•A3 Solution to poverty is
poverty, Pope proposes
Makes distinction between
evangelical spirit and misery
Prelate says he’s
convinced of PDEA
chief’s integrity
LINGAYEN-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar
Cruz said he believes in the integrity and
credibility of Philippine Drug Enforcement
Agency (PDEA) Director General Dionisio
Santiago who has been in the spotlight lately
after claims of attempted bribery recently
surfaced.
Sitting along with print and broadcast
journalists lately, the prelate shared his
observation on the government official’s
Integrity / A6
CBCP chief calls for end to
corruption, poverty
Photo courtesy of Dante Sudaria
Children use a makeshift boat to cross a flooded area in one barangay in Cagayan de Oro City last January 3. Flash floods partly caused by mining
activities and unabated tree cutting in the city’s hinterland villages submerged several low-lying barangays that sent thousands of people into
evacuation areas.
Church urges prayer for safety of
Filipinos in Gaza conflict Imitate the examples
THE Catholic Bishops’ Conference of
the Philippines (CBCP) urged Chris-
tians to pray for an end to the ongoing
bloody conflict in the Gaza Strip.
Fr Edwin Corros, executive secretary
of the CBCP’s Episcopal Commission on
Migrants and Itinerant People (ECMI),
said prayer is also needed for the safety
of the Filipinos caught in the crossfire.
“Let us intensify our prayers. We only
have the Lord to rely on. Let’s pray that
they can overcome this,” he said.
Corros said they are concerned with
the condition of over 100 Filipinos
caught in the conflict. He said the can-
Cardinal calls on gov’t leaders
to act on economic crisis
THE Manila archbishop, Gauden-
cio Cardinal Rosales has called on
government leaders to respond with
appropriate actions to the problem
of economic crisis, saying that wide-
spread poverty poses a threat to a
peaceful existence.
“For wherever more people are
hungry, jobless and homeless, peace
is never securely established,” the 76
year-old cardinal said.
In his New Year’s message, Rosa-
les pointed out widespread poverty
that has rooted itself among people as the latest threat to
world peace.
People’s participation needed in fight vs climate change
WITH climate change becoming a
global concern a sustained participation
of people from various sectors is needed
to address environmental problems.
Fr. Benito Tuazon, Ecology Director
of the Archdiocese of Manila said ex-
isting environmental laws need strict
implementation to preserve the envi-
ronment and make it livable.
In an interview with CBCPNews,
Tuazon said government should be able
to enforce Republic Act 9003 known as
•B1 Fighting poverty •C1
to build peace
www.cbcpnews.com cbcpmonitor@cbcpworld.net
THE Catholic Church should also look into
the plight of detention prisoners languish-
ing in jail for more than 20 years, a public
prosecutor said.
Chief Public Attorney Persida Rueda-
Acosta, in an interview with CBCPNews
recently said she is appealing to the CBCP
Protagonist of Truth, Promoter of Peace hierarchy under the leadership of Jaro
(Iloilo) Archbishop Angel Lagdameo and
January 5 - 18, 2009 Vol. 13 No. 1 Php 20.00 Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal
By Roy Lagarde
THE HEAD of the Catholic
Bishops’ Conference of the
Philippines (CBCP) said that
greed and corruption, in all
its forms, have been the major
cause of poverty and back-
wardness.
CBCP President Archbishop Angel
Lagdameo has called on the people, to
be more proactive this year in combat-
ing corruption as a matter of urgency.
He said corruption in the government
had delayed and complicated vital deci-
sions over development projects, which
are meant to help large populations,
especially the poor.
Lagdameo said that corrupt official
and business people are trapping whole
nations in poverty and hampering sus-
tainable development.
The CBCP had called on leaders to
tackle corruption urgently, and make
pledges which they can keep.
Lagdameo said that almost 50 percent
of the country’s coffers are put to waste
due to large-scale corruption, greed,
fraud and plunder.
“It is greed that destroys the world
and its peace, unbridled and criminal
greed of individuals and institutions,”
he said in his New Year’s message, quot-
ing Pope Benedict XVI.
“The evil effects of greed are worse
“Gaza is too far from Jerusalem where
our contact is. Lebanon is also far. Now, of the Magi, says
priest to faithful
I don’t know how Filipinos can move
out of Gaza,” he said.
The Israeli military began its military
offensive two weeks ago with the conflict
escalating over the weekend when ground
assault was initiated. Casualties have re-
portedly reached 600, including civilians.
Around 121 Filipinos are based in
the Gaza Strip, most of whom have
already married Palestinians. Only 22
cellation of the evacuation of at least six have agreed to be repatriated back to
Filipinos there due to heavy shelling the Philippines but are being prevented
further fuelled their worries. by the tension. (CBCPNews)
The prelate said while others have ex-
pressed the possibility that the world’s
financial and economic crisis may affect the
Philippines by the second quarter of 2009,
government leaders should respond to such STRESSING the importance of the
an emergency situation more than what eco- Feast of the Epiphany on the faithful,
nomic justice needs to insure peace. the Caceres director of ommunica-
January 1st has been known as World Day tions said Filipinos can imitate the
of Peace “to emphasize the universal hunger examples of the Three Wise Men
for Peace among all peoples,” said Rosales. especially in improving their lives
The cardinal said people are threatened this year.
whenever they fall victims to injustice, lies “For us Filipinos, we can imitate
and violence. the determination shown by the
Highlighting the Filipino traits of compassion and shar- Three Wise Men in looking for Je-
Crisis / A6 sus and saw to it that they had the
appropriate gifts for Him,” said Fr.
Luisito Occiano in an interview over
Radio Mindanao Network’s DwNX
in Naga City.
These are qualities worth looking
Clean Air Act because there are still wind and wave energy along with at, which the Three Kings had. They
public and private vehicles that con- geothermal, hydro, biomass and biofuel knew what they wanted and what to
tinue to violate the law. energy,” said Tuazon. do. They also knew where to look for
He called on government for more The Catholic Church can do its share Jesus, the priest said.
solid and extensive program to fight by organizing its Ministry on Ecology As an example, we can have the
climate change. at the parish level and have more active fortitude to improve our lives this
The priest also observed that waste participation to Earth Hour celebration year, Occiano said.
management had only been achieved every March, the priest said. He also mentioned that as taxpay-
in several villages. “The Catholic church should ag- ers, we should be faithful to our
“The government and its partners gressively launch its information- obligation.
should seriously consider harnessing education-communication campaign “What we give, if managed prop-
renewable energy including solar, erly by those with responsibilities in
Climate change / A6
UGNAYAN
The News Supplement of
Couples for Christ
Chief public attorney
appeals to Church
leaders
Appeal / A6
and more widespread than the evils of
war,” the Jaro archbishop added quot-
ing the Pope’s Christmas message.
Urgency
Lagdameo said that corruption and
greed have kept God’s blessings from
reaching the needy, thus the urgency
to resolve the problem.
He added that such wrong actions
also threaten to ruin the world and its
peace, and that its effects are worse than
those of war.
“Unfortunately, God’s countless
blessings have been and are obstructed
or hindered from reaching their respec-
tive targets,” he lamented.
With this situation, he said the ques-
tion now is whether the “happy and
prosperous” New Year will be for
whom.
Lagdameo said that while the
Church’s social action programs aim
to alleviate poverty, there is much to be
expected from government appropria-
tions for the poor.
“While poverty alleviation is one of
the Church’s social action programs,
with restricted funds for charity, there
is much to be expected from large gov-
ernment appropriations, not as acts of
charity only, but as acts of justice and
honesty,” he said.
Agents of hope
The religious leader then asked the
Call / A6
Illustration by Bladimer Usi
government shall be returned to us in
the form of effective social services,”
Occiano explained.
“What we offer to Jesus will be
returned to us a hundredfold”, he
said.
Occiano mentioned the new path
taken by the Magi after their visit
to the Holy Child. This was inten-
tionally done so they can evade the
dangers, which Herod posed upon
learning that the Three Wise Men
from the East paid a visit and offered
gifts to the Messiah.
“The new road taken by the Three
kings exemplifies the change in
ourselves which we, as individu-
als should have in order to keep us
away from the dangers of sin; the old
path [which would have put] us at
risk should we stick to it,” Occiano
explained.
The priest said the gifts presented
by the Three Magi to Jesus are full
of symbolism and meaning that tell
us about the role of Our Lord in the
salvation of mankind.
Magi / A6
 World News
CBCP Monitor
A2 Vol. 13 No. 1
January 5 - 18, 2009

Benedict XVI: Children

have right to security
Continues plea for end to Gaza conflict
VATICAN CITY, January 6, 2009─
Benedict XVI appealed for the protec-
tion of children, especially those “de-
nied a serene childhood,” on a feast day
that in many countries is a celebration of
the youngest members of society.
The Pope made his appeal today after
praying the Angelus together with thou-
sands gathered in St. Peter’s Square. The
Pontiff made a special request to armed
groups in Congo to release children
captured as soldiers.
“I call out to the authors of these inhu-
man brutalities to return these young
people to their families and to a future
of security and development, which is
their right,” the Pontiff said.
The Holy Father said acts such as
these “are even more deplorable given
that in 2009 the 20th anniversary of the
Convention of the Rights of the Child
will be celebrated.” He encouraged
the international community to renew
their commitment to the convention
and to “defend and promote childhood
throughout the world.”
After greeting the Eastern Churches,
who follow the Julian calendar and will
celebrate Christmas on Wednesday,
Benedict XVI turned his attention to the
ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
“I am deeply worried about the violent
armed confrontations that are taking
place on the Gaza border,” he said.
The Pope affirmed that “the rejection
of dialogue doesn’t bring anything but
war,” and encouraged efforts to “help
the Israelis and Palestinians to sit down
at a table and talk.”
May God support the commitment of
these builders of peace,” he added.
International efforts are under way to
propose a cease-fire between Israel and
the Islamic militants of Hamas. The 11-
day conflict has resulted in more than
600 deaths. (Zenit)

Benedict XVI praying for King of Bahrain donates

plot of land to build a
the family in January Catholic church
VI World Meeting of Families to be held in Mexico MANAMA, Janu-
ary 5, 2009—Bah-
VATICAN CITY, January 6, 2009─Benedict XVI order to offer a more credible testimony of the Gospel.” rain will donate
is praying for the family this month, and in particular so Thousands of families will gather on Jan. 13-18 in Mexico City for a plot of land to
that it become a school for learning charity and the faith. the VI World Meeting of Families. The theme of the meeting is “The build a new Catho-
The Apostleship of Prayer announced the general intention cho- Family as Educator in Human and Christian Values.” lic church in the
sen by the Pope: “That the family may become more and more a Benedict XVI will present two video messages for the event, and country. The de-
place of training in charity, personal growth and transmission of has sent his secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, as his leg- cision by King
the faith.” ate to the encounter. Hamad bin Isa
The Holy Father also chooses an apostolic intention for each Pope John Paul II initiated the first World Meeting of Families in Al-Khalifa comes
month. In January, he will pray “that the different Christian confes- Rome in 1994 for the occasion of the International Year of the Family in response to a
sions, aware of the need for a new evangelization in this period of promoted by the United Nations. request Pope Bene-
profound transformations, may be committed to announcing the Subsequent encounters took place in Rio de Janiero (1997), Rome dict XVI made to
Good News and moving towards the full unity of all Christians in (2000), Manila (2003) and Valencia (2006). (Zenit) the Gulf State
when its new am-
bassador present-

Vatican congregation orders Jesuit theo-

ed its credentials
King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa
last December 18.
“Everyone is aware that because of the rising number of
Catholics, it would be desirable for them to have more places

logian to stop teaching and publishing of worship,” the Pope said during the audience with Naser
Muhamed Youssef Al-Belooshi, first representative of the Arab
kingdom to the Vatican.
NEW YORK, January 6, 2009— In a 2005 notification, the CDF About 80 per cent of the 800,000 people living in the country
The Congregation for the Doc- cited “serious doctrinal errors” in are Muslim (60 per cent Sunni and 20 per cent Shia). Catholics
trine of the Faith has ordered the Father Haight’s 2000 book “Jesus: represent about 10 per cent, mostly foreign workers from Asian
American Jesuit theologian Fr. Symbol of God.” The Congrega- nations.
Roger Haight to stop teaching tion said that Father Haight, a Bahrain became the first country in the Persian Gulf to build a
and publishing on theological former president of the Catholic Catholic church, the Sacred Heart Church, which will celebrate
matters. The academic’s work has Theological Society of America, its 70th anniversary this year, since it was inaugurated with a
been criticized for undermining should be barred from teaching Christmas Midnight Mass in 1939.
Catholic teaching on the divinity Catholic theology. Relations between the Holy See and the Gulf kingdom saw
of Christ, the Trinity, the impor- The Congregation for Catholic significant progress in 2008. Not only did the Vatican receive
tance of the Church, and issues Education removed him from a the first ambassador from Bahrain, but King Hamad met Pope
related to Salvation. position at the Jesuit-operated Benedict XVI as well. After the meeting on July 9, the sovereign
Vatican expert John L. Al- Weston School of Theology in issued an official communiqué inviting the Holy Father to visit
len, Jr., writing for the National Cambridge, Mass. However, the country.
Catholic Reporter, said the Con- Father Haight and Jesuit offi- When he heard that the Catholic community was going to
gregation for the Doctrine of the cials believed that teaching at a get a new place of worship, Rev. Hani Aziz of the National
Faith (CDF) communicated these non-Catholic institution was not Evangelical Church said he hoped that the king could gener-
restrictions to the Jesuits in spring proscribed by the order and so ously donate a plot of land to build a new Evangelical church
2008. Jesuit leaders reportedly he became a teacher at the multi- as well. (AsiaNews)
had consulted the late theologian denominational Union Theologi-
Cardinal Avery Dulles in the
matter.
Jesuit spokesman Father Jose
Fr. Roger Haight S.J. and Cardinal William Levada, prefect of the CDF
cal Seminary in New York.
As a result of the most recent
order, Father Haight may no
Vietnamese gov’t confiscates
de Vera confirmed the restrictions, but said the case. “The process continues,” Father de longer teach at Union Theological Seminary
a “final resolution” has not been reached in Vera said, according to John Allen. or anywhere else. (CNA) convent in ‘cheap trick’
VINH LONG, January 6, 2009—A group of religious sisters

Catholic Pro-Life group holds World Congress

who responded to an invitation to meet with the local Viet-
namese government last month were very surprised and dis-
mayed when the so-called meeting became a press conference
announcing that the government would seize their monastery

focused on children to convert it into a public square.

NEW DELHI, India, January 6, 2008—A
Catholic pro-life organization has gathered
about 140 social experts from 30 nations to
discuss ways to build a better world that
focuses more on children and family.
Social workers and experts from Africa,
the Americas, Asia and Europe are discuss-
ing the theme Giving children a voice: The
transforming role of the family in a global
society.
Several children from Brazil, India, Mau-
ritius, the Philippines, Singapore, Tanzania
and the United States also are attending
the Jan. 3-7 congress, which Service and
Research Foundation of Asia on Family and
Culture (SERFAC) organized.
Cross of Chavanod Sister Catherine Ber-
nard, who founded SERFAC in 1986 in Chen-
nai, southern India, told UCA News on Jan.
3 that the congress aims to draw attention
to children’s plight as globalization affects
families and societies.
“Children need someone to listen to
them, as their loneliness is unspoken. Their
silence today calls for action,” said the nun,
a medical doctor. Parenting is high on the
congress agenda, she added, explaining that
participants would seek ways to educate
parents on how to overcome
the communication and genera-
At the start of December, the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres
received a letter from the People’s Committee of Vinh Long invit-
ing them to a meeting to discuss the requisition of their home.
“For a long time, they had never seen such a polite letter from
the local government,” Fr. J.B. An Dang told CNA. “However,
on arriving to the meeting on Dec. 12, they soon found out they
were in fact the victims of a cheap trick played by the govern-
ment officials.”
According to Fr. An Dang, the sisters entered the meeting with
goodwill, trusting their government would do the right thing.
“What happened during that meeting was enough to change
drastically their view of the government’s credibility,” he said.
The nuns’ provincial superior Sister Huynh Thi Bich Ngoc
said in a letter to various state agencies that the congregation
had been invited “to exchange and discuss.”
However, “there was neither exchange nor discussion at the
meeting.” “Mr. Nguyen Van Dau, Head of the People’s Com-

More than 2 million saw the Pope in ‘08

VATICAN CITY, January
1, 2009—More than 2 mil-
lion people participated in
general or special audiences
with Benedict XVI during
2008.
According to informa-
tion released Tuesday by
the Vatican, during 2008,
some 2,215,000 people par-
ticipated in a general or
special audience, the Sun-
day Angelus, or liturgical
celebrations presided over
by the Pope.
The Wednesday general
audiences gathered more
than half a million people
last year, with October be-
ing the month of highest
attendance. Meanwhile, the
midday Sunday Angelus
brought more than a million
attendees. (Zenit)
tion gaps.
Experts from various nations
are presenting papers on various
issues affecting children to help
families focus on their progress
and safe growth.
The current gathering is the
third world congress Sister
Bernard’s foundation has or-
ganized. The first two were
held in 1986 and 1991, both in
Chennai. (UCAN)
mittee simply announced the decision to turn our monastery
into a public square.”
The provincial superior reported that prominent media organi-
zations and personnel were present at the meeting, including the
editor in chief of Vinh Long Newsmagazine and representatives
of the radio and television stations of the province.
Bishop Thomas Nguyen Van Tan of the Diocese of Vinh Long
wrote a letter to the government concerning the action, saying:
“I ask the government to reconsider the decision to demolish
the convent and the chapel in order to build a public square on
the property where the convent used to be. Let it be proven to
all that this government is protective of all religions. (CNA)
 News Features
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 1
January 5 - 18, 2009
A3

Solution to poverty is poverty,

Pope proposes evangelical spirit and misery
Makes distinction between
VATICAN CITY, January 1, 2009—
Benedict XVI is inviting the world to
combat poverty that offends human
dignity with sobriety and solidarity,
fruit of the evangelical poverty chosen
by Jesus.
The Pope made this distinction be-
tween poverty that offends God and
the poverty chosen by God during his
homily today at a Mass in St. Peter’s
Basilica for the feast of Mary, Mother
of God, and World Peace Day.
His homily was dedicat ed to his mes-
sage for the world day, which focused
on combating poverty as a means to
achieving peace.
The Holy Father noted the distinc-
tion between evangelical poverty and
the poverty “that God doesn’t want,”
making an invitation to fight the latter
with the former.
The Pontiff explained that in becom-
ing man, Jesus wanted to be poor: “The
developed nations: phenomena such as
marginalization and relational, moral
and spiritual misery.
Globalizing solidarity
Benedict XVI said this poverty is
reflected in things such as pandemic
infirmity, the poverty of children and
the food crisis. And the solution, he
said, requires nations to “maintain a
high level of solidarity.”
The Pope specifically denounced the
arms race, which he defined as “unac-
ceptable” and “against human rights.”
He went on to suggest that the current
economic crisis implies a test: “Are we
prepared to read it, in its complexity,
as a challenge for the future, and not
just an emergency to give short-term
answers? Are we ready to do together
a deep review of the dominant model of
development, to correct it in a system-
atic and long-term way?”

birth of Jesus in Bethlehem reveals to
us that God chose poverty for himself
in his coming to be among us. Love for
us has moved Jesus not only to become
man, but to become poor.”
Nevertheless, he continued, there is
“a poverty, an indigence, that God does
not want and that must be fought.”
This, the Bishop of Rome said, is
“a poverty that impedes people and
families from living according to their
dignity, a poverty that offends justice
and equality, and as such, threatens
peaceful coexistence.”
He affirmed that such poverty is
not just material, but also includes the
forms of poverty found in rich and
© www.flickr.com/photos/kislapmata
“This is demanded, in reality, beyond
the immediate financial difficulties,
by the ecological state of health of the
planet and, above all, the moral and cul-
tural crisis, whose symptoms have been
evident for some time now all over the
world,” the Holy Father continued.
School of life
He thus made a call for a “virtuous at the same time universal.” birth of Christ in Bethlehem, besides tion,” Benedict XVI affirmed, “not
circle” between the poverty “to be cho- “Misery cannot be efficaciously an object of adoration for Christians, is ideological, but spiritual, not utopian,
sen” and the poverty “to be fought,” fought, if there is no attempt to ‘make also a school of life for man. It teaches but real, and because of this, requiring
such that “to combat iniquitous poverty, equality,’ reducing the unevenness us that to combat misery, both material infinite patience, perhaps a very long
which oppresses so many man and between those who waste the superflu- and spiritual, the path to take is that of time, avoiding every break and taking
women and threatens everyone’s peace, ous, and those who don’t even have the solidarity, which has moved Jesus to the most difficult path: the path of
it is necessary to rediscover sobriety and necessary,” the Pontiff said. share our human condition.” consciences maturing in responsibil-
solidarity, as evangelical values that are He affirmed: “The poverty of the Christ brings a “peaceful revolu- ity.” (Zenit)

2009: A year of hope for Don’t be afraid of 2009,

best to come, priest says urges Benedict XVI
DAVAO CITY, January 7, 2009—
Saying that there’s always joy
in hoping, Redemptorist Priest
Fr. Amado Picardal said that
this year can be a year of hope
for this country to prosper, for
new breed of national and local
leaders, peace constituency and
movement to expand and for
peace to reign in Mindanao.
Picardal said with the elections
in 2010 the people are called to
pray and hope that a new breed
of national and local leaders will
emerge so that this country will
© www.flickr.com/photos/23371637@N02
violence and armed conflict.
We need leaders whose primary
concern is not staying in power
or enriching themselves but the
good of all, especially the major-
ity who are poor.”
Insurgency
Picardal also hopes the Com-
munist Party in the Philippines
(CPP)/ New People’s Army
(NPA)/ National Democratic
Front (NDF) will realize that
transforming Philippine soci-
ety through armed struggle or
war,” he said.
“People are simply tired of
all the violence and of war. It is
Says hope of eternal life is bigger than economic crisis
high time to abandon the Mao- “Our great hope as
ist dogma and come up with believers is eternal life in
new paradigms in transforming communion with Christ
society. The peace negotiations and with the whole fami-
should be seen from a strategic ly of God. This great hope
framework like what revolution- gives us the strength to
aries in South Africa, El Salva- confront and overcome
dor and Northern Ireland have the difficulties of life in
done,” added Picardal. this world.”
He also shared his hope that The Holy Father as-
the Moro Islamic Liberation Front sured that both the year
(MILF) will be able to punish err- that was ending and
ing commanders, control their the one on the horizon
units and prevent them from are both under the gaze
committing further atrocities of the Virgin Mother
against the civilian population. of God: “The maternal
Peace presence of Mary as-
As a peace advocate, Picardal sures us tonight that
said he hopes the peace con- God will never abandon
stituency and movement will us, if we entrust our-

expand so that more people will selves to him and follow

prosper.
“Enough of corrupt, self-serv-
ing leaders without principles,
convictions and vision. Never
again to presidents like Marcos,
Macapagal-Arroyo or Estrada. No
to presidents whose qualification
is their popularity, wealth and
electability,” he said, adding:
“We expect our leaders to
have the credibility and political
will to come up with a negoti-
ated peace settlement with the
various groups. They should
be able to address the roots of
people’s war is an impossible
dream.
“After 40 years of fighting,
their military capability and
mass base remain insignificant.
In fact, they have not grown or
expanded, but have dwindled.
They can carry out tactical offen-
sives against soft targets but are
not capable of reaching the stra-
tegic offensive stage. They have
lost so many brave comrades
over the years. They cannot ex-
pect a critical mass of people to
support the “protracted people’s
expressly reject violence and
war, imbibe the culture of life
and peace, and will actively be
involved in peace advocacy.
“We hope that communities
at the grassroots—Christians
and Muslims, Basic Ecclesial
Communities—will be involved
in establishing zones of peace.
This will require the leadership
and support of the Catholic Bish-
ops Conference of the Philippines
(CBCP), each bishop, each priest
and religious in collaboration with
other religious leaders—belong-
ing to other Christian dominations
and Muslims,” he said.
“This also means working
with civil society groups and
organizations,” he added.
“Peace is elusive but it is pos-
sible. There is always hope and
we should not stop working for
peace,” ended Picardal. (Mark
S. Ventura)
VATICAN CITY, January 1, 2009—Benedict XVI
is inviting Christians to “be not afraid,” despite
economic shadows hanging over 2009.
The Pope made this exhortation Wednesday
during his homily at a ceremony in St. Peter’s Ba-
silica that included first vespers for today’s feast
of Mary, Mother of God, and the singing of the Te
Deum in thanksgiving for the graces of 2008.
“This year closes with the awareness of a grow-
ing economic and social crisis that already con-
cerns the entire world,” he said. “Though not a
few shadows are appearing on the horizon of our
future, we should not be afraid.
Workers share same thoughts with Pontiff:
Unify to fight greed in governments
QUEZON CITY, January 2,
2009─The leading center for
government employees, Confed-
eration for Unity, Recognition
his teachings. To Mary,
then, with filial affection
and trust, let us present our hopes and desires, as
well as the fears and the difficulties we carry in
our hearts, as we bid farewell to 2008 and prepare
ourselves to welcome 2009.”
The Pontiff also affirmed that the economic
crisis “asks all of us more sobriety and solidarity
to assist especially those people and families with
more serious difficulties.”
He recognized that the Christian community and
diocesan Caritas is already involved in this task,
but emphasized that “the collaboration of everyone
is necessary, because no one can think of building
his happiness for himself alone.” (Zenit)

Environmental watchdog urges and Advancement of Govern-

ment Employees (COURAGE),
praised His Holiness, Pope

Nazarene devotees to go green Benedict XVI, on his observation

© www.flickr.com/photos/juanmasipag

about greed that is slowly eating

MANILA, January 3, 2009—With the fiesta of
the Black Nazarene drawing nearer, a waste
and pollution watchdog has urged devotees of
Quiapo’s popular icon to observe a litter free
celebration by making the gathering clean and
green.
Eco Waste Coalition president Manny Calon-
zo asked maroon-clothed “Hijos del Señor Naza-
reno” (Sons of the Lord Nazarene) devotees to
show leadership in making the fiesta celebration
clean and green.
“The unrestrained littering during the Quiapo
fiesta is a disgrace to our age-old devoutness to
Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno to whom many
of us come begging for relief and freedom from
all troubles, including life-threatening diseases
that could have resulted from a polluted envi-
ronment,” Calonzo said.
Calonzo lamented the massive trash in last
year’s fiesta that made Plaza Miranda and
adjoining streets a virtual dumpsite with tons
of plastic bags, drinking straws, plastic bottles,
Styrofoam containers, food wrappers, bamboo
skewers and cigarette butts left around.
“While deeply touched by the timeless devo-
tion of Catholic Filipinos to the Black Nazarene,
we cannot help but notice how the wellbeing
of our fragile environment is often ignored by
many devotees as they fervently fulfill their
rituals and vows,” Calonzo added.
The group also discouraged putting up of
single- use plastic buntings and “happy fiesta”
banners crisscrossing the streets since it will only
add up to the trash.
“With the 2010 polls just around the corner,
Go Green / A6
up every system of governance
and economic institutions the
world over.
Ferdinand R. Gaite, national
president of COURAGE said in
a statement, that the Pontiff’s
message—in line with the cel-
ebration of the Nativity of the
Lord—gives a strong signal to whole society as well,” he said. ing economic plunder, like the
world leaders, especially the He assailed politicians whose killing of the impeachment case
administration of Mrs. Gloria self-interests come first before versus Mrs. Arroyo,” he said.
Macapagal-Arroyo, to reexam- the true and genuine service to Gaite said at the start of 2009,
ine itself and modify its greed the Filipino people. the national center for govern-
for power and money. “Some of them run for office ment employees, will intensi-
“We, in COURAGE, not only just to make themselves rich. But fy—and they are very much
commend the Holy Father but what’s more saddening, some of determined of winning—the
join Him in his crusade versus our legislators, judges and even fight versus greed, especially the
greed which ruins not only the the cabinet officials, prevent the greed of those in Malacañang.
system of governance but the truth from coming out, regard- (Noel Sales Barcelona)
 Opinion
CBCP Monitor
A4 Vol. 13 No. 1
January 5 - 18, 2009

EDITORIAL

Season of renewal
IT has become customary—either as a joke or a resolve—to make the
so-called “New Year’s Resolution” in view of the forthcoming parting
of ways between the “old” and “new” year. In plain and simple words,
there is in spirit the attempt or the determination to do what is undone,
to undo what was done, to do certain things better, not to do some things
at all—or the likes.
Any or all these—notwithstanding the saying that “promises are made to
be broken,” “resolutions are good only the moment they are made,” and
other such rebuttals against the intent of self-renewal—constitute the mere
decisive option, to be a better person, which already has its merit.
The truth of the matter is that a New Year is a propitious occasion, a
good opportunity, a timely chance for people of good will to make a
strong and decisive effort at self-renewal: to be better individuals; to
be responsible fathers, mothers, parents; to be dependable sons and
daughters; to be kind neighbors; to be helpful and generous to others;
to be honest, truthful, and upright; to have a word of honor; to live a
better life and to do a better job; to be God fearing—and so many other
laudable acts that make for reasonable and salutary resolutions. That
is why even but the sincere venture to do better, already deserve some
praise and applause.
For those who are graft and corruption incarnate, those lying and cheating
personified, for those who are under the illusion that they are the best
there can be or under the delusion that they are the paragon of not only
goodness but also greatness—these are characters who see neither any
relevance in self-renewal nor feel any need of self-improvement. They
instead exude greatness unlimited, consciously or unconsciously look
down on everybody else as pitiful people who need and clamor for them
as their saviors and redeemers.
Between someone altogether morally rotten and ethically putrid but
looks at himself or herself as immaculate and saintly, and other somehow
ungodly and un-neighborly but still has the sense of unworthiness and Illustration by Bladimer Usi
sinfulness—the latter has the prospect of being a better person, who
retains the hope of conversion. That is why there is the usual reality that
unconsciously bad people become even worst figures, while deliberately
good people become better individuals.
In the Philippines today there are a rather good number of us, especially Abp. Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ, DD

