or punishment.
A Christ-less end of the world
is not according to our Catholic
faith. It is not according to

dividuals and groups has often

indulged in detailed description
of destructions, sufferings and
horror. The truth is that no one
knows how the end will come
about, nor when. This is a secret
known to the Father alone. (See
the conclusion of todays Gospel
passage.)
What matters for us (and for
all) is that we should be always
ready for that reckoning day. The

Stefan Lochner

What matters for us

(and for all) is that we should
be always ready for that
reckoning day. The thought
of the end should fill us not
with crippling terror but with
a dynamic determination to
prepare ourselves for the
coming of the Lord.
thought of the end should fill
us not with crippling terror but
with a dynamic determination to
prepare ourselves for the coming
of the Lord.
And this preparation does not
consist in building radiationproof underground bunkers, or
in being launched into space,

away from the conflagration that

will engulf the earth. This is not
only a faithless way of viewing
the end, but a childish way of
facing such a decisive event.
We prepare for the end by doing
now as much good as we can, with
the right intention (out of love for
Christ), and to as many people

as possible, because Christ, the

judge, is already present in each
human being needing our help.
(See Mt 25:35-36.40-45.)
If we pursue now this type
of preparation for the end,
not only shall we not be afraid
of it, but we shall actually look
forward to it, eager to welcome

the Son of Man, to see him

personally and not just under
the sometimes disappointing
appearances of our neighbor.
That will be the day of the mutual
welcome: we will welcome him as
our Savior, and he will welcome
us into his kingdom as his dearest
brothers and sisters.

The features of Christs Kingship

ALREADY Herod the Great had make
a big blunder. On hearing that there
was a newborn king of the Jews, he felt
threatened, challenged in his greed for
power. And he ordered that heinous
slaughter of the innocents for which he
will always be remembered with horror.
(See Mt 2:16.)
In this respect, Pilate was wiser. He
did not see in Jesus any threat to the
Roman occupation. As far as he was
concerned, there was no case against
the harmless preacher/philosopher from
Nazareth who appeared to be interested
in the truth, rather than in political
power. (See Jn 18:38.)
Not that Pilate had understood much
of Jesus clarification that his kingdom
was not of this world. For him it
was enough to hear that Jesus did not
entertain any political ambitions . . . .
But for those who love Jesus and are
interested in the Kingdom he has been
advertising for three years, his answer
to the Roman procurator should be
intriguing. Jesus answer is an invitation
to reflect on the nature and demands of his
Kingdom. Whats this Kingdom, then,
which is so different from any other
earthly kingdom, empire or republic?
It is not identified by any visible borders. It has no taxes, no parliament, no
army . . . .
Gods Reign is a kingdom within. It
encompasses the whole person: body, mind,

Solemnity of Christ the King, John 18:33b-37 (B)

November 24, 2015

Antonio Ciseri

By Fr. Sal Putzu, SDB

Bo Sanchez

Bishop Pat Alo

SOULFOOD

ENCOUNTERS

How do you measure your wealth?

You will be surprised...

Prayer and change of heart

PRAYER will make us leave sinning,

or sinning will make us leave prayer.
Such a simple formula. If one goes
about doing his/her
best giving time
for the
things of
God, such
as Holy
M a s s ,
p r a y e r
meetings,
being tog e t h e r
with the
f a m i l y
o r o n e s
brethren,
then sooner or later, especially if one prays to
God for the grace, the person will
achieve the change for the better. This

heart. Nothing that is human escapes it.

And all men are invited to be part of it
all races, cultures, traditions, languages
can find in it not just a place but their
home.
This Kingdom will last for ever.
The splendor of its achievements and
the fulfillment of its program span
beyond the boundaries of time and
earthly decay. Gods Reign is everlasting. It shares in the eternity of its
Ruler, and draws its vitality from the
very Source of Life.
Founded on the ashes of a rotten
mankind, now made new by Gods
merciful love, this unconventional
Kingdom was established at the cost of the
life of the Kings Son. It advances irresistibly toward a final triumph, in spite of
occasional setbacks.
Its program and overriding concern
is the total and lasting happiness of all
humans. Its flag/symbol is a resplendent
cross; its fundamental law is love of God
and neighbor. Radical in its demands,
this law has a transforming power: it
can fashion frail human creatures into
children of the Most High, patterned
after Jesus, the First-born of the Fathers
family.
Such is the X-ray chart of the Kingdom rejected by the Jews and dismissed
by Pilate as irrelevant. For us, privileged to be part of it, this is the most
precious treasure man can ever dream
of--something to possess which we
should be prepared to lose everything,
including life itself.

change is what is called in Greek

metanoia, or a conversion of heart.
After all, what were after is really
a change,
but for
the better.
What else?
Christianity is not a
p a l a b r a s
but a religion of
grace and
p o w e r.
Ye t l i k e
a person
who needs
water and
opens faucets, we
too can
meditate on Gods word and receive
the Sacraments, since these are instru-

Christianity is not a palabras

but a religion of grace and
power. Yet like a person
who needs water and opens
faucets, we too can meditate
on Gods word and receive the
Sacraments, since these are
instruments of change.

Encounters, B7

IM fully convinced
Wealth isnt money.
Wealth isnt the cars you drive
or the houses you own.
Wealth isnt your jewelry, the stocks, bonds, or
cash in your bank.
I now believe that
wealth is an emotion.
Wealth is an inner feeling.
More precisely, wealth
is an outlook, an attitude,
a belief.
And the most obvious
measurement of wealth is
gratitude.
I learned this lesson a
long time ago

Aling Dorings Point-Point

There was a time in my life
when I had very little money.
Most days, I couldnt afford to
eat inJollibee.

So everyday, I went to this tiny

corner store calledPoint-Point.
In Tagalog,Turo-Turo.

it had this large sweaty lady

named Aling Doring who, with
a native abanico in her hand,
fanned me and swatted the
army of flies around me.
She also provided us great
entertainmenttelling us
about Showbiz gossip from
Inday Badiday. (Okay, now
you know which century
this took place.)
Point-Point sold me a
bottomless soup, a cup of
rice, a few strips ofampalaya, and 3 chunks ofadoboall for P10 only. That
was a long time ago. When
I was young and handsome.
(Now, Im just handsome.)
But every time I ate there, I
felt so happy. I felt like a king. I
felt so rich!
Imagine, I could eat! So many

Today, I have a little

bit more money...
Ive been upgraded.
But deep inside,
nothing has changed.
I still feel like a king.
I still feel rich.
Instead of a chair, it had a
rough wooden bench.
Instead of a table, it had a
linoleum-covered plywood.
Instead of air-conditioning,

