U Matuna Si Yu'os: Vol. 66 No. 11, March 11, 2012

SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 2012

VOL. 66, NO. 11

THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT

ATTACKS ON CHRISTIANS TRIPLED

Africa, the Middle East and Asia among major countries affected

A defaced portrait of Jesus hangs on the wall of a demolished house after a mob attack in Barakhama village in the eastern Indian state of Orissa. Thousands of people, most of them Christians, have sought shelter in makeshift government camps in eastern India after anti-Christian violence has killed at least 14 people. CNS

photo/Parth Sanyal, Reuters

By Bridget Kelly

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Catholic News Service

ATICAN CITY (CNS) — Terrorist attacks on Christians in Africa, the Middle East and Asia tripled in a seven-year period, a Vatican official told a U.N. meeting.

Archbishop Silvano M. Tomasi, the Holy See's permanent observer

2012 Catholic Charities Appeal

By Deacon Larry Claros For the U Matuna Si Yu’os

With the blessings of His Excellency, Archbishop Anthony Sablan Apuron, the Archdiocese of Agaña once again opens the Catholic Charities Appeal (CCA) for year 2012. This annual appeal was started by the late Bishop Apollinaris W. Baumgartner in the 1940s in

TOKEN

FAITH

“If you wish to end your undertakings happily, learn how to give yourself up to them without desiring any return to yourself.”

St. Ignatius of Loyola

to U.N. offices in Geneva, told the U.N. Human Rights Council that while Christians are not the only victims, attacks on them in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia "increased 309 percent between 2003 and 2010." He did not offer any specific numbers.

"Approximately 70 percent of the world's population lives in countries with high restrictions on religious beliefs and practices, and

religious minorities pay the highest price. In general, rising restrictions on religion affect more than 2.2 billion people," the archbishop told the council members March 1.

The archbishop denounced "intolerance that leads to violence and to the killing of many innocent people each year simply because of their religious convictions."

support of the formation of future priests for Guam. Today, CCA also supports chaplains in their ministry at the hospitals, prison and the Department of Youth Affairs.

The appeal starts in the season of Lent. During this time, the faithful are called to place a greater emphasis on their Catholic faith through prayer, fasting and almsgiving. And it is through almsgiving that the faithful are asked to support this worthy cause. As a guide, Catholics employed or in business are asked to sacrifice a

day’s earnings to go towards CCA2012. This day’s earnings can be given in installments until Pentecost Sunday, May 27, 2012, when the appeal ends.

Every parish in the Archdiocese of Agaña conducts their own collection efforts. Information of how your parish will organize the appeal will be announced after each Mass and/or printed in the parish bulletin.

God always provides … We cannot outdo His generosity. Should we then freely give back to God?

Churches Around the World Called to Give Practical Help to Holy Land Christians Vatican City (AsiaNews) — "The loneliness that is at times strongly felt" by Christians in Holy Land can "be overcome by our fraternity" and support for the mission of the Church in those places, although "a specifically pastoral mission, at the same time offers a praiseworthy social service to all without exception. In this way, fraternity, which can overcome division and discrimination, increases and gives renewed impetus to ecumenical dialogue and interreligious collaboration,"

which is a work of peace".

In these terms, Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, prefect of the Congregation for Eastern Churches has asked bishops of the world "to place themselves at the side of the Christians of Jerusalem, Israel and Palestine, as well as the countries near to them - Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Cyprus, and Egypt - which together make up that blessed Land".

The collection for the Chris-

Senate Defeats Bid to Pass ‘Rights of Conscience’ Bill

Bishops has been strongly recommending passage of the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act. The defeat of the “Blunt amendment” suggests that the bill’s prospects for success are poor.

Of the 24 Catholics in the Senate, only 11 supported the Blunt amendment, while 13 voted against it. Among those Catholics, all of the Republicans voted in favor of the amendment. Two Catholic Democrats—Senators Bob Casey, Jr. of Pennsylvania and Joe Manchin of West Virginia—joined with a non-Catholic, Senator Ben Nelson of Wisconsin, as the only Democrats to support the conscience-protection legislation.

(CWN) The US Senate narrowly defeated legislation that would have rescinded the Obama administration’s mandate requiring coverage of contraception in health-care plans.

By a vote of 51 to 48, the Senate rejected the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act. The bill had been introduced by Senator Roy Blunt of Missouri as an amendment to an unrelated transportation bill.

The US Conference of Catholic

Redemptoris Mater Seminary Celebrates St. Patrick’s Day More information on the schedule of novenas, massed and festivities on PAGE 11

See MISSION, Page 9

IN BRIEF

See ATTACKS, Page 5

LOCAL

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How Safe is Safe Sex?

Jessica Rohr on how unsafe “safe sex” is. PAGE 13

22nd Annual Youth Conference Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for March VATICAN CITY (VIS) - Pope Benedict's general prayer intention for March is: "That the whole world may recognise the contribution of women to the development of society".

His mission intention is: "That the Holy Spirit may grant perseverance to those who suffer discrimination, persecution or death for the name of Christ, particularly in Asia".

Conference to promote substance-abuse prevention.

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Make “Shahbaz Bhatti, a Martry of the Church’ Pakistani Christians appeal to Pope Benedict XVI. PAGE 10

The Church Must Combat Lies and Deceit, in Herself and in the World Cardinal Monsengwo reflects upon God as light. PAGE 14

ARCHDIOCESAN

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SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 2012

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is an entity of the Archdiocesan Development Group 207 Archbishop Felixberto C. Flores Street Hagåtña, Guam 96910 PUBLISHER

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Phone: 671.989.6391 Fax: 671.472.1729 news@umatuna.org NEWS DEADLINE

Deadline for news stories and photos is noon Tuesday prior to the date of ­publication. Please note that the U Matuna reserves the right to select and prioritize content based on relevancy and editorial discretion.

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On Wednesday, February 15, the Capuchins of Guam and Hawaii re-elected Fr. Joseph English, OFM Cap as Vice Provincial. Assisting him will be his First Councilor Fr. Patrick Castro, OFM Cap and Fr. Michel Dalton, OFM Cap as Second Councilor. Fr. Francis Gasparik, OFM Cap, Provincial of St. Mary Province (New York-New England) presided over the elections.

22nd Annual Conference Promotes SubstanceAbuse Prevention for the Youth, by the Youth HAGÅTÑA, Guam – Over 60 student members of the Youth for Youth LIVE! Guam (YFYLG) gears up for their Annual Youth Conference, now in its 22nd year in running. Held at the Hyatt Regency Guam on April 27 – 29, 2012, this year’s conference theme is 20:12 Time for Change. It focuses on the need for recognition on the each person’s responsibility to be agents of change in an ever-evolving world. Media talk shows and 5K events will be held earlier in the month in preparation for the conference.

The three-day conference aims to discuss various issues that the youth today face – underage drinking, suicide, and substance abuse.

Conference co-chair and Southern High senior Marlijo Serineo shares: “Five years ago I was invited to attend the Youth for Youth conference. That experience taught me values and skills that molded me into the strong and successful person that I am today. More importantly, it gave me the opportunity to build relationships with friends who I trust even to this day.”

YFYLG’s vision includes youth who are empowered with knowledge and life skills in choosing and promoting among their family and peers healthy and substance abuse-free lifestyles. In line with this, the three main goals of the conference are: To learn to use the powerful influence and creativity of teens to turn peer pressure from negative to positive, To teach young people effective leadership and goal setting skills, and To give clear messages to teens that it is their responsibility to say “NO” to alcohol, tobacco, drugs, suicide, violence, and other forms of negative behavior.

The conference is for the youth and BY the youth. “For the past 12 weeks, we have recruited, selected and trained our members to be the conference facilitators,” says conference co-chair and Father Duenas Memorial School senior Jerick Cruz. He adds: “What stands this conference apart from others is the leadership that the youth themselves carry out, and the in-depth

involvement and camaraderie that we develop with our participants.

This conference is truly a testament of youth empowerment inaction!”

The youth group expects a pool of 350 participants from middle and high schools on Guam and neighboring islands in our region.

A maximum of 5 scholarships will be awarded to each school, while registration fee for both students and chaperone adults is at $100/ person. Registration forms are available at each school’s guidance councilors. Seating is limited so interested students are urged to sign up for a spot immediately. For more information on registration, contact Debbie Duenas at 477-9079 or yfyhype@gmail.com.

3rd Annual HYPE IT UP! 5K Run/Walk To raise funds for the conference, YFYLG is hosting its 3rd Annual 5K fundraiser event, at the Hyatt Regency Guam, on Sunday April 1st. Corporate and non-profit organizations are urged to partner

and sponsor the event, whose proceeds will assist in financing the group’s training and logistic needs.

Interested sponsors may contact Sara Dimla at 477-9082 or sara. dimla@mail.dmhsa.guam.gov for more information.

Youth Talk Today!

The youth show “Youth Talk Today!” is a precursor to the conference – a live talkshow hosted by the youth members themselves, discussing real-life issues with key stakeholders in our community, including substance abuse prevention, suicide prevention, and underage drinking. Listeners and viewers are also given the opportunity to call-in and interact with our youth hosts and their guests.

Youth Talk Today! can be heard on Power 98, from 7pm through 9pm, on March 10th, March 24th, April 7th and April 21st. A simulcast can be seen on Fox6. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Kris Lujan at 477-5700 ext 125 or kris@spbguam.com.

Deadline for reserving advertising space is 3 pm Tuesday prior to the date of publication. Camera-ready copy is due at the U Matuna Si Yu’os office no later than noon Wednesday prior to the date of publication.

The office of the U Matuna Si Yu’os is now located on the second floor of the Dulce Nombre Maria Cathedral-Basilica in Hagåtña.

MISSION The U Matuna Si Yu’os is published every week by the Archdiocese of Agaña, Guam. Our mission is to print and distribute a true report of the Roman Catholic Church’s ministry of changing lives though the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

By offering news and commentary about issues impacting the Catholic Church, it aims to serve as a focal point for the ­expression and discussion of the Catholic faith on Guam.

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Connect with the U Matuna Si Yu’os by visiting our website at:

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GOSPEL & REFLECTION

SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 2012 ANNOUNCEMENTS ACADEMY OF OUR LADY OF GUAM Mar. 16: Early Dismissal, 1:45 pm; Mar. 22: Early Dismissal, 2:15 pm Mar. 23: NO CLASSES, Parent-Teacher Conference Mar. 30: Early Dismissal, 1:45 pm; Staff Development, 2:00 pm

Join the AOLG Advancing Women Educationally (AWE) Program to help prepare for the G.E.D. test. Program open to women 18 years or older who do not have a high school diploma and who qualify.

Classes to be held on Saturdays at AOLG campus. An appraisal test must be taken to determine math and language skills level prior to attending classes. For more information, contact Marilyn Magofna at 734-7407/email: tonlyn123@guam.net or call the school at 477-8203. Application available online at www.aolg.edu.

Please visit the school’s website at www. aolg.edu.gu or call 477-8203 for more information.

FATHER DUENAS MEMORIAL SCHOOL Mar. 12: 3rd Quarter Break, No Classes Mar. 13: Rep from Chaminade will be on campus during lunch Mar. 16: Parent Teacher Conference, 1pm-4pm & 5:30pm – 7pm, No Classes Mar. 17: Entrance Exam for SY 20122013 9:00am at the Phoenix Center

NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL Mar. 12: Teacher Record Day – No Classes Mar. 13: 4th Quarter Begins; 3rd ­Quarter grades due Mar. 17: Placement Test for incoming 9th graders

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Mar. 15: International Student Exchange from Tokyo Gakkan Niigata Mar. 16-17: Hike and retreat for Juniors Mar. 23: STA Songfest at Guam Reef Hotel from 6pm to 10pm Mar. 24: STA Third Annual Golf Tournament at GICC Mar. 30: End of third quarter Open House for prospective students Wednesday, March 28, 2012, from 5:00pm- 7:00pm. Meet our faculty administration, tour our campus and learn why St. Thomas Aquinas is a good choice!

