•A3 Victim of abortion: ‘We cry

•B1 ‘Bringing to the •C1 The CROSS

without tears and we scream Priesthood Only Those
Knights of Columbus Supplement
without a voice’ at abortion clinics Who Have Been Called’

Church leads signature www.cbcpnews.com cbcpmonitor@cbcpworld.net Carmelites demand ‘radical

drive vs mining
THE Roman Catholic Diocese of Butuan has
launched a signature campaign for the closure
of all mining operations in Agusan del Norte
province.
Butuan auxiliary bishop Zacharias Jimenez
said the “house to house” signature drive
aims to serve as a wakeup call for authorities
that people are against the extensive mining
activities.
He accused the mining operations, in an
interview aired over Radyo Veritas, of ruin-
ing the province’s environment which is now
Signature drive / A7
Protagonist of Truth, Promoter of Peace
November 10 - 23, 2008
reforms’ against corruption
FILIPINO Carmelite priests are demanding
“radical reforms” against corruption and hold
current corrupt-ridden administration account-
able to the people,” said Fr. Jerry Sabado, Con-
venor, Carmelites-Justice, Peace and Integrity
of Creation (JPIC) in a press statement.
To this day, the truth about the NBN-ZTE
deal and other strings of corruption charges did
not see the light. The people are again scandal-
ized by the euro generals, he said.
“And now we continue to witness shameless
Vol. 12 No. 23 Php 20.00 cover-up of the multi-million fertilizer scam.
Carmelites / A7

© Roy Lagarde / CBCP Media

The nearly 400 delegates of the CBCP- Committee on Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) 2nd National Congress listen to a reflection on rural development by BEC chairman and Cotabato
Archbishop Orlando Quevedo (inset). The prelate told the participants that the formation of BECs is not a matter of getting people to church, but how to be authentically church to them.

Corruption derails rural

dev’t, says BEC Congress
But it should be
addressed even
from below
By Pinky Barrientos, FSP
WITH a big percentage of Fili-
pinos living in poverty and a
government reeling from the
perception of being the most cor-
rupt, a nationwide Basic Ecclesial
Communities (BEC) Congress on
rural development comes at a most
opportune time.
Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, SJ, in his
Holy See: Migrants’ humane
conditions are vital for dev’t
THE Holy See has called on governments for serious
international cooperation in order to ensure humane
conditions of migration.
Pontifical Council for Migrants and Travelers secre-
tary Archbishop Agostino Marchetto said agonies of
migrants must be stopped because they too are entitled
to enjoy human rights.
“Special attention must be given to avoid discrimi-
nation and to protect vulnerable migrants such as
women, unaccompanied minors, elderly and disabled
persons,” he said.
Marchetto made the call last Wednesday in his
talk during the Global Forum on Migration held at the
Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay
City last Oct. 27-30.
Only too often the world is confronted nowadays with
images of migrants risking their lives in the attempt to
cross borders in search for a better life for themselves
and for their families.
These incidents, he said, are symptomatic of the sad
reality many migrants face today in their quest for a job
and for a living wage.
But this suffering has to stop, Marchetto said.
Migrants / A7

P728M fund scam witnesses told: BCBP holds compe-

homily at the opening of the second BEC
National Congress held at St. Augustine
Metropolitan Cathedral in Cagayan de Oro

noted that the theme of the congress was a
continuation of the discussion of what has
transpired in the recently concluded rural
congress. Ledesma is the national chairman of
the National Rural Congress which convened
last July.
He underscored the role of BECs in rural
development saying that BEC members can
contribute a lot in making good governance
a reality in the country.
Lack of good governance and the problem
of corruption have been seen as some of the
problems that derail the pursuit of develop-
ment especially in the rural areas.
“In all of these it is the small people, the
Corruption / A6
tition on ‘Be
‘Come out in the open’
A RANKING Catholic Church official
has called on the people with “first
hand” information on the alleged P728
million fertilizer fund scam to come
out in the open.
Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick
Pabillo made the appeal Tuesday fol-
lowing former Agriculture secretary
Jocelyn “Jocjoc” Bolante’s vow to
cooperate with the coming Senate
investigation on the issue.
“I call on those who know some-
thing about the alleged scam to tell
the truth,” he said at the sidelines of
the ongoing 2nd Basic Ecclesial Com-
munities (BEC) Congress in Cagayan
de Oro City.
Pabillo said as long issues on alleged
corruption under the Arroyo govern-
ment left hanging, so is the credibility
honest’ advocacy
of her administration.
“We will not really improve as long
THE Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen
as these issues are not resolved,” said
and Professionals (BCBP) will hold the first
Pabillo who also heads the National
National “Be Honest” Oratorical Competi-
Secretariat for Social Action-Justice and
tion among 3rd and 4th year students of top
Peace of the Catholic Bishops’ Confer-
public and private schools nationwide.
ence of the Philippines.
BCBP-Davao Chapter is a Catholic Renew-
The prelate also vowed to lead in pro-
al community of businessmen and profes-
viding refuge to Bolante if needed. He
sionals with principals in Makati City which
said they are open to the idea if Bolante
promotes the value of honesty through its
himself would ask their assistance.
“Be Honest” campaign program.
“It’s our obligation to protect truth-
The program was launched five years ago
tellers,” Pabillo said. “I appealed to Mr.
participated in by 113 BCBP chapters and
Bolante to just tell the truth as a service
outreaches all over the country in a nation-
to the nation.”
wide motorcade.
The Senate has allowed Bolante to
The advocacy was manifested by putting
stay at the St. Luke’s Medical Center
up of billboards, posters, streamers, car stick-
even after his doctors ordered him
ers, t-shirts and other collaterals bearing the
discharged.
now familiar program’s message: “Be Hon-
Fund scam / A6 est, Even if others are not, Even if others will
Pabillo
not, Even if others cannot.”

UST to focus on ‘faith and life issues,’

With 60 BCBP Chapters participating all
over the country, they expect that about 700
schools will be represented in competitions

supports CBCP’s stand vs RH bill

‘Be honest’ / A6

THE Pontifical and Royal Uni- debate on “Reproductive Health Asia, has decided to envision
versity of Santo Tomas (UST) (RH)” bill pending in the Con- some areas of concentration, and
© www.flickr.com/photos/scorpiodragon/

will focus on the promotion
of “faith and life issues” and
continue to support the stand of
the Filipino Bishops against the
reproductive health bill.
As a Catholic university of the
Philippines, the Dominican-run
UST will stress “faith and life
matters” given the on-going
gress, said Fr. Filemon I. de la
Cruz, Jr., OP, Vice-rector for
Religious Affairs.
De la Cruz, also director of
Center for Campus Ministry,
was addressing faculty members
of the Institute of Religion, which
he heads too.
UST, the oldest University in
“faith and life matters” is one of
the most important areas, De la
Cruz said.
De la Cruz said UST sup-
ports the stand of the influential
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of
the Philippines (CBCP) against
the RH bill.
UST / A6
 A2 World News
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 23
November 10 - 23, 2008

Pope marks Feast of Dedication of

Lateran Basilica, commemorates
anniversary of Kristallnacht
VATICAN, November 9, 2008—Presiding over the recitation of the is commonly named, were added only after the sixth century.
Sunday Angelus, Pope Benedict XVI commemorated the Feast of “This anniversary at first interested only the city of Rome; then,
the Dedication of Rome’s Lateran Basilica. Calling Christians the in 1565, it was extended to the Churches of the Roman rite. By
‘living stones’ of a ‘spiritual building,’ he reminded the faithful that honoring the Basilica, one intends to express love and veneration
God wants to build in the world a community that “worships him for the Roman Church, which, as St. Ignatius of Antioch affirms,
in spirit and truth.” ‘presides over the charity’ of the entire Catholic communion,” the
The Basilica, called the “mother and head of all churches of the Pope said.
City and the World,” was built after the Emperor Constantine’s Edict “The beauty and harmony of churches, destined to render praise

© Colin Dutton/Grand Tour/Corbis

of Milan, which in 313 granted Christians freedom to practice their to God, invites us, limited and sinners, to form a ‘cosmos,’ a well-
religion. The same emperor, the Holy Father recalled, “gave Pope ordered edifice, in communion with Jesus, who is the true Holy of
Miltiades the old property of the family of the Laterans and built the Holies,” he added.
Basilica, Baptistery and the residence of the Bishop of Rome, where After the Marian prayer of the Angelus, Benedict XVI recalled
the Popes lived until the Avignon period.” that today is the 70th anniversary of Kristallnacht, “when Nazi fury
The dedication of the Basilica was celebrated by Pope Sylvester in against Jews broke loose in Germany.” He prayed for the victims
324 and the temple was dedicated to the Most Holy Savior; the names and invited Christians to demonstrate “profound solidarity with
of Sts. John the Baptist and John the Evangelist, for whom the basilica the Hebrew world.” (CNA)

Pontiff calls for restoration Church leaders express hope,

reservations over Obama’s win
of peace in Congo SEOUL, South Korea, Novem-
ber 10, 2008—Church leaders
in South Korea have expressed
hope but also concerns fol-
the priest asserted.
Father Peter Pai Young-ho,
executive secretary of the
Catholic Bishops’ Conference
VATICAN, November 9, 2008—Benedict survive,” he lamented.
XVI is calling upon all involved to restore Saying that the number of refugees is lowing the historic election of of Korea (CBCK), told UCA
peace and respect for the law and human estimated at more than one and a half mil- Senator Barack Obama to the News he was concerned that
life to Congo. lion, the Pontiff also called “upon all to work U.S. presidency. some of Obama’s policy state-
After reciting the Angelus together with together to restore peace, respect for law and “Korea can learn a good les- ments, such as his objection to
the crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square, the dignity of every person to that land, for son from Obama’s success,” free trade agreements, would
the Pope called attention to the ongoing too long martyred.” said Father John Choi Byoung- be detrimental to Korea.
conflict taking place in the North Kivu region “To all and to each one I desire to express jo, noting how the 47-year-old South Korea presently has
of Congo. my special nearness, as I encourage and son of an immigrant father such an agreement with the
© wwwimage.cbsnews.com

“Bloody armed skirmishes and systematic bless those who are working to alleviate their obtained a good education in United States.
atrocities have caused and continue to cause sufferings, among whom are the pastoral the United States, where he Furthermore, the U.S.
many casualties among innocent civilians. workers of the Church of that region,” the was born, and is now poised president-elect’s acceptance
Destruction, looting and violence of every Pontiff stated. “To families and their loved to become a global leader. of abortion is also against
type have forced tens of thousands of per- ones I offer my condolences and assure my Speaking with UCA News Church teaching, Father Pai
sons to abandon even what little they had to prayers.” (Zenit) the day after the Nov. 4 elec- pointed out.
tion, the director of Suwon “However, I expect him to
diocese’s pastoral services for solve lots of problems, espe-

Vatican: Catholic-Muslim forum a ‘step forward’

VATICAN, November 9, 2008—
The first seminar of the Muslim-
Catholic Forum was “a signifi-
cant step forward in dialogue,”
says a Vatican spokesman.
Jesuit Father Federico Lom-
bardi, the director of the Vatican
press office, made this claim
on the last episode of “Octava
Dies,” a weekly program of
the Vatican Television Center.
The three-day Catholic-Muslim
meeting ended last week in
Rome.
The Church, he recalled,
“has regular meetings with
various groups of Muslim rep-
resentatives,” but this meeting
“demonstrated the possibility
of entering more deeply and
frankly into essential themes
and of successfully express-
ing, with greater clarity and
fidelity, that which unites and
differentiates [us].”
The final joint declaration
“contains important statements
about respect for persons and
their choices in matters of con-
science and religion [and] on
the equal dignity of men and
women.”
Disclosing that Benedict XVI
is encouraging the efforts at
dialogue, the Vatican spokesman
characterized the dialogue of
the forum as “open” and taking
place in “a climate of trust.” He
added that there are hopes that
the dialogue will extend itself to
larger circles in the Christian and
Muslim world.
The priest observed that the
often bloody conflicts between
Christians and Muslims in the
Middle East and the Balkans
migrant laborers said South
Korea should similarly wel-
come skilled migrant workers
and foreigners with other tal-
have made the dialogue “com- ents, and help them live secure
plex and difficult, but they must lives here.
not hamper or stop it.” The country should also
Benedict XVI, Father Lombar- provide good education to
di said, has invited the two sides children of marriages involv-
to “unite their efforts, with the ing a Korean and an immigrant
goal of overcoming incompre- spouse, because they can be a
hension, overcoming prejudices “bridge to other countries,” he
and correcting the distorted im- suggested.
age of the other.” Before such policies could be
“The road remains a long one implemented, however, “we
but this is a step in the right need to change our discrimina-
direction,” Father Lombardi tory attitude toward migrants,”
concluded. (Zenit)
cially the economic crisis, for
the betterment of the world,”
the Church official said. “I also
hope he would consider the
Church’s stand on life issues.”
Father Pai noted that many
people followed the U.S. presi-
dential election with interest
since the United States has
great influence in the world.
“With the election of Obama,
an African-American from an
alienated and discriminated
class in society, Americans
have shown their passion for
democracy and openness,” he
declared. (UCAN)

Obama’s election may change agenda
of forthcoming USCCB meeting
BALTIMORE, November 9, 2008—Since the
election of Barack Obama as the next Presi-
dent of the United States, several Catholic
commentators have speculated on how the
original agenda of the annual Fall General
Assembly of the United States Conference of
Catholic Bishops (USCCB) will change.
According to bishops involved in the
organization of the three-day meeting, the
agenda, including a public discussion of
Sri Lankan Catholics take steps toward
beatification of Cardinal Cooray
TEWATTE, Sri Lanka, No-
vember 10, 2008—Catholics
in Sri Lanka are hoping for
that the USCCB “has scuttled plans to dis-
the beatification of their first
cuss abortion and politics next week in Bal-
and still only cardinal, whose
timore,” citing the bishops’ spokeswoman,
20th death anniversary they
Sister Mary Ann Walsh. RNS also quoted
recently celebrated.
Sister Walsh saying that the agenda had yet
Archbishop Oswald Gomis
to be finalized.
of Colombo told 700 laypeo-
Peter Steinfels reportedly argued in his
ple and 70 clergy at an Oct.
regular New York Times column that “any-
29 anniversary Mass at the
one constructing a list of the big losers on
Basilica of Our Lady of Lanka
[the recent election] would probably include
in Tewatte, on the northern
© www.priu.gov.lk

abortion and politics, is fully on track.
Speculation that the agenda might change
came late last week when several prominent
Catholic commentators argued that the
bishops had “lost authority” by speaking
out strongly against Catholics voting for
© www.depauw.edu
the nation’s Roman Catholic bishops.”
outskirts of Colombo, that
Steinfels supported his assertion that the
Cardinal Thomas Benjamin
bishops were “defeated” on the grounds
Cooray should join the list
that nominal Catholics voted 52 percent to
of saints.
45 percent for Obama.
The Oblate prelate, born in
“Will that fact be candidly addressed
1901 to a poor family, became a priest in 1929. He was ordained

pro-abortion politicians, like Obama and
other mostly Democratic candidates, who
were elected to office recently.
Earlier, Religion News Service reported
when the United States Conference of Catho-
co-adjutor archbishop of Colombo in March 1946 and succeeded
lic Bishops meets next week in Baltimore?,”
as head of the archdiocese in July 1947, becoming Sri Lanka’s
he asked, suggesting that the bishops should
first native archbishop.
“change strategy.” (CNA)
After Pope Paul VI elevated him to cardinal in 1965, he took

People of different religions attend celebration for Saint Alphonsa

part in the election of Popes John Paul I and John Paul II. Car-
dinal Cooray retired as archbishop of Colombo in September
1976 and died on Oct. 29, 1988.
Archbishop Gomis reminded the congregation that the car-
BHARANANGANAM, India, November 10, 2008—More than
dinal did vital work for the local Church during the period of
100,000 people from various religions attended a program celebrat-
popular agitation for the end of British colonial rule, which came
ing the canonization of Saint Alphonsa of the Immaculate Concep-
in 1948. He also recalled the cardinal’s efforts to prevent the state
tion, India’s first woman saint.
from nationalizing Catholic schools during 1960-61.
The Nov. 9 program included a concelebrated Mass and a public
Plans are underway to put the late cardinal on the path to
meeting at Bharananganam, the village in Kerala state’s Kottayam
sainthood. The local Church has no native saint, but it has sup-
© cache.daylife.com

district where the Franciscan Clarist nun’s tomb lies. The village is
about 2,650 kilometers south of New Delhi.
Pope Benedict XVI canonized the nun, a native of Palai diocese,
and three other saints on Oct. 12 at the Vatican. The Church in Kerala
organized a nine-day long celebration that culminated on Nov. 9.
The Nov. 9 program began with a public meeting that former In-
dian president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam opened and Cardinal Leonardo
Sandri, prefect of the Vatican Congregation for Oriental Churches,
chaired.
Kalam, a Muslim by faith and rocket engineer by profession,
asked people to emulate Saint Alphonsa’s ideals such as love and
compassion, “for which she lived her short life of sufferings, pen-
ance and prayer.”
The nun, who died in 1946 at the age of 36, was mostly confined
to bed because of constant illnesses. Records show she suffered her
physical pains with joy and offered them as penance for the sins of
others.
“Each one of us must take a vow that we would remove the pain
ported the cause of Blessed Joseph Vaz, a 17th-century Indian
priest who kept people’s faith alive during harsh persecution
under Dutch rule.
The Cardinal Cooray Memorial Committee, appointed last
year, “has started to collect all the details of stories, miracles,
of at least one person every month, as the saint had shown through
remedies and answered prayers,” Father Marcus Ferdinandez,
her personal example,” Kalam said. A “deeper study” into the
its patron, told UCA News on Nov. 6. The next step will be to
saint’s life would reveal “she renounced the world but worked for
inform the Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Sri Lanka, added
the world,” he added. “When others belittled her, taunted her, she
the priest, episcopal vicar for Colombo archdiocese’s eastern
accepted all these sufferings with a smile.”
region.
Kalam and other dignitaries prayed at the saint’s tomb. Cardinal
The committee has been advertising in Catholic weeklies for
Sandri presented Kalam a medallion Pope Benedict XVI blessed
people who believe they have experienced miracles through the
during the canonization ceremony.
late cardinal’s intervention to come forward.
Addressing the public meeting, the cardinal hailed Saint Al-
“Our hope is to see his beatification soon,” said Nimal Bastian
phonsa as “a precious gift of the Indian Church to the global
Silva, principal of Basilica Vidyalaya (school) in Tewatte. Ac-
Church.” She is a “role model of all of us” because her “life was
cording to him, hundreds of thousands of people pay homage
full of miseries and pain,” but she suffered it with joy, the Vatican
at the tomb every year. (UCAN)
official said. (UCAN)
 News Features A3
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 23
November 10 - 23, 2008

Victim of abortion: ‘We cry without

tears and we scream without a
voice’ at abortion clinics
MADRID, Spain, November 11, 2008—The author of the book, “I
Abor ted,” Esperanza Puente, said during a press conference last
week that abortion clinics are inhumane, treat women as mere “cus-
tomers,” and consider the babies they kill as mere “blobs of tissues”
or “clusters of cells.”
According to the newspaper “El Dia,” Puente said the abortion
clinic she went to exemplifies the inhumanity of such places.
“The relationship between doctors and ‘clients’ is cold. Everyone
told a woman a few days ago.”
Puente stressed that in her case, as with many other women,
“the psychologist doesn’t follow the law either, because he is not a
specialist outside the clinic but rather is involved and only wants
to get the woman to sign the informed consent papers as soon as
possible, but he does not inform her of the scars the mother will bear
for the rest of her life.”
Recalling the most difficult moments of her experience, including

thinks that those who go there are going to use a service they are
paying for,” she said.
“In the waiting room, women cry without tears and scream
without a voice,” she continued, “and the standard procedure is
that women don’t see ultrasounds of the baby, which is considered
to be a ‘cluster of cells’ or a blob of tissue, as one doctor in Madrid
© flickr.com/photos/tomoneill/
when “the nurse forgot about the remains of my child at my side,”
she denounced “the lucrative business of the elimination of fetuses,
which are used in cosmetics.”
Puente questioned whether the new abortion law under consider-
ation in Spain would “provide complete information to women about
the scars they will bear after an abortion.” (CNA)

Pope Benedict recalls Pius XII’s teachings

and impact on the Church VATICAN CITY, November 10, 2008—On Saturday,
Pope Benedict met with participants in a congress titled,
“The Heritage of Pius XII’s Magisterium and Vatican
Council II.” During the event, the Pontiff called to mind
Pius XII’s teachings, his relationship with Christ, and his
influence on the Church.
The conference was held from November 6-8 and orga-
nized by the Pontifical Gregorian and Lateran Universi-
ties, and came to a close with Pope Benedict’s remarks
on the impact Pius XII had on the Church through his
writings and teachings.
Pope Benedict XVI explained that along with his 40
encyclicals, the late Pontiff spoke of the “responsibility of
the laity within the Church” and “the great importance
of the modern communications media,” especially “jour-
© flickr.com/photos/drewmunro/
the need to prevent at all costs the possibility of brilliant
scientific advances being used to build deadly arms
which could cause immense catastrophes and even the
complete destruction of mankind.”
Benedict XVI continued to address the congress by
focusing on Pius XII’s teachings on Mary. The words of
Pius XII reached their culmination “in the proclamation
of the dogma of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin,
by which the Holy Father intended to highlight the
eschatological dimension of our lives, and to exalt the
dignity of women.”
Turning to focus on Pius XII’s personality and spiri-
tuality, Benedict XVI noted that the late Pope was a
realist who desired “to give all of himself to God, hold-
ing nothing back and unconcerned for his own delicate

nalists’ duty to provide factual information respectful
of moral norms.”
Pius XII also warned against the progress of sci-
ence impacting morality, the Holy Father pointed out.
Though he was a great admirer of technology, he never
failed to “caution against the risks that research could
bring if inattentive to moral values,” and “warned of
health.” “Everything in him arose from love for his Lord
Jesus Christ, and love for the Church and humanity. He
was, in fact, a priest in constant and intimate union with
God,” Benedict said.
“In the person of the Supreme Pontiff Pius XII, the Lord
gave His Church an exceptional gift for which we must all
be grateful,” the Holy Father concluded. (CNA)

Environmentalists echo CBCP’s stance on mining: it’s plunder Catholics, Muslims

MALABON CITY, November 2, 2008—The
militant environmental group, Kalikasan
People’s Network for the Environment
(Kalikasan-PNE) had declared accord with
the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the
Philippines (CBCP) on their condemnation
against the corrupt practices of the present
administration, especially on the issues of
environmental and economic plunder.
This was done yesterday in line with the
“commemoration” of the massive fishkill
in Rapu-Rapu Island in Albay, Bicol region
yesterday,
In a statement sent to CBCPNews, Cle-
ber 11 and 31 respectively, causing a number
of fishkill incidences in the Albay Gulf.
On November 1, 2007, another massive
fishkill occurred. This time it made the
members of the communities to troop at the
Legazpi City Hall to urge the mayor to put
the town under state of calamity.
Most of the residents of Rapu-Rapu are
fishermen and the Albay Gulf is their only
source of livelihood.
Notwithstanding the October 25, 2008
report by international aid agency Oxfam
Australia which showed that cyanide-laden
spillages by Lafayette have devastated fish-
ration (KORES) gained majority control of
Lafayette Philippines Incorporated (LPI) on
April 2008 but there are still no updates of
how and when they will pay the damages
say Forum brought
caused by the spill.
“If this act of letting foreign environmental
plunderers and destroyers go off the hook
is not depravity, then I don’t know what is.
them closer
What is even unspeakable and shameful is Participants reflect on results of historic seminar
how the government allowed the resump-
tion of Rapu-rapu Pollymetallic Mining
Project, now under new management.
It is very apparent that the Arroyo govern-
ment has no reservations in worsening the
© clericalwhispers.blogspot.com

mente Bautista Jr., national coordinator of
Kalikasan-PNE said, the mining practice in
the Philippines, being the Macapagal-Arroyo
government’s flagship, is a model of legal,
ethical and moral wrongs.
“It is corruption in its purest form and we
demand that this be immediately halted and
corrected as our Church leaders demanded
it also, on the first place,” he said.
The Department of Environment and
Natural Resources (DENR) said in 2005
Rapu-Rapu Poly-metallic Project will show-
case state of the art mining facilities, thus
declaring it as the flagship project of the
Philippine government’s Mineral Industry
Revitalization program.
The DENR said further that if it will fail,
the Rapu-Rapu mining project will ‘make
or break’ the entire government’s mining
program.
But untrue to its promises, six months after
Australian-owned Lafayette Mining Inc. had
begun its mining operations in April 2005,
two mining tailings spills occurred on Octo-
ing-dependent communities of Rapu-Rapu,
the Macapagal-Arroyo government is still
unmindful of the crimes of the foreign mining
company, Bautista disclosed to CBCPNews.
What is more saddening, although the
company was found liable by the Philippine
government of contaminating the waters in
Rapu-rapu with cyanide in November 2005
and was fined P10 million for damages, the
government did no further steps in ensuring
the rehabilitation of the island, he added.
On the other hand, on the same report,
Oxfam Australia’s Mining Ombudsman
Shanta Martin said that the Australian min-
ing company and the banks that financed
it have not demonstrated an ability to put
sound environmental policies into practice.
Furthermore, until now, there are no re-
ports that the company paid for the damages
it incurred to the community.
Bautista further disclosed that Lafayette
declared bankruptcy on December 2007, and
now the Korean transnational companies LG
International and Korean Resources Corpo-
conditions of the people of Rapu-rapu.
The DENR even waived the prerequisite
rehabilitation fund and readily allowed the
Korean companies to operate in the island,”
Bautista said, with a hint of dismay.
Despite the alleged shortcomings by the
Philippines’ environmental department,
Kalikasan-PNE still appeals:
“What happened to Rapu-rapu is just an
example of how offenders are not penalized
in the country and even encouraged to com-
mit more crimes. This can be compared to
the ZTE scandal, fertilizer scam, Jose Pidal
account and countless other cases of cor-
ruption that have not been resolved. We are
asking the civil society, especially church
people to insist that these offenders, like
the Arroyo government and foreign mining
transnational corporations like Lafayette, be
held accountable for their crimes. For as long
as they remain unpunished, environmental
destruction, economic hardships and human
rights violations will be experienced by more
and more Filipinos.” (Noel Sales Barcelona)
Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran
ROME, November 10, 2008—Members of the newly formed Catholic-
Muslim Forum saw their first meeting as a space of dialogue, respect
and a growing harmony between people of the two creeds.
During Thursday’s closing ceremony of the first Catholic-Muslim
seminar, Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, president of the Pontifical
Council for Interreligious Dialogue, spoke about the highlights of
the historical final declaration, jointly written by members of both
religions.
“We believe that Catholics and Muslims are called to be instru-
ments of love and harmony among believers, and for humanity in
general, rejecting any type of oppression, aggressive violence and
terrorism, above all when it is committed in the name of religion,
and maintaining the principle of justice for all,” the prelate affirmed,
citing the declaration.
The Nov. 4-6 seminar united a forum of 24 representatives and
five advisors from each of the religions and ended with an audience
with Benedict XVI. It was organized by the Pontifical Council for

