A3 Pope calls violence in
Libya, Ivory Coast a
Pope calls for Church’s greater
presence in cyberspace
CBCP Media Office launches Visita Iglesia Online
KRUS NG BUHAY. Members of Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs) of St. John the Baptist Parish in Taytay, Rizal formed a human cross at the fourteenth station of their annual Lenten Station of the Cross,
April 8. Penitents prayed for the protection of human life and preservation of moral values as they walked from one station to another. This is just one of the community mobilizations nationwide that registers
opposition to the RH Bill; at press time a caravan is going through towns in the dioceses of San Carlos, Kabankalan and Bacolod.
JP II shrine to rise in former Bataan refugee camp
THE Philippines will have its
first shrine to Pope John Paul
II at a former refugee camp in
Bataan’s Morong town which the
pontiff visited 30 years ago.
The shrine will be inaugurated
at the former Philippine Refugee
Processing Center (PRPC) now
known as the Bataan Technol-
ogy Park, Inc. (BTPI) on May 2, a
day after the pope’s beatification
in Rome.
The facility became the home
of the “boat people” to some
400,000 Vietnamese, Laotian
and Cambodian refugees and
thousands of Filipino and in-
ternational staff and volunteer
workers during its 14-years’
existence from 1980 to 1994.
At noon on Feb. 21, 1981, John
Paul II held a mass at the refugee
camp attended by thousands of
Indo-Chinese refugees with dif-
From Rome, 91-year old Cardinal
returns to PHL to fight RH bill
Jose Cardinal Sanchez (center) reads the Eucharistic prayer at Mass during
the church-organized rally against anti-RH bill held at Luneta, March 25.
www.cbcponlineradio.com
B1 The priest and the
paschal triduum
C1 The Cross
A Supplement Publication of KC
Life and the Order of the Knights
defeat for humanity of Columbus
Church, local officials
ink covenant for ‘good
governance’
INTERIOR and Local Government Sec. Jesse Ro-
bredo and three Catholic bishops led the signing
of a covenant for good governance, April 7.
The signing of the covenant was the highlight
of the launching of the partnership between
churches and barangays held at the St. Peter’s
Parish Church in Quezon City.
Dubbed as “Barangay at Simbahan: Mag-
April 11 - 24, 2011 Vol. 15 No. 8 Php 20.00 Covenant / A6
By Pinky B. Barrientos, FSP
ACKNOWLEDGING the great
potential of the new media in
the proclamation of the Gospel,
Pope Benedict XVI has urged
for a greater presence of the
Church in cyberspace.
In his 2011 message for World Com-
munications Day, the pope said the
digital era offers an arena that every
Christian should take advantage of to
make the presence of Christ known in
a truthful way.
“I would like then to invite Christians,
confidently and with an informed and re-
sponsible creativity, to join the network
of relationships which the digital era has
made possible,” the pontiff said.
The pope noted that the internet has
allowed “people to meet each other
beyond the confines of space and of
their own culture, creating in this way
an entirely new world of potential
friendships.”
The Vatican has, of late, strengthened
its presence in the internet by making
use of the social networks in its attempt
to reach out to the younger generation
who are internet savvy.
Aside from its presence on Youtube,
Facebook and Twitter, the Vatican also
maintains Pope2you.net, a web portal
© Roy Sanggalang
launched in 2009 during the 43rd World
Communications Day.
Visita Iglesia online
Mindful of the pope’s call to use the
internet responsibly for evangelization,
Cyberspace / A6
ferent beliefs and religions.
Parents of sick urged
As reports would have it,
almost all of the refugees did
to join Health Care
not even know who Pope John
Paul II was.
“Some thought he was a King.
And like a King, he was received
by the Indo-Chinese refugees,”
recalled retired Philippine Navy
Commission’s advocacies
Commodore Amado Sanglay, AFFIRMING its advocacy blind and other children who
BTPI executive director. to attend to the needs of the are disabled. It’s important
Sanglay said there were about handicapped and the sick, to have them in the commis-
1 million former refugees who the Episcopal Commission sion,” said former ECHC
are now resettled in their final on Health Care (ECHC) has Executive Secretary Fr. Luke
asylum countries—90 percent called on parents of children Moortgat, CICM.
of them were resettled in the who are “in need” to partici- ECHC has for long, assisted
United States. pate in the commission’s vari- parishes and hospitals in do-
The remaining 10 percent, ous advocacies, saying that it ing their medical missions
www.turnbacktogod.com
meanwhile, were resettled in would benefit them and their where they have given away
Australia, Germany, Norway, children. medicines to the needy, al-
Canada, France and a few to “It is a great opportunity to though not in a large scale.
Switzerland. work in the commission for During their work with
John Paul II’s memorial shrine the benefit of the child who is Parents / A6
JP II / A7
Willing Willie incident ‘brings
shame to media’ – CBCP official
THE controversy
involving “Willing
Willie” host Wil-
AFTER 25 years in Rome, one of the
country’s three living cardinals returned lie Revillame never
to the Philippines to be one of the voices cease to disappoint.
in the church’s campaign against a birth The latest to join
control measure. the growing protest
Retired Jose Cardinal Sanchez said he is an agency of the
can’t just stay in Rome while his fellow Catholic Bishops’
Filipino bishops are fighting hard against Conference of the
the controversial reproductive health Philippines in a state-
(RH) bill. ment issued April 8.
The bill, he said, which requires the The CBCP’s Na-
government to make a comprehensive tional Secretariat
© Roy Lagarde / CBCP Media
range of contraceptives more widely for Social Action,
available to the public, is a “destruction Justice and Peace is
of Christian family.” dismayed on the in-
“I left Rome to come here in the Philip- cident involving a
pines precisely [because] of these prob- 6-year-old boy’s “ma-
lems the country is facing especially on cho-dancing” routine
Cardinal / A7 on Revillame’s show Illustration by Bladimer Usi
Willie / A7
www.visitaiglesia.net www.cbcpmedia.com
 World News
CBCP Monitor
A2 Vol. 15 No. 8
April 11 - 24, 2011

Immigration crisis in Italy puts

church teaching to the test
VATICAN City, April 8, 2011—
The new flow of North African
immigrants into Italy is putting
the Vatican’s teaching on immi-
gration to the test.
More than 22,000 “boat peo-
ple,” many fleeing political un-
rest in Tunisia and Libya, have
arrived on the tiny Italian island
of Lampedusa this year. The
fighting in Libya has spurred
more people to flee in recent
days. Not all survive the trip:
About 150 people drowned April
whelmed, and in response Italian at a distance young populations
leaders have begun relocating that are burdened by deprivation
the new arrivals to other Italian and that are legitimately trying to
regions ―whose residents don’t satisfy their hunger,” he said. Per-
seem to want them, either. suading these people to remain
The government of Italian Prime in their homeland will require
Minister Silvio Berlusconi has pro- implementation of “policies of
posed financial aid to Tunisia in true cooperation,” he said.
a bid to halt the immigration and In Lampedusa, meanwhile,
repatriate the Tunisians who have Italian members of the char-
recently arrived in Italy. The issue, ismatic renewal held a prayer
meanwhile, has become a political vigil April 4 to demonstrate what
football among Italians. they called “the face of Christian
Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, humanism that does not discrimi-

6 when a migrant boat capsized
in rough seas.
Church leaders have under-
lined the broad right to emigrate,
the specific rights of refugees and
the responsibility of wealthier na-
tions to welcome those in need.
But their moral advocacy has
provoked criticism and even de-
rision among some Italians, who
have suggested that the Vatican
and other religious institutions be
the first to open their doors to the
wave of immigrants.
Because it lies only 90 miles off
the North African coast, Lampe-
dusa has long been the gateway
to Europe for North Africans.
Residents have complained that
the island’s infrastructure is over-
www.2.bp.blogspot.com
president of the Italian bishops’ nate in welcoming people.”
conference, has called on Europe “The closing of borders, of
to recognize that Italy cannot hearts and of minds to an exodus
handle the migration flow by it- like the one we are experiencing
self, and that Lampedusa is part provokes humanitarian catastro-
of the European Union’s south- phes,” said Salvatore Martinez,
ern coast. European bishops president of Italy’s Renewal in across the country. In announc- the stranger has roots in the restrictions that it nullifies the
meeting April 3 agreed, saying the Holy Spirit movement. ing the step, church leaders said Bible, and as Pope Benedict XVI right to emigrate.
that the crisis “requires the soli- The church has suffered a signifi- they wanted to show that they recently noted, Jesus was himself Global migration has changed
darity of all European countries cant political backlash in the current practice what they preach. They a refugee when the Holy Family greatly from the 1950s, however.
and their institutions.” climate, however. Several groups called on all Italians to make a fled into Egypt. The “right to emi- When Pope Pius wrote his docu-
But Cardinal Bagnasco also and newspapers have proposed “new effort of solidarity,” de- grate” was defended in a 1952 ap- ment, immigration was viewed
reminded Italians that the current that the Vatican open up convents, spite the prolonged economic ostolic constitution by Pope Pius as a nation-building resource
immigration emergency stems in seminaries and its own unrented downturn in the country. XII, who also noted that states can that usually involved permanent
part from long-standing global apartments to immigrants, noting That is not a popular message control the flow of migration, but settlement in a new land. Modern
inequities, and that Europe can- that the church receives tax breaks these days. But it is very much not for arbitrary reasons. migration is often for temporary
not keep out the world’s poor on some of the properties. part of traditional church teach- In short, the church has consis- employment and involves mil-
simply by patrolling its borders. In fact, Caritas Italy has al- ing on immigration, which goes tently taught that states have the lions of documented and undocu-
“It’s an illusion to think that ready arranged to lodge some back more than a century. right to regulate their borders, mented workers. (John Thavis /
one can live in peace, keeping 2,500 in church institutions The responsibility to welcome but must not enact so many Catholic News Service)

Bishop approves Our Vatican Briefing

Lady of Lourdes healing
Vatican law against money laundering takes effect
A new law aimed at preventing money laundering of funds from
criminal activities and the financing of terrorism took effect on
April 1 in the Vatican. The implementation of this law was an-
nounced in a Vatican communiqué, which noted that the regulation
PARIS, France, March 30, 2011—Bishop Em- was already publicized last Dec. 30 in a statement from the Vatican
manuel Delmas of Angers, France confirmed Secretariat of State. On that same day was published an apostolic
the healing of a man at the Shrine of Our letter on this issue signed by Benedict XVI. This letter established
Lady of Lourdes. the Financial Information Authority as an autonomous and inde-
“This healing can be considered as a pendent body with the task of preventing and countering money
personal gift of God for this man, as a fact laundering or the financing of terrorism. (Zenit)
of grace, as a sign of Christ the Savior,” the
bishop said March 27. New member named to Bishop’s Congregation
Serge Francois, 56, had lost almost all mo- Benedict XVI appointed Archbishop Santos Abril y Castelló, 75, vice
bility in his left leg after complications from chamberlain of the Apostolic Chamber, as a member of the Congre-
two operations left him with a herniated disc. gation for Bishops. The Vatican announced Saturday the appoint-
He made a pilgrimage to the shrine on April ment of the prelate, who was named vice chamberlain on Jan. 22.
13, 2002 to pray for healing. Since 2003, Archbishop Abril y Castelló has been the apostolic nuncio
Bishop Delmas noted that the healing took in Slovenia, Macedonia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. He was born in
place after Francois “had finished praying Alfambra, Spain, and did his ecclesiastical studies at the Conciliar
at the grotto and went to the miraculous Seminary of Teruel. He was ordained a priest in 1960. (Zenit)
spring to drink the water and wash his face.
A unique gesture of the Virgin Mary can be Moral relativism paves way for Satanism, says expert
seen in the healing of this man,” he said. A society dominated by moral relativism “fosters the spread of
The Spanish daily La Razon said that after Satanism,” an expert recently explained. Carlo Climati told CNA
Francois’ recovery, he returned to Lourdes on April 5 that Satanism “destroys those universal values that are
www.blogs.reuters.com

in 2003 and reported his case to the medical
commission, which began its investigation.
The Lourdes Medical Commission later
verified that “the rapid functional healing,
unrelated to any form of treatment” was
“still present, eight years later.”
Francois made a 975-mile pilgrimage to
Santiago de Compostela, Spain in thanksgiv-
ing for his recovery.
Bishop Jacques Perrier of Tarbes and
Lourdes explained that doctors are “hesitant
today to use the term ‘inexplicable,’ unless
they qualify it with ‘scientifically’.”
written in the hearts of each human being.” It creates “a society that
is turned on its head, in which good becomes evil and evil becomes
good.” Climati is the press director of the Regina Apostolorum
Pontifical University in Rome. (CNA)
Vatican orders disgraced Belgian bishop to leave
“They prefer to limit themselves to one “Moreover,” he added, “the doctors at Lourdes country, seek therapy
fact: the healing is inexplicable today. They always strive to be medically irreproachable. The The Vatican ordered a Belgian bishop who admitted to sexually
consider this qualification to be essential so Church herself encourages them in this.” abusing his nephew to leave his country and undergo “spiritual
they are not discredited later by colleagues To commemorate the latest healing, Bish- and psychological treatment,” Vatican Radio reported. Citing a
who reject the inexplicable,” he said in op Delmas has invited Catholics to a special statement from the Vatican nuncio in Belgium, the radio report
a statement published on the Shrine of Mass in Lourdes during a pilgrimage to the April 10 said that former Brugge Bishop Roger Vangheluwe, 74,
Lourdes’ website. shrine May 3-8. (CNA) had already left the country, although his whereabouts were not
divulged. (CNS)

Cardinal urges end to ‘priestly ministry’ crisis
VALENCIA, Spain, April 4,
2011―Cardinal Antonio Maria
Rouco Varela of Madrid, Spain
called priests to make frequent
confessions in order to end “the
crisis in priestly ministry.”
The cardinal made his remarks
in Valencia during an April 1
conference.
He noted that both Pope Bene-
dict XVI and his predecessor
John Paul II made enormous ef-
forts to end “the crisis in priestly
ministry.”
To accomplish this, he ex-
www.federation-pro-europa-christiana.org
Benedict XVI says youth console him
Benedict XVI today told young people that they always bring
him consolation and hope, since they are in the springtime of life.
The Pope shared this confidence with youth at the end of today’s
fession is “essential.” The “ex- general audience. He concluded his weekly address with his tra-
ercise of obedience,” which he ditional greeting to youth, the sick and newlyweds. “Dear young
described as “living the cross,” people, to meet you is always for me a motive of consolation and
is also necessary even if it leads hope, because your age is the springtime of life,” he said. “Be able
to “suffering.” to respond to the love that God has for you.” (Zenit)
The cardinal said the crisis
“is beginning to subside” after Pope Innocent XI’s remains make way for John Paul II
it reached a crescendo between The final resting place of Pope John Paul II has now been prepared.
1965 and 1985. In a private ceremony in St. Peter’s Basilica April 8, the remains
He noted that during this peri- of Pope Innocent XI were moved from the altar in the Chapel of
od, many abandoned the priest- St. Sebastian to make way for the soon-to-be beatified Pope John
hood and religious life. Priestly Paul. Pope John Paul is presently buried in the crypt below the
celibacy was often questioned basilica’s high altar. His body will be transferred following his
and “alternative forms of living beatification on May 1. (CNA)
the priestly ministry” emerged

plained, priests must “truly”
believe in God and “understand
the priesthood.” They should
“love Christ and God in a dy-
namic way,” because “in order
to love one’s neighbor, he must
first love God.”
Cardinal Rouco urged priests
“to live in a state of grace,”
emphasizing that frequent con-
in opposition to the traditional Papal preacher says true charity requires inner
priestly role, the cardinal said. love, outer action
Some “tried to reconcile the Genuine love for others is the cornerstone of charity, but it needs
work of the Church with other to be backed up by concrete action to be a complete expression
civil activities” at the public and of God’s love for humanity, the papal preacher said. In a Lenten
private levels. “Thus seculariza- meditation released by the Vatican April 8, Capuchin Father
tion advanced” while “the sense Raniero Cantalamessa explained that Christian charity should be
of the priesthood” began to slip characterized by “a love that is both sincere and active; a love from
away, he stated. (CNA/Europa the heart and a love, so to speak, of the hands.” (CNS)
Press)

Kuala Lumpur authorizes importation and printing of the Bible in any language
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, April
9, 2011—The Malaysian government
has authorized the importation of the
Bible in all languages into the country
and for it to be printed locally. The
authorities have assured Christians
that they will not demand any stamp
or serial number on imported Bibles.
These decisions are part of a 10 point
solution to the dispute over the Malay
language Bibles.
Sarawak, in recognition of the large wak and the Malaysian peninsula for care, forgiveness and reconcili-
Christian communities in these states. with their Bibles. The Interior Min- ation among Malaysians, “despite
But instead there will be a condition istry issued a directive on the Bible all the wounds created by our dif-
for Bibles imported or printed lo- and officers who fail to apply it will ferences.”
cally on the peninsula of Malaysia. be subject to disciplinary action. The Bible Society of Malaysia has
These Bibles will have a cross on The government has also allowed accepted the solution proposed by
the cover and the words “Christian importers to take delivery of the the government. Its president, Lee
Publication.” This decision takes into 35,100 Bibles locked in Kuching and Min Choon, in a statement said they
account the interests of the majority Port Klang, at no cost. were “deeply touched by the gov-
Muslim community in the Malaysian Datuk Seri Idris Jala, a spokes- ernment’s humility in admitting its
peninsula. man for the government said that shortcomings in its management of
www.asianews.it

The government announced that The government has also an- “in spite of our shortcomings in the the problem and in asking for forgive-
there will be no further conditions nounced that there should be no management of this Bible issue, we ness.” “The Bible Society of Malaysia
placed on the importation or local prohibitions or restrictions on people hope that Christians will forgive forgives, without hesitation,” he said.
printing of Bibles for Sabah and who travel between Sabah and Sara- us,” and added that there is a need (AsiaNews / Agencies)
 News Features
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 8
April 11 - 24, 2011
A3

Pope calls violence in Libya, Ivory Filipino

Coast a defeat for humanity
youth aims
to plant 1M
trees in 1 year
MANILA, April 4, 2011―Young Filipi-
nos have pledged to plant 1 million trees
across the country in one year.
The youth ministry of the Couples
for Christ (YFC-CFC) has initiated a
nationwide drive for the conservation
of the environment.
Dubbed “Greeneration” the national
movement will launch the crusade to
plant 1M trees on April 12-14 in Cami-
guin.
The year-round campaign, one of the
many activities lined up in celebration
of the CBCP Year of the Youth, will
involve all the regions in the country,
as well as schools, universities, out of
school youth and possibly even those

VATICAN City, April 6, 2011—Pope
Benedict XVI described ongoing con-
flicts in the African countries of Libya
and Ivory Coast as a “defeat” for
humanity, in remarks following his
Wednesday general audience.
“Violence and hate are always a de-
feat!” said the Pope. “I therefore make
a renewed and heartfelt appeal to all
parties to the cause, to initiate a process
of peacemaking and dialogue, and to
avoid further bloodshed.”
Pope Benedict said he continued
to follow the “dramatic events” in
Ivory Coast and Libya “with great
apprehension” and prayer for those
involved.
The Pope also offered an update of
sorts about a peacemaking mission
that he sent Cardinal Peter Turkson on
to Ivory Coast. “I hope that Cardinal
Turkson, whom I have commissioned
to visit Ivory Coast to demonstrate my
solidarity, may soon be able to enter
the country.”
In Abidjan, the economic capital of
Ivory Coast, Archbishop Jean-Pierre
Kutwa told Fides news agency that
“violent fighting” was continuing. Pres-
idential incumbent Laurent Gbagbo has
locked himself inside the presidential
residence, following an influx of troops
loyal to his rival Alassane Ouattara.
Gbagbo’s attempts to negotiate a
cease-fire on April 5 have reportedly
failed. Gbagbo has sought a recount
of ballots from the November 2010
election—which international authori-
ties say he lost—while Outtara is main-
taining his demand for Gbagbo to step
down immediately.
In Libya’s capital of Tripoli, Bishop
Giovanni Martinelli thanked the Pope
for his appeal. “It is a further boost to
diplomacy to not give up strength, and
www.republicreport.com
in prison.
The tree-planting will take place in
the different dioceses and provinces,
following the prescribed months for
planting per region, as they may differ
region to region.
Young people are starting to plant
to act in a way that keeps the possibility
in some areas like Basilan, where the
of reconciliation alive,” said the bishop,
prelature of Isabela planted mangrove
who has questioned airstrikes intended
trees.
to protect civilians.
Aside from local youth ministers in
“Fighting does not help to create
the dioceses and parishes, groups like
peace,” said the bishop.
Focolare, YFC-CFC, CARE Foundation
His remarks came as Libyan rebels,
and other youth organizations are com-
who seek to overturn the government
mitting to see that the millionth tree
of Colonel Moammar Gaddafi, criti-
gets planted.
cized NATO for what they described
Organizers believes that the effort
as the alliance’s slow response time and
to protect the environment should go
ineffectiveness. Questions continue to
beyond the Year of the Youth, tran-
surround the scope of NATO’s commit-
scending the idea of plant a seedling
ment and the rebels’ chances of success.
for a one-day event and then forgetting
(CNA/EWTN News)
about it eventually.

Vatican seeks greater interaction with

Diana Cajilog of Baguio, a member of
CFC-Singles for Christ, one of the youth
ministries taking on the cause of the 1
million trees, said that more important

bloggers in first-ever meeting

VATICAN City, April 8, 2011—
The Vatican is inviting Internet
bloggers to Rome next month
for an unprecedented meeting
to foster “informal exchange
and contact.”
The May 2 event aims to
take advantage of the influx of
international bloggers coming
to Rome for the beatification
of Pope John Paul II a day
earlier.
While all are invited to ap-
nels with new media platforms
through a series initiatives in
recent years.
The Vatican has only gradu-
ally entered social networks,
setting up YouTube and Fa-
cebook accounts for the Pope
and even promoting John Paul
II’s May 1 beatification through
Twitter.
The Holy See’s relationship
with blogs, however, has been
a little more prickly. During
than just planting is to make sure the
plant grows into a tree.
“I don’t advocate tree-planting; I
advocate tree-growing. It is not enough
that we plant, we need to make sure the
and establish a more personal trees thrive and recover,” she said.
connection.
According to an April 7 Youth’s community involvement
statement from the two Vati- The CBCP declared 2011 as the “CBCP
can departments in charge, Year of the Youth” with the intention of
the objective is “to allow for encouraging young people to “establish
a dialogue between bloggers and strengthen the youth’s relationship
and Church representatives, with Christ... and to encourage com-
to listen to the experiences of munity involvement.”
those who are actively involved Going against the popular percep-
in this arena, and to achieve a tion of the Church as inward-looking,
greater understanding of the the Year of the Youth or YOTY aims to
needs of that community.” reach out, not just to young Catholics
www.catholicnewsagency.com

ply, only a limited number
of blogging attendees will
receive a formal invitation.
The objective of the Vatican
departments organizing the
event is to fill the 150-seat St.
Pius X auditorium with a group
representing the diversity of
the “blogosphere.”
Participants will be selected
with reference to the timeliness
of request, blog subject and the
language and geographical lo-
cation of the blogger. Attention
will also be given to the nature
of blogs as institutional or pri-
vate, multi-voice or personal.
The encounter marks a first
for the Church, which has put
emphasis on opening up chan-
a press conference to present
Pope Benedict XVI’s message
for World Social Commu-
nication’s Day last January,
Archbishop Claudio Maria
Celli decried “aggressive blog
sites that excommunicate and
don’t have a Christian style of
presence.”
While it was not clear to
which Church-themed blogs he
referred, he said that Internet
users needed to approach blogs
with an eye on “to what point
they are truly Catholic.”
But the May 2 event aims
give bloggers and Church rep-
resentatives a chance to move
beyond the relatively imper-
sonal medium of the Internet
During the one-day meeting,
Church initiatives to engage
those who work in new media
will be presented and panel
discussions will be held.
The first panel will include
five bloggers representing the
Italian, English, French, Polish
and Spanish languages, respec-
tively. Each of the five will take
on a specific subject relevant to
the blogosphere.
A second panel of still unan-
nounced Church communica-
tions personnel will offer their
experiences in new media and
look at initiatives meant to
engage bloggers.
Interpreters will be on hand
to provide simultaneous trans-
Archbishop Claudio Celli and Fr. Federico Lombardi
lation for the five chosen lan-
guages.
Vatican representatives tak-
ing part in the encounter in-
clude Archbishop Celli of the
Pontifical Council for Social
Communications, Cardinal
Gianfranco Ravasi of the Pon-
tifical Council for Culture, and
Father Federico Lombardi, SJ,
director of the Holy See’s Press
but to all young people, regardless of
religious beliefs.
Fr. Conegundo Garganta, the Execu-
tive Secretary of the CBCP Episcopal
Commission on Youth (ECY) explains
the reason why the Church wants to
reach all young people and not just
Catholics.
“The ECY hopes to celebrate its an-
Office, Vatican Radio and the niversary, not focusing on itself but on
Vatican Television Center. the youth, the object and subject of its
According to the Vatican existence... (Also) because it is the mis-
statement announcing the ini- sion of the Church to reach out to all
tiative, the organizers see the people,” he said.
meeting as “an opportunity for The YOTY was declared on the
informal exchange and contact occasion of the 25th anniversary of
between those attending with the CBCP-ECY, the commission that
a view to opening further av- is in charge of youth ministry in the
enues of interaction.” (CNA/ Philippines. (Nirva’ana Delacruz/
EWTN News) CBCPNews)

Don’t abandon God Spend Holy Week doing charitable works, says prelate
because of ‘attacks of MANILA, April, 2, 2011—A
young Catholic prelate called
He said one may “consider unable to visit them,” he said.
visiting fourteen patients in our The prelate said one can also
charity,” he stressed.

evil’ in church, pope says on the faithful to spend the

VATICAN City, April 1, 2011—
Pope Benedict XVI urged young
people not to abandon their faith
in God because of the “attacks of
evil” within the church.
“Carry intact the fire of your
love in this church every time
that men have obscured her
face,” he said in a foreword to
a new catechism edited specifi-
cally for young people.
The new “Youth Catechism,”
also called “YouCat,” will be
included in each pilgrim back-
pack for World Youth Day 2011
in Madrid.
The pope said he wanted to
supplement the Catechism of the
Catholic Church by translating
it “into the language of young
people and make its words pen-
etrate their world.”
In the foreword, the pope
Holy Week steeped in loving
others and doing charitable
government hospitals and medi- bring food and clothes to the poor
tate, as you visit them, on the suf- in honor of Jesus’ humiliation at
ferings of Calvary.
Pilgrimage of Charity
As part of its Lenten obser-
vance, the archdiocese will
works to the needy. Christ,” V i l - reach out to the poor and mar-
“You have need of divine help l e g a s
Lingayen-Dagupan Arch- he said. ginalized through a pilgrim-
if you do not want your faith to recalled
bishop Socrates Villegas re- Near age of charity by conducting
dry up as a dewdrop in the sun, Pope John
minded the faithful that prayers them, one charity medical, dental and
if you do not want to succumb to Paul II’s
or penance alone will not make can see surgical missions.
the temptations of consumerism, visit in
the Holy week holy. “how the “The sick and the poor in our
if you do not want your love to the coun-
Those pious practices sufferings marginalized areas will receive
be drowned in pornography, if try in 1981
are without meaning if not of Christ charity medical assistance from
you do not want to betray the when lep-
founded on love, because it is continue their healthier brothers and
weak and the victims of abuse ers from
“love that makes this season in the sisters,” Villegas said.
and violence,” he wrote. Tala Lep-
holy,” he said. midst of The pilgrimage of charity
“You must know what you rosarium
“Prayers can be inspiring us,” he will start on April 4 at the Par-
believe; you must know your w e r e
and penances can be admi- said. ish of Our Lady of Perpetual
faith with the same precision brought
rable but only love can re- Ville- Help, Canan, Malasiqui; April
with which a specialist in infor- to him so
deem. Only love saves. Love gas also 7 at Saint Catherine of Siena
mation technology knows the he could
alone sanctifies us,” Villegas recom- Parish, Villanueva, Bautis-
(operating) system of a com- b l e s s
stressed. mended ta; April 9 at Cristo Divino
puter; you must know it as a t h e m .
jail visita- Tesoro in Buenlag, Calasiao;
musician knows his piece,” the Instead
Alternative way to spend tion as an- April 11 at Holy Family Par-
foreword said. the pope
Holy Week other way ish, Tandoc, San Carlos City;
While not specifically men- knelt be-
The prelate told the faithful to share April 16 at the Lay Forma-
tioning the clerical sex abuse fore a
to do acts of charity as an al- G o d ’ s tion Center, Bonuan Gueset,
crisis, the pope acknowledged leper and
ternative way of spending the love and Dagupan City; and May 2 at
the effect it has had on the faith- kissed his
Holy Week meaningfully. mercy to the San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish,
FILE PHOTO

urged everyone to study the
catechism “with passion and
perseverance” either alone, in
study groups or in exchanges
with others online.
Today’s Christians really need
to understand their faith more
than ever before in order to re-
sist modern day challenges and
temptations, he wrote.
ful and said “the community of leprous
“As we keep our pious those be- Wawa, Bayambang.
believers has been wounded in h a n d s
practices like the stations of hind bars. Help and support for the
recent times by the attacks of and ex-
the cross, confessions, visita “ W e Archbishop Socrates Villegas charity project came from
evil” and sin in the heart of the claimed,
iglesia and penitensiya, let us can bring friends from Pangasinan,
church.
also consider making acts of them our prayers and greetings “My Lord!” Edsa Shrine, Order of Malta,
“Do not take this as a pretext “Give love this Lenten season.
charity to the poor as the way and volunteer to be couriers of Makati Medical Center and
to flee from God’s presence;
to share in the spirit of the their letters that they want to Pour love into your prayers. the Saint Paul de Chartres
you yourselves are the body
Lenten season,” he said. send to their loved ones who are Let your penance overflow into Sisters. (CBCPNews)
of Christ, the church!” he told
young people. (CNS)
 A4 Opinion CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 8
April 11 - 24, 2011

EDITORIAL

ARMM Elections

IS the Philippines ruled by a duly framed and approved Constitution?

