•A3 Pope calls Catholics

to prayer and sacrifice •B1 St. Paul migrant,

‘Apostle of the peoples’
Message of his Holiness Benedict
•C1 UGNAYAN
The News Supplement
during Lent XVI for the 95th world day of of Couples for Christ
Migrants and Refugees 2009

Palace urged to heed call www.cbcpnews.com cbcpmonitor@cbcpworld.net

for peace in Mindanao

NOW the people from the Visayan region are
calling Malacañang to heed the call of peace
advocates for peace in Mindanao.
The City Council of Bacolod endorsed a
resolution asking President Gloria Macapagal
Arroyo to listen to the appeal for peace of the
Negros contingent of a peace caravan which
traveled last November from Baguio to Co-
tabato.
The resolution was a product of a dialogue
Protagonist of Truth, Promoter of Peace
between the local government of Bacolod and
members of Pax Christi Bacolod Chapter that
Mindanao / A6
March 2 - 15, 2009 Vol. 13 No. 5 Php 20.00

Church official raises concern

on the plight of migrants
By Melo Acuña
A CHURCH official has raised
concern on the plight of Filipi-
no migrants and their families
in the face of global economic
meltdown.
Fr. Edwin
Corros, execu-
Photo courtesy of CBCP-ECMI

tive secretary of
the Episcopal
Commission
for the Pas-
toral Care for
Migrants and
Itinerant People
Fr. Edwin Corros (ECMI) said he
wants to know how the overseas Filipino
workers (OFWs) and their families may
benefit from the programs the govern-
ment claimed it prepared for them.
He was speaking at the OFW Family
Services Forum jointly organized by the
CBCP-ECMI, Archdiocese of Manila’s
Ministry to Migrants and their Families
Migrants / A6

CBCP head:

© Roy Lagarde / CBCP Media

Repentance
fortifies faith
AS Christendom enters the Lenten
A LONG FIGHT AHEAD. Catholic nuns look after a farmer who collapsed during a rally on March 4 to protest the state of the comprehensive agrarian law in front of Malate Church in Manila. The
Catholic Church and hundreds of farmers who are in Metro Manila after a long trek from the provinces vowed for a non-stop fight and series of rallies before Congress and Malacañang to press for the
permanent extension of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), which ended in 2008.

Church leaders welcome release of

season, CBCP president Archbishop
Angel Lagdameo said Lent is a time to
examine one’s life in an atmosphere of
prayer and repentance.

Lagdameo said a period of withdraw-
al and face-to-face confrontations with
temptation strengthen one’s faith.
He urged Catholics to take the season
of Lent as an opportune time for moral
renewal and transformation.
“Lent is an opportune occasion for
profound re-examination of life, for
confronting ourselves with the truth
of the Gospel, which demands radical
moral renewal,” Lagdameo said.
The CBCP head said that unless
Repentance / A6
Ninoy convicts
TWO prominent Catholic Church
leaders welcomed news reports on
the release of the remaining ten Ninoy
Aquino-Rolando Galman convicts fol-
lowing an executive decision to grant
executive clemency, March 2.
CBCP President Angel N. Lagdameo
said the convicts have long suffered at
the National Penitentiary and it is about
time they are freed.
“Hindi naman natin kailangang
patagalin pa kung hindi naman napa-
tunayang sila ang pumatay dahil kara-
niwan nating sinasabi ‘Justice delayed
is justice denied,’” the prelate said in
an interview.
Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop
Oscar V. Cruz, a Canon Law expert,
also said that “justice no matter how
straightforward should not fail its hu-
mane dimension otherwise it becomes
cruelty.”
Speaking of the specific case of Ni-
noy Aquino-Rolando Galman double
murder convicts, the prelate said “it
is not very certain who killed whom
that is why the responsibility fell on
the group of persons who cannot pull
one trigger.”
Cruz said it is fair according to hu-
mane justice that the remaining ten
convicts in the case should be set free.
“They have suffered enough and they
behaved well so God bless them,” the
74- year old prelate said.
Executive Secretary Rodolfo Dia-
mante of the CBCP Commission on
Prison Pastoral Care said their lobbying
has finally ended with the impending
release.
“They should be released because
Convicts / A6

Bishop seeks closure of Senate probe on ‘jueteng’ Priests call on

ANTI-GAMBLING crusader Arch-
bishop Oscar Cruz demanded lately
for “closure” of the senate inquiry on
“jueteng” conducted in 2005.
Cruz, who leads the Krusadang Bayan
Laban sa Jueteng, said the long wait is
over and it’s about time the authorities re-
lease the outcome of their investigation.
He called on the Senate Committee
on Games and Amusement headed by
Sen. Lito Lapid to release the result of
its investigation.
“I will request the proper people to
close the case and release the report. Let’s
see what the report is all about,” Cruz
said during Tuesday’s “The Forum,” a
church-organized media discussion.
Cruz brought the issue of jueteng to
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s
doorstep in 2005.
In senate hearings, he and his wit-
nesses—Wilfredo “Boy” Mayor and
Sandra Cam—testified that Arroyo, her
immediate family and her associates
had allegedly received money from
jueteng operations.
Mayor and Cam who confessed their
involvements in the multi-billion peso
racket are now advocates of the anti-
gambling group founded by the prelate.
Cam admits being a bag lady for
jueteng lord while Mayor accused Pam-
panga Congressman Mikey Arroyo of
receiving payola from gambling.
Reportedly, Cam also revealed that
President Arroyo was present when a
wife of an alleged jueteng operator gave
out P2 million each to regional directors
of the Commission on Elections during
the 2004 polls.
Cruz earlier this week has lamented
the resurgence of jueteng despite con-
certed efforts of the church and some
local public officials.
He said the number of jueteng lords
had also grown to 18 from only 8 at least
two years ago.
Jueteng draws especially in regions
1 to 5 had been three times a day since
last year, said Cruz.
Criticisms were already thrown against
the Arroyo administration for allegedly
not doing enough to eradicate jueteng.
But still, “no substantial action against
gambling has been done,” Mayor said.
(CBCPNews)
bishops to provide
moral voice
A GROUP of Catholic priests called on
the bishops’ hierarchy to keep provid-
ing the necessary moral voice at these
times of “deep division and crisis.”
In a statement, rooted from a recent
meeting of priests from different dioces-
es, they reiterated the need for church
officials to fulfill its responsibilities as
moralists.
And when situation warrants, they

Collaborative efforts between Church, gov’t urged said, the church leadership has a moral,
spiritual and prophetic obligation, to
denounce actions that have become an
A CATHOLIC prelate has urged for mutual col- cited the Church’s efforts to address peace and insult to the dignity of the people.
laboration between Church and government to environmental concerns. “We are proposing that our bishops
effectively serve the needs of the people. “We are happy [to be] reassured by (the CBCP) continue discerning and
In his homily during the launching of Alay people in government [that] we are not exercising their prophetic role in the
Kapwa this morning at the St. Ignatius Cathe- alone in our advocacy for peace and equal- context of contemporary Philippine
dral, Military Bishop Leopoldo Tumulak said ity; though we are independent organiza- society,” the statement read.
mutual collaboration between the two institu- tions, we share the same intentions,” the “...that, under the prophetic leader-
tions is a must. prelate said. ship of our bishops, dioceses conduct
“If we are to be effective in our mission, But Tumulak admitted that mutual sup- more circles of discernment to reach
helping one another is the call of the mo- port still need to be worked out. a greater number of priests, religious
ment,” the 64-year old prelate said. “No matter who and what we are before and lay leaders in an effort to create a
Tumulak cited the collaborative effort ourselves and people, one truth stands: we network of hope and understanding,”
of government in terms of relief, rescue and have a heart, we are compassionate because it said.
rehabilitation efforts in times of calamities. we are God’s image and likeness, who Him- The 3-page statement was formally
But he said there’s a need to work on a self is compassionate,” said Tumulak. presented during the CBCP Permanent
more permanent basis and “not only during He said nobody can run away from being Council’s regular meeting held at the
emergency cases.” compassionate because nobody can run CBCP headquarters in Intramuros,
“When we collaborate, we support one another away from God. Manila on March 4.
because mutual support diminishes suspicion of The event was attended by Cagayan de Oro Among the priests who presented
one’s sincerity and intention,” he said. Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, SJ, Marbel Bishop the statement at the Permanent Council
The prelate underscored the need for partner- Dinualdo Gutierrez, Antipolo Bishop Gabriel Reyes, meeting were: Msgr. Manny Gabriel
ship, to work for the same cause. Bontoc-Lagawe Bishop-Emeritus Francisco Claver, S.J. and (Paranaque), Fr. Avelino Sapida (Imus),
He said that like the government, the Catholic military chaplains assigned in various AFP units. Fr. Rollie de Leon (Malolos), Fr. Joe
Church has its own organizations and relevant The AFP hierarchy was led by AFP Chief of Staff General Dizon (Imus), Fr. Joel Canuel, MJ and
programs to address the concerns of its faithful. He Alexander Badong Yano and his staff officers. (Melo M. Acuna) Fr. Ed Coroza (Manila).
Illustration by Bladimer Usi
Moral voice / A6
 World News
CBCP Monitor
A2 Vol. 13 No. 5
March 2 - 15, 2009

Jesuit universities criticized

for ‘obscene’ events promoting
sexual ideologies
CNA STAFF, March 1, 2009—Three Jesuit universi-
ties are facing criticism for hosting events promot-
ing sexual license, cross-dressing and homosexual
ideologies just as Lent begins, with Georgetown
University being accused of promoting only the
orthodoxy of “sexual liberation.”
Georgetown University has hosted “Sex Posi-
tive Week” from Feb. 23 to 28, an event sponsored
by feminist and homosexual student clubs such
as GU Pride, United Feminists and Georgetown
Solidarity.
The Cardinal Newman Society reports that a
ships. I’m so upset [because] there was no one to
counter this anything-goes point of view.”
Georgetown University political science profes-
sor Patrick Deneen also commented on the event
at writer Rod Dreher’s BeliefNet blog “Crunchy
Conservative.”
He said observers should not assume that
Christian teaching about human sexuality is made
known at Georgetown.
“It is not,” Prof. Deneen charged. “The univer-
sity feebly attempts to pretend to be concerned
about matters of sexuality, but addresses them

Monday session featured a speaker from an orga-
nization that “provides a forum” for activities such
as fetishism, cross-dressing, and bondage.
A talk on Ash Wednesday, “Torn about Porn?”
advertised itself as including a discussion about
“arguably alternative forms of pornography that
are not supposed to be exploitative.”
A Saturday talk from a pornographic film-
maker will address “Relationships Beyond Mo-
nogamy.”
GU Pride political chair Olivia Chitayat ex-
plained the purpose of the week, saying to the
Georgetown Voice:
“The focus of this week is to introduce the idea
of Sex Positive, and that’s really about acceptance
of a wide range of desires and sexual expressions
as a way of understanding one another.”
“People have sex, and if they don’t, it still im-
pacts them. This is encouraging a dialogue in a way
that people don’t feel ashamed about engaging in
it or not engaging in it.”
David Gregory, Editor-in-Chief of the Catholic-
focused student publication The Georgetown
Academy, said he was “absolutely furious” that the
Student Activities Commission funded the event.
“I think about Gaston Hall and you have ‘Wis-
dom’ on one side of the ceiling and ‘Virtue’ on the
other side,” he told the Georgetown Voice, refer-
ring to a campus building. “And a discussion like
the one that took place there on Monday does not
promote a healthy view toward human relation-
© www.flickr.com/photos/sixteenmilesofstring
in terms of ‘health.’ Students who are required to
take two courses in Theology are rarely, if ever,
introduced to something like Pope John Paul II’s
Theology of the Body. The only orthodoxy on
campus is sexual liberation.”
Noting that the university had established a Les-
bian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered and Question-
ing “Resource Center,” he said there is no compa-
rable center on campus dedicated to “an expressly
Catholic teaching on human sexuality.”
“So what is the message being sent to today’s
students? Sex, like everything else, is a matter of
preference, choice, personal liberty and utilitarian elaborate rituals and practices to assist young peo- includes “Criss-Cross Day,” which encourages
pleasure. It is largely consequence-free recreation. ple in that difficult and dangerous transition.” students to “come dressed for the day in your best
We should recognize that the same moral climate At Loyola University of Chicago on Tuesday, gender-bending outfit.”
that contributed to the devastation of the worldwide the university’s Student Diversity and Cultural “These obscene abuses of Catholic values come just
economy is the same moral climate that informs ‘Sex Affairs Office presented a film about a homosexual as Christians begin a holy season of penance, fasting
Positive Week’,” Prof. Deneen argued. African-American who is transported in time to and almsgiving,” said Cardinal Newman Society
He accused Georgetown of wanting “desper- “cavort” with the supposedly homosexual writer President Patrick J. Reilly. “Faithful Catholics have
ately to be accepted on the terms set by the broader Langston Hughes, the Cardinal Newman Society good reason to be outraged and heartbroken.”
culture.” reports. “That Catholic universities would permit these
“Rather than taking a part in attempting to The film is part of a semester-long “Color of events on their campuses at any time of the year is
shape, even change that culture, Georgetown is Queer Film Series” sponsored by the university. unthinkable, but to do so during the holy season of
shaped in its image,” he said. Another upcoming film in the series concerns Lent is unconscionable,” he added. “The saddest part
“Parents and university caretakers have been a 12-year-old boy who falls in love with a male of this story is that there is no indication that these
deeply complicit in what goes on in today’s univer- police officer. universities are ashamed or embarrassed by what is
sities. They have largely reneged their responsibili- At Seattle University, the Office of Multicultural taking place on their Catholic campuses. Parents and
ties to set a proper tone as their young make the Affairs and the student Trans and Allies Club potential students might begin to wonder how these
transition from childhood to adulthood, instead are sponsoring “Transgender Awareness Week” universities can in good conscience consider them-
offering them a responsibility-free zone for four which includes a session on supposedly trans- selves Catholic when they allow such perverse distor-
years at the same time when most cultures have gender Bible heroes and heroines. The week also tions of Catholic values to take place.” (CNA)

Pope blames idolatry of money for Teaching sexual morals keeps

teens from being ‘open,’ U.K.
economic crisis
VATICAN CITY, February 27, 2009—Meeting with pastors and
sex ed leaflet says
LONDON, England, February 25, 2009—A new leaflet from
clergy of the Diocese of Rome on Thursday, Pope Benedict XVI the British government advises parents to be cautious about
discussed the economic crisis, the liturgy and evangelization. Nam- discussing moral values when they talk to their children about
ing the idolatry of money as a major shortcomings of the economic sex and also advises that teenagers should be encouraged to
order, he warned that large-scale reform cannot be achieved without form their own views about sexual morals.
individual reform and conversion. The leaflet, titled “Talking to Your Teenager About Sex and
© www.traditioninaction.org

Pope Benedict said that the Church has the duty to present a
reasonable and well-argued criticism of the errors that have led to
the current economic crisis. This duty is part of the Church’s mis-
sion and must be exercised firmly and courageously, avoiding both
moralism and obscurity.
He referred to his forthcoming social encyclical and presented a
synthetic, two-level overview of the economic crisis.
Pope Benedict considered the macroeconomic aspects and the
shortcomings of a system founded on selfishness and the “idolatry
of money.”
These flaws cast a shadow over man’s reason and will lead him
into the ways of error, he explained to the Roman clergy. Thus, the
Church must make her voice heard to show the path of true reason
illuminated by faith, which is also the path of self-sacrifice and
concern for the needy, he said.
The Pope also focused on small-scale economics, advising that
large-scale reforms cannot be achieved unless individuals reform
their ways. If there are no just people, there can be no justice he
said.
He invited people to intensify their efforts for the conversion of
hearts. This involves parishes not just being active in their local
Relationships” will be distributed in pharmacies beginning in
March as part of an initiative led by U.K. children’s minister
Beverly Hughes, the Sunday Telegraph reports.
Hughes said that the government doesn’t raise children but
argued it has a role in “supporting parents and giving them
access to advice and information.”
Any discussion of moral values should be kept “light,” the
community but also being open to all humanity. leaflet advises, recommending that parents talk with their chil-
Pope Benedict said the evangelization of those who have moved dren about sex at as young an age as possible.
away from the faith requires personal witness from individuals who “Discussing your values with your teenagers will help them
live for others. Such witness must be associated with the Word be- to form their own. Remember, though, that trying to convince
cause the Word reveals that the faith is not a philosophy or a utopia them of what’s right and wrong may discourage them from
but a truth that becomes life. being open,” it says, according to the Telegraph.
He declared the need for priests who are capable of speaking to The leaflet also provides technical information on different
modern man with the simplicity of truth to show that God is not forms of contraception.
distant but active in the lives of all men. Simon Calvert, deputy director of the Christian Institute,
Addressing the topic of the liturgy, the Pope compared it to a criticized the leaflet.
school in which one may learn the art of being human and where “The idea that the government is telling families not to pass on
one may experience familiarity with Christ. their values is outrageous,” he said, according to the Telegraph.
He said the Eucharist in particular must be lived as a sign and “Preserving children’s innocence is a worthy goal. We would like
seed of charity. (CNA) to see more of that

New President for Migrants Council

kind of language
rather than this
amoral approach
where p arent s
VATICAN CITY, March 1, 2009—Archbish- of the Pontifical Council for Justice and are encouraged
op Antonio Vegliò is replacing Cardinal Peace. to present their
Renato Martino at the head of the Pontifical Antonio Vegliò was born in 1938 in central children with a
© www.herenow4u.de

Council for Migrants and Travelers. Italy. He was ordained to the priesthood smorgasbord of
Benedict XVI moved the 71-year-old in 1962. Before being named to the Roman sexual activities
archbishop from his role as secretary of Curia, he served some 14 years in the Vatican and leave them to
© www.vatican.va

the Congregation for Eastern Churches, diplomatic service, principally in Africa and make up their own
the Vatican announced Saturday. Cardinal the Middle East. minds.” (CNA)
Martino, 76, has asked to retire for reasons He was named secretary of the Congrega-

Women and China top Pope’s

of age. He is still, however, the president Archbishop Antonio Vegliò tion for Eastern Churches in 2001. (Zenit)

Bishops of India strongly reject euthanasia prayer list

NEW DELH, India, February 23, 2009—The 120 Latin- VATICAN CITY, February 27, 2009─Benedict XVI will be pray-
rite members of the Bishops’ Conference of India con- ing in March that all nations grow in appreciation of the dignity
cluded their plenary assembly on February 18 with a and value of women and their roles in society.
categorical rejection of a case taken up by the Supreme The Apostleship of Prayer announced this general intention
Court of Delhi that would allow for euthanasia of the chosen by the Pope.
terminally ill. The Holy Father also chooses an apostolic intention for each
The Church “firmly and consistently opposes” the month. In March, he will pray for Church unity in China, as
taking of human life at any stage, the bishops said. The enjoined in the letter he sent to the Chinese faithful in 2007.
bishops’ spokesman, Father Joseph Babu, explained, The intention
“The government must guarantee the people the right reads: “That
to a serene life and not allow any kind of death.” all the bishops,
According to L’Osservatore Romano, the bishops also priests, conse-
© www.flickr.com/photos/shuttersarah

addressed the issue of evangelizing the laity through crated persons,

the reading and study of the Bible under the guidance and laity of the
of priests. They also condemned the actions of groups Catholic Church
© contact-online.blogspot.com

that seek to impose a literal interpretation of the Bible in China may

on the people India. strive to be in-
The bishops re-elected Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Arch- struments of
bishop of Mumbai, as president of the Conference, while unity, commu-
Archbishop Vincent Michael Concessao of Delhi was nion and peace.”
re-elected vice president. Bishop Prakash Mallavarapu (Zenit)
of Vijayawada was elected secretary general. (CNA)

CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 5
March 2 - 15, 2009
Pope calls Catholics to prayer
and sacrifice during Lent
VATICAN CITY, February 26, 2009─Pope Benedict began Lent
yesterday by presiding over Mass at the Church of Saint Sabina
and calling on Catholics to enter the period of conversion through
frequent contact with the Word of God, more intense prayer and a
penitential lifestyle. Let these be “a stimulus to convert and to love
our brothers and sisters, especially the poor and needy,” he said.
Benedict XVI began yesterday’s Lenten observance with a peniten-
tial procession from the church of Sant’Anselmo on Rome’s Aventine
Hill to the nearby basilica of Santa Sabina where he presided at a
Eucharistic celebration.
The Ash Wednesday ceremony included the Pope receiving ashes
from Cardinal Jozef Tomko, titular of Santa Sabina, after which the Pope
imposed ashes upon cardinals, bishops and a number of faithful.
The tradition of Catholics wearing ashes on their foreheads on the
first day of Lent comes from the Jewish practice of placing dirt or
ashes on their foreheads as a sign of repentance. Likewise, Catholics
today begin Lent—a 40-day period of fasting and penance—using
the same outward expression of their sorrow and intention to seek
deeper conversion.
In his homily the Pope highlighted that “the call to conversion
emerges as the dominant theme” in the Ash Wednesday liturgy.
Recalling that the Church is celebrating the 2,000th anniversary
OFWs are ambassadors
for Christ, says
CBCP official
MANILA, February 27, 2009─Overseas Filipino
workers are not only “modern heroes” as the
government would like to claim because of the
money they bring into the country’s coffers, but
in the eyes of the Church, they are ambassadors
for Christ.
Fr. Edwin Corros, CS, executive secretary of the
Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care of
Migrants and Itinerant People (ECMI) said OFWs
are evangelizers in their own right and as such can
be regarded as ambassadors for Christ.
“That is a beautiful word to describe the migrants,
that they are actually ambassadors for Christ. Imag-
ine, as ambassadors you are carrying with you the
values of Jesus,” said Corros, adding:
“Think about the roles of our ambassadors, our
diplomatic officials. They carry with them the cul-
ture, the values [of their native land]. That is how
you are supposed to present yourself to your host.
St. Paul as ambassador for Christ, carried with him
such responsibility, such value that wherever he
goes as a missionary to the gentiles, he presented
not himself but Christ,” he explained.
Cited by Pope John Paul II as modern-day mis-
sionaries, Filipinos working overseas practiced
© Roy Lagarde / CBCP Media
the Catholic faith in their adoptive country more
fervently than in their own native land.
They find solace in their faith in the midst of
deprivation, loneliness and exploitation in the
workplace.
The 23rd National Migrants Sunday celebration
on March 1 has taken the theme “The sacrifices
of the Filipino migrants mirror the journey of St.
Paul.”
Corros said the chosen theme was very oppor-
tune not simply because the Church celebrates
Pauline year but that OFWs can relate very well
with the Apostle’s own experience of travails and
uncertainties.
“Our migrants are sacrificing [a lot] for the
sake of their [families’] future. St. Paul always
reminded the communities he founded to think
of other Christians, other communities who need
help,” Corros said.
Despite poverty and difficulties Filipino migrant
workers can still think of reaching out to others in
need, said Corros
“The Filipinos are very generous; they are al-
ways expressing their philanthropic [acts] either
in goods or in cash. I remember when a landslide
occurred in Quezon in 2004 [and the] province was
inundated by flash floods. I called up our chaplain
overseas. In a matter of one month I was able to
gather I million plus of donation. This is for me
a testament to the generosity of our Filipino mi-
grants,” Corros said. (Pinky Barrientos, FSP)
German bishops partner with RP Church in
development projects
MANILA, February 20, 2009—Various pro-
poor and development projects have been
implemented across the country through the
funding from the German Catholic Bishops
Organization for Development Cooperation
popularly known as Misereor.
Sr. Rosanne Mallillin, SPC, CBCP Episcopal
Commission on Social Action, Justice and Peace
executive secretary said they are meeting with
all the sub-regional point persons at Pope Pius
XII Catholic Center here in Manila, to prepare
for the national general assembly scheduled
next month.
“The Philippine-Misereor Partnership is a
church-NGO tie-up geared towards develop-
ment,” Sr. Rosanne said.
News Features
A3
of St. Paul’s birth, he pointed out that the Apostle was “aware of
having been chosen as an example.” Because of this awareness,
“St. Paul recognized that everything in him was the work of divine
grace, yet he did not forget the need to accept freely the gift of new
life received at Baptism.”
“How can we fulfill our baptismal vocation?” the Holy Father
asked. “How can we emerge victorious from the battle between the
flesh and the spirit, between good and evil, the battle that character-
izes our lives? Today’s Gospel reading shows us three useful means
to this end: prayer, alms and fasting.
Ways to live out these three practices can be found in “the life
and writings of St. Paul,” the Pope said. The Apostle exhorts us to
“persevere” in prayer, and to “pray without ceasing.” On the subject
of almsgiving, he speaks of “the great collection in favor of our poor
brethren” and underlines how “charity is the apex of a believer’s
life. ...He does not expressly mention fasting, but he often calls for
sobriety as a characteristic of people called to live in vigilant expec-
tation of the Lord,” Benedict XVI explained.
“May Lent,” said Pope Benedict prayed, “marked by more fre-
quent contact with the Word of God, by more intense prayer, and by
a severe and penitential lifestyle, be a stimulus to convert and to love
our brothers and sisters, especially the poor and needy.” (CNA)
Lent, called a time Catholic-Muslim
commission
to strip away masks calls for respect
Vatican spokesman says it is a season for truth of human rights
VATICAN CITY, March 1, 2009─Lent is a good time for self- VATICAN CITY, February 27, 2009─The pro-
discovery ─ a season to live “without masks,” says a Vatican motion of peace among religions was discussed
spokesman. earlier this week by a joint Catholic-Islamic
Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press commission at its annual meeting in Rome.
office, made this proposal during the most recent edition of Vati- The commission agreed that achieving peace
can Television’s “Octava Dies.” He was drawing from a reflec- requires that the “dignity of the human per-
tion made by Benedict XVI during his meeting with the clergy son and his or her rights, especially regarding
of Rome last week. freedom of conscience and of religion” be
On that occasion, the Pope considered how a pastor of souls has respected, a belief Pope Benedict has argued
a special role, since people come to him “without masks,” in their Islam must arrive at.
© www.jesuits.ca
truth, without hiding behind the role they have in society. The joint Catholic-Islamic commission for
“[The Holy Father] insisted on the fact that the faith can be ef- dialogue was founded after Pope John Paul II
fectively proclaimed to men and women if it passes through the visited the University of al-Azhar in February
lived experience of the one who proclaims it, and if it is proclaimed 2000. Although the commission was briefly
in its essential simplicity, without weighing it down too much with Vatican spokesman Jesuit Father Federico suspended after Pope Benedict’s Regensburg
Lombardi
erudite considerations,” Father Lombardi explained. address, dialogue resumed in 2007.
“Lent should be lived in this spirit,” he stressed. “It is a time for presenting ourselves to God without Participants for this year’s discussion
masks, to try to put our relationship with him back at the center of each of our lives and to simplify our came from the Vatican’s Joint Committee for
interests and words, returning them to what is truly important.” Dialogue and the Permanent Committee of
The spokesman recalled how on Ash Wednesday, the Pontiff said that “Jesus is in the depths of our al-Azhar for Dialogue among the Monotheistic
heart. Our relationship with him is present even when we speak and act in our professional duties. Religions.
...This relationship sometimes becomes explicit prayer.” The theme of the meeting, “The Promotion
And in his Lenten message, Father Lombardi added, the Bishop of Rome recalled the value of fasting, of a Pedagogy and Culture of Peace with Par-
inviting the faithful to find appropriate forms for it in daily life, as an exercise of freeing ourselves from ticular Reference to the Role of Religions,” was
attachment to ourselves to open ourselves to the love of God and charity in solidarity with others. presented from the Catholic point of view by
“Thus,” Father Lombardi concluded, “this is a time to rediscover the right place for God and attention Bernard Sabella, associate professor emeritus
to others with the help of simple concrete and daily gestures: prayer, fasting, almsgiving. It is a time to of sociology at Bethlehem University, and from
rediscover ourselves too and our truth, without masks. Let us not miss these opportunities!” (Zenit) the Islamic standpoint by Sheikh Ali Shahata.
At the conclusion of the meeting, partici-
CBCP head calls for new breed of
pants agreed upon the following:
1. “Peace and security are much needed in
our present world marked by many conflicts
leaders to solve country’s problems
and a feeling of insecurity.
2. “No true and lasting peace can be achieved
without justice and equality among persons
and communities.
MANILA, February 25, 2009— “These are the moral values
3. “Religious leaders, especially Muslims
Saying that widespread poverty that citizens must use to criti-
and Christians, have the duty to promote a
and corruption are like conta- cize and measure the present
culture of peace, each within his respective
gious cancer that devours the brand of leaders and raise up
whole of society, a high-ranking a new breed of leaders,” said community, especially through teaching and
Church official has called for Lagdameo. preaching.
new breed of leaders to cure the He lamented that it is the 4. “A culture of peace should permeate all
country’s social ills. poor, “oftentimes treated like aspects of life: religious formation, education,
In a Lenten message released commodities”, who suffer the interpersonal relations and the arts in their
to the media, CBCP President most by the breakdown of diverse forms. To this end, scholastic books
and Jaro Archbishop Angel moral values in government. should be revised in order not to contain mate-
Lagdameo said next year’s na- “Graft and corruption breed rial which may offend the religious sentiments
tional elections should generate widespread poverty. Wide- of other believers, at times through the errone-
new kind of leaders who would spread poverty in turn breeds ous presentation of dogmas, morals or history
crush the social cancer permeat- CBCP President and Jaro Archbishop Angel graft and corruption,” Lag- of other religions.
ing in every fabric of society. Lagdameo dameo said. 5. “The media have a major role and re-
“The forthcoming national elections must not Reflecting on the current crises the country is sponsibility in the promotion of positive and
simply be a changing of hats for the same persons, facing, he said a paradigm shift is necessary to respectful relations among the faithful of vari-
or change of faces but with unchanged hearts. We solve the nation’s present problems. ous religions.
must be able to gather a critical mass of citizens- “We will not solve our problems—religious, 6. “Recognizing the strong link between
leaders with a genuine passion and obsession for social, economic, political—by insisting on doing peace and human rights, special attention was
good governance and prophetic leadership,” the the same things that have produced the problems,” given to the defense of the dignity of the human
message read. he said. person and his or her rights, especially regard-
The CBCP head said this “critical mass” should The prelate said the season of Lent calls for a ing freedom of conscience and of religion.
become the training ground of like-minded citi- profound moral renewal from every Christian, a 7. “Youth, the future of all religions and of
zens who will lead the country imbued “with the total change of mind and behavior. humanity itself, need special care in order to be
values of honesty and justice, truth and integrity, “Lent is an opportune occasion for profound re- protected from fanaticism and violence, and to
credibility and accountability, transparency and examination of life, for confronting ourselves with become peace builders for a better world.
stewardship.” the truth of the Gospel, which demands radical 8. “Mindful of the suffering endured by the
moral renewal,” said Lagdameo. peoples of the Middle East due to unresolved
A renewal in moral values can only be possible conflicts, the participants, in respect of the
if there is “a critical mass of citizens-leaders who
are willing to ‘break out of the box,’ to jump on
competence of political leaders, ask to make
use, through dialogue, of the resources of in-
to the beginning of a new wave, to move into a ternational law to solve the problems at stake
new cycle of development, to operate with a new in truth and justice.”
social consciousness and conscience, not for their The next meeting of the joint committee is
Misereor has funded projects on sustainable
individual or group security, but for the good of scheduled to be held in Cairo on February 23
agriculture, various advocacy programs includ-
the greatest number,” he said. and 24, 2010. (CNA)
ing specific programs for indigenous people
and the environment. Lagdameo quoted the document National Pas-
“Misereor is quite active in the Philippines toral Consultation on Church Renewal (NPCCR)
with its current exposure of some six million saying, “failures in renewal have come from a
Euros,” she further added. deeper source: our hardness of heart and resistance
Founded in 1958 as an agency “against hun- to conversion… We as Church, have to confess
ger and disease in the world,” Misereor is the responsibility for many of the continuing ills of
overseas development agency of the Catholic Philippine society.”
© freeforumzone.leonardo.it
Church in Germany, it offers to cooperate in a The same assessment also came out in a 2006
spirit of partnership with all people of goodwill Pastoral statement “Renewing Our Political Life”.
to promote development, fight poverty, liberate Invariably, the pastoral letter pointed out that
people from injustice, exercise solidarity with “at the bottom of our political chaos is a crisis of
the poor and the persecuted and help create moral values, a crisis of truth and justice, of unity
“One World.” (Melo M. Acuna) and solidarity for the sake of common good and
genuine peace.” (Pinky Barrientos, FSP)
A4
EDITORIAL
Social costs of the OFW
phenomenon
THERE are three significant open secrets in this country today:
One, the national economy has been long since basically kept
afloat by OFW remittances—without which the Philippines should
have been much more bankrupt long since. Two, the Head of
Government, as a matter of course, takes many expensive flights
to practically all the continents of the world to sell OFWs in her
possibly new title as Czarina of Filipino human chattel. Three,
the OFW fact has immense and lasting social costs especially
in conjunction with the workers’ families—not to mention the
physical violence and emotional trauma they get, the women in
particular, not to mention the macabre reality brought about when
not really few of them return home in boxes.
With the usual loud platitudes from the Malacañang, time and again,
the OFWs here and abroad have been repeatedly accorded grand
attributions and heroic traits. But more than this lip-service, the
ruling administration by and large leaves the OFWs to themselves,
especially so when they are no longer economically profitable to
government coffers. This is most especially true with regard to
the profound and expensive social costs personally shouldered
by the OFWs themselves.
Their families are painfully divided by long distance separation,
serious apprehensions and constant preoccupations. Their children
grow without their physical presence much less their personal
care and parental love. Their spouses especially those relatively
young in age, be they husbands or wives, are strongly tempted to
entertain amorous if not carnal relationships with other parties.
There are more and more OFW families wrecked by conjugal
separations-in-fact.
The billions of annual remittances cannot commensurate or even
justify the more expensive social costs of the OFW phenomenon,
such as broken marriages and families, psychological breakdown
of spouses and children, crime and sexual immoralities, to
mention but a few. But how does the present government respond
to these immense and intense social costs of its concerted and
aggressive promotion of OFWs? Easy: See no evil. Keep quiet.
Do nothing.
Meantime, the vicious circle goes on, viz., the present dispensation
decidedly continues to market OFWs like a “bugaw” or pimp. And
the poor OFWs, on the other hand, painfully continue to pay for
the social costs of their lot. But at the end of the day, it becomes
everybody’s misfortune.
Restoring Trust
AS a people we seem to have passed from crisis to crisis in one
form or another. For many analysts, reinforcing these crises are
ambivalent cultural values such as palakasan, pakikisama, utang
na loob, and family-centeredness. As Bishops we have long
contended that the crises that we have suffered are basically
moral, the lack of moral values in ourselves, in our relationships,
in our social structures.
Today we are beset with yet another political crisis of such
magnitude as to polarize our people and attract them to various
options ranging from the extreme right to the extreme left. In
this grave situation, various groups take advantage of one another,
manipulate situations for their own agenda and create confusion
among our people sometimes by projecting speculation or suspicion
as proven fact, with the aim of grabbing power.
At the center of the crisis is the issue of moral value, particularly
the issue of trust. The people mistrust our economic institutions
which place them under the tyranny of dehumanizing poverty.
They also mistrust yet another key institution, our political
system. This mistrust is not recent. For a long time now, while
reveling in political exercises, our people have shown a lack of
trust in political personalities, practices, and processes. Elections
are often presumed tainted rather than honest. Congressional and
senate hearings are sometimes narrowly confined to procedural
matters and often run along party lines. Politics has not effectively
responded to the needs of the poor and marginalized.
This question of trust in national institution has taken a critical
urgency with the resignation of some key Cabinet members, the
realignment of political parties and the creation of new alliances.
Amid this realignment of forces we commend the clear official
stand of our military and police authorities who reiterated their
loyalty to our Constitution that forbids them from engaging in
partisan politics.
Today we ask ourselves, as Bishops what can we offer to our
people? Can we provide some clarity and guidance in the present
confusing situation? We can only answer these questions from
who are. We are not politicians who are to provide a political
blueprint to solve political problems. Rather we are Bishops called
by the Lord to shepherd the people in the light of faith. With Pope
Benedict XVI we do not believe in the “intrusion into politics on
the part of the hierarchy.” But we are to interpret human activities
such as economics and politics from the moral and religious point
of view, from the point of view of the Gospel of Jesus and of the
Kingdom of God. We are to provide moral and religious guidance
to our people. This is what we offer in the present crisis. Not to
do this would be an abdication of our duty.
Restoring Trust: A Plea for Moral Values
in Philippine Politics, 2005
www.cbcpmonitor.com
cbcpmonitor@cbcpworld.net
Pedro C. Quitorio
Editor-in-Chief
Pinky Barrientos, FSP Kris P. Bayos
Associate Editor Feature Editor
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Roy Q. Lagarde Ernani M. Ramos
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Layout Artist and Online Editor Comptroller
The CBCP Monitor is published fortnightly by the CBCP Com-
munications Development Foundation, Inc., with editorial and
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P.O. Box 3601, 1076 MCPO.
Editorial: (063) 404-2182. Business: (063)404-1612.
ISSN 1908-2940
Opinion CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 5
March 2 - 15, 2009
Illustration by Bladimer Usi
Abp. Angel N. Lagdameo, DD
Lent –A Call to Moral
In and Out of Season Renewal
LENT is an opportune occasion for profound re-examination of deeper source: our hardness of heart and resistance to conver-
life, for confronting ourselves with the truth of the Gospel, which sion… We, as Church, have to confess responsibility for many of
demands radical moral renewal. Jesus Christ begins his public min- the continuing ills of Philippine society.” In a Pastoral Statement on
istry with the message: “The time of fulfillment has come… Repent “Renewing Our Political Life” (January 29, 2006), we said, and we
(i.e. change your mind and behavior), and believe in the Gospel!” can say it again, that “at the bottom of our political chaos is a crisis
(Mk. 1/15). St. Paul the Apostle gives his rejoinder: “Be renewed in
the spirit of your minds, and clothe yourselves with the new self,
of moral values, a crisis of truth and justice, of unity and solidarity
for the sake of common good and genuine peace.”
created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and The most seriously affected by the crisis of moral values are the
holiness” (Eph. 4/23). poor, the marginalized, oftentimes treated like commodities. Graft
Along this line, the scientist, Albert Einstein, offered a formula and corruption breed widespread poverty. Widespread poverty in
for solving the problems and crises that churches, institutions and turn breeds graft and corruption. There is a concatenation of crisis
governments are facing when he said: “The significant problems we and corruption that goes down to the barangay level, up and down
face today cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were and up, infecting the whole society, like a contagious cancer.
at when we created these problems and crises.” We will not solve To cure this social cancer we need a new breed of leaders in our
our problem—religious, social, economic, political—by insisting on country. The forthcoming national elections must not simply be
doing the same things that have produced the problems. The call of a changing of hats for the same persons, or change of faces but
Lent is for moral renewal. To achieve this we need at least a critical with unchanged hearts. We must be able to gather a critical mass
mass of citizens-leaders who are willing to “break out of the box,” of citizens-leaders with a genuine passion and obsession for good
to jump on to the beginning of a new wave, to move into a new governance and prophetic leadership. This critical mass will be the
cycle of development, to operate with a new social consciousness training ground of other citizens who will lead our country with
and conscience, not for their individual or group security, but for the values of honesty and justice, truth and integrity, credibility and
the good of the greatest number. accountability, transparency and stewardship. These are the moral
We stated, some years ago, at the National Pastoral Consultation values that citizens must use to criticize and measure the present
on Church Renewal, that “failures in renewal have come from a brand of leaders and raise up a new breed of leaders.
Sr. Mary Pilar Verzosa, RGS
Doing away with God is doing
away with human beings Love Life
HOW right that statement is, considering the March 25, 2005, Good Friday, Pope John always clamoring for freedom in the wrong
overwhelming secularism and materialism in Paul II was too ill to lead the Via Crucis at the ways. But Jesus showed us the real meaning
society today. “Doing away with God is do- Coliseum in Rome which, with moving and of love by taking on the limitation of human-
ing away with human beings” was among the contagious devotion, he had personally led ity, accepting the scourging and agony, to
significant comments of Bishop Chito Tagle so many times during his pontificate. the extent that Pilate pointed him out to the
last February 24 at Don Bosco Parish, Makati, “The Holy Father would die only a week mob—“Ecce homo” (Behold the man). And
that night’s speaker for the Pope Benedict XVI later, and on that preceding Good Friday isn’t this exactly what a human being is—
Theology of Redemption Lecture Series. he followed the Way of the Cross from his wounded and bloodied because of his “exag-
Bishop Chito explained in a very simple sickbed, probably knowing it would be his gerated love” on the Cross that no logic will
yet inspiring way the otherwise heavy writ- last Via Crucis here on earth. He had per- ever comprehend, total humility before his
ings of his holiness when he was still Cardi- sonally asked, we are told, Cardinal Joseph Father who is Almighty yet filled with hope
nal Ratzinger, prefect of the Congregation for Ratzinger to write the reflections and prayers that he will never be abandoned.
the Doctrine of the Faith. He divided his talk of the service” Too often we think we are God, and we go
in three parts—the first one on the Fall, based This booklet, excellent for our Way of the around behaving like God—and suddenly
on Pope Benedict’s book “In the beginning”, Cross this Lent, is available at Assisi Foun- shocked to find out we are not God at all
next on the Redemption, dwelling on the dation office in Ortigas and at the St. Paul but mere humans! And in spite of our pride
reflections of his Holiness on the Way of the bookstores. and claiming to be God, God himself came
Cross, and last, on the call to Faith, giving as Bishop Chito led us into an awareness to redeem us. Bishop Tagle compared that
example the people who accompanied Jesus of today’s tendency for people to abandon with a person who goes to borrow a thou-
on his Via Crucis to Calvary, as well as the God, thereby abandoning one’s apprecia- sand pesos from a friend and his friend gives
Resurrection and Hope to humankind. tion of self as human and an image of God, him a million pesos instead. That is what he
Amb. Howard Dee of Assisi Foundation consequently abandoning and violating meant by the exaggerated love of Jesus for
reprinted the Way of the Cross Meditations other human beings because we cannot humankind.
and Prayers written by Joseph Cardinal see the image of God in the other. Much of The evening ended with Fr. Francis Gustilo,
Ratzinger and over 300 copies were eagerly this is rooted in pride—the first sin of our SDB, organizer of the lecture series, inviting
bought that evening thanks to the plugging parents in the Garden. We do not recognize us to the succeeding talks on the Theology of
of Bishop Chito who read the Preface: “On our limitations and even hate being limited, Redemption of Pope Benedict XVI.
Abp. Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ, DD
Bishops’ consensus on
Pastoral Companion NFP and SDM
LAST January 21, 2009, at the end of the bishops’ seminar on peace- the dialogue consisted of a general discussion and clarifications that
building at Pius XII Catholic Center in Manila, Archbishop Angel led towards the formulation of the consensus statement.
Lagdameo, CBCP President, convened a dialogue meeting on Natural At the CBCP Plenary Assembly three days later on Jan. 24, the
Family Planning and the Standard Days Method. The dialogue was consensus statement was included in the report of Archbishop
opened to all the bishops. Twenty-nine bishops attended or roughly Paciano Aniceto, ECFL Chairman. The consensus statement was
half of all those who had just finished the peace-building seminar. drafted and read by Bishop Reyes. This was distributed to all the
These included Archbishop Lagdameo and bishop members of the bishops. The full statement reads:
Episcopal Commission on Family and Life. Bishop Gabriel Reyes of According to the Analytical Index of CBCP Pronouncements (87th
the Commission on the Laity facilitated the dialogue. Bishops’ Plenary Assembly, July 2003, page 25), “The Body gave an
The dialogue group first listened to the impressions of bishops affirmative indication on the issue whether or not the Standard Days
whose dioceses were already including SDM in their NFP program— Method (SDM) without any of the contraceptive component and without
i.e., Cagayan de Oro, Ipil, Isabela (Basilan), Jolo, Digos, and Cota- collaboration with government could be used by a diocese in its program
bato. In general, the bishops did not find anything objectionable of Natural Family Planning.”
with SDM being included as an added option in the local church’s This decision or ruling has never been abrogated.
NFP program, except that there may be need for more training and Basing themselves on this CBCP decision, the bishops during the
monitoring. above-mentioned dialogue, agreed on the following:
The group then listened to objections and reservations brought up 1) The Standard Days Method, provided it is not mixed with contra-
against SDM as an NFP method—e.g., that it was not natural and ceptives, is a natural family planning method and is consistent with the
appeared too mechanical with the use of beads; that the information moral teaching of the Catholic Church. The bishop should inform the
on the internet included the use of back-up contraceptives; that it was priest or lay faithful who thinks otherwise and should stop him from
as ineffective as the old calendar rhythm method. The third part of Companion/ A6
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 5
March 2 - 15, 2009
Opinion A5
Oscar V. Cruz, DD Jose B. Lugay

‘Stealmulus’ package Laiko Lampstand

Views and Points
TRUE or otherwise, it is said that the Fili-
pinos are good copycats, i.e. that they have
the uncanny ability of doing what foreigners
do. In other words, they seem to have the
ingrained inclination to imitate—to “ape”—
the values and preferences, the options and
acts of people they look up to and admire
specially those from North America. The
phrase “colonial mentality” is premised
on such a perceived Filipino disposition—
something that has apparently disappeared
from usage in this country. And rightly so:
The “Pinoys” are a distinct people with their
own admirable traits and precious talents—
not to mention their potentials to be more
than they actually are.
But lo and behold, nobody else than the
supposedly Filipino highest public official in
the country, the presumed chief-executive in
the land and the recently self-appointed Czar
in the Philippines, publicly and even official-
ly aped Uncle Sam by doing an Obama who
came up with a “Stimulus Package” specifi-
cally designed to respond to the financial cri-
sis obtaining in U.S.A. It was only after much
expert economic planning, intricate business
and industry gymnastic plus long political
maneuvers, that the Obama Stimulus Pack-
age has become an operative reality—but
not without many “if’s” and “but’s” voiced
out by Tom, Dick and Harry.
Aping Obama, here comes the feeling glo-
rious Malacañang occupant with a whooping
330 billion pesos “Stimulus Package” alleg-
edly to prime up the long moribund Philip-
pine economy—but with a big difference:
One, it came out of a sudden from the blue
with neither proper inquiry nor due consul-
tation made. Two, it is said that the money
would be taken from the contributions of
workers in the private sector, deposited for
their own social security at SSS. Three, who
pays the money back is a non-issue under the
sacrosanct principle that what Malacañang
spends, the Filipinos pays.
But what is much more disturbing in this
issue is the given fact that considering its
standing and even outstanding record in
graft and corrupt practices, Malacañang
has in effect conveniently and profitably
Rev. Euly B. Belizar, SThD
put up a multi-billion STEALMULUS
PACKAGE—nothing more, nothing less. It
is not really hard to foresee where the money
will go, viz., some millions for this and that
place with standard deductions made; some
other millions for this and that project with
customary commissions taken; and the big
balance remaining for railroading the Char-
ter Change, for screwing of the Plebiscite,
for paying election frauds. Yes, sad and true!
But what’s new?
In other words, the fundamental ratio-
nale or primary objective of the whooping
330 billion peso package is not really to
stimulate the critical Philippine economic
but to promote instead Malacañang’s self-
serving interests particularly in the tenure of
power—as long and as much possible. Never
mind the poor, hungry and sick people. They
will get used to it! Never mind the youth
staging rallies, the men and women making
marches, the laborers and employees voicing
their protests. They will get tired sooner or
later! Conclusion: Go with the STEALMU-
LUS PACKAGE!
A small fry among
nations
FILIPINOS are known all over the world as the best in health-
care services. We have world-renowned organ transplant
surgeons. Our nurses are noted for their loving and tender
care of the elderly. Our caregivers or yayas in the U.S. and
Europe, teach their wards by example in religious and moral
values, to the surprise of their masters. In most instances these
caregivers are qualified teachers and college graduates who
can find no work at home. They are now the “new missionar-
ies of the Western World” according to the late Cardinal Sin.
If tomorrow all Filipino seamen are grounded, the shipping
commerce in the world will be at a standstill.
We are a populous nation, now reaching more than 92 mil-
lion. We have typhoons 9 months of every year. However, the
TV networks like CNN and BBC do not include the Philippines
in their hourly weather forecast, which simultaneously reports
Hong Kong, Singapore and Dubai weather conditions.
We have been proud to be called heroes of World War II in
the Battle of Bataan, but our veterans were denied recognition
until recently. A measly $9,000 one-time lump sum was at

Is there really hope last approved by the new government of Obama as pension
to WW II veterans residing in the Philippines. In a tragic

that springs eternal? By the Roadside

THE present global crisis together with our own moral quagmire has
many of us worried sick. We fear the consequences they bring. Not
that we have experienced any relief from the state of crisis Pinoys
have felt their country to be embroiled in since time immemorial.
This time something is different. The whole world is also in it. And
for Pinoys who always thought that “going abroad” to a world out
there with endless possibilities was a way out of misery at home,
nothing could be more morally damaging. Thousands of Pinoys
abroad face lay-offs along with their local counter parts and, though
other countries abroad offer opportunities, they may not have the
skills, training or profession being demanded. Every day the govern-
ment tries hard to downplay the crisis’ impact on the country. Every
day facts and realities that are the stuff of news underline it.
If crisis feels like the air we breathe, suffering seems like our twin
brother or sister. And, oh, he/she likes to play around and spread
the mess. Almost every branch of government, from the executive
to the legislative to the judiciary, is now under the thick cloud of
public distrust due to mounting reports from both local and foreign
observers of pervasive corruption. Worse, our social and political
mechanisms meant to expose and check them do not seem to work.
Congressional and senate investigations of alleged wrongdoings
are mostly going nowhere.
We used to complain of the Pinoy sense of shame being not deep
enough to sustain real moral values. Now even that is in danger of
extinction. Still, all these bring pain to us all. They must. The pain
indicates there’s still a better side of us that is yet alive.
This Lent the ancient book of Sirach, to me, is a mine of wisdom.
For one, Sirach reminds us that difficulties, that is, suffering in plain
language, do not come from economic or even socio-political sources
alone. What’s more, they even come with efforts to toe God’s line.
“My son,” it counsels, “when you come to serve the Lord, prepare
yourself for trials. Be sincere of heart and steadfast, undisturbed
Fr. Francis B. Ongkingco
in time of adversity…” (Sir 2:1). He provides some reason for the
effort: “For in fire gold is tested and worthy men in the crucible of
humiliation” (Sir 2:5).
Sirach inspires hope. For an Old Testament writing, it glows with
New Testament fire.
Shakespeare once said: “The miserable hath no other medicine
than hope.” I couldn’t agree more. But, pray tell, old master (and
may I speak to the Catholic Shakespeare), is hope enough to lift us
up? And what is there to hope for, anyway?
Sirach answers better than Shakespeare. “Study the generations
long past,” he continues his counsel from his time and place, “and
understand: Has anyone hoped in the Lord and been disappointed?”
(Sir 2:10). I would imagine that anyone who would doubt Sirach
by saying, “Yes, I’ve hoped and am disappointed!” would hear a
counter question: “Have you really hoped in the Lord?” The psalmist
cites himself and confirms Sirach: “I waited patiently for the Lord;
he inclined to me and heard my cry” (Ps 40:2).
Hope in the middle of crisis, ah, that’s just what we need, I hear
you say. Not quite, I answer. We rather need its source. If we have
its source, then we would have it always. This time St. Paul seals the
deal for us: “Hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has
been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit who has been given
to us” (Rom 5:5).
Hope doesn’t give us salvation. But it keeps us after its trail. It
protects us, too, from falling into despair. “Let us… put on the
breastplate of faith and charity and for a helmet the hope of salva-
tion” (1 Thes 5:8).
The breakdown of human and worldly sources of hope should
teach us, then, to look for its more lasting Source. Only then will
the words of S. Smiles truly bring us smiles again: “Hope is like
the sun, which, as we journey toward it, casts the shadow of our
burden behind us.”
note, one WW II veteran died in the process of submitting his
validating documents to receive the approved pension fund,
notwithstanding the records existing in the Philippine Veter-
ans Administration Office. The poor veteran’s measly share
according to the rules, can no longer be given to the grieving
family who need the funds for funeral services—thanks to the
rigid control of Uncle Sam who does not trust the integrity of
our government records.
Our President, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, took a chance to
see the highly world-popular new President of the United
States, Barrack Obama. Her three attempts to get in touch with
him received no recognition. Instead, the Secretary of State,
Hillary Clinton attended to her before her state visits to Asia
which included South Korea, Indonesia, Japan and China but
skipping the Philippines.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo recently signed the
Baselines Treaty to meet the deadline imposed by the United
Nations Convention of the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS). Imme-
diately China made a protest because of our claim to the Spratly
Islands which Tomas Cloma named Freedomland, when no-
body was looking and interested in the 600 reefs and islets, the
lonely abode of seabirds decades ago. Now China, Malaysia,
Brunei and Vietnam and the Philippines have claimed owner-
ship of these islands and reefs. A joint undertaking between
Philippines, China and Vietnam is now in place to determine
the extent of oil deposits under those shoals.
The Sabah claim of the heirs of the Sultan of Sulu has come
up again which until now “cession” money was being paid to
them. Meantime, thousands of Mindanao refugees who were
declared “illegal immigrants” of Sabah, North Borneo, were
recently driven out by the Malaysians who laid claim to these
territories since 1963.
Our headlines include the approval of the Japan Philippine
Economic Partnership Agreement, JPEPA, which the Church
and other advocacy groups frowned upon for its obvious
disadvantage to the Philippines. However, the most telling
criticism we are facing is from world institutions. The World

‘Whatever…’ Bank senate investigations and the intramurals it has caused

Whatever among our senators and congressmen had given us a black

“HEY, Dylan!” I called out to the student
crossing from the other side of the street.
“Hi, Father!” he waved back and started
coming towards me.
“Your exams have finally ended! With a
long weekend ahead of you, dude, what are
you planning to do?” I asked.
“Whatever, Father,” he shrugged his shoul-
ders and rolled his eyes to show he was totally
uncertain about how to spend his weekend.
“Whatever, what?” I asked even though
I understood he was still quite dazed from
lack of sleep preparing for his comprehensive
exams.
“I really dunno, Father. Whatever, what-
ever…,” he gave me a zombie-like stare.
“Hey, dude! I know you’re tired, but I
believe you can say something better than
‘whatever’.”
“Like what, Father?”
“What about completing the sentence by
saying, Whatever God wants?”
He smirked and said, “In that case, Fa-
ther, I’ll go play Frisbee with my barkada.”
***
AMONG the many things that intrigue
me—and perhaps, continue to make me feel
young—is my exposure to the idealism of
the youth. As they mature out of the delicate
shell of adolescence, they are motivated to
improve the negative elements within the
social and cultural fabric they grew from.
This ideal is common among those who
have been fortunate to experience virtue
and good example in their family and other
social engagements.
Today, however, more young people are
born into families that no longer nurture
the values they need in order to mature in
virtues. Moreover, the world’s technical and
socio-economic wave is drowning them to
think within very limited and virtual con-
fines. This is perhaps one reason that it’s
hard for them to make choices even in their
spiritual life and commitments. But this is
not the end of their spiritual itinerary!
St. Josemaría Escrivá, who was a priest
who always maintained a youthful outlook
taught: “It is not true that everyone today—
in general—is closed or indifferent to what
our Christian faith teaches about man’s
being and destiny. It is not true that men in
our time are turned only toward the things
of this earth and have forgotten to look up
to heaven.” (Christ is Passing By, 132) We,
therefore, must not be discouraged when
it seems that our children are lost in some
whatever limbo.
The young, in their daily experience of a
topsy-turvy world, are not actually looking
for a perfect world with perfect people. Rather,
they are searching for an encouraging support
in people whose lives are truly anchored in
God. If we want them to commit themselves
Whatever / A6
eye—a country that protects its corruption practices even to
the extent of exonerating identified and black-listed contrac-
tors for infrastructure projects by no less than the House of
Representatives!
The Philippines is rated Number 1 among the most corrupt in
Asia. We can not hold a candle to affirm that the corruption rat-
ing is false and not the truth. As a result, we are deprecated as
a nation among our neighboring nations in Southeast Asia.
When can the Filipino people stand up and be proud of our
nation as a nation of achievers, a nation of moral strength, a
nation that utilizes its greatest wealth, that is, our people?
May be the answer lies in what Archbishop Angel Lagdameo
expressed in an interview with newsmen last December 4, 2008
in Iloilo,” The interviewer quipped:
“Archbishop Lagdameo called on Filipinos to start looking
for honest leaders to support the 2010 elections as a way to
fight graft and corruption. He rated honesty as the most im-
portant trait the people should look for in their leaders.”
During the Holy Week, we should do some soul-searching
and ask for the grace of the Almighty to give us the light and
the way to redeem our nation from this deprecating situa-
tion—a small fry among nations in this part of the world!

