•A3 Church will act against
sex abuse, pope
promises victims
Bishop to bishops: Let
people vote according to
conscience
WITH the unprecedented political endorse-
ments made by some Catholic bishops, a retired
prelate called on them to let the people vote
according to their conscience in the approach-
ing elections.
While all the bishops are entitled to their own
opinions, Retired Bishop Francisco Claver cau-
tioned fellow bishops that endorsing particular
bets could divide the church and confuse the
people.
Conscience / A6
May elections ‘crucial’
to RP – CBCP
By Roy Lagarde
CATHOLICS were urged by
the head of the Catholic bish-
ops’ leadership to pray for the
country as people prepare to
go to polls in May to elect a
new President.
He also called on the politicians and
all other leaders to be careful of their ut-
terances in order to maintain the peace
during and after the elections.
Calling it the most important elec-
tion in years and highlighted by the
country’s first automated elections on
May 10, Bishop Nereo Odchimar said
the country is entering a crucial transi-
tion period.
According to him, the success of the
election is significant to the country’s
political and economic stability while
its failure could further the suffering of
many poor people.
“No one will deny we stand at a cru-
cial moment of transition,” Odchimar
said in a statement released to the media
today, barely 11 days to go before the
elections.
The bishop said the country is already
in a “critical situation” caused by the
erosion of moral values and the wide-
spread corruption and dishonesty “all
around us.”
L-R Archbishop Oscar Cruz, Bishops Deogracias Iniguez and Teodoro Bacani join other religious leaders in prayer during the “Jericho March” for a
‘Crucial’ / A6 clean and peaceful elections, held in front of the office of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Intramuros, Manila, April 22, 2010.
Bishops, ulamas meet to discuss May polls
MINDANAO-based Catholic bishops and ulamas are
set to meet later this month to discuss the upcoming
May polls amid looming scenario of a failure
of elections.
Davao Archbishop Fernando Capalla,
convenor of Bishop-Ulama Conference
(BUC), said the interfaith meeting is meant
to gather more information to guide them in
decision making should the elections come
out not credible.
He admitted that “the rumors, especially
in Mindanao, are very strong about the
failure of elections…” adding, “…we will
discuss what [we should] do if there’s a
failure of election…”
Capalla said the conference is very impor-
© www.mindanaotimes.net
tant as it will gather the three most stable
organizations in the country: the police,
military and the Church.
Expected to attend the meeting, aside from
CBCP President and Tandag Bishop Nereo
Odchimar, are Mindanao-based prelates and
Personalities rather than issues Prelate urges MTRCB to ban UFC
take center stage, Cardinal says Sports on TV
THE country’s lead-
ing prelates said the
country’s politicians
and voters must
learn to look at the
recent past to learn
lessons on leader-
ship and dedication
to duty.
Manila Archbish-
op Gaudencio Car-
dinal Rosales said
important issues take
the back seat as the
campaign season
turn fever pitch dur-
ing the last couple
of weeks before the
May 10, 2010 local
and national polls.
“Ang isyu ay na-
tatabunan at ang Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales
nakikita’y ang kaku-
langan at kapintasan ng tao tulad ng political parties abroad.
pagpula at paninira sa kapwa,” Rosales He said Americans have only to
told CBCPNews when asked why the choose between the Democrats and
campaign has focused on personali- Republicans who are poles apart in
ties instead of the country’s important terms of strategies in governance. He
issues. explained American voters know what
The 77-year old prelate said politi- to expect when they elect either Demo-
cians who assume office do not seem to crats or Republicans.
care about the good things their prede- He said the entry of party-list even
cessors accomplished. He stressed the “muddled” the situation as most voters
need for continuity.
•B1 ‘The Priest and Pastoral Ministry
in a Digital World: New Media at
•C1 UGNAYAN
The News Supplement
the Service of the Word’ of Couples for Christ
Go on spiritual renewal,
political bets told
A SENIOR prelate has given the presidential
wannabes a bit of unsolicited advice. Go on
retreat for spiritual renewal.
In a radio interview with Radio Veritas, Jaro
Archbishop Angel Lagdameo said that presi-
dential aspirants should undergo recollection
for their spiritual renewal.
“Spiritual recollections are very important
and will surely do them good,” he said in the
vernacular.
Lagdameo said that instead of looking into the
imperfections of their political rivals, candidates
April 26 - May 9, 2010 Vol. 14 No. 9 Php 20.00 Renewal / A6
Bishop Odchimar asks prayer to
achieve clean, peaceful polls
We are a
people of faith
DEAR Broth-
ers and Sisters
in the Risen
Lord Jesus,
and fellow
citizens in
our beloved
country:
May 10,
2010 marks a Bishop Nereo Odchimar
truly important date for all Filipinos.
On this day of our national and lo-
cal elections we are to choose who
will lead our nation and our local
communities in the country in the
coming years. No one will deny
we stand at a crucial moment of
transition. The country is in a critical
situation; the need of true moral and
social transformation is universally
felt; in the erosion of moral values;
in truly widespread corruption and
dishonesty all around us; in the
decline of integrity of conduct in
so many of our private and public
institutions. Poverty is ever grow-
ing; the gap between rich and poor
so obviously widening. Millions
have to go abroad to find jobs. Divi-
sions and insurgencies persist and
worsen. Much reform and change
is needed. The elections provide a
means for our people to take strong
and decisive step toward urgent
renewal, toward changes that all are
key officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines pine Council of Evangelical Churches, Ulama League
crying out for—toward hope.
and Philippine National Police, Manila-based Philip- of the Philippines and the Military Ordinariate which
We are a people of faith. We
serves the Armed Forces of the Philippines
believe in a good and loving God.
and PNP with Catholic, Protestant and Mus-
We know we need His guidance
lim chaplains.
and His help, so that we may move
Both AFP and PNP will provide updates
forward toward new genuine hope,
on their preparations for the coming national
especially among our young people.
and local elections, especially their effort to
We know God wishes us to build a
dismantle private armed groups, and the
nation “founded on truth, guided
confiscation of loose firearms, Capalla said.
by justice, realized in freedom,
The Independent Commission Against
flowering in peace” (Blessed John
Private Armies where Butuan Bishop Juan De
XXIII, Pacem in terris). But God bids
Dios Pueblos sits as Commissioner together
us to make His will for us our own
with Davao City-based Alim Mahmod Adi-
purpose and endeavor. If we open
lao of the Ulama League will give a briefing
our hearts to His needed grace, He
on the issue.
empowers us. Nasa Diyos ang awa
[so we say], sa tao ang gawa. We
Joint statement
believe that “unless the Lord build
A joint statement is likely to be issued after
the house, (we) labor in vain to rise
the assembly, according to Capalla. He dis-
it up.” (Ps 127:1) Even we in political
closed that a draft has already been prepared
life, we know, “without Him we can
Discuss / A6
do nothing!” Without God, we can-
not transform truly and lastingly our
society according to His will.
Yes, in all these, there must be
first a turning to God in prayer.
This is why we the Catholic Bish-
ops’ conference of the Philippines,
hereby endorse the urgent novena
He observed that TAGBILARAN Bishop Leon- addressed to the Sacred Heart of
most politicians ardo Medroso appealed to Jesus and the Immaculate Heart
are convinced their the Movie and Television of Mary, interceding our Father
plans and strategies Review and Classification in heaven, for the realization of
are far better than Board (MTRCB) to ban the integrally free, clean and honest
their predecessors. Ultimate Fighting Champion- election. This novena, initiated by
“It appears if it is ship (UFC) Sports, a mixed several of the largest lay movements
Illustration by Bladimer Usi
not their idea then it martial arts tournament being and organizations in our country,
must be a bad idea,” aired on cable television. has been blessed and proposed by
he added. He ex- Interviewed over Catholic- His Eminence Cardinal Gaudencio
plained there is no run Radio Veritas recently, Rosales of Manila; we also make it
continuity of good the prelate said the sports truly our own. We urge all Catholics,
government pro- is too violent and barbaric in their families, parishes and other
grams. and he is hoping the MTRCB communities, to pray these novena
“If this will al- would ban the show on television. be Christian is to relate with others in prayers from May 1 to May 9. Make
ways be the case we “Dapat ipagbawal yan kasi what love and in justice,” he said. this novena with sincerity and con-
will never progress comes out is the bestiality of a man. Medroso expressed that the human stancy, and even with intensity, as
as most politicians Parang nagiging barbaric sila eh. Nan- dignity and sacredness of the body of our present moment demands.
and political parties dyan ang gusto ng tao na ang kanyang each individual has to be respected as If the Lord is with us, we need not
have no clear politi- power would over power the other,” brothers and sisters. fear all the forces of evil which are
cal platforms, phi- the prelate said. He also urged the people not to present and trying, by every kind of
losophy and convic- Medroso also said this kind of show adapt this sport since it is counter- devious deed and shameless strat-
tions found in other will influence men to be violent. He cultural and against the traditions of egy, to make their own self-seeking
added that these actions are not very the Filipinos. interests to prevail over the common
Christian and are the deeds of barbaric “Huwag nating yakapin ang mga good, over the genuine aspirations
people. ganitong sports mula sa ibang bansa of our people. We implore God to
“Tanda ng pagiging hayop yan e. dahil hindi ito akma sa kultura at tradi- disarm the evil-intentioned and to
kahayupan yan at gawa yan ng mga syon ng mga Filipino. At ang masaklap bring to naught those who would
barbaric na tao at hindi ng Kristiyano,” pa sa sports na ito kapag ka nakikita subvert our people’s true will, and
Medroso said. nilang duguan at nakahandusay na to sabotage honest, peaceful and
The bishop said people are called walang malay ang kanilang kalaban ay credible elections. “Vox populi Dei
to be civilized, educated and to be naghihiyawan pa at ipinapakita talaga est”; that is God’s voice heard—in
Christian. na walang halaga ang buhay ng tao.”
Faith / A6
Center stage / A6 “We are called to be Christian and to (Kate Laceda)
 World News
CBCP Monitor
A2 Vol. 14 No. 9
April 26 - May 9, 2010

Youth offer their faces as

birthday gift
for Pope
© holyinnocentslongbeach.blogspot.com

MADRID, Spain, April 22, 2010—With the idea of making a birthday gift for Benedict XVI, World
Youth Day organizers used the official Facebook page to collect 1,200 personal photos in 48 hours for
a collage that forms the image of Benedict XVI.
The image was published on the Pope’s birthday—April 16—at the World Youth Day Web site.
“It is as though seeing the whole Church with one look,” one youth reflected.
And the Holy Father himself is participating in the external preparations for the Aug. 16-21 event
in Madrid. During the general audience of Holy Week, one of the World Youth Day organizers, Paula
Rodríguez, presented him with a hat embroidered with the official logo.
“He took the cap, put it on, and looked at me as though asking ‘does it look all right?’” Rodríguez
recounted excitedly. “He was very affectionate, he was truly a father, excited also with me.” (Zenit)

Belgian Bishop Pope accepts resignation of

steps down, admits
sexual abuse Irish Bishop
KILDARE, Ireland, April 22, 2010—Bene- "I served
BRUGES, Belgium, April 23, 2010—Benedict XVI has accepted the dict XVI has accepted the resignation of as an auxil-
resignation of Bishop Roger Joseph Vangheluwe of Bruges, Belgium, another Irish bishop who asked to step iary bishop
who admitted to sexually abusing a minor. down in the wake of the widespread sexual in the Arch-
The resignation was reported by the Vatican press office. At a abuse scandal in this country. diocese of
press conference in Brussels, Bishop Vangheluwe admitted, "When Bishop James Moriarty of Kildare and D u b l i n

© www.carlow-nationalist.ie
I was still just a priest, and for a certain period at the beginning Leighlin offered his resignation in De- from 1991
of my episcopate, I sexually abused a minor from my immediate cember, after the Murphy Report was until my
environment." published. appoint-
"The victim is still marked by what happened," he added. In a statement today, the 73-year-old ment to this
The prelate said that "over the course of these decades I have prelate said: "I did not anticipate resign- diocese in
repeatedly recognized my guilt towards him and his family, and ing when I first read the Murphy Report, 2002. I was
I have asked forgiveness; but this did not pacify him, as it did not because I was not directly criticized. How- part of the
pacify me." ever, the Murphy Report covers far more governance of the archdiocese prior to iliary bishop, I should have challenged
He continued: "The media storm of recent weeks has increased than what individual bishops did or did when correct child protection policies and the prevailing culture. Once more I apolo-
the trauma, and the situation is no longer tenable. not do. Renewal must begin with accepting procedures were implemented. Again I gize to all survivors and their families."
"I profoundly regret what I did and offer my most sincere apolo- responsibility for the past. accept that from the time I became an aux- (Zenit)
gies to the victim, to his family, to all the Catholic community and
to society in general." Vangheluwe, as a person "has the right to conversion, trusting in conference, express the transparency that the Catholic Church
Thus, the 73-year-old bishop stated, "I have presented my the mercy of God." in Belgium rigorously wishes to apply in these matters, turning
resignation as bishop of Bruges to However, he added, "as regards a new page with respect to the not-so-distant period in which
Pope Benedict XVI." his function, it is vital that, out of the Church, and others, preferred the solution of silence or
At the same press conference, respect for the victim and his family, concealment."
Archbishop Andre-Mutien Leonard and out of respect for the truth, he Archbishop Leonard acknowledged that "this event will cause
of Mechelen-Brussels acknowledged, should resign from office; this is what great suffering in the whole Catholic community of Belgium, es-
"We are facing a particularly serious he has done." pecially because Bishop Vangheluwe was considered a generous
situation." "The Pope immediately accepted and dynamic person, much appreciated in his diocese and in the
"Our thoughts go first and foremost the resignation of the bishop of Bru- Belgian Church."
to the victim and his family, some ges," the archbishop affirmed. "We, his confreres, are aware of the crisis of trust this will provoke
of whom have learned the shocking He continued: "The Church thus in many people," the prelate added.
news only today," he said. "For the underlines the importance of not pro- Nonetheless, he concluded, "we dare to hope that wisdom
victim this has been a long Calvary, crastinating in such cases. We hope will prevail and that the bishops, and especially the priests, of
which has clearly not yet ended." to contribute to the rehabilitation of this country will not be unduly discredited as a group, because
the victim. the vast majority lives a lifestyle coherent with their vocation,
Conversion "The decision of the bishop of with a faithfulness for which I here publicly express my thanks."
The prelate noted that Bishop Bruges, and the calling of this press (Zenit)

Italian politician urges Catholics to Researcher finds

strongly defend Pope Benedict
MADRID, Spain, April 22, 2010—European
parliamentarian Rocco Buttiglione recently
called on Catholics to strongly defend
Pope Benedict XVI from media criticism.
He noted that pedophilia among priests
is “much lower than it is in any other pro-
fessional sector,” and accused the media
of “trying to scare families into thinking
that it is dangerous for their children to
be Catholic.”
During the 5th Conference of Catholics and
Public Life, the Italian politician said the data
from a study by the University of New York,
which includes accusations against Catholic
priests from the last 50 years in the U.S., shows
that out of 4,392 accusations, “958 were cases of
pedophilia, which led to 54 guilty verdicts.”
“In 50 years this equals one guilty verdict
for pedophilia per year out of 109,000 Catho-
lic priests in the United States. That is, one
guilty verdict for every 2,000 priests.”
Consequently, he concluded, according
to this study, the incidence of pedophilia “is
much lower than it is in any other profes-
sional sector."
Buttiglione said it appears that those
leading the campaign against the Pope
and the Church have lumped together
data from 50 years in order to “create panic
among the people and get in the headlines
for an attack on the Catholic Church, to
which we must strongly respond, as it is
unacceptable.”
“They are trying to scare families into
thinking that it is dangerous for their
children to be Catholic, which is absolute
madness, and to give the impression that
the Catholic Church does not live up to her
principles,” he added.
Buttiglione strongly criticized priests who
abuse children, but noted that if the offender
were “a Hollywood star, people would come
to his defense.”
Those who attack Benedict XVI, he said,
didn’t have the courage to do the same to
John Paul II “because of the prestige he had.”
“But now, with the arrival of Benedict XVI,
they have sought their revenge.”
For this reason, he called on the faith-
ful to strongly defend the current Pontiff.
(CNA)
strong link between
contraception and HIV
FORT ROYAL, Va., April 23, 2010—A researcher reported
earlier this week that there is a strong scientific link between
hormonal contraceptives and a woman's risk of contracting
AIDS/HIV.
Joan Robinson, a researcher at the Population Research Insti-
tution, said that although over 50 medical studies to date show
the link between the two, the scientific consensus has received
little to no media coverage due to the economic and ideological
force behind contraception.
“The science is settled,” Robinson says. “Hormonal contra-
ceptives—the oral pill and Depo-Provera—increase almost
all known risk factors for HIV, from upping a woman's risk
of infection, to increasing the replication of the HIV virus, to
speeding the debilitating and deadly progression of the dis-
ease,” reports Robinson in her article, titled “The Pill's Deadly
affair with HIV/AIDS.”
Robinson explained on the PRI website Tuesday that hor-

Church must confirm Christian identity

monal contraceptives boost the number of specific cells in
women which HIV uses to infect and proliferate in the body.
According to the researcher, hormonal contraceptives also

online, says Italian bishop

ROME, Italy, April 23, 2010—
The Italian Bishops' Conference
(CEI) inaugurated a three-day
conference on "Digital Wit-
nesses" yesterday in Rome. The
gathering is aimed at providing
a new generation with access to
the message of Christ, using a
recognizable "language."
The conference has drawn
more than 1,300 participants from
across Italy, who are attending
addresses given by directors and
journalists from Italian media
outlets, experts on communica-
tions and digital technologies and
Church leaders.
In his address on the opening
day of the conference, CEI's sec-
retary general, Bishop Mariano
Crociata, said that while new
media channels promoted by
the Church community do not
replace other means of com-
munication, they do "represent
a new opportunity" in response
to the demand to "intensify dia-
logue and collaboration."
It's about reaching a
generation which has
a different vocabu-
lary, Bishop Crociata
explained, describing
young people as "dig-
ital natives" who have
been raised with the
speed and pervasive-
ness of today's "hori-
zontal, decentralized
and interactive com-
munication."
It's "a generation
that is not against God
or the Church, but
a generation that is
learning to live without God and
without the Church," he noted.
In this context, he continued,
the commitment of the Church
to developing a "new literacy"
in the digital media is about
having a presence that is marked
by "the Christian identity, the
superabundance represented by
the Gospel."
He also highlighted the chal-
lenge of establishing an "organic
project" for social communica-
tions in the pastoral plan of
dioceses that integrates this
language and identity into other
environments.
Citing the Holy Father's mes-
sage for World Communications
Day, the CEI secretary general
concluded, "We must stop con-
sidering communications as 'an
create an “ideal” site for HIV infection on the surface of a
woman's uterus, eliminate the natural pH acid protection
against infection and cause the fragile cervical tissue to grow
beyond its natural bounds and replace what would normally
ulterior segment to the be thick, protective membrane. Additionally, said Robinson,
pastoral ministry or a hormonal contraception can cause vaginal dryness which
sector dedicated to makes the environment susceptible to tears and abrasions,
the media,' to under- creating fertile sites for infection.
stand it rather as 'the “The ‘family planning’ types dismiss out of hand the im-
setting for a pastoral pressive body of scientific research demonstrating a Pill/HIV
outreach entirely and link,” Robinson continued, “preferring to rely on a handful of
integrally "rethought" their own highly questionable trials which claim to find ‘no
from what the culture increase in HIV risk among users of oral contraceptives and
of media is and deter- Depo-Provera.’”
mines in consciences “This is like relying on a tobacco company to monitor a study
and in society.'" on the link between cigarettes and cancer,” she charged.
Additional topics Robinson also wrote that despite the risks involved, many
to be address during U.S-funded organizations promote these drugs to women in
the conference are: developing countries, even though they increase the odds of
"The social network these women contracting HIV/AIDS.
and its centrality in “Population control groups continue to lobby for more
communicative practices" and hormonal contraception, not less,” she noted. “How many
"Young people between mass lives are being lost because we continue to ship boatloads
media and personal media." of hormonal contraceptives to a continent and to countries
The culminating event of the laboring under an HIV/AIDS pandemic? Isn't it time that we
conference is the final address, stopped?”
which will be given by the Holy Steven Mosher, president of the Population Research Institute,
Father in the Vatican's Paul VI echoed Robinson and said on Wednesday that “Groups like
Hall on Saturday afternoon to a USAID and the U.N. Population Fund must recognize the danger
crowd of around 8,000 partici- of recklessly pushing hormonal contraception on populations
pants and other representatives suffering from the scourge of AIDS.” (CNA)
of the Italian Church. (CNA)
 News Features
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 9
April 26 - May 9, 2010
A3

Church will act against sex

abuse, pope promises victims
VATICAN CITY, April 21, 2010—Recalling a recent meeting with victims of sex He recalled his meeting with young people April 18, which
abuse by clergy, Pope Benedict XVI reiterated his promise that the church was was “a moment of deep and intense dialogue.”
doing everything it could to end abuse. After the youths presented their hopes, doubts and wor-
During his April 17-18 trip to Malta, “I wanted to meet with some people— ries, the pope offered St. Paul as an example of a youth who
victims of abuse by some members of clergy,” the pope told about 15,000 people experienced “a radical transformation after his encounter
gathered in St. Peter’s Square for his general audience April 21. with the risen Christ.”
The pope privately met April 18 with eight men who had been abused as Young people around the world are called to discover the
minors by priests. beauty of God’s love and the mystery of Christ’s cross and
“I shared in their suffering and, with emotion, I prayed with them, assuring to be victorious over the trials and tribulations in their own
action on behalf of the church,” he said at the general audience. lives, the pope said.
According to a Vatican statement released immediately after the pope’s 20- He said the message he took to Malta was that people
minute meeting with victims at the apostolic nunciature in Rabat, Malta, the pope should not fear life’s storms and disaster.
was “deeply moved by their stories and expressed his shame and sorrow over “Do not be afraid of the storms of life, even less its ship-
what victims and their families have suffered.” wrecks, because God’s loving plan is even greater than
“He prayed with them and assured them that the church is doing, and will storms and shipwrecks,” he said.
continue to do, all in its power to investigate allegations, to bring to justice those He also reminded people of the problem of immigration in
responsible for abuse and to implement effective measures designed to safeguard Malta, which must deal with large numbers of people who
young people in the future,” the statement said. often are fleeing poverty, violence and persecution.
The pope reviewed the highlights of his trip to Malta during his weekly gen- The humanitarian, political and legal problems caused by
eral audience. a large influx of immigrants on a tiny island “do not have

© www.di-ve.com
The pope’s two-day trip helped commemorate the 1,950th anniversary of St. easy solutions,” he said. But solutions must be “sought with
Paul’s shipwreck on the island, which heralded in the beginnings of Christian- perseverance and tenacity” while working together with
ity in Malta. international organizations and initiatives, he said.
Ever since St. Paul’s arrival, Malta has held fast to its Catholic roots, and the At the end of the audience, a Canadian artist presented the
pope praised the Mediterranean nation for being faithful to the Gospel for the past two millennia. pope with a 28-inch-high bronze monstrance. Achim Klaas, whose company is located in Ontario, handed the
It is not always easy for a country to draw inspiration from the Gospel that will help them address pope the monstrance, which is based on a traditional “ray design,” which has its roots in 14th-century art.
complicated, modern day challenges, he said. Also present at the audience were more than 400 priests from the diocese of Rome, who came to the
However, the people of Malta have “a Christian vision of life” when they respond to new challenges, square at the invitation of Cardinal Agostino Vallini, the papal vicar of Rome, to express their “most
he said. For example, the country has staunchly maintained its respect for the unborn and the sanctity cordial and affectionate greetings” for the pope’s birthday April 16 and the fifth anniversary of his
of marriage by not allowing the legalization of abortion or divorce. pontificate April 19. (CNS)

Vatican spokesman calls Benedict Advocates laud Court rules

protecting environment
XVI’s pontificate ‘rich and full’ QUEZON CITY, April 18, 2010—A network of environmental advo-
cates have lauded the Supreme Court’s promulgation of a set of rules
ROME, Italy, April 19, 2010—In bardi listed “man’s relationship that would protect the integrity of creation and hasten resolution of
the midst of difficulties, the Holy with God” as revealed by Christ environmental cases.
Father continues to pursue the and found in the Eucharist and The Supreme Court on April 14 has published the “Rules of Proce-
priorities of his pontificate with Church worship, a tireless com- dures for environmental Cases” that will take effect 15 days later.
“consistency and courage,” stated mitment to “full and visible” Kalookan Bishop Deogracias Iniguez, Jr., who currently heads the
Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Christian unity and a response CBCP Public Affairs Committee, said the new rules “should lead
Lombardi on his weekly televi- to the “call for help” from a to increased vigilance and action to defend the integrity of creation
sion program this past Saturday. fearful and uncertain modern from destructive activities such as dumping, mining and logging,
He briefly reviewed the mile- humanity for answers regarding to cite a few.”
stones of Pope Benedict’s tenure, its future. “I hope that affected communities will take advantage of the forti-
noting the “rich and full balance” Fr. Lombardi noted another fied legal recourse to uphold the sanctity of the ecosystems and the
the Pope has struck “between priority for Pope Benedict is to common good,” Iñiguez said.
serving God and humanity.” work for an “open and sincere Legal luminaries and environmental activists have given their
© www.companysj.com

Reflecting on the fifth anniver-
sary of Pope Benedict XVI’s pon-
tificate on his weekly television
Vatican Television show, “Octava
Dies,” Fr. Lombardi observed that Fr. Federico Lombardi
to gain a proper perspective on the
period, “we must return to the Sistine Chapel.” From this venue on the
morning following his election, the Holy Father spoke of the spiritual
legacy of Pope John Paul II and indicated the priorities that would be
the focus of his pontificate, recalled the Vatican spokesman.
On April 20, 2005, the Holy Father directed his first address to the
College of Cardinals in the Sistine Chapel, clearly stating his wish
to renew his “unconditional promise of fidelity” to the Lord and his
intention “to serve him alone,” dedicating himself completely to the
service of his Church.
Among the priorities the Pope spoke of on that day, Fr. Lom-
dialogue” on the ecumenical and input in the development of the Rules. They also participated in
inter-religious fronts. consultative processes organized by the Supreme Court.
“There is no doubt,” he related, “We hail the Puno court for providing our citizens with new tools
“that these have been the real pri- to expedite their quest for the elusive environmental justice,” said
orities of the pontificate, pursued lawyer Amang Mejia, counsel of the EcoWaste Coalition, an envi-
with consistency and courage in ronmental network that has previously commended Chief Justice
a context often not without tensions and obstacles.” Reynato Puno for his “green judicial activism.”
Reviewing the major journeys the Pope has taken and his sub- “It is now up to the people to speak out, go to the courts and test
stantial contributions to society through his writings, Fr. Lombardi the Rules to seek remedies against crimes committed against Mother
commented that it was not his own light that the Pope declared he Nature,” he emphasized.
would shine on that day, “but that of Christ.” The Rules will cover cases involving the enforcement of the coun-
The Vatican spokesman finished his weekly editorial by saying, try’s environmental laws such as the Clean Air Act, Clean Water
“The pontificate thus far has seen a rich and full balance between Act, Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, Toxic Substances
serving God and humanity. and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Act, Oil Spill Compensation
It is, he said, “A path to continue with a sure course.” (CNA/ Act, National Integrated Protected Areas System Act, Indigenous
ETWN News) People’s Rights Act,Philippine Fisheries Code, Wildlife Conservation
and Protection Act, to name a few.

