Monitor

CBCP

NOVEMBER 20 - DECEMBER 3, 2017, VOL 21, NO. 23 CBCPMONITOR@AREOPAGUSCOMMUNICATIONS.COM

PROTAGONIST OF TRUTH, PROMOTER OF PEACE

UGNAYAN A3: NEWS A6: LOCAL NEWS B1: PASTORAL CONCERNS

THE NEWS SUPPLEMENT PH churches to go red for persecuted Christians Bishop lauds ASEAN pact on migrant workers rights Homily of Pope Francis during the
OF COUPLES FOR CHRIST first World Day of the Poor

Bishop: Trolls mustnt be

allowed to intimidate Church
By Roy Lagarde

A CATHOLIC bishop
said the Church
must actively tackle
the rise of fake news
and trolls fomenting
hate, and see the
matter not just as
a problem but an
opportunity.
Bishop Pablo Virgilio
David of Kalookan reminded
church people of the weight
of their responsibility to
evangelize people in a world
dominated by social media.
A victim of several fake
stories himself for criticizing
the governments war on
drugs that claimed thousands
of lives, he said it takes a lot
of guts but the truth must
also be brought from pulpit
to social media.
If you dont react to these
statements, soon they become
like Gospel truth, David said
is his keynote address during
the 6th Catholic Social Media
Summit at the Siena College
in Quezon City on November
18. The Manila Cathedral glows red as part of Red Wednesday campaign of the Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), aimed at raising awareness about the worsening persecution of Christians around the world. The activity
Trolls / A7 was highlighted with a Mass presided over by new Papal Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia (inset), his first public appearance after he formally assumed the post early this month. SKY ORTIGAS

Church exec calls for end to dole- #RedWednesday: Call for more committed Catholics
outs on World Day of the Poor WITH the launching of the Red
Wednesday campaign in the Philippines
on Nov. 22, a Church official in this
diocese expressed hope that the initiative
will encourage greater awareness among
Filipinos about the severity of the
Christian persecution abroad but will
also move them to stand up for the faith
in their own country.
Filipinos might think that Christians
are persecuted only in some areas of
Mindanao, as shown by the relentless
attacks of terrorist groups or the recent
siege of Marawi. Many are not even aware
of the scale of Christian persecution in
the rest of the country, lamented Fr.
Manuel G. Flores Jr., director of the
Diocesan Commission for Promoting
Integral Human Development, in-
charge of the Red Wednesday campaign
in the Diocese of Baguio.
Filipino Catholics cannot rest on the
fact that our country is predominantly
Christian which can make them
complacent [about] a creeping
persecution against the faith and the
basic rights of the human person,
warned the priest.
Modern, hi-tech persecution
The Social Action Ministry coordinator
pointed out that many Christians in the
country today, as in the days of the early
Church, cannot fully practice their faith
without fear or obstruction.
To prove his point the priest cited issues
currently affecting Philippine society:
extra-judicial killings, destruction of the
environment, corruption, gambling, the
approval of contraceptives, the push for
divorce in the guise of Dissolution of
Marriage, undermining the institution
of the family through same-sex unions,
and the blurring the definition of man
and woman in the name of equality.
According to the priest, practicing
the faith, defending human rights,
or upholding basic truths about the
human person exposes the Christian to
lawsuits, threats, bashing, name-calling,
Committed / A7

