Monitor
CBCP
JANUARY 22 - FEBRUARY 4, 2018 VOL. 22 NO. 2
THE CROSS
A SUPPLEMENT PUBLICATION
OF KCFAPI AND THE ORDER OF
THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
Let’s work together, Cardinal
Tagle urges Catholic media
Hundreds of seminary formators and bishops throughout the country gathered at the IEC3 Convention Center in Cebu City from January 22-26, 2018 for the National Conference on the New Ratio Fundamentalis and
National Consultation on the Ratio Nationalis on Seminary Formation. This activity is in line with the Year of the Clergy and Consecrated Persons. PHOTO COURTESY OF CBCP-ECS
Voice vote on Con-ass ‘shameless’ – bishop Archbishop urges tight
CATHOLIC bishops came
out strong against the
lower House for approving
constituent assembly
through a voice vote as means
to amend the Constitution.
Manila Auxiliary Bishop
Broderick Pabillo said such
important decisions should
not have been done through
“viva voce”.
“There should be ample
discussion and deliberate
voting. In what they have
done either they do not
know the importance of their
decision or they wanted to
railroad the process,” Pabillo
said.
The House of
Representatives adopted
on Jan. 16 the resolution
to convene Congress as a
constituent assembly for
Charter change to give
way to a federal system of
government.
A Bishop fears return of police
to drug war
Bishop Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan
A CATHOLIC bishop has
warned of more bloodshed
as the police force reignite its
controversial war on drugs.
In fact, Bishop Pablo
Virgilio David of Kalookan
said that killings continued
in his diocese even if the
PROTAGONIST OF TRUTH, PROMOTER OF PEACE
A3: NEWS
Bishop visits Marawi cathedral
for the first time since siege
House of Representatives. PHOTO COURTESY OF HOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS BUREAU
The Senate will have to President”.
pass a similar resolution in “This is really railroading-
order for the Constituent a shameless act of Congress,”
Assembly to be convened. he said. “This is a premonition
Bishop Arturo Bastes of of what will happen next—a
Sorsogon also criticized dictatorial rule.”
the House majority for “By this time, the super
“railroading” the resolution, majority of Congress
adding that the lower House should realize that there
“is fast becoming a stamping is a growing opposition to
pad of the wishes of the federalism, a move which
UST disowns Uson award
A photo from the The Varsitarian, UST’s official student publication, shows
Mocha Uson receiving the award for government service from the UST Alumni
Association.
THE University of
Santo Tomas (UST) has
distanced itself from a
government’s drug war was controversial award given
removed from the police in to its alumna, Presidential
October 2017. Communications Assistant
The Philippine Drug Secretary Mocha Uson.
Enforcement Agency (PDEA) The Dominican-run
has since took the job amid school clarified that it has
public outrage against the nothing to do with the
Drug war / A6 award given by the UST
A6: LOCAL NEWS
Duterte urged to intervene regarding
OFW on death row
serves their interest rather
than the common good,”
said Bastes.
For his part, Bishop
Ruperto Santos of Balanga
lamented how Congress
has become just a “political
party of numbers” and
acting according to their
“whims, political interests
and personal benefits”.
CBCPNews
“That will happen with viva
voce,” according to Santos.
He also called on
lawmakers not to rush in
drafting a new Charter and
instead address first the
many pressing needs and
urgent problems of the
country like corruption and
criminalities.
“These are some of things,
legislators (should) do, rather
than discuss or destroy our
Constitution,” added Santos.
(CBCPNews)
Alumni Association Inc.
(UAAI).
The university said that
the alumni association is a
corporation distinct from
UST, has its own board
of trustees and operates
independently.
“The university does not
interfere with the affairs
Disowns / A6
CBCPMONITOR@AREOPAGUSCOMMUNICATIONS.COM
B1: PASTORAL CONCERNS
Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for the
26th World Day of the Sick 2018
watch on Cha-cha bid
AN official of the Catholic
Church called for public
vigilance on the Duterte
administration’s bid to
rewrite the Constitution, as
he warned against Charter
change efforts for political
ends.
Archbishop Socrates
Villegas of Lingayen-
Dagupan stressed the need
to keep close watch over
Cha-cha bid over suspicions
that it is a ploy to extend
term of office for incumbent
officials.
“We find this opportunist
and downright morally
objectionable,” said
Villegas, former president
of the Catholic Bishops’
Conference of the
Philippines.
“I am not saying that this
is so, but if it is so, it would
be a grave moral wrong and
tremendous injustice,” he
said.
The archbishop said
Christians have the “moral
obligation” to engage in
the political process “and
to make choices for what is
truly just, socially equitable,
and empowering”.
“Politicians’ promises
should not be the measure.
Careful discernment and
enlightenment coming from
prayerful reflection with
fellow believers should,”
he said.
Malacañang and its
allies in Congress have
been campaigning for the
amendment of the Charter
to give way to a federal
system of the government.
The leadership in the lower
House said that Charter
change would be among its
top priorities for this year
but through a constituent
assembly, a process that
have been opposed by the
bishops.
By Roy Lagarde
IN a country
where words and
images are used to
manipulate people,
Catholic media must
work together to
fight misinformation
and deception
especially on social
media, Cardinal
Luis Antonio Tagle
of Manila said.
Speaking at forum
on “Catholic Media in
Challenging Times” in
Makati City on Jan. 19, he
encouraged a wide array of
church organizations to work
in a spirit of “charity” and
cooperation.
“I hope we could work
on these things together,
we share our resources, we
share the information so that
we could provide for those
Together / A6
Archbishop Socrates Villegas of
Lingayen-Dagupan. CBCPNEWS
Even in the past
administrations, the
consensus among the
bishops is that any move
to amend the Constitution
should be by means of
constitutional convention
where the public can
participate in the process.
Both Senate President
Aquilino Pimentel III and
House Speaker Pantaleon
Alvarez have earlier floated
a no-election scenario in
2019 and a possible term
extension for Duterte if the
shift to federalism pushes
through.
Other lawmakers even
declared term extensions
are inevitable and necessary.
The archbishop said that
for Charter change to be
credible, its authors must be
known for their “probity and
their intellectual acumen”.
“They must be free of
vested interests that
may render suspect their
handiwork as a document
that embodies their own
interests rather than those
of the people,” Villegas
said. (Roy Lagarde/
CBCPNews)
A2 WORLD NEWS
Vatican Briefing
Serving isolated parishes may mean ordaining
married men, cardinal says
The idea of exceptionally ordaining older married
men of proven virtue to celebrate the Eucharist in
isolated Catholic communities is something that
should be discussed, said Cardinal Beniamino Stella,
prefect of the Congregation for Clergy. “It is not
about being in favor of or against something, but
about attentively evaluating various possibilities
without being closed or rigid,” the cardinal said in a
new book in Italian, “TuttigliUomini di Francesco”
(“All Francis’ Men”) released Jan. 22 by Edizioni San
Paolo. The book, by Italian journalist Fabio Marchese
Ragona, includes interviews with churchmen named
to the College of Cardinals by Pope Francis. Pope
Francis was asked by the German newspaper Die
Zeit last year about whether, in the Latin-rite church,
he could see allowing married “viriprobati”—men of
proven virtue—to become priests. (CNS)
Religious orders look at peacemaking in
South Sudan, Congo
Church leaders in South Sudan and Congo often
wonder if they have labored in vain because, too
often, their own people are waging war on each other,
said Father Maurice Ibiko, a South Sudanese. The
root of the conflict, he said, is “the wrong answer to
the question, ‘Who is my neighbor?’” Hundreds of
women and men belonging to dozens of religious
orders gathered at Rome’s Pontifical Urbanianum
University Jan. 18 for a roundtable to share their
experiences of living and ministering in South Sudan
and Congo. The event was a follow-up to a papal-
led prayer service for peace in the two countries in
November. The international unions of superiors
general of women’s and men’s religious orders,
Caritas Internationalis and the Vatican Dicastery for
Promoting Integral Human Development sponsored
both the prayer service and the roundtable. Callista
Gingrich, U.S. ambassador to the Holy See, spoke
briefly at the event, pledging the U.S. government’s
support for peace and the upholding of human rights
