•A3 •B1
mission: Response to the breakup
Christian culture is not
‘outdated,’ says Pope
Church kicks off fund
drive for Chinese quake
victims
ARCHBISHOPS Angel Lagdameo of Jaro and
Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales of Manila urged
priests, religious congregations and Catholics
to donate for the earthquake victims in China.
“With tangible contribution, let us express our
sympathies, prayers and solidarity at this time
of cyclone and earthquake disasters,” said
Quake / A6
Capital punishment is not the answer—bishops
IT was a call that caught the Roman
Catholic Church’s serious concern.
Administration Senator Juan Miguel
Zubiri’s proposal to revive the death
penalty in the wake of the recent bloody
bank robbery in Laguna got off to a
rough start.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of
the Philippines, as expected, is not im-
pressed with the lawmaker’s proposal
and instead ignited strong reactions.
© Roy Lagarde / CBCP Media
A
A Xaverian Missionary,
Missionary, Fr.
Fr. Archie
Archie Casey
Casey isis just
Church,
Church, are
are praying
praying and
and working
working for
for the
the extension
extension ofof CARP
Filipino
Filipino people.
people.
Comelec gives PPCRV a peek on counting machines
THE Commission on Elections demon-
strated to a Church-backed poll watch-
dog the technology that they would be
using in the upcoming ARMM elections,
May 26.
The poll body told volunteers of the
Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible
Voting that two technologies will be
used in the August 11 poll—the Optical
Mark Reader (OMR) and the Direct Re-
cording Electronic systems (DRE).
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez
said the OMR will be fielded in the prov-
inces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Shariff
Kabunsuan, Sulu and Tawi-tawi, while
Biofuel an excuse to
skirt CARP
LANDOWNERS should not use biofuel industry
as an excuse to escape land conversion, warns a
Catholic prelate.
Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio Ledesma
affirmed biofuel production is one excuse land-
owners are using for them to be exempted from
the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.
“That should not be allowed because the con-
version to biofuel production is the opposite of
what we need for food security today,” he said.
Farmers’ groups claimed that landowners have
been trying to avoid their inclusion to agricultural
land conversion by transforming their lands to
biofuel producing areas.
On the other hand, Ledesma said resorting to
alternatives such as biofuel is a not a bad idea at all
amidst the continuous spiraling of crude oil price.
But he said the measure should not come at the
expense of the country’s food security.
“First of all, I think that will also give us the sig-
nal that we should not depend first on petroleum
but I doubt whether that is what we need because
what we need now is more food,” the prelate said.
“We need to reserve agricultural lands for more
food production instead of alternative fuels. Even
if fuel prices are going up, but also, food prices are
going up. Food is more important,” Ledesma fur-
thered. (Roy Lagarde)
Communion, solidarity and
www.cbcpnews.com
Protagonist of Truth, Promoter of Peace
May 26 - June 8, 2008
The bishops said the death penalty
feeds frenzy for revenge, which neither
ennobles the victims of crimes nor solve
the country’s problem with criminality.
The CBCP Episcopal Commission on
Prison Pastoral Care, headed by Bishop
Pedro Arigo, is the vanguard of the op-
position to death penalty and other prel-
ates have been equally vocal about the
subject.
Within the boundaries of Arigo’s
just one
one of
of the
the many
many who,
who, in
in solidarity
solidarity with
with the
the
CARP forfor the
the sake
sake of
of the
the farmers
farmers and
and the
the
the DRE will be used in Maguindanao.
“The technologies have been tested
several times and verified for accuracy
by our technical people. They are com-
plex but not alien. We are a hundred
percent confident that they are com-
pletely reliable,” he said.
The OMR uses a ballot system. The
ballot contains the candidates’ names and
the voter simply shades the space corre-
sponding to the chosen candidate.
The ballots, Jimenez said, are then
brought to a canvassing center where a spe-
cial machine would read and tally the votes.
The DRE, on the other hand, uses touch
Assumptionists in Davao displeased with PGMA
ANNOYED of having the
school’s name being always as-
sociated with President Gloria
Macapagal Arroyo, the presi-
dent of Assumption College of
Davao (ACD) once and for all
appealed to media to refrain
from including the name ‘As-
sumption’ in their reports.
ACD President Sr. Marietta
Banayo said that while they do
not deny the fact that Mrs. Ar-
royo studied in Assumption
San Lorenzo in Makati City it
is also not proper to always
draw the name of the school
in news stories.
Banayo expressed disgust that
some reporters would use As-
sumption alumna as referring to
Mrs. Arroyo especially if the
news pertains to her alleged
graft and corrupt practices.
Banayo said that in the first
place she never doubted that the
Religious of the Assumption
Sisters have properly taught
Mrs. Arroyo with good values.
of the family of migrants and
itinerant peoples
Vol. 12 No. 11
Commission lies the promotion of the
total development of the members of the
prison society often regarded as unde-
serving of concern protection.
The bishop too has been involved in a
whirlwind of vigils and community
meetings seeking for the abolition of the
capital punishment.
Arigo said that the death penalty is
nothing but a “cosmetic solution” that
will give “an illusion that we are doing
Outcry imminent
if CARP is halted
Bishops seek dialogue with Arroyo for genuine land reform
By Santosh Digal
IF the Comprehensive Agrar-
ian Reform Program is not ex-
tended when it expires this
June there might be a social
clamor among thousands of
peasants and farmers of the
country said a senior Arch-
bishop.
“In case CARP is not extended as de-
manded by the farmers and the Church
that is supporting the cause for them,
there might be big outcry,” Lingayen-
Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz told
CBCPNews.
However, it is hoped that the lawmak-
ers will consider strongly for the “wel-
fare of the farmers” through the exten-
sion of CARP for a longer period, he
stressed.
CARP extension should be done for
the “better interest of the farmers,” the
74-year-old prelate added.
screen technology, wherein the voter
would simply press the part of the screen
containing the candidate’s name.
The demonstration is part of the three-
month voter’s education campaign that
the Comelec is conducting together with
their technology providers.
Avante International Technology, Inc.
(Avante) and Smartmatic-Sahi Joint Ven-
ture (Smartmatic) will supply the OMR
and DRE, respectively.
The ARMM elections will serve as pi-
lot testing area to prepare the country
for the automation in the 2010 elections.
(CBCPNews)
“I hope President Arroyo is still
aware of those values taught by
the religious sisters,” Banayo
told CBCPNews in an interview.
Mrs. Arroyo, she said, should
not forget that Assumption seeks
to bridge the gap between the
rich and the poor and works for
the young, the poor and the laity
so that all may be leaven and
agents of Christian social change.
“We are reminding the Presi-
dent of those Christian values
she learned in her Alma
Mater,” said Banayo adding
that, “it is the thrust of the
school to form Filipino Catho-
lic Women Professionals
who are, “women of faith
and action attuned to the
tension of our times, in love
with freedom and inspired
by Gospel values.”
One of the general objec-
tives of Assumption College
is to form students of strong
integral character imbued
with social conscience, a firm
•C1
Ugnayan
Couple for Christ Supplement
cbcpmonitor@cbcpworld.net
Php 20.00
something about crime.” answer,” he said.
He said the killing in Laguna that “We appeal to Senator Zubiri to stop
prompted Zubiri to call for the restora- giving us false hopes that we will be safe
tion of death penalty is condemnable. and secure by putting people to death,”
However, he also said, the killing of Arigo added.
the convicts will not really address the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Fam-
root as well as the immediate cause of ily and Life chairman Archbishop
crime. Paciano Aniceto said the revival of the
“It is an easy way out addressing the capital punishment is nothing but “a
complex and pervasive problems of step backward” for a country already
criminality. Killing people is never the Capital / A6
Dialogue with Malacañang ence of some Palace officials is expected.
Meanwhile, some bishops are seeking The gathering, he said, will somehow
for a dialogue with the government to serve as venue in their efforts to secure a
bolster ties and ensure genuine agrar- dialogue with the government.
ian reform.
Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio CARP or GARB?
Ledesma said all they want is to bring to Ledesma said the purpose of the NRC-
the attention of President Gloria Arroyo 2 regional consultations is for them to
concrete cases related to issues on land collect position papers of various peas-
reform. ants groups pressing for their right to
The prelate and other convenors of the own lands.
Second National Rural Congress are He said the “Genuine Agrarian Re-
hoping to bring their plight directly to form Bill” (GARB) is one of those that
Malacañang before the Comprehensive have also been raised by several law-
Agrarian Reform Program expires next makers in different local consultations
month. and regional assemblies.
“We are hoping for that (dialogue Ledesma said what is more important
with Arroyo) but as of now I think her is to ensure land for the tillers and they
schedule is also very tight so we are still will support any program that would
waiting for the schedule,” he said. push for the same cause.
Ledesma, the archbishop of Cagayan “There’s no contradiction to that. In
de Oro, also acts as the executive chair- fact what the GARB would like to do is
man of the NRC-2. to have a radical implementation of the
He said another regional consultations measure of giving support to small farm-
for the NRC-2 for Northern Luzon re- ers,” he said.
gions will be held in June where pres- Outcry / A6
© Roy Lagarde / CBCP Media
Poll watchers and volunteers observe
a demonstration and presentation on
the process of automated voting for
the ARMM elections at public forum or-
ganized by the PPCRV on May 26.
Church addresses concerns
of Mindanao nomads
knowledge of Gospel values THE Catholic Church in Mindanao has been spear-
and the moral law, with a heading concerted efforts to provide pastoral care to
commitment to build a soci- nomads.
ety where there is more jus- “SAMA-Bajau” is a name tagged to a group con-
tice, peace, and solidarity. sidered the poorest among the poor tribes known
In Davao City, Banayo said especially in Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, and
“Assumptionists” are not Zamboanga Peninsula.
pleased with Mrs. Arroyo’s The third National Assembly for the Pastoral Care
disposition following the vari- of Nomads and Bajaus in the Philippines was held at
ous controversies that have Samal-Bajau to address pastoral issues surrounding
flooded her administration. these tribes, April 4-6.
“We would ap- Through the contact of Fr. Renato Rosso, a mis-
Assumptionists sionary in Mindanao, with the nomads of the region
/ A6 since 2004, Church’s pastoral concern for nomads was
initiated. Since then, about 20 people work with the
Samal-Bajaus in Isabela City, Maluso, Siasi, Jolo,
Bongao, Pagadian, General Santos, and Zamboanga
since 2005.
To address issues and concerns of the nomads, a
coordinating body has been formed comprising of
Bishop Angelito R. Lampon, OMI, of Apostolic Vi-
cariate of Jolo as President; Fr. Angel Calvo, CMF,
Prefect of Apostolate Claretian Missionaries,
Zamboanga as Vice President; Fr. Dennis G. Tamayo,
CMF, Project-In-Charge, Claret Samal Foundation,
Inc., Townsite, Maluso, Basilan Province as Secretary;
and Sr. Norma N. Capampangan, FMM, and Sr. Julie
Calumpang, FMM, Notre Dame of Siasi as Treasurer.
It is overwhelming to note that many church lead-
Nomads/ A6
 CBCP Monitor
A2 World News Vol. 12 No. 11
May 26 - June 8, 2008

Shipment of condoms beats Cardinal Zen says time not right

yet for papal visit to China
aid relief into Myanmar
BANGKOK, Thailand, May 22, 2008—While
relief agencies struggled to secure permis-
sion to bring food, medicine, and shelter to
the 2.4 million cyclone victims in Myanmar,
the United Nations Population Fund
(UNFPA) was allowed to deliver a shipment
of thousands of condoms to the region.
More than 133,000 people are dead or miss-
ing in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis, which
struck Myanmar on May 2. The junta ruling
Myanmar has resisted accepting foreign di-
saster aid, granting foreign helicopters per-
mission to distribute aid only on Wednesday.
The UNFPA is shipping to Myanmar re-
productive health kits which include razors
for cutting umbilical cords, clean sheets for
delivering babies, and contraceptive pills and
shots to last 3,390 women for three months,
the Independent Online reports.
A shipment designed to serve 200,000 to
ROME, May 17, 2008—The Arch-
bishop of Hong Kong, Cardinal
Communist authorities to guar-
antee “authentic religious free-
Joseph Zen, said from Turin this dom” to Chinese Catholics.
week that “the time has not yet He noted that after the release
UNFPA web site. come for the Pope to visit China,” of the Pope’s letter, “nothing has
The UNFPA says it as “his trip would be used by the changed.” Therefore, he said he
has shipped more government, would be misun- was skeptical that Chinese offi-
than 70,000 condoms derstood and would do nothing cials would fulfill their promise
to survivors. for the faithful of the Roman to “halt the ordination of bish-
“We don’t want Church.” ops” not approved by Rome dur-
regular use of contra- “In China there is no religious ing the Olympic period.
ception disrupted. freedom or freedom of the press, Although he acknowledged
An emergency usu- and although the government that “the Olympic Games can
ally damages the wants you to think it is opening help change the current situation
health system, so up in view of the Olympic Games, of repression,” Cardinal Zen
people don’t have it controls the internet all the warned that the “Chinese gov-
access to condoms time,” Cardinal Zen said. ernment, even in the pre-Olym-
and contraceptives,” The cardinal recalled Pope pic period, wants to control ev-
said UNFPA aid ad- Benedict XVI’s letter to Chinese erything, it is omnivorous.”
visor Chaiyos Catholics in which he called on (CNA)
Kunanusont.
According to the
Independent Online,
Chaiyos said a total of 218,400 condoms will imposed by Myanmar’s ruling government

Uruguayan bishop rejects

300,000 people arrived in Yangon by commer-
cial cargo flight on May 10, according to the
be delivered.
Aid groups have complained that limits
are hindering the provision of vital supplies
to survivors. (CNA)

Social Communications council to focus on offensive billboards used

Catholic contribution to communications by abortion supporters
VATICAN CITY, May 20, 2008—
The Pope’s council for Social
Communications will be holding
a summit this coming weekend
to strengthen its ties with Catho-
lic universities and the ever-
changing realm of communica-
tions.
A multi-national group of
Catholic communications pro-
fessors, will meet “to
strengthen and expand the co-
operative relationship” be-
tween the Pontifical Council for
Social Communications and
Catholic universities. Accord-
ing to a press release on the con-
ference, the gathering also aims
“to give the council a fuller un-
derstanding of the range of ac-
tivities taking place in these in-
stitutions and a greater appre-
ciation of the qualifications, tal-
ents and skills of those who
work within them.”
“The opening speech of the
congress will outline the chang-
ing world of communications
and the challenges that face all
those dedicated to the academic
formation of future professional
communicators,” reads the
communiqué.
Other topics to be discussed
are: “The identity and mission of
communications faculties in
Catholic universities in various
geographical and ecclesiastical
contexts”; “The ethical formation
of communicators”; and “Prepar-
ing the study programme; how
can study programmes in Catho-
lic university faculties reflect the
specific mission of universities?”
The May 22-24 congress will be
the first of its kind and will be
held at the Pontifical Urban Uni-
versity in Rome. (CNA) MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay, May difficulties that women who are
22, 2008—The president of the pregnant face must be
Bishops’ Conference of Uru- recognized…but the bishops and
guay, Bishop Carlos Collazzi, Christians or believers cannot be

Argentinean president reverses position, has strongly rejected a campaign

to legalize abortion being led by
a feminist organization. The pro-
accused of being fundamentalists
for defending the rights of the
unborn.”
abortions have posted bill- Bishop Collazzi said believ-

decides to participate in Te Deum

President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina, May 20, 2008—
Argentina’s President Cristina Fernandez de
Kirchner has reversed a government deci-
sion to organize a “multi-religious cer-
emony” and will instead attend the tradi-
tional Te Deum ceremony, which commemo-
rates important political changes that took
place in Buenos Aires on May 25, 1810.
The reversal by Kirchner came after wide-
spread criticism and the opposition of Arch-
bishop Mario Cargnello of Salta to replace
the Te Deum with a new ceremony, “break-
ing a tradition that dates back to 1810.”
Archbishop Cargnello said, “The Church
is committed to ecumenism,” and that repre-
sentatives of other religions would partici-
pate in the Te Deum.
The president of campus ministry in
Buenos Aires, Father Guillermo Marco, said
that although the ceremony will go forward,
the government’s proposal to move the tra-
boards showing a rosary in the ers would continue to stand up
shape of a uterus to garner sup- for the right to life in a respect-
port. ful way, and he emphasized
The billboards include the that “the legalization of abor-
picture of the rosary with the tion does not change some-
ditional ceremony to another city reveals “a
caption, “Get Your Rosaries off thing evil into something good.
profound ignorance of what is being cel-
Our Ovaries,” “The right to our That is a principle that we hold
ebrated,” as May 25 marks events that took
own bodies is not a question firmly and I am sorry to see a
place specifically in Buenos Aires, when there
of faith. It is a question of de- religious symbol used in a
was still no national government.
mocracy.” campaign against the faith,
Some government officials said there was
In an interview with Radio principles, the defense of life,
“no reason to sit down (in the Cathedral of
Carve, Bishop Collazzi said the which are not only religious
Buenos Aires) to listen to [Cardinal]
campaign betrayed a lack of re- principles but rather funda-
Bergoglio challenge them,” and in order to
spect for democratic principles mental principles of human
avoid possible criticism, they decided to hold
and for a religious symbol that dignity, principles of life be-
the ceremony in Salta. However, they don’t
is important for the nation, “be- cause five centuries before
know “what Archbishop Cargnello will say,”
cause the rosary speaks of the Christ Hippocrates refused to
the prelate noted.
very religious sentiments of the put his medical knowledge at
Argentinean historian Jose Ignacio Garcia
Uruguayan people.” the service of death.”
Hamilton also weighed in on the controversy,
“The issue at heart,” he said, Regarding the accusation of
saying, “May 25 is a Buenos Aires holiday. It
“is always abortion.” “hypocrisy” leveled against the
does not have national import.” “The Te
“The bishops have spoken out Church by abortion supporters,
Deum has always been held in the capital.
on numerous occasions and we Bishop Collazzi responded, “The
Now they want to move it to Salta because
have made statements that show biggest hypocrisy is to say that
Kirchner is always trying to make new en-
we are not oblivious to the diffi- life should be defended at certain
emies,” he said. (CNA)
cult circumstances” that many times and not at others, and in
pregnant women face. “We are my opinion, not defending all
aware that social inequalities life is the height of hypocrisy.”

Earthquake aid: rich Chinese give less than the poor must be addressed, that the many (CNA)

BEIJING, China, May 22, 2008—

The international community, to-
gether with China, is doing ev-
erything it can to help the vic-
tims of the earthquake in Sichuan.
But not the Chinese nouveau
riche. Above all, the stinginess of
real estate entrepreneurs is caus-
ing astonishment and scandal.
And yet during preparations for
the Olympics, they became rich
overnight precisely by exploiting
the sweat and blood of many im-
migrant workers from Sichuan.
It is not the first time that these
kings of brick and mortar have
shocked public opinion. Some of
them – all children or other rela-
tives of highly placed party lead-
ers – elected as representatives of
the political consultative confer-
ence, asked in March for more over-
sight of their sector, saying that
“the high price of housing in China
is the fault of the poor” and posing
opposition to the laws introduced
to defend workers’ rights.
In regard to donations for the
earthquake in Sichuan, one of
them stated: “China is a country
with frequent natural disasters.
Donations must not become a
burden for businesses and indi-
viduals. For this reason, offerings
from our employees must not ex-
ceed 10 yuan (1 euro)”. He con-
tinued: “I admire those who have
donated 10 million, but for us 2
million is enough”. The state-
ments are from Wang Shi, head
of China Vanke Co., Ltd., a real
estate company that gave 2 mil-
lion yuan (20 thousand euros) to
earthquake victims. The figure is
equivalent to a small
apartment of 50
square metres in
Beijing, and repre-
sents .045% of the
company’s net profit
in 2007. To measure
his generosity, it is
sufficient to recall
that this rich Chinese
businessman spent
“only” 4 million
yuan for his son’s
wedding, and 3.7
million yuan over 6
years on mountain
climbing, his
favourite sport.
Ma Yun (Jack),
chairman of the ad-
ministrative board of
Yahoo! China, as well as a mem-
ber of the ABAC (Business Advi-
sory Council) at the APEC (Asia-
Pacific Economic Cooperation),
declared for his part: “Although
they have great potential, Chi-
nese businessmen should not
participate in works of charity,
[but instead] increase production.
It seems sufficient to me to [give]
1 yuan (10 euro cents)”.
One Chinese beggar has given
more: he gave 102 yuan (about
10 euro) for earthquake victims,
everything he had in his offering
cup. (see photo)
The tragedy of Sichuan also
displays the general social situa-
tion in China today: the poor who
have lost their jobs, the farmers
who have lost their homes and
land, the beggars who no longer
have anything at all... In short,
the weak who have been stripped
of all their rights in order to en-
rich the sons and relatives of the
communist leaders. And these
nouveau riche, with no con-
science, deny any social respon-
sibility. All thanks to the policy
of Deng Xiaoping, of “letting
some grow rich before others”.
And here they are, the “first of
the rich”!
The latest figures on the dona-
tions for the tragedy in Sichuan
demonstrate that offerings from
the real estate sector – which ac-
counts for almost 10% of the gross
domestic product (GDP) – are in
last place, coming before only the
health sector, which has offered
medicine, equipment, and the
work of paramedics, not calcu-
lated in the statistics.
Some famous Chinese real es-
Catholic bishop rejects execution
of Iraqi archbishop’s murderer
BAGHDAD, Iraq, May 20, 2008— “Archbishop Rahho would not
Auxiliary Bishop Shlemo have accepted such a sentence.
Warduni of Baghdad has rejected Christian principles teach that it
the death sentence the Iraqi gov- is not permissible to condemn
ernment has handed down anyone to death and they invite
against Al Qaeda leader Ahmed us to forgiveness, reconciliation
Ali Ahmed, who participated in and justice. The Church in Iraq is
the kidnapping and murder of interested in peace, security and
Catholic Chaldean Archbishop reconciliation in the country,”
Paulos Faraj Rahho of Mosul. Bishop Warduni said.
In response to the news of the The news of Ahmed’s death
verdict against the man also sentence was announced by the
known as Abu Omar, Bishop Iraqi government spokesman,
Warduni told the SIR news Ali al-Dabbagh.
agency, “We seek peace, security A date for his execution has
tate bosses, whose companies are and reconciliation in Iraq—the not yet been fixed. Archbishop
listed on the stock exchange,
things Archbishop Rahho strove Rahho was kidnapped February
have asked newspaper directors for during his life and the things 29 and found dead on March 13.
“not to put our company on the
for which we continue working.” (CNA)
list that you publish, and above
all not to print the exact figure”.
What does this mean? In the past,
these businessmen have given
great publicity to their state-
ments. Figures like Ren Zhiqiang
and Pan Shiyi have stunned pub-
lic opinion with their views (“the
poor should not demand to have
a home of their own”; “we are
not at the service of the common
people, the rich are the aim of
our service”; “the high price of
housing is produced by the de-
sire of the poor to buy homes”;
“helping the poor is not our re-
sponsibility, but that of the
state”). Today, instead, they pre-
fer absolute silence. (AsiaNews)
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 11
May 26 - June 8, 2008 News Features A3

Christian culture isn’t

‘outdated,’ says Pope
VATICAN CITY, May 21, 2008—The
beauty of the Christian cultural inherit-
ance is not something that is “outdated,”
but rather something that will remain
alive and current in the measure of a
lively faith, says Benedict XVI.
The Pope said this today upon deliv-
ering his weekly catechesis in Paul VI
Hall in which he commented on the
Christian poetry of Romanus the Melo-
dist, a theologian, poet and composer
who was born in Syria at the end of the
fifth century.
The Holy Father explained that
Romanus was an ordained deacon who
dedicated himself to an original form of
catechesis.
It is said that the Virgin Mary appeared
to Romanus in a dream, explained the
Pontiff, and gave him the gift of poetic
charism. From that moment on he be-
gan preaching in the form of “chanted
Eighty-nine “kontakia” are attributed
to Romanus, although tradition says he
composed a thousand, recalled the Pope.
He added that they “testify to the rich theo-
logical, liturgical and devotional content
of the hymnography of that time.”
An original
The Pontiff added, “Romanus was not faith
only an eminent witness of the religious contin-
sentiment of his day, but also of a lively ues to live, this
and original method of catechesis. cultural inheritance will
“Through his compositions we can see not die, but rather it will
the creativity of this form of catechesis, continue to live and be
of the creativity of the theological current.”
thought, of the aesthetic and the sacred Benedict XVI affirmed
hymnography of the era.” that icons, medieval ca-
“Palpitating humanity, arduous faith thedrals and the music
and profound humility pervade the of Gregorian chant,
songs of Romanus the Melodist,” con- Bach and Mozart are
tinued the Holy Father. “This great poet not things of the past.
and composer reminds us of the entire “If faith is alive,”

© Stefan Zaklin / Corbis

metrical hymns known as ‘kontakia,’ treasure of Christian culture, born of he said, “Christian
consisting of an introduction and a se- faith, born of the heart that has found culture will never be
ries of stanzas punctuated by a refrain.” Christ, the Son of God. ‘outdated’ but rather
“Faith is love,” commented Benedict “From this contact of the heart with will remain alive
XVI, “and so it creates poetry and music. the truth that is love, culture is born, the and current.”
Faith is joy, and so it creates beauty.” entire great Christian culture. And if the (Zenit)

Christians and Muslim youth Bishop encourages ‘holy

together in summer youth camp
ZAMBOANGA CITY, May 22,
2008—The Peace Advocates
Zamboanga (PAZ), a Catholic
peace advocacy group among
Christians and Muslims, has been
spearheading efforts to
strengthen ties among youth be-
longing to both communities in
Mindanao.
Anchored on the theme of
“Youth: Building Bridges of
Peace,” PAZ organizes yearly
summer camps for Christian and
Muslim youth.
“Through this camp, we want
you to build a stronger link of
friendship needed to build stron-
ger and harmonious communi-
ties,” said PAZ President
Claretian Fr. Angel Calvo.
“We want you to plant and cul-
tivate the seed of peace here. It is
not only the role of the old people
to teach and propagate peace but
also a crucial role for young
people,” he stressed.
The recent four-day summer
youth peace camp sponsored by
PAZ was held at College of Agri-
culture campus of Western
Mindanao State University
(WMSU) in San Ramon, April 9-
12. More than 100 participants and
the youth facilitators attended it.
One of the activities of the sum-
mer camp was to compose peace
songs in local dialects.
Songs with the accompaniment
of musical instruments conveys
a strong message for the youth
to work and participate in mak-
ing the Philippines a better and
more peaceful place to live in,
said Sergie Solamo, one of the
composers.
According to PAZ executive
secretary Sr. Emma I. Delgado,
OP, the participants were from
Migrant group lauds Abp. Quevedo’s stand on migration issues
Abp. Orlando Quevedo, OMI
MANILA, May 22, 2008—Migrante-Middle
East (Migrante-ME) lauded the truthfulness
of the Catholic Church’s observation regard-
ing the negative effects of migration to the
Filipino family and society as a whole.
Migrante-ME regional coordinator John
rebellion’ of parents who object
to mandatory school course
MADRID, Spain, May 22, 2008—In his most recent pastoral letter
Bishop Jose Ignacio Aguirre of Palencia in Spain encouraged
parents who are engaged in a “holy rebellion” by conscien-
tiously objecting to the government’s mandate that their chil-
dren attend the school course Education for Citizenship.
In his letter the bishop referred to the more than 30,000 par-
ents who have formally objected to the course. “Their objec-
tions are not aimed at the school, the teachers or the book…but
rather at the excesses of a State that seeks to make itself the
moral educator of their children. I am sure God will bless these
parents who have decided to declare a ‘holy rebellion’ for the
good of their children,” he said.
The bishop explained that parents “have understood that when
the lesser evil becomes the ordinary choice, it ends up becoming
a slippery slope downwards toward the ‘greater evil.’ Their ac-
tive resistance is one of the most beautiful pages in the history of
this struggle for the good of children, as well as of the defense of
the principle of subsidiarity in the face of the tyranny of the states.”
The Spanish bishop also encouraged more involvement by
parents who are not yet engaged in objecting. “And when the
day of victory arrives—which it will!—those of us who remained
on the sidelines will perhaps feel admiration and thankfulness,
and perhaps a bit of timidity and embarrassment.”
He recalled the statement published by the bishops of Castille
and Leon that called the mandatory course an “illegitimate im-
position by the State of a certain formation of conscience of the
students without the consent of their parents.”
“Fortunately, there are increasingly more people who under-
different communities and cul- on different issues especially part of PAZ’s initiative to pro- stand that the Church is not defending a particular interest, and
tural backgrounds in the city, those that affect them. mote cooperation and create a there already exist many citizen-led initiatives of active resis-
lending an added sense of excite- The participants for this year’s friendlier atmosphere among the tance in the face of this unjust intrusion,” Bishop Aguirre said.
ment to the encounter. camp were divided into differ- city’s young ones, said Keith San Local education officials also received blame from the bishop
“This camp is to provide them ent clusters such as music, the- Antonio, a participant. for refusing to “process the objections presented by parents and
a good avenue where we can ater-dance, visual arts, arts and “We are happy to see our claiming that in the development of the curriculum, the con-
bring them together regardless crafts, and journalism. young engaging themselves in tents that presumably would be contrary to the conscience of
of their differences, share their “This approach aims to help peace,” Calvo said, adding that parents has already been removed. They are stumbling over the
stories, their unique culture and these young people strengthen they are the right person to enter same stone as the federal government! Who are they to decide
most of all build friendship, re- their sense of creativity and aes- upon the path of peace making. what moral content parents should accept or reject?” he asked.
spect and understanding among thetic minds through activities in “It is inspiring to see young Bishop Aguirre also criticized efforts to eliminate religion
themselves,” said Delgado. their chosen field, through which people promising to keep the class from schools, noting that in many schools attendance at
Part of the four-day gathering they become responsible, under- friendship they made during their alternative classes is not enforced and students are allowed to
is the small cluster sessions, standing of peace issues besetting short stay in the camp,” observed “chat on Windows Messenger or play outside’.” (CNA)
which served as a venue for the our present society,” she ex- Deeds Dagbusan, a facilitator.
participants to share their indi- plained. The first summer camp was
vidual experiences and thoughts Youth gathering like this is held in 2001. (Santosh Digal)
Church Heritage Commission uses
multi-media in Eucharistic presentation
DAVAO CITY, May 19, 2008—Acknowledging the advantages of
multi-media, the Archdiocesan Church Cultural Heritage Commis-
Leonard Monterona said that they are more end up leaving his own family for indefinite sion (ACCHC) in Davao uses it in their Eucharistic presentation to
than happy and they welcome, whole-heartedly, time, worst many ended to breaking-up,” children aged 12 years old.
any church-led and inspired social mechanisms said Monterona. Daisy Apat, executive secretary of the ACCHC said they make use
in fostering pastoral care and evangelical em- According to the unpublished research by of multi-media in their exhibit so that the children will become keener
powerment for overseas Filipino workers Migrante-ME in 2006, 50 percent (five out of in learning the significance of the Eucharist.
(OFWs) and their families, aiming to curb the 10) of the OFW families end up breaking due Apat said there is a need to inform the children as early as now on
breaking-up of migrant families. to long separation. the importance of the Eucharist so that they will be guided as they
The statement was a response to Cotabato “So it is fair to say that forced, we say forced mature in their faith.
Archbishop Orlando Quevedo, D.D., OMI, because most of our kababayans leave the Dubbed as “Exhibit on the Eucharist,” the presentation will last up
secretary-general of the Federation of Asian country because of poverty and lack of live- to June 30 with more children oriented on the Eucharistic celebration.
Bishops Conference’s (FABC) recommenda- lihood opportunities, back there in the Phil- Aside from multi-media presentation, ACCHC also displayed dif-
tions to the Pontifical Council for Migrants ippines, migration is an evil force that breaks ferent materials and items which are used during the mass like the
and Travelers, posted in his blog. up Filipino families and devalues the impor- chalice, vestments, lectionary, and sacramentary, among others.
(www.abpquevedo.blogspot.com) tance of close family ties among members of “We also allow the children to touch these materials while we
The prelate recommended to the Council an OFW family,” explained Monterona. explain to them their uses and importance. At least, they can touch
setting up of a family ministry in every local Monterona, who himself is a migrant with their hands the vestments and sacred vessels being used for the
church that “cares and serves”, “forms and em- worker, believes in the capacity of his fellow celebration of the mass,” said Apat.
powers”, a ministry that builds and works for OFWs to be ambassadors of the Word of God, She also believes that the exhibit will unveil the ignorance of the
solidarity among members of migrant fami- by working as missionaries among fellow children when it comes to the things used in the Eucharistic celebration.
lies and with other migrant families. OFW. “They are so used seeing those sacred objects during mass but if you
“We are thankful to Archbishop Quevedo, “OFWs could perfectly act as disciples of ask if they know why the priest is using those materials they will just
who in his capacity us our beloved archbishop Jesus Christ and act not only as preachers but say, ‘I don’t know,’” she said.
and as a concerned citizen like us, has out- also liberators of the oppressed migrant The history of San Pedro Cathedral is also showcased in the exhibit
lined his response to the issue of OFW fam- workers who usually are victims of mounted at the base of the San Pedro Cathedral Belfry.
ily disintegration and realizing the social employer’s maltreatment, unfair labor prac- Apat said the exhibit is open to all children especially those coming
costs due to forced migration of our workers tices, unpaid on their own hard labor, sexu- from the Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs). (Mark S. Ventura)
whose only option is to leave their family to ally harassed and exploited,” Monterona
find work and earn a living who later will added. (Noel Sales Barcelona)
 CBCP Monitor
A4 Opinion Vol. 12 No. 11
May 26 - June 8, 2008

