A3
Pope’s Letter to Bishops
on “Summorum
Pontificum”
Lagdameo reelected
CBCP prexy
THE nation’s Catholic Bishops reelected Jaro
Archbishop Angel Lagdameo as president of
the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philip-
pines (CBCP).
The vote was taken among the 85 bishops
present during the 95th Plenary Meeting of the
Bishops’ Conference held at the Pope Pius XII
Catholic Center, Manila on July 7-8, 2007.
His first two-year incumbency was expected
to be further prolonged after several bishops
earlier expressed support for his reelection.
Lagdameo / A6
Review Human
Security Act, calls
CBCP
THE CBCP has called for the review of Re-
public Act No. 9372, otherwise known as the
Human Security Act of 2007.
“Since we as pastors have to look more
into the morality of this law and make a pro-
nouncement in that level, we feel that the
atmosphere created by this law and its im-
pending implementation calls on us to ap-
peal to those concerned to review this law so
that in consultation and dialogue we may
have a law that is truly relevant in promot-
ing the security of the nation and in the pur-
suit of authentic peace,” concludes the CBCP
Pastoral Statement released after its plenary
assembly over the weekend.
The bishops cited popular calls for bring-
ing the Human Security Act to the Supreme
Court for review and “for studying and dis-
cussing further this law in its contents and
repercussions.”
Among others, “the definition of terror-
ism in Section 3 is broad and dangerous” and
as such “may serve and create a condition of
widespread panic.”
CBCP President Archbishop Angel
Lagdameo said Section 26 which “allows
house arrest despite the posting of bail, pro-
hibits the right to travel and to communicate
with others,” is definitely a cause of concern.
Lawyers and other citizens “raised up eye-
brows” on the provision for seizure of assets
in Section 39, surveillance or wiretapping of
suspects in Section 7 and investigation of bank
deposits and other assets mentioned in Sec-
tion 28, Lagdameo said further. (Melo M.
Acuna)
Papal Nuncio bids
RP goodbye
© Denz Dayao / CBCP Media
“I AM leaving but I will never abandon the
Philippines,” thus said outgoing Papal Nun-
cio to the Philippines Archbishop Fernando
Filoni as he said goodbye to Filipino prel-
ates on July 3—his 37th priesthood anniver-
sary.
Filoni assured the bishops of his prayers
and support even if he’s already serving his
new post as the Vatican’s Undersecretary of
State for General Affairs.
“I will not forget and abandon the Philip-
pines, which I’m linked for a long time,” he
said in his farewell message at the start of the
bishops’ three-day retreat held at the Pope
Pius XII Catholic Center in Manila on July 3-
6, 2007.
He told the bishops that his stay in the coun-
try was “meaningful” and will remain “un-
forgettable.”
Filoni holds the record as the papal repre-
sentative with the shortest time in service
from among the ten Apostolic Nuncios to the
Philippines appointed by the Vatican since
1899.
At his short term, Filoni was able to pro-
duce at least seven bishops—practically one
bishop every two months, since his appoint-
ment in February 2006.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the
Philippines (CBCP), meanwhile, considered
the nuncio’s new assignment as both sad and
a welcome development.
Sad, CBCP president Archbishop Angel
Lagdameo said, because Filoni is leaving the
country and good news because he will be
the third man to govern the Secretariat of the
Vatican State.
“We congratulate our Apostolic Nuncio for
his promotion and at the same time we feel
sad that his stint here with us has been very
short,” said Lagdameo.
Filoni, who is leaving on Thursday, July 5,
will formally assume his new post in the Ro-
man Curia within this month.
Pope Benedict XVI has yet to name a new
Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines.
(CBCPNews)
• A7
Vatican Secretary of
State to Visit KC
Convention
www.cbcponline.net/cbcpmonitor
Protagonist of Truth, Promoter of Peace
July 9 - 22, 2007
CBCP lauds maturing
electorate, calls for
Comelec reform
“We are grateful to the many people
who worked hard for honest and clean
elections last May 2007.” CBCP Presi-
dent and Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo
reads the CBCP Pastoral Statement on the
2007 National Elections at a press confer-
ence after the 95th Bishops’ Plenary As-
sembly held July 7-8, 2007.
Bishops welcome Pope’s Letter on Latin Mass
“WE fully welcome with respect and appreciation
the recent Apostolic Letter of Pope Benedict XVI on
the “Tridentine” Mass. It clarifies for us the status
of the Tridentine Mass in the Latin language,” said
CBCP President Archbishop Angel Lagdameo in a
statement released today.
Pope Benedict XVI issued Saturday a motu proprio
Pastoral Letter entitled “Summorum Pontificum ” say-
ing that Tridentine Mass approved by Pope John
XXII in 1962 “continues to be permissible as an ex-
traordinary form” of celebrating the Mass.
CBCP assures Italian MP
help in Bossi cause
T H E
Catholic
Bishops’
Confer-
ence of
the Phil-
ippines
(CBCP)
assured
former
Member
of Italian
Fr. Giancarlo Bossi Parlia-
m e n t
Margherita Boniver of their help to
find the missing 57-year old mission-
ary Fr. Giancarlo Bossi.
The assurance came from the CBCP
head and Jaro Archbishop Angel
Lagdameo in a telephone conversa-
tion with Ms. Boniver recently.
The foreign lawmaker also told
Lagdameo that she will call on other
officials to be appraised of the situa-
tion surrounding the Bossi’s mysteri-
ous disappearance.
Speaking to reporters, Archbishop
Lagdameo said the former Italian MP
is in town to do “research” on the ab-
duction which happened June 10 in the
town of Payao, Prelature of Ipil in
B1 B8
BEC Bigasang CINEMA
Pangkabuhayan Reviews
cbcpmonitor@cbcpworld.net
PPCRV loses patience
with Comelec
A CHURCH-BACKED poll watchdog has run
out of patience with the Commission on Elec-
tions (Comelec) over canvassing delays and fail-
ure to resolve alleged anomalies hounding the
last elections.
In a statement far strong than the previous
ones, the Parish Pastoral Council for Respon-
sible Voting (PPCRV) said that last election was
a classic picture of chaos and manifested many
citizens failure to freely and properly exercise
Vol. 11 No. 14 Php 20.00 their right to suffrage.
PPCRV / A6
By Melo M. Acuna
IN a Pastoral Statement issued after its 95th Plenary
Assembly held July 7-8, the CBCP acknowledged
notable signs of maturity among the electorate.
“There were signs of increased maturity among
the electorate as the election results demonstrated
that sheer popularity/celebrity status and huge
media expenditures, do not necessarily translate to
election victory” said the statement which was read
by CBCP President and Jaro (Iloilo) Archbishop
Angel N. Lagdameo at a press conference.
It was seen as partly the result of voters’ educa-
tion done by citizens’ groups including church-
based organizations.
Electoral reforms
The same statement, however, strongly called
for electoral reforms beginning with a full revamp
of the Commission on Elections “with the appoint-
ment of a new chair and commissioners with un-
questioned integrity and competence, especially in
systems and management.”
Pointing out the need for “serious efforts to de-
politicize and professionalize the bureaucracy,”
CBCP said the government should hold people re-
sponsible for anomalies in past elections and be
made accountable to the people while taking note,
on the other hand, that “good career people in the
Comelec can be the catalyst for the renewal of the
institution.”
© JP Acuña / CBCP Media CBCP / A6
In the same statement, Lagdameo said that the forbidden and abrogated but should be celebrated
mass being practiced today by Catholics through- by priests of the Latin Rite only in private masses,
out the world is the “new mass” which was intro- in conventual or community celebrations, or in
duced after the Second Vatican Council and ap- parishes when requested by the faithful but under
proved by Pope Paul VI in 1970, which has become the guidance of the local bishop.
the ordinary form of the mass and more popular Lagdameo further said that permission by Pope
among the people because it allows the use of some Benedict to celebrate the Tridentine mass is given
approved adaptations, including the use of popu- on condition that it should follow the formula of
lar languages and dialects. the Council of Trent.
Supporting the Pope’ Pastoral Letter, Lagdameo But new priests, he said, will require formation
stressed that the Tridentine mass has never been before celebrating the Latin mass. (CBCPNews)
Pope
names new
Ipil bishop
Zamboanga, Sibugay province.
Msgr. Julius
Sullan Tonel
“I assured the Italian lawmaker that
Davao Archbishop Fernando Capalla, a THE Holy Father, Pope has a licentiate degree in Litur-
key-figure in the Bishops-Ulama Forum, Benedict XVI appointed Msgr. gical Theology at the Pontifical
is working with his Muslim counterparts Julius Sullan Tonel as the new Institute of Sacred Liturgy in
to help resolve the abduction.” Bishop-Prelate of Ipil. Rome.
The first Italian missionary held hos- The Apostolic Nuncio to the He served the Archdiocese of
tage by Muslim insurgents, 63-year old Philippines Archbishop Davao in various capacities,
Fr. Lucianno Benedetti, PIME, said he ap- Fernando Filoni, in a statement from assistant parish priest to
preciates the Italian government’s efforts released to the CBCP Media Of- Director of the Archdiocese of
to find out what’s happening in the fice said Msgr. Tonel’s appoint- Davao’s Family Apostolate,
southern Philippines. ment was published in Rome Prefect of Discipline and later
Benedetti, now assigned in the Diocese at 12:00 Noon or 6:00 P.M., Ma- on Rector of the College Semi-
of San Jose de Antique in Central Philip- nila time on July 1. nary and the Regional Major
pines but has been in Zamboanga City Msgr. Tonel, born on August Seminary both in Davao City,
for the past few days said “the Italian 31, 1956 to Filipino Sullan and and has been Vicar General
government has taken the Bossi kidnap- Primitivo E. Tonel in Davao since 2002.
ping seriously.” City, was parish priest of San The newly appointed
Fr Benedetti said they are expecting MP Pablo Parish and Vicar General Bishop-Prelate of Ipil will have
Boniver in Zamboanga over the week- of the Archdiocese of Davao Episcopal jurisdiction over 16
end. until his appointment. towns of Zamboanga-Sibugay
“The political opposition in Italy had He was ordained to the and three other towns from
a well-attended demonstration and said priesthood on April 12, 1980 at Zamboanga del Sur.
the administration has not done enough Sta. Ana Parish, Davao City. No date has been set for his
to help Fr. Giancarlo Bossi,” Benedetti He studied high school and ordination to the episcopate and
said. Philosophy at the San Francis installation at the Prelature of
Asked if they at the Pontifical Institute Xavier Minor Seminary and Ipil where PIME missionary
for Foreign Mission (PIME) appreciates Theology at the Central Semi- Giancarlo Bossi was abducted
the gesture of MP Boniver, Benedetti nary of the University of Sto. by unidentified armed men last
said, “we do express our thanks.” (Melo Tomas in Manila. June 10, Feast of the Corpus
Acuña) The newly appointed bishop Christi. (Melo Acuña)

A2
New Vatican document
will reaffirm Church role
VATICAN, July 7, 2007—The
Vatican will soon release a new
doctrinal document, addressing
the unique role of the Catholic
Church in God’s plan for salva-
tion, according to informed
sources in Rome.
The Vatican press office con-
firmed on July 7 that the docu-
ment, providing “answers to
questions regarding some aspects
of doctrine on the Church,” will
appear on July 10.
The new document, to be re-
leased from the Congregation for
the Doctrine of the Faith, will
address questions about the
teaching of the Second Vatican
Indian Church welcomes
return to Tridentine Mass
MUMBAI, India, July 9, 2007—
The Indian Church has expressed
its satisfaction and hope that it
“can take care of the pastoral
needs of the community” follow-
ing Benedict XVI’s Motu Proprio
Summorum Pontificum released
Pope encourages fight
against corruption
VATICAN CITY, July 6, 2007—
Every Christian should work to
fight political and economic
corruption, above all the laity
involved in public life, said
Benedict XVI.
The Holy Father made these
remarks condemning the
“subtle and widespread blight”
of corruption Thursday when
receiving the bishops of the Do-
minican Republic in audience,
in Rome for their five-yearly
visit.
The Pope explained that the
mission of the laity is “the es-
tablishment of the temporal or-
der, and to act in a direct and
concrete way, guided by the
light of the Gospel and by the
Church’s teaching, and inspired
by Christian love.”
“For this reason,” he said, “it
is necessary to ensure that lay
people receive adequate reli-
gious formation, so as to enable
them to face the numerous chal-
lenges of modern society.”
“It is their task to promote hu-
man and Christian values that
illuminate the political, eco-
nomic and cultural life of the
country, with the aim of insti-
tuting a more just and more eq-
uitable social order, in accor-
dance with the social doctrine
of the Church,” said Benedict
XVI.
“In accordance with ethical
Weak support for Motu
Proprio among French
Catholics
PARIS, France, Paris, July 9,
2007—A survey by the French
magazine Pelerin found that 23%
of respondents, including 29% of
self-declared practicing Catholics,
support the papal motu proprio al-
lowing wider use of the 1962 Ro-
man Missal.
Those most likely to support
Council, in Lumen Gentium, that
the Church founded by Christ
“subsists in the Catholic
Church.”
Questions about how the true
Church “subsists” in the Catho-
lic Church have drawn a series of
answers from the Vatican—most
recently the declaration Dominus
Iesus, which was released in 2000
with the approval of Pope John
Paul II and signed by then-Car-
dinal Joseph Ratzinger.
The document to be released
on July 10 will repeat and rein-
force the fundamental message
of Dominus Iesus that the Church
founded by Jesus Christ exists
last Saturday.
In it the Pope announces that
the Catholic Church will allow
the use of the so-called Tridentine
Mass in the form approved by
John XXIII in 1962. The Motu
Proprio is promulgated with an
and moral norms,” the Holy Fa-
ther said the laity “must provide
an example of honesty and
transparency in the manage-
ment of public affairs, in the face
of the unseen and widespread
blight of corruption, which at
times touches areas of political
and economic power, as well as
other spheres of public and so-
cial life.”
“The laity,” he continued,
“must be the leaven of society,
working in public life to illu-
minate the different arenas in
which the identity of a people
is forged with Gospel values.”
In their daily lives, he said,
“they must witness how the
Christian faith is the only fully
valid response to the problems
and expectations facing every
person in every society.”
Benedict XVI warned of the
dangers of Catholics who live
“two parallel lives: on one hand
the so-called spiritual life, with
its values and its needs; on the
other hand, the so-called
worldly life, which is family
life, work, social relationships,
political and cultural commit-
ment.”
“On the contrary,” the Holy
Father said, “they must work so
that their lives and their faith
become an eloquent witness of
the truth of the Christian mes-
sage.” (Zenit)
the return of the Mass of Blessed
John XXIII are Catholics over the
age of 65 and those who support
center-right political parties.
Against the celebration of the
extraordinary form of the Mass
are 45% of respondents and 65%
of self-declared practicing Catho-
lics. (CWNews)
World News
fully in the Catholic Church
alone.
The document will critique
the notion that other reli-
gious bodies may also repre-
sent the Church founded by
Christ, and caution against
the “ecclesial relativism” that
Pope Benedict has criticized
in the past.
The Congregation for the
Doctrine of the Faith will re-
lease the document on July
10, reports indicate. The plan
for release of the document
has not yet been confirmed
by the Vatican.
(CWNews.com)
explicit reference to reconcilia-
tion and the ecclesial unity that
was broken by the schism caused
Msgr. Marcel Lefebvre and his
traditionalists.
According to Msgr. Oswald
Gracias, archbishop of Mumbai,
the Motu Proprio will “have two
important purposes.” “One very
important purpose will be to re-
new and enrich the liturgy, re-
claiming the liturgical form that
existed before the Council, which
is a great heritage in the history
of the church,” said the prelate
who is also an expert in Canon
Law.
“The Motu Proprio is a sign that
the Holy Father wants to make
available to the Church all the
treasures of the Latin liturgy that
have for centuries nourished the
spiritual life of so many genera-
tions of Catholic faithful.”
“Secondly,” he explained, “it
is a response to the pastoral needs
Pope prays daily for
Father Bossi
LORENZAGO DI CADORE,
Italy, July 9, 2007—Benedict
XVI thinks daily about the
missionary priest kidnapped
in the Philippines, he said to
journalists as he began his
summer vacation in the Alps
of northern Italy.
The Pope arrived today to
Lorenzo di Cadore, where he
will be on vacation until July
27.
“My thoughts turn each day
to Father Bossi,” the Holy Fa-
ther said to the press who
awaited his arrival. He af-
firmed that he has been up-
dated with the progress of the
investigation into the kidnap-
ping.
The Holy Father said, “We
hope and pray that the Lord helps
us,” the Italian bishops’ SIR news
agency reported.
Tuesday marks one month
since the disappearance of Italian
Father Giancarlo Bossi, a priest of
the Pontifical Institute for Foreign
Missions, who was working in the
Philippines. An international day
of prayer will be held that day for
his safe return.
The Pontiff has shown his con-
BEIJING, China, July 3, 2007—
The Letter of Benedict XVI to the
clergy and the faithful of the
People’s Republic of China has
disappeared from Catholic
websites which featured it after
its publication. In China, it is im-
China letter a new
beginning, says aide
VATICAN CITY, JULY 9, 2007—
Benedict XVI’s recent letter to
Catholics in China “is a sign of a
new beginning” for Vatican-
China relations, says a spokes-
man of the Holy See.
In an editorial on the most re-
cent broadcast of the show “Octava
Dies,” Jesuit Father Federico
Lombardi, director of the Vatican
press office, commented on the
Pope’s letter to Catholics in
China, which was signed May 27
and released June 30.
© Alessandra Benedetti/Corbis
The Vatican spokesman said
that effects of the message will
be seen in time and that it “could
not have been more clear, nor
better expressed in the frame-
work of a profound presentation
of the nature and mission of the
Church.”
“In his remarks to the Chinese
authorities,” said the Jesuit priest,
“the Pope’s serenity and respect
stand out, though not negating
the objective problems.”
Father Lombardi said the Holy
Father’s “words were not accusa-
tory, but rather intent toward a
of the faithful. In Mumbai, Car-
Aid to the Church in
dinal Ivan Dias (Gracias’ prede-
cessor) had shown much pasto-
ral sensitivity in allowing the
Need raises 81 million
Tridentine Mass. However, there
may be practical challenges since
there are not that many priests
euros for 137 countries
who know Latin.”
On the long run, such an ob-
stacle should be overcome. “In
the Archdiocesan Seminary,
Latin had already been reintro-
duced and is being taught; not
because of the Motu Proprio, but
because knowledge of Latin is
essential and important for Eccle-
siastical Studies,” Archbishop
Gracias said.
Finally, he announced that he
would “inform the priests and
faithful of this Motu Proprio” and
“would exercise pastoral sensi-
tivity in explaining and imple-
menting it in the appropriate
way.” (Nirmala Carvalho /
AsiaNews)
Fr Werenfried Van Straaten, founder of Aid to the Church in Need
ROME, July 6, 2007—”It has been
a good year, in fact, it has been
one of the best in the 60 years of
the history of our work,” said
the international president of
Aid to the Church in Need.
Hans-Peter Röthlin was
speaking during the presenta-
tion of the organization’s work
in 2006, thanking benefactors
from the 17 countries where it
is present through national sec-
retariats. Overall donations
throughout the year reached a
total of 81 million euros, which
were all given to churches hin-
dered in their mission or threat-
ened by persecution or by pov-
erty.
With 5,089 projects in 137
countries, ACN takes first place
worldwide among those asso-
ciations that support the pasto-
ral ministry of the Church.
Fr. Giancarlo Bossi
More than 1.5 million Mass in-
cern for the priest on various oc- tentions were distributed to
casions, AsiaNews reported. He needy priests and more than
requested information from 16,500 seminarians were helped
Archbishop Romulo Valles of in their studies of formation for
Zamboanga, Philippines, when the priesthood, so that they may
the latter was in Rome on June 29 become well prepared priests,
for the ceremony of the bestow- truly anchored in the faith.
ing of the pallium. A significant portion of aid
Benedict XVI had earlier spo- went to cloistered monasteries:
ken with a priest of the Pontifical 180 were supported, including
Institute for Foreign Missions, 100 in Eastern Europe. Among
who asked him for a special other spheres, there was the
blessing for Father Bossi. The construction and upkeep of
Pope offered him “not only a churches, chapels, convents and
blessing, but a constant presence seminarians (29.8%), the supply
in my prayers.” (Zenit) of means of transport to mis-
Beijing removes Papal
letter to Chinese
Church from web
nese as soon as it was published,
but they received a visit from
© Liu Liqun/CORBIS
government representatives who
“convinced” them to remove it.
According to one priest,
anonymous for security reasons,
this ban “shows how true what
the Pope wrote about govern-
possible to open the Internet site ment influence in religious affairs
of the Holy See. is”. At the same time, it “shows
This was confirmed by Chinese that the Church in China does not
priests and lay people, official enjoy full religious freedom”.
and otherwise, who manage the And yet, in an interview prior
various portals. Some had up- to the publication of the letter,
loaded the test in simplified Chi- the vice-president of the Patriotic
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 11 No. 14
July 9 - 22, 2007
future of reciprocal understand-
ing, in distinguishing plans and
in speaking about political and
religious responsibilities.”
Recalling the life and work of
Father Matteo Ricci, “the
founder—one could rightly say—
of the modern history of Chris-
tianity in China,” the Vatican
spokesman said that the relation-
ship between the Church and
China is one that has existed for
centuries.
“We need to recall,” he contin-
ued, “that a meeting—positive
and disinterested—between the
Chinese culture and the procla-
mation of the Gospel has already
taken place. …We strongly desire
and hope that this will be re-
peated.”
Father Lombardi added that
“the Church trusts that it will find
itself in China as fully Chinese
and fully Catholic; or rather fully
Chinese, because it is fully
Catholic, that is to say universal,
able to be itself and to serve the
Gospel within every people, race
and culture.” (Zenit)
sionaries (5.1%), and support to
the mass media of Christian in-
spiration (3.2%).
Specific initiatives focused on
religious literature (4%), first
and foremost through the dis-
semination of bibles and cat-
echism books, including the “I
Believe” and “God speaks to His
children”, the latter having been
translated and disseminated
since 1978 to the tune of about
45 million copies.
In 2006, another million cop-
ies were printed, including tens
of thousands translated in seven
local languages of India and in
the pidgin dialect for Catholics
in Papua New Guinea. Turkish
is one of the new languages into
which the “I Believe” was trans-
lated and 10,000 copies were
printed and disseminated.
In areas where the Church is
experiencing a serious crisis
due to violations of religious
freedom by governments or ma-
jority religions, ACN inter-
vened through hundreds of
projects aimed at supporting the
Church in China (872,589 euros),
in Venezuela (212,974 euros), in
Myanmar (696,351 euros), in
Cuba (1,075,148 euros), in Viet-
nam (857,001 euros), in Turkey
(181,956 euros), in India
(4,421,801 euros), in Indonesia
(492,735 euros), in Iraq (131,629
euros), in Nigeria (836,484 eu-
ros) and in Pakistan (498,637
euros). (AsiaNews)
Association of Chinese Catholics,
Liu Bainian, said that the AP
“would not distribute the Letter
among the faithful; it could be
easily downloaded from the
Internet.”
Anyhow, the papal letter
reached the Chinese Catholic
community: sources of AsiaNews
in the country said it was sent by
fax or delivered by hand, or else
downloaded from the Internet
thanks to decoy websites which
managed to elude government
censorship. (AsiaNews)
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 11 No. 14
July 9 - 22, 2007
Decrees allow for
canonization of 2
religious
VATICAN CITY, JULY 6, 2007—
Benedict XVI authorized the
promulgation of the decrees
that will open the path to can-
onization for two founders of
religious institutes.
The Pope signed the decrees
today upon receiving in audi-
ence Cardinal José Saraiva Mar-
tins, prefect of the Congrega-
tion for Saints’ Causes.
The Holy Father also autho-
rized the promulgation of the
decree of martyrdom for a
group who died for their faith
in Italy some 527 years ago.
He signed as well the decrees
that attribute miracles to, or at-
test to the heroic virtue of, sev-
eral candidates for beatification.
Below is the list distributed
by the Vatican press office.
Miracles
• Blessed Gaetano Errico, Italian
priest and founder of the Con-
gregation of the Missionaries
of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus
and Mary (1791-1860).
• Blessed Maria Bernarda Butler
(born Verena), Swiss founder
of the Congregation of the
Missionary Franciscan Sisters
of Mary Help of Christians
(1848-1924).
• Servant of God Maria Rosa
Flesch (born Margherita), Ger-
man founder of the Congrega-
tion of the Franciscan Sisters
of Saint Mary of the Angels
(1826- 1906).
• Servant of God Candelaria de
San Jose (born Susana Paz
Castillo Ramirez), Venezuelan
religious and founder of the
Congregation of the Carmelite
Sisters of the Third Regular
Order of Venezuela (1863-
1940).
• Servant of God Marta Maria
Wiecka, Polish professed sister
of the Daughters of Charity of
St. Vincent de Paul (1874-1904).
• Servant of God Giuseppina
Nicoli, Italian sister of the So-
ciety of the Daughters of Char-
Pope’s letter to bishops on “Summorum Pontificum”
VATICAN CITY, July 7,
2007—Given below is the text
of the English-language ver-
sion of Benedict XVI’s Letter
to all the bishops of the world
concerning his Motu Proprio
“Summorum Pontificum,”
which was published today:
“With great trust and hope,
I am consigning to you as pas-
tors the text of a new Apos-
tolic Letter ‘Motu Proprio
data’ on the use of the Roman
liturgy prior to the reform of
1970. The document is the
fruit of much reflection, nu-
merous consultations and
prayer.
“News reports and judg-
ments made without suffi-
cient information have cre-
ated no little confusion. There
have been very divergent re-
actions ranging from joyful
acceptance to harsh opposi-
tion, about a plan whose con-
tents were in reality un-
known.
“This document was most
directly opposed on account
of two fears, which I would
like to address somewhat
more closely in this letter.
“In the first place, there is
the fear that the document
detracts from the authority of
the Second Vatican Council,
one of whose essential deci-
sions - the liturgical reform—
is being called into question.
“This fear is unfounded. In
this regard, it must first be
said that the Missal published
by Paul VI and then repub-
lished in two subsequent edi-
tions by John Paul II, obvi-
ously is and continues to be
the normal form—the ‘Forma
ordinaria’—of the Eucharistic
liturgy. The last version of the
‘Missale Romanum’ prior to
the Council, which was pub-
lished with the authority of
Pope John XXIII in 1962 and
used during the Council, will
now be able to be used as a
‘Forma extraordinaria’ of the
liturgical celebration. It is not
appropriate to speak of these
News Features
ity (1863-1924).
• Servant of God Ceferino
Namuncura, Argentinean lay-
man, student of the Society of
St. Francis of Sales (1886-
1905).
Martyrdom
• Blesseds Antonio Primaldo and
lay companions, killed in
Otranto, Italy, on Aug. 13,
1480.
Heroic virtues
• Servant of God Marco Anto-
nio Barbarigo, Italian cardinal
of Holy Roman Church and
bishop of Montefiascone and
Corneto (1640-1706).
• Servant of God Luca Prassi,
Italian diocesan priest and
founder of the Institute of Sis-
ters of St. Dorothy (1789-
1866).
• Servant of God Ignacia of the
Holy Spirit, Filipino founder of
the Congregation of Sisters of
the Blessed Virgin Mary
(1663-1748).
• Servant of God Maria
Leopoldina Naudet, Italian
founder of the Congregation
of Sisters of the Holy Family
of Verona (1773-1834).
• Servant of God Santina di Gesu
Scribano (born Emaneula
Giovanna), Italian professed
religious of the Institute of
Sisters of the Sacred Heart
(1917- 1968).
• Servant of God Emilia
Schneider (born Julia) German
professed sister of the Con-
gregation of Sisters of the
Holy Cross (1820-1859).
• Servant of God Jerome Le
Royer de la Dauversiere,
French layman and founder of
the Institute of the Daughters
of St. Joseph of La Fleche,
now the Hospitaller Sisters of
St. Joseph (1597-1659).
• Servant of God Hildegard
Burjan, German laywoman and
founder of the Sisters of So-
cial Charity (1883-1933).
(Zenit)
two versions of the Roman Mis-
sal as if they were ‘two rites.’
Rather, it is a matter of a two-
fold use of one and the same rite.
“As for the use of the 1962 Mis-
sal as a ‘Forma extraordinaria’
of the liturgy of the Mass, I
would like to draw attention to
the fact that this Missal was
never juridically
abrogated and,
consequently, in
principle, was al-
ways permitted.
At the time of the
introduction of
the new Missal, it
did not seem nec-
essary to issue
specific norms for
the possible use
of the earlier Mis-
sal. Probably it
was thought that
it would be a mat-
ter of a few indi-
vidual cases
which would be
resolved, case by
case, on the local
level. Afterwards,
however, it soon
became apparent
that a good num-
ber of people re-
mained strongly
attached to this
usage of the Ro-
“I entrust these norms to the powerful intercession of
man Rite, which
had been familiar Mary, Mother of the Church, and I cordially impart
to them from
childhood. This my apostolic blessing to you, dear Brothers, to the
was especially the
case in countries parish priests of your dioceses, and to all the priests,
where the liturgi-
cal movement your co-workers, as well as to all your faithful.”
had provided
many people with
a notable liturgical formation
and a deep, personal familiarity
with the earlier Form of the li-
turgical celebration. We all
know that, in the movement led
by Archbishop Lefebvre, fidel-
ity to the old Missal became an
external mark of identity; the
reasons for the break which
arose over this, however, were
at a deeper level. Many people
A3
© Denz Dayao / CBCP Media
Pope Benedict offers
prayers for CBCP Plenary
Assembly
MANILA, July 7, 2007—Pope Benedict X VI the Holy Spirit “to strengthen the Bishops Pontiff for a message for the Bishops’ con-
has offered prayers for the bishops in the in their resolve to renew their mission and ference.
just concluded plenary assembly of the responsibility as Pastors.” Held at Pope Pius XII last July 7-8, the
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Phil- The Holy Father encourages the bishops 95th plenary assembly was preceded by a
ippines (CBCP), at the same time encour- to continue preaching the gospel “in a man- three-day retreat reflecting on the theme
aging them to remain relevant and respon- ner relevant to the needs of the times, teach- “The Word of God in the Life and Ministry of
sive to the signs of the times. ing the faithful themselves to defend and the Bishop”. The topic was in line with the
In a message relayed through the spread the saving message of our Lord Jesus theme of the XII General Assembly of the
Nunciature, Vatican Secretary of State Car- Christ.” Synod of Bishops to be held in the Vatican
dinal Tarcisio Bertone conveyed to CBCP Lagdameo, earlier sent a letter to the on October 5-26, 2008.
President Most Rev. Angel Lagdameo, the Holy Father thanking him for his prayers The Conference elected its delegates for
pope’s best wishes and prayers for a fruitful and concern on the situation of the coun- the XII General Assembly of Synod of Bish-
deliberations of the 95 th Plenary Assembly. try. Likewise, in view of the forthcoming ops during the plenary assembly. (Pinky
Bertone said the Holy Father prays for plenary assembly, Lagdameo asked the Barrientos, FSP)
who clearly accepted the bind- trary deformations of the liturgy and sought to heal a wound ex- of the 1962 Missal would lead
ing character of the Second caused deep pain to individuals perienced ever more painfully. to disarray or even divisions
Vatican Council, and were faith- totally rooted in the faith of the Unfortunately this reconciliation within parish communities.
ful to the Pope and the bishops, Church. has not yet come about. None- This fear also strikes me as
nonetheless also desired to re- “Pope John Paul II thus felt theless, a number of communi- quite unfounded. The use of
cover the form of the sacred lit- obliged to provide, in his Motu ties have gratefully made use of the old Missal presupposes a
urgy that was dear to them. This Proprio ‘Ecclesia Dei’ (July 2, the possibilities provided by the certain degree of liturgical
occurred above all because in 1988), guidelines for the use of Motu Proprio. On the other hand, formation and some knowl-
many places celebrations were the 1962 Missal; that document, difficulties remain concerning the edge of the Latin language;
use of the 1962 Mis- neither of these is found very
sal outside of these often. Already from these
groups, because of concrete presuppositions, it is
the lack of precise clearly seen that the new Mis-
juridical norms, sal will certainly remain the
particularly be- ordinary form of the Roman
cause bishops, in Rite, not only on account of
such cases, fre- the juridical norms, but also
quently feared that because of the actual situation
the authority of of the communities of the
the Council would faithful.
be called into ques- “It is true that there have
tion. Immediately been exaggerations and at
after the Second times social aspects unduly
Vatican Council it linked to the attitude of the
was presumed that faithful attached to the ancient
requests for the use Latin liturgical tradition.
© Alessandra Benedetti/Corbis
of the 1962 Missal Your charity and pastoral
would be limited prudence will be an incentive
to the older gen- and guide for improving
eration which had these. For that matter, the two
grown up with it, Forms of the usage of the Ro-
but in the mean- man Rite can be mutually en-
time it has clearly riching: new Saints and some
been demonstrated of the new Prefaces can and
that young persons should be inserted in the old
too have discov- Missal. The ‘Ecclesia Dei’
ered this liturgical
form, felt its attrac-
Commission, in contact with
various bodies devoted to the
tion and found in it
a form of encoun-
‘usus antiquior,’ will study
the practical possibilities in
ter with the Mys-
tery of the Most
this regard. The celebration of
the Mass according to the
Holy Eucharist,
particularly suited
Missal of Paul VI will be able
to demonstrate, more power-
to them. Thus the
need has arisen for
fully than has been the case
hitherto, the sacrality which
a clearer juridical attracts many people to the
regulation which former usage. The most sure
not faithful to the prescriptions however, did not contain detailed had not been foreseen at the time guarantee that the Missal of
of the new Missal, but the latter prescriptions but appealed in a of the 1988 Motu Proprio. The Paul VI can unite parish com-
actually was understood as au- general way to the generous re- present norms are also meant to munities and be loved by
thorizing or even requiring cre- sponse of bishops towards the ‘le- free bishops from constantly hav- them consists in its being cel-
ativity, which frequently led to gitimate aspirations’ of those ing to evaluate anew how they ebrated with great reverence
deformations of the liturgy members of the faithful who re- are to respond to various situa- in harmony with the liturgi-
which were hard to bear. I am quested this usage of the Roman tions. cal directives. This will bring
speaking from experience, since Rite. At the time, the Pope pri- “In the second place, the fear out the spiritual richness and
I too lived through that period marily wanted to assist the Soci- was expressed in discussions the theological depth of this
with all its hopes and its confu- ety of St. Pius X to recover full about the awaited Motu Proprio, Missal.
sion. And I have seen how arbi- unity with the Successor of Peter, that the possibility of a wider use Pope’s / A7