Fr. Melvin P. Castro

Traveling with Our Lady

FOR 26 days from 28 January to 21 February 2009, we went around
the country with the Pilgrim Image of Our Lady of Fatima.
Although we were confined with the “bigger” churches, mostly
the Cathedrals of the Arch/dioceses, we were able to see the entire
cross-section of the Church in the Philippines.
I will never forget the vast crowds we have seen in all places
Our Lady visited, and very notable among these are those of the
Archdiocese of Lipa, Diocese of Butuan, Diocese of Digos, and the
Archdiocese of Jaro.
We also had a brief stop at the National Shrine of Our Lady of
Fatima in Valenzuela on the First Saturday of February which turned
out to be the last time that I would be seeing and conversing with
Msgr. Moises Andrade.
St. John Damascene refers to the statues and images as visual
catechisms. Without use of words and sounds, we are able to
glimpse and understand aspects of our Faith through these visual
representations.
The history of the International Pilgrim Virgin Statue begins in
1946. At that time, after the youth of Portugal attended a Congress in
Fatima, they took the Statue from display in the Cova on pilgrimage
to Lisbon. As they walked the route they stopped at the towns and
people gathered to pray. In Lisbon when they entered the cathedral,
the miracle of doves occurred. Many other phenomena also occurred
inspiring devotion and inspiring the fervor among the people.
The statue was returned to its place in the Cova de Iria but many
people wished for a visit in their own communities. The Bishop
asked Sr. Lucia in a letter about sending the statue on tour. Sr. Lucia
responded with a letter suggesting that the new statue, just then be-
ing made, by the famous sculptor Jose Thedim be used as a pilgrim
statue. The Bishop agreed and, on May 13, 1947, this new statue was
blessed and named the International Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our
Lady of Fatima. dominion, and the miracles She performs along the way are such that
Almost before it began its journey, so many places wanted her
visit that it was realized a second statue should also be blessed.
This second statue, made also by Jose Thedim, was completed and
blessed by the Bishop of Fatima on October 13, 1947 (Exactly 30 years
to the day after the great miracle of the sun which was to draw the
world’s attention to Mary’s message.) His Excellency remarked that
this would be the Western statue and that the two statues would
travel about until finally they could enter Russia.
The Bishop of Fatima entrusted the Western statue to Mr. John
Haffert, who later became the cofounder of the Blue Army of Our
Lady of Fatima in America. It entered the United States, through
Canada at Buffalo, New York, on December 8, 1947. (December
8th, being our patronal Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception.)
At Buffalo 200,000 people lined the streets and welcomed Our Lady
on that occasion. To fulfill the mandate of the Bishop to travel, teach
and inspire, Mr. Haffert assigned the first custodian, Fr. McGrath
of Canada. The statue has always had a full time custodian and has
never stopped traveling in its entire 54 years. Succeeding Fr. McGrath
was Fr. Breault, and others have continued to the present time.
The miracles, favors, and signal graces were so numerous from the
Speaking of Mary
very beginning that even the Holy Father, Pope Pius XII, reflected on
them in his famous radio address to the pilgrims at Fatima, May 13,
1951. He recalled having crowned the Fatima statue in 1946: “In 1946
we crowned Our Lady of Fatima as Queen of the world, and the next
year, through her pilgrim image, She set forth as though to claim Her
we can scarcely believe our eyes at what we are seeing.”
Physical cures attributed to the presence of the Statue have been
documented many times. The changes in expression and coloration,
and even the pose of the statue have been reported innumerable
times. But, the important miracles are the spiritual cures and gifts
Our Lady bestows. The sudden conversion of a stubborn heretic is
a good example. Another important miracle is the enlightenment of
someone who has resisted the idea of statues or the idea of praying
to saints. The spiritual miracles are infinitely more valuable than the
things we can see, touch, or measure.
The travel of Our Lady’s image has been very limited this year. If
you wish to invite Her when she returns to the Philippines sometime
from now, you can log on to the website: pilgrimvirginstatue.com
And by the way, March 25 is the Solemnity of the Anunciation
and a day of Prayer for the Unborn. Any true devotee of Our Lady
will certainly defend Family and Life!
We continue to pray, offer sacrifice, and mobilize against the pas-
sage of the Reproductive Health bill and even against the carefully
“languaged” Magna Carta on Women.
Ave Maria! Ad Jesum per Mariam.
 Local News
CBCP Monitor
A6 Vol. 13 No. 5
March 2 - 15, 2009

‘Pondo ng Pinoy’ cheats Davao’s Lenten activity

to focus on change,

economic crisis
CHURCH collections may have dropped
due to the global financial crisis but not the
protection of life
ARCHBISHOP Fernando R. Capalla reported that this year’s
celebration of the Lenten season will give more emphasis
on deepening the true meaning of Lent and the need to
protect life.
gram is even gaining momentum with more Capalla said the Lenten activity is called, “The Archdiocese
donations coming in. of Davao celebrates the Season of Lent and the Protection of

donations for Pondo ng Pinoy (PnP).
Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal
Rosales revealed the church’s pro-poor pro-
© farm2.static.flickr.com
“It’s really unbelievable because it’s even
growing. A lot of people are actually donat-
ing,” he said.
Cardinal Rosales said the total donations
for the project has already reached P200 mil-
lion since its inception in 2004.
“I think it’s nearing P200 million,” said
Rosales.
“We didn’t include there the housing that
we did together with Hannibal Foundation
in Pasay, wherein we were also able to raise
millions. So, if we include that I think it’s go-
ing to be around P400 million,” he said.
The cardinal also expressed optimism that
donations for PnP will keep growing in the
years to come despite the global economic
meltdown.
“I think it will continue to grow especially
if people see that they are really able to help
© www.asianews.it
Life.”
Streamers on this advocacy will be displayed in all prominent
places in the parishes.
Capalla added that the archdiocese will also organize their
parishioners to undergo a transformative formation and educa-
tion program.
This activity will become a joint-undertaking of the Social Ac-
tion Center (SAC) and the Family and Life Apostolate (FLA).
“The SAC Alay Kapwa Evangelization Program together with
the FLA Respect for Life module will be the content of the FLA
Lenten activity,” he said, adding:
“The emphasis of both is personal renewal which is in time
with our Diamond Jubilee celebration.”
“I hope and pray that this transformative formation and edu-
cation program which started last Ash Wednesday, February
25, will bring about in God’s own time the prophetic style of
the people,” said Capalla. (Mark S. Ventura)
Stop political vendettas, prelate appeals
SAYING politics of the gun can win an election but not the

their neighbor through this,” Rosales said. love and respect of the people, Masbate Bishop Joel Baylon
“That’s the beauty of this PnP, it is not has urged government officials in his province to stop politi-
just about the money we gather rather the cal killings and instead focus on annihilating social ills to earn
changing of a person’s mindset,” he said. voters’ confidence.
Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales receives coin offerings from children. (CBCPNews) In an open letter he wrote after the ambush try against Vice
Mayor Antonino de Jesus of Milagros town, Baylon lamented
Migrants / A1
how early his apprehension, that the 2010 elections in the prov-
and the Philippine Women’s University (PWU) last Feb. 27. The church official said that in August 2008, some Taiwan-based ince will be very violent, was proven right.
Corros criticized President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s stimulus workers were either sent home or asked to resign. But in November According to reports, de Jesus was rushed to Masbate Pro-
package for OFWs, saying part of the fund comes from members’ con- of the same year, they came in large numbers although the Depart- vincial Hospital after sustaining gunshot wounds on his back
tribution to Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). ment of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reported only some 5,000 and a hand while one of his civilian escorts, Nestor Arenabo,
We want our migrants to watch and see if the fund is really being workers who have been sent home due to the global recession. was instantly killed in the ambush last Feb. 3.
used for them, said Corros. He noted most Filipino workers earned their keep while working “[The attempted murder of the vice mayor] brings cold shivers
Corros lamented that the government is even promoting migration in these countries for so many years. down my spine. Violence, pure evil, is once again rearing its ugly
instead of creating jobs at home. He cited the President’s Administra- PWU President Dr. Amelou Benitez-Reyes, in her opening remarks and deadly head in our province,” Baylon said in the letter.
tive order 247 which mandated the Philippine Overseas Employment at the Forum confirmed reports of overseas Filipino workers’ con- Although the prelate addressed no one in particular in his
Administration’s (POEA) paradigm shift from regulations to full- cerns about losing their high-paying jobs. letter, he appealed to all officials in the provincial, municipal
blast marketing development efforts, exploration of frontier place- “During our last meeting attended by various university and col- and barangay levels to drop the mindset that political success
ments, which may be subjected to long debates by stakeholders. lege presidents south of Manila, various executives reported that must happen at the cost of other people’s lives.
He said the government should not depend on labor export to their respective alumni associations have been receiving reports of “Instead of trying to annihilate one another, why don’t you
support the economy. their professionals losing their jobs,” Benitez-Reyes said. look at annihilating the social problems besetting us? You have
This is not the right way to develop our country economically, focused so much on your personal survival in politics that you
Corros pointed out. Empowerment through micro-finance projects have forgotten about the survival of your people. When you
Corros said his office invited government officials to the forum She called on government and various organizations to empower should be reaching out to help each other build up our province,
to explain what displaced overseas workers can expect from the more women for them to become economically productive. you continue to destroy one another instead, which in the end
widely-publicized assistance programs in times like this. “China and India would not have prospered without the able sup- destroys all of us!” he added.
port of their women,” Benitez-Reyes said as she underscored the need Baylon warned that if politics-related attacks will persist,
Reduced demands for consumables for women to consider micro-finance and self-help programs. “Masbate will soon become not only a graveyard of fallen lead-
He said the economic crisis last year significantly reduced the de- She added the country’s stakeholders should not only be con- ers, but truly a graveyard of our future, of our dreams, of our
mand for consumable products like computers, garments and other cerned of the plight of overseas workers but be aware of Filipinos hope.” (Kris Bayos)
related export products which slowed down owing to the financial who cannot find work in their own country.
meltdown in economically-developed countries. Among the resource persons in the forum were OWWA Director
Countries dependent on exports to the United States suffered Vivian Tornea, POEA Director Melchor Dizon and DOLE Director Mindanao / A1
similar effects to their economy even among highly industrialized Saul T. Vries. The forum was attended by various church-based orga- composed the Duyog Mindanao Negros contingent.
nations like Japan, Singapore, Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan. nizations, overseas Filipino workers and their respective families. They joined the caravan leg from Bacolod to Mindanao, passing
Convicts / A1 by Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon, Davao, Lanao and converged in
they have been incarcerated for over 20 years released. V. Rueda Acosta expressed her gratitude for Cotabato City in time for the Mindanao Week of Peace.
and they deserve their freedom,” Diamante “After 10,048 days in prison, (that includes the release of the remaining ten convicts. Apart from the Pax Christi participants, the caravan was also
told CBCPNews. moral and physical suffering), after all those “I am thankful to God, to President Ar- composed of indigenous peoples from the Cordillera, workers,
The CBCP exec said he looks forward to days, finally they will be out of prison,” said royo, Justice Secretary Gonzales and church students, Moro youth, women, activists, non-government organi-
the successful re-integration to society of the Olaguer. leaders including CBCP President and Jaro zation (NGO) workers from Luzon, Metro Manila, as well as the
Aquino-Galman convicts because “the pur- “Probably because of their training as Archbishop Angel N. Lagdameo, Lingayen- core group of internally displaced persons (IDPs), church workers,
pose of their stay inside is to prepare them soldiers, they emerged as leaders in the ac- Dagupan Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz and Moro community leaders from Mindanao and members of the Ini-
for their lives after serving their terms.” tivities of the local Catholic community and Davao Archbishop Fernando Capalla for tiative for International Dialogue (IID), the Davao-based regional
“I personally know Sgt. Felomino Miranda they actively participated in various forma- their support and prayers,” Acosta said in advocacy institution which serves as the Mindanao Peaceweavers
and the other convicts who have been active tion programs,” the chaplain said. an interview with Radio Veritas. (MPW) secretariat.
in church formation programs and they have “Hindi siguro sila mahihirapan knowing She said Iglesia ni Cristo Executive Min- Bacolod Councilor Jocelle Batapa–Sigue passed Resolution No.
participated in Catholic church-rooted pro- their capacities and capabilities, they will be ister Erano G. Manalo and Bishop Ephraim 972 expressing solidarity with the delegates of the Duyog Mindanao
grams,” he added. successful in their reintegration to society,” Tindero of the Philippine Council of Evan- Caravan for Peace and Solidarity who have witnessed the plight of
Asked what should be done further to he added. gelical Churches also helped her campaign IDPs in the evacuation centers of Datu Piang in Maguindanao and
serve prisoners up for release, Diamante said Miranda served as president of their local to free all the Aquino-Galman convicts. Lanao province.
the government should consider an aggres- parish pastoral council and presided over It maybe recalled Atty. Acosta moved for The resolution was submitted to the Office of the President.
sive “pre-release program.” church-based activities within NBP’s Maxi- the re-opening of the Aquino-Galman double The resolution cited the observations of the Pax Christi delegates
Msgr. Roberto “Bobby” Olaguer, NBP mum Security compound. murder case some years ago but was denied who have witnessed that majority of the people and communities in
chaplain said he’s happy seeing the convicts’ For her part, Chief Public Attorney Persida by the Supreme Court. (CBCPNews) Mindanao want to end the armed conflict and live in peace.
Upon entry to evacuation centers in Datu Piang and Lanao, they
Moral voice / A1 saw the grave conditions of “bakwit” Muslim, Lumads and Christian
Circles of discernment situation, said Dizon of the Diocese of Imus. brothers and sisters who for several months now are deprived of
At least 26 priests have been regularly meeting since October last “The seeming desperation of our people, ours included, became basic human needs like water and sanitation, education, food and
year to reflect on the CBCP’s call for “circles of discernment” in their itself a call to hope and consequent action. The people are demand- dignified living condition.
pastoral statement of February 2008. ing that the church serve them in hope of providing a vision, lest The Bacolod councilors also called on the Armed Forces of the
The main focus of their discussion was on the clergy’s prophetic they perish,” the statement said. Philippines (AFP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to
role to ensure critical awareness of “reality, from the perspective “They seek moral compass from their spiritual leaders. The very stop the war in Mindanao and asked both parties to sit down and
of the faith.” situation of the country demands that we take the moral high ground resume the peace talks instead of going to war.
CBCP secretary general Msgr Juanito Figura said the call of the to rediscover the church’s role as a beacon...,” it added. They also asked the public to help the IDPs who badly need
group of priests was welcomed by the bishops and even invited the humanitarian aid in whatever means possible. “Children, women
priests to conduct same initiative in their dioceses. Social awareness and the elderly which are the most vulnerable in this situation need
The priests also called on their fellow pastors and religious sisters food, medicines and other basic support like water, clothing, and
Redress the situation to recognize the need for “heightened social awareness among us.” other items.”
The priests stressed the church’s own social teachings that call for “Let us invite one another to risk touching the wounds of our “The armed hostilities between the military and the MILF have
decisive action, not just a pastoral message. people with healing hands, and take up the pain it causes them and indeed reached dangerous proportions because our internally-
Fr. Joe Dizon, one of the priests who presented their statement to us,” they said. displaced brothers and sisters in Datu Piang alone have reached
the bishops, said when the State of any group violates human rights, “Let us call on one another to dare speak hopeful words to remind 600,000 and more are unaccounted for in different areas affected by
the church leadership should be true to its own teachings. the people of the Lord’s dreams for them and us. Brothers and sisters, the conflict,” said Mark Cervantes of Pax Christi.
The church has to intervene decisively in order to redress the let us inspire each other to prophesy,” they added. (Roy Lagarde) Cervantes added that their experience with Duyog Mindanao
encouraged them to pursue their solidarity with the people of Min-
Companion/ A4 Whatever / A5 danao and put the objectives of the caravan into action.
spreading his error. to ‘whatever God wants,’ it will only be the consequence of their wit- Similar resolutions are expected to be passed by the Negros pro-
2) It belongs to the bishop to decide whether his diocese will promote nessing how we strive to consistently and perseveringly do what God vincial board, the Iloilo city council, Davao City council, Mindoro
or not the SDM, in accordance with his pastoral discernment. wants in and for our lives. provincial board among others. (Mark S. Ventura)
3) The bishop may not prohibit any couple in his diocese from using Our rejuvenation is carried out through daily genuine self-sacrifice.
SDM as their method of natural family planning. This is the unselfish effort of not thinking about our comfort, our time, Repentance / A1
The bishops strongly reminded themselves of the saying: our money, and our plans. In other words: when our children grate- people refused to undergo repentance, the country’s prevailing social
“In necessariis, unitas; in dubiis, libertas; in omnibus, caritas.” fully experience our availability for them and our readiness to share problems of poverty, graft and corruption will remain unsolved.
After some discussion on the floor of the plenary assembly, this with them what only we can give from our very hearts and sacrifices. To achieve this, Lagdameo underscored the need for a critical mass
consensus statement was affirmed and left unchanged by the body. This is not an impossible task, especially when we make the effort to of citizens-leaders who are ready to “break out of the box,” not for
This is now part of the minutes of the CBCP Plenary Assembly. think less of ourselves and more of our children. St. Escrivá says, “All their selfish gains, but for the common good.
As I review the consensus statement, three salient points can be the circumstances of life—those of every individual person’s existence This new breed of leaders, he said, is what the country needs
noted: as well as, in some way, those of the great cross-roads of history—as especially in view of the upcoming 2010 elections.
1) Recalling their earlier consensus vote in July 2003, the bishops so many calls that God makes to men, to bring them face to face with “The forthcoming national elections must not simply be a changing
merely explicitated their view that SDM in itself, without mixing truth, and as occasions that are offered to us Christians, so that we of hats for the same persons, or change of faces but with unchanged
with contraceptives, is consistent with the moral teaching of the may announce, with our deeds and with our words strengthened by hearts. We must be able to gather a critical mass of citizens-leaders
Church. grace, the Spirit to whom we belong.” (Ibid, 132) with a genuine passion and obsession for good governance and
2) The statement asserts the responsibility of each bishop to decide This attitude opens our children’s minds and hearts to the gran- prophetic leadership,” he said.
whether or not to include SDM in his diocese’s pastoral program deur of the things that the material world cannot give: the beauty “This critical mass will be the training ground of other citizens
at the present time. and consolation of prayer and the sacraments, the strength and fruit- who will lead our country with the values of honesty and justice,
3) On the other hand, it also asserts the right of any couple to fulness of sacrifice, and the fulfilling and lasting mission of making truth and integrity, credibility and accountability, transparency and
adopt SDM as an NFP method in any diocese. Christ known to many others. This is what really attracts the young stewardship,” he added.
Pope John XXIII’s statement aptly describes the spirit of the bish- to embrace a spiritual ideal: when they experience daily spiritual These, Lagdameo also said, are the moral values that citizens must
ops’ dialogue and consensus statement: “In whatever is necessary, rejuvenation as we shed our attachment to sin in the crisp and youth- use to criticize and measure the present leaders and also in raising
unity; in whatever is doubtful, liberty; in everything, charity.” fully ‘yes’ of accepting and carrying out whatever God wants. up a new breed of leaders. (Roy Lagarde)
 Diocesan News
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 5
March 2 - 15, 2009
A7
Archdiocese to
implement new
Bishop urges police
accounting system
CEBU CITY—Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal said a new
to end kidnapping
ISABELA, Basilan─Bishop Martin Jumoad by gunmen at around 3 a.m. of February the bishop explained.
accounting system for parishes will be implemented soon. of Isabela prelature warned that kidnapping 13 while sleeping in a house where he was Senior Supt. Salik Macapantar, however,
In his message to the local clergy during the monthly recollection in Basilan province, 870 kilometers southeast billeted. The foreigner was on a project in an interview asserted that they are doing
Feb. 17, the prelate called on his priests to respond positively and of Manila, will continue to hound the people monitoring mission in the island province their “best to curtail the growing problem of
generously to this new system as it will ensure transparency and “if the law is not implemented.” since January. He remains at the hand of his kidnapping in the province.”
better accounting of the income and expenditures of the parishes. “We were asking at the very start for the abductors as of this posting. “It is not true that we are not doing any
But more than a matter of fiscal responsibility, he reminded his police and military authorities to increase The bishop believes there is a need for the efforts to stop all criminal activities,” the
priests to embrace this reform as something that will promote a their visibility and enhance their intelligence police and military personnel to establish provincial police chief said.
healthy lifestyle of the clergy. on the ground to deter criminal activities in more checkpoints along identified routes and The police and military forces in the is-
“A strong structure of accountability will result in a healthy life- the province,” the bishop said in reference improve their intelligence gathering “by giving land, according to him, are “scouring the
style among my priests,” Vidal stressed. to the growing menace of kidnapping in the proper compensation to their informants.” hinterlands and known lair of the bandits
For the past few years, Cebu has instituted reforms in the remit- island province. “But until now, the call seems to fall on in pursuit of the suspects.”
tance system of parishes to the archdiocese through the Office of The latest victim involved a Sri Lankan deaf ears so these criminal activities continue “We are doing our best under the circum-
the Economic Affairs, and the implementation of a new accounting national who was kidnapped by gunmen in unabated,” the bishop lamented. stance,” he said.
system is its latest added feature. Maloong village of Lamitan City, some 50 Not even a single suspect had been ar- A total of six people remain in the hands of
Last January a series of seminars was conducted by the economic kilometers southeast from here. rested and tried in the court, he added. Basilan abductors including the three public
affairs’ office to parish priests, parish secretaries and bookkeepers to Sri Lankan Omar Jalil, a member of an “Clearly, the solution here is for the au- school teachers abducted by armed men
introduce the new system, wherein a detailed recording of income international peace building organization, thorities to give teeth to the law by going in Zamboanga City last January. (Antonio
and expenses, among other things, was given stress. Non-Violent Peace Force, was abducted after the suspects and bring them to justice,” Manaytay)
This new accounting system complements the earlier reform insti-
tuted by the archdiocese wherein each parish is to remit 20% of its
gross income to the archdiocese as a form of a solidarity fund, in lieu
of the fixed quota per parish that was the norm for a long time.
The increased remittance called Priests’ Solidarity Fund (PSF),
which was started in 2006, was intended not just to shore up the
resources of the archdiocese, but to upgrade the social services to
its clergy like the hospitalization program and subsidies to poor
parishes.
The PSF also shoulders a big chunk of the budget for the ongoing
formation of priests, like monthly recollections, annual retreats and
ongoing formation of the young clergy.
All these fiscal reforms instituted by the archdiocese are con-
cretization of the long-sought implementation of the norms of the
Fourth Diocesan Synod of Cebu in 1986, and the resolutions of the
Cebu Congress of the Clergy on this concern last 2001. (Fr. Marnell
S. Mejia)

News Briefs
NASSA builds housing facility for typhoon victims
INFANTA, Quezon—The CBCP-NASSA has released funds
to the Prelature of Infanta for building resettlement houses for
families dislocated by typhoon. Bishop Rolando Tria Tirona,
OCD said the NASSA had provided funds to build a housing
facility for 380 families. He said the 200 concrete duplex houses
were constructed in a place named John Paul II Village. (Jason
de Asis)

Prelate lauds governor for declaring province ‘Pro-life’
KIDAPAWAN CITY— Bishop Romulo T. Dela Cruz has com-
mended the moves made by Gov. Jesus Sacdalan declaring the
Province of Cotabato as “Pro-life Province.” He said that what
the governor espouses may filter down to the municipalities
and barangays of the province as well as the component city of
Kidapawan. (Mark Ventura)

Davao prays ‘Oratio Imperata’ for healing

DAVAO CITY—Archbishop Fernando Capalla has directed all
parish priests and the faithful to pray the “oratio imperata” for
healing every after holy communion in all daily masses for one
year throughout the archdiocese. He said “it is to be done after
communion because Jesus is still sacramentally present, and on
bended knees as a sign of humility.” (Mark Ventura)

People suffer because of greed

DAVAO CITY—Jesuit Priest Fr. William Malley said many Fili-
pinos suffer today because of greed, adding that people’s greed
over wealth and power results to the suffering of others. He said
that a lot of Christians today claim power and property like
owning everything that is in this world which will only deprive
their brothers and sisters of their needs. (Mark Ventura)

Opposition to US-RP Balikatan exercise snowballs

LEGAZPI CITY—Calls to consolidate efforts by multi-sectoral
groups against the planned US-RP Balikatan military exercises
this April, has snowballed following a three-day rally held
here recently. Diocese of Legazpi spokesman, Fr. Rex Orjona
said parishes will continue to document people’s reactions to
Balikatan exercises and the possible human violations that go
with it. (Elmer Bandol)

Priest condemns killing of Ozamiz broadcaster

OZAMIZ CITY—The priest of the Holy Rosary Parish in Oro-
quieta City condemned the killing of local broadcaster Ernie
“Ka Ernie” Rullin. The radioman was shot to death within
his parochial jurisdiction. Fr. Arnold Daplin said he condoles
with Rullin’s immediate family who was shot to death by two
unidentified armed men in Oroquieta City last Feb. 23. (Wendell
Talibong)

Lent, an invitation to change, renew life: Capalla

DAVAO CITY—Archbishop Fernando Capalla has empha-
sized that lent is an invitation for people to change and renew
their lives. He said that in Catholic tradition Lent is a period of
intense preparation for the celebration of the Easter Triduum
–the three momentous days of Easter commemorating the
passion, death and resurrection of Jesus, the only Son of God.
(Mark Ventura)

Military abuses against OSB nun condemned

DAVAO CITY—The Sisters Association of Mindanao (SAMIN)
condemned the alleged abuses committed by the members of
the 67th Infantry Battalion to a missionary Benedictine Sister
and three environmental advocates in Davao Oriental. Sr. Elsa
C. Compuesto, MSM, executive secretary of SAMIN said the
acts of the soldiers are shameless insolence towards human
rights, the rule of law and the mission of the Church. Sr. Stella
Matutina, OSB and three environmental advocates Maria Fe
Matibo, Wenceslao Mapa and Gil Sentinales were illegally ar-
rested, arbitrarily detained, and harassed by the military in the
Barangay Hall of Taytayan, Cateel, Davao Oriental last February
16. (Mark Ventura)

SOS, Ateneo to hold concert for a cause

DAVAO CITY—The SOS Children’s Village Davao in part-
nership with the Ateneo–National Service Training Program
(NSTP) Group and Youth for Christ (YFC) – Ateneo Chapter
held a concert-for-a-cause on Feb. 22. The event dubbed as “All
we need is Love” is a Christian contemporary concert which
featured local bands from the Ateneo group, YFC band, SOS
band with the children and other participating local Christian
youth bands. (Mark Ventura)
 A8 People, Facts & Places CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 5
March 2 - 15, 2009

La Union hosts migrants’

national celebration
THE Church paid tribute to millions of overseas
Filipinos and their families at home in a nation-
the need to go to different dioceses to make people
aware on the importance of the event.
wide celebration of Migrants Sunday on March “We want to create a greater awareness for
1 at Christ the King College High School, San the celebration of migrant Sunday because many
Fernando La Union. people do not understand the reason behind the
Spearheaded by the Episcopal Commission for celebration,” said Corros.
the Pastoral Care of Migrants and itinerant People “Sometimes also our priests are not familiar
(ECMI), the occasion had the theme “The Sacrifices what it is all about. So we try to go out of Manila.

