•A3 •B1 •C1

CBCP lauds ‘Earth Current trends in vocation UGNAYAN

Hour’ efforts recruitment in the Church Couples for Christ Global Mission
Foundation, Inc Supplement

NASSA signs partnership www.cbcponline.net/cbcpmonitor cbcpmonitor@cbcpworld.net

with CARE International

THE National Secretariat for Social Action

(NASSA) of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of
the Philippines (CBCP) signed a memorandum
Protagonist of Truth, Promoter of Peace
of understanding today with CARE Interna-
Social / A6
tional at the CBCP Headquarters in Intramuros. March 31 - April 13, 2008 Vol. 12 No. 7 Php 20.00
NASSA / A6

Sumilao farmers reclaim land

By Roy Lagarde
AFTER 10 years, the Higaonon farmers finally won their battle
March 29 to reclaim the 144 hectares of agricultural land in
Sumilao, Bukidnon.
The Sumilao farmers have forged an agreement with San
Miguel Corporation Saturday, returning the ownership of 50
hectares of the 144 hectares disputed property to the farmers.
The agreement was a result of negotiations initiated by
Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales after he ex-
pressed support for the cause of the farmers last December.
Under the pact, the farmers will gain 50 hectare within the
contested 144-hectare property through a deed of donation by
SMC.
The remaining 94-hectare, however, will be taken from
properties outside but within the vicinity of the contested
area.
The 94-hectare will be distributed to the Sumilao through
the voluntary offer to sale (VOS) scheme under the Compre-
hensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).
Photo by Noli Yamsuan / RCAM

Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales together

Photo by Noli Yamsuan / RCAM

with Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo signed the agree-
ment as witnesses.
Rene Penas, a Sumilao farmer leader, said that the signing
of the Memorandum of Agreement is a significant break-
through for the Sumilao farmers who have been victims of
injustice for more than 12 years now.
“We have suffered all sorts of injustices in our claim over
IT’S OVER. After 10 years, the Higaonon farmers finally got what they wanted— the 144 the land. We have chosen non-violent action to press for our
hectares of agricultural land in Sumilao, Bukidnon. Feeling overjoyed, a farmer hugs legal claim and rights under the law.” Sumilao farmers hold each other’s hands after successfully reclaiming their land
Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales after the signing rites at the San saying, “"Today our exodus ends, today we finally become tillers of the land we own
Carlos Seminary in Makati City March 29, 2008.
Sumilao / A6
since the beginning."

KC celebrates Vatican recognition Kalookan ordains

of ‘heroic virtue’ of founder
THE Knights of Columbus (KC) in the Philippines
celebrated the Vatican recognition of “heroic vir-
tue” of its founder Father Michael McGivney.
Attended mostly by members of the Luzon State
Jurisdiction and officers of the KC Fraternal Asso-
ciation of the Philippines (KCFAPI) that filled the
big church to overflowing, a Eucharistic celebra-
tion was held March 29 at the San Agustin Church
in Intramuros, Manila, with KCFAPI Chaplain
Msgr. Pedro Quitorio presiding and with Msgr.
Joselito Asis, Fr. William Araña, OSA, Fr. Jerome
Cruz, Fr. Asis Bajao, OSA, and Fr. Ramon Sala,
OSA, concelebrating.
A wreath-laying ceremony led by Luzon State
Deputy Alon Tan was held immediately after the
mass on the life-size statue of Fr. Michael
first priest
THE Diocese of Kalookan has ordained its first
opened by Archbishop Daniel A. Cronin of Hart- priest 5 years after it was erected a diocese in 2003.
ford (USA) in December 1997. The cause was pre- Ildefonzo “Jun” de Guzman was ordained priest
sented to the Vatican in 2000 where it has been at the San Roque Cathedral in a Mass officiated by
under intensive review by the Sacred Congrega- Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez on March 15.
tion for the Causes of Saints. Bishop Iñiguez said the new priest would surely
Ordained by Cardinal James Gibbons in 1877 at help bring strength to the Catholic Church.
the Baltimore Cathedral, Fr. McGivney was first De Guzman, 31, was born in Calapan, Oriental
assigned as curate of St. Mary’s Church in New Mindoro and earned his degree in philosophy be-
Haven, Connecticut. In 1884, he was made pastor fore beginning his theological studies at St. Vincent
of St. Thomas Church in Thomaston, Conn. He be- College Seminary in Manila.
came seriously ill with pneumonia and died in 1890 De Guzman, who also has a diploma in Marriage
at an early age of 38. and Family Ministry from the Ateneo de Manila
Eight years before his death, he founded the University, came to the Kalookan diocese in 2001.
Knights of Columbus that has grown to 1.7 million In an interview, the priest said that like other
in membership worldwide today. In the Philip- “servants of God,” he also wants to be the kind of
pines, there are now about 260,000 members priest “who is sensitive to the sufferings of people”
Photo by Denz Dayao / CBCP Media

McGivney at the headquarters of Council 1000 in
Intramuros.
On the eve of Palm Sunday, March 15, Pope
Benedict XVI approved a decree recognizing the
heroic virtue of Father Michael McGivney,
founder of the Knights of Columbus.
The papal declaration is a major step that signifi-
cantly advances the process towards sainthood and
gives Father McGivney the distinction of being re-
garded as “Venerable Servant of God.”
“The recognition made by the Pope on the “he-
roic virtues” of Fr. Michael J. McGivney brings in-
through the hard-work of another “heroic” priest and goes out his way to help them.
Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ, who died in 1977. De Guzman was immediately assigned parish
With the pope’s decree and the authentication of priest at Immaculate Conception Parish in Malabon.
a miracle at Father McGivney’s intercession, the During his homily, Iñiguez said priests are like
priest could be beatified. A second miracle will be good shepherds, who are willing to lay down their
required for his canonization. lives for their flocks.
On learning of the pope’s decree, KCFAPI Presi- The Diocese of Kalookan is ministered by 53 di-
dent Antonio Borromeo commented, “The news ocesan, religious and guest priests in 26 parishes.
on Vatican recognizing and approving the heroic (CBCPNews)
virtues of Fr. McGivney in such a historic short
time of 10 years, gives the Knights of Columbus in
the Philippines and the rest of the Knights world-

Church taps YouTube for online

creased inspiration to the members of the Order— wide a sense of pride and belonging to the Order.”
a drive that will propel each one to work harder in The “misa de gracia” offered today in celebra-
the spirit of Columbianism,” said Patrocinio Bacay, tion of Venerable Michael McGivney coincided with
chairman of the Board of KCFAPI. the 126th Founder’s Day of the Knights of Colum-

lenten retreat
The process for Father McGivney’s sainthood was bus. (CBCPNews)

Bishop blasts jueteng This year, the CBCP Media Office has

resurgence in Batangas tapped again the video-sharing website

JUETENG is back in Batangas
province and it appears that lo-
cal authorities are “helpless” to
stop it, a Church official said.
Lipa Archbishop Ramon
Arguelles admitted the resur-
gence of the illegal numbers
racket despite concerted efforts
of the Church and the local offi-
cials of Batangas.
Arguelles suspects top gov-
ernment officials might be serv-
ing as jueteng protectors leav-
ing those in the local govern-
ment powerless.
“We are trying to figure out
who could be ultimately re-
sponsible for these jueteng op-
erations,” he said.
The prelate said it’s very un-
fortunate that gambling and
corruption are now part of the
Filipino culture.
He said the national govern-
ment should do something to
end the illegal gambling for the
sake of the country. “They must
do something,” Arguelles told
CBCPNews.
“There should be no sacred
cows in government’s drive
against illegal gambling,”
Arguelles said.
“I believe it needs a presiden-
tial directive to stop jueteng in
Batangas or elsewhere,” he
added.
Batangas police said jueteng
has returned in the towns of
Calatagan, Calaca, Laurel,
Tamayo, Balayan, Tuy, Taal,
Ibaan and Lipa City.
News reports said that jueteng
re-emerged last month through
guerilla and kangaroo style op-
eration by still unidentified
group.
It can be recalled that
Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop
Oscar Cruz brought the issue of
for online recollection to reach those
who might not be able to make it to
church for the Holy Week, such as
jueteng to President Gloria
overseas Filipino workers in non-
Macapagal-Arroyo’s doorstep in
Christian countries.
2005.
The video catechesis entitled
In senate hearings, he and his
“Holy Week 2008” is a take with
witnesses—former gambling
Balanga Bishop Socrates
operators—testified that Ar-
Villegas, chairman of the
royo, her immediate family and
CBCP Episcopal Commission
her associates had allegedly re-
on Catechesis and Catholic
ceived money from jueteng op-
Education.
erations.
The episode of the Holy
“The tentacles of jueteng go
Week 2008 video series
as far as Malacañang,” Cruz ear-
(www.youtube.com/cbcpmedia) immediately
lier claimed.
“WHO is God?” was one of the leading ques- gained over seven thousand views since it was
Until now, Cruz and several
tions asked by Google surfers last year. uploaded on Holy Tuesday.
other bishops condemns the re-
And to somehow figure this out, the Catholic According to Neilson/NetRatings, YouTube
surgence of the illegal numbers
Church has joined the YouTube bandwagon and has nearly 20 million visitors per month, with
game, it seems with “renewed
posted videos on the Church’s teachings in or- the dominant age group being 12 to 17 year-
vigor.”
der to minister to the flock. olds.
Left and right attacks were al-
Since April 2007, the Catholic Bishops’ Con- CBCP Media Office Msgr. Pedro Quitorio said
ready thrown against the Ar-
ference of the Philippines already posted 58 video it catches online viewers better when video clips
royo government for not doing
documentaries in YouTube as new way to intro- are done in short packets even if the subject is
enough to eradicate jueteng.
duce Jesus Christ to people especially to the new something catechetical.
But still, “no substantial ac-
generation. Church / A6
tion against gambling has been
done,” said Cruz. (CBCPNews)
 CBCP Monitor
A2 World News Vol. 12 No. 7
March 31 - April 13, 2008

John Paul II Marches in the

called Apostle
of Mercy
Pope says predecessor’s legacy is
contemplation of Christ’s face
CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, March 30, 2008—
Pope John Paul II was an apostle of divine
mercy, and his pontificate can be summarized
with the idea that God’s mercy is mankind’s
only hope, affirms Benedict XVI.
The German Pope addressed crowds today
gathered to pray the midday Regina Caeli in
the plaza of the papal residence at Castel
Gandolfo, speaking of his predecessor’s
legacy in promoting the contemplation of di-
vine mercy.
“All that the Church says and does shows
the mercy that God feels for man,” the Holy
Father said. “When the Church has to remind
about a neglected truth, or a betrayed good,
it does it always motivated by a merciful love,
so that men may have life and have it in abun-
dance. From divine mercy, which puts hearts
at peace, also arises the authentic peace of the
world, peace among peoples, cultures and
religions.”
“Like Sister Faustina, John Paul II became
in turn an apostle of divine mercy,” Benedict
XVI affirmed.
He recalled the night John Paul II died,
April 2, 2005, “precisely the vigil of the Sec-
ond Sunday of Easter,” saying that many “ob-
served the unique coincidence, which brought
together [that day] a Marian dimension—the
first Saturday of the month—and that of di-
vine mercy.”
Benedict XVI continued: “In fact, [John Paul
II’s] long and multifaceted pontificate finds
here its central nucleus; all of his mission at
the service of the truth about God, about man
and peace in the world is summarized in this
proclamation, [...] ‘Apart from the mercy of
God there is no other source of hope for man-
kind.’
“His message, like that of St. Faustina, pre-
sents the face of Christ, supreme revelation
of the mercy of God. To contemplate con-
stantly this face: This is the inheritance that
he has left us, which we welcome with joy
and make our own.”
The German Pontiff concluded his address
entrusting to Mary, Mother of Mercy, “the great
cause of peace in the world so that the mercy of
God achieves what is impossible with human
strength alone, and instills the courage for dia-
logue and reconciliation.” (Zenit)
Christian villages:
justice in the death
of Archbishop Rahho
MOSUL, Iraq, March 29, 2008—In
silence, every day for almost a
week, in the Christian villages of
the plain of Nineveh peaceful
marches have been held to call
for truth in the case of the kid-
napping and killing of the
Chaldean archbishop of Mosul.
Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho
was found dead on March 13, af-
ter 14 days in captivity. Three
men who were with him were
killed in the ambush during
which he was kidnapped, after
the celebration of the Via Crucis
on February 29.
Now Iraqi Christians are ask-
ing for justice. Responding to an
appeal launched on Easter by the
Nineveh bishops’ council (which
includes the religious leaders of
all the Christian communities
present in the area) they have
taken courage and each day have
walked through the streets of
Bartella, Karamles, Qaraqosh, al
emies, we do not hate anyone”.
The message clearly asked: to
suspend all outward celebrations
except for liturgical ones; to fast
on March 24 and 26; and to orga-
nize peaceful manifestations, so
that justice may be done over the
death of Archbishop Rahho.
The events surrounding the
death of the archbishop of Mosul
are still unclear. The autopsy re-
vealed no signs of violence, and
showed that the prelate probably
died at least five days before his
body was recovered, probably
following complications with his
already precarious health.
The Iraqi authorities say they
have arrested a group of people,
including four brothers, who
were involved in the kidnapping;
they are thought to be former
members of the regime of
Saddam Hussein, who are be-
lieved to have sold the bishop to
al Qaeda. Initially, there were

Holy See hopes to raise John Paul II to Qosh, holding the portraits of
their “martyrs”: from Arch-
bishop Rahho to Fr. Ragheed and
Fr. Paul Iskandar, all killed in the
said to have been confessions, in
which those responsible re-
counted torturing the bishop, but
then the story changed to suffo-

the altars ‘as soon as possible’
VATICAN CITY, March 27, 2008—In an in-
terview with Vatican Radio, Cardinal Jose
Saraiva Martins, prefect of the Congregation
for the Causes of the Saints, said that like
many people in the world, the Holy See hopes
the beatification of John Paul II will occur “as
soon as possible” but that the normal pro-
cess would be followed.
With the third anniversary of the late
Pontiff’s death just a week away, Cardinal
last three years by Islamic terror-
ists. Without counting the many
laypeople killed while resisting
cation, a method used to leave
no traces on the body.
A last detail: it is thought that
kidnapping attempts, because there is a video recording of the
Saraiva reminisced Roman phase is opened immediately with- they refused to convert or only killing, but so far the police say
about the events of out delay, with the official handing over of because they owned shops that they have not found it. The infor-
those days. “We all all the documentation gathered during the sold alcoholic beverages (banned mation released is raising doubts
remember the day diocesan phase to my dicastery.” by Islam). over the proper and transparent
of Pope Wojtyla’s fu- “Once this documentation is received, we The appeal of the bishops’ coun- handling of the case on the part
neral. We remember immediately approve a postulator for the Ro- cil, announced in all the churches of the Iraqi government. This
the shouts of ‘Santo man phase, who is the same postulator that last March 23, cites the words of may be doing nothing more than
subito!’ ‘Sainthood was in charge of the diocesan phase. We also one of Archbishop Rahho’s last seeking the least discrediting way
now!’ That phrase, appoint a relator who, guided by the postu- homilies: “We are Iraqis, we want to leave behind a shameful inci-
that cry, in St. Peter’s lator, puts together the so-called ‘positio,’ to build peace, to build Iraq, Iraq dent that has exposed it yet again
Square expressed which is a collection of all the documents is ours too; we are for Iraq. We to media attention and world
what people were organized in a systematic and organic fash- are staying here, we have no en- public opinion. (AsiaNews)
thinking. It meant ion. This ‘positio’ is printed out and is stud-
that John Paul II ied by the collegiate bodies of the dicastery,”
genuinely had a true the cardinal said.
reputation for holi-
ness among the
faithful. And we
“The postulator of the cause for beatifica-
tion of John Paul II is the one drafting the
‘positio’,” Cardinal Saraiva continued, not-
Spanish bishops: No
know that is essen-
tial in the process of
beatification,” he ex-
ing that it could consist of volumes of docu-
mentation. “It doesn’t depend on the
dicastery, but rather on the time the postu-
Catholic can support
abortion, euthanasia or
plained. lator needs to finish his work. I don’t know
“If that reputation for holiness did not ex- how many months, a year…I don’t know
ist, a cause for beatification could not even and maybe he doesn’t either,” he said.
begin,” Cardinal Saraiva stressed, noting that “What I can assure you is that once we
the process goes through a series of phases.
“Each process has two fundamental phases.
One diocesan—local—and the other what we
receive the ‘positio’ we will study it imme-
diately without delay. Because the dicastery
certainly wants John Paul II to be raised to
research with embryos
call ‘Roman,’ at the level of the Holy See. The the altars as soon as possible and to be called
MADRID, Spain, March 28, 2008— ops continued, stressing that all
diocesan phase was concluded on April 2 last ‘Blessed,’ responding thus to the cries in St.
The subcommittee on the Family human life deserves to be ac-
year. Once the diocesan phase is closed, the Peter’s of ‘Sainthood Now’.” (CNA)
and the Defense of Life of the Span- cepted, respected and loved, es-
ish Bishops’ Conference reiterated pecially when that life “is fragile
this week that “no Catholic, ei- and needs attention and care,
ther in private or public life, can whether before birth or in its fi-

Religious to discuss roles of authority in support practices such as abortion,

Latin Church
VATICAN CITY, March 28,
2008—Leaders of various reli-
gious communities are planning
to gather during the second
week of April for a conference
on how authority is exercised in
their different orders.
The Faculty of Canon Law of
Rome’s Pontifical University of
St. Thomas Aquinas, the
“Angelicum”, will host the con-
gress on the theme: “Various
models of authority in the reli-
gious life of the Latin Church”.
The event has been organized to
mark the 25th anniversary of the
promulgation of the Code of
Canon Law.
Officials at the “Angelicum”
explain that during the congress,
which will be held on April 9,
participants will present “the
specific model of authority of the
Order to which they belong
(both at a personal and collegial
level as well as at the various
levels of General, Provincial and
Local Superior), as it appears
from a reading of history”, con-
centrating especially on “Rules
and Constitutions revised since
1983”.
Some of the topics to be dis-
cussed are: “The abbot vicar of
Christ: authority in monastic
life”; “Religious authority in the
Friars Preachers as a mendicant
order”; “Religious authority in
the Society of Jesus”; and “Au-
thority and government in mod-
ern congregations”.
The morning session will be
presided by Cardinal Franc Rode
C.M., prefect of the Congrega-
tion for Institutes of Consecrated
Life and Societies of Apostolic
Life, while the afternoon meet-
ing will be held under the presi-
dency of Archbishop Francesco
Coccopalmerio, president of the
Pontifical Council for Legisla-
tive Texts. (CNA)
euthanasia or the creation, freez-
ing and manipulation of human
embryos in any case.”
In a recent statement entitled,
“Life is Always a Good,” the Span-
ish bishops underscored that “hu-
man life is a sacred value which
we all must respect and which the
laws must protect” from “its be-
ginnings in fertilization until its
natural end.”
Released on the occasion of the
7th Pro-Life Day, which will be
observed on March 31, the state-
ment rebuffed the argument that
Catholics can reject abortion but
that it should be made available
to non-Catholics, saying abortion
is a matter of human rights and
not of religion.
Christians are called to continu-
ously confront the many attacks
nal stages.”
Recently, they went on, Span-
ish society was disturbed by the
cases of abortion mills that were
killing babies who were in their
eighth month and by their ghastly
actions to cover it up. “This real-
ity, which the bishops have been
denouncing for years, has brought
to the forefront against the debate
over abortion in our society,” they
said.
“While the end of illegal abor-
tions is a significant step, the genu-
inely moral and humane thing to
do would be to completely abol-
ish the ‘abortion law,’ which is an
unjust law,” the bishops asserted.
“The abortion law should be
abolished, while at the same time
women should be given support,
especially when they are moth-
ers, thus creating a new culture in

More than 7 thousand on human life, the bishops

stressed, and their efforts can find
strong basis in natural law.
which families welcome and pro-
mote life,” they said. “Adoption
is an important alternative. Thou-

faithful gather to reflect

“Therefore, they can be shared by sands of couples have to endure
all people of upright conscience,” long and tiresome processes to
they noted. adopt while in Spain more than
“Just like all of us, the Son of 100,000 babies died from abortion

on God’s compassion God began his human life in the

womb of his Mother,” the bish-
during 2006,” the bishops empha-
sized. (CNA)

HO CHI MINH, Vietnam, March fession and received commun-

28, 2008—More than 7 thousand
Catholics gathered at the pasto-
ral centre of the archdiocese of
the former Saigon, for two
prayer vigils on the message
“God is rich in compassion”.
Present at the vigils was Peter
Tran Dinh Tu, bishop of Phu
Cuong and president of the bish-
ops’ commission for divine wor-
ship.
The participants included
many young Catholics from vari-
ous dioceses in the country, who
are in Ho Chi Minh City for
school or work. Thanh, who
comes from the diocese of Thanh
Hoa, tells AsiaNews: “Coming
here is like being with a second
family, and is an opportunity for
my spiritual life: I went to con-
ion during Holy Week”.
Cuong, a young man from the
parish of Binh An, adds: “I pre-
pared to sing the fourteen sta-
Benedict XVI names deaf priest
tions of the Via Crucis in tradi-
tional Vietnamese music. My fa-
ther taught me the technique,
‘Prelate of Honor’
and this helps us to know each MADRID, Spain, March 27, www.pastoraldelsordo.blogspot.com,
other better and draw closer to- 2008—A Cuban priest who which offers the readings of the
gether”. works on the Spanish island of Mass in simple language and a
Sister Maria Tran Thi Nga, of Tenerife has been named an hon- Sunday homily in sign lan-
the Missionaries of Christ’s orary Prelate by Pope Benedict guage.
Charity, says: “We are three sis- XVI. Father Saturnino Agustin Msgr. Yanes was born in Ha-
ters, and we work with the poor Yanes Valer is 80 and is deaf. vana, Cuba on February 26, 1929.
of Ho Chi Minh City. We help Msgr. Yanes, as he is now re- His parents, natives of Spain, re-
them to solve many of their ev- ferred to in his diocese, received turned to Tenerife when he was
eryday problems, and at the the honorary title after 50 years only seven months old. At the
same time we invite all to prayer of pastoral service to the deaf in age of five he was diagnosed
and compassion. In this sense, Spain. with an illness that left him deaf.
we share spiritual activities”. One of his most recent projects He has several brothers who
(AsiaNews) is the blog http:// are also priests. (CNA)
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 7
March 31 - April 13, 2008
Local Muslim
leaders include a
Catholic priest in
community
discussion
LOCAL Muslim leaders of
Marawi City in Mindanao in-
clude a Catholic priest in com-
munity discussion.
Fr. Teresito Larrozo Soganub,
parish priest of Santa Maria
Auxiliadora Cathedral in the
Prelature of Marawi, said that his
local counterparts from Muslim
faith are cooperative and under-
standing, who invite him always
to discuss matters related to the
community, where Muslims are
majority.
He is happy that his interac-
tion with Muslim brothers has
been cordial and enriching. It is
News Features A3
in Catholic parts of the country.
Marawi, Lanao Del Sur prov-
ince, is about 385 miles south of
Manila. The city is also the spiri-
tual center for the Maranao, the
most devout of the three major
Muslim groups in the country, a
largely Catholic country in
Southeast Asia.
In 1970s, the city has wit-
nessed a Muslim-Christian
struggle, including kidnapping
that have targeted Catholic
priests, but today, the city is
peaceful.
“To avoid arguments and to
avoid further misunderstand-

Secularism also threatens

good that he gets a chance to ings we just plant the cross in
share his ideas and contribute for our hearts,” Soganub, a 47 year-
the common good of the com- old chancellor of the diocese,
munity in the locality, the priest said.

consecrated life, says Pope

said.
His parish church with its cor-
rugated iron roof does not look
like a church from outside be-
cause it has no cross.
“People here don’t want a
large symbol. The residents do
not want that,” he said.
Catholics account for about 1
percent of Marawi’s entire popu-
lation. Established in 1934, the
parish has about 40,300 Catho-
lics spread over 4,567 sq.kms.
The parish gets about 8 wed-
dings a year as most Catholics
prefer to get married elsewhere
so they can feast on lechon, or
roast pig, a staple at celebrations
BUC, MILF, WCRP
“In my parish in Marawi, the
only Islamic city in the Philip-
pines, it’s easier that way,” said
the priest who does not wear a
crucifix or a clerical collar.
Islam was practiced in the Phil-
ippines before the Spanish con-
verted many to Catholicism in
the 1500s. Mindanao, southern
part of the country, remained
largely Muslim and its religious
balance was tipped in favor of
Christianity only due to resettle-
ment programs started during
the US colonial period in the
early part of the twentieth cen-
tury and accelerated after World
War II. (Santosh Digal)
Urges Salesians to focus lives on Christ
BENEDICT XVI says that even consecrated
persons need to guard against an increasing
process of secularization that is gaining
ground in modern times.
The Pope said that today when he received
in audience participants in the 26th General
Chapter of the Salesian Society of Don John
Bosco which is, he told them, taking place
“in a period of great social, economic and
political changes,” of “more intense commu-
nication among peoples,” and of “lively de-
bate on the spiritual values that give mean-
ing to existence.”
“Don Bosco,” the Holy Father added,
“wished the continuity of his charism in the
Church to be guaranteed by the choice of con-
secrated life. Today, too, the Salesian move-
ment can grow in charismatic faithfulness
only if it continues to maintain a strong and
vibrant nucleus of consecrated people.”
“The entire congregation must constantly
strive to be ‘a living memorial of Jesus’ way
of living and acting as the Incarnate Word in
relation to the Father and in relation to the
brethren.’ [...] May Christ be the focus of your
lives! [...] It is here that ardent love for the
Lord Jesus is born, the aspiration to become
one with him, adopting his feelings and way
of life: faithful abandonment to the Father
and dedication to the evangelizing mission
which must characterize all Salesians.”
Benedict XVI then went on to consider “the
process of secularization that is gaining ground
in modern culture” and that “unfortunately
does not even spare communities of conse-
crated life. Hence it is necessary to be cautious
with lifestyles that risk abating evangelical
witness, rendering pastoral activity ineffec-
tive and weakening the vocational response.”
The Pope called on the participants in the
chapter to help their companions “in protect-
ing and reviving their faithfulness to the call.
[...] May the Word of God and the liturgy be
sources of Salesian spirituality! And espe-
cially, may ‘lectio divina’ practiced daily by
each Salesian, and the Eucharist celebrated in
the community every day, provide nourish-
ment and support.” (Zenit)

discuss peace dev’t

in Mindanao FMM lay associates lead education
program for Mangyan kids in Mindoro
REPRESENTATIVES from the
World Conference on Peace and
Religion (WCRP), Bishops Ulama
Conference (BUC) and the Moro
Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)
met March 29 and discussed the
peace developments in
Mindanao.
MILF Chairman Al Hadj
Murad welcomed in Camp
Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat,
Maguindanao yesterday the rep-
resentatives of the WCRP and the
co-convenors of the Bishops
Ulama Conference headed by
Archbishop Fernando R. Capalla.
In a dinner meeting, Murad
communicated to the visiting
groups the willingness of the
Moro rebels to resume the long
stalled peace negotiations be-
tween the Moro Islamic Libera-
tion Front and the Government
Republic of the Philippines
(GRP).
Last December 2007, discus-
sions to finalize the peace agree-
ment between the Philippine
government and Muslim rebels
were called off following the
MILF’s hitch on problem over
money.
MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu
last December was supposed to
discuss on how resources on these
lands are to be shared.
The BUC, meanwhile, ex-
pressed their eagerness to sup-
port the resumption of talks be-
tween the government and the
Moro rebels.
BUC co-convenors remain
hopeful that after the long over-
due peace talks, a final solution
to the already decade-old rebel-
lion will materialize.
Representatives of the WCRP
are also confident that the Phil-
ippine government will come up
determined to pursue an all-em-
bracing peace settlement with the
rebels.
The meeting last March 29, it
was learned, also consisted of a
series in preparation for the
Asian Conference for Religion
and Peace (ACRP) at Tubod,
Lanao del Norte in October of
this year.
The MILF is a Muslim separat-
ist rebel group located in South-
ern Philippines. The area where
the group is active is called
Bangsamoro by the MILF and it
covers the southern portion of
Mindanao, the Sulu Archipelago,
THE Lay Associates of Franciscan Missionar-
ies of Mary (FMM) have been spearheading
education support program for the Mangyan
children and youth in Abra de Ilog, Occiden-
tal Mindoro for the last four years.
The Franciscan Lay Associates Mission En-
deavors Foundation, Inc., founded by
Tagaytay Group of lay collaborators of FMM
nuns, serves as the organized mission work
of the group.
Under the foundation’s Education Support
Program, about 25 pupils are enrolled in dif-
ferent levels of elementary education at the
Abra de Ilog Central School, said FMM lay
associate Alice G. Bacongan.
The objective of this scholarship is to pro-
vide educational support in the formal school
and then send those who graduated from the
elementary level to the alternative second-
ary school in Danlog, the PAMANAK, added
Bacongan.
“Mangyan” is a general term that refers to
eight ethnolinguistic groups of proto-malay
origin that occupies the mountainous region
of Mindoro Oriental and Occidental.
The Mangyans are the original inhabitants
of Mindoro, the seventh largest island in the
Philippines. Mangyan population is over
100,000, about 10 percent of the total popula-
tion of the island.
Mangyan tribe is one of the 110 tribal
groups of the country. Reports say there are
about 100,000 Mangyans spread all over the
country, as it is officially hard to count their
population.
Cora Hernandez, one of the lay associates
of the Foundation, assists the pupils with their
homework, gives tutorials when necessary
and coordinates with the teachers regarding
performance in school of the pupils.
Aside from the provision of full scholar-
ship support, the foundation provided feed-
ing for pupils to help them become more
alert, receptive of their lessons and gain
weight, Bacongan said.
During school days, lunch is served to these
pupils. Their parents take turns in cooking
the food while the children participate in
washing the dishes and cleaning the dining
area at the Mangyan Pahingahan at the pre-
mises of the St. Rafael parish convent.
The program also includes an adult literacy
education, which is conducted twice a week
for the parents. Last year at least 25 adults of
whom 15 attended literacy sessions regularly
with no absences, said Beth Ambat, the Adult
Literacy Facilitator.
Parents who study under the adult literacy
program, are taught to read and write. Most
of them know how to write their names now
and could read phrases and short sentences.
During the 2004 elections, a parent who
was able to vote and write his candidates on
his own was so happy doing it for the first
time, said Ambat.
The foundation also provides health out-
reach services.
One of the beneficiaries of this is Nomer
Manalo, a 5-year old Mangyan kid whose
right leg got burned when he was six months
old.
Foundation members coordinated with
physicians and benefactors, local and abroad
to provide necessary medical treatment for
Manalo. Now Manalo can run and walk af-
ter three surgeries, said Enna Ong, who su-
pervised all logistics for Manalo.
(CBCPNews)