Priests recognized by Benedict

The Supreme Court has included a precautionary principle into
the Rules, stating that “when there is a lack of full scientific certainty
in establishing a causal link between human activity and environ-

XVI for being servants of Christ

mental effect, the court shall apply the precautionary principle in
resolving the case before it.”
“With this, we anticipate the courts hewing arguments and deci-
sions espousing that the protection of the people’s health and the
environment takes precedence over personal or corporate gains,”
VATICAN CITY, April Benedict welcomed He encouraged them to be “patient and noted Eileen Sison, NGO representative to the National Solid Waste
21, 2010—The Holy priests from the Diocese solicitous pastors” in the line of the Patron Management Commission.
Father sent a special of Rome, of which he is of Priests, St. Vianney, “for the good of Atty. Golly Ramos of the Global Legal Action on Climate Change
message to the priests the bishop. The priests, souls.” also noted that the Rules “will transform the legal profession and the
of the world at Wednes- led by Cardinal Vicar of The Holy Father also included a re- practice of law in our country and instill a mindset of sustainability
© religioncompass.wordpress.com

day morning’s general Rome and auxiliary bish- minder that the World Day of Prayer for among stakeholders.”
audience in St. Peter’s ops, had just returned Vocations will be celebrated this coming “The wide gap existing between the law and reality will be nar-
Square. He dedicated a from a pilgrimage to Ars, Sunday. rowed down as the trail-blazing remedies such as the writ of ka-
few words to a particu- France, the home of St. Still speaking in Italian, the Pope con- likasan, writ of continuing mandamus, citizen suit and anti-SLAPP,
lar group of clergy rep- Jean Vianney, as an ini- cluded with special greeting to young afforded to the people, ecological stewards and dedicated civil
resented there in person tiative for the Year for people, the sick and newly married servants will render the violation or non-compliance of environ-
and expressed his “re- Priests. couples. He called on the youth to find mental laws a very expensive and tedious option,” Ramos pointed
spect and deep recogni- Thanking them for their “personal answer to His design of out. (CBCPNews)
tion” for all priests. their presence, affection love” in their dialogue with God, asked
During the individual language greet- and “spiritual closeness,” Pope Benedict also the sick to offer up their suffering for the
ings on a mostly cloudy spring day in expressed his “respect and deep recognition maturity of “numerous and holy voca-
Rome, the Holy Father once again took to (these) and to priests who all over the tions” and exhorted the newlyweds to
the opportunity to recognize clergy as the world dedicate themselves with apostolic find the strength to build “an authentic
ongoing Year for Priests unfolds. zeal to serving the people of God, thus bear- Christian family” in daily prayer. (CNA/
In his Italian-language greeting, Pope ing witness to Christ’s charity.” EWTN News)

DOJ decision sets bad precedent—partylist

CAGAYAN DE ORO City, April Bobby Goking, president of other governors in Davao City “The rules of court were
© CBCP Media

21, 2010— Alibi, the weakest
defense in the book, was what
opened the door to freedom for
two members of the powerful
warlord-cum-politicians’ clan of
Maguindanao, said the lawyer-
president of this city’s press club.
This as the party-list group
Anak Mindanao (AMIN) said that
Justice Secretary Alberto Agra has
set a bad precedent by his decision,
and thus, guilty of abortion.
“The DOJ is guilty of abortion.
Secretary Agra’s decision sets a
very bad precedent as it will con-
vey the message that crime does
pay in this country and that crimi-
nals will go unpunished for as
long as they have friends in high
places,” said AMIN Rep. Ariel C.
Hernandez, a native of Gingoog
City in Misamis Oriental.
the Cagayan de Oro Press Club on the eve of the massacre. And thrashed; the normal process
(COPC) said Agra based his de- on the day of the massacre, he of the justice system was set
cision to dismiss the case against claimed he flew to Manila from aside. Agra didn’t even have
suspended ARMM Gov. Zaldy Davao as certified by the Philip- the courtesy to inform the legal
Ampatuan and Vice Gov. Ak- pine Airlines. counsels of the victims’ relatives Justice to initiate a congressional and let the Department of Justice
mad Ampatuan on the “weakest On the other hand, Akmad was that the two had been exonerated inquiry on Agra over his contro- (DOJ) explain to the whole Fili-
of all defenses,” alibi. freed because, according to Agra, so that they can take appropriate versial decision. pino nation this very controversial
“This is very glaring. They’re there was “lack of witnesses to legal remedies,” she said during Hernandez said there really is decision,” Hernandez said.
going to free them one by one,” implicate him in the massacre.” Monday’s indignation rally at a great need to investigate Agra According to him, AMIN is
he said. But COPC’s Goking, who is the Freedom Monument in front since his decision is “highly suspi- joining the families of the victims
Justice Secretary Alberto Agra also a lawyer, said the two Am- of the Provincial Capitol here. cious and leaves a ‘very bad taste and is supporting the indigna-
cleared the two Ampatuans patuans’ defense were all alibis. Musni, who is also the secre- in the mouth, so to speak’.” tion rallies organized to protest
on murder charges for “lack of Goking also said it was no lon- tary-general for Northern Mind- He said a congressional in- the very controversial decision.
proof that they conspired with ger under Agra’s jurisdiction to anao of the human rights group quiry is the best venue for Agra “We are supporting the fami-
the other accused.” free the two because the case had Karapatan, said that the DOJ had to explain to the Filipino nation lies of the victims on their fight
Agra also said in his high- already been filed in court. earlier recommended the inclu- his decision. for justice. And we are joining
ly controversial decision that Another lawyer, Beverly Mus- sion of the two Ampatuans in the “As a true Mindanawon party- the whole Filipino nation in con-
“mere relationship and having ni of the Union of People’s Law- murder charges because of a testi- list, advocating and fighting for demning this decision,” he said.
the same name, do not establish yers in Mindanao (UPLM) said mony of a witness that was found the aspirations of all Mindana- Hernandez also said AMIN
conspiracy.” Agra’s decision is fraught with by the court to be reliable. wons for equity, development, questions the timing of the de-
In his alibi, Zaldy Ampatuan anomalies and that it thrashed AMIN’s Hernandez, mean- peace and social justice, AMIN is cision.
said he was in a meeting with the rules of the courts. while, urged the Committee on calling for a congressional inquiry Bad precedent / A6
A4
EDITORIAL
The Necessity of Voting the Right
People
IN the context of the times, we must make sure first of all that
those who become our leaders in government are those whom
we have in fact freely chosen to lead us. We must work for
HONEST ELECTIONS. We should make sure that people are
able to freely vote for those whom they wish, that all forms of
cheating are eliminated and that the votes are counted correctly
from the precinct level to the final canvassing, so that the rightful
winners are proclaimed and assume office. We should not allow
candidates to steal public offices they do not deserve to occupy
while depriving us of the services of those whom we have chosen
to serve us. Those who steal public office will steal from public
coffers. While imposing themselves upon the people they will
not hesitate to lay heavy burdens on them. Cheats do not make
good public servants.
At this critical point of our history, it is of paramount importance
that those who get proclaimed as winners in the elections are
those who in fact have won, no matter who they are. The survival
of our democracy demands that the people are ruled by those
whom they want to rule over them, and whom they have truly
and freely voted into office. To put it bluntly, it is preferable that
persons who are less qualified but voted into office in an honest
election should govern our people than those supposedly more
qualified men who have dishonestly won the election should
govern our nation. Hence, we must give top priority to securing
honest elections.
However, it is of the utmost importance that we vote the right
people to office. But who are the right persons to vote for? Whom
does God want us to designate to become bearers of that awesome
authority which emanates from him (cf. Rom. 13:1)? In the past,
we enumerated some guidelines to help our people make the
correct choices. Those guidelines remain valid. But allow us to
set forth a simplified guide for these elections.
In choosing our leaders in the political community it would be
most logical to look first at the platforms and programs of the
different political parties. But unfortunately in our country there
are practically no differences in the platforms and programs of the
different parties. Proof of this is the ease with which candidates
even for the highest offices transfer parties or form alliances when
their personal interests suit it. We need to focus our attention on
the qualities needed by our elective public officials.
The most necessary qualification that a candidate must have is
COMPETENCE in relation to the office he is seeking to be elected
to. Is the candidate capable of fulfilling the duties of the office he
aspires to? Does he have the physical health, mental ability, and
emotional capability needed to handle the demands of his office?
In other words, can the candidate do the job if elected?
An important element of this competence especially in regard to
our next President and Vice-president is the candidate’s possession
of that quality called LEADERSHIP. We need a President whom
the people can look up to, who can inspire confidence and motivate
them to unite and conspire towards the common good. Leadership
is not the same as popularity or prowess in oratory. Neither is
it the capacity to manipulate people towards self-serving ends.
Leadership is rather a way of serving that draws people together
and draws the best from them so that they dare to forge a better
future together despite all obstacles.
In these critical times we need a President who has the leadership
required to lead us out of the economic turmoil and to restore
peace and order in our land. The competence of a candidate is
to be measured from his native qualities and his track record in
serving the community. The way a person has served in the past
is a better gauge of his competence than any academic credentials
he may hold. Performance, not promises or popularity, is the test
of competence.
The second qualification necessary is the PERSONAL INTEGRITY
of the candidate. The candidate should not only be competent.
He should also be God-fearing, God-loving (maka-Diyos) and
moral. And morality means first of all an absolute commitment
to uphold the human rights and freedom of others, and honesty
in the handling of public funds. Morality also means truthfulness,
and upright conduct in one’s private and family life.
Personal integrity means, finally, that while we must make
allowances for human weakness and sin in our public officials, we
have a right to expect them to hold on to sound moral principles
and to follow those principles with consistency.
For example, we have a right to expect our public officials, but
especially our President and Vice-President to uphold respect for
human life from conception to its natural end, and to protect the
sanctity of the family, as mandated by our Constitution, both by the
measures they promote and by the example of their own lives.
A third paramount quality we should seek in candidates for public
office is a proven commitment to the common good. We should
elect persons who can transcend narrow self and family interests
and are willing to make sacrifices for the public good. Corrupt
persons do not have this commitment. Neither do those politicians
whose actions are guided only by convenience or the desire to
do the popular thing whether it be right or wrong. Such persons
should not be voted into public office.
In sum, we ask you to vote into office, especially as President
and Vice-President candidates who have exhibited COMPETENT
LEADERSHIP, PERSONAL INTEGRITY and COMMITMENT
TO THE COMMON GOOD.
—Pastoral Exhortation on the 1998 Elections
www.cbcpmonitor.com
cbcpmonitor@cbcpworld.net
Pedro C. Quitorio
Editor-in-Chief
Pinky Barrientos, FSP Kris P. Bayos
Associate Editor Feature Editor
Melo M. Acuña Laarni Bergado
Managing Editor Marketing Supervisor
Roy Q. Lagarde Ernani M. Ramos
News Editor Circulation Manager
Laurence John R. Morales Marcelita Dominguez
Layout Artist and Online Editor Comptroller
The CBCP Monitor is published fortnightly by the CBCP Com-
munications Development Foundation, Inc., with editorial and
business offices at 470 Gen. Luna St., Intramuros, Manila.
P.O. Box 3601, 1076 MCPO.
Editorial: (063) 404-2182. Business: (063)404-1612.
ISSN 1908-2940
Opinion CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 9
April 26 - May 9, 2010
Illustration by Bladimer Usi
Francisco F. Claver, SJ
Bishops and Philippine
Afterthoughts Elections
THE CBCP has always felt the local Church has to play a strong In 1986, the bishops judged that the snap elections were fraudulent
role in turning elections into a vehicle of social change. So in the and condemned it and Marcos’ continued rule.
But we also made sure to call on everyone to discern and judge
coming May 10 elections, what do bishops think are the changes
most needed today? the polls on their own. We told people that if they agreed with our
The change most needed in our heavily flawed political culture has judgment, then they should pray and act together to correct the
always been freeing our election process from cheating, vote-buying, wrong.
murder, over-spending in campaigns, etc.—to make it clean, honest We must be mindful of our influence and make sure we do not
and free. This simply is saying our elections have always been open stifle people’s conscience, but that we educate it.
to all sorts of corrupt practices—a national shame—and correcting This is why diocesan social action work vis-à-vis elections has
it is a concern that the bishops have tried doing (with little success) been concentrated on voter education during the three years be-
through pastoral letters. tween elections. Voter organization then becomes more feasible at
This year the hope is that the new automated manner of voting election times themselves to ensure the untampered counting and
would, at least, work well, and that the incumbent president fail in reporting of votes.
her various efforts to hang onto power. It is a huge task, but workable and successful where people are
The bishops’ collective voice has always been clear in their op- vigilant and unafraid to guard the sanctity of their ballots.
position to the many evils of Philippine elections. Many bishops
have realized that speaking out is not what is most needed but the Already, by their simple efforts to keep elections free of all the
organization of the laity for action that only they can do. This means many wrongs usually done in their conduct, the social change that
only one thing: the exercise of “people power.” the Church constantly preaches is beginning to happen.
For when the people start acting in their own way and at
However, this year, four bishops have announced their candidates.
their level against the many corrupt practices of Philippine politics,
A bishop has the right to express his opinion, but the bishop should
that is when the real social change takes place with the correspond-
make sure to tell people that they have to make their own choice
ing change of the values of the people.
based on their conscience after their own careful discernment.
Sr. Mary Pilar Verzosa, RGS
‘I paid dearly for what
they said was free’
Love Life
FIFTEEN years ago, Lina was given free Open Forum. Her story would have been to remove the IUD. Some women have even
supply of contraceptive pills at the health a tragic account were it not for her conclu- reached their menopause or have gotten
center in her neighborhood upon her re- sion—she had three more children after that widowed, but still workers do not want to
quest. She had three children by then and treatment. Her three older children are now remove the IUD!
was working as a security guard so she and grown-up., married and giving her the joy While we rejoice that the RH Bill did not
her husband decided they could not afford of being a grandmother while these three pass this 14th Congress, we are sure that
to have another child. younger ones are diligent students about to the reproductive health-population control
For six years she faithfully took the pills finish their schooling soon. advocates will surely file the bill again as
every evening and was grateful that the The story of Lina is not unique. When we soon as the 15th Congress begins. Pro-life
center gave her the supplies for free month give seminars in depressed communities, advocates will once again gather forces to
after month. She was surprised then when at least one, if not more of the participants lobby to stop the passage of the bill. But
her period did not come for three months. would express their regret that they too as far as I am concerned, as long as we do
She concluded she was pregnant so she took quickly decided to use contraceptives. They not address the basic need of our people for
abortifacient tablets. After a month and still practically would blame us, or whoever sufficient, practical and effective means of
her menses did not come, she went to a should have been in charge, the fact that appreciating their dignity as sexual human
“hilot” for deep abdominal massage. After they were not taught natural family planning beings gifted with fertility and the power to
some bleeding, she took the pregnancy test. properly. They could have learned it easily, make vital decision in their life, it will con-
Three times, it showed negative results. Still the way that our pro-life team teaches them tinue to be an upward battle to stop people
she felt uncomfortable so she went for check now, but as they recall, whoever taught from thinking that the RH bill is the answer.
up in a hospital. It was there that she was them NFP before they got married was too The RH Bill promises free contraceptives for
told she had not been pregnant but that she vague and short a time for them to appre- the poor by legislating a budget of millions
had a “tumor” in her uterus. She had to stay ciate the instructions. And since majority from taxpayers’ money.
for six weeks in the hospital for treatment. in the depressed areas are not married in Unlike that simplistic answer of the popu-
She bitterly expressed—“the pills were for Church, they have had no way of knowing lation control believers: “Lessen poverty by
free, but my treatment for the side effects of the Church teachings on family planning. lessening the number of poor people”, let us
the pill was not free!” On the other hand, the Health Center per- engage in a holistic approach to uplift the
I met Lina in Cebu City last month. Ellen, sonnel prefer to issue the condoms, pills people from poverty. This statement often
the parish worker, requested me to give an and injectables to them rather than take the hits the target—“Even when there are only ten
orientation seminar to the BEC leaders in her time to teach them NFP. Some women have people in an area, if two are greedy and self-
parish before she would begin the Natural complained that they were led to accept in- ish, the rest of the eight would still experience
Family Planning-Responsible Parenthood sertion of the IUD (intra-uterine device) as deprivation”. Who, where, when and how
Program. Around 40 women attended. Lina a very simple method. When infections and then will we, as a Church, attend to the press-
related her story to the group during the side effects occur, the health workers refuse ing concerns of our brothers and sisters?
Fr. Carmelo O. Diola, SSL
I am Catholic
Spaces of Hope
A FEW days ago I had the chance to chat with a ranking PNP officer Then, when I was about to leave, the police officer took me aside
of one of the regions of the country. He looked trim and inspired and whispered: “I am doing this, Father, because I am Catholic.”
confidence. I soon discovered a public servant who wanted to do In another context, an elderly candidate stood up and shared
his job professionally and effectively. before about 100 other candidates during a discernment integrity
“I have no ambition with regards to where I will be assigned; recollection: “In the 34 years that I have been in politics, I have not
hence, I do not really care about the reactions of politicians regard- used any money to buy votes. I have not cheated.”
ing my impartial implementation of the law during elections. I am Surprisingly his claim was met with a tranquil silence and there
not siding with anyone and the result is that many politicians are was no contrary feedback afterwards. He seems to have told the
angry at me,” he told me. truth.
He was not putting on airs. Before our conversation I had a chance He continued: “I have also not forgotten to practice my faith. I
to talk with individuals who were inspired by his example. They go to mass and I am a member of a prayer group. I am a practicing
noted, for instance, how entire police units had been relieved due to Catholic.”
their siding with certain politicians. The police officer means busi- Finally, during a CiDE seminar for pastoral workers in Pagadian,
ness and there is no haggling when it comes to the law concerning a priest stood up to share before the group how he has devised a
illegal firearms. Check points continue their vigilance. simple message for his parishioners. He has a poster which reads:
“Do not make a wrong, right; rather, do the right thing,” he would “I am Catholic. I do not sell my vote!”
constantly remind his men. He leads by example as he is careful not Yes, being Catholic—a Christian—should make a difference.
to fall into a relationship of dependency with any politician. Mary / A6
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 9
April 26 - May 9, 2010
Abp. Angel N. Lagdameo, DD
In and Out of Season
AS our country starts to examine the can-
didates for the next administration and
discern upon whose shoulders it would lay
the presidency, a book by Mr. Napoleon
“Leo” Almonte may be practical, helpful and
useful. Its title is “Rizal is My President: 40
Leadership Tips from Jose Rizal.”
With permission of Mr. Almonte, whom
I had the chance to meet on Rizal Day orga-
nized by the Knights of Rizal last year, in my
speech I have arranged or grouped Rizal’s 40
Leadership Tips according to some themes or
topics. The author Almonte’s sources are the
correspondences of our Hero with Marcelo
H. del Pilar, Antonio Luna, Mariano Ponce,
Alfredo Hidalgo, Jose Basa, Ferdinand Blu-
mentritt, Pablo Pastels, Fr. Vicente Garcia,
Joven Zulueta, Baldomero Roxas, Graciano
Lopez Jaena. They were the “mararangal at
bayani ng bayan.”
What are these leadership qualities found
in Rizal’s letters? After belief in God as
supreme being and a “good father”, Rizal
stated that a leader must have a critical
understanding of our country and of our his-
tory as well as of other cultures. Rizal wrote
to his friends: “It is necessary that you study
the questions that concern our country.
About morality, Rizal stressed the fol-
lowing in his letters: Tell the truth, work
diligently, reject bribes, earn money hon-
estly, and accept criticism. In support of
these moral values, Rizal proposed that
a leader must: earn the respect of oth-
ers, fight indolence, develop his talents,
acknowledge his limitations and expect
no rewards.
In his person, a leader must be incorrupt-
ible and worthy of freedom, calm in the face
Media bloodbath vs.
Opinion
Dr. Jose Rizal for
President
of odds, pressures, even death, accessible
to family and compatriots and concerned
with vital developments. A leader should
not regard himself as indispensable and ir-
replaceable. To Marcelo H. del Pilar, Rizal
wrote: “I want to make it of record, that
never do I oppose the rise of anyone, even
though it may cause my downfall. I leave the
ground free to all those who want to triumph
and I withdraw.”
Despite intrigues and controversies,
threats and rivalries, like Jose Rizal, a leader
should never lose his focus on patriotism
and optimism, hoping to get something
good even from misfortune. Reflecting on
how Rizal rose from his heartbreak of losing
Leonor Rivera to an Englishman, the author
comments: “Leaders must accept early on to
put their personal lives on the backseat. The
task at hand, that which serves the greater
good, always comes first. Such is the demand
of leadership.”
Rest and recreation have part in a leader’s
schedule. Rizal wrote to Marcelo H. del Pilar:
“Do not think that I feel sad or grieving. Ev-
ery other day I do gymnastic exercises and
practice fencing and shooting…”
Receiving from Mariano Ponce the
advice that compatriots “should be sol-
idly united to ward off all the evils in our
country,” Rizal made unity one of the
ideals of La Liga Filipina, the association
he founded in Barcelona, Spain. Unity de-
velops in the family and community; and
so he enjoins his two sisters to honor with
him their parents. A leader must stir the
idealism of youth for the fatherland. In his
“Letter to the Young Women of Malolos,”
Rizal encouraged Filipino women to take
Fr. Roy Cimagala
part in the socio-political development in
the country. Factionalism and divisiveness
must be fixed. To his friends, Rizal wrote:
“I trust that we shall march forward always
united, friendly to one another, mutually
advising and helping.” No nepotism: Rizal
rejected the advise of his sister to accept
the bribe of the Spanish authorities for
renouncing his critical novels in exchange
of his freedom.
Rizal was inspired to work for political
reforms by the example of the priests, Fathers
Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos and Jacinto
Zamora. Schooled by the Jesuits and Domini-
cans, he later would write: “Education can
make champions out of savages!”
Because Andres Bonifacio had attached
Rizal’s name to his armed revolution, of
which Rizal was not in favor, Rizal’s enemies
found an added reason to condemn him, to
death. Rizal did not express his resentment
to the Katipunan Supremo. He, too wanted
change. He accepted the consequences of his
actions, by turning around to meet the bul-
lets and falling facing the bright skies.
Before his death, Dr. Jose Rizal wrote
“Mi Ultimo Adios” which speaks about his
leadership and courage to say goodbye as
well as his dream for the fatherland. I would
like to quote directly what the author of 40
Tips has finally to say: “A leader must have
the good sense to bow out when the time
for relinquishing power has come. A leader
can lead only for so long before he becomes
obsolete. To cling on to power is to break the
covenant between the leader and those he
leads. Insisting on staying on robs others of
their turn at leadership and robs followers
of the benefits of change.”
A5
Jose B. Lugay
Laiko Lampstand
Last minute automated
election woes
THE proponent of R.A. 9893, the Revised Automated Elec-
tion System Law in the Senate was Sen. Robert Gordon, now
a presidential candidate. The primary motivation to pass this
law is the COMELEC’s corruption-laden experience during the
time of then Chairman Benjamin Abalos resulting in the void-
ing of the purchase of automation equipment from Mega Pacific
worth P 1.4 Billion. The Supreme Court ruled that the method
of purchase did not follow public bidding as required by R.A.
9184, the Government Procurement Law.
Many attempts to delay the implementation of R.A. 9893, valid
or not, had exasperated Senator Gordon. He expressed that the
implementation of the new automation law will prevent another
Hello Garci debacle. This referred to the control of COMELEC
officer Virgilio Garcillano on the votes of Maguindanao. Alleg-
edly, on his order, Maguindanao voted solid for President Arroyo
during election year 2004.
Hope of a better COMELEC was expected by the careful
re-writing of the Revised Automated Election System Law. More
hope was generated with the revamp of the COMELEC by the
appointment of the retired Supreme Court Justice Jose Melo as
Chairman, known for his moral integrity, and Atty. Fernando
Rafanan, known to be unwavering in doing what is legally correct
and morally right as head of the Special Bids and Awards Com-
mittee (SBAC). In spite of the improved manning, COMELEC’S
bidding process of the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS)
machines did not have smooth sailing. Aside from the usual
complaints of the losing bidders, some members of Information
Technology advocacy groups and watchdogs for clean election
questioned the COMELEC for short-cutting of procedures—one
of them was the lack of testing of the automated election process
in Luzon and Visayas regions. Fortunately, the Supreme Court
sided with COMELEC that the ARMM automated election sys-
tem in Mindanao was a sufficient test case and hence had given
enough experience to COMELEC in managing the implementa-
tion of the automated election system.
As if there was not enough tension among election
watchdogs regarding the motive of the President to run for
Congress as representative for the second district of Pampanga,