Does this country have a republican democracy? Are the Filipinos
free as citizens and sovereign as a people? The elementary and
immediate answers to all such three simple questions are in the
positive. Honest, it is not only inspiring but also endearing to know
and to live the truths advanced by such answers in the affirmative.
Moreover, it is not simply proper but likewise just for the Filipino
citizens to be told that such sound socio-political realities are
existent and alive in their basically docile society.
But then comes the pressing disturbing question: How does one
explain with rhyme and reason the following devious design
being seriously entertained by the present administration: One, the
postponement of the duly legislated and scheduledARMM elections.
Two, the disregard for the political will and societal expectation of
the people in the Region. Three, the subsequent appointment of the
public officials therein at the preferential option of Malacañang. Where
is the Constitution? Where is democracy? Where is sovereignty?
The truth of the matter is that the above issue is neither merely social
in nature nor purely political in significance. At the core of such
plan runs the counter-ethical principle—not to mention immoral
elements—that undermine human dignity and trample upon human
rights. And this is no little matter whereas it is the manifestation of
a thwarted conscience, not to mention the revelation of the well-
covered dictatorial tendency—all of which run counter to the inherent
aspiration and consequent expectation of the people in general.

Illustration by Bladimer Usi

Time and again, there is not only the disturbing but also disgusting
phenomenon that Filipinos are the first-hand witnesses of—in
the course of their history as a people. This: When the political
candidates present themselves for election, they loudly and
repeatedly claim their pro-people stance, not to mention their
unconditional dedication to public service. But when already
elected as public officials, majority of them feel like demigods
adorned with some kind of omnipotence to do what they like, how
they like it done—and when.
Bp. Leonardo Y. Medroso, JCD, DD
After so many decades of Philippine history, it is worth asking: When
will the Filipinos ever have political leaders who would really bring Lenten fast and Easter
feast
them to the knowledge of objective truth, the experience of social justice,
the joy of genuine peace? To this date when they have a supposedly
populist national leadership, it is instead its self-adoring and pro-self Tidbits
governance that Filipinos experience, witness and suffer from.
IN plain language fasting is the discipline in their lives, in their of the same kind, are different Leviticus prescribed this once a
act of abstaining from some food behavior and character. In the in sort. Both are disciplines year fasting, obliging all men to
or some meals, the exercise of journey of life, man’s instincts intended to control body ap- mortify themselves from morn-
depriving oneself with a meal or sometimes go haywire, his heart petite, its need and desire for ing to evening (cf. 16:29-34) Dur-
Alay Kapwa a kind of food. It is an ascetic act hardens due to selfishness and food. They demand from the ing the time of Jesus, however,
aimed to strengthen one’s char- greed for things of this earth, faithful the discipline to deprive the Israelites did not only fulfill
THIS year we shall celebrate Lent with something new. We are acter vis-à-vis the strong desire character slackens as he indulges themselves of a meal on the ap- fasting on the Day of Atonement,
launching, for the first time in the history of the Philippines, a of the human body for food. It himself with the ease and com- pointed days. But they are dif- but many of them practiced pri-
National Lenten Action Program. It is called: ALAY KAPWA— is true the appetite to eat is na- fort of fine living, consciousness ferent in that fasting specifically vate fasting. It is no wonder that
offering to our neighbor. ture’s way for man to live and gradually being pushed further orders the faithful to eat in the the disciples of John the Baptizer
to survive. But left unchecked it away from the presence of the prescribed day one meal instead asked Jesus ‘why is it that while
Of course not everything will be new. Every year we have been can develop in him an uncontrol- transcendent God. He needs to of three, while abstinence is the we and the Pharisees fast, your
celebrating Lent in a spirit of intensified self-sacrifice. This has lable hunger for food that would recover his Christian poise and discipline of not eating meat on disciples do not’? Jesus had a
been of value. But perhaps we tend to emphasize self control for eventually make him a slave to original integrity that is pleasing Fridays of Lent. good response to the query, but
its own sake. Often we are gloomy about making sacrifices. his stomach. to the Father. And to do that, the Fasting/abstinence needless He did not totally dispense his
This Lenten Action Program, in 1975, is a nationwide, intensive In the Church fasting is a Church a good mother as she to say is a revered practice in any disciples from fasting. In fact,
renewal. It reminds us that sacrifice finds its fullest meaning in religious practice that carries is, reminds us of her precept major religion. A religion that Jesus immediately declared:
service to our fellowmen. with it a penitential overtone. that runs this way: “You shall does not oblige fasting from their “When the day comes that the
Its purpose is to discipline man’s observe the prescribed days of followers is a religion not worth groom is taken away, then they
Christ our Lord taught the love of God through love of neighbor. When body, its desire and its instincts. fasting and abstinence”. It is its name. The Mohammedans will fast” (cf. Mt 9:14-15).
he was asked: “Who is my neighbor?”—he told the story of a man It is for this reason that the Sea- hoped that this precept will help strictly keep the fast of Rama- Because of the deprivation of
left in a ditch by the road. A kindly stranger came to his rescue. son of Lent starts up with fasting the faithful to regain the mastery dan, wherein the faithful have to the body of its basic need such as
Christ taught this lesson also by coming into this world, by his together with prayers and alms- over his instincts and the free- abstain from eating from dawn food, fasting unfortunately has
suffering and death that we may live. giving. These acts of penances dom of heart which marks him to sunset. The genuine Israelites not caught the fancy of our mod-
are there to call the faithful to a genuine child of God. assiduously keep fasting on the ern day mind-set. It is a depress-
He came among us not to be served, but to serve! And it is on our revisit the import of religious Fast and abstinence, though Day of Atonement. The Book of Tidbits / B7
service to others that he will judge us on the last day.
We in the Philippines are grateful for the privilege of being the only Sr. Mary Pilar Verzosa, RGS
Christian nation in the East. Yet we suffer from a serious inequality

Sexy dancing
in the distribution of land, of wealth, and of power. Unemployment

and underemployment stare us in the face.
The City of Manila alone has more than a million squatters. Our
average per capita income is only about P3 a day. For 70% of our
people poverty has become a way of life.
Thus, we have to admit personal and collective failure to share our
goods among our people.
For this reason, our Lenten Action Program has been called:
ALAY KAPWA—offering to our neighbor. It asks us to look
around and identify our neighbor. Who are the people who most
need our help?
From this awareness we are asked to reflect on the reasons for
this. Why are they poor, lonely, homeless, jobless, hungry, in rags,
beggars, squatters?
This is a call to analyze the root causes of misery—not only in terms
of individual selfishness, but in terms of socio-economic, political
and religious structures that may be causing, or maintaining, these
injustices.
Finally, we must ask the personal and challenging questions: “What
should I do about this? What can I share, with my neighbor, of God’s
gifts to me—my time, my talent, my treasure. Am I not merely the
steward, the caretaker, the manager of God’s gifts? Do I have the
right to have more than I need when others around me are in dire
poverty? Is it not a duty of love to share with others?”
―Lenten Pastoral Letter of the CBCP on Alay Kapwa, 1975
www.cbcpmonitor.com
cbcpmonitor@cbcpworld.net
I SELDOM watch television. I sit every now
and then to watch the evening news. But
never do I see the TV during the day as I
have so many other concerns to attend to.
Now how do I know about “Sexy Dancing”?
It is when I am in a bus riding to Tagaytay or
to places going north when the bus’s TV is
on throughout the trip that I get to see those
noontime programs showing scantily clad
women boldly gyrating in front of the cam-
eras for people of all ages to see. A couple
of times I shout to the conductor to change
the channel—not realizing that the other
channel also has the same type of shows.
Besides, the passengers seem to be enjoying
them so much and who was I to be objecting?
It is amazing how the Filipino society has
come to accept such indecency without any
protest as if it was the most natural thing for
the public to see.
It was indeed a great shock for me when
a few years ago, the Catholic Mass Media
Awards gave Wowowee a citation for be-
ing the Best Entertainment show. And the
Cardinal was right there to give the award!
Of course, the Cardinal had nothing to do
with the judging. But that meant that some
of the judges chosen that year were not too
serious with the job they accepted. I wrote
His Eminence and the CMMA Board imme-
diately to make my protest. And they did
respond with an apology that they would be
more careful the succeeding years.
I decided to write on this topic because I
was given a paper yesterday by Atty. Jo Im-
bong prepared by her students in Media Law.
It is a review on the dancing incorporated in
noontime shows—referring of course to Sexy
Dancing. All of us in the Pro-life Movement
from Luzon to Mindanao know who Atty.
Jo Imbong is. She was one of the senatorial
candidates of Kapatiran Party in the last elec-
tion. She is also the legal officer of the CBCP,
especially on pro-life and pro-family matters
in congress. I am glad there are professors
like her who give practical assignments that
we can use in our educating and influencing
the public towards moral values.
They commented on the two main dance
groups: the Sexbomb dancers of GMA7 Eat
Bulaga that started in 1999 and the ASF danc-
ers in Wowowee of ABS-CBN then, until it
transferred to ABC 5 as Willing Willie. Many
of the dancers have become multimedia art-
ists. This phenomenon has encouraged the
young girls to learn how to dance like them,
Love Life
in the hopes that they will be hired and they
can also move out of their poverty to a more
lucrative position in life. All of that with the
blessings and pride of their parents.
The paper of the law students revealed
some interesting facts—“The Sex Bob Girls
are very frequent subjects of criticism. They
have long been criticized since their incep-
tion in 1999 for the immorality involved in
what they do, first in their dancing, then
in their choice of wardrobe, and lastly, to
their thinly veiled use of sexual innuendos
in their songs. More criticisms about the
group involved the national elections. They
were accused of meddling in politics for their
choice of activities in the elections and mak-
ing the elections less credible by being the
personal cheerleaders of the late Fernando
Poe, Jr. The opposing candidate, ex Pres.
Arroyo, retaliated by hiring her own group.
The use of the girls in the elections just bred
further, an environment of prostitution. It
may have been less obvious, but what is the
difference?”
The paper ends with this reminder—
“Ethics in Communication, published by
the Vatican in the year 2000 tell us that great
Love Life / B5

Rev. Eutiquio ‘Euly’ B. Belizar, Jr., SThD

My father and
By the roadside evangelization
Pedro C. Quitorio
Editor IT was March 9, 2001 when my ach aching so unbearably and thirty-eight-or-so degree fever ing a wake I presided over:
father passed away. Allow me my head throbbing, I would call and in pain, he was carrying “GENTLE SOUL”. Yes, my
Pinky Barrientos, FSP Gloria Fernando to print my thoughts regarding out, “Nanay, Nanay” in pain me in his arms and rocking me father was to me a gentle soul.
Associate Editor Marketing Supervisor a man I owe a lot to. (I often wondered why it’s the gently, then again gently rolling He was gentlest to us his chil-
I was a scrawny sickly boy. mother we first remember in dire a bottle filled with warm water dren. There were countless
Roy Q. Lagarde Ernani M. Ramos My father—just ‘Tatay’ to all of circumstances). But she wasn’t, over my aching tummy. And, times when some of us made
News Editor Circulation Manager
us his children—was a mechanic no she couldn’t, be there. My miracle of miracles, the pain him very angry, as when we
Kris Bayos and a copra truck driver, mostly father, God bless him, would would go away. He would then simply did the opposite of what
Marcelita Dominguez
one and occasionally the other. force himself to be there. Now I hum or softly sing me to sleep. he asked us to do, and when it
LAYOUT BY KRIS BAYOS

Features Editor Comptroller

My mother—‘Nanay’ to all of
us—was a public elementary
The CBCP Monitor is published fortnightly by the CBCP Communica- school teacher. She taught in
tions Development Foundation, Inc., with editorial and business offices places either too far or too hard
at 470 Gen. Luna St., Intramuros, Manila. P.O. Box 3601, 1076 MCPO. to reach, at least in the initial
Editorial: (063) 404-2182. Business: (063)404-1612.; ISSN 1908-2940 stages of her career. I remember
times as a child, when I was
down with fever and my stom-
realize it was such a sacrifice for
him. He had to take a leave off
work and that meant no money
for the family. Still my earliest
memory of my father, I mean
the one that has stuck to this
day, is still very clear. I was a
boy of two or three, shivering in
It seemed it was all the medicine
I needed.
When my father passed on to
what I call “the fuller life” on
March 9, 2001, a poem which
later became a song thrust
itself to me through the two
words I described him by dur-
seemed he would hit us with
his hand or anything near him
(as I noticed other fathers did),
he would behave in a way that
baffled me. For instance, when
my sister Annie fell off the roof
of a shelter fronting the house
By the roadside / B5
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 8
April 11 - 24, 2011
Opinion A5
Oscar V. Cruz, DD
Philippine cottage Commentary
Views and Points industry Michael Cook

THIS is admittedly a sad insight, a pitiful
perception. The country with all its arable
lands, water resources plus abundant sun,
has been long sincerely engaged in import-
ing such a basic commodity as rice. On the
other hand, its past and present govern-
ment have also perpetuated the exportation
of Filipino workers as OFWs—no matter
really where and how—all over the globe.
Hence, in the event that there is a nation in
any part of the globe that has no Filipino
workers of one kind or another—this is a
big exception.
In other words, the government made the
Filipinos and Filipinas concerned as noth-
ing more than a cottage industry. Oh, yes!
For consolation, they are called “Bagong
Bayani”. The fact however is that they
are looked upon neither as “bago” nor as
“bayani”. Reason: They constitute a long
standing phenomenon and wherefore not
in anyway “bago”. They are considered but
as working cogs and profitable means, and
therefore not “heroes” really. There is fur-
thermore the despicable but as illegal “drug
mules” and treated accordingly.
Never mind if they leave their families
behind, if they do not see much less per-
sonally care for their growing children—on
proviso only that they can earn abroad and
financially support them at home. Never
mind as well when the countries they go
to for work look down on them as honest
to goodness servants—that is but one step
above slavery. Never mind too in the event
that they are considered but as tools of trade
and industry. All these are pathetic factors
for the OFWs in general whereas all of
such demeaning perceptions and pursuant
actuations are basically anti-human, viz.,
anti-human dignity and wherefore also
anti-human rights.
On account of the socio-political disorders
taking place in the middle East and North
Atty. Aurora A. Santiago
Africa plus the natural disasters that hit
Japan hard, a good number of the OFWs
are back home. But there is no work here
and poverty is all around. This is why the
recourse being assiduously entertained and
acted upon by the government is to look for
work on their behalf. Never mind where.
Never mind too at what costs to them. The
over-all consideration is to get them out of
the country and to make them dollar remit-
ters to fund not only their families but the
Philippines as well.
Meantime, the national leadership is busy
appearing busy, changing expensive cars one
after the other, engaging in but speeches here
and there, not to mention the public privacy
of romantic ventures. This is not to mention
the reality that graft and corrupt practices
remain the spectacle in the country, poverty
is still all around, and people in general are
still waiting for much more than merely the
disappearance of Wang-Wang.
Why them?
EDITORIAL writers break out into a cold sweat when natural
disasters strike. And a tsunami is a nightmare. What can be said
to soothe the anguish? What can dull the shock at this reminder
of our fragile purchase on life? Words fray and crumble. In
fact, most major papers avoided the challenge.
News report from Japan have been so full of clichés that they
seem written with an iPhone app: “tragedy strikes”, “the wrath
of Nature”, “utterly unpredictable”, “pouncing without warn-
ing”, and so on and on. It’s understandable; what else can a
reporter say? The Economist dug out of its archives a report on
the 1923 earthquake and ensuing fires which flattened Tokyo
with a loss of well over 100,000 lives. It began: “Words very
inadequately express the emotions aroused by such a tragedy
as that which has occurred this week in Japan.” It could have
been ABC News this weekend.
Just as The Economist did in 1923, journalists focus on the
numbers: How many have died? How much will it cost to
rebuild? How will it affect the stock market? The additional
complication of a possible nuclear meltdown is bad for Japan
but a lucky break for journalists. This twist has inserted human
agency into an uncommentable panorama of simple bad luck.

Let us protect our Unlike a tsunami, a malfunctioning power plant is someone’s

fault. You can point fingers and demand explanations. And
avert your eyes, for a while, from thousands of people who
blessings Duc in Altum died for no seeming reason.
What is remarkable is how few people are asking the ques-
tion posed by the Book of Job 3,000 years ago—why does bad
stuff happen to good people?
WE thank those who responded seph Adams, for the grace-filled Diocese of Kalookan Papal Fam- Philippines, what would be the The Sendai tsunami seems like the paradigm event—in the
to our March 28, 2011 column. tour of duty in the Philippines. ily where I am the President and casualty? Are the citizens pre- blink of an eye, to dust off a cliché, up to 10,000 people may
We value your feedback and we The Nuncio’s tenure in the Phil- that of the Sangguniang Laiko ng pared for such calamities? have perished and the local infrastructure was pulverized.
appreciate that you gave favor- ippines ended when the Vatican Pilipinas (Council of the Laity of It is about time that the Filipi- Death seemed to come so randomly—one elderly man was
able comments. Thank God we assigned him to be the Nuncio the Philippines). nos are oriented on how to cope found floating on the roof of his house 10 miles offshore while
are all united in protecting the in Greece. To you Archbishop Adams, up when catastrophe struck. his wife was swept away.
life of the unborn and the health The first time I met the Nun- we fervently hope and pray Schools, offices and the Baran- But journalists, like the rest of us, are schooled never to
of the mothers; that we are one cio was during my investiture for your successful mission to gays should start not only infor- ask “Why?”, only “How”? “Why” seems naïve and country-
in defending the family as a basic as Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice propagate the Catholic Faith in mation campaign about disaster bumpkin-ish. Only children ask Why.
social institution. Let us continue awardee on December 27, 2008 Europe. The Philippines’ loss is preparedness through seminars This is a legacy from the Enlightenment inaugurated by the
our prayers that our Pro-Life at San Roque Cathedral in Ca- Greece’s gain. and workshops but also begin English philosopher Francis Bacon. The only causes which
lawmakers will continue to re- loocan City. The ever punctual to conduct earthquake and fire can be discussed in a rational fashion, he argued, are efficient
ject RH Bill; that the Pro-RH Bill Nuncio arrived more than 30 *** drills. As it happened, fire and causes where there is discernible physical causality. In this
lawmakers will have a change minutes earlier, during which We condole with the family of tsunami followed soon after scheme of things, inquiring about the final cause, ie, the pur-
of heart and become Pro-Lifers; he enjoyed his conversation the three Filipinos who were ex- earthquake hit Japan. pose of an event, makes no sense whatsoever. Stuff happens.
that the undecided lawmakers with the members of my family ecuted in China for being “drug We must learn from the Japa- Just deal with it.
will stop RH Bill from becom- and was very kind and attentive mules”. It is really very sad to nese experience. They were There were a few commentators who mentioned the mean-
ing a law. to my then 91 year-old mother note that some of our modern very calm and prepared when ing of the tsunami in the past few days, but they came from
Let us continue our watch over Gloria (she is now 93). My sib- heroes still fall victims to the disaster happened, they did not the school of Francis Bacon. Writing in Scientific American, re-
our respective congressmen to lings seized the opportunity and maneuvers of their recruiters panic. They waited in line in search psychologist Jesse Bering jeered at “reality-challenged”
make sure that they are pro-life had photo ops with the Nuncio, and employers. They should also groceries and gas stations, no fools who invoked God as the cause of the disaster. “The un-
when Congress resumes session to the delight and enjoyment think first of the consequences of stealing or ransacking of stores. thinkable truth”, he says, is “that there is no answer because
on May 9. of the latter. He also agreed to their act before succumbing to Media did not headline the there is no riddle, that life is life and that is that”.
In our parish in San Ildefonso, have photo ops with everyone “easy and big money”. Everyone number of casualties nor showed Then there was the mayor of London and former editor of
Navotas City, we pray the Oratio after the Mass. He joined my must realize that drug use and dead bodies. Politicians did not The Spectator, Boris Johnson, who advised us to send aid to
Imperata after communion dur- guests at the reception, had drug trafficking are international take advantage of the situation the freezing Japanese and stop viewing the rubble as a sign of
ing Sunday Masses imploring another photo ops, enjoyed the crimes which every country to earn media mileage. Nobody Gaia’s wrath or God’s justice. “There is no rhyme or reason to
our Almighty Father to enlighten discussion on several topics strictly enforces. Such crimes are pretended to be a victim. an earthquake, and we should for once abandon our infantile
and guide our lawmakers when which ranged from history of punishable by death, if not life delusion that we are the cause and maker of everything.”
they discuss in plenary session the Philippines, Catholicism imprisonment. *** But sneering at a question which has created the greatest
the RH Bill and that it be totally in the Philippines and the role Happy Birthday to Rev. Fr. Ric works of literature in our culture—the Iliad, Job, Oedipus Rex,
rejected. Let us pray for the in- of the Church to have a better *** Torrefiel of San Bartolome Par- King Lear, Dostoyevsky, Conrad, Primo Levi… ― exposes an
tercession of our Blessed Mother Philippines. Much had already been ish and our former Parish Priest enormous weakness in our post-Enlightenment culture.
in our fight for life and preserva- What I love most is the Nun- said about the disaster that Rev. Fr. Tony Nopasa, both Why can’t we ask Why? It is the most fundamental of ques-
tion of Filipino families. cio’s warmth, kindness, friendli- devastated Japan earthquake, from the Diocese of Kalookan. tions. It is downright stupid to dismiss it as an infantile delu-
ness. He is cariñoso (affection- tsunami and nuclear radia- Congratulations to Most Rev. sion. In university lecture theatres, the most ancient taboos
*** ate), which makes him easily tion. We came to realize the Bishop Jesse Mercado of Diocese and our most heartfelt beliefs are being subjected to corrosive
We would like to take this op- loved by the people. He also disaster-preparedness of Japan of Parañaque and National Di- scrutiny. But “Why them?”, the question foremost in our minds
portunity to thank the Apostolic remembers people and faces—he as compared with ours. Ques- rector of Sangguniang Laiko ng when we look at those appalling videos of a slurry of cars and
Nuncio in the Philippines, His remembers me during the cour- tions had been asked: what if Pilipinas on his 14th Episcopal boats and containers and drowning people racing over coastal
Grace Archbishop Edward Jo- tesy calls of the officers of the such disaster happened in the Anniversary last March 31. towns, is said to have no answer.
Agnosticism about natural disasters is dangerous. Eventu-
ally people are going to seek answers. And they will find
Fr. Roy Cimagala them in loopy places. The senior pastor of what is reputedly
the largest single Christian congregation in the world, Yoido
Ultra vires? Full Gospel Church, in South Korea, declared that the tsu-
nami and earthquake were “warnings from God against the
Candidly Speaking Japanese people’s atheism and materialism”. And a young
Christian (or is she?) with a demented smirk is exulting on
YouTube that God smote the atheists and heathen in answer
to her prayers.
THE Latin expression simply means “be- word on how we ought to live and behave that difficulty, no matter what it takes—of The problem is that the dead hand of atheism is suppressing
yond the scope or in excess of legal power or individually and collectively. They have course, doing it as cordially as possible, a legitimate spirit of inquiry. Detecting a purpose suggests
authority.” DILG Secretary Robredo cited it to be crafted, implemented, then polished, avoiding violence and bitter zeal. that there might be a God, which is a kick-sand-in-my-face
when commenting on the now controversial revised, refined, etc. in a lifelong process Since we can have different conceptions assertion nowadays. But isn’t a philosopher who allows you
Ayala Alabang ordinance regulating the of trying to conform them to the ultimate of God, we obviously have to go slow in to ask questions preferable to one who says, with a shrug of
availability and use of contraceptives and basis of our laws, which should be God’s our exchanges, but never to stop. Religious his shoulders, “Get over it”? If asking why so many people
the like. laws, our knowledge of which also takes on freedom should not be taken to mean that died in Japan ultimately leads to God, well, atheists will just
I was deeply disappointed with this state- a dynamic process. we just keep a kind of permanent détente have to deal with it.
ment of Robredo who otherwise enjoys the Of course, given our human condition, among the different religions, or worse, that
prestige of being an exceptional politician, we also just have to find a practical way of we shun the question of God. (Michael Cook is editor of MercatorNet. This is reprinted here
one who is competent and honest. That com- attaining an acceptable state of stability in While religious détente has some value under special publishing arrangements with MercatorNet)
bination is not easy to find. But in this case, the midst of all the dynamism involved in and advantages, it should be understood as
I feel Robredo needs to know certain things our life. Otherwise, there would be chaos. a practical, temporary means to keep peace
and cover his likely Achilles’ heel. But our need for stability should not hinder and harmony in society. But it should not
Love Life / A4
As a result of my article on law and legal- but rather should foster our greater need for hinder the attainment of the fullness of re-
ism, I received a number of reactions that dynamism in an acceptable way. ligious freedom which always involves the good come from the use of me- products—which would be way
ranged from the serious and the valid to Thus, to make our human laws the ulti- lifelong search for the true God. dia. However, it also warns us after the show is over. They have
the ridiculous and the impertinent. In the mate basis of what is right and wrong, what That is why, the role of religion and ev- about the evil in the wrong use no control over the show while
middle were some reactions that contained is fair and unfair, just and unjust, is to give erything related to it should not be avoided that media could bring. The ethi- it is going on.
both legitimate and wild points. our human laws “ultra vires,” opening them in pursuing and developing our temporal cal issue then, for every media There was a lot of reaction
It’s quite obvious that our human laws to all forms of legalism. We would be expro- affairs, like making the laws of our land. We form is: Is it being used for the against the six-year old boy do-
obviously cannot capture everything that priating what is proper of God and making it have to debunk and outgrow that erroneous good or for evil? Media should ing macho dancing while crying
needs to be regulated in life, no matter our exclusive own. That would be funny. understanding of the doctrine on separation not leave their decisions solely during the Willing Willie show.
how well crafted they are. There are certain Of course, the question of the involvement of Church and state that puts God out of the on economic factors because But what about the dozens of
things of conscience that our human laws of God in our law-making is a very tricky picture in our state affairs. they do not necessarily safe- six-year old girls that have been
cannot enter. one. Among the reactions I received to my Putting God out would leave us in the cold, guard the public interest. “ exploited in such shows doing
In fact, they mainly regulate the external previous article was one that sarcastically groping in the dark and relying simply on our Most alarming is the effect of the sexy dancing (I read about
and social dimensions of our life, even if asked me, which God should we follow— own lights that at best can only be limited. such shows to the children who this only, I have not seen them,
we try our best to attune them to the finer the one of the Catholics, the Protestants, the Putting God out would lead us to the tyranny think that what they see on TV or I would have protested im-
matters of conscience. That’s just how things Muslims, etc.” of the majority, the powerful, the rich. It can- is acceptable and normal. mediately!)
are. Though we have to be serious with our Yes, we need to acknowledge the com- not be fair for all. Affirmations of pursuing the We could complain to the KBP So where does that leave us,
laws, we should never forget that they are plexity of the question, but it does not mean common good would just be hot air. (Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster except for all of us to stand up,
not perfect. They will always be in the state of we should avoid it. That would be doing an We need to make a paradigm shift in our sa Pilipinas) and to MTCRB but unite, and speak out before our
perfectibility, a dynamic affair, not static. ostrich that buries its head in the sand when thinking and attitude towards our human those agencies can comment next generation end up gyrating
In short, our human laws cannot be the last faced with a challenge. We just have to tackle laws and avoid “ultra vires.” and sanction only on taped naked in our streets.