EDITORIAL

Dysfunctional justice
AS no government is the author of human life, no human life
may be taken by any government. Just as no human law can
bring about human life, this may neither be taken away by any
law of man. Death penalty is the summit of injustice when a
justice system is dysfunctional. And this is the reality when
certain dynasties, certain families and many individuals live
and act above the law of the land, when the demands of justice
are neutralized by the tenure of power, the possession of wealth.
Practically whenever heinous crimes get the attention of tri-
media and hit the sensibility of public conscience, there is some
kind of a clamor for the re-imposition of death penalty in the
country. And this reaction is in some way still good and proper—
even if only for the following reasons: It shows that a good
majority of the people still value human life over and above
everything else. It also proves that most of them are angered in
a special way by those who treacherously take human lives away.
It also confirms that irrespective of their status in life, Filipinos
by and large still craves for justice in principle.
It has to be pointed out however that in this country, the
Justice System has become progressively dysfunctional. Trans-
lation: The high and the mighty are above the law. The poor
and the helpless are the victims of law. Justice has become
selective in its relevance and application. Injustice is the lot
precisely of those who have less in life and resources. That is
why as a matter of course, those who perpetrate and perpetu-
ate huge graft and uncouth corrupt practices in the national
level, those who engage in smuggling in staggering propor-
tion, those who make enormous money from the calamity of
others such as that caused by natural disaster—all these are
untouchable by law and its enforcers as they specifically re-
main beyond the reach of justice.
These are deviate characters that customarily and callously
suck in enormous public funds precisely intended for the com-
mon good and the public welfare of the people. These are the
sick and sickening personalities who eventually cause the pov-
erty and misery, the hunger and sickness of millions of Filipi-
nos, who thus contribute to their hopelessness and eventual Bp. Leonardo Y. Medroso, JCD, DD
death. In other words, they are the eminent examples of those
who in truth strangle people “in style”, who in reality kill The pastor and his
people “softly”. In the last analysis, these coldhearted and ruth-
less individuals are themselves eventually guilty of heinous
crime, of hideous massacre—and in very large scale.
Tidbits assistant
Yet, the on-going shouts for the re-imposition of death pen-
alty in the land do not have these large-scale assassins and
murderers in mind. It appears that on account of a long selec- WHO is this priest next door? He is young, thority of the pastor vis-à-vis the parochial proper care of the parochial books; Care of
tive observance of the law and discriminatory application of idealistic, talented, full of energy. He is er- vicar; closely related to this, b) their indi- the parish seal and parish archives; Inform
justice in the country, even a good number of the general Fili- ratic, though, in his decisions, not so con- vidual rights and obligations; and the most the diocesan bishop in case of absence from
pino public could also have an already dysfunctional under- scious with his time, immature in his ways. common source of conflict, c) financial ar- the parish for more than one week.
standing of justice. Yet, the kids and the teens hang around him, rangement in the parish. On the other hand, his assistant parish
the old adore him, the members of the Parish First of all, it has to be established that the priest is also endowed with obligations and
Pastoral Council drink and laugh with him, parish priest is the proper pastor of the par- rights. Aside from the rights and obligations
the ecclesial communities and new move- ish. It is to him that the care of the souls of the assigned to all clerics by universal law (cf.
ments love his homilies and short talks. Who community is entrusted to be exercised un- Cans. 273-289), the obligations and rights of
The Destruction of Watersheds is he? He is the parochial vicar, an appointee
from the Diocese to help the parish priest in
der the authority of the diocesan bishop. He
has the ordinary proper power to teach, sanc-
the assistant parish priest are clearly ex-
pressed in canon 548. Paragraph 1 states the
all his ministerial works. He is not necessar- tify and govern those entrusted to his care. sources from which spring the obligations
WHY is flooding in the lowlands occurring more frequently? ily a threat to the person and influence of the The cooperation of other priests and deacons and rights of the assistant parish priest,
Why are our watersheds not able to supply the waters we need parish priest, but with him in the parish is in the care of the souls are desired and most namely: a) the Code of Canon Law, b) the
at some times of the year? The simple reason is that we have there enough room for both of them? How welcome. In fact even the lay faithful, by vir- particular law of the diocese, c) the letter of
denuded the uplands of forest cover and degraded our rivers would his authority stand beside the popu- tue of their baptism are also invited to par- appointment, and d) the directives or man-
with the subsequent soil erosion, and the waste too that we larity and adulation of this young upstart? take in this task (cf. Cans. 757, 758, 759, 776 & date of the parish priest.
throw into the sea. Who is responsible for this destruction? How should he deal with him? 778). In a nutshell, the parish priest is the sole We can add here that, by analogy, whatever
One recent study, Decline of the Philippine Forest, states: In the eyes of the administration of the dio- head of the parish. the code establishes in terms of right and du-
“Since most of the Philippine forest was on public land, it cese, a certain parish is just too big for one He likewise acts in the person of the parish ties with regard to the parish priest may also
was up to government to decide how to make use of it. They parish priest to meet the pastoral demands. in all juridical matters and he is to ensure be applied to the assistant parish priest except
were responsible for the management of this national trea- He himself has asked time and again for a that the parish goods are administered like a to those that belong in the strict sense to the
sure. The situation today is the direct result of the non-imple- help, for an assistant who could help him in good steward who takes good care of the office of the parish priest as the juridical per-
mentation of policies and the corruption of former administra- all activities in the community. And one day property of his master while the master is son representing the parish. Nonetheless, it is
tions. Deforestation did not just happen. It came about as a his dream comes true. Here comes the paro- away (cf. Cans. 1281-1288). considered more prudent, for the proper ex-
result of choices made by government, choices that in effect chial vicar assigned to him by the Curia, a The parish priest should enjoy a certain ercise of rights and duties and to avoid pos-
turned control of the forests over to a small group of people priest to his heart desire. But the question in measure of stability in the parish thus ideally sible conflicts, to express in the letter of ap-
and sustained the marginalization of millions of people. “ his heart hounds him: can I handle him? he is to be appointed for an indefinite time. pointment and in the diocesan statutes the
It would be difficult to exaggerate the part played by elite In response to the vague apprehensions of However, the conference of bishops may de- correlation between the functions of the par-
control and corruption in explaining the destruction of the the parish priest on how to deal with his as- cide otherwise and set a specific tenure of of- ish priest and the assistant parish priest.
Philippine forest. Since the elite in effect participated in the sistant, the present Code of Canon Law has fice of the parish priest in any given parish. The ministry of the assistant parish priest
government and the logging industry, this led to corrupt and identified and specified the roles and func- He is entitled to a vacation time of one month encompasses all aspects of the parish life un-
inefficient regulation by government of the logging industry. tions of the parish priest and the parochial annually either continuous or cumulative. Not less specific work has been given to him ei-
To avoid initiating meaningful structural reform of the socio- vicars in the parish. Yet, much has also been included from this is the time for retreat which ther stated in the letter of appointment or
economic system, government encouraged the poor to migrate left to the discretion of the particular laws is usually done outside the parish. upon direction by the parish priest (Can. 545,
to previously forested areas. and eventually to the working agreement On one hand, the obligations of the pastor par. 2). He is not, however, duty bound to
Data on forest cover released by government, instead of pre- between the pastor and his parochial vicar. could be classified under the following head- celebrate the mass pro populo which is a per-
senting a true picture of what was really happening, were de- Oftentimes, the intertwining of these roles, ings: Proclamation of the Word of God and sonal obligation that belongs to the parish
signed to mislead the media and researchers. The analysis of result in misunderstanding and conflicts. Catechesis; Administration of the Sacraments priest nor is he obliged to inform the dioc-
data makes it difficult to draw any other conclusion. The de- Thus, it will be of help to identify the pos- and the Liturgy; Maintain personal contact esan bishop in case of absence from the par-
structive practices pursued by the logging concessionaires set sible flashpoints in their working relation- with his parishioners; Promote the lay ish for a period of more than one week. How-
the example for the poor migrants who followed. The financial ship in order to find a workable solution to apostolate; Residence in the parish; Offering ever, unlike the parish priest, the parochial
returns from logging did not benefit the nation as a whole. it, namely, a) the extent and limits of the au- of the mass ‘Pro Populo’; Maintenance and Tidbits / A6
Enormous sums were concentrated in the hands of the elite.
This exacerbated the problem of the unequal distribution of
income, the greatest structural problem in the Philippines to-
day. The above factors have ensured and hastened the destruc- Fr. Melvin P. Castro
tion of our forests and watersheds.
The direct causes of deforestation have been logging, upland
Mary, Mediatrix of
migration, and agricultural expansion. These could have been
carried out in a manner that would have contributed to the All-Grace Speaking of Mary
overall development of the country and thus benefited the
majority of the people, but did not. However, they were not.
Less than 500 individuals and corporations hold access rights
AFTER the Liturgical reform of Vatican II, was, the Church did not see it opportune that was in the singular form All-Grace, she said
to most of the forest resources. The fact underscores the great
injustice being done to our people. every 31st of May we celebrate the Feast of time. that such word refers to Christ who is the
the Visitation of Our Lady to her cousin, St. Finally, in 1947 Louis Marie Grignon de source of every and all graces.
—Water is Life, A CBCP Pastoral Statement, 2000
Elizabeth. But before that, it was an almost Montfort was canonized. He was one of the In those same apparitions, Our Lady re-
universal celebration that every 31st of May outstanding devotees of Our Lady and quested the Carmelite nuns to consecrate
was the Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, through his many writings, particularly the themselves to her as her slaves following the
Mediatrix of All Graces (yes, in the plural book, True Devotion to Mary, he laid out his devotional manner enunciated by St. Louis
ISSN 1908-2940 which is quite different from the column title particular Marian spirituality of total conse- Marie Grignon de Montfort.
which is in the singular). cration to Mary as her slave. Were all these coincidences? Most certainly

CBCP Monitor
P r o ta g o n i s t of Tr u t h , Promoter of Peace
It was the Belgian Cardinal Désiré Joseph
Mercier who started the campaign in the early
part of the 20th century to have the title of Our
Lady as Mediatrix of All Graces to be pro-
claimed as a dogma of faith. Later he would
The word slavery may sound too offend-
ing to our contemporary ears. And yet, we
can view it in a very positive manner. Slaves,
during olden times, were considered com-
modities and properties of their owners. In
not. We can safely assume these are the fruits
of the prayers and efforts of Cardinal Mercier
and many others who truly believed in the
title of Mary as Mediatrix of All-Grace. And
particularly, it crosses our mind that it was
Pedro C. Quitorio make that “twin” campaign for the canoniza- a sense, being slaves of Mary means to be Cardinal Mercier who decades before already
Editor-in-Chief tion of then Blessed Louis Marie Grignon de owned by her, but neither as a commodity prayed for the canonization of St. Louis and
Montfort side-by-side with the campaign for nor a property but instead voluntarily we through that canonization the approval of the
Pinky Barrientos, FSP Kris P. Bayos the title of Our Lady as Mediatrix of All Graces. declare ourselves to be a possession of Our title of Mary as Mediatrix of All-Grace.
Associate Editor Feature Editor In fact, in his discernment, the proclamation Lady. A possession that she will safeguard We are told that Cardinal Mercier in his
of this Marian dogma will be achieved through and protect from all harm and danger; a pos- death bed repeated over and over again,
Melo M. Acuña Rosalynn Garcia the canonization of St. Louis. session that she will treasure and cherish. Mary Mediatrix, Mary Mediatrix.
Managing Editor Marketing Supervisor Cardinal Mercier died in 1926. By that time, The slaves as well, in olden times, were Now, that we are fast approaching May 31
Dennis B. Dayao neither was St. Louis canonized nor the par- chained. They were chained so that they and end of the Marian month of May, we turn
Ernani M. Ramos
On-Line Editor Circulation Manager ticular Marian title defined as dogma of Faith. could not go far from their owners. In the to Our Lady yet again in a very special man-
He had that consolation, however, that Pope spiritual sense, through the Total Consecra- ner under that very special title, Mediatrix of
Roy Q. Lagarde Marcelita Dominguez Benedict XV granted in 1921 to the whole of tion to Mary, we freely “chain” ourselves to All-Grace. Monstra Te esse Matrem, we sing
News Editor Comptroller Belgium an Office and Mass of the Blessed her so that neither sin nor evil could make us in the Ave Maris Stella, show unto us that
Virgin Mary, Mediatrix of All Graces. This detached or run away from her. you are our Mother.
The CBCP Monitor is published fortnightly by the CBCP Office and Mass were extended by the Holy Months after the canonization of St. Louis May Our Lady indeed come to intercede
Communications Development Foundation, Inc., with
Layout by Denz Dayao

editorial and business of fices at 470 Gen. Luna St., See to many other dioceses and religious in-
Intramuros, Manila. P.O. Box 3601, 1076 MCPO. stitutes, so that the commemoration became
Editorial: (063) 404-2182. Business: (063)404-1612. almost universal.
Email: cbcpmonitor@cbcpworld.net It is told that the definition of the Marian
Website: www.cbcpworld.net/cbcpmonitor dogma never occurred because of objections
of many theologians. Whatever the reason
came the reported apparitions of Our Lady
in the Carmelite Monastery of Lipa in 1948.
And yes, believe it or not, in those appari-
tions, Our Lady identified herself as Mary,
Mediatrix of All-Grace (and yes it was in the
singular). Our Lady even explained why it
for all of us, but especially come to the aid of
our families whose sanctity and dignity are
again facing an onslaught of attacks from
many fronts.
Monstra Te esse Matrem! Ave Maria. Ad
Jesum per Mariam.
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 11
May 26 - June 8, 2008
Sr. Mary Pilar Verzosa, RGS
Love Life
MY lolo was a bishop. Well, I don’t mean lolo
as grandfather. But lolo na granduncle. To get
it straight, Bishop Alfredo Verzosa was the
uncle of my grandfather.
Lately, the Verzosa clan from Vigan City
has been tracing ancestry. A reunion was
held last March 30 at my place—the Good
Shepherd Convent in Quezon City. One hun-
dred eighty relatives came—some all the way
from Cagayan, Isabela, Baguio, Zambales,
Bataan, Pangasinan, Bicol and Bacolod. That
was just a reunion in preparation for the grand
one in Vigan on June 27 – the 54th death anni-
versary of Bishop Verzosa.
And our aim in involving as many of our
relatives as possible is because we want to
promote the life and legacy of the Fourth Fili-
pino Roman Catholic Bishop, the First Ilocano
Bishop, and the Bishop of Lipa City during
the miracle of the shower of rose petals in
the Carmelite convent. Indeed, all of us
Verzosa’s are very proud to have him as our
ancestor.
Interest in his life started when we were
all invited to the Launching of the biography
of Bishop Verzosa written by Rev. Fr. Ericson
Josue, a newly-ordained priest of Laoag City,
who has been researching on the life of the
Bishop since he was a seminarian. I quote
the words “First but forgotten” from the last
chapter of his book.
And it is with humility that we Ilocanos
have to admit that we have somehow forgot-
ten our very own “First”, our beloved Bishop
Verzosa who had lived such a life filled with
virtues .
In fact, there is a preliminary move for his
beatification and a couple of miracles have
been attributed and are now being docu-
mented by the Missionary Catechists of the
School opening and
Independence Day ‘08
DO you still recall the days we attended flag-
raising ceremonies and flag retreats during
our elementary and high school days?
Boys Scouts stood across at the middle of
the street to temporarily stop the traffic which
“Lupang Hinirang” Other scouts were tasked
to handle and fold the national tricolor with
utmost respect, never allowing it to touch
the ground.
After Lupang Hinirang, a selected pupil
would lead in the recitation of Panatang
Makabayan, described as a patriotic oath, a
pledge to respect one’s parents and other au-
thorities including school officials and the
institution’s rules and regulations. It also
talks about one’s responsibilities to his com-
munity and country.
It also provides for one’s manner of serv-
ing the government and country aside from
being a responsible member of the commu-
nity as clearly stated “Paglilingkuran ko ang
aking bayan ng walang pag-iimbot at nang buong
katapatan. Sisikapin kong maging isang tunay na
Pilipino. Sa isip, sa salita at sa gawa.”
Come to think of it, “love of country” is
instilled in the minds of its public and pri-
vate school pupils as soon as they reach Grade
1. This may no longer be true today.
Jose B. Lugay
Laiko Lampstand
THE Philippines is noted to be one of the
most disaster-prone countries in the world.
Within the last 18 years disasters from na-
ture and caused by man had occurred in the
Philippines.
These include a) the eruption of Mt.
Pinatubo whose ashes encircled the world,
b) the tsunami that killed many people in
Southern Mindanao c) the earthquake in the
Cordillera that destroyed a hotel in Baguio
and a university in Nueva Vizcaya, d) the
landslides in Ginsaugun, San Bernardo, South-
ern Leyte that buried the whole community
and more recently the e) the landslide that
uprooted forests in a mountain in Quezon
province that buried many and swept some
people into the sea, d) typhoon Reming which
pilloried Albay and the islands of
Catanduanes and Rapu-rapu, e) the oil spill
in Guimaras which destroyed the rich
biodiversity of that island, f) the many ship-
wrecks of large and small boats, and many
others.
This year, due to climate change, we expe-
rience the effects of El Niño and La Niña. How
our people dealt with these disasters are re-
flections of our culture as a people, the way
we value life by doing our utmost to save
them and the way our institutions act as one—
the Church, the Government, the NGO’s, and
private citizens work together in donating
goods and services .
The recent Myanmar disaster, occurred last
May 2–4 when typhoon Nargis struck the
Irrawady Delta known as the “rice bowl of
Asia”, left 134,000 dead and 2.1 million
people destitute.
In places where disaster occurs, but not in
Myanmar, the International Red Cross, the
Doctors without Borders and other NGO’s are
readily welcome to give relief goods and
medical supplies without much ado. Our
Opinion
Bishop Alfredo
Verzosa—First but
forgotten
Sacred Heart, the congregation that Bishop
Verzosa founded in his diocese of Lipa.
My own Good Shepherd Sisters who are in
their 80"s, delight in recalling to me the good
favors that Bishop Verzosa rendered to them
in Batangas City as they were the first Catholic
School (St. Bridget’s College) in his diocese.
As Most Rev. Ernesto Salgado, Archbishop
of Nueva Segovia (Vigan) wrote in a Mes-
sage included in that biography, “One of the
virtues of Bishop Alfredo Verzosa was his
obedience. As we all know, this is a difficult
virtue even among many of the priests nowa-
days.
I do believe that the Bishop personally be-
lieved in the apparitions and miracles that
happened in Lipa but when the Holy See told
him to stop talking about it, especially after
an investigation, declared them inauthentic,
the obedient bishop never said any word
about them. It must have been a struggle in
this pious soul.
Msgr. Salvatus, his secretary said that if the
Bishop were not a man of prayer, he would
have suffered a nervous breakdown. He
bowed in obedience unto death.”
Archbishop Ramon Arguelles, the present
Archbishop of Lipa and an avid promoter of
devotion to the miracles of our Lady
Mediatrix of All Grace, the title that Our lady
herself chose when she appeared to a postu-
lant in the Carmelite Convent, has this to say
in his Message, “That is what assured the sanc-
tity of the Ilocano priest destined to shep-
herd Christ’s flock in the whole Southern
Tagalog Region of this profoundly Marian
country.
The Archdiocese of Lipa, preparing for the
centenary of its becoming a local church, is
blessed every time the memory of its first
Melo M. Acuña
During the 1960s, we used to attend the 4th
of July Independence Day parades at the Rizal
Park.
When President Diosdado Macapagal sat
in Malacañang, he moved the country’s cel-
ebration to its more appropriate day, June
12. It was then a holiday and almost every-
one from Metro Manila spent time watching
the colorful parades.
This year’s school opening begins on Tues-
day, June 10 because pursuant to Presiden-
tial Proclamation No. 1463 “Declaring the
Regular and Special (Non-Working) Days for
the Year 2008,” Independence Day which hap-
pens to be every 12th of June was transferred
to Monday, the 9th of June.
The same proclamation already “moved”
our Araw ng Kagitingan from April 9 to April 7
as it also “moved” Bonifacio Day from its origi-
nal date of November 30 to December 1.
Even former Senator Benigno A. Aquino’s
death anniversary every August 21st has been
“moved” to August 18, a Monday.
Such changes were made because of “holi-
day economics”—to allow Filipinos to en-
joy long weekends and encourage Filipino
families to visit tourist spots and spur the
economy.
The Myanmar disaster
Department of Social Welfare always carry
in stock some food items, goods and supplies
for emergency work, hand in hand working
together with the Disaster Coordinating
Councils of the disaster- call.
To the population affected, this gives them
an assurance of immediate relief and rescue
as disaster strikes. When declared disaster
areas by the Administration, funds are re-
leased for the repair of damaged infrastruc-
ture- roads, schools, bridges, etc.
The case of Myanmar is a tragic example of
a national culture under a dictatorial regime.
Disaster struck on May 2–3, the strongest in
living memory. There was a sea surge 12
feet high, tsunami-like, swept the ancient 6-
storey high trees, homes and the rice fields
of the delta.
Unbelievable to us Filipinos is the uncar-
ing attitude of the Military Junta led by Junta
Supremo Than Shwe and Prime Minister
Thein Sein. Their foremost concern is their
own stability to govern when foreigners
come to give aid to their people.
For the past 15 years, the opposition leader,
Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel Peace Prize re-
cipient, who won the election as head of the
National League for Democracy has been on
house arrest and her release is due on May 24
of this year.
The killing of 31 people who rallied to-
gether with the Buddhist monks is still fresh
in people’s memory. The coming in of for-
eigners, they think, will surely make the rul-
ing Military Junta insecure.
That is why all U.S. and European ships
were not allowed to dock in their seas. Entry
visas were limited. When cargo planes from
Bangkok come, it is the Army that gets the
goods for distribution so that people will not
give credit to the humanitarian team that
brought the aid.
Filipino bishop is recalled. God had sent Lipa
at its earliest years a silent but great spiritual
leader, strengthened by great trials to accom-
pany the faithful to greater spiritual heights”.
And His Eminence Gaudencio Cardinal
Rosales, former Archbishop of Lipa relates
in the Foreword, “Educating priests was his
forte! All three levels of priestly formation
were present in the large Diocese of Lipa in
his time.
He established at least four diocesan semi-
naries existing simultaneously. That was not
only a rare feat, it was unheard of even up to
our day. The first seminary fully adminis-
tered by Filipino diocesan priests was also
founded in his diocese…
His pastoral trips were legendary, includ-
ing extensive car rides, horseback riding,
walking, mud-sled travel, crossing rivers and
seas to visit the expansive Diocese of Lipa
which in his time, stretched from Baler,
Quezon (formerly Tayabas), Batangas, La-
guna to Mindoro, Marinduque, Alabat and
Polillo Islands. …
It was said many times that the man, Bishop
Verzosa, never lost his cool despite the de-
manding task of shepherding a very large
area. He was ever the brother to his confreres,
especially with the priests who served with
him in the diocese of Lipa.”
The Verzosas are looking forward to June
27 in Vigan Cathedral. We hope that besides
Cardinal Rosales, Archbishop Ernesto
Salgado and Fr. Ericson Josue, many other
bishops and priests will join us for the Eu-
charistic celebration in memory of a holy
man, nevermore to be forgotten.
For copies of his biography “Alfredo
Verzosa, Opispo”, contact Sr. Pilar at 0920-
945-5494.
DADITAMA / A6
Issues and Concerns
It may have caught fire and gained adher-
ence had petroleum prices remained the same
and there was no price crisis in rice and other
commodities.
Who would dare visit tourist spots today
and spend hard-earned money?
Granted, for the sake of argument, that mil-
lions of tourists who flock to tourist spots
and spend millions of pesos in resorts and
allied services are able to prop up the
economy—but would the gains in tourism
be able to quantify in peso terms the missed
opportunities of not having instilled the right
sense of History and Nationalism among our
young people?
If we cannot even have our sense of His-
tory, how can we expect our pupils and stu-
dents to value nationalism? No wonder most
of them would rather go abroad and stay
there for good after acquiring foreign citi-
zenship.
In America, they have never altered their
4 th of July celebration to 3rd or 5th of July due
to holiday economics, not even during their
recession years.
Their Memorial Day is always their Me-
morial Day. Well, this is not the United States
of America, if that’s any consolation at all.
The world pressured Myanmar’s military
junta to give in and allow the rescue and aid
operations to proceed.
As if guided by an unseen help, Burma /
Myanmar’s election and the release of Aung
San Suu Kyi was due this last week of May.
All Western democracies who have been
working for the return of democracy in
Myanmar were seen by the Military Junta as
their greatest threat in affecting the results of
the election.
Now that the election results are out with
the Military Junta declared the winner, they
are starting to open their doors to foreign
aid.
In the recent personal trip of U.N. Secre-
tary General Ban Ki Moon to Yangon, Burma’s
Premier assured him that they will welcome
any help but with the condition that no mili-
tary ships will be used to deliver the cargo.
Getting the true picture of the condition of
the people in Myanmar, Ms Carol Daria, a
lay missionary of Fondacio in Myanmar,
brought with her a documentary of the de-
struction of Yangon caused by cyclone
Nargis. It was also timely that she was sched-
uled to accompany 7 scholars of Fondacio
Philippines, ready with their airline tickets.
They are now here but Carole Daria, a
graduate in Masters in Industrial Relations,
has a permanent commitment as a trainer and
lay formator to serve the Archdiocese of
Yangon under Archbishop Charles Bo, the
President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference
of Myanmar.
Fondacio Philippines will receive any cash
donation for remittance to the Archdiocese
since goods are not sure to be received by the
victims. All cash contributions will be given
to the Archdiocese of Yangon. Contact Ms.
Maricar Ocdol, Country Head, Fondacio Phil-
ippines at 922-9834.
A5
Rev. Euly B. Belizar, SThD
By the Roadside
Giving at the heart of
loving, God’s and
ours
IN the nineties I was at NYC for research and vacation. Like
many others, I often took the cheapest and fastest mode of travel—
the subway train. The first time I took the D train to Fordham
Universtiy to do research there, I didn’t think it would take a
long time to reach the place. I was wrong. Between nine thirty
and ten o’ clock in the morning there were a few passengers and
subway travel seemed so slow.
Then on one of the empty seats not far from me I noticed a
copy of a newspaper (The New York Times, I think) of the day.
Somebody left it there. I was so glad he or she did because I not
only got a break from the boredom of waiting but also spent my
time rather fruitfully.
When I got off the train I thought of the person who left the
newspaper and how generous he/she was to do so. (I later real-
ized a lot more New Yorkers are wont to leave the daily papers
they had read on a train seat, maybe out of consideration for
other interested readers or, more to the point, they simply didn’t
want to add one more burden to the bags etc. that they are
already carrying.)
Then something different happened the next time I took the
D train. I noticed a young man sitting near me, looking intently
at the paper I was reading.
Thereupon I remembered the person who left a copy of the
Times which I enjoyed reading on my first trip and I gave the
paper to the young man who smiled at me gratefully. He was
trying to return it to me when I stood to get off the train but I
knew he wanted to read more.
I said he could have it, that I was done reading it. It was my
tribute to the person who did the same thing to me. I received
a gift. I thought that the proper thing to do was to give a gift in
return.
Scriptures tell us how God’s love is basically experienced as
‘giving’ and ‘gift’, his people being anything but deserving (just
like me on that D train that morning).
For example, the book of Exodus tells us how God trans-
formed Israel from a non-entity into what God himself describes
to Moses as “my special possession dearer to me than all other
people” and a “kingdom of priests, a holy people” (Ex 19:6).
We note that Israel had done absolutely nothing to deserve
it. All this was pure gift. St. Paul’s letter to the Romans rein-
forces even more this message.
Not only have we done nothing to deserve God’s love but we
have done almost everything to oppose to it, namely, sin. But
God’s love in Jesus Christ has been poured out on us even more.
“Christ,” St. Paul says, “while we were still helpless, yet
died at the appointed time for the ungodly.
Indeed, only with difficulty does one die for a just person,
though perhaps for a good person one might even find courage
to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we were yet
sinners Christ died for us…” (Rom 5:8).
I once heard a song that said, “Loving you is easy ‘cause
you’re beautiful” expressing the nature of human love as con-
ditioned very often by attractiveness. Indeed God’s ways are
not our ways because, in our case, God’s love did not even
require our attractiveness.
In fact, we have been anything but attractive because of our
sins; still, God shocks us when he gave us himself completely in
his Son Jesus who does God’s giving by dying on the cross for
us. We were alienated from God by sin, resulting in our separa-
tion from him, a condition that St. Paul calls “the wrath”.
Yet, again without any merit on our part, he has given us
reconciliation in Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.
“Indeed, if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to
God through the death of his Son, how much more, once recon-
ciled, will we be saved by his life” (Rom 5:10).
On the other side of the coin, God’s self-giving to his people
cannot remain unanswered. My high school seminary spiritual
director would often quote a Spanish saying that stuck in my
memory: “Amor con amor se paga” (Love is paid by love).
Since love is essentially giving, we answer God’s love by our
own giving of ourselves to him by way of taking up the evan-
gelizing mission.
This is the core of Matthew’s gospel message in which Jesus
instructs his disciples whom he sends out in mission: “Without
cost you have received, without cost you are to give” (Mt 10:8).
I believe this is the essence of being an apostle then and now,
namely, being sent out to freely give the Good News we have
been freely given. Fundamentally the greatest gift we have
received is Jesus himself. He is the gospel, the Good News him-
self, the Word made flesh.
The disciples could “cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lep-
ers, drive out demons” because Jesus is present among them
and that it is Jesus they are really proclaiming who does these
things through them.
He is the gift that can only be given as gift. Curing the sick,
raising the dead, cleansing lepers, driving out demons often
strike us as literal deeds. But we also cure the sick when we give
our time to listen to someone pour out a problem.
We also raise the dead when we give words of consolation
that raises a person from the death of despair or reprove some-
one who is steeped in worldly pleasures and the lure of money
or power into taking the way of the cross, the way of joyfully
giving till it hurts, the way of going counter-cultural such as in
loving the enemy or in living simply so that others may simply
live, namely, the ways of the gospel.
We also cleanse lepers when we lead someone to conversion,
for then the basest form of leprosy—which is sin—meets the
best (and only) cure—divine mercy.
We also drive out demons when we fight the evil of war,
terror, environmental abuse and all forms of violence born of
hatred, poverty and injustice, disrespect for life and discrimina-
tion against persons for reasons of race, religion or gender,
especially when we choose to do so with Christian love, service
and solidarity. I once read Oscar Hammerstein’s lyrics to a song
that seems in point:
A bell is not a bell until you ring it;
A song is not a song until you sing it;
And love in your heart wasn’t put there to stay;’
Love isn’t love until you give it away.
 CBCP Monitor
A6 Local News Vol. 12 No. 11
May 26 - June 8, 2008