Church Candidly Speaking

the COMELEC was deluged with questions on the accredita-
tion criteria of Party List candidates. While the Party List Law
provided for the underprivileged and under-represented groups
to have a voice in Congress, wise politicians found a loophole—
THERE seems to me a media bloodbath against the Church these Well, good luck to you, guys, atheists, agnostics, secularists, dis- representing the COMELEC-accredited party list organization
days. The indiscriminate digging up of cases of clergy sex abuses and senters. I don’t wish to sound hubristic, but there’s something you could be any well known Congressman like Mikey Arroyo or
piling them up as evidence of a Church-wide conspiracy to avoid will never understand if you just stop at your brilliant reasoning Cabinet Member like Angelo Reyes! Obviously this reflected on
justice are simply unbelievable. and mock the faith. COMELEC’s lack of foresight by not anticipating the wily moves
What’s coming out is not so much an honest effort to ferret For sure, you have managed to cause some kind of crucifixion of politicians to attain power through the back door.
out the truth and to seek appropriate justice as to vomit venom to the Church in general. But this, according to Christian faith, has A lot of media noise has been reverberating in the
and bad blood even on the Pope. There’s wanton massacre of always been not only to be expected but also to be welcomed and airwaves regarding the slow grind of justice on the massacre
persons. embraced. It serves to purify and strengthen the Church. of media people who were victims of the terrible premeditated
It’s becoming clear that the current crisis is the handiwork of the In short, what’s happening now is nothing new. It’s part of the killing of a total of 53 persons including the wife of rival Vice-
rabid enemies of the Church, making use of clergy victims to launch regular cycle in the life of both the Church and the world. It’s part Mayor Mangudadatu and 31 media personnel by the ruling
their attacks against the Church. All have an ax to grind against of the continuing process of identifying the Church and the world Ampatuan clan of Maguindanao. Hell broke loose among media
the Church, afflicted with the quixotic animus of destroying and more and more with the crucified Christ. These conflicts are an men when recently, newly designated Secretary of Justice Alberto
quashing her to death. unavoidable ingredient in life. Agra declared that Zaldy Ampatuan, Governor of ARMM and
Imagine unearthing cases dating years and ages ago. And with- It’s actually like a favor done to the Church. I don’t know whether Mamasapano Mayor Akmad Ampatuan of Maguindanao, after
out knowing exactly not only the finer details but also the salient many people understand that. In the Gospel, when Christ had to investigation, showed proof that they were not part of the crimi-
developments of each case, they blast off into wild accusations impart a mysterious lesson to the people, he would say, “He who nal act, hence freed from further investigation. This incident is
based mainly on their speculations and, of course, their bleeding has ears to hear, let him hear.” Only those who try to live by faith recorded as the most gruesome election crime in the annals of
hatred. would understand this divine logic. Philippine history, thus the mass rally of media people against
They cast off restraint and moderation. They give full bent to Non-believers can soar sky-high in their reasoning, and hiss and Secretary Agra at the DOJ compound.
their intemperance. They look invincibly convinced they are in mock at believers as much as they want, but they will fail to get the Just as the COMELEC sighed a welcome breather that the
entirely right. What they suspect is really what happened, no ifs point unless they change. problems of the demo machine that failed due to humidity was
and buts about it. Obviously, given our human condition, there is also need to clarify easily resolved, the ultraviolet ink that was used for printing the
They seem not to have any room for the possibility of personal the issues and avoid playing the ostrich, with head in the sand. ballots was a complete failure. The printed ballots are confirmed
conversions and atonement of the people involved. They seem not to Christian believers are not averse to engaging anyone in a healthy, genuine by the built-in detection mechanism of the PCOS ma-
have space for things like mercy and magnanimity. Their suffocating constructive dialogue, and to face the full weight of human justice, chines due to the presence of silver in the ink used. Obviously,
sense of justice blinds them to these human needs. no matter how imperfect it is. the ink failed in the quality specification. There was no way of
They drag suspects to the open, and subject them to all sorts of It’s true there had been unspeakable offenses committed by some discarding all the 30 million or so ballots already printed. The
public humiliations. I suppose they’d be happy if some lynching clergy. It’s true there had been errors of judgment, even serious winning contractor, Smartmatic/TIM did a smart move—do
would take place. Even those who are already dead are taken out ones, committed by some Church authorities who handled these away with the built-in detection gadget and substitute it with
of their graves in a pure display of spite. cases. the hand-held UV lamp, the same lamp used for the detection
The media people, some of them anyway, enjoy these things. It’s The Pope, in his recent letter to the Irish bishops regarding these of fake currency by the banks.
a feast for them, a field day. Glued only to the external facts, they Church scandals, already listed some of the root causes of the scan- Not satisfied with looking at the nooks and crannies of the
play blind to the inner workings of these news items. dals. Appropriate measures are already afoot. These will take time, method of governance within the COMELEC office, NAMFREL
They know that limiting themselves to that level already sells of course. Patience, hope and good will are needed. and Bantay Bayan which had been recently disqualified by
enormously. So, why dig deeper? Why bother about the before and Also recently, he called for penitence from everyone, but especially COMELEC as accredited election watchdogs, listed five security
after of the cases, the social, cultural and spiritual context of these from those involved in the abuses. I was just dismayed to learn that features that COMELEC promised that everyone should closely
cases? Oversimplifying things is to go sensational, is to get at the even this papal call was distorted by some people who seem bent at monitor: 1) The Ultraviolet ink mark that can be detected by the
jugular, is to make money. nothing less than kicking the Pope out. PCOS machine—replaced by the hand-held U.V. lamp; 2) Paper
manufacture in Canada—OK; 3) Bar Code; 4) Comelec Security
Seal; 5) Unique precinct-based number; 6) Items 3,4,5 are still
Brian Caulfield
Knights ‘Never
being discussed by NAMFREL and Bantay Bayan (CBCP-EC
Social Action Justice and Peace.)
The specter of failure of election, whether this is a psychological
Half a World Away Stronger’ warfare between the Administration and the contending political
parties had brought into the headlines the possibility of a take-
over by the military junta. The anxiety is the possible chance that
THE Knights of Columbus Supreme Coun- States, the Church is seeking to restore a is this: Will we do more?” there will be a failure of election. The question arises, who will be
cil is committed to the Philippines and will Culture of Life against the culture of death The supreme knight said that the Order’s the acting President at the beginning of the new administration in
work with the local leaders not only to that has been imposed by unjust decisions response should be based on the Christian June 2010? There will be no sitting Vice-President (Noli de Castro
grow the Order here, but to help preserve by courts or legislatures. In the Philippines, understanding to the biblical question— ends his term of office), no Senate President (Sen. Juan Ponce
the precious Catholic identity of the Asian the Culture of Life still stands strong both “Am I my brother’s keeper?” It is up to Enrile also ends his term) nor Speaker of the House (Speaker
nation. in the hearts of the people and in the laws organizations such as the Knights of Co- Nograles also ends his term). To complicate matters further,
This was one of the many messages deliv- of the land, but there are voices in both gov- lumbus to answer yes to that question by the Chief Justice will be retiring in May and his appointment
ered by Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson ernment and the media seeking to promote devising practical, everyday programs of by President Arroyo has been in the headlines for more than a
during the 8th Philippine National Conven- widespread contraception and even abortion service to the poor and needy, Anderson month now. To raise the anti-administration fever further, the
tion of the Knights of Columbus, held in to address what they see as a “population concluded. Supreme Court upon review, reiterated that the President may
Cebu City, April 16-18. The Supreme Knight problem.” I should note that my interest in the Phil- appoint the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court during the elec-
expressed confidence in the current leader- The Knights in the Philippines are do- ippines comes not only through the Knights tion period when political appointments are banned. Of course
ship of the Knights in the Philippines, and ing much to support the bishops in their of Columbus but through my Filipina wife, this displeased all the anti-administration critics.
concluded from his visit that the potential defense of life. In March, thousands of who grew up in Marikina City. My wife’s It would seem that while majority of Filipinos welcome the
for membership growth for the Order is Knights in gathered on the same day in father is a Fourth Degree Knight, as was his automated election system, to eradicate once and for all the
virtually unlimited in the largely Catholic Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao for three father, so the principles of the Order flow hellish dagdag bawas anomaly, there are people who are not
country. different March for Life events that were through my wife’s veins. convinced that COMELEC is ready to implement a better office
In his keynote at the convention banquet, designed to give a unified witness. Public From my brief visit to the Philippines, and management, starting with the elimination of double registrants
he recounted the 105-year history of the events such as this one are helping to rally through extensive conversations and interac- including flying voters. COMELEC claims double registrants
Knights of Columbus in the Philippines, and pro-life opinion and giving support to the tions with the Knights here, I am convinced number 750,000 only but NAMFREL, using comparative census
how the Knights in the country continued to majority of Filipinos who in their hearts are that the Order is poised to make a historic figures, find bloated figures in the ARMM region, Zamboanga
grow and serve the needy through many dif- pro-life and pro-family. contribution to the future of the country not del Sur, Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte, South Cotabato, and
Supreme Knight Anderson also offered only in terms of pro-life issues, but also in the Cebu. All these provinces have over 85% ratio of voters to total
ficult days, including the hardships of World
an unscripted response to an inspiring talk population. The comparative normal figure is 51%. This means
War II. He then outlined the challenges that social justice area that the Philippine bishops
by Archbishop Orlando Quevedo of Cota- that there is a need to review the voters’ list. As a shocking proof,
Knights—and by extension, all Catholics— have placed so high on their agenda. Knights
bato, who spoke on the virtue of fraternal in Mandaluyong alone, according to Bantay Bayan, there are 187
must take on today. Orderwide need to stand in solidarity with
charity. voters who are more than 100 years old!
“I ask you to teach the sanctity of human them. The Philippines may be half a world
Anderson remarked, “The Knights of The COMELEC organization is peopled with lawyers but from
life in your homes and in your schools, and away to most of us, but through our Catholic
Columbus in the Philippines has never been the complaints received and validated by an Ateneo study group,
to defend it in the public square,” Anderson faith we share the one Word of God, and the
stronger, it has never been more dedicated, they sure lack experts on good governance. We are not surprised.
said. “Teach about the beauty of marriage one heart of Christ.
After all, the government bureaucracy is such that employees
and marital love, and the central role of the it has never made a greater contribution to
are so protected on their continuity of tenure regardless of failed
family in the health of a just society. We in the good of this society than today, under (Brian Caulfield is a communications spe-
performance. Still, we wish COMELEC the best for their efforts
America, we at the Supreme Council, we the current leadership of this great organiza- cialist for the Knights of Columbus Supreme
and we hope that the May 10 election results will show to the
will stand with you as you seek to preserve, tion. What we have to ask ourselves today Council in New Haven, Connecticut, USA,
world that Filipinos are capable of managing an automated
defend and promote the Catholic culture of when we hear the challenge given to us by and editor of the website Fathers for Good
election system in a democratic developing world. Go out and
the Philippines.” Archbishop Quevedo and by Cardinal Vidal (fathersforgood.org). He will be a regular
vote—and VOTE GOD!
In many countries, such as the United and by the other members of the hierarchy contributor to the CBCP Monitor.)
 Local News
CBCP Monitor
A6 Vol. 14 No. 9
April 26 - May 9, 2010

Bishop fears govt, MILF

pact could spark violence
A CATHOLIC bishop painted a grim specter of political violence, next week either in Kuala Lumpur or in Manila.
arguing that a deal being readied between the government and a
Muslim rebel group could cause people to cross the line from heated
“It will definitely have an adverse effect. Conflict could erupt here
in Maguindanao or even in the entire Mindanao,” he said. Isabela observes day of
mourning in bombing aftermath
talk to dangerous consequences. He warned that groups of armed Christian in Mindanao opposed
Cotabato Auxiliary Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo claimed the gov- to the deal vowed of putting a fight if President Arroyo will approve
ernment and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front are again bent on the agreement.
reviving the aborted ancestral domain agreement. According to the bishop, the looming violence could also hamper ISABELA City paused to mourn their dead on April 13, few
Information reaching him, he said, the holding of the May 10 local and hours after deadly bomb attacks and clashes between soldiers
revealed that the peace panels of both national elections in Mindanao. and suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits.
parties are currently in Kuala Lum- The accord on ancestral domain As residents still strive to recover from the shock brought by the
pur, Malaysia to finalize a draft of an that would have led to the creation incident, a Catholic bishop presided over a memorial Mass in hon-
interim peace pact. of the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity or of government troopers and civilians who died yesterday.
The accord, which according to him is was supposed to be signed in Kuala Isabela Bishop Martin Jumoad said he celebrated the Eucharist
a new version of the stalled memoran- Lumpur last Aug. 5, 2008 but a tem- on Tuesday for the victims and their families and led in candle
dum of agreement on ancestral domain porary restraining order was issued lighting rites for peace.
in 2008, will be signed before President by the Supreme Court on Aug. 4 In his Pastoral Statement entitled “Into your Hands Lord I Com-
Gloria Arroyo’s term ends on June 30. foiled the two panels from pushing mend my Spirit,” Jumoad said the church is “saddened” by the
“First, we are opposed to it. We are thorough. incidents which also caused havoc at the Sta. Isabel Cathedral.
calling on the government to just leave Following the order of the Higher The prelate said government troopers engaged the lawless ele-
it to the next president and for it to be Court, the MILF staged attacks in some ments in firefight to protect the innocent civilians and institutions.
carefully studied,” Bagaforo said. provinces in Mindanao which killed “We condemn this ruthless act against the innocent civilians
Bagaforo also said that if the agree- scores of civilians and the displace- and institutions,” he said. The prelate believes it was part of a
ment would be finalized within the ment of thousands of families. (Roy well-orchestrated attack “to sow fear in the minds and hearts”
week, its final approval will be held Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo Lagarde/CBCPNews) of local residents.
‘Crucial’ / A1 He added the people cannot allow this to happen and overtake
the gains of peace.
The decline of integrity of conduct in by Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales
Jumoad said he and the Catholic Church in Basilan condole with
public and private institutions, including of Manila. “We also make it truly our own,” Year of Two Hearts
the families of the innocent civilians and military men who lost their
the worsening insurgency problem and in- he said. Meanwhile, Rosales, who is chair of the
loved ones as the continue to “condemn this act of terrorism.”
creasing poverty fuelled the failing situation, “We urge all Catholics, in their families, committee for the Year of Two Hearts has al-
He said they continue to appeal for peace as he called on local
said Odchimar, who also heads the Diocese parishes and other communities to pray the ready sent copies to the diocesan bishops and
residents to stay calm and turn to prayer.
of Tandag. novena from May 1 to May 9,” Odchimar to the members of the Council of the Laity of
“To the perpetrators, we know well that we are all brothers
“Much reform and change is needed,” said. the novena prayer. (See Novena in B5)
and sisters with one Almighty whom we call in different names,”
he said. “The elections provide a means for “Let us be one in praying and one in work- The novena will be prayed after every
he said as he underscored “many lives and properties were lost
our people to take strong and decisive steps ing with all our minds and hearts and hands Eucharistic Mass beginning May 1 to May
and destroyed.”
toward urgent renewal, toward changes that toward bringing about the integrally free and 9, eve of the elections.
He posed the question to them: “Do you not feel the cry of the
all are crying out for—toward hope.” honest elections we all desire,” he added. In a pastoral statement issued middle of
children who are orphaned because of your inhuman act?”
last year, the Catholic Bishops Conference of
The prelate called on the candidates for the coming elections
Prayer power Moral obligation the Philippines (CBCP) has declared the year
to ask their respective followers to remain calm and not to resort
If only to achieve successful polls, the The CBCP head also called on the Filipi- June 2009 to June 2010 as Year of Prayer and
to violence.
church still believed in the potent power nos to make use of their democratic right to Work for Peace-Building and Lay Participa-
He appealed to men and women in uniform to continue their
of prayer. elect the president and other candidates of tion in Social Change under the guidance of
vigilance and prompt response to protect the lives and properties
Odchimar said the CBCP is calling on the their choice.` the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate
of peace-loving residents.
faithful to pray a novena for the realization “It is a civic duty and moral obligation Heart of Mary.
“When everything is done and our human efforts seem futile, we
of “integrally free, clean and honest elec- which binds in conscience,” said Odchimar. In the said pastoral letter, the CBCP issued
turn to God and say: “Into your hands Lord I commend my Spirit.”
tions.” To say that his or her vote is no importance a challenge to the Catholic laity to evange-
He added any attempt to destroy the truth that everyone
He said the elections should not be viewed or does not matter at all is absolutely wrong, lize politics and renounce corruption and
belongs to One Almighty will not advance the cause of Peace.
as anything else but rather allow God to lead according to him. “take the lead in the task of moral renewal
(Melo M. Acuña)
the process. “In this crucial hour, let us be one in self- towards a deeper and more lasting change in
The novena, initiated by different lay or- sacrifice and in hope for our great people, the Philippine society.” (With reports from
ganizations, has been blessed and proposed and our beloved land,” Odchimar said. Kate Laceda) Bad precedent / A3
“Why at this time? We are just a few days to Election Day on May 10
Discuss / A1 and we all know the capabilities of the Ampatuans in rigging the election
and will be circulated among the eight groups participating in the “Drastic things have to be done to change the political system in in Maguindanao in favor of their patron in Malacañang,” he said.
two-day meeting for modification and approval. the country and even governance that allow these things to hap- He said AMIN sees the handprints of Malacañang all over Agra’s
“We would like to make a joint statement to appeal to the whole pen,” he explained. decision.
country to be more conscious of the national interests and the com- The prelate said serious change has to happen in the country, but Hernandez said the DOJ should have left it to the courts to resolve
mon good,” he said. this should begin with the people. the case against the Ampatuans, allow the prosecutors prove their
He added that there is a need to call on everyone to do everything Capalla emphasized the need to change one’s views of the country, case in court and let the case take its full course. (Bong D. Fabe)
to make the coming elections honest, credible and peaceful. to deepen the spirit of patriotism and nationalism which is no longer
“We will also appeal to the candidates to stop using black pro- mentioned in the schools today. Faith / A1
paganda, mudslinging and character assassination against their “Nobody would die for the country,” he said. “But they would die clean and free elections—in the true voice of the people.
opponents and to their fellow religious leaders to join them in for the party, or abroad, or for the money, but not for the country,” Finally, there are two very important truths for all to remember:
fasting and prayer or novena for the success of the coming political he added. 1. Love for one’s country is a basic duty for citizens, and it is also a
exercise,” Capalla furthered. The prelate said he is praying for the success of the coming elections. true Christian duty and virtue. This love calls for civic responsibility
He said 99 percent of Davao faithful want the political exercise to and demands participation in helping to build free, just and caring
Serious change has to happen succeed despite rumors circulating that failure of elections is very society of true solidarity and love.
The Davao prelate said he personally wishes the people would possible. 2. A particular important right and duty of citizens in the modern
seriously re-examine their moral values regarding elections and The 39th BUC assembly is slated on April 28-29 at the Waterfront democratic state is their right to vote. It is a civic duty and moral
what’s happening in the country. Hotel, Davao City. (Melo M. Acuña) obligation which binds in conscience. Nobody may say that his/
her vote is of no importance and that therefore it does not matter
Conscience / A1 whether he/she uses it or not. This is the accepted common teaching
Claver reminded them of the church’s cos’ continued rule as immoral. only “a personal choice made public” and of Catholic moral theology and of the Church’s magisterium. (Cf.
duty to ensure that people cast their votes However, Claver clarified, the bishops that he was not endorsing any candidate. Vatican I, Gaudum et Specs, #75).
based on their own careful discernment, urged people to discern and make their own Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra and Lipa Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, and all our fellow-citizens of
which is the most important thing. actions according to their faith and moral Archbishop Ramon Arguelles were the first good will who truly love our country: let us be one in paying and
“We must be mindful of our influence principles. to endorse a presidential candidate in the one in working with all our mind and hearts and toward bringing
and make sure we do not stifle people’s con- The senior prelate maintains that speak- person of John Carlos de los Reyes of Ang about the integrally free and honest elections we all desire. In this
science, but that we educate it,” he said. ing out is not what is most needed but the Kapatiran party. crucial hour, let us be one in self-sacrifice and in hope for our great
“For when the people start acting in their organization of the laity for action “that only Others who followed suit for de los Reyes people, and our beloved land. God be with us all!
own way and at their level against the many they can do.” were Bishops Antonio Tobias of Novaliches, For the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines
corrupt practices of Philippine politics, that “This means only one thing: the exercise Bishop Antonio Palang of San Jose de Min-
is when the real social change takes place of ‘people power,’” said Claver. doro, Joseph Nacua of Ilagan, and retired +NEREO P. ODCHIMAR, DD
with the corresponding change of the values On April 15, Cotabato Auxiliary Bishop Bishop Teodoro Bacani. Bishop of Tandag
of the people,” Claver added. Jose Colin Bagaforo threw his bid behind Their vocal support for a specific candidate President, CBCP
The Jesuit anthropologist cited for instance administration standard bearer Gilberto is unparalleled in the history of the Philip-
the CBCP 1986 post-election statement that Teodoro in an interview over Church-run pine Catholic hierarchy. (CBCPNews) April 25, 2010
branded as fraudulent the snap elections Radyo Veritas. Good Shepherd Sunday
held that year and declared Ferdinand Mar- But Bagaforo clarified that Teodoro was
Renewal / A1
Mary / A4 should take into consideration attending spiritual recollections.
***** through these. look at appearances or rather appearances He also suggested that candidates should undertake a lie detector
The 12 July statement of the bishops mean something else to him. test to know who is telling the truth on the various issues.
About 10 percent of our population al- reminded “the laity that it is within their As elections draws near, 90k+ (?) can- The archbishop said the archdiocese of Jaro is also holding spiritual
ready work or live abroad. They keep our right as well as their duty to campaign for didates are vying for 14k+ positions (?). recollections for local candidates.
economy afloat. Many dream of coming back candidates they believe to be competent, Each one would seek out to draw the Lagdameo stressed that each presidential candidate should be a
to the Philippines to retire. They continue to honest, and public-service minded in order attention of individuals and groups, par- good example to the people.
be concerned about what’s happening in the to reform our country.” ticularly of the many members of the C, D, He lamented the brickbats political candidates are throwing at
country and are affected by them. If the voting faithful are to fulfill this and E classes who comprise the majority each other while campaigning, saying their attitude does not help
We need to listen to their voices. task, they need to have information on of voters. the country and the people.
Last year, a Dilaab team gave two CiDE the candidates. These data and informa- Some individuals, fired up with a blind “Is this the kind of legacy they want to leave to the younger
orientations to two OFW groups in Hong tion need to be prayerfully weighed in sense of self-regard, have suggested that generation?” he asked. “That’s why we have not progressed as a
Kong. Very recently, we gave one before the light of the LASER test and other voting be made a privilege and preroga- country. Our politicians are too narrow-minded and always putting
members of the AIT (Asian Institute of frameworks. tive of certain sectors of society based on ahead their personal interest than that of others,” the archbishop
Technology) and the AFT (Association of How about our CiDE network offering this economic contributions. This is a danger- said. (Kate Laceda)
Filipinos in Thailand). After a slow start, service through a website? ous proposition, one that has historical
the group of students, professionals, and antecedents. Besides economic contribu- Center stage / A1
residents started to warm up and a lively ***** tions, race, sex, and other determinants became confused.
discussion ensued. have been proposed. What would be the As far as Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal is concerned,
One man showed a stubborn streak. He I am amazed how young children nowa- criteria? Who determines what constitutes a the people should understand politicians today “can promise the
asked me who I am endorsing for president. days quickly imbibe the political air, from basis—and on what basis? What have been whole world” especially during the campaign season.
He did this about five times, albeit in varia- jingles to the nicknames of candidates. the results of such experiments? Images of Asked if he believes the covenant signed by various political per-
tions on the same theme. I held my ground Ino, my 4 year-old nephew, is typical Nazism—and other “isms”—should dispel sonalities in Cebu would bring about peaceful and credible elections
and told him we were doing something even of the lot. He knows the names of na- such claims. in a matter of weeks, the prelate said he believes in the fidelity of
better than just endorsing: we were propos- tional candidates and even some of their At least, Ino’s choice goes against a current the Cebuanos to the Christian doctrine.
ing a process and a mechanism for helping taglines. tendency to choose just on the basis of who “If they promise to do what is good I believe they will do it as I
people make up their minds on whom to Once, in a fit of amusement, I asked him: is the most photogenic or glib. am always optimistic,” the Archbishop of Cebu for the past 27 years
vote for. “Ino whom are you voting for?” His answer On the other hand, various studies show said. He said he believes in the goodness of man.
“But we need information and data on the was prompt: “Siya lang kay bati siya og that many, even majority, of Filipino voters However, the 79-year old prelate said the electorate should also
candidates, Fatherr,” one of them observed. nawong.” (“I will vote for this candidate want to choose candidates who will promote understand that the implementation of campaign promises will
It turned out that while they appreciated who is ugly”). the common good. Yet, time and again, we depend on the means and goodwill of the elected leaders “and of
the LASER test and how this framework as I do not know where my nephew got his end up with leaders who do not promote the course, by God’s grace.”
well as process would help them, they, the inspiration but I would like to think that common good. Asked how far the Catholic Church will go in its criticism of the
OFWs, do not have much access to data and the seeds of principle-based politics have What is the missing link? How do we ad- political system, the prelate said “whenever it touches on morality,
information; and if they do, they need to sift somehow been sowed on him. He does not dress this? we will always be there.” (CBCPNews)
 Diocesan News
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 9
April 26 - May 9, 2010
A7

Briefing Church, groups,

demand pull-out of
Church leads protest vs mining on Earth Day
GENERAL SANTOS CITY—Church leaders and anti-mining
groups here led simultaneous protest activities against envi-
ronmental destruction caused by large-scale mining and other
extractive industries. The protest marches were held in the re-
gion’s key centers the entire day of April 21 to mark the world’s

mining company
celebration of Earth Day. (CBCPNews)

DOJ ruling ‘bad omen’ for justice

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—The first and only Cagayanon
senator criticized the DOJ decision to release suspended ARMM
Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan and Mamasapanu town Mayor Akmad
Ampatuan as a very “bad omen” for Maguindanao and the
country’s justice system. Sen. Aquilino Pimentel said that while
TAMPAKAN, South Cotabato— the copper-gold project.
he is “not sure” of the decision’s implications to the coming elec-
More than a thousand people “They (XSTRATA-SMI) say we’re
tions in Maguindanao, “it is certainly a bad omen of more evils
marched in Tampakan, South Co- okay but in truth we’re not,” he
to befall the people of Maguindanao.” (Bong D. Fabe)
tabato on April 22, demanding the said. The tribal leader lamented the
pull-out of a mining company and project has already divided their
Bishop presses for martial law in Basilan
the halt of a proposed coal power people. He accused the mining firm
ISABELA CITY—Following the recent attacks by Abu Sayyaf plant in the province. of human rights violations by with-
bandits, Bishop Martin Jumoad is calling on President Arroyo to At least 1,700 protesters led by the holding vital information from them
suspend some civil liberties and impose martial law in Basilan Catholic Church and environmental and failing to get the consent of the
province to arrest the rash of lawlessness. He said the troubled groups marched around town, call- community.
region deserves military rule, adding that law and order have ing on XSTRATA-Sagittarius Mines The protesters later signed a state-
deteriorated there. (CBCPNews) Incorporated (SMI) to stop their min- ment against the Tampakan Copper

Contributed photo
ing projects and leave the area. Gold Project of XSTRATA-SMI and
Mid-East OFWs protest DOJ’s decision on Ampatuan Environmental advocates in the for a new mining law written in a
case region marked the commemoration large tarpaulin.
ANTIPOLO CITY—Incensed by the “unjust” decision of the of Earth Day protesting the con- Fr. Romeo Catedral, Social Action
Justice department in clearing the Ampatuans of murder charge, tinued presence of mining firms, saying their extractive projects Center director of the diocese of Marbel lauded the local church ini-
Filipinos in Middle East staged an in-door protest against the endanger people’s lives, livelihood and environment, according tiative saying that “the Diocese of Marbel has always been consistent
ruling on April 22. The Migrante Middle East said their 1,800 to a press release by Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center with its stand against XSTRATA-SMI’s mining project”.
strong membership throughout the Mid-East joined the protest, - Kasama sa Kalikasan-Friends of the Earth Philippines (LRC/ He charged the government of indifference to the issue of global
pressing Agra to revert its earlier decision of taking ARMM KsK-FoE Phils). warming and climate change.
Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan and vice governor Akmad Ampatuan The protesters, composed of religious, farmers and irrigators as- “It [government] continues to allow large-scale mining and other
Sr., off the hook on the murder of 58 people, including a number sociations and indigenous peoples, particularly targeted a mining extractives which will only lead to the irreversible loss of biodiver-
of journalists, in Sharif Abuak in November 2009. (Noel Sales project and a coal fired power plant and called for climate justice sity and worse, destroy the future of the communities” Catedral
Barcelona) amidst threat of global warming, according to Erwin Quinones, stated.
Campaigns Paralegal of (LRC/KsK-FoE Phils). He said they are pushing instead for the passage of the Alternative
CBCP conducts biblical formation program Mining Bill to replace the present mining law (RA 7942).
KORONADAL CITY—A Biblical formation program was re- ‘Protect lifelines of community’ In the afternoon, a motorcade of around 500 proceeded to Ko-
cently held here by the CBCP’s Commission on Biblical Aposto- “We have to protect the lifelines of the communities in Tampakan and ronadal City and staged a protest outside the office of the Mines
late aimed at deepening the religious formation of participants other areas otherwise our dignity as human beings will be lost eventu- and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office XII led by the Alliance for
on the liturgy and sacred scriptures. Dubbed 19th Summer Bible ally” declared Fr. Gillarme Joy Pelino, Vicar of Tampakan Parish. Genuine Development (AGENDA).
Institute, the event was held on April 19 to 22 at the Christ the Gillarme said “the people’s struggle against XSTRATA-SMI’s
King Spiritual Center. (Kate Laceda) copper-cold project will continue to groundswell and we see more Threat to coastal waters
communities and organizations joining our ranks in the months to Meanwhile, in Maasim, Saranggani province, at least 300 protest-
Conventions forming seminarians as promoters of come.” ers picketed in front of the proposed Alcantara owned 200MW coal
vocation held Ireneo Felizilda, President of Tampakan Irrigators Association plant site in Sitio Tampuan.
BORONGAN CITY—Around 30 members of the Catarman disclosed that “more than 40,000 hectares of rice fields in South Led by Maasim Peoples Coalition on Climate Change (MP3C),
Seminarians Association and 40 of the Borongan Major Semi- Cotabato and Davao del Sur will protesters marched with their plac-
narians Organization attended a Convention on “Forming be affected by the XSTRATA-SMI’s ards from a nearby beach resort
seminarians as promoters of vocation among Altar Servers.” The mining project.” towards the plant site before holding
Convention was held in separate venues, namely the John Paul “[We] have decided to join the a program where leaders took turns
Seminary in Catarman (Northern Samar) and the Seminario de campaign because we fear that we in condemning the project.
Jesus Nazareno in Borongan (Eastern Samar), last April 6 and will end up with no food to provide Maasim fisherfolks denounced
9, respectively. (Fr. Mickey Cardenas) for our children” he explained. the project saying that it threatens
The irrigators, indigenous peoples the coastal waters of the town
and other grassroots organizations that serve as their only source of
have linked with Save SOCSARGEN living.
Movement, a local alliance that Fisherfolk leader Mariano Panu-
vowed to oppose the mining project gas said “it can never be true that
and other extractive industries and we will enjoy the same resources
to campaign for climate justice. from the seas after the construc-
Contributed photo

