Fighting poverty is

everybody’s job - bishops

cbcpmonitor@cbcpworld.net

www.cbcponline.net/cbcpmonitor

Protagonist of Truth, Promoter of Peace

Vol. 11 No. 23

November 12 - 25, 2007

Php 20.00

Mariannet / A6

Bishops / A6

Fighting / A6

Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams addresses the Filipinos and the leaders of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines during his first public Mass at the Manila

Cathedral. He cited the unique Filipino heritage which is founded on Catholic teachings for everyone to see and experience. The Archbishop of Manila, His Eminence Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales, the Archbishop of Cebu, His Eminence Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal and Jaro Archbishop and CBCP President Angel N. Lagdameo and other archbishops and bishops concelebrated with the Papal Nuncio.

Pa pa l nu ncio celebr ates first pu blic Ma ss in RP

Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams was

formally welcomed in a solemn Eucha-

ristic celebration which he presided at

the Manila Cathedral in the afternoon

of November 13.

As papal envoy walked with the two

cardinals and several bishops and priests

at the entrance procession, churchgoers

which included the highest officials of

the country waved hands and cheered.

Manila Archbishop, Gaudencio Car-

dinal Rosales gave a welcome message

while Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardi-

nal Vidal delivered the homily. Before

the end of the Eucharistic celebration,

CBCP President and Jaro Archbishop

Angel Lagdameo rendered a closing

talk.

Lagdameo urged Adams to “feel at

home with us as many American mission-

aries have felt staying in the country.

“We wholeheartedly welcome his

Ambassador, the Holy Father’s pastoral

link to our country, 85% of which are

Catholics,” said Archbishop Lagdameo.

“We hope you will have many years

with us, long enough to even desire, like

some of your predecessors, to retire in

the Philippines… to desire it at least,”

he added.

Also in attendance were religious men

and women, lay leaders, national and

local government officials, and mem-

bers of the Diplomatic Corps. The apos-

tolic nuncio is, by tradition, the dean of

the Diplomatic Corps.

The 63-year-old Adams, an American,

arrived in the country from Zimbabwe

last All Saints’ Day. (Roy Lagarde)

B1

ROMAN Catholic bishops said poverty

in the country is one of the biggest prob-

lems that everybody should firmly fight

for.

Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the

Philippines (CBCP) and Jaro Archbishop

Angel Lagdameo said one should look

at a wider perspective for it to somehow

be addressed.

In a country, he said, blinded by greed

and drunk with power, those with the

most money will not win, but rather the

one with the most of human values.

“We should always help each other

especially those who are needy,” said

Archbishop Lagdameo. .

He said business leaders and even or-

dinary people, not just the government,

have the responsibility in addressing

poverty and starvation in this country.

“While the government has the great

responsibility to provide food and em-

ployment to our people, businessmen

who also have capability should help

address this problem so that those who

would be reached by this assistance

could get the chance to recover,” he said.

The CBCP head issued the statement

after the suicide of a minor reportedly

due to long-felt and long-unanswered

poverty.

Mariannet: a victim of

social ills

CBCP Episcopal Commission on Family and

Life Chair and San Fernando (Pampanga) Arch-

bishop Paciano B. Aniceto said the recent sui-

cide victim, 12-year old Mariannet Amper,

may have been a victim of a number of social,

economic, political and even pastoral prob-

lems and “may have been a victim of neglect

by her family and close relatives.”

In an interview over Catholic-runV e r i t a s

846, Archbishop Aniceto said “Mariannet de-

Bishops to lead protest

rally vs. Arroyo

SENIOR Catholic prelates calling for President

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s resignation is about

to show their force in a mass action to be held

November 30.

Tagged as the “National Day of Protest,” Bish-

ops Antonio Tobias of Novaliches, Deogracias

Iñiguez of Caloocan and retired Infanta Bishop

Julio Labayen will lead various groups to press

Pres. Arroyo to step down.

PIME Fathers to continue

ministry in Mindanao

MISSIONARIES from the Pontificio Instituto

Missioni Estere (PIME) will stay in their par-

ishes, especially in Mindanao despite the re-

cent kidnapping of Fr. Gian Carlo Bossi.

Fr. Gian Battista Zanchi, superior general

of the Rome-based congregation said there

has been no change in their mission thrusts

in the country. It will be recalled 57-year old

Fr. Bossi was kidnapped for 39 days last June

10, 2007 after celebrating Mass in his parish

in Payao, Zamboanga Sibugay.