Lack of basic gov't services New Jesuit provincial to

haunts countryside, says NRC
LACK of basic government ser-
vices including access to credit
have all hindered the projected
growth that was expected with
the agrarian reform program.
This was revealed during the
regional consultations in prepa-
ration for the Second National
Rural Congress (NRC2).
The regional consultation was
held in Jaro, Iloilo for Western
Visayas and Romblon. Other con-
sultations were held in Central
and Eastern Visayas as three
more regional consultations will
be held in northern and southern
assume office in June
there are still a lot of problems THE Society of Jesus General, Fr.
on rural development, poverty Adolfo Nicolas, appointed Fr.
in the countryside including the Jose Cecilio “Jojo” Magadia as the
long and lasting effects of the in- new Provincial Superior of Phil-
creasing prices of prime com- ippine Jesuit Province, May 9.
modities. Magadia will assume office
“People still complain of lack sometime in early June, accord-
of basic government services ing to a Jesuit communiqué.
such as education and health Magadia succeeds Fr Daniel
which continue to haunt the ru- Patrick L. Huang, SJ, who was ap-
ral folk,” Ledesma said. pointed as one of General Coun-
He said the consultations re- selors of Father General Nicolas,
vealed that people still need sup- and Regional Assistant for East
port services to make agrarian Asia and Oceania a few months
reform effective along with ago.
credit facilities and development In his letter, Fr. General asks
in the Philippine Province and its
apostolates.
The new Jesuit provincial was
born on 19 Dec 1960. He entered
the Society of Jesus in 1980 and
graduated in Philosophy at the
Ateneo de Manila University
(ADMU) in 1985. He was or-
dained to the priesthood in 1991
and took his final vows in 2003.
He has a Ph. D. in Political Sci-
ence (Major in Comparative Poli-
tics, Minor in Political Theory)
from Columbia University.
Among the many hats he has
worn as Jesuit are—English

© NRC2 Secretariat
Luzon while the Mindanao-wide of marketing linkages. Huang to extend his “thanks and teacher (Xavier University High
consultation will be held from “The rural folk needs all the encouragement to Magadia as he School); parish priest (Mabuhay,
June 9-12, 2008, all in time for the information they could get on prepares to assume this very im- Zamboanga del Sur); Associate
coming national event in July. sustainable agriculture to make portant service to the universal Dean (ADMU); and rector and
Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, them less dependent on chemi- Society, and to his Jesuit breth- formator at Loyola House of Stud-
S.J., Second National Rural Con- cal and petroleum-based farm ren and all your lay colleagues ies, Quezon City. (CBCPNews)
gress chairman, in an interview inputs,” the prelate further said. ties which received support were mentation. “The problem is not
over Catholic-run Veritas 846 at Asked of the success rate of the more successful compared to those with the intention of the law but
the CMN-Veritas produced
Veritas Pilipinas early Thursday
morning said the participants
widely-publicized Agrarian Re-
form Communities, Ledesma said
“during the time of Secretary
who did not receive support.”
The prelate said there’s a need
to review the agrarian reform law
in the implementation when lands
are distributed without appropri-
ate support services,” Ledesma
Prelate warns worsening
were almost in one in saying (Ernesto) Garilao, the communi- as there were failures in its imple- said. (Melo M. Acuña)
corruption until 2010
Granted WYD pilgrim visa still low; embassy sets deadline THE Arroyo administration’s transparency and accountability,
avowed drive versus corruption to realistically hope to recover
in the government are far from from the stain of graft and cor-
what many had been expecting, ruption, would be too much. It
BARELY a week before its end-of-May dead- grims is free of charge, the low statistics is cial matters are undoubtedly a major con- according to a Catholic prelate. has become so discredited,” the
line, the Australian Embassy has granted only attributed primarily to the financial require- cern for them to fulfill even before applying Lingayen-Dagupan Arch- senior prelate said.
at least 600 visa applications from Catholic youths ment the entire WYD registration entails. for their visas,” he said. bishop Oscar Cruz said it’s the “To say otherwise would not
from around the country vying to be part of the According to Garganta, an individual pil- He, however, said that the Australian Em- government still that left its door only be incredible but would be
23rd World Youth Day (WYD) this July. grim vying to fly to Sydney, Australia this July bassy will surely receive and grant additional wide open to corruption. a big lie. And the reason for this
The figure, provided by the Embassy yes- to be part of the 23rd WYD needs at least US visa applications as the deadline nears. He said the current is, I think, a good number of Fili-
terday, shows a relatively low turn out of $1,800 to cover his expenses during the event, For its part, the Embassy had just an- administration’s performance pinos, by and large, know the
applications considering that it already in- adding that the estimate will not even cover nounced that it cannot guarantee visa appli- has been nothing more than just reality here. But in addition to
cludes the 56 visas granted to delegates rep- the pilgrim’s allowance for contingencies. cations made after May 31. to ensure political survival. that, this is a foreign-based, for-
resenting the Episcopal Commission on In this estimate, Garganta said at least US $1,400 “It is important to remember that the Aus- Cruz even predicted that the eign-funded organization that is
Youth (ECY) of the CBCP. will be spent for the air fare alone while at least tralian Immigration Department cannot guar- problem on corruption would consequently credible when it
“The statistics provided by the Embassy is US $369 will cover the registration fee, accom- antee applications lodged after June 1, 2008. just be getting worse as the 2010 comes to the evaluation of a lo-
considerably low, considering that the deadline modation, meals, transportation and taxes. If this is the case for you, this means you will deadline for President Arroyo’s cal situation,” Cruz said.
is fast approaching,” said Fr. Conegundo “It has always been a problem for WYD not be able to come to Australia for WYD term nears. TI regional director Pascal
Garganta, executive secretary of the CBCP-ECY. pilgrim applicants complying with the finan- 08,” the Embassy said in the official website After all, he said, what can the Fabie said nothing has changed
Although visa application for WYD pil- cial requirements of the processing. Finan- of the WYD 08. (Kris Bayos) people expect with a national in the year since the agency last
leadership hounded with series rated the corruption perception
of corruption cases. in the Arroyo government.
Visayas after tropical storm “It (corruption) will not de- It can be recalled that in the

Church to assist ‘Cosme’ victims

THE Church’s social action
apostolate is also taking part in
the humanitarian efforts of vari-
ous groups, and running to the
aid of the population struck by
the fury of storm ‘Cosme.’
The National Secretariat for
Social Action of the Catholic Bish-
ops’ Conference of the Philip-
pines said they would do every-
thing possible to “bring essential
aid immediately.”
Ms. Elvie Manalansan, Nassa’s
project coordinator for relief and
rehabilitation, said they are just
waiting reports from the affected
dioceses before starting their re-
lief operations.
From there, she said, they
would be able to make assess-
ment on the extent of need a par-
ticular affected diocese deserves.
“The basis of our response
will be based from the report
of our social action coordina-
tors,” she said at “The Forum,”
a Church-sponsored media dis-
cussion.
Ms. Manansan said they would
usually give rice for immediate
relief efforts. She said they would
tap the National Food Authority
for faster rice distribution to ar-
eas hit by the storm.
She said they would also dis-
tribute canned goods, noodles
and other “ready to eat” foods
including medicines.
At least13 people were killed
across northern Luzon and the
Cosme battered the country over
the weekend.
The National Disaster Coordi-
nating Council reported that the
storm that caused flooding and
landslides and surges in 203
towns in Pangasinan, Zambales,
La Union, Cordillera and Negros
Occidental which affected a total
of 34, 810 families.
Placed under state of calamity
due to the havoc brought by the
storm were the provinces of
Pangasinan, Zambales and
Baguio City. (CBCPNews)
crease. It has been happening for a
long time and it will only worsen.
The ruling administration, reach-
ing the year 2010, will try its best
to be able to govern beyond 2010,”
Cruz told Church reporters.
Cruz made the comment a day
after Transparency International
(TI), the leading global non-govern-
mental organization devoted to
combating corruption, said that
such crisis in the country has relent-
lessly worsened over the past year.
“This present government, be-
cause of its very poor record in
2007 TI’s Corruption Perception
Index, the Philippines had a rat-
ing of 2.5, making it to the top
list of the nations perceived to be
the most corrupt in the world.
“Nothing has changed or im-
proved from a year ago. The re-
sults of our previous report are still
very much applicable,” Fabie said.
The group noted the numerous
scandals that the government has
been allegedly involved in such
as the national broadband net-
work project and the cyber edu-
cation program. (CBCPNews)

Quake / A1 Tidbits / A4

Lagdameo, the president of the Catholic Bish- Pope Benedict XVI designated May 24 as Solidarity with China and Burma will be vicar does not enjoy a more stable cleric. Much of these problems, I
ops’ Conference of the Philippines, said in a the Day of Prayer for the Catholic Church in the special intention of the Mass to be pre- stay in the parish since he may believe can be traced back to the
May 16 circular. China and composed a prayer to Our Lady sided by Rosales on Sunday, May 25, the So- be removed by the competent antiquated mentality of consid-
He urged for financial help from parishes, Help of Christians who is venerated at the lemnity of the Corpus Christi, at the Sta. Cruz authority from his assignment ering the parish as a benefice.
educational institutions and religious congre- Marian Shrine at Seshan, about 40 kilome- Church in Manila at 3:30 p.m. for a just cause. As regards the first issue, much
gations. ters from Shanghai. “Let us continue to pray for our suffering However, despite effort to of the possible conflicts can be
“Let generosity flow out of compassion for “Furthermore, as a concrete expression of brothers and sisters in China,” said Rosales. clarify and delineate the respec- avoided if the parish has a finance
the victims of the destructive natural calami- our solidarity and sympathy, we once again In Jaro, Iloilo, the contributions may be tive functions of the stakeholders council as mandated by can. 537.
ties and as a humble petition that we may be request that a second collection be made at submitted to the Oeconomus Office or to the in the parish ministry, instances Although the parish priest is the
spared from similar destruction,” Lagdameo all Masses in the parishes, shrines and the Archdiocesan Social Action Center office and of disagreements and conflicts administrator of the goods of the
said. communities in the Archdiocese of Manila in Manila all the collections will be remitted between the parish priest and the parish, the finance council could
In a separate circular dated May 21, Rosales on Sunday, June 1, 2008, for the victims of the to the Treasury Department of the Archdio- assistant do still occur. This could give invaluable insight and ad-
said, “We are deeply saddened by the recent earthquake,” Rosales said. cese. be minimized if not totally vice on financial matters. It does
calamities that struck our neighboring Asian Cardinal also sent parish priests, shrine Later the contributions will be sent to the avoided if clerics call to mind the not detract from his authority.
countries. Myanmar has not yet recovered rectors, and chaplains a copy of the Prayer of victims through the Social Action Centers of exhortations of Vatican II Rather, it will be a great relief
from the effects of the cyclone when a strong Pope to Our Lady of Sheshan, which will be the Episcopal Conferences of Myanmar and (Presbyterorum Ordinis, 8) which for the pastor if he would be
earthquake struck Chengdu, China.” used in Manila archdiocese to pray on June 1. Southwest China. (CBCPNews) is echoed in Canon 275 par. 1 helped in the economic adminis-
which states: ‘Since all clerics are tration of the parish. This will
Capital / A1 working for the same purpose, remove the cloud of doubt re-
“progressing.” Two days after, eight people, including five children died after namely, the building up of the garding the use of the parish
“Death penalty is not a solution. There are many detainees in the gunmen opened fire at four homes in Calamba, Laguna. body of Christ, they are to be funds and is in fact a big step to-
maximum security facility, including those facing the death penalty, San Pablo (Laguna) Bishop Leo Drona described the incidents as united with one another in the wards transparency in the finan-
but we still do not see improvements in our society,” he said over the work of criminals “worse than animals.” bond of brotherhood and prayer. cial affairs in the parish.
Church-run Radio Veritas. Drona called on the authorities to speed up its investigation and They are to seek to cooperate with As to the question on remu-
“One solution lay with the family, with the emphasis on the value ensure justice is committed for the victims and their families. one another, in accordance with neration, canon 281 par. 1 is quite
and the sacredness of life among its members,” said Aniceto. Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad echoed the same sentiment, saying the provisions of particular law.’ emphatic in expressing that since
The Pampanga archbishop also reiterated the Church’s position that the immediate resolution of the case if the best remedy. The cooperation and joint pas- clerics dedicate themselves to the
that only God can take away what he gave to man via a natural death. Marbel Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez, for his part, tagged Zubiri’s toral action of the parish priest and ecclesiastical ministry, they de-
At least 10 persons were killed when still unidentified men robbed proposal as “anti-life and anti-love.” the assistant is regulated by the serve the remuneration that be-
the Rizal Commercial Bank Corporation in Cabuyao, Laguna on The death penalty law was last abolished on June 24, 2006 by Presi- obligation incumbent upon the fits their condition. I think the
May 16. dent Arroyo to serve as her gift to Pope Benedict XVI, whom she was assistant to report to the parish basic question that confronts us
The incident immediately drew condemnation from various to visit the very next day. priest regularly on all pastoral ini- is how much is the remuneration
Church and government officials with Zubiri calling for the revival As a result the sentences of the 1,200 inmates on death row were tiatives both planned and already that befits the condition of the
of the death penalty law. commuted to life imprisonment. (Roy Lagarde) undertaken in the parish. In this cleric. One of the basic and pri-
way they can truly work together, mary considerations to take here
Outcry / A1 Assumptionists / A1 Nomads / A1 by common counsel and effort for is that such remuneration should
the good of the flock entrusted to be viewed in the light of the spe-
Ledesma said the current call preciate if Mrs. Arroyo will come ers, lay people and others are show- the Samal-Bajau cultural ele- their care. In many parishes the cial vocation of the priesthood—
of the Catholic Bishops’ Confer- out in public and admit her fail- ing greater interest to initiate and ments and comprehensive pro- laudable practice has been estab- a sacred ministry which cannot
ence of the Philippines for CARP ings,” said Banayo. facilitate efforts to take care of no- gram for the welfare of the no- lished whereby the parish priest be reduced to something of a
extension “no matter how imper- She said they are only asking mads pastorally, said Rosso. mads were established. and the assistant meet together on purely economic nature. Besides,
fect” is based on constitutional for accountability on the part of Many others have also extended In addition, a Comprehensive a regular basis to discuss the pas- the canon establishes the general
provision for “social reform.” Mrs. Arroyo. “We are tired of her their support for the cause of no- Problem Analysis and Program- toral concerns of the parish. parameter on this regard namely:
Militant party-list groups lies, we want the truth to come mads including 30 concerned part- ming was intended to serve as a Although the assistant may not the nature of his office and the
Gabriela, Bayan Muna and out,” added Banayo. ners coming from Claret Samal baseline data for the third Assem- act independently, he should be circumstances of time and place.
Anakpawis have filed last year Banayo also clarified that As- Foundation, Inc., Community Ex- bly and meant to improve the pro- encouraged to keep up to his zest This problem can be lessened
the GARB that would replace the sumption College in Davao is not tension Services of Notre Dame of grams and efforts of the organiza- for pastoral initiatives. As it is, if the diocese will establish a stan-
CARP of 1988. a sister school of Assumption in Jolo College, Asia Foundation, tions committed to address the the pastor should be solicitous of dardized remuneration scheme
The pending bill also known Makati City where Mrs. Arroyo Catholic Relief Services, Asisi plight of the Samal-Bajaus. the inputs and contribution of his for clerics as already practiced in
as “An Act Instituting Genuine is an alumnae, belonging to class Foundation, Peace Advocates During the meeting, partici- assistant in the parish ministry some dioceses. It would even be
Agrarian Reform in the Country ‘64. Zamboanga, Lumah Ma Dilaut: pants discussed to come up with and make him a participant in the better if the diocese makes pro-
and Creating the Mechanism For “Our school is separate and in- Center for Living Traditions, Na- a document on the recent Bajau pastoral activities in the parish. visions for the social welfare of
its Implementation and Other dependent from that of Manila. tional Commission on Indigenous cultural condition in the south- The most common cause of the clergy such as illness, medi-
Purposes.” The school in Manila is managed People-Region IX, ARMM, Notre ern Philippines. conflict between pastor and the cal needs and old age. These are
The bill emphasizes free land by the Religious Sisters of the Dame of Mapun, Apostolic Vicari- The most significant output of parochial vicar is the question of the main reason why most cler-
distribution to deserving farmer Assumption while the school ate of Jolo, Maluso Bajau People’s the gathering was to achieve a draft finances be it a question of han- ics, especially the diocesan clergy
beneficiaries and the dismantling here in Davao is managed by the Organization, National Sama of the Assembly’s vision, which dling of parish funds, or, the eq- can at times be overly concerned
of land monopoly now prevalent Missionary of the Assumption Badjao Movement, and Sama will strengthen the unity and uitable remuneration of the with money matters.
in the country. (With reports Sisters,” she said. (Mark S. Bajau Tribal Group. deepen the pastoral commitment
from Roy Lagarde) Ventura) In the past, documentation of for nomads. (CBCPNews)
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 11
May 26 - June 8, 2008 Features A7

DIOCESAN NEWS BRIEFS

Rid us of illegal gambling, appeals prelate
PAGADIAN City—Bishop Emmanuel Cabajar urged authori-
ties to stop all forms of gambling here, saying the “primary
victims of this immoral and scandalous form of exploitation
are the poor.” He said no illegal gambling would thrive
without the “blessings” of public officials. (Wendell
Talibong)

Bishop urges dioceses to establish IP desk

DIGOS City—Bishop Guillermo Afable urged other dioceses
to establish a separate Indigenous Peoples’ (IP) ministry desk
that will take a special concern on the plight of the tribal
communities. He said that dioceses should come up with a
desk for the indigenous people so that there will be on-go-
ing monitoring and programs to be implemented. (Mark
Ventura)

Lanao governor: Bishop-Ulama needed in peace efforts

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte— Governor Khalid Dimaporo said
the bishops and ulamas play an important role in promoting
lasting peace in his province and other neighboring areas.
He said, “We must have continuous dialogue between bish-
ops and ulamas because of the support they get from their
respective flocks.” (Wendell Talibong)

© Dodong Flores
Catarman marks Pentecost
CATARMAN, N. Samar—Over 6,000 delegates from various
parishes of the Catarman diocese attended the Pentecost 2008
celebration held here recently. The parishes take turns in
hosting the annual diocesan celebration just like in nearby
diocese of Borongan in E. Samar where the diocesan Pente-

Clergy plays important role in cost celebration was started in 1987. (Santosh Digal)

Prelate to priests: Issue practical liturgical guides

OZAMIS City—Archbishop Jesus Dosado has called on his

church patrimony conservation

the local presbyterium (local college of priests) to formulate
a practical guide for Eucharistic celebrations. The prelate said
the church should be able to preserve liturgical practices and
hand them over the next generation. (Wendell Talibong)

Church to collect leftover food to feed the poor

THE clergy has an important
“pastoral function of documen-
tation and conservation of church
patrimony.”
This was underscored by Pro-
fessor Regalado “Ricky” T. Jose,
a member of the permanent com-
mission of the CBCP’s Commit-
tee for the Cultural Heritage of
the Church in a two-day seminar-
workshop for the local clergy,
religious, seminarians and lay
church workers.
The seminar-workshop was
held recently at the Aula of
Nuestra Senora de Caridad, in
Vigan City, convened by Arch-
bishop Ernesto A. Salgado to “re-
vitalize the Church Heritage
Ministry” in the Archdiocese of
Nueva Segovia.
Professor Jose talked about the
Basics of Church Heritage, in
time for the monthly meeting of
the archdiocesan clergy. He said
“in addition to the churches,
ecclesiastical museums, libraries
and archives are likewise to be
used primarily for evangeliza-
tion of the faithful.”
A power point presentation on
the state of Catholic structures in
Ilocos raised interest and concern
over the expressions of steward-
ship or lack of it by priests assigned
to their respective parishes.
During the open forum, the
clergy manifested their positive
attitude even as they noted some
well-meaning although “mis-
guided intervention” in the res-
toration of local churches and
other ecclesiastical structures.
Hands-on documentation
workshops were also held at the
Nueva Segovia museum and the
Silver Room of the Archbishop’s
Residence.
All the participants agreed to
call for a revitalized and more
vigilant Commission on Church
Heritage, the formal training of
priests in the ministry and the
inclusion of the subject of Church
Conservation in the Immaculate
Conception School of Theology.
Professor Jose observed the
need for more education and in-
CEBU City—Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal negotiated
formation campaigns on the
with hotel and restaurant owners that they be allowed to col-
proper implementation of the
lect their leftover (unserved) food, for repacking and distribu-
Church’s guidelines on the con-
tion to the poorest of the poor families here. The move is in
servation of her rich and vast
response to the mounting number of impoverished families
heritages.
knocking at the kitchen doors of the churches. (Ike Durano II)
The Archdiocese of Nueva
Segovia has a unique patrimony
IPs finally receive land title
which includes two of four Ba-
DIPOLOG City—After a long wait, 270 individuals from
roque Churches in the Philip-
Canatuan town received their Certificates of Ancestral Do-
pines included in UNESCO’s
main titles from the Nat’l Commission on Indigenous People
World Heritage Sites, the Church
on May 26. Mr. Tito Fiel of the DOPIM Committee on Min-
of the Assumption in Sta. Maria,
ing Issue said the recipients came from 10 villages of Siocon,
Ilocos Sur and the St. Augustine
this City. (Wendell Talibong)
church in Paoay, Ilocos Norte.
Vigan City, seat of the Arch-
Missionary notes humility as vital in mission
diocese of Nueva Segovia, is it-
self on the same World Heritage DAVAO City—Mission Society of the Philippines Mindanao
coordinator Fr Edward Edpalina noted humility as impera-
list. (Fran Quitoriano)
tive in mission works in order to become effective in mak-
ing Christ known to all. He said that one of the roadblocks in
mission is humiliation. “Missionaries are prone to being

Bishop to bishops: Fight hard vs. corruption

humiliated, sometimes are considered outcast in their re-
spective mission areas.” (Mark Ventura)

KC Visayas to launch livelihood projects

VICAR Apostolic-emeritus of Bontoc-Lagawe
Francisco Claver said the Catholic Church
should do more to fight corruption and push
economies that put people’s needs ahead of
selfish gains.
Claver said the gains of democracy could
easily be wiped out if the Church with the
help of the civil society will not renew their
resolve to fight the ogre of corruption espe-
cially in the government.
It is a fact, he said, that poor people are
getting poorer because of corruption and the
country wasted opportunities for growth
because of it.
“The Church could do something just to
stop corruption, so that these money of cor-
ruption could go to the poor for the develop-
ment of all,” Claver told CBCPNews.
The 79-year old prelate said it’s sad that
corruption in the country is still prevalent
despite Church’s never-ending teachings
about morality in public governance.
He said corruption has increased due to public
cynicism, so greater and wide efforts are needed
to foil, monitor and prosecute corruption.
“It’s sad to say that corruption here last
years and years and nothing is being done
even though the bishops are teaching pains-
takingly the authentic Christian love that
people must do,” Claver said.
So Claver said the bishops still have to
make stronger stand against corruption, add-
ing that it has very detrimental effects on the
country’s poor people.
He stressed such problem is a moral issue that
bishops must address and they must take a stron-
ger stand on what’s going on in the government.
Claver said the Church should not only
give guidance but also provide leadership so
that people will be properly guided.
In its earlier statement, the Catholic Bish-
ops’ Conference of the Philippines lamented
that corruption has become a “pervading can-
cer” that has spread “from top to bottom of
society and government.”
“As we evaluate them, the people at the
top are the corruptors and it seems that noth-
ing could stop them,” Claver said.
The matter, he said, must serve as a chal-
lenge to all and not just by entirely relying it
to the Church people.
Claver said the real motivation to fight
corruption has to come from all of us.
He also said such problem has become so in-
grained that the fainthearted cannot imagine that
the problem can be eradicated or even contained.
Bp. Francisco Claver, SJ
That precisely, is according to Claver, why
the fight has to be systematic and persistent
to flush out the masters of pay-offs and
crooked officials blocking economy growth.
“Let us talk about how to correct this…
talk about the basic of everything and about
the basic of everything and about to practice
without corruption. It has to be done! We can
do something about this issue,” Claver
stressed. (CBCPNews)
CEBU City—The Visayas State jurisdiction of the Knights of
Columbus (KC) in the Philippines is moving towards mak-
ing members self-reliant through livelihood projects. This
was one of the projects proposed by Visayas State Deputy
Dionisio Esteban, Jr., in his report during the 7th Visayas
State Convention held May 16-18, this city. “We will create a
livelihood projects committee that may be tasked to study
and implement this project.” (CBCPNews)
Rid Lipa of STL, prelate appeals
LIPA City—Archbishop Ramon Arguelles urged Batangas
Gov. Vilma Santos, in a letter, to junk the operation of small
town lotteries in their province. “I beg for a positive assur-
ance, in consonance with your declared commitment, that
officially sanctioned gambling be terminated,” the letter read.
Political will, he said, is needed to address the problem. (Fr.
Nonie Dolor)
Christian, Muslim youth together in youth camp
ZAMBOANGA City— The Peace Advocates Zamboanga
(PAZ), a Catholic peace advocacy group, led another effort
to bolster ties among Christian and Muslim youths in
Mindanao trough a summer youth camp recently. “Through
this camp, we want you to build a stronger link of friendship
needed to build stronger and harmonious communities,”
said PAZ President Claretian Fr. Angel Calvo. (Santosh Digal)
Bishop bucks same-sex marriage
TAGBILARAN City—Tagbilaran Bishop Leonardo Medroso
added his voice to the critics of same-sex marriage, defend-
ing marriage as an exclusive union between a man and a

Bishop against Esperon posting

woman. He said same-sex marriage contradicts the clear

Bishop calls
teaching of the Church on marriage and sexuality. He also
said that marriage is to be confined to a man and woman in

Laguna killings at peace counsel holy matrimony. (CBCPNews)

a ‘deep shame’
SHORT of saying that there’s is a
breakdown of morals, a Catholic
bishop said the bloodbaths that
took place in Laguna province is
a ‘deep shame’ for a predomi-
nantly Catholic place.
San Pablo Bishop Leo Drona
said he regrets it so much and feel
ashamed that it happened right
in his diocese despite their efforts
to teach about morality.
“It’s a deep shame, and of course,
a regret that such huge crimes are
happening in our diocese. I think
that’s a sign that many are loosing
the sense of respect for life and hu-
man rights,” he said.
Drona, however, claimed the
Church never failed to teach mo-
rality and preach to the faithful
about the Gospel.
“There are really factors that
are already beyond our control. I
don’t see that the Church lacked
efforts about this,” he said.
But the bishop assured that be-
Bp. Leo Drona, SDB
cause of what could be the country’s
most murderous week in years, the
more the Church will preach about
respect for human life.
“I’ve already talked to my
priests. I’ve talked to my cat-
echists and teachers of the dioc-
esan schools to always talk about
respect for life, respect for the
rights of others,” Drona said.
At least 10 persons were killed
when still unidentified men
robbed the Rizal Commercial
Bank Corporation in Cabuyao,
Laguna Friday morning.
Two days after, eight people,
including five children died af-
ter a lone gunman opened fire at
four homes in Calamba, Laguna.
(CBCPNews)
A ROMAN Catholic bishop ex-
pressed opposition over the ap-
pointment of former AFP chief
Gen. Hermogenes Esperon as the
new Presidential Adviser on the
Peace Process.
Catholic Bishops’ Conference
of the Philippines Public Affairs
Committee chair Bishop
Deogracias Iñiguez said he has
“genuine reservations” over Mr.
Esperon’s new post.
Iñiguez said his opposition is
on the premise that the military
official had been linked to con-
troversies like the extra-judicial
killings and the so-called “Hello
Garci” scandal.
Mr. Esperon was appointed
chief-of-staff on July 21, 2006, re-
placing Generoso Senga.
Along with three other gener-
als, he is mentioned in the “Hello
Garci” tapes, which according to
the opposition, was proof that
Mrs. Arroyo cheated her way to
presidency.
He also said that under
Esperon’s term as AFP chief, the
Arroyo administration’s human
rights record deteriorated.
“Basing from there, we can
(surmise) that he is an anti-peace
person,” he said. “Personally I
have great reservations over his
appointment.”
Iñiguez is also a member of the
Philippines Ecumenical Peace
Platform (PEPP) which includes
representatives of the Roman
Catholic, Aglipayan and Protes-
tant Churches.
For the bishop, Esperon’s ap-
pointment is but a political payoff
for his perceived loyalty to Presi-
dent Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Malacañang recently formally
announced the appointment of
Esperon as the President’s new
peace adviser, replacing Jesus
Dureza who was appointed press
secretary.
Outgoing Press Secretary
Ignacio Bunye, meanwhile, has
been appointed by the President
to the Monetary Board, the cen-
tral bank’s policy-making body.
(CBCPNews)
Church, NGO alarmed over children in armed conflict
DAVAO City—The Catholic Church here as well as the
KABIBA Alliance for Children’s Concerns are alarmed on
the rising number of children affected by armed conflict and
development aggression in war-torned Mindanao.
Archdiocesan IP Apostolate coordinator Glenn Olea said the
on-going militarization in the hinterlands is undeniably af-
fecting not only the safety of the children but also their well-
being. (Mark Ventura)
Bishop applauds P20 wage hike
ANTIPOLO City—A Catholic bishop has lauded the P20 in-
crease in the minimum wage, saying that the extra money can
somehow have a ripple effect on many workers. Antipolo
Auxiliary Bishop Francisco de Leon said that with the recent
salary hike in NCR, ordinary wage earner can now have a
little more in their paychecks to help pay for basic necessities.
Prelate calls on his flock: Defend, Uphold the Eu-
charist
OZAMIZ City—Archbishop Jesus Dosado, CM has called on
his flock to defend and uphold the Eucharist at all cost. In his
homily during his Mass on the Solemnity of the Body and
Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi), the prelate said the Church
has both the right and sacred duty to defend and uphold the
Eucharist by following the precepts of the Holy Mass and
reveal the deep faith and worship of the Holy Eucharist.
(Wendell Talibong)
 CBCP Monitor
A8 People, Facts & Places Vol. 12 No. 11
May 26 - June 8, 2008