in the two countries. (CNS)
Christians must convert to ecumenism,
cardinal says
To be effective evangelizers, the Catholic Church
and other Christian churches must constantly
undergo their own conversion to a stronger
commitment to Christian unity, said Cardinal
Kurt Koch, the Vatican’s chief ecumenist. “So
that the evangelizing task can be carried out in a
credible way, the church itself continually needs
a self-evangelization that includes conversion to
the ecumenical search for Christian unity,” the
Swiss cardinal wrote in the Vatican newspaper,
L’Osservatore Romano. In preparation for the annual
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Jan. 18-25,
Cardinal Koch’s article focused on the connection
between mission and Christian unity, a connection
that gave birth to the ecumenical movement among
Protestants more than 100 years ago and one that the
Catholic Church has acknowledged since the Second
Vatican Council. “Witness to the love of God, which is
an integral and fundamental part of Christian identity,
must be given in an ecumenical communion,” said
Cardinal Koch, president of the Pontifical Council for
Promoting Christian Unity. (CNS)
Pray with courage, conviction, not mindlessly
like a parrot, pope says
Prayer is a “high stakes” endeavor, requiring
courage, perseverance and patience, Pope Francis
said. Courage is needed to stick one’s neck out and
“challenge the Lord,” pursuing and confronting
him with one’s appeals, the pope said Jan. 12 in his
homily at Mass in the Domus Sanctae Marthae. “If
prayer isn’t courageous, it isn’t Christian,” he said.
The pope reflected on two Gospel readings from St.
Mark -- one describing Jesus’ healing of a leper and
another recounting his healing of a paralytic. The
leper challenged Jesus, begging him on his knees, “If
you wish, you can make me clean.” Meanwhile, the
paralytic and the four men carrying him refused to
let the huge crowd prevent him from seeing the Lord,
so they broke through the roof and lowered the man
down to Jesus. In both cases, the pope said, Jesus
saw the great faith, courage and persistence in the
people asking him for healing. (CNS)
Vatican says Dutch politician’s honor was
simply diplomatic protocol
The former Dutch minister of foreign trade and
development received a papal honor as a matter
of diplomatic courtesy and not because of her
political views, which include support for access
to abortion, the Vatican press office said. “The
honorific of the Pontifical Order of St. Gregory
the Great received by Mrs. Lilianne Ploumen, then
minister of development, in June 2017 corresponds
to the diplomatic practice of exchanging honorifics
between delegations on the occasion of official visits
by heads of state or government at the Vatican,” said
Paloma Garcia Ovejero, vice director of the Vatican
press office. “Therefore, it is in no way an approval
of the policies in favor of abortion and birth control
promoted by Mrs. Ploumen,” the statement released
Jan. 15 said. In January 2017, Ploumen began the
fundraising campaign “She Decides,” in response
to U.S. President Donald Trump’s reinstatement
of the “Mexico City Policy,” which bans all foreign
nongovernmental organizations receiving U.S. funds
from performing or promoting abortion as a method
of family planning in other countries. (CNS)
january 22 - february 4, 2018 Vol. 22 No. 2 CBCP Monitor
March for Life in Paris draws
40,000 despite heavy rain
PARIS, France— Heavy rains did not Ana del Pino, the European the laws on surrogate motherhood,
deter huge crowds from gathering in the coordinator of the OneOfUs Federation, abortion and euthanasia have “a clear
streets of Paris for the city’s March for agreed, emphasizing the need for unity crisscross effect between countries, and
Life on Sunday, Jan. 21. and cooperation among all the European that’s why we believe we have a much
Organizers estimated that about pro-life groups “to present a common more encompassing goal to offer, which
40,000 people showed up for the march, front in defense of motherhood, the is to defend everyone’s life.
which had as its theme, “From darkness family and life.” “We believe that life is a treasure
to light.” In addition to protection for the regardless of the physical or mental
Despite the heavy rain, the marchers unborn, this year the March for Life abilities a person may have and that
completed the entire route. The march placed special emphasis on end-of-life everyone has a lot of contribute. We
lasted about four hours, starting from issues. stand up for everyone, no matter what
Porte Dauphine and ending in the Although active assisted suicide is their situation is,” Siegrist stressed.
Trocadero esplanade, in downtown illegal in France, a bill passed in January Alvaro Ortega, president of the Spanish
Paris. 2016 allows for “terminal sedation.” +Life Foundation, one of the numerous
A minute of silence was held during For those who are determined to be groups of young people attending the
the march for those who have lost their near death, the law permits “heavy and March for Life, said the reason they
lives to abortion. continuous sedation,” administered came was because “we believe it is
More than 200,000 abortions until the patient dies either from the absolutely necessary to defend the most
are performed each year in France, illness or starvation. innocent and defenseless which is the
according to government statistics. In addition to the tens of thousands child who has been conceived but not
March for Life spokesman Emil of French who took to the streets to yet born.”
Dupont told CNA’s Spanish-language demonstrate for life, several pro-life Ortega also stressed the importance
sister agency ACI Prensa that “it is groups from Holland, Spain, Germany, of an international presence in
important to break the silence and speak Italy and Portugal also joined in the demonstrations such as this one because
about the consequences of abortion, march. issues like abortion and euthanasia
which no one want to say anything Pablo Siegrist from the Jerome “come from an agenda organized on the
about. So we’ve got to do it.” Lejeune Foundation in Spain told ACI international level, and so the response
“It is very important to work together Prensa that his group participated in has to also be international.” (ACI
for life,” he stressed. this demonstration in France because Prensa)
In Holy Land, U.S. bishops say building walls does no good
JIFNA, West Bank— Building get a better understanding the creation of the Israeli Father Firas Aridah, parish
walls, whether between of the Holy Land situation separation barrier—which priest at St. Joseph Church,
Israel and the Palestinian and to advocate for “bridges includes a series of 25-foot told the visiting bishops there
territories or the United not walls.” cement walls and fences and are more than 140 Israeli
States and Mexico, can only The bishop said he had is expected to extend more settlements and 636 Israeli
serve to separate people and returned to the Holy Land for than 400 miles -- Auxiliary checkpoints within the West
create more isolation, said the first time in 30 years and Bishop Arturo Cepeda of Bank.
Auxiliary Bishop Eusebio L. had been disappointed by Detroit said the whole use of “We need the recognition of
Elizondo of Seattle. the feeling that the situation the concept of walls prevents the simple human principle:
“Walls can’t bring any had gotten worse rather than people from “seeing the other No people has the right to
positive aspect to any better. as a human person.” impose his occupation on
country,” he said Jan. 21, “It is a tragic feeling coming “If we are not able to see the another people. We are waiting
during a visit to this West to the Holy Land,” a place other as a human person, we for the day when our churches
Bank village. “The image which for centuries has not are missing the point of who will ring their bells, celebrating
is very negative. ‘I am had peace, he said. “It is a long we are. The message is that freedom and justice for all,
keeping you out of my life.’ process. A very slow process. this is about people, it is a Palestinians and Israelis,”
... It creates more resentment I praise and pray for people human crisis ... the challenge Father Aridah said.
and isolation. It makes it in that process, but you have is what is the most effective Earlier, Bishops Elizondo
impossible to see the other.” to be ready for martyrdom way to communicate this,” he and Cepeda concelebrated
Bishop Elizondo was all that time. We humans are said. “This is a human crisis. Mass at St. Joseph Parish. In
among 10 Hispanic U.S. very slow learners.” In our USA, we are facing a his homily, Bishop Elizondo
bishops visiting the Holy While acknowledging very, very hard human crisis, told parishioners that,
Land and meeting with that terrorist violence was which is our immigrants. It is without forgiveness, there
