•A3
Cardinal Bertone will bring ‘Excellent
Report’ back to Holy Father after
attending KC convention
Prelate fears another
people power
IF a Catholic bishop would have his way, he
would not let another people power happen
again, fearing a possible “bloody” uprising.
Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz
instead urged the people to keep praying for
change in the country’s government system.
“I hope it (People Power 1) will not happen
again this time because it might already be-
come bloody,” he said.
Cruz said that if time and situation really
demands another people power revolt, it
Prelate / A6
Church rejects military
offensive in Mindanao
By Roy Lagarde
THE Catholic Bishops’ Confer-
ence of the Philippines (CBCP)
called for continued search for
peace in the face of increasing
violence in Southern Philippines.
CBCP President Archbishop
Angel Lagdameo said he would
like to see “negotiated” solution
to Mindanao conflict to avert fur-
ther escalation of violence.
Thousands of government
troopers were deployed in Sulu
and Basilan hunting down Abu
Sayyaf extremists accused of kill-
ing 14 marines in Basilan last July
10 while searching for kidnapped
Italian priest Giancarlo Bossi.
President Gloria Macapagal-
Arroyo ordered the military to
track down the perpetrators.
“The (government) must not
make violent moves especially
that they don’t know who the per-
petrators are,” said Lagdameo.
The CBCP head expressed
fears innocent civilians could be-
come involuntary victims of the
offensive.
“It was bad enough that Ma-
rines suffered. How much more
if civilians will suffer?” he asked.
Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Car-
dinal Vidal also expressed strong
opposition to the increasing ten-
sion in Mindanao particularly in
Basilan and Sulu provinces.
“We are definitely against any
form of violence,” he said.
The government, Vidal said,
must make every effort to work
towards peace, beginning with
Pope extends term
of Cardinal Rosales
GAUDENCIO Cardinal Rosales
will continue serving as Arch-
bishop of Manila following an in-
vitation of Pope Benedict XVI for
him to continue his pastoral duty
even if he reached his retirement
age.
The Apostolic Nunciature in the
Philippines, in a letter forwarded
to Rosales, said that the Holy Fa-
ther had received his resignation
letter but the Pope was inviting
him “to continue his ministry.”
The Pope’s letter was read Au-
gust 8 at the Mass for the advance
celebration of Rosales’ birthday
with the Manila clergy at the
Arzobispado de Manila.
In response, the Cardinal said
he will continue what he has been
doing and urged his priests and
the faithful to continue praying
for him.
“I thank God for the strength
He has given me to continue serv-
ing for the Church and His people
despite my old age,” said Rosales.
The Catholic Bishops’ Confer-
ence of the Philippines (CBCP),
meanwhile, welcomed the Holy
Father’s recent decision.
CBCP President and Jaro Arch-
bishop Angel Lagdameo said it’s
really the prerogative of the Pope
whether to accept or not the filed
mandatory resignation of the
Manila archbishop.
“We are very happy with the
decision. Even if Archbishop
Rosales reached the age of 75, he
is still capable of leading the
Catholic Church in the Philip-
pines,” he said.
Few months before his 75th
birthday on August 10, Rosales
•A7
www.cbcponline.net/cbcpmonitor
Protagonist of Truth, Promoter of Peace
August 20 - September 2, 2007
the rejection of violence.
At the height of the military
operation, dozens of soldiers
were either killed or wounded
when clashes erupted again in at
least three tows in Sulu.
Caloocan Bishop Deogracias
Iñiguez earlier said that instead
of attacking the rebels, the gov-
ernment should find ways to ease
the tension in Mindanao.
Appeal for prayer for peace
Bishop Prelate of Isabela de
Basilan Martin Jumoad appealed
to every Filipino to pray that
peace may once again reign in his
prelature.
“We have to keep in our hearts
the suffering, those who died in
the confrontations, the soldiers,
their immediate families and the
armed groups belonging to the
MILF so that they’ll realize that the
more we see violence, the more
pain and suffering these would
bring to everyone,” he said.
The prelate downplayed news
reports of former Marine com-
mandant, Major General Renato
Miranda, that, he knows who or-
dered the soldiers to the fatal
ambush that claimed 14 lives.
Jumoad said he doesn’t believe
the information “because life is
precious and I know the com-
manders are all God-fearing men
and very religious and I don’t
think they would do such for they
all believe in the sanctity of life,”
the prelate explained.
Church / A6
Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales
sent his resignation letter to the
Pope in June 2007 as required by
the Church Law.
The Code of Canon Law re-
quires that Catholic bishops must
tender their resignation on their
75th birth anniversary.
In that letter, Rosales thanked
the Pope and “the Holy Mother
Church for having granted me the
privilege of serving the Church
as Bishop.”
He said that his 33 years as prel-
ate “have shown me the unfailing
grace of a loving God” despite
“difficult moments” but “reward-
ing times”.
He told the Pope that he was
submitting his resignation earlier,
to “allow the proper selection of
the Archbishop who will succeed”
him.
Rosales said that his release
from “tremendous responsibili-
ties (of being Archbishop) will
most likely be spent in much
prayer, reflections and probably
writing.”
However, he said, “These are
personal plans and my obedience
to the laws and traditions of the
Church. I place my entire self ever
in God’s will and Your Holiness’
pleasure.
Celebrating, meanwhile, the
birthday of its Archbishop, the
Archdiocese of Manila designated
August 10, 2007 as a “Special Day
Pope / A6
There is no ‘cure’ for
priest with child,
archbishop says
Vol. 11 No. 17
Pueblos reiterates call to probe killings, respect human life
BUTUAN Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos reit-
erated his call for the government to investi-
gate all killings commonly described as “ex-
trajudicial killings,” so that its perpetrators
be brought to justice.
In an interview with CBCPNews, Bishop
Pueblos who also serves Commissioner to
the Melo Commission, said the killings have
been perpetrated by “vigilantes,” by people
out to get even, persons involved in land dis-
putes, partisan politics and groups out to si-
lence political activists.
He said while AFP Chief of Staff General
Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. created five courts
NASSA and DA sign
pact on agri program
IN an unprecedented move, the
government’s Department of Agri-
culture sought the assistance and co-
operation of the National Secretariat
for Social Action (CBCP-NASSA) in
promoting sustainable agriculture
despite the government’s insistence
on hybrid production
and the maximum uti-
lization of chemicals.
Episcopal Commis-
sion on Social Action,
Justice and Peace Chair-
man and Marbel
Bishop Dinualdo
Gutierrez said “it is
about time the government makes
up its mind regarding the practice of
sustainable agriculture.”
In a press statement sent to
CBCPNews, NASSA Executive Direc-
tor Sr. Rosanne Malillin, SPC said
three years ago, the government ag-
gressively campaigned for hybrid
rice then known as “Gloria rice” as a
means to ensure the country’s food
security.
The Department of Agriculture un-
der Secretary Arthur C. Yap will as-
•B1 •B8
From abstinence to CINEMA
love: A question of Reviews
character
cbcpmonitor@cbcpworld.net PNP chided for failure to
stop jueteng
AN anti-gambling bishop chided the Philippine
National Police (PNP) over its inability to end
jueteng operations in the country especially in
Luzon provinces.
Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz
made the comment after PNP chief Oscar
Calderon admitted the return of jueteng but said
they are in the stage of adjustment in their cam-
paign against the numbers racket.
Calderon said there has been change of ad-
Php 20.00 ministration in jueteng operations after the May
PNP / A6
Ancestral domain,
development will
Celebrating God’s outpouring love. help Mindano not
war, says bishop
Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal
(extreme right) led the symbolic releasing
of doves and balloons during the Golden
Jubilee Celebration of Carmel of St. Joseph SPEAKING over the Catholic Me-
in Lucena City, August 10, 2007. dia Network’s nationwide program
Veritas Pilipinas at Catholic-run
Veritas 846 , Bishop Dinualdo
Gutierrez said the situation in
Mindanao, particularly in Basilan
and Sulu provinces “is a very com-
plicated matter.” He firmly said
“war will not solve anything” for
if you wipe out the Abu Sayyaf,
other groups would surface.”
Asked whether development
would end armed conflict, Bishop
Gutierrez said economic devel-
opment is “only one part (of the
solution).” He added one will
have to “put in justice and respect
for human rights.” Another is to
consider the existing culture and
the need for education, he said
The issues relative to ancestral
domain should be carefully stud-
ied because “some people do not
understand its meaning,” added.
The indigenous people came way
© Roy Lagarde / CBCP Media
ahead of Muslims and Christians
in settling in Mindanao.
“The B’laans, T’bolis have been
in Mindanao a long, long time
ago,” Bishop Gutierrez said. The
Philippine constitution recognizes
ancestral domain “that is why we
Ancestral / A6
martial to attend to soldiers accused of vio- “As a Church, and as a teacher, we have to
lating Human Rights, they may not have respect the rights of every person because
cases to hear as “people may not be able to
launch or file complaints.”
He said even his fellow Melo Commis-
each one of us is made according to the im-
age of God,” he also said.
The bishop added “every person has that
sioner Chief State Prosecutor Jovencito Zuno right from God so we have to respect that to
agreed with his suggestion to improve the
government’s witness protection program.
“However, Commissioner Zuno said im-
the point nobody is allowed to get the life of
the other, everybody is encouraged to pro-
tect the life of each other.”
proving the Witness Protection program He said the 6th commandment is clear,
would mean additional funds as one has to “Thou shall not kill.” He concluded the
deal with not just with a witness to case but Church would continue to play an important
his entire family during the court proceed- role in bringing justice to the afflicted. (Melo
ings,” Pueblos said. Acuna)
Bishop Manuel dies at 69
BISHOP Vicente Manuel of the
Society of the Divine Word
(SVD), died at 2:25 PM on Au-
gust 18, at the Lourdes Hospi-
tal in Mandaluyong.
sist in the establishment of mini-or-
ganic fertilization plants in NASSA- Early this year, Bishop
Manuel was diagnosed with
identified dioceses, provide technical
training and equipment, including 70 cancer of the pancreas.
For three days, the body
pieces of soil test kits for Sustainable
Agriculture Resource Centers and was laid in state at Christ the King Seminary in
Quezon City.
funds for the propagation of tradi-
tional seeds such as rice, corn, veg- His remains were flown to Cebu on the evening
of August 21. Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal
etables and fruit trees to interested
farmers’ groups. Vidal celebrated a funeral mass at the Metropoli-
tan Cathedral together with the Cebu clergy.
The Memorandum
of Agreement will be After the mass the body was brought to Basak,
Mandaue, his former parish, and stayed there until
signed today in time
for the National Friday.
He will be interred in San Jose, Occidental
Launching of DA and
Social Action Net- Mindoro on Aug. 27 at 2 PM.
Elevated to the episcopacy in 1983, Bishop
work joint program
on sustainable agriculture. Manuel is the bishop emeritus of San Jose, Occi-
dental Mindoro where he established a radio sta-
Secretary Arthur C. Yap and
Butuan Bishop Juan De Dios Pueblos, tion and some socio-developmental projects. In
2000, he was transferred to the Archdiocese of Cebu.
Butuan Auxiliary Zacarias Jimenez
and Surigao Bishop Antonieto When chairman of the CBCP Commission on
Mission, Bishop Manuel organized the First Na-
Cabajog will sign the agreement.
The direct beneficiaries are the 64 tional Mission Congress held in Cebu in October
2000, which inspired the creation of the National
archdioceses and dioceses, agricul-
tural reform communities and Mission Plan and the organization of the Philip-
pine Association of Catholic Missiologists (PACM).
people’s organizations under
NASSA’s Sustainable Agriculture (CBCPNews)
Network. (CBCP News)

A2
Abortion causes rift at Amnesty
International, Irish office opts out of
controversial policy
Benedict XVI urges struggle against evil, says this is
the secret to Christ’s peace
CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, Au-
gust 19, 2007—The peace of Christ
is not “the absence of conflict” but
the “struggle against evil,”
Benedict XVI says.
The Pope said this today to those
gathered at the pontifical residence
at Castel Gandolfo to pray the An-
gelus. He added that being instru-
ments of Christ’s peace means “de-
feating evil with good.”
Speaking about the words of
Jesus from today’s Gospel ¯ “Do
you think that I have come to es-
tablish peace on the earth? No, I
tell you, but rather division” ¯ the
Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone
Australian Muslims to join in World Youth Day planning
SYDNEY, Australia, August 16,
2007—Islamic leaders in Austra-
lia may encourage participation
in the 2008 World Youth Day cel-
ebration, in exchange for a prom-
ise from Catholic leaders that
there will be no effort to convert
young people of other faiths, the
Sydney Morning Herald reports.
The Australian Federation of
Islamic Councils is offering to
DUBLIN, Ireland, August 17,
2007—Ireland’s branch of Am-
nesty International (AI) will not
promote the organization’s new
policy of allowing abortion in
cases of rape, incest, or threats to
the mother’s life.
Noeleen Hartigan, director at
Ireland’s Amnesty International
office, confirmed that the Irish
branch is opting out of the con-
troversial new policy, the Irish
Times reported.
Catholic delegates attending an
Amnesty International conference
this week are likely to raise the
issue, which has already received
wide media attention.
A former member, Mary
Stewart, told the Irish Times that
she sent back her membership
Holy Father clarified that this say-
ing “means the peace that he came
to bring is not synonymous with
the simple absence of conflict.”
“On the contrary, the peace of
Jesus is the fruit of a constant
struggle against evil. The battle
that Jesus has decided to fight is
not against men or human powers
but against the enemy of God and
man, Satan,” the Pontiff empha-
sized.
He continued: “Those who de-
sire to resist this enemy, remain-
ing faithful to God and the good,
must necessarily deal with mis-
Cardinal Bertone to bring Papal aid to Peru
CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, Au-
gust 19, 2007—Benedict XVI is
sending Secretary of State Cardi-
nal Tarcisio Bertone to bring aid
to victims of the earthquake in
Peru and convey the Pope’s per-
sonal concern for their situation.
In the Holy Father’s greeting
to those gathered at the papal
summer residence of Castel
Gandolfo to pray the Angelus
today, he assured the victims of
the Peruvian earthquake that
open school halls to accommo-
date the thousands of young
people who will converge on
Sydney for the July 2008 celebra-
tion. The Islamic group may also
help organize sporting events
involving both Christian and
Muslim participants, and wel-
come Christian pilgrims to visit
local mosques.
According to the Morning Her-
World News
card in protest to the executive
committee’s decision to adopt the
abortion policy.
Stewart explained, “I joined
Amnesty because of its strong
opposition to the death penalty
but now opposition to the death
penalty does not apply to unborn
babies.”
Amnesty International was
started as a campaign for prison-
ers of conscience in 1961 by Brit-
ish lawyer and Catholic convert
Peter Benenson.
Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize
in 1977, its membership has
swelled to 1.8 million members.
Kate Gilmore, Amnesty
International’s deputy secretary-
general, said the decision from the
Irish branch and criticism from
understandings and sometimes
very real persecution.
“Thus, those who intend to fol-
low Jesus and commit them-
selves without compromises to
the truth must know that they
will face opposition and will be-
come, despite themselves, a sign
of division among persons, even
within their own families.”
Benedict XVI said that love for
one’s parents is “indeed a sacred
commandment,” but added that
it “cannot be set in opposition to
the love of God and Christ.”
“In such a way, in the footsteps
“the Church is with you.”
At least 540 people died in
Wednesday’s magnitude-8 earth-
quake. More than double that
number were injured.
“In these days our thoughts
and our prayers are turned con-
stantly to the people of Peru, who
have been stricken by a devastat-
ing earthquake,” the Pontiff said.
“For the many who have died, I
invoke the peace of the Lord, for
those who have been injured, I
ald report, Church officials have
promised that Catholic leaders
“will not try to convert members
of other religious denominations
taking part in inter-faith forums
and volunteering facilities.”
Organizers of World Youth
Day in Sydney had issued an in-
vitation for other religious
groups to join in the planning and
participate in the celebration. The
U.S. bishops will not reverse the
organization’s abortion policy
decision.
Cardinal Renato Martino, presi-
dent of the Pontifical Council for
Justice and Peace, recently told the
National Catholic Register that
Catholics would have to with-
draw support from the organiza-
tion if it continued to support abor-
tion.
“By pushing for the decriminal-
ization of abortion as part of their
platform, Amnesty International
has disqualified itself as a de-
fender of human rights,” he said.
“If AI is no longer willing to stand
up for the most basic human
right—the right to life—then the
very integrity of the organization
is called into question.” (Zenit)
of the Lord Jesus, Christians must
become ‘instruments of his
peace,’ according to the celebrated
expression of St. Francis of
Assisi,” the Pope said. “This is not
an inconsistent and superficial
peace but a real one, pursued
with courage and tenacity in the
daily commitment to defeat evil
with good, paying in person the
price that this carries with it.”
Speaking in German, he added,
“Christ is not looking for tired
conformists, but witnesses of
courageous faith, those who burn
in the fire of his love.” (Zenit)
ask for quick recovery, and for
those thrown into miserable cir-
cumstances I assure you that the
Church is with you, in spiritual
and material solidarity.”
Benedict XVI added: “My sec-
retary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio
Bertone, who for some time had
planned a visit to Peru, in the next
few days, will, in person, bring
the testimony of my sentiments
and the concrete help of the Holy
See.” (Zenit)
Islamic
group re-
sponded
positively,
saying that
the event
could help
“break
down bar-
riers” in
Australia. (CWNews)
Vatican denies tinkering with
Wikipedia spokesman
downplays BBC report
VATICAN CITY, August 17,
2007—The Holy See denied re-
ports that it made alterations to
the Internet encyclopedia
Wikipedia.
The Vatican spokesman, Jesuit
Father Federico Lombardi, clari-
fied today that accusations say-
ing the Holy See manipulated
the encyclopedia written in col-
laborative form by its readers,
“lack all seriousness and logic.”
“It is absurd even to think that
such an initiative could have even
been considered,” added the
spokesman in a note released by
Vatican Radio, of which Father
Lombardi is director.
The priest said that “a simple
journalistic verification would
have been sufficient to realize
that the changes made in
Wikipedia didn’t have anything
to do with the Holy See.”
According to a Thursday re-
port by the BBC, some organi-
zations, such as the CIA and the
Vatican, have altered the content
of Wikipedia.
The changes have supposedly
been verified by a new tool,
called Wikipedia Scanner, that
shows the identity of the organi-
zations that modify content of the
Pope appeals for aid for South
Asians affected by severe
flooding
CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, Au-
gust 20, 2007—Pope Benedict XVI
appealed to the international
community to quickly come to
the aid of millions of people af-
fected by severe flooding in
South Asia.
After praying the Aug. 12
noonday Angelus, the pope ex-
pressed his concern for the “nu-
merous victims and millions of
homeless” caused by the “seri-
ous floods” in Pakistan, India,
Bangladesh, Nepal and China.
More than 20 million people
have been made homeless by the
floods and hundreds more have
died.
Relief workers said the
region’s seasonal monsoons and
rains this year brought the worst
flooding they have seen in
nearly a decade. Flooding de-
stroyed housing, cut off roads,
food and medical supplies, and
contaminated potable water
sources for millions of people.
The pope urged the world’s
Catholics “to pray for the vic-
tims and to support initiatives
of solidarity aimed at alleviat-
Zambian bishops urge Catholics
to study statement on reforms
LUSAKA, Zambia, August 14,
2007—Zambia’s Catholic bishops
have urged all Zambian Catho-
lics to get together in small com-
munity groups to study their
statement on constitutional re-
form, calling the current time a
“critical moment in the demo-
cratic life” of the southern Afri-
can country.
In the pastoral statement read
in churches across the country
Aug. 12 and scheduled to be
broadcast daily for two weeks on
church-sponsored community
radio stations, the Zambian bish-
ops’ conference said group study
will enable people “to under-
stand what is at stake.” The bish-
ops encouraged Catholics “to call
on their local members of parlia-
ment to fully explain to them how
(they) will represent them on
these constitutional issues.”
The bishops said they told
President Levy Mwanawasa at
their July 12 meeting with him
that Zambia will never have a le-
gitimate constitution unless it is
“genuinely a product of national
consensus, that is, inclusive of all
social groups in this country: po-
litical, religious, civil society,
government” and others. A Brit-
ish-drafted constitution has been
used since the former colony’s in-
dependence in 1964.
“According to our traditional
Zambian wisdom and practice,
all serious issues are to be
thrashed out in a wide group, rep-
resentative of different opinions
and viewpoints; otherwise there
is the danger that a wise decision
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 11 No. 17
August 20 - September 2, 2007
virtual encyclopedia, which is
written and edited by its own
users in more than 100 languages.
According to the BBC, some-
one used computers in the
Vatican to edit the page on Gerry
Adams, leader of the Irish politi-
cal party Sinn Fein.
The anonymous user alleg-
edly took out links to articles
that reported the supposed find-
ing of Adams’ fingerprints in a
car used in a double homicide in
1971, according to the BBC.
Another section, titled “Fresh
Murder Question Raised,” disap-
peared from the page on the
leader of Sinn Fein.
Father Lombardi noted that
the accusations received wide
coverage in many media orga-
nizations, but called this type of
reporting “typical” for slow
news days, prevalent while the
Northern Hemisphere enjoys
vacation.
The director of the Vatican
press office explained that, even
if the BBC verifies the story, one
still has to take into account that
there are many computers in the
Vatican, and that anyone could
have access to Wikipedia on any
one of them. (Zenit)
ing the suffering of so many
people so harshly tried.”
“May there not lack immedi-
ate and generous support from
the international community for
these brothers and sisters of
ours,” he said.
The pope’s appeal came after
he asked the faithful to live pru-
dently and wisely, reminding
them that “on this earth, we are
only passing through.”
Before reciting the Angelus,
the pope said Christians should
keep their hearts and eyes on
heaven in anticipation of the
eternal life to come.
He said Abraham lived “in the
Promised Land as in a foreign
country,” living in tents, recog-
nizing he was a stranger on
earth, “seeking a homeland” in
heaven.
The pope reminded people to
think of “the life of the world to
come” and invited everyone to
live “wisely and with foresight,
to carefully consider our des-
tiny” and the final realities of
“death, the last judgment, eter-
nity, hell and paradise.” (CNS)
will not be reached and that the
decision will not be accepted by
the people,” the bishops said in
the statement signed by their
conference president, Archbishop
Telesphore Mpundu of Lusaka.
The bishops support recom-
mendations, which were made in
2005 by a constitutional review
committee, that the president be
elected by a “50 plus 1 percent
majority” instead of by simple
majority. The recommendations
also provide for reduced presi-
dential powers and an indepen-
dent judiciary.
A bill of rights and a constitu-
tional court “which can handle
both human rights cases and elec-
toral issues” need to be estab-
lished, the bishops said.
“We stand by the repeated de-
mand of the people of Zambia for a
new constitution, not an amended
old constitution,” they said.
The church has been outspoken
in its insistence that the new con-
stitution be enacted by a constitu-
ent assembly instead of parlia-
ment, which is dominated by
Mwanawasa’s party, the Move-
ment for Multiparty Democracy.
The bishops said they join their
voice “to those who are calling
for patriotic sacrifice” by partici-
pants in the constituent assembly,
“who should serve on the basis
of sponsorship by their own or-
ganizations so as to reduce over-
all costs.”
Mwanawasa repeatedly has
said the country cannot afford the
recommended constitution-mak-
ing process. (CNS)
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 11 No. 17
August 20 - September 2, 2007 News Features A3
Cardinal Bertone will bring ‘Excellent Bishops-Ulama, AFP: Dialogue
is key to peace-making
Report’ back to Holy Father after IN a statement released before land conflicts, misrepresentation

attending KC convention their August 9 meeting the BUC

AT a press conference on August 9 with mem-
bers of the international Catholic press, Car-
dinal Tarcisio Bertone said he will give “an
excellent report” to Pope Benedict XVI on his
trip to the United States to attend the Knights
of Columbus 125th Supreme Council Meet-
ing in Nashville.
”I am going to bring some of the documents
from the meeting, in particular the written
report of Mr. Carl Anderson that was pre-
convenors emphasized that de-
spite having the same goal of
promoting peace and order, both
and inaccurate reporting, the
threat of hostilities breaking out
because of possible flash points,
provocations because of biases
Columbus.
religious leaders and law enforc- and prejudices” remain problem-
Cardinal Bertone
ers vary in their methods of atic issues that call for an ongo-
was the main cel-
implementing it. ing dialogue.
ebrant of a Mass for
“Hence there is a need of build- Both parties agreed that dia-
the Knights of Co-
ing lines and occasions of peace- logue should start from the
lumbus in his first
ful communication and dialogue grassroots and work its way up
trip to the United
among them towards an effective to the level of leadership.
States since being
mutual collaboration,” the state- Serving as a liaison between
named to his Vatican
ment said. the Bishop-Ulama and military
position last year by

sented to us yesterday,” said Cardinal Bertone,
referring the Supreme Knight Carl A.
Anderson’s annual report.Supreme Knight
Anderson hosted the press conference, which
was also attended by Archbishop Pietro Sambi,
the apostolic nuncio to the United States.
The oral presentation of the annual report
was given by the Supreme Knight on Tues-
day morning during the opening session of
the convention. In it he spoke about the proud
history of the Knights of Columbus, the
world’s largest Catholic fraternal family or-
ganization, and he outlined the Order’s con-
tinued growth in membership and charitable
works for the Church and society.At the press
conference, which included U.S. and overseas
journalists, Cardinal Bertone also spoke
about Father Michael J. McGivney.
”I can only hope that his life truly be made
known to many more people throughout the
world as it has been made known to people
here in the United States,” the cardinal said.
”It is not only the fact that his life revolved
around questions of social care of people, but
also that his life must be made known in its
fullness for what it really stood for—his com-
mitment to catechesis and evangelization. It
can’t be presented as a life that was only for
social needs but also must be told from the
© Alessandra Benedetti/Corbis
Acknowledging the key role of in the peace process is Military
Pope Benedict XVI.
religious leaders and peacekeep- Ordinariate Bishop Leopoldo
Cardinal Bertone
ers in promoting peace through Tumulak, DD.
made the trip to
respectful dialogue, both parties According to Fr. John
Nashville, Tenn., spe-
agreed to strive to build bridges Brillantes, the bishop’s secretary,
cifically to attend the
of solidarity, reconciliation and the Military Ordinariate’s partici-
Order’s convention
peace through dialogue calling pation in the peace dialogue is
and to deliver a mes-
on each citizen to fulfill their role important because of the
sage from the Holy
Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone in peace-making. military’s involvement in the on-
Father.
Officials of the Tripartite Com- going clashes.
In his homily, Cardinal Bertone conveyed sacred filling the spacious convention center’s
mission of the Bishops-Ulama “[The bishop] wants to be in-
Pope Benedict’s best wishes. “Please be as- ballroom, as a Fourth Degree honor guard
Conference (BUC) led by Davao volved in the peace process be-
sured of the Holy Father’s spiritual closeness passed down the center aisle. The sacred
archbishop Fernando Capalla, cause the men and women in uni-
[to the Knights] and of a special remem- strains of the hymn “The Heavens Are Tell-
UCCP Bishop emeritus Hilario form are at the center stage of the
brance in his prayers at this time.” ing” was begun by the choir, and a long line
Gomez and Ulama League Presi- ongoing conflict in Mindanao,”
He also assured attendees of the Holy of priests, bishops and cardinals then pro-
dent Dr. Mahid Mutilan met last he said.
Father’s “gratitude for the good works car- cessed to the sanctuary and kissed the altar.
August 9 with representatives of Tumulak has issued instruction
ried out by the Knights of Columbus.”He With chairs arranged from wall to wall,
the Armed Forces of the Philip- to all chaplaincies of AFP and
praised Knights of Columbus founder, the more than 2,600 Knights, wives and family
pines, (AFP) the Philippine Na- PNP throughout the country to
Servant of God Father Michael J. McGivney, members filled the ballroom for the Tues-
tional Police (PNP) and the Mili- organized Holy hour and pray
calling him a “holy parish priest” who “min- day morning liturgy.
tary Ordinariate to a dialogue for for peace in violence-racked Sulu
istered to [parishioners] with Christ-like com- The Mass was the new liturgy of the
peace in Mindanao. and Basilan provinces.
passion.” Church offered in Latin, and Cardinal Bertone
National Security Adviser Sec- The government deployed
He “found the faith and courage to walk delivered his homily in Italian, with simul-
retary Norberto Gonzales, Gen- more than 4,000 soldiers in Sulu
steadfastly toward Christ and to inspire oth- taneous translation provided to the delegates
eral Hermogenes Esperon, and and Basilan last week in a mili-
ers by his leadership,” said Cardinal Bertone. in their own language through the use of
Director General Oscar Calderon tary offensive against Abu
The cardinal also commended the Order headsets.
represented the AFP and PNP. Sayyaf bandits. (Pinky
for its works of mercy and charity, compar- Intentions for the Prayer of the Faithful
Contentious situations “such as Barrientos, FSP)
ing Knights to the Good Samaritan. “You were read by brother Knights in English,
bind the wounds of those you discover lying Spanish, Polish, French and the Filipino lan-

Arguelles to launch Marian

perspective of a man of the Church.”
At the convention’s opening Mass the day
before, Cardinal Bertone preached on the life
and virtues of Father McGivney and said that
he takes a personal interest in the cause for
beatification of the founder of the Knights of
by the wayside and help restore them to guage Tagalog.Cardinal Bertone imparted his
health and strength,” he said. “We thank the apostolic blessing at the close of Mass “as a
Lord for the good works that are carried out gift of the abundant divine blessing.”
in the Catholic community through the gen-
erosity of the Knights of Columbus.”
After Mass, he joined fellow clergy mem-
bers for a lunch hosted by the Knights of Co-
The Aug. 7 Mass began with a hush of the lumbus. (Catholic Information Service)
Society
A MARIOLOGICAL Society to be September 12 to be followed by a
called Pueblo Amante de Maria Marian conference at 8 am. Fr.