Soulfood, B7

CBCP Monitor

STATEMENT B7

November 9 - 22, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 23

Keynote Address of Cardinal Luis Antonio G. Tagle at a

High-level Conference on Climate Change in preparation for
the upcoming UN Climate Summit in Paris (COP21)
Held during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, with CIDSE and Caritas
Internationalis under the sponsorship of the Permanent Mission of the Holy See to the UN.
Introduction: contrast between
those who struggle to survive and
those who over consume Laudato si,
mi Signore. Praise be to you my Lord.
Pope Francis encyclical is one of
praise of Gods goodness in creation.
But when we look at what is happening to our planet, would we be moved
to praise? Laudato si invites humanity
and creation to sing again.
In many parts of the world families
try to survive in the midst of poisonous waste and pollution. They exist
on a tightrope between floods and
droughts. Life seems to be strangled
from the time children are born.
But in wealthier parts of the world
people often consume and throw away
resources seemingly mindful only of
their own needs. Both scenarios could
exist in the same country. Even in my
own part of the world, I witness how
over-consumption and waste inflict
wounds on mother earth and take precious resources away from the poor.
Indeed the urgent cry of the earth
and the cry of the poor call for our
intent hearing.
1. We witness what goes wrong and
propose integral development
The Church in different parts of
the world and Catholic organizations witness daily, along with the
rest of humankind, the effects of the
degradation of our natural and social
environments: lack of access to water,
land and food, disasters provoked by
extreme climatic conditions, illnesses,
premature deaths, loss of biodiversity,
and extreme poverty. I had the sad
experience of presiding at the funeral
of two children who died after eating
food that their father had picked up
from the garbage cans. Why should
food first be turned to garbage before
being eaten by the poor? All this is
in large measure due to a model of
growth that is not sustainable either
for people or for nature a growth
that excludes the poor. A truly sustainable development centred on the
human person, especially the outcast,
can only be promoted by a renewed
culture of personal encounter and
fraternal love and by an economic vision based on solidarity, caring for the
ecology, fair trade, ethical finance and
the promotion of the common good.
We are not dealing with statistics or
figures but with human beings whom
we should regard as neighbours.
2. We heed Pope Francis invitation.
This is the right moment.
In his warmly received encyclical
Laudato si, Pope Francis called each
of us to enter into a dialogue on caring for the earth, our common home,
and to undertake a mission to save
it by restoring our right relationship
with God and the human family,
especially the poor. The pope asks
what kind of world we want to leave
to our children and the generations
after them (#160). 2015 is a crucial
year for humanity. Three significant
multilateral processes are taking place
that will set the tone for development
for many years to come: financing for
development, sustainable development and action to tackle climate
change. Here, in New York we have
just witnessed the completion of the
second of these major multilateral
moments. The Sustainable Devel-

opment Goals (SDGs) were agreed

upon yesterday. An important piece
of international policy is now in
place and should be implemented
collaboratively and constructively by
listening to the experiences, priorities and perspectives of people with
direct experience of poverty, marginalization and injustice. We welcome
all the Goals, but especially the new
ones which address some of the most
pressing challenges of our times, such
as SDG 12 on responsible production
and consumption, and SDG 13 on
taking action on Climate Change.
However one important stream of
negotiations is still underway, with
attention now focused on the 21st
Conference of the Parties (COP) to
the UN Framework Convention on
Climate Change (UNFCCC) that
will take place in Paris in December
2015. We urge the Parties to agree on

An ecological
debt is owed by
the global north
to the global
south, due to the
disproportionate
use of natural
resources by
certain countries
over long periods
of time resulting
in the economic
imbalances and
inequalities that
we see today.
a fair and lofty or ambitious outcome.
Pope Francis new encyclical could
not have been published at a more
timely moment. Recognizing that
the negotiations on climate change
had become stagnant, the Encyclical
challenges all of us, but especially
the political leaders, to review critically what is commonly accepted as
human progress and to consider the
authentic well-being of our human
family, the poor and the planet. This
deeply human concern affecting concrete persons must be the addressed
with political will.
3. The last chance? We need ambitious decisions in Paris, especially
to move away from fossil fuels
We know that the climate negotiations in Paris in December 2015 could
well be the last effective opportunity
to negotiate an agreement to keep
humanly induced rise in global temperature below 1.5 degrees centigrade.
But Pope Francis goes beyond this by
saying that the establishment of a
legal framework which can set clear
boundaries and ensure the protection
of ecosystems has become indispensable. (#53) Our earnest desire and
hope is for a fair and binding global

Soulfood, B6

Encounters, B6

people30% of the world

were starving.
So I enjoyed the yummy food.
I enjoyed Aling Dorings banter.
I enjoyed the jeepney drivers who
ate with metheir smells, their
burps, and their laughter. It was
absolutely lovely. And I always
thanked God for everything.
Today, I have a little bit more
money. Most of my business
lunches are now done in five-star
hotels and restaurants. Ive been
upgraded.
But deep inside, nothing has
changed. I still feel like a king. I
still feel rich. Oh yes, compared
to my billionaire financial mentors, I own crumbs. But in my
heart, Im already a billionaire.
(I hope you are too.)
Remember this powerful
truth: Your Wealth equals your
Gratitude. And your Gratitude
equals your Wealth.

m e n t s of c h a n g e . If hu man ideas can, how much

greater will the change/
conversion produce by divine ideas be.
In a homily delivered in
June 1968, Blessed Paul Vi
expressed this idea, thus:
We c a n i m a g i n e , t h e n ,
that each of our sins, our
attempts to turn our back
on God, kindles in God a
more intense flame of love,
a desire to bring us back
to himself and to his saving planGod, in Christ,
shows himself to be infinitely goodHe loves us,
seeks us outHe will be
so to saydelighted on
the day when we return...
Let us never forget that we
are Gods children, and He
awaits our final return at
journeys end.

agreement on climate change that has

the needs of the worlds poorest and
most vulnerable people at its heart.
The Long-Term Goal to stay below
1.5 degrees is crucial if we truly care
for our common home and the poor.
This goal has to be matched by action now, before and beyond 2020.
It should have mechanisms which
allow us to monitor and elevate the
level of accomplishment through review cycles, rather than being content
with low levels of achievement. It also
means moving away from economic
models exclusively based on fossil
fuel extraction and consumption, to
sustainable, affordable and inclusive
energy systems and economies which
ensure participation, equality and
equity at all levels. We need new models of development that would not
harm the climate further and would
lift people out of poverty. Poor communities need to be consulted about
the development that they desire and
would be beneficial to them. Central
to all of this is ending the fossil fuel
era, phasing out fossil fuel emissions,

reparations it is not fair to ask from

the poor countries who are most severely affected by climate change to
do more.

and phasing in 100% renewables with

sustainable energy accessible to all.

and abusive. Pope Francis challenges

us to review our values and lifestyles.
He calls for a culture of global solidarity, where those who historically
have consumed more may restrain
themselves so that by living simply,
others may have the means to simply
live. We need to recover gratitude,
generosity, caring, nurturing and
sharing as antidotes to unbridled accumulation and individualism. As we
witness the horrific flow to Europe of
people fleeing from war and oppression, we also see that healing power of
solidarity in the warm welcome and
generous support from people across
the globe. As Pope Francis wrote in
Laudato si, we are faced not with
two separate crises, one environmental
and the other social, but rather with
one complex crisis which is both social
and environmental. (#139)