Israelis and Palestinians to one of the push factors for a terrible crisis.” can be no dialogue. (CNS)
Every child ‘a precious gift from God,’ Trump tells pro-life rally
WASHINGTON, D.C.— In remarks
broadcast to the March for Life
from the White House Rose Garden,
President Donald Trump said that his
administration “will always defend
the very first right in the Declaration
of Independence, and that is the right
to life.”
He invoked the theme of this year’s
march, “Love Saves Lives,” and praised
the crowd as being very special and
“such great citizens gathered in our
nation’s capital from many places for
one beautiful cause”—celebrating and
cherishing life.
“Every unborn child is a precious
gift from God,” he said, his remarks
interrupted several times by applause
from the crowd gathered on the National
Mall. He praised the pro-lifers for
having “such big hearts and tireless
devotion to make sure parents have the
President Donald Trump greets a girl after addressing attendees of the annual March for Life rally from the Rose
support they need to choose life.” Garden of the White House in Washington Jan. 19. The live feed was projected onto a large video screen during
“You’re living witnesses of this year’s the rally on the National Mall. (CNS PHOTO/KEVIN LAMARQUE, REUTERS)
March for Life theme, ‘Love Saves
Lives,’” he said. His remarks were receiving U.S. funds from performing ever said it was, but it is the right choice
broadcast to the crowd live via satellite or promoting abortion as a method of ... the self-sacrificial option.”
to a Jumbotron above the speakers’ family planning in other countries. House Speaker Paul Ryan,
stage, a first for any U.S. president, Trump also has nominated pro-life R-Wisconsin, was among several others
according to March for Life. judges to fill several court vacancies who addressed the crowd.
During their tenure in office, President and a day before the March for Life “Thank God for giving us a pro-life
Ronald Reagan, President George H.W. the U.S. Department of Health and president in the White House,” the
Bush and President George W. Bush all Human Services announced formation Catholic congressman said.
addressed the march via telephone or a of a new Conscience and Religious “Your energy is so infectious,” he told
radio hookup from the Oval Office, with Freedom Division in the HHS Office the crowd, praising them for being “the
their remarks broadcast to the crowd. for Civil Rights. Its aim is to protect the vigor and enthusiasm of the pro-life
Trump spoke with a crowd surrounding conscience rights of doctors and other movement.”
him in the Rose Garden, including 20 health care workers who do not want Seeing so many young people “is
students from the University of Mary to perform procedures they consider so inspiring because it tells us this a
in Bismarck, North Dakota. One of morally objectionable. movement on the rise,” he said. “Why
those standing next to the president Jeanne Mancini, president of March is the pro-life movement on the rise?
was a Marianne Donadio, a top official for Life, opened the rally by calling on Because truth is on our side. Life begins
with Room at the Inn, a nationally everyone in the crowd to text the word at conception. Science is on our side.”
accredited Catholic ministry based in “March” to 7305 and to show their Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler,
North Carolina that serves homeless, commitment to ending abortion and R-Washington, gave an emotional
pregnant women and single mothers join their voices in calling on Congress speech about the troubled pregnancy
with children. to defund Planned Parenthood. she faced about four years ago. She
Vice President Mike Pence, who “Do you agree that’s important?” she and her husband, Dan, were told their
addressed last year’s March for Life in asked the crowd. “Yes!” they shouted. unborn child had severe defects, that the
person at Trump’s request, introduced March for Life, she said, is about baby’s kidneys would never develop and
the president as the “most pro-life educating people about abortion and the lungs were undeveloped because of a
president in American history,” mobilizing to end it and to love all those rare condition. Abortion was their only
for among other things issuing an women and families who are facing a option, they were told.
executive memorandum shortly after troubled pregnancy and other needs. Today, that baby is 4-year-old Abigail.
his inauguration to reinstate the “’Love Saves Lives’ is this year’s She and her younger brother and their
“Mexico City Policy.” The policy bans all theme,” she added. “Love and sacrifice father stood on the stage with the
foreign nongovernmental organizations go hand in hand It is not easy. No one congresswoman. (CNS)
CBCP Monitor
Bishop visits Marawi
cathedral for the first
time since siege
Bishop Edwin dela Peña touches a damaged statue of Jesus inside St. Mary’s Cathedral in Marawi City, Jan. 11, 2018. ACN
ILIGAN City— After several failed
attempts, Marawi Bishop Edwin
de la Peña was finally able to revisit
on Jan. 11 the ruined city center
of Marawi and the remnants of a
desecrated Cathedral that he used
to call home.
Upon his entry to the Church,
the Bishop quietly knelt before the
altar where he celebrated Mass
for 17 years. He then proceeded
to the beheaded statue of Maria
Auxiliadora (Mary Help of
Christians), to whom the Cathedral
is dedicated to. Above the Bishop is
the image of Jesus Christ crucified,
face mangled and disfigured when
it was violently brought down by
Islamic State-inspired terrorists.
Philippine soldiers re-hoisted the
image with ropes and nylon wires
when they celebrated Mass on
October 1, 2017.
The city center of Marawi
continues to be a heavily-restricted
area. The residents are still not yet
allowed to return to their ancestral
homes. En route to the cathedral,
the ACN delegation, accompanied by
military escorts, passed by eerie and
abandoned streets ghostly buildings,
mosques and family mansions
severely damaged by the war.
Standing at the site of the
cathedral entrance and fronting
his destroyed residence, the Bishop
could only mutter a few words.
“So many memories. We were the
ones who built this. Now, everything
is destroyed, even the trees we
planted are riddled with damage
from bullets and mortar,” de la
Peña said.
The Bishop then asked the
delegation to go back to the altar
where he asked everyone to gather
in a circle, hold hands and then led
in the praying of the Our Father, the
Hail Mary, and the Glory Be.
Duyog Marawi
Back to reality, the Bishop then
met with volunteers and partners
Scholars decode one of the last fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls
HAIFA, Israel— The
Dead Sea Scrolls,
which are among the
oldest extant biblical
manuscripts, have been
a topic of interest since
they were discovered in
the Qumran Caves in the
West Bank beginning in
1946.
More recently, Israeli
scholars have pieced
together some of the last
fragments of the ancient
documents, revealing
new information about
the scrolls.
Dr. EshbalRatson and
Professor Jonathan Ben-
Dov of Haifa University
decoded 60 previously
january 22 - february 4, 2018 Vol. 22 No. 2 NEWS FEATURES A3
Pope marries couple on
flight during Chilean trip
Pope Francis performs an impromptu wedding ceremony for Latam Airlines employees Carlos Ciuffardi
Elorriaga, 41, and Paula Podest Ruiz, 39, aboard the pontiff’s flight from Santiago, Chile, to Iquique Jan.
18. CNS/L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO
ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT surprised the couple with offering
TO IQUIQUE, Chile— Love was to marry them right there on the
literally in the air as Pope Francis plane.
performed an impromptu wedding Ciuffardi said the pope asked the
ceremony at 36,000 feet aboard his couple, “Well, do you want to get
flight in Chile. married?”
During his flight to Iquique “I said, ‘Well, yes. Are you sure?’
Jan. 18, the pope was approached Then the pope said, “Are YOU sure?’
by LatAm flight steward Carlos I told him, ‘Yes! Let’s get married,’”
Ciuffardi Elorriaga and asked for Ciuffardi recalled excitedly.
a blessing for him and his wife, The newlywed said he asked his
stewardess Paula Podest Ruiz. boss and president of LatAm airline,
The couple was supposed to be Ignacio Cueto, to be his best man
married in their home parish in and one of the Vatican prelates
Santiago Feb. 27, 2010. However, drew up a handwritten marriage
tragedy struck when an earthquake certificate.
destroyed the church. Eight years later, “The pope said it was historic!
they remained only civilly married. Never has a pope performed a
Ciuffardi told journalists aboard wedding on a plane!” Ciuffardi said.
of DuyogMarawi, the social action humanitarian work due to a non-
the flight that, after he explained The pope was on his way from
program set-up by the Prelature declaration of a level 3 emergency
their story, he asked the pope for Santiago, Chile, to Iquique before