Daguil Capion, a B’laan leader tion of the coal fired power plant.
living inside the mine development Fish will die or will go farther
area decried company claims that where our small boats can’t go”.
their group has been supportive of (CBCPNews)

Sumilao farmers cry foul over CLOA

SUMILAO, Bukidnon— The contested 144-hectare estate but pineapples planted by DMPI on any third party,” she stressed.
Sumilao farmers, who became the balance of 94 hectares SMC the land. Even outgoing Malaybalay
famous for marching 1,700 ki- will acquire from outside the While the farmers destroyed Diocese Bishop Honesto Pac-
lometers from Sumilao to Ma- disputed estate to be distributed the pineapples on their awarded ana wondered why the land
nila in 2007 to dramatize their to the farmers. land, Aguhob and Bukidnon awarded to the farmers has been
struggle for land, have cried It also stipulates that the land Provincial Agrarian Reform planted with pineapples.
foul against the Department of to be given to them is clean and Office (PARO) chief Julio Celes- Pacana sought the explanation
Agrarian Reform (DAR), San has no encumbrances and other tiano Jr. helplessly looked on. of SMC lawyer Fred Peňaflor
Miguel Corporation (SMC), Del claimants. “The farmers were cheated and Aguhob, who all denied any
Monte Philippines, Inc. (DMPI) But the whole 15-hectare es- once again. The way I see it, it’s knowledge of the presence of the
and the family of the mayor here tate located in Sitio Larok, Ba- like giving the key of the house pineapples in the land.
for allegedly trying to cheat them rangay Kisolon in Sumilao town to the owner and telling him ‘it’s Peňaflor, Aguhob and Celes-
once again. which DAR-Northern Mindanao yours but you’re not allowed to tiano also said they understood
This despite DAR’s award- Regional Director Felix Aguhob enter because the signages are and have no objections to what
ing them a Certificate of Land awarded to the farmers last not yet in place’,” said Myrna the farmers did in destroying the
Ownership Award (CLOA) over April 16 is under a lease con- Aboniawan-Siose, coordinator of pineapples.
15 hectares of land in Sitio Larok tract entered into by the family the Archdiocesan Center of Con- “They have been waiting for so
here on April 16. of Sumilao town Mayor Marie cern, Empowerment and Social long for land,” was all Aguhob
This is because the land award- Ann Baula family and DMPI and Services (ACCESS) of Cagayan said when asked for his opinion
ed to them is not clean and free is part of the pineapple-based de Oro archdiocese. regarding the farmers’ actions.
from any encumbrances, in gross beverage company’s pineapple Aside from the CLOA cov- The 15-hectare land was put
violation of the compromise plantation. ering 15 hectares located in under the CLOA last October
agreement they signed with The Baula family sold a por- Sitio Larok, Barangay Kisolon 2009 yet but DMPI planted the
SMC and DAR at the Office of tion of their landholdings to in Sumilao town, the farmers pineapples only last February
the President in 2008. SMC, which in turn offered it to were also given a title to the 50 2010, said Aguhob, Celestiano
The 2008 agreement stipulates DAR-10 for distribution to the hectares within the 144-hectare and others. However, DMPI’s
that SMC will give the farmers farmers. estate of SMC. lease contract with the Baula
50 hectares from within the Worst, the land they got is Siose, who represented Arch- family predated SMC’s purchase
already planted with pineap- bishop Antonio Ledesma during of the land.
May They Be One Bible Campaign ples, prompting 26-year-old
Napoleon “Yoyong” Merida Jr.,
last Friday morning’s awarding
of the CLOA, said DAR should
The farmers gained national
prominence when their lead-
Help Put a Bible in Every Filipino Home Panaw Sumilao MPC president,
to accuse Aguhob of giving them
exercise its mandate strongly in
handling the Sumilao case.
ers, led by Ka Rene, staged a
hunger strike outside Congress
The Shrine of Jesus Christ in Parishes/Communities served: 159
the Holy Sepulchre, Landayan, San Bibles Distributed by Languages - Tagalog (15,291cps.),
a “fake CLOA.” “The Panaw is just one case and DAR following their 60-day,
Pedro, Laguna, is a favorite site for Cebuano (14,716 cps.), Ilocano (5,627 cps.), English (5,407 Merida and Sumilao farmers’ but a very critical case that could 1,700-kilometer “Walk for Land,
Filipino pilgrims in search of miracles of healing. In August 2008, cps.), Bicol (3,320 cps.), Pangasinense (3,412 cps.), Hiligaynon lawyer Arlene “Kaka” Bag-ao set the tone or signal to DAR Walk for Justice” from Sumilao
the shrine took on a new and wider dimension when Msgr. Jose (2,767 cps.) questioned DAR’s acceptance national as well,” she said. to Manila in October 2007.
Barrion launched a Bible Target Coverage of Bible
Study class for its church Distribution for April-June
of SMC’s offer to give the land She was referring to the Panaw DAR awarded the 144 hect-
Praise Item to the farmers when the land Sumilao Multipurpose Coopera- ares to Sumilao in 1995 but
workers. He said that the 2010 (based on orders
healing which was being Praise God for a total 50,540 copies of May They Be One received): is already under lease contract tive, the organization formed by was revoked on March 1997
attributed to the image of Bibles already distributed. Naval (Leyte), Davao, Ca- with DMPI. the Sumilao farmers with the after Malacaňang approved its
Jesus in the Holy Sepul- gayan de Oro, Digos, Pa-
chre must lead people into Please Pray gadian, Ozamis, Butuan, “When did Del Monte enter help of the Church, academe and conversion from agricultural to
a deeper relationship with Dipolog, Borongan, Bayo- the picture, we don’t know,” non-government organizations agro-industrial use.
God. Today, many people mbong, San Fernando Bag-ao said, adding: “It is not (NGOs). The Supreme Court ruled in
come not just to visit the image of Jesus, but also to learn about God (Pampanga), Jaro (Iloilo), Nueva Viscaya, Manila, San Pablo specified in the CLOA that the She said DAR should be ag- favor of Malacaňang’s conver-
and His Word. However, the growth in the number of Bible learners Total Bible Distribution: (Jan 2009- April 2010): 50,540 cps
also gave rise to a demand for more Bibles. Those who have Bibles No. of Faith Comes By Hearing (FCBH) Bible Listening Groups land has a pending lease agree- gressive in implementing the sion order in 1999.
were happy that they could read their lessons in advance at home. in MTBO Communities: 40 Locations: Groups: Antipolo, Marikina, ment and that the land is part of Comprehensive Agrarian Re- But the Sumilao farmers did
But learners with no Bibles were lagging behind. In October 2009, Laguna, Pangasinan, La Union, Baguio, Isabela, Nueva Viscaya, a pineapple plantation.” form Program Extension with not give up the battle. They con-
Msgr. Barrion learned about the May They Be One Bible campaign Abra, Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Kalinga, Cagayan and Davao Bag-ao, former executive direc- Reforms (CARPER) especially in tinued to fight and petition the
and availed himself of its offer for affordable Bibles. MTBO helped
the Bible Study groups to grow by leaps and bounds. Learners have Target No. of Bibles for Distribution for 2010: 200,000 cps. tor of the alternative law group regards to the case of the Sumi- government to put the land back
grown to more than 10 groups each having about 50 members. Total Funds Needed for Printing of Bibles in 2010: P30M BALAOD Mindanaw, said some lao farmers. under CARP, especially since the
Now the Shrine of Jesus Christ in the Holy Sepulchre has become, people were trying to trick the “In my opinion, DAR being owner violated the land use in
not just a pilgrim’s place for healing, but also a center for believers Support the May They Be One Bible Campaign and help bring
enjoying the exciting journey of a growing relationship with the Lord God’s Word to more Filipino homes. Your contribution of at least
Sumilao farmers once more. the agency mandated to imple- the conversion order.
Himself through a diligent study of His Word. P150/month will enable poor families to have their own Bibles they But she warned that heads will ment the CARPER should stand On December 2007, President
can read, study and pray. For more Campaign info-visit, email or roll for this trickery and “it defi- strongly by the farmers. DAR Arroyo revoked the conversion
No. of Dioceses participating in the Bible Campaign – 67 out of call ECBA – Fr. Oscar Alunday, 470 Gen. Luna St., Intramuros, Mla. nitely will not be the farmers’.” also has to learn a lesson on how order and placed the estate un-
86 Dioceses Telefax no. 5279386; ecba_cbcp@yahoo.com; www.ecba-cbcp.
Bible Distribution (Jan 2010 – April 2010) com; PBS-Mrs. Perry Cartera/Mrs. Juliet Rivera at 890 UN Ave.,
Angry, hurt and felt cheated, to handle aggressively landown- der CARP again, forcing SMC to
Total Bibles distributed – 50,540 cps. Ermita Mla.; perry@bible.org.ph;juliet@bible.org.ph; www.bible. Merida led the farmers, with the ers who are capable of tricking negotiate with the farmers and
(Jan - 11,896 cps; Feb – 14,110 cps; Mar – 13,536 cps; April org..ph Tel. nos. 5215785/5267777 loc. 600, Fax No. 5215803; help of a tractor, in uprooting farmers like Baula and conniving Church officials for a settlement.
– 10,998 cps.) 09178590019 /09156727492 /09182802775 and destroying the 3-month-old corporations like DMPI, SMC or (Bong D. Fabe)
 A8 People, Facts & Places CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 9
April 26 - May 9, 2010

Triple events mark Cagayan

de Oro archdiocese
Markings
THE Archdiocese of wonders and I accept
Cagayan de Oro will this with humility,” he
celebrate a triple event said in the vernacular.
for the first time in its Fr. Joe was a chemical
history on the last day engineer by profession
of this month; and two before he entered the
of those events concern San Jose de Mindanao
only one man chosen College Seminary, also
by God to shepherd located in Camaman-
AWARDED. Archbishop Antonio J.
His flock. an in 1983. Ledesma, with Fr. Neri Satur Award
April 30 is a red- He graduated from for Environmental Heroism, for his
letter day for Rev. Fr. the Cebu Institute of leadership in climate change initia-
Jose Araneta Caban- Technology (CIT) with tives, April 22 as part of the celebration
of Earth Day. The Award program of
tan, SSJV. He will be a degree of Bachelor the Office of the President’s Climate
celebrating his 20th of Science in Chemical Change Commission (CCC), National
anniversary as a priest Engineering in 1979. Commission for Culture and the Arts,
on that very day, which From Cebu, he had a UNESCO-ITI (International Theatre

Contributed photo
will also see him or- short teaching stint at Institute and the Earth Savers Move-
ment cited Ledesma’s efforts “for bringing the plight of the vulnerable
dained as a bishop by the RVM-run St. John sectors of society most affected by climate change before the Climate
no less than the Papal the Baptist High School Change Commission.” Ledesma convened the Climate Congress of the
Nuncio to the Philip- in Lagonglong, teach- Philippines last year. Bishops-Businessmen’s Conference for Human
pines, Archbishop Ed- Bishop-elect Jose Cabantan with his parishioners at the Miraculous Medal Parish in Barangay Lumbia, ing Chemistry. But he Development co-chair Christian Monsod accepted the award on behalf of
Cagayan de Oro. the archbishop. Named after slain Bukidnon priest Fr. Nerilito Satur, the
ward Joseph Adams. left teaching for a more award is given during annual Earth Day celebration to individuals, groups
This year is also the 25th Anniversary of the founding of the St. lucrative job in Surigao working for Nonoc Mining. or entities that have rendered committed service for the preservation and
John Vianney Theological Seminary in Camaman-an, Cagayan de But Fr. Joe said he “heard” the call of God to enter the priesthood. protection of the environment. Fr. Satur was killed in 1991 for his protests
Oro City, where Cabantan studied for the priesthood. And so after finishing Philosophy at the San Jose de Mindanao Col- against illegal logging in Malaybalay diocese.
Cabantan, parish priest of the Miraculous Medal Parish in Baran- lege Seminary, he entered the St. John Vianney Major Seminary as ORDAINED. Fr. Sandy Mira Cometa,
gay Lumbia and director of the Social Action Center of the Arch- part of the pioneer batch of seminarians. by Archbishop Jesus Dosado, to the
diocese of Cagayan de Oro, was appointed bishop of Malaybalay St. John Vianney Theological Seminary, named after the patron Order of Priesthood, April 6, 2010, at
Diocese by Pope Benedict XVI on February 17, 2010. He replaced saint of priests, St. John Vianney, is an interdiocesan theological St. Joseph Parish, Sinacaban, Mis-
amis Occidental. A native of Sinaca-
Bishop Honesto Pacana, S.J., D.D, who tendered his resignation and seminary, faithful to the tradition of the Catholic Church in the for- ban, Cometa was born on November
retirement two years ago. Pacana is now 77 years old. mation of candidates for the priesthood. Established in 1985 by the 14, 1982. Another deacon, Reverend
Cabantan’s ordination will take place at the newly refurbished Bishops of the Metropolitan Province of Cagayan de Oro, it serves Danilo Baterna Rudinas was also or-
St. Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral here at exactly 9:00 in the primarily the dioceses of Cagayan de Oro, Butuan, Surigao, Tandag dained to the priesthood on April 21.
Rudinas’ ordination was held at St.
morning. and Malaybalay (CABUSTAM), and secondarily, other dioceses. Michael the Archangel Parish Church,
“God truly works in miraculous ways,” he told this reporter, Fr. Joe was eventually ordained priest in 1990. Tangub City and officiated by Archbishop Dosado. Rudinas is a native
admitting that he will be the first bishop who studied for the priest- “God maybe has something for me in Bukidnon,” he said. of Isidro D tan, Tangub City, where he was born on May 21, 1972. Both
hood at the St. John Vianney Theological Seminary. The Diocese of Malaybalay, which has around 1.4 million Catho- Cometa and Rudinas were ordained deacons on October 6, 2009 at the
“Dako gyud kini ng milagro sa Ginoo (This is a great miracle of lics, is served by 80 priests and 164 religious. Immaculate Conception Cathedral Parish, Ozamiz City together with Rev.
Lhem Naval of Mount Carmel Parish, Baliangao town. With Rudinas and
God),” he added. Fr. Joe will be the fourth bishop of the Diocese of Malaybalay, fol- Cometas’ ordination, the number of diocesan priests in Ozamiz archdio-
Fr. Joe, as he is fondly called, was born in Lagonglong town, a lowing the steps of Bishop Francisco Claver, S.J., Bishop Gaudencio cese reached a total of 26.
fifth class municipality in Misamis Oriental in 1957. He is now 52 Rosales (now Archbishop of Manila), and Bishop Pacana.
years old. Claver served as Malaybalay bishop from 1982 to 1984; Rosales ORDAINED. Reverend Frederick M. Obcemia to the Order of Presbyters,
April 22, 2010, during a solemn ceremony and Concelebrated Mass offici-
“I had a feeling that something big will happen in my ministry from 1984 to 1994; and Pacana from 1994 to 2010. ated by Most Rev. Leo Drona, at 9:30 a.m. in the Parish Church of Sto. Niño
as a priest. But I did not expect this although I already heard ‘news’ Fr. Joe will also be the first Malaybalay bishop to come from Cagayan de Cebu, Biñan City. Born in Pagbilao, Quezon, Obcemia took up Philoso-
about this eventuality but I just kept it in my heart. God really works de Oro since it became a prelature 75 years ago. (Bong D. Fabe) phy at Letran Manila and Theology at the University of Sto. Tomas where
he finished a Bachelor’s Degree in Canon Law. With Obcemia’s ordination,
the number of Diocesan Priests in Laguna reached to a total of 125.

Manila archdiocese celebrates LAUNCHED. A coffee table book on the

well-venerated patroness of the Bicol
Region, Our Lady of Peñafrancia, April
11, 2010, at the Yuchengco Museum,

Earth Day
AIMING to deepen the faithful’s awareness
on the Christian vocation of stewardship as
the world celebrates Earth Day, the Arch-
diocese of Manila’s Ministry of Ecology
held a Conference on Ecological Conversion,
April 22.
Convened at the Savio Dome, Don Bosco
Technical Institute in Makati City, the event
was attended by representatives from the
parishes, schools, religious communities and
ministries under the Archdiocese of Manila.
Among the topics were updates on the Phil-
ippine biodiversity and its current situation,
purpose and values of creation, Catholic So-
cial Teachings and the latest message of Pope
Benedict XVI on World Day of Peace, “If you
want to cultivate peace, protect creation”.
Makati City. Titled “Ina: Little Stories
of Faith,” the 250-page book contains
“stories of inspiration and the inspira-
tion about and behind the stories.” Daet
Bishop Gilbert Garcera, who presided
over a Mass before the book-launching,
tariat for Social said the book anchors its narrative flow from the Word of God because for
Action, Justice a period of three centuries since 1710 “our faith tells us that God is our
and Peace. story.” All of twelve chapters, the book features accounts of healing events,
The celebra- small yet significant triumphs over personal, financial and spiritual crisis
and expressions of gratitude for new assignments, office promotions and
tion ended many more. It also contains accounts about vocation and the priesthood
with a Eucha- from ten seminarians, five priests and a bishop who shared their struggles
ristic Celebra- and the desire to live a holy life. The book’s editor is Minerva R. Fajardo
tion presided with the editorial board composed of Archbishop Leonardo Z. Legazpi,
OP, Bishop Gilbert Garcera, Msgr. Romulo Vergara and Atty. Tito Fajardo.
by Pabillo and The project director is Carmen V. Bernas. Priced at P1,500, the book is
concelebrated available at the Yuchengco Museum and the Basilica Minore of Our Lady
by Tuazon and of Penafrancia in Naga City.
other Manila
CONSECRATED. St. Vincent Ferrer in
bishops and Mamatid, Cabuyao, Laguna into a dioc-
priests. esan Shrine, March 26, 2010. The parish
The Arch- was elevated into shrine following the
diocesan Min- increasing number of devotees testify-
istry on Ecol- ing to miracles of healing and answered
prayers. San Pablo Bishop Leo Drona,
© www.worthingtonlibraries.org

The celebration opened with a message
from Fr. Benny Tuazon, Director of the Min-
istry on Ecology.
Tuazon’s speech was followed by a talk
of Fr. John Leydon on the creation, purpose
and current challenges of the biodiversity of
the Philippines.
Along with the conference, was a public
forum on Genetically Modified Organisms
(GMO) which provided participants with
additional knowledge on the advantages
and disadvantages of biodiversity to health,
agriculture and environment.
The discussion on the recent pastoral
message of the Holy Father was tackled by
Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo,
Chairman of the CBCP’s National Secre-
ogy has been presided the concelebrated mass to
celebrating celebrate the consecration, declaration
Earth Day for and dedication of the shrine attended by
five years now a good number of priests, religious, and local leaders. Fr. Jorge Seldon
Coronado, parish priest, said that the declaration of St. Vincent Ferrer par-
through vari- ish church into a shrine is the fruit of several years of reflection, prayer and
ous activities devotion to the patron saint whose popularity extends beyond the parish.
reflecting its Having declared as a shrine, the parish now becomes a pilgrimage destina-
environmental tion of people throughout the diocese and elsewhere.
advocacies. cycling, urban vegetable gardening, organic DIED. Msgr. Elias Olarte Poblete, Laguna’s first Vicar General for 28 years,
Since its inception five years ago, the Min- farming and food waste composting. It also of natural causes early morning on April 16 at Calamba City Hospital. He
istry has been conducting seminars, trainings introduced livelihood programs through was 89. Poblete was Laguna’s first seminary rector, formator/professor for
and film festivals in parishes, schools and recycling of waste materials and production 41 years and one time professor and administrator in an American diocese.
He was a Doctor of Canon Law graduate at the Catholic University of
religious institutions as part of its education of herbal medicines and organic fertilizers. America and has a Master of Arts in Education from Fordham University
campaign. Among its many accomplishments include in New York City. Ordained priest just after the 2nd World War on March
The Ministry has taught and assisted in- training of urban families to recycle from 16, 1946, Poblete at an early age became a priest of many positions and
dividuals, parishes, schools, organizations waste materials and developed livelihood responsibilities. To name a few: rector of the Major Seminary of Laguna;
Professor at St. Francis de Sales Seminary in Lipa City and Bauan, Ba-
and institutions on waste management, re- out of it. (Kate Laceda/CBCPNews) tangas; Pro-Synodal Examiner in the Diocese of Lipa and Defender of the

Thousands join rally for CHAMP elections

Bond of the same Diocese in 1950 to 1954; Vicar General of the Diocese
of Lipa, 1966-67; Vicar General of San Pablo Diocese, 1967-1995 when
San Pablo became a diocese.

THOUSANDS of participants have joined a Dubbed as “Lakad Pangasinan... Malinis na The rally was a response to the Christian respon- liar,” the prelate said.
march organized by the Archdiocese of Lingayen- Halalan”, the march started at the Narciso Ramos sibility to transform the electorates as well as to The archbishop challenged the candidates and
Dagupan calling for a Clean, Honest, Accurate, Sports Complex and ended at the Lingayen Pro- evangelize each person. voters to stand up for life, human rights and truth
Meaningful and Peaceful (CHAMP) elections. vincial Capitol on April 17. Led by Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates and be vigilant this coming election.
B. Villegas, other marchers include members of the Culminating activity was an election orienta-
Compliments from: clergy, volunteers of the Parish Pastoral Council
for Responsible (PPCRV), local candidates, and
tion held by the Comelec officials at the Sison
auditorium.
representatives from the Dioceses of Alaminos The highlight of the orientation was the mock
and Urdaneta. voting where the Precinct Count Optical Scan
Commission on Elections (Comelec) represen- (PCOS) machine was presented. (CBCPNews)
tatives headed by Provin-
cial Elections Officer Atty.
Reddy C. Balarbar also
supported the cause.
The march started with
a Eucharistic celebration
presided by Villegas at the
Don Narciso Ramos Sports
Complex in Lingayen.
Villegas called on the
faithful to “obey the com-
mandments of God espe-
cially the commandments
not to steal, kill and lie.”
He also stressed that
“our love of country is
another expression of our
© www.rcald.org

love of God.”
“If you say that you love
SM Megamall * The Podium God but you don’t love
your country, you are a
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 9
April 26 – May 9, 2010 Pastoral Concerns B1

