•A3 Mindanao Peace

Institute holds
•B1 •C1
'The Baptism of The CROSS
seminar on Muslim- the Church' Knights of Columbus Supplement
Christian relations

www.cbcponline.net/cbcpmonitor cbcpmonitor@cbcpworld.net

Bishops against gay in

‘Santacruzan’
THE Roman Catholic Church rejected the gay
version of “Santacruzan” flower festival held
across the country every May in honor of the
Virgin Mary.
Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal
Rosales said having homosexuals dress up as
female saints during processions is “horren- Protagonist of Truth, Promoter of Peace
dous” and “defeats the real purpose” of the pro-
cession. Social / A6
Bishops against / A6
May 12 - 25, 2008 Vol. 12 No. 10 Php 20.00

CBCP to hold consultation on

Natural Family Planning in July
By Santosh Digal
THE Episcopal Commission on Family and Life
Apostolate of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the
Philippines (CBCP) is planning to hold a consultation on
Natural Family Planning (NFP) in July on the occasion
of the 40th anniversary of the encyclical “Humanae Vi-
tae.”
Speaking to reporters, Jaro Archbishop and CBCP Presi-
dent Angel N. Lagdameo said the CBCP Permanent Coun-
cil discussed its plan to organize a forum on NFP in com-
memoration of Humanae Vitae, when the CBCP holds its
semi-annual plenary assembly in July.
The Permanent Council discussed the NFP consulta-
tion during its regular meeting held May 7 and tasked
the Episcopal Commission on Family and Life Apostolate
led by Pampanga Archbishop Paciano Aniceto to orga-
nize the event.
Chaired by the CBCP President, the Permanent Coun-
cil is the highest decision-making body of the Catholic
Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines when the Plenary
Assembly is not in session.
The Permanent Council that comprises 12 bishops rep-
resenting various regions of the country meets every
two months.
Pope Paul VI issued “Humanae Vitae”, on the question
of human procreation and unlawful birth control meth-
ods; on the feast of St. James the Apostle, 25 July 1968.

Sanctity of life at brink of collapse

Meanwhile, a pro-life group said there are visible
threats to the sanctity of life today that may lead to fur-
ther collapse if the people will remain unreceptive.
Ligaya Acosta, director of Human Life International–
Asia Region said the threats to human life and marriage
are handiwork of foreign governments like the United
States which lead the way in promoting artificial birth
control.
Acosta recently talked on “The threats to the Asian
Family,” where she admitted that in every artificial birth
control program there is a considerable amount of for-
eign funding involved. CBCP-NASSA chairman and Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo (center) gestures as he asks DENR secretary Lito Atienza (left) to undertake measures in protecting the
CBCP to / A6 environment against “irresponsible” mining at “The Forum,” a weekly media discussion jointly organized by the CBCPNews and CMN held at the Ilustrado in Intramuros, May 13.

Pope transfers Bishop Prelate optimistic of MILF-

de la Cruz to Kidapawan
POPE Benedict XVI appointed
on April 14, the bishop of the
diocese of San Jose de Antique
to the diocese of Kidapawan
in Mindanao.
The Holy Father transferred
Bishop Romulo de la Cruz of
San Jose and succeeds
Kidapawan’s fourth bishop
Romulo Valles who was ap-
pointed last year as arch-
bishop of Zamboanga.
De la Cruz’s appointment
was officially published in the
Vatican on April 14 and an-
nounced in Manila by Papal
Pope / A6
GRP peace agreement
COTABATO archbishop Orlando B. Quevedo,
OMI, expressed optimism “the Moro Islamic
Liberation Front (MILF) and the Government
of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) will
finally reach a peace agreement.”
He said he is aware of certain problems
that are internal to the peace process.
“The media have not looked into it but I
think it is a key issue, while others think the
issue is constitutional, I do not think so,” the
prelate said. He believes “it is really about
whom the government should talk with.”
Quevedo who has been archbishop of
Cotabato since 1998 and former president of
Bishop Romulo de la Cruz, DD
the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Phil-
ippines said the government talked with the
MLNF and reached a peace accord in 1996.
“The MILF is now talking with the gov-
ernment regarding its own peace objectives
and then you have the Autonomous Region
in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) which wants
to have a stake in the whole peace process,”
he further said.
He added he learned the three groups were
reported to have reached an agreement to
cooperate. “I do not see that happening and
it will be difficult,” he explained.
He suggested the three groups should ap-
point somebody who would speak for the
three of them.
He, however, acknowledged there is wis-
dom in continuing the peace processes with
the MILF “because I think the issues with re-
gard to the MILF and the government have
been mostly resolved in terms of technical
committees and it is a matter of saying ‘yes’
to the major points that have been reached as
in the issue of ancestral domain and that is a
very crucial point,” the archbishop explained.
“I believe personally what the MILF has
been trying to achieve through the peace pro-
cess is much more than the 1996 agreement
with the MNLF so it would seem to me what
the MILF can achieve is good for everyone,”
the prelate concluded. (Melo M. Acuña)

CBCP urges bolder fight vs child porn
THE Media Office of the Catholic Bish-
ops’ Conference of the Philippines
(CBCP) is urging public leaders and or-
dinary people to join the battle to end
child pornography.
Msgr. Pedro Quitorio, CBCP Media
Office Director, said the Church is seri-
ously committed to pursue its crusade
against the proliferating child pornog-
raphy in the country.
The priest said at a press conference
Monday “the Church has no reserva-
tions when it comes to matter like por-
nography especially those that victim-
ize children.”
Quitorio urged people to demand,
“that ending child pornography be
made a top priority of the government.”
“Even if we come from different po-
litical agenda or culture, race or reli-
gion, we have to be united and help
each other to defeat this,” he said refer-
ring to the need for solidarity in fight
against pornography which transcends
socio-political barriers that divide the
country today.
“This is a disease. This is a social and
psychological disease. But more than a
disease, I think the phenomenon is get-
ting bigger. It’s like the evil itself haunt-
ing our society today.”
Optical Media Board chair Edu
Manzano, meanwhile, said authorities
and non-government entities must col-
laborate with other sectors, the Church
especially, to combat the sexual exploi-
tation of children.
Manzano said he welcomed the reli-
gious’ sector’s efforts to stop child porn
but called on the law enforcement bod-
ies for more regulations to halt the un-
derground industry.
The actor, who is also the country
anti-piracy czar, also warned that the
sexual exploitation has reached a new
phase with the Internet as its distribu-
tion method.
The CBCP had been denouncing the
proliferation of pornographic materi-
als in the country and called for the
banning of these materials.
Both the CBCP and the OMB in July
last initiated the formation of an ad-
hoc committee to address the influx of
porn materials involving minors in sex
acts.
Movie and Television Review and
CBCP urges / A6
Mindanao dioceses to protest
vs gold, copper mining
DIGOS, Marbel and Kidapawan
dioceses of southern Philippines
are set to hold a protest rally this
month against gold and copper
mining that displaces native
people.
Efforts are underway to orga-
nize a joint protest rally against
the disparaging mining business
in Kiblawan town, Davao del Sur
province, according to Fr.
Cornelio Toraja, director of
Digos diocese’s Social Action
Center (SAC).
The three dioceses are resist-
ing the operation of Xstrata Cop-
per, the Swiss company manag-
ing the Tampakan gold and cop-
per mining project in Kiblawan.
The Philippine Department of
Environment and Natural Re-
sources (DENR) upholds mining
for the reason that increases the
country’s economy and it records
the Tampakan scheme as one of
24 priority projects.
Widows, alternative for
declining vocations
FOUNDRESS and Superior of the Missionary Sis-
Xstrata Copper made a survey ters of Our Lady of Triumph of the Cross (MSOTC),
for the Tampakan Copper-Gold Sr. Ma. Violeta Navarro, believes her new program
Project after signing a 2003 accord would increase membership: to accept widows into
with B’laan elders who agreed to their fold.
explore the 300-square-kilometer In an interview with CBCPNews, Navarro said
mining site for a decade. she will submit her new proposal to accept wid-
B’laan is one of the dominant ows into their congregation to Archbishop Jesus
indigenous tribal groups of the Dosado, CM, for due consideration.
area. “I believe
B’laan leaders say the agree- widows may be
ment between them and Xstrata able to address
Copper was made in a “dubious the decline in
way.” The agreement was not vocations from
explained well and without young, single
proper consent. women,” she
In the process, there have been said. Only those
reported instances whereby who are free
tribal communities are divided from family ob-
and dispute among them is loom- ligations will
ing, according to Fr. Toraja. be accepted
The Catholic Bishops’ Confer- should Arch-
ence of the Philippines (CBCP) bishop Dosado
has repeatedly urged the national find merit in her
and local governments to recon- proposal.
sider large-scale mining opera- Widows / A6
Mindanao / A6
 CBCP Monitor
A2 World News Vol. 12 No. 10
May 12 - 25, 2008

Plenary indulgence
offered for Pauline Year
VATICAN CITY, May 12, 2008—
Benedict XVI is offering those
who visit the Basilica of St. Paul
Outside the Walls a chance to get
a plenary indulgence during the
Pauline Jubilee Year.
The indulgence was an-
nounced in a decree made public
Saturday and signed by Cardinal
James Stafford and Bishop
Gianfranco Girotti, respectively
penitentiary major and regent of
the Apostolic Penitentiary.
The faithful can receive the in-
dulgence during the Pauline year,
marking the 2,000th anniversary
of the Apostle’s birth. The
Pauline year runs from June 28,
2008, to June 29, 2009.
With the customary conditions,
the faithful can obtain the indul-
gence by undertaking “a pious
visit in the form of a pilgrimage
to the papal basilica of St. Paul
tions are laid down: The faithful,
apart from pronouncing their
own prayers before the altar of
the Blessed Sacrament, [...] must
go to the altar of the Confession
and pray the ‘Our Father’ and the
‘Creed,’ adding pious invocations
in honor of the Blessed Virgin
Mary and St. Paul; and such acts
of devotion must remain closely
linked to the memory of the
prince of the apostles, St. Peter.”’
Those who are not in Rome can
obtain the indulgence “if they par-
ticipate devotedly in a religious
function or in a pious exercise held
publicly in honor of the Apostle of
the Gentiles: on the days of the sol-
emn opening and closing of the
Pauline Year in any place of wor-
ship; on other days determined by
the local ordinary, in holy places
named for St. Paul and, for the
good of the faithful, in other places

© Mark/epa/Corbis
on Rome’s Via Ostiense and
[praying] in accordance with the
intentions of the Supreme Pon-
tiff,” the decree explained.
It added: “In order that the
designated by the ordinary.”
The decree also noted that the
sick or those who legitimately
cannot leave their homes can ob-
tain the indulgence if they “spiri-

Church moves to aid

prayers pronounced on these
holy visits may lead and draw the
souls of the faithful to a more in-
tense veneration of the memory
of St. Paul, the following condi-
tually unite themselves to a jubi-
lee celebration in honor of St.
Paul, offering their prayers and
suffering to God for the unity of
Christians.” (Zenit)

China after quake Bishops to study Spirit’s

MILAN, Italy, May 13, 2008—As the Church
in China moves to help the victims of
Monday’s earthquake, Hong Kong’s bishop
says a key to disaster relief is a long-term
plan.
Cardinal Joseph Zen is in Italy, where he
spoke with the press about the 7.9 quake that
rocked the southwestern province of Sichuan.
Confirmed deaths are already well over
12,000 but thousands more are buried under
rubble.
Cardinal Zen expressed his sorrow at “the
loss of so many human lives.” And he added,
new gifts
“In Hong Kong, we will do what we always back to normal.”
do in these situations: put ourselves in mo- Cardinal Zen presided today over a prayer
tion to offer immediate help to the affected vigil for China and the Church in that coun- VATICAN CITY, May 13, 2008— coming from every part of the
population and spread the call to the Catho- try, in Milan’s St. Stephen church. With the encouragement of world.”
lic community to collect emergency aid.” The Fides news agency reported that 40 Benedict XVI, the Pontifical The council recalled a similar
“This aid we will then send to China churches in the Diocese of Cheng Du were Council for the Laity is gather- meeting in 1999, saying the time
through Caritas and the Red Cross. It must damaged or destroyed by the earthquake. In ing bishops to reflect on “the that has passed since then has
be foreseen, as well, long-term assistance for the Diocese of Chong Qing, another 10 suf- ecclesial movements and new proven “fruitful for a deeper re-
reconstruction,” the cardinal continued. fered serious damage. Three more were de- communities as a gift of the Holy ciprocal knowledge and a
“What’s important, when these kinds of ca- stroyed in the Diocese of Nan Chong. There Spirit.” greater awareness of the role that
lamities happen, is to not forget them too is still no report from the dioceses closest to The May 15-17 seminar will these various realities have in
quickly, since a long time is needed before the epicenter, as communication lines still bring about 100 bishops to Rocca the work of the new evangeliza-
the people who live in these regions can go have not been repaired. (Zenit) di Papa, near Rome, to study the tion.”
movements and consider the The dicastery also noted the
Pope’s Nov. 18, 2006, exhortation “perfect continuation of the
addressed to bishops of Ger- magisterium of the Servant of

Cardinal Bernardin Gantin passes away at 86
PARIS, May 14, 2008—Cardinal Bernardin
Gantin, a native of Benin and one of the most
beloved collaborators of Pope John Paul II,
died May 13 in Paris at the age of 86.
Cardinal Gantin was born in Toffo in the
Diocese of Cotonou, Benin, on May 8, 1922.
He was made a cardinal by Pope Paul VI on
June 27, 1977. He spent more than 30 years
working in the Roman Curia as prefect for
the Congregation of Bishops, president of the
Pontifical Commission for Latin America and
Dean of the College of Cardinals.
many: “I ask you to go out and
meet the movements with much
love.”
God John Paul II in the thought
of Benedict XVI.”
The prelates will be accompa-
The pontifical council an- nied by representatives from 20
Upon hearing of the cardinal’s death, Pope nounced in a communiqué that movements and ecclesial reali-
Benedict sent his condolences to Benin. He it “wishes to continue the reflec- ties.
said in the telegram: tion on the ecclesial movements Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the
“I ask God the Father, from Whom all and new communities as a gift Pope’s secretary of state, will in-
mercy comes, to welcome into His light and of the Holy Spirit for the Church augurate the seminar May 15.
peace this eminent son of Benin and of Africa of our times with the pastors (Zenit)
who, universally esteemed, was animated by
a profound apostolic spirit and by an exalted
sense of the Church and her mission in the
world. ... In sign of consolation, I send an
affectionate apostolic blessing to the priests,
religious, catechists and all the faithful of Plenary indulgence offered for
© PIZZOLI ALBERTO/CORBIS SYGMA

In 2002 he asked Pope John Paul II for per-
mission to return to Benin to work as a pas-
tor and missionary. The Pope granted his re-
quest in a letter in which he expressed his
affection and admiration for the fidelity of
Cardinal Gantin as well as his pastoral zeal
that led him to retire from the Curia and re-
turn to his homeland.
Because of his declining health he was
forced to go to Paris to receive more adequate
medical treatment.
Benin, and to those who will participate in
his funeral.”
Benin’s government secretary-general Vic-
tor Topanou, speaking from the capital
Day of Prayer for China
Cotonou said, “We have just lost one of the HONG KONG, May 13, 2008— the indulgence by uniting
great sons of our country and of the entire Benedict XVI is offering the op- themselves spiritually with
continent of Africa.” portunity to gain a plenary in- those present at the celebra-
The government had sent a minister to dulgence to those who partici- tions, offering their prayers
Paris to accompany the remains back to his pate in the events surrounding and sufferings to the God of
native country for burial, Topanou said. the May 24 World Day of mercy for the Church in China.
(CNA) Cardinal Bernardin Gantin
Prayer for the Church in China. “It is the wish of the Holy Fa-
In a notice to parishes, the ther that the faithful will more
Hong Kong Diocese announced and more yearn for and put
May 9 that at the request of Car- into practice the supernatural

Caritas ‘a bit freer to move’ in Myanmar dinal Joseph Zen, bishop of

in need of medical help.”
Head start
Local Church partners in
Myanmar are providing food and
other aid items to 10,000 people
in Yangon and Irrawaddy,
Caritas Internationalis reported.
That figure is expected to rise
to 40,000 people receiving sup-
© epa/Corbis
Hong Kong, the Pope is mak-
ing a plenary indulgence avail-
able to the faithful.
Overwhelming To receive the plenary indul-
gence, the faithful should par-
Church medical staffers are ticipate in one of the solemn
also traveling to the worst af- functions to be held May 15-25
fected areas to provide treatment
in the diocese, as well as ful-
to the survivors.
filling the customary condi-
Assessment teams have re- tions.
ported back—and the situation is Those who are unable to par-
described as overwhelming,
ticipate due to sickness or other
even for experienced disaster-re-
grave reasons can also obtain
lief response teams, a statement
virtues, especially faith, hope
and charity, and that they will
strengthen their communion
with the Roman Pontiff, who is
the visible foundation of the
unity of the whole Catholic
Church,” the diocese said.
Benedict XVI proclaimed
May 24, memorial of Our Lady,
Help of Christians, a World
Day of Prayer for the Church
in China in his May 27, 2007,
letter to Chinese Catholics.
(Zenit)

port by May 14. Provisional fig- from Caritas Internationalis con-

ures put the relief effort at $1 firmed.
million for the first month. The One staff member, speaking

YANGON, Myanmar, May 12, land.

2008—Myanmar’s rulers have
made it difficult for international
aid groups to help the cyclone-
devastated nation. But Caritas
Internationalis, working through
its local partners, is “a bit freer to
move around,” said a spokesman.
Patrick Nicholson told ZENIT
that Caritas Internationalis has
not been able to send Myanmar
as many international workers as
it would have liked, but the aid
organization has “been able to
provide technical support from
its international team in
Bangkok.”
Caritas Internationalis is sup-
porting the local bishops’ confer-
ence, which has fewer than 100
staff and volunteers working on
the cyclone response in
Myanmar, a nation slightly
smaller than Texas and nestled
between India, China and Thai-
The Church in Myanmar—
though Catholics are less than 1%
of the total population—provides
an effective network for relief,
Nicholson explained: “[The
Church there] has limited re-
sources, but does have parishes
and religious in the affected ar-
eas, which provides an effective
logistics network.”
That means Caritas
Internationalis, working with the
Church, is able to get aid to some
of the millions of suffering Bur-
mese people.
Archbishop Charles Bo of
Yangon said, “As a Church, we
are reaching out to the victims
with all the means at our disposal.
At this hour of darkness, we are
encouraged by the show of sup-
port by our friends from abroad.
There are urgent needs for food,
water and shelter. Thousands are
relief items are coming from
within the country at present.
The official death toll from
Cyclone Nagris is close to 32,000,
with another 30,000 people still
missing. However, officials from
the U.N. and other organizations
already say 100,000 people died
in the storm and its aftermath.
As relief efforts continue to be
hampered by the Myanmar junta,
some international political lead-
ers have suggested forcing help
on the nation.
Meanwhile, Caritas
Internationalis is doing what it
can, and with its traditional policy
of working “before, during and
after” natural disasters.
“Caritas had done disaster pre-
paredness in Myanmar before the
cyclone, so that gave us a head
start,” Nicholson said. “That we
work through local partners
means we’re a bit freer to move
around.”
anonymously, said, “I was in
Phyapon, far off down the
Irrawaddy River. The bodies of
Pope to text message World
Youth Day pilgrims
human beings and cattle were
still in the water. We reached a
destroyed village. We were the
first outsiders they had seen. SYDNEY, Australia, May 8, a unique experience by using
“To my eyes, which have seen 2008—This July, Pope Benedict new ways to connect with
the Asia tsunami and the Kash- XVI will text message thousands today’s tech-savvy youth,” said
mir earthquake, it was over- of Catholic pilgrims at World Bishop Anthony Fisher in a state-
whelming. Nature unleashed an Youth Day, sending messages of ment.
orgy of death. Women explained hope and inspiration directly to Telstra has also provided tele-
how the waves took their babes. young people through the latest communications services for the
As our boat moved along, a body technological medium. Sydney 2000 Olympic Games
of a small boy drifted past. World Youth Day 2008 and the 2003 Rugby World Cup.
“People have no drinking wa- (WYD08) recently announced The company will also pro-
ter or food or shelter. Children that its official telecommunica- vide digital prayer walls at event
are eating coconut shells. Dead tions partner, Telstra, will pro- sites, regional webcasting for
animals are everywhere. There is vide daily “inspirational” text catechetical events, interactive
a terrible smell. There were many messages from Pope Benedict, centers with wireless internet ac-
refugees, living in roofless commemorative WYD08 photo cess, and green screen studios.
churches and monasteries. Help messaging, music downloads World Youth Day 2008 will
has not reached them. We are and hosting for the World Youth take place in and around Sydney
doing what is possible. In the last Day social networking site from July 15 through July 20. At
two days, we have reached out to XT3.com. least 225,000 pilgrims are ex-
the starving people.” (Zenit) “We wanted to make WYD08 pected to attend. (CNA)
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 10
May 12 - 25, 2008
Legislators will extend
CARP, bishops hope
MANILA, May 9, 2008—The
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of
the Philippines (CBCP) is hoping
that the government will extend
the Comprehensive Agrarian
Reform Program (CARP) for fur-
ther period.
“If CARP is extended, it will
be lasting legacy to the rural folk,”
said Archbishop Angel N.
Lagdameo of Jaro, CBCP presi-
dent.
Speaking to reporters at CBCP
headquarters, he said it is encour-
aging to note that many Senators
and Congressmen are in favor of
the extension of CARP.
“I am sure, our legislators will
News Features A3
adopt measures to make sure that
this other extension be its last—
meaning, the effective comple-
tion of land acquisition and dis-
tribution accompanied by a real
start in delivering adequate and
sustained support services to
beneficiaries.
The DAR has estimated that
CARP still needs at least P160 bil-
lion for a 10-year realization of
CARP beyond 2008.
Bishops and their allies are pro-
posing through the CARP exten-
sion the following reforms¯total
ban on land conversion; bigger
fund for CARP; greater access to
loans; gender-responsive CARP;

fulfill the need of the farmers,”
he added.
After the two-day (May 5-6)
meeting, the Bishops-Business-
men Conference and the Bishops-
Legislators Forum, urged Con-
gress and President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo to pass a law
that would extend CARP.
In a two-page statement, the
participants called on Congress
to “act on CARP extension with a
© Osservatore Romano/Pool/epa/Corbis
granting protection to beneficia-
ries; exclusive jurisdiction on
agrarian reform cases by the
DAR; strengthening the Presiden-
tial Agrarian Reform Council;
creation of an oversight commit-
tee; and imposing penalties to
violators of agrarian reform.
“If CARP is not extended after
it has expired by the end of June,
we will see what could be done
to cross the bridge,” Lagdameo

Benedict XVI: ‘Humanae

greater sense of urgency and to told CBCPNews. (Santosh Digal)

Academe incorporates
‘peace ed’ in curriculum
DAVAO CITY, May 8, 2008—The
Assumption College in Davao
(ACD), an academic institution
managed by the Missionary of the
Assumption Sisters (MA) is now
incorporating ‘peace education’
in their curriculum for the school
year 2008-2009.
ACD President Sr. Marietta
Banayo, MA said the peace educa-
tion is part of their peace advocacy
program here in Mindanao to in-
fuse in the minds of the students
the passion to work for peace.
Banayo said the peace educa-
tion and training will be incor-
porated in the curriculum of the
high school and college students
thus making a culture of peace in
the academe.
“If we really want peace, we
must involve our young people
who will someday become fu-
ture leaders of our country and
city,” Banayo told CBCPNews
during the sneak preview of
Hunghong sa Yuta (Earth’s Whis-
per), a Mindanao made film by
the religious Brothers of the Sa-
cred Heart.
Report suggests Europe an ‘elderly
Vitae’ as relevant as ever
She added that it is also neces- VATICAN CITY, May 12, 2008—In a society The Pontiff affirmed that “in a culture suf- themselves as they sense the extraordinary
sary that while the young people that treats the practice of sexuality like a drug, fering from the prevalence of having over nature of what is achieved in them and
are still learning they already not just the concept of love needs defending, being, human life risks losing its value. If the through them. No mechanical technique can
have an idea on how to develop but also the dignity of the person, says practice of sexuality becomes a drug that substitute the act of love that husband and
a culture of peace especially here Benedict XVI. seeks to enslave the partner to one’s own wife exchange as a sign of the greater mys-
in Mindanao. The Pope affirmed this Saturday when he desires and interests, without respecting the tery, in which they are protagonists and co-
Through that, Banayo said, “we received in audience participants from an times of the beloved, then what must be de- participants of creation.”
are forming responsible students international congress promoted by the Pon- fended is no longer just the concept of love After recalling the sad episodes that some-
who have high regard for peace tifical Lateran University to mark the 40th but, primarily, the dignity of the person. As times involve adolescents “whose reactions
and interreligious dialogue.” anniversary of the encyclical “Humanae Vi- believers we could never allow the power of display their incorrect appreciation of the
The peace training will include tae.” technology to invalidate the quality of love mystery of life and of the dangerous impli-
lectures and activities that will The three-day conference ended May 10. and the sacredness of life.” cations of their actions,” Benedict XVI ex-
focus on peacemaking, under- Recalling that the encyclical was published Natural law, he said, “deserves to be rec- pressed his hope that young people “may
standing the real meaning of by Pope Paul VI on July 25, 1968, Benedict ognized as the source inspiring the relation- learn the true meaning of love and prepare
peace and interreligious dia- XVI highlighted how “the document soon ship between a married couple in their re- for it with appropriate sexual education, not
logue. became a sign of contradiction,” and pointed sponsibility to generate children. The trans- allowing themselves to be distracted by su-
“We want our students to learn out that “it constitutes a significant show of mission of life is inscribed in nature and its perficial messages that prevent them from
more about peace, we want them courage in reiterating the continuity of the laws stand as an unwritten norm to which appreciating the essence of the truth at stake.”
to understand the true meaning Church’s doctrine and tradition.” everyone must refer.” “Freedom must join with truth, and re-
of peace and see for themselves “The truth expressed in ‘Humanae Vitae’ does Nascent life, the Pope continued, “is the sponsibility with strength of dedication to
what they can contribute toward not change,” the Holy Father affirmed. fruit of a love capable of thinking and choos- others, also through sacrifice,” he affirmed.
peace in Mindanao,” said Banayo. “Quite the contrary, in the light of new scien- ing in complete freedom, without allowing “Without these principles the community
Banayo also believes that tific discoveries its teaching becomes more itself to be overly conditioned by the sacri- of man does not develop and there is a risk
through peace education the chil- relevant and stimulates reflection on the in- fice this may require. From here emerges the of being trapped in oppressive selfishness.”
dren will no longer be blinded trinsic values it possesses.” miracle of life which parents experience in (Zenit)
of the real conditions in
Mindanao hence making them
more socially aware and actively
involve in peace advocacies.
(Mark S Ventura)

Malampaya brings some continent’ in ‘demographic winter’

loose change for Palawan BRUSSELS, May 10, 2008—A new report pre-
sented to the European Parliament shows
more evidence of a “demographic winter” in
Europe, where a decline in both birth and
marriage rates have helped create an “eld-
erly continent.”
The Institute for Family Policy’s report,
© Niño Coliamco / ncoliamco.multiply.com
At present, there are almost 1.2 million
abortions per year in the E.U., making abor-
tion the leading cause of mortality in Europe.
The figures are equivalent to the population
of Luxembourg and Malta combined. Nearly
18.5 percent of all pregnancies in the E.U. end
in abortion.
between 2000 and 2007, portends demo-
graphic problems. Twelve million of the
added population, 84 percent, resulted from
immigration. The immigrant population
now stands at 27 million people, represent-
ing 5.5 percent of Europe’s population.
The report points out that there is no Euro-

