•A3 Pope calls new bishops

to a ‘service of love’ in •B1 Promise

‘Be a Sign and
of Unity •C1 Ugnayan The News Supplement of
imitation of Christ and Communion’ Couples for Christ

Make hostage Cruz refuses to identify

investigation report Aquino aides in jueteng
public—bishop payoffs
AS soon as it’s complete, a Catholic bishop RETIRED Archbishop Oscar Cruz, an anti-
is urging the government to make the inves- gambling crusader who claimed that two of
tigation report of the bloody hostage taking Malacañang’s most trusted aides are receiving
public. jueteng payola, said he would refuse to answer
Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo government investigations even if he will be
said the result of the report should be revealed summoned.
publicly unlike what happened to the infa- Cruz said President Benigno Aquino III has
mous Mayuga Report in 2006. all the powers if he has the interest to find out
Hostage / A6 September 13 - 26, 2010 Vol. 14 No. 19 Php 20.00 Jueteng / A6

AMRSP calls on Supreme Court to decide on Luisita case

THE Association of Major Re-
ligious Superiors in the Philip-
pines (AMRSP) has called on the
Supreme Court to issue a final
resolution on the controversial
case of Hacienda Luisita.
Sr. Mary John M. Mananzan,
OSB and Fr. Quirico Pedregosa,
Jr., OP, urged the Supreme Court
to give out a decision that will
render justice to the farmers and
farm workers of the hacienda
FILE PHOTO
leadership welcomed the Su-
preme Court’s “setting in motion
the case” of the Hacienda Luisita
towards what they described as
a definitive resolution.
The Association said after the
presentation of oral arguments
of the contending parties about
the stock distribution option
scheme, they urged the same
Court “to make use of the facts
based on the records of the
the farmers and farm workers’
petition for the revocation of
the SDO to pave the way for
actual land distribution,” the
group said.
They pointed out that any at-
tempt to resolve the issue that
deviates from the actual land
distribution will not put the case
to rest but will only fuel another
round of peasant unrest in the
hacienda.
land distribution,” the superiors
added.
They further explained that
the farmers “suffered far too
long from the callous resistance
of the landowners to maintain
their ownership of the land, in
defiance of the essence of the
agrarian reform law and of
the moral demands of social
justice.”
The religious body said their
is an issue of national signifi-
cance and impact to Philippine
society” because it is a dispute
“that should not just be left to the
corporate officers and majority
stockholders of Hacienda Luisita
Incorporated to decide upon.”
According to the group, to
consider the issue as “intra-cor-
porate dispute” is simply wrong
since it is an issue of national
interest because “it is a test case

owned by President Benigno case.” The farmers’ transformation stand was based on their discern- of the effective implementation
Aquino’s family. “We denounce the stock distri- into stockholders “will not give ment “that the actual distribu- of the agrarian reform law in the
Mananzan
In a statement, the AMRSP bution scheme and we support them better lives than the actual tion of land of Hacienda Luisita Luisita / A6

Cardinal urges military,

MILF to lay down arms
By Roy Lagarde

THE head of Manila’s Roman

Catholic Church called on the
military and the Moro Islamic
Liberation Front to lay down
their arms before resuming
peace talks.
Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales said it is
imperative for both parties to stop the
armed offensive when talking about
peace and development in Southern
Philippines.
Continued fighting, he said, would
only complicate the situation instead
of promoting peace in the war-stricken
Mindanao.
“The world has to unlearn the lan-
guage of violence,” said Rosales over
Catholic Church-run Radyo Veritas.
“That’s enough.”
“The fighting has been going on for
so long with no clear benefit. If one side
wins today, the other will strike back.”
Several prelates and peace-oriented
groups have already called on the
government and the MILF rebels who
have been fighting for an independent
Islamic state in Mindanao to return to
the negotiating table.
Cardinal Rosales also said peace is
important in uplifting the living condi-
tions of Filipinos in the troubled region,
whether Christians or Muslims.
“Let us unite when peace is the issue, Catholic seminarians hold candles as
they pray for victims of mining-related
let us unite when cooperation is the is- killings in the country during a vigil
sue. Let us unite when we are talking outside the Manila Hotel on Sept. 14
about progress for all, especially the where a three-day mining meet is
being held. PHOTO BY DANNY PATA
poor,” he said.
Arms / A6

Vatican to canonize Hijas de Jesus’ foundress

CBCP renews appeal for THE foundress of a congregation of Blessed Candida was born Juana Josefa

Pakistan flood victims

THE Catholic Bishops’ of the Philip-
pines humanitarian arm is seeking
urgent assistance for flood-stricken
Pakistan.
In a statement, Caritas Filipinas
made a public appeal for solidarity
and assistance for around 20 million
people affected by flooding.
The flooding that began in late July
has claimed an estimated 2,000 lives
dollars during weeks of flooding.
Anila Gil of Caritas Pakistan said
the situation of people in evacuation
centers and in affected areas is “get-
ting worse.”
“In some areas the accessibility is
not easy because the water is still there
and in some areas the water is not
going down,” Gil said in a telephone
interview over Radyo Veritas.
religious women dedicated to the
education of women and youth in the
Philippines will be canonized by Pope
Benedict on October 17.
Blessed Candida Maria de Jesus,
foundress of Hijas de Jesus will be can-
onized together with five others by Pope
Benedict in solemn rites at the Vatican.
Spread in many countries across the
world, the Hijas de Jesus in the Philip-
pines has communities and schools in
Manila, Paranaque, Cebu, Iloilo, Cami-
guin and Davao.
Cipitria y Barriola on May 31, 1845, in the
Basque province of Guipuzcoa, Spain.
Illiterate as a youth, Mother Candida
worked as a housemaid to help support
her family.
But her poverty did not deter her to
a life of piety and virtue, showing her
boundless compassion for those more
destitute than herself.
At 24, Blessed Candida received a
message from the Blessed Virgin to
establish a congregation for women
Blessed Candida de Jesus
Vatican / A6

AFP seeks closer collaboration with Church

and about 2 million people homeless. In Manila, Caritas Filipinas is cur-
Caritas Internationalis and its af- rently mobilizing aid from charitable
filiate organizations have expressed institutions to provide the immediate
alarm over the food shortage and lack needs of the victims.
of potable water and medicine as the “The immense destruction and suffer- NEWLY-appointed Chief thrashed out common areas
potential for disease grows. ing faced by our brethren in Pakistan is of Staff of the Armed Forces of concern to foster closer
Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick an occasion for Christian love and com- of the Philippines met with working relations between
Pabillo, Caritas Filipinas national direc- passion to shine through,” said Pabillo. officials of the Catholic the military and Catholic
tor, said the recent flooding unleashed “We need your support so that we Bishops Conference of the hierarchy in a meeting held
the worst killer floods in 80 years. can save more lives in Pakistan,” he Philippines to discuss pos- Sept 13.
The United Nations fear the death added. “We need to get our aid to sible areas of cooperation “We are now crafting
toll could still rise as many affected them very quickly if we are to avoid between the military and our new security program
towns and villages remain inacces- health crisis.” Catholic Church’s estab- a nd we wou ld lik e t o
sible, while disease continue to spread Cash assistance, he said, may be de- lishments. consult with all possible
among the survivors. posited at the PhilTrust Bank account Chief of Staff General Ri- stakeholders, including
Structural damages have exceeded of CBCP Caritas Filipinas Foundation, cardo David and the CBCP the Catholic Church,”
US$4 billion, while wheat crop damages Inc. with account no. 00320-013778-3. Permanent Council led by General David said in an
are estimated to be over 500 Million US (CBCPNews) Illustration by Bladimer Usi its President and Tandag interview with the CBCP
Bishop Nereo Odchimar AFP / A6

www.cbcponlineradio.com www.cbcphealthcare.org www.cbcpmedia.com

 World News
CBCP Monitor
A2 Vol. 14 No. 19
September 13 - 26, 2010

Christianity needed to fill Europe’s

empty cradles, missionary priest says
ROME, Italy, Sept. 10, 2010—Respond-
ing to Lybian leader Muammar Gad- Womb is most
dangerous place
dafi’s call for an Islamic Europe, a
missionary priest has warned that this

for a child, warns

future is possible if the continent contin-
ues its denial of its Christian roots and
its demographic decline. Returning to

Spanish bishop
Christianity would also solve “the prob-
lem of empty cradles,” he added.
“The fact is that, as a people, we are
becoming ever more pagan and the
religious vacuum is inevitably filled by MADRID, Spain, Sept. 10, 2010—Bishop
other proposals and religious forces,” Demetrio Fernandez of Cordoba in Spain
commented Fr. Piero Gheddo of the said this week that with the increase in
Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions, abortions, a mother’s womb “has become
according to Zenit. the most danger place for survival.”
He said that with the exception of the During a Mass celebrating Our Lady
Italian episcopal conference’s Avveni- of Fuensanta, Bishop Fernandez ex-
re, no newspaper has “seriously taken pressed his concern for the ease with
into consideration how to respond to which women can obtain abortions,
this challenge of Islam, which sooner while “they are offered nothing to help
or later will conquer the majority in them continue their pregnancy.”
Europe.” “Women have once again become
“The challenge must be taken seri- victims of a selfish society,” he added,
ously,” continued Fr. Gheddo, who also with “many feeling obliged to carry out
founded the missionary news agency this act which they will regret for the
Asia News. “Certainly from a demo- rest of their lives.” Bishop Fernandez
graphic point of view, as it is clear to said women must look to Mary, whose
everyone that Italians are decreasing womb “became a holy fountain of life
by 120,000 or 130,000 persons a year that gave birth to Jesus, the savior Son.”
because of abortion and broken families; The prelate also referred to the constant

www.smsjparish.com
while among the more than 200,000 attacks on religious traditions “in an age
legal immigrants a year in Italy, more in which pluralism is being fostered.”
than half are Muslims and Muslim fami- “They cannot hurt us Christians,”
lies, which have a much higher level of he said. “They may take our lives, but
growth.” (CNA) never our faith.” (CNA)

The Russian Orthodox Church calls for same legal status as Catholics in Ireland
MOSCOW, Russia, Sept. 13,
201—The Moscow Patriarchate
has asked Dublin to change the
status of the Russian Orthodox
Church in Ireland and make it
similar to that of Catholics, no
longer as a “charitable organi-
zation”, but a Church in every
respect.
The request, which affects
1,500 people, was made on 8
September during a meeting in
Moscow between Irish President
Mary McAleese and Patriarch
Kirill. It was the first state visit
to the Russian Federation for
McAleese.
“His Holiness raised the issue
of granting the Russian Ortho-
dox Church a similar status to
that of the Catholic Church in
Ireland.
This is a very important goal,”
stated Fr. Georgy Zavershinsky,
head of communications for
External Relations Department
of the Church of the Moscow
Patriarchate.
The priest explained that the
Russian Orthodox parishes in
many Western countries are
registered as charitable com-
munities, similar to other small
communities or sects. Besides
Ireland, this is also the case in
Britain.
Patriarch Kirill spoke of the
situation of Orthodox parishes
in Ireland: “In general, in the
twentieth century there were
several waves of emigration countries. Today the Russian
from the Soviet Union, and the Orthodox Church in Ireland
people established themselves
Vatican Briefing
has about 1,500 faithful, out of
in Western countries, including a total population of 4,150,000
Ireland. inhabitants.
When I talk of these people, I The words of Kirill confirm
refer not only to citizens of the the policy initiated by the suc- Vatican Library reopens anew
Russian Federation, but also to cessor of Alexius II towards a The Vatican Apostolic Library will be reopened again on Sept.
the Moscow Patriarchate and strong promotion and strength- 20 after three years of renovation. Library’s prefect, Msgr. Ce-
the Church of Russia, Ukraine, ening of the presence of the Rus- sare Pasini said it aims to be a cultural aid, to offer a glimpse of
Belarus and Moldova. sian Orthodox Church abroad, the “great truth about the world of God.” “We not only show
Taken together, many of them from China to the Caribbean, scholars and the world what we have done ... but we remodel
now live in Ireland where we throughout south-east Asia and ourselves on this fundamental spirit, on our mission, so that
have five parishes, and some are Europe. Of note, however, that we don’t just make it a place to consult books,” he said.
very active (e.g., Dublin). in Russia the Catholic Church is
The president promised to not recognized among the four Increased efforts by Catholics, Jews for peace sought
start bilateral consultations official religions (Orthodox, Benedict XVI, in a message to the chief rabbi of Rome, Dr.
between ministers to discuss Muslim, Jewish and Buddhist) Riccardo Di Segni, is hoping for the promotion of justice and
the issue and if necessary be- which enjoy a privileged status. peace in the world as Jews mark a string of holidays in Sep-
tween the premier of the two (AsiaNews) tember including Rosh HaShanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot.
The pontiff also sought for improved relations between the

USCCB to release new book on Pope Benedict

Catholic and Jewish communities of the world.

Pope prods Brazil bishops to promote unity

The pontiff has called Brazilian bishops to push for dialogue
WASHINGTON, D.C., Sept. 13, 2010—The man who can walk calmly through troubled among Christians in their country, saying that unity is a gift
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USC- times as he seeks to heal wounds and bring from God. Benedict XVI said this on Sept. 10 upon addressing
CB) announced on Monday that they are people together,” Sr. Mary Ann Walsh noted. members of the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil, on
releasing a new book on the Holy Father, “He has faced the searing sexual abuse scan- the occasion of their five-yearly “ad limina” visit to Rome. He
intended to be “an unprecedented look into dal with compassion and moved head-on also called for a “healthy ecumenical dialogue in truth” with
the first five years of Benedict’s reign.” to meet inter-religious challenges to build other Christians in the country.
“Benedict XVI: Essays and Reflections on understanding among diverse people.”
His Papacy,” will be released on Sept. 19 by “He has addressed the problems of contem- Sweden’s first Catholic University praised by pope
the USCCB along with Sheed & Ward, an im- porary society and highlighted for the world Benedict XVI praised Sweden’s first Catholic University
print of Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. the moral implications of environmentalism recognized since 1477 urging the institution to continue pur-
The new book provides a glimpse into the and the unequal distribution of the world’s suing divine and human wisdom. The Jesuit-run Newman
life and work of the Holy Father and will resources,” she added. “He has urged the Institute inaugurated the academic year on Sept. 4 in Uppsala.
www.catholicnewsagency.com

feature excerpts from his writings including
reflections and quotes, more than 100 full-
color photographs and a resource section.
The essays are divided into three parts: Part I
Pilgrim, Part II Pastor, and Part III Prophet.
A press release on Sept. 13 stated that
USCCB director of media relations Sr. Mary
Ann Walsh edited the book, which also
features forewords by King Abdullah II of
Jordan and President Shimon Peres of Israel.
The new publication also contains articles by
Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio
Bertone, Cardinal Francis George, USCCB
president, and John Thavis, Rome bureau
chief for Catholic News Service.
“Pope Benedict’s first five years reveal a
church to spread the Gospel both through wit-
ness and prayer and through every modern
means of communication. He is a leader with
the wisdom of years, and a graced theologian
who helps men and women to take their right-
ful place in today’s world.”
The USCCB announced that promotions
with Borders and Barnes & Noble will take
place in late September and early October
and that the book will be available for pur-
chase on Amazon.com or directly from the
USCCB. (CNA)
In his message, the pope hopes that this “center of Catholic
excellence” will be portrayed by “the illustrious tradition of
study, the impartial pursuit of knowledge in all realms and a
strong commitment, both with divine as well as with human
reason.”
Pontiff thanks outgoing Japan ambassador
In a private audience with Benedict XVI on Sept. 2, outgoing
Japanese ambassador to the Holy See, Kagefumi Ueno, got
papal thanks for his help in developments in the Vatican’s re-
lationships with the Asian nation. Ueno’s successor, Hidekazu
Yamaguchi, will arrive in Rome at the end of this month.

Christian church and school set on fire in Punjab

Build society rooted in truth, Pope tells countrymen
Benedict XVI told his countrymen, through new German
ambassador to the Holy See, Walter Jurgen Schmid, the im-

because of the ‘Burn-the-Qur‘an’ proposal
NEW DELHI, India, Sept. 13,
2010—Muslim extremists set
fire to a Church and to a Chris-
tian school in Punjab in reac-
tion to the proposed Qur‘an
burning by Rev. Terry Jones, a
US clergyman, in order to com-
memorate 9/11, an action he
later abandoned but still caused
protests among Muslims and
anti-Christian violence.
In India, the latter have taken
a distinctly political and separat-
Seven people were killed, includ-
ing a police officer. Four more
people died in earlier protests.
“The [church] fire was fuelled
by both rumors of an alleged
burning of the Qur‘an and the
political situation” in the state,
Anti-government Islamic pro- lim brothers and the authorities,
tests are commonplace in the but this initiative is cause for
state. At least 70 demonstrators concern,” the bishop said.
have been killed by police in the In Punjab last night, an angry
past three months. The ‘Burn-the- crowd burnt a church and vari-
Qur‘an’ issue was just a pretext to ous cars parked in Loha Bazar in
vent anti-government feelings. the city of Malerkotla, Sangrur
District, a predominantly Mus-
lim area, because of Rev. Jones’
proposal. The authorities have
imposed a curfew until 6 pm
fearing more violence.
The Global Council of Indian
portance of God being personal and that “the construction
of a human society requires faithfulness to truth,” especially
in the areas of marriage, biotechnology and news reporting.
The pope made the call when he received letters of credence
from Schmid Sept. 6.
Pontiff invites all to emulate example of Capuchin friar
A Spanish Capuchin friar who was known across the city of
Granada, Spain for his simplicity was beatified on Sept. 12.
Pope Benedict XVI invited the faithful to follow his example
and to love all people, “without exception.” Brother Leopold
de Alpandeire, born Francisco Sánchez Márquez, was beatified
at an airfield near Granada with an estimated 60,000 people
in attendance.


ist tone. The resulting incidents Christians (GCIC) condemned
with police left 11 people dead. the church burning. For its presi-
The Christian Society Mission dent Sajan K. George, “World’s

Read
School was set on fire this morn- leaders and media” must “show
www.asianews.it

ing in Tangmarg, near Gulmarg. the same kind of outspoken con-

daily church
Rumours had already spread demnation when radical actions,
that it might be targeted but the on an equal or larger scale [than
authorities ignored them. When the abandoned plan to burn the

news at
fire fighters tried to the wood- Qur‘an], are committed against
made church, they were stopped Msgr. Peter Celestine, bishop of “The proposal to burn the peace-loving Christians. We
by a mob. The entire building Jammu-Srinagar, told AsiaNews. Qur‘an’, even though it was plead with the Federal Home

burnt to the ground but students
were not hurt.
However, this was not the
only act of violence. Demonstra-
tors also stormed a government
building and clashed with police.
“Witnesses said that hundreds of
people were on streets yesterday
night.” From there, they “barged
into the school building and
set it ablaze. Curfew has been
imposed.”
www.cbcpnews.com
abandoned, created a very tense minister of India and the [state
situation. Fear and anxiety are and federal] governments to
widespread. Christians consti- show their magnanimity” and
tute only 0.0014 per cent of the condemn “the mindless violence
population. So far, we have had against Christians in Punjab.”
cordial relations with our Mus- (AsiaNews)
 News Features
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 19
September 13 - 26, 2010
A3

Pope calls new bishops to a ‘service

of love’ in imitation of Christ VATICAN City, Sept. 11, 2010— ful, noting that these are made for the souls that are entrusted
addressing a gathering of new more difficult by challenges such to him.”
bishops on Saturday, Pope Bene- as poverty and persecution. “To In this pastoral attitude of
dict XVI said the life of the you,” he said, “awaits the task giving lies the bishop’s “true dig-
bishop should be “a service of of feeding their hope, of sharing nity,” the Pope added, explain-
love” and a “continual oblation in their difficulties, inspiring ing that it derives from making
to God.” He told the prelates to yourselves in the charity of himself the servant of all “to the
imitate Christ in poverty and hu- Christ which consists of atten- point of giving his own life.”
mility and to find strength and tion, tenderness, compassion, (a “The episcopate, in fact—as
wisdom in the Holy Spirit. spirit of) welcoming, availability the priesthood—must not be
The Holy Father met with and interest in the problems of misunderstood according to
102 new bishops from mission the people for whom you are mundane categories. It is a ser-
territories in 40 countries on disposed to give your lives.” vice of love,” he said.
Saturday morning in the Swiss In each task, Benedict XVI “The bishop is called to serve
Hall of the Apostolic Palace at emphasized, the bishops are the Church with the style of God
Castel Gandolfo, L’Osservatore sustained by the Holy Spirit, made man, becoming ever more
Romano reports. through which they were “con- fully a servant of the Lord and a
The prelates, all of whom have figured” to Christ in their ordi- servant of humanity.”
been appointed in the last year, nations. “In fact,” he added, “the Referring to their “primary
are taking part in a seminar episcopal ministry is understood duty” of announcing the Word
promoted by the Congregation only starting with Christ, the of God while also administering
for the Evangelization of Peoples source of the single and supreme the sacraments, the Pope said
to assist them as they begin their priesthood, of which the bishop that to be convincing in their
new ministry. is made participant.” ministry, they must “believe and
Welcoming their visit to Rome Calling the bishops to imitate live what they announce and
to deepen their knowledge of Christ the “humble and poor” celebrate.”
their responsibilities as bishops servant, he said they can remain Concluding his remarks by
www.catholicnewsagency.com

and to renew their profession ever close to Him through fre- noting that their wisdom and
of faith at the tomb of St. Peter, quent contemplation in prayer strength to witness to salvation
Pope Benedict XVI told the par- and adoration. “The life of the and peace comes from the power
ticipants that “the Church places bishop,” he explained, “should of the Holy Spirit, Pope Benedict
not (a) few hopes” in them. be a continual oblation to God told the new bishops “He will
He went on to remind them of for the salvation of his Church, guide the paths of your episcopal
some of their duties to the faith- and especially for the salvation ministry.” (CNA/ETWN News)

Priest slams lawmaker

Papal visit to UK will affirm bonds for evading dialogue on
with Anglicans, Vatican official says
VATICAN City, Sept. 11, 2010—In ad-
Aurora ecozone
MANILA, Sept. 9, 2010—A Catholic sectoral dialogue,” said Talaban.
vance of Pope Benedict XVI’s trip to the priest criticized a lawmaker for continu- Rep. Angara and Senator Edgardo
U.K., the head of the Pontifical Council ing to evade a dialogue with the affected Angara authored the RA 10083, which
for Christian Unity has acknowledged communities on the proposed economic expands the former Aurora Special
“difficulties” in Catholic-Anglican zone in Aurora. Economic Zone (Aseza) coverage from
relations. However, he said the papal Casiguran parish priest Joefran Tala- 500 to 12, 923 hectares.
visit will “strongly affirm the close ban was reacting to a recent consulta- Aurora Governor Bella Angara-
bonds” between the two church bod- tion on the project but again without Castillo endorsed the project amid
ies. He pointed to Cardinal Newman the presence of those who are opposed contentions of affected residents that it
as a guide. to it. confiscates private properties without
Speaking in a Thursday statement, Talaban said Rep. Sonny Angara due process while violating other na-
Archbishop Kurt Koch said that al- “broke his word” that he would dia- tional laws on local government, agrar-
www.catholicnewsagency.com

though the September 16-19 visit is the
first state visit of a Pope to Great Britain,
it recalls Pope John Paul II’s pastoral
visit in 1982. Pope Benedict’s prede-
cessor prayed with the Archbishop of
Canterbury and issued a joint declara-
tion inaugurating the second phase of
official dialogue between the Anglican
Communion and the Catholic Church.
“Since that time, relations between
Anglicans and Catholics have been
characterized by growing warmth and
friendship,” the archbishop commented.
He noted that many local communities
now share in prayer and practical ini-
tiatives and that there are “regular and
successful meetings” between Catholic
and Anglican bishops.
Catholic-Anglican relations possess a
“realistic acknowledgment of difficul-
ties,” he remarked.
“The tragic divisions of the Reformation
will resonate particularly when the Pope
Pope Benedict XVI
view, these issues must be seen “in the
broader context of the common witness
of Roman Catholics and Anglicans.”
This witness will be “most profound-
ly symbolized” when Pope Benedict
and the Archbishop of Canterbury
meet at Lambeth Palace and then kneel
together in prayer in Westminster Ab-
bey before the shrine of St. Edward the
Confessor.
According to the archbishop, the
beatification of Cardinal Newman is
a “positive moment” for ecumenical
relations. While Cardinal Newman
converted to “the fullness of faith” in
logue with various stakeholders of the
Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and
Freeport (Apeco) on August 19.
The scheduled consultation was
first discussed during a dialogue with
Angara on June 21 and attended by
Archbishop Kurt Koch
local community leaders of Task Force
Apeco at the Institute of Social Order
dinal Newman’s “Apologia Pro Vita in Ateneo.
Sua” in which he said that Catholics Multisectoral representatives, includ-
in England must have the attitude of ing Infanta Bishop Rolando Tirona and
“assisting and sustaining” the Church Fr. Edu Gariguez of the National Secre-
of England and must work together to tariat for Social Action of the Catholic
preach Christian principles and doc- Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines,
trines.Cardinal Newman was guided witnessed the event.
by “the unchanging witness of the “None of those opposed to the Apeco
Church” and not subject to “fashion or and the participants in that dialogue
convenience.” were invited. APECO lawyers only met
“His example encourages Christians with their allies when they came to Au-
of all traditions to be involved today rora, not with the affected communities
with courage, integrity and faithfulness and their leaders, even after they prom-
to the Gospel in building a society that ised that they would conduct a multi-
welcomes, nourishes and promotes all
ian reform, fisheries, and indigenous
peoples’ rights.
Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima said
that the government is losing 3 billion
pesos a year per economic zone and that
there is a need to review the establish-
ment of ecozones in the country.
CBCP-Nassa chairman and Manila
Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo
had earlier joined the call of the Aurora
clergy to President Benigno Aquino
III to suspend the operation of Apeco,
which is being primed as the third big-
gest in the country.
“We trust in the sincerity if this gov-
ernment to effect promised changes
and we hope it starts with upholding
the wellbeing of the poor and mar-
ginalized over the designs of the cor-
rupt and powerful politicians behind
questionable legislations,” said Pabillo.
(CBCPNews)

Environmentalists urge Aquino

is in Westminster Hall, where St. Thomas the Catholic Church, he was always its members ... Cardinal Newman rep-
More was tried for his loyalty to the See of grateful to the Church of England as resents the great tradition of faith, intel-
Rome,” Archbishop Koch predicted. the instrument of God’s providence in lectual rigour, and imagination that are

to repeal mining policy

Disputes within the Anglican Com-
munion have also created “difficulties,”
which in part have been responsible
for Pope Benedict’s offer of the Angli-
can Ordinariate. In the archbishop’s
his life. Newman also acknowledged
the “profound” influence of Anglican
theologians and clergymen.
The pontifical council president cited
as “wholly relevant” the close of Car-
the inheritance of all the British people,”
Archbishop Koch concluded, expressing
hope that the deeper aspects of the papal
visit will not be obscured in coverage of
the visit. (CNA/EWTN News)
MANILA, Sept. 5, 2010—Anti-mining and destructive industry such as large-
advocates called on President Benigno scale mining should not be a priority of

Holy Father highlights special

Aquino to repeal the government’s the PNoy administration,” the group
mining policy saying that large-scale stated in a letter addressed to Aquino.
mining has not brought the country any ATM pointed out that mining in the

contribution’ women make to theology

VATICAN City, Sept. 8, 2010—Con-
tinuing his focus on the contribution of
women to the Church, Pope Benedict
XVI turned a second time to the medi-
eval nun St. Hildegard of Bingen, whose
life demonstrates that “women make a
special contribution to theology.”
The Pope gave his general audience
catechesis this morning in the Paul VI
Hall, dedicating his teaching to a subject
he began last week with a reflection
on St. Hildegard of Bingen, a twelfth-
century German Benedictine religious.
Speaking on the mystical visions
that the saint had throughout her life,
the Holy Father commented that “they
were rich in theological content.” “They
referred to the main events of the his-
tory of salvation and use a mainly po-
etic and symbolic language,” he noted.
“For example, in her best known work
entitled ‘Scivias’ (Know the Ways) she
summarized the events of the history
of salvation in thirty-five visions, from
the creation of the world to the end of
time.”
“In the central part of her work she
develops the theme of the mystical
marriage between God and humankind
which came about in the Incarnation,”
the Holy Father added.
“Even in this brief outline,” he contin-
ued, “we see how theology can receive
a special contribution from women,
because they are capable of speaking
of God and of the mysteries of the faith
with their specific intelligence and
sensitivity.”
The Pope then exhorted all women
“who undertake this service to do so
with a profound ecclesial spirit, nour-
ishing their reflections with prayer and
looking to the great riches − still partly
unexplored − of the medieval mystical
tradition, especially as represented by
such shining examples as Hildegard of
Bingen.”
She was also interested in “medi-
cine and the natural sciences, as well
as music,” the Pope noted. “For her,
all of creation was a symphony of the
Holy Spirit, Who is in Himself joy and
contentment.”
“Hildegard’s popularity led many
people to consult her,” the Holy Father
recalled. “Monastic communities, both
male and female, as well as bishops
and abbots all sought her guidance.
And many of her answers remain valid,
even for us.”
“With the spiritual authority she
possessed, in the last years of her life
economic gain.
Alyansa Tigil Mina, an alliance of
various organizations opposed to min-
ing, in a press briefing, claimed that not
Hildegard began to travel,” the Pope only it failed to deliver, but the destruc-
recounted. “She was considered to be tive nature of mining has also brought
a messenger sent by God, in particu- conflicts in affected communities and
lar calling monastic communities and destroyed the nation’s ecological bal-
clergy to a life in conformity with their ance.
vocation. Hildegard especially opposed Jaybee Garganera, ATM National
the German Cathar movement.” coordinator said Aquino should now
“The Cathars − their name liter- fulfill his promise of leading the people
ally means ‘pure’ − supported radical to “tuwid na daan” (righteous road) by
reform of the Church, principally to putting a stop to large scale mining.
combat clerical abuses,” he explained. “If PNoy is really serious in leading
“She reprimanded them fiercely, ac- the way to his ‘tuwid na daan’, then he
cusing them of wanting to subvert the should immediately revoke Executive
very nature of the Church and remind- Order 270-A, and stop the misplaced
ing them that the true renewal of the priority of the previous administration
ecclesial community is not obtained by in aggressively promoting large-scale
changing structures so much as by a mining,” he said.
sincere spirit of penance and a fruitful Former President Gloria Arroyo
journey of conversion.” signed the EO in April 20, 2004, amidst
“This is a message we must never strong opposition from local communi-
forget,” the Holy Father empha- ties, NGOs, indigenous peoples and the
sized. Catholic Church.
In his concluding remarks, the Pontiff The revitalization of the mining in-
said: “Let us always invoke the Holy dustry has brought numerous cases of
Spirit that He may bring saintly and human rights abuses amid complaints
courageous women to the Church, like of encroachment of ancestral domains
St. Hildegard of Bingen, who using the and wanton destruction of environ-
gifts received from God, may make their ment.
precious and specific contribution to the “At a time where climate change and
spiritual growth of our communities.” natural disasters endanger the lives and
(CNA/EWTN News) livelihoods of rural poor, an extractive
country is “clouded with transparency
and accountability issues.”
“A serious tragedy on the claim of
‘responsible mining’ is the cloak of
corporate concealment that prevent
communities, and even local govern-
ment units, to make an informed deci-
sion whether to allow mining or not,”
claimed Garganera.
Since mining companies often invoke
trade confidentiality, keeping their
contracts and documents to themselves,
Garganera said they are able to go ahead
with their projects despite opposition
and lack of consent from affected com-
munities.
Giovanni Reyes, Secretary General of
the Kalipunan ng Katutubong Samahan
sa Pilipinas (KASAPI) also said govern-
ment officials often conspired with min-
ing companies in deceiving them.
“Our biggest sadness is that not only
are our ancestral lands being destroyed
by mining that we do not accept, we are
victims twice over, as the mining com-
panies and some government officials
have conspired to hoodwink us, by
fabricating our free, prior and informed
consent (FPIC),” he said.
Garganera said they will continue to
make their voices heard until the mining
policy is repealed.
“This is the only way we know to
make the President listen to his ‘boss-
es’,” he said. (CBCPNews)
 A4 Opinion CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 19
September 13 - 26, 2010

EDITORIAL

‘There are 100 million of us now’

SO did someone of supposed knowledgeable stance and critical

judgment recently exclaimed—waiting for the people to tremble
on their knees, expecting the general public to wallow in sorrow
and repentance. But the presumably one big bad news proved to be
simply but one big dud. It is not wise and prudent to say however
that the said proclamation, exclamation or whatever should not
merit even but a brief and candid consideration—no matter how
vacuous or fatuous it is in the realm of facts. It is highly possible
that the source of the supposedly heart-stopping news is a minion
of organizations or companies that are ex-professo anti-population,
pro-birth control and abortion as their corporate sequential world
mission.
There are now 100 million Filipinos all over the land! There are
100 million mouths demanding to have something to eat two if not
three times a day, 24/7! Hence, there are likewise 100 million bodies
expecting to be clothed and housed! This is big catastrophe in the
waiting, a horrible socio-economic debacle just around the corner!
But how about certain simple questions—in wait for likewise simple
answers: Who did the counting? How and when was it made? Is
there a reasonable methodology used for the counting, are there
tenable records to show a rational count made? Is there something
much more than mere words to buttress up such a declaration which
precisely is about concrete numbers? Or, are people bound to believe
such a daring announcement as an article of faith?