Vatican: Muslims now

that time blamed the govern-
ment for causing the setback to
finalize a conclusive peace accord
by raising constitutional issues
on economic control of a pro-
posed Islamic state.
Kabalu during his previous
press statement said the govern-
ment wanted to use the Philip-
pine Constitution as the basis for
the formulation and implemen-
tation of the ancestral domain.
Under the 1987 Constitution,
the exploration, utilization and
development of natural re-
sources shall be under the full
control of the states.
In March 2007, the Philippine
government offered to recognize
the right of self determination for
the Moros, the Muslims here in
the south, which it had never
done in over three decades of con-
flict and intermittent negotia-
tions.
The government and the Moro
rebels have already leaped for-
ward in the peace talk last No-
vember 2007 after they agreed to
the scope the boundaries of the
MILF’s demand for ancestral do-
main.
However, the aborted meeting
Palawan, Basilan and the neigh-
boring islands.
Majority of the approxi-
mately 4.5 million Muslims in
the Philippines live within
those areas. Historically, the
MILF was centered on the Moro
National Liberation Front
(MNLF) in the late 1960’s fol-
lowing the infamous Jabidah
Massacre. The group demanded
the formation of an indepen-
dent Moro Islamic state.
In the early days, the Philip-
pine government rejected this
demand and sent troops to the
Moroland to maintain order. The
MILF was formed in 1981 when
the late Salamat Hashim and his
followers split from the MNLF,
due to the latter’s reluctance to
launch an insurgency against the
government forces and initiate a
movement towards a peace
agreement.
Decades have passed and still
counting, the insurgency in
Mindanao brought damage to
the lives and properties of the
people and has caused so much
poverty and displacement in the
local communities. (Mark S.
Ventura)
CBCP lauds ‘Earth
Hour’ efforts
THE Catholic Bishops’ Confer-
ence of the Philippines has
lauded “Earth Hour” partici-
pants for switching off their
lights to help cut the world’s
green house emissions.
The bright lights in some
Metro Manila areas faded to
black alongside of the skyscrap-
ers, as organizers declared
“Earth Hour” evening of March
29 a success.
Lights were also switched off
at the Catholic Bishops’ Confer-
ence of the Philippines (CBCP)
headquarters in Intramuros,
Manila, plunging its corridors
and offices into an hour of dark-
ness.
“Following the call of Arch-
bishop Angel Lagdameo earlier
this week, the CBCP joined the
Earth Hour to symbolize its
commitment to the crusade
against global warming,” said
CBCP Spokesman Msgr. Pedro
Quitorio who went to the Cul-
tural Center of the Philippines
to personally witness the
“switch off” ceremonies.
The event also plunged into
darkness other cities outside
Metro Manila that signified
their support to combat climate
change.
The initiative began in
Sydney last year and has be-
come a global event, sweeping
across 35 countries this year.
Organizers hope the initiative
will spur people to be more
aware of their energy usage and
its effect to the environment.
They said that producing elec-
tricity pollutes the atmosphere
through the burning of fossil fu-
els which are contributing to
global warming. (CBCPNews)
outnumber Catholics
ISLAM has surpassed Roman
Catholicism as the world’s
largest religion, L’Osservatore
Romano reported on Sunday.
“For the first time in his-
tory, we are no longer at the
top: Muslims have overtaken
us,” Monsignor Vittorio
Formenti said in an interview
with the Vatican daily.
According to the most re- These latest results come
cent figures from the Vatican from 2006 and are not all
yearbook of statistics, the Vatican tabulated. The figures
number of the world’s popu- on Muslims were put together
lation that are Muslims is by Muslim countries and then
19.2%, with the number of provided to the United Na-
Catholics trailing behind at tions, he said, adding that the
17.4 %. Vatican could only guarantee
“It is true that while Muslim its own data.
families, as is well known, con- When considering all Chris-
tinue to make a lot of children, tians and not just Catholics,
Christian ones on the contrary Christians make up 33 percent
tend to have fewer and fewer,” of the world population,
Msgr. Formenti said. Formenti said. (CNA)
 CBCP Monitor
A4 Opinion Vol. 12 No. 7
March 31 - April 13, 2008

EDITORIAL

Condoning corruption
THAT Filipinos are discriminating in their regard for
corruption in and outside the government is true indeed.
Bishop Francisco Claver, SJ, pointed this out in his address
at the BEC rural congress in Prelature of Libmanan late
last month. And, come to think of it, he is right. “We are
apathetic,” says the bishop.
Culturally maybe, but Pinoys are easy to condone corruption
especially when the “operator” is a relative, a friend, or,
worse, when they somehow are benefited, or
“naaambunan” by it. A “standard operating procedure”
or SOP is the common parlance which carries an implication
that such has become part of the “kalakaran” and
therefore bereft of qualms—or morality, if you may. The
logic is simple: when everybody does it, everybody does it;
which is to say, “What’s your problem? It’s the norm”.
This might explain why the irony of Filipinos being too
sensitive when tagged derogatory names abroad. When
Hollywood actress Claire Danes described Manila as a
“dirty place full of rats and cockroaches”, everybody was
clamoring to high heavens to declare the actress “persona
non grata”—for telling the truth. When Transparency
International rated the Philippines as one of the most
corrupt countries in Southeast Asia, nobody heard a
whimper of complaint—because that is an old truth.
The issue of massive corruption and wholesale thievery
during the Martial Law did not come as big as the conjugal
dictatorship which smacks of political decadence rather
than moral. But corruption then was equally worse, if not
more—as the continuing Marcos Swiss accounts and
hidden wealth easily substantiate. Which is why the thesis
may be correct that Filipinos condone thieves, cheats and
liars, but not dictators who are quickly sent to Hawaii. If
a president is convicted of thief, he becomes forgiven in a Abp. Angel N. Lagdameo, DD
week or two with an honorable act of executive clemency.
Pope John Paul II
In and Out of Season
The pre-colonial tagline of “islas de ladrones” imputed to
this country has, of course, nothing to do with the Philippines
being one of the most corrupt nations in this part of the lovingly remembered
world. But it gives a historical perspective—and a good
wink.
NO leader has moved the whole world as nals in 1978 when he was 58 years old. This The Catholic Church will remember him as
Being very discriminating, this maybe the line of thought of did the late John Paul II, whose 26-year pon- man of the Holy Spirit was the first non-Ital- the pope of dialogue and consultation who
those who find it futile not to wait until 2010 national tificate has shaped global history and inspired ian Pope after 455 years. presided over 15 Synods and gathered mil-
elections, because, after all, it will be just as hackneyed as hundreds of millions of people everywhere. The world will long remember Pope John lions more around him for World Meetings
changing one corrupt collar from one stupid dog to another. Millions all over the world watched through Paul II as the shepherd who has touched mil- of Families and World Youth Days.
the TV the burial rites of the “extraordinary lions upon millions of people through his We here in the Philippines will remember
Pope,” in April 8, 2005. On May 18, he would 104 Papal Visits outside of Italy. To help him him as the Pope who gathered more than 4
have been 88 years old. guide the course of the Church, he created million at the Luneta intermittently chant-
A very strong “sensu fidelium” about the 231 cardinals and appointed more than 1,500 ing the refrain “John Paul, John Paul II, we
multi-qualified goodness of the Pope has bishops. The world will remember him as a love you … John Paul II, we love you.” That
been registered throughout the world from prolific teacher and catechist who has writ- was in 1995 World Youth Day, his second visit
The Social Doctrine of the Church cardinals and bishops, from leaders of states
and people everywhere, which is almost like
ten a total of 85 Encyclicals, Apostolic Exhor-
tations, Constitutions and Letters which
to our country.
I like to imagine that as a candidate for Beati-
as Prophetic a “beatification” of a “servant of God” by
popular acclamation.
shaped the faith and life of Christians. The
world will remember him as the “man for
fication, John Paul has many patrons: the 1,338
he proclaimed blessed and the 482 he pro-
Beyond all speculations, Karol Wojtyla, the others” who shaped global politics, always claimed saints, like Blessed Mother Teresa of
THE People of God know that our role as shepherds Christian, “Lolek” for his intimates and fam- championing peace, human rights and the Calcutta and his fellow Polish, St. Faustina
includes the duty to “teach the truth of faith: the truth ily members, was the man chosen by the welfare of the poor in his 984 encounters with Kowalska of the Divine Mercy, like our own
not only of dogmas but also of the morals whose source Holy Spirit through the College of Cardi- various Heads of States and Prime Ministers. St. Lorenzo Ruiz and Blessed Pedro Calungsod.
lies in human nature itself and in the Gospel” (CSD, 70,
citing Vatican II, Dignitatis Humanae, 14 and John
Paul II, Veritatis Splendor, 27, 64, 110). Bp. Leonardo Y. Medroso, JCD, DD
For the Church has “the right to proclaim the Gospel in the
context of society, to make the liberating word of the
Gospel resound in the complex worlds of production, labor,
Happy Easter! Tidbits
business, finance, trade, politics, law, culture, social
communications, where men and women live” (CSD,
ibid.). AS the light of the Paschal Candle pierces is still possible. In fact, some people have live with dignity and little pride, when the
This is also a duty, since the Church “cannot forsake this through the murky night of Holy Saturday, long given up—they chose to look for greener greed of those in the corridors of power has
ushering on its break the lilting mood of the pasture elsewhere. Can the citizens of a mor- drowned away all their shame and decency,
responsibility without denying herself and her fidelity
Easter Vigil that exudes in the song of the ally shaken country such as ours capable of when corruption has become “our greatest
to Christ: ‘Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel!’” “Exultet”, the people of faith plunges once genuinely greeting each other with greetings shame as a people” (CBCP, “Reform Your-
(1 Cor 9:16); CSD, 71). The Gospel then has a public again into the deep darkness of the Liturgy of “Alleluias” and “Rejoice, for Christ is selves and Believe in the Gospel”).
relevance. This is even more understandable when we of the Word to carefully listen to the words risen”? This hope is dynamic, alive, vigorous. It
realize that the Church cannot ignore “the corrupting of promise and of hope. It is in this holy dark- The answer is why not? After all the Church pushes us to action. It is alien for people of
effects of injustice, that is, of sin” (CSD, loc. cit.). ness that the word of God starts again dispel- sincerely believes that the answer to our sad hope to say that the event of our times is
Therefore, the Church has a duty “to denounce when sin ling the chilling fear of death that has for so plight goes beyond socio-economic analysis inevitable. A Filipino Christian, whose spirit
long terrorized the heart of man, slowly fill- and political maneuverings. For a start, our is soaked with the Easter experience, plunges
is present: the sin of injustice and violence that in ing it up in an ever increasing intensity with Church believes that this deep Easter experi- himself into action, for he knows that at the
different ways moves through society and is embodied the message of ‘God cares’ and ‘God saves ence of the risen Christ would give us the heart of this topsy-turvy nation of ours rests
in it” (CSD, 81). In this way the Church’s social doctrine His people’, that soon would blare into the stubborn hope that blossoms best in mo- the love of God. Easter has taught him that
defends human rights “especially those of the poor, the proclamation of the resurrection of Jesus, ments of darkness and ambiguity; that it God has overcome the world. As Jesus said:
least and the weak.” One can easily see how this right and bursting into songs of jubilation and “alle- would give us the needed courage to pick up “In the world you face persecution. But take
duty to denounce is both religious and moral. It is inseparable luia”. For Christ is Risen! Christ is truly risen! again the communal problem of searching courage; I have conquered the world” (Jn
from the evangelizing mission of the Church. Happy Easter! for the truth that we have temporarily left 16:33).
But back to reality. Is it really possible to off; that we can readily face up to the moral By action here is meant concrete involve-
In the Old Testament God chose prophets to proclaim celebrate a happy Easter in the midst of all problems, political ambiguities, and social ment in the unfolding of our history. Chris-
God’s word, announcing judgment and hope to Israel. these social turmoil and political mess? At illusions, that have through these years tians who possess the seed of hope in their
Today the Church fills the role of prophet to herself and to times we begin to wonder if it remains rea- tightly gripped the soul of our country. The hearts cannot be passive or indifferent by-
society. Her social doctrine is prophetic. It is both judgment sonable to be optimistic about this country. experience of Easter could give us the hope standers in the drama which we call “every-
and hope. It calls to conversion. It enkindles hope. It bears The fact is that many of us have become cyni- to extricate ourselves from the sad situation day life”. “We can open ourselves and the
the seeds of personal and social transformation. cal, refusing to believe that change can still that we are in, the time when work is scarce, world and allow God to enter: we can open
take place, refusing to hold that a better life when families are so poor they can no longer Tidbits / A6
–Shepherding and Prophesying in Hope, CBCP Pastoral
Letter, 2006
Sr. Mary Pilar Verzosa, RGS
In China today: 120 boys to 100
Love Life
ISSN 1908-2940

girls due to the One-Child Policy

CBCP Monitor
Protagonist of Tr u t h , Promoter of Peace THE government of China has decided to
continue its population control program of
common complaint—those boys are spoiled
brats, so hard to baby-sit for. Materialism is
well as help set up counseling services. He
admitted that seven out of ten confessions
Pedro C. Quitorio “One-Child Policy” in spite of its many con- the rule of the day and no longer the much- were abortion-related since abortion is legal
Editor-in-Chief sequences—among them the ratio of 20-30 admired values of Chinese discipline, indus- in Taiwan. Still the guilt and depression of
boys for every girl. This scenario is frighten- triousness and respect for the elderly. the women need to be addressed. As well as
Pinky Barrientos, FSP Kris P. Bayos ing as the children are now growing up into It was truly consoling to see our kababayans assistance to the pregnant so they do not abort.
Associate Editor Feature Editor their teens and young adulthood. The other trying hard to live a Christian life in such a Fr. Nilo was glad that over a hundred at-
result is the huge number of elderly getting secular atmosphere. The Catholic churches tended the seminar and eagerly committed
Melo M. Acuña Rosalynn Garcia dependent on the few babies that were born where I spoke after Holy Communion were to get involved in pro-life work.
Managing Editor Marketing Supervisor the past twenty five years since the policy filled with Filipinos during all the Sunday Although it was a last minute arrangement,
Dennis B. Dayao was implemented. No matter how the Chi- Masses. I was so proud to see them conduct- Ray Arcilla was able to gather the Save-a-
Ernani M. Ramos
On-Line Editor Circulation Manager
nese government encourages the couples to ing the Choir, helping as altar servers, Eu- Life Net after one Sunday Mass at St. Mary’s
bring to birth their female babies, their cul- charistic Ministers and ushers. Church in Hongkong for my brief sharing.
Roy Q. Lagarde Marcelita Dominguez ture drives them to strive for a male first born. Most of them were women. My heart ached Motivating them to get involved in pro-life
News Editor Comptroller So the female unborn child is aborted if it is for them as I knew that each of them longed was not necessary. The Education-Formation
first-born and aborted as well if it is the sec- for their families. Some were hurrying home Parish Leadership Program members attend
The CBCP Monitor is published fortnightly by the CBCP ond-born since the allocated one-child son this summer to attend the graduation of a fifteen Sunday teachings that include pro-life
Communications Development Foundation, Inc., with
has been born! son or a daughter—the fruit of their hard la- values before they have their commission-
Layout by Denz Dayao

editorial and business offices at 470 Gen. Luna St.,

Intramuros, Manila. P.O. Box 3601, 1076 MCPO. I have just returned from a trip to Taiwan,
Editorial: (063) 404-2182. Business: (063)404-1612. Hongkong and Macau to give pro-life semi-
Email: cbcpmonitor@cbcpworld.net nars to the Filipino overseas workers. Most
Website: www.cbcpworld.net/cbcpmonitor of them are working as domestic helpers in
such families that have an only son. And their
bor through the years they were separated
from them.
Fr. Nilo, the parish priest of St. Christo-
pher Church in Taipei, invited me to speak
to his parish leaders on pro-life awareness as
ing. Over 400 are actively conducting pro-
life seminars themselves or do side-walk
counseling outside the Queen Mary Hospital
where the women go for abortion.
Love Life / A6
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 7
March 31 - April 13, 2008
Jose B. Lugay
Laiko Lampstand
WE rejoiced when the Biofuel Act of 2006
was approved by Congress two years ago.
This meant that we will have an alternative
fuel produced from agricultural crops like
coconut to produce biodiesel; sugar cane,
corn or cassava to produce ethanol. After
more than one year of implementation—
addition of 1% biodiesel to diesel fuel and
5% ethanol to gasoline—prices of these food
crops started to rise. Coconut supply to
biodiesel producers like Chemrez Technolo-
gies. Inc. and Senbel was inadequate to sup-
port their capacity to produce biofuels. Presi-
dent Gloria Macapagal Arroyo last Febru-
ary instructed the Department of Agriculture
to help these biodiesel producers to look for
supply of coconuts and to support the farm-
ers to plant more coconut in Luzon.
In the United States, the production of etha-
nol from corn also created a disruption of
the food supply which triggered the increase
of cost not only of corn but of corn-fed hog
and chicken. To add to the dilemma, it takes
lots of electricity to produce ethanol. A typi-
cal plant eats up as much as the corn crop
need of 1,660 farms. For ethanol production,
2 coal-fired electricity plants were set up in
Marshalltown and Waterloo. With this ex-
perience that is, for ethanol production, a cer-
tain baseload energy is required, there are
only 3 options for this initial source of en-
ergy, namely, 1) nuclear, 2) natural gas and
3) coal.
In the Philippine scenario, we see the set-
ting up of new coal-fired power generating
plants. Since production of biofuel needs a
The Mercy of God and
Mary, Mother of Mercy
DIVES in Misericordia, God who is rich in
mercy (Eph 2, 4), is how the Servant of God,
the Great John Paul II, entitled his Encyclical
dedicated to the Mercy of God.
Believing in the crucified Son means “seeing the
Father” (John 3, 16), means believing that love is
present in the world and that this love is more pow-
erful than any kind of evil in which individuals,
humanity, or the world are involved. Believing in
this love, means believing in mercy. For mercy is
an indispensable dimension of love; it is as it were
love’s second name…(Dives in Misericordia, 7).
And as the Church commemorates his 3rd
Death Anniversary, the Church also cel-
ebrates the first World Apostolic Congress
on Divine Mercy in Rome. God willing, a
number of us will be attending the Congress.
For twenty years, the devotion to the Mercy
of God as revealed to a Polish nun was sup-
pressed, and it took a new Cardinal of
Krakow to lift the ban and spread the devo-
tion. That Cardinal eventually became John
Paul II who also subsequently declared the
visionary, the “Secretary of the Mercy of
Rev. Euly B. Belizar, SThD
By the Roadside
A STORY is told of an employee who said to
another: “Do you really believe our CEO is
involved in wrongdoing when she went into
this shady deal with foreigners?”
“I’m afraid I have to say, ‘Yes’,” came the
answer.
“But do you have any proof?”
“Well, you asked me if I believe… Have you
forgotten that faith needs no proofs but only
leads and clues?”
I haven’t. My prime example is John the
Apostle before the appearances of the Risen
Jesus. He neither saw nor heard nor touched
nor smelled Jesus who triumphed over death.
He only saw the leads and clues: the empty
tomb, the linen cloths lying flat (strange for
body-snatchers to leave them behind unless
they, following a meticulous plan, brought
with them new linen cloths to wrap the body
with) and, more interestingly (if one thinks
of the body-snatchers theory again), the head-
covering napkin which, John the evangelist
insists, “stayed rolled up in its place” (as
though the head with the body simply disap-
peared or moved itself out without touching
the napkin—strange indeed) (Jn. 20:5-7). With
only these clues, John “saw and believed” (Jn.
20:8).
Of course, the most revealing take on faith
comes from the Risen Jesus himself when he
educates Thomas the Apostle and (through
Thomas) you and me. “You believe because
you saw me, don’t you, Thomas? Blest are
they who believe even if they do not see” (Jn.
20:29). With that this whole matter about “see-
ing is believing” is completely debunked
(and how, but unfortunately we are the ones
who resurrect it from time to time).
A friend of mine used to regularly travel
with me from Borongan my hometown to
Tacloban. He was so fascinated by the
rainforests of Eastern Samar. But he found
the San Juanico Bridge the most exhilarating.
One time he made this passing remark re-
garding the bridge: “Come to think of it, the
beauty of this bridge really is that it makes
you reach Tacloban more easily from Samar
or vice versa.” I think San Juanico Bridge is a
good analogy of faith. Faith’s beauty is that
it leads us to God and to his gift of salvation.
Opinion
Biofuel feedstock vs
food supply
baseload energy, is the program for biofuel
really advantageous for the Philippines? A
Nobel-prize winner scientist, Dr. Hartmut
Michel says that biofuel development is
counterproductive. It dislocates the food se-
curity program of an agricultural country like
the Philippines. What is worse is that it de-
stroys the environment. His arguments how-
ever were based on his experience in the
United States—the conversion of forest lands
for agricultural use; the wide application of
fertilizers and the abundant use of water.
These conditions are not the same when it
comes to the use of alternative feedstock in
the Philippines.
Our alternative crops in the Philippines
for biofuel production is now under intense
experimentation—jatropha curcas for
biodiesel and sweet sorghum for ethanol. If
successful, these two crops will ease the pres-
sure on the food chain supply. Philforest
Corporation which was in the headlines
along with Jun Lozada who was its Presi-
dent, was engaged in the research on jatropha
curcas. It is claimed that this shrub will grow
in any type of soil. Locally known as tuba-
tuba or tubong bukid in the Tagalog region,
tagumbao or tawa-tawa in Ilocos, kalunay in
Cagayan Valley, tuba-tuba or kasla in Ilongo
and tangan-tangan in Lanao, the Philippines
has high hopes from the recent researches
conducted by the Philippine National Oil
Company-Alternative Fuels Corporation
(PNOC-AFC). Its chairman, Renato Velasco
said studies show that the benefits derived
from jatropha, including positive effects to
Fr. Melvin P. Castro
God”, as St. Faustina Kowalska. And it was
the same Pope who declared the Second Sun-
day of Easter—as requested by Our Lord
Himself to St. Faustina—as the Feast of the
Mercy of God. And as God could only des-
tine it to be so, the Great John Paul II died on
the eve of the Feast of the Mercy of God.
But believe it or not, this Great Servant of
God, a profound lover of Our Lady had to
struggle as well with the very concept of
Marian devotion. In his book, Gift and Mys-
tery, Pope John Paul II himself tells us:
At one point I began to question my devotion to
Mary, believing that, if it became too great, it might
end up compromising the supremacy of the wor-
ship owed to Christ. At that time, I was greatly
helped by a book by Saint Louis Marie Grignion
de Montfort entitled Treatise of True Devotion
to the Blessed Virgin. There I found the an-
swers to my questions. Yes, Mary does bring us
closer to Christ; she does lead us to him, provided
that we live her mystery in Christ.
And it was through the reading of St. Louis
that Pope John Paul II came to have his Papal
An anatomy of faith
Faith is, as a song once put it, “like a bridge
over troubled waters”. Small wonder, then,
that we call it a theological virtue; like no
other, it links us directly to and with God. In
Paul’s letter to the Ephesians he stresses that
it is by God’s merciful love and favor, not by
our own efforts, that we are saved. But he
brings in the crucial role of faith. “I repeat,”
he says, “it is owing to this favor that salva-
tion is yours through faith” (Eph. 2:16). This
doesn’t contradict, of course, James’ doctrine
that faith without works is dead (James 2:17).
Paul is simply putting things in perspective.
Salvation, he tells us, is God’s gift to us
through faith which we also express in, and
whose consequences include “the life of good
deeds which God prepared for us in advance”
(Eph. 2:10).
The saving character of faith is also under-
lined by John’s gospel. The Son of Man, John’s
Jesus insists, must be lifted up like the bronze
serpent by Moses in the desert “that all who
believe may have eternal life through him”
(Jn. 3:14-15). Then the most beautiful utter-
ance follows: “Yes, God so loved the world
that he gave us his only Son, that whoever
believes in him may not die but may have
eternal life” (Jn. 3:16). Again: “Whoever be-
lieves in him avoids condemnation” (Jn. 3:18).
We therefore understand and confess with
Tertio Millennio Adveniente, “the necessity of
faith for salvation” (TMA 40).
But we need to ask: What does it entail to
believe?
First, it entails realizing that faith is a pro-
cess rather than the finished product. It is the
journey rather than the destination. Let me
explain. For me faith is an essential identify-
ing mark of the Christian disciple. It is neces-
sary on the way to God; once we reach him
faith gives way to love; it is love that never
ends.
Second, faith involves listening to God’s
self-revealing Word. As such, it becomes an
added identifying mark of the Christian.
When Jesus confronts the Jews for their lack
of faith, he tells them point blank: “But you
do not believe because you do not belong
among my sheep” (Jn. 10:26). It is common
for people to use diverse identifying marks
the environment and its anti-flood proper-
ties, outweigh perceived harmful effects. Fur-
thermore, he asserted that rice lands cannot
be converted into jatropha plantations be-
cause jatropha can’t survive in wetlands.
The brightest news lately is the discovery
that malunggay seeds is a good source of oil
for biodiesel. Malunggay or morinaga
oleiferam, is more famous now for its medici-
nal and nutritional value. In fact just re-
cently, a one hectare pilot experiment in the
planting of malunggay, in the lahar land of
Porac, Pampanga was successful. Governor
Panlilio was guest to the get-together for
tasting the products produced from
malunggay which include malunggay tea,
pan de sal, noodles, and polvoron. What is
more exciting, however, is the fact that the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology re-
searchers validated the potential use of
malunggay oil as a major biofuel feedstock
next to coconut. Seeds of malunggay con-
tain 36 to 40% oil. The Department of Agri-
culture of Caraga adopted malunggay as its
One-Town One-Vegetable program. 500,000
hectares will be planted with malunggay for
the biodiesel feedstock.
With the continuing increase in the price
of fuel oil directly increasing the cost of trans-
portation and all transported food products
to the market, the Philippines has to continue
research and development studies in renew-
able energy sources including the search for
biofuel feedstock that will not affect the sup-
ply of food derived from coconut, sugar, cas-
sava and other grains.
Speaking of Mary
Motto, Totus Tuus—Totally Yours—an act of
Consecration to Mary, the Mother of Mercy.
Mary is also the one who obtained mercy in a
particular and exceptional way, as no other person
has. At the same time, still in an exceptional way,
she made possible with the sacrifice of her heart
her own sharing in revealing God’s mercy. This
sacrifice is intimately linked with the Cross of her
Son, at the foot of which she was to stand on Cal-
vary. Her sacrifice is a unique sharing in the
revelation of mercy, that is, a sharing in the abso-
lute fidelity of God to his own love, to the Covenant
that he willed from eternity and that he entered
into in time with man, with the people, with hu-
manity; it is a sharing in the revelation that was
definitively fulfilled through the Cross (Dives in
Misericordia, 9).
Hence, as we just celebrated the Feast of
the Mercy of God and during this printing
the World Congress on the Divine Mercy,
may we all turn to Christ, the King of Mercy
and put all our trust in him. And may Mary,
the Mother of Mercy, ever draw us closer to
Her Son. Ave Maria! Ad Jesum per Mariam.
to describe someone, and at times one char-
acteristic further illustrates another charac-
teristic. For example, when I once asked a
parishioner to describe his father he said, “He
habitually wears shades; he has cataracts.”
When Jesus excludes certain Jews from his
flock, he explains a characteristic of his flock
that further illustrates faith, their common
identifying mark: “My sheep listen to my
voice” (Jn. 10:27). The test of the pudding is
in the eating; the test of faith is in the listen-
ing we give to the Lord’s Word.
Third, faith entails saying “Yes” to the
Word. That is why the Church also speaks of
faith in terms of assent. It doesn’t mean that
faith excludes doubt, at least in its embry-
onic stages. As we showed above, Thomas
the apostle shows us that doubt may even be
the first stop-over in the journey of faith. Nor
does it mean an easy assimilation or giving
of the nod. Even the Blessed Virgin who best
exemplifies faith had to ask in a troubled
voice, “How can this be since I do not know
man” (Lk. 1:34). Still, the point is what she
says as a final and definitive gesture: “I am
the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done to
me according to your word” (Lk. 1:38).
Fourth, faith involves reliance on the Word.
It is trust. The words we say before Com-
munion in response to the priest’s proclama-
tion of the “Lamb of God who takes away the
sins of the world” repeat the centurion’s con-
fession of faith: “I am not worthy to have
you under my roof. Just say the word and my
servant will be healed” (Mt. 8:8). It is an ab-
solute, unquestioning reliance on the power
of Jesus’ Word. Which is how the gospels
define faith essentially. I once asked the
people in church to stand at the start of my
homily. After a few seconds I asked them to
be seated again. They looked at me puzzled.
I explained that I have proved to them that
the words of a human authority, such as my-
self, are powerful. For example, my word
produced actions (standing and sitting). Then
I said the clincher: “Just imagine how much
greater the power of God’s Word. For ex-
ample, whatever Jesus says in the gospel be-
comes true.” This is the logic and wisdom of
faith.
A5
Bp. Guillermo V. Afable, DD
DADITAMA
‘Let me go to the
Lord’
ON 2 April 2005, the Lord God called John Paul II to take him
home to the house of the Father. And once again, as he always
did, when called by the Lord, he promptly responded with his
brave heart in a whisper: “Let me go to the Lord,” as narrated
by Stanislaw Dziwisz, his former secretary and now Cardinal
Archbishop of Krakow.
“Jesus I trust in you, have mercy upon us…
From the last Regina Caeli message of John Paul II posted on
the Vatican website, we read the following introduction to the
text:
Pope John Paul II died peacefully on the evening of 2 April,
9:37 p.m. Rome time. The last gift of the Holy Father for Divine
Mercy Sunday, 3 April (also the Second Sunday of Easter), was
the Regina Caeli, read by Archbishop Leonardo Sandri, Substi-
tute of the Secretariat of State, at the end of the Holy Mass
celebrated that day in St Peter’s Square for the deceased Pope.
“I have been charged”, Archbishop Sandri said, “to read you
the text that was prepared in accordance with his explicit in-
structions by the Holy Father John Paul II. I am deeply honoured
to do so, but also filled with nostalgia”.
Part of that short message still has a resounding relevance to
our present world crises in economics, the environment, ter-
rorism, the entire social order. He said, “As a gift to humanity,
which sometimes seems bewildered and overwhelmed by the power of
evil, selfishness and fear, the Risen Lord offers his love that pardons,
reconciles and reopens hearts to love. It is a love that converts hearts
and gives peace. How much the world needs to understand and accept
Divine Mercy! Lord, who reveal the Father’s love by your death and
Resurrection, we believe in you and confidently repeat to you today:
Jesus, I trust in you, have mercy upon us and upon the whole world.”
This was, as it were, his last prayer for us before he passed
away… complete trust in the Lord.
Papal visit in Daditama
The beloved John Paul II has a special place in the hearts of
the people in Daditama. He was the only Pope so far who has
touched the ground of Mindanao particularly Davao City on
that momentous day of February 20, 1981. For a few hours the
Pope was with his flock in Mindanao and we marveled in his
presence.
Due to security considerations at that time, he was able to
meet the people from all over Mindanao only at the airstrip of
Davao Airport where he celebrated mass. We remember how
he recalled and proposed in his homily as the rule of life within
our ecclesial communities, the prayer of St. Francis of Asissi.
“Make me a channel of your peace…”
At that grace-filled day, he too gave special attention to the
non Christians in Mindanao by meeting with the representa-
tives of the Muslim communities at the airport terminal. He
recalled with them the natural fraternity among Christians
and Muslims because we belong to the one human family and
brothers, as well, in the almighty God. He also stressed that
cooperation and peace between them is an imperative of the
one God which adherents of both religions have gotten to know
as most merciful.
That momentous day is so well remembered, that a beauti-
ful memorial church was built to commemorate that event—
San Pablo Church in Matina, Davao City. Each year too, the
parish of St. Joseph, Sasa in cooperation with the Davao airport
management would commemorate that day with a simple Eu-
charistic celebration right there where it all happened.
Special relations with Daditama Bishops
Diocesan Bishops of Daditama, except for Archbishop
Capalla, have all been elected as Bishops by John Paul II. All
four bishops, Archbishop Capalla, Bishop Manlapaz, Bishop
Alo and Bishop Afable were all appointed to their present Di-
ocesan Offices by this great pope.
It was also John Paul II who erected the two new dioceses of
Digos in 1980 and Mati in 1984 thereby increasing the Metro-
politan province of Davao to four dioceses.
Surely, John Paul II will be well remembered again on April
2, 2008 on his third death anniversary.
Servant of God
He was indeed a servant of God. This is what we in the Church
call him now, while the process of his Beatification continues.
Pope Benedict XVI encourages us, “May the Totus tuus of the
beloved Pontiff encourage us to follow him on the path of the
gift of ourselves to Christ through the intercession of Mary,
and may she herself, the Virgin Mary, obtain it for us while we
entrust to her motherly hands this father, brother and friend of
ours, that he may rest in God and rejoice in peace (homily, 2nd
death anniversary)
Worldwide effort
There is a worldwide endeavor to promote Eucharistic Ado-
ration on April 2, 2008 from 7:00pm to 8:00pm local time. Car-
dinal George from Chicago and many other Holy Cardinals
and Bishops from all over the world are participating in this
Holy Hour. If you could help spread the word through your
contacts we would be most grateful. The website
www.worldwideadoration.org will give you more details re-
garding this Holy Hour. Here is what you can do:
To pray the rosary for this intention;
To spread the word to your email contacts or through word of
mouth;
To attend adoration on April 2 and pray for peace, love and
charity in the world;
To organize adoration in your local parish from 3:00 pm to 4:00
pm on April 2;
To organize adoration in your local diocese;
To assist with local press coverage of this holy event.
(My email: daditama_now@yahoo.com.ph)
Fifth, faith involves a sharing of life between Master and disciple.
Jesus describes the believing community: “I know my sheep and
mine know me” (Jn. 10:14, 27). I notice that seminarians, religious
and student activists use a common phrase to describe everything
that they do to share the lives of the people in order to know them
and, knowing them, serve them better. They call it “pakikipagbabad”
with the poor, the youth, the marginalized, the oppressed, the griev-
ing.
Finally, faith entails obedience, a doing of the Word. “My sheep,”
Jesus qualifies, “follow me” (Jn. 10:27). I once saw a blind old lady
being led by a young man across the street to safety. I noticed how
she lifted up her stick and let it rest by her side. Faith is like that. We
let go of the stick of our own way of thinking, we let go of our own
ideas or plans and allow the Lord Jesus to lead us to the Father’s own
way of seeing, thinking and doing things. This way faith is really
“letting go” and “letting God”. The biggest surprise of all is that it
becomes our ultimate liberation. Which is why, we say, “Faith saves”.
 CBCP Monitor
A6 Local News Vol. 12 No. 7
March 31 - April 13, 2008