PUERTO PRINCESA, Palawan,
May 9, 2008—After a long drawn
dispute over the local govern-
ment unit share from Malampaya
natural gas, the Palawan provin-
cial government, its two congres-
sional districts and Puerto
Princesa City can finally expect
some “loose change” from the
national government.
This was how the Vicar Apos-
tolic of Puerto Princesa, Bishop
Pedro V. Arigo described the situ-
ation.
In an interview with
CBCPNews, the prelate said that
according to Local Government
Code, Palawan is entitled to 40
percent local government unit
share amounting to P15 billion,
since the Malampaya Natural Gas
Project began operations years ago.
“When money was already
available, the national govern-
ment claimed the amount does
not belong to Palawan,” Bishop
Arigo said, adding that the na-
tional government alleged the
money belongs to them. “There
were two cases filed before the
courts, one was from the provin-
cial government while we, mem-
bers of the civil society, filed an-
other,” the prelate said.
He said their case was dis-
missed because the court said
“The Evolution of the Family in Europe 2008,”
is a study that was undertaken by experts from
several disciplines including demography,
psychology, sociology, and family studies.
Lola Velarde, president of the Institute for
Family Policy European Network, said that
concern about the European family and its
problems has grown, as evidenced by sev-
eral recently adopted European Union docu-
ments. However, she said this action is
“clearly inadequate” and family problems
they did not have jurisdiction but continue to worsen.
the provincial government’s case According to the report, which was re-
received a favorable decision. leased to CNA, indicators of population,
“The court said the money be- birth, marriage, and family breakdowns have
longs to Palawan and not to the all worsened in the past 27 years. People
national government who later over age 65 outnumber those under age 14
filed an appeal before the Court by 6 million. Additionally, there are now one
of Appeals,” Arigo explained. million fewer births per year than there were
While the appeal remained pend- in 1980.
ing, a compromise agreement
was proposed that both the na-
tional government and Palawan
settled for 50-50 sharing.
The prelate said the provincial
government agreed and was set
to receive 20 percent from the
Mindanao Peace Institute holds seminar
original 40 percent and the
government’s share of 60 percent
will become 80 percent. When the
on Muslim-Christian relations
actual sharing came, the amount
to be shared was just P12 billion ZAMBOANGA CITY, May 10, 2008—A one-
since the P3 billion was already month summer course on Muslim-Chris-
spent in the last elections. tian relations aimed to deepen a person’s
“I was told for every election, understanding of other culture and religion
P200 million was released to our was held at Silsilah Dialogue Institute from
two legislators and our provin- March 30 to April 26.
cial governor and it happened Participants to the 22nd Basic Summer
twice and as to the difference, I Course were 25 young men and eight
don’t know what happened,” women from Italy, China, Vietnam, Manila
Arigo added. With P12 billion up and other parts of Mindanao.
for “sharing,” the governor was “I have attended many seminars, but this
jubilant in saying “finally, P6 bil- one month for me is the most novel and
lion is coming as he called for his unique,” exclaimed Brother Simone Picollo,
municipal mayors to prepare one of the participants.
projects to be financed from the The seminar was devised in a way to
windfall.” (Melo Acuña) make participants become aware of their
The fall in the European Union marriage
rate has also been drastic. In 2006 there were
732,752 fewer marriages than in 1980, a de-
crease of 23.9 percent. When they do marry,
people are starting families later, with
women marrying at an average age of 29 and
men at an average age of 31. This represents
an increase in the average age of marriage
by more than five years.
In 2006, the report said, divorces numbered
over one million—365,000 more than in 1980.
Between 1996 and 2006 there were over 10.1
million marital breakdowns, affecting more
than 15 million children.
European Union households themselves
are shrinking in size, with an average 2.4
members per household. One in four house-
holds is occupied only by a single resident.
Even the population growth of the Euro-
pean Union, which added 14.2 million people
own prejudices against other culture and
religion. They were given a basic knowl-
edge of Arabic, Islam Teaching, the Qur’an,
Christian Teaching and the Bible.
Classes were conducted in an atmosphere
of openness encouraging reflection, dia-
logue and sharing.
Part of the seminar was a three weekend
stay of participants to foster families. Chris-
tian participants stayed with Muslim fami-
lies and Muslim participants with Chris-
tian families.
The foster families were located in the
different Silsilah solidarity communities of
Caragasan, Lower Calarian, Sta. Catalina,
Sta. Margarita, Paniran, and Sta. Cruz Is-
pean Union organization in charge of family
policy and calls for greater defense family.
According to the report, there is a clear cor-
relation between direct assistance to fami-
lies and the number of children. Countries
offering higher family benefit levels have
higher birth rates.
The Institute for Family Policy recom-
mended several proposals to develop “fam-
ily-friendly” government policies. These in-
clude making a “family-oriented” policy ap-
proach integral to all European Union laws;
recognizing and promoting family rights in
all areas, particularly in child care and educa-
tion; promoting uniformity between national
family policies to avoid differences between
countries; and establishing equality of oppor-
tunity for all families to avoid discrimination
based on number of children, levels of income,
or distribution of income. (CNA)
land.
The immersion experience left an impact
on the participants claiming their immer-
sion was the transformative part of the pro-
gram as it had stripped them of their preju-
dices towards other cultures.
Silsilah Institute is offering two more
courses to complete its summer program.
A special course titled Harnessing Youth
Idealism Towards a Culture of Governance
for Dialogue and Peace begins on May 18-
24.
The Silsilah Dialogue Institute conducts
their formation activities in Harmony Vil-
lage, at Pitogo, Sinunuc, Zamboanga City.
(CBCPNews)
 CBCP Monitor
A4 Opinion Vol. 12 No. 10
May 12 - 25, 2008

EDITORIAL

The scourge of child pornography

CHILD pornography is here—and quite for some time now.
While everybody is busy brawling about the anomalies of
this government that is doubly busy, too, doing a wag-the-
dog to distract the populace from falling further into the pit
of dismay, child porn producers are busy prowling the streets
for more and more victims.
Optical Media Board chief Edu Manzano reports of kids
(who should be attending kindergarten but are not because
their parents are either busy queuing up for a square meal of
rice or selling their kidney for a day of opulence) who are
brought by their very own mothers to pose as “talents” in a
porno film of sorts. Disgust is a very mild reaction to seeing
a 4 or 6 year old forced to do a sexual deviant act that normal
couple would not even dare. While adult pornography is bad
enough, child pornography is indescribably worse.
It is the market, which no longer hides in the closets but even
shouts in Quiapo and in malls, that dictates the course of child
pornography. And while it is presently getting insatiable, the
producers will be there to fill the “need”. Reports have it that
it only takes $10,000 for foreigners to produce a full-length
child porn film. And parents of child porn talents go home
seemingly well compensated with P40,000 after all is done.
It is cold. It is silent. It is devastating.
In a pastoral letter titled “Welcoming Them for My Sake”,
issued in 1998, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the
Philippines (CBCP), says: “Our voices cannot be loud
enough, our words strong enough to condemn this evil
among us. The cries of abused children reach up to the God
of justice in a call for vengeance. We know that their lament
invokes compassion from the God of Love…And to those
who inflict pain and wound the innocent, our Lord has harsh
words: ‘it is better for anyone who leads astray one of these Francisco F. Claver, SJ
little ones who believe in me, to be drowned by a millstone
around his neck in the depths of the sea.’ (Mt. 18:160). The CfC controversy about the Devil
The blight of child pornography may be traced mainly to
poverty—the kind of poverty that has emboldened
Afterthoughts (to steal or not to steal from him?)
unprincipled producers, business and pedophiles. But the
evil of destroying our very own children simply transcends
the social impact of poverty. Virginia, there is really more I WAS home in Bontoc recently, and as I was learned later, though, that they had decided about telling them: “Go to the devil!”
to it than just the exigency of an empty wallet. leaving the parish church after Mass the last to stick with Mr. Meloto.) All these strange thoughts because of the
day of my visit, one of the parishioners He drew a parallel between starving quarreling heads of the CfC. The split among
rather rudely accosted me with this question: people stealing—or freely receiving help— them is most unfortunate. But whatever the
“Is it at all allowed to steal from the devil?” from the devil on the one hand, and on the reasons for it, a way must be found for the
Our responsibilities as Catholics “Daft!” I said to myself. I stole a look at my
interrogator—it was “the village philoso-
other, the miserably housed in squatter ar-
eas in Manila (which, he said, had horrified
work of the CfC to go on. And by “the work
of the CfC”, I mean what both factions say
pher”. I thought he was trying to be funny, him no end when he saw what passed for they are interested in: the spiritual forma-
MANY people confuse legality for morality. They think that
but he looked serious. Like the Sphinx, in their “houses”), the putative beneficiaries of tion of families, the housing of poor ones—
if something is allowed by civil law, then it is necessarily good fact. And inscrutable too. So I decided to play the donations of a pharmaceutical company these must by all means be done. But where
or at least indifferent. along and questioned him in turn: “Why do manufacturing “sinful” contraceptives. I dirt-poor families are concerned, I would put
On the contrary, what is legal may still be bad and immoral. you ask that?” didn’t think the company in question would their housing needs before their spiritual
But we should remember that since civil laws should be He answered: “Because you priests—par- welcome being classified as the devil, but ones. As the old Latin dictum has it (it must
based on the Divine Law as its expression or application, don my impertinence, your Excellency!—say then it was being criminalized by Mr. Meloto’s have been thought up by another village
then these laws tend to have an educational dimension. it would not be a sin to steal under certain critics, so I thought the man’s comparison sage), “primum vivere, secundum philosophare—
circumstances, for example, if I were starv- was quite apt. He found great difficulty in to stay alive comes first, to philosophize [or
Hence, we all have a duty to work for civil laws that are in
ing and the only way I could survive were to the reason being advanced to condemn Mr. theologize too?] second.”
consonance with moral principles. steal the food I needed.” I replied: “You’re Meloto’s efforts at helping to provide neces- I guess more spiritual persons than I will
What a grave moral burden rests on the consciences of our right. But why the devil?” “Because,” he came sary housing for the poor, supposedly, the vehemently say nay to that bit of folk wis-
legislators! The Second Plenary Council of the Philippines right back, “he is the one who has the ready use of evil means for a good end. That was dom, maintain that the spiritual must come
(PCP II) reminded us that “Catholics who are given a means in the casus conscientiae [a conscience how receiving money from the pharmaceu- first at all costs before the material. I’ll have
charge of public life (must) faithfully abide by the problem under discussion by moralists] that’s tical company for Gawad Kalinga projects no trouble agreeing with them—in the order
bothering me.” The man even knew Latin. was being caricatured. And he went on to of ultimate priorities. But in a situation of dire
Gospel and by the moral and social teachings of the
And he proceeded to complicate his origi- add in defense of Mr. Meloto that it wasn’t as and immediate need for shelter and food?
Church, given the parameters of religious liberty” 6. nal question with another (he hadn’t earned if he, Meloto, were profiting personally from I’m afraid I’ll have to say the physical and the
Catholic legislators are morally bound to follow the teachings the sobriquet of “philosopher” for nothing): the company’s donations. material will have to be attended to first. This
of the Church in their law-making activities. They should not “But suppose the devil freely gives me what That exchange occupied my thoughts all is what many of us who work in the Church’s
set aside the teachings of the Church when formulating and I want, so it wouldn’t be necessary to steal, the way back to Manila later in the day. The social action apostolate have found from pain-
voting on laws. can I in good conscience avail of his magna- man was right. If people in desperate straits ful experience. It is simply not the right thing
We have recently written that “everyone should be nimity?” His logic was impeccable (though I may steal, it doesn’t matter from whom they to do to talk about spiritual matters to people
still have to meet such a devil of magnanim- steal, saint or devil—although if I were asked, whose empty bellies cry out to be filled. Or
interested in knowing what bills are being considered
ity), so I answered: “Yes!” This, grudgingly. I would most probably counsel stealing from whose make-shift, open-to the-elements hov-
by Congress, what positions regarding important And not a little testily: “But what are you whichever of the two was richer! But if in- els degrade—and make hard the living of—
legislators are being taken by senators and getting at anyway with all those hypotheti- stead of stealing, the severely indigent their dignity as human beings and as chil-
congresspersons. In solidarity, civil society must cal questions?” “They’re not at all hypotheti- begged and were given help freely—again, dren of the one Father of us all.
articulate their support for laws, policies, and structural cal,” he shot back. And he explained how he does it matter at all if the donor is a saint or The parallel the man made between the
changes that will improve our lives in society and our was a CfC member of the parish and the split the devil himself? If I were asked by the beg- desperate need for food and the equally des-
political processes. It must lobby to defeat bills that between the group of Mr. Padilla and that of gars directly, should I tell them to beg from perate need for shelter came back to me with
militate against the aspirations of the poor, the integral Mr. Meloto was so painful to him and his the saint and not from the devil? But of this head-battering force. How spiritual can a
development of our people, the integrity of creation, follow CfC-ers, they didn‘t know what to I’m sure: If the saint were in any way reluc- family get living over a stinking estero or in
moral values in the family, the welfare of women, make of it. And neither did their pastor. (I tant to help, I’d have no qualms whatsoever Afterthoughts / A6
children and the young” 7 . Hence, we wish to commend
and encourage Catholics who have shown their Christian
spirit by volunteering their time and services to the cause of Jose B. Lugay
life and the defense of the family and family-related values.
A death sentence to kidney
We know that you have written to your Congress
representatives, affixed your signatures to campaigns, spent transplant patients Laiko Lampstand
time at rallies or dialogue sessions, conversed individually with
our leaders and above all, prayed to the Lord of Life to
continue blessing our country. Keep up your struggle. You THE total ban on kidney donations from population, there will be 100 to 200 persons confinement in the hospital for any emer-
can always count on the support and guidance of your bishops. non-relatives to both foreign and Filipino who will need kidney transplant. Also for gency reason (which is likely to happen at
Our Catholic educational system can give a substantial patients by the order of President Gloria every 1 million population, only 30 cadaver least once a year). There are about 4,500 new
contribution to the youth in their formative years toward the Macapagal Arroyo to DOH Secretary Fran- donors may be available. In the Philippines, patients being dialyzed every year in addi-
formation of right conscience. After the family, our schools cisco Duque III is a declaration of a death sen- our culture still find unacceptable to donate tion to the 6,000 or so already on dialysis.
tence to all end-stage renal disease (ESRD) the organ of a loved one. The campaign has While on dialysis, a companion member of
serve as stable formators of values.
patients, that is, if the Philippine Board of been going on since 2002—the donation form the family is always present as expected in
–”That They May Have Life, and Have it Abundantly” Organ Donation and Transplantation will being issued together with the acquisition of Philippine culture. The patient as well as the
A CBCP Pastoral Statement on the Defense of Life and Family, 2000 include this in the Implementing Rules and a drivers’ license. The response is so poor; companion will not have any productive
Regulations of Republic Act No. 9208, other- i.e., receiving not more than 20 cadaver kid- time to contribute to the family’s earnings. A
wise known as the “Anti-Trafficking in Per- neys a year. If living non-related donors transplant patient will still be productive and
ISSN 1908-2940 sons Act of 2003”. which comprise almost 70 percent of the cur- may be able to maintain his earning capacity

CBCP Monitor
The lives of successful kidney transplant rent source of kidney donation is banned, it to fund his medical expenses.
patients had been extended for many years— is a death sentence to about 8,000 Filipino There are only about 21 trained transplant
productive years which enable the recipient end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients doctors in the Philippines, 15 of them were
Protagonist of Tr u t h , Promoter of Peace patient to serve their families and their pro- yearly. One may say that there is always the under the tutelage of the National Kidney &
fessions. Let us look at a successful kidney hemodialysis treatment to prolong the pa- Transplant Institute who are now practicing
Pedro C. Quitorio transplant operation last year, that of the tients’ life. Let us look at the hard facts. in different hospitals in the Philippines. The
Editor-in-Chief President’s Justice Secretary. He owes his life During the developmental stage of the cost of a transplant including that of the
to his driver, a living non-related donor. transplant technology, the hemodialysis donor’s will amount to a total of approxi-
Pinky Barrientos, FSP Kris P. Bayos
Associate Editor
Would the President have not given him this treatment had advanced to become a life-sav- mately P800,000 to P1,200,000. In addition,
Feature Editor
chance to receive a donated kidney? ing procedure for end stage renal disease the cost of maintaining a transplant patient
Melo M. Acuña Rosalynn Garcia The President, not so long ago commuted (ESRD) patients. Hemodialyis is the process with the medicines he has to take will also be
Managing Editor Marketing Supervisor death sentences to life-imprisonment of con- of cleaning the patient’s blood from all the about P5,000 per month unless there are com-
victed criminals following the stand of the accumulated toxic substances that normally plications. While there are about 6,000 po-
Dennis B. Dayao Ernani M. Ramos Catholic Church. More recently, she released would have been discarded by a fully func- tential transplant patients every year, from
On-Line Editor Circulation Manager from jail long-staying prisoners who reached tioning kidney. Successful dialysis depends statistics gathered in 2006, there were only
the age of 70 and above. With one burst of on the patient’s discipline in maintaining his 609 kidney transplant operations, 473 or 78
Roy Q. Lagarde Marcelita Dominguez temper, prodded by the press releases of kid- closely guided diet; the frequency of dialysis percent were from living non-related donors.
News Editor Comptroller
neys for sale, the President has ordered Sec- treatment (not less than two times a week) as And 181 or 22 percent were from living rela-
The CBCP Monitor is published fortnightly by the CBCP retary Duque to ban the donation of kidneys recommended by the nephrologists; the in- tives. The most prevalent disease associated
from non-relatives to both local and foreign take of prescribed medicines also connected with end-stage renal disease is diabetes.
Layout by Denz Dayao

Communications Development Foundation, Inc., with

editorial and business offices at 470 Gen. Luna St., patients in accordance with the World Health with the after-effects of the treatment. The Members of families who have hereditary
Intramuros, Manila. P.O. Box 3601, 1076 MCPO. Assembly of the World Health Organization cost per dialysis treatment is P 3,000. The diabetes are automatically disqualified to be
Editorial: (063) 404-2182. Business: (063)404-1612. (WHO). WHO supports kidney donations yearly cost including the other expenses for a kidney donor hence they have to source
Email: cbcpmonitor@cbcpworld.net from cadavers and living-related donors only. medicines and laboratory tests will amount their kidneys from non-relatives.
Website: www.cbcpworld.net/cbcpmonitor Laiko / A6
Statistics show that for every 1 million to P700,000 per year. That is, if there is no
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 10
May 12 - 25, 2008
Fr. Melvin P. Castro
Speaking of Mary
IT took the words of the Cardinal-Arch-
bishop of Manila to make us aware and re-
discover the roots of the Santacruzan and
Flores de Mayo. Some took it as a condem-
nation, which to my mind is understandable
but they should also accept and humbly sub-
mit to our Church leaders and to the Church
teachings.
Hence, it is a non-issue whether or not the
non-female but female-looking participants
of the Marian procession are devotees them-
selves and carry in their hearts their own
prayers and petitions to Our Lady and nei-
ther is it an issue that they sacrificed a lot
just to have their elaborate gowns for Our
Lady. Because the issue at hand is that this
procession has Christian roots and signifi-
cance and hence, it should be respected for
what it is intended for, a procession in honor
of Our Lady and also commemorating the
discovery of the True Cross by St. Helena
(from which we derive the word,
Santacruzan).
If our brethren are really that devoted to
Our Lady, the first fruit of this is to avoid
cross-dressing, that is to say, for males to
dress-up as women. And much less, should
they do it within the context of a religious
procession. Let’s not talk about rights here,
this is about being true to the intended pur-
pose of the Santacruzan and the Flores de
Mayo. Whether we like it or not, whether
Stepping out of
homosexuality
“ARE you ready for a changed life?” These
are the words of John Zulueta addressed to
those who want to get out of the homo-
sexual lifestyle. John, Director of Bagong
Pag-asa, a support group for men and
women who want to step out of homosexu-
ality and who is himself an ex-gay, knows
the difficult transition that they have to
undergo. It is important that we who work
in the Family and Life Ministry strive to
truly understand what homosexuality is all
about and the struggles the homosexual
people go through. Allow me to quote
lengthily from his article published in their
newsletter because it is only when we hear
them speak of their own experience that
we can rejoice with them.
“We often ask God to change us. But when
change seems remote, we either grumble
or build a case against Him, particularly
when we experience the same temptations
again and again. I remember Jesus asking
the invalid at the pool in Bethesda: ‘Do you
want to get well?’ Seemingly, Christ asked
a silly question since the man has been there
for 38 years hoping that one day he’ll get
the change to get into the pool first when it
gets stirred for healing. Why then would
Christ ask such a question? Could it be
that the man has been used to lying down
on the pool side having his food served to
Rev. Euly B. Belizar, SThD
By the Roadside
(Second of Two Parts)
6. Lack of practical love of country
Almost all decent and educated Pinoys no-
tice it. We have no lack of love for our fami-
lies. In fact, we overdo it sometimes. But we
have very little practical love of country. We
could, in fact, easily sacrifice the interests of
country for the sake of family. Don’t we still
remember how a military general who tried
to siphon out millions of dollars from the
country’s treasury had a family member, a son,
in cahoots with him in a foreign land opera-
tion leading to the son’s capture (still in pos-
session of the tainted cash)? And what about
our local elite politicians—who are mostly
from political dynasties—making our laws
and putting them into effect? The continuing
poverty of the masses could be a concrete
measure of how much love of country is gain-
ing on love of family. There’s no greater anti-
dote to lack of patriotism than doing real, con-
crete ways and means of equitable wealth dis-
tribution and genuine land reform.
7. Making light of serious issues and prob-
lems
The biggest downside of being Pinoy?
What else but the vast gulf between our rich
who are few and our poor who are many.
The biggest upside? Our sense of humor with
which we try to weather all storms of living
in an unjust country and an equally unjust
world. Unfortunately we could also have too
much of it even when and where we need to
be serious. Talk about cheating in (presiden-
tial, national and local) elections and you’ll
have countless text-ready and e-mail-end-
lessly-forwarded jokes. Talk about our ur-
gent need for truth, transparency and account-
ability in public life and you get an
unprecedentedly high number of puns and
wisecracks. Some of them, of course, have
impact on their audience, but most have little
impact on reality. The Pinoy humor needs to
Opinion
Las Flores de Mayo
we accept it or not, whether we have wa-
tered it down through time or not, we should
always return to its original meaning and
purpose: It is religious, punto y basta.
We all have our struggles, some more ap-
parent others more subtle. The struggle for
sanctity will always be hard. Understand-
ably, among the many struggles in life will
be for holy purity. And this applies to ev-
eryone—regardless of one’s sexual orienta-
tion or even, one’s state of life. One will
eventually fall into sin but it is another
matter to simply not to struggle at all. St.
Josemaria puts it wonderfully, we may lose
the battle but we should win the war.
The Church never condemned anyone for
one’s sexual orientation. What she points out,
among other things, is that it is always grave
matter to engage in physical intimacy out-
side of marriage—homosexuals or hetero-
sexuals. It will be a doubly hard struggle for
the former, yet in itself the struggle for holy
purity will be the road towards sanctity.
Holy purity, says St. John of the Cross,
is—as it were—the wings that will allow
our souls to soar high. The struggle for holy
purity will always be a joyful struggle. It is
not a long list of do’s and don’ts but instead
a free embrace of giving up some liberties
in order to gain true freedom.
This month of May, which we tradition-
ally dedicate to Our Lady, will also be a good
Sr. Mary Pilar Verzosa, RGS
him and living the life of a crippled man?
Could Christ be asking: ‘Are you ready for
a changed life? If I heal you, your life will
never be the same again. You will have to
work for your food; it will not be served to
you anymore. You will have to move away
from the pool side where you have com-
fortably lived the past 38 years of your life.’
The following message is not only ap-
plicable to those in the homosexual life but
to many of us involved in some form of
addiction. John writes:
“Have we asked ourselves what is in-
volved in being healed/changed? It means
life will not be the same. You can’t be doing
the things you used to do. You can’t be go-
ing where you used to go. You need to live
life differently. Are you changing patterns
and habits—sleeping, fun and recreation
habits, texting habits like texting “sweet
nothings” which can actually be seductive
scheming in disguise? Are you willing to
change your choice of clothes, fashion style,
relational patterns and whatever you have
been comfortable with yet you know is iden-
tified with the homosexual lifestyle?
Are you willing to embrace your cross?
Embracing something requires you to
bring it close to your body. Imagine carry-
ing a load of books with outstretched arms.
How would that feel compared to carrying
Things to discard (or modify, at least) to
be proudly Pinoy and Catholic
be used by our Pinoy genius to change our
realities into what they ought to be.
8. Overspending in celebrations
Need we belabor this point? Countless
number of our forebears, some with heroic
intentions, tried to do away with some of
our extra-lavish fiestas, with no success. Cel-
ebrating runs deep in our Pinoy veins, partly,
as social psychologists tell us, because we are
in an archipelago and islanders that we are
we can be given to excessive exuberance.
There’s basically nothing wrong with that
save for the fact that we rarely save for the
rainy days. And this is why our rainy days
have become too many instead of few and
far between. The solution is right inside our
own culture. We only need to imitate or,
more properly, allow the Ilocano in us to get
the better of our tendencies to overspend.
Most of all, we need the Christlike in us to
take our focus away from useless spending
to more meaningful liturgies in our feasts
that build communities and their commit-
ment to compassion, reconciliation and just
sharing of this world’s goods.
9. Inability to explain or distinguish devotion
to veneration of Mary and the saints from
idolatry
“Always have an answer ready when you
are called upon to account for your hope,” St.
Peter counsels fellow Christians (1 Pt 3:15).
Part of that hope is the one generated by the
reality of the triumph of grace in Christian
witnesses, such as Mary and the saints (to
paraphrase Karl Rahner). But alas, how many
Pinoy Catholics, as they do devotions, wip-
ing Mama Mary’s and saints’ images with
their handkerchiefs, could stand firmly
against relentless verbal onslaughts from
some non-Catholics against what they con-
sider Catholic idolatry of Mary and the
saints? Standing firmly is possible only with
more profound catechesis on Catholic ven-
month for us to reflect on the virtue of holy
purity. After all, it was Christ Himself who
told us, Blessed are the pure of heart for they
shall see God. I often think that the reason
why we find ourselves so hard-up in even
starting a prayer is because of our profound
sense of lack of holy purity in our part to
enable us to commence a conversation with
God. We better re-discover as well the trea-
sure that we have in our confessionals.
I remember as well the words of St. Louis
Grignon de Montfort who tells us that the
devil is always watching out for the Hail
Mary’s we recite. That each Hail Mary badly
recited, i.e. to say, not prayed well, the devil
gets it like a flower and tramples it under
his feet. Each Hail Mary well said instead is
like a flower taken hold of an angel and
brought to Our Lady.
Well, this month of May, as we literally
offer flower to Our Lady, let us also offer
her spiritual bouquets. Among these, we
may include, praying the Rosary with our
family, receiving the Sacrament of Penance
and Reconciliation, and a little bit more
struggle for holy purity. And remember,
it’s always a joyful struggle!
St. Teresa of Jesus, better known as St.
Teresa of Avila, puts it appropriately, Lord
spare us from gloomy saints! True saintly
people are happy people. May we be among
them. Ave Maria! Ad Jesum per Mariam.
Love Life
the same load by embracing it? Truth is,
when we embrace our burdens they become
lighter and more bearable than when we
try to do away with it. In the same manner,
identify your cross and embrace it. Could
it be loneliness? Sexual torment? Neediness?
Do not deny your cross. To follow Christ is
to suffer and be like Him. Only when we
die to ourselves will we experience resur-
rection—a new life.
Lastly, a changed life involves giving.
Healing and change usually happens in the
context of community. God changes us not
just for ourselves but to impact our com-
munity, our society, our nation and the
world. The sooner you give of yourself in
order to change your community, the easier
it will be for you to maintain that change.
Remember, you do not manufacture
time. You spend it. You do not create a
blessing, you receive it. You were not en-
dowed with talents so you will be above
the rest; they are meant to serve others.
One’s healing should reflect the character
of Christ, the Healer, to the world at large.”
The members of Bagong Pag-asa, a Christian
Charitable Foundation, and Courage, a Catholic
support group for ex-gays, can be contacted
through Pro-life office – 911-2911.
www.prolife.org.ph. They are available to give
talks, seminars, and counseling.
eration of and devotion to these heroes of
the faith that is both Scripture-based and
down to earth. One such example was how a
Catholic I know answered a “born-against”
accusation that he was worshipping Mary as
he came out of the Wednesday novena to our
Lady of Perpetual Help. Before explaining
what veneration and devotion to Mary and
the saints means to Catholics, he said:
“Brother, how did you know that we Catho-
lics worship Mary? Can you read our hearts
and minds? Didn’t the Lord say in Lk 6:37,
‘Do not judge and you will not be judged; do
not condemn and you will not be con-
demned’’? The accuser apologized and left.
10. Believing that making money in any way
for the family is beyond morality
It’s often heartbreaking to watch and hear
hold-up criminals or girls caught in prostitu-
tion houses explain themselves: “I had to do
it for a sick member of my family”, namely a
“hungry child” or a spouse who had to be
redeemed from hospital confinement. Might
we not also include politicians who rake in
huge amounts through ways rampant in our
system of governance? An offshoot to the
Pinoy love of family, basically good, is our
basic determination to earn as much money
as we need to live up to the Gokongweis or
the Ayalas. In the process and in more times
than one we turn our cheeks away from what
family members do, that may often escape
the law but not morality. We gloss over the
work of some of our sons or daughters as
“entertainers” (a word that could cover many
things but unfortunately also prostitution or
sex trafficking) in Japan or in some other for-
eign country, mostly because of the money.
The cost is heavy though. Lack of peace of
mind and a gnawing “inside” are only some
indicators of a battered conscience.
It often seems a big burden to be truly a
Pinoy Catholic. But it’s a heavier weight not
to be one.
A5
Nicolo F. Bernardo
Lifeguard
Conceived in Greece,
born in Rome
THE “little child.” In Anglicized Latin, “foetus.” Without the
clinical semantics it bears now, this word for the unborn was at
once a recognition of its humanity and vulnerability.
While the legal protection of the unborn seems a new civil
rights issue, our abortion laws actually came to term from the
very cradles of civilization—Greece and Rome.
To be sure, abortion laws go back to the “mother” of West-
ern legal systems, the Roman Law. Its provisions evolved and
found their way through the laws of European countries, and
later to their colonies like the Philippines. Our Penal Code and
Civil Code were among its issues.
For the Romans, what is moral should be legal, and vice
versa. Ius in Latin means “law.” It also means “right.” What
would be considered right is often the fruit of centuries of
human struggle for a “human right”—the rights of the unborn
notwithstanding.
The struggle can be traced in ancient Greece that shaped
Roman values. Interestingly, the Greeks have the same word
for “compassion” and the “womb”: “sprangena.” But there were
two competing moralities, almost like today’s “Culture of
Death” vs. the “Culture of Life:” the orgiastic Dionysian mo-
rality vs. the Apollonian morality of the philosophers.
The Father of Medicine, Hippocrates (an Apollonian) made
reservations on abortion despite its popularity in Greece. The
original Hippocratic Oath sworn by physicians reads: “I swear by
Apollo the healer…I will not give a woman means to procure abor-
tion.” (The same oath swears-off euthanasia.)
Hippocrates also cautioned women from using the contra-
ceptive pennyroyal, being toxic and could only be taken in
stringent amounts. That contraceptives could harm women’s
bodies was a concern even then.
Since the Hippocratic texts form a corpus, it is not the work
of Hippocrates alone but a collection of treatises by his follow-
ers. This explains why there seems to be contradicting pre-
scriptions, and why in another text, Hippocrates supposedly
advised a prostitute to jump to abort her six-day-old embryo.
Who really advises which nobody knows. But among
Hippocrates’ texts, it is the pro-life Oath being given much
credence.
The condemnation of abortion and contraception go hand in
hand through history, as many contraceptives were in fact
abortifacients, and both acts are spirited by the same anti-natal
mentality. Thus the Greek Christians, in Galatians and Didache,
forbid “pharmakeia” or “abortifacients” in Greek gynecology.
And the Christians were never alone.
The French historian Paul Veyne (A History of Private Life:
From Pagan Rome to Byzantium) also observes that while moth-
ers in early Rome could bear only three children as evidenced
from family illustrations, in a possible “three-children policy”
that accorded privileges to the compliant, by the second cen-
tury, we had emperors and subjects with many children. It was
a must, starting from the pro-baby edict of Caesar Ausustus.
Jurists Celsus, Cicero and Ulpian also proscribed abortion
as murder. It was the Roman jurist Tertullian, even before
becoming a Christian, who said “homo est et qui est futurus.” (He
is already a man who will become a man.)
The Roman public was outraged by abortion. In an episode
written by Ovid in Amores, there is an angry comment of the
Romans to a courtesan who died after having one: “She de-
served it!” The satirist Juvenal wrote about rich Roman women
having abortions: “how often does a gilded bed contain a
woman that is lying in it. So great is the skill, so powerful the
drugs of the abortionist, paid to murder mankind within the womb.”
But abortion laws could protect the women as much as they
protect the preborn. Unlike the US Roe vs. Wade decision that
coldly absolved the State from protecting mother and fetus,
the emperors recognized public interest in a woman’s preg-
nancy; that it was the task of the praetors, not just the parents,
to appoint competent and reliable midwives (“obstretices probatae
et artis et fidei”). In his article “Legal Protection of the Unborn
Child in Roman Law,” Common Law professor Wolfgang
Waldstein says: “That the child itself is regarded in its autono-
mous rights is shown clearly by the fact that, in case the woman
be proved to be pregnant, she should be persuaded gently to
accept a curator ventris.” In Romanized Egypt, Diodor of Sicily
reports that any pregnant woman would be saved from execu-
tion as such would kill an innocent child. Meanwhile, the neo-
Phytagoreans forbid intercourse during menstruation and preg-
nancy, as they believed this might harm the mother and the
embryo.
Mothers gained praise for choosing herself and her baby.
Seneca, in his On Consolation to Mother Helvia, hails his mother
because she was not ashamed of her many pregnancies, nor
did she attempt to destroy the fruit of conception.
As to other preborn rights, the jurists Scaevola and Gaius,
argued that an unborn child can be instituted as an heir. As
Justice Jorge Coquia in his Principles of Roman Law in Philippine
Jurisprudence explains, the status of the unborn at conception
being free was to be recognized even if at birth the mother
becomes a slave (“hi, qui legitime concipiuntur, ex conceptionis
tempore statum assumunt”). Further, a child is considered legiti-
mate if parents are legally married at conception. So there is
poignancy at the moment of conception.
Such developments were carried in Philippine laws, which
tempered Roman Law with more humanity. In our Civil Code,
the unborn is given presumptive personality, for all purposes
favorable to it, considered born (actual civil personality, al-
though desirable, could not be given for civil registry rea-
sons.) In our Constitution, there is equal protection of the life of
the mother and the unborn from conception. In our Penal Code,
abortion is considered a crime against persons—rightly, the
person of the parent whom abortion leaves permanently
harmed. And in our Child and Youth Welfare Code, echoing
the UN Declaration on the Rights of the Child, it is stated that
“Every child is endowed with the dignity and worth of a human being
from the moment of his conception, as generally accepted in medical
parlance, and has therefore, the right to be born well.”
Thanks to the Catholic Church, in many ways “Roman,” this
civilizing legacy of good law endures at least in still civilized
countries. For to protect the right to life, down to the most
“little child,” is what it takes to be civilized.