Illustration by Bladimer Usi

With “100 million of us”—right now and right here in the country—
just as living would be a huge liability and so should smiling turn
to wailing. Blessed wherefore are those who die or who are killed
or simply disappear from the face of the earth. In the same way,
welcome “Climate Change” with the fatal, deep and wide floods
it causes, the fatal revolt of nature it brings about, the irreparable
damages it promotes now and its deadly impact into the times yet
to come—not only in the Philippines but worldwide as well. And
if Filipinos are now 100 million, it becomes understandable that
letting them get sick and die, become an option—just as big and Fr. James H. Kroeger, MM
continuous massacres become likewise big and continuous blessing
and grace for Filipinos today and the time yet to come.
Filipino Fiesta of Faith
Thus it is too that deadly plagues are much welcome in the country,
and even internal wars are great solutions to local over-population.
All these deadly human ventures/adventures are simply perfect
Living Mission
for an over-all cleansing of the Filipino people, their fast and
drastic diminution in number. It is but applying the bogus teaching EXACTLY ten years ago this challenge of proclaiming Christ the Papal Legate; Archbishop themes of contemporary mission
that socio-economic progress is assured and fast, the smaller the month all eyes in the Philippine in Asia is a summons addressed Charles A. Schleck represented were presented through story-
number of Filipinos becomes. But how come then developed Asian Church were focused on Cebu first of all to us [Filipinos], to the Congregation for the Evan- telling and reflection (narrative
countries—concretely like Singapore—are worried to death about City. The pivotal event unfold- share the gift of faith that we gelization of Peoples (CEP) in missiology). A theological over-
their continuously decreasing population? There are certainly more ing was the National Mission ourselves received.” Rome; Archbishop Antonio view of mission was presented
questions worth asking and answering. Congress, held from September There were 2,300 official del- Franco, Apostolic Nuncio to the by Luis A. Tagle; the diverse
27-October 1, 2000. In his open- egates, representing every dio- Philippines, participated; Philip- pathways of integral evangeli-
ing address, Bishop Vicente C. cese, prelature, vicariate, and pine Ambassador to the Holy zation were elucidated: procla-
Manuel, SVD, noted: “Today, we church-circumscription, as well See Henrietta T. de Villa came mation (Ruben Gomez, OMI),
are gathered to celebrate the first as religious women, men, laity, from Rome; CBCP President inculturation (Pio Estepa, SVD),
A Caring Economy—Development with a ever National Mission Congress. and youth. Seventy Filipinos Archbishop Orlando Quevedo interreligious dialogue (Bob Mc-
Human Face This signal event is our first step were missioned to diverse for- joined the congress; Jaime Car- Cahill, MM and James Kroeger,
as a Local Church into the Third eign countries on the last day dinal L. Sin and former president MM), human promotion (Luis
Millennium.” of the congress in a moving Corazon C. Aquino graced the Hechanova, CSsR), and mission
FOR the Church, socialism and capitalism are not the only The Philippine Bishops (CBCP) “mission-sending” ceremony. occasion. The affable Cardinal spirituality (Daniel Huang, SJ).
alternatives. In the struggle against an economic system understood requested Catholics to prepare Celebrating Faith. The Mis- Ricardo Vidal, as well as the Fostering Faith. The core
as “a method of upholding the absolute predominance of capital, the for the Cebu mission congress. sion Congress unfolded in a clergy, religious, and laity of of the congress rested on deep
possession of the means of production and of the land in contrast In their pastoral letter on the festive atmosphere. Guests were Cebu, opened their hearts and faith. Pope John Paul II has
to the free and personal nature of human work,” the church offers a Church’s Mission in the New welcomed with genuine Filipino homes to the delegates. written that “Mission is an issue
vision of “a society of free work, of enterprise and of participation.” Millennium (July 5, 2000) the hospitality: John Baptist Cardi- Daily sessions began with of faith” (RM 11). “Cebu 2000”
Such a society “demands that the market be appropriately controlled bishops noted: “It is clear that the nal Wu of Hong Kong came as morning praise. Various core Living Mission / A5
by the forces of society and by the State so as to guarantee that the
basic needs of the whole society are satisfied” (CA, no. 35).
Sr. Mary Pilar Verzosa, RGS
Admittedly this vision is not at all a concrete economic model.
It is simply the ideal orientation expressed in the Church’s social
teachings for the reconstruction of the social order (CA, no. 43).
In pursuit of real
We might call the economy and the development that such a vision
requires as a caring economy and development with a human courage Love Life
face.
Does this vision, based on the social teachings of the Church, point
to an alternative model of development? Certainly it does, since WHENEVER I come across the word “cour- Courage Apostolate develops the person’s March 31 in order to begin a new support
present models of development, be it socialist or capitalist, are age”, I cannot help but think of Joe Garcia. spirituality and promotes chastity. group called “ICHTHYS”. Joe wanted the
materialistic. Some alternative directions would be the following: Joe returned to his Eternal Creator last Aug Since its establishment and recognition public to understand homosexuals since
both access to and ownership of economic capital and production 31 and was laid to rest last Sept 4, after hav- from the Holy See, the organization has many Filipinos often misunderstand them.
have to be dispersed and should not entirely remain in favor of ing suffered through many months of lung grown to 110 chapters in seven countries, He himself had gone through severe dis-
the owners of monetary institutions, well-established landlords cancer. Note: Joe was never a smoker. including one in the Philippines which was criminations, his emotions he had shared
and politicians. A key concern is to be responsible for the natural I first encountered Joe in 1996. He wanted acknowledged by the Archdiocese of Manila with me on many occasions.
resources and economic means of production and to have the to be involved in our Pro-life ministry. And in 1995. Fr. Daniel Healy, who is now Cour- “Homosexual” is the term used for those
leadership qualities to exercise this responsibility. Ownership of of course I welcomed him with open arms, age Philippines’ spiritual director, headed who are of same-sex orientation while
land and other means of production would have to be a shared especially when he said he wanted to share the apostolate back in 1996. After his term, “gays” are those of same-sex orientation and
responsibility for the common good. Such an idea is nothing else on the Church teachings on homosexuality, Faculty of Arts and Letters professor Joe are also living the gay lifestyle, he said. There
but what the church calls responsible stewardship of the goods as well as help in the counseling of those who Garcia took over. He came to know of the are also “non-gays” who are of same-sex ori-
God himself has given. want to step out of homosexuality. He had apostolate through his friend, Father Ben entation but who believe that the gay lifestyle
This thinking on an alternative model has already been brought just joined an organization called “Courage”. Villote, head of the Center for Migrant Youth is not for them. Courage and ICHTHYS are
forward through such instruments as the Human Development I will now quote from an article written by in Quezon City. Garcia’s personal confusion for those who wish to stop living active gay
Index of the United Nations Development Program. The focus Camille G. Fallorina of Varsitarian, the UST and his previous work as a counselor in a lives, unlike other homosexual groups that
is on meeting basic needs and having human measurements and student publication, from where I took the private school for boys, where he dealt with support each other to be “strong enough” to
standards as a basis of judging growth. The human person—the title of this column—“In pursuit of real issues like homosexuality, prompted him to boldly live their active life style.
subject and aim of development—really becomes central in courage”. join the apostolate. In 1997, Garcia became According to Fallorina, quoting Garica,
such reckoning. Fortunately NGOs in the Philippines such as the “Courage Apostolate, the first ministry the president and chairman of Courage “A typical Courage meeting consists of
Philippine Human Development Network (PHDN) are rethinking of homosexuals recognized by the Vatican, Apostolate. Under his supervision, the orga- confession to the spiritual director and a
development models along the same lines. Other NGOs have helped was launched in 1980 by the late New York nization was registered with the Securities celebration of the Holy Mass. There are also
develop an alternative development program, “The Philippine Archbishop Terence Cardinal Cooke. Un- and Exchange Commission in 2001.” weekly meetings and one-on-one sessions.
Agenda of Development for the 21st Century.” Such efforts towards like other organizations for homosexuals, Joe Garcia stepped down from office last Love Life / A7
“a caring economy and development with a human face” should
be encouraged and supported by other members of civil society as
well as by the government.
Pastoral Exhortation on the Philippine Economy—1998
Fr. Russell Bantiles
Fallacies of legalizing
Cogito abortion
(Part II of II)
www.cbcpmonitor.com
cbcpmonitor@cbcpworld.net
(A response to an article titled Mexico City (legalized abortion tion has been passed despite the eliminating the right of parents
“Filipino women need safe and legal in the first trimester without strong opposition by thousands to form the conscience and
abortion in RP” by EnGendeRights, restriction in April 2007) and of Catholics. With similar falla- to take care of their pregnant
August 2, 2010, posted in ABS- Portugal (allows abortion up to cious arguments and Machiavel- daughters, are we really protect-
CBNews.com. See http://www.abs- 10 weeks of pregnancy).” lian political tactics now being ing these women from maternal
cbnnews.com/insights/08/06/10/ While it may be true that the employed in the Philippines, deaths?
filipino-women-need-safe-and- Philippine legal restriction on pro-abortion advocates here had One last fallacious argument.
legal-abortion-rp). abortion is “one of the vestiges succeeded in pushing anti-life Padilla noted that “The Philip-
of Spanish colonization”, it does measures like the Spanish abor- pine law on abortion does not
Pedro C. Quitorio Kris Bayos THE most notorious of Padilla’s not logically follow that once tion law. (Another is the law on even allow express exceptions
Features Editor fallacies is a double fallacy of Spain has lifted up its restriction, same-sex marriage which is also based on rape, risks to the life
Editor-in-Chief
the appeal to common practice the Philippines should also fol- anti-family. I cannot understand and health of the woman and
Pinky Barrientos, FSP Gloria Fernando and the appeal to popularity. low. That abortion is a common why Padilla mentioned this in fetal impairment… Our constitu-
Marketing Supervisor Here’s how she formulates it: practice in other countries is not her article.) tion provides equal protection
PUBLICATION LAYOUT BY KRIS BAYOS

Associate Editor
“Spain has liberalized its laws a logical argument in favor of its Padilla is right: the abortion of life from conception and the
Melo M. Acuña Ernani M. Ramos to allow abortion on broad legalization in the Philippines. law is part of President Zapate- life of the woman. This con-
Managing Editor Circulation Manager grounds and yet we are left to The mere fact that most people ro’s “bold social reforms”—bold, stitutional provision does not
contend with our old colonial do something does not make because it violates the human prohibit abortion as exemplified
Roy Q. Lagarde Marcelita Dominguez laws. Other predominantly it correct, moral, justified, or person’s basic right to live and in the case of Hungary which has
News Editor Comptroller
Catholic countries that allow reasonable. the parents’ basic right to take the same constitutional provi-
abortion are Belgium, France, Besides, Padilla mentioned care of their underage pregnant sion at the same (time) permits
Italy, Poland, and Hungary that these countries are Catholic daughters who, thanks to this abortion up to 12 weeks of gesta-
The CBCP Monitor is published fortnightly by the CBCP Communica- (whose constitution protects countries, insinuating that even law, may now abort freely even tion. In the case of Colombia, the
tions Development Foundation, Inc., with editorial and business offices life from conception but permits Catholics accept abortion, which without parental knowledge Constitutional Court declared
at 470 Gen. Luna St., Intramuros, Manila. P.O. Box 3601, 1076 MCPO. abortion up to 12 weeks of ges- is another gross fallacy. In Spain, and consent. Is this the way we the Colombian abortion law
Editorial: (063) 404-2182. Business: (063)404-1612.; ISSN 1908-2940 should protect our women from
tation). Recent abortion liberal- where I am based at the writing unconstitutional and permitted
izations occurred in Colombia, of this article, the law on abor- numerous maternal deaths? By Cogito / A5
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 19
September 13 - 26, 2010
Opinion A5
Oscar V. Cruz, DD Fr. Roy Cimagala

Views and Points Manila hostage debacle Candidly Speaking

STILL going on in its hideous
reality, its shameful significance
and detestable implications, the
now so-called recently experi-
enced hostage “crisis”, “phe-
nomenon” and similar nomen-
clature, remains an ignominious
entry in Philippine History. Its
open and extensive staging in
no less than a signal place in the
heart of Metro Manila—plus its
rather prolonged “real time”
video coverage by international
media for the whole world to
witness—cannot be faulted in its
vivid and impressive presenta-
tion, showing both its shocking
nature and pitiful consequences.
While some foreigners irremedi-
ably lost their lives, this country
as a whole, lost not only its face
but its honor as well.
In other words, the hostage
Changing the
Philippines, one story
debacle exhibited for the world
to witness, in no less than a
prominent open park named
even after a Filipino great hero,
is something guaranteed to re-
main in local stinging memory
and bitter foreign recall. It is
said that no country and no
people is the beneficiary of the
horrendous event. The Philip-
pines however remains as its
biggest loser—courtesy of the
Philippine National Police, its
built-in hierarchy plus its high-
est supervising official chosen
and appointed by no less than
Malacañang itself. The same
personality however had to
admit his ignorance about hos-
tage-taking, its proper handling
and satisfactory resolution. It is
so darn different from at-leisure
shooting of downright inani-
mate, standing-still and conve-
niently arranged targets.
“Heads will roll,” or some-
thing the like was formally and
publicly proclaimed by some-
one in tenure of the power or
authority to do so−with clear
reference to those found “guilty”
for bringing the same hostage
phenomenon to degraded and
degrading conclusion. More
than the mere “Blame Game”,
it was said that the resolve was,
in one way or another, premised
on no less than three basic causal
factors: One, the principle of
command responsibility. Two,
the penalty for incompetence.
Three, the demands of equity.
All these premises thus warrant
all the needed inquiries and de-
sired investigations to identify
precisely those whose heads will
Fr. Carmelo O. Diola, SSL
Spaces of Hope
be made to roll for the satisfac-
tion of those silently or loudly
asking for these.
But as above already pointed
out, even well during and im-
mediately after the hostage-
taking, it is rather evident that
there could be a good number
of low-ranking public officials
who might lose their “heads”
as some kind of sacrificial ges-
tures to those demanding their
“blood” in order to somehow
pacify well kept and felt anger
or shame brought about by the
spectacle of mediocrity plus fu-
tility. The stark reality however
remains that the PNP leadership
with its immediate Malacañang
appointed over-seer have much
to answer for—notwithstanding
all arguments and pretenses to
the contrary.
Legislative activism
FORMS of activism have definitely multiplied in trickier, more
sinister ways these past years. The original form is obviously
when a person just acts without much thinking. Even common
sense is neglected, and the result can only be trouble.
Such attitude, unfortunately, can be infectious, taking ad-
vantage of people’s weaknesses, ignorance and confusion,
and thus can be so generalized as to become part of a society’s
culture, with structures to perpetuate it.
And thus, we can have such anomalies as workaholism or
professionalitis, where action, work and profession become
the be-all and end-all of life. They set aside time for prayer,
family life and our other responsibilities.
But the root cause of activism is when we detach ourselves
from our objective source of wisdom and truth, and this is
nothing other than God. This sadly is becoming prevalent
because of the increasingly secularized environment we are
having these days.
Instead we depend on our own ideas, mesmerized by their
borrowed brilliance and buoyed by our own pride and vanity.
In short, we make ourselves our own God. This irregularity is
reinforced by a badly understood doctrine of the separation of
Church and state that many of us are suffering.
According to this understanding, the Church cannot say
anything on state affairs. In a worse case, religion or anything
that has to do with faith is automatically banned from making
any influence on a country’s political life. And yet all sorts of

at a time ideologies are made to hold sway over the people

AS I looked around the room, I saw tears
flowing down the contours of a man’s face.
I could empathize; I was experiencing the
same thing. In fact, all the participants in the
gathering found it hard not to cry.
No, we were not viewing a melodramatic
movie nor was I describing an erstwhile
noon-time show whose host took advantage
of the pathos of the poor. Rather, about 20
delegates from the three geographical re-
gions of the country had gathered in Manila
for a post-election assessment of the CiDE
(circles of discernment for election) initia-
tive. We were sharing stories of the fruits of
our labors during the May 2010 elections.
“Fruits” is the right term since, in the
spirit of the gospels, the stories we were
hearing had gone beyond our expectations
and limitations. We planted seeds and they
were sprouting.
*****
We heard of a poor, young voter declin-
ing the envelope from a politician despite
being cajoled by her friends. Six Christian
denominations join a Vote God caravan.
Priests are involved in faith-impelled po-
litical education. There were candidates’
fora using the LASER (i.e. lifestyle, action,
supporters, election conduct and reputation)
test and candidates attending discernment
and integrity recollections. We recounted
the excitement when the vicariates of a dio-
cese get their acts together for the LASER
technology.
We exchanged insights on how the CiDE
technology (i.e. seminars, orientations, the
Jose B. Lugay
Vote God campaign, and the LASER test) These consultations had led to the design
was adopted and adapted by different of a CiDE seminar and the acquaintance ses-
groups, and how new networks and initia- sion had become a full-blown module, “Vote
tives had emerged to promote principled for Me,” which introduces participants to the
partisan politics. basic issues of the seminar as well as intro-
The CiDE network, per se, did not endorse duce the element of empathy. The seminar,
individuals or groups but promoted pro- in turn, became instrumental in forming a
cesses and content to help form the practi- CiDE nationwide network of about 30 dio-
cal consciences of voters and candidates. In ceses, 15 of which were quite active.
fact, a total of 13 discernment and integrity Our seminar team reached the celestial
recollections for more than 500 candidates heights of Bontoc-Lagawe (a 9 hour trip
were organized. stretching to 17 because of three landslides)
Even though narrow partisanship was in the north to Daditama (i.e. Davao, Digos,
avoided by the network, this did not mean Tagum, and Mati) in the south.
the seminars did not have any “bite” to Soon after we began the Vote God cam-
them. In fact, one diocese reported that they paign meant to emerge discerning voters
were able to deal effectively with a budding who were reminded that choosing the lesser
dynasty: 8 siblings had run but only two— evil is still choosing evil.
the best of the brood—made it. Diocesan
volunteers had spread the CiDE seminars *****
to the capilla level. How encouraging the words of the Ameri-
can anthropologist Margaret Mead: “Never
***** doubt that a small group of thoughtful com-
I still recall the first time we had our mitted citizens can change the world. Indeed,
national consultation for beyond-the-usual it’s the only one thing that ever has.”
church engagement for elections in 20-21 Christianity would affirm this insight. Af-
April 2009 with a follow up consultation ter all, there were only 120 disciples gathered
from 17-19 June 2009. My diary entry for the during the first Pentecost.
April event had been: “Serendipity; plant- At the end of that 19-20 June assessment
ing seeds for a new political culture.” Two gathering in Manila, we had a clearer sense
months later, I had written: “Stroke of genius of direction. Our purpose is “to form the
regarding introducing oneself as a candidate; political conscience of voters and leaders”
spirituality; meal at Matias.” These entries and our dream is: “God fearing leaders
speak of a period of experimentation and elected by discerning, God-fearing voters
of putting out into the deep. Matias, for by 2016.”
the uninitiated, is the best barbecue place Not bad. After all, all we did was share
in Cebu. stories.
Pulling the trigger
With this frame of mind, we start to create a bubble, we start
to live in a cocoon. Reality becomes man-made. We follow a
logic that while accompanied by reason, is ultimately based
on hot air. This is where we can talk about an activism that is
driven by ideologies founded on reason alone without God.
Its allure derives from the immediate practicality it gives, the
instant, short-term advantages and benefits it produces. But
it’s notoriously shallow and short-sighted, and worse, it tends
to be dressed in deceptive devices to attract attention.
Thus, in the recent past, we had this disturbing phenom-
enon of street rallies, where noise replaced thinking, slogans
substituted arguments, and ideologies attacked faith and our
faith-derived culture.
Its falsehood and inherent infirmity obviously cannot keep
the craze long. In time, all the shouting and marching petered
out. It had no genuine soul. It cannot go far in its dream.
And so, other forms of activism had been resorted. Lately, we
had been “regaled” for a while by the news that an American
judge did what was tantamount to a judicial activism. That’s
when he overturned the results of a plebiscite that banned
same-sex marriage in California.
In his view, there was no sufficient reason to ban gay unions.
He had the pluck to insinuate that there was more than enough
reason homosexual marriages were ok, were constitutional, if
not were moral and natural.
It’s good that a court stopped his decision, at least for a while,
from being implemented. We have to be ready for this kind
of activism that tries to usurp the right of the majority of the
people to be heard in their beliefs.
In our own country, we have another disturbing phenom-
enon that is emerging. We can call it legislative activism,
because it involves lawmakers, our congressmen and con-
gresswomen, who now want to redefine marriage according
to ideological lines.
This time, they want marriage not to be a lifelong com-
mitment but a renewable affair after every few years. This is
really a wild idea that only shows what’s inside their mind
and heart.
Marriage, by definition, is a lifelong commitment, because it
involves everything of the parties concerned. We, as persons
and especially if we are aware that we receive grace from
God through the sacrament of marriage, are capable of such
commitment.
I’m sure the proponents want to solve some screaming mari-

Laiko Lampstand tal and family problems, but the proposed solution can open
a Pandora’s box of many other worse problems. With such
attitude, where the nature and sanctity of marriage are eroded,
people would have more reason not to take it seriously.
MANY shots were fired dur- by Secretary of Justice Leila de the opportunity to investigate try, the only Catholic country in Besides, the proposal to legalize “renewable” marriage goes
ing the Battle of Bataan. More Lima came to the conclusion on its own, this time, with their Asia and the third largest Cath- with another on divorce. Actually these two are twin bastard
shots were fired by our guerilla that the PNP was not prop- political agenda, to focus on olic population in the world, to children of a man-made understanding of marriage.
soldiers during the Japanese erly trained to handle hostage the failure of DILG Secretary be smirched and degraded by We have to understand that the nature of marriage is given
Occupation. We honored our situations and also lack the Jessie Robredo for his failure a single failure of governance. to us by God, written in nature, and for us to find, discover
soldiers for their bravery. Our necessary equipment for suc- to handle the hostage crisis, We are not only one of the and live. It’s not for us to fabricate nor to revise. We need to
veterans were recognized and cessful decommissioning of and recommending his ouster. most corrupt in Southeast Asia; go back to this basic truth about marriage.
given their long overdue ser- the hostage taker. The order of This was during the budget we are also one of the biggest
vice pay last year from the U.S. Mayor Alfredo Lim who heads hearing for DILG. President sources of overseas workers
government. The Filipino was the Manila Crisis Management Aquino had to explain that to the whole world. While our Living Mission / A4
praised for his bravery beyond Committee to handcuff the the PNP was not part of Jessie value system, praised for our
the call of duty and for love of brother of the hostage taker, Robredo’s area of responsibil- concern for our family mem- was no exception. Indeed, the faith testimony was warmly
country. SPO2 Gregorio Mendoza, and ity. He appointed Rico Puno bers, make our OFW’s remit Congress was envisioned to received by all delegates.
By pulling the trigger on to haul him to a Tondo precinct, for this. Neophyte Puno was their financial support for those enliven and deepen faith. In his Probably, the highpoint of the
eight hapless tourists from was the catalyst for Rolando also not equal to the task. In the left behind, and in the process, homily Cardinal Sin urged the Congress was the mission-send-
Hong Kong, dismissed Manila Mendoza to go berserk, seeing end President Aquino had to boost our economy, a pull of the congress delegates to take up ing ceremony integrated into the
Police Senior Inspector Rolando what was happening to his accept the blame for command trigger made us anathema to the ad gentes mission challenge closing Eucharist. With joyful
Mendoza wiped off the prestige brother on TV. Our Media was responsibility. the world, now blacklisted for “to the nearly four billions of admiration, fervent prayer, and
and honor of our brave Filipino doing a blow by blow cover- Analysis of all these failure tourism. Rolando Mendoza’s Asians” who “have not yet come with songs, flowers and ap-
soldiers. Hong Kong residents age and panicked Rolando in governance could be trace- value system is an example to know your Son, who have not plause, the new missioners were
and officials smoldered with Mendoza started shooting the able to long-held practices of of the Filipino who values yet had the inexpressible joy of sent forth by the assembled dele-
hate and disgust on the glaring innocent tourists. the past administrations. Some his family even to give up his loving him, and knowing they gates. Each missionary received
inefficiency of government, Victor Fung, legislative coun- of these are due to accepted life for them. His manacled are loved by him.” the mission cross: “Receive this
specifically the Philippine Na- cilor of the Liberal Party of practices of our people to ac- brother glaringly shown by The final homily of the Papal sign of Christ’s love and of our
tional Police. Even President Hong Kong, delivered what the cept that graft and corruption our uncontrolled media was Legate Cardinal Wu recalled faith. Preach Christ crucified,
Aquino was not spared with Chinese population thinks of is part of the system, especially a great injustice to his family the words of Filipino Bishop who is the power and wisdom
a diatribe written by Hong the Philippines: “We condemn when it comes to policemen’s which triggered the carnage of Arguelles: “Filipinos every- of God.” In faith the delegates
Kong’s chief executive, Donald the Philippine government for demands. Rolando Mendoza the innocent tourists. where! Learn your Faith, Live prayed: “Lord, look kindly on
Tsang, breaking all protocols letting the hostage incident hap- was dismissed due to extortion It is time for all of us, to start your Faith, Share your Faith.” your servants we send forth as
to insult the President of the pen. We are totally furious. This and was not pleased at all on anew with a morally upright Cardinal Wu also emphasized messengers of salvation and
Philippines. is the feeling of the Hong Kong the Ombudsman’s letter to him. President to get involved in the that “to die for the faith is a gift peace, marked with the sign of
Detailed investigation by the people. We think the event was His demand was immediate fight against graft and corrup- to some, to live the faith is a call the cross. Guide their steps…
Incident Investigation and Re- handled unprofessionally. reinstatement in the service. tion and support him in his ad- to all.” The Cardinal, celebrat- Make their words the echo of
view Committee (IIRC) headed As usual, our Senators took It is bad enough for our coun- vocacy for good governance. ing the final Congress Eucharist Christ’s voice… Fill the hearts
on October 1—Feast of Saint of your missionaries with the
Cogito / A4 Therese—said that faith-filled, Holy Spirit…”
mission-minded Christians must Two popular books from the
abortion on the following circumstances: with its constitutional commitment than inside the womb of the mother. Abortion is “think globally, act locally, and congress are available: Tell the
when the woman’s life or health is in danger; the other two abovementioned countries. a heinous immoral crime. live contemplatively.” World … Catechetical Modules
when the pregnancy is the result of rape; and I cannot understand why those who are Abortion advocates would usually Mrs. Corazon Aquino spoke for Mission Animation and Tell-
when the fetus has malformation incompat- inconsistent in their words and actions are argue that the fetus is not yet a human about her husband’s prison ing God’s Story: National Mission
ible with life outside the uterus”. admired and commended, while those who being, or if it already is, it is not yet con- experiences and how they Congress 2000 (Claretian Publica-
Very intriguingly, Padilla considered are consistent and faithful are disapproved sidered a human person. But if it is not contributed to his spiritual tions). Indeed, one decade ago,
logical the fact that Hungary and Colombia and criticized. a human being, what is it? If it is not yet transformation. She described the Philippine Church joyfully
permit abortion up to 12 weeks of gestation An immoral act can hardly be defended by a human person, when will it become? the role of suffering and prayer celebrated a congress. “Cebu
while providing in their respective constitu- any rational argument. No sufficient appeal What these abortion advocates could not in personal spiritual growth. 2000” was more than a tradi-
tion equal protection of life from conception to authority or to statistics can change the im- deny is that abortion, besides possibly Ninoy Aquino, standing trial tional congress; it was a Filipino
and the life of the woman. But she seemed to morality of abortion, whether legal or illegal. killing the mother, surely kills a living before a military tribunal, con- Fiesta of Faith. Has the time come
find it illogical that the Philippines prohibit Its basic logical structure is simple: Murder being, the child. And killing is murder. fided to his wife: “I have to consider another national
abortion, adhering completely to its constitu- is a heinous immoral crime. Any action that The most logical question they cannot prayed, I have put in all of event for mission animation?
tional vow of protecting life from conception. kills a living human being is murder. Abor- answer logically is this: Why not let our my efforts, the rest I leave to Should it be a national youth
Obviously, the Philippines is more consistent tion takes the life of a living human fetus children live? God.” Mrs. Aquino’s personal mission congress?
 Local News
CBCP Monitor
A6 Vol. 14 No. 19
September 13 - 26, 2010