ECY notes increase of People are apathetic

applicants for WYD
THE increased number of interested juve-
niles vying to be part of the official delega-
tion of the CBCP Episcopal Commission on
Youth (ECY) to the 23rd World Youth Day
shows a similar boost in the youth’s interest
to grow mature in their faith.
This is what Fr. Conegundo Garganta, ex-
ecutive secretary of the ECY, said as he dis-
closed that the commission received an esti-
mate of 1,400 diocesan nominations from
around the country in the application period
that lasted from October 2007 to February 2008.
“This is a good sign because the numbers
show that the interest to grow in faith is posi-
tively identified with the youth. Perhaps, it
is the Holy Spirit who inspires them to join,”
said Garganta, concurrently the director of
the National Secretariat for Youth Apostolate.
He added that of the 1,400 applications, 900
were followed up and are continuously un-
dergoing evaluation and screening with ECY.
UST Hospital expansion plans to continue, says Rector
THE disputed development plan of the Uni-
versity of Santo Tomas Hospital (USTH) will
go on after a review team recommends its
final findings, said acting rector, Fr. Rolando
De la Rosa, OP.
An ad hoc committee has been reviewing
the redevelopment plans for USTH in accor-
dance with the instructions of Fr. Carlos
Alfonso Azpiroz Costa, O.P., master-general
of the Dominican Order, the university’s stu-
dent publication paper Varsitarian reported
in its latest issue dated March 14.
The committee’s findings would help De
la Rosa gather information and study the vi-
ability of plans for the country’s top univer-
sity hospital.
The team is headed by Faculty of Engineer-
ing Regent Fr. Arthur Dingel, O.P., executive
assistant to the head of UST Hospital, for the
review and revision of the hospital develop-
ment plans.
Dingel told the Varsitarian, “The ad hoc com-
Sumilao / A1
Compared with the 500 applications, 325 of
which are granted visa, for the 2006 WYD in
Cologne, Germany, this statistic is almost
double in number.
“Perhaps the proximity of the host coun-
try for this year’s WYD is a vital factor for the
increase. Practically wise, flying to Australia
is a lot cheaper compared to Germany,” he
said, adding that the transportation expense
is a major concern among the delegates.
Garganta likewise said that although the
ECY posts no quota to the number of its del-
egation, applicants are often hindered by fi-
nancial constraints from pursuing their pro-
cessing.
“Practically speaking, monetary support is
vital in the application. It is not only the ap-
plicants’ eagerness that will help them get
there but material support as well,” he said.
Although the ECY has not yet finalized the
number of its delegates, Garganta said the
mittee for the review of the plans eventually
forwarded to the office of the acting rector sev-
eral recommendations. (And one of them) is
the revision of the development plan which
led to the creation of the ad hoc committee.”
Through the committee, the development
plans for UST Hospital, involving construc-
tion and renovation, updating of organiza-
tional structures, and prioritization of projects
and programs, among others, will be re-
viewed and revised.
As of press time, the committee is evaluat-
ing the construction of the fourth and fifth
floors of the charity ward or Clinical Divi-
sion of the hospital.
The master general wants the hospital rede-
velopment to continue “within a level that can
be afforded by the hospital and that cannot en-
danger the patrimony of the University.”
“What I can assure you is I am here to imple-
ment what the master general wants,” De la
Rosa said. “The new committee is only tem-
when it comes to
corruption, says prelate
commission will probably be certain of its
official delegation come June.
“As to date, we still have not made final
the number of the delegates who will make
it to Australia but the final number will be
out by the first week of June,” he said.
As of press time, Garganta said the ECY is
keenly engaged into paper works for the
evaluation of the nominees and applicants to
ensure that qualifications are met.
After successful clearance by the ECY, the
applicants will have to endure another screen-
ing process. This time, it will be with the Aus-
tralian embassy that will determine their eli-
BONTOC-Lagawe Bishop Emeri-
gibility for issuance of visa. Only then can
tus Francisco Claver, S.J said that
the official delegation be made final.
people are apathetic and discrimi-
“We want to form a delegation that is com-
nating when it comes to corrup-
posed of matured faithful who are deep in
tion.
faith and are capable of inspiring others in
“We are apathetic, we do not
sharing their encounters with Jesus,” he said.
complain,” Claver said about cor-
(Kris Bayos)
ruption which normally people
condone as standard operating
procedure.
Speaking before 2,000 prime
movers of Basic Ecclesial Com-
munities from the Prelature of
porary,” he told Varsitarian. Libmanan, March 26, Claver ech-
Last September, three Dominicans, the top oed the bishops’ pastoral letter
board of directors of USTH—the prior pro- on the national situation and said
vincial of the Filipino Dominicans, Fr. “let’s not just blame the govern-
Edmund Nantes, O.P., Rector Fr. Ernesto ment for all the ills that we have.
Arceo, O.P., and Vice-Rector Juan Ponce, Let’s look at ourselves.”
O.P—resigned following a dispute among He recalled how people are
Dominicans over the separation and creation discriminating when it comes to
of incorporation of the hospital in 2004. corruption involving their own
Azpiroz also ordered the construction of a relatives, citing an event in
new hospital tower halted, the new corpora- Bontoc during the general assem-
tion dissolved, and the P3-billion loan from
a consortium of banks cancelled or renegoti- Tidbits / A4
ated. The transactions were deemed illegal ourselves to truth, to love, to
as they did not have the approval of the Do- what is good” (Benedict XVI, Spe
minican Curia and the Vatican. Salvi, 35). “Even when we are
In the aftermath of this, the master general fully aware that Heaven far ex-
appointed De la Rosa, a two-term UST rector, ceeds what we can merit”, the
as acting rector. Pope says, “it will always be true
At present, De la Rosa also serves as head that our behavior is not indiffer-
of the hospital, but a management team takes ent before God and therefore is
care of day-to-day affairs. (Santosh Digal) not indifferent for the unfolding
of history” (35). Even when we
seem powerless before the en-
emy, “our actions engender hope
for us and for others…” (35).
In other words, the more we
engage actively and construc-
tively in the efforts to improve
society, the more we make alive
the hope that is in us. Con-
versely, the more indifferent we
are, the more cynicism destroys
our capacity to dream for a bet-
ter, renewed life.
And when we act, when we ac-
tively involve ourselves in the
unfolding of history, the element
of suffering becomes all the more
Photo by Noli Yamsuan / RCAM
bly of small Christian communi-
ties.
“They were singing ‘we look
at the projects that are started by
our barangay captain, and we see
that they are substandard’ but
hastened to add ‘but when they
are our relatives who do these
things, we look the other way,’”
Claver said.
“When I heard that, I said, that’s
exactly what is wrong with us,
we talk about corruption by oth-
ers, but when our relatives, or we
do it, we turn the other way
around,” the prelate lamented.
The prelate added that this was
the reason why the bishops said
“don’t just look at the people who
are doing all these corruption,
look into yourselves, because
what we have found out is: if the
problem continues, it is because
we turn our eyes away.”
He called on people to be sen-
sitive to reports about the
country’s classification as the
region’s most corrupt. “We do
not react, and here we are, we are
a Catholic nation, but we have
no reactions,” he added.
“And this is where the bishops
are asking you: let’s do some-
thing about it, but let’s start with
ourselves, let’s not just blame
others, let’s start where we can,”
Bishop Claver appealed. (Melo
Acuña)
swell into horrifying levels when
we labor for truth and justice. We
can perhaps minimize it by lead-
ing a life of utter indifference. We
can close our eyes from false-
hood and tyranny, and spare our-
selves from hostility.
But is this the Christian option?
The Holy Father says, “It is not by
sidestepping or fleeing from suf-
fering that we are healed, but
rather by our capacity for accept-
ing it, maturing through it and
finding meaning through union
with Christ, who suffered with
infinite love” (37). And with a
rather stunning emphasis, he re-
peats at least three (3) times in the
encyclical that the capacity to suf-
fer for truth and justice is an es-
sential criterion, the very mea-
sure, of humanity (cf. 38 and 39).
To abandon this capacity would
destroy man himself. “Truth and
justice must stand above my com-
fort and physical well-being, or

unavoidable. Being a conse- else my life itself becomes a lie”

quence of our finitude, suffering (38).
is already inevitable, but it can HAPPY EASTER!

Love Life / A4

A few days before I arrived in In Macau, my audience was

A triumph of perseverance
Ten years ago they had to go
on a protracted hunger strike that
lasted almost a month which re-
sulted in the win-win formula
decided by then President Fidel
Ramos.
“We thought that was the end
of it but we lost the land when
the Supreme Court decided
against us on the basis of a tech-
nicality in ‘97. We hope that our
1,700 kilometers walk will not be
put to waste. We hope this agree-
ment will finally give us peace-
ful possession and cultivation of
our land,” Penas said.
Atty. Arlene Bag-ao, legal
counsel of the Sumilao farmers
said that the agreement was a tri-
umph of the persevering spirit of
the farmers.
“They have faced all kinds of
odds in their quest to reclaim the
land, they have confronted the
system that is stacked against
them but they did not give up and
continued to struggle for what is
justly theirs even if it meant mak-
ing big sacrifices. With the sign-
ing of the agreement, they will
be able to fulfill their vow that
NASSA / A1
The memorandum provides
for the development of capacity-
building program that will ef-
fect a disaster risk-reduction in
35 dioceses that are classified
within the high-risk category.
In his remarks, CARE Asia
Deputy Regional Director
Patrick Sayer said the Philip-
pines “boasts of a vibrant civil
society that has played a part in
re-establishing democracy 20
years ago.” He added civil soci-
ety has continued to play a sig-
nificant role in the well-being
of its people.
Sayer said CARE began work-
the first ground they will step on
upon their return will be the land
they will call their own,” she said.
We are home
“Nia na sa atong kamot ang
yuta (The land is now in our
hands),” said Kagawad Rene
Penas, one of the Sumilao farm-
ers when they arrived at the dis-
puted Sumilao farm site.
The 144 farmers arrived
aboard an Air force C1-30 plane
March 29 together with the sup-
port groups namely: 0ffice of So-
cial Community and Involve-
ment (OSCI), Simbahang Lingkod
ng Bayan (SLB), PAKISAMA,
Balawud-Mindanaw, OSA and
other supporters and their legal
counsel Arlene Bag-ao. The farm-
ers were wearing their white-
statement T-shirt emblazoned the
words “Ibalik! 144 hectares sa
Sumilao farmers” and trademark
headband Sumilao farmers.
The Sumilao farmers had their
breakfast followed by a small
gathering at Xavier University–
Ateneo de Cagayan. The XU com-
munity headed by Fr. Jose
Ramon T. Villarin,S.J. promised
ing in the Philippines over the
past six decades and “like many
NGOs, it is forced to think about
how to maintain relevance and
legitimacy in the brave new
world you are all creating, with
others.” He said as a foreign or-
ganization they should further
make their presence felt in the
community.
Sayer added CARE must re-
main engaged in humanitarian
response to emergencies which
he described as “one of the most
crucial underlying causes of pov-
erty.” CARE now have an Agri-
Aqua Development Coalition
assistance to the farmers through
Kristohanong Katilingban sa
Pagpakabana (KKP) and other XU
extension groups.
Sustainable support needed
Archbishop Antonio Ledesma
of Cagayan de Oro City, a vocal
supporter of the farmers said, “I
have the feeling of gratitude be-
cause they got what they have
long been fighting for. It’s just a
beginning for them.”
He added that even if the issue
has almost ended, the support
does not stop there. He said as-
sistance will be given depending
on what they need for their
sustainability.
The farmers took their few
meters symbolic march at the high-
way of Sumilao before they ar-
rived to the disputed site. “Sugod
sa among krusada, nagbaklay me
ug karun nagbaklay me ug
pagbalik para ipakita ang among
kadaugan (We started our crusade
walking and now we are having
the symbolic march for our vic-
tory),” said Samuel Merida, Chair-
man of MAPALAD Multi-purpose
Cooperative.
with NASSA.
Sayer expressed his apprecia-
tion to Catholic Relief Services
for facilitating the partnership
with NASSA, which has an ex-
tensive diocesan network. He
added NASSA is the best orga-
nization to be their partner
“with its teams of dedicated, ex-
perienced and committed
people” throughout the country.
In his brief remarks, CBCP
Episcopal Commission on So-
cial Action, Justice and Peace
Chairman and Manila Auxiliary
Bishop Broderick Pabillo said he
is overwhelmed by the support
HK, a seven-month old premature
baby was found dead in a paper
Bukidnon Bishop Honesto bag in the downtown area where
Pacana, Archbishop Ledesma and the Filipinos pack their balikbayan
Father Paciente, Parish Priest of boxes. That was around ten in the
Kisolon, Bukidnon celebrated the morning. At 2:30, another woman
thanksgiving mass at the site and looked inside the unclaimed bag
had it blessed. and screamed when she saw the
“Social legislation in the Phil- dead baby wrapped in a towel.
ippines is difficult; we need to The umbilical cord was still at-
have a strong will. The crucial tached. A note in Tagalog said—
support from different sectors is ”Please help my baby. My em-
very important,” said Atty. Aison ployer did not give me maternity
Sy Garcia, a supporter of the farm- leave. My flight is at 11:30 today”.
ers, when asked for insights on The police brought the bag to the
the case. station and investigations were
“Ang ka-usa matinud-anon, incomplete up to press time. No
Napahigmata namo ang one could give any information
gobyerno nga naay balaod sa regarding the mother.
katungod sa kabus pero Immediate reaction of the
kailangan naa pay grupo nga people was to condemn such cru-
motulak para kini matuman (The elty. But the pro-lifers sighed and
crusade is sincere, we have awak- expressed pity that the woman
ened the government on the did not know she could have
rights of the poor but we have to been helped had she approached
push for it to have it),” Merida them. The incident motivated
said. them all the more to strengthen
Their entry into the land was their pro-life mission.
the first time after 12 years of sac-
Church / A1
rifice. The farmers promised to
take care of the land through No less than the Vatican has
farming and share the land to the called on Catholic Churches to
landless farmers of Sumilao. make the most of the Internet for
(With reports from Maryann evangelization and to make it “a
Alasay Zamora) new forum for proclaiming the
Gospel.”
Quitorio said video blogs that
were “short, fast and easy” were
extended by CARE Interna- “attuned to the psyche of today’s
tional. youth.”
The agreement was signed by “It seemed a good way to reach
CARE Secretary General Robert our target audience and to preach
Glasser and CARE CEO Helene to a great number of people,” he
Gayle, Bishop Broderick Pabillo, said.
NASSA Executive Director Sis- The CBCP official stressed that
ter Rosanne Malillin, SPC, and if the Church sticks to traditional
witnessed by Mohammad Musa, modes, “we won’t be able to catch
CARE Regional Director of Asia the attention of many youth who
Regional Management Unit and now have changing modes of ex-
NASSA’s Elvira Manalansan, pression,” he also said.
CARE International is a non- The very first CBCP video blog
profit humanitarian organiza- posted featured Quitorio in a
tion with headquarters in Holy Week series where he dis-
Chemin de Balexert, Geneva, cussed various Lenten traditions.
Switzerland. (Melo M. Acuña) Other contents of the CBCP’s
mostly members of the Couples
for Christ, a few priests and uni-
versity students. This was orga-
nized by Prof. Zen Udani whom
I have known ever since he was
teaching here at the University
of Asia and the Pacific. Again, it
was a highly motivated group
who expressed much apprecia-
tion for the video tapes and train-
ing manuals that I shared with
them so they could continue with
the pro-life work among them-
selves.
During the Open Forum, the
same question would be posed—
”Sister, when are you coming
back here? We would like you to
speak to more groups and to con-
tinue giving us training!” That is
certainly a strong temptation for
me to ask my Superior to mis-
sion me to Taiwan, Hongkong or
Macau soon and join the Filipino
Good Shepherd Sisters who have
been serving our countrymen
and women in those countries
these past years.
YouTube account include reflec-
tions on the environment, gam-
bling, politics, social justice and
other social issues.
YouTube enjoys popularity not
only among youth in the Philip-
pines, but also Filipinos abroad,
who use Internet to connect with
their families at home.
Aside from its YouTube clip,
the CBCP had been promoting
the use of other new technologies
to spread Catholicism in this
country of 75 million Catholics.
Last year, the CBCP Media Of-
fice has also launched a news ser-
vice (www.cbcpnews.com) that
has earned over a million in page
loads within a period of few
months.
The CBCP Media Office makes
good use of information technol-
ogy to enhance its mission, says
a note posted on CBCP’s website.
(CBCPNews)
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 7
March 31 - April 13, 2008 Features A7

Church in Korea
launches new TV
channel and website

SEOUL, Korea, March 19, contribute to understanding

2008—The Church in Korea
has launched a media offen-
sive that includes a new tele-
vision channel, a new internet
publication and a revamped
website for the episcopate, ac-
cording to the Fides news
agency.
The bishops’ new website
can be found at http://
www.cbck.or.kr and includes
and reunification of the Ko-
rean people, as well as to
strengthen the role of the
Church as an agent of peace.”
The Korean Church’s new
TV channel, UTV, has also
been launched, although right
now it is only broadcasting
over the internet.
The Archdiocese of Seoul
has also formed a Commis-

Vatican daily says Holy See

a vast array of documents and
electronic books that can be
downloaded.
In addition, the bishops
have launched a news service
sion for Social Communica-
tions under the leadership of
Auxiliary Bishop Andrew
Yeom Soo-jung. “The com-
mission will help broadcast-

has not ‘emphasized’

at http://hwahai.cbck.or.kr
which will publish each
month. The first edition fea-
tures a column by Bishop Lucas
Kim Woon-hoe, president of
ers and journalists in their re-
lations with the Christian
faith and in the proclamation
of the Gospel,” reminding
them of their task “to build a

baptism of Muslim convert

the Bishops’ Committee for harmonious society and pro-
Reconciliation, who explains claim the truth,” he said.
that the new service “seeks to (CNA)

Venezuelan archbishop VATICAN CITY, March 26, 2008—The offi-

cial Vatican daily, L’Osservatore Romano, has
rejected claims in some media reports that
“One of those persons was Egyptian-born
journalist Magdi Allam,” the article noted,
emphasizing that Allam—whose baptismal
“Benedict XVI’s gesture at the same time
has important meaning because it expresses
religious freedom with kindness and clarity

denounces Chavez’s new the Holy See has “emphasized” the baptism
of Magdi Allam, the Muslim convert and as-
sociate director of the Italian daily Corriere
name is Christian—”freely chose baptism
after a long journey of discernment and per-
sonal preparation necessary to take this step.”
and that includes the freedom to change one’s
religion, as pointed out in the Universal Dec-
laration of Human Rights of 1948,” he added.

commune project Della Sera who entered the Church during

UNION RADIO, March 25, 2008—
The vice president of the Venezu-
elan Bishops’ Conference, Arch-
bishop Roberto Luckert of Coro,
criticized a proposal by President
Hugo Chavez to create Soviet-
like commune cities “when de-
cent services haven’t been pro-
vided to the cities that already ex-
and a product of his fondness for
Marxism, Socialism and Fidel
Castro. He also said “21st cen-
tury Socialism” is a concept “only
Chavez and those around him”
understand and are willing to
swallow.
He went on to note that Chavez
wants education in Venezuela to
the Easter Vigil Mass celebrated by Pope
Benedict XVI.
In an article entitled, “Religious freedom
and dialogue,” the Vatican newspaper
pointed out that it is tradition for the Holy
Father to baptize, confirm and give First
Communion to seven adult converts from
different parts of the world during the Easter
Vigil Mass.
“This event, which is so unique, solemn
and joyful, has not been emphasized, as can
be seen by the confidentiality” with which
the event was treated, the newspaper stated.
The article quoted Vatican Press Office Di-
rector, Father Federico Lombardi, who ex-
plained that the Pope “does not distinguish
between persons. Everyone is important be-
fore God and welcome in the community of
the Church.”
The Vatican newspaper also rejected claims
that the baptism constituted a “hostile act
against such a great religion as Islam. For
many decades, the Catholic Church has shown
her desire to dialogue with the Muslim world,
despite many difficulties and obstacles.”
The problems that exist “should not ob-
scure what we have in common and what
will come in the future,” the article stated.
(CNA)

ist in Venezuela for more than
500 years”.
Speaking on Union Radio,
Archbishop Luckert said Coro
Moscow Patriarchate to
be subject to his ideology.
The Venezuelan people used to
think that he would move the
country forward, the archbishop

‘monitor’ Catholic orphanages

“seems like a war zone, with all
the streets torn up. What will
those poor communities that are
part of the president’s illusory
psychosis be like, when decent
services haven’t been provided to
the cities that already exist in
Venezuela for more than 500
years?” he asked.
Archbishop Luckert called the
president’s proposal “foolish”
said, “but now people understand
that this is not the case.” Now
people realize that Chavez makes
false promises that “end up as
nothing,” he explained.
The archbishop warned Ven-
ezuelans to be alert against VLADIMIR, Russia, March 28, 2008—The Rus- Catholic orphanages and other Catholic in- ate baptized a child in April 2006 inside the
Chavez’s attempts to impose his sian Orthodox Church has decided that it will stitutions will obligatorily receive spiritual St. John Bosco Orphanage.
reforms that were voted down closely and constantly monitor the activities assistance and services from Orthodox cler- Over the years the approach of the Catho-
during the referendum on Decem- of Catholic social organizations, especially gymen. lic Church to the education of minors has
ber 2, 2007. (CNA) orphanages. The decision was taken at a meet- There are no precise data on the exact num- not changed. Nonetheless, Catholic social
ing of a joint working group on problems ber of children in Catholic orphanages, but activities will be “monitored”.
between the Russian Orthodox and Catholic according to some experts, the number is no Like the 19 March meeting between Pa-
Churches that was held in the city of Vladimir, more than 200 throughout the entire Russian triarch Aleksij II and the Mother of God arch-

Ugandan president teaches east of Moscow.

“The working group is ready to do such
monitoring,” said working group Co-Chair-
Federation.
The Orthodox clergy’s request is under-
standable and reasonable, but the rights and
bishop that was postponed upon request by
the Patriarchate, the Vladimir meeting rep-
resents another lost opportunity to talk

Muammar Gaddafi about man Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin. It will

“try to work out a common vision of ways
that could make Orthodox-Catholic interre-
interests of Orthodox children are already
protected. Orthodox children in fact are al-
ready cared for by Orthodox priests and are
about issues that are “sensitive” in the rela-
tionship between the two sister Churches,
issues like visas for foreign religious, the

Christianity lation [...] more systematic.”