Read the daily
church news at
www.cbcpnews.com
 CBCP Monitor
A6 Local News Vol. 12 No. 10
May 12 - 25, 2008

Daet boosts campaign Prelate calls for

against abortionists
LED by its bishop Gilbert Garcera and the
clergy, the diocese of Daet has launched an
all-out campaign against abortion.
It has issued a pastoral letter entitled “Holy
Spirit: Giver of life” which strongly con-
demns all anti-life means, such as euthana-
sia, abortion and the contraceptive mental-
ity.
Aside the pastoral letter, a series of
catechesis was conducted on the value of life.
In an entrapment operation conducted by
the Special action team from the Women desk
of Camp Crame, three notorious abortion-
ists or “manghihilot” from the Municipali-
ties of Daet and Basud were apprehended.
Religious organizations, such as Couples
for Christ and Knights of Columbus were
alerted and challenged to be actively vigi-
lant as a month of prayer and evening pro-
cessions were conducted in several parishes.
The diocese of Daet is emboldened with
the words of Pope Benedict XVI who, in a
meeting of Pope Benedict with the presidents
of Latin American bishops’ committees for
the family and for life, said that “abortion is
a crime of aggression not only against the
unborn, but also against society.”
(CBCPNews)
hike of prisoners’
meal budget
TUGUEGARAO archbishop
Diosdado T. Talamayan, recog-
nizing the plight of hundreds of
detainees at the Cagayan Provin-
cial Jail, called on the provincial
government for more budgetary
allocations to raise the current
meal allowance of prisoners from
P20.00 to P40.00 and bigger ap-
propriations for regular medical
and dental check-ups.
The prelate, through Mrs.
Letty Doctolero, Archdiocesan
Commission on Prison
Bishop Gilbert Garcera, DD Apostolate’s coordinator, called
on the Integrated Bar of the Phil-
ippines and the Public Attorneys
Office to assign more lawyers to
cases.
In a related development,
Chief Public Attorney Persida V.
Rueda-Acosta said she has al-
ready instructed Cagayan
Valley’s Regional Public Attor-
ney Renato Cabrido to visit
Cagayan Provincial Jail more of-
ten and attend to the detainees’
concerns.
Doctolero said the Commis-
sion is optimistic their requests
would merit immediate atten-
tion.
“Now that the concerns have
been officially relayed to the
provincial governor, I am hop-
ing immediate attention would

CBCP behind Archbishop Cruz

extend the necessary legal assis- be given in due time, she said.
tance to inmates with pending (Sr. Felina Lagasca, FSP)

arrest warrant for a libel case filed by em-

Archbishop Oscar Cruz, DD
THE ROMAN Catholic bishops are rally-
ing round Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop
Oscar Cruz.
The prelate is embattled after a Manila
Regional Trial Court yesterday issued an
CBCP to / A1
A former employee of the De-
partment of Health (DoH), Acosta
was heavily involved in the
government’s population control
program.
During her talk she recounted
her journey from being an “anti-
life” to becoming a “pro-life.”
She spoke lengthily about the
involvement of the US govern-
ment in providing foreign funds
to the government if it will ad-
vance the campaign on the pro-
motion of artificial birth control.
Acosta said there is a big de-
ception that also accompanies the
population control program of
government.
Atty. Jo Imbong, legal counsel
of Human Life International also
talked on “The Architect on the
Culture of Death.”
Saying the USA is the chief ar-
chitect on the culture of death,
Imbong warned families not to
Bishops against / A1
“Gays should not be allowed
to participate in Santacruzan
since it defeats the true mean-
ing of the celebration,” Rosales
said.
He said Catholic devotees
should keep religious festivals
sacred and solemn at all times.
“I am not angry at gay men.
But, I am against what they’re
actually doing,” said Rosales.
“We should keep sacred what is
sacred.”
In the past, the cardinal said
he refused to give blessing to
any parish that allows gays to
join the Santacruzan procession.
He recalled once occasion
where he called the attention of
one parish after it allowed gays
to participate in a supposed to
be a religious activity.
“I told them that’s not right
ployees of the Philippine Amusement and
Gaming Corporation four years ago.
Rosales recommended P10,000 bail for the
prelate’s temporary liberty.
The libel case stems from a complaint by
BEC stores help the poor
address rice crisis
“We would like to express our solidar- 20 women who, as alleged by Cruz, served
ity with Archbishop Cruz,” said Catholic as “pitiful GROs” (guest relations officers)
Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines during the birthday party of First Gentle-
(CBCP) President Archbishop Angel man Jose Miguel Arroyo in Malacañang in
Lagdameo 2004. TWO years before the current available to the poor.
Some bishops are demanding fair treat- The women said they were hurt when rice crisis, the Basic Ecclesial Aside from rice, other basic
ment of Cruz’s case, which was just revived Cruz depicted them as “GROs” and de- Communities (BEC) Stores al- commodities including sugar,
by the Department of Justice. manded an apology from the archbishop. ready exerted effort to bring af- coffee, canned goods, soap and
Lagdameo said the CBCP has not yet But Cruz said he is willing to go to jail if fordable rice to the people cooking oil are readily avail-
made any discussion about Cruz’s libel only to call national attention to the “evils through the 14 bigasan outlets able at the community-based
charges. of Pagcor,” adding he will not apologize established in the different par- stores at reasonable prices.
But he said they are likely to bring their for his claim that Pagcor made “GROs” out ishes,” Fr. Granwell Bitabit, This venture is coordinated by
concern to the country’s canon lawyers. of its workers. Prelature of Libmanan’s Social the Social Action Center through
“They will be the ones to give us advice.” Cruz maintained he never said anything Action Center Director dis- its arm, the Prelature of
Manila RTC Branch 52 Judge Antonio libelous against the women. (Roy Lagarde) closed in an interview with Libmanan Development Foun-
CBCPNews. dation, Inc. (PLDFI), chaired by
Pope / A1 CBCP urges / A1 This was made possible Bishop Prospero N. Arellano,
through partnership with the lo- D.D.
be swayed by the artificial birth Nuncio Archbishop Edward Classification Board (MTRCB) cal office of the National Food “It helps that BEC members
control programs promoted by Joseph Adams. chairperson Consoliza Laguardia Authority. The “Saradit na are trained to always take a pro-
the Philippine government as This, indeed, is welcome was also a panelist at the press Kristianong Komunidad active approach in life to be able
these are also backed by foreign news for the faithful of conference. She lauded both Tindahan” (SKK Tindahan) or to anticipate problems and for
funding agencies. Kidapawan since they have groups for their efforts to fight BEC Stores spread in the differ- them to be able to act accordingly
She appealed to parents to up- been without a bishop for “the terrible crime against chil- ent parishes and served as the before a problem arises,” the
hold the provisions of the more than a year already, said dren.” outlets for the cheap rice made SAC head added. (Elmer Abad)
country’s 1987 Constitution, Adams. “It’s really our moral obliga-
which promotes integrity and For the last six years, de la tion to care for children and save Widows / A1
protection of the Filipino family. Cruz has been bishop of San them from being sexually ex-
Imbong also explained to the Jose de Antique, in the Island ploited,” she said. She added that because of the vows of poverty, chastity
participants during the Pro-Life of Panay. In August last year, the CBCP many difficulties, most parents and obedience.
Forum at the packed CAP Audi- The prelate is 60 years old. President has organized an Ad encourage their young daugh- Navarro said that “for mem-
torium in Anda St., Davao City, Born in Balasan, Iloilo, he was Hoc Committee to combat the ters to find high-paying jobs bers of our congregation, [it
their constitutionally guaranteed ordained priest at the age of proliferation of child pornogra- elsewhere. was] the attraction of the
rights to begin a family, free from 29, and was appointed Coad- phy. It is headed by Ambassador “With the advancement in charism and inspiration of Our
threats, among other things. jutor Bishop of Isabela, Henrietta de Villa. (Roy Lagarde) technology, it gets more diffi- Lady of Triumph of the Cross
The forum was part of the ini- Basilan, when he was 40. cult to convince them to enter [that] drew them to join other
tiatives of the Archdiocesan Mindanao / A1 the religious life,” she further dedicated women who share
Pope John Paul II erected the
Council of the Lay Apostolate Diocese of Kidapawan in 1976 tions that cause environmental explained. this same spirit and convic-
and Integrated Movements with territories taken from hazards and destruction of Navarro was a schoolteacher tion.”
(ACLAIM) in Davao to educate the Archdiocese of Cotabato. peoples’ livelihood. at the former Immaculate Con- The MSOTC leads the Catho-
the people on the promotion of The diocese comprises 11 At the 2005 Mindanao Mining ception College now known as lic Charismatic and Renewal
life and family. (With reports towns in the province of Forum, the bishops supported La Salle University. She left her Movements of the ecclesiastical
from Mark S. Ventura) Cotabato; 3 towns in the prov- calls for Congress to revoke the profession in the mid 1980s and Province of Dipolog, Ozamiz,
ince of Maguindanao; and one Philippine Mining Act of 1995, founded the congregation. Pagadian, Iligan and Marawi
town in the province of Sul- which allows foreigners to en- Dosado approved their reli- (DOPIM). Some of them serve
tan Kudarat. It is staffed by 27 gage in mining operations in the gious congregation in 1993. as family counselors and pasto-
because that’s procession,” country. The Missionary Sisters of Our ral assistants, while one is pres-
Rosales said. “You are destroy- priests, by 8 brothers, and 48
Sisters, with 69 seminarians in The Xstrata Company report- Lady of Triumph of the Cross ently a staff member of Saint
ing the purity of the devotion.” edly yields about 6.8 million tons (MSOTC) is a community of 49 Mary Theologate Seminary in
“That’s horrendous. That’s an training.
De la Cruz had his seminary of copper and 8.7 million ounces nuns who dedicate their lives to Gango, Ozamiz City. (Wendell
insult to the Blessed Mother,” of gold annually. (CBCPNews) God and God’s people through Talibong)
he added. training in the Notre Dame
Catholic Bishops’ Conference Archdiocesan Seminary in
Afterthoughts / A4
of the Philippines president and Cotabato, at Saint Francis
Jaro Archbishop Angel Xavier Major Seminary in one of those under-a-bridge “con- myself, it could be out of a desire The real scandal, I further con-
Lagdameo also echoed the same Davao, and at the Institute on dos” that are the scandal of Ma- to make reparation for sins; or cluded, was not the money gotten
sentiment. Religious Formation in Saint nila? A decent house to bring up simply out of ordinary Filipino from the “devil” of a pharmaceu-
“It becomes more of a distrac- Louis, Missouri, in the United a family in—that’s an essential, I awa—something that I would tical firm, but the necessity to
tion for people than an act of States. would think, for ordinary human think should come naturally to welcome it because Christians—
devotion. The prayerful atmo- Before becoming a bishop, living and, yes, for ordinary most of us. But for the real, unre- the saints—were not being suffi-
sphere should be maintained in he served as parish priest in spiritual well-being as well. deemed and unredeemable ciently forthcoming with their
all religious processions includ- Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat, Getting direct help from the devil? No problem, I concluded: charity. “I was a stranger and you
ing in Santacruzan, he said. and as the rector of the Notre devil—the thought was most in- It would be out of sheer malice— took me in; I was without a roof and
Lagdameo said that dame Archdiocesan Seminary triguing. And another just as in- to wreck havoc on some moral you helped me put one over my
Santacruzan procession is a part in Cotabato. triguing popped up to mind un- theologian’s inflexibly righteous head—and my family’s. Enter into
of sacred devotion in honor of No date has been set for his bidden: Why should the devil go certitudes! I should have asked the joy of your Lord.”
Blessed Virgin Mary and it installation as the new against his nature and agree to my Igorot philosopher for his And with that bothersome if
should be preserved as it is. bishop of Kidapawan. (Roy do a good deed? For a human, opinionated but, I do not doubt, holy thought, I fell into a fitful,
(CBCPNews) Lagarde) redeemable “devil”, I thought to common-sense verdict? troubled nap.

Laiko / A4

The problem of kidney dona-
tion is a supply and demand
problem and this exists all over
the world. When the foreigners
learned that they could get their
kidney donors relatively easily
from the Philippines, there was a
mad rush to come here to be
transplanted. Otherwise they
would have to wait in line for 5
years or more to get a kidney
from a cadaver donor. Usually by
that time they already die. The
mad rush was foreseen even be-
fore the medical tourism drive.
The challenge to the Depart-
ment of Health was to prevent
the violation of the anti-traffick-
ing law, R.A. No. 9208. The con-
trol system was anticipated and
these were the guidelines: a) Es-
tablish a donor selection and vali-
dation unit, The National Ethics
Committee and their correspond-
ing Hospital Ethics Committees,
b) Establish the Donor Monitor-
ing Unit which was assigned to
the DOH Bureau of Health Facili-
ties and Services (BHFS). The
monitoring was designed to reg-
ister all patients and donors who
are beneficiaries of kidney trans-
plants from living non-related
donors. This is the National Reg-
istry which will be used for deci-
sions like prioritization of kid-
ney donation for available ca-
daver donors, monitoring of
laboratory examination, etc.
In the case of the National Kid-
ney and Transplant Institute,
while waiting for the DOH moni-
toring unit, the selection and vali-
dation of an acceptable donor
followed these guidelines. Ini-
tially, the Kidney Foundation of
the Philippines (KFP), which
acted as the central monitoring
unit prior to the new Adminis-
trative Order, set up the funds to
process and monitor volunteers
who will donate their kidneys.
With the help of the Hospital Eth-
ics Committee all donors had to
undergo: 1) Screening whether
they pass the medical/health cri-
teria, 2) the orientation program
for kidney donors—a complete
understanding of the kidney do-
nation program, 3) deed of dona-
tion, that is, it is voluntary in na-
ture—”NO SALE” but only for
altruistic reasons, or the desire to
help a fellow human being to
extend his life. 3) explanation of
the “gratitudinal gift” which
comprise the following: a) cash
reimbursement for loss of in-
come, b) health insurance up to
age 65, c) Livelihood assistance,
d) Life Insurance coverage, e) An-
nual health check up. All of these
are funded to approximately
P350,000 per donor.
The KFP has the obligation to
pay for all expenses incurred in
the process—the cost of operation,
reimbursement of loss of income,
cost of periodic health monitor-
ing, health insurance, and HELP
IN ESTABLISHING A LIVELI-
HOOD PROJECT for the long term
support of the family. Only these
qualified donors will go into the
list for scheduling the donation
for the transplant operation. The
donor will be asked to donate a
certain amount over these tabu-
lated costs to support a poor Fili-
pino patient who could not afford
the cost of the kidney transplant
operation. The kidney recipient
knows that this is not a SALE of a
kidney but an altruistic effort on
his part to enable a Filipino fam-
ily to go on with their lives
through a livelihood project.
As in all well-laid directives,
abuse comes in due to the profit-
ability of sourcing donors through
brokers. Media’s sensational ex-
posure of kidney sale through
brokers have proven this. These
abuses have a direct impact on
those who have been undergoing
the process regulated by the Na-
tional Ethics Committee—a pro-
cess which even the CBCP repre-
sentative pronounced as morally
right. Is it the knee-jerk reaction
of President GMA to impose a 100
percent ban on living non-related
donors justified? What happens to
the lives of kidney recipients who
have now been deprived of years
of productive lives not only in ser-
vice for their families and perhaps
for their profession and country?
The death of end-stage renal
disease patients is slow and ago-
nizing not only for the patient
but for the whole family. It is
more depressingly felt by close-
knit family structures like that of
Filipino families where every-
body with social ties to the fam-
ily who celebrate together in
church sacraments like baptism,
confirmation, weddings, etc. is
equal to a blood tie. It does not
surprise anyone of us Filipinos if
one of these living non-related
donors are donating their kid-
neys for altruistic reasons, but
other nationals who cannot re-
late with our culture will con-
sider its sale. Gratitude in terms
of support for the enrollment of
their kids, help in times of need
will always be part of the
Filipino’s utang na-loob.
I pray for the relaxation of the
LNRD ban. I have a first hand
knowledge to this traumatic ex-
perience. My wife was a dialysis
patient for two years and eight
months before she had a trans-
plant. Donated by a distant rela-
tive, our gratitude to them for ex-
tending her life for another 9 ½
years is sustained by utang-na-loob
gratitudinal gifts. I am still sup-
porting her three children
through high school! It is not the
money that counts, it is the sav-
ing of a life—her life by the do-
nation of a kidney by her distant
relative and in return, providing
hope for the future of the donor’s
children!
Fr. Charly Ricafort, chaplain of
the National Kidney & Trans-
plant Institute and I, as members
of the National Ethics Commit-
tee would welcome any sugges-
tion to establish a group to help
the living non-related donors
improve their lives. Through the
donors’ generosity and altruism,
kidney recipient’s lives will be
saved. In gratitude, these recipi-
ents will in turn reciprocate by
giving support to improve the
donors’ lives. If the donated
money is coursed through an ad-
vocacy group, the SALE aspect of
the exchange of gratuities will be
eliminated. This could be done
above board by a registered com-
munity/parish advocacy group.
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 10
May 12 - 25, 2008 Features A7

DIOCESAN NEWS BRIEFS

Biking priest arrives home May 18
DAVAO City—Biking-peace advocate Fr. Amado Picardal
is set to arrive here on May 18 finishing his 5, 000 km. road
bike for 56 days around the country. Upon his arrival,
Picardal will say a thanksgiving Mass at the Redemptorist
Church in Bajada, this city. (Mark Ventura)

Church gives aid to inmates

COTABATO City—Inmates here got help from the Arch-
diocese of Cotabato by giving them regular spiritual value
formation through Bible sharing and prayer meetings. The
inmates also receive other assistance such as the following
up of their cases in court. (Orlan Emberga)

Bibliodrama seminar slated

OZAMIS City—A 4-day bibliodrama seminar was held at
the Carmelite Retreat House in Malubang, this city on May
13-16. Organized by the Paul VI Biblical Center for
Mindanao, the event was aimed to deepen a person’s under-

© Vatican Pool/ /Immaginazione/Corbis

standing of God’s Word. (Wendell Talibong)

Alpha Omega hosts Pentecost celebration

BINMALEY, Pangasinan—Hundreds graced the
Archdiocesan Pentecost Celebration held here on May 10,
hosted by the Alpha Omega Catholic Charismatic Commu-
nity. Held yearly, the event is always observed on the sev-
enth Sunday after Easter. (Lucille Beumer)

Priest sees rise in enrollment at seminary

LEGAZPI City—The Diocese of Legazpi’s St. Gregory the
Great Minor Seminary expects an increase in enrollment for

Pope invites a rediscovery

school year 2008-2009. Fr. Salvador Nicolas Bilono III, semi-
nary rector, said he expects the increase to reach 15 percent
compared to previous year. (Jose Locsin Jr.)

of Baptism’s beauty
VATICAN CITY, May 11, 2008—Benedict XVI
is encouraging the faithful to rediscover the
beauty of being baptized in the Holy Spirit.
The Pope made this invitation today from
the window of his study before praying the
Regina Caeli with thousands of people gath-
ered in St. Peter’s Square. The Holy Father
gave his traditional Sunday greeting shortly
after finishing the celebration of Mass for the
feast of Pentecost.
The Pontiff first noted that Pentecost was
an ancient Hebrew feast that became a Chris-
tian feast on account of the Holy Spirit’s de-
scent upon Mary and the disciples in the Up-
per Room that day, 50 days after the Resur-
rection.
“In effect, Jesus’ whole mission was aimed
at giving the Spirit of God to men and bap-
tizing them in the ‘bath’ of regeneration,”
the Pope said. “This was realized through his
glorification, that is, through his death and
resurrection: Then the Spirit of God was
poured out in a super-abundant way, like a
waterfall able to purify every heart, to extin-
guish the flames of evil and ignite the fire of
divine love in the world.
“The Acts of the Apostles present Pente-
cost as a fulfillment of such a promise and
therefore as the crowning moment of Jesus’
whole mission. After his resurrection, he him-
self ordered his disciples to stay in Jerusa-
lem, because, he said, ‘In a short time you
will be baptized in the Holy Spirit’; and he
added: ‘You will have the power of the Holy
Spirit, who will descend upon you and you
will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all of
Galilee and Samaria unto the ends of the
earth.’”
Church’s baptism
Benedict XVI said that Pentecost is thus,
“in a special way, the baptism of the Church
who undertakes her universal mission be-
ginning from the streets of Jerusalem with
prodigious preaching in the different lan-
guages of humanity.”
“In this baptism of the Holy Spirit,” the
Pope continued, “the personal and commu-
nal dimensions—the ‘I’ of the disciple and
Disobedience results to decrease of vocations
MATI City—While the number of Catholic clergy is declin-
ing, Mati Bishop Patricio Alo said the blame should not be
pointed to others but on one’s self. He said the real reason
for the looming vocation crisis in the Catholic Church to-
day is disobedience. (Mark Ventura)
the ‘we’ of the Church—are inseparable. The Cardinal: Use Internet responsibly
Spirit consecrates the person and at the same CEBU City—Saying that Internet can be used for “good and
time makes him a living member of the mys- evil” reasons, Archbishop Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal called
tical body of Christ, participant in the mis- on the people to use the Internet responsibly. “While it can
sion to witness to his love.” be used to disseminate information, the same information
This consecration and insertion into the can also be harmful.” (Santosh Digal)
mystical body of Christ, “is actualized
through the sacraments of Christian initia-
Learn Church social teachings by heart—bishop
tion: baptism and confirmation,” he said.
DIGOS City—Bishop Guillermo Afable urged the people to
“In my message for World Youth Day 2008,
find time to study and learn the Church social teachings by
I invited young people to rediscover the pres-
heart. He said that one way of becoming effective in the
ence of the Holy Spirit in their lives and,
apostolate is to learn the social teachings and be able to
therefore, the importance of these sacra-
understand its significance. (Mark Ventura)
ments,” the Holy Father added. “Today I
would like to extend this invitation to every-
Priest calls for economic relief
one: Let us rediscover, dear brothers and sis-
IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay—”Let us not wait until crimes be
ters, the beauty of being baptized in the Holy
widespread in our province as a result of people’s despera-
Spirit; let us be aware again of our baptism
tion of the present situation,” Ipil prelature vicar general
and of our confirmation, sources of grace that
Msgr. Elmer Alforque said. He said people should help each
are always present.
other in solving the looming food crisis. (Antonio
“Let us ask the Virgin Mary to obtain a
Manaytay)
renewed Pentecost for the Church again to-
day, a Pentecost that will spread in everyone
Change from within better than changing form of
the joy of living and witnessing to the Gos-
gov’t
pel.” (Zenit)
CEBU City—”Unless the government is changed within then
it is useless to effect any change in government,” said an
editorial of Bag-ong Lungsoranon, the official publication

Pontifical Council examining

of the Archdiocese of Cebu. It added the Church recognizes
the benefits of a decentralized government as it could be
managed well. (Joseph Suson, SVD)

plight of immigrants
VATICAN CITY, May 13, 2008—Beginning
today the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral
Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples is
meeting at the Vatican to address how to spiri-
tually provide for emigrant and itinerant
families.
The full council will be meeting at the
Vatican from May 13-15 on the theme: “The
emigrant and itinerant family.”
Cardinal Renato Martino opened the ses-
sion with an address that pulled together
many of the council’s most recently published
documents. In his speech, Cardinal Martino
showed how the pastoral guidelines of the
council should be integrated into the various
areas of ministry that it undertakes.
The Pontifical Council is tasked with en-
suring that the spiritual needs of those who
have been forced to abandon their homeland,
as well as those who have none, are met. The
council’s ministry extends to a wide range of
people including: emigrants, refugees and
displaced persons, foreign students, nomads,
circus workers, tourists and pilgrims, seafar-
ers, airport workers, drivers, women and
children who live on the streets, and people
of no fixed abode.
According to a statement released by the
PNP official backs Church fight vs. jueteng
NAGA City— New Camarines Sur police director P/Supt.
Rodolfo Llorca echoed the Bicol bishops call on the people
not to patronize jueteng. Llorca said he agree with the
Church that such illegal gambling should not be allowed to
flourish anywhere in their region. (Elmer Abad)
council, the full council consists of 26 prel-
ates, including cardinals, archbishops and Church wants cases of child labor eliminated
bishops from various countries, and 14 con- DAVAO City—The Archdiocese of Davao is taking a proac-
sultors. The consultors are also of various tive role through its pastoral agencies to end child labor
nationalities and provide their expertise on here. Church officials recently consolidated their ranks and
the various aspects of human mobility with came up with measures to help end the problem of child
which the council concerns itself. labor in the region. They said the problem of child labor
Over these days the plenary assembly will must be addressed the soonest and the pastoral agencies are
hear testimonies from people who work di- called to help in this endeavor. (Mark Ventura)
rectly with families in certain sectors of human
mobility. The testimonies will come from ex- Virgin of Penafrancia goes on pilgrimage to Bicol
perts who work in Australia, the United States, NAGA City¯Thousands paid homage to the Virgin of
Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Great Brit- Penafrancia as she goes around in pilgrimage to different
ain, France, Italy, Spain and Germany. (CNA) dioceses of Bicol region early this month. The pilgrimage,
organized in preparation for the 2010 tri-centennial celebra-
tion of Our Lady of Penrafrancia, stopped at the diocese of
Sorsogon last April 1 where it will visit various parishes

Church seeks rapport with gov’t until June 30. (Elmer Abad)

