New Apologetics in the New Normal

By Cleb B. Calimutan

The Confraternity of the New Apologetics (CNA), an affiliate of CBCP Episcopal

Commission on the Bible Apostolate (CBCP-ECBA), and the Bible Apostolate team of the
Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, under Fr. Robert Pajo, Bible Apostolate Director, have initiated
a four-month Apologetics seminar at Santa Cruz Parish, Laguindingan amidst the pandemic.
Geovanne Pelino, CNA point person, guaranteed that IATF protocols will be strictly observed as
he sought the approval of Rev. Fr. Noel Ebana, SSJV, the parish priest.

Since this was a first-of-its-kind event, Ed Gutierez, PPC president, invited all chapel
leaders to send their representatives, especially those who are seeking explanations of the
Catholic Faith. The participants numbered more than a hundred, and most of them are youth.
There were people who provided transport for the delegates from remote areas of
Laguindingan to the location of the formation. While some generous parishioners donated food
for the lunch of the participants thus making the event an avenue for solidarity. This ongoing
event is open for all, and walk-in attendees are welcome provided they observe the minimum
health standards.
 The seminar is a series of doctrinal topics with workshops and concludes with a
question-and-answer segment to clarify some points and issues connected with the lecture.
However, questions arising from other concerns are also entertained. The interest of the
participants is to defend the Faith which is both a right and an obligation of every Catholic. At

At the end of the formation, the participants are expected to be able to explain the
basics of the Catholic Faith. Nonetheless, they will be trained further on different forms of
group sharing with doctrinal teachings and Scriptural passages. The aspirants of Apologetics
look forward to lead faith group-sharing among their neighbors and communities like the Basic
Ecclesial Communities (BEC). CNA also has incoming formations at the Shrine of the Divine
Mercy and St. Francis Xavier Parish. It also partners with other groups in the formation of souls
like Holy Family Mission, social communications, migrants communities, catechists and others.