By the roadside / A4

we lived in as growing children
in my mother’s hometown, it
was because we didn’t listen
to him telling us not to play on
the shelter’s rooftop. He was so
angry at our disobedience and
raised his hand, I thought he
was about to hit us as our just
desserts. But when he saw my
sister who was in pain as a result
of our disobedience, he simply
stopped and wept. He simply
couldn’t hit us. The effect on us
was just as baffling: We never
played again on the shelter’s
rooftop without making sure we
were on its safer side and had
our father’s permission.
In so many words I’m sim-
ply saying how lucky or shall
I say “blessed” I was to have a
father like my father. He made
it easier for me to pray the “Our
Father”. He made it easier for
me to understand that God is my
Father too whose love is what
has made all human beings who
we are, what we are and where
we are meant to be. My father’s
love mirrored God’s love for me
and for my siblings in a way no
one among us could gainsay.
I often felt sorry for other chil-
dren whose fathers would hit
or shout at them in a way that
was unlike our Tatay. Incredible
as it may seem, he wasn’t any
of that. Even when he seemed
pained, angered or disappointed
with anything we had done, I
never sensed for a second that
he stopped loving us.
If my father could love us his
children the way he did, I often
asked myself: “What would it
be like to experience the love of
God as Father”? His love must be
infinitely more and better than
my own father’s love for us his
family. But now, after so many
years, I realize how grateful I
should be that my own father
had proclaimed to me in antici-
pation, perhaps unbeknownst
even to himself, the love that
had led me to the love of God
the Father of all.
My father was my first evan-
gelizer. Now, as a priest, I try not
to be a bad copy.
 Local News
CBCP Monitor
A6 Vol. 15 No. 8
April 11 - 24, 2011

Parish BECs stage human

THE Basic Ecclesial Communities and that Christ died to give us Life.”
(BECs) of St. John the Baptist Parish Readings were modified according
staged their annual Lenten Station of to the context of concrete reality of our
the Cross in a new form as a way of bat- daily life. The prayerful response in the

cross against RH Bill tling the culture of death espoused by

the controversial RH Bill now pending
in Congress.
Dubbed as “Krus ng Buhay,” the
fourteen Stations correspond to specific
moral values as the Christian response
to issues confronting the people as indi-
viduals, as a family, as a nation and as
a Church, both in religious and secular
perspective.
At 3 p.m. on April 8, BEC’s from
four barrios and sitios simultaneously
started the yearly traditional activity
from first to tenth Stations and con-
verged at the town’s Kalayaan Park for
the eleventh Station.
The group proceeded up to the four-
teenth station marching along the main
road while silently carrying placards
that voiced out concerns on morality,
human dignity and sanctity of life, fam-
ily and marriage.
Devotees carried two significant
images—Our Lady of Guadalupe and
a big wooden cross.
The Our Lady of Guadalupe is the
patroness of the Philippines and the
unborn children. She was venerated
in the eleventh station as the “Mother
of Life who cares for us from womb to
tomb.”
The big wooden cross in the fourteenth
first Station, for example, was “shar-
ing oneself to others as expression of
Eucharistic love.” The twelfth Station
reiterated “life as God’s gift that no man
or government must rip asunder.” The
thirteenth called to “choose Life, reject
the RH Bill.”
Parish priest Msgr. Peter Cañonero
joined the “human cross” in front of
the main entrance of the church, while
blessing and sprinkling the people with
holy water. The activity concluded with
the regular 6:00 p.m. celebration of the
holy mass.
The BECs of St. John the Baptist have
taken to heart the worldwide call of
Pope Benedict XVI for the protection
of the sanctity of life. On November
27, 2010, the eve of Advent season, the
parishioners held a rosary-prayer vigil
“to invoke divine protection on every
human being called into existence, and
to thank God for the gift of life we re-
ceived from our parents.”
Since then, the parish BECs had cam-
paigned for rosary-vigil with intention
of protecting the unborn.
Looking forward to forming a ‘gi-
ant living Rosary’ in October, the BEC
leaders said, “may this Lenten ‘Human
Cross’ be the crucifix of what we still
have to labor―to form the ‘giant living

© Roy Sanggalang
station was made more profound when
around 800 penitents formed a huge
“human cross” as they “professed their
baptismal vow as missionary Catholics,
Rosary’ beads which we envision as our
spiritual weapon against the culture of
death that is RH Bill, this October month
of the Holy Rosary.” (Rufo Fernandez)

P-Noy stance on coal

power plants assailed
THE Philippine Climate Watch Alli-
ance had criticized President Benigno
C. Aquino III for having turned a “deaf
ear” on the environmentalists’ call to
give a halt to the operations of coal-fired
power plants in the country.
Adding insult to injury, they said, was
the chief executive’s inauguration 10
days ago of the Panay Energy Develop-
ment Corp.’s (PEDC) coal-fired power
plant in Iloilo. PEDC is an affiliate of
Global Business Power Corp., a unit of
the MetroBank Group of Companies.
Meggy Nolasco, PCWA spokes-
person, in a statement said that the
‘unintelligent’ preference to coal and
coal power plants as source of energy
shows his adamant subservience to the
dictate of foreign and private energy
companies. Even if it is sustainable,
reliable and cheaper to develop our
own indigenous renewable resources,
the government chooses to remain
dependent to imported dirty energy
sources. PCWA had been advocating
alternative energy sources, especially
wind, solar and geothermal energies,
as the country is rich on such sources
of clean energy.
Meanwhile, the Kalikasan People’s
Network to the Environment (KPNE)
revealed that the people of La Paz
have strongly opposed the erection of
the said power plant for it would be a
huge source of water and air pollution.
Experts say that coal-fired power plants
play a major role in the climate change
as they are the major emitters of carbon
dioxide (CO2). CO2 is one of the most
important greenhouse gases that thin
the ozone layer, as well as blocks the
heat in going out into the outer space,
thus making the earth’s temperature
higher.
In addition to being contributory
to climate change, the smoke coming
from the chimneys of these plants are
said to be the cause of the development
of cardiopulmonary and respiratory
diseases.
What makes the project more con-
troversial is that it was suspended by
the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources (DENR) due to al-
leged violations of the Clean Air Act
of 1999.
“Its construction and testing op-
erations were met by protests from the
communities, religious sector, busi-
ness groups, academe and students,
and activist groups in Iloilo. Last time,
the residents near the power plant
complained of noise and air pollution
coming from the plant,” Marjorie Pa-
mintuan, spokesperson of the KPNE
said in a statement.
Aside from Iloilo, there are also
coal-fired power plants operating in
Sual, Pangasinan; Masinloc, Zambales;
Mauban and Pagbilao, Quezon; Toledo
City and Naga, Cebu; La Paz, Iloilo, and
Semirara, Antique and Villanueva, Mis-
amis Oriental, Pamintuan said. (Noel
Sales Barcelona)
Church help sought over PAL, workers labor row
PROTESTING employees of Philip-
pines Airlines (PAL) have appealed
to the church for help over their dif-
ferences with the carrier.
The Philippines Airlines Employees’
Association (PALEA) said that their
case is a moral issue that demands
church guidance in their fight for
“regular jobs.”
“This is not an impossible dream…
employers need only be guided by
Christian teachings on sharing the
fruits of production,” one of the
country’s oldest unions said in a
statement.
According to PALEA President
Gerry Rivera, they believe that the
“church-labor solidarity is just as
important as the labor unity forged
Covenant / A1
kabalikat Para sa Matuwid na Pama-
mahala,” the program seeks to advance
principles of clean governance at the
barangay level.
The program covers the villages of
the cities of Quezon, Caloocan, Navotas
and Malabon.
From the government, signatories of
the covenant were: Mayors Herbert Bau-
tista of Quezon City, Canuto Senen Oreta
of Malabon City, John Reynald Tiangco
of Navotas City and Enrico Echiverri of
Kalookan City; and Presidents of league
of barangays of the four cities.
The church sector, meanwhile, were
in support of PALEA’s fight for regular
jobs.”
The union issued the statement April
6 as it continues to map out coordinated
moves of a series of mass actions against
contractualization.
Rivera said about 2,600 union mem-
bers were expected to lose their jobs if
PAL would pursue its plan to spin off
its ground operations.
The union has already threatened the
PAL management with a strike aimed at
paralyzing the carrier’s operations.
The decision came after President
Aquino’s pronouncement that PAL’s
plan is valid and that it “could not be
held liable for unfair labor practice for
pursuing a legitimate exercise of man-
agement prerogative.”
led by Bishops Honesto Ongtioco of
Cubao, Deogracias Iñiguez, Jr. of Kaloo-
kan and Antonio Tobias of Novaliches;
representatives of the Diocesan Lay
coordinators.
Robredo said partnership is the
Church’s response to the government’s
call for its active involvement in the
Department’s renewed and zealous
effort to realize good governance at the
barangay level.
“Nalulugod po kami at naging mabilis
ang pagtugon ng Simbahan sa aming
panawagan at hamon na makibahagi at
makiisa sa kampanya para sa isang mabuti
The PALEA, however, accused
Aquino of colluding with the PAL
management.
“The office of the president closed
its eyes to the fact that PAL will
retrench [workers] despite a $1.6-
billion projected annual profit,”
they said.
Manila Auxiliary Bishop Brod-
erick Pabillo called on the public
to rally behind the PAL workers
planned labor strike to make sure
their rights are protected.
“As a Church, we should be aware
of the situation of our workers and
support them. It’s clear in the teach-
ings of the church that labor has
priority over capital,” said Pabillo.
(CBCPNews)
at tuwid na pamamahala,” he said.
Earlier, the DILG chief called on the
active participation of the Church and
other sectors of the society in the task
of nation-building, particularly in in-
troducing reforms and changes in local
governance.
Among those who attended the
affair were DILG Regional Director
Renato Brion, Dir. John Castañeda
of the National Barangay Operations
Office, Philippine National Police
Chief Director General Raul Bacalzo,
Fr. Antonio Labiao Jr., among others.
(CBCPNews)

Cyberspace / A1

the media office of the Catho-
lic Bishops Conference of the
Philippines (CBCP), in time for
the Holy Week observance, has
launched a website that caters to
overseas Filipino workers and
physically impaired to join the
celebration of Holy Week and
Easter.
Dubbed Visita Iglesia Online,
the Lenten site which can be
accessed at http://visitaiglesia.
net offers a virtual experience
of celebrating Lent, Holy Week
and Easter at the comfort of one’s
room—in front of a multimedia
laptop or desktop which some-
how becomes a virtual chapel
for those who will not make it
to churches.
But CBCP Media Director
Msgr. Pedro Quitorio, said the
site should not be used as a sub-
stitute to the liturgical celebra-
tions done in parishes.
He said those who have the
capability to celebrate liturgical
services in their parish churches
should do so.
“The liturgy is a community
act and being so it is most mean-
ingfully celebrated in the context
of the community or the parish,”
he stressed.
The website features various
resources for spiritual growth
and deepening of one’s faith.
It also includes catechesis and
reflections for Lent, Holy Week
and Easter preached by bishops
and priests.
The “online church-goer”
(OCG) will have the traditional
Visita Iglesia in a multimedia
presentation that features 14
shrines and pilgrimage churches
to correspond with the 14 Sta-
tions of the Cross with reflec-
tions given by priests.
It also features the tradition-
al Seven Last Words and the
Pasyon.
The site likewise highlights
the architectural marvel of cen-
turies-old baroque churches in
the country.
Social networks
Visita iglesia online is only one
and the latest among the list of
media platforms the CBCP me-
dia office maintains to intensify
its work of evangelization via
the internet.
Aside from its regular web-
sites: www.cbcpnews.com;
www.cbcponline.net; www.
cbcponlineradio.com; www.cb-
cpworld.net; the media office has
also brought its evangelization
efforts into the arena of social
networking through Facebook
and Twitter.
The sites of Good Morning
CBCP and CBCPNews on Face-
book currently have a registered
likes of 3,121 and 2,437 respec-
tively, while CBCPNews in Twit-
ter has 1,876 followers.
The office also keeps a You-
tube account at www.youtube.
com/cbcpmedia and blogs of
bishops and priests at www.
cbcponline.net.
Internet bloggers
Although the Vatican has
solidified its presence in vari-
ous social networks, setting up
Youtube and Facebook accounts
for the pope, its’ “relationship
with blogs, however, has been a
little more prickly,” according to
a CNA report.
In an unparalleled move, the
Vatican has issued an invitation
for a meeting among internet
bloggers in May, in time for the
beatification of Pope John Paul
II and the expected influx of in-
ternational bloggers in Rome.
The first ever meeting is seen
as an effort on the part of the
Church “to give bloggers and
Church representatives a chance
to move beyond the relatively
impersonal medium of the In-
ternet and establish a more
personal connection.”
Authentic presence
Although lauding the great
potential of digital technology,
the pope nonetheless called for
a more authentic presence, espe-
cially in social networks, where
there is the danger to create a
“parallel existence.”
“Entering cyberspace can be
a sign of an authentic search
for personal encounters with
others, provided that attention
is paid to avoiding dangers such
as enclosing oneself in a sort of
parallel existence, or excessive
exposure to the virtual world.
In the search for sharing, for
“friends”, there is the challenge
to be authentic and faithful, and
not give in to the illusion of
constructing an artificial public
profile for oneself,” he said.
He said that the presence of
Christian believers in cyber-
space help bear witness to the
truth of Christ.
“In this field too we are called
to proclaim our faith that Christ
is God, the Saviour of humanity
and of history, the one in whom
all things find their fulfillment”
(cf. Eph 1:10), said the pope.
“Believers who bear witness to
their most profound convictions
greatly help prevent the web from
becoming an instrument which
depersonalizes people, attempts
to manipulate them emotionally
or allows those who are powerful
to monopolize the opinions of oth-
ers,” the pope further said.
Recognizing the expertise of
young people in digital technol-
ogy and their ubiquitous pres-
ence in social networking sites,
the pontiff urged them to “make
good use of their presence in the
digital world”, even as he noted
that new technologies play a
great part in the preparations
being done for the upcoming
World Youth Day in Madrid.

Parents / A1

local parishes, Moortgat said that they
have been promoting the sacrament of
the anointing of the sick especially to
the elderly, among others.
He also noted that it is not ECHC’s
“plan to have a big office to dominate
or to tell everyone what they are doing,
but to help the needy.”
ECHC is anchored on four areas
that they particularly focus on: the
handicapped, the sick, the aged and
the dying.
“We lift them up, help them to be ac-
tive. We help them to stand up from the
grassroots,” said Moortgat, who retired
as the commission’s executive secretary
last April 1. He is now a program direc-
tor for ECHC.
“We envision the deaf helping the
blind. The greater the need, the greater
the care,” the priest added.
Beds for patient, college for deaf
Seeking to provide comfort to all pa-
tients, ECHC spearheaded the project
called “A Patient, A Bed” that aims to
provide beds to all mentally-ill patients
who have been sleeping on floors in
government psychiatric hospitals.
“Unknown to most Filipinos, there
are many people in our mental hospitals
who sleep on [the] floor, the hard and
cold cement. We know people in the
street who sleep on the floor, but even in
mental hospitals they sleep on the floor.
We want a bed for every patient, which
is elementary enough,” said Moortgat.
The priest said they have brought
this matter to then president Gloria
Macapag-Arroyo who agreed and wrote
a letter to the Department of Health,
tagging them in the cause.
The Arroyo administration had al-
ready sent 80 beds to a mental hospital
in Mandaluyong City.
But a change in presidency has put
the operation to a pause. As of now,
ECHC has been writing a couple of
letters to President Benigno Aquino III
and has yet to meet him.
“We want to pursue this. We must
fight against it and we must not claim
poverty for it,” Moortgat said.
In 1991, ECHC started a foundation
called College Program for the Deaf that
aimed to put to school children who are
hearing-impaired.
De La Salle University-Manila and Col-
lege of Saint Benilde have been tapped in
the worthy cause and now have a total of
175 deaf students in the college level.
Calendar of events
Every year, the commission has a
lineup of 12 activities that caters to all
disabilities and illnesses that includes a
day dedicated to the blind in February,
a day for the elderly in March and some
special education courses for mentally-
challenged patients where they invite
key speakers and people to reflect.
“We try to attack things on many
angles. We just don’t focus on one
aspect,” said Moortgat, noting that the
commission wants to give equal atten-
tion to all disabilities and sickness.
This year, they celebrated the World
Day of the Sick last February 11.
Revamped 12 apostles
Fr. Moortgat plans to remake the 12
apostles that will be portrayed on Holy
Week by inviting disabled or ill people
who could represent his or her sick-
ness to play the part, instead of young,
healthy men.
He noted that this is a good advocacy
to all those who are suffering from ill-
nesses and added that it does not cost
anything, considering that they do not
get any funding from the Catholic Bish-
ops’ Conference of the Philippines.
Meanwhile, the priest said their
second collection for their finance has
amounted to over 100,000 pesos, still a
pea-size fraction compared to their mil-
lion peso expenditure annually.
Moortgat admitted that he has used
up all his savings, including his retire-
ment funds, to finance the activities of
the commission.
“I look left and right to beg for money.
The companies we have asked for some
donations have backed out since they
are retrenching from the economy’s
slip,” he said. (Brylle B. Tabora)

CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 8
April 11 - 24, 2011
Catholic schools urged to be channels of peace communication
CAGAYAN DE ORO City—A
Jesuit peace-builder has urged
Catholic institutions and Catho-
lic educational centers to be
channels of peace communica-
tion for the achievement of last-
ing peace in Mindanao.
Cagayan de Oro City-born
Jesuit Fr. Albert Alejo said that
Catholic schools should be chan-
nels of peace communication
to inform the people and affect
them in such a way as to move
them towards becoming peace
advocates and peace builders.
Diocesan News
“Schools, colleges and univer-
sities, acknowledged as neutral
agents of change, can play a stra-
tegic and leadership role in helping
craft a Mindanao peace roadmap,
build broad support around it, and
provide timely assessments and
inputs as to its implementation,”
he said during the 4th National
Volunteers Summit held April 8-10
at the South East Asia Rural Social
Leadership Institute (SEARSOLIN)
of Xavier University.
“The conventional notion
that education is the long-term
Alejo, assistant to the president
for Social Development of the
Ateneo de Zamboanga Universi-
ty as well as national coordinator
of Konsult Mindanaw, stressed
that before Catholic institutions
and Catholic educational centers
can become effective channels of
peace communication, they have
first to acknowledge their role in
the historical marginalization of
minority groups in Mindanao.
“The Catholic Church in gen-
eral and Catholic educational in-
stitutions in particular are weighed
A7
Christians into admitting that they
play a part in the historical margin-
alization of minority groups and
that there can be no just resolution
to the Mindanao conflicts without
their support,” he said.
He said it is very important that
Catholic educational institutions
must also develop a program for
training of people in dialogue.
“A study reveals that both
Muslims and Christians have de-
veloped prejudices against each
other, but that Christians seem to
have stronger prejudices against

© Bong D. Fabe / CBCP Media

Alejo, a member of the gov-
ernment peace panel now nego-
tiating peace with the National
Democratic Front, said that
Catholic educational institutions
must do its part also in crafting a
peace roadmap for Mindanao.
solution to the peacelessness
“self-limits” the vast potentials
of educational institutions as
credible and effective platforms
for peace-building and peace-
making in short and medium
term,” he said.
down by ‘baggages’ as a repository
of confessional and historical bi-
ases against Muslims and Lumads.
The success of peace-building
programs of Catholic education-
al institutions must be gauged
among others on how they move
the Muslims. One problem is
the prevalent lack of training in
dialogue. Much of education is
monologue, or debate. While we Fr. Albert Alejo, S.J., stresses the importance of
crafting a Peace Communication Program in Catholic
have debating teams, we do not education institutions to help attain lasting peace in
have dialogue clubs,” he pointed Mindanao.
out. (Bong D. Fabe)

Briefing Lipa archdiocese ends centennial celebration

Laguna clergy are vocal vs RH Bill, says priest
SAN PABLO City―A priest from the diocese of San Pablo
belied the opinion that members of the clergy are not vocal
enough against the Reproductive Health Bill. Fr. Jerry Oble-
pias, Diocesan Director of the Family Life Ministry in Laguna
said the clergy of San Pablo Diocese are not just speaking
against it; they are marching in the streets, he said. The only
thing is that those mass actions are not being covered well by
national or local media, the priest said. (Fr. Romulo Ponte)

Provide concrete job plan, gov’t told

ANTIPOLO City—Kabataan Partylist Rep. Raymond Palatino

© Fr. Nonie Dolor / CBCP Media

urged the government to devise concrete job creation plans as
400,000 graduating students will eventually join the workforce Manila Archbishop Gaudencio
this year. With scarcity of job offers, the young lawmaker fears Cardinal Rosales, former
that the 2.8 million jobless, will be 3.2 million beginning May archbishop of Lipa; blesses the
centennial marker at the closing
or June. While there is effort by the Department of Labor and of the archdiocesan centennial
Employment (DOLE), to provide jobs for these graduates, celebration as Lipa Archbishop
Palatino sees it as “inadequate.” (Noel Sales Barcelona) Ramon Arguelles looks on.

Bishop nixes burial of Marcos at heroes’ cemetery

LIPA City―The Archdiocese of Lipa ended its His Eminence Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal also which his predecessor, Archbishop Rosales,
CAGAYAN DE ORO City—A Catholic archbishop has op-
year-long Centennial celebration with a solemn presided over the blessing of a wall marker, launched during the Great Jubilee Year 2000
posed calls to allow the burial of former President Ferdinand
Mass presided by Lipa Archbishop Ramon C. earlier unveiled by Lipa Auxiliary Bishop which had two sides, the Holy Trinity and
Marcos at the Heroes’ Cemetery. Cagayan de Oro Archbishop
Arguelles together with other bishops. emeritus Salvador Quizon and Lipa City the Holy Family.
Anthonio Ledesma said many Filipinos will not allow such
Concelebrating with Arguelles were two Mayor Meynard Sabili. “Hardly did anyone imagine that ten years
idea especially those victims of human rights violations under
former Lipa Archbishops Gaudencio B. Cardi- Arguelles, in his homily, traced Lipa’s later, during the local Jubilee, the focus will
the Marcos dictatorship. “I’m a Filipino citizen and I’m against
nal Rosales of Manila and Ricardo J. Cardinal history as St. Pope Pius X established it again be the Glorious Cross,” he said.
it. We know how massive the human rights abuses during the
Vidal, archbishop emeritus of Cebu; CBCP along with Zamboanga, Tuguegarao and He added the whole ecclesial province was
Marcos regime,” Ledesma said. (CBCPNews)
Vice President and current Cebu Archbishop Calbayog as separate dioceses in 1910. The drawn to a deeper reflection on the depth of the
Jose S. Palma, 30 other prelates and about Prefecture of Palawan was also established mystery of Consecratio ad Trinitatem Sanctam
Energy-saving measures to save country P60-B 200 diocesan and religious priests from the in the same year. and Transformatio ut Sancta Familia.
CAGAYAN DE ORO City— At least sixty billion pesos (P60 archdiocese. The evangelization of Southern Tagalog The archbishop invited the faithful to pre-
billion) will be saved this year alone if businesses implement Arguelles unveiled a historical marker from began with the first missionaries that accompa- pare for the next centennial event as he urged
energy-efficiency measures, an officer of The Development the National Historical Institute, represented nied Martin de Goiti and Juan de Salcedo, who them to become steadfast in carrying out
Academy of the Philippines (DAP) said. “Of this amount, at by its Executive Director Ludovico Badoy at both undertook various expeditions around three “missions” that requires Sanctification,
least P12 billion would come from the Mindanao areas,” said the San Sebastian Cathedral grounds, before Lake Taal, from where the evangelization of Evangelization and Communion.
Jesus Anunciacion, assistant director of the Energy Utilization the 3:00 p.m. Mass. the different nearby provinces started. A dinner-reception at the Lipa City Youth
Management Bureau of the Department of Energy (DOE), Vice President Jejomar C. Binay and Su- “After Cebu, (the province of) Batangas Center followed the liturgical celebration.
during the National Training Workshop on Energy Efficiency preme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona, can boast of having served as gateway of the The Lipa Diocesan Catholic Schools Associa-
and Conservation at the Dynasty Court Hotel, March 16 and both Batanguenos, assisted Arguelles in the Gospel to these islands of evangelical impor- tion (LIDICSA) took charge of the program
17. (Bong D. Fabe) simple unveiling rites. Cardinal Rosales pre- tance,” he said. and video presentation. (Fr. Nonie Dolor/
sided over the marker’s blessing. He also referred to the “Glorious Cross” CBCPNews)
ARMM bishop fears fresh conflict could escalate
COTABATO City— As the conflict between the armed allies of Cardinal / A1
the Mangudadatu clan and the MILF is heating up, a Catholic family,” Sanchez said. He said the church hierarchy with heart and conviction. The dinal Santos, Julio Cardinal Rosales
bishop is concerned that the fighting could escalate. Cotabato “I’m 91 years old already but must do something to strengthen church needs to preach now and Jaime Cardinal Sin.
Auxiliary Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo said many people are I said I want to go home to the again the faith of Christian be- more than ever before.” Aside from Sanchez, the two
apprehensive about the worsening armed conflict in Maguin- Philippines and somehow use lievers by intense preaching. Sanchez arrived in Manila other living cardinals are Manila
danao. He appealed to the government to immediately resolve my voice in the pastoral life of “Let’s strengthen the faith last December and is report- Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal
the conflict between the MILF and the political supporters of the church,” he said. among the faithful… let us edly residing in the country for Rosales and retired Cebu Arch-
Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu. (CBCPNews) Sanchez claimed the bill, if preserve faith in the Philippines good. He currently stays with a bishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal.
passed, is just the beginning and let’s protect the Christian community of religious sisters in After serving as bishop in several
Women’s group claims ‘harassment’ of health workers of more “immoral “and anti- family,” he said. Novaliches, Quezon City. Philippine dioceses for many years,
BAGUIO City— Women’s rights group, Tanggol Bayi (Wom- Christian laws.” Aside from making public state- He was first seen in public Sanchez was appointed as Secretary
en Defend!), assailed the alleged harassments by government “I only pray that the Filipinos ments and holding rallies, he said, during the massive church-or- of the Congregation for the Evange-
forces against three community health workers here. Cristina become more aware of this… we the church’s continuing education ganized prayer rally against RH lization of Peoples in the Vatican in
“Palabay, Tanggol Bayi’s convener said that Milgaros Ao-wat, have our tradition and that is against the RH bill would better be bill at the Quirino Grandstand in 1985 by the late Pope John Paul II.
Germelina Dacanay and Rosalinda Suyam, all working for protecting our family from the done in private way. Manila last March 25. He was made a cardinal in
Community Health Education, Services and Training in the beginning,” he said. “The priests are precisely for A native of Pandan in Cat- 1991, and also became, a month
Cordillera Region have been receiving death threats via text Sanchez noted that Christian this to preach the Gospel per- anduanes, he is the 5th out of six later, Prefect of the Congregation
messaging and that there were “suspicious” men who were families, not just in the Philip- son to person,” he said. “This is Filipino cardinals produced by the for the Clergy. He retired from
following them, wherever they go. (Noel Sales Barcelona) pines but across the world, are the best way of communication country from the time of Pope John this position on June 15, 1996.
faced with serious threats. where he can talk to everybody XXII including the late Rufino Car- (CBCPNews)

Tidbits / A4
ing activity to say the least, a remnant
of a medieval kind of spirituality that
is too heavy and too ascetic. In recent
years, however, fasting has experienced
a resurgence of its practice. But the
motivations that cause its resurgence
are varied and oftentimes secular. Some
groups who are religiously practicing
fasting today are believers of the great
religions of the East. To enter into the
meaning of yoga and transcendental
meditation, they have to undergo fast-
ing. They have to restrain themselves
from eating indiscriminately. To acquire
the spiritual power that they want, or,
to reach the peace of mind amidst the
ambiguities of life, they have to undergo
these religious practices that include the
discipline in the proper intake of food.
Other groups take good health as their
motivation for fasting. Actually, they
do not call it fasting. They call it dieting.
These groups believe that easy life is
unhealthy, that the undisciplined intake
of food makes one soft and flabby. In
contrast regulated dieting makes one
trimmed, healthy and disciplined.
But the Christian fulfills the practice
of fasting as duly prescribed by our
Lord Jesus Himself and His Church. As
our Lord said: “When I am no longer
with them, then, they will fast” (ibid).
And so we fast. And we do it for we
are convinced that by rendering our
table poorer and denying our stomach
of some of our favorite food, we learn
to free ourselves from our selfish selves,
start to discover that there is Someone
besides ourselves, “the One and only
God, whom we shall adore” (cf. Dt.
6”4-9), and hope to recognize Him in the
faces of our least brothers and sisters (cf.
Mt. 25: 40). It is hoped that the Lenten
fast would lead the faithful to the real
celebration of Easter which can only
be savored to the fullest by one who
has undergone the agony of a stomach
in fasting, articulately expressing the
empty spirit it has in its struggle to reach
out to God and neighbor. Here, fasting
has evolved itself into a feasting.
In his Lenten Message, the Holy Father
Pope Benedict XVI expressed this truth
beautifully: “For Christians, fasting, far
from being depressing, opens us ever
more to God and to the needs of other,
thus allowing love of God to become also
love of our neighbor” (cf. Mk 12:31).
As Catholics then, let us joyfully take on
fasting and abstinence for all that is worth.