Floods, peace and order, poverty stalk Cotabato

COTABATO City— The recent floods in five North Cotabato

vs. ‘irresponsible’ mining
MANILA, May 14, 2008—The
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of
the Philippines (CBCP) is seek-
ing government’s cooperation
in the advocacy versus irre-
sponsible mining activities.
Manila Auxiliary Bishop
Broderick Pabillo urged DENR
Secretary Lito Atienza to forge
an agreement with them to en-
sure environment is protected
from mining operations.
Atienza and Pabillo were both
guest speakers in a media forum
organized by the Catholic Me-
dia Network (CMN) and the
CBCPNews held at Ilustrado in
Intramuros, Manila on Tuesday.
Pabillo said the main purpose
of the collaboration is for them
to act as watchdogs in determin-
ing “social acceptability” in ar-
eas where there are mining ap-
plications.
“If they (DENR) are willing
for us to monitor (the conduct
of getting social acceptability),
then we are willing to testify if
people are really opposed to
mining or not,” Pabillo said.
Pabillo is the chairman of the
CBCP’s National Secretariat for
Social Action- Justice and Peace.
“Sometimes they will make it
appear that a consultation has
been made among the people, but
it would turn out that there’s no
approval from the people and
mining would be allowed, it
should not be like that,” he added.
The bishop clarified that the
Church is not against mining
per se because of its benefits, but
said the law for responsible
mining must be strictly imple-
mented.
He also expressed concern
over the extractive nature of
mining and warned everyone to
be very careful about it.
Pabillo added that minerals
should be conserved for the
country’s future use. He ap-
pealed to the government to
towns have affected rice supply in the Archdiocese of
Cotabato, said Archbishop Orlando Quevedo. He said floods
have damaged the expected harvests and made farmers from
Pigcawayan, Libungan, Midsayap, Aliosan and Pikit uncer-
tain of their harvests. “The towns have been declared ‘ca-
firmly enforce the lamity areas.’” (Melo Acuña)
law against envi-
ronmental havoc. PNP official backs Church fight vs. jueteng
Atienza, mean- NAGA City— New Camarines Sur police director P/Supt.
while, has welcomed Rodolfo Llorca echoed the Bicol bishops call on the people
the bishop’s appeal, not to patronize jueteng. Llorca said he agree with the
adding that the part- Church that such illegal gambling should not be allowed to
nership will surely flourish anywhere in their region. (Elmer Abad)
bolster government’s
campaign for respon- Parents must pass on faith to their children as
sible mining. legacy
“It is never the in- MARIKINA City—Christian parents must pass faith in God
tention of the na- on their children as a lasting legacy, said Fr. Ric Eguia, par-
tional leadership to ish priest of St. Paul of the Cross in Nangku, this city. “The
promote abusive greatest legacy parents can pass on to their children, more
mining rather pro- important than education, is their faith in God.” (Santosh
moting healthy in- Digal)
vestments in min-
ing that will pro- Priest asks gov’t to free campuses of drug pushers
vide employment to OZAMIS City—Fr. Lanie Serino of the Ozamis Archdiocesan
hundreds of thou- Commission on Education urged local authorities to rid the
sands of families,” schools and immediate environs of drug pushers. Serino
he said. Bishop Broderick Pabillo, DD said he will seek the help of the provincial governor and the
“We welcome the local police to apprehend the identified drug pushers ply-
CBCP no less to be involved on fight more the abuses on our en- ing on pupils and students. (Wendell Talibong)
the issues concerning mining. vironment,” said Atienza.
With the church’s help, we can (CBCPNews)
 CBCP Monitor
A8 People, Facts & Places Vol. 12 No. 10
May 12 - 25, 2008

Consultation on migration Ipil prelature celebrates

in Asia to be held in Manila
THE Geneva-based International Catholic
Migration Commission (ICMC), in coopera-
tion with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference
portance regarding migration in
Asia to be held in Manila on Au-
gust 28-29.
The main purpose of the con-
sultation is to share and analyze
concerns, information and op-
portunities among members in
the region and the ICMC net-
work regarding important trends,
decision making and related pro-
cesses, said Johan Ketelers, Sec-
retary General.
ICMC serves and protects the
needs of uprooted people, refu-
gees, internally displaced per-
sons and migrants, with opera-
tions in 30 countries of the world, including
Indonesia, Jordan, Lebanon, Pakistan and
Turkey.
jubilarian priests
THREE red-letter dates of May
were celebrated by the Prelature
of Ipil with good cheers to its
continue to serve God.
“The vocation of priesthood is
an honor,” he said in reiteration
therefore we hope to finalize the agenda af-
three Diocesan priests who of Agustino’s message during the
ter we receive participants’ thoughts,”
marked their silver anniversary homily at the Eucharistic celebra-
Ketelers added.
of priesthood this month. tion held at the Our Lady of the
All presidents of Bishops Conferences or a Three Diocesan priests here Pillar church.
designate mandated with a level of author-
celebrated their 25 years in the The Prelature of Ipil, which
ity to represent the Bishops’ Conferences to
priesthood—Father Laure Helar covers 19 parishes, has 305,000
ICMC, such as the Chair of the Episcopal
of Kabasalan parish, May 1; Fa- Catholics with only 21 priests or
Migration Commission or other national ther Lito Cabatuan of Buug par- a ratio of one priest for every
structure for migration issues and others who
ish, May 3; and Father Andy 11,000 Catholics.
are involved in the care of migrants are to
Agustino of Diplahan parish, Diplahan is a 4th class munici-
attend the said event.
May 5. pality in the prelature. Accord-
Maasin bishop and chairman of the Epis- Bishop Julius Tonel of the ing to the 2000 census, it has a
copal Commission for Pastoral Care of Mi-
Prelature of Ipil, in his short talk population of 23,909 people in
grants and Itinerant People (ICMI), Precioso
asked the people to continue to 4,686 households. Roughly, 80
Cantillas; Cotabato Archbishop and Secretary
pray “for our priests and reli- percent of the population are
General of the Federation of the Asian Bish- gious people” so that they may Catholics. (Antonio Manaytay)
ops Conferences (FABC), Orlando Quevedo,
OMI; and Jaro Archbishop and CBCP Presi-
dent Angel Lagdameo, are among those in-

4th Cebu Youth Congress

of the Philippines (CBCP) will conduct a high- “The voice of the Church is increasingly vited to attend the consultation. (Santosh
level Regional Consultation on issues of im- important in these debates at all levels and Digal)

to be held in July
Vigan festival draws local and THE 4th Cebu Archdiocesan
Youth Congress will take place
clearly, we empower them to act
with responsibility to issues con-

foreign tourists
NOW in its 16th year, Viva Vigan
Festival of the Arts and Crafts
continues to draw huge crowds
of local and foreign tourists to the
World Heritage City in the
month of May.
Spanning a whole week, the fes-
tival features local culture and arts
of which the Binatbatan and
Longanisa Festivals and the Amaz-
ing Heritage Race are but a few.
The high points were May 1
and May 3, Labor Day and the
feast of Apo Sto. Cristo Milagroso
in his shrine, the Simbaan a Bassit
or “small church” located in the
at DECS Ecotech Center, Sudlon,
Lahug, on July 12, 2008.
This event will be held just
prior to the World Youth Con-
gress (WYC) scheduled in Sidney,
Jubilee Celebration, this year be- Australia, July 15-20. About 20
ing the 125th Year of Thanksgiv- youth delegation from Cebu are
ing of the naturales (natives) of planning to attend the WYC.
Vigan to their special patron and The Youth Congress is one of
Savior, Apo Sto. Cristo making the youth respond to the
Milagroso. theme: “Cebu’s Youth: Reflecting
In 1883, Tres de Mayo was cho- the Compassionate Face of
sen as a day of Thanksgiving to Jesus.”
Apo Sto. Cristo to coincide with The theme is lifted from the
the feast of the Founding of the archdiocesan’s pastoral thrust for
True Cross by St. Helena and her this year, “Towards the 75th An-
son, Constantine. niversary of Cebu as an Archdio-
Also on May 1st, Labor Day, cese: Contemplating the Face of
Vigan honors her son, Isabelo de Jesus in the Bible.”
los Reyes—a nationalist who fa- “If we show them compassion
thered the first labor federation by helping them understand things
Photo by Denz Dayao
cerning themselves, their family
and their community,” said Msgr.
Arturo R. Navales, PC, Cebu dioc-
esan youth commission chairman.
The invited resource speakers
include Msgr. Dennis Villarojo,
Coordinator of the Pastoral Plan-
ning Board of the archdiocese on
Youth Spirituality; Governor Ed
Panlilio of Pampanga on Youth
Participation in Governance, and
Mrs. Becky Pestaño-Smith on
Youth and the Environment.
“It is our goal that the youth
can have a deeper understanding
of the issues through the inputs
at the Congress. It is another de-
fining moment in our journey in
the youth ministry that is about
to come,” said Navales.
(CBCPNews)

southern end of Vigan City, re- in the Philippines. More signifi-

spectively.
Rev. Msgr. Roque Reyes, Vigan
parish priest reminded everyone
that Viva Vigan 2008 is, in fact, a
cantly, on the same date, the
Catholic Church paid its respects
to its Universal Patron, St. Joseph,
the Worker. (Fran Quitoriano) Leadership training for the deaf held
AIMING to strengthen their ca- ing-impaired awareness. The
pability and leadership, 46 hear- keynote speakers were special

Indigenous Peoples’ National Convention held in Cagayan de Oro
THE Episcopal Commission on In-
digenous Peoples (ECIP) held its
26th ECIP-IPA National convention
simultaneously with the National
Partner IPs’ Consultation at St. Paul
Seminar House, Punta, Bonbon,
Cagayan de Oro City, May 5-9.
A total of 90 delegates including
4 bishops, 15 priests, 12 religious
sisters, 24 lay workers and 35 IP
representatives from 35 dioceses
attended the consultation and con-
vention of partner indigenous
peoples’ representatives and
apostolate workers.
The convention theme was: “Re-
newing Commitment to Indig-
enous Peoples’ Self-determina-
tion.”
Fr. Renerio Sabuga, SSJV, IPA
coordinator of Cagayan de Oro
archdiocese welcomed the del-
egates. Ilagan Bishop and ECIP
Chairman Sergio Utleg, ECIP
Chairperson, gave the opening
remarks including the rationale of
the consultation-convention.
The IP participants were tasked
to do a workshop on the indigenous
peoples’ economic, social, political
and ecological situations, while In-
digenous Peoples Apostolate (IPA)
workers were tasked to do the
Church’s current responses related
to the IP situations.
Results that were reported per
region with the IP group first, then
the IPA came up with the follow-
ing points: a) non-recognition of
ancestral domains; b) mining as
primary agent of destruction not
only of culture and environment
but IP lives; c) the National Com-
mission on Indigenous Peoples
(NCIP) and other government
agencies became agents of mining
interests and other development
aggressions that intrude IP areas
and divide many IP communities.
After plenary discussions, the
drafting committee was requested
ing-impaired teenagers from De
La Salle - College of Saint Benilde,
Manila, La Salle Academy, Iligan
to come-up with a statement which City and La Salle University,
contained the consensus analysis Ozamiz City gathered for a DEAF
of the situations of indigenous Leadership Training from April
peoples. Issues on the National 24 to May 2.
Rural Congress 2 (NRC2) partici- In an interview, LSU Special
pation of indigenous peoples were Education Coordinator Sarah O.
discussed and the participants Talibong said “if hearing-im-
agreed to choose 3 participants per paired persons be given equal
region—one from the IPA and 2 IP opportunities, they will excel in
representatives. their chosen fields.”
Most Rev. Antonio Ledesma, SJ, The activity was held at LSU
D.D., Archbishop of Cagayan de Integrated School, Ozamis City
Oro presided the afternoon mass. and chaired by Leo Angelo
The IPA of Cagayan de Oro pre- Cabasag, College of St. Benilde
sented gifts to the bishops and faculty coordinator.
other convention participants. Each day had various activities
(Tony Abuso) with special emphasis on hear-
teachers Ariscel Lobo and
Cathrine Friscia Alonso, both
from College of Saint Benilde.
Talibong said two speakers
used sign language during the
seminar. They have the facility
of language because they were
taught oral language since child-
hood.
Both Lobo and Alonso have B.
S. degrees in Education, passed
Licensure Examination for Teach-
ers and now pursuing their
Master’s degrees at PNU and UP,
respectively.
Some parents of hearing-im-
paired students and LSU students
majoring in Special Education
also attended the seminar.
(Wendell P. Talibong)

ŒŒŒŒŒŒŒŒ
Msgr. Pedro Quitorio and Fr. Francis Lucas pose with the group behind The Forum, a weekly media round-table which is a “The Church Beat” was the lead of the two-day training on Catholic Journalism conducted by CBCPNews to its diocesan
joint project of CBCPNews and the Catholic Media Network (CMN). The Forum is held every Tuesday, 9:30AM at the Ilustrado correspondence from different parts of the country; at the CBCPWorld Training Center in Intramuros, May 7-8, 2008.
Restaurant in Intramuros, with special guests that discuss prevailing social issues. CBCPNews is the first and the only Catholic News Service in the country, launched in July 2007.

³
Markings
CELEBRATED. Mahal na Birhen ng Biglang-
Awa, 50 th anniversary of Canonical Coro-
nation, and 30 th anniversary of canonical
erection of Boac as a Diocese, Immaculate
Conception Cathedral, Boac, Marinduque;
May 10. Twelve bishops and 11 priests led
by Bishop Reynaldo Evangelista and His
Eminence Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal cel-
ebrated the thanksgiving Mass. In his hom-
ily, the cardinal gave emphasis on the role
of Mary as intercessor to her Son. He also
recounted his role during the solemn canoni-
cal coronation that took place 50 years ago
when he as a young priest, read the decree of the canonical corona- the Holy Cross in Rome, to the Order of Deacons by His Eminence
tion. Now, on the solemn anniversary, he crowned the sacred image Francis Cardinal Arinze, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine
of Mahal na Birhen ng Biglang Awa during the Reenactment of the Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments; May 1. In an audi-
Canonical Coronation using the very same crown that was used on ence three days before conferring the diaconal ordination to the
the day of her canonical coronation. In preparation for the event, the candidates the Nigerian Prefect emphasized the importance of the
permanent shrine for the canonically crowned image was renovated, Divine Office, the Holy Eucharist and Eucharistic Adoration, the
employing local skilled workers, architects and designers. The image daily meditation of the Sacred Scriptures and priestly celibacy. The
of the Virgin was restored by a local artisan bringing back the former Vatican Prefect, in his simple and unassuming ways, used analo-
elegant yet simple gies and jokes to transmit the seriousness of the subjects. At the
look of the image end of the audience Cardinal Arinze gave each candidate a book-
way back to how it let, a collection of prayers for various occasions; that he recently
was 50 years ago published.
during her canonical
coronation. CELEBRATED. Sr. Elena Aguilar, Looc, Occidental Mindoro; Sr. Ma.
Corazon Tabagan, Libmanan, Camarines Sur; Sr. Irma Bacsain, Naga
O R D A I N E D . R e v. City; Sr. Marianne Diaz, Guinobatan, Albay; Sr. Vilma Tomagan, Virac,
Christian Gil Golong, Catanduanes; Sr. Olivia Medrano, Canaman, Camarines Sur; Sr. Maria
Archdiocese of Culaway, Minalabac, Camarines Sur and Sr. Evelyn Aguilar, San
Palo, Leyte, and Miguel, Catanduanes; perpetual profession of vows, and Sr. Fe Bista;
other candidates to temporary profession of vows among the Daughters of Mary Mother
the priesthood of the Church Institute, May 3, at the Basilica Minore of Our Lady of
studying at the Pon- Peñafrancia, Naga City. Most Rev. Leonardo Z. Legaspi, O.P. arch-
tifical University of bishop of Caceres presided the thanksgiving Mass.
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 10
May 12 - 25, 2008
Pastoral
Concerns
‘The Baptism of
the Church’
© Alessandra Benedetti / Corbis
Message of Pope Benedict
XVI on Pentecost 2008
DEAR Brothers and Sisters,
Today we celebrate the solemnity of
Pentecost, an ancient Hebrew feast in
which the covenant made between God
and his people on Mount Sinai (cf. Exo-
dus 19) was celebrated. It became a
Christian feast on account of what hap-
pened during this celebration 50 days
after Jesus’ resurrection.
We read in the Acts of the Apostles
that the disciples were
gathered together in
prayer in the Cenacle
when the Holy Spirit de-
scended upon them with “Let us rediscover, dear brothers and
power like wind and fire. sisters, the beauty of being baptized in
They then began to pro-
claim the glad tidings of the Holy Spirit; let us be aware again
Christ’s resurrection in
many languages (cf. Acts of our baptism and of our confirma-
2:1-4). That was the “bap- tion, sources of grace that are always
tism in the Holy Spirit,”
which had already been
announced by John the
Baptist: “I have baptized
you with water,” he said
to the crowds, “but he who comes after
me is more powerful than me. (...) He
will baptize you in the Holy Spirit” (Mat-
thew 3:11).
In effect, Jesus’ whole mission was
aimed at giving the Spirit of God to men
and baptizing them in the “bath” of re-
generation. This was realized through
his glorification (cf. John 7:39), that is,
through his death and resurrection: Then
Antipolo Diocese to celebrate
jubilee of Canonical Erection
© Denz Dayao / CBCP Media
By Fr. Joel Francis Victorino
THE Diocese of Antipolo is set to cel-
ebrate the twenty fifth anniversary of
its canonical erection on June 25 with
the theme “25 Taon ng Mabuting
Paglalakbay – Pasasalamat, Pagdiriwang at
Panibagong Pagsasabuhay!”
A solemn Mass will be held on June
25 at the Cathedral of Antipolo to cel-
the Spirit of God was poured out in a
superabundant way, like a waterfall able
to purify every heart, to extinguish the
flames of evil and ignite the fire of di-
vine love in the world.
The Acts of the Apostles present Pen-
tecost as a fulfillment of such a promise
and therefore as the crowning moment
of Jesus’ whole mission. After his resur-
rection, he himself ordered his disciples
present.”
to stay in Jerusalem, because, he said,
“In a short time you will be baptized in
the Holy Spirit” (Acts 1:8); and he added:
“You will have the power of the Holy
Spirit, who will descend upon you and
you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem,
in all of Galilee and Samaria unto the
ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
Pentecost is, thus, in a special way, the
baptism of the Church who undertakes
ebrate its foundation anniversary.
A number of programs and activities
have been lined up to make this mile-
stone in the life of this local Church com-
prising the whole province of Rizal and
the city of Marikina a significant one.
The pilgrim image of Our Lady of
Peace and Good Voyage (the Virgin of
Antipolo) has started to make the rounds
of all the parishes in the diocese.
On December 5 of this year, a grand ju-
her universal mission beginning from
the streets of Jerusalem with prodigious
preaching in the different languages of
humanity. In this baptism of the Holy
Spirit the personal and communal dimen-
sions—the “I” of the disciple and the
“we” of the Church—are inseparable. The
Spirit consecrates the person and at the
same time makes him a living member
of the mystical body of Christ, a partici-
pant in the mission to
witness to his love.
And this is actualized
through the sacraments
of Christian initiation:
baptism and confirma-
© Roy Lagarde / CBCP Media
tion. In my message for
World Youth Day 2008, I
invited young people to
rediscover the presence
of the Holy Spirit in their
lives and, therefore, the
importance of these sac-
raments. Today I would
like to extend this invi-
tation to everyone: Let
us rediscover, dear brothers and sisters,
By Fr. Santosh Digal
the beauty of being baptized in the Holy
Spirit; let us be aware again of our bap-
tism and of our confirmation, sources of THE Apostolic Nuncio in the Philip-
grace that are always present. pines urged Filipino Catholic women
Let us ask the Virgin Mary to obtain a to rediscover treasures of the Holy
renewed Pentecost for the Church again Eucharist.
today, a Pentecost that will spread in ev- “May the members of the Catholic
eryone the joy of living and witnessing Women’s League (CWL) rediscover
to the Gospel. the inexhaustible treasures of the
Holy Eucharist by approaching the
first tabernacle of history, our dear-
est Mother Mary, the Woman of the
Eucharist. May she sustain you in your
commitment to her Son and accom-
pany you with powerful interces-
sion,” said Archbishop Edward J.
Adams.
He was addressing the members
of the CWL at the 50th National Con-
vention held at the Manila Hotel, May
10-11.
“In this important assembly, you
reflect on the fact that the Eucharist is
truly the condition for our union
with Christ and our mission on his
behalf. The Church’s life is nourished
by the Eucharist. In the Eucharist, we
find the source and power to under-
take our works of love for God and
neighbor,” said Adams.
For the past four years, CWL has
had the Eucharist as its theme. In 2004-
2006, it had the theme “Eucharist in
the life and ministry of CWL” that
corresponded to its two-pronged
thrust—integral faith formation and
empowerment of the laity for service.
The focus was on the spiritual forma-
tion of the members.
For the biennium 2006-2008, the
convention’s theme was “Living the
Eucharist in the Ministry of the CWL”
which stressed that Eucharist is the
basis of CWL’s all outreach pro-
grams. For the next two years, 2008-
2010, the theme is “CWL: living the
bilee celebration will be held at the Ynares Eucharist through Social justice and
Center in Antipolo City with the partici- charity.”
pation of Archbishop Edward Adams, the “We ventured to look at the differ-
Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines. ent facets of the Eucharist and have
A Diocesan Pastoral Assembly is also come to realize we cannot plumb the
being planned for next year to further depths, nor scale the heights, nor en-
enhance the pastoral programs and mis- vision the worth that the Eucharist is
sion of the diocese as it continues to jour- and has to offer. Indeed the work of
ney towards its vision of being “a com- the Eucharist is social justice and
munity of disciples of the Risen Christ.”
Antipolo / B2
B1
Nuncio
exhorts
CWL to
rediscover
treasures of
the Eucharist
charity,” said national president
Josephine S. Gaviola.
Eucharist is all about loving ser-
vice to another, especially towards
the poor and the weak. “This is one
aspect that is often taken for granted.
We always stress the Eucharist as a
meal, sacrifice, real presence, but we
neglect the fact that the Eucharist
also summons us to mission, to soli-
darity and to service. Having re-
ceived Christ, we are impelled to go
and reach out to other people,” said
Manila Archbishop Gaudencio B.
Cardinal Rosales, National spiritual
advisor of CWL.
There are more than 2,200 units hav-
ing 250,000 members who hail from
16 archdioceses, 55 dioceses, seven
Apostolic Vicariates, five Prelatures
and one Military Ordinariate. CWL
units exist at village, parish, diocesan
and national levels.
Msgr. Hernando M. Coronel, As-
sistant National Spiritual director,
said, “We are to show that we are
Eucharistic persons if we reflect the
love of God in us to others. Also in
our current situation, it is ever im-
perative to work for justice.”
CWL’s guiding principles has been
charity, work and loyalty since its
establishment in 1919.
Gaviola, two-term president, said
CWL are t o immerse them-
selves in Scripture and the social
teachings of the Church, so that they
may commit themselves to lives of
justice and charity, compassion and
hope, solidarity and peace. “Let this
call to service empower us to be cata-
lyst for change,” she added.
Fr. Savino Bernardi, CS, director
of Apostleship of the Sea, Manila
spoke on “Social impact of migra-
tion on the Filipino Family,” while
Ms. Marie R. Marciano, president,
Mother Earth Foundation, on “Waste
and climate change.”
At the end of the convention, the
CWL vowed to strengthen their
work of evangelization and
catechetical formation of its mem-
bers so that they may live and wit-
ness their faith in the family and
community.
 CBCP Monitor
B2 Updates Vol. 12 No. 10
May 12 - 25, 2008

May crownings of Mary

Mixed marriages and
dispensation from
canonical form
By Fr. Jaime B. Achacoso, J.C. D.

OUR son—we are an ordinary Catholic family—wants to marry a born-again Chris-

tian. Although our future daughter-in-law was baptized Catholic and is a very nice
girl, her parents have embraced a fundamentalist sect and her father is even a pastor in
their Christian community. Although her parents do not object to her marrying a
Catholic, they vehemently object to a Catholic wedding ceremony. We don’t want a
“born-again wedding rite” either. A relative has suggested just having a civil mar-
riage. What are the acceptable options for us really?
This query brings us to two subjects: 1) the so-called mixed marriages and
2) dispensation from canonical form.