Please call the school office at 473-7821 for more information.

MASS FOR AN INCREASE OF VOCATIONS All those interested in the vocation to the priesthood or religious life are invited to attend a weekly Mass for Vocations offered every Wednesday, at 7 pm at Santa Barbara Catholic Church. For more info, please contact Fr. Paul Gofigan at 488-0613. Those interested in the permanent diaconate ministry are also invited to attend.

CATHOLIC DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAS Our Lady of Camarin Court 2047 Day of Recollection is scheduled for today, March 11, 2012 from 11AM to 4PM at Our Lady of the Waters Catholic Church., Mongmong. The guest speaker will be Rev. Fr. Joel de los Reyes.

GUAM ARCHDIOCESAN WORLD YOUTH DAY (AWYD 2012) April 1, 2012. FD Phoenix Center & Chalan Pago Catholic Church young people age 14+. Email: awyd2012@gmail.com Register Online Online Registration available at http:// guam2012awyd.tk, a signed liability waiver must be turned in to your parish or catholic school, registration fee is $5. Late registration begins March 18; the late reg. fee will be $15.

Please send all announcements to ­ news@umatuna.org or contact 472-6201 or 989-6391.

ARCHBISHOP

Anthony Sablan Apuron, O.F.M. Cap., D.D.

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isters and Brothers. Jesus’ action, the gospel notes, prompted his disciples to remember the psalm, “Zeal for your house consumes me.” This psalm appears more often in the New Testament than any other and always refers to the coming Messiah—the Christ.

In fact, the Old Testament prophet Zechariah had promised that the MesTODAY’S GOSPEL siah would cleanse the John 2:13-25 Temple and render it pure again. Thus for anyone at the time who knew the Scriptures, Jesus’ driving the money changers from the sanctuary – a dramatic act - was a sign that he was the promised Messiah who would redeem Israel.

Jesus was repeatedly asked for signs of his mission, as St. Mark’s gospel reminds us; “give us a sign,” was a recurring demand. The sign that Christ gave to the money changers was the supreme sign of his commitment to the Suffering Servant of God; the sign of the Cross from which his conquest of death was achieved. The same sign is given today to those who challenge the Christian premise.

To many of Jesus’ nation who were looking for the Messiah to lead a crusade against Rome and to initiate a new political empire centered in Jerusalem, the sign that Jesus gave was incomprehensible. Later, at his trial, some were to interpret Jesus’ words in today’s Gospel simply in material terms, as if he were speaking simply about the stones of the Temple. What Christ meant, of course, was that he was about to lay down his life to create a new holy People of God, a living Temple not of stones, but of people, called to follow him through suffering service to eternal life: a mystical Body

more glorious and lasting than Jerusalem’s magnificent sanctuary.

When we follow God’s law— reflected in the Ten Commandments—we are in effect following Jesus with the psalmist’s words, “Zeal for your house consumes me!” Our house, again, is Jesus’ Mystical Body, the Church, which he bought by his Passion, Death and Resurrection. As his disciples, we strive to remain worthy of membership in this Body through a commitment to suffering service in his name, knowing that this wisdom—his wisdom—is the only true wisdom, although it is seen either as a scandal or foolishness by the world of unbelievers.

When we say that the wisdom of the Cross and Resurrection is the only true wisdom in the light of ob-

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ta’lo. Put este na rason, para hayi guihi na tiempo tumungo’ put i Eskrituras, si Jesu Kristo ni ha dulalak i manmanulalaika salape’ ginen i sangtuariu—un che’cho’ dramatiku—mama’sinat este na guiya i ma prumeti na Mesias ni para una’fangahaya Israel.

Ya maseha mafaisen gue’ sinat, i sinat ni ha na’i i manmanulalaika salape’ ayu i mas tagahlo’ na sinat anai ha detetmina gue’ para u fama’ i Masasa’pet na Setbienten Yu’os: i sinat i kilu’os ni ginen i ginana-na nu i finatai muna’fakpo’. Para meggai gi mannasionat Jesu Kristo ni manmanaliligao para i Mesias para u dirihi i gera kontra Roma yan para matutuhon un nuebu na rainon pulitikat ni gaigi sentro giya Jerusalen, i sinat ni mannina’i as Jesu Kristo ti kumprendiyon. Despues gi

Thus, in our effort to follow Christ in this world we should not be suprised to discover that there will occur agonizing moral situations to which there is literally no other answer but to kneel and embrace the Cross of Jesus. serving God’s commandments, we mean this concretely. Thus, in our effort to follow Christ in this world we should not be surprised to discover that there will occur agonizing moral situations to which there is literally no other answer but to kneel and embrace the Cross of Jesus.

Despite the contradictions of a confused and often an errant world, kneeling and embracing the Cross is an answer, and, in the long run, the only enduring one. This gospel reflection is taken from St. Paul’s 366 Days with the Lord. May your day be filled with love and may Almighty God bless you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Pinagat Atsubispo Anthony Sablan Apuron, Kapuchinu Mane’lu-hu, i aksion Jesu Kristo gi Ibangheliu umuga i mandisipulu-na para u mahasso i Psatmu “Ha sosongge yu’ i dibusion-hu para i gima’-mu.” Este na Psatmu umannok mas gi Nuebu na Testamento ki otro siha, ya todu i tiempo ha rifiefieri put i finatton i Mesias—i Kristo.

Gi magahet, gi Antigu na Testamento i prufeta as Zakarias ha prufesiha na i Mesias una’gasgas i Templo ya u istablesi i ginasgas-na

makotte-na, guaha para u intetpriti i palabras-na si Jesu Kristo gi Ibangheliun pa’go gi mismo simplidu na kosas materiat komu mohon kumuekuentos put i acho’ ha’ gi templo.

Hafa kumeke’ilek-na si Jesu Kristo ayu i para u po’lu’ papa’ i lina’la’-na kosaki sina ha fa’tinas di nuebu un sinantusan na Manaotao Yu’os, un lala’la’ na templo, ahi ti acho’, lao taotao, ni manma’agang para umatattiyi gue’ masasapet na setbisiu para i taihinekok na lina’la’: un mistikat na Tataotao mas malak-na yan mas ma’ok ki i sen bunitu na sangtuariun Jerusalen.

Yanggen ta tattiyi i lai Yu’os—ni ma’espepehos gi Dies na Mandamento, ta tattitiyi si Jesu Kristo yan i Satmu na “ha sosongge yu’ i dibusion-hu para i gima’-mu.” I gima’-ta, ta’lo, i mistikat na tataotao Jesu Kristo, i gima’yu’os, ni ha fahan ginen i mina’sapet-na, finatai-na yan i resureksion-na. Komu mandisipulu-na, ta espipiha para ta fan diknu manmienbron i Tataotao-na, ginen i manhula’-ta para masasapet na setbisiu gi na’an-na, ta tungo’ ha’ na i tinemtom-na, guiya i magahet na tinemtom, maseha malili’e’ komu skandalu yan che’cho’ babarihas ginen i tano’ i ti manmanhongge.

Yanggen ta sangan na i tinem-

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tom i Kilu’os yan i Resureksion guiya ha’ i sen magahet na tinemtom gi ma’osgen i mandamienton Yu’os, ta sasangan este kun seriousu. Put este, na gi todu che’cho’-ta para ta tattiyi si Jesu Kristo guini gi tano’ mungga hit man hinenggang yanggen ta diskubre na siempre guaha manago’siha na situasion moralidat ya taya ineppe-na gi magahet fuera ki para tafan dimu yan ta toktok i kilu’os Jesu Kristo.

Maseha kontradision i na’malilinik yan halachi na tano’’, i dumimu yan matoktok i Kilu’os magahet na ineppe, ya gi karerata i uniku na na’ ma’ok. Este na pinagat machuchule ginen i Lepblon San Papblo 366 Dihas yan i Saina. Ohalara ya u bula guinaiya i ha’anen-miyu ya i todu hana’sina na Yu’os infambinendis, gi na’an i Tata yan i Lahi-na yan i Espritu Santo. Amen.

Ibangheliu (Juan 2:13-25) Anai humihihot i gipot Pasguan Manhudios, humanao hulo’ si Jesus para Jerusalen. Ha sodda’ i taotao siha gi templo manmambebende nubiyu, kinilu, yan paharu, ya i pumalu siha manmatata’chong manmanulalaika salape’.

Mama’tinas kuatta ni tali ya ha dulalak huyong ginen i templo i taotao siha, i kinilu yan kun todu i nubiyu, ya ha na’fanatlibes i lamasan ayu siha i manmanulalaika salape’, ya ha chalapon i sensiyon-niha. Ha sangani ayu siha i manmambebende paharu: “Fanhuyong ginen este! Basta mafa’metkao i gima’ Tata-hu!” i mandisipulu-na mahasso i fino’ Eskritura: “Ha sosongge yu’ i dibusion-hu para I gima’-mu!” Put este na manmanoppe i Hudios siha, “Hafa na sinat sina un fa’nu’i ham na ma’atorisa hao para un cho’gue este siha?” Manoppe si Jesus, “Bai hu yulang este na templo, ya bai hatsa ta’lo gi mina’ tres dihas.”

Manmanoppe siha, “Dinira este na templo kuarenta i sais anos para u ma hatsa, ya hagu para un hatsa gi tres dihas?” Gi magahet kumuekuentos gue’ put i templon i tataotaona. Astaki mana’la’la’ ta’lo si Jesus ginen i finatai nai mahasso ni mandisipulu-na na ha sangan este, ya manmanhongge gi Eskritura yan i palabras ni ha sangan. Anai estaba bue’ giya Jerusalen duranten i gipot Pasgua, meggai manmanhongge gi na’an-na sa’ mali’e’ i sinat siha ni hacho’cho’gue. Lao mantiningo’ interu siha as Jesus ya ti maninangokko siha. Ti ha nisisita otro taotao para u sinangani put i naturan taotao. Sa’ ha gof tungo’ hafa gaigi gi korason taotao.

Silence is Crucial to Prayer, Pope Tells Wednesday Audience (CWN) Silence is essential to prayer, Pope Benedict XVI told his Wednesday public audience on March 7.

Speaking to about 10,000 people gathered in St. Peter’s Square, the Holy Father reflected on the alternation between words and silence in the prayer life of Jesus. His talk concluded a series of weekly meditations on Christ’s prayers.

Prayer, the Pope said, means listening to the Word of God. “Interior and exterior silence

are necessary in order to hear that Word,” he said. Not only in private prayer, but also in the liturgy of the Church, the Pope said, periods of silence are necessary to allow for reflection and “authentic listening.”

Silence is often difficult to obtain in today’s world, the Pope remarked. Many people, he said, “are afraid to detach themselves, even for an instant, from the spate of words and images which mark and fill our days.” But that detachment is crucial to prayer. The Pontiff

reminded his audience that Jesus would often withdraw to a quiet place to pray. The Church fathers, he added, believed that “the mysteries of Christ are linked to silence.”

There is another sort of silence that often occurs in prayer, the Pope observed; “we often find ourselves facing the silence of God.” Jesus, too, encountered that silence in his prayer life, and the example of Christ should ensure the faithful that in this case the silence of God does not indicate absence.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

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SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 2012

March 2012: Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

By Dana Rohr For the U Matuna Si Yu’os

NDHS Songfest 2012

Photos couresy of NDHS

By Jessica Perez-Jackson ‘96

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otre Dame High School (NDHS) held its Songfest on March 3, 2012 at the Phoenix Center in Mangilao. Each year the Sophomore Class hosts the event in which students write, choreograph, and perform original songs as a class. All grade levels participate and compete against one another as a panel of select judges grades them on Originality, Choreography, Lyrics and Accompaniment, Entrance and Exit, and Best Overall. This year’s theme was “Royals through the Ages” in which each class was given a decade to guide their style of choreography and musicality. Best Overall winner was the Class of 2012.