JP II / A1
was established January this year as a
joint undertaking between the Diocese
of Balanga and BTPI, which is now eyed
as an eco-tourism destination.
To date, the BTPI maintains a mu-
seum to showcase the history and devel-
opment of the PRPC and its legacies.
The park has also retained most of
the historical landmarks—the former
shrines and monuments crafted as a
legacy of the “boat people” in the former
refugee camp.
“Now the establishment of the memo-
rial shrine is symbolic for the love and
reverence to Pope John II who loved our
country and remembered and remained
in the hearts and minds of the people,”
Sanglay said.
Aside from venerating the late pope,
he said other objectives of the shrine
include serving as a “vehicle of uplifting
the moral, religious and spiritual life of
the Filipinos.”
The shrine’s inauguration will be led
by Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos, BTPI
officials, and Bataan 1st District Rep.
Herminia Roman.
Also set to deliver her speech is the
event’s guest of honor, Ilocos Norte 2nd
District Rep. Imelda Romualdez Marcos,
former Minister of Human Settlement.
JP II’s feast day
In Rome, Zenit news agency reported
that John Paul II’s liturgical memorial
will be observed every Oct. 22 in Rome
and Poland, according to a decree issued
by the Congregation for Divine Worship
and the Sacraments on April 11.
The decree, which acknowledged the
“exceptional character” of the Pontiff’s
beatification, regulates the public li-
turgical observance, also known as the
“cult,” of the soon-to-be Blessed John
Paul II. The Pontiff’s beatification will
take place May 1 in the Vatican.
Even though Mass of thanksgiving
following a beatification are normally
limited to the places where the blessed
lived or worked, the Vatican has granted
permission for local Churches around
the world to celebrate a thanksgiving
Mass during the year following the
Pontiff’s beatification.
The date for the thanksgiving Mass
is to be selected by the diocesan bishop
for his diocese, and by the general su-
perior for religious congregations and
orders, but it must take place before
May 1, 2012.
An Oct. 22 liturgical memorial will be
automatically inserted into the liturgical
calendars of the Diocese of Rome and
the dioceses of Poland, and other local
churches and religious families may
request permission to do the same.
For those churches where a liturgical
memorial is observed, a church may be
named after John Paul II, but in other
dioceses an indult must be granted by
the Vatican.
The decree also published the text
of the opening prayer to be used in the
liturgical memorial and the Masses of
thanksgiving. (Roy Lagarde)
Willie / A1
aired on TV 5 last March 12.
“The management and host of the
show brought shame not only to Jan-
Jan and his parents but to media prac-
titioners in general,” said Fr. Edwin
Gariguez, Nassa executive secretary.
Gariguez said Nassa, chaired by Ma-
nila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo,
supports the calls for further investiga-
tion on the said television episode.
He said appropriate intervention and
assistance must also be extended to Jan-
Jan and his family.
“Only by examining carefully the
many elements that gave rise to the con-
troversy can a clear-sighted assessment
of critical issues be looked into and liable
persons are meted out the appropriate
penalty under our laws on human rights
and child protection,” he said.
The CBCP official also appealed to
media networks to uphold the “human
dignity” at all times and avoid “the be-
trayal of trust that was placed on their
shoulders.”
“We need to remember that media’s
primary role is to promote social aware-
ness and safeguard the dignity and
welfare of the people, especially the
youth,” he said.
“This explicitly entails social respon-
sibility that will proscribe commercially-
driven shows that induce people to think
and behave in ways that have grievous
moral consequence to society.”
“In the same way that freedoms in the
media are respected so should media
practitioners put utmost regard to the
dignity and rights of the people whom
they serve,” Gariguez added.
He said mechanisms must also be pro-
vided by media networks to ensure that
participants in any game shows, “most
of whom poor, are not exploited.”
“We need to install monitoring system
to ensure compliance to child protection
policy that will best [put] the interest
and the welfare of children and that
will pursue liabilities of those who dare
transgress it,” he said. (CBCPNews)
 A8 People, Facts & Places CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 8
April 11 - 24, 2011

Church Heritage committee

THE Permanent Committee for the Cultural
Heritage of the Church (PCCHC) of the Catholic
Bishops Conference of the Philippines is holding
its 7th Biennial National Convention of Church

to hold national confab

Cultural Heritage Workers and Practitioners in
Tacloban City, Leyte, on May 9-12, 2011.
Keynote speaker of the 4-day assembly is CBCP
president and Tandag Bishop Nereo Odchimar.
Msgr. Jaime C. Vilanueva, Palo archdiocesan
administrator, and the Honourable Jericho L. Pe-
tilla, Leyte governor, will respectively deliver the
welcome remarks on behalf of the archdiocese and
the provincial government.
Topics to be discussed cover the different cul-
tural heritage typology, and will be elaborated by
nine speakers that include Ozamiz Archbishop
Jesus A. Dosado, C.M., Architect Clarissa Av-
endaño, Fr. Brian Brigoli, Fr. Gilbert Urbina, Fr.
Isidro Abaño, O.P., Architect Michael Manalo,
Prof. Ferdinand Bautista, Msgr. Lope Robredillo,
and Atty. Jo Aurea Imbong.
Convention venues are the Arcivu Hall in the
Palo Metropolitan Cathedral compound; the Ba-
lyuan Convention Centre, and Sto. Niño Parish
Church, both in Tacloban City.
On May 11, the convention participants will trav-
el to the Immaculate Conception Parish Church,
Guiuan, Eastern Samar, for a heritage pilgrimage,
passing by the historic parish churches of Basey

Contributed Photo
and Balangiga.
The Guiuan church was declared a national
cultural treasure in 2001 by the National Museum
of the Philippines.
Participants of the 6th Biennial Convention held at Laoag, Ilocos Norte in May 2009.
‘Informal school’
The biennial national conventions began in 1996
at the initiative of the CBCP-PCCHC, currently informal “school of church heritage” to serve the work in tourism, arts, and vocation related to the by contacting the Palo secretariat c/o Prof. Anida
chaired by Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Julito Cortes, to continuing formation programme of both priests and cultural heritage of the Church. “Birdie” Lorenzo (09173570650; anbelo02@yahoo.
serve as a forum for the priests and lay collabora- lay faithful who devote their time to the conservation This year’s convention will be hosted by the com) or Prof. Joycie Dorado-Alegre (09263843156;
tors assigned to take care of the cultural patrimony of the ecclesiastical cultural goods in their respective Archdiocese of Palo, with the Leyte-Samar Heri- 09995573154; doradoalegre@yahoo.com).
assets of particular Churches. pastoral jurisdiction by mandate of their bishops. tage Society, Inc., as co-host and lay agency. A registration fee of PhP 2,000.00 will be col-
These assemblies have also effectively become an The meetings are also open to all those who Participants are asked to confirm attendance lected from each participant. (CBCPNews)

Salesian youth relives WYD spirit in regional assembly IN a desire to bring a bit of the World
Youth Day spirit to more young Filipi-
nos, the Salesian Youth Movement has
gathered the youth from Luzon and
Visayas for a distinctively youthful
celebration from April 2 – 6.
Also came to join the event at the St.
Mary Mazzarello School, Victorias City, in
Negros Occidental were selected Salesian
youth leaders, together with their anima-
tors, from South Korea and Vietnam.
An annual event, this year’s SYD
was inspired by both the CBCP Year
of the Youth and the upcoming World
Youth Day (WYD) in Madrid, Spain
this August.
www.facebook.com
from the letter of St. Paul to the Corin-
thians, “Stand firm in the faith… do all
your work in love.” (1 Cor. 16:13-14).
The Salesian Youth Day comes at a
fitting moment when the presence of
young people in the Church is given
special significance.
Last July, the CBCP declared 2011
as the “CBCP Year of the Youth”. The
period from December 16, 2010 until
December of 2011 will be a time when
special venues will be set up to help the
youth to “establish and strengthen their
relationship with Christ; “provide op-
portunities for growth; and “encourage
community involvement.”
tion of the upcoming WYD in Madrid.
According to Lea Dasigan, a full-time
staff worker for the Salesian Youth
Movement, SYD participants also re-
flected on the WYD 2011 message.
“It’s our way of bringing the WYD
spirit to them, because not all the youth
are going to attend (the) WYD in Ma-
drid,” she added.
The Salesian Youth Movement is an
international movement that encour-
ages young people to live up to the
spirituality that St. John Bosco devoted
his life to.
The SYD event also aimed to drum
up excitement for the 25th Anniver-

The SYD 2011’s theme “Salesian The SYD 2011 also aimed to provide an sary of the Salesian Youth Movement
Youth: In faith we stand, in love we occasion to bring the World Youth Day in 2013 and the Bi-Centennial Birth
serve” was inspired by the CBCP Year fever and its meaningful message to the Anniversary of St. John Bosco in 2015.
of the Youth’s theme. Both were taken Salesian youth in the country, in anticipa- (Jandel Posion)

Clergy group holds forum on peace negotiations

THE National Clergy Discern-
ment Group held a Lenten forum
aimed to shed light on the future
of peace negotiations and its
challenges under the Aquino
government.
The forum discussed the impor-
tance of the Comprehensive Agree-
ment on Social and Economic
Reforms (CASER) as an effective
solution to put an end on the
armed conflict in the Philippines.
CASER is second in the agen-
da of the peace negotiations
between the Philippine govern-
ment and the National Demo-
cratic Front which resumed in
Oslo, Norway last February
15-21, 2011.
The forum likewise tackled the
role of church people and the gen-
eral public in achieving a just and
lasting peace in the country.
Themed “The Pursuit for a Just
and Lasting Peace: A Christian
Imperative”, the Lenten gather-
ing was held on April 1, from
2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at De La
Salle-College Saint Benilde, Taft
Avenue Manila.
Among those who attended
include religious, priests, aca-
deme, students and representa-
tives from various faiths.
A biblical-theological reflection
was given by Fr. Wilfredo Dulay,
MJ, one of the convenors of Nation-
al Clergy Discernment Group.
Representatives from the Nego-
tiating Panels of the Government
of the Philippines (GPH) and the
National Democratic Front of the
Philippines (NDFP) were invited
to grace the event. (CBCPNews)
Markings
APPOINTED. The superior of the local Vincentians, Fr. Rolando Crisostomo
Santos, C.M. has been named Bishop of Alotau-Sideia in Papua New
Guinea on April 6. Born in 1949 in Malabon, Rizal Province, bishop-elect
Santos entered the Congregation of the Mission (Philippine Province) in
1966 after his studies at the Vincentian Minor Seminary in Valenzuela, Bula-
can and two years of formation at the Vincentian Hills Seminary in Angono,
Rizal. He was sent to the US Eastern Province of the Congregation to the
Mary Immaculate Seminary in Northampton, Panama for his Philosophical

Pauline sisters hold media assembly

and Theological studies. He later took his vows in 1971 and ordained to the
priesthood in 1974. As a young priest, he was formator at the St. Vincent
Ferrer Seminary in Iloilo city. In 1975 he was assigned parochial vicar and
pastor in Calumpang, Iloilo city. In 1984, he was appointed rector of the
Vincentian Seminary in Tandang Sora, Quezon City. Fr. Santos became
PAULINE sisters di- they observed in their an active member of the pastoral ministry of the Provincial Mission Team.
rectly involved in the practice of communi- In 1987, he was appointed Director of the Daughters of Charity Philippine
media apostolate held cation… among them- Province in addition to his being vicar of the National Shrine of the Miraculous
their annual media selves, community, Medal in Muntinlupa City. In 2001, Fr. Santos was sent to Papua New Guinea
and became Spiritual Director and Econome in the Holy Spirit seminary in
practitioners’ assembly family, friends, and in Bomana, under the Archdiocese of Port Moresby. Before his appointment as
and workshop at the the apostolate. bishop of Alotau-Sideia, he was Secretary-General of the Catholic Bishops
Paulines Communica- Manding dared par- Conference of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands. The See of Alotau-
tion Center in Pasay ticipants to respond Sideia has an area of 20,000 square miles, a population of 245,000 with
© Praxedes Paloma, FSP

City on April 5-7. aggressively on the 41,137 Catholics, 23 priests and 43 religious men and women.

Twenty one sisters
of the Daughters of St.
Paul from across the
country and Malaysia
gathered to share on
their apostolic initia-
tives and map out a more effective response
to the challenges they encounter in their
respective ministries.
Themed “Truth, Proclamation and Au-
thenticity of Life in the Digital Age”, the
seminar touched on the challenges of the
media apostolate in the digital age.
Resource speaker during the seminar
was Sr. Consolata Manding, FSP, directress
of Paulines Institute of Communication in
Asia (PICA). She spoke on the culture of
communication and expounded on Pope
Benedict XVI’s message for 2011 World Com-
munications Day.
Communication is in a flux, Manding said.
The radical development of digital technol-
ogy has altered the way people communicate
with one another and so our way of doing
the apostolate, she added.
She asked participants of the changes
challenges posed by CELEBRATED. Diamond Jubilee of Religious Profession of Sr. Ma.
the Holy Father in his Carmen Bolaños of Tiaong, Quezon; Sr. Ma. Rosario Padilla of San
message, especially Leonardo, Nueva Ecija; Sr. Ma. Luz Nitura of Urdaneta, Pangasinan; Mo.
that of using more Ma. Eufemia Lauzon of Tolosa, Leyte; Sr. Ma. Amparo Serra of Sagay,
Negros Occidental; Sr. Ma. Susana Quiñones of Malabuyoc, Cebu; Mo.
effectively the new Ma. Bibiana Vendiola of Bacong, Negros Oriental; Sr. Ma. Lucila Reyes
media in the procla- of Cavite City; Sr. Ma. Auxiliadora Somosot of Clarin, Bohol; Sr. Ma. Clara
mation of the Gospel. Flores of Balamban, Cebu; Sr. Ma. Nicholasa Sabado of Bogo, Cebu;
Participants in the assembly were sis- and Sr. Ma. Visitacion Visitacion of Badian, Cebu, among the Augustin-
ian Recollects Sisters (AR), April 16, 2011. His Eminence Gaudencio
ters working in ministries that include Cardinal Rosales will preside the thanksgiving Eucharistic celebration at
media literacy education, radio, TV, the St. Augustine Chapel, Tagaste Retreat House in Tagaytay City.
audio-visual, information technology
and pastoral involvement in arch/dioc- ORDAINED. Sem. Nestor Del Mundo Edrozo, Jr. of San Vicente Fer-
rer Parish, Mamatid, Cabuyao was ordained to the Sacred Order of
esan commission on social communica- Deacons by Bishop Leo Drona on April 8, Friday at 9:30 a.m. at the St.
tions and the media office of the Catholic Peter’s College Seminary. Edrozo is a graduate of the SVD Theological
Bishops Conference of the Philippines. Seminary in Tagaytay City.
(CBCPNews)

Young Filipino Catholics advocate chastity

CHASTITY and abstinence
are the answers to sexually
transmitted diseases and un-
wanted pregnancies, and not
the reproductive health bill,
according to a youth member
of a Catholic organization for
the family.
EJ Aguila, 27, a member
of the CFC-Youth for Family
and Life, voiced the senti-
ments of a growing group
of young, Filipino Catholics
who advocate sexual purity
as a personal choice.
During the interfaith rally
that drew hundred of thou-
sands at the Quirino Grand-
stand on March 25, Aguila
shared onstage that he has
decided to remain single and
wait until he is married to have
sexual relations with the person
God will give him.
He emphasized that “the
youth don’t need sex educa-
tion”, but instead championed
the choice of having sex only
within marriage.
Aguila also wanted to go
against the image of the apa-
thetic Filipino youth, stressing
that the “the youth do care about
life.”
“It is not true that we are Pro-
RH Bill, we are instead Pro-Life,”
he said.
In interviews during the rally,
several youth talked about how
the RH bill will negatively affect
society.
Maann Termulo from Youth
Congress for Catholic Interpreters held
THE Episcopal Commission on Episcopal Commission on Health He firmly suggested to have
for Christ (YFC) said the RH Health Care held a congress for Care including their ministry for one Holy Mass every Sunday for
bill will lead to the abuse interpreters during the Catholic the deaf and other persons with all the handicapped.
of young people, especially Interpreters’ Day to highlight disabilities. The handicapped can take
women. their significant role in society. Thirty-six interpreters, teachers roles in the celebration, he said,
She emphasized that wom- The congress, held last March of the deaf and others who studied such as a blind taking care of the
en will be used as sex objects 12 at the Paco Catholic School, also at least the first level of Sign first reading and intellectually
when the bill is passed. aimed to promote awareness and language strongly supported the disabled being part of the
The youth will be led astray encouragement to those who are idea to be among the members of offertory procession together
because they will think that interested in becoming interpreters. the local Diocesan and Parochial with those who are wheelchair
they are doing the right thing. Fr. Luke Moortgat, CICM Commissions who are active bound and also the presence of
I hope that they will not be underscored the importance volunteers for interpreting during an interpreter for the deaf.
pro-RH bill anymore, but be- of interpreting at different Holy Mass, teaching catechism, Ms. Rosalynn Garcia, one of
come pro-life, she added. occasions. and other activities. the speakers during the congress
A good number of young He said the day was also a He believed the commission who is a full-time interpreter,
Catholics made up the esti- great opportunity to inform the should be informed if proposed the creation of
mated 100,000 people pres- general public of the presence parishioners find the interpreters the national association of
ent during the pro-life rally, of deaf in our society who need during Mass a distraction. interpreters in the Philippines
mostly members of youth our help to be accepted and to The priest said there is a need intended to draw more people
organizations, ministries, become productive members of to explain the significance of who will care for the deaf.
parishes and schools. (Jandel our nation. interpreters’ role for the active She also shared her various
Posion) Fr. Moortgat discussed participation of the disabled experiences in handling deaf
the various programs of the during the Holy Mass. people. (Vanessa Puno)
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 8
April 11 - 24, 2011
The priest and the
paschal triduum
A Meditation on the Liturgy from Palm Sunday to Easter
(The following is a liturgical reflection of Fr. Nicola Bux, professor of Eastern Liturgy and consultor of several
Holy See dicasteries, on the key moments and symbols of the celebrations proper to Palm Sunday and the paschal
triduum; lifted from the Office for the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff)
THE Letter to the Hebrews is the
only text of the New Testament that
attributes to our Lord Jesus Christ
the titles “priest,” “high priest” and
“mediator of the New Covenant,”
thanks to the offering of the sacrifice
of his body, anticipated in the
mystical Supper of Holy Thursday,
consummated on the Cross and
presented to the Father with the
Resurrection and Ascension to Heaven
(cf. Hebrews 9:11-15). This text is
meditated in the Liturgy of the Hours
of the fifth week of Lent—or Passion
week, as in the liturgical calendar of
the extraordinary form of the Roman
Rite—and in Holy Week.
We Catholic priests must always
look at Jesus Christ and have his same
sentiments, to the point of absorption in
Him; this ascesis occurs with permanent
conversion. How does conversion take
place in us priests? In the rite of Ordina-
tion we are asked to teach the Catholic
faith, not our ideas, “to celebrate with
devotion and fidelity the mysteries of
Christ -- namely, the liturgy and the
sacraments—according to the tradition
of the Church” and not according to our
taste; above all, “to be ever more united
to Christ high priest, who as pure victim
offered himself to the Father for us,” that
is, to conform our life to the mystery of
the cross.
The Holy Church honors the priest
and the priest must honor the Church
with the holiness of his life—proposed
St. Alphonsus Mary of Liguori on the
day of his Ordination—with zeal, with
work and with decorum. He offers Jesus
Christ to the Eternal Father, that is why
he must be clothed in the virtues of Jesus
Christ to prepare himself to encounter
the Holy of Holies. How important is
the interior and exterior preparation to
Pastoral Concerns
the sacred Liturgy, to the Holy Mass! It
is about glorifying the high and eternal
priest Jesus Christ.
However, all this is carried out to the
greatest degree in Holy Week, the Great
and Holy Week as the Eastern Church
says. Let us look at some of its principal
ceremonies on the basis of the Pon-
tifical of
bishops.
1. On
P a l m
Sunday,
the priest
enters Je-
rusalem
with Jesus
in joy. On
this Sun-
day the
Church
celebrates
the Lord’s triumph and
anticipates the joy of the
victory of the Risen One.
The solemn procession in
honor of Christ the King
is the most characteristic
rite of the day: It recalls
the triumphal cortege that
accompanied Jesus on his
entry in Jerusalem, ex-
presses the actual meeting
of the Church in the holy
mysteries and represents,
ahead of time, the entrance
of the elect in the heavenly
city, as the Apostle says:
“Provided we suffer with him in order
that we may also be glorified with him”
(Romans 8:17).
The liturgy of the Palms orients us,
therefore, to the definitive Presence of
the Lord, in Greek “parousia.” It is not
just about commemorating the Lord’s
entry in the heavenly Jerusalem but,
bringing us close to the Eucharistic
banquet, where the Bread will be bro-
ken, about proclaiming symbolically
what will really happen at the end of
the world. Then the Lord’s Cross will
open the entrance of the heavenly Je-
rusalem to that “great multitude” that
St. John contemplated in the prophetic
vision, from every nation, from all tribes
and peoples and tongues -- clothed in
white robes, with palm branches in their
hands, and crying out with a loud voice,
“Salvation belongs to our God who sits
upon the throne, and to the Lamb!”
(Revelation 7:9-10).
2. With the Missa in Cena Domini of
Holy Thursday, the priest enters the
principal mysteries, the institution of
the Most Blessed Eucharist and of the
ministerial priesthood, as also of the
commandment of brotherly love, signi-
fied by the washing of the feet, gesture
that the Coptic liturgy does ordinarily
every Sunday. Nothing expresses it
better than the song “Ubi Caritas.”
After communion, the priest, taking
the humeral cloth, goes up to the altar,
genuflects and, helped by a deacon,
takes the pyx with his hands covered
by the humeral cloth. It is the symbol
of the need for pure hands and hearts
to approach the Divine Mysteries and
touch the Lord!
3. Good Friday in Passione Domini, the
priest is called to go up to Calvary. At 3
p.m., the Passion of the Lord takes place
in three moments: the Word, the Cross,
Communion. It moves in procession
and silence to the altar. After reverenc-
ing the altar, which represents Christ
in the austere nakedness of Calvary,
he prostrates himself on the ground:
It is the “proskynesis,” as in the day
of ordination. Thus he expresses the
conviction of being nothing before the
Divine Majesty, and repentance for hav-
ing dared to measure himself, through
sin, with the Omnipotent. As the Son
who abased himself, the priest recog-
nizes his nothingness, and so begins his
priestly mediation between God and the
people, which culminates in the solemn
universal prayer.
The exposition and adoration of the
Holy Cross takes place: The priest goes
to the altar with the deacons and there,
standing, receives it and uncovers it in
three successive moments, or shows it
already uncovered, and invites each of
the faithful to adoration with the words:
Look at the wood of the Cross. In its
bare solemnity, here, in the heart of the
liturgical year, tradition has endured
tenaciously more than at other moments
of the year. The priest, after depositing
the chasuble, if possible barefoot, is
the first to approach the cross, kneels
before it and kisses it. Catholic theology
does not hesitate to give to the word
“adoration” its true meaning. The true
Cross—bathed with the blood of the
Redeemer—makes itself, so to speak,
one with Christ, and receives adoration.
Because of this, prostrating ourselves
before the sacred wood, we say to the
Lord: “We adore you, Oh Christ, and
we bless you, because by thy Holy Cross
you have redeemed the world.”
4. The Easter of the Kingdom of God
has been realized in Jesus: the Supper
offered and consumed, “on
the night he was betrayed”;
immolated on Calvary on
Good Friday, when “the
earth was covered in dark-
ness,” once again at night
receives the consecration
of divine approval, in the
resurrection of Christ the
Lord: From John we know
that Mary Mag-dalene
went to the sepulcher
“while it
was still
dark”;
hence,
it hap-
pened in
the last
hours of
the night
after the
Paschal
Satur-
day.
In the Novus Ordo, the priest, from
the beginning of the Vigil, wears white
vestments as for the Mass. He blesses the
fire and lights the Paschal Candle with
the new fire, if he proceeds, after hav-
ing nailed, as in the old liturgy, a cross.
Then he traces on the vertical side of the
cross the Greek letter alpha and below,
B1
© Kris Bayos / CBCP Media
instead, the letter omega; between the
arms of the cross he traces four numbers
to indicate the current year, saying:
Christ yesterday and today. Afterward,
having made the incision on the cross and
the other signs, he can nail in the candle
five grains of incense, saying: Through
his holy wounds. Then, singing the Lu-
men Christi, he leads the procession to
the church. The priest is at the head of
the faithful people here on earth, to be
able to lead them to heaven.
It is the priest who intones solemnly
the Alleluia. He sings it three times,
gradually raising the tone of his voice:
the people repeat it each time in the
same tone.
In the baptismal liturgy, the priest,
standing before the font, blesses the
water singing the prayer: Oh God,
through the sacramental signs; while he
invokes: Descend, Father, on this water.
He can submerge the Paschal Candle
in the water once or three times. The
meaning is profound: the priest is the
fertilizing organ of the ecclesial womb,
symbolized by the baptismal pool. Truly
in the person of Christ Head he engen-
ders children that, as father, he fortifies
with the chrism and nourishes with the
Eucharist. Also by reason of the marital
functions to the Church Bride, the priest
must be a man. All the mystical meaning
of Easter is manifested in the priestly
identity, coming to fullness, the pleroma,
Photos © www.zimbio.com
as the East says. With him sacramental
initiation reaches its culmination and
Christian life the center.
Hence, the priest, having ascended the
cross with Jesus on Friday and lowered
into his sepulcher on Holy Saturday, can
really affirm on Easter Sunday with the
sequence: “We know that Christ has truly
risen from the dead.”
B2 Updates CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 8
April 11 - 24, 2011

Towards a Canonical Status for

Basic Ecclesial Communities
A Review of the Instruction Ecclesia de Mysterio
(Part I)
By Fr. Jaime B. Achacoso, community does not even appear ordained ministry (Bishops, this is encouraged in the right

Why dates
J.C.D.
I am a priest in a diocese in Mindanao,
where there is a strong impetus for
in the Codex, but there is no
normative gap (lacuna normativa),
because the juridic structure of
the Church is sufficiently fine so
as to provide the pertinent norms
priests, deacons) is part of
the Church’s very structure.
Thus, the Instruction concludes
by stating that “the solutions
addressing the shortage of
direction consistent with Catholic
ecclesiology. However─as Card.
Ratzinger emphasized then─”it
intends to rebut and prevent the
tendency towards a clericalization

of Easter
the establishment of Basic Ecclesial
Communities (BECs). The work
these are doing for the Christian
faithful is undeniable, especially
in those areas hardly reached by
to the actuation of the BECs. In
other words, from the existing
legal norms, it is quite possible
to draw what is applicable to the
constitution and conduct of basic
ordained ministers cannot be
other than transitory and must
be linked to a series of pastoral
programs which give priority to
the promotion of vocations to the
of the lay faithful, and the risk of
creating, in reality, an ecclesial
structure of parallel service to
that founded on the sacrament
of Orders.”1

differ
the inadequate number of priests.
However, at times I have been at
odds with such groups because of
a certain tendency to supplant the
parish. At times, such groups in the
rural areas outside the poblacion
even dissuade their members from
(Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina going to town to attend Mass on holy
Apostolorum university, answers the following query:) days of obligation, with the reason
that they already have what they call
Q: I am an Orthodox reader and I have a question. As you a “dry Mass”─basically a liturgy of
know, the Catholic (Western) Churches and the Orthodox celebrate the Word with the administration of
Pascha [Easter] on different Sundays most of the time. The rule Holy Communion outside Mass─in
of the Council of Nicaea says, “The first Sunday after the first their chapel. In matters of governance
full moon after the vernal equinox.” However, in the notes on too, at times such BECs are at odds
the council it tells us that, even using this calculation—there with our Parish priest, because
being no common calendar in the empire at the time—Christian they impose requirements on their
churches were celebrating the feast on different Sundays based members (beyond those required by
on when they calculated the equinox and full moons based on the Parish) in order to be included
their particular calendars. To have unity within the empire, in the roster for the reception of
Constantine added the caveat, “But shall not precede or coincide Confirmation and Baptism, and even
with Passover,” and for more than 1,000 years, this worked and for Marriage. What does Canon Law
we all celebrated Pascha on the same Sunday. Then with the say about this?
introduction of the Gregorian calendar this changed somewhat
but, even if the imperial order was still honored in the West, The Problem with BECs
we would still be celebrating Pascha together. Can you tell us There are two basic problems
why the Western Churches have chosen to neglect this order and with the Basic Ecclesial
will celebrate Pascha before or during Passover, as they did this
year, while the Orthodox will still honor the rule and wait? Or
can you tell us why the West, as is the case in some years, will
celebrate Pascha on the Sunday when the full moon is Saturday
night, which liturgically is Sunday?—G.J., Houston, Texas
ecclesial communities.
This, in fact, is the inspiration
behind the 19th National
Convention of the Canon Law
Society of the Philippines, to be
held this coming April 26-29 in
Surigao City. In effect, what the
CLSP proposes to do is to sift
through existing legal norms
in the Church to find what are
applicable to BECs and then
integrate them into a sort of
a draft Guidelines for Basic
Ecclesial Communities, for
possible presentation to the CBCP
for the latter’s adoption and if
necessary Papal recognition.
Point of Departure: the
Instruction Ecclesia de Mysterio
of 1997
In 1997, the Holy See issued the
Instruction Ecclesia de Mysterio,
On Certain Questions Regarding the
Collaboration of the Non ordained
Faithful in the Sacred Ministry of
Priests. It was co-authored by six
Sacrament of Holy Orders.”
2. Remind the laity of their
specific role. The Instruction also
reminds us how the fundamental
equality of Christians—based on
Baptism—is compatible with an
essential difference—based on
Sacred Orders—and that lay
Christians, precisely because
of Baptism, are called to the
consecratio mundi, which differs
from the task of anyone who
belongs, through the sacrament,
to the ministerial ranks. Thus,
by avoiding every form of
clericalism, lay Christians are
encouraged to be more aware
of their identity and to give their
witness in the world and in the
Church without considering
the exercise of ministerial
duties which they may perform
from time to time as a form of
advancement but only as one of
substitution.
3. Expose the “functionalist”
and “individualist” errors. The
The doctrinal principle at
the root of these concerns is the
twofold affirmation of the unity of
the Church’s mission, in which
all the baptized participate, and
the essential difference of the
ministry of pastors, rooted in the
sacrament of Orders, with respect
to the other ministries, offices and
ecclesial functions that are rooted
in the sacraments of Baptism and
Confirmation.
5. Encourage terminological
precision. In Article 1 of the
practical provisions─-entitled
“Need for an Appropriate
Terminology”─the Instruction
rightly insists on the need
for a suitable terminology,
clarifying the confused use of the
word ministry, which describes
both the officia and the munera
exercised by Pastors in virtue
of the sacrament of Orders,
and those exercised by the non
ordained faithful.
6. Eliminate abuses. As Card.

A: First of all, it would appear that the supposed rule that

Easter must be celebrated after Passover does not hail from
the Council of Nicaea. It would appear that this provision
was first proposed by the 12th-century Byzantine canonist
Joannes Zonaras. It probably stems from the fact that the
drift caused by the Julian calendar’s miscalculation of the
solar year means that Easter now always falls after the start
of the Jewish Passover. The fact that this happens gave rise
to the belief that this was a rule, but the historical evidence
does not seem to support this.
As our reader points out, early Christians calculated
Easter using different criteria. Christians in Syria generally
held Easter after the Jewish Passover whereas most other
Christians within the Roman Empire calculated Easter with
no thought for the Jewish festival. Thus Easter was often
celebrated on different days in Antioch and Alexandria.
Nicaea decreed a single date but left no precise indications
regarding the criteria for calculating the date. It was only
several decades later that the system used in Alexandria
became generally accepted.
We had already dealt briefly with the question of the date
for Easter on Feb. 28, 2006. Our present reply will flesh out
what we said on that occasion.
Easter follows a lunar-solar, rather than a solar, calendar
and is celebrated on the Sunday that follows the first
full moon after March 21, the vernal (spring) equinox.
Therefore, Easter cannot fall earlier than March 22 or later
than April 25.
Thus, according to a detailed article in Wikipedia,
“Gregorian Easter can fall on 35 possible dates. ... It last fell
www.facebook.com

on March 22 in 1818, and will not do so again until 2285.