Disparity of Cult vs. Mixed Marriage

We recall that one of the impediments to a Catholic marriage is disparity
of cult—i.e., a person who is baptized in the Catholic Church or has been received
into it and has not left it by means of a formal act cannot validly contract canoni-
cal marriage with another person who is non-baptized (ref. c.1086, §1). Note
that in this case, without the due dispensation, such a marriage would be
invalid ab initio. Furthermore, the dispensation is not to be given unless the
conditions mentioned in cc.1125 and 1126 are fulfilled (ref. c.1186, §2). The canons
referred to for granting a dispensation—cc.1125 and 1126—precisely deal
with the conditions for the granting of permission to celebrate a mixed
Illustration by Bladimer Usi
marriage.
A mixed marriage is that which is contracted between two baptized persons, Father Edward McNamara, professor of lit- tives regarding the mode of crowning. places a crown of flowers on Mary’s head
one of whom was baptized in the Catholic Church or received into it after baptism and urgy at the Regina Apostolorum university The May crowning is an act of popu- accompanied by a traditional hymn to
has not left it by a formal act, and the other of whom is a member of a church or ecclesial answers the following question: lar devotion in honor of our Blessed the Blessed Mother.
community which is not in full communion with the Catholic Church. In other words, Mother that is repeated every year. As After the crowning, the person lead-
this involves a Catholic and a Christian with a valid baptism but not in the Q: In the back of “The Rites of the Catho- the name indicates, it is usually done ing the event concludes with a suitable
Catholic Church—e.g., Orthodox Churches, many Protestants, Anglicans, Epis- lic Church” there is an Order of Crown- during the month of May, but in some prayer. If he is a priest or deacon, he may
copalians and Presbyterians; but not members of the Iglesia ni Kristo (who are ing of the Blessed Virgin Mary. My con- countries, especially in the Southern impart a blessing.
not strictly speaking Christians), Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons. cern is regarding organizing a May Hemisphere, it is performed in other Regarding the harmony that should
In principle, such a mixed marriage is valid, but it is forbidden without the crowning of the Blessed Mother. In the months especially in November. reign between the demands of the lit-
express permission of the competent authority (c.1124)—i.e., the Local Ordi- introduction to this rite (No. 8) it lists The custom of the May crowning fell urgy and the celebration of May, the
nary (c.1125)—who will only grant it if there is a just and reasonable cause the bishop, or a priest entrusted by him, out of favor in many places during the Holy See’s Directory of Popular Piety
and with the necessary cautions as we shall see below. In other words, with- as the minister. Can this rite be used for 1970s and ’80s. Recently it has made a says the following in No. 191:
out the due permission, the mixed marriage would be valid but illicit—i.e., crownings that are repeated yearly? Can comeback along with Eucharistic adora- “In many cases, the solution for such
the Catholics actively and with full deliberation involved in its celebration this rite be used by a group of laypeople tion, the rosary, and many other tradi- problems would seem to lie in harmo-
(the sacred minister and perhaps even the spouse) would be committing a wishing to honor the Blessed Mother tional Catholic practices that serve to nur- nizing the content of the ‘Marian months’
sin. with a crown for May? Is there a sepa- ture the faith and devotion of the faithful. with the concomitant season of the Li-
rate rite (even a semiofficial one) for May There is a lot of flexibility regarding turgical Year. For example, since the
Just and Reasonable Cause for a Mixed Marriage and the so-called Cautions crownings?—M.S., Cleveland Ohio the rite, and it can be adapted to many month of May largely corresponds with
The validity of the permission for a mixed marriage—and not the mixed different circumstances and situations the fifty days of Easter, the pious exer-
marriage itself, which would in principle be valid—depends only on the A: Actually, we are speaking of two dif- depending on whether the crowning is cises practiced at this time could empha-
existence of a just and reasonable cause. No a priori rules are given as to what ferent things. The order of crowning done in a parish, a school or classroom, size Our Lady’s participation in the Pas-
this cause might, the whole matter being left to the judgment of the Local found in the rites is that of placing a pre- or even in the family. chal mystery (cf. John 19, 25-27), and the
Ordinary. cious bejeweled gold or silver crown If the statue of Mary to be crowned is Pentecost event (cf. Acts 1, 14) with which
However, c.1125 categorically states that the Local Ordinary is not to grant upon a particularly venerated image of not already in a fixed place, an image the Church begins: Our Lady journeys
such permission unless the following conditions have been fulfilled: Our Lady. This is obviously done only may be set up on some suitable support. with the Church having shared in the
1. The Catholic party declares that he or she is prepared to remove dangers once or at least rarely. The area may already be decorated novum of the Resurrection, under the
of falling away from the faith and makes a sincere promise to do all in his or If the image is found in a diocesan sanc- with flowers, but those participating in guidance of the Holy Spirit. The fifty
her power to have all the children baptized and brought up in the Catholic tuary, then it is performed by the bishop the crowning may also process to the days are also a time for the celebration
Church; or his delegate, either another bishop or image carrying flowers and singing ap- of the sacraments of Christian initiation
2. The other party is to be informed at an appropriate time of these a priest such as the rector of the Marian propriate Marian hymns before placing and of the mystagogy. The pious exer-
promises which the Catholic party has to make, so that it is clear that the sanctuary. their bouquets at Mary’s feet. cises connected with the month of May
other party is truly aware of the promise and obligations of the Catholic Some images of national or interna- The rite may consist of hymns, could easily highlight the earthly role
party; tional renown are occasionally crowned prayers, and maybe an act of consecra- played by the glorified Queen of
3. Both parties are to be instructed on the essential ends and properties of marriage, in the name of the pope as a sign of spe- tion to Our Lady. Heaven, here and now, in the celebra-
which are not to be excluded by either party. cial veneration. In this case the Holy Fa- The climax of the celebration is the tion of the Sacraments of Baptism, Con-
Furthermore, c.1126 states: The conference of bishops is to establish the way in ther issues a special decree giving direc- moment when the one of those present firmation and Holy Eucharist.”
which these declarations and promises, which are always required, are to be made,
what proof of them there should be in the external forum and how they are to be
brought to the attention of the non-Catholic party. In this regard, the CBCP has Antipolo / B1
established that the cautions or declarations are to be made in writing by the
Catholic party and preferably also by the non-Catholic party, according to the form Pastoral concerns and Good Voyage. This well-
issued by the CBCP, and attested to by the priest who makes the pre-nuptial interview The visit of the late Pope known shrine to Our Lady
or by his delegate. John Paul II to the Philippines was also chosen to be the ca-
From the foregoing, it is clear what the mind of the Church is as regards in February 1981 underscored thedral of the newly-estab-
mixed marriages and—to a lesser extent—the impediment of disparity of his pastoral concerns for the lished diocese because of its
cult. In principle they are considered as possible dangers to the faith of the local Church. It also opened historical value as a center of
Catholic party and a foreseeable difficulty to the Catholic upbringing of his eyes to the actual condi- pilgrimage for thousands of
future children; thus they are discouraged. But if such a danger and difficulty tions of the Philippine devotees of Our Lady of
could be obviated—at least as an intention on the part of the Catholic party, Church which was character- Antipolo, and its being the
which is known and accepted by the non-Catholic party—and there is justifi- ized by a growing Catholic geographical center of the
able cause, then the marriage can be allowed. population in most dioceses, diocese.
particularly in the Archdio- Carved out from the Arch-
Dispensation from Canonical Form cese of Manila. diocese of Manila, the diocese
Granted that permission for a mixed-marriage has been secured, c.1127, §1 With the population of the started out with only 17 par-
stipulates that the canonical form—i.e., the expression of consent of the con- Archdiocese of Manila having ishes ministered by less than
tracting parties in the presence of a qualified witness (bishop or parish priest, grown to approximately 8.5 thirty priests. Twenty five
or a priest or deacon delegated by either of them) and two other witnesses— million in 1982, spread years after, the diocese now
is to be observed in mixed marriages. through seven ecclesiastical boasts of 54 parishes. There
However, §2 of the same canon states: If serious difficulties pose an obstacle to districts, twenty seven vicari- are now 75 diocesan priests
the observance of the canonical form, the Local Ordinary of the Catholic party has the ates and one hundred seventy serving the diocese, with the
right to dispense from the form in individual cases, but after consulting the Ordinary one parishes in a land area of religious priests numbering
of the place where the marriage is to be celebrated and with due regard, for the validity, about 2,800 square at 70. There are also around
for some public form of celebration; the conference of bishops is to issue norms by which kilometres, it became inevi- forty men and women reli-
such a dispensation may be granted in an orderly manner. table that in order to better gious congregations spread
The CBCP has issued such norms as follows: minister to the people, a new throughout the diocese that
1. The following are considered grave and serious difficulties that warrant diocese be created. help minister to the people.
dispensation from the canonical form of marriage, as provided for in c.1127, Thus, during his Angelus The diocese is now one of
§2: message in January 14, 1983, the biggest in the Philip-
a) Absolute refusal of the non-Catholic party; Pope John Paul II announced pines in terms of population.
b) Strong opposition of most of the close relatives of the non-Catholic the creation of a new diocese Of a population of 3.5 mil-
party; with the seat in Antipolo as a lion, there is an estimated
c) Danger to the good relationship of the parties; response to the pastoral needs Catholic population of 2.7
d) Serious economic damage to the party. of the people in the eastern million. The land area of
2. Whenever the dispensation of the canonical form is necessary, the Local part of Manila. the diocese is 1,828 square
Ordinary of the Catholic party has the right to dispense from it in individual kilometres.
cases, having, however, consulted the Ordinary of the place of the celebration Erection of Antipolo diocese Over the years, the struc-
of marriage. For validity some public form of celebration is required. The Diocese of Antipolo tures of the diocese have been
3. Once a mixed marriage is celebrated, it shall be registered in the book of was canonically established set and the various diocesan
marriages, in the usual manner (…). Likewise, the minister of the non-Catho- on June 25, 1983 during a sol- commissions and ministries
lic spouse shall be informed regarding the contracted marriage by the priest emn Mass presided over by have helped the vast major-
who solemnized the wedding or in whose territory the wedding was cel- Cardinal Jaime Sin, then Arch- ity of its Catholic population
ebrated. bishop of Manila, Archbishop under the able leadership of
Bruno Torpigliani, Papal its first bishop, the Most Rev.
Nothing is said of the kind of public celebration that should take the place Nuncio to the Philippines, Protacio Gungon, to the Most
of the canonical form, or whether it should have a religious character or not. Bishop Protacio Gungon, the Rev. Crisostomo Yalung, up
Thus, unless the Local Ordinary specifies something in the dispensation from first Bishop of Antipolo, to- to the present Bishop of
the canonical form, we can only surmise that a wide range of possibilities gether with a big number of Antipolo, the Most Rev.
would be acceptable, among which we can enumerate the following (which bishops, priests, religious and Gabriel Reyes, assisted by
Mixed / B7 lay faithful at the National Auxiliary Bishop, Most Rev.
Shrine of Our Lady of Peace Francisco de Leon.
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 10
May 12 - 25, 2008
By Msgr. Benedicto Aquino
THE Diocese of Parañaque was erected
by virtue of a papal bull by His Holi-
ness, the late Pope John Paul II, on De-
cember 7, 2002. The newly created dio-
cese comprises all parishes within the
territorial boundaries of the cities of
Parañaque, Las Piñas and Muntinlupa,
which were originally part of the Arch-
diocese of Manila. The new diocese cov-
ers a total land area of 126.5 square
meters or 48 square miles. Its communi-
ties are a mixture of residential, indus-
trial and commercial districts.
The Augustinians were the first mis-
sionaries to arrive in Parañaque. No-
table among them were Fray Diego de
Espinar, OSA who started building the
church of St. Andrew. Later on, the Au-
gustinian Recollects took over. Fray Di-
ego Cera dela Virgen del Carmen, OAR
built St. Joseph Parish in Las Piñas and
the Bamboo Organ for which this parish
is widely known. St. Ezekiel Moreno
was parish priest there from 1876-1879.
The Recoletos did much to improve the
lives of the people, who were mostly
fishermen, in the three municipalities
that now comprise the diocese. Eventu-
ally, the fathers of the Congregation of
the Immaculate Heart of Mary (CICM)
took over the two oldest parishes, that
of St. Andrew and St. Joseph. They, in
turn, built schools and improved or pre-
served the churches originally built by
the Recoletos. The Diocesan clergy took
over these two parishes in the 1990’s.
The Church of St. Andrew, which is
located in Parañaque City, has been cho-
sen as the See of the Bishop. On January
25, 2003, the Church of St. Andrew was
solemnly dedicated and consecrated as
the Cathedral of the diocese. Three days
later, on January 28, His Excellency, the
Most Reverend Jesse E. Mercado, D.D.,
was installed the first Bishop of
Parañaque, on the very same day the new
diocese was canonically established.
Growth of the diocese
The Diocese of Parañaque is composed
of six vicariates. Three of these are in
Parañaque City: Sta. Rita de Cascia with
seven parishes and a national shrine
which is not a parish, San Antonio de
Padua with nine parishes and San Mar-
tin de Porres with seven parishes and
Diocese B3
pose of setting up a Bahay Pari. How-
ever, seeing the need for a focal point
for gathering together the administra-
tive and ministerial functions of the dio-
cese, the Diocesan Center for Evangeli-
zation was built on the property. On
June 6, 2006, a thanksgiving Mass fol-
lowed by groundbreaking for the con- ON BACKGROUND:
Saint Andrew Cathe-
struction was held at the Pater Noster dral. BELOW: Bishop
Chapel of the Diocesan Center. It now Jesse Eugenio
houses the Offices of the Curia and the Mercado, DD
various commissions of the diocese. En-
visioned by Bishop Jesse as the hub
around which the life of the diocese con-
verges, it was built and equipped to be-
come the administrative as well as com-
munication and formation center for
both clergy and the laity.
Diocesan Pastoral Assembly
Preparations for the First Diocesan
Pastoral Assembly began almost as soon
as the diocese was established. During
the years 2003-2004, the diocese em-
barked on separate consultations with
the Clergy, the Religious and the Laity
on the development of a pastoral plan
for the diocese that is grounded on the
current situation but moving towards
the vision of what the above-mentioned
sectors want to be as a diocese.
The first Diocesan Pastoral Assembly
(DPA) was held in February 20-24, 2006 at
the St. Joseph Parish in Las Piñas City.
During the assembly, the Clergy, Religious
and lay leaders, comprising over 400 del-
egates met to synthesize the vision-mis-
sion of the diocese that developed after a
thorough and extensive consultation with
various sectors of the diocese.
Vision
We, the local church of the Diocese of
Parañaque, envision ourselves as a com-
munion of diverse communities, embrac-
ing and sharing in Jesus’ mission to pro-
claim the reign of the Father, constantly
renewed by the Holy Spirit and accom-
panied by Mary, our mother and model.
Mission
As a diocese, we commit ourselves to
proclaim the Kingdom of God by: 1) rec-
ognizing the primacy of Grace and our
need for continual renewal
(aggiornamento); 2) building BEC’s as a
way of being church and experiencing
communion (communio); 3) engaging in
the integral evangelization of all, par-

Diocese of Parañaque
one quasi-parish. Two of the vicariates
are in Las Piñas City: St. Joseph which
has six parishes and Holy Family which
has seven parishes. Our Lady of the
Abandoned, the lone vicariate in
Muntinlupa City, has eleven parishes
and one chaplaincy. Of the 50 parishes,
chaplaincy, quasi-parish and shrine, 13
are run by Religious. There are 48
incardinated Clergy and 94 Religious,
20 of whom have parish appointments.
On December 7, 2004, one year after
the establishment of the diocese, Mary
Immaculate Quasi Parish was estab-
lished from territory taken from the
National Shrine of Mary Help of Chris-
tians Parish, to better serve the pastoral
needs of parishioners. The Congrega-
tion of the Sons of Holy Mary Immacu-
late administers the quasi parish.
The Diocesan Center for Evangeliza-
tion is located at Villonco Road,
Muntinlupa City. The land and pre-ex-
isting building was donated by the
Villonco family, originally for the pur-
ticularly the developing communities,
the family and the youth (missio).
Core values
In order for us to fulfill our vision and
mission for our local Church here in the
Diocese of Parañaque, we hope to instill
in our hearts the following core values.
1. Openness to the grace of conversion
– Our life entails openness to the work
of the Holy Spirit in our lives as a Chris-
tian community, especially to the call
for us to leave behind our old ways of
thinking, our old paradigms, and to
move towards a new way of being
Church, a new way of loving and serv-
ing each other.
2. Unity in diversity – As a commun-
ion of diverse communities, we respect
the diversity and richness of culture
present in the three cities comprising our
diocese. Yet, in spite of all our differ-
ences, we have one common faith in one
Lord and Savior, as expressed in one
common way of worship and one com-
mon vision-mission for ourselves. ses of the programs are to be fleshed out
3. Responsibility (that is shared) – As by the different commissions and de-
members of the Body of Christ, the Church, partments. On October, 2007, the DPA
in spite of the varied ministries and duties Central Coordinating Council, under
we have, we all share in the responsibility the Direction Setting and Planning de-
of proclaiming his good news to all by partment came up with organizational
our words and deeds with love and fidel- charts for the Diocesan, vicariate and
ity. At the same time, we are challenged parish structure of the diocese.
to be “response-able”; able to discern and
respond to the “signs of the times” as seen Diocesan priority programs
in the needs of the developing communi- In line with the Diocesan Vision-Mis-
ties, the family and the youth. sion and Core Values there are six pri-
4. Stewardship – Everything that we ority Commissions. True to the spirit of
have are blessings, gifts from the Lord. the DPA, some of these commissions al-
All our resources and facilities are gifts ready have on-going programs and ac-
from his Divine Providence. Thus, we tivities since the need for addressing the
are not owners of all these things. On concerns of the sectors was felt from the
the contrary, we are mere caretakers of beginning. The DPA confirmed and re-
all these gifts for the good of the com- vitalized the programs of the Commis-
munity. We are challenged to live as sions. In addition, after the DPA, the pro-
faithful and trustworthy workers in motion of activities by the Commissions
God’s vineyard by the way we mobilize begins from the parish to the vicariate
and manage the people and resources towards the Diocesan level. This means
entrusted to our care. that commission on the parish and vi-
The Diocesan Vision-Mission and the cariate level can bring about programs
core values are realized in a diocesan that answer their particular needs.
structure. In addition to the Adminis- The Diocesan Marriage Preparation
tration Department, the proposed Struc- Program was conceived by the Commis-
ture of the Diocese is characterized by sion on the Family as a standard and com-
two departments which unify the pro- prehensive program for couples entering
grams and projects of the diocese to- the Sacrament of Matrimony. Currently
wards the Diocesan Vision Mission. being piloted in two vicariates, it is a
These are the Direction Setting and Plan- weekend in which couples who wish to
ning Department which provides the get married are accompanied by teams
general framework for DPA implemen- composed of priests and couples in the
tation. The units under it have the re- Catholic Engaged Encounter, Philippines
sponsibility for creating direction-set- in their journey towards the Sacrament
ting programs and for developing for- of Marriage in an atmosphere of reflec-
mation guides needed in the over all tion and discovery. The goal of the week
task of evangelization. The Implemen- end encounter is to achieve a deeper un-
tation Department is tasked with the derstanding of the married state and of
implementation of the DPA programs each other and the development of a life-
at all levels—diocesan, vicariate, parish long communication.
and BEC. Specific strategies and empha- The promotion of Basic Ecclesial Com-
munities as a way of life has always been a
top priority in the diocese. The Commis-
sion on BEC ANIMATION started an insti-
IMPORTANT FACTS tute for BEC formators in parishes as an aid
to the growth of Basic Ecclesial Communi-
Bishop …………………………... 1 ties. The first BEC Institute in the Diocese
Priests: was held from September to October, 2007
Diocesan ………………….. 46 at Grogan Hall, Redemptorists, Baclaran,
Religious ………………….. 80 Parañaque City. The institute did not only
Guest priests and provide participants with leadership skills
Priests-on-loan ………....... 34 for forming BEC’s in their parishes but with
Diocesan Divisions:
Parishes, Chaplaincy a sound theological background on which
Shrine, Quasi-parish ……… 50 Basic Ecclesial Communities is founded. In
Deacon ……………….……… 1 the spirit of communio, the 1st BEC Institute
Seminarians: took place in an atmosphere of prayer and
Theology ……………….….. 12 fellowship with other BEC members and
Philosophy …….....…………. 3 leaders.
Minor …………………...….. 6 The Commission for Worship and Lit-
Regency …………….……… 5 urgy has a year-round on-going forma-
Catholics …………...... 1,269,122 tion program and the on-going forma-
Population …...………. 1,381,000
tion for the various groups involved in
liturgy. These seminars and workshops
ensure that Lectors and Commentators,
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Com-
munion, members of the Music Minis-
try, the Ministry of Altar Servers and
the Mother Butlers’ Guild carry out of
their different ministries in a spirit of
missio and communio. In addition to for-
mation programs for those in active par-
ish ministries, guides for the liturgy,
especially during Lent, Easter, Advent
and Christmas are issued by the Com-
mission on Liturgy and Worship so that
the faithful may experience a more
meaningful celebration during these
important liturgical seasons.
The Commission on Human Promo-
tions covers three ministries: the Minis-
try of Public Affairs and Advocacy-
PPCRV, which was very active in the
May 14, 2007 elections. The Social Ser-
vices and Development Ministry, which
has programs such as Pondo ng Pinoy,
scholarships for technical courses for
high school graduates from poor fami-
lies and the Mega Job Fair in partner-
ship with Caritas-Veritas Trabaho at
Negosyo. The Diocesan Prison Minis-
try is independent of the Social Services
and Development Ministry. Its on-go-
ing programs include providing inmates
in the three city prisons with free legal
advice in the cases they are involved in
and with the opportunity to live their
faith while in jail. The latter includes
organizing liturgical celebrations, no-
venas and prayer meetings for the in-
mates of the three city jails.
The biggest group under the Commis-
sion on Religious Education, Formation
and Catechesis are the catechists. Com-
posed of regulars and volunteers, the cat-
echists undergo a year-round on-going
formation that enable them to provide
catechesis for adults and school age chil-
dren who receive the sacraments of ini-
tiation. There is a need for an on-going
formation and education for laypeople
to grow in their spirituality. A lecture
series on the different aspects of Chris-
tian Life is currently being piloted in one
of the vicariates. Theologians, pastors and
lay leaders give talks once a week in the
different parishes of the Vicariate of San
Antonio de Padua. This program is for
adults, especially young professionals,
who wish to deepen their understanding
and living of the Faith.
The Commission on Youth gathers
the young people of the diocese in
youth camps and encounters. Through
web-based communication, the Young
Adults Ministry under this commission
disseminates information on activities
such as the World Youth Day and spon-
sors Singles Encounter week ends for
young people in each vicariate.

B4
National vocations
convention held in Palo
Fr. Roberto Latorre
The Question Box
All one in Christ
(Questions on Ecumenism)
1. What is the Ecumenical Movement?
“The term ‘ecumenical movement’ indicates the initiatives
and activities planned and undertaken, according to the vari-
ous needs of the Church and as opportunities offer, to pro-
mote Christian unity.” (Vatican Council II, Decree Unitatis
Redintegratio, no. 4.) This decree will be referred to as UR. It can
also be called “ecumenism”, “movement for Christian unity”
or “movement for Church unity.”
2. Why is there a need for Christian unity?
Christian unity is needed because the Church that Christ
founded, by its very nature, aims at the unity of all men in
God through the one savior, Jesus Christ. This need is strongly
expressed in Christ’s prayer as he was about to culminate the
paschal sacrifice, “That they may all be one; even as you, Fa-
ther, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us,…that
they may be one even as we are one, … that they may become
perfectly one, so that the world may know that you have sent
me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” (Jn 17:
21-23)
Furthermore, the phrase “that the world may know that
you have sent me” shows that Church unity is an essential
trait of the Church’s evangelizing mission. Indeed, the scan-
dal of division hinders the task of announcing the gospel to
non-Christians and to non-practicing Christians.
3. What are the main divisions among Christians today?
Throughout the history of the Church, unfortunately her
unity was undermined by various divisions. The most impor-
tant divisions at present involve:
1. The Eastern Churches, which consist mainly of some An-
cient Churches (e.g., Coptic church) and the Orthodox
Churches, which separated from the Catholic Church in the
first few centuries and in the Eleventh century respectively;
2. The Churches and Communities that arose from the Refor-
mation movement in the Sixteenth century, such as the Lutheran,
Anglican and other related national or “free” churches.
4. What about other religious groups, such as the Iglesia ni
Kristo or the Moslems?
Communities that do not have the basic belief in the divin-
ity of Christ and in the Blessed Trinity are not considered
“Christian”. Examples of these are the Mormons and, in the
Philippines, the Iglesia Ni Kristo.
Moslems accept Jesus Christ as a prophet but do not believe
that he is the Son of God-made-man. Rather than ecumenism
properly speaking, the Church engages non-Christians in a
movement towards cooperation and goodwill, called “inter-
religious dialogue.”
Freemasonry, which claims not to be a religion, actually
has a quasi-religious status since it possesses its own “hierar-
chy”, religious symbolism and teachings about man’s rela-
tionship to the Supreme Being. Freemasonry is not part of the
Ecumenical movement.
5. What are the initiatives and activities that fall under
ecumenism?
The initiatives and activities that are covered by the ecu-
menical movement, according to the Decree of the Second
Vatican Council, are:
1. “Every effort to avoid expressions, judgments and actions
which do not represent the condition of our separated breth-
ren with truth and fairness and so make mutual relations with
them more difficult;”
2. “‘Dialogue’ between competent experts from different
Churches and Communities... In such dialogue, everyone gains
a truer knowledge and more just appreciation of the teaching
and religious life of both Communions. In addition, the way
is prepared for cooperation between them in the duties for the
common good of humanity which are demanded by every
Christian conscience; and, wherever this is allowed, there is
prayer in common;”
3. Self-examination as regards our own “faithfulness to
Christ’s will for the Church and accordingly to undertake with
vigor the task of renewal and reform.” (See UR, 4)
6. Would not working for Christian unity be tantamount to
trying to convert each other?
Ecumenism is different from the apostolate “ad fidem
(Catholicam)” because ecumenism is about achieving unity for
the whole Church, while apostolate involves improvement
for individual persons. “When individuals wish for full Catho-
lic communion, their preparation and reconciliation is an un-
dertaking which of its nature is distinct from ecumenical ac-
tion. But there is no opposition between the two, since both
proceed from the marvelous ways of God.” (UR, 4)
Furthermore, ecumenism is opposed to “Proselytism” in its
negative connotation of gaining sectarian adherents through
manipulative measures, since true ecumenism is based on a
sincere spirit of dialogue and respect for the beliefs and tradi-
tions of other Christians. (See Pontifical Council for Promot-
ing Christian Unity, Directory for the Application of Principles and
Norms on Ecumenism, March 25, 1993, no. 23. This document
will be referred to as “Directory”.)
7. Since the Catholic Church teaches that the one Church of
Christ already “subsists in” the Catholic Church, would not
fostering Church unity actually mean making the other
Churches or Christian communities into “Catholics?”
The ecumenical movement is premised on the realization
and conviction that the unity of Christians is the will of Christ
himself, as expressed in his prayer before the fulfillment of
CBCP Monitor
Commissions Vol. 12 No. 10
May 12 - 25, 2008
© Fr. Joel Francis Victorino
THE Directors of Vocations in the Philippines delegates to appreciate their roles as voca- wherein all the participants showcased the
(DVP) met for its 21st National Vocations tion ministers. talents of each region.
Convention at the Metropolitan Cathedral Bishop Luis Antonio Tagle of Imus, Cavite The convention began with the celebra-
Pastoral Center in Palo, Leyte from April 21 gave a spirited talk on “Situating Vocation Pro- tion of the Holy Mass presided over by
to 25. motion in the Philippine Context: Challenges and Archbishop Jose S. Palma of Palo at the Met-
Hosted by the Archdiocese of Palo, 285 Opportunities” on the third day of the con- ropolitan Cathedral. A welcome dinner
vocation ministers (directors/directresses, vention. and program was then held with the mu-
promoters and animators) from different dio- The fourth day had Fr. Roger Champoux, nicipal mayor of Palo in attendance to-
ceses, religious congregations and institutes, SJ, Director of the Our Lady of Peace Guid- gether with a number of priests from the
and lay organizations gathered for the bien- ance Center, sharing his insights and reflec- archdiocese.
nial event which was also attended by all tion on “Igniting the Flame,” a talk that fo- At the end of the convention the partici-
bishop-members of the Episcopal Commis- cused on the realities of those who are called pants recommitted themselves to deepen
sion on Vocations led by the Most Rev. by God and the special skills they need to their roles as vocation ministers in contem-
Florentino Lavarias, Bishop of Iba and head develop in order to respond better to the dif- porary times. Thus, the realization of the
of the said commission. ferent processes of life commitment. vocation ministers, “inspired by the passionate
With the theme, “My Vocation: My Light, The convention also led the delegates into love of Jesus, our Lord, are called to be persons
My Love (Imaging the Person of the Vocation Min- group workshops and many moments of with HEARTS ON FIRE, united in living out our
ister),” the convention sought to focus on the prayer and reflection. Said moments, aside life-mission and charism as effective, zealous and
person of the vocation minister. It was the from the valuable messages from the speak- joyful witnesses and role-models in the local
first time that a national convention on voca- ers and homilies during the masses cel- Church, especially to the young, thereby enflaming
tions focused on the vocation ministers. It ebrated, kept the delegates “fired up” and the Church with the spirit of service and bringing
was seen that the vocation minister them- confirmed in their task of vocation promo- about the evangelization and transformation of so-
selves must be able to confirm and celebrate tion as a call from God. Thus, in the midst of ciety” (Convention Statement, 21st DVP National
their roles, thus recognizing that there is only the realization of the participants of many Convention 2008).
one Word and one Spirit that inspires them limitations and difficulties face, there was a At the closing Mass, Fr. Lito Maraya, Voca-
to pursue their ministry in vocation promo- prevalent consensus of being able to own the tion Director of the Archdiocese of Palo, en-
tion and animation, especially among the task that they were appointed to. trusted the DVP banner to representatives of
young people. Other highlights of the convention in- the host diocese of the 22nd National Voca-
Speakers for the convention included cluded the tour of historical sites in Leyte tions Convention.
Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, the Auxiliary such as the McArthur Park, the Sto. Niño The next convention will be held in 2010
Bishop of San Fernando, Pampanga, who Shrine, Leyte Provincial Capitol and the San and will be hosted by the Archdiocese of
spoke on the topic, “The Word of God and Bibli- Juanico Bridge. A special cultural night was Nueva Segovia in Vigan, Ilocos Sur. (Fr. Joel
cal Models of Vocation Ministers” which led the also held on the last night of the convention Francis Victorino)
his redemptive mission. Since Christ promised to be with his Church 9. What can I, as an ordinary Christian (Catholic or non-Catho-
until the end of time, his prayer is effective. Thus, the Second Vatican lic) do for the ecumenical movement?
Council affirms, “This unity, we believe, subsists in the Catholic Church There are many things presently going on in the Catholic
as something she can never lose, and we hope that it will continue to Church and in the other Christian Churches and Communities.
increase until the end of time.” (UR, 4) Catholics believe that “the Of great importance among these are the ongoing meetings and
entirety of revealed truth, of sacraments, and of ministry that Christ dialogues undertaken by authorized experts. There are also ecu-
gave for the building up of his Church and the carrying out of its mis- menical activities in which all the faithful participate, under the
sion is found within the Catholic communion of the Church.” (Directory, proper supervision of their respective pastors.
17) But the most important ecumenical activity involves our own
However, these convictions are not a hindrance to genuine ecumeni- personal conversion. “This change of heart and holiness of life,
cal activity because they go with the realization that other Christian along with public and private prayer for the unity of Christians,
Churches and Communities already form part of this unity, though in should be regarded as the soul of the whole ecumenical move-
an imperfect way, depending on the nature of each body. Furthermore, ment, and merits the name, “spiritual ecumenism.” (UR, 8)
the Catholic Church recognizes that the Church can improve and modify
some matters, in a sincere spirit of dialogue and cooperation that will 10. How can I practice “spiritual ecumenism”?
lead to greater unity while always preserving what it considers as es- Spiritual ecumenism implies, in the first place that the Chris-
sential. “Openness and mutual respect are the logical consequences of tian strive to have a consistent life of faith and prayer, identifying
such recognition.” (Directory, 36) himself with Christ’s ardent prayer for unity. He will then grow
For example, in an address during an ecumenical activity in Ger- in the spirit of charity and humility, ready to acknowledge his
many, Pope John Paul II expressed some of the positive elements that own shortcomings and to recognize the good elements present in
the main Christian bodies (including the Catholic Church) can contrib- the spiritual traditions of other Christians. (Directory, 63 a)
ute to the other bodies and to the world. He stated: “Protestant Chris- Some practical consequences of this would be: For a Catholic,
tianity has enriched all Christianity with its religious songs, its great to “expound clearly, with charity and with due firmness the whole
Church music and its constant theological reflection. The divine lit- doctrine of the Catholic Church respecting in a particular way the
urgy, monasticism and the mystical devotion of Orthodoxy, as well as order of the hierarchy of truths and avoiding expressions and
its thought steadfastly nourished by the Fathers, are a treasure that ways of presenting doctrine which would be an obstacle to dia-
benefits us all. With the abundance of religious orders that carry out logue.” (Directory, 61 a); Hence, the Catholic believer must first
missionary and social activities, her Eucharistic devotion, her love of strive to have a solid foundation in the teachings and practices of
Mary shared with Orthodox, the strength of her Magisterium, and espe- the Catholic faith. “When speaking of other Churches and ecclesial
cially the voice of the Popes heard throughout the world, the Catholic communities... to present their teaching correctly and honestly.”
Church possesses her own gifts without which a Christian witness in (Directory, 61 b); The “elimination of language and prejudices
today’s world is unthinkable.” (Address, June 22, 1996) which distort the image of other Christians.” (Directory, 68 a);
Common prayer for Christian unity is one of the most important
8. What is the foundation of Christian unity? means of practicing spiritual ecumenism. This is done by the
The ultimate foundation of Christian unity is the unity of God him- Catholic Church and many other Christians through the celebra-
self. Jesus revealed to us that God is One in Three (Trinity), hence there tion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, with the use of
is a perfect inner communion within the Divinity. materials which are prepared through a collaborative effort of
By becoming one with Jesus Christ through grace, the Christian en- the Holy See and the Faith and Order Commission of the World
ters into the communion of God. Hence, the Christian is united to God Council of Churches. Finally, since formation is present in every
and, in God, is united to all those who are united to God (other Chris- level of Christian life, we must all be actively involved in “for-
tians), in what is called the “communion of saints.” The communion of mation in ecumenism.”
saints is evoked by the scriptural image of the “mystical body of Christ”,
which is identified with the Church of Christ. 11. What is “formation in ecumenism”?
The tangible foundations of unity in the mystical body of Christ can “The ‘objective of ecumenical formation is that all Christians
be expressed in the formula, “One Lord, one faith, one Baptism,” under be animated by the ecumenical spirit, whatever their particular
the “one God and Father of us all.” (Eph 4: 5-6) This means that Church mission and task in the world and in society.’ So there necessar-
unity will entail: Unity of belief in the revealed truths; Unity of minis- ily has to be a renewal of attitudes and flexibility of method
try in Peter and the apostolic college; Unity of sacraments or essential which will help form this ecumenical spirit.” (Pontifical Council
means of sanctification. for Promoting Christian Unity, The Ecumenical Dimension in the
Just like the Trinity, the unity in these elements is perfectly compat- Formation of those Engaged in Pastoral Work, 1995, no. 2. This docu-
ible with a legitimate plurality. For example, unity of belief is open to ment will be referred to as “Formation”.)
the principle of the “hierarchy of truths”—making it possible that cer- Formation in ecumenism involves, in the first place, those who
tain apparently opposed teachings are actually complementary. Unity have the duty of forming others, such as the clergy, religious,
of ministry is open to other forms of exercising the Petrine and Episco- catechists, educators, leaders of spiritual movements and ecclesial
pal ministry, than the way it presently exists in the Catholic Church communities. The principal means of formation includes hearing
(e.g., the synodal tradition in the Eastern churches). Unity of sacraments and studying the Word of God, preaching, catechesis, liturgy and
is open to a diversity of rites. the spiritual life. It is especially important to give an ecumenical
Question Box / B7
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 10
May 12 - 25, 2008 Statements B5

Stop the reckless

genetically-
engineered-rice
experiment on
Filipinos!
SINCE Sept, 2006 through 2007, thousands of Filipinos were
concerned with the reported discovery of genetically engi-
neered (GE) rice in US long-grain rice shipments to different
countries, especially to the European Union. Many groups and
individuals—teachers, students, religious, priests and bishops,
workers, farmers, government and business employees, and
others wrote President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the Depart-
ment of Agriculture, the Bureau of Plant Industry and the Na-
tional Food Authority opposing the entry and import of US

© WEDA / Corbis
rice which may be contaminated with the reported “unautho-
rized GE rice”.
Despite their best efforts to urge the authorities to act against
the entry of the said contaminated US long-grain rice and to
stop its importation, it has entered the country seemingly sur-

Christians and Buddhists:

reptitiously in 2006 and this year as US “cheap rice” imported
by the NFA itself in the midst of what media projects as “rice
crisis” (People doubt this crisis because a number of provinces
are known to have bumper rice harvests and it seems importa-

Caring for the Planet Earth

tion is resorted to so routinely by the government to the dis-
satisfaction of many local farmers whose harvests have not
been bought by the NFA.)