A4
EDITORIAL
The Gains of May 2007
Elections
THAT there was an election in May this year, was an achievement
in itself, says the latest CBCP Pastoral Statement on the 2007
National Elections. In December last year, the popular belief
was that no election was going to happen again given the
scenario that Congress was to shanghai the changing of the
Charter in broad daylight by way of a Constituent Assembly.
We still remember the conspiratorial night of December 5 last
year when the members of the Lower House debated for 12
hours of shouting but ending up with the intended script of
converting the honorable representatives into a self-serving
CON-ASS. This has prompted CBCP President Archbishop
Lagdameo to issue an immediate statement the following morning
saying, “We believe that the changing of House Rules for
Congressmen of the Administration to convert themselves into
a CON-ASS is fraudulently illegitimate and scandalously
immoral.”
Although some bishops did not take the Lagdameo statement
with a sugar-coating, that was like a half-hazard crossing the
Rubicon when shortly after its release he organized a big rally
at the Quirino Grandstand which sent shivers to the corridors
of power that, albeit unexpectedly, chickened out even before
the popular protest was convened.
It has paved the way for the May 2007 Elections. And it has
proven that truth is a moral force so much stronger than the
buyout of influence and loyalty that is normally sealed with
huge finances, suspiciously perceived to be oozing from gambling
or particularly jueteng, if you may.
The May 2007 elections, despite the habitual irregularities in the
process and administration, “maybe said to have been a qualified
success with the results generally reflecting the popular will,”
or so said the CBCP Pastoral Statement. Let it not be laid to
waste.
Anti-Terrorism Law
THE high costs of terrorism to civilization and democracy are
too much to bear. Lives are wasted. Fear is disseminated.
Barbaric elements come to rule. Freedom, justice and
development are trampled upon. No cause, no reason can ever
justify any terroristic act.
Terrorists have no place among decent people; have no reason
for being in equitable society. Any democratic country by itself
or in collaboration with other sovereign nations has not only all
the right but also the grave obligation to defend itself from
terrorism and to liberate citizens from terrorists.
The carefully chosen title of “Human Security Act” appended
to the anti-terrorism law is not without reason. More than just
a euphemistic recourse, the law is fundamentally in favor of
securing human dignity, human life and human rights. In other
words, the substance and spirit of the law or the act are rather
much commendable.
But why are many sectors of society openly and strongly
questioning the nature, the timing and intent of the anti-
terrorism provision? Why are several civil organizations and
citizens’ movements, deeply worried if not actually fearful of the
security enactment?
The question is not really the law. The problem is its
implementation. The issue is its execution more than the
legislation. The present administration is not exactly known for
the protection, much less the promotion of human rights. In
effect, the executive department appears either reluctant if not
incapable of preventing downright extrajudicial killings and
abductions.
In the hands of a much insecure administration or a very
suspicious executive department, the anti-terrorism law becomes
dangerous. This is when a “human security act” could easily
become inhuman, could readily make citizens insecure in
exercising their civil liberties.
Thus it is that the anti-terrorism law or the security act can
become not only odious but also treacherous when partisan
politics are made reference factors in its implementation by the
executive department. This is exactly the case when something
basically good is used to achieve something radically evil.
ISSN 1908-2940
CBCP Monitor
P r o ta g o n i s t of Tr u t h , Promoter of
Pedro C. Quitorio
Editor-in-Chief
Pinky Barrientos, FSP Kris P. Bayos
Associate Editor Feature Editor
Melo M. Acuña Rowena T. Dalanon
Managing Editor Marketing Supervisor
Dennis B. Dayao
Ernani M. Ramos
On-Line Editor Circulation Manager
Roy Q. Lagarde Marcelita Dominguez
News Editor Comptroller
The CBCP Monitor is published fortnightly by the CBCP
Communications Development Foundation, Inc., with
editorial and business of fices at 470 Gen. Luna St.,
Intramuros, Manila. P.O. Box 3601, 1076 MCPO.
Editorial: (063) 404-2182. Business: (063)404-1612.
Email: cbcpmonitor@cbcpworld.net
Website: www.cbcpworld.net/cbcpmonitor
Opinion
Bp. Leonardo Y. Medroso, JCD, DD
Tidbits
IN the six months of my stay in the Diocese
of Tagbilaran, I have seen and savored the
beauty of creation that is Bohol and the
grandeur of human ingenuity as expressed
by the many antique Churches spread out
in several parishes of the province. It is no
wonder that thousands of foreigners as well
as local tourists come in droves to this place
through cars, planes, and fast crafts. This
experience caught me off balance, a bit
puzzled of what to do with this overwhelm-
ing phenomenon. I know that the great in-
flux of visitors bespeaks of the greatness of
the place, but as a religious leader I have to
contend with religious questions that come
with the issue at bar.
For one how will tourism affect the reli-
gious sensitivity and culture of our people?
These old yet stately Churches have been
there for centuries to receive and serve the
native congregation that has been for years
“of one heart and one soul,” worshipping
the God whom they have known as their
Provider and Savior and serving one an-
other as an expression of their awareness as
one Christian community. It has been out
of these Churches, complete with intricate
works of art in images, signs and symbols
for evangelization, liturgy and devotion,
that a culture which is typically Boholano
was born and has developed and matured.
Now these same Churches are frequented
by tourists and other individuals whose in-
terest are far from being inserted into the
religious life of the native folks. Can a
World Heritage Church be adapted to a
mixed congregation of worshipers? How
can it meet the needs of both the local com-
munity and the amorphous group of tour-
ists and visitors?
Faced with such realities, I have to dig
deep into the accepted teaching of the
Unjust Structures in
Our Island Nation
UNJUST structures—what are they? In
Church language this refers to weak areas of
political governance that adversely affect the
common good, the community, and the
world of the laity. Papal encyclicals and ex-
hortations guide the faithful on questions of
morals on these subjects. Catholics all over
the world study Papal encyclicals and exhor-
tations as soon as they are released by a se-
Peace
ries of symposia, publication of books, en-
lightenment of the faithful during Sunday
mass sermons.
The Church is doing its part—spreading
the moral teachings that analyzes the ills of
society attributed by political structures that
militate against the common good. How do
nations and their citizens concerned go about
implementing these Church teachings and
the correction of unjust structures?
Here lies the root of the problem – dirty
politics. The structure of politics in this coun-
try is undeniably the cross that the Philip-
pines carry heavily. Consider the buying of
votes, cheating by “dagdag-bawas” and the
Maguindanao classic violation of Comelec
rules by Comelec officials themselves in the
canvassing of votes—this is worse than the
social cancer of Rizal’s time. In the
Maguidanao situation as in many other ar-
Layout by Denz Dayao
eas ruled by a political dynasty, politicians
run for office as a means to gain power and
the pork barrel that accompanies it. This
eventually results not only in non-transpar-
ent governance but outright corruption. In
other words these politicians are the assign-
The Local Community, the
Tourists and the Works of Art
Church on religious iconography and the
discipline that it has established to regulate
the proper actions related to the Churches
and works of art. Here I come across the
traditional teaching that the patrimony of
the Church is profoundly connected with
the truths of faith. Through the years these
works of art have served the mission of the
particular Church to come up with a re-
sponse to the deep religious longing of man
for the transcendent, to provide the contem-
porary individual with the tool to experi-
ence more vividly the religious wonder at
the beauty and wisdom captured in images,
lines, and hues. Faith after all has that in-
nate power “to express itself in artistic forms
and historical witness that have an intrinsic
evangelizing force and cultural valence be-
fore which the Church is called to pay her
maximum attention” (cf. John Paul II, Motu
Proprio “Inde a Pontificatus Nostri initio ,
March 25, 1993).
Liturgy is the formal expression of this
faith. It is the official worship of the Com-
munity that is formed by this faith, the
stance of the People of God in its attempt to
reach out to the Infinite whose nature is
Truth and Beauty. As such it has to be ar-
ticulated with beautiful signs and symbols.
With the purpose of drawing the worship-
ers’ mind and heart to God, liturgy has to
make use of what is refined and artistic. They
should be fitting expressions of the
congregation’s faith. They are not mere ad-
ditives or decors, but essential language of
the soul in contact with the Creator. Origi-
nally they ooze out from a lowly man in
contemplation with the divine, from an
artist’s encounter with God in prayer, from
a contemplative’s intense gazing with the
God made visible.
Of course, God is so transcendent and
Jose B. Lugay
able cause for the Philippines rating as No. 1
in graft and corruption in Asia.
Foreigners know the Philippines as an is-
land nation archipelago, famous for its
beaches. It is also known as the only Catho-
lic nation in Asia. With what foreigners know
about graft and corruption and the bureau-
cracy in government offices to secure per-
mits, licenses and the registration of new
businesses, they wonder about this di-
chotomy—our people’s belief in Catholic
moral teachings and our political way of life.
We should ask ourselves why are our
country’s political, social and economic struc-
tures not serving the common good, the sanc-
tity of human life, nor educating every child
adequately to get a job and become a good
citizen of this country? Is the Philippine
Church up to the challenge to transform so-
ciety towards achieving the correction of
unjust structures? Our bishops have not been
remiss in reminding us periodically about
the social issues that confront us.
Exactly one year ago, during the Year of
Social Concerns, the President of CBCP, Arch-
bishop Angel N. Lagdameo in his Indepen-
dence Day message, “LIBERATING OUR
COUNTRY FROM UNFREEDOMS” ex-
pressed the same words that apply to the situ-
ation today as follows:
“Civil society is moving on with a grow-
ing social consciousness for what is truly
good and just for the nation. We recall what
Benedict XVI in Deus Caritas Est wrote, ‘The
formation of just structures is not directly
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 11 No. 14
July 9 - 22, 2007
therefore unutterable. He who expresses
this transcendent God has to be reminded:
“Take off yours shoes, for you are stepping
on sacred ground” (Ex 3:5). But the Church
well knows that this Holy One “did not
deem equality with God something to be
grasped at. Rather he emptied himself and
took the form of a slave, being born in the
likeness of men. He was known to be of
human estate, and it was thus that he
humbled himself, obediently accepting
even death, death on a cross” (Ph 2:6-8). It is
this utter emptying of Jesus that the gap
between the transcendent and the lowly
mortal is bridged. This is also the reason
why the Church through her artists could
depict the transcendent in works of art. As
Theodore of old once remarked: “If, then,
Christ has become lowly for our sake, how
could the signs of lowliness not be visible,
such as color, tangible forms, a body? By
means of all this and in all of this he now
can be “circumscribed”. Those who do not
accept this, really destroy salvific plan of
the Eternal Word” (Nova Patrum Bibliotheca,
35f).
The sacredness of the signs and symbols
in the liturgy and in the structure of the
Church comes from an interior vision of an
artist in his act of stretching out his God-
given talent to touch the exalted One with
the end in view of expressing it in lines,
colors and images. In turn these images,
signs and symbols, coming as they are from
a deep contemplation of the artist, have ap-
propriated that innate power to lead man
to awe and wonderment, to profound prayer
and meditation. As such these artistic im-
ages, signs and symbols have become
proper instruments for the service of Lit-
urgy and catechism.
Tidbits / A6
Laiko Lampstand
the duty of the Church, but belongs to the
world of politics, the sphere of the autono-
mous use of reason’”
“What is the duty of the Church? ‘The
Church has an indirect duty (says Benedict
XVI) in that she is called to contribute to the
purification of reason and to the
reawakening of moral forces.’ What is the
duty of the civil society? The direct duty for
the just ordering of society, on the other
hand, is proper for the lay faithful. As citi-
zens of the state, the Pope say, ‘They are
called to take part in the public life in a per-
sonal capacity... in the many different eco-
nomic, legislative, administration and cul-
tural areas ... for the common good.’”
People of God, how do we start? It is clear
that the laity should continue to do its part
in transforming society. It is not enough that
PPCRV, NAMFREL and NASSA has done a
wonderful job in voters’ education and moni-
toring the election process and the canvass-
ing of votes. We need the same volunteers
to monitor the elected politicians’ duty to
govern. The opportunities to improve gov-
ernance in government are endless, consid-
ering the state of the nation’s governance
today. We should have volunteers to moni-
tor the use of government funds in the fields
of education, health, social welfare. We
should have advocacy groups to support the
concerns of the rural worker, the farmers,
fisherfolk, indigenous people, overseas
workers and the families they leave behind,
and the urban dwellers of the slum areas and
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 11 No. 14
July 9 - 22, 2007
Bp. Guillermo V. Afable, DD
DADITAMA
THE forthcoming 13th Mindanao-Sulu Pasto-
ral Conference on October 22-26, 2007 in
Surigao City, has the theme “Restoring Moral
Values through the BECs.” The Clergy, Reli-
gious and mostly Laity of the 21 dioceses
and archdioceses of Mindano-Sulu will
gather to listen together, discern together,
decide together, and act together, around this
theme.
Daditama has been actively engaged in the
preparations for this Conference particularly
in the survey on morality through focused
group discussions (FGD) conducted among the
BECs of every diocese and archdiocese. It is
hoped that out of the 5,800 BECs in Daditama, at
least 2,900 BECs are surveyed representing,
50% of the BECs in the ecclesiastical province.
In the remote and recent past, our BEC’s
have been the mass base for our political in-
volvement either in political education and/
or the mobilizations of election volunteers
for Nassa -Vote Care and Namfrel.
Volunteerism in our BECs is still very much
Continuing Political
Education
THE sights and sounds of the last electoral
process in Daditama, I suppose, was no dif-
ferent from any other place in the entire coun-
try, with a few exceptions where we saw a
radical break from traditional politics of pa-
tronage.
It was a typical Philippine election, with
the same typical politicians, supporters, cam-
paigners, operators, with the typical Filipino
electorate entangled with the wheeling and
dealing of the rich and powerful family dy-
nasties , in partnership with corrupt and inef-
ficient public officials, punctured by the typi-
cal election violence and killings, capped by
the typical delays in the proclamations of
the winners. This was Philippine political
culture at its best.
It was a “mad circus” as the CBCP Pastoral
Exhortation on Philippine Politics of 1997,
describes it. We cannot but agree, therefore,
with the Bishops when they said, “If we are
today—a country with a very great number
of poor and powerless people—one reason
is the way we have allowed politics to be
debased and prostituted to the low level it is
now.” In conclusion they said, “yet politics
Melo M. Acuña
Issues and Concerns
LAST week, elected local officials began their
functions leading the traditional flag-raising
ceremonies and delivering remarks before
employees and constituents. We’ve heard
about more aggressive delivery of basic gov-
ernment services, infrastructures and strict
implementation of ordinances to bring or-
der to their respective areas of responsibil-
ity.
International wires and national dailies
featured Pampanga Governor Ed Panlilio,
the former Social Action Director who at-
tended to Pampangueños’ basic needs dur-
ing the Mt. Pinatubo onslaught and the se-
vere flooding the followed, sending thou-
sands to evacuation centers.
What caught this corner’s attention was his
decision to declare war on the operators of
the country’s most popular illegal numbers
Simple—Are We?
“SIMPLICITY is beauty,” so I’ve been hear-
ing since I was a boy of six. But I often won-
der what people mean by simplicity. To para-
phrase St. Thomas Aquinas, we know reality
by first identifying what it’s not before iden-
tifying what it is. We identify a leaf by first
establishing that it’s not the trunk, the fruit
or branch of a tree. In the first place, simplic-
ity can’t be being stingy. Someone may well
be able to afford the right kind of food, medi-
cine, shelter or clothing for himself and for
his family but shuns them for the sake, we
are told, of simplicity. That’s not being
simple; it’s being miserly.
In the second place, simplicity isn’t being
indolent. Someone healthy may refuse to
take a shower for days or clean up his room
or house in the name of simplicity; and that
is very telling—of laziness rather than sim-
plicity. Third, neither is simplicity renounc-
ing what is good in the material world.
Some people refuse to use (or learn how to
use) the computer, the cell phone, the photo
copier and other such ‘contemporary’ de-
vices even when it’s necessary in their work;
they feel such things are against simplicity.
But recognizing goodness in man’s inven-
tions is recognizing his Creator, the source
of his ingenuity and other talents; using
them to serve human needs is glorifying
God himself. Madonna had a point. We do
live in a ‘material world’. But we don’t live
for it. We are indeed ‘material’ people; but
we are ‘spiritual’ as well (which is where
Opinion
“Restoring Moral
Values through BECs”
alive in spite of limited resources.
“Dirty politics” which is the power play
of the rich and powerful does not and cannot
happen without the participation of the
masses on the grass roots level. These hap-
pen on the community level, where the little
people live and operate. And so, our BEC
members and leaders, being in the grass
roots level, are also naturally being courted
and co-opted by politicians. Indeed, our BEC
members and leaders, at one time or another,
unwittingly or not, are involved in the mass
base network of all sorts of politicians.
Such scenario will come into play most
certainly in the upcoming Barangay and SK
elections in October. While purportedly non
political, everyone knows that politicians
take a very big hand in these elections to
secure their control and influence in local
governance. Patronage politics will come
into play most definitely.
In the light of the political education that
Daditama wants to relentlessly pursue, the find-
Sr. Mary Pilar Verzosa, RGS
as a whole has been, strangely, largely im-
pervious to the Gospel. Our political culture
denies, to our shame, our proud claim to the
name Christian.”
Whew! These were undeniably very strong
prophetic denunciation of our political cul-
ture. And still very true today 10 years after.
This is us. This is what we do. This is what
we have become. This is the inconvenient
and shameful truth.
Catechesis and political education is num-
ber one in the list of eight pastoral actions to
transform politics in the country as recom-
mended by the CBCP in their pastoral ex-
hortation, precisely to address the political
culture underlying all our past and present
conduct of elections and governance.
From the feedbacks of the different
Daditama members, especially the Forma-
tion cluster and the BEC coordinators, as well
as, the Bishops and Vicars General, political
education was given much attention and ap-
preciation. In fact, all the component groups
recommended, among other things, that po-
litical education be sustained relentlessly and
in more effective and comprehensive ways.
The Real World—A Closer
Look at Pampanga
game called “jueteng.” He’s definitely up
against the windmills as these illegal gam-
bling barons have become that powerful they
have somewhat influenced the election into
office of some through their financial sup-
port, in local and national positions.
Their “return-on-investment” would come
from the local and national officials turning
a blind eye to illegal business operations.
Illegal gambling activities in the country
have been described “underground multi-
million-dollar jueteng operations that pro-
vided revenues” for corrupt local and na-
tional officials.
This would make one wonder how these
illegal gambling barons have gone scot-free
as nobody dared touch them with a ten-foot
pole. Their very existence astounds foreign
observers for they could be prosecuted for
Rev. Euly B. Belizar, SThD
we part ways with her).
Fourth, simplicity is not making a virtue
out of a lack of it. For example, a farmer may
say, “I’m just a simple man. All I know is
farming.” That doesn’t mean he can’t learn
from the teacher, the fisherman or the car-
penter or the lawyer etc.; otherwise, what he
has isn’t simplicity but stubbornness and an
unwillingness to remedy it. A Christian who
has no idea about matters of faith, such as
the Trinity, the Scriptures, the Church, mo-
rality, the Magisterium, the sacraments etc.
and explains that it is because he/she is only
a ‘simple Christian’ is anything but simple.
His/her ignorance, in fact, could be sinful,
especially if it originates from negligence.
What makes simplicity? Let me share a
few thoughts.
One, simplicity is preferring the Creator
to his creatures. St. Augustine’s awakening
is a classic case. In his Confessions he says to
God the very thing that keeps us from be-
ing simple: “Late have I loved you, O Beauty
ever ancient, ever new, late have I loved
you. You were within me, but I was outside
and it was there that I searched for you. In
my un-loveliness I plunged into the lovely
things which you created. You were with
me but I was not with you. Created things
kept me from you; yet if they had not been
in you they would not have been at all…”
Two, simplicity for a Christian means dis-
cipleship over conformity. We live under
so much pressure in today’s world. Values
ings, conclusions and recommendations of
MSPC XIII will surely be most relevant. In fact,
it seems to me, that the theme indicates to us
the approach that we need to take and the arena
in which we have to engage the people in fu-
ture political education programs. If we are to
make any meaningful moral dent into the, oth-
erwise, deeply entrenched debased and pros-
tituted political practices, we need to look into
the potentials of the BECs for moral transfor-
mation, not only of individuals but also, of
entire communities, based on basic human and
Gospel values.
Can we expect, perhaps, that BECs in
Daditama can play a significant moral influ-
ence in encouraging more quality candidates
that will run for office and in the more or-
derly, peaceful, honest and true conduct of
their upcoming Barangay and SK elections?
Can we expect that it will be less entangled
with and dependent on outside politicians?
(For your comments and queries, email
daditama_now@yahoo.com.ph)
Love Life
This is indeed the continuing call and the
challenge. Much more creativity is required
and more collaborative work within the
Church structures and without in order to
make a difference in the political culture.
Daditama is very thankful to NASSA for
past political education modules provided
to the dioceses including their latest Alay
Kapwa 2007 handbook which was focused
on the Elections. We are also very grateful
to the very creative and effective voters’ edu-
cation kit “Pinoy Voters’ Academy” (PVA)
shared with us by the PPCRV/SLB. We look
forward to further and long lasting collabo-
ration on political education with these
groups and other similarly interested groups.
Along this line, we acknowledge the noble
and persistent efforts of our own Catholic
Media Network print and broadcast, in in-
forming and educating the electorate.
In the meantime, I suppose, Daditama
ought to be gearing up already for the up-
coming and long postponed Barangay and
SK elections in October 29, 2007.
(For your comments and queries email me
at daditama_now@yahoo.com.ph)
tax evasion as in the case of Al Capone. Even
national officials have only rendered lip ser-
vice to the often-publicized no-nonsense
campaign against illegal gambling in Metro
Manila and neighboring provinces.
Even Governor Ed Panlilio was quoted
saying “defeating jueteng lords remains cru-
cial if we are to introduce good governance
in a province dominated by Mafia-like, pa-
tronage politics.”
This early, Governor Panlilio will find it
difficult to run the province as he lacks the
numbers in the council. A lot of them have
benefited from the “graces” of illegal gam-
bling moguls. He has to deal with congress-
men, city and municipal mayors and the en-
tire citizenry.
It’s worth trying. As they say it’s “suntok
sa buwan.” Who knows?
By the Roadside
that may be directly against the Gospel could
be the most fashionable, and they are fash-
ionable because they elicit approval and fol-
lowing from people. In many ways it’s fash-
ionable, for instance, to view Christianity
and Christian symbols as relics of an irrel-
evant past or to treat morality as passé and
Christian leaders with disdain. This exerts
a tremendous pressure especially on the
young to set Jesus Christ and his teachings
aside, at least publicly. But when a Pinoy
Catholic loses focus on Jesus Christ because
he/she focuses on conforming to social
mores, simplicity is lost and discipleship
pretended.
Three, simplicity means needs over
wants. How come, we may ask, our prayers
and our lives could be ineffective procla-
mations of the Gospel? Because, if I may
answer, we often confuse our needs with
our wants. We certainly need food, cloth-
ing, medicine, shelter and education. Above
all, we need to be close to God and to do his
will. But we want to be rich and famous
(which explains why so many want to win
the lotto so desperately sometimes), to have
power, comfort and pleasure—the basic
staple of the-you-know-what dream. And,
very often, in so many different words we
ask them of God through prayer. When our
wants become our needs and our real needs
take the back burner, we throw our inner
world into turmoil; simplicity gives way to
inner chaos.
A5
Nicolo F. Bernardo
Lifeguard
Who’s In, Who’s
Out
EVERY generation comes up with its list of “wanted” and
“unwanted” life forms, who’s in the hits and who’s not.
Whether you are in or out for a certain right, a certain liberty,
you must pass the certain taste of a “quality life.” The SWS
survey that says Filipinos are most resistant to UN probes on
human rights (46 % opposed) is perhaps due to a distrust of
“might that makes right.” History is so full of it.
Here’s a rundown of whether you qualify for “humanity”
or for human elimination, depending on the beat of the times:
Ancient Greece . In: Male Hellenic. Out: Slaves and women.
Ancient Rome . In: Roman citizen. Out: Barbarian.
Medieval Ages. In: Believer. Out: Heretic.
Age of Exploration: In: Whites. Out: Blacks, Indians, sav-
ages.
Enlightenment: In: Rationalist. Out: Madman, the abnormal.
Romanticism: In: Bourgeoisie. Out: Commoners.
Modern Age. In: Arian. Out: Jews, “subhumans.”
Postmodern Age. In: Deviants, inhumans, quasi-human pets
and robots. Out: Human embryos, “Pre-embryos,” fetuses
and “vegetables.”
Notice that the name-callings and human classifications—
cool in one generation, strange to another—are themselves
effects of discriminations (i.e. others are ‘more equal’ than
others) based on gender, citizenship, religion, money, race,
status, or life phase. The summit of rights and privileges goes
to the “favored life.”
But we can never be happy as long as our humanity or
happiness hinges on a desired status, function, or identity
rather on the value (and marvel) of life itself. It is all right to
have more of life, for as Aristotle said, “living is not enough,
one must live well.” Yet one cannot live well if one believes
that life is always worth to be made well, whatever happens.
A Manila Standard columnist had it saying, he’s “pro-qual-
ity life” not “pro any life.” (Who is?) So I ask, can you have
quality life without a life to qualify? Besides, pro-lifers value
first and foremost human life, and certainly it’s not just any
life. Our real worth flows from our human dignity and indi-
viduality, from being not having. Common sense will tell
you that as a living organism you must have the right to live
from the first instance of your being, and other rights—health,
education, privacy, employment, etc.—equitably follow needs
as you grow.
Do you want to know where your value lies? Ask yourself,
what is it that you would rather die for, or kill for, than lose?
Is that thing really worth a life? Worth your life?
Whatever your answer is, it tells of current views on hu-
man fulfillment and human rights. Many of our problems are
the dues of inverting the pyramid of needs. We go for certain
rights and wishes over the most basic rights and needs of
others still unaddressed—right to security over right to life
(‘preemptive’ war), right to justice over right to life (death
penalty), right to self-determination over right to life (sui-
cide), right to property over right to life (slavery), religious
rights over right to life (terrorism), right to health over right
to life (stem cell research), women’s rights over right to life
(abortion), the value of wealth over the value of life (popula-
tion control). To the point that some would cook up new
rights—”reproductive rights,” and perhaps soon, urinary
rights, skeletal rights, nervous rights, excretory rights, der-
matological rights, etc. to demand a want that weights heavy
on the most basic. The victim of this misappropriated ideol-
ogy is the person himself—exchanging an intrinsic worth
(life) for an extrinsic one. And every time we devalue a hu-
man being, we also devalue ourselves.
Or there they go again asking, is the “embryo” human in
the first place? That rings a bell to long-held queries for grant-
ing humanity and personhood like, “is the slave really hu-
man?” “Are Blacks savages or humans?” “Is the Jew subhu-
man?” “Is the woman second-class human?”
When we are to decide whether an entity is “human” based
on changing biological, philosophical, social, religious, or
political apprehensions, we better dispense with the ques-
tion and simply let that “life form” be unless it’s a real life
threat to another. We do not determine human life. It deter-
mines itself with all its given human potentialities. Human
beings are both being and becoming. The embryo is itself self-
defining, self-determining. It lives its own life programmed
to its human genes. The embryo is not a potential human
being. It is what a human being is, and how a human being
looks, at that stage. It would never be human if it never is.
The material causes (parents) are not human if the effect (off-
spring) is not.
So again, human rights? These are not subject to who’s who
choice. We don’t choose one life from another. Not even presi-
dents can choose to protect the unborn but to hell he/she
cares for adults dying in wars or killings probably because
babies can’t make political stands as adults do. Pro-lifers them-
selves must learn this from history. One is supposed to save
the most vulnerable life but must never neglect another. Fol-
lowing Mahatma Gandhi, John Paul II and Mother Teresa, we
have to be consistent right-to-life volunteers and work even
for the basic necessities of living.
Life is the first we gain, and the last we give. It’s a lesson to
live about where to put our values as we eventually lose all
that we have (including our loved ones) and like the Greek
Medea we say, “Everything has gone, except myself.” Tao ang
s’yang tutuklas ng saysay ng kanyang buhay, at buhay n’ya mismo’y
saysay. Man has to find meaning for his being, and his being is
itself the meaning.
Four, simplicity is seeing crea- is duplicity. We say things we
tures and material goods as re- don’t mean and we don’t mean
velatory of God. I have no doubt the things we say. For Chris-
we, especially today, experience tians, especially for Pinoy Catho-
goodness in so many material lics, to be of this mold is to deny
things. But if we were simple, we who they are. Young people con-
would take them for what they stantly challenge us: “Get real!”
really are, that is to say, sacra- And they do us a service when
ments or signs of God’s good- they do that; we need to remind
ness and love. It moves me when ourselves that we must be who
in the barangays I hear farmers we really are—the people who
and poor folk tell me, “The Lord embrace Jesus Christ before they
is so good to us, Padre. He has even embrace anything (or any-
made us harvest more camote one, for that matter). Simplicity
and rice this year.” The logical is another way of saying to our-
outcome of this view is more at- selves: I must truly embrace
tachment to God and detachment Jesus Christ to truly embrace the
from creatures. world. To paraphrase John Paul
Five, simplicity is embracing II, I must be possessed by the
the Master while in the world, mystery of Jesus Christ to be
not embracing the world while able to truly proclaim him to the
pretending to follow the Master. world. Or my message will be
A great problem of our society hollow.