Fr. Edwin A. Gariguez, Caritas Philippines executive secretary
AS the Catholic Church in the
Philippines joined the rest
of the universal Church in
celebrating the First World
Day of the Poor on Nov. 19,
as marked by Pope Francis,
a Church official called for
an end to the dole-out
mentality.
The poor cannot be
treated as beggars of our
assistance. They should be
regarded with dignity, with
the same importance we
give ourselves. And we can
only do so by improving
our service delivery, by
doing away with dole out
mentality, and by engaging
the most vulnerable during
decision and policy making,
said Fr. Edwin A. Gariguez,
Caritas Philippines
executive secretary.
According to the priest,
NASSA/Caritas Philippines
strive to strengthen its
advocacy for the integration of
humanitarian responses and
development programming,
just like in the organizations
work in Marawi. We cannot
continue to be blinded [to]
this injustice.
Not business as usual
It cannot be business as
usual when dealing with our
poor brothers and sisters. The
government and the church
must combine its resources
to truly improve their plight.
We can start by establishing
better coordination lines
during disaster response, and
by being more accountable
to our people, stressed
Gariguez.
Meanwhile, in a statement,
Archbishop Rolando Tria
Tirona, NASSA/Caritas
Philippines national
director, recognized that
with over of the worlds
population (over 3 billion
people) living in extreme
poverty, the Popes initiative
to honour the poor is both a
challenge and a celebration.
The initiative is a
challenge for us Christians
to be mindful of our actions
towards the less fortunate,
the underprivileged, the
vulnerable, and marginalized.
Let us examine how our
words and inactions affect
those without voice and
Poor / A3
Dominicans to fast against drug Youth challenged to think about
war killings
THE Dominican family
will stage a day of fasting
and prayer for peace in the
country amid the growing
number of deaths linked to
governments war on drugs.
The fast is scheduled on
December 3, the first Sunday
of Advent, as a response to
the challenges against the
value and dignity of human
life.
Fr. Napoleon Sipalay,
Jr., president of the
Dominican Family in the
Philippines Foundation,
said the day is also an
opportunity to intensify
the act of charity for
families of victims of
extrajudicial killings.
The intention is to
save the amount we could
gather out on that day
of fasting from different
communities of the
Dominican family for the
families of EJK victims,
Sipalay said.
The Dominicans earlier
expressed concern on the
human rights situation
environmental inheritance
in the country as the
government refused to hit
the brakes on its relentless
crackdown on the illegal
drug trade.
Even Fr. Mike Deeb,
the Domincan Orders
permanent delegate to the
United Nations and its
General Promoter of Justice
and Peace, sounded alarm
on the rising drug-related
killings.
He said that drug abuse
is very worrying and a Delegates learn more about socio-economic and environmental realities through the
big issue of concern in NYD Runs. ANALYN PERUCHO
the UN, but stressed that
killings will not address the AS part of the national youth day of the youth event, Agila
problem. day celebration, young people Lipad na: A Laudato Si talk.
Sipalay added that while were recently challenged to In an interview, Sol also
their action is only a drop give serious thought about said that this generation has
in the big ocean on the the environment and its the biggest responsibility in
problem of drug killings, he future, in an activity called preserving the environment
is hoping that such activity NYD Run on Nov. 8. because natural resources
touch the lives of other If we are suffering right and ecology have to be
people. now, is [it also] suffering that preserved for the future
What we are doing is to we are going to pass on to generations
start the ripple of touching the next generation? asked If we will not take care
the many members of the Diane Sol, a pilgrim from the of our environment then
Dominican family to do Diocese of Boac, sharing her who will take care of it? she
something concrete, he insights after joining one of added.
said. (CBCPNews) the NYD Runs on the third Inheritance / A6
A2 WORLD NEWS November 20 - December 3, 2017, Vol 21, No. 23 CBCP Monitor

Tanzanian appointed Vatican Briefing

secretary of Congregation for Pope: not everything technically possible is morally acceptable
Pope Francis praised the achievements of scientific and technological