GE Rice Sold in Major Supermarkets

Message to Buddhists on the Feast of Vesakh 2008
DEAR Buddhist Friends, guiding criterion” (no. 7). The United Nations
1. On the occasion of the festival of Vesakh, General Assembly has declared 2008 as The
I am writing to you and your communities International Year of Planet Earth. As inhab-
worldwide to convey my own warm greet- itants of the earth and believers, Christians
ings, as well as those of the Pontifical Coun- and Buddhists respect the same creation and
cil for Interreligious Dialogue. have a common concern to promote care for
2. It gives me much joy to recall the positive the environment which we all share.
relationships that Catholics and Buddhists 4. Preservation of the environment, pro-
have enjoyed for many years. I am confident motion of sustainable development and par-
that this foundation will serve to strengthen ticular attention to climate change are mat-
and deepen our understanding of each other ters of grave concern for everyone. Many
as we continue to work together to build a governments, NGOs, multi-national compa-
better world not only for ourselves but also nies, and research and tertiary institutes, in
for the entire human family. Experience recognizing the ethical implications present
teaches us that dialogue fosters the desire in all economic and social development, are
within the person and the community to share investing financial resources as well as shar-
the goodwill and harmony which already ex- ing expertise on biodiversity, climate change,
ists, and indeed to reach out ever more coura- environmental protection and conservation.
geously to others, ready to embrace the chal- Religious leaders, too, are contributing to the
lenges and difficulties that may arise. public debate. This contribution is of course
3. Pope Benedict XVI, in his 2008 Message not just a reaction to the more recent press-
for the World Day of Peace, observed: “For ing threats associated with global warming.
the human family, this home is the earth, the Christianity and Buddhism have always up-
environment that God the Creator has given held a great respect for nature and taught that
us to inhabit with creativity and responsibil- we should be grateful stewards of the earth.
ity. We need to care for the environment: it Indeed it is only through a profound reflec-
has been entrusted to men and women to be tion on the relationship between the divine
protected and cultivated with responsible Creator, creation and creatures that attempts
freedom, with the good of all as a constant to address environmental concerns will not
be marred by individual greed or hampered
by the interests of particular groups.
5. On a practical level can we Christians
and Buddhists not do more to collaborate in
projects which confirm the responsibility that
falls to each and everyone of us? Recycling,
energy conservation, the prevention of in-
discriminate destruction of plant and animal
life, and the protection of waterways all speak
of careful stewardship and indeed foster good-
will and promote cordial relations among
peoples. In this way Christians and Buddhists
together can be harbingers of hope for a clean,
safe and harmonious world.
6. Dear Friends, I trust that we can pro-
mote this message within our respective com-
munities through public education and our
good example in respecting nature and act-
ing responsibly towards our one common
planet Earth. Once again let me renew my
heartfelt greetings and wish you a Happy
Feast of Vesakh.
Jean-Louis Cardinal Tauran
President, Pontifical Council for Interreli-
gious Dialogue
Archbishop Pier Luigi Celata
Secretary
Thanks to the relentless monitoring of Green Peace which
took samples from supermarkets and got them tested in a Japa-
nese laboratory. Tests show the presence of GE rice in US long-
grain samples in Nov. 2006 and recently. On the first occasion,
Purefeeds, Inc distributed “Uncle Sam Texas Long Grain in
major supermarkets like Shopwise, SM and Robinsons (Phil.
Daily Inquirer, 29 Nov. 2006). While it was announced by the
NFA that Purefeeds promised to pull its stocks from the mar-
ket, a cursory visit to a branch of SM in Manila showed the then
ongoing sale of Uncle Sam Texas Long Grain This April,
samples of the Blue Ribbon Texas Long Grain was found “posi-
tive for GMO rice strain LL601”. Those of Riceland Arkansas
Long Grain were found “‘contaminated’ by a still unknown
GMO strain”. Both are sold at S & R supermarkets in Metro
Manila. (Phil. Daily Inquirer, 25 April 2008).
It was reported that “NFA Administrator Jessup Navarro
last month said that the shipment had been tested and certified
as GMO-free by the Eurofins Gene Scan through the US Dept of
Agriculture” and that “the test results were also verified by
USDA/Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administra-
tion” (To its credit, according to a reliable source, the Depart-
ment of Agriculture has been insisting that no GE rice enter the
country and so Mr. Navarro was referring to a testing protocol
of US rice shipment. In addition, DA Administrative Order #8,
2002 “directs that before any plant or animal is imported or
released to the environment, it must undergo a risk assess-
ment by the Bureau of Plant Industry, the Bureau of Animal
Industry and the Fisheries Products Standards so that the po-
tential risks of GMO products to health and environment could
be reviewed.”
EU Rejects US-tested “GE-free” Rice
Green Peace, however, doubts the reliability of US tests be-
cause “since Jan. 2007, twenty-three (23) US-tested GMO-free

A Pastoral Letter of
rice shipments were rejected in the European Union (EU) be-
cause they tested positive for GMOs under EU
standards”.(Business World, 17April 2008).
Six days after Green Peace announced that the US “cheap rice”
imported by the NFA was found positive for genetically engi-

Archbishop Fernando
neered/modified (GE/GM) rice and asked the government to
stop its sale major newspapers have not reported any urgent
move on the part of government to do anything about this.

DEAR Bishop Rimando, Msgr.
Vicente, Rev. Fathers, Religious
Men and Women, and Catholic
Lay Faithful:
Greetings in the Risen Lord!
Recently, and also not too long
ago, some of our city officials and
newspaper columnists were re-
ported as saying that the
Church’s moral teaching on the
family, reproductive health,
population, and related matters
are “archaic,” “antiquated,” “stu-
pid.” If the media report is cor-
rect, I must say they are right: the
Church’s moral teaching is syn-
onymously foolish, obsolete, and
outmoded.
They are right because their
comments, on their face value,
confirm what St. Paul had said
centuries ago to the people of
Corinth in Greece: that he was
preaching the stupidity or fool-
ishness of the cross of Jesus
Christ (1Cor. 1:21) Who and His
teaching are “the same yester-
day, today, and forever” (He-
brew 13:8).
R. Capalla, DD
These com-
ments, which
we think are sin-
cere but igno-
rant, are not a
surprise. We ex-
pected them al-
ways. For today,
as in the time of
Christ and the
Apostles, the
nature of fam-
ily, procreation,
health, popula-
tion and related
matters are seen
and considered
from a different perspective or, as
the educators would say, from a
worldview so much different and
even opposed to ours.
Their view considers human life
as pure matter. We say it is both
matter and spirit or, as our Cat-
echism says, human life is body
and soul, and we are embodied
souls. While the body is created
by secondary factors through
what is known as genetic evolu-
tion, the soul is directly created
by God as revealed in Sacred
Scriptures. Hence human life and
human society together with its
legal, political, economic, cultural,
and religious dimensions are also
governed by God’s moral laws
which must be respected and ob-
served.
The City Council’s adoption by
majority vote of the Local Devel-
opment Plan for Children of
Davao City, 2007-2010 has raised
serious questions on the moral-
ity and acceptability of its prin-
ciples and implementing mecha-
nisms and procedures. In our Pas-
toral Statement of 12 April 2008
we told the City Mayor and the
City Council that under the guise
of reproductive health and safe
pregnancy the Plan mocks paren-
tal authority, belittles the value
of family, denigrates the virtue
of chastity, makes available all
contraceptives to children from
0 – 18 years old, and promotes
pre-marital sex and promiscuity.
Because of this the Church can-
not be silent but must object re-
lentlessly and courageously,
whether She is listened to or not.
Our silence may be construed as
consenting to an immoral act
which is dangerous and detri-
mental to the moral and spiritual
welfare of our people especially
our families and children.
The City Council’s question-
able Resolution is, among other
things, a clear wake-up call to all
Catholics—the clergy, religious,
and laity. It is a serious and ur-
gent call for us to prepare our
people for its implementation.
For this reason we have to inten-
sify our evangelization pro-
grams, especially that part of our
Pastoral Plan which is the moral
education and conscience forma-
tion of our People especially the
young and the children. Towards
this objective the following di-
ocesan structures and offices are
hereby enjoined to make a con-
crete, collective, systematic, and
implementable steps under the
supervision of the Office of the
Vicars General:
1. The Diocesan Pastoral Office
under Bishop George Rimando;
2. The Office of the Diocesan
Superintendent of Catholic
Schools under Fr. Julius Rodulfa;
3. The Office of the Vicar for
the Clergy under Msgr.
Martiniano Gorgonio;
4. The Office of the Vicar for
Religious under Fr. Patrice
Picard, PME;
5. The Office of the
Archdiocesan Council for Lay
Associations and Integrated
Movements (ACLAIM) under
Msgr. Paul Cuison and Dr. Mike
Manalaysay.
On this point of effective pre-
paredness, our Christian response
and conduct must be according
to the following advice of the
first pope, St. Peter the Apostle,
who wrote:
“Simply proclaim the Lord
Jesus Christ holy in your hearts,
and always have your answer
ready for people who ask you the
reason for the hope that you have.
But give it with courtesy and re-
spect and with a clear conscience,
so that those who slander your
good behavior in Christ may be
ashamed of their accusations.
And if it is the will of God that
you should suffer, it is better to
suffer for doing right than for
doing wrong” (1Peter 3:15-17).
May Mary, our Blessed Mother
and the Star of the New Evange-
lization, guide us in our struggle
to make Jesus Christ and His
moral teaching known and loved
because He is the Way, the Truth,
and the Life.
Devotedly yours in Christ,
FERNANDO R. CAPALLA
Archbishop of Davao
May 4, 2008
Rats Fed with GE Soy, Corn, Potato Show Health Damages
It seems that the authorities are not duly worried that there
are reported separate studies which show that considerable
damage to internal organs and blood changes occurred among
rats fed with certain GE soya, corn and potato (GM Watch Daily
Oct. 2005; May 2005; June 2005; Feb. 2007 at http//www/
gmwatch.org). The results of the said studies with GE corn and
potato were concealed for years and it took court action to
force Monsanto, the developer, to make public their findings.
The scientists who reviewed these animal studies point to the
necessity of “full scale tests on the influence of GE products
over living creatures” before these are marketed. No such tests
have been done on any of the GE food and food products im-
ported into the Philippines, much less on the said GE contami-
nant of US rice shipment.
Nowhere in the world is GE rice legally marketed and eaten.
Filipinos on this scale are the first to eat this untested, unau-
thorized GE rice that strayed into rice crops which the US has
shipped to different countries.
Is not the sale in supermarkets and other outlets of NFA-
imported US “cheap rice”, found contaminated with GE rice,
tantamount to the government forcing Filipinos to act as guinea
pigs in a nationwide haphazard feeding experiment? Unwit-
tingly, uninformed and unsuspecting Filipinos are willing and
paying subjects of this GMO experiment. Who is monitoring
this? Who is in charge? Who is accountable for whatever harm
can happen to health, to environment?
Philippine rice varieties can be contaminated by GE rice in a
manner similar to what has happened to rice crops in the US.
What can happen to the poor farmers, to us, rice-eating Filipi-
nos? What can become of Philippine agriculture, of the
economy?
Together with all concerned Filipinos, Lingkod Tao-
Kalikasan calls on President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to or-
der the recall of all US long grain rice and rice products from
supermarket shelves and other NFA distribution outlets NOW.
We join Green Peace in asking “the government to quarantine
the February shipment (44,000 metric tons or 880,000 bags) and
conduct a joint sampling (as stringent as EU standards) of the
imported rice to safeguard Filipinos from the unauthorized
rice.” We ask Secretary Arthur Yap of the Department of Agri-
culture to implement strictly and transparently its own Ad-
ministrative Order #8 regarding genetically engineered plant
and plant products and animals in order to safeguard public
health and the environment.
Sr. Ma Aida Velasquez, OSB
Coordinator, Lingkod Tao-Kalikasan
April 29, 2008
 CBCP Monitor
B6 Reflections Vol. 12 No. 10
May 12 - 25, 2008

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Family
management
of media
CONSIDERING the confusing and dangerous stuff children are exposed to in
the press and in the world these days, the families should be alerted and
equipped to effectively handle the media for the good of everyone.
In the US and other developed countries, this concern is spreading and
appropriate initiatives, mostly private and personal, have sprung up. Though
things in general in our country may not be that complicated as in these
places, we need to prepare because we are heading toward that direction.
First is to warn everyone about the nature and purpose of the media, and their
potential to do good and evil. We need to go past our innocent, if not naïve stage,
insofar as our attitude and skills on how to treat the media is concerned.
Everyone should be told to be vigilant and discerning, because the media
today cannot anymore be treated as safe, neutral and impartial material.
They have become significant shapers of our thoughts and attitudes toward
life in general.
This is because a lot of factors go into their making and running, factors
that affect us not so much physically as definitely emotionally, mentally,
and socially. In fact, they can strongly influence us spiritually and morally.
The media nowadays just don’t report things anymore. They preach! They
just don’t give out data and information, figures and statistics. They form
our values and attitudes. They transmit all sorts of isms and ideologies. They
are now a dominant force in our culture.
Even if in a particular paper, they are just showing pictures of beautiful men Illustration by Bladimer Usi
and women, there already are tremendous amount of unaccounted values, good
and bad, being conveyed. They can powerfully affect our faith and morals.

Sent to proclaim the

I’m glad that more and more people are becoming aware of this disturb-
ing drift of our media world. Sometimes this awareness was earned at a
great price, as when a son has become obsessed with some harmful thing
due to a large extent to the media.
People are complaining that there are now a lot of junk and bunk in the

faith that saves

press, a lot of noise, inflated words and useless images. The news reporting
cannot even be done straight without straying into editorializing.
And in the opinion sections, people notice that many claims and argu-
ments, though flimsy, shallow and narrow, are unashamedly bloated to
sound like dogmas themselves.
Many opinion-makers play God, except that they express themselves very
poorly. Sometimes it’s obvious that they have deserted both logic and good Solemnity of our Lord’s Ascension (Mt 28:16-20, 4 May 2008)
manners in pressing their views.
The feedback section says hardly anything substantial. Some papers re-
ceive the views of the same individuals everyday. Their ability to present
others see and taste the same him go to heaven.” (Acts 1: 10- lay faithful too appear very
the general thinking of people is highly questionable. By Ricardo J. Cardi-
This is not to mention what we see in the other sections like lifestyle and goodness. After having taught 11) It is a gentle reminder to pious in church and then hide
nal Vidal them by word and by deed, the disciples that they were his or her Christian identity
entertainment where all sorts of unchecked stories and images clutter with
impunity. the disciples need to be not to stay for long staring up once out of the church? If
We have more or less the same observations with respect to TV, radio, THE Solemnity of the Ascen- weaned. In the maturation of into the sky. They have a mis- Christianity or the priesthood
and, of course, the Internet that’s becoming the most treacherous of all the sion is not an act of abandon- faith, the disciples must no sion to accomplish. They must is a matter of the heart, are
means of mass communication. There you can have porn and other danger- ment by the Lord of his dis- longer live by sight or by not tarry for long, or the Jesus we not reducing the heart to
ous stuff readily available even to kids. ciples, but a commissioning touch, but must now walk by who went up will come down a mere organ hidden behind
The families have to face this challenge realistically. It obviously requires to bring the Good News to all faith. Only then can they share and see them doing nothing the ribcage? Is not the heart
a lot of effort and resources, but it’s all worth it. When we organize ourselves the world. In the Gospel last the same faith with others. but staring at empty space. in fact, the identity of the
better, we can do more in achieving our goal and ideals. Sunday, Jesus promised the The post resurrection ap- This is a reminder to us who whole person, one that deter-
Family life should be nourished and strengthened with many and abiding Holy Spirit to his disciples in pearances of the Lord must are too focused inward in our mines the thoughts that we
practices, like parents spending time with their children everyday, having preparation for his ascension. have been anticipated events experience with the Lord with- think, the words that we say,
meals together, chats, get-togethers and praying. Jesus is going to leave, but he in the post-resurrection com- out looking outward to put the things that we do, the
Norms of prudence should be put in place. TV and the Internet should be will not leave his disciples munity of the disciples. Like into practice the experience. clothes that we wear, the
in open common rooms, never in bedrooms. Their use should be regulated, orphans. He is in fact sending the two disciples who walked The experience of the Lord’s places we go to?
especially when children are involved. them as missionaries. with the Risen Lord to presence in fact is sustained When supposedly Christian
Parents should closely watch how their children are taking what they read The ascension of the Lord Emmaus, everyone was ex- not by going after every ru- politicians distinguish between
and watch in the media. Are the children getting more responsible or more into heaven universalizes the cited to spread the good news mored apparition, but by sim- the private sphere of conscience
self-absorbed? Parents should be quick to give guidance, clarifying things work of redemption. From that the Lord has indeed risen. ply buckling down to the on one hand and the public
and giving criteria for judgments. then on, the work of Christ The apostles no doubt looked work he has sent us to do. Per- square, on the other, they rent
Family organizations should be fostered to better cope with the rising bursts out from the confines forward to the appearances, haps, the reason why we have asunder the inseparable link
challenges insofar as handling media is concerned. They can also influence of the physical parameters of that is why Thomas issued a news of apparitions every between morality and law. Just
the way our media are organized and how they do their work. his bodily presence in that challenge that unless he saw now and then is that we our- as a person who habitually acts
particular part of the world the wounds of His body and selves, who are supposed to contrary to his/her conscience
(Palestine) and becomes truly insert his hands into them, he spread the good news, have develops a distorted personal-
trans-historical and cosmic in would not believe. But the not been doing our job. Ev- ity, so does a state develop so-
scope. As true God and true post resurrection appearances ery apparition, therefore, of cietal distortions when it cuts
man, every work and word were not meant to be spec- the Lord or the Blessed Vir- off the link between morality
of Jesus cannot be limited to tacles for the curious. They gin or of the saints, seems to and public policies.
Bo Sanchez a particular time and place, were meant to be affirmations be a rebuke on us who have The ascension of the Lord
even when he walked among of faith, a faith, which, by its been remiss in fulfilling the is a reminder above all to us
us, but it is only when he as- own inner dynamics, must be great commission. bishops, who have been pri-

You can choose cended into heaven that the

apostles turned their atten-
tion outward to a world that
shared with others.
Our faith needs to mature,
then, if at this time, we are
Faith has so far retreated
into the private sphere that
there is now a clear di-
marily entrusted to preach
the Gospel to all nations. Let
St. Paul’s words to Timothy

to be happy awaits the good news of its

redemption, rather than in-
ward to their experience of
Jesus whose work has been
accomplished and needs only
I RECALL a few years back, I felt depressed. to be proclaimed.
I had a million problems! I had conflicts to deal with, a few storms in my The ascension represents
Catholic community, plus a number of personal trials as well. To top it all, our maturation in faith. Not
my dandruff was getting worse and my pimples are erupting again. I prayed, only are we invited to experi-
“Lord, are you sure you want me to continue preaching and writing? I know ence the Lord’s presence, but
I’m good-looking (depression has a way of making me hallucinate), but now, having “tasted and seen
shouldn’t You have picked someone much holier and wiser and more lov- the goodness of the Lord”, it
ing? is now our mission to make
As I poured out my grief before God, and as I felt His tender comfort, a
crazy question popped in my mind: “Bo, give me five reasons why you
should be happy today.”
still looking for phenomena
to affirm our faith. We are
like the disciples looking up
to heaven, even if they could
no longer see him. In the Acts
of the Apostles, two men,
dressed in white, reminded
them: “Why are you Galileans
standing here looking up into
the sky? This Jesus who has
been taken up from you into
heaven will come back in the
same way as you have seen
chotomy between what we
believe and how we live. Even
some priests and religious
make a delineation between
their public persona as priests
and their private lives. They
are priests insofar as they are
in the church celebrating the
mass, but once they are out
there shopping or dining in
the malls, they would rather
not be known as priests. By
the same logic, may not the
thus remind us again: “Before
God and before Christ Jesus
who is to be judge of the liv-
ing and of the dead, I charge
you, in the name of his ap-
pearing and of his kingdom,
proclaim the message and,
welcome or unwelcome, in-
sist on it. Refute falsehood,
correct error, give encourage-
ment—but do all with pa-
tience and with care to in-
struct.” (2 Tim. 4: 1-2)

Spreading the fire of love

“Happy? Lord, how can I be happy at a time like this?”
But the question remained lodged in my brain, and I couldn’t give it up.
“Well,” I mumbled, “my five reasons for being happy are lovely Lily,
sexy Sylvia, pretty Pamella, terrific Tanya, and gorgeous Grace.” (I was still
single at that time, so I could make jokes like these.) Fearing that lightning
may strike me anytime, I decided to become serious.
“First reason, Lord: You. We have a great relationship. You love me so
Solemnity of Pentecost (Jn 20: 19 - 23, 11 May 2008)
much, and uh, I love You sometimes. What a God! Second, I have a beautiful
family. Dad’s old and Mom’s (bleep!), yet we’re still together… Third, Msgr. Joseph C. Tan, PC was a fire of the Spirit and found the had come into the world to lay down his
despite it all, I have a great Catholic group. Fourth, I’ve got a fantastic job as holy company gathered inside in holy life for the salvation of all. Now he sends
preacher, writer, helping the poor… Can it be better than this? And fifth, I’m rapture as they ate their meal together. his disciples to do the same.
in love with this one girl. (Not five!) Pretty, sweet, loving, honest, and ST. FRANCIS used to visit St. Claire With great joy in their hearts, the It is for this reason that the Holy Spirit
insane enough, to go out on dates with me.” for spiritual direction at Assisi and was townspeople left and returned to their came¯to link together the disciples to
And before I realized it, my “lousy feelings” left me and I felt happy! often asked to stay for dinner. To this homes blessing the Lord. (from The the ministry of Jesus. The Holy Spirit is
You know, it worked so well, even to this day, I’ve decided to do this request, the good St. Francis often re- Little Flowers of St. Francis) never just an ornament in the Church,
daily. Before I go to bed, I recall five things that happened during that day fused. On one such occasion, the other Similarly, the disciples in today’s gos- but always the source of empowerment
which I want to be thankful for. It could be small stuff like, “Today, I watched friars begged St. Francis to grant her pel gathered together around the pres- for the application of the work of Christ
the sunset,”; or “A little kid put her arms around me today and that felt so the favor of dining with her. After ence of Jesus the Risen Lord. His pres- for the survival of the human race¯the
good”; or “My wife and I ate at Mcdonald’s ‘cuz that was all I could afford but some thought, he agreed that it was ence was made manifest not just to bring new fire of evangelization that is lighted
felt it was a candlelight dinner at Shangri-La.” the right thing to do. At meal time peace to the troubled hearts of his dis- anew on Easter.
Because of this practice, the way I see life has changed. Because from the the two saints sat beside each other, ciples who continued to live in fear and This Sunday, as we take the place of
moment I wake up, my antennas are up—looking for the five things I’m flanked by the other members of the anxiety about the future. His presence, Jesus’ disciples gathered for the meal
going to be thankful for. I’m no longer focused on the bad things that hap- Order. It was then that St. Francis be- more importantly, confirmed everyone of the Eucharist, the question we need
pen, but on God’s great blessings each day. gan to speak of the Lord so gloriously in their mission—to spread the fire that to ask is this: will the surrounding en-
Happiness is a choice. that an abundance of God’s grace de- Jesus began to lit in his ministry. Had vironment see the divine flames issu-
You and I have everything that we need for happiness. Happiness isn’t scended upon them all. It was at this there been no Resurrection, there would ing forth from our gathering to
“out there” but something that’s deep within us. We choose to be happy. We time that to the townsfolk outside, the be very little motive for the disciples to enflame the lives of many with the sal-
choose to make our lives great. monastery appeared to be on fire. undertake a mission in his name. But vation of God? Or are we simply keep-
What will you choose? People rushed to save the monastery because of the Resurrection, the mission ing the fire to ourselves so that we can
from being ravaged by the flames, but became compelling: “As the Father has use the flame for roasting at our pri-
realized that the fire they were seeing sent me, so am I sending you.” Jesus vate parties?
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 10
May 12 - 25, 2008
By Gemma Marin
“PAG may pautang, sisipag ka… at hindi
puwedeng hindi magbabayad. Mahirap
mapahiya, kundi di na makakaulit umutang”
(“Once you borrow, you become hard-
working… you can’t afford not to pay. It
is so embarrassing not to pay. Otherwise,
there is no way you can borrow again”),
coop members Aling Emma and Aling
Emelita said. Not a few beneficiaries, in-
dividually interviewed, made a similar
remark on the cooperative’s microfinance
program funded by Pondo ng Pinoy.
Microfinance saves a cooperative
Difficult years of the cooperative
Maliliit na Sambayanang Simbahan
Diocesan Multi-Purpose Cooperative
(MSSD-MPC) was established on 01 De-
cember 1991, and was registered with
the Cooperative Development Author-
ity (CDA) on 31 March 1992. It was be-
gun by 25 cooperators who were mem-
bers of the Basic Ecclesiastical Com-
munities (BEC) to help alleviate the
socio-economic problems in their
communities in Camarines Norte.
With an initial capital of PhP 2,500, the
cooperative engaged in rice trading
and swine marketing, and operated a
consumer store.
It also embarked on a lending busi-
ness in 1995, and was able to tap operat-
ing funds from the Land Bank around
1998 and from OikoCredit in Novem-
ber 2000. Earlier in June, it started a
microfinance program called the Urban
Program for Livelihood Finance and
Training or UPLIFT Philippines funded
by the Canadian International Develop-
ment Agency (CIDA) and Raskov Foun-
dation also based in Canada. Loan
amounts began with PhP1,000–5,000 dur-
ing the first cycle, and reached as much
as PhP150,000 in the next cycles. Interest
rate was three percent per month, pay-
able daily or weekly in amounts depend-
ing on the capacity of the member-bor-
rower to pay. Common pur-
pose for borrowing was to
obtain working capital for
economic activities like sari-
sari store and piggery. Col-
lateral offered was usually
chattel mortgage or mov-
able properties such as mo-
torcycle, television and other
appliances. Savings or capi-
tal was retained by the
member by deducting 25
percent of the loan amount
for his or her account, plus a
monthly contribution of
PhP100 each for savings and
share capital.
Mismanagement of the
MPC from the late 1990s un-
til early 2005, however,
placed it in the red in 2004.
The rice trading business and consumer
store closed shop in 2002 owing to enor-
mous debts from its customers. Market-
ing of swine was discontinued follow-
ing a disease which hit the area. Poor
management of its credit and
microfinance operations was mani-
fested in delinquent payments by bor-
rowers and consequently high past due
rates for the coop. Officers engaged in
Question Box / B4
dimension to theological formation in
the different theological disciplines.
(See Formation, 3.)
12. What are the most significant ecu-
menical events since the Second Vatican
Council?
There have been, and there are now,
many ongoing initiatives at all levels
which have led to a greater closeness
and understanding among Christians,
although many more things have to be
threshed out before the desired Church
unity can be achieved. Aside from the
many gestures of goodwill on the part
of all sides, and a mutual realization that
some of the earlier divisive issues are
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Social Concerns
extravagant spending and carried out cial assistance of Pondo ng Pinoy (PnP)
activities that were not supported with to launch a microfinance program.
board resolutions. Systems, policies Skills training were provided from
and procedures were, in fact, suffi- accessing to actual management of funds.
ciently written and in place but not Fr. Chito Estrella, PnP Coordinator for
strictly enforced. Low morale among the Diocese of Daet expounded, “May
the staff translated into poor services funds para sa mahirap, kaya nga lang dapat
rendered to members who, in turn, be- gumawa sila ng paraan para ma-avail yun.
came affected by the deteriorating op- Kasi pag sila ang gumawa ng paraan, matututo
erations of the coop. Many of the bor- silang alagaan yon at palaguin.” (There are
rowers continued to be negligent in funds for the poor, and they must find
paying their loans. MSSD-MPC resorted out and exert all efforts to avail of these
to legal means in dealing with a num- funds. Once availed, they will learn how
ber of its borrowers while its account to manage it and make it grow.) He
with Land Bank was restructured. added, “Sa microfinance, makaka-reach out
ABOVE: The San Carlos Cooperative store. LEFT: The San Carlos Parish store.
Photos courtesy of CBCP-NASSA
ka talaga. Aanhin mo ang pera
kung hindi mo gagamitin para
sa mahihirap?” (With
microfinance, you can re-
ally reach out to the poor.
What’s the money for if it
can’t be put to use for the
poor who need it most?)
Given fresh, albeit di-
minutive funds of
PhP300,000 from Pondo ng
Pinoy (plus a PhP100,000
loan from the Provincial
Government) by the sec-
ond semester of 2005,
MSSD-MPC set out again to better man-
MSSD-MPC makes a turnaround
age the microfinance program and the
The General Assembly meeting in
cooperative organization as a whole.
April 2005 was a decisive moment for
The program was exclusively for regu-
the cooperative. A new set of board
lar members, whether old or new, and
members was elected. The new board
those with class A standing.1 The loan-
was then concerned about restoring the
able amount granted to a new member
trust and confidence of members as well
for the first cycle was as low as PhP2,500.
as other stakeholders in the cooperative.
Interest rate was leaner at 2 percent per
One of the proposals put forward to re-
month. Period of payment was weekly
suscitate the coop was to tap the finan-
actually complementary, we can single outstanding is the so-called Traditional-
out two significant agreements, one for ist schism (1988) involving Catholics
the Eastern Churches and one for the who rejected the liturgical reforms of
Churches and Communities arising from Vatican II and the authority of the Pope,
the Reformation. The first, which took in the name of “Tradition.” Another area
place on 7 December 1965, is the “Joint of concern is the rise of Sects and so-called
Declaration of Pope Paul VI and the Ecu- “New Religious Movements,” some
menical Patriarch Athenagoras I to re- members of which are not open to ecu-
move from the memory... of the Church menical dialogue.
the sentences of excommunication is-
sued in 1054.” The second is the “Com- 13. How is the ecumenical situation in
mon declaration on the Doctrine of Jus- the Philippines?
tification issued by the Catholic Church The Catholic Church in the Philip-
and the Lutheran World Federation” on pines, through the competent authori-
31 October 1999. ties, is engaged in different areas of dia-
Unfortunately, there have also been logue with other Christian groups. To
new divisions that have arisen. Most date, the Catholic Church recognizes the
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or monthly. First releases from the Fund
occurred in September 2005.
Learning from previous years’ mis-
takes, the MPC imposed stricter mea-
sures during pre- and post-disbursement
of loan funds. Prior to approval and re-
lease, for instance, borrower-applicants
were required to submit several docu-
ments, e.g., barangay clearance, endorse-
ment from the barangay captain, com-
munity tax certificate, and copy of bills
payment. The applicants were also sub-
jected to a background and credit inves-
tigation, and must be able to assign two
co-makers¯one family member and one
regular member from the coop. The
promissory note and trust receipt docu-
ment was now notarized, while loans
were insured by the Cooperative Life
Mutual Benefit Services.
As of 31 December 2007, the PnP
Microfinance Program of MSSD granted
some PhP1.5 million working capital
loans to a total of 94 borrowers. Loan
amounts were mostly PhP10,000 and
below. Out of the 93 borrowers, only 13
were able to avail of loans ranging from
PhP15,000 to as much as 60,000.
At post-disbursement, the cooperative
does not deny encountering problems in
collection, especially with the La Niña
phenomenon since September 2007, and
which is seen to extend until June of this
year. Amounts due but unpaid as of end-
2007 totaled to some PhP135,000 involv-
ing 28 borrowers. Livelihood projects that
were particularly affected were fish and
vegetable vending, palay trading, hog and
poultry raising and dried fish vending.
Nonetheless, reminder letters are sent to
validity of the Baptism of the following
groups: Lutheran Church in the Philip-
pines (LCP), Philippine Episcopal
Church (PEC), United Church of Christ
in the Philippines (UCCP), Iglesia
Evangelica Metodista en las Islas
Filipinas (IEMELIF), United Methodist
Church in the Philippines (UMCP), Con-
vention of Philippine Baptist Churches
(CPBC), Presbyterian Church, Seventh-
Day Adventist Church. However, the
Baptism administered by the various
Aglipayan groups (the main group be-
ing the Philippine Independent Church
or PIC) is considered to be doubtful be-
cause of lack of uniform criteria within
them. (See Testera, F., Canon Law Digest
Mixed / B2
are in fact those prescribed by the Span-
ish Episcopal Conference on 25.I.1971
and confirmed by a General Decree,
26.XI.1983, Art.12, §3):
1. The religious ceremony acceptable
to the non-Catholic (but Christian) party
and/or his/her relatives.
2. A religious ceremony acceptable to
both parties.
3. A non-religious ceremony—e.g., a
civil ceremony before a civil authority.
In all these cases—we should add—
the essential properties and ends of mar-
riage must not be excluded.
Conclusion
From the foregoing discussion, the
Catholic party (and his parents in this
case) will have to reconsider the whole
matter from a more fundamental start-
ing point:
1st: They need permission from their
Local Ordinary for the mixed-marriage
B7
the borrowers. Repayments per schedule
are closely monitored by the motivator/
collector. Regular visits to collect loan
payment and savings, and to monitor
projects are conducted. One-on-one con-
frontation meetings are also held to fol-
low up the more delinquent borrowers.
As one whole organization, the man-
agement sees to it that systems, policies
and procedures are strictly and properly
enforced.
Looking forward to better lives
Members were first told of the recov-
ery program of the coop during the Gen-
eral Assembly meeting in April 2005.
What excited them was the opportunity
to borrow again for working capital for
their socio-economic activities, notwith-
standing the more stringent require-
ments, policies and procedures.
First-timers have been able to borrow
amounts no higher than PhP10,000. Yet
benefits already abound. The additional
capital for existing businesses allowed
them to purchase more materials or in-
ventory in lesser cost. The interest rate
of 2 percent per month vs. 20 percent to
60 percent per month from other infor-
mal lenders was far more favorable in
terms of paying smaller amounts of in-
terest. This then translated to higher in-
comes and savings. Availability of funds
has eased the liquidity position of many
borrower-families primarily in terms of
spending for their daily basic needs. It
even permitted them to engage in other
productive endeavors, settle past obli-
gations or spend for the school and
health needs of their families.
“Kung may pera, marami kang maiisip na
paggagamitan, kung ano ang pagkakakitaan
at puwede pang mapalago. Kaysa naman sa
walang pera…” (When you have the
money, there are so many ways to use
it, especially on businesses which have
the potential to grow. This is definitely
a lot better than having no money at
all…”), shared Aling Angelina. Member-
beneficiaries are now poised to take in
higher amounts to, in turn, augment in-
comes to answer their daily needs more
easily, and other social obligations.
Obtaining additional funds, although
small, has opened opportunities for the
poor clients to work harder, live and
earn better. On the other hand, MSSD
remains confident about achieving fi-
nancial stability and regaining commu-
nity credibility. Indeed, the “crumbs”
offered by Pondo ng Pinoy has not only
rallied round on the crisis faced by a
struggling cooperative in Daet,
Camarines Norte, but it has also begun
to touch the lives of the poor commu-
nities in the area.
(Gemma Marin is a research assistant of John
J. Carroll Institute for Church and Social Is-
sues of the Ateneo de Manila University)
1
There are two types of members: regular or
those with share capital, and associate or those
without capital invested in the coop. On the
other hand, the loan standing classification is
defined as follows: A – accounts with good loan
payment record; B – with past due yet with sav-
ings; C – with past due and no share capital in
6 months; D – with delinquent record of loan
payments.
of the Philippine Catholic Church, Manila,
1995, p. 34.)
In a meeting held in February 2007,
representatives of the Church in the
Philippines expressed their concern
over the phenomenon of Pentecostalism
in Asia in relation to Church unity.
They saw the need in the Philippines
for ecumenical formation through bet-
ter foundation in the doctrine and prac-
tice of the Catholic faith. Cardinal
Walter Kasper (the head of the Pontifi-
cal Council for Promoting Christian
Unity) emphasized the need for “fun-
damental ecumenism”, meaning a com-
mon Christian focus on the basics of the
faith.
to take place at all.
2nd: Should the Local Ordinary grant
the permission, they might do well to
reconsider their absolute objection to a
“born-again” wedding ceremony and try
to secure a dispensation from canonical
form as well. Should they be granted that,
then they just might opt for a “born-
again” wedding ceremony, realizing that
such a wedding would bring about a ca-
nonical marriage for their son just as well.
3rd: If they really cannot accept a “born-
again” Christian wedding ceremony,
they might opt for a civil wedding cer-
emony, again keeping in mind that in
this case it would constitute a canonical
(Church) wedding, with full canonical
effects, and which—given the identity
between marriage and sacrament for the
baptized—would also be a sacrament for
their Catholic son and his baptized
Catholic (but arguably turned “born-
again”) bride.
 CBCP Monitor
B8 Entertainment Vol. 12 No. 10
May 12 - 25, 2008