For Archpriest Chaplin, who is also Vice
Chairman of the Department for External
free to practice their faith according to the
principles of their Church.
One example among many: Father Igor
return of Church property seized by the
Soviet state, or the absence of Catholics from
the Inter-faith Council of Russia (whose
Church Relations at the Moscow Patriarch- Vyzhanov from the Department for External members include Orthodox, Muslims, Jews
KAMPALA, March 26, 2008— ate, this means that Orthodox children in Church Relations at the Moscow Patriarch- and Buddhists.) (AsiaNews)
President Yoweri Museveni of
Uganda spoke about Christian-
ity to Libyan leader Colonel
Muammar Gaddafi in response

 FROM THE INBOX

to the latter’s claim that the Bible
had been doctored, the Catho-
lic Information Service for Af-
rica reports.
Last week Colonel Gaddafi
claimed that the original Bible
had mentioned Muhammed,
but had been doctored to ex-
clude references to the founder
of Islam. Ugandan Christians
condemned his claim.
During Easter prayers at
Nshwere Church in the
Kiruhura district, President
Museveni spoke about his dis-
cussion with the Libyan leader.
He said he told Colonel Gaddafi
that the resurrection of Jesus is
important for humanity, espe-
cially Christians, because it
gives them hope for life after
death.
The president said he also
told Gaddafi that the fundamen-
tal laws of Christianity are con-
tained in the two laws found in
Chapter 12 of the Gospel of St.
Mark. He cited both command-
ments, which read, “Love the
Lord your God with all your
heart and with all your soul and
with all your mind and all your
strength,” and “Love your
neighbor as yourself.”
According to President
Museveni, Colonel Gaddafi
seemed convinced that if one
fulfilled both laws, one would
have fulfilled most of the laws
of God.
The president said it did not
matter which religion one be-
longs to as long as one fulfills
both laws. “I do not believe in
competition between religions,
after all God has no religion.
God is for us all,” the president
said, according to the Catholic
Information Service for Africa.
(CNA)
Men’s Mag in public
AM a writer in Makati who frequents bookstores and maga-
zine stands as I am a big fan of almost all types of literature.
I am pretty liberal but a new magazine has caught my atten-
tion and rubbed me the wrong way.
On blatant display in most of the major bookstores is a maga-
zine… (name of magazine withheld—ed). Obviously intended
for men, it goes well beyond the scantily clad women featured
in other men’s magazines. In this month’s issue for example,
they show a woman bound and gagged and seemingly strug-
gling on the floor.
I am not against sensuality, but promoting non-consensual
sex so publicly seems not only un-Christian but totally inhu-
man as well. They are practically promoting violence against
women. And I don’t know how to properly air my ire.
I was hoping you sirs could look into this issue.
- Bia F.
Incomplete caption
I WISH to thank you for your immediate response to our ob-
servation about the little space given in the CBCP Monitor’s
previous issue to the National Launching of Alay Kapwa on
February 8, 2008 in the Diocese of San Jose de Antique. The
one-half page story on the AK Program (B7 of CBCP Monitor,
Vol. 12, No. 6, March 17-30, 2008) along with the picture of
the Papal Nuncio flanked by the Chairman and Vice-Chair-
man of the CBCP ECSA-JP Commission looked good enough
except for the caption. The picture caption, to be complete,
should have placed the date and place of the launching as
there was still space. It would have made us, Church people
in Antique, feel good to see the date and place of the national
launching in that caption. After all we spent so much money
and effort in preparing for that national launching which we had
thought would be deemed important enough.
- Bishop Romulo T. de la Cruz
Diocese of San Jose de Antique
 CBCP Monitor
A8 People, Facts & Places Vol. 12 No. 7
March 31 - April 13, 2008

Liturgical
conference
slated in Manila
A LITURGY conference aimed to
deepen knowledge and under-
standing of Catholics on the im-
portance of rituals is slated on
April 8-10 at San Carlos Major
Seminary Auditorium, Makati
City.
Dubbed “Sacramentals and
Blessings”, the conference is be-
ing organized by San Beda Col-
lege in tandem with the Minis-
try for Liturgical Affairs of the
Archdiocese of Manila (RCAM).
Sacramentals are sacred signs
that have a semblance to the sac-
raments, according to the Con-
stitution on Sacred Liturgy.
pope; objects such as crosses, ro-
saries and other articles of reli-
gious significance; religious
practices and places that remind
the faithful of Christ’ presence.
The use of holy objects like ro-
saries and crucifixes are very
popular among Filipino Catho-
lics. But the Church frowns on
some popular practices that
make use of holy objects as amu-
lets.
“Sacramentals are instituted in
order to enhance one’s sanctifi-
cation and closeness with God,”
said CBCP spokesman Msgr.
Pedro Quitorio. “In that sense,

Archdiocese of Davao
“They dispose people to receive
the chief effect of the sacraments
and make holy various occa-
sions in human life.”
In a circular letter dissemi-
nated to all parishes and reli-
they should not be used as amu-
lets or anting-anting which are
meant to glorify human power
or even greed,” he added.
Quitorio said that like the sac-
raments, sacramentals proceeds

to mark ‘year of grace’

THIS year up to 2009 is a special year of grace
for the local Church of Davao as it marks its
Diamond Jubilee.
Archbishop Fernando R. Capalla asked the
people to pray and thank God, as the archdio-
cese is preparing for its 60th anniversary which
will be launched this coming December 17,
Apart from prayer, the archbishop also
urged the people to reflect on the words of the
late pope in the same Apostolic Letter: “Now
is the time for each local Church to assess its
fervor and find fresh enthusiasm for its spiri-
tual and pastoral responsibilities, by reflect-
ing on what the Spirit has been saying to the
1949 having the archdiocese of Cebu as its met-
ropolitan.
It was elevated into a Diocese on July 11,
1966 and eventually became an archdiocese
on June 29, 1970 taking as its titular patron St.
Peter the Apostle whose feast day is celebrated
also on June 29.
gious communities, the RCAM
liturgical commission said “the
topic is an interesting one be-
cause it is very popular among
our practicing (and even non-
practicing) Catholics and the
challenge is there for us to truly
deepen our knowledge of their
meaning and proper rituals.”
Sacramentals include holy ac-
tions such as sign of the cross and
blessings of priests, bishops and
from the paschal mystery which
acknowledges the significance
of the cross—and not the avoid-
ance of it, which amulets and
anting-antings do.
The sacramentals serve to ex-
tend and prolong the work of the
sacraments thus disposing the
faithful towards a more fruitful
celebration of the sacraments,
explained the Catholic Cat-
echism. (Pinky Barrientos, FSP)

Markings
2008. People of God in this special year of grace.” The official name given to the ecclesiastical
The archbishop said he will also issue a pas- The archdiocese of Davao is an archdiocese jurisdiction is ‘Archidioecesis Davaensis” and
toral letter calling on everyone to participate of the Roman Catholic Church in the Philip- San Pedro Cathedral parish as the seat of the
and make this celebration not only memo- pines. It is a metropolitan see in the island of archbishop. In December 29, 1954, Clovis
rable but really meaningful. Mindanao. Under its jurisdiction are the three Thibault, PME was appointed the first bishop
“The meaningfulness of our celebration will suffragan dioceses of Digos, Tagum and Mati, of the prelature of Davao. He was a priest of the
arise from the way we understand and realize
the guideline of the late Pope John Paul II: “to
remember the past with gratitude, to live the
present with enthusiasm, and to look forward
to the future with confidence,” said Arch-
bishop Capalla quoting the late pope in his
Apostolic Letter, Novo Millenio Inuente.

2,000 lay leaders gather for BEC Congress

three towns that are now the capital cities of
the three Davao provinces.
The beginnings of the archdiocese started
with the arrival of the Augustinian Recollects
in 1848 followed by the Jesuits soon after. Its
official beginnings came during its establish-
ment as a Prelature Nullius in December 17,
ing him in December 9, 1972 was Antonio

ŒŒŒŒŒŒ³
Foreign Mission Society of Quebec. Succeed-

Lloren Mabutas, a native of Agoo, La Union.

THOUSANDS of lay leaders gathered today
for a congress of the basic ecclesial commu-
nities (BEC) in the prelature of Libmanan.
Prelature of Libmanan Bishop Prospero
Arellano, in a statement released through So-
cial Action Center Director Fr. Granwell
Bitabit, said more than 2,000 lay leaders from
26 parishes have assembled for
the occasion.
The congress on the role of
BECs in rural development was
part of the ongoing consultations
being held in preparation for the
upcoming National Rural Con-
gress sometime this year.
The prelature level consulta-
tions and workshops were orga-
nized to consolidate what had
been gathered at the ground
level.
Fr. Bitabit said they spent two
months for consultations and in-
terviews with various BECs in
their prelature.
Caceres Auxiliary Bishop Jose
Roxas led the Mass during the congress.
In his homily, Bishop Jose Rojas recalled
the important resolutions passed during the
rural congress held four decades ago which
included a call for real agrarian reform. The
prelate said BEC’s play an important role in
social transformation. He also touched on the
Currently its appointed archbishop is
Fernando R. Capalla, a native of Leon, Iloilo
in Central Philippines. He succeeded the post
on November 6, 1996. (Mark S.Ventura)
social teachings of Pope Leo XIII.
Bontoc-Lagawe Bishop Emeritus Francisco
Claver, S.J. who graced the event reviewed
the details of the first National Rural Con-
gress held 40 years ago.
“The Church must go to the barrio,” Bishop
Claver said as he emphasized the need for
dialogue, participation and co-responsibility
among all sectors of society.
Participant Cecil Deomano, an active lay
leader in the prelature said Bishops Claver
and Rojas underscored the need to put mean-
ing and life to the prelature’s goals.
The said congress aimed to give the rural
poor especially the farmers, the opportunity
to voice out their concerns notably on mat-
ters that affect their daily lives.
It may be recalled that the January 2007 CBCP
Pastoral Statement called for the convening of
the Second National Rural Congress stating that
the rural poor “must do the speaking by them-
selves, the discerning, the proposing of their
own ideas, the planning of how we must as a
people come together to work for the common
good of the country…” (Elmer Abad)
CELEBRATED. Sr. Elpidia Bagol,
FSP, Sr. Victoria Buniel, FSP, Sr.
Ma. Cora Damalerio, FSP, and Sr.
Porfiria Ocariza, FSP; 25th anni-
versary of religious profession
among the Daughters of St. Paul,
March 25, 2008. Most Rev. Mylo
Hubert Vergara, DD, bishop of
San Jose, Nueva Ecija presided
the thanksgiving Mass at the
Sanctuary of Queen of Apostles,
Daughters of St. Paul, Pasay City.
Sr. Elpidia and Sr. Ma. Cora, both
natives of Bohol, are missionar-
ies to Papua New Guinea and
Thailand, respectively. Sr. Porfiria
who hailed from Davao del Sur is
currently assigned in FSP community in Davao while Sr. Victoria, from
Surigao is presently assigned in Cagayan de Oro City.
CELEBRATED. Fr. Ruben Areño, SSP, Fr. Celso Godilano, SSP, and Fr.
Nicomedes Reforeal, SSP, 25th anniversary of sacerdotal ordination
among the Society of St. Paul, March 23, 2008. A solemn mass of
thanksgiving was celebrated by the Jubilarians with other Pauline
priests at the Sanctuary of St. Paul the Apostle at St. Paul Seminary in
Makati City. Fr. Ruben Areño is currently the provincial of the Society
of St. Paul, Philippine-Macau province. Fr. Godilano, who was formerly
provincial, is presently assigned in England, while Fr. Reforeal is the
administrator of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, Pasay City.
CELEBRATED. St. Anne Parish and Diocesan Shrine, Silangang
Malicboy, Pagbilao, Quezon, 50th anniversary of foundation, March 15,
2008. St Anne was canonically erected as a parish in March 17, 1958
and declared as a Diocesan Shrine in July 15, 2000. The golden anni-
versary celebration which started March 14 will go on until July 26,
which is celebrated as the 100th fiesta of the parish in honor of St.
Anne. On July 15, the parish will also celebrate its 8th anniversary as
a Diocesan Shrine.
VISITING. Sr. Brigid Lawlor, Superior
General of the Good Shepherd Sisters
(Religious of the Good Shepherd and
Contemplatives of the Good Shepherd)
will visit the Philippines from April 10 to
18, 2008. This is Sr. Brigid’s first official
visit to the Philippine Province where
176 Filipino Good Shepherd Sisters are

Seminar on
engaged in a variety of ministries in

Focolare Movement to hold Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. A law-

yer by profession, Sr. Brigid was a
former Provincial of the Washington

images, worship
Province and is the first American to be

Mariapolis 2008 elected Superior General of the Con-

gregation. During her 8-day visit in the

slated in Lipa
THE Focolare Movement here will hold its
annual summer gathering called “Mariapolis
2008” this coming April 18 -20 and will also
A SEMINAR on Sacred Images and
pay tribute to their deceased founder Chiara
Christian Worship will be conducted
Lubich.
for priests, religious, seminarians, the-
Lubich died on March 14 at her home in
ology and religion teachers and lay li-
Rocca di Papa in Rome after coming home
turgical workers on two Saturdays at
from the Gemelli Hospital where she was
different venues in the Archdiocese of
confined for a few days. She was the founder
Lipa.
and president of the worldwide Focolare
The seminar will discuss topics con-
Movement, with established communities in
cerning the history and theology of the
182 countries.
veneration of sacred images, images of
Mercedita Fuellas, Focolare Davao Women
the Holy Trinity and the Our Lord Jesus
chapter coordinator said that during their
Christ, images of the Blessed Virgin
annual gathering they will also give honor
Mary, angels and saints with special
to Lubich for his vast contributions to the
emphasis on Filipino religious and cur-
movement and to the Church.
rent practices.
“Lubich is really a woman of heroic faith,”
The seminar’s resource person is Fr.
said Fuellas adding that, “we in Focolare have
Virgilio B. Hernandez, who holds a
many reasons to give thanks to God for the
doctorate degree in liturgy. The semi-
gift he has given to us in the person of our
nars will be held April 19 at St. Francis
founder Lubich.”
de Sales Theological Seminary at
This year’s Mariapolis chose the theme,
Barangay Marawoy, Lipa City and
“Love makes a home,” a talk that was given
April 26 at St. Teresa College, Bauan,
by their founder when she was still alive. “It
Batangas.
In another development, parochial
is also our way of remembering the teach-
ings of Lubich,” said Fuellas.
catechists from all over the Archdio-
cese of Lipa are expected to attend this
Fuellas said that participants in Mariapolis
will generate the presence of Jesus through
year’s Catechetical Institute at the Ob-
mutual and constant charity.
lates of St. Joseph Retreat House,
Marawoy, Lipa City scheduled on April
This gathering, she said, is intended also
to be an experience that can be lived in one’s
13–18, 2008. (Fr. Nonie Dolor)
own environment as a contribution towards
country, she will also meet with the young sisters in formation as well
as the Lay Affiliates/Lay Mission Partners of the Good Shepherd who
a united world. collaborate in the apostolates of the religious.
Mariapolis 2008 will be held at Regional CELEBRATED. Fr. Jose Rembert G.
Major Seminary (REMASE) in Catalunan Rivera, 51, of Diocese of Kabankalan,
Grande, Davao City. Registration fee is 25th anniversary of sacerdotal ordina-
pegged at P850 which includes meals and tion at St. Paul’s Church, Cauayan,
Negros Occidental. A native of San
lodging for 3 days. Organizers are expecting
Enrique, Negros Occidental, Fr. Rivera
that a number of participants will be coming was the first to be ordained by Bishop
from Davao City, Cotabato City, Nabunturan Antonio Y. Fortich, DD, Bishop of
in Compostela Valley province, Banaybanay Bacolod in April 8, 1983. He was as-
signed to the following places: Silay City,
and Lupon Davao Oriental and other neigh-
1983-1986, Moises Padilla, 1986-1994;
boring cities and provinces.
Isio, Cauayan, 1994-2000; Sipalay City,
Fuellas said that the spirituality of their 2000-2005; Cauayan Proper, Negros Occidental, 2006 up to the present.
founder also gives them the will and inspira- He took six months ongoing formation at Vatican II Institute Menlo Park,
CA, USA from September 2006-March 2007.
tion to live and survive despite the so many
challenges in life.
“We are inspired by the fact that the
Focolare through our late founder envisions
the world as one family in a communion of
diversities,” said Fuellas.
Adhering to the Gospel law of reciprocal
love as the foundation on which to build re-
lationships among all, Fuellas stressed that
the movement also wants to promote a way
of life that is directed towards building a so-
ciety where there is more unity and where
differences are transformed into mutual en-
richment.
Read the daily church news
She also added that Lubich’s statements on
love and unity is very meaningful and can be
at www.cbcpnews.com
To receive free daily online dispatch of
a good source for reflections. “There is no
problem which love cannot solve,” is one of CBCPNews, email request for a free subscrip-
the bold statement issued by Lubich when tion to cbcpnews@cbcpworld.net
she was still alive. (CBCPNews)
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 7
Pastoral Concerns
March 31 - April 13, 2008
Current trends in vocation
recruitment in the Church
By Fr. Joel Francis Victorino
TO heed the call of the “Lord of the Har-
vest” to bring about a culture of voca-
tions in our Church through the minis-
try of vocation awareness and promo-
tion is not easy. It entails a lot of open-
ness to various realities and trends. As
the world changes, so do people, espe-
cially the young. One cannot but keep
up with what is going on as people jour-
ney through life. It was in the midst of
these many changes that every priest
and religious, not only those with speci-
fied jobs as vocation ministers; need to
move along with these challenges.
Inviting young people to the priestly
and religious life have become a daunt-
ing task. There are those who see the
difficulty of getting vocations as a prob-
lem of values and worldly trends
abounding. There can be various ele-
ments to these prevailing situations. But
one must be able to see and distinguish
where the problem really comes from.
An example of a local Church
Take the Diocese of Antipolo as an
example. This is one of the largest dio-
ceses in the Philippines in terms of popu-
lation. It has a population of about three
and a half million that covers the whole
province of Rizal and the city of
Marikina. Of this population, around
two million seven hundred thousand are
Catholics. There are only seventy five
diocesan priests serving our local
Church. Thanks to the presence of a num-
ber of religious men and women who
have established their presence in the
diocese, it is able to respond (although
still with difficulty) to the spiritual and
pastoral needs of the people. Its setting
is both rural and urban. With its prox-
imity to Metro Manila, a “merger and
clash” of cultures and traditions ensue
at times. The young people especially
have become prone to such develop-
ments—values have, at many moments,
become disvalues. Consumerist and in-
dividualistic mentalities have come
about and the rise of various mentali-
ties has changed the idea of self-giving
and communal responsibility.
Just a couple of years ago, the first di-
ocesan vocation convention were con-
vened and it discussed the challenges
that confront vocation promotion and
recruitment. At the end of the conven-
tion, there was a fearful consensus
among the participants that the local
Church had entered into a “vocation cri-
sis.” Very few young people in that area
have entered the seminaries and the con-
vents over a period of ten years. In fact,
the numbers were declining. Although
there was not enough scientific basis (no
formal instrument was used), but hear-
ing the experiences and testimonies of
both religious and lay vocation minis-
ters was proof enough of the difficulty
the diocese was facing. The young
people were to speak to the delegates
and they shared some of their insights
that proved to be important. These “in-
formal” findings will perhaps resonate
to the bigger part of the youth of the
Philippines today.
The difficulty lies in…
When asked why there seems to be a
difficulty in inviting the youth today to
consider the priestly and religious life,
these areas need to be considered: fam-
ily, economics, personal aspect, the
views of the youth on the priests and
religious, and other areas of importance
that are commonly left out.
Parents want their children to support
the family, but at the same time, when
the children would like something for
themselves, they do not gain enough
support from their family. Also, there is
a difficulty of separating from the fam-
ily as Filipinos, culturally, have strong
and close family ties. Poverty also has
proved to be a stumbling block. People
are bothered by the fact that religious
formation can cost so much. Thus, they
would rather send their children else-
where where they could benefit from
whatever resources they would be put-
ting out. A difficulty coming from one-
self also arises. Many also are not ready
or are willing to change what they are
accustomed to. There is a prevailing lack
of self-awareness among the youth, and
their feelings toward opposite sex have
become important issues they need to
address. In fact, more are attracted to
having their own family. Others reason
out simply that they do not have voca-
tion and not attracted to a life of prayer.
Varying priorities and the inability to
pass the entrance examination also fig-
ure out.
How priests and religious live their
lives have also become an area of con-
tention. The youth run into barriers of
not being able to respond to this par-
ticular vocation when they see priests
and religious themselves have many
difficulties in adhering to their own call-
ing. They are discouraged by what they
see and hear about religious men and
women and are affected by controver-
sies concerning priests.
The youth also find it hard to discern
their vocation because of the attraction
and inability to separate from material
things and modern technologies. They
have practical considerations, like the
need to work to earn a living. They also
have concerns with satisfying their need
for pleasure and to belong to a family
and a community of peers.
‘The Youth and the Holy’
The insights shared by some of the
young people during the Antipolo vo-
cation convention jibed with the result
of McCann Erickson research of October
2005 entitled “The Youth and the Holy.”
That research was triggered by the on-
going struggle to recruit vocations to the
religious life. Fr. Jason Laguerta, the
Executive Secretary of the Episcopal
Commission on Vocations, commis-
sioned the research to see why there
seems to be the youth’s disinterest in
service, and asks why the tactics em-
ployed did not elicit overwhelming re-
sponse. There came the desire to inves-
tigate the seeming unattractiveness of
the religious vocation. That research
hoped to accomplish a better understand-
ing of the context in which teens nowa-
days choose their courses and career
paths, their perceptions of the Catholic
Church and the religious vocation, and
the barriers between the youth and
priests/nuns/brothers.
The research began with taking a look
at the long term dreams of the youth
which starts with the harsh realities of
life. It can be said that today’s hard times
are very real to the youth. Many of those
interviewed said, “Malimit ko pong
naririnig mag-away ang mga magulang ko
tungkol sa pera.” “Dati po 100 piso ang baon
ko. Tumaas na nga’ng lahat ng gastusin,
binawasan pa ang allowance ko… 70 pesos
na lang ngayon.” (My parents would of-
ten fight about money. I had an allow-
ance of P100 pesos before. Now, even
after everything has become expensive
my allowance still has to be reduced to
P70 pesos.) Almost all of them experi-
ence parental absenteeism. The “dual
income families” have become the
norm. Thus, “kanya-kanya na sa bahay (each
to his own).” Lack of good employment
opportunities has forced some parents
to work abroad and most of these youth
even feel guilty that they are causing the
“break-up” of their families. Parental
role has now evolved—parents and
friends and confidantes, as much as they
are nurturers and guides. Thus, these
teens feel an even greater longing for
the presence of their parents. Dreams of
prosperity thus emerge and it comes as
no surprise that they strongly aspire to
reverse their family’s plight. This real-
ity is stronger for the high school teens
whose dreams of becoming a profes-
Current / B2
B1
Urbi et Orbi Message of His
Holiness Pope Benedict XVI
RESURREXI, et adhuc tecum sum. Alleluia!—I have risen, I am still with you.
Alleluia! Dear brothers and sisters, Jesus, crucified and risen, repeats this
joyful proclamation to us today: the Easter proclamation. Let us welcome it
with deep wonder and gratitude!
Resurrexi et adhuc tecum sum—I have risen, I am still with you, for ever.
These words, taken from an ancient version of Psalm 138 (v. 18b), were sung
at the beginning of today’s Mass. In them, at the rising of the Easter sun, the
Church recognizes the voice of Jesus himself who, on rising from death,
turns to the Father filled with gladness and love, and exclaims: My Father,
here I am! I have risen, I am still with you, and so I shall be for ever; your
Spirit never abandoned me. In this way we can also come to a new under-
standing of other passages from the psalm: “If I climb the heavens, you are
there; if I descend into the underworld, you are there … Even darkness is not
dark for you, and the night is as clear as day; for you, darkness is like light”
(Ps 138:8,12). It is true: in the solemn Easter vigil, darkness becomes light,
night gives way to the day that knows no sunset. The death and resurrection
of the Word of God incarnate is an event of invincible love, it is the victory
of that Love which has delivered us from the slavery of sin and death. It has
changed the course of history, giving to human life an indestructible and
renewed meaning and value.
“I have risen and I am still with you, for ever.” These words invite us to
contemplate the risen Christ, letting his voice resound in our heart. With his
redeeming sacrifice, Jesus of Nazareth has made us adopted children of God,
so that we too can now take our place in the mysterious dialogue between
him and the Father. We are reminded of what he once said to those who
were listening: “All things have been delivered to me by my Father; and no
one knows the Father except the Son and any one to whom the Son
chooses to reveal him” (Mt 11:27). In this perspective, we note that
the words addressed by the risen Jesus to the Father on this
day—”I am still with you, for
ever”—apply indirectly to us as
well, “children of God and fel-
low heirs with Christ, provided
we suffer with him in order that
we may also be glorified with
him” (cf. Rom 8:17). Through
the death and resurrection
of Christ, we too rise to
new life today, and unit-
ing our voice with his,
we proclaim that we
wish to remain for ever
with God, our infinitely
good and merciful Father.
In this way we enter the
depths of the Paschal mys-
tery. The astonishing event of
the resurrection of Jesus is es-
sentially an event of love: the
Father’s love in handing over his
Son for the salvation of the world;
the Son’s love in abandoning himself
to the Father’s will for us all; the Spirit’s
love in raising Jesus from the dead in
his transfigured body. And there is
Urbi / B7
 CBCP Monitor
B2 Updates Vol. 12 No. 7
March 31 - April 13, 2008

By Fr. Jaime B. and unifying her in communion and Faithful). The lay faithful, in of cooperation of lay faithful in ordained ministers in the exer- pointed judges in ecclesiastical
Achacoso, J.C.D. in the works of ministry, he bestows the strict sense of cc.224-231, re- the ministry of clerics—more of- cise of the sacra potestas or tribunals (c.1421, §2); laymen
upon her varied hierarchic and char- fers to a constitutional situa- ten than not in connection with power of jurisdiction (or power have a consultative vote in the
ismatic gifts, and in this way directs tion different from the previ- the liturgy. This is the reason for of governance) which is really different councils at the parochial
TIME and again, I have heard the her; and he adorns her with his fruits ous ones, which is specifically the unreasonable exultation of proper of the ordained ministers. and diocesan levels, and can even
expression “lay empowerment” in (LG, 4). characterized by baptismal the phenomenon of lay minis- This is the sacred power that be consultors in the Holy See
the lips of priests and our parish secularity. The layman is not tries as an icon or model of com- Christ gave the Apostles (on Pe- (c.228); laymen can dedicate
lay leaders. More often than not, Two factors cause this diversity: just Christ’s faithful who has mitment of the lay faithful in the ter and the Apostolic College themselves in an organic way in
they would be referring to the fac- 1) The action of grace and the not been ordained, or has not em- Church. principally) and their successors, the apostolic work of a Personal
ulties now granted to some of our charisms of the Holy Spirit on braced the evangelical counsels in If I trained a fish to somehow which they exercise with the other Prelature (c.296).
parishioners to act as lay minis- Christ’s faithful—i.e., personal an Institute of Consecrated move on muddy ground, I would ordained ministers in persona
ters—to have a more active partici- vocation. Life. He is Christ’s faithful who not have really empowered it, be- Christi capitis (“in the person of Conclusion
pation in the liturgical ceremonies 2) The individual response of ev- has embraced the world, but cause it is not proper for a fish to Christ the Head”). Up to this point, we can make
and to be extraordinary ministers ery faithful—i.e., personal hu- without being worldly. be terrestrial but aquatic. Like- An attentive reading of c.129 the following preliminary con-
for Holy Communion—or to form man freedom. The specific vocation of the lay wise, if I trained a bird to walk of the Code throws a lot of light clusions.

Empowerment of the Laity (1)

part of the Parish Pastoral Council. Three Principal Situations of Di-
In contrast, in a recent convention versity arise:
of the Council of the Laity of the 1) The Cleric (or Sacred Minis-
Philippines that I attended in ter). The condition of cleric in-
Antipolo (Oct.28-30,) I heard a cludes all those who, on top of
very different notion from more than the fundamental character of
one of the speakers. What does the Baptism, have received the
expression “lay empowerment” re- character of Holy Orders
ally mean? (c.207).
This character marks an essen-
BEFORE we can understand the tial difference—not merely of
notion of lay empowerment, we degree—between the royal
must first understand very well priesthood of all Christ’s faithful
the concept of lay or layman. by virtue of Baptism, and the
This is important so that we un- ministerial priesthood of the or-
derstand in what way the laymen dained cleric.
are supposed to be empowered. This character confers on the
In order to do this, we have to cleric a new mission (Vatican
first understand the fundamental Council II, Presbyterorum Ordi-
equality of all the faithful; then nis, 2), which consists in striving
we have to understand their di- for the internal vitality of the
versity and the specific quality of ecclesial society, preaching the
the laity. Word of God, administering the
means of salvation (fundamen-
The juridic equality and diver- tally the sacraments) and direct-
sity of all the faithful ing the course of the Church as a
By baptism, all Christians pos- society in persona Christi capitis
sess a common juridic condition (c.1008). In short, to “serve” or
of radical equality within the “minister” to all Christ’s faith-
ecclesial society, and thereby ful, so that they may exercise with
share an identical objective and full vitality their royal priest- Illustration by Blasimer Usi
end, which is that of extending hood. Hence the term: ministe-
the Kingdom of God until it rial priesthood.
reaches its fullness in the end of 2) The Religious (or Consecrated faithful is to be immersed in the instead of fly, again I wouldn’t on this matter: 1) The ordinary notion of lay
time (Vatican Council II, Lumen Faithful). The religious is an- world (to be secular). To the laity have empowered it but dena- Can. 129 — §1. In accord with empowerment—which refers to
Gentium, n. 9). By the baptismal other type of faithful, whose corresponds specifically the tured it somehow, because it the prescriptions of law, those the greater participation of lay-
character, and not by any poste- status arises from the profes- task—within the universal mis- could never really walk as well who have received sacred orders men in the liturgical celebra-
rior mandate of the Hierarchy, all sion of the evangelical coun- sion of the Church—to develop as it could fly, because that’s the are capable of the power of gov- tions—is an unfortunate impov-
the faithful are called with equal sels—i.e., perfect continence, the baptismal charisms so as to way it was created. ernance, which exists in the erishment of the concept and
intensity to foster the common poverty and obedience— make the Church present in those While the so-called lay minis- Church by divine institution and may even be qualified as a dena-
good of the Kingdom of God and through a juridical bond of a circumstances wherein it can act tries are licit and laudable, what is also called the power of juris- turing (more than empowering)
to extend it. sacred character. This consti- as salt of the earth only through we cannot forget is that they are diction. of the laymen to assume roles
This character constitutes all tutes a stable way of life (c.573), them (LG, 33). many times suppletory in na- — §2. Lay members of the Chris- that are not that secular.
Christ’s faithful into a royal which even if it does not pertain ture—i.e., to supply for the lack tian faithful can cooperate in the 2) Another notion of lay em-
priesthood, making them partici- to the hierarchical structure of the Understanding lay empower- of ordained ministers, whether exercise of this power in accord with powerment—which refers to the
pate in the priesthood of Christ, Church, pertains nevertheless to ment temporarily or more stably (cf. the norm of law. cooperation of laymen in the ex-
by which they are called to share its life and sanctity (LG, 44; c.574, The problem with words is c.230). They always constitute— Note the difference between §1 ercise of the power of gover-
in Christ’s threefold mission of §1). that many times they are not to a greater or lesser extent—a and §2: Clerics are capable of the nance in the Church—may be
teaching, sanctifying and leading This way of life—the religious univocal (having only one sense) denaturing of the lay character power of governance, as some- more canonical (in the sense that
all men, and indeed all creation, life—is characterized funda- but are rather equivocal (having of being in the world. thing proper to them. Lay faith- it is in the Code of Canon Law),
towards God. mentally by an intrinsic non- more than one sense). This is ful can only cooperate in the ex- but can still be classified as im-
Nevertheless, despite the radi- secularity, which traditionally what happens with the notion of b. Improper sense of lay empow- ercise of that power, meaning proper, since it still represents a
cal equality of all Christ’s faith- had even been called a the oft-quoted expression of lay erment in the code of canon that the principal subject who mere cooperation in the exercise
ful by virtue of baptism, not all contemptus mundi or fuga empowerment or empowerment law operates that power are the cler- of the power of jurisdiction
follow the same path (LG, 32). mundi, whose theological root of the laity. Improper means “not proper” ics, while the laymen may only which Canon Law really invests
Among them, there exists diverse and purpose was to give an or “not really pertaining to” or co-operate it. on sacred ministers.
ways of life, which demonstrates eschatological witness to the a. Loose sense of lay empower- “not corresponding to”. This is There are not a few instances We still need to arrive at a
a variety which enriches the world—i.e., to give a stark re- ment in daily usage the first sense of lay empower- of this cooperation of the lay deeper meaning of lay empow-
Church. All this—unity and di- minder to all men that this To my mind, this is the most ment that we can find in the Code faithful in the exercise of the erment—one which would really
versity—is a consequence of the world is not our permanent unfortunate sense of the expres- of Canon Law, referring to the power of jurisdiction provided reflect an intensification of the
action of the Holy Spirit, guiding home. sion lay empowerment, which usu- manifestations of the coopera- for by the Code of Canon Law. nature and role of the layman in
the Church in the way of all truth, 3) The Christian Layman (or Lay ally refers to those manifestations tion of the lay faithful with the For example, laymen can be ap- the Church community.