Criminal syndicates behind child pornography

Mariological Society of the Philip-
pines (PAMMSPhil) will be
launched on September 12, in time
for the annual pilgrimage and cel-
through the help of the media,” the former ebration of the National Day of
Philippine envoy said. Prayer for Peace and Sanctification
Optical and Media Board Chair Edu of the Clergy in honor of Mary,
Manzano said he appreciates the support of Mediatrix of All Grace.
the Catholic Church as he revealed Filipino Mariological societies are estab-
minors have been seen in locally-produced lished in many countries around
pornographic materials. the world, but not one yet is set up
“The materials featured children engaged in the Philippines.
in sexual activities too graphic to describe,” According to Fr. Melvin Castro,
Manzano said. president and founder of the Con-
He reported complaints have been filed fraternity of Mary, Mediatrix of All
against several mall owners, retailers and Grace, the choice of the name for
smugglers. “We also appreciate the reception the society manifests the Filipinos’
© Denz Dayao / CBCP Media
Melvin Castro will talk on the Lipa
apparitions that happened 59 years
ago. In the afternoon, Archbishop
Arguelles will officially launch
PAMMSPhil following the talk of
Jesuit theologian Fr. Catalino
Arevalo, who will explain what
Pueblo de Amante meant. The day
will be capped with a
concelebrated mass with Cardinal
Ricardo Vidal as main celebrant
and Archbishop Angel Lagdameo
as homilist.
Pueblo Amante de Maria has Arch-
bishop Arguelles as president and
Ambassador Howard Dee as vice
president. Current members are

THE newly-organized Catholic Bishops Con-
ference of the Philippines’ Ad-Hoc Commit-
tee Against Child Pornography said minors
as young as three years old have been used
by criminal syndicates to pose nude for the
digital cameras and the Internet.
In a press briefing in time for the Feast of
Our Lady of the Assumption, former Ambas-
sador to the Holy See and PPCRV Chairper-
son Henrietta T. de Villa condemned the prac-
tice of nefarious businessmen who exploit
children for their own selfish motives.
“We condemn the violations committed
against helpless minors, asked to pose nude
and indulge in unthinkable activities,” de
Villa said.
“The CBCP President, Archbishop Angel
N. Lagdameo has expressed support for our
advocacy as he encouraged the involved
CBCP Commissions to coordinate their re-
we got from government prosecutors who filial devotion to the Blessed composed of theologians from the
assisted us in going after these legit business- Mother. clergy and Marian groups Friends
men, peddlers and wholesalers,” he added. “Archbishop Arguelles does of the Mediatrix and Magnificat
A “lugawan” with the country’s legislators not want it [society] just to be movements. The membership
has been scheduled next month to discuss called Mariological society but committee is headed by Fr. Melvin
what additional laws are needed to put a stop Pueblo de Amante which speaks of Castro.
to child pornography. the Marian spirit that essentially
The ad-hoc committee’s research revealed describes us as a people and as a National Pilgrimage
spective efforts for optimum results,” de Villa while there are enough laws, the penalties country,” he said.
added. are “too light” to serve as deterrent to crimi- PAMMSPhil will have theolo- Already in its fourth year, the
She said the Catholic Church through the nal syndicates. gians and Marian devotees as annual pilgrimage in honor of
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philip- It was also noted that credit card compa- members. Castro said the goal is to Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace has
pines and its respective Commissions on nies have not cooperated with investigating make an in depth study of Marian drawn thousands of Marian devo-
Youth, Family and Life, Laity and the Offices agencies to ferret child pornography sub- devotions and provide theological tees all over the country who
on Women and Media have begun its advo- scribers. A law is needed to penalize mere foundation to guide devotees in gather in Lipa Carmel to pay hom-
cacy campaign to call on government and the possession of child pornographic materials. their devotional practices. age to our Lady.
citizens to prevent further child exploitation. It will be recalled government authorities “There is a tendency among our The annual pilgrimage is spear-
De Villa also said the ad-hoc committee rescued around 70 minors aged 5 to 12 years devotees to resort to fanaticism [in headed by the Archdiocese of Lipa
received reports some parents were even en- old from a syndicate involved in the produc- their devotional practices, so the and National Movement for Mary,
couraging their children to participate in the tion of pornographic materials in Laguna need for] theological basis or foun- Mediatrix of All Grace.
production of pornographic movies for cash province during the second semester of 2004. dation,” said Castro. The National Movement is a
or gifts. The incident caught international attention. On September 11, an overnight coalition of various Marian or-
Asked how the committee will lead the Former Ambassador de Villa said the vigil and healing mass is scheduled ganizations in the country, one
campaign, Ambassador de Villa said the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philip- with Fr. Jerry Orbos as speaker. of which is Friends of Mary the
Church has its mandated organizations, pines issued its pastoral letter on the exploi- Archbishop Ramon Arguelles Mediatrix. (Pinky Barrientos,
schools and colleges nationwide along with tation of children as early as January 31, 1998 will celebrate the 6 am mass on FSP)
parishes. “We will go heavy in information- during the leadership of Lingayen-Dagupan
education-communication campaigns Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz. (CBCPNews)

Church promotes breastfeeding

Lawmaker hits Church on population, reproductive health
REPRESENTATIVE Janet Garin of Iloilo
launched Wednesday an open attack on the
Catholic Church for its unswerving defense
of the right to life and its consistent opposi-
tion to proposed anti-life and anti-family
laws.
In a privilege speech on population and
reproductive health, Garin sought support for
House Bill No. 17, which seeks to establish a
national policy on reproductive health, re-
sponsible parenthood and population devel-
opment, even before the bill could be referred
to a committee, which has yet to be orga-
nized.
Oddly enough, the members on the floor
failed to point out that any discussion of the
bill was premature.
Garin claimed that having too many chil-
dren was inimical to women’s health; that it
contributed to so much poverty; that it bur-
dened the government’s development goals;
and that family planning was needed to im-
prove women’s quality of life.
Garin blamed the Church for the failure of
Congress to enact population control and
reproductive health laws. She said the Church
habitually lobbied members of Congress to
deny support to population control and re-
productive health bills.
Garin accused the Church of violating the
principle of separation of Church and State,
THE Catholic Church has backed
calls from health experts to push
mothers to breastfeed their ba-
bies as a way to share the “gift
without giving any indication of how this market. A good number of legislators were breastfeeding instead of highly only a mother can give”.
principle was to be correctly understood. seen nodding in agreement. advertised milk substitutes. The group also lauded the
Nobody reminded the congresswoman Despite the fact that Buhay Party, which The Catholic Bishops’ Confer- World Health Organization
that it is the State that needs to be prevented clearly stood on a pro-life platform, topped ence of the Philippines, through its (WHO), UNICEF and the Depart-
from violating the rights of the people and the party list elections and has three repre- Episcopal Commission on Health ment of Health (DOH) in under-
the Church whenever it attempts to control sentatives now sitting in the House, House Care (CBCP-ECHC) is promoting scoring the importance
the basic human rights of the individual or Bill 17 in its explanatory note claims that 86% ways to help mothers who find breastfeeding.
the family concerning procreation. of Filipinos approve of candidates advocat- breastfeeding a challenge. The WHO in Manila earlier
Congressman Eduardo Zialcita of ing women’s health programs while 82% sup- The ECHC has recently distrib- sought the help of the Catholic
Paranaque made a manifestation that he and port those advocating family planning pro- uted a 4-page handout to all the Church in promoting natural feed-
the recently organized Pro-life Caucus in grams. parishes, Catholic schools and the ing rather than the artificial milk.
Congress will block all anti-life bills. Zialcita The country’s population growth rate has faithful about the advantages chil- WHO director for Western Pa-
said these bills have failed to pass in past been going down consistently despite the dren can get from mother’s milk. cific Dr. Shigeru Omi said the
congresses because the majority did not think corollary decline in the contraceptive preva- In the handout, the Church Church has a significant role to
they deserved to be supported. lence rate. However, the government, with group stressed the importance of play in this advocacy.
Congressman Roilo Golez of Paranaque the help of foreign funding agencies, seems breast milk as a “unique gift from “The Church is still very influ-
stood to refute Garin’s claims. He cited the bent on pushing a sterilization program con- God” that nobody can replace. ential in many societies and it
contribution to the nation’s economy and to sidered immoral by the Catholic Church. “It is really fascinating to see a could help our advocacy," he said.
global professional excellence by children of Local governments are now poised to pass baby in the arms of a mother giv- Omi said the Church can use
big poor families who have made it to the Reproductive Health Codes in local legisla- ing life through breastfeeding,” the resources and opportunities
top because their parents invested everything tures through local ordinances as a follow- it said. available to it to inform people
in their education. through of their success in passing Gender “Imagine our lives without her about the advantages of
By their regular remittances of 15 billion and Development Codes without consulta- caring arms and nurturing milk breastfeeding.
dollars a year, these children of poor fami- tion with family and other sectors as man- in her breasts. You are really The WHO official said the
lies who are employed abroad continue to dated by the Constitution. blessed if your mother decided Church, through its priests and
contribute to the country’s economic growth, Pro-life and pro-family advocates in the to breastfeed you. You should be ministers, can inform everyone
Golez said. House are convinced the Church has an ac- thankful for she shared the in their congregation that
Golez proposed that instead of wasting tive role to play in making sure that legisla- unique gift of God that nobody breastfeeding is the most effec-
money on population control, the govern- tors are guided by the moral law in propos- can replace,” the information tive intervention to promote the
ment should invest on education to make the ing any legislation concerning the individual material added. healthy development of children.
country globally competitive in the labor and the family. (Ma. Fenny Tatad) The ECHC encouraged all (Roy Lagarde)
 CBCP Monitor
A4 Opinion Vol. 11 No. 17
August 20 - September 2, 2007

EDITORIAL

Disturbing Questions

EVEN just the thought of that fateful 10 July which marked the
date of the betrayal of those killed and desecrated soldiers in
Basilan is already revolting enough. And to be further told that no
less than certain public officials in effect authored the deception
that led those soldiers to their death and desecration to the disgust
of people—and make their comrades-in-arms not only sick in the
stomach but also very resentful and very tired of the present
system as a whole.
The questions are many and the answers are still unknown to date.
Why were the soldiers ordered to go to Basilan to look for Fr. Bossi
when it was rather common knowledge that he was somewhere
else? Why were the already dead soldiers, still treated with
barbaric acts to generate public anger and disgust? Why were
“board and lodging fees”, still paid to the kidnappers of Fr. Bossi
after all the gross inhumanity done to the soldiers? These questions
test reason and logic.
The atrocity committed on 10 July has a more disgusting aftermath.
An “all out war” was declared by Malacañang. More soldiers die.
Thousands of men, women and children have fled from the war
zone. Farms are left behind and means of livelihood are gone.
Meantime, the collateral damage is still going on. This is not to
mention the price tag appended to the “war” in the tune of 1 billion
pesos a month—courtesy of people’s taxes. It is bad enough when
countries are at war with another. It is hideous when a government
declares war against its own people. And this is exactly the big
and hideous misfortune of Mindanao.
More than the issue of either stopping or going on with the “war”,
the more fundamental question is why Mindanao by and large
remains underdeveloped, continuous to be restless, manages to
Bp. Guillermo V. Afable, DD
ward off Philippine governance? Must war and peace already be
accepted as Mindanao cycle? Is there no real, honest and lasting Fil-Mission Sunday – A
solution to the Mindanao predicament? If there still is, would the
government led by someone who recently claimed the tenure of DADITAMA Call to Mission
as much strength as wanted, deign to search for and find the
needed solution?
LAST July 29, 2007 was Fil-Mission Sunday— not only with our material help but also with ity from these dioceses manifest the mis-
a local Church celebration every last Sun- vocations to the different missionary soci- sionary spirit inculcated by missionaries
day of July. It is, first of all, a special day of eties. In fact, a number of religious insti- among the faithful, who began the mission
thanksgiving for the gift of faith we received tutes and lay associations in DADITAMA work in the region in the past two centuries,

Reform the Tax Law as a nation. It is also a day dedicated to our

Filipino missionaries, particularly the mem-
bers of the Mission Society of the Philip-
pines (MSP) for their selfless efforts in pro-
claiming the Gospel, especially to the young
THE injunction for both Houses of Congress to “Reform the tax Churches in Asia and in other parts of the
law” seems to have been officially given on the occasion of the world on behalf of the Catholic Church in
last glorious and glorified State of the Nation Address (SONA). the Philippines. Lastly, it is a day for the
In the event that such is really the marching orders given to the Church in the Philippines to renew its com-
mitment to World Mission.
Legislative Branch of Government by the Supreme Executive in
Fil-Mission Sunday is a special day for
the land, then such can only mean any or all of the following both Archdioceses and dioceses, all over the Phil-
disturbing considerations. ippines to take part in mission cooperation
through the special collection for the Fil-
One, when this present administration wants the Tax Law Mission Society to support their missionar-
reformed, it is only for the fools and silly to even think that the ies in 13 countries in Asia, Oceania, Europe,
intent is to lower direct and indirect taxes reluctantly and infallibly and South America. Our contributions will
paid by the financially able and unable citizens, respectively. It also help support those generous and dar-
only and categorically means that all taxes of all kinds should be ing young men preparing themselves to
increased by all means. become missionaries.
The dioceses of DADITAMA have long
Two, the government is cash-strapped. Prior to the May elections, been active in this missionary cooperation
the national leadership openly and proudly said that in the matter
of finance, the country was safe and sound. But after the elections,
Pondo ng Pinoy and
the economic scenery of the Philippines is no longer that shiny or
rosy. It does not take much learning or wisdom to conclude that
someone has not been telling the truth.
Three, the leadership super-vision of super-regions with super- Stewardship
infrastructures eventually means super-taxation. And the super
amount of money needed by the super-visionary can only come
I AM back on Radio Veritas 846. This time, I
from even the super-poor in this country. It is atrocious—to say am cohosting the Pondo ng Pinoy hour every
the least—when one’s big ego-trip has to be financed by everybody Sunday from 11:00 to 12:00 noon. The main
already stripped of their own ego according to the intrinsic dignity host, Bro. Archie, has been handling that pro-
as human persons. gram for the past three years and has truly
been able to get the commitment of so many
The “reform the tax law” imperative is in fact already being listeners with his excellent choice of Scripture
hurriedly and faithfully complied with by any government agency verses and reflections related to the vision and
that is privileged in so doing. It is enough to cite the no less than mission of Pondo ng Pinoy.
a whooping 2,600% tax increase suddenly and actually dictated Last Sunday, we were lucky to interview
by the BIR on bus, taxi and even jeepney operators. If this out of through phone patch, Fr. Daniel Mahan on the
topic of STEWARDSHIP. Fr. Mahan is the Ex-
the blue and out of tune taxation imperative were observed, who
ecutive Director of the Marian Center for
else but the riding public in fact will pay it. Catholic Stewardship of Indiana.
Lately, it was even reported that the BIR has been going even to Fr. Daniel spent a few weeks here in our
country giving talks on Stewardship at the
barely existing small private schools with the intent of squeezing ICLA, EAPI, Loyola School of Theology and
taxes from them. It is not enough that the government does not help Maryhill. His last four days was spent in
them with the taxes they collect from the general public. It is even Tagaytay giving a retreat to the staff of Caritas
intent in taxing again the parents of the students. Manila and Veritas Radio.
During our radio program, he explained the
four components of Stewardship: Gratitude,
Responsibility, Sharing and Accountability. He
ISSN 1908-2940
have members in local and foreign mis-
sions—the PM Sisters, Dominican Sisters,
TDM Sisters, Missionaries of the Assump-
tion, MIC Sisters, PME Fathers, Lay Women
in Mission, to name a few.
Our local diocesan priests have not been
wanting in missionary cooperation. The first
known diocesan priest to volunteer for for-
eign mission through the associate program
of the Fil-Mission Society was Fr. Jun Pelotos
of the Diocese of Tagum. He was a mission-
ary in Papua New Guinea. Other priests from
Davao and Digos, and Mati, later joined up
with the MSP too, strengthening the close
ties between them.
Responding to the missionary call to ev-
ery local church, the Diocese of Tagum and
the Archdiocese of Davao have also been
sending diocesan priests to dioceses abroad,
in Europe, America, Australia, and the West
Indies, with whom they have some sort of a
“fidei donum” arrangement. Such generos-
Sr. Mary Pilar Verzosa, RGS
explained it in very simple and practical terms
so it was quite easy for us to link up the con-
cepts of Stewardship to our Pondo ng Pinoy
catechism of the Theology of the Crumbs.
The first step in living Stewardship, accord-
ing to Fr. Mahan, is Gratitude or Thanksgiving.
A person is imbued with the sense of gratitude
for all the blessings that the Lord has given. One
cannot be grateful and unhappy at the same time.
A grateful person is a peaceful person. Any-
thing we are grateful for, we do not destroy or
exploit. We take good care and we treasure them.
What a powerful lesson for us, especially as we
care for our natural resources and for each other
as brothers and sisters of our one Father.
The second step is having a sense of Respon-
sibility for our talents, time and treasure. He
also expounded on the need for us to be respon-
sible for our Faith—to study the Scriptures, the
doctrines of the Church, the latest teachings. It
is important for us to be able to explain con-
vincingly to people who are out to destroy the
Church or are ignorant of our Religion.
especially the Augustinian Recollects, the
Jesuits, and the PME Fathers, Maryknoll Fa-
thers/Brothers/Sisters, as well as the RVM
Sisters.
Once again, in solidarity with the Fil-Mis-
sion Society and other missionary lay and
religious institutes, DADITAMA is proud
and happy to have celebrated Fil-Mission
Sunday. We recognize that still the “harvest
is great and the laborers are few” so we con-
tinue to pray, as the Lord commands, “Fa-
ther, you willed that all men be saved and come to
the knowledge of your truth. Inspire our homes
to become seedbeds of missionary vocation, by
their constant prayer and the quality of their
Christian life. Watch over our Fil-Missioners in
the missions. In times of difficulty, may they find
strength in doing your will. Be gracious to all
benefactors and friends of Fil-Mission. May you,
who cannot be outdone in generosity, reward
them a hundredfold. All these we ask of you, Fa-
ther, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
Love Life
The third is Sharing or Generosity. When we
share of the blessings of God to us, this brings
out the best in us. This is a challenge to par-
ents—giving oneself and one’s time to their
children without counting the cost. Being an
example to the children by doing parish work
or charitable activities is teaching them in prac-
tical ways how to be generous. Where your
treasure is, there is your heart.
At this point, we discussed how embarrass-
ing it is for us to admit that there is such a wide
gap between the rich and the poor in our coun-
try. However, this is what the Pondo ng Pinoy
aims to bridge and to respond to—the poverty
of so many of our people. Fr. Mahan admitted
that he saw the heartbreaking conditions of
poor children and families living in the streets.
But he also noticed the generosity of more and
more people volunteering their time, talent and
treasure as they participate in the parish pro-
grams for the poor. He reminded us to “do the
good that you can do and to do it today.”
Love Life / A7

CBCP Monitor
P r o ta g o n i s t of Tr u t h , Promoter of Peace
Rev. Euly B. Belizar, SThD

By the Roadside
Bias for Life vs. Demands
of (National) Security?
Pedro C. Quitorio
Editor-in-Chief