Solidarity Phils affirms bishops’ call for social transformation

QUEZON CITY, October 31, 2008— An organization of the reli-
gious and the laity had commended the stance of five Catholic
prelates, including the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philip-
pines head, Jaro Archbishop Angel N. Lagdameo for their firm call
for the change in the society, especially in government.
Solidarity Philippines said in a statement that no matter how
seemingly belated the articulation made by five bishops for radical
changes in view of the moral bankruptcy and prolific proclivity
to corruption of the GMA administration, an overwhelming judg-
ment stands ostensibly clear—the common good and the promo-
tion of social justice will not be advanced and benchmarked under
the present dispensation.
“Solidarity Philippines believes that the pronouncement of the
five leaders of the Catholic Church in the Philippines carry such
a significance which must be treated as developments in terms of
maturity and decisiveness of the ruling made by various progres-
sive individuals and groups in November 2007 to reject a morally
bankrupt government,” the statement reads.
It added that the kleptocratic-oligarchic character and illegiti-
mate fundamentals of the GMA administration has pushed these
bishops from plainly having an exhortative stance on curbing
graft and corruption to shift towards a more imperatives-centered
approach.
“These bishops are definitely and proactively taking to heart, in
all seriousness and sincerity, the charge from APOSTOLORUM
SUCCESSORES, the Directory for The Pastoral Ministry of Bishops
Interreligious Dialogue and by the signatories of the October 2007
letter “A Common Word,” which united high-level exponents of
various branches of Islam.
One of the Muslim participants at the forum, Yahya Pallavicini,
issued by the Vatican Congregation for Bishops on the 22nd of Feb-
vice president of the Italian Islamic religious community, commented
ruary 2004 wherein Chapter VII, Section 6, Paragraph 209 reiterates
to ZENIT that the seminar resulted in the “uniting of theology with
that the bishop, as an individual, [and the conference of bishops in
praxis and not establishing just a theological dialogue that remains
a specific national territory, by extension] has a role of promoting
abstract, nor a pragmatic discourse that only notes the social.”
justice and peace,” said the Philippine Solidarity statement.
Regarding interreligious violence, Pallavicini affirmed that such
A pericope in the mentioned document worth noting is: “The
conflict occurs because of “reciprocal ignorance.” When there is
Bishop is called to be a prophet of justice and peace, a defender of
a lack of “liberty, sense of responsibility and fraternity, arbitrary
the inalienable rights of the human person… by proclaiming the
violence arises.”
Church’s teaching, especially in defense of the right to life from
To avoid this, he continued, we should “unite ourselves to con-
conception to natural death; in defense of human dignity; and,
demn all types of violence when it uses religion and guarantee,
taking to heart the defense of the weak, he lends his voice to those
through educational activities, a better respect for all diversity and
who have no voice of their own, to assert their rights… the Bishop
human dignity.”
needs to condemn vigorously all forms of violence and to raise his
One of the Catholic representatives, Ilaria Morali, doctor in theol-
voice in favor of those who are unemployed, oppressed, persecuted
ogy at the Pontifical Gregorian University, said that one of the fruits
or humiliated, and in favor of children who suffer grave abuse.”
of the seminar has been an “increasing reciprocal confidence, which
Solidarity Philippines further said, the bishops’ viewpoints and
is the presupposition for all dialogue.”
judgments on the moral bankruptcy of the GMA administration
“If one is afraid of the other, he’s not free and is not serene about
and the call for a top-to-bottom radical change undoubtedly ad-
talking about himself,” she recognized.
here to and dovetail the principle regarding the assumption and
There is on both sides a desire to understand each other, the profes-
exercise of political authority embodied in the Social Doctrine of
sor observed, and “as in every human path, it begins by accepting
the Church, which stated “It is from the moral order that authority
that there are difficulties.”
derives its power to impose obligations and its moral legitimacy,
Morali concluded by saying that the two religions share the
not from some arbitrary will or from the thirst for power, and it
mission of “bringing God to the center of the life of our world, to
is to translate this order into concrete actions to achieve the com-
interpret our times in the light of God,” but “without falling into
mon good.” (Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church,
overly secularist divisions” that threaten the “vocation of every
396.) (CBCPNews)
person.” (Zenit)
A4 Opinion
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 23
November 10 - 23, 2008

EDITORIAL

The BBC’s Call

THE National Executive Committee of the Bishops-Businessmen’s
Conference (BBC) issued a statement titled, “A Call for
Statesmanship for a Stronger Democracy and for Vigilance of
Citizens”.
Issued only a couple of days ago but dated October 4, 2008, it is
possible that the appeal received less attention than what it rightfully
deserved. It is also reasonable to assume that the pleading was
not taken seriously as it justly merited.
But let it be well noted that the “Call” did not come from individuals
who were either ignorant of the real socio-political situation in the
country, nor had the time to engage in futile acts and vain rumor
mongering. There is no mistaking that they know well not only
the existing political and social liabilities, but also moral atrocities
stored for the Filipinos unless they are attentive and vigilant.
The key contents of the serious and urgent BBC “Call” are three
fundamental and seriously disturbing resolves: One, “Charter
Change” ultimately for the extension of the term, the office
or whatever of the present national leadership. Two, “Martial
Law” again ultimately for the extension of the terms, the office
or whatever of the incumbent national leadership. And three,
“other means” such as Emergency Rule, or any equivalent, also
ultimately for the extension of the term, the office or whatever
of the ruling national leadership. The “Call” cannot be as clear
and explicit as it stands.
Any of the three above foreboding resolves on the part of the
administration in connivance with its numerous well rewarded
allies in the national and local levels of government, is very real,
vibrant and adamant.
There may be one conclusion that can be drawn from the BBC
Statement, viz., all Filipinos of good will and sound value system
Francisco F. Claver, SJ
Academe versus
cannot but be extra attentive to and vigilant of the above cited
likewise extra dangerous probabilities. Its ultimate consequence—

Church
once any of the fatal trio becomes actualized—will make the luck of
every Filipino in this country subservient once again to government
leadership, reducing democracy to a mockery, placing graft and
Afterthoughts
corrupt practices on the altar of worship and adoration.
THE statement of the 14 professors of the Ateneo de Manila Uni- Bill is not totally negative as far as Catholics are concerned—and in a
Under threat of a hundred and one criminal and civil cases without versity on the pending bill on reproductive health of Congressman way this was what the Ateneo professors were saying in their state-
the convenient and consoling mantle of immunity from suit, it is Lagman was variously captioned in the media as “defiance of the ment. The same Father Genilo thought that the professors, in their
understandable though detestable that someone is definitely not Church” or “opposition to the bishops”. The reason for their “de- appraisal of the Bill, had decided that its good points outweighed
prepared to relinquish the hold of practical omnipotence—an fiance” or “opposition” is easily gleaned from this, that, they are the bad—whereas Church people (the vocal ones at least) felt that
encompassing power that has invaded and enveloped all the three fully aware their acceptance of the bill’s pushing for contraceptives the bad outweighed the good.
branches of government. as “essential medicines” as part of the government’s program of That difference in approach and thinking is precisely the reason
population control goes counter to the Church’s ban on artificial for the need to look at the Bill more critically and for dialogue to
contraceptives. take place among all members of the Church on it.
A more benign interpretation of their statement, however, is to The point should be well taken. For in all the furor caused by the
Towards development of BECs look at their position not so much as an act of defiance as a call for
further dialogue on the provisions of the bill.
Bill so far, it is easy to overlook the fact that it is still in process and
has not yet passed into law. In other words, now is the time for all
Be that as it may, I can’t help asking what is meant by “the bish- to try looking dispassionately at its provisions to see what should be
CONDEMNING evil is not enough. As we must have learned ops”. For even if it is clear where the Church as an institution stands rejected or modified, what can be accepted as is or further nuanced.
from our consideration of the Church’s social teaching this past on the subject of contraception and so one can speak of “opposing” As one of the Ateneo professors has said, there are “negotiables” in
year, we must try bringing an end to evils that harm people and that stand, things are not at all that clear where the bishops are the Bill as it stands, and this means changes can still be made even
their good. concerned. By this I don’t mean they don’t as a body subscribe to before it comes up for a final vote in Congress (where further debate
what Paul VI’s Humanae Vitae teaches about artificial contracep- will take place anyway to further strengthen or weaken the Bill as
As always, our first reaction to national problems is to call on tion. What I am talking about is their actual position on the RH Bill finally worded by Mr. Lagman and his co-sponsors).
government to do what it is supposed to do. We do so here. We itself and its specific provisions. As of now, they have not yet met Father John Carroll of the Institute on Church and Social Issues
ask that the CARP, defective as it is, be finally completed next year to study the Bill’s contents directly to pass judgment on whether to offers a suggestion to all concerned with the Bill, and that is for us
as it has been targeted. And if it is not sufficiently implemented accept or reject it in part or in toto. For as Father Eric Genilo pointed to distinguish between dialogue, debate and advocacy. The point
by then, the program should be further extended and funded more out in an article in the CBCP Monitor in its September 1 issue, the Afterthoughts / A6
seriously and generously. But we asked that the law itself must
be reviewed and improved. Sr. Mary Pilar Verzosa, RGS
The government and the military’s response to the shameful
Missed opportunities
Love Life
“extra-judicial” killings of unarmed crusaders for justice and
equality is most unsatisfactory, their protestations of concern not
too convincing. The greater and more effective performance of
their duties as guardians and protectors of our peace this too we
must demand as strongly as we can. “REMEMBER the miracle of Jesus healing the Lord before they come and are just seek- sadly lacking in the parishes and in many
the woman with a bleeding problem? If she ing a deeper relationship. A greater number organizations. Sure, it is much easier to find
Putting the burden of action on people whose responsibility it is had not been ill for such a long time and had of them come in their confusion, pain and volunteers for the choir or music ministry
to act, however, is not enough. We must ask ourselves: What do not spent every penny she had on doctors, bitterness. A word of kindness and uncon- and, as lectors and readers for the liturgies,
we do as individuals, as families, as communities? What must we perhaps she would never have approached ditional acceptance, the compassionate love but the parish priests admit that it is very
do? The responsibility to act is just as much ours as those who the Master to touch the hem of his garment, of Jesus, are often enough to make them turn hard to gather volunteers to go to the poor ar-
have the official responsibility. and would never have heard Jesus’ consoling to an all forgiving God. eas within their vicinity in order to organize
words - the most important words she was Very often they admit that they had the BECs, the livelihood programs, the adult
For years now we have been pushing the development of BECs to hear in her life - which were far more than forgotten him or ignored him during their catechesis or children’s feeding programs.
or BEC-type Church communities and organizations. And we do all her sufferings and useless expenditure.” time of ease when they are more attached Women’s Desks and Family Counseling
so because such communities are, or should be, fully participative These are the words of Francis Fernandez in to their own plans, health, and wealth than centers are important services but these need
his book Conversations with God, 2001. to God’s will. But the misfortunes of this trained volunteers who will be faithful to the
communities. Problems, national or local, big or small, weighty
What seems a misfortune to us is perhaps life become a call to faith. They realize that time they commit to—and often, people find
or light and the problem of the rural poor we are speaking of here not so dreadful. From it, with love, humility God disposes events with a logic quite dif- many excuses not to get involved.
now is probably our weightiest all must be looked at and become and contrition, we can draw out a grace-filled ferent from their pursuit and the only way Let us ask Our Lady, who experienced
community concerns for the solving of which their participation encounter with Christ. Behind apparent evils is to detach themselves from everything else so many hardships, so much anguish, so
is needed. (illness, exhaustion, pain, abuse, financial so that he may fill them with his own love much sorrow, to teach us not to miss those
ruin, etc.), we can always find Jesus, holding and strength. opportunities of meeting Christ in the midst
Involving themselves in meeting those problems, they must do out his hand to help us bear that situation Today, we need pro-life volunteers who of the—humanly speaking—most unfavor-
so according to the social teaching of the Church which always and grow internally. will bring the “blind and the deaf and the able circumstances.
looks to the achieving of the common good. This demands Over and over again I have observed lame to Jesus”. We need witnesses who will If you feel God is calling you to give more
continuing discernment from all of us, both as individuals and as this miracle of conversion in our pro-life stand up and admit that it was their misfor- of your time to volunteer, call our Pro-life of-
communities. The answers will be varied, but, we trust, all issuing counseling centers—single pregnant girls, tunes that have brought them to surrender fice and we can discuss with you where your
from genuine Christian charity. post aborted women, sexually abused or themselves to the Lord, giving thanks for talents and time available, as well as most
run-away teens, battered wives, concerned that unique experience. It seems that active accessible center is for your convenience.
--The Dignity of the Rural Poor—A Gospel Concern, boyfriends. Some have already encountered volunteers who will minister to others are Call 911-2911.
A CBCP Pastoral Statement, 2007
Fr. Melvin P. Castro

ISSN 1908-2940
The road to Damascus
Speaking of Mary
CBCP Monitor
Protagonist of Tr u t h , Promoter of Peace
THE next stop of our Marian Pilgrimage was in Loyola, the birth
place of St. Ignatius. We were able to celebrate Mass in his “Room
simple Artificial), Faith-Reason-Science go together. The Church
position on the Artificial Means of Contraception espoused and
of Conversion.” There were four Spanish people who also attended promoted by the Reproductive Health Bill, among other things, is
Pedro C. Quitorio
Editor-in-Chief our English Mass, but then I took the opportunity to address them based on all three: Faith-Reason-Science.
with some words of thanks since it was their older generations who Our Bishop in the Diocese of Tarlac, Most Rev. Florentino F. Cin-
Pinky Barrientos, FSP Kris P. Bayos transmitted to us the Catholic Faith. ense, just came from Germany and he had a discussion with some
Associate Editor Feature Editor I prayed fervently for our Ateneo de Manila professors who have university students. And guess what was one of the questions! Why
publicly dissented from the Catholic teaching on the artificial means does the Church oppose Artificial Means of Contraception when it
Melo M. Acuña Rosalynn Garcia of contraception. Paradoxically, upon returning home, 40 more is better than the option of abortion! And my Bishop responded that
Managing Editor Marketing Supervisor professors would do the same public dissent. I am sure many of us both are evil, and it cannot be a choice of a lesser evil. He went on
feel the pain of this internal dissension. A word of caution as well, to make an analogy: What would you want me do to you: slap you
Laurence John R. Morales Ernani M. Ramos not because they are Ateneo professors, we would take their posi- or kill you? Certainly, we would choose neither.
LAYOUT BY LAURENCE JOHN R. MORALES

Online Editor Circulation Manager

tion as something worthy of emulation and put into question the Let me add as well that although not all contraceptives are
Roy Q. Lagarde Marcelita Dominguez wisdom of the Church. It will be tragic to believe that their being abortifacient, nonetheless, all artificial means of contraceptives act
News Editor Comptroller part of the intellegentsia makes them above the Church Teaching against the very nature of the marriage act: that is both unitive and
and God’s Word. procreative.
The CBCP Monitor is published fortnightly by the CBCP Com- This also serves a call for the Catholic intellegentsia to make your St. Ignatius of Loyola’s road to conversion began when he was
munications Development Foundation, Inc., with editorial and voices be heard and articulate in the public realm the soundness wounded in Pamplona and had to stay in bed in his home in Loyola.
business offices at 470 Gen. Luna St., Intramuros, Manila. and logic of the Catholic doctrines! The Catholic Faith is rooted As time went on, he became increasingly bored. He asked for nov-
P.O. Box 3601, 1076 MCPO. in Sacred Scripture and backed up by reason. Faith and Reason go els to read, but the only books to be found in their house were two
Editorial: (063) 404-2182. Business: (063)404-1612.
Email: cbcpmonitor@cbcpworld.net hand-in-hand and in the particular issue of the Artificial Means of religious ones: The Life of Christ by the Carthusian Ludolf of Saxony
Website: www.cbcpworld.net/cbcpmonitor Birth Control (by the way, let us not fall into the trap of calling it and a medieval best seller, variously known as the Golden Legend
Modern Means of Contraception, it is not modern, it is plain and Speaking of Mary / A6
 Opinion A5
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 23
November 10 - 23, 2008

Fr. Carmelo O. Diola, SSL Nicolo F. Bernardo

Spaces of Hope
IT was a MOA signing that was not supposed
to happen.
“Sir,” the voice on the other line said to
me, “the Chief PNP asks that the MOA sign-
ing with Cardinal Vidal be postponed to
another time.” I could not believe my ears.
The planned signing was long in the making.
I knew that a postponement might as well be
a cancellation.
Since 2004, I have been a witness to some-
thing very beautiful and unexpected that was
emerging from a government agency that,
sadly, many people associate with corrup-
tion. The so-called kotong cop is synonymous
with the image of using one’s public position
for private gain. But such image is not just the
bane of the lowly cop on the beat; even retired
generals have made a scene in international
airports. Yet, against all odds, a quiet trans-
formation was and is happening.
Four years ago, I was in a quandary with
my involvement with advocacy groups pro-
moting faith-impelled social transformation.
I did not know whom to trust in the PNP and
this was stifling our efforts at networking and
collaboration. A break came that year when I
was introduced to then Col. Samson Tucay.
The latter was involved with the anti-
illegal drugs campaign and we were able to
organize a National Consultation on Narco-
politics or the use of profits from illegal drugs
to influence and corrupt the pillars of justice.
God smiles
(The staggering profits from illegal drugs
can influence elections, but this is another
story). Sam’s relatively small stature belies a
depth of spirit and commitment that travels
the rough but life-giving road of conversion
and transformation that can only come from
experiencing God’s personal love.
Within the span of a few months, Col. Tu-
cay was promoted general and, by then, had
introduced me to members of the CORPS
Movement, i.e. Christian Officers Reform the
Police Service Movement, composed of both
Protestants and Catholics. The glue holding
them together is personal knowledge of
God’s transforming love. Holding no IDs
and rejecting violence and extra constitu-
tional means as a way of changing society,
their members begin with self and faith.
I learn much from the CORPS and have
become a better priest because of my friend-
ship with them. Let me share two of their
initiatives. The first is their mechanism
for accountability partners. These are cell
groups providing psycho-spiritual and other
mutual support in the journey towards in-
tegrity. They consider praying a very manly
thing to do and encourage or correct one
another. “Sir, I am talking with a beautiful
woman. Help please,” a married officer
once texted his accountability partner. “Do
not ask for her cell phone number,” came
the reply.
Jose B. Lugay
The second was the Values and Leadership
School (VLS), a 30-day live-in training for
PNP personnel that began September 10, 2004
and ended in 2007. More than 3000 policemen
and women went through the training that
was characterized by Spartan conditions,
leadership by example, involvement by many
volunteer groups, very little financial support
from government, and a fresh approach of
spirituality. No cursing or physical contact
was allowed. Whatever the trainees ate,
the trainers shared; if trainees woke up at 4
am, the trainers were up earlier. Common
prayers were said first thing in the morning
and last thing in the evening. Prayers were
said before meals.
CORPS members and other PNP volun-
teers provided the actual training staff while
other volunteers mainly from faith-based or-
ganizations coming in to provide lectures and
testimonies. Changed lives, not to mention
reduced waistlines from the daily physical
regimen, made the VLS worthwhile and truly
inspiring. “I will not shoot him anymore. I
will just pray for him,” wrote one graduate.
In the words of one officer: “VLS opened
the gates for understanding and compassion
to cascade to all our brethren in the police
who have long been wanting to go back to
the Lord.” Yes, indeed, if all that the police
receive are curses, how can they be a bless-
Spaces of Hope / A6
Lifeguard
A UN for the UNborn?
The Universal Rights
of the Prenatal Child
IN 1990, the nations of the world signed the Convention of the
Rights of the Child, declaring that “the child, by reason of his
physical and mental immaturity, needs SPECIAL safeguard and
care, including appropriate LEGAL protection, BEFORE as well
as after birth.” (Preambular par.6)
This statement reiterates the 1959 UN Declaration of the Rights
of the Child. It is a principle agreed by countries not once but
twice, concerning the unborn’s status under international law,
both before and after the controversial 1979 Convention on
the Elimination of All Forms of Elimination Against Women
(CEDAW).
The “preambular” gives light to the question “who is a child”
as to whom the rights of a child should be attendant. Art. 1 of
the Convention says a child is “a human being below the age of
18.” Does this mean from birth to age of majority?
Daniel O’ Donnell, a lawyer who worked with the UN Center
for Human Rights and the International Commission of Jurists,
explains that the first draft of the Convention defined children
as a person from birth to age 15 (Children Are People Too,
[Anvil, 1996]).
But countries like Malta and Senegal proposed from concep-
tion to age 18. The positions were debated until an open-ended
final draft of “below 18” was endorsed. Yet the change of ter-
minology from “birth to 18” to “below 18” is telling, especially
since Art. 24 requires State Parties to provide “pre-natal” care

The Presidential
or care before birth. To this end, prenatal care to reduce child
mortality has been one of the eight UN Millennium Develop-
ment Goals.

Election in the US
ON vacation in Chicago suburbs during this world-shaking event,
the election of the first black President of the United States, gave
me a bleacher’s view of how elections are done in this bastion of
democracy. This gave me time to retrospect how democracy has
fared in the Philippines.
It was in the early 19th century that the Philippines became
America’s child of democracy. The U.S. President then decided that
we first learn the English language, so we learned our first ABC’s
from a boatload of educators, the Thomasites. Our Filipino leaders
then, the educated sons of the Ilustrados, Jose Rizal, Marcelo H.
del Pilar, Emilio Aguinaldo, Apolinario Mabini down to the next
generation, Manuel L. Quezon, Sergio Osmena, Manuel Roxas and
Jose P. Laurel were determined that the Philippines must be run by
Filipinos. Remember Quezon’s phrase, “I would rather have the Phil-
ippines run like hell by Filipinos than have it run like heaven by the
Americans!” When Philippine independence was at last proclaimed
on July 4, 1946, we got what President Quezon predicted - we are
governing Philippine democracy like hell!
Whereas the results of the U.S. election was known within 24
hours after voting ended, in the Philippines, it took us months of
tallying and more months of re-counting contested votes before the
declaration of the winners of the election. In contrast, in this current
Presidential U.S. election, Senator John McCain, the defeated Presi-
dential candidate, immediately conceded defeat without complaint
and wished President-elect Obama well. We did not get this mature
and gentlemanly acquiescence from our defeated presidential and
vice-presidential candidates during the last election!
Voters, especially the young ones braved the wintry weather lining
up 3 to 4 hours to vote. There were complaints of those who were not
allowed to vote because of the wrong spelling of their names in the
voter’s registry compared to the names in their identification cards. (In
our case, voters’ names do not appear in the list!) Overall, the turnout,
as the news analysts concluded, was the highest in history. This indi-
cated the interest of the people for their presidential choice to address
the economic crisis, a nation on recession, a run-away budget deficit,
spiraling national debt, and two costly and frustrating wars. Nearly 50
million Americans lack health insurance; retirement savings in stocks
of the baby boomers suddenly lost their value. These were those who
were born during World War II, now in their 60s, worrying where they
can get support for their old age. Medicare and Medicaid are getting
a substantial share from the federal budget while the Social Security
System is facing bankruptcy. The sub-prime housing mortgages caused
the collapse of Wall Street banks which the government had to bail out
Rev. Euly B. Belizar, SThD
Laiko Lampstand
to the tune of $700 billion from federal funds—from the peoples’ tax
payments. In the same way, as in our Philippine presidential election,
we pour all our hopes for the redeeming virtue of our President-elect.
Unhappily we are at the dark shadows of our Utopian dream.
President-elect Obama touched all these concerns and assured the
electorate that there will be change—change for the better. Wealth
will be spread around, that is, more taxes from the highest earners
and with this, support will be given to those who need capital for
their personal businesses. This was under attack by Senator McCain
because of it’s socialist leaning. The people understood the presenta-
tion of the candidates on both sides. While not unanimous in all
States, it was a clear victory for Obama, the first black President of
the United States!
The Chicago electorate, more than 250,000 of them gathered in
Grant Park during the counting of the votes. Proud of their own
Senator from Illinois to be elected President as well as the historic
breakthrough—the first African-American to become the President
of the United States, they went wild when the Republican Party’s
candidate, Senator McCain, conceded defeat.
The Catholic Vote was not anywhere mentioned in the morning-
after newspaper. Definitely, the Catholics, who were a minority,
were represented by Vice-President elect Joseph Biden. We were
given, as we heard the Sunday mass prior to the election, a brochure
on the issues that the voters should consider in voting for the presi-
dential candidates. Of interest to those in the Reproductive Health
advocacy in the Philippines, let me quote some of them:
These issues would be front page in Manila. Considering all these,
it is easy to conclude that the American people with more than 200
years of experience in running a democracy (Abraham Lincoln’ 200th
Anniversary this year) still experience the highs and lows of good
governance. The Philippines, with the Catholic Church reminding
the electorate of the moral challenges working against the common
good, must therefore be ever vigilant in guiding the electorate—
considering the values that operate in our communities, to attain
good governance through honest election of worthy candidates.
Deliberately, the phrase used in Art.1 was “human being” not
“human person,” given that some countries do not recognize
the unborn as a legal person, but nevertheless a biological hu-
man being.
What kind of protection is demanded? The text speaks of
“special safeguard” and “legal protection.” Logically, a country
cannot simply do away with laws for the unborn or settle for
mediocre safeguards. What was envisioned was an even treat-
ment before “as well as” after birth, not before “and more so”
after birth.
Granting this construction, suppose there would be conflict
between the interests of the parent and that of the (unborn) child,
which should prevail? Art. 3 answers: “the best interests of the
child shall be the primary consideration.”
Document references would affirm this interpretation. Doc.
A/RES/44/25 says Ecuador was “especially pleased” with the
preambular pointing to the protection of the unborn child, and
that it “should be borne in mind in interpreting all the articles
of the Convention, particularly Art. 24 (pre-natal care).” The
Vatican was also “confident” that the preambular “will serve
as a perspective through which the rest of the Convention will
be interpreted.”
To say the contrary, that State intervention for the unborn was
not contemplated, will defeat the document’s comprehensive
goals given the continuum of a baby’s life.
For instance, O’ Donnell cites that in order to prevent birth
defects, babies must be protected from their mother’s drug ex-
posure even before birth as drugs taken by the latter enter the
embryo’s bloodstream.
“This is an area where the child clearly has a right to protec-
tion before birth,” O’Donnell says. He also mentions “exposure
to harmful chemicals at work, smoking, or drinking alcohol” of
pregnant women. Here, protecting the unborn in turn protects
the mother.
Such inseparable protection of mother and child finds earlier
reflection in Art. 6, Par. 5 of the 1966 International Covenant
on Civil and Political Rights (lifted from Roman Law): where
capital punishment cannot be carried on a pregnant woman.
Why? Obviously because she carries an innocent child which,
to her benefit, deserves protection.
In pregnancy, we are not just dealing with the private interests
of the woman, as the 1981 European Commission of Human
Rights reminds. “Pregnancy cannot be said to pertain uniquely
to the sphere of private life. Whenever a woman is pregnant
her private life becomes closely connected with the developing
fetus.” (Application 6959/75).
From the moment of conception
Since majority of States actually restrict abortions, the issue is
not should the unborn be protected, but when should the unborn

Losing gracefully begin to be protected.