to respond to the post-war needs by the Philippine President,
their blessing. heading to Peru later in the day.
of the residents of Marawi. Duyog DuyogMarawi serves as the only
At that moment, the pope (JunnoArochoEsteves/CNS)
in the local language means to alternative voice advocating for
accompany. peace and harmony in these very
The team is led by a few priests,
nuns and Catholic lay leaders who
difficult times,” added Barnido.
As the lives of many families
Why this man says abortion isn’t just a
have worked for Caritas But the bulk are in limbo due to the lack woman’s issue
of volunteers are young Muslim of livelihood and permanent
residents of Marawi. residence, volunteering for DENVER, Colorado— A man who politics. I was just a kid who was
For the past three months, these DuyogMarawi is also an lost his own child to abortion last in his class in high school, who
volunteers have been reaching out to opportunity for Muslim youth to believes men have important things to me, school was just something I
the war-affected residents and IDPs counter the message of conflict, to say on the issue, and their voices had to do to play football.”
living on the outskirts of Marawi. disillusionment, and resentment need to be heard. However, since the moment
The youth have volunteered to that is pervading Muslim “We are told that men shouldn’t he found out that his daughter
man help desks documenting the communities in the region. talk about abortion,” but it’s had been aborted, he says he has
grievances of the locals. More “Truly, DuyogMarawi is an an issue that affects them too, committed his life “to protecting
importantly, they have conducted opportunity to partner with Jason Jones told CNA in a recent women and children from the
humanitarian campaigns and peace Christians in meaningful and interview. “It’s a man’s issue and violence of abortion.”
education sessions in different productive work. It is the only hope it’s a woman’s issue.” Jones, 46, is now a film producer,
Muslim communities. that keeps us going is DuyogMarawi, “As a man, I have something author, and human rights worker
According to the Prelature’s said Hidaya Sultan and Naif Alawi in me that wants to protect the known for his pro-life activism.
assessment, the government, media, who are both Muslim volunteers of vulnerable from violence. That is He remained an atheist for years,
and the public are underestimating the Prelature’s DuyogMarawi. what men do,” he said. though his contact with Christian
the consequences of the dire Communicating closely with Jones, a national pro-life organizations and study of political
situation in the region. Even before the Muslim leaders, Bishop de la advocate, said when he speaks philosophy eventually led him, in
the war, Lanao del Sur is already Peña said Muslims are realizing frankly in those terms, men respond 2003, to the Catholic Church.
the most impoverished region of through DuyogMarawi that they to him, because “we need to say the In his comments to CNA, Jones,
the country. Now, as the locals are need Christians in this period of truth.” who is now married with seven
deprived of an economic center, rebuilding. Conversely, the Bishop “When men speak about abortion, children, said that it can be hard
residents in adjacent towns, as acknowledges Christians also need it is very effective,” he added. to discuss abortion because the
well as IDPs, wallow in poverty and the protection and support of It might seem natural to think friends and loved ones of someone
neglect. This was further aggravated Muslims for DuyogMarawi to be that women are better pro-life who has had an abortion often
by a tropical storm that hit the successful. “spokespersons,” or that men become defensive, saying that to
region just last month. “We are now at this point where should have a diminished role, condemn abortion is to condemn a
“This is fertile ground for terrorist both Christians and Muslims have Jones said. But “men have their person they care about.
recruitment. We can confirm that come to realize that they need each place” in the discussion. “The irony is that you know your
families in far-flung towns are other to move forward,” the Bishop “Men share their stories, and sister had an abortion because she
being offered P40,000 and a water said. their stories are sorrowful. Men called you crying about it, with a
buffalo in exchange for attendance Bishop de la Peña then summed who are scared, and manipulated broken heart. And then when that
to a recruitment session. Terrorists up the dramatic day by looking or coerced someone into having an person stumbles upon a pro-life
then indoctrinate children back on his trip and finding hope abortion. Men who can be humble activist, they get angry because they
and teenagers with extreme in the collaboration being promised and say ‘I coerced my daughter think you are calling their sister a
interpretations of Islam and by the partners and volunteers of or my girlfriend or my wife into bad person.”
eventually train them in military DuyogMarawi. getting an abortion.’ We need to “We need to help people
warfare,” said Bro. Reynaldo “While visiting Marawi earlier, hear those stories.” understand that when a woman
Barnido, Executive Director of all I could think about was how to When men tell the truth about gets an abortion it’s...an act of
DuyogMarawi. start again with all this destruction. their own experience with abortion, desperation,” he said. “She’s a
“With the government focused But as I talk to you, I know there’s “it changes people,” he said. “No victim just like the child.”
on peace-keeping and rebuilding a brighter tomorrow because before one has a happy abortion story. Jones said the pro-life movement
efforts and the international me now is the future of Marawi.” When people tell the truth, it needs an “apologetic” that is able to
community prevented from doing (Josemaria Claro/ACN) influences people.” get the truth about abortion across
Jones, who often shares the in a simple way, and which teaches
story of his own child’s abortion, men to defend women and children.
told CNA he was 17 when he and “You do not need sophisticated
his girlfriend Katie found out they arguments to tell a man: you don’t
unread fragments over celebrations were based Ratzon, according to the were pregnant. Still in high school, pay a stranger to kill your baby. As
the course of a year on the 364-day Jewish BBC. they planned to hide the pregnancy a man, you defend your child from
to discover a festival calendar. While it is not known while he dropped out and joined violence ... you defend the woman
marking each changing Additionally, the who penned the ancient the army so he could take care of carrying your child from violence...
season which was researchers found that texts, some have attributed the baby. He was excited to be a it’s just very simple.”
celebrated by the Jews. a second scribe made them to the Essenes—a father, he said. He said that much of the language
The researchers also additional notes on the Jewish sect who lived in However, while still in basic used in the pro-life movement is
found the name for the scroll, correcting some the desert. The scrolls, training and during their third designed for women and to talk to
festival: the Hebrew mistakes and omissions around 900 in number, trimester, Jones got a call from women who are in a crisis situation,
word “tekufah,” meaning made by the original contain Hebrew, Greek, his girlfriend’s father saying their but men interact differently and
“period.” author. According to and Aramaic writing, and “secret” had been discovered and need to be approached in a different
These fragments, some Ratzon, these notes are thought to date to “taken care of.” He was devastated. way.
of which were smaller made it easier for them between 300 BC and AD An atheist who didn’t fully “When I talk to men about
than a centimeter, to decode the ancient 100. understand what abortion was, abortion, I talk to them as a man.
identified the seasonal scrolls. According to The Jones said he realized his daughter, I talk to them plainly,” he said. “I
celebrations, which “What’s nice is that Telegraph, a statement whom they had already named talk to them as a man that has lost
included the festivals of these comments were from Haifa University Jessica, had been murdered. his child.”
New Wheat, New Wine, hints that helped me said that both Ratson and “That was it for me. It horrified Many people can be cavalier and
and New Oil, which are figure out the puzzle— Ben-Dov have moved me. It was unbelievable,” he said. insensitive about abortion, he said,
linked to the Jewish they showed me how to on to decoding the last “I had never been to church a day explaining that he can become
festival of Shavuot. These assemble the scroll,” said remaining scroll. (CNA) in my life, I knew nothing about Abortion / A6
A4 OPINION january 22 - february 4, 2018 Vol. 22 No. 2 CBCP Monitor