It fell on March 23 in 2008, but will not do so again until
2160. Easter last fell on the latest possible date, April 25,
in1943 and will next fall on that date in 2038. However, it
will fall on April 24, just one day before this latest possible
date, in 2011. The cycle of Easter dates repeats after exactly Communities. Firstly, although Vatican Congregations (for the Instruction also calls for critical Ratzinger affirmed at the time:
5,700,000 years, with April 19 being the most common date, the term has been used quite Clergy; for the Doctrine of the discernment regarding certain “The timeliness and urgent need
happening 220,400 times or 3.9%, compared to the median extensively in the Philippines, Faith; for Divine Worship and the modernistic trends that deeply of this Instruction is explained in
for all dates of 189,525 times or 3.3%.” the Magisterium has not really Discipline of the Sacraments; for affect people’s idea of the the light of the situation occurring
Most of the Eastern Churches follow the same basic defined it authoritatively. Even Bishops; for the Evangelization ministry. in specific and widespread
principles but often celebrate Easter on a date different in the Philippines, the bishops of Peoples; for the Institutes of The first, the “functionalist” ecclesial circles, which demands,
from Catholics and other Western Christians because they have not given a real definition. Consecrated Life and Societies of approach, holds that human special insistence on the faithful
continue to follow the calendar of Julius Caesar without the Hence, the margin for abuse of Apostolic Life) and two Pontifical actions and things in general application of the principles and
corrections incorporated by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582. the notion is quite wide. Councils (for the Interpretation of cannot refer to anything beyond norms contained in the teachings of
Julius Caesar’s calendar (from 46 B.C.) calculated the year Secondly, if there is no Legislative Texts; for the Laity). themselves. In this mentality the Magisterium and the Church’s
as 365 days and 6 hours and thus was about 11 minutes and theological definition, much less The document reaffirmed the what really counts is to achieve universal legislation in the concrete
9 seconds more than the Earth’s actual course. Although could there be a canonical one. teaching of the Second Vatican the goal one has set for oneself. We life of the particular Churches.”2
tiny, this excess puts the calendar off by a day, more or The expression does not even Council (especially of Lumen can understand then how, even In view of the situation in
less, every 128 years. Thus, the Council of Nicaea already appear in the Code of Canon Law. Gentium, n.33 and Apostolicam when moved by true pastoral certain ecclesial areas, specifically
found it necessary to regress the date of the spring equinox Perhaps it was for this reason─the Actuositatem, n.24). Its main generosity, some eventually North Central Europe, North
to March 21 instead of the original date of March 25. lack of any clear idea of what they purpose was to acknowledge and think that whatever does not America and Australia, and
By the time of Gregory XIII the difference had grown so are in the first place─that they promote what is specific to the require the sacramental power noting the risk that abuses in
much that the spring equinox occurred on March 11. have not been treated seriously vocations of the lay faithful and of of the Bishop, priest or deacon the lay faithful’s participation
In 1581 with the bull “Inter Gravissimas” Pope Gregory in the canonical forum. ordained ministers, with the goal ad validitatem can be assumed in the sacred ministry of the
promulgated a widespread reform which, among other Nevertheless, the phenomenon of encouraging real communion ordinarily and permanently ordained could spread to other
things, re-established the spring equinox on March 21 by does exist and─in Mindanao in the Church. by the laity. But in doing so, ecclesiastical regions, Card.
eliminating 10 days from October 1582. Coincidence would and to a certain extent also in Surprisingly, it was met either the ordained ministry begins Ratzinger already affirmed then
have it that St. Teresa of Avila died on that very night of the Visayas─quite extensively, with criticism or with indifference. gradually to be eroded. This is that “it seemed most timely
Oct. 4-15. to the point that somebody had After almost 15 years, the problem illustrated by the complaint of and urgent to define clearly the
The error of Julius Caesar’s calendar was corrected by said “they are the new way of of the BECs compels us to revisit our priest from Mindanao that various forms of assistance open
deciding that the turn of the century—always a leap year being Church.” Hence, it’s not this document, which enjoys the some BECs are discouraging their to the lay faithful in the exercise
in the Julian calendar—would be so only when the year something that can be left to specific approval of the Holy people from attending Mass in the of the priestly ministry.”3
could be divided by 400, that is 1600, 2000, 2400, 2800, etc., develop helter-skelter, among Father. town proper, since anyway they
whereas there would be no leap year in the others. other things because the Church As an introduction, it may be have their own service─presided An Important Observations:
Most Catholic countries, and even some Protestant ones, is not something that develops good to summarize the basic by a layman─in their barrio collaboration vs. participation
accepted the reform almost immediately. Some countries, out of human initiative, but objectives of the Instruction, chapel. In the substantive level, the
such as England, held off accepting the papal reform until rather follows a Divine design. which simply reaffirms the The “individualist” approach, most important word─a veritable
1752 while Russia did not adopt it until after the Communist Hence, if a phenomenon like the teaching of the Second Vatican on the other hand, has become hermeneutic key─is a term that
takeover in 1918. BECs is to develop─to borrow the Council and of the more recent more and more widespread appears in the title itself of the
The calculation is still not perfect as there is still a aforementioned quotation─being post conciliar Magisterium on since the 16th century and leads document. In effect, the title
difference of 24 seconds between the legal and the solar Church, it cannot be allowed to the positive role of the laity in to thinking in terms of “personal speaks of the collaboration of
calendar. However, 3,500 years will have to pass before develop without the proper the Church’s mission. success”, “competitiveness” and the non-ordained faithful in the
another day is added. parameters. 1. Encourage the ordained “power”. There is no space to priestly ministry.
Although all Western countries now use the Gregorian Here is where Canon Law can ministers and foster the ordained tackle this issue now; neither is The term initially used in the
calendar for civil purposes, most Oriental Churches help, because even if there may ministry. It seeks to encourage it too relevant to the problem we preliminary discussions was
continue to use the Julian calendar to calculate Easter. The not be a canonical definition of ordained ministers by forcefully have at hand. participation. Thus, the title of
difference between the two systems is now 13 days, so that the Basic Ecclesial Communities reintroducing the subject of 4. Authentic promotion of the the symposium in April 1994,
although the Orthodox Easter also falls between March 22 yet, not for this does it follow vocations to the priesthood, lay apostolate. The Instruction is which launched the serious
and April 25 (inclusive), these dates correspond to between that there is a normative gap as stressing that the Church’s life not a limitation of the genuine preparation of this document,
April 4 and May 8 (inclusive) in the Gregorian system. regards the phenomenon. There is depends on the sacrament of promotion of lay participation was “The Participation of the Lay
a legal gap (lacuna legis) insofar as Holy Orders as a free, absolutely in the evangelical and ecclesial Faithful in the Priestly Ministry”.
the very expression basic ecclesial irreplaceable gift, because the apostolate. On the contrary, BEC / B3
 Features
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 8
April 11 - 24, 2011
B3

Why can’t the UN be consistent?

If the world is moving towards abolition of the death penalty, why not abolition of abortion?
By Vincenzina Santoro
THE right to life, abolition of the death
penalty, children in armed conflict,
elimination of all violence against
women, the empowerment of women
and women’s rights are all causes
discussed, analyzed and embraced
at the United Nations. Although they
never are, all of these should apply to
the earliest stages of life.
As life commences at conception, the
“right to life”—as enshrined in Article
3 of the United Nations Declaration
of Human Rights—must be nurtured
until birth. The unborn are human
beings in the early stages of formation,
due to achieve fullness of viability
upon birth. To voluntarily “interrupt
a pregnancy” as some countries refer
to abortion, is to deliberately deliver
the “death penalty” to human life in
its earliest stages. Is this not a form of
“armed conflict” directed at a child in
the making?
Abortifacient instruments are death
dealing weapons employed against
nascent life, against a being that is
completely unarmed to resist the
the horrific dismemberment and
termination of life of a pre-infant child
in development.
Can any woman truly consider this
“choice” a “right” that makes her
article revealed so vividly a year
ago, either aborted outright or their
existence terminated in unspeakable
ways upon birth. In New York City,
the latest abortion data revealed that
to maternal mortality while never addressed the General Assembly. In his
releasing any comprehensive data statement the President remarked: “Our
on abortion globally let alone data opposition to the death penalty stems
for maternal deaths that occur where from our long established conviction in
abortion is “legally” permitted. the right to life.” (The Italian Delegation
was at the forefront in the adoption by
the UN General Assembly of a 2007
resolution calling for a moratorium on
executions in countries where the death
penalty is permitted.)
The Italian President then went
on to state: “In 1700, the Italian
philosopher Cesare Beccaria asked
a simple question: ‘Did anyone ever
give to others the right of taking away
his life?’”
Can not the phrase be altered today
to read: “Does a woman really have ‘a
right to choose’ to authorize an abortion
provider to take away the life of her
unborn child?” Indeed, the Italian
experience provides food for thought
as Italy has become a “nation that has
turned away from abortion.”
If we are a cohort of nations that
endorse the right to life enshrined in
the UN Declaration of Human Rights
and if we abide by the rule of law,
capital punishment should be banned

invader. What situation can be more
belligerent, hostile and violent against
both an unborn child and its mother
than abortion?
A woman lies helpless, flat on her
back, unconscious, in a death-dealing
clinical environment, submitting to
physical “violence” in the form of
a bodily invasion to terminate the
child-bearing mission that is entrusted
only to a woman. As only women can
bring life into the world, she witnesses
“powerful?”
Abortion statistics, when they
surface, can be disconcerting. In China
more than 100 million baby girls are
missing, as an Economist magazine
over 40 percent of pregnancies are
voluntarily terminated. United Nations
agencies such as the Population Fund
(UNFPA), campaign ceaselessly for
“safe abortion” as the primary solution
www.upload.wikimedia.org
fundamentally by application of the
natural law—which is at the origin
of all laws.
Has the time not come for aborting
women’s empowerment through
abortion?
(Vincenzina Santoro is an international
A pertinent and pregnant “life” economist. She represents the American
phrase was uttered in a recent statement Family Association of New York at the
made at the UN by a visiting Head United Nations. This article is printed here
of State. On March 28, 2011, the under special republishing arrangements
President of Italy, Giorgio Napolitano, with MercatorNet.)

Fertility decline continues

By Father John Flynn,
LC
LOW fertility rates and an
aging population will present
Europe with a big economic
challenge. This was one of
the points made in a study
published by the European
Commission at the start of
the month.
The “Third Demogra-
phy Report” found that
the number of children per
woman has increased from
1.45 children, at the time
of the last report in 2008,
to 1.6. Nonetheless, this is
still substantially below the
level of 2.1 children that is
required to maintain a stable
population.
As well, life expectancy
is increasing, which will
push the trend to an aging
population. Already in 4
countries—Bulgaria, Lithu-
ania, Latvia and Romania—
the population is decreasing
due to a combination of more
people dying than are born
and emigration.
The report also found that
the mean age of women at
childbirth has been post-
poned significantly over
Economic Consequences of an Aging Population
will rise sufficiently to reach the 2014 the working age popula- of working age, between 19 and rate ever recorded for this age clusions about the reasons a
2.1 replacement level, or that tion, in the age range of 20-64, 65, compared to those who are group, and 6% for women aged decline in the fertility rate.
the aging of Europe’s popula- will start to shrink rapidly, as dependent, due to their youth 25-29. Rates also declined for But, the PRB observed, both
tion will be reversed, the report the baby-boomers from the post or having retired. women in their 30s. the Great Depression of the
concluded. World War II period retire. At the moment the EU has One notable feature of the in- 1930s and the hard economic
About 5 million children are In fact, already the number about three people of working formation was that fertility rates times of the 1970s following
born each year in the 27 states that of people aged 60 and above in age for every two dependent for Hispanic women fell more the “oil shock,” were also
comprise the European Union the EU is rising by more than people. By the year 2060 it is than for any other population periods of record low fertility
and over 2 million people im- two million every year, which is forecast that will be almost one group. While fertility dropped for in the United States.
migrate from outside countries. roughly twice the rate observed person of working age for every all racial and ethnic groups, it fell The question is, the PRB
Births outnumber deaths by until about three years ago. dependent person aged under 19 by 9% for Hispanic women. remarked, is whether fertility
only several hundred thousand Currently half the EU-27 popu- or over 65 years in the EU-27. Another look at population will bounce back when the
persons each year. With net lation is aged 40.9 years or over. figures came from data recently economy improves or will
migration at well over a million This median age ranges from United States published by a private organi- the lower rates become the
annually this accounts for the 34.3 years in Ireland to 44.2 years Europe is hardly alone in ex- zation in the United States, the new norm, as is the case in
largest proportion of the EU’s in Germany. The median age is periencing low fertility. In the Population Reference Bureau Europe and Canada.
population growth. projected to rise to 47.9 years United States the birth rate has (PRB).
The EU na- According to Costly
tions are now this the number In Canada low fertility has
the home of of babies born been the norm for some time
some 20 mil- in the United and, as an article in the April
lion people States fell by 2 edition of the National Post
who do not 2.3% in 2009, newspaper pointed out, this
have local citi- and the number is costly for the government.
zenship. There is continuing to The latest budget figures
is also inter- slide. calculate that in the period
nal migration, This meant 2010-11 to 2015-12 spending
with another 10 that the aver- on benefits for the elderly will
million EU na- age number of surge by 30%.
tionals living in lifetime births This annual increases
another mem- per woman, forecast will be well above
ber state. In ad- for 2009 was projected rates of Canadian
dition around 2.01, the lowest economic growth, the article
5 million non- level since 1998. noted. In fact, the article
nationals have With this drop cited data according to which
acquired EU in births the economic growth might fall
citizenship U.S. total fer- to half the level seen in past
www.gildasclubwesternpa.org

the course of the last three
decades. The highest age at
childbirth in 2009 was in Ire-
land, at 31.2 years. Italy was
close behind, 31.1, while the
lowest was in Bulgaria, 26.6,
and Romania, 26.9. In 13 of
the 27 EU countries women
tended to have their children
when they were aged 30 or
over.
According to the report
fertility might continue to
increase marginally, perhaps
to just over 1.7 children per
woman. At this rate a large
inflow of immigrants would
still be required to prevent
the size of the population
from shrinking in the long
run, it noted.
It is unlikely that fertility
since 2001.
Oldest
Beneath the
overall EU
population
figures there
are significant
differences be-
tween the member states. For
example, populations that are
currently the oldest, such as
Germany’s and Italy’s, will age
rapidly for the next twenty years,
then stabilize.
Others, with populations that
are younger, mainly in the East
of the EU, will undergo aging
at increasing speed and by 2060
will have the oldest populations
in the EU.
The report observed that by
by 2060.
The share of the population
aged 65 and over is projected to
increase from 17.4% in 2010 to
30.0 % in 2060
The result of this will be an
increased burden on those of
working age to provide for social
spending expenditure needed for
an aging population.
This is even more obvious
when looking at the projections
regarding the number of people
dropped in the period 2007-09,
according to statistics published
in the March data brief by the
Centers for Disease Control
(CDC).
From 2007 through 2009, births
fell 4% percent to 4,131,019; and
the provisional count of births
through June 2010 indicated
continued declines, the report
added.
Birth rates fell 9% for women
aged 20-24, to reach the lowest
tility rate is now decades, due to the impact of
below the re- an aging population.
placement level In spite of the serious prob-
of 2.1 births per lems caused by low fertility
woman. and aging the United Nations
Another fea- is remaining still set on its
ture they re- objective of reducing fertility
marked on was at all costs. The 44th session of
that for the first the Commission on Popula-
time in many years the rate of tion and Development will
births to unmarried women convene from April 11-15 in
declined. Nevertheless, births to New York.
married women declined even The press release announc-
more, which meant that 41% of all ing this stressed the need to
births in the U.S. was to unmar- extend family planning and
ried mothers, an all-time high. to rapidly reduce fertility
The bureau speculated that the in Africa and Asia. Instead,
recent fall was due to the cur- maybe they would be better
rent economic downturn. This off looking at the serious
contrasted with the CDC report, economic problems that such
which said that birth data alone a decrease is causing in many
is not enough to draw firm con- countries already. (Zenit)

BEC / B2
However, Pope John Paul II himself, in his
address to that symposium, never used
the term participation in this context. In
fact, he belabored the distinction between
participation in Christ’s priesthood by
virtue of baptism and confirmation,
and the eventual exercise of some tasks
entrusted to them by the priests:
“The laity’s every ecclesial action or
function─including those for which
the Pastors ask them to stand in, where
possible─is rooted ontologically in
their common participation in Christ’s
priesthood and not in an ontological
participation (either temporary or
partial) in the ordained ministry proper
to Pastors. Therefore, it is clear that if the
Pastors entrust them, in an extraordinary
way, with some tasks ordinarily and
properly connected with the pastoral
ministry but not requiring the proper
character of Orders, lay people should
know that these tasks are existentially
rooted in their baptismal ministry
and nowhere else! It must always be
remembered that the exercise of such tasks
does not make pastors of the lay faithful: in
fact, a person is not a minister simply
by performing a task, but through
sacramental ordination.”4
The terminological shift is important.
In effect, participation (“to take part in”)
in the ministerial tasks could not strictly
speaking take place without the subject
ontologically taking part─for that
matter─in the ministerial priesthood
itself. This could only happen with
priestly ordination. From this we see
the aptness of the term collaboration (“to
work with”) when applied to the non-
ordained faithful’s cooperation with the
ministerial work of priests.
Preliminary Conclusions
With the aforementioned discussion,
we can point out the following doctrinal functions mentioned. The document
conclusions: wants to state, however, that the non
1. Lay collaboration in priestly ministry is ordained faithful do not have the right
not a right. The document contains several to demand that they be assigned to the
assertions that call for hermeneutic above mentioned tasks or functions.
clarification. Thus, the part concerned Elsewhere the Instruction says: “the
with Theological Principles (n.4) says officia temporarily entrusted to them ...
with respect to the tasks and functions are exclusively the result of a deputation
which “are considered along the lines of by the Church” (Art.1, §2). “Deputation
collaboration with the sacred ministry” by the Church” is a shorthand expression
that “the non ordained faithful do for “deputation by the Church’s lawful
not enjoy a right to such tasks and Pastors”. This complete formulation,
functions”. Obviously, there is no used in other passages of the Instruction,
wish here to deny that these faithful avoids an identification of the Pastors
can legitimately exercise the tasks and BEC / B7
 Features
CBCP Monitor
B4 Vol. 15 No. 8
April 11 - 24, 2011

Prayer and the Season

of Lent
By Most Rev. Leonardo Y.
Medroso
THE Season of Lent summons
us Christians to pause and pray.
It is a time of grace to look deep
into ourselves, examine the
motivations that drive our life,
our status with the community
and the environment, and above
all, our relationship with the
Transcendent without whom
human life becomes a tumble
of mess and meaningless bits of
unrelated events. As it is said, an
unexamined life is an existence
not worth living.
Deep prayer is based on
reality. It is not an imagined
relationship with God, neither
is it a mere conversation with
the Father in Heaven clothed
in pietistic burst of emotions
and interesting words. Genuine
prayer is reality. It aims to
bring us down deep into the
© Roy Lagarde / CBCPMedia
to God. In tender words Jesus
answered her: “Believe me,
woman, the hour is coming
when you will worship the
Father neither on this mountain
nor in Jerusalem… the hour will
come—in fact it is here already—
when true worshippers will
worship the Father in spirit
and in truth: that is the kind of
worshipper the Father wants.
God is spirit, and those who
worship must worship in spirit
and truth” (Jn 4:21, 23-24).
Prayer confronts us to the
truth about ourselves. It brings
us to the hard realization that
life which runs independently
from the plans of God because
it leans more to the promises
of this world is always an
empty one, a life devoid of
meaning, wrought with so
much lies, disappointments
and frustrations. As Jesus once
declared: “What does it profit
a man if he gains the whole
is ever willing to embrace us
with his mercy.
Psalms 69 gives these hopeful
words to the despairing sinner
who deep inside him realized
that God is a Savior: “In your
loving kindness, answer
me, Yahweh, in your great
tenderness turn to me, do
not hide your face from your
servant, quick, I am in trouble,
answer me. Come to my side,
redeem me, from so many
enemies ransom me” (16-18).
For me, the sharp description of
a man in prayer is the blind man
of Jericho found in the Gospel
of Mark, who, having heard of
Jesus passing by, unmindful
of the scorn and insults of the
people around him, threw
aside his cloak, ran towards
Him, unashamedly prostrated
before Him, and begged: “Lord
Jesus Christ, Son of David, have
mercy on me a sinner” (cf. 10:
46-52).

realization of the Samaritan
woman in John’s Gospel who,
having been unmasked of her
immoral love life and accepted it
as a matter of fact, immediately
asked Jesus about the nature of
a true worship that is acceptable
world but losses his own soul?”
This realization is critical to
prayer. For it is only in this
knowledge of our emptiness
and inanity of life that we are
led to search for another reality,
the reality of God’s love who
Prayer therefore is a discipline.
It is a rigorous study of our life
and serious acceptance of the
demons that drive our day-to-
day activities and behavior. As
a discipline, prayer first of all
Prayer / B7

Diocese of Maasin marks 490th anniversary of First

Mass; proclaims Decade of Renewed Evangelization

© Teresa Tunay
© Teresa Tunay

Archbishop Palma and Bishop Cantillas queueing up for the procession on the steps of the Shrine of the First Holy Mass Boatloads of people flocked to Limasawa from the mainland for the 490th anniversary Eucharistic celebration of the First
in Limasawa. Mass.

By Teresa R. Tunay, OCDS
THE Diocese of Maasin last March 31
marked the 490th anniversary of the
First Mass in the Philippines with a
Eucharistic celebration that launched
the Diocese’s Decade of Renewed
Evangelization Program. Presiding at
the Eucharistic celebration held in an
open field overlooking the Shrine of
the First Holy Mass was Most. Rev.
Jose Palma, DD, Archbishop of Cebu.
Concelebrating were diocesan priests
led by Maasin Bishop Precioso Cantillas, with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference more intense life of Communion in
SDB, DD. of the Philippines’ (CBCP) proclamation faith, hope and love for God and one
Referred to as the diocese’s “decade of the current decade as the Decade of another,” Bishop Cantillas said of the
preparation” for the forthcoming 500th Renewed Evangelization. diocese’s program, adding that during
anniversary of the First Mass in 2021, the “We intend to spend the coming his audience with the Pope at the
ten-year countdown has for its theme ten years with more dedication to the ad limina visit last Feb. 14, the Holy
“Renewed Evangelization”, concurring mission of evangelization and to a Maasin / B7

CBCP Commission
holds symposium on
catholic care for elderly
By Vanessa Puno
THE Episcopal Commission on Health Care conducted a
symposium on Catholic Care for the aged on March 19 at the
Paco Catholic School in Manila, in an effort to provide quality
care for the elderly, understand their needs and make them
feel they are part of society.
Speakers focused on the ways on how to concretely provide
the best care for the aged as well as to make the remaining days
of their life more meaningful.
Fr. Marcelo Pamintuan, the new executive secretary of the
CBCP Health Care Commission, zeroed in on the spiritual
dimensions of caring for the aged.
He also shared that he valued the wisdom of the old and
explained how people can treasure their golden days with us.
Dr. Jose Leo V. Jiloca spoke about the growing number of old
people and discussed the health care issues involving them,
such as lack of trained health workers at various levels, and
legislation that improves the protection of the elderly from
abuse within the family or by the society.
He also gave participants an update about multi-sectoral
meetings to plan for the elderly care.
Ricardo Pening talked about the Golden Acres as a “Haven for
the Elderly.” He introduced their new home for the aged in Tanay,
Rizal and the programs and services they offer to the elderly.
Since the aged are at great risk for falls, Mr. Edward James
R. Gorgon, PTRP talked about “Fall Prevention” among old
people and also demonstrated some exercises. Moreover, he
discussed the possible ways for the elderly to avoid places that
pose fall risk to them.
One hundred forty-two elderly people, caregivers, children
and members of different organizations who work for the
elderly attended the symposium.
Participants were later divided into groups to discuss the
input of the speakers as well as their own experiences, to put
together ideas for action.
Aside from free admission to the seminar, the commission also
provided free snacks, lunch and free babysitting to attendees.
May They Be One Rich and poor
study the Bible
Bible Campaign together
Help Put a Bible in Every Filipino Home
L
uzviminda Lood of Barangay Turno, Dipolog City is a
Basic Ecclesial Community (BEC) leader at Our Lady
of Fatima Parish who has 17 households under her
care. Though her BEC members went through a regular
study of the Word, however, they did not have copies of the
complete Bible – only that of the New Testament. When the
May They Be One (MTBO) Bible distribution was conducted
in Dipolog in October 2009, more than 4,000 copies were
distributed. Among the recipients were four members of
Mrs. Lood’s BEC. The four members were only too happy
to share their new blessing with their fellow BEC members,
such that now during discussions, Mrs. Lood’s BEC has
access to four complete Bibles.
As the BEC studied the MTBO Bible every week, Mrs.
Lood observed that the members, comprising the very rich
and the very poor were drawing closer to one another. The
rich members began to have more concern for the needy
while the poor became more at ease with mingling with the
rich. In contrast to what used to be an air of indifference,
one can now sense cooperation and kindness among the
BEC members. This is particularly apparent when they work
together on church projects. With respect to their spiritual
journey, the members developed the habit of reading the
Bible not only on Sundays but every day of the week. Mrs.
Lood said that for her and her BEC members, a day is not
BEC leader Luzviminda Lood reads the Cebuano version of the MTBO Bible. complete unless it is accompanied with reading the Bible.
No. of Dioceses participating in the Bible Campaign – 80
out of 86 Dioceses
Praise God that both the rich and the poor have access to Bibles Bibles Distributed (Jan 1, 2011 – Apr 4, 2011): 56,910 cps
for Bible study through the MTBO Bible campaign. Bibles Distributed by Languages - Tagalog (21,089 cps.),
Pray that more churches will have a “Bible Fund” to provide Bibles Cebuano (13,100 cps.), English (8,610 cps.), Ilocano
for their members who cannot afford to buy their own Bibles. (4,302cps.), Hiligaynon (5,131 cps.), Bicol (2,195 cps.),
Pangasinan (33 cps.), Pampango (937cps.), Samarenyo
(1,513 cps.)
Members of the MTBO Advisory Committee: Bishop Brod- Parishes/Communities served: 72
erick S. Pabillo, DD, Ambassador Henrietta T. de Villa, Mr. Rod Total Bible Distribution: (Jan 2009- Apr 4, 2011): 346,045 cps
G. Cornejo, Mr. Rene E. Cristobal Sr., Dr. Philip C. Flores, Mr. Target No. of Bibles for Distribution for 2011: 400,000 cps.
Dante M. Lanorio, Fr. Oscar A. Alunday, Fr. Antonio B. Navarrete, Total Funds Needed for Printing and Transport of Bibles
Fr. Art B. Orense and Mr. Albert S. Tanlimco. in 2011: P60M

CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 8
April 11 - 24, 2011
‘Proposing Vocations in the Local Church’
Message of the Holy Father for the 48th World Day of Prayer for Vocations, 15 May
2011, Fourth Sunday of Easter
Dear Brothers and Sisters!
The 48th World Day of Prayer for
Vocations, to be celebrated on 15 May 2011,
the Fourth Sunday of Easter, invites us to
reflect on the theme: “Proposing Vocations
in the Local Church”. Seventy years ago,
Venerable Pius XII established the Pontifical
Work of Priestly Vocations. Similar bodies,
led by priests and members of the lay
faithful, were subsequently established by
Bishops in many dioceses as a response to
the call of the Good Shepherd who, “when
he saw the crowds, had compassion on them,
because they were like sheep without a
shepherd”, and went on to say: “The harvest
is plentiful but the laborers are few. Pray
therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out
laborers into his harvest!” (Mt 9:36-38).
The work of carefully encouraging and
supporting vocations finds a radiant source
of inspiration in those places in the Gospel
where Jesus calls his disciples to follow him
and trains them with love and care. We
should pay close attention to the way that
Jesus called his closest associates to proclaim
the Kingdom of God (cf. Lk 10:9). In the first
place, it is clear that the first thing he did was
to pray for them: before calling them, Jesus
spent the night alone in prayer, listening
to the will of the Father (cf. Lk 6:12) in a
spirit of interior detachment from mundane
concerns. It is Jesus’ intimate conversation
with the Father which results in the calling
of his disciples. Vocations to the ministerial
priesthood and to the consecrated life are
first and foremost the fruit of constant
contact with the living God and insistent
prayer lifted up to the “Lord of the harvest”,
whether in parish communities, in Christian
families or in groups specifically devoted to
prayer for vocations.
At the beginning of his public life, the Lord
called some fishermen on the shore of the
Sea of Galilee: “Follow me and I will make
you fishers of men” (Mt 4:19). He revealed
his messianic mission to them by the many
“signs” which showed his love for humanity
and the gift of the Father’s mercy. Through
his words and his way of life he prepared
them to carry on his saving work. Finally,
knowing “that his hour had come to depart
out of this world to the Father” (Jn 13:1), he
entrusted to them the memorial of his death
and resurrection, and before ascending into
heaven he sent them out to the whole world
with the command: “Go, therefore, make
disciples of all nations” (Mt 28:19).
It is a challenging and uplifting invitation
that Jesus addresses to those to whom he
says: “Follow me!”. He invites them to
become his friends, to listen attentively to
his word and to live with him. He teaches
them complete commitment to God and to
the extension of his kingdom in accordance
with the law of the Gospel: “Unless a grain
of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it
remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much
fruit” (Jn 12:24). He invites them to leave
behind their own narrow agenda and
their notions of self-fulfillment in order to
immerse themselves in another will, the
will of God, and to be guided by it. He
gives them an experience of fraternity, one
born of that total openness to God (cf. Mt
12:49-50) which becomes the hallmark of
the community of Jesus: “By this everyone
will know that you are my disciples, if you
Statements
have love for one another” (Jn 13:35).
It is no less challenging to follow Christ
today. It means learning to keep our gaze
fixed on Jesus, growing close to him,
listening to his word and encountering
him in the sacraments; it means learning
to conform our will to his. This requires a
genuine school of formation for all those
who would prepare themselves for the
ministerial priesthood or the consecrated
life under the guidance of the competent
ecclesial authorities. The Lord does not
fail to call people at every stage of life
to share in his mission and to serve the
Church in the ordained ministry and in
the consecrated life. The Church is “called
to safeguard this gift, to esteem it and
love it. She is responsible for the birth and
development of priestly vocations” (John
Paul II, Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation
Pastores Dabo Vobis, 41). Particularly in
these times, when the voice of the Lord
seems to be drowned out by “other voices”
and his invitation to follow him by the gift
of one’s own life may seem too difficult,
every Christian community, every member
of the Church, needs consciously to feel
responsibility for promoting vocations.
It is important to encourage and support
those who show clear signs of a call to
priestly life and religious consecration, and
to enable them to feel the warmth of the
whole community as they respond “yes”
to God and the Church. I encourage them,
in the same words which I addressed to
those who have already chosen to enter the
seminary: “You have done a good thing.
Because people will always have need of
God, even in an age marked by technical
mastery of the world and globalization:
they will always need the God who has
revealed himself in Jesus Christ, the God
who gathers us together in the universal
Church in order to learn with him and
through him life’s true meaning and in
order to uphold and apply the standards
of true humanity” (Letter to Seminarians,
18 October 2010).
It is essential that every local Church
become more sensitive and attentive to the
pastoral care of vocations, helping children
and young people in particular at every
level of family, parish and associations –
as Jesus did with his disciples – to grow
into a genuine and affectionate friendship
with the Lord, cultivated through personal
and liturgical prayer; to grow in familiarity
with the sacred Scriptures and thus to
listen attentively and fruitfully to the word
of God; to understand that entering into
God’s will does not crush or destroy a
person, but instead leads to the discovery
of the deepest truth about ourselves; and
finally to be generous and fraternal in
relationships with others, since it is only
in being open to the love of God that we
discover true joy and the fulfillment of our
aspirations. “Proposing Vocations in the
Local Church” means having the courage,
through an attentive and suitable concern
for vocations, to point out this challenging
way of following Christ which, because it is
so rich in meaning, is capable of engaging
the whole of one’s life.
I address a particular word to you,
my dear brother Bishops. To ensure the
continuity and growth of your saving
CBCP ECMI
mission in Christ, you should “foster
priestly and religious vocations as much as
possible, and should take a special interest in
missionary vocations” (Christus Dominus,
15). The Lord needs you to cooperate with
him in ensuring that his call reaches the
hearts of those whom he has chosen. Choose
carefully those who work in the Diocesan
Vocations Office, that valuable means for the
promotion and organization of the pastoral
care of vocations and the prayer which
sustains it and guarantees its effectiveness.
I would also remind you, dear brother
Bishops, of the concern of the universal
Church for an equitable distribution of
priests in the world. Your openness to the
needs of dioceses experiencing a dearth of
vocations will become a blessing from God
for your communities and a sign to the
faithful of a priestly service that generously
considers the needs of the entire Church.
The Second Vatican Council explicitly
reminded us that “the duty of fostering
vocations pertains to the whole Christian
community, which should exercise it above
all by a fully Christian life” (Optatam Totius,
2). I wish, then, to say a special word of
acknowledgment and encouragement
to those who work closely in various
ways with the priests in their parishes. In
particular, I turn to those who can offer a
specific contribution to the pastoral care
of vocations: to priests, families, catechists
and leaders of parish groups. I ask priests
to testify to their communion with their
bishop and their fellow priests, and thus to
provide a rich soil for the seeds of a priestly
vocation. May families be “animated by the
spirit of faith and love and by the sense of
duty” (Optatam Totius, 2) which is capable
of helping children to welcome generously
the call to priesthood and to religious life.
May catechists and leaders of Catholic
groups and ecclesial movements, convinced
of their educational mission, seek to “guide
the young people entrusted to them so that
these will recognize and freely accept a
divine vocation” (ibid.).
Dear brothers and sisters, your
commitment to the promotion and care
of vocations becomes most significant and
pastorally effective when carried out in the
unity of the Church and in the service of
communion. For this reason, every moment
in the life of the Church community—
catechesis, formation meetings, liturgical
prayer, pilgrimages—can be a precious
opportunity for awakening in the People
of God, and in particular in children and
young people, a sense of belonging to the
Church and of responsibility for answering
the call to priesthood and to religious life
by a free and informed decision.
The ability to foster vocations is a
hallmark of the vitality of a local Church.
With trust and perseverance let us invoke
the aid of the Virgin Mary, that by the
example of her own acceptance of God’s
saving plan and her powerful intercession,
every community will be more and more
open to saying “yes” to the Lord who
is constantly calling new laborers to his
harvest. With this hope, I cordially impart
to all my Apostolic Blessing.
From the Vatican, 15 November 2010
BENEDICTUS PP. XVI
B5
© Noli Yamsuan / RCAM
© Noli Yamsuan / RCAM
Alternative Holy
Week
THE season of lent stands on three co-equal legs—prayers,
penance and love. The prevailing atmosphere of this
season is truly penance and mortification. More prayers
are also offered to God on these penitential days. Sadly, the
almsgiving and charity component of the Lenten season is
not given the consideration it rightfully deserves. It is good
to be reminded that what make the Holy Week holy are not
the prayers we offer and penances we do. Prayers without
love are empty. Penance without almsgiving could be just
an ego trip on strengthening will power. Love makes this
season holy. Prayers can be inspiring and penances can be
admirable but only love can redeem. Only love saves. Love
alone sanctifies us.
As we move closer to Holy Week, the Archdiocese of
Lingayen Dagupan will carry a pilgrimage of charity in the
poor sections of Central Pangasinan by conducting charity
medical, dental and surgical missions. The sick and the poor in
our marginalized areas will receive charity medical assistance
from their healthier brothers and sisters.
The pilgrimage of charity will start on April 4 at the Parish
of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Canan, Malasiqui. Here are
the succeeding areas of pilgrimage—April 7 at Saint Catherine
of Siena Parish, Villanueva, Bautista; April 9 at Cristo Divino
Tesoro in Buenlag, Calasiao; April 11 at Holy Family Parish,
Tandoc, San Carlos City; April 16 at the Lay Formation Center,
Bonuan Gueset, Dagupan City; and May 2 at the San Lorenzo
Ruiz Parish, Wawa, Bayambang.
Our friends from Pangasinan, Edsa Shrine, Order of Malta,
Makati Medical Center and the Saint Paul de Chartres Sisters
will extend their help for the project.
Let us explore an alternative way of celebrating Holy Week.
As we keep our pious practices like the stations of the cross,
confessions, visita iglesia and penitensiya, let us also consider
making acts of charity to the poor as the way to share in the
spirit of the Lenten season.
Our Catholic faithful can consider visiting fourteen patients
in our government hospitals and meditate, as you visit them,
on the sufferings of Christ. As we console them or bring them
some food or drink, we can see how the sufferings of Christ
continue in the midst of us.
In honor of the passion of the Lord who was treated as a
criminal although he was sinless, we can visit the jails in our
towns and cities and share the mercy of God to those behind
bars. We can bring them our prayers and greetings and volunteer
to be couriers of their letters that they want to send to their
loved ones who are unable to visit them.
We can bring food to the children in the Mother Teresa Home
of Charity in Dagupan City or clear our clothes cabinets and
send our used clothes and footwear to the poor in honor of the
stripping of the Lord and his humiliation at Calvary.
In 1981, when Pope John Paul II visited the Philippines
for the first time, he expressed his wish to visit the lepers in
Tala leprosarium in Novaliches. Because of the restrictions of
security, he was unable to visit but the lepers were brought to
Radio Veritas in Fairview so the Pope could at least bless them.
As soon as the Pope saw the lepers lined up behind stage in
the auditorium, even before the lepers could kneel to kiss the
hands of the Pope, Pope John Paul II knelt down in front of
the leper, kissed his leprous hands and exclaimed before the
leper “My Lord!”
Give love this Lenten season. Pour love into your prayers.
Let your penance overflow into charity.
From the Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist, Dagupan
City, April 1, 2011
+SOCRATES B. VILLEGAS
Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan
 Ref lections
CBCP Monitor
B6 Vol. 15 No. 8
April 11 - 24, 2011

The Fugitive—abandoned by men and God

By Msgr. Lope C. Robredillo,
SThD
PROBABLY few people are as
fortunate as former President
Joseph Ejercito Estrada. It
may be recalled that during
his Impeachment Trial, it was
denied by the defense that he
signed a PCI Bank document
as Jose Velarde; but Clarissa
Ocampo, former Equitable PCI
Bank vice-president, testified
in court that she was one foot
away when Estrada did so in
Malacañang on 4 February 2000.
According to Prosecutors, an
account of his with the Equitable
PCI bank at one point contained
P3.2 billion, when his declared
net worth was only P35 million.
But on 25 February 2002, he
admitted on television that he
had signed bank documents
as Jose Velarde, bolstering
credibility of the star witness
Ocampo. Of course, by the looks
of it, Estrada’s confession during
an interview aired by ANC
News Channel strengthened the
Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion, Year A (Matt 26:14-27:66) April 17, 2011
spoke against the Impeachment
Trial, calling it the “kangaroo trial
of the century.” When finally, he
ran again for President, a good
number,evenmillions,ofFilipinos
supported his candidacy, and
the election results placed him
not far removed from President
Aquino.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus
is clearly not as fortunate as
Estrada, even though, unlike him,
he did not commit any blunder.
Like other synoptic writers,
Matthew portrays Jesus as the
bringer of the Kingdom of God.
By Kingdom of God he does not
mean a religio-political theocracy
in which God is represented by
the high priest, or a community
in which only the good and
perfect people form part. By
Kingdom he means God’s rule in
a community in which the poor
are not discriminated against,
sinners are accepted, and the
humble, the suffering and the
oppressed come into their own.
It is a community in which
people experience acceptance,
forgiveness, reconciliation, unity
now touching the very lives of
his people. His fellowship with
sinners was a living parable of
This was not the way Jesus’ their understanding of the Law,
contemporaries saw him, the Jewish leaders, according to
however. The Jewish leaders the Gospels, regarded him as one
who claimed authority that was
more than human. For example,
he set his interpretation of the
Law against the prevailing one in
the community; he is portrayed
as violating the Sabbath, and he
even challenged the tradition of
the Jewish Elders.
In the Jewish perspective of
the Law, Jesus was seen as a false
prophet, and in cahoots with the
prince of demons. And when he
said something about the Temple
that was unacceptable to the
leaders of the nation, they viewed
his action not as something
linked with the Kingdom of God,
which it was, but as an assault
on their authority. But those
who were against him were not
only the Jewish leaders and their
cronies. The leaders themselves
found allies among the political
leaders. In particular, they had
the Governor on their side, and
considering that they themselves
had no power to put someone
to death, they found in Pilate a
Jews,” was something a Roman
governor could understand,
and the fact that Jesus was
crucified clearly indicates that
Pilate considered him a rebel,
crucifixion being a Roman
punishment for insurgents.
One can see, therefore, that the
religious and the political leaders
saw him as dangerous, and
therefore had to be eliminated.
It is not surprising that in some
gospel passages, it can be noticed
that Jesus recognized how
precarious his life was.
Clearly, he had no one
powerful enough either in the
government or in the state
religion to support him. He
could not even walk openly.
And one could just imagine the
psychological effect these had on
Jesus. To bring home the point,
one may just make a mental
picture of himself being hunted
down not only by the executive
department with the military,
but also by the judiciary and the
institutional religion—where
could one go to? He could only
live the life of a fugitive, and that

plunder case, and that blunder in
an ordinary mortal would have
sent supporters away from him.
But not so with Estrada. In fact,
later, Jesus Remulla, spokesman
of Partido ng Masang Filipino
claimed, for example, that it
was Ocampo who made Estrada
sign documents using a false
name. The Union of Masses for
Democracy and Justice (UMDJ)
and love. In other words, it is
the fulfillment of God’s promise
to the prophets that he will live
among his people. As a bringer
of the Kingdom, he actualized it
in his dealings with the people,
especially the poor and the
disadvantaged. In particular,
his parables and miracles were
meant to indicate God’s forgiving
and healing word and action are
salvation and forgiveness. In
Jesus God was sharing his very
life with Israel.
www.sherryx.files.wordpress.com
perfect partner.
Since the Jewish leaders could
not accuse Jesus of being a false
prophet before Pilate, since
this would not make sense to
him, they denounced him as a
pretender to the throne. Which
explains the charge that was
refused to see him as God’s written on the cross and the
eschatological messenger. capital punishment. The charge,
Judging him on the basis of “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the
is not easy. Of course, a fugitive
from the law can still hide, if he
has supporters to shelter him.
But even this was denied him.
On the contrary, one from his
own group betrayed him. And
even those who promised to die
for him eventually ran when
the authorities caught up with
him. Jesus, in other words, was
Fugitive / B7

Bishop Pat Alo

Justified by God ENCOUNTERS

before men, Jesus
sends the Church
in mission
Easter Sunday, Year A (Matthew 28:1-
10) April 24, 2011
By Msgr. Lope C. Robre-
dillo, SThD
IT is worth recalling that
during the presidency of
Arroyo, “May Gloria ang
bukas mo,” a one-and-a-
half hour-long program of
the former President, and a
brainchild of her publicist,
Dante Ang, aired on radio
and television, was sacked
on March 2, 2002 on its 19th
episode, obviously because
there was no ground for its
continued airing. It did not
rate well. As the President
herself admitted, it lost even to
children’s shows like Batibot.
On the other hand, almost
at the same time, former
President Bush’s war against
the Taliban and the al-Queda
network continued because
he dined with tax collectors
and sinners to the scandal of
the civil society of his time,
it was because these well
sprang from the demands
of his proclamation of the
Kingdom. His cause was so
human, and it answered the
longings of the poor, whose
welfare the social institutions
like the government and
the state religion must look
after. Ironically, however,
the holders of the same social
institutions rejected his cause.
They judged him to be a rebel
and a blasphemer. And so,
to ensure the discontinuance
of his cause, they tried him
and found him guilty. They
thought that by eliminating
him, they could put an end
to his cause. They would be
able to stop the spread of what
they thought was a brazen lie,
Life’s constant battle
THE Bible tells us that there is an
ongoing battle between Heaven
and Hell, God and the Devil,
Mary and her Son and those who
follow them, versus followers of
Satan, Truth and Error, Light and
Darkness, a culture of life vs. a
culture of death, (remember the
lessons of Sodom and Gomorrah,
after considering the destruction
of Sodom and Gomorrah because
of violating God’s design in
legitimate and normal sexual
relationships or concerning the
legitimate and normal use of
sex), conflicts between good and
evil, love and hate, greed and
generosity. In the first book of
the Bible is written: “I will make
you enemies of each other: you
and the woman, your offspring
and her offspring. It will crush
your head and you will strike
its heal” (Gen. 3:15). Naturally
since ideas enter into minds and
hearts, this battle implies also
the response in the very heart of
creatures. When the followers of
Jesus asked him regarding foods
Fr. Francis Ongkingco
that can make a man unclean, He Biblical lore keeps warning: us leave off prayer.” It’s always
answered thus: “Do even you not “Pride goes before destruction, a either one or the other to rule
understand? Can you not see that haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov. our lives.
whatever goes into the mouth 16:18). Precisely the seven capital In the last book of the Bible
passes through the stomach and sins destroy man from within, is described the Devil’s anger:
is discharged into the sewer? namely, pride covetousness, lust, “Then the dragon was enraged
But the things that come out of anger, gluttony, envy, sloth. (see with the woman and went away
the mouth come from the heart, St. Paul’s letter to the Galatians to make war on the rest of her
and it is these that make a man 5:16-26). Better check and think children, that is, all who obey
unclean. For from the heart come it over. We always tend to blame God’s commandments and bear
evil intentions: murder, adultery, others. But the enemy is within. witness for Jesus” (Rev. 12:17).
fornication, theft, perjury, slander. So God’s word ever warns us: “War broke out in heaven,
These are the things that make “Judge not and you shall not be when Michael with his angels
a man unclean. But to eat with judged. Why do you observe the attacked the dragon. The dragon
unwashed hands does not make a splinter in your brother’s eye and fought back with his angels, but
man unclean” (Mt. 15:16-20). never notice the plank in your they were defeated and driven
Jesus talks often about the own? ...Hypocrite! Take the plank out of heaven” (Rev. 12:7). In
enemy within as pride, for out of your own eye first, and the first book of the Bible the
example, “anyone who exalts then you will see clearly enough Devil tempted our first parents
himself will be humbled, and to take the splinter out of your Adam and Eve to violate God’s
anyone who humbles himself brother’s eye” (Mt. 7:2-5). command not to eat the forbidden
will be exalted” (Mt. 23:12). There are temptations from fruit of the knowledge of good and
That’s a constant tone in the the Devil and evil men, but man evil, a word in the Bible which
Bible. “A man’s enemies will is free in his consent to this or means that God is the supreme
be those of his own household” that. We need to pray because arbiter of what is good and what
(Mt. 10:36). A Spanish saying is we need God’s grace in this fight is evil, and finite and created
quite descriptive when it intones: versus evil. Hence it is rightly man is not to usurp such a divine
“Tu enemigo peor eres tu” (You said: “Prayer will make us leave privilege. (see Gen. 3, or the Fall
are your own worst enemy). off sinning or sinning will make of man.)

even Muslim countries felt
that it was justified. Without
the support of other countries,
it would not have gone on.
Understandably enough,
Bush refurbished the US
image. For example, in the
face of the rising tide of anti-
Americanism, he put up a
new office to ensure that
foreign correspondents in
Washington as well as foreign
leaders and opinion-makers
overseas understand his
ideas and policies. America
cannot fight terrorism
unilaterally. Which is why,
when Bush declared that he
was expanding antiterrorist
campaign to include the axis
of evil—Iraq, Iran, and North
Korea, the European nations
warned the United States
that it would be making a
mistake to go it alone in its
antiterrorism campaign. A
project, in other words, cannot
go on unless it is confirmed,
accepted, and justified.
Must the cause of Jesus go
on? Last Sunday, we noted
that the cause of Jesus was
the Kingdom of God. If there
was anything that unified
and gave meaning to all that
he said and did, it was the
Kingdom. Because it was the
center of his teachings and
activities, everything radiated
from it. Take it away, and
nothing about them will ever
be really understood. If Jesus
was born to a poor family, if
he taught love of enemies, if
a deception of the people, and
the cause of the downfall of
the nation. Thus, instead of
confirming him, accepting
him and justifying him, they
rejected him. In the judgment
seat of men, Jesus was clearly
in the wrong.
But was he?
Today, we commemorate
the resurrection of the Lord,
which is the greatest feast in
the Christian liturgy. But that
Jesus came to life again—
what does that mean? It
is interesting to note that
in the New Testament, the
resurrection of Jesus admits
of various meanings. In fact,
each New Testament writer
has his own distinctive way of
interpreting the event. In John,
for example, if Jesus’ death
was his glorification (john
13:31-32), his resurrection
was his exaltation (John
12:32). In Hebrew’s, it is
Jesus’ installation to the
function of a heavenly high
priest (cf Ps 110:4), in Paul’s
Letter to the Thessalonians,
it signals the imminent arrival
of the parousia (1 Thess 1:10).
Mathew, however, gives
various meanings to it, which
are far different from what
we have just said. And one
meaning that he stresses in the
early tradition is this—Jesus
may have suffered a lot in
the hands of men, but that
does not mean that he was in
the wrong. Rather, he was in
Justified / B7
WHATEVER
I DON’T recall where I once heard it said
or asked: “Is this all there is in our faith: to
avoid falling into sin?” The answer is: NO!
Surely God did not create us for some sort of
personal amusement on His part when He’s
bored like us. Of course God is never bored.
In fact, He’s very much dynamically in love
because He is Love Himself. Mysteriously,
He wants us to participate –yes, despite our
frail human condition– in His love.
It is not therefore surprising to read one
of the most quoted questions in the Catholic
Catechism: “Why did God create us?” The answer
definitely isn’t: “So that we wouldn’t sin.” The
real and beautiful reply is: “…so that man may
know, love and serve God.” I don’t read the word
‘sin’ here anywhere, do you?
I have repeated this idea to help both the
young and not-so-young to have a positive
outlook in their struggle. It also invites them to
raise the standard and broaden the horizons of
their spiritual life. It is, in other words, helping
them to go beyond the fall.
Going beyond the fall is my way of expressing
that one cannot be satisfied with simply not
sinning. Otherwise one could easily take a
mediocre stance in the struggle and naively
think that as long as he doesn’t sin, then he’s
good or okay.
Beginners are unaware that such a half-
baked approach in their struggle is a chink in
their spiritual armor. It is there that the devil
will always stealthily aim his deathblow. It is
this lukewarm status, the lack of vigilance or a
comfortable state of affairs that will eventually
Going beyond the fall
bring about the ruin of one’s spiritual edifice.
Here are a few ideas that I believe has helped
more than a few to acquire a richer and more
fruitful tactic in the spiritual combat:
a) Don’t wait for a fall to happen. It is a poor
and losing tactic to simply wait for something
bad to happen, or worse when we wade into
not-so-serious occasions of sin because we
believe we could easily pull back. No plan
means ‘bad plan’! Anyone who wants to win
must have a concrete strategy. The spiritual
battle is no exception. A battle without a plan
is already a battle lost. Plan your day ahead,
concretize your goal or goals and always
remember to do them out of love for God
and others.
b) Don’t take your fall or falls sitting down.
But falls do happen. Here applies what the
Japanese, I think it was, have a proverb that
says: ‘Fall six times, stand up seven.’ To simply
stare at one’s sins or vices without any desire to
address them is a battle already lost. Let us not
only be humble enough to admit our faults, let
us also courageously put the means to avoid
them, to lessen them, to do penance for them,
to go to confession, etc. To linger in our sinful
state will only develop greater proclivity or
attraction to sin.
c) Don’t just feel bad, act on your feelings. Say
you broke the living room’s large window pane
because you wanted to try your hand at golf.
Are you going to wait for the helper to clear the
broken glass? Are you going to wait for mom or
dad to come home to tell you what you must do?
Or will you get the broom and dustpan to clean
the mess (not to hide the evidence, I hope) but
to avoid further accidents? Are you going to tell
your parents that they could take it from your
allowance to have the glass repaired? Likewise,
when we fall, let us already be determined to
act, by making amends for our sins (i.e. pray,
offer a specific sacrifice, additional chores or
hours of study, etc.)
d) There are more good things to do in a day than
bad ones. In any given day one could actually
count more good things to do over the bad
ones. It’s good to always start the day asking
ourselves what good we could offer to God
and others. A struggle that starts off thinking
where we might fall or make a mistake is
already a sign of defeat.
e) Ask for help to go beyond our falls. To ask
for help and guidance is not only a sign of
humility and sincerity to begin anew. It is also
prudence to seek advice so that the experience,
prayers and encouragement of another will
effectively and swiftly put us back on the
right track. In fact, constantly seeking advice
from a knowledgeable director will help one’s
struggle to be not only ‘avoiding one’s falls’,
but is broadened to engage the higher and
richer invitation of God to love and personal
apostolate.
These points summed up tell us to show
our love for God –our desire for conversion–
through deeds. It isn’t enough to desire or long
to be good. We must be ready to express in clear
acts, virtues, and convictions our commitment
to what is true, good and beautiful within our
soul: the ever-growing presence of God.

CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 8
April 11 - 24, 2011
Zero Waste Management of the Archdiocese of Manila
By Romulo S. Arsenio, Ph.D.
THE present natural catastrophes
triggered by human greed, indifference,
shortsightedness have caused and cost
the loss of so much lives, livelihood and
habitat. Consumerism and industrial
development driven economic growth
are offering the reverse and have
put in danger the future of the next
generations.
There is today too much helplessness,
unemployment, restlessness, hunger
and sickness around the world. These
concerns and problems cannot be
resolved by governments alone.
Everybody must help and perform
their duties as responsible stewards
and members of this world /global
community.
Meanwhile, “may pera sa basura”
is a reality for the street dwellers and
scavengers who survived the difficulties
Social Concerns
take an active role especially when the
dignity, morality and sustainability of
every creature of God are at stake.
For almost six years now, the
Archdiocese of Manila Ministry on
Ecology had been quietly performing
its tasks of educating the young and old
in the responsible care of God’s creation
through various programs and activities.
It has empowered and actively involved
the urban poor especially the homeless,
unemployed and impoverished to gain
their dignity as humans by becoming eco
aides – improved their skills, provided
them with shelter, food and livelihood.
It wants to prove that Zero waste
management is achievable today as
it was time immemorial. Enprotech
Mobile Waste Treatment machine helps
them to achieve it. Zero waste simply
means, none of our trash-municipal
trash is wasted. Everything is processed
and made into valuable and useful
materials. NO NEED OF DUMPSITES
B7
the three campuses of the College
of St. Benilde, Don Bosco Technical
Institute, Makati, St. Anthony School
of Singalong, Paco Catholic School, the
main compound of the Archdiocese of
Manila and other institutions for years
now into useful construction materials.
Therefore the said institutions have not
contributed in anyway the dumping
of trash in the landfills or dumpsites.
Tons of soil enhancers for farmers were
produced, tons of recyclable materials
returned to the factories and which sale
have fed not less than 30 families, sent
children to school and even provided
back to them their human dignity,
stopped them from eating “pagpag or
batchoy”.
Residual wastes were mixed with sand
and cement and made into construction
blocks to build the Ministry’s Ecology
Office at the Caritas Manila Compound,
the ongoing improvement of the
recycling facility, construction of a chapel

of living in the cities without home and
employment by picking up trash along
the streets and scavenging in the trash
bins of stores and food chains eating
“pagpag” or left-over food found in the
trash/garbage bins at the same time.
The Catholic Church continually shares
in the responsibility of resolving the
above problems and crisis. It will forever
or LANDFILLS and NO WAY FOR
INCINERATION.
This approach of the Archdiocese
of Manila Ministry on Ecology in
partnership with the wastepickers, the
itinerant local migrants – simply called
“the Luneta men and women” were able
to patiently convert the trash of their
partner catholic institutions especially
www.ecowastecoalition.blogspot.com
and kiosks in San Carlos Seminary.
The realization and culmination of the
program will be on April 13, 2011 at 4:00
in the afternoon during a concelebrated
Eucharistic Celebration and blessing
by His Eminence Gaudencio Cardinal
Rosales, DD at the RCAM RESOURCE
RECOVERY FACILITY, Velasquez St.,
Tondo, Manila.

BEC / B3 Prayer / B4

with the Church herself. And
§3 of the same article correctly
indicates that “the temporary
deputation for liturgical
purposes─mentioned in c.230,
§2─does not confer any special
or permanent title on the non
ordained faithful”. The following
sentence states that it is unlawful
for the non ordained faithful
to assume titles such as pastor,
chaplain, coordinator or moderator.
What applies to temporary
deputation applies with all
the more reason to permanent
deputation for liturgical or
pastoral tasks (cf. CIC, c.230, §1,
517, §2,).
2. Lay collaboration is
supplementary─i.e., only in
cases of necessity. By their
ecclesiological nature all of these
particular functions belong to the
realm of the ordained ministry, in
which a lay person, however, can
collaborate in cases of necessity, if
he has been lawfully deputed to
do so. But it must be noted here:
“in case of necessity”!
For example, it could never
be the Church’s objective
to replace the Eucharistic
c e l e b r a t i o n b y pr o m ot i n g
Sunday celebrations without a
priest. Nevertheless, wherever
there are no other possibilities,
the Church is grateful to that
lay person who, being well
disposed and following the
instructions of the Bishop who
appointed him, conducts a
Liturgy of the Word for and
with the faithful who have no
other opportunity to celebrate
the Lord’s Day. It is clear that
the lay person here is truly
a supplementary aid. Thus,
for the good of the faithful
he will be glad when a priest
is available to celebrate the
Eucharist. The Instruction
enables us to indicate many
other analogous situations.
3. Responsibility for abuses.
The practical provisions of the
Instruction are not limited to
listing possible or actual abuses,
but they always seek to indicate
the theological and canonical
coordinates underlying the
respective fields of activity and
thereby to draw the necessary
consequences. As a well-known
Canonist, Prof. Winfried Aymans,
pointed out at the time, “the
problems mentioned are caused,
first of all, by the fact that they are
found in a border area.”5 Abuses
occur, according to Aymans,
when exceptional solutions
become alternatives, changing
an extraordinary competence
into an ordinary one, or, on the
other, when the limits provided
for collaboration are unlawfully
extended and a competence
is assumed that has not been
given.
“In this regard─Aymans
continues─it should be pointed
out that the laity usually cannot
be considered responsible for
true and proper abuses. They
in fact fulfill—normally with
good intentions─that role which
has been introduced in their
particular Church and has
been entrusted to them. On the
other hand, it should be noted
that the norms established by
the Bishops’ Conferences or by
individual Bishops generally do
not contradict the ordinances
of universal law, but their
clarity at times is not enough to
prevent the spread of an abusive
practice.”
It is for this reason that the
Canon Law Society of the
Philippines has chosen this topic
for their study and discussion
in this year’s CLSP National
Convention.
NOTES:
1
Joseph Ratzinger, “Unity of the church’s
mission involves diversity of ministries”,
in L’Osservatore Romano, N. 17 (29.
IV.1998), 18. Cf. Post-Synodal Exhora-
tion, Christifideles laici, n.23, §6.
2
Joseph Ratzinger, loc. cit. Emphasis
added.
3
Ibid.
4
John Paul II, “Address to a Sympo-
sium on Collaboration Lay Faithful in
the Priestly Ministry” (22.IV.1994), in
L’Osservatore Romano (11.V.1994).
5
Cf. Prof. Winfried Aymans, “Instruction
calls for necessary change in attitude
and practice”, in L’Osservatore Romano,
N.7 (18.II.1998), 10.
takes on the form of listening
to the Word of God offered
in abundance through the
liturgical readings. God speaks
to our hearts and entreats us
not to disregard His voice, for
the words that He utters are
guideposts in our itinerary of
faith. “If only you would listen
to him today, ‘Do not harden
your hearts’” (Ps 95:8). It is a
sad commentary to the history
of our salvation that we are
found ever stubborn to the Will
of God, stiffed neck people. We
think that we know better than
God; that our plans are better
than His. And so, like our first
parents in the garden of Eden
we go our separate way, listen
more to the tantalizing whispers
of the snake in abject disregard
to the persistent invitation of
God, ever declaring ourselves
autonomous, godlike. No, it
is not true that God is jealous
of our nature and our innate
power. On the contrary, He
wants us to participate in
His life. We are after all His
children. But we mistrust Him,
we defy His plans. We insist on
our own designs of achieving
this power (cf. Gn 3: 1-19).
Along this line, Pope Benedict
XVI in his Lenten Message
advised us: “During the entire
Lenten period, the Church offers
us God’s Word with particular
abundance. By meditating and
internalizing the Word in order
to live it every day, we learn
a precious and irreplaceable
form of prayer; by attentively
listening to God, who continues
to speak to our hearts, we
nourish the itinerary of faith
initiated on the day of our
Baptism…. The Lenten period
is a favorable time to recognize
our weakness and to accept,
through a sincere inventory of
our life, the renewing Grace
of the Sacrament of Penance,
and walk resolutely towards
Christ.”
To get back to our God,
we have to bow down and
pray, listen to Him again and
obey.