STA Celebrates Guam History

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ach year, the month of March is devoted to Guam history on our island. For that reason, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School is proud to promote Guam history in its curriculum and to mandate its students to participate in Guam History Month activities by showcasing research results during STA National History Day in the following five categories: essay, website, performance, exhibit, and documentary. Students had the opportunity to visit the Micronesian Area Research Center (MARC) Library at the University of Guam and were able to interview several primary sources to obtain testimonies. The top two students of each category will participate in the island-wide Guam History Day on March 24, 2012. This island-wide event is linked to National History Day, Inc. (NHD), established as a national non-government organization dedicated to research in history. Winners of the islandwide competition will eventually represent Guam at the national level in Maryland, in June 2012.

This year’s winners of the STA Guam History Day Fair of March 2, 2012 are:

March 5th 2012 marks the official signing of Proclamation No. 2012-016 by Acting Governor Ray Tenorio; proclaiming this month of March 2012 as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.

Proclamation No. 2012-016 states that, “Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month is a time to celebrate and recognize individuals with developmental disabilities.

Individuals with developmental disabilities, their families, friends, neighbors, and coworkers will encourage everyone to focus on the abilities of all people in all aspects of their communities, including their neighborhoods, the work place, and the schools.”

“I think our government, our people, have a responsibility to help those with disabilities,” said Lieutenant Governor, Ray Tenorio during the Proclamation Signing.

Lieutenant Governor Tenorio also stated that transportation and unemployment are two of the things that more energy needs to be sent into, to help developmentally disabled citizens to get jobs and have a reliable means of transport.

Lieutenant Governor Tenorio said,“There are a lot of people with developmental disabilities who have much to share with us.”

The Developmental Disabilities Awareness Committee are hosting several events for their consumers, to commemorate Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.

They have also adopted the National Theme: “Our Community is Better Together.”

The Developmental Disabilities Aware-

Photo courtesy of Leone Rohr

ness Month promotes self-advocacy for all those with disabilities and strives to increase awareness among people.

Leone Rohr, Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month Committee Chair stated in regards to what is expected of this month of March, “That we increase the number of people that gain a positive awareness of those with disabilities who live in our immediate community, jobs, homes, neighbors, and churches. And from that awareness, they will reach out and be a source of support to people with disabilities, that they may come in contact with in daily life.”

For more information on upcoming events the Guam Developmental Disabilities Council can be contacted by either phone or email.

Phone: 1-671-735- 9127 / 9128 Email: guamddc@gddc.guam.gov The next scheduled event for Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month is a Family Fun Day on March 24th.

Bank of Guam to Award Five $2,000 Scholarships+Paid Internship, March 15 Deadline Nears March 6, 2012 – Hagatna, Guam – Bank of Guam has been awarded $5,000 in grants from the ACCEL/Exchange Network which consists of Fiserv network members. In celebration of its 40th anniversary, Bank of Guam will match the award so that a total of $10,000 in scholarships will be awarded by June 2012. Each scholarship will be for $2,000 awarded to five (5) recipients, all graduating high school seniors.

The five recipients will also be eligible for a summer and/or winter paid internship with Bank of Guam.

To be eligible for the program, applicants must:

STA Photos

Overall winner: Julia Faye Munoz- Individual website Essay: (1) Dominick Couzijn; (2) Leonardo Orsini; (3) Evan Hizon Website: (1) Mike Yoon; (2) James Losongco & Annabell Serious; (3) Tamara Bayona & Priscilla Manglona Performance: (1) Caleb Skvaril; (2) Angelo Tapia; (3) Janielle Cuala & Kyra Rocco Exhibit: (1) Steven Yang; (2) Shana Yang; (3) Stella Bae & Ken Park Documentary: (1) Sarahgin Dumaraog & Spencer Steffy; (2) Rosario Perez & Ai Motomura; (3) Pilar Righetti Congratulations to all participants, judges, parents and all volunteers and Mr. Smit (STA NHD coordinator) for a very successful event at STA.

The scholarship will be available for use at any U.S. accredited college or university, and would be earmarked to those students pursuing degrees in business, finance, accounting, economics or related majors(can be multi-disciplinary). 10 Semifinalists will be selected by April 30 and will then be required to submit additional documents, including an acceptance letter to an accredited four year college.

Lou A. Leon Guerrero, Bank of Guam Board Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer stated, “In celebration of our 40 years of serving our communities, we are delighted to offer graduating high school seniors an opportunity to continue their 1. Be U.S.citizens who are residents of the education at an accredited college or uniMicronesian region; versity. Given Bank of Guam’s longstand2. Be high school seniors who are graduing service to higher education for its comating in 2012 from an accredited high munities, we are proud to continue this school with a 3.5 grade point average commitment.” (copies of transcripts and SAT/ACT Applications are available at all Bank scores required); of Guam branches and the Customer Ser3. Submit an original, numbered applivice Department in Hagatna Branch Lobby. cation due March 15, 2012 to Bank of They have also been distributed to Guam’s Guam; high schools. Only originals will be accept4. Submit three (3) letters of recomed. mendation, one from a non-academic For additional information, please consource; tact Jackie Marati at 472-5258 or jackie.

5. Submit answers to four essay quesmarati@bankofguam.com. tions.

SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 2012

CHURCH & SOCIETY ITE MISSA EST

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5

From the Mass to the Market: Engaging the World Beyond the Church Doors

Y I am Catholic - Part 5

By Tim Rohr This is a multi-part column. See TheMassNeverEnds.com for the previous parts.

Since everything we officially know about what Jesus said and did is derived from Scripture, particularly the Gospels, proofs for the historicity of the Gospels are usually considered necessary in any Christian apologetic endeavor. (“Apologetic” means “reasoned explanation”).

Given our method of simply presenting possibilities and not proofs as we make the case for Christ and for Catholicism in this particular endeavor, it is not necessary for us to address the historicity of the Gospels in depth, but we should at least understand the debate.

Some of the main issues are: 1)there is no definitive proof that Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John were the actual authors of the Gospels to which their names are affixed, 2) there are several noticeable incongruities between the different Gospel accounts, 3) we do not have in our possession an original copy of the Gospels, but simply copies of copies of copies which have come down to us through the centuries with all the possibilities of copying errors, human intrigue, exaggerations by over-zealous Christian copyists, and everything else that could possibly go wrong in the transmission of information and stories over time.

It is easy to see how atheists and those hostile to Christianity would use these facts to discredit the Gospels which form the basis for the Christian religion. And while there is overwhelming evidence in support of the historical reliability of the Gospels, the easy way to engage the naysayers is simply to hold them to their own standards as regards other works of antiquity whose historicity they appear not to question.

For example, the teachings of Plato and Socrates are considered to be pillars of classical civilization. Yet not only do we not have any original manuscripts from Plato or Socrates, the origin of the manuscripts we do have is exponentially more obscure than the Gospels.

For instance, most of Plato’s works found in today’s libraries are actually the result of a reconstruction of various medieval sources, not the reprinting of an an-

Attacks

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

In some countries, which the archbishop did not name, religious freedom is threatened by "government-imposed and unjust restrictions."

Yet religious freedom is a fundamental and inalienable right, which can foster a healthy cooperation and spirit of shared responsibility among believers of different religions, he said.

Education and the media are two powerful tools for promoting respect for religions and for religious freedom, he said.

Unfortunately, many countries where there

cient manuscript found among the ruins of ancient Greece. And most of what we know of Socrates actually comes from these medieval reconstructions of the writings of Plato, which makes the authenticity of the teachings of Socrates even more distant.

Yet the works of Plato and Socrates in their modern form are accepted by scholars and academics as credible with very little debate, as are the works of many other writers of classical antiquity for which we have no original manuscripts and whose writings are similarly reconstructed. In fact, if we are to make original manuscripts a standard for credibility of authorship we would have to throw out the entire works of Shakespeare since not one of Shakespeare’s works comes down to us in his own hand.

In short, we can safely assert that there is more evidence for the historical reliability of the Gospels than there is for any other ancient document of similar or greater age.

But even if there wasn’t such evidence, it wouldn’t matter. The historical credibility of Christianity does not rise and fall with the latest investigation into the authorship of the Gospels. Christ did not leave us a book, he left us a Church and a teaching authority for that Church which comes down to us through the centuries and is embodied in the Church and its hierarchy of Pope and bishops we see today.

In fact, for first three centuries of Christianity, when the fledgling Church was under its period of greatest duress, there was no Bible as we know it. While there were letters and writings of various kinds floating about the different Christian communities during this period, there was no defined list of New Testament books until 401 A.D. During Christianity’s earliest centuries, Christians lived and died by the teachings that were handed down to them from Christ through the Apostles and through their successors, in short, through His Church, the Church that still stands and instructs today.

They did as Paul said: “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught , whether by word, or our epistle.” (2 Thes 2:15) What they were taught by word and epistle (letter), and what they were willing to die for is the subject of our next column.

This column reflects only the views of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of the staff and management of the Umatuna. Hyperlinks to supporting data can be found on the online version at www.themassneverends.com The author can be contacted at timrohr.guam@gmail.com is a lack of religious freedom or outright persecution have weak schools and weak media because of underdevelopment, poverty or a restricted access to information.

The archbishop also said the international community can prevent future violence by promoting and protecting the human rights of everyone.

The international community must work, "to sustain mutual tolerance and respect of human rights and a greater equality among citizens of different religions in order to achieve a healthy democracy where the public role of religion and the distinction between religious and temporal spheres are recognized," Archbishop Tomasi said.

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US and Hizbollah Call for Restraint, No Attack on Iran BEIRUT (AsiaNews) — If Israel were to attack Iranian nuclear sites, the Middle East would be set ablaze setting off a conflict that is bound to get out of control, said Hizbollah Deputy Chief Sheikh Naim Qassem.

"America knows that if there is a war on Iran, this means that the whole region will be set alight, with no limit to the fires," he told Reuters. Israel will also likely try to drag a reluctant United States into confrontation with Tehran, Hizbollah's deputy chief said.

Yesterday, White House spokesman Jay Carney used similar terms in warning against an attack on Iran. "Any military action in that region threatens greater instability in the region," he, adding that Americans could be affected in Iraq and in Afghanistan.

Iran "borders both Afghanistan and Iraq", Carney noted.

"We have civilian personnel in Iraq. We have military personnel as well as civilians in Afghanistan."

Carney's words come days before a planned 5 March meeting between US President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In Israel, attacking Iran's nuclear sites has been a hot topic for years. In recent days, articles in favour or against such an action have been front page.

For Israel and much of the international community, Iran's nuclear programme is military in nature. Tehran has

always claimed that it is peaceful.

For now, the United States is pushing for a diplomatic solution, applying sanctions Iran can hardly afford. The latest against oil sales and bank transactions are making it harder for Iran to trade with many countries and vice versa.

And many Iranian banks are running out of capital. Yesterday, Iran's central bank suggested it might accept payment in gold rather than dollars.

Iran's is also on the eve of parliamentary elections. Whatever the outcome, few expect it to have an impact on the nuclear problem. They are important however because they are the first vote since the 2009 presidential poll.

The results were challenged by a grassroots movement that came to be known as the 'green wave', which accused the regime of electoral fraud and demanded reforms.

After almost eight months of demonstrations, that were accompanied by killings, violence and arrests by the pasdaran (revolutionary guards), the resistance was stifled.

This time around, pro-reform activists are trying to convince people not to vote.

The elections are expected to turn into a showdown within the conservative camp, between supporters of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and those of Supreme Leader Grand Ayatollah Khamenei.