Pinky Barrientos, FSP IN the Philippines we are all aghast at the sight a few has the makings of a public relations or plainly killed soldiers has beefed up sup-
Kris P. Bayos
Associate Editor of flag-draped coffins of soldiers who have died nightmare for the government. It has sparked port for the government war effort by inciting
Feature Editor
in the on-going Mindanao war between gov- chorus after chorus of protests from civil, reli- desires for revenge from the majority (Chris-
Melo M. Acuña Rowena T. Dalanon ernment forces and the Abu Sayyaf plus its al- gious and ordinary concerned citizens. On the tian) population from whom majority of the
Managing Editor Marketing Supervisor lies from the MILF and MNLF. Television foot- other hand, the Philippine government insists dead soldiers come. Second, by hailing the dead
ages or accounts of decapitated or mutilated there is no other way to deal with the perceived soldiers as “mga bagong bayani (new heroes)”
Dennis B. Dayao Ernani M. Ramos bodies make us recoil or gasp in horror but terrorists than to crush them. And the seeming and giving them public honor is also, in effect,
On-Line Editor Circulation Manager hardly lie. “It’s a waste of lives,” Roman Catho- public relations nightmare that the deaths of clothing the life-for-national-security culture
Roy Q. Lagarde lic Bishop Martin Jumoad of Basilan recently soldiers have become is fast being turned into with a mantle of nobility.
Marcelita Dominguez
News Editor lamented. Absolutely no one from the conflict- a public relations offensive. Though national security is often seen as the
Comptroller
ing forces openly disagrees. The bias for life as In other more democratic countries (the U.S. requirement for the survival of the nation-state
The CBCP Monitor is published fortnightly by the CBCP expressed by the bishop is rarely, if at all, ques- for one) governments strictly keep the media by the use of political, economic, diplomatic
Communications Development Foundation, Inc., with tioned in the land of Rizal. But its slow down- away from covering the arrival of and funeral and military powers, in real terms the survival
Layout by Denz Dayao

editorial and business of fices at 470 Gen. Luna St., grading is being subtly shown in our life-for- rites for the casualties of war to avoid demoral- at stake may not necessarily always be that of
Intramuros, Manila. P.O. Box 3601, 1076 MCPO. national-security government culture. izing the population; here the media have be- the nation-state itself but, instead, that of an
Editorial: (063) 404-2182. Business: (063)404-1612. On the one hand, the scenario of the dead, come society’s celebrity-and-hero makers, individual or group in power. Therein lies the
Email: cbcpmonitor@cbcpworld.net
Website: www.cbcpworld.net/cbcpmonitor the dying, the wounded, displaced families and something the government is keen to use. First crux of the problem in Third World countries
the innocent being victimized by the crimes of off, media coverage of mutilated, decapitated
Roadside / A7
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 11 No. 17
August 20 - September 2, 2007
Oscar V. Cruz, DD
Views and Points
THE Government and PCSO officials con-
cerned recently made certain affirmations that
will readily qualify for inclusion in the sphere
of the incredible or for entry in the Guinness
Book of World Biggest Jokes—if there’s such a
thing.
What they said presumably with straight
faces, were not simply funny but downright
offensive to people with but elementary knowl-
edge. The said officials are high ranking and
are wherefore presumed to be not only com-
petent but also intelligent. But as the fish is
caught by its mouth, their pronouncements
betrayed either their vain attempt to justify
gambling or pitiful ignorance of common re-
alities.
Big Joke 1: It was claimed that the intended
increase of lotto bets from 10 to 20 pesos could
drive the public to indulge instead in illegal
numbers games!
The truth is before and after the introduction
of the government sponsored gambling of
The Methodology of
Observe—Judge—Act
CBCP announced the holding of the Second
National Rural Congress next year. The first
one was held 40 years ago in 1968. Arch-
bishop Angel N. Lagdameo expects the con-
gress “to review the continuing issues con-
fronting the country’s poor in the rural ar-
eas.” He further stated that the farmers,
fisherfolks, rural women and youth to “speak
by themselves, the discerning, the propos-
ing of their own ideas, the planning of how
we must as a people come together to work
for the common good of our country”.
The archbishop further stated to adopt the
See-Judge-Act Methodology through which
the participants will describe the current situ-
ation of various sectors of the rural poor, the
role of Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) and
church-based rural development programs.
As a long time member of the Christian
Family Movement, we use the same meth-
odology in our family evangelization pro-
cess. Using a prepared guidebook, a CFM
unit consisting of 6 to 8 couples follow the
OBSERVE-JUDGE-ACT methodology in
discussing the assigned topic for the day, for
example, a family life topic, Marriage Ac-
cording to God’s Plan”.
The OBSERVE portion for the example
stated above, is a quotation from Familiaris
Consortio Para. 11. The members study the
meaning of the Pope’s message about man
and woman in marriage: “God inscribed in the
humanity of man and woman the vocation and the
Nicolo F. Bernardo
Lifeguard
GOD always forgives, man sometimes, na-
ture never.
Plato’s account of Atlantis tells of a once
flourishing city suddenly swallowed by the
sea in 9,400 BC. Its treasures and its history
went along into the deeps.
By 2100, this could happen again, with
Metro Manila, Cebu and coastal cities sub-
merged underwater. We may not be around
by then, but our children and grandchildren
will.
Such is the forecast of climate specialists
from the Asia-Pacific Seminar on Climate
Change. Global warming is thawing the
whole polar Greenland and the continent of
Antarctica as to raise sea levels by 72 meters.
It is the “inconvenient truth,” as Al Gore’s
documentary warns. Climate changes are
here, causing frequent vicious typhoons and
a hotter breeze year-round that brings respi-
ratory distress, draught, and pestilence. The
warmer but wet environment is perfect for
breeding mosquitoes, plagues and pests.
This scientific estimate, which sounds
doomsday—floods, diseases, famine, is not
really surprising. In my former hometown
in Valenzuela City, along with neighboring
Caloocan, Malabon and Navotas (the
Camanava area), this has begun.
‘Sayang’
PEOPLE still talk of the luxury vehicles de-
stroyed and sold as scrap for over P150,000.
Government authorities said these vehicles had
a value of not less than P30 million. Several
policemen and a lawyer were reported to have
sued for their reward after they tipped authori-
ties of the shipment some years ago. What sur-
prised people were reports some of these cars,
if not all of them, were cannibalized, their ste-
reos gone along with several other parts.
There’s much to say after the Presidential
Anti-Smuggling Group head Undersecretary
Antonio Villar, Jr. acknowledged they are in
the process of filing raps against a hundred
Customs officials and employees involved in
the smuggling of luxury vehicles through the
famed Subic Bay Freeport.
He was quoted saying Bureau of Customs
officials and employees had a hand in the re-
Opinion
Joke, Joke, Joke
lotto, the illegal numbers games have been
thriving well specially after 2001. To this date
and time, jueteng and masiao are openly pro-
moted and at times even boldly protected in
many provinces. If the said government and
PCSO officials do not know this public and
standing fact, they are either much uninformed
or they simply refuse to know the truth.
Big Joke 2: The 100% proposed increase in
price tag of every lotto ticket was intended to
increase PCSO revenues for its numerous char-
ity works!
The reality is that the major portion of the
PCSO gambling revenues goes to fund any-
thing and everything—with but a pittance
thereof going to works of charity. The best ar-
gument in proving this practice is the immedi-
ate attachment of PCSO—and of PAGCOR—to
Malacañang which is certainly not a charitable
agency.
Big Joke 3: PCSO said that it believed that the
primary purpose or intention of lotto bettors
Jose B. Lugay
capacity and responsibility, of love and commun-
ion. Love is therefore the fundamental and innate
vocation of every human being.”
A COMMENTARY portion follows the
quotation from the Papal exhortation, usu-
ally an excerpt from a treatise on the subject
by experts on family life. Having enough
background information to go into a thor-
ough deliberation, discussion questions are
prepared. This include current observed
marriage situations—divorce, same-sex mar-
riage, separation, etc.
The JUDGE portion is the analytical part
of the process which answers the questions
WHAT, WHO, WHEN, HOW and WHY?
In preparation for sharing the answers, a
short quotation from the SCRIPTURE is read
and meditated upon (Bible Sharing Process).
This is the part where the chaplain or gabay
answers questions that come up during the
sharing process. Hence the couples are
guided by the clarification of the church’s
teachings on the specific issue.
The ACT or Christian Response is an action
plan or activity to be undertaken as a re-
sponse to the issues discussed during the
JUDGE portion.
The final part of the meeting will be the
Report of the ACT assignment of the previ-
ous week followed by the Closing Prayer.
The Observe-Judge-Act Methodology ap-
plied on a continuing basis, every other week
with the same group for many years, is an
Until It Sinks
At Coloong 1, Valenzuela where my fam-
ily used to live, there was once a land area
that stretches to Bulacan where the commu-
nity could plant crops and walk through a
short route to other towns. I was four years
old when I recall playing and running around
those plains. Now, they are dirty swamps
and quasi-rivers. Heavy downpours came,
then the floods, and the waters never drained.
We were never to see the fertile area dry
again. Whenever there are typhoons, the
flood on the roads can rise above human
level, trapping residents in their homes’ sec-
ond storeys (if they have one). There were
some outbreaks of dengue fever, which I suf-
fered and survived. My family, like some of
our neighbors, decided to leave for good.
Today, with all the flash-floods, inunda-
tion, and land slides happening everywhere,
I am reminded of that loss. I am not even in
my mid-twenties and yet so much have
changed, even the change of seasons. I could
only pray that Filipinos are not heading to a
continuous displacement.
Since 1965, PAG-ASA has observed rising
sea levels in the country. With a coastline of
18,000 kilometers, the Philippines is vulner-
able to changing sea altitudes. In fact, “even
without global warming’s full effects, flood-
Melo M. Acuña
lease of a Lamborghini, some BMWs, a Ferrari
and two Porsches. These cars are indeed “toys”
for the “big boys.” These cars are for those
who can really afford. No ordinary mortals
could spend so much on vehicles. But in the
Philippines, one gets what he wants for a fee. A
good example of which is the so-called “vanity
plates.”
While other ASEAN and Asian countries have
stringent measures before a vehicle could be
sold in the market, in the Philippines, we only
have two, the Clean Air Act of 1999 or Republic
Act 8749 and Seat Belts Use Act of 1999 known
as Republic Act 8750 both signed into law by
President Joseph Ejercito Estrada.
People in the car industry said they have a
minimum of six months for government to
approve the sale of new models, with various
departments seeing to it these new cars com-
was to help in its charitable works and that the
chance of winning was merely secondary.
This claim is tops in incredibility and super
even to inanity. People gamble for charity!
Gamblers have altruistic intentions! Gambling
is motivated generosity! If this were really the
case, then their biggest gamblers should be
presented by PCSO and PAGCOR, as candidates
for sainthood. The fact is that gambling stands
for avarice and greed that make gamblers covet
what they did not sweat for, what belongs to
others.
The now on-going avid search of the present
administration for money by all means and at
any cost has but one fundamental rationale: It’s
broke! This is why practically all government
agencies are poised to raise fees and taxes. There
is even one that wants to do this at the rate of
2,600%! It can be said that government allies
are all out to ingratiate themselves to the na-
tional leadership by handling this more and
more—at the expense of the people, of course.
Laiko Lampstand
evangelization process without equal for
family life.
On the 50th Anniversary of the Christian
Family Movement, the anniversary book
described the history of the Observe-Judge
Act Methodology. This was introduced by
Fr. Jospsph Cardijn of Belgium who later
became a Cardinal, in 1913. Inspired by the
encyclical Rerum Novarum, a letter on the con-
ditions of the working class, the widening
gap between the rich and the poor and other
social ills, he organized the workers into
small groups or cells and developed lay lead-
ers among them. He instructed them to:
+ Observe—What was their experience in
their factories? What was happening to them?
+ Judge—What were they seeing in the
light of Christ’s teachings?
+ Act—What can they do to make their situ-
ation better?
The workers responded well to his instruc-
tions and took steps to improve the situa-
tion. This was the beginning of Catholic Ac-
tion, an apostolic movement using the “Re-
view of Life”, a methodology of formation
which would later be referred to as the In-
quiry Method, the Cardjin Technique or now
more commonly known as the OJA (Ob-
serve-Judge-Act) Method.
Applying this methodology as recom-
mended by Archbishop Angel N. Lagdameo
we wish success to the Second National Ru-
ral Congress!
water levels in Manila can already rise up to
12 meters,” told Vincent Custodio, MMDA
Pumping Station and Flood Gate Operations
engineering consultant, to this writer.
“It is very possible that Manila would sub-
merge within a hundred years as it already
continuously subsides.”
Many countries are also hit by deadly heat-
waves and super-storms. When there are no
drizzles, there’s the scorching heat of the sun.
The toll? The World Health Organization es-
timates 150,000 deaths annually due to glo-
bal warming.
The recent four-day break of typhoon Egay
afforded me some time to reflect about our
raging nature. We may have so many plans
and deadlines on put but things now get to a
standstill when storms knock our seas, not
even our lands. Tragic accidents happen along
that may drive some to curse the heavens. It
is a humbling reminder though that there
are things beyond our control. Or rather, we
drive nature to a critical level beyond con-
siderable control. Many of the so-called
“natural evils” bear the touch of human in-
tervention and omission, not divine. It is in
the way we do things (use of fossil fuel en-
ergy, chlorofluorocarbons), how we litter our
Lifeguard / A6
Issues and Concerns
ply with the provisions of the Clean Air Act
and the Seat Belts Use Act of 1999. There’s noth-
ing wrong with complying with requirements
but could these be the same standards for the
other “luxury” vehicles up for sale at Subic, the
so-called “S U – bic vans and cars and trucks.”
Are their conversion kits according to interna-
tional standards? Can’t they do anything about
sliding doors found on the left side of the ve-
hicles? One makes us wonder how the govern-
ment approved the sale of these vehicles.
They say these “S U – bic” dealers paid taxes.
Be that as it may, who gets the responsibility if
and when these vehicles get involved in fatal
accidents? If the standards for legit car manu-
facturers are that “stringent,” it’s got to be the
same for the “S U –bic” car dealers. Now Subic
isn’t just the country’s free port, right? (To be
continued)
A5
Is inter-faith dialogue
faltering?
Fr. Andrew Byrne
“IF it isn’t Roman Catholic then it’s not a proper Church, Pope
tells Christians” was the provocative headline for a front-page
article in the London Times last month. The Vatican had just
released a brief but meaty document to clarify what it regarded
as mistaken views on interfaith dialogue.
The reaction was predictable. Protestant spokesmen wel-
comed Vatican honesty while criticizing its “lust for power”.
Comments from the pews came thick and fast. “The Babylonian
mystery religion is live and well in Papal Rome,” wrote a
Canadian. It was “self-serving exclusivism by the Pope,” ac-
cording to a reader in Seattle and “offensive and insincere” in
the eyes of a reader in Melbourne.
Is Pope Benedict trying to revive the almost forgotten days
of a Cold War of bigotry and intolerance between Catholics
and Protestants? A closer reading of the 16-page document sug-
gests that this is not the case at all. Let me explain.
When I was brought up I was taught that when saying in the
Creed: “I believe (...) in One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic
Church” I was saying that I believed that this Church exists and
that it is to be found in “the Catholic Church”, which we under-
stood as identical to “the Roman Catholic Church”. My world
was made up of Catholics (members of this one Church) and
Protestants (who might be very good but were not members of
the Church). We prayed for their conversion and were very
happy when we heard of people—of whom there were many—
who had asked to join the Church.
After the Second Vatican Council, especially perhaps in its
immediate aftermath, things became more complex. It became
unfashionable in the Catholic media to promote conversions.
The buzz word was “ecumenism”, often presented as dialogue
between Christian communities without any real search for
unity. What was sought was understanding, perhaps especially
on the part of us Catholics: we had to learn to see all the good
things which Protestants had. I remember my surprise at hear-
ing of a German theologian actively dissuading a Protestant
from becoming a Catholic, on the theory that it was better for
him to remain (at least for the time being) a Protestant.
In part this change was justified by a tiny change in wording
in a document from the Second Vatican Council. Before 1964,
Catholics used to say that the Church founded by Jesus Christ
is the Catholic Church. After 1964, they said that it subsists in
the Catholic Church. Tiny? Yes. Momentous? Most emphati-
cally. Almost immediately the change was interpreted as a
sign that the Catholic Church was retreating from its claim
that it was the authentic heir of Christ’s legacy of doctrine and
morals.
This was not true. All of the post-Vatican II popes have con-
stantly reaffirmed the unique status of the Catholic Church.
Why then had the phrase “subsists in” been adopted if it gave
rise to such widespread misinterpretations?
We have to remember that Vatican II aimed, among other
things, to be a Council open to the world and also, therefore, to
Christians of other denominations. Anyone with a minimum
of intelligence must recognize that many elements of Chris-
tianity are clearly to be found outside the strict limits of the
visible Roman Church. The Council decided that it was good
to state this publicly. This decision opened the door to cordial
dialogue with those other communions.
Has this been fruitful? I think the answer is Yes. It has helped
Catholics to open up to the riches of the Orthodox Churches
and also to a better realization that many Protestants are in
good faith, have a great appreciation for much of Christ’s teach-
ing and share many things with Catholics. In my own case, I
remember discovering that 17th Century Anglicans had made
extensive use of the works of mystics like St Teresa and St John
of the Cross. And practical advances, like being welcomed, as a
priest, to Anglican cathedrals; the introduction of Catholics to
Anglican and Methodist hymns; the beautiful words of the
Church of England marriage rite, and so on. Non-Catholics,
for their part, have become much more willing to recognize
the Pope as a world spiritual leader.
But there is also a down side. Seeing the good in other de-
nominations (a good thing) has often led Catholics to think
“we are all much the same” (which may be true, inasmuch as
we are all sinners; but the difference, for Catholics, is that they
believe they belong to a Church which is holy in spite of being
made up of sinners) and then to adopt less demanding ways of
behavior of some non-Catholics (infrequent attendance at
Church; acceptance of divorce and abortion and so on.).
This is one reason why Pope Benedict has asked his theolo-
gians (as did Pope John Paul II before him) to reiterate that the
teaching about the nature of the Catholic Church has not
changed. The Pope sees this not as a “put down” to non-Catho-
lic Christians, but a stimulus. We still believe wholeheartedly
in the Church, and that Christ has not failed. His Church still is
on earth; still subsists.
For Protestants (and indeed for Orthodox), if they come round
to admitting that Rome is not Babylon but a force for good, it
means that they have “out there” a group of people who still
carry the banner of the true Church, and the world is not con-
fined to Christians groping around for unity and wondering
whether Christ’s foundation has managed to survive.
Some consequences of the formulation “subsists in” are that
the term “Church” (which previously was used by the Roman
Catholic Church almost exclusively as referring to herself) can
now be used, in a narrower sense, of those portions of the
Church (including those not in full communion with Rome)
which retain the Apostolic succession (the episcopate and with
all the powers deriving from it).
Although the document says that the denominations result-
ing from the Protestant reformation cannot be deemed
Churches from the point of view of Catholic doctrine, it is
simply stating a logical consequence of their respective doc-
trines. Their notion of “Church” is different from the Catholic
notion. Catholics respectfully recognize that Protestants freely
decided in the 16th Century that the Catholic notions of priest-
hood and of the visible Church had no Biblical justification.
Finally, could we have saved ourselves a lot of trouble by
not getting involved in what some see as a hornet’s nest with
the phrase “subsist in”? This is a tenable opinion. Pope Benedict
himself is reported as saying this summer that back in the days
of the Second Vatican Council the enthusiasm of those involved
was such that they didn’t realize that, as well as all the positive
things emerging from the Council documents, there would
also be a good number of negative ones.
However, we should not underestimate the good that has
come from the ecumenical contacts of the last 40 years. The
trust that Catholics have in the Popes should surely lead them
to the conclusion that the best course is to keep hold of all the
advantages flowing from Vatican II while remembering that
what was taught before it remains true today. The two are not
opposed and can go ahead together.
(Father Andrew Byrne is a Catholic priest in London; published on
August 20, 2007, this was lifted from Mercatornet.com)
 CBCP Monitor
A6 Local News Vol. 11 No. 17
August 20 - September 2, 2007

Legazpi bishop: ‘Where is Church to assist victims

of armed conflict
government’s 20B?’ J O L O
Apos-
t o l i c
the Abu Sayyaf, and later that
evening, we heard gunfire and
other explosives,” Lampon said.
Vicar However, there was relative
AS hundreds of fami- NGOs have contributed about 80% of the re- of P20 billion to areas affected by last year’s
Bishop calm Friday as Moslems ob-
lies remain in tents and lief assistance to typhoon victims. typhoons Milenyo and Reming which de-
Angelito served the ascension of the
makeshift homes in “There are organizations and NGOs will- stroyed homes and farms severely affecting
Rendon Prophet Muhammad to heaven,
public schools and ing to build houses but there are no reloca- the Bicolanos’ lives.
Lampon, according to the prelate.
clearly-identified “dan- tion sites,” Bishop Quiambao said. He added “We are wondering what happened to the
O M I , He said there is close coordi-
ger zones,” Legazpi the Association of Major Religious Superi- P20 billion fund,” Bishop Quiambao said.
said de- nation between the Philippine
Auxiliary Bishop ors in the Philippines pledged to build 300 Severely affected residents began building
s p i t e National Red Cross, Depart-
Lucilo B. Quiambao homes and they have already delivered a their homes in areas inundated by flooding
Bishop Angelito Rendon their be- ment of Social Welfare and De-
asked government au- hundred. “as they have no other place to go.” Lampon, OMI ing a velopment and the local gov-
thorities whatever hap- “Even the Franciscans and other NGOS He said he already asked the cabinet dur-
Bp. Lucio Quiambao minority in the province, they ernments of the affected areas
pened to the publicized have expressed their desire to help but there ing a function in Malacañang last month but
are prepared to assist victims of to ease the problems faced by
P20 billion relief and rehab fund for typhoon are no available sites,” Bishop Quiambao not much has happened since then. “First
the armed conflict between the nearly 250 families reported
Reming victims. explained. He added in an area suited for they said they cannot do public works pro-
government and rebels be- displaced by the ongoing mili-
Speaking over Veritas Pilipinas, a nation- relocation, the National Housing Authority grams because of the election ban. Today,
lieved to be holding out in the tary operations.
wide program aired from Veritas 846 and has not made any land preparation to com- after the election ban has been lifted, they
boondocks. “We are in touch with local
Catholic Media Network stations, Bishop mence construction. still have to do infrastructure programs,”
“Red Cross and DSWD person- government officials and we are
Quiambao said the Catholic church and He said the government reported a release Bishop Quiambao added. (Melo Acuña)
nel have to be escorted by the willing to help in whatever way
military in delivering relief we could,” he further said.
goods to the affected families,” “Our DXMM reporters are out

Bishop, PPCRV irked over Bedol verdict
THE Commission on Election’s (Comelec)
decision over contempt charges against elec-
tion supervisor Lintang Bedol provoked
negative reactions from many including a
prelate and a church-based group.
Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz
said Bedol’s case deserves a “stronger” pen-
alty.
“Yes, the Comelec acted but it’s too little
and too slow,” he said.
Cruz said he was expecting a tough deci-
sion from the poll body especially because
Bedol’s case has something to do with the
results of the recent senatorial race.
The Comelec on Tuesday declared Bedol
guilty of indirect contempt for snubbing
summons to hearing on the controversial
votes in Maguindanao province.
The poll body sentenced Bedol to six
Bishop Navarra tells gov’t to set priorities
BACOLOD Bishop Vicente Navarra said with
the many concerns of the government, “it
should try to arrange its priorities first.”
In an interview with the CBCPNews at
the Bishop’s Residence at the St. Sebastian
parish compound, Bishop Navarra said
“first of all the government should really
be serious in stopping graft and corruption.”
“There is a need for putting people han-
dling important offices such as the Depart-
ment of Justice, the Comelec, and the people
who should be handling this should have
the conscience, and can really declare ‘white’
white and ‘black’ black,” he said.
Bishop Navarra said while “we know we
have limitations but what we are looking
for are people who really have that kind of
months in prison and directed him to pay a
fine of P1,000. Bedol posted bail.
The bishop said the Comelec’s decision
should have been heavier, adding that the
imposed fine was “too small.”
“It should have been a faster pronounce-
ment and the penalty should been more im-
pressive,” said Cruz.
A church-backed poll watchdog has also
expressed frustration at the verdict meted out
to Bedol. Bedol was accused by various
groups of maneuvering the cheating in his
jurisdiction during the May 14 election.
The Parish Pastoral Council for Respon-
sible Voting (PPCRV) said the Comelec’s
decision is only like a “slap of wrist” to a
person who even deserves a life sentence.
“Cheating again is proven as a crime that
pays,” said PPCRV national chairperson
credibility in the general public.”
He said being a man of faith that he is “I
cannot see that there is that kind of honesty
and sincerity on the part of the government
to implement what it says it is implement-
ing.”
Asked about poverty alleviation pro-
grams, Bishop Navarra said “given the fact
there are still thousands of poor people
around, just around the environs of the
Bishop’s House, there are so many street
children, beggars, demented people, I can’t
say there is really that honest-to-goodness
efforts on the part of our government to al-
leviate poverty.”
While he said poverty cannot be eradi-
cated, Bishop Navarra said “the government
Henrietta De Villa.
The reported cheating in Maguindanao, she
said, was unfair to PPCRV volunteers—
Christians and Muslims—who risked their
lives and limbs for clean and peaceful polls.
Because of the “folly” of Bedol and other
election operators, De Villa said, the elections
in Maguindanao continue to be an albatross
on Comelec’s neck.
But because of the investigation taken and
a poll officer sentenced, De Villa still see sin-
cerity in the Comelec leadership to clean their
ranks.
“We hope and pray that the elements in
Comelec will continue with courage the
housecleaning they have begun so that scala-
wags, no matter who they are, may be ban-
ished and held accountable for their crimes
and misdeeds,” De Villa said. (Roy Lagarde)
can alleviate poverty but I can say that there
is no serious effort on the part of our gov-
ernment to do that.”
He said the Church also does its share by
giving out what it could but “we also look
forward to collaborating with the govern-
ment to do something to help these poor
people.”
The 68-year old prelate said “so many red
tapes occur that hardly anything is done for
the poor people and it’s a pity.”
“There can be no peace because it presup-
poses there is justice, that there are efforts
to really reach out to our people but the way
things are done now, there seems to be no
transparency (on the part of the govern-
ment),” he further said. (Melo M. Acuna)
Bishop Lampon said. He added
the vicariate’s Social Action
Center under Fr. Jose D. Ante,
OMI cannot just go to the affected
areas without military escorts.
The armed conflict has left
over 50 dead soldiers and rebels
as of late afternoon of Aug. 27.
In an interview with Catho-
lic-run Veritas 846, Bishop
Lampon, a missionary from the
Oblates of Mary Immaculate and
a member of the CBCP Perma-
nent Council, said they are rela-
tively safe in the town of Jolo.
“There have been reports of an
ambush last Thursday and an en-
counter between the military and
Dumaguete priests appeal
for local peace
VICARIATE of St. Peter of the
Diocese of Dumaguete led by Fr.
Julius Perpetuo Heruela called
on the city government to at-
tend to the peace and order prob-
lems brought about by the
“presence of youth gangs, the
broad daylight killing of a lo-
cal resident last August 14 and
the past cases that are still wait-
ing to be solved in our courts.”
In a pastoral letter dated Au-
gust 15, 2007 entitled “Peace to
the City of Gentle People” and
read during the Sunday masses
in the vicariate’s five parishes,
four chaplaincies and the
Bishop’s residence, they said
while they “have seen the dra-
matic economic improvement
of Dumaguete City” and the
“trust of investors by opening
in the field trying to find out
the latest developments,”
Bishop Lampon said.
Asked whether the ongoing
conflict may have “religious
color,” Lampon said he person-
ally believes the conflict came
from the ambush on govern-
ment troopers and the immedi-
ate reaction from the military
to pursue the groups said to be
part of the Al-Qaeda movement.
“We have our own version of
Ulama-Bishop Conference in
Jolo and we have close work-
ing relations with the Tausugs
in the province,” the 57-year old
bishop said. (CBCPNews)
ernment and civic organizations
to “strengthen programs and
projects that engage youth de-
velopment and value forma-
tion.”
The pastoral letter further
said that everyone “should help
authorities to maintain
Dumaguete City’s peaceful en-
vironment and good reputa-
tion” as they called on parents
“to spend quality time with
their children and constantly
form and teach them Christian
approaches” in life because par-
ents “play a vital role in rear-
ing their children to become
good citizens and God-fearing
baptized members of the
Church.”
The city’s parish priests and
chaplains said they know “it is

Foreign missionaries now assigned in safer places outside Jolo
WITH the lessons learned about foreign mis-
sionaries being easy targets of kidnapping,
the Vicariate of Jolo has now assigned them
to safer places.
“Our strategy today is to field all-Filipino
clergy in Sulu and assign foreign mission-
aries to safer places such as retreat houses,”
said Jolo Apostolic Vicar Angelito Lampon
said in an interview over Catholic-run
Veritas 846.
He noted that American Fr. Clarence
Bertelsman who was abducted in 1998 was
the last foreign missionary kidnapped in
Jolo. Fr. Bertlesman suffered a fatal heart
ailment a year after the incident. Another
OMI missionary who got kidnapped was
Frenchman Fr. Yves Caroff in Timanan,
South Upi in Maguindanao.
“We learned our lessons for even our
Spanish nuns got kidnapped,” Bishop
Lampon said.
In another development, Bishop Lampon
said that the Vicariate of Jolo is about to
commence the parish consultations for the
Second National Rural Congress scheduled
for the first half of 2008.
Catholics being a minority in Jolo, the
consultation will be “limited to the parishes,
to areas where we have strong presence, “the
bishop said.
“We may have difficulties in conducting
consultations the BEC way in the vicariate
for the Second National Rural Congress,”
Jolo Apostolic Vicar Bishop Angelito
Rendon Lampon, OMI admitted. (Melo M.
Acuna)
their businesses,” the clergy
noted “parents begin to reserve
fear in their hearts when their
children go out of their homes.”
The priests called on
Dumaguete City’s residents “to
be vigilant and cautious.”
They also appealed to the
Philippine National Police to
“keep watch and enforce the law
fairly to these youngsters who,
at their tender age, have been
involved into this unfortunate
malady.”
They also called on non-gov-
not easy to be parents in this
modern age,” but hastened to
add “that does not dispense the
parents today from justifying
loose ends in favor of juvenile
delinquency.”
They committed themselves
as pastors to continuously “urge
our people with fastness in
strengthening family values, in
helping the youth become more
productive and spiritually mo-
tivated, in inspiring the faith-
ful to be morally founded.”
(CBCPNews)

Ancestral / A1 PNP / A1 Prelate / A1 Pope / A1

have the Indigenous People’s 14 elections so they have to should also be through “non- for the Poor.”