Message of His Holiness Pope

Benedict XVI for the 44th
World Communications Day
Sunday, 16 May 2010

‘The
Priest and
Pastoral
Ministry in
a Digital
World:
New Media at the
Service of the Word’
DEAR Brothers and Sisters,
The theme of this year’s World
Communications Day—The Priest
and Pastoral Ministry in a Digital
World: New Media at the Service of
the Word—is meant to coincide with
the Church’s celebration of the Year
for Priests. It focuses attention on the
important and sensitive pastoral area
of digital communications, in which
priests can discover new possibilities
for carrying out their ministry to and for
the Word of God. Church communities
have always used the modern media for
fostering communication, engagement
with society, and, increasingly, for
encouraging dialogue at a wider level.
Yet the recent, explosive growth and
greater social impact of these media
make them all the more important for
a fruitful priestly ministry.
All priests have as their primary
duty the proclamation of Jesus Christ,
www.wired.com
role as leaders of communities which technology, a pastoral outreach capable which can inspire our efforts to live in him, and he with me” (Rev 3:20).
increasingly express themselves with the of making God concretely present the present with dignity while building In my Message last year, I encouraged
different “voices” provided by the digital in today’s world and presenting the a better future? Consecrated men and leaders in the world of communications
marketplace. Priests are thus challenged religious wisdom of the past as a treasure women working in the media have a to promote a culture of respect for the
to proclaim the Gospel by dignity and value of the human person.
employing the latest generation This is one of the ways in which the
of audiovisual resources (images, Church is called to exercise a “diaconia of
videos, animated features, blogs, culture” on today’s “digital continent”.
websites) which, alongside With the Gospels in our hands and in
traditional means, can open up our hearts, we must reaffirm the need
broad new vistas for dialogue, to continue preparing ways that lead
evangelization and catechesis. to the Word of God, while being at the
Using new communication same time constantly attentive to those
technologies, priests can introduce who continue to seek; indeed, we should
people to the life of the Church encourage their seeking as a first step of
and help our contemporaries evangelization. A pastoral presence in
to discover the face of Christ. the world of digital communications,
They will best achieve this aim precisely because it brings us into contact
if they learn, from the time of with the followers of other religions,
their formation, how to use these non-believers and people of every
technologies in a competent culture, requires sensitivity to those who
and appropriate way, shaped do not believe, the disheartened and
by sound theological insights
www.cbcponline.net

those who have a deep, unarticulated

the incarnate Word of God, and the
communication of his saving grace in
the sacraments. Gathered and called by
the Word, the Church is the sign and
instrument of the communion that God
creates with all people, and every priest
is called to build up this communion, in
Christ and with Christ. Such is the lofty
dignity and beauty of the mission of the
priest, which responds in a special way to
the challenge raised by the Apostle Paul:
“The Scripture says, ‘No one who believes
in him will be put to shame … everyone
who calls on the name of the Lord will
be saved.’ But how can they call on him
in whom they have not believed? And
how can they believe in him of whom
they have not heard? And how can they
hear without someone to preach? And
how can people preach unless they are
sent? (Rom 10:11, 13-15).
Responding adequately to this
challenge amid today’s cultural shifts,
to which young people are especially
© NOLI YAMSUAN
and reflecting a strong priestly
spirituality grounded in constant
dialogue with the Lord. Yet priests
present in the world of digital
special responsibility for opening the door
to new forms of encounter, maintaining
the quality of human interaction, and
showing concern for individuals and
their genuine spiritual needs.
They can thus help the men and women
of our digital age to sense the Lord’s
presence, to grow in expectation and
hope, and to draw near to the Word of
God which offers salvation and fosters
an integral human development. In this
way the Word can traverse the many
crossroads created by the intersection of
all the different “highways” that form
“cyberspace”, and show that God has his
rightful place in every age, including our
own. Thanks to the new communications
media, the Lord can walk the streets of our
cities and, stopping before the threshold of
desire for enduring truth and the
absolute. Just as the prophet Isaiah
envisioned a house of prayer for all
peoples (cf. Is 56:7), can we not see the
web as also offering a space—like the
“Court of the Gentiles” of the Temple
of Jerusalem—for those who have not
yet come to know God?
The development of the new
technologies and the larger digital
world represents a great resource for
humanity as a whole and for every
individual, and it can act as a stimulus
to encounter and dialogue. But this
development likewise represents a great
opportunity for believers. No door can
or should be closed to those who, in the
name of the risen Christ, are committed
to drawing near to others. To priests in
particular the new media offer ever new
and far-reaching pastoral possibilities,
encouraging them to embody the
universality of the Church’s mission, to
build a vast and real fellowship, and to

sensitive, necessarily involves using
new communications technologies.
The world of digital communication,
with its almost limitless expressive
capacity, makes us appreciate all the
more Saint Paul’s exclamation: “Woe
to me if I do not preach the Gospel” (1
Cor 9:16) The increased availability of
the new technologies demands greater
responsibility on the part of those called
to proclaim the Word, but it also requires
them to become more focused, efficient
and compelling in their efforts. Priests
stand at the threshold of a new era: as
new technologies create deeper forms
of relationship across greater distances,
they are called to respond pastorally by
putting the media ever more effectively
at the service of the Word.
The spread of multimedia
communications and its rich “menu
of options” might make us think it
sufficient simply to be present on the
Web, or to see it only as a space to be
our homes and our hearts, say once more: testify in today’s world to the new life
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. which comes from hearing the Gospel of
If anyone hears my voice and opens the Jesus, the eternal Son who came among
door, I will enter his house and dine with us for our salvation. At the same time,
priests must always bear in mind that
communications should be less notable for the ultimate fruitfulness of their ministry
their media savvy than for their priestly comes from Christ himself, encountered
heart, their closeness to Christ. This will and listened to in prayer; proclaimed in
not only enliven their pastoral outreach, preaching and lived witness; and known,
but also will give a “soul” to the fabric loved and celebrated in the sacraments,
of communications that makes up the especially the Holy Eucharist and
“Web”. Reconciliation.
God’s loving care for all people To my dear brother priests, then, I
in Christ must be expressed in the renew the invitation to make astute use
digital world not simply as an artifact of the unique possibilities offered by
from the past, or a learned theory, but modern communications. May the Lord
as something concrete, present and make all of you enthusiastic heralds of
engaging. Our pastoral presence in the Gospel in the new “agorà” which the
that world must thus serve to show our current media are opening up.
contemporaries, especially the many With this confidence, I invoke upon
people in our day who experience you the protection of the Mother of God
uncertainty and confusion, “that God is and of the Holy Curè of Ars and, with
near; that in Christ we all belong to one affection, I impart to each of you my
another” (Benedict XVI, Address to the Apostolic Blessing.
© NOLI YAMSUAN

filled. Yet priests can rightly be expected Roman Curia, 21 December 2009).
to be present in the world of digital Who better than a priest, as a man of From the Vatican, 24 January 2010, Feast
communications as faithful witnesses God, can develop and put into practice, of Saint Francis de Sales.
to the Gospel, exercising their proper by his competence in current digital BENEDICTUS XVI
 B2 Updates CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 9
April 26 – May 9, 2010

By Fr. Jaime B. Achacoso, the expressed authorization of

J.C.D. the Holy See”.2

4) Principle of Decentralization.
VATICAN II affirmed that it is The ecclesiology of Vatican
through the liturgy or the public II, which re-emphasized the
worship of the Church that particular Churches and the
“the work of our redemption is dignity of the diocesan Bishops,
exercised” and that the liturgy opened a wide margin for
is “the outstanding means by Particular Law in the matter of
which the faithful can express in liturgy. Thus, after establishing the
their lives and manifest to others aforementioned principles, the rest
the mystery of Christ and the real of c.838 enumerates the different
nature of the Church” (SC, n.2). competencies, corresponding to
Therefore, the Council concludes, the need for a certain plurality
“the liturgy is the summit toward of liturgical forms, in accordance
which the activity of the Church with the different mentalities and
is directed; at the same time it is traditions of different peoples
the fountain from which all her (cf. SC, 37-39). This is channeled
powers flow” (SC, n.10). After the through:
liturgically-rich celebration of Holy a) Primarily the Episcopal
Week, and in the pageantry of the Conferences: It pertains to the
Marian month of May, it is timely conferences of bishops to prepare
to consider once more the reality translations of the liturgical books
of Church Law and the regulation into the vernacular languages,
of liturgical celebrations. with the appropriate adaptations
within the limits defined in the
What is Liturgy? liturgical books themselves, and to
a. Canonical Definition of publish them with the prior review
Liturgy by the Holy See (c.838, §3). The

© Roy Lagarde / CBCP Media

The Code of Canon Law gives Instruction Varietates legitimae
gave further indications on

Liturgy and Church Law

a working definition of sacred
liturgy in c.834, which states:
§1. The Church fulfills its office of
sanctifying in a special way in the
sacred liturgy, which is indeed the
exercise of the priestly office of Jesus
Christ; in it through sensible signs
the sanctification of humankind is
signified and effected in a manner
proper to each of the signs and the
whole of the public worship of God
is carried on by the mystical Body
of Jesus Christ, that is, by the Head
and the members.
§2. This worship takes place when
it is carried out in the name of the
Church by persons lawfully deputed
and through acts approved by the
authority of the Church.
b. Essential Elements of Liturgical
Actions
From the above, the following
essential elements of a liturgical
action can be deduced, the last
three of which being veritable
canonical requirements:
1) An exercise of the priestly
office of Jesus Christ—which is
a fundamental element of the
liturgy. Thus, when a priest
consecrates the Eucharist, Christ
is present in the person of the
minister; when the confessor
absolves, it is Christ who forgives
sins; even when an ordinary
faithful baptizes, it is Christ who
baptizes.
2) The use of sensible signs,
which both signify and effect
the sanctification of mankind.
In this regard, it is important to
comment that the liturgical sign
should keep close relation with
the sanctification that it signifies
(to the exclusion of the vulgar
and the inane).
3) The public worship of God is
carried out by the whole Mystical
Body—i.e., it is offered in the
name of the Church. Thus, c.837,
§1 states: Liturgical actions are
not private actions but celebrations
of the Church itself, which is “the
sacrament of unity”…therefore
liturgical actions pertain to the whole
body of the Church and manifest
and affect it…. Every liturgical
act is never just a private act of
an individual, but constitutes the
culminating moment when the
whole Church renders public and
complete worship to God.
4) The actions are approved by
the authority of the Church. Thus,
c.846 explicitly establishes:
§1. The liturgical books approved
by the competent authority are to be
faithfully observed in the celebration
of the sacraments; therefore no one on
personal authority may add, remove
or change anything in them.
§2. The ministers are to celebrate
the sacraments according to their
own rite.
5) The actions are carried out
by persons lawfully deputed—a
deputation that is different, as
previously mentioned, from
that enjoyed by all the faithful
by virtue of baptism, which
is a sharing in the common
priesthood mentioned in c.836
and described by Vatican II.
Canon Law and Sacred
Liturgy
a. Place of Liturgical Norms in
Canon Law
The greater systematic
autonomy given to liturgico-
sacramental norms in the present
Code shows, on the one hand,
the deeper understanding of the
munera Ecclesiae as a reflection and
participation in the munera Christi.
In effect, the munus docendi
and the munus sanctificandi
are the two great functions of
the Church at the service of
which is the munus regendi. Such
a systematic emphasis on the
canonical discipline of sacred
liturgy shows an acknowledgment
of the insufficiency of the
proclamation of the Word of God
alone. The Church also has the
fundamental mission of carrying
out the salvation that it proclaims
“through the sacrifice and the
sacraments around which revolves
the whole liturgical life” (SC, 6).
On the other hand, the internal
structure of Book IV of the
CIC also reflects the liturgical
renewal of Vatican II. One can
recall that the arrangement of
the CIC 17 was: sacraments,
sacred places and times, divine
worship. In other words, worship
was separated from sacramental
activity. The present Code,
in contrast, starts from the
doctrinal principle that liturgy—
at the center of which are the
sacraments—is simultaneously
an act of worship and an act of
sanctification: through it “God
is perfectly glorified and men are
sanctified” (SC, 7).
Finally, we have to address the
anti-juridicist objection against the
very notion of liturgical norms.
A recent Instruction from the
Congregation for Divine Worship
resolves this issue by pointing out
that the finality of the liturgical
norm is not only to avoid errors,
but above all and precisely to unify
efforts in the transmission of the
truth. In this regard, the liturgical
norm finds its reason in the double
quality of any liturgical act—i.e.,
they are public (of the community,
of the Church), and they express
the faith.
b. Principles of Liturgical Law
Liturgicalactionsare notprivate
actions but are celebrations of the
whole Church—i.e., the People of
God united and ordered under
the guidance of the bishops.
This public character of liturgical
actions, as well as their intimate
connection with the principles of
the Faith, constitute the ratio legis
on which is based the exclusive
competence of the ecclesiastical
authority in the regulation of all
matters regarding the liturgy.
1) Principle of Substantial Unity.
This principle is premised on the
distinction between changeable
and unchangeable (immutable)
elements of the liturgy: immutable
elements are those which depend
on the foundational will of
Christ—e.g., the substance of the
sacraments and whatever is more
directly related to that substance;
changeable elements are those
which do not belong or are not
directly related to the substance
of the sacraments.
The principle is enunciated as
follows: “By virtue of its pastoral
authority, [the Church] can
ordain what may be useful for
the good of the faithful, according
to the circumstances, times and
places. But it does not have any
power to change what pertains to
the will of Christ, which is what
constitutes the immutable part
of the Liturgy.” 1
The basis of this principle is
three-fold:
1º The liturgy belongs to the public
patrimony of the entire Church,
and should therefore be subject to
the regulation only of the capital
offices. Thus, the Council had
categorically declared that “no
other person, not even a priest,
may add, remove, or change
anything in the liturgy on his
own authority” (SC).
2º The liturgy is the principal
factor for ecclesial communion.
Thus, any arbitrariness in its
celebration implies a rupture of
this ecclesial communion and
must therefore be avoided.
3º Lex orandi, lex credendi. The
liturgy is closely linked to the
deposit of faith. Hence, any laxity
in liturgical discipline is at the
same time effect and cause of
important dogmatic errors.
2) Principle of Centralization.
This reinforces the previous
principle, and is contained in
c.838:
—§1. The supervision of the
sacred liturgy depends solely on
the authority of the Church, which
resides in the Apostolic See and, in
accord with the law, the diocesan
bishop (c.838, §1).
—§2. It is for the Apostolic See
to order the sacred liturgy of the
universal Church, to publish the
liturgical books, to review their
translations into the vernacular
languages and to see that liturgical
ordinances are faithfully observed
the ambit of this power of the
Episcopal Conference and the
procedure for its exercise (nn.55
& 66-67).
b) Secondarily the Diocesan
Bishop: It pertains to the diocesan
everywhere. bishop in the church entrusted
Thus, the following are reserved to him, within the limits of his
to the Holy See: competence, to issue liturgical
1º All that refers to the validity norms by which all are bound.
of the sacraments (c.841). (c.838, §4).
2º All that refers to the licitud
of the sacraments the regulation 5) Principle of Full and Active
Participation of the Faithful. Of less
of which the Holy See has not
decentralized to the Episcopal juridic impact than the foregoing
principles is one which is latent
Conferences and to the diocesan
Bishops. in the whole liturgical renewal
ushered in by Vatican II, and that
3º The edition of liturgical
is the desire for the full and active
books (c.383, 2).
participation of all the faithful in
4º Recognition of versions of
the liturgy, each one according to
liturgical books in the vernacular
his state and condition.
(c.383, 2).
5º Vigilance over the fulfillment
Conclusion
of the universal liturgical norms John Paul II expressed all these
everywhere (c.383, 2). ideas in a conference regarding
the implementation of the Second
3) Principle of Liturgical VaticanCouncil:“TheConstitution
Elasticity: Inculturation. Sacrosanctum Concilium explained
A complementary principle the premises of a liturgical life that
underlies the fact that the rituals would give God the true worship
in force do not impose uniformity, owed him by the people called to
but rather permits the use of exercise the priesthood of the New
different forms for celebrating, Covenant. The liturgy must allow
which are expressions of the every member of the faithful to
richness of the liturgy of the enter deeply into the mystery to
Church. They are at the service of grasp the beauty of praising the
the pastoral function of the liturgy Triune God. The liturgy, in fact,
of stimulating and increasing the is an anticipation on earth of the
sense of Christ among the faithful praise that the hosts of the blessed
(cf. IGMR, n.313). give God in heaven. At every
A particular application of this liturgical celebration, therefore,
principle is what has come to be the participants should be given
known as inculturation—i.e., the the possibility of a foretaste, albeit
incidence of the different cultures under the veil of faith, of some of
of peoples in whatever is fitting to the sweetness that will flow from
better express the inexhaustible contemplating God in paradise.
riches of Christ, provided that For this reason, every minister,
it is compatible with the Gospel conscious of the responsibility
and does not contradict ecclesial he has to all the people entrusted
communion. to him, must faithfully maintain
A different matter is the respect for the sacredness of the
exaggerated adaptation of the rite and grow in his understanding
liturgical norms to more specific of what he celebrates.”3
and even simply personal
circumstances—e.g., not to wear 1 SCDW, Instruction Varietates legiti-
all the vestments for Mass on a mae, 25.I.1994, n.26.
warm day—under the guise of 2 SCDW, Instruction Varietates legiti-
a misunderstood principle of mae, 25.I.1994, n.66.
contextualization. The Holy See 3 Cf. John Paul II, Vatican II was Spirit’s
has made such “experimentation gift to the Church, in L’Osservatore
impossible, unless it counts with Romano, 8.III.2000, 4.

Baptismal font near the altar

(Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum university, answers the following query:)

Q: In my new parish I noticed that both
the baptismal font and the Easter candle are
placed right in the center of the church, a few
feet from the altar. Is this permissible, even dur-
ing Lent? The pastor argues that he does not
have another place to put the baptismal font.
What do you think?—A.T., South Carolina
A: Although I have not seen any images of
the actual setup of this church, I can transmit
the guidelines offered by the U.S. bishops in
their document “Built of Living Stones.” Re-
garding the baptistry, they say:
“66. The rites of baptism, the first of the
sacraments of initiation, require a prominent
place for celebration. Initiation into the Church
is entrance into a eucharistic community united
in Jesus Christ. Because the rites of initiation
of the Church begin with baptism and are
completed by the reception of the Eucharist,
the baptismal font and its location reflect the
Christian’s journey through the waters of
baptism to the altar. This integral relationship
between the baptismal font and the altar can
be demonstrated in a variety of ways, such
as placing the font and altar on the same
architectural axis, using natural or artificial
lighting, using the same floor patterns, and
using common or similar materials and ele-
ments of design.
“67. The location of the baptismal font, its
design, and the materials used for its construc-
tion are important considerations in the plan-
ning and design of the building. It is customary
to locate the baptismal font either in a special
area within the main body of the church or in
a separate baptistry. Through the waters of
baptism the faithful enter the life of Christ.
For this reason the font should be visible and
accessible to all who enter the church build-
ing. While the baptistry is proportioned to the
building itself and should be able to hold a good
number of people, its actual size will be determined
by the needs of the local community.
“68. Water is the key symbol of baptism and the
focal point of the font. In this water believers die to
sin and are reborn to new life in Christ. In designing
the font and the iconography in the baptismal area,
the parish will want to consider the traditional sym-
bolism that has been the inspiration for the font’s
design throughout history. The font is a symbol of
both tomb and womb; its power is the power of the
triumphant cross; and baptism sets the Christian on
the path to the life that will never end, the ‘eighth
day’ of eternity where Christ’s reign of peace and
justice is celebrated.
“69. The following criteria can be helpful when
choosing the design for the font:
“1. One font that will accommodate the baptism
of both infants and adults symbolizes the one faith
and one baptism that Christians share. The size
and design of the font can facilitate the dignified cel-
ebration for all who are baptized at the one font.
“2. The font should be large enough to supply
ample water for the baptism of both adults and
infants. Since baptism in Catholic churches may
take place by immersion in the water, or by infusion
(pouring), fonts that permit all forms of baptismal
practice are encouraged.
“3. Baptism is a sacrament of the whole Church
and, in particular, of the local parish community.
Therefore the ability of the congregation to partici-
pate in baptisms is an important consideration.
“4. The location of the baptistry will determine
how, and how actively, the entire liturgical assembly
can participate in the rite of baptism.
“5. Because of the essential relationship of
baptism to the celebration of other sacraments and
rituals, the parish will want to choose an area for
the baptistry or the font that visually symbolizes that
relationship. Some churches choose to place the
baptistry and font near the entrance to the church.
Confirmation and the Eucharist complete the initia-
tion begun at baptism; marriage and ordination are
ways of living the life of faith begun in baptism; the
funeral of a Christian is the final journey of a life in
Christ that began in baptism; and the sacrament
of penance calls the faithful to conversion and to
a renewal of their baptismal commitment. Placing
the baptismal font in an area near the entrance or
gathering space where the members pass regularly
and setting it on an axis with the altar can symbolize
the relationship between the various sacraments as
well as the importance of the Eucharist within the
life and faith development of the members.
“6. With the restoration of the Rite of Christian
Initiation of Adults that culminates in baptism at the
Easter Vigil, churches need private spaces where
the newly baptized can go immediately after their
baptism to be clothed in their white garments and
to prepare for the completion of initiation in the
Eucharist. In some instances, nearby sacristies
can serve this purpose.”
No. 66 is the one most bearing on our question.
The baptismal font should be placed in relation to
the Eucharist, but the relationship also implies a
clear distinction between the two spaces so as
to express this journey through the waters to the
altar. Having the two almost contingent weakens
the image of the pilgrimage of faith.
As our reader points out, having the font con-
tingent or within the sanctuary has the added
disadvantage of the Easter candle’s year-round
presence.
I suggest that our reader point out this docu-
ment to his pastor. At the same time, it is best not
to arrive empty-handed but accompanied by some www.3.bp.blogspot.com
viable solutions to the problem based on the sug-
gestions found above.

CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 9
April 26 – May 9, 2010
‘Without Fear We Want to Set Out Upon the Digital Sea’
(Address of Pope Benedict XVI given to the participants in a national conference on “Digital Witnesses: Faces and Languages in the
Cross-Media Age”, organized by the Italian Bishops’ Conference, held at the Paul VI Hall on April 25, 2010)
Eminence, Venerable Brothers in the
Episcopate, dear friends,
I am happy for this opportunity to
meet with you and to conclude your
gathering, which has had as its quite
evocative theme, “Digital Witnesses:
Faces and Languages in the Cross-
Media Age.” I thank the president of
the Italian bishops’ conference, Cardinal
Angelo Bagnasco, for the cordial words
of welcome with which, once again,
he desired to express the affection and
the nearness of the Church in Italy to
my apostolic service. In his words the
cardinal reflects the faithful adhesion to
Peter of all the Catholics of this beloved
nation and the esteem of so many men
and women animated by the desire to
seek the truth.
The time in which we live is
experiencing an enormous expansion
of the frontiers of communication,
realizing an untold convergence between
different media and making interaction
possible. Thus the Internet manifests an
open vocation, with an egalitarian and
pluralistic tendency, but at the same
time it has dug a moat about itself: One
speaks, in fact, of the “digital divide.” It
separates the included from the excluded
Statements
B3
faces? I tried to show the road in my
third encyclical. It passes through that
“caritas in veritate” that shines upon the
face of Christ. Love in truth constitutes
a “great challenge for the Church in a
world that is becoming progressively
and pervasively globalized” (“Caritas in
Veritate,” no. 9). The media can become
a factor in humanization “not only when,
thanks to technological development,
they increase the possibilities of
communicating information, but above
all when they are geared towards a vision
of the person and the common good
that reflects truly universal values” (no.
73). This demands that they “focus on
promoting the dignity of persons and
peoples, they need to be clearly inspired
by charity and placed at the service of
truth, of the good, and of natural and
supernatural fraternity” (ibid.). Only
under those conditions can the epochal
journey that we are undertaking become
something rich and fertile with new
opportunities. Without fear we want to
set out upon the digital sea embracing the
unrestricted navigation with the same
passion that for 2,000 years has steered
the barque of the Church. More than with
technical resources, although necessary,

and adds to the other discrepancies that
separate nations from each other and
divide them internally. The dangers
of homogenization and control, of
intellectual and moral relativism,
already quite evident in the bent of the
critical spirit, in truth reduced to the
play of opinions, in the multiple forms
of the degradation and humiliation of the
human person in his intimate dimension.
One witnesses, then, a “polluting of the
spirit, which makes us smile less, makes
our faces gloomier, less likely to greet
each other or look each other in the
eye...” (“Speech in the Piazza di Spagna,
December 8, 2009”). But this meeting
points to recognizing faces and so to
overcoming those collective dynamics
that can make us lose the perception of
the depth of persons and remain at the
surface: When that happens, they are
bodies without souls, objects of trade
and consumption.
How is it possible today to return to
we want to qualify ourselves dwelling in
this universe too with a believing heart
that contributes to giving a soul to the
uninterrupted communicational flow
of the Internet.
This is our mission, the Church’s
mission that she cannot renounce: The
task of every believer who works in the
media is that of “opening the door to
new forms of encounter, maintaining
the quality of human interaction, and
showing concern for individuals and
their genuine spiritual needs. They
can thus help the men and women
of our digital age to sense the Lord’s
presence” (“Message for the 44th World
Communications Day, May 10, 2010”).
Dear Friends, you are called to take on
the role of “animators of the community”
on the Internet too, attentive to “prepare
the ways that lead to the Word of God,”
and to express a particular sensitivity to
“the disheartened and those who have a
deep, unarticulated desire for enduring
truth and the absolute” (ibid.). The
Internet could in this way become a kind
of “Court of the Gentiles,” where “there
is also a space for those who have not
yet come to know God” (ibid.).
As animators of culture and
communication, you are a living sign
of how much “Church communities
have always used the modern media for
fostering communication, engagement
with society, and, increasingly, for
encouraging dialogue at a wider level”
(ibid.). In this field voices are not
lacking in Italy: We need only to point
to “Avvenire,” TV2000, the inBlu radio
network and the SIR press agency, along
with Catholic periodicals, the network
of weekly diocesan papers and the now
numerous Catholic Web sites. I exhort
all media professionals not to tire of
nourishing in their heart that passion
for man that draws ever closer to the
languages he speaks and to his true face.
You will be helped in this by a solid
theological formation and above all a
deep and joyful passion for God, fed
by a constant dialogue with the Lord.
The particular Churches and religious
institutes, for their part should not
hesitate to value the formation courses
offered by the Pontifical universities,
by the University of the Sacred Heart
and the other Catholic and ecclesiastical
universities, providing persons with
foresight and resources. The media
world should be a part of pastoral
www.blog.hubspot.com
planning.
As I thank you for the service you
give to the Church and therefore to the
cause of man, I exhort you to walk the
roads of the digital continent, animated
by the courage of the Holy Spirit. Our
confidence is not uncritically placed
in any instrument of technology. Our
strength lies in being Church, believing
community, able to bear witness to all
the perennial newness of the Risen One,
with a life that blooms in fullness in the
measure that it opens up, enters into
relation, gives itself gratuitously.
I entrust you to the protection of
Mary Most Holy and the great saints
of communication and bless you from
my heart.