New seminary building

to rise in Ozamiz City
THE Catholic bishops of
Dipolog, Ozamis, Pagadian,
Iligan and Marawi decided to con-
struct a new building at the St.
Mary’s Theologate Seminary
complex at Barangay Gango,
Ozamis City.
In an interview with
CBCPNews Saint Mary’s
Theologate (SMT) Seminary’s
Rector Fr. Severo Caermare said
the ground-breaking ceremony
for the future site was made last
May 9, 2008 with a para-liturgi-
cal rite led by Pagadian Bishop
Emmanuel Cabajar, CSsR,
bishop-in-charge of the facility.
The ceremony was also wit-
nessed by Archbishop Jesus
Dosado, Marawi Bishop Edwin
dela Peña, and some local priests
and religious.
Caemare said the new build-
ing will rise in front of the old
SMT building. He added they
have already prepared a program
for the major seminary and the
seminarians will temporarily use
the old SMT building during the
construction period.
He said he doesn’t know the
total amount of the project or
where the funds will come from.
(Wendell Talibong)

Lipa inaugurates ‘healing’

© CBCP NASSA

facility for women

Manila Archdiocese to in- MANILA Archbishop Gau-
dencio Cardinal Rosales pre-
sided over the inauguration
Mass of the “house center” fa-
for the Good Shepherd Contem-
plative Sisters who will manage
the facility.
Located at Purok 7, Brgy.

augurate Year of St. Paul

THE Manila Archdiocese is set to inaugurate
the Year of St. Paul, the Apostle, to mark the
2000th year of his birth, June 30.
The Archdiocese of Manila officially
opens this special year with a Eucharistic
Celebration at the Basilica of the Immacu-
late Conception (Manila Cathedral), at 9
a.m. Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales will be
the presider and homilist, said Fr. Genaro
organizations are also asked to send delegates
to this Eucharistic Celebration.
All parish priests, shrine and seminary rec-
tors, chaplains, school directors, religious
men and women, transparochial communi-
ties, heads of ministries and offices in the
Archdiocese of Manila are notified about the
event that is being organized by the Minis-
try for Liturgical Affairs.
cility the Archdiocese of Lipa
has built for the spiritual heal-
ing and renewal of “mal-
treated” women last May 22.
Together with the organization
Third World Movement Against
the Exploitation of Women, the
Archdiocese spearheaded a ben-
efit concert primarily to raise
funds for the furniture, equip-
ment, fence, and hermitage house
Sampaguita, Lipa City, the house
center is expected to cater to “ex-
ploited” and “maltreated”
women, including those who
have been diagnosed of fatal dis-
eases like Acquired Immune De-
ficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
Rosales will also lead the bless-
ing of the facility to formally
open it to the public. (Fr. Nonie
C. Dolor)

O. Diwa of the Ministry for Liturgical Af-
fairs.
All priests in the Archdiocese are earnestly
enjoined to concelebrate in this Mass of
Thanksgiving to usher in a special year of
grace in honor of the Apostle who gave so
much to God and to the Church.
Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales
The parishes, schools, ministries and lay
Markings
“Let us all come together on June 30 and
with joy and praise, welcome this year of St.
Paul and open our hearts and minds to en-
lightenment and grace. It will bring to us
through an increased understanding and
knowledge, the works and writings that our
beloved St. Paul the Apostle handed down to
APPOINTED. Bishop Jose R.
us,” said Diwa. (CBCPNews)
Rojas, 51, as Bishop Prelate
of Libmanan, Camarines Sur,
May 19, 2008. Bishop Rojas

Cebu chorale leads church fund drive

was Auxiliary Bishop of Arch-
diocese of Nueva Caceres until

A FAMOUS chorale group from
one of Cebu City’s universities
has lent its award-winning per-
formance to raise funds for the res-
toration of a century-old Church.
Launched May 15 at a press
conference held at the Flipiniana
Hall of the Archbishop’s resi-
dence, the first fund-raising ac-
tivity for the restoration of Oslob
parish church featured a perfor-
mance from University of the
Visayas Chorale group.
Dubbed as “Bulawang Dalit
alang sa Oslob” or “Golden Gift
for Oslob,” the event was held
May 24 at the SM Cinema 1, SM
Complex, Cebu City.
The 26-member group, mostly
coming from families of Cebu’s
marginalized sector, had won the
Silver and Bronze Awards in the eth-
nic and class category at the Busan
Choral Festival Competition in
South Korea last November, 2007.
They will be a part of the con-
tingent to represent Cebu in
World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney,
Australia in July.
So far, the group spearheading
the fund-raising project has al-
ready raised P1,164,000.00 for the
Oslob church project, said Msgr.
Joseph Tan, treasurer of Cebu
archdiocese.
An estimate of at least 30 mil-
lion pesos is needed for the res-
toration and reconstruction of the
century-old church.
ŒŒŒ³
The archdiocese is still waiting
for a study made by the technical
teams and consultants of the re-
construction project to be re-
leased next week.
The concert was made possible
through University president
Congressman Eduardo Gullas
and his wife who generously of-
fered the services of the world-
class and multi-awarded chorale
group for the project. (Fr. Joseph
Suson, SVD)
his appointment to take the
place of Bishop Prospero
Arellano who resigned due to
poor health after 18 years as
bishop of Libmanan. Bishop
Rojas was ordained priest at
the age of 25, and appointed
bishop on July 25, 2005. He fin-
ished his philosophy at Holy
Rosary Major Seminary, Naga
City and theology at UST Cen-
tral Seminary. He holds a Doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Catholic
University of Louvain, Belgium.
LAUNCHED. Adsum, Bacolod’s diocesan newspaper by Most Rev.
Vicente M. Navarra, D.D.; at San Sebastian Cathedral on the occasion
of World Communications Day, May 4, 2008. Adsum, derived from the
Latin word meaning “Here I am” will feature regular columns, commen-
taries, church history; and report news from Diocesan Commissions,

Zambo archdiocese opens three-year jubilee

LOMAS, CBCP, Vatican and other dioceses.

CELEBRATED. Fr. Laure Helar, Kabasalan parish, May 1; Fr. Lito

THE Archdiocese of Zamboanga inaugurated
a three-year jubilee, May 19.
The Archdiocese has charted out the three
important events in the forthcoming con-
secutive years—from 2008 to 2011—of
Zamboanga Archdiocese’s double centenary
celebration.
On May 19, 2008 the Archdiocese marked
its golden anniversary as archdiocese; on
April 10, 2010, it will commemorate Pope
Pius X’s papal bull issued in 1910 that ap-
pointed Zambian as the first diocese in
Mindanao.
“Zambian today, its unique culture, its
Chavacano language, songs, dances, people’s
heart and charm, festive and respectable char-
acter, people’s piety and sense of the divine,
all this has been greatly shaped, influenced
and sustained by the presence of the Catholic
faith among our people,” Zamboanga Arch-
bishop Romulo G. Valles said.
“Let us celebrate the jubilee with extraor-
dinary intensity,” the archbishop exhorted the
local church during the launching of the
three-year Jubilee celebration, in a solemn
rites held at the Nuestra Señora del Pilar
shrine last April 10.
That 400-year religious fervor—popularly
represented by a lively devotion to the Pa-
troness—will reach an unprecedented pitch
in the series of inter-parish pilgrimages, re-
newal assemblies, forums, and basic ecclesial
community gatherings scheduled for the next
three years, said Valles who assumed the
archbishopric of the Zamboanga only a year
and five months ago.
“It is the most beautiful thing I discovered
here,” he said. He attributes this proverbial
fear of God to the serious work of his eight
predecessors, and the countless missionaries
whose pioneers first set foot in the city in
1593.
In his research for the jubilee documenta-
tion, Dr. Hermenegildo Malcampo verified
at least 25 Spanish Jesuits who were martyred
in the first hundred years or so of Spanish
occupation of Zamboanga.
One outgrowth of this strategy was the
development of Chavacano as the local lin-
gua franca, proudly persisting to this day.
One of Valles’ projects for the jubilee is the
translation of the Old Testament into
Chavacano by the archdiocesan biblical com-
mission. The New Testament already has a
Chavacano version translated by the late
Claretian Fr. Agapito Ferrero. (Santosh
Digal)
Cabatuan, Buug parish, May 3; Fr. Andy Agustino, Diplahan parish,
May 5; prelature of Ipil.
CELEBRATED. Sr. Lorlie Decir, Sr. Meridith Merin, Sr. Marites Gravata,
perpetual profession of vows among the Augustinian Recollect Sis-
ters (AR); San Sebastian Basilica, Quiapo, Manila, May 24, 2008. Most
Rev. Jesse E. Mercado, DD, bishop of Parañaque; presided the thanks-
giving Mass.
CELEBRATING. Sr. Rosalinda S. Defensor, Sr. Charmie P. Esquilona,
Sr. Annie A. Lumogdang, Sr. Ales Paz O. Pamplona, 25th anniversary of
religious profession among the Sisters of Jesus the Good Shepherd
(SJGP); May 31, 2008. The thanksgiving Mass will be officiated by
Most Rev. Renato P. Mayugba, D.D., Auxiliary Bishop of Lingayen-
Dagupan. Established in 1938, the congregation, popularly known as
Pastorelle Sisters, is the fourth among the 10 religious and secular
institutes founded by Blessed James Alberione. The Pastorelle Sisters
do their pastoral work in parishes in close collaboration with the par-
ish priests and lay leaders.

The Formators of the Association of Pauline Cooperators (APC) gathered in Tagaytay May 23-25, 2008 at St. Joseph Marello Retreat House to deepen their commitment to grow in holiness and service
in the spirit of St. Paul. There were 78 formators who participated—serving in the different Archdioceses and Dioceses in the country closely collaborating with the Pauline Family, through the various
commissions like Liturgy, Biblical, Catechetical, Media and Family Life.
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 11
May 26 - June 8, 2008
B2 Updates B4 Commissions B5 Statements
The unity of marriage and the National conference for youth ‘At stake is the ability of humanity
sacrament for the baptized ministers held in Jaro to provide food’
B3 Diocese
Diocese of Tagum
Pastoral Concerns
Communion,
7
QUESTIONS
solidarity and mission
Response to the breakup of the family of
Most Rev. migrants and itinerant peoples
Camilo D. By Archbishop Orlando
Gregorio, DD
B. Quevedo, O.M.I.
Introduction
The phenomenon of migrants
and itinerant peoples of various
kinds from workers to refugees
APPOINTED by late Pope John Paul II in September has been discussed thoroughly in
13, 2003 as 4t h Bishop-prelate of Batanes, Bishop the past few days at this seminar.
Camilo Gregorio was installed in November 8 of the Through various conferences we
have become more aware of their
same year. In this issue of CBCP Monitor, Bishop social, political, cultural, reli-
Gregorio talks how modern technology and global- gious, and economic situation.
ization have affected the lifestyle and values of native The litany of problems seems to
Ivatans; the status of catechetical apostolate and vo- be endless. The problems differ,
sometimes in kind and some-
cations in the prelature; the ongoing formation of the times in degree, from country to
clergy; the reconstruction of century-old cathedral and country. All these constitute the
other churches; and the work of evangelization in the pastoral situation of migrant
island. workers and itinerant peoples.
My subject matter is limited,
namely, the issue of the breakup
Batanes has always captivated outsiders because of its sim- of the family of migrant workers
plicity. Has the advent of modern technology not affected and itinerant peoples. And the
the lifestyle and values of the people? question is simple – what can we
Modern Technology has brought many benefits to the do to respond to family breakup?
people of Batanes especially in the field of Communication May I attempt to develop a
and Transportation. The advent of the cellphone, for example, general pastoral response to this
has been most helpful. Also, the introduction of “Jet” planes tragic situation.
has made travel more convenient. But unfortunately, the The pastoral perspective that I
availability of TV and the INTERNET has also brought unde- shall assume is inspired by three
sirable effects. Moral values are gradually being eroded. And decades of pastoral reflection on
what was once a laudable lifestyle is now changing. People various pastoral challenges by
now wake up later than usual. Work in the fields is neglected. the Federation of Asian Bishops’
The young generation while becoming more open to new Conferences (FABC). The Federa-
ideas and are becoming more demonstrative are at the same tion is composed of all the bish-
time losing respect for elders which did not happen before. ops in Central Asia, South Asia,
East Asia, and Southeast Asia –
How does the family and life apostolate in your prelature from Kazakhstan to East Timor.
respond to the challenge of consumerism caused by global- The themes that FABC uses to
ization? reflect on the pastoral situation
The Prelature has a strong Family and Youth Ministries. include the following:
The Couples for Christ are active. The Youth for Christ has its 1) in the light of the Asian pas-
regular week-end Youth Camps. There is the strong Music toral situation the mission of an-
Ministry that engages the youth to join different and varied nouncing the Gospel of Jesus is by
choirs. And of course, the Catechetical and Biblical Apostolates way of a triple dialogue – dialogue
have its yearly teaching program in the public schools. We with the peoples of Asia especially the
are happy with the results. majority poor, dialogue with the vari-
ous cultures of Asia, and dialogue
with the different religions of Asia;
7 Questions / B2 2) for the common task of social trans-
formation in the Asian situation of reli-
gious pluralism, a common basis for
B1
B6 Reflections B7 Social Concerns
Breaking Bread The Lord’s Bank
B8 Entertainment
Buhay Parokya
action is the universal Reign of God;
3) the local church is the acting
subject of mission;
4) international collaboration is nec-
essary to face the challenges in the
common journey to God’s Reign;
5) According to the 7th and 8th
FABC Plenary Assemblies, the
situation of itinerant and migrant
workers is one of the major pastoral
priorities in Asia.
The pastoral response I wish to
present may be summarized in the
following way: In the light of the
universal mission of the Church
to announce the Gospel of Jesus,
relevant family ministry should be set
up in every local church with the task
of building communion and solidarity
among members of families, among
families and local churches. Such min-
istry should have a perspective of the
Reign of God. It should respond to the
needs of families in special situations,
such as the families of migrants and
itinerant peoples.
1. A Family Ministry in Dialogue
with Migrants and Itinerant
Peoples.
Without doubt the great ma-
jority migrants and itinerant
peoples leave their homes and
work in other countries without the problems of living apart from peoples becomes actual. In the
referring themselves to their lo- their families for an extended duration of their work contract,
cal church. They go to recruiting period of time, the pressures on the separation of the members of
agencies and work out their the brothers, sisters, and parents the family will be keenly felt,
travel and immigration papers they leave behind, and particu- even for those who have worked
directly through them. In many larly on their spouses and chil- for several years away from their
cases they receive only a mini- dren. At the end as Ecclesia in Asia families with brief periods of
mum of information about the (1999) says, “In the countries to vacation. Intermittent reunions
receiving countries, the people which they come, these people will not completely assuage the
and their cultures, the employ- often find themselves friendless, loneliness of being separated
ers that hire them, conditions of culturally estranged, linguisti- from their families.
work, the customs of the people cally disadvantaged and eco- But it is not only loneliness or
among whom they will work. If nomically vulnerable” (no. 34). homesickness that is of concern to
they go to countries with a pre- But all these they have decided families. It is the negative impact
dominantly different religion, to go through for the sake of a that the absence of perhaps a key
they have only little knowledge better future for their families. member of the family (e.g., a fa-
about the risks to their own faith, The future of their family is up- ther or mother, an older brother
the problems of practicing their permost in their minds. or sister) would have on the fam-
faith, the pressures on them be- As migrants leave for work the ily itself, on the natural growth
cause of differences of faith. temporary break-up of the fam- and development of the children.
In general they are aware of ily of migrants and itinerant Communion / B5
 CBCP Monitor
B2 Updates Vol. 12 No. 11
May 26 - June 8, 2008

The unity of marriage and

Chinese state-
sacrament for the baptized sponsored Mass
By Fr. Jaime
Achacoso, J.C.D.
I am the judicial vicar in my diocese.
Thanks for the great article on Mixed
Marriages and Dispensation
from the Canonical Form . You
have in fact enlightened me on some
delicate issues, especially, in the area
of dispensation from canonical form.
I know that the bishops have the com-
petence to give such dispensation, but
when you suggested three possible
forms that could be used when the
canonical form is dispensed with, my
bishop got nervous and asked me: Can
a civil marriage become a sacramen-
tal marriage in this case? I agree with
you, but can you elaborate on this
point in a future article?
I REALLY expected this question
to be raised and I thank you for
doing so. Hence, I hasten to fol-
low up the previous article with
this discussion of the unity of
marriage and sacrament for the
baptized. Indeed this is a prin-
ciple of sacramental theology
that has been wonderfully re-
flected in Canon Law.
The Sacramental Dignity of
Marriage
It is quite common to refer to
the sacredness of marriage—in the
same way that people refer to the
sacredness of the ballot—even
when referring to one between
non-believers (i.e., natural mar-
riage). But here we are not refer-
ring to this kind of sacredness of
marriage as a natural institution,
but rather to the dignity of mar-
riage between baptized persons
due to its establishment by Christ
as a true sacrament of the Church.
We can understand this better in
a discursive manner as follows:
1) Marriage has existed as a
natural institution since the first
man and woman came to exist,
as beautifully described in the
book of Genesis, chapter 2.
2) What Jesus Christ revealed
was his will to constitute this re-
ality—previously existing—into
a sacrament of the New Law. He
did not will to impose or invent
a new and distinct reality, or even
to innovate or change what al-
ready existed. He simply gave
that reality a new mode of exist-
ence—without changing it in any
way—as a sign of the union be-
tween Christ and his Church, that
is, as a sacrament.
Christ’s words to the Pharisees,
derogating the Mosaic precept of
making a libel of divorce in case
of casting away an unworthy
wife, are quite revealing: Have
you not heard that the Creator, from
the beginning, made them male and
female, and said, ‘For this cause a man
B.
shall leave his father and mother, and
cleave to his wife, and the two shall
become one flesh’? Therefore now they
are no longer two, but one flesh. What
therefore God has joined together, let
no man put asunder.
In other words, what Christ
wanted was to go back to the
original design of marriage by
the Creator, not to change it.
3) The will of Christ to consti-
tute marriage into a sacrament
means that the spouses—when
both have received baptism—are
constituted as sign, receive a par-
ticular supernatural grace in or-
der to live their conjugal condi-
tion, and are called to carry out a
proper task within the ecclesial
community.
In other words, sacramentality
is found within marriage itself—
i.e., in the two baptized persons
in their relationship as spouses.
Hence, we can speak of the iden-
tity between sacrament and mar-
riage in the case of baptized
spouses.
The Identity of Marriage and
Sacrament among the Baptized
in the Code of Canon Law
This identity of marriage and
sacrament is wonderfully given
juridic expression in c.1055 of the
Code of Canon Law:
Can. 1055 —§1. The matrimo-
nial covenant, by which a man
and a woman establish between
themselves a partnership of the
whole life, is by its nature or-
dered toward the good of the
spouses and the procreation and
7 Questions / B1
education of offspring; this cov-
enant between baptized persons
has been raised by Christ the
Lord to the dignity of a sacrament.
— §2. For this reason a matrimo-
nial contract cannot validly exist be-
tween baptized persons unless it is
also a sacrament by that fact.
The wording of §1 in fine is quite
significant: this covenant between
baptized persons has been raised by
Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sac-
rament. The word used—raised—
means that the reality has not been
modified or innovated, but rather
simply raised, its nature remain-
ing intact, to the dignity of a
grace-bestowing sign in the case
of baptized spouses. It is this fact
of it having been raised to sacra-
mental dignity that this reality—
i.e., marriage contracted between
baptized persons—is given such
a detailed treatment by canon law
(devoting to it no less than 110
canons), thus giving each of the
elements that enter into its con-
stitution a detailed juridic protec-
tion.
The wording of §2, on the other
hand, cannot be more precise: For
this reason [i.e., that Christ has
raised the natural marriage cov-
enant between baptized persons
to sacramental dignity] a matri-
monial contract cannot validly exist
between baptized persons unless it
is also a sacrament by that fact. This
conclusion of c.1055 gives juridic
expression to a fundamental doc-
trine of sacramental theology: the
identity—not just inseparabil-
ity—between the conjugal pact
Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina
Apostolorum university, answers the following questions:
Q: I will be in Shanghai, China, for about a month. Does the
Church allow me to go to the Chinese state-sponsored Mass
and receive Communion?—T.W., Athens, Georgia
A: Although the situation of the state-approved Church in
China is very complex, a visiting Catholic could attend Mass
and receive Communion there without implying any particu-
lar acceptance of the current unfortunate ecclesial situation.
The Ecumenical Directory permits Catholics to receive Com-
munion at the liturgies of Orthodox and other Eastern
Churches not in communion with the Holy See.
These Chinese “official” Catholic Churches, albeit in an ir-
regular situation, almost invariably desire to be in full com-
munion with the Holy Father. They usually pray for him at
Mass. And in some cases these Churches have been recog-
nized in some way or other by both the government and the
Holy See.
Hence, it is possible to receive Communion at Masses in
these Churches.
As testified by the Holy Father’s May 2007 letter to Chinese
Catholics, the Holy See is actively attempting to bring about
the reconciliation of the Church in China and to find a way
come to an understanding with the government that will allow
it to establish proper relations with all Chinese Catholics.
Catholics traveling in China should certainly try to attend a
Mass in a community that is in full communion with the Holy
Illustration by Bladimer Usi
See. Since this is not always possible or prudent, however, they
may choose to attend an “official Church.” But they would not
and the sacramental reality. In
be bound to do so in order to fulfill their Sunday obligation.
other words, between the bap-
The Church’s long history knows several situations in which
tized there cannot exist a merely
pastors and faithful have been forced to choose between loy-
natural marriage without it be-
alty to the Church and to government policy. During the French
ing by that very fact also a sacra-
Revolution, for example, all clergy were obliged by law to
ment.
take the revolutionary oath of loyalty to the “Civil Constitu-
tion of the Clergy.” That document undermined the Church’s
independence and connection to Rome.
Conclusion
A few accepted the oath from revolutionary conviction,
The ultimate conclusion of the
many more out of fear, and others so as not to leave their
foregoing discussion, when ap-
faithful deprived of the sacraments in a moment of crisis and
plied to the case of a mixed mar-
war. There was also confusion from Church authorities re-
riage that has been granted a dis-
garding the correct attitude to take, especially since the changes
pensation from canonical form is
were primarily disciplinary and not dogmatic in character.
that whatever public ceremony
Those who courageously refused to take the oath accepted
it may go through—provided the
the increasing legal penalties imposed by the state. At first,
other requirements of canon law
there were fines and removal from their dioceses or parishes.
for a valid marriage are present
As the revolution descended into terror, those who refused to
(i.e., the active presence of a sa-
swear had to increasingly face exile, imprisonment and death.
cred minister to ask for the mari-
God repaid and vindicated the sacrifice of those who suf-
tal consent of the parties, plus
fered. The Church in France rose from the ashes of the Revolu-
two other witnesses)—that mar-
tion and enjoyed almost a century of growth characterized by
riage would be a sacrament. This
the foundation of numerous new religious congregations, in-
would include, among other pos-
ternational charitable organizations, great missionary zeal,
sibilities, the following (which
renewed devotion to the Eucharist and the Sacred Heart, and a
are in fact those prescribed by the
wealth of saintly figures such as the John Vianney, Antoine-
Spanish Episcopal Conference on
Frédéric Ozanam and Thérèse of Lisieux.
25.I.1971 and confirmed by a
Only God can pronounce final judgment on those who were
General Decree, 26.XI.1983,
weaker. For many the oath was no protection from revolu-
Art.12, §3):
tionary harshness, and one can be sure that in many cases the
1) a religious ceremony accept-
martyrs also died for them and won for them the grace to
able to the non-Catholic (but
repent and return to the path of fidelity.
Christian) party and/or his/her
While the Chinese experience is only partially similar and
relatives;
the suffering has been far more protracted, we can be certain
2) a religious ceremony accept-
that the salvific logic of the Cross will once more bear fruit and
able to both parties;
the sacrifice of those who remain faithful will not be in vain.
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 marriage must not be ex-
cluded.
Coffee and food in

How is the catechetical apostolate in agencies like KIRCHE IN NOT are

the diocese?
Yes, the Catechetical Apostolate is
active in the Prelature. But we need
more funding for the on-going forma-
tion of our Catechists. It is too expen-
sive for us to send Catechists to Semi-
nars and to Summer Catechetical In-
stitutes.
What is the status of vocations in the
prelature?
Vocations in the Prelature are flour-
ishing, thanks be to God! Both for the
Diocesan Priesthood and for the Reli-
gious Orders, there are more and more
young men who are getting interested.
Native IVATAN vocations have
started to crop up. We are very happy
about this development. Incidentally,
every Mission Station in the Prelature
has its own priest now. We hope that
in the near future, native IVATANS
will replace us “outsiders”.
How would you describe your rela-
tionship with your clergy in general?
Modesty aside, we can claim a very
happy relationship between Bishop
and Clergy in the Prelature. It would
be presumptuous of me as the Bishop
to claim laurels on this area of ecclesial
and ecclesiastical life. Let the Clergy
speak for themselves. Let the number
of vocations also reflect the kind of re-
lationship that exists in the Prelature
between the Bishop and the Clergy.
As to the “on-going formation of the
clergy”, we make do with our yearly
Clergy Retreats, which are taken very
seriously and which are eagerly an-
ticipated by the Clergy. We cannot af-
ford such a program that involves “for-
mal” sessions and teach-ins. There are
simply no funds available. Funding
already saturated with requests.
The Cathedral is still in the process
of reconstruction even after many
years it has been destroyed by natu-
ral calamities. How is it going?
The construction of the Cathedral
is SLOWLY making its way. We are
following the policy that we will not
depend solely on outside funds
(which are indispensable) but that
every parishioner must have his or
her share in contributing for the con-
struction, “PONDO NG PINOY”
style. Another reason for the slow
pace of the construction is that there
are other churches in Batanes that
need more urgent attention. The
church in the Mission Station of
ITBUD is nearing completion and in
the scale of priorities, it deserves pri-
ority of attention. The centuries-old
churches of Mahatao and Ivana have
just completed renovation. Other
churches as in Uyugan and Sabtang
are in the process of renovation.
Being an island the prelature is re-
ally isolated in terms of accessibil-
ity. How does this affect the work of
evangelization?
In a way, our being “distant” and
“isolated” is a special blessing for
evangelization. We are focused with
and on the essentials. We are not en-
cumbered by the proliferation of
Movements, Organizations and De-
votions, which makes simple things
complicated. We are liberated from
the commercialism and consumer-
ism of excessive Sto. Niño Festivals,
Holy Week non-Christian practices,
and elaborate Santacruzans of the
“MAINLAND.”
the sacristy
Q: Is it permissible to have coffee, a coffee urn, and food in the
sacristy of the church? These beverages and foods are made
available for the sacristans and the priests—P.N., Venice, Florida.
A: I do not believe that there are any specific norms regarding
food in the sacristy. But there are some indications that refer
to the overall atmosphere that should reign in this area. Thus
the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, No. 45, says:
“Even before the celebration itself, it is commendable that
silence […] be observed in the church, in the sacristy, in the
vesting room, and in adjacent areas, so that all may dispose
themselves to carry out the sacred action in a devout and fit-
ting manner.”
At the same time, while everybody is required to fast an
hour before Communion, priests who celebrate more than
one Mass may take something before the second or third Mass
even if less than an hour elapses (Canon 919.2).
Taking both these norms into account, one could say that it
is preferable that food and beverages not be offered in the
sacristy itself as this could easily perturb the necessary ambi-
ence of silent recollection.
However, one could envision some pastoral situations in
which lack of an alternative space could justify dedicating a
small part of the sacristy for refreshment purposes. Apart from
the case of a priest celebrating several Masses it could also
happen that a priest may finish Mass, have a quick coffee (chari-
tably followed by some breath freshener), and then either head
off for the confessional or to take Communion to shut-ins.
If recourse to such a solution is inevitable, priests should
usually try to take their meal as quietly and quickly as pos-
sible so as not to disturb the climate of prayerful silence.
Except for the abovementioned pastoral situations, I think
that habitually having food and beverages available for priests
and others in the sacristy is both unnecessary and probably
distracting.
If necessary, victuals should preferably be offered in some
other room, even adjacent to the sacristy, but separated from
the area used for vesting and immediate preparation for Mass.
Most parishes have some other nearby space available
where the material nourishment of a fraternal “agape” may
follow the spiritual sustenance of holy Mass.
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 11
May 26 - June 8, 2008
By Fr. Tomas P. Avila, Jr.
History
The Diocese of Tagum has a relatively
young history. Its Christianization came
rather late since the Spanish influence
trickled down to Davao area only in the
1800s. The first who came to evangelize
this southern part of the country,
sparsely populated by indigenous
people (Ata, Manobo, Dibabawon,
Mandaya, Isamal, Mansaka,
Mangguwangan and others), and mi-
grant settlers from Luzon and the
Visayas, were the Augustinian Recollects
(OAR). They were followed by the Jesu-
its who in 1860 founded the Davao par-
ish covering the vast area of the Davao
region, which now encompasses the
provinces of Davao del Sur, Davao del
Norte, Davao Oriental, and Compostela
Valley.
IMPORTANT FACTS
Bishop ……………………………. 1 Katilingban (GKK) in the
Priests:
Diocesan: Filipino ….…………… 106
Foreign …………………...……… 2
Deacons …………….………….. 4 tober, the Diocese will
Sisters:
Filipino …………………………… 120
Foreign …………………………… 5 versary of the establish-
Secular Institutes:
Women …………………………... 9 of the then Prelature of
Seminarians:
In College ...……………………… 133
In theology outside
the diocese …….....…………… 30
Diocesan Divisions:
Vicariate ………………....……….. 8
Parishes ……….....……………… 26
Quasi-Parishes …………………. 8 Lupon
Chaplaincies ……..………………. 2
Mission Area …………………….... 1
GKKs/BECs ………...………… 2,106
Educational Institutions:
High Schools ……..………………. 15
Elementary Schools …………….. 9
Kindergarten …..…………………. 10
Nursery …………....……………… 50
Population ……....…………. 1,517,898
Catholics ....….…………….. 1,053,903
Area ..………...……….. 8,129.8 sq.kms.
some other apostolate centers (though
many of these centers no longer operate
today).
Upon his retirement at the age of 75,
Bishop Regan was succeeded by Most
Rev. Pedro Dean, D.D. (1980-1985), in
time when the prelature was elevated
into a Diocese by Pope John Paul II on 11
October 1980. Eventually Most Rev.
Ramon B. Villena, D.D. (1982-1984) was
appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Tagum.
Most Rev. Wilfredo D. Manlapaz, D.D.,
S.Th.D. (1986-present) then Auxiliary
Bishop of Maasin, Leyte, was appointed
Bishop of Tagum on 31 January 1986,
when Bishop Dean was made the Arch-
bishop of Palo, Leyte. Bishop Manlapaz
was installed on 20 March 1986. In De-
cember 1984, the eastern part of the Dio-
cese of Tagum became the Diocese of
Mati, encompassing the geographical
area of Davao Oriental.
Basic Ecclesial Commu-
nities
One of the pioneers in
the building up of the
Basic Ecclesial Commu-
nities, locally known as
Gagmay’ng Kristohanong
country is the Diocese of
Tagum. This year, 11 Oc-
mark the “GKK Ruby
Jubilee”, the 40th anni-
ment of the first GKKs
Tagum.
T h e
GKKs in
the dio-
cese began
in 1968 in
Dean-
e r y
Diocese
sembly GKK building became a
prelature thrust and a pastoral renewal.
As a result, every parish in the prelature,
through its pastors and lay collabora-
tors, has organized and supported GKK-
building activities. Two more important
gatherings were eventually convoked,
the first and the second Diocesan Pasto-
ral Assemblies (1983 and 1994 respec-
tively). These were crucial to the growth
and development of the GKKs and be-
came venues for evaluating pastoral ac-
tivities, setting directions and planning,
and eventually implementing diocesan
priorities and programs.
The Blessings through the GKKs
Through the GKKs God has abun-
dantly blessed our local Church. From a
handful of GKKs in the 70s, today there
are 2,196 of them in the diocese. Conse-
quently, the number of GKK leaders and
volunteer church workers also in-
creased. Religious organizations, move-
ments, ministries, and apostolates like-
wise flourished. Our faithful in remote
communities can now be nourished
spiritually by the celebration of the Word
and the reception of Holy Communion
through the extraordinary ministers, lo-
cally known as Kaabag, by having Sun-
day Para-liturgies.
The GKKs have become self-sufficient,
utilizing their available resources to
address the needs of their communities;
they provide the things needed for li-
turgical celebrations; and, they support
the ministers in their financial needs
when they go to the parish for meetings
and other formation programs. To help
one another, many GKKs organized
dayong for funeral (sort of mortuary aid);
galâ for those getting married where
members contribute some amount of
money, some kilos of rice, and
firewood; and, bugkos
w h e r e
mem-
bers have to contribute some amount to
be used for fiesta celebration.
Vocations to the priesthood and reli-
gious life show very encouraging rise.
From about 30 priests in 1986, there are
now 110 priests. Many of these priests
came from active families in the GKKs
or were active as altar boys, Diocesan
Youth Apostolates (DYAs), or choir
members. Our college seminary, the
Queen of Apostles, where most of our
priests finished their philosophical for-
mation, has nearly been filled to its maxi-
mum capacity. In recent years, the aver-
age number of college seminarians of
the diocese is 110; while those studying
in theology is 35. Several number of our
priests have been serving in different
countries either as missionaries or as
guest priests. Two former members of
the presbyterium are now bishops: Most
Rev. Romulo R. Valles, D.D., Archbishop
of Zamboanga; and, Most Rev. George
B. Rimando, D.D., Auxiliary Bishop of
Davao.
The organization of GKKs into either
Zone, District, D-Zone, Mini-deanery
has facilitated better coordination and
communication to the parish and the
Diocese, and vice versa. GKK members
can easily be mobilized to whatever ac-
tivities they are enjoined to participate.
For instance, involvement in the politi-
cal exercise to have a clean, honest and
credible elections is well participated by
joining in the political education, cov-
enant signing among the candidates fa-
cilitated by Church’s leaders, poll watch-
ing, etc.
The GKKs facilitated the formation of
cells of Spes Pauperum Foundation, Incor-
p o - rated (SPFI), a micro-finance pro-
gram patterned after the well-
known Grameen banking
system, to help the poor
liberate themselves
from poverty through
income-generating
projects. Today about
ten thousand families—
includ- ing non-
Catho-
lics—
B3
are active members and have benefited
from the programs and services SPFI pro-
vides.
Because of formation programs,
catechetical instructions, and fellowship
in the GKKs, the faithful do not succumb
to the invitations of “diligent” mission-
aries of other religions, sects, and de-
nominations. These programs continue
to inflame the fire of renewal and
strengthening of the GKKs in our local
Church.
Silver and Ruby Celebrations
In 2005, the Diocese of Tagum cel-
ebrated its Silver Anniversary. It was
highlighted by the Solemn Dedication
of Cathedral of Christ the King, the Titu-
lar of the Diocese. Truly it was an event
when “We remember, we give thanks,
and we celebrate!”
Despite the many reasons for celebra-
tion because of the blessings of the GKKs
in our Diocese, we humbly admit that
there is still so much to be done, and so
many shadows to confront. They are the
practices, guidelines, and policies which
need to be eliminated or minimized, or
corrected for having caused confusion,
division, conflict, and misunderstanding
despite the attention given to them in
the previous Diocesan Pastoral Assem-
blies.
As we eagerly look forward to the
GKK Ruby Jubilee celebration with the
theme, “ Paghandum… Paglaraw…
Paglantaw” (Remembering… Planning…
Envisioning), we have launched a two-
year diocesan-wide and event-filled
preparations. One of the activities is the
Duaw-Panaw , a day of visitation by the
Parish Team to the GKKs, to pray, re-
flect, and identify their lights and shad-
ows on the personal, family, and com-
munity level. Furthermore, each mem-
ber is encouraged to give suggestions
and recommendations. The results of this
Duaw-Panaw are presently being collated.
They will be studied and interpreted
with the help of professionals so that
these can be processed and discussed
during the Third Diocesan Pastoral As-
sembly (DPA III) which will be held be-
fore the Ruby Jubilee.
It is our hope that the result of the as-
sembly will help us set the direction our
GKKs will take as we continue with
our journey and effort to become
more and more a truly
Christian community.
May the Blessed
Mother, Our Lady of
GKKs, and her Son
accompany us in
our journey for
“Unless the Lord
build the house in
vain do the build-
ers labor” (Ps. 127).
(With reports from
Fr. Ben Cañete & Fr.
Jimmy Ozoa)