© Pinky Barrientos, FSP / CBCP Media

of the Filipino Migrants mirror the journey of St. We do a lot of catechesis, information dissemina-
Paul”. tion,” he added.
ECMI Chairman and Maasin Bishop Precioso The out-of-town celebration has been going on
Cantillas, SDB underscored the great role of OFWs since five years ago. The first diocese to sponsor
in spreading the Catholic faith abroad. the national migrant celebration was the Arch-
He said the NMS celebration underlines the real- diocese of Lipa, followed by the archdiocese of
ity of OFW’s as modern missionaries. Pampanga.
“It’s rather sad if we only think of our OFWs Corros said they pick out dioceses that have
because of the remittances they bring into the the greatest concentration of migrants among its
country,” Cantillas said. faithful. ECMI Chairman and Maasin Bishop Precioso Cantillas (3rd from right) and San Fernando, La Union Bishop Artemio Rillera
ECMI executive secretary Fr. Edwin Corros, CS “We are also trying to follow the trend where (2nd from right) led the nationwide celebration of Migrants Sunday in La Union last March 1. ECMI executive Secretary Fr.
said there is little understanding among people the bulk of migrant workers are coming from. La Edwin Corros (right) gave a talk on Migration.
why migrant Sunday is being celebrated, hence Union may not be the largest but we look at [the Nationwide, La Union places 31st with the most In the Visayas, the Dioceses of Maasin, Tagbi-
place] as center for Northern Luzon,” he said. number of OFWs. In 2007 alone, remittances sent laran, Bacolod, San Carlos, Kalibo, Kabankalan,
The La Union celebration featured talks on to the province reached 60 billion pesos. Dumaguete, and Archdioceses of Palo, Cebu,
migration and cultural presentations from the Jaro and Capiz organized activities to highlight
children of OFWs. Diocesan Celebrations the event. In Mindanao region, all Dioceses in the
Representatives from the local government gave Meanwhile, the Diocese of Bayombong also held provinces of Davao also celebrated the occasion.
their solidarity messages.
Photo Courtesy of Edmund Ruga

a diocesan activity at St. Mark Parish, Cabarroguis,

A resolution for the creation of La Union Inter-
Agency Council for Migrants’ Concern (LUIMCO)
was presented and adopted during the affair.
Around 1,500 families of OFWs came to partici-
pate in the affair. Other dioceses also sent partici-
pants to the event
The event was capped with a Eucharistic celebra-
Families of OFWs joined the early morning parade that kicked tion led by Bishop Cantillas with La Union Bishop
off the celebration. Artemio Rillera, SVD and concelebrating priests.
in Quirino province to mark the event. The occa- Statistics
sion was highlighted by a gathering of 500 par- Statistics of 2007 showed there are about 8.72
ticipants from migrant families and government million Filipinos overseas, 4.13 of whom are OFWs.
agencies and celebration of Holy Eucharist. A 2007 study also revealed an average of 2, 950
Other dioceses who led the NMS celebration OFWs departing daily for overseas job, 50% of
include Luzon dioceses of Alaminos, Ilagan, them women.
Bangued, Antipolo, Imus, Kalookan, Novaliches, In 2007 alone, OFWs have remitted a whopping
and Archdioceses of San Fernando, Pampanga, 13.44 billion US dollars that helped prime up the
Lipa and Manila. country’s ailing economy. (Pinky Barrientos, FSP)

Media seminars propose paradigm shifts

City jail inmates to stage musical play
BARELY a month to go before the jailbreak concert,
the show’s production team has assured that all
things needed are already in place and that they
are now doing final touches.
Jailbreak concert is a musical-theatrical produc-
tion play showcasing the talents of the 28 inmates
of Davao City Jail. The concert is hoped to lead
the people to a better understanding of the plight
and struggles of the detainees and to change their
moral judgments.
Jailbreak Production coordinator Alejandro
Cadagdagon said that they focus now on finalizing
the rehearsals for voice-music recording and cho-
reography and a series of practices for the general
stage performance of the artists.
“Generally, so far so good. We are about 90
percent ready and it will surely raise smiles and
recognition that would brought inmates a new hope
in their hearts,” said Cadagdagon.
“We are also considering the safety and security
measures of the cast –inmates as well as the audi-
ences who will be coming for the event, that is why,
it remains to be on the top priority,” he added.
Cadagdagon said that the Bureau of Jail Manage-
ment and Penology (BJMP), Philippine National
Police (PNP) and Task Force Davao (TF-Davao)
will provide ample security personnel for the 28
participating inmates.
The concert is also supported by the Archdiocesan
Commission on Prison Welfare (ACPW), Marist
Fathers and Brothers, Marist Sisters, Couples for
Christ, Handmaid of the Lord, Alexian Brothers,
NCCC Davao and the City Government of Davao.
(Mark S. Ventura)
ENCOURAGED by the Holy Father’s call for the
church to employ media in its work of evange-
lization, Nueva Segovia recently hosted media
seminars for its clergy and lay groups directly
involved in the formation of catholic students
in the archdiocese.
Bro. Hansel Mapayo, SSP, editor of the bibli-
cal publication “Verbuhay”, spoke of the “new
media” and the necessity of a corresponding
paradigm shift in its use and understanding.
He talked of the “convergence of separate
media technologies that share resources and
interact with each other synergistically creating
new efficiencies.”
The lecture given during the monthly Priests’
Assembly last February 16, was part of the ongo-
ing formation of the local clergy on the use of
media for evangelization.
Quoting the document Aetatis Novae, Ma-
payo said, “It is not enough to use the media
simply to spread the Christian message and the
Church’s authentic teaching. It is also neces-
sary to integrate that message into the” new
culture” created by modern communication...
with new languages, new techniques and a new
psychology.
Pope Benedict has repeatedly called for “a
culture of respect, dialogue and friendship”.
The commitment of media to connect, Ma-
payo reminded, should be seen as a reflection
of our participation in the communicative and
unifying love of God who desires to make of all
humanity one.
He affirmed the important task of media evan-
gelizers by saying:
“In this continuing quest of humanity for ef-
ficiency, comfort and well-being, God continues
to offer salvation to all.” (Fran C. Quitoriano)

Armed forces urged to personify Alay

Kapwa theme
BELIEVING that military men
can be agents of peace and jus-
tice, the National Secretariat for
Social Action, Justice and Peace
towards the preservation of the
Markings
integrity of creation,” she said. AWARDED. Sts. Anne and Joachim Par-
Together with Mallillin, Mili- ish of the Prelature of Infanta was cited
for being the first parish that successfully
tary Bishop Leopoldo Tumulak launched the stewardship program. The
Photo courtesy of Caritas Manila

– Caritas Filipinas Foundation
has chosen to launch its 34th
Alay Kapwa Lenten program
at the Military Ordinariate in
Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City
last February 27. Alay Kapwa Program Officer
According to NASSA-JP ex-
ecutive secretary Sr. Rosanne
Mallillin, SPC, this year’s Alay
Kapwa Lenten program, themed
“Citizenship Building and Soli-
darity towards a Culture of
Peace and Integrity of Creation,”
fits the battle cry of the Military
Ordinariate.
“The spirit of this year’s Alay
Kapwa challenges the men and
women of the Armed Forces to
be agents of peace and justice
and AFP chief of staff Alexander award was given during the Steward-
Yano led the 8:30 a.m. launch- ship seminar held from February 9-12 at
ing of the Alay Kapwa Lenten Marello Retreat House, Tagaytay City. Sts.
A F P Anne and Joachim current parish priest
program at the St. Ignatius personnel Fr. Mario Establecida and its former pas-
Cathedral. at the launching tor, Fr. Israel Gabriel, Bishops Rolando
of Alay Kapwa at Tria Tirona and Infanta bishop-emeritus
the Military Ordinariate in Julio Xavier Labayen received the award.
Edil Guyano gave an orienta- Camp Aguinaldo last February 27. The Socio-Pastoral Institute and Denver,
tion on the Lenten program Colorado-based Mila Glodava-Garcia who
while NASSA Ecology Program Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez, tors of Social Action Centers brought the spirituality of stewardship
Officer Engr. Joyce Palacol pro- Cagayan de Oro Archbishop of the dioceses of Iba, Boac, program to the country gave the award.
vided a briefing on the current Antonio Ledesma, Antipolo Malolos, Imus, Lucena, San The gathering featured presentations and
situation of the Philippine En- sharing of some parishes with their stewardship experiences.
Bishop Gabriel Reyes, and Bon- Pablo, Antipolo, Novaliches,
vironment. toc-Lagawe Bishop Emeritus Kalookan, Pasig, Paranaque ELEVATED. Mission Society of the Philippines, to a “Society of Apostolic
Msgr. Elmer Abacahin of the Francisco Claver. and Cubao. Life for mission ad gentes of Pontifical right”. His Eminence Ivan Cardinal
CBCP’s Office on Basic Eccle- Other concelebrants include The AFP hierarchy was led Dias, Prefect of the Congregation for
sial Communities was the main the Evangelization of Peoples, signed
CBCP secretary-general Juanito by AFP Chief of Staff General the decree elevating the status of the
speaker at the launching. Figura, Assistant secretary- Alexander Badong Yano and Mission Society, January 6, 2009.
Tumulak led the concelebrated general Joselito Asis, Military his staff officers. (Kris Bayos/ Established by the Catholic Bishops
Mass at 10:30 a.m. with Marbel Ordinariate clergy and direc- Melo Acuna) Conference of the Philippines in 1965 as
the official and chief missionary arm of
the Catholic Church, the MSP has since

NAMFREL holds registration for first time voters then spread in various countries doing
pastoral and mission works. Currently,
the society is composed of 72 Filipino
priests scattered in thirteen countries
pines, San Sebastian College, Centro Escolar in five continents: Thailand, Taiwan, Ja-
University and Far Eastern University. pan, South Korea, Papua New Guinea,
Resource speakers for the whole-day affair Australia, New Zealand, Cook Islands, American Samoa, Netherlands,
include COMELEC Commissioners Rene England, USA and Guyana.
Sarmiento and Leonardo Leonida.
DIED.Atty. Ma. Amelia “Mia” Menez-Zafra, February 28, 2009, of breast
The two commissioners also monitored the
© www.namfrel.com.ph

The COMELEC registration center set up at San Beda College campus on February 27 drew around 200 first
time voters from the 4th and 6th districts of Manila.
AIMED at drawing students’ participation
in the 2010 national elections, the National
Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections
(NAMFREL) held a registration drive for
first time voters on February 27, at San Beda
College (SBC), Mendiola.
Former Ambassador Henrietta de Villa,
NAMFREL-PPCRV national chairperson
has cited the significance of the place and
the participation of students in the electoral
activity.
“Mendiola where San Beda is located has
been a traditional site for the manifestation
of the Filipinos advocacy for freedom and
democracy. It is also the cradle of student for-
cancer. Atty. Zafra was the Executive Vice President of the Sangguniang
conduct of registration which started at 10 Laiko ng Pilipinas, the implementing arm of the Episcopal Commission on
a.m. in the morning and ended at 5 p.m. the Laity. Active in various Church and civic advocacies, Atty. Zafra was
part of the Executive Board of the CBCP-Episcopal Commission on Fam-
ily and Life, CBCP Office on Women and CINEMA (Catholic Initiative for
Jaro Archdiocese launches ‘Bagong Bida’ Enlightened Movie Appreciation). She was a member of Ladies of Charity,
The Social Action Center of Jaro Archdio- National Council of Women of the Philippines (NCWP), Women’s Forum,
cese (JASAC) also launched a registration Federation of Professional and Business Women of the Philippines, Kilusan
ng mga Kababaihang Tumataguyod sa Demokrasya (KABATID), National
drive on February 12 at the auditorium of
Committee on the Filipino Family (NCFF), Family Network (FAMNET),
mation. I am hopeful that this special registra- Colegio del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus. Alay Buhay Educational Foundation, Abay Pamilya, Alliance for the Family
tion of young voters will signal the pro-active First time voters, mostly students from (ALFI), Family Media Advocacy, Human Life International (HLI), Catholic
engagement of our nation’s Bagong BIDA— different schools and youth from parishes, Lawyer’s Guild, Women’s Lawyer’s Association of the Philippines, Inte-
the Filipino youth voters,” De Villa said. took part in the activity. grated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), International Association of Lawyers
for the Defense of the Unborn, Coalition Against Death Penalty (CADP),
The activity named Bagong BIDA be the De Villa encouraged the youth to participate Konsensiyang Pilipino, Witnessing for Justice and Peace Movement,
change Botanteng Pilipino-Magpalista Ka is in the upcoming national elections. She point- Rosary for Life. A prolific writer, Atty. Zafra has also authored manuals
an ongoing joint project of PPCRV, NAM- ed out the importance of young people’s vote and guidebooks on marriage and family.
FREL, CEAP and COMELEC. in putting credible leaders in government.
DIED. Rev. Fr. Rufo Espedido Diño, C.M., 75, February 19, 2009. Born
Around 200 first time voters from the 4th For his part, Leonida assured students that June 19, 1934, in Gubat, Sorsogon, Diño was the very first Vincentian
and 6th districts of Manila registered in the the COMELEC will do its best to ensure a seminarian in St. Vincent Seminary, Valenzuela, Bulacan. He took his
Satellite Registration Center COMELEC set peaceful and reliable election next year. Philosophy studies at St. Vincent Seminary, Jaro, Iloilo City and Theol-
up inside SBC campus. JASAC Director Msgr. Meliton Oso, re- ogy in Sydney, Australia. He was ordained January 24, 1963 in Sydney,
ligious sisters and some clergy were also Australia. Diño was the 1st Filipino Provincial Director of the Daughters
Aside from Bedans, other participating of Charity. He had been assigned as Chaplain, Superior, Rector, Novice
students came from the University of the present during the whole-day activity. (CB- Director, Vice-Provincial of the Vincentians and Professors.
East, Polytechnic University of the Philip- CPNews/Fr. Mark Lester Senina)
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 5
March 2 - 15, 2009
B1

Pastoral Concerns

St. Paul migrant,

© Pinky Barrientos, FSP / CBCP Media

‘Apostle of the peoples’
Message of his Holiness Benedict XVI for the 95th world day of Migrants and Refugees 2009
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
This year the theme of the Message
for the World Day of Migrants and
Refugees is: “St. Paul migrant, ‘Apostle
of the peoples’”. It is inspired by its
felicitous coincidence with the Jubilee
Year I established in the Apostle’s honor
on the occasion of the 2,000th anniversary
of his birth. Indeed, the preaching and
mediation between the different cultures
and the Gospel which Paul, “a migrant
by vocation” carried out, are also an
important reference point for those who
find themselves involved in the migratory
movement today.
Born into a family of Jewish immigrants
in Tarsus, Cilicia, Saul was educated in
the Hebrew and Hellenistic cultures and
languages, making the most of the Roman
cultural context. After his encounter with
Christ on the road to Damascus (cf. Gal
1:13-16), although he did not deny his
own “traditions” and felt both esteem
and gratitude to Judaism and the Law (cf.
Rm 9:1-5; 10:1; 2 Cor 11:22; Gal 1:13-14;
Phil 3:3-6), he devoted himself without
hesitation or second thoughts to his new
mission, with courage and enthusiasm
and docile to the Lord’s command: “I
will send you far away to the Gentiles”
(Acts 22:21). His life changed radically
(cf. Phil 3:7-11): Jesus became for him his
raison d’être and the motive that inspired
his apostolic dedication to the service
of the Gospel. He changed from being
a persecutor of Christians to being an
Apostle of Christ.
Guided by the Holy Spirit, he spared
no effort to see that the Gospel which is
“the power of God for salvation
to every one who
has faith,
to the Jew first and also to the Greek”
(Rm 1:16) was proclaimed to all, making
no distinction of nationality or culture.
On his apostolic journeys, in spite of
meeting with constant opposition, he first
proclaimed the Gospel in the synagogues,
giving prior attention to his compatriots
in the diaspora (cf. Acts 18:4-6). If they
rejected him he would address the
Gentiles, making himself—an authentic
“missionary to migrants”—as a migrant
and an ambassador of Jesus Christ “at
large” in order to invite every person to
become a “new creation” in the Son of
God (2 Cor 5:17).
people in him.
This is the mission of the Church and
of every baptized person in our time too,
even in the era of globalization; a mission
that with attentive pastoral solicitude is
also directed to the variegated universe
of migrants—students far from home,
immigrants, refugees, displaced people,
evacuees—including for example, the
victims of modern forms of slavery, and of
human trafficking. Today too the message
of salvation must be presented with the
same approach as that of the Apostle to the
Gentiles, taking into account the different
social and cultural situations and special
“Christ [had] made him
his own”, (Phil 3:12),
he remained so closely
united to him that he felt
he shared in his same
life, through sharing
in “his sufferings” (Phil
3:10; cf. also Rm 8:17; 2
Cor 4:8-12; Col 1:24).
This is the source of the
apostolic ardour of St
Paul who recounts: “He
who had set me apart
before I was born, and
had called me through
ABOVE: ECMI Chairman and Maasin Bishop
Precioso Cantillas (center) with San Fernando,
La Union Bishop Artemio Rillera (2nd from right)
led the National Migrants celebration in the
Diocese of La Union. LEFT: Families of overseas
Filipino workers came in droves to participate in
the nationwide celebration of National Migrants
Sunday in La Union last March 1. The Diocese of
La Union places 31st nationwide with the most
number of OFWs.
In this perspective, fraternal solidarity
expressed in daily gestures of sharing, joint
participation and joyful concern for others,
acquires a unique prominence. However,
it is impossible to achieve this dimension
of brotherly mutual acceptance, St Paul
always teaches, without the readiness to
listen to and welcome the Word preached
and practiced (cf. 1 Thes 1:6), a Word that
urges all to be imitators of Christ (cf. Eph
5:1-2), to be imitators of the Apostle (cf. 1
Cor 11:1). And therefore, the more closely
the community is united to Christ, the
more it cares for its neighbor, eschewing
judgment, scorn and scandal, and opening
itself to reciprocal acceptance (cf. Rm 14:1-3;
© Pinky Barrientos, FSP / CBCP Media

15:7). Conformed to Christ, believers feel

“May the teaching and example of St Paul, a great and humble
Apostle and a migrant, an evangelizer of peoples and cultures, spur
us to understand that the exercise of charity is the culmination and
synthesis of the whole of Christian life.”
The proclamation of difficulties of each one as a consequence of
the kerygma caused his or her condition as a migrant or itinerant
him to cross the seas person. I express the wish that every
of the Near East and Christian community may feel the same
to travel the roads apostolic zeal as St Paul who, although he
of Europe until he was proclaiming to all the saving love of the
reached Rome. Father (Rm 8:15-16; Gal 4:6) to “win more”
He set out from (1 Cor 9:22) for Christ, made himself weak
Antioch, where “to the weak... all things to all men so that
he proclaimed [he] might by all means save some” (1 Cor
the Gospel to 9:22). May his example also be an incentive
people who for us to show solidarity to these brothers
did not belong and sisters of ours and to promote, in every
to Judaism and part of the world and by every means,
where the disciples of peaceful coexistence among different races,
Jesus were called “Christians” for cultures and religions.
the first time (cf. Acts 11:20, 26). His life Yet what was the secret of the Apostle
and his preaching were wholly directed to to the Gentiles? The missionary zeal and
making Jesus known and loved by all, for passion of the wrestler that distinguished
all persons are called to become a single him stemmed from the fact that since
they are “brothers” in him, sons of the
same Father (Rm 8:14-16; Gal 3:26; 4:6).
This treasure of brotherhood makes them
“practice hospitality” (Rm 12:13), which is
the firstborn daughter of agape (cf. 1 Tm
3:2, 5:10; Ti 1:8; Phlm 17).
In this manner the Lord’s promise:
comes true: “then I will welcome you, and
I will be a father to you, and you shall be
his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son my sons and daughters” (2 Cor 6:17-18).
to me, in order that I might preach him If we are aware of this, how can we fail
among the Gentiles” (Gal 1:15-16; cf. also to take charge of all those, particularly
Rm 15:15-16). He felt “crucified with” refugees and displaced people, who are
Christ, so that he could say: “It is no in conditions of difficulty or hardship?
longer I who live, but Christ who lives in How can we fail to meet the needs of those
me” (Gal 2:20), and no difficulty hindered who are de facto the weakest and most
him from persevering in his courageous defenseless, marked by precariousness
evangelizing action in cosmopolitan cities and insecurity, marginalized and often
such as Rome and Corinth, which were excluded by society? We should give
populated at that time by a mosaic of our priority attention to them because,
races and cultures. paraphrasing a well known Pauline text,
In reading the Acts of the Apostles “God chose what is foolish in the world to
and the Letters that Paul addressed to shame the wise, God chose what is weak
various recipients, we perceive a model in the world to shame the strong, God
of a Church that was not exclusive but chose what is low and despised in the
on the contrary open to all, formed by world, even things that are not, to bring to
believers without distinction of culture or nothing things that are, so that no human
race: every baptized person is, in fact, a being might boast in the presence of God”
living member of the one Body of Christ. Paul / B7
B2 Updates CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 5
March 2 - 15, 2009

Status of the society of St. Pius X (Part I)

By Fr. Jaime B. Achacoso, J.C.D. subject to him (c.751). Lefebvre’s defenders against God and carries the penalty of
argued that the consecration of the four excommunication decreed by the Church’s

Chronology
My mother enjoys going to Mass at the Our
Lady of Victories Church along Valley Road
in New Manila (Quezon City). She finds
the Tridentine Mass more solemn and pious.
bishops in June 1988 did not constitute
schism as defined by Canon Law. Without
getting into the details, we can simply
recall that the Code itself established—
following canonical doctrine—that laws are
law (ibid.).
This was the Church’s definitive—and
up to the moment current—statement on
the subject of the status of Lefebvre and
his organization. Nevertheless, to further

of a Schism
Following are excerpts from the Informatory
Note, in L’Osservatore Romano, 27.VI.1988,
pp. 1-2 and from Michael Davies, The Lefebvre
Story, in Christian Order, December (1988), pp.
594-612.
This Chronology originally appeared in
Theological Centrum Documentation Service,
August 1995.
01 Nov 1970 The Society of St. Pius X is established.
18 Feb 1971 Cardinal Wright, Prefect of the Congregation for
the Clergy, commends the Econe seminary in
a letter to Lefebvre.
06 May 1975 Holy See commands Lefebvre to close Econe
seminary and to disband the Society.
05 Jun 1975 Lefebvre appeals against the decision; the Holy
See rejects the appeal.
14 Jun 1975 Lefebvre’s second appeal is rejected.
13 Feb 1976 Lefebvre states that if granted a proper trial he
would close the seminary.
29 Jun 1976 Lefebvre is suspended from ordaining priests.
28 Jan 1988 Cardinal Seper, Prefect of the Congregation for
the Doctrine of the Faith, writes to Lefebvre,
agreeing to examine his case to normalize
relations between the Holy See and the Society
of St. Pius X.
29 Dec 1981 Cardinal Seper dies. The Lefebvre case is en-
trusted to the new Prefect, Cardinal Joseph
Ratzinger.
23 Dec 1983 Cardinal Ratzinger sends a letter to Lefebvre
setting the terms of the basis of an honorable
statement; Lefebvre rejects this.
28 Oct 1986 Pope John Paul II invites Christian and Non-
Christian religious leaders to Assisi to pray for
world peace; Lefebvre is scandalized by what
he calls “false ecumenism”.
29 Jun 1987 Lefebvre announces his consideration of episco-
pal consecrations.
14 Jul 1987 Lefebvre agrees to meet Cardinal Ratzinger in
Rome.
28 Jul 1987 Cardinal Ratzinger proposes to ensure a recon-
ciliation involving the nomination of a Cardinal-
Visitor for the Society.
17 Oct 1987 Lefebvre and Cardinal Ratzinger meet again in
Rome.
29 Oct 1987 Cardinal Gagnon is nominated as Cardinal-
Visitor.
11 Nov-8 Dec 1987 Apostolic Visitation of the St. Pius X Fraternity by
Cardinal Gagnon.
21 Nov 1987 Lefebvre writes to Cardinal Gagnon in thanks-
giving and makes proposals regarding the
Society.
05 Jan 1988 Cardinal Gagnon presents his report to the Pope;
his role in the negotiations ends.
02 Feb 1988 Lefebvre states his intention to proceed with the
30 June consecrations.
20 Feb 1988 Lefebvre writes to the Pope, stating his disap-
pointment at the fact that no concrete steps
had been taken yet to regularize the Society’s
position, and requesting the exemption of
the Society from the jurisdiction of diocesan
bishops.
18 Mar 1988 Cardinal Ratzinger writes to Lefebvre, suggest-
ing that the Holy See and the Society each
designate a canonist and a theologian to work
out an agreement under the presidency of a
Pope-designated moderator.
08 Apr 1988 The Pope writes to Cardinal Ratzinger, expressing
his desire that everything possible be done to
reach a resolution that will enable the Society
to have a regular position in the Church.
Canonists and theologians from the Society and
12-15 Apr 1988
the Holy See meet.
04 May 1988 The two panels meet again, with the personal
intervention of Lefebvre and Cardinal Ratz-
inger.
05 May 1988 Cardinal Ratzinger and Lefebvre sign a protocol
[reproduced in this issue of Docserv], to be
examined and to be finally approved by the
Pope, to regularize relations between the Holy
See and the Society.
06 May 1988 Lefebvre writes to Cardinal Ratzinger, insisting on
the episcopal consecration of a Society mem-
ber on 30 June, adding that should the reply be
negative, he will carry on with the consecration;
Cardinal Ratzinger asks Lefebvre to reconsider
his proposal.
20 May 1988 Lefebvre writes to the Pope, suggesting that 30
June is the latest possible date for a conse-
cration.
24 May 1988 In Rome, Cardinal Ratzinger tells Lefebvre of the
Pope’s disposal to nominate a bishop from the
Society, in an ordination on 15 August 1988,
if Lefebvre will address to the Pope a request
for real reconciliation and if he should submit
to his decision regarding the ordination; Lefe-
bvre presents letters each to the Pope and to
Cardinal Ratzinger, insisting on the date of 30
June, on consecrating three bishops, and on
the Fraternity’s majority membership in the
future Roman Commission.
30 May 1988 Cardinal Ratzinger writes to Lefebvre, saying
that the question of a majority in the Roman
Commission was irrelevant, and that Lefebvre
should obey the Pope.
02 Jun 1988 Lefebvre writes to the Pope, resuming his polemic
against Vatican II, and stating that the conse-
cration is not against the Holy See’s will.
09 Jun 1988 The Pope responds to Lefebvre, asking him not
to proceed with the consecrations.
13 Jun 1988 The four priests to be consecrated by Lefebvre
arrive at Econe.
15 Jun 1988 Lefebvre announces his decision to consecrate
four bishops on 30 June 1988.
17 Jun 1988 Cardinal Gantin, Prefect of the Congregation
for Bishops, sends Lefebvre a canonical
warning.
29 Jun 1988 Priests are ordained at Econe; The Pope places
a car at Lefebvre’s disposal to bring him to
Rome for a personal encounter, but Lefebvre
rejects the offer.
30 Jun 1988 Lefebvre consecrates four bishops.
01 Jul 1988 The decree of excommunication is published.
02 Jul 1988 The Apostolic Letter, Ecclesia Dei is published.
Besides, she is quick to add, the priests there authentically interpreted by the legislator clarify the issue, we need to distinguish
are always in cassock and more approachable and by the one to whom the legislator between the clerics involved in the Lefebvre
for confession. But I also seem to remember a has granted the power to interpret them Movement and the laymen who participate
circular from then Archbishop of Manila, the authentically (CIC, c.16, §1). John Paul II was in it.
late Cardinal Sin, that those Lefebvrist priests the legislator at the time of the promulgation
were schismatic and the Catholic faithful were of the 1983 Code of Canon Law; thus, he Canonical status of priests and laymen of
not supposed to go to them for anything. Now, was the most qualified to interpret it, not the Society of St Pius X
to heighten my confusion, I just read a circular only because of his role as Pope (which of In a document of 26.VIII.1996, the
from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cubao itself gave him the right to determine the Pontifical Council for the Interpretation
reprinting a Decree of the Congregation of Code’s meaning), but also because it was by of Legislative Texts (PCILT) clarified that
Bishops (Vatican City, 21.I.2009) concerning his authority that the Code was originally the automatic excommunication declared
the lifting of the excommunication pronounced promulgated. His interpretation of the Code by the two aforementioned documents as
on the four bishops consecrated by Archbishop was thus—by definition—guaranteed to regards Lefevbre and the Society of Pius X
Marcel Lefebvre in 1988. Can you shed some
light on this matter?
be accurate. is premised on a formal adherence to the
John Paul II explained that the consecrations schism. While respecting the competence
of June 1988 constituted a schismatic act, not of the Congregation for the Doctrine of
IN order to fully understand this question simply because they were unauthorized the Faith as regards the notion of formal
and in the service of the truth—given that (i.e., without the mandate from the Holy adherence to the schism, the Pontifical
a half-truth is the worst lie—we have to See as required by Law), but because they Council clarified that such adherence
dedicate two issues of this column, starting were directly disobedient (i.e., against an implies two complimentary elements:
with a backgrounder in the present one. expressed prohibition to proceed with such 1st an internal element, consisting in a free
www.sspx.co.uk
A Short Background on Archbishop Marcel consecration) to the Roman Pontiff in a very and conscious agreement with the substance
Lefebvre and the Society of St. Pius X. grave matter: In itself this act was one of of the schism—i.e., to opt to follow Lefebvre
In November 1970, French Archbishop disobedience to the Roman Pontiff in a very rather than to obey the Pope;
Marcel Lefebvre founded the Society grave matter and of supreme importance 2nd an external element, consisting in
of St. Pius X (SSPX), with a seminary in for the unity of the church, such as is the the exteriorization of such option, the
Econe (France). In the confused doctrinal ordination of bishops whereby the apostolic clearest manifestation of which would be
environment of the so-called post-conciliar succession is sacramentally perpetuated. the exclusive participation in the ecclesial
crisis, his exaggerated traditionalism Hence such disobedience—which implies acts of the Lefebvrist Movement, without
was initially perceived taking part in the acts of
as a bastion of Catholic
orthodoxy. The Econe
My mother enjoys going to Mass at the Our the Catholic Church. The
document was quick to
Seminary even received Lady of Victories Church along Valley Road clarify, however, that this
a commendatory letter in New Manila (Quezon City). She finds the latter does not consist an
from the Congregation
for the Clergy in February
Tridentine Mass more solemn and pious. unequivocal sign, since it
is possible for any faithful
1971. However, Lefebvre’s Besides, she is quick to add, the priests there to participate in liturgical
erroneous idea of Tradition are always in cassock and more approachable acts of the SSPX without
soon led him to condemn
the Second Vatican
for confession. But I also seem to remember necessarily sharing in its
schismatic spirit.
Council (especially its a circular from then Archbishop of Manila, the T h e a b o v e
teachings on ecumenism) late Cardinal Sin, that those Lefebvrist priests considerations resulted
and the Novus Ordo (the
new Order of Mass that
were schismatic and the Catholic faithful in a different treatment
of clerics as compared to
came in force in 1970). were not supposed to go to them for anything. lay people in the SSPX as
In May 1975, the Holy Can you shed some light on this matter? regards their canonical
See ordered Lefebvre status:
to close the Econe Seminary and in June in practice the rejection of the Roman 1st In the case of the deacons and priests,
1976—given his refusal to obey—suspended primacy—constitutes a schismatic act it would seem that their ministerial activities
him from ordaining. What followed was (Ecclesia Dei, n.3).
within the schismatic movement was a clear
a sad chapter—still unfinished—in the As a result, the Pope declared quite clearly: sign of the presence of the two aforementioned
history of the Church. Archbishop Lefebvre In performing such an act, notwithstanding elements, constituting a formal adherence
continued to distance himself from the the formal canonical warning sent to them by to the schism. Thus, regardless of how
Holy See, continued to ordain priests and the cardinal prefect of the Congregation for they may present themselves in attire and
in June 1988 committed the schismatic act Bishops last June 17, Archbishop Lefebvre manners, canonically they were considered
of consecrating, without papal mandate and and the priests Bernard Fellay, Bernard under automatic excommunication.
against the explicit prohibition of the Holy Tissier de Mallerais, Richard Williamson 2nd In the case of the other faithful,
See, four bishops for the Society of St. Pius X. and Alfonso de Galarreta have incurred however, the document stated that an
With this, he incurred the automatic penalty the grave penalty of excommunication occasional participation in liturgical acts
of excommunication—a fact declared by a envisaged by ecclesiastical law (ibid.). or activities of the Lefebvrist Movement—
solemn Decree of Excommunication issued done without identifying themselves with
by the Sacred Congregation for Bishops on 1 Formal Papal Prohibition of Supporting the doctrinal and disciplinar disunity of the
July 1988, and confirmed by Pope John Paul and Participating in the Lefevbre movement with the Holy See—would not be
II through the Apostolic Letter Ecclesia Dei, Movement. sufficient to imply a formal adherence to the
issued motu proprio on 2 July 1988. In the Decree of Excommunication of schism. The document emphasized the need
John Paul II himself explained Lefebvre’s 1.VII.1988, the Sacred Congregation for to take into account, above all, the intention
error: The root of this schismatic act can be Bishops solemnly declared: The priests of the person and whatever external
discerned in an incomplete and contradictory and faithful are warned not to support the manifestation of their interior dispositions.
notion of tradition. Incomplete, because it schism of Monsignor Lefebvre; otherwise Thus, the document concluded, the various
does not take sufficiently into account the they shall incur ipso facto the very grave situations should be judged in a case-to-case
living character of tradition ... But especially penalty of excommunication. basis, in the competent seat of the external
contradictory is a notion of tradition which
Because of the danger the new schism or internal forum.
opposes the universal Magisterium of the posed to souls, John Paul II further issued
Church possessed by the bishop of Rome a direct and solemn appeal to the faithful to Preliminary Conclusions
and the body of bishops. It is impossible stop any and all support for the SSPX: In the This was the situation for the remainder
to remain faithful to the tradition while present circumstances I wish especially to of the Pontificate of John Paul II and the
breaking the ecclesial bond with him to make an appeal both solemn and heartfelt, first years of the Pontificate of Benedict
whom, in the person of the apostle Peter, paternal and fraternal, to all those who until XVI, who—as John Paul II’s right-hand
Christ himself entrusted the ministry of now have been linked in various ways to man in the whole Lefebvre issue—had tried
unity in his church (Ecclesia Dei, n.4). the movement of Archbishop Lefebvre, that in vain at that time to avert the schism.
they may fulfill the ... duty ... of ceasing Summarizing then,
Schismatic nature of the Lefebvre their support in any way for that movement 1) The 4 bishops ordained by Abp.
Movement & the Excommunication of its (Ecclesia Dei, n.5, c). Lefebvre—including Abp. Lefebvre himself
Bishops in 1988. He also specifically warned against and another bishop who concelebrated
The Code of Canon Law gives the formally adhering to the Lefebvrist schism: that Episcopal consecration—were all
following definition: [S]chism is the refusal Everyone should be aware that formal excommunicated automatically when they
of submission to the Roman Pontiff or of adherence to the schism is a grave offense formally adhered to that schismatic act.
communion with the members of the Church Status / B4
 Diocese
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 5
March 2 - 15, 2009
By Rev. Danilo R. Laeda subsequently called, brought with
them about 95% of the total population
of Ilocos Norte.
THE turn of the 20th century saw the Church in the It was a slow and painful recovery
for the “Romanos” in this part of the
Philippines being put asunder. The once monolithic faith Philippines. The years following 1902,
established by the zealous and indefatigable Castilian the foundation year of the IFI, were
missionaries three centuries and a half before was shaken difficult. All church properties except
the Laoag Cathedral were taken over by
due to the Religious Revolution as an offshoot of the nation’s the schismatics. However, the Philippine
quest for sovereignty to shake away the yoke of colonialism Supreme Court’s landmark decision in
in the last decade of the 19th century. This was a fight in 1905 (Barlin vs. Ramirez) ordering the
return of properties belonging to the
the religious sphere of the Filipino clergy towards self- Roman Catholic Church, which were
determination, that is, an all-Filipino hierarchy. Of the five taken over by the Independientes,
ecclesiastical jurisdictions then existing in the country, the saved the day for the Romanos. By 1908
appointees for the parishes in Ilocos
then Diocese of Nueva Segovia suffered the most.
The Diocese of Laoag was one of the
experimental centers for the whole
Philippines.
A good number of priests from
La Union (6) and Ilocos Sur (6) were
“trapped” in the Diocese of Laoag as
a result of the separation. Unity and
spiritualization among the clergy had to
be worked out. The monthly recollection
and meeting had to be consistently held.
Priests from every nook and cranny of
the diocese were urged to go to Laoag
every month for this event. These were
the times when coming to the center
was still a feat considering the dust and
bumpy roads to the interior parishes in
the eastern and northern vicariates.
B3
foundation in 1986 with much fanfare.
Archbishop Antonio Mabutas of
Davao, the first ordinary, presided
over the opening Eucharist. The San
Lorenzo Medical and Dental Charity
clinic was also inaugurated to serve
the indigents who need medical and
dental treatment. About the same year,
the Foyer de Charite in the compound
of the St. Mary’s Seminary was slowly
rising to serve as a retreat house for the
diocese.
In 1994, Bishop Abaya convoked
the First Diocese of Laoag Pastoral
Assembly. This was in response to the
renewal of the Philippines called for
by the Second Plenary Council of the