In an interview at PIME generalate in Rome,

Fr. Zanchi said Fr. Bossi will return to the Phil-

ippines after the New Year. “He has a lot of

interviews and meetings here and there,” the

superior general said. He admitted Fr. Bossi is

recovering from illness he got while held in

captivity. He, however, did not say what ill-

ness affected the charismatic priest.

Asked what place they consider most dan-

gerous for their missionaries, Fr. Zanchi said

“for the time being, it is Mindanao.” There

are 21 PIME missionaries in the Philippines

today. One of them, Fr. Luciano Benedetti,

was a kidnap victim himself in 1998. Fr.

Luciano is now working with indigenous

people in Western Visayas.

“We had another problem after Fr. Bossi’s

release because we received information an-

other PIME missionary would be kidnapped,”

he said. He added it was good no kidnap-

ping happened.

He described the situation in Mindanao

“very risky” but hastened to add they have

already instructed their missionaries to be

extra careful and inform their fellow mission-

aries of their activities outside their parishes

and residences.

Asked if they received instructions or ad-

visories from both the Italian government

and the Holy See, Fr. Zanchi said there was

none but were simply advised to be “more

careful” and immediately inform the Italian

government and the Vatican of any develop-

ments.

He appealed to Filipino communities

where PIME missionaries serve to “stay close

with our priests because they are there to help

and serve.” He added they are happy to stay

and work, no matter how difficult it may be

because “it is our mission and we want to

carry on our work.”(Melo M. Acuna)

New

Borongan

bishop

assumes post

HIS Excellency Most Rev.

Crispin Varquez was for-

mally installed last No-

vember 8 as the new

bishop of Borongan in

Eastern Samar.

Hundreds of faithful

flocked to the Nativity of

the Blessed Virgin Mary

Cathedral

concelebrated and solemn

ceremony led by Palo

Archbishop Jose Palma.

In his homily, Palma

urged priests and lay

people of Borongan to

continue to be a “united

church.”

“Borongan has many

talented priests, religious

and lay people. Put your

gifts and charisms at the

service of one another,” he

said.

Varquez, 46, was or-

dained bishop last October

18 at the Cathedral of St.

Joseph in Tagbilaran City.

He succeeds Bishop

Leonardo Medroso who

had been transferred to

the diocese of Tagbilaran

last year.

Aside from Palma and

Medroso, Naval Bishop

Filomeno Bactol and

Calbayog

Auxiliary

Bishop Isabelo Abarquez,

CBCP secretary general

Msgr. Juanito Figura and

Msgr. Pedro Quitorio,

CBCP Media Director, also

graced the event.

A native of Sevilla,

Bohol, Varquez studied

Philosophy at the Immacu-

late Heart Seminary in

Tagbilaran City and The-

ology at St. Augustine

Major Seminary in

Tagaytay City.

He did postgraduate

studies on Seminary For-

mation in Cebu City and

on Family Counseling at

the Center for Family

Ministry, Ateneo de Ma-

nila University.

He served as formator at

the Immaculate Heart of

Mary Seminary in

Tagbilaran for four years

and as formator at St. Au-

gustine Major Seminary in

Tagaytay for five years

more.

The prelate was Vicar

General of the Tagbilaran

diocese prior to his ap-

pointment as bishop of

Borongan.

When the Borongan Seat

was vacant, Msgr. Lope

Robredillo was the apos-

tolic administrator of the

diocese.

Borongan diocese is

served by 74 diocesan and

religious priests in 29 par-

ishes, and by 58 sisters. It

also has 131 seminarians

studying in the Diocese,

and 27 more studying in

Palo

and

Manila.

(CBCPNews)

Prelate: Let’s take

mining to the streets

A PRELATE said it’s high time for the people to take the streets and spread their stand against mining operations in the Bicol region.

Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes made the statement after another fish kill hit five coastal villages allegedly triggered by mine tailings that over- flowed from the mining operation in Rapu-rapu, Albay.

He said Bicolanos must condemn the incident and take immediate action for the government to stop the large-scale mining operations.

Short of saying that government authorities are not with them, he called on the people to take the streets and show their opposition against mining.

“People must go to the streets,” he said.

Reports state that a wide variety of fishes, from eels to small fishes have been found dead and rot- ting ashore.

Bishop Bastes said the incident could have been as early as October 26, which coincides with the large amount of rainfall in the area at that time.

“If it was from the Lafayette Mining Limited mining site, then it seems that there was not enough precaution to prevent another disaster such as those that happened two years ago,” he said.

“Possible sources of the fish kill are cyanide release and the heavy metals and mine tailings loos- ened from the soil by the rainfall,” he added.

Bishop Bastes said the continuous rainfall and soil erosion could have brought the runoff, the heavy metals and acid-mine tailings to the sea and affected the fish population.