Cagayan de Oro at 75
those holding public trust, who are in dire need of conversion from vice
to virtue, from corruption to honesty, from greed to probity. This New
Year is a season of renewal that can become a good opportunity for
everyone to radically or even but gradually become the blessings not
the curses, the benefactors not the exploiters of people—and to be assets
Pastoral Companion
not the liabilities of society.
DURING the past year 2008, we celebrated the 75th anniversary of Carmelite Sisters’ Convent.
The wages of greed the creation of the Diocese of Cagayan de Oro. In 1933, Cagayan de
Oro became the second diocese in Mindanao (next to Zamboanga)
When Cagayan de Oro was elevated as the first archdiocese of
Mindanao in 1951, Archbishop Hayes continued to serve until his
and included the northern provinces of Surigao, Agusan, Bukidnon, retirement in 1970—a span of 37 years that included his incarcera-
TRUE enough, the wages of greed are far worse and more widespread
than the evils of war. This was the thought of the Holy Father’s Christmas
Misamis Oriental, Lanao, Misamis Occidental, and the island of tion during the Japanese occupation and the painstaking period of
Message which was propounded in his traditional message for the World Camiguin. reconstruction after the war.
Day of Peace on New Year’s Day. Today the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro is only one of the 21 He was succeeded by Archbishop Patrick Cronin, a Columban,
ecclesiastical units in Mindanao, which include five archdioceses, who served from 1970-1988. During this period, the parishes admin-
Poverty, among others, is the by-product of greed. Interestingly, as early as 12 dioceses, three prelatures, and one apostolic vicariate. Its terri- istered earlier by American and Filipino Jesuits were for the most
1951 the Philippine Bishops in their Joint Statement at the close the Holy tory has been reduced to the two provinces of Misamis Oriental and part turned over to the Irish Columban priests and some diocesan
Year already painted the gruesome face of poverty in the country. Camiguin and one municipality in Bukidnon. Nonetheless, with its priests. This enabled the Jesuits in turn to take care of the newly–
50 parishes and 8 chaplaincies, two seminaries, and 115 diocesan opened parishes in Bukidnon.
“Grinding poverty is a blighting disease. It eats away the very core of man.
priests, the archdiocese remains among the larger ecclesiastical Archbishop Jesus Tuquib became the third archbishop of Cagayan
It makes him an inferior producer, unskilled in the technical arts which
augment public prosperity. It makes him an inferior citizen, incapable of units in Mindanao. de Oro in 1988-2006, duplicating his predecessor’s term of 18 years
offering a man’s full contribution to the social and political well-being of Most Rev. James Hayes, S.J., became the first bishop of Cagayan de of service. During this period, the diocesan clergy increased notably
the community…It makes him in the full and awful sense a poor man, Oro. The city street that now bears his name connects all the major in numbers and gradually took over the running of the parishes.
subnormal, subhuman. He is too poor to help himself, so poor that others institutions that he started—Lourdes College run by the RVM sisters, Today only three parishes and a chaplaincy are run by priests of
pass him by,” wrote the Philippines’ bishops five decades ago. Ateneo de Cagayan (now Xavier University) under the Jesuits, Maria religious congregations.
Reyna Hospital administered by the St. Paul of Chartres sisters, and Archbishop Tuquib was instrumental in the construction of the St.
And yet making every Filipino become even poorer has been the craft on Seminary Hill San Jose de Mindanao Seminary and the Discalced Companion / A6
mastered by most politicians in this part of the earth. Ah, greed, it’s the
moving force that goads people to file certificates of candidacy all the Sr. Mary Pilar Verzosa, RGS
way up to Malacañang. It’s the very stuff that drives voters to sell their
luck, too. Perhaps, it’s likewise the force that makes honorable men
want to change the charter.
December 28—
Amidst poverty, which in this country is as endemic as corruption, every
government program is suspect and ultimately becomes a sham. In truth,
Memorial of the Unborn Love Life
even the higher values of freedom and democracy become preposterous
when the only other option is to survive the mortal clutches of paucity. THE Feast of the Holy Innocents on December memorial every now and then. They believe after an abortion or multiple abortions,
28 was also the Feast of the Holy Family be- that these are left by women who have ex- living through a hell of guilt, depression,
“Hell has three gates: lust, anger, and greed,” says Bhagavad Gita. If we
keep electing people who are congenitally driven with the latter, then we
cause it fell on the Sunday after Christmas. I perienced abortion or miscarriage. Indeed, addictions, or failed relationships, say they
are perpetually condemned to suffer the wages of greed. do hope that the babies, born and unborn, were part of the healing process of post-aborted feel “cheated” that they were not told the
not forgotten during the celebration of families women is to finish the grief of the loss of their truth about the effects of abortion and they
that most parishes organized on that day. baby – and offering flowers or candles and were led to a decision that they regret for life.
Requirements of Peace I am always happy whenever I see a naming their baby is an important step. Many parents, teachers, church leaders, even
Memorial to the Unborn in front of parish The memorial is also an important gather- priests and sisters—think that their fellow-
A JUST and lasting peace, we realize, is neither the fruit of four days of churches here in Metro Manila or in the prov- ing place on the Feast of the Holy Innocents Christians know that abortion is wrong and
people power nor of seventeen years of revolution. It is not the work of inces. As I go around the country to conduct for the Mass or prayer service for the unborn. cannot imagine why anyone would abort.
one leader no matter how respected, how sincere and peace loving. pro-life seminars, the Diocesan Family and Usually, the local pro-life groups or Family But the reasons why women abort or why
Peace is the fruit of justice (cf. Is. 32:17; Jos. 3:18) patiently, consistently, Life Ministers or organization leaders who and Life workers would organize that and some people lead women to abort are so
and unceasingly pursued. It is the work of everyone. invite me never fail to point out to me the invite the other parishioners to join. Too bad varied and complicated that it is about time
monument that they have put up, often in that December 28 falls during the Christmas all of us got involved in pro-life awareness
The task of forging a just and lasting peace is as delicate as that of partnership with the Knights of Columbus holidays so students are not around for the campaigns in order to stop this devastation
nourishing love between persons. It requires the building of trust upon in their parish. activity, unless the parish youth groups are going on in our society. I am always filled
trust, the healing of wounds, the humbling of oneself for the sake of the The practice of putting Memorials to the the ones invited. The activity is often very with awe whenever I reflect on the gift of life
other, the respect for the other’s dignity, the sacrifice of narrower interests Unborn started in the United States decades significant, not only to the women, but to all to me, to you who are reading this now, to
for the broad interests of the common good. For peace is not simply the ago, when abortion got legalized in that those who participate. each one of us. And I am filled with sorrow
cessation of conflict and hostilities, though this is necessary. country in 1973 through the Roe v. Wade I encourage all parishes to erect a Memo- whenever I get to know of another abortion,
Peace is from the heart. We cannot build peace by way of force and Supreme Court decision. I got to know about rial for the Unborn in their church year, no or the thousands of abortions happening
violence nor by way of manipulation and deception—and injustice. this when my father, who reached the rank of matter how simple. If it is well kept and not everyday. And my question often is—“Are
Grand Knight in our parish in Cubao, would allowed to deteriorate, the memorial can we doing enough?” Maybe participating in
Peace has to be built on the values of the Kingdom of God, on Gospel pass on to me the Columbia magazine of truly serve as a testimony to our belief that an activity for the unborn like what was done
values and on the authentically human values of justice and truth, of the US K of C. I would then show it to our every human life is sacred from the moment on December 28 might not be enough to stop
freedom and love. It is only on such a foundation that we can build pro-life leaders to get ideas on the designs of conception. That principle is so important, abortion—but it is the beginning. And surely
genuine and lasting peace. That is likewise the only environment in of the memorials or the words such as “In especially nowadays when the Catholic a few more babies and their mothers would
which peace can flourish. Loving Memory of our Unborn”, or “Let the Church is battered with criticisms from the have been saved that day.
--The Fruit of Justice is Peace, A CBCP Pastoral Statement, 1987 children come to me” or “In Memory of the pro-Reproductive Health Bill advocates, a Those who wish to get copies of Prayers
Aborted Babies”. bill that when passed into law, is the gateway for the Unborn or Mass for the Unborn can
The pro-lifers relate to me that they see to the legalization of abortion. call the Pro-life office at 911-2911 or email
lighted candles or flowers laid in front of the Women who come to me for counseling us at life@prolife.org.ph
ISSN 1908-2940
Rev. Euly B. Belizar, SThD
Housing our
CBCP Monitor
Protagonist of Tr u t h , Promoter of Peace By the Roadside homeless God
Pedro C. Quitorio
Editor-in-Chief IT was uncanny (to say the least). I was with a group of parishioners, ily is like squeezing juice out of stone,” she mused. “Now that they
members of the Parish Pastoral Council and a few high school teen- see a priest with us, they seem so hospitable and giving.”
Pinky Barrientos, FSP Kris P. Bayos agers from one of our parish youth choirs. We were caroling for a In all this I would never forget coming to a rest house on a street
Associate Editor Feature Editor church project that had run out of funds. My presence was calculated corner. The manager seemed to me to be just patiently tolerating our
to ‘encourage’ generosity. I even decided to wear my clerical. And it presence and singing with a smirk. Apparently my presence even
Melo M. Acuña Laarni Bergado proved to be a smart move. In more than one instance a homeowner absolved our singing deficiencies. I don’t even recall how much
Managing Editor Marketing Supervisor or a member of a family would, upon hearing our voices, decide we she adjudged our singing to be worth. But, as we were leaving, I
were worth only twenty pesos (thank God that was the minimum) saw a sign hanging by the main door. “SORRY. NO MORE ROOM
Laurence John R. Morales Ernani M. Ramos but, on seeing me, would apologize profusely for what apparently in INSIDE”. “What a strange coincidence,” I said within her hearing.
LAYOUT BY LAURENCE JOHN R. MORALES

Online Editor Circulation Manager

their mind was almost an unpardonable sacrilege (the twenty-peso “Did a man named Jose and a pregnant woman named Maria come
Roy Q. Lagarde Marcelita Dominguez evaluation of our singing, I mean). Then the twenty peso bill would before us?”
News Editor Comptroller promptly be taken out of our sight and in its place would appear a I don’t remember any more what the manager’s answer was.
five hundred or one thousand peso bill. To be honest, it mattered little to me, as we both knew I asked
The CBCP Monitor is published fortnightly by the CBCP Com- That together with big smiles and offers of a beverage or snack. the question in jest. Something else arrested my mind in its tracks. I
munications Development Foundation, Inc., with editorial and Naturally I’m not saying we were given the same reception or treat- found myself marveling at the thought of how God’s Son came into
business offices at 470 Gen. Luna St., Intramuros, Manila. ment in all the homes we went to. But it soon became clear to me the world homeless, like the thought came to me for the first time.
P.O. Box 3601, 1076 MCPO.
why our group was ecstatic when I decided to come along. A priest’s Maybe, I thought, if Jesus came as a Roman Catholic priest with a
Editorial: (063) 404-2182. Business: (063)404-1612.
Email: cbcpmonitor@cbcpworld.net presence may not necessarily work miracles but something close to Roman collar, I strongly suspect (I could be wrong, of course, given
Website: www.cbcpworld.net/cbcpmonitor one is often enough. For instance, a remark from a member of our today’s views on priests) he would not be met with “SORRY, NO
group almost bowled me over. “Receiving a response from this fam- Roadside / A6

CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 1
January 5 - 18, 2009
Jose B. Lugay
Laiko Lampstand
PHILIPPINE media presented the most sig-
nificant and memorable events for the year
2008. As expected, they highlighted the most
sensational news, mostly disasters of the year,
the aborted Cha-Cha initiative of Congress,
the failed peace talks in Mindanao, the payola
scandal in the Court of Appeals, the attempted
and failed impeachment of the President, the
corruption scandals: NBN–ZTE, the fertilizer
scam, the insertion of budget funds for infra-
structure to favor vested interests resulting
in the resignation of the incumbent Senate
President, the world economic crisis. To cap
it all was the case of the Euro generals whose
trip to Russia included smuggling through
customs, millions of dollars without declaring
them. To add insult to injury, most of the gen-
erals attending the session on international
security were soon-to-be retired generals! It
is an obvious misuse of the people’s money
for private gain!
All Filipinos, including those residing
abroad, wish our country well. They have
not lost hope that the coming year will be
a better year for the country despite the
expected fallout of the ill effects of the eco-
nomic crisis in our country. They still hope
Opinion
New Year, new wine,
old wineskins
that despite the seemingly insurmountable mentioned in the bible. When new grape
odds in arresting corrupt practices, God juice is added to this used wineskin, the
will provide the youth of our country, great quantity of remaining yeast causes
which comprise 40 to 50% of our popula- vigorous fermentation that evolves carbon
tion to come forward and be counted and dioxide. The closed wineskin will burst after
change the way we govern our political reaching a certain internal pressure. We see
system – from pervasive graft and corrup- this phenomena in champagne, a carbonated
tion to clean, transparent and honest gov- wine, which is bottled before the fermenta-
ernance! Some advocacy groups go around tion is completed.
to tell them: “Pinoy, Kaya Natin Ito!” Our political system has accumulated
The real danger once we convince our bad yeast of corruption through the years.
youth to get involved in politics and con- A newly elected young and idealistic politi-
sequently get elected, is the system aptly cian will be immersed in this environment.
described in the bible, New Wine, New Unless he immediately has a hand in chang-
Wineskin. (Mark 2: 21-22): ing the system, he will be the first victim
“And nobody puts new wine into old of the system in ferment with corruption,
wineskins; otherwise, the wine will burst and ambitious power grabbing of vested
the skins, and the wine is lost and the skins interests. All is not lost however, if institu-
too. No! New wine into fresh skins! tions like the Church can establish schools
The technical explanation of this bursting and teach the young adults on the moral
wine skin phenomenon is explained by the guidelines and ethical behavior before en-
fermentation process of any fruit juice—in tering politics. If some lay persons who are
this case, grape juice with the addition of evangelized for social transformation show
yeast. When fermentation is completed and enough courage to get involved in train-
the wine is transferred to another container ing the youth, there will still be hope—the
for aging, the yeast is retained in the original change in political governance that we need
container. Wineskins were the containers for the New Year.
Nicolo F. Bernardo
A5
‘Our Solitary Boast’
By Juan L. Mercado, guest columnist
TIME magazine titled a recent cover story “Hail, Mary”. It
devotes eight pages to Jesus of Nazareth’s mother. “A Mary for
All” was how the Economist bannered an earlier report. Life
magazine led off with: “The Mystery of Mary”. And shortly
thereafter, Time did a two-page spread: “Mary, So Contrary.”
What’s going on here?
After centuries of “sullen neglect… Christians of all denomi-
nations are finding their own reasons to venerate Mary”, Time
reports. Families, pastors and theologians, notably within U.S.
Protestant churches, are re-discovering the Virgin.
Harvard University minister Peter Gomes pinpoints this trend
in a joke about a Protestant pastor at heaven’s gates. “Ah, Pro-
fessor, I know you’ve met my Father,” Jesus says in making the
introductions. “But I believe you don’t know my mother.”
New appreciation of Mary stems from the very arena in which
Protestants historically pride themselves most: careful and full
reading of Scriptures.
Mary stood by the Cross. And she figures in “a skein of ap-
pearances longer and more strategically placed than any other
character in scriptures”, Princeton University professor of New
Testament literature, Beverly Gaventa, points out.
“She is present in all key situations: at Jesus birth, at his death
and in the Upper Room,” Gaventa writes in “Personalities of the
New Testament”. Whether in Egypt, Nazareth or Cana, “there
isn’t a figure comparable to her”.
The new thinkers are exploring the implications of Mary’s
excruciating presence at the crucifixion. “(She) witnesses almost
single handedly Christianity through its darkest moment.”
There are critics, Time notes. Southern Baptists Conven-
tion leaders complain their colleagues are “guilty of over-
reaching”.

If Aristotle says That would baffle Muslims. Mary is Islam’s most honored
woman, the Economist notes. “(She’s) the only one to have an

‘Happy New Year’

entire chapter named after her in the Koran. Christians and
Lifeguard Muslims alike see in Mary an affirmation that there is no limit
to proximity of God that any human can attain,” the report as-
serts. “Surely, that is reason enough, for people of any faith, to
ON THE eve of December 31, people wished each other a very fa- is that? Activity, soul, and virtue, these are Aristotle’s key terms to feel reverence for history’s foremost Jewish mother.”
miliar greeting. Amid the sparks and glows of that festive night, we understanding happiness. The Economist cites the “wisdom” texts in Jewish and Chris-
repeated a ritual we do every year, hopeful of the coming moment First, happiness is an “activity” (energia), not mere potentiality or tian scriptures and the Eastern Church’s lesser-known Gospel by
and euphoric of the passing season. passivity, or being “at rest” like sleeping or cowering to negativity James. It reviews studies by Methodists Hebrew scholar Marga-
So what do we really mean when we greet others “happy” New or defeat. The state of eudaimonea occurs when a person uses all his ret Barker to Jaime Moran, religion and psychology writer.
Year? What is to be happy? Or do we even mind to think about powers, talents, and being to the fullest extent, and things are going Muslim and eastern Christians “cherish the story of Mary’s
what we are too used to say on a new year? One philosopher tried well as he could make possible. He crafts his life closest to perfection. childhood in a place of supreme holiness. Both name Mary’s
to expound this question of “happiness,” and his treatise may yet (To Christians, perfection is God, and fullness of life is in Him). guardian as the priest Zechariah or Zakariya.”
serve us a genuine New Year’s wish. On this note, a person who limits his possibilities, let us say, by “Catholics would tell you, rather firmly, that Mary is not a
In his Nicomachean Ethics, the classic Aristotle says that hap- the luck of the year (following the Chinese calendar), is not free goddess,” the Economist notes. “She is not worshipped but
piness is the final end (telos) of all man’s pursuits. So while our to self-actualize, and therefore cannot be happy. Also, a person rather venerated: a human being with a unique role in pray-
President may wish for a “stronger republic” this year, her critics who swears a resolution during the new year but does not fulfill ing for and protecting the human race.” That hews closely to
for her ouster, and the poor man for better economy, all ends are it may make a happy dreamer, but never a happy person. A happy Muslim belief too.
sought to make one happy. “Para masaya,” so a popular Filipino person, to borrow a popular cliché, is alive, well, and kicking. He The wisdom texts speak of a “woman clothed with the sun”.
pun goes. Or “kung saan ka masaya” as some will say. A wish to is determined to actualize his potentials, excel in his skills and And down the centuries, “heart-stopping turns of phrase”
have a happy year is a catch-all, for to be “happy” is that for which gifts, and outdo his limits. The outcome produces a feeling of self- have been applied to Mary, the Economist notes. “Our tainted
we pursue our goals. fulfillment and self-realization that one can owe to oneself, not to nature’s solitary boast” was the way one poet put it.
Much as people have different values, so people have different luck or benefaction. “Shortly after Vatican II, a period of Marian silence descend-
views of what can make them happy. Aristotle acknowledges this. Again, a happy person is one who excels in his function. While ed,” recalls Catalino Arevalo, SJ, of Ateneo University. “We, in
For instance, a child may see it good to spend for toys, but not so people have different functions and interests in life, they have a com- the Philippines, did not go through that phase.”
for an old man. mon function—the function of reasoning—that separates them from “Churches in former communist Eastern Europe have not
Happiness has been associated with the pleasures of life, to passive other species and makes them “man.” Humans excel at reasoning, experienced the ‘eclipse of Mary’ either,” notes this Filipino
merry-making, like basking under the sun, celebrating the “good and we thrive in situations where we use this capacity. theologian. “What strikes a mainland China visitor, who gets
times,” or resting like a couch potato. A “happy” New Year would This explains why Aristotle stipulated that happiness is an activity in contact with Catholics there, is that veneration of Mary has
therefore mind of a year free from troubles and hurdles. In this case, “of the soul,” “of reason.” A person who engages in activities that never been stronger.”
happiness has come to mean prosperity, or even sensuality. exercise his intelligence, his craft, must be happy. His “spirit” soars. That “Marian silence” and “de-christianization” of Europe led
But this understanding of happiness, Aristotle explains, falls short (Christianity will later on extend this to happiness as beatitude.) the German theologian Karl Rahner to write: “Many Catholics
of satisfying our core humanity, for these delights may only gratify Finally, a happy person has the disposition (hexis) to virtue today are going through a winter of belief.”
our “animal” appetites. (arete), a man of “character” (ethos), of moderation. Among the Once known as “Christendom” Europe built the Continent’s
Aristotle explains further. Is happiness simply to be well and characteristics of man, it is being virtuous that lasts with the person, loveliest cathedrals from Chartres to Notre Dame. Now, Europe
healthy? For an ill man that seems to be. After all, one is happier says Aristotle, not the ability for any sport, to flex muscles, to model suffers from a “vacuum of faith”, Los Angeles Times notes. The
if one is healthier. But since everybody gets sick and everybody looks, or to squeeze brains. Gallup Millennium Survey reveals barely 20 percent of West
grows old, then one cannot always be happy for one is not always It is virtue that assures man a happy life. Why? Not because mis- Europeans attend church services once a week.
at the prime of one’s health. Old and ill people cannot experience chance will not befall him, like what happened to Job. But because “When the new springtime of faith comes…the cult of Mary
bliss in this case. And in this case our happiness is determined by whatever the tide of fate, he is sure to endure, to make the best of the Mother of God, will return,” Rahner added. “In fact, it will
the state of our body. circumstances, and to bear things gracefully. A virtuous man will be its surest sign. Its form may perhaps be different, but if
Should happiness mean riches? If that is so, argues Aristotle, then never commit dishonorable and ignoble acts, and as such, he never Christian tradition is valid, it will return.”
the richest people suppose to be the happiest. But then the opposite meets misery or despair. He has spared himself already of the suf- That was in 1968. Today, Rahner’s comments resound in es-
even seems truer. fering he himself could cause by his vices or loss of bearing. Further, says by, among others, Lutheran Carl Braten: “I can’t predict
Should happiness mean honor? If one’s happiness depends on he does not give himself to pleasurable excesses that often lead to exactly how the (Mary re-discovery) will happen. Some of it
other’s recognition, or the satisfaction of the populace, then one’s tragic consequences. will be good, and some may be bad. But I think it’s going to
happiness would depend on other’s will. That is why happiness means a celebration of the dignity of human happen.”
How about power? Ah, says Aristotle, that might even be farther reason, a media noche of virtues from which right choices, honor, Some 38 years after Rahner wrote of this “second spring”, Fr.
from the truth. For power could isolate one or leave him to the vicis- friends, wisdom, and pleasure eventually ensue. A man who has Arevalo notes, “this appears a remarkably prophetic text”.
situdes of politics and economics. this happiness, this active and rational disposition to virtue, will This comeback of Our Lady is seen on the dateline of stories
So what is happiness? Happiness (eudaimonea) for Aristotle is not only be happy for the year, but for all his years to come. It is a from new Marian shrines: Medjugorje in Yugoslavia; Akita in
not about any kind of having or sensing. All these—health, beauty, happiness that endures the wear and tear of all seasons, because by Japan; Kibeho in Rwanda and Cuenca in Ecuador. “News ac-
riches, honor, and power are immediate goals that make us happy, his own, he knows how to make himself happy. counts fueled renewed interest in the Marian movement.”
but these are not what can ultimately make us happy. Happiness, he As this year begins, this author wishes everyone a new life, and Then, there was Pope John Paul II. “No pontiff in the entire
noted, “is the activity of the soul in accordance with virtue.” What an Aristotelian Happy New Year. history of Catholicism has had so strong and articulates a devo-
tion to Mary.” He willed that her logo be carved on his plain
cedar coffin.
Fr. Melvin P. Castro If Karl Rahner was right, then perhaps the current cover
stories may be more significant than they appear, Fr. Arevalo
Entrusting the New says. Are they buds of the “the new springtime of faith,” which,
Rahner foresaw, “is about to begin”?
Speaking of Mary Year to Our Lady
AT the last day of the Octave of Christmas A lot of liturgical celebrations, and a lot the Church’s organization becomes clearer in
the Church marks the Solemnity of the Divine of social-political-moral concerns as well. historical documents. Ignatius of Antioch in
Maternity of Mary which happens to be New To whom do we entrust all these? To Our particular, writes of the role of the episkopo
Year’s Day as well. Unfortunately, people Lady, of course. As our Bishops meet for (singular form of episkopos) or bishop or
tend to think it is a Holy Day of Obligation their regular Plenary Assembly, we pray elder: their role already was very important
because it is New Year’s Day. Nonetheless, for them, as our concerns will be doubly and being clearly defined.
by that happy coincidence, we usually do go theirs. At times, we, the faithful have a lot Plainly therefore we ought to regard the
to Holy Mass. The Holy Father, of venerable of impressions, mis-impressions I should bishop as the Lord Himself (Epistle of Igna-
memory, Paul VI has also designated that say, about how our Bishops think and tius to the Ephesians 6:1).
same day as World Day of Peace. decide, speak and act. We think all too Therefore, as the Lord did nothing without
Hence, a lot of things to celebrate that day. human often that we forget they have the the Father, [being united with Him], either
This Season of Christmas is always an op- grace of office. by Himself or by the Apostles, so neither
portune moment to reflect on the key role of We cannot and we should not expect do ye anything without the bishop and the
Our Lady in the salvific plan: not of her own them to please us nor give-in to all our presbyters (Epistle of Ignatius to the Mag-
design but by God’s. And yet her constant no-matter-how-good-intentioned requests. nesians 7:1).
consent is needed. They have the best of intentions as well but I hope and pray that given especially the
This month of January also marks the they act and decide given their deeper and cultural context of our country where the
Solemnity of the Epiphany of Our Lord, the more extensive seeing of things. They may bishops’ pronouncements are given great
Feast of the Baptism of Christ, and of course, not be perfect, but in God’s design they importance, we will pray a great deal for
in the Philippines, the Feast of the Sto. Niño. are tasked to lead and govern, to teach them. And that interest groups would spare
And for us, in the Diocese of Tarlac, as is in and preach, to admonish and correct, to them.
the Archdiocese of Lipa and in the Diocese encourage and build. Sine nihil episcopo, And since we are entrusting all our con-
of Bacolod, the Feast of St. Sebastian on as they put it. Nothing without the bishop. cerns and this entire New Year to Our Lady,
January 20. That is how we act as Catholics, always providentially, the International Pilgrim
And speaking of January 20, the House of in communion and in obedience to our Virgin Statue (IPVS) of Our Lady of Fatima
Representatives resumes its session that day bishops. will return to the Philippines from 01 to 21
with, according to what we know thus far, the It may sound too medieval to modern February 2009. She will tour the Philippines,
continuation of the interpolation on HB 5043: ears. Yet since the beginning of Christianity, albeit limited in some arch/dioceses only.
Reproductive Health Bill. Attention to our episkopoi, the elders have been there. They I’ll write in this column next issue her entire
Family and Life Workers and Advocates! may have not worn miters nor episcopal schedule in the Philippines. You can also
Apparently, however, the legislators have a rings. But with that concept of elders—the check the website www.pilgrimvirginstatue.
lot of other “pressing” matters on hand such episkopi—brought with it the hierarchical com for further information regarding the
as the Charter Change and the extension and/ structure of the Church. In fact, the Apostles miraculous Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady of
or revision of CARP. And certainly, 2009 is the we consider to be the first Bishops of the Fatima.
year before the 2010 elections (well, hopefully Church. May we have a blessed New Year! Ave
there will be elections). Around the end of the first century AD, Maria Purissima!
 Local News
CBCP Monitor
A6 Vol. 13 No. 1
January 5 - 18, 2009

Armed conflicts affect Migration to go

economic situation in on despite global
economic crisis,
Mindanao, says prelate
THE armed conflicts in some areas of Min- san clergy have lived
says bishop
EXODUS of Filipino workers will go on despite the global eco
nomic crisis, as requirements for highly-skilled workers still
danao had taken its toll on the economic simple lives and “by remain, says prelate.
situation of some places in the region, a the grace of God, we CBCP Episcopal Commission for Migrant and Itinerant
Mindanao prelate said. have survived.” Peoples and Maasin Bishop Precioso D. Cantillas, SDB said
Surigao Bishop Antonieto Cabajog has The prelate said that while everybody will be affected by the so-called economic
described 2008 as a “challenging and trying if one is to base his meltdown, overseas migration will continue because of poverty
year” because local business had suffered views on how Su- at home.
from the “stigma” of being part of Mind- rigaonons celebrat- In an interview with CBCPNews, the prelate said the
anao. ed Christmas, one recent Global Forum on Migration and Development held