Moral Assessment Technical CINEMA Rating Guide

Assessment
Abhorrent VA - For viewers of all ages
Disturbing Poor V13 - For viewers age 13 and below
Acceptable Below average with parental guidance
Wholesome Average V14 - For viewers 14 and above
Exemplary Above average V18 - For mature viewers 18 and above
Excellent NP - Not for public viewing

Title: Iron Man
Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Terrence
Howard, Jeff Bridges, Gwyneth
Paltrow, Leslie Bibb, Shaun Toub,
Faran Tahir, Clark Gregg
Running Time: 126 min.
Director: Jon Favreau
Producers: Avi Arad, Kevin Feige
Screenwriters: Mark Fergus, Hawk
Ostby, Art Marcum, Matt Holloway
Music: Ramin Djawadi,
Editor: Dan Lebental
Genre: Sci-Fi Action
Cinematography: Matthew Libatique
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Location: Los Angeles, California
Technical Assessment:
Moral Assessment: ½
CINEMA Rating: For viewers 14 and
above
IRON Man is another Marvel comics su-
perhero adapted for the big screen. It
begins with the wealthy 40-something
womanizing alcoholic and genius inven-
tor Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), pre-
senting his latest weapon, the Jericho
Missiles, to the Afghans. Unfortunately,
the terrorists are impressed and kidnap
Stark to force him to build another dia-
bolic weapon. Injured during the attack,
Stark’s life is saved by fellow detainee
Yinsen (Shaun Toub). Under captivity,
Stark finds time to reflect on his life and
decides to build instead an indestructible
suit of armor to escape his captors. Back
at home, he goes through a morality shift
and tries to dismantle his weapon pro-
ducing company. His receives mixed
reactions from his closest friends: loyal
assistant and occasional girlfriend, Pep-
per Pots (Gwyneth Paltrow) is semi-sup-
portive, military buddy Jim Rhodes
(Terrence Howard) thinks he is losing it
and business partner Obadiah Stane (Jeff
Bridges) is simply furious. Stark discov-
ers a deadly conspiracy that would de-
stabilize the entire world and realizes
the destruction and violence he has con-
tributed through his weaponry. He vows
to amend his life and fight evil.
Iron Man is one of the few action mov-
ies that actually have more soul and sub-
stance. Downey attacks his character
with much conviction and blends humor
and sarcasm with his crime fighting per-
sona. Paltrow and Bridges are gems that
provide the necessary sparkle to a some-
times flat and boring screenplay. There
are some pacing jolts to some viewers
these could be a few too many. It takes a
long time to build up the story and the
wait is longer for the arrival of the Iron
Man suit. The action scenes are solid, but
they feel a touch too thin on the ground.
Over-all though, the movie is a lot of
fun stopping long enough for character
development to give it a good blend of
spectacle and substance. What makes the
Iron Man stand out from other action–
hero movies is the hero’s character him-
self. While Spiderman’s angst and moti-
vation are rooted in adolescent insecu-
rity, Batman’s dilemma and motive
come from revenge and Hulk’s drive
comes from rage, Iron Man’s reason for
transforming into a superhero is moral-
ity. He simply wants to fight evil be-
cause he wants to do something good.
Iron Man/Stark makes a good role
model as a superhero because he is a real
person with no supernatural ability or
gift, who decides to use his intelligence
and resources to save the world and rid
it of violence and destruction. The movie
shows how a person, no matter how
steeped in vice and materialism can
emerge a hero as long as there is a con-
scious and firm decision to change. Some
themes in Iron Man, though, (like wom-
anizing and alcoholism) and violent ac-
tion scenes are not suitable for the very
young audience.

Title: Ploning
Cast: Judy Ann Santos, Gina Pareño, Mylene Dizon, Eugene
Domingo, Tony Mabesa, Meryll Soriano, Ces Quesada,
Crispin Medina, Tessie Tomas, Spanky Manikan,
Ketchup Eusebio, Boodge Fernandez, Cedric Amit, Ogoy
Agustin
Director: Dante
Nico Garcia
Producer:
Panoramanila
Screenwriters:
Dte Nico Garcia,
Benjamin Lingan
Music: Jesse
Lasaten
Genre: Drama
Distributor:
Panoramanila
Location: Philip-
pines

Buhay Parokya
Running Time:
By Bladimer Usi 110 min.
Technical
There are three missing articles in this Assessment:
cartoon. Find a fan, toy car and chicken
wing. Moral Assess-
ment:
CINEMA Rating:
For viewers age
13 and below with
parental guidance

BINAYBAY ni Muo Sei panahon. Sa kabila ng

(Boodge Fernandez) ang isla ng
Cuyo, Palawan lulan ng isang
bangka upang hanapin ang
hindi mawari kung tao o bagay
na kung tawagin lamang niya
ay Ploning. Dahil illegal ang
sinasakyang bangka, mayroon
lamang siyang isang buong
araw upang hanapin ang
Ploning sa isla. Sa kanyang
paghahanap ay unti-unting
lilinaw na ang tinutukoy
niyang Ploning ay isang dalaga
(Judy Ann Santos) na noon ay
kilala sa isla bilang
matulungin, masayahin at
misteryosa. Si Ploning ay anak
ng isang mayamang
negosyante (Tony Mabesa).
Siya rin ang masugid na
tagasuporta ng nagluluksa sa
kalungkutan na si Intang (Gina
Pareño) na siya ring ina ng
kanyang kasintahang matagal
ng nawalay buhat ng pumunta
ng Maynila, si Tomas. Sa gitna
ng pagiging mabuting anak,
kaibigan, kasintahan, ay
naging ina-inahan din si
Ploning ng batang si Digo
(Cedric Amit) na anak ng
paralisado ng si Juaning (Eu-
gene Domingo). Labis ang
kalungkutan ni Digo nang
malamang may balak si
Ploning ng pumunta ng
Maynila upang sundan si
Tomas. Nakakuha ng bagong
karamay at kakampi si Digo sa
katauhan ng bagong saltang
nurse sa baryo na si Celeste
(Mylene Dizon) na diumano’y
may nakilala sa Maynila na
Tomas ang pangalan at ito raw
ay taga-Cuyo. Si Celeste rin
ang magiging susi ng lahat ng
misteryo at lihim na itinatago
ni Ploning. Sino si Muo Sei sa
buhay ni Ploning?
Isang napakagandang
pelikula ng Ploning na bihira
nang makita sa mga klase ng
pelikula natin ngayon.
Ipinakita ng Ploning hindi
lamang ang magagandang
tanawin sa Cuyo, Palawan
kundi pati na rin ang mayaman
nitong kultura at dialekto.
Buong-buo ang kuwento na
umiikot sa maraming buhay sa
isang isla na tila nilimot na ng
maraming karakter ay hindi
nawala ang sentro kay
Ploning. Pinatingkad ang
simpleng produksyon ng
napakahusay na pagganap ng
mga tauhan lalo na sina Judy
Ann Santos, Gina Pareño, Eu-
gene Domingo, Mylene
Dizon, Spanky Manikan at
maging ang mga baguhang
sina Cedric Amit at Boodge
Fernandez at Ogoy Agustin.
Mahusay ang
sinematograpiya at
komposisyon na halatang
pinagbuhusan ng panahon.
Tamang-tama ang daloy ng
emosyon at timpla ng bawat
eksena. Maging ang mga
simbolismo ay naging
napakaepektibo sa paglalahad
ng kuwento.
Umikot ang Ploning sa mga
iba’t-ibang pananaw at
konsepto ng pagmamahal
depende sa karanasan ng
isang tao. Si Ploning bilang
matiyagang nagmamahal ay
naniniwala na ang
nagmamahal ay nagtitiwala at
nasasaktan. Si Celeste naman
ay hindi naniniwala dito. Para
sa kanya, kapag nagmahal ay
hindi dapat masaktan.
Maaring nag-iiba ang
pananaw ngunit isang bagay
ang malinaw: ang buhay ng
tao ay dapat uminog sa
pagmamahal upang
magkaroon ito ng kahulugan.
Si Ploning ay wagas na
nagmamahal hindi lamang sa
kanyang kasintahan kundi
maging sa kanyang
magulang,mga kaibigan,
anak-anakan at higit sa lahat,
sa Diyos. Ipinakita niya na ang
tunay na pagmamahal ay
wagas, lubos at hindi
naghihintay ng kapalit.
Kapag iba ang pinairal, tulad
ni Intang, ay kawalang-
katahimikan at kapahamakan
lamang ang kahihinatnan.
Kapuri-puri kung paanong
ang mabuting halimbawa ni
Ploning ay bumuhay at
nagbigay pag-asa sa sanga-
sangang relasyon ng mga
taong nabubuhay ng payak sa
isang isla na tulad ng Cuyo.
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 10
May 12 - 25, 2008
C1

The Cross
A Supplement Publication for KCFAPI
and the Order of the Knights of Columbus
The "Pasalubong Awardees" during the Fraternal Benefits Convention held at Country Village Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City last April 12.

Fraternal Benefits
Conventions gain grounds
By Joseph P. Teodoro

THE fraternal benefits convention after five
provincial sessions from the day it was
launched in Manila have already reached
more than 400 fraternal counselor partici-
pants. With one more session to complete
the nationwide coverage, the activity has
shown signs that the objectives for which
the same was conceived have been achieved.
Sales activity has been noted on the up-
ward trend with the increase in the number
of applications for insurance that were sub-
mitted and paid during the month of April.
The first year contribution in the month of
April was the highest so far during the year
and exceeded the target during the month.
Some area managers have observed that
the productivity level of their fraternal coun-
selors posted remarkable increase during the
month. This is a product of their awareness
and better understanding of the different
plans that we offer.
The activity provided the opportunity for
the key officers to meet face-to-face with
some of the prominent members of the Or-
der in the various venues of the fraternal
benefits occasion. On some occasions these
members have expressed their agreement
that KCFAPI is second-to-none when it
comes to insurance coverage for brother
knights.
The fraternal benefits conventions hosted
the launching of the SUPER SAVER PLAN.
This is single pay ten-year endowment plan
designed for seasonal wage earners and
those who appreciate shorter payment pro-
grams. To date, the SUPER SAVER PLAN has
attracted several members to enroll in this
unique plan prepared by other knights for
brother knights.
There is one more fraternal benefits con-
vention remaining to complete the project.
This session will be held on May 15, 2008
which is a day before the 7th Visayas State
Convention. It will be attended by about 50
fraternal counselors from the three Central
and Eastern Visayas sales areas.
As usual punctuality and formal dress code
(KC white barong, black pants and black
shoes) are expected from the participants.
Since this is the last of the seven sessions
nationwide, area managers Wilfredo E.
Lauron, Ireneo R. Guadalquiver and Eldito
B. Nabong vowed not to be outdone. They District Deputy Reynaldo Trinidad, Mindanao Deputy Sofronio Cruz, KCFAPI Chairman Patrocinio Bacay, Executive Vice President Ma. Theresa Curia
promised the best performance pasalubong. and President Antonio Borromeo sing the National Anthem at the opening of the Fraternal Benefits Convention held in Mindanao last April 24.

New KC Collegiate Scholars Sale of KCPAFI shareholdings held in Equicom Savings

THE Knights of Columbus
Philippines Foundation
President, SK Alonso L. Tan,
recently announced the 18
beneficiaries of the scholar-
ship program of the KC foun-
dation and the Knights of Co-
lumbus Supreme Council.
This brings to 68 the current
number of poor but deserv-
ing scholars of the foundation
for the school year 2008-2009.
Accepted new KC Founda-
tion scholars are: Angelo
Lorenze H. Cruz (Council
9118 Novaliches, Quezon
City); Ervin John A. Cabrera
(Council 8412 Caloocan
City); Kaye Ziel D. Masagca
(Council 4266 Virac,
Catanduanes); Melvin C.
Ilang-Ilang (Council 9015
Bocaue, Bulacan); Niño A.
Alegria (Council 7396
Asturias, Cebu); Jestoni
Rolan D. Cordova (Council
13156 Bantayan, Cebu);
Leslie J. Cambarijan (Coun-
cil 7396 Asturias, Cebu);
Marvy Karen M. Flor (Coun-
cil 13735 Malaybalay City);
Ilonah Jane B. Bacalso (Coun-
cil 14149 Libon, Bukidnon).
These scholars will be re-
ceiving full tuition fee assis-
tance and P 4,000 book allow-
ance per year.
The chosen Supreme Coun-
cil scholars are: Mariangela
G. Bellen (Council 1000,
Intramuros, Manila); Aprylle
Gwyne H. Bolla (Council
6113 Lagawe, Ifugao); Aira
Faye F. Razon (Council 6300
Sariaya, Quezon); Kathlyn N.
Kiseo (Council 12730
Mandaue City); Paul Vincent
S. Bayona (Council 6400
Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo); Aicee
V. Negre (Council 13156
Bantayan, Cebu); Czarra
Jeanne L. Inopel (Council
13770 Kidapawan City);
Maria Czarina T. Laguna
(Council 10467 Carmen,
Surigao del Sur); Melisa H.
Aratia (Council 14376
Calinan, Davao City). They
will be receiving $250.00 fi-
nancial assistance per semes-
ter.
The Knights of Columbus
Philippines Foundation,
which was organized in 1971
by Fr. George J. Willmann,
S.J. and funded by KC Fra-
ternal, has already graduated
341 scholars. (Denise Solina)
Bank, Inc. (Formerly Anchor Savings Bank)
By Atty. Rizal V. Katalbas, Jr.
As a background, Anchor Savings Bank is a
thrift bank and a subsidiary of the KCFAPI.
KCFAPI is the majority stockholder of ASB
for being the registered, lawful and beneficial
owner of 29,449,206 common stock shares rep-
resenting approximately 77.61 percent (the
“Shares”) of the outstanding capital stock of
ASB. The sale of said Shares by KCFAPI was
originally initiated last October 2006 when
KCFAPI received a formal offer from a local
company to purchase KCFAPI’s total
shareholdings held in ASB. Thereafter, formal
negotiations were held between the represen-
tatives of said local company and KCFAPI/
ASB. On February 2007, a Memorandum of
Agreement (MOA) covering the sale of sub-
ject Shares was executed by both parties.
In view of impending sale of said Shares,
ASB called an annual stockholders’ meeting
on 16 February 2007 the purpose of which was,
among others, to amend certain provisions of
ASB’s by-laws - i.e. increasing the bank’s capi-
tal stock from P500 million to P1.250 billion.
During the meeting, the stockholders present
were likewise duly informed about the im-
pending sale by KCFAPI of its total
shareholdings held in ASB to said company.
Unfortunately, despite efforts exerted by both
parties the sale transaction failed to material-
ize.
In July 2007, KCFAPI received an offer from
a new buyer, Equicom Manila Holdings, Inc.,
(“Equicom”), of its intention to purchase the
said Shares from KCFAPI. To initiate the sale
transaction, a Memorandum of Understand-
ing was executed by both parties on 17 August
2007. Thereafter, a Memorandum of Agree-
ment (MOA) was executed on September 26,
2007 incorporating the terms and conditions
of the sale as agreed upon by both parties.
Under the MOA, Equicom has offered to pur-
chase the Shares in the total amount of
P243,900,000.00 (the “Purchase Price”) or P8.282
per share. As one of the requirements by the
Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”)
and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (“BSP”)
before the sale will be approved, Equicom was
mandated to make a tender offer. As defined,
a tender offer is a publicly announced intention
by a person acting alone or in concert with
other persons to acquire equity securities of a
public company. It is an offer by the acquiring
person to the stockholders of a public com-
pany for them to tender their shares therein
on the terms specified in the offer. The tender
offer rules are meant to protect the interests of
the stockholders of a target public company,
particularly the minority stockholders. In
compliance with the rules, Equicom an-
nounced its tender offer in the newspaper of
general circulation.
On 16 January 2008 ASB called for a special
stockholders meeting the purpose of which
was to amend certain provisions in the articles
of incorporation and by-laws of ASB – i.e.
changing the name of Anchor Savings Bank to
Equicom Savings Bank, Inc. as well as to in-
crease in the banks capitalization to P1.750
billion. During the meeting, the stockholders
present were also informed about the sale of
the Shares by KCFAPI to Equicom and the ten-
der offer to be made by Equicom.
Anchor Savings Bank is now formally
known as Equicom Savings Bank, following
approvals by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
(BSP) and the Securities and Exchange Com-
mission (SEC) for the bank’s change of name.
Equicom Savings Bank is majority owned by
Equicom Manila Holdings, Inc., owned by Mr.
Antonio L. Go, who earlier sold his
shareholdings with Equitable PCIBank to the
Sy-led Banco de Oro. He now assumes the
position of Chairman of the Board of Equicom
Savings Bank.
KCFAPI is proud of this development and
the bank’s stockholders including the employ-
ees hoped to prosper under the new owner-
ship.

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FROM THE CHAIRMAN
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FROM THE PRESIDENT
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By SK Patrocinio R. Bacay By SK Antonio B. Borromeo

BC Holders Relations – The Big Difference! The Greatest Love

THERE was an insurance agent
who was able to convince a
businessman to buy an insur-
ance policy with a quarterly
premium. From then on, the
agent collected the payments
every quarter until one day, he
suggested to the businessman
to place the payments in the
mailbox to save time.
Then one day, when the in-
surance agent opened the mail-
box to collect the premium pay-
ment, he found another premium
payment therein. Surprised, he
asked the businessman why he
bought additional insurance
from another company. The
businessman replied “At the
beginning, I really believe you
were an insurance man, but
when you asked me to leave my
premium payments inside my
mail box for you to pick-up, I
then believe that you are no
longer an insurance man, BUT
AN ORDINARY COLLECTOR
OF PREMIUMS.”
This is the challenge I post to
all Fraternal Counselors dur-
ing the Fraternal Benefits Con-
vention caravan. Are you a real
FC or just an ordinary collec-
tor? Always remember, that
you project yourself to people,
and develop their perception
on us. If you act and behave like
a collector, your brothers will
treat you as a collector.
In our field of activity, there
is a need to identify our custom-
ers and once you have this done,
the second step will be to iden-
tify their needs. Third crucial
phase is to ask the question,
“Does my product satisfy the
needs of my customer?” Trans-
lated into your own field of ac-
tivity, there is a need to deter-
mine what is the best insurance
plan that our customer that is,
OUR BROTHERS’ needs, rather
than what plan can generate the
highest amount of contributions
so that you can win a sales con-
test. We must always remem-
ber that our customers, our
Benefit Certificate holders, are
the lifeblood of the Association.
So, it is a must that we should
satisfy their individual needs
and continuously delight them
with our services.
Now, how do promises made
become promises delivered?
The answer is “intimacy” with
the customer and this can be
achieved by: 1) Search ambi-
tiously forever better solutions
to your customer’s needs for
they may change as the situa-
tion changes. Some KC broth-
ers of yours may not know or
can’t express what they want or
they don’t know what kind of
insurance plan they need.
There is a need for you to edu-
cate them, define their expec-
tations and teach them how to
get the greatest benefit from
the insurance plan you offered
them. This is customer inti-
macy. 2) Cultivate your human
connections. Intimacy is a not
a transaction, a one-shot ex-
change you forget after receiv-
ing the applications for insur-
From the Chairman / C3
We are on the final leg of the
series of seven Fraternal Ben-
efits Conventions. The
KCFAPI management team
will be in Cebu on May 15, 2008
a day prior to KC Visayas Con-
vention.
We had been in Metro Ma-
nila, Cabanatuan, Cagayan De
Oro, La Union, Davao and Iloilo
weekly. It is indeed a great per-
sonal sacrifice leaving our
loved ones behind every week-
end, sleeping in strange beds,
experiencing delays in our
flights, finding snakes in the
bathroom, etc. The very tight
and hectic schedule of activi-
ties, are really the challenges
we face. Covering the archi-
pelago by land, sea and air al-
most drain the physical condi-
tion of my staff including my-
self. But after seeing and being
with our valued Fraternal
Counselors and Area Manag-
ers, our sacrifices and pains
eventually turned into fulfill-
ment. I then asked, what is the
ultimate objective of doing
these caravans? The answer is
simple, we do it not just be-
cause we want to visit our sales
force nationwide, but for them
to feel how sincere we are in
our true commitment and
genuine service.
We hold this Fraternal Con-
vention caravan out of Love:
Our Love of the Order, Love of
KCFAPI and most of all—for
the Love of our brothers and
families and the greatest of
all—Our Love of God.