6. Everyone has a role to play. We

need conversion and solidarity.
Although we as Catholics should
be hopeful, we are not nave. Political
processes, though necessary, are inadequate in solving problems related to
creation. Pope Francis calls all of us
to ecological conversion. Everyone
therefore has a role to play. With
Gods grace we must free ourselves
of what is negative, wasteful and violent and enter into dialogue with our
global family. This requires a process
of global communication and listening in truth, a global examination of
conscience, a global recognition of
failures and guilt, and a global resolve
to fight the harm already done. We
need to see our human vocation to
live with and for the family of creation as stewards and not owners. This
requires that we be energetic, driven
and creative but never domineering

www.cidse.org

YOUR Excellencies and dear friends,

4. Tackling climate change is crucial

to integral ecology.
From the perspective of integral
ecology where our concern for the
environment goes hand-in-hand with
preferential love of the poor and the
search for common good, tackling
climate change directly touches the
eradication of poverty, hunger and
malnutrition. Integral ecology demands a human rights-based approach
in the Paris agreement. In particular,
to ensure the right of every person
to have access to adequate food at
all times, we hope for an agreement
that recognizes the primacy of food
security for all.
5. The global Norths ecological
debt.
An ecological debt is owed by the
global north to the global south, due
to the disproportionate use of natural
resources by certain countries over
long periods of time resulting in the
economic imbalances and inequalities
that we see today. This debt which
is also inter-generational must be
recognized and settled by those who
possess more power to effect change
by cutting gas emissions and by providing climate finance. At least 50%
of public finance should go towards
helping developing countries meet
their adaptation needs. Without these

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7. A call to action
We have laid down the challenge
to world leaders and decision makers.
I call upon all of you in this room,
attending this historic 70th General
Assembly at the United Nations to
use whatever influence or authority
you may possess to arrive at decisions
that will set humanity on a different
path. You are all gifted communicators with access to those who could
effect change. As Pope Francis stated:
Reducing greenhouse gases requires
honesty, courage and responsibility,
above all on the part of those countries

which are more powerful and pollute

the most. (#169) True statecraft is
manifest when, in difficult times, we
uphold high principles and think of
the long-term common good. (#178)
I know and trust that in this room,
in this conference centre, in this City
there are people with conscience and
courage to lead humanity in a new
direction. Pope Francis asks: What
would induce anyone, at this stage, to
hold on to power only to be remembered for their inability to take action
when it was urgent and necessary to
do so? (57) If leaders of nations work
together decisively in addressing the
global climate crisis, their respective
nations would come out stronger and
better served. Caring for our common
home could tear down ideological
barriers separating nations and replace
them with bridges of mutual concern.
COP21 could be the start of a long
term shift in how to tackle climate
change. The Catholic Church stands
with those who are committed. But
after the negotiation in Paris, we
will face the need for urgent action.
How will the political momentum
generated in Paris lead to a profound
transformation for us all? As members
of the human family, we must act on
our own ecological conversion. The
message of the encyclical must permeate society from the poorest people
who suffer unjustly to the elite who
have enormous power to bring about
global change and yet often shy away
from this responsibility.
We, as Church leaders, have the
role of ensuring that the Christian
faithful take to heart the message of
Pope Francis encyclical by promoting a Christian spirituality of ecological integrity. In the Philippines the
Church has been taking some initiatives and action like 1) the formation
of parish communities and leaders
in disaster mitigation, preparedness
and response, including networking
with government, NGOs and the
business sector, 2) the formation of
the government and business sectors
on the social teachings of the Church
particularly in the areas of inclusive
growth, integral development and
caring for creation, 3) a prophetic
disinvestment from companies with
a poor track record on environmental
responsibility, 4) pastoral directives
and letters to protest illegal and
indiscriminate practices that harm
the environment, 5) programs of
recycling, the production of organic
products, hygiene, nutrition and
sustainable livelihood promoted by
Caritas and ecology ministries, 6) the
celebration of the liturgical Season of
Creation from September to October
to inculcate a spirituality of praise
and stewardship, and 7) supporting
the signature campaign of the Global
Catholic Climate Movement.
We invite politicians and policymakers, business people, scientists,
artists and educators, parents and
children, colleagues and families, to
work together for the common good,
respecting the dignity of each person,
and especially of the poorest and
most vulnerable people. Gods love
is the fundamental moving force in
all created things. If we allow Gods
love to inspire us, our work will show
forth that same love which could
transform climatic global warming
into a warming of hearts for the poor
of the world.

Name _________________________________________________
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B8 ENTERTAINMENT

November 9 - 22, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 23

Moral Assessment

CBCP Monitor

Buhay San Miguel

Brothers Matias

Lolo Kiko

Bladimer Usi

Abhorrent

Disturbing
Acceptable
Wholesome

Exemplary
Technical Assessment

Poor
Below average

Average

Above average
E
xcellent

AFTER an operation in Arizona

that led to the discovery of hidden
corpses who are apparently victims
of cartel violence, FBI agent Kate
Macer (Emily Blunt), a specialist
in hostage recovery/kidnapping
cases, is recommended by her
boss, Dave Jennings (Victor Garber) to CIA Matt Graver (Josh
Brolin) to aid in the escalating war
against drugs. Led by consultant
Alejandro Medelln Gillick
(Benicio Del Toro), the team sets
out on a dangerous and heavily
militarized operation back and
forth across the USMexican
border. The team uses one of cartel
leaders, Manuel Daz (Bernardo
Saracino) in tracking the Mexican
drug cartel kingpin Fausto Alarcn (Julio Cesar Cedillo). Kate
discovers that Alejandro is a lawyer
whose family was murdered by the
cartels. Fired by his own mission
of revenge, they are out to destroy
the very head of the cartel at all
cost, even if it meant going against
the books of legal operations.
Kate is bothered as this is not the
kind of operation she expects; she
suspects that she is being used to
cover-up for something illegal.
Sicario is a riveting and gripping film on the violence in the
border. Emily Blunt delivers a
solid performance as the conscientious and idealistic FBI agent
whose principles are challenged
as she goes through the muddy
waters of morality in the border.
Benicio del Toros strong screen
presence is as haunting as his
character that denotes deep sadness and dangerous revenge. The
director, Denis Villeneuve, is able
to blend all the elements of an art
film to come up with a depiction
of a dark world where violence
prevails and all systems, legalities,
moral principles are tested and
questioned. The cinematography,
production design, sound and
music are all well-orchestrated
to create that eerie feeling as au-

diences are invited to be part of

a dangerous and dark world that
no one would want to visit even
in their nightmares.
The border is a place no one
would want to go but everyone
would want to pass as it promises
paradise on the other side. But
for Sicario, a word that means
hitman in Mexico, the border is
just a place where violence is both
the rule and the law. In its totality
Sicario says there is no real hero in
this situationnot Kate who is a
mere observer and a conscience
shaken FBI agent amidst the havoc
and violence happening around

SICARIO
DIRECTOR: Denis Villeneuve
LEAD CAST: Emily Blunt, Benicio del Toro, Josh Brolin,
Victor Garber
GENRE: Drama, Crime Thriller
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Roger
Deakins
DISTRIBUTOR: Lionsgate
LOCATION: United States
RUNNING TIME: 121 minutes
TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT:

MORAL ASSESSMENT:
CINEMA rating: V18
MTRCB rating: R16

her; not Alejandro, a callous character who against his better judgment is driven by anger to cling
to his dubious, illegal, unethical,
and evil waysall in the name of
revenge first, and for the greater
good, second. Can evil stop evil?
That is a gray area for Sicario, a
film that screams out loud that
evil exists and something must be
done, and yet snorts that there is
nothing we can do. A character
holds on to what is right in spite
of the overpowering violence and
moral turpitude in society, implying that there is always hope
for change. The dark theme and
graphic violence in the film are
suitable only for mature audiences
aged 18 and above.

