April 14 - 27, 2008 by denzdayao

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Church’s feeding program doing more with less in Davao

Bomb attack on Zambo Church condemned A ROMAN Catholic bishop has denounced the latest attack on a Catholic church in Zambonga City early dawn on April 13. Hitting out those who bombed the cathedral, Zambonga Archbishop Romulo Valles said such activities should stop and must not even happen at all. He tagged the attack by still unknown assailants as an “act of darkness” and urged the people to pray and stay united. “We are greatly saddened by these incidents. It is clearly an act of darkness. We should stand

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Climbing the Lord’s mountain

The CROSS Knights of Columbus Supplement

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Protagonist of Truth, Promoter of Peace April 14 - 27, 2008

Vol. 12 No. 8

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Php 20.00

Bishop urges direct measures vs. food crisis By Roy Lagarde A SENIOR Roman Catholic bishop has called for both immediate and long-term measures to check the looming food crisis. Kalookan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez also warned that the crisis could not only push people deeper into poverty but also have larger political and security implications. He called on the public to work with the government and non-government organizations (NGOs) and exert all possible means to fight the crisis. “We must know how to network our resources with the agencies of the government such as the National Food Authority and other NGOs,” said Iñiguez. Rising prices of rice and other basic commodities in the country has turned many people from apathy to panic. Analysts said the panic is a political reaction to a crisis that can collapse governments and send the poor to riot and loot. Over the weekend, violent protests erupted in other countries such as Bangladesh and Haiti apparently over soaring food prices. Iñiguez called on Filipinos to remain calm, adding that resorting to violence will not solve the problem. Bishop / A6

To deepen their knowledge and understanding on the importance of rituals, hundreds of participants from the Manila archdiocese attended the Liturgy Conference 2008 held at San Carlos Major Seminary auditorium in Makati City, April 8-10, 2008. Inset: CBCP Episcopal Commission on Liturgy executive secretary Dom. Anscar Chupungco, OSB, delivers a talk on Theology of Sacramentals and Blessings.

CBCP head worries over PAGCOR City THE head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines has spoken of his concerns after the Las Vegas-style casino was opened in Pasay City. Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo said he was worried a casino, built with “shifts in presentation to gain acceptability in a Catholic culture,” would increase addictive gambling. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. said the “gaming complex” would include hotels, a theme park, museums and other facilities. “Definitely with so much money at the disposal, it will be all three: gambling, entertainment and tourism. And only the future will tell which will be the dominant one,” he said. With the Pagcor saying that it would gen-

erate thousand of jobs, Lagdameo said the plan is “impressive” but it will also be a complex of “not-so-good.” The prelate underscored that the CBCP’s stand against gambling is irreversible. “We advocate the combating of the expansion of organized and systemic legal gambling into a culture of gambling,” he said. Negative effects The CBCP is for whatever good, moral, economic and social that is in the planned complex, said Lagdameo. “But the CBCP had made it clear through its past statements that all forms of gambling, legal or illegal, must be discouraged from spreading as a moral and social cancer,” he said. He said any financial benefits to the com-

Over 200 RP delegates attend World Congress on Mercy

THE first World Apostolic Congress on Mercy (WACOM) held in Rome from April 2-6 drew more than 200 delegates from the Philippines, according to a report from Monsignor Josefino Ramirez, the Continental Representative for Asia and Oceania. Fr. Melvin Castro, Executive Secretary of the Episcopal Commission on Family and Life and part of the Lipa delegation said Pope Benedict XVI re-

ferred to Pope John Paul II in his homily during the opening mass at St. Peter’s Square on April 2 recalling the greatness of the late pope amidst pain and suffering. Castro who is also the founder of the Confraternity of Our Lady of Mediatrix of All Grace said their motley delegation was headed by Archbishop Ramon Arguelles of Lipa and composed of devo-

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munity through the income that would from the “gaming complex” must be weighted against the negative effects. “We had said that gambling exploits the poor. With their hard-earned money the poor are attracted and lured by the easy money that gambling vainly promises. Loss of money through gambling inflicts great suffering on families,” Lagdameo also said. “We advocate the adoption of more altruistic and socialized alternatives for the great sum of money spent by both rich and poor on gambling.” “While it is true that games of chance are not in themselves contrary to justice, the passion for gambling risks becoming an enslavement which results in the deprivation of people of what they need,” the prelate added. (CBCPNews)

CBCP head backs wage hike A TOP Catholic Church official supports the appeal of workers for a wage increase as a means for them to be able to cope with rising cost of living. CBCP president and Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo urged the government to consider the sad state of the workers amidst skyrocketing prices of basic goods, particularly rice. He said ordinary people cannot stop inflation of commodities, but he said, authorities must not also forget the welfare of the many. “Let’s look into how we can help our workers,” Lagdameo said. “We have no control over price hikes. Only the businessmen can do that. So the best thing to do is to increase the salaries of the people, he also said in a separate interview over Radyo Veritas. Organized labor groupTrade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) appealed Tuesday for a P60 across-the-board wage hike. The group said the demand is due to non-stop burgeoning of prices from basic goods to transportation. The TUCP also said many workers are already crippled by the devaluation of their money’s worth. (CBCPNews)

Davao Church dismayed over approval of LDPC THE local Church in Davao expressed dismay that Local Development Plan for Children (LDPC) termed by Davao Archbishop Fernando Capalla as “dangerous and detrimental to the moral and spirituality of the people,” has been approved by the City government despite opposition from Church and faith-based groups here. Even if Church authorities, prolife groups and church-based organizations stormed the heavens with prayers to oppose the proposed local development plan for children (LDPC), it was still passed.

City councilors had twice postponed action on the measure, and the Catholic Church marked a temporary victory against the program two weeks ago after legislators were furnished a copy of a pastoral letter issued on Easter Sunday by Archbishop Fernando Capalla. A staff of one of the city councilors opposed to LDPC who spoke on conditions of anonymity said that prior to the approval of LDPC, Duterte called each legislator in a “closed-door meeting” except for Councilor Tessie Marañon, who is the principal Dismayed / A7

Sacraments denied to pro-LDPC councilors THE archbishop of Davao issued a stern warning against councilors who support the local development plan for children (LDPC) in Davao City, that the sacraments of the church will not be administered to them. Archbishop Fernando Capalla described the acts of the councilors as an “open defiance and ridicule” of the Church’s moral teachings which create public scandal thereby making them “unworthy” to receive sacraments. In an appeal letter sent by Capalla to City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte yesterday, the prelate stressed that “LDPC is dangerous and detrimental to the moral and spiritual of the people.” He added that LDPC is dangerous and detrimental because in the guise of “reproductive health and safe pregnancy”, which mocks parental authority belittles the value of family, denigrates the virtue of chastity, makes available all contraceptives to children 0-18 years old and promotes pre-marital sex and promiscuity. Capalla also reminded Duterte that LDPC offends the Catholic faith and the religious sentiments of the people. “I appeal to our councilors to be sensitive

and respectful of the religious feelings and moral values of the people,” he said. The prelate also warned the city officials who directly and indirectly exert moral pressures to their subordinates in the adoption and later implementation of the LDPC that they too shall be denied of the sacraments of the Church for they are also “unworthy.” Capalla, however, said that the judgment of one’s unworthiness “is not automatic” and needs thorough verification by Church authorities. Meanwhile, the clergy of Davao together with all the members of the pastoral agencies, family and life apostolate, Couples for Christ and the Catholic Women’s League trooped to the City Council today to watch the Tuesday’s regular session where the LDPC is being deliberated. Some of them offered prayers by praying the holy rosary outside the city council building while others stayed inside the session hall.

An insider from the council revealed that late this afternoon the councilors will come up with a decision on LDPC. Yesterday, the councilors had an emergency meeting after they received the appeal letter of Capalla. Unconfirmed reports said that some councilors were troubled in the content of the appeal letter which denied “sacraments for those who directly and indirectly support the LDPC.” (Mark S Ventura)

World News

Pope promises to “do everything possible” to heal scandal of sex abuse ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE, April 15, 2008—While in transit to the United States today, Pope Benedict XVI took the opportunity to respond to the clergy sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic Church, saying that he will do “everything possible to heal this wound” and that he will work to ensure pedophiles don’t become priests. The Pope’s words were part of answers he gave to questions submitted in advance by reporters aboard Shepherd One, a special Alitalia airliner that is ferrying him to the United States. “It is a great suffering for the Church in the United States and for the Church in general and for me personally that this could happen,” Benedict said. “It is difficult for me to understand how it was possible that priests betray in this way their mission ... to these children.” “I am deeply ashamed and we will do what is possible so this cannot happen again in the future,” the pope said. Benedict XVI also said he was determined to prevent pedophiles from becoming priests in the Roman Catholic Church. “We will absolutely exclude pedophiles from the sacred ministry,” Benedict said in English. “It is more important to have good priests than many priests. We will do everything possible to heal this wound.” Pedophilia is “absolutely incompatible” with the priesthood,” Benedict said. The Catholic Church in the United States

MADRID, Spain, April 15, 2008—Archbishop Emeritus Fernando Sebastian of Pamplona said Catholics in Spain should confront the “cultural revolution” that is being carried out by the Socialist Party in the country by proclaiming God. In an interview on COPE radio, the archbishop said, “Today in Spain Catholics need to be aware that we are capable of sustaining a face-to-face discussion with the message of

has been hit particularly hard on the East Coast by the sex abuse scandals, and the Pope’s visit could serve as a key step in the healing process for the Church. The Holy Father also spoke about how he sees this, his first visit as Pope to the U.S. He described his visit as a voyage to meet a “great people and a great Church.”

When the Pope lands at Andrews Air Force Base at 4 p.m. EST, President Bush will give him the honor of picking him up at the base. On board the plane, the Pope also said that when he meets with President Bush tomorrow, he will discuss immigration and the difficulties of families who are separated by immigration. (CNA)

the culture of the Socialist party which is seeking to promote a cultural revolution. “We are not the opposition party,” he said, “but rather the Church of Jesus.” “Fortunately our faith does not depend on politics,” he continued. Politicians must be “put in their place” and not be allowed to legislate whatever they want. “The world is governed by the principle of

pleasure,” and in order to confront it and live in the truth we must realize that “we do not exist alone, but rather we exist in the world.” This problem, he said, has its origin in the “non-recognition of God.” Archbishop Sebastian said, “We need to proclaim God, to recover the notion of creation. I don’t understand how one can be happy without having global vision.” (CNA)

President Bush pulling out all stops to welcome the Pope

WASHINGTON DC, April, 2008—Pope Benedict’s visit to the White House on Wednesday will be only the second time a Pope has visited the home of the President of the United States, the Associated Press reports. In an unprecedented move, President Bush will drive out to meet Pope Benedict’s plane after it lands at Andrews Air Force Base. The papal visit will bring an audience of 12,000 to the South Lawn of the White House, where the president will host an East Room dinner

Vol. 12 No. 8 April 14 - 27, 2008

Polish bishops seek return of John Paul II’s heart to Poland ROME, April 11, 2008—Polish bishops are trying to have Pope John Paul II’s heart extracted and moved to the Polish cathedral where the Pope served as cardinal, AKI News reports. Bishop Tadeusz Pieronek, speaking to the Polish Catholic news agency KAI, said that many Poles wanted the exhumed heart to be sent as a relic to the Wawel Cathedral in Krakow. Since his death in 2005, Pope John Paul II’s burial site in the crypt of St. Peter’s Basilica has

been venerated by thousands daily. Pope Benedict XVI, the present Pontiff, has waived the ordinary five-year waiting period required before investigations begin into Pope John Paul’s cause for beatification. At a Mass last week commemorating the death of his predecessor, Pope Benedict praised John Paul II’s “many human and supernatural qualities,” including “an exceptional spiritual and mystical sensibility.” (CNA)

Muslim cleric proclaims Rome will soon be conquered by Islam

Catholics should confront Socialist “cultural revolution”, says Spanish archbishop

honoring the Pontiff. Until this visit, the Associated Press reports, no president has given a visiting leader the honor of picking him up at the airport. The White House arrival ceremony for the Pope will feature the anthems of the United States and the Holy See, a 21-gun salute, and the U.S. Army Drum and Fife Corps. Both men will deliver remarks before they meet in the Oval Office. The expected welcoming ceremony crowd of 12,000 will be the largest ever at the White House, exceeding in number the 7,000 people who came to greet Queen Elizabeth II last spring. Though the White House dinner will feature Bavarian-style food for the German-born pontiff, the Pope will miss the dinner and instead attend a prayer meeting with the United States Catholic bishops. President George W. Bush, speaking in an interview with EWTN, explained the reasons for his novel airport tarmac greeting of the Pope. “One, he speaks for millions,” the presi-

dent said. “Two, he doesn’t come as a politician; he comes as a man of faith; and Three, I so subscribe to his notion that there’s right and wrong in life, that moral relativism undermines the capacity to have hopeful and free societies. I want to honor his convictions, as well.” The president also described himself as a “believer in the value of human life.” Since President Dwight Eisenhower’s meeting in Rome with Pope John XXIII, every U.S. president has met with the Pope at least once. Pope Benedict’s visit will mark President Bush’s fifth meeting with a pontiff, a new record. While Pope Benedict and President Bush share some common ground regarding abortion, homosexual marriage, and embryonic research, they have disagreed on the war in Iraq and the death penalty. Pope Benedict has also spoken against punitive immigration laws and the U.S. embargo against Cuba, while favoring social welfare programs in ways that differ from the positions of the American president. (CNA)

Bishops’ Conference calls for an end to violence around the Madhu Shrine COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, April 14, 2008—Security is getting worse around the Marian Shrine of Madhu as clashes between Tamil separatists and the army continue. At the same time requests from the Catholic Church for an end to violence and for respect for this “haven of peace” continue. In the wake of the recent appeal by Msgr. Rayappu Joseph, bishop of Mannar, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka (CBCSL), which met on 9-11 April to discuss the situation, made its own appeal to both government and Tamil rebels. In a statement signed by the CBCSL Secretary general, Msgr. Vianney Fernando, the bishops reiterated the importance the shrine has for the entire popula-

CBCP Monitor

tion, whatever their ethnicity or religion, and called on the belligerents to prevent further damages to the sacred building. Last 4 April for security reasons Monsignor Rayappu ordered the transfer of the venerated statue of Our Lady of Madhu to the church of Thevanpitti, which is in area under the control of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE) The decision has fed the rumor mill which claimed that the prelate had the statue moved as a result of rebel pressures. The CBCSL has denied the allegations, stating that the prelate acted for the best. Thevanpitti, it said, was the parish closest to the shrine, adding that “the sacred figure will return to the shrine as soon as security made it possible.”

On 7 April Monsignor Rayappu renewed the request he made to President Rajapakse and LTTE leaders to recognize Madhu as a “zone of peace” and respect it as such by avoiding any military action.

In his last letter to the president, the prelate has said that the people of Mannar were drafting an agreement to that effect signed by thousands of residents to be presented to Rajapakse in a week time. (AsiaNews)

CNA STAFF, April 14, 2008—A high profile Muslim cleric and Hamas member of the Palestinian parliament gave a sermon last Friday in which he declared that soon Rome, “the capital of the Catholics” will be soon overtaken by Islam. Yunis al-Astal, the Yunis Al-Astal cleric in question, “When jihad becomes an inditold his listeners that “Very soon, Allah willing, Rome will be con- vidual duty, it applies to women quered, just like Constantinople too, because women do not difwas, as was prophesized by our fer from men when it comes to Prophet Muhammad. Today, individual duties,” he said in a Rome is the capital of the Catho- June 23, 2007 interview. Al-Astal lics, or the Crusader capital, also called Jews “the brothers of which has declared its hostility apes and pigs” who should “taste the bitterness of death” in the into Islam…” The diatribe was aired on terview. The parliamentarian returned Hamas’ Al-Aqsa TV and predicted that Rome would become to this slur on Friday, saying that “an advanced post for the Islamic Rome “has planted the brothers conquests, which will spread of apes and pigs in Palestine in to prevent the though Europe in its entirety, and order then will turn to the two Ameri- reawakening of Islam.” “I believe that our children, or cas, even Eastern Europe.” “Allah has chosen you for Him- our grandchildren, will inherit self and for His religion,” al-Astal our jihad and our sacrifices, and, declared, “so that you will serve Allah willing, the commanders as the engine pulling this nation of the conquest will come from to the phase of succession, secu- among them,” Al-Astal said. “Today, we instill these good rity and consolidation of power, and even to conquests through tidings in their souls—and by da’wa and military conquests of means of the mosques and the Koran books, and the history of the capitals of the entire world. According to FOX News, Al- our Prophets, his companions, Astal preached last June that it and the great leaders, we prepare was the duty of Palestinian them for the mission of saving women to martyr themselves by humanity from the hellfire at whose brink they stand.” (CNA) becoming homicide bombers.

Tamil Nadu: A thousand Dalit Christians reconvert to Hinduism NEW DELHI, India, April 14, 2008—A thousand Dalit Christians were reconverted to Hinduism today, the 117th anniversary of the birth of Bhimrao Ambedkar, the messiah of the Dalits, in the town of Tirunelveli (Tamil Nadu). Arjun Sampath, president of the Hindu Makkal Katchia (MMK), a local political party, announced that “185 Christian Dalit families from villages in Tirunelveli district will formally return to Hinduism.” The function involved an atonement ritual (prayaschitha yagam) followed by a purification rite (sudhi chadangu). “We’ll purify all those who return to Hinduism by sprinkling Ganga theertha (Ganga water) and Sethu theertha (sethu water),”Arjun said, adding that all of them would also get sacred Hindu names as well. Those who want to follow the Shiva (Saiva) cult will be given sacred ash (bhasmam) and a string of dark berries of elaeocarpus ganitrus (rudraksha). Followers of Vishnu will get a mark on their forehead (tilak) and a string of holy basil (tulsi). All Christian Dalits who return to the Hindu fold will get a formal initiation (mantra deeksha) in both Sanskrit and Tamil. Indeed a statement of faith is not enough for the HMK. “The members who return to Hindu fold will take an oath [. . .] and sign affidavits. Later, we’ll get the conversion certificates from Arya Samaj to get their names changed in the Gazette,” Arjun said.

What is more, the HMK is also planning to re-convert another 20,000 Christians in Villupuram district, starting next August. Caste discrimination prevails among Christians in Tamil Nadu. Last 9 March in the parish of Eraiyur, PondicherryCuddalore archdiocese, clashes between upper caste Christians and lower Dalit Christians led to police intervention, resulting in the death of two people. The situation is such that the two groups have separate cemeteries and, in church, separate pews. Pope John Paul II urged Tamil Nadu bishops during their ‘ad limina’ visit of 17 November 2003 to overcome this division. On that occasion the Holy Father said: “Any semblance of a caste-based prejudice in relations between Christians is a countersign to authentic human solidarity, a threat to genuine spirituality and a serious hindrance to the Church’s mission of evangelization. Therefore, customs or traditions that perpetuate or reinforce caste division should be sensitively reformed so that they may become an expression of the solidarity of the whole Christian community. As the Apostle Paul teaches us, ‘if one member suffers, all suffer together’ (1 Cor. 12:26). It is the Church’s obligation to work unceasingly to change hearts, helping all people to see every human being as a child of God, a brother or sister of Christ, and therefore a member of our own family.” (AsiaNews)

CBCP Monitor

News Features

Vol. 12 No. 8 April 14 - 17, 2008

Pope: Good priests more important than many priests important to have good priests than to have many priests. “We will absolutely exclude pedophiles from the sacred ministry,” the Pope added. The Pontiff responded for about 20 minutes to five questions from the journalists. According to L’Osservatore Romano, the Vatican’s semi-official daily, the interchange gave an inside look into the themes the Holy Father will discuss while in the United States. Benedict XVI highlighted the eminently religious and pastoral nature of his trip, and his hopes for his meetings with U.S. Catholics and representatives of Judaism and other religions, and with leaders from other Christian confessions. He also mentioned his visit to the United Nations, marking the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Finally, he analyzed the increasing presence in the United States of immigrants from Latin American countries, emphasizing that their presence is a challenge for the Church, which is called to accompany them with great pastoral solicitude, aware of the risk their families run of being broken apart. (Zenit)

ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE, APRIL 15, 2008—Benedict XVI says that it is hard for him to understand how sexually abusive priests could have betrayed their mission, and promised that the Church will do everything possible so that such a situation does not repeat itself. The Pope affirmed this today from the Alitalia Boeing 777, “Shepherd One,” that is carrying him to the United States for a 4 p.m. arrival at Andrews Air Force Base. Some 70 journalists are on-board the flight. “Really, it is a great suffering for the Church in the United States and for the Church in general and for me personally that this could happen,” he said. “If I read the histories of these victims, it’s difficult for me to understand how it was possible that priests betrayed in this way their mission to give healing, to give the love of God to these children. “We are deeply ashamed and will do all possible that this cannot happen in the future.” The Holy Father affirmed that the Church must select candidates for the priesthood who are healthy and balanced. He said it is more

Peace requires development, affirms Pontiff People’s Food Summit declares: hunger is governance crisis! MANILA, April 4, 2008—The People’s Food Summit was successfully held April 2, 2008 at the UP-SOLAIR premises meeting its purpose beyond expectation. Four hundred sixty (460) leaders representing various sectors— farmers, urban poor, fisherfolks, bishops, scientists and the academic community actively participated while some sixty-four (64) organizations have also added their voice during the crucial highlevel meeting. Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio J. Ledesma and Kalookan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez were also present in support of the summit. In his talk Archbishop Ledesma raised the alarm on the rising price of rice. He asked government to seriously assess the current food crisis situation. If indeed there is stable and steady supply of rice, then why prices are unrestrained and going up continually. The Archbishop proposed an inventory of the rice supply to be immediately undertaken and make rice accessible, adequate and affordable for all, especially the poor. Food crisis, he added, is related to the crisis of skewed land ownership in the countryside, making the farmers still landless and without capacity to feed their own family. He stressed that agrarian reform becomes more urgent and called on the legislators to extend CARP and institute progressive reforms to address the major flaws of the law and other implementation problems. Archbishop Ledesma also raised concern on the RP-China Agricultural Deals which provides 1.2M hectares for the food and biofuel needs of China. He noted that it undermines agrarian reform, ancestral domain claims of the farmers and the indigenous communities. It also has major impacts to the nation’s food security, especially during these times of food crisis, he added. Towards the end he urged everyone, the stakeholders, to study the People’s Declaration on Food Crisis to help come up with appropriate actions. Bishop Iñiguez extended his support and asked for strong solidarity. He encouraged the assembly to bring the People’s Declaration to the 2nd National Rural Congress and to the national government. The academe also rendered their expertise as resource persons and presenter during the 1-day

summit. UP-Los Baños scientist Dr. Ted Mendoza, Dr. Rene Ofreneo of the Free Trade Alliance (FTA) and Dean Jorge Sibal of UPSOLAIR were among those who gave relevant inputs giving light on the current rice crisis. Adopted during the summit is the People’s Declaration on Food Crisis declaring among others; that the Philippine food crisis is man-made, not a mere outcome of the global food shortages. It stressed that the rice crisis is not a surprise but an outcome of the following governance factors: collapse of the agricultural sector; import dependency; chemical intensive farming; failure to effectively implement the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) which has vastly weakened the agricultural sector; anti-Filipino trade policies such as the RP-China Agri-deals. The Summit forwarded immediate measures, among others, a massive campaign for food production: early planting of rice and other essential crops so that harvesting shall coincide with historical lean months for these commodities; support services should be extended such as seeds, credit, irrigation, etc.; instead of identifying so-called idle lands for big agribusiness, government should encourage landless urban and rural poor to undertake development of these lands; moratorium on land conversion; inventory of rice supply; crack down of hoarders; permanent suspension of the RP-China Agrideals. It also called for an emergency food and jobs program for the urban and rural poor, who will be hardest hit by the crisis. It also called for major policy reforms, among others are: rice self-sufficiency instead of rice import dependency; making agrarian reform and agricultural development the center of national development and global competitiveness and transforming small farmers into modern agribusiness men and women; shift to sustainable agriculture, among others Organizers led by the PARRDS, Urban and Rural Poor in Solidarity, UPA, COPE, CRSS and UPSOLAIR together with the delegates and representatives of various sectoral and church groups were determined to put forward the summit’s Declaration to the government for immediate consideration to solve the food crisis. (Belinda L. Formanes)

VATICAN CITY, APRIL 14, 2008—Peace is unimaginable without the development of each person and all peoples, says Benedict XVI. The Pope affirmed this in a message made public Saturday, which he addressed to Cardinal Renato Martino, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. The message was sent on the occasion of an April 1112 conference in Rome titled: “Disarmament, Development and Peace: Prospects for Integral Disarmament.” “Tension and war exist in various parts of the world,” the Holy Father wrote, “and even where the tragedy of war is not present, feelings of fear and insecurity are nonetheless widespread. Furthermore, such phenomena as global terrorism blur the distinction between peace and war, seriously compromising the future hopes of humankind. “How can we respond to these challenges? How can we recognize the ‘signs of the times’? Certainly, joint action on a political, economic and juridical level is needed, but, even before that, it is necessary to reflect together on a moral and spiritual level. What is ever more vital is to promote a ‘new humanism.’”

Integral humanism

Benedict XVI highlighted how “development cannot be reduced to simple economic growth; it must include the moral and spiritual dimension. A truly integral humanism

must, at the same time, also express solidarity.” “True and lasting peace is unimaginable without the development of each person and of all peoples,” he contended. “Nor is it conceivable to think of reducing arms if first we do not eliminate violence at its roots, if man does not first turn decisively to searching for peace and for what is good and just. “As long as a risk of hostility exists, the arming of states will remain necessary for reasons of legitimate defense. [...] Nonetheless, not all levels of armament are permissible. [...] The vast material and human resources used for military expenditure and armaments are, in fact, taken from projects for the development of peoples, especially the poorest and those most in need of help.” In this context, the Pope made an appeal “for states to reduce military expenditure on arms and to give serious consideration to the idea of creating a global fund for peaceful development projects.” He affirmed the need to do everything possible to ensure that “the economy is directed to serving human beings and solidarity, and not just to profit. On a legal plane, states are called to a renewed commitment, especially as regards international agreements on disarmament and arms control, as well as the ratification and subsequent implementation of previously adopted instruments such as the Comprehensive Nuclear

Test Ban Treaty. [...] Finally, every effort must also be made to combat the proliferation of small-caliber arms.”

Conversion to good

“Nonetheless,” Benedict XVI acknowledged, “it will be difficult to find a solution to the various technical problems without man’s conversion to good on a cultural, moral and spiritual level.” He emphasized the “ever greater need for a choral invocation of the culture of peace and for a joint education in peace, especially among the new generations. [...] The human right to peace is fundamental and inalienable,” and upon it “the exercise of all other rights depends.” Although the current situation in the world could give rise “to a justified sense of discomfort and resignation,” the Holy Father said, also pointing out that “war is never inevitable and peace is always possible. Even more so, it is a duty! The time has come to change the course of history, to rediscover trust, to cultivate dialogue and to nourish solidarity.” “The future of humanity depends upon a commitment on everyone’s part,” he concluded. “Only by pursuing an integral and solidary humanism, in which disarmament assumes an ethical and spiritual dimension, can humanity progress toward the true and lasting peace for which it longs.” (Zenit)

Paulines hold assembly to strategize media ministry

Participants to the Paulines media assembly held from April 7-11 at the Daughters of St. Paul, Harrison St., Pasay City.

MANILA, April 14, 2008—In a bid to address the demands of the media apostolate and to become more effective in the exercise of their ministry, 23 Sisters of the Daughters of St. Paul representing various sectors of electronic media apostolate and pastoral involvement (radio, television, audio visuals, newspaper, information technology and media literacy education) gathered for a five-day assembly to discuss and strategize their media and pastoral involvement for the next five years. With the theme “Working in synergy to broaden our presence for effective service in the world of communication,” the meeting was held April 7-11 at the Pauline Communications Center, Daughters of St. Paul, Harrison St. Pasay City.

Resource speakers during the assembly were Sr. Consolata Manding, FSP, Directress of Paulines Institute for Communication in Asia (PICA), and Sr. Clothilde de las Llagas, FSP, Coordinator of PICA’s Mobile Media Literacy Education program. Sr. Consolata reflected on the significance of the celebration of World Communications Day (WCD) in the Church, especially for the Daughters of St. Paul, emphasizing that for Paulines, “celebrating WCD is a duty.” “Celebrating WCD is the Church’s recognition of the power of media and its influence in the life of people,” she said. She gave a historical presentation of various messages for World Communications Day noting that the theme chosen for each year had some connection

with world events. Likewise, she gave a brief sketch of various Church documents that highlight the importance of media in evangelization as well as its great role in shaping people’s lifestyle and way of thinking. She said that the Church’s attitude towards mass media was generally negative before the Second Vatican Council. But Vatican II’s declaration through its document “Inter Mirifica” proclaiming media as gifts of God, and thus should be used for evangelization, had changed the generally pessimistic stance of the Catholic Church towards media. Sr. Clothilde, who has been involved in media education for many years, gave an animated presentation of conducting media education in the dioceses.

Drawing from the wealth of her experience, she gave suggestions in preparing modules for media education emphasizing the importance of adapting it according to the type of audience. Sharing experiences on their respective ministries in the various dioceses where they are assigned, the Sisters reflected on the strengths and weaknesses of their apostolic works, opportunities that help them fulfill their ministry, and negative influences that hinder them to do so. Together they drew a strategic plan to follow for the next five years, committing themselves to work in synergy to become more responsive to the needs of the Church using the means of communication. In a mission statement formulated at the end of the assembly, the sisters reiterated their commitment “to live and promote gospel values in order to respond creatively to the needs of the people in line with the priorities of the local Church and of the 9th General Chapter by improving the quality of our relationships, constantly renewing our zeal for the apostolate and living the evangelical service of authority and obedience.” The Philippine province of the Daughters of St. Paul has communities in 14 arch/dioceses in the country and another 4 in Malaysia, Papua New Guinea and Thailand. Their radio programs are aired in all diocesan radio stations and in some commercial stations in Manila and the provinces. (Pinky Barrientos, FSP)

CBCP Monitor

Opinion

Vol. 12 No. 8 April 14 - 27, 2008

EDITORIAL

The real shortage PAMPANGA Archbishop Paciano Aniceto—and so did all other well-meaning citizens—was quick to react and register against the lawmaker who said “The country’s inordinately huge population growth rate threatens food security and aggravates the looming rice shortage.” To pinpoint the burgeoning population for the looming rice crisis is hilarious. Why? Has there suddenly been a freak of whatever that all the babies born in less than a year’s time have eaten all our rice to cause a phenomenal crisis? Impending though it was, but a year ago there were no talks of hoarding or of Malacañang having problems with the truth on the issue of rice. The population has always been the whipping boy, as if reducing the population will do the magic of moderating the greed of a few who always get the lion’s share. North Korea and some African countries have reduced their populations substantially—but their populace is hungry just the same. The equation of less mouth equals more food is not only a myth, it is childish. The relativity of production and consumption is basic in economics—which is as true as one-plus-one-equals-two. But when both production and consumption become politicized, the fundamentals are changed, especially when politics like in the Philippines is defined by heavy tolls of corruption. Rice cartels like gambling become handmaids of political ends and maneuverings. But is there really a rice crisis? Malacañang says, there is none. And so says the Department of Agriculture. The militants and those on the other side of the political fence say there is. One thinks that even the very act of telling the truth or lies has become an instrumentality of politics. Indeed, there is not only a shortage of rice, but, worse, a shortage of objectivity. Truth to tell, the Philippines have been importing rice for many years now. While we have the best rice institute and the most number of agricultural schools in the planet, ironically, the Philippines is one of the top rice importers in the whole world. By now, we should be exporting. But, why not so? Well, technocrats have volumes of answers and justifications. But maybe its simply because instead of thinking about farming, the country has been busy dreaming of a nationwide broadband internet connectivity and all its financial derivatives; instead of using fertilizers for the soil, we used them for the pockets; and so on and so forth.

Oscar V. Cruz, DD

Views and Points THIS is the title of the Pastoral Statement officially issued by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines on 10 March 2003. The title itself cannot be more specific and categorical, more plain and clear than what it says: One, that gambling has to be not simply regulated but actually extirpated from this long impoverished and depressing country. Two, that gambling is a fatal disease that first attacks and eventually finishes off the gambler. Three, that gambling has not only an anti-social impact whereas it foments avarice and greed, but also brings about immoral actuations such as lying, cheating and stealing. It would be extremely hard if not morally impossible to name a truly honorable and respectable, really upright and trustworthy gambler. The truth is that just as known habitual gamblers are not really proud of what they do, professional gamblers even prefer to carefully hide their identity. This is why just as jueteng operators and their close associates stay in secret or unknown places, casino players prefer to enter and exit casinos

Making the Family a School of Holiness ON October 21, 2001 the Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, beatified the spouses Luigi and Maria Beltrame Quattrocchi, the first time in the history of the Church that husband and wife were beatified together in the same ceremony. Blessed Luigi died in 1951 and Blessed Maria followed in 1965. They had four children. The three living children, two priests and one lay woman, were at the beatification of their parents, who “lived an ordinary life in an extraordinary way. Among the joys and anxieties of a normal family, they knew how to live an extraordinarily rich and spiritual life” (Pope John Paul II, Homily at the Mass of Beatification). How truly wonderful are the ways of God! The beatification event reveals the capacity for mutual sanctification in marriage. The life together of Blessed Luigi and Maria as spouses and parents illustrates the necessity and importance of the Church’s teachings. The sacrament of marriage is a holy sacrament lived out in the realities of conjugal and family life. Marriage is a call for mutual sanctification. The grace of the sacrament nourishes and supports marriage and helps spouses to transform their lives into a “spiritual sacrifice” (see FC, 56). The Eucharistic sacrifice in which husband and wife must participate regularly represents Christ’s covenant love with the Church, sealed with his blood on the Cross. In the Eucharist, husband and wife receive nourishment, strength, and support, for in the Eucharistic sacrifice “Christian spouses encounter the source from which their own marriage covenant flows” (FC, 57). In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, they receive pardon and forgiveness for their failures as spouses (FC, 58), as well as the grace of renewal.

ROME. The very first World Apostolic Congress on Mercy (WACOM was the acronym used, and we jokingly said it sounded like it was an advertising congress) has just concluded last Sunday, 06 April 2008. Among the more numerous delegations came from the Philippines. Monsignor Josefino Ramirez, the Continental Representative for Asia and Oceania, happily reported that there were over 200 delegates from the Philippines. Sadly, he also noted that around 50 delegates didn’t make it since they were denied VISA. It was also amazing how elated we felt when, one by one, the delegations were introduced, the delegation from Japan that stood up were all Filipinos and Filipinas. They were even waving Philippine flags. We thought we could soon organize an In-

In the Philippines, it is very tragic that many fathers do not provide an example, much less leadership, for their children in this fundamental area of prayer. Prayer is not a luxury. It is necessary and indispensable. Even Christ prayed. Fathers must likewise pray with and for their families. Through the family’s prayer, God makes the family a sanctified and sanctifying family. —Saving and Strengthening the Filipino Family, A CBCP Pastoral Statement, 2001

ISSN 1908-2940

Tr u t h ,

Promoter

Love Life

Peace

Pedro C. Quitorio Pinky Barrientos, FSP

Kris P. Bayos

Associate Editor

Feature Editor

Melo M. Acuña

Rosalynn Garcia

Managing Editor

Marketing Supervisor

Dennis B. Dayao

Ernani M. Ramos

On-Line Editor

Circulation Manager

Roy Q. Lagarde

Marcelita Dominguez

News Editor

Comptroller

The CBCP Monitor is published fortnightly by the CBCP Communications Development Foundation, Inc., with editorial and business offices at 470 Gen. Luna St., Intramuros, Manila. P.O. Box 3601, 1076 MCPO. Editorial: (063) 404-2182. Business: (063)404-1612. Email: cbcpmonitor@cbcpworld.net Website: www.cbcpworld.net/cbcpmonitor

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BABY Nathan John was a much awaited baby to be born. And indeed, he was born on March 31, Feast of the Annunciation, also the National Day of the Unborn. This was the third pregnancy of Elizabeth. Her second child, Liza, was born by Lamaze natural childbirth. She then became an active member of the Breastfeeding Support Group and it is this group headed by Dr. Elvira Henarez-Esguerra and Mrs. Pam Magallon that motivated her to try the Le Boyer method, also called the Russian water birth, for her third delivery. No hospital in the Philippines was willing to accommodate this method of delivery, even though some midwives had already successfully tried it in the homes of the women in their care. Since the aim of the group was to take videos of the delivery to be used for promotion and teaching

of the “Most Corrupt” in the history of the nation. The ruling administration is deeply immersed in graft and corrupt practices through devious contracts and scandalous deals. In effect, even the CBCP Leadership said with deep pain and profound sorrow that the present government is “morally bankrupt.” And it is rather difficult to even imagine that PCSO gambling components and PAGCOR casinos are paragons of honesty and integrity—specially in the enviable perks of its high officials, and particularly in the disbursements of the public funds avidly and continuously taken away from their respective gambling patrons. Considering what gambling is in nature and implications, attending to its odious impact in the community, to the youth in particular, knowing that it is neither frequented by exactly exemplary people be these Filipinos or foreigners nor protected by ordinary individuals but rather by shadowy and threatening characters, the CBCP conclusion is both obvious and imperative: GAMBLING IN THE COUNTRY MUST BE ERADICATED.

Fr. Melvin P. Castro

Speaking of Mary

ternational Congress with all Filipino delegates but representing many countries from all over the world. The WACOM coincided with the 3rd Death anniversary of the Great John Paul II. The Holy Father, Benedict XVI, made reference to him during the Homily of the Opening Mass at St. Peter’s Square on 02 April 2008. He remembered most specially the last moments of his life and through which we saw the true greatness of John Paul II: that in the midst of human pain and suffering we encounter God. TOTUS TUUS was the Papal Motto of John Paul II, with it he summarized his great love and devotion to Mary. In it, he saw his entire Petrine ministry dedicated to Christ through Mary. During the free time in the afternoon,

Sr. Mary Pilar Verzosa, RGS

CBCP Monitor Protagonist

in the darkness of the night. In other words, either illegal or the so called “legal” gambling is not exactly a venture accompanied with pride and delight. In the same way, gamblers are not good examples for the admiration and edification of others—their own children and neighbors as well. This is what CBCP categorically said to inculcate the social liability and more evil of gambling: “It has become an insidious subculture of immense corruption that involves shadowy network of powerful financiers, protectors and lords.” This is the objective composite liability of gambling. Insidious is its nature and corruption is its specialty. Those who even dare to claim that gambling is ennobling and honest is its origin and/or finality, must belong to another planet, must pertain to another race other than human one. The mere mention of the word “corruption” brings to mind a good number of vivid and vibrant shameful realities in the Philippines: The country has been adjudged as one of the “Most Corrupt” in the world. Its own leadership also received the inglorious title

TOTUS TUUS: Remembering the great John Paul II

Family prayer offered together with their children strengthens the communion of love in the family and obtains graces necessary for that communion to grow. This is why we must encourage in the family, praying with the Word of God, devotional prayer, especially the family Rosary. Prayer, led by husband and wife, has to be part and parcel of family life. Anniversaries are special moments for prayer, moments for thanksgiving and petition (FC, 59).

“Eradicate gambling: It is a moral and social cancer”

many took advantage to get to know Rome better, and of course with the usual buying of rosaries as pasalubong. And many, most certainly, went to the Vatican Grottoes— the tombs of the Sovereign Pontiffs. And there one cannot be amazed that to this day, how many would flock before the tomb of John Paul II. In his life and in his death, we saw a true Vicar of Christ here on earth. He truly lived and died in fama sanctitatis. In him we truly felt the bonum odor Christi, the sweet fragrance of Christ. Cards, letters, candles are being left near the tomb of the Great Pope. TOTUS TUUS, a magazine which is the official publication of the Postulation for the Cause of John Paul II, even printed one such letter left behind by a woman who happens to be a Speaking / A6

Promoting natural child birth

purposes, they visited me at the Good Shepherd Convent to ask for a room in order to hold this exciting event. Expected date of delivery of Elizabeth was last March 25. A children’s plastic pool was set up in the middle of the room, pails for heating water, lots and lots of pillows, mats and pads were within reach and the two midwives on hand prepared their instruments. Elizabeth did go into labor, but the pains stopped in a couple of hours and Bernadette, the head midwife, said it was false labor so they all decided to go back to their homes and wait for the real labor to begin. Several days passed and I wondered if Elizabeth decided to give birth in the hospital. Then at early dawn of March 31, we woke up to the ringing of the doorbell to let the whole troupe in—Elizabeth writhing in pain, the two midwives, Dra.

Esguerra, Pam and a couple of helpers. We hurriedly set up the room again and filled the pool with warm water. Lights were dimmed and soft music played in the background. We were instructed to speak in a low voice especially when the baby was coming out. The whole idea was for the baby to come into the world without the trauma that babies experience in hospital deliveries—cold air-conditioned room, doctors and nurses shouting out instructions, turning the baby upside down and roughly suctioning his nose or mouth for discharges, and even spanking him if he doesn’t cry immediately. As a nurse, I have participated in such harsh deliveries, and recall how we were so lacking in compassion of how the mother must be feeling in her exposed position for hours on the deLove Life / A6

CBCP Monitor

Opinion

Vol. 12 No. 8 April 14 - 17, 2008

Jose B. Lugay

Laiko Lampstand IT IS a rare opportunity to match an individual’s desire to serve others in the Christian world with the available training program specific for his need. This is a need particularly relevant to young lay missionaries who want to serve Asian countries whose mainstream religion is non-Catholic. In these countries where priests and religious are being watched, their activities monitored, a trained lay person can do much to help the local church in forming communities of faith. Young lay missionaries trained by FONDACIO—Christians for the World, some of them Filipinos, are doing great work in their country of assignments in Asia—a dream of Pope John Paul coming true! FONDACIO’s School of Discipleship for Young Asians here in the Philippines, the Institute of Formation, Asia is located at 48A Cenacle Drive, Claret Seminary, Sanville Subdivision, Quezon City. This Center of Formation works in partnership with the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conference (FABC) - Youth Desk and the St. Vincent School of Theology (SVST). The 11-month formation program provides a Certificate in Theological Studies and a Certificate in Social Pastoral Formation. Dioceses, congregations or communities may send lay students 20 – 30 years old, with a college degree or a high school graduate with 2 years work experience, and have had some engagement or service in the local Church. Potential students are those with the right motivation, a good command of English and committed to serve their diocese and communities for at least 2 years. The Summer Program begins on May 1, 2008. The Formation Program integrates various currents of formation in Church and society such as 1) human formation, 2) theological/spiri-

Wanted: youth leaders for training

tual formation, 3) social formation, and 4) pastoral/community formation. After the year of formation, students commit themselves for a two-year service to the Diocese or Sending Organization. During this two-year period, the Fondacio Institute for Formation will accompany the students, ensure they are engaged in a mission where they can apply their formation, and have basic community life. The next stage is Discernment which should lead them to a) further 2nd level formation or b) continue other studies (academic or livelihood project) towards a life orientation / mission, or 3) other calling. The sending organization is required to raise US$3,500 or P14,400 for food lodging and formation expenses. This is a subsidized amount. For emerging churches and those who cannot afford this amount, they may request for a scholarship. The Fondacio Institute of Formation will try to make this available. The sending organization however must shoulder the airfare, visa and pocket money of their candidates. Estimated amount of pocket money will be US$30 per month. Each student is encouraged to contribute to the expenses as their personal commitment. This may come from fund-raising or sponsorship from their family, friends and parishioners. For the school year 2007, 8 men and women participated in Fondacio’s formation program: Myanmar –5, China –3, Laos –2, Cambodia –2, Malaysia –3 and Philippines –2. The best proof of the success of the training in the Institute of Formation, Asia, is the feedback from the sending sponsors. We quote: Sister Jesse, Filipina, Congregation of the Daughters of Charity, point person for the Institute in Laos: “The bishops are very happy for them (Noi and Vian) and appreciate their con-

tribution to the diocese. The students themselves are grateful for the formation they have received and look forward to coming back for further formation. Vian is very interested in deepening her formation in Theology. They are beginning to organize their own work teams in the implementation of programs and the young people are beginning to look at them as role models.” Archbishop Paul Grawn, MandalayMyanmar, On the Students, Institute: “I am very satisfied with the progress of the student I had sent. I can see changes in them. They are more confident. Our post formation accompaniment system is very good. I can see the follow-up and concept of on-going formation.” Fr. Daniel Franklin Pilario, C.M. Dean, St. Vincent School of Theology: “One characteristic of the students from the Institute of Formation is their eagerness to study and learn. Despite some difficulty with language, they are never afraid to ask questions, raise issues arising from their personal and social contexts, browse sources to enhance learning. For these alone, teaching becomes an enjoyable task for me. Their presence has also given colors to SVST with their different languages, dances, songs, prayers, food and cultures. Their youthful enthusiasm and spontaneity have energized and animated this academic community.” For the coming school year, the Philippines has not yet sent a candidate. It is a pity to miss this golden opportunity to have a trained a future Filipino lay missionary of Asia! We raise this flag of opportunity to the Episcopal Commission on Youth. For other congregations who are interested, please contact Mr. Charles Bertille, Director and Asian Coordinator, Institute of Formation, Asia, at Tel. 632-4553468. e-mail: cof.fondacio@ gmail, www.fondacio-asia.org

Rev. Euly B. Belizar, SThD

Crisis mode FOR some time now I have been seriously considering a friend’s proposal that we push for a change in our country’s name from R.P. (Republic of the Philippines) to R.P.C. (Republic in Perpetual Crisis). If you think I’m joking, well, I am, but seriously (to repeat this adverb is equally necessary). Frankly I don’t know if other countries may not qualify as well for such an ID change, considering the current crop of problems the world faces. Fuel prices that have been skyrocketing, paired for a long time with pockets of wars and terror, have now found new and more lethal companions—food and water crises. Dwindling food (especially rice) supplies worldwide that fuel impossibly high prices and long lines for NFA rice is stalking our land together with the specter of drinking water scarcity while ironically flash floods still threaten rural communities. We should know. We’re in it. To add to our woes, in our islands whatever crisis there may be in the outside world is bound to double or worsen when it hits us. It is because we also have a long-standing crisis in leadership, perhaps rooted in a culture deeply tainted by corruption, and consequently a crisis in governance that impedes effective and committed response to our problems. (Actually we don’t need a reminder from one Australian blogger who promised “to expose the hypocrisies in your corrupt country”. We know them too well already.) Such a crisis in leadership facing food, fuel and water crises within a crisis of culture is doing immense damage to our national self-confidence also in a perpetual state of crisis. For Filipinos to take boxer Manny Pacquiao’s every victory or Charice Pempengco’s astounding rise to become a youtube-inspired international sensation (to cite only two examples) as worthy of accolades of national proportions speaks of

how badly this national self-confidence has been battered that it grasps at anything to survive. We certainly are a very talented and gifted people with abilities that are nothing short of world-class. But for a long time we have been in a crisis mode that it seems so easy to forget what we can and should really do for ourselves and for our nation. The time to wake up is past due. Woudn’t we be shocked if we saw a Marcos, an Aquino or a Cojuangco looking for food in a pile of garbage? But in my view it is a greater shock to see a baptized Catholic Christian grabbing millions of money (even as a commission or as a ‘por ciento’) or immense property that are not his and cannot be his by just dealings while millions of fellow Filipinos stand to suffer the consequences of such greed (that is, in terms of debt to pay and poverty to endure). Nay, it’s a greater shock to find a baptized Catholic treating the ballot and voters as commodities to buy or sell. If scrimmaging in the dumps is incompatible with being an Aquino, a Cojuangco or a Marcos, it is even more incompatible for a baptized Christian to have anything to do with the “culture of corruption” (except to reject it or to do everything that it be stopped). I’m astounded at how the Scriptures could give a flash of light into the dark we’re in and in a way that is so simple, yet so direct. When Peter preaches the kerygma of how “God has made Lord (Kyrios) and Messiah this Jesus whom you crucified” (Acts 2:36), it strikes me how the crowd reacts by asking Peter: “What do we do, brothers?” Peter responds: “Reform your lives and be baptized…(Acts 2:38)” If he were to address today the Filipino nation that, in more times than one, prides itself in being the “only Christian, only Catholic, country in Asia”,

Bp. Guillermo V. Afable, DD

DADITAMA THE National Rural Congress II Mindanao (NRC II – Mindanao) activities are well on their way. Daditama is actively participating. In fact, it has been chosen to host the said event particularly by the host Archdiocese of Davao. I would like to share with our readers the latest bulletin from the NRC II Mindanao secretariat regarding the preparations and the holding of the congress. Objectives: To present the collated and consolidated results of the Diocesan ad intra and sub-regional ad extra consultations; to deepen the analysis on the root causes of rural poverty; to reflect and discern on the current situation in the light of the Social Teachings of the Church; and to come-up with concrete recommendations. Date: June 9 - 12, 2008 Venue: St. Francis Xavier Regional Major Seminary (REMASE), Catalunan Grande, Davao City Registration Fee: P 1,500.00 per participant Participants: (1) Ad intra: Diocesan Representatives. They are to be chosen by the local ordinary. (2) Ad extra: Sub-regional representatives. They will be selected by their respective groups. Pre-NRC II Mindanao Acitivies. Consultation at the BEC / Parish/ Diocesan Level. Deadline of submission of the Diocesan Consolidated Report will be on or before April 30,

By the Roadside wouldn’t he say: “Reform your lives and be faithful to your baptism where you have renounced all evil and anything to do with Satan in as much as you professed faith in God and adherence to everything he stands for”? And wouldn’t he take us to task for putting our Christianity together with acts of corruption, the sign of the cross with extrajudicial killings and human rights violations in the same degree that he would chide us for putting the Sto. Niño or the saints together with images of scantily clad women in our tricyles and jeepneys? I also find it extremely educational that Jesus is acclaimed ‘Lord’ (Kyrios) and ‘Messiah’ only after he allows himself to be crucified. The problem with us is not that we do not aspire enough for the glory of the country; the problem is that we do little to check the greed that accompanies our all-too-human struggles to achieve it. The problem is not that we haven’t heard nor understood how Jesus “suffered” so that we might be saved; the problem is that we want to be saved from poverty while passing ‘suffering’ to others, instead of ‘suffering for others’, which marks true Christian leadership. I remember how many decent Filipinos reacted negatively to a clause attributed to Sec. Neri instructing Engr. Jun Lozada: “Moderate their greed” (in reference to a failed deal’s players scrambling for big-time money). I share that reaction. We must not only moderate our greed; we must crucify it once and for all, nipping it in the bud, so that our poor may truly be able to rise and join the rest of us in pushing the nation to its right destination—true, peaceful and just prosperity. But unless we realize that the Paschal Mystery is not only meant to be celebrated in liturgy but also to be lived out in society, we will always be derailed in our journey by a continuing ‘crisis mode’.

Davao hosts NRC II – Mindanao

2008. Said report shall be sent to: REV. FR. PEDRO P. LAMATA, NRC II SECRETARIAT, c/o PASTORAL OFFICE, Archbishop’s Residence, F. Torres Street, Davao City Note: Everyone is encouraged to submit the consolidated report so that regional collation can start as early as possible. Each Diocese will be asked to send six delegates: two representing the diocese (e.g. the BEC and Social Action directors); two from basic rural sectors (e.g. Farmer, fisherman, etc.); and two from civil society organizations working in the diocese (e.g. academe, etc.).

Daditama catechetical convention

Once again, the Daditama catechetical directors and coordinators have gathered their catechist delegates for the 6 th Daditama Catechetical Convention in Digos City, April 09-11 hosted by the Diocese of Digos. Aside from the quarterly pastoral meetings of the Metropolitan Province of Daditama, individual ministries also gather for their annual or bi-annual conventions. These gatherings are meant to strengthen their solidarity and continue to learn from each other’s experiences and pastoral initiatives. This catechetical convention is one such gathering specifically for those engaged in Christian formation. Participants are mostly the head catechists

or catechetical coordinators of the more than 95 parishes and 17 quasi parishes in the area. These head catechists take care of the formation and coordination of at least 9,487 volunteer catechists serving in the schools and BECs numbering around 5,606 in the entire Daditama. The Diocese of Tagum has the most number of volunteer catechists numbering 3,194 volunteer catechists. Nevertheless, the harvest is still great, and the laborers are still few in comparison. We continue to pray to the Lord of the harvest, especially during this year’s celebration of the “45th World Day of Prayer for Vocations” last April 13, 2008. The theme for this year’s catechists’ convention is “How beautiful to see those coming who announce the Good News” (Is. 52:7). The keynote address on the theme was given by Sr. Vilma P. Esmael, OND, director of the Notre Dame Catechetical Formation Center in Cotabato City. Three other conferences were given echoes of past pastoral gatherings. From the Mindanao Region Catechetical Convention in Butuan City, 2007, two conferences were given—Telling the Story of Jesus in Mindanao by Bishop Guillermo Afable and Catechists as Prayer by Fr. Ronald Lunas. Fr. Juan Macalisang also echoed to the participants the experience of last year’s MSPCXXIII on Restoring Values through the BEC.

A5 Nicolo F. Bernardo

Lifeguard The living image THE ending of the local (and comparably frustrating) rendition of the Marimar soap opera has been reminiscent of its original Mexican version, which besides popularizing “telenovelas” in the country, had introduced Filipinos to the Lady of Guadalupe. Its Mexican characters would always cusp the name of this Lady. At that time, I was very skeptical of the “Guadalupe craze” of Hispanic Catholics. Besides, I was not used to tanned Virgin Marys such as the Guadalupe. Later did I know that there are more than meets the eye. I began to appreciate the “La Virgen,” as it is also called, as a religious icon of the pro-life movement. She wears a black girdle high above her abdomen which is a sign of pregnancy. The same image helped end the human sacrifices in Mexico, drawing nine million converts who heard of the appearance of the image on the tilma of St. Juan Diego in 1531 at Tepeyac, Mexico City. Above all, the Guadalupe has the features of a “living image” that invite awe and suspension of judgment, if not all-out belief. First, the eyes. Ophthalmalgic studies made on the eyes of Mary reveal that the retina contracts when exposed to light, and returns to a dilated state when withdrawn. When light is focused on the eye, the iris fills itself with light as happens with a real eye. Small veins also run in the eyelids. Mary’s eyes have the refractive effects of a human eye (the Purkinje and Samson effect) that no artist could have created. Miniscule human figures can be seen in the eyes using an opthalmoloscope. A figure (Juan Diego) appears to be exposing his tilma to a bearded man (Bishop-elect Juan de Zumarraga), other witnesses, and a family group, confirming the event. That scene is just one-fourth a millimeter! The Skeptical Inquirer, however, contests that this is mere religious “pareidolia”—the human tendency to form familiar shapes from random blots. Defenders say this may be true with the grainy blownups of the prints, and skeptics may want to see the magnifiable figures for themselves. The reflection of the figures follows the laws of optical physics, the curvature of the cornea, despite the image’s flat surface. In fact in the 1970s, a Japanese optician who was examining the eyes fainted, claiming that the eyes were alive and looking at him! Second, the sturdy material. The tilma, made from maguey cactus fiber (of the Agave potule zacc variety) lasts about 20-30 years. But the cloth has lasted for almost 500 years, while duplicates from similar materials have deteriorated. Before being encased in glass panes, it was even exposed for 116 years to humid athmosphere, sooth, and the continous kissing and rubbing of devotees. In 1791, muriatic acid accidentally spilled on the tilma’s upper right side when the frame was being polished. For 30 days, without any special treatment, the affected fabric re-constituted itself inexplicably! And in 1921, a high power bomb concealed below the tilma exploded and destroyed everything around, but the tilma remained intact. Third, the colors. Nobel laureate for Chemistry Richard Kuhn, and later NASA researchers Philip Callahan and Jody Brandt Smith using infrared imaging, observed that the colors of the original image were of unknown origin— neither vegetable, animal, mineral, synthetic, nada. No brush stroke, pigment, binder, or sketch to say that it was painted. Again, the scientists only refer to the underlying “original image” as there are multi-layers on the present image due to add-ons and retouches of overzealous devotees. Of an unknown unfading origin includes the Virgin’s head, palms, right foot, pink robe, blue mantle, and radiant background. The deteriorating parts are the added paintings, such as the sunburst from metallic gold, bows in the girdle from black iron oxide, the moon, the angel, the bracelets, the embroidery of Mexican mountains, the once visible crown, etc. There is contention on whether the stars reflecting the constellations when the miracle happenned were added (they appear to be absent in the oldest 1569 engraving of Juan Diego). Discreditors harp on these add-ons to debunk the integrity of the whole image. Call it hasty generalization. Still, from a distance of 3-4 inches from the image, one can only see the maguey fibers of the material: the colors disappear. When the material was examined under a laser ray, there is no coloration on the cloth’s front or back, and that the colors hover at a distance of 3/10th of a millimeter (1/100th of an inch) over the cloth. In other words, the colors float in the air above the the tilma. This can be checked even by using a strong magnifying glass. Fourth, the human temperature. The tilma maintains a constant temperature of 36.6 degrees, the same as that of a living human body! Fifth, the beating heart in the womb. A doctor who analyzed the tilma placed his stethoscope below the black band at Mary’s waist, and heard rhythmic beats at 115 pulses per minute, the same as that of a baby in a womb. Sixth, the evidence of history. There are the 1558 Codex Escalada, a painting on deerskin illustrating the apparition, and the Nican Mopohua (ca. 1548-1560) discussing the miracle, both by Judge Antonio Valeriano’s circle. The apparition account is also backed by the Informaciones Jurídicas of 1666, a collection of oral interviews of various witnesses on Juan Diego and the apparition story. There are conflicts on the details though, such as the Indian-European calendar configuration, and Fray Juan de Zumarraga being bishop-elect and not yet bishop at that time, which discreditors highlight over and above the substance of the accounts. Finally, the continous miracles of this image specially concerning the unborn. In pro-life processions such as in Wichita, Kansas where a replica of the image is being carried while passing an abortion clinic, a shower of fragrant rose petals suddenly flaked from the image in all directions. The missionary replicas are also reported to shed oil, tears, and blood. On April 24, 2007, the day abortion was legalized in Mexico City—for all places! Thanks to its Socialist government—an intense light in the form of a fetus illuminated from the belly of the Virgin as the Holy Mass ended. Numerous pilgrims were able to photograph the phenomenon. An engineer, Luis Girault, verified that neither the photos nor the negatives have been altered and that the light could not strategically come from the glasses’ reflection. In all these, what could be the enduring message of the miraculous tilma? It seems to be the same words of the pregnant Elizabeth when she met the pregnant Mary: “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” We are blessed right from our mother’s wombs. The inexplicable image of the Guadalupe and her unborn son are aptly “alive,” an iconography of the Lord of Life over the idols of death.

CBCP Monitor

Local News

Vol. 12 No. 8 April 14 - 27, 2008

Rice shortage not due to ‘overpopulation,’ says prelate THE rice distribution crisis plaguing the country should not be a reason for the legislature to enact laws that will “curb” the growing multitude of Filipinos. Thus is what Pampanga Archbishop Paciano Aniceto said following claims from known pro-choice advocate Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman that the rice supply crisis is due to the nation’s “overpopulated” status. Earlier, the lawmaker said the government’s determination to address the problem on dwindling areas of rice lands should be of the same intensity with the desire to contain the expanding population if it wants to solve the rice crisis. “The country’s inordinately huge population growth rate (PGR) threatens food security and aggravates the loom-

ing rice shortage,” said the lawmaker, who authored pending house bills on reproductive health, responsible parenthood, family planning and population management. But according to Aniceto, the problem on rice crisis in not related in the country’s growing population. Instead, the problem is related to what he called a “crisis of management” on the part of the government. “Today’s rice crisis is a case of management crisis, how we could properly manage our economy and our resources,” he said in an interview over Church-run Radio Veritas. The chair of the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Family and Life, Aniceto said that instead of promoting pro-choice and anti-family legislations, the government

should direct its efforts in supporting the local farmers for it is the development of the agriculture sector that will answer the crisis on rice shortage. “The government should support the farmers. Aside from support on fertilizers, irrigation and transportation of their products, the government should address the issue on farm land disputes as in the case of the Sumilao farmers,” he said. Aniceto likewise called on rice dealers to set aside their motivations for profit in this time of crisis. “Let us practice patriotism by not hoarding our products. After all, the Lord has created rice not for a selected few but for every one. As such, let’s all act for the common good,” he said. (Kris Bayos)

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Filipino Nuncio moved from Costa Rica to Korea POPE Benedict XVI has appointed Filipino Archbishop Osvaldo Padilla as the new apostolic nuncio to Korea. The post had been vacant since Archbishop Emil Paul Tscherrig was named Papal nuncio to Sweden in January 2008. Prior to his appointment, Archbishop Padilla had been serving as apostolic nuncio to Costa Rica. The prelate is the first of the two Filipino Papal nuncios. He is the older brother of Archbishop Francisco Padilla who was also appointed Papal nuncio to

Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands in 2006. Filipino bishops said the fact that there are two Filipino Papal nuncios is an honor for the Philippines as it is recognition of a country’s role as a leading Catholic nation in Asia. A Nuncio acts as a representative of the Pope to the local Church and the same time Ambassador of the Vatican State. In some countries the nuncio is by courtesy made the “dean” of the diplomatic corps. (CBCPNews)

CBCP to hold ‘anti-torture’ seminar THE CBCP-Episcopal Commission on Prison Pastoral Care will hold a seminar-workshop on the United Nations’ Convention Against Torture, Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) on April 29, 2008. In coordination with the Coalition Against Death Penalty (CADP) and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), the oneday activity will be held at the Centennial Hall of the Manila Hotel. The seminar-workshop will be attended by government agencies and non-government organizations involved in checking

and preventing torture among persons deprived of their liberties. ECPPC executive secretary Rodolfo Diamante said the activity would also take up the key concepts of CAT in order to establish and stress the significance of monitoring the implementation of the said international policy. “It will also identify the role of member organizations of CADP in contributing to the State Report on CAT and formulate an initial action plan for the preparation of a national strategy for the promotion of CAT,” said Diamante.

livery table and the baby losing the warmth and comfort of the womb into a cold, noisy world. I had brought in the statue of Our Lady of La Leche, Patroness of Mothers and Mothers-to-be, also called the Breastfeeding Madonna, and I could see Elizabeth turning her head every now and then to the statue as we prayed the novena quietly for her intercession. Within the four hours of her labor, she did cry out that she wanted to give up in pain, but the support group gently encouraged her to hang on as they stroked her forehead damp with perspiration and rubbed her tummy to ease the pain. And at 4:30 am, the baby quietly slipped into the warm water, he lustily cried as his skin turned into a healthy dark pink. The midwife laid him naked on the bare skin of his mom close to her breast. It did not take half an hour for the baby to turn his head searching for the nipple of his mom to suck. It was such a natural phenomena! His um-

bilical cord was cut only when the midwife could feel that the pulsating sensation had stopped. In a few minutes, the placenta was delivered. Elizabeth was then transferred to a mattress nearby where she went to sleep, holding on to her baby sucking at her breast. There was no need to give her anti-bleeding injection as the sucking reflex on her breast started the action of hormones to restore her uterus to its original condition. We rejoiced at the thought that Baby Nathan chose to be born on March 31, the date chosen by the Church to celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation this year because March 25 was within Easter Week. I informed the group that pro-lifers had prevailed on President Gloria M. Arroyo to declare the Feast of the Annunciation as National Day of the Unborn in the Philippines. The Executive Order 586 was signed last March 24, 2004 and we have been celebrating the Day of the Unborn every year

since then. Later in the afternoon, we buried the placenta under a mango tree, following the tradition of Filipino families in the provinces. Elizabeth was strong enough to join us in this activity. I promised her that we would name the tree after her baby. I also suggested that she add John after the Baptist as her name was Elizabeth, and because the baby was literally baptized into the pool of water during his natural birth. So we have a special tree in the Good Shepherd compound now named Baby Nathan John. The whole process was recorded on video. This will be edited and used for teaching purposes in order to promote the beauty of life and all that is natural—naturally planned, naturally born, naturally breastfed and naturally healed. For more information on Natural Family Planning, Birthing and Breastfeeding, contact Prolife Center at 911-2911.

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prostitute begging the great Pope to intercede for her and never to leave her alone. Such great love and devotion to the much loved Servant of God. During the conferences and talks held at the St. John Lateran Basilica every morning, and one afternoon at the Sta. Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri (for the English-speaking delegations), one would be touched with the spontaneous applause the delegates will give whenever the name of the Great John Paul II would be mentioned. His loving presence was felt all throughout the Congress. Our delegation, among other groups from the Philippines, was made of Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles, and devotees

from Manila, Lipa, and Davao. A small group but I believe one of the “noisiest.” You will not believe that we brought with us so many posters and small pictures of the Divine Mercy and posters and pictures and even statues of Mary Mediatrix—all were distributed during the Congress. There were also the delegates with Bishop Ted Bacani and Bishop Jose Oliveros. Archbishop Orlando Quevedo was one of the speakers in the English-speaking workshop in one afternoon. And lest I forget, Fr. Benedict Groeschel was also there both as a speaker and delegate. He noted how there is a flourishing of devotion within the Church now.

I will remember how at the last evening, at Piazza Navona, when we were allowed to bring the image of Mary Mediatrix, the people were encircling around her image, bringing her flowers, and how even delegation from Mexico and Panama left their national flags at the foot of the image as a token of their love for her. Indeed, there is that inseparable union between Jesus and Mary, between Christ the King of Mercy and Mary, the Mother of Mercy. The concluding Mass held at St. Peter’s Basilica was presided over by the Austrian Cardinal and WACOM President, Cardinal Schonborg. Inside the Basilica, we were allowed to bring

the image of Mary, Mediatrix of All-Grace. She was placed beside the image of the Divine Mercy which was positioned discreetly in one of the corners near the main Altar. Later that afternoon with a meeting with the coordinators and with Cardinal Schonborg, our delegation gifted him an image of Mary, Mediatrix of AllGrace. There was always that talk and speculation on when the Servant of God, the Great John Paul II, would be beatified. Well, who knows, but in the minds and hearts of many he was and he is a saint. Ave Maria. Ad Jesum per Mariam.

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“Violence is always a no-no. It will not bring anything good to all of us. Let us remain open-minded and assess the situation very wisely,” he said. The Department of National Defense and the Philippine National Police yesterday said unrest due to food crisis is unlikely to happen in the country. But the bishop is not discounting the possibility of riots unless demands for government action over the cost of food are properly addressed.

No panic buying Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, SJ, called on the people not to engage in panic buying of rice so as not to aggravate the situation “The first thing to do is not to resort to panic buying because that will just increase the frustration and nervousness of many people,” he said. Ledesma urged the public to remain optimistic despite reports of rice shortage setting in over the lean months of July to September. “I think it’s better to just look on this as a problem that can be resolved if all of us are able to cooperate together,” said the chairman of the Second National Rural Congress (NRCII). Civil society groups warn that worst situation in the country’s rice supply is yet to come as they predict the prices of rice will soar to as high as 40 pesos. Reports of tightening global supply of rice have pushed local prices in the market of the staple food, abnormally high even as the harvest season is still

headed for its peak next month.

Church can’t take over the market Some Catholic leaders do not like the idea of becoming rice retailers by the National Food Authority amidst plans by the government of pulling out the P18.25 NFA rice from public markets and passing it to parishes. Catholic bishops said they were concerned that the plan would put them into the position of a context beyond their roles as Church leaders. Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo, National Secretariat for Social Action head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, said the Church is doing enormous efforts to help the government amid the looming rice crisis but only to the extent ensuring that NFA rice goes to “poorest of the poor.” “We will not be able to absorb all of them (NFA selling). We cannot do that. We cannot take over the markets. We cannot transform ourselves into stores,” he said in a press conference. The Manila Auxiliary bishop also admitted that they do not have enough manpower and expertise to handle such job. Pabillo said the new proposal is already going beyond their agreement with the Department of Agriculture to help NFA distribute the staple food. The “Bigasan sa Parokya” has long been operational but officials from the DA and NFA have been meeting with the NASSA since last week for possible expansion of the program. Pabillo said there is no final agreement yet but said the DA wants to see

more parishes distributing NFA rice nationwide. “Our agreement is just to help the government in making the NFA rice reach our poor constituents,” he said. The bishop said they respect the Arroyo’s effort if only to ease the effects of the perceived rice crisis, but said she should also understand things that are beyond their limits. Pabillo described the initial agreement between the government and the Church’s social arm as “very general”. “Ang usapan lang namin ay ipagpatuloy ang dating partnership na magtutulungan kami sa pagmamanage ng NFA rice at masigurong makakarating ito sa mga identified poor communities,” he said. According to Pabillo, specifics of the “reinforced” pact are still being finalized between the parties involved. “We are still working on the details of the process of distribution and others aspects. We have not yet arrived on the monitoring of the buffer stocks agreement,” he said.

Gov’t-Church rice distribution setbacks Scarce supply of NFA rice stalled distribution of a Church-based retailer last week and situations are likely to worsen if this will not be addressed. At the Transfiguration of Our Lord Parish in Cubao, Quezon City rice distribution was halted when supply ran out. The setback at the parish consequently left lots of consumers emptyhanded only after two hours when they started the rice distribution. Rolly Retirado, head of the Parish Social Service Committee, said the

situation would definitely affect more families that can only afford to buy NFA rice. He said such shortage should have been avoided had the NFA responded to their demand of more sacks of rice allocations than the usual 20 sacks for every “Bigasan sa Parokya.” “We asked for at least 25 sacks of rice, but the NFA said they could only give us 20 sacks. I hope they will increase this since there are many buyers,” Retirado said. The Department of Agriculture and the National Secretariat for Social Action of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has toughen ties to ensure rice distribution gets to the poor. DA secretary Arthur Yap has tapped the Church to oversee rice distribution after authorities confirmed that sacks of NFA rice were “disappearing” in commercial distribution centers. Father Mar Castillo, a coordinator for Caritas Manila, urged the NFA to increase rice allocation for them to accommodate more poor buyers. He said supply problems of NFA rice in Manila have forced them to “hide” the commodity before they run out of supply for intended “poorest of the poor” customers. Castillo, vice chairman of the union of Church cooperatives in Caritas, said the move is the only way for them to deliver cheap rice to where they are most needed and to shun pressure from other customers. He said the shortage of rice supply is also one of the reasons why some parishes have some reservations of venturing into rice retailing. According to him, the current

weekly NFA rice allocation of 24,000 sacks for the whole Manila archdiocese must be tripled or even more just to cater to the needs of other buyers.

Business community must be considerate As the Administration is trying to address the rice crisis in the country, the business community must also be considerate not to increase the price of other commodities, urged Jaro Archbishop Angel N. Lagdameo, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). The rice, Filipinos’ staple food, is already affecting other basic supplies. In this regard, business people should be kind enough not to burden the people specially, the poor, with the soaring prices of their products, Lagdameo told CBCPNews. Both government and business community should work together to face the challenge and ease people’s anxiety over the increase of rice and other prices, he said. The Department of Agriculture (DA) has tapped the Catholic Church to help distribute rice to the poor. “This is a good arrangement between the DA and the Church, but it should not be a permanent partnership,” the prelate said. He also recounted that in the past the Church in different parts of the country had extended its help to distribute commodities to people through its social action centers and parish cooperative groups. The country needs to pray hard to solve the rice problem, he added. (With reports from Santosh Digal)

CBCP Monitor

Features

Vol. 12 No. 8 April 14 - 17, 2008

Papal US visit expected to boost religious, cultural dialogue ROME, APRIL 15, 2008—Benedict XVI will arrive in the United States today to heal past wounds and to address current issues, says a professor from the Pontifical Gregorian University. Ohio-native Donna Orsuto is a spirituality professor at the Gregorian. She is also the director of the Lay Center in Rome, an international residence for students enrolled in a pontifical university. She told ZENIT that she hopes the Pope’s journey to the United States will be a chance to show the Church’s commitment to interreligious and intercultural dialogue. Orsuto explained: “Both the experience of teaching at the Gregorian University where students come from more than 120 different countries and living in an international community here at the Lay Center with students from 10 diverse nationalities and from different religious backgrounds has helped me to realize the gift and challenge of building bridges among people of diverse cultural and religious backgrounds. “I am hopeful that his various engagements will demonstrate first of all the continued commitment of the Catholic Church to dialogue and will be a source of encouragement for the Church in the United States in its efforts at dialogue. “I also think that with his vast theological and intellectual background, Benedict XVI, will communicate to the Church in the United States a thoughtful reflection on how local concerns in the U.S.A. are related to broader global issues.”

100 million at risk of poverty: danger of famine and war in poor countries HONG KONG, April 14, 2008— More than 100 million people in poor countries risk falling back into misery, on account of the rapid rise in staple food prices. Robert Zoellick, head of the World Bank, is raising the alarm and proposing immediate intervention and a long-term plan to foster agricultural production. According to official data, from March of 2007 to March of 2008 the price of wheat increased by 130%, soya by 87%, rice by 74%, and maize by 31%. The causes indicated include the rise in demand, bad weather conditions in many countries, and greater use of arable land for the production of plants for biofuels. The rise in food prices in general has been 83% over three years. These increases have caused popular protests in many countries, including Egypt, the Philippines, and Indonesia, and it is feared that these can only increase and become more violent, since the run-up in prices does not appear to be stopping. In recent

Cardinal: Everyone is responsible for world peace

Closed issue

Orsuto further told ZENIT that the Pontiff can contribute to healing wounds from the sex scandal that erupted within the Church in the United States a few years ago. She said that “the Church in the United States has suffered a serious crisis and it will probably take many years to heal wounds and to engender trust and reconciliation. This crisis has touched not only those who were sexually abused, but also it has caused suffering and confusion for all Catholics ¯ priests and laity alike. Many of our good priests particularly have borne the brunt of this painful scourge.” Orsuto acknowledged that “it is unrealistic to expect that recovery will be instantaneous.” “Thus, in a sense, it is not a closed issue,” she said. However, the professor affirmed, “I am optimistic that the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the U.S.A., with his message of hope in Christ, will contribute to this healing process. Especially his meeting with priests will be important because they need to hear his words of trust and hope.” Benedict XVI en route to the United States today told journalists that the scandal is “a great suffering for the Church in the United States and for the Church in general and for me personally that this could happen. “It is difficult for me to understand how it was possible that priests betray in this way their mission ... to these children,” he said from the plane. “I am deeply ashamed and we will do what is possible so this cannot happen again in the future.” (Zenit)

months, large rice exporters (India, China, Vietnam, and Egypt) have stopped their sales abroad, to the harm of the major importers like Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Afghanistan. On April 12, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the head of the International Monetary Fund, said that hundreds of thousands of people are at risk of hunger, and that “as we know, learning from the past, those kind of questions sometimes end in war”. The two agencies maintain that this problem is no less serious than the financial crisis striking the industrialized countries. Zoellick maintains that it is urgent to “put out money where our mouth is now so that we can put food into hungry mouths”. He says that more food aid must be given to poor countries, and at least 500 million dollars must be given in the short term to the World Food Programme. But he says that it is also necessary to design aid policies for small farmers in poor countries. (AsiaNews/Agencies)

Cardinal Renato Martino

VATICAN CITY, APRIL 15, 2008—The call to collaborate for world peace excludes no one, affirmed the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. This was one of the conclusions of a conference held by the pontifical council in Rome titled “Disarmament, Development and Peace: Prospects for Integral Disarmament.” Cardinal Renato Martino, president of the

dicastery, said in a concluding statement that the participants discussed “new problems for which it is necessary to cultivate close, intense and fruitful collaboration.” He called for respect of diverse opinions as well as certainty about “the common conviction that human dignity must always be defended.” “The appearance of conflict, in general, and war, in particular, is being modified,” he noted. “They are more horizontal than vertical, more widespread than concentrated, more fragmented than united, more daily than exceptional, closer more than far away, more immaterial—and even virtual—than material.” The cardinal contended that the starting point for an analysis of the ethical and religious implications of disarmament, development and peace is based, among other things, on the duty of “the states and international organizations to renew their commitment to unified and integral development of humanity […] necessary for the peaceful and ordered coexistence of the human family.” “The states, precisely in the uncertainty provoked by globalization and phenomena such as terrorism on a global scale, have taken up again a sinister arms race, and seem to have lost confidence in dialogue, in multilateralism and in international cooperation at every level in the sector of disarma-

ment,” Cardinal Martino lamented.

Religions’ task

The pontifical council president acknowledged that “there are multiple challenges,” but he said that “all of us are called, in our own condition and role in society, to collaborate in solidarity among human beings and peace in the world.” At the same time, the cardinal said, “it must be reaffirmed that the great religions have a role, [that they are] called to always give a message of hope, a word of wisdom and prudence to every man, above all to those who are responsible, in various ways, for the destiny of other men and the fulfillment of the common good.” “Religions are an instrument of unity among men and men with God. […] They are called to promote a culture of peace,” he said. Referring to Christians’ role, Cardinal Martino affirmed that they are called “not just to take positions regarding war, but above all to make themselves builders of peace.” And building peace, he contended, “is before anything else to take away ground from the injustices and oppressions that provoke war. […] Peace is built starting from personal responsibilities regarding justice, regarding the good of the others […] with education in peace.” (Zenit)

Pope Benedict calls for a “new humanism” to overcome violence VATICAN CITY, April 14, 2008—In the face of the eruption of violence around the world, Pope Benedict is calling for a “new humanism” that includes moral and spiritual development, to combat the spread of warfare. The Pope’s message, which was made public on Saturday, comes less than a week before his address to the U.N., where many expect him to address violence and the need for strengthening the family around the world. Cardinal Renato Martino and participants in a seminar entitled: “Disarmament, development and peace, prospects for integral disarmament”, being held in Rome April 11-12, received the Pope’s letter. The Holy Father began his message by noting how the seminar’s topic is very relevant to humanity’s current situation. “Tension and war exist in various parts of the world, and even where the tragedy of war is not present, feelings of fear and insecurity are nonetheless widespread,” Benedict XVI noted. “Furthermore, such phenomena as global terrorism blur the distinction between peace and war, seriously compromising the future hopes of humankind.” “How”, he adds, “can we respond to these challenges? How can we recognize the ‘signs of the times’? Certainly, joint action on a political, economic and juridical level is needed

but, even before that, it is necessary to reflect together on a moral and spiritual level. What is ever more vital is to promote a ‘new humanism’”. However, the Pope cautioned, we cannot think of this “new humanism” in a way that reduces development to “simple economic growth,” rather, “it must include the moral and spiritual dimension. A truly integral humanism must, at the same time, also express solidarity,” he said. Achieving “True and lasting peace is unimaginable without the development of each person and of all peoples,” Pope Benedict asserted. Yet, is it inconceivable “to think of reducing arms if first we do not eliminate violence at its roots, if man does not first turn decisively to searching for peace and for what is good and just”. The Pope also took aim at nations that spend exorbitant amounts of money on defense and in doing so, divert funds from “projects for the development of peoples, especially the poorest and those most in need of help”. Instead of allowing military spending to become a driving force of the world economy, the Pontiff called on States to “reduce military expenditure on arms and to give serious consideration to the idea of creating a global fund for peaceful development

projects”. Benedict XVI affirms the need to do everything possible to ensure that “the economy is directed to serving human beings and solidarity, and not just to profit.” “Nonetheless”, the Pope acknowledges, “it will be difficult to find a solution to the various technical problems without man’s conversion to good on a cultural, moral and spiritual level”. “The future of humanity depends upon a commitment on everyone’s part. Only by pursuing an integrated humanism of solidarity, in which disarmament assumes an ethical and spiritual dimension, can humanity progress towards the true and lasting peace for which it longs,” the Pope concluded. (CNA)

Poll: 8 in 10 US Catholics satisfied with Pope WASHINGTON, D.C., April 13, 2008—A poll conducted in February showed that more than eight out of 10 U.S. Catholics are satisfied with the leadership of Benedict XVI, who arrives in this country Tuesday. A report from the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) based at Georgetown University showed the results of research with 1,007 self-identified adult Catholics. It compared responses from Catholics in a range of age groups. “Sacraments Today: Belief and Practice Among U.S. Catholics”

divided Catholics into preVatican II, Vatican II (born between 1943 and 1960), postVatican II (born between 19611981) and Millennial, finding that among those who attend Mass at least once a month, the youngest and oldest Catholics share a similar religious fervor. Among Catholics attending Mass at least once a month, the Millennials are just as likely to believe that Christ is really present in the Eucharist as preVatican II Catholics. Nine in 10 weekly Mass attendees (91%) say they believe that

Jesus Christ is really present in the Eucharist, compared with two-thirds of those who attend Mass less than weekly but at least once a month (65%), and four in 10 of those attending Mass a few times a year or less. Millennials stand apart when saying which sacrament is most meaningful to them personally. For Catholics overall, 39% said baptism is the most meaningful; 43% of Millennials said marriage is. Knowledge of Church teachings and obligations is usually higher among older Catholics,

but knowledge of the Bible is typically greater among younger generations, the report found. Though many characteristics of the youngest generation’s faith gives hopes, the poll also revealed some startling statistics: A little less than one-third of Catholics in the United States attend Mass weekly. And only 2% receive the sacrament of reconciliation once a month or more. CARA estimates that there are more than 51 million adult Catholics in the United States, about 22-23% of the nation’s adults. (Zenit)

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oppositor of this proposal. In a simple majority vote of 18, 2 abstained while only 4 opposed, the LDPC became a resolution and is now ready for the drafting of an ordinance. Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is expected to approve the resolution because it is part of his reproductive health and children’s welfare project. Fr. Henry Campeon, director of the family and life apostolate said the battle is not over for they are determined to bring their opposition to the grass roots level through “a campaign in the pulpit.” If we can’t make it in the council then we will find our ways in the parishes and in the grassroots communities. We will make them understand fully the evils underlying reproductive programs,” Campeon said. Campeon said he will also mobilize the family and life workers in the parishes to intensify their campaigns against reproductive health and the local development for children. Msgr. Leonardo Vicente, vicar general of Davao also warned the parents to be vigilant of their children following the approval of the LDPC, which impacts a wrong perspective about human sexuality and tends to

stimulate the premature experience of sexual pleasure which could lead to vice, or worse, perversion. “This is a warning for all of us. Our city is no longer doing well. We don’t want our city to become like Sodom and Gomorrah,” Vicente said. He added that with the recent developments in the City Council it only shows that “Davao City as a Catholic city has no more respect as far as morality is concerned.” The four councilors who opposed to LDPC were Councilors Tessie Marañon, Susabel Reta, Pilar Braga and Peter Laviña. “A number of us suspect that this so-called Development Plan for Children is a Trojan Horse. Hidden by the gift wrappings are highly divisive reproductive health provisions,” said Laviña. He added that the Development Plan for Children indeed appears innocent at first glance; however, a large portion of it deals with reproductive health issues opposed by pro-lifers, family crusaders and the Catholic Church. “Had the proposed plan been solely for the development of children, I have no doubt this measure would have long been ap-

proved. It has dragged on this long—over a year now—due largely to provisions regarding the contentious reproductive health programs of the government,” Laviña stressed. “My own take of it is that having failed to pass legislation at the national level, reproductive health programs are being pushed at the local level. Quezon City passed a measure last year which met stiff opposition from the Catholic Church and now we have approved it in Davao,” he added. For her part, Marañon said the LDPC “is offensive to the virtue of chastity” as it gives rise to mockery of parental authority and not consistent with respect for family, motherhood and children’s dignity. She added that if LDPC is a depopulation scheme then it is not needed because the population is not a real threat. “Reproductive health or safe sex is definitely not an unmet need of our people, especially our children,” Marañon pointed out. Marañon was reticent on the approval of LDPC saying that “the program will promote premarital sex and reinforce the fallacy that sexual urges cannot be controlled.” “The civil authority should consider it a sacred duty to acknowledge the true nature

tees from Manila, Lipa and Davao. “You will not believe that we brought with us so many posters and small pictures of the Divine Mercy and posters, pictures and even statues of Mary Mediatrix; all were distributed during the Congress,” said Castro. Castro observed that the crowd would break into spontaneous applause whenever the name of Pope John Paul would be mentioned during the talks and conferences held at St. John Lateran Basilica. “His loving presence was felt all throughout the Congress,” he remarked. The late pope whose spiritual testament was for all Christians to be “witnesses of mercy” said during the consecration of the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Krakow-Lagiewniki in 2002, that “Apart from the mercy of God there is no other source of hope for humanity.” Mystic nun St. Faustina Kowalska lived with her congregation in Lagiewniki. John Paul II canonized the Polish nun in April 30, 2000. On the same day he proclaimed that the second Sunday of Easter will be called Divine Mercy Sunday. Austrian Cardinal and WACOM President, Cardinal Schonborg presided the concluding mass held at St. Peter’s Basilica. The Philippine delegation gifted Cardinal Schonborg an image of Mary Mediatrix of All Grace. Coinciding with the 3rd anniversary of Pope John Paul II, the first WACOM was held with “hopes to energize, educate and enable attendees to return to their native countries and initiate or improve upon the spreading of the message of Divine Mercy,” according to the Divine Mercy website. (CBCPNews)

priest of the Sun Valley Subdivision in Paranaque, Manila, Bishop Lucilo M. Quiambao, administrator of Legazpi diocese, Sorsogon Bishop Arturo M. Bastes, SVD, Manila auxiliary bishop Broderick S. Pabillo, Msgr. Nico Bautista, Fr. Orly P. Sapuay, MS, Fr. William M. Parde Jr., and Fr. Rex Andrew C. Alarcon. Bishop Lucilo B. Quiambao of the host diocese of Legazpi presided the Mass on the first day of the convention. Local officials led by Legazpi City Mayor Noel Rosal, Albay Governor Joey Salceda and Congressman Al Francis Bichara of the 2nd district of Albay welcomed the delegates. In early 1970s, Fr. Gallagher, then executive director of Pastoral and Matrimonial Renewal Center, New Jersey convened a group of priests

April 14 - 27, 2008

Markings CELEBRATED. Bishop-Emeritus Raul Q. Martirez, third bishop of San Jose, Antique, 25th anniversary of Episcopal ordination, March 24, 2008. Ordained bishop of Antique in March 24, 1983, Bishop Martirez was installed the following day, March 25 at San Jose Cathedral, San Jose, Antique. He took up his theology studies at the UST Central Seminary and Canon Law at Pontificia Universitas “Angelicum” in Rome. Retired since March 16, 2002, Bishop Martirez currently resides at Christ the King Parish in Green Meadows, Quezon City.

10th PREX National Convention held in Legazpi THE 10th Parish Renewal Experience Seminar (PREX) National Convention was held at the Albay Astrodome, Legazpi City, April 4-6, 2008. It was the first convention in the Bicol Region, National Association of Parish PREX secretaries (NAPPS) president August Perez told CBCPNews. The theme is “The call to love.” It was chosen in the light of Pope Benedict XVI’s first encyclical, “Deus Caritas Est” (God is Love). “By holding the convention in Bicol, we give our local PREX leaders (known as local parish PREX couples) in the provinces a chance to participate in this bi-annual gatherings of PREX graduates,” said Perez. The speakers and homilists for the convention were: Fr. Ramon Ramos CP, parish

Vol. 12 No. 8

People, Facts & Places http://www.prexnapps.org/

CBCP Monitor

and lay people for a reflection on Pope Paul VI’s “Evangelii Nuntiandi,” As discussion progressed, they realized that evangelization to become a reality, it required a “people focus.” With this in mind, the group developed some general direction and guidelines for a program to be conducted over a weekend. The first PREX in the Philippines was conducted at the Sanctuario de San Antonio, Forbes Park Makati by its then parish priest Fr. Hugh Zurat, OFM, in the early 1980s. Zurat, an American, had a vacation in the United States where he took his PREX (then PRE). Upon his return to his parish, he right away conducted the seminar to his parishioners. The previous conventions were held mostly in Baguio, two in Metro Manila, and the last in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. (Santosh Digal)

CELEBRATED. Most Rev. Martin Jumoad, DD, 25th anniversary of sacerdotal ordination, April 7, 2008. Four days of activities that began April 5 and culminated on April 8 highlighted the anniversary celebration. Zamboanga Archbishop Romulo Valles, Daet Bishop Gilbert Garcera, San Jose Antique Bishop Romulo Dela Cruz, Jolo Prelature Bishop Angelito Lampon, Ipil Prelature Bishop Julius Tonel and the Basilan clergy concelebrated with Bishop Jumoad at the thanksgiving jubilee mass held at Sta. Isabel Cathedral, 10:30 AM on April 7. Ordained priest in 1983, Bishop Jumoad was appointed bishop of Basilan Prelature in November 21, 2001. Ordained in January 10, 2002, he was installed as third bishop of Basilan two days after.

Country’s Canon lawyers gather for annual convention THE Canon Law Society of the Philippines (CLSP) is set to hold its 16th annual convention on the penal law and process of the Catholic Church on April 15 to 17. T h e m e d “Crime and Punishment: The Penal Law and the Penal Process of the Catholic Church,” the convention will gather at least 100 CLSP members from all over the country at Mallberry Suites Business Hotel in Limketkai Center, Cagayan de Oro City. Tagbilaran Bishop Leonardo Medroso, the chair of the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Canon Law, will deliver the keynote address while CBCP vice president and Tandag

(Zamboanga del Sur) Bishop Nereo Odchimar will preside over the inaugural mass on April 14. Lingayen (Dagupan) Archbishop Oscar Cruz, the judicial vicar of the National Appellate Matrimonial Tribunal (NAMT) will be the main resource speaker. Other speakers who will grace the three-day conference include Msgr. Rey Monsanto, the executive secretary of the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Canon Law; Msgr. Nilo Peig, a visiting professor of Canon Law in the Immaculate Conception School of Theology (Vigan, Ilocos Sur); Msgr. Higinio Velarde, one of the six judges of the NAMT; Fr. Jaime Achacoso, the executive secretary of the CLSP; and Dr. Salvador Aves, a professor from Capitol College in Cagayan de Oro City. Aside from the conference for the members, the convention also will include a symposium for non-canon lawyers. Topics to be

MSPC rural congress scheduled in June PREPARATIONS are underway for the upcoming Mindanao Sulu Pastoral Council (MSPC) – National Rural Congress II slated on June 19-20 at the Regional Major Seminary (REMASE) in Catalunan Grande, Davao City. The original venue for the congress was in Cagayan de Oro City but was cancelled because it will be hosting the National Congress on the Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs) in November. An executive committee (Execom) has already been formed composed of Digos Bishop Guillermo Afable, Cotabato City Auxiliary Bishop Colin Bagaforo, Fr. Pedro Lamata of Davao City, Arvie Sandalo and Digos Vicar General Msgr. John Macalisang. Around 166 participants excluding the bishops are expected to come for the congress. The participants are representatives of sectoral groups, church, non-government organizations (NGOs) and the civil society. Bishop Afable said that during the last meeting of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), the bishops of Mindanao have decided that MSPC being a structure would take the responsibility of the NRC II regional level.

Updates of NRC II consultation In the ecclesiastical subregions of Dipolog, Ozamiz, Pagadian, Iligan and Marawi (DOPIM), a sub-regional consultation with the ad extra group was already organized. From the said consultation, ten persons were chosen to represent at the national level. In Cagayan de Oro, Butuan, Surigao, Tandag and Malaybalay (CABUSTAM) sub-regions, consultations were done from the BEC level up to the parish level. In Davao, Digos, Tagum and Mati (DADITAMA), the process was simplified especially in the archdiocese of Davao and the questionnaires prepared by the national level were innovated. Eight rural parishes were involved from the 33 parishes of Davao. In Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu and Ipil (ZAMBASULI), consultation process will go straight to the diocesan level particularly in the archdiocese of Zamboanga. Questionnaires were strictly followed and were translated into three languages Chavacano, Tagalog and Cebuano. While in Kidapawan, Marbel and Cotabato (KIDMACO) consultation is going on at the provincial level. (CBCPNews)

discussed in the symposium include the Due Process for Church Sanctions (Judicial and Administrative, and Specific sanctions in the Church), the Ban on Priests from Public Office, and the Transfer, Indult of Departure, Exclaustration and “Leave of Absence.” According to Achacoso, the CLSP convention is annually held to maintain linkages among the members apart from discussing pertinent and timely canon law topics. “Our annual convention also serves as a venue for continuing formation of canon lawyers, exchange of pastoral experience and promotion of priestly camaraderie among members,” he said. The CLSP is a CBCP-backed association of canon lawyers established in 1993. As of press time, the association has 196 members nationwide, 95 per cent of whom are priests engaged in different ecclesiastical tribunals in the country. (Kris Bayos)

Leganes church declared a diocesan shrine THE Parish Church of St. Vincent Ferrer in Leganes town (6 kilometres north of Iloilo City) was declared a Diocesan Shrine last April 4. Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo signed the decree on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the foundation and the dedication and consecration of the newly renovated Parish Church of St. Vincent Ferrer. The decree was read during the Dedication and Consecration mass stating that the Parish Church of St. Vincent Ferrer in Leganes, Iloilo, was proclaimed a Diocesan Shrine, “in accordance with Church law, with all the duties, rights and privileges given to a Diocesan Shrine by the Code of Canon Law, as well as other Church documents, particularly the Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy.” “In the 150 years of its existence as a parish, the Church of St. Vincent Ferrer in Leganes,

Iloilo has locally fulfilled the same functions as shrines, even without canonical recognition. This Church has formed part of the “topography” of the faith and of the popular piety of the people of God, not only in the Island of Panay, but also in the nearby Island of Negros as well as the adjoining islands in the Visayas, who flock to the Church the whole year round to fulfill their promises or “panaad” and to invoke the heavenly intercession of their beloved St. Vincent Ferrer. Furthermore, many testimonies of heavenly favors and spiritual graces received abound among these devotees of the Saint,” the decree stated. Leganes town celebrated its patronal town fiesta last April 5. Thousands of devotees and visitors flocked the parish church to obtain the intercession of their beloved St. Vincent Ferrer who has never failed to pray for them. (Fr. Ryan Teves)

Davao’s social action to mark 40th year THE Archdiocesan Social Action Center (ASAC) of Davao will mark its 40th year anniversary, as a social arm of the archdiocese. Last year, ASAC launched their 40th year long celebration which will culminate this coming July 5. With the theme, “ASAC Kwarenta: Kinabuhi sa Katilingbanong Kalamboan” (ASAC at 40: Life of a Developed Community), the anniversary will be celebrated through a series of activities providing better social services to the people.

Social Action Director Fr. Rico Enriquez said that part of their activities is the seminar on the Church’s social teachings to the representatives of various pastoral agencies in the archdiocese. Past directors of SAC will also be invited on their 40th anniversary as well as of the Parish Social Action Ministry (PSAM). There will be a mass followed by a motorcade in the main thoroughfares of the city and a video presentation of the history of SAC. (Mark S Ventura)

CELEBRATED. Daughters of St. Paul, 25th anniversary of the foundation of the community of Tuguegarao, April 5, 2008. Archbishop Diosdado Talamayan presided the thanksgiving mass held at the St. Peter Metropolitan Cathedral concelebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Ricardo Baccay, and other priests. In his homily, Archbishop Talamayan commended the sisters’ timely and much-needed presence in the archdiocese. The celebration was graced by Sr. Yolanda Dionisio, Provincial Superior, and other sisters coming from the communities of Pasay, Srs. Immacolata Legaspi, Mennen Alarcon, Maimai Rubia, Assunta Labay; Marikina, Sr. Precy Foronda; and Sr. Prose Dela Cruz, Baguio. In full support were the Pauline Cooperators of Tuguegarao City and the sisters’ families, friends and benefactors. CELEBRATING. Msgr. Elmer S. Abacahin, SSJV, PC, 52, Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, 25 th Sacerdotal Ordination Anniversary, April 27, 2008. Ordained at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Church, Talisayan, Misamis Oriental by Archbishop Patrick Cronin, SSC, DD. Msgr. Abacahin was assigned as Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of Snows Parish, El Salvador, Misamis Oriental (19831986); Director of St. Joseph High School of the said parish (19861996); Formator at the Spirituality Formation House Seminary; Spiritual Director of San Jose de Mindanao Seminary (1996-2001); Chaplain at Immaculate Conception Church, Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City (2001-2007); Parish Priest of San Antonio de Padua Parish, Nazareth, Cagayan de Oro City. He is currently the CBCP-BEC National Executive Secretary, a post he held since 2007. ORDAINED. Fr. Raymund Orfelia, Sta. Monica Parish, Hamtic, April 1, 2008; Fr. John Jauod, St. Luke Parish, Valderrama, April 2, 2008. Both finished their theology at St. Joseph Regional Seminary, Jaro, Iloilo.

DADITAMA holds confab for catechists THE Diocese of Digos hosted the three-day DADITAMA Catechists Conference which officially started April 9. DADITAMA is an acronym for Davao Digos Tagum Mati ecclesiastical subregion. With the theme,” Pagkaanindot niadtong mga tiil nga nagsangyaw sa Maayong Balita” (How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the Good News –Isaiah 52:7), the conference aimed to deepen the awareness of the catechists in the Word of God. Erwin Cabilan, archdiocesan catechist coordinator said that the theme is timely as the Church also celebrates the Year of St. Paul, the Church’s greatest convert. Around 150 catechists came from the DADITAMA dioceses. Digos Bishop Guillermo

Afable, Davao Archbishop Fernando Capalla, and Mati Bishop Patricio Alo presided over the Eucharistic celebrations during the gathering; Tagum Bishop Wilfredo Manlapaz gave the homily at the closing mass. Sr. Vilma Esmael from the Oblates of Notre Dame, the keynote speaker; discussed on the significance of the theme. Esmael is the director of the Notre Dame Center for Catechism in Cotabato City. Afable gave an input on telling the stories of Jesus in Mindanao. Fr. Ronald “Bong” Lunas shared on “Catechist as pray-ers” while Msgr. Juan Macalisang, pastoral director in the diocese explained the salient points in “Restoring Moral Values through the Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs). (Mark S Ventura)

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CBCP Monitor

Vol. 12 No. 8 April 14 - 27, 2008

B2 Updates

Empowerment of the Laity

B3 Diocese

The Apostolic Vicariate of Bontoc-Lagawe

B4 Commissions

ECMI bestows award to OFW children achievers

B5 Statements

‘Give us our daily rice’

Pastoral Concerns

7 QUESTIONS

Most Rev. Antonio R. Tobias, D.D.

Photo by Angel Maramot / angelmaramot.multiply.com

FIRST appointed Apostolic Administrator of Novaliches in June 21, 2003, Most Rev. Antonio R. Tobias was installed as second bishop of the diocese in January 26, 2004. In this issue of CBCP Monitor, Bishop Tobias talks about the various social services and development programs the diocese is rendering to the faithful; the threat of materialism and consumeristic attitude resulting from globalization; the formation programs of Family life commission and the BEC’s; and the diocesan response to environmental problems and the social costs of out-migration.

Climbing the Lord’s Mountain By Abp. Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ LAST week I was in Cambodia as part of the Philippine delegation to the “Phnom Penh Dialogue 2008 on Interfaith Cooperation for Peace and Harmony.” Along with some government officials, we were religious leaders representing several faith traditions—two Protestant bishops, a Muslim scholar from the Ulama League of the Philippines, a Muslim woman officer of the provincial government of Sulu, and myself as a Catholic archbishop. We were all there to share our experiences on interreligious dialogue for peace and development in Mindanao and other parts of the country. This was part of a larger effort started four years ago to engage the 15 countries in the Southeast Asia–Pacific region in interfaith dialogue and cooperation. The convening countries of Indonesia, the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand have by now each hosted a conference–the first in Jogjakarta in 2004, followed by Cebu in 2006, Waitangi in 2007, and the most recent one, with the support of Australia, in Phnom Penh. The cultural and historical setting of Cambodia for this fourth dialogue-conference was to me a highly significant choice. For perhaps nowhere else in this part of the world can we find such stark contrast between the lowest depths and the sublimest heights that the human spirit can reach. Genocide Museum While in Phnom Penh, a number of us, delegates, had a chance to visit the Genocide Museum, named Tuol Sleng, which was the most secretive prison of the Khmer Rouge regime during its reign of terror in 1975-78. This was located ironically in the downtown area of the city. The prison compound was the original site of a high school. Its four threestory buildings with their classrooms were converted into a high-security detention and interrogation center, complete with barbed wire fencing and torture chambers. The classrooms were partitioned into individual cells or dormitories where detainees were chained and isolated for two to four months before being executed. From accounts of a few survivors, everything was taken away from the prisoners. They were stripped to their underwear and slept directly on the cement floors without any mat, blanket or mosquito net. There was little food, less water, and no medicine. Among the ten regulations posted on each cell were instructions like: “Do not try to hide the facts by making

pretexts of this or that. You are strictly prohibited to contest me.” “While getting lashes or electrification you must not cry at all.” “Do nothing. Sit still and wait for my orders. If there is no order, keep quiet.” A distinctive feature of Tuol Sleng prison was its documentation office which photographed all prisoners and kept detailed biographies of each one from childhood to the date of arrest. It is these ID photos that have now been enlarged and displayed on the walls – blank faces of men and women, including some children, who for the most part were innocent of any crime except for their protests against the excesses of an abusive regime. Interviews and confessions of some of the prison staff, with pictures of their family background, only reinforce the horror of how the spiral of evil can reach down to the humblest of rural households. At any time, the prison held from 1,200 to 1,500 prisoners. During the three years of its existence, records indicate that there were about 10,500 prisoners, not including another 2,000 children, who were killed in the same place. The numbers themselves are but a microcosm of the estimated one to two million Cambodians—a fourth of the population—who lost their lives under the harsh conditions of the Pol Pot regime. The Khmer Rouge cadres targeted the educated and bourgeois class and “anyone with eyeglasses.” They forced all city residents, young and elderly, to go out and work in the countryside. This was the case of an ideologically-blinded regime that wanted to turn the clock back to an idyllic past where everyone was treated equally—but without human rights nor the freedom of the human spirit. Symbols of religious faith In contrast, this idyllic past and the achievements of the human spirit were perhaps best enshrined in the northwestern region of Cambodia. Instead of a third day of conference proceedings, all the delegates traveled to Siem Reap, 300 kilometers away from Phnom Penh. Upon arrival, we visited and walked through the largest outdoor religious monument in the world—Angkor Wat and its surrounding complex of temples constructed from the 9th to the 13th centuries. Built by a successive line of Hindu and Buddhist kings over five centuries, Angkor Wat and the nearby temples of Ta Prohm and Angkor Thom represented sacred space and the symbolisms of religious faith. With its awe-inspiring landscape, Angkor Wat itself is a microcosm of the Hindu universe. Its surrounding moat and outer walls

lead inwards onto three levels of concentric galleries and towers. The towers represent the mountain ranges that surround Mount Meru, the mythical home of the gods. The pilgrim’s upward climb over the massive laterite and sandstone blocks and brick walls is virtually an ascent to the sacred mountain. In all, Angkor Wat with its intricatelycarved figures of gods, warrior-kings, apsaras, and Buddha statues evokes an atmosphere of contemplative prayer, detachment from worldly pursuits, and longing of the human spirit for the divine. These are perhaps best portrayed in the four faces of the Buddha pointed towards the cardinal directions of the compass, and carved repeatedly on the towers of the nearby Bayon temple. These represent the human-divine qualities of Charity, Compassion, Sympathy, and Equanimity. Multifaith dialogue and cooperation In many ways, these are the same qualities that our interfaith dialogue hoped to evoke for the Asia-Pacific region. For our troubled world today, the final statement of the Phnom Penh Dialogue stressed the urgency of multifaith dialogue and cooperation, peace as a sacred priority, increased participation of women and youth, and interfaith cooperation addressing community concerns in our region—such as poverty, human rights, and environmental issues. For the political prisoners of the Khmer Rouge, Tuol Sleng literally meant a “poisonous mound.” But for the builders of Angkor Wat, the temple-mountain represented man’s ascent to God. And for all of us today, pilgrims in interfaith dialogue for peace and harmony, the same invitation to climb the Lord’s mountain is perhaps best echoed in the prophet Isaiah’s summons: “In days to come, The mountain of the Lord’s house Shall be established as the highest mountain And raised above the hills. “Many peoples shall come and say: ‘Come, let us climb the Lord’s mountain, That he may instruct us in his ways, And we may walk in his paths.’ “He shall judge between the nations, And impose terms on many peoples. They shall beat their swords into plowshares And their spears into pruning hooks; One nation shall not raise the sword against another, Nor shall they train for war again.” (Isaiah 2:2-4)

How is the social concern of the Church being concretized in your diocese? The Diocese of Novaliches is guided by the principle of respect for life and the dignity of the human person. It adheres to the principle of promoting the rights of the less advantaged in society: the downtrodden, the marginalized and victims of human rights violations. For us salvation is integral, meaning to say, the Church should address the authentic human development. The Social concern is being concretized by identifying the need of the local Church which is predominantly poor. There are some social services and development programs that are being rendered to the faithful of Novaliches, one concrete action is when the Diocese of Novaliches has created an umbrella organization called Caritas Novaliches. Under it are the different ministries and church groups directly addressing social issues and concerns. One of the groups under it is the Social Services Development Ministry. SSDM handles: a) the Hapag-asa supplemental feeding program (this feeding program for children with ages 3-7 but sometimes because of prevalent malnutrition kids until age 8 or 10 years old are admitted; and in some cases all the kids from one family are enrolled; the mothers of the enrolled kids are given catechism classes, health and nutrition classes and livelihood classes) and feeding program in Ina ng Laging Saklolo parish under the FMM congregation. In 2007 we were able to serve around 1,721 kids. b) We have parish health clinics that addresses the health concerns of marginalized parishioners; medicines for ordinary sickness are given for free; medical missions in parishes; c) We also address livelihood issues; in parishes there are livelihood trainings and these trainings have resulted to entrepreneurship either to parishioners or the parish itself; there are parishes now supplying candles to churches in the diocese; we also have the Diocese Livelihood (Sewing) Center, the center is into sub-contracting for big apparel companies; d) Educational scholarships – we are sending 60 students to parochial schools within the diocese; this came about because we saw that students need solid Christian formation especially in teenage years; we were criticize before that we did have educational assistance program to students yet they were enrolled in public schools. (Although public schools now have catechism classes handled by parish catechists). There are other social concerns which we try to address like, issues on women and children, land and its acquisition, migrants and OFW, environment and ecological concern, inter-religious dialogue among non-Catholic and other faith constituents, and others. What is your take on the threat of materialism in our lifestyle brought about by such phenomenon as globalization? I would agree with the idea that globalization is promoting such value of materialism. Contrary to the Gospel values of simplicity, sacrifice, love for the weak, respect for the dignity of human life, globalization from a cultural level lured to us to believe that we should be at the top, we should be number one; it is money, fame and power that can offer happiness in life. The challenge for us as Christians is to be firm in our resolve in holding to the Gospel values of love and compassion for everyone. Like Jesus we are being challenged of resisting the temptation, that like him we are able to say: “man does not live by bread alone but also by every word that comes from the mouth of God”, and “Go away Satan”. We have to strengthen our faith that it is not material wealth, power and glory that can offer real happiness, but it is our act of kindness and compassion for everyone. Real happy people are not those who have bulk of money in the bank or have huge investments but those who are able to forget about themselves and able to provide other people better opportunities in life. Would you say consumerism has affected our sense of values especially the young? It is obvious that consumerism has affected our sense of values especially our young people. In fact, priests and nuns and religious people are also affected by this consumeristic attitude. These are manifested in the attitude of wanting to possess: to have the latest model of laptop computer, MP3, cell phone, TV, car, etc. But we should also not discount the fact that there are religious who opt to be simple and embrace the vow of poverty in the real sense of the word. Despite risk in their lives, they opt to be the voice of the voiceless workers, farmers, urban poor communities, prostituted women and others. Regarding the young people, we can have an insight about it if we ask about their dreams and wishes in life. On the one hand, if we make a survey among elementary or high school students what is their dream or what do they want to be when they grow up, their easy reply would be “to become a nurse” “to go abroad” “ to become a business man” or “to have a lot of money” Very seldom you hear that they would like to become a priest, a nun or a religious. These are some manifestations that what dominates in the minds and hearts of the young people are consumeristic values. They are of the idea that it is money, and having material security that can make a human person really happy. On the other hand, there are still young people who dream of a society where there is peace and love for everyone. These young people can be found in families where the Gospel values of love, selfsacrifice and compassion for everyone are being taught. 7 Questions / B4

CBCP Monitor

Updates

Empowerment of the Laity (2) By Fr. Jaime B. Achacoso, J.C.D. TIME and again, I have heard the expression “lay empowerment” in the lips of priests and our parish lay leaders. More often than not, they would be referring to the faculties now granted to some of our parishioners to act as lay ministers—to have a more active participation in the liturgical ceremonies and to be extraordinary ministers for Holy Communion—or to form part of the Parish Pastoral Council. In contrast, in a convention of the Council of the Laity of the Philippines that I attended in Antipolo (Oct. 28-30, 2004) I heard a very different notion from more than one of the speakers. What does the expression “lay empowerment” really mean? THE proper sense of empowerment of the laity in Canon Law is enshrined in a set of canons contained in Book II: The People of God, Title II: The Obligations and Rights of the Lay Christian Faithful, covering cc. 224-231. These canons, in fact, positivized and formalize a set of rights and duties which are really proper and specific to the lay faithful—not something they have in common with clerics and religious as lay faithful, as covered by Title I: The Obligations and Rights of all the Christian Faithful, cc.208-223—and therefore constitute a proper empowerment of the laity as laity. Rights of Lay Christian Faithful. The Code enumerates two rights and a capacity of lay faithful: 1) Freedom in temporal affairs: Can. 227. Lay Christian faithful have the right to have recognized that freedom in the affairs of the earthly city which belongs to all citizens; when they exercise such freedom, however, they are to take care that their actions are imbued with the spirit of the gospel and take into account the doctrine set forth by the magisterium of the Church; but they are to avoid proposing their own opinion as the teaching of the Church in questions which are open to various opinions. 2) Right to decent remuneration for special service to the Church: Can. 231, §2: [Except for the stable ministries of lector and acolyte] they have a right to a decent remuneration suited to their condition; by such remuneration they should be able to provide decently for their own needs and for those of their family with due regard for the prescriptions of civil law; they likewise have a right that their pension, social security and health benefits be duly provided. 3) Capacity to cooperate in the governance of the Church: Can. 228 — §1. Qualified lay persons are capable of assuming from their sacred pastors those ecclesiastical offices and functions which they are able to exercise in accord with the prescriptions of law. — §2. Lay persons who excel in the necessary knowledge, prudence, and uprightness are capable of assisting the pastors of the Church as experts or advisors; they can do so even in councils, in accord with the norm of law. N.B. This is not a right, but just a capacity. In these cases, the Code properly empowers the lay faithful in three ways: 1) By acknowledging such rights of the lay faithful—the Code empowers them to exer-

The Annual Blessing of Family Homes 152. The annual blessing of families takes places in their homes during Eastertide ¯ or at other times of the year. This pastoral practice is highly recommended to parish priests and to their assistant priests since it is greatly appreciated by the faithful and affords a precious occasion to recollect God’s constant presence among Christian families. It is also an opportunity to invite the faithful to live according to the Gospel, and to exhort parents and children to preserve and promote the mystery of being “a domestic church”(156). The Via Lucis 153. A pious exercise called the Via Lucis has developed and spread to many regions in recent years. Following the model of the Via Crucis, the faithful process while meditating on the various appearances of Jesus—from his Resurrection to his Ascension - in which he showed

cise those rights effectively. 2) By giving the lay faithful the right to action—i.e., the right to demand from the competent Church authority the redress of any violation of those rights by any party. 3) By obliging the hierarchy to guarantee the effective exercise of those rights of the lay faithful—through proper formation, coordination and supervision. This is a great field of actuation by the hierarchy: e.g., more serious doctrinal formation of the laity as to their obligations to imbue temporal realities with the Gospel, more constant spiritual direction so as to open horizons of sanctity and apostolic zeal, more intense delivery of the means of salvation (the Word of God and the sacraments, especially Confession and the Eucharist). Duties FaithThe ates d u 1 )

of Lay Christian ful. Code enumerthe following ties: To sanctify marriage and

family: Can. 226, §1. Lay persons who live in the married state in accord with their own vocation are bound by a special duty to work for the upbuilding of the people of God through their marriage and their family. 2) To acquire appropriate formation for ecclesial tasks: Can. 231 — §1. Lay persons who devote themselves permanently or temporarily to some special service of the Church are obliged to acquire the appropriate formation which is required to fulfill their function properly and to carry it out conscientiously, zealously, and diligently. In these cases, the Code properly empowers the lay faithful in two ways: 1) By establishing such obligations on the part of the lay faithful, the Code empowers them for those acts which the fulfillment of such obligations entails. 2) By establishing such obligation on the part of the lay faithful, the Code also indirectly obliges the hierarchy to make the fulfillment of such obligations feasible. Right-Duties of Lay Christian Faithful In some cases, what the Code establishes are rights which are at the same time duties. In these cases, the mode of empowerment is even more encompassing: 1) To do apostolate in the world: Can. 225

— §1. Since the laity like all the Christian faithful, are deputed by God to the apostolate through their baptism and confirmation, they are therefore bound by the general obligation and enjoy the general right to work as individuals or in associations so that the divine message of salvation becomes known and accepted by all persons throughout the world; this obligation has a greater impelling force in those circumstances in which people can hear the gospel and know Christ only through lay persons. §2. Each lay person in accord with his or her condition is bound by a special duty to imbue and perfect the order of temporal affairs with the spirit of the gospel; they thus give witness to Christ in a special way in carrying out those affairs and in exercising secular duties. 2) To access and teach Christian doctrine and sacred sciences: Can. 229 — §1. Lay persons are bound by the obligation and possess the right to acquire a knowledge of Christian doctrine adapted to their capacity and condition so that they can live in accord with that doctrine, announce it, defend it when necessary, and be enabled to assume their role in exercising the apostolate. §2. Lay persons also possess the right to acquire that deeper knowledge of the sacred sciences which are taught in ecclesiastical universities or faculties or in institutes of religious sciences by attending classes and obtaining academic degrees. §3. Likewise, the prescriptions as to the required suitability having been observed, lay persons are capable of receiving from legitimate ecclesiastical authority a mandate to teach the sacred sciences. 3) To educate one’s children: Can. 226, §2. Because they have given life to their children, parents have a most serious obligation and enjoy the right to educate them; therefore Christian parents are especially to care for the Christian education of their children according to the Illustration by Bladimer Usi teachi n g handed on by the Church. Conclusion From the foregoing, it becomes clear that the juridic notion of empowerment of the laity goes much farther than the participation of lay faithful in properly ministerial functions (much less merely liturgical ones), or even in the pastoral work of the Church. Even in this latter case, the Law only gives the faithful the capacity to cooperate in the governance of the Church, but not a right to such power of governance. The proper sphere of lay empowerment has to do more with the mission of the lay faithful to be leaven in the world, ordering temporal affairs according to the Gospel. To the extent that the lay faithful are given the adequate doctrinal and spiritual formation, support of an intense sacramental life, and a healthy autonomy to fulfill their role in the world responsibly, they are by that same measure empowered to be what they are: Christian lay men and women, and not lay ministers or brothers, and much less secularized versions of religious men and women. Paraphrasing the Apostle to the Gentiles, the world is groaning for the revelation of the sons of God! Christian lay men and women need to be empowered to be themselves: to be Christ in the middle of the world!

Vol. 12 No. 8 April 14 - 27, 2008

The double alleluia and ‘Pontifical Masses’ (Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum university, answers the following questions:) Q: Please clarify whether the Mass dismissal should have the double Alleluia attached to it throughout the 50 days of the Easter season, e.g., “The Mass is ended. Go in peace. Alleluia! Alleluia!” or only during the Easter octave and the day of Pentecost—R.L., Cambridge, Massachusetts A: According to the indications of the rubrics and good liturgical guidelines, the double Alleluia is used at every Mass during the Easter octave and on Pentecost Sunday, which concludes the Easter season. The double Alleluia is also used for the dismissal or conclusion of the celebration of morning prayer and evening prayer, up to and including the vespers of Divine Mercy Sunday which concludes the Easter octave. On all the other days of Easter season the Alleluia is not added to the dismissal of either Mass or Liturgy of the Hours. In some countries, however, the missal contains optional formulas for the dismissal, according to the liturgical season. For example: “May the Risen Lord be our strength, go in peace.” Wherever permitted, such formulas may be used on any day of the Easter season. If used during the octave or Pentecost, the double Alleluia is always added. The use of the double Alleluia, as well as the faculty of using the Easter sequence “Victimae Paschali” and the special formulas inserted into the Eucharistic Prayers during the days of the octave, are ways of emphasizing the importance of the feast and prolonging its celebration. The use of this double Alleluia is very old, but during the Middle Ages it was dropped for a time from the liturgy in use by the Roman Curia. It returned through the influence of the Franciscan Friars Minor who restored the double Alleluia for their own liturgical books in 1243. Q: I have often seen the Mass of the Chrism described as the “Pontifical Mass of the Chrism.” Is this correct and, if so, what attributes make it (or any other Mass) pontifical? Also, I have been to a number of Masses where the cardinal archbishop of the diocese is the presider/celebrant. I have noticed that he usually has the deacon read or chant the Gospel, and when the deacon does this, the master of ceremonies hands the bishop his crosier at the start of the Gospel acclamation and holds it until the Gospel is finished. What is the significance of this action? During the Mass of the Chrism, the bishop and priests assembled renew their commitment to priestly service. I remember one of the prayers of the faithful that the bishop prays for himself, and in that prayer I have heard him pray that he, as bishop, will “speak with a prophetic voice.” Are there “standard forms” for this prayer in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal or other liturgical documents, or are there only guidelines as to what this prayer should cover?—E.G., Chicago A: The expression “Pontifical Mass” refers to any solemn Mass celebrated by a diocesan bishop (or an abbot) as high priest of his flock. It is not reserved to a Mass celebrated by the Holy Father. This Mass is usually considered as a sign of unity in the Church and is celebrated on important feasts and anniversaries with full ceremonial and the complete complement of ministers: concelebrating priests, deacons, acolytes, lectors and the full, active participation of all God’s holy people. It is usually also a sung Mass (cf. Ceremonial of Bishops, Nos. 119-121). While the terms “Pontifical Mass” and “Pontifical High Mass” are still used in current speech, the 1984 Ceremonial of Bishops no longer uses this expression. It officially refers to this Mass as the “Stational Mass of the Diocesan Bishop,” thereby reintroducing an ancient formulation. According to the Ceremonial of Bishops (No. 59), the bishop carries the crosier or pastoral staff in his own territory as a sign of his pastoral office. As a general rule the bishop holds the staff, “its curved head turned away from himself and towards the people: as he walks in procession, listens to the Gospel reading, and gives the homily; also when receiving religious vows and promises or a profession of faith and when he bestows a blessing on persons, unless the blessing includes the laying on of hands.” Whenever the diocesan bishop permits another bishop to celebrate a solemn Mass within his territory, the visiting bishop may also use the pastoral staff. Although the Roman Missal provides texts for the prayers for the renewal of commitment to priestly service, the rubric in the English version of the missal says that the bishop speaks to the priests and the people “in these or similar words.” In the text provided in the missal the bishop addresses the people: “Pray also for me that despite my own unworthiness I may faithfully fulfill the office of apostle which Jesus Christ has entrusted to me. Pray that I may become more like our High Priest and Good Shepherd, the teacher and servant of all, and so be a genuine sign of Christ’s loving presence among you.” I suppose that the prayer heard by our reader was a legitimate variation of this text which implores prayers for the bishop to fearlessly preach the Gospel with an authentically prophetic voice.

Eastertide

his glory to the disciples who awaited the coming of the Holy Spirit (cf. John 14, 26; 16, 13-15; Lk 24, 49), strengthened their faith, brought to completion his teaching on the Kingdom and more closely defined the sacramental and hierarchical structure of the Church. Through the Via Lucis, the faithful recall the central event of the faith—the resurrection of Christ—and their discipleship in virtue of Baptism, the paschal sacrament by which they have passed from the darkness of sin to the bright radiance of the light of grace (cf. Col 1, 13; Eph 5, 8).

For centuries the Via Crucis involved the faithful in the first moment of the Easter event, namely the Passion, and helped to fix its most important aspects in their consciousness. Analogously, the Via Lucis, when celebrated in fidelity to the Gospel text, can effectively convey a living understanding to the faithful of the second moment of the Pascal event, namely the Lord’s Resurrection. The Via Lucis is potentially an excellent pedagogy of the faith, since “per crucem ad lucem”. Using the metaphor of a journey, the Via Lucis moves from the experience of suffering, which in

God’s plan is part of life, to the hope of arriving at man’s true end: liberation, joy and peace which are essentially paschal values. The Via Lucis is a potential stimulus for the restoration of a “culture of life” which is open to the hope and certitude offered by faith, in a society often characterized by a “culture of death”, despair and nihilism. Devotion to the Divine Mercy 154. In connection with the octave of Easter, recent years have witnessed the development and diffusion of a special

devotion to the Divine Mercy based on the writings of Sr. Faustina Kowalska who was canonized 30 April 2000. It concentrates on the mercy poured forth in Christ’s death and resurrection, fount of the Holy Spirit who forgives sins and restores joy at having been redeemed. Since the liturgy of the Second Sunday of Easter or Divine Mercy Sunday—as it is now called(157)—is the natural locus in which to express man’s acceptance of the Redeemer’s mercy, the faithful should be taught to understand this devotion in the light of the liturgical celebrations of these Easter days. Indeed, “the paschal Christ is the definitive incarnation of mercy, his living sign which is both historico-salvific and eschatological. At the same time, the Easter liturgy places the words of the psalm on our lips: “I shall sing forever of the Lord’s mercy” (Ps 89[88] 2)”(158). —Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy, Principles and Guidelines

CBCP Monitor

Diocese

Vol. 12 No. 8 April 14 - 27, 2008

IMPORTANT FACTS: Bishop ………………….....………… 1 Priests: Diocesan ……………………..….. 19 Religious ……………………....…. 5 Sisters: Filipino …………………….....…… 13 Foreign ……………………....….. 2 Seminarians: Theology ……………………....… 12 Philosophy …………………...…… 37 Pre-College …………………...…. 11 On Regency …………………...…. 1 Pastoral Divisions: Pastoral Districts ……………..…. 2 Mission Stations …………….…… 20 Educational Centers: Seminary ……………………...….. 1 High School ………………...…….. 10 Elementary ……………...………… 1 Pre-School …………………..……. 2 Population …………………… 308,624 Area …………………... 4,615.1 sq. m.

The Apostolic Vicariate of By Bro. Bruno HuebscherJucker, BMI THE Apostolic Vicariate of BontocLagawe covers the two civil provinces of Ifugao and Mountain Province. It is bounded on the north by KalingaApayao, on the east by Isabela, on the west by Ilocos Sur and on the south by Nueva Vizcaya. It is one among three vicariates created on July 6, 1992, dividing the old Vicariate of the Montañosa into three: the Vicariates of Baguio, Bontoc-Lagawe and Tabuk. The province of Ifugao is characterized by rather rolling hills while the Mountain Province is known for its rugged mountains with towering peaks and sharp ridges. Because of their elevations, some of which exceed 2,000 meters above sea level, these provinces enjoy a cool and invigorating climate. The mainstream of the populace belongs to ethno-linguistic groups that have inhabited the Cordillera region for centuries. This is made up of the Bontoks, Kankanaeys and the Allay Gaddangs of the Mountain Province, and the Ayangans, Tuwalis and the Kalanguyas of Ifugao. Although all these groups are classified under the common name of Igorot, each has a distinct culture and a distinct language. Much of their cultural traditions are still intact. Basic values such as family and community are still very highly esteemed. The majority of the people are involved in subsistence agriculture that makes use mostly of terrace planting. Despite the area’s wealth in natural resources the two provinces are economically depressed and remain neglected in basic social services and infrastructure. Politically, Ifugao is comprised of 11 municipalities while the Mountain Province is made up of 10. The vicariate therefore covers a total of 21 municipalities occupying a land area of 4,615 square kilometers with a population of 308,624 of which 64 per cent are Catholics. The vicariate reaches out to the faithful through 21 “mission stations”. The area is divided into two ecclesiastical districts, that of Ifugao and that of the Mountain Province. This provides separate venues for pastoral discussions concerning particular problems or programs affecting the mission stations of each province. The seat of the apostolic vicariate is at Bontoc, Mountain Province. Assisting the Vicar Apostolic in the governance of pastoral welfare is the Vicariate Mission Council. Members of the presbyterium form this council which meets regularly. However, it is the prerogative of the Vicar Apostolic to convene the mission council as need arises. On the vicariate level, clergy, religious and lay people, together with the Vicar Apostolic, participate in the planning and formulation of the pastoral direction of the vicariate. All mission stations are duly represented. Per agreement the assembly meets once a year for assessment and planning. The First Vicariate Pastoral Assembly of Bontoc-Lagawe was convened in 1993, out of which emerged the following objectives: 1) to come together as clergy,

religious and laity; 2) to strengthen unity and solidarity; 3) to assess the growth of the vicariate; and, 4) to set the specific pastoral vision, mission, thrust and direction of the vicariate. The second Pastoral Assembly of 1996 re-affirmed the pastoral thrust of the BEC-type of church and adopted the “YEAST” ministries as its service-structure. Youth, Education, Altar, Social concerns, Temporalities. The Apostolic Vicariate of BontocLagawe, now on its 16th year since its creation has determined for itself the pastoral thrust to become a BEC-type church (Basic Ecclesial Communities). Each of the twenty-one mission stations has set out to transform communities to become ecclesial communities that are evangelized and evangelizing. Hence BEC is the main thrust. Vision/Mission We envision the Apostolic Vicariate of Bontoc-Lagawe as a community of Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs), where Christians live their faith in organized, functional and coordinated Youth, Education, Altar, Social Services and Temporalities Ministries and doing them in indigenous ways of participating and co-responsibility as YEAST. Our name is BEC, our work is YEAST The Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) based on the experience of the Apostolic Vicariate of Bontoc-Lagawe are a community of believers at the grassroots level which meets regularly under the leadership of a lay minister to express their faith in common worship, to discern on their common living of the faith, to plan and act on common decisions regarding their life of faith, in community, as community. 8 Elements of BECs 1) Community of Believers The BEC is first and foremost Church: a people who adhere to the faith of the Gospel and are committed to it not only as individuals but also, and principally, as an entire community. It is thus their faith in Christ—not philosophy, political ideology or culture—that brings them as members together and makes and identifies them as a community. And it is community, an organized body, not just a group of people coming together by hap-instance like a mob or a crowd. For as community they live in permanent and ordered relationship, one to another. 2) Grassroots Level It is the smallest unit of Church (beyond the domestic church, that is), and it is “grassroots”, basic therefore in the sense that it is small enough for its members to be in face to face relationship and interaction with one another, and this at the lowest level of hierarchical Church. 3) Regularity of meetings The periodic coming together of the community at set times (usually on Sundays) has, from a sociologist’s point of view, the double function of keeping alive the sense of community of its members and as well of fulfilling communication needs for social interaction. A prosaic thing, this dual function, but they mean much for the strength of community life and solidarity among its

Bontoc-Lagawe

TOPMOST: Sta. Rita Cathedral, Bontoc. ABOVE: Episcopal Installation of Bishop Rodolfo Beltran, May 29, 2006.

members: they are as visible a sign as any of the members assertion of themselves as a community. 4) Lay Leadership This does not exclude clerical leadership by any means, but it does acknowledge the need and the exercise in the church of leadership roles among the laity distinct from the clerical kind. BECs may have, historically, arisen as a result of clergy insufficiency. But even if there is a sufficiency of priests, there still is place for lay leadership in the Church which cannot be preempted by other forms of leadership, hierarchical or clerical—a discovery of no little moment in the process of building up a Local Church. 5) Common Worship This is the first function of the BEC‘s coming together—the liturgical expression and asserting in religious worship of the community‘s faith. It consists ordinarily, in the absence of a priest, of a service of the Word, and when consecrated hosts are available, a Communion service. There is power in the Word of God (something Protestants knew all along, more than Catholics?) and for the first time our ordinary laity (and clerics, for that matter) are discovering it for themselves. In the absence of the Mass, the use of scripture in its worshipping— it brings the community back each time to the source of its faith—cannot be underestimated for its strengthening of the faith life of the community. 6) Communal discernment The second function of the BEC is the application of the message of the Word to the life situation of the community. This needs prayer and discernment, participated in by the whole community. Problems and events that impinge on their life in the community, as well as opportunities, events that help or prevent the full living of the faith, these are looked into in the light of the Word of God. A thoroughgoing faith perspective is the prism through which events and problems are scrutinized. From its discerning, the community goes on to plan

and make decisions for action in faith on what they see they must do. 7) Community action on its discernment The third function is precisely the action in faith that follows the community’s discernment. The participatory deciding, planning and acting bring out even more clearly one aspect of the BEC that marks it as a community: its being an organized and structured body. It is an aspect too that is missing, or at least not too prominent, in the old form of communities we had before Vatican II where the claim to being a “practicing Catholic” was tested mainly in the individual reception of the sacraments and attendance at Mass, hardly on what the community as a whole does in common action on common problems—and problems that were not always specifically religious or spiritual in nature. 8) As and in Community This last part of our definition brings us back to the essential character of the BEC as a community, an ecclesia, a congregation of faith calling its members to be in communion with one another. It reiterates the fact that its worship, its discernment and action are all done corporately as an ecclesial entity. Stages of BECs (The aim is to move from Liturgical to Developmental or even Liberational BECs) Liturgical BEC – is one in which community participation is concentrated strongly on its liturgical life. Priority is hence put on nurturing a strong spirituality centered on worship. In such, a BEC attention is given to the training of lay leaders like readers, communion ministers, catechists; people who would help lead the community into a richer liturgical and prayer life. Developmental BEC – is one which goes beyond the liturgical, strives to do something about the community’s economic problems like the protection of the environment, health needs, livelihood projects, poverty alleviation, housing drug abuse, etc.

In the training of lay leaders, a lot of educational seminar or training programs for good management of development projects like cooperatives of all kinds are conducted for those engaging in them. The movement is from simply giving hand-outs to people in dire need to doing something to alleviate poverty by getting to their deeper causes. Liberational BEC – is one who faces up to questions of social injustice, human rights violations, crime and violence, peace-building, what are often looked as the more political aspects of life. Such work help conscienticize people to an awareness of their social situation in order to enable them to act on its problems, educating them to their rights, giving legal aid to the poor who cannot afford lawyers, etc. – all are tasks that are matter-of-factly entered into in this third kind of BEC. Three-level structure that emerged to facilitate the implementation of the BEC program 1. BEC Level (YEAST Ministries) The BEC is the basic community of disciples. The BEC members know one another and are concerned of one another in their personal and communal living of the faith (Acts 2: 42). They plan and implement their YEAST activities and seek for support from the MPC (Mission Pastoral Council). 2. Mission Station (MS) Level The Mission Rector heads the pastoral care of the Mission Station, which is part of the whole Apostolic Vicariate. The Mission Station is a community of BECs. The MPC (Mission Pastoral Council), guided by the Mission Rector, supports, monitors and facilitates implementation of plans in the BEC level. 3. Vicariate Level (YEAST Offices) The YEAST staff concerned assists the District, cluster of Mission Stations or particular Mission Station after a dialogue regarding the assistance needed from the Vicariate office (s).

CBCP Monitor

Commissions

Vol. 12 No. 8 April 14 - 27, 2008

ECMI bestows award to OFW children achievers By Pinky Barrientos, FSP TEN outstanding sons and daughters of overseas Filipino workers who have shown excellence in their academic studies, leadership qualities and socio-civic involvement received the Gawad Anak OFW in an awarding ceremony at the National Commission on Culture and Arts Auditorium (NCAA), Intramuros, Manila, April 11. The Luzon wide search of finalists for Ten Outstanding Sons and Daughters of OFWs Student Achievers (TOSDOSA) Award or Gawad Anak OFW was spearheaded by the Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People (ECMI). Edmund Ruga, ECMI project coordinator of the program said the search was organized to highlight the achievements of the sons and daughters of OFWs, as they are the hope of the present generation. “We want to show through this program that even though there may be problems among the children of OFWs, there are also achievers among them,” said Ruga.

Ruga expressed hope that despite the absence of a parent still these teens can be productive members of society and this is what they want to show to the public. Those who participated in the search both came from Catholic and public schools in the dioceses were the SDO program is fully implemented. Ruga revealed that because of the implementation of the program in the schools, it has been noted that the problems involving children of OFWs have diminished. He said the program has been endorsed locally by the Department of Education (DepEd). Twenty finalists were initially chosen from 4 schools in Isabela, one in Pampanga, 4 in Batangas, 4 in La Union, 5 in Nueva Viscaya and 2 in Cavite. The contenders were trimmed down to 10 during the final interview at the CBCP-ECMI office last April 10. The top 10 candidates who received the Gawad Anak OFW were Madeleine Jamille Fernandez, School of Our Lady of Atocha, Alicia-Isabela; Jorel Jade David, Angeles University Foundation-Integrated School, Angeles City-Pampanga;

Winners od Gawad Anak OFW with CBCP Secretary General Msgr. Juanito Figura (etreme left) and ECMI Executive Secretary Fr. Edwin Corros (extreme right).

Mariella Rocillo, Our Lady of Caysasay Academy, Taal-Batangas; John Paulo Laguerta, Nueva Vizcaya General Comprehensive High School, BayombongNueva Vizcaya; Noemi Baculo, St. Francis Academy, Mabini-Batangas; Kriziaoumo Orpia, Saint Louis School, Solano-Nueva

Vizcaya; Rolyne Mae Pajarillo, Bacnotan National High School, Bacnotan-La Union; Gerald James Lingayu, Solano High School, Solano-Nueva Vizcaya; Geraldine Mores, Bintawan National High School, Villaverde-Nueva Vizcaya; Clyd Marvin Tito, Jesus Good Shepherd

School, Imus-Cavite. A Merit Award was also given to the twenty finalists and their respective schools. ECMI chairman Bishop Precioso Cantillas, SDB, delivered the keynote message at the awarding ceremony.

Episcopal Commission on Doctrine of Faith

Evangelization 101: Lessons from Pope Benedict XVI

Fr. Luis P. Supan “POLITICAL correctness” seems to be a meaningless slogan to Pope Benedict. Barely a year has passed since his thought-provoking Regensburg Address, and there he was in the last Easter Vigil, baptizing a well-known Italian journalist, Magdi Allam, who was born Muslim in Egypt. Some pundits were alarmed at the prospects of Muslims being offended again by the Pope. To understand rightly the Pope’s actions since his election, a four-month old “Note” from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, approved by him last December 6, offers some clues. The Doctrinal Note on Some Aspects of Evangelization is one of those documents coming from the same Congregation bearing drab titles, but which are quite meaty inside. The message of this new Note is clear and simple: “the Church as a whole and all her Pastors, like Christ, must set

out to lead people out of the desert, towards the place of life, towards friendship with the Son of God, towards the One who gives us life, and life in abundance” (Note, 10; Cf. Pope Benedict’s homily in the inauguration of his pontificate.) In short, the Note is another fresh call for evangelization, taken in its strict meaning of proclaiming Christ to those who have not yet received baptism, as well as in its broad sense of bringing back to the Church her estranged members (i.e., tepid Catholics and non-Catholic Christians). “Pastoral correctness”— this seems to be the primary criterion for Pope Benedict’s actions. It was pastorally correct for him to remind mankind who God is through his first encyclical, Deus caritas est. It was pastorally correct for him to write the book Jesus of Nazareth, a best-seller in a world hungry for “The Way, the Truth, and the Life”. The Regensburg Ad-

dress was pastorally correct because it challenged both the West (out with God, Reason reigns!) and the East (out with reason, only God reigns!). It can be said, therefore, that the baptism of Magdi Allam was the tangible and genuine fruit of his pastorally effective decisions. He translated into visible actions what he had said “the Church as a whole and all her Pastors, like Christ, must set out to lead people out of the desert …” Shall we soon see “whole Church” (lay people, priests, religious) following the Pope’s reaching out to all of mankind, and not only to Catholics? Does it still make sense to proclaim to non-Christians that what they have been longing for has been fulfilled in Evangelization / B6

7 Questions / B1

How does the family and life apostolate in your diocese respond to the challenge of materialism and consumerism and its effects on the young? The Family Life Commission of the Diocese of Novaliches responds to the current moral crisis rooted in materialism and consumerism by integrating into its various formation programs the value of stewardship of the earth’s goods and the family’s role in the promotion of peace, justice and integrity of creation in society. There are six components of the Family Life Commission (FLC) of the Diocese, with each component headed by a married couple. These components are: 1) Marriage and Family Life Preparation; 2) Marriage and Family Life Enrichment; 3) Parenting Program; 4) Marriage and Family Counseling; 5) Shepherding and Advocacy; 6) Natural Family Planning (NFP) Formation Program. The FLC of Novaliches helps establish, nurture and monitor these six programs in every parish. For this goal to be achieved, regular diocesan-level training programs of (#1, #4 and #5) are held. The participants are married couples who are designated by their parishes to start and promote the program they have been trained for on the diocesan level. In the case of the marriage enrichment program (#2), parenting program (#3) and NFP (#6) the formation seminars are directly held in the parish by request or by assignment. Furthermore, the FLC gathers the family life coordinators of parishes once every two months for monitoring and networking of their parish activities. Also, twice a year these coordinators gather for updating on specific topics or current is-

sues about marriage and family life. How is the BEC program in the diocese? Basic Ecclesial Community (BEC) is not just a program in the diocese. It is our way of life and we strive to achieve the goal of building ecclesial communities in all parishes at all means possible. BEC is our Diocesan mission as it is reflected in our Vision and Mission as a Local Church. As I state; “We, the local Church of Novaliches, are a Christ-centered community of disciples, responding to the needs of the people, journeying with the Blessed Virgin Mary towards the newness and fullness of life. Trusting in the grace of God and in the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we commit ourselves to: Promote renewed and integral evangelization; Empower the laity and form servant-leaders; and, Commune the poor, with the oppressed and the marginalized, and work for their upliftment through the building and developing of Basic Ecclesial Communities towards total human development and social transformation. To realize all those, we try to confront socio-culturalreligio-political issues in the grassroots. We believe in conscientisizing our people through the promotion and actualizing the call for integral human development. Having in mind the sociotheological process of Seeing, Judging and Acting, we try to have a communal reading of the present life situation so that we can reflect and pray together and arrived in the right judgment towards a concrete action for the common good. As part of the process, we have structured the BEC Diocesan Pastoral Team to see the realities of the parishes and

how we can better respond to the needs of those in the grassroots. The task is not easy for the people varies in different perspective and orientations but through dialogue, listening and being with the grassroots, we are able to continue the journey towards the fullness of life. What we are doing in BEC is what the Church should do. If we believe that the Church is the Community of the Faithful, then the Church is the community of men and women “who, united in Christ, and guided by the Holy Spirit, press onwards towards the Kingdom of God and bearers of a message of salvation intended to all men.” (Gaudium et Spes)

vocacy is not merely an ad but rather a lifestyle. Care of environment is manifested on how we care our very own life. Both are gifts and as gifts we have to nurture and care for them. The call towards integrity of creation needs to be lived by all Christians, for we are all interrelated with each other; all need a HOME, an “Oikous” not only for us but for future generations. That is why we have the Organic and herbal gardening that advocate natural and sustaining produce of food for the table. This is another step towards care of environment and freeing the land from harmful pesticides toward healthier life.

How does the diocese address environmental concerns such as global warming? Yes, we are in the common understanding that Global warming is a worldwide phenomenon that is affecting us all and no exemptions. To address the ecology and environmental issues and concerns, we have the ECONOVA (Environmental/Ecological Concerns and Organic Gardening of Novaliches.) This ministry is both an advocacy and direct intervention to deal with some pressing needs regarding the environment. It is a fact that our diocese holds the water reservoir of the Metropolis and the protected areas in order that our people would enjoy clean and fresh waters. Another advocacy we have is the zero waste management, due to the waste being dumped in Payatas. Such action of zero waste must start at our very own home and in our very own selves. These campaigns of being vigilant and responsive to the environmental issues remain continuous. Ad-

How does the diocese respond to the phenomenon of out-migration? The diocese recognizes the phenomenon of migration and its impact on the economic, socio-cultural, religiospritual dimension of the faithful. Recognizing that the diocese is half of Quezon City (North) and half Kalookan which at the same time belongs to the ten sending cities of origin for OFWs in the country, (Quezon City 3rd, and Kalookan ranks 10th), it is necessary for the Church to address such concern. We recognize that out-migration gives opportunities and benefits. However, we have to look more deeply on the social costs that come with it which inevitably harm the families. As part of responding to this phenomenon, we have to identify why we have such big percentage of out-migration. Still the key issue is the unemployment as a major development challenge in the Philippines in general, and the major driver of overseas employment. The unemployment problem has several

facets. We are considered to be the poorest diocese in the archdiocese where 2.1 million of populace 60% are poor. The jobless growth exhibited by the Philippine economy is felt and drives people to out-migrate. Having in our diocese such realities, we have reinstated the Pastoral Care of Migrants and their families to take care of such issues and concerns. We hope that through this Ministry, programs can be effectively coordinated and implemented at all vicariate and parishes. Some programs that we have are the Information Dissemination that aims to rise consciousness of the faithful about the push and pull of migration, its positives and negative impact on the families left behind and its social costs, Capacity Building for the OFW and their Families, Formation and Training of the Volunteer Pastoral Workers for Migrant, Linkages and Networking to different GO’s NGO’s and Civil Society Groups, and Setting up Migration Desk in Parishes to help the distress OFWs and their families and properly inform them of their rights, privileges, benefits and possible institution who can help them address their problems. Some direct activities we are having are: addressing the issues on rights, benefits and responsibilities of OFWs by the para-legal desk for the OFW Families; Strengthening of the reintegration programs through workshops and seminars, Spiritual Growth of the OFW dependents; Promoting the Church’s participation in policy coherence and coordination to promote sustainable development and developing possible livelihood programs for the reintegration of the returnee.

CBCP Monitor

Statements

Vol. 12 No. 8 April 14 - 27, 2008

B5 An appeal to the Davao City Mayor and to the City Council OUR local government is part of a democracy which is a system of government of the people, by the people, and for the people.” In a sense, therefore, the people of Davao City can call the local government as their own. The reason is because the people put their government officials into office by their votes, and support them and government projects with their taxes. Consequently the city government officials—all the way down from top to bottom—act in behalf of and for the people. The vast majority of the people of Davao City are Roman Catholics including many of the city officials and city employees. Most of these people are voters and tax payers, and are persons of high moral values aside from the Clergy and Religious. For them the city government officials act and perform their functions not because our people are Catholics but because they are citizens, district constituents, voters and tax payers. Their social, economic, political, cultural and religious welfare are the primary responsibility and concern of the city government. And moral principles and values underpin society, economics, politics and culture. I was informed that the City Council of Davao with the support of the City Mayor is preparing to adopt a “Development Plan for Children of Davao City, 2007-2010.” To us in the Catholic Church, this plan is dangerous and detrimental to the moral and spiritual welfare of the majority of our people. I say “dangerous and detrimental” because, in the guise of “reproductive health and safe pregnancy,” the Plan: 1. mocks parental authority; 2. belittles the value of family; 3. denigrates the virtue of chastity; 4. makes available all contraceptives to children from 0-18 years old (cfr. Page 7); promotes pre-marital sex and promiscuity.

‘Give us this day our daily rice’ THESE are times when the prayer “Our Father” becomes most meaningful especially when we pray “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name…Give us this day our daily bread.” In the past, our local rice industry used to be the backbone of our country’s economy. That is how God was helping us with our daily bread. With our rice technology we were helping countries like Vietnam, Thailand, Pakistan, and Indonesia how to produce more rice for their tables. We had both the advancing technology and more than sufficient domestic production. Farmers’ sons and daughters were fed from and educated through the rice farms. Today, ironically, even lamentably, because of unsatisfactory

production of rice, lack of credit support for our small rice farmers and lack of infrastructure development, our rice farms can not support for the needs of the growing population. Add to this the conversion of farms into housing subdivisions, commercial centers and golf courses, which certainly are profitable for the individual owners, but not for the needs of the greater number. Today, in response to a rice crisis, probably foreseen and expected, but government has its eyes on wrong or lesser priorities, we are forced to import close to a million metric tons of rice since 1996, and this year imported rice will be more than two million metric tons. And from where? Ironically but gratefully, from countries who may have learned the skill of rice production from us: Vietnam,

Thailand, Pakistan, even United States. Yes, we will have rice on our tables but only for those who can afford to buy with 18 pesos per kilogram. We not only will have limited rice. Our people will have also limited buying power. And who will be profiting from this arrangement? Unscrupulous traders and government officials? The question keeps coming up— whatever happened to the Php 729 million fertilizer funds? Rice importation is a response to a rice crisis. But there must be limit to importations. It should not be the permanent arrangement. The lesser the imports the better! We encourage the improvement of local production with genuine government support at all levels of production with the end in view of restoring

to agriculture and to our rice producers and farmers the assistance that they deserve to achieve genuine food security and self-sufficiency. Some policies are needed to reverse the trend from over dependence on importation to making the rice production truly the backbone of our economy, as it is in other countries of Southeast Asia. We will not expect miracles to solve the rice crisis. The miracle will have to be, God helping us, from our common efforts—government, farmers, rice producers and farm-owners—to produce our “daily rice.” Other countries in Asia are doing it. We can do it. +ANGEL N. LAGDAMEO, DD Archbishop of Jaro President, CBCP April 3, 2008

The plan therefore offends our Catholic faith and the religious sentiments of our people. In their name and in the name of those who value morality in the family and society, I appeal to our Honorable City Mayor and the Honorable City Councilors to be sensitive to and respectful of the religious feelings and moral values of our people. On this point the Philippine Constitution provides that it is a sacred duty of civil authority to acknowledge, to protect and foster the true nature of marriage and family, and safeguard public morality. Moreover, prominent social scientists and respective demographers maintain that greed, unjust laws, unjust structures, unfair labor practices and unjust distribution of land and social services are the real causes of poverty—not overpopulation. To those City Government officials who directly and indirectly exert moral pressure on their subordinates in the adoption and later implementation of the said Development Plan, I wish to convey my sincere respect for the decision. But I wish to inform them that such decision, when often done in open defiance and ridicule of the Church’s moral teachings, may create public scandal thereby making themselves openly unworthy to receive the Sacraments. Moral judgment on one’s unworthiness, however, is not automatic because culpable violation of grave moral laws still demands a thorough and individual verification by Church authorities. To the other Catholics in the City Council and in the City Health Department and related line agencies in the barangays, I urge you to obey God and His inner voice, the dictate of your moral conscience, and never the dictates of the powerful and moneyed people. As you make this courageous stand, be assured of my prayers and support as well as the support of your fellow Catholics. As spiritual head and shepherd of the local Church of Davao City I make this urgent and public appeal in a spirit of respect for and collaboration with our City Government officials and in sincere concern for the common good and moral welfare of our people. +FERNANDO R. CAPALLA, DD Archbishop of Davao 12 April 2008

Pastoral Letter on the Biblical Apostolate of Nueva Segovia IN his goodness and wisdom, God was pleased to reveal himself and his will to men. Included in this revelation is his plan. The plan of God was “that men should have access to the Father, through Christ, the Word made flesh, in the Holy Spirit, and thus become sharers in the divine nature” (DV 2; Eph. 1: 9, 2: 18; 2 Pt. 1: 4) and thereby become God’s children in his only begotten Son (cf. 1 Tim. 6: 16).

passes on the Word of God which Christ and the Holy Spirit entrusted to the apostles and to those who were chosen to succeed them, in order to keep, explain, and spread this Word through evangelization in the power and light of the Holy Spirit (DV 9).

Jesus Christ The revelation of God was fulfilled through works and words, which were intertwined with one another, gradually revealed to men and fulfilled in Jesus Christ, “Mediator and fullness of all revelation” (DV 2), the perfect and unsurpassable Word, in whom God has said everything; there will be no other Word than this one (cfr. CCC 65).

Growth in understanding the Faith Growth in understanding the faith depends on two things: “the contemplation and study of believers who ponder these things [the realities and the words of the heritage of faith] in their hearts” (DV 8: 2; cfr. Lk. 2: 19, 51); and “the intimate sense of spiritual realities which [believers] experience” (DV 8: 2). The supernatural appreciation of faith (sensus fidei) grows in a special way through the reading of Sacred Scripture by the believers themselves (cfr. DV 8; St. Gregory the Great, Homily on Ezekiel).

Holy Scripture Sacred Scripture is the revelation (Word) of God, which is committed in writing through the light and inspiration of the Holy Spirit (DV 9). It

Decrees After carefully studying the “Statement” of the Bible Congress held in Nueva Segovia on January 27, 2008, I decree, through this Pastoral Letter the

following, which were lifted from the “Statement” of the said Congress: 1. “Family Bible Reading” (FBR). Catholic families are to be initiated in Family Bible Reading, daily as much as possible, as part of their faith life. Whatever program of the “Biblical Apostolate”, no matter how beautiful, no matter how meticulously designed, and no matter how scholarly prepared, if believers do not read regularly the Bible (“Bible reading”), such a program will not be worth much. 2. “Bible For Every Family” (BEF). How can every Catholic family in the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia read regularly, daily as much as possible, the Bible if they do not have the book, which we call Bible, in their homes? Hence, every Catholic family in Nueva Segovia must have a Bible. 3. “Bible Enthronement” (BE). The family Bible of every Catholic family in the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia shall be blessed and enthroned at the altar of every Catholic home, in the hope that this home will become a “domestic Church”, the source of justice, reconciliation, and peace.

4. “Biblical Apostolate Commission” (BAC). The Biblical Commission should be activated in every parish. If there is no Commission yet, it should be organized in the parish. This Commission will take care of the FBR, BEF, BE, and BBE (this will be explained in no. 6). 5. “Bible Coordinator” (BC). Every parish in the Archdiocese should have a Bible Coordinator. The six Vicariates of the Archdiocese should each have a Vicarial Coordinator. 6. “Basic Bible Education” (BBE). We cannot love what we do not know. We cannot commit ourselves wholeheartedly to what we do not love. We cannot impart to others nor can we initiate them into what we do not know and love, and have not given ourselves to in the commitment of enlightened love. Hence, the need for education, and for that matter, Bible education. This education on the Bible should be on-going, not just one seminar that one has attended once and for all. 7. “Mass Media” (MM). Timek, our archdiocesan weekly paper and DZNS, our Catholic radio station, should be

channels of the Biblical Apostolate for a wider and more extensive ambit of our Biblical Apostolate. The other groups of the “mass media” in Ilocos Sur should be tapped for the purposes of our Biblical Apostolate. Hope If we take to our heads, hearts, and hands these seven points which I have enjoined in this Pastoral Letter, there is hope for renewal in the life of Ilocos Sur. There is also hope that the theme of the Congress—The Word of God: Source of Justice, Reconciliation, and Peace—will be brought into effect. I sign this Pastoral Letter on the 11th of February 2008, the 150th year of the 1st apparition of Our Lady in Lourdes, France. To Our Lady of Lourdes I humbly entrust the “Biblical Apostolate” of the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia. + ERNESTO A. SALGADO, DD Archbishop of Nueva Segovia Vigan City, Ilocos Sur

CBCP Monitor

Reflections

Vol. 12 No. 8 April 14 - 27, 2008

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Rice and population

Illustration by Bladimer Usi

The amazing race in the way of Jesus 5th Sunday of Easter (John 14:1-12); April 20, 2008 By Fr. Edgardo S. Sigua FOUR-TIME Emmy Award winner, Amazing Race is all about a 13-leg race, of 11-12 teams of two, for a million dollars. It involves crossing cities, countries and continents, hurdling obstacles and roadblocks by means of clues to find their way to the final pit stop. Teams most concern is all about the way, the right way to the pit stop. Maps, directions and tips to get there first are the necessities of the game. Troubles emerge when a team lost its way but threading the accurate way puts a team in right race track. Teams can ask directions from people and request them to lead them to the spot but few teams are fortunate to encounter a person to accompany them all the way. Those lucky

teams could not possibly get lost or miss their destination. They arrived at the pit stop at the soonest time. The person helping them became their direction and way. In similar sense is today’s Sunday Gospel reading, wherein Jesus proclaims that He is the Way. He is the way here and now and at the final pit stop in the hereafter. One can never be lost because the way is him, not the road, not the map, not the direction but the Jesus-person. Relativism certainly contests this seemingly exclusive Christian paradigm. No other way? Buddhists will definitely contend the Gautama Way. Muslims will insist the Mohammed’s Way. Taoist (means, “Way”) will certainly say, theirs is the original path. Hindus, Confucians, and even other Christian religions proclaim their own way.

P. Knitter (1985) made a critical survey of Christian attitude towards the world religion. Its main question lies in its very title, “No Other Name?” which looks on other religions showing their respective Way. His other book, Introducing Theologies of Religion (2002) presents a comprehensive study of every major position taken by Christian churches and theologians on world religions and religious pluralism. It leads to the query; can there really be no other name or no other way? Can respect, mutual co-existence and dialogue lead to a common name or a common way? Undeniably, each of them teaches a way of life so sublime and noble but what cuts Christianity so differently from the rest is the fact that it is not just a philosophy, a system, or a ritual but

is the person. Why is Jesus the way? It is because he is the truth, the perfect revelation of God; and because he is the life, sharing with us the very life of God. (Guillemette S.J.) As St. Paul imaged it, life is like a race wherein runners are in the stadium taking part in the race. Whether it is individual or team race, we all run so as to win. Some may get to the finish earlier and some may get late but I say all may get the award no matter they ran last to the finish. For as long as they thread the right way and put up a clean, good fight until the end, that matters most. With unwavering faith, we place high hopes to arrive at the final pit stop of the race of life because we believed and followed the way, with the Jesusperson. For sure, with him, it is truly an amazing race.

Bo Sanchez

Stop for directions IN my life, I have found three places that give me a deep sense of the presence of God: 1) A scenic mountain with lovely forests; 2) A tranquil beach under a blue sky; 3) And the passenger seat of Roger’s red ‘86 Corolla. You see, my friend Roger drives like a mad man. Once he starts driving, those riding with him instinctively reach for their wallets and tearfully kiss the photos of their loved ones. Every time I ride with him, my prayer life is enhanced. Deepened. Invigorated. It feels as though Heaven becomes so near to my soul. One fateful day, I was riding with him again. We were blazing through a highway like a cruise missile. Roger looked at me and said, “Bo, I have good news and bad news for you.” “What’s the good news?” I inquired between my Hail Mary’s. “We’re efficiently moving at an average speed of 140 kph.” Involuntary spasms shot through my body. “Are you trying to tell me that we’ll be arriving at our destination in no time?” “That’s the bad news...”

“What?” “We’re lost. I have no idea where we are.” “Stop this car NOW!” I screamed. We screeched to a halt, asked around, got info, and turned back: We were efficiently and swiftly driving towards the opposite direction. At 140 kph!

I realize that’s no isolated incident among human beings. We’re prone to commit the same idiocy: We get busy, do a million things, hop here and there, move fast, get efficient. I realize that’s no isolated incident among human beings. We’re prone to commit the same idiocy: We get busy, do a million things, hop here and there, move fast, get efficient.

But gosh, efficiently going where? What are your highest dreams, anyway? Your deepest aspirations? What do you think will give you gut-level, soul-deep joy? Stop for awhile. Take a break. Retreat. Listen well. Pray desperately. Read a map of life. Know His dreams for you. When I was thirteen years old, I saw myself doing two things: preaching to a crowd of people and helping the poor. After many years, those two dreams are reality. I’m a preacher. And I built ANAWIM, a home for the abandoned elderly and a few orphans. I’ve made a decision. I’m not riding with Roger again until I’m 80. (No matter how much he assists me with my spiritual life.) Because I think I still have a few more GodDreams to fulfill.

AT the moment, we have a raging controversy over our rice supply. Different, occasionally enlightening views are aired. As a result we get to know more about the intricate business of our rice and food supply. This, I think, is good for all of us. It’s part of our continuing education about our social and political life. Discussions like this facilitate our sense of solidarity as a people. Let’s try to keep it that way. My prayer is that the discussion be kept at the high level of dialogue, especially in terms of range, content and quality. As much as possible, we should avoid partisan politicking, which usually distorts the issue, dragging it to the gutter. The media should be particularly sensitive to this need. People are already developing a keen sense of discerning what truly has a bearing on the matter and what is extraneous to it, what is spin and what is reality. They now can easily distinguish between chaff and grain. They can smell a rat from a distance, seeing through the hidden agendas and ulterior motives. More importantly, they know who they are. Those who have something to say about the issue should purify their intention, and organize and express their position well. They should intervene for the sole purpose of helping solve the problem, and not just to score “pogi” points. Thus, they should study their opinions thoroughly, verifying their data, checking their theories and hypotheses, and being open to other views. They should always be courteous and cordial in the discussion. In short, please, let’s do away with reckless commentaries and shooting from the hip. Let’s tone down our emotions and inflammatory language. Let’s hear all sides calmly. Politicians and media people should submit themselves to a high standard of discretion and sobriety when expressing their views. They should avoid sowing intrigues and witchhunting. There obviously can be persons, offices, social practices, etc. that can be blamed for something. Let’s go easy on this, refusing to get stuck there. We should always be constructive

Politicians and media people should submit themselves to a high standard of discretion and sobriety when expressing their views. They should avoid sowing intrigues and witch-hunting. in our approach, convinced that solving problems is more important and urgent than blaming some people. That’s why it saddened me to note that in all this exciting discussion about the rice issue, a nasty topic was made to cash in on it. I’m referring to the attempt to link our rice problem with our supposed overpopulation. It’s true that everyone is free to bring out anything for all of us to consider and discuss. It’s just that with all our exchanges through the years, we should already know what are the real issues and what are mere myths. Blaming our population level for our rice shortage is painfully an uncalled for, anachronistic tearing of one’s hair. Like, hello, this kind of thinking has been debunked ages ago. This is the classic Malthusian fear whose proper place is the museum or the history books of fascinating but failed theories and fallacies. Are we to be told again that we should have a so-called optimum family size, say, of two or four children only? And that to achieve this population level, we can use any means, mouthing again the mantra of freedom of choice that justifies the use of clearly immoral means of family planning and population control? This is what the persistent advocates of population-controlat-all-costs are still doing. In our Congress today, there are pending bills meant to legalize immoral means of family planning, sugar-coating them as part of reproductive health. The sponsors of these bills, who have no qualms both in presenting themselves as devout Catholics and in violating Church teachings, even have the gall to pontificate on what is now the moral way to tackle our supposed population problem. Everyone knows that there are problems everywhere— food, water, air, our politics, etc. With respect to our food problem, only ideological crackpots believe it’s a problem without solution, or that the world is running out of resources to feed us. We will always find solutions, and solutions are fit for us, who are not just economic entities, or purely material or social beings. There are solutions that are fit for us who are persons and children of God.

Evangelization / B4

Jesus Christ, the Emmanuel (“God with us”)? It is common knowledge that the recent decades have seen a cooling down of the missionary spirit in the Church. This led Pope John Paul II to issue in 1991 the encyclical Redemptoris Missio, whose subtitle said it all: “On the permanent validity of the Church’s missionary mandate”. Pope John Paul II wrote: “Nowadays, the call to conversion which missionaries address to non-Christians is put into question or passed over in silence … it is claimed that it is enough to help people to become more human or more faithful to their own religion, that it is enough to build communities capable of working for justice, freedom, peace and solidarity.” Cardinal Josef Tomko, the Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples at the time of Redemptoris Missio’s publication, later explained in an article that contemporary missionary work has turned into a proc-

lamation “of the Kingdom” which no longer bears the complement “of God” (proclaimed by the Lord Jesus). In its stead, what is to be sought for is a “Christ-free Kingdom” embracing all religions, the fruit of dialogue, capable of uniting all men. The same Cardinal Prefect quoted an Indian theologian who said: “Religious conversion is the result of western chauvinism and its intolerance … Conversion originates in the sense of superiority one religion has over another, while no religion has a monopoly of the truth”. Still another theologian claimed that dialogue with other religions is made difficult by no less than Jesus the Lord himself; the solution he proposed was for the Church to be “theocentric”, rather than “Christocentric”— back to square one, in other words: we need to pretend that the times before Abraham’s call mirrored better God’s presence. The root of the problem is, in

fact, philosophical. It is all about the question of man’s ability to attain the truth (about God, the world, and himself). It is noteworthy that in this Note on evangelization, Pope Benedict would quote Fides et Ratio, the encyclical of John Paul II published ten years ago. Fides et Ratio is an encouragement to everyone to pursue the search for truth by developing harmoniously the fields of philosophy and theology. If man gives up the search for the truth as a fruitless pursuit, relativism would strike all areas of civilization like a plague. Quoting Fides et Ratio, the Note says: “In the various forms of agnosticism and relativism present in contemporary thought, a legitimate plurality of positions has yielded to an undifferentiated pluralism, based upon the assumption that all positions are equally valid, which is one of today’s most widespread symptoms of the lack of confidence in truth. Even certain conceptions of life coming from the East be-

tray this lack of confidence, denying truth its exclusive character and assuming that truth reveals itself equally in different doctrines, even if they contradict one another” (no. 4; italics added). There is no need here to belabor the guiding principle in spreading the Gospel—respect for the dignity of persons and their consciences—found in Vatican II’s Dignitatis Humanae. Its famous statement “truth does not impose itself except by the strength of the truth itself” (Dignitatis Humanae, 3) is verified each time a person is introduced to Jesus Christ. “There is nothing more beautiful than to be surprised by the Gospel, by the encounter with Christ. There is nothing more beautiful than to know him and to speak to others of our friendship with him”. (Cf. Pope Benedict’s homily in the inauguration of his pontificate). A few weeks ago, the death of an American Protestant missionary was reported in an international newspaper. During the last

world war he suffered the most inhuman treatment while in prison; their bomber plane had been shot down. In the midst of those cruel conditions, he went through a deep conversion and renewal of his faith. After being set free after the war, he assiduously studied the Holy Scriptures, intent in going back to Japan to spread the Gospel. He was back there in the early 1950’s. His first convert was a former high-ranking Japanese military officer. The last section of the Note tries to resolve this question: Is there still a need to lead Protestants to the Catholic Faith? The answer is Yes: “it is evident that the work of preparing and reconciling those individuals (i.e., nonCatholic Christians) who desire full Catholic communion is of its nature distinct from ecumenical action, but there is no opposition between the two, since both proceed from the marvelous ways of God” (Note, no. 12; Quote from Vatican II Decree on Ecumenism,

Unitatis redintegratio, 4). “Everywhere and always, each Catholic has the right and the duty to give the witness and the full proclamation of his faith. With non-Catholic Christians, Catholics must enter into a respectful dialogue of charity and truth, a dialogue which is not only an exchange of ideas, but also of gifts, in order that the fullness of the means of salvation can be offered to one’s partners in dialogue. In this way, they are led to an ever deeper conversion to Christ” (Note, no. 12). The upcoming “Year of St. Paul”, which will culminate in the celebration of the 2,000th year of his birth next year, will make the whole Church aware of the workings of grace in the heart of that great apostle to all nations. His transformation from a harsh persecutor of the first Christians to an ardent preacher of the Gospel could be traced to an awakening: “Christ loved me and gave himself up for me” (Gal. 2:20)

CBCP Monitor

Social Concerns

Vol. 12 No. 8 April 14 - 27, 2008

TO concerned citizens, government officials, and lay faithful: Forty years after Pope Paul VI penned his encyclical, Populorum Progressio (On the Development of Peoples), his exhortations remain unheeded. Citing the moral soundness of appropriating resources for the good of everyone, the papal document emphasized that “the right to private property is not absolute and unconditional.”1 For the wealth of God’s creation is for the common good,

and small-scale ownership of land. These studies have been made available to Congress for its attention and review in the course of the hearings and discussions on CARP.² As a timely response for the 40th year observance of Populorum Progressio, we therefore urge our lawmakers, to immediately pass a bill that would extend CARP and reform its flawed measures. The encyclical was prophetic in stating, “If certain landed estates impede the general prosperity because they

· Establish the needed implementation structure for CARP’s completion; · Provide the requisite appropriations of at least P50 billion; · Strengthen credit and support services to farmer beneficiaries; and · Include Congressional monitoring and oversight with major stakeholders of CARP implementation and DAR’s performance. A Reformed CARP is the answer, not the termination of a

Let the people freely determine their path to development While we are one in calling for the extension of CARP, we are deeply concerned with some government actions that we see as alarmingly disadvantageous to the country and will greatly affect the rural poor –the small farmers, landless workers, fisherfolks and indigenous peoples. The agribusiness deals that our government has entered into

B7 beneficiaries have been summarily executed since 2001 and most of these cases, if not all, remain unresolved or unpunished.7 The latest two of these incidents, allegedly perpetrated by revolutionary forces (the New People’s Army), happened in Masbate and in Bondoc Peninsula, Quezon Province. The lives of eighteen other Masbate farmers remain under continuous threat by the same forces. The lay faithful need to be enlightened on the following ques-

ther.”6 We are likewise concerned to learn that anti-CARP groups in Congress are colluding to delay and block the extension and reform of the program, without providing any meaningful alternative. For our impoverished rural communities to be truly free, we encourage our government to provide opportunities that would allow every person’s true worth to flourish and to enjoy the fullness of human life. A step towards such realization

Restore the dignity of our small farmers

Not because of CARP, but because it has not been fully implemented Studies by reputable researchers and analysts provide categorical evidence that agrarian reform translates into faster agricultural development which, in turn, leads to sustainable economic growth. In fact, studies of the situation in our country today show that inequality in asset distribution, particularly land, is associated with slower growth. As to arguments about productivity, may we put to rest the issue of agrarian reform being an obstacle to large-scale production efficiencies. The experience of contract growing, cooperative farming, and similar arrangements in our country, as well as in other countries, demonstrate that there is no incompatibility between large-scale production

tions: Why, despite the presence of an agrarian reform law, do the farmers and farm workers need to resort to protest actions for the law to be implemented? Why do our small farmers in such places as Mindanao, Laguna and Negros have to walk thousands of miles to be heard on their agrarian-related grievances? Where is government in these areas? Must life and health be jeopardized and blood spilled before justice is done?

for all humanity to partake. This is echoed in our Constitution which speaks of “diffusing equitably wealth and political power for the common good” in Article XIII. The enactment of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL) in 1988 could have been our appropriate response to the urgent call for social re-structuring, but it failed to materialize when the law was diluted by unscrupulous officials and by selfseeking individuals and corporate entities. The Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) is a social justice measure to address the inequity of over-concentration of land ownership and to lift the farmers from poverty and indignity. After twenty years, 1.3 million hectares of CARPable lands remain undistributed, consisting mainly of large haciendas of those who have been resisting CARP from its inception. Poverty is still very much with us. Twenty years after CARP was implemented, many of our poor farmers still long for the day when they could be able to cultivate their own land and reap the fruits of their toil.

are extensive, unused or poorly used, or because they bring hardship to peoples or are detrimental to the interests of the country, the common good sometimes demands their expropriation.”³ It clearly portrayed the current state of our country’s land reform and questions surrounding it. Moreover, it underlines the moral basis and the urgency to respond to our social obligation as testimony of our Christian faith. In supporting the extension and improvement of CARP, may we put forward what we believe should be incorporated in the reformed program: · Mandate direct and physical distribution of all agricultural lands, as opposed to non-redistributive schemes; · Address policy and implementation problems that are obstacles to the completion of the program;

program that is a constitutional imperative and has been shown to yield real benefits, with even greater potential for such benefits if fully and properly implemented. Moreover, farmers raise the concern that the manner in which the Department of Agrarian Reform has been implementing the program leaves much to be desired. Add to this the perception of corrupt practices in the department, especially in many decisions on exemptions and conversions that farmers have questioned. We encourage these officials to exercise their social responsibilities with compassion towards their less fortunate brothers and sisters. Providing special consideration to the poor is a moral obligation of the State. As our needy farmers have no resources, financial or otherwise, they have to rely mainly on the assistance of government.4

with the Peoples’ Republic of China are highly questionable because they put in peril our food sovereignty and that of the nation.5 The lack of transparency was palpable with stakeholders not being consulted before these were signed. Ultimately, such transactions would negate or undermine the agrarian reform program, the ancestral domain claims of indigenous peoples, and would endanger our fragile environment. The RP-China Agribusiness ventures were rushed in the guise of economic progress and in the name of bilateral economic cooperation, and should be reviewed. They run contrary to the spirit of the encyclical written by Pope John Paul II more than twenty years ago when he concluded, “Development which is merely economic is incapable of setting man free; on the contrary, it will end by enslaving him fur-

would be for government to develop with the people a new development paradigm that shall protect for the rural poor our food sovereignty and our environment. Respect the sacredness of human life The right to life and to human dignity is a natural right. It should be respected, protected and nurtured at all times. This government has moral and legal obligations to put an end to the culture of impunity that has generated unimaginable violence against those who have been pursuing their rights. Extra-judicial killings continue unrestrained, victimizing human rights advocates and defenders alike—political activists, lawyers, journalists and agrarian reform petitioners and beneficiaries. Forty-three farmer-leaders and agrarian reform petitioners and

Embrace the light and rekindle our spiritual fervor Christ’s new command is clear: love one another. For only by loving one another will people know that we are His children and we are His disciples.8 Along with that is the immediate need for a moral and spiritual revival anchored on the Social Teachings of the Church. This is our call to our government leaders, civil society organizations and to all the faithful, particularly those with much to share. May the Risen Christ be our hope and our pledge for a renewed Philippine society. For the Central Committee of the National Rural Congress (NRC II), + Antonio J. Ledesma, S.J., D.D. Archbishop of Cagayan de Oro Chair, NRC Central Committee NOTES 1 Populorum Progressio , The Use of Private Property, n. 23.

Bishops-Legislators’ Caucus on Rural Issues, CARP Extension with Reforms, 27 Feb. 2008, p. 3.

3 Populorum Progressio, The Common Good, n. 24. 4

Rerum Novarum, n. 37.

Bishops-Legislators’ Caucus on Rural Issues, Highlights of the Proceedings, 23 Jan. 2008, p. 5.

Sollicitudo Rei Socialis , n. 46.

PARRDS, Matrix on Killings/Summary Executions, ARHR Violations and Abuses, p. 2. 7

Jn 13:34-35.

Libmanan hosts ChurchDA partnership in sustainable agriculture By Zar Gomez

Secretary Arthur C. Yap and Congressman Diosdado “Dato” Arroyo of the 1st District of Camarines Sur turn over the shredder to Rev. Fr. Rene Mabute, director of the Social Action Center of Sorsogon, during the launching of the DABRSAC Partnership on Sustainable Agriculture. Together with Yap were (from left) Rev. Fr. Granwell Pitapit; Undersecretary Bernadette-Romulo Puyat; Mayor Rodolfo Jimenez Sr. of Libmanan; Sr. Rosanne Mallillin; NASSA-JP Executive Secretary and Dr. Jose Dayao, director of DA-Bicol Regional Field Unit.

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THE partnership between the Department of Agriculture and the Social Action Network in the Philippines kicks off anew, as the Bicol Region Social Action Centers (BRSAC) held the regional launching of the DABicol Sustainable

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Agriculture Partnership at the Libmanan Covered Courts, Libmanan, Camarines Sur on March 24, 2008. DA Secretary Arthur C. Yap led the ceremonial event which was hosted by the Prelature of Libmanan Development Foundation, Inc (PLDFI). The event was anchored on the theme, “Organikong Pag-uma: Dalan sa Kauswagan asin Tamang Pangataman kan Kapalibutan” (“Organic Farming: Way to Progress and Proper Care of the Environment”). Sr. Rosanne Mallillin, executive secretary of the National Secretariat for Social Action – Justice and Peace (NASSA-JP), and Honorable Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, DA Undersecretary for Special Concerns were among the distinguished guests who graced the occasion. The social action directors from Caceres, Daet, Legaspi, Libmanan, Masbate, and Sorsogon were also present to witness the launching. Three farmer delegates from the province of Catanduanes also came to represent the Social Action Center of Virac. The venue was filled with more than a thousand organic rice and vegetable farmers coming from the Saradit na Kristianong Komunidad (SKK), or the Basic Ecclesial Community (BCC) clusters in 11 municipalities in the region. As a component of the DA-BRSAC Partnership, Secretary Yap conferred to the Prelature of Libmanan, through PLDFI executive director, Rev. Fr. Granwell Pitapit, a rice mill with an output capacity of 20-25 bags per hour, and one unit of flat bed dryer with a capacity of six tons per hour. Using rice hulls as fuel, the flat bed dryer has lower cost in

drying rice and corn products, compared to other mechanical dryers. It has low labor and low maintenance costs. Each of the social action centers in Bicol also received from Secretary Yap a shredder, a decorticating machine and a compost tea shredder. During the event, Yap also led the other distinguished guests in signing the Act of Commitment by the Church, the government, the academe and the private sector. The Act of Commitment stipulates the pledge of all signatories to promote and practice sustainable agriculture for a sustained agri-economics growth and a more progressive and proper care of the environment. Among the other signatories of the commitment were Sr. Rosanne Mallillin; Usec Bernadette Romulo-Puyat; Rev. Fr. Granwell Pitapit; Rev. Fr. Norberto Eyule, executive secretary of BRSAC; Dir. Silvino Tejada, director of Bureau of Soil and Water Management (BSWM); Dr. Jose Dayao, director of DA- Bicol Regional Field Unit; Carmen Valdes, general coordinator of Manos Unidas; Eleazar Gomez, country program head of NASSA; and the social action directors from the region. The launching in Libmanan is already the fifth of the series of similar activities across the country. The first ever launching of the partnership between the DA and the Social Action Network was held in Butuan City on August 25-27, 2007, with the Social Action Center of Butuan as host. The social action centers of Capiz, Surigao, and Tagbilaran have also hosted similar activities in their respective sub-region.

CBCP Monitor

Entertainment

Vol. 12 No. 8 April 14 - 27, 2008

Moral Assessment Abhorrent Disturbing Acceptable Wholesome Exemplary Title: The Air I Breathe Running Time: 97 min. Cast: Kevin Bacon, Brendan Fraser, Andy Garcia, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Forest Whitaker Director: Jieho Lee Producers: Paul Schiff, Emilio Diez Barroso, Darlene Caamano Loquet Screenwriters: Jieho Lee, Bob DeRosa Music: Marcelo Zarvos Editor: Robert Hoffman Genre: Crime/ Drama/ Romance Cinematography: Walt Lloyd Distributor: Viva Productions, Inc. Location: Mexico Technical Assessment: Moral Assessment: CINEMA Rating: For viewers 14 and above

FOLLOWING a false lead, Happiness (Forest Whitaker) uses a credit card to bet $50 million on a horse that unfortunately suffers a mishap. Pressured by the owner of the gambling joint, Fingers (Andy Garcia) to pay his debt within two weeks or else all his fingers will be cut, Happiness stages a one-man bank robbery. He stuffs his loot in a bag, makes a desperate dash to freedom, gets bumped by a car, steals a motorbike and runs to the rooftop of a building. Besieged by cops who warned him not to move, Happiness laughs as he casts away the bag full of money. The cops start shooting and Happiness falls to the ground and dies. Pleasure (Brendan Fraser) is scarred by the memory of his little brother’s death when they both get involved in a street fight. He becomes a

trusted collector and ax-man of Finger who favors the taciturn and psychic accomplice. Sorrow (Sarah Michelle Gellar) is a lovely and popular pop singer whose contract is turned over by her heavily indebted manager to Finger. She loathes the idea of having Finger as her manager but is bulldozed into the fix. Pleasure, strongly attracted to Sorrow, offers his place as a safe house where she can hide from Finger. Sorrow falls in love with Pleasure. Finger discovers that Pleasure has betrayed him, breaks into the latter’s house and shoots him. Love (Kevin Bacon), a doctor, has long been in love with Gina (Julie Delpy) but never had the courage to tell her so, and lost her to his friend. In her research lab, Gina is bitten by a poisonous snake. Her only chance of survival is to have a blood transfusion within 24 hours, a rare blood type that only Sorrow has. Racing against time, Love searches for Sorrow. Falling into the pit of despair, Sorrow decides to commit suicide. And viewers hold their breath as they watch the final sequence of the film. The film is reportedly based on an ancient Chinese proverb that identifies four emotional cornerstones as the composite elements of human existence: Happiness, Pleasure, Sorrow, and Love. The major characters in the film personify each of these elements. Only Sorrow has a stage name, Trista; she whispers her real name later to the dying Pleasure. A cinematic semblance of a morality play, The Air I Breathe is preachy and allegorizes the powerful and destructive grip of Fingers (Andy Garcia), a criminal

Buhay Parokya By Bladimer Usi

There are three missing articles in this cartoon. Find out where these items are: slipper, softdrink crown and grapes.

THERE is doubt that Jackie Moon’s (Will Ferrel) basketball team Flint Michigan Tropics would stay on in the ABA League, in view of the planned merging of the ABA with NBA. Moon cannot take the merging easily because this means his team not only needs to prove their worth in their games but also needs to show off to the league’s hard court followers. The problem is Moon’s team is the least performing one in the ABA league and is not likely to make it when ABA merges with NBA. The plan initially demoralizes the team especially Moon, but eventually he starts thinking of ways to counter the threat of being eliminated. The team mates work together and cooperate especially when asked to do unconventional tricks to attract followers and also when Woody Harrelson’s character temporarily takes over the coaching job from Moon. Banking on his chart-hit song “Love me Sexy”, Moon is confident to gain a public following and with the renewed game plan to make it to the hard court. Will these combined techniques work for their purpose to enter the NBA? “Semi-Pro” is another movie that showcases Ferrel’s brand of comedy which is not a hard-sell.

Title: Semi- Pro; Play Dirty Running Time: 100 min. Cast: Will Ferrell, Woodey Harrelson, Will Arnet Director: Kent Alterman Producer: Jimmy Miller Screenwriter: Scot Armstrong Music: Theodore Shapiro Editor: Debra Neil-Fisher Genre: Comedy/ Sport Cinematography: Shane Hurlbut Distributor: New Line Cinema Location: Michigan, USA Technical Assessment: ½ Moral Assessment: ½ CINEMA Rating: For viewers 14 and above

Acting wise, other than Ferrel not much is shown by the actors in the film. The story is predictable, but sub-plots offer variations. The film has good cinematic effects especially in the game scenes. Music plays a major part in providing entertainment, though, it is a bit loud for the most part. The production design for some reason hardly establishes the era of the ’70s. Overall, the film is technically a bit below the average. Though a shallow comedy, the film nevertheless can be mined for some values. The movie shows that determination is the key to everything that people want to achieve in any field of

their interest and passion. More importantly in a team situation, cooperation, openness and trust are necessary. The team members are usually cool in their defeat and get united in the effort to encourage a demoralized leader. In the end, the film shows how a leader can humble himself and subject himself to the coaching of a mere member in recognition of the common good for the team. The loyalty of a team member is also tested during difficult times but he chooses to be where his heart belongs. The film in general has a positive message, however, there is frequent use of vulgar language and exposure of women in skimpy attire.

Technical Assessment Poor Below average Average Above average Excellent don, on the lives of Happiness (Forest Whitaker), Pleasure (Brendan Fraser), and Sorrow (Sarah Michelle Gellar) in contrast to the saving power of Love (Kevin Bacon). While flashbacks provide the context of the personae, the voice-over expresses their thoughts and insights. If names define the persons, one can easily understand why and how Fingers, Sorrow, and Love are so-named; it is difficult to see why two characters are called Happiness and Pleasure (except for one brief moment of pleasure, perhaps). The splendid performance of the cast makes up for some loose ends in the plot. Some scenes are contrived, seemingly a deus ex machina resolution to problematic situations. Since the film is didactic, it imparts many lessons, both good and bad. Excessive greed is the nemesis of Happiness and he realizes his mistake too late: “I was stupid. I wasn’t thinking”. He pays for this mistake with his life. Fingers, the lord in a world of gambling, violence, and whoring, also has excessive greed for power and wealth but nowhere do we see in him remorse or retribution. Something tragic is bound to happen when Pleasure meets Sorrow and yet the encounter has deepened and enriched both of them. With these hapless creatures, one wishes that something right could happen to their lives. Could a bundle of money dropping from the sky hold the key to a second chance for Sorrow? One has to move on even if it’s hard starting over. But in the end, let us believe that “Love is stronger than death” for the hope that love brings is transforming and redeeming.

CBCP Monitor

Vol. 12 No. 8 April 14 14 -- 27, 27, 2008 2008 April

Photo by Dennis Dayao / CBCP Media

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

Luzon Deputy Sir Knight Alonso Tan (center) with Knights of the Council 1000 during the wreath laying to the statue of Fr. Michael McGivney, SJ, April 1 at the headquarters of Manila Council 1000, Intramuros, Manila. The wreath laying followed the thanksgiving mass celebrated at San Agustin Church for the Vatican’s declaration of Fr. McGivney as Venerable.

KCFAPI holds Fraternal Benefits convention By Joseph P. Teodoro Sem. Victor Emmanuel Quintos (left) and Sem. Belarmino Juan show off their medals after the graduation rite at the UST chapel.

KC Seminarian-Scholars graduate with honors THREE seminarian-scholars of the KC Fr. George J. Willmann Charities, Inc. recently graduated with honors in their respective field of studies. Sem. Victor Emmanuel Quintos of the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao and Sem. Belarmino Juan of the Diocese of Ilagan finished their Licentiate Studies at the University of Santo Tomas Central Seminary last March 15. Sem. Quintos graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Licentiate Degree in Theology while Sem. Juan graduated Cum Laude with a Licentiate Degree in Canon Law. Both seminarians were scholars of the foundation since their Theology years. On the other hand, Rev. Junjun Jonatas of the Diocese of Tarlac finished his Theological Studies last March 16 in a solemn rite at the San

Carlos Seminary Main Chapel. A day before his graduation, Rev. Jonatas together with his nine classmates were ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacons at the San Carlos Seminary Main Chapel with His Excellency Most Rev. Bernardino C. Cortez, D.D., Auxiliary Bishop of Manila, as ordaining prelate. Rev. Jonatas graduated Magna Cum Laude and has received two Special Awards (Leadership Award and Rector’s Award). Another scholar, Rev. Hernandez Mendoza, a 2007 graduate of the University of Santo Tomas Central Seminary, was also ordained Deacon last March 15 at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Pasig City. He was ordained by Most Rev. Francisco C. San Diego, D.D., Bishop of Pasig. (Denise C. Solina)

KC Foundation scholars pass Nurse Licensure Exam TWO scholars of the Knights of Columbus Philippines Foundation, Inc. recently passed the Nurse Licensure Examination given by the Board of Nursing last December 1 and 2, 2007. They are: Ms. Ritchestar Renacia (Fr. Paul Gravel Council 8835, Davao City) and Mr. Fidel Paolo B. Gonzales (St. Jude Parish Council 5831, Davao City). Both scholars graduated last March 2007 at San Pedro College, Davao City. Ms. Renacia

is the daughter of Bro. Rodrigo and Sis. Nida Renacia of Jacinto Street, Davao City and was a beneficiary of the Knights of Columbus Philippines Foundation, Inc. under the Supreme Council Scholarship Program from 2003 to 2007. Mr. Gonzales, son of Bro. Pablo and Sis. Emma Gonzales of Datu Bago Street, Davao City, was a recipient of the Knights of Columbus Philippines Foundation, Inc. from 2003 to 2007 (Denise C. Solina)

Over a hundred new Squires in Eastern Visayas IT LOOKS like the Knights of Columbus in Eastern Visayas is headed for a sustainable growth, in terms of membership, in the coming years. Last March 30, 2008, the hardworking Regional Deputy for Eastern Visayas, Bro. Dalmacio Grafil, gathered over a hundred youth, aged 10 to 17, for an orientation and mass investiture in Tacloban City. Visayas State Squires Chairman, Bro. Wency Cañete came all the way from Cebu to preside the mass investiture. By joining the Columbian Squires, these young men will be honed in the workings of Catholic gentlemen under the guidance of their elders—the brother knights. Later on, they will be worthy

successors in the noble endeavors of the Knights of Columbus when they will be initiated to the 1st degree of the Order as they reach 18 years old. The next mass investiture will be in Toledo City, Cebu on April 13, 2008 which will be hosted by District Deputy, Bro. Amuerfino Perales, a former Columbian Squire himself. Squires from Cebu Central Province, namely: Balamban/Asturias area (c/o District Deputy Lou Daniot), Talisay area (c/o District Deputy Aster Tadlip), Minglanilla area (c/o District Deputy Dennis Canares) and Naga/San Fernando area (c/o Provincial Deputy Junjie Cruz), are expected to attend. To all Columbian Squires— ”Esto Dignus” (Be Worthy). (Bro. Junjie Navales Cruz)

KCFAPI began the series of Fraternal Benefits Convention last March 29, 2008 at the Home Office in Intramuros, Manila. This activity of 7 stages nationwide aims to accomplish several objectives, namely: 1) To improve awareness about the Association and its workings by reaching out to the field sales force to enable them to give proper representation. This is also geared to intensify fraternal insurance solicitation activities necessary to ensuring that KCFAPI surpass its 2008 Corporate Objectives; 2) To meet face-to-face and get closer with members of the field sales force by effecting faster two-way communication and by fostering tighter teamwork by closely synchronizing field and home office operations. The first batch of 7 groups of sales areas were composed of 109 area managers and fraternal counselors from Central Luzon Believers, Southern Luzon Lakers, Southern Luzon Stars and Metro Manila Achievers, Chancellors, Dragons and Lakers. The kick off sales convention coincided with the celebration of Founder’s Day. The participants attended the morning mass sponsored by the Luzon Jurisdiction for the occasion and as thanksgiving for the Papal recognition of the heroic virtues of Fr. Mcgivney. The declaration gave our founder the title Venerable which brings our aspiration that Fr. Mcgivney will soon be raised to the honors of the altar. KCFAPI Chairman Bro. Patrocinio R. Bacay delivered an inspirational message during the

convention outlining the humble beginnings until the present time when it has grown to a strong mutual benefit association. KCFAPI President Antonio B. Borromeo heightened the interest of the group with a personal testimony stressing how responsive the Association is when it comes to attending death benefit claim. Luzon Deputy Alonso L. Tan dwelt on the support that the jurisdiction has been providing the fraternal benefits group and thanked the field sales representatives for the satisfactory assistance the jurisdiction is getting from them in terms of membership growth and development. KCFAPI Executive Vice president Sis. Theresa G. Curia provided the participants with the directions that the Association will be taking as it celebrates its 50 th year anniversary. A warm up exercise in the form of a set of questionnaire regarding the Association and some of its practices were given by Finance Vice President Sis. Maggie G. Flores. The short test is intended to validate the knowledge of the attendees on the questions in the questionnaire. The morning session ended after the area managers took turns in reviewing the package of incentives offered to the fraternal counselors and techniques on how to achieve them. The area managers present were Bros. Efren Casupanan (CLB) Vimar Trinidad (MMA), Damaso Hernandez (MMC), Aurelio Caparas

(MME), Conrado Dator, Jr. (SL), and Nonilon Ayon (SWL). Bro. Teodoro took the opportunity in announcing the appointment of Bro. Reynaldo Valencia for the position of Area Manager of Metro Manila Dragons effective April 1, 2008. Bro. Ronnie Infante, MIS Senior Manager, who is also the chairman for the Golden Jubilee activities reiterated the 8-point program of the celebration. Bro. Joselito Manalac, CSR Senior Manager, presented the statistics on the membership and its value in the selling process for fraternal counselors. The presentation of the various plans was presided over by ABC and Operations Vice President Bro. Efren Caringal. The afternoon session was highlighted by the video presentation of the newly approved Super Saver Plan and introduction of the Super Saver Man played by one of the Underwriting Staff, Bro. Rommel Guanzon. The second fraternal benefits convention was held in Cabanatuan City last April 5 attended by fraternal counselors of Central Luzon Conquerors and Central Luzon Diamonds, and supervised by Bros. Manuel Naldoza and Victor Pulangco. The upcoming fraternal benefits conventions nationwide are slated on April 12, 2008, Cagayan de Oro City; April 19, 2008, San Fernando, La Union; April 24, 2008, Davao City; May 3, 2008, Iloilo City; and May 16, Cebu City.

Cebuano Knights defend Cardinal Vidal BROTHER Knights from Cebu and other parts of the Visayas, led by Visayas Deputy Bro. Dionisio Esteban, Jr., aired their collective support for His Eminence, Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal, DD, Archbishop of Cebu who is also the Visayas State Chaplain of the Knights of Columbus. The expression of support for the Cardinal came in the wake of the pronouncements of ZTE-NBN Senate witness Jun Lozada who referred to Cebu as “Archdiocese of Malacañang” and Ms. Leah Navarro of the Black and White Movement who referred to Cardinal Vidal as “congressman in [a] cassock”. The adverse statements of Mr. Lozada and Ms. Navarro arose from the alleged prohibition by the Cebu Archdiocese for local priests to celebrate the holy mass during Mr. Lozada’s recent trip to Cebu for speaking engagements at the University of San Carlos

(USC) and University of the Philippines Cebu College (UPCC). The allegation was categorically denied by the Archdiocese of Cebu, through the Archdiocesan Presbyteral Council. A holy mass was eventually held for Mr. Lozada and his group, and in a later interview with the local press Mr. Lozada said that his earlier statement on Cebu as “Archdiocese of Malacanang” was a joke. It maybe be recalled that the Archdiocese of Cebu, spearheaded by the church-based Dilaab Movement, was fully supportive of the call of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) for the TRUTH to come out vis-àvis the ZTE-NBN controversy. In fact, a massive signature campaign, aimed at, among others, giving moral support to witnesses like Mr. Lozada, was conducted at the parish level throughout the Archdiocese of Cebu regarding

the matter a few weeks ago. Taken aback and surprised, the vast majority of Cebuanos from various political ideologies and interest groups have voiced their support for the well-loved Cardinal. They called on Mr. Lozada and Ms. Navarro to apologize for what they perceive as uncalled for and disrespectful comments to Cardinal Vidal and to the Cebuanos. While the soft-spoken and mild-mannered Cardinal Vidal took the adverse statements lightly, saying that there is no need for the duo to apologize and even joked that “indeed there is a Malacanang sa Cebu” (in reference to the Malacanang Sa Sugbu Building along Cebu’s waterfront district) , the various councils and fourth degree assemblies of the Knights of Columbus in Cebu, deemed it appropriate to air their defense for their brother Cebuano and spiritual leader, His Eminence, Ricardo

His Eminence, Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal

J. Cardinal Vidal. Among them, the local KofC Council in Mabolo, Cebu City came up with an official statement on the matter which saw print in April 1, 2008 issue of SunStar Daily Cebu. The Fourth Degree Assembly 2295 in Talisay City, also passed a resolution supporting the official position of the Kof C Visayas State on the issue. (Bro. Junjie Navales Cruz)

Do you want superior protection for your family? Do

THE employees of KC Group of Companies gathered last March 14-15 for a Lenten retreat at the La Verna House of Prayer, Brgy. Iruhin, Tagaytay City. The retreat was organized by the Spiritual Committee of KC Fraternal Association.

you

want

sound

investment

savings?

The Cross

C2 Message from the President Antonio B. Borromeo

Our Fraternal Counselors, Our Pride!

ONE of the highlights of this year’s Golden Jubilee of KCFAPI is the holding of Fraternal Benefits Convention. There are seven different venues for this memorable affair namely, Manila, Cabanatuan, Cagayan de Oro, San Fernando, La Union, Davao, Iloilo and Cebu. The objective of this convention is to inform our fraternal counselors on the ongoing incentive programs, benefits and privileges that the Association offers them, equipped with timely benefits products particularly the KC C.A.R.E.S Gold Series plans and to listen to the voice of KC Fraternal’s most valued

CBCP Monitor

resource—our dedicated and committed Area Managers and Fraternal Counselors. During these conventions, our Area Managers and Fraternal Counselors share unforgettable experiences and trueto-life stories showing how proud they are to be in KCFAPI and how unique the company is. KCFAPI is where you can find a balance of career and faith. As you work in fellowship with your Brother Knights, you likewise enrich your faith and career. And since this is an Association run by Brother Knights for Brother Knights, we provide fast delivery of service. This first ever gatherings of KCFAPI’s valued salesforce from different parts of the country are also and will be participated in by Bro. Patrocinio Bacay, Chairman; KC Territorial deputies, namely: Bro. Alonso Tan of Luzon, Bro. Dionisio Esteban of Visayas, Bro. Sofronio Cruz of Mindanao and KC Fraternal officers led by Sis. Ma. Theresa G. Curia, Executive Vice President, and yours truly.

April 14 - 27, 2008

blog

BC Holder’s Letter of Gratitude From the numerous “thank you” letters received by the Association, we shall choose one each month to be published at The Cross supplement. We want to give opportunity to members to share how KC Fraternal and our

fraternal benefits have touched or influenced their lives. They serve as testimonies of the fulfillment of the mission of both our Association and the Order of the Knights of Columbus.

Sis. Teresit a Valdez received from Bro. Manuel Naldoza, Area Manager from Central Luzon, the insurance claim proceeds under her late husband Bro. Ponciano Valdez’ Benefit Certificate. Bro. Roberto Ibarra, Grand Knight of Council 4405 at Camiling, Tarlac and Bro. Artemio Navarro, District Deputy of T38, stood as witnesses.

GOLDEN JUBILEE UPDATES:

KC-ing Galing Chorale Competition Luzon Jurisdiction - Finalists for the KCing Galing Chorale Competition for Luzon were chosen among the eight (8) councils that registered for the contest. To ensure objectivity, the submitted demo CDs and cassette tapes were judged by Fr. Carlo Magno Marcelo, composer of KCFAPI’s song – “Hands of Love”. Based on the following criteria: Voice Quality – 50% and Harmony – 50%, the five (5) finalists are as follows (at no particular order): • Council 14359 - SSC-R, Sta. Cruz, Cavite • Council 1000 - Intramuros, Manila • Council 10291 - Immaculate Heart of Mary, Malabon City • Council 10104 - Rosarian, Baliuag, Bulacan • Council 5310 - Gomburza, Brixton, Quezon City The Grand Finals will be held during the KC Luzon Convention on May 24, 2008 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia, Pasay City. Each chorale group will render two (2) songs, (1) a chorale piece of their own choice and (2) their own rendition of the KCFAPI

Vol. 12 No. 8

song. A maximum of ten (10) minutes are allotted for each group to include set up and actual performance. Criteria for judging will be as follows: Choice Piece Contest Piece (KCFAPI Song) Voice Quality 10% 25% Harmony 10% 25% Interpretation 25% Stage Presence 5% Total 25% 75%

“UNA po sa lahat, nais ko pong ipaabot ang aking taos-pusong pasasalamat sa Knights of Columbus Fraternal sa lahat ng mga suporta at tulong na ibinigay noong mamatay ang aking asawang si Pons Valdez. Salamat po sa insurance claim check na ibinigay agad sa araw mismo ng kanyang libing at ito’y nakatulong ng malaki sa amin upang mabayaran lahat ang aming mga gastusin. Kung tutuusin, ilang taon pa lamang naghuhulog sa insurance ng KC Fraternal ang aking asawa, konti pa lamang po ang kanyang naihuhulog, pero nang mamatay siya binigay agad ng KC ang insurance niya. Matagal na naging FS (Financial Secretary) ang aking asawa sa KC dito sa Camiling. Pero kahit member siya ng KC, ayaw niyang pumasok o kumuha ng insurance. Actually, ako lang talaga ang pumilit sa kanya na kumuha ng insurance. Ang katwiran niya wala siyang stable na trabaho at sayang lang daw ang mga maihuhulog namin sakaling di namin maituloy gawa ng walang ibabayad pag due date na. Ipinaliwanag ko na tumatanda na kaming pareho at ang mga ganitong bagay na ang dapat naming paghandaan at unahin dahil alam ko pagdating ng araw makakatulong ito ng malaki sa aming buhay. Sinabi ko pa sa kanya na kung sakali at mauna akong mamatay, at least may makukuha siyang halaga ng insurance ko. At kung sakali na siya naman ang mauna, sinabi ko sa kanya na ipagkakait mo ba na mayroon kang maiiwan sa amin na halaga ng insurance mo? Nag-isip siyang mabuti, and from then on, siya na mismo ang nagiipon para may maibayad kami sa insurance dahil tatlo kami sa family namin ang may insurance sa KCFAPI – ang aking asawa, ako at pati yung bunso naming anak. Naliwanagan ang kanyang isipan na ang mga bagay na katulad ng insurance ay mapapakinabangan hindi lamang sa oras ng kamatayan. Pwede ka ring makapag-loan kung meron ng cash value. Kaya nga, I encourage all brother Knights, pati na rin sana family ninyo na pumasok at kumuha ng insurance sa KC Fraternal. Dapat paghandaan natin ang bukas. Who knows, baka bukas isa sa atin ay mawawala na at kapag ganun ang nangyari, ipagkakait niyo rin ba sa inyong mga maiiwang pamilya ang maaari nilang makuha sa insurance ninyo? Muli, nagpapasalamat po ako sa Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association dahil sa binigay na insurance claim proceeds. Napakalaking tulong po talaga ito para sa amin lalo na wala namang maraming property si Pons na naiwanan. Maraming, maraming salamat! Mrs. Tess Valdez Paterno St., Camiling, Tarlac

We want you to know!!!

Finalists will vie for the following prizes: 1st Prize – P50,000; 2nd Prize – P30,000; 3rd Prize - P10,000; and, consolation prize of P2,000 each for the remaining two teams Visayas Jurisdiction – Elimination round for the competition will be held during the Family Day program of the jurisdiction in the following locations: • Iloilo City – April 13, 2008 • Tacloban City – April 20, 2008 • Cebu City – April 27, 2008

BC Holder Relations Office Telephone: (02) 5272223 local 110 to 113 Fax: (02) 5272241; Text: 0917825KOFC (5632) Email: bcservices@kofC.org.ph

Mindanao Jurisdiction - Councils interested in joining the competition may still register until March 29, 2008. KCFAPI Management wishes to thank the KC councils for their interest to join the chorale competition and extends its congratulations to the finalists. (Loren T. Mercado)

We would like to invite all councils to post announcements or write-ups regarding their council activities by sending your materials to KCFAPI through kcfraternalservices@kofc.org.ph or brod_lito@yahoo.com. Printing of materials submitted is subject for scheduling of KCFAPI.

CBCP Monitor

The Cross

Vol. 12 No. 8 April 14 - 27, 2008

By Archbishop Angel N. Lagdameo

Call to social transformation

SOCIAL transformation is a component and consequence of the work of evangelization. Without it evangelization is incomplete. The necessity of social transformation is not a new demand. It is a demand of Christian discipleship. 1. Evangelization and social transformation must include among their essential elements a proclamation of the Church’s social doctrine (cf. CA 5), which have been called the Church’s “best kept secrets.” Because they do not land often enough among the teachings explained, developed, discussed and proclaimed in church gatherings and preachings. If our struggle to build the Kingdom of God, and our striving is to authentically follow the Jesus of the Gospel, then it must be a journey towards social transformation towards truth and justice, love and peace, a journey towards the fullness of life (cf. PCP-II 263). “It is evident that Christian discipleship or a spirituality of social transformation demands a properly formed social conscience, the lack of which in many Filipinos is a major tragedy” (PCP-II 283). “In the light of our situation we believe that certain truths in the social doctrine of the Church stand out as urgent and necessary. These truths, needing emphasis today for the development of the just life and of the just society which serves that life are: Integral Development based on Human Dignity and Solidarity; Universal Love; Peace and Active Non-violence; Love of Preference for the Poor; the Value of Human Work; the Integrity of Creation; Empowerment of the People” (PCP-II 291), each of which would demand a separate lecture or even a seminar. 2. The way the Church must go is the way of social transfor-

mation. There is only one direction that PCP-II says we must take as a Church, and that is to become a BEC- type of Church. “We have envisioned a renewed Church as a community of disciples missioned by the Lord to labor in our particular Filipino situation” (155). Fifteen years after the PCP-II, plus the experience that has gone before in our Philippine situation, BEC as a model of the Church is no longer an abstract vision. BEC as the PCP-II vision of Church is a growing reality in dioceses or parishes that have had the experience of BECs. When I say that, I do not disregard the fact that particular parishes could still be dominated by the thinking and culture of the Institution. It may be good to evaluate how the BEC ecclesiology is affecting some of our traditional associations in the church, and how the BEC model already influences their internal and external mechanisms as well as their relationships and spirituality. We know what is implied by being transformed by the BEC model of Church. “In order to be renewed as a Church, we must leave behind many ways of thinking, speaking and acting which no longer effectively serve and perhaps even obstruct our evangelizing mission. This will mean an unsettling pain, a disengagement from what is cherished but is now obsolete or obstructive, a dying to what is sinful, that we may come to newness of life” (PCP-II 143). 3. The object and subject of social transformation is man, every man, in his unique as well as ordinary circumstance, the “concrete” and “historical” man (CA 53). Man is the way the BEC-type of Church must go. “(The human person) is the primary route that the church must travel in fulfilling her mission…the way traced out by Christ himself, the way that leads invariably through the mystery of the Incarnation and the Redemption” (RH 14; CA 53). As an instrument of evangelization and social transformation, the social doctrine reveals man to himself and gains credibility from the “witness of actions” in the promotion of justice, most especially when it concerns the powerless, the voiceless, the marginalized and the exploited. Social transformation is person-oriented. (Archbishop Angel N. Lagdameo is the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines. This piece is an excerpt from one of his talks given lately to lay people)

Pope of the Beatitudes Pope Benedict XVI is presenting us with a model for the future of the Church By Carl A. Anderson, Supreme Knight AS the year 2000 approached, many were preparing to survive the implosion of the electronic age, in case Y2K brought about the collapse of the world’s computer network. But for Christians, it was a special time to look forward with anticipation to the third Christian millennium and what Pope John Paul II called a “new springtime of the Gospel.” We have since crossed that threshold and have received Pope Benedict XVI — the pope of the new millennium. If we are living at the beginning of a new springtime for Christianity, we might ask, what kind of pope do we now have to lead us? As we prepare to celebrate the third anniversary of Benedict’s pontificate, we already have much to reflect upon—including his trips to Germany, Poland, Spain, Turkey and Brazil, as well as his two encyclicals and book. The pope’s visit to the United States will soon inaugurate yet another chapter in his ministry. Already we see a remarkable man as a world leader—someone who is consistently described in terms of his simplicity, humility, kindness, gentleness and joy. Indeed, the more we learn about Benedict, the more we are apt to recall the Beatitudes Christ preached during his Sermon on the Mount (see Mt 5:3-12): Blessed are the poor in spirit, the lowly, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart and the peacemakers. And, finally, “Rejoice and be glad.” Is it too much to think that

Anderson: Pope to bring ‘Revolution of Virtue’ VATICAN CITY, APRIL 1, 2008—Benedict XVI will bring with him to the United States this month a “revolution of virtue,” says the leader the Knights of Columbus. Supreme Knight Carl Anderson, in Rome to present his book A Civilization of Love: What Every Catholic Can Do to Transform the World, told ZENIT that the message of the Pontiff’s two encyclicals is the same one the people of the United States are waiting for when he visits April 15-20. “We are talking about a revolution of virtue, but of the theological virtues: faith, hope and love,” said Anderson. “And this is the message Benedict XVI has given us with his two encyclicals, Deus Caritas Est, on love, and Spe Salvi, on hope.” The supreme knight said that especially during this election year, Americans are waiting “in a tremendous way” to hear about “the question of change and the question of hope, and Christianity is a religion of change and a religion of hope.” Commenting on the contents of his book, Anderson said, “The effect of 9/11 is still very strong in the United States, and one of the things I suggest in the book is to discover what kind of people we are, what kind of people we want to become.” The answer to these questions, he said, is precisely in the civilization of love.

Life and Death

“In such a civilization every person is a child of God. We are all intrinsically valuable. The battle today is between the culture of death (where people are judged by their social or economic value) and the culture of life,” he said. Anderson pushes aside religious differences to spread a message of hope to those who are wary of the constant turmoil of modern society. “By embracing the culture of life and standing with those most marginalized and deemed ‘useless’ or a ‘burden’ on modern society, Christians can change the tone and direction of our culture,” he affirmed. Anderson noted that his book seeks to transcend the “clash of civilizations,” because he says love isn’t something exclusive to Christians. He added that he attempts to present

“a road map for helping Christians understand their role in the World.” To promote this civilization of love, clarifies Anderson, implies a decision to promote life and the family. Anderson was appointed a member of the Pontifical Council for the Family in 2007, and consultor to the Pontifical Council for Social Communications in 2006. He was also appointed consultor to the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace in 2003, a member of the Pontifical Council for the Laity in 2002 and the Pontifical Academy for Life in 1998. Anderson is the leader of the 1.7 million members of the Knights of Columbus, the world’s largest Catholic fraternal organization, which was founded in 1882 by the Venerable Servant of God Father Michael McGivney in New Haven, Conn. Still maintaining its headquarters in New Haven, the Knights of Columbus has members in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Central America, the Caribbean islands, the Philippines, Guam and, most recently, Poland. (Zenit)

we have been given a “pope of the Beatitudes” to lead the Church in this new millennium? The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us that the Beatitudes are “at the heart” of the teaching of Jesus, that they reveal to us his “countenance” and his charity, and that they form the basis for Christian hope (1717). It should come as no surprise that Benedict’s first two encyclicals, Deus Caritas Est ( God is Love) and Spe Salvi (On Christian Hope), explore our understanding of God through the themes of love, charity and hope. The Beatitudes present us also with a profound moral declaration, which at the time of Jesus could only be understood as the repudiation of conventional values related to wealth, status, power, personal fulfillment and happiness. Here we can see reflected in Benedict’s pontificate a concern for the dehumanizing effects of our modern secular culture of consumerism and material progress, which too often ignores the plight of the poor and suffering. We see as well in his pastoral ministry Christ’s ardent exhortation at the conclusion of the Beatitudes: “You are the light of the world. … Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Mt 5:14, 16). Thus, in Pope Benedict we are presented with a model of the Christian life in the new millennium. He is also a model for

the future of the Church and a return to the fundamentals of the Gospel message. The Beatitudes speak of the Gospel’s transforming power in the lives of believers and in the life of the world. This power shines in Benedict’s life and ministry. It is our hope that because of his U.S. visit, it will shine more brightly throughout America and the world. Vivat Jesus!

CBCP Monitor

The Cross

Vol. 12 No. 8 April 14 - 27, 2008

Sir Knight Pedro M. Rodriguez, Jr. KCFAPI Trustee

BEGINNINGS: He was born on February 23, 1932 in Zamboanga City to parents Dr. Pedro A. Rodriguez of Montalban, now Rodriguez, Rizal and Dolores Miel of Mambajao, Camiguin Province. He is the seventh of nine children. His Education: Pete, as he is called, finished High School and Bachelor of Arts in Ateneo de Manila University. He furthered his studies in Araneta University for his Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering. He then

went to Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania, USA for his Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering. In Public Service: In November 1970, the Hon. Pedro Miel Rodriguez, Jr., nephew of the late Senate President Eulogio “Amang” Rodriguez was elected as a delegate to the constitutional convention for the lone district of Zamboanga del Sur. In the convention, he served as Vice-Chairman on the Committee on Economic Planning and Implementation and as a member of the committees on agricultural and natural resources, in industrialization, and on finance and property. His Life in the K of C: He first joined the K of C in the Fr. Paguia SJ Council No. 3362 in Zamboanga City in 1963 where he served various positions as Grand Knight, District Deputy, Master of the Fourth Degree and State Secretary. He then was appointed as the Mindanao State Deputy in 1993 to 1995. He is at present the Chairman of the Mindanao State Ceremonials and of the Fr. McGivney Guild. In 2004, he was chosen as the Most Outstanding Knight of the Year in Mindanao. He was elected to the KCFAPI Board of Trustees in 1993 and served as President from

1994 to 1996. At present, he is sitting as an independent director of KCFAPI Board. As an independent director, he provides independent judgment and objectivity in all issues before the Board. He received many awards but the most outstanding of which was a Papal Award in 1985 in recognition for his exemplary service rendered to the Roman Catholic Church. His Occupation: He joined the National Development Company as a Supervising Economist, the Philippine Coconut Authority as the Research Center Manager, and the Philippine Agro Edible Oils, Inc. as General Manager, and is at present the General Manager of Romiel Plantations, Inc. and Romiel Corporation. Active in civic and religious undertakings, Bro. Rodriguez was a member of the Lions Club, President of CFM, Rotary Club, and Pastoral Council of the Zamboanga City Cathedral. He also served as District Governor and National President of Serra Club District 91 Mindanao and Serra Philippines. His private life: He is married to Bituin E. Rodriguez, has 11 children and 17 grandchildren. (Annie Nicolas)

Sir Knight Jose C. Reyes, Jr. “ the advocate of truth, wisdom, justice and fraternal services”

SIR KNIGHT JUSTICE JOSE C. REYES, JR. is presently the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the KC Fr. George J. Willmann Charities, Inc. (KCFGJWCI). The main thrust of KCFGJWCI is the granting of scholarship assistance to diocesan-seminarians in Theology level and diocesan Priests for their Licentiate and Doctorate studies locally and in Rome. He is also the Chairman of the other Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Philippines, Inc. (KCFAPI) foundation, the Knights of Columbus Philippines Foundation, Inc. whose main purpose is to provide scholarships to poor but deserving children of Knights of Columbus members. Justice Reyes joined the Order of the Knights of Columbus in 1981 as Charter Member of

the Our lady of the Light Council 7844 in Cainta, Rizal. He was elected council Grand Knight for two consecutive terms from 19861988. He is a Fourth Degree Knight of the Jose Rizal Assembly ACN 2480 in the province of Rizal. From 1988-1992, Justice Reyes served as District Warden and was appointed District Deputy of District A11 from 1992-1995. In the Luzon Jurisdiction, he served as State Advocate from 1997-1999 during the incumbency of Luzon Deputy Arsenio R. Lopez. He again served Luzon Jurisdiction as State Advocate from 1999-2003 during the term of former Luzon Deputy Antonio T. Yulo. From 2003-2004 Justice Reyes was appointed by then Luzon Deputy Rodolfo C. Magsino as Fraternal Affairs Director. He presently serves the Luzon Jurisdiction as State Advocate for the Columbian Year 2007-2008 under the Leadership of Luzon Deputy, Alonso L. Tan. From 2001-2006 Justice Reyes was elected as member of the Board of Directors of MACE Insurance Agency, a 100% owned affiliate of KCFAPI that provides fire, motor car, accident and hospitalization insurance protection and surety services for KC members and families. “Justice Reyes” or simply “Bro. Joey”, as he is fondly called, was born on September 18, 1950 in Tacloban City. He obtained his Bachelor of Laws at the San Beda College in

1977 and passed the Bar Examinations given in the same year. He is married to Ma. Ofelia V. Bernardino with whom he has 3 children— Leonard Joseph, Olivia Joyce and Valerie Joan, and one grandchild Rian Ozzie. A humble and deeply spiritual person, Justice Reyes is also a Lay Minister of the Holy Eucharist at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Cainta, Rizal and an active member of Couples for Christ. He joined the Judiciary as a Technical Assistant of Supreme Court Chief Justice Felix V. Makasiar in 1978. He was appointed Presiding Judge of MeTC Branch 69 of Pasig City in 1987 and RTC Branch 76 of San Mateo, Rizal in 1991. From June 1995 to July 2003 he acted as Executive Judge and was designated special court judge to try and decide heinous crimes from October 1996 to July 2003. Justice Reyes took his oath of office as Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals on July 8, 2003. He has been engaged as a part-time faculty member of the Commercial Law Department, College of Business and Economics at the De La Salle University for 26 years. The university awarded him the Most Outstanding Parttime Faculty for School year 2001-2002. He was also recognized with the Juan Medrano Service Award for dedicated service in the mission of Christian education and long-term contribution as a La Sallian co-worker and partner. (Denise C. Solina)

KC Fraternal introduces its newest product offering—the KC Super Saver Plan. KC Super Saver Plan—Gold Series is a peso-denominated singlepay ten-year endowment plan. The proposed Assured has to pay only one time. He will, in as short as 10 years, recover more than his contributions or an amount equivalent to the Sum Assured. The plan’s life insurance coverage is increasing. It starts from 110% of Sum Assured on the first year and increases uniformly by 10% of the Sum Assured every year until it reaches 200% on the tenth and final year. The plan is available for issue ages 1 to 75. Super Saver Plan is ideal for our Brother Knights or their immediate family members who have seasonal income or earnings, such as members in the agricultural or aquacultural sectors. The flexibility offered by the plan’s single contribution scheme and small issue limit of P10,000 Sum Assured make Super Saver perfect for Overseas Filipino Workers. Because they, our modern day heroes; deserve no less that the best.

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

KC Manila Council (KCMC) 1000 bagged the championship trophy during the up-the-ladder championship games of the 2007-2008 KC NCR (The Luzon Deputy Cup).

Rev. Junjun Jonatas with his mother, Mrs. Gisela Jonatas and uncle, Bro. Fromencio Jonatas after receiving his medal as Magna Cum Laude.

KCFAPI’s Spiritual Director Msgr. Pedro Quitorio III, EVP Ms. Ma. Theresa Curia, President Bro. Antonio Borromeo and Treasurer Bro. Antonio Yulo watch as KC Luzon Deputy and KCFAPI Corporate Secretary Bro. Alonso Tan draws the winners for the Golden Jubilee BC Holder Bonanza Raffle Promo. The first monthly draw was held last March 17, 2008 at the KCFAPI Intramuros office.

President’s Gold Club THE offering of KCFAPI’s newest product line dubbed “KC Gold Plans” garnered overwhelming response from brother knights. Hyped by an official launching in November 2007 and the creation of the 500K Gold Series Club, about 434 brother knights and family members have acquired the plans, totaling to a face value of P74.4 M in protection and benefits as of February 2008. To maintain the sales momentum of our KC Gold Series Plans, KC Fraternal presents an incentive program for our Fraternal Counselors coined President’s Gold Club. An FC who can insure at least 50 creditable new paid lives on KC Gold Series plans from businesses brought in from January 2, 2008 to September 30, 2008 becomes an eligible member of this club. As a member of this club, the FC gets to own a KC gold watch. Be a member of the President’s Gold Club and be a proud owner of a KC GOLD WATCH.

Rev. Jonatas (right) together with Bishop Berard Oshikawa, Bishop of Naha, Japan (2n d from left); Bishop Bernardino Cortez, Auxiliary Bishop of Manila (center) and SK Alonso L. Tan (front), Foundation President after his diaconal ordination.

KC Family...Our Concern. Sis. Ma. Elena Econg (3rd from left), widow of the late Bro. Rustico Econg— Past Grand Knight of Talisay, Cebu Council 5882, receives the Fraternal Benefit Check from KCFAPI Chairman Bro. Patrocinio R. Bacay. With them in photo are (l-r) Sis. Inocencia Deiparine - Fraternal Counselor and 2007 Fr. George J. Willmann SJ Knights of the Round Table Awardee, Bro. Wilfredo Lauron - Area Manager, KCFAPI Central Visayas Alpha and Bro. Angelito Lugod - Fraternal Counselor and 2007 Chairman’s Circle Awardee. It is noteworthy that the check was released to Sis. Econg on the very same day the Fraternal Benefit claim was filed.

Rev. Hernandez Mendoza listens intently to Bishop San Diego at his ordination to the Sacred Order of Deacons.