By the Roadside
A FEW days ago, like millions of people all
over the world, I watched the US presidential
elections come to an end. I was simply awe-
struck by the victory of an African-American,
Senator Barack Obama, over a white Ameri-
can, Senator John McCain. But, frankly, it
wasn’t the historic character of the triumph
of a person of color (I’m completely perplexed
why Americans simply refer to President-
elect Obama as a black man when he isn’t
completely one, as his mother was a white
American from Kansas) to the highest office
of the acknowledged dominant superpower
of the world. What struck me most were three
realities of the American electoral exercise:
the vast territories that it covers; the peaceful
transition and the credibility of the results. The
fourth thing that struck me most was the in-
evitable question: Why doesn’t our diminutive
country have the same democratic experience?
It matters little that we are a small country
but it certainly matters like no other that our
electoral exercise wherever and whenever they
are held be peaceful and credible as well. Is the
Philippines capable of all that?
Americans, as McCain exemplified, often
call their country “the greatest nation on
earth” and there’s no use arguing about that,
especially when, as Barack Obama solemnly
declared in his victory speech, we see another
proof from their latest political act that that
“government of the people, by the people
and for the people has not perished from the
earth”. In contrast, some conscientious law-
yers that I know often see ours as a “democra-
zy” that has “a government off the people,
buy the people and poor the people”. It is a
peculiar political creature regularly featuring
politicians who do everything to gain votes
and equally fight tooth and nail against ever
admitting or conceding defeat. And, to our
chronic embarrassment, it is a reality in not
only one dark spot of the archipelago. Nay,
it is as ubiquitous as wherever Filipinos run
for public office. The cynic’s joke is not even
funny: “No Filipino candidate loses an elec-
tion. He only gets cheated.”
That explains why I was simply bowled
over listening to Republican John McCain’s
concession speech. In previous days he
was a driven man pushing hard to prove
that he was better than his opponent to be
president of the United States and it seemed
to me that he was prepared to move heaven
and earth to block Senator Obama’s elec-
tion to the presidency. But I saw none of
that “angry” and “grumpy old man” the
press made him out to be. I saw a humbled
but a self-possessed man. This was all the
more remarkable because between the two
candidates, he had the most to lose. His age
alone shuts him out from a possible future
presidential comeback. His many attempts
to distance himself from President George
Bush may have also cost him precious po-
litical and social connections. In short, just
as Barack Obama’s election is historic, Mc-
Cain’s political ambition is now history.
But I didn’t see nor heard a bitter John
McCain. Rather I heard a calm and com-
posed man accepting the American people’s
verdict with sadness, yes, but also with high
praises, hopes for his opponent’s triumph
and for the democratic tradition.
Every Filipino, I think, should be green
with envy over foreign politicians capable
of such graciousness in defeat. It is not
that we don’t have the genes. I remember
distinctly how the late Senator Raul Roco
very graciously conceded the election to
then candidate Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
in 2004 but, realizing the serious credibility
problems of her victory, later poured cold
water on the whole thing. Of course, it could
be argued, and with justification, that that
election didn’t reflect the true results. The
specter of a Joc-joc Bolante haunting the
incumbent president for whom he allegedly
masterminded an illegal transfer of agricul-
tural funds to her election coffers is too loud
and too obvious to ignore.
If I were to identify two stumbling blocks
to a Filipino losing gracefully, one would be
the amount we spend (and I’m not simply
talking of legal campaign expenses) and an-
other would be our value of “hiya” carried
to excess. That is, we don’t want the social
stigma of election defeat, so we blame elec-
tion cheating. It seems to me a strange irony
that election cheating has always plagued us
and, thus, had provided a convenient fodder
to sore election losers. The poverty of the
masses is always the favorite escape goat
for all the sins that lead to what we now see
as our “inauthentic” and “immature democ-
racy”. Those who use that escape goat may
have a point. But it does not explain all or
even most of what is wrong in our psyche
or character that shows its ugly heads in our
society’s anomalies. Either we submit to an
inner and structural overhaul such that it
can be tested externally in our actual politi-
cal conduct. Or we will keep on seeing and
being sore losers.
The 1978 American Convention on Human Rights is categori-
cal on who is a “person” with a right to life: “Every PERSON has
the right to have his life respected. This right shall be protected
by law and, in general, FROM THE MOMENT OF CONCEP-
TION.”
The document says “in general” because “twinning” some-
times happen after conception. The United States—ironically—
made no reservations on the “moment of conception” clause.
No country has dared challenge the US for enforcement of the
article through the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. US
Republican presidencies, however, made efforts to comply.
Significantly, in the common civil codes of many States (i.e.
the Philippines), the unborn from conception can be granted in-
heritance, succession, donation, legitimation, support, insurance,
civil damages, etc. Surely, the unborn must be a person for only
a moral person can be a subject of moral and civil rights!
It is also worth noting that the Center for Reproductive Rights,
to its alarm, says that “there has been a growing trend toward
adoption of constitutional measures that recognize life from the
moment of conception.” (Abortion Worldwide: Twelve Years
of Reform).
This trend is reflected in the field of bioethics, when the 1997
Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine endeavored to
protect not just the fetus but the embryo: “Where a law permits
research on embryos, such research must ensure that the embryo
is protected and the creation of embryos for research purposes
is prohibited.” (Art.18)
Curing the schizophrenia
We now wonder how come the countries that conceived pro-
tecting the preborn had been the very countries that liberalized
abortion laws. One factor is the reactionary radical feminism
with its clout up to the UN level, especially the committees for
implementation.
There is the 1994 Cairo Conference on Population and Devel-
opment. In the end however, it was agreed that “IN NO CASE
should abortion be promoted as a means of family planning.”
(Platform 8.25). Cairo+5 also did not approve the term “emer-
gency contraception” or the use of “contraceptives” that are
actually abortifacients.
What followed was the 1995 Beijing Conference on Women
Lifeguard / A7
 A6
Msgr. Elmer Abacahin
Speaking of Mary / A4
and the Flower of the Saints by a Dominican named
James of Varazze:
When he was thinking of the things of the world,
he was filled with delight, but when he had dis-
missed them from weariness, he was dry and dis-
satisfied. But when he thought of performing the
rigours he saw in the lives of the saints, he was not
only consoled while he entertained the thoughts,
but even afterwards he remained cheerful and
satisfied. (Michael Ivens SJ: An Approach to Saint
Ignatius of Loyola, p.8)
‘Be honest’ / A1
to be held from November 2008 to February 2009.
In Davao City, the competition is set on November 15, Saturday at
2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the University of Southeastern Philippines
(USEP) Social Hall, Iñigo St., Bo. Obrero.
The event will be preceded by a motorcade to start at 10 a.m. from
Royal Mandaya Hotel en route to the venue passing through the
city’s main arteries. Agila Riders of Davao headed by Daniel Sungs
is expected to spearhead the motorcade.
In a communiqué sent to CBCPNews it was learned that for Davao
City participants, it will be a 3-stage competition that will wind up
in the National Capital Region (NCR) in February 2009 after an
inter-regional or semifinals contest in Cebu City in late November
or early December 2008.
The participating schools are Ateneo de Davao University High
School, University of Immaculate Conception High School, Philip-
pine Women’s College High School, Sta. Ana National High School,
Corruption / A1
Church of the poor, the little ones that or-
ganized as BECs can bring collectively their
voices to the powers that lead and to be able to
transform their own society,” Ledesma said.
Underscoring the role of BECs in rural
development, the archbishop challenged the
people saying that the poverty “we see around
us” is not a “God given kind of poverty.”
“It is a poverty that we must confront and
wage war against because it is the poverty
that dehumanizes many [of] our brothers
and sisters. That denies them the basic rights
and the basic needs that they have for their
own rightful growth in their human dignity,”
Ledesma said.
Combating corruption should start at the
bottom
Endemic corruption in all levels of govern-
ment can be addressed, and it should start at
the bottom, said Cotabato Archbishop Orlando
Quevedo, OMI, also the Chairman of CBCP
Committee on Basic Ecclesial Communities.
“People should start correcting corruption
from the bottom, not just waiting for a ‘big fish’
to be caught. Corruption can be controlled at
the local level, barangay, municipality, even
the province,” said Quevedo.
He said elections are hotly contested even
at the kagawad level not so much because
of their program but because of the money
involved.
“So a lot of money is being spent in local
Barangay elections, including among the
youth. A lot of corruption is taking place [at
this level],” he said.
“It starts at the rural level,” Quevedo said,
“although it is not as visible as what is hap-
pening at the top. Actually it is all over the
Philippines. It has to do with government
officials—from kagawad to policemen and all
that. That’s why I don’t believe in the idea of
corruption only on the top.”
Quevedo said his 25 years of experience as
a bishop can attest to the systemic corruption
taking place in government.
Corruption is widespread in all areas of
government, education, infrastructure… as
long as signature is needed, there is corruption
there. Contractors use substandard materials
to make profit, whether it is a barangay road,
or farm to market road… he said.
“Change should start at the bottom. Even
if we elect a new president, same thing will
happen. Why? Because it’s the system itself.
And the system is deeply rooted. There is so
much more corruption in the higher level be-
cause there is so much more money and also
because it’s highly visible. At the bottom, it’s
less visible, but there’s corruption there and
the people know. A kagawad takes money
for anything, even just for transportation
fare, budget allocation for transportation,”
said Quevedo.
He said if BECs are serious about their proj-
ects about authentic development they cannot
but influence others.
“It’s a big challenge. The awareness raising
would have to be intensified, so that what
they would be doing would have effect on the
outside,” Quevedo said.
He said if the whole archdiocese is orga-
nized in terms of BECs who practice a culture
of transparency and accountability, its influ-
ence in all areas will be widespread.
The concept of battling systemic corruption
should start from the bottom up, he said.
“If the diocese is constituted by BECs and
the parishes as such, the influence of the grass-
roots will be quite extensive,” he said.
One of the main sources of corruption is
the budget allocation for infrastructures and
countryside development projects of govern-
Filipino BECs growing abroad
© Roy Lagarde / CBCP Media
St. Ignatius’ encounter with God through sound
books reminds the need for good books for our
children and young. We remember St. Augus-
tine whose conversion was also facilitated by the
reading of good books. Tolle and lege, Take and
Read, was what he heard and followed. And such
reading led him, as it would lead St. Ignatius, to
encounter God and his truth.
Thus began, Yñigo’s own “road to Damascus.”
His conversion grew and matured in time. One
of the highlights was his pilgrimage to Monster-
ment at the local level where big cuts are
slashed from the funds and go to the pockets
of local officials.
Watchdog role
Quevedo said the BECs can play a watch-
dog role by checking on their officials.
“The BECs are the ones who know what
is supposed to be given to a barangay. [They]
can begin checking on those, because many
of those barangay officials are members of
the BECs, and therefore if they are given the
IRA, or allocation funds, they are the ones who
can monitor what is happening to the funds,
said Quevedo.
But monitoring happens only at the ba-
rangay level since they are the ones who
have first-hand knowledge of government
programs and activities.
The schools of the archdiocese are also mo-
bilized to address the same problem.
A program on honesty and accountability is
part of the schools’ curriculum. It is directed
against corruption. That type of program is
also given at the BEC level.
The program is a systematic curriculum
against corruption, the archbishop said.
Roles of BECs in rural development
Quevedo also said that rural development
from the BEC perspective is sustainable devel-
opment. It starts from the bottom as opposed
from the present model of development that
comes from top.
“The people have to use their own initia-
tives and whatever resources they can use in
their own communities and develop them-
selves locally. So more or less it is a gospel
countersign to the model of development
in the world. They don’t really depend very
much on outside help, so it’s called sustainable
development,” said Quevedo.
The Cotabato archbishop believed rural
development could address the poverty crisis
at the local level.
He noted that people in the provinces can
survive even with little.
“Big businesses cannot survive, but little
people in the grassroots can survive with the
kind of development that they can sustain
from their own local areas,” Quevedo said.
“Sustainable development does not call for
infusion of big capital. What it needs are coop-
eration and collaboration among themselves
[BECs]. And perhaps a little capital from the
diocese, from the parish, can help the BEC
in the villages. But even that it is not really
needed as my experience in Kidapawan and
Nueva Segovia [showed]. The BECs there they
started their own cooperatives, they started
their own compost farming, in terms of com-
munity self help,” Quevedo added.
Despite the level of governance the country
has at present, Quevedo still expressed opti-
mism that sustainable development can help
address poverty.
“It can help because leadership at BEC from
the grassroots is again very different from the
kind of leadership in politics. There’s a lot of
consensus and decision making done by them
(BECs). That is true with governance, that is
also true with the social action projects, at
that is also true with barangay chapel coun-
cil. Again participation, collaboration and
lot of decisions made based on themselves,”
Quevedo said.
Showing the way
A number of BECs at the grassroots have
formed cooperatives or clusters in market-
ing their goods. Ledesma said in Northern
Mindanao one approach for marketing is to
group together vegetable growers or cala-
Local News
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 23
November 10 - 23, 2008
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, November attend the ongoing CBCP-BEC 2nd National Fund scam / A1
12, 2008—The formation of Basic Ecclesial Congress in Cagayan de Oro but they were
Communities (BEC) is gaining ground even not able to make it due to a conflict in their The Senate said Bolante has to answer
among Filipino communities abroad. schedule. before the Senate blue ribbon committee
Committee on BEC of the Catholic Bish- “It is also interesting to note that the one all the allegations that have been leveled
ops’ Conference of the Philippines executive training the Filipino BECs are experts who against him about the alleged fertilizer fund
secretary Msgr. Elmer Abacahin said it’s a learned so many things about it in their re- diversion scam.
“welcome development” for the Philippine spective dioceses and now working abroad,” The former government official was
Catholic church. Abacahin said. whisked to the hospital after deportation
He said these Filipino BECs are present in The CBCP official said they are now trying to from the US last October 28.
countries like France, Thailand, Australia, get in touch with the said Filipino BECs abroad Senate blue ribbon committee chairman
Kuwait and Latin America where the said and prove what relevance BECs could possibly Senator Alan Peter Cayetano said all senators
Catholic movement originated. have for the Church and the country. agreed for “humanitarian reasons” to Bo-
Abacahin said the BEC in Kuwait is some- “We are trying to connect with them es- lante’s request the he stay at the hospital.
thing notable because it’s a pre-dominantly pecially the bishop of Kuwait who is asking Cayetano said they would also like to prove
Moslem country. us to visit and help them organize BECs,” to the public and show the courts that they re-
In fact, he said, some of them wanted to Abacahin added. (CBCPNews) spect the rights of witnesses. (Roy Lagarde)
rat, a renowned Marian Shrine. There he made a teach me to serve you as you deserve,
confession of his entire life. Then on the eve of the to give and not to count the cost,
Annunciation, after putting on his pilgrim garb to fight and not to heed the wounds,
and donating his fine clothes to a beggar, he spent to toil and not to seek for rest,
the entire night ‘without ever sitting or lying down, to labor and not to seek reward,
but now standing, now kneeling before the altar of save that of knowing that I do your Most Holy
Our Lady.’ (Ibid. p. 11). There before Our Lady, Will.
he “surrendered” his sword.
At Loyola, our group prayed and sung his Wounded and battered are good soldiers. And
prayer: good soldiers do not fade, they triumph eventu-
Lord Jesus, teach me to be generous; ally. Ave Maria!
UST / A1
Davao City National High School, Rizal Memorial Colleges High As planned, UST would come up with a series of programs and
School, Assumption College of Davao High School, Philippine activities to promote “faith experiences” and answer “faith questions”
National Science High School–Southern Mindanao Campus, Daniel including reproductive health and pro-life issues, De la Cruz said.
R. Aguinaldo National High School, Davao City Special National Asked if UST professors, like that of the state-run University of
High School (SPED-Bangkal), Federico Yap National High School in the Philippines, and the Jesuit-run Ateneo de Manila University,
Astorga, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur and Tagum City National Com- would come up with an independent ‘position paper on RH bill’,
prehensive High School in Mankilam, Tagum City. De la Cruz said, “that would not happen.”
The objectives of the “Be Honest” oratorical competition are: to inspire “As the Pontifical, and Catholic institute, UST has responsibility
and encourage the youth to live out the virtue of honesty as a way of life; to defend and promote church’s teaching and stand on pro-life mat-
and to heighten the awareness among the youth on the urgent need to ters,” De la Cruz said.
dismantle the culture of corruption and dishonesty in the society. With its 40,000 students, UST is the largest Catholic university in
Cash prizes and all-expense paid trips await the top winners at the world in one campus. Historically, UST has always been very
every stage of the competition. faithful to the teachings of the magisterium and the local bishops.
This program of speaking for honesty is BCBP’s small seed sown Last July 25, 2008, the CBCP-UST held a protest rally against the
among the Filipino youth toward a spiritually healthy and morally RH bill. The gathering also marked the 40th anniversary of “Hu-
upright nation, the communiqué said. (Mark S. Ventura) manae Vitae.”
“…all Thomasians and true Filipinos should heed the call of the
Catholic Church, its bishops and lay leaders, to reject the Lagman
bill. Let us all reject the Lagman Conspiracy. Let us all reject its grand
mansi growers to safeguard the quality of their deception and its attempt to return the country to the dark days of
products to able to market it in bigger cities, Martial Law,” said the Varsitarian, the UST students’ its editorial
even to Metro Manila. dated September 30, 2008. (Santosh Digal)
“It is through their clustering and forming
associations that BECs can show the way in Spaces of Hope / A5
rural development,” said Ledesma.
He mentioned the pioneering effort of the ing to others?
archdiocese in the growth of a product like Meanwhile, Gen. Tucay took over the helm of the Police National
castor oil, beans and also in promoting the Training Institute (PNTI) making him responsible for at least 4 to 6
economic development of their small farmer thousand trainees at any given time. There he also introduced faith-
growers in different areas. impelled transformation initiatives including morning and evening
devotions. “Daily group prayer was good for us. My companions
‘Extensions of body of Christ’ and I really look forward to praying in the morning now, although
Ledesma noted that ‘basic ecclesial commu- I did not expect to be exposed to it in a training facility,” confessed
nities are extensions of the body of Christ.’ one newly inducted policewoman.
‘‘All of us are but one body of Christ. And The significance of what these men and women in uniform are do-
the BEC also partake the three functions and ing go beyond the confines of the police force. The latter is certainly
gifts of the body of Christ. Christ as Priest, as the most visible government agency in our daily lives charged to
Prophet and a servant King. And it is in life maintain peace and order, public safety and internal security. If the
perhaps that we can reflect a bit about the PNP can be transformed from within, other agencies and sectors
meaning of BECs,” he said. can be transformed. Perhaps this work of transformation coincides
Ledesma said that as a participatory Church with what some bishops have recently said: “The time to start radical
BEC members share in the liturgical life of the reforms is now. The time for moral regeneration is now. The time
Church. He gave as example the parish litur- to conquer complacency, cynicism and apathy and to prove that we
gical activities members of BECs partake in have matured from our political disappointments is now. The time
particularly the reception of the sacraments. to prepare for a new government is now.”
BEC members concretized their roles of Time was ticking. Someone else from the office of Gen. Verzosa
being servant in sharing the responsibility of called me. “Fr. Melo, it is a go.” My spirit perked up. “But someone
serving the needs of the local Church, he said. from your office said it would be postponed,” I countered. “He is
Ledesma observed the various roles members going there right now,” was the calm reply. We were setting the
perform in the local Church. signing 30 minutes earlier. Meanwhile, the official MOA was in the
“There is also a sharing of responsibility hands of someone who had been given wrong information regard-
in terms of the multiplication of roles as they ing the venue. Etc…
minister as alagads, as selda facilitators, as To shorten a long story, a MOA was signed last 30 October 2008
katekistas, and family and life promoters, between the PNP, the Archdiocese of Cebu, and Dilaab Foundation
youth organizers…,” he said. Inc. It features a 7-day version of the VLS to be piloted in Cebu and a
Ledesma added that the sharing of respon- follow-up program bringing together Pulis/Pari, Precinto/Parokya
sibilities leads the members to grow in their through the instrumentality of lectio divina. Dilaab will work with
faith, in their hope and aspirations “as one partner local churches to sustain the fruits of integral transforma-
Church linked to the larger structures of the tion.
parish, of the vicariates, of the entire diocese Yes, God indeed smiles.
and the whole Church in the Philippines.” (For comments, kindly email: exposition@dilaab.net)
Another dimension Ledesma mentioned
was the BECs involvement in advocacy work Afterthoughts / A4
saying that ecclesial communities are called to he makes is that at this time advocacy for or against the Bill seems
be prophets and carriers of values. The rural to be paramount among people concerned in one way or another
congress last July has pushed into the open about it. Dialogue must take place first precisely to see what are
the various concerns of basic sectors from the our agreements, what our disagreements. We can then debate our
BECs, among them agrarian reform, indig- disagreements and see if compromises can be made with a view
enous peoples’ rights, peace process, good to coming to a final consensus. The kind of debate we hold among
governance, and poverty alleviation. ourselves as Church will, I do not doubt, be of great help to the final
consideration of the Bill in Congress when it takes place. And we
Still have much room for growth might add, our dialoging, debating, advocating must always be in
Despite their dedication and involvement in the context of a rigorous discernment from faith, in faith, for the
the life of the Church BEC members still need exercise to be genuinely, thoroughly Christian.
a lot in terms of growth and guidance, noted One point that I’m sure will come up in the debate would be this
Ledesma, admitting that factions are a reality difficulty: If the Bill were to be unchanged from its present form, no
in basic ecclesial communities. modifications whatsoever being made from what will be suggested
“We cannot still rise up and speak in one in the dialogue and debate we speak of here, what will happen to the
voice. And it is in this sense that BECs them- Bill’s provision that asks for government to make available all forms
selves are invited to take the lead in reconcilia- of contraceptive means, artificial or natural, the former consisting
tion, in providing venues for bringing together mostly of “essential medicines”, no distinction being made between
homes and factions that have been split and abortifacient and non-abortifacient medicines? The point is if no
separated from one another,” said Ledesma. such distinction is made now, the Bill, if enacted unmodified, will
from the outset be subject to questions about its constitutionality.
A new way of being Church So Father Joaquin Bernas has been pointing out, since it will in ef-
The three-day gathering hopes to challenge fect be, among other things, a law against the Constitutional ban on
participants and bring a greater understanding abortion. Why wait for that time-and-effort-wasting inevitability and
on how BECs can indeed strengthen the faith of not take steps right now to make the Bill totally in conformity with
its members and how each one can contribute the Constitution with just a little more judicious give-and-take?
to the transformation of Philippine Society. The pros and cons of the Bill aside, there is one little fact mentioned
Commonly referred to as a new way of in the Ateneo professors’ statement that should make Church people
being Church, basic ecclesial communities or pause. I am referring to the statistic they cite on the percentages of
BECs are also called in various other names in women who practice some form of birth control. They point out
different parts of the Philippines. In Bangued, that the contraceptive rate for the whole Philippines is 50.6%, and
it is called Simbaan Dagiti Agkaarruba (SIM- only 0.2% of it covers natural family planning (NFP) methods. If
BAG); in Kalookan, Munting Kapitbahayang the figures are true, this only means that we are failing utterly as a
Kristiyano (MKK); in Lucena, Quezon Prov- Church in our advocating and teaching of NFP in our Family and Life
ince and Pasig, Munting Sambayanang Kristi- program. This failure is all the more embarrassing in that one of the
yano (MSK); in Romblon, Buklod o Sambulig; strongest characteristics of the program has been its strong and long
in Antique, Kristohanon nga Katilingban opposition to government efforts at population control. I believe its
(KK); and in Talibon, Gagmayng Kristoha- opposition would be more credible if its success at promoting NFP
nong Katilingban. methods were a bit more something to be proud of.
 Diocesan News A7
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 23
November 10 - 23, 2008

News Briefs
Catholic academe potent agent of evangelization
DAVAO CITY—The Catholic Educational Association of the
Ozamiz archbishop holds
El Shaddai at bay
Philippines (CEAP) said that despite the difficulties Catholic
schools encounter today they continue to be a strong agent of
evangelization. CEAP director-at-large Sr. Tessie Bayona said
Catholic administrators and educators know in their hearts that
they continue to be valued and successful to play a vital role in
the evangelizing mission of the Church. (Mark Ventura)

Youth reminded on impact of prayer

LANTAPAN, Bukidnon—Participants of the 4th Mindanao
Tripartite Youth Peace Camp here were reminded on the signifi-
cance of prayer in their lives. Lou Q. Solijon of the Daughters of

© Roy Lagarde / CBCP Media

St. Anne Secular, challenged the young people to live a prayerful
life amidst secularism and materialism. “More than anything
else, you are called to live a prayerful life. Make prayer a habit
and through it you will experience authentic dialogue with God,”
she said. (Mark Ventura)

Prelate asks teachers to ‘be a model of Christian values’

OZAMIZ CITY—Archbishop Jesus Dosado, CM, has urged
Catholic school teachers in his archdiocese to act as a model
of Christian values being the most important professional cre-
dential in the formation of their pupils. He said the integration
(of religious truth and values with the rest of life) is expressed
above all in the lives of the Catholic school teachers whose daily
witness to the meaning of mature faith and Christian living has
a profound impact upon the education and formation of their
pupils. (Wendell Talibong)
Prelate sees de-Christianization in All Souls Day
celebration
NAGA CITY—Caceres Archbishop Leonardo Legaspi, OP said
the celebration of All Souls Day is “slowly being de-Christian-
ized” as the focus of the occasion is shifted from the real essence
of the religious affair to values which are important only to busi-
ness and not to the original intent of the religious affair. He said
that too much attention is given to commercialism that what used
to be the All Souls Day religious activity has been converted to
a social fad called “Halloween.” (Elmer Abad)
Dying is akin to sleeping: prelate
DAVAO CITY—Archbishop Fernando Capalla said that dying is
similar to merely sleeping. “For those of us who have faith and
believe in the life after death, being dead is akin to falling sleep.
After sleeping, in God’s own time, we wake up again, we rise to
OZAMIZ CITY— Members of the charismatic group El Shaddai are
barred from entering the archdiocese of Ozamiz unless they play by
the archdiocese’s rules.
Ozamiz archbishop Jesus Dosado wants the group to “inte-
grate” into the Archdiocesan Catholic Charismatic Movement
structure.
“I forbade them to come in. Forming their own charismatic com-
munities would be disruptive of our parish and diocesan setup,”
the prelate said.
In 1999, the archdiocese barred El Shaddai from establishing chap-
ters in the archdiocese because of their refusal to join the structure
of the Catholic charismatic movement.
Dosado said the constant use of the term “Yahweh El Shaddai”
when calling God goes against what our Lord taught us to call God
“Our Father.”
He added the stage on which the program is held has no reli-
gious or liturgical symbols except a “Pentecostal revival” during
the Mass.
“The charismatic group seems to go against the teaching of the
Church enunciated by Pope John Paul II in his exhortation Dies Do-
mini that on the Day of the Lord we should celebrate the Eucharist as
Church, namely with our ecclesial communities in our parishes and
dioceses and what these people do is leave their dioceses, parishes,
and small ecclesial communities to celebrate the Eucharist some-
where else in a gathering which I find hard to classify as ecclesial.
The Pope says quite eloquently that the Dies Domini is also the Dies
Ecclesiae,” Dosado said.
“I find it hard to accept that Bro. Mike (El Shaddai leader Mariano
Velarde) has been tasked to teach with the kind of ecclesiastical
education background that he has or does not have. Has he really
received a “canonical mission” from legitimate authorities to teach,”
he noted.
He also noted Velarde calls himself Servant-Leader, a term ap-
plied to the ordained ministers by PCP-II and should be reserved
to priests or deacons.
“Maybe they do it some other time, but I do not see them reciting
the Rosary or singing a hymn to our Blessed Mother,” he added.
“I cannot see this group classified under New Ecclesial Move-
ments because, as described recently by the Holy Father and the
Roman Dicastery in charge of these groups, the New Ecclesial
Movements contain an element of a covenant among its members,
an element I do not see in El Shaddai,” he added.
But Dosado said he acknowledges the gift of the founder of El
Shaddai. “I acknowledge the charismatic gift of Bro. Mike,” he
said.
He suggested that the charism of Bro. Mike and his group be asked
to help in the PCP-II thrust of strengthening the parishes and basic
ecclesiastical communities.
“Given the proper guidance along these lines, the El Shaddai
group can be a tremendous force within the Church; otherwise, to
me they are destructive of what we are trying to do based on PCP-
II,” he said. (Wendell Talibong)