IN 1975, FBI agent John Connolly (Edgerton) is assigned in the same

area in South Boston where Jimmy Whitey Bulger (Depp) is slowly
gaining control over the organized crime syndicate. Apparently, the two
were childhood friends, together with Jimmys senator brother, Billy. A
welcome opportunity to eradicate Whitey Bulgers remaining challenger,
the Mafia Angiulo Brothers, comes when Connolly offers Bulger to be
an FBI informant. Despite opposition from their colleagues, Bulger
and Connolly proceed in the dubious relationship. By 1981, Bulger
has succeeded in becoming the kingpin of South Boston with stakes in
drugs, gambling and arms dealing while Connolly covers for the seeming lack of valuable information from Bulger. But before Connollys
superior (Bacon) can terminate the arrangement, the FBI is able to
gather incriminating conversation from the wire taps of the Angiulos.
This leads to Connolly and Bulger developing a closer relationship and
alarming murder of people who either oppose or compromise Bulgers
status. Bulgers fall begins when the new District Attorney Fred Wyshak
(Stoll) proves to be adamant in finding out why Bulger has remained
free despite evidences of his crimes.
If theres one reason to watch
Black Mass, it has to be the compelling performance of Depp. He
attacks his role with wit and depth DIRECTION: Scott Cooper
that it is almost hard to believe this CAST: Johnny Depp, Joel
Edgerton, Rory Cochrane,
is the same actor behind Charlie
Benedict Cumberbatch,
and the Chocolate Factory and
Jesse Plemons, W. Earl
Jack Sparrow. Coupled with draBrown, Kevin Bacon,
matic prosthetics, Depps Bulger
Peter Sarsgaard, Dakota
becomes the menacingly cold and
Johnson
unrepentant criminal audiences GENRE: Bio, Crime
love to hate. The aesthetics and RUNNING TIME: 149 minutes
technicalities of the shots and TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT:

framings feel gritty and raw, bringMORAL

ASSESSMENT:
ing a documentary-like texture to
CINEMA rating: V18
the film. Junkie XLs score engages MTRCB: R16
the moment without overselling.
Another triumphant area is the production and set design which effortlessly transports us in the 70s and 80s.
Black Mass is a work of art and a good material for academic discussion.
When Bulger chides his son Douglas about hitting his classmate, he
reasons that his mistake was hitting while people were looking. Thus,
little Douglas learns that violence and aggression are okay as long as they
are done when people do not see. This seems to be the guiding principle
of Bulger because we see how charming he was with the old lady he met
in the streets of Boston, how much of a loving son and brother he is and
how much he adores his son. In public, he refuses to be handed over
dirty money and murders people silently until his image is compromised.
Bulger believes violence is necessary and warranted as long as it is not done
in public (especially by him). On the other hand, we see how obsession
with a goal sometimes clouds our judgment and challenges our ethics.
When Connolly turns a blind eye to the criminal activities of Bulger so he
can catch the Angiulos at first and prove the faultlessness of his decision
later, he unwittingly creates his own Frankenstein which ultimately leads
to the breakup of his marriage and the downfall of his career. Although
the movie shows that crime does not pay as Bulger and his cohorts are
ultimately incarcerated, the entire two hours are peppered with F words
and splattering body parts. It is advisable that only older and more mature
audiences watch the movie.

BLACK MASS

Buhay Parokya

Look for the images of Holy Trinity, Holy

Chalice, and Holy Cross.
(Illustration by Bladimer Usi)

CBCP Monitor

C1

November 9 - 22, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 23

The News Supplement of

Couples for Christ

CFC Leaders Convene for ANCOP

Global Planning

The President's Report

CFC ANCOP Global Strategic Planning 2015

ANCOP COMDEV SHELTER

No. of
Homes Built
No. of
Communities

548

1042

1,391

2011-2013

2013-2014

2014-8/2015

27

37

35

2011-2013

2013-2014

2014-8/2015

ANCOP EDUCATION - CSP

NUMBER OF SCHOLARS FOR SY 2015-16

Elementary
High School
College /Vocational
TOTAL

2832
1986
2162
6980

CFC ANCOP CSP SPONSORS for Philippines

EUROPE - 246

CANADA - 2,850

JAPAN - 63

USA - 1,142
VIETNAM - 1
BRUNEI - 10
MALAYSIA - 10
SINGAPORE- 56
INDONESIA - 2

AUSTRALIA - 337
NEW ZEALAND - 35

CFC leaders from the Philippine, Metro Manila and International Missions gathered for the first global ANCOP strategic planning

By Arnel Santos

CFC ANCOP leaders and volunteers gathered for the first ever
CFC ANCOP global planning
on November 4-7, 2015, at the
Carmelite Missionaries Center
for Spirituality inTagaytay City,
Philippines.

In attendance were all the members of the

CFC ANCOP Board led by its Chairman
Joe Yamamoto and President Jimmy Ilagan,
the top leaders of ANCOP organizations in
Canada, USA, UAE and Australia, as well as
key leaders and volunteers in the Philippines.
Also present were members of the International Council namely, CFC Chairman Joe
Tale; President George Campos; PFO Director Rouquel Ponte; Metro Manila Mission

PHILIPPINES - 1,397

AGW - 1,319
LOCAL 78

Director Manny Garcia, and members Lito

Tayag and Michael Ariola.
The first two days resulted in the updating,
recasting, adoption and approval by the CFC
International Council and the ANCOP Board,
of the ANCOP Vision and Mission statement,
strategic goals, projects, and objectives.
The ANCOP Vision Statement now reads
as: FAMILIES IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
ANCOP GLOBAL PLANNING, C4

Awesome Decade

ANCOP EDUCATION - CORNERSTONE

PRESENCE

CORNERSTONE COMPONENTS

2,990 Trained Tutors/Facilitators

214 Cornerstone Classes/Schools
3,822 Elementary Students (Tutored)
Students
Formation)
1,760 HS(Leadership

32 Provinces -133 schools

12 MM sectors - 58 schools

TARGET
143 Elementary Schools (4,290 children)
48 High Schools (1,440 HS leaders)
12 MM sectors - 58 schools

ANCOP EDUCATION - CSP GRADUATES

2832

6980

Elementary
1986 High School
College /Vocational
2162
TOTAL GRADUATES 283

Board Passers/Magna/
Cum Laude/Deans Lister

41
33

Valedictorian/Salutatorian/
Honorable Mention
Recognition/Awards/
1st to 3rd honor /deans lister
undergrad

ANCOP SPONSORED CHILDREN - FOREIGN

The 29 AD Musicionaries celebrating 10 fruitful years of music and mission

Ten years. Ten years of music, service AND friendship. Ten years
of joys and sorrows. Ten years of walking in faith. Of journeying with
brothers and sisters. Of growing, pruning, outspreading and bearing
fruit. One awesome decade.
29AD has been blessed with one awesome decade and we cannot help
but rejoice and bring back all the glory to God. This decade, although
it did not come without its own set of hardships and trials, is a witness
to our Lords love, mercy, goodness and faithfulness. That is the cause
of our celebration as we held our anniversary concert entitled Awesome
Decade on October 29, 2015 at the Meralco Multi-Purpose Hall in
Ortigas Center. The date of the concert was just two days before 29
AD founder and director Bob Serranos death anniversary.
The Awesome Decade concert was delivered in 10 segments, with
each segment anchoring on a bible verse while looking back at the
journey and milestones of 29AD.
Segment 1: Through love serve one another. Galatians 5:13

Gods initial call to us was very simple. In 2005, we formed a cluster

music ministry. 29AD, then without a name, started by serving at CFC
assemblies and gatherings, and some wakes and weddings. It all started
with a very simple call from God and with a resounding YES from
us. And our Yes led us to a wonderful journey with the Lord, walking
with brothers and sisters with the same passion for God and for music.
Segment 2: Stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give
yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that
your labor in the Lord is not vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58
These were words so fitting for us when we embarked on our first
concert Gabi ng Kantahan for Gawad Kalinga or GK4GK. Just two
hours before the concert started, we lost Bob Barretto, the groups band
leader and drummer, a man who gave himself and his heart fully to
the work of the Lord.
Today is a good day to go to heaven. This was one of Bobs last
words to us that day. And what gracious timing that it would be the

The MM Mission Core: Teaching thru Movie Screening

The Metro Manila MC Teaching Night goes to the movies!