EDITORIAL

Catholic media in challenging times

THIS January 19, the Jesuit Communications and Signis
Philippines spearheaded in convening the forum “Catholic
Media in Challenging Times,” at the Lay Formation Center
in Makati.
The “challenging times” hovered in the thesis of most of the
speakers led by no less than Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio
Cardinal Tagle. But it was only veteran journalist Crispin
Maslog, who candidly pointed out during the open forum
that “I think our challenge is President Duterte.” Indeed,
the incumbency of the current administration maybe said
to have marked the dawn of a decisive campaign against the
professional media which have been repeatedly tagged by no
less than Duterte himself as elitist and a tool of elitists’ agenda.
This juggernaut has been perceived to have chilling effect on
press freedom and have been read as building blocks from

ILLUSTRATION BY BLADIMER USI

which dictatorships are made of.
It is also during this incumbency that the country saw the rise
of “fake news” that were no longer only the work of crackpots
and pranksters, but already by organized and presumably
heavily funded propagandists. What netizens call “keyboard
warriors” (or trolls) are openly let loose like wolf packs ready to
gang up and pound on anybody espousing an opposing opinion
or a different political color. During the current political
watch, news organizations have been threatened with closure
or court cases, for one reason or the other. In the same forum,
broadcast journalist Howie Severino pointed out that “politics
Who can stop people Panaghoy
is at the root of the motivation behind fake news.”
These are challenging times, indeed. Not only for the from complaining? Bp. Broderick Pabillo
media, but for the media publics that has become the arena
in the fight to control public opinion. It is therefore a grace
concern for everybody. It is clearly within the ambit of the
new evangelization.
In his message for the 2018 World Communications Day, CHRISTIAN ethics is clear: there is They even break their promises to the them can be accused as drug coddlers, as
Pope Francis points out that “The best antidotes to falsehoods the priority of human beings over the people! They have no loyalty at all to the obstructing their kind of justice or even
are not strategies, but people; people who are not greedy but state. The state’s purpose is to promote common good, much less to principles. as people involved in drugs!
ready to listen, people who make the effort to engage in sincere and protect the human rights of each The War on Drugs is this country is Now, however, in spite of their
dialogue so that the truth can emerge; people who are attracted person. Each person too is unique and not a war to eliminate drugs but a war violence and false accusations, more
by goodness and take responsibility for how they use language. each one has the same dignity as any to eliminate the poor drug users. The and more people are having the courage
If responsibility is the answer to the spread of fake news, then other. So it is not right for the state to kill target is the poor, who are tagged as to speak out against the government.
a weighty responsibility rests on the shoulders of those whose an individual in the name of protecting drug users. Even if they are involved in Another then ghost is being floated—the
job is to provide information, namely, the journalists, the
itself, or in the name of furthering its drugs, which can never be proven, why ghost of destabilization. The pretext of
protectors of news.”
While admittedly, many local journalists have been sadly programs, no matter how “good” they only the poor? There are also people in destabilization is being leveled against
engaged to further the cause of political propaganda, it may be. the ABC social classes who use drugs, the critics of this government, and the
behooves on Catholic Media, among others, to work for The problem with many people is and who even peddle drugs, but they threat being brought out to stop these
the multiplicity of Catholic journalists whose professional government, especially those who have are not targeted. The poor are easily to “destabilizing moves” is revolutionary
convictions are founded on the truth of Gospel. authoritarian tendencies, is that they blame because they are without voice government, which is just another term
identify themselves as the state, and and without defenders. Once the rich are for dictatorship, pure and simple!
Our great treasure in the Sto. Nino their welfare and safety as that of the touched, they have a lot of influence and But criticisms cannot stop because
people. So when people criticize them, friends and families who are influential, the government has nothing to show
WE really have to be most thankful that even up to now we as it is taken as a criticism against the so they can fight back. that it is bringing about any significant
a people still have a great devotion to the Sto. Nino. Instead of state. Much worse! They claim that the This War on Drugs, as it is being change for the good in the life of the
waning through the years, this popular piety we have toward state is being destabilized! We refuse pursued now, is unwinnable. In fact it people. In fact the people are finding
the Child Jesus has grown. Yes, there are still things that to accept that the government people is not waged to win. It is waged to give the economy worse—higher prices and
should be made right and purified, but we cannot deny that
are the state. They are not! Much so vent to the dictatorial tendencies of bad basic services. The MRT is worse
this devotion has helped us greatly in a world and in times that
are increasingly secularized and paganised. Think of the many since in many cases what they promote the present leaders of our government. than before, so is the traffic in general.
so-called liberal people in the world who have considered faith, is not even the common good but only They have the lame excuse to use Joblessness is rampant, and ENDO or
religion and piety as obsolete. their own selfish interests. They are so force and violence to induce fear and contractualization is as before in spite
Thanks to God the image of Christ as both a child and ready to switch loyalties just because of compliance among the people. Anyone wearing to take it out. Who then can stop
king has truly so captured the Filipino heart (especially the expediencies—their own expediencies. who questions them or who is against complaining in this situation?
Cebuano heart) that whatever situation we may find ourselves
in, whether good or bad humanly speaking, we still keep our
Christian faith and try our best to live by it. How do we solve the
That the Sto. Nino is both child and king somehow reminds
us that we need to be like a child to attain our ultimate kingly
And That’s The Truth problem of Duterteeeeee?
goal of human maturity and Christian perfection. As we Teresa R. Tunay, OCDS
grow older, more exposed to the world and gaining a lot of
experience, we need to be more like a child, deepening and
enriching our spiritual childhood in Christ.
Let’s always remember what Christ himself said: “Unless you EIGHTEEN months two weeks ago, at a small the people—as the Facebook missionary. “Kadiring
change and become like little children, you will never enter
into office and still, gathering of religious and population would say—is presidente”, I’d hiss. But
the kingdom of heaven.” (Mt 18,3) Children and heaven are
almost synonymous to each other. No wonder we feel like we Rodrigo Duterte escapes laypeople, the subject of necessarily “complicated”. It as time marches on and the
are in heaven every time we see children around. Every time identification; well, at least Duterte inevitably sprung would be imprudent (and a man reveals more and more
a baby is born, we are very happy because we somehow know as far as my little world is up; then a nun grinned and waste of time) to say anything of himself through word and
that he just did not come out of his mother’s womb, but rather concerned. Whenever two broke into song, a la Sound of conclusive about him or deed, I—for the sake of my
from the very hands of God who created him before the parents or more people are gathered, Music: “How do you solve the his work, in reaction to his blood pressure—am finding
procreated him. and the discussion drifts into problem of Duterteeeeee?” actions, because he himself it judicious to view him
In spite of the many limitations of children, what makes politics, there Duterte is in Aye, there’s the rub! I don’t appears to be a bundle of with a little more Christian
them always desirable is their pure, innocent heart, incapable the midst of them. Whether see Du30 as a problem. Were contradictions. empathy. The man seems
of malice, ambition, pride and haughtiness. They are a source it’s a casual chat between I to join the nun in a duet, I’d Earlier on, when “PRRD” unhinged, but being so is not
of many other good things. Their heart is always trusting in the cabbie and passenger, a change the lyrics into “How was just beginning to be without its uses.
Lord always, just like a little kid is always confident with his
father. Faith and hope easily grow and acquire strength when family reunion, or a no-holds do you solve the puzzle that’s exposed through media, He’s unconventional—
nurtured in a child’s heart. It’s this attitude that leads them to barred exchange between Duterteeeee?” I would cringe at his attending important
go on and move on no matter what, for life to them could only friends or among media I love solving puzzles, from cussing (as we say, “Ang functions in T-shirt and jeans,
be an adventure of discoveries. colleagues, I find myself the simplest kindergarten lutong magmura!”), being or a barong with sleeves
It’s this kind of heart that makes them transparent, sincere having to articulate more stuff to Mensa’s mind embarrassed for the Filipino rolled up, with total disregard
and simple, not afraid to be known as they truly are. They seriously than I would bogglers—and the strangest people. “Gawd, what would for diplomatic refinement—
may still lack the subtlety of prudence and discretion, and be want, an opinion about the chief executive that Pinas the international community but so is his inaugural menu.
prone to spontaneity, but they hardly mind these deficiencies. Philippines’ 13th president. has ever had must be a puzzle say, we have one of the most Avoiding unnecessary burden
They are only interested in doing what they think is good and Due perhaps to my somewhere in between. foul-mouthed leaders in the on the national coffers he
enjoyable. Suggestions and corrections do not humiliate them. occupation as a media From everything Duterte has history of the world?” And chose to feed the dignitaries
Rather, they welcome these suggestions and corrections.
person, I am always, always revealed of himself since pre- I’d also frankly criticize him with munggo and danggit.
Children are humble, teachable, flexible and docile. You can
tell them anything, and they always tend to believe and obey. asked “What do you think of election time to the present, for his brazen display of Impressive conviction—how
Attainments, achievements and successes do not spoil them. Duterte?” I maintain that I I see as a work in progress. misogyny, particularly when many of us would dare do
Neither do difficulties, temptations and failures crush them don’t think of Duterte at all, Neither the man nor his work he joked that he should have that?
and plunge them to sadness or bitterness. but an answer is expected is a simple thing, and so the been the first to rape the He contradicts himself.
They are easy to motivate, to be consoled, to be optimistic. of me just the same. Just relationship between him and murdered Australian woman And That’s the Truth / A7
Falls and mistakes are easily forgotten. They only leave a mark
that becomes a source of precious lessons for them to learn.
They are quick to heal when wounded. Working for God Candidly Speaking

