Vol. 18 No. 12 June 9 - 22, 2014 Php 20.

00
Villegas to Filipinos: Dont
condemn alleged pork scammers
MANILA, June 8, 2014 Despite the tempta-
tion to do so, the President of the Catholic
Bishops Conference of the Philippines
(CBCP) on Pentecost Sunday called on Fili-
pinos not to condemn those who have been
charged with plunder over the multi-billion
pork barrel scandal.
As Christians we are exhorted to love
at all times, even those who sin and err, for
none of us is above human frailty, Lingay-
en-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas
said in a press statement.
For those among us who are not accused,
Condemn / A7
A3 C1 B1
The Cross
A Supplement Publication of KCFAPI and
the Order of the Knights of Columbus
Moral Ethical Dimensions
of the Comprehensive
Agrarian Reform
CBCP chides disturbing
facts, realities behind CARP
By Jennifer M. Orillaza
THE Catholic Bish-
ops Conf er enc e
of the Philippines
(CBCP) on Friday re-
minded the public of
the moral and ethi-
cal dimensions of
the Comprehensive
Agrarian Reform
Program ( CARP)
wi t h onl y a few
weeks left before it
expires by June 30.
In a statement, the bish-
ops chided the appalling
realities behind the CARP,
urging Filipinos to con-
tribute in devising a more
responsible system of dis-
tributing the countrys
natural resources towards
agricultural productivity.
(Full text of the Statement
in B1)
While the task of re-
distribution is apparently
done, the governments
effortsin tandem with
the initiatives to the pri-
vate sector, particularly our
Catholic laityshould go
into rendering these new
holdings productive, the
CBCP said in a statement
signed by its president
Lingayen-Dagupan Arch-
bishop Socrates Villegas.
A more responsible sys-
tem of allocating, distribut-
ing and applying govern-
ment funds and resources
towards farm productivity
must be set in place cou-
pled with peoples efforts
at rendering transactions
transparent and responsible
officials, accountable, it
added.
Furthermore, the CBCP
noted the need to enact
needed legislative reforms
that could enable leases
and mortgages of acquisi-
tions towards higher levels
of productivity and a rise
in the living standards of
farmer-benefciaries.
Disturbing facts
Describing the hard facts
behind land reform as dis-
turbing, the bishops noted
that 54 percent of house-
holds among agrarian-
reform beneficiaries fell
below the poverty line, ac-
cording to the 2011 Agrar-
ian Reform Communities
Level Development Assess-
ment (ALDA).
New Evangelization confab calls for
reaching out to lapsed Catholics
AN estimated 4,000 Filipino
Catholics on Saturday gath-
ered at the New Evange-
lization Conference (NEC
2014) held in response to
heed the Churchs call to
spread the Good News
and reach out to lapsed
Catholics.
In his talk, Live Christ
Share Chr i s t ( LCSC)
moderator Frank Padilla
stressed the need to spread
the Good News, noting that
it is through reaching out to
more people that the mis-
sion of New Evangelization
is accomplished.
We have to work to-
wards bringing our distant
brothers and sisters back
to Christ. We were all like
them before, but by the
grace of God we were able
to overcome. That is what
we should also dobring
them back to Christ, Pa-
dilla said in Filipino.
Catholic individuals
young and old alikepar-
ticipated in this convention
that drew together religious
groups and organizations
all working towards New
Evangelization.
Working towards evan-
gelization, LCSC mem-
bers have vowed to work,
guided by its four pillars in
Japanese martyr-
priest still inspires
WHILE many demoral-
izing challenges confront
the modern religious, a
clergy remembered the
story a 17th century Japa-
nese priest who braved the
unforgiving seas and the
heathen Japanese swords
for his faith. The journey of
Fr. Thomas of St. Augustine
Jihyoe, a martyr for the
faith, still remains relevant
until today.
According to Convento
San Agustin-Manila local
prior Fray Peter Casio, Ji-
hyoe, a Japanese Augustin-
ian priest who had strong
ties with the Philippines,
can inspire the modern
priest to rise above todays
challenges.
Against a backdrop of
persecutions of Chris-
tians in Japan during the
Tokugawa shogunate, Ji-
hyoe would bravely return
to his homeland to work for
the faith; he would eventu-
ally be tortured and mar-
tyred in 1637 because of his
refusal to renounce Jesus.
Philippine ties
Recently beatifed togeth-
er with 187 other Japanese
martyrs, Jihyoe was a teen
when the Decree of Extinc-
tion was imposed during
the Edo period in 1614,
seeking the suppression of
Christianity in the land.
Violent persecutions of
Tagle: Artists save the world
THE countrys high-
est priest paid tribute
to artists recently in
a press briefing for a
beneft concert for the
rebuilding of churches
and chapels in Eastern
Visayas destroyed by
Yolanda.
The reconstruction
of the world, even the
salvation of the world,
on a human level, at
least, depends so much
on arti sts, Mani l a
Archbishop Lus An-
tonio G. Cardinal Tagle
said.
In response to people
asking why the Church
is putting up a concert
when others means for
raising funds can do
as well, if not better,
he declared, Sublime
things, noble things,
spiritual things are best
expressed in art.
Like his Renaissance
predecessors, Tagle be-
lieved that artists can
lead all of us to deep
truths which serve as
foundation of civiliza-
tion and of a commu-
nity that knows what
justice, truth and com-
munion mean.
He stressed that these
things, which cannot
be taught by ideology,
can only be intuited
and expressed by art-
ists.
The cardinal shared
that the Church has
always been the re-
pository of so much art
expressions, paintings,
sculpture, music, archi-
tecture.
Popes and cardinals
had supported artistic
geniuses like Michelan-
gelo, Bernini, Raphael,
Brunelleschi, Bramante,
and many others.
Billed as RISE, the
concert featuring Ryan
Cayabyab and his mu-
sic will be presented
on June 11, 7 p.m. at
the Manila Cathedral-
Basilica, Intramuros,
Manila.
Also slated to per-
form are the Philippine
Broadcaster gives proud
Catholic testimonial
PASAY City, June 10,
2014Like the 80 or so
percent of the Filipino
population, broadcast
journalist Mariz Umali
is a baptized Catholic.
But unlike most Filipino
Catholics, she takes her
faith to heartproudly.
Proud Catholic
On June 7, she was
brave enough to stand
on the SMX stage to
t el l t he assembl ed
faithful at the New
Evangelization Con-
ference (NEC 2014) 7
Limasawa rst mass not
a hoax experts
MANI LA, J une 8,
2014Experts from
the National Histori-
cal I nst i t ut e ( NHI )
claim they have set-
tl ed the i ssue over
Limasawa being the
site of the first mass
something which has
not remained unchal-
lenged.
The National His-
torical Institute Board
has resolved the con-
troversy over the first
mass, National Com-
mission for Culture
and the Arts (NCCA)
chairman Ambeth R.
Ocampo on Thurs-
day said, confirming
t hat t he f i rst mass
was indeed held in
Limasawa, Southern
Leyt econt rary t o
Inspires / A6
Hoax / A7 Broadcaster / A6 Artists / A6
Confab / A6
CARP / A6
Bigger than the World Cup, bigger than the Olympics. This is how Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle described the upcoming 51st International
Eucharistic Congress to be held in Cebu City, Philippines on January 24 - 31, 2016 at a recent press conference where all four Philippine cardinals were present.
Tagle said it is Jesus who will make the gathering life-changing because He is the true reason for hope. Themed Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27),
the IEC is expected to draw 15,000 participants from all over the world. Also present were Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, Apostolic
Nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Giuseppe Pinto, Ricardo Cardinal Vidal and Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Cardinal Quevedo.
Religious and lay Catholics gather for a whole day conference on New Evangelization on June
7, 2014 at the SMX Hall 1 Mall of Asia, Pasay City.
Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle
Mariz Umali, a broadcaster of a major TV network, talks
about how her faith guided her personal life and career.
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only God can bring
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A2 Vol. 18 No. 12
June 9 - 22, 2014
CBCP Monitor
World News
Vatican Briefng
Reject mediocrity, Pope encourages young pilgrims
Pope Francis made a phone call to a group of young
Italians who were on pilgrimage, encouraging them
to embrace hope in God and reject mediocrity.
Dont let yourselves be discouraged by failure or
anxiousness that wants to remove your dreams, that
wants to close you into its dark mentality rather
than letting you fy in the light of hope. Please, do
not fall into mediocrity, into that mediocrity that
lowers and makes us grey, for life is not grey, life is
for betting on grand ideas and for great things, he
said in a phone call on June 7 to the participants of
the 36th annual pilgrimage from Macerata to Loreto,
Italy. The basilica in Loreto is believed to contain the
holy house where the Angel Gabriel appeared
to Mary at the annunciation. The Pope said that
was pleased to be with the young pilgrims virtu-
ally, the Holy See Press Offce reports. He asked
especially for their prayers for the June 8 meeting
of prayer at the Vatican with the presidents of Israel
and Palestine and the Orthodox Christian Patriarch
of Constantinople, Bartholomew I. (CNA)
Pope encourages athletes to play for the Church
Youth from around Italy turned St. Peters Square
into a giant playing feld on Saturday as they ran
relays, played basketball and performed karate on
a day dedicated to the celebration of sports. As the
Pope arrived in the overfowing square participants
welcomed him as their captain. He thanked them
for the honor. As captain I urge you not to block
yourselves off in defense, but to come on the offense,
to play together our match, which is that of the
Gospel, he said May 7. Sports in the community
can be a great missionary tool, where the Church is
close to every person to help them become better
and to meet Jesus Christ, he told the enthusiastic
crowds. (CNA)
Pope encourages crime experts to humanize justice
Pope Francis has sent a letter to the participants
of an international conference on criminal law,
encouraging them to consider a fuller under-
standing of justice that moves beyond mere
punishment. It seems to me that the big chal-
lenge that we must all face is that the measures
taken against evil do not stop with suppression,
discouragement and isolation for those who
caused it, but help them to reconsider, to walk in
the paths of good, to be genuine people far from
their miseries, becoming merciful themselves,
he said in a letter to the participants of the 19th
International Conference of the International
Association of Penal Law and the 3rd Congress
of the Latin American Association of Penal Law
and Criminology. Therefore, the Church recom-
mends a justice that is humanizing, genuinely
reconciling, a justice that leads the offenders,
through an educational way and through inspir-
ing penance, to complete their rehabilitation and
reintegration into the community. The letter,
written in Spanish and dated May 30, focused on
the three steady elements in the understanding
of justice after sin: satisfaction or reparation for
damage; confession; and contrition. (CNA)
Pope Francis honors D-Day soldiers
In a letter sent Friday to French bishops, Pope Fran-
cis paid homage to the men who fought in the D-Day
invasion of Normandy 70 years ago, which was
one of the key turning points in World War II. His
Holiness Pope Francis unites himself wholeheart-
edly to the intercession of those who commemorate
the tragic events which occurred here seventy years
ago, and prays for peace, read the letter sent June
6 by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of
State, to Bishop Jean-Claude Boulanger of Bayeux
(-Lisieux), in whose territory the Normandy landing
occurred. On June 6, 1944, more than 150,000 Allied
forces landed on the beaches of Normandy to begin
the liberation of Europe from Nazi occupation. As
many as 13,000 soldiers died that day. The Popes
message commended the sacrifce of those who left
their homeland to land on the beaches of Normandy,
with the aim of combating Nazi barbarity, freeing
occupied France, and also urged that we not
forget the German soldiers driven into this drama,
like all victims of this war. It is ftting that todays
generations express their full appreciation to those
who accepted such a great sacrifce. (CNA)
Never forget your frst love, Pope encourages
priests
Pope Francis directed his daily homily to his
brother bishops and priests, telling them to al-
ways put love of God and their fock frst, before
pursuing a scholastic career. This is the question
I ask myself, my brother bishops and priests: how
is your love today, the love of Jesus? Is it like frst
love? Am I as in love today as on the frst day?
the Pope asked in his June 6 homily. Centering his
refections on the days Gospel passage from John
in which Jesus asks Peter three times Do you love
me? the Roman Pontiff asked those in attendance
How is your frst love? explaining that this ques-
tion is not only for married couples, but also those
consecrated in the Church. Addressing his fellow
priests and bishops, the Bishop of Rome asked
whether they still love Jesus as much as they did
when they frst began their ministry, Or do work
and worries lead me to look at other things, and
forget love a little? Observing how There are
arguments in marriage. Thats normal, the Pope
explained that when there is no love, there are no
arguments: it breaks. Do I argue, with the Lord?
This is a sign of love. This question that Jesus asks
of Peter brings him to frst love. Never forget your
frst love. Never. (CNA)
Pope: Half-hearted Catholics arent really
Catholics at all
Those who insist others pray and believe exactly like
they do, those who have alternatives to every church
teaching and benefactors who use the church as a
cover for business connections may call themselves
Catholics, but they have one foot out the door, Pope
Francis said. Many people say they belong to the
church, but in reality have only one foot inside,
the pope said June 5 at the morning Mass in the
chapel of his residence. For these people, the church
is not home, but is a place they use as a rental
property, he said, according to Vatican Radio. (CNS)
Bishops: surge in unaccompanied child
migrants a crisis
WASHINGTON D. C. , June 6,
2014The migration of unac-
companied children into the U.S.
is a humanitarian crisis that
demands a comprehensive re-
sponse from the government,
said the head of the U.S. bishops
immigration committee.
These children are extremely
vulnerable to human traffickers
and unscrupulous smugglers and
must be protected, said Auxiliary
Bishop Eusebio Elizondo of Seattle,
who chairs the U.S. bishops Com-
mittee on Migration.
Young lives are at stake, he
emphasized.
About 60,000 children from
Mexico and Latin America are
expected to cross the U.S.-Mexico
border in 2014, CBS News reports.
U.S. government statistics indicate
that over 47,000 unaccompanied
minors were apprehended at the
border in the 2014 fscal year, a 90
percent increase over the previous
fscal year.
Bishop Elizondo said in a June
4 statement that child migration
is a very complicated problem
whose roots must be addressed
both by the U.S. government and
by governments in the region.
He said increasing violence from
gangs and organized crime in the
young migrants home coun-
tries must be examined.
This is an issue which
should not become politicized
or give cause for negative
rhetoric, the bishop said.
Momentum behind immi-
gration reform increased last
year as a bipartisan Gang
of Eight senators worked
together to introduce legisla-
tion aimed at both provid-
ing a path to citizenship for
undocumented immigrants
and securing the U.S. border.
In June 2013, the Senate ap-
proved the bill in a bipartisan
68-32 vote. However, it stalled
in the House of Representa-
tives amid sharp divisions within
Republican lawmakers.
The U.S. bishops conference
has laid out several goals for com-
prehensive immigration reform,
including an earned legalization
program with an eventual path
to citizenship for those who pass
background checks and pay a fne,
along with targeted, proportional,
and humane enforcement mea-
sures.
The conference has also called
for a program to help low-skilled
migrant workers to enter and work
in the U.S. legally, as well as the
restoration of due process protec-
tions for immigrants, an emphasis
on family unifcation, and policy
changes to address the deeper
causes of immigration.
Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of
Louisville, president of the U.S.
bishops conference, reiterated the
call for immigration reform days
before the bishops spring assembly
begins in New Orleans.
As pastors, we see the human
consequences of this broken sys-
tem each day in our parishes and
social service programs, as fami-
lies are separated, migrant work-
ers are exploited, and our fellow
human beings risk everything to
find a better life for themselves
and the ones they love, he said
June 5.
Our nation should no lon-
ger tolerate an unjust system.
Archbishop Kurtz quoted Pope
Francis words that migrants do
not only represent a problem to
be solved, but are brothers and
sisters to be welcomed, respected
and loved.
He pledged support for Con-
gress in reforming immigration
law in a manner that properly
balances the protection of human
rights with the rule of law. (CNA)
U.S. Mexico border crossing at San Ysidro. Credit: Josh Denmark/U.S. Customs and
Border Protection (CC BY-SA 2.0).
Nun wins The Voice Italy, leads crowd in Our Father
ROME, Italy, June 6, 2014--In an emotional fnale
decided by Italian TV viewers, 25 year-old Sister
Cristina Scuccia won the 2014 edition of The
Voice Italy on June 5.
The Ursuline Sister of the Holy Family capti-
vated millions with her talent and charisma. Upon
winning 62 percent of the fnal vote, she told the
audience, I want Jesus to enter into here, and led
the crowds in praying an Our Father.
I wish to thank everyone, my sisters, all the
people who have supported me at this moment,
Sister Cristina said when she was announced the
winner. She explained that her presence on the
program was not about herself, but about the
one who is above. My ultimate gratitude is to
the one on high.
Sister Cristinas mentor, J-Ax, said that
the experience has been incredible and
voiced hope that this small change we have
made together will allow you to go on. My
advice, as I told you before, is that you can
change things and be an important example
out there.
As was the case throughout the competition,
Sister Cristina was accompanied during the
fnale by members of her community and her
own family.
She performed several songs, including one
by her mentor J-Ax, as well as No One, by
Alicia Keys, the song she sang at the begin-
ning of the show that garnered worldwide
attention.
After she finished the Keys song, J-Ax said,
I think I can speak for everyone. This song has
changed everyones lives. It is a song that has caught
the attention of everyone, even Alicia Keys.
To paraphrase Elvis, 50 million people cant
be wrong, he said in allusion to the 50 million
views the video of the performance has received
so far on YouTube.
Before taking part in the fnale, Sister Cristina
told the Italian daily La Stampa, Tonight an
incredible adventure that still surprises me is
coming to an end.
She hopes the attention that she has gained
will give young people the will and strength
to follow their own dreams.
I dont deny that I felt somewhat uneasy
when reporters asked me what it feels like to be
in the spotlight as a religious. I always answer
that when I discovered my vocation, I found
myself in the arms of Jesus, and by singing I
seek to express Gods beauty.
Regarding her future, Sister Cristina said she
is leaving it in the hands of Providence. If they
send me overseas I will go. If they want me to
keep singing I will do so with my kids at the
oratory and I will do so with joy. (CNA)
Hundreds of Catholic employers win exemption from HHS mandate
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla., June
5, 2014--A federal court has ruled
that the Catholic Benefts Associa-
tion and its hundreds of employer
members are exempt from a federal
mandate requiring coverage of con-
traceptives and abortifacient drugs.
We are grateful for the rul-
ing, but continue to pray that our
leaders recognize that Catholics,
whether bishops or businessmen,
cannot in good conscience provide
insurance that covers drugs and
procedures that undermine the dig-
nity of the human person and the
sanctity of human life, Archbishop
Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City, the
beneft associations vice-president,
said June 5.
Religious freedom entails more
than the right to worship and any
contrary legislation must be op-
posed, he added.
Archbishop William Lori of Bal-
timore, the associations president,
also welcomed the decision.
We formed the Catholic Benefts
Association to support Catholic
employers in providing quality,
cost-competitive, morally compli-
ant health care benefts for their
employees, he said June 5. Yester-
days decision makes this a reality.
On June 4, the U.S. District Court
for the Western District of Okla-
homa ruled that the more than 450
employer members of the benefts
association are exempt from the
mandate. The ruling enjoined the
U.S. government and its agents from
attempting to enforce the mandate
against the associations members.
The benefts associations general
counsel, Martin Nussbaum, said
the ruling is especially gratify-
ing because the lawsuit is the
only challenge to the HHS mandate
that includes Catholic-owned for-
proft businesses and other non-
exempt organizations like colleges,
Catholic Charities and healthcare
institutions in addition to houses
of worship.
The benefits associations em-
ployers include 23 Catholic arch-
dioceses and dioceses and almost
2,000 parishes in addition to non-
profits and Catholic-owned for-
proft businesses. Its membership
is also open to Catholic religious
congregations, Catholic medical
facilities, and Catholic universities.
The Catholic Benefts Association
formed a subsidy, the Catholic In-
surance Company, to allow Catho-
lic employers to exercise their faith
in what health care coverage they
provide to their employees. The
association also arranges health
provider networks to help Catholic
employers provide comprehensive
health care that is consistent with
Catholic ethics.
The Department of Health and
Human Services mandate requires
employers to provide insurance
coverage of sterilization and con-
traception, including some drugs
that can cause early abortions.
Widespread complaint led to a
series of changes in the mandate
into its current fnalized form. A
religious exemption to the mandate
does exist, but it applies primarily
to houses of worship and their af-
fliated organizations.
Religious employers that do not
qualify for the exemption are in-
stead offered an accommodation
by the government, under which
employees automatically receive
contraceptive coverage from the
objecting groups health insurance
issuers.
These provisions have contin-
ued to draw criticism and legal
complaints from hundreds of in-
dividuals and organizations who
argue that their right to exercise
their religious beliefs freely is being
violated by the requirements.
In addition, neither the exemp-
tion nor the accommodation ap-
plies to individuals with religious
or moral objections who own for-
proft businesses.
Wednesdays federal ruling on
the class action lawsuit recognized
that the benefts association could
represent all its individual mem-
bers without their explicit partici-
pation because its members are so
uniform in their beliefs.
The named participants in the
lawsuit include the Archdiocese of
Oklahoma City, Catholic Charities
of Oklahoma City, Inc., Archbishop
Lori and the Archdiocese of Balti-
more.
Archbishop Coakley said that the
U.S. government has already ef-
fectively granted exemptions from
the mandate to various employers
whose plans cover more than 130
million employees.
Were simply seeking the same
exemption for Catholic employ-
ers who have religious objections
to the unjust requirements of the
mandate.
According to the Becket Fund for
Religious Liberty, the mandate has
prompted some 100 lawsuits from
more than 300 plaintiffs, including
non-profits, for-profits, Catholic
and non-Catholic organizations,
and individual states. So far, court
decisions have predominantly fa-
vored the objecting groups.
A signifcant Supreme Court case
involving the legal challenge fled
by craft store giant Hobby Lobby
is expected to be decided later this
month. (CNA)
JAKARTA, June 7, 2014In
response to the Pope for the
World Day of Social Com-
munications, some young
people of the Diocese of
WeetbulaSumba Island,
the province of East Nusa
Tenggara (NTT)partici-
pated in a seminar on new
media and evangelization.
Participants come from
one of the remotest areas
of Indonesia and, unlike
the majority of citizens, es-
pecially young people, are
not familiar with comput-
ers and the internet.
In response, the local
Catholic leadership has
faci l i tated a three-day
meeting and discussion,
whi ch drew 62 young
Catholics from various
parishes of the diocese.
Some of them - seminar-
ians, students, activists,
teachers and nurses - have
had to travel for 5/6 hours
from their places of origin,
to reach the diocesan pas-
toral Kotiku Loku center,
in the north-western part
of Sumba district.
The main purpose of
t he workshop was t o
strengthen mi ssi onary
communications, to pro-
mote social networks and
new media. From 7.30 am
until 11 pm, they learned
the basics of photography
and edi t i ng t hanks t o
the valuable advice of a
professor of the School of
Art in Jakarta; they then
had lessons in journalism
and the use of new media
held by the AsiaNews cor-
respondent.
The lessons were con-
cluded with a final practi-
cal test, a sort of term pa-
per for publication. Once
they overcame their ini-
tial reluctance, the young
Catholics responded with
interest and involvement
demonstrating ability and
potential in the production
of news related to the
world of the Church and
to the path of evangeliza-
tion.
Young Catholic activ-
ist Melky, points out that
such initiatives should be
repeated because they are
not enough; another par-
ticipant adds that he has
received illuminating
advice in the workshop,
so as to have greater con-
fdence in the media and
the potential contained in a
small room and a computer
keyboard, with the aim of
evangelization.
Organi zers i ncl uded
Catholic Bishops Confer-
ence Social Communica-
tions Commission (KWI
Kosmos); led by Msgr. Pe-
trus Turang, the Archbish-
op of Kupang, who said
that the Indonesian Church
promotes seminars and ini-
tiatives for the production
of Catholic news, aimed at
evangelization.
Indonesia is the most
populous Muslim nation
in the world. Catholics are
a small minority of about
seven million, or 3 per cent
of the population. In the
Archdiocese of Jakarta, the
faithful reach 3.6 per cent of
the population.
Al t hough t he coun-
trys constitution recog-
nises religious freedom,
Catholics have been the
victims of violence and
abuse, especially in areas
where extremist visions
of Islam are entrenched,
like Aceh.
Still, Catholics are an ac-
tive component in society
and contribute to the na-
tions development as well
as to emergency operations
when they arise, as was the
case in last years devastat-
ing food. (AsiaNews)
Catholic young people and new media: a seminar to boost the evangelization
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A3 Vol. 18 No. 12
June 9 - 22, 2014
CBCP Monitor
News Features
Pope tells presidents only God can bring
peace to Holy Land
VATICAN CITY, June 8,
2014Praying for peace in
the Holy Land alongside
leaders of long-antagonistic
nations, Pope Francis called
on God to act where human
efforts had failed, to end
what he described as vio-
lence inspired by the devil.
More than once we have
been on the verge of peace,
but the evil one, employ-
ing a variety of means, has
succeeded in blocking it,
the pope said June 8 at an
evening ceremony in the
Vatican Gardens. That is
why we are here, because
we know and we believe
that we need the help of
God.
The pope addressed his
remarks to Israeli President
Shimon Peres and Palestin-
ian President Mahmoud
Abbas during an invoca-
tion for peace in the Holy
Land, to which he had in-
vited them during his visit
to the region two weeks
earlier.
I was young, now I am
old. I experienced war, I
tasted peace, Peres said
in an English portion of his
statement. Never will I for-
get the bereaved families,
parents and children, who
paid the cost of war. And all
my life I shall never stop to
act for peace for the genera-
tions to come. Lets all of
us join hands and make it
happen.
According to an offcial
translation of Abbas pre-
pared Arabic text, the Pal-
estinian president said:
We want peace for us and
for our neighbors. We seek
prosperity and peace of
mind for ourselves and for
others alike.
The event, at whi ch
Christians, Muslims and
Jews prayed in each oth-
ers presence, was almost
certainly the first of its
kind at the Vatican, ac-
cording to Jesuit Father
Federico Lombardi, direc-
tor of the Holy See Press
Office.
The starting time of 7
p.m. had been chosen in
part to avoid the midday
heat, yet temperatures were
still in the mid 80s less than
an hour earlier, when Peres
arrived by car at the Vati-
can guesthouse, where the
pope lives. Abbas arrived
at 6:30 p.m., and 15 minutes
later the two presidents
embraced in the presence
of the pope.
Nice to see you, Peres
and Abbas told each other
in English.
Joining the group was
Ecumenical Patriarch Bar-
tholomew of Constanti-
nople, whom Father Lom-
bardi had described as one
of the events four protag-
onists, and Franciscan Fa-
ther Pierbattista Pizzaballa,
custos of the Holy Land and
the principal coordinator of
the event.
The five men rode to-
gether in a white minivan
the short distance to the
site of the ceremony, a
triangular swath of lawn
walled off by tall hedges
along two sides. The set-
ti ng had been chosen,
according to Father Lom-
bardi, because of its neu-
tral appearance, lacking
in religious imagery.
Pope Francis and the two
presidents sat at the corner
of the triangle where the
two hedges met.
Along the hedge to to
their left sat what the Vati-
can described as political
members of the Israeli and
Palestinian delegations,
including both nations am-
bassadors to the Holy See;
Christian religious leaders,
including Patriarch Bar-
tholomew, Greek Orthodox
Patriarch Theophilos III of
Jerusalem and Palestinian
Lutheran Bishop Monib
Younan; and musicians
who performed between
prayers during the cer-
emony.
Along the other hedge
sat various Muslim, Jewish
and Druze religious fgures,
including Rabbi Abraham
Skorka and Omar Abboud,
longtime friends of the
pope from Buenos Aires
and leaders respectively
in their citys Jewish and
Muslim communities, who
accompanied Pope Francis
during his visit to the Holy
Land.
Vatican City - June 8, 2014: (L-R) Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Pope Francis, Israeli
President Shimon Peres, and Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople meet in the Vatican
Gardens to pray for peace on June 8, 2014.
Members of the Palestin-
ian and Israeli delegations
and guests of Pope Francis
read a selection of Jew-
ish, Christian and Muslim
prayers, in order of their
religions historical prece-
dence. Each set of prayers
praised God for creation,
begged forgiveness of sins
and asked for peace in the
Holy Land.
Patriarch Bartholomew
read in English from the
Book of Isaiah: The wolf
and the lamb shall feed
together; the lion shall eat
straw like the ox; but the
serpentits food shall be
dust.
At the end of the cer-
emony, which lasted about
an hour and 45 minutes,
the pope, patriarch and
the two presidents kissed
each other on both cheeks,
then took up shovels and
added dirt to the base of a
newly planted olive tree.
They then spent about 15
minutes speaking privately
inside the nearby Casina
Pio IV, a 16th-century villa
which now houses sev-
eral pontifcal academies.