The faith grows from the ashes of the Aglipayan Schism

Diocese of Laoag
However, it was not until Norte took their billet. Practically all Bishop Rafael Montiano Lim: A Philippines in 1991. This was a week-
1575 when Vigan was of them were soon withdrawn because Tagalog in the Heart of Ilocandia long gathering of clergy, religious and
finally “pacified” by the they suffered indignities from the When the 1970s came, storm clouds lay faithful of the diocese to pray, to
Castillians that effective “Aglipayanos”. A strategy was worked were looming in the horizon for the reflect on the pastoral situation and to
evangelization campaign out by the then American Bishop of Diocese of Laoag. In 1970, Bishop offer solutions and remedies. It was
reached this part of the Nueva Segovia, the Most Rev. Dennis Mabutas was elected coadjutor geared towards creating a community
newly established Province Dougherty. Priests were soon assigned Archbishop of Davao. Archbishop Juan of disciples in the Diocese of Laoag. The
of Ilocos. to their hometown to bring back to the Sison of Nueva Segovia was apostolic Vision-Mission Statement with the Acts
During this last quarter fold their relatives and their tenants. administrator during the months of and Decrees of the Pastoral Assembly
of the 16th century, Hence, we have the likes of Luis Cortez vacancy. The following year Bishop reflects the pastoral situation of the
mission centers were of Badoc, Mariano Pacis of Vintar, Rafael M. Lim of Boac, Marinduque diocese and the kind of response to be
established in Laoag, Clemente Edralin of Sarrat, who was (then a part of the Diocese of Lucena) addressed to such.
Bacarra, San Nicolas, Batac later murdered in his convento of came to Laoag. This was a difficult Bishop Abaya’s episcopal ministry
and Dingras. Towards the mysterious causes, Atanacio Albano decade everywhere: the first and second in the Diocese of Laoag came to an end
end of Spanish rule in the of Bacarra and others. quarters saw the storm of activism, the when he was installed as the Archbishop
Philippines, there were “hippie” generation, martial law and of Nueva Segovia on September 8, 1999.
Bishop Sergio L. Utleg
13 towns. The evangelization of this Canonical Erection of the Diocese: dictatorship, the changes brought about The diocese was again without a pastor.
northern part of Ilocos Province was Antonio Ll. Mabutas as Bishop by Vatican II were now being felt. The months of interregnum were under
The epicenter of the tremors was in
done by the Augustinian friars. They The Civil Province of Ilocos Norte It was Bishop Lim who introduced the leadership of the Rev. Rodolfo R.
Ilocos Norte. This was understandable
did their apostolate here until the end became the Diocese of Laoag in the first reshuffle of priests’ assignments Nicolas, who served as administrator
since the man whose name was stamped
of Spanish rule in 1898. 1961. The first bishop was the former in the diocese, thus moving the for 16 months.
in the schism, Gregorio Aglipay y
Ilocos Norte was so remote from the chancellor of the mother see of Nueva well-entrenched “immovables”. The
Labayan, was a native of the province.
central government in Manila during Segovia, Antonio Lloren Mabutas of general reshuffle in 1973 also tried to Fourth Bishop: Another Ilocano from
Practically the whole province, with the
the Spanish Regime. It was rural and Agoo, La Union. The next decade saw standardize the finances of the parishes the Southern Ilocos Province
exception of few families, was swept by
rustic. Owing to the abusive practices the building up of the new diocese. with priests theoretically receiving On January 30, 2001 Bishop Ernesto
the tide of national feelings. Only one
of many Augustinian friars, a number Infrastructure had to be built and the equal remunerations. A system of parish A. Salgado became the fourth Bishop
priest of the seventeen then assigned in
of Ilocanos revolted against their people spiritually prepared and clergy financial reporting was established with of Laoag. A native of Sta. Lucia, Ilocos
the province remained in the fold.
colonizers. A number of uprisings had to be united. transparency as the end in view. This Sur, he was originally a priest of Nueva
A hundred years later and with an
erupted. Noteworthy of these were The St. Mary’s Seminary opened its did not progress in the ensuing years, Segovia. When he took possession
ecclesiastical jurisdiction comprising
the Dingras uprising (1589) and Pedro doors to the first batch of seminarians and it was eventually dropped to give of the See of Laoag he was already a
the whole province of Ilocos Norte,
Almazan revolt (San Nicolas, 1660). in 1963, although the construction was away to the quota system, that is, each veteran in the mountain missions of the
the Roman Catholic faith has grown
One in Bacarra led by a certain Juan still going on. The bishop’s residence parish was assessed and the amount to Cordilleras having served as Apostolic
considerably. The once moribund
Magsanop was triggered by a series of soon stood up along Gomez Street in be submitted to the curia was fixed. Vicar of the Mountain Provinces for
Church loyal to the Roman Pontiff is
revolts in the south in the 17th century. the then outskirts of Laoag City. The The Diocese experienced the exodus 14 years.
now more vigorous than ever.
The Augustinian parish priest of the Catholic Center Building near the of priests in this decade. Many priests Bishop Salgado steered the 40th
town Juan de Arias was killed by the cathedral replaced the old Knights of either left the diocese or left the active anniversary celebration of the Diocese
Colonization of Ilocos Norte and
rebels. In the first quarter of the 19th Columbus building, Catholic Schools ministry. By 1978 five parishes were of Laoag with the Church as Mystery
Christianization
century three rebellions in a row erupted were opened (St. Anne in Piddig, St. already without priests. In the middle of Communion as its theme. The
Long before the coming of the
in a period of fifteen years, which James in Pasuquin, St. Lawrence in of this year, Bishop Lim became the first celebration was held on July 28, 2001
Spaniards, there already existed an
prompted the colonial government to Bangui and St. Jude in Pagudpud) to bishop of the newly created Diocese of with biblical exegete Fr. Gerardo
extensive region (consisting of the
divide the Ilocos province in 1818. One of add to those already existing at the time Boac, Marinduque, his home province. Tapiador as the main speaker.
present provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos
these revolts in Piddig town was caused of the separation. Two parishes were The Rev. Jose F. Agustin served as There are three things the Bishop
Sur, Abra and La Union) renowned for
by the government’s attempt to put a erected: St. Anthony of Padua in Marcos diocesan administrator. Salgado wanted to do in his episcopal
its gold mines. Merchants from Japan
monopoly on the production of basi, a and St. Gabriel in Nueva Era. ministry in the diocese of Laoag. First
and China would often visit the area
locally produced wine fermented from Lay formation was centered on Edmundo Madarang Abaya: The was the security of priests to make
to barter beads, ceramics and silk with
sugarcane juice. the Cursillos de Christianidad. This shepherd for 20 years them veritable servant-leaders of this
gold. The inhabitants of the region
was a weekend lived-in retreat. Then By early 1979, the diocese had its particular church. Priestly solidarity
believed to be of Malay origin, called
The Rise and Decline of came a new trend in catechesis, the third bishop in the person of Edmundo and fraternity was the second, to
their place Samtoy from saomi ditoy,
Aglipayanism Christian Community Program. This M. Abaya of Candon, Ilocos Sur. The create a community of servant-leaders
which literally meant “language spoken
Three quarters of a century later was a different approach from the next two decades saw the diocese on reminiscent of the primitive Christian
in this place”.
this rebellion was experienced in Baltimore-type of traditional catechism. the rise. New orders of Sisters came community in Jerusalem. And the
Like other parts of the Philippines,
the religious sphere. The Philippine mainly to do pastoral work. At its third was the formation of Basic
Ilocos Norte before the advent of
Religious Revolution at the turn of highest number, there were 17 religious Ecclesial Communities (BEC) to create
Spanish colonization was inhabited
the 20th century that gave rise to the orders of sisters working in the diocese. a community of disciples.
by different tribes. Settlements were
Philippine Independent Church (Iglesia The priestly identity crisis brought Indeed, this was a gargantuan task.
located along the river systems. Most
Filipina Independiente [IFI]) made Ilocos about by the shift of things by Vatican But the life of the priests and the
people preferred to settle down near
Norte as the epicenter. Only one of the II was on the wane. More vocations, faithful is what makes the Church.
their farming or hunting grounds.
seventeen Filipino priests then assigned hence more ordinations, were coming Talis sacerdos, qualis grex, so the old
Trade between seashore communities
to the province remained steadfast to the up. The catechetical program of the Latin Maxim goes. A dedicated and
and nearby China must have been
Catholic faith. This was mainly because diocese was beefed up with a more unified presbyterium would be the first
present considering the proximity of the
the former guerilla padre Gregorio centralized management. However, witnessing of the priests towards BEC.
place with mainland Cathay. Religion
Aglipay, now the religious leader of the once thriving Catholic Schools in Basic Ecclesial Communities could only
was mainly animistic with the belief
the new schismatic movement was the diocese were on the run because of endure for as long as they are served by
in Supreme Being like “Kabunian”
from Batac and both his lieutenants, many factors. dedicated and selfless priests.
and other minor spirits which were
Simeon Mandac and Santiago The strong earthquake of 1983 Four new parishes were erected
collectively known as di-kataotao-an.
Fonacier were from Laoag. wrought havoc and destruction to the during Bishop Salgado’s term: St.
The Diocese of Laoag shares the
The “Independientes”, (to centuries-old churches of the diocese. Francis of Assisi in Davila, which was
early history of its mother see, the
distinguish them from Two years later all the destroyed carved out of St. James in Pasuquin;
Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia.
the “Romanos”) churches and rectories were Our Lady of Fatima in Cadaratan
Christianity came to this part of the
as they were rebuilt or restored. from St. Andrew in
country in June 1572 during Northern
The diocese of Laoag Bacarra; Divine Mercy
Luzon “pacification” campaign led
celebrated the 25th in Pila, comprising
by the Spanish conquistador Juan de
anniversary the 10 barrios in the
Salcedo and his Augustinian chaplain
of its Laoag / B7
Alonzo de Alvarado. It is said that the
cross was first planted on top
of what is now known
as Ermita Hill
in Laoag.

St. William the Hermit Cathedral

 Features
CBCP Monitor
B4 Vol. 13 No. 5
March 2 - 15, 2009

Legislative Watch on the MAGNA

The Military Chaplain:
priest first, officer second CARTA OF WOMEN
“Grow and bear much fruit where you are planted.” By Rosa Linda G. Valenzona women into passive and subordinate are biologically, psychologically and
roles that exclude women from higher culturally constituted to tend towards
education and public decisions. each other because they need each other
HB 4273, “An Act Providing for the Once gender is accepted as the ultimate to fully develop their humanity. In this
Magna Carta of Women” and its cause of discrimination the solution to relationship (which gender feminism
Senate version SB 2396 are now due the problem is easy—society should considers a structure) men and women
for deliberation by the Bicameral evolve new gender forms that are reciprocally subordinate themselves to
Committee. This piece of legislation non-discriminatory and gives people one another in love. This relationship
should be hailed as a major achievement the freedom to choose what they want which becomes a covenant in the
in the advancement of the cause of the to be. Eventually the evolution of institution of marriage man and woman
Filipino Women. Though the Philippine other forms of gender—homosexual, satisfy the fundamental needs of the
society has accorded an honorable and lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered, other and they lead one another towards
esteemed status for women it cannot etc. becomes the key to the gradual self-discovery and self-realization of their
be denied that among the marginalized deconstruction of society that will leave own sexual being. Individual fulfillment
sectors of our society many women marriage and family, the bulwarks of the cannot be achieved without communion
need the protection as well as access Patriarchal Culture, vanquished. Hence, with others. Brugraff states: “Each one
to resources to help them achieve their the UN has since engaged in the struggle also makes the other conscious of being
fullest potential as a human person. The to embed the concept of “gender” in called to a communion and capacity to
By Fr. Lowie Anacta Palines advancement of the true development of social, political and legal discourse of give self to the other in mutual loving
women is precisely the objectives of the its member countries. subordination. Both, from different
THAT particular caption hanging on the wall in an old parish convent 1979 UN Convention on the Elimination perspectives, find inner happiness in
caught my attention one day as we, minor seminarians then happened to of all forms of Discrimination against Human Sexuality serving the happiness of the other.”
visit the place in one of our educational tours. The message must have made Women (CEDAW for short) to which the Catholic theologian Jutta Burgraff, an It is a biological fact that only a woman
an impression in me because until today it still strikes a chord. Philippines is a signatory. The Magna authority on matters relating to women, can be a mother, and only a man can be
After twelve years in the priestly ministry and being assigned in the Carta bill is meant to be the policy provides us some clarifications that looks a father. Gender feminism’s denigration
military chaplain service, I already have a few stories to share. Yes, in instrument to provide implementing at scientific evidence in the light of the of motherhood as subordinate role which
fact right now there is a kind of rush as to where should I start that even teeth to create a bias for women in the teachings of the Church in her essay allow men to exploit women is based on
my computer finds it hard to untangle. Some people we meet often ask government’s development programs. entitled Gender which comes out in an outlook which considers motherhood
the same questions as to where do we give our priority being a priest However, like the New Testament Lexicon, a publication of the Pontifical an onerous burden and which naturally
and a soldier at the same time. According to them, they only see military field sown to good and bad seed both the Council for the Family. Referring to sex decries the fact that women cannot enjoy
chaplains in war movies. The scene usually shows the priest giving the last House and Senate versions are riddled as the biological principle and gender a “safe and satisfying” sexual life without
rites to a dying soldier while bombs explode near them, much gratefulness with the term “gender”, a term which as its cultural expression she explains the risk of getting pregnant. This helps us
and thanksgiving could be read on the lips of the soldier before he finally unbeknown to everyone is fraught with that these two are not identical and make the connection between the Magna
breathes his last. A very touching sight indeed, but the military chaplaincy ideological meaning to feminists who neither completely independent. The Carta of Women and the RH bill (the
is far more than that. are currently at the helm of the UN process of the formation of the male Senate version is still with the Technical
First and foremost, a military chaplain does not have a split personality CEDAW Committee. This is the reason and female identities has three aspects Working Group while the House version
disorder. He is a priest although he is given this very unique mission which for the Church to advocate amendments that are harmoniously woven together: is already being debated at the plenary
demands a special attention on his part. He is there through the mandate to the Senate and House versions to biological sex, psychological sex and level). Some people conclude that if the
of his Church to attend to the spiritual needs of the men and women the Bicameral Conference. Since the social sex. Magna Carta is ratified under its present
in uniform together with their dependents. He is a priest from the very February 17th bicameral conference was Biological sex refers to the bodily form the provisions on “comprehensive
beginning of his military training postponed indefinitely there is still time aspect of the human person. The genetic health care” program could easily
to get some ideas across to the Bicameral or chromosomic sex determined by the be defined to include Reproductive
After twelve years in days until he is called to active Committee Members (Senate: Jamby XX chromosomes in the female and the Health Service in the context of the
the priestly ministry duty. He is an ordained minister
of God who happened to swear an Madrigal, Loren Legarda, Ping Lacson, XY in the male is fixed from the moment ‘new perspective’. If this is true even
and being assigned in oath before the flag and country Pia Cayetano, Allan Cayetano, Arthur of fertilization and responsible for the if the RH bill does not get ratified its
Defensor and for Congress: Catelo-Daza, hormonal activity through the gonadal provisions can easily be invoked as the
the military chaplain that he will render service to the Amelita Villarosa, Raul del Mar, Ed sex. Recent researches confirm the Implementing Rules and Regulations of
best of his capability in accordance
service, I met some with his vocation to the priesthood. Zialcita, Juan Edgardo Angara, Isabelle fact that these biological foundations the comprehensive health component of
people who often Thus, priest first, officer second. Climaco, Lorna Silversio, Edsel Lagman, profoundly intervene in the entire the Magna Carta of Women!
Liza Maza, Riza Hontiveros-Baraquel, organism. Each cell of the female body is
ask as to where do The duties he is tasked to perform
Luzviminda Ilagan and Janette Garin.) different from each cell in the male body. Threat to Marriage and Family
never runs counter to the vows he
we give our priority first made to God and His Church. The first objective will be to get the There are even indications of structural The framers of the 1979 CEDAW
being a priest and a The military uniform is never an term “gender” deleted and in its place and functional differences between the were clearly affirming the Universal
use the word “woman”. Those who are male and female brain. This completely Declaration of Human Rights by
soldier at the same excuse for him to be confused
familiar with Latin and the Romance rebuts feminism’s simplistic claim that proclaiming that human beings are
as to where does his promise of
time. According to allegiance belong. Instead, this languages know the term “gender” reduces male-female sexual difference to born free and equal in dignity and
them, they only see muscular looking uniform he classifies nouns and adjectives into genitalia in order to attribute everything rights and that everyone is entitled to
feminine, masculine and neuter; still, to gender! all the rights and freedoms enunciated
military chaplains wears should continuously remind
others consider the term “gender” as Psychological sex on the other hand in this Declaration, without distinction
him of his special calling to serve
in war movies. A humbly the people assigned to his simply a polite form of saying “sex” to refers to human psychic experiences of any kind including distinction based
very touching sight pastoral care. avoid the unsavory secondary meaning as man or woman. This consists in on sex. In other words in the context of
“sex” carries in English. Unfortunately the consciousness of belonging to a the nature-nurture debate the CEDAW
indeed, but the However, there is a certain caveat
for the past fifty years, there are those determined sex. This begins at the early framers belonged to the old school
to consider. The tendency of giving
military chaplaincy is too much emphasis on seeing others who would like to give a whole age of 2 or 3 years, usually coinciding with firmly founded on male and female
far more than that. only one side of the coin (being a “new perspective” to this term. It was the biological sex. This is where nurture differentiation that is based on nature.
military officer) is tempting. There first introduced in the UN language in makes a difference—psychological sex is Unfortunately after the 1995 UN Beijing
is privilege among the military officers. That is true. RHIP means Rank Has the 4th World Conference on Women profoundly affected by the education and Conference on Women a CEDAW
Its own Privilege. And priests are ipso facto given the rank of captain in draft Report which defined gender environment provided to the child. committee was set up to monitor the
the armed forces after passing all the required training. That means after as “socially constructed roles”. The Finally, Sociological or civil sex is implementation of CEDAW in signatory
graduation he now belongs to those who lead. These privileges go with term “gender” was used to refer to the the sex assigned to a person from the countries. This committee is now in the
him wherever he goes and it can’t be denied that he enjoys these privileges relations between men and women based moment of birth. It is expressed as it is hands of gender feminist ideologues
apart from the enlisted personnel. Therefore there is always that tendency to on socially defined roles assigned to one perceived by the surrounding persons. who promote the ‘new perspective’
abuse this authority given to him. And when this misfortune happens, one sex or the other. Bella Abzug, a former US This signifies the specific way of acting by advocating legislation of gender
must realize that there is a mistake somewhere, a misconception of why a lawmaker insisted that the term “gender” of a man or a woman as a result of language.
priest is in the chaplain service. His direction is now out of the right track. has evolved and differentiated itself from historic-cultural processes. It refers to The insertion of the term “gender”
This time he is confused and lost. Therefore something has to be done to the term “sex” in order to express the the functions, roles, stereotypes which in the Magna Carta for women will
awaken him somehow and encourage him to change his point of view. A reality of the fact that the situation of are assigned in each society to diverse therefore provide a legal basis for the
priest ought to lead by the way he lives. The authority entrusted him has the roles of women and men are social groups of persons. eventual legitimization of other gender
good intentions. It is meant to improve and develop his capacity to serve. constructs subject to change. These three aspects are integrated forms to the prejudice of normal women
It is given him to have an opportunity to reach out to more people. into a wider process consisting in the and men and adversely affecting family
A priest of God is always an instrument of His great love. The priest then Gender, A Loaded Word formation of one’s own identity. A and marriage, institutions that have been
has to be spiritually strong and morally upright all the time. His mission is The relegation of the term “sex” and person progressively acquires, during accorded protection by our Constitution.
to spread the good news of God’s kingdom in whatever situation he is in. the bringing forward the term “gender” infancy and adolescence, a consciousness Instead of promoting women’s rights in
His calling is always to be a good example of humility to be an instrument is to meant make societies accept a new of “being oneself” (“who one is”). They an authentic manner it is in fact opening
of peace to all. There is always a challenge in the life of a military chaplain. perspective: that there is no specifically discover their sexual identity and in it the doors to new forms of gender
With his presence the uniformed men and women are truly inspired. His feminine or masculine essence. This each time more profoundly the sexual constructs. This is reason why some
priestly duties remind the soldiers of God’s presence. He is there to listen position rejects the possible existence dimension of their own being. Coming to quarters are calling for a definition of
and share His message of hope. of a ‘natural’ form of human sexuality. realize bio-psychological factors of one’s woman in this Magna Carta.
There is more to share from my experiences in the service where I belong. Based on this premise the absence of a own sex and the difference regarding Where can one find the threat to
But for now I hope this piece of thought is worth reflecting just for today. natural differentiation between sexes the other sex, they gradually acquire marriage and family in the proposed
The priests together with our beloved Bishop, Leopoldo Tumulak DD. of the would point to gender as the immediate a gender identity and discover the legislation? In the definition of “Gender
Military Ordinariate of the Philippines share the vision and mission of the cause for the differentiation (something psychosocial and cultural factors of the and Development in Section 4 (H) of SB
Church in her untiring efforts to spread God’s loving presence to everyone. easily achieved by evolving a new role that men and women have in society. 2396 one reads to wit:
Varied our responsibilities may be but there is oneness in purpose. culture). Hence the famous statement of In a correct and harmonious process of “Gender and Development (GAD)
And as for this humble chaplain serving in the Philippine Coast Guard, Simone de Beauvoir: “You are not born a integration, both dimensions correspond refers to the development perspective
he finds life more challenging each new day. Where we are planted, the woman! They make you into a woman! and complement each other. and process that are participatory and
encouragement to bear much fruit is constant. This is later completed with the logical empowering, equitable, sustainable,
conclusion: “You are not born a man; Male-Female Sexual Difference free from violence, respectful of human
you are made into a man!” Earlier we mentioned the strong rights, supportive of self-determination
Under this new ideology gender is evidence provided by Microbiology on and actualization of human potentials.
neither the causal result of sex, nor is it as the male-female difference. On various It seeks to achieve gender equality
Status / B2 fixed as our traditional idea of sex. This magisterial pronouncements the Church as a fundamental value that should be
constructed status of gender, theorized insists that every person is born sexed reflected in development choices; seeks
Aside from the automatic their ministerial activities within to its fullest ideological state, becomes and that a woman is a female person to transform society’s social, economic
excommunication, that the schismatic movement was a radically independent of biological born equipped with a female body and and political structures and questions the
excommunication was expressly clear sign of the presence of the sex, it becomes a free-floating artifice. a female soul and by the same token a validity of the gender roles they ascribed
declared by a Decree of two aforementioned elements, Thus man and masculine might just as man is a male person born equipped to women and men; contends that
Excommunication issued by the constituting a formal adherence to easily signify a female body as a male with a male body and a male soul. In women are active agents of development
Sacred Congregation for Bishops on 1 the schism. Thus, regardless of how one, and woman and feminine a male short the male-female difference is not and not just passive recipients of
July 1988, and confirmed by Pope John they may present themselves in body as easily as a female one! Whew limited to biology it also extends to their development assistance; and stresses the
Paul II through the Apostolic Letter attire and manners, canonically they ! …lest you think I am taking this from psyche. There are characteristics that are need of women to organize themselves
Ecclesia Dei, issued motu proprio on were considered under automatic a sci-fi story, this is in fact an extract to be found with special frequency and and participate in political processes to
2 July 1988. excommunication. from Gender Trouble: Feminism and in a more pronounced way in men and strengthen their legal rights.”
2) Aside from the aforementioned 2nd In the case of the other faithful, the Subversion of Identity of the radical others in women, there are none that This appear so innocent and harmless
bishops, no other followers of Lefebvre however, the document stated that an feminist Judith Butler. This book is in can be attributed only to men or only to to one not versed in the gender feminist
were expressly excommunicated. occasional participation in liturgical the reading list of many North American women. Although there is no scientific ideology. But let us recall how the gender
However, as is true of any automatic acts or activities of the Lefebvrist universities heavily promoting the exactness in defining the typical woman feminist ideology which is essentially
excommunication, such expressed Movement—done without identifying gender perspective. or typical man the fact is that men and Marxist considers exploitation,
declaration of the penalty is not themselves with the doctrinal and Gender feminists claim that this “new women experience the world in different subordination, and discrimination as
absolutely necessary—i.e., the penalty disciplinary disunity of the movement perspective” is the key to the elimination ways, carry out their tasks differently, originating from unjust structures;
is automatic as soon as the crime is with the Holy See—would not be of all forms of discrimination against sit down, plan and react differently, any structure implies a relationship of
formally committed. Nevertheless, sufficient to imply a formal adherence to women. Socially constructed gender is shows that each of the latter has a solid subordination. The very basic and most
in a document of 26.VIII.1996, the the schism. The document emphasized underlying differentiation and is caused foundation in the biological constitution pervasive structure in society is of course
Pontifical Council for the Interpretation the need to take into account, above by social structures that place women in a of both man and woman. marriage and family.
of Legislative Texts (PCILT) clarified all, the intention of the person and subordinate role to men. Digging further Men and women are equal because Hidden between the lines of this
that the automatic excommunication whatever external manifestation of into the ideology to unearth these basic they have the same human nature, but provision is therefore a declaration of
affected clerics and lay people in their interior dispositions. Thus, the structures ultimately reveals the real they are different because they have war against marriage and family as
the SSPX differently as regards their document concluded, the various target—marriage and family. According this same human nature in different relationships that subordinate women
status: situations should be judged in a case- to this ‘new perspective’ marriage ways. Biologically, psychologically as mothers and wives and therefore
1st In the case of the deacons to-case basis, in the competent seat of and family are social constructs of the and culturally men and women as active institutions that discriminate
and priests, it would seem that the external or internal forum. Patriarchal Culture that have victimized complement each other and they Legislative / B7
 Statements
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 5
March 2 - 15, 2009
B5

No to Bataan Nuclear Power Plant A Pastoral Statement

WE join the Environmentalist Group Greenpeace
and the Diocese of Balanga headed by Bishop
Socrates Villegas in opposing the revival of the
Bataan Nuclear Power Plant.
We earnestly appeal to our Congressmen, with fervent hope and
prayer that Congress will completely and irrevocably reject the
opening of the nuclear plant as the most dangerous and expensive
way to generate electricity. Multiple risks and the possibility of
corruption outweigh dreamed benefits.
We recommend with other anti-BNPP Congressmen and the
Greenpeace Forum that the mothballed facility in Morong, Bataan,
be dismantled as its revival will be most hazardous to health and
life of the people. It is for this reason that we also strongly oppose
coal-fired power plant as source of energy in Iloilo province and in
other parts of the country.
We recommend the implementation of the approved bill on the use
of renewable energy, such as solar, wind and water as the safe sources
of electricity.