Monitor
CBCP Fr. Roy Cimagala

YES, that’s how our attitude should be At least, it is supposed to be like that, masterpiece of God’s creation, we are
PROTAGONIST OF TRUTH, PROMOTER OF PEACE when we work. We have to work for God unless we stray from that basic truth supposed to be working with God and
and not just for men. St. Paul said so: about ourselves. for God, responsible stewards of his, in
Pedro Quitorio “Whatever you do, work at it with all The creator cannot be absent from a manner of speaking. We are meant to
Editor-in-Chief
your heart, as working for the Lord, not his creatures. In our case, since we have cooperate with him in his continuing
for human masters, since you know that been endowed by God with the capacity work of taking care of his creation.
Nirva’ana E. Delacruz Ron Ramos you will receive an inheritance from the to know and to love, due to our spiritual We need to strive to live by this basic
Associate Editor Design Artist
Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ faculties of the intellect and the will, we truth about ourselves and spread it as
Mercedita Juanite you are serving.” (Col 3,23-24) are supposed to enter into a knowing widely as possible. The great majority
Roy Lagarde
News Editor Circulation Manager We need to be clear about this, and and loving communion with God, our of the people all over the world are still
make the necessary adjustments or even Creator. ignorant of this truth. And even for those
Kris Bayos Marcelita Dominguez radical changes in our attitude toward We are supposed to live our life and who in principle know it, do not know
Features Editor Comptroller our work. We should not downgrade the do our work fully knowing that we are how to translate it into actual reality.
objective dignity of our human labor working with God and for God. That is That is why our work often produces
The CBCP Monitor is published fortnightly by the Areopagus
Communications, Inc. with editorial and business offices at and just treat it as if it were just purely just how the cookie crumbles. That is a lot of problems—pride, vanity, greed,
Ground Flr., Holy Face of Jesus Center & Convent, 1111 a human affair. the ideal way of working. envy, discord, to name a few. We are
F. R. Hidalgo Street, Quiapo, Manila. Editorial: (632) 404 -
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com, Business: (632) 404 - 1612. ISSN 1908-2940. of God. And that’s simply because our contribution to the abiding providence have become the common effects of our
whole life itself is always a life with God. of God over all his creation. As the Candidly Speaking / A7
CBCP Monitor january 22 - february 4, 2018 Vol. 22 No. 2 OPINION A5