Convicts of Aquino- Rights Act,” the 57-year old

bishop said.
He, however added, everyone
change their strategy to combat
the illegal activity.
But Cruz, head of the People’s
violent means.”
He noted that many people
tend to use improper means
Born in Batangas City on Au-
gust 10, 1932, Rosales was or-
dained priest in 1958 and was im-

Galman case victims of concerned with the issues about

ancestral domain should take
time and consult with all affected
Crusade Against Jueteng, appears
fed up with the authorities un-
ending justification why jueteng
when they get fed up doing the
right things but to no avail.
“People are likely to use ways
mediately assigned to teach for
11 years in the seminary of the
Archdiocese of Lipa.

injustice, says bishop sectors. “Much money has been

SPEAKING over Catholic-run
Veritas 846 on the 24th anniver-
sary of former Senator Benigno
S. Aquino, Jr’s death anniversary,
Bishop Pedro Arigo said there is
a strong possibility the convicts
of the Aquino-Galman case may
have been “victims of injustice”
as they may be innocent after all
Bishop of Puerto Princesa and
Chair of the Episcopal Commis-
sion on Prison Pastoral Care,
Bishop Arigo said these convicts
have “suffered long enough” and
after 24 years, they deserve free-
dom.
Asked of his views about
moves to ask President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo to grant the
Aquino-Galman double murder
convicts executive clemency,
Bishop Arigo said the inmates
deserve it.
The prelate said the Catholic
Church adheres and sincerely
believes in “restorative justice”
and bring the offender back to
his family and to society.
“All these hopefully, would
make the individuals restore
broken relationships with the
community and with God,”
Bishop Arigo stressed.
“Punishment, imprisonment
specifically, hopes to correct and
subject erring individuals to re-
habilitation and never simply to
condemn,” he added.
He further said “we wouldn’t
really know the real story be-
hind the assassination as nobody
wants to reveal anything.”
He, however, said whatever
President Arroyo does may be
subjected to speculations such as
political considerations. As to
real political implications,
Bishop Arigo said “it’s
anybody’s guess.”
While the Marcos family
never admitted owning vast
properties during the past two
decades, they have now surfaced
to lay claims to properties they
denied ownership and such a
situation may complicate efforts
to extend the Aquino-Galman
convicts executive clemency.
He added that if one recalls re-
cent historical events, the Fili-
pino people began to openly re-
sist the Marcos administration
after August 21, 1983.
(CBCPNews)
appropriated but we can’t tell
where the money goes,” Bishop
Gutierrez said. (CBCP News)
Church / A1
Asked to describe his prelature,
Bishop Jumoad said “the re-
ported problems in peace and or-
der which reach the general pub-
lic are confined to villages and
not the entire island province.”
He called on the media to cor-
rect whatever misimpressions
earlier reports created on the so-
called ‘all-out’ war.
“It is very peaceful here with
policemen simply running after
lawless elements in the hinter-
lands of Basilan,” Bishop Jumoad
concluded. (With reports from
Melo M. Acuna)
Lifeguard / A5
planet, how we irresponsibly cut
trees that suppose to inhale harm-
ful CO2 emissions that pore the
ozone layer. Each individual con-
tributes a little of this, a little of
that, much like little rain drops
that make a storm.
Tales of deluge such as Noah’s
bear a truth for us. In that ark,
Noah’s family was saved with the
other creatures. The story seems
to say that we cannot save our-
continue to exist.
He said jueteng has long been
operating even before the elec-
tions but “they (police) just dis-
closed it now.”
“Now that they already know,
what are their plans again and
until when?” asked Cruz. “If they
can’t even stop jueteng, how much
more the other crimes?”
The bishop urged more action,
adding that the police are not
doing enough to crack down the
problem.
The PNP official said jueteng
has returned in the provinces of
Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Batangas
and Pampanga.
Calderon said the PNP leader-
ship is doing all its efforts to stop
the illegal gambling. (Roy
Lagarde)
selves if we water down the rest
of creation getting endangered by
global warming. It recalls the wis-
dom of the ancients, our forefa-
thers and grannies who told us to
care for ourselves with nature. It
is a lesson that sinks in only when
we heed to the critical State of
Nature’s Address. A lesson that
sinks when perhaps all of us have
already been hit by nature’s an-
gry waves, if not yet.
even if they are wrong just to
get what they want,” he said.
The bishop made the reaction
as the country commemorated
on August 21, the assassination
of former Senator Benigno
“Ninoy” Aquino, Jr.
The incident sowed the seeds
of wider opposition to the
Marcos regime, which culmi-
nated with the EDSA People
Power 1 in February 1986.
Aquino, an stalwart opposi-
tion leader, was shot dead at the
tarmac of the Manila Interna-
tional Airport upon arrival us-
ing a different name, Marcial
Bonifacio.
Prior to his death, Aquino was
the chief political rival of
Marcos.
August 21 has become a non-
working holiday annually to
commemorate Aquino’s hero-
ism.
Cruz said he is uncertain
whether the country can still
have another hero like Ninoy
who could put his life on the
line for the country just to re-
coup democracy this time of
political crisis.
“Unusual circumstances are
led by people with rare charac-
teristics in rare times,” he said.
(Roy Lagarde)
It was in 1970, when he was
given his first parish assign-
ment— an obscure barrio named
Banay-banay.
In 1974, he was named auxil-
iary bishop of the nation’s capi-
tal, the first Batangueño to be
made bishop. He was assigned to
help the Manila archbishop in
shepherding a very big area of
the archdiocese of Manila.
The cardinal also took care of
the ecclesiastical district of
Antipolo, as well as San Juan,
Mandaluyong, and Grace Park. In
1980, he was assigned as rector of
San Carlos Seminary.
His term as rector was brief,
though, for on June 9, 1982, he was
appointed coadjutor bishop to Je-
suit Bishop Francisco Claver, of
the Diocese of Malaybalay,
Bukidnon.
When Archbishop Mariano
Gaviola of Lipa retired, Rosales
was appointed in 1992 to replace
him, bringing him back to the
archdiocese where he began his
priestly ministry.
Rosales was appointed Arch-
bishop of Manila on September
15, 2003 by the late Pope John Paul
II. On March 24, 2006, Pope
Benedict XVI made him Cardinal
in the consistory of March 24, 2006.
(Roy Lagarde)
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 11 No. 17
August 20 - September 2, 2007 Features A7

There is no ‘cure’ for priest with

child, archbishop says
MANILA, Philippines, August 20, 2007—The head
of the Philippine Church’s marriage-appeals court
disapproves of priests continuing in the ministry
after fathering children and rejects efforts to “cure”
these priests instead of “disciplining” them.
According to Archbishop Oscar Cruz of
Lingayen-Dagupan, head of the National Appel-
late Matrimonial Tribunal, a priest who sired a
child cannot be rehabilitated. “No matter how you
assist this priest, that child remains and he has a
natural obligation towards the child.”
He stressed that parenting was “not only giv-
ing food, shelter or clothing, as people do with
pets, but teaching, formation, education” as well.
He believes “impaired personality constructs”
cannot be “cured.”
In Archbishop Cruz’s view, bishops who “over-
look” or “just forgive” misconduct by their clergy
face problems. If one priest is “allowed to misbe-
have” and continue in the ministry, “there will
be more,” the prelate warned, expressing con-
cern about tolerance sending a “wrong sig-
nal” to seminarians.
In the northern Philippine
archdiocese he has led for 16
years, “about 17 priests have
left because there’s a woman,
© Denz Dayao / CBCP Media
spoke with UCA News as Asian bishops prepared
for an Aug. 27-Sept. 1 seminar in Thailand on “Car-
ing for Priests – Especially Those in Difficult Situ-
ations,” sponsored by the FABC Office of Clergy.
“Caring for priests, for me, is seeing to it that
my priests live their priestly commitment,” he
said. Priests who are “fooling around” should “just
leave.”
His tribunal reviews all decisions of lower
Church tribunals on cases related to matrimony.
In 2000, he opened a section to help dioceses pro-
cess dispensation cases for priests with children
or partners.
Archbishop Cruz, however, said he could “only
guess” the total number of priests with children.
In the Catholic Directory of the Philippines, the former
CBCP president noted, most dioceses list inactive
priests who have fathered children among priests
“on leave,” “with no assignment” and other cat-
egories.
The 2006-2007 directory lists six priests as hav-
ing “left the ministry,” five with “no assignment,”
and two “on renewal.” Another 685 are listed as
being on leave for studies, on “sabbatical,”
“abroad” or away with no specified reason. It has
5,834 diocesan priests listed in 85 geographical
church jurisdictions and 122 in the military
things door to door,” he applied for incardination
in another diocese. He said the bishop asked him
to “break off” relations with his children’s mother,
set up a system of financial support for his offspring
and “re-enter active ministry far” from his family.
He served as “guest priest” in Manila in 2000 and
took part-time jobs to earn extra money for his
children until his acceptance in the United States.
He is not listed in the latest directory.
Archbishop Cruz stressed “most” Philippine
priests are “good priests.”
Meanwhile, Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales of Ma-
nila, chairman of the Episcopal Commission on
Clergy, has acknowledged most bishops are “not
of the punitive school of thought.”
At the Aug. 15 inauguration of John Mary
Vianney-Galilee Development and Retreat Center
southeast of Manila, he told UCA News: “Thank
God the bishops of the Philippines did not advo-
cate the ‘one-strike-you’re out’ policy.” Instead, the
CBCP “accepted” the position that the church should
give “fallen” priests “help” to “repair the man (and)
help him repent.”
The commission maintains a priest with one child
can undergo “curative measures,” the cardinal said.
“Singular events” may spell a “weakness” that can
be treated “pastorally,” and which can be healed

there’s a child or there’s a boy-
friend,” the prelate said Aug. 3
at the Catholic Bishops’ Confer-
ence of the Philippines (CBCP)
headquarters in Manila.
The former secretary general
of the Federation of Asian Bish-
ops’ Conferences (FABC)
ordinariate.
One priest spoke with UCA News before leav-
ing to serve in a parish in the United States. His
bishop disallowed him from saying Mass and ad-
ministering sacraments upon learning he had chil-
dren. However, he did not file papers for dispen-
sation.
When he was “reduced” to selling “all sorts of
through “a program that encourages a person to be
better rather than just punishing him,” he elabo-
rated.
However, he stressed, a priest with more than
one child is helped to leave the ministry. More-
over, “the church is very strict about those who
have abused, who repeatedly hurt or take advan-
tage of people.” (UCAN)

Spanish bishop scolds Church attacks ‘slaughter in the south’

Basque separatist group
BILBAO, Spain, August 17,
2007—The president of the
bishops’ conference of Spain,
Bishop Ricardo Blazquez of
Bilbao, said this week that the
“obstinate persistence” of the
Basque separatist group ETA is
“unbearable.” He called for
the “immediate, total and de-
finitive” disappearance of the
terrorist organization that
“acts against the will of this
people.”
During Mass for the feast of
the Assumption, Bishop
Blazquez told the thousands of
faithful gathered at the basilica
of Our Lady of Begoña: “Once
again on this feast, we must
unfortunately recall the ter-
rible weight that has hung over
our society for decades.” He
said the founding of ETA was
a “mistake,” and that the
criminal organization “repre-
sents no one.”
Bishop Blazquez expressed
words of consolation to the
victims of terrorism in Spain,
“to those who have lost loved
ones, those who have suffered
extortion, and those who have
had to leave in search of secu-
rity.”
“Let’s unite our efforts to
eradicate terrorist violence
that has such negative reper-
cussions for the vitality of this
nation,” the bishop said.
(CNA/CWNews)
MANILA, Philippines, August
20, 2007—Catholic leaders have
expressed “grief” at the latest
cycle of violence in Sulu and
Basilan between soldiers of the
regular army and suspected
members of the terrorist group
Abu Sayyaf. These clashes they
warn have already displaced
over 80 thousand innocent fami-
lies, in fear for their lives.
The Association of Major Re-
ligious Superiors in the Philip-
pines (AMRSP), a nationwide or-
ganization of Catholic religious
men and women congregation,
condemned the government’s
“eye-for-an-eye, tooth-for-a-
tooth” response to the killing
and beheading of the soldiers
and described the loss as “sense-
less and a waste of lives”. The
soldiers combing of the area and
gun battles “take place without
any form of control, based on
simple indications and personal
rancor”.
In a statement, the Catholic
leaders said that “the course of
events change, giving prece-
dence to dialogue, the only way
forward for negotiating true
peace. The killing of the soldiers
and the beheading of some are
truly abhorrent acts. But why
should we follow the way of vio-
lence, resorting to similarly ab-
horrent acts in order to ‘correct’
violence?” The reference is to the
15 soldiers beheaded last week-
end in Basilan, in the south of
the country.
Local Bishop Jumoad joined
the Associations’ appeal: “I am
frustrated because we work for
peace but we see only violence.
I am deeply saddened by these
crimes, which destroy peace in
our society. The only real an-
swer is to educate our people to
peace”. (Santosh Digal /
AsiaNews)

Roadside / A4
like the Philippines. And in the haze and maze of
political language the truth could be easily sugar-
coated or effectively hidden by half-truths or seem-
ingly common-sense non-truths.
The idea of national security in the country appears
at times dressed up as economic development and
peacekeeping. Recent statements from Malacañang (cf.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, August 20, 2007, 10) are very
telling. “Economic development, which we draw from
the arsenal of democracy, remains our principal
weapon against terrorism,” so spoke Press Secretary
Ignacio Bunye quoting President Macapagal-Arroyo.
Ms. Arroyo continued: “Ongoing peacekeeping op-
erations against rearguard actions of a despised and
defeated group are meant to clear the path for these
provinces’ journey to peace and progress which terror
has delayed for so long”. I remember reacting to this
statement spontaneously: “If this group was already a
‘defeated group’, how come they are still around and
inflicting heavy casualties on our military and bleed-
ing our national coffers dry?” Or it could also be asked,
in the context of the global war on terror, whether our
government’s actions are not only meant to allay local
fears but also to impress on the international commu-
nity that we are not sitting on our avowed commit-
ment against terror. Nothing wrong with that, but
which nation(s) in particular?
But what about our role as Church vis-à-vis our
bias for life? May I share a few thoughts.
One, although we admit that life is not an absolute
value as Jesus himself affirmed in word, that is, by
teaching about love as expressed best in giving one’s
life for one’s friends (Jn 15:13), and in deed, that is, by
himself dying on the cross for us (Catechism for Filipino
Catholics, no. 996), still human life is the foundation of
all other gifts of God to us. If we were not alive, de-
mocracy or national security would be meaningless.
Respect for human life is a must because Jesus Christ,
God’s only Son, has done so, and more, by becoming
a human being himself. “And the Word was made
flesh and dwelt among us” (Jn 1;14).
Two, life is, as the CFC text above again states, “the
necessary condition for actively loving others as well
as their receiving our love”. If so, then we must love,
not downgrade, human life itself, not only of our sol-
diers or of people who share our political beliefs but
even of the enemies of state or of our political en-
emies. Human lives are equally precious, however
much we bewail, as we should, the inhuman war prac-
tices of some (enemies of state). It follows, therefore,
that for the media to treat the fourteen soldiers’ deaths
as of more consequence than those of forty-two en-
emies the government forces killed is to trivialize
human life and the common dignity of all human
beings. The uncivilized behavior of an enemy does
not humanize doing a similar course of action.
Three, the Church must always raise her prophetic
voice against the abuse of military force against un-
armed civilians and its dismissive disregard of the value
of human life as “collateral damage”. When soldiers
and civilians die in free self-giving sacrifice for their
country, that makes them heroes; but when, in truth,
they are sent to death to protect a regime or prop up its
Australian prelate offers new
image to its international supporters, the war effort in
which they die is anything but moral. The leaders re-
sponsible for the war have blood in their hands.
Four, the nation-state, like every individual hu-
defense of clerical celibacy
man being, has the right to protect itself. But the use
ADELAIDE, Australia, August because it enables clerics to de-
of armed conflict as a means of self-protection raises
16, 2007—The president of the vote themselves entirely to their
questions. Not least of which is whether peaceful
Australian bishops’ conference ministry.
means have been exhausted, whether there is a just
has reaffirmed priestly celibacy “Celibacy has the positive
cause, whether it is aimed and actually protects hu-
in a message written for the an- value of being a clear sign of
man rights, not violate them, whether it actually can
nual Vocations Awareness Week. the Kingdom of God,” Arch-
succeed, not prolong indefinitely the sacrifice of hu-
Archbishop Philip Wilson of bishop Wilson writes.
man life and human rights, whether it relies solely
Adelaide acknowledges in his The Australian prelate ex-
on the unexamined judgment of an individual or a
message that many people think plains his point by saying that a
few, whether it is a last recourse (CFC 1042). I wonder
“the Church should let priests man who gives up the goods of
if any of these criteria are even considered by our
get married and then we would marriage and a family is surren-
government war planners and implementers.
solve the problem of the short- dering himself. He likens that
Finally, the bias for life requires an active work for
age.” He concedes, too, that “the surrender to a process of griev-
peace. Nothing brings peace more effectively than
vow of celibacy is not essential ing, which leaves the individual
peaceful means. I remember smiling every time a
to the priesthood,” noting that completely reliant on God.
beauty contestant says she is for “world peace”. But
the tradition of the Eastern “Which is easier,” Arch-
desire is always a good start. But prayer as a follow-
Catholic churches allow the or- bishop Wilson writes: “to
up is a must. I remember praying earnestly for peace
dination of married men. grieve the loss of one’s child…
and security (I never distinguished national security Archbishop Philip Wilson
Nevertheless the archbishop or to grieve the loss of the child
from anyone’s) one morning. That evening I was
argues that the Church’s disci- one never had?” A priest who able to help others recognize
struck while I watched the news on television. All I
pline is a benefit both to the has detached himself from or- the value of spiritual life, he
heard were news about accidents and violent con-
Church and to the priesthood, dinary life in this way is better says. (CWNews)
frontations but there was one commonality: the ab-
sence of human deaths. I asked myself: Is the Lord not
educating me about prayer power? Peace by the ways
of peace (and there are more of them that meets the
eye)? Yes, it follows, if you follow the Prince of Peace.
Love Life / A4
The fourth and final point in being a genuine Stew-
My new film not anti-church,
ard is Auditing or Accountability. It is not only at the
end of our life that the Lord will ask us—”What did
you do with what I gave you”. But everyday, we
should be able to tell God, “Lord, I have tried to do
pleads Catholic Kidman
everything I can do. Here I am.” How wonderful to BRISBANE, Australia, August 20, tracting attention in the US for
be able to hear Him say what He said in the Parable 2007—Nicole Kidman has denied avoiding much of the book’s per-
of the Talents, “Well done, good and faithful servant. that a new film she’s making is ceived anti-Catholic rhetoric.
Come enter into my Father’s Kingdom.” anti-Catholic. The movie features Kidman said some of the reli-
Speaking of talents and treasure, Fr. Mahan said that an organization known as “The gious elements were removed
it is interesting to note that over half of the parables of Magisterium”, which kidnaps from the movie script.
Jesus had something to do with money—the pearl of children to remove their souls. Kidman told the magazine: “I
great price, two silver pieces, the widow’s mite, etc. The Brisbane Times reports that was raised Catholic, the Catholic
Jesus truly knew human nature so well that he wanted Kidman told a US magazine that her Church is part of my essence.”
us to learn the lesson—we are not our possessions. Catholic faith affected her consider- “I wouldn’t be able to do this
Fr. Mahan has a book published by Claretian ation of the script for the film The film if I thought it were at all anti-
Press—”More than Silver or Gold”. He will be back Golden Compass. Catholic.”
in November in Cebu and Davao for more retreats. The fantasy film is based on a The Golden Compass is due for
Those interested can contact the Claretians at (02) 921- novel by Philip Pullman called release in the US on December 7.
6530 or 435-1210. Northern Lights. It is already at- (CathNews)
 CBCP Monitor
A8 People, Facts & Places Vol. 11 No. 17
August 20 - September 2, 2007

CBCP priests’ center Markings

inaugurated

DESPITE the presence of typhoon Egay,
Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal
Rosales and Cebu Archbishop Ricardo
Cardinal Vidal presided the
concelebrated mass that marked the in-
auguration of the St. John Mary Vianney
Galilee Development and Retreat Cen-
ter for Priests in Tagaytay last August 15.
Along with 15 other prelates, Rosales
led the blessing of the 3-storey struc-
ture, whose construction was spear-
headed by the CBCP Commission on
Clergy since July last year. Within a
year’s construction, the facilities include
58 bedrooms, 3 conference rooms, and
a chapel.
“This is definitely the first of its kind
in the Philippines and probably the first
in Asia,” Rosales told the media.
Constructed in accordance with reso-
lution of the Second Plenary Council of
the Philippines, the St. John Mary
Vianney Galilee Development and Re-
treat Center for Priests will serve as a
“national center for renewal, where
priests can come for an extended period
of overall priestly renewal, especially
after 15 or more years in the ministry.”
As regards the center’s name, CBCP
Commission on Clergy director Msgr.
Chito Bernardo said it is just appropri-
ate for the center be named after the
patron saint of the priests.
“It is hoped that during their stay in
this center, the priests-participants will
be inspired to aspire for the quality of
life that this patron had shown in his
lifetime, especially the apostolic zeal
in the ministry combined with holiness
and simplicity of life,” Bernardo said.
Meanwhile, Rosales said the inclu-
sion of Galilee in the center’s name sug-
gests a strong sense of discipleship.
“Galilee is where discipleship started
and will be restored. Here, every priest
will have a Galilee to start from and
look forward to,” Rosales said.
The services offered in the center in-
clude an Assisted Intensive Renewal
(AIR) for priests, a 3-month community
His Eminence, Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales leads the blessing and inauguration of the St. John
Mary Vianney Galilee Development and Retreat Center for Priests in Tagaytay, August 15, 2007; a
project of the CBCP Commission on Clergy, this will serve as national center for Filipino priests
seeking renewal.
life experience for deeper integration
and processing of issues and needs; an
Integrated Renewal Program (IRP) for
Priests, a 5-week live-in experience of
updating and renewal for priests 10 years
and above in the ministry; and an AIR
for Formators, a 2-month live-in experi-
ence for seminary fathers with focus on
Human Formation training skills.
Other programs available are the
Residency Program for the young
clergy who have served for one to five
ŒŒŒŒŒŒŒ³
years and the Value-Clarification Pro-
gram for the junior clergy who have
served for six to 10 years in the minis-
try. The center likewise caters to clergy
serving for 18 to 24 years in the minis-
try, clergy serving for 25 years and up,
and for the senior clergy who are about
to retire.
Bernardo said the first batch to use
the center and its facilities arrived last
August 18 and is set to stay until this
October. (Kris Bayos)
ORDAINED. the Spiritual Director of the Mother Butler
MOST REV. Mission Guild, and the Rector of the
JULIUS SULLAN Archdiocesan Shrine of Divine Mercy in
TONEL, 51, as Mandaluyong.
Bishop-prelate of
Ipil, by Arch- DIED. MOST REV. VICENTE C. MANUEL,
bishop Fernando SVD, DD, 69, of cancer of the pancreas,
R. Capalla, DD at August 18, 2007; at Lourdes Hospital,
Davao Metropoli- Mandaluyong City. Elevated to the epis-
tan Cathedral; copacy in 1983, Bishop Manuel is the
August 20, 2007. bishop emeritus of San Jose, Occidental
A native of Davao Mindoro where he established a radio sta-
City, Bishop Tonel tion and some socio-developmental
was born on August 31, 1956. He studied projects. In 2000, he was transferred to
Philosophy at St. Francis Xavier College the Archdiocese of Cebu. As chairman of
Seminary in Davao, and Theology at the the CBCP Commission on Mission, Bishop
Central Seminary of the University of Sto. Manuel organized the First National Mis-
Tomas in Manila. He was ordained to the sion Congress held in Cebu in October
priesthood in 1980. He earned his Licen- 2000, which inspired the creation of the
tiate in Liturgical Theology at Saint Anselmo National Mission Plan and the organization
Pontifical Institute of Liturgy in Rome. of the Philippine Association of Catholic
Bishop Tonel has served as director of Missiologists (PACM). His body is buried
Archdiocesan Family Apostolate in Davao, at the Cathedral of San Jose, Occidental
then as Rector of Regional Major Semi- Mindoro.
nary also in Davao. He served as parish
priest of Ascension of Our Lord Parish in
Matina, and Chaplain of the Holy Infant of
Prague, also in Davao. He was the Vicar
General of the Archdiocese of Davao and
parish priest of San Pablo Parish in Matina
prior to his appointment as bishop.
APPOINTED.
MOST REV.
ROBERTO C.
MALLARI, D.D.,
Auxiliary bishop
of Pampanga, as
President of the
University of the
Assumption, San
Fernando,
Pampanga, June
18, 2007; by Most CELEBRATED. SR. PINKY BARRIENTOS,
Reverend Paciano B. Aniceto, D.D., Arch- SR. GRACE CANDA, SR. NORIE
bishop of Pampanga. Besides being the MANUEL, SR. VICKY PALAY, 25th anni-
Auxiliary bishop and now President of the versary of religious profession among the
university, Bishop Mallari is also the Chair- Daughters of St. Paul (FSP); August 11,
2007. Most Rev. Angel N. Lagdameo, DD
man of the Diocesan Commission on
Clergy, whose responsibility includes the presided the 9 AM concelebrated thanks-
implementation of the general reshuffle of giving Mass held at the Queen of Apostles
more than 140 priests of the archdiocese Sanctuary, Daughters of St. Paul, Pasay
before the start of the Advent season this City. The silver jubilee celebration adopted
year. The University of the Assumption is the theme: Chosen and love in Jesus
the only university in Asia that is being Christ, we proclaim God’s steadfast love;
managed by an archdiocese. It has cur- emphasizing the reality that fidelity to reli-
rently a student population of 6,000. gious vocation is a gift from God that is
lived daily. The four sisters made their first
ORDAINED. profession of vows on August 15, 1982.
MOST REV.
FRANCISCO M. CELEBRATED. SR.
DE LEON, D.D., MA. JOSEFINA
Auxiliary Bishop CANGAYDA, SR.
of Antipolo at the MA. FLORA
Manila Cathedral, CASTILLO, SR. MA.
September 1, A P O L O N I A
2007. Born on DUMANDAN, 25 th
June 11, 1947, anniversary of reli-
Bishop de Leon gious profession; and, SR. MA. LEONIDA
studied high school at the Our Lady of BANTILAN, SR. MA. LUZ BRITANICO,
Guadalupe Seminary and finished Philoso- SR. MA. TERESITA CABARLES, SR. MA.
phy and Theology at San Carlos Seminary. LYDIA DAGA, SR. MA. EMMA DASAL,

