Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
CBCP Monitor
determination” for IPs the Junking of Impeachment
CBCP Episcopal Commission on In- ARCHBISHOP Angel Lagdameo,
digenous Peoples (ECIP) chair, president of the Catholic Bishops’
Bishop Sergio Utleg, said the Com- Conference of the Philippines (CBCP),
mission aims at helping the unfortu- said the outcome of the recent bid to
nate state of tribal minorities living impeach Mrs. Arroyo did not come as
in the country today by developing a surprise.
In an interview, Lagdameo said
the value of “self-determination”. Protagonist of Truth, Promoter of Peace that the Catholic bishops were already
Said component, according to
Utleg, is the basis for all their effort, foreseeing that the impeachment pro-
Bishop Wants / P4
August 28, 2006 Vol. 10 No. 10 Php 16.00 CBCP Head / P4
percent of 2.7 million people are put under a “state of calamity” fol-
Catholics. lowing what authorities called as the
Lagdameo said that his archdio- country’s worst spill.
cese has already taken up steps in “The causes of this tragedy
the relief effort led by the Diocesan need to be fully and honestly inves-
Social Action Center (JASAC) and tigated in order that justice may be
Jaro Archdiocesan Pastoral Secre- served,” said Lagdameo.
tariat (JAPS). Lagdameo Appeals / P4
Pereira, “modern Moses” Jaffna Catholics tell government: tell us “truth” about missing priest
KARACHI, Pakistan, August 28, 2006– blessed by Mgr Evarist Pinto, current ALLAIPIDDY, Sri Lanka, August 25, by a silent march to the office of the local or unwilling, to help. All requests to the
The archbishop emeritus of Karachi archbishop of Karachi, who described 2006—Catholics in northern Sri Lanka are Government Agent [highest government authorities and efforts by the church to
was “one of the best shepherds of the his predecessor as a “man who chose calling for the truth about a priest’s disap- representative at district level]. discover the whereabouts of Fr Jim and
country, a modern Moses”, whose work to serve God with his life and who made pearance in Jaffna to be revealed “with- Fr M. Savundaranayagam, Dean of Vimalathas have proved fruitless. Fr
“contributed to strengthening the faith respect for life his mission.” He added: out delay”. As the authorities keep silent, Jaffna Ecclesiastical District, addressed Savundaranayagam said he went in per-
of local Catholics” said Fr Robert “His death saddens all who knew him. the community can only continue to pray. the church gathering, stressing that “our son to Allaipiddy to search for Fr Jim and
D’Silva. We have lost an excellent shepherd.” Thirty-four-year-old Fr Jim Brown government has the responsibility to give Vimalathas on 22 August, and the follow-
He was speaking at the start of the During the mass, youth from the was last seen by a fellow priest on 20 a truthful and reasonable answer to this ing day, he accompanied the bishop of
funeral mass of Mgr Simeon Anthony diocese sang the choruses in Urdu and August at a military checkpoint at serious problem. Jaffna, Thomas Savundaranayagam, to
Pereira, which took place yesterday in English: one of the main objectives of Allaipiddy. Accompanied by Vimalathas, “We cannot understand how a priest St Philip Neri Church there. “Unfortu-
St Patrick’s Cathedral in Karachi. The the deceased bishop was precisely to a father of five children, he was waiting to in his full priestly uniform along with his nately we were unable to get any new
cathedral was crowded with thousands create a liturgy in the traditional lan- go to his parish church, destroyed days pillion rider, riding a red coloured motor- information about them,” he said.
of believers who came from all across guage of Pakistan to help youth ap- before in clashes between the army and cycle could have mysteriously vanished While waiting and hoping Fr Jim is
the country for the mass. proach the Gospel. rebel Tamil Tigers. Both men have disap- during daylight hours in an area where there safe, his friends are recalling his selfless
The bishops of Hyderabad, At the end of the funeral, the peared without trace. is a concentration of security forces,” he service. “Fr Jim did his best to help the
Multan, Faisalabad, Quetta and bishop’s coffin was laid to rest next to While the diocese of Jaffna anxiously said. “We request that the truth about this Allaipiddy people, risking his own life to
Islamabad were present at the cer- Archbishop Joseph Cordeiro, who was awaits news of their fate, another Christian matter be revealed to us without delay.” face a barrage of shells,” said Fr
emony as was the Vatican Apostolic the first cardinal of Pakistan; Bishop priest has been reported missing in Jaffna Fr Savundaranayagam tempered his Savundaranayagam, referring to an attack
Nuncio in Pakistan, Mgr Adolfo Yllana, Pereira had been his pupil and friend. since 11August: Fr Vincent Vinodharaja of direct appeal by thanking the security on St Philip Neri church during crossfire
who read a message of condolence from The archbishop emeritus passed the Christian Church of the Apostle. forces for the “respect” they usually on 12 August.
the Holy See. Over 20 religious orders away on 21 August aged 78 after he On 24 August, priests, religious and showed priests, even allowing them to The people of the neighbouring dio-
of the diocese attended the ceremony. suffered a heart attack. He retired in 2002 lay people flocked to an adoration service travel for essential services during cur- cese of Mannar, where the priest worked
The bishop’s coffin was carried on but remained very active in diocesan held at St John’s church in Jaffna for Fr Jim few hours sometimes. for two years, also held prayers and a
the shoulders of six scouts and was pastoral work. (AsiaNews/DT) and Vimalathas. The service was followed But this time, the forces are unable, march for Fr Jim today. (AsiaNews)
now have nowhere to fish, and no ists and political activists, AMRSP also pointed out
fish to catch, their gears rendered other activities sanctioned by the government which
useless by the oil spill. The fish and impinged on the rights of citizens, such as: ordinary
mollusks were either gone, have di- citizens being forced to obtain cedulas as a means of
minished in number, or if collected, identification, curfew hours enforced on certain ar-
were too unpalatable to even find eas, setting up of military detachments besides
their way to the kitchen sink. Even schools and churches, and inside barangay halls.
those who sell fish (panting) woke The religious superiors also rebuked Macapagal-
up to find no fish to sell, or those Arroyo in her declaration an all-out-war against CPP-
who have, found no buyers.” NDF-NPA. AMRSP believes that a militarist solution
The provincial government im- goes against the teachings of the Catholic faith and
mediately created Task Force Sun- will not resolve the principal causes of insurgency.
rise to coordinate relief works. Com- In a letter addressed to fellow religious and
munities in the coastal Barangays friends, the AMRSP reiterated its call to remain vigi-
were encouraged to make improvised lant in the light of the country’s aggravating human
spill booms to prevent bunker fuel rights’ condition and to oppose all kinds of violence.
oil from damaging the shorelines. “We in the AMRSP cannot and will not stand
Medical assistance and relief goods idly by and accept this situation as God’s will. It goes
were immediately provided. Surveys against every tenet of the Christian faith we believe
of household affected were made, in. We are pro-life and not for death and destruction.
tests on water and fish were facili- We are for peace and not for violence. We are for the
tated and right information was pro- common good and not the rule of the few. We are for
vided. As of this writing, relief op- love, compassion and grace and not for hate, divi-
erations are still going on. sion and sin,” the letter said.
The local provincial govern- AMRSP urges fellow religious and mission part-
ment of Guimaras recommends the ners to live up to their prophetic calling, saying that it
following: 1. Retrieval of the sunken is now the time “to stand with the meek and deprived,
tanker. 2. Protocol of waste disposal. to join hands with the oppressed and dehumanized –
3. Integrated damage and needs as- to proclaim the good news of salvation.”
sessment as basis for relief, rehabili- The association is spearheading several activi-
tation and recovery efforts. ties in this month of September to highlight their cam-
I was talking to an oceanogra- paign for peace and human rights. A Caravan for
pher from U.P. Visayas, and he im- Peace and Human Rights and Hope is scheduled for
pressed upon me the urgency of re- September 22, which will traverse the dioceses of
trieving the tanker the fastest pos- Malolos, Cabanatuan and San Jose, Nueva Ecija. Prior
sible time. Estimates of the oil spill to the caravan an International Day of Peace vigil will
Total Log / from p1 sources.” panies—La Fortuna Mahogany, were financing illegal logging activi-
Fr Darwey Clark, Saint James the Baganga Plywood Corporation, and ties in some towns.