Current / B1
sional and working abroad seem more now. Thus, it is now common for some fairs of the state. Thus, this begins to cre- In fact, the young people believe that is Today, one can see the strong influence
pronounced. of the college teens to have found ate a dissonance: (1) A life of confine- one of the ways they could keep them- of media in the minds of the youth. Those
When asked how they see themselves fulfilment in reaching out and helping ment that puts a barrier for the young selves in check and is a way to avoid the who work in the vocation ministry can-
5 to 10 years from now, their top five society. There are those who would even people in their desire to enjoy their bad influences that may impede their not simply move ahead “fighting” with
answers are the following—famous, say, “Before, I would always ask myself youth and be able to take control of their future success. They also want to feel media. It could also be a source of bless-
moneyed, altruistic, a global citizen, why the government doesn’t do any- own future. It also (2) reinforces to them their world is not different from the ing when used properly. All modes of
with family. Thus, they begin to chart thing right? But when I joined Gawad their concept of a parent (“How can he be priests and the religious—that priests media appeal to young people. Thus, as a
their course. For them, preparing for Kalinga, I thought that instead of use- a father to me when I can’t even talk to him?”). and nuns know and understand their is- tool for vocation promotion, vocation
the future begin with the right course in less talk, I would rather do something This concept also makes them see that sues. promoters can maximize it in various
college. They choose courses that will productive.” “Before, I would like to go (3) nuns are subservient women who are If such is the case, how do we then ways—there are now priests who pro-
ensure their marketability (e.g. nursing, abroad since I don’t see anymore hope, quite removed from today’s ‘ideal’ respond to the challenges of the times duce CD’s of their songs and do concerts
technical and communication courses). but when I saw what I could be capable woman. Also, the youth realized that today in order to promote better the that have not only entertained the youth
They would continue to say that finan- of doing, I started to see things differ- they must live a lifetime service to oth- vocation to the priestly and religious but have led them to discover their own
cial success is their way of “repaying” ently.” ers, but believes that they can serve their life? The McCann Erickson research pro- calling in life. Vocation posters should
their parents for their sacrifice. Although This positive experience has resulted families even without becoming a priest poses the following: not be a drag anymore with those per-
they admit that money doesn’t buy hap- in a reversed misperception that an in- or a religious. (1) BE “APPROACHABLE,” NOT “UN- petual smiles pasted on the faces of the
piness, it serves as an enabler to achieve dividual can barely make a difference. It TOUCHABLE.” The first step needed religious. There have been dioceses like
a better quality of life. Thus, it would be also negates the belief that our society is Challenges is to “humanize” priests and nuns in Manila and Antipolo who employed ad-
common to hear the youth say: “You a hopeless case. There also comes about In all of these, there now comes about the eyes of the youth. The young vertising agencies to do “unconven-
need money so that you can buy every- a sense of empowerment. Overall, there a big challenge to those who are pro- people would like to take the journey tional” vocation posters over the years
thing that you want.” “Of course, when seems to be two clear portraits: (1) The moting specific vocations to the priest- together, but there are times when which has caught the attention of many
you start your own family, you would fun-seeking teen who wants the freedom hood and religious life. Being closer to they don’t know if the religious can young people. Also, there are religious
want what is best for them.” “How can to explore various interests; who is al- the youth makes a whole lot of differ- make it with them. congregations who have made use of tele-
you give to others when you yourself ways ready for a challenge; and the ence. But one must not see the young (2) “LEVEL WITH ME.” The young vision, radio and print advertisements to
have nothing at all?” highly impressionable youth, and (2) people in terms only of being possible people want to understand the appli- bring out the message of God’s call—in a
The take-charge teen that is strong- candidates to the priestly or religious cation and relevance of God’s word in way that attracts the youth.
www.cbcpworld.com | training@cbcpworld.net | +632 4041612, 4042182

Youth want real achievements willed; and says “The future is in my life. They must see them as persons and today’s context. They would like it With all these being done, are those
Achieving success is in their hands. hands.” For this young person, nothing possible friends. Those who are in close presented to them in an interesting in the vocation ministry to be seen as
They persevere in their studies and keep is impossible when the mind is set and contact with priests and nuns have a bet- and engaging manner. Talking to the publicity-hungry men and women. Are
themselves in check, as the study would does not want to feel confined to lim- ter appreciation of the religious life and teens in “their vernacular” would also they doing this just to be able to attract
say. Those interviewed voiced out these ited choices or possibilities. its influence on others. In fact, some of help address their misperceptions that more vocations to the priesthood and
comments: “Hindi muna dapat magpadala the youth interviewed have said, “I know priests/nuns are “different” and that religious life? For sure, it is not their
sa impluwensya ng barkada.” “Hindi muna Perceptions on “the Holy Life” that I would get a better advice from a priest. “they wouldn’t understand me.” intention. A reality needs to be brought
puwedeng ma-in-love.” “Iwasan muna ang The research asked how did those re- It’s a good thing he is quite approachable.” (3) “WALK THE TALK.” The youth of forth—one which is lost at times to those
puro bulakbol.” (I cannot allow myself to alities jibe with their perceptions of “the “They are with us in Gawad Kalinga. We today are a generation tired of lip ser- in the “holy life.” There is a need to
be influenced by my peers. I can’t fall in holy life”? Interestingly, the youth re- share the same difficulties and hardships.” vice. They want to see their parish make a difference in the lives of the young
love yet. I won’t allow myself to just gards the holy life very highly. They see “Sister is cool! She even knows the songs I priest making a tangible difference in people today. But priests and religious
gallivant and not do anything produc- priests and nuns as holy to the point of like.” “I never realized that they can go their daily lives. Only then can we have to do it by being one with them—
tive). They know their resources allow being unforgiving for any mistake com- out…even to the malls!” The vocation earn the credibility and respect of be- by making them feel that the “holy ones”
them only one chance to achieve their mitted. They acknowledge that not ev- minister must not come out as different ing a true friend and moral guide. are capable of journeying with them.
dream. But this doesn’t stop them from eryone has a “calling,” and that these from others or removed from the real- (4) PRIESTS AND NUNS ARE EQUAL. Only then do priests and religious of
having fun and finding fulfilment in people have committed themselves to a ity of other people’s lives. The youth There is a lingering perception that contemporary times stand a better
their present life. They know they can life of service. may have a lack of openness to consider nuns play second fiddle to priests. This chance of winning the youth to their side
still enjoy themselves for as long as they Two important factors influence this the religious vocation because of their makes their role seem of secondary and invite them into the “holy life.”
keep their balance—like hanging out perception of the holy life. These are the desire for family-building, or the lack importance as well. If we are to entice
with their peer groups, keeping up with lack of interface with priests and nuns of knowledge about the “holy life,” thus young girls into the religious voca- (Fr. Joel Francis S. Victorino is currently
the latest trends, exploring and master- which make them hold on to olden the seeming disinterest in entering the tion, perhaps a distinct and “equaliz- the Vocation Director of the Diocese of
ing new technology, and adoring their misperceptions; and the media mileage seminary or convent. ing” role can be prescribed for nuns. Antipolo and also the National Finance Of-
famous media idols here and abroad. on the Church’s stand on political issues But this does not mean that they are ficer of the Directors of Vocations in the Phil-
Others have started to make a difference is misconstrued as meddling in the af- closed to the idea of living life in faith. Being attuned and in line ippines)
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 7
March 31 - April 13, 2008 Diocese B3

The Diocese of
San Jose de Antique
By Fr. Fortunato M. Abiera
THE rich cultural heritage of the
Antiqueño dates back to the 13th century
during the Bornean migration to escape
persecution from a Raja of the Sri-
Visayan Empire; that led them to the
shores of Panay Island. Their settlement
started the transition of history from the
native “Atis” who once roamed the
place, in a friendly exchange of a golden
salakot and necklace for their land,
dubbed the “Barter of Panay”.
Profiled like a seahorse, Antique is an
oversized hemline on the western bor-
der of three-cornered scarf-like land
mass that is Panay. It lies between the
China Sea to the west and to the east tall
mountain ranges separate the province
from the rest of Panay.
The province has eighteen municipali-
ties. Fourteen are along the coast. Three
are inland. One of them is an island with
six islets. Stealing the limelight from the
major concerns of Antique leadership are
its handicrafts, fascinating and exquis-
itely crafted bamboo, rattan, buri and
other forest vines and palms.
The most valuable resource is the
people, hardworking, honest, blessed
with the purity of nature and the pris-
tine simplicity of the countryside.
Vision
A truly Antiqueño Christian commu-
nity, where a living faith in Christ, cel-
ebrated in Word and Sacraments and
witnessed to by all, in service especially
to the poor, builds the Kingdom of God,
a Kingdom of reconciliation and justice,
of love and of peace.
Mission
To work towards such Vision by an
intensified evangelization in all levels:
a) prayer and spirituality; b) formation
of social conscience; c) promotion of
peace and order; d) creation of projects
for development; e) education for po-
litical maturity; f) care for the ecology;
and g) active participation of the laity
Diocesan Thrusts
The diocese has five major thrusts:
Basic Ecclesial Communities, Vocation,
Family Life, Youth and Stewardship.
Through its Basic Ecclesial Communi-
ties, the diocese strives to form basic
communities where persons a) belong
and are responsible for one another
(Church as communion); b) share the
Word of God and the Tradition of the
Church (Prophetic Community); c)
gather around the Eucharist and vi-
brantly celebrate life in the liturgy
(Priestly community); d) act justly and
live peacefully and work for the integ-
rity of creation, and; e) emerge as lead-
ers among the poor and empower the
poor (Church of the Poor).
Through its pastoral work on voca-
tions, the diocese encourages and devel-
ops vocations in the family especially
among the youth to both the ordained
and lay ministry. The family life
apostolate has its focus on establishing
a caring and loving support for the fam-
ily where vocations emerge. The Youth
apostolate affirms and supports the va-
riety of youth programs which encour-
age and develop interest and generosity
towards the ordained and lay ministry.
On the aspect of Stewardship, the focus
is to return to God with love and gener-
osity the first fruits of our time, talent
and treasure for support of the ministry
of the Church.
Towards Becoming a Community of
Small Communities
Building Basic Ecclesial Communities
(BEC) has been with the Diocese since
its creation. It has its beginnings in the
formation of leaders for what was then
called Christian Community Builders
(CCB). In Dao parish it originated from
a neighborhood grouping, especially
among families, known as COLENS.
Another concrete expression of the
Diocese’s efforts to build small Chris-
tian communities was the lay leaders’
formation to become “pastoral assis-
tants.” All these efforts led to a hand-
book called “Growing-up Towards a
Community” intended for building
small Christian community lead-
ers.
Since then, the Diocese engages
herself in building people through
the building of BECs. Much time,
effort and resources had been in-
vested but yielded to minimal re-
sults and impact.
In 2002, the Diocesan Pastoral As-
sembly evaluated and reaffirmed
the Diocese’s commitment to build
BECs, with a strong recommenda-
tion of building core communities
to live and experience COMMU-
NITY, thus enhancing its inception
into the mainstream of the com-
munity, the parish, and the Dio-
cese.
Hence, the Diocesan BEC/KK
Core Community was born which
was replicated in the parishes and
aptly dubbed as Parish BEC/KK
Core Communities (PBCC).
These groups regularly came for
training and formation on becom-
ing and building Christian commu-
nities. It was hoped that from these
PBCCs, leaders from the grassroots
with “experience” of being commu-
nity will emerge. Therefore, the need
to form, train and sustain in these
potential leaders to become BEC fa-
cilitators in the parishes.
From the initial PBCCs, the Par-
ish Pastoral Councils with their Par-
ish Priests chose 3 to 5 of their mem-
bers to be formed and trained to
become members of the Parish BEC/
KK Formation Teams (PBFT). These
teams have been regularly coming
for their monthly training and for-
mation.
With the wholehearted support
and active participation of the
Bishop, Clergy, Religious, and LA-
ITY, the day will soon come when
the whole Diocese becomes a true
community made up of small com-
munities, gathering around the
Word of God and celebrating life in
its fullness.

The Diocese in retrospect:

1581-2005
1581 Christianity set foot in the Province of Antique, particularly in Hamtik.
1865 Jaro was established as an ecclesiastical province which in-
cluded the whole of Panay Island.
The St. Joseph Missionary Society, better known as the Mill Hill Fathers
arrived in Panay Island; many of them started their missionary work
in Antique.
The Province of Antique was made Prelature Nullius and later became
Prelature but functioned as a Diocese under the Most Rev. Cornelio
De Wit, MHM, DD as its first Bishop-Prelate.
In its early years, the local Church was guided by the philosophy and
theology of liberation, with these strategies: pastoral care, educa-
tion/catechesis, liturgy, and socio-economic programs.
True to its mission and dream, the first decade of the Prelature was
marked by the building of small Christian Communities
(Kristohanong Katilingban), setting up of the Seminary for the forma-
tion of its future priests, establishing schools for Christian educa-
tion, organizing people for cooperatives both for fisherfolks, farmers
and small entrepreneurs as well as migrant sugar workers dubbed
as the sacadas, bringing health facilities to the barrios through the
socio-medical program.
The Missionary Sisters of the Lord’s Table, popularly known as the
Mensa Domini was founded by Bishop De Wit, MHM, DD for young
women who desire to consecrate their lives to God.
The Catechetical Institute was established for the training of catechists
and lay leaders.
1972 To bring the Word of God and the pastoral, catechetical and socio-
economic programs of the Prelature closer and accessible to people,
especially in the islands and far-flung barrios, Radyo Kauswagan
Antique or radio station DYKA was put up.
The Diocese was tried and tested in its “liberational approach” in work-
ing with people when Martial Law was declared. The declaration
somehow effectively paralyzed such kind of approach but has chal-
lenged and led the Diocese to be “creative” in implementing its mis-
sion and programs. Liturgy and catechesis took center stage while
socio-economic programs slowed down.
1980 The Tuburan Sang Kabuhi, the diocesan formation center; was
inaugurated with the purpose of training lay leaders and formation of
the youth.
1982 The Prelature of San Jose de Antique was elevated into a Dio-
cese—a new age has come! A Filipino diocesan priest was appointed
as Bishop of the Diocese of San Jose de Antique – the Most Rever-
end Raul Quimpo Martirez, DD. Soon after, he announced the First
Diocesan Synod to convene in 1987. The years that followed were
IMPORTANT dedicated to preparing for the Synod.
1987 The First Diocesan Synod was convened in December 1987,
FACTS followed by the implementation phase in the succeeding years: dis-
semination of synodal decrees and policies, and corresponding
structural changes.
Bishop ……………...…………..... 1 1991 The Second Plenary Council of the Philippines was held and the
Priests: Diocesan Synodal Decrees were aligned with its Proposals and
Decrees.
Diocesan …………................ 34 1994 A new “springtime” for the Diocese through RENEW International
Religious ……………………. 10 as a “spiritual renewal and evangelization. It aims for renewal,
Deacons ……………………… 3 namely in worship, catechesis and social apostolate. RENEW be-
Religious: came the implementation “program” for the Diocese and a fitting
Brothers ……………………... 9 preparation for the great JUBILEE 2000.
Sisters ……………....……… 48 2001 Another milestone in the Diocese: The Most Reverend Romulo
Seminarians: Tolentino De La Cruz, DD was installed as Coadjutor Bishop of
Theology …………………….. 14 San Jose de Antique.
Philosophy ………...………… 46 2002 Bishop De La Cruz was canonically installed as the Third Local
Pre-Diaconate …………...…… 1 Ordinary of the Diocese. He called for the preparation and celebra-
Parishes …………………..…. 24 tion of the Ruby Jubilee of the Diocese and convened a Pastoral
Chaplaincy ………………....…. 1 Assembly to chart the Thrusts for the next five years.
Educational Institutions: 2005 The Mid-program evaluation of the Five-Year Thrusts of the Dio-
Kindergarten ……...………….. 11 cese through the Diocesan Pastoral Assembly. Bishop De La Cruz
Elementary ………………..…. 2 built a haven for the Antiqueño youth which is now called
Secondary ……………..……. 11 John Paul II Youth Center.
Higher Schools ……....……... 2
ON BACKGROUND: St. Joseph The following two years are “history-in-process.”
Cathedral. LEFT: Bishop Romulo
T. De La Cruz, DD
 CBCP Monitor
B4 Commissions Vol. 12 No. 7
March 31 - April 13, 2008

Fr. Luis Supan

Question Box
On the common good
of society
What does “common good” mean?
Common good is “the sum total of social conditions which
allow people, either as groups or as individuals, to reach their
fulfillment more fully and more easily (…) The common good
is always oriented towards the progress of persons. The order
of things must be subordinate to the order of persons, and not
the other way around (Gaudium et spes, 26 ). This order is
founded on truth, built up on justice, and animated by love”
(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1906, 1912).

Youth ministry to hold

What are the elements of the common good?
“First, the common good presupposes respect for the person
as such. Public authorities are bound to respect the fundamen-
tal and inalienable rights of the human person. Society should
permit each of its members to fulfill his vocation. In particu-

nat’l confab this May

lar, the common good resides in the conditions for the exer-
cise of the natural freedoms indispensable for the develop-
ment of the human vocation, such as ‘the right to act accord-
ing to a sound norm of conscience and to safeguard … pri-
vacy, and rightful freedom also in matters of religion’ (GS,
26).
Second, the common good requires the social well-being and
development of the group itself. Development is the epitome of
all social duties. Authority should make accessible to each THE CBCP Episcopal Commission on Youth (ECY) has announced youth ministry.”
what is needed to lead a truly human life: food, clothing, that it will gather Catholic youth ministers from around the country “In this year, acknowledged as the ‘Year of the Word of God,’
health, work, education and culture, and so on. for the National Conference for Youth Ministers (NCYM) 2008 from youth ministers in the Philippine Catholic Church are called on to
Third, the common good requires peace, that is, the stability May 5 to 9. reflect on their identity as witnesses to the Word of God as they draw
and security of a just order. Authority should ensure by mor- Themed “Youth Ministers: Drawing and Sharing Life in God’s Word, life from it and share it with others, especially the young,” the com-
ally acceptable means the security of society and its members. Witnessing to the World,” the five-day confab will be held at the Colegio mission said in its statement.
It is the basis of the right to legitimate personal and collective de San Jose in Jaro, Iloilo, where foster families will accommodate the Expected to attend are representatives of the 86 Diocesan Youth
defence” (Cf. CCC, 1907 – 1909). participants in their houses during their stay for the assembly. Councils and 29 member-organizations of the Federation of National
According to the ECY, the conference aims at helping the youth Youth Organizations (FNYO) since a meeting of the National Youth
How could a citizen participate in promoting the common ministers to “respond” personally and as part of the youth ministry Coordinating Council will follow the NCYM. The meeting will last
good? team “to the inspirations and challenges of the Word of God in the from the afternoon of May 10 to 11. (Kris Bayos)
Participation is achieved first of all by taking charge of the

CBCP Office to hold seminar on Restorative Justice

areas for which one assumes personal responsibility: by the
care taken for the education of his family, by conscientious
work, and so forth. As far as possible, citizens should take an
active part in public life. (Cf. CCC, 1914-1915).

How could people in authority encourage participation in the

achievement of the common good?
“It is incumbent on those who exercise authority to
strengthen the values that inspire the confidence of the mem-
bers of the group and encourage them to put themselves at
the service of others. Participation begins with education and
culture (…) As with any ethical obligation, the participation
of all in realizing the common good calls for continually re-
newed conversion of the social partners. Fraud and other sub-
terfuges, by which some people evade the constraints of the
law and the prescriptions of societal obligations, must be
firmly condemned because they are incompatible with the
requirements of justice” (Cf. CCC, 1916-1917).
THE CBCP’s Episcopal Commission for
Prison Pastoral Care (ECPPC) will hold a
Restorative Justice and Prison Ministry ori-
entation seminar in the Archdiocese of
Tuguegarao on Saturday, March 29, 2008, the
first for the year.
Michael Bartolome, head of ECPPC’s pro-
grams department said the one-day seminar
is in cooperation with the Volunteers in
Prison Service (VIPS) and will benefit 60 jail
and prison volunteers from the archdiocese
of Tuguegarao and the Diocese of Ilagan and
the Apostolic Vicariate of Tabuk.
Bartolome added that similar seminars
have been held in the Archdiocese of San
Fernando, Pampanga and the Dioceses of
Bacolod, San Pablo, Baguio, Butuan and
Lucena.
“Various groups have been established to
attend to the prisoners’ welfare through
church-based groups and non-government
organizations now registered with the Secu-
rities and Exchange Commission,” Bartolome
explained. He said the VIPS have provided
outstanding assistance to prisoners through
paralegal assistance among other services.
VIPS National Coordinator Gerard Ian V.
Bernabe said the seminar hopes to deepen
the awareness and commitment of their mis-
sion partners for “a form of justice that heals.”
Sister Letty Doctolero, Archdiocesean VIPS
coordinator for Tuguegarao will provide a
situation on the jails and prison conditions.
Bernabe will talk on the Restorative Justice
paradigm and how it could be applied to the
existing pillars of the criminal justice system.
He will also orient the participants on the
Basic Paralegal Assistance to inmates to fur-
ther help government and detention prison-
ers in jail decongestion and speedy resolu-
tion of pending cases in various courts. (Melo
M. Acuña)

Bishop Marlo M. Peralta, DD enough from God to realize PCP II’s

vision of greater participation by the
the catechists involved in this minis-
try. We have realized that we have a

How does the diocese implement its
social concern programs to help al-
leviate the situation of the poor in
your area?
As it is true in most dioceses in
the Philippines, the Diocese of
Alaminos implements her social
concern programs through the So-
cial Action Commission (SAC) in
the diocese. The implementation is
carried out from the diocesan to the
parish level and down to the BEC’s
and families. Hand in hand with our
partners like the Diocese of
Limburg, the parishes of St.
Mauritius, St. Johannes and
Schmitten in Germany as well as the
different socially-oriented organi-
zations and agencies, the Diocese is
able to reach out to people especially
the least and the poor in our midst.
The programs of the SAC vary from
Medical to Food and Nutrition As-
sistance, Scholarship Assistance to
poor and deserving students, Live-
lihood Projects in some pilot
barangays and BEC’s, Community-
Managed Health Program, Sustain-
able Agriculture, and Reforestation
Project in some selected areas, Rice
Loan Project in some parishes and
BEC’s, a parish-based ministry for
OFW’s, advocacy and mobilization
efforts for the environment,
children’s welfare and develop-
ment, good governance and respon-
sible citizenship, to name some of
them. There were also concrete ef-
forts by the SAC to help victims of
calamities. In the recent past, the
SAC had been actively coordinat-
ing efforts in housing projects for
families in a few flooded areas af-
fected by typhoons. I am very
thankful to all the people, both lay
and clergy, who have generously
7
A native of Pangasinan, Most Rev. Marlo M. Peralta was or-
dained Coadjutor Bishop of Alaminos on March 31, 2006. He was
installed as bishop of Alaminos on July 1, 2007 succeeding Bishop
Jesus Cabrera. In this issue of CBCP Monitor, Bishop Peralta
talks about the diocese’s effort to help alleviate the situation of the
poor through social concern programs; the ongoing local consul-
tations in view of the 2nd National Rural Congress; the role of the
BEC’s and the Laity in the life of the Church; the diocesan
QUESTIONS Catechetical apostolate; and the continuing formation program
of the clergy.
worked and committed themselves in recognize. I believe, in the area of grow-
building and implementing the pro- ing as a community of Christ’s disciples
grams of the Social Action Commission and bearers of his peace, we still have a
for the last twenty two years. Their tire- long way to go. But I am also consoled
less dedication to love Jesus in the poor by this because after all, as one bishop
had surely been the driving force that has said, becoming a community is an
kept the programs running. event we constantly try to keep alive and
real in our midst. And so, some BEC’s
How are the local level consultations on may be active now, but they also face
the 2nd National Rural Congress going the possibility of slumbering later.
on in the diocese? Some BEC’s may be slumbering and even
Listening to the reports during our dying now, but they’re going to rise
recent clergy meeting and recollection, again. I am optimistic that what God has
we are almost finished with the consul- begun in our journey as a diocese and
tations in the barangay and parish level. even as a BEC to grow as a community,
Almost all of the parishes have already He will nourish, sustain and put into
submitted their written reports to be completion in His own time.
collated in the diocesan level. We have
scheduled the Diocesan Rural Congress How does the laity’s greater participa-
on March 29, 2008 with selected repre- tion in the life of the Church as envi-
sentatives from each parish. sioned by PCP II being realized in your
diocese?
How active are the basic ecclesial com- Lay empowerment had been a recur-
munities in the diocese? ring theme in the past three Diocesan
Building BEC’s and strengthening the Pastoral Assemblies (DPA). In fact, it
communion within and among them was the pastoral and theological focus
had always been an integral part of the of the DPA II. Lay empowerment is one
mission and vision of this diocese from of the realities the diocese is slowly re-
the very beginning. The three Pastoral alizing. Many Catholic Schools are ef-
Assemblies celebrated in the diocese fectively handled by lay people.
during the time of my predecessor, Church-initiated cooperatives are
Bishop Jesus A. Cabrera, have all af- handled by the lay too. I believe one of
firmed that indeed the BEC’s are the con- the best expressions of lay participation
crete expression of our vision to become realized by the diocese is the establish-
a community of Christ’s disciples and ment of the Parish Pastoral Council and
the vehicle for greater lay participation the Parish Finance Council in all par-
and empowerment. In general, parishes ishes. In addition to that is the Council
vary as to the stages in the formation of the Laity that regularly meets every
and growth of BEC’s. Many parishes month in the diocesan level. These in-
have already made significant progress stitutions play a vital role in collabo-
in building up BEC cells in the barangay. rating with the bishop and the clergy
But how well they are becoming a com- the pastoral direction of all the parishes
munity in the evangelical sense and as and consequently the diocese as a
articulated in our Pastoral Assemblies whole. Considering these three alone
is yet another story. Nevertheless, such and how well they are in place and func-
intangible reality is not hard to feel and tioning in the parishes had been grace
lay people.
Up to what degree do you think the laity’s
participation should be especially in
terms of decision making in the local
Church?
Important decisions concerning the
life and mission of the diocese are es-
sentially made in consultation with the
clergy and the lay people. Every month,
I sit down with the Board of Consultors
and the Council of the Lay to discuss
some aspects in the life of our local
Church. These two fundamentally serve
as a consultative body. In effect, they
have some certain participation in ev-
ery decisions arrived at. But ultimately,
the final decision in all pastoral and ad-
ministrative matters in the diocese lies
in the hand of the bishop of the diocese.
Thus, the degree of involvement of the
laity (and canonically even the clergy)
in the decision making within the local
Church in the diocese is fundamentally
consultative in nature. This does not in
any way diminish the role of the laity in
the local Church but essentially puts it
in its proper context. A constant balance
between ecclesiastical authority and lay
participation must constantly be
achieved. Lay participation should al-
ways be taken within the context of the
Church structure in the same way that
the Church structure should be con-
stantly resilient to the contribution of
the laity. Participation becomes mean-
ingful when it listens to God-given au-
thority in the same way that authority
fulfills and achieves its greater purpose
when it is tempered by humility.
How active is the catechetical apostolate
in the diocese?
All parishes here basically have their
own catechists numbering to 509 last
year. A few parishes send prospective
catechists to St. Benedict Institute in
Vigan City, a school for catechists and
religion teachers, to be trained and be-
come pastoral workers later on. Al-
though I believe things are going on
smoothly with our catechetical
apostolate, I also get that strong feeling
that soon we need to take a closer look
at the situation of our catechists in the
diocese. Since catechesis is vital in every
aspect of the Church’s apostolate, we
recognize in our diocese the great need
to strengthen the catechetical program
as well as to deepen the commitment of
good catechetical program in the dio-
cese and numerous catechists who
have committed themselves to many
years of service in this apostolate.
However, we also saw that much is
yet to be done in providing the basic
necessities needed for the catechists
to carry out effectively their minis-
try. Transportation, teaching materi-
als, and food allowance seem to be
minute details and yet in the context
of our local Church here in Alaminos,
such things count a lot for our cat-
echists to remain fervent bearers of
the Good News. It is good to note that
most of our catechists come from very
simple families of farmers, fishermen
and laborers. In this regard, the dioc-
esan thrust to empower the poor is
slowly being realized. It is essential
for catechists to also find some ful-
fillment and enjoyment in order to
find meaning in their ministry with
the hope that, by having all the means
for their catechetical apostolate, they
become, in the words of Paul VI,
“ministers of the Gospel whose lives
glow with fervor!”
Do you have a continuing formation
program for the clergy?
There are scattered efforts both for
individual priests and for the clergy
in general which may not fall under
the category of “ongoing formation”
but which are nonetheless “forma-
tive.” We have two priests undergo-
ing further studies in Rome right
now. Priests are also encouraged to
attend formation and skills training
seminars called for regionally or by
the different Episcopal Commissions
in the Philippines. We have our an-
nual retreat and annual Rest and Rec-
reation. We also meet regularly for
our clergy meeting and recollection.
Notwithstanding these beautiful ac-
tivities however is our need to de-
vise a clear ongoing formation pro-
gram for ourselves. At the moment,
a continuing formation program is
yet to be defined for our clergy in the
diocese. We meet and gather as a
clergy regularly but our agenda had
been largely pastoral in nature and
hardly developmental on our part. I
hope that soon we can, as a clergy,
take another serious look at the ad
intra part without neglecting the ad
extra aspect of our ministry.
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 7
March 31 - April 13, 2008 Statements B5
Message of His Holiness Pope Indigenous Communities and the Church:

Benedict XVI for the 45th World ‘Promoting solidarity

Day of Prayer for Vocations
13 April 2008 - Fourth Sunday of Easter
DEAR brothers and sisters,
1. For the World Day of Prayer for Vo-
cations, to be celebrated on 13 April 2008,
I have chosen the theme: Vocations at
the service of the Church on mission.
The Risen Jesus gave to the Apostles this
command: “Go therefore and make dis-
ciples of all nations, baptizing them in
the name of the Father and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit” (Mt 28:19), assur-
ing them: “I am with you always, to the
close of the age” (Mt 28: 20). The Church
is missionary in herself and in each one
of her members. Through the sacraments
of Baptism and Confirmation, every
Christian is called to bear witness and
to announce the Gospel, but this mis-
sionary dimension is associated in a spe-
cial and intimate way with the priestly
vocation. In the covenant with Israel,
God entrusted to certain men, called by
him and sent to the people in his name,
a mission as prophets and priests. He
did so, for example, with Moses:
“Come,—God told him—I will send you
to Pharaoh, that you may bring forth my
people … out of Egypt … when you have
brought forth the people out of Egypt,
you will serve God upon this mountain”
(Ex 3: 10 and 12). The same happened
with the prophets.
2. The promises made to our fathers
were fulfilled entirely in Jesus Christ. In
this regard, the Second Vatican Council
says: “The Son, therefore, came, sent by
the Father. It was in him, before the foun-
dation of the world, that the Father
chose us and predestined us to become
adopted sons … To carry out the will of
the Father, Christ inaugurated the king-
dom of heaven on earth and revealed to
us the mystery of that kingdom. By his
obedience he brought about redemp-
tion” (Dogmatic Constitution Lumen
Gentium, 3). And Jesus already in his
public life, while preaching in Galilee,
chose some disciples to be his close col-
laborators in the messianic ministry. For
example, on the occasion of the multi-
plication of the loaves, he said to the
Apostles: “You give them something to
eat” (Mt 14: 16), encouraging them to
assume the needs of the crowds to whom
he wished to offer nourishment, but also
to reveal the food “which endures to
eternal life” (Jn 6: 27). He was moved to
compassion for the people, because
while visiting cities and villages, he
found the crowds weary and helpless,
like sheep without a shepherd (cf. Mt 9:
36). From this gaze of love came the in-
vitation to his disciples: “Pray therefore
the Lord of the harvest to send out la-
borers into his harvest” (Mt 9: 38), and
he sent the Twelve initially “to the lost
sheep of the house of Israel” with pre-
cise instructions. If we pause to medi-
tate on this passage of Matthew’s Gos-
pel, commonly called the “missionary
discourse”, we may take note of those
aspects which distinguish the mission-
ary activity of a Christian community,
eager to remain faithful to the example
and teaching of Jesus. To respond to the
Lord’s call means facing in prudence and
simplicity every danger and even per-
secutions, since “a disciple is not above
his teacher, nor a servant above his mas-
ter” (Mt 10: 24). Having become one with
their Master, the disciples are no longer
alone as they announce the Kingdom of
heaven; Jesus himself is acting in them:
“He who receives you receives me, and
he who receives me receives him who
sent me” (Mt 10: 40). Furthermore, as true
witnesses, “clothed with power from on
high” (Lk 24: 49), they preach “repen-
tance and the forgiveness of sins” (Lk
24: 47) to all peoples.
3. Precisely because they have been
sent by the Lord, the Twelve are called
“Apostles”, destined to walk the roads
of the world announcing the Gospel as
witnesses to the death and resurrection
of Christ. Saint Paul, writing to the Chris-
tians of Corinth, says: “We—the
Apostles—preach Christ crucified” (1
Cor 1: 23). The Book of the Acts of the
Apostles also assigns a very important
role in this task of evangelization to other
disciples whose missionary vocation
arises from providential, sometimes
painful, circumstances such as expulsion
from their own lands for being follow-
ers of Jesus (cf. 8, 1-4). The Holy Spirit
transforms this trial into an occasion of
grace, using it so that the name of the
Lord can be preached to other peoples,
stretching in this way the horizons of
the Christian community. These are men
and women who, as Luke writes in the
Acts of the Apostles, “have risked their
lives for the sake of our Lord Jesus
Christ” (15: 26). First among them is
undoubtedly Paul of Tarsus, called by
the Lord himself, hence a true Apostle.
The story of Paul, the greatest mission-
ary of all times, brings out in many ways
the link between vocation and mission.
Accused by his opponents of not being
authorized for the apostolate, he makes
repeated appeals precisely to the call
which he received directly from the Lord
(cf. Rom 1: 1; Gal 1: 11-12 and 15-17).
4. In the beginning, and thereafter,
what “impels” the Apostles (cf. 2 Cor 5:
14) is always “the love of Christ”. Innu-
merable missionaries, throughout the
centuries, as faithful servants of the
Church, docile to the action of the Holy
Spirit, have followed in the footsteps of
the first disciples. The Second Vatican
Council notes: “Although every disciple
of Christ, as far in him lies, has the duty
of spreading the faith, Christ the Lord
always calls whomever he will from
among the number of his disciples, to
be with him and to be sent by him to
preach to the nations [cf. Mk 3: 13-15]”
(Decree Ad Gentes, 23). In fact, the love
of Christ must be communicated to the
brothers by example and words, with
all one’s life. My venerable predecessor
John Paul II wrote: “The special voca-
tion of missionaries ‘for life’ retains all
its validity: it is the model of the
Church’s missionary commitment,
which always stands in need of radical
and total self-giving, of new and bold
Pope / B7
against the mining issue’
Statement of the Episcopal Commission on Indigenous
Peoples (ECIP)
MINING in the Philippine experience not only destroys the environment but
has become the vehicle for the violation of human rights, ethnocide of IP
communities, and even deaths.
It has been a decade since the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philip-
pines (CBCP) first released a statement of concern regarding mining in the
Philippines, and yet through these years, the Philippine government has
been unwavering in implementing ‘development aggression’. The unceas-
ing invitation for foreigners and local governments to enter into or accept
mining ventures is contradictory to the Constitution which explicitly states
that the environment and human rights should be nurtured in communities,
especially in that of indigenous peoples.
Statements from various dioceses and Indigenous Peoples Apostolates (IPA)
in the country strongly oppose the ongoing mining program of the govern-
ment. In the Mindanao dioceses like Dipolog, Ipil, Ozamis, Pagadian, Iligan
and Marawi (DIOPIM), calls have been consistently raised to halt the opera-
tions of Toronto Ventures Incorporated (TVI) which have been documented
to displace indigenous communities and are destructive of large tracts of
land, flora and fauna in Zamboanga del Norte and nearby provinces. Mining
activities of TVI also encroach on the sacred grounds of the Subanen, a blatant
violation of their rights, culture and jurisdiction over their ancestral domain
since they have a Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) which was
given by no other than President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo herself. To date,
numerous mining applications are also threatening various localities in these
dioceses.
In a joint resolution of indigenous communities in SOCCSKSARGENDS
(South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Saranggani, Gen. Santos, Davao
del Sur), the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) has been
accused of being the instrument for foreign firms to lay claim on large tracts
of land by giving these firms certifications stating that IP communities have
given their “free, prior, and informed consent” (FPIC) even if they have not. The
resolution also states that in the process of implementing RA 7942 or the
Philippine Mining Act of 1995, many victims have violent experiences with
the military, CAFGU, SCAA or other paramilitary groups so that IP commu-
nities will be harassed, divided and forced to leave their ancestral domains,
as seen in their experience with Sagittarius Mines, Inc. in Tampakan, South
Cotabato and nearby areas. In the statement of the clergy, religious and
faithful of the Vicariate of Puerto Princesa in Palawan province where RA
7611 or the Strategic Environmental Plan (SEP) for Palawan Act is being
implemented to ensure the care, maintenance and development of the unique
environment and natural resources of the province, it has been noted that
exception after exception has been forwarded by many municipalities in the
“Environmentally Critical Areas Network (ECAN) Zones” to favor mining appli-
cations. This is a blatant violation of laws that ensure the welfare and rights
of affected communities.
The Mangyan Mission in the Vicariate of Calapan also strongly opposes
the manipulation being done by INTEX Mining Co (CREW Minerals Inc.) in
Mangyan communities. For mining operations to be accepted in Oriental
Mindoro, INTEX has been documented to divide communities, co-opting
one group to agree with mining activities. This not only destroys the envi-
ronment but also destroys the culture and unity of these communities. All
ten areas covered by mining applications or ongoing mining activities are in
the ancestral domains of the Mangyans.
Similar experiences have been reported by other dioceses like the Dioceses
of Ilagan, Bayombong, Sorsogon, and Romblon.
Given these experiences, the ECIP and Indigenous Peoples Apostolates
(IPAs) and their partner indigenous peoples communities in the country are
calling for the following:
· the cancellation of all types of mining applications and the revocation of
approved mining agreements;
· the stoppage of all mining operations especially those in ancestral domains;
· recognition and respect of the right of IP communities to their ancestral
domains whether or not they have CADTs;
· for the FPIC process not to be rendered powerless but to encourage more
participation of IP communities in the FPIC process;
· the strengthening of authentic IP organizations, respect for their systems of
governance and adherence to their culture; and
· forwarding of the nation’s genuine progress that is founded on sustainable
development.
We are also calling on all sectors of society to actively participate in mak-
ing the government understand the plight of our co-Filipinos so that the
bounty of our Creator will be enjoyed by future generations.
In the name of ECIP-IPA,
+SERGIO L. UTLEG, D.D.
Bishop of Laoag
ECIP Chairperson
March 12, 2008

BEC: dialogue, participation and

Bishop Francisco Claver (center) with BEC leaders during the rural congress
held in the Prelature of Libmanan, March 26, 2008.
By Most Rev. Francisco
F. Claver, SJ, DD
THE Basic Ecclesial Community,
we call it GKK or Gagmayng
Katilingban Kristohanon in
Cebuano, started in Mindanao in
the 1970’s, so the first BEC began
there during the time of Martial
Law. We were forced to go into it
because the Federation of Free
Farmers which was starting
strong in the barrios became a
creature of Martial Law. When
that happened, members of the
Federation of Free Farmers, with
their strong social orientation,
went back to the barrios and be-
came the nucleus, the beginnings
of the BECs in Mindanao. So it’s
good to remind ourselves of that.
Also, the first Rural Congress was
held in Cagayan de Oro.
But why in Mindanao? Because
Mindanao, at that time and up to
now was, and is, the most ne-
glected portion of the country.
And that is why I think BECs
started well there, because what
we did was to go to the barrios,
to go to the people, and say, “you
are the important ones”.
In January this year, the bish-
ops put out a pastoral letter on
the national situation, and they
said, “Let’s not just blame the
government for all the ills that
we have. Let’s take a look at our-
selves.” This reminded me of
something that happened in
Bontoc during my last year there.
We have these small Christian
communities, like yours, and one
time we had a general assembly
of the whole Vicariate where the
co-responsibility
parishes reported what they were
doing. There was a group of
women who came up and they
started to sing and dance in the
Igorot way. And this is what they
said “We are the corruption
monitoring group in our
barangay, la la la…” “We look at
the projects that are started by
our barangay captain, and we see
that they are substandard, la la
la…” So they danced and sang,
and went on to say, “But when
they are our relatives who do
these things, we look the other
way…”
When I heard that, I said, that’s
exactly what is wrong with us!
We talk about corruption by oth-
ers, but when our relatives, or we,
do corrupt things, we turn the
other way. That is the reason why
the bishops in their last letter in
January said, “Don’t just look at
the people who are doing all the
corruption, look into yourselves,
because what we have found out
is, if this problem continues, it is
because we turn our eyes away.”
We are apathetic. We do not
complain. We accept corruption
as standard operational proce-
dure. So that’s when we realize
that you can have all these politi-
cians being corrupt, but if the or-
dinary people, that’s us, do noth-
ing about them, corruption will
continue. So there’s not much
sense in calling for all these offi-
cials to resign. Who will take
their place? In other words, what
the bishops were saying was,
what we need is a moral reform
of the entire country. And so let’s
start where the people are—in
the barrios. That’s why we are
coming to you.
Now you take a look at the
Rural Congress. The second Ru-
ral Congress will take place this
year. It will come out with sug-
gestions from the people just like
what you did here. Those will go
to the national congress. Now the
important thing is, who is going
to act on those suggestions?
Whatever they come up with,
those plans, those decisions will
come down to you. And it’s the
people in the barrios that are go-
ing to do the action. This is why
in the Rural Congress you will
notice that the delegates will
make very much of the BECs,
because they know that the only
ones who are going to implement
whatever the Rural Congress
comes out with are the people in
the barrios—you. You are going
to be the implementers. And
therefore, you better understand
what you are doing.
Just listening to your presen-
tation a while ago, I see that no-
body needs to tell you what is
wrong. You know it. The only
problem is how to get together.
When we started in Mindanao,
there were only three ideas that
were very, very strong in all the
dioceses in Mindanao. Those
were dialogue, participation, and
co-responsibility. What does dia-
logue mean? Let’s talk to one an-
other, listen to one another. I see
that you are already doing that.
Participation—the one who is
going to decide the action is not
the priest, or for that matter, the
leaders. It’s the people. Priests and
leaders have to listen to the
people, to talk to them. And the
people have to listen to them
also, but in the final decision, the
decision should be by participa-
tion—they have to participate.
And finally, co-responsibility—
the responsibility is with you. It’s
not with the priest. It’s not with
the bishop. It’s not with the gov-
ernment. Although of course,
they have their own responsibil-
ity as well. But the real responsi-
bility is with you.
Take a look at those three: Dia-
logue—are we listening to one
another? Are we talking to one
another? Or, are your leaders just
giving speeches, there’s no feed-
back? So dialogue is very impor-
tant. Secondly, participation—
you are not just going to be idle,
listening to what your leaders are
saying. You have to correct them
if they are wrong. And you have
to help in the decision making.
And then finally, co-responsibil-
ity—you know what we are talk-
ing about here? It is something
you often hear about—PEOPLE
POWER. That’s where real people
power is.
Now, I’d like to mention some-
thing here when we talk about
dialogue. You listen to one an-
other, but there is also one per-
son to whom you have to listen.
BEC/ B7
 CBCP Monitor
B6 Reflections Vol. 12 No. 7
March 31 - April 13, 2008

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Joy rooted in
the cross
THIS is the joy associated with Easter. The very canon and source of joy, it’s
an organic fruit of Christ’s cross. And it can only be achieved through it. In
short, if not rooted in the cross, you can be sure it’s not real joy.
To understand this joy, we have to go theological. We surely would miss
it if we just depend on the biological, psychological, physical, social or eco-
nomic approaches to it.
Sad to say, these attitudes are common nowadays—of course, in constantly
morphing ways. The latest it would seem is to have some makeover. We’ve
been through the wellness fad, accessorizing, health tonics, reality shows,
etc., all with their intense but fleeting feelings of high.
The late Pope Paul VI described this unfortunate phenomenon once: “Tech-
nological society has succeeded in multiplying the occasions of pleasure, but
finds great difficulty in giving birth to happiness.
“For happiness has its origin elsewhere. It is a spiritual thing. Money,
comfort, hygiene, material security, etc., may often not be lacking but never-
theless, despite these advantages, boredom, suffering and sadness are fre-
quently to be found supervening in the lives of many people.”
And to add some more, it’s not only boredom, suffering and sadness that
come, but also all forms of destructive obsessions and sweet poisons can
become unavoidable.
Many things now lend credence to this observation. Just look at all the
scandals sprouting not only in the entertainment world, but also in the
world of politics. Even in some religious circles, these scandals can erupt Illustration by Blasimer Usi
precisely because the idea of joy is wrongly understood and developed.

Were not our hearts...

Going theological means going beyond the purely human factors that can
produce some elements of joy. It means relying more on our Christian faith,
letting it integrate all the other aspects to be able to take part in Christ’s joy,
no less.
This point is crucial, because it sets us in the most adequate framework in
which any effort to understand and attain joy has to be made. Faith corre-
sponds to our fullest stature as persons and children of God, indicating to us
what we truly need to be happy.
Faith engages us in our very core and embraces our whole being. It goes
Third Sunday of Easter, Lk. 24: 13-35
much further than what our biological, physical or social nature can cover. It
takes us out of the confines of time and space.
It enters into that inmost sanctuary where we relate our time with eter- By Fr. Joseph existence on earth? burns and consumes evil with siah, they were no longer de-
nity, what is material with what is spiritual, the human with the divine. It Pellegrino Our late great pope, John the flame of love and draws stroyed by the fear of suffer-
links us with God, our Father and Creator. Paul II, said that it is only in forth even from sin a great ing in their own lives. The
For many, the cross that leads to joy is how to actuate our faith. This can be the Mystery of Christ that the flowering of good”. The Car- Word of God did it. Again, “It
a real test, since faith is not readily felt. Besides, it requires tremendous THIS Sunday’s gospel pre- Mystery of Man finds its dinal then added: “Impelled is only in the Mystery of Christ
effort to get around to it. Primarily a supernatural gift, it defies sensible sents us with two disciples of meaning. Jesus became one by this vision, the Pope suf- that the Mystery of Man takes
grasping. the Lord who were trying to with us so that we might be- fered and loved in commun- its meaning.”
Our great challenge is how to make this supernatural faith take deep root make sense out of the shock- come one with Him. The ac- ion with Christ, and that is Throughout our lives we
in our life so that it can work according to our human condition. We have to ing events that took place in tivity of our lives, from writ- why the message of his suf- are drawn to ever deeper ex-
aim at that moment when we would have a sensible appetite for it, like what Jerusalem. They were in a ing theological dissertations, fering and his silence proved periences of the Word of God
we have for food and air. quandary over the Lord’s to shopping for food, to so eloquent and so fruitful.” in Scripture and Eucharist.
This is not an impossible, quixotic dream. We have the means, we have the death. They had been con- coaching teams, to changing The disciples on the road to Every year might seem to be
capability. There’s also, first of all, God’s grace that makes this supernatural vinced that He was the Mes- the baby’s diapers and every- Emmaus could not understand the same. Perhaps, we begin
phenomenon take place in our often weak, frail selves. siah, but how could the Mes- thing in between, all have what happened to Jesus or the liturgical celebrations of
We just have to be brave enough to carry the cross. And this means that we siah suffer like Jesus suffered? profound meaning when why it happened until they Advent and Christmas, Lent
have to learn to activate our spiritual faculties, that is, the use of our intelli- Nor could they make sense they are performed with the were brought into an under- and Easter with the feeling,
gence and will, animated by grace. out of the report that Jesus had sacrificial love of Jesus Christ. standing of Scripture. The “Here we go again.” But ev-
The problem is that we often don’t develop our spiritual faculties. We risen from the dead. They These same activities are “stranger on the road” ery year brings a new and
prefer to remain carnal and material, completely time-and-earth-bound. could not decipher what all meaningless when they are pointed out verses from the deeper understanding of the
Worse, there are now systematic ideologies that espouse and reinforce this this meant to them. In fact, just done because they have Book of the Prophet Isaiah that Word of God. And with this
attitude, and we readily fall for them. they were having difficulty to be done. When Jesus be- spoke about the Suffering Ser- understanding of the Word of
We have to break loose from this veritable slavery. We have to learn to understanding anything comes the beginning and end vant with such clarity that it God comes a new and deeper
pray, makes sacrifices, study, avail of the sacraments, develop virtues— about life. of our activity, every action seemed to be a detailed de- understanding of ourselves,
literally carrying the cross to achieve that resurrection of a joy that the world We are no different than of our lives is a prayer. scription of Jesus’ last days, of the mystery of our lives.
can never give nor understand. they were. We have difficulty This includes suffering. In even though this section of The mystery of our lives
It’s the joy that flourishes even in the midst of problems and difficulties, understanding life. What is his homily for Pope John Paul Isaiah was written 700 years will not be completely solved
the joy that refuses to get spoiled by an atmosphere of human success and the meaning of all the non- II’s funeral, Cardinal before Christ. Once the dis- until after our deaths when
prosperity. It’s the joy of being with God. stop activity of our lives? Ratzinger, the present Pope ciples were brought to a deeper we see God face to face. But
Why do we scurry about try- Benedict XVI, quoted John understanding of the Bible, the we can approach the solution,
ing to accomplish so much Paul II’s last book, Memory events of the week before be- we can take the steps to find
and then often end up accom- and Identity: “In sacrificing gan to make sense to them. meaning in existence through
plishing little other than ex- himself for us all, Christ gave Once Peter and the other dis- our union with Jesus in Word
hausting ourselves? How do a new meaning to suffering, ciples who had hidden from and in Eucharist. And then our
I, how do you, deal with suf- opening up a new dimension, the Temple Leaders on Good hearts also will burn with joy
Bo Sanchez fering and even death? What a new order: the order of love Friday came to an understand- as we savor the presence of
sense can be made of our brief ... It is this suffering which ing of the suffering of the Mes- Jesus in our lives.

Avoid potholes
by taking humps Atty. Jo Imbong

THEY tell me that the average speed of a car in Manila is 25 kph. That’s
catastrophically slow. That’s just the speed of a turtle injected with steroids.
Who did it?
Aside from traffic, there are two other things that make vehicles go slow:
Humps and potholes.
Between these two, I’d rather choose humps. WAY back in 1953, a graduate student at others principally sulfur, phosphorus, nants of ancient living matter in it.
Especially those that are painted bright yellow and smooth on the curves, the University of Chicago named Stanley calcium, and iron. Put these together in Ms. Bennett is quite sure that the rock
with nice signs to tell us they’re coming. Miller mixed together in a flask a cock- three dozen or so combinations to form holds vestiges of life from eons of its
But I don’t like potholes, period. tail of methane ammonia and hydrogen some sugars, acids, and other basic com- having sat in an ancient landscape where
They come in all sizes: tiny Mickey Mouse holes to nuclear bomb testing sulphide. It was meant to be a primeval pounds and you can build anything that there was almost no sun. In that dark
craters. “ocean” which is what the earth’s early lives.” neighborhood, everything around the
And they never come announced. They just appear when you’re one inch atmosphere was, and where, Holy Scrip- Bill continues to say that life some- sitting rock was not conducive to life at
away, and kabloom. And kablagblagblag... ture says, the “Spirit moved along the how emerged so swiftly, in fact it is be- all. And yet, life there was. The rock dat-
Life’s like that. waters.” lieved that it must have had some help ing machine confirmed it.
When God wants you to slow down, He’ll send you potholes. But He can To simulate lightning, Stanley con- and in this case, it did get a good deal of When asked how is it that life could
never give you humps, because that’s something that you should deliber- nected the flasks with rubber tubes and help so that, “at some point in an emerge in such hostile ground, Ms.
ately make for yourself. introduced electrical sparks. The whole unimaginably distant past some little Bennett surmised, “There must have
Potholes are the small and big problems of your life. idea was that from that broth, life how- bag of chemicals fidgeted to life. It ab- been something that suited it. Otherwise,
When you have a bleeding hangnail, an expensive Italian shoe isn’t very ever primeval will emerge. Stanley sorbed some nutrients, gently pulsed, we wouldn’t be here.” She said it was
beautiful. When your doctor tells you that you have malignant cancer, your waited with great anticipation. Of [and] had a brief existence. This much something, not Something. Well, there is
Mercedes or BMW suddenly lacks oomph. And when you discover that your course, there was no mantra like, “Let may have happened before perhaps hope. I have always believed that if the
teen-age son is on drugs, your jewelry doesn’t shine as brilliantly as before. there be life!” as in Genesis 1:20 for many times,” same question were to be asked in a
Like potholes, problems come suddenly. No one warns you they’re com- Stanley was just a lowly lab denizen. Obviously, the dance of life did not “Battle of the Brains” or some similar
ing. And your whole life goes kabloom and kablagblagblag... No life crawled out of the “warm little stop there because, “this ancestral packet adventurous diversion, a Physicist or
But because of these kablooms, you’re forced to stop and think. You ask bubbly pond” which is where Charles did something additional and extraor- some sincere student of Physics would
fundamental questions, like, “What’s life all about? Where am I going?” Over- Darwin thought early life began. Last dinary: it cleaved itself and produced beat anyone to the buzzer. And give the
night, your hierarchy of values changes. The most important things in time we heard of Stanley, he was still an heir: A tiny bundle of genetic mate- correct answer. For a Physicist is so up
life¯such as your soul, your family, your God¯become painfully obvious. at it, and intoning a thoughtful rial passed from one living entity to an- close to the universe, it is only him
And what used to be so pressing and insistent and noisy, reveal themselves “Hmmmm ...” other, and has never stopped moving whose nose is flattened against the
to be cheap. How could not an organism tick to since. It was the moment of creation for universe’s windowpane. In that position,
Humps, on the other hand, are deliberately made. life under those conditions, Stanley us all. Biologists sometimes call it the it should be virtually impossible for him
By you. could not quite understand. And his Big Birth.” Bill Bryson talks scientific not to grasp the First Person who
You plan them out. (And fight for them with your life.) puzzlement is not without reason. For sense. pressed the first buzzer that triggered
A quiet time for prayer each day. according to a highly respected science So the question is, what or who ig- the Big Birth.
Or Mass during lunch hour. writer named Bill Bryson (A Short His- nited that primordial twitch? This was At this age, however, the question still
Perhaps a weekly prayer meeting. tory of Nearly Everything, 2003), “there is too exciting for Isotope Geochemist, hangs, unanswered in many people. But
A personal retreat every year. nothing terribly exotic in the chemicals Victoria Bennett. it is not beyond human logic. It is a ques-
Humps are special times when you’ll ask the very same fundamental that animate us,” so much so that “if Nestling on top of her work table at tion that can be answered even by those
questions: “What’s life all about? Where am I going?” But this time, not because you wished to create another living the Earth Sciences Building of the Austra- who have not made it to the buzzer. Let
you’re forced to, but because you want to. object, whether a goldfish or a head of lian National University in Canberra is me ask you, then: who did it?
Take a lot of humps. lettuce or a human being [!] you would an unpretentious piece of rock that is sus- If you have been with me up to this
Perhaps potholes won’t come as often. need really only four principal ele- pected to be 3.85 billion years old. The point and you are smiling . . . I think
ments—carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and age is crucial to the rock-dating machine you have arrived at an answer to that.
nitrogen, plus small amounts of a few near it which examines the rock for rem- And I smile with you.
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 7
March 31 - April 13, 2008 Social Concerns B7

NRC II consultations on the diocesan

and regional levels
By Sr. Pinky Barrientos,
FSP
THE Second National Rural Con-
gress which is slated sometime
this year is being convened to
celebrate the first rural congress
organized in 1967. Forty years
have passed since then, and the
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of
the Philippines (CBCP) through
its January 2007 pastoral state-
ment “The Dignity of the Rural
Poor – A Gospel Concern” issued
a call for a Second Rural Congress
(NRC II) “to review the continu-
ing issues confronting the major-
ity of our people in the rural ar-
eas.” The pastoral statement
stressed that the rural poor, es-
pecially the farmers should take
center stage in this particular con-
gress. This time they have to do
“the speaking by themselves, the
discerning, the proposing of their
own ideas, the planning of how
we must as a people come to-
gether to work for the common
good of the country…”
Consultations on the local level
Two parallel tracks of consul-
tations have been organized at
the local level where representa-
tives from the rural poor (farm-
ers, fisherfolks, IPs and BECs) met
to discuss and analyze their cur-
rent situation.
The Diocesan (ad intra) consul-
tations centered on the role of
BECs in rural development, and
facilitated by the National Secre-
tariat for Social Action (NASSA),
the Episcopal Commission for In-
digenous Peoples (ECIP) and the
BEC Office.
The sub-regional (ad extra)
consultations took up rural pov-
erty issues among basic sectors.
Involved in these consultations
is a coalition of non-government
and people’s organizations en-
gaged in rural issues, the Philip-
pine-Misereor Partnership
(PMP), the Association of Major
Religious Superiors of the Phil-
ippines (AMRSP), and the Rural
Poor Solidarity (RPS).
The consultations on the dioc-
esan level started in September
last year. Although initially ex-
pected to finish by the end of
March, some adjustments have to
be made as a number of dioceses
have yet to conduct their own
local assemblies. Meanwhile, the
sub-regional consultations that
began in November are still con-
tinuing, reports of which are to
be consolidated sometime in
April or May.
Regional Congresses
The consolidated reports from
the local consultations (Phase I)
will be brought to a higher level
of discussion (Phase II) in the five
regional congresses to be held in
major regions of the Philip-
pines—Luzon North, Luzon
South, Western Visayas, Central
and Eastern Visayas, and
Mindanao. Bishop-convenors are
Bishop Guillermo Afable
(Mindanao) with the assistance of
Auxiliary Bishops George priest (social action director). details for the regional congress. discuss the challenges to Church
Rimando and Jose Colin The Mindanao secretariat and Society; and 4) to arrive at
Bagaforo; Archbishop Jose Palma scheduled its Regional Congress Objectives concrete recommendations and
of Central and Eastern Visayas, on June 10-13 in Davao City with In his guidelines prepared for action plans, addressed to: a) dio-
assisted by a Cebu secretariat; eight representatives that will in- the convening of Regional Con- ceses; b) basic rural sectors; c)
Archbishop Onesimo clude small farmers, indigenous gresses of NRC II, Archbishop government agencies; and d) civil
Gordoncillo for Western peoples and other sectors. Antonio Ledesma (NRC II chair) society organizations.
Visayas, assisted by a Jaro secre- The schedule of the South presented the objectives of the
tariat; Archbishop Ramon Luzon congress has yet to be de- Regional Congress thus: 1) to Final Phase
Arguelles for Luzon South; and termined. Fr. Junjun Ramos, so- present the collated and consoli- The third phase of the NRC II
Bishop Ramon Villena for Luzon cial action director of Lipa has dated results of the diocesan ad will take place in Manila sometime
North. been tasked by Archbishop intra and sub regional ad extra in July. The final assembly expects
The Central and Eastern Arguelles to convene the Con- consultations; 2) to deepen the to gather around a hundred del-
Visayas Rural Congress is slated gress for South Luzon, although analysis on the factors and root egates from the five regional con-
on May 21-22 in Cebu City. Each no definite date has been set yet. causes of rural poverty; (social, gresses. A corresponding number
diocese will send five delegates, The Diocese of Bayombong, in economic, political, cultural, etc.); of bishops will peruse the regional
which include the bishop; person charge of organizing the North 3) to reflect on the current situa- reports. The congress is also ex-
in-charge of the NRC; two Luzon Rural Congress, has yet to tion in the light of the Social pected to come out with a final
sectoral representatives, and a finalize also its schedule and other Teachings of the Church and to statement on the NRC II.