For some analysts, the fight is between the president's populism and attempt to hold onto

mately applied additional economic sanctions against Iran,” said Bishop Pates, who added: Based on the Church’s teaching on war and peace, the Bishops’ Conference urges the U.S. Government to continue to explore all available options to resolve the conflict with Iran through diplomatic, rather than military, means. As Pope Benedict XVI has stated: “As far as Iran is concerned, tireless efforts must be made to seek a negotiated solution to the controversy concerning the nation’s nuclear program, through a mechanism capable of satisfying the legitimate demands of the country and of the international community.” Before military options are considered, all alternatives, including effective and targeted sanctions and incentives for Iran to engage in diplomacy and cooperate with the

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

The Short Memory of American Bishops

T An Iranian Zelzal missile is launched during a test at an unknown location in central Iran Sept. 27. Iran test-fired short-range missiles four days before the Islamic republic is due to hold rare talks with world powers worried about its nuclear ambitions. CNS photo/Fars News/Ali Shayegan via Reuters

power, and the theocratic elites using pseudo-religious arguments to retain control over society and the economy.

Ahmadinejad will certainly lose. The Council of Guardians has in fact excluded a number of politicians from his camp, preventing them from running.

What is more, Ahmadinejad's friends have also lost their ministerial posts and some have been arrested over scandals and corruption.

USCCB: Preventive War Against Iran Would Raise Serious Moral Questions (CWN) Referring to Iran and quoting the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the chairman of the Committee on International Justice and Peace of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops said that “engaging in a preventive war without clear proof that an attack is imminent cannot fail to raise serious moral and juridical questions.”

“In Catholic teaching, the use of force must always be a last resort,” Bishop Richard Pates wrote in a March 2 letter to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. “Iran’s bellicose statements, its failure to be transparent about its nuclear program and its possible acquisition of nuclear weapons are serious matters, but in themselves they do not justify military action.”

“The United States and the European Union have legiti-

SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 2012

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), need to be exhausted.

From a moral perspective, in the absence of an immediate threat against the United States or our allies, military action would constitute an act of preventive war.

“The Church’s position against nuclear non-proliferation (sic) is clear,” he continued. “We believe nuclear weapons violate the just war norms of proportionality and discrimination in the use of force. Our Bishops’ Conference has earlier indicated our strong objection to Iran’s acquisition of nuclear weapons as it would further destabilize that volatile region and undermine nonproliferation efforts. We have often criticized Iran’s lack of transparency and cooperation with International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors.”

his week, USY has run an article on the American bishops’ concern with Israel reacting against the threatening position of Iran. Anyone who has paid attention to international news has seen that the situation in and with Iran is both delicate and terrifying.

At the heart of the troubling confrontation-in-the-making of our day is the furious drive of Iran to become a fully nuclear nation. Under its president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and with the support of the ayatollahs (the Shi’ite “clergy” in that country), Iran continues to develop its nuclear capability without regard for the United Nations or international political stability.

Just last month, Iran at first allowed but then refused to permit UN nuclear inspectors access to their nuclear facilities to ensure that Iran was not purifying uranium to the degree that it could be mounted as a nuclear weapon. On the whole, warn many experts, it’s just a matter of time before Iran is not only a genuinely nuclear power, but an aggressive power with nuclear weapons—one that has intimated that it would use them to achieve its theocratic goals.

What makes this especially frightening is Iran’s foreign policy and the rhetoric that points to their intentions.

For over 30 years, and even more so today, Iran’s government has declared that the nation of Israel must be wiped out, all Israeli Jews annihilated. To use Ahmadinejad’s own words, “the Jews must be driven into the sea.”

This kind of talk should not be underestimated; after all, we are not talking about Denmark here. This is a government that seeks the utter destruction not only of the only truly democratic nation in the Middle East, but also of a huge portion of the Jews: a people that are our elder cousins in faith.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu won’t put up with any of that sort of sabre-rattling nonsense. European Jewry was virtually wiped out by the Nazis before and during World War II while the rest of the world stood aside and did nothing. This seems to be the case now with our own president, European leaders, and our bishops.

Since WWII, the Israeli maxim is “Never again”—a sentiment Americans likewise share when it comes to tolerating terrorists out to destroy us and our way of life. Never again will they (or we) stand there and wait to be attacked by those who say they are going to attack.

This is what makes the USCCB’s statement on the “moral problem” of Israel ordering a pre-emptive strike against Iran not only short-sighted, but also utterly stupid. It makes no sense, neither rationally nor theologically.

The USCCB’s Committee on International Justice and Peace clearly states [as you can read in the article] that Iran’s probable acquisition of

nuclear weapons, vociferous threats against Israel, and lack of cooperation with the international community are serious issues, but they do not justify a pre-emptive strike, i.e. a preventative war. As far as the editorial staff of USY is concerned, the committee could not be more wrong.

The bishops and the “peace and justice” crowd who seek to avoid war at all costs no doubt mean well. Nevertheless, it is not enough for these bishops to be well-meaning and carry the “high ground” of negotiation, knowing that if there is an attack, the Church “did all it could.” If Iran attacks Israel with nuclear weapons, all the good intentions in the world won’t bring back the millions of innocent men, women, and children who are annihilated in the blink of an eye. In fact, our silence, our passivity will make us guilty by our sin of omission.

The Church’s Just War Doctrine does of course say that deadly force should be a last resort. That said, if the other conditions of just war are met, it is not necessary to be attacked before defending oneself; sometimes, we have to strike lest we not live to even defend ourselves.

The bishops’ line of thinking is the same as Guam having a law that allows you to own a gun, but when an intruder comes into your house with his own gun, you cannot shoot him unless he shoots you first. Somehow, accepting that as the only moral alternative leaves us shaking our head at the complete lack of common sense.

Hopefully, cooler heads in Iran will prevail, and they will not escalate the crisis that they have created. As usual, international media is laying responsibility at the feet of Israel, demanding they show restraint when their enemies won’t. This includes Hizbollah, a terrorist organization supported by the Iranian government.

Ultimately, war is never a good thing, but sometimes it is necessary.

We should not begin wars, but when aggressors are armed and threaten us and gather their armies at our border, it’s a safe bet what the next move will be. If the European powers had stopped Hitler at Munich, millions of lives would have been spared. Instead, the desire for peace at any cost wound up be costing more lives than any war in history.

Sometimes, it’s not enough to preach. Like Edmund Burke famously warned us, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” If only the bishops would remember that—not just in war, but with abortion and the other horrors of modernity that they are so shy about condemning.

Shame on them.

Archbishop Anthony Sablan Apuron, O.F.M., Cap., D.D. is not associated with the USCCB Committee on International Justice and Peace.

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Academics' Defense of Infanticide Supported by Pro-Choice Logic DENVER, Colorado (CNA) — Abortion supporters can see their own principles and logic reflected in a new article advocating the killing of newborn children, published by the Journal of Medical Ethics in February 2012.

“What we call ‘after-birth abortion’ – killing a newborn – should be permissible in all the cases where abortion is, including cases where the newborn is not disabled,” Alberto Giubilini and Francesca Minerva argue in their paper entitled “After-birth abortion: why should the baby live?”

Minerva and Giubilini are academic philosophers associated with institutions in Italy and Australia. Their defense of infanticide rests on the claims that “both fetuses and newborns do not have the same moral status as actual persons,” while adoption “is not always in the best interest of actual people.”

“The proposal of a so called 'after-birth abortion' is not a surprise,” Italian neonatologist and Pontifical Academy for Life member Dr. Carlo Bellieni told CNA on Feb. 29, offering his response to the article.

“It is only a quantitative extension of abortion, but not a qualitative change,” the pro-life physician said, noting that “at birth nothing substantial happens in the body or psyche of a baby” to distinguish it from what abortion advocates call a mere “fetus.”

Dr. Bellieni indicated that defenders of legal abortion have no grounds on which to give a “scandalized response” to the proposed killing of newborns, since “in both cases the life of a human being is terminated.”

In their article, Giubilini and Minerva also emphasized the continuity between traditional abortion, and the killing of newborns which they defend.

The authors say the practice should be called “after-birth abortion, rather than infanticide,” in order to “emphasize that the moral status of the individual killed is comparable with that of a fetus – on which ‘abortions’ in the traditional sense are performed – rather than to that of a child.”

According to Giubilini and Minerva, both an unborn fetus and a newborn child can be legitimately killed because “both lack those properties that justify the attribution of a right to life to an individual.”

“Both a fetus and a newborn certainly are human beings and potential persons, but neither is a ‘person’ in the sense of ‘subject of a moral right to life,’” they state in their article.

They define a “person” as “an individual who is capable of attributing to her own existence some – at least – basic value such that being deprived of this existence represents a loss to her.”

“This means that many non-human animals and mentally retarded human individuals are persons, but that all the individuals who are not in the condition of attributing any value to their own existence are not persons. Merely being human is not in itself a reason for ascribing someone a right to life.”

“It is true,” they acknowledge, “that a particular moral status can be attached to a non-person by virtue of the value an actual person, e.g., the mother, attributes to it.”

In such a situation, they explain, the moral status of the alleged non-persons would depend upon the “particular value” that someone else “projects on them” – and “such a projection is exactly what does not occur when a newborn becomes a burden to its family.”

Bishop Lori Rips America Editorial on HHS Mandate (CWN) Timothy Dolan in criticizing an America Magazine editorial on the Obama administration’s mandate that contraceptives, sterilization, and some abortion-inducing drugs be provided free of charge under most insurance plans. Cardinal Dolan has called the editorial in the Jesuit publication “hardly surprising but terribly unfortunate.”

“The March 5th America editorial takes the United States Bishops to task for entering too deeply into the finer points of health care policy as they ponder what the slightly revised Obama Administration mandate might mean for the Catholic Church in the United States,” Bishop Lori said in a letter. “These details, we are told, do not impinge on religious liberty. We are also told that our recent forthright language borders on incivility.”

“What details are we talking about?” ­added Bishop Lori, who chairs the US bishops’ Ad Hoc Committee on Religious Liberty.

“For one thing, a government mandate to insure, one way or another, for an abortifacient drug called Ella. Here the ‘details’ would seem to be fertilized ova, small defenseless human beings, who will likely suffer abortion within the purview of a church-run health insurance program.”

Bishop Lori continued: What other details are at issue? Some may think that the government’s forcing the Church to provide insurance coverage for direct surgical sterilizations such as tubal ligations is a matter of policy. Such force, though, feels an awful lot like an infringement on religious liberty.

Still another detail is ordinary contraception. Never mind that the dire societal ills which Pope Paul predicted would ensue with the widespread practice of artificial contraception have more than come true. The

government makes the rules and the rules are the rules. So, the bishops should regard providing (and paying for) contraception as, well, a policy detail. After all, it’s not like the federal government is asking bishops to deny the divinity of Christ. It’s just a detail in a moral theology—life and love, or something such as that. And why worry about other ways the government may soon require the Church to violate its teachings as a matter of policy?

“If the editorial is to be believed, bishops should regard it not as a matter of religious liberty but merely policy that, as providers they teach one thing but as employers they are made to teach something else,” Bishop Lori added. “In other words, we are forced to be a countersign to Church teaching and to give people plenty of reason not to follow it. The detail in question here is called ‘scandal’.”

Bishop Lori concluded:

And didn’t President Obama promise adequate conscience protection in the reform of healthcare? But maybe it’s inappropriate for pastors of souls to ask why the entirely adequate accommodation of religious rights in healthcare matters that has existed in federal law since 1973 is now being changed.

Oh, and as Detective Colombo used to say: “Just one more thing.” It’s the comment in the editorial about when we bishops are at our best. Evidently, it’s when we speak generalities softly and go along to get along, even though for the first time in history the federal government is forcing church entities to provide for things that contradict church teaching. Maybe Moses wasn’t at his best when he confronted Pharaoh. Maybe the Good Shepherd was a bit off his game when he confronted the rulers of his day.

They also argue against the idea that voluntary killing deprives a “potential person, like a fetus and a newborn,” of a right to develop into an “actual person, like you and us.” The fetus or newborn, they explain, cannot be either granted or denied rights they are incapable of possessing.