A6
Alaminos
bishop named
HIS Holiness Pope Benedict XVI
named the current coadjutor
bishop of Alaminos, Most Rev.
Marlo M. Peralta as bishop or-
dinary of Alaminos effective
June 26, 2007.
Bishop Peralta assumes the
post of Bishop Jesus Cabrera
whose resignation from pasto-
ral governance of Alaminos was
accepted by the Pontiff.
The news of Peralta’s ap-
pointment was officially pub-
lished on July 1, 2007 at 6:00 PM,
local time.
The Diocese of Alaminos has
Episcopal jurisdiction over the
City of Alaminos and 14 other
Help solve extrajudicial
killings, Lagdameo
appeals
CBCP President and Jaro Arch-
bishop Angel N. Lagdameo said
everyone has a role to play in
order to end extrajudicial killings
in the country.
Speaking before Church beat
reporters at the launching of
CBCP News on July 5, Arch-
bishop Lagdameo said, “We
should identify the causes and
circumstances behind these extra-
judicial killings.”
CBCP / A1
The Pastoral Statement also
called for a review of laws af-
fecting the electoral system in-
cluding possible reforms of the
party system, party-list law,
overseas absentee voting, politi-
cal dynasties, the ‘legal’ entry
of nuisance candidates and the
formulation of an agenda for in-
stitutional reform.
The bishops called on con-
cerned citizens to continue to de-
velop mechanisms for deepen-
ing the political education, i.e.
Voters Academy and Gabay
Halalan and foster public ac-
countability of politicians to the
electorate and for a more sus-
tained and coordinated politi-
cal engagement, specifically
among the youth, citizens
groups and Church-based orga-
nizations.
Archbishop Lagdameo said
there is a need for the cleansing
and publication of the contro-
versial voters’ lists long before
Election Day.
He added that the “flawed
party list law and its problem-
atic implementation is real
cause of concern” as there were
also “signs of alienation from
the electoral process among the
citizenry—”a lower than usual
voter turn-out 60-65% of regis-
tered voters and a “very lower
level of participation from over-
seas absentee voters (14 per-
cent).”
Outgoing CBCP Commission
on Social Action, Justice and
Peace Chairman and Marbel
(South Cotabato) Bishop
Dinualdo D. Gutierrez said
NASSA’s Operation Quick
Count was “generally success-
Tidbits / A4
It is along this line that Cardi-
nal Ratzinger made this incisive
remark: “The complete absence
of images is incompatible with
faith in the Incarnation of God.
God has acted in history and en-
tered into our sensible world, so
that it may become transparent
to Him. Images of beauty, in
which the mystery of the invis-
ible God becomes visible, are an
essential part of Christian wor-
ship. There will always be ups
and downs in the history of ico-
nography, upsurge and decline,
and therefore periods when im-
ages are somewhat sparse. But
they can never be totally lack-
ing. Iconoclasm is not a Chris-
tian option” (Copyright © 1999
- 2007 by Adoremus: Ratzinger,
“Art, Image and Artists. Sacred art,
inspired by faith, both reflects and
informs the culture Part II).
It is because of this intimate
connection of faith and artistic
works that it has devolved to the
bishop the primary task to ma-
terially conserve these treasures,
to protect them juridically, and
to spread and deepen the faith.
municipalities in Western
Pangasinan. Bishop Peralta was
born on July 13, 1950 in San
Carlos City, Pangasinan and or-
dained to the priesthood March
31, 1975.
He was appointed Coadjutor
Bishop of Alaminos on January
14, 2006, ordained co-adjutor
bishop on March 31, 2006 and in-
stalled last April 26, 2006. Peralta
was a member of the clergy of
the Diocese of Urdaneta before
he took the post of coadjutor
bishop of Alaminos.
In Urdaneta, he assumed sev-
eral parish assignments and di-
ocesan offices. (CBCPNews )
He added, “We will not be able
to pinpoint those responsible
without the cooperation of ev-
eryone.”
He further said “we cannot
simply pass judgment on
people.” He appealed to con-
cerned citizens to help, “come out
in the open, and give relevant
information” that will help solve
the recent spate of killings.
(CBCPNews)
ful.” He said “credit for the suc-
cess goes to the volunteers who
served in varying capacities”
from the Church hierarchy in-
cluding the bishops, Social Ac-
tion directors, parish priests and
the Basic Ecclesial Community
members, who as poll watchers,
Election Return collectors and
tabulators reached over 200,000
volunteers from 65 archdioceses
and dioceses.
“Priests, nuns, seminarians,
Catholic school students, law-
yers and IT professionals pooled
their efforts to make the count-
ing a success,” a statement from
NASSA said.
Injustice
The Catholic bishops’ hierar-
chy deplored the “many evils”
that plagued the country’s elec-
toral process and the “injustice”
done to people, saying their
right to vote was ‘desecrated.”
It criticized cases of poll vio-
lence, unsolved “patronage poli-
tics”, fraud, buying and padding
of votes, adding that these have
become “systemic and threaten
to become a cultural element of
our elections.”
“We are horrified by the vio-
lence inflicted on innocent
people during the campaign and
election periods,” the CBCP said
mentioning the problem of
“warlordism” in the Autono-
mous Region in Muslim
Mindanao (ARMM).
The Church officials called for
an end to political dynasties in
the country.
Lagdameo said he would like
to see Congress passing an
The Code blandly expressed this
obligation in Canon 386, Ҥ1. The
diocesan bishop is bound to
teach and to illustrate to the
faithful the truths of faith which
are to be believed and applied
to behavior. He is himself to
preach frequently… §2. By what-
ever means seem most appropri-
ate, he is firmly to defend the
integrity and unity of the faith
to be believed…” The Second
Vatican Council is more explicit
on this matter when in bold lines
it enjoined them: “Ordinaries are
to take care that in encouraging
and favoring truly sacred art,
they should seek for noble
beauty rather than sumptuous
display…. Bishops should be
careful to ensure that works of
art which are repugnant to faith,
morals, and Christian piety, and
which offend true religious sense
either by depraved forms or
through lack of artistic merit or
because of mediocrity or pre-
tense, be removed from the
house of God and from other sa-
cred places “ (SC, 124).
The norm then that the bishop
Local News
1st Antipolo auxiliary bishop appointed
HIS Holiness Pope Benedict XVI
appointed Msgr. Francisco M.
De Leon, currently Rector of the
“Divine Mercy Shrine” in
Mandaluyong as Auxiliary
Bishop of Antipolo.
The Apostolic Nuncio to the
Philippines Archbishop
Fernando Filoni said the an-
nouncement was made in Rome
Wednesday at 12:00 Noon or
6:00 P.M. Manila time, June 27.
Msgr. De Leon, 60, was or-
dained to the Holy Priesthood
at the Manila Cathedral on June
28, 1975 after his studies at Our
CEAP: Rise in HRM,
allied health sciences
noted
ENROLLMENT in various Catho-
lic universities and colleges na-
tionwide reached a “plateau” this
school year judging from initial
reports reaching the Catholic
Educational Association of the
Philippines (CEAP) national of-
fice.
In an interview with the CBCP
Monitor, CEAP Executive Direc-
tor Mariano U. Piamonte, Jr. said
state universities and colleges and
some local government-funded
colleges began offering Bachelor
of Science in Nursing, affecting
Catholic educational institutions’
enrollment.
“State colleges and universities
charge minimal fees,” Piamonte
explained.
However, CEAP authorities
noticed an increase in some
courses such as Hotel and Restau-
implementing law against “po-
litical dynasties.”
The Philippine Constitution
bans family members or imme-
diate kin from succeeding each
other in elective posts, but it has
proved toothless because of a
lack of an implementing law.
Poll watchdogs
But despite observation of
“deep flaws”, the CBCP stressed
that the May 14 election was still
a “qualified success”, saying the
result somehow “reflected the
popular will.”
The considerably good out-
come, the bishops noted, is also
because of the vigilance of vari-
ous and courageous poll watch-
dogs.
Since 1992, the bishops said, it
was the first time PPCRV,
NAMFREL and NASSA “worked
closely together and were bet-
ter prepared and organized to
make a qualitative impact on the
elections, even in Muslim
Mindanao.”
They credited the convenors
of the Legal Network for Truth-
ful Elections (LENTE) ably sup-
ported by One Voice and the In-
tegrated Bar of the Philippines
which focused its attention “on
the weakest link in the electoral
process—the canvassing of
votes” at the towns and prov-
inces.
“The doggedness of these
groups, despite the limited time
to organize and coordinate, con-
tributed to the deterring of
large-scale fraud,” according to
the statement. (With reports
from Roy Lagarde)
has to observe in the fulfillment
of his task to promote and take
care of the Churches and the
works of art has to be based on
the restless hunger of man for
God and the corresponding re-
sponse of the Gospel as con-
tained in these signs and sym-
bols. After all there is in every
man, whether he is a tourist or a
native Christian, that space that
can only be filled up by a God
experience. The very structure of
the Church and works of art con-
vey the transcendental content
that the local community and the
tourists could gaze on and con-
template. That these works of art
may have become stale tools to
effectively reach the modern
soul may be a valid observation.
But as they reflect the great Mys-
tery they have that innate power
of prodding tourists to reflect.
Meantime the authority of the
particular Church has to take up
the necessary adaptations in or-
der that these works of art could
reach the soul of the tourist with-
out sacrificing the religious sen-
sitivity of the local community.
Lady of Guadalupe and San
Carlos Seminaries.
He pursued higher studies at
De La Salle University, where
he earned a Master’s Degree in
Guidance and Counseling. He
took up courses on Spiritual
Renewal at the New Clairvaux
Abbey in Berkeley County,
South Carolina in 1985 and in
Mepkhin Abbey, in Vina, Cali-
fornia in 2006.
Both Abbeys belong to the Or-
der of Cistercians (OCist), oth-
erwise called White Monks
(from the color of the habit, over
rant Management course nation-
wide due to the rising demand for
hotels and resorts in the Middle
East.
“We have enough institutions
to cater to the rising number of
HRM students,” Piamonte said.
They also noticed a marked in-
crease in allied health sciences
nationwide.
Asked whether most college
students transferred to govern-
ment-run institutions due to an
increase in tuition fees, Piamonte
said the Commission on Higher
Education reported a third of the
total number of private institu-
tions increased their tuition and
other fees “just to cope with the
current inflation rates.”
“They (educational institutions)
simply kept their purchasing
power,” he added. (CBCPNews)
Lagdameo / A1
Lagdameo, 66, a native of
Lucban, Quezon, is the 16th
president of the CBCP. Before he
became CBCP head in 2004,
Lagdameo was the vice-presi-
dent of the body and succeeded
Davao Archbishop Fernando
Capalla.
He was ordained priest in
1964. He was first assigned as
assistant pastor in Unisan,
Quezon in 1965 and became a
professor and prefect of disci-
pline of the Mt. Carmel Semi-
nary in Sariaya, Quezon.
Lagdameo is Bachelor of Arts
graduate of the San Jose Semi-
nary in 1965 where he also took
up Theology and Philosophy.
He was appointed bishop in
1980 and ordained to become
auxiliary bishop of Cebu.
Lagdameo was later desig-
nated as co-adjutor prior to his
PPCRV / A1
PPCRV national chairperson
Henrietta De Villa lamented the
poll body’s inability to take dras-
tic efforts to restore public trust.
She said Comelec failed to take
effective measures to prevent the
recurrence of the widely per-
ceived fraud that marred the 2004
elections.
“How can the Filipino people
feel good about our elections
when the gross mistakes of the
past continuously rear their ugly
heads in our electoral exercise
which can only mean that no
genuine effort is being made to
regain the public trust?” she
asked.
De Villa also noted the
Comelec’s failure to assuage se-
rious and legitimate concerns re-
garding fraud in Mindanao.
She singled out the controver-
sial Maguindanao certificates of
canvass that led to slow pace of
the national canvassing process
and give rise to allegations of
cheating.
“Election forms that have been
missing since the purported can-
vassing (municipal and provin-
cial) that no poll watcher was al-
lowed to witness suddenly have
begun to appear without suffi-
cient believable explanation as to
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which a black scapular or apron
is sometimes worn)— a Roman
Catholic order of monks.
He also took a course in Pas-
toral Renewal in 1991 and 2004,
both in Vatican II for Clergy
Formation, Menlo Park, in Cali-
fornia. He also had several non-
degree courses in California,
United States of America and at
the Manila-based Institute of
Social Order.
After ordination to the priest-
hood, he was appointed Chap-
lain of Araneta University in
Caloocan City and assistant pas-
Militants to CBCP:
Reject Anti-terror law
A MILITANT group has urged
the Catholic Bishops’ Confer-
ence of the Philippines (CBCP)
to take a stand against the con-
troversial anti-terror law.
In a statement, the
Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang
Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas said
Friday it called on the CBCP to
issue a “strong” statement
against the bill passed by Con-
gress months before the May 14
elections.
The appeal came a day before
the CBCP 95th plenary assem-
bly— the highest decision-
making body of the Catholic
bishops’ hierarchy.
Pamalakaya national chair
Fernando Hicap expressed op-
timism the bishops will issue a
“strong political message” con-
demning the anti-terror law.
“The Anti-Terror Act is not
only a recipe for undeclared
Martial Law,” Hicap said. “It is
appointment Bishop of
Dumaguete City.
He was named Archbishop of
Jaro on March 11, 2000.
The CBCP membership
elected Tandag (Surigao del Sur)
Bishop Nereo P. Odchimar as the
new vice-president, succeeding
Cagayan de Oro Archbishop An-
tonio J. Ledesma, SJ.
The 66-year old prelate was
ordained priest on October 16,
1964. He was appointed Bishop
of Tandag diocese in Surigao del
Sur on October 18, 2001.
The CBCP meets in Plenary
Session twice each year and its
works are carried out by its com-
mittees and commissions.
The president and the vice-
president are elected for two-
year terms and can serve for a
minimum of two terms.
Also elected were members of
their disappearance then, and
appearance now,” she said.
Maguindanao province has
delivered a 12-0 sweep for ad-
ministration senatorial candi-
dates. The PPCRV, the former
Philippine ambassador to the
Holy See said, is “appalled” at the
intertwined events in
Maguindanao.
She also expressed outrage
over the “kid gloves” treatment
being given to Maguindanao
provincial election supervisor
Atty. Lintang Bedol by the
Comelec, saying that it’s a repeat
of the “Hello Garci” controversy.
The PPCRV criticized Bedol for
his repeated defiance of sum-
mons from the National Board of
Canvassers and the en banc
Comelec resolutions, with the
unexplained loss of poll docu-
ments in his custody.
“In an age of global media,
scenes and images of Mr Bedol
relaxingly skirting accusations of
electoral fraud before the Com-
mission en banc, appearing al-
most invincible with a gun tucked
under his waist in a major daily
constitute a flagrant mockery of
the electoral values we hope our
citizens, especially our young
ones will practice and uphold,”
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CBCP Monitor
Vol. 11 No. 14
July 9 - 22, 2007
tor of Sta. Clara de Montefalco
at P. Burgos, Pasay City.
He spent a number of years as
Dean of Studies, Prefect of Disci-
pline at San Carlos Seminary be-
fore being appointed to various
parishes in Mandaluyong,
Makati and Parañaque and as
Rector of the Archdiocesan
Shrine of Divine Mercy at
Maysilo, Mandaluyong City.
With his appointment, Msgr.
De Leon becomes the first aux-
iliary bishop of the 24-year old
Diocese of Antipolo.
(CBCPNews)
the satanic version of the Ro-
man Catholic Church’s 10
Commandments, leaving all of
us in the mercy of the criminal
and bankrupt regime of Presi-
dent Gloria Arroyo and the sa-
distic National Security cluster
in Malacañang.”
The left-leaning fisherfolk
alliance claimed the law is a
wholesale threat against hu-
man rights and civil liberties.
Leftwing activists, human
rights watchdogs and civil lib-
ertarians expressed fears that
the new law would spark mas-
sive violation of human rights
and civil liberties of groups
and individuals critical of the
Arroyo administration.
“The CBCP’s divine interven-
tion in the fight against the US-
Arroyo partnership of terror is
necessary, politically correct
and morally upright,” Hicap
added. (Roy Lagarde)
the Permanent Council. They are
Archbishop Jose S. Palma of Palo
(Leyte), Bishops Ramon B.
Villena of Bayombong (Nueva
Vizcaya), Pablo S. David of San
Fernando (Pampanga), Jesse E.
Mercado of Paranaque, Manolo
A. De Los Santos of Virac
(Catanduanes), Buenaventura M.
Famadico of Gumaca (Quezon),
Jose F. Advincula, Jr. of San
Carlos (Negros Occidental),
Antonieto D. Cabajog of Surigao
and Guillermo V. Afable of
Digos (Davao del Sur).
When the Plenary Assembly
is not in session, it is the Perma-
nent Council that acts for and on
behalf of the entire organiza-
tion.
Lagdameo’s second term and
other members of the perma-
nent council will commence on
December 2007. (Roy Lagarde)
said De Villa.
De Villa said the “flagrant
flaunting” of anomalies con-
strains them to make public their
discomfort and dismay “since we
owe it to our volunteers to do so.”
The PPCRV appealed to the
Comelec to take drastic correc-
tive steps to solve the
Maguindanao controversy and
other pending election issues.
“For the sake of the 439,693
volunteers of the PPCRV who
risked lives and limbs to restore
credibility to our elections, we
call on the Comelec to please put
a stop to this running travesty of
the electoral process,” De Villa
said.
The poll body assured the pub-
lic of the proclamation of win-
ning national candidates within
two weeks after the polls.
Almost two months have
passed since then, yet canvassing
of the votes for senatorial candi-
dates has not been fully com-
pleted with only 11 out 12 sena-
torial slots have been proclaimed.
No winning party-list group
has also been proclaimed even if
at least 15 groups got more than
the required two percent vote to
guarantee a seat at the House of
Representatives. (Roy Lagarde)
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 11 No. 14
July 9 - 22, 2007
Vatican secretary of
state to visit KC
convention
NEW HAVEN, Connecticut,
July 10, 2007—The Knights of
Columbus announced June 28
that Vatican Secretary of State
Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone will
travel to the United States to
attend and address the Order’s
125th annual convention this
August in Nashville, Tenn.
He will also receive the
Order’s Gaudium et Spes (Joy
and Hope) award. The visit is
Cardinal Bertone’s first trip to
the United States as Secretary
of State.
“We are honored that Car-
dinal Bertone will be coming
to the United States to attend
our convention this year,”
said Supreme Knight Carl A.
Anderson. “To have the
Vatican Secretary of State in
attendance for our 125th an-
nual convention is a great tes-
tament to the enduring legacy
of our founder, the Servant of
God, Father Michael J.
McGivney.”
Cardinal Bertone is the
highest ranking Vatican offi-
cial after the pope and has re-
sponsibility for overseeing
many of the Vatican’s internal
and external affairs. He has
served in that position since
being appointed by Pope
Benedict XVI in 2006. Prior to
his role as Secretary of State,
Cardinal Bertone served as
Secretary for the Congrega-
tion for the Doctrine of the
Faith, where he worked
closely with then Cardinal Jo-
seph Ratzinger. In 2003, he was
installed as archbishop of
Genoa and was made a cardi-
nal the same year.
Cardinal Bertone will serve
as principal celebrant and
homilist for the convention’s
opening Mass on Tuesday,
Aug. 7, and will bring a special
message from Pope Benedict
XVI to be read during the
opening session of the conven-
tion Tuesday afternoon.
Pope’s / A3
“I now come to the positive
reason which motivated my de-
cision to issue this Motu Prop-
rio updating that of 1988. It is a
matter of coming to an interior
reconciliation in the heart of the
Church. Looking back over the
past, to the divisions which in
the course of the centuries have
rent the Body of Christ, one con-
tinually has the impression
that, at critical moments when
divisions were coming about,
not enough was done by the
Church’s leaders to maintain or
regain reconciliation and unity.
One has the impression that
omissions on the part of the
Church have had their share of
blame for the fact that these di-
visions were able to harden.
This glance at the past imposes
an obligation on us today: to
make every effort to unable for
all those who truly desire unity
to remain in that unity or to at-
tain it anew. I think of a sen-
tence in the Second Letter to the
Corinthians, where Paul writes:
“Our mouth is open to you,
Corinthians; our heart is wide.
You are not restricted by us, but
you are restricted in your own
affections. In return, widen your
hearts also!” (2 Cor 6:11-13).
Paul was certainly speaking in
another context, but his exhor-
tation can and must touch us too,
precisely on this subject. Let us
generously open our hearts and
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Cardinal Bertone
He will address the cardi-
nals and bishops attending the
convention, as well as the
Knights of Columbus board of
directors on Wednesday
evening.
On Tuesday evening the
Knights of Columbus will
present him with the Order’s
Gaudium et Spes award dur-
ing the annual States Dinner.
Cardinal Bertone will be the
seventh person to receive the
award. The first recipient was
Blessed Mother Teresa of
Calcutta in 1992 and in 2005,
Jean Vanier, founder of
l’Arche, became the most re-
cent recipient.
The award is named
Gaudium et Spes in honor of
the 1965 “Pastoral Constitu-
tion on the Church in the Mod-
ern World” adopted by the
Second Vatican Council. A
landmark of social teaching,
Gaudium et Spes remains a
foundational document in the
renewal of pastoral action for
the Catholic Church. The
award is designed to recog-
nize individuals for their ex-
emplary service to the Church
and humanity in the spirit of
Christ as articulated by the
work of the Second Vatican
Council. (KC News)
make room for everything that
the faith itself allows.
“There is no contradiction be-
tween the two editions of the
Roman Missal. In the history of
the liturgy there is growth and
progress, but no rupture. What
earlier generations held as sa-
cred, remains sacred and great
for us too, and it cannot be all
of a sudden entirely forbidden
or even considered harmful. It
behooves all of us to preserve
the riches which have devel-
oped in the Church’s faith and
prayer, and to give them their
proper place. Needless to say,
in order to experience full com-
munion, the priests of the com-
munities adhering to the former
usage cannot, as a matter of
principle, exclude celebrating
according to the new books. The
total exclusion of the new rite
would not in fact be consistent
with the recognition of its value
and holiness.
“In conclusion, dear brothers,
I very much wish to stress that
these new norms do not in any
way lessen your own authority
and responsibility, either for
the liturgy or for the pastoral
care of your faithful. Each
bishop, in fact, is the modera-
tor of the liturgy in his own dio-
cese.
“Nothing is taken away, then,
from the authority of the bishop,
whose role remains that of be-
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Features A7
Cardinal says
door is open
for Lefebvrites
ROME, July 10, 2007—The door sion since April 2000. The com-
is open for members of the Soci- mission was established Pope
ety of St. Pius X to return to full John Paul II in 1988 following the
communion, says Cardinal Darío schismatic gesture of illegitimate
Castrillón Hoyos. episcopal ordinations by Arch-
The president of the Pontifical bishop Marcel Lefebvre, founder
Commission “Ecclesia Dei” said of the Society of St. Pius X.
that Benedict XVI’s document In the interview the cardinal
“Summorum Pontificum,” which clarified “that the papal docu-
expands the use of the missal pro- ment was not written for the
mulgated in 1962 by Pope John Lefebvrites, but it was written
XXIII, should pave the way for because the Pope is convinced of
the return to communion of the the necessity to underline that
traditionalist group. there is continuity in the tradi-
The cardinal made the remarks tion, and so that the Church will
in an interview published Sun- not continue to fracture.”
day in the Italian daily Il “The old Mass was never abol-
Giornale. “If after this act, they ished or prohibited,” the cardi-
do not return, I would not be able nal affirmed. And in no way has
to understand it,” he said. Benedict XVI gone, nor is he go-
Cardinal Castrillón Hoyos has ing, “in a different direction than
led the “Ecclesia Dei” commis- that of the council.” (Zenit)
Holy See clarifies meaning of “Subsist”
Debate Stems From Vatican II Document
VATICAN CITY, July 10, 2007— The responses affirm that the ways existed and will always ex- Not in communion
The Second Vatican Council “Second Vatican Council neither ist, and in which alone are found
didn’t change Catholic doctrine changed nor intended to change” all the elements that Christ him- Turning to the issue of East-
on the Church, but rather deep- Catholic doctrine on the Church, self instituted. ern Churches not in full com-
ened and developed it, says the but rather “it developed, deep- “This Church, constituted and munion with Rome, the congre-
Congregation for the Doctrine of ened and more fully explained organized in this world as a soci- gation explains that “the coun-
the Faith. it.” ety, subsists in the Catholic cil wanted to adopt the tradi-
In a document released today Quoting Pope Paul VI, the docu- Church, governed by the Succes- tional use of the term Church.
the congregation clarifies, in the ment explains that “what Christ sor of Peter and the bishops in “‘Because these Churches, al-
form of five questions and an- willed, we also will. What was, communion with him.” though separated, have true sac-
swers, the understanding of what still is. What the Church has The responses say that “it is raments and above all — because
Vatican II meant by the term taught down through the centu- possible, according to Catholic of the apostolic succession—the
“subsists in” with regard to the ries, we also teach.” doctrine, to affirm correctly that priesthood and the Eucharist, by
nature of the Catholic Church. It continues: “‘In simple terms the Church of Christ is present means of which they remain
Cardinal William Joseph that which was assumed, is now and operative in the churches linked to us by very close
Levada and Archbishop Angelo explicit; that which was uncertain, and ecclesial communities not bonds,’ they merit the title of
Amato, prefect and secretary of is now clarified; that which was yet fully in communion with the ‘particular or local Churches,’
the congregation, respectively, meditated upon, discussed and Catholic Church, on account of and are called sister Churches of
signed the brief text June 29, the sometimes argued over, is now the elements of sanctification and the particular Catholic
Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul. put together in one clear formu- truth that are present in them.” Churches,” it says.
It is titled “Responses to Some lation.’” The document further explains Christian communities born
Questions Regarding Certain why the expression “subsists in” out of the 16th-century Reforma-
Aspects of the Doctrine on the Word choice was adopted, instead of simply tion are not given the title
Church,” and was approved by the word “is.” Church, the document explains.
Benedict XVI. The text explains the meaning “The use of this expression, It states: “According to Catho-
of the term “subsists in,” which which indicates the full identity lic doctrine, these communities
is used to describe the nature of of the Church of Christ with the do not enjoy apostolic succession
the Catholic Church in “Lumen Catholic Church, does not change in the sacrament of orders, and
ing watchful that all is done in
Gentium,” a document of Vatican the doctrine on the Church,” the are, therefore, deprived of a con-
peace and serenity. Should
II. The document states: “The document affirmed. stitutive element of the Church.
some problem arise which the
Church of Christ ... subsists in the It continues: “Rather, it comes “These ecclesial communities,
parish priest cannot resolve, the
Catholic Church.” from and brings out more clearly which, specifically because of the
local ordinary will always be
The doctrinal congregation ex- the fact that there are ‘numerous absence of the sacramental
able to intervene, in full har-
plains in the clarification: “Christ elements of sanctification and of priesthood, have not preserved
mony, however, with all that
‘established here on earth’ only truth’ which are found outside the genuine and integral sub-
has been laid down by the new
one Church and instituted it as a her structure, but which ‘as gifts stance of the Eucharistic mystery
norms of the Motu Proprio.
‘visible and spiritual commu- properly belonging to the cannot, according to Catholic
“Furthermore, I invite you,
nity,’ that from its beginning and Church of Christ, impel toward doctrine, be called ‘Churches’ in
dear brothers, to send to the
throughout the centuries has al- Catholic unity.’” the proper sense.” (Zenit)
Holy See an account of your ex-
periences, three years after this
Motu Proprio has taken effect.
If truly serious difficulties come
to light, ways to remedy them
can be sought.
“Dear brothers, with grati-
tude and trust, I entrust to your
hearts as pastors these pages
and the norms of the Motu Prop-
rio. Let us always be mindful of
the words of the Apostle Paul
addressed to the presbyters of
Ephesus: ‘Take heed to your-
selves and to all the flock, in
which the Holy Spirit has made
you overseers, to care for the
Church of God which he ob-
tained with the blood of his own
Son.’
“I entrust these norms to the
powerful intercession of Mary,
Mother of the Church, and I cor-
dially impart my apostolic
blessing to you, dear Brothers,
to the parish priests of your dio-
ceses, and to all the priests, your
co-workers, as well as to all
your faithful.” (VIS)
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 A8 People, Facts & Places CBCP Monitor
Vol. 11 No. 14
July 9 - 22, 2007