Tarlac clergy holds annual assembly
THE Tarlac clergy led by Most Rev.
Florentino F. Cinense, held its annual up-
dating in Betania Retreat House, Baguio
City last August 13-17, 2007.
The gathering was an opportune mo-
ment for the whole clergy to refresh their
minds from the fatiguing but fulfilling
works in the parishes and other diocesan
commissions.
It was also a great occasion to foster
and live their fraternal priesthood as
manifested in their sharing of one’s pas-
toral experiences, most especially in their
daily concelebration of the Most Holy
Eucharist, the very fount of their minis-
try, identity, and unity.
The event was graced by some guests-
speaker-priest who generously shared
their time and rich pastoral missionary
experiences with the clergy. Their pres-
ence turned the gathering into a learning
and inspiring experience for each partici-
pant to face life’s challenges with a re-
newed commitment.
Rev. Fr. Ted Gonzales, a Jesuit, charmed
the Tarlac clergy on the first day of the
conference with his six AGIMAT (amu-
lets) aimed toward “Taking the High
Road to Leadership By Being Low Pro-
file,” through, Confidence in Times of
Crisis; Honest Assessment of One’s Re-
sources and Strengths; Responsibility to
be Part of the Solution; Integrating Prin-
ciple and Purpose in Life; Solidarity to
be Partners in Nation-Building; True In-
vestments to Build Character and Excel-
lence.
Rev. Fr. Socrates Mesiona, a priest from
the Missionary Society of the Philippines
gave the second conference. In his talk he
encouraged the priests of Tarlac to live
actively the missionary character of their
He was ordained on June 28, 1975 at the
Manila Cathedral. He obtained his Master’s
degree in Guidance and Counseling and
another on Education Management from
SR. MA. ANONINA HALLAZGO, SR. MA.
PAZ OLMEDO, SR. MA. LUTGARDA
RAAGAS, SR. MA. NARCISA TUBAL,
50th anniversary of religious profession
De La Salle University. He took a course in among the Religious of the Virgin Mary;
priestly ministry to engender Christ’s Spiritual Renewal at Our Lady of New August 15, 2007. A thanksgiving Mass
desire for His Church, “that they may all Clairvaux in Vina, California, and a Pasto- was held for the Jubilarians at Our Lady
be one… so that the world may believe ral Course at the Vatican II Institute for of the Assumption Chapel, RVM Com-
that you have sent me” (Jn. 17:21). Clergy Formation in Menlo Park, California. pound, Quezon City.
He was appointed Dean of Studies and
Meanwhile, Rev. Fr. Feliciano Manalili, Prefect of Discipline at San Carlos Semi- PASSED ON TO ETERNAL LIFE. Sr. Ma.
a Trappist monk who has spent 25 years nary, Rector of Our Lady of Guadalupe Flora Nini, RVM, August 6, 2007; Sr. Ma.
as a diocesan priest and another 25 years Minor Seminary, and then Rector of San Leus Abuda, FSP, August 9, 2007; Fr. Jim
as a monk emphasized to his priests-au- Carlos Seminary. For nine years he was Risse, SVD; Fr. Aurelio Tagura, SVD.
dience the value and importance of prayer
in the ministry and life of a priest. He
underlined the fact that prayer is the root
of priesthood: prayer is what makes a
priest effective and credible in his pasto-
ral duties and works.
The four-day assembly concluded with
the election of the new Presbyteral Coun-
cil who will work together with the
Bishop for the continued renewal of Tarlac
clergy and the realization of the ongoing
and future plans for the Diocese. (Fr.
Melvin Castro)

Kabankalan celebrates Love our Priests Movement

ARTICLE 82 on the section of Clergy and Religious in the
first Synod of Kabankalan, states that every parish or chap-
laincy is encouraged to put up LOVE OUR PRIESTS MOVE-
MENT.
The act and decrees of the 2 n d synod of Kabankalan were
hardly implemented and supported by the lay faithful due
to wrong understanding of priestly ministry; and failure to
pray, support and cooperate with the clergy.
A year ago, Little Way Group–Kabankalan initiated a pro-
gram to gather all clergy and some laity for a lunch and get
together to celebrate the feast of St. John Mary Vianney. The
sharing of their pastoral ministry took a new step by being
open and caring to the welfare of diocesan clergy.
This year the feast of St. John Mary Vianney was a big
success due to the participation of the lay people of
Kabankalan, Isio, Cauayan, and Sipalay who shared their
time, talent and gift of persons during the affair.
Love Our Priests Movement–Year 2 initiated a text bri-
gade to involve the following lay organizations Bukas Loob
sa Dios, Barangay sang Birhen, Little Way Group, Catholic
Women’s League and friends of Fr. Rembert Rivera.
At least 19 members of the clergy, one bishop, lay leaders
and catechists joined the celebration. The gathering started
with the sharing of the organizer on the importance of Love
Our Priests Movement, on how to support the clergy in their
on-going formation, and on the need to offer prayers for all
the diocesan clergy.
Some lay organizers promised to make this event a
monthly occasion for socials, rest and recreation, personal
and spiritual renewal of our clergy. (Fr. Jose Rembert Rivera)

Fr. Bossi goes home to Rome

FR. Giancarlo Bossi joined the Pontifi-
cal Institute for Foreign Missions
(PIME) superior general Fr. Gian
Battista Zanchi, August 11, for the trip
back home on board Emirates Air
EK335 bound for Dubai for a two hour
stopover and take another aircraft for
Rome.
Speaking to CBCPNews, the 57-year
old missionary said he’s happy he’s
leaving the country to meet his mother
Abp. Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ, of Cagayan de Oro and Bp. Romulo de la Cruz of Antique with some of the representatives of KC Luzon Jurisdiction, and brother and sister “but sad because
led by SK Alonso Tan, to the 125th Supreme Convention of the Knights of Columbus held in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, August 7-9, 2007; Not in photo he’s going home because I got kid-
were delegates from Visayas and Mindanao led by their Deputies—SK Dionesio Esteban, Jr., and SK Sofronio Cruz; Full video of the Address of Abp.
Ledesma to the Convention may be viewed at www.youtube.com/kcphilippines. napped.”
Fr. Bossi looks forward to going to
the mountains with his family for at
least ten days and prepare for his meet-
ing with Pope Benedict XVI on Septem-
ber 1 in Loreto, Italy.
Asked of his message to his abduc-
tors, the jovial Fr. Bossi told
CBCPNews “it’s very easy, I will pray
for them as I still pray for them and I
told them my prayer is, in a way, for
them to change their heart and one day
for them to go home to sit around the
table with their family and have din-
ner together.” (CBCPNews)
CBCP Monitor B1
Pastoral Concerns
Vol. 11 No. 17
August 20 - September 2, 2007

B2 Updates B5 Statements
Factors that invalidate Building bridges of peace
consent for Marriage with our peace officers

B3 Diocese B6 Reflections
Diocese of Balanga We come from humble
beginnings
B4 Commissions B7 Social Concern
Northern Luzon directors The impact of microfinance
for the Biblical apostolate in the Philippines
meet in Baguio

From abstinence to love:

A question of character
7
Parents want their kids to save sex for marriage. A
congress coming up in Manila aims to give them a boost.
By Carolyn Moynihan
QUESTIONS
WHAT is to be done about teenagers and
their sexuality? The question is never far
Bishop Buenaventura from the minds of their parents, nor from
the media and public debate. In the
M. Famadico, DD United States a decade of support by the
federal government for education pro-
grams devoted to getting teens to save
ORDAINED bishop on June 19, 2002, Most Rev. Buenaventura M. Famadico, DD., sex for marriage may soon come to an
was appointed Auxiliary bishop of Lipa on July 10, of the same year. He was appointed end. Skeptics now have enough repre-
Second Ordinary Bishop of Gumaca, June 11, 2003. In this issue of CBCP Monitor, sentation in Congress—and the findings
Bishop Famadico talks about the preparations the diocese is doing for its upcoming of a recent study (yes, one study)—to
jubilee celebration, the implementation of the agenda on social concerns, the active achieve the withdrawal of funding for
involvement of the BECs in the diocese, the role and participation of the laity in the life abstinence-only education and to throw
of the Church, the diocesan family and life program, and the quality and quantity of more money at programs based on con-
vocations entering in the diocesan seminary. traception and “protection”.
Too often the debate over sex educa-
What preparation the diocese is doing for its upcoming 25th anniversary of tion is determined by public health
foundation in 2010? goals—reducing teenage pregnancies
Since 2005 we have been preparing for our silver anniversary. This is to and diseases—rather than by concern for
ensure that the celebration will not revolve only around merriment and piety the good of young people themselves.
Abstinence education, whatever the mer-
but will highlight formation and conversion. The thrust of our activities is the
clarification and owning of the diocesan vision: the Diocese of Gumaca as a its of the ideal it represents, seems a
community of Christ’s disciples. This vision is displayed in posters, recited and roundabout and unrealistic way of re-
sang in masses, and developed in the homilies of the bishop in parish fiestas. ducing the bad statistics.
An aspect of the vision is chosen as yearly theme which is clarified and deep- Love is the bigger picture; chastity is
ened in activities and lectures. In 2005, the theme was Maria, Ina at Huwaran ng a way of getting there. And the journey
starts in the family.
Diyosesis ng Gumaca, in 2006, Pagpapanibago ng Pamilya, Pagpapanibago ng
Sambayanan, in 2007, Banal na Espiritu, Patnubay ng Sambayanan sa pagiging Yet the great majority of parents (and
young people themselves) recognize that
Disipulo ni Kristo. Next year, 2008, it will be Sa Pakikiisa kay Kristo, Sambayanan
ay Patungo sa Ama; 2009, Pag-ibig sa Ama, Paglilingkod sa iba. Finally on the saving sex for marriage is better for them
silver jubilee the theme will be Simbahan ng mga Dukha. We hope and pray than experimenting with sex and pre-
that these preparations will lead us towards renewal as a diocese during and mature romantic relationships. This is
even after the jubilee celebration. what a survey published earlier this year
ton. A key virtue in the area of sexuality
is self-mastery, another term for the car-
dinal virtue of temperance. But pretty
well every virtue has a bearing on sexual
behaviour: honesty, kindness, justice,
courage…
Forming a child’s character is clearly
the parents’ task first of all but teachers
and the whole school community also
play a key role. The community dimen-
sion is critical. As Andrew Mullins shows
dramatically in another article this
week, virtues, like vices, are caught—
from the example of parents and other
models in the child’s environment and
particularly those to whom she or he is
attached emotionally—rather than ver-
bally taught.
Too often the
debate over sex
education is deter-
mined by public
health goals—
reducing teenage
pregnancies and
diseases—rather
From this we can take it that where
parents and school community—and
possibly a faith community—are united
in living certain virtues and sexual
norms, they can be optimistic about a
formal in sexuality education
programme which is centered on absti-
nence and chastity. So long as they are
good friends with their young people.
Perhaps this helps to explain the suc-
cess of a programme used in a Santiago
(Chile) girls’ public high school—evalu-
ated in one of the few abstinence studies
to qualify for inclusion in Kirby’s latest
meta-analysis. TeenSTAR was intro-
duced for girls in their first year at the
school. By following up three cohorts of
girls for four years, the study found that
the programme reduced pregnancy rates
five-fold compared with girls who did
not follow it.
Key features of the programme are:
* Parental approval—written consent
was required and 98 per cent of parents
gave it.
* Mentoring of individual students by
teachers.
* Weekly sessions over a time span (a
year, or at least one term) long enough
to generate changes in habits (norms,
virtues) or to reinforce existing habits.
* Content that addresses all aspects of
the young person, including the psycho-

How is the Social Concern agenda of the Church being concretized in your
by the US National Campaign to Pre-
vent Teen Pregnancy indicated: people
diocese? want to hear a strong abstinence mes-
The Diocesan Commission on Service is involved in this ministry. Basically, sage.
this includes organization, education and mobilization. Prior to any concrete The same survey showed, however,
concerted efforts, we give importance to inputs for cognitive and effective that many adopt a compromise position,
supporting the safer sex approach—”just
learning that leads to appropriated and proper action. Concretely, we conduct
seminars and trainings on Political Education, Good Governance, Sustainable in case”. As a matter of fact (that is, more
than one study), this approach will fail
Agriculture, Ecology, Health and Micro Finance. In the last election we partici-
pated in the program of NASSA, PPCRV and NAMFREL. Programs in the to protect many young people from bad
diocesan level are sustained by foreign funding agencies. The diocese also consequences of sex in the short or long
assisted QUARDDS, an NGO helping the farmers in their fight against big term. Sadly, it will also give them a con-
landowners in Bondoc Peninsula get foreign support for legal cases. Programs fused idea of the meaning of sex and rob
in the parishes like livelihood assistance (hog dispersal) and scholarships are
supported by the local Alay Kapwa collections. There are also volunteers who
them of willpower and confidence in the
face of pressure.
work hand in hand with the Barangay Health Workers. From time to time, How, then, can parents themselves
periodic assessments are scheduled to measure the implementation of our develop the confidence to “say no” to
program. And to enhance institutional capabilities we establish linkages with compromises that may harm their chil-
organizations like the Lingkod Tao Kalikasan, Task Force Detainees, Luzon dren? How can they have the courage of
their conviction that abstinence, or chas-
Sustainable Agriculture Network and MASIPAG.
tity, is not only best but really possible
How active is the BEC in your diocese? for today’s young people? How can they
Five years before our foundation as a diocese, BECs were already established actually tackle the task with serenity?
in the remotest parish. From little beginnings, BECs continually grew covering These are questions being addressed
now all our parishes. Every Sunday the faithful in the Mumunting Sambayanang by an international network of parents
Kristiyano gather for the celebration of the Word. A pamphlet, complete with and educators who will meet later this
the introduction to the readings and a homily is issued monthly to guide the year in Manila for two days of expert
prayer leaders. The faithful in some MSKs already receive Holy Communion. input and discussions, followed by a mo-
Every month the prayer leaders, the pangulo and officers of the MSK gather in tivational youth event. The congress is
the parish for updating, instructions and to receive communications. Before the the second of its kind, the first being held
parish fiesta the statue of the patron saint is brought around all the MSK chapels in Mexico last year.
where the faithful gather for worship and on-going formation. In spite of this November’s gathering will feature
we also know that we should go forward and make the community life more such experts in the field of character, or
participatory. virtue, education as Thomas Lickona, di-
I consider it God’s grace that we came to know of the group Bukal ng Tipan rector of the Centre for the 4th and 5th
which has long been involved in BEC organizing and animation in many Rs (Respect and Responsibility) at the
dioceses. State University of New York; and
It is now two years since we began the partnership. Guided by them we Kevin Ryan, founder of the Centre for
realized that to be a communion of communities the process requires re-orien- Advancement of Ethics and Character at
tation of all people, priests and laity. It also necessitates new system of leader- Boston University.
ship style, ministries and structural organization, i.e. smaller community called Character education, according to
“kapitbahayan.” Through this, the neighborhood people will be given greater CAEC’s Manifesto, aims to help children
opportunity for mutual knowledge, mutual assistance and common worship. develop good dispositions that will lead
We are now moving into pilot areas to put this into practice. students to responsible and mature
adulthood. It is a matter of virtues rather
7 Questions / B7
than just values, of settled habits rather
than slogans on the wall or a lapel but-
than by concern
for the good of
young people
themselves. Absti-
nence education,
whatever the mer-
its of the ideal it
represents, seems
a roundabout and
unrealistic way of
reducing the bad
statistics.
Interestingly, leading US sex educa-
tion researcher Douglas Kirby has come
to appreciate the importance of “norms
and attachment” in the sex education en-
terprise. In an essay of 2001 about “what
works” in sex-ed, based on a major re-
view of sex education studies, he had this
to say:
Innumerable studies demonstrated that the
norms of individuals to whom teenagers are
attached (e.g., family members, close friends
and romantic partners) were strongly related
to and consistent with the adolescents’ own
sexual and contraceptive behavior. In addi-
tion, when youth were more connected to
groups or institutions that typically have or
express values against adolescents’ engag-
ing in sex or unprotected sex (e.g., their fami-
lies, schools and faith communities), they were
less likely to engage in sex or unprotected
sex. When they were more connected to
groups or individuals typically with more
permissive values (e.g., peers or boyfriends
or girlfriends, especially older boyfriends or
girlfriends), then they were much more likely
to engage in sex.
logical and emotional development they
are experiencing.
Further to the last point: the
programme tackles in a straightforward
way the strong sexual impulses of ado-
lescence and gives students opportuni-
ties to develop skills for self-control.
Girls are also trained in fertility aware-
ness. Contraceptive methods are men-
tioned and explained theoretically to-
wards the end of the course, but contra-
ceptive use is not recommended. Sexual
abstinence is recommended.
One can detect behind the scientific
description of this particular experience
the existence of a community of virtues
and norms—by no means perfect or ho-
mogeneous, but with its ideals more or
less intact. It is people from precisely
these sorts of communities that the or-
ganizers of the Manila gathering hope
to attract with their upbeat catchline,
Love, Laughter and Life Ever After .
And it is love, more than abstinence
or even chastity that sexuality education
is about, according to educator and con-
gress director Antonio Torralba: “Chas-
tity is everyone’s lifelong commitment
to love. Love is the essence of, the rea-
son for and the whole purpose of chas-
tity. Love is the bigger picture; chastity
is a way of getting there. And the jour-
ney starts in the family.”
(Carolyn Moynihan is Deputy Editor of
MercatorNet. The Congress referred to in
this article is being organized by InterMedia
Consulting, EDUCHILD Foundation, Inc.,
and the Developmental Advocacy for Women
Volunteerism, in collaboration with I Am
S.T.R.O.N.G, a leadership and values forma-
tion program on responsible decision-mak-
ing for Filipino adolescents, and with the full
support of the Department of Education of
the Philippines. For inquiries, please visit
http://www.edicongress.com or call +632
6356114.)
 CBCP Monitor
B2 Updates Vol. 11 No. 17
August 20 - September 2, 2007

Factors that invalidate consent for marriage

By Fr. Jaime B. Achacoso, J.C.D.

WITH this article, we shall almost com-
plete our initial overview of the Canon
Law regarding marriage. We will only
need to discuss in the next issue the matter
of the canonical form. For now, we can fo-
cus on the second of the three constitutive
elements of a valid marriage.
Matrimonial Consent
Can. 1057 — §1. Marriage is brought
about through the consent of the parties,
legitimately manifested between persons
who are capable according to law of giv-
ing consent; no human power can replace
this consent.
§2. Matrimonial consent is an act of the
will by which a man and a woman, through
an irrevocable covenant, mutually give and
accept each other in order to establish mar-
riage.
Provided the first constitutive element
of marriage is present—i.e., the capacity of
both parties to contract marriage—the sec-
ond and most important constitutive ele-
ment of marriage is the consent of both
parties to contract marriage. As the classic
alcohol at the moment of giving consent)—
invalidates consent (c.1095, 1°).
2) Grave lack of discretion of judgment
concerning the essential matrimonial rights
and duties, which are to be mutually given
and accepted in marriage, invalidates con-
sent (c.1095, 2°). Lack of due discretion (LDD)
is one of the most common grounds of
marriage nullity, and together with the so-
called psychological incapacity is the most
abused as well.
3) Incapacity to assume the essential ob-
ligations of marriage, due to causes of a
psychic nature, invalidates the consent
(c.1095, 3°). This has been erroneously la-
beled—especially in the civil courts—as
psychological incapacity, causing a misunder-
standing of the real ground of nullity and
the object of proof. Simply put, one cannot
validly assume an obligation which he is
incapable of fulfilling. Since marriage is a
natural institution (in fact all normal hu-
man beings even have a right to contract
marriage), what c.1095, 3° simply states is
that such incapacity to assume the essen-
tial obligations of marriage can only be

© Roy Lagarde/ CBCP Media

formula states: Consent brings about marriage.
No human power can replace this consent—
continues the canon. Thus, if subsequent to
the wedding—even many years after-
wards—it can be proven in court that the
consent (expressed at the time of the wed-
ding) was defective to the point of invalid-
ity, then the competent Church tribunal can
declare that the marriage was null and void
from the beginning.
What can vitiate consent to the point of
making it invalid, such that the marriage
contracted is null and void from the start?
Simply stated, valid matrimonial consent
is a human act that needs the intervention
of both intellect and will—the intellect to
know the true nature of the marriage insti-
tution and its sacramentality, with the dis-
cretion to know what this person and mar-
riage to this person means; and the free
will to want to contract marriage with this
person here and now. Canon Law has fur-
ther broken down this constitutive element
into different aspects, reflecting the reality
that the human act of consenting implies
several things.
The Intellectual Component of Matrimo-
nial Consent
While the act of consenting is one—i.e.,
it is the whole person who consents—one
can analyze that act and identify predomi-
nantly intellectual components in the one
hand, and a predominantly volitive (per-
taining to the will or voluntas in Latin) com-
ponent in the other. Such a division is even
pedagogically helpful. Canon Law has es-
tablished the following factors that can vi-
tiate the intellectual components of con-
sent to the point of invalidating them:
1) Lack of sufficient use of reason—ei-
ther habitual (e.g., intellectual retardation)
or temporary (e.g., influence of drugs or
due to reasons of a psychic nature. But not
all psychic disorders cause such incapacity.
What constitutes the ground for consen-
sual invalidity—and what needs to be
proven in court—is not so much the exist-
ence of a psychic abnormality but rather
the incapacity to assume the essential obli-
gations of marriage.
4) Ignorance of the procreative and
sexual aspects of marriage—i.e., that mar-
riage is a permanent consortium between
a man and a woman, which is ordered to-
ward the procreation of offspring by means
of some sexual cooperation—invalidates
consent (c.1096, §1). Such ignorance is not
presumed after puberty (c.1096, §2).
5) Error concerning the person—i.e., his
or her identity—invalidates consent (c.1097,
§1). One can’t get married to the wrong
person. However, error concerning a qual-
ity of the person, even if such an error is the
cause of consenting to marriage, does not
invalidate the marriage, unless such quality
was directly and principally intended (c.1097,
§2). A woman who married a man, because
she erroneously thought he was very rich,
cannot sue for nullity afterwards; unless
she married him precisely and principally
for that.
6) Error concerning the essential proper-
ties of marriage—i.e., unity, indissolubil-
ity and sacramental dignity—does not vi-
tiate matrimonial consent, provided it does
not determine the will (c.1098). Such error
is similar to the error regarding a quality
of the person: it does not really invalidate
the consent unless it was determinant of
the will—i.e., one would not have con-
sented to marriage had he/she known of
such quality of the person or of marriage.
7) Fraud concerning some quality of the
other party which of its nature can seri-
ously disturb the partnership of conjugal
Can a marriage be annulled based on concubinage? The couple married young and on the decision of the elders, because the girl—although
pregnant at the time—was reluctant to marry but the boy’s mother wanted her son to be responsible. They have one child, male, 36 years old
and also married. The man has a second family with three young children. He has another child (but no family) abroad. All this is known and
accepted by the legal wife.
life, perpetrated to obtain consent, invali-
dates such consent (c.1098). Examples of such
qualities which of their nature can seriously
disturb conjugal life are drug addiction, ho-
mosexuality or a peculiar professional
lifestyle.
8) A condition concerning the future—
e.g., “I marry you provided you pass your
medical board exams by the time I give
birth to our first child”—invalidates con-
sent (c.1102, §1). The reason is that the con-
dition on which the reality of the marriage
rests is not yet there, so the marriage can-
not come about either. On the other hand, a
marriage based on condition concerning
the past or the present is valid or invalid
insofar as the subject matter of the condi-
tion exists or not (c.1102, §2)—i.e., “I marry
you provided you really are a virgin as
you claim”. However, the Law also states
that it is not licit to put such condition of
the past or present without the written per-
mission of the local Ordinary (c.1102, §3).
The Volitive Component of Consent
Can. 1103 — A marriage is invalid if it is
entered into due to force or grave fear inflicted
from outside the person, even when inflicted un-
intentionally, which is of such type that the per-
son is compelled to choose marriage in order to be
freed from it.
There must be free will in consenting to
marriage. There is no free will when there
is external force (violence), or grave fear
inflicted (even unintentionally) from out-
side the person—i.e., the trepidation of the
mind in the presence of an impending evil
(physical or moral) that compels the per-
son to consent to a marriage in order to
escape such evil.
Examples of such perceived impending
evils that can cause fear are a threat of bodily
harm (e.g., shotgun marriage), threat of shame
(e.g., pregnancy due to a premarital sexual
relation), or even the threat of displeasing
a person or persons that one holds in high
esteem (the so-called reverential fear), as
when parents have arranged a marriage. If
it is proven in court that such threats caused
such trepidation of mind so as to consent to
a marriage that otherwise wouldn’t have
been consented to, the court can declare the
marriage invalid for lack of consent.
Conclusion
As regards the marriage in question, we
have to affirm in the first place that it can-
not be declared null on the ground of con-
cubinage per se, since this has no direct bear-
ing on the capacity of the party or on his act
of consent at the time of contracting mar-
riage. Nevertheless, there may be grounds
for nullity as follows:
1) Grave lack of due discretion on the part of
the man, concerning the essential matrimo-
nial rights and duties—specifically regard-
ing the duty of marital fidelity. It might be
proven in court that the man may not have
understood what monogamy really means,
since he has not only sired three children
with a second partner, but even another
child with a third partner. Even his own
mother had recognized his irresponsibil-
ity before the original marriage in ques-
tion.
2) Grave fear on the part of the woman, who
was pregnant out of wedlock. Note that
even if she was reluctant to marry (presum-
ably because of the obvious signs of irre-
sponsibility on the part of the man), it might
still be proven that she in fact was afraid of
the displeasure of her parents and the shame
and difficulties she would have to face
should she become a single parent. This is
why it is normally contra-indicated for the
parish priest to allow a marriage to take
place just because the woman is pregnant;
such pregnancy could be the cause of grave
fear which can be a ground for marriage
nullity.