© www.flickr.com/photos/joegalvez
“Though we are far from areas where would believe there in Manila during the last quarter of 2008 revealed that
armed conflicts have occurred, [still] people is no economic crisis “migration has indeed become a significant factor in de-
have second thoughts of doing business and as in other highly- velopment.”
visiting Surigao del Norte because we’re part developed coun- “Migration requires both national and international attention
of Mindanao,” Cabajog said. tries. because it is an important issue considering human lives and
The bishop also disclosed that the national “For my Christmas dignity are concerned,” the prelate said.
government has seriously considered their message I called on He said Filipinos in the medical profession can easily find
call for a moratorium on reckless min- my flock not to lose jobs in Europe and the Middle East.
ing practices in Surigao provinces where hope and change will Asked of the plight of Filipina domestic helpers in the Middle
mountains are literally moved to Japan for be more meaningful if one starts with one’s he will underscore the need for everyone to East and other highly developed countries, Cantillas said “the
processing. self,” he said. do more and never forget to trust in God. brokers and agents should be looked into by government and
He said he and the members of the dioce- Asked of his projections for 2009, he said (Melo M. Acuna) other concerned agencies because they don’t care about the
domestic helpers conditions.”
Call / A1 He added these brokers and agents are least troubled of the
faithful to become “agents of hope and poverty alleviation.” Corruption defrauds the poor domestic helpers’ qualifications and wages because they are
“With the advent of the New Year 2009, everybody wants to think The CBCP president cited studies done showing how graft and simply concerned of their “cuts and commissions.”
positively, and hopes that the New Year will be, as everybody greets, corruption had defrauded the poor of basic services. The bishop said the
‘Happy New Year’ or ‘Prosperous New Year.’ Prayerfully, 2009 will “The realities: according to one study, for every 100 pesos of our Catholic Church will
be as we wish and dream it will be: happy and prosperous. But national budget, 40 pesos go to debt servicing, 15 pesos for educa- always be there to help
especially for whom?” Lagdameo said. tion, 1 peso and 40 centavos for health services, and only 18 centavos migrant workers in
“Will the New Year 2009 be a better year for the ‘poorest of the for housing. For every 100 pesos, sadly 43 pesos and 42 centavos their various needs.
poor’ because they are better looked after by Society, the Church become the object of greed, fraud, plunder and corruption. Recently “Just like a moth-
and Government? Only the future will tell! In 2009, will someone be it was said that the 23 million “poorest of the poor” have increased er, looking after her
less poor, less hungry, better educated, because of what I shall have to 27 million, most of whom are victims of their neighbors’ greed,” children’s welfare,
done? A challenging and appropriate question to ask if we want to Lagdameo said. our mission goes be-
become agents of hope for 2009,” he said. But Lagdameo conceded that even amidst human negativities, yond pastoral care,”
accidents, dehumanizing poverty and broken promises, still people he said.
Government must do its part have many countless blessings to be happy and thankful about. He disclosed that
While the Church helps the poor live decent lives through its “With God hope springs eternal,” he said. as migrant workers
social action programs funded from charitable contributions, gov- continue to increase,
ernment agencies must do likewise with funds allotted for poverty A better year for the poor? the problems brought
alleviation, as directed by acts of justice, honesty, compassion and The prelate said only the future can tell if 2009 will be a better about by migration
charity, Lagdameo said. year for the “poorest of the poor” while issuing a challenge on what likewise increases.
In his New Year’s message, Lagdameo made a stinging rebuke on everyone can do to become agents of hope for them. (CBCPNews) Bishop Precioso D. Cantillas, SDB
the government’s failure to address the plight of the poor saying that “Will the New Year 2009 be a better year for the “poorest of the
their miserable condition is not natural but man-made. poor” because they are better looked after by Society, the Church and
“The extreme poverty of the poorest of the poor is neither natural Government? In 2009, will someone be less poor, less hungry, better Go Green / A3
nor normal: it is man-made and can be overcome or eradicated by educated, because of what I shall have done?” asked the prelate. more politicians are likely to make their presence felt in the coming
acts of justice, honesty, compassion and charity,” he said. Lagdameo explained the reason for rejoicing at any time especially fiesta by adding their lot to the unsightly banner extravaganza,”
He said it is unfortunate that although God’s blessings are un- during Christmas season is not due to what has been done for or the group lamented.
limited and countless, they become limited through selfishness, received from others. After the fiesta last year, the eco group took photos of the littered
injustice and corruption. “The fundamental reason for our rejoicing always is that in Jesus streets and provided the offices of Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales and
“God’s countless blessings have been and are obstructed or Christ, God and Man, God has become “God with us-Emmanuel,” Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo with pictures to stir up church
hindered from reaching their respective targets,” Lagdameo la- in the midst of many human negativities…and broken promises,” action on our society’s alarming throw-away culture, especially in
mented. he said. (With reports from Pinky Barrientos, FSP) faith-inspired festivities.
To minimize trash at the upcoming Quiapo fiesta, the group pro-
Companion / A4 poses the four basic steps outlined by the late Jaime Cardinal Sin
John Vianney Theological Seminary build- feedback from the lay delegates. This process the creation of two shrines. The first shrine when he exhorted the faithful to make the 2003 World Meeting of
ings on Seminary Hill. SJVTS had earlier culminated with an Archdiocesan Pastoral was dedicated on August 2nd to the Holy Families in Luneta a “zero waste celebration of life.”
been established by a consortium of bish- Assembly in mid-December attended by Eucharist in a city parish run by the Blessed These are: 1) minimize the creation of waste by using as few
ops of the CABUSTAM (Cagayan, Butuan, about 400 delegates from all the parishes. Sacrament Fathers. The second shrine was resources as possible at the various events, 2) avoid using plastic
Surigao, Tandag, Malaybalay) subregion to We reviewed our ad intra ministries focused dedicated to the Divine Mercy in Brgy. and disposable items, 3) separate discards into biodegradable and
serve the growing needs of the Church in on Catholics and ad extra ministries directed Ulaliman, El Salvador, on September 8th. non-biodegradable, and 4) put them into their proper containers
Mindanao for the formation of its clergy. towards any one in need. With its imposing 50-foot statue overlook- to facilitate recycling and make simpler the work of cleaners and
It is with this historical context that we At the closing Mass, plaques of apprecia- ing Macajalar Bay and surrounding areas, collectors.
celebrated the diamond jubilee of the arch- tion were given to three religious congre- the Divine Mercy Shrine has become a “Let us honor the Black Nazarene by blending the “maroon” with
diocese. The Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Ed- gations—the Jesuits, Columbans, and RVM popular site for pilgrimages from all over “green” towards an eco-friendly Quiapo fiesta,” said the group as it
ward Joseph Adams, was the main celebrant Sisters—for their collective contribution in Mindanao. released a nine-point “Green Tips” for the devotees to consider.
of our fiesta Mass in honor of St. Augustine building up the local church of Cagayan de The most recent signs of the growth of A green fiesta, the EcoWaste Coalition pointed out, fits well with
on August 28th. Earlier he visited some of Oro over the past 75 years. (We should not our local church were the ordinations of the bishops’ plea for “every citizen to eliminate wasteful consump-
our older parishes like Sagay in Camiguin forget however that the Augustinian Recol- four deacons and of a priest in the past two tion” as written in their recent pastoral letter “Upholding the Sanctity
and Jasaan. lects were the early evangelizers of Cagayan months. May the threefold blessing then of Life.” (CBCPNews)
During the last quarter of this year, six de Oro and surrounding areas from the 17th of the yuletide season—Light, Love, and Magi / A1
district assemblies were held to follow up until the mid-19th century.) fullness of Life—be with the archdiocese
the archdiocese’s pastoral plan and get Other highlights of this jubilee year were throughout its next seventy-five years. He also said it brings to us the message of hope.
“The message of hope is carried in the feast of the Epiphany as we
Roadside / A4 Appeal / A1 are taught to be wiser, just like the Three Wise Men who searched
MORE ROOM AT THE INN”. Rosales to help and support her office in their advocacy and crusade to give and finally found Jesus. We can hope in our search, to finally come
But God’s homelessness wasn’t a phenomenon that freedom to old prisoners. across Him and evade what will endanger our spiritual life after we
happened on Christmas Day for the first time. I couldn’t “I am appealing to Catholic church leaders to look into the plight of old have found Him,” Occiano said.
help remembering the words of David in the second book prisoners at the National Bilibid Prisons and other penitentiaries and those Explaining the rich symbolisms of the gifts, he said, “the gift of
of Samuel read on the Fourth Sunday of Advent of Year who are being incarcerated at city and provincial jails for more than five Incense portrays the priestly role of Jesus, Gold tells us of His kingly
B: “Here I am living in a house of cedar, while the ark years with or without trial because of the rule that there should be restorative role while Myrrh symbolizes the suffering which He would undergo
of God dwells in a tent!” (2 Sam 7:2). David was feeling justice in our country,” Rueda-Acosta said. in His act to save us from sin.”
downright ashamed at the utterly incalculable injustice The time has come for Filipinos to realize that “we are past physical, psy- When asked on what the wise men would possibly expect in return
of the situation: he, a human king, living in a splendid chological, mental torture against prisoners,” she said. when they presented the gifts, he answered that they did not look
palace of cedar while the God of hosts, Creator of the “I believe Catholic church leaders could help us in our advocacy so that forward to being reciprocated with what they offered.
universe, was dwelling in a tent. Even then God was we could help one another in giving freedom to those unlawfully incarcer- “It was not a matter of having an exchange of gifts just what
homeless. And he didn’t seem to mind. He was more into ated,” said Acosta. “If a sentence has been served by an inmate he should be we do now that if one gives something to someone, he expects to
making David’s house impregnable. David’s generous released otherwise there would be injustice against [him],” she added. receive in return; what is important is the gift which we should
thought was answered by a generosity whose immensity In another development, Acosta expressed hopes that former President give to Jesus after He has given us graces and blessings,” he stated.
could only be measured by eternity. The homeless God Corazon Aquino will forgive the 12 soldiers who were convicted for the (Elmer Abad)
who owns all homes made David a promise that has death of her husband just as “she has already forgiven former President
impacted you and me. “Your house and your kingdom Joseph Estrada.” Climate change / A1
shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand “Patawarin na rin niya ang mga sundalong humihingi ng tawad sa kanya na on the relationship between the existing ecological crisis and faith,”
firm forever” (2 Sam 7:16). nabilanggo ng dalawampu’t limang taon na” (I hope she may find the wisdom he added.
To say that God cannot be outdone in generosity is to forgive those soldiers who have been asking for her forgiveness and have He noted that the advocacy on climate change has slowly pro-
an understatement. been languishing in jail for the past 25 years), she added. (CBCPNews) gressed in 2008 simply because of the lack of “felt signs of urgency”
That David’s offer was met by God’s “No, thank you” because “the effects of climate change are very slow but steady and
Integrity / A1 people ably adapt to these slow changes.”
and “I’ll give you a better offer” response staggers the
imagination. Even when Solomon finally finished the integrity. “Unfortunately, when people realizes its worst effects, addressing
temple of Jerusalem God’s homelessness was scarcely “This is straight from the heart. I know the good director from afar and it is already difficult or nothing can be done anymore,” he added.
resolved. In truth, God continued to look for a home. my perception is that he is a straight, square and upright fellow. I have been A sought-after speaker in academic, professional and religious
Then came the Annunciation. As the archangel Gabriel following him from a distance, so truth to tell I believe General Dionisio communities, Tuazon remarked that the response he got from his au-
slowly made clear to a simple barrio lass named Mary Santiago more than the whole DOJ (Department of Justice),” said the Arch- dience were “overwhelming but not sustained.” (Melo M. Acuna)
the outlines of God’s request that she become the mother bishop who heads an anti-gambling group.
of his Son, after her famous hesitation (“But how can He admitted though that he might be wrong in his perception. “But you Crisis / A1
this be since I do not know man?” (Lk 1:34), she let go asked me so I answered, but I think I’m right,” he added. ing, he said it “will make life at least bearable for both the poor and
of her other famous declaration: “I am the handmaid of “I do not know him personally and he does not know me personally, and the rich.”
the Lord. Let it be done to me according to your word” yet I have been watching him from afar and in all instances I had no doubt He added other traits of old like simplicity of choice, a cut-down
(Lk 1:38). as to his credibility and integrity,” Cruz said. on unnecessary purchases and the ever-reliable bayanihan spirit will
At last God found a home. His real home: His own The former AFP chief of staff and Bureau of Corrections director was the assure “that we will be able to cross the impending crisis.”
people best represented by the best of the human race, lone guest at the CBCP-CMN sponsored “The Forum.” Rosales also called on the Filipino faithful to tone down celebration
“our tainted nature’s solitary boast” (Wordsworth), a “I say this in the open without any reservation because the man really expenses by simply “making do with what we have.”
woman named Mary. And her generosity was met with a remains objective,” the prelate further said. The cardinal said everyone should never lose hope among believ-
return that cannot be paralleled. She not only shared her In a succeeding interview after the forum, Cruz said he has other sources ers “because our greatest guarantee is Christ’s own Paschal Mystery,
Son’s Resurrection by her own Assumption into heaven that are in the know how drugs have become “big business in the country the model for all human passages.”
(Fourth Glorious Mystery). She was also crowned Queen together with gambling. He added Jesus Christ’s triumph “alone assures us that we
of Heaven and Earth (Fifth Glorious Mystery). Even “Gambling is already pervasive but drug is becoming more pervasive and also will be able to go across any and all barriers, sin and death,
Mary’s supreme generosity couldn’t equal God’s. to show how pervasive [it] is, the raid on drug manufacturing house in La included.”
And so, why do we hesitate till now to house our Union [has generated large quantities]. It’s also possible that we are exporting “Mabuhay ang mga taong may Pananampalataya. Mayroon siyang
homeless God? drugs already as we export people,” the prelate added. (CBCPNews) pag-asa,” the prelate concluded. (CBCPNews)
 Diocesan News
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 1
January 5 - 18, 2009
A7

News Briefs Environmentalists

hail 25-year mining
Cleric to gov’t: Spend money on education than guns
SAN FERNANDO, Camarines Sur—The government should
give more importance to education to solve the problem of
poverty, than spending money on armaments, said Fr. Apolinar
Napoles, spokesman of the Libmanan prelature. He said provid-
ing quality education to Filipinos will help uplift their lives and
help solve the issue of poverty. (Elmer Abad)

Seminary Rector calls for total renewal

OZAMIZ City—The Rector of Saint Mary’s Theologate Seminary
Fr. Severo Caermare has called on the government for total
renewal to restore the good image of the Philippines from its
shameful reputation as the most corrupt country in Asia. In his
homily for the feast of the Epiphany at the Immaculate Concep-
ban in Palawan
tion Cathedral Parish here, he said that as being the only Catholic
country in Asia, it is likewise shameful to be acknowledged as
the region’s most corrupt nation. (Wendell Talibong)

Faithful urged to begin 2009 with deepened relationship

in Christ
DAVAO City—Davao Archbishop Fernando Capalla has called
on the people to begin the year 2009 with a deepened relation-
ship in Christ, who remains to be the “hope” amidst suffer-
ings. He said the most appropriate thing to do is to reflect and
strengthen the relationship of the people to “God who entered
into time and space by becoming human in Jesus Christ.” (Mark
Ventura)

Family members should treat each other as God’s

blessings, priest says

NAGA City— The family should be considered a wealth to
be treasured and a blessing from God, a priest said. “Let us
consider our family as our wealth as we anticipate the New
Year with enthusiasm while we thank the Lord for giving us
the family of Jesus whom we can look upon as our model. The
Holy Family was obedient to God and they were always one
until the end,” said Caceres church historian Fr. Rex Andrew
Alarcon. (Elmer Abad)
Prelate underscores important role of families in society
NAGA City—On the feast of the Holy Family, Caceres Arch-
bishop Leonardo Legaspi, OP, stressed the importance of the
role played by families and its effects on society. The prelate
said that as families are considered the basic units of society,
“they play a tremendous role in what transpires now in our
community.” (Elmer Abad)
Priest says instead of resolution make New Year’s
prayer
DAVAO City—A young priest here has reminded the people
that instead of making New Year’s resolution, it is but fitting
and proper to make New Year’s prayer. Fr. Marbendear Mor-
allas, editor-in-chief of Davao Catholic Herald said many of
the resolutions are recycled of the last year and it is “always
discouraging to realize that many of those repeated resolutions
are until now unfulfilled.” (Mark Ventura)
Prelate notes need of collaboration with religious
congregations
OZAMIZ City—Archbishop Jesus Dosado, CM, has urged con-
stant dialogue between superiors of religious congregations and
the local bishop for an effective collaboration especially in pasto-
ral matters. “Constant dialogue between Superiors of Institutes
of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life and Bishops
is most valuable in order to promote mutual understanding,
which is the necessary precondition for effective cooperation,
especially in pastoral matters,” he said. (Wendell Talibong)
Bishop pushes for farm investments for 2009
DAGUPAN City— If the government is serious in exploiting
the country’s agricultural potential, it should do the obvious
and pour in more investments for agricultural modernization.
Lingayen-Dagupan archbishop Oscar Cruz said this will also
help address the problem of food security still facing millions of
poor Filipinos. “Agricultural development is the answer to the
national predicament. Green revolution is the call of the times.
Food is wealth. It brings contentment. It means health and well
being,” Cruz said. (CBCPNews)
ANTIPOLO City— Kalikasan People’s Net-
work for the Environment (Kalikasan-PNE)
lauded the move of the Palawan provincial
government to post a 25-year moratorium on
mining, saying that local government units
(LGUs) now see how ‘evil’ the revitalized
mining program of Macapagal-Arroyo is.
The Board Resolution was passed late
last year.
Kalikasan-PNE national coordinator Cle-
mente Bautista Jr. said, in a statement sent
to CBCP News, that it’s great the number of
LGUs joining the list of banning large-scale
mining in their areas is getting longer.
Included in the list of issuing resolutions
of giving, even a temporary halt to the large-
scale mining activities, are the provinces of
Capiz, Western Samar, Northern Samar,
Eastern Samar, Marinduque, Mindoro Ori-
ental, and North Cotabato.
The Palawan government has a lot of
reason to post a moratorium in large scale
mining, Bautista explained.
“Aside from the environmental degrada-
tion, insignificant contribution to local and
national economy, health hazards and mas-
sive displacement of people due militariza-
tion and confiscation of lands, are enough
reasons for Governor Joel Reyes and his
colleagues at the Provincial Board, to post
the moratorium,” he said.
Growing resistance at the grassroots level
The Philippine Misereor Partnership Min-
ing Advocacy (PMP-MAC), in their national
gathering held at Tagbilaran, Bohol, reported
the increasing number of sites of struggle
facing social and environmental threats of
mining.
PMP is a network of church-based groups,
non-governmental organizations, and
people’s organizations working for total
human development. Due to growing
concern of ill effects of large-scale mining,
PMP had embarked its mining advocacy
campaign (MAC) in 2006 with the aim of
strengthening the calls of the bishops, the
mining-affected communities, and most es-
pecially the indigenous peoples, to confront
the aggressive promotion of mining under
the Mining Revitalization Program of the
current administration.
In a statement, PMP-MAC project coor-
dinator OJ Acaba said, that from 11 original
sites of struggles, it grew to 16.
The province of Benguet; Didipio town in
Nueva Vizcaya; Gabaldon in Nueva Ecija,
Cabangan in Zambales; Oriental Mindoro,
Rapu-Rapu in Albay; Baler; Manicani Island
in Samar; Tandag in Surigao del Sur; Mati
in Davao Oriental; and Tampakan in South
Cotabato. In 2007, six new sites were added:
Kabankalan and San Carlos, in Negros
Occidental, Dinapigue in Isabela; Vitali in
Zamboanga City and Tubay in Surigao del
Sur, were the 11 original sites of struggle that
the PMP-MAC is helping.
More mining tenements under PGMA
administration
“Under PGMA’s administration, more
mining tenements and applications have
been approved at an unprecedented rate as
compared to the number of Certificates of
Ancestral Domain Titles (CADTs) issued.
“Large portions of these are within the an-
cestral domains of the indigenous people.
This figure increases every day that’s why
it is not surprising the number of sites of
struggle grows, too,” Acaba stated.
As of September 2007, there were 42 priori-
ty mining projects of the administration, now
© www.flickr.com/photos/djhinrich
operating on different stages: The First Tier
Priority Mineral Development Projects in its
Construction and Development, Including
Operating Projects with Expansion include:
Carmen (Toledo) Copper Project; Didipio
Copper-Gold Project; Masbate (Aroroy) Gold
Project; Iligan Ferronickel Smelter Project;
Manticao Ferronickel Smelter Project; Pala-
wan Nickel Expansion Project; Canatuan
Silver-Gold Expansion Project; Masara Gold
Expansion Project.
The Final Feasibility and Financing Stage
include: Tampakan Copper Project; Itogon
Gold Project; Siana Gold Project; Nonoc Nick-
el Project; and Boyongan Copper Project.
In Advanced Exploration Stage are the
following: Acoje PGE/Nickel Project; Colet
Copper-Gold Project; Agata Project (Copper-
Gold, Nickel); Balabag Project; Runruno
Gold Project; and Pujada Nickel Project.
The Second Tier Mineral Development
Project include: Amacan Copper-Gold Proj-
ect; Batong Buhay Copper-Gold Project;
Diwalwal Direct State Development Project;
Far Southeast Gold Project; King-king Cop-
per-Gold Project; Mindoro Nickel Project;
Akle Cement Project.
In its Advanced Exploration Stage are the
following: Archangel Gold Project; Batoto
Gold Project; Celestial Nickel Project; Del
Gallego Gold Project; Hixbar Copper-Gold
Project; Lobo Gold Project; Nalesbitan Gold
Project; Panag Gold Project; Tagpura Copper
Project; Tapian, San Francisco Project; Vista
Buena Mining.
Already in its Operating Stage are Rapu-
Rapu Polymetallic Project; Padcal (Sto.
Tomas II) Copper Expansion Project; Teresa
Gold Project; Berong Nickel Project; and
ACT (Adlay-Cadianao-Tandawa) Nickel
Project. (Noel Sales Barcelona)

Cagayan de Oro Social Action Center

Priest: Arroyo not serious with peace efforts
DAVAO City— He is not leaving all the issues behind, as
Redemptorist priest Amado Picardal started the year with a
frank comment that President Gloria Macapagal –Arroyo is still

appeals for help

not serious with peace efforts in Mindanao and has become a
lame-duck president. He said Arroyo is still a major factor in
the delay of the peace process which has been stalled last year
and resulted to a new era of violence. “President Arroyo is a
major factor herself. She is not serious about pursuing peace CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—With nearly 30,000 individuals affected
negotiations. (Mark Ventura) by the recent floods, Social Action Center Director Fr. Jose Cabantan
Photo courtesy of Dante Sudaria

has appealed for food, clothing and medicines.

Prelate says conscience a good guide in times of crisis
MATI City—The Bishop of Mati has once again noted with
emphasis the significance of conscience for the people to invoke
especially in confronting various societal issues today. Bishop
Patricio Alo said that in using the conscience it must be guided
by God’s word and His will. (Mark Ventura)
Sto. Niño devotees call for peace
OZAMIZ City— The Cofradia del Señor Santo Niño de Cebu-
Ozamiz Chapter of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral Parish
has intensified its call for cessation of hostilities and peace to
prevail in Mindanao as it prepares for the arrival of the pil-
grim image of Señor Santo Niño from Cebu. Various religious
activities are lined up for the archdiocesan celebration to be
culminated with a solemn high mass on January 25, the feast
of the Sto. Niño. (Wendell Talibong)
He called on Catholics and concerned citizens to help the displaced
victims.
In a telephone interview, Cabantan said he has already issued the
appeal through public service announcements to be read before the
end of every Mass this Feast of the Epiphany.
“I have already called on residents to donate and share food,
clothes, medicines and other related materials for and on behalf of
the flood victims,” the SAC director said. Cagayan de Oro City Administrator Criselda Dayon also called for
He said San Antonio parish under Msgr. Tex Legitimas already donations, either in cash or in kind for the flashflood victims.
responded and sent relief goods to Barangay Macasandig, one of Among the barangays affected by the flashflood are Barangays
the most affected barangays in the city. Macasandig, Consolacion, Gusa, Balulang, Carmen, Barangay 13,
Cabantan also acknowledged the immediate response of the Barangay 15, Barangay 17, Barangay 7, Tablon, Barangay 6 and
Youth Apostolate of the Immaculate Conception parish in Aluba, Indahag.
Macasandig to the flood victims. According to the latest City Disaster Coordinating Council bul-
Rotary International under Rhia Rita Abalos said they have re- letin, Barangay Macasandig is affected the most with almost ten
ceived commitments from the Chinese community for immediate thousand persons displaced while eight persons are still missing as
assistance. of 6 p.m. Sunday. (Maryann Alasay Zamora)

Bishop condemns Iligan bombing; calls for prayers

ILIGAN City—Iligan bishop Elenito
Galido has strongly condemned the
recent bombing in the city which killed
six civilians and wounded 45 others,
saying that terror and fear showed its
ugly face again.
In his pastoral statement titled “A
Call to Prayer and Communal Action
during this Christmas Season,” the prel-
ate said that “our hearts are filled with
sadness even as we find ourselves in
deep anxiety over the recent events hap-
pening in Iligan, our beloved city.”
Bombs exploded in Unicity and Jer-
ry’s Store at downtown Iligan City early
afternoon of December 18, 2008 when
thousands were doing their Christmas
shopping.
The bishop lamented that “many of
them will be spending the Christmas
season with the wounds inflicted by
the bombing. Families of the victims
will be sharing [the] anguish and anger
of those directly affected in the midst
of the Christmas celebrations which
is supposed to be characterized by joy
and laughter.”
He added that many residents still
harbor the pain of armed hostilities and
internal dislocation that occurred last
August and “will find it difficult to think
of this Christmas season as a time for
reconciliation, harmony and peace.”
“So far, no one has claimed respon-
sibility for the bombings. But it is to be
expected that many will have their own
suspicions [on] who could be behind
these dastardly acts. These in turn will
feed into deeply-rooted biases and
prejudices which are not helpful in our
efforts towards long-lasting peace,” the
local ordinary said.
He mentioned that the local church
of Iligan condoles with the families of
those who were killed or wounded dur-
ing these bombing incidents.
“We have offered prayers on their
behalf. We express our deep solidar-
ity with them and will do our best to
express our deep sympathy for them
considering the tragedy they have
faced,” Galido further said.
“This is a serious offense against life,
a complete disrespect for the value of
each person and a violent display of
anger and hostility, negating peace and
harmony. However just you think your
cause maybe your means are unaccept-
able to those who value life and peace.
May God forgive you for violating
God’s laws exhorting us not to kill and
not to harm our fellow human beings!
Think of your own life, families and
children, stop being instrument of death
and violence,” he said.
He added “we call on all people of good-
will in this city and throughout the Diocese
to pray intensely for the victims of the
recent bombings and show their solidarity,
kindness and compassion to them.”
“We thank our civil authorities and the
military for the protection and security
they afforded us. We appeal to them to
conduct a thorough investigation that
will unearth the truth behind these acts
of violence. This way, speculations that
can only deepen mutual distrust will
stop and the wheels of justice can take its
course,” the 54-year old prelate added.
The prelate said he will continue to
call on the people not to fall into despair
but to look to the future with hope that
these violence will end one day.
“But we know that peace will not arise
if we do not participate in peace-building
efforts and inter-faith dialogue, no matter
how modest our efforts are. So we con-
tinue to encourage everyone to become
instruments of peace and to work for an
order founded on truth, built according to
justice, vivified and integrated by charity
and put into practice in freedom,” said
Galido, quoting the encyclical “Pacem in
Terris” of Pope John XXIII.
“We cannot allow ourselves to be
engulfed by darkness and powerless-
ness in the face of death. Especially
not during this Christmas season. We
should all strive to welcome the Prince
of Peace who promises to give life in its
fullness by our prayers and communal
action that help bring forth justice, peace
and love. May the Messiah truly guide
our feet into the way of peace,” Galido
concluded. (Wendell Talibong)
 CBCP Monitor
A8 People, Facts & Places Vol. 13 No. 1
January 5 - 18, 2009

Bishops to lead celebration

of Pauline Year at Araneta
Coliseum A LITURGICAL-biblical-ecumenical celebra- ippines, Arch-
tion to commemorate the bimillennium an- bishop Joseph
niversary of the birth of the Apostle Paul will Edward Adams
be held at the Araneta Coliseum on January will address the
25, feast of his Conversion, to be led by the assembly.

© Roy Lagarde / CBCP Media

country’s Catholic bishops.
Centered on the theme “I am not ashamed of
the Gospel”, the half-day multi-events celebra-
tion will start at 8 a.m.
Aside from the feast of the Conversion of St.
Paul, January 25 is also National Bible Sunday,
both a Church and civil celebration. Another
occasion that adds to the importance of the
event is the Church’s observance of Ecumeni-
cal Week or Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
that is traditionally celebrated the week before
January 25.
The annual plenary meeting of the Catholic
Bishops Conference of the Philippines also falls
on January 24-25 this year.
© Fr. Arman Tangi, SSP
His Emi-
nence Gaud-
encio Cardinal
Rosales, arch-
bishop of Ma-
nila, will lead
the Eucharistic
celebration to
be concelebrated by the Archbishop of Cebu, spirational talks by Imus Bishop Luis Antonio
His Eminence Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, Apos- Tagle and Charismatic preacher Bo Sanchez of
tolic Nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Shepherd’s Voice Foundation, Inc.
Edward Joseph Adams, CBCP president and Celebrated artists and musicians will also
Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, and other lend their voices to inspire the audience with
bishops. Chairman of the Episcopal Commis- their music in this once in a lifetime event.
sion on Biblical Apostolate and Sorsogon Bishop Organized by Pauline congregations in the

Activities lined up during the celebration
will be the solemn enthronement of the Bible
with ecumenical service by the President of the
Catholic Bishops Conference, Jaro archbishop
Angel Lagdameo, to be assisted by Christian
Bishops and Pastors. Papal Nuncio to the Phil-
Arturo Bastes, SVD will give the homily during
the Mass.
Bishop Honesto Ongtioco of the Diocese of
Cubao will lead the assembly in praying the
Jubilee prayer.
Other highlights of the celebration are in-
Philippines and lay Pauline collaborators headed
by Judy Roxas Araneta and former Ambassador
Henrietta de Villa, the Pauline event, which is
free to the public, aims to deepen the knowledge
and devotion of Christians in the country to the
Apostle Paul. (Pinky Barrientos, FSP)

Bible week stresses Markings

unity among peoples
THE Episcopal Commission for Biblical Apostolate (ECBA) of the
Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines in tandem with Phil-
ippine Bible Society and other partner organizations is spearheading
a week of biblical celebration in observance of National Bible Week,
January 19-25.
Themed “May they be one” (Ps 133:1, Jn 17:21), the Bible week
celebration enjoins all Filipinos “to read and study God’s word to
promote spiritual, moral and social stability in the country.”
Fr. Oscar Alunday, SVD, CBCP-ECBA executive secretary, in
a letter sent to the different dioceses, has urged diocesan biblical
apostolates to celebrate bible week in the spirit of the Pauline ju-
bilee year.
“In response to the Holy Father’s desire for a solemn celebration
of the Jubilee Year, we shall have a daily continuous oral reading
(COR) of the letters of St. Paul (Romans to Hebrews) during the
Bible Week,” he said.
Among the various activities lined up for the different dioceses
in line with the week-long celebration are bible enthronements in
parishes, schools and offices, bible symposia and biblical workshops
for bible studies, and bible sharing.
As Ecumenical week is also celebrated on Jan. 18-25, Alunday like-
CELEBRATED.
Missionaries
of the Sacred
Heart (MSC),
1 0 0 ye a rs o f
wise recommended in his letter that prayer and work for Christian presence and
unity and communion be done during bible week. missionary ser-
“During the Bible Week, create occasions for prayer and work for vice in Surigao
City, December
Christian unity and communion,” he said. “May they be one (MTBO) 12, 2008. The
is also our prayer as we work and join the five-year nationwide three-year cel-
campaign (2009-2013),” he added. ebration had the
The five-year bible campaign dubbed “May they be one” launched theme “We have
come to know
last September 30, 2008, aims to put a bible in the home of every and to believe in
Filipino family in a five-year period. the love God has for us” (1 John 4:16). It was a celebration of remembering
The bible crusade hopes to encourage Filipinos to read and live the past with gratitude, living out the present with joy and looking toward
the Bible that could effect transformation in the country, touted to the future with hope. Founded in 1854 at Issoudun, France by Fr Jules
be one of the most corrupt in Asia. Chevalier, the first MSC missionaries arrived in Surigao on 8 December
1908. The initials MSC come from the Latin: “Missionarii Sacratissimi
The observance of National Bible week will culminate with a Cordis.” More than 70 parishes have been established by the MSCs in the
liturgical-ecumenical-biblical celebration led by Philippine bishops archipelago. They have also constructed schools, advocated for justice and
at the Araneta Coliseum on January 25 at 8 a.m. peace, organized basic ecclesial communities, initiated livelihood projects
Celebrated annually by the Church and other partner organiza- for the poor, worked in the media, engaged in youth ministry and in other
special apostolates. At present, there are more than a hundred Filipino
tions, the National Bible Week is also empowered by Presidential MSC priests and brothers doing mission not only in the Philippines but
Proclamations 44 and 1067 mandating government institutions to also in Korea, Japan, Brazil, Italy, Netherlands, U.S.A. and the Marshall
observe the yearly event. (CBCPNews) Islands. There are more than 2,000 MSC priests and brothers working in
diverse ministries in more than 50 countries worldwide.