Libmanan, Legazpi dioceses join

a new life,” Capalla said; adding: “This is the Resurrection which
we profess every Sunday when we say the Apostles or Nicene
Creed.” (Mark Ventura)

hands in micro-financing farmers

DACS head sees need for students to be informed on RH
bill
DAVAO CITY—Saying that students must have a sense of own-
ership on this matter, the president of the Davao Association of
Colleges and Schools (DACS) in the city has seen the need for
educators of Catholic schools to inform their students on the
issues underlying the Reproductive Health (RH) bill. Fr. Danny
Montaña, RCJ said the students should know the issues of RH
bill because they are one of the sectors that will be affected if the
bill will become law. (Mark Ventura)
Ateneo joins archdiocese in promoting sustainable
agriculture
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—Ateneo de Cagayan responded to the
issues related to food security by promoting sustainable agricul-
ture in partnership with the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro. As an
outreach and extension program of the Xavier University’s College
of Agriculture, the university chose Pagatpat as a pilot barangay
to promote sustainable agriculture. (Maryann Zamora)
Ipil vicar general bats for stronger advocacy on natural
family planning
IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay— A Church leader here said the
survey which showed that seven out of 10 Catholics favor the
passage of Reproductive Health Bill should “move us to further
strengthen our advocacy for natural family planning method”.
Msgr. Elmer Alforque, vicar general of the Prelature of Ipil, said
“there is big probability that the results of the survey was true
because the people now are more liberal and will most likely
embrace the artificial method than the natural family planning
as advocated by the Church.” (John Mahusay)
People with presd’l ambitions must not get in touch with
peace talks
MARAWI CITY—“Do not use the peace and peace talks between
the Moro rebels and the government as an avenue to advance
your political ambitions in 2010.” Such, was the advice given
by Lawyer Safrullah Dipatuan, vice chair of the Bangsamoro
Development Agency (BDA) on the moves of some government
leaders who are interested in forging peace in Mindanao but with
vested interests. (Mark Ventura)
Ozamiz prelate cautions flock against culture of death
OZAMIZ CITY—Ozamiz Archbishop Jesus Dosado, CM has
encouraged his flock to recognize the sanctity of life from concep-
tion to natural death and cautioned against the culture of death
that redefines marriage to include homosexuals, bisexuals, and
transsexuals. He said the culture of life worships the God of
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The culture of death worships Satan.
(Wendell Talibong)
Basilan bishop tells priests and nuns: no to arms
ISABELA CITY— There is a growing call from priests and nuns
in the Prelature of Isabela, this province, to find a way to secure
themselves, after the ambush of a Claretian priest Fr. Felimon Libot
last Oct. 18. But the bishop of the prelature told them in a letter: “I
would state categorically that priests in the Prelature of Isabela de
Basilan are not allowed to arm themselves.” (John Mahusay)
MILF official says Moro keeps good relations with
Christians
MARAWI CITY—A ranking official of the Moro Islamic Libera-
tion Front (MILF) said that the Moro people will still continue to
sustain the good relationships with Christians in Mindanao. Atty.
Safrullah Dipatuan, vice chairman of the Bangsamoro Develop-
ment Agency (BDA), an agency of the MILF on rehabilitation
and development said there is no truth that conflicts are brewing
up between Muslims and Christians as a result of the Mindanao
conflict. (Mark Ventura)
Campus Ministers confab focuses on dialogue of faith,
culture in campus
DAVAO CITY—Building and strengthening the dialogue of faith
and culture on campus, was the gist of the recently concluded
3rd National Convention on Campus Ministers. Organizers said
that the convention highlighted the significance of dialogue as
a tool to understanding and attaining peace in Mindanao. “The
long history of conflicts in Mindanao marked by differences in
culture, faith, and religious expressions has been the constant
challenge for people in Mindanao to build sustainable and last-
ing peace,” it said. (Mark Ventura)
LIBMANAN, Camarines Sur— A partner- small businesses where they all qualified to of the residents in this area two years ago,
ship between the Prelature of Libmanan run and manage. the Prelature of Libmanan did not lose time
and the Diocese of Legazpi has been forged This partnership encompasses an inte- in looking for ways and means so that those
to make available a micro-financing scheme grated program which starts at the Dusayan affected may be able to rise again and restore
which will benefit small farmers and micro- Village, a relocation site in Cabusao town them to live normal lives.
entrepreneurs in the area. with 170 families living here, mostly victims “This partnership between the Prelature
This was learned from Social Action of the killer typhoons in 2006. of Libmanan with Bishop Jose Rojas, Jr. and
Center Director Fr. Granwell Pitapit in an The program will focus on financing the Diocese of Legazpi through its apostolic
interview with CBCPNews. micro-enterprises and livelihood activi- administrator Bishop Lucilo Quiambao, will
With this partnership, the Social Action ties especially those involving livestock be instrumental in giving them livelihood
Center (SAC) through the Prelature of raising. opportunities especially that they will not
Libmanan Development Foundation, Inc. Funding agencies such as the Caritas Inter- only be farmers this time but they can try to
(PLDFI) will be able to serve the members national through Caritas Filipinas Founda- be businessmen at the same time,” observes
of the Basic Ecclesiastic Communities (BEC) tion are supporting this project. local newsman Gil de la Cruz who hails from
locally known as the ‘Saradit na Kristianong It may be recalled that after the calamities the municipality of Cabusao, this province.
Komunidad’ (SKK) with capitalization for destroyed the livelihood and houses of many (Elmer Abad)
Migrants / A1
He said conditions of migration should be safe, more secure more He also stressed that “any form of temporary and circular migra-
humane. The Holy See representative said cooperation among States tion should never be taken as a pretext for avoiding full respect of
is necessary in order to achieve this. migrants’ rights, and specifically their right to family reunification,
Marchetto affirmed migrants can only contribute to genuine de- their right to the recognition of their contribution to development
velopment if their situation is humane, which implies the right to both by their work and by means of their savings sent home. Fail-
family reunification. ings in this area would point to a lack of integration and cooperation
“How can migrants, men or women, possibly contribute their best policies in host countries, as well as of national development policies
to genuine development if their situation is not humane?” he asked. in the countries of origin.”
He also recalled the words of Pope Benedict XVI in the address He appealed to the governments to continue working to “create
he delivered to the United Nations last April 18. conditions where migration will never be the only option left to
“The future will be built on human rights. We are speaking of a persons in order to find job and a safe and dignified life.”
fundamental nucleus of values, hence of rights, but also of duties The Holy See official also urged governments to create more op-
and responsibilities, including the need to promote human dignity portunities for work so that families are not torn apart.
and justice without imposing either cultural relativism or cultural “In this situation those who suffer most are children who often
imperialism, and with full acceptance of the principles of subsidiarity grow up without parents and are obliged to take upon themselves
and solidarity,” Marchetto quoted the Pope as saying. heavy responsibilities,” the archbishop lamented. (Roy Lagarde)
Carmelites / A1
Even as Joc-Joc Bolante finally arrived, truth, the search for an understanding of the causes crying out for genuine land reform, workers
justice and accountability remain beyond of these evils,” said the priest, adding, “We crying out for substantial wage hike, migrant
reach. Families of victims of human rights pledge to do our part by conducting wider workers seeking better jobs so they won’t be
violations cry out for justice,” Sabado said. discussions at the grassroots level on the forced to work abroad, youth and all mar-
“What happened to the decision of the corruption in governance and social evils ginalized sectors who deserve a government
Supreme Court affirming the involvement of affecting our people today.” that is truly for the people.
General Jovito Palparan in the spate of extra- With BCC-BEC communities as JPIC’s “We will abide with the people’s mandate
judicial killings and persecution of human vehicle, Carmelites will deepen the under- and be steadfast in standing for the sovereign
rights advocates?” the priest asked. standing of Catholics, seminarians, priests will of the people,” he said. (Santosh Digal)
The Filipino people have had enough of the and religious and others on confronting the
Signature drive / A1
government’s lies and undelivered promises. roots of these evils.
“We live in a world full of injustice and “In support of the Bishops’ call, we will “beyond repair.”
disquiet. It is our duty to contribute to the not waver in our quest for truth, justice and Jimenez called on the public to act now
before it’s too late and before everything left
search for an understanding of the causes of accountability. JPIC will continue to join the
these evils,” he said. interfaith communities in communal prayer, in their environment is destroyed.
Order of Carmelites fully supports the calls study and actions to demand radical reforms The prelate added that he is sure that there
of the five Catholic Bishops “to form a citi- and hold this corrupt-ridden administration was not one instance in the country when
zen’s council to promote public awareness, to accountable to the people,” Sabado said. mining actually benefited the poor.
monitor the use of public funds, and to initiate Sabado said that JPIC will continue to pray He said only owners of the mining compa-
charges against guilty officials,” Sabado said. and act in solidarity with the poor as the nies and unscrupulous public officials ben-
Quoting the Carmelite Constitution stat- Order of Carmelite demand the scrapping of efit and prosper while poor people continue
utes, “It is about time that we contribute to oil deregulation and excessive taxes, farmers to suffer. (CBCPNews)
Lifeguard / A5
reiterating CEDAW, that says “in circum- suffered it (as some societies amount to Abortion brings a lifetime of emotional,
stances where abortion is not against the law, stone-throwing). physical, and psychological trauma where
such abortion should be safe” and States must Looking closely on the trend of interna- the woman, instead of being imprisoned,
“consider reviewing laws containing puni- tional law regarding the unborn, one will should be given intervention programs to
tive measures against women who have un- notice that on one hand, countries are will- prevent further abortions. There must be
dergone illegal abortions.” (Platform 106k). ing to consider legal protection, but on the State intervention since abortion is still a
We should note here what the Beijing other, some are cautious that such protection crime and the State has interest on both the
Platform does not say and therefore cannot might become punitive This is the reason mother and her unborn.
be imposed (aside from being non-binding). why many Western countries did away At this juncture, pro-life groups should
First, what was concluded was that abortion with their abortion laws due to the seeming have all the reasons to participate in UN-
should be safe when legal (in our country, it impracticality of jailing abortees. But they based conferences to check the “abortionism”
is legal only for life-threatening pregnancies have gone to the other extreme of neglecting of Gender Law, while developing Child’s
under the principle of “double effect”) not the unborn with impunity. Rights Law, Family Law, and Legal Bioethics.
necessarily that abortions should be made With this dilemma in mind, many pro-life I urge readers to sign the online UN Petition
legal and safe. What is stated is that “puni- think-tanks like the Feminists for Life sug- for the Unborn Child targeting the 60th An-
tive measures” should be reviewed—not for gest a pastoral approach not via decriminal- niversary of the Declaration of Human Rights
the abortion/abortifacient providers—but ization of abortion but rather, to punish the on December 10. Imagine your signature cre-
for women who have undergone abortion. abortion provider and to counsel the woman; ating a world where both mothers and their
Abortion can be illegal but it need not be not because she has no liability but because unborn are given protection. That world, if
implemented punitively for women who abortion is in itself perpetual punishment. you choose, we can give birth.
 A8
CBCP Monitor
People, Facts & Places Vol. 12 No. 23
November 10 - 23, 2008

Top Vatican official

to visit RP THE head of the Vatican council that over-
sees the Church’s charitable activities around
the world will visit the Philippines to talk of
the theology of charity with the country’s
bishops.
Cardinal Paul Cordes, president of the
Pontifical Council Cor Unum, will be in
Manila on January 22, 2009, at the invitation
of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the
Philippines (CBCP).
The bishops will have their 98th plenary
assembly at the Pope Pius XVII Catholic
Center in Manila from Jan. 24-25.
CBCP secretary general Msgr. Juanito
Figura said Cardinal Cordes is expected to
share “Church teachings and his experiences
© www.catholicnews.com
lecture at the University of Santo Tomas on
Jan. 23.
In behalf of the pope and the entire Catho-
lic community, Cardinal Cordes travels to
disaster areas bearing not only a papal bless-
ing for the victims, but often also financial
assistance.
In addition to delivering papal dona-
tions—over $8 million in 2006—to victims
of disasters, Cor Unum also administers
two foundations started by Pope John
Paul: the Populorum Progressio Founda-
tion for farm workers and the indigenous
of Latin America and the Caribbean and
the Foundation for the Sahel, which
funds projects to combat desertification
movements and communities, gave him a
firsthand experience of the fact that “all over
the world there are a lot of new attempts to
live Christianity sincerely.”
Archbishop Cordes’ work and his ap-
proach to Catholic charity got a big boost
with the publication of Pope Benedict XVI’s
2005 encyclical, “Deus Caritas Est” (“God Is
Love”), particularly its section underlining
the link between Christian faith and chari-
table activity.
The agency also has a secretary, under-
secretary, 38 members and nine consultors,
all appointed for five years term, plus a
permanent staff of nine.
One of the consultors is former Philip-

and in the field of Catholic Charity.”
Cardinal Cordes’ job is to make sure Cath-
olic teaching on charity becomes concrete,
and that starts with his own example.
He is also scheduled to give the same
in Africa.
Before being appointed head of Cor
Unum in 1995, he was vice president of the
Pontifical Council for the Laity. His work
there, especially with members of new lay
pine ambassador to the Vatican Henrietta
de Villa who currently chairs the Parish
Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting and
the National Movement for Free Elections.
(Roy Lagarde)

NCR youth celebrates Markings

Cardinal Paul Cordes

Vocation festival Directors of Vocations in the Philippines-National Capital Region.

AN outburst of youthful energy, fun, excitement, and creativity
marked the Regional Vocation Festival hosted by Cubao diocese on
November 8 at the Amoranto Stadium in Quezon City centered on
the theme, “Lagablab: Alab ng Espiritu, Gabay Mo.”
More than 5,000 youth delegates from different dioceses of the
National Capital Region joined the celebration organized by the
Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco welcomed the participants
CELEBRATED. Carmelite Missionaries (CM), 26 years of Apostolic
Presence in the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, October 15, 2008.
Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, SJ, presided the Eucharistic celebration
with 13 members of the clergy concelebrating. The celebration took
place at Jesus Nazareno Parish, the first parish the sisters had served in
1982. The sisters came to Cagayan de Oro upon the request of the late
Archbishop Patrick Cronin, the 2nd archbishop of the Archdiocese. The
occasion was graced by the presence of 4 pioneer sisters. Their pres-
ence in the area has so far attracted 18 vocations who are now professed
as they entered the stadium in a parade coming from St. Mary’s members of the congregation.
College-QC.
Fr. Steven Zabala of Cubao diocese gave a talk on The Role of the ORDAINED. Rev. Felino Portigo, Jr., St. Isidore the Farmer Parish,
Holy Spirit in Vocation Discernment aimed at helping young people Navalas, Guimaras; Rev. Philip Vincent Sinco, Our Lady of Fatima Par-
ish, Buyo, Sta. Barbara, Iloilo. Portigo took his theology at St. Joseph
to be fired up by the Spirit and choose God above everything else. Regional Seminary, Cubay, Jaro, Iloilo City while Sinco graduated from
The Vocation Fair was also geared towards making young people San Jose Major Seminary, Ateneo de Manila University Campus, Loyola
become more aware of the different ways they can discern their Heights, Quezon City. Both were ordained on November 3, 2008 at St.
vocation in life. Elizabeth Metropolitan Cathedral, Jaro, Iloilo City with Archbishop Angel
Aside from the Vocation Exhibit, there was a booth for Spiritual N. Lagdameo as ordaining prelate.
Direction and a Prayer Booth where the Blessed Sacrament was DIED. Fr. Domingo Moraleda, CMF,
exposed for three hours in the morning. November 1, 2008, in Pampanga. A
Small group sharings held in the afternoon wherein the partici- native of Toledo, Spain, Moraleda
pants shared their views about the World Youth Day, the Church, was ordained to the priesthood on
May 13, 1967. He was founder and
and the role of the young people within the Church gave the youth Director of the Institute for Conse-
an echo experience of the World Youth Day 2008 while having the crated Life in Asia (ICLA), a faculty
festive spirit of the Olympics. of theology dedicated to theological
Each group summarized their sharing through a tableau and reflection on consecrated life within
the religious and socio-cultural con-
some seminarians were assigned as photographer’s to capture each text of Asia. He was also a mission-
group’s creative output. ary in Equatorial Guinea for seven
Frenzy filled the whole stadium when Chris Tiu, team captain of years and in the Philippines for 34
the Ateneo Blue Eagles and currently a T.V. personality, was called years with pastoral responsibilities
in different mission frontiers. He
in as one of the recipients of the Lumen Christi Award during the served as Provincial Superior of the
evening program. Claretian Missionaries in the Philip-
One of today’s Filipino youth icons, Tiu gave a short thanksgiv- pines for 12 years and member of
ing speech urging the youth to make a difference in whatever field the executive board of the Association of Major Religious Superiors in the
Philippines (AMRSP) for several years. Likewise he was actively involved
they find themselves in. in assisting the Church in China in recent years through ICLA.
A concelebrated Mass presided by Bishop Ongtioco capped the
whole-day affair. (Mayan Molina, FSP) DIED. Rev. Father Ramon Sequito of the Archdiocese of Jaro.

Pro-Life Phils to conduct

forum on pornography
PRO-LIFE Phil- statement.
ippines will con- Ms. Ma. Perlita
duct a forum on de Leon, a faculty
the issue of por- member of the
nography on Dec. Family and Child
5 at the Bahay Development De-
Ugnayan, Good partment of the
Shepherd Con- University of the
vent, Aurora Bou- Philippines, will
levard, in Quezon City. ety today and the urgent need to serve as the resource speaker.
Organizers said the forum will control this menace.” Pro-Life Philippines Founda-
be for parents, guardians, teach- “It will include a presentation tion, Inc. is a non-profit, non-stock,
© Roy Lagarde / CBCP Media

ers, counselors/life coaches, of the status of pornography in non-government organization

youth groups, pastors, lay lead-
ers, and all those who deal with
issue on pornography.
Anchored on the theme “The
Pornography Plague,” the forum
seeks to make participants aware
Roman Catholic bishops and priests during a Mass at the St. Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral in Cagayan de Oro City of how pornography “is tearing
on Nov. 10 to formally open the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines- Basic Ecclesial Communities 2nd
National Congress. apart the very fabric of our soci-
the Philippines and its psycho-
social effects especially on today’s
youth, counterpointed by the bib-
lical perspective of pornography
and human sexuality. This will be
followed by a forum discussion
on how to combat pornography,”
said Pro-Life Philippines in a
dedicated to promoting respect
and care for human life from con-
ception to natural death.
Aside from Education and
Training, its programs and ser-
vices include counseling, ad-
vocacy, and public awareness.
(CBCPNews)

Cathedral holds special liturgy

CBCP office to host int’l meeting of prison chaplains
THE Episcopal Commission on Prison Pasto-
ral Care of the Catholic Bishops Conference
of the Philippines (CBCP) will host the 3rd
Annual Meeting of the Steering Committee
of the International Prison Chaplains Asso-
ciation (IPCA Worldwide) on November 24
to 29 at the Manila Hotel.
Assembly participants include the IPCA
President, Rev. Birgitta Winberg of Sweden;
Rev. Dwight Cuff of Canada, Vice President
and Representative of North America; Rev.
Doris Bernhardson, Project Manager of
IPCA; Rev. David Major of New Zealand,
Oceania’s Representative; Msgr. Malachy
Keegan of United Kingdom, Europe’s Rep-
resentative; Rev and Prof. Samuel Novoa of
El Salvador , Latin America’s Representative;
Rev. Hennie Human of South Africa, African
Region Representative, Rodolfo Diamante,
Executive Secretary of CBCP-ECPPC, Asia’s
Representative; Rev, Tom O’Connor Chap-
for dead Manila Archbishops
THE Basilica Minore of the Immaculate Conception, popularly
lain of Correctional Service of the United Speakers include Bishop Pedro Arigo, CBCP-
ECPPC chair, Hon. Lorenzo Tañada III, known as the Manila Cathedral, celebrated special mass for
States; Kieran Garvey of New Zealand and
Chairman of Committee on Human Rights departed Manila Archbishops on All Souls Day.
Agneta Johnson of the Correctional Service
of the House of Representatives, Fr. Silvino Cathedral Rector Msgr. Nestor Cerbo said one of his masses
of Sweden.
Borres, SJ, president of Coalition Against was offered especially for the departed Archbishops of Manila,
Members of the Christian Council of Swe-
Death Penalty, Rev. Birgitta Winberg, IPCA four of whom were interred at the cathedral’s crypt, namely
den will also attend the meeting.
Worldwide president, Rev. Agneta Johnson, Archbishop Michael O’Doherty, the last foreign Archbishop of
While in the country, members of the
Correctional Service of Sweden, Rev. Tom Manila, Archbishop Gabriel M. Reyes, first Filipino Archbishop
Steering Committee will visit the Manila City
O’Connor, chaplain of Correctional Service of Manila, Archbishop Rufino Cardinal Santos, the first Filipino
Jail and learn from the director of the Bureau
of America, and Rev. Hennie Human, Rep- archbishop elevated to the cardinalate and most recently, Arch-
of Jail Management the present situation of
resentative of Africa and the Correctional bishop Jaime L. Cardinal Sin.
jails in the Philippines.
Service of Africa. “A special liturgy, prepared by the Archdiocesan Liturgical
The group will also meet and discuss with
An ecumenical Christian movement, IPCA Commission, was used for the memorial Mass for the departed
Church leaders and government officials
is a conference of prison chaplains commit- Archbishops of Manila,” Cerbo said.
who are involved on the issues of human
ted to serve the unity of the Churches. Cerbo also blessed the individual tombs of the departed
rights.
With a loose membership of about 2,100 archbishops.
A fellowship night is likewise scheduled
people the association provides a worldwide Asked if there are other prominent personalities interred at
with Chaplains and Volunteers in Prison
network of prison chaplains who are deeply the crypt, Cerbo said the crypt “has very limited space and al-
Service.
committed in their pursuit of peace and lowing the burial of other persons may give rise to a situation
The Committee is also set to meet the
justice for people in conflict with the law. when there will be no more space for the future Archbishops
media on November 26 to discuss Jail and
(CBCPNews) of Manila. (Melo M. Acuña)
Prison Reforms and Restorative Justice.
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 23
November 10 - 23, 2008
‘Bringing to the Priesthood
Only Those Who Have
Been Called’
Guidelines for the Use of Psychology in the Admission and Formation of Candidates for the Priesthood
I. The Church and the Discernment of
a Vocation
1. “Each Christian vocation comes
from God and is God’s gift. However, it
is never bestowed outside of or indepen-
dently of the Church. Instead it always
comes about in the Church and through
the Church [...], a luminous and living
reflection of the mystery of the Blessed
Trinity.”
The Church, “begetter and formator
of vocations”, has the duty of discern-
ing a vocation and the suitability of
candidates for the priestly ministry. In
fact, “the interior call of the Spirit needs
to be recognized as the authentic call of
the bishop.”
In furthering this discernment, and
throughout the entire process of forma-
tion for ministry, the Church is moved
by two concerns: to safeguard the good
of her own mission and, at the same time,
the good of the candidates. In fact, like
every Christian vocation, the vocation
to the priesthood, along with a Chris-
tological dimension, has an essentially
ecclesial dimension: “Not only does it
derive `from’ the Church and her media-
tion, not only does it come to be known
and find fulfilment `in’ the Church, but it
also necessarily appears – in fundamen-
tal service to God – as a service `to’ the
Church. Christian vocation, whatever
shape it takes, is a gift whose purpose is
to build up the Church and to increase the
kingdom of God in the world.”
Therefore, the good of the Church
and that of the candidate are not in
opposition, but rather converge. Those
responsible for formation work at har-
monizing these two goods, by always
considering both simultaneously in their
interdependent dynamic. This is an es-
sential aspect of the great responsibility
they bear in their service to the Church
and to individuals.
2. The priestly ministry, understood
and lived as a conformation to Christ,
Bridegroom and Good Shepherd, re-
quires certain abilities as well as moral
and theological virtues, which are sup-
ported by a human and psychic—and
particularly affective—equilibrium, so
as to allow the subject to be adequately
predisposed for giving of himself in the
celibate life, in a way that is truly free in
his relations with the faithful.
The Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhorta-
tion Pastores dabo vobis treats of the
various dimensions of priestly formation:
human, spiritual, intellectual and pasto-
ral. Before the text deals with the spiritual
dimension—“an extremely important
element of a priest’s education”—it
underlines that the human dimension
is the foundation of all formation. The
document lists a series of human virtues
and relational abilities that are required
of the priest, so that his personality may
be “a bridge and not an obstacle for oth-
ers in their meeting with Jesus Christ the
Redeemer of humanity.” These virtues
and qualities range from the personality’s
general equilibrium to the ability to bear
the weight of pastoral responsibilities,
from a deep knowledge of the human
spirit to a sense of justice and loyalty.
The specific understanding of “per-
sonality” in this document refers to af-
fective maturity and absence of mental
disorder.
Some of these qualities merit particular
attention: the positive and stable sense of
one’s masculine identity, and the capacity
to form relations in a mature way with
individuals and groups of people; a solid
sense of belonging, which is the basis of
future communion with the presbyte-
rium and of a responsible collaboration in
the ministry of the bishop; the freedom to
be enthused by great ideals and a coher-
ence in realizing them in everyday action;
the courage to take decisions and to stay
faithful to them; a knowledge of oneself,
of one’s talents and limitations, so as to
integrate them within a self-esteem be-
fore God; the capacity to correct oneself;
the appreciation for beauty in the sense
of “splendour of the truth” as well as the
art of recognizing it; the trust that is born
from an esteem of the other person and
that leads to acceptance; the capacity of
the candidate to integrate his sexuality
in accordance with the Christian vision,
including in consideration of the obliga-
tion of celibacy.
Such interior dispositions must be
molded during the future priest’s path of
formation because, as a man of God and
of the Church, he is called to build up the
ecclesial community. Being in love with
Him who is Eternal, the priest develops
B1
an authentic and integral appreciation of
humanity. He also increasingly lives the
richness of his own affectivity in the gift
of himself to God, One and Three, and
to his brethren, particularly those who
are suffering.
Clearly, these are objectives that can
only be reached by the candidate co-
operating daily with the work of grace
within him. They are objectives that are
acquired with a gradual and lengthy
path of formation, which is not always
linear.
A priestly vocation involves an ex-
traordinary and demanding synergy
of human and spiritual dynamics. The
candidate, knowing this, can only draw
advantage from an attentive and respon-
sible vocational discernment, aimed at
differentiating formation paths accord-
ing to each individual’s needs, as well
as gradually overcoming his deficien-
cies on the spiritual and human levels.
The Church has the duty of furnishing
candidates with an effective integration
of the human dimension, in light of the
spiritual dimension into which it flows
Seminarians / B2