MTBO Bible Campaign marks 2nd year anniversary

Church group seeks P-NOY
THE Bible campaign project that aims to
distribute million of bibles to families in
five years is already in its second year.

action for justice on priest’s death

In celebration of the fruitful two
years’ May They Be One (MTBO) Bible
Campaign, a Eucharistic mass will be
held on September 30, 2010.
The celebration will be organized by A GROUP of clergy is asking President of NCDG, said that Lucero was not only
the Episcopal Commission for Bibli- Benigno C. Aquino III to act swiftly on a priest, but a minister for the people.
cal Apostolate (ECBA) of the Catholic the case of Fr. Cecilio Lucero and other “His life and vocation mirrored his
Bishops Conference of the Philippines politically instigated killings of human deep convictions as disciple of Jesus
(CBCP) in collaboration with the Philip- rights defenders. and servant of the people. As a justice
pine Bible Society (PBS). The National Clergy Discernment and peace and human rights advocate,
The MTBO bible campaign is a joint Group (NCDG) in a statement com- he headed the Catarman Diocesan Hu-
project of the CBCP-ECBA and PBS. memorating the 1st death anniversary man Rights and Social Action Desk,”
Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Ro- of Catholic priest and human rights said Dizon.
sales will preside the Eucharistic Mass advocate Fr. Cecilio Lucero, urged that “As priests, we lead the ministry to
to be held at the Manila Cathedral in justice must be served for Lucero and proclaim and establish the reign of God
Intramuros, Manila. other victims of extrajudicial killings in amidst his people – a reign where justice
Organizers said the mass intends to the Philippines. is a reality and peace is the fruit of our
“extend their gratefulness to the Lord It was on September 6, 2009 when labors. This is a prophetic ministry that
for the fruitful two years of the MTBO 30 unidentified armed men ambushed priests share with all the faithful; and

Bible Campaign, and in the same way
ask His blessings for the launching of
the Handwritten Unity Bible (HUB)
Project.”
The celebration will commence with
an Ecumenical Prayer Session and some
reflections.
Protestant Bishops from the National
Council of Churches in the Philippines
(NCCP) and the Philippine Council of
Evangelical Churches (PCEC) will facili-
tate the session and reflections.
The event will culminate with a
“symbolic Bible Handwriting session”
together with the Cardinal and some
selected guests.
Launched last 2008, MTBO Bible
Campaign intends to distribute five
million Bibles to 5 million poor Filipino
families within 5 years.
It also encourages Filipinos to fur-
ther study the scriptures for one’s
transformation and the country’s total
renewal.
At least around 218, 211 poor families
in 814 parishes have already been pro-
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
vided with MTBO Bibles through the
participation of 75 dioceses.
Meanwhile, the Handwritten Unity
Bible Project is a two-year ecumenical
project of ECBA and PBS with other
Christian churches and organizations.
The project intends to promote na-
tional unity, greater interest in the Bible
and raise additional finances for the
MTBO Bible Campaign. (Kate Laceda)
Lucero while he was on his way to
the St. Joseph the Worker parish, in
Catubig, Samar, where he was the par-
ish priest. Until now, the case remains
unsolved.
The NCDG expressed disgust on the
way the justice system in the Philip-
pines acts on the cases of human rights
violations, just like Lucero’s.
“We condemn this utterly reprehen-
sible act and grieve over the lengths
human rights violators would pursue in
order to quell the people’s aspirations
for a full and abundant life,” read the
NCDG’s statement.
Fr. Jose P. Dizon, one of the conveners
the life that Fr. Cecilio Lucero chose is
his way of living the prophetic witness
he has received as a mandate from Jesus
and the Church. He was an example
of somebody who faced the ultimate
consequences of following Jesus,” he
added.
Dizon said the government should
prosecute all human rights viola-
tors.
“This is a clarion call for us to stand
up and side with the people who pine
for justice and peace. The death of Fr.
Cecilio Lucero should not go in vain,”
he said. (Noel Sales Barcelona/CBCP-
News)

AFP / A1

Media Office.
He said while insurgency in the Phil-
ippines has hit its lowest this time, Da-
vid said the AFP will do its best to stamp
out the problem within the six-year term
of President Benigno Aquino III.
In a separate interview, AFP-Civil
Relations Service chief and AFP Spokes-
man Brig. General Jose Z. Mabanta, Jr.
said the military will soon turn over to
the police and local chief executives the
responsibility of putting an end to the
insurgency problem.
He said the AFP would also be open
to any inquiry that the government may
institute on the rash of extra-judicial
killings which have been reported over
the past few years in various parts of
the country.
Asked if he sees any external threat to
the Philippines, David said while there
are some improvements in structures
along the contested Spratlys, he consid-
ers these as “minor concerns” because
there is an existing “code of conduct”
among various countries laying claims
on the widely-perceived petroleum-rich
group of islands.
The meeting between David and the
CBCP Permanent Council was brokered
by Military Bishop Leopoldo Tumulak.
(Melo M. Acuna)
Evangelical bishop backs revival of death penalty
A BISHOP of the Philippine Council of Evangelical
Churches (PCEC) renewed his support on Senator
Miguel Zubiri’s proposal for reimposition of the death
penalty in the country.
“We are in favor of death penalty as it is biblical,”
PCEC national director Bishop Efraim Tendero said in
a statement in the wake of the bloody Manila hostage
last Monday.
In the Senate last week, Zubiri filed a bill seeking
to revive the capital punishment for persons found to
be guilty of heinous crimes, a day after the hostage-
taking incident.
Bishop Tendero believes that the death penalty
could deter the commission of heinous crimes in the
Philippines.
The measure, however, he said, “must be balanced
by a reliable judicial system”.
PCEC is the largest network of evangelical Christians
in the Philippines. Bishop Tendero previously served
as adviser to former President Fidel Ramos and led
the National Ecumenical Consultative Committee.
(CBCPNews)

Jueteng / A1
who among his men are receiv-
ing protection money from
jueteng lords and stop the opera-
tions of the multi-million illegal
numbers game in the country.
The archbishop questioned
why Aquino is relying on the
information he holds instead of
just doing his job.
At a forum in Manila, Cruz
said the government has all the
resources and mandate to get the
complete picture on the massive
corruption in the illegal numbers
game.
“If there’s a complaint, act on
it! You have the multi-million
intelligence fund at the National
Bureau of Investigation, the
Philippine National Police and
you have the Armed Forces of
the Philippines. You have ev-
erything in your hands and you
have the gall to ask me to prove
my allegations? You’re feeling
lucky, aren’t you?” said Cruz.
Cruz said he is certain Mala-
cañang officials know who the
jueteng protectors are, adding
that the authorities could stop
the illegal numbers racket right
away if they want to.
“Seriously, these are good
moments for the executive de-
partment to really show its
worth. You know something.
You pick it up from there, and
you walk the line and see where
it leads you,” he said.
Aside from the two trusted offi-
cials of the Malacañang, in charge
of the overseeing security matters,
the archbishop revealed that there
are also five governors closed to
Aquino in the jueteng payoffs.
Aquino called on Cruz to
identify his two aides allegedly
receiving P2 million in monthly
payola from jueteng so that they
could be penalized for violating
the law.
Cruz also insisted he will not
be attending the looming con-
gressional inquirers that would
be conducted by the Lower and
Upper House because he has al-
ready been there and done that.
“If they will summon me, I
will go there, yes. However, we
will just stare at each other, eye-
to-eye,” he added.
According to Cruz, the matter
is no longer for the legislative
department to deal with.
“You (Aquino) don’t have
to wait for additional laws or
inquiry. It’s a matter for the ex-
ecutive department to dig into
it. Let’s not wait for House or
Senate inquiry… Come on, that’s
enough,” he also said.
He also noted that an inquiry
“in aid of legislation” is not
necessary anymore since there is
already the Republic Act 9287 or
the Act Increasing the Penalties
for Illegal Numbers Game.
Both the House of Repre-
sentatives and the Senate have
already filed resolutions calling
for separate legislative inquiries
on the matter.
8 dioceses get jueteng payola
Not just government officials
but even some Catholic dio-
ceses are receiving payola from
jueteng.
Cruz admitted he is saddened
with what is happening but
these church officials are get-
ting jueteng money as dona-
tions from the illegal gambling
operators.
“There are about 12 dioceses
that we are looking into but
we are most certain of the eight
(dioceses that are getting jueteng
money),” he said.
Cruz revealed there are certain
changes in the payola system for
Church officials because of the
new government.
In the past administration, he
said, they know very well who
these church officials are that get
donation, not just from jueteng
, but also from the Philippine
Amusement and Gaming Corp.
(Pagcor), a state-run agency
which is in charge of casinos
around the country.
“These people (jueteng lords)
would like to earn or have good-
will of Church people and they
would like to save their souls so
they are willing to pay for it,”
he said.
“Of course if you are a big
fellow you have to pay more. It
you are a smalltime operator you
have to pay less. That is buying
your salvation through jueteng
payola.”
When he was still archbishop
of Lingayen-Dagupan, he admit-
ted he himself was offered by a
jueteng lord of a hefty financial
aid for the repair of their semi-
nary which was heavily dam-
aged by a storm.
Cruz said he immediately
rejected the offer which was
amounting to P3 million.
“My point exactly is that we
don’t need money from jueteng
for our projects… that you don’t
need these people to be able to
build Churches, etc,” he said.
Asked whether he would
bring the issue to the leadership
of the Catholic Bishops’ Confer-
ence of the Philippines, Cruz
said it never crossed his mind
as yet.
“Frankly, I can’t say that be-
cause I’m no longer active (mem-
ber of the CBCP). That is their
command and responsibility,” he
said. (Roy Lagarde/CBCPNews)

Hostage / A1 Arms / A1

“I think it should be made public.
That’s our problem before with the
Mayuga Report which they did not
release to the public,” he said.
Pabillo chairs the National Secretar-
iat for Social Action, Justice and Peace
(Nassa) of the Catholic Bishops’ Con-
ference of the Philippines (CBCP).
The prelate warned the Aquino
government of losing credibility if the
report will not be made public.
“If it will not be released, it could
revive the public distrust on the gov-
ernment,” he claimed.
And aside from making it public,
Pabillo underscored that the release of
the “much-awaited” report should also
come immediately.
Luisita / A1
country.”
The religious superiors called on the
Filipinos to rally behind the farmers and
farm workers and support their demand
for land distribution as they call on
the landowners and management of
Hacienda Luisita to stop their obstinate
opposition to land distribution “so that
farmers and the farm workers can have
the piece of land that each one of them
dreamed of.”
They vowed to remain vigilant and
To recall, the military had refused
to release the Mayuga Report that had
cleared four generals implicated in the
alleged cheating during 2004 presiden-
tial polls, saying that it is “classified.”
An investigation is currently on
going on the botched hostage rescue
operation that resulted to the deaths
of eight Hong Kong tourists including
hostage taker Rolando Mendoza, a
dismissed cop.
President Benigno Aquino III said
that while he already took responsi-
bility for the Aug. 23 hostage crisis,
this does not automatically absolve
anyone and that the ongoing probe
would determine those who are liable.
(CBCPNews)
to continue to monitor every step of the
way until the Supreme Court “finally
decides in favor of the rights of the
farmers and farm workers.”
Paraphrasing President Aquino’s
campaign slogan “Sa matuwid na
daan, lupa para sa mga magsasaka;
katarungan para sa lahat na ma-
mamayan, hindi para sa iilan,” the
group expressed confidence that
justice will be served to the farmers.
Renewed hostility
In Sulu, Jolo Bishop Angelito Lampon
earlier expressed fear of an outbreak of
further violence there after the Mus-
lims’ celebration of the Muslim fasting
month.
Lampon said they are bracing for a
renewed fighting because that has al-
ways been the case there after Muslim
celebration which ended on Sept. 10.
“Usually, something happens after
Ramadan. That is our experience…
that’s why we take extra-precautionary
measures,” he said.
The military and the police go on full
alert status few days before the end of
Ramadan to ensure that bad elements
cannot sow violence.
They said it is also a precautionary
measure against possible retaliatory
attacks from the Abu Sayyaf bandits
after its commander and two of his
men were killed by the police’s Special
Action Force recently.
“It’s just proper that they’re on
heightened alert to preempt any untow-
ard incidents,” Lampon added.
Renewed friendship
The government and the MILF rebels
earlier announced that peace negotia-
tions in Mindanao would resume after
the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
Other Catholic bishops are hoping
that the end of Ramadan will really be
an occasion for reinforcing the peace
process.
Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio
Ledesma said it’s high time for the gov-
ernment to pursue peace talks with the
12, 000-strong MILF.
“We are ready to strengthen our hope
for peace in Mindanao,” said Ledesma
who chairs the Commission on Interreli-
gious Dialogue of the Catholic Bishops’
Conference of the Philippines.
In 2008, peace talks between the gov-
ernment and the MILF collapsed due
to aborted signing of an agreement on
ancestral domain, spurring some MILF
leaders to stage assaults on civilian
communities.
For his part, Cotabato Archbishop
Orlando Quevedo said he is hoping
that this year’s observance of Eid-ul-
Fitr would spur not only Muslims but
also Christians in working towards
peace.
The holiday of Eid-ul-Fitr marks not
only the end of the fasting period of the
holy Islamic month of Ramadan, but
also a time of forgiveness, and making
amends.
“We share in your joy as you visit
your relatives, friends and neighbors.
We share in your sentiments of charity
as you give alms and help the needy and
the poor,” Quevedo told Muslims.
In the Catholic Church, the arch-
bishop noted they will also soon cel-
ebrate the season of Advent, a time for
the believers of physical and spiritual
sacrifice.
“May we seize the month of these
spiritual experiences to pray and act
together for peace,” said Quevedo.
Mindanao-based Oblates of Mary
Immaculate also called for a “renewed
friendship” Friday, urging both faith
communities to serve humanity.
The OMI have toiled shoulder to
shoulder with Muslims in Southern
Philippines, and in the islands of Sulu
and Tawi-Tawi.
Through the years, OMI Provincial
Superior Rev. Ramon Ma. Bernabe said
that the collaboration between Muslims
and Christians has “engendered” a
legacy of friendship despite the vagaries
of war and conflict.
The festival of of Eid-ul-Fitr, he said,
“provides the occasion to renew this
bond of friendship between our two
faith communities.”
“It is precisely in the remembrance
of this friendship that we are hopeful
for a better future not only for Mind-
anao but also for all its inhabitants,”
Bernabe said.

Vatican / A1

dedicated to the salvation of
souls through the education of
women and the youth.
Despite Spain’s persecution
against the Church, she founded
the Hijas de Jesus on December
8, 1871, and began opening
schools that offered Christian
education to both paying stu-
dents and indigent scholars,
including free Sunday classes for
domestic helpers.
Blessed Candida received guid-
ance and support from her Jesuit
spiritual adviser, who taught her
how to read and write.
Mother Candida Maria de Je-
sus died in Salamanca, Spain on
August 9, 1912 and was beatified
on May 12, 1996.
A “visionary”, Blessed Candida
was a pioneer of social justice and
women’s rights, making formal
education available to the poor,
especially women, at a time when
over 80% of females in Spain
could barely read or write.
The congregation is now pres-
ent in 17 countries around the
world, particularly in Asia,
Latin America and Africa where
it runs schools, retreat houses,
medical dispensaries and social
service centers.
The first Hijas de Jesus mis-
sionaries arrived in the Philip-
pines in 1932, and established
nine schools that operate today
in Manila, Paranaque, Cebu, Ilo-
ilo and Davao.
A delegation of Filipino sis-
ters, students and alumni will
witness the canonization rites in
Rome on October 17.
Thanksgiving Masses will be
held on October 18 at the fol-
lowing venues: San Pedro Cathe-
dral in Davao with Archbishop
Fernando Capalla at 8:30 a.m.;
Jaro Cathedral with Archbishop
Angel Lagdameo at 2:30 p.m.;
Sto. Domingo Church, Quezon
City with Cardinal Gaudencio
Rosales at 3 p.m. and at the Cebu
Cathedral with Cardinal Ricardo
Vidal at 5 p.m. In Camiguin is-
land, the community and friends
will also hold their Thanksgiving
Mass on October 31 at their par-
ish. (CBCPNews)
 Diocesan News
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 19
September 13 - 26, 2010
A7

Multi-sectoral groups hit privatization of power cooperative

LEGAZPI City— The power
cut off by the Philippine Elec-
tricity Market Corp. (PEMC)
to the Albay Electric Coopera-
tive (ALECO) on Sept. 12, was
seen by its more than 200,000
member-consumers as a means
to pave the way for the power
rate hike and privatization of
the sole power distribution in
the province of Albay.
This was the impression got
by the multi-sectoral groups
including the Catholic Church
following Albay Gov. Joey Sarte
Salceda’s announcement of
power rates’ increase by P1.66 to
the present rate of P7.56 to pay
the amount of P983 million debt
of ALECO to PEMC.
During a meeting held at
the Sangguniang Panlala-
wigan Session Hall, Salceda
ficials present in the meeting.
“How can we explain this
power rate hike to our constitu-
ents?” asked Tabaco City Mayor
Crisel L. Lagman.
Other attendees who did not
show opposition to Salceda’s
“bitter pill” were considered by
the governor as “relatives”.
The Catholic Church, how-
ever, has reacted sharply after
Salceda mentioned Aboitiz
many times as the one chosen
to run ALECO if financial prob-
lems persist in this power coop-
erative that has been projected
as “bankrupt” since 1999 up to
the present.
“Were all options that would
solve ALECO’s problems [not]
sufficiently considered and ex-
hausted that we now turn to a
private firm?” Fr. Ramoncito
be used by proponents with hid-
den agenda for privatization of
ALECO. She pushed for a full
blown investigation by Congress
to look into why the cooperative
is heavily indebted and inten-
tionally mismanaged.
Albay Consumers Watch
(ACW), another consumer
group, has issued a position pa-
per that corruption exists in the
ailing power cooperative and
that despite ALECO’s financial
gain of P30 million monthly in
2008 and 2009, the same problem
of indebtedness persists.
Lack of transparency in pur-
chasing hardware needed by
ALECO usually shortened to
negotiated contract; and lack
of policy that will allow the co-
operation and participation of
the consumers by the Board of

announced that the power rate
hike should be implemented
during ALECO’s next billing up
to three years.
His pronouncement drew
varied reactions from elected of-
S. Segubiense of Social Action
asked in an action plan paper.
BAYAN MUNA information
officer, Tessa Lopez, on the same
vein commented that the current
power crisis in Albay should not
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Directors whose signatures only
appear on money appropria-
tions are existing problems that
aggravate the financial problems
of the cooperative, ACW said. Consumers staged mass actions to protest the power rate increase of Albay Electric Cooperative (ALECO).
(Elmer James Bandol)

Army partners with Church, Briefing

NGO to promote peace 1st organic agri school to rise in Mindanao
DUMINGAG, Zamboanga Del Sur—To help future gen-
erations of farmers produce healthy food and ensure that
farmlands continue to produce quality food, local officials
are making sure that the first organic agriculture school in
Mindanao will rise here this year. The College of Sustainable
Agriculture, with the help of local government, will continue
its advocacy for organic agriculture to help save farmers from
the quagmire of poverty and at the same time help protect the
environment. (Bong D. Fabe)

Ozamiz folks celebrate ‘festival of the huts’

OZAMIZ City— The Archdiocese of Ozamiz is gearing up to
celebrate a religious festival so close to the heart of the local
church. Called Festival of the Huts (Pangilin sa mga Payag),
© Bong Fabe / CBCP Media

BMFI Executive Director Ariel C. Hernandez with 4th ID commander Major Gen. Victor Felix and Archbishop Antonio J. Ledesma, S.J., D.D. during the general’s
courtesy call on the prelate in Cagayan de Oro City.
CAGAYAN DE ORO City—The Philippine
Army’s 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division “is
firming up” its partnership with Balay Min-
danaw Foundation Inc. (BMFI), a peace and
development non-government organization,
and the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro
(ACDO) to promote peace in Mindanao.
It was peace that Major Gen. Victor Felix
talked about with Archbishop Antonio J.
Ledesma, S.J., D.D., when he paid the prelate
a courtesy call early morning of September
4.
Felix, who assumed as commanding gen-
eral of the 4th ID some two weeks ago, was
accompanied by BMFI Founding President
Charlito “Kaloy” Z. Manlupig and BMFI
Executive Director Ariel “Ayi” Hernandez.
“We talked about peace, which is every-
body’s main concern, especially here in
Mindanao,” Ledesma told this reporter.
“This is the essence of our collaboration,
synchronization and alliance with all the
sectors of society in our effort to promote
and build lasting peace in Mindanao,” Col.
Triumph Bagaipo said.
Bagaipo, chief of the 4th ID’s Civil-Military
Operations (CMO) Battalion and concur-
rent spokesperson, said that the 4th ID,
BMFI and ACDO are now “firming up this
partnership.”
“We have already established this partner-
ship before pa but we are now firming this
up so we will have one voice in the promo-
tion of peace,” he said.
According to Bagaipo, who was also
present during the breakfast meeting at the
the event is held every October where local folks pay homage
to Mary by making pilgrimage to her Shrine. Archbishop Jesus
Dosado has called on the faithful to prepare spiritually for the
celebration. (Wendell Talibong)
Mindanao confab to focus on energy, mining,
agriculture
Archbishop’s House, the partnership goes CAGAYAN DE ORO City—The 19th staging of the Mindanao
beyond personalities, beliefs and religious Business Conference here next week will focus on three pri-
affiliations. ority concerns in Mindanao: energy, mining and agriculture.
“Peace transcends boundaries. All our Jaime Rafael Ralph Paguio, president of the host organization
efforts are peace-building should also go be- Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc.,
yond religion, culture and status,” Ledesma said these 3 priority sectors are Mindanao’s main engine of
stressed. growth. The gathering will have three top-level roundtable
“We are actually marrying all our efforts discussions focusing on these top three sectors aside from the
now especially in the area of peace-build- plenary sessions. (Bong D. Fabe)
ing,” Bagaipo added.
Bagaipo is a graduate of Operation Peace Full disclosure of transactions leads to accountable
Course (Op Kors!), the peace-building train- governance— DILG
ing of BMFI specifically designed for soldiers DAVAO City—Full disclosure of local government transac-
that was the brainchild of Hernandez and Lt. tions will lead to a meaningful partnership between local
Gen. Raymundo Ferrer, commander of the government units and the private sector towards a more trans-
Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) East- parent and accountable governance, a government official
ern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom). said. Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo
(Bong D. Fabe) stressed that full disclosure in all its transactions, programs
and projects is one way of inviting the citizen to engage their

Laoag launches Matrimonial Tribunal

local government officials to a more meaningful partnership
towards better governance. (Bong D. Fabe)

Palo launches vocation campaign

LAOAG City— The Diocese of
Laoag has launched a Matri-
monial Tribunal, the first in the
Ilocos Region.
Rev. Fr. Noel Ian G. Rabago,
who just came back to the diocese
with a Licentiate in Canon Law
from the Pontifical University of
St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome has
been appointed judicial vicar by
Bishop Sergio Utleg.
A matrimonial tribunal is a
court of ecclesiastical laws. The
marriage tribunal handles and
decides on the nullity of mar-
riages. It is directly under the di-
rection of the local bishop and is
supervised by a judicial vicar.
Fr. Rabago explained that
the tribunal can hear cases of
couples who seek nullification of
their marriage because of certain
problems that question the valid-
ity of union.
Bishop Utleg and Fr. Rabago
reiterated that the Church be-
lieves in the sanctity of marriage
and the tribunal itself advocates
for the restoration of the mar-
riage at the best it could. But in
the presence of a valid reason,
like the absence of love from the
very outset of union, the mar-
riage can be nullified.
Bishop Utleg further stressed
that the tribunal does not cater to
all applications but to consider-
able cases for nullifications only.
According to Fr. Rabago, the
diocese is now seeking the ap-
proval of Pope Benedict XVI for
the said tribunal to widen its ju-
risdiction, not only limited to the
diocese but also to neighboring
provinces in the Ilocos region.
The marriage tribunal is located TACLOBAN City—The Archdiocese of Palo is promoting reli-
at the 2nd floor of the Saint Arnold gious vocations with a campaign that includes going to various
Jansen Pastoral Center of the diocese schools. The archdiocese launched the campaign on Sept. 1
beside Saint William Cathedral. as the Church officials kicked off its month-long observance
There are a number of mar- of the Vocation Month. Fr. Aaron Quelineta, archdiocese’s
riage tribunals in the Philip- vocation director, said campaign involves going to various
pines. In May 1984 the National schools to encourage the youth either to serve the church as
Appellate Matrimonial Tribunal, a lay person or enter the priesthood. (CBCPNews)
which handles cases of annul-
ment for Catholic marriages in Cardinal Rosales to ordain 2 new priests
the Philippines that are elevated MANILA—Two deacons of the Archdiocese of Manila will
from local marriage tribunals be ordained as priests by Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales at the
and serves as an appellate court Manila Cathedral on Sept. 25. Reverends Carlo Perez del Ro-
is likened to a court of appeals in sario and Adonis Galamgam Saclolo will enter the priesthood
civil law. (Mark Vertido) during the 9 a.m. Mass. Del Rosario took his theology at the
UST Central Seminary while Saclolo underwent formation at
the Redemptorist Mater Mission Seminary. (CBCPNews)

May They Be One Bible Campaign Migrants’ group asks Aquino to protect rights of OFWs
ANTIPOLO City—Migrante-Middle East urged President
Help Put a Bible in Every Filipino Home Aquino to find host countries and employers who are respect-
ful and keen in upholding the rights and welfare of Pinoy
Faith Comes By Hearing migrant workers before deploying them. Alarmed over the
worsening conditions of overseas Filipino workers, not only

Praise Item
Praise God that as stories about God’s work in MTBO
spreads, Christian groups in a number of countries
are beginning to express interest in having their
own version of the project.
Please Pray
For the combined MTBO 2nd Anniversary Thanksgiving
celebration and launch of the Handwritten Unity Bible
on September 30 at the Manila Cathedral. Let’s pray
for God’s blessing on the program which will include
an Ecumenical Prayer Session and Concelebrated
Mass to be officiated by His Eminence Gaudencio
Cardinal Rosales. Let’s pray that the celebration will
generate greater interest and participation in the May
They Be One Bible campaign and the Handwritten
Unity Bible which will start on January 2011.
To learn more about how you can be part of the
Campaign and make significant change, call us at PBS
526-7777, ECBA 527-9386 or visit www.bible.org.ph
and www.ecba-cbcp.com. Donations can be made by
making a deposit to the following bank accounts: PBS-
MTBO Account#393-0649-34 (BPI Sta. Mesa Branch)
Fax deposit slip to 521-5803 or ECBA-CBCP Account
#0251-021376 (BPI-Tayuman Branch) Fax deposit slip
to 527-9386. For credit card payments – go to PBS
website (www.bible.org.ph)
A
s the Biblical Apostolate Coordinator in the Diocese of Surigao, Sister Blesilda Divino, in the Mid-East but also in other parts of the world, Migrante-
OSB has always dreamt of bringing the Bible to the far reaches of Mindanao. This is ME asked the government to scrutinize and study well the
easier said than done, however, as some parishioners are not able to read. But the May possibilities of avoiding countries or completely shutting
They Be One (MTBO) Bible Campaign through its partnership with Faith Comes By Hearing down recruitment agencies that send Pinoys to “pits of hell”
(FCBH) resolved the communication problem when it launched a Bible Listening Group program
that uses both the audio Bible or the Proclaimer and MTBO Bibles. Now, God’s Word can be or to employers who are abusive and have no respect with the
heard and read simultaneously. One of the facilitators trained in Sister Blesilda’s group testifies migrant workers’ rights and dignity. (Noel Sales Barcelona)
that reading her MTBO Bible while listening to its narrated version has helped her understand
God’s Word better and immediately apply it in her life. “Whenever I hear Jesus preaching a
sermon in the Proclaimer, it’s as if Christ Himself is talking to me personally – I am humbled.
This allows me to change my ways.” The project in Surigao is only one of over 70 parishes
that are enjoying the blessings of the MTBO-FCBH partnership that began in January 2010. Love Life / A4
Leaders from Laguna, Benguet, Dagupan, Pangasinan, Vigan, Urdaneta, Laoag, Abra, Bacolod
and Surigao have undergone training to lead Bible Listening Groups. The results are affirm-
ing God’s Word in Romans 10:17 that faith comes by hearing the message and the message In sessions, the psycho-spiritual some hours every week to do
comes through preaching Christ. approach is used. Garcia said individual counseling at the St.
that the reparative therapy uses Gerard Family Center, I met the
No. of Dioceses participating in the Bible Campaign – 75 out of 86 Dioceses common counseling techniques guys whom he had led to a “free-
Bibles Distributed (Jan 2010 – Sept 6, 2010): 122,043 cps
Bibles Distributed by Languages - Tagalog (33,295 cps), Cebuano (35,389 cps) English like listening, mirroring, and dom” from their past life style.
(22,626 cps), confronting in helping the per- They were one in expressing the
Ilocano (12,347 cps), Hiligaynon (8,376 cps), Bicol (5,651 cps), Pangasinense (3,858 cps), son gradually change his sexual blessings that the leadership and
Pampango (501 cps) orientation. There are no fixed friendship of Joe had done in
Parishes/Communities served: 432
Target Coverage of Bible Distribution for April-June 2010 (based on orders received):
methods. We adjust to the needs their lives. They consider Joe as
Tuguegarao, Quezon City, Malolos, Urdaneta, Cagayan de Oro, Naval, San Fernando Pam- of the person and whatever a special patron now in heaven
panga, Borongan Eastern Samar, Surigao, Gumaca, Zambales, Sorsogon, Bacolod, Nueva method is effective, we use it. that will bring their organiza-
Segovia, Jaro, Cotabato, Palo, Cubao, Alaminos, San Jose, Nueva Ecija, Malolos, Davao, One must have a healthy and tions – Courage and ICHTHYS
Cebu.
intimate but non-sexual rela- to greater heights of acceptance
Total Bible Distribution: (Jan 2009- Sept 6, 2010): 226,303 cps
Target No. of Bibles for Distribution for 2010: 200,000 cps tionship.” in our society in order to be able
Total Funds Needed for Printing and Transport of Bibles in 2010: P30M During the wake at Baclaran to reach out to more men and
Church where Joe dedicated women needing their ministry.
 A8 People, Facts & Places CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 19
September 13 - 26, 2010