Religious Superiors
meet, tackles
spiritual vitality in
mission
THE Association of Major Reli-
gious Superiors in the Philip-
pines (AMRSP) composed of 376
religious congregations of men
and women in the country, met
at the Carmelite Missionaries
Center of Spirituality in
Tagaytay City last July 3-6, 2007
on how to keep the fire going in
their desire to be faithful to their
respective charisms in fulfilling
the mission of the church to pro-
claim the Gospels.
Sr. Mary John Mananzan, OSB,
and discerning the appropriate
response to the crisis.
Different lecture series or fora
were also organized in coopera-
tion of the Mission Partners on
the theme women issues, ecol-
ogy, charter change, poverty,
militarization and extra-judicial
killings.
Among the members who
At the opening mass of the 95th Bishops’ Plenary Assembly, Atty. Sabino R. Padilla, Jr., is honored as the first recipient of the Bishop Jorge Barlin Golden Cross Service
gave the sharing during the eu- Award “in recognition of his outstanding and generous service to the Catholic Church in the Philippines thereby exemplifying the ideals of the First Filipino Bishop
charistic celebrations were Fr. Jorge Imperial Barlin”; July 7, 2007 at the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center, Manila.
Edmundo Nantes of the Domini-
can Fathers, Fr. Daniel Huang of

the in-coming Co-chair of the As-
sociation, presented the theme
“Renewing the Spiritual Vitality
of our Religious Communities”
by citing some studies on the
signs and causes of loss or pres-
ence of vitality in religious com-
munities.
Fr. Marlon A. Lacal, O’ Carm,
gave an input on the Role of Ma-
jor Superiors as Spiritual Anima-
tors.
The two-outgoing Co-chair-
persons, Mo. Ma. Luz Mijares,
OSA and Bro. Edmundo
Fernandez, FSC reported on the
accomplishments of the associa-
tion highlights of which are the
conduct of the different events
affecting the membership such as
the needs of the elderly religious
and the implications of the new
guidelines of the Bureau of Im-
migration which affect the status
of the religious missionaries in
the country.
It also proactively addresses
the volatile national situation as
a result of the “Hello Garci Con-
troversy” by coming together
the Society of Jesus, Mo. Ma. Luz
Mijarez of the Agustinian Sisters,
and Bro. Manuel V. de Leon, FMS
of the Marist Brothers.
The Association elected a new
set of officers. For the women
congregations are: Sr. Mary John
Mananzan, OSB, Chair; Sr. Teresa
Mueda, DC - Vice Chair; Sr.
Evelyn Aguilar, RVM; Sr. Ma.
Josefina Matias, RA; Sr. Lourdes
Dizon, CM; Sr. Emelina Villegas,
ICM and Sr. Carmelita Victoria,
SSpS. For the Men congregations
are: Fr. Jesus Malit, SSS - Chair;
Fr. Daniel Huang, SJ - Vice Chair;
Fr. Edmundo Nantes OP; Fr. Rene
Manubag CMF; Bro. Manuel V.
de Leon, FMS; Bro. Edmundo
Fernandez, FSC; Fr. Brian Gore,
MSSC.
The new Board reaffirms its
commitment to its vision state-
ment “We journey with each
other and with the Filipino
people in our common aspira-
tion to enjoy the fullness of life
reflecting God’s Justice and
compassion.” (Bro. Manny de
Leon)
Markings
APPOINTED. MSGR. JULIUS SULLAN
TONEL, as the new Bishop-prelate of Ipil, by
Pope Benedict XVI, June 30, 2007. A native of
Davao City, Msgr. Tonel was born on August
31, 1956. He studied Philosophy at Saint
Francis Xavier Minor Seminary in Davao, and
Theology at the Central Seminary of the Uni-
versity of Santo Tomas, in Manila. He was
ordained to the priesthood in 1980 at the age
of 23. He earned his Licentiate in Liturgical
Theology at the Saint Anselmo Pontifical Insti-
tute of Liturgy in Rome. Msgr. Tonel has served
as Director of Archdiocesan Family Apostolate
in Davao, then as Rector of the Regional Ma-
jor Seminary. He also served as parish priest
of Ascension of the Lord Parish in Matina,
Davao and Chaplain of the Holy Infant of
Prague, also in Davao. He was the Vicar Gen-
eral of the Archdiocese of Davao and parish priest of San Pablo Parish in
Matina prior to his appointment as bishop-prelate of Ipil.
CELEBRATED. MOST REV. RAMON B.
VILLENA, DD, JCD, SThL, PhL, of the Dio-
cese of Bayombong; 25th anniversary of
Episcopal ordination, July 2, 2007. Born on
March 16, 1939 in Ilagan, Isabela, Bishop
Villena was ordained priest in 1963 at St.
Peter’s Cathedral in Tuguegarao, Cagayan
after earning his bachelor’s degrees in Phi-
losophy and Sacred Theology from the Uni-
versity of Santo Tomas, where he likewise
CELEBRATED. HOLY TRINITYACADEMY at Balic-
Balic, Sampaloc, Manila; 60th anniversary of foun-
dation. Founded in June 1947 by the late Rev. Fr.
Bernardo Torres, HTA is the parochial school of
Most Holy Trinity Parish, and a member of the Ma-
nila Archdiocesan and Parochial Schools Associa-
tion. The school started with a kindergarten class
fully recognized by the government in 1948. In 1958, the late Rufino Cardinal
Santos turned over the management of the school to the Daughters of Mary
Help of Christians, the sister congregation of the Don Bosco Fathers. They
set up the co-ed classes from Kinder to Grade Four and exclusive section
for girls for Grades Five and Six. The boy pupils after finishing Grade Four
transferred to other schools of the parent’s choice.
ORDAINED. REV. REDGIE G. ZASPA AND REV. ERYL AGUS of the Dio-
cese of Kabankalan on July 10, 2007. They finished their studies in theol-
ogy at the Saint Joseph Regional Seminary in Jaro, Iloilo. They were or-
dained by most Rev. Patricio Abella Buzon, SDB, DD at Saint Francis Xavier
Cathedral, Kabankalan City. Rev. Redgie Zaspa came from Saint Paul’s
Parish, Cauayan while Rev. Eryl Agus came from Saint Vincent Ferrer
Chaplaincy, Binicuil, Kabankalan.
INSTALLED. MSGR. CRISOSTOMO A. CACHO, V.G.,
P.C., as new President of Columban College, Olongapo
City; in a solemn investiture Mass at the Columban Church,
June 26, 2007. Bishop of Iba Most Rev. Florentino G.
Lavarias, DD, and Region 3 Director of the Commission
on Higher Education Dr. Felizardo V. Francisco, spear-
headed the installation and oath taking. Previously the President of St. Jo-

Lipa holds forum earned his licentiate in Philosophy and The-

ology, magna cum laude. He pursued his
doctorate degree in Canon Law at the
Gregorian University in Rome, summa cum
seph College in Olongapo City, Msgr. Cacho had also been Rector of St.
Augustine Minor Seminary, 1973-1985, Director of Social Action, the Charis-
matic Renewal Movement, Legion of Mary, Promoter of Justice and Matrimo-
nial Tribunal among others. He was Vicar Capitular (1983, 1988, 2003) and
was appointed by Pope John Paul II as Papal chaplain, September 11, 1986.

on illegal
laude. In 1983, he was appointed Auxiliary
Bishop of the Diocese of Tagum. In 1985, he
was appointed Coadjutor bishop of the Diocese of Bayombong and was
installed in 1986. Finally, he succeeded the late Most Rev. Alberto Van
Overbeke, CICM as the second bishop of the Diocese in 1987.
With a background in Philosophy, Educational Management, and specialized
courses on Biblical Spirituality and Pastoral Counseling, Msgr. Cacho brought
to the College 30 years of meaningful practice and involvement. He takes
over the post from Rev. Fr. Roland M. Almo, PhD.

recruitment
THE Archdiocesan Commission
for Migrants and Mission
(LACMMI) of Lipa archdiocese
held a forum on illegal recruit-
ment at the Archbishop’s Resi-
dence in Lipa, Batangas last June
21.
The forum attempted to revisit
the law governing the issue of
illegal recruitment and is imple-
mentation. Republic Act 8042,
also known as the Migrant Work-
ers and Overseas Filipino Act of
1995 which turns twelve this year,
tackles the issue on illegal recruit-
ment.
Seventy people from various
sectors in Batangas province had
participated in the forum. Among
them were representatives from
the local government units such
as the Philippine Overseas Em-
ployment Administration
(POEA), the National Bureau of
Investigation (NBI), the Overseas
Workers Welfare Administration
(OWWA), Department of Social
Welfare and Development
(DSW) and Philippine National
Police (PNP).
Non-government organiza-
tions were represented by pro-
fessors and students from
Canossa Academy, University of
Batangas, UP Los Baños, social
workers, priests and pastoral
leaders from other NGOs and
various parishes of Lipa Archdio-
cese.
RA 8042 aims to establish a
higher standard of protection and
promotion of welfare of migrant
workers, their families and over-
seas Filipino in distress and other
purposes. The law was hastily
passed in 1995 in response to the
protest waged by the Filipino
people over the execution of Flor
Contemplacion in Singapore.
Twelve years after, illegal re-
cruitment remains the biggest
problem surrounding labor mi-
gration. In the forum, Philippine
Migrant Rights Watch (PMRW)
president Mel Nuqui presented
the seemingly weak implemen-
tation of the law which resulted
to unabated trafficking of per-
sons.
Meanwhile, Deputy Adminis-
trator Hans Leo Cacdac defended
some of the issues raised by pre-
senting several cases of success-
ful persecution and convictions.
He likewise reported the various
modes and approaches being em-
ployed by illegal recruiters to in-
form the public. The Philippine
Overseas and Employment Ad-
ministration (POEA) has even de-
veloped the Ten Commandments
on illegal recruitment made into
posters, specifically to help com-
bat the unabated increase of cases
of illegal recruitment.
At the end of the forum, reac-
tors from the local government
units (LGUs), civil society and the
Church expressed their renewed
cooperation to work hard to com-
bat illegal recruitment.
The forum has once more con-
firmed the importance of a con-
tinuous information drive to
educate the people, especially
those who contemplate of mi-
grating and working overseas.
Migration has been so far too
attractive to a lot of Filipinos as
the only approach to improve
their economic situation. With
unabated joblessness and high
rate of unemployment despite
government’s report of an im-
proving economy, many Filipi-
nos are still duped to the creative
approaches of opportunist re-
cruiters and swindlers. This is
likewise aggravated by the fact
that very few had lodged com-
plaints against their recruiters
while only a few were convicted
and punished afterwards.
The parishes in the diocese
could be good avenues for the
Episcopal Commission on Mi-
grants and Itinerant People’s
(ECMI) information dissemina-
tion and campaign program to
fight against illegal recruitment
and trafficking of persons. Unfor-
tunately, this has never been thor-
oughly employed because many
parishes do not have yet a minis-
try for migrants.
The forum ended with the
launching of the PMRW’s book,
Migrants’ Stories, Migrants’ Voices,
which is a compilation of ten sto-
ries written mostly by the fam-
ily members of migrants.
The conference was a tripartite
initiative of ECMI, LACMMI and
PMRW. (Fr. Edwin D. Corros, CS)
Kabankalan holds
2nd Clergy Pastoral
Planning
THE diocese of Kabankalan re-
cently held its 2n d Clergy Pasto-
ral Planning reflecting on the
theme “How good it is to see broth-
ers living in unity”. Most Rev.
Patricio Buzon, SDB, DD guided
the clergy as they discerned to-
gether on how to make their lo-
cal Church respond more faith-
fully to the call of discipleship.
The clergy discussed three im-
portant points during the Pasto-
ral Planning: lifestyle check, di-
ocesan pastoral plan evaluation
and diocesan financial guide-
lines.
The priests shared their senti-
ments on various concerns, par-
ticularly celibacy, gambling and
business enterprise. The lifestyle
check is expected to draw some
concrete actions from every vi-
cariate especially in terms of be-
coming a genuine Church for
Vatican official: Church needs RP in evangelization
MANILA, July 11, 2007—A rank-
ing Vatican-based official from
the Pontifical Mission Society
(PMS) said the late Pope John
Paul II rightly considered the Fili-
pinos as potential “evangeliz-
ers” in Asia.
PMS Secretary-General Fr
Patrick Byrne, SVD yesterday
echoed the late Holy Father’s
prophetic words, adding that his
trip to the Philippines is a “tre-
mendous” missionary experi-
ence.
“I can understand the mind of
the late Pope John Paul II when
he saw the importance of the Phil-
ippines in the missionary evan-
gelization of Asia,” he said.
Now on his third visit to the
Philippines, the Irish missionary
said the country has so many vo-
the poor, witnessing a celibate
life and seeking first the king-
dom of God above else.
Since many parishes failed to
complete their survey due to the
reshuffling of clergy and chang-
ing of key persons in the dio-
cese, all parishes were given ex-
tension of three months to com-
plete their data for proper evalu-
ation and pastoral plan.
The diocese issued financial
guidelines to strategize the tith-
ing program and financial man-
agement of the Catholic schools
in the diocese.
At the end of the meeting, the
bishop and clergy agreed to have
a yearly planning and schedul-
ing of regular diocesan events,
pastoral units, confirmations
and other pastoral needs of the
parishes. (Fr. Jose Rembert
Rivera)
cations and a great missionary
zeal.
“I will be praying for your role
as missionaries not only to the
Philippines and Asia but also to
the whole world,” said Byrne
during the recently held 54th
PMS-Philippines general assem-
bly at the Pope Pius XII Catholic
Center in Manila.
During Pope John Paul II’s sec-
ond visit to the Philippines in
1995 for the 10th World Youth
Day, he urged the bishops “to
carry the Gospel beyond the
shores of this beautiful archi-
pelago to the other peoples of
this vast continent.”
“Asia needs your help if it is
to hear the Good News of Christ
crucified and risen,” the late
Pope said.
DECREE FOR PUBLIC NOTIFICATION
REGARDING “SMAHE” AND FATHER
ALEJANDRE “ANLY” GALIAS
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
Let it be known that a group called Sons/Sisters of Mary, Adorers of
the Holy Eucharist (SMAHE) is not a religious institute or congregation,
not even a public association with canonical rights. Hence, it does not
possess a juridical personality according to Canon Law.
SMAHE is founded by Fr. Alejandre “Anly” Galias, native of Lavezares,
Northern Samar, Philippines, and a priest incardinated to the Diocese of
Sorsogon, Philippines. The address of the main house of the group is
“Domus Filiorum Mariae”, Rangas, Juban, 4703, Sorsogon, Philippine.
The public is warned that Fr. Alejandre Galias uses a religious name
“Fr. Franz Mariae Crucis”, as an alias. Being not a religious superior, he
is forbidden to recruit vocations (men and women) as well as to solicit
funds for his group.
I will disclaim any responsibility for the actions done by Fr. Alejandre
Galias.
Given this 20th day of April 2007, at the Diocesan Chancery, 4700
Sorsogon City, Philippines.
+ Most Rev. Arturo M. Bastes, SVD, DD
Bishop of Sorsogon
PMS-United States national di- sionary.”
rector Msgr. John Kozar mean- The PMS are the official instru-
while, said that more than hav- ment of the Pope and of the
ing a religious and Catholic whole Catholic Church in its
people, the Philippines is a “pro- mission works.
foundly” missionary country. The four Pontifical Missionary
In every venue that they vis- Societies are the Society for the
ited, he said, there lies a desire Propagation of the Faith, Holy
on part of everyone that the met Childhood Association, Society
to truly reach out and share the of St. Peter Apostle and Mission-
Good News with other people. ary Union of Priest and Reli-
Kozar was particularly gious.
amazed at seminaries to see the These societies carry our their
spirit of young men demonstrat- task by means of information
ing “a real missionary thrust” as awareness of missionary activi-
they are prepare for the priest- ties, such as the evangelization
hood. and catechesis, fostering spiri-
He also lauded the country’s tual cooperation, promotion of
Catholic bishops for showing missionary vacation and bring-
“beautiful pastoral way with a ing about efficient collection of
pastoral touch the whole full di- donations to fund the missions.
mension of what it is to be a mis- (Roy Lagarde)
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 11 No. 14 • July 9 - 22, 2007
B1
B2 Updates
Marriage Annulment or

Pastoral Concerns
Declaration of Marriage
Nullity?
B3 Diocese
Archdiocese of Cagayan de
Oro

7Q UESTIONS
BEC Bigasang Pangkabuhayan:

More than just a

rice retailer but a
Bishop
Vicente M.
life provider
Text and Photos by Kris Bayos
Navarra, DD
Most Rev. Vicente M. Navarra, DD, was ordained bishop on June
26, 1979. He served as Auxiliary bishop of Capiz until his appoint-
ment as 1st bishop of Kabankalan on November 21, 1987. He was
appointed as the 5th bishop of Bacolod on May 24, 2001. In this
issue of CBCP Monitor, Bishop Navarra shares with the readers his
insights on the role of the laity in the Church; the implementation of
the social concern agenda in the diocese; the effects of globalization
in people’s lifestyle; the family and life program in the diocese; the
quality and quantity of vocations entering the seminary and the
ongoing formation program of the clergy.