B2
Alienation of Church Property
Saturday Mass for Sunday
(Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum university, answers the following question:)
Q: We know that the Sunday Mass is very important. We know too that the Saturday evening
Mass is the Sunday Mass. But what are the criteria to know exactly that it is the Mass of Sunday? It
is the hour? It is the readings? Many Catholics who go to a marriage on a Saturday afternoon don’t
go to the Mass on Sunday. They think they have already gone to Mass. What does the Church say
exactly about the Sa turday evening Mass?—J.G., Arras, France
A: The norms permitting the
celebration of Sunday Mass on a
Saturday evening are not overly
detailed and thus different practices
and notions have arisen around the
world.
Even though this practice is
relatively recent with respect to the
Sunday Mass, the Church had long
maintained the custom of beginning
the celebration of important feasts the
evening before, with first vespers. This
was inspired by the concept of a day
in the ancient world which divided
our 24 hours into four nocturnal vigils
and four daylight hours, the day
commencing at first vigil.
For this reason the Gospels
mention the haste required to bury
Our Lord on Good Friday before
the Sabbath began on what, for us,
would still be Friday evening.
While this concept offers a certain
justification for the norm permitting
the celebration of Sunday Mass on
Saturday, the modern Church in
fact mixes both ancient and modern
chronometry and has not simply
adopted tout court the ancient
measure of the day.
For this reason, although it is
Seminarian / B1
and in which it finds its completion.
II. Preparation of Formators
3. Every formator should have a good
knowledge of the human person: his
rhythms of growth; his potentials and
weaknesses; and his way of living his re-
lationship with God. Thus, it is desirable
that bishops—by making use of various
experiences, programs and institutions
of good reputation—provide a suitable
preparation in vocational pedagogy for
formators, according to the indications
already published by the Congregation
for Catholic Education.
Formators need to be adequately pre-
pared to carry out a discernment that,
fully respecting the Church’s doctrine
on the priestly vocation, allows for a
reasonably sure decision as to whether
the candidate should be admitted to the
seminary or house of formation of the
religious clergy, or whether he should
be dismissed from the seminary or house
of formation for reasons of unsuitability.
The discernment also must allow for the
candidate to be accompanied on his path
to acquiring those moral and theological
virtues, which are necessary for living, in
coherence and interior freedom, the total
gift of his life, so as to be a “servant of the
Church as communion”.
4. The document of this Congregation
for Catholic Education, A Guide to For-
mation in Priestly Celibacy, recognizes
that “errors in discerning vocations are
Updates
Illustration by Bladimer Usi
permissible to anticipate Sunday Mass,
contrary to what some might think, there
is no obligation to do so; it is still possible
to celebrate the Mass of the day or a ritual
Mass on Saturday evening.
For example, if a religious community
habitually celebrates its daily Mass at 7
p.m., there is no reason why it would
have to celebrate Sunday Mass twice.
Likewise it is theoretically possible for
a couple to be wed on a Saturday evening
using the nuptial Mass, provided that
they did not coincide with regular Mass
timetables.
I say “theoretically” because pastorally
it is usually advisable to celebrate the
nuptial Mass at this hour according to
the norms for a wedding celebrated on a
Sunday. As our reader points out, even
regular Mass goers are likely to presume
that a Saturday evening Mass is sufficient
to fulfill their Sunday precept and the
distinctions between different Mass
formulas are likely to be lost on them.
Therefore, except in those cases when
the majority of guests are well-formed
and committed Catholics, it is better
to assure as far as possible that they
attend a celebration valid for Sunday,
even though this can mean that on
some occasions certain aspects of the
not rare, and in all too many cases psy-
chological defects, sometimes of a patho-
logical kind, reveal themselves only after
ordination to the priesthood. Detecting
defects earlier would help avoid many
tragic experiences.”
Hence, the need for every formator to
possess, in due measure, the sensitivity
and psychological preparation that will
allow him, insofar as possible, to perceive
the candidate’s true motivations, to
discern the barriers that stop him inte-
grating human and Christian maturity,
and to pick up on any psychopathic dis-
turbances present in the candidate. The
formator must accurately and very pru-
dently evaluate the candidate’s history.
Nevertheless, this history alone cannot
constitute the decisive criterion which
would be sufficient for judging whether
to admit the candidate or dismiss him
from formation. The formator must know
how to evaluate the person in his totality,
not forgetting the gradual nature of de-
velopment. He must see the candidate’s
strong and weak points, as well as the
level of awareness that the candidate has
of his own problems. Lastly, the formator
must discern the candidate’s capacity for
controlling his own behavior in respon-
sibility and freedom.
Thus, every formator must be pre-
pared, including by means of specific
courses, to understand profoundly the
human person as well as the demands
of his formation to the ordained minis-
By Jaime B. Achacoso, J.C.D.
I am a member of the Knights of Columbus in a city in northern Mindanao. Back in the
late 1950s, the diocese—through a verbal contract with the Bishop—ceded to the Knights of
Columbus chapter of our city a small lot close to the parish church (now the Cathedral) on
which to build our multi-purpose hall. The K of C immediately built a two-storey structure,
housing our little office and meeting halls. This structure has served us well, and was even
used as temporary classrooms by a catholic college which burnt down in the early 1960s. A
few years ago, the bishop—now we have a new one—decided to sell the property for much-
needed funds. While we understand the financial needs of the diocese, the K of C also thought
we at least have the right of first refusal to the sale of that lot, at fair market value, considering
all the years we had been on it and the improvements we had built on it. To our dismay, the
sale was concluded even before we were informed. Perhaps it might be too late now to stop
the sale, but for whatever it is worth to your readers, can the diocesan bishop really just sell
Church properties?
regular nuptial Mass may not be
celebrated.
The general law does not specify
the precise time after which Sunday
Mass is possible. However, 5 p.m. is
the common rule in the Diocese of
Rome and in many other places. Any
time much earlier is hard to conceive
as being Saturday evening in any
meaningful sense of the term.
Because of this, a Saturday
afternoon wedding would be a
different case. Most practicing
Catholics would not presume that
a noon or 1 p.m. wedding would
be valid for Sunday Mass. Since
3 or 4 p.m. are rather awkward
hours for organizing a wedding
and its attendant festive aftermath,
celebrations at this hour are less
common, at least in Europe.
A 4 p.m. wedding, however,
is probably sufficiently on the
borderline as to be celebrated as a
Sunday Mass.
It there is real danger of anyone
mistaking an earlier Mass as valid for
Sunday, then care should be taken
so that guests know in advance that
the Mass will not cover their Sunday
obligation.
try. To that end, much advantage can
be derived from meeting experts in the
psychological sciences, to compare notes
and obtain clarification on some specific
issues.
III. Contribution of Psychology to Voca-
tional Discernment and Formation
5. Inasmuch as it is the fruit of a par-
ticular gift of God, the vocation to the
priesthood and its discernment lie out-
side the strict competence of psychology.
Nevertheless, in some cases, recourse to
experts in the psychological sciences can
be useful. It can allow a more sure evalua-
tion of the candidate’s psychic state; it can
help evaluate his human dispositions for
responding to the divine call; and it can
provide some extra assistance for the can-
didate’s human growth. These experts
can offer formators an opinion regarding
the diagnosis of—and, perhaps, therapy
for—psychic disturbances. Moreover,
by suggesting ways for favouring a vo-
cational response that is more free, they
can help support the development of the
human (especially relational) qualities,
which are required for the exercise of
the ministry.
Even formation for the priesthood
must face up to the manifold symptoms
of the imbalance rooted in the heart of
man,[19] which is symptomized, in a
particular way, in the contradictions
between the ideal of self-giving to which
Seminarians / B6
THE pertinent provisions of the
Universal Law for the alienation of
Church property are contained in
cc.1291, 1292, §§1-2, 1293 of the Code;
c.1296 contains the provision for redress
of a possibly unlawful alienation.
Notion of Alienation of Ecclesiastical
Property
Can.1291 establishes the general
principle: The permission of the
authority competent by law is required
for the valid alienation of goods which,
by lawful assignment, constitute the
stable patrimony of a public juridic
person, whenever their value exceeds
the sum determined by law.
Alienation consists in transferring
full ownership of goods to a third
person by an act inter vivos—whether
onerously (e.g., a sale) or gratu¬itously
(a donation). Therefore the following
would be included in this concept:
buying and selling, donations,
exchanges, credit transfers, etc. We
have to note that the stable patrimony
of a public ju¬ridic person (the only
one whose goods are considered to
be ecclesi¬astical) cannot be confused
or identified with immovable goods,
although logically the latter is part of
the former.
Stable patrimony would rather
include all goods required by the public
juridic person to achieve its proper
institutional purposes—i.e., it would
also include the goods without which
the public juridic person could not exist
or adequately achieve the purpose for
which it was created.
In fact, moveable goods, equities,
money invested in fixed assets, etc.,
could also be included in the concept,
provided that they were permanently
allocated to provide for the needs
and purposes of the juridic person in
question.
This canon specifies that such goods
must form the stable patrimony by
lawful assignment—i.e., they must be
goods whose stability or attachment to
the stable patrimonial fund of the juridic
person has been determined by its own
statutes or by its competent bodies, or,
if applicable, by lawful authority or
by law.
Competent Authority for Granting
Permission to Alienate Ecclesiastical
Goods
The ecclesiastical authority competent
to grant permission for the alienation of
ecclesiastical property is a function of the
value of the said property, as outlined
in the first two sections of c.1292 as
follows:
§1. With due regard for the prescription
of c.638, §3 (case for Institutes of
Consecrated Life), when the value of
the goods whose alienation is proposed
is within the range of the minimum
and maximum amounts which are
determined by the Conference of
Bishops for its region, the competent
authority is determined in the group’s
own statutes when it is a question of
juridic persons who are not subject
to the diocesan bishop; otherwise, the
competent authority is the diocesan
bishop with the consent of the finance
council, the college of consultors and the
parties concerned. The diocesan bishop
also needs their consent to alienate the
goods of the diocese.
§2. The permission of the Holy See is
also required for valid alienation when
it is a case of goods whose value exceeds
the maximum amount, goods donated
to the Church through a vow, or goods
which are especially valuable due to
their artistic or historical value.
Cutting through the legal jargon,
what Canon Law establishes is that
permission is required for the valid
alienation of Church property if the
value of such property falls below,
within or above a certain range to
be determined by the Episcopal
Conference (and approved by the Holy
REFERENCE: CBCP, Complementary Norms of the Code of Canon Law, given the RECOGNITIO by
the Sacred Congregation for Bishops (Decretum, Prot. n.35/84, 27.IX.1985).
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 23
November 10 - 23, 2008
See). For the Philippines, the CBCP has
set the following norms:
1) The permission of the diocesan
bishop, acting with the consent of the
finance council, the board of consultors
and interested parties, is needed
whenever the values of the goods to
be alienated is between the minimum
US $20,000 or its peso equivalent and
the maximum US $100,000 or its peso
equivalent.
2) If the value of the goods is between
US $10,000 and US $20,000 or its peso
equivalent, the diocesan bishop should
hear the finance council and the board of
consultors for a valid transaction.
3) The permission of the Apostolic
See is required for validity:
a. whenever the value of the
transaction exceeds the maxi¬mum
set by the episcopal conference for the
region, i.e., US $100,000;
b. if it is a case of alienation of
something given to the church by a
reason of a vow, or objects which are
precious by reason of their artistic
or historical significance (c.1292, §1),
regardless of their monetary value.
The norms set by the Episcopal
Conference do not apply to alienation
cases of religious institutes, for whom
the maximum amount is fixed by the
Apostolic See for each region. For the
validity of an alienation which value is
below the maximum set by the Apostolic
See, the written permission of the
competent superior is required, which
can only be given with the consent of
the respective council (c. 638,3).
In all the above cases—i.e., when it
is a case of alienating goods belonging
to the stable patrimony of the public
juridic person by lawful assignment,
and when the value of the goods is
greater than the lawfully established
value, the permission to be granted by
the competent authority is expressly
required for the act of alienation to
be valid. Therefore, if alienation were
completed without permission, the
transaction would be invalid and null
as a matter of law (c. 10).
In addition, c.1377 provides for
imposing a just penalty upon any person
responsible for alienation with¬out the
required permission. That person would
normally be the Ad¬ministrator, but in
cases where the permission required
exceeds the authority of the Local
Ordinary—i.e., permission required
is from the Holy See—it could happen
that even the diocesan Bishop could be
the one charged.
TheNeedtoUpdatetheValuationLimits
for the Alienation of Ecclesiastical
Property
Since the above provisions were
based on a Rescript from the Sacred
Congregation of Bishops issued in 1984,
and the value of the PHP vs. USD has
changed since then, it has been asked
whether the CBCP can suggest new
valuation limits to the Holy See to amend
the above provisions. Furthermore, it
has also been asked if the adjustment
could simply be made based on the
inflation of the USD, or should it be
based on the inflation of the PHP (and
just translate to USD equivalent). I
asked some economics experts at the
University of Asia & the Pacific this
question in 2006, and they came up with
the following analysis:
Method 1: Get the 2006 values of the
valuation limits originally given in 1984
USD based on inflation of the USD. Then
translate to peso equivalent.
Method 2: Get the 1984 peso equivalent
of the valuation limits originally given
in 1984 USD, then get the 2006 value
of that peso equivalent based on the
inflation of the peso.
Conclusion: Both methods yielded
similar results, and rounding upwards,
the recommended valuation limits are
as follows:
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 23
November 10 - 23, 2008
By Sr. Ma. Pomposa C. Morales,
RVM
ZAMBOANGA was erected as a
diocese in Mindanao on April 10, 1910
by Pope Pius X covering the entire
islands of Mindanao and Sulu. As the
first diocese, Zamboanga is the Mother
Diocese of Mindanao dioceses. Before
this, Mindanao was part of the Dioceses
of Cebu [Eastern Mindanao] and Jaro
[Western Mindanao]. The first bishop
of Mindanao - Zamboanga was Most
Rev. Michael J. O’Doherty, DD.
The Christianization of Zamboanga
however dates back to the Spanish
colonial times and to the Recollect
Friars who came to the Philippines in
the company of the Spanish colonizers
in 1521 and to the Jesuit missionaries
who first came to the Philippines in
1581 and subsequently replaced the
Archdiocese of
Recollect Friars.
Zamboanga
The territorial jurisdiction of the
Archdiocese of oanga is identical
to the geographical territory of the
City of Zamboanga. Zamboanga City
has ninety eight barangays, thirty
of which are urban and sixty eight
rural. The metropolis stretches from
the Municipality of Limpapa in the
northwest bordering the Diocese of
Dipolog in Zamboanga del Norte to
the Municipality of Licomo in the
northeast bordering the Prelature of
Ipil in Zamboanga Sibugay. Basilan
Strait separates Zamboanga from the
Prelature of Isabela in Basilan.
The titular patroness
of the cathedral is
Our Lady of the
Immaculate
Conception.
The archdiocese
has twenty five
parishes grouped
into three
vicariates. It has,
for its suffragans,
the Prelature of
Ipil in Zamboanga
Sibugay, the
Prelature of Isabela
in Basilan, and
the Apostolic
Vicariate of
Jolo in
ABOVE: Most Rev. Romulo G. Valles, DD. ON BACKGROUND: Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Concepcion
Diocese
Sulu.
The Metropolitan Cathedral of
Zamboanga is dedicated to Our Lady of
the Immaculate Conception who stands
as the other Patroness of Zamboanga
along with Nuestra Señora La Virgen
del Pilar. The cathedral is probably the
most beautiful cathedral in Mindanao.
The mosaic, the architecture and art,
the arrangement of liturgical tools, all
contribute to an ambience supportive
of prayer and worship. It is probably
also the most accommodating place of
worship built on a very limited land
space. The cathedral is a two-story
building with each floor standing as
a church on its own. The Eucharist,
other sacraments, and devotions can be
celebrated on the ground floor and on
the second floor simultaneously without
disturbing each other. The worshippers
can have a choice between the first and
the second floor celebrations and avoid
standing-room situations. Priests are
available for the sacramental, liturgical
and devotional celebrations in the two
churches or places of worship in the
cathedral.
The Local Church
Most Rev. Romulo G.Valles, DD
heads the local church of Zamboanga.
The Archbishop-Emeritus is Most Rev.
Carmelo DF Morelos, DD, JCD, STL,
PHL. He is now blissfully retired in
Butuan City where he was once the
bishop for more than twenty years.
Archbishop Valles is ably assisted
by the episcopal college and councils
which are, the college of consultors,
the presbyterial council,
financial council, council for
archdiocesan foundations,
council of the laity, board
for archdiocesan schools,
and the commission for
pastoral assembly; and by
the pastoral commissions
which are, the Commissions
on Liturgy, Sacred Music,
Church Design and Art,
Eucharistic Ministers,
Clergy, Vocation, Diaconal
Program, Priests’ Ongoing
Formation, Catechetical
Apostolate, Family and Life,
Youth, Mission, Charismatic
Renewal, Christian
Family Movement,
Basic Ecclesial
Communities,
B i b l i c a l
Apostolate,
Social Action,
Health Care,
Prisoners’
Welfare, Social
B3
Communication, and Ecumenism and The Clergy and Religious
Interreligious Dialogue. The archdiocese Serving the faithful [and non-faithful
has one college seminary, the Pastor too] are fifty six diocesan clergy, twenty
Bonus Seminary, one radio station, the religious priests and brothers, and
DXVP Radio Station, and one retreat eighty religious sisters. There are three
house, the Our Lady of the Pillar Retreat congregations for men: the Society of
House. Jesus (Jesuits), the Missionary Sons
The population of Zamboanga is of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
multi-ethnic, composed mainly of (Claretians), and the Pontifical Institute
Chavacano-speaking Zamboangueños, for Foreign Missions (PIME Fathers).
Muslims, Lumad, Cebuanos, Ilongos, There are fourteen congregations for
Tagalogs and other migrants from women. These are, the Religious of the
the other regions of the country. Good Shepherd [RGS], Mercedarian
Zamboangueños value and speak the Missionaries of Berriz [MMB], Discalced
Spanish pidgin called Chavacano. Sisters of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel [OCD],
There are liturgies and devotions in Daughters of St. Paul [FSP], Oblates of
Chavacano. There is a Chavacano Notre Dame [OND], Order of Preachers
translation of the New Testament. [OP/ Dominicans], Missionary Sisters
Translation of the Old Testament is of the Queen of Apostles [SRA],
currently being done as one of the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate
centerpieces in the celebration of the Conception [SFIC], Religious of Mary
centennial of the archdiocese. Zamboanga / B4
Proclamation of a Year of Favor
from the Lord (Is 61:2)
On the Occasion of the Centennial
of the Diocese [1910-2010]
and the Golden Jubilee of the
Archdiocese [1958 – 2008]
My dear People of God in the Archdiocese of Zamboanga:
We will soon celebrate the centennial of the establishment of the Diocese of Zamboanga,
the first in Mindanao! The Diocese of Zamboanga was created by a decree of His Holiness,
Pope Pius X on April 10, 1910, with Most Rev. Michael James O’Doherty as the first bishop.
The golden jubilee of its elevation to an archdiocese will also be celebrated soon.
This is a time of a great jubilee for us, the people of God in the Archdiocese of Zamboanga.
It is a rare occasion, a special time, in fact, a season of grace for us, a time of favor from the
Lord [Is, 61:2]. Following biblical and church tradition, now is the moment to look back to the
past and to remember the original grace with gratitude, to reflect on and sanctify the present,
and to shape the future and usher in a new beginning with renewed hope and spirit.
So today, the first day of the new year 2008, the solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God, we
herald to you this beautiful news of a three-year celebration of our Jubilee! “… Let the trumpet
resound … the trumpet blast reecho throughout the land … it shall be a jubilee for you.” [Lv.
25:9-10] On April 10, 2008, we will formally launch our three-year celebration. On May 19, 2008,
we will commemorate the golden jubilee of the elevation of the diocese to an archdiocese. On
April 10, 2010, we will hold the solemn and grand celebration of our centennial. We will close
this great period on April 10, 2011.
As shepherd of the flock of the Archdiocese of Zamboanga, a ministry entrusted to me by
our Lord Jesus Christ through His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, I proclaim this Jubilee for the
Archdiocese of Zamboanga. I proclaim this as a time of favor from the Lord. We invoke the
Holy Spirit, the same Holy Spirit who has animated our local Church throughout the past one
hundred years, to guide us in our celebration.
We pray that our Blessed Mother, whom we venerate as our Lady of the Immaculate
Conception and dearly love as Nuestra Señora la Virgen del Pilar, who has journeyed with us all
these years will continue to journey with us.
Sincerely yours in the Lord,
+ ROMULO G. VALLES, DD
Archbishop of Zamboanga
Nuestra Señora La Virgen Del Pilar,
Our Lady of the Pillar
THE most enduring historical Lady of the Pillar is attributed to Through her protective acts,
landmark of the Christianization the protection Our Lady was said she had shown her ardent
of Zamboanga is a fort dedicated to have given to the people of maternal love for Zamboanga
to our Blessed Mother Mary, Zamboanga against marauders, and its people. And the people
the La Real Fuerza de Nuestra pirates, epidemics, and natural reciprocated by holding her as
Señora La Virgen del Pilar. The calamities that dates back to a mother and venerating her
fort of Our Lady of the Pillar the colonial times. A prevailing as their popular patroness.
that was built in 1635 is now a story runs that a Spanish soldier Thousands of devotees flock to
shrine and is the most popular guarding the fort saw Our Lady the shrine every night and day
Marian shrine in as the shrine is
the Zamboanga Zamboangueños are deeply open twenty-
peninsula.
Nuestra Señora
religious and deeply Marian. The fao uday. r-hours
Her
La Virgen del city officials were in attendance feastday on
Pilar is the at the Pontifical fiesta Mass and October 12 is
most popularly- grandiosely
venerated honored Our Lady, La Virgen del celebrated in
Marian figure Pilar, with a floral offering after the Zamboanga.
by Christians, This year’s
M u s l i m s a n d Mass. The city mayor led the public c e l e b r a t i o n
Lumad in in a prayer of consecration of the was full of
Zamboanga.
Interfaith
city to Our Lady. splendor and
grandeur.
dialogue is at its best in this with the Infant Jesus in her arms The novena on October 3 – 11
shrine. This beautiful sanctuary whom he later recognized as consisted of the devotional dawn
is a well-loved destination of our Blessed Mother and Jesus. procession with Nuestra Señora
pilgrims from all over Mindanao She warned him of marauders La Virgen del Pilar and the
and a must-visit site for visitors and pirates, thus enabling the Jubilee Cross from the Cathedral
in Zamboanga. Liturgical people to forestall and protect of the Immaculate Conception
and religious devotions are themselves. At different times, to the Shrine of Our Lady of
celebrated in this shrine. she protected the city from the Pillar. At the shrine, Most
earthquakes and tidal waves that Reverend Romulo G. Valles,
Popular devotion would have erupted at the Strait Archbishop of Zamboanga, who
Popular history holds that the of Basilan, and engulfed the also participated in the daily
wide-ranging affection for Our coastal villages of Zamboanga. Nuestra / B5
 CBCP Monitor
B4 Features Vol. 12 No. 23
November 10 - 23, 2008

By Southern Cross Bioethics
Institute
THIS is a bill about a range of matters to
do with reproduction. It is very broad,
and while it does not contain good health
messages such as the promotion of
breastfeeding, gender equity, good infant
and child nutrition, and the elimination
of violence against women, it is also
directed primarily and aggressively at
population control. It is important to
note that whereas the general tone of the
Bill does not appear to be possible and
health-promoting in style, upon closer
information and services; prevention
of abortion and management of port-
abortion complications; adolescent
and youth health; prevention and
management of reproductive tract
infection (RTIs), HIV/AIDS and other
sexually transmittable infections (STIs);
elimination of violence against women;
education and counseling on sexuality
and sexual and reproductive health;
treatment of breast and reproductive
tract cancers and other gynecological
conditions; male involvement and
participation in reproductive health;
prevention and treatment of infertility
makes abortion a criminal offense. Since
the Bill uses the language of ‘reproductive
rights’, which is used in many other
contexts as inclusive of legal abortion,
any setting in which the Bill could be
even vaguely construed as conflicting
with existing abortion legislation would
necessitate intervention of the courts for
its interpretation. It is likely that if that
were to occur, the existing proscriptive
legislation on abortion would be
weakened, as has repeatedly happened
in other settings. The mere existence of
legislation which is in spirit contrary
to existing legislation will eventually
have a ‘reproductive’ right (inclusive
of a right to abortion) recognized at
the international level, the stage would
then be set for the Philippines to follow
suit.
The Bill will also exist alongside
Section 12, Article II of the constitution,
which reads: “The State recognizes the
sanctity of family life and shall protect
and strengthen the family as a basic
autonomous social institution. It shall
protect the life of the mother and the
life the unborn from conception. The
natural and primary right and duty of
parents in the rearing of the youth for
spouse; and, ensuring minors can act in
some circumstances without parental
knowledge or consent.
Furthermore, on some of these
grounds, Section 3 (1) Article XV of the
Constitution will also be threatened. It
reads thus: the State shall defend the right
of spouses to found a family in accordance
with their religious convictions and the
demands of responsible parenthood.
In particular, the religious convictions
of the majority of Catholic citizens,
protected by this Article, will be
undermined by this Bill, which promotes,
and in some cases mandates, some very

Commentary on House Bill 5043

scrutiny it contains deeply problematic
principles, impositions and subtexts.
The promotion of anti-Catholic principles and practices.

Legislation must always be considered
on several levels, and ultimately this
Bill must be examined with a view to
testing its possible limits when applied
in real world contexts.
The Bill is overtly about state
intervention into people’s private lives
by strongly promoting contraception
and its enforced provision, state run sex
education with potential undermining
of parental influence, and denying
conscientious objection.
However, a critical subtext of the bill
is that it has the strong potential to lay
the ground for state sanctioned abortion,
even though it appears to uphold
the current illegal status of abortion.
Other subtexts include targeting
the poor for population control and
promoting reproductive technology
(which involves the routine destruction
of human embryos)
It is fundamentally unjust that the
state, in its promotion of its secular
population control ideals, will be
using the financial resources of the
primarily religious community whose
faith teaches clear opposition to those
ideals. The Bill proposes a heavy handed
approach to dissenters, and elements of
the Bill appear to be totalitarian.
Key aspects of the Bill and their
implications
1. The Bills is unnecessary. The
matters it addresses are not all within
the province of legislation, and the
fact that much of the content of the
Bill is being put forward at all should
immediately ring alarm bells. In the
Bill, the following are listed as elements
of reproductive health care (a primary
focus of the Bill): maternal, infant and
child health and nutrition; promotion
of breastfeeding; family planning
andsexualdysfunction; andreproductive
health education for the youth.
With the exception of abortion and
infertility treatment, none of the above
requires specific legislation. Each is
already managed through existing
health, education and other legislation,
or through already accepted health
promotion programs. For example,
the promotion of breastfeeding, infant
and child health and nutrition, and the
treatment of cancer are health matters for
which no legislation is needed. They are
the subject matter of secondary health
policy, not law.
2. This Bill, if legislated, will exist
alongside legislation that expressly
health is a good thing.
However, the means
which such a goal
is achieved are all
important, and are in
part dependent upon
the process of policy
implementation that
would follow if the
Bill were to pass.
Unfortunately, the Bill
explicitly and implicitly
promotes reproductive
health in a potentially
damaging way for
individuals and the
community.
lead to case law. This argument is civic efficiency and the development of
strengthened because the Bill also moral character shall receive the support
mandates the use of various forms of of the government.”
contraception which have abortifacient This Article is clearly designed to
effects. Hence, the conflict with abortion protect human life from conception,
legislation will be exacerbated, forcing as well as to endorse the primacy of
interpretative legal judgments. the family unit and the State’s role in
While at first blush appearing quite supporting the family. The Bill will
benign, including in the Bill the phrase weaken this Article by forcibly promoting
“The State upholds and promotes... abortifacient drugs and devices; using
respect for life in conformity with the language of reproductive rights
universally recognized international to potentially subversively introduce
human rights”, could lead to the a pro-abortion agenda; emphasizing
argument that since international law state run sex education (influenced by
has been interpreted as not universally the population commission, POPCOM)
recognizing the right to life of the unborn, which will shift the emphasis from
this Bill can be similarly interpreted. the family; allowing sterilization
Given that there is a concerted effort to without knowledge or consent of the
3. The Bill proposes “no bias for
either modern or natural methods
of family planning”. By doing so it
equates methods of birth control that
are abortifacient with those that are
not, thereby implicitly contradicting the
spirit of the constitution.
4. The Bill makes it an offense
punishable by 6 months imprisonment
and/or a fine of P50,000 to “maliciously
engage in disinformation about the
intent or provisions of this Act.” Intent is
very difficult to prove, and if some were
to argue that certain intent was apparent
within the Bill, it would not be difficult
for its proponents to argue simply, deny
it and seek prosecution. Someone saying
some of the things in this commentary
could therefore be prosecuted and
potentially imprisoned for ‘maliciously
engaging in disinformation about intent’.
Such restrictions of free speech are more
reminiscent of totalitarian states.
5. The Bill declares as essential
medicines “hormonal contraceptives,
intrauterine devices, injectables and
other allied reproductive health products
and supplies”. Not only is the last phrase
open to wide interpretation, but the
idea that contraceptives and devices are
essential medicines is fundamentally
flawed. Contraceptives (some with
abortifacient effects), do not treat any
medical condition. To construe them
as such is simply dishonest.
6. The Bill forces health care
providers, public and private, to provide
reproductive health care services. In the
list of prohibited activities, to which are
attached significant penalties, only one
category permits conscientious objection.
Commentary/ B6