Catholic missionaries
seek ‘renewed
friendship’ with Muslims
CATHOLIC missionaries in Mindanao called
for a “renewed friendship” at the end of
Ramadan, urging both faith communities to
serve humanity.
Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Quevedo
said he is hoping that this year’s observance
of Eid-ul-Fitr would spur not only Muslims
© Roy Lagarde / CBCP Media
relatives, friends and neighbors. We share
in your sentiments of charity as you give
alms and help the needy and the poor,”
Archbishop Quevedo told Muslims.
In the Catholic Church, Quevedo noted,
they will also soon celebrate the season of
Advent, a time for the believers of physical
in the islands of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.
OMI Provincial Superior, Rev. Ramon Ma.
Bernabe, said that through the years the col-
laboration between Muslims and Christians
has “engendered” a legacy of friendship
despite the vagaries of war and conflict.
The festival of of Eid-ul-Fitr, he stressed,

but also Christians in working towards peace
in the war-ravaged Mindanao region.
The holiday of Eid-ul-Fitr on Sept. 10
marked not only the end of the fasting period
of the holy Islamic month of Ramadan, but also
a time of forgiveness, and making amends.
Archbishop Orlando Quevedo, OMI
“We share in your joy as you visit your
and spiritual sacrifice.
“May we seize the month of these spiri-
tual experiences to pray and act together for
peace,” said Quevedo of the Oblates of Mary
Immaculate (OMI).
The OMI have toiled shoulder to shoulder
with Muslims in Southern Philippines, and
“provides the occasion to renew this bond
of friendship between our two faith com-
munities.”
“It is precisely in the remembrance of this
friendship that we are hopeful for a better fu-
ture not only for Mindanao but also for all its
inhabitants,” Bernabe said. (CBCPNews)

Vincentian Family to close jubilee year

AN aide to the Pope will lead
the closing ceremonies of the
year-long celebration of the
Vincentian Family’s Jubilee year
in honor of the 350th death an-
niversary of their founders, Saint
Vincent de Paul and Louise de
Marillac.
Papal nuncio Archbishop Ed-
ward Joseph Adams will deliver
his message to the Vincentian
family during a Mass to be pre-
sided by Gaudencio Cardinal
Rosales at the Manila Cathedral
on Sept. 27.
A number of prelates and
priests especially from the dio-
ceses where the Vincentian
family is currently present are
expected to attend the liturgical
celebration.
The jubilee year was opened on
the same day last year, and was
followed with various activities
aimed at deepening the spiritual-
ity of the Vincentian charism.
The activities and events in-
clude the Vincentian Youth
Congress, a Jubilee Formation
Series, mobile photo exhibits,
commemorative song album,
and the recitation of a Special
Jubilee Prayer.
Sr. Mary Ann Guevara, DC,
head of the Vincentian Fam-
ily executive committee, said a
“Walk for Charity” will also be
held on September 18 at 6 a.m. at
the Cultural Center of the Philip-
pines (CCP) grounds.
The project, she said, is for the
education assistance of the youth
excluded from the mainstream
education and insertions into
the Vincentian family and social
ministries.
On Sept. 26, the first ever St.
Vincent de Paul (SVP) National
awards will be held at the Adam-
son University theater in Manila
at 4 p.m.
The award seeks to recognize
outstanding organizations and
individuals who have shown ex-
emplary deeds in serving the poor
and the marginalized sectors.
The SVP National Award was
launched at the opening of the 350th
death anniversary celebration of
Sts. Vincent de Paul and Louise de
Marillac last Sept. 27, 2009.
St. Vincent de Paul is the
patron saint of the Universal
Church for all works of charity;
while St. Louise de Marillac is
the Patron Saint of all social
workers and those involved in
social works.
The Vincentian Family is com-
posed of religious congregations
and associations that were either
founded by St. Vincent de Paul
and/or that follow the Vincentian
spirituality and charism of service
to the poor. (CBCPNews)
Markings
APPOINTED. Fr. Gregory Ramon Gaston, as rector of the Pontificio
Collegio Filippino in Rome, September 2, 2010; succeeding Monsignor
Ruperto Santos who had been appointed bishop of the Diocese of
Balanga last April. Gaston’s appointment was announced by the
Vatican’s Congregation of the Catholic Education (for Seminaries
and Educational Institutions). As rector, Gaston, 45, will oversee
the management of the Pontificio Collegio Filippino, the residence
for Filipino priests doing further studies in Rome. The Collegio is a
community that provides a special type of ongoing priestly formation that
is significantly influenced by
a proximity to the Pope
and the cultural diversity
that only Rome provides.
Gaston served as an official
of the Pontifical Council for
the Family in the Vatican
from 2002 to 2007. In the
Philippines, he is a known
critic of any measures that
seeks to promote the use of
contraceptives and issues
concerning family and life.
Born in 1965 and a native
of Silay City, he finished a
degree in Zoology at the University of the Philippines before deciding
to become a priest. He was sent in 1988 by the late Jaime Cardinal Sin
to the University of Navarre in Spain for his seminary formation. Gaston
was ordained priest for the Archdiocese of Manila at the Vatican by Pope
John Paul II in 1993 as served as assistant priest in Mandaluyong City’s
San Roque Parish as his first assignment. In 1997, he also obtained
his doctorate in Sacred Theology at the Angelicum in Rome, and in the
same year did a short Post-Doctoral Fellowship Program in Bioethics
at the National Catholic Bioethics Center in Boston, USA. Since then
he has been given several assignments and taught in different Catholic
institutions in the Philippines.
INSTALLED. Rev. Fr. Freddie B. Billanes, as the 9th Rector of St.
Pius X Seminary, Lawaan, Roxas City, on September 6, 2010. Fr.
Billanes finished his high school studies
at SPXS in 1991 and his philosophical
and theological studies at the UST Central
Seminary in 2000. After ordination, he
was assigned at Sancta Maria Mater et
Regina Seminarium (SMMRS), Capiz’s

Priests meet PBA Icons in charity game

FORMER basketball stars Alvin Patrimo-
nio and Johnny Abarrientos returned to
hard court, heading a cast of cage legends
up against a team of Catholic priests in a
charity match at the Cuneta Astrodome.
The 10-man PBA icons team faced the
Padres in a one-game charity exhibition
at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City
on Sept. 9.
Jerry Condiñera, Bobby Jose, Nandy
Garcia, Rodney Santos, Vergel Meneses,
Mark Victoria, Renzy Bajar and Eric Gas-
con were the other icons who strutted their
stuffs in the event.
Organized by the Manila archdiocese’s
Biblical Apostolate, the game aimed to gather
funds for the programs and projects of the Sta.
Clara de Montefalco Parish in Pasay City.
Fr. Tony Navarette, archdiocesan Biblical
Apostolate director, said proceeds will also
be used in printing 100,000 copies of the
Bible which will be distributed to the parish’s
indigent families.
The exhibition game held at 6 p.m. had
special events for lucky watchers up at
halftime.
Navarette said lucky winners from
ringside and lower box holders went
home with five units of mobile phones
and basketball shoes.
The Padres team was composed of
Jerome Secillano, Steve Zabala, Aitoy
Opiano, Ronald Macale, Marty Marcelo,
Mark Munda, Armand Ichabod, Betbet
Rabonza, Joey Sepe, Roger Solis, and Japs
Apun. (CBCPNews)
major seminary, as professor and spiritual
director. He was sent to Rome for biblical
studies in 2002 and obtained his Licentiate
in Sacred Scriptures at the Pontifical
Biblical Institute magna cum laude in 2007.
Prior to his appointment as Rector of the
minor seminary, he served as philosophy
and theology professor, assistant dean
of studies, registrar and vice-rector of
SMMRS. At present, he also chairs the Archdiocesan Commission
on Doctrine of the Faith and teaches Sacred Scriptures at SMMRS’
philosophy and theology departments.
LAUNCHED. One-year education sponsorship program for disabled
and school children, August 28, 2010, by the Episcopal Commission
on Health Care (ECHC) of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the
Philippines (CBCP) in collaboration with the Manila Chinatown Lions
Club and the Malacca Lions Club; Paco Catholic School, Manila. The
education sponsorship
program will cover
the expenses of the
children on school
supplies, uniforms and
transportation fares.

Pro-Life Phils to hold A SEMINAR aimed to help par- Carmelita Ocoma of Haplos at The program aims to
help street children
ents and counsellors to enhance Kalinga sa Buhay ng Anak at and children with
their knowledge in parenting Magulang.

seminar on parenting skills

skills and infusing values to the
young is slated on October 16,
2010 at the St. Joseph Retreat
House Conference Room, Our
Lady of Loreto Church, Manza-
nas Street, Sampaloc, Manila.
Organized by Pro-Life Philip-
pines, the seminar is titled “Ef-
fective Parenting for Peace and
Nation Building.”
The seminar will discuss the
culture of life and how life’s
values can be integrated in par-
enting styles.
It will also tackle the relation-
© Pinky Barrientos, FSP
Basing on their experience,
the couple will share on cur-
rent issues confronting families
today as well as other problems
involving parenting styles.
The half-day seminar is open
to all pro-lifers most especially
parents, parishioners, teachers,
and guidance counsellors.
A registration fee of P300.00
that includes one snack, one
seminar kit, and a certificate
of participation signed by the
organizers will be asked from
interested participants.
disabilities to acquire
good education for
their own future.
Around 50 special
children were awarded
with the program. Present during the event were Fr. Luke Moortgat,
Executive Secretary of ECHC; Manila Chinatown President Lion
Reynaldo Lim, former President Elias Ang, Lion Jimmy Tiu, District
Governor; Lion Anton Wong Lim, Vice District Governor; and Lion
Antonio Ongchap, representative of Zone Chairman. Most of the
children are currently enrolled at the Padre Gomez Elementary School,
Sta. Ana Elementary School, Padre Burgos Elementary School, Brother
of Charity School and Manila High School.
CELEBRATED. Paul VI Biblical Center for Mindanao 25th founding
anniversary, August 27-28, 2010; Mergrande Ocean Resort in Bago
Aplaya, Talomo, Davao City. Davao Archbishop Fernando Capalla led
the opening Eucharistic celebration followed by an inspirational message
from Fr. Iluminado Rojo, regional director of Paul VI Biblical Center.
Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes delivered a keynote address focused

ships of parents with their chil-
dren and community and the
various struggles that parents
experience along the way.
Resource speakers will be
pro-life parents Ralph and
Additional information may
be obtained by calling 733-7027;
fax 734-9425; text mobile# 0919-
2337783; or email at life@prolife.
org.ph. (Pinky Barrientos,
FSP)
on the theme “PVIBCM in the service of the Word of God for the Life
and Mission of the Church” while ECBA Chairman and San Fernando
(Pampanga) Auxiliary Bishop Virgilio David gave a talk on various ways to
strengthen the Biblical
Pastoral Ministry.
Paul VI Biblical
Center for Mindanao
was inaugurated on

Archdiocese promotes NFP using book

IT has been said that the road to knowledge
begins with the turn of the page.
And for the Archdiocese of Cagayan de
Oro, one way to effectively promote natural
family planning (NFP) methods is through
books.
The archdiocese is actively promoting
NFP program as an alternative to the artifi-
cial contraceptive methods prescribed in the
reproductive health bill.
It also has its own responsible parenthood
and all-natural family planning program
manned by local NFP experts.
Archbishop Antonio Ledesma said
they recently have launched two books
to encourage public awareness about
NFP.
The first one, he said is titled “Natural
Family Planning: Values, Issues and Practic-
es” which contains a compilation of articles
about the issue of NFP.
“It gives the values formation of the
Church and also simplified methods like the
standard days method,” Ledesma said.
Another publication, he added, is the
trainors manual aimed at “teaching NFP
for potential trainors and counselor provid-
ers”.
Ana Leah Pealago, an NFP coordinator,
said the books are products of the archdio-
cese’s three-year NFP program.
“We found that almost 3,000 couples are
now users of NFP. There’s a growing num-
ber of people that are really interested in
promoting this,” Pealago said.
She explained that the book is not meant
for elementary and high school students
because the main target of the program are
married couples. (CBCPNews)
August 29, 1985 by
Malolos Emeritus
Bishop Cirilo Almario,
then Chairman of the
CBCP’s Episcopal
Commission for the
Biblical Apostolate
(ECBA). Known as the
2nd regional biblical
center in the Philippines, the first office was located at the Formation
House of the Sacred Heart Brothers in Catalunan Grande in Davao
City. In 2005, the biblical center was relocated in Ozamiz City with
Fr. Iluminado Rojo of the Archdiocese of Ozamiz as its 4th Regional
Director. Currently, Rojo is still the Regional Director of the JP VI Biblical
Center for Mindanao. The center has various programs conducted
for the biblical apostolates such as the Regional Biblical Workshops,
Summer Bible Institute, Basic Bible Seminars, Lay Ministers of the Word
Course, Lectors’ Formation Seminar, Family Bible Quiz, Bibliodrama
and National Bible Week celebrations, among others.
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 19
September 13 - 26, 2010
Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko, president of the Pontifical Council
for the Laity; reads the message of Pope Benedict XVI to Asian
lay Catholics gathered for a congress in Seoul, South Korea,
Aug. 31-Sept. 5, 2010.
‘Be a Sign and Promise of
Unity and Communion’
(Message of Benedict XVI sent to Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko, president of the Pontifical Council for
the Laity, on the occasion of the Asian Catholic Laity Conference, Seoul, South Korea)
To my Venerable Brother
Cardinal Stanisław Ryłko
President of the Pontifical Council for
the Laity
I WAS pleased to learn that the Congress
of Asian Catholic Laity will be held in
Seoul from 31 August to 5 September 2010.
I ask you kindly to convey
my cordial greetings and
prayerful good wishes to the
Bishops, priests, religious
and lay faithful from Asia
assembled for this significant
pastoral initiative promoted
by the Pontifical Council
for the Laity. The theme
chosen for the Congress—
Proclaiming Jesus Christ in
Asia Today—is most timely,
and I am confident that it
will encourage and guide the
lay faithful of the continent
in bearing joyful witness to
the Risen Lord and to the
life-giving truth of his holy
word.
Asia, home to two-thirds
of the world’s people, the
cradle of great religions and
spiritual traditions, and the
birthplace of diverse cultures,
is currently undergoing
unprecedented processes
of economic growth and
social transformation.
Asia’s Catholics are called
www.newsupdatedospo.blogspot.com
to be a sign and promise of that unity
and communion — communion with
God and among men — which the whole
human family is meant to enjoy and which
Christ alone makes possible. As part of
the mosaic of the continent’s different
peoples, cultures and religions, they
have been entrusted with a great mission:
that of bearing witness to Jesus Christ,
the universal Savior of mankind. This
Pastoral Concerns
is the supreme service and the greatest
gift that the Church can offer to the
people of Asia, and it is my hope that the
present Conference will provide renewed
encouragement and direction in taking up
this sacred mandate.
“The peoples of Asia need Jesus Christ
and his Gospel. Asia is thirsting for the
living water that Jesus alone can give”
(Ecclesia in Asia, 50). These prophetic
words of the Servant of God John Paul II
still resound as a summons addressed to
each member of the Church in Asia. If the
lay faithful are to take up this mission, they
need to become ever more conscious of
the grace of their Baptism and the dignity
which is theirs as sons and daughters
of God the Father, sharers in the death
and resurrection of Jesus his Son, and
anointed by the Holy Spirit as members
of Christ’s mystical Body which is the
Church. In union of mind and heart with
their Pastors, and accompanied at every
step of their journey of faith by a sound
spiritual and catechetical formation, they
need to be encouraged to cooperate actively
www.asianews.it
not only in building up their
local Christian communities
but also in making new
pathways for the Gospel
in every sector of society.
Vast horizons of mission
are now opening up before
the lay men and women of
Asia in their efforts to bear
witness to the truth of the
Gospel; I think especially of
the opportunities offered by
their example of Christian
married love and family life,
their defense of God’s gift
of life from conception to
natural death, their loving
concern for the poor and the
oppressed, their willingness
to forgive their enemies and
persecutors, their example
of justice, truthfulness and
solidarity in the workplace,
and their presence in public
life.
The increasing numbers
of committed, trained and
enthusiastic lay persons is
thus a sign of immense hope
for the future of the Church
in Asia. Here I wish to
single out with gratitude the
outstanding work of the many catechists
who bring the riches of the Catholic faith to
young and old alike, drawing individuals,
families and parish communities to an ever
deeper encounter with the Risen Lord. The
apostolic and charismatic movements are
also a special gift of the Spirit, since they
bring new life and vigor to the formation
of the laity, particularly families and young
Sign / B5
B1
www.asianews.it
Message to
the Catholic
Laity of Asia
(Concluding message of the
participants of the Congress of Asian
Catholic Laity, Seoul, Korea, August 31
to September 5, 2010)
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Jesus Christ,
To all those who confess their faith in Jesus Christ Our
Lord, Son of the Living God, and bear witness to Him in
all of the different countries through this vast continent
of Asia!
To you especially, our Catholic brothers and sisters,
Christifideles, baptized in the Lord, sons and daughters
of God the Father, anointed in the Holy Spirit, who are
aware of the dignity and responsibility of our vocation as
disciples, witnesses and missionaries.
To all of you we wish to express our profound
sentiments of gratitude, joy and hope, which stems from
our participation in this Congress of Asian Catholic Laity,
held in Seoul, Korea from August 31 to September 5, 2010
under the auspices of the Pontifical Council for the Laity
and in collaboration with different sectors of the Catholic
Church in Korea.
Among the four hundred people who participated in this
significant event, were those who formed the delegations
from the bishops’ conferences of various Asian countries
that were headed up by their respective bishops and priests,
representatives from the Federation of Asia Bishops’
Conferences, representatives from associations, ecclesial
movement and new communities in Asia and numerous
lay Catholics from Korea.
While enjoying an atmosphere of prayer, ecclesial
communion and friendship, and guided by the theme of
the Congress theme: “Proclaiming Jesus Christ in Asia
Today”, we were able to reflect on the present reality of
our beloved continent at the light of the faith.
We have certainly felt accompanied by the Holy Father,
Pope Benedict XVI who has shown his paternal affection and
closeness by his words of encouragement and guidance that
he addressed to all of us in his letter to Cardinal Stanisław
Ryłko on the occasion of this Congress. In it, he expresses his
hope that this Congress provide renewed encouragement in
taking up this sacred mandate “of bearing witness to Jesus
Christ, the universal Savior”. Indeed, the Holy Father also
notes that we have been entrusted with a “great mission”
which is the “supreme service and greatest gift that the
Church can offer to the people of Asia”.
During these days, we have gained a renewed
understanding of greatness and timeliness of this mission
that stems from the grace of our Baptism and the personal
and transforming encounter with Christ which, as in the
case of St. Paul, becomes a “source of sublime happiness
and a gift to share with others” (cf. Letter of Pope Benedict
XVI to Cardinal Ryłko). We know that we must allow
ourselves to be captivated by Christ, through the personal
and communitarian encounters with Him; through the
listening of His word, through the frequent reception of
the sacraments, through frequent moments of prayer with
Him in which we allow his grace to transform our hearts
and touch all dimensions of our lives, making us holy in
His sight. In this way, each one of us can respond to our
Message / B4
 B2 Updates CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 19
September 13 - 26, 2010

Collaboration of Non-Ordained Faithful

in the Sacred Ministry of Priests (Part II)

© Noli Yamsuan / RCAM

By Fr. Jaime Blanco
Achacoso, J.C.D.
IN a recent Workshop of the
Executive Committee of the
Canon Law Society of the
Philippines, a nagging question
was again raised: What is the
canonical status of Basic Ecclesial
Communities (BEC)? The matter
was raised by the canon lawyers
from Mindanao (priests and a
bishop), because of the growing
frictions between the ecclesiastical
organization and the so-called
basic ecclesial communities. In
the past, this question had always
been sidelined by the lack of
any clear theological notion of
such communities; hence—the
argument went—it was futile to
attempt a canonical analysis of
the problem.
This time, however, it was
pointed out that even if it might
be premature to attempt a
definition of the canonical status
of Basic Ecclesial Communities,
some working guidelines might
be in order, by way of delimiting
the scope of pastoral action of
such communities, in accordance
with Church Law. In short, even
if it might not be possible to
categorically state what Canon
Law states these communities
are, it might be possible to draw
from existing legislation what
these communities are not. In
more practical terms, perhaps
we can glean from Canon Law
what these communities may
and may not do.
In fact, this is the task that
the Canon Law Society of the
Philippines proposed to tackle
in its National Convention in
May 2011. As a starting point for
the canonical investigation, the
CLSP Execom identified a little-
known document of the Holy
See, which was issued in 1997.
To arouse interest in this topic,
we are revisiting that document
in a 4-part series that started in
the previous issue of the CBCP
Monitor.
Observations on Content:
collaboration vs. participation
In the substantive level, the
most important word appears
in the title itself of the document.
In effect, the title speaks of
the collaboration of the non-
ordained faithful in the priestly
ministry.
The term initially used in the
preliminary discussions was
participation. Thus, the title of
the symposium in April 1994,
which launched the serious
preparation of this document,
was “The Participation of the Lay
Faithful in the Priestly Ministry”.
However, the Pope John Paul
II himself, in his address to
that symposium, never used
the term participation in this
context. In fact, he belabored the
distinction between participation
in Christ’s priesthood by virtue
of baptism and confirmation, and
the eventual exercise of some
tasks entrusted to them by the
priests:
“The laity’s every ecclesial
action or function─including
those for which the Pastors
ask them to stand in, where
possible─is rooted ontologically
in their common participation
in Christ’s priesthood and not
in an ontological participation
(either temporary or partial) in
the ordained ministry proper to
Pastors. Therefore, it is clear that
if the Pastors entrust them, in an
extraordinary way, with some
tasks ordinarily and properly
connected with the pastoral
ministry but not requiring the
proper character of Orders, lay
people should know that these
tasks are existentially rooted
in their baptismal ministry
and nowhere else! It must
always be remembered that
the exercise of such tasks does
not make pastors of the lay
faithful: in fact, a person is not
a minister simply by performing
a task, but through sacramental
ordinationi.”
The terminological shift is
important. In effect, participation
(“to take part”) in the ministerial
tasks could not strictly speaking
take place without the subject
ontologically taking part in the
ministerial priesthood itself. This
could only happen with priestly
ordination. From this we see the
aptness of the term collaboration
(“to work with”) when applied
to the non-ordained faithful’s
cooperation with the ministerial
work of priests.
With this in mind, we can
point out the following doctrinal
conclusions:
1. Lay collaboration in priestly
ministry is not a right. The
document contains several
assertionsthatcallforhermeneutic
clarification. Thus, the part
concerned with Theological
Principles (n.4) says with respect
to the tasks and functions which
“are considered along the lines
of collaboration with the sacred
ministry” that “the non ordained
faithful do not enjoy a right
to such tasks and functions”.
Obviously, there is no wish
here to deny that these faithful
can legitimately exercise the
tasks and functions mentioned.
The document wants to state,
however, that the non ordained
faithful do not have the right to
demand that they be assigned
to the above mentioned tasks or
functions.
Elsewhere the Instruction says:
“the officia temporarily entrusted
to them ... are exclusively the
result of a deputation by the
Church” (Art.1, §2). “Deputation
by the Church” is a shorthand
expression for “deputation by the
Church’s lawful Pastors”. This
complete formulation, used in
other passages of the Instruction,
avoids an identification of
the Pastors with the Church
herself. And §3 of the same
article correctly indicates that
“the temporary deputation for
liturgical purposes─mentioned
in c.230, §2─does not confer any
special or permanent title on
the non ordained faithful”. The
following sentence states that it
is unlawful for the non ordained
faithful to assume titles such as
pastor, chaplain, coordinator or
moderator.
2. Lay collaboration is
supplementary─i.e., only in
cases of necessity. By their
ecclesiological nature all of these
particular functions belong to the
realm of the ordained ministry, in
which a lay person, however, can
collaborate in cases of necessity, if
he has been lawfully deputed to
do so. But it must be noted here:
“in case of necessity”!
For example, it could never be
the Church’s objective to replace
the Eucharistic celebration by
promoting Sunday celebrations
without a priest. Nevertheless,
wherever there are no other
possibilities, the Church is grateful
to that lay person who, being
well disposed and following
the instructions of the Bishop
who appointed him, conducts
a Liturgy of the Word for and
with the faithful who have no
other opportunity to celebrate
the Lord’s Day. It is clear that
the lay person here is truly a
supplementary aid. Thus, for the
good of the faithful─and that is
what always counts─he should
be glad when a priest is available
to celebrate the Eucharist.
3. Responsibility for abuses.
The practical provisions of the
Instruction are not limited to
listing possible or actual abuses,
but they always seek to indicate
the theological coordinates
underlying the respective field
of activity and thereby to draw the
necessary consequences. Abuses
occur when exceptional solutions
become alternatives, changing
an extraordinary competence
into an ordinary one, or, on the
other, when the limits provided
for collaboration are unlawfully
extended and a competence is
assumed that has not been given.
(To be continued.)
i
John Paul II, “Address to a Sympo-
sium on Collaboration Lay Faithful in
the Priestly Ministry” (22.IV.1994), in
L’Osservatore Romano (11.V.1994).

When a priest lives in public sin

(Father Edward McNamara,
professor of liturgy at the Regina
Apostolorum university, answers the
following query:)
Q: May you please help me to
answer these delicate questions?
When a priest is in grave sin and
publicly known to be in mortal sin
(drunk often; with women, etc.) and
the bishop allows him to say Mass
publicly, what does canon law say
about this? Or, if a priest has even
impregnated a woman and then
encouraged her to get an abortion
(a reality for us here), shouldn’t that
priest have sanctions put on him
rather than letting him celebrate
Mass publicly? If the bishop says
he is not to judge the priests, then
who should?—K.G., Sudan
A: These are indeed delicate
questions and sad ones to answer.
I am not a canonist and so cannot
answer regarding the intricacies of
the canonical process. However, I
can offer some moral pointers with
respect to the sacraments.
A priest who falls into grave sin,
just like any member of the faithful,
should seek sacramental reconciliation
as soon as possible. Meanwhile, he
should abstain as far as possible from
celebrating the sacraments.
By “as far as possible,” I mean that
if it is impossible for a priest to go
to confession before attending to the
needs of the faithful, then he should
make an act of perfect contrition and
celebrate the sacrament. The act of
contrition implies both the intention
of confessing as soon as possible and
the firm resolve not to sin again. This
moral principle, of course, is applicable
to momentary (and usually secret)
lapses.
The case mentioned by our reader
would imply a graver situation in
which the priest is openly living in
an objectively immoral situation with
no apparent signs of willingness to
change. Although only God knows
the heart, a public sin requires some
form of public separation from the
life of sin. Sacraments celebrated by
an unrepentant priest are gravely
sacrilegious acts. They would be valid
but illicit.
A priest who induces a woman to
abort is automatically excommunicated
and also irregular and impeded from
exercising his ministry (Canons 1398,
1041.4; 1043). He cannot celebrate
any sacraments nor himself receive
sacramental absolution until the
excommunication is formally lifted. If
he were to continue to act as a priest,
not only would the celebrations be
sacrilegious, but the sacrament of
penance and matrimony would also
be invalid.
If his excommunicated state were
publicly known, then the faithful
should not assist at any celebration nor
request any spiritual goods from him
except in the case of imminent danger
of death. Even if he were the only priest
available, the faithful should not go to
one of his Sunday or daily Masses.
In such situations a bishop cannot
“allow” a priest to continue as normal.
The bishop has a grave responsibility
toward assuring the holiness of the
sacraments. A bishop could not give a
positive permission for a sacrilegious
act without himself becoming guilty
of the sin of sacrilege. If he were to
knowingly turn a blind eye, he would
become morally responsible due to
culpable negligence and would have
some serious questions to answer on
Judgment Day.
At the same time, the faithful should
not presume that the bishop is aware
of everything that goes on. If they have
certain proof, and not just hearsay, of
a priest’s publicly immoral behavior
they should present it to the bishop.
If the evidence is solid, the bishop
should follow the established canonical
procedures, first removing the priest
from ministry and then deciding how
to move forward. If the bishop refuses
to act, they should address the case to
the apostolic nuncio or directly to the
Holy See.
In the first case, and provided there
was no abuse of minors involved, the
bishop should see if there is any hope
of an authentic conversion by the priest
that would allow him to start anew in
some other situation where his past
weakness was unknown. I am aware
of several such conversions, such as
one in which God made use of a grave
illness to bring a very corrupt parish
priest to his senses and recover the
meaning of his mission and his
life. Today, many years later, he is
regarded as an exemplary minister
of the Gospel.
If change seems impossible, or
if he abused minors, he should
be removed from ministry. If he
has fathered children, his parental
responsibilities have priority over
remaining in the priesthood.
In the case of the priest
automatically excommunicated by
inducing an abortion, the gravity of
this sin must necessarily exclude him
from the exercise of the priesthood.
One hopes that he will repent and
have the excommunication lifted,
but he can no longer function
as Christ’s representative. His
removal from ministry is a just
and even minimal punishment for
having been instrumental in taking
innocent life.
Such sad and heartbreaking
situations should move us all to
pray for the holiness of priests and
make reparation for their sins.
 Features
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 19
September 13 - 26, 2010
B3
www.newsupdatedospo.blogspot.com