Collegio Filippino to do outreach

FILIPINO priests enrolled in licen-

tiate or doctoral studies in various

institutions here will be more in-

volved in areas where Filipinos re-

side.

Msgr. Ruperto Santos,P o n t i f i c i o

Collegio Filippino rector said their

priests will be fielded to various

Filipino communities outside

Rome.

“They will be sent to Pisa,

Modena, Bologna and other areas

to help,” Msgr. Santos said. Asked

about expenses to be incurred dur-

ing their field assignments, the rec-

tor said the local ordinaries (bish-

ops) will defray the costs of board

and lodging. “The Filipino com-

munity may provide stipends and

transport allowances,” he added.

He said some Italian dioceses

prefer Filipino chaplains and rec-

ommendations have been made to

coordinate with Maasin Bishop

Precioso Cantillas, SDB, head of the

Episcopal Commission on Mi-

grants and Itinerant People “so the

communications will be between

bishops.”

Filipino chaplains serve for three

years, renewable for another three

years.

Msgr. Santos said they used to

have 45 enrollees two years ago.

“Today, we only have 30 of them

because scholarship grants from

Germany have decreased and there

are universities in the Philippines

which have begun offering licenti-

www.prolife.org.ph

www.veritas846.ph

caritasmanila.org.ph

Prelate / A6

Collegio / A6

•C1

KC Philippines

Foundation scholar

w ins Palanca Aw ard

for Literature

Cardinal visits

international

sem inary in

Spain

•A3

Caritas Manila

celebrates 54th

anniversary

©DenzDayao/

CBCPMedia

Vol. 11 No. 23

November 12 -25, 2007

CBCP Monitor

World News

Benedict XVI meets Saudi King Abdullah, discusses rejection of terrorism

U.S. bishops support child tax

credit, say the poor need a voice

Benedict XVI mourns for
Japanese cardinal, former
President of Council for
Migrants and Travelers

Chavez should “bite his tongue”

and stop attacking the Church,

archbishop says

BEIRUT, Lebanon, November 7, 2007—Arab

media gave wide coverage to yesterday’s

‘historic’ meeting between Benedict XVI and

Saudi King Abdullah. All media outlets

stressed how both sides shared the same

view about the role religion can play in

achieving peace and justice, but not every-

one reported that Jews are also included in

the process.

Many, especially in Saudi Arabia, did re-

fer to the Vatican’s request that Christians

be granted religious freedom that a “just so-

lution” be found to the Israeli-Palestinian

conflict.

Saudi Arabia’s official news agencyS P A

reported that the “two sides [. . .] stressed

that violence and terrorism have nothing to

do with a religion,” something that was in

yesterday’s Vatican news release. The news

agency noted that the Saudi monarch stressed

the importance of religion for peace and jus-

tice but did not mention the Jews as was the

case in the original press release.

Another Saudi paper,Arab News, talked

about the “dialogue between Muslims,

Christians and Jews [. . .] to promote peace,

justice and moral values” and mentioned the

meeting’s “warmth.” It also noted its sig-

nificance since the Saudi monarch met the

Pope in his capacity as “Custodian of the

two holy mosques.”

Both King Abdullah and Pope Benedict

said that “violence and terrorism have no

religion or nation,” and that all “countries

and peoples should work together to eradi-

cate terrorism.”

It added that yesterday’s meeting came

just weeks after 138 Muslim clerics and in-

tellectuals wrote a letter to Benedict and

other Christian leaders, and quoted several

expatriates living in the kingdom who wel-

comed the king’s meeting with the pope as

a step towards better relations between Mus-

lims and Christians.

The Arab Herald, which also emphasized

the historic and warm nature of the meet-

ing, gave wide coverage to the Vatican’s re-

quest for broader religious freedom, noting

that in the past this demand was a sticking

point between the two sides.

The Kuwait Times called the event a “his-

toric meeting” in which religious freedom,

co-operation between Muslims, Christians

and Jews and peace in the Middle East took

centre stage, noting also that the “Vatican

wants greater rights for the 1 million Catho-

lics who live in Saudi Arabia, most of them

migrant workers who are not allowed to

practice their religion in public.”(AsiaNews)

WASHINGTON, D.C., November

7, 2007—U.S. bishops urged the

House of Representatives to make

the well-being of poor families

with children a central priority

when they debate and vote on the

Temporary Tax Relief Act of 2007.

In a letter dated today, Bishop

Nicholas DiMarzio, chairman of

the conference’s Domestic Policy

Committee, stated that the prel-

ates continue to be strong support-

ers of the Child Tax Credit and

believe it to be an essential pro-

gram that helps low income work-

ing families live in decency.