Zamboanga / B3

Immaculate Claretian Missionary
[RMICM], Missionary Sisters of
St. Mary Anthony Claret [MC],
Handmaids of the Divine Heart
[ADC/Spinola], Living the
Gospel Community [LGC],
Order of St. Benedict of the
Eucharistic King [OSB], and the
Religious of the Virgin Mary
[RVM].
The diocesan priests are mostly
pastors in the parishes. Some
of them however also serve as
school officials in addition to their
pastoral work. The archdiocese
has five schools and these are the
St. Joseph School, the Immaculate
Conception Archdiocesan
Schools, [Eastern, Western and
in Tetuan] and the Immaculate
Conception Elementary School.
Other priests are into social
communications at Radio Station
DXVP, clergy formation at Pastor
Bonus Seminary, and chaplaincy
at San Ramon Prisons and Penal
Farm, and in hospitals and health
care services.
The Jesuit Fathers and Brothers
run the Ateneo de Zamboanga
University, the only catholic
university in the archdiocese. The
Claretian Fathers administer the
Parish of St. Mary Anthony Claret
in San Jose Gusu where they also
run Claret High School. They
are involved in interreligious
dialogue, in the peace process
and in the care of street children.
The PIME Fathers administer the
Parish of Our Lady of Peace and
Good Voyage in Sinunuc. They
too, are involved in interreligious
dialogue, and in the peace
process. They established the
Silsilah Center for Interreligious
Dialogue, the EUNTES Center
for Mission Formation and
Spirituality, and the Harmony
Village in Sinunuc.
The religious sisters serve the
people through their various
apostolates. The Daughters
of St. Paul are engaged in
social communications with one
bookstore that provides books,
audio-visual materials, various
posters and pamphlets. The
Oblates of Notre Dame provide
social services and chaplaincy at
the Western Mindanao Medical
Center; they also work with the
PIME Fathers at the EUNTES
Center for Mission Formation
and Spirituality.
The Dominican Sisters, whose
provincial house, novitiate and
postulate are in the city, manage
their own formation houses
and are teaching at St. Joseph
School and at the Dominican
Kindergarten School. The SRA
Sisterslookafterwomen’swelfare,
out-of-school youth, medical and
health care, and facilitate retreats
and recollections. The Claretian
Missionary Sisters of Mary
Immaculate run a dormitory
for college women, a children’s
feeding and education program,
and help in the parish. The
Spinola Sisters are involved with
the youth, in campus ministry,
and run a feeding program
for the poor. The LGC Sisters
manage the Our Lady of the Pillar
Retreat House in Mercedes and
coordinates the archdiocesan
program for the Family and Life
Apostolate.
The Mercedarian Missionary
Sisters of Berriz are into
community building and
interreligious dialogue. The
Benedictine Sisters of the
Eucharistic King are into
campus ministry and with
the archdiocesan commissions
on Liturgy and the Bible.
The Franciscan Sisters of the
Immaculate Conception are with
the archdiocesan commission on
Social Action and on vocation
promotion. The Claretian Sisters
have a novitiate in Bunguiao
and are involved in pastoral
ministry. The contemplative
Carmelite Sisters provide for
the prayer-backbone of the
local church as they pray for
the people of the archdiocese
and beyond. The RVM Sisters
run Pilar College, the oldest
catholic school in Zamboanga
City that was founded in 1894
as Colegio del Pilar by the Beatas
dela Compañia de Jesus of
Intramuros, Manila. The Beatas
are now known as the Religious
of the Virgin Mary, the RVM
Sisters.
Archdiocesan Pastoral
Programs
The laity participates in the
mission of the church through the
various pastoral programs.
Basic Ecclesial Communities
- One priority program of
the archdiocese (and a
centerpiece of the archdiocesan
celebration) is the organization
and strengthening of Basic
Ecclesial Communities in the
parishes. Corollary to this is the
formation of lay leaders, BEC
animators, and facilitators who
put themselves at the service of
their communities.
Interreligious Dialogue -
Another priority program of the
archdiocese is the interreligious
dialogue with the Muslims and
Lumad. The Islamic faith is well
established among Muslims who
form a big slice of the population.
In the light of the present-
day ethnic conflicts, interfaith
dialogue is a prime mission of
the archdiocese. psalmists, readers, and prayer
Catechetical Apostolate - The
Catechetical Apostolate which
focuses on Catechesis in the public
schools is another priority of the
archdiocese. There is catechism
in English and Chavacano. There
are 920 part-time volunteer
catechists in the archdiocese
and two full-time coordinators.
Catechism is also done on the air
[Katekesis na Aire] through radio
station DXVP of the archdiocese,
and during the summer month of
May through the Flores de Mayo.
The archdiocese coordinates with
the ZAMBASULI [Zamboanga,
Basilan, Sulu, Ipil] region in
holding the Catechetical Summer
Institute.
Family and Life Apostolate -
The Family and Life Apostolate
is focused on the Natural
Family Planning approach to a
responsible, happy and catholic
family living. To this end,
the program trains facilitators
and updates them on various
approaches to family planning,
familiarity with current secular/
non-catholic movements on
population control, other
activities affecting the dignity
of family and life, the pre-Cana
and pre-Jordan conference, and
on the continuing Christian
formation of couples.
Biblical Apostolate - The
Biblical Apostolate works to
make the bible a living force in
the lives of Catholics. To this
end, the apostolate trains parish
animators and facilitators of
seminars on basic knowledge of
the bible, holds a bible quiz on
the air at the radio station of the
archdiocese, and joins various
biblical activities done on the
archdiocesan, inter-diocesan and
national levels. The commission develop their creativity through the spirit of sharing, loving and
is currently translating the Old various stage presentations of bonding. At the end, all look to
Testament to Chavacano. There is songs, dances, music, and drama. Jesus in the celebration of the Holy
already a Chavacano translation A special event, perhaps unique Eucharist. The youths actively
of the New Testament. to Zamboanga youths, is the participate in local, inter-diocesan
Liturgical Apostolate - The holding of a night vigil of love and national youth activities
apostolate seeks to assist the on February 14. Dubbed as “Un and trainings, particularly with
parishes in the promotion of full, Noche de Amor Con Cristo” [An the ZAMBASULI [Zamboanga,
conscious and active participation Evening of Love with Christ], Basilan Sulu, Ipil] region. They
of the faithful in the liturgy. To youths from the parishes of are a force to rely on in works
this end, the commission on the archdiocese gather for an for peaceful local and national
liturgy provides formation on overnight experience of prayer, elections and other occasional
basic liturgy, liturgical catechesis, sessions, songs, dances, music in activities.
the initial and continuing
formation of liturgical ministers
such as lectors, commentators,
musicians, eucharistic ministers,
leaders. It makes adaptations
of liturgical texts and liturgical
rites for use in the parishes of
the archdiocese. Zamboanga has
liturgies in Chavacano.
Social Action Apostolate -
The Social Action Apostolate
takes after the spirit of the
Second Plenary Council of the
Philippines as its guiding force
and is focused on providing
services to the Basic Ecclesial
Communities and individuals,
particularly the disadvantaged
and marginalized. The main
program components include
livelihood project that provides
micro-financing to small-scale
initiatives; justice, peace and
integrity of creation that is
currently concerned with
advocacy against mining by the
Linktone Mining Corporation in
the parish of Vitali; Alay kapwa,
for the relief and rehabilitation of
calamity victims which recently
provided relief assistance to
typhoon victims; sustainable
agriculture that promotes and
practices organic farming; and a
special concern on community-
based medical and educational
rehabilitation of children with
disabilities. In response to the
raging food crisis, the Apostolate
coordinates with the proper
government agency holding the
Bigasan Sa Parokya Program.
Youth Apostolate - The Youth
apostolate works to make the
youths a community of young
disciples of Christ who are
actively involved in their Basic
Ecclesial Communities. The youth
hold regular meetings in their
parishes, participate in seminars
on leadership and spirituality,
and in summer camps. They
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 23
November 10 - 23, 2008
Statements B5

An Exhortation to the Filipino A Call for Statesmanship for

a Stronger Democracy and
Catholic Youth for Vigilance of Citizens
(A Post World Youth Day ’08 Message)
Dear Everyone,
Under our Constitution, presidential elections are scheduled
to be held in May 2010 with the present administration under
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo stepping down from
power by June 30, 2010. We are concerned by moves that may
derail these events.
Mainly coming from the House of the Representatives, is
another move for charter change, this time for a shift to a federal
form of government, using as a reason the pursuit of peace in
Mindanao. There is also concern about the prospect of Martial
Law to abort the 2010 elections.
The peaceful transfer of power through regular and periodic
elections is the bedrock of a democracy. Charter change, if
necessary, and the pursuit of peace in Mindanao, which is of
the highest priority, should be a part of the continuing agenda
of the government, regardless of a change in administration.
So is social justice, which is the heart of our Constitution. And
we have a right to choose through clean elections those who
would lead us to these ends.

Charter Change
Charter change through a constituent assembly was
withdrawn in 2007 because the House sensed the citizens’
outrage at the attempt to railroad the proposal for a
parliamentary system. Moreover, many senators, whose two-
My Dear Young People, the Word of the Gospel so that it transforms helps us to be liberated from this negative thirds vote is logically necessary to convene a constituent
Let me begin by quoting from the Message our very existence and makes us radiate with force that could negate our new life in assembly, expressed opposition to interpret the Constitution
Pope Benedict XVI sent to the young people of consistency before everyone and at whatever Christ. This demands a sustained life and as requiring a joint rather than a separate vote.
the world as they prepared for the 23rd World cost. Hence, when you reach out to help a activity of prayer. After all, life in Christ is We have faith that if the issue reaches the Supreme Court, it
Youth Day in Sydney, Australia last 15-20 friend, when you say no to drugs and bad not always crowned with success! There are will rule correctly as it did on the “people’s initiative” and the
July 2008. Observing the variety of influences company, when you plants trees and clean up many obstacles along the way, not the least attempts to test the legal boundaries of executive power, despite
and challenges in the life and activity of the rivers, when you work for justice and peace, of which is our very self that can continue the recent decision on “executive privilege” We also believe
young today, the Pope remarked: or when you lobby before Congress so that to be deceived by the Evil One, and refuse that any attempt to derail the 2010 elections will be rejected
Many young people view their lives with laws that are passed will respect life—you to allow the Spirit to guide it and lead it to resoundingly by the people in a plebiscite. But not without the
apprehension and raise many questions are not doing it merely on your own. You the path of life and true freedom. cost of divisiveness and political turbulence, and the diversion
about their future. They anxiously ask: How do it with the help of the Spirit as witnesses At the end of his Message Pope Benedict of national attention from the things that matter most to our
can we fit into a world marked by so many of Jesus Christ, who himself is the truth prayed for “a new outpouring of the Holy people now—livelihood, food, education, health, social reform,
grave injustices and so much suffering? that sets us free—free from pride and false Spirit”— a new Pentecost. The days before us CARP extension, equal justice, clean elections—which can all
How should we react to the selfishness and assumptions, from selfishness and sin, from are in more ways than one a true experience be done without changing the Constitution.
violence that sometimes seem to prevail? darkness, despair and death. Jesus animates of the Holy Spirit’s power at work in each
How can we give full meaning to life? How and empowers us with his Spirit so that we and every one of us who welcome him into The Mindanao Situation
can we help to bring it about that the fruits will do and act according to his will. our lives, our relationships, our activities, We declare our commitment to a just and sustainable peace
of the Spirit—“love, joy, peace, patience, Through the Spirit we are also able to and into our world. We hope that, like the in Mindanao. We support the initiative to start over again with
kindness, generosity, community of disciples an inclusive transparent process of consultations that will bring
faithfulness, gentleness Anyone who would like to follow Jesus must on Pentecost Sunday,
we would also have
all stakeholders to the peace table.
and self-control”—can
fill this scarred and take the path of holiness. But holiness is not the courage to proclaim
The Catholic Bishops and other religious leaders in Mindanao
have already indicated their readiness to help facilitate this
fragile world, the world about doing pious acts; it is rather “being like the goodness of the process of consultation.
of young people most God.” True Christian worship leads to a personal Lord through lives of
of all? (Message, 7 - 20 witness in mission and
July 2007) encounter with the Lord, and therefore to an holiness.
Martial Law and Other Means to Keep Power
As for Martial Law, the Supreme Court will again be the
This comes to mind intimate union with him. We gaze upon the face Confronted with a final arbiter on the issue of the “sufficiency of the factual basis”
in the light of pressing of God made manifest in Jesus Christ and made multitude of challenges for its proclamation. And in the unlikely event that the Court
issues and concerns that and concerns, it is my
have a lot to do with the accessible to us through the Spirit, for our wish that the Filipino
sustains its declaration, the extension of Martial Law will be
decided by Congress, by a majority vote, voting jointly. This is a
lives of young people holiness does not come from ourselves. Catholic youth would source of grave concern because we see no valid basis for it and
in our country today – take time to reflect on there are many who will resist any return to authoritarianism.
issues and concerns like the present economic understand the mystery of the Cross—an the insights and blessings that the 23rd World The situation can lead to turmoil, instability and even violence.
crisis that’s affecting the whole world, our important part of our witness—which Youth Day offers them, and translate them And those who will suffer the most will be the poor.
environment being threatened by climate otherwise would be folly to human logic. into concrete action as a way of response to We believe that no public official will choose to go against
change, massive graft and corruption in our According to God’s logic, we live by dying, these challenges and concerns in our society. I the overwhelming sentiment of our people for democracy
government, and efforts at legislation like rule by serving, become free and happy to the especially encourage them to continue to share and against any form of authoritarianism. A Marcos, when
the reproductive health bill. And there are degree that we are able to give ourselves to their insights and experiences to others, inviting confronted with the issue of taking lives to stay in power, did
situations obtaining in our country today others without counting the cost or expecting them to open themselves to the inspiring not send troops to EDSA to stop the people power revolt. A
that deeply affect the youth. anything in return. This is the path that the presence of the Holy Spirit, so that they may Ramos backed down from removing the term limits of the
They are among those who are being Lord took in saving the world. This is the also be his witnesses. SEE. JUDGE. ACT. There’s Constitution rather than face a nationwide protest. An Estrada
displaced from their homes because of the same path that his followers must take to a mission to fulfill, a task of evangelization to chose to leave Malacañang than risk a clash between forces,
war in the South. They are among those continue the mission that he entrusted to do, a duty of personal conversion and social armed and civilian, for and against him. And an Arroyo can
who are being harassed and killed in the them through the Church. transformation to undertake in the name of step down gracefully in 2010.
rural areas on account of agrarian disputes Furthermore, it is just as true that our the Spirit of Jesus Christ. There is after all a statesman in every politician, and it is up to
and political conflicts. They are usually participation in this missionary task must be Each and every one of us has a particular us to evoke and affirm it in them in its noblest manifestation.
the victims of human trafficking, arbitrary born out of a humble yet free decision on our context in life. A good number are students,
arrests, domestic rape and drug abuse, to part. Among created beings the human person while others are young professionals, priests, APPEAL
name but a few. is the only one capable of a conscious and free and religious. Among us are young soon-to- May we appeal to our leaders to give democracy a chance
Now these are issues and concerns that response to the Creator’s offer of relationship. be parents and teachers who have the power to work better by holding credible presidential elections in
have a lot to do with the future of the youth For this to happen, God gave man the gift of the to shape and mold young minds. There is a 2010. And we call on those who believe that we can make
of today, I am sure you will agree with me. Spirit. He constitutes the very nature of man’s great variety of gifts that the Spirit can make this happen to be vigilant and to make our sentiments known
These are realities that will shape the world response to God! This gift of the Spirit precisely use of through us to change this world of clearly and loudly to those who are in power or who would
that will soon be entrusted to you, dear young makes the human person “capax Dei”—capable ours that is very much in need of healing want their turn at it so that they will all rise to the challenge
people—sooner than you may think. I have of relating to God. “Man was made to see God,” and of his loving presence. of statesmanship.
been hearing groups of young people asking said St. Thomas Aquinas. Especially today our country is also calling
questions, wondering what they must do, But we must hasten to add that we can on us to do our part in shaping our future NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
seeking a way to respond to these challenges. refuse this offer. We are free to say YES or through honesty in our dealings with others Bishops-Businessmen’s Conference on Human Development
Indeed, it is time to ask: what do we do now, NO to God. This capacity for God is not an in any form of human relationships. We are October 4, 2008
what is expected of us? exigency of human nature, as if we were asked to care for the earth, respect life, and
It has been a little over three months since obligated by our being human to relate to uphold the dignity of the little ones. We are
the 23rd World Youth Day. In Sydney together God. Rather it is based on a free response asked to be hardworking students, law-
with the paternal guidance and pastoral on the part of human person, just as God’s abiding citizens and, when the opportunity
wisdom of the Holy Father, Pope Benedict self-giving through his Word in the Spirit, lends itself, be sincere public servants who Nuestra / B3
XVI, they reflected on are not corrupted by dawn procession, celebrated the Eucharist. The novena Masses were
the theme, “You will In our personal or communal journey through life, fear or favor. There celebrated at 5:00 o’clock in the afternoon. On her feast day on October
receive power when the are times when we are 12, thousands of devotees—Christians, Muslims and Lumad—flocked
Holy Spirit has come we encounter hearts that are broken, bodies that asked to speak out in to the shrine. Six Masses were celebrated from sunrise to sundown,
upon you… and you will are hurting, hopes that are dashed, lives that protest at the systemic each Mass having a huge crowd participating. The interminable queue
seeking to pray at and touch the image of Nuestra Señora La Virgen
be my witnesses” (Acts are lost – in sin, a life of violence, drug abuse, evils that we see in our
del Pilar that endured through the night had to be put on hold for
1:8). Taking off from that institutions as well as
grace-filled experience, hopelessness and despair. Hence in and through the corrupt practices of the celebration of the Eucharist.
we can say that, indeed, our participation in our parishes, in our youth our leaders. At all times The Pontifical fiesta Mass was celebrated at five o’clock in the afternoon,
again, with a huge crowd in attendance. Preceding the Pontifical Mass was
we are being called to an groups, in our schools, in the workplace, in our we are asked to let God a grand procession from the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception to
important task on behalf use us to bring about
of the Church. We know homes, wherever we find ourselves, we will have change in our country
the Shrine of Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar with Archbishop Valles
leading the faithful. The city officials joined the procession. Archbishop
that our presence in this to bring the graces of WYD ‘08 to these lives. and in this world that He
Valles presided at the celebration of the Pontifical Mass with the clergy of
world at this particular created and continues to Zamboanga concelebrating with him. After the Mass, colorful fireworks
point in time is not a mere coincidence. is a free initiative of God. care for and transform. burst up in the skies to the delight of the people.
We are all here for a purpose, and that is Hence, if we want to say YES to God, we In our personal or communal journey
to participate in the mission of the Church, need to journey in holiness. through life, we encounter hearts that are Deeply religious people
that is, to give witness to the Gospel of Jesus Pope Benedict in his Message to the broken, bodies that are hurting, hopes that Zamboangueños are deeply religious and deeply Marian. The city
Christ and transform the world and ready it youth stressed that holiness and mission are dashed, lives that are lost – in sin, a officials were in attendance at the Pontifical fiesta Mass and honored
for the full flowering of God’s reign. are inseparable. life of violence, drug abuse, hopelessness Our Lady, La Virgen del Pilar, with a floral offering after the Mass. The
One of the first effects of the presence of Anyone who would like to follow Jesus and despair. Hence in and through our city mayor led the public in a prayer of consecration of the city to Our
the Holy Spirit in the life of Christians is that must take the path of holiness. But holiness is participation in our parishes, in our youth Lady. The city government and some private organizations organized
it enables us to adhere to the person of Jesus not about doing pious acts; it is rather “being groups, in our schools, in the workplace, in our Zamboanga Hermosa Festival 2008 with celebratory events that lasted
Christ with all our being, accepting him as like God”. True Christian worship leads to homes, wherever we find ourselves, we will for three weeks starting on October 1, climaxed on October 12, and
our Lord and Master. Once animated by a personal encounter with the Lord, and have to bring the graces of WYD ‘08 to these ended on October 19. Some fabulous attractions were, the Regatta,
the Spirit, we change our attitude towards therefore to an intimate union with him. We lives. We will bring to them the Good News a boat race held on Basilan Strait where vintas with brightly colored
the world and reality, acquire the values of gaze upon the face of God made manifest in of God’s love by living simple and upright batik sails competed; a three-kilometer public sardines-eating party
Christ, and view and interpret everything Jesus Christ and made accessible to us through lives, by reaching out, by being of service along the paved shore of Cawa-Cawa Boulevard; painting exhibits by
through the eyes of his Spirit. the Spirit, for our holiness does not come to others, by communal action on behalf of a Muslim artist; Chavacano song festival, street dancing, floral floats
The same Spirit opens our eyes to the from ourselves. Human beings do not possess justice and truth, by being witnesses and signs parade; various sports; and a search for Miss Zamboanga 2008.
mysteries of God so that we can see life’s holiness in their substance, as does God. We of hope – always seeking the inspiration of One thing admirable about Fiesta Pilar is the fact that the religious
the same Spirit of Jesus, the greatest gift to celebration remained on focus amidst the merrymaking that is typical
events and history in his light. acquire this, as it were, by our participation
of Filipino fiestas. The religious factor of the celebration did not lose
Jesus had told his disciples at the Last in the Holy Spirit, through a life of prayer and humankind from the Father.
flavor and importance; it beautifully remained the priority feature. A
Supper, “when the Paraclete comes, whom I sanctification. This enables us to acquire the With the help of our Blessed Mother, we will city government official reminded the constituents of this hierarchy
shall send to you from the Father, he will be “mind of Christ” and follow in his ways. respond generously to God’s urgent call. of values as he called on them to participate in the Eucharist and
my witness. And you too will be witnesses, Although we already have been redeemed other religious celebrations.
because you have been with me from the by the Spirit, sadly there remains inherent + Joel Z. Baylon, DD Fiesta Pilar is truly a people’s fiesta, not just the catholic people’s
beginning” (Jn 15:26-27). in us the tendency to return to our former Bishop of Masbate feast, but one where all the people of Zamboanga celebrate and
To give witness to Christ in the name of state of being—decadent, unredeemed, at Chair - CBCP Episcopal Commission on Youth honor The Lady of the Pillar, someone whom they commonly hold
the Spirit means to become involved with the mercy of our selfishness. The Holy Spirit 28 October 2008, Feast of Sts. Simon & Jude dear. Fiesta Pilar is interfaith dialogue at its best!
 CBCP Monitor
B6 Reflections Vol. 12 No. 23
November 10 - 23, 2008

The story goes on

Solemnity of Christ the King (Mt. 25:31-46; November 23, 2008)
By Fr. Paul J. Marquez, SSP
ARE you fond of following telenovelas?
When komiks was still in vogue, did you
track down a particular komiks character?
Maybe you did hardly notice that for almost
a year now, we have been following the
greatest story ever told. It is not fiction but
a true-to-life story. This is the story of Jesus
Christ proclaimed in the Mass each day
and explained by the priest especially on
Sunday.
On this particular Sunday, we shall witness
the conclusion of the Jesus story. We will not
be disappointed because it has a wonderful
ending. Jesus will be enthroned. Angels will
surround him. All peoples will assemble in
front of him. If we bring in fireworks and
firecrackers, then everything will truly be a
grand spectacle!
Indeed the story climaxes into a blaze of
glory but there is one detail in this story that
can also be very disturbing. After all, the
Jesus story is not a teleserye or an illustrated
comic story that one could shelve and forget
once we finish reading it. God brings us into
the Jesus story. Yes, you and I will stand in
front of God in the fullness of time. We will
Illustration by Bladimer Usi be with all other peoples of the world and
God will sort us out. We go either to his right
like sheep, or to his left like goats.
Fr. Roy Cimagala
Seminarian / B2
If we take a closer look, we shall discover
that the Jesus story is not over yet. Jesus has
shown that indeed love can prevail over
hatred. Jesus succeeds to demonstrate the
triumph of forgiveness even when enemies
are harming us, even to the point of death.
Indeed, Jesus has won because he defeated
death itself when he rose from its throes on
the third day.
However, Jesus is strongly admonishing
us to love the people he himself loves.
If we want to belong to the kingdom of
Christ, let us work for the welfare of those
whom Jesus loves. These are those whom
we consider as weak, the sick, the hungry,
the thirsty, the strangers, the naked and
the prisoners.
It is good to remember that while God’s
kingdom finds its fulfillment in the next
life, Jesus has already sowed the seeds of
the kingdom when he brought love to this
world. Jesus trusts that we will do our part by
sowing acts of loving kindness towards our
neighbors according to his own example. He
is hoping that we will pursue the wonderful
teleserye of life that he inaugurated on earth.
May this story reach towards a happy ending
in heaven. Whether or not the Jesus story will
have a wonderful ending now rests in our
hands. In the meantime, let the Jesus story
be told in our life …