Diocese of Tagum ABOVE: Bishop Wilfredo D. Manlapaz, DD and the Christ the King Cathedral. BELOW: Official seal
of GKK Ruby Jubilee and the gathering of GKK presidents

Until 1910 Davao, together with

Zamboanga and Cotabato, was part of
the Diocese of Jaro, Iloilo; while the rest (now
of the Mindanao church was under the part of
Diocese of Cebu. When Zamboanga be- the Dio-
came a diocese in 1910, its jurisdictions cese of
included all of Mindanao and Sulu Ar- Mati)
chipelago. In February 1937, the Foreign through
Mission Society of Quebec (PMEs), upon the ini-
the invitation of Monsignor Luis del tiative
Rosario, S.J. in 1934, sent in priests to of the
help in the missionary works. The PMEs, Maryknol
headed by Fr. Clovis Thibault, eventu- Mis-
ally replaced the Jesuits. Fr. Thibault sionaries
became the first parish priest of San who con-
Pedro in Davao; and in 1966 became the tinued what
first Residential Bishop of the full- had been
fledged Diocese of Davao. The PMEs sown by their
began to establish parishes including the predecessors. The
San Jose Parish in Pantukan (1939), succeeding year,
Christ the King Parish in Tagum (1947), the pioneering
Sta. Teresita Parish in Nabunturan (1951), local clergy of the
and Sto. Niño Parish in Panabo (1955). prelature who
In 1958 the Maryknoll Missionaries led were assigned in
by the indefatigable Rev. Fr. Joseph Wil- the northern
liam M. Regan arrived in Davao Prelature part, the
from their previous assignment in La- Nabunturan
guna province, Lipa Diocese. Fr. Regan Deanery, also be-
became the pastor of the Christ the King gan to build up
Parish in Tagum. On 13 January 1962, GKKs.
Pope John XXIII created a Prelature Nul- In 1976 a defin-
lius of Tagum and erected it on 5 April ing moment for
1962, appointing Monsignor Regan on 2 the local church
February 1962, the Prelate Ordinary. The happened by the
Maryknoll Fathers helped open up more holding of the
parishes, Catholic schools, a hospital, a Prelature Plan-
minor seminary (Queen of Apostles ning Assembly
Seminary), a radio station (DXCD) and (PPA). In this as-
 CBCP Monitor
B4 Commissions Vol. 12 No. 11
May 26 - June 8, 2008

National conference for

youth ministers held in Jaro
By Pinky Barrientos,
FSP
YOUTH ministers from 65 eccle-
siastical territories and 10 repre-
sentatives from the Federation of
National Youth Organizations
(FNYO) gathered from May 5 to
9 at the Colegio de San Jose, Jaro,
Iloilo City for their biennial con-
ference centered on the theme
“Youth Ministers: drawing and
sharing life in God’s Word, wit-
nessing to the world.”
The event, sponsored by the
Episcopal Commission on
Youth, aimed to help the youth
ministers to rediscover the place
and meaning of the Word of God
in their lives.
Most Rev. Luis Antonio Tagle,
Diocese of Imus, was the resource
speaker. He delved on the three
main features of the theme that
characterize the relationship be-
tween the Youth Minister and the
Word of God. He urged delegates
to allow the Word of God to be-
come operative in their lives and
“tell the story of Jesus as a youth
minister who encounter the
Word made flesh in Jesus.”
Workshops of the 5-day con-
ference explored the various is-
sues affecting youth ministries.
The topic “Bible study and
Bible sharing” gave the partici-
pants two ways of approaching
the Word of God which they can
harness in their ministry among
young people. The workshop was
facilitated by Fr. Tomas Terania,
Jr., Director of Jaro Archdiocesan
Commission on Biblical
Apostolate.
“Understanding the Gospels”,
facilitated by Fr. John Tadifa, Di-
rector of Propedeutic Year, St.
Joseph Regional Seminary, led
the participants to dig deeply
into the Gospels of Matthew,
Mark, Luke and John.
The participants were also led
to reflect on the role of family in
salvation history contextualizing
it in the life of Jesus who was
born and grew up in a family
environment. In the “The Fam-
ily in the Light of God’s Word”
workshop, the family was re-
garded to have a central and piv-
otal role in youth ministry. Fr.
Bernabe Tutana, Director of Jaro
Archdiocesan Commission on
Family Life facilitated the work-
shop.
“Social Action and the Word
of God”, with Msgr. Meliton Oso,
Director of Jaro Archdiocesan
Social Action Center as facilita-
tor, “offered to help youth min-
isters see the richness and
interconnectedness of youth min-
istry and the ministry of social
action.”
The facility of spreading the
Word of God through modern
technology especially the
internet was the central theme of
“The Word of God and the World
Wide Web”, facilitated by Fr.
Ryan Teves, Director of Jaro
Archdiocesan Commission on
Social Communication.
“Love and Intimacy in Scrip-
tures”, facilitated by Sr. Fidelis
Estrada, RA tackled genuine re-
lationship that leads to a more
effective ministry.
“Vocation Ministry and the
Youth Ministry”, with Miss
Esperanza Bugaoan as facilitator
gave the participants a critical
awareness of their role as youth
ministers in accompanying young
people in their vocational quest. Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of the tant aspect of ministering to IP workshop “Street Theatre and the tain their ministry.
The youth ministers also famil- Candles Parish, Iloilo City facili- youth and their communities. Scriptures”, facilitated by Mr. Jo- The final workshop tackled the
iarized themselves with bible tated a “Leadership” workshop, The workshop was facilitated by seph William Albana, president ministry to out-of-school youth
sharing methods through “Lectio helping ministers to become ef- Fr. Sergio Maniba of the Diocese of Theatre Arts Guild, University called “Ministry in the Margins:
Divina”, facilitated by Sr. Claire fective leaders in imitation of of San Jose, Antique. of the Philippines in the Visayas. Ministering to the Out-of-School
Salvani, RA. Jesus, the leader par excellence. “Bibliodrama”, a holistic ap- “Fund Sourcing”, facilitated by Youth.” It was facilitated by Fr.
Participants were likewise Youth ministers were also chal- proach in internalizing the Word Miss Milyn Leghid, Business Jimmy Carmona, SDB of the Don
given basic orientation on how lenged to look deeply into the of God was facilitated by Miss Manager of the Office of the Vice- Bosco Boys’ Home and Training
to minister through spiritual di- aspect of “Youth Ministry and Maritoni Suarez of the Episcopal Chancellor for Planning and De- Center, Dumangas, Iloilo.
rection. The workshop on “Spiri- Homosexuality”, facilitated by Commission for the Biblical velopment, University of the Phil- The delegates comprised a to-
tual Direction,” was facilitated by Mr. Rolando II De Los Reyes of Apostolate. ippines in Iloilo, helped youth tal of 45 priests, six nuns, two
Fr. Gerard Alminaza, Rector of Human Life International Asia. The delegates were also pre- ministers understand that one of deacons and 209 lay from dioc-
Sacred Heart Seminary. “Ministry among Indigenous sented a novel way of proclaim- their essential roles is to explore esan youth ministries and FNYO
Meanwhile, Fr. Joel Eslabra, People” looked into the impor- ing the Scriptures through the ways of securing resources to sus- member-organizations.

Fr. Luis Supan

CBCP, Silsilah sign accord for
The Question Box interreligious dialogue, peace
THE Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the
Philippines (CBCP) Episcopal Commis-
sion on Interreligious Dialogue (ECID)
Both stressed to make a personalized
commitment to live and promote the
spirituality of life-in-dialogue, offer

Holy Eucharist (1)

INTRODUCTION: On the occasion of
the 5 th anniversary of Ecclesia de
Eucharistia , the encyclical of John Paul
II, issued on April 17 (Holy Thursday) of
2003, some issues of Question Box will
feature the Church’s basic teachings on
the Holy Eucharist found in the same
encyclical (References to it will be desig-
nated as Ec de Eu.)
1. Why do we call the Holy Eucharist
“The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass”?
“When the Church celebrates the
Eucharist, the memorial of the Lord’s
death and resurrection, this central
event of salvation becomes really
present and ‘the work of our redemp-
tion is carried out’ (Lumen Gentium,
11). This sacrifice is so decisive for the
salvation of the human race that Jesus
Christ offered it and returned to the
Father only after he had left us a means of
sharing in it as if we had been present
there” ( Ec de Eu, 11).
2. Is the sacrifice of Our Lord Jesus
Christ at Calvary the same as the Sac-
rifice of the Mass?
Yes. “The sacrifice of Christ and the
sacrifice of the Eucharist are one single
sacrifice; the Mass is at the same time,
and inseparably, the sacrificial me-
morial in which the sacrifice of the
Cross is perpetuated and the sacred
banquet of communion with the
Lord’s body and blood” (Cf. CCC,
1367; 1382). “It is one and the same
victim here offering himself by the
ministry of his priests, who then of-
fered himself on the Cross; it is only
the manner of offering that is differ-
ent” (Council of Trent).
3. Which words of Jesus during the
Last Supper convey the sacrificial
nature of the Holy Eucharist?
“This aspect of the universal charity
of the Eucharistic sacrifice is based on
the words of the Savior himself. In insti-
tuting it, he did not merely say: ‘This is
my body’, ‘this is my blood’, but went
on to add: ‘which is given for you’, ‘which
is poured out for you” (Lk 22: 19-20). Jesus
did not simply state that what he was
giving them to eat was his body and his
blood; he also expressed its sacrificial
meaning and made sacramentally present
his sacrifice which would soon be offered
on the Cross for the salvation of all.” (Ec
de Eu, 12).
4. How could it be possible that a Holy
Mass celebrated today be the same sac-
rifice of Jesus at Calvary?
The Eucharist does not remain con-
fined to the past since “all that Christ
is—and all that he did and suffered for
all men—participates in the divine eter-
nity, and so transcends all times” (CCC,
1085). “We always offer the same Lamb,
not one today and another tomorrow,
but always the same one. For this rea-
son the sacrifice is always only one …
Even now we offer that victim who once
was offered and who will never be con-
sumed” (St. John Chrysostom). “The
bloody victim of Calvary and the
unbloody victim of the Mass are one and
the same victim. The Mass is simply the
daily renewal of the Sacrifice of the
Cross, in obedience to the Lord’s com-
mand: ‘Do this in memory of me’ (Lk
22;19)” (The Roman Catechism).
5. Granting that the Holy Mass is the
same sacrifice as Calvary, does it multi-
ply this sacrifice?
“The Mass makes present the sacrifice
of the Cross; it does not add to that sacri-
fice nor does it multiply it. What is re-
peated is its memorial celebration, its
“commemorative representation”
(memorialis demonstratio), which
makes Christ’s one, definitive re-
demptive sacrifice always present in
time. The sacrificial nature of the
Eucharistic mystery cannot there-
fore be understood as something
separate, independent of the Cross
or only indirectly referring to the
sacrifice of Calvary” (Ec de Eu, 12).
6. What current misconceptions about
the Holy Mass need to be corrected?
“At times, one encounters an ex-
tremely reductive understanding of
the Eucharistic mystery. Stripped of
its sacrificial meaning, it is celebrated
as if it were simply a fraternal ban-
quet. Furthermore, the necessity of
the ministerial priesthood,
grounded in apostolic succession, is
at times obscured and the sacramen-
tal nature of the Eucharist is reduced
to its mere effectiveness as a form of
proclamation… The Eucharist is too
great a gift to tolerate ambiguity and
depreciation” (Ec de Eu, 10).
7. What do we mean when we say
that a priest celebrating the Holy
Mass does so “in the person of Jesus
Christ”?
“The ministerial priest, acting in
the person of Christ, brings about
the Eucharistic sacrifice” (Vatican II,
Lumen Gentium, 10; 28). The phrase
“in the person of Christ” (in persona
Christi) “means more than offering
‘in the name of’ or ‘in the place of’
Christ. In persona means in specific
sacramental identification with the
eternal High Priest who is the au-
thor and principal subject of this sac-
rifice of his, a sacrifice in which, in
truth, nobody can take his place” (Ec
de Eu, 29; John Paul II, Dominicae
Cenae, 24-II-1980).
and the Silsilah Dialogue Movement
signed an agreement to collaborate fully
in the promotion of interreligious dia-
logue and path to peace last May 10.
ECID chair and Cagayan de Oro Arch-
bishop Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ, and Fr.
Sebastiano D’Ambra, PIME, of Silsilah
Foundation, Inc. signed a Memorandum
of Collaboration in the wake of the
launching of one-year preparation for
Silsilah’s 25th Anniversary of Founda-
tion on May 9 next year.
The agreement stipulated an invita-
tion to Archbishop Ledesma, as Chair-
person of ECID, the Zamboanga City
Archbishop Romulo Valles and the three
co-convenors of the Bishops-Ulama Con-
ference to form Silsilah’s Advisory
Board, meeting with the Silsilah Board
of Trustees once a year in an advisory
and consultative function, according to
D’Ambra.
“During this year, what we would
stress is not just material, not just ex-
panding programs and services, not just
adding members or external structures,
we are talking about something more
that will give life, dynamism, passion
and excitement to all that we are, and to
all that we are already doing,” said
D’Ambra.
D’Ambra believes that Silsilah’s com-
mitment in the promotion of peace and
dialogue in Mindanao gives impetus to
members to embrace the same mission
as their own.
“What is it that keeps us going? What
is it that makes us stay in this mission of
promoting the culture of dialogue, path
to peace? We are talking about the Spiri-
tual or the energy within each one of us.
We are telling ourselves that we are here
and are staying because we believe that
making the vision-mission of Silsilah a
part of our life is transforming us, and
making us think, feel and act in a par-
ticular life style—a spirituality of life-
in-dialogue, and that the dialogue we
are engaged in is actually one that starts
from God and will bring us all back to
God,” said D’Ambra.
Besides, CBCP-ECID and Silsilah
would forge a “personalized member-
ship” to invite all who have been in-
volved with Silsilah in the past and
present.
time, talent, and treasure at the service
of dialogue and peace, according to each
one’s capacity, status and religion.
”Regular members” and their presence
will ensure groups of men and women,
living a life-in-dialogue, and commit-
ted to work for the promotion of a cul-
ture of dialogue as a sustainable path to
peace.
Through the Interfaith Council of
Leaders (IFCL), the Silsilah launched the
“tulay five initiative,” which are five
initiatives or bridges of friendship, a
campaign to establish and strengthen
goodwill among Muslim and Christian
communities during this special year of
spiritual preparation.
The five initiatives include: to help
build a simple Muslim-Christian prayer
houses in Harmony Village, to assist
poor Muslim and Christian orphans who
have lost one or both parents in situa-
tions of violence, to help repair or build
houses of poor Muslim families, and to
help repair or build houses of poor Chris-
tian families.
Both Christians and Muslims would
donate at least PhP1 weekly and are en-
couraged to bring home the message that
both the poor and the rich are invited to
be donors to this project.
Convened by the Silsilah Movement
in 2001 from respected Muslim and
Christian leaders in Zamboanga City,
IFCL is headed by Dr. Erdulfo Fernando,
former president of Western Mindanao
State University.
This initiative has for its goal the har-
nessing of Muslim and Christian lead-
ership from different sectors in the com-
munity for the promotion of dialogue
and peace.
It hopes to provide a venue for Mus-
lim, Christian and other religious lead-
ers to ventilate, identify, reflect and gen-
erate possible solution to certain social
issues that affect interfaith relationships.
They are then challenged to contrib-
ute to the implementation of solutions
for the common good.
The Council has created and commis-
sioned an Education Committee to
implement the Interfaith Dialogue Semi-
nar for Young Graduates through vari-
ous courses that Silsilah offers through-
out the year. (Santosh Digal)
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 11
May 26 - June 8, 2008 Statements B5

Killing People is
Never the Answer
THE CBCP-ECPPC reiterates its stand amidst the call of Sena-
tor Zubiri to restore capital punishment to murderers and drug
traffickers. The death penalty is an affront to the human dig-
nity of both those on whom it is inflicted and that in whose
name it is employed. The human person is central and the clearest
reflection of God among us. Human life is inherently precious
and those who commit crimes do not give up their human
dignity.
The killing in Laguna that prompted Sen. Zubiri to call for
the restoration of death penalty is condemnable. However, the
killing of the convicts will not really address the root as well as
the immediate cause of crime.
The death penalty is nothing but a cosmetic solution that
will give an illusion that we are doing something about crime.
It is an easy way out of addressing the complex and pervasive
problems of criminality. Killing people is never the answer.
We appeal to Senator Zubiri to stop giving us false hopes
that we will be safe and secure by putting people to death.

+ PEDRO D. ARIGO, D.D.

Chairman - ECPPC
May 20, 2008

‘At
‘At stake
stake
humanity
humanity
HOly See’s address on food crisis
HOly See’s address on food crisis
THE following was the address Arch-
bishop Celestino Migliore, perma-
nent observer of the Holy See to the
United Nations to the Economic and
Social Council’s 16th session of the
Commission on Sustainable Devel-
opment, May 16, 2008.
AT the outset my delegation joins
previous speakers in expressing
its condolences and solidarity to
those affected by the recent trag-
edies in Myanmar and China.
These disasters and their impact
on human lives and sustainable
development remind us of our
important responsibility as gov-
ernmental leaders to point the
way forward to addressing the
many issues of sustainable devel-
opment and to find the means for
building a better future.
The world is currently facing a
challenge of meeting this very
goal in the form of a global food
crisis. This crisis reveals the deli-
cate and interlinking nature of
agriculture, rural development,
land reform, drought and deserti-
is
is
to
to
fication and presents a daunting
yet important and urgent task to
policy makers and civil society.
Many question the real causes,
the consequences in the medium
and long term of the food crisis
and its fundamental tendencies.
The UN, in all its components and
in particular this Commission on
Sustainable Development, has a
precise responsibility and also an
interest of credibility in provid-
ing appropriate responses in
view of effective solutions, be-
cause at stake is the ability of
humanity to provide food.
Indeed, this food crisis should not
be measured merely by the rise in
costs throughout the international
food markets, but also by the physi-
cal, mental and spiritual cost of those
who are unable to provide for them-
selves and their families.
Investing in long-term and
sustainable agriculture programs
at the local and international lev-
els remains central to the devel-
opment prospects of so many.
This investment must be done in
the
the ability
ability of
of
provide
provide food’
food’
a way that addresses the prices of
food commodities as well as the
distribution and production of
food around the world, in par-
ticular in Africa. Programs that
allow farmers to produce food
commodities at the local levels
should continue to be supported
and greater efforts must be made
to mitigate the negative aspects
of changing environmental and
financial realities.
Agriculture policies need to re-
discover the path of reason and
reality in order to balance the need
for food production with the need
to be good stewards of the earth.
Care must be taken in order to
meet the fundamental needs of
persons and to avoid reducing the
dialogue to self-interested and
ideologically driven economic and
environmental extremes.
Seventy percent of the world’s
poor live in the same rural areas
where widespread chronic mal-
nourishment continues to persist.
Clearly, this illustrates that in
addressing sustainable develop-
ment we must continue to focus
not merely upon those who con-
sume food commodities but also
upon those who produce it.
Greater investment in small-
holder farmers which enables
them to increase production in a
sustainable manner would pro-
vide an important element to
addressing the continued pres-
ence of chronic hunger and mal-
nourishment in certain regions.
While the current food crisis
presents an immediate threat to
development, society must con-
tinue to address persisting and
imminent challenges such as cli-
mate change, harmful agricul-
tural subsidies, fair trade, envi-
ronmental degradation and land
reform. Through greater interna-
tional solidarity and increased
concern for the most vulnerable
within our societies, we can ad-
dress the immediate challenges
while still working to ensure that
the progress of today becomes
the cornerstone for a more just
and secure tomorrow.
Why Kill?
IT is with great disappointment that the Coalition Against Death
Penalty received the call of Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri to re-
store the death penalty in the cases of convicted murderers and
drug traffickers.
Greatly disturbing also is how Senator Zubiri approaches
the problems of the nation. The killings that happened in La-
guna are condemnable. The authority should use everything
in its power for the early resolution of these cases.
However, the CADP believes that taking away life is an easy,
quick BUT wrong solution. It merely gives the impression that
measures are being taken so as to eradicate crime and that
criminality is finally solved. But until such time that the root
causes of criminality are aborted, criminality will continue.
We call for more sincerity on Senator Zubiri. If he believes
on the sanctity of God-given human life then he should not call
on the State apparatus to take away human life even of those
who have erred.
If we have already detained, debilitated, and disempowered
the convict, why do we still have to kill him?
The CADP believes that Senator Zubiri should instead work
on the passage of legislations that will pursue the purpose of
incarceration which is rehabilitation of our prisoners and resti-
tution to the victims. He should find another way of defending
society that will obviate the need for the death penalty, which
only brings out the worst in us all.
RODOLFO D.DIAMANTE
Spokesperson, Coalition Against Death Penalty
May 20, 2008

Communion / B1

Moreover in the experience of many
families, a permanent breakup is not
only possible. It can be real, as when the
migrant or itinerant worker falls into
other relationships either casually with
many persons or permanently with one
person. These relationships can ruin the
relationship that the migrant worker has
with the family that is left behind.
Given the above situation of tempo-
rary and permanent family breakup,
possible or actual, and the many other
social, cultural, religious, economic and
legal problems that have been men-
tioned at this seminar, the setting up of
a family ministry at the churches of ori-
gin and destination is imperative.
Among its tasks would be to help mi-
grants and itinerants regarding legal
cases and to be their advocates regard-
ing their rights. But family ministry has
to go beyond these tasks.
Family ministry has to be in dialogue
with migrant workers and itinerant
peoples. Pastoral workers have to know
them, their life situations, their condi-
tions of work. Dialogue with them will
reveal their real pastoral situation, their
priority needs, and the ways by which
effective response can be given to their
situation. Through such dialogue an ef-
fective family ministry with the proper
social dimensions on behalf of migrants
and itinerant peoples can be set up. With-
out such dialogue a pastoral response
can be misdirected and irrelevant.
2. A Family Ministry that Cares and
Serves
Family breakup contradicts the nature
of marriage and family. The Lord of
families calls the local churches to do
the task of explaining in a credible and
convincing manner the nature of mar-
riage and of family as a communion of
love and care.
This task also aims at educating mem-
bers of families to reflect in their lives
and relationships the communion that
they are called to be. The family is a sanc-
tuary within which the unity of husband,
wife and children is fostered. It is God’s
gift to them for the sake of salvation. In this
way their natural desire for unity in love
is consciously brought to the realm of
the spirit and of the Reign of God. Such
formation in faith given by the local
church regarding marriage and family
builds communion and solidarity within
the family. It prepares them to live up to
their family commitments while one or
more members of the family depart for
work in a foreign country.
The task of formation and education
requires a family ministry that cares for
and serves families of migrants and itin-
erant peoples.
When migrants and itinerants actually
leave for their places of work, the local
church of origin still has the task help-
ing maintain and promote the commun-
ion and solidarity of the family. Through
pastoral guidance and encouragement,
the local church provides the spiritual
resources that give them strength to bear
and cope with separation.
On the other hand, in communion and
solidarity with the local church of ori-
gin and with the migrant and itinerant
worker, the church of arrival has to pro-
vide a similar ministry of care and ser-
vice. It begins with a “ministry of wel-
come” (see Erga migrantes caritas Christi,
no. 40). In this way the “stranger” will
find a home away from home— the
Lord’s household that is the Church. The
local church of arrival is not only a place
where migrants and itinerant peoples go
for worship. It should be a place where
they find “family” belongingness,
friendship and fellowship in community.
Simple celebrations of birthdays and
other anniversaries take on greater
meaning when celebrated within such
fellowships.
Concretely, this means the active pres-
ence and ministry of chaplains and pas-
toral workers to whom migrant work-
ers and itinerant peoples can refer their
problems and find a listening ear and
caring hand. Letters of introduction
would also help. It is important for pas-
toral workers to know a little bit of the
cultures of migrants and itinerant work-
ers and be able to speak to them in a
language they understand. The lack of
ability to communicate in a language
that is understood is one of the most se-
rious causes of loneliness and alienation.
Associations of migrants and itinerant
peoples will add to the spirit of com-
mon strength, belongingness and fel-
lowship they find in the church.
Such pastoral care was envisioned by
the FABC at its 8th Plenary Assembly held
in Daejeon, Korea in 2004 on the topic:
“The Asian Family towards a Culture of
Integral Life.”
One of its pastoral recommendations
is the setting up of family ministries in
Asia that “form and empower,” “care
and serve,” and “promote social trans-
formation.” Among the special pro-
grams of a caring and serving family
ministry, the Plenary Assembly recom-
mended “setting up programs for fami-
lies with migrant workers abroad and
helping migrant workers before they
leave and when they return” (Final
Document, no. 119).
The FABC vision of family ministry in
Asia calls for pastoral programs that
should “make the inner resources of our
faith (the sacraments, liturgy, prayer, day-
to-day spirituality) available to couples
and their families in their striving toward
a culture of integral life… and should
empower families to become evangeliz-
ers, such that ministry is not only for fami-
lies but by families” (no. 116).
3. A family ministry that forms and
empowers
Beyond the simple idea of receiving
pastoral care is the universal mission,
valid also for migrants and itinerants,
to evangelize others. For this reason, a
family ministry should form and em-
power in the faith. In communion and
solidarity both the church of origin and
the church of destination have to work
on empowering migrants and itinerant
peoples to become evangelizers.
It is well known that by the dynamism
of their religious faith migrant workers
and itinerant peoples have impressed
peoples with weakened faith or with
hardly any practical faith. Domestic
workers in many countries of Europe
bring the children of their employers to
church on Sundays, teach them how to
pray and what the basic tenets of the
Church are.
In the churches of origin faith forma-
tion and empowerment can be done
through the regular catechetical and bib-
lical programs at the parish level in col-
laboration with the family ministry of
the parish. The local church should espe-
cially emphasize formation to a spiritual-
ity of communion in the family: “…at the
heart of the family is Communion, com-
munion with God, communion of the
spouses, communion of young or elderly
parents and their children, communion
with grandparents and other members
of the extended family… It is a union of
hearts and minds that in a human way
reflects the communion of God the Fa-
ther, Son and Holy Spirit—the Triune
God from whom the family came to be…
Communion within the family, how-
ever, reaches out to the wider commu-
nity and impels the family toward a mis-
sion of service for the sake of the Reign
of God. This outward movement enables
the family to share the Trinitarian com-
munion that it is gifted with. A spiritual-
ity of communion infuses vigor and en-
thusiasm—life—into the dynamics of the
family, the relationship between spouses,
between parents and children, between
members of the extended family.” (8 th
FABC Plenary Assembly, Daejeon, Ko-
rea, August 17-23, 2004, Final Document,
nos. 105-106).
A spirituality of communion, unity, and
solidarity will definitely help spouses and
children cope better with the aches and
pains of temporary separation. Kept alive
through prayer and communication, it
would also serve to overcome tempta-
tions to permanent separation.
In the churches of arrival, migrant
workers and itinerant peoples could fol-
low a designed program of catechesis
and have on-going faith and biblical for-
mation. For instance Filipino migrant
workers who come together for Mass
and socialization every Sunday could
have on-going faith formation for an
hour after the Mass and before their so-
cialization and fellowship activities.
But on the issue of on-going forma-
tion and empowerment, an initiative in
some countries like the Philippines is
significant in the light of the concerns of
migrants and itinerant people. This is
the training of pastoral workers. A week-
long course was started six years ago by
the Scalabrini Migration Center in Ma-
nila in collaboration with the Philippine
Bishops’ Commission on the Pastoral
Care of Migrants and Itinerant People.
This was designed to train pastoral work-
ers for migrants. Last January the course
was attended by 46 pastoral workers
from Korea, Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan,
Indonesia and the Philippines. They went
through learning modules covering the
migrant situation in Asia, church teach-
ings on migration, the mission with
migrants in Asia, specific issues on the
care of migrants, networking and plan-
ning future programs.
The more programs there are to train
pastoral workers, the better for the mis-
sion of caring and serving migrants and
their families.
My suggestion is for pastoral care and
activities to go beyond worship, social-
ization and fellowship and into ongoing
formation and empowerment for inte-
gral evangelization.
Evangelizing by migrants and itiner-
ant peoples may seem to be idealistic but
for many Filipino migrant workers this
is already a lived experience. Already
many Filipino migrants who belong to
various lay religious movements such as
El Shaddai, Couples for Christ, and other
charismatic groups follow the faith for-
mation sessions of their lay groups.
It is a matter simply of consciously
bringing the missionary or evangeliz-
ing dimension into the on-going faith
formation session and continuing what
may already have been started at the
local church of origin.
Here again we see the great need of
collaboration – of communion and soli-
darity for mission among migrants and
itinerant peoples, between them and the
local churches of origin and arrival.
4. In dialogue with other cultures and
religions
What has been said so far would seem
to apply only in places where migrants
and itinerant peoples can practice their
own religion freely and where local
churches of origin and destination play
a great role.
But the great majority of Asian mi-
grants and itinerant peoples live and
work in countries where they cannot
freely and safely practice a religion dif-
ferent from that of their host country. In
such countries temporary separation
from one’s own family becomes even
more acute. They are deprived of the
strength and consolation that religious
faith and fellowship could provide even
when a celebration is merely a birthday
or anniversary.
It is in this situation that prior forma-
tion and empowerment in the local church
of origin is important and imperative.
Prior faith formation can help migrant
workers and itinerant peoples cope with
the pressures of work in a country of dif-
ferent religious persuasion and where re-
ligious conversion in order to have better
work conditions and higher compensation
is always a severe temptation.
Only a dialogue of life is possible in
such situation. For domestic workers,
more restricted to the home of employ-
ers perhaps not even this is possible.
Friendship and fellowship with peoples
of other faiths and cultures would cer-
tainly ease the aches of homesickness and
being separated from families.
Moreover, dialogue—solidarity and
collaboration (or diplomatic arrange-
ments)—between governments with
peoples of predominantly different re-
ligions will go a long way to make mi-
grants and itinerant peoples feel at home
in their countries of work.
5. Solidarity and collaboration at the
international level
Beyond decent and humane working
Communion / B6
 CBCP Monitor
B6 Reflections Vol. 12 No. 11
May 26 - June 8, 2008