An untoward award? Another Angle

By the Roadside Fr. Emmanuel Mijares
Fr. Eutiquio ‘Euly’ Belizar, Jr. SThD

MANY UST alumni must have lately felt

like being hit by a train. The controversy
involving USTAAI, an independent (so
says the university) alumni association
linked to the University of Santo Tomas,
giving an award to an undersecretary
of presidential communications, an
alumna, for government service, has
sparked outrage. There was no question
on the recipient’s alumna status. Nor
is her being a high government official
in doubt. What particularly distresses
critics, both alumni and non-alumni
of the institution, is the recipient’s
association with “fake news” and its
dissemination, not to mention her use
of “hate” and “vulgar” language against
administration critics especially on
social media. The student council,
mainstream students, the university
press organ and many alumni inside
and outside the country, including
former award recipients, insist that she
is not only undeserving but may even
be antagonistic to the institution’s core
values. Non-alumni may find this last
beyond them.
But allow me some considerations.
One, UST is obviously a Catholic
institution. The university
administration, student council,
press and its so-called independent
organizations or associations,
including the USTAAI, are certainly
not independent of Catholic values.
For instance, it is a clear teaching
of the Catholic Church: “Users (of
social communications) should practice
discipline and moderation in their
approach to the mass media. They
will want to form enlightened and
correct consciences the more easily to
Praying for the
3rd Filipino saint
THE news about the finding
of forensic experts about
the exhumed body of the
late Archbishop Teofilo
Camomot of Carcar, Cebu
is really unbelievable. The
body may have decomposed
but there are two uncommon
aspects about the remains—
The bones and clothes of the
deceased were “in pristine
condition, uncorrupted by
any form of infestation and
insect activity. There was a
remarkable absence of foul
smell and odor of decay.”
Dr. Erwin Erfe, head of
the forensic team, stated
that “this is the first time
I encountered something
like this… Usually, there is
an odor of decay whenever
we examine remains even
decades after the death of
the person. And usually,
the remains are infested
with insects considering that
the coffin is made of wood.
In the case of Archbishop
Camomot, there’s no foul
smell and its remains were
neither infested with insects.”
The body of Archbishop
Camomot was first exhumed
in 2009 from a Carcar City
cemetery, and was transferred
to the compound of the
Daughters of St. Teresa de
Avila (DST), a congregation
founded by him. My sister
resist unwholesome influences...They
should strive to respect, with equal
practices. But it helps no one when
everyone swims in the quagmire and
Pope Francis and the
care, the nature of the facts and the
limits of critical judgment concerning
throws mud against those who first
did so. Other than constantly pray for Sto. Nino Fiestas
individuals. They should not stoop to our conversion, hers and her bosses’,
defamation” (Catechism of the we show who we are by pointing out
WE celebrate the Feast of the Sto. Niño in the Philippines.
Catholic Church, nn. 2496-2497). That in charity where and how she errs, and
There are street dances, drums, soothes in the faces or bodies
an alumna of a Catholic university, with that she serves the nation and herself
of the devotees and there was the traditional “Palapak” when
a grave responsibility as a presidential best if she changes in the direction of
the faithful asks the altar ministers to let the image of the Sto.
communications secretary, is perceived God’s ways. Truth does not deserve
Nino touch their heads or other parts of the body whom they
as “the main purveyor of politically- being delivered on the platter of hate.
feel need healing from the Son of God.
motivated propaganda against That would be playing the game of the
Obviously, each of all these local fiestas has their own
known members of the government’s arch Enemy who, as we all know, is the
historical and cultures backgrounds. Certainly, many of
opposition, and an avid spreader of “father of lies” and “author of hate”. We
these popular devotions did not originate from the hierarchy,
fake news” (words of the UST Central protest. But we don’t stoop below who
the priests or bishops but from the lay faithful themselves.
Student Council) in itself is beyond we are called to be. For, as St. Augustine
And since they don’t come from the official church, so to
sad. Not even pre-Christian Caesar’s declares: “Nothing conquers except
speak, they are suspect by some members of the ministerial
wife would tolerate a mere perception truth; the victory of truth is charity.”
priesthood. These practices for a learned intellectual could
of impropriety. What more a Catholic Finally, where leaders are elected
even be tagged as pure paganism and does not help in the
university’s alumni association. The on the wave of populism, it has been
spiritual grown of the lay faithful. They could be considered
university’s core values of “compassion, observed that truth often becomes the
as mere superstition or even magic.
competence and commitment” are first victim in governance. For example,
Yet the Holy Father would think otherwise. Rather than
surely not in lieu, but in the service of, it is only in our rather weirdly ordered
lament to the negative degradation of the fiesta he presents
its Catholic identity. world where strongmen are in power
a positive vision for the hierarchy and the faithful to ponder.
Two, it is commendable that that we also hear of the proliferation
In fact they are called popular devotions, popular religiosity
the university respects the alumni of “fake news” and “alternative facts”
and sometimes, popular mysticism. So how does our Pope
association’s independence by non- (which is actually falsehood made to
consider these phenomena which is quite common not only
interference. It is also understandable, appear true). Two US senators have
in Latin America, as for example with regards to the Blessed
considering the many other complex recently warned their own president over
Virgin Mary but also in the Philippines?
aspects of university life. But in having made those terms ‘fashionable’
Pope Francis, in his Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii
instances such as this where Catholic especially among the world’s autocratic
Gaudium, highlights the evangelizing power of these popular
(by that I mean the fullness of what the leaders, ultimately using them to harass
piety (popular religiosity). Through popular piety – or popular
term ‘Christian’ means) commitment to the media and the opposition in their
spirituality – many Christians express their faith in a way
truth, justice and the common good are own countries. Alas, how far backwards
that is incarnated in the culture of the people, particularly,
at stake, a Catholic university must also have we gone in history? And yet this
the lowly.
exercise its prophetic role and oppose apparent adversity for democracies
It appears that God, in His wisdom provides an ingenious
what is clearly against its values. In the and, especially for the Church as the
way to let simple people especially the poor ones to relate to
words of Charles Peguy: “He who does bulwark of God’s truth, also presents
Him according to their own capacity and means. The Pope
not bellow the truth makes himself an a challenge and an opportunity to give
continued in the same document that: “It is an expression of
accomplice of liars and forgers.” witness. In the words of St. Athanasius:
faith that is not devoid of content. Yet, it expresses its content
Three, the undersecretary is not “If the world goes against the truth, then
more symbolically than by discursive reasoning. Underlying
the enemy but what she espouses and Athanasius goes against the world.”
popular piety, as a fruit of the inculturated Gospel, is an active
evangelizing power which we must not underestimate. […]
we are called to promote and strengthen it […] to deepen
Duc in Altum the never-ending process of inculturation.” “Expressions
Atty. Aurora A. Santiago
of popular piety have much to teach us; for those who are
capable of reading them, they are a “locus theologicus” [or
“sensus fidelium” (theological place or sense of the faithful)]
which demands our attention, especially at a time when we
are looking to the new evangelization.” (Evangelical Gaudium,
and I are so blessed that we Implementing Rules and these will have effect on the 126)
were able to visit the place Regulations (IRR). Supposed increase in price of goods This point of promoting and strengthening popular
last year, Fr. Heiden Timbang to take effect January 01, 2018, transported from places religiosity or mysticism and not to be underestimated has
of the Sacred Heart of Jesus many products, utilities and where they are harvested (a) an evangelizing power and (b) therefore to consider it,
Parish in Sangat, Carcar, others will be affected, thus, let and manufactured. deepens the “process of inculturation” which is essential
Cebu brought us there. The us expect price increase in all of The Train Law will have in new evangelization. In fact our Lord, in a sense, has
second exhumation was them. Beside the value added beneficial effect to those who inculturated Himself in a Jewish culture which was also
conducted early this month tax, excise tax will be charged are receiving fixed income, popular; on the other hand, He has some teachings that
and his skeletal remains were on all these commodities— like office employees and obviously transcend the Jewish culture though embedded
placed in a fiber glass effigy sweetened beverage and workers, particularly those in it, and therefore could be applied to all cultures. Faith
and laid in a white coffin. cigarettes, petroleum and receiving an annual salary of comes not only from “below”, though it’s expression but
It was buried at the Domus automobile tax. No more tax P250,000 because they are could originate originate from various cultural milieu. This
Teofilo (House of Teofilo) in exemptions in lotto winnings now exempted from tax. Also is the mystery of the incarnation which has two dimensions:
Barangay Valladolid, Carcar and cosmetic procedures. exempted from taxation are the divine and the human. Through the teaching of Jesus has
City after the Mass celebrated We still have to wait for the 13th month pay and bonuses. divine origin, they could find themselves traces In one way
by Cebu Archbishop Jose IRR to check whether or not Estates worth P5.0 Million or another inside the Jewish culture and therefore in any
Palma, who told the people powdered drinks classified and below will be free from cultural traditions.
to pray as the Archdiocese of as milk, juice, tea and coffee, taxation, but P5.0 Million It seems that Jesus in his divine wisdom has purified
Cebu continues the stringent cereal and grain beverages and above will have 6% of elements of the Jewish culture and made its light shine which
process for the beatification and other non-alcoholic the excess over P5.0 Million. could be a light to their other cultures as well. Therefore it
and canonization of the beverages that contain added Before, if the net estate is underwent a certain process, an in-carnational one, but at
archbishop. He urged the sugar are covered by the P200k, estate tax is 20%. the same time we could see that it is beyond that particular
parishioners to emulate the increase. Donor’s tax is now 6% culture and therefore it is possible to be applied to any culture.
life and virtues of the priest. Prices of gasoline and whether donors and donees What the Catholics are invited to do is to discern what is
Abp. Camomot was known diesel/bunker fuel already are related. Before, donor’s True, Beautiful and Good in these popular religiosity since it
for his extreme generosity includes excise tax, which tax is 15% if they are related; contains some religious contents. In each of these practices,
and love for the poor. The would be increased every if not, tax is 30%. The Train there are jewels which are perhaps hidden and could be
Archdiocese of Cebu “took year up to 2020. This Law doubled all documentary brought out into open in order to be applied to other cultural
the fourth, left rib that was would mean corresponding taxes. environment like a catholic cultural environment.
close to Abp. Camomot’s increases in cost of fare (bus, The first tax reform We are invited to find these jewels, that “evangelizing
heart to be a relic or a tangible jeepney, tricycle, boat/ship, package is expected to power”, by not underestimating this “mysticism”, as noted, but
item for veneration in case airline), electricity, water generate P130 billion. The by allowing ourselves to be evangelized by these persons who
the priest will be beatified or and everything which uses taxes that may be collected are mostly poor. They have much to teach us. To do this the
canonized.” these fuel products. With will be used to fund part of church is invited to see this positive jewels to preserve them
*** higher cost of fuel, fare will the Duterte administration’s and maybe affirm them rather than curse its materialistic and
Republic Act 109631 or the also increase. Meralco and “Build, Build, Build” program secularistic expression (which in my opinion is irreversible).
Tax Reform for Acceleration Maynilad/Manila Waters which includes infrastructure For the Pope, although this mysticism “discovers and
and Inclusion (Train) law already announced the price projects that cost from P8 expresses that content more by way of symbols than by
is now in effect. We are increase in electricity and trillion to P9 trillion between discursive reasoning, and in the act of faith greater accent is
waiting for the release of the water, respectively. All of 2017 and 2022. Another Angle / A7