to celibacy. In this way, their in-

Glimmer in somber November

the candidate consciously aspires,
and the life he actually leads. terventions may take into account
Formation must also deal with the the mystery of man in his personal
difficulties inherent in the gradual dialogue with God, according to
development of the moral virtues. the vision of the Church.
The help of the spiritual director Wherever such experts are not
and confessor is fundamental available, let steps be taken to
DESPITE the gloomy sound and feel of Yes, we are meant to be rich in God’s grace. we have borne the image of the earthly, let and absolutely necessary for specifically preparing them.
November, what with its widespread That is the true measure of our dignity. It’s us bear also the image of the heavenly.” overcoming these difficulties The assistance offered by the
commemoration of the dead, there are many not in our possessions. It’s not even in our (1 Cor 15, 49) More, even if we get deep with the grace of God. In some psychological sciences must be
bright and sunshiny reasons to be happy in accomplishments, though these have their in human matters, we ought to keep our cases, however, the development integrated within the context of
this penultimate month of the year. value. It’s in how deeply our heart gets conversation in heaven. St. Paul said so in of these moral qualities can be the candidate’s entire formation.
November invites us, even challenges identified with God’s will. It’s whether we Philippians 3:20. blocked by certain psychological It must not obstruct, but rather
us, to think big, to leave behind our are truly in love, not entangled with love’s We have to convince ourselves that this wounds of the past that have not ensure, in a particular way, that
small-town outlook, our earth-and-time- caricatures. blending and linking between the material yet been resolved. the irreplaceable value of spiritual
bound mentality to consider the ultimate November challenges us to expand our and the spiritual, the temporal and the In fact, those who today ask accompaniment is guaranteed;
dimensions of our life. perspectives so that we can keep an abiding eternal, the natural and the supernatural admittance to the seminary re- for spiritual accompaniment has
We are meant for heaven, for supernatural sense of eternity and supernatural life, are not only possible and feasible. It is also flect, in a more or less accentuated the duty of keeping the candidate
and eternal life, for communion with our even while here on earth and immersed in what is proper to us. way, the unease of an emerging facing the truth of the ordained
Father-Creator and among ourselves, etc. We its affairs. We have to learn go beyond the In fact, the need for integration does not mentality characterized by con- ministry, according to the vision
are meant for things that can never be found sensible and the sentimental. stop in those areas alone. It extends to our sumerism, instability in family of the Church. The atmosphere
in our life here on earth, no matter how rich November invites us to derive practical need to combine our individual and social and social relationships, moral of faith, prayer, meditation on
and successful we may dimensions. We don’t relativism, erroneous visions of the Word of God, the study of
be in our endeavors. November invites us to derive practical live for ourselves alone. sexuality, the precariousness of theology and community life—an
atmosphere that is essential so
We honor these very lessons from the frequent considerations We are meant to live for
and with others.
choices, and a systematic nega-
tion of values especially by the that a generous response to the
sublime truths with
the celebration of the of the Last Things: death, judgment, hell, Our social character media. vocation received from God can
Solemnity of All Saints heaven. We should lose the fear of making is not an optional thing. Among the candidates can
be found some who come from
mature—will allow the candidate
to have a correct understanding
on November 1 and It is an essential part
the Solemnity of Christ these considerations. They actually complete of our being. There is particular experiences – human, of what the recourse to psychol-
the King on November our vision and understanding of things, and no human perfection family, professional, intellectual ogy means within his vocational
23. We are meant to help us to distinguish what is essential in life. unless it is considered in or affective – which, in various journey, and will allow him to
form one family, one the context of our social ways, have left psychological integrate it within that same
kingdom among ourselves with God. lessons from the frequent considerations nature. We are not only individual persons. wounds that are not yet healed journey.
Remember that parable of the rich man of the Last Things: death, judgment, hell, We are meant to form one organic family. and that cause disturbances. 7. In faithfulness and coherence
with a good harvest? “What shall I do?” he heaven. We should lose the fear of making The ways to do all these combining These wounds, unknown to the to the principles and directives of
asked himself. “I have no place to store my these considerations. They actually complete processes are all available. We have the candidate in their real effects, are this document, different countries
harvest. I know!” he said. “I will pull down our vision and understanding of things, capacity, we have the ways. Besides, in the often erroneously attributed by will have to regulate the recourse
my grain bins and build larger ones…Then and help us to distinguish what is essential first place, there is also the grace of God that him to causes outside himself, to experts in the psychological sci-
I will say to myself: You have blessings in in life. insures the effectiveness of our efforts. thus depriving him of the possi- ences in their respective Rationes
reserve for years to come. Relax! Eat heartily, We have to be wary of our tendency to get We need to pay more attention to this bility of facing them adequately. institutionis sacerdotalis. The
drink well. Enjoy yourself. trapped in a purely earthly outlook. This is need. We need to break the barriers of time It is clear that the above-men- competent Ordinaries or major
“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This the big problem we have. While there’s a and space, and the other limitations of our tioned issues can limit the can- superiors will have to do the same
very night your life shall be required of need to get fully immersed in our worldly human earthly condition, so we can enter didate’s capacity for making in the individual seminaries.
you. To whom will all this piled-up wealth affairs, material and temporal, this should into the real world meant for us. progress on the path of formation a) Initial Discernment
of yours go?” That is the way it works with not be at the expense of the spiritual and This is the challenge we have in towards the priesthood. 8. Right from the moment
the man who grows rich for himself instead supernatural dimension of our life. November. Don’t you think it should be “Si casus ferat”—that is, in when the candidate presents
of growing rich in the sight of God.” (Lk We have to learn to combine both an exciting month rather than a somber, exceptional cases that present himself for admission to the
12,15-21) dimensions, just as St. Paul said: “Just as gloomy one? particular difficulties—recourse seminary, the formator needs to
to experts in the psychological be able accurately to comprehend
sciences, both before admission to his personality; potentialities;
the seminary and during the path dispositions; and the types of any
Commentary / B4
of formation, can help the candi- psychological wounds, evaluat-
There is no conscientious matters of conscience are dealt important, especially given the reduce reproduction amongst the date overcome those psychologi- ing their nature and intensity.
objection permitted for any of with in this Bill would be more at widely differing perspectives poor and marginalized. If this can cal wounds, and interiorize, in an Nor must it be forgotten that
the other categories. Hence, home in a totalitarian state. that exist about such matters. in fact be shown to be correct, ever more stable and profound there is a possible tendency of
no conscientious objection is To then mandate the provision depending upon the examination way, the type of life shown by some candidates to minimize
permitted for failure to provide 7. The Bills makes a of such information and advice of other relevant legislation and Jesus the Good Shepherd, Head or deny their own weaknesses.
reproductive health care services r e c o mm e n d a t i o n f or t w o and prohibit marriage without practice, then it would constitute and Bridegroom of the Church. Such candidates do not speak to
as mandated under the Act. children per family. The it, is an entirely unacceptable a eugenic intent. To arrive at a correct evaluation the formators about some of their
Furthermore, no conscientious basis for making such a invasion and intrusion upon of the candidate’s personality, the serious difficulties, as they fear
objection is permitted for refusal recommendation is population people’s personal lives on the Conclusion expert can have recourse to both they will not be understood or ac-
to perform tubal ligation or reduction, but in doing so the part of the state which smacks The promotion of health is interviews and tests. These must cepted. Thus, they nurture barely
vasectomy on the grounds of lack Bill begins to encroach upon of totalitarianism. a good thing. However, the always be carried out with the realistic expectations with respect
of spousal consent. Moreover, the constitutional statement that means which such a goal is previous, explicit, informed and to their own future. On the other
no conscientious objection is “The State shall defend the right 9. The Bill forces employers to achieved are all important, and free consent of the candidate. hand, there are candidates who
permitted for failure to provide of spouses to found a family in provide reproductive health care are in part dependent upon the In consideration of their par- tend to emphasize their own
information on “programs and accordance with their religious services, supplies and devices process of policy implementation ticularly sensitive nature, the use difficulties, considering them
services on reproductive health convictions and the demands to all workers, whether there that would follow if the Bill of specialist psychological or psy- insurmountable obstacles on their
including the right to informed of responsible parenthood.” exists a collective bargaining were to pass. Unfortunately, chotherapeutic techniques must vocational journey.
choice and access to a full range of Whilst the Bill does not seek to agreement or not. It may also the Bill explicitly and implicitly be avoided by the formators. The timely discernment of
legal, medically-safe and effective enforce a two-child policy, the be the case that in structuring a promotes reproductive health 6. It is useful for the rector and possible problems that block the
family planning methods.” Even recommendation of a preferred collective bargaining agreement, in a potentially damaging other formators to be able to count vocational journey can only be
in the limited circumstances number will provide license employers could exert pressure way for individuals and the on the co-operation of experts in of great benefit for the person,
where conscientious objector to agencies to apply pressure to adhere to a two-child policy community. the psychological sciences. Such for the vocational institutions
could be prosecuted for not when and where they see fit. because that would work to the By far the majority of its experts, who cannot be part of the and for the Church. Such prob-
immediately referring the person It may also set the stage for a employers’ advantage, as they content is unnecessary as law, formation team, will have to have lems include excessive affective
to another health care provider later stronger application of would be able to retain female and some of it may conflict specific competence in the field of dependency; disproportionate
in the same facility or nearby, the recommendation through workers longer and without with the constitution and other vocations, and unite the wisdom aggression; insufficient capacity
thereby effectively denying legislative amendments. the various concessions that legislation. It also undermines of the Spirit to their professional for being faithful to obligations
the conscientious objection employers would typically freedom of conscience, expertise. taken on; insufficient capacity
permitted. 8.TheBillmakesitarequirement make for female employees with emphasizes the role of the State In choosing which experts to for establishing serene relations
These measures that some that couples who wish to marry regard to pregnancy, childbirth over that of parents with regard approach for the psychological of openness, trust and fraternal
health care professionals could have to obtain Certificate of and child-rearing. to their children’s education, consultation, it is necessary to collaboration, as well as collabo-
be forced to act contrary to Compliance to prove that promotes an overbearing heavy guarantee, as much as possible, ration with authority; a sexuality
their consciences, either by they have received “adequate 10. On several occasions, handedness with regard to an intervention that is coherent identity that is confused or not yet
direct participation in acts they instructions and information the Bill makes it explicit that disagreement, and potentially with the candidate’s moral and well defined.
deem immoral, or by indirect on family planning, responsible reproductive health care services restricts freedom of speech. spiritual formation. This is to In the phase of initial discern-
participation in referral on to parenthood, breastfeeding will be targeted towards “the avoid any harmful confusion or ment, the help of experts in the
those who will carry out the acts. and infant nutrition.” Whilst poor, needy and marginalized”. (This position paper is prepared opposition. Therefore, it must be psychological sciences can be nec-
Such a restriction of the freedom the obtaining of advice and It is not clear that other health by the Southern Cross Bioethics borne in mind that these experts, essary principally on the specifi-
of conscience is contradictory to information about breastfeeding care services are targeted to Institute (SCBI) on behalf of the as well as being distinguished for cally diagnostic level, whenever
internationally agreed human and infant nutrition can only be these groups in this way. In Society for the Protection of Unborn their sound human and spiritual there is a suspicion that psychic
rights, contrary to agreed ethical a good thing, when it comes to fact, it is unlikely that these Children (SPUC), United Kingdom maturity, must be inspired by an disturbances may be present. If
principles and contrary to any advice and information about groups receive the special kind of Great Britain, August 2008. anthropology that openly shares it should be ascertained that the
decent and fair treatment of family planning and responsible of attention that they do in this Reprinted with permission of the the Christian vision about the candidate needs therapy, this
health care professionals in a parenthood, the nature of that Bill. It therefore appears as if this Bishops-Legislators Caucus of the human person, sexuality, as well therapy should be carried out
democratic society. The way that advice and information is all Bill is attempting to specifically Philippines) as vocation to the priesthood and Seminarians / B7
 CBCP Monitor
Social Concerns
Vol. 12 No. 23
November 10 - 23, 2008
B7
Mining in Surigao, is it for the common good?
By Melo M. Acuña
DURING a consultation on the Environmental Impact Assessment
held last September 30 at the Cantilan Gym, Surigao del Sur, third-
termer Governor Vicente T. Pimentel, Jr. was quoted saying “The
Catholic church wants the people to be poor so that people con-
stantly supplicate to them. We should not allow them to dictate to
us. How will the anti-mining advocates solve unemployment?”
Governor Pimentel, just like other government officials, believes
“everybody will have jobs because of mining.” However, con-
ventional wisdom proves otherwise because highly technical jobs
are left for highly-educated persons who, more often than not, are
from Manila and other cities while local residents are taken in as
ordinary workers.
According to the Philippine Statistical Yearbook 2008 Mining and
Quarrying was No. 11 in Gross Domestic Product by Origin in 2007
with P23,678,000 way below Manufacturing (P317,197,000), Agri-
culture (P251,272,000) Trade, Transport, Communication Storage,
Private Services, Finance, Ownership, Construction, Government
Services, Electricity, Gas and Water despite its growth of 25.9% from
P 18,813,000 in 2006 in million pesos at 1985 prices.
The Association of Barangay Captains of Cantilan passed a
resolution denouncing Tandag Bishop Nereo Odchimar for alleg-
edly misinforming government officials including President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo and Environment Secretary Joselito Atienza for
his personal “anti-mining advocacies.”
Bishop Odchimar said it is understandable because some barangay
captains received P90,000 cash benefits and other “development as-
sistance” including the P20-M rehabilitation works in a number of
barangay roads and bridges from Mark Ventures Mining because
their Environmental Clearance Certificate has remained pending.
Governor Pimentel’s pro-mining passion is understandable be-
cause his brother, businessman Clarence T. Pimentel owns one of
the biggest mining concessions which are in operation and have
been hauling nickel ores to foreign countries.
Cantilan Mayor Tomasa Guardo said large-scale mining com-
panies employ very few local residents because most activities are
done by earthmovers, trucks and other heavy equipment.
Local environmentalists led by Emma V. Hotchkiss and business-
man Vicente Irriberi attest to the destruction of their watershed,
forests and farms where thousands of farmers rely for their liveli-
hood.
Cantilan is Surigao del Sur’s rice granary. Today, the rice pro-
duction may be affected by the destruction of their watershed.
Marc Ventures Mining and Development Corporation, owned by
businessman Mario Vijungco, has an approved Mineral Production
Sharing Agreement to mine nickel deposits in Cantilan town with an
area of 4,786 hectares and hopes to get their needed Environmental
Compliance Certificate.
Over in Surigao City, Bishop Antonieto D. Cabajog said his
predecessor, Bishop Miguel C. Cinches, SVD was at the forefront
of anti-mining campaign because of its harmful effects to people
and nature.
“When a tailings pond in Placerdome collapsed years ago, chemi-
cals spilled to rice fields and the sea, the clergy and local residents
had a picket that lasted for a month,” Bishop Cabajog said in an
interview with CBCPNews at his residence.
“We may just wake up one morning when all the mountains are gone
after being transported to Japan,” said Cabajog albeit jokingly.
He recalled a short dialogue he had with a farmer who once
told him: “Why do we bring our rich soil to miners who ship them
abroad? Why can’t we plant them with vegetables instead? We can
still earn without destroying the environment? We have food and
we earn at the same time.”
What God has given us should be preserved. “We have to take
care of it and when He said subdue the earth and master it, which
simply means to say we have to be responsible for what God gave
us in creation as we ought to be responsible in using creation.”
The prelate stressed we should be responsible in harnessing
God’s creation. He is convinced of the saying “God forgives. Man
sometimes but Nature, never.”
God expects us to take care of the environment for the succeeding
generations. “We have to ensure there’s something good left for
future generations,” he said.
Bishop Cabajog said it is never too late to stop irresponsible min-
ing because there will always be alternatives.
As far as Governor Pimentel and his associates and partners in the
mining industry are concerned, they ought to realize the principle
of the common good according to the Compendium of the Social
Doctrines of the Church (No. 164) according to the Second Vatican
Council’s which says: “The principle of the common good, to which
every aspect of social life must be related if it is to attain its fullest
meaning, stems from the dignity, unity and equality of all people.”
According to its primary and broadly accepted sense, the common
good indicates “the sum total of social conditions which allow people
either as groups or as individuals, to reach their fulfillment more
fully and more easily.
The questions remain: Why are we bent on promoting mining?
Who stands to benefit from the country’s natural resources? Is it
really for the common good?

Seminarian / B6
before he is admitted to the semi-
nary or house of formation.
The assistance of experts can
be useful for formators, includ-
ing when they are marking out a
path of formation tailored to the
candidate’s specific needs.
When evaluating whether it
is possible for the candidate to
live the charism of celibacy in
faithfulness and joy, as a total gift
of his life in the image of Christ
the Head and Shepherd of the
Church, let it be remembered that
it is not enough to be sure that
he is capable of abstaining from
genital activity. It is also necessary
to evaluate his sexual orientation,
according to the indications pub-
lished by this Congregation.[25]
Chastity for the Kingdom, in fact,
is much more than the simple lack
of sexual relationships.
In light of the objectives in-
dicated above, a psychological
consultation can, in some cases,
be useful.
b) Subsequent Formation
9. During the period of for-
mation, recourse to experts in
the psychological sciences can
respond to the needs born of any
crises; but it can also be useful
in supporting the candidate on
his journey towards a more sure
possession of the moral virtues. It
can furnish the candidate with a
deeper knowledge of his person-
ality, and can contribute to over-
coming, or rendering less rigid,
his psychic resistances to what his
formation is proposing.
The candidates can give them-
selves to God with due awareness
and freedom, in responsibil-
ity towards themselves and the
Church, when they have better
mastered not only their weak-
nesses, but also their human and
spiritual forces.
A certain Christian and voca-
tional maturity can be reached,
including with the help of psy-
chology, illumined and com-
pleted by the contribution of the
anthropology of the Christian
vocation and, therefore, of grace.
Nevertheless, one cannot over-
look the fact that such maturity
will never be completely free of
difficulties and tensions, which
require interior discipline, a spirit
of sacrifice, acceptance of struggle
and of the Cross, and the entrust-
ing of oneself to the irreplaceable
assistance of grace.
10. It is possible that the candi-
date—notwithstanding his own
commitment and the support of
the psychologist, or psychother-
apy—could continue to show
himself unable to face realistically
his areas of grave immaturity—
even given the gradual nature of
all human growth. Such areas of
immaturity would include strong
affective dependencies; notable
lack of freedom in relations;
excessive rigidity of character;
lack of loyalty; uncertain sexual
identity; deep-seated homosexual
tendencies; etc. If this should be
the case, the path of formation
will have to be interrupted.
The same is also true if it be-
comes evident that the candidate
has difficulty living chastity in
celibacy: that is, if celibacy, for
him, is lived as a burden so heavy
that it compromises his affective
and relational equilibrium.
IV. Request for Specialist Evalu-
ations and Respect for the Can-
didate’s Privacy
11. It belongs to the Church
to choose persons whom she
believes suitable for the pastoral
ministry, and it is her right and
duty to verify the presence of
the qualities required in those
whom she admits to the sacred
ministry.
Canon 1051, 1º of the Code of
Canon Law foresees that, for the
scrutiny of the qualities required
in view of ordination, one should
provide, inter al., for an evalua-
tion of the state of the candidate’s
physical and psychic health.
Canon 1052 establishes that
the bishop, in order to be able to
proceed to ordaining the candi-
date, must have moral certainty
that “positive arguments have
proved” his suitability (§ 1) and
that, in the case of motivated
doubt, he must not proceed with
the ordination (§ 3).
Hence, the Church has the right
to verify the suitability of future
priests, including by means of
recourse to medical and psycho-
logical science. In fact, it belongs
to the bishop or competent su-
perior not only to examine the
suitability of the candidate, but
also to establish that he is suitable.
A candidate for the priesthood
cannot impose his own per-
sonal conditions, but must accept
with humility and gratitude the
norms and the conditions that the
Church herself places, on the part
of her responsibility. Therefore,
in cases of doubt concerning the
candidate’s suitability, admis-
sion to the seminary or house of
formation will sometimes only
be possible after a psychologi-
cal evaluation of the candidate’s
personality.
12. The formational institution
has the right and the duty to ac-
quire the knowledge necessary for
a prudentially certain judgment
regarding the candidate’s suitabil-
ity. But this must not harm the can-
didate’s right to a good reputation,
which any person enjoys, nor the
right to defend his own privacy,
as prescribed in canon 220 of the
Code of Canon Law. This means
that the candidate’s psychologi-
cal consultation can only proceed
with his previous, explicit, in-
formed and free consent.
Let the formators guarantee
an atmosphere of trust, so that
the candidate can open up and
participate with conviction in
the work of discernment and
accompaniment, offering “his
own convinced and heartfelt
co-operation”. The candidate is
asked to be sincerely and trust-
ingly open with his formators.
Only by sincerely allowing them
to know him can he be helped
on that spiritual journey that he
himself is seeking by entering the
seminary.
Important, and often determi-
nant in overcoming possible mis-
understandings, will be both the
educational atmosphere between
students and formators—marked
by openness and transparency—
and the motivations and ways
with which the formators will
present their suggestion to the
candidate that he should have a
psychological consultation.
Let them avoid the impression
that such a suggestion is the pre-
lude to the candidate’s inevitable
dismissal from the seminary or
house of formation.
The candidate will be able
freely to approach an expert who
is either chosen from among those
indicated by the formators, or
chosen by the candidate himself
and accepted by the formators.
According to the possibilities,
the candidates should be guar-
anteed a free choice from among
various experts who possess the
requisites indicated.
If the candidate, faced with a
motivated request by the forma-
tors, should refuse to undergo a
psychological consultation, the
formators will not force his will
in any way. Instead, they will
prudently proceed in the work of
discernment with the knowledge
they already have, bearing in
mind the aforementioned canon
1052 § 1.
V. The Relationship between
those Responsible for Formation
and the Expert
a) Those Responsible in the
External Forum
13. In a spirit of reciprocal trust
and in co-operation with his own
formation, the candidate can be
invited freely to give his written
consent so that the expert in the
psychological sciences, who is
bound by confidentiality, can
communicate the results of the
consultation to the formators in-
dicated by the candidate himself.
The formators will make use of
any information thus acquired to
sketch out a general picture of the
candidate’s personality, and to
infer the appropriate indications
for the candidate’s further path of
formation or for his admission to
ordination.
In order to protect, in both
the present and the future, the
candidate’s privacy and good
reputation, let particular care be
taken so that the professional
opinions expressed by the expert
be exclusively accessible to those
responsible for formation, with
the precise and binding proscrip-
tion against using it in any way
other than for the discernment of
a vocation and for the candidate’s
formation.
b) Specific Character of Spiri-
tual Direction
14. The spiritual director’s task
is not easy, neither in discerning
the vocation nor in the area of
conscience.
It is a firm principle that spiri-
tual direction cannot, in any
way, be interchanged with or
substituted by forms of analysis
or of psychological assistance.
Moreover, the spiritual life, by it-
self, favors a growth in the human
virtues, if there are no barriers of
a psychological nature. Bearing
these two principles in mind, the
spiritual director can find that, in
order to clear up any doubts that
are otherwise irresolvable and to
proceed with greater certainty
in the discernment and in spiri-
tual accompaniment, he needs to
suggest to the candidate that he
undergo a psychological consul-
tation – without, however, ever
demanding it.
Should the spiritual director re-
quest that the candidate undergo
a psychological consultation, it is
desirable that the candidate, as
well as informing the spiritual
director himself about the results
of the consultation, will likewise
inform the external-forum for-
mator, especially if the spiritual
director himself will have invited
him to do this.
If the spiritual director should
believe it useful that he himself
directly acquire information from
the consultant, let him proceed
according to what has been in-
dicated in n. 13 for the external-
forum formators.
The spiritual director will infer
from the results of the psychologi-
cal consultation the appropriate
indications for the discernment
that is of his competence, as
well as the advice he must give
the candidate, including as to
whether to proceed on the path
of formation.
c) Help of the Expert to the
Candidate and Formators
15. The expert—insofar as it is
asked of him—will help the can-
didate reach a greater knowledge
of himself, of his potentialities and
vulnerabilities. He will also help
him to compare the declared ide-
als of the vocation with his own
personality, thus encouraging the
candidate to develop a personal,
free and conscious attachment to
his own formation. It will be the
task of the expert to furnish the
candidate with the appropriate
indications concerning the dif-
ficulties that he is experiencing,
and their possible consequences
for his life and future priestly
ministry.
The expert, having carried out
his evaluation, and also taking
into account the indications of-
fered him by the formators, will
lecting the due information from
their respective bishops or major
superiors, especially concerning
the causes of the dismissal or
departure.
The previous formators have
the explicit duty of furnishing
exact information to the new
formators.
Let particular attention be paid
to the fact that often candidates
leave the educational institution
spontaneously so as to avoid an
enforced dismissal.
In the case of a transfer to
another seminary or house of
formation, the candidate must
inform the new formators about
any psychological consultation
previously carried out. Only
with the candidate’s free, written
consent can the new formators
have access to the communication
of the expert who carried out the
consultation.
In the case of a candidate who,
after a previous dismissal, has
undergone psychological treat-
ment, if it is held that he can be
accepted into the seminary, let
first his psychic condition be
accurately verified, insofar as
possible. This includes collecting
the necessary information from
the expert who treated him, after
having obtained the candidate’s
free, written consent.
In the case where a candidate,
after having had recourse to an
expert in psychology, asks to
transfer to another seminary or
house of formation and does not
want to agree to the results being
available to the new formators,
let it be remembered that the
suitability of the candidate must
be proved with positive argu-
ments, according to the norm of
the aforementioned canon 1052,
and, therefore, that all reasonable
doubt must be excluded.
Conclusion
17. Let all those who, according
to their different responsibilities,
are involved in formation offer
their convinced co-operation, in
respecting the specific competen-
cies of each, so that the discern-
ment and vocational accompani-
ment of the candidates may be
sufficient, thus “bringing to the
priesthood only those who have
been called, and to bring them
adequately trained, namely, with
a conscious and free response of
adherence and involvement of
their whole person with Jesus

CBCPMonitor Name _________________________________________________

(Family Name) (Given Name) (Middle Name)
present them—but only with
the candidate’s previous written
consent – with his contribution
Christ, who calls them to intimacy
of life with him and to share in his
mission of salvation.”
to understanding the subject’s The Supreme Pontiff Benedict
SUBSCRIPTION RATES Mailing Address _______________________________________________ personality and the problems he XVI, during the Audience granted
is facing or must face. to the undersigned Cardinal Pre-
_________________________________________________ In accordance with his evalu- fect on 13 June 2008, approved the
ation and competence, he will present document and authorized
The CBCP Monitor is published fort- Phone No.: ________ Fax No.: ________ E-mail: ___________ also indicate the foreseeable pos- its publication.
nightly by the CBCP Media Office, with Mode of Payment sibilities as regards the growth Rome, 29 June 2008, Solem-
editorial and business offices at 470  Check/PMO enclosed  Cash Payment of the candidate’s personality. nity of the Apostles SS. Peter
Gen. Luna St., Intramuros, Manila. PO Moreover, he will suggest, if and Paul.
(Payable to: CBCP Communications Development Foundation Inc.) necessary, forms or pathways of
Box 3601, 1076 MCPO
psychological support. Zenon Card. Grocholewski
• Domestic Prefect
1 Year Php 500.00 _____________________________ VI. Persons Dismissed From, or
2 Years Php 900.00 Signature Who Have Freely Left, Seminar- + Jean-Louis Bruguès, O.P
• Foreign: Asia ies or Houses of Formation Archbishop-Bishop emeritus of
1 Year US$ 55.00 16. It is contrary to the norms of Anger
• All Other US$ 80.00 the Church to admit to the semi- Secretary
nary or to the house of formation
PLEASE SEND TO:
persons who have already left or, (Note: This document was re-
CBCP Monitor, P.O. Box 3601, Manila, Philippines a fortiori, have been dismissed leased only on October 30, 2008. Due
470 Gen. Luna St., Intramuros, Manila, Philippines | Tel (632) 404-2182 • Telefax (632) 404-1612 from other seminaries or houses to lack of space all footnotes references
Or e-mail this at cbcpmonitor@cbcpworld.com of formation, without first col- have been removed).
 CBCP Monitor
B8 Entertainment Vol. 12 No. 23
November 10 - 23, 2008

Moral Assessment Technical Assessment

 Abhorrent  Poor
 Disturbing  Below average
 Acceptable  Average
 Wholesome  Above average

 Exemplary  E
xcellent

Sweethearts and senior high
schoolers in Albuquerque, New
Mexico Troy (Zac Efron) and
Gabriella (Vanessa Hudgens)
face the prospect of pursuing
college hundreds of miles apart.
A basketball star who loves to
sing, Troy could go along with
his father’s plan for him to join
the team at the University of
Albuquerque where his father
Jack (Bart Johnson) is coach,
or he could go to New York’s
Juilliard School where someone
had secretly applied on his
behalf. The academically gifted
Gabriella, on the other hand,
has been accepted at Stanford
University in California but
hesitates to grab it lest she miss
the familiar surroundings and
her loved ones, especially her
one true love Troy. Meanwhile,
they are kept high and busy by
the coming prom and a play
based on their own lives that
they have to stage.
A movie that ought to delight
local audiences as Mamma Mia
recently did—High School Mu-
sical 3: Senior Year has for its
assets energetic dances, lively
music, and songs anybody can
sing along with. Viewers can
easily follow the simple plot
which is kept free of sub-plots
and unnecessary glitches. As a
big-screen sequel to High School
Musicals 1 & 2, HSM 3: Senior
Year boasts of crisp cinematog-
raphy and costumes and sets
that are absolutely eye candy.
The young actors prove them-
selves up to their roles, perform-
ing their own songs and dances
remarkably well. (It should
also please the local audiences
to know that Vanessa Hudgens
is half-Filipino—another Lea
Salonga in the making?)
High School Musical 3: Senior
Year is family-friendly enter-
tainment all the way, thanks to
Disney. While it seems aimed at
tweeners (aged between 12 and
19), it is nonetheless appealing
for every member of the fam-
ily, as proven by the response
it gets from theater audiences
who are mostly parents treat-
ing their grade-school kids and
high schoolers on a sem break
weekend. Some foreign review-
ers have criticized the movie
to be “too clean it squeaks”—
alluding to the chaste relation-
ship between the high school
sweethearts—but this only goes
to show that such critics must
have seen too many Sex and
the City episodes that they
have come to expect the whole
world to be so oriented. So it’s
“too clean it squeaks”—what’s
wrong with that? Isn’t it good
for the family—especially the
Title: High School Musical 3: Senior Year
Running Time: 112 min.
Cast: Zac Efron, Vanessa Anne Hud-
gens, Ashley Tisdale, Lucas Grabeel,
Corbin Bleu, Monique Coleman
Director: Kenny Ortega
Producers: Bill Borden, Barry Rosen-
bush
Screenwriter: Peter Barsocchini
Music: David Lawrence
Editor: Seth Flaum
Genre: Musical/ Comedy/ Drama
Cinematography: Daniel Aranyo
Distributor: Walt Disney Studious
Motion Pictures
Location: Utah, USA
Technical Assessment: ½
Moral Assessment: 
CINEMA Rating: For viewers of
all ages
young members—to see a movie
where the teenagers seriously
think about education for a
decent future instead of drugs
and unwanted pregnancies?
We asked teenagers who have
seen the movie—they like it be-
cause they can resonate with the
characters who have remained
blissfully innocent up to their
senior high year. Regardless
of the dark realities about the
youth that media want to play
up, this is the greater reality—
that there are still millions of
teenagers out there who are
emotionally healthy and are not
in a mad rush to travel the road
to perdition.