(Francis X. Rocca / CNS)
Do not cage the Holy Spirit, Pope tells
massive Rome gathering
ROME, Italy, June 3, 2014On
Sunday afternoon Pope Francis
told throngs of Charismatic
Catholics to not obstruct the
work of the Holy Spirit in evan-
gelizing, but make the adora-
tion of God the foundation of
renewal.
Go forth into the streets and
evangelize, proclaim the Gospel.
Remember that the Church was
born to go forth, that morning of
Pentecost, the Pope said June 1.
Let yourselves be guided by
the Holy Spirit, with that same
freedom. And please, do not cage
the Holy Spirit!
He addressed 52,000 people
from 55 countries who had gath-
ered in Romes Olympic Stadium
for the national convocation of
Renewal in the Spirit.
Those gathered included two
organizations that coordinate the
Catholic Charismatic Renewal:
International Catholic Charis-
matic Renewal Services and the
Catholic Fraternity of Charis-
matic Covenant Communities
and Fellowships.
The event included praise and
worship music, spiritual testimo-
nies, and a fash mob event,
Vatican Radio reports.
Pope Francis said that adoring
God is the foundation for re-
newal and the basis for evangeli-
zation, spiritual ecumenism, and
attention to the poor and needy.
He stressed the need for con-
version to the love of Jesus
that is life-changing and turns
a Christian into a witness to
Gods love.
I hope that you will share
with all in the Church the grace
of baptism in the Holy Spirit,
Pope Francis said. I expect
from you an evangelization with
the Word of God that proclaims
that Jesus lives and loves all
humankind.
He said he hopes that they will
witness to spiritual ecumen-
ism with all Christians of other
Churches and communities.
May you remain united in the
love that the Lord Jesus asks of
all for all mankind, and in prayer
to the Holy Spirit to reach this
unity, necessary for evangeliza-
tion in the name of Jesus, the
Pope continued. Be close to the
poor and needy to touch in their
fesh the wounded fesh of Jesus.
Seek unity in renewal because
unity comes from the Holy Spirit
and is born of the unity of the
Trinity.
He especially denounced the
danger of splits and infghting.
Where does division come
from? The devil! Division comes
from the devil, Pope Francis
said. Flee from internal strug-
gles, please!
Teach us not to fght between
ourselves over a little more pow-
er, he prayed, adding teach us
to increasingly love the Church
that is our team, and to keep
our hearts open to receive the
Holy Spirit.
The Pope also warned against
excessive organization.
Yes, you need organization,
but do not lose the grace of let-
ting God be God! he said.
He urged attendees at the
Charismatic gathering to be
dispensers of Gods grace and
not controllers of it.
The pontiff then answered
questions from priests, young
people, families, the sick and
the elderly.
He told priests to remain close
to Christ and to his faithful. He
warned young people not to
keep their youth locked away
in a safe but instead to Bet on
great things. He encouraged the
sick to imitate Jesus in their dif-
fculties. He praised the elderlys
wisdom and memory.
Pope Francis prayed that God
might grant everyone the holy
intoxication of the Spirit that
enables us to speak many lan-
guages, the languages of charity,
always close to those brothers
and sisters who need us. (CNA)
Pope encourages athletes
to play for the Church
VATICAN CITY, June 7, 2014
Youth from around Italy turned
St. Peters Square into a giant
playing feld on Saturday as they
ran relays, played basketball and
performed karate on a day dedi-
cated to the celebration of sports.
As the Pope arrived in the
overfowing square participants
welcomed him as their cap-
tain. He thanked them for the
honor.
As captain I urge you not to
block yourselves off in defense,
but to come on the offense, to
play together our match, which
is that of the Gospel, he said
May 7.
Sports in the community can
be a great missionary tool, where
the Church is close to every per-
son to help them become better
and to meet Jesus Christ, he told
the enthusiastic crowds.
Pope Francis arrived in the
early evening to witness perfor-
mances of ballet and gymnastics.
He also met with popular Italian
sports fgures and heard testi-
monies from those whose lives
has been impacted positively
by sports.
At one point, he met with
members of an Italian amputee
soccer team and posed for a
group shot with one members
iPhone as the theme song from
the 1981 movie Chariots of Fire
rang out over the square.
The Popes remarks focused on
how sports can bring about good
in the lives of young people. He
noted that sports are like school
and work in helping youth de-
velop themselves and avoid
addictions to drugs and alcohol.
He said that to belong to a
sports team means to reject
all forms of selfishness and
isolationit is an opportunity
to meet and be with others, to
help each other, to compete in
mutual esteem and grow in
brotherhood.
The pontiff acknowledged the
beauty of team sports which
do not allow for individualism.
In my country, he recounted
to the youth, when a player
plays only for himself, they say,
this one wants to eat the ball!
Everyone who wants to join
in sports should be welcomed,
he said, not just the best, but
everyone, with the advantages
and limitations that everyone
has, indeed, focusing on the most
disadvantaged, as did Jesus.
He encouraged the young ath-
letes to apply themselves in the
game of life as they do in sports.
Put yourselves in the game,
in the search for good, in the
Church and in society, without
fear, with courage, and enthu-
siasm.
Dont content yourselves
with a mediocre tie. Give the
best of yourselves, spending
your lives for that which is truly
valuable and that which lasts
forever.
Pope Francis closed his re-
marks asking for prayers that
he would be able to play in
the game of life until the
last day when God calls me to
himself.
Saturdays event was orga-
nized by the Centro Sportivo Ital-
iano, on the occasion of its 70th
anniversary. (CNA/EWTN News)
Vatican City - June 7, 2014: Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peters
Square for the Italian Sporting Centers celebration of sports on June 7, 2014.
Priest urges faithful: Read the Bible more
PARAAQUE City, June 6, 2014What
makes a Catholic Bible different from a
Protestant one?
Redemptorist priest JM Macasaet asked this
of his congregation Wednesday, June 4, at the
Baclaran Church as a starter to his sermon on
why Catholics should read their Bibles more.
Impatient for the crowds response, Ma-
casaet quipped, A Catholic Bible is clean.
He lamented that very few of the faithful
neither have the time nor the willingness to
pick up and read their home Bibles.
Mystery of the clean Bible
We, Catholics, love the Bible too much we
dont even want to touch itWith much reverence
and care, we place it on our altars only to have
none of it again until it gathers dust, he shared.
If only for their approach to Scriptures,
Macasaet pointed out that theres much that
Catholics can learn from Protestants, whose
well-thumbed King Jameses and NIVs attest
to their zeal for Gods word.
Church emphasizes Bible reading
Catholics often draw flak from other
Christians for their alleged ignorance of
the Bible and attachment to Tradition.
But whatever some individual Catholics
take on Scriptures may be, the Church is
clear on the importance of reading them.
According to Vatican II document Dei Ver-
bum (DV) The Church forceful-
ly and specifcally exhorts all the
Christian faithful...to learn the
surpassing knowledge of Jesus
Christ, by frequent reading of
the divine Scriptures. Ignorance
of Scriptures is ignorance of
Christ.
Scripture plus Tradition
The Church regards as true
rule of faith the Bible and Tradi-
tion as manifested in the Magis-
terium, to which were entrusted
the oral teachings of Jesus and the
apostles, along with the authority
to interpret Scripture correctly.
DV explains, Hence, there exists
a close connection and communica-
tion between sacred Tradition and
sacred Scripture. For both of them, fowing from
the same divine wellspring, in a certain way
merge into a unity and tend toward the same
end. For sacred Scripture is the word of God
inasmuch as it is consigned to writing under the
inspiration of the divine Spirit. To the successors
of the apostles, sacred Tradition hands on in its full
purity Gods word, which was entrusted to the
apostles by Christ the Lord and the Holy Spirit.
The Vatican document noted, however,
that the Church does not draw her certainty
about everything which has been revealed
solely from sacred Scripture.
Both sacred Tradition and sacred Scrip-
ture are to be accepted and venerated with
the same devotion and reverence, it added.
In 2 Thess. 2:15, St. Paul instructs Chris-
tians to stand frm and hold to the traditions
which you were taught by us, either by word
of mouth or by letter.
Macasaet also stressed that just as some of
the faithful are enthusiastic about spreading
useless gossip, all the more should they be
when preaching the Gospels. (Raymond A.
Sebastin)
On June 4, 2014, Fr. JM Macasaet encourages the faithful at
the National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help to read
the Bible more. There was hardly any space to move about
as devotees from different parts of Metro Manila kept fooding
Baclaran church for its First Wednesday novena.
Why kids need to be media literate
MANILA, June 6, 201424/7
wif access, tablets and mobile
browsing spell endless con-
nectivity, but is that always a
good thing for kids? A group
doesnt think so and advocates
parents, teachers and forma-
tors proper guidance of young
people towards smart media
consumption.
What parent can do is guide
the child, said Paulines Insti-
tute of Communication in Asia
(PICA) Directress Sr. Ma. Conso-
lata Manding, FSP, PhD. Thats
where media literacy, which is
very relevant today, comes in.
Media literacy helps people
whose job is in line with forma-
tion like teachers, priests, nuns,
and laypeople to distinguish
the good from the bad, she
said, noting that even adults
need special training to be truly
media smart.
With the growing infuence of
media as a result of the broad-
ening reach of radio, print, TV,
cinema, mobile phone, especially,
the internet, Manding said there
is a need to protect the young
from the moral threats posed by
the increasing exposure to cor-
rupt media.
Todays young people spend
much of their time on their mo-
bile phones, TV, and the internet,
particularly social networks,
unconscious that they are wide
open to less than desirable in-
fuences.
The young have come to a
point where living without the
computer, TV, and mobile phone
seems impossible, the religious
school head said. And parents
cannot simply tell them to
stop.
Despite medias being in-
dispensible to modern living,
its excessive use can hamper
childrens proper development,
Manding said.
According to her, it is common
to observe a child staring closely
at his teacher as if closely listen-
ing to the lecture, but actually
what occupies his mind is the
telenovela that kept him awake
late last night. (Oliver Samson)
Millennials, those born from 1981 to 1996, are the most media-
saturated generation by far.
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A4 Vol. 18 No. 12
June 9 - 22, 2014
CBCP Monitor
EDITORIAL
Opinion
Pedro C. Quitorio
Editor-in-Chief
Nirvaana E. Delacruz
Associate Editor
Roy Q. Lagarde
News Editor
Kris Bayos
Features Editor

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THE human person has an inherent social dimension which calls
a person from the innermost depths of self to communion with
others and to the giving of self to others: God, who has fatherly
concern for everyone has willed that all people should form one
family and treat one another in a spirit of brotherhood(144). Thus
society as a fruit and sign of the social nature of the individual
reveals its whole truth in being a community of persons.
Thus the result is an interdependence and reciprocity between the
person and society: all that is accomplished in favor of the person
is also a service rendered to society, and all that is done in favor of
society redounds to the beneft of the person. For this reason the
duty of the lay faithful in the apostolate of the temporal order is
always to be viewed both from its meaning of service to the person
founded on the individuals uniqueness and irrepeatibility as well as
on the meaning of service to all people which is inseparable from it.
The frst and basic expression of the social dimension of the
person, then, is the married couple and the family: But God did
not create man a solitary being. From the beginning male and
female he created them (Gen 1:27). This partnership of man
and woman constitutes the frst form of communion between
persons(145). Jesus is concerned to restore integral dignity to
the married couple and solidity to the family (Mt 19:3-9).Saint
Paul shows the deep rapport between marriage and the mystery of
Christ and the Church (cf. Eph 5:22-6:4; Col 3:18-21; 1 Pt 3:1-7).
The lay faithfuls duty to society primarily begins in marriage and
in the family. This duty can only be fulflled adequately with the
conviction of the unique and irreplaceable value that the family
has in the development of society and the Church herself.
The family is the basic cell of society. It is the cradle of life and
love, the place in which the individual is born and grows.
Therefore a primary concern is reserved for this community,
especially, in those times when human egoism, the anti-birth
campaign, totalitarian politics, situations of poverty, material,
cultural and moral misery, threaten to make these very springs of
life dry up. Furthermore, ideologies and various systems, together
with forms of uninterest and indifference, dare to take over the
role in education proper to the family.
Required in the face of this is a vast, extensive and systematic work,
sustained not only by culture but also by economic and legislative
means, which will safeguard the role of family in its task of being
the primary place of humanization for the person and society.
It is above all the lay faithfuls duty in the apostolate to make the
family aware of its identity as the primary social nucleus, and
its basic role in society, so that it might itself become always a
more active and responsible place for proper growth and proper
participation in social life. In such a way the family can and must
require from all, beginning with public authority, the respect for
those rights which in saving the family, will save society itself.
--Christifdeles Laici, #40
ON the evening of Pentecost Sunday, June 8, 2014, Pope Francis
called on God to bring peace where human efforts had failed and
to end a deeply-rooted enmity between nations that he sees as the
handiwork of the devil.
Israeli President Shimon Peres and Palestinian President Mahmoud
Abbas obliged to come to the Vatican upon the invitation of Pope
Francis two weeks earlier during his pilgrimage to the Holy Landto
pray for peace in the Holy Land and throughout the Middle East. At
this unprecedented meeting of prayer, the Invocation for Peace,
he addressed the presidents who were joined by the Patriarch of
Constantinople, Bartholomew I, History teaches that our strength
alone does not suffce. More than once we have been on the verge of
peace, but the evil one, employing a variety of means, has succeeded in
blocking it. That is why we are here, because we know and we believe
that we need the help of God. We do not renounce our responsibilities,
but we do call upon God in an act of supreme responsibility before
our consciences and before our peoples.
The confict between Israel and Palestine maybe traced back to
the late 19th century with the rise of national movements, such
as Zionism and Arab nationalism. The Zionist movement called
for the establishment of a nation state for the Jewish people in
Palestine that would serve as a haven for the Jews of the world
and in which they would have the right to self-determination. That
aspiration was not only part of Jewish religious thought, it was
also seen as a solution to the widespread persecution of the Jews
due to anti-Semitism in Russia and Europe. The acquisition of
lands from Arab owners for Jewish settlements, which led to the
eviction of the fellaheen, aggravated tension and caused the Arab
population in the region of Palestine to feel dispossessed of their
lands. The Israeli Declaration of Independence in 1948 sparked the
so-called Arab-Israeli War and the succeeding hostilities between
the two nations and their allies.
In the same Invocation for Peace, Israeli president Peres said
in his address, I was young, now I am old. I experienced war, I
tasted peaceNever will I forget the bereaved families, parents
and children, who paid the cost of war. And all my life I shall
never stop to act for peace for the generations to come. Lets all
join hands and make it happen. This, too, was the sentiment of
Palestinian President Abbas who addressed, We want peace for
us and for our neighbors. We seek prosperity and peace of mind
for ourselves and for others alike.
In this contemporary age of massive secularism, it is a relief to
see Pope Francis leading the world to the only path to peacethe
way of God.
Fr. Roy Cimagala
Candidly Speaking
Candidly Speaking / A7
The Family:
Where the Duty to Society Begins
Only God can bring peace
Laitys Mission:
Evangelize with Joy
Back to school
Good news, bad news
Fr. James H. Kroeger, MM
Living Mission
Year of Laity Reections
Teresa R. Tunay, OCDS
and thats the truth
THE apostolic exhortation of
Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium:
The Joy of the Gospel, invites all
Christians to a renewed person-
al encounter with Jesus Christ
(3). The pope asserts that the
joy of the Gospel flls the hearts
and lives of all who encounter
Jesus; he aims to encourage
the Christian faithful to embark
upon a new chapter of evange-
lization marked by this joy (1).
Pope Francis notes that there
are Christians whose lives seem
like Lent without Easter (6) and
that an evangelizer must never
look like someone who has just
come back from a funeral (10).
Let us recover and deepen
our enthusiasm, that delightful
and comforting joy of evange-
lizing....And may the world of
our time, which is searching,
sometimes with anguish, some-
times with hope, be enabled to
receive the good news not from
evangelizers who are dejected,
discouraged, impatient or anx-
ious, but from ministers of the
Gospel whose lives glow with
fervor, who have frst received
the joy of Christ (10; EN 80).
JoyEven Amidst Lifes
Challenges. Rejoicing amidst
lifes vicissitudes is characteristic
of Christian faith and spiritual-
ity; it is a paradigm of how to
evangelize in the contemporary
world.
Blessed Mother Teresa of Cal-
cutta shared many insights into
joy-filled evangelization, both
for her sisters and all Catholic
laity. If you are joyful, do not
worry.Joy will shine in your
eyes and in your look, in your
conversation and countenance.
You will not be able to hide it
because joy overfows. When
people see happiness in your
eyes, they will become aware of
their nature as children of God.
Joy is very contagious. Try,
therefore, to be always overfow-
ing with joy whenever you go
among the poor. Christian joy
and joyful evangelizers are most
effective witnesses of the Gospel.
Christ is Alive! Evangelize!
Christs resurrection is not an
event of the past, says Pope
Francis; it contains a vital power
which has permeated the world.
Where all seems dead, signs of
the resurrection suddenly spring
up. It is an irresistible force. Of-
ten it seems that God does not ex-
ist; all around us we see persistent
injustice, evil, indifference and
cruelty (EG 276).
The Pope continues: How-
ever dark things are, goodness
always re-emerges and spreads.
Each day in our world beauty is
born anew; it rises transformed
through the storms of history.
Human beings have arisen time
after time from situations that
seemed doomed. Such is the
power of the resurrection, and all
who evangelize are instruments
of that power (EG 276).
Pope Francis notes that the
Church is necessarily concerned
about the baptized whose lives
do not refect the demands of
Baptism (EG 15). This means
that each of us as a Christian is
sent to share the power of Jesus
resurrection and to do the truth
in love (Eph 4:15). To seek what
is right, speak what is right, and
do what is right and to do it in
love, is genuine, joyful, resur-
rection faith in practice!
Friends, choose joy, choose
evangelization! Choose them
each day! Catholics, hear Pope
Francis direct challenge: Be Joy-
ful Evangelizers!
ANOTHER school year opens
and I am now again back to
school. Its just one among many
other pastoral assignments given
to me this year. But I welcome
this opportunity to be involved
in a school, since the exciting
task of forming people is made
easier by the more or less con-
trolled and structured conditions
schools have.
Still, I know I have to keep
myself strong inside and outside
to tackle all the burdens that un-
deniably are also great, and even
daunting. Just the same, I also
know that it also has its sweet
and gratifying moments. Its not
all sweat and blood, my friend.
As chaplain, I say holy mass
everyday for everyone there
students, teachers, staff, some
parents and guests. I hear con-
fessions, conduct recollections,
retreats and doctrine classes, and
sit for hours in the confessional
for personal spiritual direction.
These are very delicate tasks,
but also a very privileged honor.
Not everyone gets the chance to
be of help and to make some cru-
cial impact on the most intimate
aspects of the lives of young
people.
Much of this work is done
hidden and in silence, without
fanfare and worldly rewards. But
what consoles is the thought that
thats how things and persons
grow. And if I do things well, I
know that together with Gods
grace, I would be making a big
difference in the lives of people.
Its in these personal chats
that I can clarify matters and
issues, give pieces of advice and
words of encouragement, sow
reasons for hope and broaden
minds and hearts by pointing to
our ultimate common goal while
learning how to avoid getting
entangled along the way. My
desire is to be able to motivate
and inspire people.
In a sense, I would be walking
and journeying with them. And
given current world conditions,
the effort is not without diffcul-
ties. Complicated minds and at-
titudes have taken root in many
people. One really has to be very
patient and creative with them,
knowing how to make timely de-
tours, when to stop, when to go.
The effect of all these tasks is
many times very heartwarm-
ing, as people make welcome
changes in their lives. Some
people think miracles do not
happen anymore these days.
My experience is different. I see
miracles taking place every day,
though most of them do not have
external manifestations.
Among the things I do in
school is to give a class on Chris-
tian morality to high school se-
niors. While I have been giving
classes and talks on this topic,
theres always the challenge of
how to present the same ideas
and doctrine, especially to young
people whose mental and emo-
tional framework may be a bit,
if not, a lot different from what
Im used to.
Theres always the need to
adapt oneself to his audience.
He needs to be most perceptive
of the subtle shifts of mentality
that takes place among people
through the years and to attune
himself to those conditions.
It cannot be denied that giving
classes also involves some skills
in performance and theatrics to
be able to catch and keep the at-
tention of the students. Especial-
ly when the students are young,
the teacher has to contend with
the notorious fckle-mindedness
of these students. But he should
not lose sight of the essential
things to be imparted.
Due preparation is a must in
giving classes. A teacher has
to bear in mind that his pres-
GOOD News. Morality in Media, Inc. (MIM)
last June 10 reported that Google just
announced it is stopping all advertisements
for pornography as well as all ads that link
to sexually explicit websites Google also
agreed to stop offering sexually explicit
apps in their phone app store, Google Play.
Calling the transformation a David and
Goliath story, MIM says that for two years
it placed Google on its Dirty Dozen List
of top pornography facilitators in America,
and launched a public campaign to get
thousands of ordinary citizens to contact
Google by email and phone and urge the
company to get out of the porn business
for the sake of our children and families.
In addition to that the MIM met with the
Google executives, virtually waving the
banner for the cause of defending dignity.
MIM discovered, too, that Google executives
also have children and just as concerned as
MIM executives are about the infuence of
pornography on their children.
Bad News. Also on June 10, the Huffngton
Post U.K. said A very damaged 13-year-old
girl who was impregnated by a 14-year-old
boy was ordered to have an abortion by Sir
James Munby, Britains most senior fam-
ily judge. The girl, who cannot be named
for legal reasons, initially wanted to keep
her baby, but because she was considered
mentally incompetent, was forced to have
her child dismembered, decapitated, and dis-
emboweled by the medical establishment.
The report said that in spite of the fact that
the court was informed that she had set
her mind against a termination, Sir Munby
responded that, Leaving to one side her
own wishes and feelings, the preponderance
of all the evidence is clear that it would be
in her best interests to have a termination.
Munby demanded the abortion for this
girl against the wishes of medical experts
testifying at the trial, who warned that, If
the pregnancy were terminated I believe
that this would cause considerable harm
to this young girl, who would see it as an
assault.Continuing the pregnancymay
have a less detrimental effect on her given
her current circumstances. The psychiatrist
charged with evaluating her also warned
that the girl would fully understand what
the abortion entailed, and told the judge that
based on her unambiguous opposition to
having an abortion, she should not be forced
to have one. Sir Munbys response to the
girls refusal and the testimony of medical
experts and her psychiatrist, according to
the report, was It was clearly appropriate
And Thats The Truth / A5
A5 Vol. 18 No. 12
June 9 - 22, 2014
CBCP Monitor
THE news that continues to
dominate the headlines nowa-
days is the indictment of sena-
tors, congressmen and local
government offcials allegedly
involved in the pork barrel scam.
Three senators are about to be
arrested and tried. The various
lists of lawmakers and govern-
ment offcials supposedly linked
to the case reveal the extent of
corruption at the highest levels
of power.
Corruption has been likened
to cancer that has spread in
all levels of society from the
barangay level, to local govern-
ment units, to various govern-
ment offces (like the BIR, Bureau
of Customs, DENR), to police
and army personnel, to the ju-
diciary, legislative and executive
branches of government. Some
NGOs have been linked to these
anomalies. For many people, this
is not a surprise. Corruption has
become a way of life something
considered normal. Knowingly
or unknowingly, some members
of the clergy and religious have
become beneficiaries through
donations coming from those
engaged in corruption.
From a moral viewpoint, how
should we, as Christians and
as Church, view and judge cor-
ruption?
It is, first and foremost, a
personal act that has social con-
sequences. It is a form of stealing
fueled by greed for wealth and
power. Money that is meant to
beneft the people especially
the poor -- is diverted to the
pockets of corrupt government
offcials and their conspirators. It
can lead to death and damage of
property when corrupt govern-
ment offcials allow corporations
to destroy the environment that
causes fooding, air pollution,
and climate change.
It can lead to murder when the
corrupt try silence those who try
to denounce them or in order to
perpetuate themselves in power.
Those involved in corruption
end up losing their soul, even
if they make it appear that they
are pious.
Corruption is not only a per-
sonal act a personal sin which
has harmful social consequences.
It is also the manifestation of
social sin. Sin is not just found
in the hearts of individuals, but
embedded in systems and struc-
tures of society in political,
economic, social structures. It
has become a way of life part of
culture. It has become the domi-
nant environment. In his encyc-
lical Sollicitudo Rei Socialis (#
36), John Paul II refers to struc-
tures of sin that are rooted in
personal sin, and thus always
linked to the concrete acts of
individuals who introduce these
structures, consolidate them and
make them diffcult to remove
They grow stronger, spread,
and become the source of other
sins, and so infuence peoples
behavior.
Thus, in our particular case,
we end up with a corrupt and
sinful system, structure or situ-
ation. Those working within
the system will most likely be
corrupted especially if their
moral conscience and integrity
is lacking. Everybody is doing
it. I might as well do it. This
can become their justifcation.
There is an added pressure that
they might lose their job if they
refuse to cooperate or lose their
life if they expose the anomalies.
In a pastoral letter titled
Thou Shalt not Steal, the CBCP
in 1989 condemned corruption:
Graft and corruption in the
plainest of language, stealing
from the public through the
misuse of infuence or position
has become, to our shame as
a people, an ordinary fxture of
our nations public life. What
makes us even more sad is this:
acts of graft and corruption or
toleration and connivance with
Opinion
Atty. Aurora A. Santiago
Duc in Altum
Corruption as
Social Sin
Pope Francis to Visit His
Beloved Philippines
Zombigitals
The unacknowledged
malaise: the sin
of accumulating
excessive wealth
Fr. Amado L. Picardal, CSsR, SThD
Along The Way
And Thats The Truth / A7
Duc in Altum / A7
Along the Way / A7
LOS ANGELES, CaliforniaPope Francis
confirmed his visit to the Philippines in
January 2015. The Pope wants to visit the
areas stricken by Super typhoon Yolanda
(Haiyan) and the magnitude 7.2 earthquake
in Visayas. Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle said
that the purpose of Pope Francis visit is
to come close to the people who suffered
from the recent typhoon and earthquake.
The Filipinos eagerly await the visit of the
Supreme Pontiff who called our country his
beloved Philippines.
***
During the 48th World Communications
Day on the occasion of the Solemnity of the
Ascension of the Lord, the Holy Father set
the theme Communication at the Service
of an Authentic Culture of Encounter. Pope
Francis emphasized the need to take time for
silence, listening, and patience. He encour-
aged everyone to express tenderness online
in order to build a network not of wires but
of people. Good communication helps us
to grow closer, to know one another better
and ultimately, to grow in unity.
In this connection, the Diocese of Kaloo-
kan conducted a second collection for the
media apostolate, 80% of the collection goes
to the Diocesan Media Ministry and 20% will
go to the National Apostolate for Media in
support of the Popes message.
***
On June 8, 2014, Pope Francis met with
Israeli President Shimon Peres and Pales-
tinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the
Vatican Gardens. It was Pentecost Sunday.
The meeting was for a prayer for peace.
Vatican said we do not pray together, but
we come together to pray. He told the two
presidents, when he invited them to come
to Vatican in heartfelt prayer to God for the
gift of peace: Building peace is diffcult, but
living without peace is a constant torment.
The Jewish prayers were in Hebrew, the
Muslim prayers in Arabic, and the Christian
prayers in English, Italian and Arabic. Jew-
ish Rabbi Abraham Skorka and a Muslim,
Prof. Omar Abboud took part.
During his pilgrimage to the Holy Land,
Pope Francis reached out to other religions.
There was a very signifcant photo which
shows Pope Francis embracing his friends
Jewish Rabbi Skorka and Prof. Abboud.
Pope Francis pleaded to all people and to
all communities who look to Abraham,
to respect and love one another as broth-
ers and sisters. He said May we learn to
understand the sufferings of others! May
no one abuse the name of God through
violence! May we work together for justice
and peace!
***
In response to the Churchs call to spread
the Good News, the Catholic Bishops
Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), in
coordination with the Live Christ, Share
Christ Movement, successfully held the
New Evangelization Conference 2014 last
June 7, 2014 at the SMX Mall of Asia Hall 1
in Pasay City. CBCP President Archbishop
Socrates Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan,
opened the conference stating that Evan-
gelization is Jesus in my heart reaching out
to your heart. Evangelization is not telling
people what to do. It is telling people what
God has done for us, and God has gone all
the way to show His love for us. The event
is in preparation for the ffth centenary of
Christianity in the Philippines in 2021.
***
An Ursuline nun, Sr. Cristina Scuccia, won
The Voice of Italy singing and dancing to the
tune of What a Feeling from the movie
Flashdance. She thanked everyone for
the help and support and gave her highest
praise for God. After receiving her award,
she requested everyone to recite the Our
Father prayer because she wants Jesus to
come in. It drew a warning from her atheist
coach that he and the other bad boy coach
on stage will burn into fames. Her frst
video song No One of Alicia Keys got 51
million views at the YouTube.
