CBCP Monitor Vol 23 No. 3 February 4 - 17, 2019 with UGNAYAN

Monitor CBCP

FEBRUARY 4 - 17, 2019, VOL 23, NO. 03

PROTAGONIST OF TRUTH, PROMOTER OF PEACE

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Pope Francis celebrates a historic Mass for an estimated 170,000 Catholics at Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi, Feb. 5, 2019. The three-day UAE trip, which was focused on interreligious dialogue, was the first papal visit to the Muslim Gulf. VATICAN MEDIA

Church mourns victims of Jolo cathedral blasts Bishop ‘deeply saddened’ over Saudi execution of Filipina helper

By Roy Lagarde

POPE Francis led the Catholic Church’s m o u r n i n g o f worshippers killed in twin blasts that rocked a cathedral in southern Philippines on Jan 27, killing 22 church-goers and seriously injuring about a hundred.

Speaking in Panama on the last day of World Youth Day, the pope deplored what could be one of the deadliest attacks in recent years in a region long plagued by instability.

“I raise my prayers for the dead and wounded. May the Lord, prince of peace, convert the hearts of the violent and give the inhabitants of that region a peaceful coexistence,” he said.

Fr. Romeo Saniel, Apostolic Administrator of Jolo, said that most of those who died were his Blasts / A6

The scene outside the Jolo Cathedral after two bombs exploded Sunday, Jan. 27, while mass was in progress. AFP WESTERN MINDANAO COMMAND

Filipino bishops to meet with Pope Francis in Vatican THE bishops of the Philippines will make a pilgrimage to Rome in the coming months where they will meet Pope Francis and report the state of their dioceses.

Fr. Marvin Mejia, secretary general of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, confirmed that the church hierarchy will undertake the “Ad Limina apostolorum” (to the threshold of the apostles) visit in

May and June.

He said that the visit will take place in three different groups: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

And since Luzon is a big delegation, the bishops under the Ecclesiastical Province of Caceres will join the Visayas group and those from the Ecclesiastical Province of Lipa will be with the Mindanao prelates.

“It will be held in the last two

weeks of May and the first week of June so each group will have a week in Rome,” Mejia said.

Aside from a personal meeting with the pope, the visit also consists of a pilgrimage to major basilicas in Rome and encounters with various dicasteries of the Roman Curia.

Ad limina visits traditionally have been scheduled every five years.

Bishops to voters: Preserve checks, balances in May polls CATHOLIC bishops urged voters to preserve checks and balances in government by electing ‘principled’ candidates this coming midterm elections.

In a pastoral letter issued on Jan. 28 after their plenary assembly in Manila, the bishops stressed the need for such system that restrain not only government but those who run it.

It is “crucial”, they said, because the checks and balances in the government today are being “undermined”.

“We encourage voters to be more discerning in their votes,” reads part of the statement.

According to them, the Senate is the only government institution so Polls / A7

More than 80 members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines gather at the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center in Manila for their 118th plenary assembly, January 26, 2019. ROY LAGARDE

This will be first ad limina visit for the Filipino bishops under Francis’ papacy. The last one was made in 2011 when they met with Pope Benedict XVI. The Catholic News Service previously reported that Pope Francis launched a new style of ad limina visit which is more informal and characterized by a free-flowing dialogue.

(CBCPNews)

A CATHOLIC bishop said he was “deeply saddened” over Saudi Arabia’s execution of a Filipina household service worker found guilty of murder.

“This is a very sad and tragic news, especially our own is involved,” said Bishop Ruperto Santos of the Church’s Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People.

The bishop’s reaction came after the Department of Affairs (DFA) confirmed Thursday that Saudi authorities carried out the death penalty for the unnamed Filipina on Jan. 29.

It is regrettable, he said that legal assistance to the 39-yearold Filipina “was not enough”.

“Yet, assistance and help should still be extended to her kin,” said Santos.

“We commend to God her eternal rest, and we pray always for the safety and security of our overseas Filipino workers,” he added.

The DFA declined to identify the Filipina, saying her family requested privacy.

It said the Philippine Embassy “provided her with a lawyer to assist her in all stages of her trial, sent representatives to visit her, and provided her family in the Philippines with regular updates about her case.” (CBCPNews)

Bishops warn against attempts to foil midterm elections THE country’s Catholic bishops have warned against attempts to avoid the midterm elections.

In a statement, they urged the public to turn their attention to the “threat” that the Lower House’s version of the federal constitution poses. (See full text of the statement in page B4) “Its version of federalism is vague and it will do away with the 2019 elections,” the bishops said.

“We denounce any attempt to avoid the elections. This right of the people to vote should not be shelved,” they said.

The church officials issued the warning after their plenary assembly in Manila over the weekend.

According to them, the charter change passed by the lower chamber and now being dangled to the senators is a serious and “more insidious” matter that people should look into.

“It takes away the term limits of most of the elected officials and allows political dynasties to continue,” they said.

The draft federal constitution, they claimed, also opens the national resources to foreign ownership and eventual control.

“Let us be vigilant in what is happening. Let us not just be onlookers but let us be involved,” the bishops said. (Roy Lagarde / CBCPNews)

A2 WORLD NEWS

February 4 - 17, 2019, Vol 23, No. 03

New movie tells story of abortion clinic worker turned pro-life advocate BRYAN, Texas— A movie chronicling the conversion of a former Planned Parenthood clinic director who became a pro-life advocate will be released in theaters nationwide on March 29.

A trailer for the film Unplanned, which tells the story of Abby Johnson, was released on Jan. 31.

Based off Johnson’s book of the same name, Unplanned recounts her experiences in the abortion industry.

After being first approached at an on-campus activities fair, Johnson began volunteering at Planned Parenthood as a clinic escort. After graduation, she took a job with the company and eventually became the director of the Bryan, Texas clinic.

In 2008, she was named as the clinic’s employee of the year.

During her time working at the nation’s largest abortion provider, Johnson herself had two abortions.

Due to a personnel shortage, she was called in to assist in an ultrasound-guided abortion for the first time in September 2009. She was initially disconcerted to note how much the unborn child, after 13 weeks, looked like the image she had seen of her own living daughter while pregnant.

The next few minutes changed Johnson’s life irrevocably, as she watched the baby –whom she had believed to be incapable of feeling anything– squirming and twisting to avoid the tube into which it would be vacuumed.

“For the briefest moment,” she wrote in her memoir, “the baby looked as if it were being wrung like a dishcloth, twirled and squeezed.

And then it crumpled and began disappearing into the cannula before my eyes.”

“The last thing I saw was the tiny, perfectly formed backbone sucked into the tube, and then it was gone.”

Shocked by what she had seen, Johnson still continued her work running the clinic and promoting

its work, at first.

Just a few weeks later, however, she was in the nearby office of the Coalition For Life, telling its director Shawn Carney –with whom she knew from his years of opposition to Planned Parenthood– that she could no longer continue helping women have abortions.

In a 2011 interview with CNA, Johnson said she joined the pro-life movement to help women understand the truth about abortion, not to become a public figure.

She said that it was Planned Parenthood, not the Coalition For Life, that turned her departure into a public battle.

“Planned Parenthood released this to the media” in late 2009, she said. “Planned Parenthood made this a news story. This is something that they did.”

“This is not what I planned for my life. But God set this up for me– and it would be the wrong thing, to turn away from something that He has planned for my life.”

Johnson went on to found the organization “And Then There Were None,” which seeks to assist abortion workers with leaving the industry and finding a new career. Although not shown in the film, Johnson and her husband subsequently converted to Catholicism and

day,” said Father Cirilo Castro, who supervised the construction of the church, according to CNN. “We knew it would happen one day,” he added.

The church is a sign of the country’s increase of religious freedom.

Communist rule was established soon after the conclusion of the Cuban Revolution in 1959, which ousted the authoritarian ruler Fulgencio Batista.

Under communism churches and schools were closed, and priests were exiled or assigned

World needs courageous prophets, pope says at Angelus The world is in need of true disciples of Christ who are prophets of hope to the poor and the downtrodden, Pope Francis said. All men and women, especially those who are suffering, can gain hope by encountering “people who are courageous and persevering in responding to the Christian vocation,” the pope said before reciting the Angelus Feb. 3 with people gathered in St. Peter’s Square. The world needs “people who follow the ‘push’ of the Holy Spirit, who sends them to proclaim hope and salvation to the poor and excluded; people who follow the logic of faith and not of miracles; people dedicated to the service of all, without privileges and exclusions,” he said. (Junno Arocho Esteves/CNS)

are currently expecting their eighth child.

And Then There Were None has helped nearly 500 former clinic workers leave the abortion industry.

Unplanned stars Ashley Bratcher as Johnson. During filming, Bratcher discovered that her own mother had planned on having an abortion when she was pregnant with her, but walked out of the appointment instead.

Unplanned was written and directed by Chuck Konzelman and Cary Solomon, the writers of God’s Not Dead and God’s Not Dead 2.

The movie was partially funded

by Michael Lindell, a born-again Christian and the founder of the company MyPillow.

The film will be distributed by Pure Flix. (CNA)

to re-education camps.

The Church was driven underground until religious tensions in the country began to ease in 1991. St. John Paul II then visited the island in 1998. Pope Francis played a role in the 2015 restoration of diplomatic relations between Cuba and the US. The construction of Sandino’s new church building, which seats 200, was made possible by a $95,000 donation from St. Lawrence parish in Tampa, Fla.

“From the day they put the first stone we have been watching it grow little by little. Patience has given us this church,” said Aleida Padrón Zabala, a Sadino resident who attended the church’s inaugural Mass with her family, according to CNN. Bishop Jorge Enrique Serpa Perez of Pinar del Rio commented: “Sometimes you have to overcome many obstacles but then you get to a point where things can be accomplished.” (CNA/ EWTN News)

Indian court denies bail to Missionary of Charity accused of child trafficking NEW DELHI, India— A religious sister with the Missionaries of Charity accused of cooperating in the sale of a child from a home for unwed mothers has been denied bail by India’s Supreme Court, according to UCANews.

Sister Concelia (Konsalia) was arrested July 4, 2018 in connection with the reported sale of a child from the Nirmal Hriday home in Ranchi.

Her plea for bail was rejected this week by the India Supreme Court, due to a lack of formally filed charges from the police on the case.

While the court urged police to file charges soon, Sr. Concelia remains in custody in the eastern state of Jharkhand.

It is the third time the sister has been denied bail, but the Supreme Court will allow her to apply again, UCANews reported Jan. 31.

Anima Indwar, an employee of the Nirmal Hriday home since 2012, was arrested the day before Sr. Concelia, in connection to the reported sale of the child. Indwar had been entrusted with escorting unwed mothers, their babies, and their guardians to the hospital and to the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) office when the religious sisters were engaged with other duties.

Police were tipped off to the possible sale when a couple complained to the CWC in Ranchi that they had paid for a baby boy who was then taken away from them.

The couple reportedly paid Indwar 120,000 Indian rupees ($1,760) for the child. They complained that Indwar took their money in exchange for the child, and that she later took the child back from them, without returning the money.

In a video, Sister Concelia said she found out about the reported sale after being questioned about it by the CWC. She asked Indwar, who then allegedly admitted to having tried to sell the child. Sr. Concelia said she then alerted the authorities about the matter and said the baby should be brought back.

A police source said at the time that Indwar provided to police a handwritten note from Sister Concelia asking Indwar to take the blame on herself, Matters India reported at the time.

Some Catholic bishops of the country have questioned whether Sister Concelia is actually guilty of collaborating with Indwar in the sale, or whether she is the victim of a coerced confession.

“Nobody was allowed to meet Sister Konsalia in custody,” Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas, Auxiliary Bishop of Ranchi, said at the time.

“Her advocate could meet her on Wednesday, eight days after her arrest, only after we approached the court,” he said July 12, according to the Hindustan Times. “During the 10 minutes interaction that the advocate could have with her, she said she was forced by the police to give her statement.”

Vatican Briefing Following Jesus is a daily choice, pope tells religious at Vatican The choice to follow God in life is not just a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity but a decision that is made every day, Pope Francis said. Christians truly encounter Jesus through concrete events in life that occur “every day; not every now and then,” the pope said in his homily for the feast of the Presentation of the Lord and the World Day for Consecrated Life. “When we welcome (Jesus) as the Lord of life, the center of everything, the beating heart of everything, then he lives and relives in us,” the pope said at the Mass Feb. 2 in St. Peter’s Basilica. The feast commemorates the 40th day after the birth of Jesus, when Mary and Joseph presented him to the Lord in the temple. (Junno Arocho Esteves/CNS)

Cuba’s first church inauguration since the revolution PINAR del Rio, Cuba— The first new Catholic church in Cuba since the the country’s revolution 60 years ago was inaugurated on Saturday.

Sacred Heart of Jesus parish in Sandino, 45 miles southwest of Pinar del Rio, was inaugurated Jan. 26. It is the first of three new parishes to be completed; the other two will be in Havana and Santiago. It was built on land granted by the state.

“To see this finished is like coming out of the night into the

CBCP Monitor

The Albanian-born Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata in 1950. She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979, and canonized in 2016.

There are now 5,167 Missionaries of Charity sisters, both active and contemplative, around the world.

The order has 244 houses in India.

After the incident, the Missionaries of Charity released a statement expressing regret, sorrow and condemnation for the action, and their willingness to cooperate with authorities in the investigation.

They also announced that they were conducting their own internal investigation of the case.

According to UCANews, local media reports have said that the Jharkhand government has revoked the sisters’ licence to run the Nirmal Hriday, but the sisters told UCA that they have received no official notification.

UCANews also reported that some Christian leaders believe that the incident is being used by proHindu groups to cast Christians and missionaries in a bad light.

Bishop Mascarenhas told UCA news that he is concerned for the health of Sr. Concelia, a diabetic, while she is held in custody.

“We feel very sad that an innocent and physically unwell nun is behind bars,” he said. “We are pained that an aged innocent nun remains in jail when murderers and other hardcore criminals get bail.” (CNA/EWTN News)

True love for God leads to compassionate care for others, pope says People cannot feel authentic compassion for others if they do not feel true love for Christ, Pope Francis said. “Jesus wants us to touch human misery, to touch his flesh in the flesh of those who suffer in body or spirit. Touch in order to let ourselves be touched” by God, he told members of the Hospitaller Brothers of St. John of God. Understanding God’s mercy and shaping one’s life to conform to Christ and his compassion lead to doing what is good in the world and healing all kinds of illnesses and infirmities, he said. The pope made his remarks Feb. 1 during an audience with members of the order’s general chapter, which was taking place Jan.14-Feb. 6 in Rome. (Carol Glatz/CNS) Vatican doctrinal official steps down amid investigation of solicitation An Austrian priest under canonical investigation stepped down as an official at the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in an effort “to limit the damage already done to the congregation and to his community,” the doctrinal office said. The priest, Father Hermann Geissler, “affirms that the accusation made against him is untrue and asks that the canonical process already initiated continue. He also reserves the right for possible civil legal action,” the office said in a note released by the Vatican press office Jan. 29.

The 53-year-old theologian, who is a member of a community called The Spiritual Family The Work, submitted his resignation Jan. 28 to the prefect, Cardinal Luis Ladaria Ferrer, who then granted his request. He had worked at the congregation for 25 years and had been head of its doctrinal section since 2009. (Carol Glatz/CNS) Vatican underlines support of universal health care coverage The Vatican supports efforts to build stronger and sustainable essential health care services on the way toward achieving universal health coverage, a Vatican official said. The Catholic Church is part of this effort in providing primary care to people in need and always “with due recognition to the sacredness of human life, from conception to natural death,” said Archbishop Ivan Jurkovic, Vatican observer to U.N. agencies in Geneva. Speaking to the executive board of the World Health Organization Jan. 28, the archbishop noted the organization’s call for a renewal of primary health care and the Sustainable Development Goals’ target of universal health coverage to “ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.” (CNS) Pope confirms November visit to Japan Pope Francis will visit Japan in November of this year. The pope confirmed the timing of the upcoming trip during remarks to journalists on the flight from Rome to Panama, Jan. 23. According to Vatican News, while greeting members of the media aboard the papal plane, Pope Francis responded to a question from a correspondent of the Japanese Kyodo News Agency, who asked if he will visit the country in 2019. “I’ll go to Japan in November, get ready!” the pope said. Francis also expressed his desire to travel to Iraq but noted that the local bishops have made it clear the country is not yet secure enough for a papal visit. Interim papal spokesperson Alessandro Gisotti released a statement Jan. 23 to say that a papal trip to Japan is in the “study phase.” (Hannah Brockhaus/CNA) Vatican transfers task of Ecclesia Dei to the CDF Pope Francis issued a motu proprio Saturday ending the pontifical commission Ecclesia Dei and creating an office within the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith to focus on doctrinal dialogue with traditionalist groups. For over 30 years, the pontifical commission Ecclesia Dei has “facilitated the full ecclesial communion of priests, seminarians, communities or individual religious linked to Mgr. Marcel Lefebvre’s fraternity, who wished to remain united to the Successor of Peter in the Catholic Church, preserving their spiritual and liturgical traditions,” Pope Francis wrote in the apostolic letter published Jan. 19. “The institutes and religious communities that usually celebrate in extraordinary form have found today their own stability of number and life,” the pope noted. (Courtney Grogan/CNA) Pope warns against ‘spirals of hatred’ on social media Pope Francis has warned against the increasing narcissism and “spirals of hatred” found on today’s social media networks, encouraging people to cultivate community through their internet interactions instead. In his World Day of Social Communications message, Pope Francis said that online discussion is “too often based on opposition to the other.” “We define ourselves starting with what divides us rather than with what unites us, giving rise to suspicion and to the venting of every kind of prejudice (ethnic, sexual, religious and other),” Francis wrote in the letter published Jan. 24. This creates a digital environment that nourishes “unbridled individualism which sometimes ends up fomenting spirals of hatred,” he explained. (Courtney Grogan/CNA)

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NEWS FEATURES A3

February 4 - 17, 2019, Vol 23, No. 03

Popes in the Middle East: Highlights of papal outreach in the region VATICAN— Pope Francis celebrated the first papal Mass on the Arabian Peninsula during his Feb. 3-5 visit to Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates.

The pope’s Mass at the Zayed sports stadium on Feb. 5 drew at least 135,000 people. Many in attendance were migrant workers from Asia residing in the UAE, a country in which 89 percent of the population are not citizens. It was not only the first papal Mass on the peninsula, but the first public Mass in the country.

Since the Second Vatican Council there have been significant milestones in Muslim-Catholic relations in the region. Here is a look at some of the highlights: First pope on a plane The first time a pope ever traveled on a plane was on a trip to the Middle East. Saint Paul VI flew from Italy to Jordan in January 1964, making history as the first pope to leave Europe. Paul VI met with King Hussein in Amman before continuing his journey to Jerusalem.

The following year, Paul VI issued Nostra aetate, the Second Vatican Council’s declaration on the relation of the Church to non-Christian religions, which stated that “the Church looks upon Muslims with respect” as worshipers of the one God. First pope in a mosque Saint John Paul II made history as the first pope to enter a mosque during his visit to Syria in May 2001.

John Paul II went to Damascus’ Umayyad Mosque, which had been built in 715 on top of a fourthcentury Christian cathedral said to contain the head of John the Baptist.

In March 2003, days before US President George W. Bush announced the official start of the Iraq war, St. John Paul II called for a worldwide fast for peace in the Middle East.

The Polish pontiff, known for his extensive papal travels during his 27-year pontificate, was also the first pope to visit several Middle Eastern nations, including Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey.

First synod for the Middle East Benedict XVI called for the first special Synod of Bishops focused on the Middle East over two weeks in October 2010. His post-synodal apostolic exhortation, Ecclesia in Medio Oriente, focused on the role of Christians living in the Middle East, predicting before the Arab Spring that many Christians would face a decision to emigrate due to the changing political situation in their countries or to remain as a witness to the faith.

Benedict XVI also added Arabic as one of the official languages in his weekly General Audience addresses in St. Peter’s Square. His final papal trip was to Lebanon in 2012, the first papal trip to the region following the outbreak of the Arab Spring.

First papal Mass in Arabia Pope Francis’ trip to the United Arab Emirates Feb. 3-5 was the first

Pope Francis celebrates Mass at Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Feb. 5, 2019. VATICAN MEDIA

papal trip to the Arabian Peninsula.

The focus of the pope’s two-day visit was interreligious dialogue, particularly with Islam. However, the papal Mass also made history as the first public outdoor Mass on the peninsula, where each country has restrictions on the freedom of worship.

Pope Francis earlier said that he hopes his trip to Abu Dhabi will be “a new page in the history of the relations between the religions” in the region. During the journey Francis met the Great Imam of

al-Azhar for the fifth time and will also visited the great mosque of Abu Dhabi.

The UAE trip continues Pope Francis’ emphasis on a culture of encounter and interreligious dialogue. Pope Francis previously visited Egypt in 2017 and plans also to visit Morocco March 30-31.

History still to be made The Middle Eastern countries of Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain have yet to receive a papal visit.

Rebuilding broken hearts: A Syrian sister’s prayer for her country ALEPPO, Syria— As the people of Syria work to rebuild the cities, hospitals, homes, and schools that were destroyed through years of conflict, they also face a more difficult task, according to one Syrian Catholic sister: repairing broken hearts.

“It is easy to rebuild a house, but it is difficult to rebuild a broken soul,” said Sister Annie Demerjian, of the Community of Jesus and Mary.

The Syrian sister, who has remained in Aleppo throughout the nearly 8-year Syrian Civil War, told CNA that there is a great need for psychological healing from the trauma and anguish her people have suffered during the conflict.

“It is very hard to lose someone, harder when the death [is] not in a normal way -- either by killing or by bombs or persecution,” Demerjian said.

Many Syrians are coping with such a loss. In addition to violence at the hands of ISIS, more than 400,000 people have died since the Syrian Civil War broke out in March 2011, according to estimates. At least 28,226 of these casualties were children, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights.

“The war has robbed children of their childhood and innocence and killed the brightness in their eyes; they have been spectators and unwilling actors in a hell they did not create,” Sister Demerjian shared at a prayer

vigil sponsored to Aid to the Church in Need last fall.

Demerjian cited a statistic from UNICEF that an estimated 3.7 million Syrian children have been born since the Syrian Civil War began.

“Born and raised during this time, they know only of destruction, violence and death,” she said.

She particularly noted the pain of children who have lost one or both parents.

“It is very hard to keep this great wound, you know. I ask the Lord to heal the wounds in their hearts and to make them accept with a heart of forgiveness.”

Children have been impacted in other ways as well. Syria has the lowest school attendance rates in the world after tens of thousands of teachers fled the country and one in three schools closed due to damage.

Hospitals have also become military targets during the civil war. More than 300

healthcare facilities in Syria have been attacked and at least 768 medical professionals killed in the conflict, according to Physicians for Human Rights.

“For years, priests and sisters have lived this nightmare alongside our people...There were many long nights without electricity, which meant working and praying by candlelight, often under heavy shelling. It meant hearing of all the deaths, and waiting and wondering who would be next,” Sister Demerjian said.

While the Islamic State’s territorial caliphate has collapsed, an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 ISIS fighters still remain in Iraq and Syria today, according to a recently released report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

And with government forces focusing on the few remaining rebel-held territories in the

country, the civil war in Syria may be winding down, but it is unclear whether the nation will find peace in the postwar era.

Sister Demerjian requested prayers for those directly involved with the conflict. “I want to pray for every person who carries arms, who has killed other people, that the Lord will enlighten their mind and their hearts to see the truth, to see that life is a gift from the Lord and only He has the right to take it,” she said.

Many Christians are coping with a sense of loss, not only from those who have died, but also from the loss of community due to emigration, she said.

According to the U.N., more than 11 million Syrians have fled their homes.

“Many Christians emigrated to the West, while those without means and connections fled to Lebanon, Jordan, and Turkey. The Christian population in Syria has fallen from 1.4 million in 2011 to an estimated 450,000,” Demerjian said.

However, the sister said that she is encouraged by the great faith she finds in the Catholics who have chosen to remain.

“Anytime we ask the faithful how they are coping their answer is: ‘Thanks be to God.’ This is a sure sign of the hope and trust they have in the Lord Jesus, who is crucified with us and who will not leave our side.”

(Courtney Grogan/ CNA)

On the way to World Youth Day in January, Pope Francis expressed his desire to visit Iraq, but noted that the local bishops have made it clear the country is not yet secure enough for a papal visit.

In Bahrain, construction is underway for the biggest Catholic cathedral in the region, due to be completed in January 2021. The mother church of the Vicariate Apostolic of Northern Arabia will be the first consecrated under the title Our Lady of Arabia. (Courtney Grogan/CNA)

Major Japanese convenience stores ban pornography TOKYO, Japan— T h o u s a n d s o f convenience stores in Japan will stop selling pornographic magazines, a move they say will help create an environment more conducive to families.