Evangelization of Peoples
advancements, but cautioned that developments in the field have
limits, and should be founded above all on the good of the human
person. It remains always valid the principle that not everything that
is technically possible or feasible is therefore ethically acceptable, the
VATICAN CITY, Nov 9, 2017 Pope said in his prepared remarks Nov. 18. Pope Francis spoke on
Archbishop Protase Rugambwa the last day of the Pontifical Council for Cultures Nov. 15-18 plenary
was appointed secretary of the titled The Future of Humanity: New Challenges to Anthropology,
Congregation for the Evangelization and which took place inside the Vaticans old synod hall. Some 54
of Peoples on Thursday. He members and consultors of the council, including prelates and laity,
had previously served as the participated. (Elise Harris/CNA)
congregations adjunct secretary
and president of the Pontifical Pope Francis: The Mass needs silence, not chit-chat
Mission Societies. Pope Francis called out the common habit of chatting with people
The Nov. 9 appointment makes around you before Mass, stressing that this is a time for silent prayer,
Archbishop Rugambwa, 57, second when we prepare our hearts for an encounter with the Lord. When
in the congregation, behind Cardinal we go to Mass, maybe we arrive five minutes before, and we start to
Fernando Filoni, who is 71. chit-chat with those in front of us, the Pope said Nov. 15. However,
Archbishop Rugambwa was born it is not a moment for chit-chat. It is a moment of silence for
in Bunena, Tanzania, in 1960. He preparing ourselves for dialogue, a time for the heart to collect itself
studied at Kibosho Senior Seminary in order to prepare for the encounter with Jesus, he said, adding
and St. Charles Lwanga Segerea that silence is so important. (Hannah Brockhaus/CNA)
Senior Seminary, and was ordained
a priest of the Diocese of Rulenge Pope Francis: Despite naysayers, theres hope for a nuke-
Archbishop Protase Rugambwa: The new Secretary for Evangelization of peoples - RV free world
in 1990.
He served as a parochial vicar, a In a key speech on the global effort to eradicate nuclear arms,
until he was transferred to the Bressanone diocese, Fr. Dal Toso
teacher at a minor seminary, and Pope Francis called the weapons immoral and said they should
Congregation for the Evangelization had worked at the Pontifical Council
a hospital chaplain. He obtained a be made illegal in war, but he also voiced hope that despite
of Peoples in 2012. Cor Unum from 1996 until it was
doctorate in pastoral theology from pessimism, things are moving in the right direction. In a Nov. 10
Pope Francis on Thursday suppressed Jan. 1.
the Pontifical Lateran University in audience with participants in a Vatican symposium on nuclear
also appointed Father Giovanni Previously known as Propaganda
1998, and then served as vocations disarmament, the Pope said a healthy realism continues to shine
Pietro Dal Toso to fill the vacancy Fidei, the Congregation for the
director and vicar general of his a light of hope on our unruly world, particularly on the nuclear
left by Archbishop Rugambwas Evangelization of Peoples is
diocese. front. The employment of nuclear devices, whether intentionally or
appointment. He was also appointed responsible for the work of
In 2008 he was consecrated through accidental detonation, he said, would cause catastrophic
Titular Archbishop of Foratiana. spreading the Gospel in mission
humanitarian and environmental effects. Organized by the
Bishop of Kigoma, where he served A priest of the Bolzano- territories. (CNA/EWTN News)
Pontifical Council for Integral Human Development, the Nov. 10-
11 symposium is the first global gathering on this topic since the
Italian nun martyred in Somalia takes step approval of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons at
the United Nations July 7. (Hannah Brockhaus/CNA)