Apostle parish priest, said that there Matuginao Integrated Wood Products The report coincided with the
had been previous efforts to manifest Corp.—are operating in the province media stories linking public officials
their sentiments about illegal logging in large scale. to illegal logging.
that even put their lives at risk, but to These companies were given per- Environment officials and at least
no avail. mits along with the terms and condi- two “prominent” provincial govern-
“Nothing happened. I remember tions that they have to comply with, ment officials are being linked to ram-
there was even a time that we have been said Malbog. pant illegal logging, Delos Reyes said..
threatened by those hit by our crusade A report sent to the CBCP Moni- He, however, refused to identify who
and pressured us to retract,” he said. tor by the PENRO showed how towns the officials are.
The priest described the Davao are generating extra income outside the Meanwhile, Governor Maria
Oriental now as “open” to all for log- internal revenue allotment (IRA) they Elena Gil also admitted reports of ille-
ging operations—be it legal or illegal. receive. The report showed that DENR gal logging activities in her jurisdic-
He urged the government to give Davao Oriental generated total collec- tion.
attention to their place and said that tions of P6,126,309 in 2005 from the pro- She confronted the DENR about
Maliwagwag accident must serve as a ceeds in the utilization and development the issue, but the agency has been
lesson for everyone. of national wealth. consistent in denying the allegations.
Ninety-five percent of this amount She said the truck owner should
Not in favor is collected from the three towns. The be held responsible and must shoul-
They also cried foul over the Based on an initial report gathered But not all agree to the total log local government units concerned then der the expenses for the rehabilitation
“capitalization” of the impoverished by the local police, the truck owner was ban proposed by the Church. receive a 40-percent share distributed of Aliwagwag Bridge.
and marginalized sector as fronts of identified as a certain Proping, while the Salvador Malbog, Provincial En- to the provincial, municipal and
illegal logging operations. driver was known as Gaga Alba who vironment and Natural Resources Of- barangay at 20-45-35 percent sharing. Priceless
Davao Oriental first district rep- immediately fled after the accident. fice head, said logging should not be In terms of job generation, the in- The indigenous peoples earlier
resentative Corazon Malanyaon and The recovered logs were report- totally ceased because it could cause dustry has reportedly generated jobs also came out with a statement vehe-
Almario Mayo of the second district edly to be transported to Campostela the collapse of growing wood-indus- for the harvesting, hauling and process- mently opposing logging and mining
are also being urged to support the Valley. try of the province particularly in the ing of trees. operations and other forms of envi-
campaign. At press time, the Cateel police are towns of Baganga, Cateel and Caraga. Baganga Plywood Corporation is ronmental destruction.
The recent bridge collapse that still waiting for a certification coming He also belied reports of illegal log- listed as the province’s top employer in Fr Bert Ombon, the Indigenous
killed 9 lives and left three others criti- from the Land Transportation Office ging operations in the province despite September 2004, based on SSS contri- Peoples (IP) Apostolate Diocesan Co-
cally injured aboard a ten wheeler (LTO) that would reveal the real iden- the fact that the recovered logs in the butions. ordinator, claims that peoples’ lives are
truck, with plate no. XGD-535, has tity of the truck owner. said accident have been confirmed “il- Salvador said they cannot just not improved because of logging
stirred concerns among the residents. He admitted that illegal logging legal” by the local police and Cateel stop the logging operations unless given the high social and environmen-
The accident that occurred Au- really exists in the towns of Cateel, and Municipal Environment and Natural there is an alternative livelihood oppor- tal cost.
gust 20 in Cateel was believed to have illegal loggers are using different sys- Resources Office (MENRO). tunities for the people. “There is really no place any-
been caused by the overloading 30, tems in their operation. The provincial government pur- where in the world that prospers be-
000 tons of “illegally cut” logs mostly sued to strengthen the social forestry Prominent officials cause of such activity. True, logging
identified as red lawaan. The weight Common knowledge program through the Community- Manyaon, who has been constant companies might have given employ-
capacity of the Aliwagwag Bridge is “The never ending recurrence of Based Forest Management Program in her anti-logging stand, said she was ment to some people, but this (envi-
only 10,000 tons. and intensification of illegal logging (CBFMP). saddened by the Aliwagwag tragedy ronmental catastrophe) is in exchange
operations in the province have indeed Another program implemented and wants the culprit be put behind of what they have done and will do to
Suspects been a public knowledge,” the state- was the Integrated Forest Management bars. our natural resources”.
Cateel Police Chief Sr. Inspector ment read. “Its existence has breed an- Agreement (IFMA), which invites in- It can be recalled that Manlayaon He stressed that nothing can pay
Rodolfo Delos Reyes vowed to file archy, alienation and ruin ecosystems vestors to infuse capital on forest man- made the call at the Lower House to for whatever damage brought by en-
appropriate charges to those who will due to indiscriminate, exploitation and agement, development and utilization. cease cutting trees in his province after vironmental destruction. (Roy
be proved responsible. irresponsible utilization of natural re- To date, at least three logging com- receiving reports that some politicians Lagarde, Neela Duallo)
Lebanon
secutive terms (1987-1991), Archbishop Leonardo
Legaspi’s episcopal task over the Archdiocese of
Caceres is impressively complemented with his other
ecclesiastical responsibilities. He is a member both
of Vatican’s Permanent Council of the Synod of Bish-
ops for the Laity and the Sacred Congregation for
the Clergy. He is likewise a member of the Executive
By Fr. Henry P. Bocala Committee of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Con-
ferences (Hong Kong) and also of the International
Study Group on Bioethics (Amsterdam). None the
THE age-old dictum that “history repeats itself” describes squarely the case of the war-ravaged Lebanon. For least, too, he was the President of the Second Ple-
one, the recent turmoil was a replay of the 1982 Israeli invasion; but more importantly because, as in the past, nary Council of the Philippines (PCP II). Much sought
Lebanon is the ultimate loser in this conflict. for his ingenious views on Church issues and con-
cerns, Archbishop Legaspi recently talked to CBCP
Monitor about the role and participation of the laity in
the Church, the perception of secular media about
the Church and CBCP, and his archdiocese’s social
concern, vocation, and family life programs.
7
Will another vicious civil war break out? Israel is not cross-fire between Israel and Hezbollah lies the fun-
the only nation whose existence is in the balance. damental issue of national sovereignty. Lebanon is Yes, I think, there is a
no stranger to foreign occupation. Its strategic loca- great ignorance on the part You’ve been the archbishop
Wishy-washy Diplomacy tion and commercial potential have lured surround- of the media in general re- of Caceres for the past 22
ing giants from as far back as Xerxes and Alexander garding the dynamics of the years. What’s the status
Rome briefly seized the spotlight at the height of the Great. Over the last 2000 years Lebanon has been CBCP. They do not really un- of priestly vocations in your
the conflict with the holding of peace conference ruled by Romans, Byzantines, Muslim Arabs, Cru- derstand, I think, the dy- area?
meant to silence the guns. But no concrete agree- saders, Mameluks, Mongols, and Ottoman Turks. Af- namics or operation of the Well, we have 277
ment was forged. The Holy See, along with some Eu- ter the First World War Lebanon became part of the CBCP. They think that the priests for a population of 1
ropean and Arab states, clamored for the immediate
cessation of hostilities. But the talks only betrayed
French mandate under the tutelage of the League of
Nations. World War II saw it in the clutches of the
president of the CBCP dic-
tates everything. No, that’s QUESTIONS million and 300 thousand.