For the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines

+ ANGEL N. LAGDAMEO, D.D.

Archbishop of Jaro
CBCP President
February 26, 2009
Photo courtesy of PNE/Kalikasan

Pastoral Letter for Ash Wednesday
MY dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
“The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of
God has come near, repent, and believe
in the good news.” (Mark 1:15)
As we usher in the great season of Lent
with the observance of Ash Wednesday,
let us remind ourselves of our Savior’s call
for repentance and faith. Let us see with
greater clarity that Lent is a time when the
Lord invites us towards true transformation,
which is the rebirth of the heart in goodness
and purity, a renewal of the spirit in truth
and righteousness.
Let us consider the importance of
practicing the great traditions that Holy
Mother Church has passed on to us through
the ages. These are the spiritual practices
of prayer, fasting and abstinence, good
deeds and almsgiving.
Good deeds and almsgiving present
themselves as acts that engender in us
the virtues of generosity and compassion.
They do so because ultimately they are
actions that promote justice in our society.
Whenever and wherever they are lived out,
they enable people to share God’s blessings
more equitably, and make the goods of the
earth available especially to those who are
suffering because of poverty and its dire
consequences—hunger and malnutrition.
We invite you then, fellow Christians,
to live out a deeper meaning of Lent this
year by performing acts of good deeds and
almsgiving. These acts may be creatively
joined with your practices of fasting and
abstinence, such that the cost of food you
forego and are able to save, be it 50 centavos
or less, may be donated to programs or
institutions which are dedicated to feeding of
hungry and malnourished Filipino children.
One such program is the HAPAG-ASA.
HAPAG-ASA is an integrated Nutrition
Program meant to alleviate hunger among
Filipino children. Through the Archdiocese
of Manila and the five Suffragan Dioceses,
the program has been able to feed close to
24,000 children in its two and a half year
history. This year, HAPAG-ASA aims to feed
at least 12,340 children from Metro Manila
as committed by the dioceses.
We appeal to you to support HAPAG-
ASA in its efforts to care for hungry and
malnourished children. Your donation, no
matter how small, will go a long way as
it only costs a mere ten pesos a day or
P1,200 to feed a child once a day for six
months. Please ask your parish office for
donation envelopes or ways you can be
of help to the program.
As we observe this great season of Lent,
let us carry within us our Holy Father’s
words which he wrote in his encyclical
Deus Caritas Est: “Those who are in a
position to help others will realize that, in
doing so, they themselves help.
MayyourLentenobservancebemeaningful
and blessed. God be with you all!
+GAUDENCIO B. CARDINAL
ROSALES, D.D
Archbishop of Manila
February 25, 2009
Statement of the
Ecumenical Bishops’ Forum
‘Stop the Revival of the
Bataan Nuclear Power Plant!’
THE Ecumenical Bishops Forum joins the inter-faith community and
all sectors of society in an urgent call to stop any moves to revive
the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) as it would only endanger
the lives of the Filipino people now and in the future.
It is a known fact that this project was full of anomalies and was
a source of corruption during the time of President Marcos. The
Filipino people were then saddled with paying for this monstrosity
for close to two decades.
The revival of this project is very questionable and immoral. It
has serious safety issues because it was built on an earthquake fault
and near an active volcano not only one but three: Mt. Natib, Mt.
Pinatubo and Mt. Mariveles.
We thus call on government leaders to cease from reviving the
said nuclear power plant. We must listen to the calls of a number of
scientists to focus on other alternatives for power generation that
are safe and sustainable as well as indigenous, to provide for the
country’s needs.
We are confident that in doing so, the government will eventually
stop its practice of auctioning and privatizing our energy facilities
and resources to private and foreign companies, like what they are
doing with BNPP and other power plants.
We call on the Filipino people to be vigilant and stop the revival
of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant.
+DEOGRACIAS S. IÑIGUEZ, JR., D.D.
Co-chair, Ecumenical Bishops’ Forum
February 20, 2009

An Open Letter to All Local Officials of the Province of Masbate

Thus says the Lord God, enough, you princes of Israel! Put away violence and oppression and do what is right and just. (Ez 45, 9)
Dear Leaders of Masbate, Brothers
& Sisters in the Lord,
Greetings of Peace!
I am writing this letter as news
about the attempted murder of
Vice Mayor Antonino de Jesus of
Milagros, Masbate, filters into our
local community, our homes and our
consciousness. I don’t know about
you, but this brings cold shivers down
my spine. Violence, pure evil, is once
again rearing its ugly and deadly head
in our province. (Kun sabagay, has it
ever left Masbate at all?)
Since last year I have been watching
some of you, short of declaring it,
already start their march towards
their candidacy. I have also come to
learn of calculated moves of some
groups, by approaching individuals
(potential associates if not fellow
candidates) inviting these to join
their political party. But I also heard
rumors of goons, ruffians, hardened
criminals and guns-for-hire being
readied for what they call “cleansing”
(pagalinis) that must happen if
political dreams have to be realized
and personal ambitions satisfied. On
January 1, during the celebration of
the Midnight Mass, I expressed my
apprehension that the 2010 elections
in Masbate will be very violent. With
this attempt on the life of Vice Mayor
de Jesus, it seems that this early I am
being proven right.
It is bad enough that our province
could not get out of the rut of being
one of the poorest provinces in the
country, because even the most basic
of services are slow in getting to where
the poor are. It is bad enough that our
farmers and fisher-folk have nothing
to feed themselves and their families
with, because they are being driven
out of the land they till or deprived
of their rightful place at sea. It is bad
enough that especially our children
are wallowing in the quagmire of
disillusionment and hopelessness,
because unscrupulous individuals are their mind is a province where there is to protect the rights of our fisher-folk the honorable way. And to them I
forcing them into prostitution and luring political violence and a culture of death, when they fall victim to the violence of say, please do not stop doing good
them to the use of illegal drugs. It is bad a place where people kill people. the guns of big fishing boats at sea. No and being instruments of peace.
enough that our environment is being Please don’t add any more bad things wonder people suspect that local leaders But to those others who have done
ravaged and our natural resources are to these, especially those acts of violence are receiving payments from these practically nothing to address the
being abused by indiscriminate mining that you have knowledge of, or worse, fishing vessels. Owners of these vessels above-mentioned social ills, to those
activities in utter disregard of the dire those that you may be responsible for. have in fact been heard to have said of you who have chosen to live a
consequences these activities bring, like Please stop using people to kill people! so. “Nabayadan na namon an dagat!” life of violence and self-serving
pollution, flooding and erosion. Let there be a stop to all these atrocities! “Naghatag na kami sa itaas!” political career, or those of you who
But worse still is the fact that the Or else Masbate will soon become not Now tell me, please, of any moves continue to plan to do harm to his
culture of death continues to lay a only a graveyard of fallen leaders, but you have made to protect our young or her political opponents, I beg of
stranglehold on all of us here in Masbate, truly a graveyard of our future, of our boys and girls from being prostituted in you, please listen to the tiny voice of
and, I am sad to say, even more so among dreams, of our hope. In the name of our streets, in motels or in dark alleys. your conscience – and I would like
you, our local leaders. Why does it have God, I beg all of you, dear leaders, to How many among you have come to to believe you still have even a little
to be perceived that among Masbateños join hands instead and work together the defense of these most vulnerable of it – and do something right before
one’s political success must happen at for a better Masbate. For there is plenty members of our society? Tell me, please, God and before your people. Choose
the cost of other people’s lives? Why can of work to do! how you are combating the drug menace to be at the service of life, and be not
agents of death! Listen to what the
Lord said to the people of Israel in
Instead of trying to annihilate one another, why don’t you look at the Book of Deuteronomy, for surely
annihilating the social problems besetting us? You have focused so much he says the same to us:
on your personal survival in politics that you have forgotten about the “I call heaven and earth today to
witness against you: I have set before
survival of your people. When you should be reaching out to help each you life and death, the blessing and
other build up our province, you continue to destroy one another instead, the curse. Choose life, then, that you
which in the end destroys all of us! and your descendants may live, by
loving the Lord, your God, heeding
we not treat each other as human beings, Instead of trying to annihilate in our midst. Do you care to know if his voice and holding fast to him.
and instead act in ways that are worse one another, why don’t you look there is a growing number of rugby For that will mean life for you…”
than those of beasts? When will we ever at annihilating the social problems boys roaming our streets? Do you care to (Deut 30, 19)
learn that the politics of the gun can win besetting us? You have focused so much know if there are marijuana plantations It is bad enough that bad things are
you an election but never, never, the love on your personal survival in politics that in the barangays? Or shabu laboratories happening to us these days. It feels
and respect of your people? When will you have forgotten about the survival in our neighborhoods? Are there ways worse when we are unable to respond
we ever learn to live as men and women of your people. When you should be to check if your fellow public servants or adequately to these challenges. But
who fear God and appreciate and defend reaching out to help each other build up the police are users or, worse, pushers? worst of all is when human life is
the gift of life that He gave us, even when our province, you continue to destroy Tell me, please, if your local government regarded as if it were nothing but
it happens to belong to another, such as one another instead, which in the end is involved in the advocacy on behalf of a piece of dirty rag that people can
a political opponent? Will we ever grow destroys all of us! the environment. Is the public informed just throw away.
up into the responsible human beings When we ask that you focus on issues whenever a group applies to do mining IN THE NAME OF GOD AND
and children of God that we are called that impact on us, what is evident is exploration in your area? Are the people FOR THE LOVE OF OUR BLESSED
to become? the apparent indifference or lack of asked if they agree with the venture or MOTHER, I BEG OF YOU, LEADERS
Bad things are already happening enthusiasm that you, our local officials, not? What moves have you taken to OF MASBATE, PLEASE CHOOSE
to our beloved province. In our midst show in addressing and solving the ills reforest our hills and mountains? LIFE AND RESPECT IT!
there is a proliferation of guns, and and problems in our community. For, I know that some of you have been
hence many forms of criminal activities, tell me, please, of any response that you doing your share to address these Sincerely yours in the Lord,
not the least of them murders, are very have done to alleviate the poverty of concerns and have responded positively
rampant. The province’s history has our poor farmers, who more often than in solving some of our society’s + JOEL L. BAYLON, DD
been so tainted by political killings and not, get the raw end of the law simply problems. I ask them to do more. I also Bishop of Masbate
vendettas that nowadays when people because they are poor. Tell me, please, know that some of you do not use guns 11 February 2009
hear of Masbate, what readily comes to of any decisions that you have made to win over their opponents, but do it Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes
 Ref lections
CBCP Monitor
B6 Vol. 13 No. 5
March 2 - 15, 2009

Eternalizing Peter’s
By Msgr. Lope C. Robredillo forever. We groan while we are here, even as we
yearn to have our heavenly habitation envelop
us” (2 Cor 5:1-3; see also Rev 21:1-3).

experience
WHEN we are with people we admire, it is our
wish that we could remain with them longer
than is possible. A very close encounter with
the Holy Father, President Barack Obama, or
someone like Karl Marx, Sigmund Freud, Rudolf
Bultmann is such an example. But we know that
such an encounter is too brief. That is why we
2nd Sunday of Lent (Mark 9:2-10); March 8, 2009 take pains that in events like that, pictures are
taken to capture those moments. Pictures are
useful not simply to recall the event, but also
to allow us to relive the experience. Human
nature is such that we wish to eternalize our
present happy experiences.
Those of us who understand this will easily
sympathize with Peter in the Gospel today. It
may be recalled that in Mark, from the beginning
of Jesus’ ministry (Mark 1:14) until the episode
in Caesarea Philippi where Jesus asked the
disciples who he was (Mark 8:27-29), nobody
seemed to know the mystery of Jesus. Even
Peter who described him the Messiah (Mark
8:30) seemed ignorant of the title he gave him.
He could not understand a crucified Messiah
(Mark 8:31-32). But in today’s Gospel (Mark
9:2-10), Peter had a glimpse of the mystery that
shrouded Jesus. He was overwhelmed with awe
by what he saw—a transfigured Jesus—and he
wanted to eternalize his experience. So he said,
“Rabbi, how good it is for us to be here! Let us
erect three booths on this site, one for you, one
for Moses, and one for Elijah” (Mark 9:5).
But there is more to this. When he saw Jesus,
Peter recognized that his Master acquired
a new kind of life which the Jewish people
have been longing for. That life is symbolized
by the white garment—“his clothes became
dazzlingly white, whiter than the work of any
bleacher could make them” (Mark 9:3)—which
is a symbol of the life of resurrection (Rev 3:4;
7:9). Because that has dawned on Jesus, Peter
seemed to think that the new age has dawned
for all. For this reason, he offered to build three
tents as a way of saying that he wanted Jesus
to anticipate the future when God will dwell
with men. This object of hope is echoed by
Paul: “Indeed, we know that when the earthly
tent in which we dwell is destroyed we have a
dwelling provided for us by God, a dwelling
Illustration by Bladimer Usi in the heavens, not made by hands but to last
Fr. Roy Cimagala
But God did not allow Peter to eternalize
his peak experience at the mountain: it was
not yet the parousia, but simply its foretaste.
Thus, speaking from the clouds, he said to the
disciples, including Peter of course, that they
have to listen to Jesus (Mark 9:7). And what
words of Jesus they are to listen to? In Mark’s
theology, it is this: “If a man wishes to come
after me, he must deny his very self, take up his
cross, and follow me. Whoever would preserve
his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for
my sake and the gospel’s will preserve it. What
profit does a man show who gains the whole
world and destroys himself in the process?
What can a man offer in exchange for his life?
If anyone in this faithless and corrupt age is
ashamed of me and my doctrine, the Son of Man
will be ashamed of him when he comes with the
holy angels in his glory… I assure you, among
those standing here there are some who will
not taste death until they see the reign of God
established in his Father’s glory” (Mark 8:34-
9:1). But in listening to Jesus, we have to do so
like Abraham, who gave up human assurance
(Gen 22:1-2) because we can rest assured in
God (Rom 8:38-39).
What assurance? It is that if we wish that God
dwell with us, if we wish to be dressed in white,
then we have to follow Jesus in his suffering
(Mark 8:34-35). The sharing and the eternalizing
of Peter’s experience at the mountain is given
to those who deny their very self, and take up
their cross. Indeed, if we do, we will not even
taste death, and we shall attain that experience
even here on earth (Mark 9:11).
In view of this, and in the light of the
transfiguration of Jesus, the sufferings and
failures in our life with Jesus are thus given a new
perspective. If we suffer and fail with him, we do
not experience simply bad moments that we could
have avoided all the better. No, they are rather
part and parcel of Christian life, of discipleship.
They are, so to speak, constitutive elements of
the experience of God’s glory (1 Pet 4:14). In our
sufferings and failures for and in Christ, God is
already pitching his tent among us, and we are
already wearing the white garment, even as Jesus
himself was recognized as the Messiah as he hung
on the cross (Mark 15:39).

The risen Body of Jesus

Fasting is still cool as the new Temple
3rd Sunday of Lent (John 2:13-25); March 15, 2009
Solemnity of the Lord’s Birth
WITH Ash Wednesday, we open again mind and heart with God and others, with eat anything in Paradise, except that.
another season of Lent. It’s a yearly liturgical thoughts and desires of goodness for others And the reason is quite simple—eating
(Is 52:7-10; Heb 1:1-6; Jn 1:1-18; December 25, 2008)
By Msgr. Lope C. Robredillo
period that invites us all to prepare for the in all its forms. that fruit would lead our first parents and
most important event in Church life—the We slacken in this business, and we sooner us to pursue our knowledge of good and
Easter mystery, the passion, death and or later get into trouble. Our own weaknesses evil independently of God. With it, we IN all world religions, there is a universal belief that God,
resurrection of our Lord. start to dominate us, and the temptations would start to build our own world. We’d however he is conceived, is far distant from all of us. He is
For this year, Pope Benedict already has around become irresistible. become a Jabberwocky, someone who lives transcendent and incomprehensible. He is the wholly other.
given out his Lenten message that focuses on Whatever power that we have, big or in fantasy land. “For I am God, not man” (Hos 11:9b). But the discovery that
the ascetical practice of fasting. I believe that small, to keep a civil and decent appearance This is actually our underlying problem. God loves and cares for us, that we cannot exist without him
it’s worthwhile to go through that message outside cannot last long. If we only live in our Instead of filling ourselves with goodness, makes all of us long for his presence. Whatever might be our
to savor fasting’s unfading relevance in our own world, with God and others practically feeding our mind and will with the mind reason, we seek him, we want to be with him. But where are
we to find him? And how are we to encounter him? How are
life. considered as outsiders and strangers, there’s and will of God, we prefer to do things on
we to participate in the realm of the divinity? Of course, for
It’s certainly a time-honored practice that no other way for us to go but to perdition. our own. some, God is thought to reside in the church. Accordingly,
has deep roots in the Bible and in God and the others—the two they spend hours praying in the church rather than under the
Church tradition. Together with These days, our fasting need not be always go together as indicated in tree. For others, he is encountered through intermediaries.
prayer and almsgiving, fasting is the original dual commandment of
the usual pious tool to transform
only in food and drinks, but also in the love God and neighbor—become This explains why devotion to the saints, often in the form of
novena, litany, and celebrations of their feasts, is popular:
our heart, detaching it from itself use of the internet and other gadgets. at best a prop in our system, not one has a sure access to the Father through the blessed in
so it can give itself totally to God From time to time, we need to deprive its main substance. heaven. Still others would insist that God is encountered in the
and to others, as we are meant We need to correct this poor. And so, they take up the cause of the underprivileged.
to be.
ourselves of them if only to recover irregularity. When we notice that To work for them is in a sense to worship God.
It’s a pity that this duty is fast our proper outlook that should be we are sinking in our own world, For the Jews in the Old Testament, however, God was
encountered in the Temple. He was thought to have made
disappearing in the minds of oriented towards God and others. we need to react immediately. And
his dwelling there: “When the priests left the holy place, the
many people. It’s as if it’s already fasting is one way of correcting
cloud filled the temple of the Lord so that the priests could no
extinct, and the only remaining value it has is We have to be wary of the illusion of that tendency. longer minister because of the cloud, since the Lord’s glory
that of a relic of the past, fit for museums, but shutting God and others out of our mind. We have to follow Christ’s example. He had filled the temple of the Lord. Then Solomon said, ‘The
not anymore in our present environment. We can be thrilled by our own ideas and said his food is no other than to do the will Lord intends to dwell in the dark cloud; I have truly built you
We can never overemphasize the need desires only, but sooner or later, without of His Father. This should always be our a princely house, a dwelling where you may abide forever”
for fasting. In fact, it should be an abiding God and others, this bubble will explode, attitude, no matter how intoxicating our (1 Kgs 8:10-13). Through the Temple, the Jews made some
practice, and not just a Lenten thing. Given and will be exposed to the abject reality of human progress can be. contact with the divinity. This consisted principally in the
our wounded human condition, fasting offers our nothingness without God. These days, our fasting need not be only performance of sacrifice, which took various forms: holocaust,
a continuing corrective to our ever unstable In his Lenten message, the Pope traces the in food and drinks, but also in the use of the peace offerings, sacrifices of expiation, cereal offerings, and
state of being. origin and basis of fasting, and how it has internet and other gadgets. From time to time, the showbread and perfume offerings (Lev 1-7). It was also
Our tendency, constantly fed by our developed since. I think it is a knowledge we need to deprive ourselves of them if only in the Temple that they prayed (Ps 5:8) and performed various
own weaknesses and the many, endless that plays a crucial role in our understanding to recover our proper outlook that should be rituals of purification. A sign of their election as God’s people,
the Temple was the privileged venue of encountering God
temptations around us, is to be self-absorbed, and appreciation of fasting. oriented towards God and others.
and worshipping him.
to such an extent that we don’t even realize The Pope said that the original divine These gadgets are notorious for leading But even in the Old Testament, the sacrificial system in the
we are in that kind of predicament. indication on fasting was when God told our us to forget God as we immerse ourselves Temple was already subjected to severe criticism. According
We have to understand that this anomaly first parents not to eat of the fruit of the tree with the many earthly wonders they can to the prophets, God does not like burnt offerings (Is 1:11-17),
is highly toxic to us. We are meant to fill our of the knowledge of good and evil. They can give us. and is not pleased with them (Hos 8:13). He is not found
through them, either (Hos 5:6). For what really pleases God
is not sacrificial offerings, but a contrite heart and spirit (Ps
Bo Sanchez 51:16; Isa 66:2). Accordingly, Isaiah stressed the importance
of reforming one’s life (Jer 7:3-4). True worship cannot consist
in superficialities; for this reason, the prophets emphasized
that the people of Israel needed spiritual worship. Since the
Temple was the place where sacrifices were offered, it was

Bless the world with one thing
ONE day, a bird, a squirrel, a
fish, and an eel got together
and decided to start a school.
Naturally, the bird insisted
on a flying school. But the
squirrel argued for training in
perpendicular tree climbing.
And the fish, a swimming
college.
The heated debate seemed
to go on forever until the eel
proposed a compromise: Why
not let all these things be included
in the curriculum?
And so the school formally
opened with all the students
taking all the courses.
The bird was glorious at flying
but a big flop at swimming. It
didn’t take long however for
his wings to be damaged by
the freestyle and breaststroke,
he finally got a C in flying, and
naturally, an F in swimming.
The squirrel broke all his bones
as he tried flying. (She jumped
from the tallest tree she could
find and shouted, “Darna!” It
didn’t work. She wasn’t in a
two-piece.)
And the fish? He couldn’t
breathe too well when he tried
climbing or flying. Until he got
sort of brain damaged and wasn’t
a great swimmer at the end of the
semester.
Life isn’t about trying to be an expert
in everything. It’s being an expert in
one thing and offering it to the world.
Guess who was the
valedictorian of the class?
The eel. He did everything
in a half-way fashion. In tree
climbing, he sort of squirmed
his way up. In swimming, he
wriggled on the water. And in
flying, well, he jerked. So he got
a C in all his courses and ended
up highest in the class. (I got The
Animal School story from Leo
Buscaglia, in his bestseller, Love,
but I couldn’t resist changing and
adding a few details.)
Life isn’t about trying to be an
expert in everything. It’s being an
expert in one thing and offering
it to the world.
I’ve accepted the fact that
because I’m human, I’m
terrific in one thing, good at
some, mediocre at a bit more,
and terrible at others. And if
you’re human, you are too.
You’ll have to discover the
one thing that you are good
at and major in it. What are
the primary gifts that God has
blessed you with? Answer
that question well and you’re
one step closer to a life of
peace, excitement, and joy.
I’ve decided to focus on where
I’m good at, which is preaching
and writing. Come to think of it,
I’m a very unbalanced creature.
I’m pathetic at sports. And at
fixing stuff at home. (Even if I
have a complete set of tools at
home, my favorite tool is still the
telephone so I can call a repairman
to fix whatever is broken.) And
I don’t think I’ll ever be a math
whiz. Management isn’t my
cup of tea. Even pastoring and
counseling aren’t adrenaline-
pumping events for me.
So I delegate.
But I bless the world with one
thing: I communicate to people
about love and joy and peace and
all the good stuff of life through
preaching and writing—hoping
to change lives and make this
world a better place to live in.
What is your one thing?
quite logical that Isaiah denied its necessity: “The heavens are
my throne, the earth is my footstool. What kind of house can
you build for me; what is to be my resting place?” (Isa 66:1).
Micah was even more radical: he predicted the destruction of
the Temple: “Zion shall be plowed like a field, and Jerusalem
reduced to rubble, and the mount of the temple to a forest
ridge (Mic 3:12; see Jer 26:18).
In today’s Gospel, we have the Johannine version of the so-
called cleansing of the Temple. But what is really involved here
is not the cleansing but rather, in John’s view, the replacement
of the Temple. When Jesus said that he would destroy it, he
was simply bringing to fulfillment what the prophets earlier
prophesied. For John, Jesus is the new Temple, the place of
God’s presence and man’s encounter with him (John 2:21).
This means that God is to be adored through Jesus. Since
God is encountered in Jesus’ risen body, his body is the
source of the waters of life (John 19:34; 7:38). He draws all
(John 12:32). In this understanding, worship takes on a new
meaning. To worship God is not primarily to do something for
him, as, for example, doing the commandments or offering
various sacrifices, but to be united with Jesus in faith. This
is accomplished through sharing in Jesus’ risen body (John
6:51), since it is the center of the new worship. This implies,
among others, that we ought to offer our life for others (cf
Heb 7:27; Mark 10:45). One cannot encounter Jesus in his
risen body without having to share in his suffering and death.
Consequently, to worship him always implies the offering of
our selves. St Paul expresses it this way: “I beg you through
the mercy of God to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice holy
and acceptable to God, your spiritual worship. Do not conform
yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of
your mind, so that you may judge what is God’s will, what is
good, pleasing and perfect” (Rom 12:1-2).
 Social Concerns
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 5
March 2 - 15, 2009
B7

The sacrifices of the Filipino migrants

mirror the journey of St. Paul
By Fr. Edwin Corros, CS

www.flickr.com
WHEN the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI opened the year
of St. Paul in 2008, he said that the apostle’s courageous
witness to the faith should serve as a model for contemporary
Christians. His words apply fittingly to our migrant
Filipinos who are scattered in over 190 countries around
the world working to support the needs of their families
back home hoping that one day their economic lot will
become better.
The fate of the Filipino migrants gives Thank God that as an intellectual,
them the occasion to witness to that faith St. Paul was well versed in certain
in Jesus Christ whenever and wherever languages like Latin and Greek, perhaps
they find themselves. They would languages that commanded high respect
become the ambassador of Christ as and acceptance during his time which
what the Holy Father has stressed in his is quite similar to the English language
message to the World Day of Migrants that Filipinos find handy today. Such
and Refugees held last January 18. Just convenient use of the language put the
as St. Paul was moving around the Filipinos in an advantageous position as
various cities along the Mediterranean migrants. But unfortunately, language
during his time, the Filipino migrants is not all when one is going through the
are journeying in the vastness of various experience of isolation and loneliness or
seas and lands all over the world. As when their rights are violated and they
they carry their faith with them, they lost their dignity.
are constantly challenged to give witness The Filipino migrants are merely
to such faith. forced to look for jobs overseas. They
St. Paul, the missionary to the Gentiles want to work in the Philippines, but
has remained faithful to his calling the jobs are not enough in the country
as ambassador of Christ despite the or are the salaries sufficient to pay for
many rejections and difficulties he had their basic needs. More often than not,
experienced in his numerous missions. security of their children’s future is the
He too had to work in order to support primary reason why Filipino migrants
himself and the mission. His sufferings leave the country for overseas job.
were enormous after having left Israel Persistently, they would embrace jobs of extreme anxiety. They set their hopes condition not to take a day off for the their various philanthropic acts and
where he had been a great influence overseas out of desperation. They among Filipino chaplains and pastoral entire duration of their contract. Their benevolence.
of authority prior to his conversion. seemed not to mind the danger of the workers for migrants whenever they experiences of being denied a day of Amidst the sacrifices of the Filipino
Then, he faced the common treatment work even if their jobs are exposed experienced exploitation especially rest during employment in the house migrants, we see all the time the similar
as an ordinary foreigner in his missions to unhospitable location. In Iraq for from their employers and labor agents of their employer is literally a virtual values that St. Paul who has shown us too
to other lands. Do Filipinos who were instance where Filipinos are barred to – a reality evidently observed in Asia. confinement. The Church condemns this how to be a missionary to the Gentiles.
professionals in the country find it go, they continue to defy the policy of Thank God that in Europe, migrants are practice. The migrant workers have lost In their little ways, the Filipino migrants
difficult to adjust when they have to the Philippine government because treated far better off than those migrants their freedom and have to suffer doubly have sacrificed for their families even to
work overseas taking lowly jobs that they are left without an alternative to employed in Asia. the isolation and loneliness. the extent of allowing themselves to be
locals are not inclined to handle? We see choose from. After almost forty years of The Pauline letters for instance indicate On the positive side, the faith of the taken advantaged by others, trusting
these struggles experienced by teachers government’s policy to deploy Filipino the desire of Paul to continue linking Filipino migrants have influenced their only God all the time that someday
who were working as household migrant workers overseas, the country with his fellow Christians especially act of generosity in the many instances things will be better for them – and
workers or doctors who have become has failed to come up with a meaningful during his time of incarceration if only to which they raise funds to benefit salvation will be theirs. Every so often
nurses. Definitely as an itinerant, Paul alternative means of livelihood for its to demonstrate his love for Christ and many families and communities back they have relied that God will vindicate
too had experienced the difficulty of people. witnessing to his mission. Many Filipino home which could be likened to St. them from the abuses that they have
understanding the culture of the places For the Church however, it is very migrants detained overseas may find Paul’s appeal for collection to aid the suffered. The cross of Christ is their
where he had preached the message important that we look at migration not themselves in the same circumstances poor Christians in Jerusalem as written usual reminder that their sacrifices will
of Jesus. It would be the same for our only as a possibility to improve oneself. as those of St. Paul. In fact, those in his Second Letter to the Corinthians. bear fruit, just like St. Paul who had
migrant We encourage our migrant Filipinos to migrants who are not allowed to enjoy The Filipino migrants never failed to been faithful in the same Lord that he
Filipinos who are finding themselves become missionaries to other countries or exercise a day off would find their share in the suffering of their compatriots has preached to the various Christian
exposed to a strange language and by witnessing to their faith. Many of our situation analogous to the disciple’s struck by unexpected natural calamities communities of his time. The sacrifices
culture or even in a country where migrant workers would always look at detention. For the love of their families, such as typhoons or earthquakes. They of the Filipino migrants mirror indeed
religious expression is not permitted. the Church as a place of refuge in times the migrants are willing to accept the have shown us their faith through the journey of St. Paul.