“So, if you ask one of us if we would have been harmed, had our parents decided to kill us when we were fetuses or newborns, our answer is ‘no,’” Minerva and Giubilin respond.

“They would have harmed someone who does not exist … And if no one is harmed, then no harm occurred.”

After the article's appearance in the international, peer-reviewed Journal of Medical Ethics, various Catholic pro-life advocates pointed to the continuity between its arguments and those advanced by mainstream abortion supporters.

Princeton Professor Robert George is a colleague of the ethicist Peter Singer, who has made headlines for defending infanticide as morally acceptable and equivalent to abortion. In a Feb. 27 online post, George said the Journal of Medical Ethics article showed Singer's position moving to the mainstream.

“Who will raise their voices against this madness?” George asked.

“Plenty of conservatives will, of course,” he predicted. “Will liberal voices be raised?

I hope so. Surely if respected philosophers were arguing for a right to kill members of a racial or ethnic minority group, as opposed to infant children, there would be denunciations from left and right alike.”

But George foresaw a dilemma for supporters of a “right” to abortion.

Giubilini and Minerva, like Singer and some other infanticide advocates, are “simply following out the logic of their commitment to ‘abortion rights.’ Or so it seems to them, and to me.”

Oklahoma University Law Professor Michael Scaperlanda concurred with Professor George and Dr. Bellieni. He told CNA on Feb. 29 that abortion supporters lacked any persuasive, well-grounded reason for rejecting infanticide.

He agreed that Minerva and Giubilini “are following the 'pro-choice' logic in extending this to infanticide. It turns out that, post-conception, there really is no logical line when somebody is 'a person' or 'not a person.'”

Scaperlanda noted that the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Harry Blackmun, who established the court's fetal “viability” criterion in the Roe v. Wade decision and defended it as a “logical and biological” demarcation, actually saw the distinction as arbitrary according to internal court documents.

Pro-life advocates, he said, should press abortion supporters on whether they are willing to accept the logical implications of their position, drawn out by Giubilini and Minerva.

“The logic of the argument's not going to necessarily win the people who don't want to see it,” he reflected. “But there are going to be some people in the population who say, 'Oh, wait – I don't want to support infanticide …

This is causing my conscience to be pricked.'”

“What I would say to that person is: Think about it. You don't have to make a decision today, but where would you draw the line and why? Why do you draw it five minutes after birth, or one minute after birth – or at birth?”

REGIONAL

SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 2012 PHILIPPINES

Bishops Invite Aquino to Rome President unlikely to go as his trips for the year 'are already planned' (UCA News) The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) today formally invited President Benigno Aquino to join the official delegation to Rome for the canonization of Blessed Pedro Calungsod in October.

CBCP President Archbishop Jose Palma and retired Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal extended the invitation to Aquino during a luncheon meeting at Casa Roces restaurant in the Malacanang complex.

He said that they also invited Aquino to a national thanksgiving Mass in Cebu in November, also in honor of the second Filipino saint.

“We were saying the new saint, San Pedro Calungsod, is a Filipino and he would be the second Filipino saint and to us of course, being the president, it would be the joy of the whole nation if he could

Aquino greets Cardinal Vidal (center) and Archbishop Palma (right) at the presidential palace Photo

by Malacanang Photo Bureau

be present in Rome and also for the national thanksgiving in Cebu,” Palma said.

Vidal said the president informed them that it would be very difficult for him to go to Rome because of his pre-scheduled events around the time and would try his best to do so, but would definitely attend the Cebu event.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda, who was at the meeting,

said Aquino will attend the national thanksgiving Mass in Cebu but is not yet certain about the Rome trip.

Lacierda explained that the president has already finalized his trips abroad for 2012.

If the president cannot attend the ceremony, Vidal said he can send a representative, as in the case of then president Joseph Estrada who sent First Lady Loi Ejercito to Calungsod’s beatification in 2000.

THAIL AND

Lent, Time of Conversion, Prayer and Solidarity Thai Bishops share Lenten message to the faithful of Ubon Ratchathani BANGKOK (AsiaNews) — Msgr.

Philip Banchong Chaiyara's Lenten message to the faithful of Ubon Ratchathani (in the north-east of Thailand) focuses on the words of Benedict XVI. The prelate emphasizes the pope's invitation to reflect and rekindle "our spirituality" to be able to "bear witness to our faith with strength" in the contemporary world. Within 40 days of penance and prayer, in preparation for Easter resurrection, believers are invited to participate in Mass, re-

ceive communion, prayer, fasting, sacrifice and banish selfishness, by sharing with others.

Msgr.

Banchong Chaiyara, president of the Episcopal Commission for Social Services (ECSW), also illustrated the "meaning of the Epistle to the Hebrews (10:24)," in which the faithful are exhorted to "understand the importance of prayer, mutual support and fasting "inspired by the Gospel and the Sacraments. "Penance - writes the bishop - is a sign of conversion and a return to God and the Church."

During Lent, the bishop emeritus of Udon Thani, Msgr. Geogre Yod Phimphisan recalls the episode of the conversion of St. Paul, that

"invites us to become 'an angel of Jesus Christ' in helping others to be reconciled with God." The prelate said that every Christian is part of the universal Church, and should become a "sower of peace."

All parishes have distributed a summary of the Lenten Message of Benedict XVI, with translations into local dialects. In some churches, during the homily, parish priests have read some of the most significant passages. "The Lenten season is an opportunity for all," says Fr. Peter Prasert Takawej, chaplain of the Catholic Business Executive Group (Cbeg) "to change our hearts, behavior, and help the needy."

NORTH KOREA

Nuclear Decision Offers Hope for Dialogue

Analysts give cautious welcome to agreement between US and North Korea (UCA News) Analysts have offered a cautious welcome to North Korea’s decision to suspend its nuclear activities, but say it is a positive step which could lead to the resumption of six-party talks.

The United States and North Korea announced on Wednesday that Pyongyang had agreed to a moratorium on nuclear testing and uranium enrichment activities and that the US will provide the North with 240,000 tons of food aid.

The announcement follows a third round of bilateral talks between the US and North Korea which took place February 23-24 in Beijing.

The six-party talks involving Japan, China, North and South Korea, Russia and the US, which aim at de-

nuclearizing the Korean Peninsula, have been stalled since 2008.

However, the analysts offered a note of caution, citing North Korea’s record of back-tracking on previous agreements.

“We just have to wait and see if North Korea intends to honor the agreement” because challenges lie ahead in the process of fine-tuning details over its implementation, said Park Jong-chul, director of the Center for Unification Policy Studies.

“However it is a positive sign that dialogue has already started,” he said.

James Byun Jin-heung, from Incheon Catholic University, said that though the agreement is “meaningful,” there is “a practi-

cal limit” as to what the agreement yields and whether it is a significant breakthrough towards North Korea’s actual denuclearization.

Sister Oh Hye-jeong, secretarygeneral of the Korean Bishop’s Committee for the Reconciliation of the Korean People, called on the South Korean government to use this latest development to help repair strained relations between the two neighbors “The South Korean government must make more effort,” especially in facilitating mutual exchanges including humanitarian aid to the North, she said.

“We and the international community should not ask too much of North Korea, but wait and see if its change in attitude is genuine.”

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CHINA

Cardinal Urges Calm Amid Turmoil Calls for 'rational dialogue' as criticism mounts over scandal-plagued election (UCA News) Newly elevated Cardinal John Tong of Hong Kong today urged the need for “rational dialogue” at a time when society has been divided over political controversies and ahead of a planned protest against the political situation tomorrow.

The diocesan leaders will not join the territory-wide protest tomorrow and will not encourage the Catholics to do so, he said during his first press conference after becoming cardinal on February 18.

“I think that Church leaders’ expressing opinions in a moderate way is more valued by others.”

Cardinal Tong said the Catholic diocese has already made its position on the incoming government quite clear, including a proposal for one person-one vote for chief executive and legislative elections in 2017.

He is scheduled to preside over a Mass tomorrow at the same time as a coalition of democracy and Christian groups take to the streets to demand immediate electoral

Mission CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 tians of the Holy Land, the cardinal writes, comes at a time in which "we share the Holy Father's preoccupation "for the people of those countries where hostilities and acts of violence continue, particularly Syria and the Holy Land" (Address to Members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See, January 9, 2012). Soon after, His Holiness again interceded fervently for Syria, renewing "the pressing appeal to put an end to the violence... for the common good of the whole of society and the Region" (Angelus, Sunday, February 12, 2012)" Recalling that the collection takes place traditionally on the Friday before Easter Card. Sandri said that "this year, Good Friday seems more fitting than ever as a sign of the needs of both pastors and faithful, which are bound up with the sufferings of the entire Middle East. For the disciples of Christ, hostility is often the daily bread which nourishes the faith and sometimes makes the echo of martyrdom. Christian emigration is exacerbated by the lack of peace, which tends to impoverish hope, changing it into the fear of facing alone a future that seems to exist only in the abandonment of one's own country."

"Nonetheless, as was the case for the Gospel's grain of wheat (cf.

Jn 12:24), so the trials of Christians in the Holy Land prepare without doubt a brighter tomorrow. The

Cardinal John Tong UCA News Photo

changes.

Anger has grown among protesters over a series of alleged scandals involving candidates for chief executive as well as incumbent Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, who could face an investigation by the anti-graft department for alleged illegal business practices.

Cardinal Tong defended Tsang, a Catholic, calling him a “sincere person,” adding that the allegations of wrongdoing should not “overshadow his merits in his long service in the government.”

He further advised that society should “not overreact” but let authorities conduct their investigations because one of the values of Hong Kong is that “we have a sound legal system.” dawning of this new day, however, requires support now for schools, medical assistance, critical housing, meeting places, and everything else that the generosity of the Church has devised. What great faith we discover in young people, who, in witness to the Beatitudes and their love of country, have committed themselves to work for justice and peace through non-violent, evangelical means.

What a justly proud and firm faith is communicated by those who offer words of reconciliation and forgiveness, knowing that this is the only true response to violence and even to the abuse of power. We have the duty to restore the spiritual patrimony which we have received from these Christians' two millennia of fidelity to the truth of the faith. We can and must do this by our prayer, by concrete assistance, and by pilgrimages. The Year of Faith, which marks the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, will provide particular motivation for us to direct our steps towards that Land, journeying first in our hearts through the mysteries of the life of Christ in company with the Holy Mother of the Lord. ".

The cardinal's letter is attached to a report of the Custody of the Holy Land which "continues incessantly its centuries old path, of conservation and protection of Holy Sites in the Land of Jesus, to keep the liturgy in churches alive, to assist the pilgrims, intensifying apostolic works to support the communities of Christians. " The document contains a list of projects and works programmed and executed in the years 2010/2011.

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INTERNATIONAL

www.umatuna.org

SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 2012

LEBANON

Arab Spring is Turning Into Violent Winter, Says Patriarch (CNA) Violence and bloodshed is turning the “Arab Spring” into winter, the head of Lebanon’s Maronite Church said, threatening Christians and Muslims alike across the Middle East.

Patriarch Beshara al-Rai, whose Maronite Church also has a strong presence in Syria, said change could not be brought to the Arab world by force and that Christians feared the turmoil was helping extremist Muslim groups.

Lebanon’s Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai CNS Photo

“We are with the Arab Spring but we are not with this spring of

violence, war, destruction and killing. This is turning to winter,” Rai told Reuters in Bkirki, seat of the Maronite church in hills overlooking the Mediterranean Sea north of Beirut.

The upheaval sweeping through the Arab world, toppling four veteran leaders, gave voice to millions of people who suffered decades of repression. But it also brought conflict in Libya and has tipped Syria toward civil war.

Pakistani Christians Appeal to Pope to Make "Shahbaz Bhatti, a Martyr of the Church"

“We say that we cannot implement reforms by force and arms. No one can guess the scale of the great losses and damage which could result,” said Rai, speaking this week in an ornately decorated reception room in the patriarchate in Bkirki.