We have an average of 8
the morally tenuous posture of Israel and its US ally, Vichy regime, until it was liberated by Allied forces not how we operate. CBCP new priests every year for
that of protracting the military campaign to debilitate and obtained political independence on January 1, is not a governing body, it’s a coordi- the past 20 years or so. We have 3
Hezbollah. Condoleezza Rice, the US Secretary of 1944. nating body. Every diocese or arch- seminaries. In general, our vocation
State, was skeptical of attempts to halt the fighting The last three decades have been particularly diocese remains free to do what it system and program of priestly for-
without prior guarantee of a more lasting truce. In turbulent. The civil war that broke out in April 1975 wants according to what their faith mation are practically working very
other words, “Keep firing ‘til I say stop,’” that’s the was closely linked to the Israeli-Arab conflict. Multi- tells them. So a statement of one well. In fact, we have our own mis-
US sententia and everybody else should either take tudes of Palestinians expelled from Jordan in 1970 bishop is not necessarily a statement sion program, called Caceres Mission
it or leave it. fled to Lebanon, sharply augmenting the number of of everybody. These are things that Aid Program (CMAP), where we
The tactical wisdom of this strategy, if any, is not refugees who had earlier poured into the country should be known by the media. When choose the real poor and needy dio-
an excuse to kill innocent civilians. Vatican argued during the previous Israeli-Arab wars. It became the I was president (of CBCP), I try to edu- ceses in foreign countries to send
that ceasefire was “possible” and “therefore neces- new base of the Palestine Liberation Organization cate the media on this score by ex- some of our priests for missionary
sary.” Conditions for a more enduring peace must (PLO), converting the country into a frequent target plaining to them the table of organi- work. By far, we have 9 volunteer
indeed be created, but not necessarily at the expense of Israeli gunfire. zation and responsibilities of CBCP, priests presently working in overseas
of non-combatants. The influx of Palestinians could hardly be ab- even giving them pictures of the of- missions in selected dioceses in
If the peace confab made some headway, it was sorbed by Lebanon’s fragile economy; it had no natu- ficers and members of the permanent Papua New Guinea, the Caribbean,
by way of heightening the awareness of the interna- ral resources and relied largely on finance, trade and council. But I was not very success- and in the northern part of Australia.
tional community on the plight of Lebanon, and draw- tourism. Moreover, there was a rapid demographic tilt ful when Cardinal Sin was still around.
ing commitments to offer immediate humanitarian aid away from the Christians and towards the Muslims. They (the people and media) think What about the Family Life program
as well as long term support for the country to rise The growing Muslim community, reinforced by the Cardinal Sin was the one speaking for in your archdiocese?
from the ashes when the time comes. Still, the world Palestinian refugees, were poised to take control of the Church. Of course, that’s not true. It’s our main concern, actually.
now could not just stand as a passive spectator, re- the leadership and establish a confessional state. This, Cardinal Sin was a very respected It’s our principal thrust. All other min-
signed to the prevalence of political pragmatism done together with other factors, polarized Lebanon be- archbishop of Manila. And, yes, be- istries have to be linked towards fam-
at the expense of basic human rights. tween Phalangists and other Christians and the left- cause he was in Manila, his words ily ministry. We do have our Caceres
Meanwhile, the United Nations seemed to be as ists—a motley collection of Marxists, Arab national- have national implications. But cer- Family Life Ministry, which is not ex-
impotent and ineffective as ever in its role to re-es- ists, young Shiites, lay reformists and left-wing Chris- tainly he was not the one dictating clusively focused on fighting the
tablish international peace and order, overshadowed tians—who joined forces with the Palestinians. for the other bishops. government regarding abortion, con-
as it was by Washington policies. The international Until then, Lebanon had a model of harmony traceptives, etc., but primarily
body kowtowed once again to US pressures. Relief among its diverse religious, cultural and ethnic groups. Let’s move on to the subject of lay grounded on strengthening families.
and humanitarian aid could not even be delivered by It was famed as the Switzerland of the Middle East. empowerment in the Church. The I believe, defense of the right of the
the UN as Israel cut off the access roads and imposed Its diversity was—and still is—reflected in a unique Second Plenary Council of the Phil- families, while it’s indeed important,
a no-drive zone in areas where people are trapped. government power sharing, consolidated through a ippines or PCP II, which you erstwhile is only a secondary area—it follows
The most that the Rome Conference could achieve charter of national reconciliation known as the Taif headed, underscored the greater par- after strengthening the family. It’s the
was a call for Israel to exercise self-restraint, which is Accord of 1989. Traditionally the president has been ticipation of the laity or lay empow- principal thrust of our apostolate.
a virtual green light for more military offensives. a Maronite Christian, the prime minister a Sunni Mus- erment in the Church. What is your
A long overdue UN Resolution (Resolution 1701) lim, and the speaker of parliament a Shi’ite Muslim. view on this? With CBCP’s declaration of 2006 as
was finally passed on August 9 calling for a ceasefire, Christians and Muslims also have the same number Yes, I was the president of PCP Year of Social Concerns, how is the
the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon, and of seats in the National Assembly. II. But, you know, I have probably a agenda of social concerns being
the deployment of a 15,000 strong international force. But the conflict which began in 1975 opened up deep peculiar way of approaching this implemented in your archdiocese?
But Lebanon doubted whether the UN document rifts. Peace was elusive, largely because Syria sent 40,000 question of lay empowerment. I’m not Primarily, it is a response to the
would be effectively implemented. It is a fragile truce troops to support the PLO cause and to counterbalance very keen in encouraging the laity to environment. The main thrust or front
that breaks apart at the slightest provocation. the presence of Israeli forces in Lebanon. Israel had formed be “inward looking” or simply fo- program is in relation to Mt. Isarog.
To be sure, the US-Israel tandem is not the sole the Southern Lebanese Army (SLA) as early as 1975. The cused on helping the parish. Of 7 Questions / p10
culprit of the war wreckage, let alone human casual- A Tooth / P12
Editorial
Social Doctrine
“HOW can one proclaim the commandment of
love without promoting the true and authentic
advancement of man, in justice and in truth.” (Paul
VI, Evangelium Nuntiandi, No. 31) This signal
pronouncement in the sphere of the social doctrine
of the church simply means that the work of charity
includes the pursuit of justice in the context of truth.
Injustice and deceit are key vices that demean
human dignity. Disregard human rights, belittle
human life.
CBCP Monitor
wrought.” (CFM) was introduced in the Philippines help of couples from different family life
“The future of evangelization rests by Pat and Patty Crowley of Chicago in organizations—a more thorough treat-
in great part on this Church in the Home.” February 1956. Tony and Teresa Nieva ment of the whole Papal exhortation. This
Honoring the Christian Family this were the first President-Couple followed guidebook is entitled. “Understanding
Protagonist of Tr u t h , Promoter of Peace
year, are two anniversary events—the by Sito and Sony Sison, then Joe and Familiaris Consortio”. The late Anto-
50th Anniversary of the introduction of Annie Meilly. As pioneers of the move- nio delos Reyes, the president of the
Pedro C. Quitorio Pinky Barrientos, FSP the Christian Family Movement of the ment they established the family evan- Council of the Laity of the Philippines at
Editor-in-Chief Production Manager Philippines this October 21st & 22nd and gelization process—a regular meeting that time, was given financial support by
the 25th Anniversary of Pope John Paul every other week of the CFM Unit com- Ayala Foundation to print 5000 copies of
Baltazar R. Acebedo Marcelo T. Dalanon II’s Apostolic Exhortation, Familiaris posed of about 8 couples. During these this guidebook. In 22 Unit meetings, fam-
Managing Editor Circulation Manager Consortio on November 19. meetings they use a CFM inquiry guide- ily life groups other than CFM, are im-
Dennis B. Dayao Both events are close to my heart. book on family evangelization. While the mersed in doctrines on the family using
Ma. Lourdes G. Ebilane Recalling our tenure, with me and my late initial guidebooks came from the U.S., this guidebook and are directed on ac-
On-Line Editor Marketing Supervisor
wife Lina, as President-Couple of the several years later, until the present time, tivities towards helping other families. In
Roy Q. Lagarde Leah Cariaso Christian Family Movement in 1990 – the guidebooks have been written by essence, Familiaris Consortio teaches
News Editor Comptroller 1991, it was at this time that CFM received CFM couples. The Solo Parents write us the sanctity of marriage, the duty to
a donation from a CFM couple, who their own. The methodology used is the transmit and serve life, the education of
The CBCP Monitor is published fortnightly by the CBCP would rather remain anonymous, a 420 “Observe-Judge-Act” process that is the children, the care of the elderly, the
Communications Development Foundation, Inc., with sq.m. property at No. 6A Horseshoe Vil- most appropriate for social action. When family’s ecclesial role, i.e., it’s service to
Layout by Mark Front
editorial and business offices at 470 Gen. Luna St., lage, San Juan, where now stands the Vatican issues new encyclicals or apos- the mission of the church, and its partici-
Intramuros, Manila. P.O. Box 3601, 1076 MCPO. Edito-
rial: (063) 404-2182. Business: (063)404-1612. CFM Nazareth Home. This is a 3-storey tolic exhortations, new meeting guide- pation in the development of society. The
Email: cbcpmonitor@cbcpworld.net Website: building with 21 air-conditioned bed- books are written by professional CFM family, being the domestic church, in all
www.cbcpworld.net/cbcpmonitor rooms ideal for weekend marriage en- couples. its activities, should be guided by
counter retreats, with a chapel on the In our tenure as President Couple, Laiko Lampstand / P12
Relationship and
LAST August 27, the Archdiocese of i.e. lack of infrastructures, state discrimi- Over the past few years, Filipino jour-
Recife in Brazil remembered the 16th death nation and corruption, abuse of public nalists have been “silenced” by deter-
anniversary of Dom Helder Pessoa power, competition instead of coopera- mined killers. Progressives and cause-
Camara, considered one of the great
Catholic figures of the 20th century. His
tion, lack of social skills, education and
excessive materialism.