Pope / B5
endeavors”. (Encyclical Redemptoris Missio, 66)
5. Among those totally dedicated to the service
of the Gospel, are priests, called to preach the word
of God, administer the sacraments, especially the
Eucharist and Reconciliation, committed to help-
ing the lowly, the sick, the suffering, the poor, and
those who experience hardship in areas of the world
where there are, at times, many who still have not
had a real encounter with Jesus Christ. Missionar-
ies announce for the first time to these people
Christ’s redemptive love. Statistics show that the
number of baptized persons increases every year
thanks to the pastoral work of these priests, who
are wholly consecrated to the salvation of their
brothers and sisters. In this context, a special word
of thanks must be expressed “to the fidei donum
priests who work faithfully and generously at
building up the community by proclaiming the
word of God and breaking the Bread of Life, devot-
ing all their energy to serving the mission of the
Church. Let us thank God for all the priests who
have suffered even to the sacrifice of their lives in
order to serve Christ ... Theirs is a moving witness
that can inspire many young people to follow Christ
and to expend their lives for others, and thus to
discover true life” (Apostolic Exhortation Sacramen-
tum Caritatis, 26).
6. There have always been in the Church many
men and women who, prompted by the action of
the Holy Spirit, choose to live the Gospel in a radi-
cal way, professing the vows of chastity, poverty
and obedience. This multitude of men and women
religious, belonging to innumerable Institutes of
contemplative and active life, still plays “the main
role in the evangelization of the world” (Ad Gen-
tes, 40). With their continual and community prayer,
contemplatives intercede without ceasing for all
humanity. Religious of the active life, with their
many charitable activities, bring to all a living wit-
ness of the love and mercy of God. The Servant of
God Paul VI concerning these apostles of our times
said: “Thanks to their consecration they are emi-
nently willing and free to leave everything and to
go and proclaim the Gospel even to the ends of the
earth. They are enterprising and their apostolate is
often marked by an originality, by a genius that
demands admiration. They are generous: often they
are found at the outposts of the mission, and they
take the greatest of risks for their health and their
very lives. Truly the Church owes them much” (Ap-
ostolic Exhortation Evangelii Nuntiandi, 69).
7. Furthermore, so that the Church may continue
to fulfill the mission entrusted to her by Christ,
and not lack promoters of the Gospel so badly
needed by the world, Christian communities must
never fail to provide both children and adults with
constant education in the faith. It is necessary to
keep alive in the faithful a committed sense of mis-
sionary responsibility and active solidarity with
the peoples of the world. The gift of faith calls all
Christians to co-operate in the work of evangeliza-
tion. This awareness must be nourished by preach-
ing and catechesis, by the liturgy, and by constant
formation in prayer. It must grow through the prac-
tice of welcoming others, with charity and spiri-
tual companionship, through reflection and discern-
ment, as well as pastoral planning, of which atten-
tion to vocations must be an integral part.
8. Vocations to the ministerial priesthood and to
the consecrated life can only flourish in a spiritual
soil that is well cultivated. Christian communities
that live the missionary dimension of the mystery
of the Church in a profound way will never be
inward looking. Mission, as a witness of divine
love, becomes particularly effective when it is
shared in a community, “so that the world may
believe” (cf. Jn 17: 21). The Church prays everyday
to the Holy Spirit for the gift of vocations. Gath-
ered around the Virgin Mary, Queen of the Apostles,
as in the beginning, the ecclesial community learns
from her how to implore the Lord for a flowering
of new apostles, alive with the faith and love that
are necessary for the mission.
9. While I entrust this reflection to all the ecclesial
communities so that they may make it their own,
and draw from it inspiration for prayer, and as I
encourage those who are committed to work with
faith and generosity in the service of vocations, I
wholeheartedly send to educators, catechists and
to all, particularly to young people on their voca-
tional journey, a special Apostolic Blessing.
From the Vatican, 3 December 2007.

Urbi / B1 BEC / B5

more: the Father’s love which “newly
embraces” the Son, enfolding him in
glory; the Son’s love returning to the
Father in the power of the Spirit, robed
in our transfigured humanity. From
today’s solemnity, in which we relive
the absolute, once-and-for-all experience
of Jesus’ resurrection, we receive an ap-
peal to be converted to Love; we receive
an invitation to live by rejecting hatred
and selfishness, and to follow with do-
cility in the footsteps of the Lamb that
was slain for our salvation, to imitate
the Redeemer who is “gentle and lowly
in heart”, who is “rest for our souls” (cf.
Mt 11:29).
Dear Christian brothers and sisters in
every part of the world, dear men and
women whose spirit is sincerely open to
the truth, let no heart be closed to the
omnipotence of this redeeming love!
Jesus Christ died and rose for all; he is
our hope—true hope for every human
being. Today, just as he did with his dis-
ciples in Galilee before returning to the
Father, the risen Jesus now sends us ev-
erywhere as witnesses of his hope, and
he reassures us: I am with you always,
all days, until the end of the world (cf. Mt
28:20). Fixing the gaze of our spirit on
the glorious wounds of his transfigured
body, we can understand the meaning
and value of suffering, we can tend the
many wounds that continue to disfigure
humanity in our own day. In his glorious
wounds we recognize the indestructible
signs of the infinite mercy of the God of
whom the prophet says: it is he who heals
the wounds of broken hearts, who de-
fends the weak and proclaims the free-
dom of slaves, who consoles all the af-
flicted and bestows upon them the oil of
gladness instead of a mourning robe, a
song of praise instead of a sorrowful heart
(cf. Is 61:1, 2, 3). If with humble trust we
draw near to him, we encounter in his
gaze the response to the deepest longings
of our heart: to know God and to estab-
lish with him a living relationship in an
authentic communion of love, which can
fill our lives, our interpersonal and so-
cial relations with that same love. For
this reason, humanity needs Christ: in
him, our hope, “we have been saved” (cf.
Rom 8:24).
How often relations between indi-
viduals, between groups and between
peoples are marked not by love but by
selfishness, injustice, hatred and vio-
lence! These are the scourges of human-
ity, open and festering in every corner
of the planet, although they are often
ignored and sometimes deliberately
concealed; wounds that torture the souls
and bodies of countless of our brothers
and sisters. They are waiting to be
tended and healed by the glorious
wounds of our Risen Lord (cf. 1 Pet 2:24-
25) and by the solidarity of people who,
following in his footsteps, perform
deeds of charity in his name, make an
active commitment to justice, and spread
luminous signs of hope in areas blood-
ied by conflict and wherever the dignity
of the human person continues to be
scorned and trampled. It is hoped that
these are precisely the places where ges-
tures of moderation and forgiveness will
increase! Dear brothers and sisters! Let
us allow the light that streams forth from
this solemn day to enlighten us; let us
open ourselves in sincere trust to the
risen Christ, so that his victory over evil
and death may also triumph in each one
of us, in our families, in our cities and in
our nations. Let it shine forth in every
part of the world. In particular, how can
we fail to remember certain African re-
gions, such as Darfur and Somalia, the
tormented Middle East, especially the
Holy Land, Iraq, Lebanon, and finally
Tibet, all of whom I encourage to seek
solutions that will safeguard peace and
the common good! Let us invoke the
fullness of his Paschal gifts, through the
intercession of Mary who, after sharing
the sufferings of the passion and cruci-
fixion of her innocent Son, also experi-
enced the inexpressible joy of his resur-
rection. Sharing in the glory of Christ,
may she be the one to protect us and
guide us along the path of fraternal soli-
darity and peace. These are my Easter
greetings, which I address to all who are
present here, and to men and women of
every nation and continent united with
us through radio and television.
Happy Easter!
And who is that? The Holy Spirit. Be-
cause that is what you do in your BEC.
You do bible sharing, but you cannot
just talk about the bible, unless first you
pray and then you listen to the Holy
Spirit telling you what should be done
in prayer. So when I talk about dialogue
among yourselves, what is important
here is that you also dialogue with the
Holy Spirit. That’s the bible sharing,
sharing the Word of God. The Word of
God means that the Spirit is still talking
to us. I mention this because when you
talk about the BECs you might think ev-
erything is action, action, and action. No!
The BEC is first of all based on prayer
and on the bible. Those are the forces
that give the BECs their strength. Keep
that in mind. Ultimately, the dialogue is
going to be with the Holy Spirit.
Do you understand that? Because if
you do, then you see that what we have
in the BEC is not just like any other or-
ganizations, like the Knights of Colum-
bus, CWL, or even the charismatic
groups. The BEC is the Church. That’s
the real Church. And I’m very glad to
see this here. It seems to me that in your
diocese, I don’t even have to talk about
this because the BECs are well developed
here, as I can see.
Let me share with you just one obser-
vation about the BECs nationwide. In
1991, just after the beginning of
Libmanan, the Second Plenary Council
of the Philippines made the BEC as a pri-
ority of the whole Philippine Church. I
have worked in Mindanao, and I have
worked in Manila for ten years before
being assigned back to Bontoc-Lagawe
in Northern Luzon. So I think I’ve cov-
You have to act. And the third most im-
portant reason is participation. Every-
body must participate in this process.
Now, those are the most important
things in the BEC. And that’s what I ask
you to do. But I know that I have no rea-
son to say that this is not happening here.
I have been talking to your priests and
to the bishop and I can say that you are
far, far advanced more than many dio-
ceses in the country. This I can say, look-
ing at what has been happening in
Mindanao, the Visayas, and Northern
Luzon. So keep it up and let’s see what’s
going to happen. Just think of this, if this
happens all over the country, then we
can have that moral reform that we are
often talking about. If we have that, then
we can call ourselves a truly Christian
nation.
Just one last thought. You know, when-
ever we hear reports about us, Filipi-
nos, in the international press, we react.
I remember that time when Senator Roco
was still here. There was a candy in Brit-
ain that was called Filipina. How did
Senator Roco react? He said, “let’s com-
plain about this”. What I’m trying to
point out here is that whenever we hear
Filipinos downgraded, we react. We are
very sensitive. But when we hear every
year that our country is number one or
number two as the most corrupt nation
in Asia, we do not react. And here we
are, we are a Catholic nation, but we have
no reaction on our good reputation.
And this is where the bishops are ask-
ing you. “Let’s do something about it,
but let’s start with ourselves. Let’s not just
blame others, let’s start where we can.”
Let me end with those women I was

CBCPMonitor Name _________________________________________________ ered the entire country! But when I look telling you about, dancing in Bontoc.
at what’s happening in those other You know how they consider their work
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places, I see that some of the BECs are with regard to this national problem?
strong; some are weak; some are just be- They said “If we see what’s happening
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Phone No.: _________ Fax No.: ________ E-mail: ___________ out that there were 95 names for the BEC. thing.” And their philosophy of action
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• Domestic cause that’s where you get in touch with losophy not just in the Church but in
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 CBCP Monitor
B8 Entertainment Vol. 12 No. 7
March 31 - April 13, 2008

Moral Assessment Technical

Assessment
Abhorrent
Disturbing Poor
Acceptable Below average
Wholesome Average
Exemplary Above average
Excellent

Title: Horton
Running Time: 88 min.
Cast: Jim Carey, Steve Carell,
Carol Burnett
Directors: Jimmy Hayward,
Steve Martino
Producer: Bob Gordon
Screenwriters: Ken Daurio,
Cinco Paul
Music: John Powell
Editor: Tim Nordquist
Genre: Animation/ Adventure/
Comedy
Distributor: Twentieth Century
Fox Film Corporation
Technical Assessment:
½
Moral Assessment:
CINEMA Rating: For viewers of
all ages
FRIENDLY and ordinary as
animal lovers like to think,
Horton is a harmless elephant
who lives in a friendly, ordi-
nary jungle. One day, he hears
a teeny-weeney voice suppos-
edly coming from a speck of
dust which has settled on a deli-
cate but inconsequential flower
that the jungle has billions of.
Following his ears, he investi-
gates the sounds he picks up,
leading to his discovery that on
that speck of dust is a whole
world populated by “Whos”
who, incidentally, have facili-
ties to communicate with
Horton, too. Horton befriends
these furry little creatures he
hears but can not see, and takes
it upon himself to protect at all
costs the little flower the speck
of dust clings to. Then trouble
comes in: the other jungle crea-
tures see Horton talking to a
speck of dust and think that he
has gone crazy. Of course, no-
body else in the jungle has ears
as huge as the elephant’s, so
how could they hear what
Horton hears? So they all gang
up on him, determined to get
rid of the speck of dust and lock
the crazy elephant up in a cage.
By the squealing and gig-
gling of the audience (half of
whom are children) you’d
know how delightful Horton
hears a Who is. A Dr. Seuss
tale, Horton hears a Who is not
only entertaining to watch; it
is also engaging, as Horton the
elephant comes across as al-
most human with a kind heart,
completely believing in what
he hears and knows to be true,
and laying his life on the line
to save the people concerned.
That’s the main attraction of
the movie—the story itself,
backed by effective “character-
ization” and imagery so win-
ning it can appeal to even
adults who are children at
heart.
Horton hears a Who is a good
balance of cartoon and charac-
ter: a solid message delivered
with a lollipop flavor. If the
suspicious jungle creatures in
this movie are that determined
to destroy the speck of dust,
Horton is even more deter-
mined to save it, after all, he
believes, persons live on that
dust speck, and “A person is a
person, no matter how small.”
Besides this solid lesson in tol-
erance and charity, the movie
offers “bonuses” for people
who have ears, so to speak. The
importance of listening is high-
lighted here—and are we fol-
lowers of Jesus not taught that
faith begins from listening?
Hearing the Word of God and
listening for His message, and
being courageous in standing
for what we believe in? Horton
hears a Who also offers a les-
son in humility as it subtly re-
minds us of our smallness—
when we gaze at the dark star-
lit skies we realize our planet
is but a speck of dust (if not
smaller) in the vastness of cre-
ation, yet our faith teaches us
that the Holy Spirit dwells
within our person.

MAC en COLET ni Bladimer Usi

Buhay Parokya Look for the three missing

items: Rubber shoes, faucet
and whistle. (Illustration by
Bladimer Usi)

Title: Over Her Dead Body

Running Time: 95 min.
Cast: Eva Longoria Parker, Paul Rudd, Lake Bell, Jason Biggs
Director: Jeff Lowell
Producers: Paul Brooks, Scott Niemeyer, Peter Safran, Norm Waitt
Screenwriter: Jeff Lowell
Music: David Kitay
Editor: Matt Friedman
Genre: Romantic Comedy/ Fantasy
Cinematography: John Bailey
Distributor: New Line Cinema
Location: Los Angeles, USA
Technical Assessment: ½
Moral Assessment: ½
CINEMA Rating: For viewers 14 and above

KATE (Eva Longoria Parker) is known as television stars. But

about to be married to Henry
(Paul Rudd), but on the day of
their wedding, Kate dies when
she is crushed by a huge ice
sculpture of an angel. Kate is not
allowed to enter heaven until
she finally resolves her unfin-
ished business on earth. Thus,
Kate goes back to earth as a
ghost constantly guarding
Henry. Meanwhile, Henry is
unable to fully recover from the
trauma of loosing Kate even af-
ter a year, so he reluctantly
agrees to consult a part-time
psychic cum full time caterer
named Ashley (Lake Bell) at the
urging of his sister Chloe (Lind-
say Sloane). Despite his skepti-
cism over Ashley’s psychic
abilities, Henry finds himself
falling hard for Ashley, and the
same is true with Ashley. Kate
however, haunts Ashley for she
considers it her heavenly duty
to break up Henry and Ashley’s
blossoming romance.
The premise of Over Her
Dead Body is not really new.
However, the actors themselves
are somehow able to pull it off
because the viewers do not see
them on the big screen often.
Eva Longoria Parker and Paul
Rudd together with the rest of
the cast are more popularly
then, the same strength gives
the film its major setback. Over
Her Dead Body appears to be a
made-for-TV-movie. The
storyline is less cinematic and
the script is a no-brainer. There
are some funny moments in the
movie though that the audiences
would surely enjoy but the film
does not really go beyond being
clicheic and predictable.
Can a ghost really have a
power over human beings’ deci-
sion? The film has worked on
this thesis and it actually says
that the phrase, “till death do us
part” is never applicable for
some obnoxious souls such as
Kate’s. Although there is quiet
retribution towards the end, ap-
parently the outcome of events
are all maneuvered by her, a
ghost. There are lessons of love
and letting go to be learned in
the film. Ashley as the fake psy-
chic goes back to the Catholic
Church which is also commend-
able. However, young audiences
should be cautioned of some
mild sexual insinuation, nudity
and vulgar language. The film
condones pre-marital sex and
depicts drunkenness as funny
and acceptable. Gender stereo-
typing and discrimination is also
present in the movie.
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 7
March 31 - April 13, 2008
C1

Ugnayan
The News Supplement of
Couples for Christ Global Mission Foundation, Inc.

A brotherhood affirmed
by Manny Catabas

“I will make you a light to the na-
tions, that my salvation may reach to
the ends of the earth.” (Isaiah 49:6)
Ronan, a widower is a father
longing for the love of his son.
Kayee is newly married and is
a son longing for a father’s em-
brace.
Kenny is a Malaysian Chinese,
married, with two teen aged chil-
dren, just recently emerging from
a bout of chronic depression.
And finally, a father and son
who found the venue to affirm
their love for each other.
These five men of diverse back-
grounds came to Tagaytay, to-
Fr, Paul Uwemedimo blesses palm fronds during the Mass at the end of the SOLD
Conference.
gether with more than four hun-
dred men, for the Servants of the
Lord International Conference
last March 15 – 16. They came to
seek God’s affirming love. And
they were not disappointed.
As one brother remarked after
the first of the three sessions,
“Bro, it’s only the first talk and
I’m already crying.”
The first talk, about how God
faithfully honors men and how
men can in turn honor God, was
given by Melo Villaroman, Jr.
Melo Sr. was so touched by the
context of the talk and the shar-
ing of his son that he was in tears
as he recognized his son’s long-
ing for a father’s embrace.
The scene was so emotionally
packed that everyone shed tears
as father and son embraced each
other. Everyone felt the warmth
of that embrace in spite of the cold
winds gently seeping through the
open windows.
What followed next was
unscripted but somehow natural.
Ronan Yuson, a participant, fol-
lowed the urge to go up front and
share how touched he was by the
love between father and son. He
confessed that he too is longing
for the love of his son who has
been estranged from him for a
long time. With tears rolling
down his cheeks, he requested
everyone to intercede for him
and for his son, that they too may
re-affirm each other’s love.
And this request and prayer
would be answered sooner than
he expected.
During the lunch time break,
Kayee Ablanque, a Filipino ex-
patriate based in Singapore, ap-
proached Ronan. He too, is long-
ing for love, which his father has
not accorded him. Despite the
success he has achieved – a good
paying IT job in Singapore, his
recent wedding to a Christian In-
donesian woman, he still feels
empty. Since both were seeking
love, he proposed that they treat
each other as father and son, and
to give what each is longing for
— a father’s love from Ronan and
a son’s love from Kayee.
During the afternoon session,
Manny Garcia, SOLD Interna-
tional Coordinator, spelled out
how one can accomplish the mis-
sion of SOLD and that is, by be-
ing COMBAT ready. COMBAT is
an acronym adopted by SOLD
which stands for Courageous,
Obedient, Motivated, Bold, At-
tack mode, Thankful. These char-
acteristics are very important for
achieving victory for Christ.
Who dares…wins!
I had an opportunity to con-
verse with Kenny Ling from Ma-
laysia. Married to a born again
Christian, Kenny has two teen-
aged children. It is indicative of SOLD brothers deep in prayer and worship
the close bond among brothers
that even though we hardly knew
each other, Kenny soon was shar- for the right time to bring his emony with the washing of the
ing his life with me. His brother wife back to the fold. feet, a symbolic act of servitude.
was murdered, an event that The following day being Palm Everyone else experienced wash-
caused him tremendous grief and Sunday, the commitment cer- ing someone else’s feet and hav-
brought him to deep depression. emony was preceded by a mass ing his feet washed.
Although born Catholic, he tried celebrated by Fr. Paul Semper Fidelis. Always faith-
to find solace with another Chris- Uwemedimo. Fr Paul, in his hom- ful. This is the motto of the U.S.
tian sect, but didn’t find it. ily, aptly described what total Marine Corps. It signifies their
He came back to the Catholic commitment means for SOLD. It loyalty to the corps and to one
faith and joined SOLD. After his means being a real servant who another, and their commitment
fulfilling experiences and fellow- is faithful not just in words, nor to their comrades.
ship with the SOLD members in in singing and praising but by liv- Semper Fidelis. The SOLD has
Sibu, Malaysia, he’s now at peace ing and witnessing. adopted this motto to signify their
with God. He is proud of the fact The commitment ceremony commitment to serve and love God
that his two teenagers are also led by Charly Laiz was a solemn with all their hearts, minds and
active members of the local Youth affair, made even more meaning- souls, and to leave no man behind
for Christ. And he just is waiting ful because Charly began the cer- in their journey towards heaven.

The origins of Couples for Christ (part 2)

The split of 1993

by Zeny Gimenez and Marivic Dalman

The story of Couples for Christ continues

in this issue. Vic Gutierrez, who oversaw
the creation and growth of CFC from its
inception in 1981 to the time of the split in
1993, agreed to be further interviewed.
The facts mentioned in this article are
based on records that have been kept by
Ligaya ng Panginoon and on recollections
of some of the leaders who were involved
in the events leading up to the split.
THE SPLIT OF 1993
By 1992, Couples for Christ had grown far be-
yond what Vic Gutierrez and Fr. Herb Schneider
originally envisioned it to be. Back in 1981, they
had simply wanted a venue where the women par-
ticipants in their popular prayer meetings could
bring their husbands and together, grow in their
relationship with each other and with the Lord.
But as the years wore on, it became increasingly
clear to Vic, and later to the Executive Council
formed to oversee CFC, that God’s plan for CFC
was broader and far more complex.
It was Ligaya that fostered and encouraged the
early rapid growth of CFC. As early as 1982, Vic
recalls that “LNP received requests from various
groups in the Philippines for help in establishing
support groups for married couples.” With the help
of what Vic calls CFC’s “exportable packages” –
manuals and audio tapes – CFC expanded into sev-
eral provinces.
Expansion into other countries followed soon
after. Vic remembers that as early as 1983, or only
two years after its inception, CFC was already be-
ing promoted in various places in Asia. The first
foreign country was Hongkong, followed by
Singapore and then India. In 1986, Vic spoke about
CFC at the Sword of the Spirit international con-
ference of community leaders in Ann Arbor, Michi-
gan. Very soon after, CFC groups were established
in the United States. By 1989, a CFC chapter had
been organized in Los Angeles by Jun and Auring
Tan, one of the original 16 couples.
Rapid and Massive
1989 saw the realization of a prophecy that was
revealed four years earlier to Nina Ponte, wife of
Rouquel Ponte, a couple leader in CFC at that time.
“God has given CFC His authority and blessing to
win the world for Christ,” was the revelation that
inspired CFC to pursue a new vision. “Rapid, mas-
sive, and global” was the evangelization thrust for-
mally declared in August 1989.
During its tenth anniversary celebration in 1991,
Couples for Christ adopted the vision statement
“Families in the Holy Spirit Renewing the Face of
the Earth.” As CFC continued to blossom in many
parts of the country, new chapters also started to
sprout in countries around the world.
Ligaya encouraged the expanding reach of CFC,
although Fr. Herb Schneider initially had misgiv-
ings about CFC’s worldwide thrust. Fr. Schneider
soon changed his stand, especially when the Sword
of the Spirit expressed great interest in CFC and in
a letter to then Executive Director Frank Padilla,
stated, “We see a great potential for Couples for
Christ not only in Poland, but in many locations in Vic and Agnes Gutierrez
Europe.”
CFC would later claim that it was Ligaya’s op- In the year 2000, CFC did achieve that prophetic Ang Lingkod ng Panginoon
position to rapid and massive evangelization that number of a million members but Vic Gutierrez Tahanan ng Panginoon
would trigger the split of 1993. Vic disagrees: “LNP would no longer be around to congratulate CFC. Institute of Pastoral Development
said that CFC should do rapid and massive evan- By then, CFC had been separated from its mother Women for Christ
gelization but it should exercise pastoral responsi- community for more than 7 years. Lumen Christi
bility in forming the newly-evangelized couples Word of Joy Foundation
before they are assigned to leadership positions. The Cracks Begin to Show
In other words, we wanted the newly-evangelized Success does have its downside. CFC’s growth Each community had an Executive Director, later
couples to grow a little more before they were as- and what CFC leaders perceived as a reining in of on an Executive Council, that oversaw the affairs
signed to serve as household heads. We felt that it their zeal for expansion would lead Frank Padilla and concerns of the community. According to Vic,
was premature to push them into pastoral leader- and the other CFC leaders to question the author- this was done in order to make all the outreaches
ship immediately after finishing the CLP. Infants ity of LNP and the relationship between the two autonomous. In the case of CFC, the Executive
should not be assigned to serve other infants in the groups. Council in 1992 was composed of: Frank Padilla,
faith.” What was the chain of command that Ligaya ex- Rouquel Ponte, Tony Meloto, Arben Vicenio and
During his short exhortation at CFC’s ninth an- ercised over Couples for Christ? Bobby Pilar.
niversary on June 16, 1990, Vic told the leaders: Ligaya oversaw not just CFC but other In order to keep all the communities in line with
“This year we committed ourselves to double our covenanted groups, namely: the mother community’s goals and thrusts, Ligaya
number. In the year 2000, one million members. Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen created the Partners in Mission Council (PIMC)
Will we make it? I don’t know. What I know is that and Professionals composed of all the Executive Directors of the out-
we can only achieve all these by the grace of God.” Christ’s Youth in Action Origins / C3
 CBCP Monitor
C2 Ugnayan Vol. 12 No. 7
March 31 - April 13, 2008

by Joe Tale, CFC Executive Director

A season of new
beginnings
Hallelujah! Christ is risen!
The season of Lent has ended. The time for remembering a most
sorrowful event – the death of our Savior Jesus Christ - is over.
It is Easter – a time for rejoicing and for looking ahead with hope.
Our Savior, the Son-of-God Jesus, who died for us on the cross, has
risen from the dead! His triumph over death ensured our salvation.
I am sure many of us remember our childhood, when the season of
Lent and Easter was commemorated with greater reverence and in-
tensity than we do today. Not too long ago, before the advent of the
internet, of cable TV, of 24/7 stores, Lent was indeed a quiet time.
For the entire Holy week, from Holy Monday to Black Saturday, it
was as if the whole nation stood still. The only music radio stations
played from Monday to Wednesday was somber religious dirges.
The only TV shows were endless reruns of “The Ten Command-
ments.” On Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, the radio and TV
stations were closed and all that the radios and TVs produced were
static. They were on air again on Black Saturday but still with the
same soft quiet music.
When we were children, we were enjoined to keep still, to refrain
from shouting, from boisterous play and from quarreling, especially
on Good Friday. We were extra obedient, extra respectful, extremely
well-behaved. “Namatay na si Hesus” was the only thing we needed
to hear to be reminded of our obligations as good children.
And there were of course the continuous prayers. Aside from the
6 PM daily rosary, we were ordered to accompany our elders for the
public Way of the Cross in the churches. We were awakened very
early on Maundy Thursday to visit, often with the entire clan, the
requisite number of parish churches for the traditional “Visita
Iglesia.” And we were forced to squirm in our seats for hours on end
as we listened to mostly old women chant, in a cacophony of shrill
and strident voices, a sing-song rendition of the “Pasyon,” the Pas-
sion of Christ sung out in mournful and loud tones. As this was very
often done with the aid of a public address system, the whole neigh-
borhood was forced to listen too.
But Easter Sunday was another matter. In some regions of the
Philippines, children would be awakened at the crack of dawn to
witness the “Salubong,” when the risen Christ would meet His
mother. They were also told to jump as high as they can. This was
supposed to ensure that they would grow to be tall. Nobody has
ever satisfactorily explained the why and how of this practice and I
guess many of those who did follow never actually obtained the
growth spurt promised, but it
was tradition and it was ob-
served.
Easter Sunday meant we could
play again, we could go back to
our jumping and running games,
we could shout again. We could
be happy again because “Christ
has risen!”
Today, we are no longer chil-
CFC Executive Director Joe Tale attended a fellowship dinner hosted by Archbishop Angel Lagdameo of Jaro, Iloilo together
dren and many of us, the youth with leaders of CFC Iloilo.
and the singles and the young
married couples, may not re-
member the times such as I have described them. But the sense of new spirit of excitement and commitment. We have expectant faith
joy, after emerging from a period of reflection and of meditation on that the other ILCs of the Family Ministries and our anniversary
the life and death of Jesus, is still there, still palpable, still strong. celebration in June will be blessed as well.
Easter is indeed a time for new beginnings. Astronomically, the • The evangelization programs in the various areas are well on their
Christian calendar ensures that Easter Sunday always falls within the way. In addition, we look forward to exciting challenges brought
period from March 22 to April 25, and in the Northern hemisphere, by special evangelization opportunities – about 40,000 families in
this period also heralds the coming of spring, a time when new buds government relocation sites in Cavite, Laguna and Bulacan (in
sprout, when the earth’s cover turns from gray and brown to green partnership with the National Housing Authority), and overseas
again. Thus the new hope and new beginnings that Easter brings are Filipino workers and their families (in partnership with the De-
real in more ways than one. partment of Labor and Employment).
This year, our Lord gave us the theme, nay, the admonition, to • The pastoral congresses are being conducted in more countries
love as He does. This in itself is a new beginning. Coming from a around the world,
year of Lamentations and of hurts and bitterness, this dictum of love • We are establishing a wider platform for upscaling of Gawad
represents renewed hope, renewed commitment, reinvigorated spirits. Kalinga in full response to the Lord’s call for us to care for the least
We are called to actively seek and bestow forgiveness. We are tasked of our brethren.
to reach out, even to those who refuse to accept our proffered hands. • We have been given an opportunity to set our history straight and
Our new beginnings start from the state of our hearts. It should to establish the right basis for our relationship with the Ang Ligaya
also encompass the state of our mission. As we begin in earnest to ng Panginoon, our mother community.
address our evangelization work, our work with the poor, our work
with the Family Ministries and the Social Ministries, we do so with Finally, we are about to hurdle the financial burden brought on by
renewed hope that the Lord will continue to make His presence felt huge bank loans of the past. That is indeed a wonderful blessing and
in everything that we do. truly a new beginning for our community because it sets the stage
• Our recent major events – the Leaders Conference in Araneta, the for greater generosity from our brethren to support the mission. We
Metro Manila Mission Core Disciples Weekend (now being ech- are confident that the Lord is about to tip His bowl of plenty on us,
oed in all the regions), the Singles for Christ International Leaders that He will bless us and grant us renewed strength and greater
Conference (ILC) in Clark, the Servants of the Lord ILC in Tagaytay resources to do His work.
– have been blessed not only with record number of participants
but more importantly, with substance in the contents and with a A Blessed Easter to all!

