ACDO Vision & Mission

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Padre Pio Relics

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Cagayan de Oro
November 2022 - February 2023 ascacdo@gmail.com April-June 2022
Archbishop Jose
Cabantan calls
for synodality and

celebrates 90 years
hope as Cagayan
de Oro approaches
its centenary as
a diocese during
his homily on the

as diocese
90th diocesan
anniversary. (Photo
by Social Com)
As the Cagayan de Oro Church celebrates its 90th
anniversary as a diocese, its prelate calls for the occasion
to be marked as “a moment of grace, gratitude, and
gladness.”
Archbishop Jose Cabantan presided over a Eucharistic Celebration at
the Saint Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral on January 20, 2023, the 90th
anniversary of the establishment of the Diocese of Cagayan de Oro as a distinct
ecclesiastical entity.
The archbishop reiterated Pope Francis’ call for greater synodality, adding
that the drawing near of the centennial calls for the local church to walk together
to meet the future with hope in spite of uncertainties.
The particular church of Cagayan de Oro will celebrate its diocesan
centennial on January 20, 2033, one hundred years to the day Pope Pius XI
decreed through the papal bull Ad Maius Religionis that Mindanao be divided
into two ecclesiastical territories: the older Diocese of Zamboanga in the south
and the newer Diocese of Cagayan de Oro which originally included the
northern provinces of Surigao, Agusan, Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, Misamis
Occidental, Lanao, and Camiguin. American missionary James T. G. Hayes,
S.J. was appointed to serve as the new diocese’s first bishop.

ACDO conducts Pastoral

Strategic Management
By Pinky V. Lim

The Pastoral Strategic Planning (PASTRAM) is a

Communal Apostolic Discernment Process which aims to
draft the Vision and Mission of the Archdiocese of Cagayan
de Oro. The Archdiocesan Pastoral Formation Team (APFT)
was tasked by the Most Rev. Jose A. Cabantan, D.D. of the
Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro to spearhead the entire
process. The first phase was launched on July 22-23,2022
with the holding of the Archdiocesan-wide assembly. Several
virtual and in-person spiritual conversations conducted by
the APFT with the vicariates and concerned groups followed.
On October 3, 2022, APFT came up with ACDO’s
Vision and Mission Statements drawn from the results of
the series of synodal consultations over the past several
months. A reflective review and appropriation of the existing
documents which were approved in the past and currently The Pastoral Strategic Management (PASTRAM) panel discusses the proposed mission-vision of the Archdiocese
enforced were also considered for PASTRAM/11 during a conference at the St. Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral on January 20, 2023. (Photo by Social Com)

ACDO hosts 17th Mindanao-Sulu Koronasyon sa Birhen sa Kota

Pastoral Conference gipahigayon sa kapistahan sa
Bishops, priests, religious,
and lay people from across
Birhen sa Santo Rosaryo
Mindanao and the Sulu Usa ka pagsaulog sa Kapistahan sa Mahal nga
Archipelago gather in the Birhen sa Kota sa Kagay-an ang gipahigayon
City of Golden Friendship to sa Arkidiyoses sa Cagayan de Oro niadtong
discuss synodality and new Oktubre 7, 2022 (Kapistahan sa Birhen sa
evangelization from the 7th Santo Rosaryo) ug gipahigayon sa sulod
to 11th of November 2022. niining kasaulogan ang Koronasyon sa Birhen.

pages 6-7 page 8

Complimentary Copy
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November 2022 - February 2023
Archbishop’s Page
The Gift of Faith and New Evangelization
as a Synodal Church
Excerpts from the homily delivered by Abp Jose A. Cabantan, DD during the opening Eucharistic Celebration
of the 17th Mindanao-Sulu Pastoral Conference at St. Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral, Cagayan de Oro City
Jubilee Year
We gather here today to relish our
celebration of 500 YOC. This year
too marks the Jubilee celebration
of the Diocese of Tandag and the
Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro
on our 400 YOC. The Federation of
Asian Bishops Conference has just
celebrated its Golden Jubilee, and
Vatican II’s aggiornamento also
celebrated its 60th anniversary.
Indeed, this is a jubilee year for all
of us. Jubilee in scripture is a time
of joy, a time of thanksgiving and a
time of love. It is also a time, too,
of renewing our commitment to
the God of the Covenant, the God
of History...
This time is very significant for the
Mindanao Church as we celebrate
the Golden Jubilee of MSPC which
began in 1971 in the City of Golden
Friendship. The boat of MSPC
has come ashore after 50 years of sailing from smooth and rough seas and...
it continues to sail be it with stormy winds or gentle breezes moving the boat
onwards. As a sailing boat of MSPC, we humbly rely on the wind power of the Holy
Spirit. And we thank God for all these.
We also thank God for the gift of Faith we received through the zealous and
dedicated missionaries who brought the faith to us 500 or 400 years ago. As the
Pastoral letter of the CBCP wrote, “we embrace the faith but reject the abuses of
the colonizers.” The past 5 or 4 centuries of embracing the faith is our testimony
how we imbibed it in our lives as Filipinos and made it our own. We, too, give
thanks to our forefathers, the Indigenous Peoples who received the faith and
became collaborators of the missionaries in spreading the faith. In Cagayan de
Oro, it is quite remarkable that a grandmother named Magdalena from Camiguin
help convinced her apo, Datu Salangsang here in Cagayan de Oro to accept the
faith. Here we can see how the family… became transmitters not only of life but
also of faith. Indeed, the family plays a vital role of evangelization as the first
school of life and worship, of love and friendship, of communion and mission.
Rejoicing in Common Faith
St. Paul in our first reading addresses Titus as his true child in their common faith.
Yes, it is the spirit of communion, the common faith that binds us together as
People of God, as the Mystical Body of Christ. We share this common faith in
baptism and makes us missionary disciples of Jesus. We affirm this truth in our
teachings especially in Vatican II’s aggiornamento. As we celebrate our Jubilee
Year as MSPC we should also go back to the roots of our identity and mission,
in Vatican II’s aggiornamento and resourcemo, of renewal and resourcement. St.
Augustine aptly lived this truth of our common calling as missionary disciples by
saying, “for you, I am a bishop but with you, I am a Christian.”
A Call to Renewal
We believe in the dictum, “ecclesia semper reformanda,” or the church is always
in the process of renewal. We believe, too, that renewal is a gift from God to make
us more vibrant as a Church, with new vigor and new fervor as we face the new
challenges in our task of evangelization in this fast-changing world. True enough,
the realities of the world also shape our evangelizing task as a church and vice-
versa...
In 1969, before MSPC I took place in Davao, the National Rural Congress was
convened here in Cagayan de Oro, with the theme, “the Church goes to the
Barrios.” This is precisely what Vatican II especially in Gaudium et Spes speaks
about the Church’s mission, that “the joys and hopes, the griefs and the anxieties
of the men of this age, especially those of the poor or in any way afflicted, these
are the joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of the followers of Christ.” United
in Christ, we are led by the Holy Spirit in our journey toward the Kingdom of the
Father. And this is what synodality means; “we walk together with all humanity
and all of creation in the deepest bond of communion groaning towards salvation,
the fulness of life.”
I remember in the 1970’s... in our small group at FABC... a group of parishioners
was asked “are you going to the church?” they replied, “we are not going there,
we are the church.” This paradigm shift of our understanding of the church from
a church as a house of prayer and worship to the People of God was and still our
focus of our catechesis...
if we notice, the first themes of MSPC are centered on building Basic Christian and
now Ecclesial Communities; a self-sustaining, self-nourishing, and self-governing
church... In Bukidnon, they used to have an Annual Pastoral Assembly which
gathered around 400 people but later increased to 700 with the participation
of the newly created quasi-parishes, and parishes. Yet they rely solely on the
generosity of the people contributing in kind or in cash for the assembly. Here in
the archdiocese, as host we do the same. This shows how we are truly gifted to
give, fulfilling and sustaining the mission entrusted to us by God.
The Passion for the Mission
As Mindanao bleeds for freedom, for her wellbeing, for peace, MSPC clarifies also
its task for Justice and Love. It bridges our faith-formation into a faith that does
justice. We walk by faith not by sight as we respond to the various challenges,
trials and difficulties affecting Mindanao. This affirms our missionary identity as a
church manifested by its themes without being swayed to other ideologies.
Fulfilling God’s mission is not optional, according to Pope Francis. As a church we
are in a permanent state of mission (EG #25). Thus, a Church that does not do
mission, is a sick church, a self-referential one. During the height of the pandemic,
we are reminded of this truth by the heroic act of the frontliners, healthcare
frontliners, and all others who sacrificed and responded to those of us who were
locked down and who are in need most... The pandemic has something to offer
us also as missionary disciples. We should also learn from Pope Francis going to
Canada, Kazakhstan and Bahrain as emissary of peace on wheelchair.
In this gathering, we may be able to discern further how to proceed in fulfilling
God’s mission. Perhaps this calls for the Mindanao church to a new way of
witnessing which involves not just preaching but of accompanying where our
people are. This calls for humility and vulnerability by accompanying them with
a compassionate heart sharing their journey of life. In this digital age we may be
able to learn how to pause and recover depth in life. In this manner and being in
communion we may clarify what are our common beliefs, values and worldviews
we still consider as essential.
Duc in Altum
Where is the MSPC boat going after 50 years of sailing together? Guided by the
Holy Spirit we are called to go out into the deep. To the deep means, first of all,
going into the interior of our being. It is said that “one can count the number of
seeds in a guava, but you cannot count the number of guavas in a seed.” Mission
is not pure activism; it is first done in prayer and contemplation. It is by listening
to the whisper of the Holy Spirit in our hearts that we are called on mission and
fulfill it. In the synodal process we all underwent, we listen to the sense of the
faithful, sensus fidei fidelis. It is not primarily a rational knowledge we listen
to but a knowledge of the heart as a listening church. It is a fruit of prayer and
contemplation, of silence and interior stillness. What matters most is the quality
in manifesting Jesus to others and not just the quantity or the numbers of people
we have reached.
This year we are called to deepen our dialogue of life... The Bishops-Ulama has
zealously done it for us to live in peace through dialogue in Mindanao. We are
called to deepen our quest of peace, with God, with others, with creation and with
ourselves. We listen to the Holy Spirit, to the voice of creation and to the voice
of each other especially the poor and the downtrodden. It is the Spirit of love or
agape that should move us and sustain us to be together as one people sailing on
in the ocean of life.
Finally, with Mary, the Birhen sa Kota sa Cagayan de Oro, Our Lady of the Holy
Rosary, we hope to embark on this new journey as MSPC sails and opens new
routes till we arrive at our destination. With Mama Mary we listen to the wind
and humbly rely on it who powers our sailing boat. The synodal synthesis of all
dioceses in Mindanao and our diverse testimonies of faith will be our compass to
sail in which direction the wind moves us... as we embark in this new journey after
50 years may we become more of a Basic Eucharistic Community; a forgiving and
reconciling community, fueled by God’s grace and love. May we continue to be
sailing with love and in love reaching out to the peripheries in our midst heeding
to both the cry of the poor and the cry of the earth. Our BECs may then reach out
to others forming new paths towards becoming Basic Human Communities and
Basic Ecological Communities ourselves.
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November 2022 - February 2023