Honorable Elections
THE month of May carries
two meanings for us Filipino
Catholics. The month of May
turns our eyes to the beautiful
Mayflower devotion and the
refreshing sight of the most
beautiful young ladies of the
community walking in procession
around the town for the Flores de
Mayo festival.
not ephemeral life! Hope Makes a
Difference
To the candidates I say: You
shall not steal. The only moral
way to assume your power is
through the vote that is cast
wisely and freely and counted
honestly and respectfully. It
is not enough not to steal. A Pastoral Letter of the Bishop of Borongan
It is imperative that we also on the May 10, 2010 Elections
prevent stealing victory in
© Dennis Dayao / CBCP Media

May is also the month of elections. The Philippine bishops

the fall of Corregidor which
happened on May 6, 1942. That
day in Philippine history spelled
frustrating defeat and shattered
hopes for our forefathers. It cost
the vanquished and the victor
one thousand seven hundred
lives leaving two thousand two
hundred wounded in body and
an infinite number of people
scarred in soul.
The month of May can spell
a fresh springtime or a gloomy
ignominy. It can be grace or
disgrace!
The forthcoming May 10
elections can be an occasion too
of hope and a fresh springtime. It
can also become a contemptuous
day of shame and dishonor.
To the voters and to those
who seek to be voted I say:
Look beyond May 10. There is
still life after May 10. Do not
compromise your soul just for
a victory for that single day or a
meal for a few days. What will
it profit a man if he gains the
whole world but suffers the loss
of his soul? Choose eternal life,
in 1986 said: “According to Beloved People of God: “The kingdom of heaven is at
moral principles, a government Greetings of peace and hand. Repent and believe in
that assumes or retains power justice in the Risen Lord! the Good News.” (Mk 1:15).
through fraudulent means has no The country is about to Clearly the Lord is telling us
moral basis. For such an access to hold its first automated not only that his kingdom
power is tantamount to a forcible elections. The prospect of a is already in our midst but
seizure and cannot command less dishonest, less antiquated, also that our sins prevent it
the allegiance of the citizenry.” and less prolonged process from making itself felt. The
and detraction spread through to happen and not lift a finger to
Choose honor not disgrace! inspires hope in many. But as kingdom is here but we need
them. Reject lies and stand up prevent it. COMELEC: We do not
To the candidates and their we begin to count the possible to enter it renouncing sin, both
for truth! believe those who say that the first
supporters I say: You shall not blessings we must not forget personal and social. Even in
To the elections officials I say: automated elections will also be
kill. We must not allow blood the continuing challenges we the Old Testament the Lord
Choose heroism not compromise! our first automated cheating. It
to stain the ballot. Away with face. First, there is still the already urges us: “You shall
Yours is the heroic mission to should not be so. Please make it
the use of force, coercion and politics of patronage ruling keep away from anything
make the elections credible so! COMELEC: Live up to your
intimidation! Those who live by our land with unmitigated dishonest…Never take a bribe,
and meaningful. At the historic honor!
violence will die in the same way. vigor. With it are the evils for a bribe blinds even the
first automated elections in the May the forthcoming elections
In a violent election, everybody is of greed, corruption and the most clear-sighted and twists
Philippines, you can go down in become a real feast of the
a loser. Choose God not guns! reign of political dynasties the words even of the just”
history as heroes or traitors. Defend flowers of May—a new hope
To the candidates and to the that maintain themselves by (Ex 23:7-8).
the people’s civil rights from all for tomorrow and a new pride
campaign strategists I say: It is rampant vote-buying and Hope is the fruit of the
attempts to rig the elections. Great for us Filipinos!
a sin to tell a lie! It is immoral to influence-peddling. Second, resurrection of Jesus. Because
trust has been reposed on you. This is our only choice. This is
concoct, to spread and to repeat in both our national and local he rose from the dead, we
Do not betray us for thirty pieces our single mission. Let us choose
vicious lies. It is immoral and situations we see the specter too can rise from the sinful
of silver. When the new winners grace and honor!
sinful to take away the good of environmental destruction. conditions in our politics,
have been proclaimed and the From the Cathedral of Saint
name of another. The tongue Mining and logging, both environment and economics.
election fever has gone, may you John the Evangelist, Dagupan
is a small part of the body; the legal and illegal, as well as Hope commands us to commit
COMELEC officials all come out City, April 18, 2010
computer keypad is likewise illegal forms of fishing and ourselves to the following
clean and honorable not disdained
small and so are cell phones; gambling continue to damage acts inspired by the Lord’s
and scorned. It is immoral to +SOCRATES B. VILLEGAS
but they can spread so much our land and our character resurrection: 1) Let us stop the
thwart the free will of the people. It Ar ch b i s h op o f Ling a y en-
poison when lies and gossip with little or no regard for evil of political patronage; 2)
is also sinful to just allow cheating Dagupan
existing laws. Recent flooding Let us protect our environment
and the El Niño drought have in Eastern Samar by saying NO
made us see the ravages of to mining, logging and illegal
climate change first hand. fishing and BY NOT VOTING
Third, side by side with all into office any candidate or

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politician who tolerates these
evils in our island; 3) Let us
NOT SELL OUR VOTES to
candidates; 4) Let us NOT
VOTE for candidates who
give MONEY in exchange
for our VOTES; 5) Let us
NOT VOTE for candidates
who favor the Reproductive
Health Bill and other bills that
disregard morality; 6) Let us
VOTE for candidates who
fear God and can truly make
a difference in administering
our politics, economics and
environment according to
moral principles.
May Our Lady of the
Nativity intercede for the true
rebirth of our nation.
+CRISPIN B. VARQUEZ, DD
Bishop of Borongan
April 22, 2010
 Features
B4
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 9
April 26 – May 9, 2010
Catechism on the Church and Politics
Catholic Bishops’
Conference of the
Philippines
Continued from last issue...
36. Why? What is wrong about our
election process?
The Bishops mention the following
evils that are happening before
elections:
a. switching party affiliations for the
sake of political ambition;
b. getting media exposure by any
means, including bribing willing
journalists;
c. using public funds for political
advertisements;
d. using government bureaucracy for
campaigning;
e. being “wined, dined, and
womened” at convention time in order
to win votes;
f. spending enormous amounts of
funds, accountable and unaccountable,
before and during the campaign
period;
g. making campaigns more of an
entertainment circus for people and
of black propaganda rather than
discussion of issues;
h. people in turn ask for countless
donations from candidates;
i. people registering more than once
in different precincts.
37. What are the evil activities done
on election day itself?
a. using “flying voters”;
b. intimidating voters; using violence
and even murdering political rivals or
their supporters;
c. scaring voters away by threats
of violence; deliberately making
voting paraphernalia unavailable, and
precincts inaccessible;
d. bribing election officials, including
teachers who count the votes;
e. tampering with ballots; deliberately
miscounting votes; changing election
results;
f. delaying or slowing down the
tabulation of final results in order to
create opportunities for changing the
results.
38. After the elections, what
questionable or even reprehensible
actions do we observe?
a. Protesting the final results as
tabulated;
b. slowness of deciding on election
protests such that election winners
hardly have any time left to serve their
tenure;
c. using political office in order to
pay election debts, recoup election
expenses, make fat profits, and
perpetuate the officeholder in power;
d. nepotism in political appointments;
kickbacks in approving and awarding
projects.
39. Are the people themselves
responsible for this sad situation?
Certainly, at least in part, because
people have become fatalistic and
cynical regarding politics and have
often consented to its evil features.
They say that is the nature of politics
and cannot be changed. People have
become so accustomed to seeing the
above evils in the world of politics
that many seem to have surrendered
to this reality. In fact many become
participants by asking donations from
candidates, by willingly selling their
votes, by expecting to be entertained
during the campaign period, by being
agents in buying votes and tampering
with election results, etc. This is why
by participating in or tolerating the
evils of the electoral process, we reap
the corresponding evil of having bad
people to govern us.
40. Is it alright to accept money as
long as one votes according to one’s
conscience?
No, it is not alright. If the source of
the money is clean, accepting it without
voting for the candidate who gave it
makes you a liar. And if you vote for
the candidate, you have actually sold
your vote.
If the source of the money is not clean,
then you become a cooperator in evil
because you accept it.
By accepting any money from
candidates, no matter from what
source and with what intention, you
are perpetuating a form of dirty politics
which encourages graft and corruption,
for today’s vote buyers are tomorrow’s
grafters.
41. Are there no signs of hope that
politics can change for the better?
There are many signs of change.
We had the brightest example of how
people acted as one to protest against
the widespread fraud in the 1986
Snap Election. We saw the courage
of men and women walking out of
their jobs as computer personnel so
CBCP Monitor
Social C
Vol. 14 No. 9
April 26 – May 9, 2010
that they would not be accomplices in
the manipulation of election results.
We saw many lay volunteers, priests,
and religious men and women who
guarded the polls at the risk of their
lives in the 1984 and 1986 elections.
And, of course, there was the 1986
People Power revolution at EDSA that
successfully expelled a dictatorship and
restored democratic freedoms. Since
then, non-government organizations
and peoples’ organizations have
sprouted in great numbers to express
the peoples’ desire for participation
and solidarity in the socio-economic
and political fields.
42. What qualifications should we look
for in political candidates?
In many previous statements, the
Bishops have insisted on certain
qualifications that candidates must
have. Among these are the following:
Those seeking public office must
be pro-God (maka-Diyos) rather than
materialistic and secularistic; pro-
people (maka-tao) rather than pro-self;
pro-nation (maka-bayan); pro-common
good rather than pro-special groups;
and pro-environment (maka-kalikasan)
rather than ecologically insensitive.
Other qualifications are those that
have been enumerated by PCP-II,
namely: they must be persons who truly
pursue the common good, defend and
promote justice, have a spirit of service,
love of preference for the poor, and are
eager to empower people (see PCP-II,
351). All these have to be verified from
their past histories and records.
In their pastoral exhortation on the
1998 elections, the bishops underlined
the following qualifications: competence
and integrity. They said that competence
is the ability to do the expected work
well and not necessarily to be able to
speak well nor to be popular. They
said that integrity means respect for
the human rights of others, honesty
in public office and fidelity to marital
commitment (to wife or husband), and
to family commitments (the loving
care of the family). This means that a
good moral character is fundamentally
necessary in aspiring for public office.
To be trusted in politics and entrusted
by people with the common good, one
has to be trustworthy in the moral and
religious fields. These are intimately
and inseparably interwined.
43. Since politics is seen as “dirty”,
should not Catholic leaders stay away
from politics?
No, on the contrary they should
involve themselves directly in partisan
politics so that they can renew it and
make it work for the common good.
PCP-II itself has encouraged such
participation (see PCP-II, 348-50).
It urged the following: “Catholics
in politics have to work in favor of
legislation that is imbued with these
[Christian] principles. Knowing that
the wrong behavior and values are
often rewarded or left unpunished,
Catholic politicians have to put
teeth to good legislation by making
certain that the correct system of
rewards and punishment be strictly
enforced in public life” (PCP-II, 352).
Examples of criminal actions often
remaining unpunished are those that
are committed by powerful people,
including politicians themselves.
44. In general, how should Catholics
participate effectively in elections?
By volunteering to work in a non-
partisan way with non-government
organizations such as NAMFREL, or
Church movements such as PPC-RV
and NASSA VOTE-CARE in helping
raise the awareness of people regarding
responsible voting, and in keeping
elections honest, clean, peaceful, and
orderly.
By working for and joining a political
party in order to get elected into public
office or to support truly qualified
candidates and to help ensure that the
political party itself abide by the values
of integrity, honesty, and issue-oriented
electoral campaign.
By working for the passage and
implementation of electoral laws that
will help make elections honest and
peaceful.
Above all, a Catholic voter must vote
wisely and honestly, in accordance with
a properly formed conscience and not
because of monetary considerations,
family connections or utang na loob.
For the Catholic Bishops’ Conference
of the Philippines:
+OSCAR V. CRUZ, D.D.
Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan
President, CBCP
Manila, February, 1998

CBCP Monitor
Concerns
Vol. 14 No. 9
April 26 – May 9, 2010
Matrix of Presidentiables on Key Issues
(In our previous issues we have presented the positions of Presidentiables on key issues according to their responses in the letters we sent them, interviews and relative sources emanating from
them, such as those coming from their spokespersons. We presented them “as is” despite observable differences from their other statements. We aptly titled them “What the Presidentiables Say”.
This time we are presenting our research. We have culled them from their media interviews, their interventions in the legislature [for the members of the Congress], and from observers who
collaborated in our study, and viewed them from the perspective of the Pastoral Statements of the CBCP—Eds.)
LEGEND
AGREE
DISAGREE
POsition not available
Rejection of Reproductive health bill
End Death Penalty
gun ban in public places except for
law enforcers in uniform or on duty
end political dynasties
full disclosure of all government
transactions
end pork barrel
implement pro-farmer agrarian
reform program
define wider, specific limits for
forest lands and national parks and
implement massive reforestation
STRICTLY ADhere to the constitution
over charter change
reject the visiting forces agreement
Review of mining act of 1995
Removal of legal and illegal
gambling
Reintroduction of nuclear power as
energy source
Novena Prayer for the Nine Days preceding the
Elections (May 1 to 9, 2010)
+In the name of the Father, of the Son, and
of the Holy Spirit. Glory to the Father, to
the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen
Father in Heaven./ You wish
us Christians and citizens of our
country/ to strive to participate with
our people,/ fully and faithfully,/
toward building up a society and a
nation/ whose social and political
order is “founded on truth,/ guided
by justice,/realized in freedom,/
flowering in peace.”(blessed John
XXIII, Pacem in Terris).
You remind us in the Scriptures,/
that “Unless the Lord build the city,/
they labor in vain who wish to raise
it”;/ that not in personal lives alone,/
but not in social and political strivings
also,/ “Without Me, you can do
nothing.”/ Without You Lord,/ we
can not deeply and lastingly/ bring to
realization/ a true moral and spiritual
renewal/ in our land.
We turn to You the, Lord/ at
this crucial time/ when our local
and national elections are about to
take place,/ and we beg You,/ for
our people and our nation, and for
ourselves.
That You may enlighten our minds/ and guide
our conscience,/ ever to place the common good/
for our nation and our people,/ especially the good
of those/ who are poor and have less in life,/ above
all other lesser interest; that those we vote for/ will
be those who will strive/ to serve our people’s
interests,/ and not their own ,/ above everything
else;/ that they be those who will seek to make
Your Will and your purposes/ truly present and
operative/ in the governance our society / and in
the working out/ of true solidarity and peace among
our people;/ that they will be firmly dedicated/ to
Statements
BENIGNO SIMEON
Aquino iii
JOHN CARLOS
delos reyes
joseph
estrada
Reform
Change needed
REview only
REPEAL
the true Christian “culture of life”;/ that they will
be never sacrifice truth and justice/ to the pursuit of
gain and their narrow self-interest/ through lying,
corruption and greed;
That You may purify the spirit/ in all those
charged/ with the due realization of those elections,/
so that they will fulfill their tasks and duties/ in total
obedience to the lawns of our land,/ with complete
integrity, honesty and transparency,/seeking only
that the will of our people/ and their free and rightful
voice/ may truly express Your voice for us.
That the efforts of those/ who for their own
interest/ seek to frustrate the full and honest
B5
B5
richard
gordon
ana consuelo
madrigal
nicanor
perlas
gilberto
teodoro, jr
eduardo
villanueva
manuel
villar, jr.
Transparent
COMPILED BY MELO ACUÑA AND KATE LACEDA / LAID OUT BY KRIS BAYOS
Change needed concon 2013 Change needed concon
REview only REview only REview only REview only
REPEAL
exercise/ of our people’s right and duty/
in the electoral processes,/ be thoroughly
thwarted/ by the vigilance, steadfastness
and courage/ of those who will uphold,/
defend and guard our democracy/
and our democratic freedoms/ with
conscience, integrity and all their rightful
might.
Heart of Jesus, pierced for our sakes,/
at this crucial time in our history,/ lead
all our people/ to ways of truth and
wisdom,/ love, selflessness and self-
sacrifice/ which You gave us/ as the law
of our own living./ Be with us now,/
Heart of our Savior, and have mercy on
our people and our land./
Immaculate Heart Of Mary,/ beloved
mother of our people,/ intercede for us
with Your Son,/ that we may fulfill our
rights and duties/ during these elections/
with true purity of mind,/ with conscience
and courage./ Be with us, our Mother,/
and Pray for our people and our land.
• Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory be
(3x)
The following prayer, addressed to
St. Michael the Archangel, to thwart the
design of people of bad will, is the prayer
prescribed by Pope Leo XIII against the work of the
evil spirits in the world.
ST MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL, defend us in
battle; be our defense against the wickedness and
snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly
pray. And to thou, O prince of the heavenly host, by
the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all the
other evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking
the ruin of souls. AMEN (Pope Leo XIII)
Imprimatur:
+Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, D.D
Chair of Committee of Year of Two Hearts
 Ref lections
CBCP Monitor
B6 Vol. 14 No. 9
April 26 – May 9, 2010

Bishop Pat Alo

ENCOUNTERS

The approach of faith

SOME put on airs as if they were bright and
knowledgeable of mysteries but then they miss
the point and lose their faith or true knowledge.
Even in the matter of knowledge in the world there
is need of humility to listen and obey, how much
more as regards the mysteries and secrets of God’s
kingdom.
One related the story of a monk who had a visitor
intent on learning the secrets of a life that is truthful.
As he poured coffee liberally into the cup of his

6th Sunday of Easter – Year C (John 14:23-29) May 9, 2010
By Msgr. Lope C. Robre-
dillo, SThD
ONE of the problems that a
community, a company or a
movement faces in the process of
institutionalization is the prospect
of the death of the founder.
Sometimes it happens that the
original vision of the founder is
lost once a new one is installed.
What he said and did are barely
recalled and hardly influence the
direction the community takes
in a new situation. Usually, this
does not happen to a democratic
nation, because the Supreme
Court is there to interpret the
original vision enshrined in the
constitution, but this does not
prevent the new leader from
revising the constitution. But this
cannot happen in the Christian
community that Jesus founded
or it would be divided and lose
its continuity with the divine
source. Today’s Gospel shows
us how it cannot.
Like the previous Sunday’s,
today’s Gospel forms part of
Jesus’ farewell discourses placed
by John in the context of the last
supper. Though, historically,
could not have taught everything
to his disciples, nor could he have,
considering the circumstances
of his death, done it completely.
And even without adverting to
Mark’s portrait of the disciples
who frequently misunderstood
Jesus, it was simply impossible
for them, as historical persons,
to understand everything he
taught them. And there are other
related problems. For instance,
who will sustain the disciples in
the aftermath of the shattering
experience of Jesus’ death? Will
his departure spell the end of the
community?
It is on account of these problems
that in John the supper discourses
look beyond Jesus’ death to the
resurrection. After his physical
departure, Jesus will remain
with the community of disciples
through his spiritual presence:
“I will ask the Father to give you
another Paraclete—to be with
you always” (John 14:16). The
Spirit is thus none other than the
spiritual presence of Jesus. Jesus
is the first paraclete, and the Holy
Spirit is another. Jesus and the
Spirit resemble each other: both
are sent by the Father (3:17, 4:26)
both remain with the disciples
Paraclete, the Holy Spirit, whom
the Father will send in my name,
will instruct you in everything,
and remind you of all that I told
you” (14:26).
Since Jesus is the once-and-
for-all revelation of God (Heb
1:1), the Holy Spirit will not
make any new revelations. That
is not his work. Nothing is to be
added to what has been revealed
by God in the life and person of
Jesus. Rather, it belongs to him to
help—Paraclete means helper—
the community understand the
meaning of the words and actions
of Jesus that up to the time of
his death were obscure to the
disciples. Thus, for example, it
was only after the resurrection
that they were able to understand
the saying, “Destroy this temple
and in three days I will raise it
up” (1:19). In addition, what
Jesus spoke of implicitly, the
Spirit will make it explicit. He
will enable the community to
perceive the deeper meaning of
Jesus’ teaching. Moreover, he
will unfold new interpretations
of what the early Jesus revealed
to the community.
However, the Spirit uncovers
not only new understanding
www.theblackcordelias.files.wordpress.com
visitor, the coffee spilled from the cup. The monk
told the visitor “That’s your first lesson.” In order
to learn you have to be like an empty cup ready to
receive the pouring of water, otherwise you will
not learn much when you believe you already have
all the answers. Then you will fall into that pitiable
feature of a proud person—a “little knowledge is
dangerous”. The truly wise person is willing to listen
since he knows there is still so much to learn.
Jesus has clearly outlined the approach to faith. It
does not mean a total absence of signs or motivations
but rather as expressed several times by our Lord,
it is an attitude of sincerity and simplicity as of a
little child. “’I tell you solemnly, anyone who does
1st Reading (Acts 7:55-60), faced
the problem of circumcision
not welcome the kingdom of God like a little child
vis-à-vis the admission of the will never enter it.’ Then he put his arms round
Gentiles to the community, them, laid his hands on them and gave them his
the resolution reached by blessing” (Mk. 10:15); refer also to Mt. 18:3 and Lk.
the disputing parties at the 18:17. Such should be our attitude to the life and
Council of Jerusalem reflects the miracles of our Savior Jesus Christ.
workings of the Holy Spirit: “It St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, the only priest
is the decision of the Holy Spirit,
and ours, too, not to lay on you
stigmatist, once spoke to a certain convert of his,
any burden beyond that which Federico Abresch: “Faith is not to be argued over,
is strictly necessary” (Acts either you accept it with your eyes closed, admitting
15:28). As a great Johannine the inadequacy of the human mind to understand
commentator, Hoskyns, puts it, its mysteries, or you reject it. There is no middle
“the Spirit’s work is more than way. The choice is up to you.”
a reminiscence of the ipsissima You can see therefore in world history how those
verba of the Son of God; it is a
living representation of all that
who prided themselves in their knowledge of the
he had spoken to his disciples, world were not able to grasp the divine truths and
a creative exploitation of the teachings of Jesus and His Church in spite of the
gospel.” miracles He had performed by His divine power. The
By fulfilling his teaching culminating miracle in His life was His Crucifixion
function, the Holy Spirit bears and Resurrection from the dead, a fact witnessed by
witness to Jesus: “When the hundreds of people, which goes to prove the way of
Paraclete comes… he will bear
witness on my behalf” (John
Jesus as the way of love, truth and goodness. Hence
15:26). He ensures, in other St. Paul in the letter to the Corinthians describes
words, that, even if conditions love as: humble, patient and forgiving (cf. 1 Cor.
and circumstances change, the 13: 4-13).
identity and continuity of the
truth that Jesus revealed to the
first community is assured.
What Jesus said, the Holy Spirit
recreates and perpetuates.
Bo Sanchez

these discourses could be
understood in a situation wherein
the community of John was
expelled from the synagogue,
yet they are meant to answer
the problems spawned by Jesus’
physical departure from the
disciples. Once Jesus sits at
the right hand of the Father in
heaven, who will continue his
(14:20; 14:17), and both guide
them (14:16; 16:13). Moreover,
even if the world of men and sin
hates the community, they are
assured of not falling into the lie
and the devil, because the Spirit
is a Spirit of Truth (14:17), who
will guide them into all truth
(16:13). Of the functions of the
Holy Spirit, the Gospel mentions
and interpretation, but even
application of God’s revelation
in Jesus. In the community’s
encounter with new problems
that arise when faith is confronted
with various situations, the
Spirit will make a creative
application of the gospel. That
way, the community perceives
the relevance of Jesus’ teaching
SOULFOOD
Hence, when the Church speaks
on such issues as militarization,
globalization, migration, etc.
from ethical and doctrinal
perspectives, one is assured that
it is the same truth the disciples
had heard that is being preached
today. Through the Holy Spirit,
the Church is guaranteed with
the continuity of Jesus words

Hug someone today, while

teaching and work? Like any two of them: to teach all things, to contemporary life. When the and works, even without his
other historical person, Jesus and to bring remembrance: “The early Church, as related in the physical presence.

Fr. Francis Ongkingco there’s time

WHATEVER
Deeper readings for summer
THE advent of the digital age announced without the unwanted bothersome pop-ups,
the apparent doom of printed medium and ads and e-mails. All these are definitely more
the beginning of a paperless society. This, composing of person because they allow him
however, has not yet become a reality. Even to better comprehend what he reads.
with the present age of information through It isn’t my intention to prove which
the Internet, people are actually browsing medium is better or not. I have to confess that
more than they are reading. After surfing in my life, I have read a greater number of
through waves of material, they later on print, books –simply out of convenience– in their
read, analyze and present what they have digital forms. The wonderful fact is, whether
fished. The fact is, when it comes to serious in digital or printed medium, that people are
reading, people still somehow prefer to “feel” reading more than before. But are they helped
in their hands what they read. to read through what they’re reading?
Engaging a real book possesses, in my Today, many children are exposed to tons
opinion, more humanizing elements. of reading material –both in their audio
Although digital and print media are identical and text forms– through countless Internet
in their content, they will differ greatly in the blogs, forums and fan fiction. Although this
manner they are absorbed by our senses. For exposure is positive there is also the problem
example, as our eyes travel through letters, of overexposure. By overexposure we mean
words and spaces, our fingers simultaneously indulging themselves indiscriminately into
experience a sensory adventure as they any reading material.
unconsciously rub the edges of the book or Reading is like travelling. One enjoys and
twiddle on the upcoming pages. They can learns more with the help of an experienced
sense the softness of a worn-out best seller guide. Certainly, reading alone sounds like
and its yellowed and dog-eared pages. Even a great adventure. But one can save a great
our noses can distinctively make out the deal of time and money by asking someone
difference between old books from newly more knowledgeable who can recommend
printed ones. “basic reading materials” that will help him
Moreover, think of how printed books learn the fundamental concepts and ideals
are hassle free –except when accidentally necessary to later on delve into the world
dropped in water– travelling companions. of books with capacity to analyze, criticize,
They require no batteries, you can flip to share and apply what we read.
any page or chapter without boot time, With this in mind, we want reading not
you can toss them around without waiting to only be one transient sensory trip, but
for shutdown or the fear of it crashing and formative of our lifetime personal convictions
losing its contents. Finally, one enjoys reading and values. These ideals will help us to mature
My father isn’t the expressive, sentimental type.
He isn’t the hugging, “I love you” kind of a guy.
But I recall as a young boy, he showed his love to me the only way
he knew best: He spent enormous time with me. We’d jog together
every night, walk to a pizza joint on weekends, and simply talk.
(Actually, I’d do the talking and he’d do the listening.)
My father was my best friend.
A few months ago, Dad was trying to fix a light bulb in our garage.
Standing onto a chair for greater reach, he lost his balance and went
by shaping our personality and character. crashing down. His head hit the concrete floor and immediately,
This form of “good reading” has managed blood spurted out like water from an open faucet.
through history to forge leaders, thinkers, Because of the impact, there was like a dripping faucet inside his
artists and let’s not forget saints. brain as well. Blood clots started to appear in his X-rays, and he began
Below is a very limited list of some books. to experience paralysis in his body. Even after brain surgery, he lost
I’m sure at first sight they may turn off some his language ability because of a new blood clot, found even deeper
readers because of their rather heavy and than the others—too deep for another surgery to reach.
uninviting titles. They might not have the The gravest blow was severe pneumonia, an infection that
same attraction as the Potter or Twilight developed after a few months of staying in the hospital. His lungs
series, but they convey a host of perennial were now filled with fluid, and that was when the crisis hit.
human ideals and values that will help one He was hooked up to a respirator, and the long wait began: The
to have a more profound understanding of doctors told us frankly that he could go anytime. At that point, he
the person’s inner spirit and the events that was only absorbing 20% of the oxygen they were pumping to him.
have so far transformed our vision of man, Someone doesn’t last too long in that state.
the world and history. Happy reading. I looked at Dad’s hands and face, and they were bluish in color. I
i) Man, History and the Life: Aristotle, Nico-
whispered to his ear, “I love you, Dad.”
machean Ethics; Augustine, The City of God; Bloom, That was when he regained consciousness for a few minutes. He
Allan, The Closing of the American Mind; Dante, A., looked at me with so much sadness in his eyes.
The Divine Comedy; Dawson, C., Religion and Culture; Then he did something that he never did in my entire life. He
Dickens, C., David Copperfield; John Paul II, Crossing
the Threshold of Hope; Kreeft, Peter, How to Make raised his hands towards my face, and clasped me on both cheeks.
Decisions; Lewis, C.S., The Abolition of Man; _____, Then he brought me down towards him, and gave me a hug.
A Grief Observed; _____, Screwtape Letters; _____, My father gave me a hug.
The Problem of Suffering; MacIntyre, A., After Virtue;
Tolstoy, L., Ana Karenina; Waugh, E., Brideshead He was telling me that he loved me too.
Revisited; Wolfe, T., Bonfire of Vanitiesl; Wilde, O., A He was also probably bidding farewell.
Potrait of Dorian Gray. My emotions were running wild inside me.
ii) Love and Friendship: A. de Saint Exupery, I was both grieving and joyful.
The Little Prince; Austen, J., Sense and Sensibility; Joyful because for the first time, my tough, unsentimental father
_____, Pride and Prejudice; Brönte, C., Jane Eyre;
John Paul II, Love and Responsibility; Lewis, C.S., Four
gave me a hug. Grieving because he was going away. Grieving
Loves; Manzoni, A., The Betrothed; Tolkien, J.K.K., The because it might be the last hug I’ll ever get from him.
Hobbit; _____, The Lord of the Rings. “Dad, we should have done this a long time ago,” I muttered to
iii) Other interesting literary works. A. de myself.
Saint Exupery, Wind, Sand and Stars; Burnett, F.J., Today, my father has recovered a little bit, narrowly escaping
The Secret Garden; Ende, M., The Never-ending Story; that ordeal.
Greene, G., The Power and the Glory; Hemingway, E.,
The Old Man and the Sea; Lee, H., To Kill a Mocking- I hug him more often now.
bird. Hug someone today, while there’s time.
 Social Concerns
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 9
April 26 – May 9, 2010
B7
Senatorial Candidates who have categorically declared pro-
life position and non-support of the Reproductive Health Bill
FRANCISCO TATAD RALPH RECTO VICENTE SOTTO III
Supports and promotes Categorically states he Has declared himself
the position of the is on the side of the to be pro-life to our
Catholic Church Catholic Church pro-life friends in the
Visayas