St. Paul / B1 Legislative / B4 Laoag / B3

(1 Cor 1:27).
Dear brothers and sisters, may
the World Day for Migrants and
Refugees, which will be celebrated
on 18 January 2009, be for all an
incentive to live brotherly love
to the full without making any
kind of distinction and without
discrimination, in the conviction
that any one who needs us and
whom we can help is our neighbor
(cf. Deus Caritas Est, n. 15). May the
teaching and example of St Paul,
a great and humble Apostle and a
migrant, an evangelizer of peoples
and cultures, spur us to understand
that the exercise of charity is the
culmination and synthesis of the
whole of Christian life.
The commandment of love—as
we well know—is nourished when
disciples of Christ, united, share in
the banquet of the Eucharist which
is, par excellence, the sacrament of
brotherhood and love. And just as
JesusattheLastSuppercombinedthe
newcommandmentoffraternallove
with the gift of the Eucharist, so his
“friends”, following in the footsteps
of Christ who made himself a
“servant”ofhumanity,andsustained
by his Grace cannot but dedicate
themselves to mutual service, taking
charge of one another, complying
with St Paul’s recommendation:
“bear one another’s burdens, and
so fulfil the law of Christ” (Gal 6:2).
Only in this way does love increase
among believers and for all people
(cf. 1 Thes 3:12). Dear brothers and
sisters, let us not tire of proclaiming
and witnessing to this “Good News”
with enthusiasm, without fear
and sparing no energy! The entire
Gospel message is condensed in
love,andauthenticdisciplesofChrist
are recognized by the mutual love
their bear one another and by their
acceptance of all.
May the Apostle Paul and
especially Mary, the Mother of
acceptance and love, obtain this
gift for us. As I invoke the divine
protection upon all those who are
dedicated to helping migrants, and
more generally, in the vast world of
migration, I assure each one of my
constant remembrance in prayer
and, with affection, I impart my
apostolic Blessing to all.
From Castel Gandolfo, 24 August
2008
BENEDICTUS PP. XVI
against women.
This would legitimize processes
to bring about changes in these
structures such as legalization
of divorce, legitimation of civil
unions. This would be prejudicial
to normal marriages and families
which have been accorded
protection by our Constitution.
This analysis is confirmed by
Section 19 of the Senate version.
In the guise of giving women
equal rights within marriage and
the family it states:
“The State shall take all
appropriate measures to eliminate
discrimination against women in
all matters relating to marriage
and family relations consistent
with Philippine law and shall
ensure:
(1) The same rights to enter
into and leave partnerships or
relationships without prejudice to
personal or religious beliefs;
(2) The same right to choose
freely a spouse and to enter into
marriage only with their free and
full consent. The betrothal and
marriage of a child shall have no
legal effect;”
Theuseoftheterm“partnerships”
or “relationships” are very
ambiguous. In normal parlance
the term “partnerships refer to civil
unions and the term relationships
unfortunately may refer to
homosexual relationships.
In one stroke this provision
would give legal recognition to
civil unions to the prejudice of the
protection that marriage enjoys
in the Philippine Constitution.
By the same token it also
extends legal recognition to
homosexual relationships again
to the prejudice of heterosexual
marriages. On the other hand if
in n. 1 of this provision they were
to use the term “marriage” in one
stroke they open a breach that can
be used to initiate the legalization
of divorce! It is really a difficult
job to fix something that is not
out of order!
Conclusion
The fact is that this legislation to
implementCEDAWcanstillbeand
ought to be salvaged. Its various
provisions providing assistance
to women in marginalized sectors
could spell a lot of difference for
these women.
northwestern portion of Laoag;
and, St. John Bosco in Baresbes,
covering three barrios at the
eastern side of Dingras. St. Joseph
the Worker in Carasi was being
prepared but events did not
permit its formal erection as
parish during the tenure of
Bishop Salgado.
After much rev up, Bishop
Salgado was still taking off
when he was named to his
mother see, the Archdiocese of
Nueva Segovia, which he took
possession on May 31, 2005. The
former Vicar General, the Rev.
Jacinto A. Jose, was elected by
the Board of Consultors as the
diocesan administrator. He could
not wait for the coming of the
new Bishop of Laoag, though. He
was ordained Bishop of Urdaneta
on November 26, 2005. The Rev.
Policarpo M. Albano continued
to steer the diocese in the months
of vacancy.
Bishop Sergio L. Utleg: Coming
Back to His Roots
The diocese was sede vacante
for 16 months. On November
13, 2006, the then ordinary of
Ilagan (Isabela) Bishop Sergio
Lasam Utleg was named to
the See of Laoag. Bishop Utleg
was formerly a priest of the
climbing that he organizes to
conquer the highest peaks of
Ilocos Norte: Mt. Siminublan
in Nueva Era, Mt. Masadsadoc
in Vintar, Pico de Loro in the
boundary of Pagudpud and
Adams. Cycling buffs flock to him
in his trek of the highways and
the byways of the province.
The general reshuffle of
priests’ assignments went
through in April 2008, thus
continuing a tradition of periodic
transfer since 1973. Diocesan
commissions were reorganized
and the parish councils are
being given a new direction
with a uniform constitution and
by-laws to be adopted in the
whole diocese. Streamlining of
the financial management of the
parishes is now being prepared
to adopt a uniform system
thus paving the way towards a
standardized remuneration of
the clergy.
The 50th anniversary of
the foundation of the Diocese
of Laoag is two and a half
years away. This early Bishop
Utleg has already started to lay
down the groundwork for the
celebration. He has tasked the
presbyterium to craft a five-year
diocesan pastoral plan. The 1994
First Diocese of Laoag Pastoral

CBCPMonitor Name _________________________________________________

(Family Name) (Given Name) (Middle Name)
Archdiocese of Tuguegarao,
being a native of Solano, Cagayan.
He was appointed coadjutor
Bishop of Ilagan in 1996 and
Assembly will soon be revisited
for a reorientation to the present
pastoral needs of this particular
church.
SUBSCRIPTION RATES Mailing Address _______________________________________________ eventually took possession of the The Roman Catholic faith has
see a couple of years later. The come a long way in this part
_________________________________________________ appointment of Bishop Utleg to of the Philippine archipelago.
the See of Laoag is a homecoming Thrown in the abyss of a schism
The CBCP Monitor is published fort- Phone No.: ________ Fax No.: ________ E-mail: ___________ of sorts. His paternal grandfather a century ago there was only a
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editorial and business offices at 470 migrated to Cagayan. He was tunnel as the virus of apostasy
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(Payable to: CBCP Communications Development Foundation Inc.) on January 11, 2007. like the Bubonic plague. The
Box 3601, 1076 MCPO
To prepare for the forthcoming recovery was slow but steady.
• Domestic reshuffle of priest’s assignment The erection of the Diocese of
1 Year Php 500.00 _____________________________ and to have a firsthand knowledge Laoag in 1961 weaned from the
2 Years Php 900.00 Signature of the whole diocese, Bishop mother see of Nueva Segovia
• Foreign: Asia Utleg immediately embarked on exacerbated the growth of the
1 Year US$ 55.00 a pastoral visit. This commenced faith. Although few shock waves
• All Other US$ 80.00 in February and completed in are still felt at times relationship
September of 2007. The bishop’s with our Aglipayan brethren
PLEASE SEND TO: advocacy for environmental has become more friendly if not
CBCP Monitor, P.O. Box 3601, Manila, Philippines protection was immediately cordial. Things are now seen in
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 Entertainment
CBCP Monitor
B8 Vol. 13 No. 5
March 2 - 15, 2009

In 1958 15-year-old Micheal Berg
(David Kross) falls ill while traveling
in Neusdadt , Germany . Thirty-six-
year-old tram conductress Hannah
Schmitz (Kate Winslet) helps him
return home. Apparently Michael
has caught scarlet fever and must
rest at home for three months. When
he recovers, he visits Hannah’s
apartment to thank her. The two
begin an affair during which
Michael reads Hannah some literary
works he is studying. Their affair is
cut short when Hannah suddenly
leaves after receiving news of her
promotion to an office work in the
Tram Company. In 1966, Michael,
already a law student observes a
trial of several woman SS guards
accused of letting 300 Jewish women
die in a burning church after the
1944 evacuation of Auschwitz .
He is surprised to see Hannah as
one of the defendants. The trial
reveals that each defendant chose
10 women who were brought to
the gas chamber every month.
Hannah’s fellow defendant’s points
to her as the mastermind of the
church fire report. At first she
denies but caves in after the court
asks her to provide a sample of her
handwriting. At this point, Michael
realizes Hannah’s secret. Hannah
gets life sentence for her presumed
role in the genocide Meanwhile,
Michael begins recording the stories
he has been reading to Hannah and
sendsherthecassettetapesbutnever
writes or visits. In 1988, Michael is
asked by the prison official to help
Hannah’s transition into society
upon her release. Michael visits the
aged Hannah, informs her that he
has secured a job and a home for
her, and that he would fetch her on
the day she will be released. On that
day, Michael learns that Hannah
had hanged herself, leaving for
him instructions on what do with
her money.
The film is a powerful poignant
drama of coming of age, heartbreak,
guilt,shameandredemptionwiththe
Holocaust as backdrop. The drama
is gentle and downplayed. Winslet,
who already has won several Best
Acting Awards for her role as the
simple minded Hannah, delivers
a profound and honest portrayal.
Fiennes is believable as scarred and
detached lawyer who in unable to
develop a lasting relation and Olin
is effective as a Concentration Camp
survivor still bitter and damaged
from witnessing the atrocities of
the Holocaust. The movie, though
shufflingfromonedecadetoanother,
develops clearly with a crisp and
powerfulscreenplay.Theproduction
designistruthfulenoughtotransport
viewers from Post-war Germany to
the modernization of the 80s and
at the same time creative enough
to illustrate images and characters
using the austerity of Hannah’s
apartment or the dignified set-up of
the courtroom. This is one of those
movies that creep in on you almost
unnoticed but leaves a permanent
imprint.
The film presents Hanna as being
too morally or intellectually blind
to understand the consequences
and impact to other people of her
words and actions. Her sensibilities
are misplaced with her thinking that
being illiterate is more shameful
than deliberately tolerating mass
murder, and that maintaining order
as a prison guard is more important
than saving the lives of 300 women Moral Assessment Technical Assessment
prisoners. However, morality and
goodness are not products of a  Abhorrent  Poor
literary excellence. It is assumed
 Disturbing  Below average
that choosing what is right is innate
 Acceptable  Average
in every person and that ultimately
one is responsible for the choices he  Wholesome  Above average
makes, schooled or otherwise.
 Exemplary  E
xcellent
Guilt is presented as a shameful
history of the young generation and
a dark secret of the old. One’s crimes
is cleansed not with social justice, Title: The Reader
Running Time: 123 min.
personal suffering or tokens of
Cast: Kate Winslet, Ralph Fiennes, David
apology but also with the realization Kross, Alexandra Maria Lara, Lena Olin
of all aggrieved parties that one Director: Stephen Daldry
needs to accept responsibility, Producers: Donna Gigliotti, Anthony
forgive and start anew in the effort to Minghella, Redmond Morris, Sydney
make life better for other people. Pollack
There are several disturbing Screenwriters: David Hare, Bernhard
premises and scenes in the film that Schlink
may offend the sensitivities of more Music: Nico Muhly
conservative viewers. However, Editor: Claire Simpson
Genre: Historical Drama
over-all these do not make the Cinematography: Roger Deakins, Chris
movie objectionable. One, the sex Menges
scenes and nudity throughout the Distributor: Paramount Pictures
film, although graphic, are not Location: Germany
exploitative. Two, although the Technical Assessment:  ½
affair between a 30-year-old and a Moral Assessment:
15-year-old is alarming, it is used to CINEMA Rating: For mature viewers 18 and
depict a young generation trying to a above
understand the crimes of an older
generation. Three, Hannah’s suicide
is morally unacceptable but from
a psychological point of view one
might say that an aging, lonely,
broken and once illiterate woman
who was coldly received by the one
person she was fond of might have
felt pushed against a wall and found
no reason to continue living.
Parents are strongly cautioned as
very young and immature audience
may not handle well scenes of sex,
nudity, suicide and others.

MAC en COLET Ni Bladimer Usi

Title: You Change My Life

Running Time: 120 min
Cast: Sarah Geronimo, John Lloyd Cruz, Rowell Santiago,
Rayver Cruz, Matet de Leon, Joross Gamboa, Gio Alva-
rez, Dante Rivero
Director: Cathy Garcia-Molina
Producers: Malou Santos, Vic Del Rosario
Buhay Parokya
Look for the three items: Images of the Chalice, Holy Bible and Ash. . (Illustration by Bladimer Usi)
Music: Jessie Lasaten
Genre: Drama/ Romance
Distributor: Star Cinema Productions/ Viva Films
Location: Philippines
Technical Assessment:  ½
Moral Assessment: 
CINEMA Rating: For viewers age 13 and below with parental
guidance

Anim na buwan
na ang nakakalipas
nang mabihag ni
Laida M ag t al as
(Sarah Geronimo)
ang puso ng
kanyang “man of his
dreams” at boss na si
Miggy Montenegro
(John Lloyd Cruz).
Naayos na ni Miggy
ang problema sa
kanyang pamilya at
masayang-masaya
ang kanilang
pagsasama ni Laida.
Na-promote na si
Laida pati na si
Miggy. Sa pagkaka-
promote ni Miggy, kakailanganin niyang magtrabaho sa Laguna
at magiging bihira ang pagkikita nila ni Laida. Dito magsisimula
ang problema nilang dalawa kasabay ng pagbabalik ng dating
best friend ni Laida na si Mackoy (Rayver Cruz) na magiging
ugat ng pagseselos ni Miggy. Sa gitna ng mga komplikasyon
ng relasyong Laida at Miggy ay magkakaroon naman ng
oportunidad si Laida na magtrabaho sa Canada. Magkaroon
pa kaya ng happy ending ang dalawa?
Muling pinakilig ng tambalang Sarah-John Lloyd ang mga
manonood sa pagpapatuloy ng kanilang kuwento na nagsimula
sa A Very Special Love. Tulad sa naunang pelikula, hitik ang
You Changed My Life ng mga nakakatuwang eksena at di-
malilimutang mga linya. Tunay na maganda ang chemistry ng
dalawa. Maayos ang daloy ng kuwento at malinaw ang nais
patunguhan. Magagaling ang lahat ng mga tauhan na binigyang
buhay ang kanilang bawat karakter. Sa gitna ng kilig at tawanan,
mayroon ring tamang timpla ng drama ang pelikula. Yun
nga lang, pawang naging masyadong limitado ang kuwento
at problema sa dalawang bida. Hindi na gaanong napalalim
ang mga isyung pampamilya at ang ilang mahahalagang
karakter ay nawalan ng sariling kuwento. Gayunpaman, ang
pinakamahalaga’y naihatid ng pelikula ang kuwentong Laida
at Miggy sa mas mataas na antas.
Nakakatuwang pagmasdan kung paanong ang dalawang taong
wagas na nagmamahalan ay pilit na gumagawa ng paraan upang
panatilihin at pagyabungin ito. Nananatiling dalisay at walang
bahid ng kalaswaan at makamundong pagnanasa ang relasyong
Laida at Miggy. Tunay na hindi kinakailangang magpakita ng
laman o malabis na halikan upang ipakita ang pagmamahalan.
Napakalakas ng mensahe ng pelikula na walang imposible sa
dalawang taong nagmamahalan. Hindi hadlang ang pagkakaiba
ng estado sa buhay maging ang panlabas na kaanyuan sa dalawang
pusong nagmamahal. Kapuri-puri din ang pagpapahalaga ng
pelikula sa pamilya, pagkakaibigan, trabaho at higit sa lahat, sa
makabuluhang relasyon. Sa gitna ng kaguluhan at maraming
komplikasyon sa pagbabago ng mundo, nanatiling matibay ang
pagkakaibigan, pagpaparaya at pag-ibig. Ikanga rin sa pelikula,
hindi nagsusukatan ang taong nagmamahalan sapagkat iba’t-iba
ang kayang ibigay ng bawat isa. Ang mahalaga’y lubos at buong-
puso ang pagbibigay at pagpaparaya.
 CBCP
CBCPMonitor
Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 5
March 2 - 15, 2009
C1

The News Supplement of

Couples for Christ

SFC: Jesus is our Icon!

By JBK
SEVEN thousand single men and women converged in Cebu last
February 20-22, 2009 for the 16th Singles for Christ International
Conference (ICon). The conference saw delegates from all over
the Philippines and the world assembled together to proclaim Je-
sus Christ as the Icon of Singles for Christ, and that the only way
to move forward was IN CHRIST. Set in the parking lot of SM
City Cebu, the event was a wonderful opportunity to evangelize
and show the world what it means to love Christ, as mall shoppers
were made privy to the worship and teachings of the Singles for
Christ community courtesy of wide-screens set in strategic areas in
the venue. Thousands of singles were seen around the mall during
conference breaks, all donned in their conviction shirts proclaiming
Jesus as their Icon.
The whole weekend was opened by a joyful High Mass that set
the celebratory mood on Friday night, with Msgr. Rommel Kinta-
nar, CFC Cebu Spiritual Director, as the main celebrant. This was
followed by the first session, “In Christ…This is the Life!” given by
fulltime missionary Joemar Salumbides, once a Singles for Christ
member himself in the early years of the ministry, and now a member
of the SFC Council. This session recalled important milestones in
the SFC ministry’s last 15 years and how our life in Christ has been
a life of revelations, conversion, healing and forgiveness, and prom-
ises fulfilled. The session posed the challenge for every Singles for
Christ member to continue to become like Christ, and to be Christ
to others so that, as St. Paul exhorts us, “It is no longer I who live
but Christ who lives in me.”
The second day was full of activity, as delegates attended work-
shops centering on the sacraments, missionary work, and continuous
transformation and growth. Others participated in creative and
sports competitions, many of which were done in SM City Cebu’s
activity center where mall shoppers where witness
to the talents of SFCs and the joy of being in this
community. All these were followed by the launch Sacrament. Concelebrated by Bishop Crispin Varquez, bishop of the
of the SFC Bayani, a group of 12 SFCs chosen for Archdiocese of Borongan, Samar as main celebrant, together with
their love and service for the poor, who will serve Msgr. Cris Garcia as homilist, Fr. Paul Uwemedimo of Couples for
as Gawad Kalinga Ambassadors. GK 1MB Head Christ, and other visiting priests, the Eucharistic Celebration was
Mari Oquiñena talked about how our love for God truly Christ’s real and loving presence affirming to all that ““He
is concretely expressed in serving the poor and in who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.”
holding on to the hope of “a new heaven and a new (John 6:56)
earth” that He has prepared for us. Finally, in the last session of the conference, “Forward in Christ,”
The evening session, entitled “Forgetting What SFC International Coordinator Aldy Katigbak unveiled the restated
Lies Behind,” recalled the pains of the past and re- vision of the Singles for Christ ministry: “Every single man and
minded us how like us, Jesus our Icon went through woman all over the world experiencing Christ.” The rally call to all
the same hurts of being tempted, betrayed, scourged, SFCs is to simply be CHRIST: Catholic, Humble, Radical, Interces-
and forsaken. Speaker Michael Ariola, member of the sors, Sacrificing, and Together. Only then could the SFC vision be
SFC Council and fulltime missionary, underscored lived out and find its fulfillment.
the lessons to be learned from what Jesus did during The conference was capped by a powerful praisefest and the
these painful experiences and how we are called to celebration of the Holy Mass amidst cloudy skies, refreshing light
strain toward our goal which is Jesus Himself. The showers, and then gentle sunshine that affirmed everyone of God’s
highlight of the conference was a Benediction and close watch and joyful embrace. It was indeed a weekend of expe-
High Mass, a most solemn experience that empha- riencing Christ in many different ways in many different instances,
sized our perfect union with Christ in the Blessed each of them personal, each of them transforming.