By Fr. Paul Marquez,
SSP
TODAY’S celebration of Corpus
Christi makes us think about
food, most glorious food! If in the
Old Testament the Hebrews were
fed with manna which had rot-
ten and could not prevent people
from dying, Jesus in the New Tes-
tament speaks of himself as “the
living bread” from heaven. His
magnificent promise: “ Whoever
eats this bread will live forever.”
Jesus recalls to the Jews how their
ancestors, namely Moses’ contem-
poraries, had partaken of the
manna yet still faced death. God
“purged” the Hebrews when he
first allowed them to go hungry in
the “vast and terrible desert with its
saraph serpents and scorpions”. After-
wards, God supplied them with
manna, a “fine flake-like thing, fine as
the frost on the ground” (Ex 16:14) and
tastes “like wafers from honey” (Ex
16:31). Yet the Hebrews grew tired
with this food and yearned for the
flesh spots of Egypt. They were even
willing to return to servitude!
The real tragedy of the He-
brews was their refusal to listen
to the voice of God in the desert.
Although they had hit rock bot-
tom, they rejected God who
guided them in every step of their
journey. They preferred their old
life of slavery, choosing to back-
slide rather than surrender their
future to the hands of God. Per-
sons who remain intransigent, set
in their old ways and deaf to the
urgings of the Holy Spirit, cannot
entrust their future in God’s
hands. They will always prefer
their own tried and tested formula
in life instead of obeying God.
In today’s gospel Jesus offers
himself as the “living bread” that
Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ
(May 25, 2008; Dt 8:2-3, 14b-16a; 1 Cor 10:16-17; Jn 6:51-58)
brings eternal life. “For my flesh is
true food, and my blood is true drink”
(Jn 6: 55). Jesus does not merely
give food; he gives his very self
for our food. Unlike the experi-
ence of the Old Testament believ-
ers who perished and died, Jesus
assures us of everlasting life:
“Whoever eats my flesh and drinks
my blood has eternal life, and I will
raise him on the last day” (Jn 6: 54).
Breaking Bread
When the first Christians were
being hunted in Rome, they usu-
ally gathered and broke bread in
the catacombs. Word flew fast
that the Christians were canni-
bals and they had been reported
to eat the body of Christ and
drink his blood. What a source of
comfort and consolation the Eu-
charist must have been to the per-
secuted Christians at that time!
Today as Jesus invites us to re-
main in him, he promises that
he will remain in us. He is invit-
ing us to an experience of a fresh
and new life. He counsels us to
reject the way of the Hebrews
who rejected God’s invitation as
they set their eyes on Egypt, their
place of servitude. They chose to
cling to their old life of sin.
Recently, we discovered a fresh
rendition of the Last Supper depict-
ing Jesus not with the usual twelve
apostles but with twelve street-chil-
dren. Joey Velasco, a neophyte
painter and also a family man, sim-
ply wanted to adorn their dining
room with an image of the Last Sup-
per. He wanted to teach his chil-
dren not to waste food, so he
thought of painting street-children.
In the famous painting called
“Hapag ng Pag-Asa,” Jesus is shown
sharing a meal with twelve sun-
burnt, emaciated kids. The painting
sends a very consoling message to
everyone who find themselves in a
difficult situation that Jesus is not a
distant God but very near to those
who suffer. Jesus is concerned with
the plight of the very poor.
The images in the painting be-
came alive and had spoken person-
ally to the painter. After a year, Joey
succeeded to gather the twelve
kids for a reunion. He wanted to
know each of them on a personal
basis, and not as mere paid mod-
els. In the process of looking for
the kids, Joey realized that he was
the one coming back to himself.
He was a successful businessman
and the temptation to remain
uninvolved was very strong.
Joey listened to the voice within.
He went on to do other paintings
after Hapag, and they all depict Jesus
with poor, old, weak people – bro-
ken bodies and afflicted spirit ¯
who nonetheless find much reason
to hope because Jesus is always
with them. Joey has already spo-
ken to several groups regarding
his paintings and how the experi-
ence brought about his personal
transformation. Joey’s work
caught the attention of Gawad
Kalinga’s Tony Meloto and as-
sured the families of the twelve
kids that Gawad Kalinga will build
houses for them.
“The bread that we break, is it not a
participation in the body of Christ?”
St. Paul raises this question in
today’s second reading. In our own
way, let us allow God to break our
bread. Like Joey, may we listen to
the voice within. Let us abandon
the place of servitude, follow Jesus
and entrust the future in his hands.
This is the only way the body of
Christ will prosper and grow.

Communion / B5 By Fr. Roy Cimagala

conditions is a mutuality and reciproc- We are in the “now and not yet” dimen-

ity of rights, especially of the fundamen-
tal freedom of religion, based on the
universal golden rule—”Do unto others
what you want them do unto you.”
Recent appeals by the Holy Father for
such reciprocity of rights and freedom of
religion have raised the consciousness of
people around the world regarding this
human rights issue. It has also raised the
bar of inter-religious dialogue a bit higher.
To promote this reciprocity of rights
and to ensure that peoples of different
faiths practice their religion freely and
safely everywhere would be a para-
mount responsibility of international
decision makers. It needs dialogue, soli-
darity, and collaboration between States.
It would also be necessary for the United
Nations to act determinedly on this is-
sue in accord with the Universal Decla-
ration of Human Rights.
Dialogue towards recognizing and prac-
ticing reciprocity of the freedom of reli-
gion is a task needing the utmost mutual
respect, openness, persistence and determi-
nation. For if States do not recognize such
freedom for their own citizen-minorities,
how much more difficult it would be for
States to recognize the same freedom to
migrants and itinerant workers.
Dialogue, solidarity and collaboration
at the international level should also ad-
dress another burning issue—the issue of
reuniting the families of migrants and of
recognizing their rights as families, accord-
ing them the same protection as other fami-
lies (see the Holy See’s Charter of the
Rights of the Family, 1983, Article 12).
Granted that there are many obstacles
that prevent effective resolution, includ-
ing concerns about internal security, eco-
nomics and demography, the obstacles
are not insurmountable. The pastoral
care of migrants and itinerant peoples
would call for local and international
advocacy on these issues regarding fam-
ily unification and family rights.
To be highly commended is the work
of non-governmental organizations
both at the local and international lev-
els, such as the International Catholic Mi-
gration Commission, that pushes the ad-
Rural concerns
sion of God’s Reign. We are called to
make this one globalized world a safe
home for all, a home to be built on jus-
tice, truth, freedom, peace, and love.
These are fundamental values of the
Reign of God.
It is this perspective of God’s Reign,
of God’s loving dominion over us, that
pulls together efforts of various reli-
THE Philippine Church is preparing for natural realities. economic activity and social justice in
gions and ideologies to respond to the
the second Rural Congress, meant to I was immediately struck, for example, the rural areas but more importantly in
family breakup of migrant workers and
mainstream the rural concerns in the by the frequent and seemingly indis- infusing the proper healthy Christian
itinerant peoples.
Church. As we all know, because of ru- criminate conclusion, after issues were spirit there.
ral conditions, these concerns tend to be discussed, that the “Church presence has In this regard, a lot of prudence on the
Conclusion
taken for granted and neglected. to be felt more” in this area or in that part of priests and other Church leaders
To the question how can we respond
Thus, it’s a good and most welcome aspect of rural life. is needed. While problems and irregu-
effectively to the breakup of the family
move. Everyone is encouraged to par- What is Church presence exactly? How larities should be acknowledged, the
of migrant workers and itinerant
ticipate in any constructive or positively is the concept of Church to be under- abiding attitude to take should be con-
peoples, I have attempted to provide a
critical way he or she can. It surely will stood in the rural context? If Church pres- structive and unitive rather than divisive.
pastoral response in the light of reflec-
mark a step forward in the maturing ence is limited to presence of priests in It’s a matter of coordinating with rel-
tions of the Federation of Asian Bish-
process of our Church. an area, that would be wrong, since the evant parties, encouraging them to have
ops’ Conferences.
Thus, in a diocese where I visited re- Church is all the people of God, and not the sense of solidarity to foster what
The response concretely calls for a
cently, they held a presentation of what just priests. would further authentic Christian devel-
triple dialogue – with the poor, with
so far they had studied and gathered af- It’s good that certain disturbing find- opment in these places.
cultures, and religious traditions. It calls
ter a few months of consultation and ings are brought out. Like, there’s an It’s a matter of putting together for
for the setting up of a family ministry
dialoguing with several elements and impression that priests seem to go to the the good of all the rich and the poor, the
that is in dialogue with migrants and
players involved in this big event. remote rural areas only on “fiestas,” and city and the rural, the public and private
itinerants, with their cultures and reli-
I must say that the group that under- after that, they are hardly seen. Also, that sectors, and others. While we have to
gious traditions.
took the study made a good, highly pro- priests seem to say Mass in these places observe the distinctions, we should
It is a family ministry that cares and
fessional job. And to think that they did only when the “stipend is right.” avoid putting them in conflict.
serves, forms and empowers for mission.
it all on purely volunteer basis! That was These are complex issues that need to There are already many initiatives,
Formation towards a spirituality of com-
indeed very edifying. Let’s hope we can be studied and tackled thoroughly. We NGOs and private foundations that are
munion which is at the heart of marriage
have more of this generosity! should refrain from making rash judg- working for the good of the rural folks.
and the family is the key element of this
Just the same, we have to say that in ments. For one, there’s a great lack of The network of family farm schools and
pastoral response.
spite of the extensive coverage of the priests. But certainly, whatever can lead foundations like the Sugbuanon Foun-
The response also calls for solidarity
study that yielded many interesting find- to these impressions should be removed. dation for the Development of Rural
and collaboration between churches of
ings, certain limitations and unresolved But if by Church presence is meant Resources and Effective Area Manage-
origin and arrival, and between States
questions can still be noted. that priests should now be more in- ment are some examples.
at the international level. The crux of the
In short, for any sociological study on volved in social activities like organiz- They are doing a great job in rural
matter is reciprocity and mutuality of
certain aspects of Church life to be effec- ing cooperatives and running business development. Our Church officials
rights, particularly of the freedom of
tive, it should have its due guidance from ventures, micro-financing outlets, etc., should establish some relations with
religion. When migrant workers and
theology and other sciences related to faith. at the expense of their spiritual and pas- them. They should encourage these ini-
itinerant peoples enjoy freedom of reli-
This is because the social sciences are toral ministry, then we have a violation tiatives and inspire other people to do
gion, they are able to avail themselves
always in need of some proper moor- of priestly identity and office. the same.
of the spiritual resources of their faith.
ings. By themselves, they cannot capture I think what is needed here is to em- They don’t have to reinvent the wheel
They are better able to cope with pres-
the intricacies of Church life that’s power the lay faithful so they can be and stray from their proper roles in the
sures of temporary family breakup and
mainly governed by spiritual and super- more active in triggering not only more Church and society.
the severe temptations to permanent
family break-up.
The common basis of action for such
solidarity and collaboration is the uni- Bo Sanchez
versal journey of all peoples towards the
Reign of God, a journey towards justice

Love with your heart

vocacy of the Church and its dicasteries
forward at various fora. Advocacy is part
and parcel of pastoral care and strives to
press forward ethical decisions on mi-
grants and their families in accord with
the teachings of the Church.
6. A common basis for pastoral work
toward communion and solidarity -- the
reign of God
In a situation where peoples of differ-
ent religious traditions and their gov-
ernments are involved, the pastoral care
of migrant workers and itinerant peoples
would require a common perspective.
We who believe in Jesus Christ are
guided in our work by this belief in Jesus
and by the mission of proclaiming him
as the Lord and Savior of the world. This
is our unique perspective. We need to
keep this perspective in our conscious-
ness. It should always motivate and en-
ergize our pastoral work.
But in the care of migrant workers and
itinerants, collaboration and solidarity
with other religious traditions and their
governments would require a common
perspective. This is provided by the per-
spective of God’s Reign. Brothers and
sisters under the one God are on a jour-
ney together towards God’s Reign which
comes definitively at the end of time.
and truth, peace, freedom and love.
A recommendation to the Pontifical
Council
In two full days we have listened to 22
conferences on the situation of various
kinds of migrant workers and itinerant
peoples. For us who are new to this min-
istry of pastoral care, the conferences
have given us an excellent panoramic
view of the pastoral situation. But due
to time constraints we may not have been
able to explore major issues in depth.
In a certain sense, migrant workers and
itinerant peoples constitute a global “dio-
cese” or even a number of global “dioceses.”
Therefore, for a better and more effec-
tive collaboration and solidarity, may I
respectfully recommend that those re-
sponsible in regional and continental
Episcopal assemblies come together ev-
ery two or three years under the leader-
ship of the Pontifical Council for the pur-
pose of discussing in depth two or three
burning issues affecting migrant work-
ers, itinerant peoples and their families.
(Most Rev. Orlando Quevedo, OMI,
is the archbishop of Cotabato and Secretary
General of the Federation of Asian Bishops’
Conference. This piece was delivered at the
General Assembly of the Pontifical Council
LET me speak to married men this time.
One morning, let’s say you find your wife in bed with tears
in her eyes. When you ask her why, she mumbles, “I’m de-
pressed.”
As a husband who has read the Bible, attended prayer meet-
ings, and was now active in the parish, the temptation at this
point is to love her with your mind. “What? How could you be
depressed?” You shake your head in dismay. “Sweetheart, you’re
not yet spiritually mature! Trust God! Follow Proverbs 3:5 and you
won’t be depressed! ‘Trust in Thy Lord with all thine heart, leaneth
not on thine own understanding, in all thy ways acknowledge Him,
and He shalt direct thy paths!’”
If you are the wife, and your husband tells that to you, I’m
giving you permission to say to him one of the most expres-
sive words in our language: “Heh!!!”
Husbands, don’t love her with your mind.
Love her with your heart.
When she says, “I’m depressed,” do this: Put your arms around
her, stroke her hair, and plant a kiss on her forehead. And
then say, “It’s okay, hon. It’s okay. Can you tell me why you’re sad?
I’m listening.”
Now imagine your wife says, “I’m depressed because this
morning, I looked at the mirror, and I saw so many wrinkles on my
face!” (Boo-hoo-hoo…)
Immediately, husbands, you’ll be tempted to love with your
mind again. So you say, “That’s all? Darling, you’re vain!” you
say with a preacher’s bombastic voice, “Where’s your spiritual
maturity? Scripture says, ‘Seeketh thy treasure in heaven where
thieves doth not break in and steal or moth destroy,’ and ‘Indeed we
believeth that when this earthly tent of ours shall passeth away, we
shall findeth a new home, a dwelling in the heavens, not made by
human hands, but made by God to last forever!’”
Husbands, don’t love her with your mind.
Love with your heart. (There is only one time where you
should love with your mind, and that’s during courtship.
Think. Analyze. Evaluate. But once the wedding ceremony is
over, the heart rules.)
At this point, she doesn’t need a preacher. She needs a lover.
Cradle her in your arms again, and if you have a some-
what-tolerable voice, sing to her the love song of Steve Curtis
Chapman, “I Will Be Here.” (If your voice chases away cats
and dogs, just say the lyrics.)
“I will be here,
You can cry on my shoulder,
When the mirror tells us were older,
I will hold you,
I will be here,
To watch you grow in beauty…”
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 11
May 26 - June 8, 2008
The Lord’s Bank
Saving money for the
less fortunate
By Pinky Barrientos, FSP
IT is truly what they say, banking with a dif-
ference.
The Lord’s Bank, a parish-based savings
bank established in three parishes in the Dio-
cese of Daet is no ordinary bank. It operates
on the premise that depositors can deposit
money but not withdraw.
The concept is a social credit system pat-
terned after that of Canada. The money de-
posited is loaned to member depositors to
support social services, like small scale busi-
nesses and other livelihood projects.
“The idea behind is to lend money with-
out interest,” said Msgr. Joselito Asis, former
parish priest of St. John the Baptist Parish of
Daet diocese. Asis, who is currently the assis-
tant secretary general of CBCP, established
the Lord’s Bank in his parish in October 2006.
Asis said banks and other lending institu-
tions usually put a certain percentage on
money loaned which makes it impossible for
poor people to pay up.
And this is especially true in developing
countries like the Philippines, said Asis. So-
cial credit is an advocacy by a group in Canada
which Bishop Almoneda adopted, he added.
A brainchild of Bishop Benjamin Almoneda
when he was still the local ordinary of Daet,
the Lord’s Bank was actually started by the
late Msgr. Quirino Parcelo in his parish of
San Roque. He designed a program that
would integrate social credit with the tithing
program. Thus, the Lord’s Bank was born.
“It can finance any program, microfinance,
scholarship grant, health, financial aid and
other needs,” explained Asis.
Asis lectured on the aspect of stewardship
explaining to parishioners the rationale be-
hind the concept. He conducted formation ses-
sions with parish leaders, lectors, Eucharistic
ministers, religious organizations, and BECs.
“So when we started the tithing program,
we started the Lord’s Bank. Tithing is 10 per-
cent of our income, but we don’t actually give
10 percent. The idea of stewardship is to give
CBCPMonitor
SUBSCRIPTION RATES
The CBCP Monitor is published fortnightly
by the CBCP Media Office, with editorial
and business offices at 470 Gen. Luna St.,
Intramuros, Manila. PO Box 3601, 1076
MCPO
• Domestic
1 Year Php 500.00
2 Years Php 900.00
• Foreign: Asia
1 Year US$ 55.00
Social Concerns
[the] offering according to [one’s] capacity.
But it should be done on a regular basis. They
can pledge any amount they can give. But
once they give, it will go to the Lord’s Bank,”
explained Asis.
Just like any bank account
Just like anybody opening a bank account,
the depositor will also be given a passbook.
All the transactions are recorded in a ledger
kept in the parish office.
If a depositor deposits 100 pesos a month,
the amount is recorded and reflected in the
passbook.
It really operates like a bank only with a
difference, said Asis. Once somebody depos-
its money in the Lord’s Bank it is not with-
drawable, because it is the person’s tithing.
The frequency of tithing is left to the ca-
pacity of the faithful. The principle is when a
person receives his salary, he/she gives his
tithing.
Asis encouraged his parishioners to give
regularly out of their income.
“That’s why, if you are regularly receiving
your salary, get already a percentage of it or
set aside an amount. Many, actually, give
their deposit to the parish at the end of the
month,” said Asis.
The money collected from depositors was
kept intact for one year. The parish was able
to collect P150,000 with only 60 depositors.
In its second year of operation, half of the
money was invested to a Botika ng Parokya and
the other half made available for soft loans.
The 3S way
Aside from the usual tithing Asis intro-
duced another novel way of enticing parish-
ioners to become active depositors in the
Lord’s Bank. One Lenten season, he started
the 3S way—sacrifice, save and share, and
found it very effective.
“For example, [you] used to take a snack
worth P10 pesos, you make a sacrifice, save
[it], in one week you have P70 pesos. In one
month you save roughly P250 pesos. So you
deposit that into the Lord’s Bank,” explained
Name _________________________________________________
(Family Name) (Given Name)
Mailing Address
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Phone No.: ________ Fax No.: ________ E-mail: ___________
Mode of Payment
Check/PMO enclosed Cash Payment
(Payable to: CBCP Communications Development Foundation Inc.)
_____________________________
PLEASE SEND TO:
CBCP Monitor, P.O. Box 3601, Manila, Philippines
470 Gen. Luna St., Intramuros, Manila, Philippines | Tel (632) 404-2182 • Telefax (632) 404-1612
Asis.
“When I proposed that to my catechists, they
said, okay, deduct P20 pesos from our hono-
rarium for the Lord’s Bank,” Asis chuckled.
Asis has no idea how many depositors are
there now, although he assumes there has
been an increase since he left the parish.
The Lord’s Bank is still in its early stages
and yet to enhance its operations like a regu-
lar bank. Asis said the Lord’s Bank will even-
tually have its own officers and board of trust-
ees composed of parish finance council. Cur-
rently the parish priest acts as bank’s man-
ager and the parish secretary takes care of
the transactions.
The bank has a policy of a maximum loan
of P5,000. Whether this will increase in the
future will depend on the availability of funds
of the bank.
One of the conditions before one can bor-
row is that he/she has to be a depositor first,
regardless of how much one deposits. The
borrower is encouraged to pay back the loan
on time and continue to deposit. Payment of
loans has a maximum time of three months.
The main borrowers, according to Asis, were
also the catechists.
The bank had already released loans to as-
sist a catechist whose child needed to be hos-
pitalized and to another who needed money
as capital for a small sari-sari store.
Bank’s beneficiaries
The bank is a great help especially to the
poor. The soft loans that poor people get from
the Lord’s Bank free them from becoming
prey to the usurious practices of some money
lenders. Those unemployed are also given
the chance to start a small business to sup-
port themselves and their families.
Asis said the member-depositors are also
benefited since they are given the chance to
be generous and charitable. It also teaches
the people that even the poor can give out of
the little they have.
At the same time the contribution of the
rich helps. If this can be developed, it will
bring much benefit. But it will depend on
catechesis and formation, he concluded.
(Middle Name)
B7
Herbal
Medicine
A social concern, a social responsibility
Dr. Tess V. Ramiro
IN our ten-year apostolate and organizational work in Alabat
Island, Quezon Province, early on we, the staff of AKKAPKA-
CANV, discovered that for quite some time, Herbology—the
study of herbs and plants’ medicinal and healing properties—
was taught in the local high school as a subject. The students
who went through the said subject became familiar with the
plants and herbs in their locality.
They also memorized the various medicinal and healing
properties of the plants and herbs that they studied, and ap-
plied their acquired knowledge in their lives on a daily basis.
As it were, Herbology became the young people’s guide to
“alternative medicine” and the old folks’ way of transmitting
their knowledge of yore to the new generation. Unfortunately,
Herbology as a subject, we were told, was removed from the
local high school’s curriculum during the mid-‘70’s.
Those who gained from the study of Herbology for a while
persisted in utilizing what nature has abundantly given them—
the plants and herbs, which they so faithfully nurtured. But
over the years, with the onslaught of the so-called “modern
life” and its accompanying new technologies, the majority of
the locals abandoned nature’s gifts.
It was only in the last five years that the locals, particularly
those who have gone through our seminars on Active Non-
Violence, have again picked up the interest in healing, utiliz-
ing the gifts of nature: the so-called “alternative medicine.”
Why so? Most people claim the so-called “modern life” has
demanded on the locals too high a price, both literally and
figuratively. (The price of “western medicine” as well as doc-
tors’ fees has become prohibitive.) For others, having one dis-
trict hospital (currently manned by three doctors who take turns
going on duty, several nurses and a few medical staff for the
entire Island of 49,000 people or so) is not sufficient to respond
to, and take care of, the health needs of the locals.
Nature’s gifts—the plants and
herbs—are more than enough for all
our health needs. More importantly
NATURE itself is God’s gift to us.
We owe it to ourselves, to one an-
other, and to God, to take care of
NATURE.
So, it’s back to basics. A former Science teacher and one of the
senior members of our organization, along with some volun-
teers, took on the responsibility of starting the organization’s
herbal garden on the once vacant lot entrusted to his care by a
friend. The said lot is located just behind the grounds of the
local elementary school.
The herbal garden contains plants and herbs that have been
“taken for granted” by most people—eggplants, okras, lemon
grass or tanglad, yellow ginger, tomatoes, etc. How taken for
granted? Take for example tomatoes. Most people couldn’t care
less whether they eat tomatoes or not at all. Some just consider
tomatoes as ingredients to pinangat or sinigang or other types of
cooking; for some, they are must-haves in salads. But how many
know the value of tomatoes as antioxidants? How many think
of slicing a tomato and applying it on a slightly burned skin as a
first aid? Tomatoes, if eaten regularly, prevent/heal certain types
of cancer, are good for the heart, reduce high blood pressure (or
hypertension), prevent diarrhea, soothes eye irritation, cleanse
and revitalize the skin, heals sunburn, heals wounds and sores,
and supports liver health among others.
Another example: ginger. We, Filipinos, are familiar with
the use of ginger as salabat, especially after long hours of using
our voice. But are we familiar with it in terms of its use for
migraine headaches, morning sickness, motion sickness, nau-
sea and vomiting, asthma, colds, fever, rheumatoid arthritis,
belching and constipation, among others? Are we familiar with
ginger as a classic tonic for the digestive tract? Perhaps we
have also had the experience of applying crushed ginger with a
bit of oil on our inflamed or sore muscles, especially after a
sprain or strenuous exercise? The list goes on and on for each of
the plant and herbs rich in medicinal/healing properties.
Other than the herbal garden, we have also gone into the
production of virgin coconut oil utilizing the wet process. (A
farmer from Batangas taught a core group of Alabateños how
to naturally get virgin coconut oil from mature coconuts.) Af-
ter our Base Group members have gained confidence in the
production of virgin coconut oil, we have had the product tested
by the Philippine Coconut Authority as well as the Bureau of
Food and Drugs (BFAD). Our product indeed passed the tests
for which we were granted by the BFAD a license (which has
been recently renewed) to manufacture/produce virgin coco-
nut oil for commercial purposes.
The medicinal/healing properties of coconut and its
byproducts are numerous. It is altogether another important
story. But suffice it to say that organizationally, we have incor-
porated “alternative healing” in our Transformation Program.
We have also made sure that those who undergo our Forma-
tion Program recognize and appreciate the locals’ rediscovery
of the importance of herbal medicine, how the locals have
doubled their efforts in taking care of the environment.
For truly, nature, our environment that has been taking care
of us will continue to take care of all of us—our health and our
needs—if we take care of her. Nature’s gifts—the
plants and herbs—are more than
enough for all our health
needs. More im-
portantly NA-
TURE itself is
God’s gift to
us. We owe
it to ourselves,
to one another,
and to God, to take
care of NATURE.
 CBCP Monitor
B8 Entertainment Vol. 12 No. 11
May 26 - June 8, 2008

Moral Technical
Assessment Assessment
Abhorrent Poor
Disturbing Below average
Acceptable Average
Wholesome Above average
Exemplary Excellent

JASON (Micheal Angarano) is a
young timid boy from Boston
who loves Martial Arts. He fre-
quents Old Hop’s (Jacky Chan)
pawnshop/video store in the
Chinatown area to rent kung-fu
movies.
On one of his trips, a group of
bullies manhandle him and force
him to lead them to the Old
Hop’s store for them to rob. In
the mayhem, Old Hop gets shot
and turns over a mysterious staff
to Jason for him to “return to its
rightful owner.”
Jason runs for his life and falls
off the roof just to wake up trans-
ported back in time to ancient
China where the supernatural
Jade Warlord (Collin Chou) rules
with oppression.
Jason learns that he is the
“seeker” and reluctantly fulfills
the ancient prophesy to find the
Monkey King (Jet Li) and return
his staff. Unfortunately for him,
he has to deal with the Jade War-
lord and his formidable army. He
is aided and tutored by a wine-
loving poet and comical fighter
Lu Yan (Jackie Chan) and the pen-
sive Silent Monk (Jet Li).
They are also joined by the ex-
quisite orphaned Golden Sparrow
(Liu Yufei) who vows revenge for
her parents’ death and kills her
enemies with hairpins. Together,
they must free the Monkey King
so he can fight the Jade Warlord
and return peace to the empire.
The movie is delightful to
watch with its breathtaking scen-
ery, creative sets and costume
design, graceful and impressive
martial arts sequences and a few
funny quips every now and then.
The plot seems to be a
combination of borrowed
themes from other Hollywood
fantasy movies and Ancient Chi-
nese legend but with a compe-
tent direction and straightfor-
ward storytelling, audience can
follow the story effortlessly.
Although Chan and Li play
supporting roles to American
teenager Angarano, there are still
enough fight sequences and
comic moments where the two
martial art legends are pitted
against each other.
Overall the movie may not be
memorable compared to other
Chinese epics but is enchanting
enough for the audience to want
to watch it again.The movie talks
about friendship, perseverance
and unity. At first the main char-
acters have a low regard for each
other but eventually learn to ap-
preciate, respect and care for one
another all in the effort to accom-
plish a common goal.
It shows also how people, once
consumed with the moral obli-
gation and desire to do what is
right can be willing to risk and
sacrifice himself.
Title: Forbidden Kingdom
Cast: Jacky Chan, Jet Li,
Michael Angarano, Liu Yifei,
Collin Chou
Director: Rob Minkoff
Producer: Casey Silver
Screenwriter: John Fusco
Music: David Buckley
Editor: Eric Strand
Genre: Fantasy Action
Cinematography: Peter Pau
Distributor: Viva International
Pictures
Location: Ancient China
Running Time: 153 min.
Technical Assessment:
Moral Assessment:
CINEMA Rating: For viewers
age 13 and below with
parental guidance
The movie also makes a stand
against revenge and hate. There
are several words of wisdom of-
fered by Chan’s character which
will be remembered and can be
used for one’s daily life choices.
Although the movie is light and
seemingly harmless, the charm-
ingly choreographed fight scenes
are violent although bloodless.
There are a few cuss words and
sexual reference although not
portrayed explicitly. Substance
abuse is apparent with Chan’s
character.
Viewers below 13 should be
guided by mature adults.