Unlike the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 which overthrew Saddam Hussein, the Arab uprisings started as largely grassroot protests against entrenched leaderships.

But Rai, who attended a me-

morial service in Iraq last year for Christians killed in an attack on a Baghdad church, drew a parallel between Iraq and the rest of the Arab world, saying Christians could bear a disproportionate share of the suffering.

“How can it be an Arab Spring when people are being killed every day?” he said. “They speak of Iraq and democracy, and one million Christians out of an original 1.5 million have fled Iraq.”

Slum Kids ‘Are at Greatest Risk’

Urban slum kids are most vulnerable, says UNICEF

UNICEF, Giacomo Pirozzi Photo

Infrastructure not keeping up with rising urban populations Christians protest the killing of Pakistani minister Shahbaz Bhatti during a demonstration in Lahore, Pakistan, March 2.

Bhatti, a Catholic and the country's only Christian government minister, was shot and killed when gunmen opened fire on his car Marc h 2 in Islamabad. He is the second senior official to be killed this year after challenging a blasphemy law that mandates the death penalty for insulting Islam. CNS photo/Reuters Islamabad (AsiaNews) - Pakistani Christians, but also Muslims, Hindus and other minorities are appealing to Pope Benedict XVI to make "Shahbaz Bhatti, a martyr of the Church". They did so at ceremonies marking the first anniversary of the Catholic minister assassinated on 2 March 2011. Masses and prayer vigils were held in Faisalabad, his birthplace of Khushpur (Punjab), Lahore, Multan, Karachi and other locations.

In the capital, Islamabad, where Bhatti was killed by extremists, a final ceremony was held with a torchlight procession (pictured) passing by his home, scene of the deadly ambush.

During the ceremony, a group of activists handed Paul Bhatti, Shahbaz's brother and national harmony adviser to Prime Minister Gilani, a flag of the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA), an organisation founded by the slain minister, to encourage him to continue the fight for equality of rights for all citizens.

Shahbaz Bhatti was killed in the morning of 2 March 2011 on his

way to work, his body riddled with some 30 bullets.

For months, the authorities tried to cover up the affair, blaming the murder on a family dispute and later, on financial matters.

So far, it is unclear who carried out the attacks, but the murder was immediately claimed by an extremist Pakistani faction. Police acknowledge that they are still in the dark.

Still, many in Pakistan want to keep Shahbaz Bhatti's memory alive, by promoting his politicalcultural testament in favour of a secular and multicultural Pakistan as the Father of the Nation, Ali Jinnah, had envisaged it.

Mons. Joseph Coutts, archbishop of Karachi and a personal friend of Shahbaz Bhatti, celebrated the memorial Mass. In his homily, the prelate said, "Shahbaz Bhatti is alive in our memories for his mission and sacrifice in the name of Christianity. He was the ambassador of peace, love, and quality and brotherhood, and we will continue our struggle in his footsteps."

Fr. Anjum Nazir praised Shah-

baz's unwavering faith. Indeed, "He always had a Rosary with him that showed his bonding with the faith."

Interpreting the wishes of Pakistan's Christian community, Fr Pervez Emmanuel appealed "to the pope to declare Shahbaz Bhatti a Martyr of the Church".

The Minority Affairs minister was killed for his fight against the country's blasphemy legislation and for defending Asia Bibi, the 45-year-old mother of five sentenced to death on charges stemming from the 'black law'.

Fr. Pervaiz, parish priest in predominantly Catholic Khushpur, spoke about the upcoming Senate elections, where for the first time and thanks to the late minister's efforts, four seats will be assigned to minority representatives. "This is the result of Shahbaz's work," he said.

"Shahbaz Bhatti lived his life as a true follower of Jesus Christ," said P. Anwar Patras. "He knew he would be assassinated but stood firm for the voiceless and the marginalised communities."

(UCA News) Hundreds of millions of urban children remain excluded from access to vital services such as healthcare and education, said the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in a report launched today.

Titled “The State of the World’s Children 2012: Children in an Urban World,” the UNICEF report said that children living in the urban slums are the most disadvantaged groups in the world.

“When we think of poverty, the image that traditionally comes to mind is that of a child in a rural village,” said UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake in a press statement.

“But today, an increasing number of children living in slums and shantytowns are among the most disadvantaged and vulnerable in the world, deprived of the most basic services and denied the right to thrive.”

The report further states that a majority of children will be raised in urban areas in the future and that children born in cities already account for 60 percent of the increase in urban populations, according to a UNICEF press statement.

“The report finds that 28 percent of the total population (41.7

million people) in Bangladesh is living in urban areas. Among the top 21 mega cities, Dhaka is placed in 9th position with 14.3 million people, while Tokyo (36.5 million), Delhi (21.7 million), and Sao Paolo (20 million) are in top three positions,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, services and infrastructure are not keeping pace with population growth, according to UNICEF. “Children in slums and deprived neighborhoods are often invisible to decision makers and lost in a hazy world of statistical averages that conceal grave inequalities”, said UNICEF Bangladesh representative Pascal Villeneuve.

While parents in Dhaka, Bangladesh, spend an average 10 percent of household income per child on schooling costs, this rises to 20 percent in the poorest families, according to UNICEF. Again, in Bangladesh 18 percent of children in slums attended secondary school, compared with 53 percent in urban areas as a whole and 48 percent in rural areas.

In Bangladesh, a 2009 survey indicates that the under-five mortality rate in slums is 79 percent higher than the overall urban rate and 44 percent higher than the rural rate.

Amid such a scenario, UNICEF has urged governments to put children at the heart of urban planning and to extend and improve services for all.

SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 2012

FEATURE

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11

Redemptoris Mater Seminary Celebrates St. Patrick’s Day

By Fr. Julio César Sánchez Malagón, ViceRector of the Redemptoris Mater Seminary For the U Matuna Si Yu’os

S

eptember 1999 was the moment God planned, from time immemorial, to create a major seminary to form men for the Sacred Priesthood here on our island of Guam. After more than 400 years since the first missionaries arrived on our island, bringing the Good News of Jesus, a major seminary had not been founded yet.

During the summer of 1999, a great number of young men coming from all over the world, gathered at Porto San Giorgio, Italy to live a vocational retreat which would change their lives forever. These young men were willing and available to go and be formed for the Sacred Priesthood wherever the Lord wanted to send them.

Amidst great joy, God allowed a seminary to be born for Guam. Twelve men were sent as pioneers. However, since the mission of this newly established seminary was not going to be easy, a heavenly intercessor was needed to protect it. But, how could we choose a Patron Saint for our seminary? Who would it be among so many saintly men and women? We had to let God decide.

“At the final Mass of the vocational retreat, SAVE TH E DATE Kiko Argüello, the co-initiator of NOVENA the NeocatechuBegins Friday, March menal Way, laid 9 at 6:00pm folnumerous relics lowed by Mass at the of different saints ­Seminary’s Chapel given from the Vatican on the al9TH AND FINAL DAY tar. Argüello then Novena at 10:30am covered the relics followed by a Solemn with a cloth and Mass in the Seminary Fr. Pius Sammut, Atrium the Catechist for Oceania inserted Festivities will his hand under the conclude with a short cloth and choose a procession, veneration relic,” said Fr. Jaof the saint’s relic and son Granado, pasa traditional na’ taotao tor of Our Lady of tumano (buffet lunch) Mt. Carmel Church in Agat, and who is among the ten ordained priests from the Seminary in Yona and was present at the Mass. The Seminary left it up to the Lord to choose which patron saint the Seminary would honor. The relic which Fr. Pius picked up was that of St. Patrick.

Every March, the Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Yona celebrates its annual feast in honor of St. Patrick, who was born in what is now Great Britain, and is known to have converted the entire country of Ireland to Christianity. He was once captured and enslaved by marauders from Ireland then later escaped and voluntarily returned, which led to the change of Great Britain’s history about 1,500 years ago. As their patron saint, the seminarians of the Redemptoris Mater Seminary of Guam are able to look to St. Patrick and imbue themselves with his missionary spirit of spreading Christianity. The general public is invited to come and join the

‘This celebration is an opportunity for the Seminary to praise Almighty God for the generous ­support and generosity of our local people.’

Fr. Pablo Ponce

Rector of the Seminary

seminary community for the nightly novenas beginning on Friday, March 9th at 6pm, followed by Mass at the Seminary’s Chapel.

On Saturday, March 17th, the ninth and final day, the Feast Day itself will be joyfully celebrated with a Novena at 10:30 a.m., followed by a Solemn Mass in the Seminary Atrium.

On that day the festivities will conclude with a short procession, veneration of the saint’s relic and a traditional na' taotao tumano (buffet lunch).

Fr. Pablo Ponce, the rector of the Seminary, cordially invites all the people of Guam to come celebrate this special Feast Day of St. Patrick. “This celebration is an opportunity for the Seminary to praise Almighty God for the generous support and generosity of our local people,” said Fr. Pablo.

The Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Yona currently houses and forms 32 young men from all over the world pursuing this call to the priesthood. Eight more seminarians are off island doing missionary work as part of their training. God has blessed the Archdiocese of Agana with ten priests who have completed their formation right here in this Seminary. Seven of these priests are currently serving here in Guam, one in Saipan, and two are pursuing further studies in Rome. God willing, one more seminarian will be ordained to the Sacred Priesthood by the end of this year.

FAMAGU’ON Yan MANHOBEN

www.umatuna.org

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Puzzles & Games WORD SEARCH THEME St. Patrick’s Day

P O H S I B U J V Y B N T A L

IRISH BISHOP PADRAIGH SNAKES SHAMROCK BLARNEY GREEN BREASTPLATE ULSTER LEINSTER MUNSTER CONNACHT

SUDOKU

B B Q Q U D O C U R I H M C X

B O Q P E Y S T E P C R B K G

MOVIE REVIEW

Find all the words hiding within the puzzle. Words are placed diagonal, forward, backward, up and down.

S M U V O W S A B A Z V I S B

W N X U T U S F N D N Y N S M

K G Z Z J T M N H R U E O C H

C B X L P T O W F A L N L E A

T C E L S C R M I I S R J S P

S K A T I H J E I G T A J N S

J T C V W V A W T H E L W N A

E O K Q Y H P M V S R B A T Q

L E I N S T E R R B N K F H N

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No region can contain any duplicate digits.

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There is only one solution to a Sudoku puzzle.

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B K C G P R A M Y S C E M F H

I U F O Y G R E E N A K V K Z

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Last Week’s Solution 4 5

7 8

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Silent House Catholic News Service

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1

Elizabeth Olsen stars in a scene from the movie "Silent House." The Catholic News Service classification is A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R -- restricted.

Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian. CN S/Open Road Films

By Kurt Jensen

8 2

6

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4

Use a pencil.

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E K Q P T O D D R O E U E I K

Fill the empty cells so that each column, each row, and each of the 3x3 regions contains all of the digits from 1 to 9.

TIPS

SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 2012

3

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SCRIPTURAL CRYPTOGRAM

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NEW YORK (CNS) — Part horror flick, part psychodrama, "Silent House" (Open Road) -- a low-budget remake of a similarly down-market Uruguayan film called "La Casa Muda" -- ends up being an unsatisfying representative of both genres.

There's more style than substance here, and astute viewers are going to figure it all out at least 30 minutes before the ending.

Considering that the film's conceit is that it appears to be shot in a single 88-minute take, what we're left with is less than an hour's worth of modest thrills. They come, predominantly, from the pleasingly claustrophobic effect of a handheld camera prowling around a conveniently dark and boarded-up lake house.

The script by Laura Lau, who also shares directing credit with Christopher Kentis, adds a gritty subtext to the proceedings.

While not dealt with explicitly, this element nonetheless renders the picture appropriate fare only for mature adults.

Elizabeth Olsen plays young Sarah, who is helping her father John (Adam Trese) and creepy Uncle Peter (Eric Sheffer Stevens) clean out and pack up their family's summer place in preparation for selling it.