The head of the Pontifcal Council for Cul-
ture, Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, tweeted
If we continue to commit injustice, God will
leave us without music. His advice Even
if you cant sing well, sing. Sing to yourself.
Sing in the privacy of your home. But sing!
***
Two members of our family will be
celebrating their birthdays this June: our
brother, Benito Santiago, Jr. on June 11 and
our mother, Gloria Angeles Santiago on June
13, the Feast of San Antonio de Padua. In
celebration, there will be 2,000 Hail Marys
prayed in the house of our sister (Vicky) to
be capped by the Holy Mass to be offciated
by Fr. Charlie de Guzman, Jr., SVD.
Our family thanks the Lord for the gift
of life to our mother, Gloria, whom we call
Inay. To you Inay, we wish you all the
best, good health and Gods blessings on
your 97th birthday.
As had been stated in the previous issues
some years ago, we thank Inay and Tatay,
Benito Sr., for having nurtured us, cherished
us, cared for us and educated us to become
Rev. Eutiquio Euly B. Belizar, Jr., SThD
By the Roadside
REMEMBER the new seven deadly sins? In 2008 the rela-
tively unknown Vatican body in charge of matters relating to
Penance and Indulgences, the Apostolic Penitentiary, through
its then head, Bishop Gianfranco Girotti, issued a document
that made the world sit up and take notice of what it called
new expressions of sin accompanying the phenomenon of
globalization. Little have Filipinos known, even up until now,
that the roots of the pork barrel scam had already been exposed
by a simple declaration. But were we paying any attention?
Of course, we could always dispute who determines exces-
sive wealth or how excessive is excessive. In fact, a capitalist
reacted sharply to the Vatican statement saying, Theres no
such thing as excessive wealth, only badly used wealth. Yet
even a cursory look at the massive poverty in the Philippines,
hardly dented by the economys recent much-touted phenom-
enal growths, and in whose hands the lions share of the pie
is, excessive would not be too hard to see or determine. The
countrys elite, many of whom seem heroically scrambling to
fnd the magic wand that will make the countrys poverty go
away, are themselves compounding the problem.
And they do so by giving in to the greed that fuels the sev-
enth new deadly sin. Ms. Napoles, the legislators and other
public offcials as well as private citizens involved in the pork
scam, no matter how singularly dreadful, may only be part
of the bigger picture. One asks, as I have many times asked:
How many Ms. Napoles are out there and how much dont
we really know about our legislators or public offcials actual
involvement in this and other still-unheard-of scams? It is a
gross mistake to judge ones integrity or corruption from the
presence or absence of ones name in one Napolist or another.
This the incumbent Eastern Samar Congressman and many
others like him must learn, lest future exposes or discoveries
may make their bubbles burst.
At this point, it may be useful to review, in anticipation of the
readers question, the new seven deadly sins. In the order the
document presents them, these are the following: (1) drug abuse;
(2) morally debatable experimentations; (3) environmental pol-
lution; (4) causing poverty; (5) social injustice and inequality; (6)
genetic manipulation; and (7) accumulating excessive wealth.
To my mind these sins are deadly because each constitutes
a threat to human life in its entirety: physical/material/eco-
nomic but also spiritual, moral, psychological, political and
socio-cultural. Neither does it seem too diffcult to see why
the seventh deadly sin or the sin of accumulating excessive
wealth is deadly, especially in regard to the beloved country
we call our own. Mainly it is because sin number seven (7)
is the single biggest factor behind sin number four (4), the
sin of causing poverty which exacerbates sin number fve
(5), social injustice and inequality. When only a few human
beings possess so much wealth, it naturally impoverishes the
many to whom some of it justly belongs. Besides, greed which
fuels sin number seven is really one of the original capital or
deadly sins, hardly assuaged even by a willingness to share
the crumbs with the teeming poor masses in a trickle-down
economy. Anything less than social justice will not undo the
poverty of our masses.
On the other hand, for committed Catholics and human be-
ings in general, what pains most is that excessive wealth in a
few violates the principle of the universal destination of goods.
It should be most painful for Filipino Catholics who take their
faith seriously because excessive wealth is a slap-in-face to
the constant teaching of the Catholic Church that the earths
goods are meant for all because they were created to beneft
all human beings and the whole human being (material and
spiritual). That some local churches, dioceses or parishes, have
so much wealth while many languish in constant penury is
very much of a piece with this deadly sin. Both clergy and laity
must work together to not only acknowledge this crying shame
but to do penance by setting the example of founding charity
on real justice both in the Church and in Philippine society.
In his frst letter to Timothy, Paul denounced false teachers,
pointing to the love of money as one of their distinguishing
marks: something we, both clergy and laity, must take to heart for,
like it or not, we are all teachers of the faith in word or in deed.
Says the Apostle to the Gentiles: In reality, religion is a trea-
sure if we are content with what we have. We brought nothing
into the world and we will leave it with nothingThose who
strive to be rich fall into temptations and traps. A lot of foolish
and harmful ambitions plunge them into ruin and destruction.
Indeed, the love of money is the root of all evil. Because of this
greed, some have wandered away from the faith, bringing on
themselves affictions of every kind (1 Tim 6:6-10).
In not a few instances I have heard people denouncing
money or wealth as the root of all evil. That is neither what
St. Paul nor this article has been saying. It is not wealth or
money that is evil but the love of it, something that can drive
us to accumulating excessive wealth.
The Christian antidote? Accumulate love and care for the
poor, strongly enough to fnd effective ways to true social
justice and equality in the Philippines and in the world. When
we shall have reached our goal, there should be no problem
with anything excessive.
Fr. Francis Ongkingco
Whatever
I COULDNT resist writing
about another current mode in
people when someone said, Fa-
ther, I just removed the zombie
you put in my cell phone!
His companion could not con-
tain his curiosity, What do mean
Father putting a zombie in your
cell phone? Is that a virus?
No, silly! He smirked. Its
a game that Father installed the
other day.
A priest installing a game?
The friend reacted even more
surprised hearing about a priest
installing games.
Father, just wanted my take
of the games graphic design and
music quality, he clarifed.
Oooh! Then why uninstall
it? his companion asked.
Because it was consuming
my battery fast...
Then you must have been
playing for a long time? the
other concluded.
Well, I have to admit that
it was quite addicting.
Addicting? The other eye-
ball rolled him. So it isnt really
about battery drain is it?
I guess not, but Father has
it in his phone too. And he says
he needs it to drain the battery!
[YIKES!] Did I say that? I
wondered quite amused with
their conversation.

* * *
What strikes me about their
conversation are the evidently
large number of movies, games
and books on zombies. Zombies,
or cannibalistic living corpses
without souls, have probably
been around as long as vampires
and werewolves have stalked
mans imagination.
They became more rampant in
the 60s with the movie the Night
of the Living Dead (1968). They
came back with a vengeance in
the sequel the Dawn of the Dead
(1978) and fnally a devastating
conclusion with the Day of the
Dead (1985).
But zombies, since then havent
evolved very much. They are
usually presented as boring, slow,
moving and dumb-witted objects
that are easy shooting targets.
This is also why these poor
dilapidated monsters are also
the all-time favorite of FPS (First
Person Shooter) games.
With a recent flm World War
Z, however, the concept of a
dull-snail-paced-cannibal mon-
ster radically changed. WW-Z
CGI-ed them into a fast mov-
ing hoard of monsters, capable
of synchronizing attacks into
waves, and forming killer zom-
bie pillars against helicopters.
Yikes! How will we survive such
an attack? Perhaps, Brad Pitt has
some ideas.
Once I heard of an interesting
theory, perhaps coming from one
of these zombie fan forums, that
zombies could actually exist. Not
exactly like those in horror mov-
ies and games, but resulting from
a virus. As it evolves, the infected
host will then gradually manifest
zombie-like qualities, whose last
stage and worse symptom will
be cannibalism.
Even though we may never
experience such a virus, I do
believe that zombies do now live
amongst us. Thank God, theyre
not violent or dont have an ap-
petite for your brain. But they
have symptoms that set them
apart from the rest of the world.
They have been infected, and
are also infecting others with
the zombigital virus or Z-Virus
for short.
In the same way that there are
different types of zombies (i.e. slow,
medium and fast paced) there
are also different manifestations
of those infected by the Z-Virus.
There are text-zombies, audio-
zombies, surfng-zombies, game-
zombies, and tab-zombies, etc.
Am I just joking? Perhaps. But
observe people today and you
will notice that both young and
old are either (a) plugged with
earphones, (b) texting messages
or (c) surfng the Net, and they
manage to multi-task all these
with (d) chatting with a person,
(e) driving a car or a bicycle, (f)
doing their homework, etc.
When you interrupt or try to
connect with these infected in-
dividuals, you will either get a
UHUH! or luckily some generic
nod of the head. They do manage
to achieve many things, commu-
nicate some ideas and scratch out
some vague identity. But by being
so connected or infected with the Z-
Virus, they are losing their capacity
to be in touch with humanity.
Were not talking here of ex-
treme cases like people playing
games for three straight days
and dropping dead, spending
hours and hours updating ones
Facebook status using a faceless
unidentifable avatar, or losing
sleep, homework and chore
time because of Candy Crush
or the many existing variants of
Temple Run on the tablet.
But there is a more serious
phenomenon happening: people
forgetting or losing their social
graces, personal elegance and so-
cial rapport. With more empha-
sis on i-gadgets, myPictures, my-
Music, and other self-centering
zombigital strains, persons are
slowly more disconnected from
others and are drained of their
capacity to enrich themselves
and others.
The cure to the zombigital
virus is relatively easy and free:
personal awareness, moderation
and a genuine concern to know
and serve them in ways that our
techno-virtual world cannot, in
other words, to be human to
them by offering: a warm smile,
a frm handshake, a kiss, an em-
brace and the comforting look of
understanding, forgiveness and
a prayerful heart.
Want to unzombie yourself if
youre infected with the Z-Virus?
Set a disconnection vaccine for
a day, a week and a month. Ex-
ample, for a day, Facebook only
in the evening at a given dura-
tion; for a week, dont change
your status; and for a month,
dont change your avatar. Keep
at these targets and youll be
cured of the Z-virus in no time!
Be creative, dont be a zombie!
for me to supply the necessary
consent to enable the termina-
tion to proceed.
Good News. Associated
Press announced also on June 10
that two girls born as conjoined
twins 18 years ago are now co-
valedictorians at the Lutheran
High North in Houston, Texas.
Caitlin and Emily Copeland
were born fused at the chest,
liver and bile ducts, but not the
heart, thus, doctors were able to
successfully perform a separa-
tion surgery. Once they were
separated at 10 months of age,
the twins then began to pros-
per. Pregnancy with conjoined
twins is a phenomenon that
occurs once in every 200,000
live births; between 40 percent
and 60 percent are stillborn, and
some 35 percent survive one day.
Now beaming teenagers look-
ing forward to college, Caitlin
and Emily celebrated on their
18th birthday the success of the
surgery, the blessing that sepa-
rated them. I think for anyone
its exciting to get to 18, but in
particular for us I think its just a
really big blessing that we got to
18, considering what could have
happened, Caitlin said.
Bad News. On the same day,
Reuters published a review
of more than 100 court flings
during the past year, showing
that at least 30 of the countrys
largest firms are representing
challengers to state laws banning
same-sex marriage. Not a single
member of the Am Law 200, a
commonly used ranking of the
largest U.S. frms by revenue, is
defending gay marriage prohibi-
tions. Software company Mozil-
las CEO, Brendan Eich, resigned
A6 Vol. 18 No. 12
June 9 - 22, 2014
CBCP Monitor
Local News
They said that the distribution
of land, in certain instances, does
not really serve its purpose of
improving the lives of farmer-
benefciaries for it is very well
possible that the benefciaries,
lacking the wherewithal and the
skills render of their new hold-
ings that were hitherto produc-
tive now unproductive.
According to the CBCP, the
need for quick money has forced
some farmer-benefciaries to use
their newly-acquired property for
transactions in the underground
market, frustrating the very pur-
poses of land distribution.
In this respect, legal reform
towards allowing farmer-benef-
ciaries to lease or mortgage their
property when such contracts
should hold out the promise of
higher productivity for the land
and higher standards of living
for our farmer-beneficiaries
must receive serious study, it
added.
Accounting, transparency
Unless accompanied by an
uncompromisingly rigid system
of accounting and transparency,
the generous allocation of funds
for farm inputs will only beneft
corrupt individuals who have re-
morselessly profted from public
funds, the bishops said.
For i nstances wherei n a
farmer-beneficiary regrettably
chooses to abandon and leave
his land unproductive, the prel-
ates emphasized the need for
a legal mechanism that will
revert the land to re-distribution
so it may be awarded to other
farmer-benefciaries who have
the willingness and capacity to
render it more productive.
The bishops also noted the prob-
lem arising from the collective issu-
ance of 70 percent of Certifcates of
Land Ownership Awards.
Since it involves one million
farmers and two million hect-
ares, the legal rights of the indi-
vidual benefciaries are far from
being settled, they said.
Consigned to a state of un-
certainty, this acreage cannot be
productive, nor can the supposed
benefciaries enjoy the rights that
the law intends them to have,
the CBCP said, noting that this
is a matter for the Department of
Agrarian Reform to settle with
urgency and resoluteness.
Stewards of creation
We, your pastors, must warn
against every scheme that would
have land that has already been
distributed, gathered in the
hands of those (who) would
once more amass tracts of land
in contravention of the equitable
purpose of land-distribution,
the prelates said.
What this problem points to
is the importance of the forma-
tion of our farmer-benefciaries,
including their Christian forma-
tion as stewards of this worlds
resources, particularly land,
they added.
The prelates vowed that the
church will do its share to vigi-
lantly police, observe, and
report on the allocation, distribu-
tion, and application of public
monies and funds targeting farm
productivity through engaging
the social action commission of
dioceses and other ecclesiastical
jurisdictions.
The Philippine Church must,
with all haste and diligence,
involve itself in the formation
of our farmer-beneficiaries so
that rather than devising ways
of circumventing the law by
alienating their holdings and
contradicting the purposes of
land-distribution, they may be
true stewards of this worlds
goods, the CBCP said.
CARP / A1
Philharmonic Orchestra, seven
Philippine-based choirs, Voices
of Aloha from the University
of Hawaii, singers Basil Valdez,
Dulce, Jed Madela, mezzo-sopra-
no Clarissa Ocampo, and tenor
Ervin Lumauag.
Proceeds of the concert will go
to the rebuilding of Yolanda-hit
chapels and churches in Samar
and Leyte through Caritas Ma-
nilas Damayan sa Haiyan
rehabilitation program.
Caritas Manila executive di-
rector Fr. Anton Pascual said,
We must remain in solidarity
with our brothers and sisters
who are slowly recovering from
the blows of Yolanda. The cha-
pel has been a place of refuge for
the survivors, symbolizing hope
and giving them the reassurance
that God is with us.
Tagle explained, Caritas Ma-
nila is the social service arm of
the Catholic Church, especially
in the Archdiocese of Manila
whenever there are natural di-
sasters and even human-made
disasters, which happen on a
daily basis Caritas Manila is
there to be the presence of the
Church in responding to the
needs of the people.
He noted, Even if the ac-
tions of Caritas Manila have
not always been placed on the
front pages of the dailies, it
doesnt mean that the action is
missing.
Cayabyab, a Pro Ecclesia et
Pontifce awardee for his con-
tribution to sacred music and
religious themes, said that the
concert is his thanksgiving for
his 60th birth anniversary.
Caritas Manila also marks
its 60th anniversary this year.
( Raymond A. Sebast i n /
CBCPNews)
Artists / A1
that she is a proud daughter of
the Church.
I am Catholic and I am
proud, she declared amid
the deafening applause of the
crowd composed mainly of
young professionals in their 20s
and early 30s.
Umali, who works for GMA
7s news and public affairs de-
partment, credits her successful
career to God, whom she said
blesses her with everything that
she is and has.
Growi ng up i n a devout
household, she shared that
since childhood, she has always
been exposed to a life of daily
prayer, regular Sunday mass,
confessions, feast-day proces-
sions, and similar religious
observances expected of a
Catholic.
Her parish church, that of
Sacred Heart in Kamuning,
Quezon City is a mute witness
to her and her familys deep
piety.
Umali thanked her parents
for raising the family in holy
fear of the Lord. She rejoices
that not one of her siblings have
been led astray.
Were all professionals and
have secure jobs, she said.
She kept her religious habits
even when she was already
studying at the University of the
Philippines (UP), where tempta-
tions left and right are likely to
be the ruin of those faint of will.
When she was no longer
happy being a pre-med stu-
dent, she left it up to God to
determine the path she was
to take.
Sign from heaven
A sign from heaven, she said,
found her applying for a broad-
cast communications course.
The rest is GMA history.
While Umali had been in four
relationships before marrying
her colleague Raffy Tima, she
said she can boast that she
marched down the aisle un-
blemished.
They were asking me for
something which was unthink-
able of me to giveId rather
lose them than lose what I have
vowed to give only to the man
I will marry, Umali shared in
Filipino.
She reasoned that she could
not give her boyfriends what
only a lawful husband has a
right to. (Raymond A. Sebas-
tin / CBCPNews)
Broadcaster / A1
converts followed years later and many
Japanese were deported to Macau and the
Philippines.
Jihyoe was first educated in Japan by
Portuguese Jesuits, who taught him Latin
and public speaking, Casio said. He con-
tinued his studies in Macau and returned
to Japan fve years later to work as catechist
and preacher.
In 1622, Jihyoe went to Manila and joined
the Augustinians because of the great ad-
miration he had for the order and the works
it demonstrated in Japan, Casio said. He
was professed in Manila in 1624 and later
ordained priest in Cebu.
Knowing Christians were being perse-
cuted by unbelieving rulers back home,
Jihyoe, returned to Nagasaki in 1631 to take
part in the sufferings of the faithful and try
what he could do to protect them from the
persecutors, Casio said.
But going back to Japan was not as easy
as Jihyoe had predicted it, he said. His frst
attempt to sail back to Nagasaki was met by
an unforgiving sea that smashed his ship. He
would suffer two more shipwrecks before
fnally reaching Japanese shores.
Martyr for the faith
Back in Edo, the Japanese Augustinian
kept his religious identity and evangeli-
zation work from the local rulers, Casio
said, and got employed as a sword-bearer
and horse cleaner in Nagasaki using the
name Kintsuba, while at the same doing
his mission.
However, his ministry was disclosed to
the shogunate in 1636, fve years after he
arrived home. Upon arrest, he told his cap-
tors I am Father Thomas of St. Augustine
Jihyoe.
On August 21, 1637, he was subjected to
the torture of the pit, where he was hung
upside down over a hole with 12 other men
and women. .
On November 6, Jihyoe was hung again
by the feet over the hole, he said. Refusing to
relinquish Christianity, his head was buried
into a rotting pile of garbage until he died.
He was 35.
With the religion enjoying free expression
today, the modern priest still has an ocean
and sword to brave to continue the mission,
Casio said. (Oliver Samson / CBCPNews)
Inspires / A1
bringing the Good News to oth-
ersthrough living pure (liv-
ing the vow of chastity), living
the Word (studying Scripture),
living life (promoting the
pro-life advocacy), and living
full (living in solidarity with
the poor).
Padilla also noted that the
fight of the present millen-
nium will be a battle between
the culture of death and the
cul ture of l i fethe reason
why Catholics must be guided
on issues like contraception,
divorce, and abortion, among
others.
The Philippines will be
the favorite target of diaboli-
cal forces because compared
to other nations, we remain
pro-family and pro-life, he
said.
Full-time missionary Grant
Javier also called on the Catholic
faithful to seize the opportunity
to share the word of God, not-
ing that this Year of the Laity is
perfect timing for them to fulfll
this mission.
The Year of the Laity is our
year. Let us all seize it. Let us tell
ourselves that this is our year,
he said, noting that 2014 is a
special year as it has been dedi-
cated by the Philippine Church
to the non-ordained members of
the church.
The NEC 2014 also featured
the National Catholic Expo,
which showcased booths from
different religious groups and
organizations.
Among those featured in the
exposition were the Eternal
World Television Network, Word
and Life Publications, Radyo
Veritas 846, Pauline Books and
Media, Caritas Manila, and
many other Catholic organiza-
tions and sponsors. (Jennifer M.
Orillaza / CBCPNews)
Confab / A1
Good Governance Forum set to tackle
laity as agents of change
GIVING prime emphasis to
the role played by lay people
in the countrys secular affairs,
the Diocese of Novaliches will
be holding a good governance
forum for lay leaders and good
governance advocates at the
Santuario de San Vicente de Paul
Shrine on June 14.
Dubbed the We Choose To Be
Brave: Filipino Lay Leaders Are
Todays Good Governance Ad-
vocates, the forum will tackle
the role played by the laity as
agents of change in the modern
times.
Reponse to corruption
The stories of massive graft
and corruption, election-related
killings and oppression, and the
substandard social services pro-
vided to Filipinos have led to a
lot of broken hearts and broken
hopes, the diocese said in a
press statement.
In the Year of the Laity, the
church awakens to the calling to
Choose to Be Brave and is pro-
pelled to respond to a saintly mis-
sion and act heroically, it added.
The forum, which will run
from 7:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon,
will gather lay leaders and good
governance advocates from the
67 parishes in Quezon City Dis-
tricts 2, 3, 5, 6 and Caloocan City
District 1.
Manila Archbishop Luis An-
tonio Cardinal Tagle will give
a keynote speech on the topic
The Filipino Laity: Challenged
to Be Agents of Change in our
Country Today. It will be fol-
lowed by an open forum and a
sharing of the different examples
of good governance work in the
Philippines.
Rev. Fr. Rolando A. Tuazon,
Shrine Rector of Santuario de
San Vicente de Paul Parish, will
lead a Call to Action, to be
followed by a pledge of commit-
ment by youth groups.
Preps for 2016 polls
In response to the call of the
Year of Laity, the Diocese of No-
valiches is committed to the for-
mation and organizing of Good
Governance Advocates engaging
in electoral, community educa-
tion, legislative, and pastoral
accompaniment in politics, the
diocese said.
We believe that evangeliza-
tion in this sphere is of utmost
importance especially in prepa-
ration for the crucial 2016 elec-
tions, it added.
Reiterating the call of Pope
Francis, the Novaliches diocese
called on its lay faithful to take
courage and go out into the
world of the family, of business,
of economics, of politics, of edu-
cation, of mass media and social
media of communications, and
to every human endeavor where
the future of humanity and the
world are at stake and to make
a difference.
We all have to make all things
new in our beloved country,
one brave choice at a time. And
as we choose to act out of love,
for ourselves and for our fellow
men, we go out into the world,
as heroes, it added. (Jennifer M.
Orillaza / CBCPNews)
Obedience defnes Dominicansapologist
ONE thing best defnes the
Order of Preachers (OP):
obedience to the Pope and
the Church.
And lawyer Marwill N.
Llasos, himself a Domini-
can, could not agree more.
In a formation talk he
delivered Sunday, June 8,
to the Company of Saint
Dominic in Sampaloc, he
detailed how the Domini-
cans nearly blind loyalty
to what the Lord lived and
died for fnds expression in
various areas of the faith.
Hounds of the Lord
The Dominicans, he said,
have always stood by the
Bishop of Rome, and their
orthodoxy has earned them
the nickname hounds of
the Lord.
Llasos, who is also a re-
nowned Catholic apologist,
shared that only members
of their community are
given the privilege of be-
coming the theologian to
the papal household, an
honor they have held for
centuries.
In this capacity, Domin-
ican priest Mario Luigi
Ciappi served fve succes-
sive pontiffs: Pius XII, John
XXIII, Paul VI, John Paul I,
and John Paul II.
Dominicans defended the
Church against all forms of
heresies, most remarkably
during the Albigensian
revolt of the Middle Ages.
They also refned Catho-
lic theology. Llasos takes
pride that his Order has
produced some of the
sharpest minds the world
has seen.
They were talented men
and women who had self-
lessly put their intellects at
the service of the Church,
he noted.
Foremost among these
geniuses, he stressed, is St.
Thomas Aquinas, the An-
gelic Doctor, who, in his as
yet unsurpassed Summa
Theologiae, harmonized
the Judeo-Christian belief
in One God with Aristo-
telian reason, seeing no
real discrepancy between
the two.
Equally brilliant were the
martyr St. Peter of Verona;
the stigmatists Sts. Cathe-
rine of Siena and Catherine
of Ricci; Bl. Alvarez of Cr-
doba; St. Albert the Great,
the walking encyclopedia
of his day and teacher to the
Dumb Ox St. Thomas; Bl.
Henry Suso; and St. Domi-
nic of Guzman himself,
OPs founding father.

Catholic devotions
Llasos pointed out that
the obedience of Domini-
cans, which critics may fnd
faulty, often place them at
the center of controversy,
at least, from a historical
standpoint.
He lamented that the rep-
utation of the Holy Offce
(Inquisition), an institution
that had noble intentions,
with the Dominicans hand-
picked to preside over it,
had become blackened by
anti-Catholic propaganda.
Recent studies, however,
reveal that the Inquisition
was not as bad as it had
been made out to be.
Archi val document s
prove that Inquisition pris-
ons were ahead of their
time compared to secular
ones.
Less familiarly, Domin-
icans introduced devo-
tions many of the faithful
mistakenly assume to be
non-Dominican in origin
like those of the Sacred
Heart, the Five Wounds,
the Holy Name, the Pierced
Heart, the Way of the Cross,
and others. (Raymond A.
Sebastin / CBCPNews)
IN response to the miscon-
ception that the issue of ed-
ucation is strictly a concern
of the national government,
experts urged local govern-
ments to muster political
will and start prioritizing
education.
Money is never enough,
there are no local govern-
ments who will be able
to say we have enough
money. What is needed is
prioritization, said former
Senator Nene Pimentel Jr. at
the weekly Tapatan sa Aris-
tocrat media forum May 26.
Former Senator Nene
Pimentel Jr. emphasized
that the mandate to make
education the frst priority
is not only for the national
governmentfrom the top
to the bottombut for ev-
erybody, which includes
local government units.
The duty to build class-
rooms essentially belongs
to national government,
DePED, but local govern-
ments may also build class-
rooms, he added.
As a former Chair of
the Committee on Local
Government, Pimentel sup-
ported amendments to
further strengthen the role
of local government units
in national development,
which includes education.
In terms of budgeting on
the national level, former
senator and former Manila
mayor Alfredo Lim said the
administration should put its
money where its mouth is.
Education should be
given primary focus on
expenditure, he said.
According to Lim, a big
chunk of the national bud-
get should go to education,
instead of national defense.
(Chrixy Paguirigan)
Local governments urged to
prioritize education
Cat hol i c apol ogi st At t y.
Marwi l Ll asos di scusses
the Dominicans well-known
obedience and loyalty to the
Church and the Holy Father
during a session with the
Company of Saint Dominic on
June 8, 2014
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A7 Vol. 18 No. 12
June 9 - 22, 2014
CBCP Monitor
Diocesan News
ence alone should project a certain
wholesomeness that would attract
the young students, including the
laziest and the most distracted and
inattentive ones.
He should try his best to be consis-
tent with what he is teaching. What
frustrates students most is when they
see their teachers not living what they
are teaching.
In this class on Christian morality,
I immediately felt he needs to clarify
what morality is not. Thats because
nowadays, many people, especially
the young, come with very distorted
ideas and biases against the mere
mention of morality.
I had to say that morality is not
just about human sexuality, though
a good part is dedicated to it since it
is where many of us have our weak-
ness, if not, our Waterloo. Neither is
morality simply about rules, though
rules there also are.
The challenge is how to make a
keen sense of morality an integral,
natural part of ones thinking,
speaking and acting. Sad to say,
with the thick cloud of confusion
nowadays, many people have prac-
tically lost this sense, and if they
still have it, it is quite damaged,
needing repair.
Candidly Speaking / A4
them are no longer ordinarily viewed as
sin, but are often considered as acts of clev-
erness (when uncaught) or mistakes (when
caught). But they are no longer considered
as sin or offenses against the Lord who has
commanded us not to steal, sees everything
we do, and is revolted by these acts of graft
and corruption. This sin is today especially
hateful before God because it steals money
from the already poor. Stealing from public
funds is so much more food plucked from the
mouths of the starving, so many more chains
binding us, plunging us deeper into the en-
slaving spiral of poverty from which we are
begging to be extricated with outside help.
Under present circumstances, it becomes
a sin of the blackest hue, a sin that cries to
heaven for vengeance (cf. James 5:4).
It is part of the Churchs prophetic mis-
sion to denounce corruption as a moral evil
and social sin. It is her duty to call people
to personal conversion. This is the fruit of
new evangelization.