How does the laity’s greater participation in the life of the Church
as envisioned by PCP II being implemented in your diocese?
The Acts and Decrees of our recent Second Diocesan Synod
have defined laity’s participation in the life of the diocese on the
level of formation, practice/experience and installation of new
structures.
Ten years ago we had established the Diocesan Institute for
Marriage and Family to train and educate the lay for the Family
Life Ministry in the parish/chaplaincy. To become a family life
minister one has to complete a 6-month course on the Theology
and Canon Law on Marriage, Family Code, Counseling, etc. and
other requirements and to be granted the faculty by the Bishop to
do the following: to conduct counseling and catechism on marriage
and Christian discipleship; to ensure that the faith requirement
for marriage is met to the minimum by the contracting parties;
to conduct canonical investigation; to engage in marital or family
crisis interventions. Practically, all our parishes/chaplaincies have
family life ministers who are appointed by the bishop. Thus, our
marriage preparations for the contracting parties are conducted
on a one-on-one basis. We do not have anymore the so-called Pre-
Cana Seminar in groups.
We have instituted the Ministry of the Word. The candidate to the
Ministry has to undergo a 6-month training and studies on Theol-
ogy, Canon Law, Scriptures, etc. He or she is only empowered to
become Minister of the Word after having completed/fulfilled all
the requirements imposed by the Diocesan Lay Formation Institute.
The Ministers of the Word are to attend to the needs of parishioners
especially the poor, like conducting wake services, prayer meetings
for various groups, etc. when priests are not available.
The number of extra-ordinary Ministers for Holy Communion
in the diocese has increased widely or greatly with expanded
functions such as visitation of the sick with viaticum in houses and
hospitals, blessing of the dead, and presiding wake services.
We have upgraded the role of lay leaders (Kapilyan) of all our
Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC), a new way of being church; by
requiring them to undergo training and studies on Basic Theology,
Canon Law, Scriptures, Social Action concerns, etc. for six months.
This is done again by the Diocesan Lay Formation Institute. In due
time, we will strictly enforce the Directory that no one is appointed
KAPILYAN unless he/she has fulfilled the requirements, forma-
tive, curricular and/or practicum.
There are 16 active Commissions in the diocese which have
counterparts as Committees in the parish/chaplaincies under the
umbrella management of the Pastoral Council. With the member-
ship of the Finance Committee both in the diocesan and parish/
chaplaincy level we are able to increase the number of responsible
lay in various apostolate, offices and pastoral centers.
We have also required our lay leaders and members of lay asso-
ciations to undergo formation as provided by the Diocesan Pastoral
Center thus ensuring wider and closer participation in various
pastoral programs of the diocese, and likewise in the discharge of
the administrative duties of the bishop or parish priests.
We have instituted an Administrative Board in every parish/
chaplaincy whereby the lay presidents of the Pastoral Council and
Finance Committee and the Kapilyan representative participate/
cooperate with the priests in the day to day management of the
affairs of the parish/chaplaincy.
Up to what degree should the laity’s participation be in terms of
IN the past, merely looking for rice to cook the members will not only be assured of maintains a regular formation on integral
every meal time seemed problematic for the staple supply of rice but will likewise be evangelization.
parishioners of Holy Family Parish in San trained to save and prevent falling into Alma Biala, one of the BEC members who
Andres Bukid. Since majority of them are debts. never failed to attend every evaluation and
unemployed, buying the most staple food “The rampant reliance to debts of the pa- formation organized by the Good Shepherd
for the family already proves to be a pain in rishioners is one of the vices we want them Sisters, said the cooperative’s successful system
their pockets. As such, they rely on debts to to eliminate through this cooperative. is due to the proper moral formation of the
answer the call of their members prior to the operation.
stomach until they fi- “The rampant reliance to debts of the “We owe the success of this cooperative to
nally depend on debts the guidance and formation the parish and the
just to eat. parishioners is one of the vices we want Good Shepherd Sisters had given us. Without
But after Pondo ng them to eliminate through this cooperative. them, we could have abused the financial
Pinoy Community grant we obtained from Pondo ng Pinoy,”
Foundation lent the Through weekly evaluation of the system, Biala said.
parish a capital to start
a non-profit coopera-
they learned to develop discipline among A former gambling addict, Biala particularly
mentioned how values formation is integrated
tive that would provide themselves since the rest of the system will in the cooperative’s operation.
rice supply among the “If not due to our facilitators, the system
parishioners, this vi- be affected once a member fails to attend to could have failed. If we were not taught to keep
cious cycle ceased to
exist.
his dues,” said Abrigo. our noses clean on the business, we could have
abused the coopera-
“We primarily initiated this program to tive,” she said.
make rice, a basic commodity, accessible Biala’s colleague, Bel-
among the poor. The livelihood aspect comes en Felicidario, likewise
as a compliment,” said Sr. Rose Mary Bacaltor, said the nuns behind
RGS, one of the Good Shepherd Sisters behind the cooperative served
the cooperative. as a unifying force for
them to work.
Where livelihood meets values “Should we not have
In the cooperative system, members of the them as our mentors
parish’s basic ecclesial communities (BEC) and advisers, we could
can ask for a week’s supply of rice for their have not lasted even for
family’s consumption through an official rice a year. Without their
dealer commissioned by the parish. constant advices, we
Each kilo of rice will be priced with a P1 could have abused the
mark-up surplus, which is distributed to the cooperative’s resources
members’ saving (70 percent) and to the co- for our selfish inter-
operative (30 percent¬). Aside from a weekly ests,” Felicidario said.
supply of rice, a P7 savings is what a member Meanwhile, Sr. Ame-
saves for himself every week. lia David, RGS, said
But before requesting for the next week’s the members of the
supply, the member should pay his out- BEC involved in the
standing balance first to prevent debts to TOPMOST: Neriegen Comora with the BEC’s official rice retailer. cooperative became as
accumulate. ABOVE: Comora (third from left, first row) with other BEC leaders responsive as expected.
“Since the rice supply is to be paid on a and the Good Shepherd sisters supporting them. Although they slowly
weekly basis, the member should then be integrated values for-
able to save during the week to pay for it. If Through weekly evaluation of the system, mation in the evaluation and maintenance
he cannot pay for his previous supply, we they learned to develop discipline among of the cooperative, the members had shown
would not lend him his supply for the next themselves since the rest of the system will positive response to their formation.
week,” said Angie Sanchez, one of the lead be affected once a member fails to attend “Through this cooperative, we let them see
persons of the BEC and the acting auditor of to his dues,” said Abrigo. how God works in their lives—from each grain
the cooperative. Abrigo likewise said that aside from the of rice they eat up to the cents they save and
In this setup, Sr. Julieta Abrigo, RGS, said weekly evaluation, the cooperative also earn every day of their lives,” David said.

“Summorum Pontificum”
decision making in the local Church?
It is clear in the foregoing considerations that our experiences
in the diocese with regard to layman’s participation in the affairs
of the Church have been very encouraging. Having been given
the right to exercise certain offices and ministries in the diocese
or parish, a layman can well serve the diocese both in the level of
administration and pastoral leadership. Ours is the conviction that
Apostolic Letter In the form “motu proprio”
given proper training and education, right orientation to empower- UP to our own times, it has been received both the Catholic faith Many other Roman pontiffs, clarified. From the beginning of
ment and proper application of the principle of subsidiarity within the constant concern of Supreme and the treasures of worship and in the course of the centuries, this century they undertook a
the parameters of Canon Law and administrative discretion of the Pontiffs to ensure that the Church culture that had been accumu- showed particular solicitude in more general reform.”[2] Thus
bishop the lay can demonstrate effective decision making in the of Christ offers a worthy ritual lated by the Romans in preceding ensuring that the sacred liturgy our predecessors Clement VIII,
affairs of the Church. to the Divine Majesty, “to the centuries. He commanded that accomplished this task more ef- Urban VIII, St. Pius X,[3] Benedict
praise and glory of His name,” the form of the sacred liturgy as fectively. Outstanding among XV, Pius XII and Blessed John
How is the agenda of social concern being implemented in your and “to the benefit of all His Holy celebrated in Rome (concerning them is St. Pius V who, sustained XXIII all played a part.
diocese? Church.” both the Sacrifice of Mass and by great pastoral zeal and fol- In more recent times, the Sec-
We have a continuing agenda for social concerns in the diocese. Since time immemorial it has the Divine Office) be conserved. lowing the exhortations of the ond Vatican Council expressed
These are being implemented through the following programs: been necessary—as it is also for He took great concern to ensure Council of Trent, renewed the a desire that the respectful rev-
peace promotion agenda via Church-Military liaison whereby the future—to maintain the prin- the dissemination of monks and entire liturgy of the Church, over- erence due to divine worship
dialogue is made possible on sensitive issues like human rights ciple according to which “each nuns who, following the Rule of saw the publication of liturgical should be renewed and adapted
affecting the lives of people especially the poor; good governance particular Church must concur St. Benedict, together with the books amended and “renewed in to the needs of our time. Moved
via graft watch which makes the Social Action Office a network of with the universal Church, not announcement of the Gospel, accordance with the norms of the by this desire our predecessor,
the Ombudsman Office to push for the investigation, prosecution only as regards the doctrine of the illustrated with their lives the fathers,” and provided them for the Supreme Pontiff Paul VI, ap-
and punishment of LGUs and other government agencies if found faith and the sacramental signs, wise provision of their rule that the use of the Latin Church. proved, in 1970, reformed and
guilty; community health project promoting cheap generic drugs but also as regards the usages “nothing should be placed before One of the liturgical books of partly renewed liturgical books
in parishes as well as oriental/traditional healing by training local universally accepted by uninter- the work of God.” In this way the the Roman rite is the Roman Mis- for the Latin Church. These, trans-
health workers in parish areas; Bigasang Bayan in tandem with rupted apostolic Tradition, which sacred liturgy, celebrated accord- sal, which developed in the city of lated into the various languages
NFA selling cheap rice in parishes; affordable or low cost housing must be observed not only to ing to the Roman use, enriched Rome and, with the passing of the of the world, were willingly ac-
project facilitated by the Church for the benefit of its eligible work- avoid errors but also to transmit not only the faith and piety but centuries, little by little took forms cepted by bishops, priests and
ers based on a defined tenure of service; other advocacies such as the integrity of the faith, because also the culture of many peoples. very similar to that it has had in faithful. John Paul II amended the
promotion of ecology and sustainable agriculture; and plans and the Church’s law of prayer corre- It is known, in fact, that the Latin recent times. third typical edition of the Roman
initiatives to establish CARITAS-BACOLOD. sponds to her law of faith.”[1] liturgy of the Church in its vari- “It was towards this same goal Missal. Thus Roman Pontiffs have
Among the Pontiffs who ous forms, in each century of the that succeeding Roman Pontiffs operated to ensure that “this kind
What is your take on the perceived threat of materialism influenc- showed that requisite concern, Christian era, has been a spur to directed their energies during of liturgical edifice ... should again
ing our lifestyle due to globalization? particularly outstanding is the the spiritual life of many saints, the subsequent centuries in or- appear resplendent for its dignity
Globalization characterized especially by cyber-media shrinking name of St. Gregory the Great, has reinforced many peoples in der to ensure that the rites and and harmony.”[4]
7 Questions /B7 who made every effort to ensure the virtue of religion and fecun- liturgical books were brought But in some regions, no small
that the new peoples of Europe dated their piety. up to date and when necessary Summorum /B5

vol11-n14 B.indd 1 7/11/2007 2:14:50 PM

 CBCP Monitor
B2 Updates Vol. 11 No. 14
July 9 - 22, 2007

Marriage Annulment
or Declaration of
Marriage Nullity?
By Fr. Jaime B. Achacoso, J.C.D.

(Second of two parts)

Can a marriage be annulled based on concubinage? The couple married young, and on the decision of the elders really, because the girl
was pregnant and reluctant to marry but the boy’s mother wanted her son to be responsible. They have one child, male, 36 years old and
also married. The man has a second family with three young children. He has another child (but no family) abroad. All this is known
and accepted by the legal wife. If their marriage is annulled, what happens to his legitimate child? Will he drop his family name? May
the man marry his concubine in his second family, the mother of his three young children?

WE now have to clarify the meaning of the
so-called declaration of marriage nullity in
the Catholic Church—which is not a Cath-
olic Church-style marriage annulment. We
start by understanding the juridic (canoni-
cal) constitution of marriage. How does a
Catholic Church (or canonical) marriage
come about? For brevity, we shall simply
write marriage when we really mean
Catholic or canonical marriage.
Marriage stands on 3 Pillars
Three elements are necessary for mar-
riage to come about: (1) the capacity to
marry in both contracting parties, (2) the
mutual consent of the contracting par-
© Ken Seet/Corbis
considered as a valid marriage.
The evidence to be adduced in the ju-
dicial process should be those that prove
the non-existence of any one of the above-
mentioned constitutive elements of a valid
marriage at the time of the said marriage.
Whatever facts arise after the wedding
only has validity to the marriage nullity
process insofar as they prove the non-
existence of any of the above-mentioned
elements at the time of the wedding. Let
us discuss the first of the three constitutive
elements, leaving the last two in another
two-part article in the near future.
The Capacity to Contract Marriage
All human persons are—by nature—ca-
and women. Thus, if a man can prove that
he was only 17 years and 11 months old
when he got married in Church, he can
contest the validity of that marriage.
2) Impotence (c.1084): Inability to have
marital intercourse—whether on the
part of the woman or on the part of the
man—which is antecedent to the marriage
(present even before the marriage) and
perpetual in nature (i.e., not just transitory),
whether relative (just with this partner)
or absolute (with any partner) of its very
nature invalidates a marriage. Sterility
(the inability to cause conception) neither
prohibits nor invalidates marriage, unless
such fact was concealed fraudulently to ob-

ties to enter into marriage, and (3) the pable of contracting marriage. Hence, the tain consent (c.1098). Thus, if a woman can
observance of the canonical form of mar- right to contract marriage—technically prove that her husband had not been able
riage. If any of these to consummate their
three elements is A valid and consummated marriage cannot be dissolved marriage from their
lacking—even if this marriage night and
fact is proven only (annulled) by any human power or for any reason other thereafter, she can
The CBCPWorld Network afterwards, precisely
through a judicial
than death. Strictly speaking—except in the case of a sue for nullity based
on impotence of her
non-consummated marriage, which the Roman Pontiff
www.cbcpworld.com | training@cbcpworld.net | +632 4041612, 4042182

A network of Dioceses, Parishes, Catholic Schools process—then a com-
petent Church tribu-
and religious groups. Today, over a hundred of nal can declare that may dissolve for a just cause—there is no such thing as
them nationwide. Pursuing one mission, linked a hitherto accepted marriage annulment in the Catholic Church.
under one nationwide satellite system. Connected marriage (technically
called a putative marriage, from the Latin
together with the same passion for the Gospel. putare = to think) was void from the very
beginning. In short, there is nothing to an-
Our Broadband Connectivity is delivered to our net- nul, but rather the nullity of the marriage
is declared.
work members through a VSAT system on a C-band or A valid and consummated marriage
through a wireless IP system on a microwave platform, cannot be dissolved (annulled) by any
originating from our network operations center in Clark human power or for any reason other than
death (c.1141). Strictly speaking—except in
Special Economic Zone in Angeles City. the case of a non-consummated marriage,
which the Roman Pontiff may dissolve for
Our Content Department aims at saturating the cyber- a just cause—there is no such thing as mar-
riage annulment in the Catholic Church.
space with wholesome contents that are faith-related,
educational and social-advocacy oriented. Its services Declaration of Marriage Nullity
are: web designing, web maintenance, web hosting, What happens in a declaration of
nullity is that after a marriage has been
content sourcing and editing, and video production. celebrated—sometimes even many years
afterwards—it is shown before a compe-
Our Traning Department conducts the following tent Church tribunal that one or more of
the three constitutive elements of marriage
trainings: EdTech, IT Awareness, WebArt, SysAd was either not present or gravely defective
Training. such that the marriage in question was not
constituted after all. Hence, the tribunal de-
clares (juridically) the nullity of a hitherto
called the ius connubi—is a fundamental
right of all the Catholic faithful, protected
by Canon Law (c.1058). Only the Supreme
Legislator can establish limitations to this
right—technically called diriments im-
pediments—in accord with Natural Law
and in order to protect the common good
of the Church (c.1075). As in all limitation
of rights, such impediments are necessar-
ily very few, and unless explicitly stated
or reserved to the Holy See, can be dis-
pensed by the Local Ordinary for his own
subjects wherever they may be and for all
other persons actually present in his own
territory (c.1078, §1). Very briefly, these
impediments are:
1) Age (c.1083): The Code established
that a man cannot validly contract mar-
riage before he has completed his 16th
year, and likewise a woman before her
14th year. However, it is within the power
of individual bishops’ conferences to
establish a higher minimum age. In the
Philippines, the CBCP has established 18
years as the minimum age for both men
husband; but not if
such impotence only
arose afterwards.
This impediment
cannot be dispensed,
since the marital union belongs to the very
nature of marriage.
3) Bond of prior marriage (c.1085): A per-
son who is held to the bond of a prior mar-
riage, even if it has not been consummated,
cannot validly contract another marriage.
Furthermore, even if a prior marriage were
to be deemed invalid, it is not licit for a
person to contract another marriage until
the nullity of the prior marriage has been
legitimately declared. This impediment
cannot be dispensed, since that would
violate one of the essential properties of
marriage which is monogamy.
4) Disparity of cult (c.1086): A Catholic,
who has not left the Church by means of
a formal act, cannot validly marry a non-
baptized person. This impediment can be
dispensed by the local Ordinary if there is
reasonable cause, provided the following
conditions are fulfilled: (c.1125)
1° the Catholic party declares that he/
she is prepared to remove any danger of
falling away from the faith and makes a
Marriage / B7

Extraordinary Ministers of
Holy Communion at Mass
General Principles the Lord. In all matters such priest has received Communion.
In every celebration of the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy After the priest has concluded
Eucharist, there should be a Communion should follow the his own Communion, he dis-
sufficient number of ministers guidance of the diocesan bishop tributes Communion to the ex-
of Holy Communion so that it (IBID). traordinary ministers, assisted
may be distributed in a reverent All ministers of Holy Com- by the deacon, and then hands
and orderly manner. Bishops, munion should show the great- the sacred vessels to them for
priests and deacons distribute est reverence for the Most Holy distribution of Holy Commu-
Holy Communion in virtue of Eucharist by their demeanor, nion to the people.
their office as ordinary minis- their attire, and the manner in • All receive Holy Commu-
ters of the Body and Blood of which they handle the conse- nion in the manner described
the Lord. crated bread or wine. Should by the General Instruction to
When the size of the congrega- there be any mishap—as when, the Roman Missal, whether
tion or the incapacity of the bish- for example, the consecrated priest concelebrants (cf. GIRM,
op, priest, or deacon requires it, wine is spilled from the chal- nos. 159, 242, 243, 246), deacons
the celebrant may be assisted ice—then the affected “area . (cf. GIRM, nos. 182, 244, 246),
by other bishops, priests, or . . should be washed and the or Extraordinary Ministers of
deacons. If such ordinary min- water poured into the sacrarium Holy Communion (cf. GIRM,
isters of Holy Communion are [GIRM, 280].” no. 284). Neither deacons nor lay
not present, “the priest may call ministers may ever receive Holy
upon extraordinary ministers to Liturgy of the Eucharist: Communion in the manner of a
assist him, i.e., duly instituted • As the Agnus Dei or Lamb concelebrating priest. The prac-
acolytes or even other faithful of God is begun, the bishop or tice of Extraordinary Ministers
who have been deputed for this priest alone, or with the assis- of Holy Communion waiting to
purpose. In case of necessity, the tance of the deacon, and if nec- receive Holy Communion until
priest may also depute suitable essary of concelebrating priests, after the distribution of Holy
faithful for this single occasion breaks the eucharistic bread. Communion is not in accord
(GIRM 162).” • As the Agnus Dei or Lamb with liturgical law. (NDRHC,
Extraordinary Ministers of of God is begun, the Bishop or 39; GIRM, 160).
Holy Communion should re- priest alone, or with the assis- • After all Extraordinary Min-
© CBCP Media

ceive sufficient spiritual, theo- tance of the deacon, and if nec- isters of Holy Communion have
logical, and practical prepara- essary of concelebrating priests, received the Eucharist, the bish-
tion to fulfill their role with breaks the eucharistic bread. op or priest celebrant reverently
knowledge and reverence. In Other empty ciboria or patens hands vessels containing the ing, “The Blood of Christ.” No sacrarium. is strictly forbidden to pour the
all matters they should follow are then brought to the altar is Body or the Blood of the Lord other words or names should be • In those instances when Precious Blood into the ground
the guidance of the diocesan this is necessary. The deacon to the deacons or extraordinary added; and the formula should there remains more consecrated or into the sacrarium. (NDRHC,
bishop (Norms for the Distri- or priest places the consecrated ministers who will assist with not be edited in any way. (Cf. wine than was necessary, if 51-55).
bution and Reception of Holy bread in several ciboria or pat- the distribution of Holy Com- GIRM, 161; 284-287). needs dictate, Extraordinary • Similarly, “consecrated
Communion Under Both Kinds ens, if necessary, as required for munion. The deacon may assist • If the Eucharistic bread or Ministers of Holy Communion hosts are to be reserved in a
for the Dioceses of the United the distribution of Holy Com- the priest in handing the vessels some particle of it falls, it should may consume what remains ciborium or vessel in sufficient
States of America, NDRHC, no. munion. If it is not possible to containing the Body and Blood be picked up reverently by the of the Precious Blood from quantity for the needs of the
28). When recourse is had to accomplish this distribution in of the Lord to the Extraordinary minister. The consecrated bread their cup of distribution with faithful; they are to be frequent-
Extraordinary Minister of Holy a reasonable time, the celebrant Ministers of Holy Communion. may be consumed or completely the permission of the diocesan ly renewed and the old hosts
Communion, especially in the may call upon the assistance of (NDRHC, 40). dissolved in water before being bishop. The sacred vessels are properly consumed” (Code of
distribution of Holy Commu- other deacons or concelebrating • The proper and only per- poured down the sacrarium. to be purified by the priest, the Canon Law, no. 939). Burying
nion under both kinds, their priests. missible form for distributing • Should there be any mishap, deacon or an instituted acolyte. hosts or consecrated Eucharistic
number should not be increased • If extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion is to offer the for example, if the consecrated The amount of wine to be conse- bread is strictly forbidden.
beyond what is required for the Holy Communion are required consecrated bread by saying, wine is spilled from the chalice, crated should be carefully mea-
orderly and reverent distribu- by pastoral need, they should “The Body of Christ” and to of- the area should be washed sured before the celebration so (Source: Committee on the Lit-
tion of the Body and Blood of not approach the altar before the fer the consecrated wine by say- and the water poured into the that none remains afterward. It urgy, USCCB)