Manila Cathedral marks 50th

INSTALLED. Fr. Aly A. Barcinal as first diocesan parish priest of San Jose
Manggagawa Parish, Barangka, Marikina, November 29, 2008, by Most
Rev. Gabriel Reyes. Ordained in October 18, 1997, Barcinal was first
assigned in the parish in March 1, 2007. Prior to his assignment at San

anniv with series of events

THE Manila Cathedral, considered the
“Premier Church and Premier Cathedral”
and “Mother of all Churches and Cathe-
drals in the Philippines,” has lined up a
series of activities for 2009 in line with
its 50th post-war anniversary launched
last December 8, 2008.
In an interview, Cathedral r e c t o r
Msgr. Nestor Cerbo said t h e y
will be sponsoring a paint-
ing contest to capture the
images of the premier
cathedral and its
pipe organ in can-
vass.
Another pipe
organ concert
© flickr.com/photos/22134882@N08
scheduled during the later part of 2008 with
the special participation of the Philippine
Philharmonic Orchestra.
During the Feast of Our Lady of the
Immaculate Conception last year,
representatives of the American and
Japanese communities and Filipino
benefactors unveiled historical mark-
ers acknowledging support for the
restoration of the Manila Cathedral
after the Second World War. Manila
Archbishop Gaudencio B. Rosales
witnessed the unveiling ceremonies
after presiding over the 6 p.m.
Mass.
“Our Volunteer Council
has al-
ready committed to do fund-raising activities
to continue its restoration activities of the
cathedral’s façade,” Cerbo said. A structural
engineer will also be consulted on what spe-
cific repairs should be made.
“Along with the cultural activities, the
continuous campaign to keep the Manila
Cathedral at its prime will go on,” the rec-
tor said.
The landmark’s appearance has been af-
fected by pollution, he said. Black soot and
other foreign matters have been evident
during the past years.
He said a booklet will also be produced
with Manila Cathedral’s history, the mini-
museum and other basic information in time
for its 28th anniversary as basilica minore.
Jose Manggagawa, he was the Parish Priest of the Our Lady of the Holy
Rosary in Cardona, Rizal. From 2002 to 2007, he was assigned to the San
Isidro Labrador Parish in Nangka, Marikina City. In 1572, the Augustinian
Priests built the first church in Marikina on a place called “Chorillo.” The
site which was famous for its spring was said to be guarded by the image
of St. Joseph. In 1630, the church was turned over to the Jesuits who
relocated the church to Barrio Jesus dela Peña. When the population of
the community grew bigger, the friars transferred the church to a bigger
location in Barrio San Roque which is now known as the Parish of Our Lady
of the Abandoned. In 1975, the Jesuits founded the Parish of San Jose
Manggagawa. They built a chapel where the famous miraculous spring was
located. Under the parish were chapels of Urban Bliss, Industrial Valley,
Tañong, Provident Village and Jesus dela Peña. After 32 years, the parish
was turned over by the Jesuits to the Diocese of Antipolo.
AWARDED. Attorney Aurora Angeles Santiago
with Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Award by His
Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, December 27,
2008, at San Roque Cathedral, Caloocan City.
His Excellency, Most Rev. Archbishop Edward
Joseph Adams, Apostolic Nuncio to the Phil-
ippines led the Investiture and Conferment
ceremony. A lawyer by profession, Santiago’s
involvement in community service and church
affairs has spanned years. As Chairman of

Namfrel-Navotas in 1986, she ensured a clean

has been There have been an estimated 10,000 for-
eign and local tourists who visited the Manila
Cathedral last year, according to Cerbo.
Donation boxes have been placed in stra-
tegic locations at the request of domestic and
foreign tourists for their contribution to the
maintenance of the prime tourist attraction.
(Melo M. Acuna)
and honest election in the district. When San Ildefonso Parish was erected
in 1993, Santiago served as the Secretary of the First Parish Pastoral
Council. She was the Parish Coordinator during the 1995 World Youth
Day in the Philippines when His Holiness Pope John Paul II visited the
country. She is a member of the Lectors and Commentators Group (now
Special Ministry of the Word). In Year 2000, the Mass Media Ministry was
created and Santiago was selected as its Chairman, during which Tanglaw
Newsletter was published and circulated, the parish website was created,
the yahoo email group was established, and the parish Souvenir Program
was published on the occasion of its 10th anniversary. On the Vicariate
Level, Santiago is the Lay Vicariate Coordinator of the Vicariate of San Jose
de Navotas and Secretary of the San Jose Vicariate Clergy Group. When

Polio victim GK volunteer bags 2008 TOYM award
A PHYSICAL defect should never be a hindrance to success.
A polio victim turned Gawad Kalinga volunteer has become
a living testimony to this adage when he was chosen one of this
year’s Most Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) awardees.
Inflicted with polio at the age of five that left him physically
handicapped, Rex Bernardo from Daet, Camarines Norte, suffered
rejection even from his own parents. So embarrassed were they of
his physical defect that they built a cage for him so he could crawl
back into it whenever there were visitors in the house.
“There was even a family portrait in our living room which ex-
cluded me. I understood they were ashamed of me because I did
not even get basic education from school.” he said.
The Philippine Junior Chamber International (Jaycees), the
organization that sponsors the annual search for outstanding
young persons in the country has announced last December 2008
the choice of Bernardo, a Couples for Christ (CFC) local leader as
one of the award’s recipients.
Being a physically challenged person, Bernardo’s feat drew admi-
ration from many who knew the circumstances that surrounded his
childhood days. Observers believed that what he has accomplished
would be a ‘hard act to follow’ even for many normal persons.
In a recent interview with CBCP News, he said his being a polio
victim did not stop him from pursuing his education despite the objec-
tion of his parents to continue his college studies. “It did not daunt
me from dreaming to reach what others have achieved,” he said
When he got married, he and his wife were not able to get the
nod of his parents-in-law because of his physical defect.
“It took the effort of Couples for Christ which afforded us to
have a formal church wedding after we joined the organization,”
he revealed.
He was able to affirm his parents’ love for him when he was
finally allowed to study in Manila. There, he proved his worth
by earning three Master’s Degrees (the recent one from the Asian
Institute of Management).
Bernardo later taught in a university and received awards which
made his parents proud of him. He was also a recipient of several schol-
arships which allowed him to study business management abroad.
At 38, Bernardo is now a professor at Mabini Colleges in Daet, a
consultant of several companies, an active leader of Couples for Christ
and the Provincial Information Officer of Gawad Kalinga. He and
his wife also head the GK’s Child and Youth Development Center in
Camarines Norte which has been a recipient of excellence award.
“A person’s physical defect should not be a hindrance to his
personal advancement and one’s capability to share and reach
out to serve our less fortunate brothers and sisters,” Bernardo
said. (Elmer Abad)
the Diocese of Kalookan was erected in 2003, Santiago was appointed as
its Legal Counsel; she is also the laity member of the Diocesan Finance
Council. She is the First Vice President of Sangguniang Laiko of Kalookan
and the Diocesean Pastoral Council. She is the Finance Director of Radio
Ministry of the Diocese of Kalookan and one of the laity co-hosts of Radio
Veritas 846 program “Hello Father 911 Saturday Edition”. She was a former
officer of the Ecclesiastical District of Caloocan-Malabon-Navotas. On the
National Level, Santiago is now on her second term as National Secretary
and Trustee of Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas (formerly the Council of
the Laity of the Philippines).
ORDAINED. Brother Frederick Maggamit Obcemia and Brother Alex
Chozas Pontilla, both from the province of Laguna, to the sacred Order
of Deacons, by Bishop Leo M. Drona of the Diocese of San Pablo. The
ordination took place at St. Peter’s Seminary in San Pablo City on January
6, 2009 at 10 o’clock in the morning. The theme used by the ordinands for
this special occasion is a quote from St. Paul: “I do not live anymore…it
is Christ who lives in me.”(Galatians 2:20)
DIED. Fr. Venancio Lacorte, CM, 44, of heart attack at Tayabas, Quezon,
December 31, 2008. Born on May 1, 1964, Lacorte entered the Congrega-
tion of the Mission (Vincentian Fathers) on April 30, 1986. He was ordained
priest on March 19, 1993. During his fifteen years as a Vincentian priest,
Lacorte was assigned as a formator in the seminary; a Parish Priest of
Payatas and Superior of the CM Payatas Community; a member of the
Provincial Council; Provincial Treasurer of the Philippine CM Province;
Vice-President for Student affairs in Adamson University; Spiritual Director
of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul; and director of the Retreat House in
Vincentian Hills Seminary, Angono, Rizal.
DIED. Sr. Ma. Sofia L. Alaan, RVM, December 6, 2008.
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 1
Pastoral Concerns
January 5 - 18, 2009
1. ONCE again, as the New Year
begins, I want to extend good wishes
for peace to people everywhere. With
this Message I would like to propose
a reflection on the theme: Fighting
Poverty to Build Peace. Back in 1993,
my venerable Predecessor Pope John
Paul II, in his Message for the World
Day of Peace that year, drew attention
to the negative repercussions for peace
when entire populations live in poverty.
Poverty is often a contributory factor
or a compounding element in conflicts,
including armed ones. In turn, these
conflicts fuel further tragic situations of
poverty. “Our world”, he wrote, “shows
increasing evidence of another grave
threat to peace: many individuals and
indeed whole peoples are living today in
conditions of extreme poverty. The gap
between rich and poor has become more
marked, even in the most economically
developed nations. This is a problem
which the conscience of humanity can-
not ignore, since the conditions in which
a great number of people are living are
an insult to their innate dignity and as
a result are a threat to the authentic
and harmonious progress of the world
community”.
2. In this context, fighting poverty
requires attentive consideration of the
complex phenomenon of globalization.
This is important from a methodological
standpoint, because it suggests drawing
upon the fruits of economic and socio-
logical research into the many different
aspects of poverty. Yet the reference to
globalization should also alert us to the
spiritual and moral implications of the
question, urging us, in our dealings with
the poor, to set out from the clear recog-
nition that we all share in a single divine
plan: we are called to form one family
in which all—individuals, peoples and
nations—model their behavior accord-
ing to the principles of fraternity and
responsibility.
This perspective requires an under-
standing of poverty that is wide-ranging
and well articulated. If it were a question
of material poverty alone, then the social
sciences, which enable us to measure
phenomena on the basis of mainly
quantitative data, would be sufficient
to illustrate its principal characteristics.
Yet we know that other, non-material
forms of poverty exist which are not
the direct and automatic consequence
of material deprivation. For example,
in advanced wealthy societies, there is
evidence of marginalization, as well as
affective, moral and spiritual poverty,
seen in people whose interior lives are
disoriented and who experience various
forms of malaise despite their economic
prosperity. On the one hand, I have in
mind what is known as “moral under-
development,” and on the other hand
the negative consequences of “super-
development”. Nor can I forget that,
© Corbis
in so-called “poor” societies, economic
growth is often hampered by cultural
Fighting poverty to build peace
Message of His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI
For the celebration of the World Day of Peace, 1 January 2009
impediments which lead to inefficient
use of available resources. It remains
true, however, that every form of exter-
nally imposed poverty has at its root a
lack of respect for the transcendent dig-
nity of the human person. When man is
not considered within the total context of
his vocation, and when the demands of a
true “human ecology” are not respected,
the cruel forces of poverty are unleashed,
as is evident in certain specific areas that
I shall now consider briefly one by one.
Poverty and moral implications
3. Poverty is often considered a
consequence of demographic change.
For this reason, there are international
campaigns afoot to reduce birth-rates,
sometimes using methods that respect
neither the dignity of the woman, nor
the right of parents to choose responsibly
how many children to have; graver still,
these methods often fail to respect even
the right to life. The extermination of
millions of unborn children, in the name
of the fight against poverty, actually
constitutes the destruction of the poorest
of all human beings. And yet it remains
the case that in 1981, around 40% of
the world’s population was below the
threshold of absolute poverty, while
today that percentage has been reduced
by as much as a half, and whole peoples
have escaped from poverty despite
experiencing substantial demographic
growth. This goes to show that resources
to solve the problem of poverty do exist,
even in the face of an increasing popu-
lation. Nor must it be forgotten that,
since the end of the Second World War,
the world’s population has grown by
four billion, largely because of certain
countries that have recently emerged on
the international scene as new economic
powers, and have experienced rapid
development specifically because of
the large number of their inhabitants.
Moreover, among the most developed
nations, those with higher birth-rates
enjoy better opportunities for develop-
ment. In other words, population is
proving to be an asset, not a factor that
contributes to poverty.
4. Another area of concern has to do
with pandemic diseases, such as ma-
laria, tuberculosis and AIDS. Insofar as
they affect the wealth-producing sectors
of the population, they are a significant
factor in the overall deterioration of
conditions in the country concerned.
Efforts to rein in the consequences of
these diseases on the population do not
always achieve significant results. It also
happens that countries afflicted by some
of these pandemics find themselves
held hostage, when they try to address
them, by those who make economic aid
conditional upon the implementation
of anti-life policies. It is especially hard
to combat AIDS, a major cause of pov-
erty, unless the moral issues connected
with the spread of the virus are also ad-
dressed. First and foremost, educational
campaigns are needed, aimed especially
at the young, to promote a sexual ethic
that fully corresponds to the dignity of
the person; initiatives of this kind have
already borne important fruits, causing
a reduction in the spread of AIDS. Then,
too, the necessary medicines and treat-
ment must be made available to poorer
peoples as well. This presupposes a
determined effort to promote medical
research and innovative forms of treat-
ment, as well as flexible application,
when required, of the international rules
protecting intellectual property, so as to
guarantee necessary basic healthcare to
all people.
5. A third area requiring attention in
programmes for fighting poverty, which
once again highlights its intrinsic moral
dimension, is child poverty. When pov-
erty strikes a family, the children prove
to be the most vulnerable victims: almost
half of those living in absolute poverty
today are children. To take the side of
children when considering poverty
means giving priority to those objectives
which concern them most directly, such
as caring for mothers, commitment to
education, access to vaccines, medical
care and drinking water, safeguarding
the environment, and above all, com-
mitment to defense of the family and
the stability of relations within it. When
the family is weakened, it is inevitably
children who suffer. If the dignity of
women and mothers is not protected, it
is the children who are affected most.
6. A fourth area needing particular at-
tention from the moral standpoint is the
relationship between disarmament and
development. The current level of world
military expenditure gives cause for
concern. As I have pointed out before,
it can happen that “immense military
expenditure, involving material and
human resources and arms, is in fact
diverted from development projects
for peoples, especially the poorest who
are most in need of aid. This is contrary
to what is stated in the Charter of the
United Nations, which engages the
international community and States in
particular ‘to promote the establishment
and maintenance of international peace
and security with the least diversion for
armaments of the world’s human and
economic resources’ (art. 26)”.
This state of affairs does nothing to
promote, and indeed seriously impedes,
attainment of the ambitious develop-
ment targets of the international com-
munity. What is more, an excessive
increase in military expenditure risks
accelerating the arms race, producing
pockets of underdevelopment and
desperation, so that it can paradoxically
become a cause of instability, tension
and conflict. As my venerable Predeces-
sor Paul VI wisely observed, “the new
name for peace is development”. States
are therefore invited to reflect seriously
on the underlying reasons for conflicts,
often provoked by injustice, and to prac-
tice courageous self-criticism. If relations
can be improved, it should be possible
to reduce expenditure on arms. The re-
sources saved could then be earmarked
for development projects to assist the
poorest and most needy individuals
and peoples: efforts expended in this
way would be efforts for peace within
the human family.
7. A fifth area connected with the fight
against material poverty concerns the
current food crisis, which places in jeop-
ardy the fulfillment of basic needs. This
crisis is characterized not so much by a
shortage of food, as by difficulty in gain-
ing access to it and by different forms
of speculation: in other words, by a
structural lack of political and economic
institutions capable of addressing needs
and emergencies. Malnutrition can also
cause grave mental and physical dam-
age to the population, depriving many
people of the energy necessary to escape
from poverty unaided. This contributes
to the widening gap of inequality, and
can provoke violent reactions. All the
indicators of relative poverty in recent
years point to an increased disparity
between rich and poor. No doubt the
principal reasons for this are, on the one
hand, advances in technology, which
mainly benefit the more affluent, and
on the other hand, changes in the prices
of industrial products, which rise much
B1
faster than those of agricultural products
and raw materials in the possession of
poorer countries. In this way, the ma-
jority of the population in the poorest
countries suffers a double marginaliza-
tion, through the adverse effects of lower
incomes and higher prices.
Global solidarity and the fight against
poverty
8. One of the most important ways
of building peace is through a form
of globalization directed towards the
interests of the whole human fam-
ily. In order to govern globalization,
however, there needs to be a strong
sense of global solidarity between rich
and poor countries, as well as within
individual countries, including affluent
ones. A “common code of ethics” is also
needed, consisting of norms based not
upon mere consensus, but rooted in the
natural law inscribed by the Creator on
the conscience of every human being (cf.
Rom 2:14-15). Does not every one of us
sense deep within his or her conscience
a call to make a personal contribution
to the common good and to peace in
society? Globalization eliminates certain
barriers, but is still able to build new
ones; it brings peoples together, but spa-
tial and temporal proximity does not of
itself create the conditions for true com-
munion and authentic peace. Effective
means to redress the marginalization of
the world’s poor through globalization
will only be found if people everywhere
feel personally outraged by the injustices
in the world and by the concomitant
violations of human rights. The Church,
which is the “sign and instrument of
communion with God and of the unity
of the entire human race” will continue
to offer her contribution so that injus-
tices and misunderstandings may be
resolved, leading to a world of greater
peace and solidarity.
9. In the field of international com-
merce and finance, there are processes
at work today which permit a positive
integration of economies, leading to an
overall improvement in conditions, but
there are also processes tending in the
opposite direction, dividing and margin-
alizing peoples, and creating dangerous
situations that can erupt into wars and
conflicts. Since the Second World War,
international trade in goods and services
has grown extraordinarily fast, with a
momentum unprecedented in history.
Much of this global trade has involved
countries that were industrialized early,
with the significant addition of many
newly- emerging countries which have
now entered onto the world stage. Yet
there are other low-income countries
which are still seriously marginalized
in terms of trade. Their growth has
been negatively influenced by the rapid
decline, seen in recent decades, in the
prices of commodities, which constitute
practically the whole of their exports.
In these countries, which are mostly in
Africa, dependence on the exportation
of commodities continues to constitute
a potent risk factor. Here I should like
to renew an appeal for all countries to
be given equal opportunities of access
to the world market, without exclusion
or marginalization.
10. A similar reflection may be made
in the area of finance, which is a key
aspect of the phenomenon of global-
ization, owing to the development of
technology and policies of liberalization
in the flow of capital between countries.
Objectively, the most important function
of finance is to sustain the possibility
of long- term investment and hence
of development. Today this appears
extremely fragile: it is experiencing the
negative repercussions of a system of
financial dealings—both national and
global—based upon very short-term
thinking, which aims at increasing the
value of financial operations and con-
centrates on the technical management
of various forms of risk. The recent crisis
demonstrates how financial activity can
at times be completely turned in on it-
self, lacking any long-term consideration
of the common good. This lowering of
the objectives of global finance to the
very short term reduces its capacity to
function as a bridge between the present
and the future, and as a stimulus to the
creation of new opportunities for pro-
duction and for work in the long term.
Finance limited in this way to the short
and very short term becomes dangerous
for everyone, even for those who benefit
when the markets perform well.
11. All of this would indicate that the
fight against poverty requires coopera-
tion both on the economic level and on
the legal level, so as to allow the interna-
tional community, and especially poorer
Poverty / B2
 CBCP Monitor
B2 Updates Vol. 13 No. 1
January 5 - 18, 2009

The right to the

By Fr. Jaime B. Achacoso, J.C.D. in the Church (c.849). The incorporation
to the Church—understood as People of
God juridically constituted—that is car-
Every now and then I get invited to the bap- ried out by Baptism has serious juridic
consequences. Among these we can point

sacrament of baptism
tism of babies and I have sometimes wondered
at the number of godparents—ranging from out the following:
just a couple to as many as a dozen on one 1) Canonical guarantees for its licit
occasion! Another matter that had baffled administration to infants. Since an infant
me is the difficulty, at times, to get children is incorporated to the Church without his
baptized. I am referring especially to the poor conscious consent, there must be suffi-
people, who seem to postpone the baptism of cient guarantees that the gift he receives in
children for lack of financial means both for Baptism will have a fair chance for growth
the baptismal ceremony and the traditional and development. These guarantees oper-
reception attached to it. What does Canon ate on the adults who will play a part in
Law really say about this? the child’s growth and development—i.e.,
his parents, godparents or whoever takes
THE Catechism of the Catholic Church their place.
states: “Holy Baptism is the basis of the a) The parents of an infant who is to be
whole Christian life, the gateway to life in baptized and likewise those who are to
the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua), and the undertake the office of godparent are to
door which gives access to the other sac- be properly instructed in the meaning of
raments. Through Baptism we are freed this sacrament and the obligations which
from sin and reborn as sons of God; we are attached to it (c.851, §2).
become members of Christ, are incorpo- b) For the licit baptism of an infant it
rated into the Church and made sharers is necessary that the parents or at least
in her mission” (n.1213). This Sacrament one of them or the person who lawfully
is so fundamental to the whole juridic takes their place, gives consent (c.868, §1,
order of the Church—like the acquiring 1º) and there be a founded hope that the
of citizenship to the civil order—that one infant will be brought up in the Catholic
article would not suffice to discuss the religion; if such a hope is altogether lack-
canonical aspects of it. Thus, let me tackle ing, the baptism is to be put off (2º).
this question in parts. 2) By Baptism, a person is constituted
as a Christian faithful, a subject in the
Nature and Sacramental Structure of ecclesial juridic order, who participates
Baptism in the priestly, prophetic and royal func-
tion of Christ (cf. cc.96 & 204). This brings

Illustration by Bladimer Usi

a. The Sacramental Sign
Like all sacraments of the New Law,
Baptism is a sacramentum—i.e., a vis-
ible sign through which is expressed
and is effected an invisible reality: the
res sacramenti. Without going into what
is properly sacramental theology, c.849
outlines the elements of the sacramental
sign of Baptism, which is washing with
true water together with the required
form of words. What interests us is the
canonical regulation of this sign.
1) The remote matter for validity is true
water (c.849). This has always been un-
derstood to mean what can be perceived
by the senses and ordinarily considered
as water, and not another liquid. Thus,
even if—chemically—dirty river water
may have more impurities than—for
example—an infusion of tea leaves, the
former is considered water (albeit dirty)
and constitutes valid remote matter for
baptism, while the latter is not considered
as water (it is tea) and is thus an invalid
matter for baptism.
For licitud, outside a case of necessity,
the water to be used in the conferral of
baptism should be blessed in accord
with the prescriptions of the liturgical
books (c.853).
2) The proximate matter for validity
is the act of washing. The visible sign is
washing (ablution), which historically
had been done by immersion, by pour-
ing (infusion), or by sprinkling (asper-
sion). The very name of the sacrament
comes from the Greek baptizein—“to
submerge” or “to introduce into water”—
which symbolizes the act of burying
the person to be baptized in the death
of Christ, from which he emerges with
Christ’s Resurrection (cf. CCC, n.628).
For licitud, Baptism is to be conferred
either by immersion or by pouring, the
prescriptions of the conference of bishops
being observed (c.854). Thus, the clear
will of the universal legislator is to let
particular law determine the specific way
that is most adequate to the circumstances
and usage of each region.
3) The form: For validity, the verbal
form is what is prescribed in the liturgical
books, the essential elements of which are
the words pronounced by the minister
during the ablution, with the intention
of baptizing, and which should express:
the minister (active subject), the person to
be baptized (passive subject), the action of
baptizing, the unity of the divine nature
and the mystery of the Blessed Trinity.
In the Latin Rite, the formula is: I baptize
you in the name of the Father, and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit.
For licitud, Baptism should be adminis-
tered in accord with the order prescribed
in the approved liturgical books, except
for the case of urgent necessity when
only what is required for the validity of
the sacrament must be observed (c.850).
It is noteworthy that, in contrast to civil
law, the name of the person does not have
much canonical significance. Neverthe-
less, the CIC establishes that parents,
godparents and parish priests are to see
that a name foreign to a Christian mental-
ity is not given (c.855).
b. The reality caused by Baptism: the res
sacramenti.
The theologico-canonical effects of
Baptism, the reality caused by the sac-
ramental sign, are summarized in c.849
as follows:
1) Liberation from sin. By Baptism, all
sins are forgiven, original sin and all per-
sonal sins, as well as all punishment for
sin personal sins (CCC, n.1263).
2) Divine filiation. Baptism not only
purifies from all sins, but also makes the
neophyte “a new creature,” an adopted
son of God, who has become a “partaker
of divine nature” (CCC, n.1265).
3) Baptismal character: The faithful
are configured to Christ by an indelible
character, since in this sacred rite, one’s
association with the death and resurrec-
tion of Christ is represented and carried
out (LG, n.7). By Baptism he shares in the
priesthood of Christ, in his prophetic and
royal mission; Baptism gives a share in
the common priesthood of all believers
(CCC, n.1268).
4) Incorporation to the Church: By Bap-
tism one is incorporated into the Church
of Christ and is constituted a person in it
with duties and rights which are proper
to Christians, in keeping with their condi-
tion, to the extent that they are in ecclesias-
tical communion and unless a legitimately
issued sanction stand in the way (c.96). child and to be properly prepared for it
For this reason, Baptism is not only the
first among the sacraments, but the door
for all the rest. Baptism therefore consti-
tutes the sacramental bond of unity exist-
ing among all who through it are reborn
(CCC, n.1271).
The Juridic Relevance of Baptism
The juridic dimension of Baptism
stems from two principles, which can
be gleaned from the Instruction on the
Baptism of Children, issued by the SCDF
in 1980, as follows.
1º Baptism is necessary for salvation.
It is both a sign and an instrument of the
love of God. It is a gift.
2º Baptism incorporates the human
person to the Church. Measures must
be established to guarantee his posterior
development in it.
a. Juridic Consequences of the Neces-
sity of Baptism for Salvation truths of faith, the person has in any way
The theological doctrine of the neces-
sity of baptism for salvation—in fact or
at least in intention—expressed in c.849,
is the basis not only of the fundamental
right of all men to its reception, but also
the canonical foundation of many aspects
of its regulation. Noteworthy are the fol-
lowing:
1) The general disposition for the
baptism of adults: Every person not yet
baptized and only such a person is able to
be baptized (c.864). Can.865, §1 specifies
the minimum requirements that adults:
a) have manifested the will to receive
Baptism;
b) be sufficiently instructed in the truths
of faith and in Christian obligations;
c) be tested in the Christian life by
means of the catechumenate;
d) be exhorted to have sorrow for
personal sins.
2) The general dispositions for the
baptism of infants of Catholic parents:
Parents are obliged to see to it that infants
are baptized within the first weeks after
birth; as soon as possible after the birth
or even before it, parents are to go to the
pastor to request the sacrament for their
(c.867, §1).
3) The disciplinar exceptions in case of
urgency or danger of death: (cc.850; 853;
857; 860; 862; 865, §2; 867, §2). So taxative
is this principle that it capacitates and
legitimates any person with the right
intention to confer baptism in case of
necessity (c.861, §2).
a) Infant of Catholic parents: An infant
in danger of death is to be baptized with-
out any delay (c.867, §2).
b) Infant even of non-Catholic parents:
The infant of Catholic parents, in fact of
non-Catholic parents also, who is in dan-
ger of death is licitly baptized even against
the will of the parents (c.868, §2).
c) Live fetuses: If aborted fetuses are
alive, they are to be baptized if this is
possible (c.871).
d) Adult in danger of death: An adult
in danger of death may be baptized if,
having some knowledge of the principal
manifested an intention of receiving
Baptism and promises to observe the
commandments of the Christian religion
(c.865, §2).
4) General guarantees for its valid
reception:
a) Conditional reiteration in case of
doubt. If there is a doubt whether one has
been baptized or whether baptism was
validly conferred, and the doubt remains
after serious investigation, baptism is to be
conferred conditionally (c.869, §1).
b) Baptism of foundlings. A foundling
or abandoned child is to be baptized un-
less upon diligent investigation proof of
baptism is established (c.870).
b. Juridic Dimension of the Incorpora-
tion to the Church
The capital canon of Title I: Baptism—
like all the other opening canons of
the titles corresponding to the other
sacraments in the Code—immediately
declares the juridic situation effected by
the reception of the sacrament of Baptism:
Baptism [is] the gate to the sacraments, by
which men and women … are reborn as
children of God [and] are incorporated
about the subject’s ecclesial personality—
i.e., the members of the People of God
are not just individuals comprising a
people, but rather persons: personae in
Ecclesia Christi. This in turn has several
consequences:
a) Baptism is the origin and basis of
the fundamental rights and duties of the
faithful. On it is founded the radical equal-
ity of the faithful, their common dignity,
their common call to holiness and their
co-responsibility for the building up of the
Body of Christ in accord with each one’s
own condition and functions (cf. c.208).
Just as the dignity of the human person
gives rise to a series of fundamental hu-
man rights and duties, from the condition
of baptized—call it Christian dignity—are
derived the fundamental rights and du-
ties of the faithful.
b) Baptism determines the passive
subjects of merely ecclesiastical laws,
which bind those baptized in the Catholic
Church or received into it and who enjoy
the sufficient use of reason and, unless the
law expressly provides otherwise, have
completed seven years of age (c.11).
c) Baptism capacitates a person for the
other sacraments, and thus for Christian
worship. Conversely, one who has not
received Baptism cannot be validly admit-
ted to the other sacraments (c.842, §1).
Conclusion
All men—properly disposed—have a
right to receive Baptism. This is in stark
contrast to the case of the other sacra-
ments—to which only the baptized have
a right—and is premised on the fact that
the only Mediator and way to salvation is
Christ, who is made present to all in His
Body, the Church (LG, n.14); therefore,
membership in the Church is necessary
for salvation. Since one gains entry to the
Church through Baptism, this sacrament
is thus understood as the object of a right
of all men duly disposed to receive it.
While the Code does not expressly state
the right of all men to receive Baptism,
c.748, §1 clearly implies it: All persons
are bound to seek the truth in matters
concerning God and God’s Church; by
divine law they also are obliged and have
the right to embrace and to observe that
truth which they have recognized.
Thus, its reception cannot be in any
way hindered by financial incapacity or
other such reasons.