Maasin / B4 Justified / B6

Father Benedict XVI gave his blessing to the for Church and government officials alike to significance of the coming of Christianity to the right all along, even though its values. This is why the
Program. The upcoming golden anniversary reiterate their united pro-life stand against the the Philippines and in Asia. he was like other righteous men birth of the Church is often
of the Diocese of Maasin in 2018, Bishop RH Bill. Bishop Cantillas recalled the fervor of Abp. Palma lauded the congenial who were persecuted and killed associated with the resurrection
Cantillas said, “is another reason to strongly the 7,000 people who in an early-March rally collaboration among the clergy, government by wicked people. “Jerusalem, of Jesus, for it is the Church,
resolve to renew our life of faith.” had braved a tsunami alert and the rains to officials,militaryandciviliansasdemonstrated Jerusalem! You kill the prophets as a community, that lives the
Hundreds of Eucharistic Lay Ministers proclaim their opposition to the bill. by the enthusiastic yet orderly celebration and stone the messengers God Kingdom. Jesus did not say that
from all the parishes of the diocese renewed Southern Leyte Congressman Roger of the momentous event. With renewed has sent to you” (Matt 23:34). it lives anywhere else. This means
their vows, witnessed by the faithful many Mercado animatedly spoke against the evangelization as the thrust of the diocese’s (It may be noted that Luke even that the resurrection implies
of whom came in droves by boat from the RH Bill for the other government officials decade preparation for the 500th jubilee of places Jesus in the line of Abel a giving of the mission to the
mainland. Limasawa’s high school students present—Gov. Damian Mercado, Vice-Gov. the First Mass, Abp. Palma said, “the faithful and the prophets who were Church. Its mission is to embody
staged a reenactment of the first Mass on the Miguel Maamo, Limasawa Mayor Melchor can expect meaningful changes.” persecuted: “The people of this the Kingdom in her community
island, reliving history in color and dance Petracorta, other Mayors of the province, The historic first Mass in the Philippines time will be punished for the life. Now we understand the
as the rest of the island’s citizenry watched and other provincial and municipal officials. (and in Asia) was held on March 31, 1521, on murder of all the prophets killed mission given by Jesus to his
in the shade of the trees on the fringes of He also disclosed to the audience that he the island of Limasawa. At present, 35 percent since the creation of the world, disciples at the Sermon on the
the field. has pushed House Bill 4065 in the Lower of the island’s 6,000 population are Catholics; from the murder of Abel to the Mount: “You are the light for
The program following the Mass honored House in Congress which seeks to declare the rest are divided into 11 protestant sects. murder of Zechariah, who was the whole world… Your light
the coming of Christianity to Limasawa’s March 31 every year as national non-working Those who participated in the Eucharistic killed between the altar and the must shine before people, so
shores and “the country’s acceptance of a holiday. celebration last March 31 gained plenary holy place [Luke 11:50-51].) To that they will see the good things
life of faith” and provided an opportunity This bill, he added, is to highlight the indulgence granted to the Diocese. show, therefore, that the prophet you do and praise your Father
was not in the wrong, the Father in heaven” (Matt 5:14a.16). The
resurrected him. Church evangelizes not only by
Fugitive / B6 For Matthew, in other words, preaching the Kingdom to those
abandoned not only by those we are often told that when one the assurance that someone loves In the end, however, he was the resurrection was a vindication who have not heard about it, but
who represented his own people, knows someone understands us is sufficient ground to survive unsupported in his sufferings, of the messenger of the Kingdom. also—and this is important—by
but even by those who were him, loves him, clings to him and bear all the difficulties. the Father never freed him from Though people perceived him simply living its values in her
supposed to protect him. No life and accepts him for what he is In the life of Jesus, one easily it. This is probably the meaning to be a liar, God had a different very life.
could be more painful than this. and without condition, he can identifies his ground of existence of his scream at death, “My way of looking at him—he was That is why the Church must
Men abandoned him. bear almost any kind of pain. with his Father. People may not God, my God, why have you obviously in the right. Which fulfill its mission, even if the
Of course, the abandonment That this is true—this is easily have understood him, but he was forsaken me?” (Matt 27:46). That is why, in Matthew, Jesus was world does not accept it. She
of him by his own men and the verified when we hear the certain that his Father did. After kind of suffering is obviously not only exalted by God; on the cannot sack it. The Kingdom of
institutions of the country, not to stories of people who have been all, in the gospels he claims that unspeakable. At any rate, that is contrary, he was even given God must be preached and lived
say the scourging, the carrying imprisoned, or tortured, or who no one knows the Father except how Matthew’s passion narrative a commissioning role that is even in situations that reject her
of the cross and the crucifixion, are separated from their wives the Son and no one knows the portrays the death of Jesus—he usually ascribed to God in the mission. That it is not accepted
could still be borne if he had either as sailors or as contract Son except the Father, and those dies as an abandoned Son of God, Jewish tradition. Thus, the does not prove that it is wrong.
someone to cling to. After all, workers abroad. The certainty, he has chosen to reveal him. the Crucified Messiah. Gospel today describes Jesus The Church has God’s assurance
as giving the great commission: that her mission is not a lie, for
“When they saw him, they he resurrected Jesus from the
worshipped him, even though dead. On the contrary, she has
some of them doubted. Jesus to preach even if people do
drew near and said to them, “I not listen to her. She may even

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B8 Entertainment CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 8
April 11 - 24, 2011

Moral Assessment Technical Assessment

 Abhorrent  Poor
 Disturbing  Below average

 Acceptable  Average

 Wholesome  Above average

 Exemplary  E
xcellent

TITLE: The Lincoln Lawyer
CAST: Matthew McConaughey,
Marisa Tomei, John
Leguizamo,Ryan Phillippe,
Michaela Conlin, William
H. Macy, Margarita
Levieva, Katherine
Moennig, Michael Paré,
Michael Peña
DIRECTOR: Brad Furman
WRITER: Michael Connelly,
John Romano
GENRE: Drama
RUNNING TIME: 119 min.
Technical Assessment:
 ½
Moral Assessment: 
CINEMA Rating: For viewers
age 18 and above
Criminal Lawyer Mickey
Haller (Matthew McConaughey)
is the defense counsel of Louis
Roulet (Ryan Philippe), a son of
a rich family in Los Angeles who
is charged of assaulting a woman
prostitute. Haller asks his friend,
a private invetigator Frank Levin
(William Macy) to help him in the
investigation for the merit of the
case. As a lawyer, Haller expects
Louis to cooperate primarily by
confessing the whole truth to
enable him to better prepare for
his defense argument. Whilst
Louis admits he was at the scene
with the woman, he consistently
denies doing the crime. The
problem is Louis cannot tell
everything because his narration
includes that he passed out when
someone attacked him from
behind disabling him to recall
what happened next. As the
case progresses, Haller starts to
doubt the credibility of his client
because of more discoveries
in the investigation of Levin.
Unfortunately, even before
Haller arrives at the conclusion,
circumstances already claim the
life of his friend Levin. Haller is
convinced that Louis is the real
culprit but as a lawyer his job is
to defend his client. Realizing
the deceiving attributes of Louis,
Haller knows his former wife
Maggie Mcpherson (Marissa
Tomel) and 7-year old daughter
can be the next target after his
friend Frank.
“Lincoln Lawyer” offers
the usual investigative story.
However, it unusually focuses
on the struggles of a lawyer about
the truth, ethics of law profession
and personal concerns instead
of the crime. The director does
a good job in the treatment of
unconventional theme of a simple
investigative crime story. It builds
up interest as film progresses
towards climax and conclusion.
The acting particularly that of
Mclonaughney and Philippe
are commendable. The lines are
well-delivered and so are the
facial expressions. The frequent
close-up shots of faces and items
(i.e crime evidences, car plate
number, hand gestures, sex
scenes) encourages the viewers to
look through the details and gets
closer to the characters of the film.
Other than the use of close-up
camera angle, there is not much
to say about the cinematography.
The settings are also limited.
Somehow, the viewers may
wonder why discussion over
sensitive matters of the case is
done at public places like park.
And why a lawyer like Haller
seems to be holding “office”
inside his car. But the lights and
sounds are good compliments
of the film.
Every profession has
corresponding ethics to observe
and doing so gives dignity to
the work. In the case of law
profession especially when at the
side of defense it is the duty of
a lawyer to prove the innocence
of the client. The film “Lincoln
Lawyer” shows how a lawyer
struggles to succeed in defending
a guilty person. But he also makes
sure that he is not off the hook and
chain of future similar crimes by
the same persion should stop. At
the end of the day crime should
pay and justice must be served.
For the most part, the film speaks
about dignity at work, concerns
for friends, and respect and caring
for love ones. But the film also has
the tendency to be insensitive on
woman prostitutes and the media
person who received money out
of bribery.

MAC en COLET Ni Bladimer Usi

Buhay Parokya
Look for the images
of Easter eggs, Jesus TITLE: Catch Me… I’m in Love
on the Cross, Last CAST: Sarah Geronimo, Gerarld Anderson, Matteo Guidecelli, Ketchup
supper. (Illustration by Eusebio, Arlene Muhlach, Joey Marquez, Christopher de Leon,
Bladimer Usi) Dawn Zulueta
DIRECTOR: Mae Czarina Cruz
SCREENPLAY: Mel Mendoza del Rosario
PRODUCER/ DISTRIBUTORr: Star Cinema
LOCATION: Manila
GENRE: Romantic Comedy
RUNNING TIME: 105 minutes
Technical Assessment: 
Moral Assessment: 
CINEMA Rating: For viewers
ages 13 and below with
parental guidance

Si Roan (Sarah Geronimo) ay

nagmula sa isang simple ngunit
masayahing pamilya. Nagtatrabaho
siyasaisangNGO(Non-Government
Organization) na tumutulong sa mga
mahihirap na pamilya sa probinsiya.
Si Erick (Gerard Anderson) naman
ay ang nag-iisang anak ng presidente
ng Pilipinas (Christopher de Leon)
na kababalik lamang mula Amerika
kung saan siya ay nagtapos ng isang
kurso. Palibhasa’y lumaki sa luho at
may hinanakit sa ama, kakikitaan
ng kawalang-direksiyon sa buhay
si Erick ng kanyang ama. Sa isang
kakatwang insidente ng pagtatagpo
nina Roan at Erick ay makakaisip ang ama ni Erick ng paraan kung paanong
maturuan si Erick na magkaron ng direksyon sa buhay. Papupuntahin si Erick
ng kanyang ama sa probinsiya upang makihalubilo sa mga uring magsasaka. At
dito ay papasamahin siya kay Roan. Hindi magiging magkasundo ang dalawa
sa umpisa. Ngunit kalaunan di’y magkakahulugan ng loob ang dalawa. Ngunit
hindi pala magiging madali para kay Roan ang maging kasintahan ng anak ng
may pinakamataas na tungkulin sa bansa.
Kung tema ang pag-uusapan ay medyo luma at gasgas na ang kuwento ng
Catch Me I’m in Love. Bago sanang maituturing na makasilip ang manonood
ng kathang-isip na kuwento patungkol sa Unang Pamilya ng Pilipinas ngunit sa
kabuuan ay pawang wala namang bagong nasabi ukol dito. Hindi rin ramdam ang
laki ng konsepto ng pelikula. Pawang pinilit at pinababa nilang lalo ang opisina
ng Pangulo ng Pilipinas. Pawang hindi tugma ang maraming bagay sa pelikula
at nangunguna na rito ang kakulangang ng “chemistry” ng dalawang tauhan.
Ang papel na ginampanan ni Gernonimo ay tila kaparehas na lang mga nauna
pa niyang pelikula. Sa maraming pagkakataon ay lumalaylay ang mga eksena sa
pelikula at tumatamlay ang interes ng mga manonood dito. Maayos naman ang
pagganap ng mga tauhan ngunit sadyang walang maramdaman sa kabuuang
daloy ng kuwento. Masyadong naging mababaw ang dating ng materyal na
dapat sana ay mayabong at malalim kung napagtuuan lamang ng pansin.
Marami namang aral na inihain ang pelikula. Nariyan ang patungkol sa
pagmamalasakit sa kapwa at pag-iisip ng kapakanan ng iba bago ang sarili.
Kita ang mahalagang papel na ginagampanan ng pamilya at magulang sa
pelikula. Pinatunayan lamang nito na ang pamilya pa rin ang humuhubog ng
pundasyon ng isang pagkatao. Ang dalawang pangunahing tauhan, bagama’t
magkaiba ng estado sa buhay ay parehas napalaki sa maayos na pamilya kung
kaya’t maituturing silang magandang halimbawa. Mahalaga ring tingnan kung
anong buti ang maidudulot ng pagmamahal sa pelikula. Sa pagmamahal sa
kapwa ay sumusunod na rin ang pagmamahal sa Diyos at bayan. Ang tunay
na pagmamahal ay nakakapagpayabong sa isang pagkatao at nagagawa nitong
possible ang mga bagay na inaakala nang imposible katulad ng pagbabago ni
Erick sa pelikula na tumubo lamang dahil siya’y pinagmalasakitan ni Roan.
Ang tunay na pagmamahal ay ang pag-iisip sa kapakanan ng minamahal bago
ang sarili. Ito ang maliwanag na ipinakita ni Roan kay Erick lalo na sa mga
panahong nahihirapan siyang makisabay sa uri ng pamilya at mga kaibigan ni
Erick. Sa kabuuan ay hitik sa magagandang aral ang pelikula at sinasabi nitong
ang pagmamahal ang pinakahigit sa anu pa man na nais nating magkaroon sa
buhay na ito- yaman, kasikatan, kapangyarihan.
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 8
April 11 - 24, 2011
C1

The Cross
A Supplement Publication of KCFAPI
and the Order of the Knights of Columbus

During the “Walk for Life”, members of the Knights of Columbus reiterated their firm stand in support of life with the slogan: WE VALUE LIFE, NO TO RH BILL.

KC Luzon ‘Walk for

Life’ against RH Bill
Thousands of members of
Supreme Director and LD Tan graces
the Knights of Columbus in
Luzon jurisdiction manifested
their protest in a “Walk for
Inter-District bowling Tournament
Life” against the contentious
Reproductive Health Bill by
marching from Gen. Luna
St. in Intramuros, Manila
to Rajah Sulayman Park in
Malate, Manila last March
26, 2011.
Guest speakers who gave their talks
on the issues of the Reproductive Health
Bill and related topics on pro-life are Dr.
Ligaya A. Acosta, Executive Director
of Human Life International – Asia, Sir
Knight Hilario G. Davide, Jr, KCFAPI
Chairman and former Chief Justice of
the Supreme Court of the Philippines,
Alfredo S. Lim, Mayor of Manila and
Matthew Harvey T. Peralta, a Colum-
bian Squire who represented the youth
sector.
There were around seven thousand
members from the Dioceses of Anti-
polo, Cubao, Imus, Caloocan, Malolos,
Walk / C2
Supreme Director and Luzon
Deputy Alonso L. Tan graced the
2011 “One-Day, One-Team Inter-
District Duckpin Bowling Tour-
nament” held at the DJ Paradise
Bowling Lanes in Malolos City,
Bulacan last March 12, 2011.
The tournament was organized
by the Knights of Columbus Lu-
zon Jurisdiction Round Table of
District Deputies (RTDD), Group
24 of Diocese of Malolos.
Sir Knight Ireneo A. Romano,
District Deputy, M-24 and RTDD
Advocate led the prayer for the
beatification of Fr. George J. Will-
mann, S.J. after the registration
As they strike: Photo taken during duckpin bowling tournament held at Malolos Bulacan
last March 12, 2011 with LD Alonso L. Tan. of the participants.The welcome
Bowling / C2
11th KC
Luzon State
Convention
slated April
The Knights of Columbus Luzon Juris-
diction will hold its State Convention on
April 30, 2011 from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00
pm at Le Pavillon in Metrobank Ave.,
Metropolitan Park, Roxas Boulevard,
Pasay City.
In a circular letter from Arsenio
Isidro G. Yap, State Secretary and State
Convention Chairman noted by Alonso
L. Tan, Knights of Columbus Luzon
Deputy and Supreme Director and
addressed to all district deputies and
grand knights, the said schedule and the
details of the preparation particularly on
registration for the upcoming conven-
Luzon / C3

Visayas to hold 8th KC Luzon Squires Mindanao to hold

State Convention Committee holds leadership 14th State Convention
Observing the theme I Am My
Brother’s Keeper, the Knights
of Columbus, Visayas will hold
its 8th National Convention on
April 30, 2011.
The gathering will assess the
achievements of the various
councils in the entire Visayas
comprised of Regions 6,7 and
8. Delegates will also meet to
plan and implement the various
thrusts for the coming Colum-
bian Year.
This will be held at the Cebu
International Convention Cen-
ter, Mandaue City. The opening
sessions will be marked with an
Opening Mass to be presided by
Bishop Jose Palma, Archbishop
of Cebu and Chaplain of the
Knights of Columbus along
with several priests who will be
concelebrants.
A thousand brother knights
along with their spouse are
expected to attend the biennal
convention Retired Archbishop
and Ricardo Cardinal (Emeri-
tus) Vidal will be the keynote
speaker. Other speakers are
Hon. Hilario G. Davide Jr.,
Chairman of the Knights of Co-
lumbus Fraternal Association of
the Pilippines, Inc. , Alonso L.
Tan, KCFAPI President, Luzon
Deputy and Supreme Director,
and Eduardo G. Laczi, Director
for Philippine Affairs.
Bishop Crispin B. Varques will
speak during the luncheon hour
while Bishop Esteban S. Binghay
will preside the Marian Hour.
Father Carmelo Diola of Dilaab
Movement on the other hand
will speak during the Conven-
tion Dinner.
The three regional direc-
Visayas / C2
training for counselors
THE Knights of Columbus Lu-
zon Jurisdiction State Squires
Committee conducted a Youth
Leadership Training for coun-
selors in the Archdiocese
of Caceres and Dioceses of
Legazpi and Daet.
The Squires Committee
strongly believes that the
abilities of the counselors,
who are considered youth
ministers, should be devel-
oped “for them to become
more effective, expedient and
competent in carrying out and
in conducting their own Circle
activities and projects.”
Twenty-four counselors
attended the training held at
Bishop Jorge Barlin Assembly
Bldg. in Naga City, Camarines
Sur last March 12, 2011.
Through lectures, open
discussion and workshop,
the counselors were expected
to know their responsibili-
ties, the principles of a good
leader as well as to identify
and employ the approaches,
and management techniques
in handling youth groups
and organizing and operating
a Circle.
The role of the counselors
as models in the context of the
Church was stressed.
The Knights of Columbus
Squires / C3
THE Knights of Columbus-Mind-
anao will hold its 14th State Jurisdic-
tion Convention at the Waterfront
Davao Insular Hotel, Lanang,
Davao City on April 30, 2011 at 1:30
p.m. to May 1, 2011 at 12:00 noon.
State Secretary Bro. Hernando J.
Jordan said that a pre-convention
activity will be the 3rd State Colum-
bian Squire Convention on April 29,
2011 at the Holy Cross Academy
of Sasa, Davao City, from 8:00 a.m.
to 5:00 p.m. “I am My Brother’s
Keeper” is the theme chosen for
both conventions.
The gathering of different Colum-
bian Squires Circles in Mindanao
Jurisdiction will keep the zeal of
Columbianism burning in the hearts
of our Brother Knights and Squires.
We look forward to a memorable
gathering of fellowship, recreation,
reflection, and renewal for our
Squires, thus strengthening the
fraternal bond among members,
added Bro. Jordan.
Various activities have been
aligned such as Joint Investiture, Cat-
echism Quiz, Free Throw, and Essay
Contest, among others. The one day
activities will culminate with the
celebration of Holy Eucharist at 4:00
p.m., with the Auxiliary Bishop of
Davao Bishop George B. Rimando,
DD as celebrant and homilist.
Bro. Jordan further said that the
theme “ I am My Brother’s Keeper”
reminds all of us of the noble cause of
our Founder, the Venerable Servant
of God, Rev. Fr. Michael J. McGivney
to help our needy brothers and sis-
ters in the name of our faith.
The jurisdiction’s performance
is due to the undaunted effort
and dedication to the Order of its
Mindanao Deputy Bro. Sofronio R.
Cruz, along with his State Officers
and members. (KC News)
 The Cross
CBCP Monitor
C2 Vol. 15 No. 8
April 11 - 24, 2011

Alonso L. Tan
Hon. Hilario G. Davide, Jr.
President’s Message
Chairman’s Message
Message of Luzon Deputy and KCFAPI President Alonso L.
THE themes of our publication THE
CROSS for this month of April 2011
Tan during the “Walk for Life”, held on March 26, 2011
are Lenten Season and State Con-
ventions. Combining and conjoin-
ing the two speak eloquently of their “Choosing Life, Rejecting the scientist have known for a long not only be informed but most That in union and in solidarity
paramount significance in order. RH Bill” is the chosen theme of time that contraceptive may of all rightly guided through the with our Bishops, we fully and
Once more I stress that our KC this “Walk” Human Life is the cause cancer. teachings of one’s faith. unqualifiedly support the salient
does not only mean Knights of Co- most sacred physical gift with Contraceptives are hazardous 6. We believe in the freedom objections of the Catholic Bish-
lumbus, but, more importantly, as which God, the author of life, to woman’s health. of religion and the right of con- ops Conference of the Philip-
Knights of Christ. Without Christ we endows a human being. Placing 1. We are deeply concerned scientious objection in matters pines (CBCP) to the consolidated
are nothing. And without His Lent, artificial obstacles to prevent hu- about the plight of the many poor, that are contrary to one’s faith. RH bill or RP Bill.
His Birth will not be complete. The man life from being formed and especially of suffering women, The sanctions and penalties The Catholic Bishops’ Confer-
Christmas message of faith, hope and love finds fulfillment in being born most certainly con- who are struggling for a better life embodied in the proposed RH ence of the Philippines (CBCP) is
Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection and the cross of Lent is tradicts this fundamental truth and who must seek it outside of bill are another reason for us to calling on all Filipinos especially
the symbol of our salvation and redemption, of the eternal life of human life. In the light of the the country, or have recourse from denounce it. we Catholics, to use the power of
that Easter brings. Lent provides us the opportunity for spiritual widespread influence of post- a livelihood less than decent. Last February 2, 2011 (Feast of vote, as citizens of the Republic, to
renewal and transformation. As Knights of Christ, we must modern spirit in our world, we 2. We are Pro-life. We must the Presentation of the Lord) the elect leaders who will uphold that
journey with Christ all throughout the sorrowful mysteries, for consider this position as nothing defend human life from the mo- 270,000 active members of the or- value of the Family and of Life.
there can be no Easter in our lives without such journey. less than prophetic. As religious ment of conception or fertiliza- der of the Knights of Columbus We believe that all of us with
The journey will be more welcome to Jesus if we bring with leaders we must proclaim this tion up to its natural end. and our families from Luzon, our strong conviction to defend
us, spirituality, our neighbors-our brothers. In this way, we truth fearlessly in season and 3. We believe in the respon- Visayas and Mindanao Jurisdic- life, we would be sending a
become our brother’s keepers. Jesus himself commands: Love out of season. sible and natural regulation of tions issued a Declaration of strong message to the Halls of
your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:31). This means that to our Advocates contend that the births through “Natural Family Support for Church’s stand on Congress so strong that it would
neighbor or brother we should share our blessings, and of his RH bill promotes reproductive Planning” for which character Family and Life. reverberate in their ears long
sufferings and pain we must bear part. True joy comes from health. The RH Bill certainly building is necessary which That being a Catholic organi- after the session has ended, even
an act of Love and compassion for a brother. does not. It does not protect the involves sacrifice, discipline zation, we live by the teachings long after their terms in Congress
“I am my Brother’s Keeper” is the convention theme of the health of the sacred human life and respect for the dignity of of the Catholic Church and fol- is over. AND THAT MESSAGE
Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao Jurisdictions of the KC Philip- that is being formed or born. the spouse. low her guidance as one would is NO TO RH BILL
pines. I hope my brother Knights in these jurisdictions with The very name “contraceptive” 4. We believe that we are only a teacher and mother. We are now the voice of the
their families, shall spread the message of the Lenten Season already reveals the anti-life na- stewards of our own bodies. Re- That being a Catholic organi- weak and the oppressed and
to a world now in crises and bring, through love, true joy to ture of the mean that the RH Bill sponsibility over our own bodies zation, we uphold and support the defender of the helpless and
their brothers. promotes. These artificial means must follow the will of God who the magisterial teachings of the the innocents. May God Bless us
VIVAT JESUS! are fatal to human life, either speaks to us through conscience. Church on family and life as we all, in this wothy undertaking.
preventing it from fruition or 5. We hold on the choices relat- renew our fealty to the Holy Maraming Salamat po!
actually destroying it. Moreover, ed to the RH bill, conscience must Father, Pope Bendict XVI. Vivat Jesus!

Jaime M. Talag, M.D.