Redemptionis Sacramentum and the

authority of the diocesan bishop
What is the role of the Diocesan
Bishop in relation to promotion of
the Sacred Liturgy?
The instruction itself recalls how
the Diocesan Bishop is “the first
steward of the mysteries of God in
the particular Church entrusted to
him, is the moderator, promoter
and guardian of her whole liturgi-
cal life.” (RS, no. 19) and quotes
from the Code of Canon Law,
which directs that it pertains to the
Diocesan Bishop (CIC, no. 838 §4)
“within the limits of his compe-
tence, to set forth liturgical norms
in his Diocese, by which all are
bound.” (RS, no. 21, citing CIC, no.
838 §4)
What role does the Diocesan
Bishop exercise in the correction of
liturgical abuses?
Therefore, “it is the right of the
Christian people themselves that
their diocesan Bishop should take
care to prevent the occurrence of
abuses in ecclesiastical discipline,
especially as regards the ministry
of the word, the celebration of the
sacraments and sacramentals, the
worship of God and devotion to
the Saints. (RS, no. 24) He accom-
plishes this task by directing, en-
couraging, and sometimes even
reproving, (cf. RS, no. 22) while tak-
ing care “not to allow the removal
of that liberty foreseen by the norms
of the liturgical books so that the
celebration may be adapted…” (RS,
no. 21). The instruction notes that
liturgical “abuses are often based
on ignorance.” (SR, no. 9)
How does this impact the Bishop’s
ministry?
As chief teacher, the Diocesan
bishop should “elucidate the inher-
ent meaning of the rites and the li-
turgical texts, and nourish the spirit
of the Liturgy in the Priests, Dea-
cons and lay faithful so that they
are all led to the active and fruitful
celebration of the Eucharist…” (RS,
no. 22); He should “take care to en-
sure that the whole body of the
Church is able to grow in the same
understanding, in the unity of char-
ity, in the diocese, in the nation and
in the world.” (RS, no. 22);
Who is subject to the liturgical au-
thority of the Diocesan Bishop?
“All, including members of In-
stitutes of consecrated life and Soci-
eties of apostolic life as well as those
of all ecclesial associations and
movements of any kind, are sub-
ject to the authority of the diocesan
Bishop in all liturgical matters,
apart from rights that have been
legitimately conceded.” (RS, no. 22);
How is the Bishop assisted in this
regard?
The Bishop is assisted in this re-
gard by liturgical commissions, and
other councils or committees who
“rely on his authority and his ap-
proval so that they may carry out
their office in a suitable manner and
so that the effective governance of
the Bishop in his diocese will be
preserved.” (RS, no. 25) The instruc-
tion recommends that Bishops re-
examine the workings of already
existent consultative groups “to
consider carefully which changes
or improvements should be made
in their composition and activity
so that they might find new vigor.”
(RS, no. 25)
May the Diocesan Bishop change
liturgical laws for his Diocese?
In regard to the celebration of the
Eucharist, the Diocesan Bishop is
given a particular role in the publi-
cation of norms for the regulation
of the liturgy in his particular dio-
cese. The General Instruction of the
Roman Missal [GIRM] assigns to the
Diocesan Bishop the publication of
norms on concelebration (GIRM,
no. 202), service at the altar (GIRM,
no. 107), Holy Communion under
both kinds (GIRM, nos. 282-283), the
construction and renovation of
church Buildings (GIRM, no. 291
and 315), posture [GIRM no. 43.3,
liturgical music (GIRM, nos. 48, 87),
and the establishment of days of
prayer (GIRM, no. 373).
Other rights of the Diocesan
Bishop to regulate the liturgy are
described by documents other than
the GIRM, including the regulation
of Masses on radio, television and
via the internet, and his responsibil-
ity to establish a diocesan calendar.
With the exception of these and other
modifications of the law explicitly
assigned to the Diocesan Bishop, no
additional changes to liturgical law
may be introduced to Diocesan li-
turgical practice without the specific
prior of the Holy See.
(Source: Committee on Liturgy,
NCCB)
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 11 No. 17
August 20 - September 2, 2007
BATAAN is the home of heroes. Along its
main highway are markers indicating the
route of the Death March, the historical
event in World War II, that followed the
last stand made by the brave men who
fought for their country.
Today, everyone is still called to be
HERO in Bataan but this time it is not for a
one-time victory in battle but in the ordi-
nariness of daily life, in relationships with
others and in spiritual growth.
The call is being made by the Diocese of
Balanga to its flock and HERO is its vi-
sion. HERO is an acronym that stands for:
Holiness through prayer; Evangelization
by all, for all, in all; Relationship of Love;
Openness to receive and to give.
This vision became clear to the clergy
of the diocese after an updating session in
2004 with its then newly installed bishop,
Bishop Socrates B. Villegas. The word
embodies the legacy of heroism which the
province’s rendezvous with history has
bequeathed to its citizens and the yearn-
ing for holiness which every faithful child
of God carries in his or her heart.
Diocese of Balanga
Marching to heroism and holiness
Thus shortly after its 30th year, the Dio-
cese of Balanga embarked on the mission
to realize its vision. The first diocesan
synod was convoked on September 14,
2005. The Synod took place on March 6 to
17 and the teachings and decrees were pro-
mulgated on June 3, 2006.
The Synod is a long jump from the es-
tablishment of the diocese in 1975, when
it was carved from the Archdiocese of San
Fernando (Pampanga), and at 30, the Dio-
cese as a community of believers, was
ready to respond to the challenge of hero-
ism and holiness as a new church, revital-
ized and renewed.
The Peninsula
The Diocese of Balanga comprises the
entire civil province of Bataan, the small-
est among the provinces in Central Luzon.
The province is a peninsula jutting out to
sea, with Manila Bay to the east, China Sea
to the west, and the province of Zambales
to the north.
It is divided from north to south by two
mountain ridges. In the east are the valley
towns of Hermosa, Orani, Samal, Abucay,
Pilar, Orion and Limay. To the west are
the towns of Morong, Bagac and
Mariveles.
The sea and the land made farmers and
fisherfolk of most of the province’s people,
but its proximity to Manila has also made
it a base for industries such as oil refinery
and manufacturing of products for exports
in economic and business zones such as
the one in Mariveles. These industries have
attracted workers from neighboring, and
even far-flung provinces to Bataan.
Tourism is also beginning to blossom
in this province blessed with sand and sea,
and local and foreign tourist swell the
province during holidays and summer va-
cation. Bataan’s natural beauty has slowly
emerged.
Heritage of Faith
The seed of faith planted in the penin-
sula by the Dominicans and Recollects and
by a handful of Filipino priests the past
centuries bore fruit with the establishment
of the Diocese of Balanga on March 17,
1975, by Pope Paul VI. Bishop Celso N.
Guevarra was named its first bishop on
November 8, 1975.
Bishop Guevarra’s ministry of 23 years
was marked by building up the people of
God. He scoured the region’s seminaries
for priests willing to serve by his side in
the new diocese. His persistence and per-
severance paid off when he attracted not
only priests but new vocations to the priest-
hood from young men of the province.
When he started, only one of the 15 priests
was a native of Bataan. In 2007, there were
26 of the 43, while some 25 other young
men of Bataan are enrolled in studies for
the priesthood.
Bishop Honesto F. Ongtioco succeeded
Bishop Guevarra in 1998 and guided the
diocese towards its silver jubilee, making
plans for a Diocesan Pastoral Assembly,
to discern and map out the directions that
it should take after the important mile-
stone. The organizational plans for this
assembly were beginning to take shape
when Bishop Ongtioco was named bishop
of the newly-created Diocese of Cubao in
2003.
Bishop Soc Villegas of the Archdiocese
of Manila was appointed by Pope John
Paul II on May 3, 2004, to be the third bishop
of the Diocese of Balanga. It is said that he
came to Balanga at a serendipitous mo-
ABOVE: Cathedral of St. Joseph in Balanga, Bataan. BELOW: Bishop Socrates Villegas, D.D., and the interior of the Cathedral.
Diocese
ment, when the clergy needed a touch of The campus ministry in high schools
love and the local church required to be and colleges province-wide has been in-
guided to the right direction. At his instal- stitutionalized, with the help of the broth-
lation on July 3, 2004, he called on his ers of the Marian Missionaries of the Holy
clergy and laity and all the people of Cross and the sisters of the congregation
Bataan, “Let us be heroes and saints to- of the Franciscan Immaculitine Sisters.
gether.” And bishop, clergy and laity have, Amazingly Bataan is home to several
since then, embarked on a dizzying jour- educational institutions which count thou-
ney that has brought them into becoming sands of students. Aside from the five di-
a vibrant Church committed to achieve ocesan schools, five new schools have been
the fullness of life through holiness and put up: Jaime Hilario La Salle School in
heroism; loving God and the land of their Bagac, Siena College of Hermosa, Letran
birth. sa Abucay, St. Joseph College in Balanga,
and Our Lady of Mount Carmel School in
From the Ground Up Tucop, Dinalupihan. A school for the for-
If growth is to be measured in bricks mation of lay leaders, called Pandayan ng
and stones, in numbers, and in people, the Layko ng Diyosesis or PALAD has also been
Diocese of Balanga has surely grown since established. There have been 55 lay gradu-
the call to be heroes and saints was ates from five different centers in four vi-
sounded off. There are now 33 parishes cariates. About 600 lay students are now
and 2 chaplaincies in the diocese, up from in the process of completing the course.
24 parishes and one chaplaincy in July 2004. The Diocese has a scholarship program
The nine new parishes are under the care for 50 Aeta children and 50 Tagalog chil-
of religious priests and the two chaplain- dren studying in Bataan. There are 13 col-
cies are dedicated to the ministry to indig- lege scholars enrolled in four Catholic col-
enous peoples. leges in Manila. It has 19 students taking
Photos courtesy Noli Yamsuan
IMPORTANT FACTS:
Bishop ……………………………………… 1
Diocesan Priests ………………………… 44
Active ………………………………………. 34
On leave ……………………………………10
Religious Priests ……………………...... 2
Guest Priests ……………………………. 2
Religious Sisters ……………………… 42
Major Seminarians ……………………. 22
Diocesan Divisions:
Vicariates ………………………………… 4
Parishes ……………………………….. 32
Chaplaincy ……………………………….. 3
Chapels ……………………………….. 171
Educational Centers:
High School ……………………………… 5
Elementary ……………………………… 6
Pre-elementary ………………………...... 6
Population ………………….……… 648,309
Catholics ………………….……….. 555,600
Area ……………………….… 1,373 sq. kms.
B3
up religious education in Manila, who will
form the core of professional catechists in
the diocese. Four of the 14 students are
Aetas.
The cathedral was restored and reno-
vated in time for the 30th anniversary cel-
ebration while the former Simbahayanan
ng Kabataan was renovated to respond to
the need for venue for the diocese’s for-
mation programs and activities. It was also
named, Bishop Celso Guevarra Formation
Center, in honor of the diocese’s first
bishop.
The diocese also built its Bahay Pari
where the bishop resides and the priests
come together regularly for fraternal ac-
tivities.
Following the successful holding of the
First Synod of Balanga, the Diocesan Pas-
toral Council was established to give flesh
to its acts and decrees. Eight commissions,
each headed by three persons—(a priest,
religious sister and lay faithful) compose
the Council: 1) Buhay Panalangin, 2)
Eukaristiya, 3) Mga Sakramento ng
Pagpapagaling, 4) Kristiyanong Pagpapakasakit,
5) Bayanihan at Kabayanihan, 6) Dukha, 7)
Kabataan, and 8) Katekesis.
The Path to Heroism and Holiness
How does one become a hero? How does
one become holy?
To the Diocese of Balanga this entails a
daily struggle, and a daily commitment,
little acts of heroism, and holiness that, in
time, add up to greatness and sainthood. It
begins with the family, which is the source
of life of an individual. Here the person
learns the basic lessons, values, and vir-
tues—sharing, relating and understanding
his or her role in each unit.
The path cannot be trekked alone; nei-
ther can it be achieved simply by one’s in-
dividual efforts. For the diocese, the path
towards fullness is a three-legged journey
of prayer life, formation life, and the life of
commitment. And its formation programs
have been designed to foster these three
areas of life and bear interesting acronyms:
PUSO is an advanced formation pro-
gram that articulates “Puso ng Diyos, Puso
ng Bataan, Pusong Bayani at Banal” integrat-
ing the elements that combine for a deep
love for one’s roots, one country and God.
KRISMA (Kristiyanong Magkakapitbahay)
cultivates the formation undergone in
PUSO towards concrete manifestation of
love for others by service of God and
neighbor. It is a basic cell of ecclesial com-
munity where members are related geo-
graphically or share a common life situa-
tion such as education, work, age, or
apostolate in the Church.
AGAP forms the person’s heart into
greater generosity and self-giving. It
stands for Alay Galing sa Pagpapakasakit (Of-
fering from sacrifice). It is a response to
the need of our increasingly materialistic
world to revivify the spirit of sacrifice, of
love-filled sharing, of selfless service to
those in need. It calls for the sharing of
Time, Treasure and Talent (TTT).
Marching towards Heroism and Holiness
Bataan’s history has shown the bravery
of Filipinos in the face of battle and foreign
aggression. On its fertile soil flowed the
blood of courage. The Diocese of Balanga
embraces this history as its glorious heri-
tage, and builds upon this courage to lead
the people to holiness, to sainthood. Indeed
heroism and holiness are brothers and sis-
ters, sired by the great love of God who calls
everyone to Fullness of Life.
 CBCP Monitor
B4 Commissions Vol. 11 No. 17
August 20 - September 2, 2007

Northern Luzon directors San Fernando

for the Biblical apostolate archdiocese
meet in Baguio leads council
for migrants’
concerns
By Edmund Ruga

THE Pampanga Archdiocesan Migrants Desk

By Fr. Doms O. Ramos, SVD
THE Board of Directors of the Northern
Luzon Commission for the Biblical
Apostolate (NLCBA) and the John Paul I Bib-
lical Center (JPIBC) held their annual meet-
ing at the Philippine Bible Society’s Sanctu-
ary in Baguio City last August 6-7, 2007.
JPIBC Chairman and Lingayen-Dagupan
Auxiliary bishop Most Rev. Renato P.
Mayugba, DD presided the meeting. He was
assisted by NLCBA Executive Secretary and
director of JPIBC, Fr. Dominador O. Ramos,
SVD.
Thirty five BA directors, coordinators and
representatives of four congregations (SIHM,
SFIC, OSB and SVD) from Northern Luzon
were present making the meeting as one of
the most attended so far in years.
The meeting opened with the celebration
of the Word and the Eucharist on the feast of
the Transfiguration, with Bishop Mayugba as
main celebrant.
During the mass the directors were
grouped by threes (triad) where they shared
in a Lectio Divina way their life and mission,
their “disfiguration” and “transfiguration” as
BA directors of their Archdiocese, Diocese,
Apostolic Vicariate and Religious Congrega-
tions.
The directors, fresh from the field of mis-
sion; shared progress reports, problems and
challenges of doing the Biblical Apostolate.
the biblical center. Hard copies of the reports
were distributed to the directors that include
the accomplishment report of the Word Alive
Biblical Institute (WABI) for this year, the
hard-bound proceedings of the last regional
biblical workshop, the journal of the WABI
2007, the official website where news, re-
ports, letters, workshops and all other con-
cerns pertaining to the Biblical Apostolate
are being published. Updates on the publica-
tions of the Biblical Center were also shared.
The directors also shared on the follow up
of the regional biblical workshop held in
Alaminos earlier and their plans regarding
the implementation of resolutions and com-
mitments to the diocesan and parish level.
The Alaminos workshop produced a final
statement with the regional directors com-
mitting themselves to a grateful fidelity to
THE WORD OF GOD as revealed and con-
tained in SACRED SCRIPTURES and as lived
and proclaimed by SACRED TRADITION; to
a more biblically inspired and nourished li-
turgical life; to actively collaborate in the pro-
motion of BECs that are regularly and inten-
sively formed by the WORD OF GOD and
nourished by the EUCHARIST for social
transformation that is specially concerned in
promoting the common good and showing
solidarity with the poor; and to explore cre-
ative ways of bringing the WORD OF GOD
to all—young and old—in ways and means
that put to use indigenous and simple mate-
rials and such methods of communication
that are relevant and entertaining.
late Conception School of Theology in Vigan
City. This seminar is open to all who are in-
terested in making biblical figures that could
be used for biblical catechesis, catechetical
instructions, counseling, spiritual accompa-
niment and the like other than Bibliodrama
seminars. The facilitators who will come from
Germany invented the use of biblical dolls
in Bibliodrama, Sr. Ines Schmiegel and Frau
Susanne Uteschil.
The Special Regional Biblical Workshop
for Northern Luzon is scheduled on October
15-17, 2007 at the Immaculate Conception
School of Theology. Bishop Mayugba con-
vened the regional workshop to prepare the
whole region for the coming big events in
the biblical apostolate local, nationwide and
worldwide. The next regular regional work-
shop will be hosted by the Diocese of
Urdaneta on October, 2008.
Updates on the programs and other events
for 2008 were also discussed: The National
Bible Week and National Bible Sunday on
January 21-27, 2008; the 16th National Bibli-
cal Workshop in Cagayan de Oro City on
February 15-10, 2008; the Catholic Biblical
Federation 7th Plenary Assembly in Tanza-
nia, Africa on June 24-July 3, 2008; and the
Synod of Bishops on the Word of God in
Vatican on October 5-26, 2008.
Online connection
The Northern Luzon Commission for the
Biblical Apostolate encouraged each direc-
tor to avail of the modern means of Informa-
tion Technology for faster communications,
(PAMD) spearheaded the creation of Inter-Agency
Council for Migrants Concerns (PIAMCO) in a bid
to strengthen partnerships and coordination
among local migrant stakeholders.
The local formation of inter-agency council for
the migrants’ concern is a project of the Episcopal
Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People
(CBCP-ECMI). The move is being undertaken in
dioceses that have stronghold programs for over-
seas Filipino workers (OFWs).
ECMI, through its Luzon Desk mentored the
PAMD in the creation of PIAMCO. The Archdio-
cese of San Fernando is the second diocese to hold
such kind of activity following the Archdiocese
of Lipa.
PIAMCO was officially launched July 24 at the
Pampanga Provincial Capitol in San Fernando
City. The Office of the Governor of Pampanga Pro-
vincial Government took the initiative as co-
convenor of PIAMCO.
The whole day event featured messages and shar-
ing among the invited agencies concerning mi-
grant issues and concerns. Pampanga Governor
Among Ed Panlilio graced the occasion together
with Provincial Board Member Ric Yabut.
The participating agencies agreed on the prin-
ciples of PIAMCO to serve as a coordinating body
and venue among agencies in the province of
Pampanga to exchange views and information on
programs and services to migrant sector. It will
also share and learn experiences in the formation
and implementation of migrants program.
PIAMCO will also function as a recommendatory
body, lobby group for policy change and give di-
rection on what is lacking in programs and ser-
vices for the migrant sector.
With ECMI Luzon Desk and PAMD as co-
convenors, PIAMCO elected members of its core
council composed of Pampanga Provincial Gov-
ernment-Office of the Governor, Overseas Work-
ers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Region 3,
Provincial Public Employment Service Office
(PESO), Department of Social Welfare and Devel-
opment (DSWD), Department of Education
(DepED) Region 3, Angeles University Foundation,
and Central Luzon Pediatric Society.
Other agencies that participated in the creation
of PIAMCO are National Labor Relations Commis-
sion (NLRC) Pampanga, Department of Labor and
Employment (DoLE) Region 3, Technical Education
and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), De-
partment of Trade and Industry (DTI),
PHILHEALTH, and Provincial Cooperative Devel-
opment Office.
The next PIAMCO regular meeting is scheduled
on September 18 at the Pampanga Provincial Capi-
tol.
The PAMD is under the directorship of Fr.
Arnolfo Serrano. He is supported in his task by a
core team of lay people: Rico and Susan Pablo,
Silvano Ortega, Eduardo Balagtas, Rose Feliciano,
Edna Manlapaz, Carmen Lobo and Alex Deang.