‘Proclaiming Jesus Christ in Asia Today’
Letter addressed to His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, on behalf of the participants of the Congress of Asian Catholic Laity
Your Holiness,
The Congress of Asian Catholic
Laity, organized by the Pontifical
Council of the Laity, now draws
to a close. From August 30 to
September 5 we have been guests
here in Seoul of the Catholic
Church in Korea and they have
made us feel quite at home.
Tomorrow, as we celebrate the
Holy Eucharist, presided over
by His Eminence, Cardinal
Nicholas Cheong Jinsuk, in the
Archbishop of Seoul’s Cathedral,
we give thanks to God for the
many blessings and the renewed
apostolic zeal that he has lavished
upon us by means of Congress.
This ecclesial event has instilled
in all of us –bishops, priests,
religious, and lay faithful from
nearly every country of Asia,
together with the representatives
from the Federation of Asian
Bishops’ Conferences and
Congress of the Asian Catholic Laity
Seoul, Korea; August 31 to September 5, 2010
representatives of associations,
ecclesial movement and new
communities– that particular
grace of strengthening and
deepening our awareness of being
sons and daughters, disciples,
witnesses and missionaries of
the Lord in this immense and
challenging continent.
We have certainly felt
accompanied and sustained
by the Universal Church, and
above all, by Your Holiness.
We have been touched by your
paternal affection and closeness,
expressed in the words of
encouragement and guidance
that you addressed to us in your
letter to Cardinal Stanislaw Ryłko
on the occasion of the opening of
this Congress. We thank you for
this initiative of your Pontifical
Council for the Laity, which we
consider a tangible sign of the
universal ministry and untiring
missionary care of the Successor
of Peter.
During these days of reflection,
a recurring theme has been that
of the need for the lay faithful in
Asia to become “more conscious
of their Baptism and the dignity
which is theirs as sons and
daughters of God the Father”
and “to cooperate actively not
only in building up their local
Christian communities but also
in making new pathways for the
Gospel in every sector of society”
(taken from the Holy Father’s
message to Cardinal Rylko). The
testimony of many Congress
participants has shown how this
awareness of the mission of the
laity has matured in recent years
and makes us more determined
in helping all of the baptized to
grow in their vocation as disciples
of Christ and in their sense
of belonging to the Universal
Church. We are quite mindful
of our unique contribution
in building up the Christian
community, of our vocation to
charity for the good of all of our
brothers and sisters throughout
Asia. While immersed in a
society that is undergoing deep
seated transformation, we want
to collaborate all the more in
establishing conditions of life
that are much more dignified
for all aspects of the person and
for every person. All of us as
baptized Christians are called to
a renewed encounter with Jesus
Christ the Lord that converts
our life towards the path to
holiness.
Dear Holy Father,
We are your “little flock”, a
flock that can at times appear so
small and inadequate before this
vast continent with its billions
of inhabitants and its ancient
cultural and religious traditions,
which stand in contrast to its new
chaotic economic growth and
rapid social changes that places
Asia ever more on the forefront
with a greater role to play on the
global stage. Although we might
be a little flock, we are able to
affirm each day and firsthand
that “the peoples of Asia need
Jesus Christ and his Gospel”
and that this continent “thirsts
for the living water that only He
can give” (Ecclesia in Asia, 50).
Because of this, we are well aware
of the need for each and everyone
of us, as Catholic Laity, and as
Your Holiness has pointed out in
your message for this Congress,
to “bear ever more fervent
witness to the incomparable
beauty of being a Christian, and
proclaim Jesus Christ as the one
Savior of the world”.
www.newsupdatedospo.blogspot.com
Holy Father, we live in difficult
times and it seems that almost
everywhere the Church faces
strong headwinds and waves that
prevail against her. At times, we
even fear being shipwrecked. But,
in these moments we hear again
those reassuring words of the
Lord: “Take courage, it is I; do
not be afraid” (Mt 14:27).
By clinging securely to Christ,
we can weather every storm.
Together with Him, and with
your gaze fixed intently on
Him, Your Holiness is there
steadfast at the helm, guiding
this ship on course to its final
destination, “towards the place
of life, towards friendship with
the Son of God, towards the
One who gives us life, and life
in abundance”. (Benedict XVI,
Homily from Inaugural mass of
his Pontificate, 24 April, 2005).
Laity / B7

Congress of Asian Catholic Laity

CARDINAL Stanisław Ryłko, President
of the Pontifical Council for the Laity,
presided at the inaugural Mass this
morning at 8:30 a.m. in Myong-dong
Cathedral, officially declaring the start
of the Congress of Asian Catholic Laity.
More than 400 Congress participants
were in attendance at Mass, including
Cardinal Nicholas Cheong, Archbishop
of Seoul, Cardinal Telesphore Placidus
Toppo, Archbishop of Ranchi,
Archbishop Osvaldo Padilla, Apostolic
Nuncio to Korea, and numerous Korean
Bishops and Bishops from different
dioceses in Asia, priests, religious
and delegates of lay movements from
various Asian countries.
In his homily Cardinal Ryłko
commented that the Church is in
a constant state of ‘Mission’ and
‘Communion,’ and quoting the words
from of our Holy Father’s Encyclical
Deus Caritas Est, reminded all present
that “the starting point of being a
Christian is an encounter with a Person,
Jesus Christ.” He then invited the
participants to pray to the Holy Spirit
that the Congress, “may make a valid
and significant contribution” towards
spreading the love of Christ in Asia.
After Mass, at the opening ceremony
of the Congress at Coste Hall auditorium
opposite the Cathedral, Cardinal Ryłko
exhorted the participants that the grave
task for the evangelization of Asia
requires a renewal of our prophetic
mission as baptized Catholics and said.
“We should be proud to be Catholics”
and not be afraid to proclaim the
Gospel. He outlined the program and
direction of the Congress and concluded
his opening address with the words
from John Paul II’s Encyclical Letter
Redemptoris Missio: “God is preparing a
great springtime for Christianity, and we
can already see its first signs.” Cardinal
Ryłko then thanked the Holy Father
for the gift of his personal message,
which was read by Archbishop Osvaldo
Padilla, Apostolic Nuncio to Korea.
In his message, Pope Benedict XVI
thanked the participants of the Congress
and all those organizing the event and
conveyed his desire to accompany them
hoping that the Congress “will provide
renewed encouragement and direction
in taking up this sacred mandate” of
proclaiming the Gospel. He added, “I
pray that the present Congress will
highlight the indispensable role of the
lay faithful in the Church’s mission
and develop specific programs and
initiatives...” and “stress that Christian
life and calling must been seen first
and foremost as a source of sublime
happiness and a gift to be shared with
others.”
He assured us of his solidarity in
prayer during the days of the Congress
and imparting his Apostolic Blessing,
concluded with a prayer, “May the
Church in Asia bear ever more fervent
witness to the incomparable beauty of
being a Christian, and proclaim Jesus
Christ as the one Savior of the world.”
Next, President Lee Myung Bak’s
message to the participants of the
Congress was read by the Hon. In-chon
Park, Minister for Culture, Sports and
Tourism. President Lee commented,
“The Korean Catholic Church was
formed based upon the volunteer effort
of the laity, and it grew strong through
their passion and martyrdom. It also
gave a great contribution to the spiritual
maturity and the reconciliation of the
Korean people. I believe the fact that this
Congress is being held in Korea, shows
that the Holy See and the Catholic Faith
worldwide have put much value into the
September 1, 2010
growth of the Catholic Church in Korea
and the contribution given by the laity
here.” He concluded, “I wish everyone
that this congress may be an occasion for
sharing spiritualities and wisdom; that
it may bear fruits of a deep communion
among the laity of Asia.” Other members
of the President’s cabinet were present
for the opening ceremony: Park In-joo,
Senior Secretary to the President for
Social Integration and his, Park Mung-
hwan, from the Presidential Secretariat
for Communications.
Next, Cardinal Nicholas Cheong Jin-
suk, expressed his thanks to Cardinal
Rylko and the Pontifical Council for
the Laity for coming to Seoul to host
the Congress of Asian Catholic Laity.
He invited the participants “to reflect
together, open your own vocation and
mission in order proclaim Jesus Christ
in Asia today, with new enthusiasm,
new ardor and method in close
communication with each other.”
The first of two morning conferences
of the Congress was given by Fr.
Felipe Gomez, S.J., of the East Asian
Institute in Manila, titled “Two
thousand years of the Church’s mission
in Asia: Waves of evangelization,
holiness and martyrdom.” Fr. Gomez
summarized systematically the
historical development of the arduous
task of evangelization by the Church in
Asia during the past 2000 years, dividing
the historical events in five arbitrary
segments that he coined as “waves of
evangelization”: 1) the Foundational
wave, 2) the first millennium, 3) the
so called “Pax Mongolica,” 4) the Age
of Discoveries and, 5) finally, our own
time. He emphasized the urgency of
learning from the lessons of history in
order to more effectively spread the
Gospel to the Asian people. He said,
“Christians believe that God speaks
through history; only by knowing
that history can we hope to interpret
momentous events like the Japanese
persecutions and the fall of the Asian
churches.
Yet Christians have systematically
forgotten or ignored so very much of
their history that it is scarcely surprising
that they encounter only a deafening
silence. Losing the ancient churches is
one thing, but losing their memory and
experience so utterly is a disaster scarcely
less damaging… History is a teacher, but
its lessons are never evident.”
The second conference was given by
Cardinal Telesphore Placidus Toppo,
Archbishop of Ranchi. To illustrate
the need and the challenges that face
the evangelization of Asia, Cardinal
Toppo recounted the struggles of
evangelization in his own Tribal Church
of Chotanagpur, India by the Venerable
Servant of God, Fr. Constant Lievens,
S.J. Fr. Liviens had arrived to the village
where only 56 Catholics welcomed him.
“But just over 7 years later, and him
already a broken man due to exhaustion
and tuberculosis, there were more than
80,000 baptized Catholics!” Cardinal
Toppo stressed, “With such a beautiful
case study, who will ever again be able to
question the wisdom of serving the poor,
as part of the effective evangelization
of Asia?”
Cardinal Toppo reminded the
participants, “evangelization is two-
dimensional; one dimension is “going
out” as a missionary (a “Go and tell”
dimension); the other is the dimension
of a “life-witness” to the Good News
(the “Come and see” dimension)…”
He emphasized the second dimension
using the words from John Paul II,
Encyclical Letter Redemptoris Missio,
“The witness of a Christian life is the first
and irreplaceable form of mission.”
The Cardinal, however, made the
clear differentiation that, “Not every
Christian in Asia can be a missionary in
the sense of going out to tell the Good
News, but every Christian in Asia can
be a missionary by witnessing to a
change in lifestyle, values and behavior”.
To be an effective witness today of
the Gospel, Cardinal Toppo outlined
three areas of witnessing: First, “The
evangelical witness which the world
finds most appealing is that of concern
for people, and of charity towards the
poor, the weak, and those who suffer”;
Secondly, “The Church is called to bear
witness to Christ by taking courageous
and prophetic stands in the face of the
corruption of political or economic
power” (RM, 43); Related to this is the
third area which touches each Christian
deeply: that of “imitating Christ’s own
simplicity of life” (RM, 43).
To conclude, Cardinal Toppo
emphatically exhorted the participants
of the urgent task to speak to all people
of Asia of the “gift of Jesus Christ to
humanity.”
After lunch, the participants gathered
in Coste Hall to listen to the testimonies of
delegates from the following countries: 1.
Kazakhstan; 2. Nepal; 3. Taiwan; 4. Hong
Kong; 5. Thailand; 6. Turkmenistan; 7.
Philippines; 8. Vietnam; 9. Sri Lanka;
10. Japan; 11. India; 12. Malaysia; 13.
Uzbekistan; 14. Pakistan; 15. Mongolia;
16. Indonesia; 17. Macau; 18. Korea.
Following the testimonies, Most. Rev.
Janusz Kaleta, Bishop of Kazakhstan,
led the Congress participants in evening
prayer, which included the recitation of
the official prayer for the Congress.
(Source: Pontifical Council for the
Laity)

CARDINAL Telesphore Toppo,
Archbishop of Ranci, India
presided at Mass this morning
with all the Bishops, priests and
participants of the Congress
present. In his brief homily he
exhorted all present to a life of
holiness to be better apostles
for Christ at the service of the
Church.
Final Conference
After Mass, closing remarks
were held at Coste Hall, bringing
the 4 day Congress to a close.
Cardinal Stanisław Ryłko,
President of the Pontifical
Council for the Laity, gave the
last conference of the Congress,
reaffirming that the lay people
are witnesses of hope.
In his speech he underlined
that the leitmotif of this
Congress can be expressed in
one word: hope. “I think for
everyone—pastors, religious
and lay faithful – this Congress
has been above all else, a school
of hope” he said.
He remarked, “we live in
a world which, despite its
outstanding and celebrated
scientific and technological
progress, is permeated by a
painful inability to hope”.
“Postmodern humanity has
September 4, 2010
forgotten God and burned by
the failure of false paradises
promised by the ideology of a
not too distant past, it shows
the signs of a profound loss of
direction”. And quoting the
Pope’s Encyclical Letter Spes
salvi, he said “Man’s great, true
hope which holds firm in spite of
all disappointments can only be
God—God who has loved us and
who continues to love us ‘to the
end,’ until all ‘is accomplished’
(cf. Jn 13.1-19.30)”
Therefore, every Christian
is called to witness to the
world. “they must account
for the hope that is in them...
This is the mandate that Christ
gives us at the end of our
Congress: announce hope to this
continent”, he said.
Hope is what moves us
to action and he stated,
“Evangelization is an explicit
mandate of Our Lord. Therefore,
evangelization is not an ancillary
activity of the Church, rather
the very reason for being of
the Church, the Sacrament
of salvation.” He outlined
three fundamental laws of
evangelization: 1) “evangelizing
is not merely a way of speaking,
but a form of living: living in
the listening and giving voice
to the Father… It means that
“the words of proclamation
must always be bathed in an
intense life of prayer”; 2) Just as
the parable of the mustard seed
shows, “those who proclaim the
gospel must be humble; they
should not expect immediate
results—either qualitative or
quantitative; 3) “the law of
the grain of wheat that dies in
order to bear fruit (cf. Jn 12, 24).
Evangelization is always the
logic of the Cross ... the weight
of the martyrs witness to faith in
the work of evangelization.”
Regarding the issue of the
enculturation of the Christian
proclamation, he defined it,
following Pope Paul VI’s 1975
Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii
Nuntiandi, as “the intimate
transformation of authentic
cultural values through their
integration in Christianity and
the insertion of Christianity in
the various human cultures”.
In addition, the Venerable
Servant of God John Paul II
affirmed, “if [...] it is true that
faith is not identified with any
one culture and is independent
of all cultures, then it is no less
true that, for this very reason,
faith is called upon to inspire, to
Sept 4 / B7
 Features
CBCP Monitor
B4 Vol. 14 No. 19
September 13 - 26, 2010

Papal Visit to John Henry Cardinal Newman

England and Beatification
Scotland (19 September 2010; Birmingham, UK)
By British Ambassador Stephen Lillie By Fr. Catalino G. Arévalo, S.J. (expert adviser)” in the Catholic Church’s present in his thought: the importance of
Second Vatican Council (1962-1965). the religious imagination, and the fiduciary
It could truly be said that Newman’s character of all knowledge. (The substance of
BOTH as British Ambassador and as a British Catholic I’m POPE Benedict XVI will travel to the United theology was remarkably “ahead of his time”. the present paragraph has been drawn largely
looking forward to the visit to England and Scotland by His Kingdom 16-19 September in a significant “His significance to his own age perhaps from the Ian Ker/Terrence Merrigan preface,
Holiness Pope Benedict XVI beginning on 16th September. visit, which will include some time with pales in comparison with the stature he in the Cambridge work just cited.)
This is a historic event: the first state visit to Britain by a Pope, Queen Elizabeth, meetings with other has enjoyed in the 20th and 21st centuries.” For Roman Catholic thought and life
and it will begin with a meeting with Her Majesty Queen religious leaders, and the beatification of John (The Cambridge Companion to John Henry specially, it should be noted that Newman’s
Elizabeth II at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in the Scottish Henry Cardinal Newman, the 19th century Newman, Cambridge University, 2009). The theological concerns included the “sense of
capital, Edinburgh. But there will be an important pastoral English thinker and theologian and convert same volume says: “Newman is regarded the faithful” (sensus fidelium), the theology
element too, which will involve many of the Filipinos who to Roman Catholicism, one of the greatest as a leading representative, and in Catholic of lay people in the Church, the theological
call Britain home. Christian intellectuals of modern times. theology, one of the forerunners of the turn grounding of the development of doctrine,
Filipinos tend not to think of Britain as catholic, and Filipino John Henry Newman (1801- the nature of theology and
friends are often surprised to learn that I am catholic. This 1890) was a major figure theological epistemology,
is understandable given my country’s history, but modern in the religious history of the notion of the Church as
Britain is a diverse and multi-faith society, and around 11% his time. He was one of the communion, the place of
of the population counts itself as Roman Catholic. One of the first-rank protagonists, a authentic devotion in Christian
towering figures in the renaissance of the church in Britain guiding spirit of the so-called life, specially the devotion to
was the great Victorian theologian, Cardinal John Henry ‘Oxford Movement’ within Mary, Mother of the Lord.
Newman, whose motto, “Heart speaks unto Heart”, has been the Church of England, which John Henry Newman was
adopted as the theme of the papal visit. The Pope will beatify has influenced Anglicanism considered by those who knew
Cardinal Newman in Birmingham on 19th September, the to our own age. He converted him not only as intellectually
final day of his visit. to Roman Catholicism in 1845 brilliant, a true genius in
While Newman was a convert from Anglicanism, the growth and was ordained a Catholic thought and writing, but also
of Catholicism in Britain owes much to migration by Catholics priest two years later. In 1879 authentically holy—“a man
from overseas. In the 19th century many Irish Catholics moved Pope Leo XIII made him a full of human tenderness
to Britain. But in more recent years, Filipinos have done much Cardinal, in recognition of his and human lovableness, and
to boost the numbers of British Catholics. The Philippine genius, and the service he had who, to the end of his life,
embassy in London estimates that there are as many as 190,000 given to Christian thought and scrupulously obeyed his
Filipino Catholics in the country. On a straight analysis of theology, to depth and devotion conscience as the voice of God.
the statistics that means that Filipinos account for over 3% of in Catholic life and spirituality. A man who suffered much,
Britain’s Catholics, but my guess is that they account for an Cardinal Newman died at the and suffered keenly, yet never
even higher percentage of those who attend mass regularly. Birmingham Oratory (which he allowed disappointment to
The London-based Filipino chaplaincy, headed by Fr. Cirino had himself founded) in 1890. spoil his usefulness, or to sour
“Ino” Potrido, ministers to the needs of this community. Both as an Anglican and as a his temper.” A man whom God
There are especially strong Filipino congregations and catholic Roman Catholic he wrote works has given us as “an example of
community groups in a number of London parishes, including of profound and enduring value: how we ought to get through
a Filipino choir at the Carmelite Church in Kensington. Many e.g., on the Church Fathers and this difficult world” as people
of them will be at the Pope’s prayer vigil in Hyde Park on the early Church history (1833 of true Christian faith, hope
evening of 18 September. ff.); on Anglicanism as the and love. (Msgr. Ronald
Because it is a State visit (Pope John Paul II made a highly Via Media (1838); Essay on Knox.)
acclaimed visit in 1982, but that was a pastoral visit only), there the Development of Christian For Pope Benedict XVI this 19
will be various official elements to the programme. As well as Doctrine (1840s); The Idea September rite of beatification
the Royal audience and reception in Edinburgh, there will be of a University (1853); On will be the first one at which
an address to British civil society at the Houses of Parliament, Consulting the Faithful in he will himself preside. Joseph
and meetings with Prime Minister David Cameron and the Matters of Doctrine (1859); Ratzinger the theologian has
www.incaelo.files.wordpress.com

leaders of the other main political parties on 18 September. his celebrated autobiography, always had a special regard
Dialogue between the Vatican and the British Government Apologia Pro Vita Sua (1864) for and a bond with John
has become increasingly important in recent years, and the The Grammar of Assent (1870); Henry Newman. As a young
visit is an important opportunity to deepen it. The Vatican is The Prophetical Office in student he studied Newman’s
a hugely important influence globally, and a crucial partner the Church (1877), and a thought “with passion”; so one
for the Britain and the rest of the international community large number of other studies, of Ratzinger’s own teachers has
if we are to deliver on the Millennium Development Goals sermons, devotional papers, said. Another bond: Newman
for eradicating poverty and hunger, promoting access to poems, hymns (e.g., “Lead, was deeply concerned with, and
education, tackling disease and epidemics, and ensuring Kindly Light”) which retain in his own time fought what
environmental sustainability. Indeed, with the papal visit their value to our day. to the subject in modern thought. His own Pope Benedict has called “the dictatorship of
taking place just ahead of the United Nations Millennium The recognition of Newman’s greatness theology highlights and anticipates themes relativism”. Newman taught (Ratzinger has
Development Goals Summit in New York, these global issues and influence as a seminal thinker and that characterize modern theology, including pointed out) that personal conscience and truth
will be a very important part of the discussions. a profound and creative theologian has the importance of historical critical research, are profoundly linked; that conscience must be
The fact that Britain and the Vatican think alike on many grown more and more in the decades after the hermeneutics of doctrinal development, nourished as a way of obedience to objective
of these issues should not be a surprise. There is a strong his passing. He is regarded as an authentic the place of experience in the life of faith and in truth. One of Pope Benedict’s special motives
element in Catholic social teaching which teaches that we are precursor of the mid-20th century “nouvelle theology, the relationship between theology for visiting the UK at this time (it seems) is
stewards of creation with a duty to protect and pass it on to theologie”, the movement for the retrieval of and literature, the reinterpretation of the precisely to pay honor to Newman, now
successive generations. Indeed, the theme of the Pope’s New the scriptural and patristic sources of theology nature of faith. Two elements which have named ‘Venerable’, but who, after September
Year message for the World Day of Peace was “If you want to (resourcement). He was considered as the come to front-and-center in contemporary 19 and the beatification at Birmingham, the
cultivate peace, protect creation”. In his message, the Pope “invisible Father” and the “leading peritus (postmodern!) theology are already strongly Catholic Church will formally call ‘Blessed’.
described the environment as God’s gift to all people and
said that the use we make of it entails a shared responsibility
for all humanity, especially the poor and future generations. Message / B1
This fits well with the British government’s own emphasis
on the need to tackle climate change now, rather than leaving divine vocation and become mystery of communion, of our work of Christian formation and while thankful and joyful
it to future generations when the impacts will be much indispensable coworkers in the co-responsibility in building and a the general service to for having encountered him,
more catastrophic and the costs of action much higher. Our life of the Church and in making up the local Church and parish the common good through the true face of God, the
partnership is not only intellectual either. Our Department “new pathways for the gospel community, of the experience the apostolate of Catholic fullness of revelation, the
for International Development has worked for example in society” (ibid). of small faith communities, institutions of education, or by one Savior, the fulfillment of
with Catholic organizations like Caritas Internationalis and We continue to be impressed ecclesial movements and new means of the many and various every human aspiration, we
Catholic Relief Services, including on projects in different by the witness given by so communities as a precious forms of Christian presence renew our efforts to share
parts of Africa. many lay Catholics, who, gift for the life of the Church. through the means of social our Christian experience with
While government and Church will not always agree on although being such a small We want to be active, and communication, or through all of our “neighbors”, in
all issues, the opportunity for partnership is something that’s minority in this continent, are not passive nor discouraged business or in politics or in our neighborhoods, in our
very important in my mission as British ambassador to the actively engaged in the work of lay Catholics; we want to be other cultural spheres. We are schools and universities, at
Philippines. The Philippines is the third largest catholic evangelization, sustained by the protagonists in the life of our few, but we are at once present the workplace, in our dealings
country in the world, and the Church has enormous influence, belonging to the communion of local Churches in affective and everywhere, moved by love for with others. This is not a
including through the many religious orders that deliver the Catholic Church, and effective communion with our all of our brothers and sisters in marketing strategic or fanatic
important social services here. The development challenges encouraged by their conviction bishops and clergy. Asia, without any exceptions or proselytizing, but rather, simply
outlined above are especially acute. Last year, typhoons of being brothers and sisters John Paul II had once referred discrimination. We are proud the fruit of an Encounter, for as
Ondoy and Pepeng highlighted the country’s vulnerability with those who, while spread to those who believe in Christ in of the richness of our ancient Pope Benedict XVI explained in
to changing weather patterns. Just this month the Philippine throughout the world, make this continent as a “small flock” cultural traditions, and, at the his message: “Those who have
Government has cast doubt on the country’s ability to meet the up those billion of baptized entrusted with a great mission: same time, motivated to share found in Jesus the truth, joy
Millennium Development Goals. That’s why when I arrived Catholics, as well as the heroic that of bearing witness to Jesus our faith in Jesus Christ, the and beauty which give meaning
here last year one of the first meetings I asked my office to testimonies of faith that have Christ, that is, the supreme fulfillment of every human and direction to their lives will
arrange was with Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales, and it is why, been bequeathed to us by service and the greatest gift aspiration. naturally desire to bring this
whenever I travel around the country, I try to meet the local brothers and sisters from our that the Church can offer the Dear brothers and sisters. grace to others” (ibid).
bishop. Just this month I met Bishop Leopoldo Jaucian, Bishop own continent who have gone people of Asia (cf. Post-synodal Asia is currently undergoing Take courage friends! The
of Bangued in Abra and heard about his work to address before us and now form part of Apostolic Exhortation Ecclesia unprecedented processes Risen Christ has won for us the
violent conflict in that province. the communion of the saints. in Asia, 10, 20). We are a small of growth and social final victory! Evil no longer has
Another area of great interest to me in the Philippines, We have been particularly flock then, that does not suffer transformation. Its immense the final word. Love has proved
and where the church has a very important role to play, is edified by those who bear a complex or fear from being population and rapid economic itself stronger than death,
in the promotion of interfaith dialogue to address conflict. courageous witness to their a minority, nor wants to be growth make it a significant hatred, indifference! The power
The Pope has voiced his support for peace negotiations in faith in civil societies where contained within the walls of epicenter at the international of the God’s grace strengthens
Mindanao. The efforts of the Bishops Ulama Conference the religious freedom of the the Church; rather, we feel the level. Nevertheless, it faces our weakness. We are invited
of the Philippines to promote dialogue between different individual is either denied call to be ‘leaven that causes serious problems regarding to generously share with others
faith communities are an important part of this. What they or restricted, or those who the dough to rise’, salt that the promotion of freedom, this fullness that we have
are doing resonates strongly with Britain’s own experience suffer hostility from religious seasons’ and light that shines justice, solidarity and the received, this great treasure,
of resolving conflict in Northern Ireland, where different fundamentalist, or those who for this entire continent. In development of more humane this pearl of great price, which
religious groups and churches came together to try to heal because of their faith, are these days, many have shared living conditions. In light of is Jesus Christ, even if we carry
divisions and build support for the peace process—a peace threaten and persecuted by with us their encouraging this, we are convinced that the this treasure in earthen vessels.
process which the Vatican has frequently praised and cited government authorities. How experiences of fraternal unique Christian contribution We bear witness to a miraculous
as an example for others to follow. The papal visit to Britain true, also for our times and ecumenism with Christians could be essential towards the source of unity, to a mystery
will have its own interfaith element. The Holy Father will continent is the maxim of of other confessions as well as resolution of these problems of communion, to which every
meet leaders of other Christian traditions and take part in a Tertullian: “The blood of others who live harmonious for the good of our people. So, human person is called, and
service of evening prayer at Westminster Abbey in London, martyrs is the seed of the and in dialogue with those before this enormous task, we for which every human heart
with the spiritual head of the Church of England, Archbishop Church”! who are adherents to other are sustained by the certainty desires in its depths. We are
of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams. We have reflected on religions. Also moving have that, just as the Synod for Asia the bearers of the most supreme
An important part of the Catholic Church’s strength is its numerous ideas and exchanged been those who live Christian pointed out and as the Holy good for the Asia people of
ability to combine global reach with local influence. I hope many experiences during charity top a heroic degree in Father repeated in his message, today and tomorrow. May
this will be true too of the Papal visit: an opportunity to this Congress. Above all, their service to the poorest “the peoples of Asia need Jesus God assist us all in this tasks
strengthen ties between Britain and the Vatican on a range we have focused on the of the poor, not to mention Christ and his Gospel because and may the Blessed Mother,
of global initiatives, but also an opportunity to reaffirm and Christian identity of the lay the eloquent examples of the this continent is thirsting for the accompany us, console us,
celebrate the faith of individuals and the role of faith in faithful, on the importance “domestic Church” given by water that Jesus alone can give”. and intercede for us before her
building strong communities. of Christian initiation and so many families. We have also (cf. Letter of Pope Benedict XVI Son, enlightening our way and
ongoing formation, on our considered the dedicated work to Cardinal Ryłko). preceding us as the “Bright star
belonging to Church as a of many who are engaged in the Thus, by the grace of God, of the New Evangelization”.
 Statements
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 19
September 13 - 26, 2010
B5

Christians and Muslims: A Statement on the

Together in overcoming violence among Mahaba Evacuation
followers of different religions “Do not defile the land where you live
and where I dwell.” (Num. 35:34)
(Message of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue on the THIS Scriptural passage from the book of Numbers is so apt
occasion of the end of Ramadan; Id al-Fitr 1431 H. / 2010 a.d.) to what is happening in the country today, i.e., the incidence
of human rights violations which has escalated in areas where
the military and the rebel groups are fighting. However, it is
the innocent civilians who, needless to say are subjected most
to human rights violations. The situation is most deplorable,
and we cannot deplore it enough.
The Sept. 3 incident, i.e., the displacement and forced
evacuation of 164 families consisting of 754 individuals, 98
children ages 0-5 years old and seven pregnant women from
Brgy. Mahaba in Marihatag Surigao del Sur, due to intense
military operation is a concrete example. After seven days of
dialogue and negotiations mediated by the Marihatag LGU,
it ended in impasse.
The evacuees boarded in public utility jeepneys but the
perpetrators vented their ire on the drivers whose driver’s
licenses were confiscated, and were taking pictures of the
evacuees. A clear violation of their right to privacy and the
drivers who were just willing to help them. The evacuees
are currently at the Marihatag municipal gym whose trauma
deepened at the way the perpetrators treated them. The
perpetrators were elements from the 36th IB of the Philippine
Army under the command of Lt. Col. Rene Canete, Master Sgt.
Alex Abubakar, and elements of the Scout Rangers and P/Ins
Ray Sorreda. The perpetrators illegally arrested, detained,
tortured, harassed and vilified the peasant leaders.
As Rural Missionaries journeying with the peasants in
the countryside, we listen to the voice of the rural poor and

Dear Muslim Friends,
1. ‘Id Al-Fitr, which concludes Ramadan,
presents, once again, a favorable occasion
to convey to you the heartfelt wishes of
serenity and joy on behalf of the Pontifical
Council for Interreligious Dialogue.
Throughout this month, you have
committed yourselves to prayer, fasting,
helping the neediest and strengthening
relations of family and friendship. God
will not fail to reward these efforts!
2. I am delighted to note that believers
of other religions, especially Christians,
are spiritually close to you during these
days, as is testified by the various friendly
meetings which often lead to exchanges
of a religious nature. It is pleasing to me
also to think that this Message could be a
positive contribution to your reflections.
3. The theme proposed this year by
the Pontifical Council, Christians and
Muslims: Together in overcoming violence
among followers of different religions,
is, unfortunately, a pressing subject, at
least in certain areas of the world. The
Joint Committee for Dialogue instituted
by the Pontifical Council and al-Azhar
Permanent Committee for Dialogue
reflection and exchange during its last
annual meeting (Cairo, 23 - February 24,
2010). Permit me to share with you some
of the conclusions published at the end
of this meeting.
4. There are many causes for violence
among believers of different religious
traditions, including: the manipulation
of the religion for political or other
ends; discrimination based on ethnicity
or religious identity; divisions and
social tensions. Ignorance, poverty,
underdevelopment are also direct or
indirect sources of violence among as well
as within religious communities. May the
civil and religious authorities offer their
contributions in order to remedy so many
situations for the sake of the common good
of all society! May the civil authorities
safeguard the primacy of the law by
ensuring true justice to put a stop to the
authors and promoters of violence!
5. There are important recommendations
also given in the above mentioned text: to
open our hearts to mutual forgiveness and
reconciliation, for a peaceful and fruitful
coexistence; to recognize what we have in
common and to respect differences, as a
www.hispeaceuponus.files.wordpress.com
take care of them, hence we believe this incident is still a
continuation of the government’s implementation of the
counter-insurgency campaign Oplan Bantay Laya 2 (OBL
2) of the previous administration (i.e. GMA) which has
contributed in the increase of human rights violations. As
part of OBL 2 the government, through the military, targets
civilians suspected as supporters of the New People’s Army
(NPA), members and leaders of legal democratic organizations
and critics of the government. These farmers and their families
are organized and united in opposing the large scale mining
in their barangay, hence were labeled and vilified. We call
of each human being without any bias on the concerned authorities:
related to ethnicity or religious affiliation;
necessity to promulgate just laws which * to conduct a real investigation that will truly prosecute
guarantee the fundamental equality of the perpetrators of the torture of the peasant leaders, and
all; to recall the importance of education justice for the illegal arrest, detention and harassment of other
towards respect, dialogue and fraternity peasant leaders
in the various educational arenas: at home, * to provide the much needed medical attention to the
in the school, in churches and mosques. patients who are mostly children at the evacuation center
Thus we will be able to oppose violence suffering from chicken pox, conjunctivitis, diarrhea, upper
among followers of different religions and respiratory tract diseases
promote peace and harmony among the * to provide the much needed basic needs such as food,
various religious communities. Teaching potable water, milk for the infants and children and sanitation
by religious leaders, as well as school books facilities to the evacuees.
which present religions in an objective
way, have, along with teaching in general, We also call on fellow church people and the Filipino people
a decisive impact on the education and the in general to be vigilant in defending and promoting human
formation of younger generations. rights. Our human rights will not be easily protected unless
6. I hope that these considerations, as we are united to struggle for it.
well as the responses which they elicit
within your communities, and with your Sr. Francis Añover, RSM
Christian friends, will contribute to the National Coordinator
continuation of a dialogue, growing in Rural Missionaries of the Philippines
respect and serenity, upon which I call
the blessings of God!
Jean-Louis Cardinal Tauran
President

Why do we kill prophets

among the Monotheistic Religions had basis for a culture of dialogue; to recognize Archbishop Pier Luigi Celata
also chosen this topic as a subject of study, and respect the dignity and the rights Secretary

MESSAGES and persecute them?