vol11-n14 B.indd 2 7/11/2007 2:15:20 PM

 CBCP
CBCP Monitor
Monitor
Vol. 11 No. 14
July 9 - 22, 2007
T
HE Archdiocese of Cagay-
an de Oro comprises the
civil Province of Misamis
Oriental and the Province
of Camiguin. The town of
Malitbog in Bukidnon is also part of
the archdiocese. Majority of the popu-
lation reside close to the seashore of
both provinces. Some indigenous
Filipinos known popularly as lumad
The Archdiocese of
Cagayan de Oro
IMPORTANT FACTS
Archbishop
Priests:
Filipino
Foreign
Religious:
Filipino
Foreign
Brothers:
Filipino
Sisters:
Filipino
Foreign
Seminarians:
Pre-College
Philosophy
Theology
Diocesan Divisions:
Vicariates/Districts
Parishes
Chaplaincies
With Resident Pastor
Without Resident Pastor
Entrusted to Diocesan Clergy
Entrusted to Religious Clergy
Educational Centers:
University
Colleges
High Schools:
Diocesan/Parochial
Directed by Religious
Elementary Schools:
Directed by Religious
Kindergarten:
Directed by Religious
Institutions:
Orphanage/Asylum
Homes and Dormitories
Retreat Houses
Hospitals
Population 1,200,447
Catholics 1,020,380
Area 3,799 sq.kms.
live in the mountains of Misamis
Oriental. Among the Christian popu-
lation, especially in the business
centers are some Muslims many of
whose children have already been in
Cagayan de Oro and studying even in
Catholic Institutions. There are many
Chinese who are mostly Buddhists,
though lots of them, especially those
of the younger generation, are Catho-
lics. A lot of the young Chinese are
studying in a Chinese school (Kong
Hua) administered by members of
the Hijas de Jesus, a female religious
institute.
The Diocese of Cagayan de Oro
The Diocese of Cagayan de Oro
was created on January 20, 1933
by the Apostolic Constitution “Ad
maius religionis”, and canonically
erected on July 4, 1933. It was the
second diocese to be established in
Mindanao after Zamboanga. Cagayan
de Oro became a suffragan of the
Archdiocese of Cebu when it was
made into an Archdiocese in 1934. It
comprised the provinces of Surigao,
the Misamis Provinces, the present
Agusans, Bukidnon and Lanao: that
is, the northern part of Mindanao.
His Excellency, Most Rev. James
T. G. Hayes, SJ, was appointed first
Bishop of the diocese. He was an
Irish-American who loved to be ad-
dressed by his Cebuano (actually
Spanish) name “Santiago”. In fact,
it was even with this name that he
signed the official documents. People
then used to address him as “Kama-
halan” instead of “His Excellency”.
He would go down in history as the
first and only bishop of the Diocese
of Cagayan de Oro.
Elevation of Cagayan de Oro into an
Archdiocese
vol11-n14 B.indd 3
Cagayan de Oro was elevated into
an archdiocese on June 29, 1951 by
the Apostolic Constitution “Quo
Philippina Respublica”, making it the
first archdiocese in Mindanao. It com-
prised all the existing dioceses and
prelatures of Mindanao (Surigao, Co-
tabato, Sulu, Davao, Ozamiz) includ-
ing Zamboanga, its Mother diocese,
which became an archdiocese only in
1
95
1
21
16
4
By Msgr. Rey Manuel S. Monsanto, HP, JCD
180
14
23 1958. Thus, at that time, Cagayan de
27 Oro became one of the six Ecclesiasti-
31 cal Provinces in the Philippines and
the only one in Mindanao. His Excel-
5 lency Most Rev. James T.G. Hayes,
45 S.J., was appointed archbishop until
9 incardinated to the archdiocese.
his retirement in 1970.
44
With the creation of the Archdio-
1
43 ceses of Zamboanga in 1958, Davao in
2 1970, Cotabato in 1979 and Ozamiz in
1983, the present suffragan dioceses
1 of Cagayan de Oro include Butuan
4 (Provinces of Agusan Norte and
Sur), Surigao (Province of Surigao
5 the ministry, while three are now in
Norte), Tandag (Province of Surigao
16
Sur), and Malaybalay (Province of
5 Bukidnon)—or what is known as
CABUSTAM.
6 The Patron Saint of the Archdio-
cese is St. Augustine of Hippo whose
1 feast falls on August 28. The choice
3 of St. Augustine as Patron Saint
7 can perhaps be explained by the
1
fact that the Augustinian Recollects
came to Cagayan de Oro in 1624 and
worked in earnest for the spread of
Christianity.
The Jesuit Fathers were among the
first to spread Christianity in Cagay-
an de Oro and many other places in
Mindanao establishing parishes and
schools. The Columban Fathers came
soon after the creation of Cagayan de
Oro into a diocese.
Archbishops and Bishops
The Archdiocese of Cagayan de
Oro has been served up to the pres-
ent by four Archbishops, namely,
Most Rev. James T.G. Hayes, SJ, who
retired in 1970; Most Rev. Patrick
H. Cronin, SSC, an Irish Columban,
who retired in 1988; Most Rev. Jesus
B. Tuquib, the first Filipino diocesan
Archbishop; and presently by Most
Rev. Antonio J. Ledesma, a Filipino
Jesuit, who was installed in May
2006.
Archbishop Tuquib was a Boholano
diocesan priest who became the first
Bishop of Pagadian, and later came to
the archdiocese as a Co-Adjutor with
the right of succession in 1984. The
Archdiocese also had a number of ei-
ther Co-adjutor or Auxiliary Bishops,
namely, Most Rev. Teofilo Camomot,
a Cebuano diocesan priest, who was
Co-adjutor Archbishop with the right
of succession but resigned before he
could succeed Archbishop Hayes;
Most Rev. Ireneo Amantillo, CSsR, an
Ilonggo Redemptorist who became
the first Bishop of Tandag; Most
Rev. Jesus Dosado, CM, a Cebuano
Vincentian priest, who was installed
first Archbishop of Ozamiz; and
Most Rev. Christian Noel, a Cebuano
diocesan priest, who became the first
Bishop of Talibon.
Parishes and Chaplaincies
The Archdiocese of Cagayan de
Oro is at present made up of 46
parishes and 11 chaplaincies, com-
munities on the way of becoming
Diocese
full-pledged parishes. Definitely
more parishes will have to be opened
in the future especially in the city
because of its rapid economic growth
and development attracting many
people from all over the country and
from other places.
The Chinese Catholics especially in
the city proper also have their own
personal parish, the San Lorenzo
Archbishop Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ, DD, and the St. Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral of Cagayan de Oro City
Ruiz Catholic Community, under the
pastoral care of one of our diocesan
priests.
Priests and Religious
There are now 105 diocesan priests
Most of them are in the parishes but
there are also others who are either in
the seminary or are having full-time
diocesan tasks or apostolates. Some
are outside the archdiocese either on
study-leave, on mission, working in
other dioceses, or just on leave from
retirement.
Most of the diocesan priests have
become members of a society of
diocesan priests founded by Arch-
bishop Camomot: the Society of
St. John Vianney or SSJV. All the
founding fathers, except a diocesan
Chinese priest, Fr. Peter Wang, are
now dead.
At present, only the Columban
Fathers and the Priests of the Sacred
Heart of Jesus (SCJ) help in admin-
istering the parishes and chaplain-
cies.
Meanwhile, the religious sisters are
in various fields of apostolates (like
running or administering schools,
campus ministry, parish work, cat-
echetics, family life, hospital work,
running orphanages, homes for
the mentally handicapped and the
aged, taking care of young ladies,
and others).
Lay Organizations/Movements/Cov-
enant Communities
While there are many and varied
traditional lay organizations, like
the Knights of Columbus, Catholic
Women’s League, Legion of Mary,
Apostleship of Prayer, Cursillos de
Cristianidad, and many others, the
archdiocese has also experienced
the blossoming of many lay groups
which are now called covenant com-
munities. Thus, we have, for exam-
ple, the Charismatic Movement (in
all its many expressions and forms),
the Neo-Catechumenate, the many
so-called covenant communities, like
the Couples for Christ and its many
outreaches, the Kahayag sa Dios (also
with its many outreaches), the Bukas
Loob sa Dios, and many others. This
emergence started after Vatican II.
Diocesan Ministries
The Family and Life Apostolate
(CFLA) takes care of the pre-Cana
and post-Cana needs of the couples
and helps them in being responsible
parents. Individuals, movements and
organizations with a family orienta-
tion have come together to lend a
helping hand to the apostolate in
terms of respect-for-life advocacy.
Archbishop Ledesma introduced the
All-NFP approach which encourages
the use all natural family planning
methods, venturing even into criti-
cal collaboration with the DOH and
POPCOM of the government.
The Catechetical Apostolate
takes care mainly of the
catechism of students in
public schools. The Pon-
tifical Mission Societies
(PMS) help instill missionary con-
sciousness among the faithful. The
archdiocese played host to the first
National Holy Childhood Congress.
There is also the Bible Apostolate
(BA) which conducts bible study
seminars and scripture lessons
for the traditional Catholic Faith
Defenders (CFD). It also actively
participates in the annual Family
Bible Quiz. The Archdiocesan Media
Apostolate has just been re-named
Social Communications Ministry.
The Archdiocesan Liturgical Com-
mission (ALC) educates the faithful
in liturgical matters and supervises
the ministry of the Extraordinary
Ministers for Holy Communion and
of the Lectors.
The Archdiocesan Youth Apos-
tolate (AYA) hosted the Vigil of
the World Youth Day Cross which
visited the archdiocese last March 3,
2007, on its way to Sydney, Australia,
for the World Youth Day in 2008.
The Archdiocesan Apostolate for the
Indigenous People (IP) is also active
in promoting the rights of the indig-
enous people. The apostolate has its
own full-time priest-director.
The Social Action Office, which
oversees also Alay Kapwa, and Jus-
tice and Peace issues, is in the process
of being re-vitalized and re-orga-
nized through the help of a group of
lay people with development skills
called ACCESS (Archdiocesan Cen-
ter for Concerns and Social Services).
Present also in the archdiocese, as
in many ecclesiastical jurisdictions
in Mindanao, is the SILSILAH FO-
RUM, a group of alumni (Christian
and Muslim) of the Silsilah Dialogue
Center in Zamboanga, which helps in
the Christian-Muslim dialogue and
Inter-Faith Forum, and serves as the
secretariat for the annual Mindanao
Week of Peace. And, like all the eccle-
siastical jurisdictions in Mindanao,
there are many BEC (Basic Ecclesial
Communities) cells in most of the
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B3
parishes. These cells are tapped for
Political and Voters Education when
there are elections and for
good governance after
elections.
Opus Solidaritatis Pax
With the emphasis of
Archbishop Ledes-
ma on dialogue and
development towards the attainment
of peace and harmony among all, as
shown in his episcopal motto, there has
been much effort in reaching out to all
sectors, like the academe, the many and
varied NGO’s, the different Christian
faiths, and the Muslims. These sectors
have begun to come together, to talk
and to share with each other about the
social, economic, and political questions
in the community and the country. That
is why this aggrupation has called itself
CONVERSATION. This is the group
that talked about and gave information
on the Charter Change before, and dis-
cussed issues on the recently concluded
May elections.
Challenges
The City of Cagayan de Oro and
the Provinces of Misamis Oriental and
Camiguin, as well as the cities and
provinces of the suffragan dioceses are
experiencing an economic boom. Many
of the towns are being “urbanized” or
“westernized”—and have recently been
made into cities. The influx of people
from different places with varied back-
grounds, outlooks and persuasions
consequently led to the rise of socio-
economic-political-spiritual problems.
These problems coupled with the thirst
of people for God and His saving Word,
present a big challenge in terms of
continuing evangelization, the promo-
tion of peace, solidarity, harmony and
dialogue both religious and cultural,
and the maintenance of Catholic moral
values and spiritual life of the faithful in
the midst of changing values, priorities
and lifestyles.
We pray fervently that the Archdio-
cese will rise up to the challenges as she
journeys with the whole Church deeper
into the Third Millennium, bearing in
mind the challenge of the late Pope John
Paul II, in his post-Jubilee Exhortation,
“Novo Millennio Ineunte”: “DUC IN
ALTUM” that also became the theme
of the celebration of the Golden Jubilee
of the Archdiocese in 2001.
7/11/2007 2:15:22 PM
 CBCP Monitor
B4 Commissions Vol. 11 No. 14
July 9 - 22, 2007

Principles of Family Ministry:

Family Values and Spirituality

By Teodulo P. Gonzales, S.J., PhD

ALMOST half-a-century of my life 5. One way to bring back dignity is boundaries, we will stem the tide of
and two decades of my priesthood to restore the capacity to choose and violence and physical, emotional or
have taught me valuable lessons for examine the consequences of one’s sexual abuse. With a renewed sense
family ministry. What lessons have decisions. From being like helpless of limits, we can restore the dignity of
I gathered? What principles would I victims, people become “empowered” people. Without proper boundaries,
humbly go back to as the foundations to redesign their lives. To discern is to people cross lines and trample upon
of my ministry; basic truths to remind see what really matters, to distinguish the sanctuary.
me of family values and spirituality? I the wheat from the chaff, the charcoal 9. Compassion will make us listen
offer here twelve (12) lessons for your from the diamond. It is important to to the cries of our people. It will make
consideration or reflection. make a general examination of life (a us feel with—and be one with—the
1. Life is difficult. Bad things hap- sense of history for imagination), an longings of the heart, the heartbeat of
pen to good people. People experience imperative to take an inventory and the universe. To have empathy means
abuse and violence. People experience see the ambivalent choices we make to enter the world of the other, to see
passion and death. We get confused, and its corresponding fruits. Serenity from the other’s point of view. Despite
become distracted, and get lost along is learning to accept the things we can- the crisis, one can sense opportunities
the way. We become scarred. And not change (surrendering to a Higher to make a significant difference in the
when scarred, we get scared. We are Power what is unmanageable in our lives of so many—teach new skills to
traumatized by people and events. life) and having the courage to change former prostitutes; educate people on
Crisis can spell danger or may usher the things we can, and the wisdom to how to borrow and invest wisely; share
in opportunity. We may be scarred know the difference. new ways to improve rice farming;
and scared but, the good news is, God 6. In the Philippine setting, I have encourage people to read, build homes
promises that we can recover the sacred learned from married couples the for the poor; accompany someone to
(sanctuary, dignity, true self). Name word tapat. It means to honor the truth die in grace.
the pain but claim the dignity of the (which is the basis of communication 10. From the domestic Church, the
person. The Cross is the very wisdom and openness), uphold the good of family, communities, are born because
of God, St. Paul says. Jesus in the Agony the other, and commit to be faithful they believe in the Kingdom values of
in the Garden searched for the will of anywhere and everywhere based from equality, freedom, love, and peace. Our
the Father. the eternal love of God to us, the way companionship is based on following
2. Crisis is like riding on the crest of Christ loves His Church. time-tested Gospel values of surren-
change. Crisis can render us helpless 7. What is the purpose and founda- der, simplicity and service. We are
but can also make us rise to a prudent tion of our life? The alpha and the not meant to be chronically, compul-
judgment and re-de- sively divisive. We
sign our lives to meet I wonder why “Jewel in the Palace” has become are meant to be One
the challenges of de- bread, One body,
velopment. We talk of very popular in Asia—Korea, China, Japan, One people. Not only
intelligence quotient
and emotional intel-
Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines and perhaps, does the family that
prays together stay
ligence, but people in other countries. Why? I guess in a climate of together, the fam-
now learn how to face greed, ignorance, poverty, corruption and blind ily that receives the

© Ken Seet/Corbis
or rise above adver- Lord in the Eucharist
sity; how to become family interest, Chang-Geum, Madame Park, Lady stays together. They
resilient. Crisis may
hide the face of God,
Han represent not only the best of what it is to be become what they
receive, Augustine 12. What can the family do to reach lage? Families.
but beneath the cross Korean, but what it is to be a family, human and says. In a period of their dreams? My metaphor for this is Who must respect the poor and teach
awaits the dawn of
the resurrection and
Asian: loyal, honest, industrious, always searching divisiveness due to
abortion, divorce, mi-
reaching for the STAR. Remember how
the wise men were searching for the
the child to read? Families.
Who can bind the wounds and work
salvation of all. There- for excellence and for the good of God and the gration, we offer the Messiah. What was their guide? They for peace? Families.
fore, treat trouble with
care. Discover the
country, which makes a real difference in the lives Eucharist. This is the
basis of our commu-
followed the star, whose light led them
to the messiah, in the company of Mary
Who can sustain and breath life to
the sea, the sky and mother earth?
new needs emerging of the poor, the sick and the Palace. nion and covenant; and Joseph. The light led to a family. Families.
out of the situation. the basis of family What is the way of the STAR? S stands Who can bring back joy and restore
3. To rediscover the sanctuary (the omega of our life is Christ—the Way, and spirituality. for sanctuary. Again, it reminds us of bonding within the family? Families.
sacred, the holy ground), we need to the Truth and the Life. He who believes 11. How do we move from darkness the sacred ground of our lives and the Who can bring back the refugee and
remove our sandals (fasting, unleav- in Him has life eternal, John says. Any to light? What do we look for in the fam- need to figuratively remove our sandals the migrants? Families.
ened bread). Alcoholics and drug de- branch connected to Christ bears fruit, ily? I will use the acronym PAROL, the and tread gently so that we do not tres- Who can restore the respect and the
pendents in recovery need to detoxify fruit that will last. When we are con- Filipino word for lantern, of which my pass or abuse the sacred in our lives. T esteem of being a person, a woman, a
before therapy begins. Purify. Blessed nected with Christ, and are living in home province is known for. P stands means to treat trouble with care. There friend? Families.
are the pure of heart for they will see love, God dwells in us. The word we for prayer or our connection with God. are times when we need to embrace Therefore, who will raise dignity of
God. In therapy, one needs to empty use in the Philippines is tahanan… This is our ultimate peace, namely, “in the pain and the burden in our lives. the person and the sanctuary of the
oneself to empathize. Simplify so that home. It means the rain has stopped, Him, we live we move and have our A means allowing the pain to teach family? Families.
others may simply live. Be aware¬—of the child has ceased to cry, and the being.” The family is solid in its foun- us the wisdom of God, the emerging Who can restore the integrity of
what we think, or see, or do. Beware. restless soul has found his rest in God. dation if it is rooted and grounded in challenge or need of the time. R means creation and the meaning of a home?
We are vulnerable—when we are tired, Fr. Arrupe says: the love of God. The family gets into to reach for something strategic and Families.
inebriated, or caught in the maelstrom “Nothing is more practical than find- trouble if the spirituality is gone. A small. In the family, sometimes what Who will work together and dialogue
of powerful emotions—beware. We can ing God, that is, than falling in love in stands for accountability. The parents makes a difference is time. Time for for the cause of peace and compas-
lose our way. a quite absolute and final way. What or guardians are the stewards of the meals together. Time to pray together. sion—beyond ethnic divisions, gender
4. To protect the sanctuary, recover we are in love with, what seizes your family, held answerable for what hap- Time to just relax and enjoy each other’s bias or narrow religious fundamental-
the integrity of creation. Restore the imagination will decide everything. It pens. The children become delinquents company. Time to appreciate each ism? Families.
dignity of the person. A dignity that will decide what will get you out of bed or escape to the streets if the parents other when things are down. Time to I wonder why “Jewel in the Palace”
rests on the consoling presence of God in the morning, how you will spend contribute to the abuse in the family. be truthful and kind. Time to lead and has become very popular in Asia—Ko-
in our life… the very heart of our Ca- your evenings, your weekends. What R means responsibility for the others make a difference. rea, China, Japan, Singapore, Indone-
tholicism. Embrace the movements of you read, what breaks your heart. What and a willingness to cooperate for the Therefore, who suffer poverty and sia, Philippines and perhaps, in other
our life. Clarify our thoughts. Walk the amazes you with joy and gratitude. Fall common good. Couples talk about ignorance due to corruption and self- countries. Why? I guess in a climate of
talk. Plumb the depths of the uncon- in love, stay in love and that will decide couple power. O means occasions to ishness? Families. greed, ignorance, poverty, corruption
scious. Learn the necessary life skills. everything.” communicate (openness to listen and to Who feel the wounds and the wrath and blind family interest, Chang-Geum,
Teach the street kids how to pray, or What should our response be to reveal oneself). L stands for long-last- of war and violence? Families. Madame Park, Lady Han represent not
how to role-play on stage. Send them split, fragmented lives? To include ing investments for building character Who are flooded by environmental only the best of what it is to be Korean,
back to school. Teach them to read. God in our daily decisions. This is the and excellence in the family, for the neglect and devastation? Families. but what it is to be a family, human
Inspire and expose them to leadership beginning of our discipline... and our service of other people. In the Philip- Who feel the loneliness and loss of and Asian: loyal, honest, industrious,
skills so they rediscover their dignity discipleship in Christ. In the Philip- pines, building homes for the poor self-esteem due to separation and di- always searching for excellence and for
and worth and they become advocates pines, we say: “Nasa Diyos ang awa, under the Gawad Kalinga Project has vorce? Families. the good of God and the country, which
for others. Give the prostitute an alter- nasa tao ang gawa. Kung ano ang dasal become a family-building exercise for Who feel the restlessness and lack of makes a real difference in the lives of
native life and she will recover her old, iyon ang magiging asal.” We become many families. Unassailable proof that roots due to migration and displace- the poor, the sick and the Palace.
true, dignified, worthy self. A recover- what we pray. you receive in abundance when you ment? Families. (This article was presented to the FED-
ing drug addict said: “If I can only stop 8. Boundaries set our limits and give to the lost, the least, and the last. Who are outcast by ethnic class divi- ERATION OF ASIAN BISHOPS, BISH-
using and pushing drugs, the shame of identity. It tells us what is appropriate The survivors of Mt. Pinatubo joined a sion, religion, gender? Families. OPS’ INSTITUTE ON LAY APOSTO-
being called a pest will be erased. This and what needs to be respected. With caravan to reach out to the victims of Therefore, who will be part of the LATE I [Redemptorist Retreat House
is my contribution to society.” a renewed recovery of appropriate Mt. Mayon. solution and who will restore the vil- Pattaya, Thailand] last June 14, 2007).

ECMI Mediates on Family Concerns of

Representatives from the Cortez family, government agencies, and the Church in a meeting
organized by ECMI and PAMD.
A 41-year-old convicted overseas
Filipino Worker in Saudi Arabia
was recently beheaded without
his family’s prior knowledge.
After serving five years in
prison and suffering 1,000 lashes,
Reynaldo Cortez of Guagua,
Pampanga was beheaded by a
sword last June 13 in Riyadh for
the murder of a Pakistani taxi
driver who reportedly tried to
rape him in 2001.
Although convicted and sen-
tenced to death in 2005, Cortez
and his family offered a blood
money worth 100,000 Saudi riyals
to the family of the slain Pakistani.
The Pakistani family, however,
rejected the offer insisting on the
execution.
Nonetheless, Melody, Cortez’
wife, claimed that she was not in-
formed of the sudden execution,
just as Malacañang was surprised
despite earlier efforts to save
Cortez.
Fair share of critics
Cortez’s unexpected execution
invited harsh criticisms from the
aggrieved and interested parties
as to the government’s alleged
mishandling of the case.
This prompted the CBCP’s
Episcopal Commission for Pasto-
ral Care for Migrants and Itiner-
ant people (ECMI), together with
the Pampanga Archdiocesan
Migrants Desk (PAMD), to orga-
nize a meeting among the repre-
Beheaded OFW in Saudi Arabia
By Edmund Ruga
sentatives of Cortez’s family, the
concerned government agencies,
and the Church.
Representing Cortez’s family
were Melody and three of their
six children while Atty. Roel
Garcia came in behalf of the Of-
fice of the Undersecretary of
Migrant Workers Affairs of the
Department of Foreign Affairs
(DFA-OUMWA). Meanwhile, Luz
Tolentino, Socorro Castro, and Boy
Robles represented the Overseas
Workers Welfare Administration
(OWWA). The Church group
who acted as mediator included
Edmund Ruga of ECMI and Msgr.
Antonio Bustos, Benny Ortega,
Ed Balagtas and Rose Feliciano of
PAMD. A representative from the
office of governor-elect Fr. Ed Pan-
lilio was also present to observe
the meeting held last June 20 at the
Parish of Immaculate Conception
in Guagua.
In the meeting, Melody ex-
pressed her sentiments on the
sudden execution of her husband
and her worries as to their family’s
future.
Garcia asserted that DFA-OUM-
WA was likewise not informed of
what had happened although he
said it is a tradition in Saudi Arabia
of not providing prior notices as to
when will the execution happen.
He also pointed out DFA’s best
efforts up to the extent of even hir-
ing an expert on blood money to
negotiate with the Pakistani fam-
ily but failed due to the family’s
insistence on the execution.
On the issue of repatriation of
Cortez’s body, Garcia said bring-
ing his body back to the country
has a slim chance since bodies of
beheaded convicts need to be bur-
ied in before sundown. Because of
Cortez’s conversion to Islam, the
circumstances he faced was just
in accordance with the Islamic
law. As such, their agency did not
mishandle the case.
After acknowledging Garcia’s
explanation, Melody informed
those present in the meeting that
she knew of Cortez’s conver-
sion and even cautioned him of
possible circumstances. She like-
wise said her mother-in-law was
brought to Pakistan to visit Cortez
and personally negotiate with the
Pakistani family. She also said that
she did not mean to give harsh
comments since her emotions got
the better of her following her
husband’s execution.
As to the possible benefits ex-
tended to Cortez’ dependents,
the OWWA representatives said
they cannot receive any benefits
due to Cortez’s failure to renew
his OWWA membership.
Although ECMI representa-
tives asked for reconsideration
on Cortez’s case, the OWWA
representatives insisted on the
policies stated under the OWWA
Omnibus Code but advised the
distressed family to send a letter of
appeal to the OWWA Board for a
possible humanitarian assistance.
Nonetheless, Cortez’s fam-
ily was offered long term ben-
efits including a skills training for
Melody, possible job employment
for Cortez’s eldest child, a college
scholarship for the second child, a
high school acceleration test for the
third child and a possible OWWA
Tuloy-Aral scholarship for the
remaining children.
While the representative of Gov.
Panlilio promised to extend help
on the needs of Cortez’s family
right after the June 30 installation
and oath taking, the ECMI and
PAMD guarantee monitoring on
the implementation of the things
discussed on the meeting and
checking on Melody and her six
children.