Poverty / B1
countries, to identify and imple-
ment coordinated strategies to
deal with the problems discussed
above, thereby providing an ef-
fective legal framework for the
economy. Incentives are needed
for establishing efficient partici-
patory institutions, and support
is needed in fighting crime and
fostering a culture of legality.
On the other hand, it cannot be
denied that policies which place
too much emphasis on assistance
underlie many of the failures in
providing aid to poor countries.
Investing in the formation of
people and developing a specific
and well-integrated culture of
enterprise would seem at present
to be the right approach in the
medium and long term.
If economic activities require
a favorable context in order
to develop, this must not dis-
tract attention from the need to
generate revenue. While it has
been rightly emphasized that
increasing per capita income
cannot be the ultimate goal of
political and economic activity,
it is still an important means of
attaining the objective of the fight
against hunger and absolute
poverty. Hence, the illusion that
a policy of mere redistribution of
existing wealth can definitively
resolve the problem must be set
aside. In a modern economy,
the value of assets is utterly
dependent on the capacity to
generate revenue in the present
and the future. Wealth creation
therefore becomes an inescap-
able duty, which must be kept in
mind if the fight against material
poverty is to be effective in the
long term.
12. If the poor are to be given
priority, then there has to be
enough room for an ethical
approach to economics on the
part of those active in the in-
ternational market, an ethical
approach to politics on the part
of those in public office, and an
ethical approach to participation
capable of harnessing the contri-
butions of civil society at local
and international levels.
International agencies them-
selves have come to recognize
the value and advantage of eco-
nomic initiatives taken by civil
society or local administrations
to promote the emancipation
and social inclusion of those
sectors of the population that
often fall below the threshold of
extreme poverty and yet are not
easily reached by official aid. The
history of twentieth-century eco-
nomic development teaches us
that good development policies
depend for their effectiveness
on responsible implementation
by human agents and on the
creation of positive partner-
ships between markets, civil
society and States. Civil society
in particular plays a key part in
every process of development,
since development is essentially
a cultural phenomenon, and
culture is born and develops in
the civil sphere.
13. As my venerable Predeces-
sor Pope John Paul II had occasion
to remark, globalization “is no-
tably ambivalent” and therefore
needs to be managed with great
prudence. This will include giv-
ing priority to the needs of the
world’s poor, and overcoming
the scandal of the imbalance
between the problems of poverty
and the measures which have
been adopted in order to address
them. The imbalance lies both in
the cultural and political order
and in the spiritual and moral
order.
In fact we often consider only
the superficial and instrumental
causes of poverty without at-
tending to those harbored within
the human heart, like greed
and narrow vision. The prob-
lems of development, aid and
international cooperation are
sometimes addressed without
any real attention to the human
element, but as merely technical
questions—limited, that is, to es-
tablishing structures, setting up
trade agreements, and allocating
funding impersonally.
What the fight against pov-
erty really needs are men and
women who live in a profoundly
fraternal way and are able to ac-
company individuals, families
and communities on journeys of
authentic human development.
Conclusion
14. In the Encyclical Letter
Centesimus Annus, John Paul
II warned of the need to “aban-
don a mentality in which the
poor—as individuals and as
peoples—are considered a bur-
den, as irksome intruders trying
to consume what others have
produced.” The poor, he wrote,
“ask for the right to share in
enjoying material goods and to
make good use of their capacity
for work, thus creating a world
that is more just and prosperous
for all”. In today’s globalized
world, it is increasingly evident
that peace can be built only if
everyone is assured the possibil-
ity of reasonable growth: sooner
or later, the distortions produced
by unjust systems have to be
paid for by everyone.
It is utterly foolish to build
a luxury home in the midst of
desert or decay. Globalization
on its own is incapable of build-
ing peace, and in many cases, it
actually creates divisions and
conflicts. If anything it points to
a need: to be oriented towards a
goal of profound solidarity that
seeks the good of each and all. In
this sense, globalization should
be seen as a good opportunity
to achieve something important
in the fight against poverty,
and to place at the disposal of
justice and peace resources
which were scarcely conceivable
previously.
15. The Church’s social teach-
ing has always been concerned
with the poor. At the time of the
Encyclical Letter Rerum No-
varum, the poor were identified
mainly as the workers in the new
industrial society; in the social
Magisterium of Pius XI, Pius
XII, John XXIII, Paul VI and John
Paul II, new forms of poverty
were gradually explored, as the
scope of the social question wid-
ened to reach global proportions.
This expansion of the social
question to the worldwide scale
has to be considered not just as
a quantitative extension, but also
as a qualitative growth in the
understanding of man and the
needs of the human family.
For this reason, while at-
tentively following the current
phenomena of globalization and
their impact on human poverty,
the Church points out the new
aspects of the social question,
not only in their breadth but also
in their depth, insofar as they
concern man’s identity and his
relationship with God.
These principles of social
teaching tend to clarify the links
between poverty and global-
ization and they help to guide
action towards the building of
peace. Among these principles,
it is timely to recall in particular
the “preferential love for the
poor”, in the light of the primacy
of charity, which is attested
throughout Christian tradition,
beginning with that of the early
Church (cf. Acts 4:32-36; 1 Cor
16:1; 2 Cor 8-9; Gal 2:10).
“Everyone should put his
hand to the work which falls to
his share, at once and immedi-
ately”, wrote Leo XIII in 1891,
and he added: “In regard to the
Church, her cooperation will
never be wanting, be the time
or the occasion what it may”.
It is in the same spirit that the
Church to this day carries out
her work for the poor, in whom
she sees Christ, and she con-
stantly hears echoing in her heart
the command of the Prince of
Peace to his Apostles: “Vos date
illis manducare—Give them
something to eat yourselves”
(Lk 9:13). Faithful to this sum-
mons from the Lord, the Chris-
tian community will never fail,
then, to assure the entire human
family of her support through
gestures of creative solidarity,
not only by “giving from one’s
surplus”, but above all by “a
change of life- styles, of models
of production and consumption,
and of the established structures
of power which today govern
societies”.
At the start of the New Year,
then, I extend to every disciple
of Christ and to every person of
good will a warm invitation to
expand their hearts to meet the
needs of the poor and to take
whatever practical steps are
possible in order to help them.
The truth of the axiom cannot
be refuted: “to fight poverty is
to build peace.”
From the Vatican, 8 December
2008.
BENEDICTUS PP. XVI
(For lack of space, footnotes to this
message have been removed—Ed)
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 1
January 5 - 18, 2009
By Fr. Noel J. Jetajobe, SSL
Founding of the Missions
The founding of Missions in Nueva
Ecija passed two stages. The first stage
saw the establishment of the missions
among the lowland natives from the
late 16th century through the decade
of the 17th century. After almost a
century, the second stage began among
the heathen tribes which inhabited the
mountain ranges of Sierra Madre.
The first Augustinian mission in
lowland Nueva Ecija was founded in
Gapan in 1595. Due to limited man-
power and inaccessible terrain, the Au-
gustinians were forced to discontinue
their mission inland, except in Santor
(now part of Bongabon, Nueva Ecija) in
DIOCESE OF
Cabanatuan
1636 and later in Cabanatuan in 1700. In
1701, the Augustinians established the
frontier missions in the northeastern
part of Nueva Ecija at the foot of Cara-
ballo and Sierra Madre Mountains. The
missions founded were Pantabangan,
Carranglan and Puncan. The danger-
ous task of the apostolic work began
with the Italon and the Abaca tribes.
These new converts were followed by
the Caraclans and the Buguids who
dwelt at the most rugged terrains and
settled in village settlements of Santor,
Bongabon and Pantabangan.
In the 18th century, founding mis-
sions by the Augustinians came to an
end after the Royal Decree of Septem-
ber 1, 1759 was issued by King Carlos
III of Spain transferring all Augustinian
responsibilities in the settlements of
Nueva Ecija to the Franciscan Friars.
The Franciscans thus undertook the
second phase of the development of
the missions in the province: Bongabon
in 1760, San Antonio and San Isidro in
1843, Talavera in 1846, Peňaranda in
1853, Jaen in 1856, Aliaga and Zaragoza
in 1859 and Sta. Rosa in 1878.
In 1705, Gov. General Fausto Cruzat,
cognizant of the need for security and
protection of the missions, established
an advanced military outpost known as
Comandancia (Fort) which he named
Nueva Ecija. Having come from a place
in Andalucia (Spain) called Ecija, he
probably envisioned the place as his
second home. In 1848, Nueva Ecija was
reorganized into a regular province
independent from Pampanga. The
towns of Gapan, San Isidro, San Anto-
nio, Cabiao and Aliaga were annexed
to Nueva Ecija after the creation of the
province. The first capital of Nueva
Ecija was Baler, then Bongabon in 1775
and then Cabanatuan from 1777 until
1852. It was also moved to San Isidro,
back to Cabanatuan in 1912, and then in
1965 Palayan City was made the capital
until the present time.
Creation of the Diocese
Created on the 16th day of February
1963, out of the territories taken from
the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan
and the Diocese of San Fernando, and
inaugurated on the 4th day of June 1963,
the Diocese of Cabanatuan comprises
the entire civil Province of Nueva Ecija
and the chartered cities of Cabanatuan,
San Jose and Palayan. It is one of the
big provinces of Central Luzon, about
ON BACKGROUND: The clergy of the Diocese of Cabanatuan. LOWER LEFT: Most. Rev. Sofronio A. Bancud, SSS
one hundred twenty kilometers (120)
north-west of Manila. It covers a total
area of approximately five thousand
six hundred two and twenty (5,602.20)
square kilometers with a population of
more than one million. It prides itself as
one of the eight provinces in the entire
country which cried and fought for
national independence from foreign
denomination in the later part of the
19th century and the early part of the
20th century.
On July 14, 1984, the Diocese of San
Jose was canonically erected, paving
the way for the partition of the Diocese
of Cabanatuan. The diocese retained 25
parishes in 18 cities and municipalities
of the province, with a Catholic popula-
tion of 703,298 (85% of total population)
in an approximate area of 3,311.669
square kilometers.
Presently, the Diocese is comprised
of 28 parishes, served by 57 diocesan
priests. Among its Catholic institutions
are one seminary, three colleges, 13
high schools, 13 elementary schools, 16
kindergarten schools and four diocesan
centers.
The Diocese comprises 15 munici-
palities of Southern Nueva Ecija, and
the cities of Cabanatuan, Palayan and
Gapan. It is bounded in the east by the
province of Aurora; in southeast by the
province of Bulacan; southwest by the
province of Pampanga, in the west by
the province of Tarlac; and, in the north
by the towns comprising the 1st and
2nd Districts of the Province of Nueva
Ecija – the Diocese of San Jose.
Diocese
The titular of the Diocese is St. Nicho-
las of Tolentine whose feast day is cel-
ebrated every 10th day of September.
The Diocesan Seminary
The Diocesan Maria Assumpta Semi-
nary was the brainchild of the then Most
Reverend Mariano G. Gaviola, the first
Bishop of the Diocese. The pioneering
class began in 1964. The Divine Word
Missionaries spearheaded and steered
the pioneer work. After graduating
from high school, the seminarians were
sent to different Major Seminaries for
their studies in Philosophy and Theol-
ogy. In 1971, the administration of the
Seminary was turned over by the SVD
Fathers to the diocesan clergy. Bishop
Vicente P. Reyes, the second residential
Bishop of Cabanatuan, initiated the con-
struction of a chapel and an extension of
the Maria Assumpta Seminary.
At present, the Maria Assumpta
Seminary is composed of three depart-
ments: the High School, the Pre-College
and the College (Philosophy) Depart-
ments, serving not only the Diocese
of Cabanatuan but also neighboring
dioceses like San Jose, Balanga, Iba and
the Prelature of Infanta.
Pastoral Thrust and Action Programs
of the Diocese
In consonance with its Vision-Mission
formulated on October 19-20, 1993, and
after the 2nd and 3rd Diocesan Pastoral
Assemblies held on May–June 1994 and
October 1999, respectively, the Clergy
and Lay Leaders under the guidance
of the Most Rev. Sofio G. Balce Jr, DD,
STD, identified the Diocese’s root cause
problems as: the lack of witnessing to
a life of faith, and the limited number
of priests and competent lay leaders.
From here they also identified the fol-
lowing as the four priorities for action
programs: 1) Renewed Clergy and
Committed Lay Leaders; 2) Relevant
Programs and Structures; 3) Unity
and Solidarity Between and Among
the Priests and Laity; and 4) Renewed
Evangelization.
More than 10 years after these
programs were implemented, the
members of the Pastoral Commis-
sion under the new diocesan bishop,
Most Rev. Sofronio A. Bancud, SSS,
DD held a Pastoral Consultation
from July 11-13, 2005 at the Betania
Retreat House in Baguio City, after
a similar consultation meeting was
held with the officers of the Parish
Pastoral Council (PPC) and the heads
of the lay organizations and renewal
movements (LARM). The partici-
pants reflected on the present life
and status of the diocese to answer
these basic questions: Where are we
now? Where do we want to go as a
diocese? In the course of the consulta-
tion, the following areas of concern
were considered: On the Clergy, On
the Laity, On Evangelization, and On
Structures and Organization. The Di-
ocesan Consultation Meeting on July
2, 2005 and a Pastoral Consultation
on July 11-13, 2005 came out with the
following action programs:
1) On the Clergy
For empowerment and good
governance, priests are encour-
aged to undergo ON-GOING
FORMATION and UPDATING
for their interpersonal skills,
psycho-spiritual renewal and
personal upliftment. There was a
felt need to address issues affect-
ing prayer life, relationship with
superior and fellow priests, simple
lifestyle, sabbatical leave, semi-
nars for re-tooling and acquiring
managerial and professional skills.
Among the avenues for fellowship
and renewal of priests is the an-
nual Retreat and Clergy Rest and
Recreation. It was made a rule to
always make oneself available for
these annual gatherings.
In order to address also the
health needs of the clergy, the
diocese likewise approved the Self-
Managed Health Care Program for
the Clergy of the Diocese of Caba-
natuan. The program aims at providing
non-monetary benefits for the clergy
through a health care program, to
boost the morale of the clergy, and to
educate them to maintain their health
and well being.
Thus, it provides for replacement
income and assistance in times of sick-
ness, old age and death. The system
provides the following benefits: 100%
hospitalization and medicare program
and security program or pension, and
also burial benefits. The Diocese how-
ever is still working out on its plan of
constructing a Bahay-Pari for retired
and elderly priests.
2.) On the Laity
The on-going formation of the laity
also took priority, particularly of lay
leaders engaged in Lay Ministry, Cat-
echesis, Lay Associations and Religious
Movements. The goal is to consistently
pursue a renewed evangelization that
will address, among others: Prayer Life,
Proclamation and Catechesis, Social
Transformation and Journeying with
the Youth.
3.) On Evangelization
Spearheaded by the Evangelization
and Catechetical Commissions, it aims
for training and formation of catechists
working in public schools and parishes
and holding classes for Cursillos and
formation of Lay Ministers.
Last October 2006, on the occasion
of the Mission Month, the Diocese of
Cabanatuan launched the “Dalaw Kris-
tiyano” Program which aims to involve
both the clergy and the lay leaders in
reaching out to all the faithful, even
those residing in the remotest baran-
gays, through house visitation, prayer
and Bible sharing sessions.
4.) On Organizational Structure and
Governance
Among the needs or concerns ad-
dressed were the following: the reori-
entation of the clergy on the resolutions
of the Diocesan Pastoral Assemblies
and the provisions of the Diocesan
Pastoral Plan; the re-alignment of par-
ish programs and the monitoring of
the implementation; the re-orientation
B3
IMPORTANT FACTS
Bishop ………………………... 1
Priests:
Diocesan ……………………… 55
Religious ……………….…… 2
Active …………………..…… 45
On Loan ………………….... 3
Guest Priests ……………... 2
On Leave …………………... 1
Retired …………………….... 4
Sisters …………………...…. 61
Seminarians:
Highschool ……...………. 92
Pre-College ………...…… 5
Philosophy …………...….. 28
Theology …………….………. 9
Parishes ……………………… 27
Population ……………..... 1,658,338
Catholics ……………… 1,368,709
on the roles and functions of lay as-
sociations and renewal movements;
drafting of clear cut policy on Arancel
and parish finances; conducting an-
nual inventory of parish properties;
uniformed implementation of canoni-
cally prescribed requirements on the
celebration of sacraments; and the giv-
ing of orientation seminars to the new
members of the clergy.
During the discussions, it was also
approved to finalize the guidelines on
Lay Ministry, on membership to Lay
Associations and Renewal Movements
(LARM), on dealing with Freemasons,
on suicide, on trans-parochialism, and
on the celebration of masses in private
homes and other places.
The proposal to create new parish
communities brought about the es-
tablishment of the following parishes:
Sta. Elena Parish in Sta. Cruz, Gapan,
carved from the territories of the
Three Kings Parish in Gapan City; San
Lorenzo Ruiz Parish in Pinagpanaan,
Talavera, formerly belonging to the St.
Isidore the Worker Parish; and very
recently the St. Joseph the Husband of
Mary Parish in Bangad, Cabanatuan
City, originally a part of the St. Nicholas
of Tolentine Cathedral Parish.
Aware of the many challenges and
concerns affecting Catholic families,
the diocese also approved the creation
of an independent Commission for
Family and Life. Hence, it was added
to the already existing pastoral commis-
sions, namely: Worship, Evangeliza-
tion, Service, Stewardship, and Youth
(WESStYF).
The Religious. The Diocese has an
organized AWRIC, or the Association
of Women Religious in Cabanatuan,
which serves as an avenue for cama-
raderie, regular meetings and spiritual
renewal and support groups among
the religious working in the diocese. A
diocesan priest was assigned as Episco-
pal Vicar for the Religious to take care
of the members of the association and
their concerns.
C-FORCE. Concerning the man-
agement of all parochial/diocesan
schools, the Most Rev. Sofio G. Balce,
Jr. sometime in September 1989 initi-
ated the creation of the C-FORCE or
the Cabanatuan Forum on Catholic
Education. Intended as a flagship hub
Cabanatuan / B5

B4
Report on ‘May They Be
One’ Campaign in Rome
THE campaign for the world’s aware-
ness of the “MAY THEY BE ONE”
(MTBO) project happened during
the celebration of the 12th Ordinary
Assembly of the Synod of Bishops
celebrated in Rome on October 5 to
26, 2008. The theme of the Synod “The
Word of God in the Life and Mission
of the Church,” is clearly related to the
biblical cause. One of the special guests
of the Synod is the United Bible Society
(UBS) General Secretary, the Rev. Ar-
chibald Miller Milloy. He was officially
invited by the Holy Father to attend the
Synod in his capacity as the Secretary
General of the United Bible Societies
because of the magnificent cooperation
that exists nowadays among the UBS
with the Catholic Church and all the
Christian Churches in the world.
The first event that introduced the
MTBO campaign to an international
group is what happened on October
10, 2008, when Rev. Miller Milloy, the
General Secretary of the UBS, gave a
reception at the House of the Deho-
nian Fathers, Villa Aurelia, Rome. The
guests to this dinner were men and
women connected with the United
Bible Societies, the Catholic Biblical
Federation and Catholic prelates at-
tending the on-going Synod of Bishops.
Several officials of various national
bible societies, who happened to be in
Rome, were among those who were
present, such as the General Secretary
of the German Bible Society and Mr.
Mario J. Paredes of the American Bible
Society. The Catholic Biblical Fed-
eration (CBF) was well represented.
In fact the three leading CBF officials,
who were Synod participants, were all
present: Bishop Vincenzo Paglia (Ital-
ian), the CBF President, Mr. Alexander
Schweitzer (German), the CBF General
Secretary and myself, the Moderator of
the CBF Executive Committee.
High ranking prelates of the Catholic
Church graced the occasion. Among
them was Cardinal Polycarp Pengo,
Archbishop of Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania
(East Africa). It was in Dar-es-Salaam
that the 7th Plenary Assembly of the
Catholic Biblical Federation was cel-
ebrated last June 24 to July 2 this year.
Other Catholic personalities present at
the reception were Archbishop Mark
Benedict Coleridge of Canberra, Aus-
tralia, Bishop Michael Ernest Putney
of Townsville, Australia, and Bishop
David Colin Campbell of Dunedin,
New Zealand.
There were many other personalities
connected with the UBS and the Synod
of Bishops, whose names I do not know.
It was a sort of acquaintance party for
people engaged in the biblical cause.
Indeed the first word of the host, Rev.
Archibald Miller Milloy, was an up-
dating of the recent developments of
the United Bible Societies in their co-
operation with all Christian Churches
particularly with the Roman Catholic
Church. It was fraternal getting-to-
know-you “agape”.
The “after dinner” speeches started
with Rev. Miller Milloy, who clearly
explained the “updated” nature of the
UBS. He pointed out that formerly the
UBS was indeed exclusively for the
Protestants or Evangelical Churches.
But as an ecumenical spirit has been
developing among Christian Churches
in these past years, the UBS has ceased
to be exclusively Protestant but has
become an inter-confessional orga-
nization that is willing to serve or to
cooperate with all Christian Churches,
that is Protestant, Orthodox, Catholic
and independent groups in just every
matter regarding Sacred Scriptures.
To my delight he cited the Philip-
pines as a model of that cooperation,
mentioning a unique project called
“May They Be One” (MTBO) national
bible campaign, which was launched
on September 30, 2008 in Manila. Al-
though the MTBO is Filipino it was
a man from New Zealand who con-
ceived of this national bible campaign,
Mr. John Bergin, financial consultant
for the UBS Asia-Pacific Region. Rev.
Milloy requested Mr. John Bergin,
who had arrived in Rome two days
earlier, to describe this campaign to
the dinner guests. Mr. Bergin gave just
few remarks because he wanted me to
elaborate on it, since it is really a Philip-
pine project.
In my speech I informed the audience
that the MTBO was conceived a year
ago in Manila, when John Bergin talked
to me about this unique bible fund-
raising plan in the presence of Mrs.
Nora Lucero, the General Secretary of
the PBS, and other PBS officials. His
description of the aim of the project and
how to go about it was so pleasant and
convincing that I simply could not say
no. Rejecting it would be tantamount
to refusing God’s desire of spreading
His Word to all the Filipino families.
He added that this could be a model of
cooperation among the national bible
societies. He selected the Philippines
for this project because of its strategic
Features
position and of its being the biggest
Christian nation in the Asia-Pacific
region.
In a few words I informed the audi-
ence that the MTBO is an ecumenical
endeavor of the Episcopal Commission
on the Biblical Apostolate of the Catholic
Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines
and the Philippine Bible Society with the
cooperation of other Christian churches.
The noble aims of the MTBO campaign
captured the hearts of the listeners: the
unity of all Christians in response to
Christ’s prayer, the social transforma-
tion and renewal of the Philippines by
putting a bible in every Filipino home, to
raise sufficient funds within our country
and overseas to be able to distribute
five million copies of the Bible in the
next five years at low cost or even
free for the poorest of the poor.
Then I appealed to the “First
World” countries to help the
“The Third World” nations
like the Philippines in
our efforts to dissemi-
nate the Word of God
because the poor are
truly hungry not only
for physical food but
for spiritual nourish-
ment coming from
Sacred Scriptures. I
cited some statistics
that only 40 % percent
of Filipino families
own a bible in their
home and that 98%
of Filipinos are liter-
ate and so are able
to read the Word of
God provided they
Bishop Arturo Bastes, SVD gives a copy of the MTBO Bible to Pope Benedict XVI
“To my delight he cited the Philippines as a model of that
cooperation, mentioning a unique project called “May They Be
One” (MTBO) national bible campaign, which was launched on
September 30, 2008 in Manila. Although the MTBO is Filipino it
was a man from New Zealand who conceived of this national
bible campaign, Mr. John Bergin, financial consultant for the UBS
Asia-Pacific Region.”
possess a copy of the Holy Bible.
My speech must have touched the in-
ternational audience because I received
not only congratulations but concrete
promise of help in our national biblical
campaign. Mr. Mario J. Paredes, the
Presidential Liaison of the American Bi-
ble Society for the Roman Catholic and
Hispanic Latino Ministries, expressed
his admiration for the MTBO and im-
mediately invited me to come some day
to the ABS headquarters in New York,
where my appeal for financial help will
receive a substantial backing from the
authorities. He even gave me his call-
ing card so that we could communicate
with each other. Subsequently I showed
his card to John Bergin whom I request-
ed to accompany me to New York to
promote the MTBO. The authorities of
the German Bible Society likewise ap-
proached me later and expressed their
desire to help our project. The Catholic
Bishops of Australia and New Zealand
were also willing to assist in our fund
raising campaign.
Thus the good result of that recep-
tion on October 10 as far as we are
concerned is that the MTBO had been
properly introduced to an international
group, which admired the concept, en-
couraged us to implement it and even
promised to offer monetary help.
The second significant day for the
MTBO during the Synod was October
14. First event: After the morning ses-
sion of the Synod, during the lunch
break, a press conference took place
at the Vatican Press Office in Via della
Conciliazione, organized by Bishop
Vincenzo Paglia, the President of the
Catholic Biblical Federation. Its main
purpose was the public presentation
and signing of the “Catholic Biblical
Federation and United Bible Societies’
Joint Statement on Partnership in the
Biblical Ministry”. Cardinal Walter
Kasper, the President of the Pontifical
Council for the Promotion of Chris-
tian Unity was the first speaker of
the panel. He spoke of the beautiful
ecumenical movement, already started
by the Second Vatican Council, which
is culminating with the cooperation of
many Christian churches particularly
in the biblical pastoral ministry. Bishop
Vincenzo Paglia, the CBF President,
explained the contents of the Joint State-
ment and Rev. Archibald Miller Milloy,
the UBS General Secretary, expressed
his happiness that the partnership
of the UBS and the Catholic Biblical
Federation has become more intense
over the years, not only in the work of
translating and distributing the bible to
as many Christians as possible but in
helping people interact with the Word
of God meaningfully in the tradition
of their own church. “Therefore the
Bible Societies’ services to the Catholic
Church may now include the provision
of Bible editions in which the books are
presented in the order of the Catholic
biblical canon, and in which helps for
readers to gain understanding of the
meaning of the text reflect the Catholic
Church’s teaching and tradition.”
The Joint Statement was signed in
the view of the public by the officials
of the Catholic Biblical Federation and
the United Bible Societies who were
seated at the panel of the Press Office.
The solemn act was well attested to by
the presence of many media groups in
Rome, radio, television and the press.
Second event of October 14: In the
afternoon session of the Synod Rev.
Archibald Miller Milloy, being a special
guest invited by the Holy Father, was
given the privilege to give an interven-
tion at the General Assembly for 4 min-
utes. His talk was well appreciated and
even applauded. He made reference
to the signing of the Joint Statement of
CBF and UBS Partnership in the Biblical
Ministry just accomplished some hours
ago. Toward the end of his talk he cited
the MTBO as a model of cooperation of
a national bible society with the Catho-
lic Church. Thus our project became
known to the whole Church through
the mouth of the General Secretary of
the UBS.
Fortunately there was a period of
“free intervention” and I was lucky to
be given three minutes to talk to the
General Assembly as a follow-up of
Rev. Miller Milloy’s brief mentioning of
the MTBO. (This was the second time
that I gave a talk at this Synod, for I had
already given my official intervention
of five minutes some days ago.) I
elaborated a bit the aim of the
MTBO and spoke at length of
the magnificent collabora-
tion of the Philippine
Bible Society with the
Catholic Bishops’
Conference through
the Episcopal Com-
mission on the Bib-
lical Apostolate.
An example of a
concrete collabora-
tion that has been
going for many
years is the publica-
tion of the Catholic
Daily Bible Read-
ing Guide, whose
sample I distrib-
uted to the Synod
participants by
placing a copy
in their respec-
tive pigeon hole. I also mentioned the
National Catholic Family Bible Quiz,
which is also being supported by the
Philippine Bible Society. I ended up by
requesting churches and bible societies
of richer countries to support the bibli-
cal pastoral ministry of poor countries
and by thanking the UBS and the PBS
for their wonderful cooperation in our
common concern to spread the Word
of God to all people.
After my speech many bishops con-
gratulated me with the remark that
the Philippine Church is giving a fine
example to all national churches by
designing concrete programs how to
distribute the Bible systematically to
all people, at least to every family. The
bishops said: “Would that other coun-
tries follow your example!”
A third event of that day happened
in the evening. Bishop Vincenzo Paglia
invited many Synodal participants to a
reception given by the Community of
San Egidio at the church of Sta. Maria di
Trastevere. This community, founded
by a layman, Mr. Andrea Riccardi, has a
special love for the Word of God. Moved
by the message of the Bible, lay men
and women have grouped together to
form a community that prays every day
solemn and sung Morning and Evening
prayers centered on Sacred Scripture.
They do not only read, pray and live the
Bible, they also do works of charity by
feeding poor people every day. It is a
wonder that at this time and age there
are still many people who are drawn to
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 1
January 5 - 18, 2009
a real Christian life through the power
of God’s Word! Bishop Paglia, the CBF
President, used to be the pastor of this
community before being promoted to
the Episcopal rank. The attendance at
their inspiring Evening Prayers and
the reception given by this community
to several Synod participants was a
fitting climax to this day filled with joy
because of the blessings God gave to us
biblical apostles.
And finally the other assignment
for me is to give a special sample of
the MTBO Bible to the Holy Father. I
wrote Archbishop Fernando Filoni, the
Sub-Secretary of State (the “3rd man”
at the Vatican), former Apostolic Nun-
cio to the Philippines, whom I know
personally, to help us get an audience
with the Holy Father in view of giving
the sample of the MTBO Bible to him.
It was our desire that all the Synod
participants from the Philippines plus
Mr. John Bergin of UBS would be pres-
ent at that special audience. However,
Archbishop Filoni called me by phone
that at this time it is impossible to get
a special audience of the Pope. The
Synod officials suggested that I alone
would give the MTBO bible to the
Holy Father during a quick photo ses-
sion which the Pope would grant to all
Synod participants.
My chance to have a photo session
with the Pope came in the morning
of October 18 during the coffee break
when our English small discussion
group would be greeting the Holy
Father individually. I managed to give
him the special “papal” edition of the
MTBO (gold-edged with white leather
cover). The Pope was amused with the
gift and even asked me its significance;
so we started to converse for a minute
or two, apparently a forbidden act, tak-
ing too long, because the papal guard
was shooing me away. My “long” en-
counter with the Holy Father enabled
the photographers to take five different
shots of myself and the Pope; four with
the Bible and one without the Bible.
As a sort of consolation for us Filipi-
nos who were not able to see the Pope
as a group, Archbishop Fernando Filoni
invited us to a special lunch with him
at his residence in the Apostolic Palace
on October 22. Miss Elvira Yap Go, an
auditor of the Synod and founder of the
National Catholic Family Bible Quiz,
joined us Filipino bishops (Archbishop
Orlando Quevedo, Bishop Luis Antonio
Tagle, Bishop Broderick Pabillo, Bishop
Pablo David and myself) at the lunch
offered by the Vatican Sub-Secretary
of State.
There was another “papal” edition
of the bible with a brown leather cover.
I gave it to His Eminence Cardinal
Walter Kasper, the President of the
Pontifical Council for the Promotion of
Christian Unity, during my visit with
him on October 24 at his office and
residence in Via della Conciliazione.
Cardinal Kasper had written a special
endorsement of the MTBO project. He
appreciated the gift because his English
bible was already overused with torn
pages. How inspiring to know that this
German Cardinal has been perusing an
English bible through the years!
I gave samples of the ordinary edition
of the MTBO Bibles to several friends
and church dignitaries. My purpose
was two-fold: as a souvenir of the
Synod on the Word of God and as a
reminder to help us in our biblical
fund-raising campaign. Among the re-
cipients of the meaningful gift from the
Philippine Bible Society are: Rev. Miller
Milloy, Bishop Paglia, Mr. Schweitzer,
Archbishop Ignatius Kaigma (former
member of the Executive Committee
of the CBF), Ms. Teresa Wilsnagh (new
member of the EC-CBF), Bishop Felix
Toppo, SJ (my neighbor at the Synod
hall), all the Filipino Synod partici-
pants, SVD confreres in Rome, person-
nel at the Pontificio Collegio Filippino
and some others.
I left extra copies of the 2009 Catho-
lic Daily Bible Reading Guide at the
Pontificio Collegio Filippino to be dis-
tributed to many OFW’s in Rome and
others who find this leaflet very useful
and practical. The 2009 edition also en-
titled “May They Be One” includes the
fund-raising campaign to help “PUT A
BIBLE IN EVERY HOME”
May the Lord continue to touch
many hearts to help us in this huge and
challenging project, which has started
to gain acceptance and momentum in
Rome. It is our hope that God’s Word
may run fast from Rome to the whole
world, as the Latins say “ab Urbe ad
Orbem” (from the city to the world)!
Most Rev. Arturo M. Bastes, SVD
Bishop of Sorsogon
Synod Father
Chairman, CBCP Episcopal Commis-
sion on the Biblical Apostolate
President and Chairman, Philippine
Bible Society
Moderator, Executive Committee of the
Catholic Biblical Federation
Sorsogon City, November 24, 2008
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 1
January 5 - 18, 2009
Agents of Hope and
Poverty Alleviation
WITH the advent of the New Year 2009,
everybody wants to think positively,
and hopes that the New Year will be, as
everybody greets, “Happy New Year”
or “Prosperous New Year.” Prayerfully,
2009 will be as we wish and dream it
will be: happy and prosperous. But
especially for whom?
The Biblical Greeting is “Rejoice in the
Lord Always” (1 Thess. 5/16; Phil 4/4).
In our Christian context, the reason for
rejoicing at any time is not something
© Raf Carteza
Statements
we have done or received from our fel-
low humans. The fundamental reason
for our rejoicing always is that in Jesus
Christ, God and Man, God has become
“God with us – Emmanuel.” So that in
the midst of many human negativities,
accidents, cruel poverty and broken
promises, we still have countless bless-
ings to be merry and happy about. With
God hope springs eternal.
Unfortunately, God’s countless bless-
ings have been and are obstructed or
hindered from reaching their respec-
tive targets. The realities: according to
one study, for every 100 pesos of our
national budget, 40 pesos go to debt
servicing, 15 pesos for education, 1 peso
and 40 centavos for health services, and
only 18 centavos for housing. For every
100 pesos, sadly 43 pesos and 42 centa-
vos become the object of greed, fraud,
plunder and corruption. Recently it
was said that the 23 million “poorest
of the poor” have increased to 27 mil-
lion, most of whom are victims of their
neighbors’ greed.
There is so much to be hoped for, or
there is much to be worried about in
the New Year 2009. Where should New
Year’s Resolutions go? While poverty
alleviation is one of the Church’s social
action programs with restricted funds
from charity for charity, there is much
to be expected from large government
appropriations, not as acts of charity
only, but as acts of justice and honesty.
The extreme poverty of the poorest of
the poor is neither natural nor normal:
it is man-made and can be overcome or
eradicated by acts of justice, honesty,
compassion and charity.
God’s blessings are unlimited and
countless. What is unfortunate is that
they become limited through selfishness,
injustice and corruption. Pope Benedict
XVI said on Christmas Day that it is
GREED that destroys the world and its
peace, unbridled and criminal greed of
individuals and institutions. The evil
effects of greed are worse and more
widespread than the evils of war.
Will the New Year 2009 be a bet-
ter year for the “poorest of the poor”
because they are better looked after by
Society, the Church and Government?
Only the future will tell! “In 2009, will
someone be less poor, less hungry,
better educated, because of what I
shall have done?” A challenging and
appropriate question to ask if we want
to become agents of hope for 2009.
B5
Ang Makahulugang
Pasko sa Aurora
NGAYON ang unang simbang gabi at mahalaga ito para sa atin na bu-
mubuo ng Sambayanang Kristiyano dito sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng Prelatura
ng Infanta sa lalawigan ng Aurora. Sa paghahanda natin sa pagdating ng
Pasko ng Pagsilang ng manunubos ay ipapahayag natin sa pamamagitan
ng sulat na ito ang paghahangad nating maramdaman ang Diyos ng pag-
mamahal, katarungan, at kapayapaan para sa lahat ng tao lalo na sa mga
dukha. Nabuo ang liham na ito sa pamamagitan ng pagninilay at pagba-
bahaginan ng kaparian ng Prelatura ng Infanta hinggil sa kasalukuyang
kalagayan lalo sa bahagi ng Aurora.
I. Presensiya ng mga Militar
Tayo ay bahagi ng katawang buhay ni Hesu-Kristo. Tayo ang bumubuo
ng simbahan bilang mga binyagan. Nababahala ang simbahan sa Aurora
sa presensiya ng mga militar lalo na sa bayan ng Dipaculao. Ang kanil-
ang presensiya sa bawat barangay ay hindi lamang nakakatawag pansin
bagkus naghahasik ng takot sa puso ng bawat isa. May mga pangyayari
na ang ating mga katekista at iba pang kamanggagawa sa simbahan ay
sinabihang umalis na sa paglilingkod sa simbahan. Mayroon din mga
sinabihan na huwag nang maniwala sa mga kaparian dahil sila daw ay
taga-suporta ng New People’s Army (NPA) at mga komunista. Ang ating
mismong Obispo Rolando Tria Tirona ay isinama rin sa listahan ng mga
diumano taga-suporta.
Nakababahala ang pamamaraan ng militar na tugisin ang mga NPA.
Sa daang patungo sa DIBICADI, pinabababa ang mga pasahero sakay ng
bus at ini-inspeksyon. Pinatitigil ang mga sasakyan sa may daan ng Brgy.
Baubo, Maria Aurora at ini-inspeksyon din. Sa Brgy. Umiray-Nakar na
sakop ng parokya ng Dingalan, kinakailangang humihingi ng permiso
ang mga tao sa militar para makalabas sa kanilang lugar at makabili ng
kanilang pangangailangan.
Sa Casiguran at Dingalan, pinalikas ang mga tao ng militar mula sa
mga bundok na pinagkukunan nila ng kabuhayan dahil sa sinasabing
presensiya ng NPA sa lugar. Dahil sa mahigpit na kampanya ng militar
laban sa NPA nagtatagal bago na muling makabalik sa lugar ang mga tao
para makapag-trabaho at magkaroon ng panustos sa pagkain at iba pang
pangangailangan ng pamilya.
Naghahasik ng takot ang lahat ng ito sa mga tao at nagbibigay din ng
maling pag-unawa sa pagtingin sa simbahan at kaparian. Naniniwala kam-
ing mga kaparian na dapat igalang ninuman ang karapatang pantao.
II. Nawawalang Kabuhayan dahil sa ASEZA
Ang barangay ng Dibet, Esteves at Dibacong sa Casiguran ang sakop ng
unang lunsad ng proyekto na tinatawag nating Aurora Special Economic
Zone (ASEZA). Programa ito ng pamahalaan na ‘magpapaunlad’ ng na-
sabing lugar para sa mga dayuhan na mamumuhunan.
Ang mga lugar na nabanggit ay mahalaga sa mga tao na lehitimong
naninirahan at nagtatrabaho sa lugar. Katulad ng ibang mga lugar na
ginawang ‘economic zone’ ay nababahala kami kung para kanino talaga
ang pag-unlad sa lugar na nasasakop ng ASEZA.
Aming tinututulan ang maling proseso ng paglulunsad ng programa na
hindi naikonsulta sa mga tao. Mula sa turo ng simbahan ‘ang kaunlarang
pangkabuhayan, hindi dapat na maiwan sa pagpapasya ng ilang tao o pang-

+ANGEL N. LAGDAMEO kat na may labis-labis na kapangyarihang pagkabuhayan o ng sistemang

Archbishop of Jaro pam-pulitika lamang’ (Gaudium et Spes Sek. 65). Nagitla at nabahala ang
CBCP President marami sa pagpasok ng mga tauhan ng proyekto sa kanilang mga sariling
lupain. Kami ay naniniwala na anumang proyektong pang-kaunlaran at
pagbabago ay dapat para sa higit na nakararami.