Both Lawson Inc. and 7-Eleven Japan Co. announced earlier this week that the retail companies plan to stop selling pornography in their stores, which combined included nearly 34,000 locations in Japan.

Campaigners praised the change on Wednesday, saying that the development could help to prevent the sexual exploitation of women.

Kanae Doi, the director of Japan’s Human Rights Watch, told Reuters that “this is certainly a welcome move.”

“It has been very shameful ... you can see pornography everywhere in Japan. Women are still seen as sex objects and not treated equally,” she added.

The 7-Eleven stores will phase out the explicit material by August. The transition will take place ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

A spokesperson for 7-Eleven Japan Co. told Reuters that the stores, previously patronized mostly by men, have developed in recent years

to become more family oriented.

“As the role and usage of 7-Eleven stores has changed in recent years, 7-Eleven became an important shopping destination for families, children and elder people as well,” the spokesperson said.

“In order to create a proper shopping environment for all our customers, we decided to stop handling sales of adult magazines.”

The distribution of pornography is common in Japan’s convenience stores, including the sales of comic books containing sexualized cartoons.

Many such magazines are displayed openly on sales racks.

Japanese activists have said that pornography is a contributor to gender inequality and rising sexual violence against women in the country.

Caroline Norma, a senior research fellow at RMIT University, told Reuters that the accessibility of pornography in Japan annually pushes an estimated 500 women into the sex industry.

“Any measure to suppress the products and activities of the sex industry in Japanese society will ease an environment of sexual objectification and exploitation that is mostly unregulated and culturally celebrated.” (CNA)

Diminished crowds at World Youth Day in Panama PANAMA CITY, Panama— The 15th international World Youth Day ended Sunday with a Mass celebrated by Pope Francis attended by hundreds of thousands of young people from around the world.

At the end of the Jan. 27 Mass, it was announced that the next World Youth Day will be held in Lisbon, Portugal in 2022. Portuguese president Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa was in attendance, as well as several other political leaders from throughout Central America.

The official count for the attendance at the final Mass has

not yet been released, but the park had an official capacity of 700,000.

Despite the large crowds, the Mass had far fewer people attending than previous World Youth Days. In 2016’s Krakow gathering, the final Mass attendance was estimated at 2.5 million. Even more Catholics showed up for the final Mass on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro - about 3 million.

Ola, a pilgrim from Poland, told CNA after the final Mass in Panama that she didn’t feel as though this World Youth Day was “smaller” than the one held in her home

country, and that she enjoyed the difference in the cultures of Panama and Poland.

“In Krakow it was totally different because I was a volunteer, and now I get to experience it as a pilgrim,” she told CNA. “There are a lot of different people here...I don’t think [it feels smaller].”

Raphael Volcof, 27, echoed Ola’s sentiments, saying it didn’t feel all that different than previous years despite the smaller numbers.

“I enjoyed WYD in Rio de Janeiro; in Krakow, Poland; and now I’m

here in Panama, and I will go to the next one, to Portugal,” he told CNA. “Brazil had more people, but here it’s almost the same. Very organized, the food is good, the language is not a problem for me, I think everyone is enjoying this...

In Poland, it was almost the same.

I think it’s because the people here have the same ideas.”

Pope Francis led Eucharistic adoration with the young people Saturday night, and later the pilgrims prayed the joyful mysteries of the rosary before settling in for an all-night, festive campout. A total

of 600,000 people packed the park for the all-night vigil, according to official figures.

The young people were awoken around 6 am with loud music and shouts of “Buenos dias!” Mass began around 8 am.

The best attended World Youth Day was held in Manila in 1995; 5 million are estimated to have attend the closing Mass with St. John Paul II. At the last World Youth Day celebrated by Benedict XVI, in Madrid in 2011, between 1.4 and 2 million were in attendance. (Jonah McKeown/CNA)

A4 OPINION

February 4 - 17, 2019, Vol 23, No. 03

CBCP Monitor

EDITORIAL

THE Cathedral of Our Lady of Mr. Carmel has been a punching bag of about 8 or so bombings already, not to mention the killing of its 4th bishop Benjamin de Jesus, OMI, in 1997. Since its first Ordinary, Francis Joseph McSorley, OMI, who took possession of the Vicariate of Jolo in 1954, the Oblates could easily be the poster boy of the Catholic Church’s resilience in mission. Not a day have they abandoned their post despite the constant and persistent threat of violence.

The latest and the most devastating bombs that tore through the Cathedral on January 27 while Sunday mass was in progress and killed at least 23 Church-goers and wounded about a hundred, will not set off-track the quest for peace.

Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio Ledesma said that the peace process must continue to pursue the end of decades of rebellion in the country’s restive south. “We hope that the incident will not sidetrack us to lasting peace,” said Ledesma.

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle has called on Filipinos, “not to abandon our commitment to peace.” In a statement, he said, “Only good can combat evil. Instead of being discouraged, let us strengthen our resolve to work for peace based on justice, truth, love and respect for human life and dignity. Let us multiply good and honorable thoughts, sentiments, word and actions. Let us not abandon our efforts to dialogue with people who differ from us.”

Few days before the conduct of the plebiscite on the Bangsamoro Organic Law several bishops of Mindanao issued a statement that prayed for “a lasting peace in Mindanao—a gift and a task—that respect cultural and religious diversity…”

For sure, people’s faith which is the very foundation of their quest for lasting peace will neither be deterred nor annihilated by bombs.

God and the digital age

THE final report of the Synod of Bishops on young people, faith and vocational discernment that concluded last October has an interesting observation regarding the digital culture that is now pervasive in the world. It talks about the great benefits and the dangers that the digital world is giving us.

It is intriguing to note that the good and bad things in this world are becoming more and more blended. They do not come to us anymore in some clear-cut ways, but rather in a united way, so subtle that we now hardly can distinguish which is which. Our new technologies are like Trojan horses that can appear to us as a great gift to humanity, but actually they contain a lot of concealed dangers. They are very treacherous.

Whatever benefit and sense of success and accomplishment they bring are akin to a Pyrrhic victory when the good things are somehow nullified by the bad things they also cause.

The new technologies and the digital culture have significantly changed the way people understand things in general and as a consequence, their behavior also. They create an “approach to reality that privileges images over listening and over reading that influences the way people learn and the development of their critical faculty.” It’s like we are having a new ball game.

It’s true that these new technologies give a lot of benefits.

They provide “an extraordinary opportunity for dialogue, encounter and exchange between persons, as well as access to information and knowledge.” It can “facilitate the circulation of independent information that can provide effective protection for the most vulnerable, etc.”

As to its dark side, the report says that the “digital environment is also one of loneliness, manipulation, exploitation and violence…Digital media can expose people to the risk of dependency, isolation and gradual loss of contact with concrete reality, blocking the development of authentic interpersonal relationships.”

Besides, the report noted that “there are huge economic interests operating in the digital world, capable of exercising forms of control as subtle as they are invasive, creating mechanisms of manipulation of consciences and of the democratic process.

“The way many platforms work often ends up favoring encounter between person who think alike, shielding them from debate. These closed circuits facilitate the spread of fake news and false information, fomenting prejudice and hate…” We don’t have to look far to validate these very serious observations and they definitely have to be addressed accordingly. The only way to handle this predicament is to teach everyone to actively look for God every time they get into the digital world.

There is no other way. Either one is strongly with God to be with the right footing in that very treacherous world or he is simply lost and carried away from the strong and irresistible forms of self-seeking that can only lead us nowhere. I would say that the real challenge of the digital age is not so much on how to handle these technologies with technical competence and some norms of prudence to keep us safe and maintain a semblance of sanity and fairness. It is a serious call for everyone to be more authentic in their need and relation with God. It is for everyone to be truly holy and apostolic.

It is a call to know more about God who in fact is the very foundation of reality, of what is truly good, beautiful and fair in this world. Our main problem is that God is not properly known, much less, loved by many, and so he is somehow regarded as irrelevant in dealing with this challenge of the digital age. We need to wake up from our spiritual and religious stupor to properly handle this tremendous challenge of the digital age.

Monitor CBCP

PROTAGONIST OF TRUTH, PROMOTER OF PEACE

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Bigger than bombs

Hearing the voice of the young POPE Francis has frequently noted that the Church desires to hear the ideas of young people. In his 2017 letter to youth, one step in the Church’s preparation for the Synod on Youth held on Oct. 3 - 28, 2018, he wrote: “The Church wishes to listen to your voice, your sensitivities and your faith; even your doubts and your criticism. Make your voice heard, let it resonate in communities and let it be heard by your shepherds of souls.”

These inviting words were translated into deeds. Francis convoked a “presynod meeting,” held in Rome on March 19-24, 2018, seven months prior to the Synod. Young people (both Christians and the followers of other faiths) came “to express their expectations and desires as well as their uncertainties and concerns in the complex affairs of today’s world.” Similar events will be unfolding throughout the Philippines during the 2019 Year of the Youth.

To dream and to Hope. In his homily

Fr. Emmanuel Mijares

it to Mother Mary so that the Church’s “dreams and hopes” for young people will be concretized and achieved.

Need to listen intensely. At the closing Mass of the Synod on the Youth, Pope Francis noted that there are three pivotal steps in the journey of faith: listening, being neighbor, and bearing witness.

Francis notes that listening begins the journey of faith. “It is the apostolate of the ear: listening before speaking.”

Francis asserts that careful listening is central for the success of the Synod.

“May we too ask for the grace of a heart that listens. I would like to say to the young people, in the name of all of us adults: forgive us if often we have not listened to you…. As Christ’s Church, we want to listen to you with love….

Your lives are precious in our eyes.”

We pray that our local Church here in the Philippines will become a truly “listening community” during this Year of the Youth!

Good politics at the service of peace

even if so far it remains a “war of words”.

If this kind of dialectics underlines our political environment, then it would rather serve war rather that peace. This is a very dangerous trend especially that Filipinos seem to be apathetic to what is happening.

This theme “good politics at the service of peace is a challenge” for all Filipinos. “In sending his disciples forth on mission, Jesus told them: “Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ And if a son of peace is there, your peace shall rest upon him; but if not, it shall return to you” (Lk 10:5-6).

Pope Francis explains that: “the “house” of which Jesus speaks is every family, community, country and continent, in all their diversity and history. It is first and foremost each individual person, without distinction or discrimination. But it is also our “common home”: the world in which God has placed us and which we are called to care for and cultivate.

We know that the thirst for power at

Charity purifies and sanctifies our powers WE have to accept the fact that all of us are notorious for abusing the many good things we receive from God, our Creator and Father. Our intelligence, talents, health and whatever privileged endowments and blessings God has gifted us, are often used to simply pursue our own interest and personal goals, with hardly any reference to God from whom all good things come, (cfr.

James 1,17) and to our duty towards others.

This is, of course, a grave anomaly that will do us a lot of harm sooner or later, even if it can give us some advantages and conveniences at the beginning. It is notorious for giving us a sweet poison that will turn us in eventually.

We need to be more aware of this anomaly and try our best to be guarded against it and to do something about

Fr. James H. Kroeger, MM

for the opening Mass of the Synod of Bishops on the Youth on Oct. 3, 2018, Pope Francis invoked the assistance of the Holy Spirit to “rekindle and renew” in the Church “the capacity to dream and to hope.” This demands an “attitude of docile listening to the voice of the Spirit” on the part of all the bishops “gathered from all parts of the world.”

Such dreaming and hoping “can broaden our horizons, expand our hearts, and transform those frames of mind that today paralyze, separate, and alienate us from young people, leaving them exposed to stormy seas, orphans without a faith community that should sustain them.”

For Pope Francis, “hope asks us to get up and look directly into the eyes of young people and see their situations.”

Today’s youth “ask us and demand of us a creative dedication, a dynamism which is intelligent, enthusiastic, and full of hope.” For Francis, the Synod is a unique gift of the Spirit; he also entrusts

Another Angle IN his annual message, during the 52nd year of Peace, Pope Francis dedicated his theme on good politics at the service of peace.

This has a significant importance in our country. A political analyst on President Duterte, Amado Picardal wrote: “What has become obvious is that Duterte is waging a war against the Church.” . . . . “the extrajudicial killings that has reached more than 27,000 victims, [and counting] the unchecked entry of tons of drugs into the country . . . the collapse of the peace process with the NDF” and, we could include, that since the bulk of the national budget is not on education or health but on the military, the beating of the drums for war, certainly goes away from peace. He opines that “Duterte’s war on the Church may (also) be traced to a mixture of fear and anger vis-a-vis the Church which he believes has the capacity to resist him and bring him down.” This mental framework of the present leadership is not for peace but on a dialectics of war

Living Mission

any price leads to abuses and injustice.

Politics is an essential means of building human community and institutions, but when political life is not seen as a form of service to society as a whole, it can become a means of oppression, marginalization and even destruction.

So the Pope reminds that “political office and political responsibility (thus) constantly challenge those called to the service of their country to make every effort to protect those who live there and to create the conditions for a worthy and just future.”

He continues, “if exercised with basic respect for the life, freedom and dignity of persons, political life can indeed become an outstanding form of charity.”

This is not only for politicians however but for all vocations. Pope Benedict XVI noted that “every Christian is called to practice charity in a manner corresponding to his vocation and according to the degree of influence he wields in the pólis… When animated Another Angle / A7

Candidly Speaking

it. The secret, of course, is to be vitally united with God. That is to say, to make the constant effort to be with him, which means that we should be full of love, since God is love, “Deus caritas est.” (1 Jn 4,8) And this love has been shown to us in full by Christ who reminded us to love God with all our might and to love our neighbor as ourselves. (cfr. Lk 10,27) Later on, he perfected these indications by giving us the new commandment: that we love one another as he himself has loved us. (cfr. Jn 13,34) From all these above-mentioned considerations, we can say that we really need to be more conscious of rallying all our human powers and blessings to give glory to God and to serve everyone. Yes, this is the real purpose of our human faculties and powers. Short of that, we

Fr. Roy Cimagala would be misusing these divine gifts.

Also, we need to realize that if true charity is to inspire the use of our human powers, then we would use them to serve everyone, and not just some people.

Everyone, including our enemies or those who oppose us or do not like us.

This is what charity is! (cfr. Lk 6,27-36) It has a universal scope with no trace of discrimination at all.

It is this charity, as shown to us

by Christ and commanded on us by him, that will enable us to use our faculties and powers properly. It is this charity that will purify our God-given endowments that have been stained by our sin. It is this charity that will eventually sanctify these powers and enable them to bring us to God and to Candidly Speaking / A5

CBCP Monitor

OPINION A5

February 4 - 17, 2019, Vol 23, No. 03

Where is your mercy?

Pitik-Bulag

Craig Blewett

Fr. Wilfredo Samson, SJ ANOTHER moral disaster and grave injustice in our society. This time, the children are the innocent victims.

On Jan. 21, the Justice Committee in Congress approved the bill criminalizing minors in conflict with the law. Nine out of ten voted in favor of the bill. There is something gravely wrong here! I can smell a wolf hiding in sheep’s skin. Is it really for the benefit of the children in conflict with the law, or is it for your own benefit?

I’m so sad this justice committee think they know everything about children’s formative correction. Other stakeholders like the church and other NGOs were not consulted. The committee insisted this is neither anti-poor nor anti-children.

But try to check the juveniles in conflict with the law in our jails and DSWD now, all of them are coming from the poorest of the poor! This bill is an easy way out.

It intends to please our President and gain favor in his eyes. They could have made a bill instructing all stakeholders to help the government in finding a more humane and more pro-children solution to this problem. The Church is aware of the problem of our children today in conflict with the law, but criminalizing them is not and will not be the best solution. Mercy must be in our hearts and minds when we think of these children in conflict with the law, and not simply punishment. They should have consulted all stakeholders, including the Church and NGOs involved in helping the children. To Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, please never say “bringing the minimum age of criminal liability down to nine is ‘fine’ for they can already discern.”

How could you say this? Where are you coming from? Where is your data? Do

Listen to our shepherds

you know what you are talking about? In our complex world, the mind of a nineyear old is incapable of making sound discernment.

I am begging for mercy from the rest of our congressmen and senators to speak out and stop this senseless bill.

This is your opportunity to show your love for our children and for our future.

Be merciful. Be selfless. Think of our children. Please be the servants of the people, and not the servants of “other gods.” Seek God’s approval and not of mere mortals. They are not always in power. Know what counts most in this life. It’s mercy and compassion.

Dear Lord, have mercy on our lawmakers.

I believe they are intelligent.

They know what they ought to do, yet they choose to close their hearts.

Have mercy on them. Amen.

Duc in Altum

Atty. Aurora A. Santiago DURING the Plenary Assembly of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (“CBCP”), our bishops deliberated on issues affecting the Church and the State in order to come up with the much awaited Pastoral Statement which will serve as guide and encouragement to the flock.

Entitled Conquering Evil With Good, it was inspired

by Romans 12:21 “Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.” Fr. Tim Ofrasio, SJ translated in Pilipino the Pastoral Statement and, although unofficial, has been posted in social media and had reached not only Catholics but every citizens of the world. It was read in all Sunday Masses so that many people would better understand what our Shepherds say and what they want us to know.

It discussed different topics: Responding With Silence. Our bishops are aware of the culture of violence in the country that destroys “the moral fabric of our country.” The President of the Philippines himself hurled cruel words against our faith and our shepherds, even telling the “tambays” (street goon) to rob and kill the bishops, and decapitate them. Our bishops said they noted all of them in silence and it is piecing “into the soul of the Catholic Church like sharp daggers”. They follow instead Pope Francis who says: “the best response is silence and prayer.”

Faith: Our People’s Source Of Strength—Our bishops said they respect the freedom of conscience and religion of people of other faiths and the freedom of expression.

But “freedom of expression does not include a license to insult other people’s faith, especially our core beliefs. We know that this cuts deeply into the souls of our people—especially the poor, because faith is the only thing they have to hold on to… It sustains them when they feel alone and defenseless in foreign lands where they work.” Admitting Our Shortcomings—“We bow in shame when we hear of abuses committed by some of (us)... we hold ourselves accountable for their actions, and accept our duty to correct them.”

Not Against Fighting Illegal Drugs—The bishops are not against the government’s efforts to fight illegal drugs, it means maintaining law and order, and protecting the citizens from lawless elements. They know that illegal drugs are a menace to society and their victims are the poor people. However, when they heard that mostly poor people “are brutally murdered on mere suspicion of being small-time drug users and peddlers while the big-time smugglers and drug lords went scot-free, they started wondering about the direction this “drug war” was taking.” They said that they do not want to interfere in State affairs. “But neither do we intend to abdicate our sacred mandate as shepherds to whom the Lord has entrusted his flock. We have a solemn duty to defend our flock, especially when they are attacked by wolves(!)

We do not fight with arms.

We fight only with the truth.

Therefore, no amount of intimidation or even threat to our lives will make us give up

Faith and Culture Cristina Montes

AS Valentine’s Day approaches and advertisers exploit it for marketing gimmicks, it is so easy to scoff at the occasion. It is, indeed, lamentable that Valentine’s Day has degenerated into a commercial gimmick, or worse, nothing more than the celebration of Eros even in its illicit forms.

We forget that Valentine’s Day is a saint’s feast day, and that noble, pure human love—even romantic love—is a reflection of God’s love for us, and of how we should respond to that love.

One person who understood the relationship between romantic love and the love of God for us was the famous fantasy writer, J.R.R. Tolkien. In a letter to his son, he wrote: “Out of the darkness of my life, so much frustrated, I put before you the one great thing to love on earth: the Blessed Sacrament…

There you will find romance, glory, honor, fidelity, and the true way of all your loves on earth”.

Commentary

our prophetic role, especially that of giving voice to the voiceless. As Paul once said, “Woe to me if I don’t preach the Gospel!” (1 Cor 9:16)” God’s Image And Likeness—The bishops reiterated the right to life even of the unborn because human beings are created by God in His image and likeness.

They stressed that those who are brutally murdered by mere suspicion that they are opponents of government had the right to life; so are those who are summarily executed by armed groups.

Even those who may have committed criminal offenses should also be treated in a humane way, even as justice demands that they be held accountable for their actions.

Save The Children—The bishops appealed to the lawmakers the harm that may be caused on the children (in conflict with the law) by the bills making them criminally liable. Most of those children “come from very poor families and were born and raised in an environment of abuse.” They do not deserve to be treated as criminals, they should be rescued. They encouraged that Bahay-Pagasa shelters, for the care of children in conflict with the law, should be improved.

The Perspective Of Mercy - Being civilized is “being more humane to the poor, the weak, the disadvantaged, the elderly, the children, those with special needs and all those who tend to be left out in society… The law of retaliation “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” has long been repudiated in Christian tradition. As Christians, we have to learn the way of Jesus who says,

“Be merciful, just as [also] your Father is merciful.”

Conquering Evil With Good is the challenge of our Shepherds. Our strength lies in keeping our communities of faith intact. The faithful must “use conscience in the choice of leaders, in the exercise of their vocation as citizens, in the raising of families, in their work and chosen professions, in the efforts to care for the environment, etc. Let conscience speaks its wisdom consistently in every aspect of our life.”

“The battles that we fight are spiritual.” (Ephesians 6:10-17). St. Peter admonishes us to “be sober and alert” especially when the enemy attacks “like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) As members of God’s flock, we must learn to be brave, to stick together, and look after one another.

Let this moment be a time to pray, to be strong, wise, and committed. Let this be also a teaching moment for us all - a moment for relearning the core beliefs, principles and values of our faith, and what it means to be a Catholic Christian at this time.” Thus, in this very trying time in the Catholic Church history, we need to defend, encourage and inspire our shepherds when they themselves are the persecuted in our country. *** Allow me to greet the February Birthday celebrators in our family: my nephew Romarico Santiago, my niece and new doctor in the family Ria Edeliza Imperial, and my sister-inlaw Leonisa Santiago.

Human love and divine love in fantasy

This quote is very significant, coming from someone who understood romance well enough to include touching romantic sub-plots in his fantasy trilogy, The Lord of the Rings.

The main romantic sub-plot in The Lord of the Rings was the love between Aragorn, a mortal man of royal lineage who was heir to the throne of Gondor, and Arwen, an elf. The elves, in Tolkien’s imaginary universe, were powerful, immortal beings who did not die unless they were killed. In the story, Arwen faced a choice between her love for Aragorn and her immortality: if she were to wed a mortal, she would have to become mortal as well. In the end, she chose mortality.

Aragorn was no less noble. He knew of the choice Arwen had to make and was willing to let her go, although it made him suffer. Then, he had to leave her as he went on several quests to help save Middle Earth. All throughout, however, he remained true to Arwen. In the book

version of the story, after Aragorn had defeated his enemies in battle and claimed his throne, he received a sign that Arwen was destined to be his bride.

In the movie version, Arwen’s death was hastened and only Aragorn’s victory in battle could prolong her life. In any case, after the evil Sauron was defeated and Middle Earth was saved, Aragorn and Arwen were married.

It was the same writer of this love story who wrote to his son, “...in the Blessed Sacrament…you will find romance.” Indeed, in the Blessed Sacrament, we find a God Who hides behind the appearances of perishable bread and wine and suffers maltreatment and profanation out of His desire to stay with us. We find a God who does not force us to love Him but woos us, respecting our freedom while pining for our company.

It is a more compelling love story than the romance between Aragorn and Arwen, and it is a true story.

The global decline in fertility is “simply astonishing” WILL the world’s population really reach 11.2 billion in 2100? This week The Guardian provides a good summary of alternate world population projections which challenge this United Nations figure, and casts doubt on whether the world’s population will really continue to grow until the end of this century.

The United Nations bases its population projections on a range of uncertain assumptions about fertility and mortality. Its most likely current estimate is that world population will reach 11.2 billion by 2100, and then stabilize and slightly decline.

The UN is not the only international body to project world population, and the various demographers are certainly not in agreement. A key question is whether Africa’s fertility will remain at current rates, or will drop to follow Western low fertility trends.

The Guardian discusses some of the alternate projections: Jørgen Randers, a Norwegian academic who decades ago warned of a potential global catastrophe caused by overpopulation, has changed his mind. “The world population will never reach nine billion people,” he now believes. “It will peak at 8 billion in 2040, and then decline.”

Similarly, Prof Wolfgang Lutz and his fellow demographers at Vienna’s International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis predict the human population will stabilize by midcentury and then start to go down A Deutsche Bank report has the planetary population peaking at 8.7 billion in 2055 and then declining to 8 billion by century’s end.

Since 1970, a sharp global decline in fertility has occurred.

In the United States, all of Europe, and much of the rest of the West, fertility is now actually below the replacement level of 2.1 children and will eventually lead to population decline, unless those countries can attract enough immigrants to sustain current population levels. In fact, many European countries may almost cease to exist by 2300 if low fertility persists and migration does not intervene, according to the most recent United Nations long-term population projections.

According to The Guardian: Already, almost two dozen countries are getting smaller every year, from Poland to Cuba to Japan, which lost almost 450,000 people in 2018. In these countries, women have fewer than the 2.1 babies that they must produce, on average, for a population to remain stable. The population decline would be even steeper were it not for steadily increasing life expectancy.

The fertility rate in the UK is 1.7. Most population growth in the UK today is the result of international immigration, according to the Office of National Statistics. Without immigrants, Great Britain would eventually enter an era of population decline.

More old people and fewer young people place an increased strain on society’s ability to generate the wealth and taxes needed to fund, among other things, healthcare for the old.

The really big news, however, is found in the large countries of the developing world, where the great majority of people live. There, declines in birth rates have been simply astonishing. China, the world’s largest country, has a fertility rate of 1.5, lower than Britain’s. India, soon to overtake China as the world’s most populous nation, is at the replacement rate of 2.1 and falling. Brazil, the fifth most populous country, has a fertility rate of 1.8.

One cause of the accelerating decline in fertility is urbanization. In 2007, for the first time in human history, the majority of people in the world lived in cities. Today it is 55% and, in three decades, it is expected to reach 66%.

Currently, Africa has the highest fertility rates in the world and the majority of the world’s population growth is coming from that continent. Yet, sub-Saharan Africa is also the fastest urbanizing part of the world, with annual urban population increases of 4%, twice the global average. This is a factor in the expectation by many demographers that African fertility rates will continue to decline.

According to The Guardian, “Population decline is not a good thing or a bad thing. But it is a big thing. It’s time to look it in the eye.”

Over the past few decades world leaders have compelled people to have fewer children, often in the euphemistic name of reproductive and sexual health. The United Nations itself gave its first population award to both the Chinese minister for population and the Prime Minister of India for their work initiating family planning and sterilization programmes, forced abortions and sterilizations and all. Vincenzina Santoro points out that the Guttmacher Institute jointly accepted the most recent annual Population Prize of the United Nations last June.

As more people seemingly begin to realize that the world does not have a population spiraling out of control, but instead a soon to be declining one, let’s look the forced taking of life, the abuse of women, and the thousands of dollars of aid and public “health” money spent in the name of population control in the eye too.

Candidly Speaking / A4

serve everyone.

That is why we really need to continually rectify our intentions and to see to it that our actions would truly conform to the requirements of charity. In this regard, we have to forget ourselves and our self-interest, and to think simply of God and the others, always ready to follow Christ all the way to facing and bearing all kinds of suffering and eventual death.

We should not be afraid to do all this, because we have been assured that “if God is with us, who can be against us?” (Rom 8,31) It is charity that will disarm our enemies, that will melt away our weaknesses, that will heal the sin-inflicted wounds of our human condition in this world.

It is not enough that we be smart, clever, practical, etc.

We need to live charity. Without charity, our smartness and cleverness can even pose as a grave danger to us. They can deceive us with the thought that we are doing well in our life when, in fact, we are heading through a sweet slide toward perdition.

We need to make many acts of charity before, during and after doing our tasks, using all our God-given human faculties and powers. And these acts of charity should be our vital contact with Christ!

A6 LOCAL NEWS

February 4 - 17, 2019, Vol 23, No. 03

CBCP to lawmakers: Reconsider move to lower criminal age THE Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines on Jan. 28 appealed to legislators to do some “serious rethinking” on the proposal to lower the age of criminal liability in the country.

In a pastoral statement issued shortly after their plenary assembly in Manila, the bishops warned that the move could harm than protect the children.

“There is no way we can call ourselves a civilized society if we hold children in conflict with the law criminally liable,” they said.

According to them, children who get involved in crimes are “victims that need to be rescued” instead of treating them as ordinary criminals.

The bishops noted that children who get involve in crimes come from “very poor families and were born and raised in an environment of abuse”.

Bishop: ‘Even atheists are seeking God’

Novaliches Bishop Antonio R. Tobias, DD explained how everyone is “seeking God,” during the send-off Mass for the diocese’s World Youth Day (WYD) 2019 Panama delegates, Jan. 6, 2019. PHOTO COURTESY MINNIE AGDEPPA

CBCP President and Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles (center) answers questions from the media during a press conference after the bishops’ plenary assembly in Mania, Jan. 28. ROY LAGARDE

The House of Representatives on Jan. 28 approved a measure which seeks to make child offenders

as young as 12 liable for crimes.

The lawmakers earlier sought to reduce the

minimum age of criminal responsibility from 15 to nine, and then revised it to 12. (CBCPNews)

Pope assures support for Filipino bishops POPE Francis assured his support for the Filipino bishops as they gathered Jan. 26 to discuss matters that affect the Church and the country.

In a message to the bishops, the pope encouraged them to continue in their efforts “to shepherd in truth and love those entrusted to your pastoral care”.

He particularly lauded local initiatives “to advance the mission of the Church in the Philippines”.

The pope’s letter was relayed to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

More than 80 members of the CBCP are gathered at the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center for their 118th plenary assembly.

The meeting was opened with a Mass presided over by Papal Nuncio Archbishop Gabrielle Caccia.

The pontiff also sent his blessings to the CBCP, wishing their meeting bear much fruit in the service of the faithful, helping them to grow in faith and charity.

The three-day meeting was presided

CBCP President and Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles greets Archbishop Gabrielle Caccia, the Apostolic Nuncio in the Philippines, at the start of the bishops’ plenary assembly in Manila, Jan. 26. ROY LAGARDE

by Archbishop Romulo Valles being the president of the bishops’ collegial body.

The plenary assembly meets in regular session twice a year— in January and in July. When they are not in session, the Permanent Council acts and in behalf of the conference.

The Permanent Council is composed

of a president, vice president, an ten regional representatives— four for Luzon, two for Visayas, three for Mindanao.

During the three-day meeting, the bishops are also expected to discuss reports from various commissions of the CBCP. (CBCPNews)

Next World Youth Day to be held in Portugal

Pope Francis leads the World Youth Day prayer vigil at St. John Paul II Field in Panama City Jan. 26, 2019. PAUL HARING/CNS

PANAMA City—Lisbon, Portugal, will open its doors to the world’s young people in 2022 for the next World Youth Day. The announcement of Portugal was made by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, head of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life, at the final Mass of World Youth Day Jan. 27. World Youth Day officials confirmed the year and city.

Upon hearing the location of the next celebration, Portuguese erupted in cheers, waving their country’s flag and chanting “We are the pope’s youth!”

Pope Francis then greeted Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who attended the Mass.

In the early morning hours, pilgrims were awakened by sounds of upbeat music as the hot Panamanian sun rose. Despite the heat, the pilgrims danced and sang along, awaiting Pope Francis’ arrival.

In his homily, Pope Francis

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encouraged young Catholics to be engaged in the world today to ensure a better tomorrow.

“You, dear young people, are not the future but the now of God. He invites you and calls you in your communities and cities to go out and find your grandparents, your elders; to stand up and with them to speak out and realize the dream that the Lord has dreamed for you,” he said.

The pope reflected on the Sunday Gospel reading from St. Luke in which Jesus begins his public ministry by proclaiming in the synagogue that “this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

Proclaiming the Good News of God’s promise to free captives and the oppressed was an important moment in Jesus’ life, the pope said.

Nevertheless, he continued, many of those in the synagogue were incredulous and not prepared “to believe in someone they knew and had seen grow up.”

“The same thing can also

happen with us. We do not always believe that God can be that concrete and commonplace, that close and real, and much less that he can become so present and work through somebody like a neighbor, a friend, a relative,” the pope said.

Young people, he warned, risk looking at their mission, vocation and even their lives as something far off in the future and “having nothing to do with the present” while adults can fall into the trap of inventing a “hygienically sealed future without consequence where everything is safe, secure and ‘well insured.’”

“The Lord and his mission are not a ‘meantime’ in our life, something temporary.

They are our life,” Pope Francis said. “Do you want to live out your love in a practical way? May your ‘yes’ continue to be the gateway for the Holy Spirit to give us a new Pentecost for the world and for the church.” (Junno Arocho Esteves/CNS)

“ALL of us are seeking God — including non-believers.”

This was the message Novaliches Bishop Antonio R. Tobias, D.D. gave to World Youth Day (WYD) 2019 delegates during their send-off Mass held at the Cathedral Shrine and Parish of the Good Shepherd on Jan. 6, 2019.

Explaining the Feast of the Epiphany, the prelate said the feast is a celebration of “ordinary people seeking God–of seeking a prosperous life.” Tobias noted: “All of us are seeking God” and “God is part of that prosperous life”.

He exhorted the diocesan delegates to the WYD in Panama to resist people who say God does not exist.

‘God-seekers’ “Do not believe anyone who tell you that there is no God. Do not believe them!”

Tobias stressed. “Because if you believe them, you too will go nuts and all of us will fall together.”

According to the bishop, there are actually two types of “God-seekers” as shown in the Gospel. The first one is the one who knows all the answers but who is content in simply knowing. Tobias said these are like the priests and the learned men of the Old Testament who knew where the Messiah will be born but never actually went there to verify it. He said those who say there is no

God are like the first type of seekers.

“There are those who say things that destroy what we believe in, that our people have long been holding onto.

[They say,]’There is no God, that’s fiction…but those priests, they are sinners,’ so they do not really hear the calling of the Lord,” he emphasized.

Two types Tobias said even church people have a tendency to fall into the first category.

“I do not exclude bishops, priests, seminarians, and our Church leaders here. They know, but some they do not do anything about what they know,” he explained.

On the other hand, the second type of seekers, who are represented by the Magi, are those who ask questions and seek God with the intent of encountering God and acting on this reality.

Meanwhile, young people cannot find Jesus in their homes, said Tobias, because their parents are either separated or are too busy with work.

According to him, they end up searching for Jesus elsewhere like in Church, among their peers, or among their neighbors.

Tobias praised the young people attending the WYD in Panama, saying, they are “getting near God…” (Minnie Ageppa/ CBCPNews)

Blasts / A1

personal friends.

“They bravely stayed in Jolo in spite of the threats and insecurities. I believe they have died for their Christian faith,” said Saniel.

“No words can describe the sorrow and pain that we feel these days. May they be given justice in God’s time,” he said.

Saniel was attending the bishops’ plenary assembly in Manila when the “tragic” incident happened. He cut short his attendance to return to Jolo on the day of the attack.

“I know that the friends of the victims, both Muslims and Christians, are mourning and in deep sorrow today,” he added.

Saniel also called for prayers for the families of the soldiers who died while securing the cathedral.

‘Act of terrorism’ The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines also condemned what it called as an “act of terrorism”.

The bishops also prayed for the victims and their relatives and asked God to bring an end to violence during the second day of their meeting when the attacks occurred.

“We condole with the families of the several soldiers and civilians who were killed by the explosions,” said Archbishop Romulo Valles, CBCP President.

A bomb exploded inside the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral in Jolo,

Sulo at about 8:30am as worshippers were gathered for mass.

Few minutes later, another explosion hit the parking lot of the cathedral.

The incident came a week after Muslims voted for the creation of the new autonomous region in Mindanao.

Sulu, on the other hand, voted against the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).

As the region begins a new phase in the peace process, the bishops asked the Christians to “join hands with all peace-loving Muslim and indigenous people communities in the advocacy against violent extremism”.

“May all our religions of peace guide us in our quest for a brighter future for the peoples of Mindanao,” they said.

‘Most heinous desecration’ The deadly blasts at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral have also been described by two bishops as the “most heinous desecration” of a sacred place.

Cardinal Orlando Quevedo and Archbishop Angelito Lampon deplored the attacks made “on a sacred day, and at a sacred moment of worship”.

“It is truly a satanic act that all sacred religions must condemn,” said the two former religious leaders of Jolo.

“This is the action of evil people with utter disregard for the sacredness of human life and of human dignity,” they said.

Quevedo served as parish priest of Jolo while Lampon is the vicariate’s erstwhile bishop.

Lampon succeeded Quevedo as archbishop of Cotabato after the cardinal resigned from the post in November last year.

The church leaders also appealed to authorities “to flush out the perpetrators of this barbaric crime and bring them to justice”.

“We entrust the innocent victims to the Lord’s compassion and pray for their grieving families,” they said.

Peace process Meanwhile, Jesuit Archbishop Antonio Ledesma of Cagayan de Oro said that the search for peace in Mindanao should not be derailed by the deadly blasts.

Ledesma said the peace process must continue to pursue the end of decades of rebellion in the country’s restive south.

“We hope that the incident will not sidetrack us to lasting peace,” Ledesma said in a press conference after the bishops’ plenary assembly on Jan. 28.

The attack came despite a martial law in effect since 2017 after Islamic State militants seized Marawi, considered the Muslim capital of the largely Catholic Philippines.

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DIOCESAN NEWS A7

February 4 - 17, 2019, Vol 23, No. 03

Christians, Muslims hold ‘unity Davao churches ban bags, backpacks walks’ in wake of attacks after Jolo blasts

Christians and Muslims, together with Msgr. Albert Songco of the Military Ordinate of the Philippines and Aleem Said Ahmad Basher of the Imam Council of the Philippines, exchange a Bible and Qur’an as symbolic gesture for peace during a “solidarity walk” at the Quezon Memorial Circle on Feb. 3. The interreligious gathering also deplored the deadly blasts that rocked the Jolo catheral last Jan. 27. MARIA TAN

CAGAYAN DE ORO City— Christians and Muslims in the Philippines held “unity walks” to call for peace following deadly blasts that rocked the south of the country last week.

In Manila, hundreds of people gathered for a prayer rally on Feb. 3 to show “the world that Filipino Muslims and Christians are one.”

They condemned the bombing of a Catholic cathedral in Jolo province that killed at least 22 people on Jan. 27 and a grenade explosion in a mosque in Zamboanga City that killed two on Jan. 30.

In Mindanao, an interfaith prayer rally was also held

in Cagayan de Oro City on Feb. 2 to mark the start of the observance of “World Interfaith Harmony Week.”

Monsignor Rey Monsanto admitted that there was “a sense of fear” among Catholic clergy in Mindanao and that the bomb explosions in Jolo and Zamboanga could spark further violence.

“We are worried that Christians and Muslims will begin blaming each other,” said the priest, adding that they might use religion as an excuse to wage war.

Abdulnasser Masorong, director of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, said the violence “has caused harm to the

entire nation in a divisive effort to further widen the gap between Muslims and Christians.”

Alec Mohammad, a Muslim religious leader in Cagayan de Oro, however, said the violence “will not break the spirit of the long-standing relationship” among Mindanao’s peoples.

In Zamboanga City, Muslim religious leaders appealed for calm, saying any attack on a place of worship “can never be justified by rhyme or reason.”

In Manila, Monsignor Albert Songco, vicar-general of the Military Ordinariate of the Philippines, urged people during the “unity walk” to “activate the forces

Drug users in Mindanao parish get new lease of life TACURONG City—Jonathan Padrones has been hooked on illegal narcotics for years but is trying to “redeem” himself with the help of his parish church, he says.

Padrones, 44, said he first tried hydrochloride, a methamphetamine commonly known by its street name “shabu” in the Philippines, out of curiosity when he was in his 20s.

“I ended up getting hooked,” he said, adding this soon made him “public enemy number one” in his community.

Padrones said he would spend up to US$20 a day buying shabu.

Eventually, he began peddling illegal drugs to sustain his addiction.

When President Rodrigo Duterte launched his “war against drugs” in 2016, Padrones was placed on a police watch-list.

Instead of mending his ways, he went into hiding. This changed when he heard of a Catholic Churchrun program for drug addicts called “Help Care for Change, Hope and Learning.”

Father Salvador Robles, the parish priest of Tacurong City in the southern Philippines, said that when Duterte launched his campaign against narcotics, at least 100 people availed themselves of the program.

The government’s war on drugs has claimed over 20,000 lives, according to human rights groups.

In August 2017, Duterte vowed to press on with the campaign even though soldiers have described it as “an unwinnable war.”

Father Robles said the church project employs “a holistic approach that includes spiritual nourishment, behavioral change, skills training and livelihood opportunity.”

Both Christian and Muslim experts in this field manage the program, which the priest said “aims to help drug victims get a new lease on life.”

He described it as promoting a “therapeutic community approach” that encourages families and

community members to support drug abusers by forgiving and accepting them after they have completed the program.

Many of those who signed up for the program surrendered to the police as part of the government’s controversial Oplan Tokhang policy.

Tokhang is a portmanteau that loosely translates as “knock appeal,” referring to how officers visit the homes of suspected drug users and peddlers and try to convince them to give up their illegal activities.

Father Robles said four groups have finished the church program, which has become a special ministry of Cotabato Archdiocese in Mindanao. It involves a fiveday seminar on spirituality and the importance of nourishing key values.

After completing this, participants undergo a six-month “communitybased rehabilitation program” that includes a weekly assessment meeting at the parish.

At the end of the rehabilitation period, the beneficiaries, who are known as “empowered brethren,” are given starter kits of their choice by government agencies to help them establish new livelihoods.

Padrones asked for a “cosmetic beauty parlor kit.” His notoriety in the community has now become a thing of the past, he said.

Mayor Lina Montilla of Tacurong in Sultan Kudarat Province has even praised Padrones for his transformation.

“When you have the will, you can become productive members of society,” Montilla said during the graduation rites of the fourth batch of “empowered brethren” on Jan. 11.

Apart from helping to organize community activities, Padrones has begun soliciting donations for poor school children.

“Through these social engagements, I hope to erase the negative stigma caused by my [former] addiction,” he said. (Bong Sarmiento/UCAN)

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far that is holding out as the country is inching towards “total control”.

“It is very crucial therefore that we elect public officials who are principled, courageous and who have the common good as their main concern and not their own political interests,” they said.

As a concrete step, the bishops encouraged lay groups to engage in “discernment circles” to know the

candidates well.

They also urged lay people to participate actively in politics and work for the renewal of the country’s political system.

“Christians are also encouraged to engage in principled partisan politics. This means that they can campaign for good candidates as an exercise of their Christian faith,” the bishop said. (CBCPNews)

of goodness, justice, love, and peace in our communities.”

On Feb. 3, prayer intentions during Sunday Masses in Manila Archdiocese included the victims of the bombings in Jolo and Zamboanga.

Meanwhile, the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Manila, has beefed up security following the Jolo incident.

Sniffer dogs and security personnel have been deployed to patrol the church, also known as Quiapo Church, and the surrounding area.

The Archdiocese of Davao earlier prohibited backpacks and boxes inside churches as a security measure. (Jigger Jerusalem/UCAN)

San Jose Cathedral in Davao City. PHOTO FROM DAVAO CATHOLIC HERALD

DAVAO City—The Archdiocese of Davao has released a list of prohibited items inside churches following the bombings of Jolo cathedral.

Bags and boxes are among the many items included on the list.

Knapsacks, backpacks, cartons, and the likes are also banned inside parish churches and chapels.

“Only small purses and the like are allowed,” Archbishop Romulo Valles of Davao said in a circular issued on Jan. 29.

The archbishop said the directive will be in effect until further notice due to

“current threat of violence” in the region.

He also said that the archdiocese have to take up security measures upon the advice of law enforcement agencies.

The death toll in the twin blasts that rocked the Jolo cathedral in Sulu has climbed to 22 and a scores of wounded remain in hospitals.

Pope Francis has earlier condemned the violence that “causes more mourning in the Christian community”.

“Let us pray for the victims of the terrorist attack on the cathedral of Jolo, in the Philippines,” he said. (CBCP News)

Another Angle / A4

by charity, commitment to the common good has greater worth than a merely secular and political stand would have… Man’s earthly activity, when inspired and sustained by charity, contributes to the building of the universal city of God, which is the goal of the history of the human family”. (Encyclical Letter Caritas in Veritate (29 June 2009), 7).

In our country “This is a programme on which all politicians, whatever their culture or religion, can agree, if they wish to work together for the good of the human family and to practice those human virtues that sustain all sound political activity: justice, equality, mutual respect, sincerity, honesty, fidelity” Pope Francis suggested.

One could readily see that this is a good framework for those who wanted to run and serve the common good.

On the other hand, in this war against drugs, for example, the Pope gave us an insight that: “peace can never be reduced solely to a balance between power and fear.

To threaten others is to lower them to the

status of objects and to deny their dignity.” Pope Francis’ words are clear against the tendency to sow fear: “We state once more that an escalation of intimidation, and the uncontrolled proliferation of arms, is contrary to morality and the search for true peace.

Terror exerted over those who are most vulnerable contributes to the exile of entire populations who seek a place of peace.”

“There is a need to reaffirm that peace is based on respect for each person, whatever his or her background, on respect for the law and the common good, on respect for the environment entrusted to our care and for the richness of the moral tradition inherited from past generations.”

Our thoughts also turn in a particular way to all those orphaned children currently living in areas of the infamous war against drugs, and to all those who work to defend their rights and take care of them.

Peace is a high ideal but attainable. It “is the fruit of a great political project grounded in the mutual responsibility and interdependence

of human beings. But it is also a challenge that demands to be taken up ever anew. It entails a conversion of heart and soul; it is both interior and communal; and it has three inseparable aspects, which the Pope himself enumerated: – peace with oneself, rejecting inflexibility, anger and impatience; in the words of Saint Francis de Sales, showing “a bit of sweetness towards oneself” in order to offer “a bit of sweetness to others”; – peace with others: family members, friends, strangers, the poor and the suffering, being unafraid to encounter them and listen to what they have to say; – peace with all creation, rediscovering the grandeur of God’s gift and our individual and shared responsibility as inhabitants of this world, citizens and builders of the future.”

We end with the socalled “Beatitudes of the Politician”, proposed

by Vietnamese Cardinal François-Xavier Nguyễn Vãn Thuận, a faithful witness to the Gospel who died in 2002 which Pope Francis wrote in His

message: Blessed be the politician with a lofty sense and deep understanding of his role.

Blessed be the politician who personally exemplifies credibility.

Blessed be the politician who works for the common good and not his or her own interest.

Blessed be the politician who remains consistent.

Blessed be the politician who works for unity.

Blessed be the politician who works to accomplish radical change.

Blessed be the politician who is capable of listening.

Blessed be the politician who is without fear.

The coming election in our country and those who wished for re-election, in every stage of public life, “is an opportunity to return to the original points of reference that inspire justice and law. One thing is certain: good politics is at the service of peace. It respects and promotes fundamental human rights, which are at the same time mutual obligations, enabling a bond of trust and gratitude to be forged between present and future generations.”

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February 4 - 17, 2019, Vol 23, No. 03

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New Cotabato archbishop installed amid tight security THE new archbishop of Cotabato in southern Philippines was installed on Jan. 30 under heightened security, just three days after twin explosions rocked Jolo cathedral.

Churchgoers had to go through tight security put up around the Immaculate Conception Cathedral to welcome Archbishop Angelito Lampon as their new shepherd.

A number of policemen and soldiers have been deployed in the area and its perimeter to make sure it is safe from any threats.

Some of the visitors were around 25 bishops from different dioceses including Papal Nuncio Archbishop Gabriele Caccia and Archbishop Romulo Valles of Davao, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.

Lampon replaced retired Cardinal Orlando Quevedo who served the archdiocese for two decades.

In his homily, the first cardinal of Mindanao, which has endured one of the world’s longest-running Muslim insurgencies, said that one must be “spirit-filled and spirit-driven” to be an effective bishop.

“No more, no less,” Quevedo said.

“Only when he is in communion with the Holy Spirit, only when the Spirit dwells in him, will he be a prophet with courage, without fear, in season and out of season,” he said.

In a region marred by tension and insecurity, he said that a shepherd must bring hope to people “who look for light in a cultural darkness and mutual biases and prejudices”.

“He must lead his flock and those who are not of his flock to peace and harmony,” the cardinal added.

Archbishop Angelito Lampon was installed as the new head of the Cotabato archdiocese on Jan. 30.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

In his message, the papal nuncio conveyed Pope Francis’ spiritual

closeness and support for Lampon and his new pastoral ministry.

“You are not alone. We are with you, all of us,” Caccia said.

At one point of his speech, he also thanked Quevedo for his great service to the universal Church.

“He (Quevedo) has been very much appreciated by the Holy Father and the other cardinals all over the world,” added Caccia.

Lampon was the apostolic vicar of Jolo since 1997 until November 2018 when Pope Francis appointed him as Cotabato archbishop.

Last Jan. 27, at least 22 people were killed and injured dozens more when two bombs exploded at the Jolo cathedral where a mass was being held.

Both Quevedo, who once served as parish priest of Jolo cathedral, and Lampon deplored the incident as being the “action of evil people with utter disre gard for the sacredness of human life”. (Roy Lagarde/CBCP News)

Catholic rite elevates Badoc shrine to basilica IT wasn’t the breathtaking beaches that attracted the visitors and locals to Badoc town in Ilocos Norte on Feb. 5.

Rather, they flocked to the St. John the Baptist Parish Church, also known as the Shrine of La Virgen Milagrosa de Badoc, for a ceremony elevating the shrine to minor basilica status.

Thousands of people filled the pews and queued around the centuries-old baroque style church, where the “La Virgen Milagrosa” is currently enshrined, to witness the historic occasion in the Diocese of Laoag.

On behalf of Pope Francis, the declaration was made

by Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, Apostolic Nuncio in the Philippines, in a Mass presided over by Archbishop Romulo Valles of Davao and president of the Philippine bishops’ conference.

The decree declaring this Vatican concession, issued by the Congregation for Divine

Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, was read in its original Latin text by Laoag’s Chancellor, Fr. Rey Respicio and the English Translation by the Rector of the Basilica, Fr. Freddie Astudillo.

In his homily, Cardinal Orlando Quevedo, Archbishop Emeritus of Cotabato, said that Francis’ decision to elevate the shrine’s status is a recognition of its role in the diocese and the whole church.

“Becoming a minor basilica is a strong call to the people of Badoc and Ilocos Norte, as well as a call to all pilgrims… to strive daily to walk in the spirit of integrity,” Quevedo said.

The Ilocos Norte-born cardinal also explained the connection of Japan and the Philippines through Apo Badoc, the cause of the elevation of the church to basilica.

He said that there is no minor basilica without “La

Virgen Milagrosa,” and there is no “Virgen Milagrosa” without the persecuted Christians of Japan who shipped out at sea the image, together with the black crucified Christ of Sinait, to avoid being destroyed by the Japanese persecutors. The local fishermen fished off the box that contained them from the sea.

This is the reason of the presence of Cardinal Thomas Aquinas Manyo Maeda of Osaka during the historic declaration of the Badoc basilica.

Cardinal Maeda said that the “Virgen Milagrosa” looks like the Our Lady of the Hidden Christians, the image which the persecuted Christians of Japan prayed to during the more than two centuries of hiding from persecution.

He further spoke of a coincidental connection, the date of the Solemn Declaration of the Badoc Basilica is the Feast of the

26 Martyrs of Japan, a great fiesta to Japanese Catholics.

The Mass ended with the Apostolic Blessing with Plenary Indulgence especially granted by Pope Francis to the occasion and was imparted by Archbishop Valles.

A thanksgiving Mass and installation of the first basilica rector followed in the afternoon and was presided over by Bishop Renato Mayugba of Laoag.

A solemn procession of “La Virgen Milagrosa” was also held around the town of Badoc participated in by thousands of pilgrims.

Built in the 17th century, the Badoc Church is among the eleven Filipino-Hispanic baroque churches in Ilocos Norte.

As minor basilica, according to the decree of concession, the church enjoys “all the attached rights and liturgical concessions” pertaining to the privilege.

These include the granting

Thousands of faithful attend the solemn declaration of the St. John the Baptist Parish Church, also known as the Shrine of La Virgen Milagrosa de Badoc, as a minor basilica on Feb. 5, 2019. PHOTO COURTESY OF ATTY. NESTIE CORPUZ

of plenary indulgence to whoever visits the church under the necessary conditions of sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer for the pope’s intention.

These concessions are received during the following celebrations: on the anniversary of the dedication of the same basilica, on the day of the liturgical celebration of St. John the Baptist and La Virgen Milagrosa de Badoc, on the

Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, on the anniversary of the granting of the title of basilica, once a year on a day to be determined by the bishop and once a year on a day freely chosen by the each of the faithful.

The said concession also grants to the church the use of “the papal symbol, that is, “crossed keys,” which may be exhibited on banners, on furnishings, and on the official seal of the basilica.

(CBCPNews)

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PASTORAL CONCERNS B1

February 4 - 17, 2019 Vol. 23 No. 3

Catholic bishops gather for their 118th plenary assembly at the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center, Jan. 26. ROY LAGARDE

Conquering evil with good CBCP Pastoral Statement “Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.” (Romans 12:21) OUR dear People of God, Peace be with you. We are aware that many of you have been wondering why your bishops have kept a collective silence over many disturbing issues, about which you may have felt you urgently needed our spiritual and pastoral guidance. Forgive us for the length of time that it took us to find our collective voice. We too needed to be guided properly in prayer and discernment before we could guide you.

Responding with silence For the past few months now, we have observed how the culture of violence has gradually prevailed in our land. The recent bombing of the cathedral of Jolo where scores of people were killed and several more were injured is a further evidence to the cycle of hate that is destroying the moral fabric of our country. Lately, we have also been on the receiving end of cruel words that pierce into the soul of the Catholic Church like sharp daggers. From deep within, the body of Christ is crying out in anguish as he did to Saul of Tarsus on his way to Damascus. (Acts 9:4) We have silently noted these painful instances with deep sorrow and prayed over them. We have taken our cue from Pope Francis who tells us that in some instances, “…the best response is silence and prayer.”

Faith: Our people’s source of strength We respect the freedom of conscience and religion of people of other faiths, including former Catholic Christians who may have already renounced their faith. We also respect the freedom of expression of our fellow citizens in this country, including their personal opinions about faith and religion. But as far as we know, the freedom of expression does not include a license to insult other people’s faith, especially our core beliefs. We know that this cuts deeply into the souls of our people—especially the poor, because faith is the only thing they have to hold on to. It gives them hope and strength to continue living and working despite all the odds that come their way. It sustains them when they feel alone and defenseless in foreign lands where they work.

When people do not understand our essential doctrines as Roman Catholic Christians, we have also ourselves to blame.

It could also mean we have failed in our preaching. Perhaps we have not been effective enough in our catechesis about the faith?

Perhaps we should find better and more appropriate ways of communicating the faith.

Our preparation for the celebration of the 500th year of Christianity in the Philippines could serve as a perfect opportunity to embark on a renewed integral evangelization in word and witness.

Admitting our shortcomings Like the leaders and members of any other human institution, no doubt, we, your bishops and priests have our own share of failures and shortcomings as well. We have already mentioned in our previous statement that “we bow in shame when we hear of abuses committed by some of (us)…”, that “we hold ourselves accountable for their actions, and accept our duty to correct them…”

Not against fighting illegal drugs There are people who, perhaps out of concern for us, have warned us about being critical of the government’s fight against illegal drugs. Perhaps we need to make ourselves clear about this issue. We are not against the government’s efforts to fight illegal drugs. We do respect the fact that it is the government’s duty to maintain law and order and to protect its citizens from lawless elements. We have long acknowledged that illegal drugs are a menace to society and that their easier victims are the poor. Like most other Filipinos we had high hopes that the government would truly flex some political will to be able to use the full force of the law in working against this terrible menace. It was when we started hearing of mostly poor people being brutally murdered on mere suspicion of being small-time drug users and peddlers while the big-time smugglers and drug lords went scot-free, that we started wondering about the direction this “drug war” was taking.

As bishops, we have no intention of interfering in the conduct of State affairs. But neither do we intend to abdicate our sacred mandate as shepherds to whom the Lord has entrusted his flock. We have a solemn duty to defend our flock, especially when they are attacked by wolves(!) We do not fight with arms. We fight only with the truth. Therefore, no amount of intimidation or even threat to

our lives will make us give up our prophetic role, especially that of giving voice to the voiceless. As Paul once said, “Woe to me if I don’t preach the Gospel!” (1 Cor 9:16) God’s image and likeness Our faith informs us that no human being in this world deserves to be treated as a “non-human”, not even the mentally ill, or those born with disabilities. This is consistent with our defense of the right to life even of the unborn, because we believe that all human beings are creatures in God’s image and likeness, imbued with an innate dignity. We also must consider the right to life of people who are brutally murdered just because they are suspected of being opponents of government, as well as those who are summarily executed by armed groups. Everyone in the civilized community of nations would agree that even those who may have committed criminal offenses should be treated in a humane way, even as justice demands that they be held accountable for their actions.

Save the children There is no way we can call ourselves a civilized society if we hold children in conflict with the law criminally liable. Children who get involved in crimes, such as those who are used as runners by adult drug pushers, do not deserve to be treated as criminals; they are victims that need to be rescued. It is obvious that most children in conflict with the law come from very poor families and were born and raised in an environment of abuse. We beg our country’s legislators to give the bills they are drafting some serious rethinking and consider the greater harm that such a move can cause on the young people of our country. We commend the initiatives to improve the Bahay-Pag-asa shelters for the care of children in conflict with the law.

The perspective of mercy Being civilized is not just about more advanced technology and infrastructure but about being more humane to the poor, the weak, the disadvantaged, the elderly, the children, those with special needs and all those who tend to be left out in society.

We are not just creatures endowed with intelligence and guided by the evolutionary instincts of “survival of the fittest”. What

makes us more superior as creatures is not our impulse to dominate each other but our innate sensitivity and capacity to love, to respect, to care for one another, to be both just and merciful, to be compassionate, to build community and to be genuinely concerned about the common good. The law of retaliation that demands “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” (Exodus 21:24) has long been repudiated in Christian tradition.

As Christians, we have to learn the way of Jesus who says, “Be merciful, just as [also] your Father is merciful.”(Luke 6:36) Conquering evil with good More than ever, as members of the Church, we must realize that our strength lies in keeping our communities of faith intact. We must educate the faithful in the application of their conscience to the complex and myriad problems of life—in the choice of leaders, in the exercise of their vocation as citizens, in the raising of families, in their work and chosen professions, in the efforts to care for the environment, etc. Our faith must try to hold these different aspects of life together into an integral whole—letting conscience speak its wisdom consistently in every aspect of our life.

Finally, we reiterate what we said in the previous statement that “the battles that we fight are spiritual.” (Ephesians 6:1017). In the midst of spiritual warfare, St. Peter admonishes us to “be sober and alert” especially when the enemy attacks “like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”

(1 Peter 5:8) As members of God’s flock, we must learn to be brave, to stick together, and look after one another. Let this moment be a time to pray, to be strong, wise, and committed. Let this be also a teaching moment for us all—a moment for relearning the core beliefs, principles and values of our faith, and what it means to be a Catholic Christian at this time.

For the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines: +ROMULO G. VALLES, D.D. Archbishop of Davao President, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines January 28, 2019

B2 FEATURE

February 4 - 17, 2019 Vol. 23 No. 3

CBCP Monitor

Confronting the specter of a Philippine Divorce Law (II) Defective consent as ground for the declaration of marriage nullity

By Fr. Jaime B. Achacoso, J.C.D. AS most people know, a house bill for divorce had already been passed. What may have escaped most Catholics is that a similar bill has now been filed in the Senate. If that bill should pass, we would be just a step short of having divorce finally instituted in our country, the last remaining state (aside from the Vatican) that has no divorce law.

Rather than fight that bill—which has a valid pretension (to find a solution for the situation of people trapped in an irreparably broken marriage)—we might instead convince the Senate to introduce reforms in the present Family Code in order to facilitate the declaration of nullity of most of those irreparably broken marriages, rather than making all marriages dissoluble by instituting divorce. In other words, since the urgent problem motivating our legislators— and all the pro-divorce forces—to craft a divorce law seems to be the extreme case of irreparably broken marriages, if a way can be found to declare the non-existence of most of those marriages, perhaps there would be no need to legislate divorce. As a Spanish saying goes: “Muerto el perro, se acabó la rabia” (With the dog dead, that’s the end of its rabies). In the first part of this long article, we tackled the first cause of marriage nullity: lack of capacity in either or both of the spouses to validly contract marriage. Now we shall tackle the second cause of marriage nullity: lack of valid consent.

reflecting the reality that the human act of consenting implies several things.

Matrimonial consent Provided the first constitutive element of marriage is present—i.e., the capacity of both parties to contract marriage—the second and most important constitutive element of marriage is the consent of both parties to contract marriage. As the classic formula states: Consent brings about marriage. This principle is enunciated by the Code of Canon Law as follows: Can. 1057 — §1. Marriage is brought about through the consent of the parties, legitimately manifested between persons who are capable according to law of giving consent; no human power can replace this consent. §2. Matrimonial consent is an act of the will by which a man and a woman, through an irrevocable covenant, mutually give and accept each other in order to establish marriage.

No human power can replace this consent— continues the canon. Thus, if subsequent to the wedding—even many years afterwards— it can be proven in court that the consent (expressed at the time of the wedding) was defective to the point of invalidity, then the competent Church tribunal can declare that the marriage was null and void from the beginning.

What can vitiate consent to the point of making it invalid, such that the marriage contracted is null and void from the start?

Simply stated, valid matrimonial consent is a human act that needs the intervention of both intellect and will—the intellect to know the true nature of the marriage institution and its sacramentality, with the discretion to know what this person and marriage to this person means; and the free will to want to contract marriage with this person here and now. Canon Law has further broken down this constitutive element into different aspects,

The intellectual component of matrimonial consent While the act of consenting is one—i.e., it is the whole person who consents—one can analyze that act and identify predominantly intellectual components in the one hand, and a predominantly volitive (pertaining to the will or voluntas in Latin) component in the other.

Such a division is even pedagogically helpful.

Canon Law has established the following factors that can vitiate the intellectual components of consent to the point of invalidating them: Lack of sufficient use of reason—either habitual (e.g., intellectual retardation) or temporary (e.g., influence of drugs or alcohol at the moment of giving consent)—invalidates consent (c.1095, 1°).

Grave lack of discretion of judgment concerning the essential matrimonial rights and duties, which are to be mutually given and accepted in marriage, invalidates consent (c.1095, 2°). Lack of due discretion (LDD) is one of the most common grounds of marriage nullity, and together with the so-called psychological incapacity is the most abused as well.

Incapacity to assume the essential obligations of marriage, due to causes of a psychic nature, invalidates the consent (c.1095, 3°). This has been erroneously labeled—especially in the civil courts— as psychological incapacity, causing a misunderstanding of the real ground of nullity and the object of proof. Simply put, one cannot validly assume an obligation which he is incapable of fulfilling. Since marriage is a natural institution (in fact all normal human beings even have a right to contract marriage), what c.1095, 3° simply states is that such incapacity to assume the essential obligations of marriage can only be due to reasons of a psychic nature. But not all psychic disorders

A groom and bride hold hands on their wedding day. JON L. HENDRICKS/CNS

cause such incapacity. What constitutes the ground for consensual invalidity—and what needs to be proven in court—is not so much the existence of a psychic abnormality but rather the incapacity to assume the essential obligations of marriage.

Ignorance of the procreative and sexual aspects of marriage—i.e., that marriage is a permanent consortium between a man and a woman, which is ordered toward the procreation of offspring by means of some sexual cooperation—invalidates consent (c.1096, §1). Such ignorance is not presumed after puberty (c.1096, §2).

Error concerning the person—i.e., his or her identity—invalidates consent (c.1097, §1).

One can’t get married to the wrong person.

However, error concerning a quality of the person, even if such an error is the cause of consenting to marriage, does not invalidate the marriage, unless such quality was directly and principally intended (c.1097, §2). A woman who married a man, because she erroneously thought he was very rich, cannot sue for nullity afterwards; unless she married him precisely and principally for that.

Error concerning the essential properties of marriage—i.e., unity, indissolubility and sacramental dignity—does not vitiate matrimonial consent, provided it does not determine the will (c.1098). Such error is similar to the error regarding a quality of the person: it does not really invalidate the consent unless it was determinant of the will—i.e., one would not have consented to marriage had he/she known of such quality of the person or of marriage.

Fraud concerning some quality of the other party which of its nature can seriously disturb the partnership of conjugal life, perpetrated to obtain consent, invalidates such consent (c.1098). Examples of such qualities which of their nature can seriously disturb conjugal life are drug addiction, homosexuality or a peculiar professional lifestyle.

A condition concerning the future—e.g., “I

marry you provided you pass your medical board exams by the time I give birth to our first child”—invalidates consent (c.1102, §1).

The reason is that the condition on which the reality of the marriage rests is not yet there, so the marriage cannot come about either. On the other hand, a marriage based on condition concerning the past or the present is valid or invalid insofar as the subject matter of the condition exists or not (c.1102, §2)—i.e., “I marry you provided you really are a virgin as you claim”. However, the Law also states that it is not licit to put such condition of the past or present without the written permission of the local Ordinary (c.1102, §3).

Volitive component of consent Can. 1103 — A marriage is invalid if it is entered into due to force or grave fear inflicted from outside the person, even when inflicted unintentionally, which is of such type that the person is compelled to choose marriage in order to be freed from it.

There must be free will in consenting to marriage. There is no free will when there is external force (violence), or grave fear inflicted (even unintentionally) from outside the person—i.e., the trepidation of the mind in the presence of an impending evil (physical or moral) that compels the person to consent to a marriage in order to escape such evil.

Examples of such perceived impending evils that can cause fear are a threat of bodily harm (e.g., shotgun marriage), threat of shame (e.g., pregnancy due to a premarital sexual relation), or even the threat of displeasing a person or persons that one holds in high esteem (the so-called reverential fear), as when parents have arranged a marriage. If it is proven in court that such threats caused such trepidation of mind so as to consent to a marriage that otherwise wouldn’t have been consented to, the court can declare the marriage invalid for lack of consent. (To be concluded.)

Extraordinary ministers nearing the altar (Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy and dean of theology at the Regina Apostolorum university, answers the following query:) Q: I am updating our liturgical minister guidelines and have run into a question regarding our extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion: When they approach the sanctuary after the priest’s communion, do they make a bow toward the altar, or a genuflection (as the Blessed Sacrament is now present on the altar), before they enter the sanctuary? — J.H., Colbert, Washington A: The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) says: “162. In the distribution of Communion, the Priest may be assisted by other Priests who happen to be present. If such Priests are not present and there is a truly large number of communicants, the Priest may call upon extraordinary ministers to assist him, that is, duly instituted acolytes or even other faithful who have been duly deputed for this purpose. In case of necessity, the Priest may depute suitable faithful for this single occasion.

“These ministers should not approach the altar before the Priest has received Communion, and they are always to receive from the hands of the Priest Celebrant the vessel

containing the species of the Most Holy Eucharist for distribution to the faithful.”

The instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum states: “88. The faithful should normally receive sacramental Communion of the Eucharist during Mass itself, at the moment laid down by the rite of celebration, that is to say, just after the Priest celebrant’s Communion. It is the Priest celebrant’s responsibility to minister Communion, perhaps assisted by other Priests or Deacons; and he should not resume the Mass until after the Communion of the faithful is concluded. Only when there is a necessity may extraordinary ministers assist the Priest celebrant in accordance with the norm of law.”

Both of these documents are silent on the gesture used by extraordinary ministers before approaching the altar. There are, however, some indications which might help us with regard to the gesture of genuflection or bows. The GIRM indicates: “274. A genuflection, made by bending the right knee to the ground, signifies adoration, and therefore it

is reserved for the Most Blessed Sacrament, as well as for the Holy Cross from the solemn adoration during the liturgical celebration on Good Friday until the beginning of the Easter Vigil.

“During Mass, three genuflections are made by the Priest Celebrant: namely, after the elevation of the host, after the elevation of the chalice, and before Communion.

Certain specific features to be observed in a concelebrated Mass are noted in their proper place (cf. nos. 210-251).

“If, however, the tabernacle with the Most Blessed Sacrament is situated in the sanctuary, the Priest, the Deacon, and the other ministers genuflect when they approach the altar and when they depart from it, but not during the celebration of Mass itself.

“Otherwise, all who pass before the Most Blessed Sacrament genuflect, unless they are moving in procession. Ministers carrying the processional cross or candles bow their heads instead of genuflecting.”

The following norm will suffice for the general practice for concelebrating priests although the missal contemplates several

variations: “242. Once the prayer for Communion has been said, the principal celebrant genuflects and steps back a little. Then one after another the concelebrants come to the middle of the altar, genuflect, and reverently take the Body of Christ from the altar. Then holding it in their right hand, with the left hand placed underneath, they return to their places. However, the concelebrants may remain in their places and take the Body of Christ from the paten held for them by the principal celebrant or held by one or more of the concelebrants passing in front of them, or they may do so by handing the paten one to another, and so to the last of them.”

It is also general practice for the thurifer, boat bearer and torchbearers to genuflect to the Eucharist upon the altar before retiring during solemn Mass after the doxology at the end of the Eucharistic Prayer.

The above norms give us some hints, but they do not give us any definitive answer to our reader’s question.

Personally, I think that the

general silence of the liturgical books on this topic would suggest that nothing should be done that would draw undue attention to this moment of extraordinary ministers approaching the altar by converting it into a special ceremony.

With this in mind, I would say that since, in most cases, the extraordinary ministers will first receive Holy communion from the priest and afterward receive the sacred vessels, then they should make whatever gesture is common in the region before receiving Communion but make no special gesture on receiving the sacred vessel.

However, if it happens that extraordinary ministers receive the sacred vessels before they take Communion, then a genuflection could be an appropriate gesture made before or just after they enter the sanctuary, but they should not genuflect near the altar as would concelebrants.

Likewise, if there are numerous extraordinary ministers, or they are already in the sanctuary area during Mass, then I suggest that the least complicated solution should be adopted.

CBCP Monitor

FEATURE B3

February 4 - 17, 2019 Vol. 23 No. 3

Excerpts of Pope Francis’ in-flight press conference from Abu Dhabi to Rome on February 5, 2019 Pope Francis: First of all, hello, thank you for the company. It was too short of a trip, but for me it was a great experience. It’s that I think that every trip is historic, also each of our days, to write the story of every day... no story is small, every story is big and worthy even if [judged to be] bad, the dignity is hidden, can always come up. Thank you so much for your collaboration.

Sargon Hurmez Barham, Sky News Arabia: Holiness, what will be the outcome of this trip and what were your impressions of the country, of the United Arab Emirates?

Pope Francis: I saw a modern country. The city struck me, even the cleanliness of the city, also small curiosities like how do they water the flowers in this desert?

But also a modern country... also welcoming of so many peoples that come here, but also a country that looks to the future. The example: the education of children. They educate them looking to the future, always. So they have told me. Then a thing that struck me, the problem of water... they are considering in the near future to take water from the sea, to make it potable and even the water of the humidity to make it drinkable... always searching for new things. And I even heard from someone, “one day the petroleum will be gone. We are preparing ourselves for that day, now, to have something to do.” This is a country that looks to the future.

Then it seemed to me [to be] an open country, not closed, even the religiosity of Islamism, it is an open Islamism, not closed, of dialogue, a fraternal and peaceful Islamism. On this [point], they emphasize education to peace, that is felt to be a duty, although there are some problems of some wars in the area, but this I have not heard...

announcement on building a church of St. Francis next to a mosque of the Imam el-Tayeb?

Pope Francis: The document was prepared with much reflection and also praying; the Grand Imam and his team and me with mine.

We prayed a lot to be able to make this document because for me there is one single great danger in this moment: destruction, war and hatred between us. And, if we believers are not capable of giving each other a hand, embracing each other and even praying, our faith will be defeated. This document is born from faith in God, who is the Father of all and the father of peace, and condemns every destruction, every terrorism. The first terrorism in history is that of Cain. It is a document that was developed over almost a year, back and forth, prayer. It remained a little confidential so as to mature, to not give birth to the child before the time, that it might be mature.

Jörg Herbert Seisselberg, ARD Radio: Holy Father, this trip has been full of encounters, impressions, and images. The images of your arrival, the honorary military welcome, and the military planes that made the design in the sky with the Vatican colors remained in my mind. I ask myself: What does this have to do with Pope Francis, with the Pope that comes with a message of peace? What do you think of this? What did you feel, what do you think in these moments?

Again on this theme of your appeal for peace in Yemen: what reactions did you receive in your meetings that create hope that this message was received, that steps towards peace will be taken in Yemen?

Pope Francis: Thank you. I interpret all of the gestures of

Pope Francis answers questions from journalists aboard his flight from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, to Rome Feb. 5, 2019. Also pictured are Msgr. Mauricio Rueda, papal trip planner, and Alessandro Gisotti, interim Vatican spokesman. PAUL HARING/CNS

be used by Muslims.

Pope Francis: But not only the Muslims... they accuse me of allowing myself to be used by everyone, even by journalists, it is part of the job. But I want to say one thing. This I emphasize clearly.

From the Catholic point of view, the document does not pull away one millimeter from Vatican II, which is even cited a few times. The document was made in the spirit of Vatican II. I wanted, before making the decision, to say it good that way and let’s sign it, at least on my side, I had some theologians read [the document] and even [had it read] officially by the theologian of the Pontifical Household, that is a Dominican, and with the beautiful

Pope Francis boarding his plane to return to Rome from Abu Dhabi after a trip to the Middle East, February 5. VATICAN MEDIA

Then for me the meeting with the elders was very touching. The elders of Islamism, it is a profound thing, they were a little from everywhere, of various cultures.

This shows, however, the openness of this country to a certain regional, universal, religious dialogue. Then I was struck also by the interreligious convention, this is a strong cultural event. And also I mentioned in my speech what they did here, last year, [a conference] on the protection of children, but in media, on the internet... in these things... because child pornography today is an industry with a lot of money, and they profit from children and this country realized it and did that.

Positive things. Surely there are problems, negative things, but in a trip of less than three days these things are not seen and if you see one, a person looks the other way.

Thank you for the hospitality.

Nour Salman, Emirates News Agency: Holy Father, thank you very much for your activity. The question I would like to ask you: now that the declaration of Abu Dhabi on fraternity has been signed, how will this document be applied in the future and what are your thoughts on Prince Mohammed’s

welcome as gestures of goodwill; everyone does them according to their own cultures. What did I find here? Such a great welcome that they wanted to do everything, small things and big things, because they felt that the Pope’s visit was something good. Someone also said a blessing...God knows…But they wanted me to feel that I was welcome.

About the problem of wars. You mentioned one. I know it’s difficult to give an opinion after two days and having spoken about the issue, but with few people. I will say that I found goodwill in initiating peace processes. This I found. A common denominator with those I have spoken with about war situations. you mentioned Yemen: I found goodwill to initiate peace processes.

Domenico Agasso, La Stampa: Holy Father, after the historic signing of the document on fraternity yesterday, in your perspective what do you think could be the consequences in the Islamic world?

Thinking especially of the conflicts in Yemen and Syria... And what the outcomes will there be even among Catholics, considering the fact that there is a part of Catholics that accuse you of allowing yourself to

tradition of the Dominicans not to go on a witch-hunt, but to see where is the right thing... and he approved it.

If anyone feels bad, I understand it, it is not an everyday thing... not a step back. It is a step forward. But, step forward that comes after 50 years, from the Council, that must be developed. The historians say that a council takes 100 years to take root in the Church. We are halfway. And this draws even my attention. I will tell you that I saw a phrase, but this phrase I do not know if it is sure, but it is a phrase from the Council... It has surprised even me... Also in the Islamic world there are different opinions, there are some more radical than others. Yesterday in the council of the elders there was also at least one Shiite, and that gave a very great universality, and he spoke well.

There will be - I don’t know well - but there will be discrepancies, but it is a process and processes mature like flowers, like fruit.

Mathilde Imberty (Radio France): Good afternoon, Holy Father. You’ve just concluded a visit to the Emirates and in a very short time you’ll go to Morocco. We seem to understand that you chose to speak with very precise interlocutors of Islam. Is it a conscious choice? The

historic document signed yesterday is very ambitious for education.

In your perspective, can this truly touch the Muslim faithful? Thanks.

Pope Francis: I know and I’ve heard from some Muslims that it needs to be studied in universities, at least in Al-Azhar for sure, and in schools. It must be studied, not imposed… studied! This to begin from the end of your question.

It’s a bit by chance the proximity of the two trips because I wanted to go to Marrakesh but there were protocol issues and I couldn’t go to an international encounter without first making a visit to the country but I didn’t have time. And for this we postponed the visit and it’s in coincidence with this. And it was the Secretary of State to go to Marrakesh. It’s a question of diplomacy and of education, as well, but it wasn’t a planned thing. In Morocco, I follow in the footsteps of St. John Paul II who went there.

He was the first to go. It will be a nice trip. Then, invitations have arrived from other Muslim countries but there’s not time this year. We’ll see next year. I or the other Peter, someone will go.

Maria Sagrario Ruiz (Radio Nacional Espana): Good evening, I have a question in Spanish. Vatican diplomacy has a great history and practices this diplomacy of small steps in areas of conflict, and how can we not recall concretely 1978, when John Paul II, with his mediation averted a war between your country, Argentina, and Chile. We know from yesterday that Nicolas Maduro – and we arrive at Venezuela – has sent a letter asking for help to restart the dialogue. There is Secretary of State Parolin who knows the country perfectly, all eyes are on you, on Pope Francis and the Vatican. What is the Vatican doing or what do you think? Are you willing to mediate, if asked, at what point, at what time?

Pope Francis: Thank you. The mediation between Argentina and Chile was truly a courageous act of Saint John Paul II that averted a war, which was at the point [of happening]. But there are little steps, the last is mediation. There are little initial or facilitating steps, but not only in the Vatican, in all diplomacy; closeness to one another to start the possibility for dialogue.

This is done in diplomacy. I believe that from the Secretariat of State, they will be able to explain well all of the different steps that can be made. I knew before the trip that a letter from Maduro arrived in the diplomatic pouch. This letter I have not read it yet, this one that arrived.

We will see what can be done. But in order for us to take the last step, mediation, it takes the will of both parties. If both parties ask...this was the case for Argentina and Chile.

The Holy See in Venezuela was present in the time of dialogue with your compatriot Rodriguez Zapatero, a first meeting with Monsignor Tscherrig initially, and then continued with Monsignor Celli … and there gave birth to a mouse, nothing … smoke!

Now, I do not know, I will look at

that letter and I will see what can be done. But the initial conditions are that both parties ask. We are always willing. The same when people go to the parish priest because there is a problem between the husband and wife... one goes and the other comes or does not come? He wants or does not want to go? Both parties are always needed. This is the secret.

And [for] the countries [this] is a condition that that they must do, think before asking -- [for a] a facilitation or presence of a savior or mediation. Both parties always.

Thank you! And I’ll go to Spain, eh?

Nicole Winfield, AP: Holy Father, last week the women’s magazine of L’Osservatore Romano published an article denouncing sexual abuse of consecrated women in the Church.

Adult women, sisters, by clergy.

Some months ago, the Union of Superiors General, UISG, also made a public denouncement of this problem. We know that the coming meeting in the Vatican will be on the abuse of minors, but can we think that the Holy See might do something to confront this problem, maybe with a document, guidelines, etc?

Pope Francis: I will respond to this question, but I prefer to finish with the [questions about the] trip and then first thing I will respond to yours. Is it okay like that?

Angelina Condé (Rome Reports): Good evening Holy Father, on behalf of the Spanish group I’ll ask you the question in Spanish, I think that’s okay for you.

You had a meeting with the Council of Elders. From what you can tell us, what issues did you touch upon and did you return to Rome with the impression that your message was received by their representatives?

Pope Francis: The elderly are truly wise. The Grande Imam spoke first, then each one of them spoke starting with the eldest, who yes, spoke Spanish because he was from Mauritania and learned it there.

Elderly, eh, 80 years old, up to the youngest, who is the secretary of the Council of Elders. He spoke a little bit but said everything in a video: the unique thing about him is that he is a communicator. I liked this, it was a beautiful thing.

They spoke...they started...The keyword is “wisdom.” Then “loyalty.”

Then they emphasized a way of life in which this wisdom grows and the fidelity becomes strong and from there the friendship between people is born. They were different, I don’t know how to explain it. One was Shia Islam, others of different nuances...Then wisdom and fidelity is the important path to building peace because peace is a work of wisdom and fidelity; Human fidelity between people and all of this. I have been left with the impression of being in the midst of true wise men and this is a guarantee for the Grand Imam to have this advice. You are satisfied, I suppose?

Condé: Yes. Very satisfied. Thank you.

Excerpts / B7

B4 STATEMENTS

February 4 - 17, 2019 Vol. 23 No. 3

CBCP Monitor

Seek the common good Love and truth will meet; justice and peace will kiss.” (Ps 85:10) EVERY election period is a promise of better times or a foreboding of what is worse to come. The choice is in our hands. It is as if God is telling us “I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse.

Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live.” (Deut 30:19).

The year 2019 is not just an ordinary election year. The midterm election on May 13 is in itself already crucial. In our country today the checks and balances in the government are being undermined.

So far the Senate is the institution in the government that is holding out as our country is inching towards total control. It is very crucial therefore that we elect public officials who are principled, courageous and who have the common good as their main concern and not their own political interests. We encourage voters to be very discerning in their votes. Let the lay groups engage in discernment circles to help one another know the candidates well and choose the candidates with the common good of the whole country in mind and not according to what the candidates promise, much less according to what voters have received from these candidates.

Participation in politics for Christian lay people is not just to be limited to non-partisan involvement.

Christians are also encouraged to engage in principled partisan politics. This means that they can campaign for good candidates as an exercise of their Christian faith.

However, more than the elections, another serious, and perhaps more insidious, matter that we should pay attention to is the threat the version of constitutional change and federalism approved by the Lower House and now being dangled to the senators. It takes away the term limits of most of the elected officials and allows political

Bishops gather in plenary assembly at the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center in Manila, Jan. 26. ROY LAGARDE

dynasties to continue. It opens the national resources to foreign ownership and eventual control. Its version of federalism is vague and it will do away with the 2019 elections.

We denounce any attempt to avoid the 2019 elections. This right of the people to vote should not be shelved. We reiterate what we have taught before: “If the Constitution is to be revised at all, the process should lead to a greater defense and promotion of the moral values of human dignity and human rights, integrity and truth, participation and solidarity, and the common good.” (CBCP PASTORAL GUIDELINES FOR DISCERNING THE MORAL DIMENSION OF THE PRESENT-

DAY MOVES FOR CHARTER CHANGE issued on January 29, 2018) We do not see the proposed revised constitution approved by the Lower House as an improvement of the 1987 constitution but is a self-serving attempt of present politicians to remain in power.

We stand by what we have stated in the aforementioned letter: “As servant leaders, we have listened to many others who believe that the solution to our problems is not a revision of the Constitution, but a full implementation of the 1987 Constitution (e.g., on political dynasties & on freedom of information), and a revision of the Local Government Code, originally designed to devolve power from

central authority.”

Our dear People of God, we are in a crucial moment of our history.

In our hands is the direction of our country. Let us be vigilant in what is happening. Let us not just be onlookers but let us be involved.

Pope Benedict said: “A big part of the vocation of Christian lay people is their participation in politics in order to bring justice, honesty and defense of true and authentic values, and to contribute to the real human and spiritual good of society. The role of the laity in the temporal order, and especially in politics, is key for the evangelization of society.” (Pope Benedict XVI on receiving the Bishops of Paraguay in September 2008) Pope Francis

taught: “‘A good Catholic doesn’t meddle in politics.’ That’s not true.

That is not a good path. A good Catholic meddles in politics, offering the best of himself, so that those who govern can govern…. None of us can say, ‘I have nothing to do with this, how they govern.’ …

No, no, I am responsible for their governance, and I have to do the best so that they govern well, and I have to do my best by participating in politics according to my ability.”

(Pope Francis September 16, 2013) Furthermore, we heed the appeal of Pope Francis in his message on the World Day of Prayer for Peace of this year that good politics is at the service of peace.

No one can say in this age of the social media that she/he cannot participate in politics. Each of us can let our voice be heard and be a part of national conversation by posting our views in the social media, but with great respect for others and with the end of advancing the truth.

We especially encourage the youth whose future is very much at stake to participate in the electoral process especially by using their skills and knowledge of the social media to advance what is true, what is just, and what is for the common good.

Let the common good be the aim of our politicians and let the common good be the basis of our choice for our next set of public officials, then truly, “love and truth will meet; justice and peace will kiss” (Ps 85:11) in our land.

For the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, + ROMULO G. VALLES, D.D. Archbishop of Davao President, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines January 28, 2019

Protect our children, no to lowering of minimum age of criminal responsibility “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” (Mark 10:13) THE Philippine Interfaith Movement Against Human Trafficking (PIMAHT) strongly condemns the approval of the bill to lower the age of Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility (MACR) by the House of Representatives.

As an alliance which works for the protection of victims of human trafficking, we also advocate for a safe, peaceful, and nurturing environment for children.

While contrary to common knowledge, children represents a low percentage of the total population in conflict with the law despite many reports that the juvenile crime rate is increasing and that children under 15 are committing crimes under the control of crime groups. Statistics shows that in 2013, a mere 2.4% of crime is committed by children compared to adult and most of these are petty crimes. (Source:

Situation Analysis of children in the Philippines, Unicef Philippines, pp.312-324). Poverty and lack of opportunities to the majority of Filipino families in our country are the very same drivers that breed vulnerability to children to be in conflict with the law. They become an easy prey to criminal syndicates, and thus, only exacerbates their situation to be more exposed to more risks and dangers, as their basic needs are being neglected.

Data states that 45% of the offenses attributed to children are petty theft, robbery and other offenses against property, while 65% of children offenders come from poor families.

We strongly encourage our government to focus its attention on the promotion of the rights and welfare of children, and address the roots of social problems driving children to commit crimes.

Government should deliver programs that cater to children’s needs, creating conditions that will develop and nurture and mold them to be responsible members of our

communities. What our children need from duty bearers are support, care, and policies that will protect their rights and that will hone and encourage them to be productive members of our society. To protect their rights, and ensure their safety is our utmost concern. A violent and punitive environment is not the answer.

As Child Rights Advocates, the recent statement by the Office of the President, backing the law that will lower the minimum age to 9 or 12 years old is unacceptable to us. Instead, we demand that the government implements fully the provision of the Juvenile Justice Law and institute measures to strengthen the Filipino families and the network of care, including churches, schools and various stakeholders, for at-risk and vulnerable children among our midst.

We call on our all churches, communities of faith and other children’s welfare organizations to join us in opposing the House Bill No. 002, or the Minimum Age of

conflict with the law.

To increase the penalties for the exploitation of children for the commission of crimes.

question which remains to be answered with certainty is: “Can the Bahay Pag-asa and the Agricultural Camps and Training Facility to be established, maintained, supervised and controlled by DSWD in PARTNERSHIP the BUCOR (Bureau of Corrections) and TESDA, provide and deliver its mandate “to design and implement the rehabilitation and intervention programs in these specialized facilities in order to prepare the residents therein for successful reintegration into their families and communities upon discharge and release?”

Pending conclusive proof of the viability and success of these programs in these very expensive “SPECIALIZED FACILITIES”, of which our government has no model to show, we simply cannot abandon the future of these “children in conflict with the law” to chance.

Each life is invaluable. Bawat isang buhay at kinabukasan ay mahalaga.

Lastly, a very dangerous section

Criminal Responsibility Act, and other acts that hinder our children to be an integral member of our community, fulfilling their Godgiven potentials to the fullest.

Children are not criminals. This bill, if implemented, would be our greatest sin to children, and to the next generations to come.

BISHOP RUPERTO SANTOS, D.D. Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines

BISHOP REX R.B. REYES National Council of Churches in the Philippines BISHOP NOEL PANTOJA Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches MS. FE FORONDA Philippine Children’s Ministries Network SR. VIVIAN FERNANDO, HFB Talitha Kum-Philippines

Position statement of the Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas on the proposed House Bill No. 8858 “If anyone causes one of these little ones to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”

(Matthew 18:6) THE House of Representatives under the Speakership of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, is now rushing for the approval of the act amending and expanding the RA 9344 “The Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006” which will LOWER DOWN THE MINIMUM AGE OF CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY OF CHILDREN FROM 15 YEARS OLD TO 12 YEARS OLD. The proposed bill was introduced with the following objectives: • To protect minors from being exploited by syndicates and unscrupulous persons that use minors to escape liability for crimes and other illegal activities.

• T o p r o v i d e a d e q u a t e intervention and diversion measures for children in

•

Granting that these objectives are reasonable and most ideal in the current situation, the MAIN ISSUE remains: Will lowering down the age of criminal responsibility address the causes why children commit crimes?

The Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas firmly believes, together with other organizations concerned with the welfare of children, that the root causes are: 1. Poverty and lack of access to opportunities and government services 2. P o o r P a r e n t i n g a n d Supervision 3. Peer Pressure 4. Prevalence of and unabating criminality resulting to unhealthy social environment

A secondary objection and

(Section 43-A) was inserted which in effect will prevent any appeal or reconsideration or correction in the judgments given to these young offenders, to wit: SEC 43-A. PENALTY FOR VIOLATION OF CONFIDENTIALITY OF RECORDS- ANY PERSON WHO HAS BEEN FOUND GUILTY OF DIVULGING, WILFULLY OR THROUGH GROSS INEXCUSABLE NEGLIGENCE, THE RECORDS OR ANY INFORMATION RELATION TO THE PROCEEDINGS INVOLVING CHILDREN IN CONFLICT WITH THE LAW, SHALL SUFFER THE PENALTIES IMPOSED IN TITLE VII, CHAPTER 3 OF THIS ACT.” Simply put, once a child has been arrested, the court, within 72 hours, has to make a decision for the petition for an involuntary commitment to these specialized facilities. The initial period of the placement of the child shall not be

less than one year. After that 72 hours, no person can have access to the records or any information in relation to the proceedings.

Therefore, No DSWD, NGO or Charitable Institution can help these children because NO ONE WILL GIVE OUT ANY RECORD OR INFORMATION UNDER THE PAIN OF STIFF PENALTIES. We also propose the following to our Legislators: 1. Give priority to the effective implementation of RA 9344.

2. Increase the penalties against the exploiters of children.

With all the foregoing, the SANGGUNIANG LAIKO NG PILIPINAS calls upon our citizenry to OPPOSE AND MAKE A STAND AGAINST THIS HOUSE BILL 8858.

For the LAIKO Board of Directors, JULIETA F. WASAN, Ph.D. President January 24, 2019

CBCP Monitor

STATEMENTS B5

February 4 - 17, 2019 Vol. 23 No. 3

CBCP statement on the Message of Cardinal Jolo Cathedral bombings Filoni for Jolo WE, Catholic Bishops gathered in our Plenary Assembly in Manila, received today the sad news from Fr. Romeo S. Saniel, OMI, Apostolic Administrator of Jolo, of the bombing of the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cathedral in Jolo during the Sunday Mass.

We condole with the families of the several soldiers and civilians who were killed by the explosions. We also express our sympathies with those who were wounded and extend our solidarity with the rest of the church-goers inside the Cathedral and the rest of the church community in the Apostolic Vicariate of Jolo.

At the same time, we condemn this act of terrorism that has taken place only a few days after the plebiscite on the Bangsamoro Organic Law.

As we begin a new phase in the peace process with the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARRM), we ask our Christian brethren to join hands with all peace-loving Muslim and Indigenous People communities in the advocacy against violent extremism.

May all our religions of peace guide us in our quest for a brighter future for the peoples of Mindanao.

From the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines + ROMULO G. VALLES, D.D. Archbishop of Davao President, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines January 27, 2019

Statement of Antonio Cardinal Tagle on the Jolo Cathedral bombing Cardinal Fernando Filoni, prefect of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. ROBERT DUNCAN/CNS

TO THE REV. FR. ROMEO S. SANIEL, O.M.I. Apostolic Administrator of Jolo WITH a deeply saddened heart, on behalf of the Congregation for the Evangelization fo Peoples, I wish to express my sincere condolences to all those affected by the terrorist attacks, which took place at the Cathedral and have caused numerous deaths, injuries and damages.

We pray to Almighty God for all those affected by this tragedy and we especially offer our prayers to all the

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila. FILE PHOTO

THE bombing in the Cathedral of Jolo and in the parking area is senseless because it is inhuman.

That it happened during the Eucharistic celebration on a Sunday, the commemoration of Jesus’s triumph over death, makes it abominable because it violates the sense of God present in every human heart. Shock, anger and sadness envelope our hearts. What has happened to humanity? Is there no more room for decency and conscience?

We in the Archdiocese of Manila unite ourselves with the civilians and military personnel who died.

You are in our prayer. Be assured that you will be given divine justice.

We are one with the families of the dead and the wounded and the community of Jolo. You have a family in us. We are ready to assist you in your needs.

We urged those who planned and executed this brutal act to ask forgiveness of God and humanity, to leave behind their destructive ways and to start a new life of truthfulness, justice and love befitting true human beings. We call on all Filipinos, especially Catholics and Christians not to abandon our commitment to peace. Only good can combat evil.

Instead of being discouraged, let us strengthen our resolve to work for peace based on justice, truth,

love and respect for human life and dignity. Let us multiply good and honorable thoughts, sentiments, word and actions. Let us not abandon our efforts to dialogue with people who differ from us.

Bridges are more useful than walls.

We affirm our faith in Jesus who is our peace and reconciliation. As Jesus accepted death with and for us, so will the dead, the wounded and our people rise again with and for Jesus. Mary, Mother of hope, walk with us. +LUIS ANTONIO G. CARDINAL TAGLE Archbishops of Manila January 27,2019.

victims, their families, and all of the Apostolic Vicariate of Jolo.

At this time of deep sorrow, we join also with all the people of the Philippines in praying for hope, encouragement, and guidance in the coming days, so that peace may be restored permanently by the help of God and through the good will of all concerned. +FERNANDO CARDINAL FILONI Prefect +PROTASE RUGAMBWA Archbishop Secretary

A most heinous desecration of a sacred place AS former religious leaders of Jolo we totally condemn the criminal bombing of the Jolo Cathedral. It is the most heinous desecration of a sacred place, on a sacred day, and at a sacred moment of worship. It is truly a satanic act that all sacred religions must condemn. This is the action of evil people with utter disregard for the sacredness of human life and of human dignity.

We entrust the innocent victims to the Lord’s compassion and pray for their grieving families. We strongly

appeal to our security and military forces to flush out the perpetrators of this barbaric crime and bring them to justice. May the One God of all preserve us from evil and lead us to the way of peace. +ANGELITO R. LAMPON, OMI Bishop Emeritus of Jolo ORLANDO B. CARDINAL QUEVEDO, OMI Former Parish Priest of Jolo

Statement of concern and solidarity “Through the holy prophets, God promised of old to save us from our enemies, from the hands of all who hate us; to show mercy to our forebears and to remember the holy covenant.

This was the oath God swore to our father Abraham to set us free from the hands of our enemies, free to worship without fear, holy and righteous in the Lord’s sight, all the days of our life.” (Luke 1:70-75) THE Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas joins the entire Catholic Faithful and all men of goodwill in praying for the victims of the Jolo Cathedral bombing.

We mourn with and express our deep concern for the families of those who perished and those who were injured in this terroristic act. We also stand in solidarity with them and encourage all groups and communities who can extend help, to send them through trustworthy channels and organizations.

Let us not be afraid and together declare with confidence that our God is in control and that He will “set us free from the hands of our enemies, free to worship Him without fear.”

Though we strongly condemn this senseless act of violence done towards innocent and praying people, we also entrust the perpetrators of this bombing to the sacred heart of Jesus and His divine mercy.

Lastly, we appeal to our national leadership to avoid fostering an atmosphere of hatred and encourages the citizens to go against our Church pastors and instead call for sobriety, solidarity and mutual respect.

Jesus, King of Mercy, we trust in you!

For the LAIKO Board of Directors, MA. JULIETA F. WASAN, Ph.D. President January 29, 2019

B6 REFLECTIONS

February 4 - 17, 2019 Vol. 23 No. 3

CBCP Monitor

The preacher of God’s Word- Called to be God’s sinful, but touched by the Lord partners 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, (Luke 5:1-11) February 10, 2019

5th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, (Luke 5:1-11) February 10, 2019

By Msgr. Lope C. Robredillo, SThD

By Fr. Sal Putzu, SDB IT must have been quite a shocking experience for seasoned fishermen like Simon (Peter) and his associates to haul in that extraordinary catch of fish. They had been toiling the whole night but in vain. Then, when the sun was already high, at a time when no fisherman would have hoped to get even small fry, that big catch had come which left everybody astonished! And this happened just because that wandering preacher from Nazareth had invited Simon to lower the nets at such an unlikely hour . . . .

There was something unusual in that young preacher—some extraordinary, or even divine power. Simon was the first to sense it. And at the same time, he experienced what all honest souls feel in the presence of the supernatural: a deep awareness of one’s sinfulness and unworthiness.

Hence the plea: “Leave me, Lord.

I am a sinful man!” (Lk 5:8).

Almost eight centuries earlier, Isaiah had experienced the same feeling during the theophany he witnessed in the Temple (Is 6:5).

Utter terror grips an honest person at the prospect of what an all-holy Being can do to a sinful creature.

But Jesus doesn’t enjoy terrifying people. He immediately reassured the poor Simon who was trembling at his feet. And he did more than that.

The miracle he had just performed was only a beginning. It was a symbol of something far greater that would keep happening until the end of time. That miraculous

catch of fish was a prophecy: Simon and his partners and their successors would share in Christ’s mission of “catching men” (see Lk 5:10), i.e. rescuing them from the deadly power of the forces of evil symbolized by the sea.

That miracle, then, was not just Jesus’ way of expressing his gratitude to Simon for allowing him to preach from his boat. (See Lk 5:13.) It was part of a well thoughtout plan: the plan to bring God’s salvation to mankind through the cooperation of frail and sinful creatures like Simon Peter and his associates; people like the Pope and the Bishops; people like you and me.

The miraculous “catch,” i.e., the salvation of men, goes on throughout the world, century after century, in spite of the inadequacy of the fishermen. It goes on because it is the work of God’s power; the work of God’s love and trust. In spite of His omnipotence and holiness, He does not disdain to avail Himself of our cooperation, no matter how feeble and inadequate it may occasionally be.

We are all in the saving boat of the Church. We all share in the salvation wrought by Christ. But we also share in the mission of helping Jesus to save others, for, thanks to him, we too have become “life-savers,” under the guidance of Simon Peter, the master of the fleet of God’s rescue team.

Called to share the values of Christ 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, (Luke 6:17, 20-26) February 17, 2019 WHAT qualifies an evangelist?

If we go by popular standard, we would think that only those who are clean of heart deserve to be called ministers. If this is the way we think, it is because, when we are in the realm of religion, we seem to approach the problem of ministry by considering who God is, and once we are able to identify him, we start talking about the person who is fit to serve him. For many, God is all-powerful, without sin, and incapable of error. We attribute to him almost all the qualities that are exactly the opposite of ours. And so, we believe that the stronger, the less sinless and the more correct a person is, the more he deserves to be God’s minister.

So true is this that when we know of someone’s skeleton in the closet, we immediately question his qualification to preach the Gospel. Typical of this line of thinking is the assertion of a former ambassador, made at an interview on a TV channel, that the Church has no business speaking about morality in politics, unless it first cleans its own backyard.

Today’s readings, however, give the lie to that impression. In the 1st Reading , Isaiah describes himself as a man of unclean lips (Isa 6:5). In the 2nd Reading, Paul tells us that he was formerly a persecutor of the Church, and hardly deserves the name apostle (1 Cor 15:9). Finally, in the Gospel, Peter, who denied Jesus thrice, is described as telling Jesus to stay away from him because he was a sinful man (Luke 5:8). And yet, these three men were proclaimers of the Lord’s Word. In light of this, it would be wrong to say that only those who are good deserve to be preachers, for in these three we have almost the exact opposite of goodness. This point is worth emphasizing because many of us think that, because the Church is holy, it does not have a place for sinful people. How often we distance ourselves from those we perceive to be sinful members! We do not accept them as members of religious organizations or faith communities in the parish! Yet,

Isaiah was chosen by God to be a prophet to Israel for many years; despite his betrayal, Peter became the first head of the Church; and Paul became an unrivalled missionary to the known world at that time.

What gives? If we go back to the readings, we will notice that there is one thing common among the three: they experienced the Lord. The Lord touched their lives. Isaiah was probably an aristocrat, because he could get near to the King. One time he went to the Temple , and there he was overwhelmed by a vision of God. He saw him, and that experience touched his life. From then on, he became a proclaimer of God’s Word. Paul had a vision of Jesus, while he was on the way to Damascus. Before he entered the city, he was struck by a vision, and from then on, he became a different man. In the Gospel, Peter encountered God not in a place like the Temple, but in an event. He experienced the presence of the Lord in the abundant catch of fish.

The point of all these is that we will truly become spokesmen of the Lord only if we have an experience of him. (No wonder that, because of this lack of experience of his presence, many of us look for him in astrology, feng sui, born-again sects, transcendental meditation, and new age movements, and we consult all kinds of charlatans just to encounter him.)

But how do we know we had an experience of the Lord? The authenticity of our experience, at least from the standpoint of the readings today, is verified in two acts. First is the consciousness that we are sinful, and therefore ability to accept the sinfulness of others. ”Leave me, Lord, I am a sinful man,” said Peter (Luke 5:8).

“Of these [sinners],” confessed Paul, “I myself am the worst” (1 Tim 1:15). Indeed, it would seem that only a person who is able to see the depth of his sinfulness can say that he has truly experienced the presence of God. The opposite is completely true. If a person comes parading that he is very good, and criticizes others for their need

of conversion from sin, and sets himself apart from sinners, he has hardly any credentials to a claim of a personal encounter with God. And second: having experienced the Lord and having gone into the depth of his sinfulness, one begins to proclaim the Word of God, and nothing can stop him from doing it. He may even leave everything that made him secure. Isaiah left the comfort of wealth and the company of powerful men. On the contrary, he even experienced persecution because of the Word he proclaimed. Having seen the vision on the road, Paul became a Christian and nothing could stop his missionary activity. “Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel” (1 Cor 9:16). He left the comfortable life of a Pharisee, and in his ministry as missionary, he was often flogged, stoned, and placed in dangerous situation.

The vocation to be a minister of the Word requires more than a vast reserve of accumulated knowledge about the Scriptures.

It would seem that if few of us persevere in proclaiming the good news and have the zeal in doing the mission, despite our initial interest and training, it is because the Lord has not yet touched us. That is why, no amount of seminars and lectures can motivate us to be zealous ministers, unless we are first given this initial push, this divine touch. What matters, in the end, is not really who we are.

It does not matter whether we are persecutors of the Church and public sinners, or whether we are equipped for the ministry or not.

What matters is the finger of God, the touch by the Holy Spirit. Of course, there are people for whom this is not acceptable. They are even afraid to commit mistakes; they want to be like God so that nothing bad could be said of them.

But such a life misses the whole point of what life is all about. We cannot be like God through our own effort in the first place. What is ultimately decisive is that we allow the Spirit to move us. And after that, nothing in us really matters, not even ourselves. Besides that is probably hypocrisy.

By Fr. Sal Putzu, SDB IF some of the Beatitudes in the Gospel of Matthew surprise us, all those in the Gospel of Luke shock us. In fact, they sound not only blunt, but alienating, as they project into a vague, unrealistic future the straightening up of situations that are definitely against our most natural aspirations. A superficial reading of these four Beatitudes would easily lead us to conclude that Karl Marx was right when he stated that “religion is the opiate of the people.”

But a more attentive reading of both “Beatitudes” and “Woes” enables us to realize that they are not a sort of consuelo de bobo, but a striking restatement, within the perspective of the Kingdom of God, of the ancient saying of the “two ways,” the one that leads to life and the other that leads to death.

Behind those four shocking statements which call “Blest” people who suffer in one way or another, there lies the unstated reason for such “blessedness”: their trust in the Lord and their choice to build their life on Him. This is their “fundamental option,” rooted in humble faith.

This is what brings them to rely fully on God’s love, faithfulness, wisdom, and justice, even in situations of poverty, hunger, pain, persecution, and any other form of suffering human beings can experience on earth. What makes them blessed is not their condition of deprivation or rejection, but their basic attitude of trust in the Lord, while doing their best to cope with such arduous and challenging situations.

For those who build on such a solid foundation, even conditions of poverty, hunger, pain, persecution and rejection—and any other form of suffering—will not be frightening or hopeless, for they do not last for ever. In the faith perspective of eternal life, what lasts for ever is the fulfillment of God’s plan and the reward which He has in store for those who have entrusted themselves to Him and have done

their best to do His will. It is this type of believers and doers, tested in the most adverse circumstances, whom Jesus calls “blessed,” for God will welcome them into His Kingdom. He will fully satisfy all their needs; He will amply make up for their past sufferings, and give them the reward of the saints.

This is what the four Beatitudes of the Gospel of Luke are all about.

The four “woes” that follow focus on an opposite orientation in life. They speak about those who walk the road that leads to eternal death.

They are the people for whom, apparently, things go well but who have committed the tragic mistake of trusting excessively in themselves and other creatures, giving to them the total priority which should be given to God alone. Their wrong choice has brought them to pin their expectation and hopes in something or someone that, in the end, will prove incapable of fulfilling them. Their situation is that of one who is building on the clouds or has entrusted one’s money to a bank that is doomed to go bankrupt.

Those who have made such a choice, may—for a time—feel rich, have all their cravings satisfied, enjoy life and popularity . . . . But that condition won’t last, for nothing lasts for ever in this life. And for as long as they make these enjoyments their highest aspirations—their gods!—their life orientation will remain a perversion, and its final outcome a complete failure. The road that seems so attractive and easy, in reality turns out to be deceptive and treacherous for it leads to irreparable disaster.

With his stern “woes” Jesus today warns all those who are walking “the road of death” to realize the danger of their present situation and make an about-face before it is too late.

And to those who are on “the road of life” Jesus offers his encouragement to persevere in it, for that is the road of the Kingdom.

CBCP Monitor

SOCIAL CONCERNS B7

February 4 - 17, 2019 Vol. 23 No. 3

Children are treated as criminals

By Fr. Shay Cullen, MSSC THE lower chamber of the Philippine Congress is going to approve the lowering of the minimum age of criminal liability of a child from the present 15 years-of-age to 12-years-of-age. They really want to reduce it to 9 but public outcry forced the politicians to change.

Yet, 12-year-old is too young to impute criminal liability. What knowledge and discernment do uneducated, impoverished hungry street children at 12 years old know and understand?

The Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act is a good law if it were to be implemented. But it is not. Out of more than a hundred highlyurbanized cities and provinces that are supposed to build homes for the children, only 40 have done it. Unfortunately, some of these supposedly homes for children called Bahay Pag-asa are in reality jails for children where thousands now languish hungry, underfed and abused.

At present, these are cruel detention centers where the children are mostly treated as criminals held for weeks and months behind steel bars. Practically no activities, exercise, entertainment or education is provided in most places. Many of the children suffer bullying, sexual and physical abuse by the older detainees. If the minimum age of criminal liability is lowered to nine or 12, even more will be added to these numbers.

This we know since our work at the Preda Foundation for the past 45 years has been to rescue them and give them a happy home in an open center without guards, gates or fences. We give the freedom of choice to decide to stay and get educated and 95 percent choose to stay. They are not criminals in the power of criminal syndicates as congress people assert.

This is the present reality of child detention centers with only a few encouraging exceptions. Thousands of small children are in fact behind bars in sub-human conditions, their rights violated day and night. It is a horrific disgrace for the proud Filipino people.

This law is not being implemented to this day. The small children, some as young as ten, are in fact locked up in these overcrowded cells in stinking, sub-human conditions.

The Philippine Congress, in its lack of understanding and knowledge about this reality, will condemn many children as young as 12 to rot in jails where they will be sexually and physically abused. That will be on their conscience.

They should make it mandatory for each local government to build a real home for children under the direction of the Juvenile Justice

Children behind bars in the Philippines where the country’s lawmakers are planning to lower the minimum age of criminal liability from 15 years old to nine. PHOTO COURTESY OF PREDA FOUNDATION

and Welfare Council (JJWC) and to mandatorily fund its operation every year. Local governments must not put children behind bars. The congressmen and senators will not call child victims of these horrid cells to testify before them. They might hear the truth. They have never visited the child detention centers and they know nothing about human suffering.

These child detention centers have a small cell with a dozen teenagers and small children crammed inside in some of them. There is a dirty stinky toilet clogged with human waste. They sleep on the concrete floor in most of these child detention centers.

It is untrue and a wild fantasy of congress people to think the children will have recovery, therapy, values formation, medical care, education in nice children’s homes run by a caring, benevolent local government. It is the opposite: the children are treated as criminals and suffered hardship, hunger and are devastated as human beings that do not even have hope of anything

better.

Millions of pesos have been provided to the Juvenile Justice Welfare Council established to oversee the implementation of the Republic Act 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act but much of the money has gone unused. Local mayors do not listen or follow the advice of the Council. The JJWC has no power to compel compliance with the law.

The local government officials are not interested in building a nice, clean well-managed home for abandoned children at risk or in dire circumstance or in conflict with the law. The politicians consider the ragged, hungry, homeless abused street children, not as children in need of help, but as vermin, pests, undeserving poor, throwaway creatures, useless and not even human. “They have criminal minds,” one top official said about street children.

If a nation is judged in its reputation as a moral upright dignified nation by the way it treats its poor and its neglected children,

then the Philippines is getting a very low score if any at all. The national pride of the Philippine nation is absent when it comes to the plight of its neglected street children.

National dignity is sullied and it is nowhere to be found.

The officials and politicians, all uncaring rich elite having never been deprived of anything, unjustly and wrongly call the thousands of hungry children criminals and accuse them of working for crime syndicates and drug delivery boys and girls. But there is no sound, proven information or evidence to back up that unrehearsed assertion and false accusation.

Child detention in the Philippines today is a horrific, unjust, undeserved punishment that is detrimental and destructive of the child. Look at the facts: Out of all recorded crimes, 98 percent are done by adults and only 2 percent by minors.

Out of all alleged wrongdoing done by minors themselves, only 2 percent are allegedly committed by children less than nine years of

age. Children nine to 11 years of age are responsible for 7 percent of all wrongdoing by minors. Then minors 12 to 15 years of age are responsible for 43 percent of wrong doing by minors whereas youth 15 to 18 years of age are responsible for 48 percent of alleged wrong doing committed by minors.

It is clear that the 2 percent of crimes committed by minors is miniscule and does not deserve harsh treatment and punishment.

The children see that some of the rich politicians get away with massive crimes of plunder and wallow in putrid corruption creating poverty and homeless children. The children struggle to survive and eat one scant meal a day.

Preda Foundation was founded 45 years ago to help children at risk and in conflict with the law and those falsely accused and abused and jailed without evidence. The many children rescued have the given testimony of what they suffered.

They were saved and started a new happier life at the Preda open center of freedom and dignity.

during this trip I spoke about it, I don’t remember where, but I spoke about it. I don’t know, I think that the document was more about unity and friendship and I underscored that… but now it comes to mind, also the document condemns violence and some groups that call themselves Islamic (the elders say it’s not Islamism) persecuting Christians. I remember that father, on Lesbos, with three children who was 30 years old and he cried: “I’m Islamic, my wife was Christian. The ISIS terrorists came, they saw the cross and they said to her, convert, and then they cut her throat in front of me.” This is our daily bread of terrorist groups, not only of Christians, also the destruction of the person. The document was strongly condemnatory in this sense.

the UAE, to demonstrate their faith and belief. So, is there anything that has actually changed beyond today?

told that the beginning of the history of women’s jewelry came about in an ancient country, I do not know, of the East, where there was the law of chasing away, repudiating, the woman. If the husband - I don’t know if it’s true or not - said to her, “go away,” in that moment with what she was wearing she had to go without taking anything. And there, they began to make jewels of gold and precious stones, to have something to survive. I don’t know if it’s true or not, but it is interesting.

Do the investigation.

It’s true, within the Church there have been clerics who have done this. In some civilizations a little stronger than in others. It is not a thing that all have done. There have been priests and also bishops who have done that. And I believe that it may still be being done.

It’s not a thing that from the moment in which you realize it, it’s over. The thing goes forward like this. We’ve been working on this for a long time. We’ve suspended some clerics, sent them away for this, and also - I don’t know if the process is finished dissolved some women’s religious congregations that were very tied up in this, a corruption. I cannot say: at my home... It’s true! Must something more be done? Yes. Do we have the will? Yes. But it is a path that has come from afar. Pope Benedict had the courage to dissolve a women’s congregation that had a certain level because this slavery of women had entered, even

sexual slavery, by clerics or by the founder. Sometimes the founder takes the freedom, empties the freedom of the sisters, it can arrive to this.

About Pope Benedict I would like to underscore that he is a man that had the courage to do many things on this theme. There’s an anecdote: he had all the papers, all the documents, on a religious organization that had within it even sexual and economic corruption. He went there, there were filters, he couldn’t arrive. In the end, the Pope, with the will to see the truth, called a meeting and Joseph Ratzinger left there with the folder and all of his papers.

When he came back, he said to his secretary: put it in the archive, the other party won. We mustn’t be scandalized by this. They are steps in a process. But when he became Pope, the first thing [he said was]: bring me this from the archives and he began. The folklore about Pope Benedict makes him seem so good -- he is good, a piece of bread is worse than him -- but weak, but there’s nothing weak [in him].

He’s a strong man, a consistent man... and he started, and there in that congregation there was this problem that you say. Pray so that we can move forward. I want to go forward. There are cases, yes. But everywhere, but in some preferably new congregations, some, and in some regions more than others.

Yes. And this... We are working.

(A transcription of Catholic News Service)

Excerpts / B3

Sofia Barbarani, The National: Good evening! The question we wanted to ask you on behalf of the group of newspapers from Abu Dhabi was: today a little girl brought you a letter, she ran to you when you were in the car. We would like to know if you have read the letter yet and if you knew what…

Pope Francis: Not yet. The letters are there, they’re organizing them for me to read afterwards.

Barbarani: Can you tell us what impression that made on you when you saw this little girl coming towards you, this little girl who escaped from the crowd?

Pope Francis: She’s a brave girl!

But she was stopped... Let her come, but that little girl has a future. She has a future and I dare say, poor husband. She has a future, but is brave, I liked it! It takes courage to do that, and then another one followed her, there were two, she saw that one and she took courage.

Franca Giansoldati, Il Messaggero: Your Holiness, Imam el-Tayeb denounced Islamophobia, emphasized Islamophobia, the fear of Islam… Why didn’t we hear anything about Christianophobia or about the persecution of Christians?

Pope Francis: Indeed, I spoke about the persecution of Christians, not in that moment, but I’m also talking about it frequently, also

Inés San Martín, Crux: Holy Father. One question related to what my colleague has just asked, since we didn’t have the time to arrange it. As I told you in the last trip, I interviewed the new Archbishop of Mosul in Iraq. He always says that they are waiting for you. He also denies that the bishops are arguing about it, they are just waiting for you. You have spoken about religious liberty, saying that it goes beyond freedom of worship.

Can you explain this subject? We are coming back from a country that it is known for its tolerance but many Catholic people that were today in the stadium have the opportunity, just today since they first arrived to

Pope Francis: Processes have a beginning, right? You can prepare something and you make it and that’s it. There’s something before and something after it. I think religious liberty is in process, always more, always forward. I was impressed by a conversation I had with a 13 year old kid in Rome, before leaving. (...)

He told me: “Holiness, I want to say that I am an atheist. What should I do as an atheist to become a man of peace?” I told him: “Do that which you feel,” then I spoke to him a little bit more, but I liked the courage of this boy. He is an atheist but he searches for the good.

That path is also a process, a process that we should respect and accompany. To accompany all processes for good, all, whatever color they are, of any color. I think these are the steps forward.

Pope Francis: It’s true, it’s a problem. The mistreatment of women is a problem. I would dare to say that humanity still hasn’t matured. The woman is [considered] “second class.” Let’s begin here: it’s a cultural problem. Then one arrives up to femicide. There are countries in which the mistreatment of women reaches [the point of] femicide and before arriving to your concrete question, a curiosity that they have told me, but you do the investigation to know if it’s true or not: I’ve been

B8 ENTERTAINMENT

February 4 - 17, 2019 Vol. 23 No. 3

Otlum

DIRECTOR: Jovenor Tan STARRING: Ricci Romero, Jerome Ponce, John Estrada, Kiray Celis, Irma Adlawan, Pen Medina, Buboy Villar, Michelle Vito, Vitto Marquez and Danzel Fernandez.

SCREENPLAY BY: Mike Tan, Jovenor Tan GENRE: Horror PRODUCTION COMPANY: Horseshoe Studios COUNTRY: Philippines LANGUAGE: Filipino RUNNING TIME: 1 hour 30 minutes Technical assessment: 1.5 Moral assessment: 1.5 CINEMA rating: PG13 MTRCB rating: PG

Nais mabapilang ni Fred (Buboy Villar) sa barkadahang pinamumunuan ni Allan (Jerome Ponce). Subalit sa simula pa lang ay pawang ayaw na nila dito sa paniniwala nilang hindi ito nababagay sa kanilang grupo. Magpupumilit pa rin si Fred at sa kabila ng maraming insidente na siya ay pinahiya at pinaasa, papayag pa rin siya sa mga ipapagawa sa kanyang pagsubok. Pinakamatinding pagsubok na ipapagawa sa kanya ng grupo ay ang manatili nang magdamag sa isang abandonadong bahayampunan na pinaniniwalaang pinamamahayan ng mga multo dahil sa madilim nitong nakaraan. Makayanan kaya ni Fred ang huling pagsubok na ito? Anong misteryo ang nagtatago sa loob ng abandonadong bahayampunan?

Isang payak at masasabing hindi gaanong pinag-isipan ang pelikulang Otlum. Mula sa pamagat nito na tila wala nang maisip talaga — Otlum ay millennial speak kuno na “multo” na binaligtad tulad ng lodi para sa idol — hanggang sa kakatwang mga kuwento at mga karakter na malabo ang pinanggagalingan.

Maging ang mga dayalogo at linyahan ay pawang katawatawa bagama’t katatakutan ang genre ng pelikula.

Luma na rin halos lahat ng ginawa nilang pakulo upang manakot. Dismayado tuloy ang maraming manonood na umaasang sila ay makakaranas ng katatakutan.

Nasayang ang husay ng mga aktor na karamihan naman ay may ibubuga sa pag-arte tulad nila Villar, Ponce, Kiray Celis , mga beteranang sila Irma Adlawan, Pen Medina at John Estrada, at maging ang baguhan na si Ricci Rivero. Sa kabuuan ay walang sentro ang pelikula — hindi nila malaman kung saan at kaninong kuwento ang kanilang susundan. Isang malaking kapabayaan ang ginawa nila sa pelikula na kung tutuusin ay maraming pwedeng nagawa kung pinagbuhusan lamang ito ng panahon at pag-iisip. Halatang minadali na lamang ang lahat upang makaabot sa taunang MMFF (Metro Manila Film Festival)

at kataka-taka naman talaga na ito ay nakapasok dito bilang kalahok.

Malabo rin ang nais ipahiwatig ng pelikula kung usaping moral ang paguusapan. Nariyang may isang batang hindi malaman kung bakit niya kailangang ipagpilitan ang kanyang sarili sa isang barkadahang pangaalipusta lamang ang inaabot niya. Hindi malinaw kung bakit mababa ang kanyang pagtingin sa sarili — b ukod sa pasaring na hindi siya tanggap ng kanyang ina (na hindi rin malinaw kung bakit) at lumaki rin siyang walang kaibigan (na hindi rin alam ng manonood kung bakit) — wala nang mapiga pa sa kanyang motibasyon. Sa katagalan ay labis na sasama ang loob niya nang malaman ang katotohanang wala siyang pag-asang mapabilang sa barkadahan nila Allan (isang barkadahan ng mga walang kuwentang mga nilalang bukod sa may mga itsura silang lahat) — at dahil dito’y kikitilin niya ang kanyang buhay sa hangaring maghiganti bilang multo? Katawa-tawa sa halip na nakakatakot. Katakataka din na pawang hindi naman siya ang naghihiganti kundi mga ibang multo pa sa bahay-ampunan. Ano kaya yun? Sa mga multo siya nakatagpo ng barkada? At talaga bang magsisilbing aral sa mga taong matapobre at mapagmataas ang sila ay multuhin at patayin? Walang katanggap-tanggap alin man sa mga ito. Nariyan din ang anggulo ng pang-aabuso at pang-momolestiya sa mga bata ng isang pari sa dating bahay-ampunan. Wala ring naging kaparusahan sa kanya.

Siya pa ang nagpakamatay at sa bandang huli’y galit na naghihiganti. Bakit siya pa ang galit? Katawa-tawa rin talaga.

Bagama’t ipinakitang sa huli’y nanaig ang kapangyarihan ng krus upang masugpo ang pagmumulto ng pari, wala pa rin itong saysay dahil hindi katanggap-tanggap ang kuwentong pinanggalingan.

Isang malaking insulto ang Otlum sa mga manonood — usaping teknikal man o moral. Maging ang mga taong walang magawa sa buhay ay mababagot sa pelikulang ito.

CBCP Monitor

Buhay San Miguel

Brothers Matias

TERIBOL OG

Bladimer Usi

Buhay Parokya

FIND 3 MISSING THINGS: 1. HOLY CHALICE 2. ST. LORENZO RUIZ 3. HOLY WATER FONT

Rainbow’s Sunset

Director: Joel Lamangan Lead Cast: Eddie Garcia, Tony Mabesa, Gloria Romero, Aiko Melendez, Sunshine Dizon, Tirso Cruz III Screenwriters: Ferdinand Lapuz, Joel Lamangan, Eric Ramos Producer: Dennis Evangelista Editor: Mail Calapardo Musical Director: Emerzon Tecson Genre: Drama Cinematographer: Rain Yamzon Distributor: Heaven’s Best Productions Location: Bulacan, Philippines Running Time: 1 hr 51 mins Technical assessment: 3.0 Moral assessment: 2.5 CINEMA rating: V13 MTRCB rating: PG13 Nang mabalitaan ni Ramon Estrella (Garcia) na pinili ni Fredo (Mabesa) na sa bahay na gugulin ang nalalabing araw, dali-dali siyang nagdesisyon na iwan ang pamilya at alagaan ang kababata. Madaling pumayag ang asawang si Sylvia (Romero)

subalit hindi ang mga anak na sina Mayor George (Melendez), Emman (Cruz) at Fe (Dizon).

Lalo na nang aminin ni Ramon na mahal niya ang kanilang ninong Fredo katulad ng pagmamahal niya sa kanilang ina. Ang paghantad ni Ramon ng kanyang kasarian ay naging kontrobersyal na usapin. Nangingibabaw dito si Mabesa sa kanyang mahinahong pagbalanse sa hirap ng cancer at sa diskriminasyon

sa bawal na relasyon. Hindi rin maitatanggi ang makatotohanang damdaming ibinigay ni Melendez bilang Mayora. Isang malaking tagumpay ang masusing pagbuo ng disenyo ng nakaraang limang dekada habang sinusundan ang kabataan ni Ramon at Fredo. Sa unang pagkakataon din ay may pagkakahawig ang mga mukha ng mga batang bersyon at ng kanikanilang mga supling. Maganda naman sa kabuuan ang pelikula at nakuha ang damdamin ng mga manunuod sa biglang pagkabig ng kwento sa huli. Kung bubusisiin nga lang ay masisilip ang mga kahinaan nito, tulad ng hindi makatotohanang pagpili ng mga salita, ang malabnaw na pagbuo sa motibasyon ng mga tauhan, at ang sala-salabat na alitan ng mga pangalawang tauhan sa halip na ituon ang pagdaloy ng kwento sa masalimuot na relasyon nina Ramon, Sylvia at Fredo. Marami tuloy ang naiwang

nakabinbin. Ano ang nangyari sa kasintahan ni Fe? Hindi ba nahuli si Emman sa kanyang iligal na transaksyon? Anong klase ang asawa ni Mayora na may mga lihim na iligal na gawain? Hindi mahigpit ang pagkakatahi ng kwento bagama’t nasalba ito ng kahusayang teknikal at ng drama sa dulo.

Ang unang mapapansing tema ng pelikula ay ang homosekswal na relasyon nina Ramon at Fredo. Pinili nitong tahakin ang matamis na pag usbong ng inosenteng pag-ibig na lumalim at tumibay hanggang sa katandaan. Sa mga konserbatibo, hindi katanggap-tanggap ang relasyong ito. Sa kabilang dako, ang mga naturingang “liberated” at mga kapatid na LGBT ay magdiriwang sa walang takot na pagsulong ng pelikula sa relasyong homosekswal bilang tunay na pag-ibig.

Masasabi rin namang malinis

ang pagkakagawa rito kung tutukuyin ang homosekswalidad bilang te ma. M atagu mpay namang ipinakita nito na may iba’t ibang mukha ang pag-ibig at walang dapat humusga sa kabusilakan ng nag-iibigan.

Malinaw ding ipinahatid ang halaga at suporta ng pamilya at ng kabutihang laging sinusuklian ng kabutihan. Ang problema ay hindi dahil sa pagiibigang homosekswal, kungdi ang tahasang pangangaliwa ni Ramon. Papaanong magiging katanggap-tangap sa isang babae (o lalaki man) na may ibang mahal ang kanyang asawa?

Pambayad-utang ba ang isang asawa? Sukli ba ang pangunawa ni babae sa pagsuporta ni Fredo sa mga pinansyal nilang pangangailangan? Hindi naging malinaw kung nagtuloy ang sekswal na relasyon nina Ramon at Fredo habang kasal ang una kay Sylvia. Ipagpalagay

na nating hindi at naging matalik na magkaibigan lamang ang dalawang magkababata. Hindi pa rin naging makatwiran ang desisyon ni Ramon na basta na lamang iwan ang asawa upang tumira sa bahay ni Fredo at lantarang ipakita ang kanyang damdamin. Hindi para lang walang masabi ang ibang tao pero para pangalagaan naman ang damdamin ng mga mahal niya sa buhay. Maaaring marangal ang intensiyon ni Ramon na makapiling si Fredo sa mga huling sandali ng kanyang buhay, pero ito ay desisyon ng isang makasariling bata. May sinumpaang pagmamahal at legal na obligasyon ang kasal.

Kung mahal niya si Sylvia, dapat niyang kinalimutan si Fredo.

Kung mahal niya si Fredo, hindi siya dapat bumuo ng pamilya kay Sylvia. Hindi isyu ang LGBT… ang isyu ay ang katapatan sa taong minamahal.

Ugnayan

THE NEWS SUPPLEMENT OF COUPLES FOR CHRIST CBCP Monitor Vol. 23 No. 3

February 4 - 17, 2019 C1

CFC Light in the Lord Weekend Retreat:

By CFC Global Comm

Allowing the Light of Christ to Shine Through CFC

THE COLD Baguio weather did not dampen the high spirits of Couples for Christ Mission Core members as they made their way to the CAP John Hay for the Light in the Lord Retreat.

Having come from the CFC Leaders’ Conference two weeks prior, and the Mission Core Teaching Night the previous week, CFC leaders were enthusiastic to listen to the third of the “trilogy” of inspirational, pastoral and directional activities that opened the year for CFC. The retreat, which took place from January 25 to 27, was a seeking of grace for the light of the Lord to shine within and through each one.

This present darkness The opening session by ANCOP Chairman Lito Tayag was about “Darkness in the Home”.

He said, “The home is the primary place where we hope to experience fully the love of God. It is the domestic church where we can find our true identity as children of God.” Stressing that there are no perfect families, Tayag noted the many threats confronting the family— busy-ness, indifference, secularism, relativism, consumerism and the throw-away culture.

However, Tayag reminded everyone that being CFC families, they are bearers of God’s light.

“Our way forward to counter the darkness of the world is to lead each member of our families to a relationship with Christ. How? By proclaiming and witnessing to them personally through love,” Tayag shared. He added, “We must remember, Jesus is LIGHT IN THE LORD, C2

MC TEACHING NIGHT

Bishop Pabillo to CFC: ‘Live as children of light!’ of darkness”. When we are in the light, we must expose darkness, because it is “shameful even to mention the things done by them in secret”.

Man does not commit sin openly, rather he hides the sins he commits. However, everything exposed to the light becomes seen, becomes visible.

(The following are excerpts from Bishop Broderick Pabillo’s talk during the January 15, 2019 Mission Core Teaching Night held at the Christ the King Parish.)

You (CFC) have taken this topic from the letter of Paul to the Ephesians (to be your anchor verse for the 2019 theme), and I would like to take the whole context of that letter.

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; live as children of Light. For light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth. Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord; take no part in the fruitless works of darkness; rather expose them, for it is shameful even to mention the things done by them in secret; but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore, it says: “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” (Ephesians 5:8-11) The verses in bold font

speak about light, making evident the contrast between light and darkness. …you are light in the Lord.

First, there is the statement, “You are light in the Lord…”, and there is the imperative, “…live as children of Light.” What would be the result of living in the Light? The verse says, “For light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth.” So we know that if we live as children of Light, we will produce goodness, righteousness and truth.

This is something complete, and this would mean that if we produce goodness, righteousness and truth, we learn to be pleasing to the Lord.

At the baptism of the Lord, a voice was heard from on high, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” When we were baptized, God also said the same—He was pleased with us. But the question now is, is He still pleased with us?

To please God then is to respond to His call, for us to “take no part in the fruitless works

Other biblical texts on the light The passage above is quite a beautiful passage to reflect on. There are also other biblical texts that talk about the light, such as the one from John 8:12: Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world.

Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." This verse talks about how one can come to the light—by following Jesus who is the light. In doing so, one will not walk in darkness nor live in secret.

Another text comes from John 12:35: Jesus said to them, "The light will be among you only a little while. Walk while you have the light, so that darkness may not overcome you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where he is going.”

Jesus said this towards the end of His ministry.

It was a premonition of His death and rising up to heaven. Jesus is saying that while we have the light, while we have the truth, walk according to the light so that we will not be covered by darkness.

The world nowadays is characterized by darkness, confusion and vioMCT, C3

Awake. Arise. Fulfill: The CFC Leaders Conference 2019 THE ANNUAL Couples for Christ Leaders Conference gathered 15,000 leaders from the Metro Manila, Philippine and International Missions, as well as the CFC Family Ministries, at the SM MOA Arena on January 12, 2019. The CFC Leaders Conference is a much-anticipated event where top leaders receive pastoral direction from the International Council for the year, based on the community’s theme.

This year, the theme “Rekindle the Gift, Fulfill your Ministry; Live as Children of Light” is a continuation of the 2018 theme from 2 Timothy, with an additional message taken from Ephesians 5: 8-9, 14.

CFC Pastoral Formation Office Director Rouquel Ponte, in the first session titled “Awake! Arise!”, took the meaning of “rekindling” and “fulfilling” to a higher level this year, urging the brethren to put into action Paul’s teaching to the Ephesians in living as children of light.

Awake, O sleeper!

Ponte expounded on the question, “What does it mean to be a Christian?”

In the general sense, this means to look to the light, to continue to practice the profession of faith in the light, even

when the world is wrapped in night and darkness.

According to Ponte, Pope Francis has given us the way toward the light when he said “And this is our Christian hope. The light of Jesus, the salvation that brings us Jesus with his light that saves us from the darkness”.

In the ancient Church as in the modern world, there are customs and symbols that present the light and how the faithful come into the light. Thus everyone should heed the call of St. Paul: Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.

(Ephesians 5:14) “Now is the time to be awake, to arise from our sleep, and to combat evil with goodness, righteousness and truth through the light of Christ,” Ponte exhorted How have we rekindled?

CFC is about to complete its 38 years. Over the years, particularly recently, CFC has had to grapple with questions such as: What is CFC’s role in today’s generation? Are we gaining more Timothy’s or are we losing them?

Are our methods still effective? And are we still at the forefront in the battle against evil?

Ponte said, “The Lord challenges us to rekindle, to use our gifts as CFC to be light to the world by truly living as children of light.”

How can CFC then live as children of light? According to Ponte, each person must choose to eschew the lifestyle of his old fallen human nature and to put on the way of life of the new humanity, that is, to live in union with Christ.

CFC is called to do two things: to be with Christ, and to imitate and follow Him. And since CFC is God’s people— a chosen race, a royal priesthood—all are therefore compelled to wake up from slumber, arise from sleep, and to combat evil with righteousness and goodness through the light of Christ.

“Therefore, Couples for Christ, Arise!

Awake! Fulfill!”, Ponte exhorted.

“There are no magical answers to the how. But we are called to a “pastoral conversion” in our lives as a Church, not only in our language but in our lifestyle if we are to connect with the youth who will inherit our community and the world.”

The challenge then, according to Ponte, is the question: “Are we Couples for Christ? Or are we merely members of Couples for Christ?” ‛CFC is sacred space’ On a directional note, Evangelization and Missions Director Arnel Santos talked about Couples for Christ as ‘God-enlightened space’. The term was first used by Pope John Paul II, to describe a place in which “we experience the hid- LEADERS CONFERENCE, C3

C2

February 4 - 17, 2019 Vol. 23 No. 3

CBCP Monitor

FROM A PASTORAL PERSPECTIVE Rouquel Ponte

(“Rekindle the Gift. Fulfill Your Ministry!” was the community’s theme for 2018, repeated in 2019 with the addition of the admonition to “Live as Children of Light.” This was in response to the pervasive reality of darkness in the world and to God’s direction that the community should work harder, pray harder and live exemplary Christian lives so that the darkness may be dispelled. This article will focus on this new admonition “Live as Children of Light!”).

The additional anchor verse for the 2019 theme is taken from Ephesians 5:8-9 - “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.

Live as children of light, for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth. For everything that becomes visible is light.”

The verse is, in effect, telling all of us to truly be Christian in everything that we say and do.

What does it mean to be Christian?

It means to look to the light, to continue to practice the profession of faith in the light, even when the world is wrapped in night and darkness. And this is our Christian hope.

It is, as Pope Francis tells us, “The light of Jesus, the salvation that brings us Jesus with his light that saves us from the darkness.”

Pope Francis, in one of his homilies, explained that there was a time when church buildings faced toward the east, such that when a person entered the doors from the west, he or she walked eastward toward the altar.

This building trend has fallen out of custom but it’s still an important symbol. Why? Pope Francis explains: “We men of modern times, much less accustomed to grasping the great signs of the cosmos, we almost never notice such a thing,” he said, noting that the west is the direction of the sunset, “where the

LIVE AS CHILDREN OF LIGHT light dies.” In the east, on the other hand, is where we see the first light of the dawn, casting away the darkness.

The Pope explained that in the ancient Church, during the rite of Baptism, the catechumens would make the first part of their profession of faith facing the west. When questioned, “Do you renounce Satan, his favors, and all his works?”, they would respond “I renounce!” They would then turn to face the east, the direction of the Orient, where the sun begins to shine, for the question: “Do you believe in God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit?” this time responding, “I believe!”

In our own Baptisms today there is the beautiful sign of the lit baptismal candle, showing the importance of light. The Pope said: “the life of the Church is contamination of light.”

And he also asked “I would like to ask you: how many of you remember the date of your Baptism?” “Think, and if you do not remember it, today you have homework: go to your mom, your dad, your aunt, your uncle, your grandmother, grandpa and ask them, ‘What is my Baptism date?’”

He instructed them not to forget it, adding that our date of baptism, “which is the date of rebirth, is the date of light, it is the date in which… we have been contaminated by the light of Christ.”

Paul’s instruction about Christian conduct still holds true.

The same attitudes of humility, gentleness, patience and forbearance are key to preserving the Spirit’s gift of unity in families, parishes and religious communities.

We must choose to put off the lifestyle of the old fallen human nature and to put on the way of life of the new humanity, that is, to live in union with Christ. We must be acutely aware of our true identity in Christ and be a shining witness in a

world that seems to grow darker by the day.

Goodness “Charity at the core. We need to keep reminding ourselves that there is a hierarchy of virtues that bids us to seek what is essential”. In other words, “amid the thicket of precepts and prescriptions, Jesus clears a way to seeing two faces, that of the Father and that of our brother”.

This is the great criterion which we will be judged on. Pope Francis recalls Jesus’ words about feeding the hungry and welcoming foreigners, presenting them as “a rule of behavior by which we will be judged. If I encounter a person sleeping outdoors on a cold night, I can view him or her as an annoyance, an idler, an obstacle in my path, a troubling sight, a problem for politicians to sort out … Or I can respond with faith and charity, and see in this person a human being with a dignity identical to my own, a creature infinitely loved by the Father, an image of God, a brother or sister redeemed by Jesus Christ. That is what it is to be a Christian!”

Righteousness “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled”. (Matthew 5:6) Pope Francis further explains that “Jesus offers a justice other than that of the world, so often marred by petty interests and manipulated in various ways. Experience shows how easy it is to become mired in corruption, ensnared in the daily politics of quid pro quo, where everything becomes business. This has nothing to do with the hunger and thirst for justice that Jesus praises”.

The Pope warns: “Unless we wish to sink into an obscure mediocrity, let us not long for an easy life, for ‘whoever would save his life will lose

AQUILA AND PRISCILLA

it’”. “In living the Gospel, we cannot expect that everything will be easy”.

But Pope Francis also explains that “The saints are not odd and aloof, unbearable because of their vanity, negativity and bitterness.

The Apostles of Christ were not like that”. The apostles enjoyed favor “with all the people.” ”Persecutions are not a reality of the past, for today too we experience them, whether by the shedding of blood, as is the case with so many contemporary martyrs, or by more subtle means, by slander and lies”.

Truth “What is the truth?” That was Pilate’s question as he judged Jesus.

(John18:37). Through the witness of his passion and death, Jesus gave witness to the truth.

“The truth finds its full realization in the person of Jesus himself (Cf. John 14:6), in His way of living and dying, the fruit of His relationship with the Father,” the Holy Father explained. “This existence as children of God, He, risen, gives it also to us by sending the Holy Spirit who is Spirit of truth, who attests to our heart that God is our Father (Cf. Romans 8:16).

The Holy Father explained that being truthful is much more than simply being precise, exact or sincere.

It is about communications, for the Catechism says the eighth commandment “forbids misrepresenting the truth in our relations with others” (n. 2464).

“To live in inauthentic communication is grave because it impedes relationships and, therefore, impedes love,” the Pope continued. “Where there is a lie there is no love, love can’t be exercised. And when we speak of communication between persons, we mean not only words but also gestures, attitudes, even silences, and absences. A person speaks

with all that he is and does. We are all in communication always. We all live communicating and we are continually poised between the truth and lies.”

The truth is so much more than presenting facts, in the Holy Father’s view. Actually, selecting certain facts in an effort to defame another person is what a gossip does – and Pope Francis has little good to say about gossips.

“Beware! A gossiper is a terrorist because with his tongue he hurls the bomb and leaves calmly and that hurled bomb destroys others’ reputation,” the Pope warned. “Don’t forget: to gossip is to kill.”

Pope Francis challenges us to live the truth in all aspects of life: Let us ask ourselves: what truths attest to our works, our words or our choices as Christians? Each one can ask himself: am I a witness of truth, or am I more or less a liar disguised as a truthful person?

The Pope continues: “Not to bear false witness means to live as a child of God, who never, never denies himself, never tells lies; live as children of God, letting emerge in every act the great truth: that God is Father and we can trust in Him.” This letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians is a masterpiece and one of the greatest treasures that compel us to wake up from our slumber. Now is the time to be awake, to arise from our sleep, and to combat evil with goodness, righteousness and truth through the light of Christ.

Reflection Questions: What is an area of darkness I am experiencing in my life now? How will I let the Light of Christ overcome this darkness?

How can I be an instrument of the Light of Christ that others may see goodness and righteousness and truth?

LIGHT IN THE LORD, C1

Living as children of light OUR community’s theme this year is taken from Ephesians 5:8-9,14: For you are once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light, for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth. Therefore, it says: “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”

In these three verses, “light” is mentioned four times, indicating its importance.

These verses call to mind the story of creation in the Book of Genesis: Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw how good the light was. God then separated the light from darkness. God called the light “day” and the darkness he called “night.” Thus evening came, and morning followed—the first day. (Genesis 1:3-5). In these three verses, “light” is mentioned five times.

During a recent prayer meeting of our household, our members expressed the view that one of the practices that we need to rekindle in the community is Bible study. We need to know and live the Scriptures if we are to be children of light.

We all already understand that the Bible is not a history book. It is rather a collection of books of different literary forms. Some are history, others are legend, or letter, or poem, or debate, or parable, or fiction, or other forms. Narrative is the primary literary form in Genesis. And the dominant form of narrative in Genesis is the saga or story that has basis in fact but expanded and enhanced by nonfactual elements.

Genesis has two versions of the creation story—the first or Priestly Creation Account (1:1-2:4a) and the second or Yahwist Creation Account (2:4b-3:24). The literary form of these stories may be called myth defined as an imaginative story which uses symbols to speak about reality, but a reality which is beyond a person’s comprehension.

What are the realities or truths dealt with in these two creation accounts?

The first creation account deals with the mystery of our origins, the reality of our existence. We know that we exist. But how did all that exist come to exist? The author answers this by using an imaginative story. His answer – it is God’s work. God creates the world solely by the power of the Divine Word. To express this truth, the author draws from his own experience as one who comes from an organized society that has a six-day work week and one day Sabbath rest, and uses this as the structure of his creation story.

The author uses these six days to divide up the reality which he knows from experience. Thus he allocates three days to divide and three days to populate what has been divided. On the first day God divided light from darkness. On the second day he divided the waters above the vault from the water under the vault. And on the third day he divided the water from the dry land. On the fourth day God populated the vault of heaven with the sun, the moon, and the stars. On the fifth day he populated the waters with fish and put birds under the vault.

And on the sixth day he populated the dry land with every kind of vegetation and with human beings.

Then God rested on the Sabbath, just as the author’s society keeps the Sabbath.

The author is not teaching science. He is teaching the relationship between God and man – God is the

Creator, man is the creature. He is teaching that God created man not just “good” but “very good” – because man is created in God’s own image. He is teaching the truth that the world has been organized by God and man is to be sovereign over the created world.

We must not allow the author’s idea of the cosmos to distract us from his religious insight. Imagine a man who says to his beloved, “As the sun always rises in the east and sets in the west, I will always love you.” If the woman responds, “Since the earth is round and rotating in space, the sun is not actually rising and setting,” it would be ridiculous and totally off the point. The man in love is not talking about science. He is expressing his profound love. If we miss the expression of love because we focus on the extraneous details, we miss the point entirely. When we read the creation story, we should keep in mind that the author is not teaching science but explaining a reality. And since it is the truth, we believe that the story is divinely inspired.

The second creation story is concerned with the human’s relationship with the soil, with the relationship between man and woman, and with the reason for human suffering.

It is evident that the story is drawn from the author’s experience in an agricultural society. The story presents man as coming from the ground, dependent upon the ground for life, and in death will return to the ground. It teaches that woman is the only suitable partner for man, since she is formed from human flesh. The attraction of the sexes and the institution of marriage are described as the natural destiny of man and woman, flowing from the way they were created.

And finally, the story explores the reality of suffering and asks, “Why do human beings suffer?”

In this story, the tree of knowledge of good and evil is not a physical tree. It is a symbol for the author’s belief that there is a spiritual order in the universe. And if there is a spiritual order, then there is the possibility of acting contrary to that order. People may act in accordance with God’s order and prosper, or they may act contrary to God’s order and suffer and eventually die. Sin is committed when a person knows the spiritual order and chooses to act contrary to it. The author dramatizes sin creatively. Sin is something we choose to do. Eating is something we also choose to do. Thus eating is a good symbol for sin. What we eat becomes part of us. When we sin, it also becomes part of us, sin becomes part of who we are. Through sin we grow in our knowledge of evil. When we sin, we figuratively do eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

The second creation story does not describe historical chronology. Rather the story is born from the experience of living in a world where people suffer. The author is aware of suffering and asks, “Why?” He then composes an inspired story through which he expresses his belief – God is loving. Man’s rightful partner is a woman. Man suffers because man sins. Suffering is the natural result of acting contrary to the spiritual order set

by God from the beginning. When we sin, we do not live as children of light.

still the answer to the challenges to the family.”

Countering darkness in the family entails practical and doable actions such as heeding God’s leading at all times; having complete trust and faith in God’s love and providence; surrendering everything to the Lord and spending time in silence with Him; opening lines of communication in the family; being patient with others and with ourselves; accepting each other’s limitations; leaning on each other more than usual; talking to each other respectfully and listening to each other’s concerns; mending relationships; and enriching family life with time.

The acronym HOME makes all these easier to remember: H - heed God’s leading at all times; O - open lines of communication; M - mend relationships; and E - enrich family life with time.

Joe Yamamoto, in the second session, talked about belonging to God and conducting oneself in goodness, righteousness and truth.

“Everyone struggles with pain; everyone longs for success. And the answer to

these is none other than Jesus Christ,” Yamamoto said.

CFC may have been transformed to be followers of Jesus, to be men and women of the light, to live in the fullness of life in Christ. But the reality is that in the journey as a people of God, everyone is confronted with challenges of faith, and there are temptations because of the pervasive evil in the world.

The truth, however, is that light overcomes darkness, goodness prevails over evil, and Jesus is the light.

“To live as children of the light, we must be equipped with the full armor of God, be on guard against the dangers of evil, and be role models as disciples of Christ,” Yamamoto exhorted.

Donning the full armor of God requires bathing oneself in prayer and being immersed in the Word of God. Partaking of the sacraments is also a way to wear this armor.

To stand guard against evil is to be wise in recognizing evil and the dangers that lurk in the darkness. Another is by exposing darkness and evil into the light. Being role models of discipleship

requires striving to live in holiness, and being committed to the Church and the community of CFC. Yamamoto explained, “As children of light, we must refuse to yield our ground to the wiles of evil. We must not allow apathy and indifference to creep into our work of evangelization and family renewal. We must stand defiant and resist the assault on our Christian identity by the false promises of the world.”

And if CFC would take all these to heart, the community will reap the fruits of living in the light: God’s goodness that leads to repentance; a life of righteousness or being always justifiable in Jesus; and living in truth.

“The light of Christ must illumine our journey from pain to purpose, being able to put up with hardships, traversing from success to significance, blooming where one is planted, and doing everything for the glory of the Lord,” Yamamoto concluded.

The aroma of Christ The smell of freshly brewed coffee or bread baking in the LIGHT IN THE LORD, C3

Ugnayan THE NEWS SUPPLEMENT OF COUPLES FOR CHRIST

Michael C. Ariola IC Oversight Zenaida A. Gimenez Editor-in-Chief Deomar P. Oliveria Layout Artist

Alma M. Alvarez Associate Editor Evangeline C. Mecedilla Circulation Staff

The Ugnayan News Supplement is published by the Couples for Christ Global Mission Foundation, Inc., with editorial offices at 156 20th Avenue, 1109 Cubao, Quezon City. Editorial trunk line: (+63 2) 709-4868 local 31 Direct line : (+63 2) 709-4856 www.couplesforchristglobal.org cfcglobalcommunications@gmail.com

CBCP Monitor

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February 4 - 17, 2019 Vol. 23 No. 3

BRIDGING THE GAP

DAWNINGS

Joe Tale

Arnel Santos

Marriage is Beautiful

MANY stories abound about ordinary people who do extraordinary things in translating their faith in action.

Gerry and Carol Fetalvero is one example. Gerry and Carol are leaders of Couples for Christ based in Batangas City. Gerry serves as Provincial Area Head of CFC Mindoro Occidental, and goes to Mamburao once a month to serve the community there.

They also previously served in the CFC Kids for Christ.

When they celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary on May 14, 2012, they thought of celebrating it in a special way. Since Gerry was also president of the Parish Pastoral Council in the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, the couple were familiar with the situation of the lay faithful in their parish, specifically that some couples were living together without the benefit of the sacrament of matrimony.

So instead of throwing a big

party on their anniversary as many are wont to do, they decided to sponsor the church wedding of 25 couples. CFC and the other volunteers in their parish broached the idea to the still-unwed couples and helped prepare the documentation needed for the weddings. Of course, the silver celebrants served as Ninong and Ninang to the 25 couples.

But to Gerry and Carol’s surprise, the activity did not end there. Three more couples were added to the number the following year, and sponsored weddings thus became an annual event. All told, since they started, the parish, through Gerry and Carol, have sponsored a total of 92 weddings!

And since one good move deserves another, the parish team has also sponsored the baptism of some of the children of their sponsored couples.

Gerry and Carol believe

JUST DAWNED ON ME

that indeed Marriage is Beautiful and that Family is a Gift, and would like many more to experience it with the blessing of a wonderful God. So, while our so-called people's representatives are busy with legislation that will formally allow the breakup of marriages, and with it the break up of families, here is one couple who are silently working to preserve and even advance this gift of the Lord.

Gerry and Carol believe they have been blessed. Their children are just about to turn professionals - a doctor, a dentist, and an architect.

How cool is that?

We wish the best for Gerry and Carol and their children. They put their faith in action to address what is basic - the strengthening of marriage and family. After all, strong marriages lead to strong families which lead to strong societies!

Gerry and Carol, we honor you and your family!

LIGHT IN THE LORD, C2

2019 REMAINS to be a year for rekindling and fulfilling the ministry. To ensure such a journey, the Lord “re-calls” Couples for Christ to “Live as children of light.” “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light,…” (Eph 5:8-9) Simply put, if we want to rekindle and fulfill our ministry, then we need to live as children of light.

--To “live as children of light” is a call that is special to CFC. Note the use of the plural form “children”, instead of the singular “child”. The Lord knows that the journey to light cannot be done alone. There must be “an-other”. There must be community. There must always be God. Precisely, the very gift to Couples for Christ!

Couples for Christ never journey alone.

There is always the spouse. There is always the family. There is always the service team.

There is always the community. There is always the Church. There is always history.

In each, there is light. In all, Light is there.

--“Light”. What a beautiful word. And powerful too.

In one household meeting, we sang the worship songs “Behold” and “You alone are Holy”.

I took a keen and renewed interest in the use of the words “splendor” and “glory”.

“Splendor” and “glory”, by definition, have actually something to do with “light”.

Yes, splendor means “great and impressive beauty”, but it also means “great brightness”, “magnificent light”. “Glory” means “praise, honor and distinction”, but it also means “something marked by resplendence.”

The Thesaurus even goes on to assert that “glory” and “splendor” are synonymous to each other.

In this sense, we can now see the power in “light” and the power in the call to “Live as children of light”. The call to light is actually a call to victory! And, to “live as children of light” actually means to “Live as children of Glory” or “Live as Children of Splendor”!

--Now, look at our song “You alone are holy”.

You alone are holy You alone are Lord You alone are worthy

Lamb of God We behold your splendor Seated on the throne Robed and crowned with glory Evermore, Mighty Lord!

Mighty Lord!

In the CFC year of “Behold and Ponder” (CFC theme for 2014), we dared to define “behold” as “to hold in view”, “to gaze, study, and analyze, and in the process, be astonished”. In the words of the contemplatives and mystics, to behold is “to see reality as it is” and “to experience an event fully”.

Now, go back to the line “We behold Your Splendor” How can we possibly behold splendor?

How can we hold in view or gaze at such great brightness, such magnificent light, such glory, such resplendence, such refulgence?

(Refulgence by the way also means “to shine brightly.”) It will be like us looking directly at the midday sun with our naked eyes! Definitely, it will be beyond our capacity to do so.

--This is why we start with little. We start anew at “rekindling”.

We re-acknowledge that our light is one that needs constant renewal, one with permanent need of nurturing and a vigilant blowing to remove the ashes covering the firewood or smoldering the wick.

We even recognize that we are not the light.

We can only look at the light, and be recipient of its illumination and shine. We can only journey to become light in the Lord.

And so, we re-start at dawn. It is grace enough to be illumined by the light of dawn.

We expect to be awed by daybreak and we anticipate with much excitement, even trembling, the moment when everything comes to light.

But for now, we content ourselves for matters to “dawn on us”.

--To dawn on us, like the foregoing insights – if one may call them as such – have dawned on me. By grace, they have just dawned on us. As we now pray for more and share more.

Let us rekindle the journey to a Light-filled life. May God bless us all!

LEADERS CONFERENCE, C1

oven are aromas that attract many, causing people to “follow their noses” to get to the source of the scent. It is the same with Jesus.

He exuded such a powerful “aroma” that people couldn’t help but be attracted to Him. James Solano, in his session titled “Radiate Christ’s Fragrance and Aroma” spoke about how CFC, as disciples of the Lord Jesus, could exude the aroma of Christ, and get people to be attracted to Him. CFC members’ attraction to Christ caused them to join the Christian Life Program and to strive to live as He instructs, to fulfill the mission He has tasked the community with.

To equip each one, the Lord gave gifts, gifts which enable each person to perform the mission given to him. Solano posed this question to CFC: What gifts will you rekindle this 2019 in order to fulfill your ministry?

Jesus is the greatest gift. However, people nowadays are hesitant to receive this gift of Christ’s divinity. Solano said, “Most of our failure in meeting the demand of God to “Fulfill our Ministry” springs from our failure to live our identity, to share Christ’s gift to us. We fail to live and accept the divine in us because we focus more on our humanity—our sinfulness and limitations.”

There is the danger of being attracted to the temporary aroma of leadership, leaving leaders unable to let go of self-entitlement, or

the temporary fragrance of wealth or power or fame.

“Our divine nature in Christ allows us to love intimately, forgive unconditionally, radiate the aroma of Christ wonderfully, and fulfill the demands of our ministry sacrificially,” Solano exhorted.

Allowing Christ’s aroma to exude through one’s life is allowing Christ to be perfected in one’s weakness. And recognizing that one’s weakness means Christ’s strength, one is able to allow the Lord to use him or her to accompany others in their spiritual weakness as well.

“Jesus told us to ‘Do as He did’, ‘Walk as He walked’, ‘Think as He thought’. God said, ‘Be holy as I am holy’. This is true Christianity—to emit fragrance that is pleasing to God,” Solano exhorted.

“Remember, the best representatives of God are not the most intelligent, the most eloquent, or the most gifted. The best representatives of God are the kindest and most humble people. Those who know they’re not perfect.

Those who deeply respect people, no matter what they have done in the past,” he added.

Solano concluded, “God’s fragrance will be manifested by our kindness. God’s aroma will be radiated by our goodness and holiness. And the world will know Jesus by our love.”

LIGHT IN THE LORD, C4

den presence of the Risen Lord,” citing Matthew 18:20: “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

The God-enlightened space, or sacred space according to scientists, architects and historians, does not only talk about the physical, but also mental— how the space reflects and reinforces man’s understanding of sanctity, divinity and himself.

Santos quoted Fr. Mario Francisco, S.J., former President of Loyola School of Theology in 2010, who, in his study of CFC, wrote in his scholarly article titled Mapping Religious and Civil Spaces in Traditional and Charismatic Christian Communities in the Philippines: “Having defined its place within the church’s governance structure based on territorial jurisdiction and its relations with its corresponding authorities, the CFC has been able to construct religious space beyond parochial boundaries and move into directions linked to the two other areas of its mission— “global evangelization” and

“family life renewal” Quoting Fr. Francisco further, Santos noted that from its inception, CFC has been envisioned as a worldwide network of committed Christian couples and families: What God started in the Philippines was not meant to be just for Filipinos, or just for Asia, but was to be an instrument of renewal for the whole world” Santos added, “In other words, for him, anywhere where CFC is may be marked as “created sacred space”—a worldwide network of committed Christian couples and families.”

He also spoke of CFC transforming civil spaces, even the peripheries into “scared spaces”.

This, Santos emphasized, is what CFC calls ANCOP and the Social Development Programs.

“The questions, however are: Are the “lights” in these spaces still lit now? Are they brightly shining or wavering, even dimming? Have they been spreading? Are they being passed on?”, Santos asked.

He added, “It was because of these questions that since last

year the community has been exhorted: Rekindle the Gift…

Fulfill your Ministry! It is God’s way of reminding us of the need for constant renewal, a constant rekindling, a constant prayer to desire gifts and charisms and a firm longing to take part in fulfilling our ministry.”

“God wants us to grow. There must be, in the words of Nina Ponte speaking in a prophecy last year: Expansion of the Spirit! Explosion of Blessings!

Enlargement of the heart!”

Santos exhorted.

Enlightened Hearts, Marriage, Homes, and the World Santos also cited Fr. Rainerio Cantalemessa who spoke of “rekindling” this way: “To rekindle (anazopurein) literally means ‘to blow on the flame’, ‘to remove the ashes in order to revive the fire again’.

Santos said, “Today, let us try to seek the action of the Holy Spirit to blow on the flame and remove the ashes in us. We shall start to do two basic steps: by remembering and re- LEADERS CONFERENCE, C4

MCT, C1

lence. We do not know where we are heading. Many of you are afraid for your children: what kind of world will your children find themselves in? Part of the darkness and confusion is the issue of truth. What is truth? There is a cacophony of voices peddling truth. What before was false is now presented as truth.

The prophet Isaiah wrote one of his oracles of lament, “Ah! Those who call evil good, and good evil, who change darkness to light, and light into darkness, who change bitter to sweet, and sweet into bitter!”

(Is. 5:20) An example of falsehood masked as truth is abortion, which is presented as a right for women.

Then there is gender orientation and extrajudicial killings.

Truth is important in any society, because without it, there cannot be justice. Without truth there cannot be peace. The reason why negotiations fail is because one or both parties hide the truth from the other.

Without truth there cannot be love.

Truth, justice, peace and love are the four virtues that make any coming together of people, any society, function well. When people come together—in the family, in the community, in the country, in the world—they need truth, justice, peace, and love.

Ephesians 5:9 reiterates this: for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth.

'We are not creators of light' In creation, the first thing that came about was the light. Then God said: Let there be light, and there was light. God saw that the light was good.

God then separated the light from the darkness. (Genesis 1:3-4) Man did not create the light. The word of God brought forth the light, so God is the only creator. But we participate in it as co-creators, when we separate light from darkness, when we subject ourselves to the truth.

Attacks on truth Truth is being attacked especially in our time. First, there is the phenomenon of relativism, where “Truth is what I believe to be true.” People do not believe in objective truth, instead they live by the slogan: Do what you feel is good.

People do not bother to seek the truth, much less subject themselves to the truth, but they seek what they want, and what they want becomes truth for them. They make the truth!

In this way, there is no cohesion in society. Each one is on his own in pursuit of his truth.

In the family setting, this becomes apparent when there are no agreed rules that each member abides by.

Instead, each one pursues his own version of truth.

Another attack on the truth and on light is fake news—the deliberate propagation of falsehood in order to pursue one’s agenda. The spread and the power of social media is being utilized for this. With fake news, what is important is not the objective truth but the perception of the people. This perception can be then turned to seem like “what the majority wants”.

What also prevents us from seeing the light of the truth are prejudices and biases. Biases are created by attacking the credibility of the messengers rather than engaging with the message. Connected with this is the creation of personality cults.

People believe whatever a person says or does. This has become idol worship. The words of Socrates, a Greek philosopher who lived some 500 years before Christ, still ring true: “Strong minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, weak minds discuss people.”

How do we live as children of light in these situations?

1. Develop self-honesty. Know our-

selves and our biases, and constantly examine ourselves. Everyone has his or her personal biases, but what is important is that we are aware of these biases. It is then important to constantly do not only an examination of conscience, but an examination of consciousness in order to know oneself. 1 John 3:19-21 supports this.

2. Pray for Divine guidance. God is a revealing God. Jesus has come for the truth. (Psalm 18:29; Psalm 36:10) When one is in darkness, divine guidance will reveal the truth. Even when Jesus Himself stood before Pilate, He revealed the reason for which He existed, to bear witness to the truth. Commitment to the truth is commitment to Jesus. When one is ashamed to reveal the truth, he is ashamed of Jesus. Because Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life.”

3. Seek the truth. Make use of the internet not to be blinded by biases but as a means to search for the truth. Make your households as discernment groups. Do not be afraid of divergent opinions. All the divergent opinions will ultimately converge to the truth if all have the basic aim and the humility to seek the truth. Tolerance just because

one is afraid that the truth might divide people is not seeking the truth at all.

4. Share the truth. Do not argue. Just present your ideas with gentleness.

(1Peter 3:15-16 ) We must be like John the Baptist, pointing to Jesus who is the light. (John 1:6-9) 5. Do not be offended if people do not seek the truth. Trust that God also loves them and has his own way with them. Darkness will not overcome the light! (John 1:4-5) 6. Accept the fact that accepting the truth, being in the light, is not only a matter of intellectual capability.

A deep moral state has something to do with it. That is why enlightenment is also another word for conversion. (1 John 2:8-11) What do we do to be enlightened

by Christ, to walk in the light, to do the truth?

1. Be humble. Accept the Lordship of Jesus. Be like little children in trusting God as Father and in Jesus as Teacher. (Luke 18:17) 2. Form your conscience in prayer and allow it to be guided by the authority of the Church (Magisterium, Sacred scripture, sacred tradition).

3. Do the truth. Share it and live it.

The truth is to be lived and not only to be believed. (2 Corinthians 13:8)

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February 4 - 17, 2019 Vol. 23 No. 3

CBCP Monitor

CFC ANCOP Now Recommended for ISO 9001:2015 CFC ANCOP Global Foundation, Inc. (CAGFI) has been recommended for ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System (QMS) Certification by its certifying body, TÜV Rheinland Philippines, Inc.

After the extensive preparations that started in May 2018, CFC ANCOP has finally passed the two stages of certification audit, the first in December 13, 2018 and the second on January 28-29, 2019.

On the official report, which reflects the recommendation of awarding the certificate and with zero non-conformity, the certifying body commended the efforts of CFC ANCOP to standardize the systems and procedures of all its programs and departments.

The auditors included the following positive findings in their report: The current accreditations (PCNC, BIR Tax Exemption as Donee Institution, DSWD, etc.) of CFC ANCOP are noteworthy.

The establishment of Research and Development Department’s initiatives

for sustainable community development program is commendable.

The utilization of technology in the system, such as social media. FB Messenger chat groups (total of 100 international, provinces, and Metro Manila sectors) and online cloud storage service (OneDrive) is commendable.

The methodology used in Customer Satisfaction Survey is commendable and; The general Documentation structure is properly organized.

The TÜV Audit team stated that, overall, CFC ANCOP has established and maintains an effective system to ensure compliance with its policy and objectives, and that the organization’s management system complies with, adequately maintains and implements the requirements of the standard.

This is the first time the auditors handled a non-profit organization applying for ISO Certification, making CFC ANCOP the only non-government/ non-profit organization recommended for ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System (QMS) - Certification.

CAGFI President Rudy Gaspillo, together with the CAGFI Team and

auditor, visited one of the ANCOP project sites in Cavinti, Laguna, where the auditor noted that the shelter construction is of high quality. The TÜV Auditor likewise gave recommendations and opportunities for improvement intended to contribute to the continuous improvement of the site’s system.

In a statement, Gaspillo said, “This is a new beginning for us to be able to implement the tremendous work/ programs ahead in a more efficient way that will benefit our brethren in need—for the glory of our Lord!”

CFC ANCOP is grateful to all the people who made this dream possible— the CAGFI staff and CFC Laguna, who dedicated their time and effort to process everything needed for the certification; CFC-Global Mission Center staff for supporting ANCOP; the brethren from Couples for Christ who actively share their relevant experience and support; PJ Mungcal, the ISO consultant, for sharing his expertise, time and treasure; the auditors from TÜV Rheinland Philippines, Inc., Mr. JF Faustorilla, Jr. and Mr. J.

ANCOP Canada Celebrates God’s Love with a Philippine Celebration Tour ANCOP Canada gathered Couples for Christ from all around Canada for its first-ever ANCOP Canada Celebration Tour. The tour’s purpose and highlight was the visit to several ANCOP Canada-sponsored sites in the Philippines. The visits allowed the “tourists” to see for themselves the fruits of their donations and volunteering activities for CFC ANCOP Global Foundation.

The tour started on January 22, and ended with the group taking part at the CFC Mission Core Retreat at Baguio City from January 25-27.

Thirty-five participants, composed of CFC couples and HOLD members from different provinces in Canada, visited sites in Moonwalk Parañaque (PAR 2 Homes); Tala, Caloocan (Fr. Hofstee-PCCF Community); Malabon City (San Miguel Ville Homes), Bulacan (Starville-Tony Vickar Homes); Paniqui, Tarlac (ANCOP Vancouver Homes); and Bayambang, Pangasinan (ANCOP Canada-Calgary-Mojares-KKSBF-Bay-

Aquino, for their excellent insights and services; and to everyone who fervently prayed for the fulfillment of the certification.

With this milestone, CFC ANCOP assures its excellent services to brethren in need, and to improve and strive for excellence in answering the cry of the poor.

ISO or the International Organization for Standardization is the

largest standards organization in the world that has a network of standard institutes in 159 countries with a central office in Geneva, Switzerland.

Moreover, ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System (QMS) is the ISO standard that helps companies meet their customers’ requirements for the products/ services they offer. (CFC ANCOP Communications)

CFC Co-ops Fed Forge New partnerships

ambang Community). They attended several activities such as groundbreaking and turnover ceremonies, immersion with home partners in Paniqui, Tarlac, and a fellowship night in Malasiqui, Pangasinan.

Ricky Cuenca, ANCOP Canada President, acknowledging that ANCOP home partners are grateful for the assistance they have received, told them that ANCOP Canada is also grateful for being part of the lives of the families.

Cuenca reminded the home partners to take care of the gifts they have received, as these are also fruits of the hard work of brethren in CFC Canada who consider their ANCOP work as part of their service to God. As for the participants, they are now much more eager to help poor brothers and sisters, as they have experienced being in fellowship with the families in the ANCOP sites. (CFC ANCOP Communications)

The CFC Co-operatives Federation forged two new partnerships to further the services of the Federation to its member primaries. The first partnership, with NationLink PayAll, a diigital payment gateway, aims to improve transactional activities such as remittances, payment in conferences, purchases, loading of mobile phones, point of sales transactions, bills payment, among others. Mr. Jesus dela Cruz (top photo, second from left) and Victor Hizon (3rd from left) seal the deal with the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement.

The CCF likewise signed a MOA with Fortune General Insurance Corporation for the Online Compulsory Third Party Liability Insurance (CPTL) application. This offers car owners in the CFC community a hassle-free vehicle registration process, at the same time a reliable insurance provider. Mr. Manuel Maloles, (bottom photo, second from left) represented Fortune General in signing the partnership.

Couples for Christ Joins ISAO CONFERENCE

LEADERS CONFERENCE, C3

calling how in the first place God has ignited and re-ignited His light upon us all; and by “understanding” how God wants us to fan the flame so that it can serve its purpose.”

Paraphrasing Pope Francis, Santos explained that the Lord wants man’s encounter with Him to begin “today” and continue tomorrow, in the home, since that is where Jesus wants to meet each one thenceforth.

“The Lord doesn’t want to remain only in cherished memories. He wants to enter every home, to dwell in His beloved children’s daily lives, their work, their friendships and affections, their hopes and dreams.”

Santos exhorted, “Now let us try to “understand” God’s gifts to CFC and in the process, let us allow ourselves to admire in gratitude, see with clarity, to taste, to possess that we are here not talking just about programs, or activities, or events— but moments and ways of living as children of light!”

And these moments include CFC’s “womb to tomb” teach-

ing and formation, financial stewardship, a life of mission and evangelization.

Rekindled and Enlightened to Fulfill Having brought the gifts and the ministry of CFC to light, Santos reminded the congregation that it is time to talk about how best CFC can heed God’s call to “Fulfill your ministry”.

According to Santos, it is this: “Live as Children of Light!”

Individually, “Fulfill your ministry” means living and upholding one’s life and mission in CFC through Prayer, Scripture, Service, Fellowship, Sacrament. These are basically the ways CFC can “Live as Children of Light!”

Santos shared, “As a couple and as families, take heed of this message from Pope Francis in Amoris Laetitia 317: If a family is centered on Christ, he will unify and illumine its entire life …Married couples shape with different daily gestures a “God-enlightened space in which to experience the hidden presence of the risen Lord.”

He added, “We go back to the CFC identity, as per Vatican description, and realize that ever since, CFC has been called to live as children of light: CFC is made up of families who have taken up Christ’s exhortation to be leaven and light in the world, and to spread the Good News of the liberation of humanity. Through their commitment to the Church’s evangelizing work, promoting peace and justice, defending the poor and the oppressed, and promoting the unity of Christians, they cooperate with the work of the Holy Spirit who gives life to a new humanity.

Thus we continue to evangelize! CFC is in a “permanent state of mission”.”

“Finally, since our community is composed of families and is about marriage and family, we need to ensure that our very own families are themselves God-enlightened spaces. Our families must be living a life of prayer, scripture, service, fellowship and sacrament,” Santos added. (CFC Global Communications)

COUPLES for Christ was part of the Philippine delegation to the 4th ICCRS-ISAO CONFERENCE 2018.

The conference, held in St. Anthony of Padua Church, Ras Al Khaimah-UAE from November 30 until December 2, 2018, had as theme “One Body, One Spirit, One Mission in Christ”.

(Ephesians 4:4) CFC members in the area also attended the event. The conference was filled with praise and worship, Eucharistic celebrations, inspiring teachings, workshops, anointing sessions, healing service, and a cultural and musical evening.

The clergy delegates were led by H.E. Bishop Paul Hinder, Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia; H.G. Archbishop Francisco Montecillo Padilla, Apostolic Nuncio of Gulf Countries;

H.E. Bishop Camillo Ballin MCCJ, Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia; H.G. Archbishop Jose Serofia Palma, DD, Archbishop of Cebu, Philippines; H.E. Bishop Francis Kalist, Member of ICCRS Council from India; Rev. Fr. Ani Xavier OFM Cap Spiritual Director, NCST-UAE; Rev. Fr. Varghese Chempoly OFM Cap Ex-Spiritual Director, NCST-UAE; Jim Murphy, President of ICCRS from USA; Cyril John, Chairman of ISAO from India; and Ann Brereton, Member of ICCRS Council from Australia.

ICCRS- ISAO stands for International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services Sub-Committee for Asia-Oceania.

A total of 19 countries were represented in the event. (Text & photos: Victor G. Abarquez)

LIGHT IN THE LORD, C3

Be the light Reggie Ragojos delivered the final session, encouraging CFC to be beacons of light and powerful witnesses of Jesus Christ, and despite challenges, ready and brave to keep Christ’s light radiant.

Ragojos exhorted CFC to be not only recipients of grace and light, but bearers and vessels of light as well. CFC must be like the five wise vir-

gins who were vigilant and ready with oils in their lamps, eager to meet the bridegroom when he comes. They must not be like the other five who fell asleep and missed the bridegroom’s coming.

In CFC, members and leaders can fall into the same trap of falling asleep, of neglecting their tasks.

There is therefore a need to rise from complacency, from

a “business-as-usual” attitude, from selfentitlement. It is important to shine once again, by empowering the young, witnessing as a family, accompanying others who need ministering to, and by intensifying the mission to the poor.

Ragojos exhorted, “CFC is blessed to be one of the biggest Catholic groups because of our worldwide presence. Let

us not be sleeping giants! It is time to shine, especially in the dark places.”

“Be excited! Be vibrant!,” Ragojos added. “Just like Jesus who humbled himself, and came down to be with us, let us go out of our comfort zones. Let us go to the peripheries! As long as we have the strength and capacity to serve, let us use our gifts to the full!”