The Philippine Road to Evangelization Series by Joe Yamamoto

Philippine Missions Director
International Council Member

Moved by the Holy Spirit

From its very inception,
Couples for Christ has drawn its
direction and inspiration from
the empowerment of the Holy
Spirit. Throughout its history, the
community has consciously
sought discernment through the
guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is
evocative of that dependence in
the Spirit that our vision as
“Families in the Holy Spirit re-
newing the face of the earth” was
recently expanded to include the
following:... “ Moved by the Holy
Spirit, one with the Catholic
Church, blessed to witness to
Christ’s love and service, Couples
for Christ is a united global com-
munity of family evangelizers,
that will set the world on fire
with the fullness of God’s trans-
would take them even to martyr-
dom for their fearless witness to
the Gospel.”
He further continued by stat-
ing that “In our world, often
dominated by a secularized cul-
ture which encourages and pro-
motes models of life without
God, the faith of many is sorely
tested, and is frequently stifled
and dies. Thus we see an urgent
need for powerful proclamation
and solid, in-depth Christian for-
mation. There is so much need
today for mature Christian per-
sonalities, conscious of their bap-
tismal identity, of their vocation
and mission in the world. There
is great need for living Christian
As we trace our journey as CFC
members, we are made more
keenly aware of the presence of
the Holy Spirit in our life. We
recognize that all of us received
the Holy Spirit at Baptism and
Confirmation. During the CLPs,
each of us experienced a renewed
outpouring of the spiritual graces,
particularly during Talk No.9 –
Receiving the Power of the Holy
Spirit. CFC formation tracks al-
lowed us to learn more about God
and experience His presence. We
learned to exercise those spiritual
gifts during our prayers and wor-
ship, individually and as part of
community. The more we used
them, the more we experienced
three levels, the Spirit enriches
our lives.
Because the Spirit is active in
our lives, the natural progression
is we are joined to Jesus inti-
mately. This occurs in two basic
ways. First, the Risen Christ is
present in and among us today
in the Spirit. Second, because we
have accepted Jesus, the Spirit is
the inner source of our life of
faith. “No one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’
except in the Holy Spirit. (1
Cor.12:3; PCP II 64,68). This
means we can come to know, rec-
ognize, and experience Jesus only
because the Holy Spirit makes it
possible.
Father”(Gal 4:6).
The Spirit empowers us to love
– Through Him we are enabled
to love God, and to love our
neighbor. “The love of God has been
poured into our hearts through the
Holy Spirit who has been given to
us” ( Rom5:5). And “if God has
loved us so, we must have the same
love for one another... if we love one
another, God dwells in us and His
love is brought to perfection in us”
(1 Jn 4:11 -12). St. Paul stresses this
gift of love above all charisms.
The Spirit empowers us to bear
witness - At the Last Supper, Jesus
told the apostles: “When the
the Spirit of truth who “will teach
you everything and remind you
of all I told you” and “guide you
to all truth.” (Jn 14:26; 16:13) John
Paul II stresses further that “the
Spirit will help people to under-
stand the correct meaning of the
content of Christ’s message. He
will ensure the continuity and
identity of understanding... the
same truth which the Apostles
heard from their Master.”
The Spirit draws us into com-
munity, unity and service - PCP
II explains how the lay faithful
are called “to animate the tem-
poral order with Christ’s Spirit.”
This unity in loving service is
made possible through the mani-
fold gifts and charisms vested

The key is to be always connected to God as

forming love.”
The beginnings of the Catho-
lic Church are traceable not only
to the very moment Jesus com-
missioned Peter to be its first
head but also to the descent of
the Holy Spirit during Pentecost.
the source of graces and gifts. We need to
The scripture described an ep-
ochal event in the early Church
when, in the form of tongues of
upon us by the Spirit. This is the
same empowerment of the Spirit
that Isaiah spoke about: “a spirit
of wisdom and of understanding, a
spirit of counsel and of strength, a
spirit of knowledge and of fear of the
Lord” (Is 11:2).
safeguard and daily strengthen that The Spirit inspires true Chris-
tian life - Much as every lay faith-

fire, the Holy Spirit embraced the
first community of Christian be-
lievers and allowed it to experi-
ence firsthand what Jesus was
saying all along about the com-
ing of the Paraclete. “Suddenly a
sound came from heaven like the rush
of a mighty wind, and it filled all the
house where they were sitting. And
there appeared to them tongues as of
fire, distributed and resting on each
of them. And they were all filled with
the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:2-3).
Pope John Paul II emphasized,
during the meeting of the
Ecclesial Movements in Rome
(Pentecost, May 30,1998), that
“with these words the Acts of the
Apostles bring us into the heart
of the Pentecost event; they show
us the disciples who, gathered
with Mary in the Upper Room,
receive the gift of the Spirit. Thus,
Jesus’ promise is fulfilled and the
time of the Church begins. From
that time the wind of the Spirit
would carry Christ’s disciples to
the very ends of the earth. It
relationship.
communities! And here are the
movements and the new ecclesial
communities; they are the re-
sponse, given by the Holy Spirit,
to this critical challenge at the
end of the millennium. You are
this proverbial response.”
Considering that the state-
ments were uttered by John Paul
II during the second decade in the
life and mission of CFC, our com-
munity received a very clear and
powerful affirmation of the rea-
son for its existence – to help
bring the light of Christ to a
troubled world. This mission
was given during a very impor-
tant part of the Church liturgical
year- the Pentecost — and at the
same time that the whole Catho-
lic community was at the thresh-
old of the new millennium.
spiritual transformation and our
spiritual journey became sustain-
able. The key is to be always con-
nected to God as the source of the
graces and the gifts. We need to
safeguard and daily strengthen
that relationship.
HOW THE SPIRIT WORKS IN
OUR LIVES
In our personal lives, the Holy
Spirit is active in three levels.
First, He is active “within,” and
this is where we experience the
Spirit in our thoughts and feel-
ings. Second, He manifests Him-
self through the interpersonal
experiences we have with family
and friends. Third, He is active in
our work and social life in the
community and parish. In these
THE SPIRIT’S ACTIONS
AMONG US
In very concrete terms the
Spirit: 1) adopts us as children of
the Father; 2) enables us to love
as Christ commanded; 3) em-
powers us to bear witness to
Christ; 4) allows us to know the
truth; 5) draws us into commu-
nity unity and service; and 6) in-
spires us to live a truly Christian
life.
The Spirit adopts us - By adop-
tion, we become “children of
God” (Jn 1:12). Jesus is the only
begotten, God’s own Son, but
through Him and His Spirit, we
are adopted by the Father, and
are called “children of God.” We
can truly call God, “Abba
Paraclete comes...he will bear witness
on my behalf. You must bear witness
as well.” (Jn 15:26). Right about the
time of Ascension, Jesus prom-
ised: “You will receive power when
the Holy Spirit comes upon you, then
you are to be my witnesses in Jerusa-
lem... and even to the ends of the
earth.” (Acts 1:8) Jesus calls us to
give witness to Him before oth-
ers by sharing His three-fold
mission of Prophet, Priest, and
King.
The Spirit empowers us to
know the truth - Knowledge of
the truth is a power which the
Holy Spirit instills among the
faithful. PCP II points out that
“all persons are bound to seek the
truth, especially in religious mat-
ters.” Jesus promised his apostles
ful is called to a personal journey
of relationship with Jesus and
therefore holiness, it is the pres-
ence of the Holy Spirit that
guides and strengthens us. The
transformation that each one ex-
perienced through our CLPs be-
gan the life-changing process
that we refer to.
BY THE POWER OF THE
SPIRIT
Because Couples for Christ was
raised by God as a community of
lay faithful, it can only function
in accordance with His plan. This
is outlined by the vision state-
ment of “Families in the Holy
Spirit renewing the face of the
earth.” The continuity of its mis-
sion of “building the church of
the home and building the church
of the poor” can and will only
happen through the goodness of
the Lord and the power of the
Holy Spirit.
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 7
March 31 - April 13, 2008 Ugnayan C3

MMLA: More Manila Loving Awakened

by MK Guaño

“SFC is the place to be, I am was overwhelming as the spirit

home ‘coz Christ is with me!”
This chant rocked the Our Lady
of Guadalupe Minor Seminary
Gym last March 15, 2008, where
1000 SFC leaders gathered for the
bi-monthly Singles for Christ
(SFC) Metro Manila Leaders As-
sembly (MMLA), the biggest yet
for the ministry. The atmosphere
of the recently held SFC Interna-
tional Leaders Conference was
still very much alive in every
person who was there.
The powerful worship led by
Dennis Montelealto, a chapter
head of Central A sector, set the
tone for the whole activity. The
emcees, Erwin Robles and Cathy

SFC leaders listen intently to the talks

Book also from Central A, to-

gether with the SFC Dance Min-
istry and the Central A Music
Ministry, roused the crowd
through chanting and dancing.
The main session of the MMLA
was a Lenten recollection given
by Fr. Tito Caluag, now serving
in the Diocese of Imus. He talked
about how awareness and con-
sciousness help people gain
meaning in their lives. He men-
tioned that people live 80% of
their lives out of expectations –
how they are supposed to act and
what they are supposed to do.
“Our day-to-day lives pull us in
different directions, making us
disintegrated. That is why we
need awareness and conscious-
ness of what the core of our lives
is,” Fr. Caluag explained. “We
should live out of choice and not
just out of expectations,” he
Fr. Tito Caluag
CFC Japan turns 12!
Members of Couples for Christ in Japan came from various corners of the country to reunite and
gather for a one-day, Spirit-empowered 12th anniversary “Disciples Weekend” on March 3, taking
to heart the 2008 theme of CFC — Love one another as I have loved you. (John 13:34).
The event was held at the Meguro Gajoen Hotel in Tokyo. About 200 members of the CFC, SFC,
HOLD, SOLD, YFC, and KFC, seized the rare opportunity to listen to a series of talks and testimo-
nies about being loving, faithful disciples, especially amid the challenges of living Christian lives
in a foreign country.
This year’s anniversary was also special because of the presence of our beloved clergy such as Fr.
Resty who celebrated the mass, Fr. Mario who was part of the Osaka CFC group that was formed
just last year, Fr. Leo of St. Anselm’s church in Meguro and Fr. Kawaguchi of the Catholic Tokyo
International Center. The day’s activities and the fellowship dinner afterwards cemented the
bonds among the brethren and reaffirmed their commitment to work hand in hand with each other
and with the clergy in fulfilling their God-given mission of evangelization.
added. of the cross. As Mother Teresa SFC Metro Manila leaders left
Fr. Caluag reminded everyone said, “We don’t do great things. the MMLA fired up for the chal-
that the basis of Jesus’ choice is We do only little things with lenge to fill the world with more
love. This is the whole message great love.” love their whole lives through.

Origins / C1

reaches. There was one requirement:
the Executive Directors of the out-
reaches must be covenanted members
of Ligaya. Over-all leadership was
vested in the Overall Leadership
Team (OLT) of Ligaya. Fr. Herb was
the head of the OLT.
Chronology of the Split
In late 1991, some of the top lead-
ers of CFC, led by Frank Padilla, pro-
posed the formation of a separate
community that would solely serve
the needs of CFC. The OLT studied
the proposal at some depth but after
much discussion, turned down the
proposal and communicated the de-
cision to the CFC Council in July 1992.
Vic, who laughingly refers to him-
self as “Mr. Trash” because he never
throws any document away, can re-
call every detail and every date re-
lated to the split. He says, “Unfortu-
nately that decision by the OLT did
not resolve the conflict. Fr. Herb, as
spiritual director of CFC, had to meet
with the top leaders of CFC many
times to discuss, to listen, to try to
bring the issues to a resolution, but
to no avail.”
Finally, it became necessary for the
OLT to meet with the CFC Executive
Council to state clearly the relation-
ship between the two groups and
from there, to come to discussion and
agreement on the changes being pro-
posed by CFC. Two meetings were
held – on February 26 and March 1,
1993.
During the March 1 meeting, some
members of the CFC Council refused
to acknowledge that CFC was an out-
reach of Ligaya and consequently, de-
nied that they were accountable to the
mother community. Ligaya’s pro-
posal that this reality be accepted,
even as a starting point for further
discussion and organizational
changes, was shot down.
On March 11, 1993, Fr. Herb, in his
capacity as OLT head, wrote a memo
addressed to the CFC Executive
Council, spelling out the relationship
of CFC to Ligaya (that it was an out-
reach) and asking the CFC leaders to
acknowledge this publicly. Fr. Herb
also reminded the CFC leaders of
Ligaya’s long-standing policy that the
Executive Director of the outreaches
must be a covenanted member of
Ligaya.
On March 15, Frank Padilla replied,
acknowledging receipt of Fr. Herb’s
memo. He requested that the CFC
Council be given a week for prayer
and discernment before meeting
again with the OLT. Fr. Herb readily
agreed and both agreed to meet again
on March 20, 1993.
March 19 was the regular elders as-
sembly of CFC. At that meeting, one
day before the scheduled meeting
with Fr. Herb, Frank Padilla led the
move to dissolve the existing CFC
Council and elected a new Council.
Some of the CFC elders present at that
meeting objected but the elections con-
tinued. With this move, CFC sent a clear
signal to Ligaya: CFC was no longer an
outreach of Ligaya and that the CFC lead-
ers were no longer accountable to Ligaya
on how they would conduct the affairs
of CFC.
The promised meeting with Fr. Herb
did not materialize. Ligaya would later
learn that the incorporation papers of
CFC were filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on March 3, 1993.
Ligaya’s Response
Stung by the suddenness of the move,
Ligaya needed more than a week to
meet, discuss and formulate a response.
The following are taken from the posi-
tion statement that Ligaya released to
its members on March 30, 1993:
“Response of Ligaya to This Move
1. The Ligaya leadership and the com-
munity members who have been deeply
involved in the CFC leadership are
grieved by the move of the CFC leader-
ship to separate from Ligaya. We
strongly disapprove of the manner in
which the separation was done. What
they did was out of order and seriously
damaging to relationships among broth-
ers and sisters in the Lord.
2. While we believe that Ligaya has
rights over CFC, we opt not to pursue
those rights for the sake of peace and
harmony in the Church. We believe that
it is right in the Lord for us to spend our
efforts in bringing the gospel to many
families, rather than in seeking redress
for our grievance. We enjoin our broth-
ers and sisters who share our grief to
take on this posture of peace.
3. In practical terms, our decision is to
let CFC go its own way. We are relin-
quishing our rights to the name CFC, to
the CFC Foundation, with all its assets
and liabilities. This decision may create
a vacuum for some CFC members and
leaders who may not agree with the de-
cision taken by the present CFC leader-
ship. We want to assure these brethren
and leaders that we are committed to
continue serving them. We have a place
for them in our plans for a family
apostolate.
4. Our decision to let go of CFC does
not in any way affect our mission to
bring families to Christ. The Ligaya is
committed to continue responding to
God’s call to evangelize families. The
response that we made to God’s call in
1981 when we organized CFC does not
end now that CFC has been led away
from us.
We are now in the process of organiz-
ing the Ligaya Family Life Apostolate.
We will pour into this apostolate our
available pastoral and leadership re-
sources as well as our years of pastoral
experience in family life ministry.”
As a conclusion to the position state-
ment, Ligaya leaders explained:
“The position of Ang Ligaya ng
Panginoon as expressed above is the
product of much prayers and discern-
ment. We have consulted and have taken
into consideration the prayerful inputs
of our Ligaya members, especially those
who are involved in the CFC-LNP rela-
tionship.
We are making this position paper
available to anyone who wishes to un-
derstand our decision. Ligaya members
who are serving in CFC may use this
paper to speak to their members regard-
ing the decisions taken by Ligaya. We
caution them, though, to refrain from
campaigning. While we do not want to
campaign, we want to be clear that we
are open to receive anyone who wishes
to serve and to participate in our Family
Life Apostolate.
We wish no evil to and speak no evil
against those who have searated from
us and have led CFC away. We do not
intend to compete with them in any way.
All we desire is to end the period of strife
and be able to serve the Lord and His
Church fruitfully through our family life
apostolate.
…We commit ourselves to a common
work. Through this cooperative effort,
we desire to give witness to Christian
unity and brotherhood and sisterhood,
even as we pursue our individual
organization’s vision and mission.
We apologize to anyone who may
have been scandalized by this unfortu-
nate event and we seek your prayers as
we try to serve the Lord in a more deter-
mined way.”
The position statement was signed by
Fr. Herbert Schneider, S.J., Victorino
Gutierrez, Michael Joseph, Jr. and Ken-
neth Noecker.
Debunking the Myths
Vic Gutierrez was initially hesitant to
sit down and be interviewed for this ar-
ticle. He would much rather have pre-
ferred to let the 15-year separation re-
main uncluttered by further controversy,
particularly since it is now being com-
pared to a similar recent separation. As
he stated, “It is depressing to see such a
wonderful work of God (CFC) being
wracked in a senseless controversy.”
He also hastens to correct the impres-
sion that he desires to be called the
founder of CFC. “Why does there have
to be a fight on who is the founder? In
the broader spiritual community, it is
distasteful and indecent to fight for such
an honor.”
He also explained some of the mis-
conceptions about the split.
Myth No 1: LNP repressed CFC to pre-
vent it from doing its mission in rapid and
massive evangelization.
As earlier explained, it was in fact
Ligaya that initiated the forays into the
provinces and even into the countries of
Asia, North America and Europe. It was
also Ligaya, through Vic, that first be-
gan to think in terms of doubling mem-
bership and to dream of a million mem-
bers as early as in 1991.
The “exportable packages” were in fact
done in order to ensure that rapid and
massive evangelization may be carried
out with the minimum presence of LNP
and CFC leaders.
Myth No. 2: The 1993 split was because of
a basic difference in vision.
There was no difference in vision.
Ligaya initiated and, when the CFC
leadership was firmly in place, fully sup-
ported the drive for more members and
for rapid territorial expansion.
The split happened because of a basic
difference in the way the relationship
between the two groups was perceived.
In that meeting of March 1, Ken Noecker
of Ligaya proposed that the starting
points of the discussion should first be
established. From these starting points
would ensue the discussion and deci-
sion on how to re-align the relation-
ship between the two organizations.
The starting points were: the CFC
Council must acknowledge, first, that
CFC was an outreach of Ligaya and sec-
ond, that the executive directors of the
outreaches needed to be covenanted
members of Ligaya.
Frank Padilla flatly refused to make
such an acknowledgement, in spite of
years of living and operating under
such a reality. The meeting was ad-
journed.
After the March 19 meeting of the
CFC leaders, Frank would write a
memo to Fr. Herb (dated March 20,
1993) stating that “There is no question
that God owns CFC and it is distasteful
for any human person or organization
to claim ownership of what belongs to
God.” The conflict was thus reduced to
a question of ownership, on the premise
that Ligaya was attempting to claim
ownership of CFC.
Myth No. 3: God intended the split to
happen.
Vic laughs when he hears that this is
one reason being offered by some quar-
ters to explain why the split of 1993 hap-
pened, the same reason being bandied
about now that CFC has suffered an-
other split. “God does not cause His
disciples to break relationships, to quar-
rel and to accuse one another. He can
bring us to where He wants us to be not
through these means. When we quar-
rel, it is not because God wants us to
quarrel, but because of our human
weaknesses.”
Myth No. 4: The split between CFC and
LNP was by “mutual agreement.’
Vic begs to disagree. “There was se-
rious disagreement between the main
leaders of CFC and the LNP leaders. But
we did not want it to become a public
scandal in the Church. Remember that
we were caught unaware by the sudden
move to separate. So there could not
have been any “mutual agreement.”
LNP was against CFC’s proposal to be
spun off as a separate entity. We were
ready to exhaust all means to pre-
vent the separation. But the separa-
tion happened. We had no choice
but to accept it in order to preserve
the good name of both organiza-
tions. So our only response was to
issue a position statement. We dis-
tributed it to members and to all who
were interested in finding out more
about the split. We mailed copies to
all the bishops also.”
Regrets… and Might-Have-Beens
It has been almost exactly15 years
since that fateful split. Vic has since
retired from active leadership, al-
though he is still very much in-
volved in the life and mission of
Ligaya. But he still thinks of those
events of 1993 with a great deal of
regret. He says, “When I recall the
events of those days, I can only say,
‘Sayang.’ Tears did not have to flow.
Personal relationships did not have
to be broken. LNP and CFC could
have continued sharing each other’s
strengths. And CFC could still have
attained its mission although in a
lightly different way.”
Vic believes that Frank Padilla mis-
understood LNP’s moves as a mere
positioning for ownership and con-
trol of CFC. “He was wrong,” Vic
declares. “LNP only wanted to pro-
vide three things for CFC. First, LNP
was concerned about the care and
protection of the top CFC leaders,
especially in the area of their personal
relationships. We believe that the
more responsibility you take on for
yourselves, the more authority you
have to seek over your life and mis-
sion. Second, LNP wanted to help
CFC relate properly to local Church
authorities, especially to the parishes.
Third, LNP wanted to give guidance
to the teaching courses and spiritual-
ity of CFC. “
POSTSCRIPT
The rift between LNP and CFC
would be healed but it would take
more than 12 years. On July 16, 2005,
on the occasion of LNP’s 30th anni-
versary, the two organizations
would meet once again, but this time
in an atmosphere of healing and rec-
onciliation. They would release A
Statement of Reconciliation, Unity
and Brotherhood, signed by Frank
Padilla, Rouquel Ponte and Tony
Meloto, for the CFC Council and by
Tony Panajon, LNP Head Coordina-
tor, for the Body of Coordinators of
LNP. Fr. Herb Schneider would sign
the statement as witness.
For LNP and CFC, it was time to
close the book on a sad and difficult
episode. It was time to move on,
once again embracing one another
as brothers and co-workers in the
work of the Lord.
Next issue: more on split.
 CBCP Monitor
C4 Ugnayan Vol. 12 No. 7
March 31 - April 13, 2008

A very unique CLP

Couples for Christ in Kota Kinabalu is probably
unique in that it is the only one among the CFC
global family that has one whole unit composed of
16 hearing and speech-impaired individuals. The
16 members consist of one couple (CFC), one Ser-
vants of the Lord member, two Handmaids of the
Lord and 11 Singles for Christ.
In February 2007, the coordinator for the speech
and hearing impaired ministry of the parish ap-
proached CFC. She had heard and seen for herself
that CFC offers good formation and support envi-
ronment for all sectors of the parish and she wanted
to know if there was a possibility that CFC would
conduct a CLP for her wards. What followed was a
Christian Life Program beyond the expectations
and wildest dreams of CFC in the area.
The CLP began on 23 March and was completed
on 13 July 2007. There were no manuals, no guide-
lines, no previous experience to guide any of us
when we agreed to conduct the CLP. But trusting
in God’s guidance and wisdom, we approached this
CLP boldly.
Because the CLP days were on Fridays and be-
cause this was normally a busy day for the parish,
there were no available venues. The only room
available was a room shunned by most because of
its proximity to the Parish Hall where a Charis-
matic Prayer Meeting is held every Friday. It was a
room normally not ideal for a CLP or any seminar
or teaching session because of the noise, but this
time, we did not mind the noise. The participants
didn’t mind either.
It was a CLP like no other. Each session began
with the usual songs and opening prayers — in
sign language. The speakers gave the talk while
the interpreter translated it into sign language.
All talks were accompanied by a Power Point
presentation with texts adapted to the participants’
vocabulary: no very long words or phrases.
The deaf/mutes were a “noisy” and inquisitive
lot. If any one of them failed to really understand a
term or a concept, he/she would readily raise a hand
for clarification. I even experienced repeating a
whole talk by a speaker the previous week because
they said they did not understand it. Their discus-
sions were very animated, with rapid hand move-
ments. Sometimes, they got so carried away that
they missed the signal to end their discussion. We
took to dimming the lights to get their attention.
Today, our deaf-mute brothers and sisters are
fully living out their new lives as renewed Catho-
lics. They even had a presentation during the fourth
anniversary celebration of CFC Kota Kinabalu.
Our fervent wish is that we would soon be able
to converse with them in sign language so that we
can truly be one with them. (Romie Tiama)

Disciples weekend
echoed in Mindanao
and Bicol

No words are needed to praise and honor the Lord.

A truly blessed day

Bishop Romulo Valles of Zamboanga City celebrates Holy Mass at the conclusion of the Mindanao Leaders Disciples
Weekend.
In Zamboanga
One Thousand Six Hundred
Fifty One (1,651) leaders repre-
senting 27 Provinces of the 5
Regions in Mindanao gathered
at the spacious Astoria Regency
Convention Hall located
within the vicinity of the his-
toric Pasonanca Park,
Zamboanga City for the 2008
CFC Mindanao Leaders Con-
ference dubbed as “Disciples
Weekend” held on March 15-
16, 2008. The conference was
hosted by CFC Zamboanga
City.
Vic Lauro, Provincial Area
Director for Zamboanga,
opened the weekend with a vi-
brant worship. Zamboanga
City Mayor Celso Lobregat,
who was accompanied by three
city councilors, welcomed the
participants to his beautiful
city.
Inspiring talks and messages
were given by powerful speak-
ers, led by Joe Yamamoto and
Joey Arguelles of the Interna-
tional Council, Nonoy
Dalman, Provincial Area Head
of Zamboanga, Noel Grino,
Dodong Banaynal and Dodong
Becada.
The week-end conference
was fittingly capped with a
Holy Mass which coincided
with the annual celebration of
Palm Sunday. The Most Rev.
Romulo G. Valles D.D. Arch-
bishop of the Diocese of
Zamboanga City was the main
celebrant of the Holy Eucha-
rist. In his homily he exhorted
that discipleship is a difficult
road to follow because true dis-
cipleship is humble
servanthood and entails suffer-
ing. He also affirmed that in
Zamboanga City there is only
one Couples for Christ. The Holy
Mass was concelebrated by Rev.
Fr. Gilbert Gente, Rev. Fr.
Sulpicio Soliva, CFC Zamboanga
City Spiritual Adviser and Rev.
Fr. Max Campo, Spiritual Direc-
tor CCR- Zamboanga City. Bing
Calzada
...And in Bicol
The Disciples Weekend for the
Bicol region was held from Feb-
ruary 23-24 in Naga City. CFC
leaders from Albay and the
southern part of Camarines Sur
braved raging floodwaters to get
to the venue. They were joined
by CFC leaders from the islands
of Catanduanes, Masbate,
Sorsogon, and Camarines Norte
to listen to God’s messages of
love.
God showed His hand in the
preparations for the event. A few
days prior to the conference, the
The music ministry leads the Bicol leaders in praise and worship.
Feb 29, 2008 – Brgy. Tangkaan, Padre Burgos. Church requirements, bridal dresses and grooms’
This is the home of two budding GK Villages both wear, to the food during the wedding reception.
from ANCOP CANADA – Leyte Association of The caretaker team, CLP team and the CFC area
Ontario GK Village and Northern Alberta GK Vil- council stood as godparents to the couples. Rev.
lage. On this day, the GK sites celebrated a very Fr. Edmund Resus, the parish priest, exhorted the
special event — five couples received five sacra- new converts on how it is to be a true Christian.
ments. Pidong and Narda, Ruben and Emma, Alex The area is home to mostly Aglipayans, an ironic
and Celia, Romeo and Marites and Eugene and twist considering that Limasawa, then part of the
Louvella, all Aglipayans, received the Roman municipality of Padre Burgos, is considered the
Catholic sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, cradle of Christianity since it was here where Span-
Penance, Matrimony and the Holy Eucharist … ish missionaries landed on March 31, 1521 to-
region experienced unusual
all in one day! The GK team led by Gina Paler and gether with Ferdinand Magellan. They celebrated
and heavy monsoon rains,
Flor Alesna and the Project Director, Freddie the first ever Easter Sunday Mass in the Philip-
rendering many major thor-
Dalugdugan, prepared everything from the pines on that day.
oughfares impassable. The
situation showed no sign of
improvement such that the
team in charge entertained al-
ternative options. But by
midday of Friday, the sun
shone. The delegates sent
word they would be coming
and not one delegation
backed out from their commit-
ment to attend.
From the morning worship
of the first day, the talks and
sharings and fellowship, the
celebration of the Eucharist on
the last day until the praise
fest at the end of the confer-
ence, God manifested His un-
dying love. The homily
shared by Rev. Msgr. Zañado,
parish priest of St. John Evan-
gelist, Metropolitan Cathe-
dral who celebrated the Holy
Mass, was equally inspiring.
(Ped Suministrado)
The five couples pose in their bridal finery.
Pentecost activities slated at Luneta
This year’s Pentecost Rally beginning at 9 AM in conjunc- the celebration of the Mass.
will be unique. For the first tion with art and culture work- An agape (feeding) celebra-
time, the program proper will shops and demos, such as story tion will follow.
begin at 6 PM of May 10, at telling in coordination with The activity is expected to
sundown, and end at dawn of PETA and Museo Pambata and draw about 50,000 people and
the following day. The Pen- values formation lectures. will be jointly celebrated with
tecost Rally will be held at the About a thousand Gawad other Catholic charismatic
Luneta grounds and will fea- Kalinga residents will be pro- groups such as the Light of
ture the launching of the vided with lunch. Jesus, FOCOLARE and Bukas
“Feed My Sheep” campaign. The program proper will be- Loob sa Diyos. Also expected
There are many activities gin with choir performances fol- to attend are GK residents in
scheduled in the morning of lowed by inspirational talks. At Metro Manila, GK partners,
May 10. Medical and dental precisely 12 midnight, there will LGUs private corporations,
services will be offered free be a torch parade followed by schools and universities.