Young CFC’s on Track

THE music was lively and the mood
upbeat as 450 couples awaited the open-
ing of the CFC Young Couples Confer-
ence. The first-ever event, dubbed “On
Track”, was held at the Clamshell in
Intramuros on the Day of Hearts—
February 14.
Gawad Kalinga fulltime worker
Marco Flores gave the first talk entitled
“Let’s not Bring the Past Back,” which
was virtually a journey in photographs.
Marco recounted precious moments in
his relationship with Laksmi, now his
wife. His stories touched a chord in
the hearts of the many young couples
present, who were able to relate to the
difficulties and thrills of starting a life
together.
Marco stressed the importance of
leaving the past behind—the emotions
that weigh a marriage down, the fears
that threaten the peace in the relation-
ship, and even the conveniences that
compete with the new blessings of mari-
tal life. “Marriage, as a blessed unity,”
said Marco, “presents us the potential
of a most powerful teamwork between
the couple and they with God, to effect
positive change in the world.”
In the second talk, “Never Gonna
Give You Up,” CFC-South A sector head
Mannix Ocampo delved deeper into the
challenges of married life and the need
to strain as individuals, as a couple,
and as a family to preserve the beauty
of marriage. His wife Aileen shared
in greater detail about the difficulties
they went through in the early years of
their life together, and spoke openly of
the straining that she had to do to save
their marriage.
Mannix emphasized that one’s wife or
husband is a gift from God, Who is the
only third party allowed in marriage.
During the
lunch break
that followed,
workshops
relevant to
the concerns
of young
couples were
conducted.
These ac-
tivities were
played out in
the format of
a talk show
hosted by
Michael and
Carel Ariola.
The first workshop was presented by
PAG-IBIG Fund Marketing Officer, Mr.
Danny Rentoy, who spoke briefly about
housing loan fundamentals and then
answered questions from the audience.
In the second workshop, Ben and Mayet
Salveria, parent coach from the Catholic
Filipino Academy talked about the ba-
sics and benefits of home schooling.
GONEGOSYO mentor Francisco
“Pax” Lapid gave a crash course in
entrepreneurship during the third
workshop. In the final session, Marivie
Dalman not only shared helpful tips on
how to prepare healthy and affordable
meals for the family, but also did an ac-
tual cooking demonstration on video.
The final talk, given by CFC Interna-
tional Council member Melo Villaro-
man, Jr., was entitled “More Today than
Yesterday.” It was a journey in song that
focused on the importance of living, lov-
ing, and serving together as families in
Couples for Christ. Melo spoke of seeing
marriage as a vocation that extends be-
yond just the couple and their children
to the community and society in which
they move, and the beauty of dreaming
not just for one’s children but for God’s
bigger family. Melo stressed the need to
move forward to share the blessing of
CFC to the world. He urged everyone
to not just expect great things from the
Lord but to attempt great things for
Him, too. For with God, the possibilities
are infinite and the blessings endless.
Melo and his wife Nini sang a duet—a
CFC version of the song “I Wanna
Grow Old with You” —to express their
commitment to serving together in the
community even when they are old
and gray.
The praisefest that capped the after-
noon, led by Noli Manuel, was a beauti-
ful sight to behold as couples held each
other close, thankful for each other and
for God who brought them—and keeps
them— together. It seemed only right
and fitting that a renewal of marriage
vows be conducted in those precious
moments. In the Holy Eucharist right
after the praisefest, Fr. Mario Sobrejuan-
ite, SSP affirmed CFC’s calling to bring
the light of Christ’s love to a world that
hungers for it.
A prom-night themed party complete
with cocktails and dancing immediately
followed after the Holy Eucharist. The
Kenosis Band serenaded the young
couples with their favorite love songs
and the 29AD Band rocked the night
with dance music. The night affair was
highlighted with an honoring of men-
tors led by CFC International Missions
Coordinator, Clarke Nebrao, and was
received by the CFC Executive Direc-
tor, Joe Tale. Seeing the many young
couples that took part in the conference,
one can almost see God’s plan for CFC
unfolding. These are the families of the
future who, empowered by the Spirit,
will continue the work of renewing the
face of the earth.
E–Pinoy Launched in Cebu
By Bernie Cuevas
THE E-Pinoy
launch and orien-
tation during the
Singles for Christ
conference in
Cebu emphasized
what the Singles
already knew but
somehow usually
forget -- that the
Filipino is the most
important, most
valuable resource
of our country, the
Philippines. This
was the same realization during the soft launch of the same E-Pinoy program
in Metro Manila a few days earlier.
E Pinoy is one of the safety nets that the CFC community is putting into
place in the light of the global economic crisis. It envisions a new economy
that empowers Pinoys through right education, right employment and right
values. It puts great value and worth to Filipinos in the workplace and aims
to ensure that Filipino workers, whether here or abroad, should be given the
best opportunities to grow, develop and reach their best potential. It seeks to
remind all successful Filipino workers to give back to their country not only
through taxes, but to contribute their expertise towards the building of a new
economy.
The E-Pinoy program is a partnership between CFC and Source Asia Busi-
ness. Under this partnership, CFC will apply the successful Human Resource
ecosystem model developed by Source Asia to the community of Couples for
Christ.
CFC provides the fertile ground for Social Change. Through E-Pinoy, CFC’s
massive membership and network can provide the impetus needed to radi-
cally expand the HR ecosystem to make a difference in the economy of our
country.
The challenge to CFC is how to infect our CFC members with the E-Pinoy
bug. For starters, all CFC members are encouraged to log on to the E-Pinoy
website at www.e-pinoy.org. The website aims to build a network of CFC
members who belong to any of the four categories: 1. those looking for a job
or a better job; 2. those who have institutions who can link with E-Pinoy and
offer courses that are directly linked to industries; 3. members who have ex-
pertise in various fields and are willing to mentor younger members in their
line of expertise; and 4. business owners who would like to open their doors
to E-Pinoy workers who have the right values, attitudes, and the skills required
to help grow the business.
To learn more about E-Pinoy and to get information on how E-Pinoy can
help you and how you can help E-Pinoy. log on to the website, enroll and be
part of the E-Pinoy yahoo groups.
 C2
By Joe Tale, CFC Executive Director
A New Generation
THERE’S a song that we sing in our gatherings and the first two
lines of the first stanza goes like this:
“There’s a new generation that is seeking Your face
There’s a new generation that is taking their place…”
This perfectly describes what we in Couples for Christ are seeing
now. Indeed a new generation of people who love God, who follow
Jesus and who love the poor are rising in our midst.
The Beginnings of this New Generation
Almost 28 years ago, we had absolutely no inkling of where our
God was going to lead us. Back then, we thought we were being
called only to empower our marriages, to allow our love for our
spouse to blossom and to bear fruit in a happy home, Christ-like
parenting and productive lives as good and responsible citizens.
About a decade later, we realized that we were also being called
to lead our children towards the same Christ-centered life that we
had already embraced. So, we eagerly and willingly brought our
children to Kids for Christ, Youth for Christ and Singles for Christ.
Many of us found much joy in serving as coordinators in the Fam-
ily Ministries, envisioning a society that would be transformed
because we were now “Families in the Holy Spirit Renewing the
Face of the Earth.”
Of course, our faith-journey did not end there. The natural pro-
gression was for us to bring into the fold those in our families who
needed Christ in their lives as well – the widows, the single mothers,
the unmarried women, those whose husbands were abroad. Later
we established the ministry for their male counterparts.
Our Social Ministries was in response to our realization that we
needed to go beyond our families – we needed to bring the love of
God to those in need, those in prison, those in the armed forces, those
who are considered the least, the lost, the lonely.
Fast Forward to the Present
Today, we realize that we have indeed grown, not just in number
and in advocacies but in physical years. Those of us who came into
community in the prime of our life – in our 30s and 40s – now see
thinning and graying hair, added poundage, less physical energy.
Today we see God’s wisdom in guiding us in our early years to our
Family Ministries. The children we brought to the regular activi-
ties of Kids for Christ and Youth for Christ and the young men and
women we gently shepherded in Singles for Christ are now profes-
sionals, many of them married and with families of their own.
Today, we see a new generation that is truly seeking God’s face
and taking their place as leaders, as innovators, as shepherds of this
flock that we are now ready to entrust to them.
The Proper Way
What do we, the older generation, expect from the emerging breed
of young leaders?
We have taught them, by word and by example, to “run by faith”
and to be “willing to pray,” as the song goes. We have tried to show
them that love produces more miracles and wonders than force and
intimidation can ever hope to do.
We expect them to honor tradition and culture. We would like
them to see the value of our time-tested approaches to evangeliza-
tion and mission. We honor the youth for their radical ideas and
sometimes drastic proposals but we hope that they will also look to
the past for what has already worked. We would like them to be
open to ideas that come from a generation that has already “been
Partners for the Poor
By Arnel Santos
ROTARY International District 3780 had a groundbreaking
ceremony for their GK Village in San Mateo, Rizal last February
24. Honored guests were Bishop Honesto F. Ongtioco of the
Diocese of Cubao; Joe Tale, CFC Director and GK Chairman;
Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte, Mayor of Quezon City; Casimiro
Ynares, Jr., Governor of Rizal; Rafael Diaz, Mayor of San Mateo,
Rizal; Herbert Bautista, Vice Mayor of Quezon City; Quezon
City Councilor Bernadette “BH” Herrera-Dy; and Alex Cureg,
Governor of Rotary International District 3780.
The GK village will be home to at least 400 families from
the slums of Quezon City and some riverside residents of San
Mateo who have previously undergone Kapitbahayan and the
continuing Values Formation and Skills Training Program of
Gawad Kalinga. The village is situated on a three-hectare land
purchased by the Vicariate of Cubao (WB5) Mass Housing
Foundation, Inc., chaired by Msgr. Antonio SJ Mortillero. The
homes would be constructed from donations of the various
Rotary Clubs in Quezon City (RI District 3780). Land develop-
ment would be provided by the Quezon City government, with
full and active assistance by the San Mateo LGU and the Rizal
Provincial Government.
Msgr. Dan Sta. Maria, Vicar-General Economus of the Diocese
of Cubao, and Vice-President of the Foundation, expressed the
diocese’s appreciation for the cooperation extended by Rotary,
saying that while they had the dream to provide homes for the
poor in their area, it was only when the lay faithful, particularly
Couples for Christ and the local government units, started to
move that the dream took shape. He expressed amazement at
the fact “… in less than a year’s time, here we are, on this his-
toric day, at the very place where the dream community is to be
built. We are here to serve as partners in building “a civilization
of love,” upon which all efforts in uplifting and promoting the
dignity of each human being is grounded. Allelulia!”
Ugnayan
there and done that.”
Most of all, we want them to do what we older ones have relied
on so many times in the past – pray unceasingly. We have learned,
over 28 years, that we do not have all the answers. Only God does.
We have learned that our puny efforts are nothing compared to
what God can do but that puny as they are, with God’s grace and
guidance, our efforts can still produce wonderful and awesome
results. We have learned, in the face of difficulties and trials, to get
down on our knees and to beg God’s intervention. Many many
times, He has heard us.
Our Prayer
The youth of today are blessed with so much. The youth of CFC
JT Visits Northern Samar CFC
By George Asensi
EXECUTIVE Director Joe Tale and wife Babylou visited the
Northern Samar area last February 7 and 8, giving talks in Lao-
ang, Northern Samar (Pacific area) and in Allen, Northern Samar
(Balicuatro area) to local CFC leaders.
On Sunday, February 8, the couple met with Bishop Emmanuel
Trance, bishop of the diocese of Catarman and Bishop Emeritus
Angel Hobayan and other clergy during the monthly dinner
fellowship the CFC Northern Samar Provincial Council hosts
for the bishops and the clergy of the province.
Joe Tale leads Metro Manila sector heads in praying over GK President Melo
Villaroman, Jr and GK Executive Director Luis Oquinena
By Joe Yamamoto, Philippine Missions Director, International Council Member
Pressing On
with the Mission
OUR community’s theme for the year “Forward in Christ” taken
from Philippians 3:13-14 coincides with the Catholic Church’s cur-
rent celebration of the Pauline year.
St. Paul exhorted the faithful to “imitate me as I imitate Christ”
(1 Cor.11:1). In effect he expressed in very clear terms how we are
directed to emulate his posture in relating to Christ and thus make
it our life’s goal. In so stating, we are urged to draw inspiration
from the very life of Paul and learn from the examples in his life as
lessons that we can apply today.
The Mission for CFC members is well outlined on account of our
defined two-fold mission of building ‘ the church of the home’ and
‘the church of the poor.’ Since we are to be Church builders, we
need to understand how to focus our energies in the fulfillment of
the mandate which may extend beyond our lifetime to that of our
children.
CFC is commissioned to proclaim and share Christ in words and
in action. such undertaking is made possible if we are consistent
and faithful witnesses and co-workers in the Lord’s vineyard. The
appropriate response to the Great Commission is not just to build
a disciple community or a disciple people but to look to the greater
task of establishing a disciple nation.
Paul, speaks in Philippians 3 of “continuing my pursuit toward
the goal.” Essentially, to continue the pursuit is to press on. The
applied effort must be continuous and relentless, leaving no room
for pause or slack. Whoever takes on the Goal must have this Goal
ever before him or her every single waking moment, especially
during personal prayer and scripture times. To press on is to do it
yourself, not to delegate it or live it out vicariously.
Because it is “MY GOAL” I am therefore expected to make it my
personal covenant with the Lord. My personal statement must be “if
it has to be, it has to be me.” It emphasizes accountability. Because
the responsibility and commitment is up close and personal, it can-
not be lived through other people.
“Toward” defines the direction we are supposed to go. It implies
a forward movement, not circuitous. When we apply that statement
to our lives in community, going toward the goal requires single-
mindedness for Christ.
“Goal” establishes the reward or the end of all the efforts and the
struggles. The final Goal is Christ. Because He is our Goal, it becomes
our privilege and responsibility to bring our families to Christ, and
Christ to our families. Necessarily, we likewise share God to the
communities, nations and the World. It is the fulfillment of the Great
Commission. It is the reality of “winning the world for Christ.”
The CFC Pastoral Team
What does “pressing on with the mission” mean to the CFC
Pastoral Team, which is is effect the husband and the wife working
together as one?
I. Taking Initiative – Husband and wife need to look at the circum-
stances of family and work life as occasions to proclaim and share
Christ. “Taking initiative” means that they are not satisfied with the
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 5
March 2 - 15, 2009
are blessed with so much more. They have a prayerful family, a
huge support group, an organization that has embraced so many
advocacies they will never run out of worthwhile causes to embrace
and upon which to expend their youthful energies and passions.
They have their faith in Jesus. They have love.
Our prayer is that, as our community moves forward into our
golden jubilee, that our young men and women will move forward in
faith, in love, in commitment. We pray that they will use the weapons
of truth, justice and love that God has given them in abundance to
expand the work and to keep afire the principles CFC stands for.
It was the youth who prophesied that in the near future, the world
will kneel to Christ. It is the youth who are now being called to
commit to make that happen.
Joe and Babylou and Northern Samar leaders and their spouses at the dinner
fellowship. From extreme left - Fr. Bong Uno of Catarman Parish, Fr. Eleno
Delizon, Northern Samar CFC Spiritual Director, Babylou, Bishop Emeritus
Angel Hobayan, Joe Tale, Bishop Emmanuel Trance.
New IC Appointments
THE International Council announced new assignments for
some of the IC members, in the wake of the appointment of Melo
Villaroman as Gawad Kalinga President. Melo used to be Family
Ministries Director and Home Office Director, positions he had to
leave in order to focus on his new appointment.
Ernie Maipid has been appointed Family Ministries Director in
charge of Kids for Christ, Youth for Christ and Singles for Christ
while Rouquel Ponte has been appointed Family Ministries Director
in charge of Handmaids of the Lord and Servants of the Lord. Joey
Arguelles was appointed Home Office Director.
Melo formally assumed his new position last February 16 and
is now holding office at the GK office in Pro-Friends Building in
Mandaluyong.
status quo. If this posture is transposed to the work of evangeliza-
tion, they begin to see many more occasions and opportunities to
be able to share Christ.
There was this story about a novice fisherman who was brought to
a lake that was teeming with fish but he could not see them through
shimmering surface of the lake waters. But when he was given sun-
glasses with polarizing lenses, then he was able to see the fish and
thus experienced a bountiful catch. The same is true for a Christian
equipped with the eyes of an evangelizer, like Paul. He begins to see
his home and place of work, places where he exerts influence and
presence as fertile grounds to learn and share the gospel.
II. Taking Courage – Husband and wife, being the evangelizing
team, must be single-minded for Christ while at the same time be-
ing firmly rooted in a life of prayers, scriptures and generosity. The
CFC pastoral team must remain firm and tough in the Lord and for
the Lord in any and all occasions and circumstances.
How does one find courage? First, by being able to live out the
lessons of the Word of God. Second, by being consistent with the
values learned in the community because it is only then that he/
she will be able to strengthen others. Proverbs 27:17 says this best:
“As iron sharpens iron, so man sharpens his fellow man.” Third,
husband and wife must remain optimistic and enthusiastic and
radiate this fully such that everyone around them are infected by
it. This raises the optimism of everyone and makes easier the work
of being co-workers in the vineyard.
III. Taking Charge – To take charge means to hold ourselves ac-
countable and responsible for the family and community, and to
consciously commit to be agents of transformation for our families
and places of work.
We must learn to be ‘tough’ Christians, humble and yet confident
of God’s love and care. To be ‘tough’ is to inculcate the reality of
accepting adversities as part of our Christian life and yet confident
that with the armor provided by the Word of God, we are able to
overcome obstacles and crises.
We must learn to focus on the objectives and not on the obstacles.
A Christian who takes charge is capable of identifying his priorities,
and determines what is of importance and what is not. If the work of
CFC is evangelization, then he must be able to look for opportunities
and take on this task with the recognition that so long as he does his
share, the Lord does the rest.
Evangelization is about sharing Christ to everyone because we
LAYOUT BY LAURENCE JOHN R. MORALES
have Him in us. We are able to witness because of our own trans-
formed lives. The moral and ethical foundations of Christian life,
the biblical absolutes, the axioms of God’s word in the scripture
and the truthfulness of God Himself are absolutes that cannot be
compromised.
This is our Great Commission – to proclaim and share Christ to all
the world by the witnessing of our very lives. Following St. Paul’s
example, we are called to suffer, to persevere, to press on despite
all the odds and obstacles. This is the challenge to us as Christians.
We can only pray that we are up to the challenge.
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 5
March 2 - 15, 2009
Ugnayan C3

Our Sacred Duty

By Zeny Gimenez
THE Mission Core Teaching Night last Tuesday,
February17 was a lively one and featured two
speakers. It was also very interesting because the
topic was close to the heart of every civic-minded
CFC member present – our electoral duties and
responsibilities.
The first speaker was Fr. Roberto E. N. Rivera,
S.J. who provided the pastoral background for the
second talk, which was given by Atty Alex Lacson,
now known as the author of the very popular 12
Little Things Every Filipino Can Do to Help Our
Country.
Church and State are separate?
Because Atty. Lacson’s talk focused only on
number 9 in his list which states: “During elec-
tions, do your sacred duty, “ Fr. Robert began by
admitting how he was struck by Atty. Lacson’s
description of electoral participation as a sacred
trust, a solemn duty. He said, “Sadly, whenever we
hear of elections or politics mentioned in the same
breath as church or faith, or when the church is
criticized for being involved in political issues, we
often hear the words “SEPARATION OF CHURCH
AND STATE.”
Explaining that his brief remarks are meant to
clarify precisely how involvement in politics is part
of our sacred mission, he proceeded to focus on
three points. First , he explained that “separation
of Church and State” simply means, according to
the Second Vatican Council of 1965, that the gov-
ernment is not to be used as an instrument for coercing individuals
to adhere to the Catholic faith. However, it does not mean that the
Church has no role at all to play in politics. As Fr. Robert emphasized,
“In fact, we have been told time and time again by many church pro-
nouncements that “politics has a religious and moral dimension.”
Second, he distinguished between the “political field” and the
“political arena,” as expounded by Bp. Francisco Claver in his new
book The Making of a Social Church. He explained that the politi-
cal field refers to the venue of “political issues,” in so far as these
lead to the common welfare while the political arena refers to the
Fr. Robert Rivera, SJ with IC members Joe Yamamoto and Ernie Maipid and
West B sector head Nonong Ignacio.
venue of “competition for political power,” or what we would call
“partisan politics.”
He clarified that “Precisely because politics has a religious and
moral dimension, the church has a role to play in the political field.
But because of its divisiveness, the church hierarchy and church
groups should refrain from participating in the political arena (ref
also Deus Caritas Est), except in extraordinary situations.” Fr.
Robert went on to say that Philippine bishops have, time and time
again, emphasized the need to participate in the political field for
the following reasons:
a) The Gospel and the Kingdom of God call the church to political
involvement (Mark 16: 5 – “proclaim the gospel to all creation.”)
b) The church’s mission of integral salvation involves the temporal
sphere judging from
Gospel accounts of Jesus chastising Pharisees and Scribes for
adherence to the law while ignoring temporal needs;
c) Salvation is from both personal and social sin, including sin in
the political sphere.
d) The church has an option for the poor in the field of politics
and
e) The way of the church is the human person who is affected by
politics.
Fr. Robert concluded by saying that “Politics has an integral reli-
gious and moral dimension, thus there is a need for study, discern-
ment, and involvement!”
Believe in the Filipino
Atty. Lacson prefaced his talk by affirming his belief in the Fili-
pino and in his right to a great future in the land
God gave him. However, he went on to state the
many negative aspects of being Filipino that have
been seemingly ingrained in our cultural psyche
over the years – how we have gone from a well-
respected nation and people to the basketcase
of Asia. How we are now known as one of the
poorest countries in Asia when we are actually
the fifth richest in the world in terms of mineral
deposits. How only 7% of our people own more
than 80% of our country’s wealth. How more than
a million of our countrymen are forced to leave
their families behind in search of a better future
abroad because they see no hope for them in their
own country.
Atty. Lacson opined that the Filipino faces a
great enemy and that this enemy is responsible
for his slide from being great to being pitiful. Our
enemy? Corruption. He stressed that we can de-
feat this enemy only if we do our sacred duty: to
use our privilege to vote during elections and to
do it wisely.
He stated that our national problems can be
solved through two basic ideas: good leadership
and good citizenship. Atty. Lacson firmly stated
that “Every country that has attained prosperity
has done it through good leadership.”
Noting that CFC is a religious organization, he
nevertheless exhorted the members to get involved
in the political field. He proposed several options
for political involvement for CFC:
1) to support good senatorial candidates;
2) to campaign for a new breed of leaders;
3) to contribute to the campaign kitty of deserving candidates; and
4) to join political movements.
In addition to examining the credentials of candidates, Atty.
Lacson titillated the
audience when he
made a drastic sug-
gestion. He asked
CFC to encourage one
to three of its mem-
bers to run for Sen-
ate.
Atty. Lacson asked
the audience to con-
sider the ideas in his
talk in the light of
Biblical exhortations
that deal with politi-
cal revolution, and
cited James 4:17 – “So
then, if we do not do
the good we know
we should do, we are
guilty of sin.” He
paraphrased this verse
into the oft-repeated
phrase “Evil triumphs
because good men do
nothing.” Atty. Alex Lacson

CFC to expand Migrant Workers

CFC honors TOYM
awardee
LAST December 20, 2008, Rex Bernardo,
38 years old and CFC member from Cama-
rines Norte, received the prestigious “The
Outstanding Young Men” (TOYM) award
for outstanding community service. This
is no mean feat considering that Rex has
had to struggle with physical disability,
having been stricken with polio when he
was five years old.
Rex’s physical handicap caused him
to miss attending formal elementary
and high school classes. Eventually he
learned to read, write and count from his
mother, who was a teacher. He became a
voracious reader of books, magazines and
newspapers, and eventually took to writ-
ing stories, which he sent to magazines.
His stories were eventually published in
“Liwayway Magazine” a leading Filipino
publication.
Even without formal education. Rex’s
rise to tertiary education was phenomenal.
At the age of 20, he enrolled at the Trinity
College and earned a degree in Bachelor
of Science in Psychology. He was instru-
mental in the creation of Trinity College’s
Disabled Enablement and Empowerment
Program that earned recognition for the
school as the First Disabled Friendly
School in the country. After completing the AB
course, he was granted scholarships at the Asian
Institute of Management (AIM), University of Syd-
ney and his alma mater, earning master’s degrees
in development management, human resource and
industrial relations respectively.
Program to Mission Countries
By Alma Alva-
rez
THE GK Tek group
of the CFC Tekton
Guild conducted a
Facilitators Work-
shop for fulltime
mission workers last
January 28 at the
Gawad Kabuhayan
Center in Tandang
Sora, Quezon City.
This is part of the
process now be-
ing put in place for
the Moral Values
Re-orientation Pro-
gram (MVRP) for
overseas Filipino
workers, otherwise
known as the Mi-
grant Workers Program.
The program is a partnership between the Department of Labor and Employment and CFC
Tekton Foudation Inc. and involves the conduct of the MVRP for departing OFWs, their families
left behind and the OFWs already working abroad.
Missionary couples Nestor and Amee Belen (Papua New Guinea), Shok and Carel Ariola (South
Africa), Errol and Miggie Martinez (South Africa), Nick and Norma Borja (Canada), and Lito and
Ofie Samaniego (Seychelles) participated in the workshop. They were later joined by International
Missions Office Coordinators Clarke and Cynthia Nebrao, Mon Santiago and International Mis-
sions Director Rouquel and Nina Ponte. Thelma Hizon, Lina David, Medy Kapunan, Bing Baccaro,
Rex and wife Maris attended the Christian Life Marge Uy and Malen Manangan facilitated the workshop.
Program (CLP) of Couples for Christ at the Mt. In the afternoon, the GK Tek team presented the modules as well as discussed the facilitating
Carmel Parish, New Manila, Quezon City in 1994. skills needed to conduct the program in the mission countries. The team also conducted sample
He eventually served as a household head while sessions of the talks. The participating couples were likewise given time to study the modules and
Maris served in the ministry of Teodora. Using his were asked to conduct sample sessions themselves.
experience and expertise, Rex was a consultant for Aside from understanding the program, it is imperative that the facilitators experience the ses-
CFC’s advocacy and service to Persons sions themselves,” explains Medy Kapunan. She adds, “Facilitators should also keep in mind that
With Disabilities (PWDs). Their only child although there is a standard module for the program, the facilitators should learn how to customize
Rexmar started in the ministry of Kids For the modules to suit the culture of each country.”
Christ and is now an active member of The MVRP was launched last year in response to the growing number of Filipino migrant
Youth For Christ. workers, and to address the urgent need to restore God’s plan for the Filipino family despite
In 2002 the Bernardo family decided to the diaspora.
settle in their hometown Daet, Camarines A Memorandum of Agreement was signed last February 29, 2008 by then DOLE Secretary Arturo
Sur. The couple continued to serve the Brion and CFC Tek-
Lord as Education Coordinator of the ton Foundation Inc.
provincial Gawad Kalinga (GK) ministry
head Jose Tayag.
and later as Child and Youth Development
Under this MOA,
(CYD) Coordinator of GK. Rex is also the
all prospective cli-
diocesan head of the Ministry for Persons
With Disabilities. ents of the National
His citations include: the Recognition Reintegration Cen-
Award for Student Leadership (2002) ter for OFWs or
from the AIM; Diane and Howard Cook NRCO shall under-
Award for Leadership Excellence (2000) go values formation
from University of Sydney and Student training courtesy
Leadership Excellence Award (1998) from of Tekton. A simi-
Trinity College. Last year 2008, President lar program for the
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo presented to him Families Circles
the Presidential Merit Award as a grand or those who are
achiever from the differently-abled sector. left behind by the
Rex Adivoso Bernardo is proof that OFWs, is likewise
despite physical disabilities, we can be the included in the
men and women whom God can use for agreement.
His greater honor and glory.
 C4 Ugnayan CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 5
March 2 - 15, 2009

Book Review: ‘City on a Hill’

Reflections by Bishop Honesto F. Ongtioco (2008)
By Arnel M. Santos
THE back cover of the book “City on a Hill—Re-
flections by Bishop Honesto F. Ongtioco,” instantly
provides a glimpse of the reason why this 168-page
book is an inspired work and is uniquely valuable
for both the clergy and the lay.
The fifty seven (57) reflections classified into ten
(10) subjects –On Anniversaries, Priesthood, Mary,
Education, Gift of Life, Saints, Lent, Religious Life,
Jubilee and the Last Words of Jesus—have Christ
as their singular focus. It is reminiscent of the call
of John the Baptist: “It is necessary that he increase
but that I decrease.” (John 3:30)
The good bishop has successfully exemplified
how to behold and radiate Christ, humbly and
self-effacingly. He has lifted the stories of both
the ordinary men and women-- clergy and simple
parishioners—as well as the lives of the saints,
as starting point for his own exposition of the
Gospel.
He expresses his fondness for the etymology of
“anniversary” – from two Latin words: “annus,”
year and “vertere,” to turn – to invite all to look
back and turn to the Lord and thank Him for the
wonderful things He has done.
To the ordinary married couples who have cel-
ebrated golden wedding anniversaries, the good
Bishop honored them by saying: “What transpired
in the past half century of their life is the most
beautiful homily that could ever be preached…
Their adorable family is a clear testimony of how
they lived out their commitment. They see their
marriage as a sacred covenant not just between the
two of them but with Christ at the center.”
He also speaks to the clergy, saying: “To be a
priest today is to be a simple reminder of Christ;
one who makes Christ present.”
For the lay faithful, he exhorts, “As I look back
and see how the hand of God is at work in our
lives, I realize that aside from the hard work of
my brother priests, it has been your selfless dedi-
cation, your work of faith, and labor of love that
have made such growth happen, allowing the Holy
Spirit to work through you.”
This is what the bishop has to say about lay em-
powerment: “Empowerment is not about who has
the authority and who has not. Rather, it is about
having the power to serve and having the power
to be sent into the world as servant-- leaders…. My
dear parishioners, to be empowered is not to take
away the power from your parish priest. Rather,
to be empowered is to let yourselves be formed
according to the heart of Jesus and to be committed
in giving yourselves, your time, talent and treasure
for the good of the parish.”
To the Catholic educators and catechists, he ar-
ticulates: “The school is the place of discipleship.
Our hope and aspiration is that our students’
graduation may also become a “mission-sending”
for them when they now become the evangelized
evangelizer.”
The good bishop’s heart for the poor is likewise
poured out in his directives to the priests of the
Diocese of Cubao: “Fr. Bong (Tupino), take care
of the poor in your parish. Do not let them be
marginalized in this church. Go to them and listen
to their voices. Journey with them and help them
uplift their dignity.”
One must not also miss out the bishop’s call to
say “Yes” to God. In this present world where
“God has become marginalized,” Bishop Ong-
tioco turns to the example of the Blessed Mother,
and exhorts all that: “God needs our ‘Yes’ because
He wants to make us partners in the history of sal-
vation. Our lives will remain under the shadow
of sin if we do not say ‘Yes’ to God. Our families
will continue to be on the path of irrelevance if
we do not say, ‘Yes’ to God. Our parishes will
continue to work in the dynamism of competi-
tions and politics if we do not say, ‘Yes’ to God.
Our society will continue to be insensitive to the
inhuman plight of the millions of poor Filipinos
if we do not say, ‘Yes’ to God. Our country will
continue to be one of the most corrupt, backward
and underdeveloped in the world if we do not
say, ‘Yes’ to God.” service…”
He goes on to say, “God had the perfect plan for Bishop Honesto F. Ongtioco, D.D. is the first
Mary, and she saw to its fulfillment when she said, Bishop of the Diocese of Cubao, with a Masters De-
‘Yes’ to God. God has the most wonderful plan for gree in Organizational Development and Planning
us but without saying “Yes” to Him we cannot from Southeast Asian Interdisciplinary Institute
taste the sweetness of His Good News.” and a Licentiate in Sacred Theology (STL) from the
The book does not limit itself to anecdotes and Pontifical University of St. Tomas Aquinas, Rome,
simple reflections. It also contains the bishop’s Italy. Bishop “Ness”, as he is fondly called, led
fresh and incisive theological thoughts on societal the Eucharistic Celebration of Couples for Christ
values and issues affecting the country today, par- (CFC)- Big West, during its Sectoral Mission Core
ticularly in the area of Catholic education. Gathering (MCG) on February 1, 2009 at St. The-
“A city set on a hill” (Civitas supra montem resa’s College (STC) in Quezon City.
posita). This is the motto of the Diocese of Cubao, The book has been sold out in a little over two
which the good bishop describes as a diocese that months from release, and now waits for its second
“has been blessed with countless men and women printing. Proceeds would go to scholarship proj-
who live exemplary lives of dedicated and devoted ects of the diocese.

1st GOKABIZ Successful Unveiling the SFC vision By Taffy Ledesma

By Alma Alvarez “EVERY single man and woman all over the world experiencing Christ.” This was the vision pre-
sented to over 300 Singles for Christ leaders from all over the world at the 1st SFC Global Leaders
processing plant Summit last February 22-23, 2009, in Cebu City.
and gasoline sta- Top leaders from all over the Philippines and the international SFC community came to the Global
Leaders Summit to hear and discuss the new SFC Vision in this two-day gathering. The interna-
tions among oth-
tional community was well-represented as delegates from Indonesia, China, Singapore, East Timor,
ers. Australia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the United States, Canada, the Carribean, Seychelles,
Netherlands, and Ireland came to participate.
One Co-op, One The vision for SFC casts the ideal future state not only of the ministry but of the whole world. It
Product presents a picture of the future that every SFC should work to build-- a world where every person’s
GoKaBiz also life is an ongoing experience of Christ. The vision puts into perspective the scope of the mission
aims to inspire which is to bring Christ’s love to everyone by being Christ experiences to others everyday and ev-
each province erywhere. And just as important as being Christ experiences to others, SFC members were reminded
co-op to develop that they should also strive to experience Christ everyday, under any circumstance.
and highlight one The atmosphere of the Global Leaders Summit was Spirit-filled, personal, and very intimate
best product of despite the large group. After the vision was presented, small and diverse discussion groups, just
like households, were formed to discuss the personal impact of the vision to each participant. A
the area. The CCF
very emotional and inspiring sharing followed as members talked about how the vision affected
invited the co-op
them as leaders and also how it made sense to them as individuals.
primaries to show- The event was concluded with a celebration of the Holy Eucharist, which marked four straight
case products that days, from the International Conference to the Global Leaders Summit, of SFC members not only
each Co-op distrib- listening to talks, attending workshops, and worshipping, but spending time with God through
utes or produces, the Mass.
Joe Tale cuts the ribbon opening the exhibit of products from different Co-ops primaries. and services they
render to members
LAST January 31 and February 1, 2009, the CFC and to the general public.
Cooperatives Federation spearheaded GoKabiz sa Quezon highlighted popular products of the
UPLB: Isip Negosyo, Pusong Kristyano. Eighteen province like the longganiza, coco jam, kiping
Co-ops for Christ primaries from Luzon, Visayas fans and various beauty and health products made
and Mindanao came to the two-day business fo- from virgin coconut oil. Davao showcased the S9
rum and workshop held at the Local Government motor oil, said to be the first microbiotech engine
Academy, UP at Los Baños in Laguna. oil made from coconut.
CFC Executive Director Joe Tale and his wife Laguna, on the other hand, featured their suc-
Babylou graced the event. In his talk, Joe Tale cessful Botika ng Barangay, the GKandles from
spoke of the Scripture passage where Jesus com- Sta. Rosa, goat milk products from Calamba and
mands Peter to “feed My sheep” (John 21:17). hydrophonics farming, courtesy of Dr. Gil Vil-
According to Joe, this is the same principle that lancio, of UPLB.
governs the operations of CCF through the various Palawan brought kasuy products as well as
CoFC primaries -- to take care of the flock via the rosaries made from cultured pearls. They also
business opportunities that they will establish. presented Co-ops Palawan’s Travel and Tours
Through GoKaBiz sa UPLB, the CCF hopes to packages. Other exhibitors include Ugnay-
move the member Co-op primaries towards the di- Kalinga/ Globe, Mocha Blends, TekInsure and
rection of establishing businesses which will serve Metro Manila East HOLD (Joco Beeswax oint-
their immediate communities as well as the bigger ment).
society. These businesses are likewise expected to The CCF plans to replicate GoKaBiz in Visayas
create jobs for members and allow opportunities and Mindanao for the members of Couples for
for exchange of products and services among co- Christ and Co-ops for Christ in these areas.
operatives.
During the busi-
ness forum, the
Serving Behind Bars
Soro-soro Ibaba By Tony Gimenez
Development Co-
operative (SIDC), THE Central C sector is presently conducting a Christian Life Program for the inmates of the Pasay
through its Chair- City Jail. Because of space constraints, the program will be given in several batches. The first batch has
man Dr. Ben Ba- more than 50 inmates, with about 18 of them attending with their wives.
gui, presented the The sessions, which began
SIDC model to the last February 7, have been
plenary. SIDC, a lively and joyful. By the sec-
40-year-old bil- ond session, the inmates have
lionaire co-op from been actively participating in
Batangas City, has the singing of the songs and
established twelve in the group discussions that
enterprises, de- follow every talk.
spite their distant Central C sector is headed
location from the by Jimmy and Ching San-
city proper. To tiago. The CLP team leader is
date, SIDC oper- Claro Certeza aided by wife
ates a feedmill, a Tess while the servant leaders
hog raising farm, a
are Lito and Mercy Maling.
co-op mart, a meat UP Los Baños Director Gil Villancio explains hydrophonics to interested onlookers.