Health and Life

FCs Chairman of the Board
Awardees reveal secrets of success
BMI (Body THE fraternal counselors Chairman of the
Board Award -- Annual Family Service
The Fraternal Counselor (FC) of the Year
is Lorenzo Dufale, Sr. who has achieved the
Chancellors, Juan G. Castillo, Jr., Bonifacio
Martinez, and Reynaldo Ogania of Metro

Mass Index)
WEIGHT can affect a person’s self-esteem. Excess weight can
evoke some unfair reactions. The amount of weight loss needed
to improve your health may be much less than what you wish
to lose. Research has shown that your health can be greatly
improved by a loss of 5–10 percent of your starting weight and
that doesn’t mean you have to stop there.
Changing the way you approach weight loss can help you
be more successful at weight management. Most people who
are trying to lose weight focus on just the goal of weight loss.
However, setting the right goals and focusing on lifestyle
changes such as following a healthy eating plan, watching
portion sizes, being physically active, and reducing sedentary
time are much more effective.
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a useful measure of overweight
and obesity. It is also used as a measure of underweight. BMI
incorporates both height and weight, and provides a single
number to assess a person’s degree of fat and a valid measure
of health risks. It is calculated by dividing the person’s weight
in kilograms by the height in meters square.
BMI = weight (kg)
Height (m)2
BMI Categories:
Underweight = <18.5
Awardees of 2010 exhibited exemplary
performance in sales because of common
secrets of success.
These awardees are fraternal counselors
who have achieved the minimum require-
ments for the following awards: Chairman’s
Circle, Fr. Willmann Knights of the Round
Table and Fraternal Counselor of the Year
2010.
Faith in God and constantly seeking God’s
guidance and intervention is the topmost of
their secrets of success. Most of them dis-
play attitude such as hard work, diligence,
perseverance, dedication, humility, commit-
ment to the Association, and loyalty. The
determination to achieve, to dream big are
some of the key factors in achieving their
respective awards.
Other factors such as integrity, self-
confidence, aggressiveness, and friendliness
influence their positive performance.
Regular attendance in council meetings,
sacrifice in participating in all council activities
and close relationship with brother knights
facilitated the realization of their goal.
The awardees are fraternal counselors
who have achieved highest production in
insurance contribution.
They have excelled in providing fraternal
benefits and insurance to Knights of Colum-
bus members and immediate families.
highest first year contribution income and
insured fifty creditable new paid lives dur-
ing the incentive program period which was
from the first working day of January 2010
until December 23, 2010.
The three Runner-FCs of the Year are
Teofilo Samson, Reynaldo Segismundo and
Danilo Tullao. These runners-up including
the FC of the Year have attained at least
two million first year contribution income
and have insured a minimum of forty-eight
creditable new paid lives in 2010.
The members of the Fr. Willmann Knights
of the Round Table (WKRT) are Jose Larry
Mendoza, Maria Teresa De La Mota, Jef-
frey Rey Guillermo, Diego Marquez, Angel
Rivada, Angelito Lat, Veronica Casupanan,
Lauro Evangelista, Bonifacio Morales, Edu-
ardo Cruz and Luis Ferrer.
The Chairman’s Circle Awards was con-
ferred to fifty-two fraternal counselors.
Recipients of this award from Luzon are:
Joselito Enriquez, Ariston Francisco, Alfredo
Noriega, and Ronando Rodriguez of Central
Luzon Believers; Francisco Ballesteros, Rex
Blanco, Rene Cruz, Jose De Leon, and Nazario
Timbresa of Central Luzon Conquerors. Also
from Luzon are Amado Miranda and Melissa
Lourdes Reyes of Central Luzon Diamonds;
Rosa Hernandez, Virgilio Matias, Francisco
Reyes, and Rodolfo Salcedo of Metro Manila
Manila Dragons; Danilo Carungay and Jaime
Dagos of Metro Manila Excellence, Lerio
Cagampang, Gabriel Chocyagan, Jose Do-
mogdog, Rogelio Oriel, and Mauricio Pangda
of Northeastern Luzon Cavaliers, Raymundo
Alkuino, Venancio Capiral, Angel Casid-
ing, Jr., Hugo Goce, Jr., Teodoro Rada, and
Lauro Villamayor of Southern Luzon Lakers,
Vicente Espiraz, Rodrigo Gorospe, Armando
Ravina, and Arfelcris Tapalla of Southwesten
Luzon Stars, Jose Rolando Sanoria of Metro
Manila Achievers, Alfred Lallana of Northern
Luzon Gold Miners, and Perlita Valencia of
Northwestern Luzon Thunders.
Fraternal Counselors from Visayas who
have achieved the said award are Jocelyn
Nabong and Licarion Lim of Eastern Visayas
Fighters, Renerio Ganzon and Joel Tanaid of
Western Visayas Advocates, Joel Flordelis of
Central Visayas Aces, Glyceria de Ramos of
Western Visayas Bulls and Wildy Devela of
Western Visayas Crusaders.
Mindanao Fraternal Counselors who have
received the said award are Butch Ragoro
and Alliondo Saromines of Eastern Mind-
anao Eagles, Marteliano Alcontin, Emma
Saclote, Rolando Sta. Teresa of Northern
Mindanao Goldies, Lorenzo Almelia of Cen-
tral Mindanao Cowboys, and Patrick Gorit,
Sr. of North Central Mindanao Explorers.
(Vanessa Puno)

Baguio Knights hold “Walk for Life” rally

Normal weight = 18.5–22.9
Overweight = equal or greater than 23
* At risk= 23 -24.9l;k
Obese 1 = 25 – 29.9
Obese 2 = equal or greater than 30 THE Knights of Columbus Luzon members of religious congrega- cil 13726 under Grand Knight ers after the celebration of the
Jurisdiction of the Diocese of tions and lay associations such Marcos Buliyat and Benguet Holy Eucharist. Msgr. Cosalan,
The higher the value, the higher the risk for certain diseases Baguio spearheaded the “Walk as Catholic Women’s League, Highlands Assembly. Jr. talked about the stance of the
such as heart ailments, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, for life” on March 19, feast of St. Saranay Prayer Group, Children Msgr. Andres Cosalan, Jr., Church against the Reproductive
gallstones, breathing problems, and certain cancers. Joseph from the municipal hall of Our Lady of Covadonga, and Vicar General of the Diocese Health Bill.
of La Trinidad to San Jose Parish Holy Name Society from the of Baguio and Vice President Bro. Edward Antonio of Dis-
Church, La Trinidad in Benguet. Vicariate of San Jose and the for Mountain Province Broad- trict B21, La Trinidad, Benguet

St. Anne Circle

Almost two thousand pro-life Diocese of Baguio. casting Corporation led the underlined the significance of
advocates joined the 6:30 a.m. Participating KC Councils concelebrated mass at San Jose the “Walk for Life” while Ben-
rally in connection with the were San Jose Parish Trini- Parish at 8 a.m. Concelebrat- guet Gov. Nestor Fongwan,

No. 3738, Squires’

annual “Walk for Life” activity dad Council 6285 under Grand ing with him were Fr. Benedict also a member of the Knights of
of the three jurisdictions of the Knight Rey Villarey, Bishop Castañeda, parish priest of San Columbus emphasized the role
Knights of Columbus which was Brigido A. Galasgas Council Jose, La Trinidad, Benguet, Fr. of the Order in supporting fam-

newly accredited
held on March 26. 12568 under Grand Knight Jo- Abner Dalilis, assistant parish ily and life values.
Participants include members ell Cervantes, Tublay Benguet priest and Fr. German Domingo Meanwhile, Fr. Castañeda
of the Knights of Columbus, Council 11367 under Grand Ledesma, a guest priest. shared about St. Joseph whose

investiture team
Columbian Squires, San Jose Knight Willy Velasco, Benguet The participants listened to the feast the faithful celebrated on
High School students, priests, State University College Coun- inputs given by several speak- that day. (KC News)

THE St. Anne Circle No. 3738
of Magarao in Camarines Sur is
the newly accredited investiture
team of the Knights of Columbus
Luzon Jurisdiction Columbian
Squires.
The investiture team invested
48 new members last March 13
at Bishop Jorge Barlin Assembly
Building, J. Miranda Ave. in
Naga City, Camarines Sur.
The Squires Investiture,
which is a ceremonial activity
for accepting new Squires, was
sponsored by the Archdiocese of
Caceres’ Our Lady of Remedios
Council 13057, Pili, Camarines
Sur. (KC News)
Visayas / C1
tors Dalmacio Grafill of Region 6, Lino
Aguilar, Region 7, and Pete Guyos,
Region 8 will render their report to the
delegates.
A first degree exemplification is also sched-
uled on April 29, 2011. for new members to
be held at the State Office, Archbishop Reyes
Ave., Cebu City. A Sports festival featuring
billiards, bowling, chess, and darts will be
held at at the Gaisano Bowling Complex,
Banilad Cebu City.
The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic
fraternal, family service organization with
1.8 million members in the US, Canada,
Mexico, Puerto Rico, Guam and Philippines.
It is widely known for its charitable contribu-
tions to various causes especially calamities
and other unfortunate events.
In the Visayas, there are 58,000 members
under 587 councils.
Visayas Deputy Dionisio R. Esteban, Jr. is
enjoining all brother knights to participate.
For additional details, please call up tel. 231-
1183. (Emm R. Espino)

Walk / C1 Bowling / C1

Novaliches, Parañaque, Pasig
and the Archdiocese of Manila
who participated with their
families and friends.
The participants gathered
at San Agustin Church in In-
tramuros, Manila at 5:30 in
the morning. A concelebrated
mass followed at 6:00AM. This
was presided over by Bishop
Honesto F. Ongtioco, Knights
of Columbus State Chaplain and
Bishop of Cubao.
Ricarte S. Sabio, State Pro-Life
Director will delivered his take
off message to the participants
after the celebration of the Holy
Eucharist.The march started at
7:15 a.m. from Gen. Luna St. in
Intramuros, Manila to Rajah Su-
layman Park in Malate, Manila.
After more than an hour of
pro-life march with a theme “We
Value Life,” the participants ar-
rived at Rajah Sulayman Park at
around 8:30 in the morning.
This was followed by an in-
vocation and singing of the
national anthem led by Vicente
V. Ortega, State Church Direc-
tor and Pascual C. Carbero,
respectively.
The welcome remarks was
delivered by Alonso L. Tan,
Knights of Columbus Luzon
Deputy and Supreme Director. A
message of the Supreme Knight
Carl A. Anderson for the said
pro-life activity was also shared
to the participants followed by
talks of guest speakers on their
respective topics.
Bonifacio B. Martinez, State
Program Director expressed his
appreciation to the guests in be-
half of the KC Luzon. This was
followed by a closing remark
delivered by Arsenio Isidro G.
Yap, State Secretary.
The program ended with is the
singing of “Habang May Buhay”
and the release of balloons with
background music by the Banda
ng Maynila. (Vanessa Puno)
remark was delivered by Sir
Knight Nestor C. Santiago of
Barasoain Council #3817.
The rules and regulations of
the said 2011 bowling tourna-
ment were presented by Sir
Knights and Sports Coordina-
tors Rodolfo N. Alongalay,
District Deputy, M-28 and
Gaudencio V. Sanchez.
Guest of honor and speaker
Tan was introduced by Sir
Knight Edgardo M. Mitiam,
District Deputy, M-30 and
RTDD Vice Chairman.The
highlight of the event was the
message of Sir Knight Tan to
the participants from districts
M-21 to M-35.
Sir Knight Angelito U. Sacro,
District Deputy, M-31 and
RTDD Treasurer led the pledge
of sportsmanship.The 2011
RTDD Inter-District Duckpin
Bowling Tournament was
formally declared open by Sir
Knight Rodolfo Y. Manumbas,
District Deputy, M-22 and
RTDD Chairman.
The ceremonial throwing
of bowling duckpin was led
by Sir Knight Tan and all
the present district deputies.
After which, the game rolled
and carefully facilitated by
the RTDD Bowling Tourna-
ment Committee headed by
Sir Knights Alongalay and
Sanchez.
The announcement of win-
ners and awarding of prizes
were carried out on the same
day by the RTDD officers
namely, Sir Knights Manum-
bas, Mitiam, Carlito G. Fer-
nando, Secretary and Jaime E.
Oliveros, Chairman of Awards
or Recognition.
The tournament concluded
with a prayer for the can-
onization of Fr. Michael J.
McGivney, the founder of the
Knights of Columbus. (Van-
essa Puno)
 The Cross
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 15 No. 8
April 11 - 24, 2011
C3

Blessed John Paul II entrusted us

with the task of a new evangelization
By Supreme Knight Carl A.
Anderson
THE beatification of Pope John Paul II
will be a time for reflection upon the
accomplishments of his pontificate and
the holiness of his life. But it will not be
enough for the Knights of Columbus to
simply look back and remember history.
If we are to keep faith with our great
friend and beloved spiritual leader, we
must also look to the future.
In working toward this goal, we
should ask ourselves, “What would
Blessed John Paul II say to us today?”
We are fortunate that we have thou-
sands of pages of his writings that still
speak to us clearly, and none is more
relevant to the work of the Knights of
Columbus than his 1999 apostolic ex-
hortation Ecclesia in America. In read-
ing this document, it seems as though
John Paul II is speaking directly to us.
He wrote, “The renewal of the Church
in America will not be possible without
the active presence of the laity. There-
fore, they are largely responsible for the
future of the Church” (44).
Today, there is no lay organization in
the countries where the Knights of Co-
lumbus works that surpasses us in terms
of charity, promotion of vocations and
evangelization. Thus, the magnitude of
our work on behalf of the Church can
be measured in a certain degree only by
the magnitude of our responsibility for
the future of the Church.
Perhaps more than any other docu-
ment, it was in Ecclesia in America that
John Paul II proclaimed the need for a
new evangelization. He wrote, “As the
Church’s Supreme Pastor, I urgently
desire to encourage all the members of
God’s People, particularly those living
in America … to take up this project and
to cooperate in carrying it out” (66).
The pope understood that there was
a common Christian foundation to
the new civilization being built in the
Western Hemisphere during the past
five centuries. This common founda-
tion offers the promise of an even
greater solidarity, community and
charity in the future, if only we have
the determination to work for such a
transformation.
For more than a century, the Knights
of Columbus has been promoting this
greater solidarity among Catholics in
Canada, Mexico, the United States and
the Philippines through our work of
charity, unity, fraternity and patrio-
tism.
Blessed John Paul II knew that the
task before us was not simply a “re-
evangelization” — a repetition of what
had gone before — but an evangeliza-
tion “new in ardor, methods and expres-
sion” (6).
This newness, in a significant way,
depends upon the creativity and the
dedication of the lay faithful who are
willing to commit their personal lives,
their families and their associations
in witnessing to the good news of the
Gospel.
“In accepting this mission,” John
Paul II wrote, “everyone should keep
in mind that the vital core of the new
evangelization must be a clear and un-
equivocal proclamation of the person of
Jesus Christ” (66).
For the Knights of Columbus, the
beatification of Pope John Paul II is a
historic occasion to reflect on precisely
the ways in which our dedication to our
principles of charity, unity and frater-
nity provide “a clear and unequivocal
proclamation of the person of Jesus
Christ.”
And as we witness with confidence
to this reality, both on a personal level
and through the work of our thousands
of active councils, we will not only take
up a more vigorous role in the work
of the new evangelization, but we will
also realize more fully Father Michael
McGivney’s vision of a dynamic orga-
nization that is wholly at the service of
the Church.
Vivat Jesus!

Joseph P. Teodoro

For Brother Knights by Brother Knights

Casupanan inspires believers

During the early days of KC-
FAPI, the sales areas would
adopt greek letters and military
terms terms to identify them-
selves from the others. The Cen-
tral Luzon sales area composed
of the provinces of Bulacan,
Nueva Ecija and Pampanga was
known as Central Luzon Beta.
The two other areas in Central
Luzon were named as Central
Luzon Alpha and Central Luzon
Charlie.
Sometie in the late 1999, sales
areas suited names from NBA
and other sports teams such as
LAKERS, BULLS and PATRI-
OTS. Other took identities of
their place such as GOLD, MIN-
ERS, CATHCERS, COWBOYS
and EAGLES.
In 2006, newly appointed Area second place last year, he nev- and former Chairman of Dioc-
Manager EFREN M. CASU- ertheless earned for himself two esan Round Table of District
PANAN sought FBG’s approval distinctions for having bought Deputies in Malolos, Bulacan.
to christen his sales team as BE- in highest fist year contribution He is also the Chairman of Par-
LIEVERS even without asking income and the area with the ish Pastoral Council of he Holy
him the reason for his choice. most number of awardees. Family (quasi) Parish in Catmon,
Bro. Efren is a person with deep In 2010, the Central Luzon Sta. Maria Bulacan.
faith in the Lord and has a high Beleivers was able to generate Born on December 14, 1957,
sense of confidence. P11,488,282.21 FYCI and 10 An- a UE graduate with a Bachelor
Bro. Efren is a three time nual Awardees. Trully Bro. Efren of Science degree in Commerce
member of the Annual Chair- serves as a model and inspiration major in Accountancy is married
man of the Board Family Service to all his fraternal counselors. to schoolmate Sis. Veronica and
Awards and a Branch Manager Amiable, unassuming, hard- blessed with one daughter. Sis
of Radiowealth Finance Compa- working and generous are just Veronica, a consistent awardee
ny. Inc. based in San Fernando, some of the characteristics of is a 2010 Fr. Willmann of the
Pampanga prior to his appoint- Bro. Efren which perhaps led Round Table (WKRT) awardee.
ment as Area Manager him to responsible positions in Their daughter Elyn Mae is tak-
He won the Area Manager of the Order and his parish. Bro ing up physical theraphy course
the year in 2008 and was a run- Efren is past grand knight (char- at the University of Santo Tomas
ner up finisher in 2009 and 2010. ter grand knight), former district and aiming to become a lady
Bro. Efren Casupanan
Although he just came in close deputy, past faithful navigator physician in the future.

Angelito A. Bala
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Since insurance is based on the law of
large numbers, why not accept all applica-
tions and rely on the law of probability?
A. To blindly rely on the law of averages
would be ineffective and unprofitable. Insur-
ance applicants may come far and between
but are not in any way random. In addition,
applicants do not have the same risk profiles.
Those with impaired health condition or
exposed to more hazardous occupations or
avocations should be charged more because
of increased cost of mortality, while those
with unimpaired risk must be assessed ac-
cording to the standard rate classification.
On extreme cases, if the risk can no longer
be quantified, the application is declined.
This manner of identifying, classifying and
assessing risk is called underwriting.
Underwriting helps maintain equity among
all benefit certificate (BC) holders, otherwise,
the insurer will have to collect higher contribu-
tions from all BC holders to remain solvent.
Higher rates will cause a loss of business to
the insurer, forcing applicants/BC holders to
competition especially those with ‘standard’ or
normal risk characteristics. Only those ineligi-
ble for coverage will apply to non-selective in-
surer resulting in this insurer to charge higher
rates. If the insurer will not select, buyers will.
Selection by buyers is called anti-selection. An
individual’s demand for insurance is highly
related to his risk of loss (those with higher
risk demand higher insurance protection). If
the insurer will not select or ask underwriting
questions, information asymmetry will cause
the distortion of this correlation of demand
and risk of loss and the insurer will be left
with the short end of the stick. Underwriting
counters adverse selection and makes sure that
the applicant is assessed the proper rate for the
contemplated risk.
Q. What are the factors that affect under-
writing?
A. The basic factors that affect life insurance
underwriting are: age, occupation and the
physical condition of the applicant. Minor
factors include financial condition, residence
and family history.
Most insurance plans have stated maxi-
mum insurance age. Not many insurers
will write BCs beyond 70. Possible reasons
are: the insurance cost may be prohibitive
to the applicant, ability to pass medical
examinations is unlikely, limited number of
successful applicants for the law of averages
to apply. Some insurers accept applications
born at least two weeks from delivery. For
instance, a 10% to
20% overweight
is not much of a
concern for a per-
son age 30 but is a
cause for concern
for older ages.
An occupation that exposes the applicant
to hazardous work, detrimental to the health
of the person like mining in caves, or per-
forming/maintaining peace and order like
soldiers or members of public safety have
higher than average mortality risk. High risk
jobs include high speed racers, motorcycle
racers, deep sea divers and the underwrit-
ing classifications will depend on the risk
appetite of insurers.
If the applicant’s physical health condition is
impaired, most likely the application is appraised
with higher contribution or flatly rejected.
The insurer may limit the amount of
coverage either due to moral or physical
hazard even if the applicant is healthy. The
amount of risk must be proportional to his
capacity to pay. Moreover, the underwriter
would like the BC to persist or stay long in
the accounting books as the cost to procure
a contract is costly. If oversold, the BC may
lapse in a short time, depriving the insurer
to recoup its expenses.
Atty. Rizal V. Katalbas, Jr.
From the Legal
Standpoint
Anti-Money
Laundering
Law
NOWADAYS you would most likely encounter the term
“Anti-Money Laundering”. In the area of insurance espe-
cially with your benefit certificate this would have a direct
effect. “Money laundering,” simply put refers to the process
where a person conceals money gained from an unlawful
means by making it appear that it come out of a legitimate
transaction.
In September 29, 2001 the Anti-Money Laundering Act
(Republic Act No.9160) was enacted to address the growing
concern over money laundering and to protect the integrity
of the Philippine banking system. The law was later amended
by Republic Act No. 9194 to give the government a better
leverage in suppressing money laundering.
There are some features in these laws worth noting. One
feature is that a transaction with a covered institution involv-
ing an amount exceeding P500,000.00 within one banking
day is deemed a covered transaction (as amended by RA No.
9194). As a covered transaction the law requires that this be
reported to the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).
The covered institution is also required to keep records of

The Cause for the Beatification

Luzon / C1 such transaction. Failure to disclose the transaction with the
AMLC or keep records of the transaction is deemed a money
tion were stressed.
laundering offense and punishable under the law.
Interested Knights of Colum-

Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ

EMULATING the virtues that
bespeak of sanctity of a person,
like Fr. Geroge J. Willmann, is
what we need today to draw
us into a deeper living out
of the fullest meaning of our
Catholic Faith in the context of
increasing secularism. Thus,
we believe, is one of the most
important objectives in initiat-
ing the Cause o the good Father
George.
As prescribed by the Congre-
gation for Causes of Saints in
Rome as person may be elevated
to the honors of the altar if he has
lived up to a “heroic” degree of
the supernatural virtues of faith,
hope and charity, as well as the
cardinal virtues of prudence,
justice and fortitude and tem-
perance. We believe that Father
Willmann practiced them all to
an exceptional degree.
In order to establish and wid-
en the fame of Sanctity of Father
Willmann, may we call on all
Brother Knights, their families
and friends to respond to the
following appeal:
1. Submission of testimonies
on Fr. Willmann’s heroic vir-
tues;
2. Recitation of Prayer for his
Beatification in private and dur-
ing K of C meetings and affairs;
3. Invocation of his interces-
sion in our prayers;
4. Submission of Reports
on answered prayers through
the intercession of father Will-
mann;
5. Visitation of his tomb in the
Sacred Heart Novitiate Ceme-
tery, Novaliches, Quezon City.
6. Membership to Fr. George
J. Willmann Fellows.
This is a challenge for all of
us Knights of Columbus who
dearly love father George J.
Willmann, SJ.
bus members of active councils
in Luzon are expected to con-
vene for the said State Conven-
tion with its theme “I am my
Brother’s Keeper.” KC Luzon
will hold a golf tournament
dubbed the ‘Supreme Director’s
Cup’ as a pre-convention activity
on April 26, 2011.
Squires / C1
Columbian Squires is an interna-
tional organization for Catholic
youth ages 10 to 18 which en-
deavors to develop the members’
leadership qualities and provide
holistic formation through a Co-
lumbian Squires program aiming
to produce good leaders of our
community. (KC News)
To further prevent money laundering, the law imposes
a requirement for covered institutions to acquire certain
information on its clients. This is known as the “Know Your
Customer Rule”. Under this rule the covered institution shall
require individual customers to produce original documents
of identity issued by an official authority. Examples of which
are driver’s licenses and passports. Covered institutions are
also required to obtain from customers information such as
the date and place of birth, nationality, nature of work or
business, employer, TIN, SSS/GSIS number, specimen sig-
nature and names of beneficiaries in the case of insurance.
The Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the
Philippines, Inc. is a covered institution as defined under
Section 3 (par. a) of R.A. Nos. 9160 and 9194 and as such, it
is bound to comply with the requirements of the Anti-Money
Laundering Act and its implementing rules and regulations.
KCFAPI is an entity that is supervised and regulated by the
Insurance Commission and is bound to comply with the
rules and regulation promulgated by said agency consistent
with R.A. No. 9194.
 The Cross
CBCP Monitor
C4 Vol. 15 No. 8
April 11 - 24, 2011

FBG conducts Fraternal Service

Training to FCs of Luzon
THE Fraternal Benefits Group
of the Knights of Columbus
Fraternal Association of the
Philippines, Inc. (KCFAPI) held
a service training for fraternal
counselors at the KCFAPI Social
hall in Intramuros, Manila last
March 22 to 23, 2011.
The training was participated
by twenty newly appointed fra-
ternal counselors from Bulacan,
Cabanatuan, Northeastern Lu-
zon, Bicol, Northwestern Luzon,
Northern Luzon, Cavite, and
Metro Manila.
Also, some newly hired em-
ployees of KCFAPI joined the
service training.
The introduction of the Order
of the Knights of Columbus was
underlined by the speakers as they
highlighted the KCFAPI plans,
program, products and history
during the two-day training.
Strategies on sales perfor-
mance was shared by Joseph
P. Teodoro, Fraternal Benefits
Group (FBG) Vice-President.
Gari San Sebastian, Fraternal
Benefits Services Manager and
Teodoro were the trainers and
speakers of the said training.
(KCFAPI News)

South City Homes

Academy Squires holds KC holds Free Throw Championship THE Knights of Columbus Christ the King

charter presentation,
Council 12342 of GSIS Village, San Pedro,
Laguna conducted its Free Throw Champion-
ship to young boys and girls last March 20,

installation of officers
THE Knights of Columbus Co-
lumbian Squires of South City
Homes Academy Circle 5458
held its Charter presentation
and installation of Circle of-
ficers at the South City Homes
Academy of San Vicente Ferrer
Parish in San Vicente, Biñan City
on March 22, 2011.
The Circle document from the
Supreme Council was presented
by Jose F. Cuaresma, Luzon
Columbian Squires Chairman
to Grand Knight Leonardo L.
Manalo and District Deputy
Felix Galang, Jr.
The said newly instituted
Circle of the Columbian Squires,
the K of C Catholic youth or-
ganization was sponsored by
Council 14957, District S-53 of
2011 at Barangay GSIS basketball court. A
total of 11 boys and 10 girls participated in
the said activity. Winners received a trophy
and cash prize.
the Diocese of San Pablo. This program is one of the projects of the
The installation of officers and Knights of Columbus aimed to give the youth
oath taking of officers were led a chance to participate in worthwhile activities
by Mario Bautista and Cuares- and at the same time know the value of sports-
ma after the charter presenta- manship and the spirit of camaraderie.
tion. Speeches were delivered by Likewise, the said event coincided with
Cuaresma, Galang, Manalo and the 2011 Sangguniang Kabataan Basketball
Chief Squire of Circle 5458 John League, a project organized by GSIS Sports
Zedrick D. Siaga. Club in coordination with the Barangay
The nineteen member Circle is Chairman and Council, GSIS Homeowner’s
under the spiritual guidance and Association and Knights of Columbus Christ
direction of their Father Prior, Fr. the King Council 12342.
Emil Urriquia. Efren Mendoza, Grand Knight Basil B. Occeno tossed the
State Seminar Director, Enrico ceremonial jump ball for the opening of bas-
Nera, State Squires Director for ketball league and awarded the trophy and
Ceremonials, Raymund Gubat, cash prize to the winners of the free throw
State Squires Director for Train- championship. GK Basil Occeno also received
ing, George Michael Tuyay, a plaque of appreciation from the GSIS Baran-
Diocesan Area Chairman for gay Chairman Ronald Orlain for gracing the
Parañaque also attended the said event. (KC News)
event. (KC News)

Luzon Squire stand ‘No’ to RH Bill A journey of a thousand miles

begins out of a single step
T he C o l u m b i a n rally on Reproductive tion,” Peralta said. cities to further devel- better citizens. It is
Squires of Luzon ju- Health Bill that start- Peralta contended op other places in the making better chil-
risdiction, a Catholic ed with a Eucharis- the claim of the RH bill country,” he said. dren to make a better
youth organization of tic Celebration at the proponents that the The Squires consid- world,” Peralta said.
the Knights of Colum- San Agustin Church country is overpopulat- er the misrepresented The Squires believe
bus have expressed in Intramuros and cul- ed and hence the need idea of “responsible that it is not true that TO be a Fraternal Counselor of the Year the benefit system provider of the Or-
their opposition to the minated with a pro- to reduce birth rate. parenthood” in the bill sex education from is not easy as it may seem to be. One der of the Knights of Columbus in the
Reproductive Health gram at the park after His realization of the as “demoralizing the Grade V to Fouth Year has to generate no less than P2Million Philippines. He was able to persuade
Bill now aggressively a 4-kilometer walk. mistaken idea about Filipino people as mere High School being pesos in First Year Contribution Income and encourage almost all of his council
pushed in Congress. Peralta stated that population in the RH persons who can’t rely proposed by the Bill (FYCI), forty-eight (48) new paid lives members to avail of their insurance ben-
During the “Walk for as an organization of bill was initially taken on their self-control, would educate them to while maintaining a retention rate of efits and is always guided by the four
Life” organized by the Catholic gentlemen and from Squires State Pri- therefore needing me- the dangers of sex and 85% up at the end of December 2010. Cardinal principles of the Order namely
Luzon jurisdiction last as people of God, they or, Msgr. Pedro Quito- chanical ways to do the therefore prevent pros- All these challenges were hurdled by Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patrio-
March 26, 2011 at the “approve this stand” to rio, during the Squires job,” since it is said in titution and infidelity. our 2010 FC of the Year, Bro. Lorenzo tism while serving the membership and
Rajah Sulayman Park in oppose the RH Bill. Forum on the RH Bill the bill that responsible “This is self-contra- D. Dufale Sr. of North Western Luzon families of the Knights of Columbus. Be-
Malate, Manila, Matthew “This stand is built on where he underlined parenthood means de- dicting because if the Thunders. Bro. Inzo, as he is fondly ing a true and living example as knight
Harvey T. Peralta, Lu- the importance of life that overcrowding in ciding on the use of bill were to promote called in his and gentleman,
zon State Deputy Chief given by the Lord that is the country is caused contraceptives or to “safe” sex by providing hometown in Bro. Inzo is re-
Squire, delivered a strong clearly challenged by the by centralization of undergo certain surgi- the people with dif- Pilar, Abra, garded by his
message saying that it is bill as it seeks to legal- population in urban cal procedure funded ferent ways of contra- was able to fellow mem-
a religious and moral ob- ize surgical procedures areas and poor popu- by the government ception, wouldn’t that produce P2.4 bers as a role
ligation of every Catholic denounced as immoral lation management. “to achieve a desirable provoke more people to M in FYCI, model and an
to defend life. by the Catholic Church “The real issue is number of offspring.” go through with pros- 50 new paid adviser in both
The speech was ad- and suggest having two population distribu- “Responsible par- titution and adultery lives and 96% professional
dressed to at least 7,000 children in a family as tion and use. The real enthood is giving the because they would retention rate and personal
KC members and their ideal family size without solution is creating knowledge and the have cheaper sources in 2010. matters.
families who partici- moral or scientific basis jobs that are not con- skills to their children for “safe” sex?, Peralta Having Bro. Loren-
pated in the protest for the recommenda- centrated on the major for them to become said. (Vanessa Puno) started his zo’s motto,
apostolate in “A Journey
the Knights of a thousand
of Columbus miles begins
in 1997, Bro. out of a single
Dufale be- step” helped
came an ac- him to figure
tive member out not just his
as a Trustee role but mis-
for four years. sion in life. He
The experi- worked with
ences he had passion and
for more than dedication in
a decade as a everything he
knight gave does, and now
him a lot of – he realized
opportunities that his dream
for him to be exposed and be trained has turned into reality. One thing the
to deal with different people from all FC of the Year never forgets, to pray
walks of life, from various sectors and and thank the Lord for all the wonder-
interests. In 2004, he joined the Knights ful things He has done for him and his
of Columbus Fraternal Association of family.
the Phils., Inc. (KCFAPI) as a fraternal Bro. Dufale is a Municipal Agricultur-
counselor. ist by profession in Pilar, Abra where
As an FC, Bro. Inzo Dufale had to visit he served since 1973. Married to Sis.
a brother knight and his family from Elena, he has five children who are all
sunrise to sunset, day in and out to ad- professionals and proud Benefit Cer-
dress their family’s concern especially tificate holders of KCFAPI. (Gari M.
on financial security through KCFAPI, San Sebastian)