Statement on the 1st year Death Anniversary
Dear Muslim Friends: To all our Muslim friends and associates,
As you celebrate Eid al-Fitr ending your month-long holy fasting
of Ramadan, I greet you on behalf of the Archdiocese of Cotabato,
Salaam! For over 75 years, the Missionary Oblates of Mary
Immaculate (OMI), have toiled shoulder to shoulder with Muslims
of the murder of Fr. Cecilio Lucero
“Eid mubarak!” in Southern Philippines, specifically in the then Empire Archipelago
We share in your joy as you visit your relatives, friends and of Sulu and the then Empire Province of Cotabato. WE, of the National Clergy Discernment Group (NCDG),
neighbors. We share in your sentiments of charity as you give alms Through the years, the collaboration between Muslims and express our disgust that justice for the murder of Fr. Cecilio
and help the needy and the poor. We, Christians, have similar values Christians, as can be gleaned in the building of Notre Dame Schools, Lucero is not yet attained. We express our disappointment that
in our traditions that stem from the message and example of our clinics and other social action projects, has engendered a legacy after one year, nothing have come out of the investigation.
Lord Jesus Christ. of friendship and partnership between Christians and Muslims It was on Sept. 6, 2009, an early Sunday morning, when some
I learned that the al-Azhar Permanent Committee for Dialogue notwithstanding the vagaries of war and conflict. thirty heavily armed persons in ambush aimed its guns at Fr.
among Monotheistic Religions in Cairo is reflecting on the theme: The festival of Eid-ul-Fitr provides the occasion to renew this bond Cecilio Lucero, a priest-minister of God and servant-minister
“Together in overcoming violence among followers of different of friendship between our two faith communities. It is precisely in of the people.
religions.” The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue in the remembrance of this friendship that we are hopeful for a better Fr. Cecilio Lucero was a Roman Catholic priest, and pastor
Rome is doing the same. How imperative this topic has been for us future not only for Mindanao but also for all its inhabitants. of St. Joseph the Worker Parish of Catubig, Samar in Eastern
in the past several decades in our beloved Mindanao, especially as Our presence and work in Southern Philippines is not only a Visayas. His life and vocation mirrored his deep convictions
the search for peace hopefully resumes. witness to friendship but also a living testimony of that famous as disciple of Jesus and servant of the people. As a justice and
The month of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr stir in your hearts deep passage in the Qur’an that says: peace and human rights advocate, he headed the Catarman
religious sentiments of joy, of fellowship, and of charity. On our “Thou wilt surely find the nearest of them in love to the believers Diocesan Human Rights and Social Action Desk.
part we shall soon celebrate the season of Advent, a season for us are those who say ‘We are Christians’; that, because some of them We condemn this utterly reprehensible act and grieve over
of physical and spiritual sacrifice, a special time to combat our inner are priests and monks, and they wax not proud...” (Sura 5: 82-83) the lengths human rights violators would pursue in order to
passions and act for the good of others. May we seize the moment The OMI Philippine Province joins all Muslim communities, quell the people’s aspirations for a full and abundant life.
of these spiritual experiences to pray and act together for peace. particularly in the ARMM, in the celebration of the Feast of Eid-ul Fitr As priests, we lead the ministry to proclaim and establish
With the Almighty and most beneficent God, we can surely prevail as we continue to pray and work together for peace and progress. the reign of God amidst his people—a reign where justice is a
over all obstacles and finally come to that just and lasting peace we A greeting of Eid Mubarak to one and all! reality and peace is the fruit of our labors. This is a prophetic
all desire. ministry that priests share with all the faithful.
Once again, Eid mubarak! Rev. Ramon Ma. Bernabe, OMI The life that Fr. Cecilio Lucero chose is his way of living the
Provincial Superior, Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate prophetic witness he has received as a mandate from Jesus and
+Orlando B. Quevedo, O.M.I. Philippine Province the Church. He was an example of somebody who faced the
Archbishop of Cotabato 10 September 2010 ultimate consequences of following Jesus.
The death that Fr. Cecilio Lucero was meted out with is the
Sign / B1
example of how much evil has incarnated in our midst. Both
his life and death is an inspiration to all of us that justice is
people. The associations and ecclesial of proclaiming Jesus Christ in Asia today. the life” (Jn 14:6), and the fulfillment of
an eternal calling—a task that must be constantly acted upon
movements devoted to the promotion I am confident that the deliberations of the every human aspiration.
and a gift that must be fervently cherished. We remember the
of human dignity and justice concretely Congress will stress that the Christian life With these sentiments, I invoke upon
heroism of Fr. Cecilio Lucero and his dedicated service to the
demonstrate the universality of the Gospel and calling must be seen first and foremost all taking part in the Congress a fresh
victims of human rights abuses.
message of our adoption as children of as a source of sublime happiness and a gift outpouring of the Holy Spirit and I
We want justice to be served for Fr. Cecilio Lucero and all
God. Along with the many individuals and to be shared with others. Every Catholic willingly join in the prayer which will
victims of extra judicial killings for that matter. We are asking
groups committed to prayer and works of should be able to say, with the Apostle accompany these days of study and
the present administration to act swiftly on the case of Fr. Cecilio
charity, as well as the contribution made by Paul, “For me, to live is Christ” (Phil 1:21). discernment. May the Church in Asia
Lucero and other politically instigated killings of human rights
pastoral and parish councils, these groups Those who have found in Jesus the truth, bear ever more fervent witness to the
defenders. Prosecute all human rights violators.
play an important role in helping the joy and beauty which give meaning and incomparable beauty of being a Christian,
This is a clarion call for us to stand up and side with the
particular Churches of Asia to be built up in direction to their lives will naturally desire and proclaim Jesus Christ as the one
people who pine for justice and peace. The death of Fr. Cecilio
faith and love, strengthened in communion to bring this grace to others. Undaunted Savior of the world. Commending those
Lucero should not go in vain.
with the universal Church and renewed in by the presence of difficulties, or the present to the loving intercession of Mary,
zeal for the spread of the Gospel. enormity of the task at hand, they will Mother of the Church, I cordially impart
In behalf of the convenors,
For this reason, I pray that the present trust in the mysterious presence of the my Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of joy
Fr. Jose P. Dizon
Congress will highlight the indispensable Holy Spirit who is always at work in the and peace in the Lord.
Sept. 5, 2010
role of the lay faithful in the Church’s hearts of individuals, in their traditions
mission and develop specific programs and cultures, mysteriously opening doors From the Vatican, 10 August 2010
and initiatives to assist them in their task to Christ as “the way, and the truth and BENEDICTUS PP. XVI
 Ref lections
CBCP Monitor
B6 Vol. 14 No. 19
September 13 - 26, 2010

Blind, isolated and faithless or Christian?

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Lk 16:19-31) September 26, 2010
By Fr. Joseph Pellegrino
THE Gospel of Luke, the Gospel of
God’s compassion, the Gospel of the
lowly being raised up, challenges us
today with the parable of Lazarus and
the Rich Man. The parable is not meant
to defame those who have worked long
and hard for their financial position
in life. It is not meant to dump on the
rich. The parable is meant to help us
all to recognize the responsibilities our
positions in life demand.
The parable presents three areas of
concern: blindness, isolation and faith-
lessness.
First of all, blindness. The most terrify-
ing statement in the parable comes at the
beginning: the Rich Man is in hell. From
hell he lifts up his eyes and sees Lazarus.
His eyes had never met Lazarus’ eyes
before. Yes, the Rich Man may have
noticed Lazarus in stinky, dirty clothes
begging for food as the Rich Man opened
his front door to greet his guests for yet
another dinner party. He may even have
called the police to complain about the
vagrant who was a living eyesore at his
gate. But he never saw Lazarus, a man
like him, only a man who was hungry.
People in Jesus’ time would dip into
stew pots with bread, bite off what they
wanted and just throw whatever was
left onto the floor. Lazarus longed to eat
the scraps that fell from the Rich Man’s
table. Lazarus wasn’t even given these
scraps. The dogs got them. And then the
dogs went outside and licked Lazarus’
sores. The Rich Man never saw this. He
never saw Lazarus, as a fellow human
being. His possessions made him blind
to those around him. The first time that
the Rich Man really saw Lazarus as a
person, not as an eyesore, was when it
was too late. From Hell the Rich Man
looked up and saw Lazarus.
Perhaps we have walked down a street
and come upon someone calling out for
food or help. What are we inclined to
do? Are we inclined to make believe that
we do not see him? Do our eyes glance
elsewhere, so we don’t meet his eyes? Or
perhaps we make immediate judgments.
We glance at someone and decide that
this may be a drug addict, or an alcoholic,
perhaps a thief, maybe someone suffer- competition for law school or medical our families? How can the community world. It is not relevant to the Church
ing from a terrible disease that has been school. So the student isolates himself make a claim to what is mine? whether the suffering are Christians
caused by their lifestyle. But we don’t or herself to hoard his intellectual gifts. Ultimately, all that we have belongs or not. It is not relevant to the Church
see a person. Because we have worked He gets an A in all his courses, but he to someone else. That someone else is whether or not, or to what degree if
hard to care for our families, we are flunks life. God. We are all stewards of His cre- any at all, those suffering have brought
inclined to be blind to those whom we The extreme case of those who isolate ation. Again, this does not just refer to pain on themselves. What matters is
assume have not worked for the mini- themselves to hoard their possessions is possessions, it refers to intelligence, to that the Church has a responsibility to
mal sustenance they need to survive. that of the miser. The miser is miserable. artistic talent, to the ability to lead, etc. aid the suffering. The Church would
We are more con- All that we have not be Catholic if it did not exercise its
cerned with what is God’s. It flows responsibility to the total community
we have done and from Him and is of the world. The word catholic means
what they have or only beneficial to universal. Nor would the individual be
have not done, than us if it leads back a Christian if he or she isolated himself
we are concerned to Him. We are all or herself from those reaching out for
with their present going to be called help. We cannot allow our wealth to
needs. So we walk to give an account isolate us. We are Church. The Christian
by the Lazaruses of for all that we have can never be comfortable as long as one
the world without been given. Here brother or one sister cries out in vain for
even really seeing we are challenged bread or justice or love.
them. Our posses- with a frightening Along with warning us to be careful
sions and the hard verse also from the lest our possessions lead us to blindness
work it takes for Gospel of Luke, or isolation, the parable of the Rich Man
us to obtain them Luke 12:48: “To and Lazarus warns us to be careful or our
can easily render those who have possessions will lead us to faithlessness.
us blind. been given much, The one true need that we have in life
“Look and see,” a great account is the need to have a meaningful life, a
the parable tells must be given.” purpose for our existence. Purpose and
us. Look and see This applies to the meaning can only be found in God. But
someone to whom spiritual realm, to possess God means that we have to
we can reach out. the Grace of God look beyond all that is mundane. Some-
That person, that we have received, times, we fight this call to Love. It is too
Lazarus at our gates, and to the physical demanding for us. So, what do we do?
might be the means realm, our material We hide behind our stuff. We want to
for our salvation. blessings. These find meaning in the amount we have
Maybe that person words are fright- accumulated. We let our material posses-
was placed there ening because they sions define us. We condemn ourselves
by the Lord to help apply to us who to a life of futility. We condemn ourselves
us get beyond the live in the richest to our own hells.
blindness inflicted and most materi- Maybe, though, if someone were to
by our possessions. alistic nation in the rise from the dead, we would change
The parable also world.
www.digitalcrocker.org
our priorities. Maybe if someone were
warns us to be con- We cannot allow to rise from the dead we would be infi-
cerned about being our possessions to nitely more concerned with the spiritual
isolated. We have isolate us from the than we are with the physical. Maybe
to be careful or our community. The if someone were to rise from the dead
possessions will great American we would use our gifts, our talents, our
isolate us from the spiritual writer of intelligence, and our possessions to reach
community. It is easy for us to form the Or is the term, miser-able? His posses- the last century, Thomas Merton, wrote: out to the presence of God in others. “If
mentality that what we have is totally sions have taken control of him. He has “No man goes to heaven alone.” No only someone were to rise from the dead,
and only ours. It is easy to assume that built up a wall to the community and woman either. We all receive our salva- my brothers would change their lives,”
we have no obligation to others. This lives and dies in isolation. tion as members of a community, the cried the Rich Man.
does not just refer to financial wealth. It But does the community have a Body of Christ. But Someone has risen from the dead.
refers to anything we might possess. For right to that which belongs to you and We need to follow the lead of the He has called us to have faith in him
example, a brilliant college student may belongs to me? Didn’t we work hard universal Church. Our wonderful instead of faith in our possessions. His
refuse to help another student whom for our positions of authority, or for the Catholic Church continually reaches out name is Jesus. Today we plead with Him
he or she might see as possible future wonderful things we want to provide for to the poor and suffering throughout the to help us be Christians.

Bo Sanchez

SOULFOOD Bishop Pat Alo

The Dreamer grows up
WHEN I was a kid, I dreamt of owning a Voltes
V robot.
If you’re my age and lived somewhere in Asia,
you know what I’m talking about.
You must have seen it: a 6-inch metal figure
with a tiny head, a sword handle on its chest, and
rectangular arms and legs. During my time, if you
walked in a toy store, half of the floor space would
be occupied by Voltes V robots. And every seven
seconds, you’d hear a little boy scream, “Let’s volt
in!”
Oh, I prayed for it, craved for it, and salivated
whenever I saw it in the store.
It was The Christmas gift. No other toy could
compare.
On Christmas Eve, I’d rip open my gifts, and if I
saw that it was a silly shirt, or a toy car, or a rubber
ball, or a grand piano (just kidding)—I’d toss it and
rip open the next gift—hoping that someone gave
me The gift that mattered.
But no one did.
Because those robots sold for a steep P700—and
during my time, that was worth a lot of mullah.
My parents just couldn’t afford it.
So for a year, I dreamt of owning the robot.
But I never did own one.
I remember just staring at them whenever a
classmate would bring it to school. Once, my friend
said, “Do you want to touch it, Bo? Just one second.”
I reached for it, my finger touching the cold metal
of the six-inch robot. “Okay, that’s enough,” my
classmate said, pulling it away.
Many years have passed since then.
In the meantime, the Voltes V craze died a natural
death—and my dream to own a toy robot died
with it too.
Some of Your Dreams Are Meant to Die to Tell
You That You Need to Grow Up
Some 30 years later, I walked into a toy store.
And lo and behold—in one corner shelf, I saw
once again the Voltes V robot like the dead rising
from its grave. Though the cartoon series has long
been cancelled, a toy company is betting that big
kids like me may wish to own them for nostalgia’s
sake.
How much does it cost today? P17,000.
Hey, I could now afford it. I could, at that very
moment, display a few of them around my room,
and fulfill my long-time dream.
But the problem was that Voltes V was no longer
my dream. The sight of Voltes V reminded me that
not ALL of our dreams have to be fulfilled.
It may simply mean that the Dreamer has grown
up.
It simply means that there are Superficial Dreams
and there are Soul Dreams.
Dreams that spring from your soul—your deepest
desires—are what I call Soul Dreams.
Knowing what you really, really, really want in
life is the power that can fuel you to success.
ENCOUNTERS
Reconciliatory solutions
THE countless victims of the many wars
and conflicts, the desperate hostage-taking,
the homicides of our world, the distressed
evacuations and sufferings of people and
children, and the very fact that no amount,
however great, could ever pay for the lives lost
or murdered. And that is basic in God’s law, the
fifth commandment—“Thou shall not kill” (Ex.
20:13), expressed in the Old Testament.
But Jesus Christ, God’s only-begotten Son,
upon whom God the Father showed His approval
during the transfiguration with the words: “This
is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favor. Listen
to him” (cf. Mt. 17:5), tells us a deeper approach
for obtaining peace, an approach of forgiveness,
understanding and reconciliation. God’s word
defines love as: “humble, patient and forgiving:
(cf. 1 Cor. 13:4-13).
You may get a cue from that proverbial saying:
lose a battle but win the war. We win the war
when we obtain peace, save lives and progress
further in the deeper relationships of love and
understanding. Like in the game of chess, you
can sacrifice a pawn to obtain over-all victory.
Yes, humble your pride, reconcile, and obtain
peace and love.
So we must listen to God’s beloved Son, Jesus
Christ, the Messiah, the very hope and expectation
of all the ages and nations, that even the years are
counted from His birth, year one, A.D. (Anno
Domini), the year of the Lord. “I tell you, then,
that if you are not righteous in a much broader
way than the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees,
you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. You
have heard that it was said to our people in the
past: ‘Do not commit murder; anyone who does
kill will have to face trial.’ But I tell you: whoever
gets angry with a brother or sister will have to face
trial. Whoever insults a brother or sister deserves to
be brought before the council; whoever humiliates
a brother or sister deserves to be thrown into the
fire of hell. So, if you are about to offer your gift
at the altar and you remember that your brother
has something against you, leave your gift there
in front of the altar, go at once and make peace
with him, and then come back and offer your gift
to God. Don’t forget this: be reconciled with your
opponent quickly when you are together on the
way to court. Otherwise he will turn you over to
the judge, who will hand you over to the police,
who will put you in jail. There you will stay until
you have paid the last penny” (Mt. 5:20-26).
People have somehow to realign concepts of
justice and right conduct by the light of God’s
Son, Jesus, the light of the world (cf. Jn. 8:12),
the Prince of peace.

Fr. Francis Ongkingco

WHATEVER
“PEPE!” Joel waved at his friend who
was waiting for a jeep. “Hey, dude! Wait
up!” Pepe, an engineering student waved
back and waited while he readjusted his
knapsack’s shoulder strap.
Joel said, “You no longer seem to like
hanging out with us at the lobby these
days. You seem to leave school so early
these days?” Being Pepe’s childhood
friend gave Joel confidence to ask him
anything.
“Oh, it’s nothing,” Pepe shrugged his
shoulders. “It’s simply that I have some
other things to attend to.”
“Hey, way to go!” Joel said. “Don’t tell
me you’re making some extra bucks with
your sideline on webpage designing
over the net.”
“Well, not exactly,” Pepe replied. A
jeep pulled over at the shed and the two
of them boarded the vehicle.
“So what exactly are you up to these
days?” Joel prodded his friend more.
“I teach catechism at a nearby public
school,” Pepe answered.
“Whoa! Teaching? I thought you
wanted to be a rich businessman?”
“Yes, but I guess it won’t hurt helping
out some kids who need to learn a little
more about their faith,” Pepe pulled out
his wallet.
“Dude, I remember you used to do
this stuff back in high school. But it was
more like because it was a requirement,”
Joel recalled.
“Yeah, but when I was invited by
The Catechizer
some friends to volunteer some of
my time to teach, then I found more
meaning in it.”
“Really?”
“Well, teaching kids in a public school
is different from what we did back then.
For example, I saw and realized that
a lot of kids get taught about science,
math and English. It is already sad that
there seems to be no focus to address
their spiritual needs. And what is
worse is that these basic subjects are
rudimentarily taught and within rustic
conditions given our country’s laidback
educational system. And now they want
to teach sex education as if this will
solve promiscuity and teen pregnancy.
If you can’t even teach them basic
reading and writing, and you expect
them to understand something more
complicated and delicate? Come on,
give me a break! ”
“You have a point there,” Joel said.
“Moreover, I thought, I wanted to
give these kids something truly lasting,
even eternal. I could readily teach math,
science and English, but there will be
others who can teach these. I felt that
helping them to learn and live their faith
is a treasure they will always carry with
them.” Pepe began counting the coins
in his wallet.
“That’s really cool, dude. I never saw
it that way.”
“You know the other day, they told
me about someone who used to teach
where I am now teaching. Well, he
was walking in the mall and suddenly
someone called him. He was surprised
because he didn’t recognize the woman.
It turned out that this lady used to be
one of the elementary students in his
catechism class.”
“Wow, and to think that the student
still recognized him?”
“Yeah, I know. But what’s even more
moving was that she thanked him for
having taught her catechism and how
to pray the Holy Rosary. The woman
emotionally shared that because of
what she learned, she was able to teach
her parents the prayers she learned,
and even her own children to say the
Whatever / B7

CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 19
September 13 - 26, 2010
Congress of Asian Catholic Laity
THE final Mass to mark the
close of the Congress of Asian
Catholic Laity was celebrated
this morning at 10 a.m. in English,
presided by Nicholas Cardinal
Cheong Jinsuk, Archbishop
of Seoul. The procession of
Cardinals, Bishops and priests
solemnly entered the Cathedral,
which was filled to standing
room only with the participants
of the Congress and the local lay
Korean faithful.
Cardinal Nicholas began his
homily praising the Lord for
the countless blessing bestowed
upon the Congress and all those
participating in it. Citing today’s
Gospel, he related the message
of the Gospel with the Congress.
“‘Whoever does not carry his
own cross and come after me
cannot be my disciple.’(Lk
14:27) Today’s Gospel is very
appropriate to the conclusion of
the Congress of Asian Catholic
Laity for it indicates the most
effective way of ‘Proclaiming
Jesus Christ in Asia Today.’ ”
He told the visiting participants
Sept 4 / B3
impregnate every culture”. He
warned of the dangers involved
with enculturation, such as
“syncretism or a dangerous
irenecism”. He reiterated that,
“when we speak of enculturation
of the Gospel, we must never
forget that faith is not identified
with any one culture, but
is capable of permeating all
cultures.”
He recognized that the “ques-
tion of the formation of a mature
laity, conscious of their vocation
and mission in the Church and
the world was a central part of
discussions during the Con-
gress”. “This important task
should be be placed among the
priorities of a diocese. It ought
to be so placed within the plan
of pastoral action that the efforts
of the whole community (clergy,
lay faithful and religious) con-
verge on this goal”.
He concluded his intervention
saying that “The end goal of
every itinerary of authentically
Christian formation is holiness.
It is important to speak about
this at the end of this Congress
which saw the participation of a
significant representation of the
Catholic laity of Asia. Listening
to the voices of saints, we can
realize that “holiness is not a
utopia, but the fascinating goal
which Christ promises to all the
baptized.”
Cardinal Nicholas Cheong
Jin-suk
Nicholas Cardinal Cheong
Jinsuk, Archbishop of Seoul,
began his speech referring to
these days of the Congress as
“days of ‘Communion’ of the
Church in Asia,” and compared
it to “another Pentecost” where
the presence of the Holy Spirit
has aided all those present to,
“share(d) our experience of
faith, hope and love, no matter
our differences of culture,
language or social situation.”
He then proceeded to thank
all those participating in the
Congress and all involved in
organizing it. He extended his
warm gratitude to our Holy
Father Pope Benedict XVI for
“his fatherly encouragement
and prayers,” and to His
Eminence Cardinal Stanisław
Ryłko and members of the
Pontifical Council for the Laity,
with special thanks to the local
organizing committee, guided
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of the Congress that traditionally
in Korea, September is dedicated
as the ‘Month of Martyrs’ and
remarked on the significance
of having the Congress and
concluding it in this time united
to the heroic witnesses given by
countless lay faithful of Korea
about 230 years ago. He used
the words from Ecclesia in Asia
to exhort everyone to a greater
witness of our love for Christ.
“It is clear that there can be no
effective witness of lives unless
Christians carry their cross in
their own lives… ‘There can
be no true proclamation of the
Gospel unless Christians also
offer the witness of lives in
harmony with the message they
preach.’(Ecclesia in Asia, 42)”
The Cardinal recalled how the
Church in South Korea has been
flourishing throughout the years
and how after the Second Vatican
Council, “the Church in Korea
has been firmly committed to the
mission of serving the person and
society as well as the mission of
directly proclaiming the Good
by Professor Dr. Thomas Hong
Soon-han.
Cardinal Nicholas reaffirmed
our faith and trust in the Holy
Spirit stating, “In spite of the
presence of many obstacles to
spread the Gospel, we share
our hope in the Holy Spirit.
We are aware that tasks like
enculturation, ecumenism, lack
of religious freedom or other
problems mentioned during the
Congress are not easy to resolve.
But He is leading us. He makes
sure that the seed of the Gospel is
always fruitful, especially when
we share the burden of the Cross
of our Lord. We are aware that
we have a difficult challenge
to proclaim Jesus Christ, being
a minority in our culture and
society. But there is a vivid
enthusiasm in all of us, to become
a faithful instrument of God, and
descendants of the martyrs,
especially a commitment of
renewing ourselves to be more
opened to the teachings of the
Holy Spirit.”
Archbishop Thomas
Menaparampil of Guwahati,
India
Archbishop Thomas
Menamparampil, Bishop of
Guwahati made some brief
comments regarding the work
of evangelization in countries
that are predominantly non-
Christian. He cautioned us on
several attitudes and methods,
among them was the prudence
which we need to work. We
should not invite persecution,
he said, “through a lack of
sensibility to the cultures,
especially important among
Asian people, and avoid
imprudent, arrogant, harsh
attitudes.” We need to first
survive, then live in an ordinary
way, then move within the
boundaries of our situation,
and then be creative in so far as
these boundaries allow. “When
the persecution is too severe, the
faith is crushed.”
He reminded us that,
“Friendship is the best bridge
for evangelization. Jesus was
able to relate to the hearts of
the people around Him because
he was able to developed
intimate friendships… Once this
relationship is made, anything
could be said to our friends.”
He used the example of Jesus
reprimanding Peter when he
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Features
September 5, 2010
News.” He continued, “The lay
faithful have constantly been
inspired with the missionary
spirit.”
He motivated the Asian
Churches, instilling confidence
in the Holy Spirit and the grace
of God, not to be discouraged
at being a minority. He said,
“Such a case of the Church in
Korea eloquently shows us that
our being minority must not
discourage us at all. We need
to develop a spirituality of a
minority Church, which albeit
small in number, must all the
same be strong and dynamic
like the Church of the early
Christians.”
He concluded his homily
exhorting the assembly to rise
to the challenge of our baptismal
vocation. “It is time for the new
apostles to act as witnesses of
Christ without being afraid and
to consecrate Asia as a continent
of hope for humanity.”
As an expression of the
diversity of gifts with which
the laity embellish the life of the
told him, “Get behind me,
Satan…” (cf. Matt 16:23)
He also said that, “All the other
relationships are strengthened
as our relationship with Jesus
Christ grows and deepens. It
is this that gives us the moral
authority in dealing with people
around us.”
Brief testimonies from
delegates
The floor was then opened
for delegates to spontaneously
make one minute testimonies
of their personal experience or
reflections during these days of
the Congress. Many insightful
comments were made. Everyone
wanted to make a comment of
the blessings they had received,
but the session had to be cut
short due to lack of time.
Letter to the Holy Father
The letter addressed to His
Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI
was read by Pilar Ferrer on
behalf of the participants of
the Congress of Asian Catholic
Laity.
Warm words were conveyed
by the participants to thank the
Holy Father. “We have certainly
felt accompanied and sustained
by the Universal Church, and
above all, by Your Holiness.
We have been touched by your
paternal affection and closeness,
expressed in the words of
encouragement and guidance
that you addressed to us in your
letter to Cardinal Stanisław Ryłko
on the occasion of the opening of
this Congress. We thank you for
this initiative of your Pontifical
Council for the Laity, which we
consider a tangible sign of the
universal ministry and untiring
missionary care of the Successor
of Peter.”
The Participants, realizing the
task that lay before them, and
renewed in spirit by the graces
that God has blessed them with
during these days, promised
the Pope of their commitment
to dedicate themselves actively
to proclaiming the Good News,
not afraid of the obstacles that
may lie ahead of them.
Letter to the faithful of Asia
Then, as a sign of solidarity
and commitment, a letter to
the faithful of Asia was read by
Prof. Thomas Hong Soon-han,
Ambassador of Korea to the
Holy See, on behalf of all the
(Given Name)
Church and assist in fulfilling
the mission, in addition to the
bread and wine, other gifts
were presented to the altar:
flowers—symbolizing beauty
and life; Bible—the Good News
that is proclaimed; a painting of
the Korean Martyrs—symbol of
the missionary spirit; a copy of
Christifideles Laici—the ‘magna
carta’ for the laity; and finally
the Congress Emblem—a sign of
solidarity with all those present
for the Congress.
Before the final blessing,
Cardinal Nicholas Cheong,
Cardinal Stanisław Ryłko, Cardinal
Telesphore Toppo and Bishop
Josef Clemens, handed out to all
the participants of the Congress
a wooden cross—a sign of the
lay faithful’s participation in the
discipleship of Christ, and a rosary
blessed by His Holiness Pope
Benedict XVI, as a sign of union
with Christ’s Vica on earth.
Cardinal Ryłko then awarded
medals to those whose
contributions were pivotal in
making the Congress a reality.
participants of this Congress.
In attendance at the Congress
were Bishops, Priests, Religious
and many delegates of Apostolic
Movements from all across
Asia.
The letter began, “To all of you
we wish to express our profound
sentiments of gratitude, joy and
hope, which stems from our
participation in this Congress
of Asian Catholic Laity, held
in Seoul, Korea from August
31 to September 5, 2010 under
the auspices of the Pontifical
Council for the Laity and in
collaboration with different
sectors of the Catholic Church
in Korea.
The letter tried to convey the
need for greater fidelity and
love for Jesus Christ, who is the
source of all goodness. “During
these days, we have gained
a renewed understanding of
greatness and timeliness of
this mission that stems from
the grace of our Baptism and
the personal and transforming
encounter with Christ which, as
in the case of St Paul, becomes
a “source of sublime happiness
and a gift to share with others”
(cf. Letter of Pope Benedict XVI
to Cardinal Ryłko).”
It also encouraged and
motivated the Asian Catholics
to a greater call to apostleship.
“We want to be active, and
not passive nor discouraged
lay Catholics; we want to be
protagonists in the life of our
local Churches in affective and
effective communion with our
bishops and clergy… John Paul
II had once referred to those who
believe in Christ in this continent
as a “small flock” entrusted with
a great mission: that of bearing
witness to Jesus Christ…We are
a small flock then, that does not
suffer a complex or fear from
being a minority, nor wants to
be contained within the walls of
the Church; rather, we feel the
call to be ‘leaven that causes the
dough to rise’, salt that seasons’
and light that shines for this
entire continent.
The letter concluded by
inviting the faithful of Asia to
recognize the great gift of the
faith received so as to be bearers
of the Light of the Gospel. “We
are invited to generously share
with others this fullness that
we have received, this great
treasure, this pearl of great price,
(Middle Name)
B7
www.newsupdatedospo.blogspot.com
which is Jesus Christ, even if we for ourselves! We must share it
carry this treasure in earthen with others! We must cultivate
vessels. We bear witness to a the friendships we made in these
miraculous source of unity, days with delegates from other
to a mystery of communion, countries!”
to which every human person He continued, alluding to
is called, and for which every the events of tomorrow’s Mass,
human heart desires in its “each participant will receive
depths. We are the bearers of a small cross—the emblem of
the most supreme good for the missionaries of Christ—and
the Asia people of today and a rosary, a gift of the Holy
tomorrow. Father. This is the ceremony
that will seal the Congress of
Word of thanks Asian Catholic Laity, a telling
The Cong r ess of Asia n sign of how much the Church in
Catholic Laity was officially Asia counts on the responsible
declared over with the final commitment of its laity.”
address by Cardinal Stanisław He concluded by asking
Ryłko. He gave thanks to prayers for Pontifical Council for
God for showering upon the the Laity to be able to continue its
event and all the participants mission in service of the Church
an abundance of grace. The and the faithful.
Cardinal deliberately took time Later in the evening, the
and care to give sincere thanks to participants were treated to
all those who made the Congress a cultural performance of
possible, a very fine detail of his traditional Korean music and
paternal heart. dance as a farewell gift to the
He set the standard to motivate Congress participants by the
and challenge the participants Catholic Community of Korea.
to be heroic missionaries, “we (Source: Pontifical Council
cannot keep this precious treasure for the Laity)
Whatever / B6
same prayers. She added that it has not only helped them through
life materially, but has always preserved the unity and peace in her
family ever since.”
“Hey dude, you’re giving me goose pimples!” Joel rubbed his
arms. “And you, you must have your own story?”
“Well, ehhr…I guess…,” Pepe was a bit reluctant.
“Oh, come on, Pepe, what are friends for. ‘Sides, you might even
convince me to start teaching too.”
“Well, the other week, I’m ashamed to say that I was actually about
to call it quits. You see, the condition of the school is lamentable.
The children are crammed into small wooden benches, they’re
sweating profusely and they smell. Worse of all, they’re really not
up to learning anything.”
“Oops, that doesn’t sound like my cup of tea,” Joel rectified.
“So there…, I was thinking that there wasn’t really much I could
do with that kind of setup. After preparing the classes, then giving
them the best that I could, all I end up with are my deaf ears and
hoarse voice.”
“But you’re still at it,” Joel marveled.
“One day, after class, I was rushing to pack my things and get
out of that dilapidated shoebox. Anyway, I was telling myself: this
will be my last day. I will inform the organizers that I can’t put up
with the setup. As I headed for the school gate, one of the little girls
in my class ran after me. She was one of those silent and shy types.
In fact, she didn’t even seem to understand my classes, she didn’t
memorize the prayers well and never participated in any of the class
games.” The jeepney stopped at an intersection.
“Then what?” Joel was hanging on his friend’s words.
“Oh, she tugged at my sleeve and then whispered the words that I will
never forget and that urged me to continue teaching,” Pepe said.
“What did she say?”
“Thank you, Jesus.”
Laity / B3
Because of this, all of us, for you a tender refuge and source
while in affective and effective of consolation and renewed
communion with the Successor
of Peter, the Universal Shepherd,
and while confirming our faith in
strength in difficult moments.
But, it is above all, each and every
one of us who entrust ourselves
the admirable teaching of Your to your prayers. Holy Father,
Holiness, and while surprised we ask that you remember us
and edified by the serenity and before the Lord. Remember those
gentleness with which you guide who bear witness to our Lord
us while sustaining the weight of Jesus Christ, at times in a heroic
the cross, and while supported degree, in many difficult places
by the Catholicity of the Church in our continent. Remember us
and the communion of saints, as you invoke the intercession
want to proclaim always and of great saints, martyrs and
everywhere that the Risen Christ missionaries who have gone
has won for us the definitive before us, proclaiming the faith in
victory and is our ultimate and our lands. Remember especially,
lasting peace. the lay faithful of Asia, their
Throughout this Congress families, their communities, their
we have been praying for you associations and movements, so
and for your ministry, and for that in the practice of their faith,
your intentions. Our prayers hope and love there will shine
are always with you so that the glory of Christ.
the grace of Our Lord enables
you to be ever more strong and Congress Participants
courageous. May our Blessed September 4, 2010
Mother, the Holy Virgin Mary, be Seoul, Korea
 B8
Genetic engineers and live-in
partners Clive (Adrien Brody)
and Elsa (Sarah Polley) specialize
in creating new life forms by
splicing genes from different
animal species, in the hope that
the results would contain new
nutrients that will solve ills
(like hunger) and cure illnesses
(like cancer). They work for
Nucleic Exchange Research and
Development (NERD), which
takes pride in the couple’s
creations, Fred and Ginger,
“designer species” that look
like blobs of raw animal fat but
which, being male and female,
are expected to procreate.
Clive and Elsa want to take
their experiments to the next
level—splicing human genes—
but NERD prohibits them, fearing
backlash from morality groups.
The couple proceed in secrecy,
however, working nights and
using an artificial womb, and in
time their “baby” is born. The
new species looks like a sweet,
helpless hatchling but is as agile
and untamed as a wild monkey.
Extremely difficult to restrain,
the little animal wreaks havoc
in the laboratory, prompting
Clive and Elsa to smuggle it out
and confine it in their old barn.
They name it “Dren”—“nerd”
spelled backwards—and treat it
like their own offspring although
they would not take it home to
live with them.
Elsa (who lost her daughter
some years back) lavishes
attention on Dren who has grown
up looking like a bald but comely
little girl with kangaroo legs
and webbed feet. Elsa dresses
her up with her own daughter’s
clothes retrieved from the attic,
gives her dolls and stuffed
toys, puts up with her tantrums
and eating problems, but also
disciplines her as she would her
own child. Clive thinks Elsa is
getting dangerously devoted to
the indefinable creature whom
they have seen devour a live
squirrel; he suggests they put
her away, but Elsa’s reawakened
maternal instinct would render
her deaf to it.
Dren (Delphine Chaneac)
develops alarmingly fast and
blooms into adolescence. She
shows good mimetic skills but
possessing no power of speech,
MAC en COLET
Buhay Parokya
Entertainment
she can only chirp like a bird.
Elsa the mother continues to
dote on her, applying make-up
on her face and clothing her
with jewelry to match, but when
Dren starts to exhibit rebellious
teen tendencies and kills a cat,
Elsa the scientist punishes her
creation as only a spurned creator
can. Clive is torn between pity
and fear: particularly when the
increasingly attractive Dren
poses a bigger menace, having
sprouted retractable wings and
a deadly blade at the tip of her
tail. Meanwhile, Dren, now
outgrowing Barbie dolls and
teddy bears, begins to get bored
indoors and sets her eyes on
Clive who is in turn unnerved
to discover the reason behind
his strange attraction to Dren: in
creating Dren, Elsa had used her
own DNA.
It is not known whether the
makers of Splice had intended
the movie to be a warning against
human cloning and procreation,
but it certainly delivers a strong
message to genetic engineers to
stop “playing God”. More of a
sci-fi than a horror film, Splice
may be seen as a timely challenge
to scientists, lawmakers, priests,
teachers and parents—people
who are bound by ethics and
morality to moderate thought,
reason and decision affecting the
creation of life in laboratories.
Splice would have been
another B movie were it not
for the elements that elevate it
from the mundane. Brody and
Polley give A-class performances
, matching director Vincenzo
Natali’s mature handling of
what in lesser hands would have
been obscene episodes. The CGI
of Dren—from its endearing
guinea-pig like appearance in
infancy to its wickedly seductive
teen form—also suggests such a
species may in fact already be
existing.
Far from being another shriek
movie, Splice is of a genre which is
in reality counter-cultural. While
governments and “forward
looking” citizens the world over
laud the advances of genetic
science and the advantages
of stem cell research, movies
with genetic engineering and
human cloning themes, from
Frankenstein onward, flash a
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 19
September 13 - 26, 2010
Title: Splice
Cast: Adrien Brody; Sarah Moral Assessment Technical Assessment
Polley; Delphine Chané-
ac; David Hewlett; Bran-
don McGibbon; Simona  Abhorrent  Poor
 Disturbing  Below average
Măicănescu; Abigail Chu
as Young Dren  Acceptable  Average
Director: Vincenzo Natali
 Wholesome  Above average
Writers and Screenplay: Vin-
 Exemplary  E
xcellent
cenzo Natali, Antoinette
Terry Bryant and Doug
Taylor
Genre: Sci-Fi/Horror
Technical Assessment: 
½
Moral Assessment:  ½
Rating: R 14
red light warning to scientists,
“Hands off!” Is it because movies
are the mouthpiece of the human
conscience that sees what science
cannot?
While the whole movie
proffers no clear ethical or moral
resolution on the timely issue
of human cloning, the fate that
Elsa suffers in the end validates
the Catholic Church’s teaching
that creating life outside of what
Mother Nature has intended
is none of man’s business. The
script contains gems that alert
individuals would recognize as
fertile grounds for debates or
discussions on good and evil,
for they reflect the ambiguity of
man when it comes to the limits of
experimenting with the creation
of life in test tubes.
Listen well to the arguments
of Elsa and Clive, delivered with
conviction by Polley and Brody,
and you might find yourself
asking questions like: Being
their creation, is Dren the child
of Elsa and Clive? If so, would
copulation then between Clive
and Dren constitute incest? Is
the live entity resulting from
genetic engineers’ experiments
theirs to do as they please? If
human cloning is illegal, would
splicing animal with human DNA
be considered human cloning?
Would such cloning be justified
to give hope and wellness to the
hungry and the dying?
If you missed it in the theatres,
try to get a DVD copy, but watch it
only when you’re in the thinking
mode. Splice may not entertain
but it can provoke deep thought
about the meaning of creation.
(Teresa Tunay, OCDS)
Ni Bladimer Usi Title: Sa’yo Laman
Cast: Lorna Tolentino, Bea Alonzo, Christopher de Leon, Coco Martin,
Enchong Dee, Miles Ocampo
Director: Laurice Guillen
Story and Screenplay: Ricky Lee
Producer: Star Cinema
Running Time: 120 minutes
Genre: Drama
Location: Manila
Technical Assessment: 3.5
Moral Assessment: 3.5
Rating: For viewers 14 and above
Matapos mawala ng sampung taon, si Franco (Christopher de Leon) ay
magbabalik sa pag-asang siya’y muling tatanggapin at patatawarin ng kanyang
pamilyang iniwan at pinabayaan niya. Ang asawa niyang si Amanda (Lorna
Tolentino) ay nakahandang patawarin siya at tanggapin alang-alang sa kanilang
Look for the mga anak. Ngunit hindi magiging madali para sa kanila na tanggapin muli si Franco.
image of host Ang panganay na si Dianne (Bea Alonzo) ang may pinakamalalim na hinanakit
and chalice, sa ama. Si Coby (Coco Martin) naman ay pilit na lalapit sa kanyang ama dahil
chalice veil lamang sa nagrerebelde ito sa ate niyang si Dianne. Sina James (Enchong Dee) at
and sacristy. Lisa (Miles Ocampo) naman ay halos hindi na makilala ang ama dahil mga bata sila
nang sila’y iwan nito. Sa kabila ng pagpupursigi ni Amanda na ilapit si Franco sa
mga anak, magsasanga-sanga naman ang kani-kaniyang problema ng mga ito na
pilit pang maglalayo sa kanila at magpapalala sa kanilang pagkakawatak-watak.
May pag-asa pa kayang muli silang mabuo bilang pamilya?
Isang makabagbag-damdaming kuwento ang Sa ‘Yo Lamang. Sa gitna ng
dalisay at relihiyoso nitong tema ay nagawa nitong ipakita ang lahat ng aspeto
ng isang pamilya – ang maganda’t ang pangit, mga kalakasan at mga kahinaan,
mga tagumpay at mga kabiguan. Nagawa nitong magpakita hindi ng isang
“banal” na pamilya kundi ng isang ordinaryong pamilyang nagsusubok at
nagpipilit magpakabanal sa gitna ng maraming unos at pagsubok. Mahusay ang
pagkakasulat at pagkaka-tagni-tagni ng iba’t-ibang kuwento na umiikot lamang
sa iisang tema—pagpapahalaga sa pamilya. Mahusay ang pagkakadirehe at
kitang nais ipalutang ang puso ng kuwento. Walang itulak kabigin ang pag-
arte ng lahat ng tauhan lalo na si Tolentino at Alonzo na pawang mahuhusay
na aktres. Sina de Leon at Martin ay pawang mahuhusay na aktor din. Akma
rin ang tunog at musika sa bawat eksena at sa bawat pagtaas ng emosyon ay
sadyang nakakaantig sa damdamin ng manonood.
Sa gitna ng makabagong panahon ng teknolohiya, sa kabila ng nagbabagong
pagtingin sa mga relasyon at pananaw sa buhay, narito ang isang pelikulang
nagsasabing walang pinakamahalaga kundi ang pagmamahal na magmumula
sa pamilya na itinatag ng Diyos at Simbahan. Ipinakita ng Sa ‘Yo Lamang ang
tunay na kalagayan ng maraming pamilya sa panahon ngayon: magulo, watak-
watak, walang pagkakaisa at abala sa kani-kanilang buhay. Tulad ng maraming
pamilya, ang pamilya ni Amanda ay hindi perpekto. Sa kabila ng nakamit nitong
kaunting karangyaaan bunga ng pagsisikap, marami itong itinatagong madilim
na lihim. Ngunit sapagkat may matibay na pananalig sa Diyos, nagagawa ni
Amandang pagbuklurin at itaguyod ang kanyang pamilya. Sa panahon man
ng hirap o ginhawa, hindi siya nakakalimot tumawag sa Diyos. Kahanga-hanga
ang ipinakitang pananampalataya ni Amanda na sa kabila ng mga pagsubok
ay hindi bumitaw sa pagdarasal at paghahangad ng mabuti para sa kanyang
pamilya. Ang kanyang mga anak, katulad din nila ng kaniyang asawang si
Franco ay hindi rin mga perpekto. Nagkakamali sila at nadarapa. Ngunit ang
mahalaga’y natututo silang bumangon at nagagawa nilang itama ang kanilang
mga pagkakamali. Ito rin ang nagpatibay sa kanila bilang mga tao at bilang isang
pamilya. Higit sa lahat, ipinakita ng Sa ‘Yo Lamang ang kahulugan at kahalagahan
ng pagpapakasakit at pag-aalay ng sarili ukol sa ikabubuti ng marami. Sa panahon
ng labis na kalungkutan at kahirapan, tunay na walang ibang malalapitan ang
tao kundi ang Diyos at tanging Siya lamang ang dapat kapitan sa oras ng pighati
upang ito’y maging mas makahulugan at makabuluhan.
Maaaring makita ng mga pamilya ang kanilang mga sarili sa mga tauhan ng
Sa ‘Yo Lamang. Sa gayon, iminumungkahi ng CINEMA na magsama-sama ang
mga kabilang ng pamilya sa panonood nito pagkat mayaman sa mga paksang
maaaring pag-usapan ang pelikula, tulad ng: Maganda ba ang ibinubunga sa
pamilya ng pagtataksil ng isang magulang? Maaari bang sabihing makatuwiran
ang nangyari sa pinagtaksilan? Tumpak ba ang naging damdamin ng panganay na
anak laban sa pagbabalik ng ama? Kailangan bang mabingit muna sa kamatayan
ang isang magulang upang matutong magpatawad ang mga anak? Pawang
susudan ng “Bakit?” ang mga katanungang iyan, bagay na makatutulong sa
pang-unawa ng mga kabataan sa sakramento ng kasal. May ilan lamang tema
at eksena sa pelikula na hindi angkop sa mga bata at kailangan ng patnubay ng
mga magulang upang maipaliwanag ang dala nitong aral.
 CBCP Monitor
Vol.
Vol. 14
14No. 19
No. 3
C1
C1
September
February 113 - 26, 201014, 2010
- February

The News Supplement of

Couples for Christ

CFC At The Congress On

Asian Catholic Laity
By Zeny Gimenez The Cardinal also exhorted the par- Ponte, could only marvel at the awesome Joe Tale called the congress “very for evangelization, particularly in Asia.
ticipants to be mindful of their role as affirmation – that the Cardinal had cho- affirming” of the evangelization efforts He urged CFC to continue doing its mis-
witnesses, particularly since “As we sen the very same Gospel verse that CFC and of the very life and mission of CFC. sion and not to dwell on the past storms
COUPLES for Christ partici- know, Catholics in Asia are a tiny mi- was given as its theme for 2010. He shared that during the imposition because the mere fact that it was CFC,
pated in the recently-conclud- nority, but we are certainly not a timid Joe Tale made a 10-minute power- of the cross necklace, Cardinal Rylko represented by the International Council,
minority closed in whispered a mes- that was invited to the Congress is ample
ed Congress on Asian Catholic on ourselves. On sage for the entire confirmation of its Vatican recognition.
Laity sponsored by the Pontifi- the contrary, we are community: “God The professor also noted that CFC’s
cal Council for the Laity. a “creative minor- bless you and all work with the poor is now ANCOP
ity,” full of vitality of Couples for (Answering the Cry of the Poor). He
Held in Seoul, Korea from August and stimulated by Christ.” urged CFC to just continue doing its
31 to September 5, 2010, the congress the hope that comes Professor Guz- good work for the poor.
was attended by about 400 delegates from faith.” He end- man Carriquiry, The Philippines’ Laiko was also in
from 35 international lay associations, ed with these words: the Undersecretary attendance at the conference, led by
ecclesial movements and new com- “Dear brothers and of the Pontifical Bishop Jesse Mercado of the Diocese
munities in 20 countries. The congress sisters, I conclude Council for the La- of Paranaque and chairman of the
theme was “Proclaiming Jesus Christ in by making my own ity, also imparted Episcopal Commission on Lay Apos-
Asia today.” the exhortation of a very affirming tolate. Also present, representing the
During the conference proper, CFC the Apostle to the message for CFC. Federation of Asian Bishops Conference
was one of only five associations asked Gentiles: “So, as you During the Friday (FABC), was Bishop Rolando Tria Tirona
to make a presentation before the body. received Christ Jesus night fellowship, of the Diocese of Infanta and FABC
CFC, among the more than 100 inter- the Lord, walk in he informed the Commission Chairman on Family and
national lay associations recognized him, rooted in him three IC members the Laity. Bishop Tirona was a panel dis-
by the Vatican, is cussant on the topic:
also the only one “The Mission and
that originated in the Pastoral Care of
Asia. the Family.” He also
Cardinal Stan- celebrated the Holy
islaw Rylko, pres- Mass on Thursday,
ident of the Pon- September 2 and de-
tifical Council for livered a short hom-
the Laity, in his ily on discipleship
closing address at and apostleship.
the Congress, en- The cultural night
titled, “Catholic on Saturday, Sep-
Laity: Witnesses tember 4 was a par-
of Hope for the ticularly enjoyable
Good of the time, with the Phil-
People of Asia,” ippine contingent
spoke of HOPE presenting song
as the common numbers accompa-
denominator of IC members Joe Tale, Rouquel Ponte and Joe Yamamoto found time to connect with Bishop Josef Clemens, Secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Laity (left photo) and with Prof. Guzman Carriquiry, nied on guitar by
experiences that Undersecretary of the same council (right photo). Bishop Mercado
emerged from the and Joe Tale.
various discussions and testimonies and built upon him and established point presentation on the evangeliza- that CFC should no longer worry be- As a symbolic gesture of being sent
shared at the congress. He said, “This in the faith as you were taught” (Col tion programs of Couples for Christ, cause the problems the community had off to all the parts of Asia, the del-
is the hope that the Church and every 2. 6). The three International Council a presentation so well received that in the past were over. When pressed egates were each given a wooden cross
Christian is called to witness to the members present, Chairman Joe Tale, it made Cardinal Rylko comment, for explanation, he told Rouquel Ponte necklace and a rosary blessed by Pope
world, making it an important service Executive Director Joe Yamamoto and “Couples for Christ, your presentation that the Vatican is aware that CFC is Benedict XVI on the last day of the
to humanity in our time.” International Missions Director Rouquel was excellent!” doing good things and is a major force Congress.

CFC To See Exciting SMPI Partners With CFC

Times Ahead
By Melo Villaroman, Jr. - It was couples that He called to Christ.” What was awesome
in 1981. But when the parents had about this prophecy was that at that
been formed and ready to lead their time, CFC was in only one province
TODAY, as we approach the end of children, the Lord inspired CFC to (Bukidnon), in only one country, and
the first 30 years of CFC, is a very establish the Family Ministries in the total membership of CFC then
exciting time to be in CFC. 1993. In the years between 1995- was only 500 couples! But it was
When we look back at the last 29 2000, He blessed us with our Work indeed the Lord’s plan. Today, we
years, we stand amazed are one million members
at the Lord’s goodness across 100+ countries,
and we echo the words and our membership
of our Blessed Moth- is not just couples, but
er: “Our Lord who is kids, youth, singles,
mighty has truly done handmaids, servants. SAN Miguel Properties, Inc. (SMPI), the poor under SMPI’s “Buy One,
great things! a subsidiary of San Miguel Corpora- Give One” concept. CFC ANCOP
I am personally But if you think that tion, announced that the company (Answering the Cry of the Poor)
amazed at how the Lord the past 30 years was has decided to partner with Couples Ministry will pursue the building of
has blessed CFC to run great, be even more ex- for Christ in building homes for the the houses, as part of its program of
strong after 30 years, de- cited for we are about to poor, in conducting values forma- building communities that will raise
fying rules of successful witness God’s blessings tion in all their housing projects that the quality of life of the country’s
secular organizations. upon the start of our next will help strengthen the relation- poor.
Experts say that only 30 years. God’s possibili- ships of the residents towards one SMP explained that CFC was
those organizations ties are just awesome and another and develop a deeper love chosen as its institutional partner
that make money and mind-blowing! for God and country. The company because CFC embodies the same
sustain revenues, or will also support CFC projects in faith-based core values that SMPI es-
those led by charismatic The next 30 years is the community development, including pouses. A total of one million houses
personalities, or those time we will see: building of churches, chapels, com- for the poor is envisioned under the
driven by excellent mar- 1. A Vatican 2-like munity centers and public libraries. partnership. SMP emphasized that
keting, can last more upheaval in our evan- Willie Arcilla, representing SMPI’s because the generation of resources
Melo, right, leads the worship at the September 5 Mission Core Gathering at the
than 30 years. CFC has Ateneo Grade School. Lito Tayag is to his right. gelization and forma- Chairman Ramon Ang and General is tied to the sale of houses and not
none of these, and yet it tion: CLP messaging Manager Karlo Marco Estavillo, through donation, sponsorships or
has continued to grow from strength with the Poor. His grand design was will be constant but expressions made the announcement during the fund-raising, the scheme will not be
to strength, simply because of the that not just couples but our whole will be updated to be relevant to regular teaching assembly of CFC at subject to “donor fatigue.”
Lord’s love and faithfulness. families must be one in embracing both current and new generation. the Xavier School Gymnasium on Jose Tale, CFC Chairman, wel-
When we look back, we are filled Him in the poor. The fundamentals of formation will Tuesday, August 24. comed the agreement, and called
with thanksgiving because we real- - My Mom and Dad (Melo Sr. and remain, while introducing CFC- Under the terms of the partner- it an affirmation of the fullness of
ize that the Lord’s calling upon the Luz) recall a 1985 CFC gathering differentiated “Foundations for ship, every house and lot or con- CFC’s thrust of proclaiming Christ,
community over the past 30 years is where Nina Ponte made this proph- Christian Parenting” and targeted, dominium unit sold by SMPI will strengthening families and caring
not by accident but by His design. esy: “The Lord will use Couples focused formation, such as that for automatically mean one house for for the poor.
Consider these: for Christ to help bring the world CFC / C3
 C2 Ugnayan CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 19
September 13 - 26, 2010

Joe Tale, CFC Chairman

A New Resurgence In Evangelization

A song that has continued to inspire,
has lyrics that goes:
Across the street, all around the
world
The mission’s still the same
Proclaim and live the truth in Jesus’
name.
Mission and evangelization was the
command of Jesus to His disciples then,
as it is His call to us now. It is a call filled
with challenges, but also overflowing
with joy and meaning.
The call has become even more rele-
vant to us today. We are all aware of the
many evil things happening around us
that seem to intensify everyday, in our
neighborhoods, in our country, around
the world. More than ever, we need the
Savior. We need to proclaim Him.
“Everyone who calls out to the Lord
for help will be saved. But how can
they call to him for help if they have not
believed? And how can they believe if
they have not heard the message? And
how can they hear if the message is not
proclaimed? And how can the message
be proclaimed if the messengers are not
sent out? (Romans 10: 13-15)
It was therefore Holy Spirit–inspired
and timely that the Vatican held a Con-
gress for the Asian Catholic Laity in
Seoul, Korea on August 31 to September
5, 2010 with the theme “Proclaiming
Jesus Christ in Asia Today”. (Read front
page article in this issue).
Asia is where 2/3 of the world’s
population live. Yet, it is also here and
among Asian peoples that our Lord
Jesus Christ is probably least known.
Clearly, the need to proclaim Him in
Asia stares at us here and now. Of
course, there are obstacles unique to this
part of the world, among them, a very
diverse culture among Asian peoples,
and in some countries, restrictions on
the free exercise of one’s faith. However,
with Mary as the Star of Evangelization,
we need not look at these as obstacles,
but rather, as our companions to be-
friend and witness our Christian faith
to, in our journey of evangelization.
Our Lord can ask us to go to the ends
of the earth and proclaim Him in an
unfamiliar place, but He can also ask
us to proclaim Him wherever He has
planted us. Where we are is as much a
mission field as some remote area. We
evangelize best when we witness and
live out His commandments in our
day-to-day situation.
All of us in the CFC family have been
blessed with the gift of heart and zeal
Led by Bp. Jesse Mercado (in dark barong) and Bp. Rolando Tirona (middle), the Philippine delegation to the Congress on Asian Catholic Laity perform
native songs for the participants. Joe Tale is the guitarist at right.
for evangelization. Mission and evange-
lization, together with family renewal
and work with the poor, woven into
an integrated whole, is what defines us
as a community. This blessing has led
us to share Christ in our humble way
to all the provinces in the Philippines
and to more than 100 countries in the
world. More than territories, we also
have been blessed with the opportuni-
ties to proclaim Christ to all members
of the family, and across many sectors
of society – in government, business,
schools, the armed services, prisons,
migrant workers, the poor, the disabled,
and others. All these have allowed us to
have about a million members globally,
and in addition, to have shared Jesus
and His love to many more.
What does the future hold?
We have journeyed together through
our storms, hurt and pained, but emerg-
ing stronger in the process. Now, as we
continue to be sensitive to the signs of
the times and be led by the Holy Spirit,
we see ourselves being called to greater
things by the Lord. We see ourselves be-
ing blessed with new fields of evangeli-
zation, wide massive fields whose gates
have been newly opened to us. More
and more, we have been brought to the
midst of a new springtime of evangeli-
zation, bringing us to the threshold of
a higher level of mission:
 a stronger and clearer relationship with
the Vatican, particularly its Pontifical
Council for the Laity, that has affirmed
us and encouraged us to intensify the
good work that we are doing
 a distinct opportunity to serve the
dioceses and parishes through shar-
ing our marriage preparation pro-
gram, marriage enrichment retreat,
teen sexuality, and natural family
planning program (Archdiocese of
Manila)
 the wonderful partnership with a
foundation whose mission is to re-
pair and rebuild Catholic churches
and help renew parish communities
(Bahay ng Diyos Foundation)
 the privilege given by government
to provide values formation to over-
seas/migrant workers and the fami-
lies they are leaving behind (DOLE
and OWWA)
 the trust given by business to pro-
vide the spiritual component of their
massive program to build homes
and communities that are anchored
on solid moral values and good
neighborliness, including the vision
of building a million homes for the
poor (San Miguel Properties)
 the respect given by educational in-
stitutions to conduct values formation
programs among their management,
faculty, and parents of their students
(FEU, Xavier School)
 the faith of our Armed Forces for
CFC to help in their social develop-
ment and peacekeeping programs
( National Development Support
Command)
 the confidence of the United Nations
Habitat Program for CFC to help pro-
vide spiritual formation in resettle-
ment areas for calamity victims
We can only be overwhelmed by
the blessings of an awesome God who
asks us to do even more, to raise the bar
higher for evangelization as it were, to
respond more fully to the Great Com-
mission He gave to His disciples when
He instructed them in Matthew 28:19 to
“Go, then to all peoples everywhere and
make them my disciples.”
In all these, let us be confident that
those who God calls, He equips. Those
who will make themselves available,
He will anoint. Thus, together with our
partners in mission, let us all pray deep-
ly, gear up, and go for a new resurgence
in our mission and evangelization.