But calling individuals to personal
conversion is not enough to overcome cor-
ruption since it is already embedded in the
structures and systems of society.
Social and political transformation is
necessary. This means awakening the
moral conscience of the people vis--vis
corruption, encouraging more whistle-
blowers, dismantling the patronage sys-
tem, supporting the efforts of government
agencies in anti-corruption drives. Voters
education should be carried out, teaching
the citizens to vote for honest and compe-
tent candidates and reject candidates with
track records of corruption.
The clergy and religious should stop ask-
ing and accepting donations from govern-
ment offcials and wealthy business-people
who may be engaged in corruption.
Basic Ecclesial Communities should be
involved in the drive against corruption at
the barangay level through the IRA (Inter-
nal Revenue Allotment) Watch and moni-
tor projects initiated by local government
units and report instances of corruption.
Thus, the struggle against corruption
is waged not only within the hearts of
individuals but also in the systems and
structures of society.
Along the Way / A5
what we are nowprofes-
sionals, good citizens and
united in standing frm and
defending the Catholic faith.
Our parents experience
is more than enough proof
that raising us, their seven
children, giving us college
education, producing pro-
fessionals, making us good
citizens and God fearing,
are not really impossible
tasks to do. The will and
determination to live an
honest and decent life is
needed. Our poor brothers
and sisters can also receive
such blessings if the gov-
ernment would provide
them the basic necessities
such as housing, health
and education, so that the
poor would not depend on
dole-outs from politicians.

***
I wish to give birthday
greetings to Bishop Fran-
cisco de Leon, Apostolic
Administrator of Kaloo-
kan Diocese; Bishop Jesse
Mercado of Paraaque,
Fr. Ardie Ong, Fr. Romeo
Saniel, OMI and Manuel
Caballero, a family friend
and columnist of the Fili-
pino Reporter in New York,
U.S.A. Happy Sacerdotal
Anniversary to Fr. Mario
Cueto and Fr. Joel Sabijon.
Duc in Altum / A5
let us remember that the
offenses with which those
who now stand accused are
charged could very well be
the offense of any of us as
well, the prelate added.
Villegas made this state-
ment following the indict-
ment of Senators Jinggoy
Estrada, Juan Ponce Enrile
and Ramon Bong Revilla
Jr., businesswoman Janet
Lim-Napoles and fve oth-
ers in the Sandiganbayan
for plunder over the illegal
siphoning of public funds
by dubious non govern-
ment organizations.
Who are we to con-
demn? Let the one who has
no sin be the frst to cast a
stone, he said.
We embrace all who have
wronged society as our broth-
ers and sisters and continue
to pray, that as Gods people,
we may all walk the path of
conversion and renewal, the
CBCP president said.
Path of righteousness
Villegas emphasized the
need for those who are
tasked to prosecute to ob-
serve total commitment to
the human rights of the ac-
cused and those who have
been charged to deal with
the full force of the law.
Everybody culpable,
whatever their political
affliations may be, should
be investigated and, if so
warranted, indicted. When
justice is selective, it is not
justice at all, he said.
Noting that a vengeful
action cannot be from God,
Villegas reminded the pub-
lic not to act out of hatred or
desire for vengeance.
Let no actionofficial,
personal or otherwisebe
ever born out of hatred or a
desire for vengeance, he said.
Let everything we do be
born out of sincere love for
each other and concern for
the common good for only
then will we be recognized
as disciples of the Divine
Master who searches out
and rescues the lost and
the weak, Villegas added.
(Jennifer M. Orillaza / CB-
CPNews)
Condemn / A1
the assertions of Vicente
Calibo De Jesus, president
of Tunog at Liwanag sa
Teatro Inc.who believes
i t was hel d i nstead i n
Mazaua.
A panel chaired by Dr.
Benito Legardal conduct-
ed a public forum at the
National Museum, invit-
ing all interested parties
to present their evidence,
Ocampo said.
De J esus, he not ed,
however, did not attend
the forum.
Since Mr. De Jesus re-
fused to participate in the
forum, why does he now
contest the outcome?
Ocampo asked.
In response to De Jesus
claim that the Limasawa
first mass was a hoax
and the real site of the
first Eucharistic celebra-
tion was in Mazaua,
an island-port believed
to be part of Butuan in
Mindanao, Ocampo said
the evidence to support
otherwise is all in the pan-
el report and the board
resolution.
Contrary to Mr. De Je-
sus assertions the panel
report and board resolu-
tion are public records,
he added.
Anyone, according to
Ocampo, may request the
full documentation of the
issues from the NHCP.
De Jesus maintains that
the first mass was said on
Easter Sunday, March 31
1521 at Mazaua.
Two corroborating ac-
counts by Antoni o Pi -
gafetta, a 16th century
Italian navigator and his-
torian, and Antonio de
Herrera y Tordesillas, a
Spanish chronicler and
writer, mentioned this
event.
Ma s a wa , wh i c h
means brilliant light and
crystal clear, is a word
used only by Butuanons
and their sons, Tausogs.
In one of his Facebook
posts, De Jesus called on
the National Historical
Commission of the Phil-
ippines (NHCP) to stop
peddling the Limasawa
first mass hoax, calling
the commission a liar.
De Jesus is currently
collecting signatures for
a campaign to correct
the hi story through a
petition. (Oliver Samson
/ CBCPNews)
Hoax / A1
Priest calls for correct
popular devotions
JARO, Iloilo, June 2, 2014
In a bid to lead the faithful
to a correct understanding
of worship, Msgr. Alejan-
dro P. Esperancilla, special
assistant for liturgical af-
fairs of the National Shrine
of Our Lady of Candles in
Jaro, Iloilo pointed out the
many defects inherent in
the practice of popular de-
votions, which he believes
can endanger their spiritual
lives if left unchecked.
Esperancilla cited dan-
gers which popular devo-
tions in general and Marian
devotions in particular can
expose Catholics to.
Popular devotions can
end up becoming more
important than the liturgy.
We have seen people at-
tach greater importance to
devotions like novenas and
processions at the expense
of the sacraments, Esper-
ancilla said.
Some people, the shrine
liturgist explained, prefer
going to mass on Wednes-
day for the Perpetual Help
novena rather than go to
mass on Sunday, or they
attend processions and
novenas, but fail to give im-
portance to the Eucharist.
Esperancilla observed
that popular devotions can
cause people to develop
false priorities and values
in their spiritual life.
He wondered, We have
seen the rich and powerful
build shrines and donate
money for the propagation
of devotions to Mary and the
saints, but neglect the works
of justice, good government,
and charity to the less fortu-
nate, let alone their workers.
The devotions aim, Es-
perancilla stressed, is life
transformation.
If devotions do not
transform our lives then
there must somethi ng
wrong with them or with
t he peopl e pract i ci ng
them, he said.
The priest also called at-
tention to popular devotions
excessive emphasis on sub-
jectivism, externalism, and
sentimentalism. (Raymond A.
Sebastin with reports from Fr.
Mickey Crdenas)
The devotion to the Nuestro Padre Jess Nazareno (Our Father the Black Nazarene) is one of
the most beloved and popular devotions in the Philippines.
San Carlos diocese
rejoices at bishop
appointment of son
MANILA, June 6, 2014The Bishop of
San Carlos, Negros Occidental, Bishop
Gerardo A. Alminaza, DD, together
with the clergy, the religious and the lay
faithful of the diocese, rejoiced upon the
wonderful news of Msgr. Patrick Daniel
Y. Parcons appointment as Bishop of
the diocese of Talibon in Bohol.
Proud diocese
In expressing the overfowing joy
of the diocese upon the news of the
appointment, Alminaza said, The
Diocese of San Carlos congratulates
and assures Msgr. Dan of our prayers
and support!
WE ARE PROUD OF YOU! As
you are a gift to us, go as our gift and
Gods gift to the people of God in the
Diocese of Talibon and the Universal
Church, Alminaza added, address-
ing the new bishop-elect.
Msgr. Parcon, or Msgr. Dan to those
who know him personally, was born
in Vallehermoso, Negros Oriental
on November 24, 1962. The 7th child
among 9 siblings of the late Ambrocio
Parcon and the late Obdulia Yee, Msgr.
Dan completed his elementary school-
ing at the Macario Espaola Memorial
School in Canla-on City, his high School
education at the Silliman University
High School and graduated Bachelor
of Science in Chemistry at the Silliman
University, Dumaguete City, Negros
Oriental.
Pastoral roles
Msgr. Dan entered St. Joseph Semi-
nary College in Dumaguete where he
fnished his Philosophy studies. After
which, he went to the St, Joseph Re-
gional Seminary in Iloilo City for his
theological formation.
The bishop-elect holds a Masters
Degree in Religion and Religious
Education, with core specialization in
Christian Spirituality, from the Ford-
ham University in New York City, USA.
He has held a number of pastoral
roles, including that of Spiritual Di-
rector and Dean of Studies at the St.
John Mary Vianney Seminary in San
Carlos City from 1994 to 2000. He was
Parish Administrator of the Ascension
Church, Hurricane, West Virginia, U.S.;
Parish Administrator of the Immacu-
late Conception Church, Liberty, Texas,
U.S; and Parish Vicar at the Blessed
Sacrament Church, Valley Stream,
New York.
Upon his return to the Philippines
in 2007, he was appointed Rector of
the St. John Mary Vianney Seminary of
the diocese of San Carlos and Director
of the Marriage and Family Life Apos-
tolate in the same diocese.
During the Sede Vacante of the
Diocese of San Carlos, with the ap-
pointment of Bishop Jose F. Advincula
as Archbishop of Capiz, he served as
Diocesan Administrator from January
2011 until the installation of Bishop
Alminaza, DD, as Bishop of the Diocese
of San Carlos in November of 2013.
Parcon was the Vicar General and
Rector of San Carlos Borromeo Cathe-
dral at the time he was named Bishop
of Talibon by Pope Francis.
Parcon succeeds Bishop Christian Vi-
cente F. Noel whose resignation, upon
reaching the age of 75, was accepted by
Pope Francis.
As Bishop of Talibon, Msgr. Parcon
will shepherd the faithful of an area
comprising 2,243 square kilometers
with a population of 737,938 where
Catholics number around 677, 309 with
76 diocesan priests and 52 religious. (Fr.
Mickey Cardenas)
Scrap mining law Baclaran church
PARAAQUE City, June 6, 2014
Now, Baclaran Church might be
known for more than just novenas
and answered prayers. On June 4,
the church launched a signature drive
calling for the junking of the Mining
Act of 1995 which allegedly legal-
izes the plunder of our remaining nat-
ural resources by foreign companies.
In a written statement, the Scrap
the Mining Act Alliance, of which
the National Shrine of Our Mother of
Perpetual Help (Baclaran Church) is
a member, along with other religious
and secular groups from the public
and private sectors, stresses that
large-scale mining is a life-and-death
issue for the indigenous and Filipino
people.
While it acknowledges its im-
portance in building national
industries and [in] providing for
the industrial needs of the people,
the alliance regretted that mining
has unjustly enriched a few at the
expense of the vast majority and the
environment.
It explains that reversal of the
unconstitutionality of Republic Act
7942, or the Philippine Mining Act of
1995 ten years ago has only brought
about the plunder of resources, land
grabbing, massive destruction of our
environment and ecosystem, human
rights violations, loss of traditional
livelihoods, gross violations of in-
digenous peoples collective rights
and its replacement of low-wage,
insecure jobs.
It lambasts the local mining indus-
try and the law that protects it for
lacking direction towards utilizing
our mineral resources and develop-
ing our national industries even as
foreign frms are allowed to rake in
billions of dollars in profts and Fili-
pinos in mining-affected communities
remain poor.
According to the alliance, the Min-
ing Act of 1995 gives mining compa-
nies the following privileges:
Up to 100% foreign-owned capital
and repatriation proft
Freedom from requisition of
investment, freedom from expropria-
tion
Tax exemption for a grace period
of ten years
Easement rights, water rights, and
timber rights
Tariff and tax exemption for the
materials and supplies imported for
their mining operation or exploration
and free use of port for ten years
The shrines Justice, Peace & In-
tegrity of Creation advocacy group
also mounted a photo exhibit on the
church grounds to raise awareness
among churchgoers on the effects
of mining on the environment and
indigenous communities.
The manifesto mentions that there
are at least 712 approved mining
applications spanning a total of
967,530.80 hectares across the country
to date, 251 or 55% of which are areas
where indigenous Filipinos live.
The signature drive was also
launched to celebrate World Environ-
ment Day. (Raymond A. Sebastin)
Prayer in action: A Baclaran devotee
signs the petition to junk the Philippine
Mining Act of 1995 at the Baclaran
Church on June 4, 2014
The group Scrap the Mining Act Alliance,
of which Baclaran church is a member,
decries the exploitative mining practices
currently legal in the country.
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in April after being denounced by gay
marriage supporters for a donation
he had made in support of Califor-
nias since-overturned gay marriage
ban. Now in a similar vein, attorneys
at major law firms are getting the
message that if they want to litigate
against gay marriage they should do
so elsewhere. Same-sex marriage is
legal in 19 of the 50 U.S. states, and in
the District of Columbia, the report
stated. The US Supreme Court, in
the milestone U.S. v. Windsor case,
struck down last year a federal law
defning marriage as between a man
and a woman for purposes of federal
benefts. Emboldened by that deci-
sion, gay and lesbian couples have
launched at least 70 lawsuits calling
for a broader right, and three cases
have been heard by federal appeals
courts, the review said.
Good News and Bad News. It
seems the fght between Good and
Bad is here to stay, whether in real
life or in fairy tales. Good news ring
of hope, bad news sound alarm calls.
On the surface of things, the baddies
appear to be winning as the goodies
seem bullied to numbness. How will
children exploited for cyber porn
regard their bodies in time? What
if abortion is eventually railroaded
into law in this country? What if
the vociferous freedom to marry
supporters prevail and government
leaders succumb to foreign pressure?
The powerful want to outlaw God
and shun morality. Not all things
legal are moral but new normal
advocates want to make the immoral
legal.
No one can take down a morally
upright person, but perversion in a
person is suicidal, and perversion in
a race is genocidal. Superpowers
who oppress the poor and ignorant,
hedonists who advocate sex-for-
pleasure, seducers who rob the young
of their innocence, people who kill
the unborn and assist the elderlys
suicidesall of them are fighting
for laws that will eventually lead to
their extinction. But those who love
God and make the effort to unite their
will to His will prevail. And thats
the truth.
And Thats The Truth / A5
Vol. 18 No. 12
June 9 - 22, 2014
CBCP Monitor
A8 People, Facts & Places
New Evangelization
Conference draws
thousands
AN estimated 4,000-strong crowd packed
the SMX Mall of Asia Hall 1 in Pasay City
on June 7 for the first ever New Evange-
lization Conference (NEC) in response
to the Churchs call to spread the Good
News.
In a message issued before the event,
CBCP president Archbishop Socrates Vil-
legas of Lingayen-Dagupan said, Evange-
lization is Jesus in my heart reaching out to
your heart... Evangelization is not telling
people what to do. It is telling people what
God has done for us, and God has gone all
the way to show His love for us.
Villegas shared, We have been touched
by the love of Christ. And we who have
been touched by the love of God must tell
and retell the story of Jesus. The world,
the society are looking for joy for mean-
ing. That joy that meaning can only be
found in Jesus Christ.
The prelate stressed, We who have
met Jesus Christ have a duty to share
Him with the rest of the world. It is not
a matter of will power of me liking it.
It is the grace of God.
He called on the faithful to pray that
more people receive the Gospel and that it
may be shared cheerfully, happily gener-
ously with the rest of society.
Organized by the Catholic Bishops
Conference of the Philippines (CBCP),
in tandem with the Live Christ, Share
Christ movement, the event was held
from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
A Catholic Expo at 10 a.m. featured
Eternal World Television Network, Word
and Life Publications, Radyo Veritas 846,
Pauline Books and Media, Caritas Manila,
and many other Catholic organizations
and sponsors.
Other activities also included confer-
ence sessions in the afternoon on Pope
Francis apostolic exhortation Evangelii
Gaudium, the significance of Choose to
Be Brave slogan, and the Live Christ,
Share Christ movement. (Raymond A.
Sebastin)
The NEC also featured a Catholic Expo with participating organizations and companies
like Eternal World Television Network, Word and Life Publications, Radyo Veritas 846,
Pauline Books and Media, Caritas Manila.
Intl recognition, local
crisis put more meaning
in Silsilahs 30th year
RECEIVING the first prize in
the World Interfaith Harmony
Week (WIHW) and continuing
its service despite the recent
armed conflict in Zamboanga
city have put more meaning in
the 30th founding anniversary
of Silsilah Dialogue Movement
(SDM).
SDM founder Fr. Sebastiano
DAmbra, PIME said the WIHW
recognition and the Zamboanga
crisis are significant parts of
their groups 30 years of exis-
tence. DAmbra founded SDM
on May 9, 1984 with Christian
and Muslim friends who shared
his advocacy of interfaith har-
mony.
Silsilah has travelled a long
journey over the 30 years of its
existence, the priest said.
According to him, 30 years of
hard work has not only brought
recognition from international
bodies, but has sensitized
many to the need for respecting
cultural and religious differ-
ences.
[Sisilah] has created commu-
nities where the residents take
responsibility for the harmony
among themselves; it has advo-
cated for the protection of the en-
vironment through biodynamic
farming and the protection of the
watersheds; it has led activities
for the successful celebration
in Zamboanga City of WIHW,
DAmbra added.
The priest also noted that
despi t e t he many successes
of the organization, its com-
mitment has not been without
unqualified by frustrations
and heartaches, the biggest
of which being the September
9 rai d on Zamboanga Ci t y,
whi ch di spl aced t housands
and onc e agai n t r i gge r e d
feelings of mistrust among
the ethnic and faith groups in
the city.
Silsilah has engaged its staff,
its resources, and its social con-
tacts to mitigate the impact of
the raid, within its capabilities,
he added. (CBCP News)
Ignatian spirituality
series coming up
THOSE who want to deepen
their spiritual lives the Igna-
tian way are invited to attend
a series of recollections orga-
nized by the Christian Life
Community of the Philippines
(CLCP) with the CLC Forma-
tion Institute (CLCFI).
Called Consciousness Exa-
men: A Date with Ignatius, it
features a short but powerful
method of refecting on how
God has been present in ones
daily life by enabling one
to review past thoughts,
words, actions, and omissions
to ascertain their conformity
with, or deviation from, what
is moral.
Referring to the Examen,
Pope Sai nt Pi us X noted,
The excellence of this prac-
tice and its fruitfulness for
Christian virtue are clearly
established by the teaching
of the great masters of the
spiritual life.
The recollection series tar-
gets anyone interested in
learning a practical and ef-
fective means of gaining an
awareness of the Divine.
Spanish mystic St. Ignatius
of Loyola, who had perfected
the Examen, realizing its su-
preme importance, included
it in his Spiritual Exercises
where he cites in detail its
various forms.
The Consciousness Examen
follows fve simple steps, each
of which is set to be discussed
as scheduled:
Thanksgiving June 14,
2014
Prayer for Light July
12, 2014
Examen August 9, 2014
Contrition and Sorrow
September 13, 2014
Hopeful Resolution No-
vember 8, 2014
The Thanksgiving recol-
lection on June 14, 2014 will be
held at the School of Manage-
ment Room 211 of the Ateneo
de Manila University, Loyola
Heights, Quezon City, from 2
p.m. to 6 p.m.
The exact venues for the re-
maining recollection sessions
are to be announced soon.
Participants are encouraged
to attend mass after each rec-
ollection session.To sign up,
visit http://www.clcphilip-
pines.org/dwi-2014/.
For inquiries and other
concerns, contact event co-
ordinators Djay Bustamante
or Ybonne Chua at (02) 426-
0074 to 75; 0915-8005-368; and
clcfi@admu. edu. ph. (Ray-
mond A. Sebastin)
Antipolo commissions
social comm offcers
THE diocese of Antipolo commis-
sioned a handpicked mix of lay
and religious men and women
on June 1 to head the social com-
munications efforts of the diocese.
Arnel Yango (asst. coordina-
tor); Marites Barbieto (secretary
general); Rosana Paguia (asst.
secretary general); Tessie dela
Cruz (consultant); Fr. Lawrence
C. Paz (director); and Fr. Gerald
Metal (asst. director) were com-
missioned as Antipolos social
communications offcers during
the celebration of a 10:30 a.m. holy
mass on June 1.
In an interview, Paz stressed
the importance of social com-
munications in the life of the
Church, calling it the handmaid
of all evangelization efforts of the
parish.
It is highly commendable that
each parish priest should strive
to organize a local social commu-
nications ministry in parishes
All ministries can make use of the
various means of communications
available in an organized manner
through this ministry, he added.
The commissioning was part of
the dioceses celebration of its 1st
Diocesan Social Communications
Day and the 3rd Parish Social
Communications Day of St. Paul
of the Cross parish.
In a special message issued in
time for the celebration of the 48th
World Communications Day on
June 1, Pope Francis stressed the
need for more than just online con-
nections, but authentic encounters
among neighbors. (Nirvaana
Ella Delacruz)
The Diocese of Antipolo commissions a new set of social communications
offcers on June 1, 2014 at the St. Paul of the Cross parish in Marikina City.
Baclaran shrine Youtube video out
TRUE to its mission of mak-
i ng Her known, the Na-
tional Shrine of Our Mother
of Perpetual Help (Baclaran
Church), led by its Redemp-
torist Multimedia Committee,
recently had the YouTube pre-
miere of its new Shrine ID
which presented the shrine
for what it is: a church of
compassion, a shrine of solace,
a sanctuary for all.
Fr. Victorino Cueto, C.Ss.R. de-
clared, Baclaran is a sacred space
for encounter between humanity
and the Divine. People come here
everyday. Ordinary people come
here offering their life stories to
the altar of the Lord.
Pilgrimage center
The eight-minute video clip
retells the meteoric rise of Ba-
claran Church from a struggling
mission territory of Irish and
Australian Redemptorists on the
shores of Manila Bay in the then
fshing town of Paraaque, to
the booming pilgrimage center
it has since become, attracting
hundreds of thousands of Catho-
lics from all over the country,
especially on Wednesdays.
He stressed, We promote
Baclaran as a space of Debo(Mi)
syon. Devotion as deep religious
piety has been coupled with a
sense of mission, of service. It
is the marriage of the contempla-
tive life and the active life.
Testimonials
The video also features tes-
timonials from devotees who
credit the shrines titular pa-
troness, Our Mother of Per-
petual Help, for the blessings
they have received through
her intercession.
I thank her [Our Mother
of Perpetual Help] for three
things: my answered prayers,
my health, and my family,
shared Wilson Mayor, a Ba-
claran regular.
The reason why I frequent
the shrine to pay homage to Our
Mother is because, I believe,
this is where I can fnd peace,
he added.
Urcisa Macajelos, another
devotee, thanked the Virgin of
Baclaran for blessing her with a
child after ten years of childless
marriage.
It would be very ungrateful
of me not to come back here,
considering that the Blessed
Mother always made sure that
all my petitions have been
granted, she said.
Open 24/7
The clip also emphasizes
Baclaran Churchs unique place
among the churches in the Phil-
ippines.
Besides its legendary number
of devotees, Baclaran Church
is the only one that is open 24
hours a day, seven days a week.
Although the shrine has
more than 50 doors, it has
never closed them to anyone
needing a place of prayer,
since it officially opened on
December 5, 1958, video nar-
rator Boots Concepcion said.
(Raymond A. Sebastin)
The Baclaran Church welcomes thousands of pilgrims and devotees daily.
Paraaque Bishop Jess Mercado addresses the thousands
of NEC attendees who packed the SMX Mall of Asia Hall 1
on June 7, 2014
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Vol. 18 No. 12
June 9 - 22, 2014
CBCP Monitor
Pastoral Concerns
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THE Comprehensive Agrarian
Reform will expire on June 30.
Where do we go from here?
We cannot remain oblivious to
the plight of the poor famers. It
is useful to review some of the
guiding principles that come
from the treasury of Church
social teaching.

Basic Principles
First, capital (including land)
exists for the sake of labor, because
the human person is a laboring
being who fulflls his vocation in
the dignity of human labor.
Second, the human person is
more important than material
things. Human beings must not
be placed second to the land that
they till.
Third, the private ownership
of the worlds resources cannot
and should not be the reason that
Gods sons and daughters are
denied access to these resources
for the achievement of their full
stature as human persons. In
other words, in the ethical order,
the right to use precedes the right
to own and private ownership is
justifed only to the extent that it
allows for the more effcient use
of the worlds resources.

The Situation
The hard facts are disturbing. In
2011, the Agrarian Reform
Communities Level Development
Assessment (ALDA) showed
that 54% of households among
agrarian-reform benefciaries fell
below the poverty line. Due to
this, we now have a class of newly-
landed Filipinos, the majority
live below the poverty-line. This
is what prompts observers to
recognize a new class of farmers:
the landed poor.
What is clear is that distributing
expropriated land to benefciaries
and leaving them to their own
resources does not serve the
purpose of agrarian reform,
for it is very well possible that
the beneficiaries, lacking the
wherewithal and the skills
render of their new holdings that
were hitherto productive now
unproductive. The generous
allocation of funds for farm
inputs, unless accompanied by an
uncompromisingly rigid system
of accounting and transparency,
will only line the pockets of those
who have remorselessly profted
from public funds!
In this respect, the Church will
do its share, and dioceses and
other ecclesiastical jurisdictions
are urged to activate their
social action commissions to
police, observe and report on
the allocation, distribution and
application of public monies and
funds targeting farm productivity.
Regrettably, some farmer-
benefciaries of agrarian reform
have had recourse to the
subterfuge of alienating their
newly-acquired property in
the underground market in an
attempt to make quick money,
frustrating the very purposes
of land distribution. In this
respect, legal reform towards
allowing farmer-benefciaries to
lease or mortgage their property
when such contracts should
hold out the promise of higher
productivity for the land and
higher standards of living for our
farmer-benefciaries must receive
serious study. But we, your
pastors, must warn against every
scheme that would have land
that has already been distributed,
gathered in the hands of those
would once more amass tracts
of land in contravention of
the equitable purpose of land-
distribution. What this problem
points to is the importance of
the formation of our farmer-
beneficiaries, including their
Christian formation as stewards
of this worlds resources,
particularly land.
And where a farmer-benefciary
regrettably chooses to leave his
holding idle, to abandon it or
to leave it unproductive, there
has to be some legal mechanism
by which the land reverts to
the scheme of re-distribution
so that it may be awarded to
farmer-benefciaries who have
the willingness and capacity to
render it more productive and to
serve the common good.
There is fnally, the problem
that 70% of Certifcates of Land
Ownership Awards issued
are, thus far, collective. These
involve one million farmers
and two million hectares. In
effect, the legal rights of the
individual benefciary are not
yet settled. Consigned to a
state of uncertainty, this acreage
cannot be productive, nor can the
supposed benefciaries enjoy the
rights that the law intends them
to have. This is a matter to which
the Department of Agrarian
Reform must turn, with urgency
and resoluteness.

The Moral Response
In summary, while the task
of re-distribution is apparently
done, the governments efforts
in tandem with the initiatives to
the private sector, particularly our
Catholic laityshould go into
rendering these new holdings
productive. A more responsible
system of allocating, distributing
and applying government funds
and resources towards farm
productivity must be set in
place coupled with peoples
efforts at rendering transactions
transparent and responsible
offcials, accountable. Where
legislative reform is necessary
to enable leases and mortgages
of acquisitions towards higher
levels of productivity and a
rise in the living standards of
farmer-benefciaries, these must
be enacted. But the Philippine
Church must, with all haste
and diligence, involve itself in
the formation of our farmer-
benefciaries so that rather than
devising ways of circumventing
the law by alienating their
holdings and contradicting the
purposes of land-distribution,
they may be true stewards of this
worlds goods.
From the Cathedral of Saint
John the Evangelist, Dagupan
City, June 6, 2014
+ SOCRATES VILLEGAS, D.D.
Archbi shop of Li ngayen-
Dagupan
President, CBCP
Moral Ethical Dimensions
of the Comprehensive
Agrarian Reform
A more responsible system of allocating, distributing and applying government funds and resources
towards farm productivity must be set in place coupled with peoples efforts at rendering transactions
transparent and responsible offcials, accountable
Protesters of delayed justice on land issues march in the streets of Manila.
The Church has been a visible, long-time supporter of the farmers cause for a just CARP.