The New Year Entrusted to Mary

III. Pagkasira ng Kalikasan
May isang tao na nagbuwis ulit ng buhay dahil sa pagbaha sa Casiguran
noong nakaraang buwan ng Nobyembre. Ibang iba na ang hagupit ng ka-
lamidad na dumarating sa atin. Madami at dumarami ang nasasawi dahil
“So the shepherds scurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and saw the baby Jesus lying in the manger.” (Lk 2:16) sa kalamidad sa buong mundo, sa Pilipinas at sa Prelatura ng Infanta. Libu
libo ang namatay noong nakaraang 2004 sa Prelatura ng Infanta dahil sa
THIS is a truly hopeful and really consoling day—the very erty, and as we call on our Blessed Mother to help us also magkakasunod na bagyong Winnie, Violeta at Yoyong. Nasawi ang ating
first day in the New Year 2009. Our said hope and consola- survive these difficult times, we too have to keep in mind minamahal na si Fr. Cha Colendres.
tion are anchored in the signal fact that the beginning of the wise saying: “God helps those who help themselves.” Walang tigil magpasahanggang ngayon ang pagpuputol ng mga punong
this New Year is lovingly entrusted to the care and love of For this reason, the help of God through the intercession kahoy sa kabundukan gayundin ang pag-uuling. Nakababahala na kahit
the Blessed Virgin Mary as Mother of God. There are no of our Mother Mary, we have: lantad sa mata ng marami ang lahat ng paninira sa kalikasan, hindi natitinag
less than three distinctive and meaningful truths that we To observe industry contrary to the vice of laziness. This at nababagabag ang ahensiya ng ating pamahalaan dito sa Aurora na may
should remember well and faithfully live by: simply means that we have to sweat even by doing little pananagutan sa kalikasan.
One: Mary is the Mother of God because she conceived income generating work—if not formal employment and Nang nakipag-diyalogo ang iba’t ibang kinatawan ng Prelatura ng Infanta
and gave birth to Christ, the Second Person of the Most professional task. As St. Paul clearly said: “Those who do sa pangunguna ni Obispo Rolando Tria Tirona sa Pangulo ng Pilipinas noong
Blessed Trinity, who is true God and true man (Lk 1:35). not want to work, let them not also eat.” (1Thess 3:10) ika-16 ng Hunyo 2008 ay mismong ang pangulo ang kumilala sa grabeng cor-
She is wherefore the most formidable woman in this whole To engage in productivity contrary to the call of con- ruption sa Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
wide world. sumerism. This only means that there must be something
Two: Mary is our Mother too. Dying from the cross, Christ productive we can and should do even in our little back- IV. Tugon sa Pagsilang ni Hesus
himself gave her to us as our mother too when he said as yards like planting vegetables, tomatoes and the like. ‘Huwag matakot!’ ang mensahe ni Hesu-Kristo sa ating buhay. Ating
a last testament: “Behold, your Mother!” (Jn 18:27). She is Furthermore, we do not spend unless really needed; we pinangyayari at pinagtitibay ang muling pagsilang ni Hesu-Kristo da-
therefore our loving and powerful patroness before God. do not buy what is not necessary. hil sa ating paninindigan sa pagtataguyod ng kabutihan at kapakanan
Three: Mary had no reservation at all in placing the Lord To live in parsimony contrary to self-indulgence. As it is pangkalahatan. Pinahahalagahan natin ang pagpapadama ng kanyang
Jesus in a little manger, in a humble stable. She thus had hard to earn every peso, we cannot but save every peso we pagmamalasakit sa sambayanan na pinatunayan ng dakilang misteryo ng
no problem, no difficulty in giving birth to Jesus in a poor have these hard times, it is sheer foolishness to throw our Pasko ng Pagsilang.
surrounding, together with Joseph as the Holy Family. little money around to get things we do not need, to buy Nananagutan ang simbahan na yakapin ang hamon ng buhay ni Hesu-
This is why with the example of Jesus, Mary and Joseph things we really cannot afford. Kristo sa paghubog at paggabay sa sambayanan. Aakayin ang lahat na
as the Holy Family, we should not be afraid of our own When we remember the three Gospel truths about Jesus manindigan at kumilos upang ipagtanggol at itaguyod ng paghahari ng
family poverty that has been serious and pervasive in the in a manger and Mary with Joseph in the stable, and if we Diyos na may tanda ng katarungan, kasaganaan at kapayapaan. Sapag-
country long since. This year 2009, however, can even be practice industry, productivity and parsimony, then we have kat naniniwala kami na ‘ang pakikidigma laban sa pagdarahop at ang
more trying and challenging for us all—as our national good reason to greet one another “Happy New Year!” pakikibaka laban sa kawalang katarungan ay pagtataguyod ng kabutihang
economy is in big crisis due to equally big graft and cor- pangkalakhan ng sangkatauhan’ (Populorum Progessio Sek. 76).
rupt practices. +OSCAR V. CRUZ, DD Mananatili pa rin tapat ang simbahan sa kanyang misyon na ipagtanggol
As the holy family was able to survive despite its pov- Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan ang katawang buhay ni Hesu-Kristo na binubuo ng Sambayanan ng Diyos
sa anumang anyo ng pananakot, panlilinlang at pagsasamantala. Kasama-
sama natin ang simbahan na maninindigan na labanan ang lahat ng anyo
Cabanatuan / B3 ng kasamaan at kasakiman.
Ang pagkilos natin para sa katarungan at pakikisangkot sa pagpapani-
for all Catholic schools, C-FORCE is an Diocesan Vocation Month Celebra- governance and good citizenship in the bagong anyo ng mundo ay malinaw na malinaw na sumasabuod sa bahagi
instrumentality of the Roman Catholic tion province of Nueva Ecija. While a lot of ng pagpapalaganap ng Ebanghelyo o sa ibang salita ng misyon ng simbahan
Bishop of Cabanatuan in the realization It is a way of awakening the con- social problems emerged because of para sa pagliligtas ng sangkatauhan at pagpapalaya nito mula sa mapang-
of the diocesan mission of evangeliza- sciousness of lay especially the youth to corruption in politics, the diocese has aping kalagayan (Justice in the World Tal.75).
tion through Catholic education. A full- the richness and beauty of God’s gifts always tried its best to be proactive in 1. Kung kaya nilalabanan namin ang lahat ng anyo ng karahasan at hindi
time superintendent is assigned to this of vocations and helping them discern addressing social issues resulting from kami pumapanig sa sinumang naghahasik ng karahasan. Naniniwala kami
office who implements the programs the path of life suited to them. bad governance. The local Church has na higit sa lahat, ang mga militar ang tagapagtanggol at tagapangalaga sa
and policies approved by the Board CCP (Cabanatuan Cathedral Project) seen the unique position of its catholic sambayanan. Hindi kami sumasangayon sa anumang pagkilos at pama-
of Trustees chaired by the Bishop of Construction schools in initiating dialogues and in- maraan na madahas ng maka-kaliwa at maka-kanang panig na ang mga
Cabanatuan. This project was initiated by the late spiring community leaders to engage in dukha ang laging nabibiktima.
The C-FORCE extends to member Bishop Sofio Balce Jr. and was contin- social development. Although there is a 2. Kung kaya iwinawaksi namin ang anumang pagwawalang bahala ng
schools administrative assistance, ued by Bishop Sofronio Bancud. The need to build up the capacity of its edu- pamahalaan sa sambayanan na hindi kinonsulta o nagkaroon ng bahagi sa
including legal and financial man- project was perceived with the purpose cative institutions for inter-agency alli- pagbubuo ng proyetong sila ang sinasabing makikinabang. Lagi na lamang
agement, spiritual formation and of endowing the Diocese with a big ances and partnerships, one of its key ginagamit ang mga dukha sa paggawa ng mga proyekto na ang tunay na
professional development of school church enough to hold a great number schools, the College of the Immaculate nakikinabang ay ang ‘iilan’. Naniniwala kami na dapat makatutugon at
personnel. of faithful during big diocesan/pon- Conception, has spearheaded a part- magbubunga ng tuluy tuloy na pag-unlad sa buhay ng sambayanan ang
tifical gatherings and at the same time nership with various movements and anumang proyekto.
Other Pastoral programs and proj- provide a chic burial place. institutions for social development. 3. Kung kaya tinututulan namin ang walang kahihiyang paninira ng ka-
ects The Proposed new Cathedral of St. Through the College of the Im- likasan. Ang pagkaganid sa kita at pera ang dahilan ng pagiging manhid
Nueva Ecija Laban sa Droga Nicholas of Tolentine is conceptual- maculate Conception, the diocese has sa sarili na di na alintana ang mga pangyayaring nakapupuksa ng buhay at
It is a Multi-Sectoral Crusade Against ized to be the biggest cathedral in Asia. partnered with the Ateneo School of kabuhayan ng marami kapag dumarating ang unos o kalamidad. Kawalan
Illegal Drugs actively participated in Though unfinished, niches of the crypt Government and launched the Study ng paninindigang iligtas ang sambayanan sa pinsala ng tuluy-tuloy na
and advocated by the Diocese. One (in the building’s basement) already Program for a Master in Public Man- pagpuputol ng kahoy sa kabundukan.
such activity was held last July 14, 2008 contain relics/remains. Masses and agement (MPM), Specialized in Local Sa aming mga pagdalangin ay darating ang pasko para sa lahat ng pu-
at Palayan City Convention Center. prayers for the dead are already held Governance. The program is anchored song may malasakit sa pagbabago at pagtalikod sa kasamaan at kasalanan.
Bigasan sa Parokya daily at the crypt’s center chapel. In on the principle that a corps of skilled Nananalig kami na pag-asa ang hatid ng pasko sa mga taong may paninin-
A program of the Diocese Service order to support its on-going construc- and knowledgeable personnel is es- digang labanan ang kahirapan at karahasan. Maghahari ang kagandahang-
Commission and parishes in coopera- tion, the Diocese periodically holds sential to the achievement of the plans loob ng Diyos sa Aurora sa lahat ng may katapatang maglingkod sa Diyos
tion with the NFA in order to help poor raffle draws, mission appeals and and programs of any local government at mga dukha.
parishioners cope up with their finan- solicitations. unit and to the strengthening of local Maria, Ina ng Sambayanan ng mga Dukha, Ipanalangin ninyo ang Aurora.
cial scarcities in availing the high price autonomy in the Philippines. The pro-
of rice. There are now 18 licensed rice The Ateneo Master of Public Manage- gram includes the following courses: Kaparian ng Prelatura ng Infanta – Aurora
outlets in the diocese with each outlet ment Program Power, Ethics and Accountability, 16 Disyembre 2008
selling 150 cavans per week at P18.25 The Diocese of Cabanatuan has long Understanding the Bureaucracy, Ap- Baler, Aurora
per kilo. been engaged in advocacy the for good Cabanatuan / B6
 CBCP Monitor
B6 Reflections Vol. 13 No. 1
January 5 - 18, 2009

Love for Children Paul, the letter writer

Feast of the Sto. Niño
(Is 9:1-6; Eph 1:3-6, 15-18; Mk 10:13-16) By Gil A. Alinsangan, SSP
January 18, 2009 Without doubt, an important living heritage of the Apostle Paul is the corpus
Paulinum, a collection of thirteen letters attributed to him. Seven of them are
deemed by majority of scholars as undisputedly his letters, coming from his own
hand or dictated by him to amanuenses or secretaries. The remaining six may be
the work of other hands, later disciples who write about him or in his name.
Paul lived in a world of largely oral and aural culture. People communicated
by word of mouth, not by writing. Only about two of every ten people could read.
Letters, moreover, were aids, not substitutes, to oral communication. Most often,
the letter messenger had to orally confirm the content of the letter and add infor-
mation to it.
Letter writing was both arduous and expensive. It needed logistics: the means
by which a letter is composed, delivered, and received.
For composing, one needed a writing implement (pen), ink, and material to
write on (papyrus). Given what was involved in preparing the equipment, careful
preparation was needed in the composition and actual writing of the letter. Very
often the writer relied heavily on secretaries who were skilled in all parts of the
writing process, except the making of the paper.
How were the letters sent? There was no regular postal service before the time
of Augustus, and even this service was used only for official business. Private
persons had to make their own arrangements: contact a regular courier or entrust
the letter to some people on the move. Very often the carrier was commended to
the recipients in some way.
The letter was received and read by the recipient or, if the letter was for a con-
gregation, by the officers of the organized body. The oral reading and additional
oral messages from the carrier publicized and confirmed the message and also
transmitted the sender’s authority or influence on the recipient.

By Fr. Carlos V. G. Estrada
THE feast of the Holy Child Jesus is an op-
portunity to contemplate the great dignity
of the human person, made in God’s image
and likeness, especially in the person of
children, since Our Lord was also a child
once. Jesus tells His apostles to let the little
children come to Him. He warns about
leading them to sin.
In our times, there are many things that harm children.
While violence and other immoral acts committed against
Fr. Roy Cimagala
Illustration by Bladimer Usi
children are despicable, we should not forget that there are
many other insidious situations that have longer and more
permanent effects in culture and society. Among others we
can mention divorce and dysfunctional families, abortion, a
contraceptive mentality, and a mindset that views children
as possessions or playthings of selfish parents.
“Life is not an egotistic possession, but a gift to welcome
with gratitude; (…) it is not an arbitrary game, but a project
of love; (…) it is not a meaningless accident, but a vocation
to be realized; (…) it is not a problem that is hard to resolve,
by a mystery to be contemplated with humility and wonder.”
(Jesus Christ, Word of the Father, Official Catechetical Text
in Preparation for the Holy Year 2000, p. 140)
Let us not spare efforts in promoting among married
couples love for one another and their children, which they
can, in turn, pass on to other married couples.
Paul’s letters
Paul’s letters were communal letters addressed to specific communities, to
ekklesia or house churches. Moreover, Paul wrote from within a community. He
was surrounded by companions or helpers who provided a kind of voluntary ad
hoc secretariat. Co-senders like Timothy, Silvanus, and Titus must have helped in
the formulation of the letters, and the clerical abilities of amanuenses like Tertius
facilitated the composition of the letters.
For delivery of the letters, Paul’s co-senders like Timothy and Titus also served
as emissaries. Epaphroditus, sent by the Philippians to carry their monetary
contributions and to help Paul in prison, returned to Philippi carrying Paul’s let-
ter of recommendation (Phil 2:29). Christians on the move brought messages to
Paul and carried Paul’s letter to their communities. Paul made use of the service
of people who supported him and shared his ministry—capable and trustworthy
individuals charged with the delivery of the letter.
In those times, Greek texts were written in scriptio continua, without division
between words, without punctuation or accents, without paragraphing. In these
circumstances, and given Paul’s long letters, it would be necessary for Paul to write
very legibly or employ a good secretary with a fair hand in writing. It would also
be necessary that the person who delivered the letter could read it and “deliver”
it orally. It was, therefore, preferable that the courier knew Paul’s mind and letter
and so could explain it to the congregation and could answer their questions.
What do the letters tell us about Paul’s ability as a writer and about his education?
Paul grew up as a Diaspora Jew in Tarsus in Cilicia. He spoke Aramaic at
home and knew Hebrew, the sacred language of Scriptures. Evident in his letters
is his knowledge and command of the Greek language. Picked up at home, the
language was honed in school. A study of Paul’s scriptural citations reveals that
he consulted and followed the Septuagint, the Greek Old Testament.
Paul’s letters also reveal that he had formal training: he was conversant and liter-
ate in Greek, including rhetoric, the ancient art of persuasion. He had knowledge of
Greek literature and philosophy so that he could communicate well with Diaspora

Seed good and bad

Jews and Greco-Roman Christians. Paul certainly improved his Jewish-Greek edu-
cation in Jerusalem. At that time, through the offices of Herod the Great, Jerusalem
had become a cosmopolitan city. It must have been an attractive destination for
Jews in the Diaspora as a pilgrimage site and center of learning.
In an oral culture, the ability to speak well is important, and the ability to persuade
is required of any public figure. This art of persuasion Paul learned well. He might
be “weak in bodily presence, and his speech contemptible,” but his letters were
“forceful” (2 Cor 10: 10). Paul’s letters were rhetorical speeches within an epistolary
A FRIEND of mine recently told me his But I join her family in deep prayers whose graduates often work in these framework and with some epistolary features. They were surrogate for oral speech,
daughter just got hired as a stewardess for her. The world is littered with tricks call centers and other similar outfits, and were in fact written to be “heard” and not simply to be “seen.”
in an international airline. She finished and traps. One has to be truly clever, I always feel the need to continually And what do Paul’s letters tell us or presuppose of the earliest Christians who
nursing, but at this time it seems one with the cleverness of the serpent as the invite the alumni for some means of received them? When Paul wrote to his converts gathered as ekklesia, he ex-
has to pay to get hired as a nurse in Gospel tells us, to survive, especially in formation—retreats, recollections, pected that the courier or one of the Christians could read Greek, and presumably
hospitals. Yes, it’s that bad! that area that is most important—the doctrine classes, and personal spiritual some in the audience were literate in Greek. But how literate or educated were
To be a stewardess was an alternative, spiritual and moral. direction and confession. the early Christians? Between 10 and 20 percent of the population of the Roman
a kind of forced one. The family needs This is the challenge we have these Like a father to them, I get to tell Empire were estimated to be literate. Early Christianity attracted people from the
the money, and the starting rate told to days. There are good and bad elements them things straight to their faces— lower ranks, but it was led and largely supported by an elite minority who were of
her daughter was 70K. Who would not around always, and one has to learn even telling them to take their haircut, the higher status. Given the high value early Christianity placed on Scripture and
be happy with that kind of salary? But how to sail his boat safely. For this pur- change their clothes, observe physical, learning of and about it, literacy was certainly a criterion for Christian leadership.
it comes with a stiff price too. pose, the need for continuing formation mental and spiritual hygiene, live order And in an oral culture, learning was more by the ear rather than the eye. Paul’s
The father, who’s very protective cannot be overemphasized. and poverty, modesty and purity, and letter would then be “heard” as persuasive, even if not “seen” as such by a good
of the apple of his eyes, has sharply Precisely at these times, when we pray, etc. number of Christians.
conflicting feelings. He’s caught in the are all exposed to plentier and subtler These details should be attended Paul’s letters were longer than most ancient letters; only Cicero’s long-winded
horns of a dilemma. He has heard many temptations, we need to be properly to assiduously, since they have the letters could compare with Paul’s in length. Even Paul’s letter to Philemon, his
not so good items about girls in that formed and ably supported by a strong tendency to be set aside, ignored and shortest, was long by ancient standard. Consider this little document written
kind of work. and stable network of good family- forgotten. September 13, A.D. 50:
I understand him perfectly. The girl is Church-society environment. And these reminders should be done Mystarion to his own Stoetis:
an eye candy, and she will surely attract Another friend who manages a call as well by the companies, families and Greetings.
attention. She has been bagging beauty center also told me about some not-so- society in general. They should not be I have sent you my Blastus to get forked sticks for my olive gardens.
titles since she was in grade school. But good observations he has of the people the exclusive tasks of priests. Everyone See that he does not loiter, for you know I need him every hour.
for all that, she remains level-headed, in that kind of work. These are usually can and should help. Farewell.
her feet firmly rooted on the ground young people who get good pay but We are facing a new world speed- Ancient letters, like the one above, tended to have a rather stereotyped format
and very responsible. She has been who really have to work hard. ing in developments, such that we can or structure involving the following elements: (1) the name of the writer, (2) the
helpful to her siblings. It’s a combination that can be highly hardly cope with them. Sometimes I name of the addressee, (3) the initial greeting, (4) the health wish or prayer, (5)
After so much painful deliberation, combustible in the spiritual and moral get the feeling we don’t know anymore the body of the letter, and (6) the conclusion.
the father allowed her to accept the job, sense. These young ones tend to over- what’s hitting us. To this skeletal structure of ancient letters, Paul added considerable flesh,
with a list of conditions. The girl, who spend, abuse their new status, seek We, of course, should be open to modifying and adding to standard elements forms that suited his purpose. Paul’s
has become like a niece to me, dutifully compensation in some dangerous the world, but should be quick also letters were true surrogates for oral communication, and he made them exercises
thanked her father, and promised to pursuits, and sooner or later get into to discern and identify good and bad in rhetoric, the ancient art of persuasion, to convict, convince, and convert his
comply with them and to deliver. trouble. seeds, and flexible enough to flow with audience to his point of view.
My hunch is that she could hack it, This friend of mine, who has to the times. Basically, Paul’s letters contain the following elements:
not only professionally but also moral- handle many of the problematic cases, We have to have a kind of black box In the opening section, he mentions his Christian identity and office (apostle,
ly. I have observed her from a distance, strongly feels that these young people that records developments in a certain servant of Jesus Christ) bestowed on him by God and Jesus. He greets his in-
and she seems to be a sensible girl, who should be given continuing formation. period, and examine it from time to tended audience with wishes of grace and peace. He mentions people who are
knows what she has got and the accom- They need to be truly grounded and time to study what went right, what his co-senders and who probably are also “carriers” of the letter.
panying advantages and dangers of her properly oriented. went wrong, and how we could avoid The thanksgiving part becomes an occasion for prayer. Paul thanks God for the
effortless charms. As chaplain of a technical school dangers. graces the audience has received. This section often reveals issues and prob-
lems he will later address in the letter. In only one letter is thanksgiving omitted:
Galatians. Paul is probably so upset with the Galatians that he cannot think of
Cabanatuan / B5 anything to be thankful about.
plied Economics for the Public Sector, Public Policy De- (ex-Undersecretary, DOF), and Mr. Gilbert G. Lozada (ex- The body of the letter contains the bulk of the content. Paul gives his teach-
velopment and Analysis, Leadership for the Public Sector, Director, DILG). ings that touch on the mystery of Christ and the concerns of the community. He
Environmental Management, Modern Management in Local At present, there are 21 local government executives and defends his ministry and trustworthiness since these have turned to be bones of
Government, Local Government Finance, Local Planning NGO personalities who composed the first batch of students. contention to his detractors. Here we find the essential tenets of the gospel that
and Development, Local Investment and Enterprise De- While the MPM program is a work in progress, it has had Paul preaches to the Gentiles.
velopment, Integrated Program Management, Seminar on measurable success. In August 2008, the MPM students Following the body section or part of it is the paraenetic (exhortatory) or ethical
Governance Innovations. launched an education development campaign in partner- section. In the ethical portion, Paul cites or alludes to the teaching of Jesus (Rom
The Ateneo MPM program is run at the College of the ship with Synergeia, and gathered the Local School Boards 14), the Old Testament (Gal 6) or Christian traditions (Col 3:18—4:1). Paul shows
Immaculate Conception, with faculty who are either distin- (LSB) and DepEd district heads to focus on re-inventing LSBs how the faith should be put in practice in Christian living.
guished as good government leaders or renowned for lead- to make them more responsive to education needs. Another In the closing remark, Paul uses the standard closing greeting, and adds
ing the call to good governance. Among the distinguished marked development is the students’ change in perspective Christian benedictions and doxologies. When the letter is dictated, he writes
mentors are the following: Mayor Jesse M. Robredo (Naga and their deeper understanding of good governance. The the final words and signs his name. Occasionally, in his farewell he includes his
City), Mayor Mary Jane Ortega (San Fernando City, La MPM program has served as a sanctuary where students travel plans.
Union), Dr. Fe A. Hidalgo (ex-OIC, DepEd), Rep. Henedina have been given the opportunity to evaluate their work, and For Paul, the letters were a part of his total communication, which also involved
R. Abad (Lone District, Batanes), Dr. Constancia De Guzman this valuable time has enabled them to try to integrate what visits and face-to-face discussions or sending of messengers. They bear witness
(Chairman, Presidential Anti-Graft Commission), Dr. Anto- they hope and do. to his love and concern for the believers and his commitment to their nurturance.
nio G.M. La Viña (ex-Undersecretary, DENR), Dr. Dennis T. Before the end of the program, the students will be asked They also reveal his profound relationship with God in Christ. His letters show an
Gonzalez (Chairman, National Book Development Board), to make a Governance Innovation Report, a development amount of religious and spiritual content not equaled by other ancient letters.
Atty. Lutgardo B. Barbo (PNU President & ex-Governor, plan that puts to use what they have learned. MPM faculty The secretary would usually write and keep the second copy of the letter. This
Eastern Samar), Dr. Fe A. Hidalgo (ex-OIC, DepEd), Ms. will be assigned to mentor students in the implementation facilitated the collection of Paul’s letters later, enriching the ekklesia with a true
Cynthia G. Castel (ex-Undersecretary, DBM), Dr. Milwida M. of Governance Innovation Report in their local government legacy from the Apostle.
Guevarra (ex-Undersecretary, DOF), Dr. Cecilia G. Soriano units.
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 1
January 5 - 18, 2009
Prospect for peace in the
years to come
By Fr. Amado L. Picardal, CSsR
AS we celebrate the Christmas season and the
coming of the New Year which the Church marks
as the World Day of Peace, we note the absence
of peace in our land- especially in Mindanao. The
cycle of violence and war continues.
Since the breakdown of the
peace negotiations a few months
ago, rogue units of the Moro
Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)
continue to carry out attacks
against civilian and military tar-
gets in Central Mindanao. In
response, government troops are
going after them. Air Force planes
have been bombing areas where
these MILF units are believed to
be hiding. Civilians have been
caught in the crossfire.
In another front, the New Peo-
ple’s Army (NPA) has been in-
creasing tactical offensives not just
in Mindanao but in other areas of
Luzon and Visayas. As govern-
ment military operations are con-
ducted in the “red areas”, more
civilians are evacuating. Leaders
of legal militant organizations
suspected of being leftist fronts
have been abducted and executed
by suspected military units.
What is happening at pres-
ent is similar to the situation
that prevailed over twenty five
years ago. The end of the Mar-
cos dictatorial regime in EDSA
I brought hope that peace will
finally come. But the peace nego-
tiations broke down between the
Government and the National
Democratic Front (NDF) under
the Aquino administration. In
1996, under the Ramos admin-
istration, a peace agreement was
reached between the govern-
ment and the Moro National
Liberation Front (MNLF). Peace
talks with the MILF started. The
peace process with the NDF
was revived. With the election
of Estrada, the “macho” presi-
dent adopted an “all-out war”
policy. These peace talks were
abandoned. The EDSA II which
deposed Estrada and brought
Gloria M. Arroyo to power once
again renewed hope that peace
will finally reign. The peace ne-
gotiations were again revived.
But these could not be sustained.
Now near the end of her term
there is still no peace. Why is it
difficult to achieve peace? There
are many factors.
A major factor is President
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo her-
self. She is not serious about
pursuing peace negotiations.
Coming up with a peace settle-
ment with the MILF and the
NDF is not a priority of her
administration. Her main con-
cern is staying in power and
extending her reign beyond her
term of office. All her acts can
be seen from this perspective
─ even the MOA-AD which re-
quires charter change. She lacks
credibility and political will.
Majority of the people question
her motives and do not support
her peace efforts. The MILF and
NDF do not trust her to abide
by whatever agreement they can
reach. What she really wants is
to defeat the NPA by 2010 and
to neutralize the MILF. The
military operations carried out
have affected civilians. Under an
Arroyo Government we cannot
expect peace to prevail. She has
become a lame-duck president
and time is running out.
The MILF central leadership
has not been able to maintain
control and discipline within
its rank. It has failed to hold the
units of Commanders Bravo
and Kato accountable for the
atrocities against civilians. The
MILF will only come back to
the negotiating table if the GRP
signs the MOA-AD which has
been rejected by the majority and
by the Supreme Court. Mean-
while, more radical elements
have emerged demanding an
independent Islamic republic
and suspected of engaging in
terrorist activities.
The NDF—led by the CPP
with its military arm—the NPA
continues to hold on to its Maoist
dogma and strategy of people’s
war. Insisting on the dictum
that political power comes from
the barrel of the gun, the NDF
regards the armed struggle
as the primary means to seize
state power and impose radi-
cal change in society. While the
NDF is appealing for the re-
Social Concerns
sumption of peace negotiations,
it considers the peace process
in tactical rather than strategic
terms in view of the primacy of
armed struggle.
Congress continues to be domi-
nated by landlords and big busi-
ness whose primary concern is to
protect their vested interests and
the president. This congress has
failed to pass enabling laws that
will implement the anti-dynasty
law. It has failed to come up with
genuine agrarian reform law and
extended the present law for six
month but made it useless by
making it voluntary. This same
congress protected President Ar-
royo from impeachment proceed-
ings for charges of corruption and
abuse of power. This is the same
congress that is trying to convert
itself as a constituent assembly
to change the constitution that
will do away with the nationalist
provisions, abolish term limits,
change the system of government
that will allow the president to
perpetuate her rule.
This congress is incapable of
bringing about justice and alle-
viating poverty in our country.
With this kind of congress it will
be difficult to convince those
who are trying to change society
through armed struggle to lay
down their arms. Frustration
Another factor why peace remains
elusive is a very weak peace con-
stituency. There is no critical mass
of people actively working for
peace. The peace movement has
not grown and expanded. There is
only a handful of individuals and
groups who are actively engaged in
peace advocacy.
with this political system will
continue to drive young people
to the hills.
Another factor why peace
remains elusive is a very weak
peace constituency. There is no
critical mass of people actively
working for peace. The peace
movement has not grown and
expanded. There is only a hand-
ful of individuals and groups
who are actively engaged in
peace advocacy. Activities or-
ganized by these groups are
poorly attended. The groups are
not united. Some of them have
been accused by the military of
being sympathetic to the cause
of the MILF or the NDF. The
Catholic Bishops Conference of
the Philippines has from time to
time came up with statements
appealing for end to war and
continue the peace process. The
Bishops-Ulama Conference has
also been actively involved in
peace advocacy. But their state-
ments have often been ignored.
Many of the individual bishops,
priests and religious are not con-
cerned about peace advocacy.
There have been cases of Basic
Ecclesial Communities (BECs)
and local grassroots communi-
ties involved in peace-advocacy
and in forming Zones of Peace
but these have not been repli-
cated.
So the various factors men-
tioned above can explain why
peace remains elusive in our
country. Peace remains a dream.
Around this time we pray and
hope that the New Year will be
more peaceful. The prospect for
peace in the years to come is not
bright. Yet we continue hoping.
What should we hope for?
We hope that a new breed of
national and local leaders will
emerge, especially with the elec-
tions in 2010. Enough of corrupt,
self-serving leaders, without
principles, convictions and vi-
sion. Never again to presidents
like Marcos, Macapagal-Arroyo
or Estrada. No to presidents
© Adam Dimech / Flickr
whose only qualification is their
popularity, wealth and elect-
ability. We expect our leaders to
have the credibility and political
will to come up with a negoti-
ated peace settlement with the
various groups. They should
be able to address the roots of
violence and armed conflict.
We need leaders whose primary
concern is not staying in power
or enriching themselves but
the good of all, especially the
majority who are poor. Their
primary concern should be how
to bring about justice, peace,
and development in our land.
We need leaders who realize
that a military solution to the
insurgency problem is costly
and ineffective.
We hope that the CPP/NPA/
NDF will realize that transform-
ing Philippine society through
armed struggle or people’s war
is an impossible dream. After 40
years of fighting, their military
capability and mass base remain
insignificant. In fact, they have
not grown or expanded, but
have dwindled. They can carry
out tactical offensives against
soft targets but are not capable
of reaching the strategic of-
fensive stage. They have lost
so many brave comrades over
the years. They cannot expect
a critical mass of people to sup-
port the “protracted people’s
war.” People are simply tired of
all the violence and of war. It is
high time to abandon the Mao-
ist dogma and come up with
new paradigms in transforming
society. The peace negotiations
should be seen from a strategic
framework like what revolu-
tionaries in South Africa, El
Salvador and Northern Ireland
have done.
We hope that the MILF will
be able to punish erring com-
manders, control their units and
prevent them from committing
further atrocities against the ci-
vilian population. We hope that
they will realize that carving out
an independent Islamic republic
in Mindanao is an impossible
dream. They have to accept the
reality that Mindanao is now the
home of the Muslims, Christians
and Lumads. The signing of
the MOA-AD should not be the
precondition for the resumption
of the peace negotiations. Rather,
the MOA-AD can be the work-
ing document from which both
parties can continue negotiating
until they agree which provisions
are acceptable to all and which are
not. Areas where Christians and
Lumads are the majority should
not be included in the proposed
BJE. In different circumstances,
when Arroyo is no longer presi-
dent, the proposal for changing
the constitution to shift to a federal
form of government can be more
acceptable.
We hope that a time will come
when congress will truly become
the house of the representatives
of the people – and not of the
landowning and business elite. It
will be a congress that is capable
of passing laws that will truly
benefit the majority and that
will bring about peace, justice
and progress in the land. It will
truly be independent from the
president yet will work with
the president for crafting legisla-
tions beneficial to all. It will be a
congress where those belonging
to various ideologies will have a
chance to pursue their programs
that will benefit their people.
This will require a change in
the political culture. This will
mean changing the way we Fili-
pinos elect our public officials—
not by their wealth and popu-
larity but by their competence,
integrity and spirit of service.
This means that elected officials
change the way they perceive
their office—not as a means
for self-enrichment, power and
domination. This means doing
away with patronage politics
We hope that the peace con-
stituency and movement will
expand. More and more people
will expressly reject violence
and war, imbibe the culture of
life and peace, and will actively
be involved in peace advocacy.
We hope that communities
at the grassroots—Christians
and Muslims, Basic Ecclesial
Communities—will be involved
in establishing zones of peace.
This will require the leadership
and support of the CBCP, each
bishop, each priest and religious
in collaboration with other re-
ligious leaders—belonging to
other Christian dominations and
Muslims. This also means work-
ing with civil society groups and
organizations.
Peace is elusive but it is pos-
sible. There is always hope and
we should not stop working for
peace.
B7
© Jacques de Goldfiem / Flickr
Christians, Muslim
farmers come
together as family
and neighbors
By Silsilah Dialogue Movement
IN the mountainous barangay of Baluno at the west coast
of the city of Zamboanga, a program initiated by Silsilah
Dialogue Movement has changed the life of the marginal
farmers living there.
Silsilah put up a school called Escuela de Siembadores with
the aim of teaching farmers till the land using better farming
methods. The school offers a program called Dialogue with
Creation that teaches farmers how to use the land sustainably
through organic and biodynamic farming.
The school is the meeting place for the farmers where they
come to learn more about taking care of the land through
farming methods that consider land as a living entity.
The land in Baluno is fertile and the area quite vast. In this
area Silsilah is running a program which makes concrete the
track of “dialogue with creation” that Silsilah pursues.
Composed of Christians and Muslims, the people Baluno
make their living by tilling the land.
In time, the farmers have not only learned better methods
of farming but also how to organize a community and a
cooperative so they can act as one entity.
Since the area has been found to be rich in minerals of
commercial grade, the farmers have been in the frontline in
protecting the place, which is also part of the city’s watershed,
from mining companies.
The formation they received has taught the farmers to be
vocal about their rights.
“We are here to protect this land and the water for the fu-
ture of our people and the city of Zamboanga,” they said.
Zamboanga residents have appreciated the farmers’ strong
sense of stewardship over the land and have joined the
Friends of the Watershed which the farmers have organized
with the help of Silsilah.
Last December 28, their strong community spirit was
strongly demonstrated when a Festival de Siembradores
was organized.
The community gathered to thank God for the blessings of
the past year in a spirit of fellowship and fun. Muslims had
their own prayer session while the Catholics attended the
mass celebrated by Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra, PIME, founder
of Silsilah.
In his homily Fr. D’Ambra remarked that it was “fortuitous
coincidence” that the get together happened during the Feast
of the Holy Family.
About 300 persons came and participated in the gathering
held at Escuela de Siembadores, some coming as early as the
day before because of distance and rough travel.
Lunch was shared among all those present and this was
followed by a fun-filled period of games and the distribution
and exchange of gifts.
The presence of Congresswoman Isabelle Climaco, 1st
District Representative in the gathering served also as an
occasion for the farmers to thank her for her efforts to get the
road built and to share their other concerns.
With many farmers leaving their land to look for jobs
elsewhere, Silsilah hopes that the practice of Biodynamic
agriculture will motivate farmers to stay in their farms with
their families.
The Silsilah Escuela del Siembadores has an Escuela Man-
agement Team which is composed of four farmer leaders,
extensively selected with moral uprightness.
The practice of Biodynamic Agriculture is focused among
the farmers as they also assist other farmers. Proper guidance
is constantly given according to the stages of development of
their crops and socio-community intervention. This program
is being assisted with the technical assistance of a visiting
Silsilah Volunteer who is an environmental plant scientist
from Australia, Mr. Douglas Patience. He comes twice a
year for consultation and follow-up on the development of
its application as well as conducting seminars and lectures
on this field.