LAIKO to celebrate
Programs, activities, modules, seminars, Upcoming Biblical Events networking, coordination, data and docu-
workshops, bible festivals, radio programs, Other matters discussed in the meeting in- ment transfers. Weroam or Smart Broadband
bible institutes, meaningful distribution of clude the International Course on the Bibli- offers alternative solutions. Word Alive

National Laity Week

bibles, and the like constitute the Sacred Scrip-
ture in the Life of the Church of Northern
Luzon.
The participants welcomed the newly ap-
pointed, elected and installed Board of Direc-
tors, Fr. Fidelis Layog of Lingayen-Dagupan;
Sr. Beata Balaso, SIHM of Baguio; Fr.
Devasgayam Savariyappan, SVD of Bangued;
Fr. Danilo Ulep of Tuguegarao; and the sub-
regional coordinators of Northern Luzon.
JPIBC gave an update on the activities of
cal Pastoral Ministry in Nemi, Rome slated
on September 10-December 10, 2007. Three
candidates from Northern Luzon, Fr. Armand
Quindo of the Apostolic Vicariate of Tabuk;
Mr. Joel M. Bugtong of the John Paul I Bibli-
cal Center; and Ms. Silvana de Vera of the
Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan; will par-
ticipate in the course.
A Seminar on Biblical Figures to be hosted
by Northern Luzon is scheduled on October
15-20, 2007 and will be held at the Immacu-
Newsletter is now online: http://
jp1bc.wordpress.com
Northern Luzon comprises 14 ecclesiasti-
cal jurisdictions, the Archdioceses of
Tuguegarao, Nueva Segovia, Lingayen-
Dagupan; the Dioceses of Laoag, San By Pinky Barrientos, FSP
Fernando de La Union, Urdaneta, Alaminos,
Bayombong, Ilagan; Prelature of Batanes; the
Cordilleras that include the Diocese of THE Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas will spear-
Bangued, Baguio-Benguet, the Apostolic Vi- head its annual celebration of National Laity Week
cariates of Bontoc-Lagawe and Tabuk. on September 23 to 30 to promote lay apostolate
and honor San Lorenzo Ruiz and Blessed Pedro

Filipino chaplains, pastoral

Calungsod, patron saints of the Catholic Laity in
the Philippines.
The Laity Week event has the theme “Laiko in
Action”, which is a celebration of the Catholic lay
faithful’s contribution to the evangelization of the

workers to meet in Europe

By Pinky Barrientos, FSP
FILIPINO chaplains and pastoral workers ministering to Filipino
communities in Europe are set to meet in Dublin, Ireland for a five-
day regional consultation meeting on August 27-31.
Episcopal Commission on Migrant and Itinerant People (ECMI)
executive secretary Fr. Edwin Corros, CS said the regional consul-
tation meeting started as a response from Filipino chaplains to meet
the need to accompany and minister to Filipino communities in
Europe.
“It started as a gathering of Filipino chaplains around the world,
later they agreed to meet as a region,” said Corros.
Filipino chaplains are active in their ministry of accompanying
Filipino communities in the regions of Asia, Oceania and Europe,
where a big concentration of Filipino communities can be found.
Corros said Middle East and Africa are regions where labor mar-
ket is not well established and Filipino communities are spread
out. Except for Filipino missionaries belonging to religious con-
gregations assigned in these countries, there are no Filipino chap-
lains to minister to Filipinos working in these regions.
“In Africa, Filipinos are usually deployed in far flung areas not
accessible to missionaries,” explained Corros. “Whereas in Middle
East, the practice of religion is not allowed,” he added.
The regional meeting will tackle family and labor concerns af-
fecting Filipino communities in Europe.
A Vatican representative from the Pontifical Council for the Pas-
toral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People will deliver a keynote
address on the issue of Workers in the Pastoral Care of Communion.
Priority for the Chaplaincy is to provide specific direction on the
concerns of Filipino family and the youth in Europe as recommended
by the 6th Regional Consultation Meeting.
Participants are also working on the following goals which they
hope to achieve at the end of the meeting: to follow up challenges
posed by the 6th Regional meeting; to share and learn the good
practices employed by chaplaincies to improve services to migrants
and their families; to review and enhance collaboration between
churches, government and other civic organizations through con-
crete plans of action in their advocacy and linkages; and to review
and ensure the application of the Vatican document “Erga Migrantes
Caritas Christi.”
Already in its 7th round, the regional assembly which started 14
years ago is held every two years. This year’s conference has the
theme, Filipinos and their families, contributors to European church and
society.
“unchurched” in the Catholic community. The oc-
casion also aims to acknowledge the efforts made
by various faith communities and church man-
dated organizations in the areas of service and
evangelization.
Among the various activities proposed for the
week-long celebration involve both spiritual and
temporal aspects: Eucharistic celebration, liturgy
of the hours, holy hour, bible sharing, novena to
San Lorenzo Ruiz and Blessed Pedro Calungsod;
talks, seminars and fora; visitation to the sick in
the community and hospitals; visitation to the
prisoners; distribution of goods to the needy; and
medical and dental mission.
From the dioceses the celebration will cascade
down to the parish level through the involvement
of Diocesan Councils of the Laity, Diocesan Pas-
toral Council and National Lay Organizations. A
massive information campaign is being laid out
to achieve greater awareness and participation of
parishioners and members.
The Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas animates
and facilitates, coordinates and integrates all
forms of lay Catholic action and activity of all Lay
Apostolic Movements, Associations and Organi-
zations. Among its affiliates include Councils of
the Laity in 48 arch/dioceses and 42 National Lay
Organizations in the country.
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 11 No. 17
August 20 - September 2, 2007 Statements B5

‘Building bridges
of peace with our
peace officers’
A Joint Statement of The Bishops-
Ulama Conference Convenors
16 July 2007
THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and The Philippine National
Police (PNP) are mandated by law to maintain, promote, and protect the
peace and order in our country. Supervised from the AFP Eastern and
Western Mindanao Commands and the six PNP Camps in our region,
our law enforcers carry out this mandate as peace officers and gentle-
men.
Since these peace officers and their families and dependents belong to
the Islamic, Protestant, and Catholic faith traditions, their religious needs
and activities are provided for by the corresponding Muslim, Protestant
and Catholic chaplains. These chaplains are supervised and guided by a
Catholic bishop in what is known as the Military Ordinariate, an institu-

Message of His Holiness Benedict XVI

tion established by a concordat between the Republic of the Philippines
and the State of the Vatican or the Holy See.
Although the objectives of maintaining, promoting and protecting

for the 81st World Mission Sunday 2007

peace and order may be the same for both law enforcers and religious
leaders, the methods may be different and opposite. Hence there is a
need of building lines and occasions of peaceful communication and
dialogue among them towards an effective mutual collaboration.
The Bishops-Ulama Conference (BUC) is committed to the principle
that respectful and friendly dialogue and collaboration, however long
and tedious, is the only human and humane way of resolving problems
and conflicts. For this reason, we the Convenors urge our peace and
dialogue partners and all those who participate in the celebration of the
2007 Mindanao Week of Peace (November 29 to December 5) to promote
and support the process of building bridges of peace with our peace
officers from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine
National Police through responsible dialogue and collaboration. This is
also a mandate arising from our respective faiths which teach us that we
have a common origin and a common destiny. It is only by keeping in
mind and heart this mandate that we can meaningfully be guided in our
work for lasting peace in this beautiful Land of Promise called Mindanao.
May the Compassionate and Merciful God/Allah be upon us all.
FERNANDO R. CAPALLA
Archbishop of Davao
Co-Convenor, BUC
HILARIO M. GOMEZ, JR.
Bishop Emeritus, UCCP
Co-Convenor, BUC
MAHID M. MUTILAN
President, Ulama League
of the Philippines
Co-Convenor, BUC
“All the Churches for all the world”
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
On the occasion of the World Mission
Day, I would like to invite the entire
People of God—Pastors, priests, men and
women religious and lay people—to re-
flect together on the urgent need and im-
portance of the Church’s missionary ac-
tion, also in our time.
Indeed, the words with which the Cru-
cified and Risen Jesus entrusted the mis-
sionary mandate to the Apostles before
ascending to Heaven do not cease to ring
out as a universal call and a heartfelt ap-
peal: “Go therefore and make disciples
of all nations, baptizing them in the name
of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all
that I have commanded you”. And he
added, “Lo, I am with you always, to the
close of the age” (Mt 28: 19-20).
In the demanding work of evangeliza-
tion we are sustained and accompanied
by the certainty that he, the Lord of the
harvest, is with us and continues to guide
his people. Christ is the inexhaustible
source of the Church’s mission. This year,
moreover, a further reason impels us to
renew our missionary commitment: the
50th anniversary of the Encyclical of the
Servant of God Pius XII, Fidei Donum,
I warmly hope that missionary coop-
eration will be intensified and that the
most will be made of the potential and
charisms of each one. I also hope that
World Mission Day will contribute to
making all the Christian communities and
every baptized person ever more aware
that Christ’s call to spread his Kingdom to
the very ends of the earth is universal.
“The Church is missionary by her very
nature”, John Paul II wrote in his Encyclical
Redemptoris Missio, “for Christ’s mandate
is not something contingent or external, but
reaches the very heart of the Church. It fol-
lows that the universal Church and each in-
dividual Church is sent forth to the nations....
It is highly appropriate that young Churches
“should share as soon as possible in the uni-
versal missionary work of the Church. They
should themselves send missionaries to pro-
claim the Gospel all over the world, even
though they are suffering from a shortage
of clergy’” (n. 62).
Fifty years after the historical appeal for
cooperation between the Churches at the
service of the mission of my Predecessor,
Pius XII, with his Encyclical Fidei Donum, I
would like to reaffirm that the Gospel proc-
lamation continues to be timely and urgent.
In the Encyclical Redemptoris Missiocited
above, Pope John Paul II, for his part, recog-
nized that “the Church’s mission is wider
which have sometimes only recently come
into being in poor and developing areas.
Among these priests are many martyrs who
have combined with the witness of their
words and apostolic dedication the sacrifice
of their lives.
Nor can we forget the many men and
women religious and lay volunteers who,
together with the priests, spared no effort to
spread the Gospel to the very ends of the
earth. May World Mission Day be an op-
portunity to remember in prayer these
brothers and sisters of ours in the faith and
all who continue to work in the vast field of
the mission.
Let us ask God that their example may
everywhere inspire new vocations and a re-
newed mission awareness in the Christian
people. Indeed, every Christian community
is born missionary, and it is precisely on the
basis of the courage to evangelize that the
love of believers for their Lord is measured.
Consequently, we could say that for the
individual members of the faithful it is no
longer merely a matter of collaborating in
evangelizing work but of feeling that they
themselves are protagonists and co-respon-
sible. This co-responsibility entails the
growth of communion between the com-
munities and increases reciprocal help with
regard to the personnel (priests, men and
women religious and lay volunteers) and

On the peace Christ brought

which promoted and encouraged coop- than the “communion among the Churches’; the use of the means necessary for evangeli-
eration between the Churches for the it ought to be directed not only to aiding re- zation today.
mission ad gentes. evangelization but also and primarily to Dear brothers and sisters, the missionary

‘Not the simple

“All the Churches for all the world”: missionary activity as such” (n. 64). mandate entrusted by Christ to the Apostles
this is the theme chosen for the next World Therefore, as has often been said, mission- truly involves us all. May World Mission
Mission Day. It invites the local Churches ary commitment remains the first service Day therefore be a favorable opportunity to

absence of conflict’
of every continent to a shared awareness that the Church owes to humanity today to acquire a deeper awareness and to work out
of the urgent need to relaunch mission- guide and evangelize the cultural, social and together appropriate spiritual and forma-
ary action in the face of the many serious ethical transformations; to offer Christ’s sal- tive itineraries which encourage inter-
challenges of our time. vation to the people of our time in so many Church cooperation and the training of new
The conditions in which humanity parts of the world who are humiliated and missionaries to spread the Gospel in our
(The address Benedict XVI delivered before recit- lives have of course changed and in re- oppressed by endemic poverty, violence time.
cent decades, especially since the Second and the systematic denial of human rights. However, let it not be forgotten that the
ing the midday Angelus in the courtyard of the pa- Vatican Council, a great effort has been The Church cannot shirk this universal first and priority contribution that we are
pal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo, August made to spread the Gospel. mission; for her it has a binding force. Since called to offer to the missionary action of
19, 2007) However, much still remains to be Christ first entrusted the missionary man- the Church is prayer. “The harvest is plenti-
done in order to respond to the mission- date to Peter and to the Apostles, today it is ful, but the laborers are few”, the Lord said;
ary call which the Lord never tires of ad- primarily the responsibility of the Succes- “pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to
dressing to every one of the baptized. In sor of Peter whom divine Providence has send out laborers into his harvest” (Lk 10: 2).
DEAR Brothers and Sisters!
the first place, he continues to call the chosen as a visible foundation of the Church’s “First of all, therefore”, Pope Pius XII of
There is an expression of Jesus’ in this Sunday’s Gospel that always
Churches of so-called “ancient tradition”, unity, and of the Bishops directly respon- venerable memory wrote 50 years ago,
draws our attention and which needs to be properly understood. As he
which in the past provided the missions sible for evangelization, both as members “Venerable Brethren, We trust that more
is on his way to Jerusalem, where death on the cross awaits him, Christ
with a consistent number of priests, men of the Episcopal College and as Pastors of continuous and fervent prayers will be raised
confides in his disciples: “Do you think that I have come to establish
and women religious and lay people as the particular Churches (cf. Redemptoris to God for this cause” (Fidei Donum, n. 49).
peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.”
well as material means, giving life to an Missio, n. 63). Remember the immense spiritual needs of
And he adds: “From now on a household of five will be divided,
effective cooperation between Christian I am thus addressing the Pastors of all the the numerous populations who are far from
three against two and two against three; a father will be divided against
communities. Churches chosen by the Lord to guide his one the true faith or who stand in such great
his son and a son against his father, a mother against her daughter and
This cooperation has yielded abundant flock so that they may share in the pressing need of the means of perseverance (cf. n. 55).
a daughter against her mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-
apostolic fruit both for the young concern to proclaim and spread the Gospel. And he urged the faithful to increase the
in-law and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law” (Luke 12:51-
Churches in mission lands as well as in It was precisely this concern that 50 years number of Masses offered for the missions,
53).
the ecclesial situations from which the ago impelled the Servant of God Pius XII to saying that “this is in accordance with the
Whoever knows the least amount about the Gospel of Christ knows
missionaries came. In the face of the secu- bring missionary cooperation more up to prayers of Our Lord who loves his Church
that it is the message of peace par excellence; Jesus himself, as St. Paul
larized culture, which sometimes seems date with the times. and wishes her to flourish and enlarge her
writes, “is our peace” (Ephesians 2:14); he died and rose from the dead
to be penetrating ever more deeply into With particular concern for the future of borders throughout the whole world” (ibid.,
to break down the wall of enmity and inaugurated the Kingdom of
Western societies, considering in addi- evangelization he asked the “long estab- n. 52).
God, which is love, joy, and peace.
tion the crisis of the family, the dwin- lished” Churches to send priests to support Dear brothers and sisters, I also renew
How, then, are we to explain these words of his? To what is the Lord
dling number of vocations and the pro- the recently founded Churches. this invitation, which is, more timely than
referring when he says that he has come to bring—according to St.
gressive ageing of the clergy, these Thus, he gave life to a new “subject of ever. May the unanimous invocation of the
Luke’s redaction—”division,” or—according to St. Matthew’s—the
Churches risk withdrawing into them- mission” which took the name of “Fidei “Our Father who art in Heaven” be extended
“sword” (Matthew 10:34)?
selves to view the future with ever less Donum” precisely from the first words of in every community, so that his Kingdom
Christ’s expression means the peace that he came to bring is not syn-
hope and weakening their missionary the Encyclical. will come on earth.
onymous with the simple absence of conflict. On the contrary, the peace
effort. Of it he wrote: “As We direct our thoughts, I appeal in particular to children and
of Jesus is the fruit of a constant struggle against evil. The battle that
Yet, this is the very time for opening on the one hand, to the countless multitudes young people, who are always ready and
Jesus has decided to fight is not against men or human powers but
oneself with trust to the Providence of of Our sons who have a share in the bless- generous in their missionary outreach. I
against the enemy of God and man, Satan.
God, who never abandons his People and ings of divine faith, especially in countries address the sick and the suffering, recalling
Those who desire to resist this enemy, remaining faithful to God and
who, with the power of the Holy Spirit, that have a long Christian tradition, and on the value of their mysterious and indispens-
the good, must necessarily deal with misunderstandings and some-
guides them toward the fulfillment of his the other hand, as We consider the far more able collaboration in the work of salvation.
times very real persecution. Thus, those who intend to follow Jesus and
eternal design of salvation. numerous throngs of those who are still I ask consecrated people, especially those in
commit themselves without compromises to the truth must know that
The Good Shepherd also invites the re- waiting for the day of salvation to be pro- cloistered monasteries, to intensify their
they will face opposition and will become, despite themselves, a sign
cently evangelized Churches to dedicate claimed to them, We are filled with a great prayers for the missions.
of division among persons, even within their own families.
themselves generously to the missio ad desire to exhort you again and again, Ven- Thanks to the commitment of every be-
Love of one’s parents is indeed a sacred commandment, but for it to
gentes. Despite the many difficulties and erable Brethren, to support with zealous in- liever, the spiritual network of prayer and
be lived authentically it cannot be set in opposition to the love of God
obstacles they encounter in their devel- terest the most holy cause of bringing the support for evangelization is being ex-
and Christ. In such a way, in the footsteps of the Lord Jesus, Christians
opment, these communities are con- Church to all the world”. He added: “Please tended throughout the Church. May the Vir-
must become “instruments of his peace,” according to the celebrated
stantly growing. Fortunately, some of God, may it come to pass that Our admoni- gin Mary who accompanied with motherly
expression of St. Francis of Assisi. This is not an inconsistent and super-
them have a large number of priests and tions will arouse a keener interest in the mis- solicitude the development of the newborn
ficial peace but a real one, pursued with courage and tenacity in the
consecrated persons, many of whom, al- sionary apostolate among your priests and Church, also guide our footsteps in our time
daily commitment to defeat evil with good (cf. Romans 12:21), paying
though there are so many needs in loco, through them set the hearts of the faithful and obtain for us a new Pentecost of love.
in person the price that this carries with it.
are nevertheless sent to carry out their on fire!” (cf. Fidei Donum, n. 4). May she especially make us all aware of
The Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace, shared the struggle of her son Jesus
pastoral ministry and apostolic service Let us give thanks to the Lord for the abun- being missionaries, that is, those who have
against the evil one, to the point of spiritual martyrdom, and she con-
elsewhere, even in lands evangelized dant fruits obtained by this missionary co- been sent out by the Lord to be his witnesses
tinues to share this struggle until the end of time. Let us invoke her
long ago. operation in Africa and in other regions of at every moment of our life.
maternal intercession, that she may help us always to be faithful wit-
Thus, we are witnessing a providen- the earth. I assure my daily remembrance in prayer
nesses to Christ’s peace, never giving in to compromises with evil.
tial “exchange of gifts” which redounds Throngs of priests, after leaving their na- to the fidei donum priests, to the men and
to the benefit of the entire Mystical Body tive communities, have devoted their apos- women religious and lay volunteers working
of Christ. tolic energy to the service of communities on the frontiers of evangelization as well as to
 CBCP Monitor
B6 Reflections Vol. 11 No. 17
August 20 - September 2, 2007

Atty. Jo Imbong

Detail of Jesus Christ with Saint Peter from
The Washing of the Feet by Giotto di Bondone
Must you
flip-flop?
YOU wouldn’t be caught dead in Church in your Saturday frock, would you?
You fuss about whether the colors clash in your Monday clothes. You
agonize when you forget to put on that fake LVuitton wristband so your
gray morning will lighten up. You attempt to assemble coordinates for a
“corporate” look as the glossies advertise, but you are missing a favorite
blouse. And so you whine, “I have nothing to wear tomorrow!”
Sundays, however, is another story. It’s not worth being upset about. It’s a
“day off” from the protocols of prim and proper. Why care about what to
wear?
Consider: How can a public personality order three (yes, three) exquisite
ternos from three different salons, put on each one of them twice to test for fit
and impact, and decide to wear—expectedly—only one of the three (tell me,
how can it be more than that?) to last Monday’s SONA? Such dilemma is
unthinkable on a Sunday.
And that flip-flopping about one’s wardrobe brings to mind... well, flip-
flops, those singularly bare, Y-banded foot slip-ons that are meant for the
beachwalker.
Nowadays, they have acquired snob appeal. They come fully sequined,
bejeweled, beribboned, neoned, silk-flowered. They are as obtrusive as a
matron’s bling-blings. On Boracay sand, they would be perfect. But treading
inside the House of God—otherwise known as Holy Ground—in casual chic
as the magazines call it, brings to mind the guest who was admonished for

We come from humble beginnings
22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
(Lk. 14:1, 7-14)
September 2, 2007
Bp. Zacarias C. Jimenez, DD and people special by their office or reputa-
tion and the lower to the ordinary. This is
too common to all cultures in the world.
ONE is intrigued by facts observed in quan- The second is the banquet in the Kingdom
tum science. Everything in the universe of God where leaders and those in authority
comes from tiny elements called “quarks”… serve the rest under their care and protec-
a sand developed into rocks, to boulders… tion; where nobody is rejected or excluded
a seed into a plant, a tree… sperm into ani- but everyone is welcome especially those
mals, to human beings… an idea into a book, who do not have power to choose and are
to a building,… into endless possibilities. forgotten or despised; where everyone
This fact is reflected in the physical, spiri- shares what they have with and serve one
tual, moral and psychological aspects of another, and so nobody is left unattended.
human development. This is the real invitation and actual chal-
Alfred Adler, Austrian physician, points lenge for us.
out the sense of inferiority as the motivat- Jesus had a very deep understanding of
ing force in human life. This starts as an in- human need to be in touch with our funda-
fant is able to comprehend the existence of mental state of being little for there lies our
other people around him who are better real truth, goodness and beauty. Humus is a
able to care for themselves and cope with Latin word for “ground, soil, earth”. Hu-
their environment. As feeling of inferiority mility is a state of being grounded in our
is established, the child strives to overcome basic foundation as creatures, on our very
it. Inferiority is an intolerable thing, so com- essence of who we really are. It is where we
pensatory mechanisms get set up by the discover that we are one with everything
mind. Oftentimes, this may get out of hand and everyone in the universe, that whole-
or out of proportion that self-centered neu- ness in us. It is where we experience our
rotic attitudes, overcompensations, and a re- union with our Creator, the God-ness in us.
treat from the real world and its problems In the gospels Jesus referred real greatness,
stand on the way. And so, we have sibling honor and belongingness to the kingdom
rivalry, will to power and dominance, and to one’s faith as small as a mustard seed,
mistaken goals of superiority. I find this in- …to whoever humbling himself like a little
teresting and necessary in our understand- child as the greatest in the kingdom of
ing of our childish natural tendency to be heaven, …to the found lost coin as a cause
competitive and even be thrilled by the for rejoicing, …to those wanting to rule over
speed of a running car or fast moving ob- others as serving them rather than being
jects or by the defeat of the so called “en- served, ...to those who are last as first and
emies”. those first last… and to washing the feet of
There are two things in the Gospel. One, one another in loving service.
the usual cultural banquet where invited Humility has always been one of the char-
people get caught up in their human need acteristics of wise and great men. Many of
to be recognized and appreciated and so the saints of the Church are not wanting in
expect a VIP treatment and grab the first it. Famous thinkers and writers and elo-
self, takes the last seat, and chooses to be
nobody before everybody as Phil. 2:5-11 re-
minds us: “Have among yourselves the same
attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus, who,
being in the form of God, did not regard equality
with God something to be grasped at. Rather he
emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming
in human likeness; and found human in appear-
ance, He humbled Himself and became obedient
to death, even death on a cross. Therefore God also
has highly exalted Him and given Him the name
which is above every name, that at the name of
Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven,
and on earth, and under the earth, and that every
tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the
glory of God the Father.” Matthew adds in Ch.
25:45, “Whatever you do to the least of my broth-
ers and sisters, you are doing it to me.”
In the Liturgy of the Church the Holy
Eucharist provides us the ultimate expres-
sion of humility of Jesus in the appearance
of the word we hear and the bread and wine
we share and where no one is supposed to
be excluded. It is in this celebration that we
are called to translate the calling to be
humble into action and enflesh it in our
deeds.
The direction of being Church of the Poor
is supposed to guide our lifestyle, our min-
istries, apostolates and programs in humble
and loving service. However, much is to be
desired in terms of pastoral strategies. We
are now to organize the banquet of the king-
dom. Our Christian communities need to
assimilate the mind of God (Phil 2:5), create
criteria opposite to societal practices, and
make a difference in the world today. How
about family visits, regular street masses,
making the graces of the sacraments most
available to people and unburdening the
people of arancel? How about organizing a
going to the wedding feast in improper attire.
In not so distant a time, Bermuda shorts were meant for... well, Bermuda
grass, never the pews. And undershirts remained under, you wouldn’t imag-
ine their sloppy hems peeking out of your shirt sleeves. That alone deserved
raised eyebrows. If you lose a shirt button, it used to augur a major disaster.
But not today. It’s a perfect excuse for sporting an “unbuttoned look”. Might
as well capitulate and tell others to “go ahead, come as you are, the Church is
your tennis court.”
Yes, we’re traipsing on sensitive ground. To insist on dress decorum for
Church wear courts trouble. You can be called “Pharisee.” True, dressing up
according to the occasion has its own demands. Where arms could otherwise
flail freely there is a constricting sleeve. Where the shoulders could other-
wise come as bare as a mannequin’s, they could only swelter underneath a
bolero. “Can’t bear the humidity.” “God doesn’t look at the clothes. He looks at the
heart.”
True again, but a good heart inside shows itself outside. It follows. You
cannot repress reverence. You cannot suppress love. For where the heart is,
there is your treasure too. And since you treasure a rendezvous with your
personal God, you appear before Him in proper attire. It’s as simple as that.
Sunday is, after all, Dies Domini.
It used to be that from one’s clothes rack, Sunday best was Sunday best. My
mother would not let me parade a new dress to school unless I wore it first to
Church so it is offered first to the Lord, and then to the world.
By all means, let the humble workman enter in humble clothing. The
lowly garb can be far more edifying in its simplicity. But I have seen far more
edifying attire among the so-called “unlettered.” They assist at mass, de-
cently clothed and they kneel, worshipping with folded hands, hands that
tell of the masonry and wood they have worked on for six laborious days.
But those hands exude such awe and reverence in their supplication. And just
like the wedding guest who comes properly attired, the humility of dress
honors the Divine Host. But if one is not a mason by profession, it does take
a lot of humility to restrain oneself from going casual. And that’s the point.
The humility glorifies the Master Carpenter.
But it has to be said: the Church will not suffer the dictates of the fashion
world. Rather, it is the world that must defer to the sanctity of the place
where The Real Presence dwells.
Unless of course, a frumpy top is the most decent prop you can pull out of
your closet (which is quite unimaginable if you know where to get really
good cheap clothing). In such a case I will say nothing more.
We live in a twisted world where we could unwittingly become much too
casual, insensitive, reckless and too bold. And the great peril in that is to
forget what respect means and how to render it where it is due.
For there is a profound difference between a “Yep” and a “Yes, Sir,” be-
tween a “You” and a “Thou.” For propriety shows character. And on Holy
Ground, the proper attire is only character and respect, like Moses who had
to take off his sandals on Mount Sinai. On Church Sinai, flip-flops won’t do
either.
Bo Sanchez

Be good Ads
place on table; and those preparing the ban- quent speakers in history possessed it. Jesus banquet where honored guests serve the
quet reserve the high places to dignitaries himself exalts a person who, humbling him- common tao? I would love to.