“Unless Congress acts, poor

working families will increasingly

fall further behind. Our faith and

moral principles call us to stand

with these workers and their chil-

dren and insist that their needs take

priority in this tax debate,” Bishop

DiMarzio wrote. “One moral mea-

sure of tax legislation is how it

treats ‘the least among us.’”

The bill would strengthen and

expand the “refundable child

credit” to more effectively reach

the poorest of working families.

As it is now structured, the Child

Tax Credit excludes many poor

and working families because

they lack the minimum level of

earnings required to qualify for

the credit.

“Simple justice,” the letter con-

cludes, “requires that poor fami-

lies not be left out of this effort to

assist working families in raising

their children. Too often, poor

families are overlooked in public

policy debates. While their voices

are not always heard, poor people

have compelling needs that

should have a priority claim on

our consciences and the choices

made in Congress.”(Zenit)

Cardinal Stephen Fumio Hamao

VATICAN CITY, November 9,

2007—Benedict XVI has expressed

his sorrow at the death of Cardi-

nal Stephen Fumio Hamao, past

president of the Pontifical Coun-

cil for Migrants and Travelers.

The cardinal died in Tokyo on

Thursday at age 77 after a battle

with cancer. His funeral will be

held in Yokohama, Japan, where

he was bishop before Pope John

Paul II called him to his post with

the Roman Curia.

Benedict XVI sent two messages

of condolence, one to the

cardinal’s sister, Teresa Tereku

Uematsu, another to the current

bishop of Yokohama, Rafael

Masahiro Umemura.

The Pope recalled the cardinal

as a “devoted witness to the Gos-

pel” and noted “his lively concern

for the poor and his generous ser-

vice to the universal Church.”

Stephen Fumio Hamao was

born in 1930 in Tokyo. He was or-

dained a priest at age 27 and in

1970 was named auxiliary bishop

of Tokyo. In 1979, he was made

bishop of Yokohama.

He dedicated himself to the care

of youth, immigrants, refugees

and the poor, in particular as presi-

dent of Caritas Asia and Oceania.

In 1995, he was elected presi-

dent of Japan’s episcopal confer-

ence. Three years later, John Paul

II called him to Rome to be presi-

dent of the Pontifical Council for

Migrants and Travelers.

At age 76, in 2006, Cardinal

Hamao presented his resignation

from that post to Benedict XVI.

The College of Cardinals now

has 178 members, 103 who could

vote in a conclave and 75 who are

over age 80, and thus non-voters.

(Zenit)

CARACAS, Venezuela, November

7, 2007—The vice president of the

Venezuelan Bishops’ Conference,

Archbishop Roberto Luckert said

this week President Hugo Chavez’s

attacks on the Church are due to his

dislike of opinion polls that show

the public does not support his pro-

posed constitutional reforms.

The archbishop said Chavez

should “bite his tongue” and stop

being “rude” and “degrading.” He

recalled that for several years he

has criticized Chavez for his “bel-

ligerent aggressive attitude” and

for “picking a fight with every-

one.” “You can’t govern like this,”

he said.

Archbishop Luckert said

Chavez’s aggressive attitude was

because he is bothered by the polls

that show little support for his re-

form. “Nobody likes this reform,”

he said, “and even his supporters

are afraid to go to vote.”

The archbishop noted that

Chavez himself invited Venezu-

elans to suggest ideas, “and the

bishops simply expressed their

opinions and judgments about

what they consider the conse-

quences of this reform would be.”

Chavez, he explained, wants to

center everything on himself and

not on the proposal of constitu-

tional reform.(CNA)

Bishops invite Parliament to save

Lebanon, by electing a President

BEIRUT, Lebanon, November 8,

2007—The ruling majority and

the opposition are co-respon-

sible for the current political

crises which “would block not

just the democratic system that

characterizes Lebanon, but it

could lead to previously non-

encountered disintegration”.

This is the harsh accusation

launched by the Maronite bish-

ops towards the country’s po-

litical leaders in a statement is-

sued yesterday at the end of

their monthly meeting, which

took place on the eve of the

scheduled parliamentary meet-

ing to elect the President of the

those who are monopolizing

(the ruling majority) and those

who are boycotting the elec-

tions (the opposition)”.

The bishops have also ex-

pressed solidarity with those

deputies from the ruling major-

ity who are virtually ‘impris-

oned’ in a hotel near Parliament

for fear of assassination at-

tempts and those who for the

same concerns have been forced

to leave the country.