oriented groups’ leaders and members
have also taken the brunt of violence. Learning
theology was said to be too ordinary World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz, While some quarters say the Left has also
compared with acknowledged liberation the former Deputy Defense Secretary of committed its part in the spate of killings, DESPITE modern communications growing in leaps and
theologians like Guztavo Gutierrez but the United States, was up in arms against it is the government’s duty to maintain bounds, the need to find human connection and feel that
was outstanding for his uncompromis- poverty. He was reportedly preparing to peace and order and prevent killings. one belongs are greater today than yesterday.
ing commitment to the poor. use pragmatic and result-oriented policies This is different from what Secretary
“When I give to the poor, they call that would put anti-corruption initiatives Ignacio Bunye said of the Arroyo It is ironic to see growing 'disconnectedness' taking
me a saint. When I ask why they are and increase private sector investment in administration’s sincerity in getting the place at home and in work places because we are more
poor, the call me a communist,” Arch- underdeveloped nations. culprits behind bars, with the creation of
connected now electronically than ever before. 'Connect-
bishop Camara once said. Far from waging wars against terror- Task Force Usig and the so-called Melo
edness' requires more than just transmission of data. It
A television show in the 1980s, Sic ists and some “enemies of the state”, Mr. Commission.
O’Clock News said “In the Philippines, Wolfowitz opted to focus on the evils of Sad to say, in the Philippines, the requires genuine concern for one another—a concern
there are only two pressing problems: poverty. He may have his hands full con- poor may no longer have access to the that is best expressed face-to-face. Interpersonal com-
“the rich worrying of their wealth and the sidering the number of poor people Courts as filing fees have increased to munications allow parties to communicate from their heart
poor worrying of their poverty.” worldwide that has grown in numbers. almost unimaginable heights. Some be- zones where mutual trust, cooperation, and learning can
Poverty is simply defined as an eco- What caught my attention was his lieve the legislative and the executive prosper.
nomic condition of want for both money emphasis on the need for good gover- agreed to give the judiciary their needed
and basic necessities needed to success- nance, requisites of which include trans- break with increased perks at the expense In her book, "A Framework for Understanding Pov-
fully and humanely live—as food, water, parency, accountability and responsibil- of the hapless, helpless and at times hope- erty", Dr. Ruby Payne asserts that teaching occurs out-
education and shelter. However, as ity. He said good governance is crucial less citizens. When people can no longer side the head while learning occurs inside the head. It is
economists and sociologists debate on in eradicating poverty. seek redress of grievances through le- obvious that rote learning and passive exams can never
poverty’s exact definition, a great num- World Bank was reported to be ex- gitimate means, where would they turn achieve this kind of learning—the kind fostered by genu-
ber of people may not have income secu- panding its anti-corruption work at the to? They will need more than bread. ine human 'connectedness'.
rity, economic stability and capacity to country level with special emphasis on They will ask for Justice.
project and predict his continuous means judicial reform and civil service reforms, Will good governance become a re- Genuine human 'connectedness' that emanates from
to meet his and his family’s basic needs. media and freedom of information. ality in our lifetime? respect and trust for the other brings about a magical
Many different factors have been It is said a connection exists between (For comments, email me at: relationship, between teachers and students or parents
considered reasons why poverty exists, press freedom and economic development. acunamelo@yahoo.com) and children that makes learning possible. As we exam-
ine our achievements, it is the relationship that we re-
to “Adsum”
witnessed to the establishment of
two new dioceses on March 30,
1987, namely: Kabankalan with ten
municipalities taken from the Dio-
cese in the southern part of Negros
Occidental, and San Carlos, the ter-
ritory of which is comprised of cities
and municipalities that previously By Rev. Fr. Ruel S. Jundos
were part of the Dioceses of Bacolod
and Dumaguete. life and ministry of the Church”, be- thentic “Community of Disciples”, Commissions to meet the pastoral commissions, regular consultation
For almost three-quarter of a came an experience of truly “being we become the “Church of the Poor”. needs of the Diocese and address meetings, strengthening of ecclesial
century since its creation and erec- Church”, and active participation in Moved by the need for renewal the many pastoral challenges. networks and linkages; (3) Diocesan,
tion as a diocese, Bacolod has been the liturgical and eucharistic assem- towards the fulfillment of this vision, The Diocese’s vision of the Vicarial and Parish Pastoral Coun-
shepherded by strong-principled, blies and celebrations was stressed. Bishop Navarra called for the Sec- Church today is finding _expression cils—regular meetings, on-going for-
courageous and unshakable bish- The last and remaining years of his ond Diocesan Synod to consult the in one ecclesial movement which mation and training of pastoral lead-
ops, embracing Jesus’ spirituality as episcopacy was a journey of “look- clergy and the lay faithful on how fosters Basic Ecclesial Communi- ers, promotion of consultancy and
shown in their preferential care for ing back at the past with gratitude, the Diocese could become more of a ties—the new way of “being technical support for the pastoral
the poor. The first bishop of living the present with enthusiasm Church of the Poor in terms of wor- Church”. It believes that BECs are councils, diocesan-wide pastoral
Bacolod, Bishop Casimiro M. Lladoc, and moving towards the future with ship, doctrine, organization and pas- the loci, not only for the formation assemblies; (4) Basic Ecclesial Com-
DD (September 16, 1933 to Septem- hope.” toral concerns. Acts and decrees of Catholic Christian faith, but also munities—orientation/re-orientation
ber 22, 1951), guided by his motto Now, the fifth bishop of Bacolod, were promulgated not only to serve for the sanctification and liberation of clergy, parish councils and lead-
“Duc in altum”, attended to the re- Bishop Vicente M. Navarra, DD (July the poor and the needy but for all of its flock and truly bring about an ers; support for BEC organizing,
building of many parishes devas- 19, 2001 – present), already on his sectors of the Church and society to authentic “Church of the Poor” as strengthening and sustaining; peri-
tated by war, expansion of more fifth year of episcopal administration, actively participate in the programs envisioned by PCP II. odic diocesan-wide BEC meetings
Catholic educational institutions and has since adopted the motto and activities of the Church through The various pastoral programs, and assemblies; and formulation of
invited religious congregations to “Adsum” (“Here I am, send me”) to various ministries and likewise for activities and concerns of the Dio- BEC organizing guidelines.
help in the religious formation of the guide his pastoral agenda for the them to be aware of their rights and cese, presently include, namely: (1) With the challenge of the New
faithful. He opened the doors of the Diocese. Unfazed by challenges and obligations as parishioners. The Di- Synod education and implementa- Evangelization and guided by the
Bishop’s House so that it became the struggles, he relentlessly pursues the ocesan Pastoral Center and the Lay tion—synod orientation, pastoral Acts and Decrees of the Second Di-
people’s refuge during the war. task of leading his flock according Formation Center were created to planning of parishes and chaplain- ocesan Synod, the Diocese of
Bishop Manuel Yap, DD (May to the direction set forth by the Sec- attend to the education and forma- cies, implementation and monitoring, Bacolod will continue to serve the
15, 1952 to October 16, 1966) suc- ond Plenary Council of the Philip- tion of parish leaders and workers. synod evaluation; (2) Assistance Church, crossing the threshold of the
ceeded Bishop Lladoc and inspired pines and the Nine Pastoral Priori- Moreover, the Diocesan Pastoral and collaboration among Diocesan coming years with unwavering fidel-
the Diocese with his motto, “Pro ties of the National Pastoral Consul- Center collaborates with the Social Commissions—formulation of Direc- ity to the Gospel and commitment to
Christo legatione fungimar”—“For tation on Church Renewal: as an au- Action Center and other Diocesan tories, planning and evaluation of its flock entrusted by God.