JO IMBONG FRANKLIN DRILON JOEY DE VENECIA

Supports and promotes Has never supported an Categorically stated he is the
side of the Catholic Church. He
the position of the anti-life bill is retracting his support from
Catholic Church LadLad party-list and their LGBT
Agenda (Lesbian Gay Bisexual
Transgendered Sex)

ZOSIMO PAREDES JUAN PONCE ENRILE GWENDOLYN PIMENTEL

Supports the position of Has supported the Church Has stated that she is on
the Catholic Church side on the Magna Carta the side of the Catholic
but he has been known to Church in a briefing with
support population bills in the prolife groups in Mindanao
past
Source: CBCP Episcopal Commission on Family and Life

Candidates who are known to be supportive of the Reproductive Health Bill

FOR VICE PRESIDENT:
Loren Legarda
Senate RH Bill only moved significantly
when she took over as Chair of Comm. On
Health. She organized Sub-Committee
on RH headed by RH author Sen. Biazon.
She signed Comm. Report.
Perfecto Yasay
His wife has been visible in a few
RH-related affairs and has said that
Yasay is also pro-RH. However, the
candidate has yet to issue a position in
public forums.
FOR SENATORS: progressive framework provisions of
the Senate version of the Magna Carta
pro-RH activities and issued statements
on her position.
JV Bautista
Endorsed by the PLCPD.
of women (MCW).
Neric Acosta Gilbert Remulla
Bongbong Marcos
Has been consistently and strongly Endorsed by the PLCPD.
Pia Cayetano RH Bill co-author in the House of
pro-RH through his 3 terms as
Chaired the Senate Committee On Representative, known to the RH
Representative, principally authored Adel Tamano
Health and was the first to make the advocates as pro-RH but is not known
RH Bills in House of Representatives. Endorsed by the PLCPD.
RH Bill move by calling for Committee to have issued any public statement.
Hearings, has issued pro-RH statements Liza Maza
Ruffy Biazon
RH Bill co-author, has been publicly
in public forums and media. RH Bill co-author in the House of
Representatives, has been visible in
FOR PARTYLIST:
vocal about his position.
Jinggoy Estrada pro-RH activities and issued statements 1. CIBAC
Principally authored RH-related bill on her position. 2. Akbayan
Miriam Santiago
in Senate, signed the Senate Comm. On 3. Butil
Principally authored RH-related bill
Health RH Report. Satur Ocampo 4. Anak-pawis
in Senate, signed the Comm. On Health
Risa Hontiveros Endorsed by the Philippine Legislators’ 5. Coop-Natco
Report, issued strong pro-RH statements
RH Bill co-author in the House of Committee on Population and 6. Anak Mindanao
in media interviews, responsible for the
Representatives, has been visible in Development Foundation, Inc. (PLCPD). 7. Abono
Source: CBCP Episcopal Commission on Family and Life
 B8
Title: Working Girls
Cast: Eugene Domingo, Eula Valdes,
Jennylyn Mercado, Iza Calzado,
Cristine Reyes, Bianca King,
Ruffa Gutierrez
Director: Jose Javier Reyes
Producers: Tony Gloria, Annete
Gozon-Abrogar
Screenwriter: Jose Javier Reyes
Genre: Comedy/ Drama
Distributor: Unitel and GMA Films
Location: Manila
Running Time: 110 min.
Technical Assessment: 
Moral Assessment:  ½
CINEMA Rating: For viewers 14 and
above
Isang sanga-sangang kuwento ng iba’t-
ibang kabababaihan ng makabagong
panahon. Si Paula (Eugene Domingo)
ay itinataguyod ang kanyang pamilya
sa pagbebenta ng mga pekeng bag at
kung anu-ano pa dahil ang kanyang
asawa ay isang batugan. Si Cleo (Eula
Valdes) naman ay isang sikat na doctor
ng pagreretoke na kinakalaban ng mga
grupong feminista. Si Marilou (Ruffa
Gutierrez) naman ay isang dating beauty
queen na mabibiyuda ng kanyang
mayamang asawa ngunit malalaman
niyang walang yaman na iniwan sa
kanya. Si Teresa (Iza Calzado) naman
ay isang nurse na mapipilitang alagaan
ang asawa ng lalaking nang-iwan sa
kanya noon. Si Ada (Jennylyn Mercado)
ay isang single mother na nawawalan
na ng panahon sa kanyang anak dahil sa
kanyang trabaho bilang call center agent.
Habang ang promo girl na si Wendy
(Cristine Reyes) ay pilit na hinahanap
ang lalaking mag-aahon sa kanya sa
kahirapan, si Dara (Bianca King) nama’y
piniling maging isang mamamahayag sa
kabila ng kanyang mayamang pamilyang
pinagmulan.
Isang nasayang na kuwento ang
pelikula na dapat sana’y karugtong ng
orihinal na Working Girls na ipinalabas
noong dekada 80. Hindi gaanong
naka-sentro sa buhay-trabaho ng mga
kababaihan ang pelikula kundi natuon
lamang ang karamihan ng kanilang
kuwento sa kanilang buhay pamilya at
buhay pag-ibig. Malayo sa orihinal na
MAC en COLET
Ni Bladimer Usi
Entertainment CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 9
April 26 – May 9, 2010
Moral Assessment
 Abhorrent
 Disturbing
 Acceptable
 Wholesome
 Exemplary
Technical Assessment
 Poor
 Below average
 Average
 Above average
 E
xcellent
kuwento na naka-sentro sa buhay ng
mga kababaihan sa kanilang trabaho
at ang hirap na kanilang dinaranas
dahil sa sila ay mga babae. Nalihis ang
bagong Working Girls sa sanga-sangang
kuwento ng kababaihan na may iba’t-
ibang problema ngunit nawala ang dapat
sana’y pinaka-kaluluwa ng pelikula.
Lumalabas tuloy na isang karaniwang
kuwento ng mga kababaihan lang
ang napanood at hindi patungkol
sa iba’t-ibang klase ng hanap-buhay
ng mga babae. Sayang ang lahat ng
magagandang intensiyon ng pelikula
dahil sumabog ang konsepto nito sa
kabuuan. Higit na sayang din ang mga
talino ng mga nagsiganap lalo na si
Domingo na siyang nagbigay-buhay sa
pelikula. Sa kabila ng mga kakulangang
ito’y marami pa rin namang magaganda
at nakakaaliw na eksena sa pelikula kung
kaya’t hindi rin naman gaanong sayang
ang panonood nito.
Dahil sa dami ng pinagsiksikang
kuwento, hindi naging malinaw ang
kabuuang mensahe ng pelikula ukol
sa mga kababaihan. Sa isang banda,
sinasabi nitong malaki at mahalaga
ang ginagampanang papel ng mga
kababaihan sa lipunan lalo na sa mga
industriya dahil karamihan sa mga
ito ay babae na ang nagpapatakbo at
babae ang mangagawa. Sa kabilang
banda naman ay nariyan ang lantarang
paggamit sa panlabas na kagandahan
ng kababaihan upang ibenta ang isang
produkto. Sa pagbebentang ito ay
lumalabas na halos ibenta na rin ng
babae ang kanyang sarili at pawang
walang moralidad ang nasa ganitong uri
ng trabaho. Isa itong masamang imahe
para sa maraming kababaihan na nasa
ganitong propesyon. Nariyan din ang
isang babaeng natuksong pumatol sa
iba sa kabila ng pagkakaroon niya ng
asawa’t anak. Ang kaniyang pagtataksil
ay nasaksihan pa ng mga bata pa niyang
anak. Nakababahala ang mga ganitong
uri ng eksena. Ipinakita naman sa
pelikula kung gaanong katindi ang
sakrispisyo ng isang babae ng kumita
ng pera para kanyang pamilya habang
pinagsasabay-sabay niya ng iba pa
niyang papel bilang asawa at ina.
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 9
April 26 - May 9, 2010
C1

The News Supplement of

Couples for Christ

YFC Breaks New Grounds

By Dudz Academia
“TO THE MAX” was the battle cry of the estimated
10,700 Youth for Christ (YFC) members who scaled
the heights of Baguio City for the 17th International
Leaders Conference (ILC) held last April 9-11. The
conference, aptly enough, had for its theme “To
the Max!”
Jep Calumag, ILC Events Head, explained that “The theme of the
conference is based on the theme of Couples for Christ for 2010 –
Fullness of Life in Christ. What better way to live life to the full than
to live it to the max?” He further said that fullness of life in Christ
means that we “maximize the gifts that God has given to [us] and,
[we] maximize what God wants us to experience.”
The 10,700 youths included many participants who came from all
over the world very much eager to experience a Christ-filled week-
end. Of these, 3,770 attendees came from Luzon, 987 from Visayas,
1,050 from Mindanao, 3,605 from Metro Manila and 86 from other
countries. Also adding to the numbers were members of the clergy
and religious, youth coordinators, and couple coordinators.
New stuff
On top of the already heaping Jesus experience in the recently
concluded ILC were new things marking new beginnings for YFC.
YFC built a “City within the City” as the focus of the creative look
of the ILC venue, a take-off from the previous attempt in the Solo
Dios Basta ILC in Subic in 2006. “We did our best to have many things
to do within the ILC venue to cater to all the attendees,” Jep said.
Another big step taken for this year’s ILC was the invitation for
the National Youth Coordinating Council (NYCC) to send delegates.
NYCC sent Regional Youth Directors, Coordinators and Leaders
from Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao and NCR. Groups under NYCC
also responded heartily and sent two councils from the Federation
of Youth Organizations.
Also in attendance were five officers from the Episcopal Commis-
sion on Youth, three leaders from the Military Ordinariate of the
Philippines and one leader from Youth Pinoy.
The ILC initiated the Youth Walk as the last session of the confer-
ence. The sight of thousands of young people walking on the streets
of Baguio caused the residents of the city to stop and gawk and to
wonder at the youth’s exuberance. Jep explained: “The youth walk
was inspired by the activity we did in the Asian Youth Day. We
changed a few of the dynamics because we wanted the last session
to be symbolic of journey.” That the journey culminated in the
celebration of the Holy Mass further enhanced the symbolism.
The youth walk began from three different venues. The groups of
Metro Manila began at the Fort of Praise (Rose Garden), the interna-
tional delegates, joined by those from Visayas, Mindanao started at
the Reflection Avenue (Melvin Jones) while the delegates from Luzon
started at the YFC City (Baguio City National High School).
Furthermore, the event was blessed with more than 80 religious
nuns, brothers, and priests in the Clergy Congress of the ILC that
held confessions, led workshops, and granted individual consulta-
tions to the attendees.
The ILC was also the venue for the launching of other new initia-
tives, such as “Greeneration” or the “G-Project,” a program for the
environment. The conference also highlighted the “100% Free,”
where the youth committed to be free from alcohol, drugs and other
harmful activities. The ILC also featured workshops, competitions,
fun games, confession and individual consultations.

Blossoms In
God’s Garden
By Medy Kapunan
MORE than 4,000 Handmaids of the Lord con-
verged, in all their colorful costumes, at the spa-
cious Victorias Sports and Amusement Center in
Victorias City, just off Bacolod City last April 16
to 18, 2010, for the 17th HOLD International Con-
ference (ICON). Conference host was CFC and
HOLD in Bacolod.
The conference included participants from
that by the end of the night, practically all the
delegates also danced.
The speakers spoke about God’s love for the
women and how, like blossoms in His garden,
He tends to each one with love. The speakers
were Tootsie Lopez, HOLD Coordinator for Min-
danao (“And God Saw It Was Good”), Marite
Tanjangco, HOLD International Council Member
(“Uprooted From the Garden”), Bernie Cuevas,
HOLD Coordinator for Japan and Bicol (“Regain-

all over the world, with 83 coming from Vienna
(Austria), Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, China, Indo-
nesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New
Guinea, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, and
U.S.A. From the
Life in SOLD is a
ing Paradise”), Ethel Balenton, ANCOP Education
and Finance Head (“Tending the Garden”) and
Didi Galsim, HOLD International Coordinator
(“In Full Bloom”).

Great Adventure!
Philippines, dele-
gates came from as
far as Ifugao and
Mountain Prov-
ince in the North
and Tawi-Tawi
and Basilan in the By Joemar Salumbides
South.
HOLD annual WITHOUT doubt, the CFC Servants of the Lord others have been wonderful sorties. But all these
conferences are a (SOLD) International Conference held last March obstacles and trials are well worth it if we truly
treasury of God- 26 to 28, 2010 at the beautiful island province of “trust in the Lord,” for as the song goes, “He
centered talks, Camiguin was a spiritual journey. From the min- shall direct your path.”
meaningful Scrip- ute the delegates decided to join, up to the very One of the most inspiring portions of the
ture reflections, end of the conference and even on their way back conference was the Stations of the Cross, which
creatives and tes- home to their respective areas, the delegates felt was actually a difficult trek since the stations
timonies that rein- that they had embarked on a wonderful adven- were situated on top of a dormant volcano, some
force the message ture. As shared by the delegates themselves, the of them on rough and steep terrains. We found
of the talks. It is also the venue for renewed The last talk concluded with a very special cer- adventure started from the raising of funds, to strength in prayer and in brotherhood, seeing
bonding and fellowship among HOLD leaders emony, done for the first time in an ICON -- the the multiple transport transfers and the activities two 85 year old brothers and many stroke survi-
and members of different cultures. exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. of the conference. vors who made it through the 14 stations.
Bishop Vicente M. Navarra of Bacolod and Life experiences shared by some delegates re- The talks focused on the truth that life is a At the end of the day all the difficult challenges
Bishop Jose Advincula, Jr of San Carlos officiated at inforced the message of the talks. Edith Balmario great adventure indeed and this great adventure were worth it, simply because everyone basked
the Holy Masses (three in all) that were celebrated shared her sinfulness at a young age, her vices, began the moment we responded positively to in the Spirit-filled activities and in the even more
throughout the weekend conference. CFC’s Spiri- subsequent irregular union and about finding for- God’s call. Even the struggles and obstacles we fulfilling brotherhood and love that prevailed.
tual Adviser, Monsignor Allen Aganon and Rev. giveness and healing in HOLD. Letty Jayme spoke encountered in our transformation to the new The Servants of the Lord now look forward to
Fr. Francis Ledesma, Assistant Parish of Victorias of the very secular lifestyle she led as a highly paid life He offers, and the uncharted areas He has next year’s conference which will be held in his-
concelebrated. corporate executive. It is in Handmaids of the Lord, brought us to in our newfound desire to serve toric province of Bataan, land of heroes. Whoa!
At the opening night, some 275 delegates from which she joined after the death of her husband,
the different regions in the Philippines and other that her mind and heart were transformed into
countries performed in a very lively Garden Fes- the beauty of simple living. Dale Villamor clearly
tival. The dances (and music) aimed to exude enunciated her openness to serve God whenever
fullness in Christ by being radiant “Blossoms in He calls and wherever He wants her to be. Mae
God’s Garden.” The dancers were so exuberant Valdez, daughter of an inmate at the Correc-
tional Institution
for Women, ex-
pressed gratitude
for having been a
beneficiary of the
HOLD Adopt-a-
Scholar program
that financed her
studies. Jackie
Majalpa from Ma-
laysia shared how
her life used to be
built on sand and
how she experi-
enced so much
victory in life be-
cause now her life
is built on solid
rock – Christ.
 C2 Ugnayan CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 9
April 26 - May 9, 2010

By Joe Tale, CFC Chairman

Five Points to Live By

Delivered during the Metro
Manila Mission Core Teaching
Night, April 20, 2010, at Xavier
School Gymnasium.
WE are all aware that our community has passed through difficult
storms and challenges. We faced not only one but two major storms
and it is really by the grace of God that we have stayed the course,
that we have overcome these challenges and difficulties. It is by the
grace of God that we have learned the lessons that He wanted us to
learn. It is by the grace of God that we are here, despite undergoing
some purification in our community. We have experienced hurts and
pains which, without the blessings of the Lord, could have destroyed
the community. But because we focused on the Lord, faithful to Him
and to one another, these hurts and pains have made Couples for
Christ even stronger and imbued with a new dynamism.
After 29 years of community, if we had remained mediocre and
ordinary as a community, we would have lost our strength, we
would have wearied. But we take to heart what the Lord says in
Isaiah 40:31 – “They that hope in the Lord, will renew their strength.
They will soar as with eagle’s wings. They will run and not grow
weary and go faint.” Who has gone weary or who has gone faint?
I believe that those who are not here must have grown a bit weary
and may have grown a bit faint.
But those of us who remained in community appreciate that even
if we passed through these terrible storms, we continue to be blessed
and affirmed by the Lord. The Handmaids of the Lord conducted
their International Conference in Negros Occidental on the weekend
of April 16 to 18,. It was an overflow crowd, as usual, and truly filled
with the Holy Spirit. During the same weekend and in the same
province, the Philippine Missions (regional heads, area heads and
area directors) held the first ever national teambuilding exercise. The
weekends before that, we had the conferences of the Servants of the
Lord in Camiguin, the Youth for Christ in Baguio, and the Singles for
Christ in Davao. Our Kids for Christ will soon be doing their island
conferences in preparation for the IKV in Singapore in December. In
all of these conferences, we see an energized CFC, soaring as with
eagle’s wings because we all hope in the Lord.
We have always said, as part of our official statistics, that CFC is
in 163 countries. But when we made an inventory sometime last
year, we faced the reality that we are right now active only in 101
countries. This does not mean that they have all gone to the other
side; in many cases, it simply means that we were not able to sustain
our initial thrusts because our energies were focused on trying to
survive our crises. But now, we are gathering our energies and our
missionaries so that we can recover the countries that have not been
active. But still we thank the Lord for He has allowed 101 countries
to stay on the journey with us.
We also rejoice that some of the countries who asked that we give
them sufficient time to discern and to decide where they will align
their loyalty and their direction have now, by God’s grace, finally
made their choice. The United Kingdom and Thailand recently is-
sued statements affirming their alignment with CFC Global Missions
Foundation under the International Council.
I visited Papua New Guinea very recently and the community
there is overjoyed because the Bishop of Port Moresby also issued
a statement that the diocese will recognize only one Couples for
Christ -- and that is Couples For Christ Global Mission Foundation.
In Papua New Guinea, we also had the rare opportunity of being
invited by the Catholic Bishops Conference of Papua New Guinea
and the Solomon Islands, a total of 28 bishops and archbishops, who
listened to our presentation about CFC and are now more apprecia-
tive of what we are as a community.
In our work with the poor, Mannix Ocampo, our Operations Head,
has reported many things simultaneously happening in ANCOP.
We are not doing any marketing of ANCOP, we do not aggressively
pursue partners and yet, we are surprised that partners keep com-
ing. In Batangas, for example, the local government of Lipa City,
together with the provincial government, has become an ANCOP
partner. We recently broke ground in 10 ANCOP home sites in Lipa,
Batangas where we are targeting the building of 1,527 homes. We
shall be doing groundbreaking in Montalban, in East B, where we
will soon start building 400 homes at a site that is called Our Lady
of Banneux Village.
In January, in Las Pinas, we broke ground in Villa Monique
ANCOP Home Village and we thought that this was the very first
ANCOP site but it turns out that Isabela was the very first to establish
an ANCOP Homes village. Our education program is now in the
process of selecting the scholars. We hope to have the first batch of
our sponsored scholars to start in June, and we intend to include in
this batch some disabled children.
So this is God’s affirmation for our directions as a community.
And our blessings do not stop there. Our clergy continues to
recognize that we are their partners in the work of evangeliza-
tion, personal transformation and family life. The Archdiocese of
Manila has asked us to take the lead in the family life apostolate in
the diocese, which comprises 84 parishes and which covers four of
our 12 Metro Manila sectors. That is a vote of confidence, a vote
of trust for CFC.
The Vatican has invited us to be part of the group that will do the
preparations for a big Catholic Asian League Conference in Seoul
Korea in August and September of this year.
In all of these, one thing is clear – even in the midst of our greatest
trials, the Lord never abandoned us. In fact the Lord has strength-
ened us and we should respond accordingly. We believe He is pre-
paring us to do greater work and that requires an individual and a
collective response from all of us.
Admittedly, because of everything that has happened, we will
spend a lot of time addressing the many issues and concerns brought
about by the conflict. However, we believe that the worst is over;
things have stabilized and we can now focus on strengthening the
community and every individual member in CFC so that we truly
can be prepared to do greater service to God and our fellowmen.
We are poised to soar but we need to address certain areas in our
life as a community. I propose that we stay focused, that we pay
attention to five areas so that the Lord can use us powerfully. For
us to have fullness of life, for us to soar on eagle’s wings, let us look
at these five key areas I have proposed for Metro Manila and even
the Philippine Missions.
Personal Holiness
I need not repeat this. We have had so many teachings and pastoral
documents on this topic. This time, I would like to focus on having
a goal. How do we know that we are growing in personal holiness?
How will we know that because of our faithfulness to our prayer
time and Scripture time that we are moving, that we are growing
in the Holy Spirit?
Galatians 5:22, speaks of the fruit of the Spirit – and that is our
goal… “In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self control.”
From time to time let us check ourselves and all our members if we
are nearing our goal, if we are truly experiencing the fullness of this
Five points / C3

Guidelines for the May 2010 Elections

1) CFC shall remain non-partisan as an institu-
tion.
2) However, CFC members, in their individual
capacity, may actively participate in the elec-
tions and run as candidates or campaign for
candidates they believe to be trustworthy,
competent and public service oriented in
such a manner consistent with CFC values
and culture and fair play.
3) CFC, through its leadership structure, shall
inform the community of the names and
qualifications of CFC members who are run-
ning as candidates in their respective areas
(copy furnished the International Council).
It is important that these candidates be
provided with pastoral cover and accom-
paniment from CFC leaders, especially from
their respective household heads and/or the
members of the Provincial Area Council, Sec-
tor Governance Team or International Council
as applicable.
4) A CFC leader who runs for public office shall
take a leave from service during the campaign
period, but should still be faithful to his or her
household meetings and other regular CFC
activities. A replacement shall be assigned to
take the place of such leader in a temporary
capacity. Such leader shall assume his or her
service after the campaign period, whatever
the outcome.
5) CFC members who are candidates may be
invited to speak in a special assembly called
for the purpose, but not in the regularly sched-
uled household meetings, prayer assemblies
or others activities of the community. An
exception may be allowed in conferences and
congresses, but speeches should not be done in
the plenary sessions, but limited to breakouts/
workshops sessions where those interested to
listen to the candidate may attend.
6) As much as possible, CFC brethren should not
run against each other in positions where there
can only be one winner, e.g. mayor, governor,
congressman, etc. In cases where two or more
CFC members are running for the same single-
winner position, an arbitration process shall be
conducted on best efforts basis, with the objec-
tive of having only one CFC member running
for such position. If this objective is not met,
opposing CFC candidates should conduct their
campaign in a Christian way, without malign-
ing or attacking one another. In any event,
all candidates who are CFC members shall
conduct their campaign in a Christian way.
More than one CFC member may run for
multiple winner positions, e.g. councilor,
provincial board member, etc., without need
for arbitration.
7) CFC members are strongly encouraged to
volunteer for the PPCRV in their respective
parishes, Namfrel, CBCP NASSA, Simba-
hang Lingkod Bayan or such organization
helping safeguard and monitor the conduct
of elections.
8) As we go about our electoral duty, all CFC
members are enjoined to ensure that the
unity of our community is preserved and
protected.