B2 Vol. 18 No. 12
June 9 - 22, 2014
CBCP Monitor
Deacons Kneeling at
the Consecration
Q: At Mass, how relevant is it for a deacon (either a permanent
deacon or a deacon to be ordained a priest) to kneel down at
the altar when the consecration comes, as the faithful do in
the assembly? -- C.B., Nouan-le-Fuzelier, France
A: The Church attributes a certain degree of importance to the
question of posture during the liturgy. The General Introduction
of the Roman Missal (GIRM) states in No. 42:
The gestures and posture of the priest, the deacon, and the
ministers, as well as those of the people, ought to contribute
to making the entire celebration resplendent with beauty
and noble simplicity, so that the true and full meaning of
the different parts of the celebration is evident and that the
participation of all is fostered. Therefore, attention should be
paid to what is determined by this General Instruction and
the traditional practice of the Roman Rite and to what serves
the common spiritual good of the People of God, rather than
private inclination or arbitrary choice.
The specifc norms regarding the deacon can be found
especially under the heading Mass with a deacon in GIRM
numbers 171-186.
With respect to the posture of the deacon during the
Eucharistic Prayer, the following is stipulated:
179. During the Eucharistic Prayer, the deacon stands near
the priest but slightly behind him, so that when needed, he
may assist the priest with the chalice or the Missal. From the
epiclesis until the priest shows the chalice, the deacon normally
remains kneeling. If several deacons are present, one of them
may place incense in the thurible for the consecration and
incense the host and the chalice as they are shown to the people.
180. At the fnal doxology of the Eucharistic Prayer, the
deacon stands next to the priest, holding the chalice elevated
while the priest elevates the paten with the host, until the
people have responded with the acclamation, Amen.
Therefore, the deacon should kneel during the consecration.
At this moment only the priest or priests offering the sacrifce
normally remain standing. This point is suggested, albeit not
in an explicit way, by GIRM, No. 93:
A priest also, who possesses within the Church the power
of Holy Orders to offer sacrifce in the person of Christ, stands
for this reason at the head of the faithful people gathered
together here and now, presides over their prayer, proclaims
the message of salvation to them, associates the people with
himself in the offering of sacrifce through Christ in the Holy
Spirit to God the Father, gives his brothers and sisters the
Bread of eternal life, and partakes of it with them. When he
celebrates the Eucharist, therefore, he must serve God and
the people with dignity and humility, and by his bearing and
Updates
The Misa ng Sambayanang Pilipino
By Fr. Jaime B. Achacoso, J.C.D.
NO less than three priest friends have
asked me to comment on the so-called
Misa ng Sambayanang Pilipino, the
Filipino-incultured rite of the Holy
Sacrifice of the Mass, which was used
during the Eucharistic celebration
closing the Philippine Conference on the
New Evangelization last October 2013.
These priest friends, all working in
different offices of the Catholic Bishops
Conference of the Philippines, were a
bit taken aback by the use of a liturgical
text whichto their knowledgewas
still under study. What does Canon
Law say about this matter?
What is the Misa ng Sambayanang
Pilipino
The Vademecum: Li t urgi cal
Cel ebrati ons di stri buted i n the
aforementioned Philippine Conference
on the New Evangelization explained
that scholars at the Maryhill School of
Theology took the first steps towards
an incultured Eucharistic celebration
called Misa ng Bayang Pilipino. The
project was undertaken under the
direction of the late Fr. Anscar
Chupungco, OSB. They began to
research on Filipino values and cultural
expressions and on the possibility of
incorporating into the Roman Rite of
the Mass those elements which could
be pastorally useful and necessary.
The aim of the Misa was to offer the
Filipino faithful a kind of worship that
reflects their culture and that which
they can call their own. Cultural values
and patterns were incorporated in
the elements, gestures and language
of the Misa. In other words, through
dynamic equivalence, it was hoped
that the spiritual and doctrinal wealth
of the Roman Order of the Mass
could be better communicated to
the Filipino Catholic faithful with the
use of language, gestures and symbols
culled from the Filipino pattern of
thought, speech and behaviour.
The Juridic Itinerary of the Misa ng
Sambayanang Pilipino
I am not a liturgist, so I reserve
any opinions on the purely liturgical
aspect s of t he Mi sa t o mysel f.
However, as a canon lawyer, I can
make the fol l owi ng anal ysi s of
the juridic status of the Misa and,
therefore, of the licitness of its use
(taking into consideration that all
Masses are by definition public,
since any liturgical act is an act of
public worship of the Church).
From the starti n the earl y
1970sthe CBCP formed two ad hoc
committees to study the matter: (1)
the NLC Consultors, an all-Filipino
committee, with Fr. Marivoet as
secretary, and (2) a special committee
of Bishops appointed by the CBCP.
In January 1976, the 32
nd
CBCP
Pl enary Assembl y unani mousl y
approved the Misa ng Bayang Pilipino as
prepared by the aforementioned team
under the direction of Fr.Chupungco,
OSB (cf. Minutes of 32
nd
Bishops
Plenary Assembly, January 1976, p.12),
with the recommendations of the ad
hoc committees.
In June of the same year, the 33
rd

CBCP Plenary Assembly approved the
changes in the Tagalog and English
texts of the Misa ng Bayang Pilipino, as
proposed by the ad hoc committee of
bishops, working with Fr. Chupungco,
OSB (cf. Minutes of 33
rd
Bishops
Plenary Assembly, June 1976, p.12).
With the aforementioned approval
of the CBCP, the Misa was forwarded
to the Sacred Congregati on for
Di vi ne Worshi p and Di sci pl i ne
of the Sacraments (the present
Congregation for the Sacraments and
Divine Worship). Meanwhile, certain
objections started to surface regarding
the Misa, notably those of well-known
author Fr. Cavanna. However, since
the matter had been submitted to
the Holy See, the CBCP Commission
on Liturgy recommended to the
Administrative Council that instead
of commenting on Fr. Cavannas
objections, it would be better to just
wait for the approval or disapproval
from Rome (cf. Minutes of CBCP
Administrative Council Meeting, May
1980, p.2).
Meanwhi l e, t he S. C. f or t he
Sacraments and Divine Worship had
issued a new Instruction, Inaestimabile
Donum (3 April 1980), regarding
the liturgy of the Holy Eucharist.
Coupled with the Holy Father John
Paul IIs Letter for Holy Thursday
that year, the new document made
a re-application for the approval of
the Misa inadvisable, and a motion to
study the Misa ng Bayan in the light of
the above-mentioned documents was
approved by the CBCP (cf. Minutes of
41
st
Bishops Plenary Assembly, July
1980, p.9).
The resulting Roman Order of Mass
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Q: Priests who have adopted the Latin
Mass for parish celebrations were present
at a diocesan deanery meeting. The question
was raised: After a course to prepare to
manage the Latin, how long does it take
to understand what one is praying? This
response was given: It is not necessary to
understand; it is only necessary to pronounce
correctly. Is a valid Mass possible if the
celebrant does not understand what he is
saying? -- W.O., Worcester, Massachusetts
A: There are perhaps several levels to this
question: the question of understanding
a text so as to achieve an authentic act
of worship, and the question of minimal
requirements for validity.
While this topic has not been treated in
depth in magisterial documents, there are
two documents which can help us formulate
a reply.
The f i rst , f rom t he i nst ruct i on
Redemptionis Sacramentum, refers to
the ordinary form and to international
concelebrations. It offers, however, a general
principle regarding knowing a language:
113. When Mass is concelebrated by
several Priests, a language known both to
all the concelebrating Priests and to the
gathered people should be used in the
recitation of the Eucharist Prayer. Where it
happens that some of the Priests who are
present do not know the language of the
celebration and therefore are not capable
of pronouncing the parts of the Eucharistic
Prayer proper to them, they should not
concelebrate, but instead should attend the
celebration in choral dress in accordance
with the norms.
The second document is from an
instruction issued by the Ecclesia Dei
Commission that oversees the extraordinary
form and develops some of the norms
in Pope Benedict XVIs apostolic letter
Summorum Pontifcum, With respect to
the requirements for the priest the following
is declared:
20. With respect to the question of the
necessary requirements for a priest to be
held idoneus(qualified) to celebrate in
the forma extraordinaria, the following is
hereby stated:
a. Every Catholi c pri est who i s
not impeded by Canon Law is to be
considered idoneus(qualified) for the
celebration of the Holy Mass in the forma
extraordinaria.
b. Regarding the use of the Latin
language, a basic knowledge is necessary,
allowing the priest to pronounce the words
correctly and understand their meaning.
c. Regarding knowledge of the execution of
the Rite, priests are presumed to be qualifed
who present themselves spontaneously to
celebrate the forma extraordinaria, and have
celebrated it previously.
From these two texts we can see that the
ability to at least pronounce and understand
the meaning of the text is considered
necessary.
This means that the priest has a general
understanding of what he is saying, but
need not have an in-depth knowledge of
all the nuances of grammar.
For the ordinary form, a concelebrant
should at least know how to pronounce
correctly the parts recited by all. Even if
he understands little of the language of
the celebration, he knows the same texts in
his own language and can usually follow
along. As the instruction says, if he lacks
even this minimum, he should refrain from
concelebrating.
Since there is no concelebration in the
extraordinary form, the level of knowledge
of Latin is somewhat higher. For example,
a priest should be able to grasp the general
meanings of the prayers, readings and
prefaces. He should also be able to use
the correct grammatical form for variable
elements such as the names of the pope,
bishop and the saint of the day.
If he has enough knowledge to pronounce
correctly but is less confdent with respect
to the other elements, then he could still
celebrate by preparing beforehand with the
aid of a good translation. Otherwise, it is
better to wait until he attains the minimum
level of Latin.
Therefore, we can say that in the light
of these documents, but also taking into
account discussions among theologians, we
can say that the minimum requirement for
a valid Mass is the correct pronunciation
Deacons / B7
Latin / B7
Misa/ B7
With the foregoing, therefore, it does not come as
a surprise that my friend priests found it strange
that the Misa ng Bayan was used in such a well-
attended gathering as the closing Mass of the
Philippine Conference on the New Evangelization.
The gestures and posture of the
priest, the deacon, and the ministers,
as well as those of the people, ought
to contribute to making the entire
celebration resplendent with beauty
and noble simplicity, so that the true
and full meaning of the different parts
of the celebration is evident and that
the participation of all is fostered.
Knowledge of Latin
(Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy and dean of theology at the Regina Apostolorum university, answers the following queries:)
B3 Vol. 18 No. 12
June 9 - 22, 2014
CBCP Monitor
Year of the Laity
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Invocation for peace of Pope Francis
Vatican Gardens, Sunday, 8 June 2014
IN the Name of God, the Most
Gracious and the Most Merciful,
Your Holiness Pope Francis,
Your Excellency President
Shimon Peres, Your Beatitudes,
Honorable Sheiks and Rabbis,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
It is indeed a great honor for us
to meet again with His Holiness
Pope Francis in fulfllment of
his kind invitation to relish his
spiritual and noble presence, and
listen to his opinion and crystal
wisdom, which emanate from a
sound heart, vibrant conscience,
as well as an elevated ethical
and religious sense. I thank
your Holiness from the bottom
of my heart for initiating this
important gathering here in
the Vatican. Simultaneously,
we highly appreciate your visit
to the Holy Land Palestine,
and in specifc to our Holy city
Jerusalem and to Bethlehem; the
city of love and peace, and the
cradle of Jesus Christ. The visit
is a sincere expression of your
belief in peace and a truthful
attempt to achieve peace between
Palestinians and Israelis.
Oh God, we ever praise you
for making Jerusalem our gate
to heaven. As said in the Holy
Quran, Glory to Him who made
His servant travel by night from
the sacred place of worship to
the furthest place of worship,
whose surroundings We have
blessed. You made pilgrimage
and prayer in it as the best acts
the faithful can make in your
praise, and made your truthful
promise in your say: Let them
enter the Masjid as they did for
the frst time. God Almighty has
spoken the truth.
O, Lord of Heaven and
Earth, accept my prayer for the
realization of truth, peace and
justice in my country Palestine,
the region, and the globe as a
whole.
I beseech You, O Lord, on
behalf of my people, the people of
PalestineMoslems, Christians
and Samari tanswho are
craving for a just peace, dignifed
living, and liberty, I beseech you,
Oh Lord, to make prosperous
and promising the future of
our people, and freedom in our
sovereign and independent state;
Grant, O Lord, our region and
its people security, safety and
stability. Save our blessed city
Jerusalem; the frst Kiblah, the
second Holy Mosque, the third
of the two Holy Mosques, and
the city of blessings and peace
with all that surround it.
Reconciliation and peace, O
Lord, are our goal. God in His
Holy Book has addressed the
faithful: Make peace among
you, Here we are, O God,
inclined to peace. Make frm
our steps and crown our efforts
and endeavors with success.
You are the promoter of virtue
and preventer of vice, evil and
aggression. You say and you are
the most truthful, And if they
incline to peace, incline thou also
to it, and trust in Allah. Lo! He is
the Hearer, the Knower. In the
saying of Prophet Muhammad,
Spread the peace among you.
Today, we reiterate after Jesus
Christ addressing Jerusalem: If
only you had known the path of
peace this day (Luke 19:42). As
well let us remember the words
of Saint John Paul II when he said:
If peace is realized in Jerusalem,
peace will be witnessed in the
whole world Simultaneously, in
our prayer today, we repeatedly
call after those who advocate
peace: Blessed are the peace
makers, and Call for the peace
of Jerusalem as came in the Holy
Scriptures.
Accordingly, we ask You, O
Lord, for peace in the Holy Land,
Palestine, and Jerusalem together
with its people. We call on you to
make Palestine and Jerusalem in
particular a secure land for all the
believers, and a place for prayer
and worship for the followers of
the three monotheistic religions
Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and
for all those wishing to visit it as
it is stated in the Holy Quran.
O Lord, You are the peace and
peace emanates from You. O God
of Glory and Majesty grant us
security and safety, and alleviate
the suffering of my people in
hometown and Diaspora.
O Lord, bring comprehensive
and just peace to our country and
region so that our people and the
peoples of the Middle East and
the whole world would enjoy
the fruit of peace, stability and
coexistence.
We want peace for us and
for our neighbors. We seek
prosperity and peace of mind for
ourselves and for others alike. O
Lord, answer our prayers and
make successful our endeavors
for you are most just, most
merciful, Lord of the Worlds.
Pope prays for peace with
Israeli and Palestinian
presidents
VATICAN CITY, Jun 8, 2014Pope Francis welcomed the
presidents of Israel and Palestine to the Vatican on Sunday
evening for an unprecedented meeting of prayer, the
Invocation for Peace.
Joined by the Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew
I, the three leaders prayed for peace in the Holy Land and
throughout the Middle East.
I am profoundly grateful to you for accepting my invitation
to come here and to join in imploring from God the gift of
peace. It is my hope that this meeting will mark the beginning
of a new journey where we seek the things that unite, so as to
overcome the things that divide, said Pope Francis on June
8 in the Vatican gardens.
The Pope had issued the invitations on his recent trip to
the Holy Land in late May. The presidents quickly accepted
the invitation.
Presidents Shimon Peres and Mahmoud Abbas arrived
separately to meet with Pope Francis individually in the Casa
Santa Marta guesthouse. The three eventually met and were
joined by the Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I,
before proceeding to the Vatican gardens for an Invocation
for Peace.
The evenings prayer was divided into three parts, following
the chronological ordering of the Jewish, Christian, and Islamic
religious communities. Prayers were offered in Hebrew, English,
Italian, and Arabic, praising God for creation, asking pardon
for sin, and requesting the gift of peace.
Selections included several psalms, a prayer from the Jewish
Day of Atonement service, a prayer attributed to St. Francis of
Assisi, and several Islamic prayers.
After the prayers, Pope Francis, Israeli President Shimon
Peres, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas each spoke
briefy about the need for peace.
This meeting of prayer for peace in the Holy Land, in the
Middle East and in the entire world is accompanied by the
prayers of countless people of different cultures, nations,
languages and religions: they have prayed for this meeting and
even now they are united with us in the same supplication,
said Pope Francis.
It is a meeting which responds to the fervent desire of
all who long for peace and dream of a world in which men
and women can live as brothers and sisters and no longer as
adversaries and enemies.
The pontiff then cautioned that peacemaking calls for
courage, much more so than warfare.
History reveals that peace cannot come merely through
human strength, noted the Pope. That is why we are here,
because we know and we believe that we need the help of God.
We do not renounce our responsibilities, but we do call upon
God in an act of supreme responsibility before our consciences
and before our peoples.
Pope Francis encouraged those present to break the spiral
of hatred and violence with the word brother. We must lift
our eyes to heaven and acknowledge one another as children
of one Father, he said.
Israeli President Shimon Peres then made a heart-felt appeal
for peace, saying I come to call for peace between nations.
He, too, acknowledged that peace does not come easy.
Even if peace seems distant, the Israeli president continued,
we must pursue it to bring it close.
We are commanded to pursue peace, he emphasized.
Peres expressed his belief that if we pursue peace with
DISTINGUISHED Presidents,
I greet you with immense joy and
I wish to offer you, and the eminent
delegations accompanying you, the
same warm welcome which you gave
to me during my recent pilgrimage to
the Holy Land.
I am profoundly grateful to you for
accepting my invitation to come here
and to join in imploring from God the
gift of peace. It is my hope that this
meeting will mark the beginning of a
new journey where we seek the things
that unite, so as to overcome the things
that divide.
I also thank Your Holiness, my
venerable Brother Bartholomaios, for
joining me in welcoming these illustrious
guests. Your presence here is a great gift,
a much-appreciated sign of support, and
a testimony to the pilgrimage which we
Christians are making towards full unity.
Your presence, dear Presidents, is a
great sign of brotherhood which you
offer as children of Abraham. It is also
a concrete expression of trust in God, the
Lord of history, who today looks upon
all of us as brothers and who desires to
guide us in his ways.
This meeting of prayer for peace in
the Holy Land, in the Middle East and
in the entire world is accompanied
by the prayers of countless people of
different cultures, nations, languages
and religions: they have prayed for this
meeting and even now they are united
with us in the same supplication. It
is a meeting which responds to the
fervent desire of all who long for peace
and dream of a world in which men
and women can live as brothers and
sisters and no longer as adversaries
and enemies.
Dear Presidents, our world is a legacy
bequeathed to us from past generations,
but it is also on loan to us from our
children: our children who are weary,
worn out by conficts and yearning for
the dawn of peace, our children who
plead with us to tear down the walls
of enmity and to set out on the path of
dialogue and peace, so that love and
friendship will prevail.
Many, all too many, of those children
have been innocent victims of war and
violence, saplings cut down at the height
of their promise. It is our duty to ensure
that their sacrifce is not in vain. The
memory of these children instils in us
the courage of peace, the strength to
persevere undaunted in dialogue, the
patience to weave, day by day, an ever
more robust fabric of respectful and
peaceful coexistence, for the glory of
God and the good of all.
Peacemaking calls for courage, much
break the spiral of hatred and violence,
and to break it by one word alone: the
word brother. But to be able to utter
this word we have to lift our eyes to
heaven and acknowledge one another
as children of one Father.
To him, the Father, in the Spirit
of Jesus Christ, I now turn, begging
the intercession of the Virgin Mary, a
daughter of the Holy Land and our
Mother.
Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!
We have tried so many times and over
so many years to resolve our conficts by
our own powers and by the force of our
arms. How many moments of hostility
and darkness have we experienced;
how much blood has been shed; how
many lives have been shattered; how
many hopes have been buried But
our efforts have been in vain.
Now, Lord, come to our aid! Grant us
peace, teach us peace; guide our steps
in the way of peace. Open our eyes and
our hearts, and give us the courage to
say: Never again war!; With war
everything is lost. Instill in our hearts
the courage to take concrete steps to
achieve peace.
Lord, God of Abraham, God of the
Prophets, God of Love, you created us
and you call us to live as brothers and
sisters. Give us the strength daily to
be instruments of peace; enable us to
see everyone who crosses our path as
our brother or sister. Make us sensitive
to the plea of our citizens who entreat
us to turn our weapons of war into
implements of peace, our trepidation
into confdent trust, and our quarreling
into forgiveness.
Keep alive within us the flame
of hope, so that with patience and
perseverance we may opt for dialogue
and reconciliation. In this way may
peace triumph at last, and may the
words division, hatred and war
be banished from the heart of every
man and woman. Lord, defuse the
violence of our tongues and our hands.
Renew our hearts and minds, so that the
word which always brings us together
will be brother, and our way of life
will always be that of: Shalom, Peace,
Salaam! Amen.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Pope Francis, Israeli President Shimon Peres and Patriarch Bartholomew I meet
for the Invocation for Peace in the Vatican Gardens on June 8.
Address of Shimon Peres, President of Israel
Address of Mahmoud Abbas, President of Palestine
YOUR Holiness Pope Francis, Your Excellency
President Mahmoud Abbas,
I have come from the Holy City of
Jerusalem to thank you for your exceptional
invitation. The Holy City of Jerusalem is the
beating heart of the Jewish People. In Hebrew,
our ancient language, the word Jerusalem and
the word for peace share the same root. And
indeed peace is the vision of Jerusalem.
As it is said in the Book of Psalms:Pray for
the peace of Jerusalem:
May those who love you be secure.
7 May there be peace within your walls
and security within your citadels.
8 For the sake of my family and friends,
I will say, Peace be within you.
9 For the sake of the house of the Lord
our God,
will seek your prosperity.
During your historic visit to the Holy Land,
you moved us with the warmth of your heart,
the sincerity of your intentions, your modesty,
and your kind ways. You touched the peoples
heartsregardless of their faith or nation.
You emerged as a bridge-builder of
brotherhood and peace. We are all in need
of the inspiration which accompanies your
character and your way.
Thank you.
Two peoplesIsraelis and Palestinians
still are aching for peace. The tears of
mothers over their children are still etched
in our hearts. We must put an end to the
cries, to the violence, to the conflict. We
all need peace. Peace between equals.
Your invitation to us to join you in this
momentous ceremony to call for peace,
here in the Vatican garden, in the presence
of Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and Druze
leaders, graciously reflects your vision of
the aspiration we all share: Peace.
On this moving occasion, brimming
with hope and full of faith, let us all raise
with you, Your Holiness, a call for peace
between religions, between nations, between
communities, and between fellow men
and women. Let true peace become our
legacy soon and swiftly. Our Book of Books
commands upon us the way of peace,
demands of us to toil for its realization. It is
said in the book of Proverbs: Her ways are
ways of grace, and all her paths are peace.
So too must our ways be. Ways of grace and
peace. It is not by chance that Rabbi Akiva
captured the essence of our Torah in one
sentence: Love your neighbor like thyself.
We are all equal before the Lord. We are all part
of the human family. For without peace, we
are not complete, and we have yet to achieve
the mission of humanity.Peace does not come
easy. We must toil with all our strengths to
reach it. To reach it soon. Even if it requires
sacrifce or compromise.
The Book of Psalms tells us:Whoever loves
life and desires to see many good days, keep
your tongue from evil and your lips from
telling lies. Turn from evil and do good, seek
peace and pursue it. This is to say, we are
commanded to pursue after peace. All year.
Every day. We greet each other with this
blessing. Shalom. Salam. We must be worthy
of the deep and demanding meaning of this
blessing. Even when peace seems distant, we
must pursue it to bring it closer.
And if we pursue peace with perseverance,
with faith, we will reach it. And it will endure
through us, through all of us, of all faiths, of
all nations, as it is written: They will beat
their swords into plowshares and their spears
into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up
sword against nation, nor will they train
for war anymore. The soul is elated upon
the reading of these verses of eternal vision.
And we cantogether and now, Israelis and
Palestiniansconvert our noble vision to a
reality of welfare and prosperity. It is within
our power to bring peace to our children.
This is our duty, the holy mission of parents.
Let me end with a prayer:
He who makes peace in the heavens shall
make peace upon us and upon all of Israel,
and upon the entire world, and let us say
Amen.
more so than warfare. It calls for the
courage to say yes to encounter and no
to confict: yes to dialogue and no to
violence; yes to negotiations and no to
hostilities; yes to respect for agreements
and no to acts of provocation; yes to
sincerity and no to duplicity. All of
this takes courage, it takes strength and
tenacity.
History teaches that our strength
alone does not suffce. More than once
we have been on the verge of peace,
but the evil one, employing a variety
of means, has succeeded in blocking it.
That is why we are here, because we
know and we believe that we need the
help of God. We do not renounce our
responsibilities, but we do call upon
God in an act of supreme responsibility
before our consciences and before our
peoples. We have heard a summons, and
we must respond. It is the summons to
History teaches that our strength alone does not suffce. More than once
we have been on the verge of peace, but the evil one, employing a variety of
means, has succeeded in blocking it. That is why we are here, because we
know and we believe that we need the help of God.
Pray / B7
B4 Vol. 18 No. 12
June 9 - 22, 2014
CBCP Monitor
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We are all in the same boat
By Fr. Benny Tuazon
COLLABORATION, by means of
worldwide agreements, backed up
by international law, is necessary to
protect the environment. Responsibility
toward the environment needs to be
implemented in an adequate way at
the juridical level. These laws and
agreements should be guided by the
demands of common good.
During the dedication of the newly
renovated St. Alphonsus Mary De
Liguori Parish Church in Magallanes
Village, Makati City in 2007 which was
gutted by fre in 2004, my initial statement
in my thanksgiving speech was:
This is a dangerous community! This
community can do whatever it wants.
This community has the capacity to
be united for a cause. There is nothing
that this community cannot do. This
community has come to a realization that
working together achieves great things.
I was referring to the unity, cooperation,
and generosity everyone had exhibited
in order to recover from the tragedy of a
burned place of worship and the need to
immediately rebuild it. Everyone reached
out to console one another. Everyone
strived to raise the funds needed to have a
new church. It was capped by the success
of the 10-10-25 fund raising activity. The
fundraising hoped to raise twenty-fve
(25) million pesos in ten (10) months in
ten (10) ways. The hope became a reality.
In fact, the total money generated was
By Fr. Shay Cullen
ONE of most important things for a
happy meaningful life is to have a
goal, a positive purpose that does good
for others and for ourselves. It can be
helping the community, volunteering at
a Fair Trade shop, supporting a shelter
for the homeless, or raising funds for a
worthy cause.
Some people feel called to be involved
with a campaign for peace and human
rights, making this a happier, more
peaceful and forgiving world. Some
set out to save the environment from
destruction and degradation, protecting
the planet and the people. Others are
dedicated to protecting human rights
and ending violence by non-violent
means. That means doing all we can to
bring about justice in the community.
Thats no easy task; there is so much
injustice, inequality and unfairness that
a situation can overwhelm us. Thats
when we trust in the spirit of truth.
When the powerful dominate the poor,
it can be heartbreaking and depressing.
In the Philippines, just a mere 40 families
account for 76 percent of the growth of
the gross domestic product (GDP). Just
two families had a combined wealth of
$13.6 billion, or equivalent to 6 percent
of the Philippine economy. One percent
of the population own or control 70% of
the national wealth.
When we look at government fgures, it
shows that 25 million people struggle to
survive in dire poverty and barely survive
on about one US dollar ($1) a day. That
is 6 percent of the Philippine population.
Those in the next bracket are not much
better off. This huge disparity in wealth
is at the core of Philippine poverty and
hardship. The ruling elite have arranged
it all in their favor, so economic growth
fgures do not refect any improvement
in the lives of most Filipinos.
But with a strong belief that good can
overcome evil, truth can vanquish lies
and deceit, right can overcome wrong
twenty-seven (27) million pesos! It again
proved the fact that when people are
linked together, nothing is impossible.
The issue on environmental concern is
no exception. Many sectors now believe
that we have reached the point of no
return. Calls years before were ignored
and left unheeded. Yes, some meetings,
and life can overcome death, then many
things are possible. That is the spirit of
Pentecost, the power of the inner spirit
of hope, compassion and integrity to
change the world. This is the spirit that
gives us the power to be prophetic. That
means to have courage to speak out
and denounce evil, wrongdoing, sexual
exploitation of children and corruption.
That spirit also gives hope and a belief
that positive action can eventually bring
about a more just society where people
have enough for a life of dignity.
A modern prophetic voice that has
inspired me over the years is that of
Danny Smith who founded the Jubilee
conferences, and talks happened, but
few and signifcant actions were done.
We have not been adequately addressing
the issue. Our responses had been found
wanting. It was business as usual to
many of us. As a result, we now face
a gradually, but certainly worsening,
disintegrating, and destructing world. Is
Campaign, a registered charity in the
UK. Danny has been tirelessly working
for human rights around the world
since 1981 and almost single-handily
campaigned with powerful effective
results against many injustices.
His most successful campaigns
saved children from the cruel abuse of
sexual exploitation in the Philippines,
he exposed and saved children that
were left to die in cruel orphanages in
China, he worked to release hundreds of
children in prison in Brazil and Manila.
In a powerful campaign in the UK, he
exposed child sacrifces in Africa and in
the UK and got strong political action to
it a job for Superman? Wishful thinking!
But we really do not need Superman. We
only need to get our act together. We only
need to give our share. We only need to
summon and ginger up our love for this
earth, regard for the next generation,
and appreciation for Gods goodness.