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 CBCP
CBCP Monitor
Monitor
Vol. 11 No. 14
July 9 - 22, 2007 Statements
CBCP Pastoral Statement on the
On The Human 2007 National Elections
Security Act WE are grateful to the many
people who worked hard for
honest and clean elections last
WE are all for the pursuit of peace and we condemn terrorism as a glaring May 2007. In a special way
obstacle to peace. we commend the lay groups
Republic Act No. 9372, dubbed as Human Security Act of 2007, signed under the leadership of the
into a law by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on March 6, 2007, is to Parish Pastoral Council for Re-
take effect two months after the elections of May 14. sponsible Voting (PPCRV), the
Many voices are apprehensive about this law on the basis of constitutional- National Movement for Free
ity and provisions that may legalize objectionable methods of fighting and Election (NAMFREL), the Na-
quelling opposition to the obtaining government. Hence there are calls for tional Secretariat for Social Ac-
bringing the Human Security Act to the Supreme Court for review and for tion (NASSA), the Simbahang
studying and discussing further this law in its contents and repercussions. Lingkod ng Bayan, the Catholic
Some sections have caused lawyers and others to question the effectiveness Media Network, and the newly
of this law such as: organized Legal Network for
• The definition of terrorism in Section 3 is broad and dangerous. It may a Truthful Elections (LENTE).
serve and create a condition of widespread panic. Their efforts undoubtedly con-
• Section 26 allows house arrest despite the posting of bail, prohibits the tributed to the emergence of
right to travel and to communicate with others. a new political consciousness
• Provision for seizure of assets in Section 39 and surveillance or wiretap- among the electorate. In many
ping of suspects in Section 7, investigation of bank deposits and other assets cases, the voters were not na-
in Section 28 – raise up many eyebrows of lawyers and others. ively allured by popular per-
Since we as pastors have to look more into the morality of this law and sonalities or by those who gave
make a pronouncement in that level, we feel that the atmosphere created by away much money. We thank
this law and its impending implementations calls on us to appeal to those the thousands who, in various
concerned to review this law so that in consultation and dialogue we may capacities, devoted themselves
have a law that is truly relevant in promoting the security of the nation and to achieving Clean, Honest, Ac-
in the pursuit of authentic peace. curate, Meaningful and Peace-
For the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines: ful Elections (CHAMP).
Nevertheless, we are mind-
+ANGEL N. LAGDAMEO, D.D. ful of the many evils that con-
Archbishop of Jaro tinue to plague our electoral
President, CBCP exercise. As we have done
July 8, 2007 in the past, we condemn the
dirty conduct of elections in
some provinces. The buying,
as their right to choose their
leaders was desecrated. We
are horrified by the violence
inflicted on innocent people
during the campaign and elec-
tion periods. But we are equally
edified by the heroism of those
who defended the sanctity of
the ballot, even to the point of
death.
It was an achievement in
itself that elections were held
on May 14, 2007. But given a
climate of social distress and
hopelessness, the challenge
was how to restore credibil-
ity to the electoral process as
a core democratic institution
for resolving political conflict,
and how to get the citizenry,
especially the youth, to become
politically engaged. On the
whole, despite the deep flaws
in the process and its adminis-
tration, the last election maybe
said to have been a qualified
success with the results gen-
erally reflecting the popular
will (e.g. only 5 percent of the
contested positions are being
questioned).
Vigilance, Volunteerism and
Coordinated Action
For the first time since 1992,
the Church-based groups,
was organized on the initiative
of One Voice with the Inte-
grated Bar of the Philippines
(IBP) as co-convenor—the first
time that lawyers, paralegal
volunteers were mobilized
for electoral work. LENTE
focused on the weakest link
in the electoral process—the
canvassing of votes at the mu-
nicipal and provincial levels.
These groups agreed to coor-
dinate their work through a
grouping called VforCE (One
Million Volunteers for Clean
Elections). The doggedness
of these groups, despite the
limited time to organize and
coordinate, contributed to the
deterring large-scale fraud.
VforCE offered a framework
for coordinated election. The
May 2007 elections indeed led
to a manifestation of volun-
teerism and vigilance, under-
scoring the critical importance
of collaboration and partner-
ships, and providing concrete
opportunities for citizen en-
gagement in various aspects
of electoral process.
There also were signs of
increased maturity among the
electorate as the election re-
sults demonstrated that sheer
popularity/celebrity
B5
be an indicator of some success
in the voters’ education efforts.
The citizen groups, including
Church-based organizations,
have worked on this for years.
But the last elections also
showed the continuing domi-
nance in the Philippines of
a few political families, and
revealed the persistence of
vote-buying as a serious prob-
lem (including pay-offs not
to vote) in a social context
of widespread poverty and
gross inequality, even if there
were a few positive stories of
reversals of these old trends.
Much remains to be done in
the area of political recruitment
and financing of alternative
candidates, and thus in the de-
velopment of genuine political
party system in the Philippines.
That is why the flawed party
list law and its problematic
implementation is real cause
for concern. There were also
signs of alienation from the
electoral process among the
citizenry: a lower-than-usual
voter turnout (60-65 percent of
registered voters), including a
very low level of participation
from overseas absentee voters
(14 percent).
2007 Elections / B7

AMRSP Mission Partners Statement

padding and selling of votes PPCRV, NAMFREL, NASSA status and huge me-
have embarrassingly become worked closely together and dia expenditures
systemic and threaten to be- were better prepared and or- do not necessar-
9th Biennial Convention come a cultural element of our
elections. It has been reported
ganized to make a qualitative
impact on the elections, even
ily translate to
election vic-
La Salle Villa, Tagaytay City that some voters went to the in Muslim Mindanao. A new tory. These
June 13-15, 2007 precincts only when first paid group called LENTE (Legal results
by some candidates. We also Network for Truthful Elections) may also
“It is our duty, as men and women, to act like there are no limits to our abilities. We
are co-creators of the Universe.” It was an achievement in itself that elections
(Pierre Teilhard de Chardin)
were held on May 14, 2007. But given a
WE live in troubled times, we live in miraculous times. As the world around climate of social distress and hopelessness,
us and inside us evolve, we feel called more often to reflect on our journey and
we find ourselves, together, interconnected and needing each other. We are
the challenge was how to restore credibility
the Mission Partners of the Association of the Major Religious Superiors of the to the electoral process as a core democratic
Philippines (AMRSP). institution for resolving political conflict, and
Gathered together these past two days to revitalize our commitment, we
paused to reflect on the context within which we endeavor to do our mis- how to get the citizenry, especially the youth, to
sion. become politically engaged.
The Signs of the Times express our disapproval of
Globalization sweeps throughout the inhabited world bringing with it more candidates coming from the
death and destruction, further suffering and marginalization for the poorest of same family or clan, thus keep-
the poor and to earth itself. ing power and influence within
Conservatism, crass consumerism, individualism, the selfish drive for profit the family. We hope and pray
and wealth engulf our communities and society. that implementing norms be

Poverty, both urban and rural, continues to worsen and degrade the dignity approved to arrest the spread
of the human person. of this malaise.
Human rights violations on a scale comparable to martial law ravage the Likewise we protest against
sanctity of life. Extra-judicial killings of human rights defenders, workers, farm- the injustice done to people
ers, fisherfolk, indigenous peoples, journalists, church people and lawyers are
alarming and are reinforced and abetted by a culture of impunity.
Summorum / B1
Our environment is desecrated by extractive industries such as large-scale
mining, the propagation of genetically-modified organisms and by disasters. numbers of faithful adhered and contin-
Our women experience further dehumanization by the phenomena of femi- ue to adhere with great love and affection
nization of labor and human trafficking. to the earlier liturgical forms. These had
Within the Church, as institution and among its members, we observe and so deeply marked their culture and their
experience a growing conservatism. spirit that in 1984 the Supreme Pontiff
There is a tendency to prefer the comfort zones of traditional works and non- John Paul II, moved by a concern for the
committal silence to the experiences of injustice and oppression. pastoral care of these faithful, with the
The wave of ambivalence that globalization brings is washing over the special indult “Quattuor Abhinc Anno,”
consciousness toward social transformative praxis, turning away from the issued by the Congregation for Divine
challenge of aggiornamento that Vatican II and PCP II promote. Worship, granted permission to use the
Roman Missal published by Blessed John
The Challenges We Face XXIII in the year 1962. Later, in the year
Indeed, we are in troubled times but our coming together proves we are also 1988, John Paul II with the apostolic letter
in miraculous times. given as “motu proprio, “Ecclesia Dei,”
We realize our weaknesses and rejoice in our strengths. exhorted bishops to make generous use
Our diverse persuasions have prevented us from genuinely coming together of this power in favor of all the faithful
and working together in the spirit that we are all one in Christ our Savior. who so desired.
We recognize that as Mission Partners, together with the AMRSP, we need Following the insistent prayers of these
to remember the rich tradition of service to the people and of prophetic witness faithful, long deliberated upon by our
to the struggles of the poor. predecessor John Paul II, and after hav-
The greater demands of the worsening situation impel us to respond despite ing listened to the views of the cardinal
lack of personnel and funds. fathers of the consistory of 22 March 2006,
We are saddened by the inadequate support from the congregations to the having reflected deeply upon all aspects
work of the mission partners. of the question, invoked the Holy Spirit
We see there is a need for a sustained mechanism for exchange of ideas and and trusting in the help of God, with
coordination among mission partners. these apostolic letters we establish the
In spite of this entire challenging situation, we affirm our passion and commit- following:
ment as Mission Partners of the AMRSP. There is reason for joy and hope. Art 1. The Roman Missal promulgated
We find ourselves growing in our openness, acceptance, and appreciation by Paul VI is the ordinary expression of
of our diversity and more than willing to transcend our limitations towards a the “Lex orandi” (Law of prayer) of the
more effective and sustained service of the poor. Catholic Church of the Latin rite. None-
For the next two years, we commit ourselves to pursue the twin thrusts of theless, the Roman Missal promulgated
expansion and consolidation. by St. Pius V and reissued by Blessed
John XXIII is to be considered as an ex-
Our common Agenda traordinary expression of that same “Lex
We commit ourselves to joint advocacy on pressing issues – Globalization, orandi,” and must be given due honor for
Human Security Act, Charter Change, Mining, Global Warming and Extraju- its venerable and ancient usage. These
dicial Killings. two expressions of the Church’s “Lex
We shall undertake common study, formation and capacity building to orandi” will in no any way lead to a divi-
creatively respond to the present situation. sion in the Church’s “Lex credendi” (Law
We shall maximize opportunities for networking and advocacy among of belief). They are, in fact two usages of
ourselves to stimulate and synergize our ministries. the one Roman rite.
We shall revitalize the dynamism of the Coordinating Council as a venue to It is, therefore, permissible to celebrate
create support and mutual cooperation. the Sacrifice of the Mass following the
We shall promote the Mission Partners to the different congregations in more typical edition of the Roman Missal pro-
creative and life-giving ways. mulgated by Blessed John XXIII in 1962
We shall re-assert our prophetic role and work hand in hand with the AMRSP and never abrogated, as an extraordinary
for the realization of its Vision-Mission. form of the liturgy of the Church. The
With renewed vigor and vitality, with joy and hope, with perseverance and conditions for the use of this Missal as
sacrifice, we commit ourselves to these noble tasks, a sacred duty. In these laid down by earlier documents “Quat-
times there are indeed no limits to what we can do when we work hand in tuor Abhinc Annis” and “Ecclesia Dei,”
hand. Parables and miracles continue to spring forth from the people’s historic are substituted as follows:
struggle for total liberation. Art. 2. In Masses celebrated without the
“Let the heavens be glad, let the earth rejoice…we have told the glad news people, each Catholic priest of the Latin
of deliverance in the great congregation.” (Ps. 96:11 and 40:9) rite, whether secular or regular, may use
the Roman Missal published by Blessed
Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP) Pope John XXIII in 1962, or the Roman
Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP) Missal promulgated by Pope Paul VI in
Urban Missionaries (UM) 1970, and may do so on any day with
Task Force Urban Conscientization (TFUC) the exception of the Easter Triduum. For
Task Force Orientation of Church Personnel (TFOCP) such celebrations, with either one Missal
Justice and Peace and Integrity of Creation Commission (JPICC) or the other, the priest has no need for
Women and Gender Commission (WGC) permission from the Apostolic See or
from his ordinary.
Archbishop Angel N. Lagdameo, D.D.
Art. 3. Communities of institutes of
consecrated life and of societies of apos-
tolic life, of either pontifical or diocesan
right, wishing to celebrate Mass in ac-
cordance with the edition of the Roman
Missal promulgated in 1962, for conven-
tual or “community” celebration in their
oratories, may do so. If an individual
community or an entire institute or soci-
ety wishes to undertake such celebrations
often, habitually or permanently, the
decision must be taken by the superiors
major, in accordance with the law and
following their own specific decrees and
statues.
Art. 4. Celebrations of Mass as men-
tioned above in art. 2 may -- observing
all the norms of law—also be attended
by faithful who, of their own free will,
ask to be admitted.
Art. 5. §1 In parishes, where there is
a stable group of faithful who adhere to
the earlier liturgical tradition, the pastor
should willingly accept their requests to
celebrate the Mass according to the rite of
the Roman Missal published in 1962, and
ensure that the welfare of these faithful
harmonizes with the ordinary pastoral
care of the parish, under the guidance of
the bishop in accordance with Canon 392,
avoiding discord and favoring the unity
of the whole Church.
§2 Celebration in accordance with the
Missal of Blessed John XXIII may take
place on working days; while on Sundays
and feast days one such celebration may
also be held.
§3 For faithful and priests who request
it, the pastor should also allow celebra-
tions in this extraordinary form for spe-
cial circumstances such as marriages,
funerals or occasional celebrations, i.e.,
pilgrimages.
§4 Priests who use the Missal of Blessed
John XXIII must be qualified to do so and
not juridically impeded.
§5 In churches that are not parish or
conventual churches, it is the duty of the
rector of the church to grant the above
permission.
Art. 6. In Masses celebrated in the pres-
ence of the people in accordance with the
Missal of Blessed John XXIII, the readings
may be given in the vernacular, using edi-
tions recognized by the Apostolic See.
Art. 7. If a group of lay faithful, as
mentioned in art. 5 §1, has not obtained
satisfaction to their requests from the
pastor, they should inform the diocesan
bishop. The bishop is strongly requested
to satisfy their wishes. If he cannot ar-
range for such celebration to take place,
the matter should be referred to the Pon-
tifical Commission Ecclesia Dei.
© JP Acuña/CBCP Media
Art. 8. A bishop who, desirous of satis-
fying such requests, but who for various
reasons is unable to do so, may refer the
problem to the Commission Ecclesia Dei
to obtain counsel and assistance.
Art. 9. §1 The pastor, having attentively
examined all aspects, may also grant
permission to use the earlier ritual for
the administration of the sacraments
of baptism, marriage, penance, and the
anointing of the sick, if the good of souls
would seem to require it.
§ 2 Ordinaries are given the right to
celebrate the sacrament of confirmation
using the earlier Roman Pontifical, if the
good of souls would seem to require it.
§ 2 Clerics ordained “in sacris consti-
tutis” may use the Roman Breviary pro-
mulgated by Blessed John XXIII in 1962.
Art. 10. The ordinary of a particular
place, if he feels it appropriate, may erect
a personal parish in accordance with
Canon 518 for celebrations following
the ancient form of the Roman rite, or
appoint a chaplain, while observing all
the norms of law.
Art. 11. The Pontifical Commission
Ecclesia Dei, erected by John Paul II in
1988[5], continues to exercise its function.
Said commission will have the form, du-
ties and norms that the Roman Pontiff
wishes to assign it.
Art. 12. This commission, apart from
the powers it enjoys, will exercise the
authority of the Holy See, supervising
the observance and application of these
dispositions.
We order that everything we have
established with these apostolic letters
issued as “motu proprio” be consid-
ered as “established and decreed,”
and to be observed from Sept. 14 of
this year, feast of the Exaltation of the
Cross, whatever there may be to the
contrary.
From Rome, at St. Peter’s, July 7,
2007, third year of Our Pontificate.
Pope Benedict XVI
[1] General Instruction of the Roman
Missal, 3rd ed., 2002, No. 397.
[2] John Paul II, apostolic letter “Vic-
esimus Quintus Annus,” Dec. 4, 1988, 3:
AAS 81 (1989), 899.
[3] Ibid.
[4] St. Pius X, apostolic letter issued
“motu propio data,” “Abhinc Duos
Annos,” Oct. 23, 1913: AAS 5 (1913),
449-450; cf John Paul II, apostolic letter
“Vicesimus Quintus Annus,” No. 3: AAS
81 (1989), 899.
[5] Cf John Paul II, apostolic letter issued
“motu proprio data,” “Ecclesia Dei,” July
2, 1988, 6: AAS 80 (1988), 1498.

vol11-n14 B.indd 5 7/11/2007 2:15:28 PM

 CBCP Monitor
B6 Reflections Vol. 11 No. 14
July 9 - 22, 2007

Bo Sanchez

Hardwork
Magic Works
I smiled at the lovely woman beside me.
She smiled back, her large round eyes singing.
Hard as I tried, I couldn’t recall gazing at a more ravishing
sight in my life. And it wasn’t just physical, mind you. It was her
peaceful presence, her gentle nature, her bearing both feminine
and strong at the same time.
“Good day, isn’t it?” I intoned, attempting to hide my ner-
vousness.
“Yes, though it’s a teeny bit warm,” her soft voice whis-
pered.
In truth, the day was hot and the air quite still. But I was
oblivious of it, caught up in the vision of the angel before me,
as though the very air I breathed was part of this apparition
of loveliness.
“Are you… uh, doing anything tonight?”
The princess chuckled. “Why do you ask?”
“Well, I was wondering if you’d like to spend it with me.
Alone, if possible.” My voice trembled and my chest felt like it
wanted to explode.
“Aren’t you going a little too fast?”

© Tomasz Gzell/epa/Corbis
Her naughty grin gave me confidence, so I shook my head.
“Nope. In fact, I think the timing is more than perfect.”
She squinted. “We’ll see. If you do the right things and say
the right words....”
Suddenly, the Bishop—who was in front of us—announced,

With a kiss, the frog becomes a prince again—and

Heaven Isn’t Cheap, You Know!

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Luke 10:25-37)
July 15, 2007
By Bishop Mylo Hubert C. Vergara, DD
A PRIEST entered a convent and saw an 84-
year old nun cleaning the floor of the lobby.
The priest told her: “Sister, you work too much!
You’re too old for that job. Give that work
to the younger nuns.” She seriously replied,
“Heaven isn’t cheap, you know!”
In our gospel passage, a scholar of the law
asked Jesus: “Teacher, what must I do to inherit
eternal life?” (Luke 10:25) This expert of the law
desired eternal life; he wanted to go to heaven.
He knew heaven wasn’t cheap. He was clear
with his answer: the
first is to love God with Eternal life is a gift from God. But our desire to attain it
all our heart, with all
our soul, with all our demands authentically living out God’s law by reaching out
mind, and with all our to and loving even the most difficult to love.
strength; the second is
to love our neighbor as ourselves. But did he
really know the seriousness of his answer? He
even wanted to justify his response by asking,
“Who is my neighbor?” Jesus spelled it out for
him with the story of the Good Samaritan.
The story of the Good Samaritan who cared
for a Jew in need teaches us that loving one’s
neighbor goes beyond even the most irreconcil-
able of differences (John 4:9) The priest and Lev-
ite bypassed the man in critical and desperate
condition. Despite their adherence to the law to
avoid an apparently dead man who was unclean
(Leviticus 21:11), they were the ones expected
to lend a helping hand. But it took a Samaritan,
reaching out to a Jew, to highlight the point that
loving one’s neighbor means embracing anyone
and can never be discriminatory.
A touching story in the life of Blessed Teresa
of Calcutta can inspire us to love our neighbor
as the Good Samaritan did.
When Mother Teresa started her work with
the dying destitute she was in desperate need
of a place in which to care for them. Local
authorities in Calcutta offered her a section of
the temple to the goddess Kali, which, though
originally intended for the temporary housing
pilgrims, had become a hangout for thieves,
drug addicts, and pimps. When the news circu-
lated that the temple was being run by a woman
and a foreigner; and that the she was trying to
“convert the poor to Christianity,” groups of
people protested at city hall. Others went to the
nearest police station to demand that the woman
be evicted. The police commissioner promised
to do just that, but wanted first to personally
the witch a lovely princess once more. Yes, it is
magic, but magic that you work very hard for.
“Dearly beloved, this is the wedding of the century!” At once,
a thousand people cheered behind us. Marowe, radiant in her
white wedding gown, gave out a shy giggle. I laughed more
uproariously.
His Excellency asked us a number of questions.
check things out. I recall answering, “Yes, I do,” to each of them. He told me
When the police commissioner went to see to put a ring in her finger, and I followed the instructions to
Mother Teresa, she was caring for a poor sick the letter. I guess I did the right things and said the right words
man by putting potassium permanganate on that day, because my bride obliged my request.
wounds from which worms were crawling out. We did spend the rest of the day together. And the next 365
The stench was unbearable. days thereafter.
Mother Teresa treated the officer with respect Yes, it’s been a year since, and I’ve learned some truths about
and offered to show him about. He answered being a lover.
that he preferred to look around on his own. One is that all apparitions of loveliness, no matter how lovely,
When he came out he met some of the people will not last. After awhile, every enchanting princess becomes
who had complained about Mother Teresa a broom-riding witch. (And I, the gorgeous prince in her eyes,
and said, “I gave you turns into an insect-munching, slimy-skinned, foul-smelling
my word that I would toad.) This happens to everybody. No exceptions.
But here’s the second truth I’ve learned: That this too isn’t a
throw this woman out
here, and I would like to permanent condition.
That if I keep on doing the right things and saying the right
keep it. But, before I do
words each day—I can bring back our romance to life again. If
so you will have to get
your mothers and sisters to do what she does. I continue to say “Yes” to God’s questions of love, and follow
I make that as the only condition for exercising His instructions to the letter…the apparition of loveliness in
my authority. (from Luis Gonzalez-Balado, my heart returns. No doubt about it.
Stories of Mother Teresa: Her Smile and Her With a kiss, the frog becomes a prince again—and the witch
Words, 1983) a lovely princess once more. Yes, it is magic, but magic that you
This example from the life of Mother Teresa work very hard for.
challenges us to live the law of loving God and To my forever bride, thank you for a magical first year. The many
our neighbor seriously. Eternal life is a gift times we laughed. The many times we cried. Even the many times we
from God. But our desire to attain it demands fought—and ended up in each others’ arms before the end of each day.
authentically living out God’s law by reaching Yes, you are the most beautiful gift God has ever given me. Next to
out to and loving even the most difficult to God, you will always be the greatest thing that ever happened to me.
love. Heaven isn’t cheap, you know!

Fr. Roy Cimagala Atty. Jo Imbong

Road Spirituality What’s the Use?

I THINK it’s about time that
we be more aware of what we
may term as “road spirituality.”
The idea struck me when I read
Vatican’s most recent docu-
ment, “Guidelines for the Pas-
toral Care of the Road.” T h e
good thing about documents
like this is that they gather and
express in very high resolu-
tion, fleeting thoughts, insights,
observations, etc. we can have
about our experiences on the
road.
It’s amazing to realize how
these passing impressions can
have many and serious implica-
tions. Besides, they introduce
us to more interesting relevant
issues.
Obvious- We have to be aware of the proper attitudes and habits
ly, the road
is an integral
we ought to have while making a trip to combat the
part of our usual temptations and moral dangers while on the
life. Just try
to pause to road. We need to be wary of what would comprise as
think of how
much time
sinful omissions while traveling.
you spend there, and of what
things have occurred there, and
you’ll see that the road indeed
occupies a significant, even
crucial, part in our life.
Truth is mobility is unavoid-
able in our life. And as we
develop more, our need for
mobility also increases. It can-
not be any other way.
The document deserves to be
studied thoroughly by every-
one, but especially by bishops,
priests and other pastoral care
workers. It increases our sensi-
tivity to our pastoral and spiri-
tual duties while on the road.
It is a richly nuanced yet uni-
fied consideration of things,
from the biblical to the spiritual
and moral, from the psychologi-
cal to the ecological and social,
etc. Everything is linked to its
religious relevance in our life.
The document happily covers
a wide range of concerns. There
are four main parts dedicated
to the pastoral care for road
users, for street women (prosti-
tutes and customers), for street
children, and for the homeless
(tramps).
In each part, there is a sub-
stantial and meaningful discus-
sion of many interesting issues,
always relating them to how our
relationship should be with God
and with one another.
I must admit that I’m learning
a lot from this eye-opener of a
document. I believe I express
the sentiments of many who
tend to take for granted the im-
portance of our trips and travels
in general.
What usually happens is that
these travels get completely
relegated to the background as
we are only interested and are
completely dominated by the
immediate reasons why those
trips are made.
But our trips and time on the
road are not merely human ac-
tions that are automatic, like our
breathing and heartbeat. They
are human acts that entail our
deliberate use of intelligence
and freedom.
They necessarily involve a
certain morality. Much of our
human drama takes place on
these travels. Even our eternal
destiny to a large extent de-
pends on them. They should not
be taken for granted.
In fact, in the first part of the
document, there is a discussion
about the psychological aspect
of driving. Many moral ques-
tions are involved. A number of
dangerous attitudes and sinful
practices are mentioned.
For example, driving can
mask our urge to escape from
everyday reality, to act out our
domination instinct, our vanity
and personal glorification.
Driving can unleash the pent-
up evil tendencies we manage
to hide when we are in our
usual places. It can be a treach-
erously disruptive element in
our life.
Thus, the document proposes
some ethical considerations, and
even a kind of “Ten Command-
ments” of driving. It also sug-
gests that road
safety education
be conducted to
target audiences
in a continuing
way.
These togeth-
er with the other
parts on street
women, street children and
the homeless make up a strong
reason why we should develop
a “road spirituality.”
We have to be aware of the
proper attitudes and habits we
ought to have while making a
trip to combat the usual tempta-
tions and moral dangers while
on the road. We need to be wary
of what would comprise as sin-
ful omissions while traveling.
Driving can be a great occa-
sion to pray, to practice morti-
fication, and to be generous in
living out charity to God and
others.
This “road spirituality” can
add up to more consistency
and effectiveness in our life. We
cannot deny that our impressive
spiritual and moral gains while
we are with the family and at
work can just go the drain when
we are on the road.
“IS it all there is to it?” asked my Why, these little things are soon disfigured by rationalism
precocious student as our after- what make us human! Do they and utilitarianism.
noon class ended. “What are you talk about these things in school? Gerald Vann, O.P., a former
talking about?” I answered, not Suddenly, the futility of what to- Headmaster of a Boys’ School
ready for the question. day we call education struck me. in England, wrote long ago that
“Oh, sorry Ms. I mean, this Have you noticed? It has become science should be taught by a hu-
frenzied rush, this scramble for somewhat utilitarian and some- manist, whose scientific discipline
impressive marks, for degrees, for how, it misses the point. I mean, has not dimmed his child-like
honors, it possesses the person!” look inside the early morning fancy, or his love of the ‘secret
“So what’s bugging you? That light rail coaches where you come heart of things’.
should not be a problem for you,” face-to-face with bursting human- There is much to savor in the
I assured him. ity. Do you notice the really seri- deeper lessons of Nature and of
“Yes, Miss but honestly,” he ous-faced 18 to 20-year olds, clad humanity’s great symbols. Miss-
went on, “I feel so constricted, in their regimented uniforms, ing these treasures, we emerge as
there’s no time to think and sporting the mandatory name- half-baked ignoramuses, insensi-
live!” plate that tells the world that in tive to the pulse of life, hearts still
This young man is profound, a year or so they would become beating but technically defunct.
I thought as I beheld his gelled Nurses, or Engineers, or a Hotel But this is not as tragic as losing
hair with a hint of an aquama- Sous-Chef? out eventually on the intima-
rine streak that tions of our im-
nicely harmo- Somewhere in the corridors of education, we forgot mortality. We
nized with his
jeans and den-
to train the heart and the will. We have only bred no longer “stop
and look and
im Sketchers. men and women of ideologies and formulas who so allow things
“Just what to lead us into
did you mean manage to turn the world upside down. com mu n ion
earlier?” I probed.
“Well,” he started, “I kind’a
“But, is this all there is to educa-
tion?” I am now talking to myself.
with something vaster, something
infinite in which all things are one;
miss the rhythm of life as it should If that were so, this parent will grit we [no longer] stop and learn from
be. You know, rejoicing at the bud- her teeth in utter frustration. Note the imagery of things, the great
ding of plant and tree, riding on the smugly seated would-be male universal symbols, to understand
the changing seasons, noticing Nurse unmindful of the young the deep truths about our human
how the sky changes color in the lady hanging on to the hand grip nature and human destiny.” No
wind, watching an inchworm just in front of him. Or if you wonder, to many, God and the
struggle against the barricades (whether you’re 40-ish or less) afterlife are irrelevant.
of grass...” We approach the grass happen to approach the exit of Somewhere in the corridors of
parking lot and I notice droplets your favorite Fastfood joint along- education, we forgot to train the
of rain floating on the delicate lilac side the would-be Sous-Chef, heart and the will. The good seed
bougainvilleas along the path. would he open the swing door was not sown and so the fruits of
“Look,” I mused, “it must have and let you out first? Hardly. virtue and character never had
showered while we were in class.” Do schools really educate? I a chance to burst forth from the
I smelled a hint of fresh rain on mean, it is more important to earth. We have only bred men
the ground. know and love the plaintive tune and women of ideologies and
Meanwhile, the young man of Ang Bayan Ko than to know the formulas who manage to turn the
was now four paces ahead, fum- date of it, more important to know world upside down.
bling with his car keys. He soon the symbolisms of voyages than Far from being merely clever
drives away and waves, “See you to know the names of oceans, or at instruments or learned in the
tomorrow, Miss.” the richness of good wood to the laboratory, in the end the educat-
“Bye!” I shouted to the wind. touch than to know its composi- ed young man and woman must
“Budding of plant and tree... tion. Statistics and information be wise, with a wisdom which the
seasons... the sky... an inchworm— there must be, but beneath these world cannot give.
the secret of things!” I thought as I logical excursions, there must be Otherwise, what’s the use?
tinkered with my car’s ignition. the nurtured intuitive life, too (fidesvivo@yahoo.com)

vol11-n14 B.indd 6 7/11/2007 2:15:33 PM

 CBCP
CBCP Monitor
Monitor
Vol. 11 No. 14
July 9 - 22, 2007 Social Concern B7
Domus Mariae Condo 3