As with all haunted houses, this one holds memories. But the question is -whose?

Uncle Peter's early leer at Sarah is the first clue, one that's about as subtle as the sledgehammer that later comes into play.

And then there are the old Polaroid photos that keep being found.

Every door in the place creaks, and there's a mysterious visit from Sophia (Julia Taylor Ross), who claims to be Sarah's old childhood pal. Figure out who Sophia really is, of course, and you'll be holding the key to this cinematic fixer-upper.

The film contains references to incestuous sexual abuse, some mildly gory images, implied physical violence and fleeting rough and profane language. The Catholic News Service classification is A-III -- adults.

The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R -- restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

Jensen is a guest reviewer for Catholic News Service.

BALTIMORE CATECHISM

The sentence below is encrypted using a secret code. Your job is to break the code by substituting the correct letter for the ones given. Each letter given in the code always represents the same letter throughout the puzzle.

HINTS: U = a J = t

For decades, the Baltimore Catechism was the primary tool used by CCD teachers throughout the US to help teach young people the basics of the Faith. Presented in a simple, question-and-answer format, the Catechism also gives a citation from Scripture that help us to understand that the Catholic faith is indeed “Bible-based.”

The U Matuna Si Yu’os is please to be able to offer this weekly series as both an instruction for youth as well as a refresher for adults.

D R

J

P H

C X R

Q C

C X R

U L K

Last Week’s Solution

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L R W J

P W

C U M B K M

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G X S

“For I am well aware of my offences, my sin is constantly in mind.“ (Psalm 51:3)

78. Who is the Saviour of all men?

The Saviour of all men is Jesus Christ.

W U C

For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, himself man, Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all, bearing witness in his own time. (I Timothy 2:5-6)

79. What is the chief teaching of the Catholic Church about Jesus Christ?

The chief teaching of the Catholic Church about Jesus Christ is that He is God made man.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1)

SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 2012

FAMAGU’ON Yan MANHOBEN

www.umatuna.org

How Safe is Safe Sex? An Analysis of the Negative Health and Societal Effects of the Pill and Condom

By Jessica Rohr For the U Matuna Si Yu’os

Few man-made products can be said to be 100% effective, and the Pill and the condom, two of the most popular artificial contraceptive methods in the world, are not exceptions. The consumer base for contraceptives is ever-growing, yet few seem to have taken the potentially dangerous long- and short-term impacts into consideration.

The negative impacts can be caused both by the express Jessica Rohr purposes and side effects or misuse of the Pill or condom.

This article (and the ones to follow) is intended as a discerning tool for sexually active people who rely or intend to rely on artificial contraception, or even those who have not had intimate relations yet, for the sake of educating them on the impact their individual choices to use the Pill or the condom could have on them and society. In my series of articles, I will address the following questions: 1. How might the history of the Pill affect how society views it?

2. How might the history of the condom affect how society views it?

3. How can the Pill negatively affect one’s health?

4. How can the condom negatively affect one’s health?

5. How can the Pill and the condom negatively affect society?

Given that consumers of the condom and the birth control Pill use these popular forms of contraception to prevent pregnancy and/or the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases, consumers should also take into account the potential negative health and societal effects of such product distribution and use, which, along with the accompanying backgrounds of the Pill and the condom, might change how they view contraception utilization.

How might the history of the Pill ­affect how society views it?

According to Jason Evert, B.A. (2008), a well-known counselor and author, oral contraception has been in use for centuries: “Some ancient civilizations created drinkable potions of plant and tree bark... extract from the silphium plant was so effective in preventing pregnancy that the plant was used to extinction over fifteen hundred years ago!” (p. 154-5). This puts aside the notion that oral contraception made its big break in the 1960s when the Pill was first approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood who advocated and funded the initial development of the birth control Pill, believed that, “The most merciful thing

that a large family does to one of its infant members is to kill it” (as cited in Tatalovich, 1997, p. 124) As a eugenics idealist of the early 20th century, Sanger hoped to purge the American streets of Blacks, immigrants, and indigenous peoples by means of contraception, saying that they were “spawning...human beings who never should have been born” (as cited in Lawrence, 2010, p. 275). By promoting contraception, she would help “to create a race of thoroughbreds” (as cited in Endres et al, 1996, pp. 32-33). Another of Sanger’s objectives was to prevent illegal abortions, which she believed were often the result of “a perverted sex relationship under the stress of economic necessity, and their greatest frequency is among married women” (as cited in Jensen, 2000, p. 74).

While this may have been the case, Sanger also believed the marriage vow to be inconsequential (having had at least one affair herself) and that it should not stand in the way of a woman’s sexual satisfaction (as cited in Katz, 2003, p. 62), thus making contraceptive use essential to a woman’s lifestyle and abortion the ultimate fallback plan. Indeed, Planned Parenthood (which Sanger had first co-founded under the name American Birth Control League in 1921), is the largest abortion provider in the United States, and “more than 1 out of 3 women in the U.S. have an abortion by the time they are 45 years old” (PlannedParenthood.org, n.d).

Gregory Pincus, an American biologist, was tasked by Planned Parenthood to create an “ideal” and “harmless” form of birth control.

Within a few short years [following Pincus’ experimentation on animals], social workers in Puerto Rico were handing out oral tablets to women throughout the barrio...What these women did not know was that they were being used as test subjects...three women died of complications...the researchers changed the dosage and continued testing. (Evert, 2008, p. 156) Eventually, in 1960 “the FDA approved the birth control pill for contraceptive use” (p. 155). The Pill approved at the time contained “five times as much estrogen as some of today’s birth control pills.... Estrogen enhances clotting of the blood...[which] led to many injuries related to blood clots, such as strokes and heart attacks...[the] FDA told doctors in 1970 to prescribe the lowest possible dose of estrogen available at the time” (p. 156).

These high-dosage pills went down in sales, so they were subsequently distributed in developing countries for population control projects, “despite the safety concerns” (p. 156).

This condensed history of the Pill is unattractive, to say the least. The Pill has been consistently used to undermine any woman who was poor and not White, starting out as a eugenics tool, not as the element of liberation it is depicted as today. The Pill may have had its better-intended uses, such as how it may have been intended to lower abortion rates. However, abortion has only increased since the introduction of the Pill, and was legalized in the U.S. not long after the Pill was.

Abortion was legalized when Roe V. Wade was passed in 1973, according to Hansen in his 1980 article titled “The Supreme Court, the States, and Social Change: The Case of Abortion” (p. 20).

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DEVOTION & SPIRITUALITY

SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 2012

The Church Must Combat Lies and Deceit, in Herself and in The World VATICAN CITY (VIS) — This year's meditations during the Lenten spiritual retreat of the Holy Father and the Roman Curia are being guided by Cardinal Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya, archbishop of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, who is focusing on the theme of "the communion of Christians with God". Beginning with the sign of the cross, the cardinal has been reflecting upon God as light, truth, mercy and loving guide, before turning to consider love of the world, lack of faith in Christ and the sin of priests.

The sign of the cross is much more than a habit, it is an "act whereby we add the splendour of knowledge and the dynamism of freedom to our every action". It is a sign which means "sacrifice for love. It is death for resurrection".

Therefore, it implies the rejection of vanity, prestige, possession and domination, and the consecration of our activity to Christ.

In the context of his meditations upon God as the way, truth and life, Cardinal Monsengwo Pasinya made reference to some of the most dramatic events of our times, such as war, genocide, political violence, abortion and all forms of manipulation of human beings.

He also invited his listeners not to

remain indifferent "to repression and man's exploitation of man", and not to lower their guard, "even if the mystery of sin is beyond us".

"We must walk in the light", the cardinal said. "In other words, we must choose to abandon sin" and let the Truth transform our lives via a journey of conversion. Under-

‘... we must choose to abandon sin’ and let the Truth ­transform our lives via a journey of conversion.

Cardinal Monsengwo standing God as truth is particularly important for people "who have no awareness of their own sins, for people who have lost the sense of sin because they no longer pose themselves the problem of God", and for people who do no longer possess moral criteria and confuse good and evil. This tendency is related to "religious indifference which affirms that all religious are alike but which, in reality, is seeking a lax morality".

The cardinal warned that priests are not free from these er-

rors, "in the measure to which spiritual barrenness leads them into the same defects", he said.

"Priestly ministry thus becomes mere functionality and has no true sense of God". The archbishop of Kinshasa also used the example of the Apostles Peter and Judas. The former "was betrayed by his generosity, his attachment to Christ; nonetheless, he fell because he was reckless and exposed himself to danger, although he immediately abandoned the place of his fall and bitterly bewailed his sin". This is a lesson for all priests. "Our generosity does not protect us from sin. We must be prudent, and not recklessly expose ourselves to the possibility of falling. In all situations, whatever happens, the Lord is always at our side. The biggest affront we can show Him is to doubt in His mercy, as Judas did".

"To live in truth", the cardinal said, "is is to live according to the Beatitudes. It means repudiating the lies of our words and actions.

It means rejecting the hypocrisy which impels us to appear other than as we are". The Church too must combat lies and deceit, both within herself and in the world, and struggle "so that the truth of Christ's Gospel may be known and lived".

EUROPE MARIAN PILGRIMAGE

Rome, Assisi, Pisa, Monaco, Nice, Lourdes, Loyola, Burgos, Fatima, Avila, Toledo, Madrid With PILGRIMAGE CHAPLAIN April 01 - 16, 2012

EUROPE HIGHLIGHTS TOUR

France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Austria & Italy June 13 - 29, 2012

BRITISH ISLES TOUR England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland July 11 - 25, 2012

St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City, Rome

SOUTHEAST ASIA TOUR

The Colosseum, Italy

Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and Cambodia Departure date: July 10, 2012 All the above tours include roundtrip airfare from Manila-Europe/Asia-Manila, all hotel accommodations including one night stay in Manila, breakfast and dinners throughout, all sightseeing tours and guides and all transfers

FOR MORE Mario Celis Jr., INFO CALL: Guam Travelplan

Tel: 646-7476 Cell: 788-1628

Email: travelplan@guam.net Website: guamtravelplan.com

DID YOU KNOW? U Matuna Si Yu’os is committed to bringing news to Catholics on Guam, but without taking funds from the Archdiocese or its parishes. Please support our ­advertisers who help make our weekly editions possible.

THE LIFE OF FAITH

SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 2012

www.umatuna.org

15

Tears, Fears, Cheers

O

ALL FISH SKINLESS FISH SAUSAGE

GERMAN SAUSAGE AND EGGS

ITALIAN SAUSAGE AND EGGS

Skinless Fish Sausage served with Eggs and Rice with diced tomatoes and green onions on the side.

German Fish Sausage served with Eggs and Rice with diced tomatoes and green onions on the side.

Italian Fish Sausage with Eggs served with Rice with diced tomatoes and green onions on the side.

COMBINATION SAUSAGE

BANGUS LEMON BUTTER

SMOKED BANGUS

Combination of Italian, German and Skinless Fish Sausages served with Eggs and Rice with diced tomatoes and green onions on the side.

Bangus (Milkfish, boneless) in Lemon Butter served with Egg, Rice and Veggie.

Bangus (Milkfish, boneless) served with Rice and Veggie. (Be careful of bones)

PARROT FISH

LOCATIONS

Fresh catch Parrot Fish deep fried, served with Rice and Veggie.

(Be careful of bones)

(Be careful of bones)

Harmon, Compadre’s Mall Tel: 637-5464 / 637-1700 Tamuning, GPO Tel: 647-5464 / 646-5930 For all above orders (Garlic), Fried Rice or Brown Rice additional, $1.10.

ur mind is clogged with many thoughts which include recollections, memories, and experiences of what transpired yesterday or in time long gone. There are people who can’t let go but keep on digging on destructive and tragic past which hinder them from moving on with life and in some cases result lead depression or severe anxiety.