C2
Favorable economic conditions fueled
by a strong peso and stable interest rates;
resilient agriculture sector and exports;
election-related spending; and, increase
in government investment in infrastruc-
ture drove the country’s Gross Domes-
tic Product to impressive growth rates
compared to previous year. Likewise,
growing remittances from overseas
workers boosted Gross National Prod-
uct to substantial improvements over
2006.
Under such positive economic envi-
ronment, I am proud to report that your
Association performed commendably in
2007. The year was in many ways a testi-
mony of the commitment of Knights of
Columbus Fraternal Association of the
Philippines, Incorporated (KCFAPI) to
provide optimum fraternal benefits to
all brother knights and their families. I
am deeply honored to share with you
the performance highlights and achieve-
ments of our Association during the year.
Tracing Our Roots
Before the establishment of the
Knights of Columbus in 1882, Fr. Michael
J. McGivney, our Founder, saw the suf-
ferings and pain of a family that suffered
the untimely loss of the only breadwin-
ner of a family. The widow needs at that
time all the help she can get. Fr.
McGivney saw that the only relevant
answer to this continuing dilemma was
for Catholic men to band together to
help one another. That small idea started
the spark that saw the beginning of a
flame that started KC.
The early Knights vow to help one
another in time of untimely demise of a
breadwinner. They promised to look
after the welfare of the widow and their
orphaned children. This was later insti-
tutionalized into an insurance program
that has survived over 125 years.
When the first Council was established
in the Philippines in 1905, the insurance
program was not given by the Supreme
Council for reasons like Philippines be-
ing too far out or too insular, and un-
known mortality experience. In fact, the
Supreme Council did not give Philip-
pines a real Council status but only as a
sub-council attached to the State Deputy
of California.
The appointment of Rev. Fr. George J.
Willmann as Philippines Deputy after
the Second World War marked the start
of insurance coverage in the Philippines.
When Fr. Willmann established KCFAPI
in 1958 with 64 Knights and Councils
contributing seed capital of P500 each or
a total of P32,000. After 53 years, Fili-
pino Knights started to enjoy insurance
coverage. And today, KCFAPI is a strong
pillar of financial strength that has a to-
tal of P2.37 Billion in resources and has
already paid death and living benefits
amounting to over a billion pesos since
inception.
Fraternal Service Fulfillment
Total Fraternal Benefits Claims & Sur-
renders recognized and paid during the
year amounted to P146.6 Million from
P150 Million last year. A total of P77.6
Million Benefit Certificate Loans were
extended to 2,894 Benefit Certificate hold-
ers from P68.3 Million or 2,947 the pre-
vious year.
Total Protection Benefits provided to
Brother Knights climbed to P8.17 Billion
from P7.91 Billion the previous year.
25,736 brother knights and family mem-
bers were provided P907.3 Million worth
of Group Protection Benefits via the
Council Mortuary Benefit Plan from
24,668 brother knights or P866.7 Million
Group Protection Benefits.
Your Association posted P81.3 Million
First Year Contribution Income from
new regular protection Benefit Certifi-
cates (BC) issued during the year which
was 17.13 percent higher from last year’s
P69.3 Million. The dollar denominated
plans and Special Plan for Elderly
Knights (SPEK) BCs continued to be the
most sought after regular protection
The Cross
2007 President’s
Report
SK ANTONIO B. BORROMEO
plans. New Benefit Certificates issued
on the US Dollar Supreme Plan gener-
ated the largest amounts of first year con-
tributions with P31.6 Million or 38.9 per-
cent of the total First Year Contribution
Income for the year.
Three of the Gold Series Plans were
successfully launched last November:
the KC Capital Accumulator Plan, KC
Assurance Plan and KC Retire Plus Plan
to highlight the preparations for the
Golden Jubilee. Two-Hundred Forty
Nine applications for these plans were
received in a span of one month as of
year-end. The 500K Gold Series Club
was established with the members of the
Board of the KC Group as pioneer mem-
bers of this club. This is a way of show-
ing that the Board believes in the sec-
ond-to-none benefits made available
only for KC membership and they lead
patronage of the Gold Series Plans of-
fered in the advent of transition from
KCFAPI’s Golden Year into another 50
years.
Eight hundred sixteen active Frater-
nal Counselors are now serving the
needs of brother knights and families of
2,021 councils nationwide.
Benefit Certificate Holder Focused
The Association maintained its being
9001:2000 ISO certified after the first Sur-
veillance Audit conducted last July 2007
solidifying its commitment to continue
raising its standards of performance and
improving its systems to achieve con-
tinuous growth and stability and meet
applicable regulatory requirements.
The installation of the OR Wizard in
the service offices was successfully pi-
loted in the Cebu Service Office in line
with our thrust to provide quality ser-
vice to our Benefits Certificate Holders
through faster and more accurate re-
ceipting.
It was also during this year that the
BC Holder Opinion and Complaint Re-
port Forms were instituted to help your
Association know more about the needs
and concerns of the Benefits Certificate
Holders to allow us to serve them bet-
ter.
Bringing KCFAPI Closer to KC Mem-
bers and Families
In view of your Association’s drive to
deliver competent and quality service
to all our brother knights and families,
we continually work for a better rela-
tionship with the leaders of the Order
and made closer ties and working rela-
tionship with the Church which in turn
helped us reach out to our valued Ben-
efit Certificate Holders and the public
all over the country through the assis-
tance of Radio Veritas and the Catholic
Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines.
The participation of KCFAPI during the
K of C National Convention in Cagayan
de Oro City highlighted our commit-
ment to reach out to our brothers spe-
cially those in Mindanao.
Processing of the Member Information
Sheet (MIS), a form used to enroll a
brother knight to a free Fraternal Acci-
dental Death Benefit (FADB) amounting
to P10,000, was improved.
Talent Management
Employee development and welfare
continues to be your Association’s driv-
ing force in managing its 71-strong hu-
man asset.
To empower them with knowledge
and skills, product orientation course,
5S (Sort, Systematize, Sweep, Sanitize
and Self-Discipline) of Good House-
keeping and LOMA insurance educa-
tional courses were offered to employ-
ees in the head office and in the service
offices. An in-house Economic Briefing
by Dr. Emilio T. Antonio of the Univer-
sity of Asia and the Pacific was also con-
ducted for the officers of the KCFAPI
Group of Companies and some area
managers. The event provided insights
on business interests and macroeco-
nomic indicators that proved helpful in
crafting strategic plans for 2008. WIFI
internet access was also made available
to equip employees and area managers
with immediate information, research
and communication.
Employees took active involvement
in the preparation and presentations for
the launching of the Gold Series Plans to
develop their appreciation of the new
products and to hone the skills of our
homegrown talents. This activity further
fortified their support in the
Association’s goal to provide optimum
fraternal service to our brother knights
and families.
Employee rewards programs that rec-
ognize good performance and contribu-
tion to the Association were continu-
ously implemented. This was further
enhanced with awarding Perfect Atten-
dance to employees for distinguished
performance in terms of punctuality and
attendance which your Association con-
siders vital in achieving operational ef-
ficiency. As part of its corporate social
responsibility initiatives, the board of
trustees also approved the Employee
Housing Loan Program, which is the
newest addition to the existing array of
employee benefits. Various employee
activities and health awareness lectures
were conducted to promote work-life
balance, health and camaraderie not only
among KCFAPI employees but with
those of the subsidiaries, as well.
As enriching the mind and body is not
enough, your Association encourages
spiritual development and community
service of its employees. A work week
of a KCFAPI employee always starts
with the Holy Eucharist celebrated by
Msgr. Pedro Quitorio III, KCFAPI’s Spiri-
tual Director or by visiting KC Priest-
Scholars. Daily prayers, annual retreat,
Lenten activities and weekly prayer
meetings are actively participated in by
the personnel. “Eh, KC Pasko!”, an out-
reach program organized by employees
and in collaboration with Fr. Asis Bajao
of San Agustin Church, was held last
December at KCFAPI’s Social Hall to
benefit children of indigent families in
Intramuros. The children were treated
with a puppet show about the nativity,
prizes for games were given and each
child went home carrying a Noche Buena
gift bag. The event became a family af-
fair as employees brought along with
them their children to interact with the
Intramuros children.
Finance & Investments Manage-
ment
Despite the downtrend of interest rates
and the strengthening of the peso to the
dollar, our revenues before participation
of Benefit Certificate Holders for 2007
reached P51 Million. Fifty percent of that
or P25.5 Million will be enjoyed by the
Benefit Certificate Holders as their share
to the net operations of the Association.
Total resources of the Association
reached P2.37 Billion where 91 percent
is invested in safe portfolio. Thirty-seven
percent is in time deposit, 36 percent in
government securities, 12 percent in sub-
sidiaries and another 12 percent in BC
Loans. Keys Realty & Development Cor-
poration, one of the subsidiaries, has
done well with the net income breach-
ing the P11 Million mark. Meanwhile,
Anchor Savings Bank has successfully
been sold in the latter part of 2007 with
proceeds received in the subsequent year.
Mace Insurance Agency, Inc. for its part
made net income of P202,000.
Investment yield in 2007 is 7.6 percent
from an investment portfolio of P2.1 Bil-
lion which increased from P2.0 Billion
in 2006. Our operating expense ratio of
22.13 percent which is better than last
year’s 22.94 percent.
Good Corporate Governance and
Enterprise-wide Risk Management
Your Association is composed of nine
Board of Trustees who met regularly
every month during the year. These
gentlemen attended the required semi-
nar on Good Corporate Governance con-
ducted by an Insurance Commission’s
accredited institutions. Various board
committees were also formed to handle
corporate matters within their area of
expertise. Independent directors are also
elected to the Board memberships not
only for KCFAPI but for the subsidiar-
ies as well. For KCFAPI, our indepen-
dent directors SK Pedro M. Rodriguez,
Jr. and SK Guillermo N. Hernandez.
These independent directors also head
important committees enabling the As-
sociation to have appropriate actions on
matters brought to their table.
A team of Corporate Auditors directly
reporting functionally to Audit Com-
mittee of the Board is maintained by
your Association. And as an attestation
of your Association’s commitment to
corporate governance, your
Association’s Executive Vice President
Sis. Ma. Theresa G. Curia was designated
as Fellow, Institute of Corporate Direc-
tors (FICD).
Your Association continues to faith-
fully comply with all the requirements
of regulatory agencies such as the Insur-
ance Commission – the government
agency which supervises insurance op-
erations in the Philippines and annually
renews KCFAPI’s Certificate of Author-
ity. The Association also complies with
the requirements of the Bureau of Inter-
nal Revenue, Bangko Sentral ng
Pilipinas, Securities and Exchange Com-
mission Department of Environment
and Natural Resources, and Local Gov-
ernment Units.
Corporate Social Responsibility
The KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS PHIL-
IPPINES FOUNDATION, INC. supported
30 collegiate and one vocational schol-
ars from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao
areas. Twenty eight of them received full
tuition fee assistance and book allow-
ance while three scholars received
P10,000 financial assistance per semes-
ter. Moreover, the Supreme Council in
Connecticut, U.S.A. also supports 36 col-
legiate scholars with semestral financial
assistance. One of our scholars who suc-
cessfully graduated from the University
of the Philippines-Diliman, Ms. Mary
Anne Jelli E. Gaza, won the Palanca
award for Literature and another, Ms.
Mind Shoiba P. Tecson, was awarded
academic honors during her school’s
Capping and Badge Investiture cer-
emony.
For the year 2007, the Foundation pro-
duced 11 graduates and eight of whom
passed their respective Board Exams
with one scholar landing on 2nd place
bringing the total number of graduated
to 217 for collegiate and 114 for voca-
tional. A donation of P100,000.00 was
channeled through the Luzon Jurisdic-
tion for the relief and assistance of vic-
tims of typhoon “Reming” in Albay and
another P25,000 was donated to the Na-
tional Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes for
the repair of their Parish center.
The support of the KC FR. GEORGE J.
WILLMANN CHARITIES, INC. enabled
31 diocesan-seminarians from various
seminaries nationwide to undertake
theological studies by providing full
scholarship assistance and book allow-
ances. Also, nine KC Council Chaplains
pursued their Licentiate/Doctorate de-
gree locally and in Rome. For the year
2007 we were blessed to have two newly-
ordained priests and six seminarians
who finished their Theological Studies
and are now engaged in various pro-
grams of their dioceses prior to their or-
dination to deaconate. The 5th Gather-
ing of KC Priest-scholars was success-
fully held last April concurrently with
KC Tri-state Convention in Cagayan de
Oro City with a total of 36 KC Priest-
Scholars attending.
The Golden Jubilee
The year-long celebration of your
Association’s Golden Jubilee was offi-
cially launched September 2007 at
KCFAPI Head Office, Intramuros. Dur-
ing the event, the official logo of the cel-
ebration was unveiled. The Golden Ju-
bilee Logo illustrates heart-shaped hands
as a symbol of love and KCFAPI’s offer
to help the Brother Knight fulfill his
hopes and dreams for his family. The
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 10
May 12 - 25, 2008
KC Family is represented by “50” with
the father in a prayerful mode and the
mother (in top view perspective) em-
bracing her children; and the Circles
dominate the logo as they represent to-
tality. In its effort to achieve its mission
and objectives of growth and stability,
KCFAPI’s contribution spans to benefit
the KC Family, the Order, and the Na-
tion in its corporate social responsibil-
ity programs.
Also during the event, KCFAPI theme
song entitled “The Hands of Love” was
first heard. Rev. Fr. Carlo Magno
Marcelo, from the Archdiocese of Ma-
nila Music Ministry and composer of the
2005 Jubilee Song, composed our
KCFAPI song that reflects the family
spirit and service orientation of our As-
sociation.
The occasion served to kick off the
numerous activities dubbed Big 8 for
2008 to memorably commemorate the
Association’s 50 years of fraternal ser-
vice.
Looking Forward
For almost 50 years, your Association
has been a reliable instrument in pro-
tecting the financial future of KC fami-
lies. To celebrate these successful years
of fraternal service, the Board of Trust-
ees and Management laid out the Big 8
activities to highlight the beginnings
and milestones of KCFAPI, to
strengthen our relationship with our
stakeholders and promote awareness of
your Association to all members, the
Order and the general public as well.
The Official Launching held Septem-
ber 2007 unwrapped the Big 8 for 2008.
Jubilee Updates will be released
through various media such as monthly
issue of The Cross–Supplement Section
of the CBCP Monitor, KC website, sou-
venir program, newsletters and supple-
ment feature in major newspapers to
emphasize your Association’s momen-
tous achievements. The KCFAPI Cof-
fee Table book and videography, a
documentation that highlights the
Association’s history and milestones as
testimony to the fulfillment of its mis-
sion and objectives, will be launched to
the public towards the end of the year-
long celebration.
Your Association will actively par-
ticipate in KC Family Day, an annual
event organized by the Order partici-
pated by brother knights members and
their families through games and sports
activities. KC-ing Galing, an all–male
chorale competition scheduled on
April-May 2008, was also organized by
your Association for all interested
brother knights and immediate fami-
lies. By working in close coordination
with the State Offices through these ac-
tivities, we intend to strengthen the ties
between the Order and the Association.
The Fraternal Service Convention of
field representatives will be held to en-
sure that optimum service continues to
be provided to our brother knights and
families. The event aims to improve and
develop persuasion and servicing skills
of our dynamic and dedicated field rep-
resentatives. We have prepared a spec-
tacular BC Holder Bonanza to express
our gratitude for the continuous sup-
port and confidence from our valued
patrons, where prizes will be raffled to
Benefit Certificate Holders with Golden
Certificates.
The year-long celebration will culmi-
nate with the Grand Jubilee Ball which
will be held in September 13, 2008 to
personally recognize and honor indi-
viduals whose invaluable contributions
have transformed the dream of Rev. Fr.
George J. Willmann, SJ and 64 found-
ing brother knights and councils into
an institution of success ready and able
to continue fulfilling its mission.
With the next 50 years unfolding be-
ginning with these eight activities, your
Association is more confident to face
the challenges in the coming years.
Armed with renewed strength, a blend
of experienced and new talents, and in-
novations to be implemented, we now
look forward to Unveiling Break-
throughs in Celebrating 50 Years of Fra-
ternal Service in 2008.
In Gratitude
We thank our Father Almighty who
faithfully nurtures your Association with
His graces. And blessed, we prepare for
the challenges we will face entering our
next 50 years of fraternal service in 2008,
we would like to express our sincerest
gratitude to all who have contributed to
make our 2007 a successful year –
• Our Board of Trustees for their untir-
ing support and guidance throughout
the year;
• Our Officers and Staff for their solid
commitment in achieving the
Association’s goals;
• Our Fraternal Counselors and Area
Managers for their relentless efforts
to bring service to the members and
their families;
• And our Benefit Certificate Holders,
our primary reason for our existence,
for their unwavering confidence and
support to the Association.
It has been an honor and privilege to
serve as an integral part of such a tal-
ented team of dedicated professionals
and fraternalists who are bound together
in service to brother knights and their
families. We firmly resolve to move for-
ward to extend the best protection and
benefits to serve you better.
Vivat Jesus!
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 10
May 12 - 25, 2008 The Cross
In proclaiming our founder a Venerable
Servant of God, Pope Benedict XVI has
given the Knights a great spiritual gift.
by Supreme Pope Benedict XVI has thus far blessed the
Knight Carl A. Church with two encyclicals, Deus Caritas Est
(God Is Love) and Spe Salvi (On Christian Hope).
Anderson Through these encyclicals he has called
Catholics to reconsider the basics of their
IN proclaiming our faith and to deepen their intellectual and
founder a Venerable spiritual understanding of faith, hope and
Servant of God, Pope charity.
Benedict XVI has Now Pope Benedict has blessed our Order
given the Knights a with the new proclamation of Father
great spiritual gift. McGivney as “Venerable Servant of God.”
On Palm Sunday, With this action the pope is calling every
many of us awoke to member to imitate the heroic virtue of Fa-
the news that the Vatican had declared our ther McGivney precisely in terms of the moral
founder, Father Michael J. McGivney, a “Ven- and theological virtues.
erable Servant of God.” Let us take Pope Benedict’s action to heart.
In other words, the Holy Father had deter- When confronting the practical difficulties
mined that Father McGivney indeed lived a that can arise in our councils, whether in
life of heroic virtue. membership or programs, let us recall the
It is clear to the universal Church that Fa- fortitude of Father McGivney. Remember his
ther McGivney is a model of Christian life. words at one point in our early history, “…the
He exemplified the theological virtues of Order I was endeavoring to establish fell back
faith, hope and charity as well as the moral almost lifeless but not dead.” Yet, Father
virtues of humility, prudence, justice, forti- McGivney forged ahead, undeterred from
tude and temperance. He demonstrated these
virtues amid the difficulties of his life as a
parish priest and in founding the Knights of
completing his task.
Surely, Father McGivney is an unparalleled
model of hope and fortitude in the history of
Columbus.
C3
portantly, he is also an unparalleled model
of the virtues of charity, humility, temper-
ance and prudence—
virtues that must remain at the heart of a
fraternal brotherhood such as the Knights
and which must inform the life of each of our
councils.
Each of us is called to imitate Father
McGivney as a man of Christian virtue in
every aspect of our life—both inside and out-
side the council chamber. We should all cel-
ebrate the important step that has been taken
in the cause for canonization of our founder.
But it is a celebration that brings a deepening
responsibility: A loyal Knight of Columbus
must also be a faithful spiritual son of Father
McGivney; not only as a member, but also as
a man.
Near the close of our 125th anniversary
year, the Knights of Columbus received a
great spiritual gift from our Holy Father. Like
all spiritual gifts, this new recognition of Fa-
ther McGivney’s holiness must be received
with both an authentic expression of grati-
tude as well as a firm spirit of resolution. Let
us determine to have both.
Vivat Jesus!
Pope recalls Father

From the Chairman / C1

ance and collecting the initial
contribution. It is a dynamic
relationship of trust and open-
ness that grows as you continu-
ally render service to your KC
brothers. 3) In addition, you
must always remember that as
Fraternal Counselors and Area
Managers, you must have the
characteristic of sincerity, help-
fulness, enthusiasm, attentive-
ness and friendliness. As insur-
ance man, always ask yourself,
“Do you play to win or do you
play not to lose.” Your answer
to this will determine whether
you will be successful or not.
Our convention now is part
of KCFAPI’s continuous devel-
opment program – aimed at
upgrading your skills and
knowledge with the hope that
you will focus more on the
the Knights of Columbus. Perhaps more im-
“needs” of your KC brothers.
Always remember that learn-
ing or education is a never end-
ing activity.
A person who preached that
he does not need anymore
training because he knows and
understand everything is a
goner – a failure. It is hoped
that with this convention, you
will be more productive in
your undertaking as Fraternal
Counselors and Area Managers
and be ultimately successful.
Let me end my talk by quoting
a passage:
“ Coming together is a begin-
ning;
Keeping together is progress;
Working together is success.”
Let us all work together to
achieve success in KC Frater-
nal.
McGivney’s ‘remarkable
accomplishment’
We want you to know!!! DURING his April 19 homily at a
Mass for clergy and religious at
We would like to invite all St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Pope
Benedict XVI made special men-
councils to post tion of “the remarkable accom-
announcements or write-ups plishment of that exemplary
American priest, the Venerable
regarding their council Michael McGivney, whose vision
activities by sending your and zeal led to the establishment
of the Knights of Columbus.”
materials to KCFAPI through Father McGivney’s cause for
kcfraternalservices@kofc.org.ph sainthood is being considered at
the Vatican, and the Pope de-
or brod_lito@yahoo.com. clared him a venerable servant
Printing of materials submitted of God in mid-March.
Supreme Knight Carl A.
is subject for scheduling of Anderson made the following
KCFAPI. statement regarding the Pope’s
remarks:
“This morning, Pope Benedict
reminded America’s clergy that
the ‘secret of the impressive
growth of the Church in the
United States was a ‘unity of vi-
sion and purpose—rooted in faith
and a spirit of constant conver-
sion and self-sacrifice,’ and held
up as a prime example our
founder, Father McGivney.
“The Pope’s selection of Father
McGivney as a role model for
today’s priests and religious is
enormously important for us.
“Thousands of priests are
among the 1.7 million members
of the Knights of Columbus, in-
cluding Cardinal Egan and hun-
dreds of others in the Archdio-
cese of New York.
“Each and every day, all of us
in the Knights of Columbus look
to Father McGivney’s vision and
example as a guide to our work
of charity and evangelization.
“At a time when our priests are
in need of our support more than
ever, the Pope’s promotion of
Father McGivney as a role model
for clergy everywhere is both
timely and enormously appreci-
ated.
We pledge our fervent support
for his call to revitalize and re-
new the Catholic Church here
and around the world.” (KC
News)

Dear BC Holders,
You can pay your insurance contributions and loans
through the following outlets:

1. Banco de Oro Branches

2. Philippine National Bank Branches
3. Banco Filipino Branches
4. Bills Payment Counter of SM branches
5. Cabanatuan Service Office - Knights of Columbus
Bldg., 578 Burgos Ave., Cabanatuan City
6.Cagayan de Oro Service Office - 3rd Floor, KC
Building, Capt. V. Roa Extension, 9000 Cagayan
de Oro City
7. Cebu City Service Office - 2nd Floor, KC Building,
36 Archbishop Reyes Ave. Cor. Molave St., Lahug,
6000 Cebu City
8. Davao Service Office - Knights of Columbus
Building, C.M. Recto Ave., 8000 Davao City
9. Iloilo City - 2nd Floor, Carolina Building, 106 M.
Jalandoni St., Jaro, 5000 Iloilo City
10. Zamboanga City - Room 4, 2 nd Floor, Park
Pavilion Building, La Purisima St., 7000
Zamboanga City

To all Fraternal Counselors

Get your allowances daily by opening an ATM account
with BPI.

HOW?
1. Request from Financial Management Account-
ing Services (527-22-23 loc. 214) a letter to BPI –
Dewey Branch to instruct your preferred BPI
branch to open an individual BPI ATM account
for you under the APCS.
2. With the letter, go to your preferred BPI branch
and present two (2) valid identification cards (e.g.
driver’s license, postal ID, SSS, GSIS or Knights
of Columbus ID). You also need two (2) colored
pictures either 1x1 or 2x2 in size.
3. With your ATM you can withdraw your credits
leaving only P100.00 as your balance.

If you have an existing BPI account, just request FMAS

to prepare a letter to BPI – Dewey Branch to enroll
your BPI account under the APCS.
 CBCP Monitor
C4 The Cross Vol. 12 No. 10
May 12 - 25, 2008

SK Reynaldo B. Castillo
IN 2002, Bro. Rene, was elected member of
the Board of Directors of Keys Realty & De-
velopment Corp., a subsidiary of KCFAPI.
Keys Realty owns and operates Holy Trinity
Memorial Chapels (HTMC) located along Dr.
A. Santos Ave., Paranaque City and is dubbed
as the biggest and finest funeral home in
SK Reynaldo B. Castillo
southern Metro Manila.
He is presently the Treasurer and a mem-
ber of the Real Estate Committee. Bro. Rene,
since his election in the Board, gives his full
support to both the mortuary and realty op-
erations of the company. Working 24/7 for
Holy Trinity, he helps in the promotion of
HTMC, through his parish, in the council, or
in his neighborhood.
Bro. Rene is well respected in his area since
he was Past President of the Goodwill 2
Homeowners Association for two years. He
would often bring in businesses for HTMC
coming from his place or from the nearby
subdivisions. Relatives of departed brother
knights would contact him asking for assis-
tance for memorial services. You would of-
ten see him around the premises of HTMC
visiting the families during wakes.
Bro. Rene has served three councils in
Parañaque City since he joined the Order of
the Knights of Columbus in 1980. He was
first a member of Pagkabuhayan Council 7147
(BF Homes), then transferred to Council 8996
(Sucat) where he was elected Grand Knight
in 1993. He again transferred and now a mem-
ber of Council 11368 (Goodwill Homes 2)
where he was the Charter Grand Knight in
1994. Other positions held in the Order were
as District Warden of District M-68 in 1998
and later on as District Deputy in 1999. He is
also serving as Lay Minister of the Ascension
of our Lord Parish and the Vice President of
their Parish Pastoral Council.
Bro. Rene was born on December 12, 1945
in Malolos, Bulacan. He graduated at Far East-
ern University with a degree in Business Ad-
ministration major in Accounting. He retired
in 2001 as Taxes Insurance and Sales Account-
ing Manager of California Manufacturing
Co., Inc. Bro. Rene and wife, Sis. Teresita, are
blessed with 3 children who are all profes-
sionals working here and abroad. (Annie M.
Nicolas)
CMBP WOW
(W ind OW)
Offering!
IN celebration of our Golden Jubilee this year, we are pleased
to announce that the Association has relaxed the eligibility
requirement for installing a Council Mortuary Benefit Plan
(CMBP): from 30-20 (minimum of 30 enrollees where at least
20 are KC members) to 25-16 (minimum of 25 enrollees where
at least 16 are KC members). Hurry, this offer is for a limited
time only—from March 1 to May 31, 2008.
FRATERNAL SERVICE TRAINING (FST) Schedule for the
month of June is on 18 and 19, 2008 for Luzon Fraternal Coun-
selors in KC Fraternal Home Office and June 27 and 28 for
Visayas and Mindanao FCs in Cebu City. (Gari M. San
Sebastian)

Meet KCFAPI’s Professional Consultants

Atty. Sabino versity of Immaculate Conception in Davao. Atty. Padilla is among
the very few Catholic men, who has recently been bestowed by the
and Manila Bankers Life. He is currently the Chairman of the Man-
agement Committee of Asian Actuaries, which is the choice con-
Holy See as Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Gregory the sulting firm of various insurers and mutual benefit associations.
Padilla, Jr. Great for his meritorious deeds, the reputation and trust he has

Legal Counsel
inspired, unwavering loyalty and services to the Catholic Church
and as a good example for the community and country. Jaime M.
Atty. Padilla has been in-
Panfilo P. de Talag, M.D.
volved in the association’s le-
gal affairs since 1977 when Am-
bassador Oscar Ledesma be- la Paz, FSA, Medical Consultant

Since 2002, Dr. Talag pro-

came K of C’s second Philip-
pine Deputy. A partner at the
Padilla Law Office, he also provides legal advice to various reli-
gious organizations which include the Apostolic Nunciature in the
Philippines, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines
(CBCP), Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP),
Grace Christian High School, and various Catholic religious or-
ders, societies and congregations. He also attends to legal affairs of
the Bank of the Philippine Islands and its subsidiaries, Ayala Land,
Cityland Development Corporation, and State Land, Inc. Atty.
Padilla is currently the Chairman of the Board of Directors of City
& Land Developers, Inc. and State Land, Inc. and is the Chairman of
the Board of Trustees of Assumption in Iloilo.
Showing true passion in the practice of Law, Atty. Padilla earned
his bachelor’s degree from the University of the Philippines where
he graduated Magna Cum Laude. From the same school, he fin-
ished his Bachelor of Laws, Cum Laude. He completed his Master
of Laws from the Yale Law School in New Haven, Connecticut. For
his many accomplishments and contributions, Atty. Padilla has re-
ceived numerous awards and recognitions. He received Doctor of
Civil Law (Honoris Causa) from Aquinas University in Legaspi
City and the Doctor of Humanities (Honoris Causa) from the Uni-
FASP
Consulting Actuary
Mr. Panfilo dela Paz or Mr.
Pi has been the Consulting Ac-
tuary of our Association for
the past 7 years. He plays a
key role in designing the Association’s products by determining
contributions, monitoring its profitability as a fraternal benefits
society and ensuring that it has set aside enough funds to pay
claims.
Mr. dela Paz is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries in North
America. He is also a Fellow of Actuarial Society of the Philip-
pines, where he served as President in 1984. He took his Bachelor’s
Degree (Mathematics) from the University of the Philippines in
1961, and Master’s Degree (Actuarial Mathematics) from the State
University of Iowa in 1964. Mr. dela Paz’s employment record as an
Actuary includes working at the Office of the Insurance Commis-
sion, Social Security System, Lincoln National Life at Indiana, USA,
Hewitt Associates at Illinois, USA, Manulife Financial Philippines,
vides his medical expertise in
evaluating benefit certificate
applications and claims. As
company physician, he also at-
tends to the health and medi-
cal welfare of the Association’s employees.
Doc Jim, as he is fondly called completed his pre-med course in
BS-Clinical Psychology from the Far Eastern University. In 1987 he
earned his degree of Doctor in Medicine from Our Lady of Fatima
College of Medicine. He specializes in Ear, Nose, Throat, Head and
Neck Surgery. Dr. Talag worked as General Practitioner at the
Seamen’s Hospital in Intramuros and Healthkard Hospital in Makati.
He had his residency at the Medical Center Manila in United Na-
tions Avenue. Aside from his services in the Association, he also
serves as an ENT Specialist of Philamcare since 1999 and of Bautista
Hospital in Cavite City since 2000.
Dr. Talag is affiliated with the Philippine Medical Association –
Cavite Branch and is presently the Public Relations Officer of the
Philippine Society of Insurance Medicine. As a KC member, he is
also active in providing medical assistance to other brother knights
and their family members.

His Eminence Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales, D.D. with the officers of Holy Trinity Memorial Chapels (HTMC), EVP-GM Carmen C. Flores, VP for Mortuary Operation,
Apolonia S. Dominguez and Lolita D. Ulit, cashier. HTMC is the funeral homes fully owned by Keys Realty and Development Corp., a subsidiary company of the Knights
of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Philippines.

KC Fraternal introduces its newest product offering—the

KC Super Saver Plan.

KC Super Saver Plan—Gold Series is a peso-denominated

single-pay ten-year endowment plan. The proposed Assured
has to pay only one time. He will, in as short as 10 years,
recover more than his contributions or an amount equiva-
lent to the Sum Assured.

The plan’s life insurance coverage is increasing. It starts

from 110% of Sum Assured on the first year and increases
uniformly by 10% of the Sum Assured every year until it
reaches 200% on the tenth and final year. The plan is
available for issue ages 1 to 75.

Super Saver Plan is ideal for our Brother Knights or their

immediate family members who have seasonal income or
earnings, such as members in the agricultural or aquacul-
tural sectors. The flexibility offered by the plan’s single con-
tribution scheme and small issue limit of P10,000 Sum
Assured make Super Saver perfect for Overseas Filipino
Workers. Because they, our modern day heroes; deserve
no less that the best.

KC Super Saver Plan.

Superior Family Protection. Plus Return on
your Single Contribution!
Build your own Benefit Portfolio. When you
want it. As you want it!