Christ, we are ambassadors”, which
implied that as ambassadors, we
have to keep, share and live faith- Diocesan Chancery and
fully the original message of the Di- Bishop’s Residence,
vine Master. Catholic movements Diocese of Bacolod.
were organized and Catholic Action
became widespread which brought
about the re-evangelization of both
the upper and the lower classes of
the Church. He convoked the first
Diocesan Synod on March 14-18,
1960 with only the clergy as partici-
pants.
Bishop Antonio Y. Fortich’s
time, (February 24, 1967 to January
31, 1989) was considered a time of
great ferment in the world, in the
country and in the Church. During
his episcopal ordination, the papal
nuncio told him, “The Holy Father
appointed you bishop of Bacolod so
that you will do something for the
poor”. With his slogan “Insta” –
“Proclaim the message and, welcome
or unwelcome, insist on it”—he
worked fearlessly amid massive at-
tacks against his person and his
clergy. Being a “man of God” and an
ardent advocate for peace, he ex-
tended help to everyone without dis-
crimination. Preferential option for
the poor guided the pastoral work of
the Diocese. Social action programs
flourished, Basic Christian Commu-
nities or BBCs were established, the
poor started to assume leadership in
various church ministries, and the lay
felt empowered. The liturgy became
alive, active and participated in by
all sectors. On August 11, 1988 he His Excellency
Excellency
retired after reaching the mandatory
retirement age of 75.
IMPORTANT FACTS His
MOST REV.
MOST REV. VICENTE
VICENTE M.
M.
NAVARRA, D.D.
NAVARRA, D.D.
Bishop Camilo D. Gregorio, DD Name: Dioecesis Bacolodensis Quasi-parishes/Chaplaincies 22 Bishop of
Bishop of Bacolod
Bacolod
(July 22, 1989 to September 2, 2000) Principal Titular:
St. Sebastian, January 20 Educational Centers
took over the See of Bacolod in 1989
Secondary Patron:
as the fourth bishop with the motto Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, Universities 2
“Servire in caritate” (“To serve in October 7 Colleges 4
love”). His time witnessed the great Area: 2,019.1 sq. kms. High Schools
flourishing of faith communities and Population: 1,307, 388 Diocesan/Parochial 6
Catholics: 1,091,668 Religious 18
renewal movements. There was an Priests: Elementary
impressive increase of religious con- Diocesan: 125 Diocesan/Parochial 7
gregations in the Diocese, both of men Religious: 44 Religious 14
and women. The pastoral ministry Guest: 3 Kindergarten
Brothers: 16 Diocesan/Parochial 25
was deepened and expanded, focus- Sisters: 184 Religious 18
ing mainly on caring and strengthen-
ing the “domestic Church” which is Diocesan Divisions Institutions
the home, the young people, the mi-
Districts 3 Home for the Aged 2
grants and other sectors of society. Vicariates 8 Orphanages 6
The Diocese’s concern and dedica- Parishes Retreat Houses 12
tion to its catechetical and educational Diocesan 43 Dormitories 4
ministry was intensified. The liturgy, Religious 4 Training Centers 7
being “the source and summit of the
A Tooth / from p5
“Hear me, you who know justice, you crisis reached its climax when Israeli of the peace process is the withdrawal
troops, after having occupied south- of all troops implicated in the war and
people who have my teaching at heart: Fear
ern Lebanon briefly in 1978, launched the setting up of a mechanism to pre-
not the reproach of men, be not dismayed at an all-out invasion in 1982. It bombarded vent further Hezbollah attacks. No one
their insults.”(Isaiah 51:7) Beirut to deliver a knock-out blow to can ignore the fact that the present hos-
the Syrian-backed Feyadeen fighters tilities are traced to the decades-old Is-
and dismantle the PLO’s military infra- raeli-Palestinian dispute, so any attempt
structure. It took another 18 years be- to resolve the Lebanese crisis has to be
fore Israel finally pulled its troops out done in the context of the wider Middle
of southern Lebanon after a 22-year oc- East dilemma. Even then much will re-
cupation. Syria held on for five more main to be done. Vast amounts of assis-
INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION FOR JUSTICE AND PEACE years, until February 2005. tance will be needed to help the Leba-
AND THE INTEGRITY OF CREATION Collateral Damage: The Erosion
nese clear up the debris and rebuild their
infrastructure and economy.
of Lebanese Identity But just as important is the need
The recent unrest and its poten- to rebuild the shredded fabric of Leba-
PROMOTING JUSTICE AND PEACE IN A GLOBALIZED WORLD
tial to reignite bode ill for the socio- nese sovereignty and to restore its
PROMOVER LA JUSTICIA Y LA PAZ EN UN MUNDO GLOBALIZADO
religious and cultural configuration of delicate social and political cohesion.
JULY 31 – AUGUST 15, 2006 – CASA BEATO NUNO – FATIMA-PORTUGAL Lebanon. Today the country is Lebanon’s religious and ethnic plural-
roughly 70 per cent Muslim and 30 per ism is a treasure that has to be pre-
STATEMENT OF CONCERN ON THE PHILIPPINE SITUATION cent Christian. This represents a steep
decline for the Christians, who were in
served and strengthened. It has always
been regarded as a European bridge
the majority the last time an official to the Arab world. If its 1,900-year-old
census was taken—in 1932. Each side Christian communities fail to weather
WE, the members of the 181 who disappeared and the in- tect the rights of the poor and up- is subdivided into multiple sects, the consequences of Israeli aggres-
Carmelite Family working on Jus- creasing human rights violations hold human dignity. Render jus- among them the Druze. Christian po- sion and are submerged by a rising
tice, Peace and Integrity of Cre- are forthrightly done to church tice to the victims and hear the litical groups, mainly Maronites, want tide of Islam, the world will lose some-
ation coming from 19 countries workers, leaders and members of or- cry of the poor people. independence and closer ties with the thing far more precious than a resort
throughout the world, gathered ganizations, activists, journalists, We appeal to the Office of West. But the Muslims see meaning- for sun-baking European tourists. It
in Fatima, Portugal from July 31- workers, peasants, among others the United Nations High Commis- ful collaboration only with the sur- will lose the only example of a suc-
August 15, 2006 with the Theme: with impunity. To such a degree the sioner for Human Rights to con- rounding Arab states. cessful democratic society in which
“Promoting Justice and Peace in intrusion of the Multi-national min- duct an investigation into these At the moment, the future looks Christians and Muslims once managed
a Globalized World”. ing and logging companies are killings in the Philippines. bleak for the Christians. Some 900,000 to work together in fraternal harmony.
Moved by our Prophetic tra- wrecking havoc to the environment We also call on all people of people fled the country during the tu- In 1989 Pope John Paul II convoked
dition as one family in Carmel, and affecting so greatly the lives of goodwill to promote justice and multuous years, most of them Christians. a special synod on the situation in Leba-
we spent time to discern and the indigenous people and their cul- peace throughout the World. Let Few Christians returned when the con- non, in the midst of its tragic civil war. He
contemplate together on the ture. Much more we are saddened justice flow like water, and up- flict died down. The exodus of Chris- said: “Greater mutual knowledge and
cries of the people and our envi- to know that even church and reli- rightness like a never-failing tians has been compounded by increas- engaging in a mutual dialogue for the
ronment today faced by the tre- gious people and co-workers who stream! (Amos 5:24). ing number of Muslims, thanks to the greater service of man are indispensable
mendous dehumanizing impact work for the poor are facing brazen naturalization en masse of Syrians and conditions for freedom, peace and re-
of Globalization around the harassment and intimidation. The For Peace and Justice in the Palestinians (in 1994 the Lebanese Par- spect for the dignity of the person. This
world. We feel with great remorse disconcerted situation of the Reli- World, liament naturalized some 300,000 people, living and consented pluralism is a fun-
that our world is full of injustices gious of the Good Shepherd sisters mostly Syrian Muslims). When the damental value which has presided over
and disquiet. Being challenged who for a long time are working Signed: Saudi-backed Rafik Hariri became Prime the history of Lebanon. This is the rea-
by this very inhuman situation, with the Indigenous people in Minister in 2000, he acquired vast real- son why the disappearance of Lebanon
we cannot close our eyes and Agusan del Sur is a manifestation Rev. Fr. Artemio Jusayan, O. Carm. estate properties from Christians and would be a dramatic loss for the cause of
remain deaf to the agonies of the of such an alarming situation. (Philippines) filled up government posts with Mus- freedom itself... The disappearance of
world. Our faith and Carmelite One with the victims and the Rev. Fr. Edgar Koning, O. Carm. lims. Meanwhile, the Iran-sponsored Lebanon, without any doubt, would be
tradition continuously compel poor Filipino people, it is our stand (The Netherlands) Hezbollah openly declared their intent one of the great tragedies of the world.
us to help restore the world therefore to join with the different Rev. Fr. Nelson Belisario, O. Carm. to create an Islamic state in Lebanon. Safeguarding it is one of the most ur-
where Peace, Justice and Love church and religious groups, sectors (USA) The declining presence of Christian gent and noble tasks which the world
reign. and human rights organizations in Rev. Fr. Miceal O’Neill, O. Carm. Lebanese is hardly good news for Is- today must undertake.”