The exodus abroad they note

is involving the entire popula-

tion, above all the young who

faced with the dramatic situa-

tion in their home seek refuge

in neighboring Arab nations.

“But this emigration is also

pushing some further afield to

the United Sates, Canada, Aus-

tralia, and risks emptying the

nation of its people.”

(AsiaNews)

“Prosperity gospel” preachers under investigation by the Senate

WASHINGTON DC, November

8, 2007—A top Republican on

the U.S. Senate Finance Com-

mittee is investigating the fi-

nances of televangelist preach-

ers after allegations of corrup-

tion, the Associated Press re-

ports.

The investigation by Senator

Church Grassley of Iowa is a re-

sponse to reports of extravagant

spending by preachers, whose

purchases include Rolls Royces

and a $30,000 conference table.

Senator Grassley said in a state-

ment he was acting on com-

plaints from the public and

news coverage of the organiza-

tions, which enjoy tax exemp-

tions.

Those under scrutiny include

faith healer Benny Hinn, Geor-

gia megachurch pastor Creflo

Dollar, and one of the nation’s

most prominent women preach-

ers Joyce Meyer.

Most of the organizations un-

der investigation adhere to a

variation of the “prosperity

gospel” which teaches that God

will reward faithful followers

with material wealth.

Earlier this week Senator

Grassley sent letters to a half-

dozen Christian media minis-

tries requesting answers by De-

cember 6 about their expenses,

executive compensation and

amenities, including the use of

expensive cars and private jets.

“I don’t want to conclude that

there’s a problem, but I have an

obligation to donors and the tax-

payers to find out more. People

who donated should have their

money spent as intended and in

adherence with the tax code,”

Senator Grassley said.

Some ministries are already

reporting that they are cooper-

ating with the investigations.

Joyce Meyers Ministries is-

sued a statement claiming that

the IRS has already determined

that they have not violated their

tax-exempt status.( C N A )

Armed Forces’ bishop asks more from

government, says troops need to be

shown gratitude in form of aid

LONDON, November 7, 2007—

The bishop of the British armed

forces said the government needs

to offer more support to troops

and their families, as a way of

showing gratitude for the service

they offer.

In a message sent for the occa-

sion of Remembrance Sunday,

celebrated this Sunday, Bishop

Thomas M. Burns said that “in

Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as

in other conflicts around the

globe, our nation owes a huge

debt of gratitude for the sacrifices

made by so many in our forces

today, and indeed for the sacri-

fices made by their families too.”

Contending that “the risk to

life and limb facing every service-

man and woman on operations

has increased,” the prelate said

that “the state’s duty of care in

return has increased, but some-

times is found wanting.”

“Offering the minimum is not

enough: not in wages, nor in

equipment, nor in housing, nor

in medical care,” Bishop Burns

added. “I call upon the govern-

ment not only to extend what

they have already offered, but to

go that extra mile in providing

even better support and care for

our troops.”

The 63-year-old bishop noted

improvements had been made in

equipment and housing, as well

as in other areas.

But he called for “extra sacri-

fices to be made by the govern-

ment, in recognition of the sacri-

fices made by serving personnel

and their families.”

Family aid

Bishop Burns called attention

to the aid offered to the families

of those in the armed forces, say-

ing that it is sometimes neglected

for “other more visible areas of

public life, important as they

are.”

“Only a lump-sum injected

without delay will bring positive

effects to the quality of life and

support that a family gives to one

of its own in the forces—now, at

a time of conflict, rather than

waiting until later,” he said. “We

should never forget that when

members of the forces go to war,

their families go too, every day

in their hearts, until their loved

ones come home, alive or dead,

healthy or injured.”

The Irish-born prelate la-

mented that not everyone

wounded during time in the

armed forces has access to medi-

cal care.(Zenit)

Republic, due on November

12th.

“The statement reflects the

worries and concerns of the

nation’s people”: the strong and

significant words of the

Maronite Archbishop of Jbail,

Msgr. Bechara Rahi, explain the

most recent and heartfelt appeal

by the bishops, which call on

the entire Parliament to take on

its responsibility “before God,

their conscience and the entire

nation”.

As was forecast the statement

made no indication of a possible

candidate for the post of presi-

dent, but reiterated the need to

facilitate the successful comple-

tion of the electoral process ac-

cording to the Constitution, ac-

cusing both sides of the politi-

cal divide of “sticking to their

positions” and affirming that re-

sponsibility lies “both with

Tony Blair believed to convert to

Catholicism this month

LONDON, November 9, 2007—

Former British Prime Minister

Tony Blair will soon be received

into the Catholic Church, The Tele-

graph reports.