B8
Taong 1898, panahon ng pa-
nanakop ng mga Kastila, nang
sumibol ang pag-iibigan sa Bal-
er ng dalagang si Feliza Reyes
(Anne Curtis) at ng binatang si
Celso Resurreccion (Jericho Ro-
sales), isang mestisong sundalo
sa pwersa ng mga Kastila. Pilit
nilang ililihim ang kanilang
pagmamahalan at pagniniig
sapagka’t ang ama ni Feliza,
si Nanding (Philip Salvador),
ay kabilang sa mga armadong
Pilipinong nag-aalsa laban sa
mga Kastila.
Matindi ang galit ni Nand-
ing sa mga Kastila dahil sa
karahasang ginawa ng mga
ito sa kanyang ama at kapatid
na babae, kung kaya’t tutol ito
kahit sa nasang pagpapari ng
kanyang anak na malapit sa
mga prayle, si Gabriel. Darating
ang pagkakataong mananaig
ang lakas ng mga rebolusyo-
naryong Pilipino, tutugisin
nila nang biglaan ang mga
sundalong Kastila hanggang
masukol ang mga ito at wala
nang matatakbuhan kundi sa
simbahan.
Papaligiran ng mga sunda-
long Pilipino ang mga simba-
han ngunit hindi susuko ang 57
Kastilang naroon bagama’t ang
kanilang pagkain ay husto la-
mang sa loob ng tatlong buwan.
Titiisin nila ang gutom, malaria,
at ang kamatayan ng marami
nilang kasamahan, habang
naghihintay sila ng tulong mula
sa hukbo nila sa Maynila.
Lalakad ang mga buwan,
tatanggapin na ng Espanya
ang kanilang pagkatalo, ngunit
hindi pa rin maniniwala dito
ang mga sundalong Kastila
na mistula’y nakakulong na
sa simbahan. Kabilang sa mga
sundalo sa loob ng simbahan
si Celso, at nang hindi na ito
makatiis, magkakasundo sila
ng ilan sa kanilang mga kasa-
mahan upang tumakas.
Maganda at maayos ang
daloy ng istorya ng Baler, at sa
MAC en COLET
Buhay Parokya
CBCP Monitor
Entertainment Vol. 13 No. 1
January 5 - 18, 2009
maraming mga Title: Baler
aspeto’y maka- Running Time: 110 min.
Cast: Anne Curtis, Jericho Rosales, Philip Moral Assessment Technical Assessment
totohanan ang
paglalahad nito Salvador
Director: Mark Meiley  Abhorrent  Poor
ng mga pang-
Producers: Veronique Del Rosario-Corpus,  Disturbing  Below average
yayari noong Vicente G. Del Rosario III  Acceptable  Average
panahon ng Screenwriter: Roy C. Iglesias
paglaya ng mga  Wholesome  Above average
Music: Vincent de Jesus
Pilipino mula Editor: Danny Anonuevo
 Exemplary  E
xcellent
sa mga Kas- Genre: Drama/ Romance/ War
tila. Maganda Cinematography: Lee Meily
rin ang sine- Distributor: Viva Films
matograpiya, Location: Baler, Aurora, Philippines
Kahanga-hanga Technical Assessment: 
rin ang kata- Moral Assessment: 
patan ng pag- CINEMA Rating: For viewers 14 and above
ganap ng mga
pangunahing Quezon kung saan nasukol ang
artista, at dapat ding purihin 57 sundalong Kastila sa loob ng
ang direktor sa husay ng ka- 337 na araw. Ang digmaang ito
buuan ng pelikula. diumano ay kilalang-kilala sa
Dalawang bagay lamang ang Europa at sa katunaya’y ginawa
nagiging batik sa magandang pa itong isang pelikula noong
mukha ng Baler: ang magaral- taong 1945, at pinamagatang
gal na pagsasalita ng wikang “Los Ultimos de Filipinas”, na
Kastila, at ang kakulangan sa tumutukoy sa mga sundalong
tumpak na make-up. Kulang sa Kastilang lumaban sa Baler
“dulas” ng dila ang mga nag- noong rebolusyon at digmaan
sasalita ng Kastila—halatang laban sa mga Amerikano.
hindi iyon ang inang-wika Kung ipipikit na lamang
nila. Ang make-up naman: ang ninyo ang inyong mga mata
mga sundalong halos isang sa mga nabanggit naming pag-
taon nang nagugutom, napu- kukulang ng Baler, malulugod
puyat, napapagod, nawawalan din kayo at pinanood ninyo ito,
ng pag-asa at masuka-suka sapagkat kahit ito mabigat sa
nang nakukulong kapiling ng damdamin, maaaninag pa rin
mga nagkakasakit at yumayao ninyo ang liwanag sa likuran
ay mukha pa ring makiki- ng ulap. Maaaring sabihin in-
nis, busog at malulusog kahit yong kulang sa lupit ang mga
na gutay-gutay na ang mga magkaka-away, ngunit hindi
unipormeng suot. Bakit mula ninyo rin maikakaila na naka-
simula hanggang bubuti sa lahat ang ipinapaki-
sa katapusan, makisig pa rin tang pakikipag-kapwa tao ng
si Jericho Rosales? Di ba dapat mga Pilipino kahit na sa mga
ay humpak na ang kanilang kaaway nila.
mga pisngi, nanglalalim ang Malugod na bumabati ang
mga mata at bumabagsak na CINEMA sa karangalang na-
ang mga katawan sa ganoong kamit ng Baler bilang “Best
mga kalagayan, na ultimo daga Festival Picture” sa 2008 Metro
at ang alagang tuta ay kinakain Manila Film Festival (MMFF),
na rin dahil sa matinding gu- kasama ng siyam na iba pang
tom? gantimpala. Sadyang karapat-
Pinaghalong “fact” at “fic- dapat sa Baler ang karangalang
tion” ang pelikula, base sa nakamit nito. Nawa’y makatu-
kasaysayang naturingnang long ito sa pagtataas ng antas
“Siege of Baler” sa lalawigan ng ng mga pelikulang Pilipino.
By Bladimer Usi
Title: Dayo
Running Time: 90
min.
Cast (Voices): Nash
Aguas, Katrina
“Hopia” Le-
gaspi, Michale
V., Pokwang,
Peque Gallaga,
Johnny Delgado,
Laurice Guillen,
Nova Villa, Noel
Trinidad
Director: Robert
Quilao
Screenwriters: Ar-
temio Abad, Eric
Cabahug
Music: Jesse La-
saten
Look for the photos of Pope Pius XII, Saint Genre: Cartoon
Joseph and a holy water bottle. Movie/ Family
Technical Assess-
ment: 
Moral Assessment:

CINEMA Rating: For
viewers of all
ages
Eleven-year-old, not yet in his teens, Bubuy (Nash Aguas) is the
favorite target of the three teenage boys who find it fun in bullying
him. He tries to avoid them, but they manage to get to him. This time
they catch him and order that he build a fire for them. He does so but
suddenly the flames grow and spread, making the living forest trees
to go after the boy for having caused the fire and heat to intensify,
putting their territory, the forest and life in peril. Bubuy manages
to escape and get home safe. The empty house however, makes him
feel that his grandparents (Nova Villa and Noel Trinidad) are gone
missing, he does not know where they are. Some time after, he is
surprised to spot a young, lively and smiling girl looking in at him
from an open window.
She is Anna (Katrina “Hopia” Legaspi) offering to help him find his
“Lolo’ and “Lola” who had been kidnapped- according to her- for the
scare he gave the forest dwellers. Anna says they have been taken to
the land of Elementalia. She shows Bubuy that she is a “Manananggal”,
a creature that could separate her upper body from the lower portion
when needed. With his eager consent, in a sweep she has him held
securely in her hands and flying on their way to his grandparents.
They enter into what for him is a strange place inhabited by en-
chanted creatures. On their arrival the first thing Anna does is to
bring Bubuy to the kind and helpful Lolo Nano (Peque Gallaga) who
could tell them what to do, and also concoct a potion that could free
the grandparents from their captors. Right away, Anna and Bubuy set
to work. Joining them is Narsi (Michael V.), a vain, funny but helpful
“Tikbalang”- a half human and half horse creature- who volunteered
taking them to the places they have to go.
Dayo is a well laid out story that will interest and entertain not only
young viewers, but also the adults. That it is a locally produced film
about our own stories of fantasy and mystery could serve as an added
reason for potential viewers to watch it.
This has also been endorsed by DepEd (the Department of Educa-
tion) which could lead to elders and parents accompany their young
children to see a worthwhile and pleasing Filipino cartoon feature.
Instead of the usual presentation of Philippine folklore and fantasy
characters and creatures as frightening, evil, revengeful and the like.
Dayo has shown them to be, except for the rare few, naturally normal
beings, friendly, ready to help and among others deeds, to go a long
way for someone even a stranger like Bubuy and his grandparents.
Another plus for this movie fantasy story is that the Filipino artists
could come up with cartoons, GCIs and handle Digitals almost as well
as their American counterpart.
Though still quite young, timid and reserved, Bubuy is shown
as a kid, when confronted with the loss of his grandparents, being
alone, hurt by bullies and not knowing what to do; but when given
the opportunity to become appositive person, with the help of Anna,
he quickly grows up. In place of helplessness, fear, a feeling of loss,
he and his world turn positive. His grandparents are back with him
and Bubuy is no longer the child, he has grown. He is shown as a
prayerful boy.
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 1
January 5 - 18, 2009
C1

The News Supplement of

Couples for Christ

CFC Reports On Its Mission By Zenaida Gimenez
COUPLES for Christ Executive Direc-
tor Joe Tale reported on the state of the
mission of CFC last December 9, 2008 at
the last Mission Core gathering of the
year held at the Xavier School Gym. The
report highlighted the accomplishments
of the community for the year 2008. Joe
Tale also set the targets the community
should strive for in 2009.
On the whole, the report painted a
very positive picture of the mission of
CFC, from evangelization, to the work
in international missions, to clergy
relations, pro-life advocacy, commu-
nications, pastoral formation, major
programs such as Gawad Kalinga and
the work with migrant workers, the
pastoral congresses and others.
One major highlight is the result of
the pastoral congresses that have been
held here and in major cities abroad.
Some major changes are now being
proposed for ratification by the Elders
Assembly, namely: increasing the
number of members of the International
Council; setting term limits for the IC
members; modifying the nomination
process for the IC; and changing the
composition of the Board of Elders. (See
the full text of the State of the Mission
Address on page 3.)
Another highlight is the very wel-
come news that in spite of dire predic-
tions, CFC remains financially healthy,
having managed to remain debt-free
for the year. Joe Tale, however, urged
everyone to support the mission more
in the coming year.
With regard to Gawad Kalinga, Joe
reiterated that the challenges GK faced
in 2008 were primarily a result of the
upscaling of the work and that the GK
Board is responding to those challenges.
One response is a unified financial
system software and a more realistic
pricing scheme. Another is an organi-
zational development process that GK
has asked Ateneo to develop.
Joe enumerated the many challenges
that await CFC in 2009. These include
the streamlining of international mis-
sion work through the creation of
regional mission centers, improving
CFC’s communications network, the
setting up of an employment program
in partnership with a private company
(designed to address concerns about
the global financial crisis) and the
further upscaling of our work with
the poor.

By Jerome Paler
Feed My Sheep hungry child within the parish every
week. Based on simple computations,
THE work in Gawad Kalinga is doing great. But there are simply all that was needed was P800.00 to
too many people who are classified as poor and which GK has not feed 100 children. My officemates got
as yet been able to reach. so excited that I got a commitment for
The incidence of hunger around us is so overwhelming that the 1,100 kids right away.
Philippines is now ranked number five on the hunger list. How can Next, I talked with some officers
we help those who are perennially hungry because they are too poor of the Southern Leyte Bankers As-
to have access to nutritious food? I thought the problem of hunger is sociation and they committed to feed
too big and we have so little resources and so little time. I was wrong. initially 500 kids. I also presented the
It seems there is something we can do. And it is utterly simple. plan to the Parish Pastoral Council of
It all began with Feed My Sheep, a feeding program that was the Our Lady of the Assumption Par-
conceived during a household meeting of the group of Delfy Ger- ish and the plan got the nod from our
aldez. When Delfy told me about it, I was so excited because the Executive Pastor Rev. Msgr. Urcisino
same idea came to me during one of my prayer times. I resolved to Luzon.
give it a try in Leyte. The feeding program was launched
First I explained the mechanics of the program to my officemates last Dec 6, 2008 in front of the Our
in SSS. I told them that the idea of the program is to feed every Lady of the Assumption Parish Rec-
tory with almost 400 kids in attend-

Country 161 – Sierra

ance. The main menu was congee,
called “pospas” in Bisaya or “lugaw”
in Tagalog. The serving size of ½
cup of lugaw has a nutritional value

Leone, West Africa equivalent to 1½ cube of lean meat

or 1½ cup of chicken lean meat or 1½
cube ham or 1½ pieces of hotdog or
1 cup milk or 2 cubes of cheese. One
cup of pospas per child, therefore,
doubled the nutritional value. All Jerome Paler, in blue at middle, with his feeding program team.
these for only P8.00 per cup! The same
nutritional value can be had with one cup of mongo soup or squash be sustained. Some suggestions have been aired, among them the
and bread or fresh cow’s milk with bread. idea of adding P800 to any birthday celebrant’s food expense and
The local radio station owned by the Diocese of Maasin, DYDM, having 100 children benefit from a nutritious meal.
aired the activity and it caught the attention of everybody. The There is no doubt that this program can be sustained because this
Maasin Bicycle Association soon joined us, then the San Vicente is God’s work. Seeing the children of the poor among us getting the
Ferrer Chapel officers, the parishioners of San Rafael Parish , the proper nutrition and growing healthier because of our little efforts
provincial PNP and the provincial employees. The Assistant Vice is a wonderful bonus.
President of SSS spread the news to other branches, until it reached Already many sectors in Metro Manila and some provinces have
every branch in the Visayas region. begun their own feeding programs. In these very uncertain times,
To date we are feeding an average of 300 kids per week. The we all need to help one another. Feeding the sheep God has tasked
program is so simple and doable, that there is no reason why it can’t us to look after is but a small step towards that direction.

By Mars Delacuesta South A Joins the Feed My Sheep Program

ONE more African country, Sierra Leone, has been conquered At Villa Coastal, the children, joined by their mothers, presented
for Christ through CFC. Ricky Cuenca, CFC USA Country
By Reggie Asuncion
a surprise dance number. The CFC and GK volunteers present were
Coordinator and West Africa Regional Coordinator, MORE than 600 individuals, mostly children from two impoverished so touched that they started dipping into their pockets to give the
accompanied by Mars Delacuesta, Country Coordinator for areas in Las Piñas -- Bernabe Compound in Barangay Pulanglupa dancers their “aguinaldo.”
Antigua and Barbuda, West Indies, and Alex Duque and Raul 1 and Villa Coastal in Barangay Daniel Fajardo -- were the benefi- At the end of the activity, the volunteers met to assess their expe-
Aclan from New Jersey, traveled to Freetown last November. ciaries of Couples for Christ and Gawad Kalinga’s Feed My Sheep rience, to offer thanksgiving and to lift up in prayer the benefactors
The trip was made in response to the invitation of His program. The program was launched in Las Piñas last December who supported the program. Surely there is much that can be done.
Excellency, Edward Tamba Charles, Archbishop of Freetown 28, following on the heels of Definitely it can be improved.
and Bo, Sierra Leone. earlier launchings in West A More will come, more will ben-
The Christian Life Program was conducted for active sector and in Leyte. efit. Will it be sustained? A clos-
parishioners from four adjoining parishes at the Sacred Heart CFC members, together with ing prayer echoed the hope that
Church in the heart of Freetown. Parish priest Rev. Vincent the KB (Kapitbahayan) of the this undertaking will continue
Davies, together with Deacon Anthony were fully supportive, respective areas, prepared rice especially for children who go to
porridge, set up distribution school everyday without break-
being present in almost all the talks and with Fr. Vincent giving
tables in a corner of the com- fast. It is a measure of the joy
the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. One unit has been established
pound and beckoned everyone and the fulfillment that everyone
with a household in each of the parishes. Moses and Jane to partake of the nutritious and experienced that the meeting
Brainard were assigned as unit leaders. delicious dish. ended with an assurance that
Sierra Leone is in West Africa and was war torn for ten years. When everyone had had their more feeding activities will be
The strife has been over for the past few years and healing and fill, there was still more por- undertaken in the near future.
recovery is slowly happening. The country is predominantly ridge, inspiring thoughts of The first of this was held on
Muslim, around 60%. The remaining 40% is Christian, split that earlier instance when Jesus December 30 in Mapayapa also
between Catholics and Evangelicals. fed the multitude and still had in Pulanglupa 1. But that’s an-
left-overs. other story to tell.
 C2 Ugnayan CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 1
January 5 - 18, 2009

By Joe Tale, CFC Executive Director

Breaking Through
WE have begun a new year, another cycle of life, another year
of love and service for our Lord.
Last December 9, we presented the state of the mission of
our community before the Mission Core of Metro Manila. (See
full text of the SOMA on page 3.) As I reflect on the many ac-
complishments the Lord allowed us to do in 2008 and the many
possibilities that have been opened for us to fully implement in
2009, one word keeps coming to mind – “breakthrough.” What
does this word mean? It means bringing the mission work to a
new higher level, breaking out of constricting paradigms, riding
the momentum of a new springtime in the life of CFC.
What were our breakthroughs? What more breakthroughs
are in for us in 2009?
Evangelization Breakthrough
We now take a major shift in our approach to evangelization
- that we now look at evangelization as witnessing, rather than
as a mere numbers game through our conduct of Christian Life
Programs. While the CLP is a very effective instrument in pro-
claiming God’s Word to all the four corners of the world, sharing
and proclaiming the transformation that Christ has wrought in
our lives is as much evangelization as the CLP.
We are also taking a major shift in approach with our “pocket”
CLPs, “focused” CLPs and “integrated” CLPs. Hopefully, these
small efforts, when taken together, will spell major results for
our evangelization work.
The opportunities to evangelize even more continue to come
our way and we embrace these opportunities gladly, most espe-
cially the Migrant Workers Program that will allow us to work
with the millions of our overseas workers and their families.
Communications Breakthrough
In 2008, we achieved a print media breakthrough when we
began our monthly supplement in the CBCP Monitor, in addi-
tion to our Ugnayan magazine. After a year of regular publica-
tion, we have realized the importance of the supplement in our
evangelization work. We are reaching not just the clergy but
many others in the parishes. We are also reaching out to our
own brethren, who have begun to take a more active interest in
the newspaper and the news it contains about the community.
We are also finalizing real opportunities in radio and in in-
ternet TV, opportunities that we fully intend to develop and to
utilize, for the greater glory of our God.
All these blessings that are pouring down upon us indicate
the potential of having a strong communications awareness, to
transform our mindset to being a communicating community.
We believe CFC is now being called to be a great communicator
of God’s love and His Word to the world.
We begin by telling the world our inspiring stories, the day to
day miracles that God allows to happen in our lives, the experi-
ences of God’s love that warm us and make us feel His presence
even in the midst of danger and trials. And so I issue another
call for all the brethren who have experiences to share to submit
them to the Ugnayan Multimedia Center. Your stories deserve,
nay, need to be told.
Financial Breakthrough
We are moving toward financial security in order to sup-
port our mission more fully. Because of more prudent use of
resources, we were able to generate savings in our operational
funds – savings that came from reduced manpower costs, re-
duced transportation costs, reduced power. light and water
costs, reduced printing costs.
We have also managed to remain bank debt-free for the sec-
ond year.
Work with the Poor Breakthrough
The most major breakthrough for our evangelization work
came at the tail end of the year. It was almost an afterthought,
if it were not for the knowledge that God never does anything
without purpose, never works on coincidences.
A few weeks ago, in response to fears of a widespread global
financial crisis and of severe unemployment and consequently
greater poverty, the idea of supplementing the work of Gawad
Kalinga came to fore.
Many plans have been put forward to forestall the effects of
this global crisis, not the least of which are the employment
opportunities being offered by the E-Pinoy program (which is
discussed at greater length in the SOMA).
Then a proposal to undertake a feeding program for the poor
outside GK sites was made, eagerly accepted and immediately
implemented. by CFC and GK. GK has always been at the fore-
front of work with the poor. Now, with this program, CFC and
GK have expanded their efforts for greater effect.
The math has been analyzed and adopted – P800.00 worth of
lugaw can feed 100 people. West A used the formula. So did
Leyte. So did South A. Other sectors and provinces are gear-
ing up to mount their own feeding programs. Is this a one-shot
deal? Do we have enough resources to mount this on a regular
basis and ensure that indeed, no one among us goes hungry?
We do not know. We can only do our part and see how every-
thing develops. We submit to the Lord and allow Him to lead
us where He wills.
The experiences of Leyte and the other sectors show that re-
sources can be readily available, that sponsors are only waiting
to be asked. This does not involve huge amounts of money.
Anyone who has a birthday and who intends to celebrate by
spending thousands can easily set aside P800.00 so that 100
people can celebrate the birthday with him or her.
The feeding program and the experiences of those who have
already mounted it in their areas indicate that there are two
aspects of the work with the poor or the work for total Christian
liberation. One is the institutional aspect which is embodied in
Luke 4:18-19 that speaks of giving glad tidings: “The Spirit of
the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim
good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom
to the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the
oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” This
is the principle that animates our social ministries and GK and
this has been our guide from the very time we began our work
with the poor.
The other is the more personal aspect, the notion that you and
I have a personal stake in this work because it spells our eternal
salvation. Matthew 25:31-46 speaks of the Lord, at the time of
judgment, separating people into two groups, one on His left
and the other on His right, much like a shepherd separates sheep
from goats. The question revolves around these verses: “Lord,
when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give
you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and
invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we
see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?” And the answer
of the King is sure and swift: “Truly I tell you, whatever you
did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine,
you did for me.”
The true significance of Matthew 25: 31-46 becomes crystal clear
– we ourselves, as individuals, need to get out there and do our
part. We cannot be spectators in this work. This work of proclaim-
ing God’s Kingdom on earth does not need only those with the
huge funds to do it. It needs only our hearts and our willingness
to sacrifice our time and even the little that we have.
These breakthroughs are a sign of more good things to come
for Couples for Christ – more work, more people to do the
work, more challenges but also more resources and strength
to surmount the challenges, more joy because there would be
many reasons to rejoice.
I wish you all a service-filled and blessings-laden 2009
ahead!