Discerning on the different the Philippines and other parts of the (Ireland) rael, for it creates a hostile Muslim state Was anyone listening then? Is
situations of the poor people in world in denouncing these injus- Rev. Fr. Telesphoro “Chelo” Debí, on its northern border. anyone listening now?
the different countries around tices. We cannot allow this to con- O. Carm. (Democratic Republic
the world, we are deeply troubled tinue. Peace and justice must prevail. of the Congo) Fr. Henry Bocala finished Political Science
Challenges and Prospects degree in UP Diliman and worked for the
upon knowing the human rights Therefore in one voice: Rev. Fr. Amilton Vidotto, O. Carm. The most urgent task is to execute Senate during the Aquino administration.
situation in the Philippines. The We urgently call on the Presi- (Brazil) the UN Resolution 1701, and when it He later studied Theology and Canon Law
staggering number of victims of dent of the Philippines: Mrs. Gloria And 31 delegates of the Interna- in Rome, where he was ordained priest in
fails, to retry restoring peace on the March 2000. His doctoral thesis (published
extra-judicial killings which Macapagal Arroyo to act decisively tional Meeting for Justice and strength of international consensus, not as a book) dealt with the “Diplomatic Rela-
reached to 725 starting 2001, the to put a stop to these killings, pro- Peace beholden to the discriminatory voice of tions between the Holy See and the State
of Israel” in the context of the Middle East
the US and its minions. An integral part Conflict (Rome, 2000).
Godless Ideologies
from an objective moral law. observed.
It tends to serve merely self- Then you have the intoxi-
ish ends, and thus easily gets cating strange blend of liber-
corrupted, with matching re- alism where, with freedom de-
By Fr. Roy Cimagala sults. tached from an objective uni-
And so we can have that versal moral law, anything can
endless adventure of making be legalized—divorce, abor-
IDEOLOGIES are not bad in all sorts of assertions, ques- tion, infidelity, same-sex
themselves. They are often tioning every element in a es- union, wild scientific experi-
heroic and ambitious at- tablished culture, religion, ments like cloning, test-tube
tempts to make a kind of tradition, or moral order. babies, etc.
world-view of things, ex- Theories automatically are The biggest mistake
plaining them scientifically made into laws. Suspicions these ideologies commit is
and extensively. In a way are given the same treatment when they replace faith in
they are an unavoidable as facts. We quickly create a God with their own ideas and
stage in man’s effort to de- surreal world. doctrine, and when they de-
velop. The objective hierarchy rive their life and strength not
Going beyond the of values, based on the na- from a living unity with God
merely philosophical and ture of man and his relation but from some human and
theoretical, they enter into with God and with others, earthly source.
the practical world of action, gets altered to suit one’s sub- Among them, the easier
with programs, strategies and jective preferences. to detect and overcome are
a network of agencies to carry Because of these dan- those associated with the
out their ends. They convert gerous features of the God- Left, as recent history has
doctrine into action. less ideologies, we have suf- confirmed. With their often-
As such, they can be fered the scourges of com- absurd positions in issues,
useful. They can serve legiti- munism and socialism where they are easily uncovered.
mate purposes. They can do the rights of the individual They take advantage of the
a lot of good. Today, whether person are swallowed by the ignorance and poverty of the
we are aware of them or not, rights of the state. They people. They lure them to fa-
they are a part of our lives, of human pride and vanity, material things. Reality is sim- sponds to man’s condition. thrive on atheism and totali- naticism.
influencing us one way or an- they have proclaimed, for ex- ply what one sees or feels. At Because of this congeni- tarianism. Those associated with
other. We need to be discern- ample, that there is no God, best, it can be what one can tal defect, these ideologies There are also the the Right, because they are
ing. that there are no spiritual, understand and discover. But can lead to terrible conse- abuses of capitalism, where more subtle and deceptive,
It’s when they are much less supernatural reali- it’s a reality that dies with quences. If there is no God, self-centered individualism will take time and a lot of in-
wrongly inspired, or when ties. man. There is no reality after the understanding of what and consumerism are pro- human crises before they get
they overstep their limits, With the assertion that death. man is gets warped, the use moted, and the inhuman prac- finally exposed as they really
oversimplifying or exaggerat- there is no God, the authors Some have promised of power and authority can tice of holding the laws of the are, that is, evil. But they’ll
ing things, absolutizing the of these ideologies make a utopias based simply on be easily abused—prone to markets over human labor is be exposed.
relative and relativizing the world mainly consisting of earthly progress. Others have use force.
absolute, that they can be- their own selves. The world pontificated total human lib- The relation between
come bad and dangerous. seems to begin and end with eration exclusively through person and society, private
History, sad to say, is full them. In short, there is no some socio-economic or po- good and common good, etc., But Why / from p10
of such harmful ideologies. A world outside their egos. litical operations. There is no get twisted. Freedom is often
product of some questionable They seem to envision a mention of liberation from sin, understood as detached from love for the poor is not an arbitrary teaching of the Church
philosophies and ultimately world made exclusively of the real evil that fully corre- the sense of responsibility or upheld to gain points with the modern liberal mindsets.
It is a mandate from the Scriptures and, in a singular way,
it is a command from Jesus who declares to his disciples
Of Reasons and Deeper Meanings who serve and care for the poor and the weak of society:
“I assure you, as often as you did it for one of my least
brothers, you did it for me” (Mt 25:40).
Pope Benedict XVI reflects how in these words
by Nov. John Jay C. Magpusao, OSC “Jesus identifies himself with those in need, with the
it horrible, abnormal, and extraordinary. hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick and
ng Medicine. Eh, eto, nag-resign dahil those in prison…Love of God and love of neighbor have
magpapari!” Ngingiti-ngiti at iiling- It was a spreading, putrid ulcer that left a
deep wound. It could be considered a become one: in the least of the brethren we find Jesus
iling pa s’ya. himself, and in Jesus we find God” (Deus Caritas Est,
Our life is really full of surprises. It’s cankerous varicose vein in modern sci-
ence. An incurable affliction. no. 15). In fact, the primitive Christian community re-
a wonder that some things never always sponded to these words of Jesus in a fashion still alive in
flow the way we think or the way we and Was Camillus cursed? Definitely
not! His infirmity may seem a disgrace to the Church’s religious communities and movements of
others dream of them. At a certain point renewal, by holding goods in common so that no one
in our life, diversions occur in an uncon- simple human assessment but dissect-
ing it through a believer’s eyes, one could among them may be in want (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-37). Do-
ventional manner that even ourselves ing so is a declaration that all created goods are of the
can’t help but ask why it is so. Neverthe- surely see that it was such a grace won-
derfully designed by Providence. An un- Lord who exercises his lordship precisely in the surren-
less, in the end, to our relief, we realize der that believers make of themselves and their proper-
that indeed it has a greater purpose. desirable affliction progressing into a
noble, desirable mission. With this ties. Acknowledging this lordship of God over all cre-
Thence we affirm that truly, in good times ation necessarily brings with it a special concern for those
or in bad times, in our experiences, ev- wound he obtained his exemplary
charism. who have the least access to them and their fruits be-
erything happens for a reason. cause the earth’s goods are meant for all and everyone,
After an unsuccessful enlistment in Camillus was eager to return to mili-
tary life but his festering wound grew rich or poor, has a right to find his share of them (GS 69).