MAC en COLET Ni Bladimer Usi

Title: Ikaw Pa Rin

Cast: Ai-Ai Delas Alas, Robin Padilla, Eugene Domingo, Riza
Santos, Deejay Durano, Nanette Inventor
Director: Wenn Deramas
Producer: Vic del Rosario
Buhay Parokya Look for the three missing items: Chalice, candle and bell.
(Illustration by Bladimer Usi)

Screenwriter: Mel Mendoza-del Rosario

Genre: Comedy
istributor: Viva Films
Location: Philippines
Running Time: 110 min.
Technical Assessment:
Moral Assessment: ½
CINEMA Rating: For viewers 14 and above

Si Boy (Robin Padilla) ay walang gaanong surpresa

isang matapat na bumbero
na parating inaasahan sa
kanilang lugar dahil sa
kanyang pagiging bayani
sa oras ng pangangailangan.
Sa kabila nito, si Boy ay
iniwan ng kanyang nobya
matapos siyang bigyan ng
isang anak. Nag-aalala si
Boy na ang kanyang anak
(Rhap Salazar) sa kawalan
ng ina ay pawang nagiging
alanganin ang kasarian.
Si Baby (Ai-Ai delas Alas)
naman ay isang beterenaryo
na malas sa pag-ibig hindi
pa nakakaranas na
seryosohin ng mga lalaki,
subalit mayisang inaasam:
ang maging ina. Magku-
krus ang landas ni Boy at
Baby kung saan ililigtas ni
Baby ang buhay ni Boy.
Dahit sa laki ng kanyang
pasasalamat sa doktora,
nagbitiw si Boy ng salita sa
publiko, na anuman ang
hilingin nito ay ibibigay
niya. Sinagot ito ni Baby na
ang hiling niya’y si Boy ang
maging ama ng kanyang
anak. Napasubo si Boy at dahil
nakataya ang kanyang salita,
ngayon siya’y naguguluhan
kung paano niyang tutuparin
ang kanyang pangako kay
Baby sa kabila ng pagtutol ng
lahat.
Bago ang tambalang Ai-Ai
delas Alas at Robin Padilla.
Ngunit hindi bago ang klase
ng komedya na ipinakita ng
pelikula. Gasgas at pawang
hindi nakakaaliw ang
karamihan sa eksena.
Salamat na lamang at may
Eugene Domingo na patok
pa rin sa pagpapatawa. Pre-
dictable din ang kuwento at
sa mga manonood.
Maraming eksena ang
hindi epektibo at pawang
hindi kailangan sa
pagpapausad ng istorya. Sa
kabila nito, maayos naman
ang pagganap ng mga
artista kahit pa pawang
karikatura ang kanilang
mga tauhang ginampanan.
Umikot ang kuwento ng
Ikaw Pa Rin sa pagnanais
ni Baby na magkaron ng
anak sa kahit paanong
paraan. Hindi ito
magandang mensahe at
halimbawa para sa mga
kababaihan na pawang
ibinababa ang kanilang
pamantayan para lamang
matupad ang kanilang
inaasam-asam.
Bagama’t may pambawi
naman ang pelikula nang
sina Baby at Boy ay
dumaan sa normal na
proseso ng ligawan, hindi
pa rin maiaalis sa kuwento
na ang dalawa ay nagtalik
na nang hindi pa sila
naikakasal. Pinalabas din
n g pe l i k u l a n a t a m a a t
dapat ipagdiwang ang
pagbubuntis sa labas ng
kasal na pawang
nakakabahala.
Ang tanging magandang
aral sa Ikaw Pa Rin ay ang
pagpapakabayani at pag-
mamahal nang wagas na
hindi tumitingin sa
panlabas na kaanyuan.
Nararapat pa ring
gabayan ang mga batang
manonood upang hindi
maging taliwas ang
kanilang pagpapahalaga sa
kababaihan at pagpa-
pamilya.
 CBCP
CBCP Monitor
Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 11
May 26 - June 8, 2008
The fire of the Spirit
By Marivie Dalman
STORM clouds gathered in the
late afternoon of Saturday, May
10, just hours before the start of
the first-ever Pentecost celebra-
tion of Couples for Christ. As
evening fell, so did the rain. The
downpour was felt all over the
c i t y , flooding wide
areas including the
Amoranto
Velodrome
Bishop Yniguez celebrates Mass
during the CFC Pentecost Rally.
Kids’ power
to pray,
share and
build!
By Kirby Llaban
ON May 2-4, 2008, the CFC Kids
for Christ conducted the 11th In-
ternational Kids Village (IKV) at
the campus of the Holy Name
University, Tagbilaran City,
Bohol. Over 5,500 delegates came
from all over the Philippines and
countries like Beijing and the
Middle East. Priests from Beijing,
Fr. Zhen Tian Liu or Fr. Justin and
Fr. Wen Zheng Han or Fr. Paul
also attended. The Friday open-
ing Mass was celebrated by Msgr.
Jeffrey Malanog, Chancellor,
Diocese of Tagbilaran. Most Rev-
erend Bishop Leonardo Medroso,
DD, the Bishop of the Diocese of
Tagbilaran, celebrated the Sun-
day closing Mass.
One major feature of the confer-
in Quezon City where the cel-
ebration was to be held.
The program was to start at 7
PM, but the rains wreaked havoc
on the preparations. The field was
water logged, the stage drenched,
and there was water all over the
place. With the equipment ex-
posed to the heavy rains, there
was a very real possi- bil-
ity of electrocu-
tion if the
ence was the introduction of the
“Kids Ambassadors,” representing
various countries, Metro Manila
sectors, and provinces. These kids
will be KFC’s spokespersons for the
year, until they turn it over to the
next Kids Ambassadors of their area.
“Kids’ Power” was the theme
of this year’s IKV inspired by the
verse “Love one another as I have
loved you” from John 13:34.
Three power stations were put up
for the kids to charge up their
powers to pray, share and build.
The Power to Pray
All KFCs wore a “Power Belt”
that contained a rosary. The Kids
Ambassadors formed a “Living
Rosary” and led their fellow
KFC’s to pray. It was so inspiring
to witness all these kids concen-
trating in prayer for the interces-
sion of our Blessed Virgin Mary.
Ugnayan The News Supplement of
Couples for Christ Global Mission Foundation, Inc.
current was switched on.
But the people of CFC would
not be deterred. In spite of the
rains, they came in droves. There
were those who wondered if the
celebration would push through
if the rains didn’t let up. They
need not have worried. This com-
munity of believers did what
they know best — pray.
And with their prayers,
everything fell into place.
Fr. Paul
In the “Pray Power Station” the
KFCs learned about the angels,
saints, and the different sacra-
ments. They posted different
prayers on the walls of the booth.
The “Power Play” had kids from
Cebu playing different characters
that showed the importance of
prayer and being Christ-like in
their actions. Another highlight
of the International Kids Village
was the “Kids Praise.” The kids
always approach the Kids Praise
with enthusiasm, dancing and sing-
ing with gusto. But this year was
different – this time the kids raised
their hands in worship! And no
one even told them to do so!
The Power to Share
In the “Share Power Station,” the
kids helped raise funds to support
the Gawad Kalinga SIBOL pre-
school program.
KFCs also show-
cased and shared
their God-given tal-
ents in the different
creative, sports and
special competi-
tions. One particu-
lar contest was the
“Kids Preach”
where kids from
different provinces
gave a “talk.” It was
truly amazing that
at their young age,
they can already be-
come evangelizers.
The Beijing del-
egation also shared
their talents
through a very in-
spiring song and
dance presentation.
Uwemedimo led the brethren in
songs of praise and worship, be-
seeching God to please make the
rains stop. Without a working
sound system, and in the dark,
voices were raised in the recita-
tion of the Holy Rosary asking
the Blessed Virgin Mary to inter-
cede for the community.
As the Rosary ended, so did the
rains. By 9 PM, the equipment
was sufficiently dry and the
program started. By that time,
t h e bleachers were filled
to the rafters, and
even the seats
right in front of
the stage and
part of the
velodrome
were all
taken.
An in-
teresting
feature of
the pro-
gram was
the ‘Tao
Po,’ a made up the cross which had a
street the-
ater pre-
sentation
co-pro-
duced by
GK and
Teatro
Filipino,
The kids were so excited that there
were kids who came all the way
from China to join them in glorify-
ing God in the IKV.
The Power to Build
Makisig Morales, a KFC mem-
ber and a child actor, joined the
“Build Power Activity” where
KFC and SAGIP members
painted houses in the Baclayon
Gawad Kalinga site. They did
not only build houses, but also
built friendships.
God’s Love Gives Me Power
The kids also learned a chant
that communicated the message of
the event. The chant was, “God’s
love gives me power…Kids
Power!” The kids were so excited
in shouting out the chant and do-
ing the actions that go with it.
Through the different activities in
the IKV, the KFC’s realized that
they can do a lot of simple things
to help change the world and these
can all be achieved by remember-
ing that God’s love is the source of
all power.
The whole weekend was a
manifestation of God’s great
love. During the Kids Praise on
Sunday, two rainbows appeared
high up in the clouds as the kids
were singing songs of love for
Him. It was as if He was giving
the kids his loving benediction.
This year, God has inspired CFC
to “Love one another as I have
loved you- Jn. 13:34” The kids have
shown us that they too can love
like Jesus. A new generation of
loving disciples that have the
power to pray, share, and build is
now being raised!
C1
Inc. (TFI), with Ron Capinding as
director and choreographer. Tao
were present.
The celebration of the Holy Eu-
Po made its debut performance charist was a fitting end to the
at the GK1World event at Mall of evening. Bishop Deogracias
Asia in October last year. Per- Yniguez, bishop of the diocese of
formers were Siga members from Caloocan City, celebrated Mass
GK villages in Bagong Silang, with three other members of the
Baseco, Payatas, and Paranaque. clergy. In his homily, Bishop
The script has been translated into Yniguez spoke about the first
Bahasa Indonesia, and 12 of the Pentecost, narrating how Christ
performers in the original cast breathed on the disciples and de-
will be perfoming in the GK con- clared, “Receive the Holy Spirit.’
cert in Indonesia in August this This passage of the Bible, he said,
year, along with their Indonesia- reminds us of the book of Gen-
based Siga and YFC counterparts. esis when God breathed His
Backstopping the Mission Core Spirit into the nostrils of man at
Band were the Kenosis Band and the beginning of creation. He
the 29 AD Band, who ably led the stressed that, to this very day,
crowd in worship. Towards mid- God sends forth his Spirit to in-
night, as the MC band sang the spire each of us to do His work.
CFC theme song “We Are the As it was also Mothers Day,
Couples for Christ,” the breth- Bishop Yniquez reminded every-
ren, carrying flickering candles, one to also honor “our most su-
made their way to the center of preme mother, the Blessed Vir-
the velodrome for the highlight gin Mary, the mother of all cre-
of the evening — the formation ation.”
of a human cross. As if on cue, a slight drizzle fell
Approximately 8,000 people as the strains of the closing song
filled the air. It was a reminder
total area of 1,700 square meters, that the community had been
cutting across 70 meters horizon- generously given its window of
tally and 110 meters vertically. opportunity to celebrate Pente-
As the brothers and sisters lifted cost, and that, having been re-
up their candles, the image of a charged, we could now go forth
fiery cross lit up the night, form- to fulfill our mission of being
ing a most moving sight and set- Families in the Holy Spirit tasked
ting fire to the hearts of all who to renew the face of the earth.
Paving the
Highway of
Peace in Wao
By Marjorie Duterte, GK News Bureau
THE Bayani Challenge this summer, which involved teams of
builders from all walks of life who went around Mindanao
building homes and sharing their lives with the poor, culmi-
nated in the Highway for Peace (HOPE) in Wao, Lanao del Sur
last April 26, 2008.
Over 100 cars joined the Peace Caravan to Wao, some par-
ticipants having traveled 3 days from as far as the Bicol Re-
gion in Luzon. As a final test of endurance and sacrifice for
the GK builders, the participants had to walk through a kilo-
meter of thick muddy paths caused by heavy rains the previ-
ous night before reaching GK Darussalam village set atop a
Paving / C3
 CBCP Monitor
C2 Ugnayan Vol. 12 No. 11
May 26 - June 8, 2008

Joe Tale, CFC Executive Director

Empowered by the Spirit

“When the day of Pentecost came,
all the believers were gathered to-
gether in one place.” (Acts 2:1)
THUS begins the account of the
first Pentecost. We all know the
rest of the story … of how a bunch
of frightened men, in hiding, lost
and suddenly leader-less, became
instantly fearless and convicted
with just a breath of the Spirit, who
came in tongues of fire. And of
how, armed with not just courage
but knowledge, they ventured
forth and began to speak in lan-
guages they didn’t even know
before and of matters they
couldn’t even begin to understand
just days previously.
I believe CFC’s gathering to-
night is especially blessed. To-
night we come together to com-
memorate that first Pentecost, to
celebrate the Holy Spirit’s power
in our personal lives and in our
life as community. We have seen
this power of the Spirit in all of
27 years. We have been witness
t o
miracles,
healings
and trans-
formation
that being
baptized
by the
H o l y
Spirit has
caused in
all of us.
We all
bear the
Spirit of Jesus; the Divine in us
has been “let loose,” so to speak,
that Christ’s presence may be
proclaimed today to all who be-
lieve. What mighty work, what
amazing grace, what powerful
force indeed the Holy Spirit of
God is, in our lives through
Couples for Christ.
Tonight, we affirm God’s calling
on each and everyone here to pro-
claim Christ to the world. The Holy
Spirit has touched not only our
minds and hearts, but also trans-
formed us that we may truly con-
fess Jesus as Lord, King and God.
In that first Pentecost, we read
how “noise from the sky, a strong
wind blowing, and tongues of
fire” came to signal the Spirit’s
coming (Acts 1:2-3). Today the
Spirit comes not with such tan-
gible signs but still our eyes have
been made to see, our ears have
been made to hear, and our
mouths have been made to open
– so that many others whom the
Lord also wishes to reach and
touch, may likewise come to be-
lieve. By the gift of this healing,
this anointing, and this grace, we
have been able to touch a mil-
lion lives in all of our country’s
premiere cities, 78 provinces and
160 countries around the world.
Today, we in CFC stand in the
midst of the Divine presence in a
mighty work called Gawad
Kalinga where God seeks to
bring, through us, good news to
the poor, liberty to captives, re-
covery of sight to the blind, free-
dom to the oppressed and salva-
tion to God’s people. We have
stood witness to the turn-around
of lives, especially those who we,
with our own limited personal
charisms and even the noblest of
intentions, would never have
been able to transform. God is
powerfully at work in our midst.
What amazing grace! What awe-
some blessing! What transform-
ing experience of “God with us!”
A transformed Spirit
We have all experienced the
Holy Spirit poured on all of us
by the power of our CLP Baptism.
It is this same Spirit that has kept
us on our feet in the last 27 years,
and has allowed us to yield hum-
bly, obey faithfully and trust fully
in the Lord’s provision. Today,
we affirm God’s constant gra-
ciousness through the years. In-
deed, we can say like Mary,
For He Who is Mighty
has done great things,
and Holy is His name.
(Luke 1:48)
For we all stand today, after 27
years, grown in prayer, giving,
and loving and ready to be con-
sumed by Spirit fire for the glory
of the King.
Our transformation in Christ
has not just come to us person-
ally, in a desire to truly know,
love and serve God and follow
His ways in our lives, but has like-
wise influenced all our signifi-
cant relationships – our mar-
riages, our family lives, our
places of work, our parishes, our
social circles, and even touches
our relationships with neighbors
whom God wishes us to love, the
brothers He has asked us to keep,
especially the poor who are with-
out opportunity in life.
By CFC, we have been made
aware of God’s central place in
our lives. We have been arrested
from our selfish focus on our-
selves, our needs, our wants, to
God’s greater purpose for us to
heed the many others whom He
has brought to our lives, and by
so doing, get to know Him, His
Spirit and His heart more closely.
By CFC, we have been made
to see that our marriages stand
as the full testimony of service,
as God calls husbands and wives
to “submit to one another out of
reverence for Christ.” (Eph.5:21)
Christ is the force that binds us
to oneness. Christ is the grace
that keeps our marriages bright
and growing. Christ is the assur-
ance of blissful tomorrows ahead.
In Christ, we are inspired to wash
one another’s feet, to truly serve!
This oneness in Christ has
borne fruit in family. Raising our
children in the discipline and in-
struction of the Lord (Eph 6:4), He
has blessed CFC further with
ministries that cater to our chil-
dren as they go through crucial
growth years of life – their child-
hood, their youth and their single
walk – preparing them to be the
next generation of Christian
couples – the Church of the Fu-
ture. And so truly, we are em-
powered to be “Families in the
Holy Spirit.”
But then, God’s vision for
CFC does not end there. God
has assured us of our molding
in love all these years, towards
the greater purpose of extend-
ing love to all, so that “when
the time is right,” God will
“bring all creation together
with Christ as head.” (Eph 1:10).
Only then can the vision of “re-
newing the face of the earth”
truly happen. Only when all re-
vere the Son of the Most High
as King of all the earth, will our
task truly be completed – the
CFC vision fully realized!
Building the Kingdom
The Spirit has empowered CFC
to be passed on as a legacy of faith
to tomorrow’s generation. To-
day, we see our children taking
their place as the next Couples
for Christ, and giving birth to
children who will constantly and
faithfully affirm God’s presence
in the world in their times, as the
Church of the Future.
It is important that we see the
Spirit’s direction for us to extend
God’s true and sincere love to His
poor. By this, God means for us
to encounter Him in a most pow-
erful, life-changing, transforming
way. Many have wept in their
encounter of God’s face in the
dwellings of our poor brothers
and sisters. Truly, we are privi-
leged to have been bestowed the
gift of Gawad Kalinga. It is the
last frontier of our search for God.
The Holy Spirit of God reveals
to all of us greater fields for pas-
turing, even as we face countless
challenges, not the least of which
are wolves in sheep’s clothing
that threaten God’s flock.
The work is urgent.
We pray for firm conviction,
unwavering zeal, boundless en-
ergy, a cheerful spirit, and a trust-
ing heart! Let us entrust ourselves
to the Holy Spirit for greater em-
powering. Let us open ourselves
to receiving this outpouring of
fervor. And then, let us go and
build God’s Kingdom!
Come Holy Spirit, let the fire
fall!
(Delivered during the CFC Pen-
tecost Rally on Saturday, May 10,
2008 at the Amoranto Velodrome,
Quezon City.)

Joe Yamamoto, Philippine Missions Director, International Council Member

Reflections on the Disciples’ Weekend

“TO love the Lord our God is the
heartbeat of the mission” goes the fa-
miliar refrain from a popular Chris-
tian song. These lines describe the
right feel of the spirit in the CFC com-
munity.
It is not an accident that the first
encyclical of Benedict XVI is Deus
Caritas Est (God is Love) and its issu-
ance wonderfully preceded our theme
for the year. The Lord continues to
affirm His plans regarding CFC life
and mission, and assures us of His
presence and intervention in our day
to day existence.
First, God calls us by name and draws
us into a personal and loving relation-
ship with Him. And as He calls us as his
own, He lovingly cares and provides for
us. Second, God wanted families headed
by father and mother to be raised ac-
cording to His plan. The encyclical,
Familiaris Consortio of John Paul II stresses
the important role of the families in the
salvation plan of God. And third, God
raised us as a community, destined to
bring discipleship to nations. The CFC
vision of “families in the Holy Spirit re-
newing the face of the earth” captures
the whole essence of our work.
FEELING RECHARGED
The Disciples Weekend (the first one
of which was held in Baguio, January
25-26 and which is now being echoed all
over the country) is particularly appro-
priate for us as a community. The mes-
sage of God’s love during the weekend
is all too familiar and yet refreshing in
its being consistently and intimately
personal.
When the Council brothers were dis-
cerning for the theme for 2008, God’s
love was the recurring message and so,
we were led to John 13:34-35. As it is,
this is only the second time that CFC’s
theme is taken from the New Testament,
the first being “Fix your eyes on Jesus”
(Heb.12:2). Because God loved us first,
He continues to invite us to experience
that love and to daily grow into that spe-
cial relationship by tapping into it regu-
larly by prayer, scripture reading and
reflection and continuing journey of per-
sonal holiness.
And because God loved us long be-
fore we were born to our parents, He
retains the advantage of taking initia-
tive. He longs to embrace us in a fatherly
fashion and the covenant He extended
to all of us is sealed by an eternal guar-
antee- HIS LOVE.
In the introduction to the papal encyc-
lical, Deus Caritas Est, Benedict XVI
quotes: “God is love, and he who abides
in love abides in God, and God abides in
him”(1 Jn 4:16). Accordingly, these
words express with remarkable clarity
the heart of the Christian faith.
CALLED TO COMMUNITY
Because CFC is a living and breathing
community made up of people who seek
to daily experience the transformation
that God has offered, each one must be
impressed with that sort of special rela-
tionship.
How does one get to find out about
that unique relationship?
1) Experiencing God’s call by way of
having been invited into the community.
One gets to the CLP through different
means and gradually over time, one im-
merses himself into that life-changing
process. “For God so loved the world
that He gave His only Son, so that ev-
eryone who believes in Him might not
perish but might have eternal life” (Jn
3:16). This verse ultimately becomes real
and powerful to him.
2) Personal experience with Epiphany.
By this, I mean discovering God’s mani-
festations in one’s life. In Scripture, ex-
amples of epiphany were the visitation
of the Infant Jesus by the shepherds and
later by the Magi. In our daily existence,
the scriptural epiphany are not the
events being alluded to but those cir-
cumstances where God is making His
presence known and felt by the indi-
vidual lay person. To the uninitiated,
these seemingly trivial occasions are
random and disconnected but to those
who experience answered prayers, heal-
ing of illnesses or of broken relation-
ships, the epiphany in one’s life is real,
up close and very personal.
3) Attraction by exposition. As we
imbibe the fullness of the life and mis-
sion of CFC, we become more and more
aware of, and then embrace with, con-
viction the uniqueness of our relation-
ship with the Lord. In the history of the
early Church, Jesus sent the disciples two
by two, secure in the empowerment and
commissioning that they have received.
Returning from mission, they bubbled
with excitement as they narrated won-
derful stories. In a similar way, we joy-
fully share the good news through wit-
nessing, teachings, and the work we do
in the realm of social transformation.
The miracles of changed lives happen in
us and we willingly witness to the
change and share the same to others.
GOD’S POWER HUGS
Despite being in community for
nearly 23 years, Mila and I still relished
many fresh learnings on account of the
Disciples Weekend. We were so touched
as Melo Villaroman related his routine
of giving a power hug every single day
to his sons. I too felt the pain of Melo’s
wife, Nini, as she shared how she lost
her mother five days after giving birth
to her; add to that the pain of not having
known her father who left her soon af-
ter her mother’s death. She grew up in
the care of her maternal grandparents
who became her surrogate parents. She
grew up longing for the love of her very
own parents. In His time, God trium-
phantly and lovingly filled that loss and
emptiness by giving her a very loving
and caring family, her very own family.
If that were not enough, God made her
feel His love as she battled with neck
cancer. God is indeed faithful to those
whom He loves and who loves Him
faithfully in turn.
The sharers left us also with the pow-
erful impression of how CFC husbands
have come to truly appreciate and love
their wives. The wives were very joyful
as they experienced their own power
hugs from their husbands, much more
so when they heard the words: “I love
you more today than yesterday and
much more tomorrow than today.” If
CFC husbands can say that
unequivocably, how much more can a
loving God?
A priest once asked:” If you stray 1,000
steps away from God, how many steps
do you need to make to get back to Him?
The answer was “NONE!” All we need
is to do is to turn around and God will
be there because He is always following
us, ready to receive us in mercy and for-
giveness!! Wouldn’t you agree that we
have an amazing God?
EXPERIENCING THE DISCIPLES
WEEKEND
Last Feb.23 and 24, the Disciples Week-
end was brought to Naga for the whole
Bicol region. Melo gave the talk “God is
Love” and Nini shared the very same
testimony that she gave at the first week-
end. The outcome this time was very
different and unpredictable as God is the
only one who knows and writes the
script. Who else but God can write a
beautiful segue to Nini’s story? Right
after her sharing, Nini was asked to go
to the back of the stage where her long-
lost father was waiting. Father and
daughter meet each other after 44 years!
Amazing and awesome is the Lord!
The weekend has been echoed in To-
kyo (March 2) for CFC Japan, in Pagbilao,
Quezon for the Southern Tagalog Region
(March 8-9) and the whole of Mindanao
last March 15 and 16. Every single event,
talk and sharing gives new depth and
meaning to CFC life.
In Zamboanga where the Mindanao
leaders had their Disciples Weekend,
many travelled as much as 15 to 17 hours
just to attend. Angging Sescon brought
the house down with laughter and fun
as she related how she tried to bargain
with the Lord to change the ways of her
husband, Boie, a general surgeon and
presently a full-time pas-
toral worker for CFC.
Instead God transformed
her. The lessons she
shared were her 3 S’s:
Smile at your husband,
Serve him (like a king)
and Speak gently. Those
three simple lessons
worked wonders in their
life. And guess what? As
she was transformed,
Boie was similarly trans-
formed.
LIFTING THE BAN-
NERS OF LOVE
Many wondered why the title of the
last talk was “Lift High the Banners of
Love.” It came as part of my own jour-
ney. Last September 2006, Mila and I at-
tended a Cardiology conference in
Barcelona and since it was Mila’s desire
to visit the apparition sites of the Blessed
Mother, we decided to go to Fatima. Our
pilgrimage was on September 8, Mama
Mary’s birthday and a first Friday too.
After the 4 pm mass at the Fatima cathe-
dral, we decided to light candles and
pray for our concerns. I had two candles
and Mila had three. I lighted the first,
offering silent prayers for our family.
For my remaining candle, I decided to
offer prayers for the CFC Council and
the CFC community. As I set it on the
holder, the candle slipped and fell among
other fallen candles, the light causing the
other candles to burst into flames. I was
momentarily taken aback, but as soon
as I recovered, I quietly asked the Lord:
“What does this mean? Are you going
to destroy CFC?” There was only silence.
Mila, seeing my disturbed look, asked
what was wrong. She did not make much
of my explanation that the second candle
had fallen and caused a brief burst of
fire. But later, when she learned what
my prayer intention for the second
candle had been, she too became dis-
turbed. We were quiet the whole trip
back to our hotel in Lisbon.
As the next day was Saturday, we at-
tended the 7 pm anticipated mass in
the Cathedral of Our Lady of Fatima
in Lisbon, a short walk from the hotel.
As we were walking back after the
mass, gradually I received a sense from
the Lord. His message, not quite as a
voice but more of an inner realization,
was: “You asked me if I was going to
destroy Couples for Christ. No, but I
will send upon it the fire of purifica-
tion.”
During our Council planning of Sep-
tember 21 -24, 2006, I shared the mes-
sage but I cautioned the brothers not to
try to give explanations or interpreta-
tions. The message was to be internal-
ized.
I suppose the events of 2007 may be
related to the message. However, I do
not claim to know for sure.
When our community experienced the
crisis, Mila and I were sent to Europe on
mission to help out our brethren there.
This was in late August till early Sep-
tember 2007. We wanted to go back to
Fatima but since there was some time
constraint, we opted to go to Rue de Bac,
Paris at the site of the apparition of our
Lady of the Miraculous Medal. We found
ourselves there on the first Saturday,
September 8, again the birthday of
Mama Mary. After mass, we prayed be-
fore the image of Mother Mary and we
asked if she had any message for CFC.
As I prayed she showed me the image of
two clasped hands with a rosary wound
around them and the message: “Lift high
the banners of Love.”
I guess that explains the Why of the
title for talk number 5 but my story will
not be complete unless I share the mes-
sage given to Mila as she knelt before
the image of Mother Mary and pondered
on the message of the Miraculous Medal:
“Oh Mary conceived without sin, pray
for us who have recourse to thee.” There
are 6 messages, and they are:
1. As you see the serpent I am crush-
ing at my feet, I will crush the serpent
that brought evil and division in your
community.
2. I will bring new winds of evangeli-
zation to your community.
3. You need to proclaim the name of
my Son Jesus all over the nations.
4. You need to continue caring for the
least of your brethren because that is
what my Son wants.
5. I will use you powerfully and there
will be peace and joy in your heart as
you continue to purify your heart
6. Ask the sick members of your com-
munity that, as they pray for their heal-
ing, they should also pray for the heal-
ing of your community. They are very
powerful prayer warriors for your com-
munity.
Although the messages were personal,
Mila gladly shares them now to all who
are willing to listen.
 CBCP
CBCPMonitor
Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 11
May 26 - June 8, 2008
BE still. The wise leader speaks rarely and briefly…
The leader teaches more through being than
through doing. The quality of one’s silence con-
veys more than long speeches. — Heider, The
Tao of Leadership
CFC’s Mission Core Group had the chance
to take stock of the kind of leaders they are
during the MCG Teaching Night held on May
20 at Xavier School as Bro. Karel San Juan, SJ
gave an enlightening talk on leadership and
spirituality. Bro. Karel is a Jesuit Scholastic,
now on his last stage of formation, which is
Theology. He holds a doctorate degree on
Leadership Studies from Gonzaga University
in Spokane, Washington, USA.
Leadership, said the Jesuit brother, is a
problem not just in our country’s political
ness, and personality. He or she should know
his vulnerability and weakness, and his pro-
pensity for power so that he can guard against
falling into the pitfalls of holding a leader-
ship position. These traps include narcissism,
self-entitlement, self-justification, the lure of
greater power, and the temptation to use
one’s position for selfish motives.
A leader must also be wary of the transfer-
ence trap when it comes to relationship with
his or her members. According to Bro. Karel,
we project or transfer our ideals, fantasies,
hopes, fears, and problems on our leaders.
Because all our relationships are colored by
previous relationships, especially with our
parents and early caregivers, we are often
preconditioned in the way we respond to our
Ugnayan C3
result, the context of leadership – even in the
home – has become complicated as well. In
secular organizations, the complex world
realities make strategic planning a difficult
task. Among Christians, they make the call
to maintain a life of faith so much harder to
live out. Hence, the presence of a strong or-
ganization like CFC gains even greater im-
portance. But, Bro. Karel challenged, is CFC
ready to minister in this setting?
Leadership today is heroic, he added.
Today’s leaders are called to deal with the
complex dynamics of the self, of their rela-
tionships with their followers, and of the
world. They are called to facilitate meaning
in the group they lead, to transform con-
sciousness and shift the way people see things,