The prominent Catholic news-

paper The Tablet reported that his

formal conversion will take place

at a Mass in the private chapel of

Cardinal Cormac Murphy-

O’Connor, the Archbishop of Lon-

don. The Tablet predicted Blair

would convert this month.

Tony Blair’s wife and four chil-

dren are Catholics, and the family

has attended Mass together for

years.

A spokesman for the former

prime minister did not deny the

report outright but said “this is the

same old speculation.”

However a friend of Mr. Blair

reportedly said “It is something he

has wanted to do for years but

knew it would be easier after he

had left office. Tony and Cherie are

both thrilled.”

Tony Blair remained an Angli-

can while in office because of legal

questions about a Catholic being

in such a high position. Clauses in

the 1829 Emancipation Act, which

provided Roman Catholics full

civil rights, forbid a Catholic ad-

viser to the monarch from hold-

ing civil or military office.

According to The Tablet, Mr.

Blair was invited to be received

into the Church in Rome. His ad-

visers discouraged this idea for fear

others would see it as an indul-

gence in Catholic triumphalism.

Blair’s political stands have not

always been consistent with

Catholic ethics. While a minister

of parliament Mr. Blair voted for

legal abortion up to 24 weeks into

a pregnancy, a vote publicly con-

demned by Cardinal Thomas Win-

ning of Scotland. Mr. Blair has also

supported civil partnerships for

homosexuals.(CNA)

CBCP Monitor

Vol. 11 No. 23

November 12 -25, 2007

News Features

Cardinal visits international seminary in Spain

Prelates: couples need confidence to

become parents European bishops

propose ways to support families

Visitors to Beijing

Olympics advised: take

no more than one Bible

Holy See presses for 2-state solution in

Mid-east; urges Israelis and

Palestinians to commit to peace

HIS Eminence Ricardo J. Car-

dinal Vidal with Archbishop-

emeritus Carmelo Morelos of

Zamboanga and Bishop Jose

Oliveros of Malolos, visited the

University of Navarre in

Pamplona, Spain, where cur-

rently 32 Filipino priests and

seminarians are enrolled in

various disciplines.

The University of Navarre

has the Ecclesiastical Faculties

of Theology, Canon Law and

Philosopy. Filipino seminar-

ians receive seminary forma-

tion at the international semi-

nary run by the priests of the

Prelature of Opus Dei called

“Bidasoa.”

Rev. Fr. Juan Chapa, repre-

sentative of the Dean of the

Faculty of Theology, and Rev.

Fr. Miguel Angel Marco, Rec-

tor of Colegio Ecclesiastico

Internacional Bidasoa, toured

the Filipino bishops within the

university campus.

Archbishop Francisco Perez,

the archbishop of Pamplona,

who was attending a conference

being held at the Faculty of The-

ology that day, also joined in

welcoming the three Filipino

bishops and companions.

In his talk with the Filipino

priests and seminarians, Cardi-

nal Vidal challenged everyone

to always strive to become

good and holy priests and semi-

narians.

Cardinal Vidal’s challenging

message greatly encouraged

the seminarians to give their

all to the formation given

them, aware of the challenging

ministry that awaits them when

they go back to their respective

dioceses.

The three bishops were ac-

companied by some clergy and

lay faithful during their visit.

(Jan Limchua)

BRUSSELS, Belgium, November

7, 2007—Young couples need

more confidence in life so that

they have the courage to become

parents, the European bishops

affirmed. And they proposed

steps for the European Union to

help bring this about.

The Secretariat of the Commis-

sion of the Bishops’ Conferences

of the European Community pre-

sented Monday a working docu-

ment that aims to contribute to

an improved family strategy on

the level of the European Union.

The document “Proposal for a

Strategy of the European Union

for the Support of Couples and

Marriage” draws attention to

challenges for families. It sug-

gests political initiatives in areas

such as labor law and tax and

housing policy, with which Eu-

ropean institutions can support

families.

“Stable couples and families

are sources of mutual trust,” a

communiqué from the bishops’

commission said. “They encour-

age taking responsibility and

openness for the other and thus

constitute an important social

capital for Europe.

“In view of the current demo-

graphic evolution and the in-

creasing rate of divorce, it is nec-

essary to offer also an increased

attention to family-related issues

on the European level.”

Stability

The commission document

outlines the areas in which EU in-

stitutions can contribute more to

stable couples and families.

The document focuses on the

various daily difficulties of

couples and on the required con-

ditions to allow parents to as-

sume their role better in, for ex-

ample, the protection of children

and youth, integration and the

fight against poverty.