It was a totally different kind of Teaching

Night for the Metro Manila Mission Core last
October 20, 2015. Deviating from the usual
talk/lecture, the MC members were instead
treated to a special screening of the movie Papa
Francisco: The Pope Francis Story.
Because of the size of the MC membership,
the screening was done in two venues. For
Metro Manila North, Central (A and B), West,
and East, the screening was in SM Mega Mall,
while for the South and Central C, the screening
was done in SM Sucat. The special screening of
the film was an opportunity to highlight the life
of Jorge Mario Bergoglio before he was elected
Pope Francis.
The Holy Fathers Apostolic Visit to the
Philippines early this year, when he visited the
typhoon victims in Leyte and met the faithful
in various venues in Metro Manila, is still fresh
in the minds of the Philippine faithful. Couples
for Christ was one of the many Church groups

DECADE, C2

called to serve in various capacities during the

historic visit. Filipinos therefore have a special
affiliation with, and an extraordinary interest
in the life of Pope Francis.
Aside from being a Teaching Night, the
evening became a family movie night, as some
couples brought along their children, siblings
and even non-CFC friends to the special
screening.
Michael Ariola, IC member and Director for
Communications reported, There was a significant increase in the attendance, perhaps because
of the proximity of the venues to the sectors.
He added, We can also say that the increase
(in attendance) is because we decided to teach
differently this time. I have seen this (kind of
response) during our Leadership Development
Program (LDP) days where Catholicism by Bp.
Robert Baron was the topic. I think we can say
and see that the manner of how we teach is
MISSION CORE, C3

PAPUA NEW GUINEA, 265 students, sponsored by Australia (Pre-school 215)

SOLOMON ISLANDS, 30 students, sponsored by Australia
NIGERIA, 58 students, sponsored by Canada
KENYA, 90 students, sponsored by Canada
INDIA, 129 students, sponsored by Canada
GHANA, 44 students, sponsored by Canada

C2

November 9 - 22, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 23

CFC ANCOP USA Joins

2nd Typhoon Haiyan Reflection

CBCP Monitor

DECADE, C1

Roger Santos of CFC ANCOP USA giving a report on the contributions of ANCOP to the Philippine Humanitarian Coalition

The Philippine Humanitarian Coalition

(PHC), a Washington D.C.-based group of different organizations, held the second Typhoon Haiyan
Reflection last November 6 at the Romulo Hall
of the Embassy of the Philippines in Washington
D.C. The event was done in remembrance of the
catastrophic typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda which struck
southern Philippines two years ago.
The non-profit CFC ANCOP USA, a member
of the PHC, rendered a report on the $9,360 grant
it received. Roger Santos, Executive Director of
ANCOP USA, reported that ANCOP USA added
a counterpart in the amount of $11,000, raising the
total to $20, 360.00.

With this amount, ANCOP USA was able to purchase

and build 10 Butterfly Homes, which are now being used
by typhoon victims from Leyte. The Butterfly house is a
new, innovative steel-framed housing structure that can
be folded for compact shipping and storage, and unfolded
into an immediately livable structure.
ANCOP USA will be deploying 10 homes each in
Cebu and Davao during the first quarter of 2016 in the
event of any calamity.
As part of ANCOP USAs disaster preparedness
program, the group has deployed generators, chainsaws,
water filtration container systems and medical supplies
to key ANCOP centers in Southern Philippines. (ANCOP USA Communication)

Pastor spearheads fundraising

for ANCOP houses

day he would join our Lord.

Segment 3: We cannot help speaking about what
we have seen and heard. Acts 4:20
Truly we cannot help but proclaim the Lords goodness whenever we serve Him. God leads us as we go
to be the salt of the earth and light to the world. God
has set the fire in our hearts to say YES and His Spirit
leads us to His Mission.
Segment 4: But you will receive power when the
Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my
witnesses to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8
God's mission brings us literally to the ends of the
earth. Wherever God calls us, we go. It is the Spirit
that empowers us to share our lives and our faith with
brothers and sisters in different parts of the world.
We have been to many local and foreign missions.
Each mission brought us a lot of opportunities to love
and serve our brothers and sisters, as well as to learn
and grow through our group and personal experiences, with God continuing to refine our hearts and
our posture in service. We were witness to countless
blessings and miracles from God.
SEGMENT 5: Be filled with the Spirit, as you
sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among
yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord
in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at
all times and for everything in the name of our Lord
Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:19-20
We take on the mission to bring the gospel to the

ends of the earth through music. It is truly the Spirit

that enables us to use our God-given gifts to lead people to worship and be Gods instrument for healing His
people. Through Gods love and His Holy Spirit, some
of our members have been inspired to write original
songs, our way of giving thanks to God - at all times
and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus.
Segment 6: Blessed be the God and Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of
all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so
that we will be able to comfort those who are in any
affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves
are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
The Holy Spirit is our Comforter, the Word of
God is our consolation, and our brothers and sisters
in Christ are our spiritual family who God will use to
help us along the way.
This segment brought a lot of tears even to 29AD
members. It is a witness that no matter what storm
we go through in life, our spiritual family will always
be there to go with us through the darkest clouds, loving and accepting us no matter what state we are in.
SEGMENT 7: Oh that you would bless me and
enlarge my border, and that your hand might be
with me, and that you would keep me from hurt
and harm! And God granted what he asked. 1
Chronicles 4:10
God entrusts according to His will. It is not by our
DECADE, C4

Fr. Anthony Ho (center) and Anita Aytona (right) with the initial check for ANCOP.

It all began with the Marian

pilgrimage to Europe organized by
Fr. Anthony Ho in October 2014.
Among those who joined the pilgrimage were Tony and Anita Aytona who belong to a prayer group
in Surrey, Greater Vancouver and
who are members of CFC ANCOP
Vancouver lead team.
Sixty members joined the pilgrimage. They came home inspired and spiritually invigorated
with their visit to various shrines:
St Anthonys Church Lisbon,
Church of the Holy Miracle
Santarem, private chapel in the
sanctuary Fatima, Convent of
Sr. Lucia Tuy, church of the
conversion of St. Ignatius Loyola,
chapels of sanctuary Lourdes,
Basilica of Our Lady-Zaragoza, and
Our Lady Shrine in Montserrat
among others.
During dinner, while at a stopover in France, Anita, a teacher at
the Holy Cross High School in
Surrey, showed Fr. Ho photos of
the schools mission team that went
for immersion to the Philippines in
March 2014. Anita was part of the
mission team.
Anita told Fr. Ho that another
Holy Cross High School mission
team will go the Philippines in
March 2016. The forty plus
people who signed up have already started raising funds for the
ANCOP houses they themselves
would build, she explained.
Inspired by what he learned from
Anita, Fr. Ho stood up during the
dinner and announced that his prayer
groups will help raise funds for the
ANCOP houses.
Fr. Anthony Ho has taken under his wing four weekly prayer