A Moment of Grace, Gratitude, and Gladness

Message by Archbishop Cabantan on the 90th anniversary as a diocese of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro
"Spiritual people do not believe they know their come to the point of seeking out the fruits of Christ as the center. Uncertainty, incompleteness
own destiny but they know God - and He holds our discernment hoping it can guide us on our is integral to our faith life journey. It is always
the key." (Col 3:3) journey forward as we will be celebrating the open to possibilities, always providing spaces
centennial celebration as a diocese in 2033. This of grace in our lives. We are always open to
Gratitude is truly a moment of grace, gratitude, gladness, search for new paths guided by the Holy Spirit’s
Let us bring back the time tunnel 90 years past and love. wisdom. Thus, the pastoral plan we have should
in Mindanao. All of us belong to the Diocese of enable us to listen and pray always even to the
Zamboanga which was the first to be elevated Moving forward with Hope tension occurring in our lives as community of
as a diocese in 1910. In 1933 the Diocese Do we just wander toward the future? It is beyond missionary disciples. This will certainly lead us
of Cagayan de Oro was erected under the us and for the skeptic we just live in the absolute to our destination by God’s grace.
shepherding of Archbishop James TG Hayes, present. But the gospel message of hope keeps us
S.J., the first bishop and archbishop of Cagayan alive with the conviction that the experience of Basic Ecclesial Communities
de Oro. Although we received the faith 400 years grace and wonder is possible as history as a future. The thrust of the archdiocese remains to be the
ago it was only at this time tha we were elevated (Fr. Antonio Spadaro S.J. Crisis and Future of the small Christian communities. They are seeds for
as a diocese. Church; La Civilta Cattolica; January 2023) We the universal church according to Pope Francis.
are not a mere sociological body as a church, and There is a hidden grace in small churches, in
We look back full of gratitude then to the growth we should always be opten to the promptings of small flock. By not being self-sufficient but open
of the ecclesiastical province of Cagayan de Oro the Holy Spirit. Let us dwell in the possibility and instead to God’s future, afire with his Spirit, a
from being a diocese and an archdiocese later. project ourselves with hope of a possible future. community alive and filled with hope, open to
We consider this year as a significant milestone Hence on this occasion we try to formulate our the newness of the Spirit and to the signs of the
in our history as an ecclesiastical territory in renewed vision and mission as a diocese toward times inspired by the gospel’s little seed that
Mindanao. We thank God for all these graces our joyful thanksgiving celebration in 2033. We grows and bears fruit in creative love. (Pope
and to all the people: clergy, lay and consecrated reflect on what we do not see yet in faith, trusting Francis in Kazakhstan) We had just celebrated
persons responsible for living out our faith and in God’s providence. Pastoral plans are never the feast of the Sto. Niño, the Holy Child and
by transmitting it. absolute guides in our pastoral life as a parish or may it remind us of this truth of our faith.
as and arch/diocese. The future of the church can
Seize the present with love - Synodality never be entrusted to statistics or be calculated This is the church of the future, like leaven in
It is providential that as we celebrate the 90th in probabilities. The history of the archdiocese the dough serving society from within living
anniversary of the archdiocese, Pope Francis involves the immersion of our selves in the story out our communion and fulfilling God’s mission
reminds us as a synodal church and calls us to of our faith life. It is a territory of grace and not imperfect tough we are. The pandemic has taught
live it out. The aggiornamento of Vatican II, based on algorithms. us to be this church, a church in the field serving
the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines and taking care of those in need in whatever
declares that living in communion, participation Restlessness way we can. The future of the archdiocese then
and mission is our fundamental identity as a St. Augustine is known for his restlessness is never abstract since we ourselves, a pilgrim
people of God. We live the synodal time with of the heart until he/we rest in God. This people of God are the ones who hope in Him.
patience, hope and always open to the graces also refers to the peace of restlessness. Pope May this celebration today enable us to a deeper
we discern at work in us as a community. We Francis calls this a healthy restlessness that we conversion to Christ like the disciples in Emmaus
went through the synodal process, the spiritual may be comfortable with. We must admit our as we continue to sail onwards propelled by the
conversations we had with each other inclusively incompleteness, continuously thinking, looking gentle wind of the Holy Spirit.
as we journey together as a pilgrim people. We at the horizon toward which we must go, having

Clockwise from left: Feast of St. Augustine, 1930; First Christmas Pontifical
Mass, 1933; the old cathedral months before the bombing in 1944. ( Photos
from Jesuit Archives)
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November 2022 - February 2023

Archbishop Emeritus’ Page
Pope Benedict XVI -- Memorial to a Good Shepherd
Homily by Archbishop-Emeritus Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ at the Memorial Mass, 9 January 2023,
St. Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral, Cagayan de Oro
We celebrate at this Mass the memory of Pope
Benedict XVI, on the ninth day after his death on the
last day of the year 2022. Archbishop Jose Cabantan
and I had the privilege to meet him personally
during the ad limina visit of the Mindanao bishops
to Rome in 2011. In my individual interview with
him, I mentioned how we in the archdiocese were
introducing new simplified methods of Natural
Family Planning to reach out to more couples. His
immediate answer to me was: "Yes, simplified
methods are good for simple people." For me, this
was an indication of his own pastoral concern for
ordinary people.

We all know the brief history of Pope Benedict's

life. He was born in 1927 and died last year at
the age of 95. He grew up in Bavaria, the Catholic
heart land of southern Germany. He was forced to
join the Nazi Youth movement, was drafted into the Abp. Emeritus Ledesma delivers his homily during the Requiem Mass for the late Pope Benedict XVI at
army, eventually deserted it, and briefly became a
the St. Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral on January 9, 2023. (Photos by Social Com)
prisoner of war. Afterwards he joined the seminary
and became a renowned theology professor for hope for the world: "A world without God is a world a design of love and truth," directing our gaze to
many years, before being appointed Archbishop of without hope." (SS 2) He addresses the modern God, its Creator. The pope calls for our "responsible
Munich-Freising. He has written 66 books, including world of science and technology: "It is not science stewardship over nature," marked by "solidarity and
his trilogy on "Jesus of Nazareth". He was appointed that redeems man; man is redeemed by love." inter-generational justice." He remarks: "The way
by Pope John Paul II to be Prefect of the Congregation Extending the virtue of Hope, he states that "Hope in humanity treats the environment influences the way
of the Doctrine of the Faith, and succeeded him a Christian sense is always a hope for others." it treats itself, and vice versa." (48-51)
on Peter's Chair in 2005. He is proficient in five
languages, including Latin, the official church II TRUTH AND RESPONSIBLE FREEDOM Thus, clarifying the missionary thrust of the
language that he used when he announced his This major theme is aptly expressed in Pope Church's social doctrine, Pope Benedict emphasizes:
resignation from the papacy in February 2013. Since Benedict's papal motto: Cooperatores Veritatis "Testimony to Christ's charity, through works of
then, he lived in quiet retirement for ten more years (Collaborators of Truth). This is explained further justice, peace and development, is part and parcel of
in a convent within the Vatican grounds. in his third encyclical in 2009 "On Integral Human evangelization." (15)
Development in Charity and Truth" (Caritas in
How then do we assess Pope Benedict's contribution Veritate), which was issued to commemorate the III CATHOLIC IDENTITY
to the universal Church? We can try to summarize 40th anniversary of Pope Paul VI's ground-breaking In his long years of service as Prefect of the
the legacy he left behind in his writings under three encyclical on the development of peoples, Populorum Congregation of Doctrine of the Faith under Pope
general headings: Progressio. John Paul II, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was often
depicted as the Church's Rottweiler in safeguarding
Pope Benedict first stresses that "Charity is at the the identity of the Catholic Church in terms of its
I GOD IS LOVE heart of the Church's social doctrine." (CV 2) For doctrinal expressions. His earlier experience as a
Pope Benedict's first encyclical in 2005 spells out him, "Love is God's greatest gift to humanity, it is peritus theologian during the Second Vatican Council
this theme in its title, Deus Caritas Est. "Being his promise and our hope." However, justice is associated him initially with the "progressive" bloc
Christian," for him, "is not the result of an ethical inseparable from charity; "only in truth does charity that ushered in the reforms of the Church in the
choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an shine forth...and be authentically lived." (3) modern world. However, in subsequent years, his
event, a person which gives life a new horizon and carefully-worded statements tended towards the
a decisive direction." (DCE 1). He goes on to explain For Pope Benedict, quoting Pope Paul, "there is no "conservative" articulation of the Church's position
Scriptures in this way: "The real novelty of the New true humanism but that which is open to the Absolute, vis-a-vis current questions on celibacy, women
Testament lies not so much in new ideas as in the and is conscious of a vocation which gives human priests, same-sex unions and gender issues, and the
figure of Christ himself, who gives flesh and blood to life its true meaning." (16) This vocation requires a Church's proclamation of Jesus as Savior in relation
those concepts." (12) free and responsible choice. Hence, "integral human to other religions.
development presupposes the responsible freedom
Explaining further the dynamics of divine love, Pope of the individual and of peoples." (17) Nonetheless, for Benedict the theologian and as
Benedict points out that "in Jesus Christ, it is God Pope, Christ and the Church are inseparable. Christ
himself who goes in search of the 'stray sheep'." Thus The common good should be the goal of human called the apostles, chose Peter as the Rock, sent
the parables on the Good Shepherd, the Prodigal development; to "strive towards it is a requirement the Paraclete to them to carry out the mission
Son, and the lost coin. He describes how God's of justice and charity." (7) The common good itself of preaching the Good News to all nations. As
passionate love (Eros) is lifted up and perfected in is described as "the good of 'all of us,' made up of administrator, Pope Benedict confronted various
Agape, especially in the Eucharist: "We become 'one individuals, families and intermediate groups who issues such as clerical abuses, Curia management,
body,' completely joined in a single existence. Love of together constitute society." The more we strive to administration of the Vatican Bank, and Vatican leaks
God and love of neighbor are now truly united: God secure the common good addressing the real needs within the papal household itself. He also explored
incarnate draws us all to himself." (14) This love of of our neighbors, "the more effectively we love them." opening new lines of communication with separated
neighbor becomes inclusive and all-embracing: "in brethren like the Pius X Society and some Anglican
God and with God, I love even the person whom I do Respect for life, for Pope Benedict, cannot in any way communities.
not like or even know." (18) be detached from the challenges of development
of peoples. His encyclical letter expresses strong Over all, Pope Benedict proposed an "hermeneutic
Pope Benedict reminds us that God is always with us reservations over government policies that promote of continuity," pointing out for instance the validity
in history -- in his Word, in the sacraments, in our contraception, abortion, an anti-birth mentality, of the Latin Mass in both pre- and post-Vatican
daily prayer and many other visible signs. This is other birth control measures, as well as euthanasia. II periods. The line of continuity in the Church's
developed further by Pope Francis in his apostolic "Openness to life is at the center of true development," tradition in implementing the decrees of Vatican II,
exhortation on "The Call to Holiness in Today's he states. (28) almost six decades later, can be traced across the
World" (Gaudete et Exsultate). The practice of love by papal reigns of Popes John XXIII, Paul VI, John Paul
the Church for Pope Benedict is carried out by what Foreshadowing Pope Francis' Laudato Si' encyclical II, and Benedict XVI. The torch has now been left in
we call in the archdiocese our ad extra ministries. "on care for our common home," Pope Benedict points the hands of the present head of the Church, Pope
out the close relationship of the natural environment Francis, while Benedict's legacy of God' love, truth
In Spe Salvi, (Saved in Hope), Pope Benedict's second to human development. "The environment is God's and freedom, and Catholic identity stays with us in
encyclical in 2007, God's love is related to faith and gift to everyone"...for the poor, for future generations, our journey of faith.
and towards humanity as a whole. "Nature expresses
 Archbishop Emeritus’ Page
Nonviolence and Just Peace
A Christmas Message for the New Year
by Archbishop-Emeritus Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ
In the middle of St. Peter’s square in Rome during
this Christmas season, wooden figures portray the
traditional nativity scene of the Holy Family together
with some shepherds and magi. But nearby at one
corner of the square is a new monument depicting
anonymous refugees walking together in search for a
new home. It is a powerful reminder that in our world
today, there are other “shepherds” invited to approach
the manger of the Lord. This is echoed in Pope Francis’
message for the World Day of Peace on January 1, 2023:
“Our greatest and yet most fragile treasure is our
shared humanity as brothers and sisters, children of
God. None of us can be saved alone.”
This shared humanity can best be safeguarded and
expressed through Nonviolence and Just Peace. These
were the cross-cutting topics of a conference sponsored
by Pax Christi International together with the Union of
Superiors General last December 5-7, 2022 in Rome.
The conference focused on the theme, “Pope Francis,
Nonviolence and the Fullness of Pacem in Terris.” More
than 60 participants participated in the conference,
representing the continents of Europe, North and Latin
America, Africa, Asia and Oceania.
Next year will mark the 60th anniversary of Pope
John XXIII’s landmark encyclical, “Peace on Earth,”
addressed to all peoples of good will. In 1963, Pope
John’s charter was issued in the midst of the Cuban
missile crisis, when the world stood on the verge of
a nuclear war. The encyclical outlined the Catholic
Church’s own understanding and promotion of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights of the newly-
formed United Nations in 1948. It also addressed the
first session of the Second Vatican Council as a dying
pope’s legacy for the modern world.
Over the past six years, the Pax Christi movement has
formed a Catholic Nonviolence Initiative, focusing
on the key word, “nonviolence,” as a double negative
-- i.e., no to violence, and violence as an absence of
peace. Nonviolence itself is described as “the power
of love in action resisting and disarming violence,
healing relationships, fostering reconciliation, justice,
and peace through nonviolent means.” Nonviolence
thus integrates and develops further the four pillars
for lasting peace outlined in Pacem in Terris, namely:
Truth, Justice, Love and Freedom.
The agenda for the Pax Christi conference included: the
“Prophecy of Nonviolence” of Pope Francis culled from
Meeting of Pax Christi national BISHOP co-presidents with International Board Officers in Casa La Salle, Rome. (Photo by Abp. Emeritus Antonio J. Ledesma, S.J.)
some of his key pastoral statements, such as Evangelii
Gaudium, Laudato Si’, Fratelli Tutti, and, in particular,
his 2017 World Day of Peace message, “Nonviolence: a
Style of Politics for Peace.” We can also include his joint
statement with the Grand Imam of Al Azhar in Abu
Dhabi on Human Fraternity.
The nonviolent and highly symbolic actions of the
Holy Father were also cited, such as: visiting Iraq,
Kazakhstan, Myanmar, Bangladesh and the Central
African Republic; kissing the feet of South Sudanese
leaders as a humble plea for a peace accord; making his
first visit as Pontiff to the island of Lampedusa in Italy
to highlight hospitality for refugees; and embarking
on a pilgrimage of reconciliation to the Canadian
indigenous communities.
The global crisis of violence, from the Amazon to
Ukraine and other conflict areas in Syria, Palestine,
Mexico and the Congo was discussed by delegate
speakers in the conference. The crisis is summed up in
Pope Francis’ latest Christmas message Urbi et Orbi as
a world experiencing “a famine of peace.” Examples of
active nonviolent struggles for peace were presented
by participants, such as: the campaign of indigenous
communities in Guatemala and the Aymara in Peru for
their rights; eliciting the voices of victims in the drug
wars in Colombia and Mexico; showcasing care for the
environment in Uganda; advocating for human rights
in Lebanon; and continuing the struggle against mining
activities that imperil the social and environmental
welfare of communities in seven countries in Latin
America.
In our small group discussion among Pax Christi
bishop co-Presidents from Italy, France, Germany, the
United States and the Philippines, I shared the series
of Bishops-Ulama dialogue meetings in Mindanao
that helped prepare the creation of an autonomous
region for the Muslim community. Pax Christi chapters
in other countries in the West focused on advocacy
against racism and hospitable treatment of refugees,
as well as a deeper understanding of Catholic social
teaching. We recalled the impact of Pacem in Terris and
its continuing relevance today for what Pope Francis
has described as a “third world war by installments.”
Conference delegates thus stressed the need to replace
a Just War perspective with a Just Peace ethic as a
new moral framework. Although even Pope Francis
has acknowledged that Ukraine has the right to self-
defense, “no war is ever just,” stressed Theologian Lisa
Sowle Cahill of Boston College, citing precisely the
suffering undergone by the people of Ukraine. Much
less can any war be justified with the threat of nuclear
Bag-ong
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5
November 2022 - February 2023
arms.
Pax Christi International is an active member of the
International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons
(ICAN). This resulted in the Treaty on the Prohibition
of Nuclear Weapons, signed at the United Nations in
2017. For this advocacy, ICAN received the Nobel Peace
Price. Active in this advocacy were two representatives
of Miriam College Center for Peace Education who
joined the conference: Ms. Loreta Castro, Pax Christi
- Pilipinas co-President, and Ms. Jasmin Nario-Galace,
PCI board member.
Looking ahead, proponents outlined new perspectives,
actually a return to Gospel values, for the Catholic
Church: Nonviolence as core to the mission and
renewal of the Church; Synodality as an expression
of nonviolence; the Church’s role in fostering a global
nonviolent paradigm shift; and the prospective impact
at the peripheries of the Church’s commitment to
nonviolence.
Nonviolence itself involves four dimensions: 1) a
Spirituality, invoking reconciliation, solidarity and
humility rooted in the life of the Prince of Peace; 2)
a Way of Life, involving peace education, practices,
inclusivity, participation and interconnectedness; 3) a
Method for Change, including effective approaches for
preventing or ending violence, conflict transformation,
and building a more just and peaceful world; and 4) a
Universal Ethic, prioritizing nonviolence in personal
and societal decision-making, harmony and right
relationships with the whole earth community.
One highlight of the conference was the awarding of
the Pax Christi International 2022 Peace Award to
Concordia Social Projects. The organization works
with an extensive network of volunteers in central
and eastern European countries to help vulnerable
children and their families. In particular, the volunteers
have responded to the needs of thousands of Ukrainian
families seeking refuge in Moldova, a small neighboring
country with its own economic and social problems.
Cardinal Michael Czerny, SJ, Prefect of the Dicastery for
Promoting Integral Human Development, officiated at
the closing Mass of the conference, indicating the close
relationship between Pax Christi International and
the Vatican dicastery in promoting Nonviolence and
Just Peace -- the twin message of the angelic host on
Christmas Day.
(Dec. 29, 2022)
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LAMDAG
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November 2022 - February 2023
Statement of the
17th Mindanao-Sulu Pastoral Conference
They prostrated themselves and did him
homage. Then they opened their gifts . . . and
they departed for their country by another
way.
Matthew 2:11b-12
We, the 275 delegates to the 17th Mindanao-Sulu
Pastoral Conference- lay faithful, consecrated
men and women, priests and bishops- have
reflected on the theme: The Gift of Faith and
New Evangelization as a Synodal Church. Like
the Magi, we have come from various particular
Churches in Mindanao-Sulu, bringing our own
gifts (concrete experiences of faith). We raise our
hearts and voices in thanksgiving to the Triune
God who “always leads the Church” “along the
paths of time” as “she makes her pilgrim journey
in the world.” (Synodal Eucharistic Prayer). And
we go back home by “another way.”
Braving the challenge of Covid-19 pandemic, our
coming together on Nov. 7 – 11, 2022 in Cagayan
de Oro, the “City of Golden Friendship,” has been
a grateful celebration and a joyful witnessing-
sharing of the gift of faith, and a hopeful moving
forward in the synodal path of the Church in
Mindanao-Sulu. We would like to share some
of the fruits of our spiritual conversation and
communal discernment:
1. For the Church to remain faithful to
her identity and relevant as synodal
Church in our time, we must grow in our
missionary zeal which flows from the
genuine encounter with God in prayer
that sharpens our sensitivity and capacity
to discern God’s working in our present
realities. In such encounter, God enflames
our hearts as He made the hearts of the
disciples on the road to Emmaus “burn
within them.” (Luke 24:32). He transforms
us into joyful missionaries (EG 1) and helps
us to remain courageous, unwavering and
uncompromising in bringing the Gospel
message to all through the ministry
of presence. We are thus enabled to
facilitate genuine encounter and establish
partnership with all corporate, public and
private institutions and individuals who
share the Gospel principles and values.
2. To fully embrace realistically “the joys and
hopes, the griefs and anxieties . . .” (GS 1)
of this age and to effectively respond to the
present needs, our work in evangelization
and mission must be grounded on solid
empirical data; thus, we have felt the need
to institutionalize the Ministry of Research
and Studies (MRS).
3. With profound gratitude to God for the
early missionaries whose zeal and audacity
planted the seed of faith in our land, we
continually commit ourselves, through
the witness of our lives and the use of
new and creative tools of evangelization
(radio, television, print and social media),
to venture into new missionary frontiers
(politics, culture, education, recreation,
economics, etc.), to nurture and propagate
the gift of faith with the same intensity and
sense of purpose in the family especially
those “in difficult situations.” (cf. Familiaris
Consortio).
4. As faithful and fruitful stewards of this gift
of faith, we continually commit ourselves
to open the ears of our hearts to the voices
that are often ignored, especially the poor
and the marginalized, other sectors of
society (LGBTQ+, PWD, OFW, etc.), the silent
and even the discordant voices, so that our
journey of faith will truly be inclusive and
synodal.
5. The Synodal Church looks at the youth
17th MSPC News
with love as Jesus did. (Mark 10:21). She
recognizes the youth as “street walkers of
the faith” (cf. Christus Vivit) and promoters
of dialogue and communion; they are indeed
peer evangelizers of the faith and catalysts
of change. (PCP II). Hence, we continually
commit ourselves to listen to their voices,
acknowledge their significant contribution
and engage them as active collaborators
and agents in the life and mission of the
Church. We must harness their energy and
creativity as we mold and accompany them
as co-journeyers.
6. The BECs and other faith communities
in their diverse and creative forms are
expressions of the one synodal Church where
the Vatican II principles of communion,
participation and mission are lived out; these
communities are truly “other ways” of being
Church. Moving beyond the “maintenance
mode,” BECs, nourished by the Word and
the Eucharist, should be continually formed,
organized and mobilized to become truly
ecological and steward communities and
agents of social transformation.
7. In the spirit of communion and stewardship,
we place our gifts (time, talent and treasure)
at the service of the mission of the Church;
we need to strengthen transparency and
accountability, to set up the standard
living allowance of the clergy and the just
remuneration of Church workers, and finally
to abolish the arancel system.
Priests and bishops from all over Mindanao concelebrate a Holy Ma
8. The challenge to become a genuinely Cathedral to open the 17th Mindanao-Sulu Pastoral Conference on Nove
synodal Church impels us anew to
overcome our prejudices and biases and to
strengthen our commitment to ecumenism
ACDO hosts 17th M
and interreligious dialogue based on By Venus Guibone turned 50 in 2021. He referred
mutual respect and understanding, to it as a happy coincidence, the
human fraternity (cf. Fratelli Tutti) and After nearly 50 years, MSPC’s golden anniversary held
reconciliation. The missionary fire drives us the Mindanao-Sulu Pastoral in the City of Golden Friendship
to go and proclaim the Gospel; it is the same Conference returned to Cagayan Bishop-Emeritus Antonio J
love of God that urges us (2 Corinthians
de Oro. The first time ACDO hosted Ledesma, SJ, DD, welcomed the
5:14) to work for the healing of wounds and
for the breaking down of the walls of hatred the MSPC was on March 28-April participants on behalf of the
and division, thus, creating a safe space 1, 1974. As a triennial event, Archbishop and the Church of the
where diverse cultures and living faith MSPC XVII should have been Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro
traditions are inclusively and harmoniously convoked in 2020 following the With the exception of day two and
celebrated and lived. 16th MSPC held in Davao in 2017. the last day, the Mass presider
9. Mother Earth greatly groans and suffers from That year however was the start and homilists were the bishop
exploitation, degradation and destruction of the COVID-19 pandemic and from CABUSTAM.
because of the paradigm of tyrannical so the bishops and the organizers MSPC XVII was blessed with
and distorted anthropocentricism (LS 68- decided to postpone the event to the visit of the 18th Apostoli
69), that is, the outlook that regards the
2022. The MSPC XVII was finally Nuncio to the Philippines, the
human being as the center of everything.
The “red light alarm of global climate held at the Chali Beach Resort in Most Rev. Charles John Brown
emergency” (UN Assessment of Global Cugman, Cagayan de Oro on Nov DD, who presided over the
Ecological Situation) urgently challenges us 7-11, 2022. Mass on the second day, Nov
to adopt a theocentric paradigm. We have MSPC is a forum of ideas 8. In his homily he highlighted
to live out our seamless connectedness and that facilitates the communion the connection between love
interdependence with the rest of creation of Local Churches in Mindanao. of the poor, the liturgy, and
for her preservation and sustainability. We This year’s theme, “The gift of evangelization. He affirmed the
realized the urgency to institutionalize the faith and new evangelization as a work of evangelization of the
Integral Ecology Ministry (IEM) as a priority synodal church”, commemorates Mindanao-Sulu Church, and
pastoral concern, not merely an appendage
the 500 years of Christianity in encouraged everyone to neve
to Social Action.
the Philippines and the Church’s cease to proclaim the person o
As we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of synodal journey that Pope Francis Christ especially to the poor. Thi
MSPC, we recall the visionary initiative of our began in 2021. One can say that is very much in line with the vision
shepherds and collaborators who established synodality has always been a of MSPC as “an active instrumen
and promoted the triennial pastoral forum unique characteristic of the to assist the Church in Mindanao
for the local Church of Mindanao-Sulu. We are church of Mindanao-Sulu. become a genuine Community o
in their debt. Likewise, we remember with The Opening Mass held at Disciples of Christ and a Church
gratitude the arch/dioceses that had generously the St Augustine Metropolitan of the Poor, journeying toward
hosted the past MSPCs. Lastly, we thank the Cathedral was presided over by total human and Christian
Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro and the suffragan
His Excellency, the Most Rev Jose development, as a credible sign o
Dioceses of CABUSTAM for hosting MSPC XVII in
this significant year of its existence. We entrust A. Cabantan, DD with the rest of the Kingdom of the Father.”
ourselves to the Divine Mercy that He may form the bishops of Mindanao-Sulu The 17th MSPC was attended
us to be a people of mercy with the intercession concelebrating. In his homily, by 275 delegates representing the
of our Blessed Mother, the Star of Evangelization. Abp Cabantan mentioned that five ecclesiastical sub-regions o
the MSPC, which started in 1971, Mindanao, namely, CABUSTAM
 7
17th MSPC News LAMDAG
Bag-ong

November 2022 - February 2023

Nuncio to Mindanao Churches:

ass at the St. Augustine Metropolitan
ember 7, 2022. (Photo by Social Com)
live with temperance, justice, and devotion
The 17th Mindanao-Sulu
Pastoral Conference was graced
by the presence of Apostolic
Nuncio to the Philippines
Abp. Charles John Brown on
November 8, 2022, the second
day of the conference, wherein
which he shared his message on
synodality by way of his homily
during the Holy Mass.
A native of New York, Abp.
Charles John Brown is the
12th apostolic nuncio to the
Philippines, succeeding Italian
prelate Gabriele Giordano Caccia
in 2020. Prior to entering the
diplomatic service of the Holy
See, Abp. Brown worked closely
with the late Pope Benedict
XVI at the Congregation for the
Doctrine of the Faith.
“If we are going to be
missionaries, if we are going to
proclaim the person of Christ,
we need to live in a way that
mirrors Christ... We need to
live in a way that is temperate,
just, and devout,” Abp. Brown
said to the bishops and the
congregation.
The nuncio's message on
living in a way that mirrors
Christ centered on three
points: temperance, justice, and
devotion.
Temperance
To live temperately, the
nuncio explained, is “the way
which we regard creation
around us, God's beautiful
creation... We should treat
creation with respect by living
moderately.”
“We were given this
creation to take care of... If we
live excessively, profligately,
then creation is damaged,”
the nuncio added, making
reference to the second and
ecologically-themed encyclical
of Pope Francis, Laudato Si.
Justice
“If living temperately is our
relationship to creation, maybe
living justice is our relation third point, which he defined as a half-naked beggar, who was
to our fellow human beings, “our relationship to God... to live later revealed in a dream to be
Christian and non-Christian, all as His children.” Christ himself. The other half of
of us,” said Abp. Brown on living “None of us created the saint's cloak, called a capella
justly. ourselves.. God created you in (“little cloak”) was preserved
“We must fight injustice and His love, He made you which is as a relic, and the structure in
oppression in whatever form it why you are here and by living which relics like this were kept
takes, the nuncio said, explaining devoutly,” Abp. Brown added. came to be known as a chapel.
further that to live justice is “not “Never cease to proclaim the
allowing classes of people to be The example of St. Martin person of Christ, especially to
oppressed and deprived of their The nuncio gave as a model the poor. We need to be a church
rights, or even worse to suffer for living devoutly St. Martin of the poor, which is what St.
the ravages of war.” of Tours, whose feast day was Martin teaches us, to evangelize
celebrated that day. St. Martin is the poor. If we love the poor,
Devotion remembered as a Roman soldier the future of the Church will be
Living devouty was the nuncio's who cut his cloak in half to clothe bright,” the nuncio concluded.

MSPC MSPC: mga pangitabo sa kagahapon, karon, ug ugma

d
e
(Cagayan, Butuan, Surigao, Tandag
and Malaybalay), DADITAMA
d (Davao, Digos, Tagum and
p. Mati), DOPIM (Dipolog, Ozamiz,
J. Pagadian, Iligan and Marawi),
e KIDMACO (Kidapawan, Marbel
e and Cotabato) and ZAMBASULI
e (Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu and
o. Ipil). In attendance were 94 lay
d people, 36 religious men and
rs women, 125 diocesan priests
ps and 20 bishops, a total of 275
delegates. MSPC XVII boasts of
h a perfect attendance of all the
ic bishops of Mindanao.
e The three-day conference
n, highlighted a sub-theme and
e objective formulated by Msgr.
v. Florencio Salvador. On the
d 2nd day, the sub-theme was
e Missionary Commitment which
d was aimed at looking back to
e the past with thanksgiving
e and gleaning foundational
d learnings from the history of
er Evangelization in Mindanao-Sulu.
of The sub-theme for Day 3 was
is Missionary Creativity. Following
n Pope Francis’ exhortation in
nt Evangelii Gaudium, it focused
o on the challenge of living out the
of present with missionary joy. Day
h 4 focused on Missionary Courage
ds which is again an inspiration from
n Pope Francis. With missionary
of boldness in Evangelii Gaudium as
the propelling virtue, the final day
d sketched out some directions for
e moving towards the future with
of hope.
M ang mga nanggula nga mga tubag
Tubag sa mga pangutana sa mga media practioners
By Sr. Federica Dalaguit, FSP
Matud pa sa usa ka
nangutana: unsay tumong
ning Mindanao Sulu Pastoral
Conference (MSPC) nga
mahimong makabag-o kon
impact sa katawhang Katoliko?
Ang arsobispo mitubag
sa pag-ingon: ang Simbahang
Katoliko sa Mindanao mitubag
sa panawagan sa Vatican II
pagahimoon ang mga lakang
diin ang Simbahan mopabati sa
tibuok katawhan nga siya usa ka
Simbahan alang sa kaluwasan
dili lamang niadtong haduol
sa Simbahan kondili kadtong
nahilayo niini. Buhaton kini nga
lakang pinaagi sa panagtagbo
sa mga obispo, mga pari ug mga
laygo aron maadunay pagkahiusa
pagpakiglambigit sa tibuok
katawhan sa ilang kahimtang
ug panginahanglan. Katawhan
nga adunay mga kinatibuk-
ang panginahanglan nga
angayan usab nga atubangon sa
Simbahan. Ang panginahanglan
niadtong pagsugod sa MSPC (tuig
1971) mao ang pagpalambo sa
pagtuo ug pagtubag sa panahon
sa Martial Law ug pastoral needs.
Busa sa pagkakaron, susama
gihapon ang tumong sa MSPC
bisan lain na usab ang giatubang
nga mga panginahanglan sa
tibuok katawhan. Sama pananglit
ang bag-o pa lamang nahuman
nga konsultasyon nga mga
lakang sa sinodo. Kinahanglan
nga hatagan ug mga solusyon
sa mga pagsusi nga gihatagan ug
bili ang pamaagi sa pagpaminaw,
partisipasyon ug misyon.
Sa pangutana mahitungod
kon ang Simbahan ba adunay
gibuhat nga mga pamaagi sa
pagtabang sa mga Indigenous
People kon IP ilabi na sa ilang
problema sa ilang yuta.
Miingon ang arsobispo:
ang Simbahan nakig-alayon sa
pagtabang sa mga IP pinaagi
sa namugna nga Apostolate
for the Indigenous People sa
tanang mga parokya. Daghan
na usab ang natabangan nga
ang ilang kabilin nga yuta, klaro
nang gihatagan sa legal nga mga
papeles. Apan bisan pa niana,
daku pa gayud ang sagubangon
sa ubang IP, tungod kay aduna
pay mga tawong nagpakita sa
ilang kahakog ngadto sa ilang
isigkatawo. Apan naningkamot
ang mga sakop ning Apostolado
sa IP nga tabangan sila.
Adunay usa nga
nagpadayon sa
pagpangutana:
“Unsay ikatubag
sa mga anaa sa
Autoridad sa
Simbahan sa
mga panghitabo
mahitungod
sa mga pari
nga nakahimo
ug salaod sa
katawhan ilabi
na sa mga
kababayen-an?”
Ang tubag:
sa pagkakaron
abli ang Simbahan sa mga
awtoridad sa gobyerno nga
mosusi sa mga panghitabo ug
kon tinuod ang mga panghitabo
sila na gayod ang mopahamtang
sa balaod. Sa bahin sa
Simbahan mao ang paghatag
sa mga hingtungdan sama sa
Arkidiyosesis sa Cagayan de Oro
sa unsa may kinahanglan nga
panabang, espirituhanon man,
moral o materyal. Sa panahon
ni Arsobispo Antonio Ledesma
S.J. namugna ang Archdiocesan
Therapy Center diin ang
katuyuan mao ang paghatag
ug tabang ngadto sa mga
hingtungdan aron makabalik sila
sa ilang normal nga kinabuhi.
Nagpadayon ang
pangutana nga nag-ingon:
“Unsay mabuhat sa Simbahan
mahitungod sa nagpadayong
gambling nga problema sa
mindanao?
Ang tubag: ang Simbahan
igo lang mosugyot sa mga
awtoridad mahitungod sa
pagsugal apan wala kami
legal nga mahimo, kondili sa
pagpanudlo sa ug sa pagsangyaw
sa katawhan sa mga tawhanong
bili kon human values aron
makita sa mga tawo ang kadaut
nga nahimo sa pagsugal. Busa
ang gipaningkamutan sa
Simbahan mao ang pagpahugot
sa mga Katolikong eskwelahan
sa pagtudlo sa hustong mga bili
sa kinabuhi. Kinahanglan karong
panahona ang pagbag-o sa
pormasyon sa mga bili, kon value
formation.
Ang katapusan nga
pangutana: “Tubagon ba sa
MSPC 17 ang problema sa
ecolohiya sa Mindanao? Miingon
ang arsobispo: “Usa kini sa
mga tema nga pagahisgutan
niining asembliya karon, tungod
kay atong giatubang ang mga
katalagman ug mainitong sugyot
sa kamugnaan karon.
 8
Bag-ong
LAMDAG
November 2022 - February 2023
Koronasyon sa Birhen sa Kota gipahigayon sa
kapistahan sa Birhen sa Santo Rosaryo
Photos by Eldon Bravo
Ni Maristela Camaddo
Usa ka mabulukon ug makahuluganon nga
pagsaulog sa Kapistahan sa Mahal nga Birhen
sa Kota sa Cagayan de Oro ang gipahigayon sa
Arkidiyoses niadtong Oktubre 7, 2022 atol sa
kapistahan usab sa Mahal nga Birhen sa Santo
Rosaryo.
Ang kasaulogan gisugdan pinaagi sa upat
ka nagdungan nga prosesyon nga gikan sa
nagkalain-laing parokya sa dakbayan ingon
og “gikan sa upat ka mga suuk sa kalibutan”
ug nagtagbo ug gihimong hiniusang prosisyon
didto sa Gaston Park, atubangan sa St. Augustine
Metropolitan Cathedral. Pagkahuman sa maong
prosisyon, gipahigayon ang Mahal nga Misa nga
gipangulohan ni Archbishop, Most Rev. Jose
Araneta Cabantan, D.D., inubanan sa Archbishop
Emeritus nga si Most Rev. Antonio J. Ledesma,
D.D. ni Msgr. Rey Manuel Mosanto, Rev. Fr.
Florencio B. Salvador nga mao ang naghatag
sa homiliya, Rev. Fr. Alan Pulgo, Rev. Fr. Dan
Coronel, Rev. Fr. Der John Faborada ug uban
pang mga kaparian sa dakbayan sa Cagayan de
Oro.
Sulod sa maong Eyukaristikanhong
Kasaulogan, gipahigayon usab ang Koronasyon
sa Mahal nga Birhen sa Kota sa Cagayan de Oro.
Sa Rito sa Koronasyon sa Mahal nga Birhen,
gipasabot ni Rev. Fr. Florencio “Boy” Salvador
sa iyang homiliya nga kung ang imahen o tipuso
sa Mahal nga Birhen Maria magkugos sa Batang
Hesus, unahon gayud ang pagkorona sa Batang
Hesus.
Ug mao kini ang gihimo sa Rito nga
gipahigayon. Gipurongpurongan ang Batang
Hesus sa korona sa tres potencias kon tulo ka
kagahuman - ang iyang pagka-Hari, ang iyang
pagka-Pari ug ang iyang pagka-Propeta. Ang
nagbutang sa Korona sa ulo sa Mahal nga Batang
Hesus mao si Rev. Msgr. Tex Legitimas, SSJV,
gikan sa Vicariate ni San Pedro Calungsod,
inubanan ni Rev. Fr.Ronald Ledesma, SSJV.
Pagkahuman sa Korona, gipahiluna dayon sa
walang kamot sa Batang Hesus ang globo, nga
simbolo sa kalibutan. Ang pagbutang sa globo
gihimo il ani Rev. Fr. Dan Coronel, SSJV ug ni
Rev. Fr. Bobet Laroga, SSS, gikan sa Vicariate
ni St. Jerome. Sunod sa pagbutang sa globo sa
kamot sa Batang Hesus mao ang pagbutang
sa setro didto sa iyang tuong kamot, simbolo
sa iyang awtoridad ibabaw sa tanang mga hari,
katawhan ug kanasuran. Kini gihimo nila ni Rev.
Fr. Nathan Lerio, SSJV ug ni Rev. Fr. Jose Gabato,
CRSP gikan sa St. John Vianney Vicariate.
Si Jesus ang Salvador del Mundo ug ang
iyang mahigugmaon ug gamhanang pagsapupo
sa kalibutan maoy nagapadayon sa pagpatuyok sa
kalibutan. Mamatikdan nga ang globo ug setro
ni Hesus adunay krus sanglit siya nagahari gikan
sa trono sa krus. Matud pa ni San Pablo, ang krus
giisip sa kalibutan nga binuang ug kahuyang apan
alang kanatong mga Kristiyanos, kini timaan sa
Diyosnong gahum ug atong kaluwasan.
Features
Pagkahuman sa mga
tulumanon tali sa Batang
Hesus, gisunod gilayon ang
pagkorona sa Mahal nga
Birhen sa Kota. Ang korona
nga gipahiluna sa ulo ni Maria
simbolo sa iyang pagka-rayna
sa langit ug sa yuta. Sama
sa gipasabot sa homiliya,
ang iyang raynahanon nga
dignidad nagpunting ngadto
sa upat ka mga kalidad – ang
iyang kamapaubsanon, ang
iyang pagkainahan, ang iyang
pagka-tigpangaliya alang
kanato, ug ang iyang pagka-
timaan sa umaabot nga himaya
sa Simbahan. Ang nagbutang
sa korona sa Mahal nga Birheng
Maria mao si Arsobispo Jose
A. Cabantan, D.D., tinabangan
ni Atty. Maria Anita Lucagbo.
Gisundan ang pagkorona
sa pagtaud sa setro sa
tuong kamot sa Mahal nga
Birhen. Simbolo kini sa
iyang pagmando nga sibo
sa Diyosnong Paigo. “Ania
ako nga sulugoon sa Ginoo,
matuman unta dinhi kanako
sumala sa gipamulong mo” -
ang iyang tubag human siya
gipahibalo nga mahimo siyang
Inahan sa Anak sa Diyos.
Ang pagmando ni Maria dili
kalibutanong pagpangagalon,
kondili mapaubsanong pagkamasinugtanon
sa langitnong kabubut-on. Sa kasal sa Cana
nagkanayon si Maria – “Buhata ninyo bisan
unsay iyang isugo kaninyo.” Ang “mando”
niining Inahan ug Rayna – “sunda ninyo ang
sugo sa akong Anak”. Ang pagbutang sa setro
sa Mahal nga Birhen gihimo nila ni Rev. Msgr.
Rey Manuel Monsanto, JCL, SSJV ug ni Rev. Fr.
Erdman Pandero, SSJV. Sunod sa pagbutang sa
setro mao ang pagpahiluna sa aureole o halo sa
likod sa ulo sa Mahal nga Birhen. Simbolo kini
sa pag-ambit sa Diyosnong kabalaan, kaambong
ug himaya. Apan labing talagsaon ang halo ni
Maria sanglit ang Diyos mismo mitawag man
kaniya pinaagi sa anghel nga “. . . napuno ka
sa grasya”. Ang pagtaud sa Aureole gihimo ni
Archbishop Emeritus Antonio J. Ledesma, D.D.,
tinabangan ni Mrs. Consuelo Tagarda.
Diha sa Koronasyon sa Mahal nga Birhen
sa Kota sa Cagayan de Oro, gipadayag natong
tanang mga tumotuo sa dakbayan ang atong
hugot nga pagtuo nga si Maria timaan sa atong
padulngan - kahiusahan uban sa Diyos didto sa
langit. Sa atong hiniusang paglawig ngadto kang
Kristo, ang Mahal nga Birhen mao ang maggigiya
kanato sa hustong dalan. Siya ang magtudlo
kanato sa pagkamabination sa nangabug-atan
diha sa dalan, sa pagka mapatalinghogon sa tuaw
sa mga nabiyaan ug pinasagdan, apil na ang
tingog sa kamugnaan.

News
Vision and Mission of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro
VISION
A synodal community of Christ’s disciples
united in witnessing to the Gospel values in
pursuing the integral evangelizing mission of
the Church in the present times.
MISSION
1. (On Worship) To foster the liturgical life of
the faithful, nourished by the Word of God,the
Eucharist and Sacraments, and sustained by
personal prayer and devotions to Mother Mary,
St. Joseph and the Saints.
2. (On Laity) To empower the laity of their role
to participate in building up God’s Kingdom
and transforming the face of the earth.
3. (On Family) To strengthen and nourish the
family as focal point of evangelization where
the gospel values, teachings of the Church and
culture of life are fostered.
Rev. Fr. Cleto Zambrano Tañajura, SSJV, 55
By Fr. Jose Alan P. Pulgo, SSJV, STL
Known to be very strict in liturgical
celebrations, Fr. Cleto always wanted to give
reverence and deeper meaning to every
holy celebration.
Fr. Cleto Z. Tañajura was born on
December 5, 1967 in Manlamunay, Don
Carlos Bukidnon. His father Tiburcio
Paradero Tañajura, originally from San
Fernando, Cebu City, married his mother
Josephine Gallana Zambrano from
Lagonglong, Misamis Oriental. He was the
Bag-ong
LAMDAG Managing Editor
Sr. Mary Anne Padilla, FSP
News Editors
Louise Dumas
Rev. Fr. Macky Ceballos, SSJV
Sr. Teresita Espina, FSP
Writers
Lolit T. Bacarrisas
Cleb B. Calimutan
Pinky V. Lim
Benie Sy
Maristela Camaddo
Venus Guibone
Gilda Pates
Sr. Federica Dalaguit, FSP
Rev. Fr. Rufino Cabatingan SSJV
Rev. Fr. Jose Alan Pulgo SSJV
Rev. Fr. Fermin Tan SSJV
Lay-out and graphic design
James Edgar T. Sia
Editorial Consultants
Abp. Jose A. Cabantan, DD
Abp. Emeritus Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ, DD
Director of Social Communication
Rev. Fr. Der John Faborada, SSJV
Bag-ong Lamdag is a newsletter published monthly
by the Social Communications Apostolate of the
Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, whose aim is to link
the various parishes, ministries, and apostolates
within this archdiocese. For inquiries and feedback,
send us an email at ascacdo@gmail.com.
4. (On Youth) To accompany the youth towards
holistic development and active participation in
the life and mission of the Church in the world.
5. (On BEC) To develop, strengthen and sustain
Basic Ecclesial Communities and other faith
communities through the spirit of synodality.
6. (On Church of the Poor) To become a Church
that identifies and journeys with the poor to
transform inhuman conditions, and unjust
systems and structures in the light
of the Gospel.
7. (On Ecumenism and Dialogue) To
strengthen and pursue interfaith, ecumenical
and intercultural dialogue.
8. (On Integral Ecology) To become truly
steward and ecological communities who care
responsibly for our common home.
eldestoffivesiblings(2femalesand3males).
He started his Elementary years in
Manlamunay, Don Carlos and continued
in Lagonglong Elementary School for his
Grades 4-6. He went to High School at St.
John the Baptist High School, Lagonglong,
Misamis Oriental. He then entered San
Jose de Mindanao Seminary and took
his bachelor’s degree in Philosophy at
Xavier University, Cagayan de Oro City. He
proceeded with his Theological Studies at
the St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in
the same city.
In the seminary, he loved liturgy
and music and even composed music for
liturgical celebrations and popular music. He
was ordained a priest on February 24, 1993
and his first assignment was in Balingasag as
parochial vicar. Here he served for less than a
year because he was transferred to Gingoog
parish for a few months. Then, he was
appointed as Parish Priest at Salay, Misamis
Oriental and served the parish for more or
less eight years. After this assignment, he
was transferred to Alubijid as parish priest
for three years. Afterwards, he came back
to Cagayan de Oro as a parochial vicar in
Rev. Fr. Roberto Ruben C. Elago, MSP, 75
By James Edgar T. Sia
Fr. Roberto Ruben Cavite Elago of
the Mission Society of the Philippines
(MSP), better known to his international
flock as Fr. Ruben, passed away in his
sleep while on vacation in Tagaytay on
January 30, 2023. He was the first-ever
priest to be ordained from Lagonglong,
Misamis Oriental, and had plans to visit
his hometown before returning to his
mission assignment with the Filipino
Chaplaincy in Montreal, Canada.
Born on January 24, 1948 in
Hindang, Leyte to Rufino and Julita Elago,
Fr. Ruben was the fifth of 7 children.
He attended San Jose de Mindanao
Seminary and studied philosophy and
English at Xavier University (1965-
1970) before pursuing theological
studies at St. Francis Xavier Major
Seminary in Davao City (1970-1972),
The Divine Word Seminary Tagaytay
(1973-1975), and then the Pontifical
9
LAMDAG
Bag-ong
November 2022 - February 2023
Rev. Fr. Pedro
“Indong”
9. (On Stewardship) To strengthen the
efficiency, transparency and accountability of
the financial system and professionalize the
management of temporal goods at the service
of the mission of the Church. Sombilon, SSJV, 85
10. (On the Clergy) To promote vocation for the Retired priest Fr. Pedro
priesthood and consecrated life, and to conduct Sombilon entered into eternal
and facilitate on-going formation of clergy after
rest on January 22, 2023. He had
the heart of the Good Shepherd.
been a priest of the Archdiocese
11. (On Governance) To enhance pastoral of Cagayan de Oro for 55
leadership and management to effectively years, having been ordained
and efficiently implement policies, guidelines, on December 20, 1967 by Abp.
programs and projects in the archdiocese.
Teofilo Camomot, then coadjutor
12. (On Missio Ad Gentes) To actively live out of Cagayan de Oro and now a
our Christian vocation as missionary disciples venerable in the Catholic Church.
responsive to the call of the Universal Church. Known affectionately by the
faithful of this archdiocese as Fr.
(Drawn from the PASTRAM discernment process)
Indong and by younger members
of the clergy as "Tatay," he had
a reputation for being cheerful,
down-to-earth, practical, and
always willing to lend a helping
Nazareno, with Msgr. Rey Monsanto. When hand to those in need. Fr. Indong
Msgr. Rey was transferred to San Isidro had a penchant for ministering to
Labrador – Eco Church, he went along with
far-flung communities, and made
him. After a while, he was transferred to Our
lady of the Holy Rosary Parish in Agusan
it a point to preach homilies that
with Fr. Cornelio Cadenas, Jr. as the parish were easily understood by the
priest. common folk.
Circumstances brought him to ask A requiem mass was held for
for a small parish where he could be alone. Fr. Indong in the St. Augustine
It was a blessing because the Our Lady Metropolitan Cathedral on
of Miraculous Medal at Balubal became January 25, 2033. In accordance
a quasi-parish and needed someone to with his last will and testament, he
shepherd them and he was sent there. In was buried in Talakag, Bukidnon
2018, Fr. Cleto was transferred to the Sacred the following day.
Heart of Jesus Parish in Bugo with Fr. Jose
Alan P. Pulgo as his parish priest.
His ministry as shepherd of souls had
a share of lights and shadows just like any
drama in real life. He taught people about
the truths of the gospel and to correct some
practices that had been from animistic
traditions, but some people misunderstood
him. Despite his sickness, he always tried to
do his functions very well and the people
understood his ways and actuations. He
served the parish until he had a cardiac
arrest and passed away on October 3, 2022.
University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Australia, 2012-2019; and finally the
Rome, Italy where he graduated magna Archdiocese of Montreal, Canada, 2021-
cum laude in 1983. 2023.
Fr. Ruben was ordained a priest in According to Fr. Ruben's obituary
his home parish of St. John the Baptist in on the official MSP website: “His death
Lagonglong, two years after joining the is mourned by many people all over
MSP in 1972. For his first assignment, the world, especially, those whose
he was parish priest of the MSP-run lives he touched by his genuine faith,
Blessed Sacrament Parish in Cebu City, shepherding gifts of accompaniment,
where he also served as the director of compassion, and love, but most of all
MSP college seminarians. He was the his friendliness and generosity. He will
rector of the MSP seminary in Tagaytay be surely missed. His famous joyful and
twice: from 1984 to 1991 and from sunny disposition will be missed.”
2019 to 2021. Likewise, he was elected
father moderator of the MSP two times
and served from 1988 to 1991 and from
1994 to 1999.
As an MSP priest, Fr. Ruben
ministered to a number of communities
around the world, especially those with
a sizeable Filipino presence: Diocese of
Tanjungkarang, Indonesia, 1977-1981;
Diocese of Auckland, New Zealand,
1999-2012; Diocese of Parramatta,
 10 Bag-ong
LAMDAG
November 2022 - February 2023
Luoy!
Sirac 35:12,14,16,18/Salmo 34:2-3,17-18,19,23/Timoteo 4:6-8,16-18/Lukas 18:9-14
PALPAK! Adunay grabeeeeeee kaayo nga
moingon nga sigi na kay lage okay na ang
tanan pag-ando pa dili na diay mudayon
ang bride. PALPAK! Adunay grabeeeeeee
kaayo nga gastos sa pagsorpresa sa
kunohay mahal na mahal pero wala man
diay ganahi ang gisorpresa mao nang sila
na nuon ang nasorpresa. PALPAK! Dili ba
Luoooooooy ko ug luoooooooy ka...
adunay PALPAK kay dili kontrolado sa tawo
kitang tanan luoooooooy!
ang tanang butang?
Dili ba ang tawo DAUT? Nagkalain-
Dili ba ang tawo GAHI? Nagkalain-lain
lain lang ang batasan ug kinaiya sa tawo.
lang ang baruganan ug prinsipyo sa tawo.
Adunay siging ngisi pero ulitan man diay.
Dili maayo sa tawo ang kanunay maligo...
DAUT! Adunay ngisi-ngisi buang pod diay.
GAHI! Maayo sa tawo ang kanunay
DAUT! Adunay hinay kaayo moestorya ug
mukatawa... GAHI! Kinahanglan ang tawo
molihok pero tarantitit diay. DAUT! Adunay
muduol sa iyang isigkatawo... GAHI! Ang
kalma kaayo estoryahon pero libakiro
tawo wala na gyuy paglaum... GAHI! Dili
man diay. DAUT! Adunay kusog kaayo
tanan makaya sa babaye ang mabuhat sa
magdayeg pero marites (chismosa) diay’ng
lalaki... GAHI! Pwede ra magminyo ang
dako. DAUT! Adunay kuripot kaayo pero
parehas lalaki ug parehas babaye... GAHI!
tingayo diay kaayo. DAUT! Adunay permi
Pwede ang tawo maminyo’g daghan...
ingon nga walay kwarta pero mahalon
GAHI! Kinahanglan usa ra gayud ang
kaayog mga gamit. DAUT! Adunay pasalig-
higugmaon nga kapikas sa kinabuhi...
salig nga mutabang pero tapolan man
GAHI! Ang mga adik dili na bawalan
diay. DAUT! Adunay gusto kaayo malooy
maayo pang patyon na lang dayon... GAHI!
sa uban pero isog man diay kaayo. DAUT!
Ang mga bayot ug tomboy dawaton sa
Adunay siging ampo pero makadumot sa
katilingban... GAHI! Ang makasala diritso
tawo grabeeeeeee. DAUT! Adunay siging
na sunugon... GAHI! Ang himoong leaders
simba pero grabeeeeeee makapangasaba.
mao ang mga kawatan para dili na kita
DAUT! Adunay miingon nga duol siya sa
malibog pa kon kinsa ang nangawat...
tawo pero grabeeeeeee makainsulto.
GAHI! Ang mga pagkaon dili na ibaligya kay
DAUT!
ipanghatag na lang... GAHI! Tanan tawo
Dili ba ang tawo PANGIT? Nagkalain-
kinahanglan adunay yuta... GAHI! Angay
laing lang ang kahimo o etsura sa tawo.
nga hamubo lamang ang adlaw sa pag-
Bisan sa iyang kaanindot adunay gihapon
eskwela... GAHI! Dili ba GAHI kaayo ang
kapangitan. Bisan sa iyang kapangit adunay
tawo sa iyang hunahuna nga daw siya na
gihapon kaanindot. Adunay plastar kaayo’g
ang tag-iya sa kinabuhi?
dagway pero yam-id pod og simod. PANGIT!
NAKAPAMALANDONG AKO nga ang
Adunay hamis kaayo’g kutis pero libat pod.
tawo luoooooooy sa daghan kaayong
PANGIT! Adunay sexy kaayo pero amang
aspeto sa kinabuhi. HUHUHUHU! Tinuod
pod. PANGIT! Adunay nindot kaayog mga
gyud nang dili gyud hingpit ang tawo.
mata pero lisngag pod ang ilong. PANGIT!
KALUOY! Ang tawo nabutang sa kanunay
Adunay patsada kaayog ulo pero upaw
nga pagpakigbisog sa iyang kaDAUTan,
pod. PANGIT! Adunay ulo nga daghan pod
kaPALPAKan, kaPANGITan ug kaGAHIan.
og buhok pero daghan pod pahak. PANGIT!
Alang kanako luoooooooooy gyud kaayo
Adunay kilay 2000 pero kunot pod og
ang TANANG TAWO. Ang tanang tawo
agtang. PANGIT! Adunay dako’g dalunggan
KABUS kay ang TANAN NANGINAHANGLAN.
pero bungol pod. PANGIT! Adunay tag-as
kaayo’g mga tiil pero hinay pod mudagan.
Ako nagtan-aw sa akong kaugalingon nga
astang luoooooooya gyud. Ang akong
PANGIT! Adunay mga putot pero perti pod
mulangoy. PANGIT! Adunay tambok kaayo
grabeeeeeeng panginahanglan gyud
sa pagsabot sa ubang tawo. Ang akong
pero nindot mukiay. PANGIT! Adunay
grabeeeeeeeeng panginahanglan sa
niwang kaayo pero kusog pog mukaon.
taaaaaaaaaas kaayo nga pagpasinsiya
PANGIT! Dili ba adunay mga PANGIT gyud
gikan sa uban. Kini tungod kay alang
sa panan-aw sa uban?
kanako luoooooooy kaayo ko nga daw dili
Dili ba ang tawo PALPAK? Nagkalain-
ko mabuhi nga walay panabang sa uban ug
lain lang ang sipyat nga nahimo sa tawo.
labaw sa tanan grasya gikan sa kahitas-an.
Adunay grabeeeeeee nga tinun-ana pero
Grabeeeeeeeee kasakit ang pagdaut sa
bagsak lang gihapon. PALPAK! Adunay
uban kanako tungod lang lagi daw sa akong
grabeeeeeee kaayo nga prinaktisa pero
kasaypanan. Grabeeeeeee ang kaulaw nga
wala gihapon magdungan. PALPAK! Adunay
akong gibati sa makauulaw nga paghukom
grabeeeeeee kaayo nga pagmemorize
ug pagsaway sa mga tawong nagtuo nga
pero nalimtan gihapon. PALPAK! Adunay
kanunay silang sakto. Ang ilang pagduot
grabeeeeeee kaaayo nga paningkamot
kanako nga daw wala na akoy paglaum
nga maperfect pero kalit lang nabulasot
pang magbag-o. HUHUHU! Nakahunahuna
sa stage. PALPAK! Adunay grabeeeeeee
ko nga kon ang tanang tawo lang unta
kaayo nga pangandam pero kalit lang
makaamgo nga kitang tanan luoooooooy
mibuto ang sound system. PALPAK!
nan nagtinabanga unta kita nga maplastar
Adunay grabeeeeeee kaayo nga pagkadani
pag-ayo ang atong kinabuhi. Kalinaw unta
nga mao na gyud daw pero ilad man diay.
ang gipaningkamotan nga maangkon sa
tanan dili ang paghukom uban sa pagdaut
sa kinabuhi sa matag-usa. Magtinabangay
kita kay luooooooooooy man kitang
tanan... DAUT! PANGIT! PALPAK! GAHI!
Angay nga maamguhan sa tanan kay
luoooooooy kita.
Anaa kanunay ang kaluoy sa Dios... Ang
Iyang paghatag kanato ug daghang higayon
sa PAGHINULSOL... Magpinasayloay kita
inay sa pagdinumtanay... Magtinabangay
kita inay sa paghinukmanay...
padayooooooooooon kitang tanan sa
PAGPANINGKAMOT sa usa ka BALAAN
NGA KATILINGBAN SA DIOS.
PASAYLO ang akong gikinahanglan sa
kanunay kay ako Luoooooooy...
Timailhan sa Kapanahonan
Ania na kita sa katapusan sa
KAPANAHONAN
Usa sa mga TIMAILHAN
Ang pagtoo sa mga magtoo TALIKDAN
Sa mga nasod sa Oropa ug Latin America
NABANTAYAN.
Paspas nga mga kamatayon karon
NABANTAYAN
Ataki sa kasingkasing sagad MADUNGGAN
Ug sa pipila si bakuna ang
GIPASANGINLAN.
Daghan na ang wala motoo sa BAKUNA
Kay nganong matakdan man gihapon
HIGALA
Daghan mitoo nga kini negosyo sa mga
BUAYA
Ang kagaw dili wad-on aron motambok
ang ilang mga BULSA.
Sa Manila adunay gihimong WELGA
Pagsupak sa HB 6522 kay sa tawhanong
katungod KONTRA
Nga kon mapalabang pugson na sa
BAKUNA
Ang tanan mga bata labi NA.
Kini programa aron pagpakunhud sa
POPOLASYON
Mga bata sentrong TARGETON
Sa WHO programa IGSOON
Aron ang edad 60 lisod ABTON.
Kay ang mga hakug kontra nila ang
PENSYON
Maong kinabuhi sa tawo buot nilang
MUB-ON
Gani gusto mga robot MUGNAON
Aron dakong ginansya PADAYON.
Ang labing dako nga KASAL-ANAN
Kining kinabuhi nga ila nang BUT-AN
Buot sila mahisama sa Dios sa
KAGAHUMAN
Filipino-Chinese community
celebrates Feast of St. Lorenzo Ruiz
By Cleb B. Calimutan
In the past two years, church
celebrations were somewhat frozen
due to the pandemic that hindered the
faithful to go out freely and express
their faith. But now that the pandemic
scare is nearly over, the devotees of
San Lorenzo Ruiz, our first Filipino
Saint, were finally able to celebrate
the saint’s feast day together on
September 28, 2022.
The Mass in honor of the saint was
presided over by no less than Abp.
Jose Cabantan and con-celebrated
by Fr. Gil Escalante, the Parish Priest
of San Lorenzo Church. Knowing
that the saint is a child of a Chinese
father and Filipino mother, the feast
was participated mainly by the
Filipino-Chinese community from
Mega Heights and St. Cecilia Village.
With them, were some religious
congregations, and other devotees in
the archdiocese.
In his homily, Abp. Cabantan
encouraged the physical participation
in masses, saying that the virtual
Eucharistic attendance was good
but in-person celebration creates a
closer relationship among the faithful.
While online connectivity can be
News
Diin kini kinahanglan isip kita mga anak sa
Dios ato gayong BABAGAN.
Ang hulga usab karon sa SIMBAHAN
Kon ang mga pangulo sa gahum ug salapi
na NABUTAAN
Nakiglumba sa KALIBUTAN
Dili na mobarug para sa hustisya ug
KAANGAYAN.
Kon misaka ang druga ug KORAPSYON
Hagit kini sa mga pangulo IGSOON
Ipakita nga sa pagwagtang MATINUD-
ANON
Dili pangulo nga nagmaskara kay apil
KOMISYON.
Kon gusto tag maayong imahin sa gawas
AMIGO
Ang nga langyaw sa pag-imbistigar
sa sumbong crime against humanity
pasagdan ang KASO
Kay kon inosente ang GOBYERNO
Nganong mahadlok man KRISTIANO.
Kamong anaa sa KAGAMHANAN
Palihug ang delicadesa BATONAN
Ayaw pag-ingon weather-weather lang
MAN
Ang nasod nga nag-antus sa kalisod inyo
usang KALOY-AN.
Daghan man ang mobiya sa PAGTOO
Pagmatinud-anon gayod ni KRISTO
Sa mga lingla ug limbong ayaw gayod
PATUNTO
Ang imong kalag kaloy-an MO.
transformed into spiritual connections
and transformation, he reminded
everybody that Jesus became flesh so
that he can interact with us and we
can have an actual experience with
the Lord.
Abp Cabantan also encouraged
every family to become a place
of catechism as the Church also
celebrates the Catechetical month. He
recalled the life of San Lorenzo Ruiz
who received catechisms from his
parents from childhood, becomes an
altar boy and eventually a martyr of
our faith. Lastly, he recalled the most
powerful message of the saint saying,
“I am a Catholic and wholeheartedly
do accept death for God; if I had a
thousand lives, all these to Him shall
I offer.”
A banquet was prepared by the
community with a welcoming message
from Fr. Gil saying that even eating is a
form of evangelization - a fellowship
with each other. During the program,
there was a game of questions and
answers on the life of San Lorenzo and
a lot of prizes were distributed to the
attendees. The celebration concluded
with full of meaning and solemnity,
the participants were inspired by the
great challenges of faith.

News
PASTRAM from p. 1
purposes of continuity.
These ACDO Vision and Mission
Statements 2023 have been presented
both to the ACDO clergy and faithful as
represented by the directors and lay
coordinators of commissions, ministries,
apostolates, ecclesial movements and
religious communities for their truthful
assessment and feedback.
The APFT finally presented the
Vision and Twelve Mission Statements
2023 to Archbishop Jose A. Cabantan, D.D.
on November 28,2022. These were then
promulgated by Abp. Cabantan, D.D. on
January 20, 2023, on the occasion of the 90 th
Jubilee of Cagayan de Oro as Diocese.
The PASTRAM Phase is now on the
formulation of the Goals, Objectives and
Action Plans for each mission statement.
The process is undertaken by the concerned
commissions, ministries and apostolates to
ensure that these are effective, relevant, and
responsive to each mission statement. The
parishes through their respective Vicariates
will also undergo the same process starting
February 2023.
The ACDO Vision and Twelve Mission
Statements 2023, with its respective goals,
objectives, and action plans are set to be
endorsed and approved by Abp. Cabantan on
June 30, 2023.
Abp. Cabantan meets
CLEMOACO officers
By Benie Sy
Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro
Archbishop Jose Cabantan, DD met with
new CLEMOACO officers for the first time
on Thursday, July 21, 2022. The meeting
was hosted by CFC Global Mission Center at
Nazareth, Cagayan de Oro City and attended
by almost 200 persons.
Archbishop Emeritus Antonio J.
Ledesma, who was also present during
the meeting, commented that, “this is a
true image of the Archdiocese of Cagayan
de Oro where different organizations
walk together in tradition of Pope Francis’
synodality.”
In his first pastoral exhortation, Abp.
Cabantan gave a guide to the leaders of
CLEMOACO on the essence of “walking
together” as a Synodal Church. He further
cited that the lay organizations’ existing
cell groups are sectoral Basic Ecclesial
Communities (BECs) that are in spiritual
conversation to the life and mission of the
Church and these are integrated to the
parish by their plan of activities coordinated
to the Ad Intra and Ad Extra Ministries. In
the light of the Synodal Church, the parish
priest, together with the Church, must
hear and listen to the cry of the poor and
must be able to look at the peripheries
where non-active Catholics are to be
reached-out. This cannot be done without
the help of CLEMOACO lay organizations
that are gifted by their experiences in
evangelization, resources, approached and
formation which are already tested over
time. With this, the archbishop challenged
the leaders to share these gifts thereby
helping the renewal of the Church.
CLEMOACO’s Vice President Ed
Paalma assured the archbishop that
currently, there were ongoing collaborative
efforts among member organizations
and parishes. Among were lay formation
programs introduced and offered to the
parish BECs – empowered Christian Living
Seminar (ECLS), Christian Life Program
(CLP), Live Christ Share Christ (LCSC), and
for the inactive Catholics, “Pamukaw” Pre-
Catechesis and ALPHA Course Kerygmatic
Formation.
SJVTS holds 31st alumni homecoming
By Pinky V. Lim
The 31st Alumni Homecoming of
St. John Vianney Theological Seminary
(SJVTS) was held on October 17-19,
2022 at the Seminary compound in
Camaman-an Hill, Cagayan de Oro City.
The theme of the 3-day gathering
dubbed Balik-Balay Viannistas was,
“Viannista in Communion: Homecoming
to a Synodal Community for the Synodal
Church”. The homecoming held in the
new normal was indeed very significant
as the community and alumni of the
Seminary formally welcomed its first
Diocesan Rector, Rev. Fr. Bobby V. Cena.
Around 130 Viannistas from
the different dioceses of Mindanao
attended the homecoming. They not
only reminisced their seminary days
with fondness but also had fun during
the sporting activities and enjoyed the
evening of fellowship and music. The
graduates of Batch 1997 were especially
honored as they celebrated their Silver
Jubilee in 2022. Also present during
the events were two bishop-alumni,
Most Rev. Noel P. Pedregosa, D.D. of the
Diocese of Malaybalay (Batch 1991)
and Most Rev. Raul D. Dael, D.D. Bishop
of the Diocese of Tandag (Batch 1993).
The opening Eucharistic celebration
was held on October 17, 2022 at 5:00pm
at the Seminary Chapel. It was presided
by Bishop Noel P. Pedregosa, D.D.
Indahag chaplaincy
elevated to parish status
By Grace Fernan
His Excellency Abp. Jose A. Cabantan,
SSJV, DD officiated on September 29, 2022
the ceremony elevating the chaplaincy into
the Three Archangels Parish on September
29, 2022. The Indahag faith community had
previously been under the parish of Our Lady
of Fatima located in Barangay Camaman-an,
Cagayan de Oro City. The Three Archangels
Parish is now under the stewardship of its first
parish priest, Rev. Fr. Harnifer Godinez, SSJV,
who was previously the Father Vicar of Our
Lady of Fatima. As Father Vicar, the Indahag
chapel was among his assignments together
with Lomboy and the Amaya community.
The event was attended by the
Indahag faith community, parishioners
from their mother parish, and the sponsors
and benefactors of their ongoing church
construction. About 30 priests concelebrated
the Eucharistic Celebration.
The new parish has as its priority project
the construction of their parish church to
accommodate the existing and growing
number of faithful.
Prison Ministry bails
4 PDLs
By Gilda Pates
Four persons deprived of liberty (PDLs)
were able to join with their families because
the Prison Ministry of the Archdiocese of
Cagayan de Oro City paid for their bail or
Drug Dependency Exam fee required by the
court for their temporary release.
The bail fund comes from Prisoners’
Enhancement and Support Organization
(PRESO) Inc. The Prison Ministry served as
their custodian while their case hearing goes
on and carries social and legal responsibility
as custodian. The Prison Ministry ensures,
under penalty of law, the PDLs’ attendance
to court hearing and that they should not
jump bail. The biggest challenge is that they
should earn income to support their family
and their personal need.
The highlight of the activities on
October 18 was the talk of the Abbot
of the Abbey of Transfiguration,
Malaybalay, the Rt. Rev. Abbot Savio
Ma. Siccuan, OSB (Batch 1994).
Speaking from his monastic and
priestly experiences, he shared, “The
real brilliance in the sight of God is in
being virtuous: being humble and kind,
being merciful and charitable.” Further,
he said, “The sanctity of St. John
Vianney emanating from his profound
relationship with God brought about
the conversion of countless souls”.
During the Rector’s time on the
same day, Rev. Fr. Bobby V. Cena
presented the accomplishments of the
seminary, the present programs as well
as his long term plans. He also rallied
the alumni to support the Vianney 300
Program to sustain the Seminary’s
operations.
Bishop Raul D. Dael, D.D. was the
main celebrant and homilist of the
Holy Mass to conclude the morning’s
session. Two of the Silver Jubilarians,
Rev. Fathers Sacris Recoleto of the
Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro and
Melcher Alquilita of the Diocese of
Iligan concelebrated the Mass. In
his homily, Bishop Dael said that the
gift of the alumni homecoming is the
strengthening of the font of connection
by going back to the past experiences
in their own context. “Some things that
CFLA conducts marriage encounter seminar
By Lolit T. Bacarrisas
The Christian Family and Life
Apostolate of the Archdiocese of
Cagayan de Oro conducted the Marriage
Encounter Seminar Batch 112 on August
12-14, 2022 at the Cardinal House of
Prayer, Upper Camaman-an, Cagayan de
Oro City.
Attended by nine couples coming
from Vicariate 9, the seminar is in
support of the CFLA’s 50th Anniversary
celebration (1972-2022) with emphasis
on World Meeting of Families.
It is open to all couples who have
been married in the Catholic Church
for at least three years, regardless of
age, education or financial status. This
ME Seminar is a church intervention
program, a chance for couples to evaluate
the state of their relationship after
their marriage. It is a unique approach
aimed at revitalizing the marriage. It is
a Weekend Retreat where the attending
couples are given the opportunity to
examine and renew their lives together
as Husband and Wife. The emphasis
is on the communication between the
couple spending time together away
from distractions of everyday life,
concentrating and listening to each other.
Attendees of the CFLA Marriage Encounter Seminar at the Cardinal House of Prayer. (Photo by CFLA)
11
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Bag-ong
November 2022 - February 2023
hold us in common will nourish and
sustain us for life”, he said. In closing,
he exhorted the clergy-alumni, “Our
priestly ministry should be good news
to the people, one that brings joy to the
poor.”
On October 19, an election of new
alumni officers was held after the
Business Meeting in the morning. Rev.
Fr. Ian Cahayag, Batch 1998 from the
Diocese of Dipolog was elected as new
president. He is currently a formator
and professor in the Seminary.
The entire gathering culminated
with the celebration of the Holy
Eucharist at 10:30 in the morning. This
was presided by Rev Fr. Mark Harvey
Elloren, and concelebrated by some
members of Batch Bunga and 1998.
The Mass was especially offered for the
eternal repose of the souls of the SJVTS
formators and alumni.
The affair was spearheaded by
the Alumni association led by Acting
President, Rev. Fr. Demli Valmores, SSJV
in coordination with the host-batch,
Batch Bunga (2016) represented by
Rev. Fr. Mark Harvey Elloren, and the
co-sponsor of the affair, Batch 1998.
The seminary theologians comprised
the Working Committee.
Congratulations to the Silver
Jubilarians of the Archdiocese of CDO,
Rev. Fathers Floro Barsobia, Wilson
Legaspi, and Sacris Recoleto!
This is their great chance to explore
important areas in their relationship
with love and understanding and learn
continually to grow closer and live more
joyful, purposeful lives together.
The Marriage Encounter Seminar
Batch 112 is part of the Kick-off Program
of Vicariate 9 made possible through the
active and dynamic support of Vicariate
9 CFLA Coordinator Ms. Nilda Villegas.
The Spiritual Director/Priest In-charge
is Reverend Father Garry D. Igot, ACFLA
Director and Sister Janette D. Porras
is the ME Spiritual Directress. The
Couple Rector is Tony Tita Pontipedra,
the ACFLA ME Lay Couple Coordinator
and Couple Vice Rector are Bon and
Ching Maglangit. The entire seminar
was successfully implemented with
the overwhelming support of the ME
Servicing Staff, the generosity from the
MEers and other individuals who were
previous recipients of the ME Program.
Most of the participanting coupless
were already CFLA volunteers n their
respective parishes under Vicariate 9.
The CFLA hopes that these couples, once
evangelized, would become evangelizers
not only in their own families, but be
transformed and to become families for
others.
 12 Bag-ong
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November 2022 - February 2023
Relics of Padre Pio visit Cagayan de Oro
The St. Augustine Metropolitan
Cathedral was filled to capacity on
February 8, 2023 as devotees from all
over the archdiocese and beyond flocked
to venerate the relics of the Italian
Capuchin saint Pius of Pietrelcina, better
known as Padre Pio.
The reliquary image, which is
a replica of Padre Pio’s remains and
enshrined in Cebu, was brought from
Iligan City first to St. Francis Xavier Parish
in Initao and then the Divine Mercy
Shrine in El Salvador City to be displayed
for veneration before being taken to the
cathedral, where Archbishop Emeritus
Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ presided over
a Holy Mass in honor of the saint. The
relics also include some of Padre Pio’s
blood and hair.
Abp. Ledesma discussed the defining
moments in the life of Padre Pio which
included miracles, and noted that the
saint once remarked “My real mission will
happen after my death.” The archbishop
emeritus exhorted the congregation
to ask for Padre Pio’s patronage in the
Philippines, which enjoys being one of
the most populous Catholic countries
today but when it comes to Sunday Mass
attendance falls between Poland (52%)
and Italy (34%) according to the World
Values Survey.
Padre Pio’s relics were brought to
Bishops raise Dansolihon Church to parish status
Fr. Janusz Burzawa, SCJ (top left) is installed as parish priest and Bp. Vilsom Basso, SCJ (top right) delivers assigned to the Dansolihon community as its chaplain.
his homily during the elevation of the quasi-parish of Jesus Nazareno. (Photos from SCJPhil.org)
Special News
Our Lady of Manaoag Chapel in Limketkai
Center the following day, where Abp.
Jose Cabantan presided over a Holy Mass
attended by devotees.
Born Francesco Forgione on May
25, 1887, Padre Pio was known to have
been very religious as a child, making
the decision to dedicate his life to God
at the tender age of five. The future saint
attended daily Mass and served as an
altar boy, but more notably, he also had
visions of guardian angels and spoke
with Jesus and the Virgin Mary. Upon
turning 15, he entered the novitiate of
Photos by Laurence Geralde
the Capuchin friars at Morcone, where
he took the name “Pio” in honor of Pope
Pius I whose relics he often visited. He
was ordained a priest in 1910.
Throughout his life and ministry,
Padre Pio had a reputation as a mystic
and miracle worker, which kept growing
even though he spent most of his life in
the convent of San Giovanni Rotondo. In
1918, he was marked by stigmata, which
led to investigations by the Holy See.
Despite temporary sanctions from the
Vatican, Padre Pio attracted around him a
huge number of followers that only grew
larger and larger, and kept growing even
after his death on September 23, 1968.
He was canonized on June 16, 2002 by
Pope John Paul II.
The quasi-parish of Jesus Nazareno in Dansolihon,
Cagayan de Oro City was elevated to a parish on
February 18, 2023. Leading the ceremony was Abp.
Jose A. Cabantan accompanied by a contingent of
diocesan and religious priests, Abp. Emeritus Antonio
J. Ledesma, S.J., and Dansolihon’s former chaplain and
now bishop of Imperatriz in Brazil, Most Rev. Vilsom
Basso, SCJ.
According to canon 516 in the 1983 Code of Canon
Law, “a quasi-parish is equivalent to a parish; a quasi-
parish is a definite community of the Christian faithful
in a particular church, entrusted to a priest as its
proper pastor but not yet erected as a parish because
of particular circumstances.”
Presently, the Catholic community of Dansolihon
fulfills the criteria necessary for parish status, namely:
to be composed of at least 50 families or 200 persons,
a working Parish Pastoral Council, and a priest whom
they can provide for financially.
Bp. Basso delivered the homily wherein he told
his old congregation, “Gusto nakong isulti kaninyo
mao unsa kahinungdanon ang paghatag suporta sa
mga kabus aron matabangan sila tungod kay mao kini
ang kasingkasing o sentro sa ebanghelyo ni Hesus.””
As a Brazilian missionary of the Congregation of the
Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (SCJ), he arrived in
Cagayan de Oro in 2007 to work as a formator and as
pastor to Dansolihon before being appointed bishop
of Caxias do Maranhão in 2010.
Polish missionary Fr. Janusz Burzawa, SCJ
was installed as Dansolihon’s first parish priest.
Fr. Burzawa was previously the parish priest of
Immaculate Conception Parish in Aluba before being