Leadership and Spirituality Cardinal Napier with other Bishop-attendees

arena, but in the church and other organiza-

tions as well. He also cited spirituality, or
the lack of it, as an equally important con-
leaders. Transference can
cause members to have unre-
Drawn to the Centre:
alistic expectations of their

cern.
According to him, there are people who
are good leaders but bad managers, or good
managers but bad leaders. In the same way,
there are organizations that are well led but
not well managed, or well managed but not
well led. But just as there are good leaders
who are also good managers, so there are
also organizations that are both well led and
well managed.
Bro. Karel pointed out that there are dif-
ferent approaches to leadership. In the domi-
nant approach, the challenge is how to bal-
ance concern for people versus concern for
tasks. The situational approach adjusts the lead-
ership style to the maturity of the organiza-
tion; a group that is “young” developmen-
tally, for instance, may need a more hands-
on approach while a more mature organiza-
tion may be able to handle delegated tasks.
The transactional approach, meanwhile, is
based on exchange of interests, as in CBA ne-
gotiations. A fourth approach, called trans-
formational, aims for what is good for the mem-
bers in terms of maturity and morality. In
CFC lingo, this adaptive and value-based
approach is what is often referred to as ser-
vant leadership.
The key challenges in leadership, accord-
ing to Bro. Karel, lie in the areas of effective-
ness, ethics, and availability. Put simply,
these three challenges address the need to do
things well, to do good things, and to be
ready to lead. He cited four aspects that
needed to be looked at in order to improve
the quality of one’s leadership.
The first aspect refers to a leader’s need for
greater self-awareness, self-reflection, and
self-regulation. A leader should be aware of
his values, desires, motivation, conscious-
leaders, or to be blindly loyal,
fascinated with, or over-de-
pendent on them.
Dialogue, as opposed to
debate and discussion, is vi-
tal in developing and main-
taining a good relationship
between a leader and his or
her members. Bro. Karel
shared four behaviors that
need to be present in every
conversation. The first two are
listening and respecting.
These require humble self-
awareness in order to see the
other as a legitimate person
with something to say. The
third is suspension of opin-
ions so that one would be
open to see the other’s per-
spective. The last is voicing
out or boldly speaking one’s
truth as it evolves.
The challenge of community requires
space for conversation and meaning, added
Bro. Karel. It also involves a common search
for truth and meaning; mentoring through
personal growth and transformation; an
ethic of caring, service, forgiveness and rec-
onciliation; and love as the full and uncon-
ditional commitment to another’s comple-
tion.
The realities of the world we live in are
complex, he explained. Global problems,
such as poverty, natural calamities, and ter-
rorism, persist. The battle between global-
ization and localization continues. There is
greater cultural diversity and interdepen-
dence among nations and peoples. There are
so many contradictions and challenges. As a
and to have the capacity to transcend their
ego in order to minister to society and the
world. It is leadership that cannot be achieved
without spirituality.
Bro. Karel emphasized, however, that spiri-
tuality is different from religion. Religion is
a path to spirituality. It is a system of beliefs
and practices. Spirituality, on the other hand,
is a relationship made possible by openness
to the influence of a higher power. It requires
silence, humility, order, discipline, and cour-
age. And it is what more and more leaders
today need. Because spirituality is CFC’s busi-
ness, he concluded, the community – with its
structures and culture – is well placed to prac-
tice spiritual leadership within the organiza-
tion and to model it to other groups as well.
The Eucharist
By Fr. Lawrence L. Ssemusu
BEING invited to share and celebrate with Couples for Christ
in its week-long Eucharistic Congress in Durban, South Africa
was a personal epiphany for me, a moment of grace.
I can best summarize my Durban experience as one that had
me drawn to the centre of my priesthood: the Eucharist. This
has brought new meaning in my celebrating the Eucharist.
How can one continue to be casual about the celebration of the
Eucharist after this experience?
My training as a priest leaves me in no doubt that Jesus
Christ came down from Heaven, that God may be with and in
his people, and that his people may be in him. This message is
given very simply in Mt. 1:23: “Behold, the virgin shall be
with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,”
which means “God is with us.”
Jesus’ presence is a dynamic presence; it is a liberating pres-
ence. Jesus himself states it clearly: “The Spirit of the Lord is
upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to
the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and
recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and
to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord” (Luke. 4:18-19). Jesus’
presence among us is active; it is dynamic.
When Jesus accomplished his mission on earth, as narrated
in Mt. 28:20b, he made us a promise: “And behold, I am with
you always, until the end of the age.” Even as He was saying
farewell, He affirmed His abiding presence with us until the
end of the age! This presence becomes very real in the Eucha-
rist. In the Eucharist we have the nourishment, protection, and
healing for our life journey.
As I go back home to minister in my own country, I want to
commit myself to share the life that the Eucharist gives us in a
new way. I want to embrace fully the promise of the Lord that
those who eat him will have God’s life (Jn. 6:48-51). As I seek
that life, I pray that those I minister to may desire this life, a

Helping hands
ON May 12, monsoon rains hit
Metro Manila, and flooding oc-
curred in a GK site in GK
Brookside, Barangay Bagong
Silangan. The water level of the
adjacent creek rose to high levels
and the strong current caused the
creek wall to give in. Boulders of
rocks, mud and trash were car-
ried into and through the GK site.
Due to flood risks, families had
to abandon their homes to safer
sites on higher grounds.
The sudden downpour caught
some University of the Philip-
pines student volunteers, who for
a week have been going back and
forth to GK Brookside re-paint-
ing streets of Sta. Clara and San
Isidro, by surprise. By 1:00 PM
that day, the students were joy-
ful and ecstatic about the work
that they were about to complete,
but all too suddenly they found
themselves in a near-fatal situa-
tion as flood waters entered the
houses and they could not open
the doors due to water pressure.
They managed to escape, with the
help of the military rescue teams
and some residents, by boring a
hole through the roof.
It didn’t take long before the
CFC- and GK-initiated mobiliza-
tion teams arrived at the side to
come to the aid of the brethren
whose houses were destroyed by
the flood.
Volunteers from everywhere,
including GK partner institutions
like Meralco and civic organiza-
tions like Rotary Clubs, responded
to the needs of the people at GK
Brookside. Beneficiary residents
of GK sites of Payatas, Bagong
Silang, Tatalon, Licad, Laura,
Ruby and others also arrived,
working with the Brookside resi-
dents in removing debris and
waste left by the flood waters.
Much of the work included
clean up of the streets and drain-
age, sand-bagging, first-aid, and
relief goods distribution. Mean-
time the QC LGU sent heavy
equipment to re-direct the water
flow of the creek, and plans are
afoot to re-build the damaged
life which is not transitory but one that endures.
In the Eucharist, Jesus desires that we remain in him: “Re-
main in me, as I remain in you . . . Whoever remains in me and
I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do
nothing” (Jn. 15:4-5). The mutual presence, between God and
the human person, which is realized in receiving the Eucharist
aims at bearing fruit. With this as my inspiration, I pray that I
creek wall. and those I minister to will come to bear Christ-like fruits
The following after being empowered by the Lord Jesus we receive in the
Sunday, Mass Eucharist.
was celebrated at I now like to refer to my life “before Durban” (BD) and
the chapel of GK “after Durban” (AD). I want the Eucharist I celebrate to make a
Brookside. The difference in my life as well as in the lives of those I serve and
local residents minister to. Each one of us, at one time or another, experiences
and volunteers difficulties: material scarcity, want, crises in relationship, spiri-
from different or- tual dryness, grief or loss. In such moments, I will invite the
ganizations, in- Living God in the Eucharist to come and make meaningful
cluding CFC’s changes in these situations.
North B sector The week I have spent in South Africa has clearly empha-
(who decided to sized to me the fact that we are a Eucharistic Community, a
have their sector sharing community, a community of people investing in oth-
assembly there, ers. The Eucharist brings people who would otherwise be
filled the chapel strangers to one another and makes them friends. The Eucha-
and the adjoining rist is communion with God — God who challenges us to get
basketball court. involved with others, share with others, and fully participate
GK Brookside in each other’s lives.
was intended to be a model com- I go back to Uganda very much convinced that Jesus shares
becoming benefactors. his body and blood to feed his church and build us into one
munity with beautiful houses Indeed in a few more days GK
that are well maintained. But community so that we, in turn, may share and be in commun-
Brookside will be restored as if ion with others... After all, is this not what Couples for Christ
when the flood came in, it was nothing had happened to the site,
the entire GK community that is trying to realize on the face of the earth?
but the hearts of many will be May God bless Couples for Christ and continue to build it
proved to be the model, ready to forever changed — growing
help and support brethren in into a strong community founded on love and faithfulness;
deeper in faith and unity, know- may it spread far and wide, extending its roots in the Church
need. What was most inspiring ing that we have a big loving
was seeing the beneficiaries from of Jesus the Christ for the greater glory of his name in the
God in control and that there is Church and on the face of the earth.
different GK sites serving and always hope for a brighter future!

Paving / C3

hill overlooking the picturesque hills
of Wao.
As moving as seeing the GK builders
blaze the trail of peace in formerly war
zone Wao was the powerful prayer said
by the Moslem ulama who is also GK
Darussalam’s Kapitbahayan president.
His bold prayer, the first of its kind
heard in these parts, was: “We ask for
your help that the love, cooperation and
unity among Muslims and Christians
may return. Guide the people who are
helping to love the poor. Save my
brother Muslims and Christians from
any kind of harm.”
His prayer moved a former rebel
commander turned GK full time
worker to tears. “This was the first time
that I heard a Muslim pray for a Chris-
tian,” Bailinda Eman said.
Bishop Honesto Pacana of
Malaybalay, Bukidnon gave the Chris-
tian response as he recalled the past
when Muslims regarded Christians as
oppressors and land grabbers while the
Christians saw Muslims as traitors.
Bishop Pacana is a member of the Bish-
ops-Ulama Conference, a panel of reli-
gious leaders who, since 1996, have regu-
larly met twice a year to work towards
peace and collaboration between Chris-
tians and Muslims.
“Gawad Kalinga is showing us that
there is another highway to peace and
it is very hopeful. It is a dialogue of life
in order to attain the common good.”
the bishop acknowledged. He affirmed
that GK is development with a soul, “a
development (that is) concerned about
building up a relationship that will lead
to true peace through good relationship
between Muslims and Christians.”
The local government of Wao repre-
sented by Vice Mayor Ruth Catalan
thanked everyone who came to their
land. “The coming of this big event in
Wao, gives us blessing. Wao before was
a land of inferiority, conflicts and sus-
picious undertakings brought by vari-
ous insurgencies and struggles for liv-
ing and search for human significance.
The coming of GK to Wao in 2006 has
boosted our social and psychological
esteem which confirms our dignity and
importance as a people,” she said.
The Waonians now hold onto the vi-
sion of creating a peaceful haven for the
various indigenous tribes in Mindanao.
An oasis has sprung from the once
parched war-torn land with the build-
ing of GK Darussalam village where 11
homes were constructed during the
five-day Bayani challenge with more to
come. Darussalam, which literally
means “an abode of peace” or “where
peace dwells” is slowly living up to its
name.
No one could be more proud than the
father of the community, its caretaker
team lead by Sultan Acraman Saripada
who addressed his Muslim brothers en-
couraging them to “let’s help each
other, be united, cooperate, not leav-
ing anyone behind...this is the com-
mand of our religion.”
As a symbol of friendship and grati-
tude to his brother Christians, the sul-
tan gave a beautiful souvenir to GK Ex-
ecutive Director Luis Oquinena, GK Op-
erations head Mari Oquinena, GK cham-
pion Tony Meloto and Regional coor-
dinator Bailinda Eman, who each re-
ceived a medal and a framed “kris,” a
traditional Muslim sword.
Luis announced that the next High-
way of Peace will take place in Sulu
province. “Only for the brave!,” he chal-
lenged the bayanis present. (Last May 2,
a groundbreaking was held to begin the
first GK village in Paticol, Sulu).
A total of 65 teams participated in the
Bayani Challenge. First Lt. Colonel
Roger R. Paducay of the Philippine Ma-
rine Corps, who led Team Sulu, com-
posed of marines based in Malaybalay,
invited everyone to his area. He said,
“Enough of war. Let us give Sulu a
chance. War will lead to nowhere.”
What was also noteworthy was the
presence of many priests who joined the
caravan and the challenge. Working
hand in hand with the people, some of
them their parishioners, the priests
toiled with their hands, mixing cement,
lugging hollow blocks, painting walls,
but most of all, spending time with the
children and their parents, bringing
hope.
In closing, Oquinena reminded ev-
eryone that the work with the poor is
“the path to peace, the path to sacrifice,
the path to selflessness. This is how we
will rebuild our nation,”
Indeed, this is the path to peace that
will all be worth it in the end. For the
more we sweat for peace, the less we
bleed in war.
________________________________________
This year’s Highway of Peace program was
attended by Col. Natalio Ikarma from
Paticol,Sulu, Eddie Choa, Constante Adalla,
Mayor Dong from Pandag, Maguindanao,
Sr. Therese Duciran, Mayor Jayvee
Avidencio of Maramag, Bukidnon, Mayors
Cesar Tagon and Norman Gil Germino of
Eastern Samar, Lyndon Calica in behalf of
Governor Angging Dimaporo, Mayor Gerry
Irisay of Lanusa, Surigao, Selecta HR Man-
ager Jun Corpuz, ARMM - Regional Gov-
ernor Datu Puti, and regional vice gover-
nor Adjong, Mayor Magundadato of Pagang,
Maguindanao, Alimusarah Mangugawan,
Bebeth Benitez, CFC Council member Joe
Yamamoto, GK regional heads, GK Builders
from the local government, schools and cor-
porate teams from NAPOCOR, Del Monte,
Dole, Globe, Smart among many more un-
sung heroes.

C4
Left to Right: Msgr. Pedro Quitorio (Philippines), Fr. Francis Mburu (Nairobi, Kenya), Archbishop Lele (Mombasa), Cardinal Wilfrid Napier (South
Africa), Bishop Giorgio Bertin (Bishop of Djibouti), Fr. Paul Uwemedimo (Nigeria/Philippines), Fr. Peter Foley OMI (Durban), Fr. Eunan Doley
(Durban), Deacon Ronald Perumal (Durban), Fr. Lawrence Ssemusu (Kampala)
Food for the mission,
bread for the journey
By Fr. Paul Uwemedino
WHAT a joy and privilege it was for me to
travel to South Africa for the Couples For
Christ African Eucharistic congress, themed
“The Eucharist Empowering the African Family
Towards Justice and Peace.”
The congress was truly a Catholic congress
in a universal sense. There were participants
of course from Africa, but there were also
people from Asia, Europe, the Middle East and
the Americas. All sectors of the Church were
represented: the clergy and laity, the married
and single, the religious and secular. Celebrat-
ing the Mass together were a deacon, priests, a
bishop, an Archbishop, and a Cardinal.
Through the congress, the Lord reminded
me that the Eucharist must not be isolated
from the rest of our lives and from what hap-
pens in the world. There is a certain kind of
piety that seeks to confine the Eucharist to
within the four walls of a Church. There is
also a certain kind of piety that seeks to con-
fine the Eucharist to the “spiritual” and the
“heavenly” and forget its relationship to the
present world. Such kinds of piety are not
authentically Catholic and they result in a
seriously truncated spiritual life.
My trip to Africa clearly brought this out. I
cannot isolate the congress itself from my
trip to a government housing project for the
poor, to a Zulu village, to an AIDS hospice
for the dying, to a rundown school and a pro-
posed Gawad Kalinga site. I cannot isolate it
from my celebrations of the Eucharist at sev-
eral parish churches, at the CFC mission house
or at the Red Acres retreat center. I cannot
isolate it from the CFC Mission Core Group
retreat, from the planning and visioning for
CFC South Africa, from attending a CFC
household, and from standing outside the
parish in the rain as young people signed up
for a YFC youth camp. I cannot isolate it from
my trip to Durban Cathedral to see the seat
of the archdiocese, to Victoria Market to get
pasalubongs , or to the Blue Lagoon to eat bunny
chow (a local delicacy consisting of hot curry
in bread!). I cannot isolate it from the still
visible remnants of the regime of apartheid.
I cannot isolate it from the large houses with
swimming pools and from tiny one-room
shacks of wood. I cannot isolate it from
breathtakingly beautiful scenery and coun-
tryside along with the depressingly ugly and
smelly oil refinery. I cannot isolate it from
the deep love and generous hospitality shown
to me by my CFC hosts, especially by my
host family who showered me with gifts and
food. Nor can I isolate it from the joyous
birthday party and barbeque for Ricky
Cuenca or the tragic death of one of the work-
ers at the retreat center.
The Eucharist, says the Church, is the source
and summit of our life. But this can only truly
be the case if we make it an integral part of our
lives. We bring our daily life and our daily
experiences to the Eucharist. We also bring the
joys and hopes, the anxieties and sorrows, the
lights and shadows of men and women in the
world. We bring all these to the Mass and we
place them at the foot of the cross. We give
them to Jesus as He offers himself in love to
His Father, as the one sacrifice of the cross on
Calvary is mysteriously made present to us.
We give them to Jesus as, in the presence of all
the heavenly hosts, we join ourselves to Him,
as through Him, with Him, and in Him we
offer our whole lives in worship to the Father.
In the Liturgy we worship together with the
whole Church around the world and in heaven,
indeed with all the angelic beings in heaven. In
communion we receive the very presence of
God, previously bread and wine but now trans-
formed into the body and blood of Christ.
The Eucharist is our bread for the journey,
or maybe in the Philippines I should say our
rice for the journey! The Eucharist sustains
and nourishes us so that we can bring God’s
love and life to the world, so that we can
transform the world, or rather allow God to
transform the world through us. As Pope
Benedict XVI reminds us in his recent Apos-
tolic Exhortation Sacramentum Caritatis, the
Eucharist is not only a mystery to be firmly
believed and devoutly celebrated. It is also a
mystery that must be intensely lived in the
Church for the life of the world.
In Sacramentum Caritatis, the Pope reminds
us that an authentic celebration and reception
CBCP Monitor
Ugnayan Vol. 12 No. 11
May 26 - June 8, 2008
Sacrament
of love
By Clarke Nebrao
DURBAN, South Africa – His Eminence Wilfrid Fox Car-
dinal Napier, Archdiocese of Durban, convened the 1 st
African Eucharistic Congress with the involvement of
Couples for Christ Africa last April 25-27, 2008 and was
blessed to be participated by various CFC leaders from
all over the world with the theme, “The Eucharist Empow-
ering the Family in Africa towards Justice and Peace”
The Eucharistic Congress was participated by more than
250 top CFC clergy spiritual chaplains and CFC leaders
not just all over Africa, but the world with participants
from Canada, Middle East, Europe, Philippines, USA and
the various representatives from Southern Africa, West-
ern Africa, Northern Africa, Eastern and Central Africa.
This congress was a fruit of the Pastoral Congress of CFC
Africa in Nairobi, Kenya last year and in anticipation for
the contributions of Couples for Christ for the coming
International Eucharistic Congress in Montreal, Canada
in June and the African Synod in July 2009.
Starting off the Congress was a celebration of the “Pas-
of the Eucharist will always spur us on with a this the same power that was at work in the chal Meal” led by CFC South Africa Spiritual Chaplain,
desire to witness and to evangelize. In para- feeding of the five thousand? I believe so! Fr. Wayne Weldschidt, OMI. The Paschal Meal reminded
graph 86 he states: “The more ardent the love There is so much more that I could write us of the origins of the Eucharist and its symbolisms in
for the Eucharist in the hearts of the Christian about my experience in Africa, but let me our life empowering the family. This was followed by a
people, the more clearly will they recognize just finish with a few thoughts about CFC very inspiring session given by Msgr. Pedro Quitorio,
the goal of all mission: to bring Christ to oth- that were brought to my mind by the Con- CBCP representative and media head, taking us through
ers. Not just a theory or a way of life inspired gress and the wider trip. Certainly, my trip “God’s Love through Mary and the Eucharist”. He reminded
by Christ, but the gift of His very person.” gave me an even greater appreciation of CFC, us of the encyclical by Pope Benedict XVI in 2007 en-
This I clearly saw not just in the Eucharistic of what it already is now, and of what it can titled “Sacramentum Caritatis” (Sacrament of Love)
Congress itself but also in the planning and become. As we have been made very aware where he stressed that in the Eucharist, Jesus continu-
visioning for the South African CFC gover- recently, CFC cannot be triumphalistic. CFC, ously offers His life to us in a sign of His immense love
nance team and in my interaction with other like all Christian communities, is imperfect to all mankind. In embracing us completely, it is the
CFC members. I also saw it realized in the and its members and leaders are imperfect example of our Mother Mary that exemplifies the YES in
thrust of the archdiocese, and in two parishes — they are weak, wounded and sinful. But in responding to that love of God and living that love into
in particular. Certainly my desire to pro- His providence, God uses the weak and the action. Msgr. Quitorio further exalts everyone saying,
claim Christ and have others experience His sinful for His glory. “Couples for Christ, you are on the right path. You are
love and His salvation was enkindled by the My first thought is that CFC is indeed one expressing God’s love with living the Eucharist with your
Congress and my time in Africa. with the Catholic Church. Keith Collings, the service to the families, the Church and the poor.” After
My calling to serve the poor and work for director of CFC South Africa, said it correctly: the session, the entire congregation submitted them-
justice was also fortified by my experience in “We are Catholics before we are CFC.” This selves to God in a very moving “Benediction” led by His
Africa. Such activity is an important aspect of has resonated throughout my time with CFC. Eminence Cardinal Napier.
the Eucharistic life. In Sacramentum This was clear in the attitude of both the mem- The next day a very powerful worship was led by CFC
Caritatis, Pope Benedict recalls that “From bers and the leaders. Their dedication and Uganda missionary, James Ssemwangu. This was fol-
the beginning, Christians were concerned to commitment to, and their love and apprecia- lowed by the session given by His Grace Archbishop
share their goods (cf. Acts 4:32) and to help tion for CFC, were very clearly manifested, Boniface Lele, from the Archdiocese of Mombasa, Kenya
the poor (cf. Rom 15:26).” but this was never in conflict with their iden- talking about “ The Eucharist: The Heart of the Church at
“The relation- the Heart of Our Lives”. He took us into the historical
ship between the events wherein the Eucharist united the Catholic Church
Eucharistic mys- in realizing the grandeur of the solemn rite and even
tery and social quoted St. Thomas Aquinas’ words, “The proper effect of
commitment the Eucharist is the transformation of the human person
must be made ex- into God.” His Grace finished the session with his own
plicit,” he says. journey to the priesthood where he shared his experi-
“All who partake ence that his parents immersed themselves into the Eu-
of the Eucharist charist offering him to be united personally with Jesus
must commit and others.
themselves to After the session, workshops were held to stimulate
peacemaking in and internalize the application of the Eucharist in our
our world lives. The workshops dealt with; 1) The Eucharist in Rela-
scarred by vio- tion to the Threats to Marriage and Family handled by Fr.
lence and war, Peter Lafferty, Family Life Desk Archdiocese of Durban
and today in par- and Ernie Maipid, CFC Pastoral Formation Director, 2)
ticular, by terror- The Eucharist and the Cultural Obstacles to Peace and Justice
ism, economic handled by Bishop Pius Dlungwane, SACBC Commis-
corruption and Fr. Paul with Msgr. Pedro Quitorio who also participated in the Eucharistic Congress, sion on Justice and Peace, Fr. Chris Richmond, Member
sexual exploi- and Sr. Lorahdawn Niro, a Filipina Daughter of St. Paul based in Africa. SACBC Marriage Tribunal Board, and Col. Vincent Lee
tation…The Anami, CFC Kenya National Director. 3) The Eucharist
Christian laity, formed at the school of the tity as loyal Catholics — rather it was a strong Defending God’s Gift of Life handled by Bishop Giorgio
Eucharist, are called to assume their specific support and help to this identity. Bertin, Bishop of Djibouti and Apostolic Vicar of Soma-
political and social responsibilities.” CFC is indeed at the heart of the Church, and lia together with Rouquel Ponte, CFC International Mis-
The Church, says the Pope, “cannot and it is evident to me that this was recognized by sions Director. 4) The Eucharist’s Dynamic Presence in
must not remain on the sidelines in the the hierarchy of the Church in South Africa. Young People facilitated by Fr. Thembalani Ngcobo, Youth
struggle for justice.” In fact, he says, it is The cardinal and many members of the clergy Desk Archdiocese of Durban and Fr. Dr. Lawrence
through the “concrete fulfillment” of the re- show extremely strong support for CFC, the Semusu, Pastoral Director for the Archdiocese of
sponsibility “ to transform unjust structures Family Ministries and the idea of starting GK. Kampala, Uganda.
and to restore respect for the dignity of all “The support of our clergy” said Keith The last session, “A Call to Action: Celebrating the Eu-
men and women (that) the Eucharist becomes Collings, “is phenomenal.” The strong and charist and Fulfilling Our Mission”, was given by His Emi-
in life what it signifies in its celebration.” healthy relationship of CFC Africa with the nence Wilfrid Cardinal Napier. He made us reflect on
Yes, the Eucharist must indeed be lived out, clergy could also be seen from the strong pres- the icon of Cleopas and his companion in their journey
and working for justice and serving the poor ence and encouraging attitude of the bishops to Emmaus. Furthermore, Cardinal Napier said, “We in
are vital parts of living it out. Adoration of and priests from other African countries. I Couples for Christ, when our life is in turmoil and we
the Blessed Sacrament can be, and should be, a think both the African leaders and the full- are confused, when Jesus seems to have gone out of our
beautiful experience. It was certainly a beauti- time Filipino CFC missionaries in Africa have life, when the Scriptures are read and explained to us
ful and moving experience as Cardinal Napier much to teach the rest of CFC about how to and the promise they once held seems to have disap-
led the adoration and gave the benediction at better realize and express the oneness of CFC peared, know that Jesus is there walking next to us,
the Eucharistic Congress. I hope to see bene- with the whole Catholic Church, including matching us step by step. It is when we have connected
diction and Eucharistic adoration more often pastors, bishops and priests. with Jesus through the Eucharist that there is no longer
in a CFC context. However, as is the case with Other thoughts about CFC that come to any need for us to see with our physical eyes, because
Mother Theresa’s Missionaries of Charity who my mind as I think through my experience our eyes of faith have taken over. This takes us to the
every day spend an hour before the Blessed in Africa include the following: CFC is about next level of our journey of faith – our mission to bear
Sacrament, adoration must propel us out into mission. CFC is about bringing people into witness to Jesus, especially our personal experience of
the world and propel us especially to love and a living relationship with Jesus. CFC is about Jesus.”
serve the poor. The Eucharistic congress, and making disciples for Christ. CFC is about His Excellency Bishop Giorgio Bertin, Bishop of
my whole South African experience, gave me families. CFC is about building the church of Djibouti and Apostolic Vicar of Somalia, shared his exi-
some beautiful examples of this. Let me here the home. CFC is about transforming fami- gent missionary experiences in relation to taking action
mention just some of these. lies who will renew the world in the power in our faith through the Eucharist. He said. “As clergy
There was the moving sharing of Rose of the Holy Spirit. CFC is about living Chris- and Couples for Christ, we are all missionaries with a
Cabrera who, out of love for God and the poor, tian faith in the world and transforming the mission to accomplish and our happiness is meeting
gave up her dream to become the first Filipina world. CFC is about serving the poor. CFC Christ in the Eucharist as inspiration to be God’s Love
judge in the United States, a dream that looked is about building the church of the poor. and instrument of reconciliation. Leave your comfort
like it would happen. Instead she chose to work I thank God for the CFC African Eucharis- zones! Do mission!” The very powerful sharing of Bishop
as a full timer for Gawad Kalinga, taking on a tic Congress, for the privilege that of attend- Bertin was even further inspired by the witnessing of
job with ANCOP. Cardinal Napier led a stand- ing it, and for the privilege of participating Rose Cabrera, CFC USA and ANCOP USA Director, shar-
ing ovation after Rose’s inspiring testimony. in the life of CFC Africa and of the wider ing emotionally her passion towards the poor and how
There were the hospices of the OMI missionar- Catholic Church in Africa. I believe that this her life was in total dedication to seeing Jesus in the face
ies and Christ the King Parish for those on the congress will prove to be an important mile- of our poor brethren in the world.
verge of death from AIDS. There was the vi- stone in a number of respects – the most im- Rouquel Ponte, CFC International Missions Director,
sion of the OMI missionaries to empower the portant of which is surely forging a deepen- summarized the event with the powerful commitment
poor community, focusing especially on the ing appreciation of and respect for the Eu- ceremony exalting everyone to embrace Jesus in the Eu-
often parentless youth. There was the palpable charist within CFC. I pray that it will also be charist and living out the Love of God through our work
eagerness for CFC, the OMI missionaries and a milestone in my own personal growth in in CFC and empowering each one to pursue justice and
the archdiocese of Durban to work together to appreciation of and respect for the Eucharist. peace in the continent. The congress ended with a high
establish Gawad Kalinga, and, in fact, a group May every Eucharist I celebrate make a dif- note by the inspiring show of unity in diversity at the
of us went back to the proposed Gawad Kalinga ference to the world. May every homily I give Eucharistic t able in a Holy Mass presided by Cardinal
site at Inchanga after the Eucharistic Congress touch the hearts of the congregation. May I Napier concelebrated by priests representing different
to pray at the foot of the large cross there. There never again give inadequate preparation for races and cultures. Truly, the Eucharistic Congress was a
was the story told of feeding the poor with the celebrating the Mass and may this be true great affirmation that in the love of God peoples of all culture,
lamb stew and rice from the Eucharistic con- too for all CFC members, for we are all mis- color and race was under one lineage united in Christ.
gress – of hundreds of people being fed from sionaries and the Eucharist is our food for
what was thought to be a small amount. Was the mission, our bread for the journey.