toward beatification Tanzanian appointed secretary of Congregation for

Evangelization of Peoples
VATICAN An Italian killers have never Archbishop Protase Rugambwa was appointed secretary of the
nun killed in Somalia in been identified, nor Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples on Thursday. He
2006 has been officially has any group claimed had previously served as the congregations adjunct secretary
recognized as a martyr, as responsibility, but and president of the Pontifical Mission Societies. The Nov. 9
Pope Francis moved her suggestions quickly appointment makes Archbishop Rugambwa, 57, second in the
cause for beatification arose that the attack was congregation, behind Cardinal Fernando Filoni, who is 71. Pope
forward this week. connected to the uproar Francis also appointed Father Giovanni Pietro Dal Toso to fill the
Sister Leonella caused by the speech, vacancy left by Archbishop Rugambwas appointment. He was
Sgorbati and her Muslim which also prompted also appointed Titular Archbishop of Foratiana. Previously known
bodyguard, Mohamed violence against several as Propaganda Fidei, the Congregation for the Evangelization of
Osman Mahamud, were churches along the Peoples is responsible for the work of spreading the Gospel in
ambushed outside of a West Bank and Gaza mission territories. (CNA)
hospital in Mogadishu, strip.
Somalia. Sister Sgorbati On the Sunday Former child trafficking victim: Awareness needs to
was a Consolata following the attack, produce action
Missionary and spent the first class graduated, Regensburg in Germany. Pope Benedict XVI Former trafficking victim Rani Hong, who was kidnapped and
most of her time in just a few months before In his speech, the pope publically apologized sold into slavery at seven years old, is speaking out, saying weve
Africa, where she taught her death. had quoted a critique for any offense taken by raised awareness, but now its time to put our knowledge into
nursing and aided the On October 17, of Islam by Michael II the Muslim community, action to help victims. As we all learn together, we need to move
sick. 2006, Sister Sgorbati Paleologus, a medieval stating the quote was forward, beyond just raising awareness, she said. Now its time
On Wednesday, Pope was attacked by two Byzantine emperor, in from a medieval text to act on behalf of children around the world. Kidnapped from her
Francis declared Sister assailants outside the conversation with a and did not represent his village in southern India, she said that when she first started telling
Sgorbati a martyr for the hospital around noon learned Persian. opinion of Islam. her story as an adult, people didnt always believe her, because
faith, and advanced the shortly after teaching a He turns to his I am deeply sorry they couldnt believe that the issue of slavery still exists today. But
causes of several other class. The hospital was interlocutor somewhat for the reactions in now, several years later, she said people have become much more
men and women. across the street from the brusquely with the some countries to a few educated on the issue, and after education should come action. I
Born Rosa Maria SOS Village where the central question on the passages of my address want people all around the world to be able to take concrete action
Sgorbati in 1940, the nuns lived. relationship between at the University of to make a difference in a childs life. (Hannah Brockhaus/CNA)
Italian religious felt After the first bullet religion and violence in Regensburg, which were
a strong call to enter had struck the nuns general, in these words: considered offensive Pope bans sale of cigarettes in Vatican on health grounds
the convent from her leg, Mahamud tried to Show me just what to the sensibility of In a move likely to have some Vatican employees fuming, Pope
childhood, but waited protect Sister Sgorbati Mohammed brought that Muslims. Francis has decided to ban the sale of cigarettes inside the City
until age 20 to enter, with his body. He was was new, and there you The pope later State on the grounds that the Holy See cannot profit from a proven
heeding her mothers then shot to death, and will find things only evil addressed the martyrdom health hazard. In a Nov. 9 statement, Vatican spokesman Greg
requests. the nun was shot two and inhuman, such as of Sister Sgrobati, calling Burke said the reason for the decision is very simple: the Holy See
Before taking her final more times, severing a his command to spread her bloody testimony a cannot contribute to an activity that clearly damages the health
vows in 1973, Sister major artery. She was by the sword the faith sincere witness to the of people. The sale of cigarettes inside the Vatican will officially
Sgorbati spent nearly a then rushed to hospital he preached, said Pope Christian life. cease as of 2018, but the sale of larger cigars, with which smoke
decade of preparation but died on the operating Benedict XVI. This Sister, who is not inhaled, was not mentioned in the statement. However, the
in religious and medical table. While the pope served the poor and the Popes decision to crack-down on cigarette sales in the Vatican