Unquestionably, all those are achievable
stop it. He inspired and supported many
more great causes. These great stories
and many more are told in an inspiring
new book Shouting into the Silence,
published by Lion.
We need to read about people like
Danny Smith, his wonderful wife, Joan,
their family and their lifes work. They
are committed to uplifting the dignity
of all people. The book also has an
intriguing life history of Danny that
is truly fascinating, a family journey
spanning continents. He may be
contacted at danny@jubileecampaign.
co.uk
Of the many prophetic and spiritual
and doable.
Pope Benedict cites a very important
point in asserting this commandment.
He knew that commitment entails
responsibility. Thus, he advocated to
render the agreements legal. The juridical
aspect binds nations and makes them
accountable for their actions. As I had
mentioned in previous a previous article,
this is the problem with some agreements,
particularly the Kyoto Protocol by the
United Nations. The lack of juridical
feature of the said accord caused its
weakness and left it at the mercy of
the conviction of its member nations.
In other words, non-fulfllment of the
commitments does not merit any sanction
or any legal consequence from the United
Nations.
While juridical elements help a lot to
compel nations, concern for the common
good must be cultivated and established.
We are only as strong as our weakest link.
Pope Benedict has the best words for this:
Today, more than ever, in the face of
recurring crises and the pursuit of narrow
self-interest, there has to be a cooperation
and solidarity between states, each of
which should be attentive to the needs
of its weakest citizens, who are the frst
to suffer from poverty.
Pope Benedict offers these points:
1. Uniform rules will allow states
to exercise more effective control over
the various activities that have negative
effects on the environment and to protect
ecosystems by preventing the risks of
fgures that I have worked with over the
years, Danny has been one of the most
dedicated and consistently effective in
bringing about more justice and social
change by political lobbying, media
advocacy and public speaking and
fnancially supporting the poor and
needy people in the developing world.
We need many more like Danny in this
world; his book and story are inspiring.
However, the prophetic mission is
fraught with diffculties and challenges.
Enemies rise up flled with envy and
jealousy and crush the good and the
just. The books title Shouting into the
Silence, refers to the closed hearts and
minds and ears of many people in power
who do not want to listen to the message,
or hear the cry of the people for justice.
They are closed to the suffering of the
oppressed who are being driven off their
land by rich land grabbers.
There is a great silence that the
prophetic voice tries to penetrate. Then
there is harsh opposition: death threats,
physical assaults and the assassination of
the modern prophets. In the Philippines,
the most recent has been Romeo Capalla,
an advocate of justice for the farmers
of Panay Island and a promoter of Fair
Trade. Father Pops Tentorio, Italian
PIME missionary, was also gunned
down for taking a stand for the rights
of the indigenous people in Mindanao.
Father Rufus Halley, my classmate, an
Irish missionary of the Columbans, was
brutally murdered for standing with the
oppressed Muslim people in Mindanao
and many, many more social workers
and human rights advocates.
The mission for justice is the greatest
challenge, the most prophetic and the
most dangerous. We all need the spirit of
truth to dwell within us to enable us to
endure to the end and break through the
great silence that ignores injustice and
abuse and keeps the poor in bondage.
This is what we can overcome with the
spirit of hope and power to love others
more than ourselves. [shaycullen@preda.
org, www.preda.org]
How to Avoid Killer Economy
By Bernardo M. Villegas
POPE Francis included in his
messages during Lent and
Easter a constant refrain: we
must do everything possible to
avoid in both developed and
developing countries a killer
economy. As he wrote in his
Apostolic Exhortation The
Joy of the Gospel, Just as the
commandment Thou shalt not
kill sets a clear limit in order to
safeguard the value of human
life, today we also have to say
thou shalt not to an economy
of exclusion and inequality.
Such an economy kills. How
can it be that it is not a news
item when an elderly homeless
person dies of exposure, but it
is news when the stock market
loses two points? This is a case
of exclusion. Can we continue
to stand by when food is thrown
away while people are starving?
This is a case of inequality.
Today, everything comes
under the laws of competition
and the survival of the fttest,
where the powerful feed
upon the powerless. As a
consequence, masses of people
fi nd themsel ves excl uded
and marginalized: without
work, without possibilities,
without any means of escape....
Human beings are themselves
considered consumer goods to
be used and then discarded.
We have created a disposable
culture which is now spreading.
It is no longer about exploitation
and oppression, but something
new. Exclusion ultimately has to
do with what it means to be a part
of the society in which we live;
those excluded are no longer
societys underside or its fringes
or its disenfranchisedthey are
no longer even a part of it. The
excluded are not the exploited
but the outcast, the leftover.
The Pope does not deny
that hundreds of millions of
people all over the world have
graduated from the excluded
to the included in the last
thirty or so years. As an editorial
in the Financial Times (April 19,
2014) asserted, Since 1981, the
number of people living on less
than $2 per day, the defnition
of poverty set by the Asian
Development Bank, has almost
halved. The rich world may be
engaged in a debate about rising
inequality in western societies.
But economic growth in China,
India and Africa has made the
world far more equal than it
was. In China alone, close to
400 million people have been
liberated from dehumanizing
poverty over the last thirty
years, thanks to a combination
of the strong political will of the
State to improve infrastructures
and basic services and the
introduction of market-oriented
policies since the time of Deng
Xiao Peng.
But the warning of the Pope
is very timely. There is a great
danger that many of these
households that are just above
the threshold of poverty may
quickly rejoin the excluded
unless the world leaders maintain
the vigil over global poverty. As
the Financial Times editorial
warned: This is no time for
complacency, however. While
policy makers are undoubtedly
working hard to reduce poverty
still further, there is a risk that
those with incomes above $2 per
day will soon slip back into the
ranks of the worlds poor. The
reason to be fearful is that the
Shouting into the silence
A good number of Filipinos continue to struggle with job insecurity that affects the meeting of
basic, day-to-day needs.
The long-term damage of mining on the land and water is visible in the terrain of Manicani Island in Guiuan, Eastern Samar.
The faithful pray for Fr. Pops Tentorio, an Italian PIME missionary murdered for standing with the indigenous peoples
of Mindanao, during a prayer vigil in his memory.
Economy / B7
Boat / B5
B5 Vol. 18 No. 12
June 9 - 22, 2014
CBCP Monitor
Statements
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Message of Pope Francis on the Occasion of the 103rd Session
of the Conference of the International Labour Organization (ILO)
TO Mr Guy Ryder, Director General of
the International Labour Organization:
At the dawn of creation, God made
man the steward of his handiwork and
charged him to cultivate and protect it.
Human labour is part of that creation
and continues Gods creative work.
This truth leads us to consider work as
both a gift and a duty. Indeed, labour is
not a mere commodity but has its own
inherent dignity and worth. The Holy
See expresses its appreciation of the
ILOs contribution to upholding the
dignity of human work in the context
of social and economic development
through discussion and cooperation
between governments, labourers and
employers. Such efforts serve the
common good of the human family
and promote the dignity of workers
everywhere.
This Conference has been convened at
a crucial moment of social and economic
history, one which presents challenges
for the entire world. Unemployment
is tragically expanding the frontiers of
poverty (cf. Address to the Centesimus
Annus Pro PontifceFoundation, 25 May
2013). This is particularly disheartening
for unemployed young people who
can all too easily become demoralized,
losing their sense of worth, feeling
alienated from society. In working for
greater opportunities for employment,
we affrm the conviction that it is only
through free, creative, participatory
and mutually supportive work that
human beings express and enhance the
dignity of their life (Evangelii Gaudium,
192).
Another grave and related issue
confronting our world is that of mass
migration: the sheer numbers of men and
women forced to seek work away from
their homelands is a cause for concern.
Despite their hopes for a better future,
they frequently encounter mistrust and
exclusion, to say nothing of experiencing
tragedies and disasters. Having made
such sacrifces, these men and women
often fail to fnd dignifed work and
fall victim to a certain globalization of
indifference. Their situation exposes
them to further dangers such as
the horror of human trafficking,
forced labour and enslavement. It is
unacceptable that, in our world, slave
labour has become common coin
(cf. Message for World Day of Migrants
and Refugees, 24 September 2013). This
cannot continue! Human traffcking is
a scourge, a crime against the whole of
humanity. It is time to join forces and
work together to free its victims and
to eradicate this crime that affects all
of us, from individual families to the
worldwide community (cf. Address to the
New Ambassadors Accredited to the Holy
See, 12 December 2013).
It is also time to reinforce existing
forms of cooperation and to establish
new avenues for expanding solidarity.
This calls for: a renewed insistence
on the dignity of every person; a
more determined implementation of
international labour standards; planning
for a focused development on the
human person as its central actor and
primary benefciary; a re-evaluation
of the responsibilities of international
corporations in the countries where
they operate, including the areas of
proft and investment management;
and a concerted effort to encourage
Message of Pope Francis on the Occasion of the 50th Anniversary of
the Foundation of the Pontifcal Council for Interreligious Dialogue
TO My Venerable Brother, Cardinal Jean-
Louis Tauran, President of the Pontifcal
Council for Interreligious Dialogue:
On the occasion of this important
commemoration of the 50th anniversary
of the founding of the Pontifcal Council
for Interreligious Dialogue, I am pleased to
convey my warm greeting to you, Venerable
Brother, to the Superiors and Offcials of the
Dicastery, as well as to the illustrious guests
who will speak at the commemoration.
The institution by the Secretariat for
non-Christians, which came about with the
Apostolic Letter Progrediente Concilio of 19
May 1964 represents one of the important
decisions the Servant of God Paul VIenacted
during the Second Ecumenical Vatican
Council after deep refection. Its purpose
was to begin implementing the Councils
guidelines and to orient the universal
Church on the path of a much hoped for
renewal.
At that stage, characterized by great
openness, the Church, visibly manifest in
the Conciliar Hall, felt inspired by a sincere
desire for encounter and dialogue with
humanity as a whole, in order to be able to
present herself to a rapidly changing world
in her deepest and most authentic identity:
The Church must enter into dialogue with
the world in which it lives. It has something
to say, a message to give, a communication
to make, as Pope Paul VIwrote at that time
in his frst and programmatic Encyclical
(Ecclesiam Suam, 6 August 1964, III, The
Dialogue, n. 65).
From the beginning it was clear that such
a dialogue was not meant to relativize the
Christian faith, or to set aside the longing
that resides in the heart of every disciple, to
proclaim to all the joy of encounter with Christ
and his universal call. Moreover, dialogue is
possible only by beginning with ones own
identity. As the Holy Father Saint John
PaulII would show frequently through words
and gestures, dialogue and proclamation do
not exclude one another, but are intimately
connected, though their distinction must
be maintained and the two should never
be confused or instrumentalized or judged
equivalent or interchangeable (cf. Encyclical
LetterRedemptoris Missio, n. 55). In truth, it is
always the Spirit who is at work, both when
he gives life to the Church and impels her
to proclaim Christ, and when he implants
and develops his gifts in all individuals and
peoples, guiding the Church to discover
these gifts, to foster them and to receive them
through dialogue (ibid., n. 29).
As I had the chance to recall in the very
frst days of my ministry as the Bishop of
Rome, the Catholic Church is conscious
of the importance of promoting friendship
and respect between men and women of
different religious traditions (Audience with
Representatives of the Churches and Ecclesial
Communities and of the Different Religions, 20
March 2013).
Like Christ on the way to Emmaus,
the Church wishes to be close to and to
accompany every man and woman. Such
a readiness to walk together is much more
necessary in this day and age, marked
by profound and never-before-known
interactions between diverse peoples and
cultures. In this context, the Church will be
ever more committed to travel along the
path of dialogue and to intensify the already
fruitful cooperation with all those who,
belonging to different religious traditions,
share her intention to build relations of
friendship and share in the many initiatives
to do with dialogue.
Joining in thanksgiving to God for the
work carried out over these 50 years, I wish
that the Pontifcal Council for Interreligious
Dialogue may continue her mission with
renewed vigour, which in turn will beneft
the cause of peace and authentic progress
among peoples. To all the participants in this
Conference, I assure you of my remembrance
and I send you a heartfelt blessing.
From the Vatican, 19 May 2014
FRANCIS
Geneva, 28 May 12 June 2014
Press
Statement
on EDCA
SOME news agencies have reported that the Catholic Bishops
Conference of the Philippines has taken an offcial position
critical of the EDCA. While every bishop is, like any other
citizen of the Republic, at liberty to maintain a position and
to express it, as President of the CBCP I wish to make clear
that we are fully cognizant of the complexity of the issues
involved, including as they do issues of international law and
relations, regional politics as well as the morality of the use
of force and the threat of the use of force, and that the CBCP
has not taken an offcial position on the matter. We continue to
entrust ourselves to the Spirit of Truth and to study the matter
with assiduousness.
Dagupan City, June 1, 2014
+SOCRATES VILLEGAS
Archbishop of Lingayen Dagupan
CBCP President
Thousands of Filipinos sign a petition to junk the barrel fund system at the Million People March on August 26, 2013
at the Quirino Grandstand, Luneta.
governments to facilitate the movement
of migrants for the beneft of all, thus
eliminating human trafficking and
perilous travel conditions. Effective
cooperation in these areas will be
greatly assisted by defining future
sustainable development goals. As
I recently expressed to the Secretary
General and Chief Executives of the
United Nations: Future sustainable
development goals must therefore
be formulated and carried out with
generosity and courage, so that they
can have a real impact on the structural
causes of poverty and hunger, attain
more substantial results in protecting
the environment, ensure decent work for
all, and provide appropriate protection
for the family, which is an essential
element in sustainable human and social
development.
Dear Friends, the social teaching of the
Catholic Church supports the initiatives
of the ILO which aim to promote the
dignity of the human person and the
nobility of human labour. I encourage
you in your efforts to face the challenges
of todays world in fdelity to these lofty
goals. At the same time, I invoke Gods
blessing on all that you do to defend
and advance the dignity of work for
the common good of our human family.
FRANCIS
Press Statement on the
Indictment of the Three
Senators in the PDAF Issue
THE Kingdom of Jesus Christ is a
kingdom of truth, justice, love and
peace. It is from this perspective that
we comment on current events.
We laud the effort of government
to deal resolutely with graft and
corrupt practices. This is the path
of righteousness. Those who have
been charged must be dealt with the
full force of the law. Those who are
tasked to prosecute must observe total
commitment to the human rights of the
accused.
Everybody culpable, whatever their
political affliations may be, should
be investigated and, if so warranted,
indicted. When justice is selective, it is
not justice at all.
Furthermore, as Christians we are
exhorted to love at all times, even those
who sin and err, for none of us is above
human frailty. We embrace all who
have wronged society as our brothers
and sisters and continue to pray, that
as Gods people, we may ALL walk the
path of conversion and renewal. For
those among us who are not accused,
let us remember that the offenses with
which those who now stand accused are
charged could very well be the offense
of any of us as well. Who are we to
condemn? Let the one who has no sin
be the frst to cast a stone.
Let no actionoffcial, personal or
otherwise be ever born out of hatred or
a desire for vengeance. A vengeful action
cannot be from God. Let everything we
do be born out of sincere love for each
other and concern for the common good
for only then will we be recognized
as disciples of the Divine Master who
searches out and rescues the lost and
the weak.
June 8, 2014, Pentecost Sunday
+SOCRATES VILLEGAS, D.D.
Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan
accidents.
2. Individual states must
actively endeavor within their own
territories to prevent destruction of
the atmosphere and biosphere,
by carefully monitoring, among
other things, the impact of new
technological or scientifc advances
and ensuring that their citizens are
not exposed to dangerous pollutants
or toxic wastes.
3. The juridical content of the
right to a safe and healthy natural
environment is gradually taking
form, stimulated by the concern
shown by public opinion to
disciplining the use of created
goods according to the demands
of the common good and a
common desire to punish those
who pollute.
Pope Benedict also believes,
which many would agree,
that agreements and juridical
measures are not enough. The
responsibility boils down to
each individual. We have to
stop pointing to others to begin
or effect the changes we want.
We have to start with ourselves.
Come to think of it. If we maintain
the attitude of requiring others
to initiate, nothing will be done
because others are also have the
same attitude. But if we choose to
start with ourselves, everyone is
involved and things will set into
motion. Pope Benedict said in a
conference in Bolzano-Bressanone
in August 2008: We ourselves
must fnd a new way of living,
a discipline of making sacrifces,
a discipline of the recognition of
others to whom creation belongs
as much as it belongs to us who
may more easily make use of it.
And in his 2008 Christmas
message, he echoed it again by
stating If people look only to
their own interests, our world
will certainly fall apart.
Scriptures has something
important to say on this. Saint
Paul, in describing the Christian
community as composed of
people with different charisms,
should recognize each other and
work as one body. He used the
analogy of the body to drive home
the point.
For the body is not one member,
but many. If the foot shall say,
because I am not the hand, I am
not of the body; is it therefore not
of the body? And if the ear shall say,
because I am not the eye, I am not
of the body; is it therefore not of the
body? If the whole body were an
eye, where were the hearing? If the
whole were hearing, where were
the smelling? But now hath God
set the members every one of them
in the body, as it hath pleased him.
And if they were all one member,
where were the body? But now
are they many members, yet but
one body. And the eye cannot say
unto the hand, I have no need of
thee: nor again the head to the
feet, I have no need of you. Nay,
much more those members of
the body, which seem to be more
feeble, are necessary: And those
members of the body, which we
think to be less honourable, upon
these we bestow more abundant
honour; and our uncomely parts
have more abundant comeliness.
(1 Cor 12: 14-23)
The whole Chapter 12 is a
good read on the lesson of being
one. It is a lesson we have to
learn. Regarding this issue of
environmental concern, either we
learn our lesson now or we will
never get to learn it at all.
Boat / B4
B6 Vol. 18 No. 12
June 9 - 22, 2014
CBCP Monitor
Ref lections
Bishop Pat Alo
Bo Sanchez
ENCOUNTERS
SOULFOOD
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YES, money can make you holier!
This can be a shock to some
of you.
Ive met people who say,
Earning too much money means
Ill not be pleasing to God
anymore.
I dont agree.
I believe that if you handle
money the way God wants you
to handle money, then itll draw
you closer to Him.
Theres a big difference between
sayings, I want to get rich for
myself! and I want to earn more
so I can bless the world!
The gulf between these two is
astronomical.
One will give you peace. The
other, misery.
In the year of the laity a month for mercy!
Meditation for the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus during the Year of the Laity
Solemnity of the Blessed Trinity, Jn 3:16-18
(A) June 15, 2014
Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, Jn 6:51-58 (A) June 22, 2014
RESPONDING to the urging
of not a few of our lay faithful,
men and womenyoung people
among them!we would like
to consecrate this month of June
2014, during this YEAR OF THE
LAITY, to the Heart of Jesus.
But urged also by the example
of Pope Francis, as well as by the
recent canonization of Saint John
Paul II, who created the Divine
Mercy feast, we would like to
focus this month of renewed
Sacred Heart devotion to the
Divine Mercy
as incarnated, embodied,
symbolized in the Pierced Heart
of Jesus, the crucifed and risen
Lord.
Pope Francis, from the frst days
of his papacy, has been preaching
insistently and passionately on
Gods constant and untiring
mercy, and on the primacy of
the Churchs mission of mercy
and compassion. Mercyboth
divine and humanis so much
needed today in a troubled,
confused, and divided world,
with so much brokenness, sin
and injustice, with a secularized
culture that has no place for God.
Pope Francis speaks of our
worlds urgent need to return
to the unbounded mercy and
untiring patience of God towards
sinners, toward our human
weaknesses and failures. And it
is Jesus who shows us this merciful
patience of the loving and forgiving
God. It is there, in the wounds
of Jesus, that we encounter
the boundless love of his Heart.
The Holy Father also reminds
us that we encounter Jesus by
living out his compassion and
mercy towards our brothers and
sisters who are in need of our
own compassion and mercy
brothers and sisters in poverty,
suffering, loneliness, brokenness,
diffculty and despair.
Like Thomas the Apostle in
the Gospel (John 20), our life will
only be changed when we touch
Christs wounds present in the
poor, the sick and the needy. .
. .The path of our encounter with
Jesus is his wounds. There is no
other. (Pope Francis, 3 July 2013)
The Church, People of God and
Body of Christ on earth, must
thus also become more and more
truly the Church of Mercy.
Where may we then draw the
profound grace and spirituality
which can and will renew the
primacy of Mercyboth divine
and humanin and for our
own lives and the life of the
Church? Christian spiritual
tradition; the constant teaching
of so many of our Popes; and
the lives of the Saints give us one
clear and certain answer-- from
The source of all life
and goodness
By Fr. Sal Putzu, SDB
IT would be much more comfortable for us to believe in only one God who is also
one person. Such is the faith of Judaism and Islam. Such is also the God that can
be discovered by philosophy.
But the God revealed by Jesus Christ is a much richer reality. He spoke of
God as Father who has a Son, and of a Spirit, who is the expression of
their mutual love, and binds them together in love. The God revealed by Jesus is
essentially a mystery of
lovea love that is both
the source of all that exists,
and the fulfllment of all
creatures.
The love of the Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit is so
perfect and so pervading
as to make of the three
Divine Persons one
single realitythe Blessed
Trinity. This term is not
in the Bible. It has been
created by the theologians
to express in a concise
manner the mystery of one
God who consists of three
Divine Persons, equal in
majesty, distinct from one
another, but undivided.
God alone could reveal
what He is like in His very
being, as well as in His
relationship with all that
exists, especially mankind.
He did just that, especially
in the life and teaching of
Jesus Christ.
From Jesus, we learn
that we are all intimately
related to the Blessed
Trinity and immensely
loved by Him. We are not only created in the image of this tri-personal Love,
but also redeemed and sanctifed by Him. In baptism, we are created anew and
brought even closer to the Divine Pattern since we are made adopted children of
the Father, brothers/sisters of the Son, and temples of the Holy Spirit. We will
fnd our fulfllment and complete happiness in Him alone.
Our lifetime on earth is not enough to fathom all the preciousness of the personal
relationship that binds us to each Divine Person. It is only in the life to come that
we shall see this wonderful God face-to-face, i.e., we shall come to know Him as
He really is in Himself and for us. And this knowing and loving Him will be the
essence of the eternal blessedness which will make us perfectly happy for ever.
Earthly life
WE must remember that our life here on earth is just a temporal
passage towards an eternal existence in another life, which would
constitute either the reward or punishment -- depending on how
we lived our existence on this earth. Nobody doubts this life is
temporal and passing, since we can see that by our own observation
of life here on earth that there is an end to it, no doubt about that.
The mere fact that there are funerals and burial places proves that.
We just have to follow what the Holy Bible tells us that
our lives must follow Gods laws so we may be granted
Gods eternal reward and felicity for our good behavior in
our temporal lives on earth.
You can observe from the circumstances of people and
things around us that everything passes away with time.
In the Holy Bible you can read in the book of Ecclesiastes:
There is a season for everything, a time for every occupation
under heaven: a time for giving birth, a time for dying,
a time for planting, a time for uprooting what has been
planted (Eccles.. 3:1-2).
Let Money Make You Holy
The latter will give you wings
for your fight to Heaven. The
former? A special necklace with
a ten-ton boulder as pendant.
Personally, Ive made my
choice a long time ago.
I want the wings!
I want to earn money and love
God with every cent I have.
Because of these beliefs, for
many years now, I give a lot
of my income away, and have
enormous joy doing so.
Friends, you have a choice.
You can let money make you
evil and corrupt and selfsh and
miserable. Or you can let money
make you closer to God and
happy forever. As the Bible says,
Now he who supplies seed to the
sower and bread for food will
also supply and increase your
store of seed and will enlarge the
harvest of your righteousness. (2
Corinthians 9:10)
Ask yourself: Has your money
made you holier? Or has it made
you un-holier?
Work On Your Soul FirstAnd
Later On, Your Money
Remember: If youre spiritual
and emotional life cant handle
the financial blessing, it will
destroy you. Because your
spiritual and emotional life is
the basis for your fnancial life.
Why? I believe a healthy
spiritual and emotional life will
make you faithful, loyal, humble,
loving, honest, and responsible
stuff you need for earning AND
managing your money.
Let me tell you a story about
my friend Sally (You know this
isnt her real name.) For years,
Sally was struggling fnancially.
Because she couldnt keep a
stable job. I remember she even
had to borrow money from me
to attend our prayer meetings.
One day, Sallys father was
killed in an accident at work
and his company was partly at
fault. The company was afraid
of being sued and so gave my
friends family millions in an
out-of-court settlement.
Sally was now awash with a sea
of money! From someone who
Soulfood / B7
Mercy / B7
Mercyboth divine and humanis so
much needed today in a troubled, confused,
and divided world, with so much brokenness,
sin and injustice, with a secularized culture
that has no place for God.
The vital link with Jesus and our
neighbor
By Fr. Sal Putzu, SDB
THE Israelites always treasured the
remembrance of the daily manna and
the water from the rock enjoyed by their
ancestors during their long wandering in
the desert. They saw in the manna and
the water eloquent signs of the Lords
caring love for them.
But the manna and the water in the
desert were only symbols of a much more
precious food and drink which Jesus
would offer to his disciples: his body
and his blood, commonly referred to as
the Eucharist. This is the wondrous
means through which Jesus shows all
the depth of his love for us, a means
through which he satisfes the many
yearnings of our hearts.
We do experience several forms of
hunger and thirst. In addition to our
physical need for food and drink,
we hunger and thirst for acceptance,
appreciation, forgiveness, trust, sharing,
love. Indeed, not on bread alone does
man live.
These affective and spiritual needs can be satisfed
by other human beings only to a limited extent.
Only God can satisfy them fully. And He will
surely do this in the life to come.
These affective and spiritual needs
can be satisfed by other human beings
only to a limited extent. Only God can
satisfy them fully. And He will surely
do this in the life to come. But He starts
doing this already in this life, though in
a sacramental manner, i.e., through
sacred signs which communicate the
spiritual gift they signify.
Of these signs, the Eucharist is the
most revelatory and effective, for it
manifests and actualizes Christs total
gift of self to each believer and to the
whole community.
This gift was foreshadowed by the
miraculous multiplication of bread
and fsh (see Jn 6:3-13); it was formally
established by Jesus at the Last Supper
(see Mk 14:22-24 and parallels), and has
been treasured and celebrated by the
Church ever since.
In this celebration/re-enactment
of what Jesus did on the night when
he was betrayed (1 Cor 11:23), our
deepest forms of hunger and thirst for
love, sharing, and communion with
God and others are satisfied to the
highest degree possible on earth. At
the same time, the Eucharist is also a
foretaste of that perfect communion
with God and neighbor which will be
a feature of the everlasting happiness
prepared for us in heaven by our
loving Lord.
B7 Vol. 18 No. 12
June 9 - 22, 2014
CBCP Monitor
Social Concerns
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CBCPMonitor
had no transportation money
to attend a prayer meeting, she
now drove a brand new car.
Ironically, she stopped attending
the prayer meeting because she
said she became too busy with
her new life.
But after two years, we were
shocked to hear that Sally sold
her car as all the money she had
was now gone.
Soon, Sally went back to
begging for transportation
money so that she could attend
our prayer meetings again.
Such a sad story.
What happened?
Sallys spiritual and emotional
life wasnt ready for the amount
of money she received.
I urge you: Work on your soul
frstand lateryour wallet.
the Pierced Heart of Jesus on
the Cross.
This in turn urges us to seek
from the Lord a renewed, genuine
conversion of heart, and a true
reviving and deepening of
the spirituality of the Heart
of Jesus in our lives! This
must necessarily involve a
renewal and intensifcation of
prayer and devotion in faith and
interior life, yes, but it will also
call for ongoing earnest, self-
sacrifcing deeds of love, justice
and compassion toward our
brothers and sisters. We need to
go out from our comfort-zones
and go forth to give ourselves to
othersto the poorin deeds
of charity, sharing; in deeds of
justice and merciful love.
We are called to consecrate
ourselves and our lives anew
to the Pierced Heart of Jesus
and the Immaculate Heart of
Mary; earnestly to return to the
Eucharist and the sacramental
life, and the practice of the
corporal and spiritual works of
mercy.
Dear faithful people of God,
above alldear lay people
men and women, adults and
young people: Can we make
June 2014 of this Year of the
Laity a really special month
dedicated to MERCY from the
PIERCED HEART OF JESUS?
Can we make this a month
wherein by Gods grace the
Divine Mercy can fll out our
own hearts and lives, can bring
conversion into our lives, and
through us radiate in some very
true way in our communities,
our parishes ? A month when
we will earnestly ask the Hearts
of Jesus and Mary to change
usyes, even little by littleto
the likeness of their own hearts,
through prayer and devotion,
and through deeds of self-giving
mercy, compassion, justice and
self-sacrifce?
Dear brothers and sisters, our
laity and young people above all,
what will our response be? The
Lords Pierced Heart awaits the
sincere response of our hearts.