“Helping married couples to

create a loving and stable rela-

tionship and to assume their edu-

cational role as parents must be

considered as an important and

necessary step in enhancing the

European Union’s social dimen-

sion,” the document says. “The

European Union can contribute

in helping married couples to

overcome and prevent crises and

assist them in their most chal-

lenging task, which is the educa-

tion of their children.

“Now European policy makers

are tasked to take up these issues

and develop appropriate and

imaginative policies.”

Climate of joy

The bishops encouraged

policymakers to take into account

Benedict XVI’s words during his

September trip to Austria.

“Encourage young married

couple to establish new families

and to become mothers and fa-

thers!” the Pope said on that occa-

sion. “You will not only assist them,

but you will benefit society as a

whole. I also decisively support

you in your political efforts to fa-

vor conditions enabling young

couples to raise children. Yet all

this will be pointless, unless we can

succeed in creating once again in

our countries a climate of joy and

confidence in life, a climate in

which children are not seen as a

burden, but rather as a gift for all.”

The bishops’ document contin-

ued: “Indeed, many of the difficul-

ties couples face today in maintain-

ing the bond of marriage and in

raising their children point to the

difficulty of leading a meaningful

life in modern society.

“This, of course, is not something

that governments can deal with. A

government cannot offer a mean-

ingful life; its task is related to jus-

tice. Other actors have to stand in.

Churches are certainly among

them.”(Zenit)

NEW YORK, November 8,

2007—The Holy See is convinced

that a two-state solution is the

best way to solve the crisis be-

tween Israelis and Palestinians in

the Middle East.

Archbishop

Celestino

Migliore, permanent observer of

the Holy See to the United Na-

tions, affirmed this today when

he addressed the 62nd session of

the U.N. General Assembly on

the topic of Palestinian refugees

in the Near East.

The archbishop said that at the

heart of the matter is the prob-

lem of injustice. He said, “To post-

pone endlessly the resolution of

this conflict by a refusal to nego-

tiate and to compromise reason-

ably, by indecision or by a will-

ingness to maintain the status

quo, is to perpetuate injustice.”

“Whether such a mind-set is de-

liberate or not does not alter the

reality on the ground, namely,

innocent people and entire fami-

lies on all sides continue to suf-

fer terribly and infrastructures

are destroyed even

before they are

ready for use,” the

prelate continued.

True resolve

Affirming that the

Holy See believes a

two-state solution

has the best chance

to settle the crisis,

A r c h b i s h o p

Migliore called on

both Israelis and Pal-

estinians to resolve

themselves to work for peace.

He said: “Bringing this solu-

tion to reality is not the primary

responsibility of the Quartet, but

of the parties directly concerned

and the neighboring countries

who have immediate interests in

the whole question.”

The Quartet on the Middle East,

which is involved in mediating

the peace process in the Israeli-

Palestinian conflict, comprises

the United States, Russia, the Eu-

ropean Union and the United

Nations.

The prelate continued: “While

the international community can

only do so much in providing all

the support needed to bring to-

gether those in conflict, it is in-

dispensable that the parties must

set aside the pretense of peace-

making and start full negotia-

tions on the two-state solution.

“My delegation earnestly

hopes that the international con-

ference planned for the end of this

month may move the peace pro-

cess towards this end, towards the

definition of a realistic accord that

the parties will be determined to

implement.”

Vicious cycle

Archbishop Migliore acknowl-

edged that decades of violence

have caused rage among the

people of the area, “fueling the

vicious cycle of violent retalia-

tions.”

However, he called on “groups

within both the Israeli and Pales-

tinian civil societies which, shar-

ing the same loss and fear, reach

out to one another to offer and

receive forgiveness and recon-

ciliation. We appeal not only to

authorities, but to the entire Is-

raeli, Palestinian and neighbor-

ing peoples, to consider how

much this disposition of mutual

empathy can bridge their other-

wise mutually exclusive and con-

tradictory claims which have so

far prevented talks to come to

fruition.”

The archbishop concluded by

noting that the status of the city

of Jerusalem must be part of a

lasting solution.

“In light of the numerous inci-

dents of violence and challenges

to free movement posed by the

security wall,” he said, “the Holy

See renews its support for inter-

nationally guaranteed provisions

to ensure the city of Jerusalem the

freedom of religion and of con-

science of its inhabitants, as well

as permanent, free and unhin-

dered access to the holy places by

the faithful of all religions and

nationalities.”(Zenit)

LAST week, CNA published a report from the Ital- ian daily “La Gazzetta dello Sport” stating that Bibles will not be allowed into the Olympic Vil- lage at the upcoming Olympic Games. Since then, CNA has learned that a contradictory set of policies has been put in place regarding the possession of the Bible at the international sporting event.