MAC en COLET By Bladimer Usi

Buhay Parokya
Look for the three items: The images of Pope
Benedict XVI, Maria Magdalena and the Last
Supper (Illustration by Bladimer Usi)

James Bond, 007 (Daniel Craig) is Title: Quantum of Solace: 007

shocked and badly shaken by what
looks like his beloved Vesper Lynd had
betrayed him and then she was killed.
Determined to go after those respon-
sible for her murder, he follows trails
leading to places from London to Italy,
Austria and Bolivia. He meets Camille
(Olga Kurylenko), who he thinks could
lead him to Dominic Greene (Mathieu
Amalric) who appears to be working on
a coup de tat, who, in turn could lead
him to General Medrano (Joaquin Co-
sio), an exiled Bolivian, who happens to
have been the man directly responsible
for the massacre of Camille’s whole
family. Bond believes that finding
them and their Quantum Organization
would mean the end of his search. 007
also goes looking for Mathis (Giancarlo
Giannini), for some help, although in
their previous association (in “Casino”)
Bond had not been able to trust him
wholly. As he continues his pursuit
he is aware that MI6, the CIA, and
of course the terrorist syndicate are
after him. MI6’s M (Judi Dench) under
whom he works does not trust him;
neither does he trusts her with what is
happening. He is making a desperate
try to keep ahead of them and find the
culprits he is looking for.
This is the second James Bond movie
that Daniel Craig has acted in. It is his-
tory that the first Casino Royale was
a box office hit. For those who enjoy
James Bond and his exploits, Quantum
of Solace could also be just as entertain-
ing. It is a 110 minute fast-moving quest
for those who killed the only woman
007 loved. He has been restless and
unable to sleep because he has yet to
catch the culprits, not minding the toll
he has to pay for all the dangers he
has to endure. He shows the ability
of a super hero in the air, on the sea,
Running Time: 110 min.
Cast: Daniel Craig, Olga Kurylenko, Ma-
thieu Amalric, Giancarlo Giannini,
Jeffrey Wright, Judi Dench
Director: Marc Forster
Producers: Barbara Broccoli, Michael
G. Wilson
Screenwriters: Paul Haggis, Neal Pur-
vis, Robert Wade
Music: David Arnold
Editors: Matt Chesse, Richard Pearson
Genre: Action/ Adventure
Cinematography: Roberto Schaefer
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Location: Bolivia, Austria, Italy
Technical Assessment: ½
Moral Assessment: ½
CINEMA Rating: For viewers 14 and
above
riding a horse, a chase and fight on the
rooftops, among other unbelievable
but realistic looking actions. Because of
the fast moving sequences of the story,
viewers may want or need to watch a
second time, so that they could better
appreciate the details on the screen.
Take note that the protagonist in
most instances in the story shows and
acts how terribly angry he is by the
murder of his loved one. To quote some
lines in an observation from a review:
‘As M (Dench) puts it, if you want to see
an anti-hero “so blinded by inconsol-
able rage that you don’t care who you
hurt” then Craig’s ice-cool Bond is the
guy to leave you shaken and stirred
(Tim Evans, Sky Movies Reviews Edi-
tor). A touching scene to look out for
is when “Mathis (Giancarlo Giannini)
asks James Bond to forgive. He is ask-
ing Bond to be at peace with himself
and part of that is forgiving Vesper,
realizing that he was in love with her
and she was in love with him.”(Ruben
V. Nepales, Only in Hollywood.)
 C1
The Cross
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 23
November 10 - 23, 2008

A Supplement Publication for KCFAPI

and the Order of the Knights of Columbus

(L-R) Justice Jose Reyes, Jr., Arsenio Yap, Antonio Yulo, Msgr. Pedro Quitorio III, Ma. Theresa G. Curia, Alonso Tan, Patrocinio Bacay and Antonio Borromeo

KC Philippines Foundation
turns over 10 housing
units to beneficiaries
By Denise Solina Sis. Ma. Theresa Curia, KCFAPI EVP.
Msgr. Pedro C. Quitorio III led the dedication and blessing of
THE Knights of Columbus Philippines Foundation has recently the houses.
turned over ten housing dwellings to chosen beneficiaries at Bagong In his speech, Bro. Jose Tale, Gawad Kalinga Chairman, thanked
Pangarap, GK Site, Tungkong Manggga, San Jose del Monte, Bula- the Knights of Columbus for sharing their vision of building inte-
can. grated, holistic and sustainable communities. Justice Reyes said that
The ten beneficiary-families came from Pangarap Village in Ka- this is only the beginning of a bigger partnership between Knights
lookan City who were screened and selected by the Gawad Kalinga of Columbus and Gawad Kalinga.
Community Foundation, Inc. A medical mission led by Dr. Jaime Talag and assisted by KCFAPI
Construction of the houses began in June this year and was employees was also conducted.
finally completed in September through the Bayanihan sorties of Serviceable home and kitchen appliances and used clothing
the employees of KC Fraternal and its subsidiaries, Gawad Kalinga gathered earlier by KCFAPI employees were distributed to the
community, Knights of Columbus Councils in Manila & Bulacan beneficiaries. They also organized parlor games for the children and
and the KC Luzon State Officers. handed out loot bags for everybody.
Bro. Patrocinio Bacay, KCFAPI Chairman, Dr. Eric Cayabyab of A marker commemorating the first-ever partnership between
Gawad Kalinga and Justice Jose C. Reyes, Jr. led the cutting of the the KC Philippines Foundation and Gawad Kalinga was erected in
ribbon in the presence of Bro. Alonso Tan, KC Foundation President, front of the area within the Bagong Pangarap GK site reserved for
Bro. Antonio Borromeo, KCFAPI President, Bro. Arsenio Isidro Yap, the construction of a total of thirty-two housing units to be called
KC Luzon State Secretary, Bro. Antonio Yulo, MACE President and “Knights of Columbus Village”.

7 FCs win Presidential President’s Message

Gold Watches Antonio B. Borromeo
WE did it again, breaking the P10.0 M mark! First Year Contribu-
SEVEN fraternal of Central Luzon
tion Income (FYCI) was a groundbreaking P11.3 M for October 2008
counselors won Believers and wife
alone. This came from our dollar plan which reigned supreme, KC
one Presidential of Bro. Efren Casu-
CARES, and off course, the much loved Special Plan for Elderly
Gold Watch each panan, CLB Area
Knights (SPEK).
at the conclusion Manager, won one
This is the fruit of the concerted efforts of our Area Managers with
of the sales contest laptop computer
the lead coming from
“Presidential Gold when her name was
Bro. Efren Casupanan
Watch”. The award picked up in a raffle
of Central Luzon Be-
was given to any of 33 entries.
lievers producing P1.4
fraternal counselor Here are the win-
M and Bros. Manuel
who will be able ners of the Gold
Naldoza of Central
to bring in 50 paid Watches: Veronica
Luzon Conquerors
lives under the Gold C. Casupanan, Ma-
and Josefino Valen-
Series Plans from ria Teresa G. De la
cia of Northwestern
the period January Mota, Wildy D. De-
Luzon Thunders with
1, 2008 to Septem- vela, Pedro T. Do-
P1.2 M FYCI each.
ber 30, 2008. mingo Jr., Lauro L.
To these gentlemen,
Four of the win- Evangelista, Boni-
congratulations and
ners personally re- facio M. Morales,
more power.
ceived their gold (Standing from left) Josefino Valencia, Joseph Teodoro, Danilo Tullao, Antonio Yulo, Lauro Evangelista, Bonifacio Mo- Danilo M. Tullao.
With only two
watches from the rales, Efren Casupanan and Antonio B.Borromeo. (Seated from left) Ma. Theresa G. Curia, Veronica Casupanan and Cash prizes win-
more months before
KCFAPI President, Leonora Tullao. ners: Francisco C.
the year closes, this
Antonio B. Borro- The awarding ceremony was also at- Ballesteros (Other
underwriting income
meo in the awarding ceremonies held last tended by Bro. Antonio T. Yulo, KCFAPI Plans), Lauro L. Evangelista (ECSP), Luis
from our new busi-
October 27 at the home office. The three Treasurer and EVP Maria Theresa G. Curia F. Ferrer (Super Saver), Bonifacio M. Mo-
ness will make our
other winners will receive their prizes who handed the cash prizes of the October rales (Dollar). Veronica C. Casupanan
estimate of P100.0 M
some other time to be arranged by the 2008 Gimme Five Sales Contest. won a laptop during the raffles. (Joseph
for 2008 in FYCI a
Fraternal Benefits Group (FBG). Meanwhile, Sis. Veronica Casupanan P. Teodoro)
reality.

KCFAPI launches first coffee table book Leadership Basics seminar held
INTRAMUROS, Manila—The
Knights of Columbus Fraternal
Association of the Philippines, THE supervisors
Inc. (KCFAPI) launched its first and some assistants
coffee table book at its main of the Knights of
corporate office here on Sep- Columbus Frater-
tember 13. nal Association of
The book entitled “FIFTY the Philippines, Inc.
YEARS OF FRATERNAL SER- (KCFAPI) Head Of-
VICE, A Saga of Faith in Action” fice and Service Of-
features history, programs, proj- fices underwent a
Leadership Train-
ects and growth of the associa-
ing Seminar called
tion. The book basically has the
“Leadership Basics”
following chapters namely: The
last September 15 at
Beginnings, The Phenomenal
the KCFAPI head-
Growth, The Pillars of KCFAPI,
quarters.
The Subsidiaries, The Founda-
Twenty-four participants attended the whole- ment Technology and the School of Professional
tions, and Heading to New
day seminar conducted by the Harry Pound and Continuing Education (SPACE) of De La
Heights.
Company; a leading training company dedicated Salle University – College of Saint Benilde. She
The coffee table book was au-
to helping business professionals enhance their is also a consultant for various organizations
thored by Msgr. Pedro Quitorio,
capacity and capability through relevant, practi- and corporations, and author of three recently
media director of the Catholic
cal and on-target learning solutions. published books: “Mind Your Own Business: A
Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines. Msgr. Quitorio also serves as the spiritual adviser of the Knights Ms. Cecille L. Ayllon, a sought-after lecturer Comprehensive Guide to Entrepreneurship and
of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Philippines, Inc. (KCFAPI) and a member of the Board of and trainer conducted the training seminar. Ms. Small Business”; “The ABCs of Strategic Life
Trustees of the KC Fr. George J. Willman Charities, Inc. Ayllon regularly gives leadership, managerial Management” and “The Journey of the Heart”.
The launching was part of the activities lined up for the Golden Jubilee celebration of the KCFAPI. and supervisory seminars to top corporations The “Leadership Basics” seminar had the fol-
Board of Trustees and Advisors Chairman Patrocinio Bacay and President Antonio Borromeo led a in the country for the past five years. She is a lowing objectives: 1) To help the supervisors and
symbolic book-giving ceremony attended by KCFAPI members from various councils across the coun- professor in De La Salle’s Master in Manage- Leadership / C2
try. (Bro. Joselito E. Mañalac)
 C2 The Cross
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 23
November 10 - 23, 2008

Chairman’s Message
Patrocinio R. Bacay
THE month of November is one of the rare
occasions each year when families, even
clans, gather in reunion to remember and
pray for the eternal repose of their dear
departed members. It is also in this occasion
that we remember and reminisce the good
and happy days we shared with them and
how they touched our lives.
We, in the Knights of Columbus, hold
Memorial Service for our departed brothers
and their beloved ones. This is a tradition we
observe in our KC Councils – for we are a
family and a fraternal organization. It binds
us and gives meaning to fraternity.
In KCFAPI, we also maintain the tradition
of remembering and praying for the souls
of our deceased Benefit Certificate Holders.
My family and I join the officers and staff of
KCFAPI as we offer mass for them on Friday,
October 31, 2008 in our head office’s chapel
in Intramuros, Manila.

For Brother Knights by Brother Knights

BC Holder’s Letter of Gratitude
FROM the numerous “thank you” letters received by the Association, we shall choose one or two
each month to be published at The Cross supplement. We want to give opportunity to members The Brother Knight
whom we call FC
to share how KC Fraternal and our fraternal benefits have touched or influenced their lives. They
serve as testimonies of the fulfillment of the mission of both our Association and the Order of the
Knights of Columbus.

BC Holder Relations Office

Telephone: (02) 5272223 local 110 to 113 By Joseph P. Teodoro
Fax: (02) 5272241; Text: 0917 825KOFC (5632)
E-mail: bcservices@kofc.org.ph THE initials FC, which stand for Fraternal Counselor, is definitely a brother knight like yourself. He
may be a member of your council or one from a neighboring council. [Inasmuch as we are a family
organization, parents, wives and children may also be appointed fraternal counselors]
Warmest Greetings! I am very proud of our KC The main responsibility of a fraternal counselor is to help brother knights and their immediate family
Association’s performance as well as your commit- members to provide for themselves a secure financial future for their families in the event of untimely
ment to social responsibility. I am very happy to be demise or reaching old age when income generation becomes diminished.
part of KCFAPI. The fraternal counselor then conducts a consultative discussion between the fraternal counselor and
I would like to extend my gratitude for your im- the brother knights and family members regarding the right plan, adequate amount of insurance and
mediate action regarding my request to apply my the one he can easily maintain. Brother Knights should not deny themselves of the principal benefit of
accumulated dividends to my semi-annual contribu- being a knight. The first step is to open their doors to the fraternal counselor. The heart and mind will
tion due last September and to fully pay my BC’s not be far behind.
outstanding loan. Once appointed, the fraternal counselor undergoes a rigid training on life insurance. After the training,
More Power to KC Fraternal Association of the the fraternal counselor takes a vow to serve the interest of the Association and brothers in the Order.
Philippines, Inc.
Leadership / C1
Fraternally yours, assistants of KCFAPI appreciate the importance of Professor Ayllon’s recently published books.
their leadership roles; 2) To provide guides that Towards the end of the lecture, the participants
Ruben Nieves M.G. Dela Cuesta would help unleash their leadership potentials in were asked to evaluate the seminar based on rel-
KC Member challenging situations; 3) To develop better teams evance and practicality of the topic, contents and
through deeper commitment, understanding and coverage of the training manual provided, subject
trust among team players that results from effec- matter knowledge and presentation skills of the
Greetings from DILG Region 10! tive leadership; and 4) To empower supervisors trainer and the training administration in general.
I would like to thank you for the hospital confinement allowance given to me last August. The and assistants to view their primary function as Participants were generally pleased with the train-
amount is not important; rather KCFAPI’s gesture of care for the members is all that matters. people enablers and role models. ing, based on the responses received.
I know KCFAPI is there to lend a helping hand whenever needed. Employees were supplied with practical infor- The seminar ended with the awarding of
Again, thank you. mation on shifting mindsets from subordinate to certificates of completion to the participants,
leader, handling managerial/supervisory func- which were presented by Mr. Joselito E. Mañalac,
Fraternally yours, tions, and enhancing one’s value to the company. AVP- Actuarial & Customer Relations Group of
There were also fun ice-breakers and related KCFAPI together with Professor Cecille L. Ayllon,
SK Wendelino O. Orillaneda, CESO 14 workshops in between that fascinated the partici- resource speaker & EVP for Philippine Operations
Assistant Regional Director pants and made the learning more interesting. As of The Harry Pound Company. (Ma. Kristianne
reward to the winners, each was given a copy of D. Guevarra)

SUPER SPEK
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We will accept you regardless of your health condition:
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INSURANCE COVERAGE PERIOD
Insured member is covered up to age 100.
for financial concerns.
PARTICIPATING
As a member of the Association, you shall be entitled to yearly
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 The Cross C3
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 23
November 10 - 23, 2008

A New Politics
Carl A. Anderson,
Supreme Knight
BECAUSE of the importance of the pro-life issue
in this year’s U.S. elections, I have decided to re-
print here excerpts from my annual report to the
Supreme Convention:
In eight of the last nine presidential elections,
the crucial “Catholic vote” has picked the winner.
America’s 69 million Catholics are again likely to
hold the key not only to the White House, but to
a great number of other races as well.
The bishops of the United States recently stated,
“The Church’s obligation to participate in shaping
the moral character of society is a requirement of
faith.”
At the top of their list of Catholic moral convic-
tions, the bishops put “defending the inviolable
sanctity of human life from the moment of concep-
tion until natural death.”
This is especially important since Catholics of-
ten confront a dilemma in deciding how to vote:
Can we support a candidate who may be attrac-
tive for many reasons but who supports abortion
rights? Some partisan advocates have sought to
Catholics can exercise
their responsibility
as faithful citizens by
building a culture of life
excuse support for pro-abortion-rights candidates
through a complex balancing act. They claim other
issues are important enough to offset a candidate’s
support for abortion rights.
But the right to abortion mandated in the United
States by the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade deci-
sion is not just another political issue; it is in reality
a legal regime that has resulted in more than 40
million deaths.
Imagine for a moment the largest 25 cities in
the United States and Canada suddenly empty of
people. This is what the loss of 40 million human
beings would look like. In fact, 40 million is greater
than the entire population of Canada.
What political issue could possibly outweigh
this human devastation? The answer, of course,
is that there is none.
Some will argue that faith has no place in
politics. But the notion that the First Amendment’s
Establishment Clause somehow forbids either a
public official or a voter from taking into account
personal religious values when deciding matters
of public policy is absurd.
After all, some of the most important move-
ments in our history—the abolitionist movement
which ended slavery, the civil-rights movement,
which finally made racism morally unacceptable in
America—were born as religious movements.
It is significant that both of these movements
sought to end what were rightly regarded as funda-
mental violations of the dignity possessed by every
human person. Legal respect for, and protection of,
human dignity lie at the heart of our Constitution,
as well as at the core of religious faith.
It is time to put away the arguments of political
spin masters that only serve to justify abortion
rights. How should Catholics exercise their re-
sponsibility as citizens? The most important way
is to build a culture of life.
It is time for Catholics to demand the end of
Roe v. Wade. It is time to stop creating excuses
for voting for pro-abortion-rights politicians. It is
time that Catholics shine a bright line of separa-
tion between themselves and all those politicians
who defend the abortion-rights regime of Roe v.
Wade.
During the pope’s visit to the United States last
April, he urged those gathered at Yankee Stadium
to protect “the unborn in the mother’s womb.”
That statement drew the loudest, longest applause
of his trip.
Imagine the effect if this year millions of Catholic
voters simply say “no”—no to every candidate for
every office of every political party who supports
abortion rights.
It’s time Catholics stop accommodating pro-
abortion-rights politicians and it’s time to start
demanding that politicians accommodate us. In
this election, if a Catholic cannot vote for a pro-life
candidate, then not voting for that office may be the
sincerest expression of faithful citizenship.
As faithful citizens, Catholics can build a new
politics—a politics that is not satisfied with the
status quo, but one that is dedicated to building
up a culture of life.
Vivat Jesus!

Vatican Secretary of State thanks Head Knight of Columbus

warns Freedom of Choice Act
the Knights of Columbus threatens pro-life successes
NEW HAVEN, November 4, 2008—Carl A. Anderson, Supreme
Knight of the Knights of Columbus, has published a message
VATICAN—Benedict XVI’s secretary of state says that after a few Knights’ pilgrimage this year is enhanced by the Pauline Jubilee regarding the upcoming election. Praising the “many small suc-
years of working closely with the Pope, he has a better insight Year, under way through June. cesses” of the pro-life movement, he warns that even these minor
into his personality, particularly his nobleness and vast cultural Citing words from Pope John Paul II, the cardinal spoke of the restrictions on abortion could be invalidated if the Freedom of
knowledge. Knights of Columbus as an example of laity participating in the Choice Act passes.
Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone made his remarks at an Oct. 4 dinner mission of the Church. He recognized their support of the Catholic Calling the work of the pro-life movement a “difficult
with the Knights of Columbus Board faith and their financial assistance and struggle,” Anderson notes that though the “ultimate goal” of
of Directors, who are on an annual volunteer work, and he encouraged overturning Roe v. Wade “remains somewhere in the future”
pilgrimage in Rome. them to remain faithful to this spirit many small accomplishments have been achieved.
The cardinal recalled his participa- and accomplish their mission with Among these, he lists: the Hyde Amendment, which restricts
tion at a similar gathering in 2001, enthusiasm and dedication. federal funding for abortions; the federal ban on partial-birth
when he was an archbishop and secre- abortions, which was upheld by the Supreme Court in April 2007;
tary of the Congregation for the Doc- Hope for Father McGivney’s Beati- the “Mexico City policy” which bars the use of federal taxpayers’
trine of the Faith, working at the time fication money to pay for abortions in other countries; state parental con-
with then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. In concluding he expressed his hopes sent laws; state late-term abortion restrictions; state conscience
The prelate reflected on his present for the beatification of the association’s protection laws for pro-life professionals and institutions; laws
position as one of Benedict XVI’s clos- founder, Father Michael McGivney, which require counseling for those considering an abortion; and
est coworkers. whom Benedict XVI declared vener- laws providing for ultrasounds before an abortion.
“This daily nearness, extended over able last March. However, Anderson warned:
a few years,” he said, “has allowed me Cardinal Bertone observed that “All of these restrictions on abortion - all of the progress we’ve
more experience of the characteristic the beatification process of Father made over the past 35 years in trying to limit and reduce abor-
traits and the unique aspects of the McGivney is close to the hearts of the tions in the United States - would be invalidated with the stroke
Pontiff’s personality that I now am Knights of Columbus and the Church, of a pen if the next Congress passes, and the next president signs,
able to appreciate in a better way.” He so much so that about a month af- the so-called ‘Freedom of Choice Act’.”
noted in particular the Holy Father’s ter his declaration as venerable, the He asked readers to learn whether candidates for whom they
“nobility” and “simple dealings with Pontiff recalled the American priest, might vote favor or oppose FOCA.
people” along with his “profound saying his “vision and zeal led to the In addition, he noted that the Knights of Columbus have pro-
and vast culture, which is more than establishment of this great and active vided more information on FOCA and other life issues at their
theological.” association.” The Pope made this refer- web site at http://www.kofc.org/pro-life
ence during his April trip to the United “Remember,” Anderson concludes, “all that we’ve done
Pilgrimage States, during a homily at St. Patrick’s together since Roe to save the lives of the unborn is at stake.”
Cardinal Bertone also noted that the Cathedral in New York. (Zenit) (CNA)

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 C4 The Cross
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 23
November 10 - 23, 2008

Engr. Jose D. Bacalanmo, Jr.

Civil Engineer, Licensed Master Plumber and Real Estate Broker
Knight Jose D. Bacalanmo, Jr.
By Annie Nicolas
Bro. Bacalanmo graduated
LAST September 2008, a new with BS in Civil Engineering
addition in the Board of Trust- at International Harvardian
ees of KCFAPI was elected—Sir University in Davao City. He
passed the Board exam for civil
engineer in 1963 and later on
member of the Board of Direc-
tors of Philasia Life, then a
subsidiary of KCFAPI.
He joined and was initiated to
the First Degree at the Knights
of Columbus Council 7994 in
1982. He held various positions
in the Order such as Chancellor,
Grand Knight, District Deputy,
State Warden, State Ceremonial
Chairman, State Secretary, State
Membership Director, Master of
the Fourth Degree for District
12, Round Table Chairman. He
is presently the Third Degree
Conferring Officer (since 1987),
member of the Fourth Degree
Exemplification team, and is the
incumbent State Secretary.
Born on July 29, 1934 at Ban-
ate, Iloilo, Bro. Jun is married
to Dr. Rolanda “Rolly” Malic
Bacalanmo, DMD with three
children.

Fire, earthquake orientation drills held at KCFAPI

completed his Master in Busi-
ness Administration at the Ate-
neo de Davao University. He is
not only a civil engineerv but
also a licensed Master Plumber
and real estate broker.
Bro. Bacalanmo is presently
engaged in the field of his ex-
pertise as he is the Proprietor/
Manager of JDB Enterprises,
a company engaged in build-
ing construction, real estate
development and farming. He
is also a member of the Board
of Directors of Archdiocese
of Davao Columbian Knights
Cooperative. From 1996 up to
present, he is the Design Con-
sultant of Kisan Lu Realty, Inc.,
a firm engaged in construction
and housing subdivision de-
velopment. He was into teach-
ing profession from 1963 to
1994 with various educational
institutions in Davao City. He
became the Dean of the College
of Engineering of International
Harvardian University from
1980 to 1989. He was a former
THE Knights of Columbus
Fraternal Association of the
Philippines, Inc. (KCFAPI)
held its first Fire and Earth-
quake Orientation and Drills
last October 3 at the 3rd floor
function hall of Fr. George J.
Willmann Building in Intra-
muros, Manila.
Representatives from the
Manila Fire Department hosted
the event, facilitated by Senior
Fire Officer 4 Generoso M.
Juico. Thirty three participants
composed of officers, employ-
ees and security guards from
KCFAPI attended the orienta-
tion and drills.
The seminar is focused on
the creation of a Fire Brigade
Team in KCFAPI and its role in
preventing tragedy when they
arise. Appointed as the first
KCFAPI Fire Marshall is As-
sistant Vice-President Joselito
E. Ma- securi- The seminar ended with an
ñalac. ty, fire- open forum. KCFAPI gave a
His team hose, Certificate of appreciation to
will be in rescue SFO4 Juico.
charge and sal- The orientation seminar is
of the vage. a requirement of KCFAPI’s
safety of T h e enterprise-wide risk man-
all office speaker agement infrastructure. This
person- provid- is primarily in compliance
nel and ed the with the provisions of Rule
security partici- 9 of the “Fire Code of the
of the pants Philippines” which state that:
equip- w i t h Every business establishment
ment, vital should provide an organiza-
proper- infor- tion to deal with fires and
ty and building premises. Also, mation regarding the present related emergencies when
they will be responsible for the condition of the country and they occur.
supervision, control and evalua- eventual threats of earthquake, The KCFAPI family con-
tion of the potential magnitude of tsunami, fire and other related veyed its appreciation and
fire emergency and disaster. The calamities. Disaster awareness gratitude to SR/INSP Ra-
Fire Brigade Team is composed and different guidelines during mon L. Geronimo, Station
of the Fire Marshall, Deputy Fire catastrophe such as first-aid, Commander and to all the
Marshall, and different teams for handling of critical situation and personnel of the Manila Fire
communication, first-aid, fire ex- crucial decision making were District I. (Joseph Norman C.
tinguisher, evacuation, logistics, given emphasis. Agustin)

(Right) KC Foundations Chairman Justice Jose Reyes, Jr. and KCFAPI Chairman Patrocinio Bacay led the symbolic turnover of
houses to GK Beneficiaries together with KCFAPI President Antonio Borromeo and KC Foundations President Alonso Tan (left) MEDICAL MISSION. Dr. Jaime Talag led the KC Medical Mission during the turnover rites held October 18, 2008

Fraternal Assistance of “Brigada Eskwela 2008.” KC Officers and members of Holy Trinity Council 9063 and KC Lady Knights with
San Miguel Arkanghel Circle 4930 grade schoolers’ Columbian Squires, and San Miguel Department of Education Supervisor, Ms.
BLESSING. Msgr. Pedro Quitorio led the GK Beneficiaries and KC volunteers during the blessing of houses. Lily-Ann R. Mendero rest after a day’s work of cleaning the grounds of San Miguel Central School, Surigao del Sur.

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