Joe Yamamoto, CFC Director

CFC has celebrated 29 years and
is now eagerly anticipating its
30th anniversary, grateful for
the many blessings that God has
bestowed on the community.
The past 29 years have been
characterized by so much life
and vibrancy, mainly because
our youth form a very big and
important part of our commu-
nity life. It is this vibrancy and
life that define us now and it is
this vibrancy and life that will
propel our young children into
the future as our community’s
leaders.
The greatest blessings that we
found in community have come
from the exciting experiences
we have shared and lived in
the friendships we have formed
within CFC. Over the course of
the almost three decades of our
existence, we have been brother
and sister, tito and tita, mentor
and mentored, shepherd and
sheep, friend and confidante
to one another. These relation-
ships are indeed a wonderful
expression of community life.
But the best relationship of
our lifetime started when God
through His Son Jesus opened
His heart and showed us his
GREAT LOVE for each one of
us. For almost all of us, this rela-
tionship started because of and
through CFC, through the trans-
formation Jesus has wrought in
our lives , in our families and in
society. This relationship has
given us a life changing LOVE
AFFAIR- an AFFAIR TO RE-
MEMBER, an affair that should
not be kept hidden but must be
shared to the world as a gift and
as a way of life. Thus we have
grown into our role and mission
as FAMILIES IN THE HOLY
SPIRIT RENEWING THE FACE
OF THE EARTH.
Through CFC families work-
ing together as evangelizers,
CFC has been able to evangelize
entire families. This is our way
of helping carry out God’s plan
of salvation which is to save
families. And the only way we
Families in Fullness
can do that is through families.
Through the years, we have
seen our children grow up and
transition from being Kids for
Christ, to Youth for Christ, to
Singles for Christ, to Couples
for Christ. Kirby and Michelle
Llaban and Rommel and Layle
Ancheta, KFC and YFC interna-
tional coordinators, respectively,
Vince and Cacay of Vienna, and
Ron and Jing Laserna of Japan,
are examples of this smooth
transition to the adult ministry.
In them we see how the pastoral
track that CFC has successfully
implemented over the years has
developed young boys and girls
into responsible Christian men
and women, now parents who
are seeing their own children
follow in their footsteps.
The same pastoral track, the
same transition process has led
to an increase in vocations in our
youth. Jay de Leon was once an
SFC in Japan; he is now at the
SVD Seminary. Last June, about
16 young seminarians were or-
dained into the Jesuit order. Of
the 16, 8 were former SFCs. And
there is Fr. Francis Mendoza,
now serving in the Archdiocese
of Los Angeles, who began his
journey to the priesthood at a
YFC Youth Camp.
Indeed this community has
become our home. Here we
experience the Fullness of Life in
Christ. We are fortunate in that
we have grown in love and joy
in community. But we are not
blind to the fact that great chal-
lenges face today’s family.
Some scary statistics: In the
USA, in 2008, 40% of all mar-
riages ended up in divorce.
Fifty percent (50%) percent of
couples in first marriages, 67%
in second unions and 74% in
third marriages end in divorce,
according to Jennifer Baker of
the Forest Institute of Profes-
sional Psychology in Spring-
field, Missouri. In the Philip-
pines, 80% of the young (ages
18-39) are still unchurched,
according to CBCP despite their
being baptized Catholics. The
biggest number of recruits for
the other denominations are our
unchurched Catholic youths.
Then there is the disturbing
and growing trend among our
young of going into unions
without the benefit of marriage,
of children being born outside
of wedlock, of promiscuity, of
total disregard for the value of
human life, of abuse towards
children and women. These
are the realities outside our
The three IC members with Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko of the Pontifical Council for
the Laity
CFC world. While our vision is
to renew the face of the earth,
Satan’s strategy is to deface the
world - divorce, homosexuality
arising from identity confusion
among the young, skewed pri-
orities – all of which ultimately
destroy the basic unit of society,
the family.
In the recent Clergy-Lay Con-
gress held in Canada last July,
Bishop Frederick Henry of Cal-
gary emphasized two major
problems that confront the
peoples of the world today. One
is the deep hunger for spiritual-
ity heightened by the search
for inner strength to cope with
life’s challenges . For the young,
this means their search for the
spiritual which nowadays is
erroneously channeled via the
movies into the preternatural,
vampires, witches, folklore that
has no foundational value. The
other is a deep longing and
quest for peace, compassion
and justice.
Our blessing as a community
is that we are seen as a force
to put family values back into
society. Archbishop Thomas
Collins of Toronto, represent-
ing the biggest archdiocese of
Canada, called CFC a treasure
in the Church. He enjoined CFC
to continue to be a blessing to
others.
Another Canadian bishop,
Bishop Matthew McGrattan,
called on CFC to reflect the beau-
ty of ‘being in Christian move-
ments.’ He added that we must
do our share to reinvigorate the
laity in the Church through the
Scriptures and to align ourselves
with the original call of the first
disciples. To add weight to the
call for ecclesial movements
such as CFC, he cited the new-
est initiative of Pope Benedict
XVI, the formation of the new
Pontifical Council for Re-evan-
gelization. It underscores the
role of CFC of being “Families
in the Holy Spirit renewing the
face of the Earth.”
Families in Fullness
While each family ministry has
made significant programs that
have evangelized every member
of the family individually, our
call is to be more proactive in
bringing the family together.
From their own individual and
ministerial calling, we need to
direct families to the greater
mission the Lord has called them
to do as a family – to be a family
FOR Christ, to be a family in the
fullness of life.
A family in fullness is more
than just the spouses having a
strong marital bond. It is more
than just the children being for
Christ (Youth for Christ, SFC,
KFC, etc). Rather, it is about the
whole family being dedicated
to God and experiencing the
fullness of life in Christ not
just through the individual re-
newal of each member, but also
through the entire family being
able to experience a deep rela-
tionship with each other. It is
about the entire family journey-
ing to Christ together through
the Holy Spirit, about the whole
family having a passion and
purpose, empowered to bring
other families to Christ.
In short, a family in fullness
is a family that has put Christ at
the center of their life and work.
It is a family that spends time in
prayer and service together.
John Paul II said “The future
of humanity passes by way of
the family.” Our mission state-
ment states a similar idea -- that
we shall work for the renewal
of families and will build gen-
eration of Christian leaders. The
future of our family depends
solely on how we will build
the next generation of families.
Our best defense to the threat
in the family is THE FAMILY
especially when it is consecrated
to God.
As families in fullness, let us
then be full of the Father’s joy,
full of Christ’s love and full of
the Holy Spirit’s strength.
From Evangelized Families to
Family Evangelizers
Each of us has been called by
name. We have experienced
transformation in this commu-
nity. We have been evangelized
through the Christian Life Pro-
gram, through the Youth Camp,
or the Kids Camp. From there,
we have journeyed and have
grown into knowing Jesus more
and bringing others to know
Christ as well.
We are in a continuous pro-
cess of transforming from
evangelized families to fam-
ily evangelizers, from sheep to
shepherd. We pursue our vision
of “Families in the Holy Spirit
Renewing the face of the earth.”
This vision is becoming real here
in CFC, one family at a time.
We take on the challenge of
being Family Evangelizers by
bringing every member of our
family to the CFC community,
by seeing our families as mis-
sionaries spreading the mission
to the ends of the earth and by
living out our daily lives with
integrity in accordance to our
Church’s teachings
By God’s divine will, our Lord
Jesus Christ was born into this
earth and was raised through
the love and care of St. Joseph
and Mother Mary. The Holy
Family is our model of a Family
in Fullness. With our eyes set
upon the example of the Holy
Family, let us experience the
fullness of life by embracing the
richness of the message of our
anchor verse for this year:
“Since you have accepted Christ
Jesus as Lord, live in union with
him. Keep your roots deep in him,
build your lives on him, and become
stronger in your faith, as you were
taught. And be filled with thanks-
giving.” (Colossians 2:6-7, Good
News Bible)
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 19
September 13 - 26, 2010
Ugnayan C3

CFC: Seizing The Moment

By Raymond Bucu
“EVANGELIZATION is our basic com-
mitment; it is in our covenant card, to
bring others to Christ,” thus stated Jose
Tale, CFC Chairman, before members
of Metro Manila Mission Core Group
during the MCG Teaching Night held
last August 24, 2010 at the Xavier School
in Greenhills, San Juan.
The CFC Chairman further stated
that clearly we in CFC must look at
our mission in an expanded way,
and that evangelization work must
not only be limited to our Christian
Life Programs “but that we must
also focus on our everyday evan-
gelization; in our way of life, in our
witnessing, our examples, and in how
we behave in our homes and in our
places of work, in our communities.
We witness to Him and that is evan-
gelization.”
Joe expressed amazement at the many
varied opportunities for evangelization
that the Lord is giving us.
For instance, he mentioned the Mi-
grant Workers Program (MWP) led
by Shok and Carel Ariola that began
a year ago, where values formation
programs are given to departing over-
seas Filipino workers (OFW’s). This
program “opened a whole new field
of evangelization and proclaimed the
goodness of the Lord in a new set-
ting.” The Chairman also reported that
the values formation programs were
initially given twice a week to about
two hundred (200) participants per
week via the Pre-Departure Orienta-
tion Seminar (PDOS) which is handled
by the Overseas Workers and Welfare
Administration (OWWA). But now that
number has grown to 1,100 participants
and its frequency has increased to six
times a week.
This means, Joe Tale expounds, that
we have been given access to more than
half of the country’s population since
the number of OFW’s is ten million and
IC members Melo Villaroman, Jr. (extreme left), Joe Yamamoto (3rd from left) and Rouquel Ponte (extreme right) pose with Willie Arcilla of San Miguel
Properties (second from left), Ricky Cuenca, President and CEO of ANCOP (fourth from left) and mother-son tandem of Noemi and Ricardo Saludo of
Bahay ng Diyos Foundation.
their families here number to around
fifty million Filipinos.
CFC has also been tapped to provide
values formation seminars to the Fam-
ily Circles Program of the Philippine
government to be conducted in the
five regions of the country, includ-
ing the National Capital Region. The
Family Circles program of the POEA
aims to create a support structure to
strengthen the life of the families of
OFW’s who are usually left to fend
for themselves while the breadwin-
ner, usually the father, is deployed in
foreign lands.
Joe Tale also mentioned that CFC
has received various expressions of
confidence from various sectors, includ-
ing the mandate and the privilege to
handle the Family and Life Apostolate
programs of all the 84 parishes in the
Archdiocese of Manila. The Chair-
man also shared how the president,
faculty members and employees of the
Far Eastern University have started
attending the Christian Life Program
beginning August 26, 2010 through the
initiative of Rudy Gaspillo, a CFC mem-
ber who is also the FEU Vice President
for Facilities.
Other developments include the val-
ues formation programs and marriage
enrichment retreats which will be given
to the parents of the pupils of Xavier
School Greenhills.
Among the highlights of the evening
was a sharing from former Presiden-
tial Spokesperson Ric Saludo who,
together with his mother, Mrs. Noemi
Saludo, shared how the Bahay ng Di-
yos Foundation, Inc. came to be. The
Bahay ng Diyos Foundation aims to
restore, reconstruct and repair various
churches and chapels in the Philippines.
They also announced that presently,
the Foundation has finished the repair,
restoration or reconstruction of 26
churches and one convent.
Mrs. Saludo expressed her hope that
the Foundation can go into a partner-
ship with CFC through activities that
will raise awareness of their mission.
According to her, Gaudencio Cardinal
Rosales expressly told her to approach
CFC, saying, “Couples for Christ can
help you.”
In another development, Mr. Willie
Arcilla of San Miguel Properties (SMPI),
a subsidiary of San Miguel Corporation,
also took the stage where he stated that
SMC Chaplain Fr. Arman Obleza ap-
proved the conduct of the Christian Life
Program in the SMC Corporate offices
beginning Sept. 15, 2010.
Mr. Arcilla also announced the dream
of SMC President Ramon Ang to build
one million low cost homes for the poor,
through a scheme called “Buy One,
Give One” which means that for every
house and lot SMPI sells, one house
for the poor will be built. Mr. Arcilla
announced that SMPI will provide the
funds to ANCOP which will take care of
building the homes. (See related story
on page 1..)

A Letter from the President and CEO of ANCOP
As I take on the role of
President/CEO of CFC AN-
COP, the thought of work-
ing closely everyday with
the CFC community and
ANCOP’s partners fills me
with great excitement and
thanksgiving.
It has been almost a month
since my arrival in the Phil-
ippines on August 11, 2010
and already, there have been
many new developments
leading to our vision/mis-
sion of Building the Church
of the Home and the Church
of the Poor.
Our ANCOP work is guid-
ed by our theme of the year
“Bringing the Fullness of Life
in Christ.” In ANCOP, this
Fullness of Life in Christ is
best achieved by focusing on
three specific objectives:
1. Transparency and Ac-
countability
ANCOP is committed
to maintain transparency
and accountability in our
financial management and
reporting. Our relation-
ships with Canada, USA and
other Government Revenue
Agencies, corporate partners
and donors have remained
positive precisely because
of our adherence to these
two principles. ANCOP
has managed to sustain our
charitable status by provid-
ing timely, accurate, and up
to date information.
Particularly abroad, do-
nations given to registered
charities such as ANCOP are
enhanced with income tax
deduction given to donors.
According to regulations
particularly in the USA and
Canada, agency agreements
with local partners in the
Philippines are required not
only in the reporting of dona-
tions received but also in the
detailed explanation of out-
flows, the use of money and
expenses incurred by local
partners in the Philippines.
This means that we are not
only required to record the
inflow (or money received)
that is governed by the
agency agreement require-
ments of donor government
revenue agencies but also to
make a specific explanation
of how the money was spent
by the local implementing
agencies.
In the case of USA and
Canada, agency agreements
enforcing annual audit and the
complete and accurate reporting
of use of money forms part of
the responsibility of maintain-
ing the charitable status. In the
case of ANCOP USA, a detailed
accounting on the use of more
than P400M granted to GK Phil-
ippines over the years in specific
GK sites is necessary. Failure to
provide agency agreements that
stipulates explanation on the
outflow or use of donation may
result in follow up action from
the donor government agencies
and the loss of registered char-
ity status. Couples for Christ
ANCOP has complied with this
requirement and has signed, as
early as February 2010, the re-
quired agency agreement. This
is the reason why ANCOP funds
have been flowing smoothly
to ANCOP projects here in the
Philippines.
It is my goal to ensure that all
donor countries get all the help
they need by providing transpar-
ent and accountable financial
management and reporting.
2. Efficiency and effectiveness
in our delivery of services
We are now focused on two
major ANCOP projects -- our
shelter and child support pro-
gram operations. I have formed
a Task Force on Institutional
Strengthening composed of sea-
soned volunteers experienced in
corporate organization, manage-
ment and program operations.
We have designed an orga-
nizational structure that will
ensure the effective and efficient
delivery of services and program
implementation.
The new management system
is compliant to the submission
of timely accurate progress and
financial reports. The new or-
ganizational structure will not
only improve area management,
governance and policy direction
setting but also a communication
and information system that is
transparent and accountable.
The IT will include a monitoring,
evaluation and reporting sys-
tem. With the lean and effective
organizational structure comes
fresh, vibrant energized staff and
managers imbued with the spirit
of our CFC mission of families in
the Holy Spirit renewing the face
of the earth and bringing glad
tidings to the poor.
3. Excellence in marketing,
outreach and communications
We will encourage all AN-
COP site administrators on
the use of electronic tech-
nology tools that will help
them access ANCOP informa-
tion, update partners in new
policies, guidance and other
technical information, use of
webinars and webcasts, face-
book and blogs and electronic
copies of ANCOP site annual
return and financial reports
and the use of DVDs on line.
We would like to publish
a new ANCOP electronic
newsletter, a directorate of
all sites and partners abroad;
new and upcoming policies
and guidelines that will help
you in your site operation,
management and fundrais-
ing, a marketing toolbox for
all sites directors, officers, vol-
unteers and partners abroad
containing DVD’s, videos,
powerpoint presentations,
flyers/brochures , an ANCOP
interactive webpage that will
provide donors on line contri-
bution and information tools
and operating guidelines
on child sponsorship and
shelter, child sponsorships
profiles, ANCOP villages
update and timely process-
ing of applications for grants,
ANCOP planning sessions,
information and consultation
workshops.
We will start this year with
our strategic planning and
asset mapping, with face to
face on site open forums at
household leaders level in
every sector and region to de-
termine our community asset
and collective resources. As-
set mapping is a venue for ac-
tive interfacing and dialogue
that will help us integrate
our individual and collective
time, talent, skills, resources
in a concerted and unified
effort in support of our child
support and shelter program
operation. It will also help es-
tablish a participative online
data base, knowledge and
information system.
I shall be providing you
with regular updates on the
many good things that we
are now experiencing as we
work toward our goal of
sharing our blessings with the
poor. From where I sit, only
a month since we began work
in earnest, there are indeed
many wonderful blessings.
God is good! All the time.
(Ricky Cuenca)
Visayas Team
Building
Visayas leaders rejoice at the completion of the teambuilding weekend, which proved to be a eye-opener in many ways.
Nueva Valencia, Guimaras – One hundred twenty five grueling physical exercises that reinforced our
three leaders, some with their wives, gathered basic tenets in CFC. The fourth exercise called “Fill
in Villa Igang in Nueva Valencia, Guimaras, ‘er-up” exemplified the need to strengthen our
last August 27 through 29 for a team building pastoring efforts to take care of our members.
activity. The workshop gathered the provincial The team building finished with the Visayan
area heads, directors and councils of the Visayan leaders resolving to rebuild and strengthen the
Islands. loving bonds within the community, moving with
From as far as Samar in the east to Antique in the one mission, as one community and as one army
west, they gathered for three days to go through for the Lord.
CFC / C1
Senior Couples and for Young tend CFC’s 50th anniversary moment the Lord allows us
Couples) at the Luneta. to make choices. And we will
2. A breakthrough in our 6. And a week after that 50th honor our calling from God,
One with the Church Mission: anniversary, the inauguration and make choices…
bishops and priests appreciat- of a new President, who, while And so today, we choose to
ing our calling and charism pledging, will remember, “I help prepare the way for the
and inviting us in their par- was once a KFC, and I learned Lord’s miracles, we choose
ishes. Our challenge then will that I should not be afraid to make ready our hands,
not be “how can I convince my to change what is broken in hearts, homes, so that the Lord
parish priest or bishop?” but the world, because Jesus and can continue to use us and
rather “How can we cope with Mother Mary will help me. I our community as vessels of
the deluge of invitations from will not just be President. I His fullness and future. We
dioceses to be one with their will be a Leader for Christ.” choose to worship and the
Mission…? power of our worship will
3. Children from the Min- Will these happen? Yes, and shout, “thank you Lord for
istries growing their own expect even more...for Paul our past, we trust you for our
families and evangelizing in Ephesians 3:20 reminds future, and we will prepare
with great fire and fervor such us we have a God who can our hearts to be the start of
as we have not seen before… do immeasurably more than your miracles...”
children of CFC raised inter- what we can ask or imagine, We have a mighty God who
nationally speaking in differ- according to His power that is has done great things, who
ent languages to a truly global at work within us. has held our hand, lifted us
audience! Today, we stand at the cross- up with His victorious hand.
4. Expansive, global AN- roads, between the past 30 And He truly has been with
COP work with the poor that years of blessings and the 30 us even through our deepest
reminds the world of hope years of God’s miracles upon storms, using the storms to
and the goodness of God. our community. Many authors teach us to love, to press on,
5. The current crop of CFC say we can learn from the past to embrace fullness.
grown older, with gray hair but not change it. We cannot And so we face the future,
and cane, feeling the hand assure the future because only knowing there will be storms,
of their sons and daughters God is in full control. But this but that we do not have to be
praying over them, giving present moment we are in, this afraid, for He is strong and
them renewed strength to at- is the moment we seize, the faithful...
 C4
Eurocon XV: 15 Years of
Christ’s Victory in CFC Europe
By Kirby Llaban
COUPLES for Christ Europe held
the 15th CFC European Conference
in Vienna, Austria on August 13-15,
2010 at the Austria Trend Event Hotel
in Vienna. The event was dubbed as
“EUROCON XV,” in celebration of 15
years of CHRIST’S VICTORY (XV) in
CFC Europe. The theme of the Eurocon
XV was “Fullness of Life in Christ”
taken from Colossians 2:6-7.
This year, the different family
ministries; Kids for Christ (KFC), Youth
for Christ (YFC), Singles For Christ
(SFC), Handmaids of the Lord (HOLD)
and Servants of the Lord (SOLD),
joined with CFC to celebrate this most
significant event. Each ministry had its
own sub-theme that related to Fullness
in Christ. KFC had the theme “Kids
Adventure,” YFC had “To the Fullest,”
SFC’s was “Live,” the HOLD’s theme
was “Blossoms in God’s Garden,” while
SOLD joined CFC. A total of about 900
delegates attended the conference.
There were many highlights during
the conference. There was a Sausage
Food Festival where the different
countries got to share the best food
their country has to offer. There were
excellent dances performed by CFC and
the Family Ministries during the Mardi
Gras Praise Parade and the Musicale.
Symbolic and artistic expressions of
‘Fullness in Christ’ were also showcased
through the Banner and Memory Lane
Competitions. CFC Europe also got to
display their unique talents through
“CFC Europe Got Talent.” KFC and
YFC glorified God through their own
talent and sports competitions while the
other ministries joined CFC in the main
competitions.
The CFC EuroCon XV was graced
by the presence of His Excellency Most
ANCOP Walk Across U.S.A. ....
By ANCOP U.S.A. for free in elementary, high
Communications school or college levels.
Some 1,600 volunteer walk-
THE ANCOP
North America
Walk for the
Poor was held
simultaneous-
ly last August
28 in 15 cit-
ies in 9 states
across the
United States
and in a cou-
ple of cities in
Canada. (see
related story
on the Canada
ANCOP Walk). ers, mostly members of Cou-
The Walk was aimed at ples for Christ (CFC), par-
raising funds to send poor ticipated in the 3-mile walk
Filipino children to school held in New Jersey, Arizona,
By Malou Clarito
DONORS, partners, volunteers and
people from all walks of life, trooped
to Nathan Philips Square in down-
town Toronto to participate in the
2010 ANCOP WALK. The walk saw
not just Couples for Christ mem-
bers marching but also members
from Bukas Loob sa Diyos Prayer
Love That Saves:
YFC East Timor National Conference 2010
By Joaquina da Costa (trans-
lated from Tetum by Karen Dela
Cerna)
THE song “All For Love” is my favorite
song, but it was during East Timor’s
YFC National Conference last July
13 – 15, at the Eskola Sagrada Coraçao
de Jesus, Becora, Dili, that I received
extraordinary inspiration about what
the song meant.
The youth, other Christs
Weeks before the conference, the ser-
vice team decided to fast and pray espe-
cially for the intention of the conference,
praying the Chaplet and the Novena to
the Divine Mercy every night. Finally,
on the day of the conference, when
I saw the youth enter the conference
area, singing, dancing and rejoicing, my
heart was filled with gladness because
this was a sign that there is hope for
our Church.
They brought their YFC area banners,
wearing their delegation shirts. My
Rev. Archbishop Ramon C. Arguelles
D.D. of Lipa and other invited clergy
across Europe. There was a celebration
of the Holy Eucharist in each day of the
event. Archbishop Arguelles’ inspiring
and insightful homilies truly blessed
Mannix and Aileen Ocampo, country head of Austria, worship with CFC brethren at the Eurocon.
everyone. He especially emphasized
the importance of Mother Mary in our
journey to live in the Fullness of Life
in Christ. The talented and dedicated
‘Musicionaries’ of 29 A.D. were also there
to offer excellent music for the Lord.
California, Florida, Georgia, Il-
linois, Maryland, North Caro-
lina and Texas. In addition,
some 800 individuals around
the country sponsored the
ANCOP walkers.
“Judging from encourag-
....and Canada a Big Success
Community, Clariz,
FRNAO, PIDC and the
Mabuhay group. There
was even a group from
CFC Windsor who trav-
eled more than 400 kilometers just to
join the walk.
Ancop President Temi Pangilinan
and Mabuhay representative Ben Fer-
rer welcomed all the walk participants.
Philippine Consul General Minerva
heart was filled with praise; I could see
that there are still youth who desire to
show their identities as other Christs.
When the youth showed their creativ-
ity with passion during the creative
and sports competitions, my heart was
filled with thanksgiving to God because
I could see young people who desire to
delight in God.
Mama Mary’s example
On the second day of the conference,
most of the 700 plus delegates cried.
The tears that they shed were not tears
of anger or hopelessness or hurt, but
they shed tears because of the pride
they had in God’s love. They received
forgiveness and discovered God’s love
in their lives.
Actually, the conference had just
four talks, but on the last day of the
conference, Fr. Ferdie Resuena, SVD,
gave what seemed to be the fifth talk.
Fr. Ferdie, who had joined SFC in Cebu
before ordination, talked about “how
we will finish the race by following Our
Lady’s good example.” He said, “Mama
Ugnayan
Since it was a family conference, the
first session on Friday was a plenary
of CFC and its family ministries. The
first talk was about being “Families in
Fullness” delivered by CFC Executive
Director and CFC Europe Coordinator,
Joe Yamamoto. He encouraged the
families in Europe to expand the mission
by becoming Family Evangelizers. He
called on Bong and Edna Nidea and
family to share about how Christ called
them to be family evangelizers in the
ing reports we received from
our coordinators in the field,
we should be able to spon-
sor more scholars from poor
Filipino families next school
y e ar a s p la n ned when we
conceptualized ANCOP Walk
Falcon in her opening remarks, rallied
the walk participants to never get tired
of helping the poor.
This year’s walk also marked the
Filipino community’s support for the
City of Toronto ’s “Live Green Toronto”
Mary was always faithful to God and
ready for God’s will. She gave wit-
ness to God’s love to Elizabeth, always
moving towards God’s fullness. Mama
Mary even accompanied Jesus during
His crucifixion.”
Tears for a Cross
The mission volunteers, members of
the CFC Governance Team, and minis-
try leaders carried the big cross to the
altar during the mass, as a sign that we
entrust our individual crosses to Christ
and embrace our own crosses with love.
I heard YFCs say, “This cross, despite
being simple, was not bought for a price.
We didn’t pay from our pockets, but it
is truly expensive because we bought it
with our tears.”
We are truly saved, but we found
salvation not because of the number
of delegates, or because the program
committee was able to do its job well
or because the service team worked
joyfully without feeling tired, but we
are saved because we brought each
other to God.
United Kingdom. On stage were also
different families across Europe who
are actively serving Christ as family
evangelizers. Nolet and Mila Ladrido
waxed nostalgic about the past 15 years
of Couples for Christ in Europe. They
even wore the very 1st CFC European
Conference T-shirt and ID from 15
years ago.
On the second day of the conference,
CFC and each family ministry held their
own conferences, making the theme
several months ago,” said
Tony Ventura, ANCOP U.S.A.
President.
Ventura added that because
of his group’s successful 2010
Walk, they have scheduled
next year’s ANCOP Walk on
campaign to save the environment.
Walk participants were encouraged to
bring water in reusable drinking con-
tainers, rather than in plastic bottles.
Jun Clarito of Couples for Christ,
provided the fitting end to the walk with
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 19
September 13 - 26, 2010
‘Fullness in Christ’ relevant to their own
life situations. There were dynamic
speakers, inspiring testimonies, and
Spirit-filled worship that touched the
lives of the delegates. Joe and Babylou
Tale, Joe and Mila Yamamoto, Mannix
and Aileen Ocampo, and Bob and
Aileen Serrano were some of the
speakers and sharers from Manila
during the Saturday sessions of the
CFC conference.
The Saturday Gala Night was a
grand evening of fellowship wherein
the delegates came in as kings and
queens, princes and princesses with
their tiaras and royal costumes. The
Sunday session, which was a plenary
session, ended with the talk, “Filled
with Thanksgiving” given by Melo
Villlaroman Jr. There were sharers from
each family ministry, expressing their
commitment to pursue the vision of
Couples for Christ in being families in
the Holy Spirit renewing the face of the
earth. Archbishop Arguelles then gave
the Commissioning of Families and
blessed CFC Europe for the growth of
the Lord’s work through CFC. Another
significant portion of the event was the
offering of roses to the Cross of Christ.
Each family approached the stage and
offered a prayer and a rose as a symbol
of thanksgiving to the Lord. The
conferences concluded with a powerful
Praisefest and awarding of winners.
The CFC Eurocon XV was an event
where everyone truly experienced the
fullness of life in Christ. The host, CFC
Vienna, gave their all in the service
of the Lord to welcome the rest of
CFC Europe. And the result was an
unforgettable event, where God’s Spirit
moved with great power. CFC Europe
and its family ministries will continue
to grow and be strong in spreading
God’s love to the rest of the continent
and to the ends of the earth.
August 20, 2011.
According to Rollie Bal-
anza, the group’s Chief
Financial
Officer,
ANCOP
raised some
$56,000 for
the benefit
of its Child
S p o n -
sorship
Program
(CSP), an
ANCOP
project that
sends poor
Filipino
children to
school for free and, at the
same time, teaches the same
children to observe Chris-
tian values.
his closing prayer, echoing the mes-
sage that the event is not just about
raising funds but even more about
the joy and fulfillment that comes
with knowing that we have helped
transformed the lives of the poor.