Making a slight change to its total ban on religious items, the Chinese Olympic Committee has decided, “devotional objects” will be allowed in compliance with Chinese “freedom of religion” laws, but “religious objects meant to propagate a cult” will not be permitted.

“La Gazzetta dello Sport” cites the Chief of Secu- rity Fu Qiang who said that he can’t specify what objects are included under the item “propaganda” but can assure that personal religious items are permitted.

However, on the official website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, a page titled “Entry and Exit: Entry” credited to the Beijing Tourism Adminis- tration reads:

“Any printed material, film, tapes that are ‘detri- mental to China’s politics, economy, culture and ethics’ are also forbidden to bring into China.”

This is immediately followed by a caution about

Bibles:

“Note: Each

traveler is recom-

mended to take

no more than one

Bible into China.”

Chinese offi-

cials did not ad-

dress the redefini-

tion of the Bible as

“propaganda”

once the number

of copies exceeds

one.

The Cardinal

Kung Foundation

explains Chinese

policy towards re-

ligion on its

website: “The Chinese government views reli-

gion as a threat to

its power. As a re-

sult, it restricts religious activities to government-sanctioned organizations and registered places of worship. It also seeks to stamp out those religious activities that are not government-sanctioned.”

The Foundation labels as false the Chinese government’s promise of freedom of religion, saying “China continues to commit serious violations of religious freedom and belief. The Chinese government severely and systematically persecutes members of China’s spiritual communities, including Roman Catholics, Protestants, Evangelical

Christians, Tibetan Buddhists, Uighur Muslims, and

members of the Falun Gong movement.”

The Cardinal Kung Foundation also protests that Olympic prestige is diminished by the Chinese government’s injustices, writing that “the noble name of “Olympic” is being severely tarnished by its association with the evil spirit of religious per- secutions and human rights violations in China. This is about the time for the Olympic Committee to consider canceling the games in China in order to preserve their good name and spirit.”

Currently in China five Catholic bishops and fif- teen priests are in prison for opposing the state- sponsored Chinese Patriotic Catholic Church.

(CNA)

Jaro archdiocese holds

congress on family and life

AROUND 500 participants gathered for a two-day 3rd Western Visayas Congress on Family and Life held at St. Vincent Ferrer Seminary auditorium in Iloilo City on October 21-22, hosted by the Archdiocesan Commission on Family and Life (ACFL).

The congress was organized as a response to the call of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Phil- ippines (CBCP) for a more concrete action from pro-life legislators.

Participants came to listen to the resource speak- ers and share in the deliberations that would em- body their desires and aspirations for a more vigi- lant and dynamic Church in this part of the Philip- pines.

The first day of the congress, which had the sub- theme “Towards a common stand for the Culture of Life” was participated by the Catholic faithful of the Archdiocese.

Medical and legal professionals, Catechists, parish councils, and religious lay leaders from the archdiocese and neighboring dioceses listened, shared and discussed their sentiments during the open fo- rum and group workshops later that day.

Iloilo Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, San Carlos Bishop Jose Advincula and Antique Bishop Romulo de la Cruz, led delegates from the clergy, religious men and women on the second day of the congress. Other participants included heads and staff of

Catholic Schools, and guidance counselors from

both public and private schools.

The participants had animated discussions on how to “inspire” the faithful, the students and pa- rishioners towards a culture of life. They also discussed the need to be more discerning of the various deceptive languages being used to disguise population control ideology and legislations—both in the national and local levels.

Both days started with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, the first day with Fr. Bernabe Tutana, newly appointed ACFL director of the archdiocese, and, the second day with Bishop Advincula, and Archbishop Lagdameo. Archbishop Lagdameo delivered a very touching homily which set the tone of the Congress.

Dr. Rene Josef Bullecer of Human Life Interna- tional, Pilipinas tackled the topic “Overpopulation: True or False?” while Atty. Jo Aurea Imbong, CBCP legal executive, discussed the “Legal and Moral Foun- dation of Pro-Family Advocacy” as well as “Under- standing the Language of the Population Control Ideology and Preparing Pro-Life Legislation.”

A statement formulated on the first day of the congress with additional suggestions from the participants of the second day was approved and de- clared as a common stand towards a culture of life by both delegations. (Manny/Marj Libo-on & Mike

/Aida Gomez)

His Eminence Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal (center) with Filipino priests and seminarians studying at the Colegio Ecclesiastico Internacional Bidasoa of the University of

Navarre, Pamplona, Spain.

Archbishop Celestino Migliore speaks at the United

Nations.