A couple who keep on bickering each other on personal issues, faulting each other for their life’s pain and poverty not only make themselves suffer but the whole family as well. Separation is Fr. Joel De Los Reyes Divine Mercy Moments sometimes caused by unresolved personal conflicts and un-forgiveness. Sometimes too, breakup happens when one loves too much and the other loves too many. Putting negative sense on thoughts like, “ I could have” or “ had it not been”, etc. will never heal emotional and personal wounds but will make matters worse. Never think hard about the past, it only brings “TEARS”. They say that yesterday is a cashed cheque and cannot be used again.

In contrast, there are people who fix their minds on the future, anxious of what tomorrow will bring or what will be their fate in the coming year. They put more trust in fortune tellers and psychic experts than on God’s divine providence. There are even doomsday forecasters about the end of the world as if they hold the key to the future. Sometimes our imagination creates scenario that sows scare to no one else but our own selves thus freezing our creativity and potential to grow and advance. Remember that tomorrow is only a dream and unreal and let it deal with its own problems and concerns. Don’t waste too much time thinking of what may happen later or what will be your fate. As they say, save your expectation whether you can cross the river or not till you get to the bridge. Tomorrow is like a promissory note that cannot be utilized today. Rule of thumb is not to think too much of the future, it brings “ FEARS”.

Let’s live one day at a time and enjoy each day as we let tomorrow find its way.

Appreciate each day even if it is not perfect for contentment is not the fulfillment of what you wished for, but an appreciation of what you have now. Remember that not everyone is given the chance to grow old and therefore be grateful to God for every single day in your life. Every morning that comes is a divine gift from the Lord after a night of restful sleep. Today is a new chance to do better than before. Each day is like cash in your hand, spend it wisely and rightfully. Be generous now for generosity begets abundant blessings, for whatever you give now comes back to you in multiple ways.

Give love and you have 86,400.00 seconds a day! Invest them well. The happiest people in the world are those who see each day as a blessing and they have life’s simple pleasures. They do not envy, they are contented. They do not ask, they give. Money is not their everything, its family, friends and God. Let’s bear in mind that everything in life has a purpose so enjoy it to the fullest and live this moment with a smile, it brings CHEERS. Amen on that folks!!

In her Diary entry no. 385, St. Faustina wrote;” He who knows how to forgive prepare for himself many graces from God. As often as I look upon the cross, so often will forgive with all my heart”.Tune in to KOLG for the Divine Mercy prayer at 3 p.m. daily.

Recite the Chaplet of Mercy for peace in the world and conversion of sinners.

Thanks to the Divine Mercy prayer team for your faithfulness in our Sunday afternoon Divine Mercy home apostolate. May the good Lord continue to bless and reward you with abundance of His grace and mercy.

To arrange for Divine Mercy home presentation, prayer andveneration of the sacred relics of St. Faustina and Blessed John Paul 11, please contact Amy Borja at 4727778. Thank you.

Guam Divine Mercy Pilgrimage Join me in pilgrimage to the Holy Land, Lourdes, visit the Shrine of the Miraculous Medal in Paris, see the incorrupt body of St. Bernadette in Nevers, visit the shrine of St.Therese of Lisieux, visit the Shrine of the Divine Mercy, Black Madonna, House of Blessed John Paul 11 in Poland. Enjoy the charming city of Vienna.

For more information, please contact Lou Salas at 477-8079, Ann Marie at Pactours at 649-3221, or Fr. Joel at 483-9464.

Thank you.

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Hey, Is This What You Old-Timers Used to Call…a Book?

By Jeffrey L. Fitzgerald Anyone who has known me for at least ten minutes knows that more than anything else, I am a bookworm.

Being a fanatical devotee of the “Greak Books” philosophy of the classical/liberal arts education, I was blessed to discover a world otherwise unknown to the vast majority of modern men and women, be they young or old, and it breaks my heart that it’s regarded as a terrible secret—kind of like an STD, or maybe having a second family somewhere in Nevada.

It’s actually a tragedy, to my way of thinking, since millions upon millions of people have no idea how much they have been denied—how they have been denied what genuinely is their birthright as partakers of civilization. Since well-meaning school systems meant to help make us simply productive citizens and nothing more, genuine education in its truest sense seems as rare as a carrot tree.

There really is something to be said, for example, to reading the plays by the ancient Greek playwright Aeschylus. The Agammemnon, Seven Against Thebes, and Prometheus Bound are as breathtaking in their beauty as they are sublime in their lessons for us.

Sure, the same goes for Plato and Aristotle, but we’ve at least heard of them. These days, none but the most literate have ever even heard of Rabalais, much less read him. The same goes for the essays of Montaigne or Pascal’s Pensees.

Something tells me it’s because books, and the printed page in general, are deader than fried chicken, and that’s all there is to it.

I’d gripe about this, but the fact remains that most modern people actually would partake of the joys of these works if only there were movie versions. Or at last a Disney Channel adaptation. Think about it. What once was Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew became “10 Things I Hate About You.” Sure, 10 Things is enjoyable for larger audiences, but it’s just not the same thing.

Purists like me simply can’t abide it, but

Youth of Guam, Come To AWYD 2012!

The youth of Our Lady of Peace & Safe Journey would like to invite the youth of our island to Guam Archdiocesan World Youth Day 2012 (AWYD). AWYD 2012 will take place on Palm Sunday, April 1, 2012 at the Father Duenas Phoenix Center & Chalan Pago Catholic Church. To learn more about the events of the day, and for online registration we encourage you to visit our website: ­guam2012awyd.tk.

Who is this event for? AWYD 2012 is for youth age 14+, primarily for high school students and those starting college; the ‘young

occasionally—just every now and then—I think that maybe I’m dead wrong. Perhaps we should just go along with the demands of pop culture to adapt everything to modern sensibilities. In other words, maybe we hyperliterate folks should just get over our bad selves.

Now I’m not backing down from my demand for academic excellence, mind you.

It’s just that maybe so-called “intellectual snobs” like me might find a way to spread our ideas if we sort of go with the flow.

And for the record, I’m not an intellectual snob. I’ve been called that more than once in my life. Deep down, though, if someone really thinks I’m a snob, it’s probably because they have an inferiority complex. It’s not my fault I was reading Dante when they were reading Maxim or watching the Spike Channel. Instead of hatin,’ as they say, why not cut off the TV and pick up a book?

I’m just saying.

Anyway, getting the masterpieces through to the young requires something new, and the solution is tricky. Professor Allan Bloom (R.I.P.) of the University of Chicago once remarked that young people today are incapable of understanding classical music.

His justification for this loss of hope? The Rolling Stones.

Mick Jagger did more in the late 60s and early 70s to both minimize serious music and promote wanton sexuality (while at the same time winking at his accountant) than anyone else in rock history. The end result is that kids after a while couldn’t understand serious music (i.e. classical) at all. All they could say after a while is, “It’s got a good beat, and you can dance to it.”

Even my generation that came of age in the early 80s needed some help learning classical pieces, but we had the “benefit” of the Bugs Bunny-Road Runner Hour every Saturday morning. Whenever you get a chance to watch those old Loony Tunes from the 40s and early 50s, you’ll notice that the background scores are pieces by Rossini, Mozart, Wagner, and others.

That was the only way we could hear it.

Even so, it stuck. All we needed after that

at heart’ are also welcome. AWYD 2012 is an event for catholic youth, though interested youth from outside of the Church can participate.

Why AWYD 2012?

World Youth Days both international and diocesan – grew out of the pastoral care of youth which Bld. Pope John Paul II had for the young people of the world.

Pope Benedict XVI continued to celebrate World Youth Days and has reemphasized the importance of reorienting the lives

was a push to learn that it was the overture to Rossini’s “Barber of Seville” or a compilation from Wagner’s “Der Ring des Nibelungen.”

Today’s kids have the same problem as we had, but it’s not so much with music as it is with anything classical at all: art, poetry, literature, even manners. These older notions are so alien as to be unintelligible to so many young people.

For me, the great shining illustration regards books. Kids don’t read books. Actually, most can’t read books. I mean, they CAN read. But they can’t read a book—as in one with chapters and without pictures—unless it really grabs them. Even then, it’s just a story, and not soul-forming.

Aeschylus and Rabalais, Jane Austin and Hemingway, all the greats would connect with young people, but they can’t seem to find their way to them.

I’ve lamented this for years. Then lo and behold! God said, “Let there be Kindle,” and there was Kindle, and it was good.

In all fairness, the same goes for iPad. It’s just that I can’t afford an iPad. If you’d like to buy me one, by all means: send me a check, and I’ll get right on it.

Anyway, for those of you who don’t know, Kindle is a little electronic device that allows you to read books digitally. It’s half an inch thick at most, and it can hold somewhere around 3,000 books at once.

It’s ironic that the technology that is killing the printed page is capable of bringing the classics to young people in a way that libraries never could. Kids won’t go to public libraries, but they will go online. They won’t spend $10 on a novel they might like when they can get a digital copy for $0.99 (or even free if the text is in the public domain, as most literary classics are).

I admit my own succumbing to temptation when it comes to electronic books. When I lived in San Antonio, I lost over $10,000 worth of books in a house flood—some of them first editions that were irreplaceable.

These days, I have over 6,000 books on my computer and another 400 or so on my Kindle. I have the Bible in English, Latin, Greek, and Hebrew at my fingertips. The same goes

of young people to the faith because contemporary culture is hostile to Christianity. “…We see a certain “eclipse of God” taking place, a kind of amnesia which, albeit not an outright rejection of Christianity, is nonetheless a denial of the treasure of our faith, a denial that could lead to the loss of our deepest identity.

For this reason, dear friends, I encourage you to strengthen your faith in God, the Father of our Lord Jesus

for everything Aquinas wrote as well as the vast majority of Augustine (in Latin). Thousands upon thousands of academic articles in theology and philosophy, all right there for me to read at my leisure. Even Averroes in Medieval Arabic. It’s almost magical. All I have to do is make sure the Kindle is charged up, and I’m set.

Even in certain places around the world, like rural India, where books are extremely expensive, priests have iPads with the Roman Missal on it. This allows them to easily transport and store what they need to bring the Eucharist (and all the sacraments) to the faithful, regardless of poverty or distances or church bombings. And no, that’s not a joke.

Part of me mourns the death of the printed page, or at least the nearly comatose stage in which it now appears to languish. Gutenberg must be turning over in his grave.

Then again, when he invented the printing press, scroll copiers and the monks in the scriptorium must have felt the same way.

And the world didn’t come to an end for them either.

I guess that in the end, I really am ­optimistic about the literacy of the future.

As long as I continue teaching—and being the theology teacher every student dreads having—I will teach Plato’s Meno and Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, and Dante and Eliot and Wordsworth and Matthias Sheeben. Now that students can get electronic copies for free, they have no excuse to miss out on the suffering -- and by suffering, I mean the glorious edification that is learning the classics.

On second thought, never mind my ­complaining. With a helping hand, I think the classics just might catch their second wind after all.

Just imagine what our young people could do then…

Send your garlands and wreaths in praise of my literary genius to jeff@umatuna.org. Actually, do me a favor and fast one day this week for someone that you really REALLY don’t like.

I’m mean the biggest jerk you know. Then fast and pray for him/her and their salvation and that God will bless them. That’ll show ‘em.

Christ. You are the future of society and of the Church!”

AWYD 2012 is an event that calls young people to faith in Jesus Christ. Palm Sunday begins the journey of Holy Week, a time where we specifically reflect the Paschal Mystery of Our Lord Jesus Christ, his life and preaching, his passion and agony, his brutal death and triumphant resurrection. We invite all young people to consider joining us for AWYD 2012 as we conclude the liturgical season of lent and prepare for Easter.

All interested youth are encouraged to register either online or with their parish or catholic school in advance of AWYD 2012 on April 1. For more information, visit our website cited above, or email us at awyd2012@gmail.com.