The Real Condo for Less

Text and Photos by Kris Bayos

GIVEN Manila’s high cost of living, rent-
ing a bed space around the University
Belt area can already be a pain in the
pocket, more so leasing a residential
dwelling that can house a four-man
family in the suburbs of the city. But
how about a condominium at the heart
of the metropolis where most metropoli-
tan establishments are within reach in a
short walk?
Investing in a condominium could
have been an impractical attempt for
budget-tight urban dwellers but for
Priscilla Erquiza, one of the residents
from Ducepec Street in Paco, Manila
who survived the fire that razed their
neighborhood last year, it is their most
convenient way to relocate themselves
to a decent dwelling. Thanks to the
Domus Mariae Foundation, Inc. that
recently commenced the construction
of the Domus Mariae Condominium
III (Domus III), tagged as the “Condo
Para sa Mahihirap,” a part of the hous-
ing projects under the Archdiocese of
Manila.
What an offer!
If condominium units anywhere in
Manila would usually cost P10,000 to
P40,000 a month, a studio-type Domus
III unit at 22.50 square meter floor
area, would only costs each occupant
a monthly amortization of P1,407.11
through Pag-ibig loan provided a fam-
ily representative will cooperate in the
construction of the housing project
through a sweat equity plan.
According to Hernan Manangan,
project engineer of Domus III, an ap-
plicant of this plan is expected to render
1,040 hours in the project site to help in
the construction operation.
“In exchange for the service, the ap-
plicant can avail a unit for P218,394.24,
from the regular amount of P255,867.45,
within 25 years,” Manangan said in
Filipino.
However, Maribel Sebello, crediting
and collection officer of Domus Mariae
Foundation, said only 30 out of the 84
units of Domus III are open for the
sweat equity plan and the victims
of last year’s fire incident are pri-
oritized to avail of this setup.
“Since the land of the project site is
initially lent to the informal settlers by an amount for a unit at the parish.
the San Fernando de Dilao Parish, we “Immediately after my husband got
decided to prioritize them in the sweat his retirement benefit, we did not hesi-
equity plan to help them find a decent tate to deposit it for a unit because we
place to reside,” she said. might as well invest it for a house
The other 50 units with the same floor we can own rather than spend
area will be regularly priced while the it on irrelevant purchases,”
four remaining units at 28.85 sq. m. will Del Rosario said in
cost P328,078.93 or P2,318.76 monthly. Filipino.
A typical unit can accommodate T r u e
enough space for a bedroom, a living enough,
room, a dining area and a restroom. Del
Since water and electric connection is
part of the package, Manangan said
the occupant only has to purchase
a meter based for his consump-
tion.
With this offer, Er-
quiza immediately
availed of the
deal and
depos-
ited

Rosario’s decision proved to be worth vain,” she said.

the risk since the Domus III is set to be
finished and inaugurated by Decem-
ber.
“We want the project be finished as
soon as possible,” Manangan said. “We
don’t want to disappoint the people
because the Domus III is their only hope
for a formal residence.”
Relieved
Del Rosario said the rest of their com-
munity is thankful that such project
was initiated to help them find a decent
dwelling.
“If not for the generosity of the San
Fernando de Dilao Parish, the Domus
Mariae Foundation, the Archdiocese of
Manila, and the local and foreign bene-
UPPER RIGHT: A worker from the Domus Mariae Foundation endures the summer heat as he and his colleagues work on factors of this humble project, our hope
the foundation of the medium-rise condominium. ABOVE: An architect’s perspective of the condominium. for a formal residence would remain in
Del Rosario likewise said that mere co-
operation in the construction operation
is not enough for their contribution.
“Aside from helping in the operation,
we also extend courtesy in providing
snacks and drinks for the construction
workers. But most of all, we continue to
pray. As we thank the Lord for this bless-
ing, we likewise ask for His help on the
success of this project,” she said.
Domus III is the fifth project devel-
oped by the Domus Mariae Founda-
tion. Other housing programs it built
include the Domus Mariae Village in
Taguig, the Saarland Village in Antipolo,
and the Domus I and II in San Andres
Bukid, Manila. After construction of
the Domus III, Manangan said they are
set to build another housing project at
Baseco, Tondo.

Marriage / B2
sincere promise to do all in his/her
power to have all the children bap-
tized and brought up in the Catholic
Church;
2° the non-baptized party should be
informed at an appropriate time of the
promises which the Catholic party has
to make, and is not opposed to them;
3° both parties should be instructed
on the essential ends and properties
of marriage, which both parties must
agree to.
5) Bond of Holy Orders (c.1087): A
person who is in Holy Orders cannot
validly contract marriage. Such a bond
ceases when a priest is reduced to the
lay state and dispensed from the prom-
ise of celibacy—and such dispensation
is reserved to the Holy See.
6) Bond of Religion (c.1088): A person
who is bound by a public perpetual
vow of chastity in a religious institute
cannot validly contract marriage. This
impediment can be dispensed by the
Local Ordinary, unless the religious in-
stitute in question is of pontifical right,
in which case it can only be dispensed
by the Holy See (c.1078, §2).
7) Kidnap (c.1089): A woman who
has been abducted or detained for
the purpose of contracting marriage
with her cannot validly contract mar-
riage, unless the woman—after she
has been separated from her abductor
and established in a place where she is
safe and free—of her own accord still
chooses to contract marriage. Even if
the woman were to freely give marital
consent in a situation of abduction or
detention perpetrated to obtain such
consent (e.g., she really fell in love with
her abductor), the Law itself invalidates
her consent. This provision only applies
to women.
8) Crime (c.1090): A person who for
the purpose of contracting marriage
with another person has brought
about the death of that person’s spouse
or one’s own spouse cannot validly
contract marriage. Likewise, two per-
sons—who have brought about the
death of the spouse of one of them
through mutual physical or moral
cooperation—cannot validly contract
marriage with each other. This im-
pediment can only be dispensed by the
Apostolic See (c.1078, §2).
9) Consanguinity (c.1091): Two per-
sons related by blood within a certain
degree of proximity cannot validly
contract marriage, as follows: -- All de-
grees in the direct line—i.e., between all
ancestors and descendants—whether
they be related legitimately or only
naturally; — Up to the 4th degree in the
collateral line—i.e., a marriage would
be invalid between 1st cousins, and also
between nephew and aunt or between
niece and uncle, but valid between 2nd
cousins. This can be dispensed up to
the 3rd degree (thus 1st cousins, or aunt
and nephew or uncle and niece), but
never the 2nd degree (never between
siblings) (c.1078, §3).
10) Affinity (c.1092): This refers to the
relationship between a person and the
blood relatives of his/her spouse—i.e.,
his in-laws. A person is impeded from
contracting a valid marriage with the
blood relatives in the direct line—i.e.,
parents and children (from a previous
union) of his/her deceased spouse.
There is no impediment regarding
relatives in the collateral line (siblings,
cousins, etc.) of one’s deceased spouse,
the reason being many times they
constitute the best candidate to take
over the role of one’s deceased spouse,
especially as regards the orphaned
children.
11) Public Propriety (c.1093): This
impediment invalidates a marriage
between a person and the blood rela-
tives in the 1st degree of the direct line
(parent or child) of his/her common-
law partner or publicly-known live-in
partner.
12) Adoption (c.1094): Marriage is in-
valid between persons who are related
in any degree in the direct line (parents
and children) or in the 2nd degree of
the collateral line (step-brothers and
step-sisters) by legal adoption.
Conclusions
Concubinage per se does not prove
the existence of any of the impediments
that invalidate marriage, unless that
behavior were to prove the existence
of one of the factors that can under-
mine consent (more about this in the
last installment of this exposition on
Canonical Matrimonial Law). From
what we know of the case, there seems
to be no reason to think that the prior
marriage was invalid.
Thus, the man cannot validly con-
tract canonical marriage with his
concubine, for as long as his prior
marriage stands.
7 Questions / B1
the world into a global village influences people’s tastes and pref- in the Parish. For abused family members especially women &
erences according to western standards, predisposing them to children we have put up a Crisis center through our Women
extreme materialism eroding morality, sacrificing humans over & Children’s Desk & Mission Makabuhay. We have a daily
profit. Such negative value is all pervasive, invading stealthily family catechesis through our Distance Learning & Program
the life and practices of the Christian faithful in all strata of on Air over Radio Veritas DYAF. Lately we have put up an
society in the diocese. IT (Information Technology) Learning Center to empower,
This is a significant factor in making the Church flawed, yet through computer skills, victims of trafficking and out-of-
still a potent resource. Hence, secular media finds Church scan- school youth.
dals the juiciest of issues and tend to over-magnify and feast on
them. Yet, they also still give serious attention to the Church’s How is the quality and quantity of vocations entering the
views and opinions especially on moral and social issues. This seminary today?
third wave (communication/information era as Toffler terms it) I would say that in the diocese quality of family life nowadays
is a time of virtual realities advanced by sophisticated computer do affect the quality and quantity of priestly vocations. It is not
technologies and perishable (fast changing) knowledge due to just the fact that one or both parents are not around. Even if both
highly pluralistic global sources of opinions and findings. So parents are around still their parenting style, their standard of
that secular media will not view the Church’s issues as just a living, the quality of their faith life and that of the parish com-
virtual reality or to take its Gospel message as a mere perishable munity as a whole matter a lot.
item, this is an era calling for greater witnessing. Just as Pope The quality of vocations entering the seminary today is gen-
Paul VI said, “Modern people no longer listen to teachers but erally not so good. They lack the necessary maturity and faith
they do listen to witnesses. And if they ever listen to teachers, formation to engage seriously in seminary formation. It might be
it is because they are witnesses.” a reflection of the quality of both their family and parish life.
How is the family and life program in your diocese? How is the ongoing formation program of your clergy?
The Family and Life Program under the Commission on Fam- The on-going formation program for our clergy in the diocese
ily and Life has reached a stage where most of its programs and needs still to be strengthened. The residency program for the
services have been regularized and institutionalized. The Mar- young clergy has to be revived. There have been many efforts
riage Preparation Course is a must in all parishes to ensure that and attempts to offer priests the retooling that we need but
all marriages in church are valid, licit, meaningful and fruitful. the response has not been encouraging. They were even held
This is done on a one on one basis, conducted by a trained and in better venues like Balay Kalinungan in La Salle, Business
commissioned Family Life Minister. The Commission has put Inn and L’ Fisher Hotel. But attendance in our annual retreat
up a Diocesan Institute on Marriage and Family. To date, the In- had been very good in the last two years. We need to have the
stitute has trained and commissioned 319 Family Life Ministers sustaining program to follow up the retreat experience other
in 65, out of 68 Parishes and Chaplaincies of the Diocese. than the monthly recollection.
Marriage and Family Enrichment, Natural Family Planning To date, our ongoing formation consists mainly of seminars,
& Responsible Parenthood programs are facilitated by Family lectures, and talks scheduled from time to time but not on a
Life Ministers with other Family Movements and Associations regular basis.
2007 Elections / B5
Agenda for Electoral Reforms and Con- be the catalyst for the renewal of the agenda for institutional reform.
tinuing Political Involvement institution. 6. The development of mechanisms for
Both the positive and negative experi- 3. Modernization of the electoral system deepening the political education of voters
ences of the last elections point to a num- in time for the 2010 presidential election. (e.g. Pinoy Voter’s Academy and Gabay
ber of important electoral reforms that There should be broad-based and trans- Halalan), fostering public accountability
needed to be pursued: parent discussions on what type of poll of politicians to the electorate (e.g. Bantay
1. A full revamp of the Comelec, begin- automation is appropriate and how it is Pangako) and sustaining coordinated
ning with the appointment of a new chair to be piloted and implemented. political engagement especially among the
and commissioners with unquestioned 4. Particular attention should be given youth, the citizens’ groups, and Church-
integrity and competence, especially in to ARMM and the problem of warlordism, based organizations (e.g. VforCE).
systems and management. These ap- because it is of the scale that can affect the 7. Cleansing and publication of the vot-
pointments are going to be in the hands national elections. We also owe it to the ers’ list long before the day of election.
of the President and the Commission on voters in those areas who are effectively As we appreciate and thank the men
Appointments of the Philippine Congress, disenfranchised when elections are not and women of good will and courage
and it is our collective responsibility to meaningful, truthful and free. Historically, who influenced our last election, so do we
monitor closely the process of selection, those in power have found it useful to rely thank the Lord for continuing to guide the
appointment and confirmation. There on the brazen exercise of power through journey of the Filipino people.
should also be serious efforts to de-po- intimidation, violence and fraud. For the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of
liticize and professionalize the bureau- 5. A review of laws affecting the elec- the Philippines:
cracy. toral system. Among the most urgent are
2. Holding those responsible for anoma- the reform of the party system, party-list +ANGEL N. LAGDAMEO, D.D.
lies in past elections and the recently law, overseas absentee voting, political Archbishop of Jaro
concluded ones accountable to the people. dynasties, the “legal” entry of nuisance President, CBCP
Good career people in the Comelec can candidates, and the formulation of an July 8, 2007

vol11-n14 B.indd 7 7/11/2007 2:15:35 PM


B8
NICK Powell (Justin Chatwin) a rather
withdrawn nerdy young man decides
to cut the last few days of his fourth year
high school classes. He has been hav-
ing problems communicating with his
mother (Marcia Gay Harden) who with-
drew into herself when her husband/his
father died. Besides, Nick does not have
real friends at school, he is too serious,
sober and more interested in his studies
and writing poetry. Not telling anyone,
not even his mother, Nick applies to a
London academy for a writer’s course.
On the day he is expected to leave for
England, a sudden series of events and
miscommunications takes place—Nick
is mauled to death, led by a schoolmate
Annie Newton (Margarita Chatwin)
who believes he had betrayed her. Then
to his surprise, he finds himself awake
next morning; doing the usual, he goes to
school. But he finds out that no one sees
or hears him on the street, ditto his teacher
and classmates. He concludes that he
must be already dead, and is a spirit,
ghost or something else. He watches the
local police and volunteers, out searching
for his body and there is no way he could
help them.
The Invisible is based on a novel, “Den
Osynlige” by Mats Whal and a Swedish
movie of the same title. It is a somber but
touching story depicting dysfunctional
lives and relationships and the conse-
quences that ensue. The intended narra-
tive is interrupted by distracting details,
like the role of Annie’s father as a retired
policeman, presently a cabdriver and
certain repetitious acts of Nick and An-
nie. The unfamiliar young actors: Justin
Chatwin, Margarita Leveiva, and Chris
Marquette as Peter who looks up to Nick,
need more opportunities to improve their
acting ability. Still, the story could touch
viewers who are sensitive to what is hap-
pening to Nick and Annie in relation to
vol11-n14 B.indd 8
Entertainment
Title: TRANSFORMERS
Running Time: 144 min.
Cast: Shia LaBeouf, Mergan Fox, Dosh Du-
hamel, Tyrese Gibson, Rachael Taylor
Director: Michael Bay
Producers: Ian Bryce, Ton De Santo, Don
Murphy
Screenwriters: Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman
Music: Steve Jablonsky
Editor: Tom Muldoon
Genre: Sci-fi/Action
Cinematography: Mitchell Amundesn
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
night, Sam’s car is stolen and Sam follows it on his bike
but he is overpowered by a police car that transforms
Title: THE INVISIBLE
Running Time: 90 min.
Cast: Justin Chatwin, Mar-
garita Levieva, Chris
Marquette, Marcia Gay
Harden, Alex O’ Loughlin
Director: David S. Goyer
Producers: Gary Barber,
Jonathan Clickman, Roger
Brinbaum
Screenwriters: Mick Davis,
Christine Roun
Music: Marco Beltrami
Editor: Conrad Smart
Genre: Supernatural/Sus-
pense
Cinematography: Gabriel
Beriestai
Distributor: Buena Vista
International/Columbia
Pictures
Location: Seattle, USA
Technical Assessment:● ● ½
Moral Assessment:
CINEMA Rating: For viewers
14 and above
their family members and friends. There
could also be the feeling of suspense over
what is going to happen to Nick.
Nick could not talk with his mom Hel-
en (Marcia Gray Harden) because after
months she was still withdrawn from her
surroundings, grieving for her husband.
It took Nick as a “spirit” entity to realize
she loved and cared about him, espe-
cially when he had gone missing. Annie,
very angry with her father for marrying
another woman, after her mother/his
wife’s abandonment of the family, was
very disrespectful and rude to her step-
mother. She even threatened to kill her
father. With her boyfriend Marcus (Alex
O’ Loughlin) they formed a robbery team.
The older Marcus was on the police file for
several cases, but was on parole at the mo-
ment. In one “job” where Annie refused
Location: U.S.
Technical Assessment: ● ● ●
Moral Assessment: ½ universe. Sam and the Autobots
CINEMA Rating: For viewers of all ages
IN Qatar, U.S. soldiers are attacked by a robot
that has transformed from a helicopter in the
sky and then destroys everything in its wake.
Informed of this attack, the Pentagon calls an
emergency meeting to figure out who the attacker
is. Meanwhile, elsewhere in the U.S. an 11th grade
student Sam Witwicky (Shia Labeouf) excitedly
buys his first car, a beat up yellow Camaro. One
into a frightening 20-foot robot that sends signals
to a UFO. As the robot menacingly tries
to question Sam, his friend Mikaela
(Megan Fox) appears, and together
they run from the attacker. At
this point, Sam’s Camaro, though
driverless, comes to rescue them.
Soon the Camaro transforms into
another giant robot who turns
out to be friendly “Bumblebee”.
From him Sam learns the good
robots called autobots are at
war with the evil robots called
Decepticons, all from the planet
Cyberton. Sam’s great great
grandfather’s (who was an Arctic
explorer) eyeglasses hold the key
to the location of the “cube” that
had fallen to the Arctic ages ago.
It is important for the Autobots to
recover the “cube” before the De-
to give him a share of what she robbed,
he called the police who collared her with
the evidence. Pete attempted suicide for a
lie. In dealing with dysfunctional relation-
ships, especially with young people – and
how these happen as shown in the two
families – the movie appears to indicate
that it happens so clearly among the liv-
ing. So something ought to be done to
reverse the situation like: Families should
be more attentive to each other, see, listen,
interrelate, and appreciate one another.
Communication lines should be always
open to avoid misunderstanding and to
correct misimpression. The film has so
much bad imitative behavior and nega-
tive outlook in life involving teenagers ANSWER TO THE LAST ISSUE:
which might be misinterpreted without MEN OF GENIUS ARE OFTEN DULL AND INERT IN SOCIETY;
proper guidance or explanation from a AS THE BLAZING METEOR, WHEN IT DESCENDS TO EARTH,
IT IS ONLY A STONE. LONGFELLOW
mature viewer.
Title: NEXT
Running Time: 97 min.
Cast: Nicolas Cages, Julianne
Moore, Jessica Biel
Director: Lee Tamahori
Producers: Nicolas Cage, Todd
Garner
Screenwriter: Gary Goldman
Author: Philip K. Dick
Music: Mark Isham
Editor: Christian Wagner
Genre: Action/Thriller/Sci-fi
Cinematography: David Tat-
tersall
Distributor: Paramount Pic-
tures
Location: USA
Technical Assessment: ● ● ●
Moral Assessment:
CINEMA Rating: For viewers
14 and above
CRIS Johnson (Nicolas Cage)
has a unique ability – he can see
two minutes into his future. This
helps not only in his shows as
a Las Vegas magician. It also
makes him invulnerable for short
periods of time and very effective
in fighting crime. Though Cris
keeps his talent under wraps, it
becomes evident when he pre-
vents a shooting in a casino and
stages a stunning escape from the
Vegas police who mistakingly
think he is the culprit. The FBI
led by the aggressive Agent Callie
Ferris (Julianne Moore) gets wind
of this uncanny ability and wants
Cris to help prevent an imminent
disaster. A terrorist in the Los
Angeles area is set to detonate a
nuclear bomb, about which the
FBI has no clear idea. But Cris
feels his ability is inadequate to
help the FBI. However, aside
Moral Assessment
Abhorrent
Disturbing
Acceptable
Wholesome
Exemplary
cepticons do because with it, the
Decepticons intent to destroy all,
including human life, and rule the
pledge to help each other.
Though the cartoon Trans-
formers – the Movie in 1986 had
fascinated a lot of young fans, it
is Transformers (2007) that is the
showcase of the latest and most
advanced of CGI technology. The
spectacular chases and stunts as
well as the awesome animated
transformation sequences (from
cars and helicopters to robots) are
blended into live action so seam-
lessly that they seem believable.
Putting these animated transfor-
mations in real spaces and mak-
ing them interact with real objects
make them realistic. The movie
is loud, fast and packed with
adrenaline – pumping action and
probably these are what mostly
attracts the young male viewers
who comprise most of the audi-
ence. But the movie can be con-
fusing because of several army
groups competing for attention
and wanting a piece of the action
as the two groups of adversarial
robots (who confusingly look
similar) fight to the death. The
casting is fine. Sam (Shia Labeuf)
is right for his role as the likeable,
ordinary 11-year-old sympathetic
to the aliens (shades of E.T.). The
from his own future, Cris has
been seeing visions of the future
of a girl Liz (Jessica Biel) whom
he does not know: When his
quest for her ends, he has found
a friend, eventually a sweetheart
and a lift to Arizona away from
the pursuing FBI. Not only the FBI
is after Cris. The terrorists would
like to eliminate him to make sure
he does not interfere with their
plans. Will Cris be able to use his
gift to help others?
In a recent role as “superhero”
(Ghost Riders), Nicolas Cage
gets his inspiration from Mar-
vel Comics. This time, the film
Next (an adaptation from The
Golden Man, an original story by
legendary science fiction writer
Philip K. Dick), provides Cage
another vehicle to play the role of
a hero with extra ordinary gifts.
But this action thriller turns out
to be inconsistent especially in
the depiction of Cage’s powers.
Sometimes, he seems indestruc-
tible. Other times, like the twist
in the end, he is not infallible. But
the movie’s engaging first part
catches the viewer by the throat.
It shows Director Lee Tamahori’s
masterful execution of action
scenes starting from the casino
where, using his extrasensory
powers, Cris tries to make money,
prevents a shooting, evades a
dragnet, exits the hotel, steals a
car and leads the police in a wild
chase. But the film is unable to
sustain this momentum and ten-
sion as it flags down in the middle
when the leads go on a run to the
Grand Canyon. The action scenes
that follow towards the end lack
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 11 No. 14
July 9 - 22, 2007
Technical Assessment
Poor
Below average
Average
Above average
Excellent
rest of the cast is multiracial.
Voices are also well chosen.
Peter Cullen does the narration
for good robot Optimus Primus
and Hugo Weaving is heard as
the evil robot Megatron. Some
lines are quotable like “Freedom
is the right of all sentient human
beings” and “it takes sacrifice to
bring peace to humanity.”
Can one mine any values from
sci-fi action movies? Usually
such movies have not much
depth and neither does Trans-
formers but happily there are
some things worth noting in this
movie. Robots are machines,
mechanical objects with no heart
but in this movie, the good robots
are imbued with certain laudable
human qualities like gratitude,
friendship, loyalty, love, even
selflessness. Towards the end, a
robot decides to sacrifice himself
so as to destroy the “cube” to
make sure it does not fall into
the enemy’s hands and to assure
the survival of the human race.
Though the movie is all fantasy,
the good qualities mentioned
have some resonances among
children and young adults and
inspire as well as encourage some
emulation among them. Though
there is war and a lot of fights,
there are no gory or gruesome
death scenes.
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tension, though with the sci-fi
elements, the movie is watchable.
There are no strong performances.
Moore is very intense in her acting
but lacks dimension. Cage may
be adequate but does not have
the aura of a superhero. Biel is
pretty and appealing but she does
not seem to have much chemistry
with Cage.
In this film Next, FBI Agent
Callie recalls Spiderman’s fa-
mous rationale when she says
“with great powers come great
responsibilities,” And Cris John-
son (Cage) has to be reminded
about this because instead of
appreciating the gift, he wanted
it kept to prevent people from
pestering him. But this should not
be the attitude when one is given
an extraordinary talent or any
talent for that matter. Come to
think of it, one is chosen in some
mysterious, wonderful way to be
blessed, although often one has
not done anything to deserve it.
And this should make the gifted
ones perhaps ponder for a while,
“Why me?” and perhaps ask “Just
what have I done with this talent
entrusted to me?” and “How shall
I use this?” Hopefully, the an-
swers to these questions will help
remind some concerned of that
saying that when much is given,
much is also expected in return.
The movie has other values worth
commenting on. Biel’s character
Liz shows her generosity and con-
cern for the children who are oth-
erwise neglected and isolated. On
the negative side, there is much
violence and objectionable sexual
situations (pre-marital sex).
7/11/2007 2:15:44 PM