formation. Pardono, Pardono clarified that he was lowly in Somalia for brings him closer to other European countries that have enforced
She later worked at both (I forgive, I forgive), quoting the emperor, the many years, died with comprehensive smoke-free laws for public spaces, the strictest
hospitals and schools in where the last words quote sparked protests in the words I forgive being found in Ireland, the UK, Greece, Bulgaria, Malta, Spain
Kenya, and helped start she whispered to Marzia some parts of the Muslim on her lips: this is the and Hungary. (Elise Harris/CNA)
the Hermann Gmeiner Feurra, a sister in the world. Sheikh Abubakar most genuine Christian
School of Registered same order. Hassan Malin, a cleric witness, a peaceful sign Its official: John Paul I moves forward on path to sainthood
Community Nursing A week before the in Somalia, instructed of contradiction that The Vatican announced that Albino Luciani better know as
in 2002. She worked attack, Pope Benedict followers to kill anyone demonstrates the victory Pope John Paul I has moved forward on the path to sainthood,
rigorously to have the XVI had given a in the area who offended of love over hatred and and can now officially be called Venerable by faithful around the
school internationally 40-minute lecture the Prophet Mohammed. evil. (CNA/EWTN world. Announced in a Nov. 9 communique from the Vatican, the
accredited, and, in 2006, at the University of Sister Sgorbatis News) Popes decision to green light the cause was made the day before,
during a Nov. 8 meeting with Cardinal Angelo Amato, Prefect of
the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. With Francis approval
of his heroic virtue, Papa Luciani, who until now has held the
Thieves desecrate eleven parishes in France title Servant of God, can be called Venerable, which is the step
before beatification. Born Oct. 17, 1912, in Italys northern Veneto
ANNECY, France Last month stole the poor boxes, ciboria, tabernacles is offensive and that region, Albino Luciani was elected Pope Aug. 26, 1978, and took a
thieves in France robbed, and and chalices. the faithful are scandalized by double name after his two immediate predecessors, St. John XXIII
in the process desecrated, Bernard Bidaut, what happened. and Bl. Paul VI. He sent shock waves around the world when he
ten churches in the Diocese communications director for France 3 reported that since died unexpectedly just 33 days later, making his one of the shortest
of Annecy, in the countrys the Diocese of Annecy, told ACI 2015 church desecrations in the pontificates in the history of the Church. (Elise Harris/CNA)
Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region. Prensa, we are careful about our region have been on the rise.
A similar incident also statements. These are not acts of Meanwhile, in the town of John Paul II relic given to 2019 World Youth Day
occurred in the Diocese of voluntary profanation. Plouay, 40 miles northwest of At a Nov. 17 ceremony at the Polish Embassy to the Holy See,
Vannes, in Brittany. At the same time, he said, Vannes, intruders in Saint Ouen Ambassador Janusz Kotanski delivered a relic of Pope St. John
Local press reported that the they are for us because this is parish tore off the arm of a statue Paul II to Panamas Ambassador to the Holy See, Miroslava Rosas
churches in the Annecy diocese the theft of important liturgical of the Madonna and Child and Vargas. The relic is a gift from Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz to the
were broken into Oct. 28029. objects (some with consecrated removed the altar stone. Church in Panama, as it prepares to host the 2019 World Youth
The perpetrators are believed to Hosts), but its clear this is a The local police are looking Day. John Paul II created World Youth Day in 1985 to harness
be two men who forced open the classic case of stealing in order for those responsible. The the energy of young people and encourage them to participate
church doors with a crow bar. to resell the objects. Observatory of Christianophobia, in his call for a new evangelization. The first World Youth Day
In Sainte Marie Madeleine de Bidaut also indicated the a French website that tracks gathering took place in Rome in 1986. The gatherings, held every
Morzine parish, the criminals investigation is ongoing. such incidents, indicated this three years, draw millions of participants from around the world.
broke open and desecrated Fr. Nicholas Owona, a priest same church was the victim of The late Pope also created a special youth section within the
two marble tabernacles. In the of the Annecy diocese, told attacks in 2013 and 2014. (ACI Vaticans Pontifical Council for Laity, charged with coordinating
other churches the robbers France 3 that breaking into the Prensa) World Youth Days. (Wlodzimierz Redzioch/CNA)
CBCP Monitor November 20 - December 3, 2017, Vol 21, No. 23
PH churches to go red for persecuted Christians
MANILA As a sign of solidarity
with the millions of persecuted
Christians all over the world,
selected churches and universities
in the country will light their faades
in red on Nov. 22 and celebrate
late afternoon Masses as part of