By Joe Yamamoto, Philippine Missions Director, International Council Member

The Grace of Giving

CHRISTMAS has come and gone. Despite our
busyness, however, we hopefully were able to
take occasion to pause and be truly thankful for
the exuberant manifestation of God’s love for
each one of us. But going beyond the Christ-
mas holidays, the posture of generosity and
willingness to give must continue to permeate
our lives, in and out of the CFC community.
The ongoing challenge for us, particularly the
leaders, is how to take this expectation to a big-
ger reality of support for the life and mission
of the community.
POSTURE OF A CFC MEMBER
From the very beginning, we have been
brought up in a support environment that em-
phasizes the following three-pronged attributes
- a life that is founded on Prayer, a life that is
rooted in the Word of God, and a life that is
generous.
These three attributes are foundational, mean-
ing they should really become second nature to
us. As CFC continues to deepen and widen the
scope of the work of evangelization, the task at
hand must be embellished by the presence and
abundance of prayer, scripture and generosity
in each and every member.
One recent feature in the Discovery channel
detailed the requirements for a 21st century
warrior. One thing that really struck me, far
more than the sophisticated and deadly weap-
ons a single soldier can carry, is the critical
importance of situational (3-D) awareness and
communications to the success and survival
of the trooper. We can use a similar analogy.
For us to win the war for God’s kingdom and
defend the territories and the peoples therein,
every CFC member must be properly geared for
the engagement. Each of us must be equipped
with PRAYER, SCRIPTURE and GENEROUS
SUPPORT.
CFC AS GLOBAL ARMY
A few months ago, the Council members
were reminded that while the global family of
CFC has moved into many areas of evangeliza-
tion, family life renewal and the work with the
poor, we have not been very strong in ensuring
approaches- to GO AND EVANGELIZE and
EVANGELIZE AS YOU GO. We are expected
to share Christ with the world and to be wit-
ness to the transformation that happens daily.
Evangelization is the responsibility of everyone
in CFC, man or woman, grown up or young,
leader or member, rich or poor. In the same
vein, the responsibility to support and fund the
work is everyone’s.
The covenant of a CFC member dictates that
he develop a regular prayer time and a devotion
to the Scriptures so that our daily life is guided
by being rooted in the Word of God. How-
ever, in spite of regular teachings on financial
stewardship, we have not been really moved
to play out our stakeholder’s role, consistent
with giving financial and material support to
our community.
LOGISTICS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
In the Old Testament, tithes or the giving of 10
percent of an Israelite’s produce fell under the
category of mandatory giving. Contributions,
on the other hand, fell under the category of
voluntary giving or non-required offerings.
There were actually three forms of tithes- the
LORD’S TITHE, the FESTIVAL TITHE , and the
POOR TITHE. The first, the Lord’s tithe, was the
foundational tithe that went to the support of
the priestly ministry. Leviticus 27:30 says “ A
tithe of everything from the land, whether grain
from the soil or fruit from the trees, belong to
the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.” It meant that
a tithe (10 percent) of all the people’s produce
and animals was given to the Levites.
The second tithe was the festival tithe, which
also constituted 10 percent. According to Deu-
teronomy 12:10-18, another 10 percent had to be
given for an annual festival or celebration.
The poor tithe was reserved for the welfare
of the poor, widows and orphans who could
not provide for themselves. Since this was col-
lected every three years, annually it amounted
to 3.3 percent. Add to that the other obligatory
taxes and required temple offerings, and we can
see that every Israelite was required to give a
whopping 25 percent!
On the other hand, only when people have
ings, evidently voluntary in nature. God com-
manded Moses to build the Tabernacle: “Tell
the Israelites to take up a collection for me.
From every man you shall accept the contribu-
tion that his heart prompts him to give me..”
(Exodus 25:1-2)
GIVING IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
Paul cited and held high the example of the
impoverished Macedonian’s outstanding giv-
ing: “And now, brothers, we want you to know
about the grace that God has given the Mac-
edonian churches. Out of the most severe trial,
their overflowing joy, and their extreme poverty
welled up in rich generosity.” (2 Cor.8;1,2).
Of course, the early Christians shared their
resources for the common good as depicted
in the Book of Acts. Nevertheless, Paul made
mention of the salutary role of the Macedoni-
ans and their exemplary commitment for the
furtherance of the early Church.
CHARACTERISTICS OF GRACE GIVING
In CFC we are taught to tithe, although in
this area much work remains to be done. How
do we give?
1. Giving motivated by God’s grace- Un-
less motivated by the grace of God, efforts to
be helpful by giving will be along human ex-
pectations and will eventually lose steam. Paul
emphasized: “Now brethren we wish to make
known to you the grace of God, which has been
given the churches of Macedonia.” (2 Corinthi-
ans 8:1). Hearts transformed by grace continues
to earnestly desire to give generously.
2. Giving in all circumstances- It is easy
to be generous when the going is good, when
business and other economic endeavors are
thriving. Paul’s letters corroborate the reality
of suffering, affliction, persecution and tribu-
lation for the Macedonians. (Acts 17:1-15; Phil.
1:29, 1 Thess. 1:6, 2:14-15). Despite all that, the
Macedonians offered no excuses. Instead they
simply gave. By God’s grace we can find ways
to give even in the worst of circumstances.
3. Giving with joy- Giving is not quite right
if it, is unaccompanied by sincere, heartfelt
joy. Paul confidently exhorts the early Chris-
fluous to give and not be generous. But what
is referred to here is not just any generosity but
unbridled generosity, one that overflows in the
wealth of its liberality (2 Cor.8:2).Two impor-
tant considerations surface in the example of
the early Macedonian church. First, it was not
about money or possessions because they had
very little. Rather,it stemmed out of generosity
(liberality, as used in the original text). Second,
it was an attitude that came out of being single-
minded for God.
5. Giving with proportionate sacrifice- Again
giving is really effortless and easy if abundance
is the only consideration, because such giving
comes out of surpluses. Paul elaborates in 2
Cor. 8:8.’For if the readiness is present, it is
acceptable according to what a person has, not
according to what he does not have.” It would
be delightful, if by following the early Church
model, CFC members will give according to
their ability and to make sure of doing so in
proportions that are sacrificial.
6. Giving voluntarily- Not only should giv-
ing be voluntary, it should likewise be seen as a
privilege. The early Macedonians sought grace
giving as a privilege and never as an imposition.
The more one dwells on the New Testament
model for giving, the more we see that we need
to grow in this area of spiritual maturity.
7. Giving with worship and submis-
sion- When we praise and honor God, we are
worshipping Him. He is most pleased when
we worship Him unreservedly by offering
ourselves. Undoubtedly, when we learn to
offer ourselves, we begin to journey towards
genuine worship. The Macedonian example far
exceeded normal charitable donation for such
was not only regular but was characterized by
much commitment and dedication. “And this,
not as we had expected, but first they gave
themselves to the Lord, and to us by the will
of God.” (2 Cor. 8:5)
8. Giving in love – All the grace of giving can
only stem out of love - God’s love for us and our
attempts at loving Him and our neighbor. The
transformation in our life makes itself manifest
in our prayer life, foundation in the living Word
of God and a generous life.
LAYOUT BY LAURENCE JOHN R. MORALES

a strong ‘logistical train’ for sustainability. Our
“beachheads” can make all of us heady with
our seeming success but when we look at our
tenuous logistics, we realize that we need to be
better and more consistent.
WHOSE WORK IS IT ANYWAY ?
Because CFC is a missionary community,
all of us must live our call to be evangelizers.
However we define the way to evangelize, it
can be achieved by any or both of the following
faithfully tithed can heart giving take over- the
so-called grace giving or voluntary offerings.
The first of these is the First Fruits offering in
which an Israelite, because of his love for God,
brought the first fruits of his crop or livestock
to God (Numbers 18:11-13). The beauty of this
was that the offeror did so when he had not yet
harvested and had no full knowledge of his ulti-
mate harvest. He gave the best to God, trusting
that the Lord would bring in the rest.
The second example are the freewill offer-
tians by telling them: “So let each one give as
he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of
necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”( 2
Cor. 9:7) Our attitude toward giving should
be what God wants everyone to have –
an unhindered joy that remembers the blessing
of laying up our treasure in heaven, of giving
rather than receiving, and knowing that God
gives back in greater measure what is freely
and lovingly given.
4. Giving with generosity- It seems super-
Giving from the heart that is overflowing with
God’s grace, whether the giving be mandatory
or voluntary has always been the ideal for
God’s people- before and after the coming of
Christ. When a heart overflows with grace giv-
ing, a substantial amount of one’s income goes
to God. When we give our hearts to God, we
give of ourselves not only to God but to other
believers as well. This is where grace giving
must start - giving ourselves to God.
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 1
January 5 - 18, 2009
By Joe Tale
GOOD evening brothers and sisters.
Introduction
We gather tonight, filled with grati-
tude to the Lord for the year that is
about to end. How the year has flown!
Parang kailan lang na tayo’y nagsaya sa
ating A Time to Dance last December of
2007. Parang kailan lang na nagtipon
tayo sa Leaders Conference nitong
Enero. Punong puno ang Araneta Coli-
seum noon. Itong taon na ito, sa lahat
ng ating mga events, nag-umapaw ang
ating mga puso sa nakita nating sup-
port at attendance sa mga International
Leaders Conferences (ILCs) ng ating
mga Family Ministries, at lalo na dun
sa ating very memorable na 27th an-
State of the Mission Address
niversary sa Luneta.
Ngayong taon na ito, damang dama
natin ang ating theme for 2008 -- “Love
one another, as I have loved you.”
Tonight, our hearts are filled with
thanksgiving because we recall that
even as we passed through the wilder-
ness, after the conflict of 2007, the Lord
never abandoned us. Even with our
own sinfulness and shortcomings, the
Lord stood by our side, protecting us,
guiding us, and empowering us. To-
toong totoo that we truly have a faithful
God and that, with Him with us, we
never really walk alone.
As a community, therefore, we are
more confident of facing the future.
Notwithstanding concerns we still need
to address in our community, notwith-
standing so many problems that flood
our media, notwithstanding the global
economic crisis, we stand confident.
By being a loving, a caring and sharing
community, we stand better prepared to
weather whatever financial storm may
come to our land, a storm that has al-
ready sown economic gloom in several
countries of the world.
2008 – THE YEAR THAT WAS
Let’s review some highlights of the
year 2008.
Global Membership
In terms of our global membership, by
the grace of God, we have consolidated
our membership here in the Philippines
and the different countries abroad and
assured our brethren that the relation-
ship conflict of the past has not, and
should not, in any way detract us from
our focus on our mission. In many areas
abroad, our leaders have reiterated their
commitment to CFC and our way of life
and mission.
Of course, we also recognize that
there are still a few countries that appear
to be confused because of the internal
relationship conflict that we had in
2007. There are a handful of countries
that have maintained an “independent”
posture, notwithstanding the Vatican-
approved statutes of CFC that clearly
places the leadership and governance
of the community on the CFC Interna-
tional Council.
While we continue to relate to them
in love, and respect their views, we
continue to move forward, focused on
the mission of bringing God’s Word to
all corners of the world. We have inten-
sified our evangelization and pastoral
formation globally through our various
continental conferences and such initia-
tives as the Africa Eucharistic Congress
held in South Africa, and the Canada
Leaders Summit held in the key cities of
that country. Just recently, we received
very good news that another country, Be-
lize, in the Central American region, has
been activated and now has joined the
list of countries where CFC is present.
Pastoral Congress
We launched a series of pastoral con-
gresses in the Philippines and in several
areas abroad, such as Europe, Middle
East, Africa, Canada and the United
States. In these congresses, we gathered
together and reflected on our commu-
nity, its strengths and concerns, and
suggested how we might better respond
to the life and mission we have been
blessed with, how we can better pursue
our pastoral responsibilities and how to
meld all of these with the very mission
of Jesus – that of bringing glad tidings
to the poor. And from these congresses
evolved our expanded Vision and Mis-
sion statement, which, if you recall, was
our central topic at our leaders confer-
ence in January of this year.
The other outputs of the congresses
have been collated, have undergone
more discussion and more fine tuning.
I will refer to some of the results later
in this address.
Evangelization
In the area of evangelization, much
more than the positive figures, what we
have found so inspiring in our visits to
brethren both here in the Philippines
and abroad, and from the reports of
our leaders, is the very real, very pal-
pable sense of a renewed and revived
spirit. I keep referring to the term, “new
springtime,” because that is what it re-
ally is --- our community is undergoing
a resurgence of the spirit of love, unity,
commitment and dedication to the mis-
sion. Many of the leaders have shared
how their CLPs have grown to have
double-digit number of participants and
even record-breaking CLP participants
in some areas.
We have seen the improvement in our
mid-year figures and are now finalizing
our evangelization data for the year-
end. We will see even more positive
data by then.
Migrant Workers Program
We would like to particularly cite a
program that will potentially bring our
evangelization to a new higher level
– the Migrant Workers Program. The
Department of Labor and Employment
has asked CFC to conduct a values for-
mation program for overseas Filipino
workers (OFWs) and their families.
This program has three aspects. One
is to give values formation to depart-
ing OFWs, the pilot program of which
was started in March this year. These
sessions have been done twice a week
with about 70 participants per session,
or about 140 participants per week.
While this may sound like a lot, there
is so much more potential, since there
is an average of about 2,000 Filipinos
who leave for work abroad every single
day. So, we are gearing up to pursue this
program more expansively.
The second aspect is to continue the
program in the country of destination
of the OFWs, to be handled by our CFC
groups in these countries. Due to our
global presence, we are positioned well
to do this.
The third aspect is to conduct the same
program for the families left behind, re-
ferred to as “family circles”. Hopefully,
this program will significantly help in
addressing the concerns about the disin-
tegration of family values because of the
growing number of children growing
up in parent-less homes.
On this point, we would like to empha-
size that we now look at our evangeliza-
tion work in a much broader context.
Before, it used to be just referring to
those who attend the CLPs. Now, as we
have stated a number of times, we look at
evangelization as sharing the love of God
with others. And so whether those we in-
teract with actually attend a CLP or not,
for as long as we share God’s love, we
share God’s Word, that is evangelization.
This we do particularly in our witnessing
in our day to day life. This witnessing, to
reiterate, may not necessarily lead people
to attend our CLPs, but we would have
achieved success just the same, if, by this
interaction, others are transformed or are
inspired to be transformed. That is truly
evangelization too.
Family Renewal
While the Family Ministries are truly
doing wonderful work, we are also
enhancing and improving the area of
integration of the family ministries so
that we continue to move as one family
and we do away with activities that may
be overlapping or that can be further
integrated. We have begun this proc-
Ugnayan
ess, such as KFC and YFC holding joint
family bonding activities together, and
we will continue to bring this process
to fruition.
I make a special mention of our Youth
for Christ – YFC was actively involved in
organizing the activities during the recent
World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia.
They were given the rare opportunity to
present YFC to all the other youth del-
egates from all over the world attending
the World Youth Day. They attracted the
attention of everyone, including the press,
because of their exuberance, enthusiasm
and obvious love for God.
Total Christian Liberation
When we speak of total Christian
liberation, of course the program that
immediately comes to mind is Gawad
Kalinga. Gawad Kalinga continues to
be the cornerstone of our work with
the poor. But of course there are many
challenges, challenges that have come
up because of its fast growth, concerns
that are brought about by the rapid
upscaling of the work.
We have responded to these concerns
by continuously looking at areas where
we can improve our operations. For ex-
ample, we have adopted a more realistic
pricing scheme so that the administra-
tive costs of this work are realistically
provided for. We are moving towards
a unified financial system software that
will hopefully mean, once in operation,
that anyone who donates to GK can im-
mediately trace where that contribution
or that donation goes -- all the way to
the specific GK site.
In our desire to practice good corpo-
rate governance, the GK Board and the
Mancom underwent a good corporate
governance workshop. Currently, GK is
undergoing an organizational develop-
ment process with the help of Ateneo de
Manila University.
In the area of the Social Ministries,
we are finishing up our review and
hopefully, we will be ready to announce
more definite action on this area by
January.
However, may I make special men-
tion of Isaiah 61:1, our prison ministry.
They work silently such that many of
us may not even know that for the past
three years, we have been awarded the
Gawad Paglilingkod Award from the
CBCP Episcopal Commission on Prison
Pastoral Care because of their outstand-
ing work in this advocacy.
I would also like to mention the
GKare Foundation which, again with-
out much fanfare, continues to do surgi-
cal missions to the different provinces of
the country particularly those that are
hardly visited by other medical teams.
Of course the other social ministries
continue to do their work notwithstand-
ing our situation, and so, I truly honor
all the workers in our social ministries.
Pastoral Formation
We continue to undergo a review of
all our teaching tracks. We have new
offerings and, I think, we are about to
finalize our MER 3 series. We hope to
offer that early in the first quarter of
next year.
This year, we also recognized specific
membership groups in CFC that need
special unique attention. In this light,
we have come up with a distinct pasto-
ral program for our young couples. Not
that we are forming a new ministry or a
chapter composed only of young cou-
ples. They will also be mainstreamed
into the sectors but since they have
special needs and special concerns, our
pastoral formation should also include
tracks to address these.
We are also initiating a special pas-
toral track that addresses the unique
needs of our elderly members, though
it hasn’t reached an advanced stage
as yet.
Our community has really grown in
many respects. It is a wonderful thing to
see everyone grow in community and so
for every specific group that has special
concerns, we will likewise come up with
the pastoral support that is needed.
Clergy Relations
As you know, we have initiated an
effort to have open and constructive
discussion on the relationship between
CFC and the clergy – how it can be
improved, how it can be strengthened.
The first Congress on this, if you will
recall, was held in June as part of our
anniversary week. That was truly an
inspiring event, with more than a hun-
dred priests, five bishops and some
400 of our brethren in attendance. An
echo congress was held in Tarlac in
November for the northern and central
provinces of Luzon, which was equally
inspiring. We will continue to conduct
similar congresses in other regions of
the country and our CFC communities
abroad.
We organized this Congress because
we saw that there is indeed a need to
be more pro-active in our relationship
with our pastors. We were pleasantly
surprised to learn, from the workshop
discussions, that the clergy has also come
to the same realization. I would like to
quote especially Fr. Manny Castro of
Baguio, one of the participants in the Tar-
lac Congress who said: “I have known
Couples for Christ for 20 years now
but this is the first time that priests and
bishops have come together to answer
the question of how we look at CFC, to
confront the good points and the areas
that we need to improve and to listen
to suggested programs where we can
work together. As far as I know, CFC is
the only movement that ever posed the
question: What can we do for you, our
priests, our bishops and our Church?
What is your impression about us? Are
we able to respond to the needs of the
Church today? How can you guide us
in responding to the Church?”
Brothers and sisters, our work in this
bishop-clergy-lay congress has truly
been appreciated by our pastors in the
church. Let us thank the Lord for lead-
ing us to go into this area as part of our
life and mission in CFC.
Pro-Life
We stand squarely behind the Philip-
pine Catholic Church in opposition to
House Bill 5043 or the proposed Repro-
ductive Health Act. We put out an ad in
the leading newspaper clearly express-
ing this opposition. We urge you all to
oppose this bill and to support efforts to
make our lawmakers know of our stand.
While the bill has not been enacted into
law, as its sponsors wanted, the fight
is not yet over. Our voices still need
to be heard. Let us continue to attend
hearings on the bill. Let us continue
to monitor this bill and stand ready to
join forces with other pro-life groups in
order to present a united stand.
Financial Situation
I daresay that there is none among
us who can really question that indeed
it was God’s hand that moved when
C3
He gave us the resources to pay off our
huge P20 million loan that accumulated
over several years in the past. And so in
behalf of the International Council, we
truly thank you, the entire CFC global
family, for your generosity. “One Time
Big Time” was an inspired concept, a
blessing that God gave us to show that
all that was needed to be done was to
open our hearts and our wallets to be
able to come to the rescue of our com-
munity.
I am also pleased to announce, based
on what our brother Lito Tayag has
reported, that for the second straight
year we did not have to borrow in
order to pay off the 13th month pay of
our home office employees. We have
reduced our expenses and, despite our
initial apprehensions, we are seeing
positive year-end results financially.
I would just like to be more specific.
Compared to 2007, our manpower ex-
penses was reduced from P52 million
to P40.5 million this year. Transport
cost was reduced from P7.7 million to
P2 million this year. Printing cost was
reduced from P 8.35 million last year to
P3.7 million this year. Power, light and
water are down from P2.3 million last
year to P1.97 million this year.
But let me balance that out. There was
a slight increase in our foreign mission
expense from P12.6 million to P13.39
million. This is principally because we
have absorbed the support for our mis-
sion in East and Central Africa that used
to be supported by our US community.
Unfortunately, because of the conflict
that we all experienced, they could not
sustain the support. So, while difficult,
we have made the decision to continue
our support for the foreign mission and
particularly for our mission workers
who are working so hard, who have
given of their lives, given of their selves
to work on foreign mission. That com-
mitment stands.
Now, however healthy the financial
position that we have achieved, thanks
to everyone who worked hard to keep
the expenses down and to improve our
revenues, there is really a lot more room
for growth. Our “tithes” performance
show that we have stabilized since the
time of the conflict. However, there is a
lot of room for improvement. I would
like to challenge Metro Manila to lead
the way in making our tithe collections
improve next year. There are many
ways of doing this. There are many
things that we are considering, but
what is important is our heart. What
is important is that we believe that
everything truly comes from God and
that we are given the privilege to par-
ticipate in this great work. Of course,
all of us recognize the difficulties of the
present situation, but we continue to
lift this area up to the Lord because we
know that His blessings are also really
there for us.
Now let me remind you, even this
early, so that you can all prepare --
when we have our first Mission Core
prayer assembly in January 4, we will
have our First Fruits offering as a way
of really thanking the Lord for the past
year. Also you have all heard of the
Prayer Bank. And just to erase any mis-
perception, this is an attempt to reach
out to many more of our members who
somehow have not participated in this
area of financial stewardship because
they are embarrassed when they give
little. We want to assure everyone that
the focus is not on the amount; it’s our
attitude and where our heart is. Thus,
no matter how humble the contribution
is, that is welcome. And the prayer bank
is a tool to make that happen. Let us
support the prayer bank.
VATICAN RECOGNITION
The International Council continues
to communicate with the Holy See and
I am pleased to report that in our last
visit to the Pontifical Commission on the
Laity, brothers Rouquel, Joe Yamamoto
and myself were assured that the rec-
ognition of the Vatican continues to
Mission address / C4
 C4 Ugnayan CBCP Monitor
Vol. 13 No. 1
January 5 - 18, 2009

CFC reactivated in CFC Calls on Bishops

Welcome Home
Central America Missionaries!
A CHRISTIAN Life Program was conducted in Belize and finished on
November 30th. The CLP was conducted by a team from the United
States, headed by Sonny Aguiling.

In the photo are: Mr. & Mrs Parks, Mr. & Mrs Ross, Mr. & Mrs. Forbes, Ms. Andrea Moguel,
Mr. & Mrs. Cayetano, Mr. & Mrs. Arnold, Mr. Sony Aguiling, Mr. & Mrs. D’Ocampo. The CFC leaders who visited the Bishop of the Diocese of Malolos, Bishop Jose F. Oliveros,
D.D. (4th from right) were (left to right) PAH Jun Dimarucot, CFC IC members Roquel Ponte,

5 years of CFC in Uganda

CLARKE Nebrao, head of the International Missions Office,
traveled to Uganda in December for the 5th anniversary of CFC in
that country. In photo are (from left): Clarke, Bishop Ssemogerere,
Mario Dizo and Dante Fermazi, from CFC Middle East, both newly
appointed servants of CFC in Uganda.
Ernie Maipid, Joey Arguelles, Bulacan CFC leader for Church & Clergy Relations Benny
THE CFC International Missions Office (IMO) conducted a de- Antonio, CFC Exec. Director Joe Tale, CFC Bulacan Spiritual Director Fr. Alan Antonio,
briefing course last December 15-17, 2008 for the second batch of CFC PAD Rey Francisco and Bulacan CFC Pro Life Head Ted Pangan.
missionaries who have finished their two years of mission work
for CFC from the different parts of the globe. The three-day event
started off with a very inspiring exhortation talk given by an SFC
missionary, Adrian Enaje. He shared on the rich and exciting
journey that he experienced while on mission to Africa. This led
to the sharings and discussions of the vast and rich learnings and
challenges that the missionaries experienced while they are on
mission. The sharings were segmented into pre-mission, dur-
ing and post-mission experiences. They were also asked to talk
about their recommendations and suggestions for their respec-
tive mission areas and ways on how to further enhance CFC’s
global missionary work.
The second batch of missionaries who came home are: Mon
& Tita Santiago (East Timor), Karen dela Cerna (East Timor),
Nirva dela Cruz (East Timor), Trina Gonzales (Singapore), Bong
Sagales (Thailand), Nestor & Amee Belen (Papua New Guinea)
and Caloy Rubio (East Africa).
The course ended with a simple lunch and get-together with
some of the members of the CFC International Council who
enthusiastically welcomed them back home and assured them
of the community’s continued support and prayers for the mis-
sionaries and the mission. Bishop Gabriel Reyes is flanked by East B Sector Head Art Valdellon and wife Edna and
other sector leaders.

Mission address / C3
be with CFC under the International
Council.
Of course, aside from the Ecclesiasti-
cal recognition, they are also aware of
and understand the step we had to take
under our civil processes, to protect the
name that is sacred to us -- Couples
for Christ. We had to appeal the SEC
decision to the Court of Appeals. We
have submitted all our documents and
we believe in our hearts that we have
a solid legal case.
We would like to assure everyone
that this is not about selfish ownership
of the name; this is about upholding
our rights under our Vatican and
CBCP mandate. We are happy to
announce that the law firm that has
been helping us here on a pro-bono
basis continues to support us.
Building on the Blessings
Brothers and sisters, you have heard
from us many pronouncements, many
expressions of our moving on in our
vision and mission when we began
our term in 2007, during our A Time
to Dance celebration and during the
State of the Mission address for the
year 2007 which I delivered early this
year in January. We have not accom-
plished everything that we’ve said
but essentially the promises we have
made we have kept. And we continue
to work on the remaining things that
we have said we will do for the bal-
ance of the term of this International
Council.
As we close the year, we focus our
eyes, our hearts on recognizing the
blessings that the Lord has given us
this year. We should build on these
blessings and move forward with our
mission.
2009 – The Year that is to Come
We now come to the challenges
ahead in the year 2009. As you know
we have adopted the theme for next
year -- “Forward in Christ,” which is
taken from Philippians 3:13-14: This
theme aptly describes our posture
which is not to dwell in the past but
to look forward and focus only on the
task the Lord has given and on Jesus,
our model and our guide.
But, brothers and sisters, again we
emphasize: even as we end our theme
for this year of “loving one another”,
even if this ceases to be our theme,
“loving one another” should continue
to be our way of life in CFC. The things
we have started this year should con-
tinue. We must put to mind always
what our Lord Jesus says, it is by this
love that all men will know that we
are His disciples.
What are the challenges ahead?
There are many but we will address
the main ones.
Global Membership
We will continue to consolidate our
membership. In the few areas where
we faltered, we will start anew. As re-
gards our former brothers and sisters
who left us, we respect their decision
and we will not campaign for them
to come back, but we will continue to
have a welcoming attitude for those
who decide to do so.
In the area of the international mis-
sion, we will strengthen our support
system by setting up regional mission
centers to save on expenses and to
make the work more efficient.
Evangelization
In addition to pursuing actively our
Migrant Workers Program, I invite you
to consider many ways of evangelizing.
I would like to call attention particularly
on three approaches.
First, is “focused” evangelization
targeting certain specific groups. We
used to call this “strategic” evangeli-
zation. We must continue with this in
addition to our regular evangelization
in our parishes.
We also would like you to consider
“integrated” evangelization. What is
meant by this? Review your member-
ship lists. If there are CFC, HOLD or
SOLD members whose children are not
yet in the ministries, go out to them,
reach out to them and bring them to
community. Look at your list of KFC,
YFC and SFC. If their parents are not
yet in CFC, reach out and go out and
evangelize the parents. We use the
membership data of the community
as a starting point for evangelizing the
entire family and making us truly in-
tegrated as families in the Holy Spirit
renewing the face of the earth.
Thirdly, you might also wish to
consider what is being called “pocket
CLPs.” This really means holding small
CLPs in homes. In some provinces,
this is working well. This is where one
household invites maybe 5 to 7 new
couples into their homes for a CLP. This
is not big number, but if we have several
of these type of CLPs, these can add
up to a great number. Those who have
done this have given feedback that the
participants are more relaxed because
it is in a home setting and the way of
introducing the CLP to them becomes
more effective because the atmosphere
is intimate. The atmosphere lends itself
to the participants being able to fully
receive the message that we give in the
Christian Life Program.
Taking Care of the Flock
Brothers and sisters, I would also like
to suggest that, this year particularly,
we take to heart what our Lord tells us
in the gospel of John that we should
take care of our flock, as a real way of
expressing our love for Jesus. Who are
these? Who is our flock? Well, first of
all, we have our own families. This is
the first flock that the Lord has given
to us. Let us strengthen our home
fronts. After all, we are a family renewal
movement. However, in addition, the
Lord also gave us our bigger family in
CFC-- our households. I would like all
household heads to take to heart their
responsibility as household heads: re-
view the materials, review the manual
and implement them. After all is said
and done, the strength of CFC is in
our household groups. We always say
that when the family is strong, society
is strong. We can also say that if the
households of CFC are strong, then CFC
will also be strong.
As we anticipate the global economic
crisis that people are talking about, we
need to strengthen our love and care for
those under us in our household.
But your Council would also like to
introduce certain programs on the com-
munity level that will address some of
the concerns should the financial crisis
reach our land as it has started to. We
have firmed up our partnership with a
group of companies that is in a position
to help guide our members to livelihood
opportunities, for our members who
don’t have work or who will lose their
job in case the financial crisis intensifies.
This is the E-Pinoy program (“E” for
educate, employ and empower). Our
partner, together with us, believes in
harnessing the inherent wealth of the
human resource. The objective is to
develop a CFC preferred work force
who will promote the Filipino (in this
case) as leaders of the global and local
work force and who will instill CFC
work values and ethics into the work
place and among co-workers.
The system that will be adopted is
a cohesive and integrated system of
contributors to this work composed of
educational institutions, local indus-
tries, international clients or employers
and the human resource company, all
working together to help open up career
and livelihood opportunities for what
shall be known as the CFC preferred
work force. What makes this program
stand out is the respect that people have
for CFC particularly Christian values
and ethics that we develop in Couples
for Christ.
We start this in the Philippines, but
also bring this program to other coun-
tries in time.
Brothers and sisters, this is a modest
start in our attempt to provide help for
those who might be affected by the glo-
bal crisis in terms of employment. We
would like to state that, particularly for
jobs abroad, we will set up an internal
process within CFC to make sure that
this is handled in a good way. And to
start the ball rolling, I have set a meeting
of Metro Manila Sector Heads and HR
practitioners tomorrow to help set up
the mechanics for this system. As you
go out today from this teaching night, for
those interested, there are sheets of paper
being distributed that outlines what job
openings are available for a start.
Gawad Kalinga
We will continue to address issues
and concerns that, as I said earlier, are
particularly related to the upscaling
of this movement. We would like to
share with you what we believe are the
principles that should govern us all in
this area:
1. GK is both God’s gift and His
challenge to CFC for the fullness of our
mission.
2. We share the gift of GK to the
world and help open up the blessings
for all so that everyone will embrace
the work with the poor. We will engage
with partners within the boundaries of
our core values.
3. Christ, proclaimed in word and
action, is the center and mover of the
work. CFC and GK are consistent. We
are one with the Catholic Church in
our mission of building the Church of
the Poor.
4. We would like to move in this area
with one united leadership, because
the work is so vast and we should
rally everyone around one vision and
direction.
5. Finally, we believe that Gawad
Kalinga, our mission here in GK, should
really be imbued with integrity. Integ-
rity is about honesty and transparency.
In addition integrity also covers deliver-
ing on promises made.
Enhanced Communications
We have seen over the past year how
important communications is and we
would like to put greater emphasis
on the need to have our policies and
instructions and other communications
delivered and received quickly. But
beyond communicating policies and
instructions, we also desire to proclaim
God’s love, to share the numerous mira-
cles that happen in our midst in CFC, to
work hard that the Good News does not
lose out to the bad news. To address our
over-all communications concerns:
1. We are putting in place an inte-
grated communications structure so
that we indeed speak with a consistent
message.
2. Our publications will continue–
The Ugnayan magazine will continue on
hard copy but should also be available
to our other brethren in international
countries as an e-magazine or a web-
based magazine. We would also like
to further increase our circulation of the
CBCP Monitor because we have found
this very effective not just in providing
current news but in communicating the
same to our clergy.
3. CFC Official website - this is fully
operational and updated on a daily
basis. We ask you to visit this website
because it also connect to other minis-
tries and the other CFC groups in other
countries.
4. CFC email domain – this was
launched a few months ago. There are
still some glitches but we believe we
have started a system that can make
our communication go faster and more
efficient.
5. SMS Messaging – if our negotia-
tions are successful, we shall launch a
system that will allow us to communi-
cate directly with all our members at one
time through texts. This is a swift and
cheap way to provide our schedules,
mobilize our brethren and provide them
with important information.
CFC Structure
I referred earlier to our pastoral
congresses and the results of the dis-
cussions. After a lot of discussion and
exchange of views, the Council is now
ready to share with the community the
changes in our structure that we believe
will be the basis and foundation for us
to move forward in Christ in an even
greater way.
1. We have approved that the number
of members of the CFC International
Council, in view of the very fast expand-
ing work, will be increased from 7 to 9 to
make us respond fully to the demands
of this great work.
2. And true to our promise, we
shall set term limits for those in the
International Council and this term
limit is six consecutive years consisting
of two years per term. After the sixth
consecutive year and after resting from
his duties in the council for one term,
should a former council member be
nominated by the Elders Assembly,
he can be elected to another six year
consecutive term.
3. The Board of Elders role and mem-
bership will be modified. The Board of
Elders will be the body of advisers for
the community composed of all former
CFC Council members who continue
to be in good standing in CFC. Thus,
membership in the BOE will no longer
be chosen by election. The BOE’s role is
clearly advisory.
4. We have also agreed to change
the nominating process. Many of you
know that in our old system, under the
old set up, nominations to the CFC
Council are made by two bodies -- the
CFC Council itself and the Board of
Elders. We have agreed that we shall
do away with that system and make
the nomination come directly from the
members of the Elders Assembly.
Please note though that all of these
will still be submitted to the Elders
Assembly for final approval. We ask
all of your cooperation to ensure a
smooth transition to this structure
once finally approved by the EA.
Mission Statement
Last January, in our Leaders Confer-
ence, we focused on our Vision state-
ment. It is right that we follow that with
a focus on our Mission Statement in our
Leaders Conference this year. All of us
must also know our Mission statement
by heart -- Building the Church of the
Home and Building the Church of the
Poor. As we spend energy, dedication
and faith in bringing families to a close
relationship with God through the
Family Ministries, we shall work with
the same fervor and zeal in building the
Church of the Poor through GK and our
Social Ministries.
GK is our covergence work for the
poor, particularly the homeless. But
our work for total Christian liberation
embraces many others -- those who
are sick, those who are lonely and in
despair, those who are forced to work
far from home and the families they
have left behind, including also those
who are in prison.
All of these, although beyond GK, are
part of our work of Building the Church
of the Poor. In this connection, we would
like all of us to reflect on, read and inter-
nalize what is written in Matthew 25:34-
35, when Jesus said: “I was hungry and
you fed me, thirsty and you gave me a
drink; I was a stranger and you received
me, naked and you clothed me; I was sick
and you took care of me, I was in prison
and you visited me.” We look at this as
our framework in our comprehensive
work for the poor.
CONCLUSION
By way of conclusion, we believe
truly that, collectively, we have ac-
complished many things, by the grace
of God. But of course so much more
needs to be done. We have been
honed for 27 years to fully commit to
God’s work. Blessed by our year of
Love and strengthened by our recent
challenges, we proceed to move FOR-
WARD IN CHRIST. We are confident
that we will be able to face up to the
challenges of 2009 and do God’s work
to the best of our abilities and by His
grace.
Brothers and sisters, we have made
changes to the structures to respond
to the times. We have cleaned up
our financial situation, we have es-
tablished programs to expand our
evangelization work and to deepen
our own spirituality, we have put in
place programs to help us achieve our
mission to build the Church of the
Home and to build the Church of the
Poor. We have laid all of these down
as we prepare for 2009 and onwards.
Let us truly look forward to a jubilant
2009. No matter what difficulties lie
ahead, let us set our sights on Jesus,
run the race and win the prize!
Merry Christmas! God bless eve-
ryone!