LAST summer, I was invited for an eat- the Venetian army together with his fa- We recall, too, how Pope John Paul II himself speaks
all-you-can dinner together with my ther and two cousins, seventeen-year old worse. It continuously tormented him,
giving him untold discomfort. Because of the mandate for all Christians to cultivate a sense of
former colleagues in the laboratory I last Camillus de Lellis, on his way back home solidarity with the poor “whenever it is called for by the
work with. Dr. Rayel, our pathologist, who to Bucchianico from Ancona, a blister of this, he instead paid heed on the ad-
vise for him to seek medical help from the social degrading of the subjects of work, by exploitation
was glad I was with them once again, formed on his right foot due to a scratch. of the workers, and by the growing areas of poverty and
joked at me. He said, “Itong si Kuyon, It became highly inflamed that eventu- best doctors at the Hospital of St. James’
of the Incurables in Rome. even hunger”, aware that such solidarity taken up by the
naiiba talaga. ‘Yong dati nating mga ally turned into a sore. An ordinary sore Church is “her mission, her service, a proof of her fidelity
Med Techs, nag-resign dahil mag-aaral it was not. Doctors in his time described Of Reasons / P10
to Christ, so that she can truly be the `Church of the
poor’” (Laborem Exercens, 8). This option is not only
very Scriptural and specifically Christian. It is also very
Bo Sanchez human, in fact a demand of common sense. For instance,
it is a common occurrence that in many families, there are
God will Meet you Where You Are sickly and weaker members. Parents and heads of house-
holds as well as the children themselves tend to gravi-
tate to these weaker, sickly members, showering them a
I'm taking post-graduate courses in Theology to re- He can stoop down to hallow, lazy brains like mine. special love so they could recover or be eased of their
mind me of how ignorant I really am. You see, I love listen- And He can also meet the best and sharpest minds of suffering. The Church is similarly a parent who continu-
ing to my brilliant professors speak high-tech "theologes". big-time theologians. And still win. ally exhorts her children to give, as she herself does, a
But I guess it’s not just for me. I can’t write straight He can be wise to the wise. special expression of love to their weaker brothers and
with big, heavy-duty words, quoting stuff from super-duper And simple to the simple. sisters in the poor, not because poverty is a value in
theologians. I’ve realized that God will meet us where we are. itself but because these weaker brothers and sisters need
That work to me is just a little bit less difficult than He can be very tender to you if you need an embrace. such special care and service.
doing advanced Trigonometry. But I recall one time when I He can be firm to you if you need some spanking. Above all, the Christian faith undertakes such an
took a shot at it. I started pounding on the keyboard, “Some He can be terribly awesome when you need a miracle. option because Jesus Christ the Master himself became
contemporary approaches to spirituality convey paradig- He can be painfully quiet when He wants you to trust one of the poor and lives among them. PCP II urges such
matic alterations from traditional soteriology, rooted in mod- Him. a love to be “a basic attitude that must pervade all plans
ern biblical hermeneutics...” He will be what you need him to be. and legislation for development, long skewed to favor
Ugh... It was pure torture. (I offered my sufferings for (Note: Not “want” Him to be. I said, “need” Him to be.) the better off sectors of our society…It urges us to be
the conversion of the world. And I bet you’d do that too if Question: What do you really need right now? more concerned about the substantive issues concern-
I wrote that way, hmm?) Believe me. ing street children, the unemployed, poor fishermen, farm-
But in all this, I’ve learned something quite glorious. He knows about it more than you do. ers and workers, exploited women, slum dwellers, side-
God is flexible. So let Him meet you where you are. walk vendors and beggars, Tribal Filipinos and others at
He’s made of rubber. And let Him love you, right there. the margin of human and social life” (PCP II 314).
In the end, we are all biased. But is God’s bias ours?
Title: THE LOST CITY Garcia has bitten more than he could
Running Time: 143 mins chew in this movie. Besides being Title: MY SUPER EX-GIRL-
Lead Cast: Andy Garcia, Ines lead actor, he is director, producer, FRIEND
Sastre, Tomas Millian, Nestor original music composer and others. Running Time: 110 mins
Carbonell, Enrique Murciano, Lead Cast: Uma Thurman,
Richard Bradford, Dustin
In some aspects, he succeeds as in
his acting and musical scoring; but Luke Wilson, Anna Faris,
Hoffman, Bill Murray
in others he fails as in his directing, Rainn Wilson, Eddie Izzard
Director: Andy Garcia
Producers: Tom Gores, Johnny writing and editing. He is trying to Director: Ivan Reitman
Lopez, Frank Mancuso Jr. do a Cuban 'The Godfather' but fails Producer: Pro-Gavin Polone,
Screenwriter: Guillermo Cabrera to make it. But is evident that he has Arnon Milchan
Infante created a labor of love that evokes a Screenwriter: Don Payne
Music: Andy Garcia Genre: Action/Drama
Cuba that is full of music, romance
Editor: Christopher Cibelli Cinematography: Don Burgess
and promise. Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Genre: Drama, Musical
Cinematography: Emmanuel Location: USA
Kadosh The Lost City evokes a bygone Technical Assessment:
Distributor: Magnolia Pictures, world that is rich in music, dance and Moral Assessment: ½
Paramount Pictures poetry but now is vanished and trans- CINEMA Rating: For viewers 14
Location: Havana, Cuba formed into something else more sin- and above
Technical Assessment: ister and impoverished. Only the
Moral Assessment: bittersweet memories remain. Cuba's A regular nine-to-five office guy, foibles we ordinary mortals have:
CINEMA Rating: For mature history parallels ours somewhat ? Matt Saunders (Luke Wilson) has she can get possessive, jealous,
viewers 18 and above rilla campaign. Despite Don colonized by Spain, forced to his eye on office-mate Hannah cruel, angry, emotionally manipu-
Federico's pleas for his family to be change masters with America who Lewis (Anna Faris), but she has a lative and want revenge. She can
FICO Fellove (Andy Garcia) eldest together, fire and fervor go separate intervened to divert our revolution- boyfriend. Sex-starved and control weapons of mass destruc-
of three brothers and owner/manager ways. Luis, knowing that he might ary fight for independence and lonely, Matt spots 30-something, tion but not the fires of her own
of Havana's classiest music night die asks Fico to promise to take care thwart our struggle to change the brunette Jenny Johnson (Uma dark side. What a relief for us.
club, El Tropico, has his hands full of his wife Aurora should he die. unequal distribution of wealth from Thurman) on the subway and Built like a fashion supermodel,
trying to keep family and club to- Castro wins and ascends to power the landed elite, etc?Like Cuba, our imagines her to be a super-hot girl Thurman pulls off her dual role as
gether. The time is 1958 and the but soon proves to be a disappoint- country's culture is rich in music, disguised as a spectacle-wearing no other actress could: she can
Fellove family, led by patriarch, Don ment as he is unable to solve his dance, literature, Catholicism and librarian. His attempt to pick her look frumpy or glamorous as the
Federico (Tomas Millian) is much country's problems but merely dis- European-Chinese heritage. Like the up is squelched by a vehement situation requires. G-Girl's sup-
aware that the corrupt Batista regime tributes misery more evenly by mak- Cubans when the going gets too "No". Through Matt's persever- posedly superheroic CGI feats are
is employing more violent, drastic ing the rich poor by confiscating tough, Filipinos also fly for greener ance despite the near frigid front kindergarten stuff beside
measures to hold on to power. The their properties. Meanwhile Fico and pastures in America. Cuba overthrew of Jenny, a friendship is struck Superman's or even Harry Potter's;
brothers are themselves divided in Aurora fall in love with each other, their previous regime by violent between the two. He soon discov- however, her insane jealousy
their stand: Fico is apolitical and but Fico has no choice but to leave means; we, on the other hand, would ers that indeed, beneath the ici- makes her score a perfect 10 as
merely an observer of the fast un- Cuba and live as an exile in America. rather effect change through peace- ness of his dark-haired prospect she hurls a Great White shark
folding events, interested solely in ful, constitutional means. A ques- is an intensity that borders on the through the window of a bedroom
maintaining the status-quo; Luis, The cinematography does tion is asked. "Which country is neurotic. Little does he know that where Matt and his new girl are
(Nestor Carbonell) is an ardent pro- much to make The Lost City an en- better-off?" If anything, the answer when Jenny leaves the dinner having a whale of a time making
ponent of violent overthrow and gaging film, presenting a culture that this movie gives is: that violence and table for the toilet, she actually whoopee.