the #RedWednesdayPH campaign.
The faithful are also encouraged to
wear red.
I hope that through this campaign,
more Filipinos will be made aware
of the reality and the severity of
persecution of their fellow Christians
and that this awareness leads to
concrete actions of support through
prayer, information, and charity,
said Jomar Luciano, national director
of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN)
Philippines, the lead organizer of the
said campaign.
According to a briefer released
by ACN Philippines, the
#RedWednesdayPH campaign aims
Faith, hope, community: Catholic radio at work in the Philippines Christian girls who barely
MANILA In the Philippines
media scene, a far-reaching
Catholic radio network has
been building communities
and changing lives for
decades.
We cater to the needs of
the local communities but
come together as one, Father
Francis Lucas, president of
Catholic Media Network,
told CNA. He described
the network as the only
community-based radio
network in the country.
Our motto isBringing
the message of Hope to the
Filipino nation, he said.
The network launched in
1969 with 11 radio stations.
It has grown to 54 AM and
FM radio stations plus three
small television stations,
with a collective potential
audience of 70 million people.
Our best and most popular
radio shows are the Mass
and the liturgy, said Father
Lucas. The stations hold on-
air retreats and recollections.
They cover national religious
celebrations, international
Catholic events and papal
and Vatican news.
The network provides
other news and information,
plus music and childrens
programming. Programming
topics include agriculture,
the environment, family
issues, daily life, and youth-
focused discussions.
According to Father Lucas,
the network has had a great
impact. He recounted the
story of a woman living in a
remote part of the country
who graduated from one of
the networks on-air radio
school courses in agriculture
and then visited the station
to talk about its impact.
She walked from the
mountain to the radio station
travelling almost a day,
walking, crossing rivers, riding
Australian bishops: Dont let same-sex marriage limit religious freedom
SYDNEY, Australia Following
a postal survey showing support
for same-sex marriage, Australias
Catholic bishops said that the nations
laws need to protect those who
understand marriage as it has always
been viewed.
Parliamentarians must recognize and
respect the concerns of the more than
4.8 million Australians who opposed
a change to the definition of marriage
by putting in place strong conscience
and religious freedom protections,
Archbishop Denis Hart of Melbourne,
president of the Australian Catholic
Bishops Conference, said Nov. 15.
These protections must ensure that
Australians can continue to express
their views on marriage, that faith-
based schools can continue to teach the
traditional understandings of marriage
Poor / A1
power, said the prelate.
#AlayKapwa
On another note, the
Archbishop of Caceres also
stressed that the World Day of
the Poor is essentially a time for
#AlayKapwa a celebration
where we are called to offer
and empty ourselves for the
sake of our neighbour.
NEWS FEATURES A3
to achieve the following: Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Rosary of Manaoag Diocesan Shrine of St. Peregrine
Educate the public including the Princesa Basilica of San Lorenzo Ruiz Laziosi (Paraaque)
youth about the nature and scale of Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay, (Binondo Church) Diocesan Shrine of Sto. Nino
Christian persecution; Palawan Basilica of the Black Nazarene (Butuan)
Create awareness among Filipino Apostolic Vicariate of San Jose (Quiapo Church) Diocesan Shrine of the Holy Cross
Christians of their membership in Mindoro Diocesan Shrine and Parish of (Catanduanes)
within a bigger global Christian Archdiocese of Caceres Our Lady of Salvation (Tiwi, Albay) Diocesan Shrine of the Holy Face
family; Archdiocese of Capiz Diocesan Shrine and Parish of St. of Jesus (Nampicuan, Nueva Ecija)
Encourage Christians of all ages Archdiocese of Davao Jude Thaddeus (Lucena) Diocese of Antipolo
and traditions to stand up for Archdiocese of Lingayen- Diocesan Shrine and Parish of St. Diocese of Bacolod
faith and freedom and the right of Dagupan Vincent (Albay) Diocese of Baguio
Christians to practice their faith Archdiocese of Lipa Diocesan Shrine of Maestra Senora Diocese of Balanga
without fear or obstruction. Archdiocese of Manila (Manila de los Dolores of Turumba (Laguna) Diocese of Borongan (all parishes)
The said campaign is just one Cathedral) Diocesan Shrine of Mahal na Diocese of Cabanatuan
of simultaneous Red Wednesday Archdiocese of Ozamiz Seor Sto.Cristo de Burgos (Sariaya, Diocese of Calbayog
campaigns in countries like the U.K, Archdiocese of Palo Quezon) Diocese of Cubao
Australia, Ireland, Italy, and France. Archdiocese of San Fernando, Diocesan Shrine of Mary Queen Diocese of Digos
The faithful may join late afternoon Pampanga of Peace (EDSA Shrine) Diocese of Dipolog
Masses on Nov. 22 as part of the Archdiocese of Zamboanga Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Diocese of Gumaca
#RedWednesdayPH campaign in the Basilica of Our Lady of Charity Aranzazu (San Mateo, Rizal) For more information, interested
following churches/dioceses: (Agoo, La Union) Diocesan Shrine of San Geronimo parties may check out the ACN
Apostolic Vicariate of Bontoc- Basilica of Our Lady of Piat (Nueva Ecija) Philippines Facebook page.
Lagawe (Cagayan) Diocesan Shrine of St. Joseph (Nirvaana Ella Delacruz /
Apostolic Vicariate of Jolo Basilica of Our Lady of the Holy (Cubao) CBCPNews)
escaped ISIS credit Mary for
their safety
KIRKUK, Iraq Seven offensive to retake Mosul
young women in Kirkuk from the clutches of Islamic
credit the Virgin Mary for State, which has been months
their safety after spending in the making.
a harrowing eight hours In addition to the Kurdish
hidden underneath beds Peshmerga forces, U.S.
while Islamic State group troops, British and French
fighters used their room as a Special Forces, and a number
hideout during an assault on of Turkish soldiers are
the city. supporting the Iraqi army
The Virgin Mary was with in the battle, which was
them, Fr. Roni Momika told initially expected to take
CNA Oct. 23. between several weeks to
The priest, who ministers several months to complete.
A neighborhood in Baranguay, Manila, Philippines. ADDIE MENA/CNA in refugee camps of Ankawa, However, the process has
Erbil in northern Iraq, was in been going quicker than
on the back of motorcycles bilateral conflicts between corruption. cell phone contact with two of expected.
just to reach the town, he the government and rebel According to the network, 29 the girls while they hid under Mosul is the last major
reported. She said without militias, he said. Many of the 54 stations operate under the beds. They gave him a stronghold the Islamic State
the radio she could never lives were saved through the franchise the Philippines play-by-play account of what has in Iraq. They have been
have become a good farmer, the intervention of bishops, Congress has allotted to the was happening. steadily retreating since the
learned how to take care of military and rebels using our Catholic Bishops Conference Seven women, university end of last year in battles
her animals, known the prices radio stations. of the Philippines. students in Kirkuk, found against Iraqi and Peshmerga
of her product and have had The media networks wide An application to renew the themselves threatened by the forces, as well as airstrikes
many friends on the airwaves. audience is not limited to franchise on these 29 stations Islamic State groups assault from the U.S-led coalition.
She goes to Mass listening Catholics. has been submitted to the on the city Friday, Oct. 21. The attack on Kirkuk left
to the radio station and The CMN network covers legislature. ISIS entered the house of some 80 people, mostly
listens to the podcasts, Bible the whole Philippines The proposed legislation our students, the girls, the security forces, dead. It was
discussions, entertainment From Abra in the north that would grant the priest reported. largely seen as an attempt
and life values, the priest to the southern tip, Jolo application extension When they heard the to distract Iraqi and Kurdish
said. and Tawi Tawi, Fr. Lucas acknowledges the importance militants coming, the women forces from the Mosul
The radio station hadnt continued. There, we have of the media network, UCA quickly darted under four offensive.
realized its influence in a Muslim manager since the News reports. It recognized beds in one of the rooms, According to the U.K.
the lives of the people who majority of the population is the bishops propagation where they remained newspaper The Guardian,
live in remote areas, where Muslim. Our radio stations of various apostolates, undiscovered for eight hours at least 30 members of ISIS
the radio was, in Fr. Lucas there are the purveyors of charitable works, value as ISIS fighters used the room were still holed up in different
words, their window to development, education, formation, good governance, as a refuge to eat, pray and parts of Kirkuk. However, the
the wide world beyond the and peaceful coexistence. and the promotion of good hide from Iraqi Army forces. assault was officially declared
mountains. Religion is respected and news of God through Catholic I was speaking with them over as of Saturday morning.
The network has also had prayers are said for all the doctrines, good values and all the time, Fr. Momika Fr. Momika explained that
an impact in more dangerous religions. good virtues. It works for said, noting how there was the seven girls were among
parts of the country. The network contracts the benefit and goodness of a strong girl who told more than 100 refugees
CMN radio stations, with government agencies the Philippines as a nation. him Father, I will continue taking university classes in
we are proud to say, are in to support climate change The bill acknowledges the speaking with you and tell Kirkuk after being driven out
areas where angels dare not management as well as Catholic bishops use of radio you all our news and what of their hometowns by the
tread, Fr. Lucas explained. disaster preparation. Its and television to report major ISIS is saying. Islamic State group in 2014.
We help the government as programs have advocated a news events including natural For the duration of their Many of the girls come from
we promote evangelization drug-free life and reported on disasters, the Peoples Power time there, the militants Mosul and other cities nearby
in trying to keep the peace. the pernicious effects of drug Revolutions of 1986 and not only ate and prayed, but such as Bartella, Alqosh and
Even during martial addiction, Fr. Lucas said. 2000, and the visit of Church used the beds to care for two Telskuf, he said. All of them
law, many of our radios The network also works to leaders to the country. of their fighters who were had studied at the University
stations became bridges in counter illegal gambling and (Kevin J. Jones/CNA) wounded. of Mosul before the invasion.
On one bed there is a lot of Although their families
blood, the priest said.
He shared with CNA some
are living inside the refugee
camps in Erbil, the girls, in
and that organizations can continue to parliament. Members of parliament are photos taken of the room addition to a number of boys,
operate in a manner that is consistent not bound to vote in its favor, but it is after the soldiers left. He wanted to continue their
with those values, he said. expected to pass. explained that when ISIS studies, but were unable to
Harts comments came after a national Speaking for the Catholic bishops, was attacked by our army attend university classes in
postal survey showed support for Archbishop Hart said the Catholic (the Iraqi Army) there were Erbil.
redefining marriage. About 61 percent Church continues to respect the two people from ISIS injured, They then enrolled at the
of Australians who participated in dignity of LGBTIQ Australians and our and ISIS put them here on University of Kirkuk. Since
the survey voted to recognize gay ministries will continue to care deeply these beds...and under the traveling back and forth
marriage, with 38 percent opposed. about the dignity and value of all people beds were the girls. everyday was dangerous,
The two-month postal survey we encounter. Fr. Momika said he was they stayed in houses the
concluded Nov. 7, with the results At the same time, he affirmed that a in constant contact with the Church had been renting in
announced Wednesday. More than 12.7 change in civil law does not change the girls, telling them not to the city, returning to Erbil on
million people, nearly 80 percent of the Catholic understanding of marriage. forget their faith, and to pray the weekends.
voting eligible population, took part in The Catholic Church, and many to the Virgin Mary, she will Fr. Momika said he is
the survey. Every Australian state and others who sought to retain the definition come to help you. happy that all of the students
territory had a majority yes vote, CNN of marriage as it has been understood for In what both the priest and escaped unharmed. Two of
reports. centuries, continues to view marriage as the girls view as a miracle, his fellow priests, Fr. George
The survey is not legally binding, a special union between a woman and a ISIS didnt see them, Fr. Jahola and another named
but the majority vote means that a man, which allows for the creation and Momika said. One of the girls Fr. Petros, who was ordained
bill recognizing same-sex unions nurture of children, he said. (CNA/ told him later that when ISIS with him Aug. 5, traveled to
as marriages will be introduced in EWTN News) entered our room, they didnt Kirkuk Saturday to pick the
see us (and) we feel that the girls up and bring them back
Virgin Mary closed their eyes to Erbil.
from seeing us. He also spoke about the
In the Philippines, farmers, response program in Marawi Forum, a platform for greater The attack on Kirkuk took liberation of his hometown,
fishermen, and children for over 3,000 affected coordination among FBOs in place amid a wider offensive Qaraqosh. The town was
(21.9 million Filipinos) are families which includes the country, especially those on the part of the Iraqi and formerly regarded as the
consistently found to be the relief distribution, capacity doing humanitarian response Kurdish armies to retake Christian capital of Iraq
poorest sectors according building, livelihood support, in Marawi. the city of Mosul, which was before the invasion in 2014
to the 2017 poverty report community organizing, and NASSA/Caritas Philippines taken by Islamic State group forced 120,000 people to
of the Philippine Statistics psycho-social intervention. is the humanitarian, forces in 2014 and declared evacuate in one night. Most of
Authority. Caritas Philippines is development and advocacy a caliphate. its residents are now living in
NASSA/Caritas Philippines also one of the convenors arm of the Catholic Bishops On Oct. 17 Iraqi Prime refugee camps in Erbil.
is currently implementing a of the Philippine FBO Conference of the Philippines. Minister Haider al-Abadi On Saturday Iraqi and
Php 14-million humanitarian (faith-based organizations) (CBCPNews) announced the ground Girls / A7
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