By Fr. Roy Cimagala for God

Temperance watch
WITH the way things are developing
nowadays, I strongly feel we need to
have some kind of temperance watch
installed, first, in our own individual
selves, then in the family, commu-
nity, society, and in every aspect of
our life.
We cannot take things for granted
anymore. There’s so much insobriety,
lack of balance, fairness and objectivity
in our communication, a lot of exag-
gerations and self-indulgence around.
The irony of it all is that in spite of
our flagrant and screaming socio-eco-
nomic problems, we on the whole can
still afford to be wasteful of our re-
sources. We seem to create our own
version of “me-generation.”
Of course, behind this disturbing phe-
nomenon are many complicated factors
and causes. We have to study and as-
sess them, and come up with appropri-
ate plans and strategies to continuingly
grapple with the problem.
The aberrations are not only in the
area of food and drinks, in the way we
live our human sexuality, but also in
the way we are developing our media
culture, our entertainment, fashion,
sports and over-all lifestyle.
The other day while browsing
through a number of newspapers and
magazines, I got the impression there
is a conspiratorial effort to highlight
worldly pleasures at the expense of
spiritual values.
Vanity is teased out when in writing
about celebrities, for example, feats are
brought out more for the pride of
people than for the effort, sacrifices in-
volved and their objective contribution
to the true development of persons and
society.
Many writers are hooked with that
kind of mentality. Some others amuse
me because it seems they do not realize
they are being imbalanced and unfair
when in expressing their views, every-
thing boils down automatically, for ex-
ample, to either being anti-GMA or
anti-Erap. Even when they talk about
sports…
There’s some kind of obsession, to the
extent that one can start questioning the
sanity of these writers. They are not
simplifying things for us. They are be-
ing simplistic.
Temperance has to be a constant con-
cern for all of us. As a virtue, it is not
only concerned with self-denials and
sacrifices, though they are always un-
avoidable. It denies something to affirm
a better value.
It would be wrong to associate it
mainly with the negative things in-
volved in it—the discipline and regi-
men, the self-control and saying no to
oneself, etc. Its main job is not just sup-
pressing certain things. It’s interested
in developing a sense of self-domin-
ion and refinement in manners.
It’s a positive virtue because in the
end it fosters the supernatural tone of
our life. It produces inner peace and
joy, and the conflicts between the flesh
and the soul are mitigated. Our sense
of God and brotherhood increases.
Of course, even in the human level,
temperance is required. How many
people have to deny themselves from
eating certain food to be in good health,
or just to keep a good shape and form
for their bodies?
The athletes and other sports-minded
people eagerly submit themselves to
diets and schedules and check-ups, re-
straining if not inhibiting themselves
from certain activities just to be in their
proper fighting condition.
We don’t have to mention the “sacri-
fices” and other humiliating practices
beauty-conscious people so willingly
undergo just to achieve their desires.
The virtue of temperance, of course,
goes beyond these objectives. It brings
us closer to God and others, since it im-
bues our body and everything related
to it—our feelings, imagination, etc.—
not only with right reason, but with the
spiritual sense proper to us.
Our life acquires an added dimension,
often missed out when temperance is
neglected. We would see things more
penetratingly, more discerningly. We
would handle things in a more refined
way and with a better sense of purpose.
We have to concretize the details in-
volved in the temperance watch we are
proposing. Like, we can start examin-
ing how long we are watching TV, us-
ing gadgets. How are we eating, drink-
ing and regulating our sexual urges?
These are more in the personal and
family levels. We have to have the cor-
responding guidelines when we tackle
the higher levels of our society, media,
entertainment, etc.
“YOU need to talk to my sin-infested, vice-ridden, devil-possessed husband!”
I finished preaching in a prayer meeting when this huge woman approached
me and said these acidic words. She went on, “My no-good husband’s here to
pick me up, but can you meet him first and pray that his depraved soul doesn’t
go to Hell?”
“Uh, sure…” I said. During these awkward times, I end up wondering why I
didn’t become a plumber instead of a preacher. After fixing leaky pipes, plumb-
ers can go home. After I preach a sermon, I can’t go home. I still have to fix
leaky pipes—like this woman who “leaked” all that I preached about that
night on love, humility, kindness, etc.
“Just a moment,” she said, hastily turning towards the door. In a few min-
utes, I saw her with her not-so-pleased husband in tow.
“Here he is, Bo!” she announced as she pulled him towards me. “He’s a lazy
drunkard, a gambler, a womanizer. He doesn’t have the Holy Spirit! He’s so far
from the Lord!” I wondered when this tirade would end. Humiliating and
lambasting her husband seemed to be her spiritual gift. I pitied the guy, who
was now trying to hide his face behind the collars of his denim jacket. I swear
his neck had totally shrunk, and his head was getting shorter and smaller as the
minutes wore on.
Finally, I had to interrupt and greeted the man, “I’m happy that you’re here.
I can see you’re a very caring husband for picking up your wife tonight.”
From the corner of my eye, I saw his wife’s shocked face glaring at me.
“Well, yes, I do care for her…,” he said sheepishly.
“And I apologize for your wife’s, uh, ways,” I winked.
“I’m used to her,” he chuckled, “she does this all the time!”
I bent over and whispered to his ear, “Let’s pray that God will fill her with
the Holy Spirit. She might just change, you know.”
He laughed uproariously. His wife interrupted, “Brother Bo, don’t talk too
softly! I can’t hear you!”
Her husband whispered back to me, “Is there hope for her?”
“God can change anyone,” I declared, “Hey, you’re invited to attend the
prayer meeting next time,” I smiled, “so that you could pray for your wife’s
transformation.”
As the couple walked out of the prayer meeting hall with the man’s head
back to it’s normal position, and his dazed wife right behind him, I began
wondering. How many people don’t come closer to God because of His lousy advertise-
ments?
Hey, the “product” itself is great: Salvation, Forgiveness, Heaven, True Joy!
But God has chosen Ads that are the pits: Human beings called Christians.
We are appointed to advertise God to others, but we do it bizarrely. We
advertise God by condemning, judging, acting self-righteously, pulling rank,
boasting, and so on.
Friends, be good in advertising.
God’s counting on you.
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 11 No. 17
August 20 - September 2, 2007
THERE are many high
points in the implementa-
tion of microfinance in the
Philippines since the 1980s.
The experiment of Nobel
Peace Awardee Professor
Muhammad Yunus of
Bangladesh to provide
small, non-collateralized
loans to women at affordable
interest rates, famously
called Grameen Bank, ech-
oed in the Philippines in the
late 1980s. Its first replicators
were NGOs, the sector most
exposed to the plight of the
poor. Among the pioneers
include Ahon sa Hirap, Inc.,
Tulay sa Pag-Unlad, Inc. (now
known as TSPI Corporation)
and Negros Women for To-
morrow Foundation. These
NGO-MFIs offered a wide
array of financial products
and services. First was credit
ration as the forerunner of
microfinance services, and
enjoining private and gov-
ernment financial institutions
to open a special window for
microfinance.
The following years saw
the further entry of
microfinance into the main-
stream as the banking sys-
tem began to recognize its
responsibility to contribute
to poverty alleviation.
Through BSP Circular no.272,
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas ex-
empted microfinance from
the rules and regulations on
unsecured loans issued by
the Monetary Board. It re-
versed its policy of prohibit-
ing the opening of banks by
allowing the establishment
of new banks which were
microfinance-oriented, led
by the Opportunity
Social Concern
Assessing the impact of
microfinance in the lives of
the poor
This prompted the Inter-
national Network of Alter-
native Financial Institu-
tions-Philippines (INAFI
Philippines) and the Insti-
tute on Church and Social
Issues (JJCICSI) to jointly
undertake a research that
would look into the impact
or contributions of
microfinance on the lives
of the poor clientele. With
funding support from
Oikocredit and ICCO, the
research team of INAFI
and JJCICSI visited ten
MFIs around the country,
interviewed at least six cli-
ent–and staff-key infor-
mants per MFI, and sur-
veyed more than 300 cli-
ent-respondents. The re-
for the past ten years. On a
scale of 1 to 4 with 4 as very
much achieved and 1 as not
achieved, key informants
gave a score of almost 3.00
to both, indicating that
they perceived the twin
objectives as achieved. Be-
tween the two, however,
poverty alleviation was
slightly higher at 2.97 vis-
à-vis empowerment’s rat-
ing of 2.83. When the cli-
ent-respondents were
asked an open-ended ques-
tion as to the other benefits
they enjoyed from availing
themselves of
microfinance services
aside from better incomes
and more assets, the re-
sponses still referred to as-
pects of poverty allevia-
tion more than empower-
ment.
ready source of credit and fi-
nancial services like savings
and insurance. Top reasons
for borrowing were to ac-
quire additional working
capital (91 percent) and en-
joy lower costs of borrowing
(70 percent). Obtaining addi-
tional working capital
ranked highest since most of
the projects funded by the
MFIs involved existing un-
dertakings of the clients
which were largely retail
trading or vending.
As majority of the clients
claimed their incomes in-
creased (95 percent) albeit
meager in amounts, the ad-
ditional funds helped them
finance the basic needs of the
household such as food,
clothing, water, electricity
and other utilities. It also al-
lowed them to accumulate
The impact of microfinance
in empowerment (especially
of the women)
Under empowerment,
community involvement
topped all other indicators at
3.03 while the increase in ca-
pacity in advocacy was least
achieved at 2.53. Community
members learned to social-
ize as 80 percent attended
meetings and 55 percent par-
ticipated in trainings. Many
of the key informants and re-
spondents confirmed that af-
ter their homes and the
workplace, they spent most
of their time in the weekly
group meetings and commu-
nity activities. They have be-
come more vocal and expres-
sive about their views, but
their concerns remained mi-
cro. The clients were more in-
terested in community con-
B7
ity with the market and other
risks. They preferred to stay
with the usual trading busi-
ness in which they have long
engaged. While this has al-
lowed them to earn steady in-
come, the measly earnings
were not enough to finance
any expansion in the busi-
ness, much less hire new
hands or create new jobs as
the microfinance program
would have wanted it.
General character of
microfinance in the country
The study is in the process
of being put into final form.
The open forum opened a
venue for healthy exchange
and discussion among the
participants for clarification,
inquiries and further analy-
sis and enhancements of the
study. Overall in the mean-

The impact of microfinance

in the Philippines
By Gemma Rita R. Marin

for productive purposes. The time, the study gathered that

package included provisions
for saving such as weekly
savings which were kept
safe by the microfinance in-
stitution (MFI) and could
only be withdrawn upon the
member’s disengagement
from the group and the MFI.
The MFIs also came up
with loan facilities for con-
sumptive or providential
use such as education loan,
emergency loan, hospital
bill reimbursement, scholar-
ships and death benefit. Bor-
rowers tended to divert the
loan proceeds to pressing fi-
nancial needs other than the
project or stated purpose. On
the part of the MFIs, it mini-
mized the risk of unpaid
obligations.
Other more productive of-
ferings were micro-insur-
ance or mutual benefit asso-
ciation which mitigated the
vulnerability of the poor cli-
ents. In 2003, housing loans,
utility and housing-related
credit such as providing so-
lar power were initiated in
line with improving the
quality of life.
The Philippine govern-
ment, in its determined fight
against poverty, identified
microfinance as its national
strategy or approach for de-
livering financial services to
the poor. This was concret-
ized with the creation of the
National Anti-Poverty
Commission (NAPC) in June
1998. Among its mandates
were to develop and pro-
mote microfinance by estab-
lishing the People’s Devel-
opment Trust Fund,
strengthening the People’s
Credit and Finance Corpo-
BEC beneficiaries of Micro-finance credit in Davao City
Photo courtesy of CBCP - NASSA
Microfinance Bank (a thrift
bank) based in Antipolo
City. BSP Circular No. 273
also lifted the moratorium on
branching for banks engaged
in microfinance, and BSP Cir-
cular no.282 opened a redis-
counting window for
microfinance.
However, the achieve-
ments and milestones of
microfinance in the coun-
try have mostly been con-
fined to the level of the
microfinance institution
and too little on the benefi-
ciary side.
search was concluded last
May, and its findings were
presented in a forum with
an audience of almost 50
people coming from the
participating MFIs and
representatives from the
government, non-govern-
ment and private sectors.
The research employed
a framework that mea-
sured the extent to which
microfinance institutions
have achieved the objec-
tives of poverty allevia-
tion and empowerment
(especially of the women),
The impact of microfinance’s
on poverty alleviation
Under poverty alleviation,
the indicator on increase in
access to financial services /
reduced dependence on high-
cost credit was seen as most
attained at 3.22 while access
to social services was lowest
at 2.60. The client-survey re-
spondents, numbering 317,
confirmed this observation
when 72 percent agreed or
strongly agreed that they
borrow less from the infor-
mal lenders. They recognized
that the MFI has become a
assets (75 percent) such as TV
and refrigerator, and ac-
cess social services (61 per-
cent), chiefly education.
The income earned from
the projects, however, was
not enough to cover their
health and housing needs,
hence, the lower ratings
registered by these ser-
vices on the surveys. Any
health, hospitalization or
housing benefit gained
was not derived from
project earnings but usu-
ally came with the MFI
package.
cerns rather than in national
or provincial-level issues.
They also would rather con-
centrate on their businesses
and the policies of the MFI
governing their loan.
Interestingly, the indica-
tor on technical and project
skills enhancement was rela-
tively low at 2.69. Notwith-
standing the many skills
trainings offered or referred
by the MFIs to the clients, the
latter failed to apply what-
ever learning was gained
from the trainings due to
uncertainties or unfamiliar-
the general character of
microfinance in the Philip-
pines is to fund the additional
working capital for the exist-
ing micro-businesses or
projects of the poor clientele.
Incomes earned have helped
answer the daily household
and school needs, but were
not huge enough to cover the
various social services. Skills
have not been significantly
improved to allow the clients
to engage in businesses that
would have meant more
hired hands and greater in-
comes.
There is a lot more to be
done in the microfinance in-
dustry for the benefit of the
poor clientele. The MFIs are
gearing up for Business De-
velopment Services (BDS) to
open opportunities for di-
versified and more value-
adding business, creation of
new jobs, and higher in-
comes for many. Govern-
ment, non-government and
private sectors, both local
and foreign, are willing to
continue promoting or ad-
vocating for relevant poli-
cies backed up by adequate
research. There is also a need
to come up with a Social Per-
formance Management Sys-
tem to prevent any mission
drift, and to keep MFIs fo-
cused and attentive to the
microfinance industry’s
original objectives of pov-
erty alleviation and empow-
erment of the poor.
(Gemma Rita R. Marin is a
research associate of the Rural
Development Desk of John J.
Carroll Institute for Church and
Social Issues.)

7 Questions / B1
PCP II has defined the greater role of the
laity in the Church. How is this being re-
alized in your diocese?
Part of our preparation for the silver
anniversary of the diocese is the empow-
erment of the laity. We recognize that they
have their own role to play in the promo-
tion of the coming of God’s kingdom here
on earth. They share in the priestly, pro-
phetic and kingly office of Christ. Aside
from giving them the opportunity to as-
sume responsibilities in various offices of
the institutional church they have their
own area of ministry which is proper to
them: the family, the economic and po-
litical life most especially.
We have gotten used to the idea that the
best time and place for lay participation is
the collection during the offertory, fund
raisings and pious activities like proces-
sion and novenas. In the context of Chris-
tian stewardship, the laity become active
members of the Church in sharing their
time, talent and treasure in the particular
field of endeavor they are in, like educa-
tion, business, government service, poli-
tics, family life, police and military, etc.
We tend to narrow down lay participa-
tion always in the context of the institu-
tional church (ministers of worship, reli-
gious organizations, fiesta celebrations,
etc.) while the life of faith is really tested
in the market place and places of work
where our people earn their living and
relate with one another. Here the chal-
lenge is to live according to justice, hon-
esty, hard work, faithfulness to one’s word
and state of life. It is here where one’s be-
ing a Christian is put to the test and this
determines the meaning and happiness of
one’s life. The faithful should be given
guidance and encouragement to live as
true followers of Christ so that the sacra-
ments become true instruments of God’s
grace and the Eucharist is recognized as
the source and summit of Christian life.
Consistent with this conviction, we for-
mulated lay leadership training program
that aims to educate, form and empower
the lay leaders to become catalysts and
active builders of Christian community.
Through seminars/workshops/conven-
tions regularly conducted for the mem-
bers of the Diocesan Council of the Laity
(DCL), the Parish Pastoral Councils, the
different diocesan commissions and reli-
gious organizations, we hope to energize
and strengthen the lay leaders to become
responsible agents of a vibrant faith com-
munity. The BEC leaders and lay mission-
aries are likewise given training to articu-
late the role of faith in the continuing
struggle for human dignity. Through rec-
ollections and retreats our lay leaders are
helped to respond to the challenges of daily
life in the spirit of faith and social respon-
sibility. It could not be denied however
that it is still a long way before we could
reach the reality of the Church of the Poor.
Up to what degree should be the partici-
pation of the laity especially in terms of
decision making in the local Church?
The Parish Pastoral Council which
meets regularly and tackles the challenges
of running the pastoral and faith life of the
parish is a good setting for lay participa-
tion. Sad to say, such set up and practice
remains to be seen in the diocesan level
since the priests are the ones involved in
decision making. I see a greater role for
such set-up in the MSDK and kapitbahayan
level. There are local concerns, the proper
formation, the people there could address
Validation), Family Encounter, Marriage
Encounter, Youth Encounter. The move-
ment Couples for Christ is also active. Stu-
dent Catholic Action, although school
based contributes also to the well-being
of the youth.
As part of our preparation for the 25th
anniversary foundation of the diocese we
devoted the whole year of 2006 for the
Family and Life. Through different activi-
ties we emphasized the need for the re-
newal of our families which in the end
will lead towards the renewal of our soci-
ety. There is much to be done, but we con-
tinue in spite of limitations and setbacks.
How is the quantity and quality of voca-
tions in the diocese today?
This year the diocese has 63 seminar-
ians: 14 in Theology, 37 in College, 7 in
High School and 5 in Regency Program.
For the present academic year 700 young
men took the entrance written examina-
tion for college and 300 passed. After the

CBCPMonitor Name _________________________________________________ on their own. They should be encouraged interview 60 were left. Only 14 finally
to depend on their own material and per- enrolled. Although many wanted to en-
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sonnel resources. At the same time, the ter the seminary, and quite a number
little means that they have should not be are intellectually capable, the low num-
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ish. This will enhance their capability and motivation and character did not pass
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 CBCP Monitor
B8 Entertainment Vol. 11 No. 17
August 20 - September 2, 2007

Title: Evan Almighty
Running Time: 96 mins.
Cast: Steve Carell, Morgan
Freeman, Lauren Graham,
Johnny Simmons, Graham
Phillips, Jimmy Bennett,
John Goodman, Wanda
Sykes, John Michael
Higgins, Jonah Hill
Director: Tom Shadyac
Producer: Tom Shadyac
Screenwriter: Steve Oedekerk
Music: John Debney
Editor: Scott Hill
Genre: Comedy/ Fantasy
Cinematography: Ian Baker
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Location: USA
Technical Assessment: ½ ticularly when odd things start to
Moral Assessment:
CINEMA Rating: For viewers of
all ages
FORMER television anchor man
Evan Baxter (Steve Carrell) is elected
congressman. A resident of Buffalo
, New York , he packs off his wife
Joan ( Lauren Graham ) and their
three sons Dylan ( Johnny Simons ),
Jordan ( Graham Phillips ), and Ryan
( Jimmy Bennett ), to their new home
in the pristine hills of suburban Vir-
ginia . Reluctant and incredulous at
first to reside in a developing subdi-
vision with but two distant neigh-
bors, his family soon accepts the re-
alities surrounding the life of a man
of power. They give up their be-
loved Buffalo home and most of all
their friends’ solidarity with Evan,
and feels appreciation for the sur-
prise gift: a palatial mansion over-
looking the breathtakingly beauti-
ful Shenandoah Mountains.
Although new to the world of po-
liticos, Evan nurses lofty albeit un-
grounded ambitions, one of which
is “to change the world.” It is this
which he tells God in secret, after
asking Joan what she and the boys
have prayed for. Unknown to him,
God (Morgan Freeman) already has
plans for him—and as Evan is to
learn, it is a plan that offers him no
way out. Congressman Long (John
Goodman) invites him to co-spon-
sor a high-profile bill, and Evan,
sure that it is the answer to his
prayer, prepares to accept Long’s
invitation. Thrilled at the politi-
cally correct opportunity, his assis-
tant Rita (Wanda Sykes), chief of staff
Marty (John Michael Higgins) and brief but memorable part as Bruce’s
intern Eugene (Jonah Hill) egg him nemesis inBruce Almighty, another Moral Assessment Technical Assessment
Tom Shadyac film and the prede-
on, and so, while realizing that work-
ing on the bill would grab the little cessor of Evan Almighty. Touted Abhorrent Poor
time he has left for his already-ne- to have earned almost half a billion Disturbing Below average
glected family, Evan still accepts the dollars in global box-office records, Acceptable Average
invitation. Bruce Almighty is said to have Wholesome Above average
Then an interestingly freckled owed its blockbuster performance Exemplary Excellent
black man in white claiming to be not to film critics but—as Shadyac
God (Morgan Freeman) appears to believes—to “moviegoers’ desire
Evan, commanding him to build an to suspend disbelief and spend time a miracle of sorts, enjoying the sight compensate for the less-than-per- tween a comedy and a fairy tale,
ark. The ark is supposed to save his following extraordinarily funny of the menagerie gathering before fect CGI footage of the water-borne and more. It whispers to the viewer
people who were put in outlandish the ark while behaving more civ- ark, for the movie couldn’t have
friends and family from a flood to to turn his attention inward, to the
occur next September 22. Self-cen- circumstances.” Evan Almighty illy than human beings in a crowd. been made without the animals. world beyond the silver screen, to
tered as he is, Evan becomes help- might just be another hit despite It is cute also to see them working The viewer would suspend reason ponder on what corruption in the
less in the face of that command, par- some film critics’ harsh judgment as assistant carpenters to Noah noticing some lack of logic in the minds of men of power can do to
of it, because one thing this movie ….ooops, Evan , we mean…. espe- plot, too, because the point of the destroy Earth. Evan Almighty is
happen to him: this God character does very well is to suspend your cially when you know that the ani- comedy Evan Almighty, as it is so about family unity, trusting one’s
stalks him, appearing everywhere disbelief. You know it’s humanly mals used in this set are real and effectively put across by its more parents, having faith in one’s spouse
he turns; birds and even aquarium impossible to build a ship when you trained, thanks to the gifted veteran serious moments, is its message. against all odds. It’s about prayer
fish gravitate towards him; a chest have never sailed or driven a nail animal coordinator Mark Forbes The film’s message is: there is a and obedience to an irresistible call.
of ancient carpentry tools arrives at in your whole life, but you dismiss who supervised the selection, care God who cares about the affairs of If you, like Evan Baxter, prayed to
his doorstep from nowhere and that notion in this movie. You know and training for 177 different spe- men. And there are still weirdos God to change the world, and that
truckloads of lumber are delivered you can’t put a wolf beside a sheep cies brought in from all over the who believe in God. Evan Al- God told you to do the impossible
unordered to his recently purchased and not expect some carnage to take USA. The “miracles” Forbes mighty defies genre classification and look like the fool as a result,
eight lots adjacent to their home. place, but you also shrug that off as worked with the animals more than because it is an uplifting cross be- would you follow?
Fortunately, Evan’s three sons
gamely join their father as he be-
grudgingly begins to build the ark,
following instructions from a book-
let called “Ark Building for Dum-
mies”. Then the animals, in pairs,
begin to populate the woods close
to their home, eagerly watching the
boat-building progress. Evan real-
izes his resistance is futile when his
beard grows longer as soon as it is
shaved, matched by his fast-grow-
ing hair. Evan understands then that
God wants him to shed his sleek po-
litico image, especially when after
his morning shower he finds a box
containing his new suit: a sackcloth
robe in the style of that Moses wore,
according to Cecil B. de Mille, when
he parted the red sea.
Suspecting that the changes hap-
pening to her husband are but the
result of a career switch and a midlife
crisis, the baffled Joan decides to hie
off with the three boys to Canada
and leave Evan to his illusions. But
God intervenes in the person of a
roadside diner waiter with “Al
Mighty” on his nameplate. And the
building work continues, in spite of
the fact that Evan is hardly surae ANSWER TO THE LAST ISSUE: QUOTES IN QUIZ Booklets available at
what will really come on Septem- BOOKSALE stores in SM, Robinsons and
WORDS WHICH DO NOT GIVE THE LIGHT OF CHRIST INCREASE THE DARKNESS. selected malls in Manila. For mail order text
ber 22. MOTHER THERESA 09192803036.
Lead actor Steve Carrell had a

Title: The Bourne Ultimatum
Running Time: 111mins
Cast: Matt Damon, Julia Stiles, David
Straithairn, Scott Glenn, Paddy
Considine
Director: Paul Greengrass
Producers: Frank Marshall, Universal
Pictures
Screenwriter: Tony Gilroy
Music: John Powell
Editor: Christopher Rouse
Genre: Action-Spy-Suspense
Cinematography: Oliver Wood
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Location: United States, Paris, Spain,
India
Technical Assessment:
Moral Assessment:
CINEMA Rating: For viewers 14 and
above
Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) survives
the car chase in Moscow where Bourne
Supremacy ends . On the way to Paris to
meet the brother of his girlfriend Marie
who got killed, Bourne reads an article
in The Guardian where journalist Simon
Ross (Paddy Considine) describes Jason
Bourne and a CIA operation called
Blackbriar. Bourne arranges to meet Ross
in London at Waterloo station. How-
ever, Ross is under CIA surveillance, af-
ter his mention of Blackbriar in a phone
call to his editor triggered a CIA alert.
The CIA follows Ross to Waterloo, be-
lieving him to be meeting his source
there. Little did they know that it’s Ja-
son Bourne he’s meeting. CIA official
Noah Vosen (David Strathairn), orders
an assassin to kill Ross and his source
until they recognize Bourne in the secu-
rity camera. Despite Bourne’s efforts to
keep Ross alive, he is eventually killed
by the assasin. Amidst the havoc, Bourne
steals Ross’s notes from his body. The
notes reveal Ross’s source as Neil
Daniels (Colin Stinton), the CIA’s Madrid
station chief. Now Bourne should find
Daniels for he believes that he holds the
key to his real identity and the real mo-
tives of the CIA for wanting him dead.
After the first two well-made
prequels, here comes the latest install-
ment in the Bourne series which is the
most technically superior of the three.
Matt Damon is at his best with his sub-
dued emotions that depict perfectly the
complex nuances of Jason Bourne’s char-
acter. Although close to being superhu-
man and a flat character, Jason Bourne
still comes up as very real and very hu-
man wherein audiences can actually feel
his pain and sympathize with him in his
personal quest. With its compelling nar-
rative and fast-paced editing, Bourne Ul-
timatum has kept the audiences glued
to their seats from beginning to end.
Even without much computer effects, the
film is able to capture enough thrill and
suspense expected from the genre. The
psychological screenplay is able to sus-
pend any disbelief viewers may have of
some of the plot’s improbable events.
It’s very rare for an action film to have a
soul, and the Bourne Ultimatum is
surely one of those rarities.
Jason Bourne has always been in
search for his real identity and purpose.
It only started when he began to ques-
tion the morality of his actions of which
he was not aware at first. It is apparent
in the story, most specifically in this lat-
est sequel, that Bourne’s behavior has
been modified and he is therefore being
controlled by a stronger force other than
himself. With that, Bourne has served
his purpose as an assassin. But because
of a much stronger and supreme force,
Bourne eventually wakes up to reality
that he does not know what he is doing
and he even does not know himself. All
he knows is that he needs to defend him-
self from people who want him dead so
he could search for the truth about him-
self. This justifies the certain amount of
violence in the film which reinforces the
idea that we live in a mean world.
Bourne Ultimatum further questions the
actions of the paranoid sectors of the US
government whose only motive is to
maintain control and the status quo. In
the end, truth and justice prevails for
those who are not afraid to die for the
right and good.