leads a daring assassination attempt is a fresh break from the usual mov- war may not give the hoped-for flips off her wig, switches to her Question: What does a regu-
against Batista. Ricardo, (Enrique ies running in Manila theaters. The change for they also destroy the blonde-Amazon mode, and lar moviegoer discover in My Su-
Murciano) goes to the hills to join plot is quite easy to follow, and the good, the beautiful and the true in zooms off to save the world as per Ex-Girlfriend? Answer: that
Castro and Guevarra to wage a gue- sets offer an eyeful. However, Andy the aftermath. the glamorous superhero "G- movie sharks have come a long
Girl". But soon enough she has way from the mechanical Jaws to
to reveal her real identity to him; this one that lands on a lovers' bed.
and he discovers, too, that her The wonders of technology, in-
neurosis is real. Wary of the con- deed. Question: What lesson can
CBCPMonitor Name ___________________________________________ sequences of having a relation- sane and ordinary human beings
ship with a neurotic superhero, learn from this movie that would
(Family Name) (Given Name) (Middle Name) Matt tries to gently break away be of use in their life? Answer:
from Jenny, but she sniffs him out that super gifts from God should
SUBSCRIPTION RATES and takes revenge, using her su- not be used to serve a superhero's
Mailing Address __________________________________
perpowers with the fury of a weaknesses. It's not explicit in the
_________________________________________________ woman scorned. movie but the viewer may deduce
The CBCP Monitor is published The idea of a savior of the that gifted people should learn to
fortnightly by the CBCP Media Of- Phone No.: _______ Fax No.: ______ E-mail: __________ world who can't manage her own be humble and satisfied, grateful
fice, with editorial and business of- Mode of Payment neurosis is at least original. The for their gifts, and show this grati-
fices at 470 Gen. Luna St., story might disappoint you if tude by their pure service to hu-
Check/PMO enclosed Cash Payment you're looking for the usual su- manity. But the movie doesn't go
Intramuros, Manila. PO Box 3601,
(Payable to: CBCP Communications Development Foundation Inc.) perhero a la Superman, Batman, that deep; in fact CINEMA would
1076 MCPO Wonder Woman, Spiderman, have changed the ending to en-
• Domestic even Darna, if you please. They're hance the original idea of a human
1 Year Php400.00 ______________________ all morally upright, gifted with superhero. And let's not forget that,
2 Years Php 750.00 Signature superhuman strength, lovers of as in most Hollywood productions,
• Foreign: Asia mankind, and they all can fly. G- premarital sex is taken for granted
PLEASE SEND TO: Girl is one more added to New here, even blown up to supersex,
1 Year US$ 55.00
• All Other US$ 80.00 CBCP Monitor, P.O. Box 3601, Manila, Philippines York's superhero residents, but given the heroine's unusual
470 Gen. Luna St., Intramuros, Manila, Philippines | Tel (632) 404-2182 • Telefax (632) 404-1612 this time she's subject to the strength. Be aware.
Or e-mail this at cbcpmonitor@cbcpworld.com
Markings
Lagdameo: Give Melo Commission a Chance
ARCHBISHOP the probe body and hoped that the killings
A n g e l would be solved soon.
Lagdameo, He said the commission must remain “in-
Catholic Bish- dependent” in order to come out with fair APPOINTED. Rev. Fr. two-fold experience of encounters and trans-
ops’ Conference findings. Ruben C. Areno, SSP, 50, formations—encounter with a faithful God
of the Philippines The Catholic bishops have earlier raised as Provincial Superior of in the diversity of His manifestations but
(CBCP) presi- the issue on the killings of journalists and the Philippine-Macau especially in the Eucharist, and the conse-
dent, said the activists and expressed hope that the gov- Province of the Society of quent transformations in life expressed
Melo Commission ernment will take hand in solving the prob- St. Paul (SSP) Congrega- through the various PDDM Eucharistic,
should be given a lem. tion; August 22, 2006; by Priestly and Liturgical ministries. Now on
chance to prove itself on its probe into the Ms Arroyo formed the commission, SSP Superior General Fr. its 50th year in the Philippines, PDDM’s Phil-
“extra-judicial” killings in the country. headed by retired Supreme Court Judge Jose Silvio Sassi, SSP. A native of La Paz, Iloilo ippine-Taiwan-Hongkong Province has 101
He said the credibility of the commis- Melo, on August 20. City, Areno entered the congregation in professed members who are assigned to
sion remains to be seen and urged the people Leftist groups in the country have ac- 1969, and made his first religious profes- PDDM’s various houses and communities
to observe in the conduct of investigation. cused the government of being behind the sion on June 11, 1978 after finishing his in the Philippines, Taiwan, Hongkong and
“It’s too early to pass judgment,” said series of killings and disappearances, say- philosophical studies and novitiate forma- in various missions in Rome, Ireland,
Lagdameo. ing that more than 100 of their members have tion. After completing his theological stud- Canada, USA, Australia, France and Spain.
Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal been killed since Ms Arroyo took office in ies at the San Carlos Major Seminary, Makati
earlier said that he welcomed the creation of 2001. City, he was ordained priest on March 24, CELEBRATED. Rev.
1983. He did further studies specializing in Fr. Gerardo Giovanni
Spirituality at the Pontifical Gregorian Uni- R. Tapiador, 48, noted
Theological Centrum to Hold Retreats versity in Rome from 1991 to 1993. He be-
came Master of Novices and at the same
Filipino Bible scholar-
professor and Vicar
time the Father Superior in the early 90’s at General for Adminis-
THEOLOGICAL Centrum is Benedict XVI’s recent the St. Paul Novitiate House in San tration of the Diocese
organizing retreats for dioc- Wednesday audience dis- Fernando-Pampanga. During the Society’s of Novaliches, 25 th
esan priests that will be held courses on the Apostles. Rev. Provincial Chapter of 1998 he was elected sacerdotal ordination anniversary; August
at the Makiling Conference Fr. Julio Peñacoba, S.Th.D., Provincial Councilor, and later re-elected to 22, 2006; in a solemn Mass held at the St.
Center, Calamba, Laguna, on will give two conferences on the same position in the Provincial Chapter Peter’s Church, Quezon City, presided by
October 2 to 5, 2006, and at the priestly life in the context of 2002. He was also the Society’s Regional Bishop Teodoro Bacani and concelebrated
the Tagaytay Conference of Pope Benedict XVI’s en- Councilor from 1987 to 1990. For a period of by Novaliches Bishop Antonio Tobias.
Center, Mendez, Cavite, on cyclical “Deus Caritas Est” time he was Rector of SSP’s St. Paul Semi- Tapiador, who was born on March 28, 1958
November 13 to 16, 2006. The retreats start at and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the nary in Silang, Cavite; then, he concentrated in Rome, Italy, was ordained priest to the
11:00 a.m. on the first day and end at 9:30 a.m. Philippines’ (CBCP) exhortations on the Year his energies in the past five years as Direc- Archdiocese of Manila on August 22, 1981
on the last day. of Social Concerns. Fr. Cruz and Fr. Peñacoba tor General of the Apostolate of SSP’s Phil- by the late Jaime L. Cardinal Sin. He was
These retreats are offered to diocesan will be available also for individual counsel- ippine-Macau Province. The Society of St. sent to Jerusalem and Rome for further bib-
priests who might not have been able to at- ing in both retreats. Paul, one of the 10 religious congregations lical studies. He completed his licentiate in
tend the retreat of the diocese this year or For details or reservations, the priests and Institutes founded by Blessed James Sacred Scriptures, Magna Cum Laude, in
simply would like to do a personal retreat. can call Theological Centrum, telephone (02) Alberione, is a religious congregation of 1985 at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in
Rev. Fr. Fernand Cruz, S.Th.D., will preach 635-6113 or fax (02) 634-8590. (Fr. Michael Brothers and Priests whose primary Rome. A much-sought Bible scholar-profes-
the daily meditations centered on Pope Angelo Cardenas) apostolate is to spread the Good News of sor and resource speaker, Fr. Tapiador has
salvation to the men and women of today taught in different seminaries and schools
The CWL held its National Leadership Training Program last July 27-30, 2006 in Tagaytay City. In the
picture are the National Officers lead by its President Mrs. Josephine Gaviola; 1st National Vice-
President Mrs. Ester Sta. Ana; 2nd National Vice-President Celerina Papa-Malinit, M.D.; National
Treasurer Ms. Ma. Lourdes Peña; National Auditor Mrs. Carolina R. Bautista; Board Members and
Consultants with His Eminence Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales.