Vol. 18 No. 18 September 1 - 14, 2014 Php 20.

00
Bishop calls
economic amendments
Malacaangs alibi
MANILA Auxiliary
Bishop Broderick
Pabillo waved off
as a mere alibi of
Malacaang the call
by House Speaker
Feliciano Belmonte
and Senate President
Franklin Drilon to
amend the economic
provision of the 1987
Constitution.
Pabillo, who also
chairs the Catholic
Bishops Conference
of the Philippines
Episcopal Commis-
sion on Public Af-
fairs (CBCP-ECPA),
recently questioned
the need to amend
the Constitutions
economic provision
Amendments / A7
A3 C1 B1
The Cross
A Supplement Publication of KCFAPI and
the Order of the Knights of Columbus
Church / A6
CBCP head appeals for aid
to Christians in Iraq, Syria
Govt asked to speak out on Middle East crisis
By Roy Lagarde
CATHOLIC bishops
have been asked to
take up a collection
for relief efforts for
Christians in Iraq
and Syria.
President of the Catholic
Bishops Conference of the
Philippines Archbishop
Socrates Villegas of Lin-
gayen-Dagupan issued the
appeal on August 28.
He said that while dio-
ceses have their own proj-
ects, we cannot put these
ahead of the suffering of
Christians in that troubled
part of our world.
For many, he said, the
food and drink that sustain
life are daily issues. They
rise from sleep each day to
struggle just to keep them-
selves alive, Villegas said.
I appeal to our Filipino
bishops take up a collection
for the needs of the suffer-
ing Christians in Iraq and
Syria, he said.
They have not only been
evicted from their homes.
Their places of worship
many of them, thousands of
years oldhave been razed
to the ground by a godless
rage with which no genuine
religion can ever identify!
said Villegas.
These collections, accord-
ing to him, will be sent to
the CBCP that will turn-
over the remittance to the
ecclesiastical jurisdictions
of Syria and Iraq.
We must be generous,
and the fact that we have
our own needs here in the
Philippines does not ex-
cuse us from the Christian
obligation of sharing with
our suffering brothers and
sisters from our own need,
he said.
Ruthlessness
Villegas said many Chris-
tians are suffering because
of the ruthlessness of the
Islamic State of Iraq and
Syria (ISIS) and militant
groups of like persuasion
and brutality.
According to him, thou-
sands have been displaced
and must now live as refu-
gees in often squalid condi-
tions because of those who
take it upon themselves to
kill and to terrorize in the
name of God.
We should be particu-
larly appalled that chil-
dren have not been spared.
Among the bodies that the
rampaging onslaught has
Tagle: I am Pope-ready
MANILA Archbishop Lus Anto-
nio G. Cardinal.Tagle expresses
his readiness to play the host
to Pope Francis on the pontiffs
five-day visit to the country
next year.
Lets wait for the formal an-
nouncement. Its highly possible
Tacloban will be includedYes,
I am ready to host the Holy Fa-
ther, he said.
Aware of the Popes aversion
to overly formal routine, the
prelate said Filipino Church
authorities can handle any er-
ratic situation that will have the
Bishop of Rome disobeying his
own offcial itinerary.
tTagle told Radyo Veritas they
have been closely coordinating
with offcials from the Holy See
in charge of the Popes overseas
trips.
Popes jeepney?
The Caviteo cardinal con-
firmed he has been receiving
suggestions to come out with
a Pope mobile that will have
jeepney motifs, but he said
Church officials have yet to
study its feasibility.
A jeepney-inspired Pope mo-
bile, proponents shared, will
give the papal visit a uniquely
Filipino touch, the colorful, if
often inconvenient, vehicle being
iconic of the Filipino spirit.
Meanwhile, Tagle rejoices over
the recently concluded Asian
God-loving no more? CBCP says
its unfortunate
THE head of the Catholic Bish-
ops Conference of the Philip-
pines (CBCP) on Friday said it
is unfortunate that the Depart-
ment of Education (DepEd) re-
Tagle urges lay participation in
Season of Creation
MANILA Archbishop Luis
Antonio Cardinal Tagle
on Monday has called on
the Catholic faithful to be
responsible stewards of
creation by taking part
in the annual Season of
Creation celebration of the
Archdiocese of Manila this
coming September.
In a statement, Tagle
urged the faithful to rein-
vigorate the much needed
sense of responsibility for
environmental ecology as
well as for human ecology,
noting that caring for ones
neighbor goes hand-in-
hand with nurturing Gods
creation.
This Season is meant to
be a [time] when we truly
thank God for the many
ways He has gifted our land
and resolve to cherish and
protect what remains of this
bounty for this and future
generations of Filipinos,
Tagle said, echoing the
words of the 1988 Catholic
Bishops Conference of the
Philippines (CBCP) Pasto-
ral Letter What Is Happen-
ing to Our Beautiful Land.
The Season of Creation,
which was frst celebrated
by the Manila Archdiocese
in 2013, is a month-long cel-
ebration that aims to imple-
ment programs that will
emphasize the importance
of creation as a priceless
gift of the Almighty and
Loving Creator who has
made us into his own image
and likeness.
Serving as the Manila
Church program
feeds 1.5 M+ kids
SINCE its launch in
2005, a church-spon-
sored program has been
feeding as many as 1.5
million Filipino chil-
dren.
Fi nda Lacanl al ay,
e xe c ut i ve di r e c t or
of t he HAPAG- ASA
Integrated Nutrition
Program of Pondo ng
Pinoy (PnP), reported
this number is set to
increase to 1.8 million
once its planned team-
up with the govern-
ment s Depart ment
of Education (DepEd)
pushes through.
Lacanlalay expects
the PnP-DepEd part-
nership will regular-
ly provide nutritious
meals for six months
to an estimated 360,000
undernourished grade
school students, not
only in typhoonYolan-
da-hit areas of the Vi-
sayas, but also in re-
gions affected by recent
calamities.
In the communi -
ties we visit, either on
the parish grounds or
inside the school cam-
pus where we conduct
CBCP chief invites public to
social media confab
IN a newly released video
message, Catholic Bishops
Conference of the Philip-
pines Archbishop Socrates
B. Villegas invites every-
one to the Catholic Social
Media Summit Version
3.0 (CSMS v3.0) to be held
on September 13-14, 2014,
which which organizers
believe will prepare the
youth spiritually in time
for their encounter with
Pope Francis next year.
Acknowledging its indis-
Creation / A7 Confab / A6
Unfortunate / A7 Ready / A6
Aid / A6
Catholic nuns ash a thumbs-down sign during the Stand up, sign up against all pork rally at Luneta Park in Manila, 25 August 2014. The demonstration also launched the gathering of 5.4
million signatures nationwide or 10 percent of the total voting population for the peoples initiative to draft a law scrapping all lump sum discretionary funds. Roy Lagarde
Department of Education (DepEd) secretary Armin Luistro explains that despite the
omission of the term God-loving, being maka-Diyos remains a core value of the
department. Raymond A. Sebastin
Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio
Cardinal Tagle calls on the faithful
to participate in the environmental
campaign of the Archdiocese of
Manila, the Season of Creation.
File photo
Pope Francis is scheduled to pay the Philippines a pastoral and state visit from January
15 to 19, 2015. CNA
I
l
l
u
s
t
r
a
t
i
o
n

b
y

B
r
o
t
h
e
r
s

M
a
t
i
a
s
Pope Francis Korea
visit ignites movement
toward unity
16 years of caring
for street kids: Love
is the measure
A2 Vol. 18 No. 18
September 1 - 14, 2014
CBCP Monitor
World News
Vatican Briefng
Pope Francis Korea visit ignites movement toward unity
A South Korea-based U.S. missionary who frequently crosses
the border to North Korea to bring medicine and support says
that Pope Francis visit advanced efforts to heal a divided
country. Fr. Gerard Hammond, an 81-year-old Maryknoll mis-
sionary, has lived in South Korea since 1960 and has made 51
trips to North Korea since 1995. His mission: to stop deaths
from Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis in North Korea. He
stressed that the visit of our Holy Father was a great bless-
ing for all of us especially for the Korean people that have
suffered so much. His visit left a tremendous impression on
all Koreans, Catholic and non-Catholic. Now we have to
implement the challenge to heal a divided country, society
and church, he said. (CNA)
Pope: Division is among greatest sins of Christian communities
During his weekly general audience Pope Francis spoke on the
unity and holiness of the Church, stating that despite the fact
we are sinners, we are called to live as a community centered
on Christ. In a Christian community division is one of the
most serious sins, because it does not allow God to act, the
Pope said in his Aug. 27 general audience address. What
God wants is that we be welcoming, that we forgive and love
each other so as to become more and more like Him, who is
communion and love. Addressing the thousands of pilgrims
gathered in St. Peters Square, the Roman Pontiff explained
that as Catholics we affrm in the Creed that the Church is
one and that she is holy. (CNA)
Papal envoy: We must see humanity of each Iraqi refugee
The international community must view suffering Iraqi
refugees not as a collective group, but as individual per-
sons, each with his or her own story and needs, the Popes
envoy to the country encouraged. We should set our sight
on every child, every person. When you look at them, sit-
ting on the ground, you dont think them as a crowd. You
think about them as single persons, about each individual
story, Cardinal Fernando Filoni told CNA Aug. 22. Earlier
this month, Pope Francis selected Cardinal Filoni as his
personal envoy to Iraq. In addition to his role as the cur-
rent prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of
Peoples, the cardinal served as Papal nuncio to Iraq from
2001 to 2006. (CNA)
Vatican advisor: Anti-Ebola effort needs intl backup
Though the Church and others are doing much to help
Ebola victims, extraordinary measures are needed to halt
the epidemic, a Vatican advisor on health issues has said.
For example, in a health care center with a capacity of 70
patients, there is need for at least 250 health workers, and
now there is a lack of them, Monsignor Robert Vitillo told
CNA. The countries and the NGOs in the region are now
searching for international volunteers to strengthen the
professional response to the outbreak in those countries.
Msgr. Vitillo is special advisor to the Rome-based Catholic
relief organization confederation Caritas Internationalis
on HIV/AIDS. He also heads Caritas delegation to the
United Nations in Geneva and collaborates with the Holy
See. (CNA)
Popes 2015 World Peace Day message will focus on
human trafficking
Human traffcking destroys the lives of millions of children,
women and men each year, making it a real threat to peace, the
Vatican said as it announced Pope Francis 2015 World Peace
Day message would focus on the phenomenon. Slaves no
more, but brothers and sisters will be the theme for the Jan.
1, 2015, commemoration and for the message Pope Francis
will write for the occasion, according to the Pontifcal Council
for Justice and Peace. Pope Francis has called human traffck-
ing a crime against humanity and an open wound on the
body of contemporary society, a scourge upon the body of
Christ. (CNS)
Pope to Gazas Catholics: Be Christs witness in midst of conflict
The priest leading the Gaza Strips only Catholic parish
met with Pope Francis at the Vatican, thanking him for
his support of those suffering in the war-torn territory.
Argentine Father Jorge Hernandez of the Institute of the
Incarnate Word had a 45-minute private meeting with the
pope Aug. 29 -- just days after the start of a truce between
Israel and Hamas, which controls the coastal territory. The
36-year-old priest told Vatican Radio that the pope contin-
ued to offer his prayers and encouragement. He said the
pope told him, The Gospel demands the sacrifices that
Jesus Christ asks of every one of us, everywhere. Its up
to you to give witness to Jesus Christ there, in the land
that saw him suffer, that saw him die, that also saw him,
however, come back from the dead. So, be strong, have
courage, keep going! (CNS)
Pope Francis: the Church is a mother who guides her children
In his general audience Pope Francis continued his cateche-
sis on the Church, turning to the aspect of her maternity,
of which the Virgin Mary is a model encouraging us to
reach out to our brothers and sisters. The Church is also
mother because she cares for her children and guides us
on the path of salvation, the Pope stated in his Sept. 3
general audience. She nourishes and sustains us with the
sacraments; she illuminates us with the light of the Gospel,
orients us to the good, encourages us in moments of dark-
ness and defends us from the snares of evil, exhorting us
to vigilance so as not to succumb to its seductions. Ad-
dressing the thousands of pilgrims gathered in St. Peters
Square to hear his weekly address, the pontiff began by
noting that In our catechesis, we have often noted that
we do not become a Christian on our own, but by being
born and nurtured in the faith in the midst of the People
of God, that is the Church. (CNA)
Pope blesses international, interfaith soccer match for peace
Taking up a suggestion from Pope Francis, Argentine Diego
Maradona and other soccer stars past and present played
an Interreligious Match for Peace and tolerance Sept. 1,
drawing some 20,000 spectators to Romes Olympic Stadium.
The match is an occasion for raising funds for solidarity proj-
ects, but above all (for promoting) values that draw people
together, no matter what their culture or religious creed,
the pope told the participants and organizers earlier in the
day, during a private audience at the Vatican. He thanked
those present for having promptly followed my desire to
see champions and coaches of various countries and diverse
religions face each other in a sports match, to bear witness
to feelings of fraternity and friendship. Soccer is a human
phenomenon, and special, Pope Francis said. A sports
event is a highly symbolic act that helps show it is possible
to build a culture of encounter and a world of peace, in which
believers of diverse religions conserve their own identity
while living in mutual respect. (CNS)
Middle East patriarchs meet diplomats,
call for wiping out terrorists
BEIRUT, Lebanon, Aug. 28,
2014Catholic and Orthodox
patriarchs of the Middle East
denounced attacks on Christians
and called upon the international
community to work toward
eradicating terrorist groups.
The patriarchs met Aug. 27 at
the Maronite Catholic patriarch-
ate at Bkerke, north of Beirut,
for a special summit to address
the crisis in the region. They
were later joined by the United
Nations special coordinator in
Lebanon and the ambassadors
of the fve permanent member-
countries of the U.N. Security
Council.
The very existence of Chris-
tians is at stake in several Arab
countries -- notably in Iraq, Syria
and Egypt -- where they have
been exposed to heinous crimes,
forcing them to fee, the patri-
archs said in a statement after
the summit and meeting with
diplomats.
They lamented the indiffer-
ence of both Islamic authorities
and the international community
over attacks against Christians,
who have been in the region for
2,000 years.
What is painful is the absence
of a stance by Islamic authorities,
and the international community
has not adopted a strict stance
either, the patriarchs said.
We call for issuing a fatwa
(Islamic religious ruling) that
forbids attacks against others,
they said.
The international community
cannot keep silent about the ex-
istence of the so-called ISIS, the
patriarchs said, referring to the
Islamic State. They should put an
end to all extremist terrorist groups
and criminalize aggression against
Christians and their properties.
The prelates meeting was a
follow-up to their frst summit
Aug. 7. It also follows a trip by
several of them to Irbil, the capi-
tal of Iraqs Kurdish region, to
give moral and spiritual support
to the food of Iraqi minorities
driven from the Ninevah Plain
by the Islamic State militants.
The prelates stressed the need
for cutting off the sources of
terrorism and called on the
worlds major powers to deprive
extremist groups of resources by
compelling countries fnancing
them to stop their support.
Solutions to the Islamic State
crisis must involve dealing
with the reasons that produced
the miseries in the Middle East,
and harmony must be restored
between the components of these
countries, they said.
The international community
must act and eradicate the Islamic
State, the patriarchs said. This is
required from the United Nations
and the U.N. Security Council.
We must stop using extrem-
ists, terrorists and mercenaries
and (stop) supporting, fnancing
and arming them, they said.
They also stressed the neces-
sity of working to liberate the
towns of Ninevah and facili-
tate the return of the displaced
to their homes, in addition to
ensuring the security of these
towns with local and interna-
tional guarantees to prevent
displacement.
The patriarchs denounced
the bleeding that continues in
Syria and said the confict there
must be solved by dialogue and
through a political solution.
They criticized the international
community for not resolving the
April 2013 kidnapping of two
Orthodox bishops in Syria.
As for the threat of the Islamic
State in Lebanon, particularly
in light of the Islamic militants
incursion into the country near
its border with Syria early Au-
gust, the prelates underscored
the importance of the Lebanese
political system that separates
between the religion and the
state, and which acknowledges
religious freedoms.
We reject religious extremism
in Lebanon. Lebanon is a country
for all and not a country where
there are different religious emir-
ates, they said.
About 33 percent of Lebanons
existing population of 4 million
is Christian, with the major-
ity Maronite Catholics. But that
demographic has changed, with
the food of refugees from neigh-
boring Syria, mostly Muslim,
now equal to more than one-
quarter of Lebanons population.
Under Lebanons power-shar-
ing system, the president must
be a Maronite Catholic, but that
post has been vacant since the
term of former Lebanese Presi-
dent Michel Suleiman ended
May 25. Rival political blocs are
still divided over a new leader.
The patriarchs addressed the
impasse, urging all political
blocs to isolate the presidential
elections from regional and
international conflicts and to
reach an accord regarding the
election of a president as soon
as possible.
The summit, presided by Car-
dinal Bechara Rai, Maronite
patriarch was attended by: Syr-
iac Orthodox Patriarch Ignatius
Aphrem II; Armenian Catholic
Patriarch Nerses Bedros XIX
Tarmouni; Melkite Catholic
Patriarch Gregoire III Laham;
Syriac Catholic Patriarch Ignace
Joseph III Younan; Catholicos
Aram of Cilicia, patriarch of the
Armenian Apostolic Church;
Chaldean Catholic Patriarch
Louis Sako; a representative of
the Greek Orthodox Church;
and the head of the Evangelical
Council, Rev. Salim Sahyouni.
They were later joined by
the Vatican nuncio to Lebanon,
Archbishop Gabriele Caccia;
Russian Ambassador Alexander
Zasypkin; U.S. Ambassador
David Hale; British Ambassa-
dor Tom Fletcher; Derek Plum-
bly, personal representative
of the U.N. secretary-general
in Lebanon; Jerome Kochar,
charge daffaires of the French
Embassy; and Han Jing, charge
daffaires of the Chinese Em-
bassy.
On Aug. 28, Cardinal Rai left
for the Vatican, where he was
to meet with Pope Francis to
discuss the crisis in Iraq and
the region as well as Lebanons
presidential impasse.
A group of the patriarchs,
along with Cardinal Leonardo
Sandri, prefect of the Congrega-
tion for Eastern Churches, are
scheduled to participate in the
Sept. 9-11 In Defense of Chris-
tians Inaugural Summit for
Middle East Christians in Wash-
ington. As part of that visit, the
prelates also plan to meet with
members of Congress and White
House offcials. (CNS)
Melkite Catholic Patriarch Gregoire III Laham was one of the Middle East patriarchs who
attended a special summit to discuss the ongoing crisis in the region. CNA
Catholic aid groups hope latest Israeli-Hamas
cease-fre holds
JERUSALEM, Aug. 27, 2014Catholic aid
organizations are hopeful that the most
recent cease-fre between Israel and Hamas
will hold as they begin to assess the needs
in Gaza after 50 days of war.
This is a window of opportunity, said
Sami El-Yousef, Catholic Near East Welfare
Associations regional director for Israel
and the Palestinian territories. (We hope)
the unity government will take the lead. A
lot of people here think the stage is set (for)
a meaningful resumption of negotiations.
Now it is up to leaders on both sides to
make it happen, to move beyond (the same
political hurdles.)
Palestinian civil defense offcers in Beit
Lahiya, Gaza Strip, inspect the rubble of a
destroyed tower shortly after a cease-fre
was announced Aug. 26. (CNS/EPA)
Both leaderships must rise up to the oc-
casion for us to move forward. Otherwise,
the temporary cease-fre may last for a
few months, then we will be back to the
resumption of hostilities.
The cease-fre that took effect Aug. 26
calls for the easing of the Israeli-enforced
embargo to allow humanitarian aid and
construction material into Gaza under
strict monitoring. Egyptians, who brokered
the cease-fre, will open the Rafah crossing
into the Gaza Strip. Terms also include
enlarging the offshore zone for Palestinian
fshermen to six miles.
The agreement was the latest of numer-
ous attempts to end a seven-week confict
in which more than 2,100 largely civilian
Palestinians and 70 Israelis, including 64
soldiers, were killed.
The organizations have coordinated
their aid efforts, with Caritas Jerusalem
focusing on food and cash assistance
while Catholic Relief Services is distribut-
ing nonfood items and CNEWA is assist-
ing with repairing damaged homes and
institutions.
Father Raed Abusahlia, director of Cari-
tas Jerusalem, said his agencys long-term
emergency appeal would last until Christ-
mas. He said Caritas will provide food to
2,000 families as well as a cash distribution
about $350 to all the Christian families in
Gaza, with specifc emphasis on those who
lost all of their possessions and homes.
Caritas also will provide all the neces-
sary school supplies for the students of the
fve Christian schools in Gaza, although it
is not clear when school will begin.
At the same time we have already sent
three truckloads of food, diapers, milk
and hygiene supplies last week, he said,
noting that the almost $84,000 worth of
supplies came from local Catholic parishes
as well as four Israeli groups.
El-Yousef said response to CNEWAs
earlier appeal for help from its donors has
surpassed expectations, largely thanks to
donations from European donors; he said
donations would soon top $1 million. He
added that the money will be largely used
to help rebuild and rehabilitate Christian
homes and institutions damaged during
the confict. (CNS)
Greek Catholics face hostility amid unrest in Ukraine
ROME, Italy, Aug 29, 2014A
bishop of the Ukrainian Greek
Catholic Church called for peace
amid escalating conflict with
pro-Russian separatists, stating
that the Church there is facing
increased persecution as fghting
goes on.
Even if its not announced
it seems like a war against
Ukraine, Monsignor Dionisio
Lachovicz told CNA Aug. 28. I
believe that the only hope is in
the Lord, therefore we call the
whole world to pray for peace.
Msgr. Lachovicz, apostolic
visitor for the Ukrainian Greek-
Catholic Church in Italy and
in Spain, explained that in the
midst of rising tensions between
the Ukraine and pro-Russian
separatists a new persecution
is being waged against the Greek
Catholics located in the territo-
ries in Russian hands.
These are, he clarified, the
areas of Crimea and in the
territories where the Russia-
friendly separatists are seeking
to impose their power.
In Donetsk, a large city in
Eastern Ukraine, the bishops
residence has been sacked and
sealed. The cathedrals land has
been struck by separatist rockets.
The bishops and almost all of
the Greek-Catholics priests have
been forced to leave the area of
Donetsk, the bishop explained.
The Church has been des-
ecrated by the rebels who black-
mail the clergy, threatening re-
prisals on the parishioners. And
only some days ago the monas-
tery of the Servants of God was
occupied by separatists.
According to BBC News,
nearly 2,600 people have been
killed since April, when Russias
annexation of Crimea prompted
rebels to take over large parts
of the Donetsk and Luhansk
regions.
Heavy fghting continues near
Ukraines strategic Mariupol
port, which lays off the Azov
Sea. Rebel forces are currently at-
tempting to capture the city, but
Ukrainian government troops
are holding ground.
Russian president Vladimir
Putin and Ukrainian president
Petro Poroshenko met Aug. 26
to discuss the ongoing crisis,
shaking hands and leaving with
Poroshenkos assurance that a
new roadmap to peace would
be laid out.
However tensions skyrock-
eted when at least 1,000 Russian
troops entered Ukraine two days
later, BBC reports, prompting an
Aug. 29 emergency U.N. Secu-
rity Council meeting to address
the situation.
If the Russian Orthodox
Church together with all of the
Churches in the Ukraine joined
together in the name of love in
the prayer of Jesus that all may
be one to dialogue, then they
would reach a much more realis-
tic roadmap, Msgr. Lachovicz
explained.
He lamented the fact that rath-
er than unifying the churches
after past quarrels, the current
situation is being used to cause
greater division, stating that dur-
ing the 4th European forum for
Orthodox-Catholic dialogue last
June, the metropolitan Hilarion
of Volokolamsk, president of
the Department for external
ecclesiastical relations of the Pa-
triarchate of Moscow, without
any documented confrmed ac-
cused the Greek Catholic Church
in the destructive role in the
Ukraine crisis.
Patriarch Kirill of the Russian
Orthodox Church has sent a
letter to all of the heads of the
Orthodox Churches and to dif-
ferent European political organ-
isms with similar accusations.
If all sides to the confict could
truly reach an agreement, they
would confirm the simple
determination of Pope Fran-
cis that Nothing is lost with
peace, the bishop observed.
The attention of Pope Francis
to the situation in the Ukraine
has always been very great and
his messages and prayers, I
believe, that soon they will over-
come every evil that oppresses
the Ukrainian land.
Explaining how the Ukrainian
people as a whole are grateful to
Pope Francis, Msgr. Lachovicz
also offered special thanks to
Mons. Thomas E. Gullickson, ap-
ostolic nuncio in Ukraine, whos
messages and appeals are very
present and concrete.
I would like to invite every-
one to pray for peace along with
the Holy Father, the bishop
said, because to make peace
requires courage, much more so
than to make war.
Courage to say yes to en-
counter and no to confict; yes to
dialogue and no to violence; yes
to negotiation and no to hostility,
yes to the observance of pacts
and no to provocations; yes to
sincerity and no to duplicity.
This is the heartfelt appeal
that Pope Francis has addressed
to all the Churches of the world.
(CNA)
A3 Vol. 18 No. 18
September 1 - 14, 2014
CBCP Monitor
News Features
Pope Francis Korea
visit ignites movement
toward unity
VATICAN CITY, Aug 27, 2014
-- A South Korea-based U.S. mis-
sionary who frequently crosses
the border to North Korea to
bring medicine and support says
that Pope Francis visit advanced
efforts to heal a divided country.
Father Gerard Hammond, an
81-year-old Maryknoll mission-
ary, has lived in South Korea
since 1960 and has made 51 trips
to North Korea since 1995.
His mission: to stop deaths
from Multi-Drug Resistant Tu-
berculosis in North Korea.
Due to do the security laws in
South Korea, it is very diffcult to
send humanitarian aid to North
Korea without the agreement of
the Ministry of Reunifcation,
the priest told CNA.
Fr. Hammond can enter North
Korea thanks to the Eugene
Bell Foundation, a U.S.-based
organization allowed admission
to enter the country to give hu-
manitarian aid, which includes a
slot for Catholic missionaries.
The latest trip took place this
spring from Apr. 21-May 6.
Their work is well-known in
the Vatican, and Pope Francis
had been informed about them.
He met each one of the 14
Maryknollers in our Seoul House.
When Pope Francis met me, he
spoke two words, North Korea-
tuberculosis and squeezed my
arm, Fr. Hammond recounted.
He stressed that the visit of
our Holy Father was a great bless-
ing for all of us especially for the
Korean people that have suffered
so much. His visit left a tremen-
dous impression on all Koreans,
Catholic and non-Catholic.
Now we have to implement
the challenge to heal a divided
country, society and church,
he said.
I hope the visit of the Holy
Father to be the spark for the
beginning a move toward Peace
on the Peninsula and for Recon-
ciliation for the peoples of North
and South Korea.
Fr. Hammond will return to
North Korea for a trip this fall
from Oct. 13-Nov. 4, saying
that there is no shortage of
places and people that need help,
whether it is through medicine,
diagnostic machines, or other
critical supplies.
Until now, we delivered
medical supplies to patients in
12 treatment centers. Starting
early in the morning, we work
ceaselessly to make sure all the
patients waiting at each center
could be tested and we could
enroll as many new people as
possible.
Fr. Hammond explained to
CNA that the missionaries are
able to use six Gene X-perts
state-of-the-art medical de-
vices that allow us to diagnose
Multi Drug Resistant Tubercu-
losis within 2 hours and deliver
medicine to critically-ill patients
without having to wait 6 months
until our next trip.
On each trip we treat a 1,000
Multi Drug Resistant tubercolo-
sis patients.
Until now, the missionaries
have cured more than 70 percent
of their patients, compared with
a worldwide cure rate of only 48
percent. (Andrea Gagliarducci/
CNA)
Daejon, South Korea - Aug. 15, 2014: Pope Francis celebrated Mass in Daejon, South Korea for the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Aug. 15, 2014. CNA
Pope: Being envious,
mean-spirited may
be human, but its
not Christian
VATICAN CITY, Aug 27, 2014
-- Envy, jealousy and meanness
are human instincts, but they are
not Christian, since the division
they cause among believers is the
work of the devil, Pope Francis
said.
Instead, God wants us to
grow in the ability to come to-
gether, forgive each other and
love each other in order to be
ever more like him, he said at
his weekly general audience
Aug. 27.
A strong breeze and tem-
peratures around 80 degrees
made it possible to move the
weekly event from the indoor
air-conditioned Vatican audience
hall to St. Peters Square, where
more than 12,000 people gath-
ered for the popes catechesis
and blessing.
The Creed describes the Cath-
olic Church as being one and
holy, the pope said, yet its
members are sinners, who ex-
perience, every day, their own
fragility and wretchedness.
Thats why this faith we
profess impels us toward con-
version, to have the courage to
live in unity and holiness every
day, he said.
If we are not united, if we are
not holy, its because we are not
being faithful to Jesus, who is
the source of all unity and holi-
ness, the pope said.
Divisions are manifested not
only in schisms or major rifts
among Christians; they also fre-
quently occur on the local level,
as parochial sins, in Catholic
parishes, schools, communities
and organizations, Pope Francis
said.
Sometimes, in fact, our par-
ishes, which are called to be
places of sharing and commu-
nion, are sadly marked by envy,
jealousy, resentment.
This is human, but it is not
Christian! the pope said.
How much gossip (goes on)
in parishes, the pope lamented.
We mustnt do it! I wont tell
you to cut off your tongue. No.
Not that. But do ask the Lord for
the grace to not do it, all right?
The refusal to gossip, in fact,
is such an outstanding Christian
virtue, it should make a person
a saint overnight, the pope said.
He recalled the sterling repu-
tation of an elderly woman who
used to work in a parish in his
former Archdiocese of Buenos
Aires, Argentina.
People remembered her as
someone who never talked
badly of others, never gossiped,
was always with a smile. A
woman like that can be canon-
ized tomorrow! This is beautiful,
this is a great example, he said
to applause.
Confict arises when people
judge others; look only at others
defects, not their gifts; give more
weight to differences than com-
mon ground; make themselves
the top priority; and follow their
own ambitions and points of
view, he added.
This is the holiness of the
church: in recognizing in each
other the image of God, who
calls for continual conversion
in everyone. (Carol Glatz/CNS)
Vatican spokesman: ISIS threat to Pope
Francis unfounded
VATICAN CITY, Aug 26, 2014 -- In response
to rumors that the Islamic State may be tar-
geting Pope Francis, Fr. Federico Lombardi
S.J. said there is no reason for concern.
There is nothing serious to this. There is
no particular concern in the Vatican. This
news has no foundation, the spokesman
told CNA Aug. 26.
The rumors spread following an Aug. 25
article published in Italian newspaper Il
Tempo, which said the number of jihad-
ists in Italy is on the rise due to the infux
of unidentifed immigrants in the country.
According to the article, Islamic funda-
mentalists led by Al-Baghdadi plan to raise
the level of confrontation in Europe and
alluded to Israeli sources who said that Pope
Francis is also in the crosshairs of ISIS as
the greatest exponent of the Christian reli-
gions and the bearer of false truth.
Al-Baghdadi has been named as Caliph
the head of state and absolute monarch of
the self-proclaimed Islamic State in western
Iraq and north-eastern Syria, and is the
former head of the Islamic State of Iraq and
the Levant (ISIL), also known as the Islamic
State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
While the reports regarding the threat of
attacks in Europe and on the Pope appear to
be unfounded, an Aug. 20 article published
by Italian news agency Rai reveals that Italy
is tightening its security.
According to the agency, there have been
no targeted threats or specifc indications of
attacks on Italy. However, a nationwide alert
has been issued. (CNA/EWTN News)
Family prayer time best
preps for papal visit priest
JARO, Iloilo City, Aug 26,
2014 The best way Filipi-
nos can prepare for the papal
visit next year is to bring back
the family prayer time, says
a priest.
Program Director of the
Katesismo sa Kahanginan
Apostolate (KSKA) Fr. Elmo
Cary Montao re-echoed the
Philippine bishops invitation
to prepare to see the Pope by
reviving personal and family
prayer during a message
given on the occasion of the
groups 18th foundation an-
niversary on August 22.
Bringing back devotions
Commenting further on
the state of the domestic
church in the Philippines,
the tri-media program direc-
tor lamented the fact that in
many house blessings he has
administered recently, he
observed that fewer homes
display traditional Christian
images: I enter the house,
but do not find the fam-
ily altar or the images of the
Crucifx, the Sacred Heart of
Jesus, Our Lady, St. Joseph or
the Saints. Instead, you see a
poster of Vice Ganda!
In relating these experi-
ences, Montao challenged
the laity involved in the tri-
media apostolate to help
transform Christian homes
through family prayer and
bring back traditional Chris-
tian devotions.
The priest also challenged
the attendees to be conscious of
how media distracts the faithful
from what is essential in life.
If we have a problem, do
we seek God, or do we just
log on to Facebook?If we
need inspiration or consola-
tion do we turn to God, or do
we turn to the telenovela?
Montao asked his listeners.
Katesismo sa Kahanginan
Apostolate was started by
Msgr. Jose Pepe Buenafor
who pioneered the use of the
mass media in the service of
evangelization.
Msgr. Buenafor founded a
tri-media apostolate in Iloilo
with the daily radio program
Katesismo sa Kahanginan
in 1997, a newsletter Ang
Katekista in 1998 and a
cable television program,
Manugsab-og in 1999.
Katesismo sa Kahanginans
18th anniversary celebration
was held at La Isabelita Hall
of the National Shrine of Our
Lady of Candles in Jaro, Iloilo
City. (Fr. Mickey Cardenas)
Education for poor, not CCTbishop
MALAYBALAY City, Bukidnon,
Aug 28, 2014Amid controver-
sies surrounding the project,
a churchman from Bukidnon
suggests the money being rolled
out for the governments Con-
ditional Cash Transfer (CCT)
program should be redirected
to subsidize the education of the
Filipino youth instead.
Malaybalay Bishop Jose Ca-
bantan believes the P1,500-
P2,000 cash gift indigent Fili-
pino families receive monthly
will be better off funding the
studies of poor but deserving
students.
Cabantan shared over Radyo
Veritas that investing in educa-
tion must be a government pri-
ority because it opens enormous
opportunities for the underprivi-
leged to improve their lot in life.
Eradicating extreme poverty
The bishop noted CCT, or what
benefciaries more popularly re-
fer to as Pantawid Pamilyang
Pilipino Program (Four Ps), is
one of the ways the Philippine
government uses to achieve the
so-called Millennium Develop-
ment Goals (MDGs) initiated by
the United Nations (UN).
The UN website explains
MDGs are the worlds time-
bound and quantified targets
for addressing extreme poverty
in its many dimensions-income
poverty, hunger, disease, lack of
adequate shelter, and exclusion-
while promoting gender equali-
ty, education, and environmental
sustainability.
I think this is really in line
with MDG 2015. In terms of
poverty alleviation through
education, I doubt if they have
reached the goal, said he.
According to pantawid.dswd.
gov.ph, the goals being targeted
by PH are as follows:
1. Eradicate extreme poverty
and hunger
2. Achieve universal primary
education
3. Promote gender equality
4. Reduce child mortality
5. Improve maternal health
Culture of dependency
Cabantan said MDGs promote
population control, which the
UN and other proponents see as
necessary for eventual progress.
In an earlier report, Lingayen-
Dagupan Archbishop Emeritus
Oscar Cruz criticized the CCT
program, saying it breeds a cul-
ture of dependency among the
Filipino poor.
The former Catholic Bishops
Conference of the Philippines
(CBCP) head emphasized CCT,
while it ostensibly relieves the
neediest, actually injures the
benefciaries dignity and self-
worth, because they are condi-
tioned to believe it is only right
to regularly collect money they
did not earn.
Cruz stressed the program
teaches people the wrong val-
ues in life even as it offers cor-
rupt politicians a chance to steal
and the means to manipulate
future voters.
For his part, Manila Auxil-
iary Bishop Broderick S. Pabillo,
who chairs CBCPs Episcopal
Commission on Public Affairs
(ECPA), believes CCT must be
given a chance, urging the gov-
ernment to push for an external
evaluation before it decides on
whether to continue or to scrap
the much-battered program of
the Department of Social Wel-
fare and Development (DSWD).
(Raymond A. Sebastin)
According to reports, an estimated P9.5B is needed to fund the hiring of 31,335 much-needed teachers in the country. CBCP News
Vatican City - November 21, 2013: Pope Francis greets Filipino pilgrims in St. Peters
Basilica on Nov. 21, 2013. CNA
A family prays the Stations of the Cross together during Holy Week 2014. CBCP News
A4 Vol. 18 No. 18
September 1 - 14, 2014
CBCP Monitor
EDITORIAL
Opinion
Pedro C. Quitorio
Editor-in-Chief
Nirvaana E. Delacruz
Associate Editor
Roy Q. Lagarde
News Editor
Kris Bayos
Features Editor

The CBCP Monitor is published fortnightly by the Areopagus
Social Media for Asia, Inc. with editorial and business offces
at 3rd Flr. HHC Building, Victoria cor. Basco Sts., Intramuros,
Manila. Editorial: (063) 404-2182. Business: (063)404-1612.;
ISSN 1908-2940
Ronalyn R. Regino
Layout Artist
Gloria Fernando
Marketing Supervisor
Ernani M. Ramos
Circulation Manager
Marcelita Dominguez
Comptroller
www.cbcpmonitor.com
cbcpmonitor@cbcpworld.net
I
l
l
u
s
t
r
a
t
i
o
n

b
y

B
r
o
t
h
e
r
s

M
a
t
i
a
s
THE invitation to conversion, to return to Jesus and to the
joy of bringing him into our world, is issued to all members
of the Church, including bishops, priests and religious. But
in the Year of the Laity, when we are specially aware of the
valued role the laity play in the proclamation of Jesus and
the transformation of our Philippine culture according to
the heart of Jesus, allow us only to invite the laity to urgent
action in three areas:
The immediate responsibility for our Catholic families belongs
to the laity. Lead our families back to Jesus! Here, nothing is
more urgent than that parents introduce their children credibly
to the compelling love of Jesus, and that children see their
parents as exemplars of human goodness and responsibility
impelled by the love of Jesus. No Christian family can
fourish without prayer, worship, service to each other, and
service to others. No family can be Christian reared only on
junk food, trashy media, selfshness, and indifference to the
needs of others.
Catholic families have responsibility for the life of the
Church community. Get involved in the Churchs parishes,
the Churchs organizations and the Churchs schools. Make
sure that they are not turned in on themselves, missing to
bring the life of Jesus to those in our world who need Jesus
most. Help them in the spirit of Pope Francis to Go forth!
Recall the challenge of Pope Francis to the youth of Brazil!
The Catholic laity has immediate responsibility for a just
social order, which we in the Philippines have far from
achieved. In carrying out this responsibility, it should not
only be guided by the social doctrine of the Church, but
should spread it. Through a return to Jesus, we must beg to
be converted from the idolatry of money and the obsession
with private property and private gain. In Gods love for all,
we must recover not only our sense of the common good, but
our obligation to work for it and achieve it, even at the cost
of personal convenience or of personal treasure.
This entails not only turning away from the corruption that
has so shamefully marred our history, but to embracing
positive action for the good of all. This means acquiring
the learning, gaining the skills, cultivating the wisdom, and
making the hard choices that the common good entails. It also
means acknowledging humbly and respecting the cultural,
religious, confessional and ideological diversity that belongs
to human and Philippine society today. The shared pursuit
of the common good through dialogue hopes for an ever-
improved synthesis in human community and community
with the environment
-- Lifted from the CBCP Pastoral Exhortation, To bring glad
tidings to the poor (Lk 4:18), January 2104
THE beheading of a second American journalist and the
continuing acts of barbarism by the Islamic State militant group
(ISIS) that are tactically dispatched as propaganda materials over
social media are sending a repugnant horror to well-meaning
citizens of the world--and should now be raising the bar of
political consensus among strategic world leaders.
But more than the horrible spectacle being peddled to its global
audience, the ISIS, which has declared a self-styled caliphate,
holds roughly a third of Iraq and Syria, including several
strategically important cities like Fallujah and Mosul in Iraq
and Raqqa in Syria. According to media reports, it now rules
over a population of several million people that adheres to its
fundamental religious perspective--the strict interpretation of
the Islamic law. It now has its own civil administration and
judiciary and claims thousands of heavily arms fghters that are
recruited from all over the world.
It acts as a state in areas that dont have a state at the moment.
Its effective because it provides services, it has a military
presence, it speaks as a state, said Hassan Hassan, an analyst
at the Delma Institute in Abu Dhabi, as reported by Associated
Press. In propaganda videos now going viral in social media,
this group lays out ambitious expansion plans that include global
targets. They represent a great threat to humanity. These groups
dont just want to conquer a piece of territory and stay there.
Their objective is the whole world, said Amel Shamon Nona,
the Chaldean archbishop of Mosul in an interview over Vatican
Radio. There is reason to be worried and the possibility is real.
Im really worried, said Bishop Martin Jumoad of Isabela in
Basilan, who is in constant confict with a local terrorist group.
It is well organized, heavily bankrolled, sophisticated and,
maybe, over the league of the Third Reich of Germanys Adolf
Hitler. While Hitlers soldiers were all Germans, the military
recruits of ISIS emerge from all over the world; Muslims
who presumably espouse the same jihadist perspective and
fervor. They are well trained and heavily indoctrinated. After
their brush of barbarism with the ISIS operations in Iraq and
Syria, it must be chilling to watch when these recruits return
to their respective countries or when they are sent on mission
to global targets.
Defnitely a hundred times bigger than Al Qaeda that took the
Americans 10 years to neutralize, ISIS is the new face of terrorism.

Fr. Roy Cimagala
Candidly Speaking
Candidly Speaking / A7
Challenges in the Year of the Laity
The new face of terrorism
Young, Joyful,
Alert Lay Witnesses
Changing gears
And Thats The Truth / A7
Is this world on fre?
Fr. James H. Kroeger, MM
Living Mission
Year of Laity Reections
Teresa R. Tunay, OCDS
and thats the truth
YOUTH are the future is an often repeated
slogan; probably, it is more accurate to affrm
that youth are the present. The Catholic
bishops of Asia (FABC) have noted, the
youth of Asia are the mirror of Asia; they
possess great potential to serve the Churchs
mission in Asia where 60% of the worlds
population lives.
The apostolic visit of Pope Francis to Korea
(August 14-18) is still fresh in our minds.
The pope specifcally chose the occasion of
the Sixth Asian Youth Day to make his frst
pastoral visit to Asia. His homily at the con-
cluding Mass centered on the theme: Asian
Youth! Wake up!
Pope Francis told the youth: As Asians,
you have a right and a duty to take full part
in the life of your societies. Do not be afraid
to bring the wisdom of your faith to every
aspect of social life. As Christians, he
continued, you can appreciate the many
positive values of the diverse Asian cultures.
You are also able to discern what is incompat-
ible with your Catholic faith.
As youth, you are flled with the optimism,
energy and good will which are so character-
istic of this period in life. Let Christ turn your
natural optimism into Christian hope, your
energy into moral virtue, your good will into
genuine self-sacrifcing love. As Christians,
the pope noted, you are not only a part of the
future of the Church, you are also a necessary
and beloved part of the Churchs present.
The pope urged the young people of Asia
to help build a holier, more missionary and
humble Church that seeks to serve the poor,
the lonely, the infrm and the marginalized.
Similarly, when Pope Francis was present
at the 2013 Rio World Youth Day, he recog-
nized the evangelizing force of Churchs
young laity. He challenged the youth (and all
Catholics) to put on Christ and your life will
be full of his love; it will be a fruitful life.
Be joyful witnesses of His love, courageous
witnesses of His Gospel, carrying to this
world a ray of His light.
I say to each one of you, put on faith,
and your life will take on a new favor; it will
have a compass to show you the way; put
on hope and every one of your days will be
enlightened and your horizon will no longer
be dark, but luminous; put on love and your
life will be like a house built on rock, your
journey will be joyful.
In Rio, Pope Francis told the youth: The
Church needs you, your enthusiasm, your
creativity and the joy that is so characteristic
of you. Do not be afraid! When we go to
proclaim Christ, it is he himself who goes
before us and guides us. When he sent his
disciples on mission, he promised: I am with
you always (Mt 28:20). And, this is also
true for us! Jesus does not leave us alone,
he never leaves you alone!
Once, when asked what he expected of
the Rio World Youth Day, Francis replied:
I expect a mess. There will be one. But I
want a mess in the dioceses! I want people
to go out! I want the Church to go out to
the street. The parishes, the schools, the
institutions, exist to go out! Today, we
need a Church capable of walking at peoples
side. Do not be afraid to go and to bring
Christ into every area of life.
Pope Francis constant emphasis on the
missionary nature of the Church extends
to all the laity. Whether we are young or
not-so-young, as Catholic laity we should
allow ourselves to be set afre by the popes
dynamic language. All the laityyouth and
adultsare called to be lay missioners!
THE way things are now, what with all the
glare, blare and rapidity of modern, highly
technological life, we need to re-study how
to change gears not only in our whole life in
general, but also in our day-to-day routine.
What we of the older generation used to
know and use about this skill may not be
helpful anymore now with the Generation Y.
At least, we need to tweak it a little, if not
do some major changes, adjustments and
adaptations, or we may even need to com-
pletely reinvent ourselves. This seems to be
the call of the times. Yes, there are things that
should not change, but we cannot deny there
also are many things that need to change.
Virtues will always be virtues, and vices
will always be vices. But the way they are
established, expressed and developed have
changed quite signifcantly. The terrain is
now very different from what it used to be.
We have to be most wary of the almost
irresistible pull of the modern technologies.
They tend to rivet us to a particular feld of
interest, confning us there often with the
sensation we are doing all right. We fail to
realize we are neglecting other aspects that
are even more important and fundamental
in life.
This is when we can unwittingly fall into
some bad habits and even addictions. We
lose the proper sense of objectivity and get
more buried under an increasingly invincible
subjectivism, often driven and dominated
by the blind impulses of the fesh and the
passing values of the worldly spirit.
We have to update our skills in changing
gears. We have to learn how to differentiate,
blend and practice in their proper places and
times our meditative and active modes, our
prayer, work, study, hobbies and rest, our
family, social and professional obligations,
our private and public lives.
We have to learn how to pay due
attention to our spiritual and material needs,
our practice of the theological virtues of faith,
hope and charity, as well as the human car-
dinal virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude
and temperance. This should be given more
teeth and made real, and stop being a mere
theory and dream.
We have to be more discerning of the many
facets and aspects of our life and to give the
proper attention to each one of them in a
healthy hierarchy of values that refects our
dignity as persons and citizens, as image
and likeness of God, and as children of God.
In this regard, what is most helpful is for
us to make use of some workable plan of
life, a dynamic, living structure that puts
some order into the many elements of our
life as well as being open to new, unexpected
developments that can come along.
Basic to this plan is to give due time to our
need to pray, study, work and rest. We need
to further specify how to go about these fun-
damental activities so we can truly say that
they are functional and are clearly helping us
in pursuing our ultimate objective of loving
God and loving everybody else, whoever
and however
he may be.
What is also helpful is to continue pu-
rifying and disciplining ourselves so that
we can avoid being held captive by mere
WITH the beheading of another
American journalist allegedly
by the ISIS, the extremist group
sends a second message to
the USits their way of saying
back off or else! We wonder
how many more journalists
heads will roll in the name of Al-
lah, and what our peace-loving,
non-violent Moslem friends feel
about it.
Christians met with sorrow
and revulsion the newsand
the accompanying videoof
the beheading of US journalist
James Foley, a devout Catholic,
who would fnd calm in prison
praying the rosary with his
knuckles. If we were less nave
about the history of religions,
would we still be surprised if
the ISIS second message to
the US were followed by a third,
a fourth, and so on?
The culture of beheading
among extremist followers of
Islam dates back to the days
of the prophet Muhammad
himself who, according to his-
torians, took part in caravan
raids and wars in order to
finance the promotion of his
new religion. Authors Peter G.
Riddell and Peter Cotterell in
Islam in Context: Past, Present,
and Future write that in the mas-
sacre of the Qurayza Jews, the
prophet himself had trenches
dug, and the men were led out
in batches and beheaded. The
incident claimed victims by
the hundreds, as recorded in
the Sirat Rasul Allah (Life of the
Prophet of Allah) by Ibn Ishaq, a
Muslim historian who died in
768: There were 600 or 700 in
all, though some put the fgure
as high as 800 or 900.
This issue of beheading re-
minds us of the first woman
doctor of the Church, St. Teresa
of Avila (1515-1582), who, at
about seven years of age, per-
suaded her younger brother
Rodrigo to run away from home
and offer themselves to be be-
headed in the land of the Moors.
She had heard about beheading
from her father who would tell
the children stories of saints and
martyrs offering their lives to
God. The young Teresa perhaps
thought nothing of the gore and
the pain involved; for her, to
be a martyr meant a shortcut
to heaven, and because her
little heart was most desirous
(or curious) to see God, she
thought the fastest way to get
there was to be beheaded. And
she had the temerity to talk her
kid brother into joining her mar-
tyrdom! Their absence caused
mild panic in the house, and a
search party was deployed. As
Providence would have it, an
uncle on horseback found the
missing children, already out-
side the walls of Avila and, as
theyd say, the rest is history.
This recollection, however,
is more than just a passing
fancy, for a closer look into St.
Teresas writings would reveal
that essentially, the world hasnt
changed much in 500 years
people in the 21st century are
A5 Vol. 18 No. 18
September 1 - 14, 2014
CBCP Monitor
Opinion
At Home
Peoples Initiative
Stand Up, Sign Up!
Dubbed-Gen
Responding to Politics
and other mischief
Rev. Eutiquio Euly B. Belizar, Jr., SThD
By the Roadside
Atty. Aurora A. Santiago
Duc in Altum
Fr. Francis Ongkingco
Whatever
Duc In Altum / A7
Fr. Carmelo O. Diola
Spaces of Hope
WHAT happens when an Arch-
bishop sits down to give his
homily? You feel at home with
him. And the celebration gets
even more intimate and mean-
ingful.
This is what a hundred or
more people felt last Friday 15
August 2014 during the Eu-
charistic celebration presided
by Archbishop Jose S. Palma of
Cebu for the opening of the San
Jose Training Center for Com-
panions of the Dilaab Movement
at the heart of Cebu City.
The celebration was attended
by a fairly good representa-
tion of the stakeholders of the
movement: elected officials,
businessmen, public servants,
street children, students, young
professionals, and others.
But they did not just come
from Cebu. Even Ambassa-
dor Tita de Villa of PPCRV
expressed her solidarity by
sending over beautiful Saint
Joseph medals as keepsake for
the occasion. Dodong, a friend
from Kidapawan, surprised us
by sending fve boxes of mango-
steen, rambutan, and lanzones.
This was in addition to Filipino
sweets prepared lovingly by
Irma and her husband Bobby.
Palihi (i.e. a good omen),
commented Tess, Dilaab admin-
istrator, as she noted the round
fruits and other goodies in light
of the rental and other needs of
the center.
Having a training center for
companions to public servants,
voters, and the youth is a dream
come true, a providential fruit
of the exoduses of Dilaab. The
center is a crucial component in
helping realize Benedict XVIs ur-
gent call in 2008 for evangelical
formation and pastoral accom-
paniment of a new generation of
Catholics working in politics.
As Raddy, one of our trustees
had noted, How can we ignite
spaces of hope in others, if we do
not have our own space. With
the center, this concern no longer
holds true.
***
The center is named after St.
Joseph the husband of Mary. A
silent worker, his actions speak
louder than words. Joseph is the
model pastoral companion, hav-
ing been a most effective one to
Jesus and Mary. His actions are
the fruit of discernment. Even
when he has decided on a course
of action, he allows this to be
disrupted and submits to God
when it becomes apparent that
the Lord has another plan which
is consistently communicated to
him through a dream.
The decision to name the cen-
ter after St. Joseph, however, is
not the result of a dream but a
convergence of events. Last May
2014 I received invitations to
concelebrate mass for the festa
celebration of three parishes.
This was highly unusual since
such invitations had become
very far and very few in between
especially at the height of my
advocacy work.
The invitation, totally unso-
licited except for the third one,
made with no consideration for
the name of the parish, came
from the parishes of St. Joseph
the Worker, St. Joseph the Hus-
band of Mary, and St. Joseph
the Patriarch! The message was
loud and clear. This was to be a
center dedicated to and under
the patronage of St. Joseph.
The Hebrew root of Joseph
means The Lord adds. In Ce-
buano ang Ginoo maoy mag-
igo (Tagalog, ang Panginoon
ang magdadagdag) tells of God
providing for human wants,
flling in the empty spaces of hu-
man existence, and anticipating
our needs. Only such a person
who is confdent of Gods provi-
dential love is ready to make
sacrifces.
St. Joseph exemplifies the
readiness to sacrifce to a most
eminent degree.
***
The center is fruit of many
sacrifces. One recalls a Grace
Marci who began her journey
with us with three strong bi-
ases: a distrust for policemen,
a dislike for politicians, and an
avoidance of priests. She got
more than she bargained for at
Dilaab and when she died of
cancer four years ago, Grace
had police blood running in her
veins (she needed transfusion)
even as she developed modules
reaching out to politicians. She
also worked closely with me. She
would have been a familiar sight
at the center.
Vicky, Graces best friend, has
a facial nerve disorder making
it painful for her to smile or to
speak when the malady makes its
appearance. Yet, like several other
volunteers, a smile is always
etched on Vickys face as she
shares her insightful thoughts.
More recently, a new volun-
teer, Cris Cyril, an architect, was
in the center doing an ocular
inspection when his cellphone
rang insistently. He answered it
only to hear frantic cries that his
doctor-brother had been shot by
a depressed patient. Because of
a time-bound requirement for
the center, I was constrained to
follow him up two days after his
brothers burial. He was ready
with written specifcs.
In this center we shall dis-
cern and hope together, the
good Archbishop of Cebu said
matter-of-factly as he sat on the
presiders chair. The posture of
sitting down is becoming of a
leader-teacher, a figure of au-
thority, at home with his fock.
His feelings were reciprocated.
THE Philippine Constitution (Article VI, Sec-
tion 32) and Republic Act No. 6735 (known as
the Initiative and Referendum Act) empower
the sovereign people to directly exercise the
right to legislate.
How to achieve a valid Peoples Initiative?
Obtain the signature of at least 10% of regis-
tered voters all over the country based on the
last national elections but must also obtain
the signatures of 3% of registered voters per
congressional district. Signature campaign
is limited to registered voters only. A copy
of the Peoples Initiative Bill (PIB) must be
made available in the signing station so that
the signatories can read it. Submit the PIB
signatures to the Comelec District Offce
for their verifcation, thereafter, obtain its
Certifcation as to the number of signatures
gathered. File a Petition with the Comelec
together with the Certifcations from the
Comelec District Offce. The Comelec will
then issue a Resolution calling for a National
Referendum to approve the PIB. A simple
majority is required to approve the PIB. Ref-
erendum must be held no less than 45 days
from issuance of Comelec Resolution but not
more than 90 days. Once approved by the
people in a Referendum, the PIB can only
be amended and repealed via the peoples
initiative and referendum and cannot be
amended or repealed by Congress.
***
The National Peoples Congress formally
launched the Peoples Initiative to Abolish
Pork Barrel on August 23 at Mariners Court
in Cebu City. Some 5,000 delegates came
from the National Capital Region (NCR)
and all the regions in the country including
the Cordillera Region and the Autonomous
Region of Muslim Mindanao. Religious
denominations and alliances supported the
peoples initiative. The Integrated Bar of the
Philippines and the Philippine Constitution
Association sent several lawyers.
Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas (Laiko)
was represented by its President Dr. Amelita
Dayrit-Go, who delivered the keynote ad-
dress, and its immediate Past President Atty.
Aurora Santiago. Archbishop of Cebu and
Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philip-
pines (CBCP) Past President Jose Palma
delivered the Inspirational Message saying:
Tama na yan, sobra na yan (It is enough, it
is too much). The abolition of the pork bar-
rel is a very important work of the Church.
Something good should start in Cebu, many
things good will come from Cebu.
Sr. Mary John Manansan OSB, read the
Stand Up, Sign Up! Declaration of Unity of
the Peoples Congress which mentioned,
among others, Malacaangs 2015 National
Expenditure Program (NEP) retains hun-
dreds of billions of lump-sum, discretionary
funds otherwise known as the presidential
pork barrel. These monies represent the most
powerful form of patronage politics. The
NEP also proposes a redefnition of sav-
ings in a bid to circumvent the High Courts
ruling on the unconstitutionality of the DAP
(Disbursement Acceleration Program).
Upon the adjournment of the Peoples
Congress, the delegates marched to Plaza In-
dependencia in Cebu City where the Peoples
Initiative Launching of Signature Campaign
Rally was held.
***
The Peoples Initiative Bill abolishes all
forms of pork barrel, mandates line item
budgeting, prohibits and criminalizes al-
location and use of lump sum discretionary
funds and penalizes violators with 6 years
and one day to 10 years imprisonment and
disqualifcation from holding public offce.
It aims to rid the country of a corrupt system
of patronage that undermines the principles
of separation of powers, checks and balances,
transparency and accountability.
The initiative was supported by His Emi-
nence Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, Arch-
bishop of Manila, who stated that: Thank
you for making democracy alive and active.
Be assured of my prayers.
Likewise, the CBCP President His Excel-
lency Socrates Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan
fully supported and endorsed the initiative.
In fact many of the members of the clergy
and our lay leaders are at the forefront of
these initiatives. He further stated that
FATHER, whats malansa?
Sherby, a grade three student
asked.
It means stinky, smelling like
fsh, or , I remembered I also
once asked my father about the
same word.
Oh! It means that?
Why do you ask, Sherb?
Coz, the Rizal hero said that
if you dont like to speak Taga-
log, then you stink.
Can you beat a childs outright
dismantling conclusion of one of
Rizals famous rhyming advice?
After Sherby left for his class,
I wondered how Rizal would
react to todays young gen-
eration. He probably would be
overwhelmed by how they are
exposed to so much information
the Internet, cable T.V., music,
magazines and books. But he
would probably be disappointed
if young people are coming out
less informed, unfocused and
even not being to speak either
Tagalog or English fuently with
all these audiovisual channels.
Moreover, would Rizal not
be dismayed if he saw the great
following for dubbed Korean
romantic stories and a Filipino
audience--despite such heavy
exposure--that is incapable of
even picking up some Korean
words or expressions?
He would conclude such a
dubbed culture deforms young
people who end up thinking,
reflecting and creating less.
Their instantaneous desire for
gratifcation leaves them always
seeking the least possible effort
to achieve whatever good or
goal in life.
Can a sort of dubbed mentality
also happen in the spiritual life?

***

Yes, in fact, something similar
and perhaps worse can happen
in a dubbed spiritual life. As
with dubbed movies, one cannot
fully appreciate the rich nuances
within a particular culture. Thus,
even though the movie or song
may be translated for us in our
own language, we know that
some things cannot be fully con-
veyed and eventually are lost.
Some may say that this is
not really significant because
what is important is grasping
the story or plot. True, but this
is like going for fast-food to
simply pacify ones hunger and
missing a chance of learning how
to cook or bake, or what ingredi-
ents made the dish unique, etc.
Ones mere interest to gratify his
biological urges leaves no room
for any intellectual or cultural
ruminating.
In a similar way the spiritual
life may be dubbed. This is the
case of so many young people
who attend Sunday Mass, say
the Rosary, or do retreats and
other pious practices but without
truly being smitten or awakened
by the enriching graces present
in the Churchs spiritual and
ascetical practices.
A dubbed spiritual life contrib-
utes to the growth of ignorance.
A persons ignorance becomes a
shallow pit of sentimentality that
is whimsically abandoned once
the person has gotten his spiri-
tual fll or high. This is probably
why Pope Francis, in his address
to the youth in Korea, expressed
his sadness when he saw young
people sleeping.
It is not easy, especially in the
virtual worlds the young con-
stantly build and surf, for many
of them to be stirred with over-
used PowerPoint presentations,
video clips, background music,
and other attempts to win their
attention. Sometimes we become
insecure that if we dont tow the
same digital line, the young will
not connect with the message of
the Gospel.
But how can we unveil the in-
visible gifts for them if their exte-
rior senses--already heightened
by colors, music and misplaced
parlor games--only drown their
spiritual senses? It may seem
hard at frst, but we must untir-
ingly have the courage to remove
the dubbing or elements that
superfcially convey the faith in
order to reveal the captivating
mystery of the Gospel.
We correct a dubbed spiritual
life when we remove what is
artificial or digital and put in
an authentic witnessing of our
personal life. The young need
models and icons of a sincere
struggle for holiness. Any effort
to be entertaining can never
compete with what they are
exposed to through their daily
fnger-clicks in the tidal wave of
professionally mounted media.
Witnessing is revealed, despite
our personal defects and limita-
tions, through our sincere effort
to be constant in our prayers, a
sacramental life and generous
self-giving to our neighbor. This
is coupled with the coherency
of our spiritual life manifested
in our struggle not to compare,
criticize and condemn others.
And even in our trials, they si-
lently see and are strengthened
by our patience, understanding,
compassion and forgiveness.
Thus, the young may indeed
wake up. As Pope Francis says,
Let Christ turn your natural
optimism into Christian hope,
your energy into moral virtue,
your good will into genuine
self-sacrificing love. () As
young Christians, you are not
only a part of the future of the
Church; you are also a necessary
and beloved part of the Churchs
present. You are the present of
the Church. (Address to Youth,
Korea)
LAST Dec. 2013 I received a call from my bishop requesting me
to represent him in a Department of Education event launching
the ALS or Alternative Learning School among the children
and adults at the Brgy Camada Dumpsite. Apparently the
bishop thought that since the area still belongs to the Parish of
the Assumption of Our Lady, my current assignment, I was the
right person to represent him. I said yes at once. But I realized
later that it was in confict with another scheduled Mass and
school blessing in another barangay. I told the bishop about
the circumstances but, wanting to still keep my yes, said that
if the event started on time I could still represent him, but if
the guests arrived late, then I would have to leave for my other
acts. That is okay, Father, he assured me, as long as you
came to express my support to the program. If you are forced
to leave because of your other acts, it would not be your fault
anymore. I checked the time. The event was scheduled at 9
AM. I had a Mass and blessing at 10 AM. It was 9:41 AM but
there were no signs yet of the distinguished guests (read:
powerful people). So when I decided to leave, the event
organizer said he understood why I had to. But I was at peace
and I remembered thinking, If I did not come, it would have
bothered me.
My obedience to the bishop, to me, was a right response
not only because he is the leader in our local Church, but
also because, all things considered, he had to attend to more
important matters. Now it occurs to me that if we render obedi-
ence to the bishop or our bosses at work, should it be any less
with God? I think our problem is that often while we could
easily obey human authorities, we do not hesitate to disobey
God. And I am not even thinking simply of the relatively easy
passage of the RH Law (when PDAF and DAP easily changed
many legislators convictions) or even the deliberate abuses
of human rights, the unabated extra-judicial killings or the
continued non-realization of justice, peace and authentic land
reform in our islands etc.
The president once said that the people are his bosses.
The trouble with this belief system is when the bosses are
hardly listened to or when they are not listened to because
they have a contrary idea or opinion. Or when those who
have a contrary idea or opinion are labeled enemies of the
peoples true welfare.
Worse trouble than all the above is when this line of thought
forgets that there is a Supreme Boss whom the president and
his bosses must frst obey. And this trouble begets another
trouble when the Supreme Boss is ignored just because he has
no vote to court in the elections.
This worse trouble leads to the greatest one: When we
continually ignorewhich is practically the same thing as
disobeythe Supreme boss, political, economic and socio-
cultural mischiefs are so easily committed, especially beyond
the prying eyes of the cameras or media outlets.
The August 28, 2014 editorial of the New York Times
considers as political mischief the sum total of current
attempts to elicit support for another charter change in
order to extend the presidents and other elected political
leaders terms as well as clip the Supreme Courts powers
to check judicial overreach. Such attempts, observes the
Times, are a threat to Philippine democracy. The editorial
then appeals to the president to the effect that since his par-
ents were heroes and icons of democracy, he should desist
from such efforts aimed at perpetuating himself in power or
at reviving the long-rejected dictators habit of controlling
or bending the judiciary to the Chief Executives will. It is
unfortunate that the New York Times unsolicited advice
was dismissed, as it could easily be dismissed for, among
other things, not coming from the bosses (i.e., the people
who has the leaders ears).
This reminds me of Isaiah 7:10-14 when King Ahaz of Israel
is told by the prophet Isaiah to ask God for a sign, which
he refused, apparently because he thought that what God
wanted to do might not suit his interests. Yet Isaiah still gives
the sign: the imminent birth of a child through a virgin and
he is to be named Immanuel, which means God is with
us. I think this is the beauty of Gods love; human beings
may refuse to obey him, but his saving plan will still get
through by other ways and means. A warning to our leaders
is implicit here.
The document Filipino Catholic Laity: Called to be Saints
Sent Forth as Heroes challenges Filipino Catholic lay men and
women to focus on two areas of our national life that are basi-
cally a consequence of our disobedience to Gods will.
First, our poverty. The document describes the massive
character of destitution in the country, the continuing fight
to foreign shores by many Filipinos which brings both good
(material wealth for their families) and evil effects (family
separations, servitude and humiliation in foreign coun-
tries, etc.). Then it states: This endemic poverty is gravely
contrary to the will of God (FCL 3). The response? You our
dear lay faithful are in the best position to creatively work out
solutions which will satisfy the demands of justice and char-
ity. What are you doing to create wealth, preserve wealth and
share wealth? (FCL 3).
Second, our politics. The problem with our politics is that
it is the problem. This is because as it is practiced in our
country [it] is perhaps the single biggest obstacle to our inte-
gral development as a nation [as it is]riddled with graft and
corruption (FCL, ibid.). The response? It is now clear that
our people are poor because our leaders have kept them poor
by their greed for money and power. What are you doing to
help get worthy people to positions of authority and power?
What are you doing to get rid of the politics of patronage,
violence and uneducated choices? (FCL, ibid.). I would even
add: What are you doing to check the abuse of and greed
for power and, instead, promote it as a means to truly serve
society unselfshly?
All these questions are summed up in this: Are you, the
laity, listening to and obeying the Lords call to establish on
our islands and the whole world his eternal and universal
kingdom, a kingdom of truth and life, a kingdom of holiness
and grace, a kingdom of justice, love and peace [Preface on
Christ the King Sunday]?
In his letter to the Romans Paul brings to our awareness the
right response to the Messiah called Jesus Christ whom we
profess to follow. Through him we have received the grace of
apostleship, to bring about the obedience in faith, for the sake
of his name among all the Gentiles (Rom 1:6-7).
The president and we, his bosses, could act like Ahaz who
disobeyed the Lord and reaped the whirlwinds. Or like Joseph
and Mary who, in their obedience, were instrumental to the
dawning of our and mankinds salvation.
To pick the right choice St. John XXIII gave us the clue writ-
ten in his coat of arms: Oboedientia et pax.
My translation (I know full well how diffcult the act can
be): Obedience [to the Lord] begets peace.
A6 Vol. 18 No. 18
September 1 - 14, 2014
CBCP Monitor
Local News
5 Bohol quake survivors to
dine with Pope?
FIVE TAGBILARAN City,
Bohol, September 2, 2014
Five as yet unnamed Bo-
holanos, survivors of the
killer earthquake that rocked
Bohol in 2013, will have the
enviable chance to dine with
the Pope himself during his
visit next year, a top church
offcial revealed.
Papal dinner
He will [Pope Francis]
be going to Palo [in Leyte]
and we will be sending
some of my people there
who were victims of the
quakeFive of themThey
will eat with the Pope, Tag-
bilaran Bishop Leonardo
Medroso told church-run
Radyo Veritas in a recent
interview.
Keepi ng hi s f i nger s
crossed, Medroso remains
hopeful that the Holy Fa-
ther would consider drop-
ping by his diocese, in the
event of which he is certain
will boost the morale and
strengthen the faith of Bo-
holanos, particularly the
quake survivors.
It is [also] my dream he
would come to Bohol, and
spend even just an hour or
two to counsel our people,
he said.
Killer earthquake
The earthquake hit Bo-
hol on October 15, 2013 at
roughly 8:12 a.m., affecting
the whole Central Visayas
region.
Official reports by the
National Disaster Risk Re-
duction and Management
Council (NDRRMC) state
222 were reported dead,
eight missing, and 976 peo-
ple injured.
Over 73,000 structures in
total were damaged, more
than 14,500 of which were
totally destroyed.
It was the deadliest earth-
quake in the Philippines in
23 years. The energy released
by the quake was allegedly
equivalent to 32 Hiroshima
bombs.
The prelate, meanwhile,
reported that apart from Bo-
hols Heritage Churches,
the 7.2 magnitude tremor
also damaged as many as
33 other church structures
in the Diocese of Tagbilaran
alone.
To ensure that regular
masses and other church
services will continue, Me-
droso shared that his diocese
had immediately seen to the
construction of four alterna-
tive churches and several
temporary tents. (Raymond
A. Sebastin)
Bohol was struck by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake on October 15, 2013. FILE PHOTO
Popes visit to inspire
more vocations
INSPIRED by the success of the recently
concluded Asian Youth Day, which left
the Church in South Korea energized,
the Catholic Bishops Conference of the
Philippines Episcopal Commission on
Culture (CBCP-ECC) expressed conf-
dence Pope Francis upcoming visit to
the country in 2015 will have as much
positive effect on the millions of Filipino
faithful eager to welcome him, espe-
cially in the area of inspiring vocations.
Being the Vicar of Christ, the Holy
Fathers visit is going to be a grace-flled
moment for us. Filipinos must take it as
an opportunity to have a deeper faith
and hope in God. I also look forward
to seeing a renewed interest in religious
vocations, CBCP-ECC Executive Secre-
tary Sr. Mary Anthony E. Basa, PDDM
said in an interview over Radyo Veritas.
Besides strengthening the faith of
millions of Christians, she is convinced
the Holy Fathers mere presence will
give rise to a wave of vocations, in-
spiring many Filipinos to consider the
religious life.
Basa also predicts Catholic Filipinos,
particularly the youth, will benefit
greatly from the papal visit allowing
them to deepen their relationship with
God.
Basa reminds the faithful that Pope
Francis visit is primarily about hope,
charity and forgiveness, mercy and
compassion offered to the millions of
people experiencing social injustice,
especially survivors of typhoon Yolan-
da and similar calamities.
She encourages Filipinos to prepare
themselves spiritually for the apostolic
visit, which according to her is an event
that can strengthen the bonds of the
Filipino family as well. (Raymond A.
Sebastin)
The Holy Fathers visit to the Philippines in 2015 is predicted to have a positive effect on religious vocations
in the country. FILE PHOTO
Lay group to hold Mass of Remembrance
THE Prayer Warriors of the Holy Souls
(PWHS) invites the faithful to take
part in a Mass of Remembrance and
related activities it will be sponsoring
on Monday, September 8, 2014, from
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Manila
Metropolitan Cathedral, Intramuros.
As a Catholic lay apostolate of the
Monfort Foundation, PWHS is com-
mitted to promoting the devotion to
the holy souls in purgatory, especially
on the second Monday of each month.
This September, the holy mass to be pre-
sided over by Rev. Fr. Jojo Zerrudo of the
Holy Family Parish in Quezon City aims
to pray for and remember the following:
Dr. Narciso D. Monfort who died
on September 5, 2005. He founded the
PWHS on July 29, 1992, and saw to its
growth as it became a global apostolate
while representing the fourth district of
Iloilo for several terms.
The 10,000 victims of the cyclone and
tidal wave off the Bay of Bengal in Orissa
State, India on September 29. 1971.
The approximately 8,000 people
killed when Hurricane Fif struck Hon-
duras on September 19, 1974.
The 600 victims of typhoon Kadiang
which also caused massive landslides
in Northern Luzon region but did more
damage when it backtracked to Central
Luzon where gigantic mudlfows (lahar)
buried whole towns in Pampanga on
September 30, 1993.
The 150 people killed when the
Sulpicio Lines MV Princess of the Ori-
ent sailed from Manila to Cebu during
a typhoon. The ship capsized at 12:55
p.m. near Fortune Island off mainland
Batangas, and sank on September 18,
1998.
The estimated 2,600 people buried
alive when a 7.5 magnitude earthquake
rocked Taiwan on September 20, 1999.
The 200 victims killed when ty-
phoon Xangsane (Milenyo) ravaged
Manila on September 20, 2006.
The 334 victims, 186 of whom were chil-
dren, killed in a hostage standoff in a school
in Beslan, Russia on September 3, 2004.
The over 1,500 of the 2,000 pas-
sengers who drowned when the over-
crowded Tanzanian Ro-Ro ferry MV
Spice Islander I sank in deep sea
between Unguja and Pemba Island on
September 10, 2011.

The full schedule of the event is as
follows:
10:00 a.m. 10:45 a.m. Formation
program for members and friends
10:45 a.m. 11:15 a.m. Prayers/
Rosary
11:15 a.m. 12:00 p.m. Mass of
Remembrance (Raymond A. Sebastin)
CBCP lauds PH priests in Libya
THE Catholic Bishops Conference
of the Philippines (CBCP) Episcopal
Commission for the Pastoral Care of
Migrants and Itinerant People (EMI)
voiced out its admiration for two Fili-
pino priests who have opted to stay in
Libya standing by the Overseas Filipino
Workers (OFW) stranded there due to
an ongoing confict.
EMI executive secretary Fr. Resty
Ogsimer told Radyo Veritas that a criti-
cal situation like the one happening in
Libya calls for pastors who can facilitate
communications between offcials of the
Philippine (PH) government and OFWs
in need of the formers assistance.
According to Ogsimer, Filipino chap-
lains abroad often serve as channels
through which government services
meant for OFWs are promoted.
Lets pray to God to keep them all
safe, that they get through this crisis the
soonest, and that the evacuation process
runs smooth, said he.
Priests Amado Baranquel of the
Mary Immaculate Parish in Benghazi,
and Celso Larracas of the St. Francis
Catholic Church in Tripoli, who are
both Franciscans, reiterated their
willingness to remain in the war-torn,
predominantly Muslim country, invit-
ing Filipinos in the meantime to pray
for them and the immediate end of the
confict.
Larracas assures the faithful the
Church will take a frm stand as long
as there are OFWs in Libya. (Raymond
A. Sebastin)
Youth Day held in South Korea where
delegates from the predominantly
Catholic Philippines actively took part.
The prelate attests to the Christian
youth of Asias idealism and the enthu-
siasm for goodness, waving off allega-
tions that todays young people only
cause troubles and headaches.
In Korea, most especially, I have
been a witness the peoples capacity
for martyrdom, of the willingness to
offer their lives to the faith if need be,
observed Tagle.
124 Korean martyrs
Pope Francis beatifcation of 124 Ko-
rean martyrs in Seouls Gwanghwamun
Square on August 16, 2014, is seen as the
highlight of his trip to the peninsula,
with hundreds of thousands of people
packing the open-air mass.
They were willing to make great
sacrifces and let themselves be stripped
of whatever kept them from Christ-
-possessions and land, prestige and
honorfor they knew that Christ alone
was their true treasure, a BBC News
article quoted Pope Francis as telling
the crowd in his sermon.
They challenge us to think about
what, if anything, we ourselves would
be willing to die for, the report added.
South Korea is home to approxi-
mately 5.4 million Catholics, making
up some 10.4% of the population. (Ray-
mond A. Sebastin)
Ready / A1
left in its wake are those of hapless
infants and childrenthey who are not
deserving of any punishment or suffer-
ing at all! he said.
Villegas also said that those who use
violence in the name of God bring an
awful message that religion divides,
that faith is oppressive, that belief can
engender so much unkindness!
In the Philippines, we will do our
part, frst of all, to counter the deface-
ment of religion, he said, adding they
will respect the freedoms of all, particu-
larly the right to religious belief.
Unjustifable
Southern Philippines frst cardinal
has earlier called for an end to violence
against Christians in Iraq.
I join the worldwide condemnation
of the events in Iraq that has caused the
persecution of Christians and minori-
ties there, Cardinal Orlando Quevedo
of Cotabato said over Radio Veritas on
August 25.
He expressed concern over the situa-
tion in Iraq, where religious minorities
are being persecuted.
I think I would neglect my duty as a
religious leader not to condemn the Iraq
situation as created by this fundamen-
talist radical group, Quevedo added.
The cardinal said the use of force and
violence to gain religious dominance
is unjustifable before both God and
humankind.
The time to use religion in the name
of religious hegemony is long past the
dialogue in the name of peace, said
Quevedo, who is known for his relent-
less advocacy of pushing for peace in
Mindanao.
Speak out
For his part, Manila Auxiliary Bishop
Broderick Pabillo said it is high time
the Philippine government speaks out
against the persecution of religious
minorities in Iraq in what many believe
amounts to a crime against humanity.
We need [these] world leaders, in-
cluding our own, airing their side on
this very important concern. It disap-
points me how our government can still
afford to keep mum when it comes to
religion, he said.
The head of the CBCPs Committee
on Public Affairs shared that besides
offering prayers, the atrocities commit-
ted by the ISIS against Iraqs Christian
communities have to be condemned for
what they are.
There is also a need for Filipinos,
led by the Philippine government, to
express concern for Iraqi Christians,
Pabillo stressed, by sending humani-
tarian aid.
Aside from renewing his appeal to the
Filipino faithful to denounce the ongo-
ing persecution of minority Christians
in the predominantly Muslim country
of Iraq, Pabillo also said he expects the
Philippine government to take part in
the humanitarian efforts in Iraq as soon
as possible.
The prelate stressed the right to
choose ones religion is one of the basic
rights recognized by the United Nations
(UN) Universal Declaration of Human
Rights (UDHR), of which the Philip-
pines is one of the 48 signatory-states.
Article 18 of the 1948 document reads,
Everyone has the right to freedom of
thought, conscience and religion; this
right includes freedom to change his
religion or belief, and freedom, either
alone or in community with others
and in public or private, to manifest his
religion or belief in teaching, practice,
worship and observance.
ISIS has claimed to be behind the
widespread persecution of religious
minorities in Iraq in the form of behead-
ings, torture and sexual assaults.
Iraqi authorities report that some
100,000 Yazidis (Iraqi Christians) have
left Iraq to take refuge in neighboring
Kurdistan.
Pinoy ISIS recruits
Bishop Martin Jumoad of Isabela
in Basilan also expressed alarm over
reports that some Filipinos have been
recruited to and are currently training
with the ISIS.
He said he himself is worried about
what these new recruits will do once
they come back to the country.
There is reason to be worried and the
possibility is real. Im really worried,
Jumoad said.
Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said
some Davao residents have been re-
cruited by ISIS.
Former President Fidel Ramos, a
retired military general, said last week
that about 100 Filipinos are now train-
ing with the said jihadist group.
The military, meanwhile, has denied
reports that Filipinos have been re-
cruited by the terrorist group.
Bishop Jumoad appealed to the gov-
ernment to verify and continue to be
vigilant about the reports.
The worry is there and it will be
heightened when it is done here in
Mindanao. I hope our Muslim leaders
will do something to neutralize this,
he said.
Ceaseless prayer
Last month, dioceses across the
country held a day of prayer for peace
in response to the call of Pope Francis
for Christians to raise a voice of cease-
less prayer for the restoration of peace
in Iraq.
Archbishop Villegas urged the faith-
ful to continue praying for peace in
Syria and Iraq.
Let us be ceaseless in prayer,
uniting ourselves with our suffering
brothers and sisters, commending to
the God who offers himself to us as
our future their pains, their shattered
lives and dreams, their bereavement
and their loss, he said. (With reports
from Raymond A. Sebastin)
Aid / A1
our feeding sessions, all the children
have to eat together. That way, we can
closely monitor whether they are re-
ally consuming the food or not, she
explained.
HAPAG-ASA aims to develop a
culture of sharing and loving for ones
neighbors as demonstrated in the
miracle of the multiplication of the
loaves and fish (Mt. 14:13-21).
The program also seeks to reduce
malnutrition prevalence rate among
0 to 12 years old children, and to
improve the capability of parents to
care and provide for basic needs of
their children.
The director shared that aside from
the supplemental feeding, PnP helps
bring parents of these children back
on their feet by giving them needed
counseling, values formation, and
livelihood and skills training, so
that they will eventually have the
means to support themselves and
their families.
Topics on affective parenting, health
and nutrition, and responsible parent-
hood are also discussed.
HAPAG-ASA, a compound of the
Tagalog words for table and hope, is
primarily implemented through the
Catholic Church in the Philippines
with more than 30 dioceses carrying
out the program.
To donate, visit http://hapagasa-
feeding.com/donate. (Raymond A.
Sebastin)
Church / A1
pensable role as a place of
encounter for many, Villegas
reminds the faithful that social
media must make an encoun-
ter with God always possible.
The social media has be-
come a place of encounter.
It has become a place of
encounter among friends
even among enemiesBut
the social media must frst
and foremost be an encoun-
ter with God. God among us.
God who has taken human
fesh, he explained.
What would Jesus do?
The archbishop encour-
ages Catholics to take time
imagining and refecting on
what Jesus would make of
the social media if He were
physically present today.
What would Jesus do? If
Jesus were using the social
media in 2014, how would
he do it? What would he do?
What would he say? the
prelate asked.
According to Villegas, what
Jesus would do with the so-
cial media is what the faithful
should try doing as well.
The president of the Cath-
olic Bishops Conference
of the Philippines (CBCP)
notes that social media has
become the new plaza
which allows people to meet
others, to exchange opinions,
to listen and be listened to.
Let us allow the social
media to become an instru-
ment to promote peace, to
promote harmony, to make
friends with everybody in
our global village, said he.
Preparing for the papal visit
Event head Nirvaana
Delacruz, who is also the
secretary of YouthPinoy (YP),
said CSMS v3.0 will take on
an added special meaning
in the light of Pope Francis
upcoming visit to the Philip-
pines on January15-19, 2015.
She believes that the best way
Filipinos can prepare for this
papal encounter is to reach
out to people who are taken
for granted even by self-styled
good Catholics through au-
thentic encounters.
CSMS v3.0 workshop head
Jhonsen Sales shared that
at the heart of the event are
seven workshops designed
to transform armchair faith
warriors into advocates of
mercy and compassion.
These workshops will ex-
plore human traffcking, deal-
ing with members of the LGBT
community, Marian consecra-
tion, the social costs of being
an Overseas Filipino Worker
(OFW), election catechism,
pornography, and justice.
The CSMSv3 advocacies,
Sales explained, are rooted
in the Seven Spiritual Works
of Mercy as taught by the
Catholic Church, and are
oriented towards the soul.
Registration for the event is
P800, inclusive of a kit, ID, and
meals. A registration of P1,200
per head will include accom-
modations. For more infor-
mation, contact Esteve Mata
at 0916-2783807; Sher Cuison
at 0921-4746638 or through
email, catholicsocialmedia-
summit@gmail.com. For more
information, visit www.catho-
licsocialmediasummit.com or
www.youthpinoy.com
The CSMS v3.0, which will
be held at the Pangasinan
Training and Development
Center, Provincial Capitol
grounds in Lingayen, Pan-
gasinan, is the fagship event
of YP, a group of online mis-
sionaries under the auspices
of the Catholic Bishops
Conference of the Philip-
pines Media Offce and the
CBCP Episcopal Commis-
sion on Youth. (Raymond A.
Sebastin)
Confab / A1
A7 Vol. 18 No. 18
September 1 - 14, 2014
CBCP Monitor
Diocesan News
German pastoral workers visit Cotabato
COTABATO CityEleven lay
pastoral workers from Germany
visited the Archdiocese of Co-
tabato from August 18-27, 2014
with the aim of touching base
with different Cotabato commu-
nities in what has been dubbed
the Regensburg Visit.
The visitors, some of whom
are pastoral workers for Miserior
and Missio, two of the largest
international Catholic aid orga-
nizations in the world, described
the journey as an excellent and
meaningful one.
After the trip, which included
immersion in many local com-
munities, the workers vowed
to bring back to Germany their
first-hand experience of the
dynamic church of Cotabato
with special intentions to pray
especially for the plight of the
indigenous peoples and for the
continuing quest for lasting
peace in Mindanao.
Meeting the Indigenous Peoples
Miserior and Missio have also
been funding pastoral programs
in Cotabato Archdiocese, as well
as providing assistance to lay
workers and their dependents.
The rest of the visitors are teach-
ers in Germany.
The trip included visits to
Indigenous Peoples (IP) schools
in Timanan, South Upi, Basic
Ecclesial Communities (BEC)
in the different parishes where
they stayed in order to experi-
ence the real-life activities of the
BECs such as those participated
in by the youth, catechists, fam-
ily groupings, and the Kaabags.
They also experienced frst-hand
liturgical celebrations in the par-
ishes and the celebrations of the
liturgy without a priest.
The German workers also got
to meet IP communities, particu-
larly in Renebon, Pigcawayan,
where they heard a lot about the
plight of the Lumads who contin-
ue to struggle against mining op-
erations in their area. The group
of the Aromanen Manobo in the
area shared how the Church,
through the BECs, has helped
them fght for their rights.
Zones of Peace
Another equally significant
visit was a trip to the areas of
the zones of peace, particu-
larly in Pikit parish where the
visitors witnessed the vibrant
inter-religious dialogue ministry
especially prioritized by the Ob-
lates of Mary Immaculate.
At the start of the visit, presen-
tations were made on the pasto-
ral programs of the archdiocese,
as well as the activities under the
Social Action-Justice and Peace
commission. The German lay
workers also met the parents and
scholars being supported by the
archdiocese with support from
Germany.
Through the assistance of Co-
tabatos Local Government Unit,
Mayor Guiapal J. Guiani, Jr, Ad-
ministrator Atty. Cynthia Guiani-
Sayadi, and the City Tourism
Offce, the visitors were taken to
the Grand Mosque in Kalanga-
nan and to the project site on the
Production of In-aul Sewing and
Weaving of Garments organized
by a group of Moro women.
Part of the city tour was to visit
one of the oldest churches in the
country, the Tamontaka church
which was built by the Jesuits. A
very memorable visit also took
place at Cotabato Bahay-Maria,
a home for the aged, the sick and
abandoned.
The Regensburg Vi si t
continued in the Diocese of
Kidapawan where they par-
ticipated in the mass especially
offered for Fr. Tulio Favali and
Fr. Fausto Tentorio, who were
murdered for their advocacies
for the marginalized and the
oppressed.
Misereoris the German Catho-
lic Bishops Organisation for De-
velopment Cooperation. Missio
assists mainly pastoral projects
in many dioceses in Africa, Asia
and Oceania. (Rachel F. Ayupan)
Regensburg Visit: A group of lay pastoral workers from Miserior and Missio, and teachers from Germany recently visisted the archdiocese of Cotabato. Rachel F. Ayupan
Bishop excited for spiritual-typhoon Francis
BACOLOD City With the confrma-
tion of a papal visit to the Philippines
next year, Bacolods bishop expressed
joy and high hopes for the coming
of spiritual-typhoon Francis to the
country.
Bacolod Bishop Vicente M. Navar-
ra said the coming of Pope Francis,
after 20 years since the last papal
visit, is an unexpected gift to our
nation.
He said he considers Pope Francis
visit to our country a gift, not only
for Catholics, but also for people of
other faiths, even for those who do
not believe or who even are hostile to
the Church.
Pope Francis is the personifcation
The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines
chose the theme Mercy and Compassion for the
upcoming papal visit in January 2015, the rst after
almost two decades. CNA
sensations and emotions, or by mere
trends and fads. Thats precisely why
Christ told us that if we want to follow
him, we need to deny ourselves and
carry the cross.
So we should have no doubt about
the essential role that the spirit of sacri-
fce, mortifcation and penance plays in
our life. When we are not open to this
spirit, when we tend to shy away from
it, lets be convinced that we would be
disabling ourselves to change gears
properly and promptly.
The skill of changing gears in our life
is ultimately a matter of our constant
awareness that God is always with us,
is always intervening in our lives, is
speaking to us through all the events
of our life.
It is therefore also a matter of always
recognizing the presence of God in
everything, and of discerning what is
trying to tell us at every moment and
situation. This will require tremendous
faith and a strong, vibrant piety, which
hopefully would be nourished by that
plan of life we referred to earlier.
Lets be convinced that being aware of
Gods presence all the time, and actively
corresponding to his will and ways is
really what matters in our life after all
is said and done.
Candidly Speaking / A4
despite the ruling by the Supreme
Court that such pork barrel funds are
unconstitutional, there were attempts
to perpetuate the system through the
appropriation of lump sums in the na-
tional budget under various pretexts.
He looks with displeasure the practice
of classifying as intelligence fund a size-
able amount of public money so that the
same is beyond the scope of audit and
accountability.
Archbishop Antonio Ledesma of
Cagayan de Oro said abolition of
pork barrel will device the abolition of
political dynasty. From Bishop Vicente
Navarra of Bacolod: Fight for spiritual
and moral reform. Start the reform from
our own selves.
***
The Saints and Heroes, No Less
Symposium at Philsports Arena (for-
merly Ultra), Pasig City was a complete
success. More than 10,000 delegates
attended the symposium. Laiko was in
charge of the Liturgy with this colum-
nist as the Commentator and the Laiko
offcers as readers. The main celebrant,
CBCP President Archbishop Socrates
Villegas stated that we must be prepared
to be troubled by God to become saints.
We cannot be heroes if we did not know
that God loves us. The concelebrants
were Bishop Gabriel Reyes of Antipolo,
Bishop Jesse Mercado of Paraaque,
Bishop Bernardino Cortez--Auxiliary
Bishop of Manila--and Bishop Filomeno
Bactol of Naval (Biliran).
***
I would like to thank Rev. Fr. Mike
Mata and Rev. Fr. Paolo Pirlo, QCP Di-
rector of Sons of Holy Mary Immaculate
(SMHI) Seminary at Fr. Joseph Fras-
sinetti Seminary, Multinational Village,
Paraaque City for inviting me to be
one of their speakers during their Silver
Jubilee Celebration. I talked about The
Filipino Laity: Called to be Saints Sent
Forth as Heroes.
***
I wish to greet my niece Mary Gretch-
en Rosales-Castro and husband Charlie
Castro Happy 4th Wedding Anniversa-
ry. They have a very cute and intelligent
2 years old son C2.
Duc In Altum / A5
when the Aquino administration itself
is trumpeting the great strides the Phil-
ippine economy has had in spite of the
law, particularly the record 5.7-percent
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the
frst quarter.
The prelate aired doubts over the mo-
tive of Malacaang and administration
allies in Congress in pushing for charter
change (Cha-Cha).
Pabillo explained over Radyo Veritas
that once the Constitution has been
opened to amendments, self-interested
offcials will have a feld day changing the
law in their favor like extending the terms
of offce and curbing the power of the
Supreme Court (SC) over judicial review.
We cant afford to allow Cha-Cha.
Its too important a document to be left
to the care of just anyone. If Congress
today cannot be expected to come out
with good laws, how much more can it
be entrusted to amend the Constitution?
asked the bishop.
Pabillo maintains proposals for Cha-
Cha must be studied in depth, stressing
that the Filipino public should have a
say in any decision concerning con-
stitutional amendments.
The prelate said politicians have been
elected to look after the interests of the
Filipino people by crafting and enacting
laws that promote the common good.
(Raymond A. Sebastin)
Amendments / A1
moved the God-loving phrase from
its vision statement.
CBCP President Archbishop Socrates
Villegas said the Church maintains that the
formation of God-fearing pupils and stu-
dents is a vision that cannot be surrendered.
Unfortunately, in its 2013 version,
there is no more mention of God, nor of
the salutary fear of Him that, Scripture
tells us, is the beginning of all wisdom,
Villegas said.
DepEds old vision statement reads:
By 2030, DepEd is globally recog-
nized for good governance and for
developing functionally-literate [sic]
and God-loving Filipinos.
Last year, the department reworded
and released its new vision statement:
We dream of Filipinos who pas-
sionately love their country and whose
values and competencies enable them
to realize their full potential and con-
tribute meaningfully to building the na-
tion, sparking criticisms from netizens
and various lay organizations.
The department, however, retained
Maka-Diyos as one of its core values.
Responding to attacks, the DepEd said its
vision, mission and for values statements
is one document and should be read in its
entirety to grasp the full meaning.
It is a living document that is meant
to reinvigorate our Agency and society
as a whole. It is meant to permeate and
to affect the way we behave and how
we fnd solutions to complex issues. It
is meant to be part of public discourse
and personal transformation. It is not
static and not intended for mere posting
on walls and tables, it said.
Archbishop Villegas emphasized that
the right of a child to recognize and love
God cannot be harmful to anyone else,
believer or not.
According to him, our pluralistic soci-
ety indeed accords respect for the option
of some to believe and for others not to.
This respect for pluralism does not
compel civil society to expunge the
name of God from public life, especially
when the majority of Filipinos continue
to acknowledge Gods sovereignty and
to trust in Divine Providence, Villegas
also said.
Furthermore, the attitude of our laws
in the Philippines towards religion is
characterized as benevolent neutrality:
the accommodation of religion whenever
such accommodation does not offend
law or public policy, he added.
The bishops exhorted Catholic laity in
public elementary and high schools to
be zealous in the apostolate of forming
pupils and students.
Do not get tired of teaching that
God is the beginning and the end of all
things, that he is the Father who wishes
all to have life, and to have it to the full!
said Villegas.
This, our dear public school teachers,
is your particular mission in the life of
the Church, the dignity of your calling
as evangelizers within the world and its
concerns. It is a challenge of particular
urgency in this, the Year of the Laity.
Stand up for God. The fear of the Lord
is the beginning of wisdom, he said.
(CBCPNews)
of the message of the mercy of God
and of the Church, Navarra said as
he described the Francis effect that
reaches out to all people regardless of
their conditions in life.
The Bacolod prelate advised ev-
eryone to prepare spiritually for
the event. He also encouraged the
faithful to pray for Pope Francis
and his intentions, considering his
age, hi s physi cal condi ti on and
the great demands of the Petrine
ministry.
The Catholic Bishops Conference of
the Philippines has confrmed reports
that the Holy Father will visit the Philip-
pines from January 15 to 19, 2015. (Fr.
Mickey Cardenas)
Unfortunate / A1
Archdioceses response to the call
made by the CBCP on environmental
protection 11 years ago, the ecological
campaign aims to recognize and praise
the Lord as the God of Creation.
Lay participation
This 2014, the Season of Creation will be
launched on September 1 through a con-
celebrated mass to be offciated by Tagle
at the Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual
Help (Baclaran Church) in Paraaque.
It will run from September 1 (Creation
Day) and end on October 4 (Feast of St.
Francis of Assisi).
I ardently encourage you to be part
of this event and also to raise awareness
among your parishioners, constituents
and students, so they, too, may mean-
ingfully take part in it and in all other
celebrations during our Season of Cre-
ation, Tagle said.
Different parishes and schools within
the Manila archdiocese and its suffragan
dioceses are expected to join the celebra-
tion, emphasizing the importance of the
environment through various liturgical,
catechetical, and religious initiatives.
Among the proposed activities for the
campaign are the inclusion of creation
spirituality in liturgies, multi-media
activities, environmental symposia, and
essay-writing contest, among others.
Preserving beauty, sacredness
Tagle also urged church leaders to
integrate the theme and spirit of the
Season of Creation in our liturgical
celebrations to provide a prayerful
setting for thanksgiving to God for
creation.
Let us educate and form the faithful
in our vocation to be stewards of cre-
ation, co-workers of God in developing
the goods of the earth for the beneft of
all, the promotion of the common good
and the stability of future generations,
he said. (Jennifer M. Orillaza)
Creation / A1
still being beheaded by the
Moorsalthough nowa-
days, no mean thanks to TV
and the internet, we do not
just hear or read about it in
history books, we see the
atrocious deeds recorded on
video, right in the comfort of
our living rooms.
If the sight of a head-
less doll is unsettling to
some who associate dolls
with real children, how
would you react to a video
clip of an extremist soldier
laughing while shaking the
headless body of a little
girl as though it were a
trophy won at a football
game? What do you think
of when you see a whole
city in upheaval over the
shooting of a supposedly
innocent black teenager?
What questi ons do you
ask yourself when every
so often the news explodes
with the suicide of the rich
and f amous? What do
you feel like doing when
you hear of a male nurse
sexually molesting a two-
month old infant in his
care, or of children being
used as informants and sui-
cide bombers in an Islamic
State? Do you wonder why
our government proudly
claims the crime rate has
dropped when robberies
and riding-in-tandem mur-
ders continue to fill the
nightly news? Whom do
you blame when thousands
turn homeless on account
of landslides, flash floods,
earthquakes, typhoons,
and fires? What do you
say when world records
are used to measure a per-
ceived religious superior-
ity? Can you feel the agony
of the Christians who run
for their lives in Syria, or
do you simply thank God
you are not among them?
The world is on fire,
St. Teresa would write al-
most 450 years ago in Way
of Perfection of the diffcult
times they were in, Men
try to condemn Christ once
again as it were, for they
bring a thousand false wit-
nesses against Him. They
would raze His Church to
the ground No this is
no time to treat with God for
things of little importance.
As in the 16th century, hu-
manity is beset with the
same evils, and the only one
institution that has remained
unchanged in its mission to
counteract evil with Love is
the Church that Jesus Christ
Himself founded. In this
Church, as shown by the life
of St. Teresa of Avila, lies the
hope for the intimate friend-
ship with Jesus that would
lead to our renewalif only
we would trust it in spite of
ourselves.
Pope Emeritus Benedict
XVI would say that in re-
forming the Carmelite Order,
St. Teresa of Jesus sought to
create a form of life which
favored a personal encoun-
ter with the Lord, fnding a
place where we can be alone
and look upon Him present
within us. Nor need we feel
strange in the presence of so
kind a Guest. St. Teresa
loved the Church, trusted
it, and wanted to protect
apostolic work with prayer,
proposing a form of evan-
gelical life that would act as
a model for people seeking
the path of perfection, on the
basis of the conviction that
all authentic personal and
ecclesial reform involves an
ever more faithful reproduc-
tion of the form of Christ in
our own selves
It is not true that with all
the evils surrounding man
today, we are left with no
one to trust. There is still the
Church our Lord founded,
and Id dare say, it is the only
institution left to trust. As
Benedict XVI emphasized,
Today, too, as in St. Teresas
time, it is important that
trusting prayer be the heart
of the apostolate, so that
the redeeming message of
Jesus Christ may sound our
clearly and dynamically
The example of St. Teresa
is of great help to us in this
exhilarating taskthere is a
pressing need for the bap-
tized to renew their hearts
through individual prayer in
which, following the guid-
ance of St. Teresa, they also
focus on contemplation of
Christs blessed humanity
as the only way to reach the
glory of God. The power of
Christ will lead to a redou-
bling of efforts to ensure that
the people of God recover
their vigor in the only way
possible: by finding space
within ourselves for the
feelings of the Lord Jesus,
and in all circumstances
seeking to live His Gospel to
the full. This means, above
all, allowing the Holy Spirit
to make us friends of the
Master and to mould us
to Him. It also means ac-
cepting all His mandates
and adopting in ourselves
criteria such as humility of
conduct, renunciation of
the superfuous, not harm-
ing others, and acting with
simplicity and humbleness
of heart. Thus, those around
us will perceive the joy that
arises from our adherence to
the Lord; they will see that
we put nothing before His
love, and that we are always
ready to give reasons for our
hope. That is really setting
the world on frewith the
love of God! And thats the
truth.
And Thats The Truth / A4
Vol. 18 No. 18
September 1 - 14, 2014
CBCP Monitor
A8 People, Facts & Places
New church dedicated to
honorary Filipino saint
SAN Ezequiel Moreno y Daz
lived long enough in the Phil-
ippines to consider himself a
Filipino. On August 19, the
newest church in Metro Manila
was dedicated to this Spanish
Recollect friar who once served
as parish priest in Las Pias in
the 19th century.
The Santuario de San Ezequiel
Moreno, located on the C5 Ex-
tension Road, Las Pias City, in
what is known as the Old Town
Las Pias Historical Corridor,
was inaugurated on August 19,
the feast of its titular patron, San
Ezequiel.
Column-free
Designed by Claude Edwin
Andrews, it features architec-
tural elements from the Spanish
colonial times with a modern
twist.
The 700-seater Santuario is
a column-free edifice, giving
churchgoers an unobstructed
view from any point within
the church. It has stained glass
doors and windows providing
cross ventilation and an airy
ambience.
The interiors by Joey Amistoso
features a Spanish Baroque reta-
blo showing the Crucifed Christ.
The tabernacle at the center niche
complements the image of San
Ezequiel on the right niche and St.
Joseph on the left. Topping the Cru-
cifed Christ is the sun-rayed Holy
Spirit in the form of a dove over
Nuestra Seora del Buen Suceso.
The retablo and the entire
sanctuary area are enhanced by
a grand naturally and artifcially
lighted dome with insignias of
the four evangelists placed on
four corners. Beyond the retablo
wall are two side altars dedicat-
ed to Filipino saints, San Lorenzo
Ruiz and San Pedro Calungsod.
Patron of Cancer Patients
A museum dedicated to San
Ezequiel Moreno, who served as
a parish priest in Las Pias from
1876 to 1879, acquaints church-
goers with the life and times of
the saint popularly known as
the Patron of Cancer Patients.
Santuario de San Ezequiel
Moreno, which was started in
May 2011, is one of the church
projects of Villar Social Institute
for Poverty Alleviation and Gov-
ernance (Villar SIPAG).
Villar SIPAG also inaugurated
the San Vicente Ferrer Church
in Cagayan de Oro City in 2013,
and Saint Pio Church in Savan-
nah City, Iloilo early this year.
The following churches are
also slated for completion: a
church in Vista City, Alabang
and a Swiss-inspired church at
Crosswinds in Tagaytay.
Churches will also be con-
structed in other parts of Luzon:
Camella Provence in Malolos,
Bulacan; Maia Alta in Antipolo,
Rizal; Camella Tierra Nevada
in General Trias, Cavite; and
Plantacion Meridienne in Lipa,
Batangas.
Other churches will also rise
in Vista Land communities in
the Visayas particularly at the
Azienda in Cebu.
The said projects are under
the corporate social responsi-
bility (CSR) arm of Vista Land.
(Raymond A. Sebastin)
The Santuario de San Ezequiel Moreno was recently dedicated to San Ezequiel Moreno y Daz who served in Las Pias. Raymond A. Sebastin
Bishops all-
out for big
event for laity
PARAAQUE Bishop Jesse
E. Mercado, who also chairs
the Catholic Bishops Confer-
ence Episcopal Commission on
Lay Apostolate (CBCP-ECLA),
backed a one-day theological-
pastoral symposium last on
August 21, 2014, a holiday.
Dubbed Saints and Heroes,
No Less, this signifcant eccle-
sia event organized by the
Don Bosco Center of Studies,
Mercado said, sought to open
the minds and hearts of the lay
faithful to their immense re-
sponsibility of transforming the
world from within by witnessing
to Jesus love in their homes, in
their work places and wherever
they are sent.
Year of the Laity highlight
As one of the highlights of
the Year of the Laity, the prelate
shared the symposium aimed
to celebrate the Catholic lay life
and ministry; to raise the whole
Church to greater consciousness
on the dignity of the laity; and to
encourage the laity to courageous
commitment to do mission.
According to Mercado, Fr.
Francis Gustilo, SDB and the
organizers invited well-known
lay speakersleaders and well-
known evangelists in their own
respective circlesto instruct
and challenge the Filipino laity.
In a world that has increas-
ingly become materialistic and
secularistic in its thinking and
its ways, it is enlightening to
listen to them share with us their
refections and lived experiences
on how one can be modern-day
holy heroes today, Mercado
added.
Bro. Mike et al
These speakers, who Mercado
said inspired the participants to
a renewal of our faith were:
Bernie Villegas, Bro. Bo Sanchez,
Bro. Frank Padilla, Bro. Mike
Velarde, EJ and Joy Aguila, and
Bro. Raoul Roncal.
In a circular, the head of the
CBCP Episcopal Commission on
Family and Life (ECFL) Antipolo
Bishop Gabriel V. Reyes also ex-
pressed his support for the event.
I am encouraging all the la-
ity, especially those involved
in family and life apostolate, to
attend this symposium, said he.
(Raymond A. Sebastin)
Caritas hosts post-Yolanda recovery training
CARITAS Philippines held a two-day work-
shop on August 11 to 12 for Diocese Social
Action Centers (DSACs) under the REACH
Philippines program, an economic recovery
and rehabilitation program for disaster-
affected areas.
Held in Cebu city, the workshop on Mini-
mum Economic Recovery Standards (MERS)
was intended to increase the capability of
the DSACs to help people in crisis situations
recover their jobs and sources of livelihood.
The MERS is a set of rules and guidelines
for post-disaster economic recovery drafted,
recognized, and used by more than a hun-
dred humanitarian NGOs worldwide.
The workshop was facilitated by Tony
Dimes and Adam Clark, development
workers from the SEEP Network, with ex-
tensive experience in humanitarian projects
in Africa.
The activity was attended by the program
directors, program managers, and liveli-
hood offcers of the nine dioceses covered
by REACH: Borongan, Calbayog, Northern
Cebu, Antique, Capiz, Jaro, Kalibo, and
Coron. (SocialActionNews)
The on Minimum Economic Recovery Standards (MERS) workshop on August 11 to 12, 2014 was attended by the
program directors, program managers, and livelihood ofcers of the nine dioceses covered by REACH: Borongan,
Calbayog, Northern Cebu, Antique, Capiz, Jaro, Kalibo, and Coron. SocialActionNews
Peafrancia Film
Fest fnalists named
CACERES Commission on Com-
munications (CCCom) Director
Fr. Luisito Occiano announced
on August 21 the finalists of
the 2nd Peafrancia Short Film
Festival.
The fnalists are Atang by
Paolo Piana; Harayo, Hara-
ni Man by Arjanmar Rebeta;
Inay by the Independent Art-
ists; Kapit by Antonio Ayen;
and Nawawara by Jordan de
la Cruz. Inspired by the theme
Choose to be brave, to live and
love like Ina, fve flms bring
to the big screen two things: the
celebration of the Year of the La-
ity and the call to be like Mary.
Each story centers on how a
devotion to the Lady of Peaf-
rancia, patroness of Bicolandia,
acts as a guide and becomes
instrumental in ones spiritual
journey as an active witness of
the faith.
A roadshow, which included
the diocese of Daet, of the fve
films began last August 22,
Friday, at the St. Rafael the Arch-
angel parish, Pili, Camarines Sur.
The flms will also be brought to
the following places:
Immaculate Conception Par-
ish, Naga City (August 30)
Basilica Minore de Peafran-
cia (August 31)
Parish of St. Joseph, San Jose,
Camarines Sur (September 5)
Naga College Foundation,
University of Nueva Caceres
(September 4)
Unibersidad de Sta. Isabel
(September 11)
Holy Rosary Minor Semi-
nary (September 12).
Advanced screening at the
Diocese of Daet is slated on
September 5-6.
The red carpet screening and
awarding of winners will be on
September 22, Monday, at the
Unibersidad de Sta. Isabel. Tick-
ets are at PhP 100 and PhP 200.
(Natalie Hazel Quimlat)
Ateneo school wins regional Bible quiz
ATENEO de Naga Uni-
versi ty Hi gh School
emerged as t he t op
contender during the
regional finals of the
5th St. Paul National
Bible Quiz on August
10, 2014.
Ateneo de Naga Uni-
versity High School is
set to compete against
other regi onal Bi bl e
champions September
20, 2014 at SMX Mall of
Asia in Pasay City.
Held in Naga City
with the theme: Live
the Word, Build a bet-
ter world, 21 schools
from the Dioceses of
Legazpi, Libmanan, and
the Archdiocese of Ca-
ceres participated in the
Bible Quiz elimination
round on August 9 at
the Xavier Hall of the
Ateneo de Naga Univer-
sity Main Campus.
From the 34 teams,
12 teams were chosen
to compete at the Re-
gional Finals at SM City
of Naga last August 10.
The winners for the
Regi onal Fi nal s are
as follows: Ateneo de
Naga University High
School (1st place); La
Consolacion College-
Iriga (2nd place); Naga
Parochial School (3rd
place). They received
a certificate and a cash
pri ze of P5, 000. 00 ;
P3,000.00 and P2,000.00
respectively.
The winners for the
elimination round were:
Naga Parochial School
(1st place); St. Bridget
School (2nd place); Uni-
versity of St. Anthony
(3rd place); They re-
ceived a certificate and a
cash prize of P3,000.00;
P2,000.00 and P1,500.00
respectively.
The St. Paul National
Bible Quiz is organized
by the Society of St. Paul
to encourage students
to read and study the Bi-
ble, allowing the Word
of God to act on their
lives. (Sr. Lou Ranara,
FSP)
Team members of the San Juan High School of Libmanan get serious during the recent 5th St. Paul National
Bible Quiz held on August 9, 2014. The school was the only public high school that made it to the regional
nals. Sr. Lou Ranara, FSP
The beloved Marian devotion to the Nuestra Seora de Peafrancia inspired the creation
of the Peafrancia Film Fest. CBCP News
Pro-Life group to hold
lugaw-for-a-cause
PRO-Life Philippines Founda-
tion Inc. appeals to the faithfuls
generosity and invites them to
a beneft Lugaw Party sched-
uled on September 20, 2014,
Saturday, 9:00 a.m-11:00 a.m.
at its new home on 70 Main
Horseshoe Drive, Horseshoe
Village, Quezon City.
The Lugaw Party, which will
coincide with the birth anni-
versary of Pro-Life Philippines
foundress Sr. Pilar Verzosa,
RGS, aims to raise funds for the
maintenance of the foundations
various programs and projects.
A donation of P300 entitles
each participant to a bowl of
lugaw (rice porridge) and a
chance to win prizes in a Grand
Lugaw Raffe.
For reservations and other
information, interested par-
ties may contact organizers at
(02)655-62-02, (02)571-65-50,
(+63)919-2337-783, or email at
life@prolife.org.ph. (Raymond
A. Sebastin)
The regional champion, Ateneo de Naga University High School, will be competing again on September 20,
2014 at SMX Mall of Asia in Pasay City for the Bible quiz championships. Sr. Lou Ranara, FSP
B1
Vol. 18 No. 18
September 1 - 14, 2014
CBCP Monitor
By Nirvaana Ella Delacruz
IT is relatively easy to spot Fr. Matthieu
Dauchez. He is usually the one with a
bevy of kids attached to his waist--one
or two whispering to him as if wrapped
up in the sacrament of Confession, a little
girl pulling on his thumb, an undaunted
kid hugging his entire leg like a tree
in miniature. In a way, this picture of
affection, religiosity and confdence
intertwined has been the story of Tulay
ng Kabataan (TNK), a foundation that
has been getting kids off the streets of
Metro Manila, for the past 16 years.
Petty crime, abuse
Considering a record of recidivism
among street children, many of whom
still decide to return to a life of petty
crime, hunger, and abuse on the streets
even after experiencing life in a real
home, the victories of TNK, which
celebrated its 16th anniversary last
August 16, are hard-won and etched in
persistence. With Council for the Welfare
of Children estimating the number of
street kids in the country to be 246,011
or 3 percent of the entire population,
and 11,346 children without a roof above
their heads in Metro Manila alone, TNK
is at the forefront of what seems to be
daily hand-to-hand combat with issues
like child abuse, poverty, and organized
crime, among others.
But more than the undeniably major
shift of giving 250 abandoned and
neglected children in 16 centers a home
and education and providing formation,
pre-schooling classes and meals to
another 750 scavenger kids in Smokey
Mountain, Fr. Matthieu is the frst to say,
Love is the real victory of what we do.
What is important is for the children
to feel that they are lovedWhatever is
their level, whatever is the wounds of
their heart, they are able really to feel this
love, Fr. Matthieu explained, as a young
boy who cannot stop smiling attempts
to wrestle with the priest oblivious to
the ongoing interview.
Apparently, this love involves not
just relentless day-to-day personal
connection, but logistics and networking.
It weaves an intercontinental chain that
involves some 40 volunteers in France,
mostly in Paris, who help fnd donors
for the foundation. from Europe and
other parts of Asia.
Close to 500 people came together
for TNKs foundation day recently, 300
kids, 100 staff, and 60 guests, many
of whom few in specifcally for the
event from France, where TNK gets its
main fnancial support, from its sister
organization, ANAK.
Sense of family
For Paris-based Thierry dArcangues,
ANAKs social media manager who
attended the anniversary, the uncanny
involvement with needy children in the
Philippines half a world away began
with an initial visit to the country in 2010
when he came for the Taize communitys
Pilgrimage of Trust.
I came for the frst time to the
Philippines in 2010 and I was really
touched by the people here. When I
came back to France I wanted to fnd a
way to help the people who welcomed
me here in the country, he explained.
After a year of scouting for a suitable
Philippine-based charity to work closely
with, dArcangues chanced upon the
little miracle of TNK.
I found TNK and ANAK and when
I saw how they did their work and how
they help the children, I wanted to be a
part of it, he added.
According to Fr. Matthieu, the real
smoking gun of TNKs successmore
than the list of TNK kids who are now
young adults, buzzing with autonomy,
some married with families, many
working regular jobsis more interior
yet even more compelling: a reclaimed
sense of family.
Last year, we asked the children
to describe the foundation with one
word, just one word. Almost all of
Pastoral Concerns
T
h
ie
r
r
y

d
A
r
c
a
n
g
u
e
s
P
h
o
t
o
s

b
y

T
h
ie
r
r
y

d
A
r
c
a
n
g
u
e
s
them, 95 percent of the children, they
say the word family or loveWhen
we can create a family atmosphere in
the centers this is the root for all the
children to be able to change their life
totally, he explained.
As usual, truth comes from the mouth
of babes.
For more information on how to help
the foundation, interested parties may
contact (+63 2) 435 59 12 or email info@
tnkfoundation.org
Love is the measure
16 years of caring for street kids
Love is the real victory
of what we do...
What is important is
for the children to feel
that they are loved...
Whatever is their level,
whatever is the wound
of their heart,
they are able really to
feel this love.
The 16th anniversary of Tulay ng Kabataan on August 16, 2014 at the Pedro Poveda College featured energetic song and dance performances by the kids. Some 500 former street kids, collaborators,
benefactors, volunteers and staff members were present at the event. TNK is chaired by Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas.
B2 Vol. 18 No. 18
September 1 - 14, 2014
CBCP Monitor
the marriage rests is not yet there, so
the marriage cannot come about either.
On the other hand, a marriage based
on condition concerning the past or
the present is valid or invalid insofar
as the subject matter of the condition
exists or not (c.1102, 2)i.e., I marry
you provided you really are a virgin
as you claim. However, the Law
also states that it is not licit to put
such condition of the past or present
without the written permission of the
local Ordinary (c.1102, 3).
Volitive Component of Consent
Can. 1103 A marriage is invalid if
it is entered into due to force or grave
fear inflicted from outside the person,
even when inflicted unintentionally,
which is of such type that the person is
compelled to choose marriage in order to
be freed from it.
There must be f ree wi l l i n
consenting to marriage. There is no
free will when there is external force
(violence), or grave fear inflicted
(even unintentionally) from outside
the personi.e., the trepidation of the
mind in the presence of an impending
evil (physical or moral) that compels
the person to consent to a marriage in
order to escape such evil.
Exampl es of such percei ved
impending evils that can cause fear
are a threat of bodily harm (e.g.,
shotgun marriage), threat of shame
(e.g., pregnancy due to a premarital
sexual relation), or even the threat of
displeasing a person or persons that
one holds in high esteem (the so-called
reverential fear), as when parents have
arranged a marriage. If it is proven in
court that such threats caused such
trepidation of mind so as to consent
to a marriage that otherwise wouldnt
have been consented to, the court can
Updates
Invalidates / B7
By Fr. Jaime B. Achacoso, J.C.D.
THE couple married youngthe boy was
23 years old and the girl only 19and on
the decision of the elders really: the girl
was pregnant and reluctant to marry
but the boys father wanted her son to be
responsible. They have one male child, 19
years old, but have been separated for the
past 15 years, with the woman having
gotten involved with two other partners
although now living as a single mother
with her only legitimate son. The man
had since then also found a loving partner
and now wants his former marriage to be
declared null on the grounds of lack of due
discretion and reverential fear. What does
Canon Law say about this?
In the past we have had occasion
to discuss the three pillars on which
canonical marriage stands: the capacity
of the spouses to marry, the matrimonial
consent, and the canonical form. For
the case in point, we shall have to focus
on the second of the three constitutive
elements of a valid marriage.
Matrimonial Consent
Can. 1057 1. Marriage is brought
about through the consent of the parties,
legitimately manifested between persons
who are capable according to law of giving
consent; no human power can replace this
consent.
2. Matrimonial consent is an act of
the will by which a man and a woman,
through an irrevocable covenant,
mutually give and accept each other
in order to establish marriage.
Provided the first constitutive
element of marriage is presenti.e.,
the capacity of both parties to contract
marriagethe second and most
important constitutive element of
marriage is the consent of both parties
to contract marriage. As the classic
formula states: Consent brings about
marriage.
No human power can replace this
consentcontinues the canon. Thus,
if subsequent to the weddingeven
many years afterwardsit can be
proven in court that the consent
(expressed at the time of the wedding)
was defective to the point of invalidity,
then the competent Church tribunal
can declare that the marriage was null
and void from the beginning.
What can vitiate consent to the point
of making it invalid, such that the
marriage contracted is null and void
from the start? Simply stated, valid
matrimonial consent is a human act
that needs the intervention of both
intellect and willthe intellect to
know the true nature of the marriage
institution and its sacramentality, with
the discretion to know what this person
and marriage to this person means;
and the free will to want to contract
marriage with this person here and
now. Canon Law has further broken
down this constitutive element into
different aspects, reflecting the reality
that the human act of consenting
implies several things.
The Intellectual Component of
Matrimonial Consent
While the act of consenting is
onei.e., it is the whole person who
consentsone can analyze that act and
identify predominantly intellectual
components in the one hand, and a
predominantly volitive (pertaining to
the will or voluntas in Latin) component
in the other. Such a division is even
pedagogically helpful. Canon Law has
established the following factors that
can vitiate the intellectual components
of consent to the point of invalidating
them:
Lack of sufficient use of reasoneither
habitual (e.g., intellectual retardation)
or temporary (e.g., influence of drugs
or alcohol at the moment of giving
consent)invalidates consent (c.1095,
1).
Grave lack of discretion of judgment
concerning the essential matrimonial
rights and duties, which are to be
mutually given and accepted in
marriage, invalidates consent (c.1095,
2). Lack of due discretion (LDD) is
one of the most common grounds of
marriage nullity, and together with the
so-called psychological incapacity is the
most abused as well.
Incapacity to assume the essential
obligations of marriage, due to causes
of a psychic nature, invalidates the
consent (c.1095, 3). This has been
erroneously labeledespecially in the
civil courtsas psychological incapacity,
causing a misunderstanding of the real
ground of nullity and the object of
proof. Simply put, one cannot validly
assume an obligation which he is
incapable of fulfilling. Since marriage
is a natural institution (in fact all
normal human beings even have a
right to contract marriage), what
c.1095, 3 simply states is that such
incapacity to assume the essential
obligations of marriage can only be
due to reasons of a psychic nature.
But not all psychic disorders cause
such incapacity. What constitutes the
ground for consensual invalidity
and what needs to be proven in
courtis not so much the existence
of a psychic abnormality but rather
the incapacity to assume the essential
obligations of marriage.
Ignorance of the procreative and sexual
aspects of marriagei.e., that marriage
is a permanent consortium between a
man and a woman, which is ordered
toward the procreation of offspring by
means of some sexual cooperation
invalidates consent (c.1096, 1). Such
ignorance is not presumed after
puberty (c.1096, 2).
Error concerning the personi.e., his
or her identityinvalidates consent
(c.1097, 1). One cant get married
to the wrong person. However,
error concerning a quality of the
person, even if such an error is the
cause of consenting to marriage,
does not invalidate the marriage,
unless such quality was directly and
principally intended (c.1097, 2). A
woman who married a man, because
she erroneously thought he was very
rich, cannot sue for nullity afterwards;
unless she married him precisely and
principally for that.
Error concerning the essential properties
of marriagei.e., unity, indissolubility
and sacrament al di gni t ydoes
not vitiate matrimonial consent,
provided it does not determine the
will (c.1098). Such error is similar to
the error regarding a quality of the
person: it does not really invalidate
the consent unless it was determinant
of the willi.e., one would not have
consented to marriage had he/she
known of such quality of the person
or of marriage.
Fraud concerning some quality of the
other party which of its nature can
seriously disturb the partnership
of conj ugal life, perpetrated to
obtain consent, invalidates such
consent (c.1098). Examples of such
qualities which of their nature can
seriously disturb conjugal life are drug
addiction, homosexuality or a peculiar
professional lifestyle.
A condition concerning the futuree.g.,
I marry you provided you pass your
medical board exams by the time I give
birth to our first childinvalidates
consent (c.1102, 1). The reason is that
the condition on which the reality of
Father Edward McNamara,
professor of liturgy and dean
of theology at the Regina
Apost ol orum uni versi t y,
answers the following query:)
Q: I would like to ask a
question regarding the use
of the Book of the Gospels,
or Evangeliary. The General
Instruction of the Roman
Missal (GIRM), No. 117,
says: On the altar itself may
be placed the Book of the
Gospels, distinct from the
book of other readings, unless
it is carried in the Entrance
Procession. Is it possible on
some occasions to prepare
the Book of the Gospels on a
lectern, from the beginning
of Mass, in some other part
of the church -- a side chapel,
the church entrance or at the
center of the principal nave
-- and carry it from this place
to the ambo at the moment of
the Alleluia for proclamation?
-- G.N., Naples, Italy
A: Apart from No. 117
mentioned above, the Book
of the Gospels is mentioned
in some other numbers of the
introduction to the Roman
Missal. The principal ones are:
44. Among gestures
included are also actions and
processions: of the priest going
with the deacon and ministers
to the altar; of the deacon
carrying the Evangeliary or
Book of the Gospels to the
ambo before the proclamation
of the Gospel .
60. The reading of the
A Place for the Book of the Gospels
Gospel is the high point of the
Liturgy of the Word. The Liturgy
itself teaches that great reverence
is to be shown to it by setting
it off from the other readings
with special marks of honor:
whether the minister appointed
to proclaim it prepares himself
by a blessing or prayer; or the
faithful, standing as they listen
to it being read, through their
acclamations acknowledge and
confess Christ present and
speaking to them; or the very
marks of reverence are given to
the Book of the Gospels.
119. [] When there is
an Entrance Procession, the
following are also to be prepared:
the Book of the Gospels .
120. Once t he peopl e
have gathered, the priest and
ministers, clad in the sacred
vestments, go in procession
to the altar in this order: []
A lector, [or deacon if present,
GIRM, No. 172] who may carry
the Book of the Gospels (though
not the Lectionary), which should
be slightly elevated [see also
GIRM, Nos. 194-195].
122. [] It is a praiseworthy
practice that the Book of the
Gospels be placed upon the altar.
133. If the Book of the Gospels
is on the altar, the priest then takes
it and goes to the ambo, carrying
the Book of the Gospels slightly
elevated and preceded by the
lay ministers, who may carry the
thurible and the candles. Those
present turn towards the ambo
as a sign of special reverence to
the Gospel of Christ.
173. When [the deacon]
reaches the altar, if he is carrying
the Book of the Gospels, he omits
the sign of reverence and goes
up to the altar. It is particularly
appropriate that he should place
the Book of the Gospels on the
altar, after which, together with
the priest, he venerates the altar
with a kiss.
175. [] Having bowed to
the altar, he then takes up the
Book of the Gospels which was
placed upon it. He proceeds to
the ambo, carrying the book
slightly elevated. He is preceded
by a thurifer, carrying a thurible
with smoking incense, and by
servers with lighted candles. []
When the deacon is assisting the
Bishop, he carries the book to
him to be kissed, or else kisses
it himself, saying quietly, Per
evangelica dicta (May the words
of the gospel). In more solemn
celebrations, as the occasion
suggests, a Bishop may impart
a blessing to the people with
the Book of the Gospels. Lastly,
the deacon may carry the Book
of the Gospels to the credence
table or to another appropriate
and dignifed place.
Nos. 273 and 277 of the
GIRM speak about the special
veneration reserved for the Book
of the Gospels by being kissed
and incensed.
From these texts it is clear
that the situation envisioned by
our reader is not foreseen in the
liturgical books. It is true that the
norms say that placing the Book
of the Gospels upon the altar is
praiseworthy or particularly
appropriate, which is not the
language of strict obligation.
However, the norms offer no
alternative location, other than
the ambo itself, for placing it,
and this alternative implies
leaving out the procession of the
Evangeliary.
Indeed it is notable that the
only procession envisioned is
that of taking the book from the
altar. No other procession would
seem appropriate.
Perhaps it is worthwhile
refecting on the signifcance of
placing the Book of the Gospels
upon the altar.
In the Latin rite the altar is
the principal center and focal
point of the celebration. Indeed
as specifed in the GIRM, No.
306, it should be reserved in a
special way:
306. Only what is required for
the celebration of the Mass may
be placed on the mensa of the
altar: namely, from the beginning
of the celebration until the
proclamation of the Gospel, the
Book of the Gospels; then from
the Presentation of the Gifts until
the purifcation of the vessels,
the chalice with the paten, a
ciborium if necessary, and, fnally,
the corporal, the purifcator, the
pall, and the Missal. In addition,
microphones that may be needed
to amplify the priests voice
should be arranged discreetly.
Therefore, in the context of
Mass, placing the Book of the
Gospels upon the altar is a sign
of the highest veneration. Even
if the book were to be placed
apart on a special lectern as
suggested by our reader it
would actually detract from,
rather than enhance, the
honor due to the sacred text.
To have a procession from
this alternative location to
the ambo would also in some
way lessen and weaken the
intimate relationship between
Gospel and Eucharist that is
symbolized by placing the
book upon the altar and taking
it from there to the ambo.
Therefore, I do not believe
that our readers suggestion
of placing the book in a
visible place before Mass is
liturgically acceptable.
That said, it would not
seem to be against the norms
to have a visible appropriate
and dignifed place for the
Book of the Gospels after the
proclamation of the word of
God. This could be done in a
reverent manner but without
adding any undue solemnity.
Finally, in some churches
it is becoming common to
set up a permanent place
for venerating Gods word,
either the Gospels or the entire
Bible. Although this custom
is of Protestant origin, there
is no reason why it cannot be
adopted in Catholic churches
as a means of fomenting
reading and mediation upon
the sacred text.
Indeed, Catholics end up
with the best of both worlds.
We can read the Book and then
go to the tabernacle to have a
chat with the author.
In some churches it is becoming common to set up a permanent place for venerating
Gods word, either the Gospels or the entire Bible.
Although this custom is of Protestant origin, there is no reason why it cannot be
adopted in Catholic churches as a means of fomenting reading and
mediation upon the sacred text.
Lack of due
discretion or
grave fear
invalidates
Marriage
C
B
C
P

N
e
w
s
B3 Vol. 18 No. 18
September 1 - 14, 2014
CBCP Monitor
This is one of the greatest
challenges of our time: to
convert ourselves to a type of
development that knows how
to respect creation. It drew a
lot of attention and became the
topic of some articles. Not to
be outdone, come 2015, Pope
Francis is set to release his new
encyclical on Creation and
Respect for the Environment.
He consulted no less than the
superior of the Franciscan
Order, a congregation with the
necessary charisma, and spent
months drafting his work.
In an interview, Minister
General, Order of Friars Minor
said: The Pope himself brought
up the issue of the environment.
And he talked about his deep
concern that we need, the
Church needs, to fnd the way
to respond, using the best of
science. But also using the best
of goodwill of all of humanity,
to bring together a consensus
on trying to respond to the
crisis, the ecological crisis. In
his effort to make the encyclical
truly relevant, he also consulted
Erwin Krutler, bishop of Xingu,
a diocese in the Amazon greatly
affected by deforestation.
In her article Pope Francis
Radical Environmentalism
for The Atlantic, Tara Isabella
Burton concluded: What is
radical is Franciss willingness
By Fr. Benny Tuazon
WHEN Germany overwhelmed
host Brazil (7-1) during the semi-
fnals of the recently concluded
2014 World Cup, some rooted
for Argentina to win over the
Netherlands in the other semi-
fnals match to forge a Germany
versus Argentina World Cup
finals. When Argentina won
(4-2) on penalties, the dream
match was set. The reason? The
previous pope, Benedict the
XVI, is German and the present
pope, Francis, is Argentinian.
It added another favor to the
already exciting and historic
rivalry. What country will be
blessed more? Whose prayer
will God grant? Whose popes
team will win?
But the rivalry already began
earlier during their pontifcate.
In almost all his speeches and
encyclicals, Pope Benedict XVI
had dealt with the care for the
environment. Thus he was
dubbed as the green pope. His
reference to the care of creation
was so pronounced that he saw
Creation as connected to peace
and conversion.
Here comes Pope Francis.
His recent comments on the
environment at the University
of Molise, This is our sin,
exploiting the Earth. Then,
to present environmentalism
not merely as a challenge,
but as one of the greatest
challenges of our time. By
underlining the importance of
environmentalism to his overall
theology, Francis is doing more
than simply espousing a set of
principles. He is also publicly
with the dizzying reach granted
to a man in his position
emphasizing an understanding
of nature that, in contrast
to the combative dichotomy
so prevalent in mainstream
politico-religious discourse,
is intrinsically positive in its
treatment of the physical world.
Its a vision that is, radically and
profoundly, pro-life.
Indeed, Pope Francis known
sincerity, simplicity, leadership,
commitment to service, and
fidelity to the Church and
immense popularity, among
others, should stir the cause of
the care for the environment a
notch higher. It is hoped that
his credence and attraction to
so many people, both believers
and non-believers, would be
translated into action. The world
had come to a point when the
earth can hardly sustain mans
needs anymore. Not because
there is too much population and
lack of resources, but because
of mans rapacious attitude.
To make it worse, the blame
is always pointed to the other.
Unless we come to recognize and
accept our own contribution to
the earths present malady, the
earth will continue to debauch.
And maybe that is the reason
why, as will be expected, Pope
Francis spoke of environmental
disrespect as a sin.
Here are some of his words
that we may see in his coming
encyclical:
Creation is not a property, which
we can rule over at will; or, even
less, is the property of only a few:
Creation is a gift, it is a wonderful
gift that God has given us, so that
we care for it and we use it for the
beneft of all, always with great
respect and gratitude. Popes
Audience, May 21, 2014
I wish to mention another
threat to peace, which arises
from the greedy exploitation of
environmental resources. Even if
nature is at our disposition, all
too often we do not respect it or
consider it a gracious gift which we
must care for and set at the service of
our brothers and sisters, including
future generations. Here too what
is crucial is responsibility on the
part of all in pursuing, in a spirit of
fraternity, policies respectful of this
earth, which is our common home. I
recall a popular saying: God always
forgives, we sometimes forgive,
but when naturecreationis
mistreated, she never forgives!. We
have also witnessed the devastating
effects of several recent natural
disasters. In particular, I would
mention once more the numerous
victims and the great devastation
caused in the Philippines and
other countries of South-East Asia
as a result of typhoon Haiyan.
Statement to the Diplomatic
Corps, January 14, 2014
Let us look around: how many
wounds are inficted upon humanity
by evil! Wars, violence, economic
conficts that hit the weakest, greed
for money that you cant take with
you and have to leave. When we
were small, our grandmother used to
say: a shroud has no pocket. Love of
power, corruption, divisions, crimes
against human life and against
creation! Andas each one of us
knows and is awareour personal
sins: our failures in love and
respect towards God, towards our
neighbour and towards the whole
of creation. Homily during the
celebration of Palm Sunday of
the Passion of Our Lord, March
24, 2013.
Before intrigue comes in, I
would like to stress that Pope
Francis does not intend to
replace Pope Benedict XVI
as Green Pope. Pope Francis
supports Pope Benedict XVIs
ministry and advocacy for
the love of Creation and care
for the environment. Both are
aware that this path is the best
at present given how responsible
countries are treating the world.
If in the 2014 World Cup Finals,
Germany beat Argentina in
the football feld, in the feld
of Creation, all countries are
winners. All countries, not only
Germany, will hold and raise the
Earth, as their World Cup!
Features
C
N
A
Creation and Respect for the Environment:
Pope Francis New Encyclical in 2015
The world had come to a point when the earth can hardly sustain mans needs anymore. Not because there is too much
population and lack of resources, but because of mans rapacious attitude.
C
B
C
P

N
e
w
s
C
B
C
P

N
e
w
s
C
B
C
P

N
e
w
s
What are you willing to die for
By Fr. Shay Cullen
WHAT are you willing to die
for , It was a very challenging
question that Pope Francis
presented to the thousands of
young people gathered for the
beatifcation of the 130 martyrs
in Korea last week. And it is
also challenging for all of us
who claim to be Catholics and
Christians. His message was clear
in calling on the youth and people
to reject a life selfsh gratifcation
based on gross materialism and
living for wealth alone and
instead to strive for equality
and protect the poor and their
human rights.
The Pope visited a Catholic
home for the elderly and
embraced some of them showing
compassion and love. In Korea,
as in many wealthy nations, there
are serious pockets of neglect of
the elderly. Although Korea is
one of the wealthiest nations in
the world half of the old folk live
in poverty. Instead of cherishing
and respecting them all with a
life of dignity and suffciency like
western materialistic societies
many of the senior citizens are
marginalized and rejected as
people of little value.
Many are locked away in
retirement homes and some
tied to beds and chairs and
given tranquilizer drugs that
leaves them in a state of semi-
conscious stupor that accelerates
dementia. New legislation in
Belgium and Switzerland, and
the Netherlands allows them to
be helped to kill themselves by
assisted suicide. Where will
this trend end? Soon the practice
could be for nasty relatives
and government care-givers to
bully and persuade them to kill
themselves and not go on being
a fnancial and medical burden to
the rest of us. This is an attitude
arising from loveless selfish
materialism.
The Pope reminded us that
the early Catholics of Korea
sacrifced themselves for their
needy bothers and sisters, They
knew the price of discipleship...
and were willing to make the
great sacrifices. The Pope
pointed out that their love and
courage and rejection of the
strict unbending and unequal
social structure of their day is an
inspiration for people alive today.
Their belief in Jesus of Nazareth
and his teaching of a Kingdom of
love, equality and social justice
led to their execution. The rich
cant stand talk of equality.
Pope Francis compassion
for the bereaved families of the
hundreds of school children that
drowned when the ferry boat
sunk of South Korea showed
through also when he and
the organizers of the Mass of
Beatifcation did not allow the
authorities to drive away the
protestors, one on hunger strike,
demanding the truth about the
sinking of the ferry. The Pope
had met them in private and now
embraced them in public. Bishop
Kang stated that to forcibly
move people crying for justice
in order to celebrate Mass simply
could not happen--if it did the
Mass would have no meaning
When Pope Francis comes to
visit the Philippines next January
he will find many martyrs
including priests and pastors,
human rights workers, who
gave their lives for the poor and
exploited and were executed by
death squads run by military and
local government offcials.
One of the worst suspected
and accused military generals,
the darling of the previous
government of Presi dent
Gloria Arroyo who herself
is in detention for plunder
awaiting trial is Retired Army
Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan. He
was arrested recently after
four years on the run from the
charges of allegedly running
death squads wherever he was
assigned around the Philippines
and allegedly left a trail of
blood of assassinated civilians
who dared to criticize the
government. Known as The
Butcher for these alleged
cri mes he wi l l be put on
trial for the disappearance
and suspected murder of two
student activists.
Like the Korean martyrs we
should be ready to give up some
comforts of our easy life and
defend the abused children and
those poor people exploited by
the rich, the 1 percent who own
70 percent of the Philippines. We
need the spiritual commitment
and belief in what is right and
good, ready to put aside selfsh
desires and greed to help others
in great need.
This is the heart of the Popes
message. When Francis comes
to the Philippines I hope he will
not be feted and manipulated
by glory seeking rich elites and
publicity seeking politicos. He
will, we hope, visit the poor
and the victims of abuse and
survivors of the greatest typhoon.
He will see little reconstruction
of homes, schools and public
services. Political corruption is
still rife and raging wherever
there is money to be stolen.
His message will be equally
challenging for sure and we
will do well to heed it and act
in solidarity with those in great
need wherever they may be.
Like the Korean martyrs we should be
ready to give up some comforts of our
easy life and defend the abused children
and those poor people exploited by the
rich, the 1 percent who own 70 percent
of the Philippines.
B4 Vol. 18 No. 18
September 1 - 14, 2014
CBCP Monitor
Features
C
B
C
P

N
e
w
s
C
B
C
P

N
e
w
s
Awakening of the Catholic Laity
By Bernardo M. Villegas
SINCE the end of the Second Vatican
Council about fifty years ago, there
has been a great awakening among
the Catholic laity that it is their
main responsibility, not the clergy,
to sanctify temporal realities. I
have personal l y wi t nessed t he
transformation of many Catholic
laymen from a sacristan mentality,
when they thought of themselves
only as assistants to Bishops and
priests, to being at the vanguard
of sanctifying all honest secular
realities.
Laymen are at the forefront of pro-
life movements; the strengthening
of the family as the pillar of society;
the carrying out of myriad corporal
and spi ri t ual works of mercy;
the restructuring of the economy
according to the social doctrine of the
Church; the fight against corruption,
pornography and other social ills;
and the setting up of schools that are
faithful to the Teaching Authority of
the Church. Of course, there is no
room for complacency. Much more
will have to be done, considering
the de-Christianization of society
as a result of the consumerist and
materialistic environment that is
engulfing the whole world. There is
also the great heresy of relativism
whi ch deni es t he exi st ence of
absolute truths.
Almost fifty years ago, the Decree
on the Apostolate of the Laity clearly
stated that The laity must take up the
renewal of the temporal order as their
own special obligation. Led by the
light of the Gospel and the mind of the
Church and motivated by Christian
charity, they must act directly and in
a definite way in the temporal sphere.
As citizens they must cooperate
with other citizens with their own
particular skill and on their own
responsibility. Everywhere and in
all things they must seek the justice
of Gods kingdom. The temporal
order must be renewed in such a way
that, without detriment to its own
proper laws, it may be brought into
conformity with the higher principles
of the Christian life and adapted to
the shifting circumstance of time,
place and peoples. Preeminent
among the works of this type of
apostolate is that of Christian social
action which the sacred synod desires
to see extended to the whole temporal
sphere, including culture.
Among the Catholic laity in the
Philippines who have taken to heart
this leading role of lay people in
the evangelization of society are
faithful of the Prelature of Opus
Dei, which this year is celebrating
its fiftieth anniversary of existence
in the Philippines. Over the last fifty
years, I have personally witnessed
how the members of Opus Dei,
especially the vast majority of them
who are married, respond to the
stirring exhortation of the Founder
of Opus Dei, St. Josemaria Escriva,
in a homily he delivered just three
years after the start of the apostolic
activities in the Philippines, at the
campus of the University of Navarre:
I have taught this constantly using
words from holy Scripture. The
world is not evil, because it has come
from Gods hands, because it is His
creation, because: Yahweh looked
upon it and saw that it was good...We
ourselves, mankind, make it evil and
ugly with our sins and infidelities.
Have no doubt: any kind of evasion
of the honest realities of daily life
is for you, men and women of the
world, something opposed to the
will of God.
I still remember how the first
Filipinos to be in touch with the
apostolic activities of Opus Dei
marvel at those revolutionary
words uttered by St. Josemaria in the
same homily when he talked about
Christian materialism: There
is no other way, either we learn to
find out Lord in ordinary, everyday
life, or else we shall never find Him.
That is why I can tell you that our
age needs to give back to matter and
to the most trivial occurrences and
situations their noble and original
meaning. It needs to restore them
to the service of the Kingdom of
God, to spiritualize them, turning
them into a means and an occasion
for a continuous meeting with Jesus
Chri st. Authenti c Chri sti ani ty,
which professes the resurrection of
all flesh, has always quite logically
opposed dis-incarnation, without
fear of being judged materialistic.
We can, therefore, rightfully speak
of a Christian materialism, which is
boldly opposed to that materialism
which is blind to the spirit.
Over the last fifty years, the faithful
of the Prelature of Opus Dei have been
cooperating with many others, some
of whom are not even Christians, to
undertake the task of bringing Christ
to the top of every honest human
activity, especially in undertakings to
address the needs of the poor, such
as technical schools like Dualtech,
Punl aan, Ami han i n t he Met ro
Manila area and CITE and Banilad
in Metro Cebu. These technical
schools cater to the children of the
poorest households, giving them
the skills to be gainfully employed
in factories, hotels, households and
other employers.
There are also family farm schools
all over the Archipelago training
the youth in farm entrepreneurship.
Encouraged by the Prelate of Opus
Dei , Bi shop J avi er Echevarri a,
members of Opus Dei, in tandem
with many other lay people, have
contributed to bringing the Christian
ideals to such strategic areas as
culture, fashion, and legislation,
giving the greatest importance to
strengthening the family, imparting
Christian education and defending
life.
Very much in keeping with the
wi shes of Pope Franci s i n t he
Apostolic Exhortation, The Joy of the
Gospel, a good number of the faithful
of the Prelature of Opus Dei have
opted to practise their respective
professions or occupations in many
countries in the Asian region, such as
Singapore, Indonesia, Hong Kong,
Taiwan, China and South Korea in
order to help in the evangelization
of these countries or territories
in which the vast majority of the
populations still do not know Christ.
From almost the beginning of the
start of apostolic activities in the
Philippines, the members already
were very conscious of the vision
of St. Josemaria that the Philippines
will be at the vang0075ard of the
Christian apostolate in the whole
of Asia. For comments, my email
address is bernardo.villegas@uap.
asia.
Choosing To Be Brave: Choosing Chastity
By Madonna Escolano
AN acquaintance made fun of
me and mocked me when she
learned that I am still a virgin, as
if I were harboring an incurable,
contagious disease. She bluntly
said that it is not surprising that I
do not have a boyfriend and went
on to say that I am missing out a
lot on life, and that old fashioned,
religious women like me were
burned in the stake in the olden
days.
In the past, when I get ridiculed
even by my own friends for
choosing chastity over the use
of my freedom for (sexual) self-
expression I would feel hurt and
betrayed. But I am no longer in
my adolescence bothered by peer
pressure.
I am a child of God, fearfully
and wonderfully made. I was
created after His own image
and likeness. Embracing my
inheritance as a daughter of
Almighty God, I have chosen
not to go through my life chasing
after temporal, useless pursuits.
I am a princess of the Eternal
King and it is but ftting that I
live persevering and standing
up for higher ideals.
I remember the advice given by
Clarisse Tiu, wife of professional
basketball player Chris Tiu,
during the Love Project organized
by the Live Pure Movement
i

last July 13, 2014 at the SMX
Convention center. She said that
In love, (genuine) happiness is
doing Gods will in our lives. She
and her husband Chris shared
their love story and emphasized
the importance of being chaste
and waiting for Gods perfect
time. The greatest gift a person
can give his or her future spouse
on the wedding night is ones
purity.
I have heard people say, I am
weak. I am only human thats
why I sin and fail. I admit that
there have been instances in my
life when I could have chosen to
give in to the temptations of the
fesh, too. I could have read books
and magazines that advocate
the overemphasis on sexuality. I
could just as easily have watched
movies that do not shy away
from lascivious, sensual themes.
I actually still can if curiosity gets
the better of me. After all, it is so
much easier to do what we want
even if it is not necessarily moral.
But I choose not to give in.
We are all sinners and would
always come short of Gods
expectations of us. How can we
remain pure and chaste? If we
have sinned, how do we bounce
back after a fall?
At the Mercy Caf
ii
session
titled Seeking Purity in a Wild
Wild World held last August
09, 2014, Mr. Edwin Lopez,
EWTN Manager for Asia-Pacifc,
Australia and New Zealand, gave
practical suggestions to help us
live pure, and fght the good fght
till the end.
Mr. Lopez gave the acronym
C.A.R.E to allow us to stay in
tune with the will of God. C
stands for Confession. If we exert
so much effort to look physically
good and presentable, its high
time we devoted attention to
care for our spiritual needs, too.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation
is like housekeeping for the
soul. Therefore repent and
return, so that your sins may
be wiped away. (Acts 319) The
frst step for Gods many graces
to fow into our lives is through
Confession.
A is for Adoration. The more
time we spend adoring Jesus in
the Blessed Sacrament, the more
graces He shall bestow upon us.
And theyre not merely temporal
blessings, but spiritual graces far
more valuable than any jewel.
R is for the Rosary. The Saints
attest to the effcacious power of
this prayer. The Holy Rosary
is the storehouse of countless
blessings, Blessed Alan de la
Roche said. One day, through
the Rosary and the Scapular, Our
Lady will save the world, Saint
Dominic de Guzman declared.
The Rosary is the weapon for
these times, said Saint Padre Pio
of Pietrelcina.
Finally and most importantly,
E is for the Eucharist. Nothing
can be more personal than
receiving Jesus, Body, Blood,
and Being when we receive Him
in Holy Communion. The Real
Presence of Jesus on our altars is
proof of His unconditional love
for all of us.
Mr. Edwi n Lopez al so
mentioned the importance of
Knowing thyself. We are not
our wealth, our educational
attainment, our career and our
reputation. We are not the sum of
all our weaknesses and failures.
We are all Gods children whom
He loves so much that He had
to send Jesus Christ for our
redemption. We are all precious
in Gods eyes. Saint Catherine of
Siena once said, And fnd your
pleasure in prayer, where you will
come to a better knowledge both
of yourself and God. We attain
self-knowledge through prayer.
We come to fully embrace the
Truth that God is our Merciful
and Loving Father, and that we
are all children of God through
faith in Christ Jesus. (Gal. 3:26)
In a world where moral values
seem to be deteriorating, we can
rely on Gods mercy so that we
may be able to always choose
what is good and not what is
convenient. We can depend on
His strength so we may persevere
and fnish the race set before each
of us. We can defnitely trust in
His providence and love to get
us through every struggle and
always be flled with hope. We are
all called to declare our own fat,
and to let it be done according
to His Word and plans.
Those who believe that
satisfying carnal pleasures can
give them happiness, in my
personal opinion, are very lonely
deep inside. Let us pray they
realize and accept that Jesus is
the only One who can give true
and lasting joy. There is defnitely
more to life than gratifying the
desires of the fesh.
We have to truly want to
be pure and admit that we
cannot achieve it alone and
need God to help us. We can
simply humbly ask God for the
grace to resist temptations and
remain chaste, and He will most
defnitely answer our prayers. It
is surely true with me, weak and
imperfect as I am. God has been
magnanimously patient with me,
allowing me to take it a step at
a time. He has been extremely,
infnitely patient with all of us!
In the past, when I get ridiculed even by my own friends for
choosing chastity over the use of my freedom for (sexual) self-
expression I would feel hurt and betrayed.
Laymen are at the forefront of pro-life movements; the strengthening of the family as the pillar of society; the carrying out of
myriad corporal and spiritual works of mercy; the restructuring of the economy according to the social doctrine of the Church;
the fght against corruption, pornography and other social ills; and the setting up of schools that are faithful to the Teaching
Authority of the Church. Of course, there is no room for complacency. Much more will have to be done.
Blessed Mother Teresa of
Calcutta had this to say about
desiring purity: To be pure, to
remain pure, can only come at a
price, the price of knowing God and
loving Him enough to do His will.
He will always give us the strength
we need to keep purity as something
as beautiful for Him.
It is only when we willingly
cooperate with Gods Spirit
in us that we can choose to be
brave and live chastely. Jesus
said, Therefore you are to be
perfect, as your heavenly Father
is perfect. Perfection is possible
only with the grace of God. We
pray for the grace to be humble
and obedient to Him. We pray for
the grace to attain perfection, but
at the same time, we also must
always consciously make the
decision to do what pleases God.
Practice not only makes perfect;
practice also makes permanent.
Archbishop Socrates Villegas,
in his homily during the Live
Pure Conference 2014 Eucharistic
celebration, reminded us all
that Love is powerful. Chastity is
beautiful. Holiness is attractive.
He challenged the 7, 000+
participants of the Love Project
to Be brave to say yes to purity and
no to selfshness. Only the brave can
be chaste and be pure of heart.
It is a challenge I have accepted
and intend to be victorious at. In
all these things, overwhelming
victory is ours through Christ,
who loved us. (Romans 8:37)
May you take the challenge,
too!
Notes
i Live Pure Movement: http://lpmove-
ment.com/
ii Mercy Caf, Coffee for the Soul: https://
www.facebook.com/mercycafe
B5 Vol. 18 No. 18
September 1 - 14, 2014
CBCP Monitor
Statements
C
B
C
P

N
e
w
s
I
n
t
e
r
n
a
t
io
n
a
l
C
h
r
is
t
ia
n

C
o
n
c
e
r
n
CBCP President on the 2013 Version of the
Vision Statement of the Department of Education
THE Department of Education recently
re-worded its Vision Statement. In
the past, the department tasked with
the formation of our children once
envisioned functionally literate and
God-fearing Filipinos. Unfortunately,
in its 2013 version, there is no more
mention of God, nor of the salutary fear
of Him that, Scripture tells us, is the
beginning of all wisdom.
A vision statement is not an empty
platitude. It guides the articulation
of policy. It orientates plans of action.
While maka-Diyos remains one of the
Departments core-values, we maintain
that the formation of God-fearing pupils
and students is a vision that cannot be
surrendered.
This Sacred Synod likewise declares
that children and young people have
a right to be motivated to appraise
moral values with a right conscience,
to embrace them with a personal
adherence, together with a deeper
knowledge and love of God. This is
what Vatican II teaches in Gravissimum
Educationis.
The right of a child to recognize God,
to love him and to hope in him cannot be
harmful to anyone else, believer or not.
Our pluralistic society indeed accords
respect for the option of some to believe
and for others not to. This respect for
pluralism does not compel civil society
to expunge the name of God from
public life, especially when the majority
of Filipinos continue to acknowledge
Gods sovereignty and to trust in Divine
Providence. Furthermore, the attitude
of our laws in the Philippines towards
religion is characterized as benevolent
neutrality: the accommodation of
religion whenever such accommodation
does not offend law or public policy.
We exhort our Catholic laity in public
elementary and high schools to be zealous
in the apostolate of forming pupils and
students. Do not get tired of teaching that
God is the beginning and the end of all
things, that he is the Father who wishes
all to have life, and to have it to the full!
This, our dear public school teachers,
is your particular mission in the life of
the Church, the dignity of your calling
as evangelizers within the world and its
concerns. It is a challenge of particular
urgency in this, the Year of the Laity.
Stand up for God. The fear of the Lord
is the beginning of wisdom.
August 29, 2014, Martyrdom of Saint
John the Baptist
+ SOCRATES VILLEGAS
Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan
President, CBCP
CBCP President on the Iraq, Syria Situation
B E F OR E a h o r r i f i e d
worl d, mi l i t ant s, wi t hout
compuncti on and i n utter
merc i l es s nes s , beheaded
j ournalist James Foley. He
may not have died for the
faith, but he certainly died, a
person of faith, we are told by
those who were with him in
his last days. Pope Francis sent
his grieving family a personal
message of condolence. We
join our prayers to those of
our Holy Father that James
may find solace in the bosom
of our Loving Father.
James is one of the thousands
who now suffer because of
the ruthlessness of ISIS (The
Isl ami c St at e of Iraq and
Syria) and militant groups of
like persuasion and brutality.
We should be particularly
appalled that children have
not been spared. Among the
bodies that the rampaging
onsl aught has l ef t i n i t s
wake are those of hapless
infants and childrenthey
who are not deservi ng of
any punishment or suffering
at all! Thousands have been
displaced and must now live
as refugees in often squalid
conditions because of those
who take it upon themselves
to kill and to terrorize in the
name of God.
Not only then are helpless
and defenseless persons the
victims of the brutal imposition
of a rigid and unforgiving
versi on of fai th. Rel i gi on
i s as much a vi ct i m, f or
those who kill and slaughter,
Christians in Iraq and Syria.
These col l ect i ons wi l l be
sent to the CBCP that will
see to their remittance to the
eccl esi asti cal j uri sdi cti ons
of Syria and Iraq. While we
have our own projects in the
Philippines, we cannot put
these ahead of the suffering
of Christians in that troubled
part of our world. They have
not only been evicted from
thei r homes. Thei r pl aces
of worshipmany of them,
thousands of years oldhave
been razed to the ground by
a godless rage with which
no genuine religion can ever
identify! For many, the food
and drink that sustain life are
daily issues. They rise from
sleep each day to struggle
just to keep themselves alive.
We must be generous, and the
fact that we have our own
needs here in the Philippines
does not excuse us f rom
the Christian obligation of
sharing with our suffering
brothers and sisters from our
own need.
Finally, let us be ceaseless
in prayer, uniting ourselves
with our suffering brothers
and sisters, commending to
the God who offers himself to
us as our future their pains,
t hei r shat t ered l i ves and
dreams, their bereavement
and their loss. We pray that
even as many of them now
see no way out of the misery
that has been visited on them,
the God who opens paths
through the sea and ways in
the desert, may make a way
for them to the future that
can only be His gift!
August 27, 2014, Feast of Saint
Monica
+ SOCRATES VILLEGAS
Archbi shop of Li ngayen-
Dagupan
President, CBCP
THE ice-bucket challenge seems
to be the most recent rave with
national personalities joining in.
Throughout the world, and now,
even in the Philippines, people
recognize the nobility of the
cause: research on the dreaded
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
(ALS), more popularly known as
Lou Gehrigs Disease.
Act of Compassion not a Fad
Mitch Albom poignantly chronicled
the deterioration of one stricken with
the disease in his very popular book
Tuesdays with Morrie. Those
from older generations may recall
how Lou Gehrig bade the world of
baseballand the worlda moving
farewell after having been diagnosed
with the disease. It is therefore
disturbing, to say the least, that
some have trivialized the ice-bucket
challenge by making of the act of
dousing oneself with iced water a
fad, rather than a gesture of solidarity
with all who suffer from the disease
and with those who do research on
its alleviation.
Embryonic Stem Cell Research?
There have been disturbing
reports, however, that ALS research
involves the use of stem-cells,
and this is not surprising. ALS
is a degenerative disorder and
stem-cells apparently hold out the
promise of reversing the death and
Prayer and Plea for Peace and Charity
wound and maim, destroy
and burn in the name of God
send the world the awful
message that religion divides,
that faith is oppressive, that
belief can engender so much
unkindness!
In the Philippines, we will
do our part, first of all, to
counter the defacement of
religion. We will live as our
Lord and Master has asked
us to live: with love for each
other, bearing each other s
burdens, ever forgiving and
humbly asking to be forgiven,
respecting the freedoms of
al l , parti cul arl y the ri ght
to religious belief. By this
shall all know that you are
my disciples; by this do we
pray to convince the world
that faith in a God of love and
mercy can still heal our world,
as we trust Him who can make
all things new!
But that i s not enough.
I appeal t o our Fi l i pi no
bishops take up a collection
for the needs of the suffering
CBCP President on the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge
degeneration of brain cells, in particular.
Stem-cells however are most readily
harvested from embryos, and it is in
this regard that this type of research is
ethically problematic.
On Februar y 22, 1987, t he
Congregation for the Doctrine of the
Faith issued an Instruction on Respect
for Human Life in Its Origin and on
the Dignity of Procreation. In respect
to experimentation on embryos, the
Instruction teaches: No objective,
even though noble in itself such as a
foreseeable advantage to science, to
other human beings, or to society, can
in any way justify experimentation on
living human embryos or fetusesTo
use human embryos or fetuses as the
object or instrument of experimentation
constitutes a crime against their dignity
as human beings having a right to the
same respect that is due to the child
already born and to every human
person.
It is therefore even more condemnable
when embryos are destroyed so that their
pluripotent stem cells may be harvested
for research for even therapeutic
purposes.
It is no better when embryos are the
result of in vitro fertilization, developed
purposely as a source of stem cells. The
same Instruction reiterates Catholic
teaching in bioethics: Human embryos
obtained in vitro are human beings and
subjects with rights. Their dignity and
right to life must be respected from the
frst moment of their existence. It is
immoral to produce human embryos
destined to be exploited as disposable
biological material.
ALS Association and Stem Cell
Research
A statement issued by the ALS
Association on stem cell research
contains this declaration: Most stem-
cell research in ALS is currently focused
on iPS cells, which are not burdened
with ethical issues. We are told that
iPS cells are induced pluripotent stem
cells, stem cells created from skin cells.
Such cells would indeed be pluripotent,
but would not be embryonic cells. As
such, the ethical objection to the use
of embryonic cells, whether harvested
from embryos, or obtained through in
vitro fertilization, would not arise. What
is troubling, however, is that the very
same ALS statement, in admitting that
iPS cells are used in most stem-cell
research leaves open the possibility that
stem cells from objectionable sources
are still used!
We are not prepared to say that the
ALS Association, that has promoted
the ice-bucket challenge, and all those
involved in ALS research are engaged
in the unethical practice of using
embryonic cells. The importance of
ALS research cannot be overstated.
Research must proceed, for so many
suffer. Human intelligence and skill
must conquer this dreadful malady,
because it is for this purpose that we
have been given dominion over the earth
as its stewards. But we must also guide
the Catholic faithful, and all who heed
the ethical teaching of the Church.
Pastoral Ethical Guideline
As a pastoral guideline, we
therefore urge those participating
in the ice-bucket challenge and
making donations to ALS research
to make a clear and unequivocal
declaration that their donation is
made on condition that none of it is to
be applied to research that involves
the use of embryonic stem cells, in
vivo or in vitro.
Catholics who participate in the
challenge and who make donations
to this research must also demand
of fund-raisers and organizers an
assurance that none of the donations
made will be applied to researches
that are ethically reproved.
As long as research on ALS as
well as other debilitating conditions
such as Parkinsons Diseases and
Alzheimers keep within the confnes
of the ethical demands of human
dignity, they will be encouraged by
the Church, and our Catholic faithful
will be urged to support them with
generosity and with charity for all
who suffer.
August 27, 2014, Feast of Saint
Monica
+ SOCRATES VILLEGAS
Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan
President, CBCP
Catholics who participate in the challenge and who make donations to this
research must also demand of fund-raisers and organizers an assurance
that none of the donations made will be applied to researches that are
ethically reproved.
We pray that even as many of them now
see no way out of the misery that has
been visited on them,
the God who opens paths
through the sea and ways in the desert,
may make a way for them to the future
that can only be His gift!
B6 Vol. 18 No. 18
September 1 - 14, 2014
CBCP Monitor
By Fr. Sal Putzu, SDB
IN his frst letter to the faithful
of Corinth, St. Paul spells out in
some detail the demands of true
Christian love. (See 1 Cor 13:4-7.)
Without love, even the greatest
act of self-sacrifce profts the
doer nothing. (See 1 Cor 13:3.)
Pauls list of concrete signs of
love is not exhaustive. Love has
millions of faces and shapes. It
has millions of manifestations.
Someti mes i t takes qui te
uncoventional forms, like
saying No! to wrong requests
of the people we hold dear;
giving a bitter medicine to the
feverish child, or even allowing
the amputation of a cancerous
limb in the person we love
The short passages from
Ezekiel and Matthew in todays
Liturgy of the Word remind
us about yet another very
important sign of love: giving
fraternal correction. (See Ez
33:7 and Mt 18:15.) The term
sounds nice, but its application
is always challenging and
often hurting because most of
us (all perhaps?) do not easily
accept to be corrected, to be
told that we have done wrong,
or that we are wrong. It should
not be so, actually, for we are
all frail and often do what we
shouldnt, or fail to do what we
should have done. We need to
may have to face a harsh
reaction, and even see a friend
turn into an enemy because of
a brotherly correction they
gaveIndeed, it is as diffcult
to give a brotherly correction
with sincere charity, as it is
difficult to receive it with
grateful humility.
But giving brotherly advice
and correction is part of the
share we have to pay to bring
about our own salvation as
well as that of our neighbor.
It is part of our carrying one
anothers burdens (Gal 6:2),
no matter how uncomfortable
the fulfllment of our prophetic
task may sometimes be. We are
our brothers keepers, for we are
all members of the same family.
And we cooperate with God in
bringing about our salvation also
by helping Him to save others
Ref lections
Bishop Pat Alo
Bo Sanchez
ENCOUNTERS
SOULFOOD
LET me tell you one of the greatest
mysteries of the world.
When a woman puts on blush
on, mascara, eyebrow pencil,
eyeliner, eye-shadow, eyelashes,
lipstick, lip gloss, toner, powder
and then turns to her husband and
asks, Honey, do I look natural?
Now tell me, how does a
husband answer that without
being hit on the head by inanimate
fying objects?
Hey, Im not against make-up.
I think it boils down to inner
attitude: By putting make-up,
are you covering stuff that youre
ashamed of? Or by putting make-
up, youre expressing the beauty
that you believe is you?
Now before I give you advice
on eyeliner techniques, how to
A humble love that gives and
accepts corrections
23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Mt 18:15-20 (A) September 7, 2014
Exaltation of the Cross, Jn 3:13-17 (A)
Grandparents Day, September 14, 2014
Glory and praise to you,
crucifed and risen Christ!
By Fr. Sal Putzu, SDB
WHEN we speak of the Cross we
instinctively connect it with JESUS
CHRIST, Gods incarnate Son who
was nailed to it, and with the generous
love with which he
accepted it. This is
what made the Cross
an i nst rument of
salvation. Therefore,
we shoul d never
dissociate the two,
even as we should
al ways associ ate
his crucifixion with
hi s r esur r ect i on,
for therein lies the
salvation of mankind.
Originally, the cross
was an instrument
of retribution and
at r oc i ous deat h,
reserved for heinous
crimes. As such, it was
considered a symbol
of despair and shame.
After Christs death
on it, the cross became
(and still remains) a
symbol of hope and
glory; a source of
forgiveness and life,
thanks to the love with
which Jesus embraced
it as part of Gods
plan of salvation for
all mankind. Because
of the close association
of all these elements,
even when we speak
only of the Cross, we
Catholics usually mean
the Crucifed Christ.
He accepted to die on
the Cross not because he deserved it, but
out of love for sinful mankind. Already
the great prophet Isaiah had declared,
He was pierced for our offenses,
crushed for our sins. Upon him was the
chastisement that made us whole. By his
stripes we were healed. (Is 53:5. 11. See
also 1 Cor 15:3; and 1 Pt 2:22-24.)
In todays Second Reading, St. Paul
speaks of Christs dying on the Cross
as the highest sign of his supreme self-
emptying, humiliation and love for the
monuments and churches, atop of which
the Cross towers as a sign of faith and
glory. Christian nations have included
it in their fags. Devout believers have
made it a conspicuous part in their coat
of arms, buildings, monuments and
artifacts.
The Cross has also
become an integral part of
the life of every Catholic
family and individual
believer. The incense
that we burn and the
candles that we light in
front of our crucifxes, the
fowers that we place in
front of them, the kisses
that we give to this most
sacred image; our signing
ourselves reverently with
the Sign of the Cross; our
hanging the crucifx in
the place of honor in our
homes; our carrying it
as a source of protection
wherever we go, and
our holding it close to
our hearts devoutly as
a source of hope and
protectionare all signs
of our respect, gratitude
and love for the Crucifed
Lord.
But all these external
signs of respect, gratitude
and love for him should be
capped by the way we live.
Our behavior should be
the greatest and clearest
exaltation of the Cross
of Christ. This means that
our lifestyle should be a
constant manifestation of
our love for the crucifed
Jesus and our desire to
imitate him. There is no
better way to honor him than to love
God the Father and our neighbor the way
he did. In practical terms, accepting the
crosses of life with humility and moral
strength as Jesus did is the best expression
of our love for the Father. Bending down
to help our brothers and sisters carry
their crosses is a most excellent way
to express our gratitude to Jesus for
his having carried our crosses. It is also
the surest way to come to share in the
exaltation of his resurrection.
sake of all mankind. Because of this,
God the Father greatly exalted him
and bestowed on him the Name that is
above every name (Phil 2:9). This means
that He accepted His Sons sacrifce
and rewarded it with the glory of the
Resurrection.
The Father also continued to glorify
Jesus and his Cross through the miracles
that accompanied the discovery of the
true Cross in Jerusalem miracles
that perpetually associated the Cross
with healing and life. Thats why the
apostle Paul could proclaim, May I
never boast except in the cross of our
Lord Jesus Christ! (Gal 6:14).
For its part, the Church has honored
the cross of Jesus through the centuries
in the liturgy and the innumerable
Dont Hide Who You Are
highlight your cheekbones, and
what various hues of blush-on
you can use for your skin color,
let me tell you about my sisters
wedding many years ago.
I was still in my twenties. I
remember standing in front of the
altar, beside the groom, eagerly
waiting for his bride. When she
finally appeared and started
walking down the aisle, I noticed
that my would-be brother-in-law
suddenly entered into a catatonic
state. His eyes had this blank
stare, his mouth ajar, his body
motionless, until I snapped my
fnger in front of his face.
Shaking off the shock, he
swallowed hard and asked me
a question I wished I recorded
for his future children and
grandchildren to hear.
He mumbled, Is sheuh
your sister?
I bit my lip. I dont know. She
has so much paint, er, I mean,
make-up on I fnally shrugged
and told him, When she comes
closer, just ask her name.
You may be wondering who
among my sisters Im referring
to since I have fve of them. For
the sake of my personal safety,
that information shall be kept
in a secret vault that can only be
opened after my death.
Can I now shift gears?
Sorry, this article isnt about
make-up. (Ill reserve my
eyeliner and blush-on techniques
for another day.)
This article is about enjoying
who you are.
About bei ng you and
celebrating Gods beautiful
creation.
So what if youre too thin,
too stout, too tall, too short,
too round, too rectangular, too
hexagonical?
When my wife was a child,
she was teased as headlights
by her classmates because of her
humongous eyes. And she would
cry buckets of tears, wondering
why God made her that way.
Twenty years later, in my
offce, a young woman came in.
Immediately, I noticed her lovely
round eyes. I was smitten. Thank
God for headlights.
Dont hide. Dont pretend.
Dont be someone else.
Mass media advantage
SOMETIMES the use of media of social communications gets
the upper hand as far as spreading good and noble ideas. Its
because in direct verbal confrontation and dialogue sometimes
there are people just too sensitive for conversing so directly,
or feelings become more easily agitated thus preventing the
fruits of calm interaction and exchange of views. So since we
are more on the side of spreading the truth than just indulging
peoples feelings we can see how in the history of humanity
mass media has exerted such an infuence. Theres even the
Latin popular saying which says: Ideae Regunt Mundum,
translate: It is ideas that rule the world.
No wonder how important therefore is the role of the media
of social communications. However, we should be involved in
this means of communication since so many evil and corrupt
forces utilize the media for wrong and evil motivations. It
surely is a challenge to be involved in the social media for a
good purpose since it could just as easily be utilized for wrong
uses, especially with the present progress of technological
know-how and the sciences.
Cross / B7
We need to be reminded about our duties
even though being reminded of these
elementary truths hurts our pride
C
B
C
P

N
e
w
s
C
B
C
P

N
e
w
s
By Fr. Joseph Pellegrino
FOR fve years I lived in one of the most
beautiful places in our country, believe
it or not, in New Jersey. I attended Don
Bosco Seminary in Sussex County, the
Northwest corner of New Jersey. This
is an area of green rolling hills and the
most colorful autumns you could ever
imagine. It is hard to explain the hills
of New Jersey to folks who have lived in
the fat area of Florida all there lives. The
hills just seem to pop up everywhere.
Naturally the main roads are in the
valleys between the hills.
When the Salesians of St. John
Bosco who ran Don Bosco Seminary
frst arrived in Sussex County in the
1920s they were greeted with a most
unpleasant sight. On the hill directly
across from the seminary, the local Ku
Klux Klan erected a burning cross to
welcome the Catholics. Anti Catholicism
was part of their many prejudices. Time
went on. The seminary and the order
grew. The KKK faded away, at least from
Northwest New Jersey. Forty years later
the Salesians remodeled their chapel. In
the center of the sanctuary they placed
a large burnt cross as a sign that the
hatred of men could not destroy the love
of Christ. Sadly, this cross was replaced
by a traditional crucifx, but the burnt
The Triumph of the
Cross: God Loves Us
September 14, 2014
cross made a lasting impression on me
and on many others.
Today we celebrate the Feast of the
Triumph of the Cross. This feast goes
back to the seventh century when
the Cross was recovered from the
Persians and exposed for veneration in
Jerusalem. The Triumph of the Cross
is the Triumph of Jesus Christ whose
love for us and obedience to his Father
climaxed with his death on the cross.
Moses lifted up the serpent on the
cross in the desert. People looked at
this cross the prefgured Jesuss cross
and were healed. In Johns Gospel we
hear Jesus telling Nicodemus that he
would be lifted up so that all who see
him and believe in him would have
eternal life. For God so loved that world
that he gave his only Son that whoever
believes in him may not die but may
have eternal life.
The cross is the symbol of the
Christian. It is our sign of our personal
relationship with our Savior. He died
not just for people in general but for
me and for you. He calls us to join him
on his cross not just as a people but as
individuals. The ideal that he realized
is the goal of our lives, to make real the
only true love there is: sacrifcial love.
Some people treat the cross as a
trinket. Other people treat the cross in
P
a
o
lo

V
e
r
o
n
e
s
e
be reminded about our duties
even though being reminded
of these elementary truths hurts
our pride
And God does send us
reminders. He sends us His
messages not only through
our consci ence, but al so
through people. These are His
messengers, His disturbing
prophets, the ones who give
us the bitter pills, and prick our
festering sores...
Fraternal correction may
also be hurting to the very
persons who give it, for they
B7 Vol. 18 No. 18
September 1 - 14, 2014
CBCP Monitor
Social Concerns
Invalidates / B2
Cross / B6
Name _________________________________________________
(Family Name) (Given Name) (Middle Name)
Mailing Address _______________________________________________
_________________________________________________
Phone No.: ________ Fax No.: ________ E-mail: ___________
Mode of Payment
Check/PMO enclosed Cash Payment
(Payable to: CBCP Communications Development Foundation Inc.)
_____________________________
Signature
PLEASE SEND TO:
CBCP Monitor, P.O. Box 3601, Manila, Philippines
470 Gen. Luna St., Intramuros, Manila, Philippines | Tel (632) 404-2182 Telefax (632) 404-1612
Or e-mail this at cbcpmonitor@cbcpworld.com
SUBSCRIPTION RATES

The CBCP Monitor is published
fortnightly by the CBCP Media
Offce, with editorial and busi-
ness offces at 470 Gen. Luna
St., Intramuros, Manila. PO Box
3601, 1076 MCPO
Domestic
1 Year Php 500.00
2 Years Php 900.00
Foreign: Asia
1 Year US$ 55.00
All Other US$ 80.00
CBCPMonitor
By Jing Rey Henderson
Php 565,098,211.00 funding
141,112 benefciaries.
118 communities.
35 municipalities.
9 dioceses.
THIS is the magnitude of Project
REACH Philippines the
recovery appeal program being
implemented by CBCP-NASSA/
Caritas Philippines for the
survivors of Typhoon Yolanda
since March 2014.
This is the most massive
post-disaster recovery project
Caritas Philippines has ever
implemented so far. Not only in
terms of the funding we were able
to raise but more because of the
number of communities being
covered simultaneously and the
number of projects we wanted
to achieve, Ms. Josephine
Ignacio-Labonte, Humanitarian
Unit Head of Caritas Philippines
states.
Unlike any post-disaster
Update on the recovery efforts for Yolanda victims
recovery project implemented
especially in the Philippines,
CBCP-NASSA initiated the
conduct of a Participatory Disaster
Risk Assessment (PDRA) three
months after the mega-typhoon
hit Samar, Leyte, Northern Cebu,
Panay and Northern Palawan.
In the Emergency Appeal
narrative, PDRA was described
as having the unique element
of the consultative role that
/communi t i es pl ayed i n
identifying the elements at risk,
the capacity and capacity gaps
of individual households to
rebuild their lives. Therefore the
baseline needs of this programme
were set by those who have the
greatest understanding of their
locality, the affected communities
themselves.
Contrary to the perception
most humanitarian groups have,
Caritas Philippines strongly
believes that the communities
can actually rise from a calamity
sooner than we normally think
they can. And the sooner we get
them out of that grim situation,
the better off they will be, Ms.
Athena Banza, NASSAs DRR
Program Manager stressed.
Hon. Rogelio Bernal, Barangay
Captain of San Nicolas in San
Dionisio, Iloilo narrates that
our communities were able
to participate in the mapping
of the affected areas in our
barangay. We were able to
know the extent of damage
caused by Yolanda. From there,
through the guidance of the
community organizers from
Jaro Archdiocesan Social Action
Center (JASAC), we were able
to ascertain and prioritize the
things that we needed most.
The needs across all nine
dioceses were almost the same:
shelter, livelihood, water,
sanitation and hygiene facilities,
and ecosystems recovery. The
PDRA data was also able to verify
which families and individuals
were classifed to be in high,
medium and low risk areas.
We do not want PDRA to
be just a means to an end. We
wanted it to be appreciated as
again.
To that, Rev. Fr. Edwin
Gariguez, Caritas Philippines
Executive Secretary salutes every
brave Filipino soul by saying
we have our inner strength
even amid strong calamities, we
do not easily lose hope this is
where we are putting our new
initiatives, to channel each ray
of hope to something measurable
sustainable livelihood, better
WASH facilities, protected
ecosystems, truly resilient
communities.
Msgr. Meliton Oso, Social
Action Director from Jaro
Archdiocese in Iloilo has another
way of putting it into words. We
are the Church of the poor. That
meant we must help our brothers
and sisters in need not only for
three days or three months, but
for life. So we empower them. We
make them resilient. And we do
that now, because the poor cannot
wait, and they cannot stay poor
forever.
(Jing Rey Henderson works at
NASSA Caritas Philippines
Humanitarian Unit)
a process towards development
of the communities. The end
goal that we envision to achieve
is the building of genuinely
resilient communities, Ms.
Banza pointed out.
Mrs. Vi ol eta Al cazaren,
beneficiary of the seedlings
distributed post-Yolanda in
Iloilo, would recall the PDRA
made me realize that there
would be no one to help me
solve my problems. Caritas will
just be there to guide me and
they can only give so much.
After everything they have
done for us, we need to be able
to help ourselves already. If I
want a better life, then I must do
something.
Alcazaren now earns Php
450.00 per harvest from her
backyard garden. My earnings
are helping me send my children
to school. Our barangay offcials
and my community leaders
are also planning to let me sell
the crops from our communal
garden. I will get a commission
from the sales. Thats additional
income for my family. Thats a
great help for us to start over
Benefciaries augment their daily income through communal gardens, which are part of the com-
prehensive post-Yolanda recovery program of CBCP-NASSA and Caritas Philippines.
A typhoon Yolanda survivor shows a love note of thanks to the many generous hearts that have
worked to make recovery programs possible for thousands of families and communities.
declare the marriage invalid for lack
of consent.
Conclusion
As regards the marriage in question,
there may be grounds for nullity as
follows:
1) Grave lack of due discretion on
the part of the woman, concerning
the essential matrimonial rights and
dutiesspecifically regarding the
duty of marital fidelity. It might be
proven in court that the woman may
not have understood what monogamy
really means, since she has been with
two partners after separating with her
husband. The fact that she was barely
18 years old when she got married
could be the reason for the lack of due
discretion (immaturity).
2) Grave fear on the part of the woman,
who was pregnant out of wedlock.
Note that even if she was reluctant
to marry (presumably because of the
obvious signs of immaturity and lack
of financial capability of the man),
it might still be proven that she in
fact was afraid of the displeasure
of her parents and the shame and
difficulties she would have to face
should she become a single parent.
This is why it is normally contra-
indicated for the parish priest to
allow a marriage to take place just
because the woman is pregnant;
such pregnancy could be the cause
of grave fear which can be a ground
for marriage nullity.
We do not want
PDRA to be just
a means to an end.
We wanted it to
be appreciated as
a process towards
development of the
communities.
The end goal
that we envision
to achieve is
the building of
genuinely resilient
communities...
Telecommunication companies and the
governments National Telecommunication
Commission are in some kind of collaboration.
They seem to be in a criminal conspiracy to
subvert the law.
C
B
C
P

N
A
S
S
A
C
B
C
P

N
A
S
S
A
a superstitious manner. Some
people will give a cross powers
that belong to God. These people
have seen too many cheap horror
movies and act as though a cross
can defeat evil spirits. It is not
the object that conquers evil, it
is the power of Christ whose
presence the object reminds us
of that conquers evil.
The deeper meaning of the
Cross is presented in todays
second reading from the Letter
of Paul to the Philippians. Jesus
emptied himself completely, not
just becoming a human being
but accepting the worst public
death of the society he was in
to demonstrate the extent of
the love of God for us. He died
making a willing statement of
love, flling the world with the
love he had for his Father and
his Father has for him. We are
saved from the horrors of evil,
from meaningless lives due to
the love of the Lord. Because
Jesus died on a cross for us we
are able to proclaim to the world:
Jesus is Lord. His love made this
possible. When we wear a cross
we are saying: Jesus is Lord of
our lives.
This is the ideal set before us:
as followers of Jesus, as people
with a personal relationship
with the Lord who loves each
of us, we have to be willing to
sacrifce everything we have to
fll the world with the Fathers
love. Our daily turmoil, our
problems, our pains all take on
an infnite value when we trust
them to Jesus, when we unite
them to his cross, to our cross.
How much does God love the
world; so much that he gave his
only son to the world so that
when he would be lifted high
on a cross all might be saved
through him.
Praised be Jesus Christ in
whose cross we fnd meaning in
this life and eternity in the next.
By Fr. Shay Cullen

THE good news is that hundreds, if
not thousands of children, will now
be safe from abuse and molestation
after some 660 British subjects were
arrested in the United Kingdom
for accessing images of children
on the internet a few weeks ago.
Many more suspects who have been
identified could be arrested soon. The
depressing news is that many of the
images discovered online were of very
young Filipino children.
Recently, five children between the
ages of five and seven years old, and
one six-month-old baby, were found
in the house of a British woman in
Subic, Philippines. The children
bear signs of sexual abuse. A seven-
year old boy said he was sexually
molested and photographed naked by
a male visitor. A six-year old girl was
found tied to a chair in a filthy room
strewn with empty liquor bottles. The
images of these abused children were
probably shared with pedophiles in
the UK and other parts of the world.
Perhaps some of the 660 British
men who were arrested in England,
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland,
have already viewed the images. The
British woman is now in the custody
of the Philippines police. Identified
as coming from Scotland, Lilian May
Thomson Zimmer, 65, holds a US
passport. She has been charged with
direct assault on persons in authority,
serious illegal detention and child
cruelty. More charges may follow.
The children were rescued after a
month-long campaign by the Preda
Foundation to persuade authorities
to save the children. The children
are now safe in a government child
care center, are recovering from their
ordeal and are talking about it. There
is a growing number of arrests in
the Philippines of people making
illegal images of children, and using
children for live cybersex shows over
the internet. Most customers of this
criminal activity are from the UK and
other parts of Europe. They satisfy
their depraved desires and get away
with it because of lax law enforcement,
bribery, and the non-compliance of
Internet Server Providers (ISPs) with
the law. The Philippines passed a law
in 2009 that requires the installation
of filters and software on servers of
ISPs, but it remains unimplemented.
Telecommunication companies
and the government s Nati onal
Telecommunication Commission are
in some kind of collaboration. They
seem to be in a criminal conspiracy
to subvert the law. If implemented,
the law can at least protect thousands
of children from abuse. But the
government has failed to act, and has
failed the Filipino children, a worse
crime it would seem than politicians
stealing billions of pesos from the
people.
The failure to implement the law
has become a grave injustice to the
Filipino people and the children. It
has also become a stark reminder
how rich corporations manipulate
government agencies and officials to
continue to earn huge profits from
the transmission of illegal images
of children. ISPs claim innocence,
saying that they are not responsible
for the images that pass through their
servers. But the law states otherwise.
What greater evil is there for such
images to circulate among child
abusers, instigating them to commit
more abuse?
This evil trade and the complicity of
government agencies and corporations
by not stopping the crime is a gross
violation of childrens rights. Such
neglect and dereliction of duty is
a crime itself. Philippine President
Benigno Aquino, who claims to be
an anti-corruption president, might
not have heard about the rape of
Filipino children. But for him to act
now it is not yet too late. It would be a
great service to the children. We can all
help by writing to President Aquino,
reminding him of his obligation to
the future of his country. Lighting a
candle in the dark might enlighten
the minds and hearts of people who
live in the presidents palace.
Shining a light on pedophilia in the Philippines
B8
Vol. 18 No. 18
September 1 - 14, 2014
B8
CBCP Monitor
Entertainment Entertainment
DIRECTOR: Luc Besson
LEAD CAST: Scarlett Johans-
son, Morgan Freeman,
Min-sik Choi
SCREENWRITER: Luc Besson
PRODUCER: Mar Shmuger,
Virginie Silla
MUSICAL DIRECTOR: Eric
Serra
GENRE: Action, Sci-Fi
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Thi-
erry Arbogast
LOCATION: Taiwan and
France
DISTRIBUTOR: Columbia
Pictures
RUNNING TIME: 89 minutes
TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT:

MORAL ASSESSMENT:
CINEMA rating: V 14
DIRECTOR: James Gunn
LEAD CAST: Chris Pratt, Zoe Zaldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Die-
sel, Bradley Cooper, Michael Rooker
SCREENWRITER: James Gunn, Nicole Perlman
PRODUCER: Kevin Feige
EDITOR: Craig Wood, Fred Raskin, Hughes Winborne
MUSICAL DIRECTOR: Tyler Bates
GENRE: Science Fiction, Superhero (Sci Fi)
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Ben Davis
DISTRIBUTOR: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
LOCATION: United States
RUNNING TIME: 122 minutes
TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT:
MORAL ASSESSMENT:
CINEMA rating: V 14
Technical Assessment
Poor
Below average
Average
Above average
Excellent
Moral Assessment
Abhorrent
Disturbing
Acceptable
Wholesome
Exemplary
BARNEY Ross (Stallone) and his team of
retirable former something of the military
intercept a shipment of bombs meant for
a Somalian warlord but is shocked to see
Expendable co-founder turned traitor
Conrad Stonebanks (Gibson), who is
believed to be dead, to be the man behind
the dealing. Ross, in order to protect his
old friends, assembles a younger team to
run after Stonebanks but the latter evades
capture and instead imprisons the younger
members as a trap for Ross. Ross is forced to
reassemble his old team with a few additions
of equally retirable ex-experts to save the
younger Expendables and eventually end
Stonebanks crimes.
It is excruciating to watch all these 80s-90s
action heroes struggling to relive their glory
moments via an equally excruciating movie.
With all the big names with no real acting
prowess packed into a plot which can be
told in 20 minutes, one can just image the
ingenuity needed to sustain the movie for
two hours. Between the gist of the story are
endless repetitive action sequences aimed
to remind the audience that the actor had
a career once and unfortunately reinforced
that he could only manage two expressions
at most. Only Mel Gibson, who must have
had an offer he could not refuse for allowing
himself to be associated with the movie, and
Antonio Banderas, gave some level of depth
and enjoyment in their respective character
portrayals. That the technical aspects are
DIRECTION: Patrick Hughes
CAST: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Sta-
tham, Antonio Banderas, Mel Gibson,
Harrison Ford, Arnold Schwarzen-
negger, Wesley Snipes, Kellan Lutz,
Ronda Rousey, etc.
STORY: Sylvester Stallone
SCREENPLAY: Creighton Rothenberger,
Katrin Benedikt, Sylvester Stallone
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Peter Menzies, Jr.
EDITING: Sean Albertson, Paul Harb.
MUSIC: Brian Tyler
PRODUCERS: Avi Lerner, Kevin King-
Templeton
GENRE: Action
LOCATION: USA and Europe
RUNNING TIME: 126 minutes
TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT:
MORAL ASSESSMENT:
CINEMA rating: V14
Buhay San Miguel Brothers Matias
above average is irrelevant because frankly
it is expected for the obvious investment
producers poured in. With all the big stars
in movie, producers are bound to hit enough
patrons who adored the once upon a time
action heroes or are just curious to see how
badly theyve aged. Other than this, we
cannot think of any other reason why one
will withstand 120 minutes of idiocy.
Somewhere in the muddled storyline
and monotonous chasing and explosions,
one character utters, in a desperate attempt
to pour in some heart and soul in the flm,
that for their mission /objective to succeed,
they have to work together set aside their
differences and be a team. So that about sums
the decency of Expendables 3. Quite true and
honorable but reallycan two lines salvage
the poor narrative, ridiculous characters and
senseless and tiresome testosterone overkill?
It does not help that at the end of the flm,
supposed morally upright Ross choses to
kill Stonebanks just because he had enough
of the latters evil ways. Thankfully, most
of the fans would be aged 40 and above so
there may be little danger in sending the
wrong messages.
THE EXPENDABLES 3
LUCY
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY
LUCY (Scarlett Johansson) is an
American taking further studies
in Taiwan. There he meets
Richard and they become steady
after nights of hanging out and
drinking sprees in bars. After
barely a week, she is tricked by
Richard to deliver a mysterious
briefcase to a certain Mr. Jung
(Chao Min Sik). It eventually turns
out that the briefcase contains
a prohibited new synthetic
designer drug. Trapped, Lucy is
forced to become a drug mule.
But then, something happens in
the process - the drug bursts into
her stomach and releases into her
system, activating even the most
inactive part of her brain. Thus, it
gives Lucy access to increase the
amount of her neural capacity
more than an average human
being can. Lucy gains formidable,
close to supernatural abilities that
is more than enough to get back
and retaliate to the group of Mr.
Jung. However, her ability goes
with consequences she may not
be able to handle.
The flm takes off with the
premise that an average human
person uses only about 10%
of his brain capacity what
if a person would be able to
use more? What if a person is
able to use 100%? Although the
premise seems preposterous
with no real logical and scientifc
basis to boot, the audience is
made to believe it is so. Lucy is
a triumph in visual storytelling
having successfully told
both in gripping narrative
and arresting visuals such an
abstract idea. Johansson is able
to pull through the physical
and emotional demands of her
character. Although lacking in
character back story, Lucy still
earned audiences sympathy
and it could be attributed
to Johanssons nuances. The
movies direction is fuid and
the editing is superb. Lucy is one
rare feat in flmmaking where
philosophy and movie arts meet.
The audience is made to think,
feel, and remain glued at their
seats as they journey with Lucys
100% use of her brain capacity.
Lucy is set at the backdrop of
the illegal drugs industry. The
said world is portrayed as dark
and evil and true to its form,
illegal drug is the ultimate evil
in society it destroys, corrupts
and causes most of societys ills.
It is but coincidental that in the
same evil world, Lucy is able to
gain incredible ability that is not
necessarily evil and in fact, Lucy
used the said ability to fght the
evil. But then again, there goes
the moral question of breaking
human laws and taking justice
in ones own hands, especially
in situations, as in Lucys, when
humans are empowered with
superhuman abilities to the
point of killing the enemies if
necessary. Although it is hard
to pass on moral judgments
to Lucys actions since she
is portraying a hypothetical
superhuman situation, and she
seems unable to control her
actions, it is perhaps better to
ponder on the mans imperfect
nature. By Gods design, humans
are made to be imperfect and
for always, perfection is one of
humans ultimate goal but is
achieved in his lifetime. In Lucy,
it is said that when humans are
able to use 100% of his or her
cerebral capacity, the next stage
would be self-destruction since
he or she has already achieved
his or her full potential. Absurd
as it is, the message could
simply be that humans are made
imperfect so as to be dependent
on God, and journey with God
towards perfection. For even if
a human reaches his or her full
potential, he or she can never be
God. More so, in case it happens,
for as long as one acknowledges
that there is One all powerful,
omnipresent, ultimate God, he
or she can never go wrong. Lucy
has made the ultimate sacrifce
in the end, reminiscent that of
Gods sacrifce once before
perhaps it is the real peak of
humans fullest potential, when
one could sacrifce his or her
own life for the greater good. But
then, all of which are subject to
debate and refection, and still,
Lucy has some adult and violent
themes and visuals that may be
suitable only to audiences 14
and above.
HURT beyond words by the death
of his mother from cancer, the
grieving boy Peter Quill (Wyatt
Olef) bolts from the hospital to a
grassy knoll but, alas, he is sucked
in by a spaceship, abducted by
aliens presumably. Next we are
shown a grown up and wise-
cracking Peter (Chris Pratt),
dancing to the songs of the 70s he
had enjoyed as a boy. He is now
one among a band of intergalactic
thieves and, calling himself Star
Lord, is in fact on a mission to
steal an orb. He succeeds but the
orb, it turns out, is coveted by so
many others, among them the
terrorist Ronan (Lee Pace), The
Collector (Benicio del Toro), the
war lord Thanos (Josh Brolin),
and lesser characters interested in
selling it. Besides losing the orb
to one of them, Peter is arrested
and imprisoned; and there he
and fellow inmatesThanos
daughter Gamora (Zoe Saldana),
the genetically engineered
raccoon Rocket (voiced by
Bradley Cooper), a tree-like
creature called Groot (voiced by
Vin Diesel), and a hulk called
Drax the Destroyer (wrestling
champ David Bautista)band
together with one aim in mind:
to retrieve the orb.
Any movie with a hero who
dances to 70s tunes while kicking
around dinosaur-rodents in a
grungy cavern cant but be an
entertaining movie. Despite some
loopholes in the plot, Guardians
of the Galaxy deserves a bunch
of medals for being Marvels
most surprising production to
date. Not only because it is so
lighthearted and breezy (and
therefore un-Marvel-ous) but also
because it has the swagger to put
its heart on its sleeve, confdent
that the audience will love it
nonetheless. At frst it looks
like another story about another
superhero playing cute, until
the would-be Guardians start
popping and zapping into the
picture. And it is in the interplay
of these characters that the movie
fnds its redemption.
Val ues, there are many.
Teamwork, for one. Self-sacrifce
for the greater good is another.
Character transformation is yet
another. These fve Guardians
are all rascals one way or another
and are after the orb for their own
selfsh agenda: Peter Quill the
intergalactic thief and smuggler
is the payroll of Ravager Yondu
(Michael Rooker); green-skinned
Gamora is sent by her father
Thanos to grab the orb from
Peter; gun-toting bad-ass raccoon
Rocket is taking out his anger
for having been experimented
on countless times; Rockets
sidekick Groot who has only three
words to sayI am Groot
all throughout the movie; and
meathead Drax who joins the
bunch to avenge the killing of his
wife and child. No one would
have recruited these fve to work
as a team, but the movie glides
on the charm of these characters.
Rivals become allies, agreeing to
set aside their individual aims in
order to secure the orb and keep
it out of reach of the genocidal
maniac Ronan. In the end, Groot
justifes his supreme sacrifce
by saying, this time, We are
Groot. If action movies can fll
the outer spaces with heart such
as Guardians of the Galaxy has
done, then it is hoped that the
dancing twig as the credits roll is
a subtle set up for a sequel.
The Cross
A Supplement Publication of KCFAPI and the Order of the Knights of Columbus
Vol. 18 No. 18
September 1 - 14 2014
CBCP Monitor
C1
A September to remember
Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ Museum.
SEPTEMBER is indeed a month
to remember for the Knights of
Columbus Fraternal Association
of the Philippines, Inc. (KC-
FAPI) as it marks the anniversary
month of the Association and the
death anniversary of its founder.
On September 9, KCFAPI will
be turning 56 years old and in cele-
bration of this remarkable achieve-
ment, KCFAPI will be holding fun
and meaningful week-long activi-
ties from September 7 to 14, 2014.
Part of this week-long celebration
is the commemoration of the 37th
Death Anniversary of KCFAPIs
founder, Fr. George J. Willmann
on September 14.
Father George J. Willmann, SJ
is an American Jesuit who vigor-
ously pursued the growth of the
Knights of Columbus in the Phil-
ippines and dynamically worked
for the radical transformation of
faith into action. He established
numerous organizations and
spent his 44 fruitful and produc-
tive years in the Philippines serv-
ing young people, the poor, the
sick, the orphans, the oppressed,
the lonely and the desolate.
Born on June 29, 1897 to very
devout Catholic parents in
Brooklyn, New York, Fr. Will-
mann was granted Philippine
citizenship by then President
Ferdinand Marcos through Presi-
dential Decree No. 740. He died
on September 14, 1977 at the
age of 80 at Murray Weigel
Hall, Fordham University, after
a hipbone surgery and brief ill-
ness. His body was returned to
the Philippines and was buried
at the Jesuit cemetery in Novali-
ches, Quezon City.
Among the organizations he
established were the Catholic
Youth Organization in the Phil-
ippines; Catholic Press The
Filipinas and Cross Magazine;
Columbian Squires in the Phil-
ippines; Daughters of Isabella
in the Philippines (later reor-
ganized under the name of the
Daughters of Mary Immaculate);
Columbian Farmers Aid As-
sociation; Knights of Columbus
Fraternal Association of the Phil-
ippines, Inc. (KCFAPI); Knights
of Columbus Philippines Foun-
dation, Inc; and KC Fr. George J.
Willmann Charities, Inc.
KCFAPIs efforts to promote
awareness on the Cause of Fr.
Willmann intensifes more than
ever with the establishment of
the National Executive Commit-
tee (NEC) which oversees all the
initiatives relative to or in con-
nection with the Cause. Mem-
bers of the NEC are as follow:
Hilario G. Davide, Jr. Chairman
Msgr. Pedro C. Quitorio III Vice
Chairman
Members:
Rev. Fr. Jeronimo Ma. J. Cruz
Justice Jose C. Reyes, Jr.
Arsenio Isidro G. Yap
Alonso L. Tan
Rodrigo N. Sorongon
Balbino C. Fauni
Ma. Theresa G. Curia
Roberto T. Cruz
Since its inception in May
2011, various activities directed
towards widespread and deeper
national awareness and well-
organized appreciation of the
life and works of Fr. George J.
Willmann SJ have been initiated
such as the construction of the Fr.
George J. Willmann, SJ Memorial
Building and Museum, massive
campaigns on the Cause of Fr.
Willmann with the help of Youth
Pinoy (a network of young peo-
ple ages 14-39 years old, single,
practicing Catholics, and are
active in New or Social Media),
Catholic Youth Organization
(which was one of the organiza-
tions Fr. Willmann founded) and
the Catholic Bishops Conference
of the Philippines.
Now that we know who Fr.
Willmann is and his contribu-
tions to the Filipino society and
the Catholic church, it is just but
right to be grateful for all he has
done. What better way to give
back to him than to raise him to
the honors of the altar by sup-
porting his Cause and regularly
recite the Prayer for the Cause
of Fr. George J. Willmann. (Ma.
Kristianne G. Pascual)
Prayer for the
Cause Of Fr. George
J. Willmann, SJ
Blessed are You, Almighty Father,
source of all goodness and wisdom.
Look down upon us Your children,
who are trying to serve You with all
our heart. Deign to raise Fr. George J.
Willmann to the honors of the altar.
He was the prayerful, strong, daunt-
less model that we all need in this new
era, he was a pastor in the care and for-
mation of the youth; the relief of victims
of war and violence; the alleviation of
the suffering of the poor and the pres-
ervation and promotion of the sanctity
of life, marriage and the family.
Make him the lamp on the lampstand
giving light to all in the house. Make
him the city set on the mountain, which
cannot be hidden, so that all of us may
learn from his courage, his integrity, his
indomitable spirit in propagating and
living the Gospel.
Through his intercession, bestow on
us the favor we ask You in faith (pause
here and silently entrust to the Lord
your petitions). Through Christ our
Lord. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be
KCMC 1000 supports the
Cause of Fr. Willmann
THE KCMC 1000 headed
by the newly installed
Grand Knight, Bro. Jun
Florendo pledged their
support on the aware-
ness campaign initiated
by the National Execu-
tive Committee on the
Cause of Fr. George J.
Willmann, SJ.
As an ordinary mem-
ber-Knight I believe that
the awareness campaign
about Fr. George J. Will-
FBG reveals new set of qualifers
for Academic Excellence Award
THE Fraternal Benefts Group of the
Knights of Columbus Fraternal Associa-
tion of the Philippines, Inc. (KCFAPI)
presents qualified applicants for the
Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ award for
Academic Excellence, which is being
conferred to inspire the members of the
Knights of Columbus family to excel
academically. This program aims to
serve as an asset in forming a strong
Christian society.
The program is divided into 4 divi-
sions, namely: Elementary Level (Vale-
dictorians of the Graduating class of
2013-2014), High School Level (Valedic-
torians of the Graduating class of 2013-
2014), College Level (Cum Laudes and
higher of the Graduating class of 2013-
2014 and must be four year course) and
passers of BOARD/BAR examination
from July 1, 2013 to December 31, 2014.
The Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ award
for Academic Excellence is sponsored
by KCFAPI to recognize the members
of Knights of Columbus and their im-
mediate families who have excelled in
their studies.
Three (3) individuals namely Andrea
May C. Malonzo (Cum Laude, AB
Development Communication), Mark
Anthony B. Quilestino (Board Passer,
BS Elementary Education), and Banoar
R. Abratique (Magna Cum Laude, Bach-
elor of Science in Accountancy) join the
fourteen (14) other qualifers for the Aca-
demic Excellence Awards. (FBG News)
FBG holds fraternal service training program
THE Fraternal Benefits
Group of the Knights
of Columbus Fraternal
Association of the Phil-
ippines, Inc. (KCFAPI)
held a two-day Fraternal
Service Training program
on August 19-20 at the
KCFAPI main office in
Intramuros, Manila.
Par t i ci pant s were
Filipino Knights of Columbus Honored
for Culture of Life Activities
Knights of Columbus St. Joseph Council
12405 in San Mateo, Rizal, Luzon, was
honored with the International Service
Award for Culture of Life Activities at
the Knights 132nd international con-
vention for its pro-life activities.
On March 25, wishing to commemo-
Culture of Life / C3
Cause / C3
Training / C3
The oldest council of the Knights of Columbus in the Philippines received the campaign materials
on the Cause of Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ last August 17, 2014 held at the KCMC 1000 Chamber in
Intramuros, Manila.
Participants of August FST with KCFAPI Fraternal Benets Services Department Manager Michael P. Cabra
(extreme right) and KCFAPI Vice President for Fraternal Benets Group, Gari San Sebastian (extreme left).
KCFAPI President and Luzon Deputy, Arsenio Isidro G. Yap together with his wife, Annie receive a plaque
of recognition representing International Service Award for Culture of Life Activities from Supreme
Knight, Carl Anderson.
The Cross
C2 Vol. 18 No. 18
September 1 - 14, 2014
CBCP Monitor
A Week of Meaningful and Relevant
Festivities
The month of September is one of the
busiest and liveliest months for KCFAPI
as our Association celebrates this year
its 56th Founding Anniversary Week
from September 7 14, 2014 56 years
of relevant and substantial growth since
1958 when it was founded by Fr. George
J. Willmann, SJ. whose 37th death anni-
versary we will also be commemorating
on September 14, 2014.
This years activities will focus primarily on the Cause of Fr.
George J. Willmann whether the activity is towards promoting
awareness, raising funds to further the Cause or encouraging direct
participation as ones sign of commitment to the Cause.
To start of the celebrations, there will be The Great Walled City
Run where a targeted 1,000 runners will traverse the historic walls
of Intramuros not only to promote their health but also to support
both Foundations and generate funds for calamity victims. On
September 8, 2014, there will be a Marian activity to highlight the
birthday of Mother Mary.
On September 9, we invite all brother Knights and their families
to join us in the 9:00am celebration of the annual TV Mass at the San
Agustin Church in commemoration of our Founder - Fr. George J.
Willmanns 37th Death Anniversary which will be aired on his ac-
tual death anniversary date on September 14 on GMA 7 at 6:00am.
On Saturday, September 13, our Foundation, the KC Philippines
Foundation, Inc. (KCPFI) will hold its First Grand Alumni homecom-
ing a rare chance to re-connect with its Alumni-Scholars who were
given the valuable opportunity to escape the clutches of poverty and
establish a stable fnancial status for themselves and their families.
The Foundation has lined up an interesting and relevant Program
for the afternoon and evening that will not only give recognition to
the achievements attained by its alumni over the past 43 years, but
likewise appeal to the benevolent instincts of our alumni-scholars
who will be asked to continue, in their own individual ways, the com-
passionate service and dedication given by Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ.
During the whole week, KCFAPI offcers and employees will
constantly be involved in other simple yet meaningful endeavors
such as the KCFAPI Fair and Auction for a Cause, both organized
by the Gift-Giving Committee where sales proceeds from the said
activities will be given to calamity victims and the two Foundations.
Likewise, the Fr. Willmann Museum will be open for scheduled
tours for Brother Knights, their families and friends, visitors and
guests. As mentioned time and time again, without Fr. George J.
Willmann, SJ. all of us would not be who and where we are now:
as members of the Knights of Columbus, as KCFAPI offcers and
employees, as handlers of the Foundations and as better Catholics.
Even our numerous Foundation alumni-scholars would probably
have a very different life if not for the love, care and devoted service
given by Fr. Willmann to our Filipino people.
Adding cause to our celebration is the Supreme Knight Circle of
Honor Award for CY 2013-2014 received by our three Philippine
Deputies: Luzon Deputy Arsenio Isidro G. Yap, Visayas Deputy
Rodrigo N. Sorongon and Mindanao Deputy Balbino C. Fauni. It
was awarded during the 132nd Supreme Convention held in Or-
lando, Florida last August 5-7, 2014 with the theme "You Will All
Be Brothers: Our Vocation to Fraternity". The Luzon and Visayas
Jurisdictions were also awarded the Pinnacle Award for surpass-
ing their respective goals of more than 105%. Kudos to our Luzon,
Visayas and Mindanao Deputies and Brother Knights for a job well
done! Keep up the good work Brothers!
So, to one and all I invite you to celebrate and enjoy with us the
KCFAPI Anniversary.
Vivat Jesus!
Alonso Tan
Chairmans Message
Presidents Message
Roberto T. Cruz
Ma. Theresa G. Curia
Arsenio Isidro G. Yap
EVP's Corner
The Stuf Saints are made of
Touching Base with the Foundations
37th Death Anniversary of Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ
WHATS the buzz, tell me whats happen-
ing, from the musical play Jesus Christ
Superstar could be aptly applied to KCFAPI
nowadays. Since too many things seem to be
happening in the forthcoming 56th Anniver-
sary Celebration of KCFAPI, any member of
the Knights of Columbus would wonder and
ask, Whats the buzz, tell me whats hap-
pening. Everybody wants to be involved
one way or the other in the weeklong fes-
tivities. Why? For one it commemorates the
56th foundation of KCFAPI. Second it also commemorates the 37th
death Anniversary of Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ on September 14,
the priest we call the Fr. McGivney of the Knights of Columbus in
the Philippines. The very hectic schedule of activities would give
anyone a better hindsight of what and who this man really was, his
contribution to the Order and programs he initiated which led to
the development of the Knights of Columbus in the Philippines to
what it is today.
It was on September 14, 1977 when Fr. George J. Willmann suc-
cumbed to cardiac arrest in New York, USA. I was then a two year
old knight, a few months old 4th degree member who hardly had
any plan nor foresight on what I will be in the Knights of Columbus.
I had just accomplished my frst and only goal then, to be a member
of the Honors Degree otherwise known as the Fourth Degree. Al-
though I was relatively new as a knight, I was already the Financial
Secretary of my council, Gomburza Council No. 5310.
I was one of close to a thousand who attended his burial at the
Sacred Heart Novitiate in Novaliches, Quezon City. The crowd was
really huge considering that there were only about thirty thousand
knights all over the Philippines. The atmosphere then was a feeling
of regret on why Fr. Willmann had to pass away. He still has so many
plans for the knights. It was sad like in any burial. He was laid to
rest without much fanfare.
Five years later, I was already on my second term as Grand Knight
when Fr. Willmanns remains were exhumed and transferred to a vault
in the same cemetery at the Sacred heart Novitiate. The atmosphere
was still of sadness and regrets. Many opined that he could have
done much more had he not died fve years earlier. The number who
witnessed the exhumation and re-burial was also about a thousand.
Five years after his death, the Knights of Columbus in the Philippines
continue to grow and KCFAPI continue to fourish. The Knights of Co-
lumbus has now over 320,000 members from about 30,000 and KCFAPI
has total resources exceeding four billion pesos from its humble begin-
nings of only thirty two thousand pesos. Indeed, what Fr. Willmann
had sown continue to grow and fourish. Its the very reason why were
celebrating, to recognize and appreciate what he has done for all of us.
In 2011, I was appointed Luzon Deputy by our Supreme Knight Carl
A. Anderson. Looking back through the years, I never realized that the
day would come that I would try to ft into the shoes of Rev. Fr. George
J. Willmann, the Fr. McGivney of the Philippines. I know Im not worthy
to try and ft into his shoes, but hes a towering fgure I would like to
emulate. Im using his examples to come close to what he envisioned a
state deputy should be. He set the standards so high that failing to equal
it would be expected even from the most idealist of us. The least I could
do is try my best even if I fail. Failing is not the end but could be the be-
ginning of a new standard that would somehow continue to rekindle the
passion to help the poorest of the poor in the manner Fr. Willmann did.
Come and celebrate with us and know the man they call Fr. George
J. Willmann and be an instrument to continue his works for the poor,
the widows and orphans and to preserve the sanctity of marriage and
the family. Spread the buzz thats happening at KCFAPI. Vivat Jesus!
FATHER Willmann is a pillar of
the birth of the KC in the Philip-
pines. We remember him and are
grateful to him for many reasons,
but I personally see him as a
great man, especially in three
areas: as an advocate of the dig-
nity of the laity, as a man of the
kingdom and of gospel values,
and for having touched the glory
of simplicity and poverty.
Advocate of the dignity of the
laity.
- At a time when Lay organi-
zations were not yet common
in the Church, and were mainly
for pious reasons, he pushed
for the spread of KC. He did
not merely teach them to pray.
He taught them to discover and
enjoy the value of material cre-
ation, and empowered them to
assist others. He paid attention
to the material well-being of the
members by organizing credit
cooperatives for them.
- He worked for the Role of the
laity in the church, especially of
the men who during his time were
not engaged in church affairs. At
that time, it was mostly women
who populated the churches and
who assisted the priests.
- He organized formation ses-
sions for the KCs; led them to
pray and appreciate the value
of the Eucharist. For him, KC
should be a university for the
formation and information of
the members in matters of faith,
prayer and service.
- He admonished them to have
wholesome relationship with
their parish priests and to under-
stand that Laymen and women
are called to holiness by virtue
of their Baptism. They are also
ordained to serve the Church
by their Baptism.
- The way he animated the KC,
and how he led them to grow in
holiness and service are models
for the different advisers and
chaplains of all the organizations
in parishes so that their respec-
tive organizations can make a
difference for the people, so that
they can exist long and fourish
with the passing of years.
Man of the Kingdom and of
Gospel Values
- He showed in action his
belief that The Salvation that
we preach is not to be enjoyed
only after we die. Salvation, the
Kingdom , the experience of the
Lord,-- all these should begin in
the here and now. After all, how
can we enjoy the preaching of
the gospel in empty stomachs.
How can we feel that Jesus is our
Savior if we are always hungry,
sad, afraid of our day to day
existence. Poverty, ignorance,
despair, hopelessness, these
are negative experiences that
could lower the sense of dignity
of human beings. And he moved
KC to make this possible for the
members and others.
- Yet, of himself, he knew how
to detach from any unnecessary
comfort .
- He served the people, without
calling attention to himself. He
wanted the members of KC to en-
joy the material blessings of God
and to help other people uplift
their lives. But he kept his wants
to the minimum. In fact his needs
were never an issue. He was kind
and understanding of the needs
of others, but he denied himself
the excess of the basic.
- His work ethics was inspir-
ing, if not exceptional. Despite
his illness, and even until his
later years, he would report
for work without fail. His Pas-
sion for work was his means of
service. Service to others never
wavered because it was his man-
ifestation of discipleship. Work
seemed to have given meaning
to his life and his dignity as a
priest and human person.
Lived out the images of The
Church of the Poor:
- Personally, he radically lived
with his sister in poverty. He
had very few material posses-
sions. He must have lived on a
couple of shirts and pants. His
bed had no luxurious mattress
but a banig.
- There was always some
money for those who needed
help from him: a beggar, an
employee in need, a Knight who
needed support for himself or his
family; for priests who needed
help for their parishioners.
- Yet he organized ways to
help the members who were
struggling with life. He inspired
the KCs to attend to the mate-
rial needs of the people they
ministered to in faith. It was as
though he considered poverty
as something to be solved and
transcended, not to be accepted
as Gods will. We have to be
saved from material poverty so
that we can feel and enjoy the
presence of the Kingdom of God
in a dignifed living.
On September 14, 1977, he was
claimed by God as His own and
led him to the eternal bliss of the
Fathers embrace. He was an
extraordinary human being, an
exemplary priest and religious,
a compassionate and visionary
KC chaplain.
The signifcant way by which
we can honor Fr. George is for all
the KCs to continue to practice
and to advance the principles he
lived by and which he taught us.
Honoring him cannot end with
our rituals and prayers to him.
The greatest homage we can
give him is to be holy as laymen
and laywomen, to minister to
the needs of the Church and our
families, and make our organiza-
tions grow.
Michael P. Cabra
My Brothers Keeper
Birth and Death of a Gentle Warrior
THIS September 14, 2014 marks
the 37th Death Anniversary of
Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ. the
Father of the Knights of Co-
lumbus in the Philippines and
Founder of the KCFAPI and the
KC Philippines Foundation, Inc.,
among others.
Let us not forget to partake of
the annual TV Mass scheduled on
September 9, 2014, 9am at the San
Agustin Church to commemorate
Fr. Willmanns death anniversary.
The same Mass, as recorded, will
be aired at 6am on GMA 7 on
September 14. On the same day, a
family mass will be offered at the
Fr. George J. Willmann Chapel to
be followed by a wreath-laying at
Fr. Willmanns statue.
At this point one might ask
why, in the first place, do we
celebrate anybodys death an-
niversary? Its just a date and
the departed has long been gone!
In the case of Fr. Willmanns
death anniversary, this day al-
lows us an opportunity to re-
member the relevance for us of
the life, love and service which
Fr. George devoted to the Order,
the poor and the Filipinos in gen-
eral. He was a very appropriate
model, an embodiment of what
Pope Francis is now advocating
for the Church to follow to bring
together both the spiritual and
social dimensions of faith. Pope
Francis pronounced Gods call
to the laity to live and spread the
faith in their families, workplaces,
schools, neighborhood and be-
yond. We must proclaim the faith
from our everyday lives and we
must carry our daily cross.
Fr. Willmann, thru all his activ-
ities with the K of C, encouraged
the involvement of practically all
members of the family: the padre
de familia as Brother Knights,
the better half as a member of
the Daughters of Isabela (now
Daughters of Mary Immaculate
International), the children as
Columbian Squires and/or thru
the Catholic Youth Organization
(CYO). He did not forget the
neighbors or community thru
the different cooperatives he es-
tablished as well as the Commu-
nity Chest and even Boystown
which Fr. George helped set up.
With our present thrust fur-
thering the Cause for the Beati-
fcation of Fr. Willmann coupled
with the scheduled visit to the
country by Pope Francis himself
and both men being Jesuits, there
is a remote chance, no matter how
small, that Fr. Willmann thru the
K of C, KCFAPI, the Foundations
and the NEC might somehow
catch the attention of the Pope.
A second reason for commem-
orating Fr. Willmanns death
anniversary is to remind each
of us of our own personal role
and contribution to the Catholic
Church, our brothers, the poor
and the underprivileged thru
our faith and actions.
We are all ordinary sinners in an
environment beset by problems,
evils and imperfections. As a plain
human being like us, Fr. Willmann
similarly lived in troubled sur-
roundings; yet, with his saintly
traits, he achieved so much for
the good of the Church, the Order
and us, Filipinos, particularly the
poor and the needy. Maybe, at this
moment, we can assess and ask
ourselves what have we person-
ally done to follow the examples
given by Fr. Willmann.
For the Foundations Collegiate
and Religious scholars, whenever
I have a chance to talk to them, I
LAST month we celebrated the Birth and
Death of a venerable man, Fr. Michael J.
McGivney. This month of September, we
are celebrating another important Birth and
Death: the Birth of the Knights of Columbus
Fraternal Association of the Philippines,
Inc. (KCFAPI) and the Death of Fr. George J.
Willmann, SJ, Founder of KCFAPI.
KCFAPI started its operation last Septem-
ber 9, 1958 after it obtained the necessary
license from the Offce of the Insurance Com-
mission. Nineteen years after, September 14,
1977, Fr. George J. Willmann succumbed
to a cardiac arrest and joined our Creator. We
at KCFAPI will be observing a week long
festivity beginning from the celebration of
KCFAPIs 56th Anniversary on September
7, 2014 with a Fun Run and to be concluded
by a commemoration of the 37th Death An-
niversary of Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ on
September 14, 2014 thru a Family mass and
wreath laying in front of his statue. Indeed,
another reason to celebrate birth from a
signifcant death.
In the same way, more than a thousand of
our KC Brothers, immediate family members
and benefciaries who availed of KCFAPI
fraternal benefts experienced the same rea-
son to celebrate birth from a memorable loss
of a family member. The birth of a new life
brought about by the proceeds of an insur-
ance beneft. Their new life made possible
because a responsible Brother Knight availed
of an insurance plan during his younger or
healthy years. Without the beneft of a life
insurance there is not much to celebrate after
death for these bereaved family members of
a Brother Knight.
Speaking of a better life after death, are
you KC enough to provide replacement
income for your family? If you are, I suggest
you contact your council fraternal counselor
and avail of our KC Assurance Plan. For ex-
ample, if you are age 40 now, all you have to
do is save Php17,992 every year for the next
six years (a total of Php 107,952) and your
family is assured of an amount of PhP400,000
if you join our creator 10 years from now. It
is also available from age 1 to 75 for all and
KC Brother Knights and family members.
Together, just like Fr. George J. Willmann,
SJ let us insure that there is a much better
reason in celebrating birth, that is, providing
a better life after death.
Fifty-Six Floors
HOW does one mark his achievements? By
the number of medals or trophies? Is it an
achievement if you have 100,000 followers
of your Twitter account? Or do hundreds or
thousands of likes on your Facebook status
or photo considered an achievement? Does
your current position or job bring a sense of
achievement? How about planning ahead for
the future of your family and for yourself, is
it an advance achievement?
It is true that no matter how old you are
now you still ask yourself, What have I
achieved so far? And it is a fact, that it is
one of the most challenging questions one
should ask of themselves. Consider yourself
as a tree. You mark your annual endurance
of wind, rain, storm, lucky dodges of light-
ning, random threats of being cut down, and
drought by growing tree rings. To protect
yourself the next time that all these happen
again you create a shield so as to bear all
natures tests, and with that you get sturdier
and wiser. Now take it from the trees. Stand-
ing and living your life where you are right
now after all the challenges thrown at you
last year, have you become wiser or stron-
ger? You see, for us it is never the tangible
things that determine our achievements. The
simplest things are achievements that we
often let pass unnoticed. The fact that you
woke up early, said a little prayer, took your
vitamins, paid your fare, began and fnished
your task accordingly, well these are already
achievements.
Have you ever tried climbing the stairs
instead of using an elevator? How does it feel
whenever you see the emergency exit doors
showing you on what foor you are? You start
to count. Five more foors, three more, two
and fnally you get to the foor you intend to
go and say after a great sigh, Yes! I made it!
Imagine the struggle youve been through,
the possible fears that could have prevented
you from going up, and the mere challenge
to actually get there. You were even tempted
in the midst of your scramble to go back
and wait for the elevator, but guess what?
Its out of order, and you wasted the fight
of stairs that you already started with. KC-
FAPI started its humble beginnings with just
P32,000.00 but this did not deter Fr. George
J. Willmann and wasnt tempted to go back
down the stairs to fnd an elevator. For then,
Touching Base
with the Foundations / C3
Fifty-Six Floors / C3
The Cross
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 18 No. 18
September 1 - 14, 2014
C3
Our Mission Statement
The message of Pope Francis to the Supreme Convention challenges
Knights to live out our vocation to fraternity
By Supreme Knight Carl
A. Anderson
The Gentle Warrior
By James B. Reuter, SJ
Part XI of Chapter One of The Gentle Warrior series
CHAPTER ONE
--------------------
Training
Parish Priest
(Tis is the ffth part of excerpts that will appear in Te Cross Supplement from the book Parish Priest
by Douglas Brinkley and Julie M. Fenster)
Preface: The Same Manner to All Human Souls
WHEN he was running through the crowd-
ed streets of downtown Manhattan, George
Willmann was not thinking of the Knights of
Columbus. His frst thoughts were always
to deliver the package, to get the reply, to
get back to the offce on time. But, riding
in the trolley, sitting at the counter in the
lunch wagon, his thoughts were: What
shall I be? What shall I do with my life?
His sister Agnes was going to be a nun, he
knew. She was interested in the Francis-
can Missionaries of Mary. His baby sister,
Ruth, was saying loud and clear: When I
grow up, I will be a Sister! He knew that,
whether he became a priest, or married, or
stayed single, he wanted to consecrate his
life to God.
To those who do not have a vocation to
religious life, it seems as if that decision
should be made careful reasoning. But it
is not that way. A boy enters the seminary
because of the convergence of fve thousand
probabilities. It is like getting married. If
you asked a young man, about to be mar-
ried, why he is marrying this girl, he would
fnd it very hard to explain. He might say:
She is beautiful! But he knows other girls
who are really more beautiful than the girl
he is about to marry. He might say: She
is intelligent! She is gentle! She is good!
but he knows that not one of these qualities
is why he is marrying this girl. To explain
it properly, he would have to write a book,
telling all the thoughts and feelings that he
had from the frst moment that he saw this
girl. It culminates in three words: I love
her! But it is very hard to explain the fact
that he feels that God wants him to marry
this girl.
So it is with the boy who enters a religious
order. It starts with the prayers of his mother.
It continues with his life at his home, his life
in school, his friends, the older people he has
known, his dreams. When you came right
down to it, it is the grace of God, and a boys
acceptance of that grace.
The best answer to the question: Why did
George Willmann enter the society of Jesus?
is in the gospel. Our Lord said: You have
not chosen Me..but I have chosen you.
On August 5, 1973, George wrote his sister
Dorothy, whom he loved:
Do you remember 58 years ago yesterday,
when we all piled into a car and drove from Suf-
fern to Poughkeepsie? That big car that we rented
from Fred Sinnel, if I remember correctly. With
her countless blessings Our Lady has helped us
all tremendously during the many years.
To his good friend Larry he wrote, in 1965:
The years have fown by, and its hard
to realize that it was 50 years ago when
I carried my valise up the steps of Saint
Andrew-on-Hudson, Poughkeepsie.
That day meant very much to him. He was
offering his life to God.
And that day meant very much to Julia
Corcoran Willmann and to William Will-
mann. They were giving their son to God.
And it meant very much to Miriam, and
to Agnes, and to Dorothy, and to Ed, and to
little Ruth, who was in tears. They were giv-
ing their brother to God. The gentle, quiet
brother, whom they loved.
(To be continued on the next issue.)
ONE of the highlights of our an-
nual Supreme Convention is the
message sent to us by our Holy
Father. This year was no excep-
tion. In fact, the message of Pope
Francis this year was especially
important.
In my concluding remarks to
convention delegates, I asked
them to consider the message of
our Holy Father as the Orders
mission statement for the
coming year. Now, I invite every
brother Knight to study this mes-
sage, because it is our road map
for the months ahead. The popes
message was transmitted to us
in a July 28 letter from Vatican
Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro
Parolin and will be printed in full
in the October issue of Columbia.
It is available now at kofc.org.
The theme of this years Su-
preme Council meeting, You
Will All Be Brothers: Our Voca-
tion to Fraternity, was taken
from the popes message for
the 2014 World Day for Peace.
In his message to us, the pope
reiterated that the Church is
called to be a community of
brothers and sisters who accept
and care for one another and
serve as a leaven of reconciliation
and unity for the whole human
family. He then observed that
this vocation found particular
expression in principles of faith,
fraternity and service which
guided the establishment of the
Knights of Columbus.
Pope Francis went on to say
that the fdelity of the Knights
to these high ideals has not only
ensured the continued vital-
ity of [our] Order, but has also
contributed, and continues to
contribute, to the mission of the
Church at every level.
We can say that this is high
praise from our Holy Father, but
these words bring with them an
even greater responsibility for
our actions in the future.
Pope Francis is calling upon all
Catholics to cast aside what he has
described as a growing globaliza-
tion of indifference and instead to
build a community of brothers
and sisters who accept and care
for one another. This, he stated, is
our vocation to fraternity.
And as I said in my annual
report to the Supreme Conven-
tion, Who better to respond to
this call than the worlds greatest
Catholic fraternal organization?
Our response is one that must
be taken up by every brother
Knight, beginning within our own
families and local councils. From
there, it must reach out into our
parishes and local communities.
The message of our Holy Father
also cited the distinguished his-
tory of the Knights of Columbus
in promoting the virtue of pa-
triotism and our work to build
a more just society. In that regard,
he thanked us for our efforts to de-
fend religious liberty and the free
exercise of religion, saying no one
can demand that religion should
be relegated to the inner sanctum
of personal life, without infuence
on societal or national life.
Finally, the letter conveyed
Pope Francis gratitude for our
efforts to instill a strong sense of
civic responsibility concerning
the growing threats to the integ-
rity of marriage and the family.
In my report to the Supreme
Convention, I observed that
nearly a decade before Pope Leo
XIIIs great encyclical Rerum
Novarum so clearly identifed
issues of social justice in the 19th
century and launched what has
come to be known as the Social
Doctrine of the Catholic Church,
Father Michael J. McGivney
established a fraternal associa-
tion of Catholic men who would
bring the values of the Gospel
into society in order to help build
up the common good.
In this, and so many other
ways, Father McGivneys vision
prepared the Knights of Colum-
bus for the laitys active role in
the life of the Church and society
that was proposed by the Second
Vatican Council.
Every brother Knight should
be immensely grateful for the re-
cent guidance given to us by our
Holy Father on how to live out
our vocation to fraternity as
Knights of Columbus. Now that
the course is so clearly set, it is
up to us to see to it that we move
forward in our mission with de-
termination and integrity.
Vivat Jesus!
rate the Solemnity of the An-
nunciation of the Lord and to
extend help to others, the coun-
cil spent the day offering free
ultrasounds, food and spiritual
assistance to fnancially unstable
pregnant mothers.
Seventy-nine women, includ-
ing 23 teenagers, received the
councils services. In addition to
the medical services, the council
provided meals for the women
and the family members who
accompanied them.
In the months since the event,
the council has continued to fol-
low up with the attendees and
has provided additional services
for the women. The council took
particular care of the young-
est participant, a 15-year-old
who gave birth to her child in
April. Since then, the council has
continued to support her and
her child both fnancially and
medically.
The international awards
presented at our supreme con-
vention honor the years most
exemplary service projects at
the council level, said Knights
of Columbus Supreme Knight
Carl Anderson. The work of
each award winner helps un-
derscore the great good that can
be done when faith brings men
together in the service of God
and neighbor.
The Knights of Columbus was
founded in 1882 by Father Mi-
chael McGivney, a parish priest
in New Haven, Connecticut.
With charity as its central com-
mitment, the organization has
grown to 1.8 million members
worldwide. During the past year,
Knights donated more than $170
million and more than 70.5 mil-
lion hours of service to charitable
causes. (Kaitlyn Landgraf)
Culture of Life / C1
mann, SJ initiated by your com-
mittee is relevant and timely.
Likewise, the general member-
ship of Manila Council 1000
is extremely privileged and
honored because in a sense our
Council will somehow be in the
limelight again. And with that
we are thankful for choosing our
council, said Florendo.
He added that Fr. George J.
Willmann, SJ, became the guiding
light to propagate the principles
of the Knights of Columbus in
the country since he established
this fraternal organization in the
Philippines along with other
youth organizations such as
the Columbian Squires and the
Catholic Youth Organization.
His refective kindness, hu-
mility, and care for the Filipinos
were no doubt a reminder of
how he loved us. And so is with
the construction of an edifce that
showcased the birth of Columbi-
anism, Florendo cited.
Manila Council 1000 is more
than willing to cooperate and
support this endeavor and the
success of the National Executive
Committee for the Cause of Fr.
Willmann would be the Knights
success also, he stated.
Today inspired by his legacy
and advocacies, Manila Council
1000 shall continue to push to
live above the ordinary. We
shall inspire to create accord-
ing to what our hearts desire.
We shall explore outside our
comfort zones to awaken others
to possibilities. We shall evolve
to the spirit of modernization
elevating the average into some-
thing new something unique.
We shall remain steadfast and
forever remain vibrant to keep
abreast with the changing times.
And most importantly, we shall
cultivate our Orders principles
of charity, unity, fraternity and
patriotism through program
integrations, Florendo ended.
On April 23, 1905, the first
council of the Knights of Co-
lumbus was established in the
Philippines. This was Council
No. 1000 located within the
Walled City of Intramuros. At
the time of its inauguration, they
had thirty-one charter members,
all of whom were Americans.
Emerging as the first Grand
Knight was Richard Campbell.
(KC News)
Cause / C1
from Isabela, Cavite, Bulacan,
and Las Pias. The program
aims to give knowledge about
the products being offered by
KCFAPI and their advantages
to the members and their im-
mediate families.
Aside from the product speci-
fcations, the training also gives
the participants ideas regarding
basic insurance processes and
new marketing strategies in
order to help them achieve their
goals and improve their sales
performance.
Resource speaker for the train-
ing program was KCFAPI Frater-
nal Benefts Services Department
Manager, Michael P. Cabra.
For more information regard-
ing KCFAPI products, please
contact the KCFAPI-FBG depart-
ment at telephone number (02)
527-2243. (FBG News)
Training / C1
remind them that they are prac-
tically grandchildren of Fr.
Willmann for without him, they
would not exist as KC Foundation
scholars. On occasions such as Fr.
Willmanns death anniversary, it
is a rare opportunity for them to
look inside themselves and check
if they have followed the example
of Fr. George. As they complete
their respective courses thru the
study grants given them, it is only
ftting that they reciprocate what
they have received. As the saying
goes: Give and you shall receive
a hundredfold. Fr. Willmann
and the Foundations have given
them a chance for a better future.
Thus I enjoin them to give back to
Fr. George and support the Cause
for his beatifcation. We should
all help in spreading his fama
sanctitatis. One simple way is to
join in the commemoration of Fr.
Willmanns death anniversary.
Let us all therefore thank the
Lord for the gift of Fr. George J.
Willmann, SJ. Let us give more
meaning to his life and death by
following his examples of dedica-
tion to helping others thru our own
respective ways. Please join us in
commemorating his 37th death
anniversary on September 9 for the
TV Mass at San Agustin Church
and September 14 for a simple
wreath-laying at Fr. Willmanns
statue.
Touching Base with the Foundations / C2
KCFAPI was duly licensed as an insurance
provider for KC fraternal members and their
immediate families on September 9, 1958.
Psalm 56:10-11 In God, whose word I
praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise
in God I trust and am not afraid. What can
man do to me?
Fr. Willmann was already a few fights
ahead and kept his advocacy in protecting
and assisting brother knights and their
families. As for us, we have two choices, go
up or step back. We may fnd an easier way
somewhere when we step back but being
hesitant or going back is like giving up. We
stumbled, slowed down, ran out of air on
our way up, and looked utterly ghastly. But
what's important is we did not let these dis-
tractions and obstacles stop us but instead
we used them to our advantage, we made
adjustments to keep us moving. Changes
that others might have thought would lead
to ruins, but they dont know that, as per
our dear friend Liz Gilbert said, Ruin is a
gift. Ruin is the road to transformation. We
got better and we climbed higher.
Since Fr. Willmann advocated that climb-
ing the stairs is healthier, seeing all the
foors weve passed through that are full of
brother knights and their families insured
and protected. We are now ready to celebrate
our 56th foor of achievement! Happy anni-
versary everyone! Let us all prepare as we
ascend another fight of stairs to the next
foor! As Walt Disney puts it, Keep moving
forward.
Isaiah 56:12 Come, each one cries, let
me get wine! Let us drink our fll of beer!
And tomorrow will be like today, or even far
better. (Concha Luz F. Angeles)
Fifty-Six Floors / C2
CALM, mild-mannered, and
dutiful, Father McGivney was
known in Catholic circles around
New England as a pure-hearted
reformer. There was, by all ac-
counts, something both stoic and
angelic about his nature. One of
his goals was the promulgation
of insurance for Catholics in the
working classes. With that as a
primary motivation, the Knights
of Columbus was founded. Ever
since Father McGivney created
the group in the basement of St.
Marys Church on Hill-house Av-
enue in New Haven, the Knights
of Columbus have fourished.
Only time will tell whether
Father McGivney becomes the
frst American parish priest to
achieve sainthood. His cause has
already fulflled some of the re-
quirements. Mc-Givney has been
deceased for over five years,
of course, and is the cause of
popular devotions. A miracle is
necessary in order to achieve be-
atifcationand the advocates of
Father Mc-Givneys cause could
wait decades for that to happen,
Frances Chamberlain wrote in
the New York Times.However,
there have already been some
claims of miracles which are
being investigated. ...Canoniza-
tion, the next step, is recognition
that this person is in heaven and
can be called a saint. Another
miracle is essential to move from
beatification to canonization.
Once the miracle is investigated
and found to be true, the Pope...
can declare that person a saint.
It is not our purpose as his-
torians to weigh in on whether
Father Michael J. McGivney
deserves sainthood. That is best
left in the hands of the Roman
Catholic Church. What we do
know, however, is that Mc-
Givney has a place even beyond
Catholic history. The day is not
far off when books of general
American history will carry his
name in the index, with space
devoted to his infuence over the
development of American values
and character. A biography of
this Connecticut man, this parish
priest, has been long overdue.
- Douglas Brinkley New Or-
leans, Louisiana, Julie M. Fen-
ster DeWitt, New York
The Cross
C4
Vol. 18 No. 18
September 1 - 14, 2014
CBCP Monitor
Past State Deputy of
Ontario State Council
visits KCFAPI ofce
SIR Knight Arthur Peters, came
into form to join other delegates
during the ten-day visit of the
Canadian Catholic Organiza-
tion for Development and Peace
(CCODP) / Caritas Canada.
A member of Columbian
Squires and became Knights
of Columbus State Deputy of
Ontario State Council.
Peters, visited the oldest K of
C Council in the country (KCMC
1000) and the KCFAPI office
both located in Intramuros, Ma-
nila accompanied by KCFAPI
Chairman, Alonso Tan; KCFAPI
President and Luzon Deputy,
Arsenio Isidro Yap, Luzon State
Spiritual Formation Chairman,
Edwin Dawal, KCMC 1000
Grand Knight, Jun Florendo,
District Deputy, Noel Lacanilao
and KC Foundations Executive
Director, Roberto Cruz.
Peters is now the Director of
the Catholic Pastoral Centre-De-
velopment Offce, Archdiocese of
Toronto, Canada. (KCFAPI News)
K of C welcomes CCODP/Caritas Canada
delegation to Philippines
THE Knights of Columbus in the Philip-
pines welcomed the delegation from the
Canadian Catholic Organization for De-
velopment and Peace (CCODP) / Caritas
Canada on August 25, 2014. A Eucharistic
celebration was held after a courtesy call
to Cardinal Tagle at the Residencia de Ar-
zobispado Chapel led by two Bishops from
Canada -Most Reverend J. Michael Miller,
C.S.B., Archbishop of Vancouver; Most Rev-
erend Jean-Louis Plouffe, Bishop of Sault
Ste. Marie; and by the Executive Director
of the National Secretariat for Social Action
Justice and Peace/Caritas Philippines, Fr.
Edu Gariguez.
A short meeting with the President of the
Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philip-
pines (CBCP), Archbishop Socrates Villegas
was also held after the mass.
The ten-day visit (August 16-26) aims to
see the projects supported by CCODP in
the areas affected by super typhoon Haiyan
in November 2013 and to donate the funds
they gathered from the Caritas Internatio-
nalis. Residents from Eastern Samar, Leyte,
Palawan and Eastern Cebu were among the
benefciaries.
The delegation includes Mr. Pat Kennedy,
President of the CCODP National Council,
and Dr. Patrick Fletcher, Senior Advisor
for Theology and Social Doctrine with the
Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops
(CCCB). (Yen Ocampo)
Luzon Columbian
Squires Investiture
Program
THE National Executive Com-
mittee on the Cause of Fr. George
J. Willmann, SJ joined the Luzon
Columbian Squires of the Knights
of Columbus in the Philippines
during their investiture program
on August 24, 2014 held at the Fr.
George J. Willmann, SJ Building
inside the KCFAPI compound in
Intramuros, Manila.
More t han sevent y new
Squires have recognized the
heroic virtues of Fr. Willmann
in coordination with the Lu-
zon Squires Chairman Jose
Cuaresma. Booklets on the life
and works of Fr. Willmann,
stickers, posters prayer cards,
newsletters were likewise dis-
tributed.
Taize Prayer with Catholic
Youth Organization
THE National Executive Com-
mittee (NEC) for the Cause of
Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ joined
the Catholic Youth Organization
(CYO) in their Taize Prayer ac-
tivity last August 23, 2014 held
at the Immaculate Conception
Cathedral School in Cubao,
Quezon City.
Before the activity, CYO In-
terim President, Aries Brecino
introduced Fr. Willmann to
the participants. Along with a
short program, a video for the
Year of the Laity by the Catholic
Bishops Conference of the Phil-
ippines (CBCP) President, Arch-
bishop Socrates Villegas was
shown. Pope Francis message
for the youth during the Asian
Youth Day was likewise tackled.
After the Taize prayer, the
NEC for the Cause of Fr. Will-
mann had the chance to promote
Fr. Willmanns heroic virtues
in alliance with the CYO at the
Cubao Cathedral (Immaculate
Conception).
Youth Forum
AN awareness campaign for the
Cause of Fr. George J. Willmann,
SJ was conducted during the
youth evangelization forum in
celebration of the Year of the
Laity entitled Filipino Youth:
Called to Greatness, Sent-forth
as Heroes held at the College
of the Holy Spirit Manila last
August 20, 2014.
The youth forum was attended
by the students from San Beda
College, Centro Escolar Univer-
sity, La Consolacion College,
Holy Spirit School of Cubao, St.
Jude, Arellano University, Far
Eastern University, University
of the East, among others.
Ontario Past State Deputy reciting the prayer for the Cause of Fr. Willmann during the museum tour together with KCFAPI ofcials.
The Luzon Columbian Squires together with the National Executive Committee on
the Cause of Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ during the Squires' investiture program
held at the Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ Memorial Building in Intramuros, Manila last
August 24, 2014.
From L-R: KCMC 1000 Grand Knight, Jun Florendo; KCFAPI Chairman, Alonso Tan; NASSA Executive Director, Fr. Edu Gariguez; President of the CCODP National Council, Pat
Kennedy; Arthur Peters, Director of Catholic Pastoral Centre in Ontario; KCFAPI President and Luzon Deputy, Arsenio Isidro Yap; District Deputy, Noel Lacanilao; and Luzon
State Spiritual Formation Program Chairman, Edwin Dawal.
FST 2 BATCH 3. Twenty individuals from different areas in Luzon comprised the nal batch of the Fraternal Service Training qualiers for the rst and second
quarter. The training was held from August 27-28 at the KCFAPI main ofce.
MERCY CAF, a monthly Catechism over coffee, which was last held at the
Grills and Sizzles Restaurant in Quezon City on August 9, 2014.
Speakers were EWTN Inter-
national Marketing Manager
for Asia Pacifc, Edwin Lo-
pez and Marketing Manager
for the United States, Terry
Kopp.
EWTN or Eternal Word
Television Network (EWTN)
is a global, Catholic Televi-
sion, Catholic Radio, and
Catholic News Network that
provides catholic program-
ming and news coverage
from around the world.
Members of the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) during their Taize Prayer activity
last August 23, 2014 held at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral School in Cubao,
Quezon City.