By Joe Yamamoto, CFC Director

Emerging From The Shadows

THE events of recent times, particularly
in the political arena, brought into focus
the crying need of the times – the need
for leaders. But these are not the run-
of-the-mill leaders, these are leaders
who can influence and effect the right
changes for our country that will benefit
all walks of life.
The “Country in Prayer” recollec-
tion conducted by Bishop Chito Tagle
at the Wack Wack Clubhouse on Black
Saturday was a necessary experience
for the country that is not only in need
of much prayer but also for agents of
change- the catalysts for social reform
and transformation.
The Black Saturday recollection was a
life-giving oasis in an otherwise parched
land and served to draw our attention
to the urgent and pressing issue of
leaders who consistently default on
their obligations and repeatedly fail the
expectations of their constituents.
Throughout history, great men and
women have been called to step up to
the challenges unique to the circum-
stances of the times and the places. The
present-day needs of our country are no
different, especially now that we are at
the rapid countdown leading to election
day. The future of our nation is deter-
mined in a big sense by the leaders we
will elect on May 10. It is they who will
implement the urgent steps that need to
be taken to arrest the downward spiral
of our society.
Bishop Chito Tagle had invited the
presidentiables and the vice presidentia-
bles to the Black Saturday recollection,
which was attended also by the repre-
sentatives of the private Catholic lay
of silence after the solemnity of Good
Friday and the necessary transition to
Easter Sunday. It was a fitting day for
“soul searching” for the lay leaders as
well as the political candidates. Bishop
Tagle referred to that day as a confron-
tation with one’s self.
The first of the two talks was a very
timely presentation revolving around
the Eight Beatitudes but even timelier
and more thought provoking was the
second talk, which zeroed in on the
transformation of two of Jesus’ secret
disciples, Joseph of Arimathea and
Nicodemus. Two prominent figures
belonging to the elite and powerful
Sanhedrin, attracted to and finally ac-
cepting the teachings of Jesus, these two
committed to become disciples of the
Messiah. But they decided to remain
silent about their discipleship, hiding
their allegiance in the darkness of the
night. Somehow, this behavior reminds
us of ourselves, Catholics and Chris-
tians, who choose to keep our “identi-
ties” hidden and our commitments to
the faith tepid and noncommittal.
Emerging from the shadows
The gospel describes Joseph of Ari-
mathea as a secret disciple (John 19). He
was a respected member of the Sanhe-
drin, the sect that looked forward to the
reign of God, a promise mentioned in
the Bible. To top it all, he was a wealthy
man (Matt 27:57). As an upright mem-
ber of the Sanhedrin, but as a secret
disciple of Jesus, he did not associate
himself with the plans and actions that
led to the arrest and condemnation of
Jesus (Luke 23:50).
It was also in that dialogue that Jesus
pronounced a very powerful reality:
“For God so loved the world that He
gave His only Son, so that everyone
who believes in him, might not perish
but might have eternal life. (John 3:16).
It was sort of a unique initiation of Nico-
demus to his discipleship of Jesus.
In John 7, where the Pharisees were
already plotting to arrest Jesus, it was
Nicodemus who stopped them in their
tracks by posing a challenge “Does our
law condemn a person before it hears
him and finds out what he is doing?”
(John 7:51)
The defining moment for Joseph
and Nicodemus came when they had
to work together for the Lord’s burial,
after his body was taken down from the
cross. Joseph came to Pilate and asked
for Jesus’ body. Nicodemus brought the
spices which were applied all over the
body of the dead Messiah as part of the
Jewish tradition and practices.
Bishop Tagle stressed that Joseph and
Nicodemus are figures of Black Saturday
for both loved the darkness of the night
but at God’s appointed time, after the
death of Jesus, they finally saw the light.
Their discovery of Jesus was made pos-
sible by the knowledge of the scripture
and the law. This knowledge stirred in
their hearts the attraction for the Lord.
For us contemporary Christian lead-
ers, are we aware of the stirrings of the
Holy Spirit in our hearts, the longing
within that leads us to Jesus? Do we
bother enough to recognize such stir-
rings, much less to cultivate them?
Deep down, we feel the attraction to
the teachings of Jesus but frequently we
cal solution and involves not just our
spiritual life but our social life. In this
critical period of our country’s history,
this solution applies to how we choose
our country’s next leaders. There is an ur-
gent and pressing need for all of us to find
the courage to do the right thing even it is
difficult. Joseph and Nicodemus gave us
strong and timely lessons about emerging
from the shadows of the night – shadows
of our timidity, fears and worries.
Confucius wrote that to know what
is right and not to do it is the worst
cowardice. We need to come out of the
shadows of fear and social pressures.
We need to muster the courage to act
and the time is now.
Speaking of courage, author-philos-
opher Henry David Thoreau wrote: “...
for every thousand people hacking at
the leaves of evil, there is one striking at
the roots of evil.” If we only had more
Christian leaders, men and women who
will act courageously and challenge the
miseries and wrongs of society, then that
same society will be transformed. We
cannot allow the status quo to remain;
there is need to emerge from the shad-
ows of the night to the light of day.
Pope Benedict XVI emphasized that
conviction by faith is not by popularity
or majority or bigger percentage but de-
pending on what is true as revealed by
God. If we accommodate the majority,
we will end up being “night believers”
like Nicodemus. Christians, especially
leaders, must live by faith and be ready
to make unpopular and yet right deci-
sions. They ought to become people of
commitment and not of compromise.
The world today survives on compro-
ment they ceased to be secret disciples
and by coming to Pilate, openly declared
their allegiance to their Messiah.
Nicodemus brought myrrh and
aloe, weighing a hundred pounds, and
cleansed the dead body of Jesus. His
very act was a clear proclamation of
Jesus as his King and he counted him-
self privileged to prepare a royal burial.
Nicodemus, he who only visited Jesus
at night, now declared Jesus His king
and provided the burial richly reserved
for the King.
The journey of Joseph and Nicodemus
showed how the gloom of Good Friday
and the silence of Black Saturday even-
tually gave way to the Easter Dawn.
The DARK TOMB OF JESUS was the
BIRTHPLACE OF DISCIPLESHIP.
The lives of Joseph and Nicodemus
and their journey give us the power-
ful lessons and examples that we need
today. We should not hide our faith nor
be ashamed of our King. The correct act
is not to hide in the dark of the tomb but
to proclaim our allegiance in the harsh
light of day.
For Joseph and Nicodemus, the death
of Jesus confirmed the stirrings and
the attraction for Jesus that was there
all along, waiting to be made manifest.
As they looked at Jesus hanging on the
cross, both experienced the sadness and
just anger for the TRUTH; their greatest
discovery was that Jesus hanging on the
LAYOUT BY LAURENCE JOHN R. MORALES

communities and organizations. It was
not intended to be a forum to present the
candidates and allow them to talk about
their platforms or agenda. Rather, it was
intended to be a Spirit-filled recollection
where the candidates and the lay leaders
alike listened to strong admonitions for
the citizens to come to a prayerful atti-
tude and use their proper discernment
in the choice of leaders.
Black Saturday is considered the day
In John 3, Nicodemus is described as
a Pharisee, a ruler and therefore a leader
of the Jews. He came to Jesus at night
and acknowledged Jesus as a teacher
who has come from God. In the dis-
course between Jesus and Nicodemus,
he asked Jesus how a grown man could
be born again. The Lord spoke of the
need to be born from above, and that,
to enter the kingdom of heaven, one
needed to be born of water and Spirit.
drown those stirrings by giving priority
to other attractions. Consequently, we
end up burying our fundamental attrac-
tion to follow Jesus. How often have we
succumbed to fear and peer pressures
of rejection?
The solution to this chronic and perni-
cious malady is to go back to the depths
of our heart, and strongly express and
make manifest that attraction to Jesus in
the way we live and act. This is a practi-
mises and accepts many contradictions
but as Bishop Tagle stressed: ‘ang na-
tatakot sa katotohanan ay talo.’ (He
who is afraid of the truth is a loser.)
A great transformation happened to
Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus
but that happened only after the death
of Jesus. They were emboldened to ap-
proach Pilate to ask for the deformed
and mangled body of Jesus. At last, they
came out in the open. At that very mo-
cross was their TRUE FRIEND, KING
and SAVIOR.
Reflections: :
1. How do I make the courageous jour-
ney like Joseph and Nicodemus?
2. How do we as Christian leaders pro-
duce and train other leaders to be like
Joseph and Nicodemus?
3. What can you and I do to make pos-
sible the Kingdom of God?
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 9
April 26 - May 9, 2010
Philippine Mission Leaders
Build Relationships
By Zeny Gimenez
NOTHING deterred the lead-
ers of the Philippine Mission
from having a meaningful
and fun-filled weekend last
April 17 and 18, 2010 – not the
distance they had to travel, not
the scorching heat of the sun,
not the separation from their
families, not even the difficult
chores they had to complete
during the weekend activity.
It was indeed a fun-filled
weekend for leaders, mostly
regional heads, provincial
area heads and provincial area
directors, as they all came to-
gether for the first –ever Phil-
ippine Mission Teambuilding
and Fellowship Weekend.
As Joe Yamamoto, Philippine
Mission Director, put it, “This
is an opportune time for the
leaders of the Philippine Mis-
sion to be refreshed, energized
and revitalized because there
is much work ahead of us. We need leaders who are not only up to the task but who relate well to
other leaders.”
The teambuilding and fellowship activity was held in the town of Talisay, Negros Occidental, at the CICM
Mary Shore Retreat House. More than 75 leaders attended. The event was purposely timed to coincide
with the International Conference of the Handmaids of the Lord, held at the nearby town of Victorias, since
many of the male leaders would be accompanying their wives to the HOLD conference anyway.
Conducted by Roland Arrogante, ably assisted by his wife Susan and regional heads Charly Laiz,
Willie Padida, Joemar Salumbides and Tony Gimenez, the teambuilding was a rousing success. All the
leaders gamely went through the activities – Personal Ads (or knowing in what areas one is similar or
dissimilar to others), Unknot the Knot, Sudoko Challenge, Basketball Shoot-Out and Solving the Big
Puzzle. And they had great fun doing it!
What was most important was the many realizations from the weekend, not the least of which are
the following:
Five points / C2
gift. Are we truly experiencing love? Are we joyful
in our hearts or do we still have concerns that pre-
vent us from enjoying the happiness coming from
the Lord? Are we peaceful in our heart? Or are we
confused? Are we showing kindness to our broth-
ers and sisters? Do we have a heart that is generous?
Our “Build My House” campaign, our plans to
build our own home, will test our generosity. The
ANCOP programs will also grant us countless op-
portunities to be generous. Are we growing in our
faithfulness, gentleness, and self control?
Personal Relationship
The second area that we need to strengthen is
personal relationship. Community is us. A com-
munity is persons. A community is you and me
together. If there is no love for one another, there
is no community. It is important to remember this.
The many stresses we have gone through may have
affected some of us. The events that challenged
us and, even hurt us, have meant that some of us
have acquired a spirit that sees only the negative.
We have become unable to appreciate the totality
of the goodness of the Lord, the goodness of our
brethren. We sometimes see only the negative. We
sometimes see only what is wrong. We sometimes
pay too much attention to things that, in the normal
scheme of things, we wouldn’t even mind.
We all need to acquire a spirit of love, a spirit of
seeing the good in every person, a spirit of seeing
the wonderful things that the Lord is doing in our
community. “Love one another as I have loved
you.” That was our theme in 2008. We committed,
as 2008 was ending, that we would continue to
hold this theme in our hearts, to make this theme
a way of life.,
We have been given a flock to take care of. Are
they experiencing love from us as shepherds? Do
they feel the love, the attention, the compassion
coming from us as their shepherds? How can we
really show kindness every single day particularly
to the members that are placed under our care? We
can do it through practical acts of kindness.
Personal relationship is so important. Let us
revive our practice of one-on-one dialogues. We
know everyone is busy but let’s find time. This
is a way of strengthening personal relationships
with one another.
Ugnayan
Our Home Front
The third area that we need to strengthen and
protect is our home front, our families. Because
we are busy, because so many things demand our
time and attention, we might become vulnerable in
our home front. Sometimes we don’t know what
is going on in the lives of our children simply
because we no longer have time to discuss things
with them. We do not have enough opportunity to
really know what’s going on in their minds, what’s
going on in their hearts. So, it’s a challenge. We
need to do our best to balance our schedule so that
we have time, we have presence in our families
and in our homes. The biggest challenge is serving
together as a family in community. After all, we
are Couples for Christ. After all, we are a family
renewal community.
Financial Stewardship
The fourth area is providing for our needs or
financial stewardship. We have discussed this
so many times before but we lag in the area of
implementation. We cannot neglect this area of
our community and individual life. Of course the
Lord will always provide for us, He has always
provided, but it’s not about the Lord, it’s about
us because by sharing what we have, by honoring
and giving to the Lord the first fruits, by giving to
the Lord our tithes, we become blessed. It’s not the
Lord who needs it, it is we who need to be blessed.
You will recall the One Time Big Time project that
we launched in 2008 to rescue our community from
our huge inherited debts. The whole exercise was
a wonderful experience of generosity and selfless
giving – in a matter of months we were able to wipe
out our debts, something that the negative people
proclaimed could never be done.
Today, in our Build My House project, we
sense a great deal of excitement. When we first
broached the idea of CFC having its own building,
we had no great expectations, but the generosity,
the voluntary outpouring of support, has been so
inspiring. And so we believe that, by the grace of
God, we will achieve our dream.
But somehow, we lack the pastoral inputs for
this particular aspect. We can see this in our
regular tithing. The statistics are unbelievable. Of
course we can blame our recent crises, we can say
C3
1. Leaders need to be aware of how they are similar to their co-servants because it is in this knowl-
edge that they are able to further strengthen their relationships and move more quickly forward. On
the other hand, knowing their dissimilarities would enhance the relationship as long as both are ready
to complement each other’s strengths and fill in each other’s inadequacies.
2. Leaders need to sacrifice for the good of the many. This was shown, to everyone’s great delight, by
the willingness of the many to perform the requisite punishment (5 push-ups) for every team member’s
failure to complete the assigned tasks.
3. Leaders need to realize that they are servants first, not rulers.
The teambuilding ended in a fellowship dinner that served not only to unwind the leaders from the
rigors of the day but also to cement the relationship that had been formed.
Already, plans are afoot to replicate the activity on a regional basis, since the leaders present all
concluded that the exercise was not only fun, but absolutely necessary.
Feed My Sheep
OBEYING the Lord’s instruction to “Feed My sheep” (John 21:15-
17), the CFC-Kids for Christ of Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur
held a feeding activity last April 11 in two separate venues: the CFC
Provincial Renewal Mission Center and GK Site Nazareth Hills.
At least 100 children coming from the Sibol of GK Paglaum, Sibol of
GK Nazareth, KFC members and street children in the area gathered
together for the activity which was not simply about feeding. Before
the feeding, Ursulo Aya-ay and Nita Aya-ay, KFC coordinators of
Pagadian City Central Sector, taught the children Christian action
songs and told them stories from the Holy Bible.
The children were very receptive to the teachings, and were very
orderly as they waited for their food (lugao with chicken and egg)
to be served. The CFC and KFC members were very gratified at the
smiling faces of the children, considering the expense, the noonday
heat, the trip and the effort well worth it.
The members of the CFC Provincial Area Council of Pagadian
City - Zamboanga del Sur were all present: Provincial Area Head
Jun delos Santos and wife Gingging; PFO Head Charles and Mercy
Zambo, SocMin Central Sector Head Undo and Inday Torres, AN-
COP Coordinator/East Sector Head Gerry Nebria and wife Tata;
and Family Ministries Head Jojo Quipot with wife Gina. Also joining
the activity were: West Sector Head Ric Ringon, with wife Delia; and
KFC Provincial Coordinator Cesar Mante, with wife Zon.
CFC-Zamboanga del Sur, through the Mission Core Group and
the CFC KFC Coordinators and GKare, will continue to hold feeding
activities as part of evangelization efforts. (contributed by Ugnayan
Provincial Communicators Team - ZDS)
that our tithe record is poor because some of our to put the Lord at the center of our lives. Let’s do
brothers and sisters have left us. But once the crisis it also in the area of financial stewardship. Giving
was over, when we thought we had recovered, our to the Lord must not be a burden. We must be
tithes did not improve. We need to take a very deep excited at the opportunity to give. We must be
and serious look at this area. . excited at the opportunity to share. This is the
We need to address this concern. We need to way of the Lord.
see this from the pastoral point of view. Of course
it’s about money, of course it’s about something Leading as a People of God
material but behind this is really our posture. All the things that the Lord wants us to do, all
Behind this is our appreciation. Behind this is our the wonderful opportunities that He gives us as a
understanding of the teachings on tithing. community will not happen if we are not united as
Let’s talk about the ratio of members giving a community, if we are not one heart and one mind.
tithes. In the Mission Core, which is composed We will not always agree on everything, that is
of the leadership and which we expect would be impossible, but on the basic things, on the major
more pastorally inclined toward the necessity of things, we must have one heart, one mind – that
tithing, only 54% of total Mission Core members we will do what the Lord wants us to do.
tithe regularly. Let’s not even discuss the ratio of We need to recognize our weaknesses and to
the members. Our tithes reflect our utmost faith- do something about it. We need to examine our
fulness to our life and mission. Let’s address this covenant, our commitment to God, to family, to
issue because we will never be able to soar like service, and to CFC. Our community life has ele-
with eagle’s wings if we don’t. ments of our covenant, our culture and our com-
Another area of financial stewardship is the abil- mitment to one another as brothers and sisters, our
ity to live within our means. On the part of the corporate life and our governance. These are all
International Council, we have committed to be important. If one is missing, then we cannot say
open about our financial situation. We have com- that we are CFC. When we talk about community,
mitted to be prudent about the way we spend the when we talk about what the Lord can use us for,
resources of the community. Our average monthly when we talk about greater work that the Lord
tithes now, based on tithes in Metro Manila, is wants us to do, we must do it as one community,
not sufficient for our needs, but the provinces with one heart and with one mind, aligned to one
contribute 20% of their tithes to Metro Manila. another in the structure
Their contributions help but what really helps are CFC has been blessed despite the troubles,
our International Conferences that, by the grace despite the conflicts. The Lord has blessed us tre-
of God, always give us positive revenues Then, mendously and we would like to emphasize what
the Lord sends people to help. We receive special can be our shared responsibility. What CFC can
donations at the Home Office so that by-and large be, what CFC will be, by the grace of God, is our
in total, we are able to live within our means. shared responsibility. It is your responsibility in
The point really is that we need to grow in this your respective sectors, in your respective clusters
area. We need to think not really about the amount and chapters and units and households. If we are
we give but the regularity with which we give it. able to do all of that, then the Lord will really see
Maybe some of us are lazy to give, or some rely us as ready to do bigger things, not for our own
on the Lord to provide for the community but we recognition and glory but because we simply want
all need to give because we all need to be blessed to say to the Lord, “Lord, use me as your instru-
The Lord says, “Put me first and I will bless you, ment.” Believe me, we ain’t seen nothing yet,
I will bless the rest of your needs.” as the saying goes. The best will still happen in
Financial stewardship is also about faith. It is the future. The Lord has formed us, the Lord has
about honoring the Lord with our first fruits. The allowed things to happen to us because He has a
Lord tells us, all the way from Genesis to Revela- purpose, He has a reason. All we need to do is to
tion to “Put me first.” We always say that we want respond with our big “Yes!” (To be continued)
 C4 Ugnayan CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 9
April 26 - May 9, 2010

CFC South Africa Mission Core Conference:

10 Years of Faithfulness
By Michael Ariola The National Council then
led all the leaders to a celebra-
COUPLES for Christ - South Africa celebrated its 10th year anni- tion of the Lord’s Day. The
versary in a grand show of force and unity. Almost 100 household prayer session after was the
heads, leaders and different governance teams of the different highlight of the whole confer-
provinces of South Africa, and Lesotho, comprising nearly 2,000 ence, for it challenged all the
servant-leaders, traveled to Durban, Kwa Zulu Natal last April 9, leaders to be bold in following
2010 for the celebration. Christ. The session started with
The celebrations began on Friday with a gathering entitled the the National Council carrying
‘Banquet of Champions.’ CFC Chairman Jose Tale and CFC Interna- the cross along the street of
tional Missions Director Rouquel Ponte gave their video messages. Sydenham, followed by all the
CFC SA country coordinator Michael Ariola reminded everyone leaders and ending with the
about living fully as a true disciple of Christ. prayer of empowerment down
His Eminence Wilfrid Cardinal Napier, OFM affirmed the leaders, the street. The message was
proclaiming that he, together with his brother bishops and priests, loud and clear - leaders need
supports CFC’s vision and mission. He also expounded on a seem- to be fearless in bringing Christ
ingly incongruent statement, that goes, “Follow me, for I am right to others, even if it means being
behind you.” He encouraged CFC to follow the directions of the seen carrying the cross.
Catholic Church for the Church is behind CFC.
Concrete plans per area
CFC, an Easter people The final day started early
Fr. Michael Folley, OMI of St. Anne’s and CFC National Spiritual with the celebration of the Di-
Director, Fr. Wayne Weldschidt, OMI, the newly installed rector of vine Mercy Sunday Mass pre-
the Marian shrine of Ngome, celebrated the Holy Mass on the second • increase evangelization efforts sided by Fr. Albert Danker of St. Anne’s. He asked his parishioners
day. In his homily, Fr. Michael mentioned that CFCs are people of • assure that every member goes through CFC formation track to welcome the “strange looking” individuals from all over South
Easter, people of resurrection who turn things upside down, and effect • go back to the CFC basics Africa clad in Couples for Christ shirts.
changes. They live lives similar to that of the early Christians who, after • strengthen the Family Ministries The morning session included commitment by the respective areas
the resurrection, were bold and courageous for the sake of Christ. • win the old members back to three concrete plans in the coming months. .
Fr. Wayne said that to live the fullness of life in Christ means be- • gather efforts to help those who are in need (through AN- Michael Ariola gave the final talk. Citing Psalm 127:1 “Unless the
ing challenged, day by day, to change for the better. He said that we COP) Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it,” he asked
need to be reminded that as a community, we do things not because everyone to offer their plans to God and honored each area for car-
our leaders ask us to, but because it is Christ through the structures He also stressed the important role of the Blessed Virgin Mary in rying on with the good fight of faith, moving some of them to shed
of CFC who is asking us to. the CFC mission for 2010. There will be a series of Rosary Rallies to tears. Leaders from Dundee, who had been with CFC for close to 10
be conducted in the different areas, capped by a Marian Congress years, were given special honors for being among the longest serving
Directions for 2010 in the same day sometime in October. These plans excited the lead- leaders in CFC in South Africa.
Joe Raman of the CFC SA National Council highlighted the mile- ers and clergy alike, because CFC is introducing something new in CFC South Africa is indeed going to live a full life in Christ by
stones of the SA community in 2009: South Africa. living out the vision of CFC, “Families in the Holy Spirit renewing
• an increase in the number of CLPs in 2009 There were several workshops also that day: the face of the Earth.”
• the formation of 20 new leaders during the year • basic counseling and one-on-one session workshop (by Delysia
• opening up of 4 new areas during the year Timm) CFC – SA to join 30th Anniv in Manila
• “Role of the Women in the Mission of CFC”, which cleared a lot At least 50 leaders signed up to join the 30th CFC anniversary in
Keith Collings, CFC SA’s national director gave the directions of issues for the wives of the CFC heads (by Ursula Collings) Manila come 2011, with the National Council committing to try to
for 2010: • Pastoral Planning (by Keith Collings) gather over a hundred brethren to attend the anniversary.

CFC ANCOP launched in the A Tribute to Prosy

United Arab Emirates
IT is not only in the Philippines that CFC is do-
ing work with the poor through ANCOP. Early
in March this year, ANCOP was launched in the
United Arab Emirates. The launch was held at
the Dubai Mall Hotel, located at Burj Khalifa, the
newly inaugurated tallest building in the world.
CFC National and Area Council members rep-
resenting the three major Emirates: Dubai, Sharjah
Punsalan
GOLFING enthusiasts are invited to a round of
golf at the Villamor Golf club on May 25, 2010.
The activity, dubbed the Prosy Golf Cup, is in
memory of Prosy Punsalan who died last Decem-
ing as Christ’s disciples and our ber 2009. The event is being organized by Rene,
mission, as proclaimed by Jesus Prosy’s husband and the many friends who share
himself, to defend the lowly and her love of golf. Proceeds from the tournament
to answer the cry of the poor in will go Prosy’s Foundation, which is dedicated
every dimension of society. Man- to helping those who wish to enter the religious
nix said, “To sustain the work is order. Please call 8179457 or 8121016 (Rene’s law
to keep connected with the Source office); 6715789 or 6715814 (Rene Henson); and
because the very core of our work 8441204 (Pons Tanjangco).

CFC ANCOP is
and Abu Dhabi were present. CFC is active in is the heart of Jesus; every bit we
the three emirates with total membership of more do for the least of our brethren is
than 3,000. the heartbeat of Christ.”

As in any CFC gathering, the launch began with a
powerful worship led by Mar Dizo. Leo Verdolaga
gave the opening exhortation after which Man-
nix Ocampo, ANCOP Operations Head, officially
launched CFC ANCOP in the UAE. Saying that
CFC is a community “Moving Where Christ Is,”
Mannix cited, through Scriptures, our commission-
The launch presented the CFC
ANCOP mission, principles,
target groups and its programs,
all of which were eagerly welcomed by CFC UAE
who are now looking forward to a new horizon
deeply rooted in Christ and engaged in Building
the Church of the Poor. The whole session was
in Ghana too!
concluded by an open forum facilitated by Jerry
Tanigue, ANCOP Middle East Coordinator. The By Jerry Tanigue
day ended with CFC UAE shouting as one, “Sagot
kita kapatid, dahil sagot ako ni Lord!” GLADYS was born eighteen years ago to par-

Answering the Cry of the Poor

By Ric Martinez
CFC Cebu has begun their ANCOP
work, Couples for Christ’s work
with the poor, in earnest. This is in
keeping with the community’s com-
mitment to implement a program of
community development through
the building of ANCOP Homes.
Under the guidelines, the program
seeks out the poorest of the poor from
among CFC members, a segment that
was neglected in the previous work
with the poor, following the ANCOP
principle of each member being his
brother’s keeper.
ANCOP is a work of love and is
built on the premise that
works only sporadically, while Arlene
does sundry work for a fee for neigh-
bors to augment the family income.
Another two (2) families were
profiled from Central 4, namely Jun
and Jolin Nadonza and Loreto and
Corning Adlawan.
The Nadonzas are fire victims, with
Jun earning only the minimum wage
in his day job. He augments this by
being a trisikad (pedicab) driver at
night. He and Jolin, a housewife, have
six children with ages ranging from
19 to 6 years old. While the two older
children are high school graduates,
they have not gone on to college but
Nadonza family are seeking jobs to help out.
Loreto and Corning
ents who were farmers in the impoverished
and remote village of Berekum, Ghana, West
Africa. While born healthy, Gladys contracted
an illness in her early teens, with one of her
legs becoming swollen and painful. Since
medical help in the village was very scarce if
not totally non-existent, her parents resorted to
using treatment methods that they had learned
from their forefathers. They brought her to the
village elders who pierced the affected area in
her leg with sharp objects. It was so painful
that even while narrating this event, Gladys
broke into tears. Instead of getting healed, she
ended up being handicapped. Her leg became
deformed and it is clear that she will never
walk normally again. Today, she needs the aid
of a cane because of a very bad limp.
But her handicap has not stopped Gladys
from dreaming and hoping for better days.
She hopes to continue her studies by taking
up a vocational computer course. With her
father dead, this dream was destined to be
unfulfilled since no one in her family can sup-
port her studies.

YFC UK Holds First Ever Conference

charity begins at home.
Thus ANCOP will go
where help is urgently
needed, not in the hope
of providing a show-
case for the commu-
nity’s honor but simply
to provide loving care
to brethren. Homes will
be repaired or built “off-
site,” and will not neces-
sarily follow a program
of starting a village.
CFC ANCOP, per
Cebu Council direction,
has chosen their initial
beneficiaries from among
the poor members of the
province. Other mem-
bers in the other sectors/
clusters/chapters are
now also being profiled,
for possible inclusion in
the program. Included in
the first batch are Denand
and Arlene Merecido,
chapter leaders from
Cebu Central 1 who are
now doing mission work
in the mountain baran-
gays of Cebu.. They have
three children, ages 16,
11, and 4 years old. De-
nand is an electrician who
Adlawan have ten chil-
dren with ages ranging With ANCOP’s educational assistance
from 22 to 3. Corning program, Gladys can now realize her dream.
By Dianne Nidea The conference was highly successful, with stays at home while Lo- With the help of generous donors, she is now
many of the youth expressing their appreciation reto is a shoe repairman. enrolled in school. It is interesting to note that
ABOUT 128 delegates from CFC Youth for Christ for the life-transforming weekend. The eldest son is a con- her annual educational cost is less than the
chapters in Tyne and Wear, North Umberland, RG, a YFC mission volunteer from Dublin, struction helper while cost of dinner
Scotland, Teeside, Milton Keynes, London and Ireland, shared: “Spending my first mission as a some of the daughters for a family of
Belfast and CFC mission volunteers from Swit- “mission volunteer” with YFC UK in their national work as housemaids. five in a res-
zerland and Dublin, Ireland met for the first conference was such a blessing. God was truly In spite of poverty, the taurant in Ma-
UK National victorious that younger children are in nila. Imagine
Conference at weekend and high school and elemen- how many
the Diocesan He made it tary. With so many chil- children can
Youth Vil- clear to me dren, the Adlawan house have access to
lage, Consett through the cannot accommodate the education if
Durham last 128 youths entire family. Sleeping only families
April 10-11. gathered there space is difficult, such can make the
The theme of to praise and that some of the children sacrifice of ab-
the conference glorify His simply sleep outside the staining from
was iFOCUS name. I felt house. The Adlawan a dinner treat
which stands that I have couple are new CFC just once in a
for “I Follow GAINED so members but already, year!
Christ’s Ulti- much despite they have brought five Because of
mate Sample” inspired by Colossians 3:1 -- the fact that I was there to GIVE as a part of the ser- couples into the Chris- ANCOP and
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, vice team. Not only did I earn precious memories tian Life Program. because my
set your hearts on things above, where Christ is but also a new perspective and a better understand- With ANCOP, these family is will-
seated at the right hand of God.” ing of Youth for Christ and what it stands for.” families will now have ing to make
CFC- YFC is present in almost every country KTL, a mission volunteer from Switzerland, decent housing. With that sacrifice
in the world. In the United Kingdom, YFC was added, “The first YFC UK national conference ANCOP, their spiritual for the next
re-established last 2008 starting with eight YFC was a spirit-filled and unforgettable event! The needs will also be met, three years,
members from the Philippines. To date, there Lord was definitely among us and was surely since the ANCOP pro- our African
are more than 100 active members from different smiling from heaven seeing 128 young people gram closely hews to the child, Gladys,
parts of the UK, as mentioned above, as well as celebrating and praising God. It was a very CFC culture and way will face a bet-
from Bradford, Leeds, and Edinburgh. blessed and fun weekend.” of life. ter future!