From the Cathedral of Saint
John the Evangelist, Dagupan
City, June 8, 2014, Pentecost
Sunday

+SOCRATES B. VILLEGAS
Archbishop of Lingayen Dagupan
By Fr. Pete Montallana
YOU shall not kill was what I told the
police of Quezon City last May 22, 2014
when I saw them confscating the stores
of the poor along Agham Road. Victims
of the recent demolition were only trying
to eke out a living to survive. This is a
sidewalk and it is against the law, the
police justifed their action. When you
destroy their livelihood, you practically
kill them, I answered back.
That incident was a good opportunity
for me to confront the authorities
because a few days back, while riding
in a tricycle, I saw a pregnant woman
who was running after her wares,
which were scattered by the police on
the Agham road.
These incidents with government
offcials abusing the poor people have
become a very common sight all over
the country. There are no qualms of
conscience even if these offcials know
that they are dealing with citizens who
pay for their salaries through taxes
and whom they vowed to serve. They
select laws they can use and disregard
laws that protect human rights because
the poor cannot afford to defend their
rights.
The recent violent demolition in
Agham brought home this point
very well. The Constitution clearly
provides that demolition has to be
done in a just and human manner.
The provisions of UDHA law, for all
its defects, should have been followed
conscientiously; there should be
notice at least thirty days prior to
eviction, adequate consultations, proper
identifcation of all persons taking
part in demolition, decent housing at
affordable cost with basic services and
employment opportunities. Moreover,
the government was in full battle gear
hitting even unarmed citizens and using
powerful tear gasall in the name of
Compassion for the poor
road widening, but in reality to facilitate
the business interests of the Ayalas. In
Quezon City, development means slow
death to poor people.
Even until now, NHA could not care
less whether families who were left
homeless continue to live under the heat
of sun or under the rain. There are no
more budget, they told the homeless.
They are not even allowed to have tents
over their heads during the day. The
whole urban poor area is now like a
Nazi concentration camp surrounded
by wires and with more exits closed.
What would happen if there would be
fre? Well, security of the land is more
important than human beings. And to
add insult to injury, they hired people
of other faiths who themselves lived in
the area as the security guardsdivide
and conquer technique.
Many people have become numb to
this treatment. Or maybe the lull before
a storm. The government closes it eyes
to the reality that demolitions and
relocations without job opportunities
have always been a failure. It only
causes intense suffering for the already
suffering people. Many relocatees have
sold their houses and are back to Manila
just to have something to eat. The
government does not see that its laws
on land reform, contractualization and
libing (living) wages, privatization
exclude the poor from the benefts of
society and thus push them to squatting.
Government sees only the high proft
of business and their personal gains.
Pope Francis articulates it: Today,
everything comes under the laws of
competition and the survival of the
fttest, where the powerful feed upon the
powerless. As a consequence, masses of
people fnd themselves excluded and
marginalized: without work, without
possibilities, without any means of
escape. (Evangelii Gaudium, #53)
When I jogged around Agham Road
last May 29, 2014 at 4:00 a.m., I saw,
to my surprise, some families whose
houses were demolished sleeping on the
sidewalk. As human beings endowed
with human dignity, they have a right
to shelter which should have been given
them, especially in a predominantly
Christian country. But that is not the
case. The government has gone into a
demolition spree to clear Metro Manila
of its half million squatter families and
in the process pushing more and more
people into grinding poverty which
kills. Violence on the unarmed only
convinces people that the government
listens only to those with arms. This
begets more killings.
The police and the military should
never be used to crush the dignity of
the poor for the moneyed and powerful,
but rather they should promote Article
25 of the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights: Everyone has the right
to a standard of living adequate for the
health and well-being of himself and
of his family, including food, clothing,
housing and medical care and necessary
social services.
Last June 1, 2014 we had no electricity
from 6 p.m. until 8 a.m. the next day. So
many families had to endure the heat
and mosquitoes. Would that happen
if Agham were already populated
by the rich? Discrimination against
the dignity of the poor has become
so accepted that nobody seems to be
bothered by it anymore.
Pope Francis who will be coming in
the Philippines in 2015 reminds us: We
are called to care for the vulnerable of
the earth. (Evangelii Gaudium, #209).
A compassionate Philippines will be
the best welcome for him.
Moreover, the government was in full battle gear hitting even unarmed
citizens and using powerful tear gasall in the name of road widening,
but in reality to facilitate the business interests of the Ayalas.
The sight of homeless people has become too common in the urban jungle of Metro Manila.
determination, with faith, we
will reach it.
He recalled that in his life,
he had seen both peace and
warfare. He would never forget
the devastation caused by war.
We owe it to our children, to
seek peace, stressed Peres.
Pa l e s t i ni a n Pr e s i de nt
Mahmoud Abbas spoke in the
words of a prayer, beseeching
the Lord on behalf of my people,
the people of Palestine - Muslims,
Christians, and Samaritans - who
are craving for a just peace,
dignifed living, and liberty.
Grant, O Lord, our region and
its people security, safety and
stability. Save our blessed city
Jerusalem; the frst Kiblah, the
second Holy mosque, the third
of the two Holy Mosques, and
the city of blessings and peace
with all that surround it, Abbas
prayed.
The Muslim political leader
affirmed, reconciliation and
peace, O Lord, are our goal.
He prayed that God would
make Palestine and Jerusalem in
particular a secure land for all the
believers, and a place for prayer
and worship for the followers of
the three monotheistic religions
Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and
for all those wishing to visit it
as is stated in the Holy Koran.
The evening closed with a
handshake of peace amongst the
leaders, and the planting of an
olive tree, symbolic of the desire
for peace on behalf of each of the
religious communities. (CNA/
EWTN News)
world looks set to face years of subpar
growth. The emerging market growth
spurt of the past 30 years is coming to an
end. The dramatic poverty alleviation
we have seen may therefore be quickly
reversed. As I have written in a
previous column, the group that is
most vulnerable to a relapse to absolute
poverty is what has been referred to as
the fragile middle. The individuals
in this group live on more than $2 per
day. They, however, are still below the
$10 per day level that would provide
fnancial security in most developing
economies. Any sickness in the family
or a natural disaster can bring them back
to the ranks of the very poor.
There is a consensus among those
who have studied the phenomenon of
world poverty that the most effective
measures to uplift more people from
poverty and to prevent the fragile
middle from falling back to their
former position are a relentless focus
on rural infrastructures, improving
the quality of basic education up to the
secondary level; the provision of rural
clinics and hospitals; giving access
to potable water to the poor; and the
effcient and honest implementation of a
conditional cash transfer program to the
poorest of the poor. These are especially
applicable to the Philippines because
75 percent of the poor are in the rural
areas and an even higher percentage of
those in the fragile middle also live
in the countryside.
Thanks to the circumstances in the
Philippines which still have a young
and growing population, a surefire
insurance for the fragile middle to
avoid slipping back to the excluded
is to have at least one member of the
household to be counted among the
10 million Filipinos who are working
abroad. OFW remittances are a most
effective means of helping the fragile
middle to stay afloat even in the worst
natural calamities or human tragedies.
We should thank Pope Francis for
reminding us of our responsibility
to the excluded. For comments, my
email address is bernardo.villegas@
uap.asia.
for Philippine Dioceses (Misa
ng Bayan) was unanimously
approved (71 votes) by those
present in the Bishops Plenary
Assembly of July 1991 (cf.
Mi nut es of 63
rd
Bi shops
Plenary Assembly, July 1991,
p.22).
The Status of the Misa ng
Bayan
The Code of Canon Law
states that The Eucharist
is to be celebrated in the
Latin language or in another
language provided the liturgical
texts have been legitimately
approved (c.928). Now then,
while the Misa ng Bayan has
been repeatedly approved by
the CBCP, it has not yet been
approved by the Holy See,
which is the only competent
Ecclesiastical authority that
can approve liturgical texts
and procedures as regards the
Sacraments, especially the most
august Sacrament of the Holy
Eucharist, and most especially
the texts and rubrics for the
Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
With the foregoing, there-
fore, it does not come as a
surprise that my friend priests
found it strange that the Misa
ng Bayan was used in such a
well-attended gathering as the
closing Mass of the Philippine
Conference on the New Evan-
gelization. The fact that it was
attended by many priests and
religious from the Philippines
and other Asian countries may
even increase the danger of
confusion. The signal could
possibly have been sent that
every country is free to intro-
duce whatever elements of
inculturation to the Holy Sacri-
fice the bishops see fit, without
need of approval from the Holy
See. One can only imagine the
kind of liturgical chaos such a
move may occasion.
by the way he says the divine words he
must convey to the faithful the living
presence of Christ.
In fact, the rule of kneeling during
the consecration would also apply to a
bishop or other priests who are attending
the Mass but not concelebrating.
However, this does not mean that the
deacon always adopts the position of the
faithful. For example, in some countries
the practice of kneeling is different, as
mentioned in GIRM, No. 43:
Nevertheless, it is up to the Conference
of Bishops to adapt the gestures and
postures described in the Order of Mass
to the culture and reasonable traditions
of the people. The Conference, however,
must make sure that such adaptations
correspond to the meaning and character
of each part of the celebration. Where
it is the practice for the people to
remain after the Sanctus until the end
of the Eucharistic Prayer and before
Communion when the priest says Ecce
Agnus Dei (This is the Lamb of God), this
practice is laudably retained.
of the words of consecration along
with a general understanding of their
meaning. This correct understanding
should be able to be presumed in a
priest.
Even here, the correct pronunciation
is not absolute, provided the errors or
lack of clarity in saying the words do
not create a new meaning. For example,
a priest who has developed a speech
impediment due to illness could still
In such cases, the serving deacon does
not follow the practice of the faithful and
kneels only during the time mentioned
in GIRM, No. 179. If he were to do so
then, he would be unable to carry out
some of his proper diaconal duties, such
as helping the priest with the book and
being ready to take the chalice for the
fnal doxology.
Finally, if it is necessary to remove a
chalice pall, then the deacon should do
so just before the consecration before
kneeling down.
validly celebrate if he knows what
he is trying to say but cannot clearly
enunciate it. In his fnal years, Pope
St. John Paul IIs pronunciation was
often unintelligible for the majority, but
nobody doubts the validity of his Mass.
Beyond the minimum requirement
for validity, the dignity and quality
of the celebration as an act of worship
demands an adequate understanding of
the language of the celebration. From
the external and pastoral point of view
the priest should be able to proclaim the
text, not just pronouncing correctly, but
being able to give the proper emphasis,
pause and stress that transmits the
meaning of the text as a prayer.
This correct proclamation and
understanding also helps priest and
faithful to interiorize the prayer and
allow it to penetrate and transform
their lives.
B8
Vol. 18 No. 12
June 9 - 22, 2014
B8
CBCP Monitor
Entertainment
DIRECTOR: Nick Cassavetes
LEAD CAST: Cameron Diaz, Leslie Mann, Nikolaj Coster-
Waldau, Kate Upton, Don Johnson, Taylor Kinney,
Nicki Minaj
SCREENWRITER: Melissa K. Stack
PRODUCER: Julie Yorn & company
EDITOR: Jim Flynn & Alan Heim
MUSICAL DIRECTOR: Aaron Zigman
GENRE: Romantic Comedy
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Robert Fraisse
DISTRIBUTOR: 20th Century Fox
LOCATION: USA
RUNNING TIME: 109 minutes
TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT:
MORAL ASSESSMENT:
MTRCB rating: PG
CINEMA rating: V 14
HIGH powered Manhattan lawyer Carly Whitten (Cameron
Diaz) clears the bench of former lovers, having now fallen in
love with Mark King (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), a charming, hot,
suave and thoughtful (but married) man. Frustrated that Mark
is begging off from a dinner date to meet Carlys father in order
to attend to some plumbing problem in his Connecticut home,
Carly, on the advice of her father (Dan Johnson), nonetheless
pays him a surprise visit, only to be met at the door by Marks
wife Kate (Leslie Mann). The encounter between lawyer and
wife leads to an odd partnership that will lead to an even
odder triad when the two women discover another mistress,
Amber (Kate Upton).
The story may be fimsy and improbable, bordering on the
female fantasy of teaching a philandering husband a bitter
lesson, but achieves its aim to entertain by delivering enough
funnies. The funnies and the humor also swing from witty
to crass but director Cassavetes must have deliberately made
it so, exaggeration being a hallmark of fantasy. The humor
carousel is such that some lines will make you guffaw, while
some scenes will elicit an Eeew! or a Yuck! from you. The
actors couldnt have been more seamlessly cast though their
roles tend to be stereotypical, and yet, everything syncs. In fact,
The Other Woman could have been titled The Lawyer, the Wife
and the Boobs, and still deliver its brutal best with a brainy
Diaz, an unraveling Mann and a bikini-flling Upton in the title
roles. And oh
yes, for good
m e a s u r e
t h r o w i n
t he Cad
for Waldau,
the same cad
who doe s
nasty things
with his sister
a s J a i me
Lannister in
TVs Game
of Thrones.
The thing
to ask isis
it believable?
Can a weird
s e n s e o f
s i s t e r hood
grow and bind erstwhile rivals all in a months time? Could
a number of women who fall for the same man be real friends
with one another to get even with a rat of a man in the name
of justice? Can justice be served simply by returning stolen
money, tossing your wedding ring into the sea, or getting a
divorce? Because of The Other Womans themeadultery
treated lightlyCINEMA will give the movie a V18 rating. The
laughs and easy solutions tend to trivialize a serious malady
in marital circles, infdelity, which in real life deserves much
more than just a cursory glance in order to be understood
and dealt with. The Other Woman is a romantic comedy
all right, but it is a comedy for mature adults. For viewers
with susceptible minds, such as children and teenagers still
developing a sense of values, The Other Woman could be
caramel coated poison.
Entertainment
Technical Assessment
Poor
Below average
Average
Above average
Excellent
Moral Assessment
Abhorrent
Disturbing
Acceptable
Wholesome
Exemplary
YOUNG Malefcent is a sweet-
natured powerful fairy protector
of the magical creatures (Moors).
She befriends Stefan, a human
boy who tries to steal a jewel
from her world. Although
ambitious in his single minded
desire to live in the kings castle
when he grows up, Stefan shows
concern for Malefcent when he
throws away his ring, his only
possession, so he can touch her
hand. Over the years, Malefcent
and Stefan grow closer. He
supposedly gives her a true
loves kiss before he disappears.
Meanwhile, the world of men
and world of Moors coexisted
until King Henry decided he
needed to squelch the growing
powers of the fairies. An older
Malefcent (Jolie) with her Moor
allies stand up against the human
army and mortally wounds King
Henry. In retribution, the king
decrees that anyone who kills
Malefcent will inherit the throne.
Apparently, Stefan (Copley)
has found a way in the Kings
court and betrays his old friend
Malefcent so he can become
king. Wounded emotionally and
physically, Malefcent with the
aide of Diaval (Riley) attends
Stefans daughters christening
to curse the infant as her revenge.
Stefan asks the three pixies to
hide Princess Aurora in the
woods until her 16th birthday
so she can outlive the curse.
Meanwhile, Malefcent closely
watches Aurora growing up.
Eventually her hardened heart
melts in fondness for the young
girls innocence and kindness.
Unfortunately, even she cannot
lift the curse bestowed upon
Aurora. In her desire to save
Aurora, she braves the iron
thorns King Stefan has built
around his castle to bring Prince
Philip whom she believes will
give true loves kiss. But what
is true love?
While professional movie
KITTy Pride (Ellen Page) uses her
ability to project a persons mind
back in time to launch a mission of
changing the course of events that
could have determined the fate
of X-Men eternally. One crucial
step of the mission is to prevent
Raven/Mystique (Jennifer
Lawrence) from assassinating
Sentinel leader Trask (Peter
Dinklage) and not to make him
a martyr for manipulating the
future of mutants. This mission
sends Logans (Hugh Jackman)
consciousness back in time from
2023 to 1973. Logan seeks and
convinces Charles to cooperate
in freeing Magneto (Michael
Fassbender/Ian McKellen) from
prison and be part of the mission.
With the help of fast-moving
mutant Maximoff /Quicksilver
(Evan Peters) who penetrates
critics complain about the
fimsiness of the storyline, the
movie remains powerfully
engaging if only because of
Jolies strong performance.
Jolie owned Malefcent, as only
she can be convincingly dark
and light, cruel and loving,
spiteful and selfess. Needless
to say, all other portrayals paled
in comparison. As delightful
as Jolies interpretation of a
betrayed woman whose heart is
slowly turning to stone, are the
visual effects and production
design of the film. Seamless
and imaginative, it recreates a
magical yet disturbing world.
Of course, the lazy narrative
cannot be overlooked as it
lends too many unanswered
question on the characters and
motives (How did Stefan manage
to be in line for the throne?
How dutiful is King Henrys
daughter that she needed to be
the prison cell in The Pentagon,
Magneto is freed. In Paris
where the negotiation to end
the Vietnam war is taking place,
Raven impersonates a Vietnamese
offcer in order to kill Trask.
X-Men Days of the Future
Past is a spectacular movie that
offers exciting effects to the
thrills of the viewers. The idea of
travelling back in time has always
been a treat to moviegoers. The
plot development struggles a
bit as always the problem with
multiple characters. However,
it still succeeds in keeping the
focus of the story which is the
mission. The movie successfully
weaves into a fresh conflict
previous installment plots which
rationally allows the resurrection
of old characters. It helps if a
viewer has seen the previous
Direction: Robert Stromberg
Cast: Angelina Jolie, Elle
Fanning, Sharlito Copley,
Sam Riley
Story : based on Little Briar
Rose by The Brothers
Grimm
Screenplay: Linda Woolverton
Cinematography: Dean Sem-
ler
Editing: Chris Lebenzon,
Richard Pearson
Music: James Newton Howard
Producers: Angelina Jolie,
Joe Roth
Genre: Fantasy
Location: Earth
Distributor: Walt Disney Mo-
tion Pictures
Running Time: 97 minutes
Technical assessment:
Moral assessment:
MTRCB rating: G
Cinema rating: V13 (Viewers
13 and below with paren-
tal guidance)
her fathers successors wife?
Why did Malefcent not use her
magic to retrieve her wings?)
But this is meant to be an adult
interpretation of a fairy tale so
certain narrative lapses can be
tolerated in favor of the overall
impact of the flm. Besides, how
many times are the antagonists
of literature given a chance to air
their side of the story? The movie
tried to tone down violence but
certain scenes may be scary for
audiences below 7.
People who are consumed
by their negative emotions
eventually lose who they are.
Even the purest, the most
gentle or kindest, once hurt,
can transform into a monster.
People in pain regress, withdraw
and pretentiously revel in the
misery they cause unto the
people who hurt them. But
they are not happy. King
Stefan and Malefcent represent
pent up anger, bitterness and
hatred. While Stefan spiraled
down desperation and mistrust,
Malefcent opened up her heart
and allowed love to heal her.
Clich as it may sound, but
truly love heals all wounds
even those that run deep and
wide. We only have to let go
of the pain and learn from
past mistakes. Malefcent even
learned something morethe
meaning of true lovea love
that made her willing not only to
lift her own curse but also stake
her life just to save a loved one.
It is also a refreshing statement
that true love is not the feeling
after meeting a good looking
person for the first time but
the willingness to change, to
sacrifce and to be good looking
in the inside for the sake of the
beloved. While Malefcent may
not become a cinematic classic, it
still delivers strong messages on
love, redemption and, of course,
peaceful co-existence between
humankind and nature.
MALEFICENT
X-MEN, DAYS
OF FUTURE
PAST
THE OTHER WOMAN
X-Men movies so they can build
on the storyline of each character.
There is not much to commend
in acting except for Lawrences
fawless portrayal of an indignant
woman searching for retribution
and Dinklages depiction of a
scientist consumed by the desire to
eliminate those who are different.
Viewers celebrate the charismatic
connection between past and
present Professor X and Magneto
in McCoy and Fassbender (the
younger version) and Stewart and
Mckellan (the older versions). The
director is an emotional storyteller
with a keen sense of balancing post
production techniques with the
narrative.
If there is one thing that works in
this genre, it is the ability to explore
the struggle to be human. There
is tenderness and vulnerability
as it outstandingly portrays
heroism, wit, friendship and
survival interjected in historical
events; humor is also injected
through the blindingly fast moves
of Peters character, Quicksilver.
Amidst the consecutive superhero
movies, this reimaging of X-Mens
delightfully reminds viewers how
overpowering this genre is. Trust
amidst betrayal, self-sacrifice
against self-preservation, heroism
in the face of extinction. These
are some of the more prominent
themes the flm delivers. But
more importantly, it emphasizes
that trust, sacrifce and heroism
are weapons we can use to make
our future better. We might not
have the capability of going back
in time to rewrite history but
destiny is not a pre-determined
course. Every single day, through
our choices, we have the ability
to redeem ourselves and make
the world better for everyone.
Charles Xavier beautifully says
that no person is permanently
evil as long as he has the desire
and will to reform his life. While
there are fawed moral discourses
both on insisting on diplomacy,
human nature and survival, the
overall message drives home a
strong point. The flm has several
scenes and material inappropriate
for children below 13, parents
are advised to provide adequate
guidance.
Director: Bryan Singer
Lead cast: Hugh Jackman,
Michael Fassbender,
Peter Dinklage, Jennifer
Lawrence, James McA-
voy, Ian McKellen, Patrick
Stewart, Nicholas Hoult,
Anna Paquin, Ellen Page
Editor: John Ottman
Genre: Action, adventure, sci-
f, fantasy
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Location: China, Paris, Wash-
ington DC
Running time: 131 minutes
Technical assessment:
Moral assessment:
MTRCB rating: PG
CINEMA Rating: V14
Buhay San Miguel Brothers Matias
The Cross
A Supplement Publication of KCFAPI and the Order of the Knights of Columbus
Vol. 18 No. 12
June 9 - 22, 2014
CBCP Monitor
C1
Awardees of the 37th Fr. George J. Willmann SJ Annual Family Service Awards and their families witnessed the art and culture of Cambodia during their trip last May 22 to 24, 2014. The said trip is an incentive for the
outstanding sales performance of KCFAPI's Sales Force.
KCFAPI Sales Awardees
visit Siem Reap, Cambodia
AWARDEES of the 37th Fr. George
J. Willmann, SJ Annual Family
Service Awards under the follow-
ing categories: Willmann Knights
of the Round Table (WKRT) FC
Runners-Up, FC of the Year, AM
of the Year, AM Runners-Up and
AMs honor circle, together with
their companions witnessed the
art and culture of one of the
worlds premier travel destina-
tions - Siem Reap. Joining the
group during their visit to the
tourism capital city of Siem Reap
Province in Northwestern Cam-
bodia from May 22 to 24, 2014
were KCFAPI Vice President
Fraternal Benefits Group, Gari
M. San Sebastian and Human Re-
sources & Corporate Communica-
tions Manager, Ma. Kristianne G.
Pascual.
Among the places they vis-
ited were Angkor Wat Bayon,
Baphoun, Phimeanakas, the Ele-
phants Terrace, Terrace of Leper
Ki ng and Ta Prohm Templ e.
They were amazed by the Apsara
Dance Show and had shopping
at the Night Market.
They also visited the silk farm,
killing field at Wat Thmey, float-
ing village and attended a work-
shop on wood and stone carving
tagged as Les Chan Tiers Ecoles
Artisans D Angkor.
According to HRCC Manager,
Ma. Kristianne Pascual, Siem
Reap Cambodia is indeed rich
in culture and religious tradi-
tions having seen four (4) out
of their so many temples. When
I asked our Tour guide Akong
how many temples they have in
their Kingdom, he told me that
they have around four to five
thousand (4,000-5,000) temples.
Through the trip, I also realized
that apart from being deeply
religious, Khmers are also fan-
tastic artists as we witnessed
their brilliant workmanship in
the area of wood and stone carv-
ing, painting, silk weaving and
dancing.
The 2014 Asian Tour in Siem
Reap, Cambodia is part of the
incentive program provided by
the Fraternal Benefits Group of
KCFAPI for their top sales force.
Fraternal Service
Training in Iloilo
THE KCFAPI Fraternal Benefits Group conducted
Fraternal Service Training in Iloilo last May 16 to 17
to talk about the Associations insurance products
and their advantages to the members of the Knights
of Columbus and their immediate families. The event
was attended by Fraternal Benefits Services Manager
Michael P. Cabra, VP Fraternal Benefits Group Gari
M. San Sebastian and KCFAPI President Arsenio Isidro
G. Yap.
FBG holds
Fraternal Service
Training Program
KCFAPI-Fraternal Benefits Services Manager,
Michael P. Cabra together with the participants of
the May Fraternal Service Training held in Intramuros
Manila.
THE Fraternal Benefits
Group (FBG) of the
Knights of Columbus
Fraternal Association
of the Philippines, Inc.
(KCFAPI) held a two-
day Fraternal Service
Trai ni ng (FST) pro-
gram from May 20-21,
2014 at the KCFAPI
main office in Intramu-
ros, Manila.
Participants of the
FST who came from
Pangasinan, Manila,
Cavite and Bicol were
taught about the differ-
ent features of insurance
products being offered
by KCFAPI. Advantages
that come with availing
of the products were
likewise discussed dur-
ing the training.
Aside from the prod-
uct specifications, the
FST program also pro-
vided the participants
information about the
basic insurance process-
es as well as conceptual-
ization of new market-
ing strategies in order to
help them achieve their
goals and improve their
sales performance.
Assisted by FBG Staff,
Kris Jay Rolex Yngco
and Jerome De Guzman,
KCFAPI Fraternal Ben-
efts Services Manager,
Michael P. Cabra served
as resource speaker in
the said training pro-
gram.
For more informa-
tion about FST sched-
ules, please contact the
KCFAPI-FBG depart-
ment at telephone num-
ber (02) 527-2243. (FBG
News)
KCFAPI joins Cabanatuan Family Day
KNIGHTS of Columbus Fraternal Association
of the Philippines, Inc. (KCFAPI) employees
namely: Jennefer Rose Bautista, Annalyn
Malong, Kris Jay Rolex Yngco, Kathrynne Mar-
jorie Crisostomo, Ellaine Joy Encanto and Jenika
Villamar, together with KCFAPI Executive Vice
President, Ms. Ma. Theresa Curia and KCFAPI
Corporate Secretary and Luzon Jurisdiction
State Advocate Justice Jose C. Reyes, Jr. joined
in the recently held 3rd Family Day Celebration
of the Central Luzon Conquerors (CLC) Area in
Talavera, Nueva Ecija.
The group was warmly welcomed by honor
guards, marching band and Brother Knights
from Central Luzon as they arrived at the Crys-
tal Waves Hotel and Resort.
The program proper started with what they
coined as Childrens Hour where games and
shows for the kids were held. To make the event
even more fun, there was a special appearance
from the Jollibee mascot. Clowns packed with
magic tricks and hilarious jokes were likewise
made available for the kids viewing pleasure.
Simultaneous to the Childrens Hour is the
KC Hour and team building for KC Members
held at the poolside of the resort. In between
events were raffe draws for everyone were
home appliances were given away.
Representatives from the Central Luzon like-
Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ Academic Excellence Awardees
THE Fraternal Benefits
Group of the Knights of
Columbus Fraternal Asso-
ciation of the Philippines,
Inc. (KCFAPI) presents
another set of qualifed ap-
plicants for the Fr. George
J. Willmann, SJ Award for
Academic Excellence. This
is conferred to inspire the
family members of the
Knights of Columbus to
excel academically as KC-
FAPI believes that through
this, we will be able to help
form a strong Christian
society.
The program is divided
into four (4) divisions,
na me l y: El e me nt a r y
Level (Valedictorians of
the Graduating class of
2011-2013), High School
Level (Valedictorians of
the Graduating class of
2011-2013), College Level
(Cum Laudes and higher
of the Graduating class of
2011-2013 and must be at
least a four year course)
and passers of BOARD/
BAR examination from
July 1, 2011 to December
31, 2013.
The Fr. George J. Will-
mann, SJ Award for Aca-
demic Excellence is being
sponsored by KCFAPI to
recognize the members of
Knights of Columbus and
their immediate families
who have excelled in their
studies.
There are fve qualifed
individuals one (1) high-
school and four (4) college
graduates/board passer
namely Gershon Raphael R.
Anapi (Valedictorian), Ger-
amyl R. Anapi (Bachelor
of Science in Biology, Cum
Laude), Mark Niguel N.
Viernes (BS in Information
Technology, Cum Laude),
Nadine Bernadette V. Fuen-
tes (Bachelor of Science in
Nursing, Cum Laude) and
Oscar Angelo M. Ipurong
(Bachelor of Science in Ac-
countancy, CPA). (KCFAPI
News)
KCFAPI Employees headed by KCFAPI Corporate Secretary and Luzon
Jurisdiction State Advocate Jose C. Reyes, Jr. (standing, 3rd from right) and
Executive Vice President, Ma. Theresa G. Curia (standing, 2nd from right)
together with Central Luzon Conquerors Area Manager, Manuel Naldoza
(standing, center) during the 3rd Grand Family Day of the Diocesan Councils
of Cabanatuan, San Jose and Prelature of Infanta held last May 24 at the
Crystal Wave Resort in Talavera, Nueva Ecija.
KCFAPI Corporate Secretary & Luzon Jurisdiction State Advocate Justice
Jose C. Reyes, Jr. (center, in yellow shirt), KCFAPI Executive Vice President
Ma. Theresa G. Curia (in pink shirt) together with the Beneft Certifcate
Holders who were present during the 3rd Grand Family Day of the Diocesan
Councils of Cabanatuan, San Jose and Prelature of Infanta held last May
24 at the Crystal Wave Resort in Talavera, Nueva Ecija. (KCFAPI News)
Family / C3
The Cross
C2 Vol. 18 No. 12
June 9 - 22, 2014
CBCP Monitor
Hilario G. Davide, Jr.
Chairmans Message
Presidents Message
Michael P. Cabra
My Brothers Keeper
Marking Independence with KCFAPI
Roberto T. Cruz
Ma. Theresa G. Curia
Arsenio Isidro G. Yap
GENERAL Emilio Aguinaldo was
the first to conceptualize the Phil-
ippine National Flag while in exile
in Hong Kong in 1897. He drew
inspiration from the different flags
of the Katipunan and the Cuban
revol ut i onar i es. Mot her and
daughter, Marcela and Lorenza
Agonci l l o t oget her wi t h Doa
Delfina Herbosa de Natividad, a
niece of Dr. Jose Rizal sew the first
Philippine flag.
The Philippine flag as designed by Gen. Emilio
Aguinaldo is a horizontal bicolor with equal bands
of blue on top and red at the bottom, with a white
equilateral triangle based at the hoist side. A golden
sun is at the center of the white triangle with eight
rays representing the provinces of Batangas, Bulacan,
Laguna, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Manila and of
course Cavite, the first eight provinces which sought
independence from Spain starting in 1896. A five
pointed star at each of the three corners of the white
triangle represents the three major island groups of
Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.
It was first hoisted in Kawit, Cavite by no less than Gen.
Emilio Aguinaldo and the Katipuneros on June 12, 1898,
declaring the sovereignty and independence of the Phil-
ippines from its colonial ruler, Spain. Gen. Aguinaldo
became its first president.
As we know it, the declaration was not recognized by
both Spain and its conqueror, the United States of America
when the latter defeated the former in the Battle of Ma-
nila Bay. Instead, Spain ceded the Philippines to America
under the 1898 Treaty of Paris.
To suppress the nationalism and growing impatience
of the Filipinos to regain their short lived indepen-
dence, the Americans passed into law Act 1696 oth-
erwise known as the Flag Law on September 6, 1907.
This law prohibits the public display of the Philippine
Flag and the singing of the National Anthem, Lupang
Hinirang.
After twelve years, Gov. Gen. Francis Harrison recom-
mended the repealing of the Flag Law since both the
Americans and the Filipinos are no longer hostile to
one another. And thus in 1919, Senator Rafael Palma
sponsored Senate Bill No. 1 to repeal Act 1696. On Oc-
tober 24, 1919, Act No. 2871 was approved and signed
into law by Gov. Gen. Harrison paving the way for the
Philippine Flag to be hoisted once again and the Lu-
pang Hinirang sung without any fear of reprisal from
its American rulers.
Once again the sense of nationalism in each and every
Filipino was rekindled with the repeal of the Flag Law.
Patriots that we are, let us always respect the Philippine
Flag for it is the symbol of our country, a symbol of our
sovereignty, a symbol of our freedom, a symbol of our
very own existence, as a nation and as a people. Inde-
pendent or not, history will show that on June 12, 1898 a
nation was born and this was evidenced by the existence
of a flag, a flag designed by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, the
first president of the First Philippine Republic.
May our independence be protected by Filipinos for
the Filipinos and let us not forget the men who fought
valiantly for it so that we may enjoy the freedom we
now have.
EVP's Corner
FATHER
The word father is symbolic and even magical.
LET me begin by retelling a very classic story.
Once, there was a little boy who got caught
on a branch of a tree. He climbed on and on
and got carried away and did not notice that
he was nearing a very weak branch. When
the branch swung, he found himself hanging.
He shouted for help and his father heard his
scared voice. Running just below his son, he
shouted: Son, let go. I am here below you.
I will catch you. But the boy said: Dad,
I cannot see you. I am so scared. Do not
fear, Dad will never ask you to do anything
that will harm you. You do not see me, but
I see you. Trust me. Just let go and I will
catch you.
The boy hesitated for a while but hearing
the assuring voice of his father, he let go
with eyes closed, but without fear anymore
because he was sure his Dad would catch
him.
He let go and I think you know the rest
of the story. Father and son clutched each
other tightly. The father just said, I love you
son. No more reprimand, no more guilt.
Just love and trust and thanksgiving for the
life of the boy.
I think most of us can relate to this story.
Most of us experienced how it was to trust
our fathers. We learned to bike, to drive
for the frst time, to repair anything, to fy
a kite, to fsh, build a tent, etc. Even if we
were not sure how to do something, if our
fathers told us we could do it, we believed.
And we did learn. And during brownouts,
it didnt matter how long it lasted. As long
as we knew Tatay was at home, we did not
worry. We could sleep tight. I think that
the sense of security that Tatay will not leave
us alone, and would be in-charge, erased the
fear that causes phobias, the fear that harms
us deeply for life.
Tatay need not be the most handsome,
the richest, the brightest. It is enough that
he loved us deeply and sincerely. In fact he
might not be the most articulate, the most
showy of affection. The innocent heart rec-
ognizes sincerity and the truth of a fathers
love and integrity.
This security in the love of a father is
the foundation of a happy childhood, the
moving force towards being adventurous,
daring in life, and assertive of our rights
and values that truly matter. So much of
who we are later in life can be traced to
how deeply our fathers quiet but certain
love has been poured in our young minds
and hearts.
And perhaps the greatest thing that our fa-
ther taught us is this: We know how deeply,
generously, unconditionally our God loves
us because we experienced those things from
our own biological father. We really can trust
that God is Father, because frst, we felt in
our bones and within the secrets of our being
how much our own father loved and cared
for us when we were vulnerable, fragile,
unable to do anything in return.
(The author is the Executive Vice President of
Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the
Philippines, Inc. (KCFAPI) and a proud daughter
of Mr. Dominador dela Cruz Guillermo, Sr.)
Touching Base with the Foundations
PADRE DE FAMILIA
LAST month, we gave recogni-
tion to our Super Moms - the
unsung heroes of the family.
This issue, we give recognition
to our FATHERS the Padre de
Familia, the Head of the family,
the Chief Provider of fnances,
physical strength, discipline
and direction. He is our main
protector and the maker of big
decisions in the family. At this
point, let me digress a little and
share an anecdote from my own
Dad, Larry, who during their
fiftieth wedding anniversary
confessed that he and my mother
had a clear understanding be-
tween themselves: that he would
make the decisions involving the
BIG problems in the family. My
Mom, on the other hand, would
decide on the minor problems.
However, Dad jokingly admitted
that he had NO SAY and that
my Mom practically made ALL
the decisions in the family since
most of the family problems
were only minor.
For an ideal model family, I
believe there should be proper
acknowledgment, recognition,
communication, respect and
love between the parents and
the children as well as between
the spouses and among the
children themselves. Nowadays,
children (especially those who
are fortunate enough to grow up
with all their material needs fully
satisfed) have a tendency to take
for granted their parents role of
being the providers. I believe
parents must be transparent with
their children and allow the lat-
ter to be exposed to the diffcul-
ties of life, including fnances.
This way they become aware of
lifes problems and learn to look
for ways to address and remedy
these challenges under the guid-
ance of their parents.
For the children, once they
grow up and start leaving the
nest to be on their own, their
role drastically changes as they
themselves become parents. It is
at that point that they can then
see each given situation from
the other side of the coin as a
Parent. More often than not, as
a result, they develop a deeper
appreciation of what their par-
ents had to go through in order
to satisfy their needs. All I can
say to all the children is: Be sure
you show your parents, as soon
as possible while you still have
time, that you love them for
everything that theyve done for
you all throughout the years. As
one Pilipino axiom goes: Aan-
hin pa ang damo kapag wala na
ang kabayo.
We, who are involved with
the Knights of Columbus, are
all children of our K of C Padre
de Familia, Fr. George J. Will-
mann, SJ. Historically speaking,
without Fr. Willmann, SJ, there
would have been no post-World
War II revival of the K of C in the
Philippines, no Catholic Youth
Organization, no Daughters of
Isabela (Mary Immaculate), no
Columbian Squires, no Knights
of Columbus Fraternal Asso-
ciation of the Philippines, Inc.
(KCFAPI) to give insurance
protection to Filipino knights
and their respective families, no
KC Philippines Foundation, Inc.
to give scholarships to graduat-
ing children of poor brothers
and no Knights of Columbus Fr.
George J. Willmann Charities,
Inc. that helps seminarians and
priests complete their religious
vocations. Fr. Willmann unself-
ishly dedicated the last 39 years
of his life to serve the K of C in
the Philippines and the poor
and underprivileged, especially
in Manila. Let us now therefore
grab this opportunity to express
our appreciation to him just as
we honor and remember our re-
spective Dads this Fathers Day.
For this, we invite all our read-
ers, their relatives and friends to
visit the Fr. Willmann Museum
at the 2nd foor of the new Fr.
George J. Willmann, SJ Memo-
rial Building located within the
KCFAPI premises in Gen. Luna
corner Sta. Potenciana Sts., In-
tramuros, Manila. Let us express
our respect and appreciation for
the man who guided and nur-
tured us in the K of C and other
organizations to ensure that we,
as responsible Filipinos, could
properly follow the values and
teachings of the Catholic Church
amidst a genuine brotherhood.
Happy Fathers Day to all the
Fathers!!! Our Dads may not
be perfect; but to the children,
please take time to remember
and cherish the tender cud-
dles they gave you in your crib
then, the frm hand that guided
your wobbly kiddy steps, the
daily trips driving you to and
from school, the author of those
unique, personalized and some-
times funny designs for your
short-notice class assignments,
your frst teacher in life (in part-
nership with your mother) and
the one to whom you ran to for
safety and protection when you
were scared or nervous.
Let us love our fathers espe-
cially if they are still with us.
Let us not be afraid to show our
affection while we still can. For
those whose fathers who are no
longer with us in this life, lets
pray and thank God for having
shared part of our life with them.
For all K of C brother knights,
let us thank God for giving us
Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ who
served as a benevolent father,
not only for the Order, but for
the Filipinos in general.
ONE of the most signifcant dates in the Phil-
ippine history is Independence Day because
it marks the nations independence from the
Spanish rule on June 12, 1898. We Filipinos
celebrate it annually on June 12. How about
marking our own individual independence
once we reach our retirement years? A retire-
ment that is worry-free despite the fact that
we may no longer be employed. Or enjoying
relaxing moments and quality time with our
loved ones even though there is no more
income to pay our retirement expenses.
We at KCFAPI offer such independence
to our fellow Brother Knights and family
members. We believe that once a KC Brother
Knight has started or even fnished insuring
himself for the protection of his family his
next step is to secure his retirement years.
Securing our retirement as fnancial priority
number 2 is just smart and logical because
once we reached the age of 60 or 65 we may
no longer be employed and therefore no
more regular income to look forward to. We
may be forced to stop earning a living but
our expenses do not stop together with our
inability to be a worker.
Acquiring a KC Retire Plus is the best
mark we can start with toward our dream
of having fnancial independence during
our retirement years. A 40-year old Brother
Knight who secures a P1Million retirement
beneft has to save about P75,700.00 annu-
ally for the next ten years of his productive
period. It is only P208.00 per day. He would
have contributed a total of P757,000.00 for a
P1Million retirement coverage, P500,000.00
at age 60 and another P500,000.00 at age 65.
He is immediately covered for P1Million
Insurance protection on the initial year of
his contribution. Even right after he received
his P500,000.00 retirement at age 65 his life is
still protected for another P500,000.00 up to
age 100. A total of P1,500,000.00 cash beneft
only for saving P757,000.00 from age 40 to
50. What a great tool to secure our retire-
ment years!
As we join our nation, the Philippines, in
celebrating Independence day, let us be re-
minded as well to mark the start of our own
individual freedom, the fnancial liberty for
our retirement years.
THIRTY years after the promulga-
tion of the Charter of Rights of the
family (October 22, 1983), the Pon-
tifical Council for the Family of the
Vatican in collaboration with the
Catholic Bishops Conference of
the Philippines organized the first
Asian Conference on the Family. It
was held last May 13-16, 2014 at
the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center
in Manila.
While the overall theme was Families of Asia: Lights
of Hope, there was a subtopic titled Love is a Many
Splendored Thing which was hinged on the truth that
every family is part of the history of a people. It was
here that my three-generation family was invited to
share: me and Gigi, my son Governor Hilario P. Davide
III, and my grandson Hilario Jose F. Davide IV. Allow
me to share a portion of my message delivered in that
Asian conference.
Since the family is God-ordained, God-instituted, is
the natural and fundamental unit of society according
to Article 16 of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights, the foundation of the nation whose sanctity shall
be protected and strengthened by the State according to
our Constitution, it logically follows that no society, no
nation can be strong without strong families. Elsewise
stated, stronger families build stronger societies and
nations and assure the continuation of the human race
through generations. Accordingly, any act, conduct or
policy that destroys, degrades, diminishes, or makes a
mockery of the sanctity of family, destroys, degrades,
diminishes the family, society, the nation, civilization
and humanity itself.
Therefore, families of the world, including of course
that of Asia, regardless of their religion, creed, status in
life, political alignments or persuasions must protect,
preserve and defend, at all costs, the sanctity of the family
against all anti-family evil forces such as war, terrorism,
religious intolerance, poverty, domestic violence, policies
that tolerate or allow abortion, divorce and same-sex
marriage, violence against women and children, human
trafficking, drugs, cybercrimes and many more in the
lexicon of the devil. We should include in that list the
evil of graft and corruption in the government, which
is an evil and a scourge that inflict untold misfortunes
and misery on the poor and according to the United Na-
tions Convention Against Corruption, seriously affects
the stability and security of societies, undermines the
institutions and values of democracy, ethical values and
justice and jeopardizes development and the rule of law.
Families in Asia must stand together against these evil
forces and should be light of hope for Asia and the world.
Vivat Iesus!
THE Diocese of Tagbilaran
celebrated the Diocesan Vigil
for Pentecost (a day before
the Pentecost Sunday) last
June 7, 2014 at the Holy Name
University, Dampas District,
Tagbilaran City, Bohol with
the theme: The Laity: Called to
be Holy; Sent as Heroes. Par-
ticipants were: priests and nuns
of different congregations, lay
liturgical ministers, lay orga-
nizations, seminarians, youths
of different organizations and
Boholanos. The event marked
its 8th year celebration initi-
ated by Most Rev. Leonardo Y.
Medroso, DD, paralleled to his
number of years as Bishop of
Tagbilaran.
KCFAPI Chairman, Honor-
able Hilario G. Davide, Jr. was
the Guest Speaker. He proudly
announced that he is an active
member of the Order of the
Knights of Columbus in Argao
Council, Cebu the biggest
lay organization with 1.8 mil-
lion members Orderwide. He
mentioned how KCFAPI sup-
ports the Order and that the
Association regularly extends
help to victims of various calami-
ties. During his speech, he put
emphasis on the theme of the
celebration in association with
what happened in Bohol during
the 7.2 magnitude earthquake.
This captured the attention of
the Boholanos. He truly inspired
the people attending the vigil by
ending his speech that Bohol is
the home of love OASIS OF
LOVE.
The Eucharistic Celebration
was officiated by Most Rev.
Leonardo Y. Medroso, DD. This
was followed by a Candle Light-
ing Rites Mission Sending for
All the Laity.
KCFAPI Chairman Hilario G. Davide, Jr. receives a plaque during the
Diocesan Vigil for Pentecost held last June 7, 2014 at the Holy Name
University, Dampas District, Tagbilaran City, Bohol.
The Cross
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 18 No. 12
June 9 - 22, 2014
C3
HE was a man of the people. He was zeal-
ous of the peoples welfare, and all the
kindliness of his priestly soul asserted it-
self more strongly in his unceasing efforts
for the betterment of their condition.
Description of Father Michael McGivney,
read at his frst memorial service (1890)
In 1998, when we were working togeth-
er on a book for American Heritage, we
took a break from a meeting and noticed
an article in The New York Times about
an obscureto us, at leastpriest from
Connecticut who was under consider-
ation for sainthood. Written by Frances
Chamberlain and titled Was There a
Saint Born in Waterbury? the piece
described the life of Michael McGivney
(18521890) and acknowledged that he
met the general criteria for canonization.
That NewYork Times article couldnt have
come along at a more fortuitous time for
us. In the course of our discussions for
the American Heritage book, The History
of the United States, we marveled at the
transition of Catholics in this country,
from reviled victims of Know-Nothing
violence in the mid-nineteenth century to
respected members of mainstream Amer-
ica only a few generations later. Father
McGivneys life spanned that era in U.S.
history and even helped lead the success-
ful search for a Catholic sense of belong-
ing, through his creation of the fraternal
group, the Knights of Columbus, in 1882.
At the same time, the McGivney article
reopened a continuing conversation wed
been having on the subject of the priest-
hood. We had both long been intrigued
with the ideal and the reality of priestly
life. Historically, priests represent a
continuum of centuries, if not millennia.
Other professions, or callings, are charac-
terized by the ways in which they change
with the times: the medical doctors of
today would bedazzle their predecessors.
The postmodern artistswell, they might
perplex the masters of old. But priests
are characterized most by those ways
in which they have changed the least.
Father Michael McGivney seemed to
meld these two seemingly disparate fas-
cinations on our part. He was a priest
that historical constantwho lived
in the midst of great change and even
fomented some part of it. Intellectually,
that is what drew us to learn more about
Father McGivney, a compelling fgure.
Compassionate and lamblike by nature,
he had to develop a tougher side, too, in
order to fulfll his obligations as a priest.
We were both delighted to fnd that he
loved the sport of baseball his whole
adult life. We couldnt help but respect his
unshakable faith in God. Although we are
not theologians, we continued to delve
into the life of Michael McGivney for the
light it shed on his times and his calling.
(To be continued)
The Family and Culture
For St. John Paul II, the domestic church was the key to preserving the Gospel in society
By Supreme Knight Carl
A. Anderson
GEORGE realized that, with the Jesuit,
education was not an eight hour job. It
was the Jesuits whole life. It was his
vocation. His day began at 5:00 a.m.
when he organized the altar boys for
the morning Masses. Then he was pre-
fect of the canteen, prefect of the school
yard, prefect of the library, prefect of
the book store. Then he taught class
after class after class. Then out of the
athletic felds to coach the teams, into
the debating halls with the orators, onto
the stage with the actors. Then correct-
ing papers at night, and studying for
the classes of the next day. And they
did it with a smile! They enjoyed it!
George knew that there were many
missionaries Franciscan missionaries,
Augustinian missionaries, Dominican
missionaries but now, what he was
seeing at close range, were Jesuits
who might someday be missionar-
ies. A boy learns more from his eyes
and ears, in actual experience, than
he learns from a textbook. George
began to think of becoming a Jesuit.
In his last year at Brooklyn Prep, the
school was favored to win a champion-
ship, in athletics. The student body was
excited. But just before the crucial game
three, Brooklyn Prep stars were caught
breaking the rules for training. The penal-
ty was expulsion from the squad. If these
three stars were dropped, the chances
of winning that game were very low.
The Moderator of Athletics, a Je-
suit priest, explained very quietly to
the student body that the purpose of
athletics in a school is to develop the
students. To help a boy become a man.
The purpose is not to win games. So,
if the students were dropped from the
squad, it would develop those three
boys. They would learn the importance
of responsibility, of keeping rules, of
integrity, of honesty, the importance of
keeping their word. If the school lost
the championship, that was secondary.
The students accepted this. The
t hree s t ar s were dropped f rom
t he s quad. Brookl yn Prep l os t
the championship. And all of the
high school students, between the
ages of 14 and 18, real i zed t hat
t hi s was t he r i ght t hi ng t o do.
(To be continued on the next issue.)
The Gentle Warrior
By James B. Reuter, SJ
Part VIII of Chapter One of The Gentle Warrior series
CHAPTER ONE
--------------------
Training
ON April 27, Dorian and I were
privileged to be in St. Peters
Square to represent the families
of the Knights of Columbus dur-
ing the canonization of St. John
XXIII and St. John Paul II.
As Pope Francis reminded us,
these saints refused to be over-
whelmed by the terrible events
of the 20th century. For them,
faith was more powerful. They
were not afraid to open wide
the doors to Christ by opening
the Second Vatican Council and
by bringing its message through-
out the world.
During the 26 years of St. John
Paul IIs pontifcate, our Order
had unprecedented opportuni-
ties to cooperate with him in this
task. One of our most enduring
pastoral initiatives was the estab-
lishment in 1988 of the Pontifcal
John Paul II Institute for Studies
on Marriage and Family.
Therefore, it was heartening
to hear Pope Francis say dur-
ing the canonization Mass: St.
John Paul II was the pope of the
family. He himself once said that
he wanted to be remembered
as the pope of the family. I am
particularly happy to point this
out as we are in the process of
journeying with families toward
the synod on the family. It is
surely a journey which, from
his place in heaven, he guides
and sustains.
In 1975, writing in his apostol-
ic exhortation on evangelization,
Evangelii Nuntiandi, Pope Paul
VI observed that the the split
between the Gospel and culture
is without a doubt the drama of
our time (20).
Today, in no area is this separa-
tion more evident than in family
life.
Cardinal Avery Dulles identi-
fied two views regarding this
split during an important ad-
dress that he delivered at the
University of Notre Dame in
2004.
One view sees the Church
in decline as a result of the so-
called fundamentalism of
the Churchs offcial stances of
sexual morality and the role of
women.
The other view attributes
the confusion in the Church
to a massive loss of identity,
disinterest in Catholic doctrine,
and disrespect for ecclesial in-
stitutions. This view sees that
excessive accommodation to
modern American society has
deprived the Church of (her)
distinctive character.
Recently, this debate has again
surfaced with Pope Francis
announcement of a synod of
bishops on the family.
Cardinal Dulles offered an-
other observation in his 2004
address: The forces of unbelief,
prevalent in many sectors of con-
temporary culture, are not sim-
ply external to the Church. Like
other Americans, Christians tend
to see reality through the lens of
the prevailing culture. The pres-
ent struggle, consequently, is
not simply between the Church
and secular society, but to some
extent within the Church, as she
seeks to assimilate the sound
elements in the culture and to
prevent herself from being con-
taminated by what is unsound.
But how do we discern be-
tween what is sound and un-
sound? Evangelii Nuntiandi
offers us a starting point: In the
Second Vatican Council, the fam-
ily has well deserved the beauti-
ful name of domestic Church.
This means that there should be
found in every Christian family
the various aspects of the entire
Church (71).
This way of proceeding was
beautifully presented by John
Paul II in his apostolic exhorta-
tion on the family, Familiaris
Consortio, which has been de-
scribed as the magna carta of
the domestic Church.
On the day of John Paul IIs
canonization, Pope Francis also
sent a video message to the
people of Poland, in which he
quoted Pope Benedict XVIs
words about his predecessor:
John Paul II opened to Christ
the society, the culture, the po-
litical and economic systems,
intervening with the strength
of a giantstrength that came
to him from God tendency
which could seem irreversible.
With his witness of faith, of
love and of apostolic courage,
accompanied by a great human
drive, this exemplary son of the
Polish nation helped Christians
worldwide not to be afraid to call
themselves Christians, to belong
to the Church, to speak of the
Gospel. In a word, he helped us
not to be afraid of the truth, be-
cause the truth is the guarantee
of freedom.
Those who wish to know why
it is that the Knights of Colum-
bus have always felt a special
closeness to St. John Paul II need
look no further than these words
to fnd the answer.
Vivat Jesus!
Parish Priest
By Douglas Brinkley and Julie M. Fenster
(Tis is the frst part of excerpts that will appear in Te Cross Supplement from the book
Parish Priest by Douglas Brinkley and Julie M. Fenster)
Preface: The Same Manner to All Human Souls
A Model for
Our Times
(Tis is the frst of occasional excerpts that will
appear in Te Cross Supplement from the new
booklet A Model for Our Times: Te Heroic
Virtue of Father Michael J. McGivney.)
MANY people think of a saint
as one set apart from the trials
of daily life, or too good for
this world. Yet the truth is
that every saint engaged the
culture of the day in a way that
led people by prayer, works
or example closer to Christ.
Often the difference between
a holy person and the rest of us
struggling along the Christian
path is that the saintly one
perseveres in love, usually
without complaint, often with
a smile that belies suffering,
and always with a prayerful
trust in God.
Think of two modern holy
ones, Blessed Mother Teresa
and Saint John Paul II, who
were recognized as living
saints yet whose lives were
marked by pain and loss. Small
and strong, Mother Teresa
began her service to the poor-
est of the poor in response to
Gods call, picking up people
dying in the streets and taking
in abandoned children. She
was seen to be close to God, yet
after her death it was revealed
that during much of her life
she experienced a dark night
during which she received no
illumination or consolation
from God. John Paul II on the
other hand, lived his physical
suffering on the worlds stage,
growing older and weaker
from Parkinsons disease yet
pushing himself to witness to
the dignity of all human life,
in whatever stage or physical
condition.
Both of these modern mod-
els of sanctity had some-
thing about them, a char-
acter of inner strength that
showed in their demeanor
and behavior.
By all accounts, people who
met Father Michael McGivney
encountered a similar sort of
inner strength and outward
demeanor, a holiness that was
manifested most of all in his
pastoral action.
wise presented a cultural dance
show for the enjoyment of the
audience. Rumor has it that
there was supposed to be a Folk
dance contest, but since Central
Luzon was well prepared, other
participants backed-out. True
enough, their performance was
totally off the charts with their
lively props, bright costumes,
well-rehearsed dance steps and
facial expressions.
After the presentation, Jus-
tice Jose C. Reyes, Jr. gave a
short speech that focused on
LOVE. In essence, he said that
as Brother Knights we should
never forget to give love to
our brothers, and love for our
country. There should be love
in every aspect of our lives, be
it at work, on our projects like
this family day and in every-
thing that we do in general.
The program concluded with
a singing contest. Participants
from all ages, sung songs from
different era starting from the
60s and 70s while Brother
Knights from different councils
continued their bonding all
night. (Kris Jay Rolex Yngco)
Family / C1
The Cross
C4
Vol. 18 No. 12
June 9 - 22, 2014
CBCP Monitor
Notice:
To all Brother Knights who wish to
have their Council activities / events
published on The Cross Supplement,
kindly submit your materials (write
up and photo) to Ms. Gladys or Ms.
Kristianne of the Human Resources &
Corporate Communications Department
(HRCC) via this email address: thecross.
hrcc@gmail.com
Please note however that materials
received by HRCC are subject to the
evaluation and approval of the editorial
committee of KCFAPI.
The Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Philippines, Inc. (KCFAPI)
held its 2014 Summer Outing activity at the 8 Waves Resort and Hotel in San Rafael,
Bulacan last May 31, 2014.
KC Luzon, Visayas,
Mindanao hold
State Conventions
KCFAPI President and Luzon Deputy Arsenio Isidro G. Yap as he delivers his speech
during the Luzon State Convention held last May 10 at the Manila Grand Opera Hotel.
Visayas Deputy Rodrigo N. Sorongon (4th from left) joined by KCFAPI President and
Luzon Deputy Arsenio Isidro G. Yap, Supreme Director Alonso L. Tan, Membership
Consultant for Philippines Bro. Vincent A. Pacis and KCFAPI Chairman Hon. Hilario G.
Davide, Jr. during the Visayas State Convention held last May 17 to 18 at the Pueblo
De Panay, Lawaan, Roxas City.
Mindanao State Convention held in Tandag City, Surigao Del Sur last May 9 and 10.
One of the 40 benefciaries of the Knights of Columbus - Supreme Offce motorized pumpboats waves a streamer in Basey, Samar.
R
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n
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l
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n

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e
g
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n
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KCFAPI offcers with Archbishop Romulo T. Dela Cruz of Zamboanga (seated, center) during his visit at the KCFAPI head offce
last May 20, 2014
Area Managers Meeting. The Southern Luzon Lakers headed by Area Manager, Jun
Dator conducted their meeting in Tayabas, Quezon last May 3 which was graced by
KCFAPI Fraternal Benefts Group Vice President, Gari San Sebastian and assisted by
Fraternal Benefts Group Staff, Jennefer Rose Bautista.