groups composed of 100 members

from Vancouver and Surrey. He
meets two of the groups Mondays
during his day off. When they
meet they do the Divine Mercy
and the rosary, and then the pastor
lectures on the life of a saint.
The pilgrims welcomed the idea
of doing something concrete for
the poor. However, they thought
that the Holy Cross HS mission
teams trip in March 2016 was
too far away. They wanted to do
something right away
Fr. Ho started the ball rolling;
in February 2015, he personally
collected donations from his prayer
groups to build two houses at the
Our Lady of Banneux (The Virgin
of the Poor) ANCOP village. The
prayer groups were inspired to give
because the site, dedicated to Our
Lady, is in tune with the Marian
theme of their prayer groups.
Fr. Ho also brought many of the
prayer group members to the Right
Here Write Now ANCOP musical
sponsored by St. Matthews parish
on November 7, 2015 at the Bell
Theater. People came to know more
about ANCOP and saw closely the
desperate plight of the poor.
Fr. Ho was able to collect $4,320
from his effort; he himself donated
$500. However, it was $1,680
short of the amount to build two
ANCOP houses.
He challenged me to raise the
remaining amount! Anita said.
Coincidentally, she and her husband Tony had already raised funds
close to this amount during their
2014 wedding anniversary. The
couple had planned to donate the
amount to ANCOP Walk 2015
but Fr. Hos challenge came just

in time. With their donation, Fr.

Ho and his prayer groups finally
achieved their fundraising goal.
In March 2016, the two houses
will be among the 10 units that
will be built by the Holy Cross
High School mission team. A
third house will be sponsored by
the Tessa Beauchamp Foundation
in honor of the memory of teenager
Tessa Beauchamp of Holy Cross, a
basketball star of BC, and an amazing person who died at a very early
age after a long battle with cancer.
Another house will be sponsored
by Cecil Correa and family in
memory of Virgilio Correa, former
member of Holy Cross Education
Committee.
Immaculate Conception Parish
and School in Delta will sponsor
another two houses with the proceeds from the Right Here Write
Now ANCOP musical show. Fr.
Abundo and Fr. Ajun, the parish
pastors and Maurice Jacob, the
school principal, performed during
the musical.
The members of the Holy Cross
mission team 2016 raised the
funds to finance the remaining
four houses. The needed amount
of $12,000 was raised through two
Multicultural Days at Holy Cross.
Everyone came in native attire; the
mission team went all out selling
ethnic dishes like chow mien, samosas, Greek salad, rice delicacies, etc.
Fr. Anthony Hos next Marian pilgrimage will be in October
2016. Destination is France and
Poland, and it is greatly anticipated to bring more inspiration
and spiritual experience to the pilgrims. (Edna Garrucho, ANCOP
Canada; edited from original)

The News Supplement

of Couples for Christ

Michael C. Ariola
IC Oversight
Zenaida A. Gimenez
Editor-in-Chief
Deomar P. Oliveria
Layout Artist

Alma M. Alvarez
Associate Editor

Evangeline C. Mecedilla
Circulation Staff

The Ugnayan News Supplement is published by the Couples for Christ Global Mission Foundation, Inc., with editorial offices at 156 20th Avenue, 1109 Cubao,
Quezon City.
Editorial trunk line: (+63 2) 709-4868 local 23
Direct line : (+63 2) 709-4856
www.couplesforchristglobal.org
cfcglobalcommunications@gmail.com

facebook.com/CFC.Global.Mission

@CFChrist

The guidelines above are from the Philippine Movement for Transformational Leadership (PMTL),
a coalition of Christian faith-based communities who have decided to come together to do
Gods work in the political field, and ensure that God-centered and competent servant leaders
get elected into office in 2016 and onward. Couples for Christ, mindful of the coalitions noble
mission, has chosen to be part of this group.
CFC has made clear that it will not endorse any single candidate. However, it will encourage
everyone to take a look at the groups criteria, the GabayKristo, as helpful guides for assessing
every single candidate and ensuring that he or she passes the strict criteria. CFC believes that
the criteria present a fair assessment of what we should all look for in the leaders we shall
soon choose to lead us.

CBCP Monitor

C3

November 9 - 22, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 23

CFC ANCOP Strengthens Partnership with Caritas Manila

CFC ANCOP Global Foundation Inc. and
Caritas Manila signed a Memorandum of
Agreement last October 27, 2015 to strengthen the Youth Servant Leadership and Education Program or YSLEP. YSLEP is Caritas
Manilas program to help poor and deserving
youth, especially those affected by typhoons
and disaster, finish their college education.
Caritas Manila Executive Director Rev.
Fr. Anton CT Pascual, in his remarks during the signing, expressed gratitude to the

Lord for this beautiful partnership. He

thanked ANCOP for providing vital support to enable poor students complete their
four-year courses. One important aspect
of this partnership is community building
which would help provide the parents of
the scholars with livelihood opportunities.
The CFC ANCOP delegation at the
signing ceremonies, which was held at the
Caritas Manila office, included Jimmy
Ilagan, ANCOP President; Elmer Cadiz,

Operations Manager; and Ethelyn Balenton, Education Program Head. Caritas

Manila was represented by Rev. Fr. Anton
CT Pascual, Executive Director and Helen
Oreto, Social Development Head.
Caritas Manila is currently supporting
5,000 college students under its Youth Servant Leadership and Education Program.
On the other hand, CFC ANCOP has
6,900 scholars under its Child Sponsorship Program (CSP). (Romy M. Medina)

A Novel And Innovative Approach

To Raise Funds

CFC ANCOP and Caritas Manila renew partnership towards education for the underprivileged youth via the signing of the MOA by ANCOP President Jimmy Ilagan
and Caritas Executive Director Fr. Anton Pascual.

Cfc Archdiocese of Lipa is Now 24!

CFC Batangas celebrated its 28 th Anniversary last November 8, 2015 at the De La Salle-Lipa, Lipa City, Batangas. More than 3,000 CFC members came to celebrate the
milestone event.
Gracing the occasion were CFC Chairman Joe Tale; CFC
President George Campos; International Council (IC) member

and ANCOP President Jimmy Ilagan; IC member and Pastoral

Formation Director Rouquel Ponte; and CFC CALABARZON
Regional Head Ding Aguinaldo.
His Excellency, the Most Rev. Ramon C. Arguelles, D.D.,
Archbishop of Lipa celebrated the Mass, with CFC Batangas
Spiritual Adviser Fr. Dale Baretto-Kho. (A. Santos)

CFC Archdiocese of Lipagrateful for the 24 years of abundance in the Lord!

3rd Migrants Advocacy Fun Run Slated this Month

The CFC Migrants Program, in partnership with the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Migrants and Itinerants, has
finalized details on the Migrants Advocacy
Fun Run (now on its 3rd year), which will
be held at 5:30 AM on November 29, 2015
at the historic Intramuros in Manila.
The proceeds will fund the search for
the "Ten Outstanding Sons & Daughters
of OFWs Student Awards" or TOSDOSA
2016. This is a nationwide search for sons

and daughters of OFWs in high school

who will be selected for their outstanding
achievements in academics and extracurricular activities despite the absence of
parental care and guidance.
Part of the proceeds will also fund the
2nd Migrants Program Songwriting Contest 2016. According to Jess Ferrer, Head
of the CFC Migrants Program, The songwriting competition is a way to create more
awareness among our brethren nationwide

as well as worldwide on the CFC Migrants

Program and its various activities.
Registration for the Advocacy Fun Run is
ongoing. Participants of the 10K, 5K and 3K
run categories will be given free singlets upon
registration. Registration forms are available
from the Sector and Provincial Migrants
Program Coordinators. For inquiries and
other details, please get in touch with Tony
Obien at 09178632481 & 09324293821;
and Ferdie Garcia at 09228994254.

CFC MM South B mixing fun and fund-raising via Repertory Philippines' Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

The Metro Manila South B Sector of

Couples for Christ headed by its Sector Heads
Barry and Angie Tad-y, organized a fund raising initiative through Repertory Philippines
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
Ike and Carmen Bontia, South B members and committee heads for the Snow
White Project shared: When we were
appointed to head the Sector Finance, we
realized the need to improve our financials
given the many programs we have lined
up for 2016. Upon discussion with Barry
Tad-y, we proposed to have a showing of
Repertory Philippines Snow White and
the Seven Dwarfs.
At that time, the musicale was preparing
to run numerous shows at the Greenbelt
Onstage Theater. At the meeting of the
Sector Governance Team (SGT) in the
first week of August and after checking
with Repertory Philippines, the Bontias
presented the project as a creative way
of raising funds. It was welcomed by the
group, and during that meeting, the working group was immediately organized.
It is the first time for the Sector to
organize a fund raising event this huge. It
is what you can call a "novel" and innovative approach for the Sector in that we are
mixing art, culture and family entertainment in a benefit initiative supported
by a total of 80 sponsors and hundreds
of ticket holders. It is an-out-of-the-box
idea, a notch higher than the much used
and abused raffle draw. In a way, Snow
White was really a God given opportunity,
added Bontia.
As soon as the plan was finalized, the
initiative was cascaded and disseminated
to the entire membership of CFC South
B sector. All clusters were enjoined to help
and each one was encouraged to invite
a friend or two. Tickets were sold and
sponsorships from various companies and
individual sponsorships were sought. In
75 days we were able to get sponsors and
sold out all tickets with the great help of the
entire SB Clusters! reported Barry Tad-y.

CFC Singles for Christ

Welcomes PMA Cadets
Almost 400 members of the Cadet
Corps Armed Forces of the Philippines were
welcomed to the CFC Singles for Christ
ministry during the graduation ceremony
held last October 11 at the Philippine Military
Academy, Fort Del Pilar, Baguio City. The
cadets successfully finished the Christian Life
Program (CLP), which was conducted at the
academy grounds over a period of four months
beginning July 5 this year. The CLP is the

MISSION CORE, C1

slowly evolving.
Through the film, the MM Mission Core
was able to pick up insights on then Cardinal Bergoglios love for the poor, simplicity
in lifestyle, his contemplative spirituality
and his humanity.
According to Ariolas observation, CFC
is willing to go to "special" teachings even

if they have to pay a small amount. Another

realization is that CFC leaders seem ready
for a "new" way of learning. He shared,
When I say new, I mean in the manner
of presentation (of our values, lessons and
formation) and delivery. To me, all these
can be great building blocks to build on
for both the present and the next genera-

tion of CFC.
Ariola added that as a form of gateway
evangelization, special film screenings can
be a creative way for reflection and learning,
through the worship and take home reflection
guides. Plus, this can be replicated in many
provinces, basta may sinehan. Great and
blessed possibilities, indeed. (A. M. Alvarez)

The proceeds of this initiative target to

improve the Sectors existing programs
such as:
1) Child Support Program under ANCOP
Establishment of one additional day
care school as well as continuous support
of values formation activities for the sectors 100 ANCOP scholars.
2) Cornerstone Support Groups for
eight Schools.
3) Prison Ministry CFC South B conducts Christian Life Programs for our
brothers at the National Bilibid Prison
4) Mission trips outside the sector CFC
South B has been actively reaching out
to CFC brothers and sisters in different parts of the Philippines, as well as
abroad, in order to help conduct teaching initiatives and retreats.
On October 25, Sunday, people from all
walks of lifeyoung, old, CFC members,
corporate executives and the general public
came together to watch the play. Approximately 800 people watched the show, in
a show of overwhelming support for the
program. The children and adults alike
enjoyed the show. We are happy we are here!
We had fun and at the same time we were
able to help and it feels good said Marivic
Carreon after the show, a non-CFC member
who was invited to support this initiative.
The entire community of CFC South
B together with their families also took
time to be there to show support for this
program. The entire SGT, gentlemen clad
in their suits and their wives in their best
Sunday dresses, warmly greeted everyone
who supported the event. Members of Kids
for Christ and Youth for Christ ministries
likewise played a significant role in this
event where they lined up at the hallway
to greet sponsors.
The show truly paved the way for families and friends to unwind, bond, reconnect with old friends and have fun while
enjoying the opportunity to help CFC
extend Gods amazing love to the least of
our brethren.

entry point to CFC and the adult ministries.

The CLP was made possible through
the initiative of the Order of St. Michael
(OSM), one of the social development
programs of CFC, led by Jaycee de la Cruz,
and former PMAers Col. Art Alabanza and
Col. Willy Ona, in cooperation with CFC
Baguio headed by Ed Aratas, and SFC Metro
Manila and Luzon led by Karen Mangulab,
ANCOP Ministry Coordinator.

C4

November 9 - 22, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 23

HOLD ANSWERS THE CALL TO MISSION

CBCP Monitor

The Call to Love More:

Evangelizing through Families
Answering the Lords invitation to
serve Him is like opening a door to reveal
surprise after surprise. Most often, He
takes you to places that previously were
only figments of your imagination.
In my case, He took me to the Caribbean and changed my life forever.
When I stepped on Caribbean soil last
July 20, 2015, events just flowed from one
to another. Lots of doors were opened for
us to evangelize the young people here in
Trinidad and Tobago. Those were all part
of mission work, and we expected that.
What we did not expect was guesting on
a live TV program last October 13, 2015
and sharing to thousands of viewers our
personal testimonies of being touched by
the Lord.
For the past years, Couples for Christ
Trinidad and Tobago has been given a rare
opportunity -- a once-a-month one-hour
TV slot focused on a relevant topic. This
months topic was Upbringing and the
Role of the Family in Evangelization, a
timely subject, coming on the heels of the
World Meeting of Families in September
and the Synod on the Family in the Vatican
in October.
The experience during the show was
very overwhelming for me and my mission partner, Lester Guillermo. It was our
first time to guest on a live show that was
aired on Trinidad and Tobago National
Television. I remember being anxious the

whole day while preparing for the show.

They asked us to speak about the vision
of Couples for Christ, the story of our
families in relation to evangelization, and
why we chose to leave the Philippines and
our families for two years.
Throughout the interview, we were
just brought back by the Lord to the
reason why we have gone this far. It was
all because of how our parents brought us
up, introduced us to Jesus at an early age,
and how much we enjoyed our childhood
because of the time and presence of our
parents and families. Basically the show
talked about different aspects of parenting and how they are linked to nation
building, upbringing and evangelization.
Paying close attention to building up our
families because it is the bedrock of our
society, the role of parents in taking good
care of their children, and putting God at
the center of all these contribute greatly to
nation-building.
Being part of Couples for Christ is a
gift that I will forever be thankful to the
Lord for. My missionary spirit was ignited
through my parents. The reason why I have
a strong desire to serve young people is
because I want them to experience Gods
love through their families as well. In the
work of evangelization, I learned to never
limit Gods ways for He can make all things
possible. (Mabelle Dimayuga, CFC Missionary, The Caribbean)

CFC Handmaids of the Lord missionaries spreading the Colors of Love throughout Europe

The HOLD Mission Express is a program

of CFC Handmaids of the Lord (HOLD)
to promote the missionary spirit among its
leaders, giving them the opportunity to
fulfill the words in Rom. 10:14-15 But
how can they call on him in whom they
have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard?
And how can they hear without someone
to preach? And how can people preach
unless they are sent? As it is written, How
beautiful are the feet of those who bring
[the] good news!
Every year, under the Mission Express
Program, HOLD missionaries go to various parts of the world, including the different provinces of the Philippines, wherever
they may be sent by the Lord to serve.
Some stay for a weekend or for a month
or two. Some even stay for a year or more.
They give their all time, talent and treasure in answer to Gods call to mission.
HOLD missionaries help to establish the
ministry that is newly-planted in some areas
and to strengthen it wherever it has taken

root already. They conduct the Christian

Life Program (CLP), the entry point into
the CFC HOLD community. They give
teachings from the HOLD Pastoral Formation track for the continuing spiritual
growth of the Handmaids. They give trainings for leaders in order to equip them with
skills to be able to shepherd their members
most effectively. They replicate Marian Conferences and HOLD Conferences.
This year a mission team of eight HOLD
missionaries from the Philippines, composed of Luttie Alconcel, Babsi Cabuquit,
Pie Cadena, Nene Dimalibot, Mina Francisco, Didi Galsim, Ching Santiago and
Flor Victoriano, traveled to Europe. First
stop for this one month mission was Rome,
Italy where they served in the HOLD
Europe Conference titled The Colors of
Love held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel,
Rome-St. Peters on 02-04 October 2015.
The HOLD missionaries gave talks, sharings, even sang and danced. With much
enthusiasm they readily assisted in all the
sessions as needed.

As is often the case in mission trips, the

Lord blessed the mission team with the
opportunity to go on pilgrimage. This year
it was to Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis
of Assisi, founder of the Franciscan Order,
and St. Clare, who founded the Poor
Clares; and to Cascia, where the Shrine of
St. Rita is located and where her uncorrupted body can be viewed. The pilgrimage
was Gods gift to inspire the mission team
even more to strive for personal holiness
and to continue serving God even in the
midst of difficulties.
One highlight of the visit to Rome
was joining the Wednesday Papal general
audience with Pope Francis at St. Peters
Square, Vatican where the mission team
had the chance to see the Pope up close. It
was truly a memorable experience.
After all the activities in Rome, the
HOLD missionaries were fielded by
pairs to different countries of Europe,
namely: Italy, Greece, Turkey, France,
Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Austria and
Germany. (Didi Galsim)

GTA Holds 1st CFC Young Couples Assembly

Enthusiastic young couples in the Greater Toronto Area enjoying the activities during their 1st Young Couples Assembly

CFC Canada Greater Toronto Area (GTA) recently hosted its

first-ever Young Couples Assembly. The assembly, which caters
to the concerns and needs of couples who have been married for
15 years or less, hosted 29 couple-participants.
Ryan Mina led worship with the support of a newly formed
Young Couples band while Ouel and Arlyn Gardon were the
emcees, leading the crowd through activities and encouraging
discussion between husband and wife. The fun activities were the

prelude to the topic for the evenings talk, Building a Healthy

Family Culture, given by Jed Babaran who shared his experiences over more than 20 years of marriage. After the session,
couples were given the opportunity to go into a deeper dialogue
on the topic.
The assembly is a supplement to the household and other CFC
teachings, all of them meant to encourage young CFC couples
in their faith walk. (Elaine Padua)

ANCOP GLOBAL PLANNING, C1

SHARING CHRISTS TRANSFORMING LOVE TO THE POOR.

The mission statement ANSWERING
THE CRY OF THE POOR has been
retained and further explained through the
expanded mission statement as follows:
We foster an environment of caring and
sharing in the societies where we are present.
We engage a widening network of partners to achieve Social Justice and Total
Christian Liberation.
We help ensure the dignity of the poor.

A tagline was also adopted i. e. ANCOP. WHERE CARING AND

SHARING HAPPEN
The delegates committed to the strategic goal of reaching 40,000 families in
5 years, dubbed as 40 @ 40, meaning
reaching out to 40,000 families by the
40th year anniversary of CFC in 2020 or
five (5) years from now.
CFC ANCOP leaders from all the
provinces in the Philippines joined on the
third and fourth day of the planning, for

the discussion of the ANCOP strategic

goals, projects, objectives and action plans
between now and Year 2020.
CFC ANCOP President Jimmy Ilagan
also delivered the ANCOP Presidents
Report. (See related report on C1.) He
emphasized that the humble accomplishments of ANCOP over the past
year serve as CFC ANCOPs offering
to the Church during the Year of the
Poor (2015) which officially opened last
November 23, 2014.

DECADE, C2

own merit that He gives us His work, but

by His own purpose and grace. 29AD
has gone from concerts to staging original
musicals. We are His hands and feet, and
apart from him we can do nothing.
SEGMENT 8: Brothers and sisters, in
view of Gods mercy, to offer your bodies
as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing
to Godthis is your true and proper
worship. Romans 12:1
We are all called to embody Christ and
live that to the fullest. As servants of the
Lord, we continue to strive to be a better
reflection of the God whom we serve. In all
that 29AD has done, we have learned that,
though many, we are one body in Christ.
We unite ourselves to serve His purpose
through the gifts and talents accorded to
us, having faith that we can do all things
through Christ who strengthens us.
SEGMENT 9: My flesh and my heart
may fail, but God is the strength of my
heart and my portion forever. Psalm
73: 26
Along our journey, we have lost some
of our brothers and sisters. And with each
loss, we are tested but come out victorious
in Christ who is the true strength of our
hearts. Our brothers and sisters who have
gone before us touched and changed our
lives forever. They will never be forgotten
and will always live in our hearts and in
how we serve God and others.
SEGMENT 10: Thus says the Lord

to you: Do not fear or be dismayed at

this great multitude; for the battle is
not yours but Gods. 2 Chronicles 20:15
We are grateful to all who have supported us in this mission. We know that
we are not alone in this battle for the Lord.
Our brothers and sisters are with us. God
is with us. Through our music and faith
we are given a purpose. We are armed and
empowered to unite through music. And
with joyful thanksgiving, we will continue
to fulfill His mission for us.
This concert has been extremely challenging to put up. After all, it is the first
one without Bob Serrano leading and
guiding us. We felt overwhelmed and
unprepared. And we experienced a lot
of anxieties. A lot of the things that were
needed a week prior were not yet ready
a day before. It was all physically and
emotionally exhausting. And it all seemed
impossible. How can we even pull this off?
We each had our own doubts.
Concert night came and we lifted up and
offered everything to God. The concert
started. And we were just in awe that it
all flowed smoothly. The hand of God was
there to guide all of us to give our best and
just let Him be in control. And He was.
God put the awesome in our concert. It
was not just a gift to our audience, but to
us 29AD members, who enjoyed every bit
of the program. In this concert we again
experienced Gods miracle. (Judy Aquino)