Whatever #HappyHolyHome
Fr. Francis Ongkingco

EVERY parent’s dream is the
happiness of their children in this
life, and eventually, unending
happiness one day in heaven. If this
essential existential goal is not clear
to parents, then nothing is clear to
them.
David Brooks, in his book Road
to Character, wrote as the first point
of his Humility Code: “We don’t live
for happiness, we live for holiness.
Day to day we seek out pleasure,
but deep down, human beings are
endowed with moral imagination.
All human beings seek to lead lives
not just of pleasure, but of purpose,
righteousness, and virtue.” And
he adds: “The best life is oriented
around the increasing excellence of
the soul and is nourished by moral
joy, the quiet sense of gratitude
and tranquility that comes as a
byproduct of successful moral
struggle. The meaningful life is the
same eternal thing, the combination
of some set of ideals and some
man or woman’s struggle for those
ideals. Life is essentially a moral
drama, not a hedonistic one.”
In the spiritual life, God is man’s
true good and happiness. In order to
possess this eternal good, man must
unite himself to God. This union
with God cannot be achieved by
man’s own strength; he needs God’s
help and grace. Only by striving to
orient his entire earthly life can he
hope to one day be eternally happy
with God in heaven.
Now, holiness, as some may
think, is not an unhappy life project.
This is false! Like any ideal, sanctity
entails sacrifice. For example, to
become a good athlete, painter,
doctor, architect or lawyer, one
must invest a lot of time, effort, and
sacrifice. Now holiness, especially
our own and our children’s, is no
exception.
Today the challenge is how to
make sanctity—which is not easy
to click, like, upload or take a
selfie of—something attractive
and meaningfully valuable for
the young, who are caught up
in the waves of instant material
gratification and entitlement.
What can parents do?
• Parents first. The task of making
holiness attractive begins with the
very parents—through word and
deed—themselves. They are not
perfect, but they constantly and
naturally radiate one sincere desire
in their life: holiness is the only
thing that truly matters.
• Heart and mind prints. An
invisible reality like holiness, so
to speak, needs to latch itself to
material things. The best realities
to print onto our children’s minds
and hearts are prayer, offering,
and service. This is done by
accompanying them and gradually
helping them own these exercises.
For example, pray for an intention,
offer a discomfort (i.e. a broken
toy, eating vegetables, and the hot
weather etc.) to God and how a day
cannot end without some concrete
act of service (i.e. learning how to
share their things with others).
• Rewarding the invisible. We
must strive to make them cherish
spiritual rewards: a “please”
accompanied by a smile, an “I’m
sorry” with an embrace and firm pat
on the back together with a “thank
you”. Such spiritual rewards help
to open closed minds, soften hard
hearts, and convert self-centered
wills.
• ‘Godgets’ more. Gadgets today
are one of the most common
Whatever / A6
A6 LOCAL NEWS january 22 - february 4, 2018 Vol. 22 No. 2 CBCP Monitor

Free confab on Duterte urged to intervene

‘Church of the regarding OFW on death row
Poor’ set

Professor Dries Vanysacker of the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KU Leuven), fourth from left, together
with panelists of a thesis defense under the joint program for Bachelor in Theology and Religious Studies Mary Jane’s parents Cesar and Celia Veloso call for the release of their daughter during a prayer rally in Manila, Sept. 8, 2016. MARIA TAN
of the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium and St. Vincent
School of Theology, Adamson University, Philippines. ST. VINCENT SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY A CATHOLIC bishop asked elevated to the Supreme Court,” not the human traffickers,” Santos
President Rodrigo Duterte to Santos said. said.
PROFESSOR Dries Vanysacker of “It is a simple conference, but intervene in the case of a Filipina The Balanga bishop made the “The CA decision is just an added
the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven we open the opportunity to gather inmate convicted of drug smuggling appeal after the Court of Appeals pain and continuous agony for Mary
(KU Leuven) in Belgium will give a people to listen to an expert from in Indonesia. recently affirmed its injunction Jane,” he added.
conference on “Pope Francis and Europe,” he added. Bishop Ruperto Santos, who on Veloso’s testimony against the An Indonesian court sentenced
the Church of the Poor” on Jan. 23, chairs the Church’s migrants recruiters who allegedly tricked the overseas Filipino worker in
8:30 a.m. to noon at the University Free admission ministry, said Duterte must do her into transporting illegal drugs 2010 after being found guilty of
of the Assumption (UA) in this city. The conference will be held at the something to save Mary Jane Veloso to Indonesia in 2010. transporting 2.6 kilograms of
Vanysacker teaches at the Faculty Msgr. Serrano Auditorium at UA. from execution. The prelate argued that Veloso heroin.
of Theology and Religious Studies of Ranked as one of the best 50 “The President, thru Solicitor should be allowed to testify instead Insisting that she was duped by
KU Leuven and is also a coordinator universities in the world, KU Leuven General Jose Calida, could question of the CA giving “leeway” to her her recruiters, Veloso was given a
at the History of the Church and is an institution for research and the decision of the CA not to allow recruiters. last-minute reprieve by Indonesia
Theology research unit of the said education in Flanders, Belgium. Mary Jane deposition. Thru the “It is Mary Jane who must be President Jokowi Widodo in April
university. Teachers and students of theology Solicitor General, it should be protected, defended and be saved, 2015. (CBCPNews)
and religious education, the clergy
Understanding Pope Francis and religious, and lay persons are
“We have to get to know the mind
of the Pope, he gives the direction
invited to attend the conference.
The UA Institute of Theological
Tagle suggests ‘digital detox’ in social media age
where the Church goes, he has a and Religious Studies and the JUST as he praised
heart for the poor, and Professor Mother of Good Counsel Seminary social media and its
Vanysacker can help us understand are hosting the conference. great potential for
him better,” said Fr. Oliver Yalung, Admission is free. Interested evangelization, Manila
head of Theology and Religious parties are requested to reserve Archbishop Luis Antonio
Study at UA. their slots by calling or texting Cardinal Tagle said
The priest commended 09204030631 and 09063443028. modern man’s immersion
Vanysacker as someone “who knows (Fernando Santos with in the digital world could
of Pope Francis’ and the Church’s Reports from Chrixy be leading him back to
advocacy for the poor.” Paguirigan / CBCPNews) silence and reflection.
“Some people are
Disowns / A1
proposing a digital detox…
I don’t know how to do
of the UAAI or any of its alumni The UST Central Student Council
it. But they say, through
organizations,” it said in a statement condemned the award to Uson that
silence, return to reflection
from Prof. Giovanna Fontanilla, it called “an avid spreader and citer
and prayer life,” said the
the university’s director for public of fake news”.
prelate, giving the keynote
affairs. In an editorial titled “Award to
talk of a panel discussion
UST stressed that The Outstanding ‘Mocha’ a libel to UST, the university’s
on “Catholic media in
Thomasian Alumni is the only official student publication, The
challenging times” at the
award bestowed by the university “to Varsitarian, even called on the UST
Layforce Auditorium, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle gives the keynote talk at a panel discussion on “Catholic media in
exceptional graduates after undergoing AAI officers to resign over its decision
San Carlos Seminary, challenging times” at the Layforce Auditorium, San Carlos Seminary, Guadalupe, Makati City, Jan. 19, 2018. ROY LAGARDE
a stringent screening process”. to honor Uson.
Guadalupe in this city.
“They are given only to alumni “For its libel on UST and abetting
Tagle, who hosts the hooked constantly is the Warnings from 1963 use of the means of social
in all areas of studies who have assault on the truth, the UAAI
syndicated TV show The contemporary version According to him, the communication.”
instilled excellent core values leadership should resign,” the
Word Exposed, said that of noise. You don’t hear digital culture seems to “Now they’re talking
academically and socially to the editorial said.
at a time when many enjoy any noise, but you are reinforce the “quest for about addiction to the
public,” it added. UST Rector Fr. Herminio
multiple means of social constantly being bugged… external stimulation.” gadgets and it is a form of
The UAAI on Sunday conferred Dagohoy, who presided a Mass
communication, “people It is the new form of “It’s like we need to be addiction…,” said Tagle.
the Thomasian Alumni Award at the alumni homecoming on
are looking for silence.” noise, the lack of silence,” stimulated all the time by Organized by Signis
for Government Service to Uson, Sunday, has also denied any
he explained partly in an external [stimulant]… Philippines, Jesuit
sparking uproar from former and knowledge of the award to Uson.
Need for silence Filipino. and speed. Everyone is Communications
current UST students. (CBCPNews)
“When people are talking The prelate related in a hurry: instant coffee, Foundation, TV
Whatever / A5 about communication, how a priest revealed even responses should be Maria, Catholic Media
they also rediscover the that before, the first instant,” he said. Network, Paulines,
compensations for children. We have reminders to pray to God, to the need for silence,” he said. thing he did in the The need for constant and Radio Veritas,
to help them realize that these material saints, for the family and friends. While Tagle said morning was to pray, stimulation, explained the panel discussion
things are secondary to God, family, • Create spiritual spaces. Praying social media opens now, it is to check his Tagle, is tied to narcissism, also featured Bishop
friends, and work. This can be done as a family is very important to up opportunities for phone for messages. isolation, emptiness, and Mylo Hubert Vergara,
through the example of temperance nurture desires for holiness. But “solidarity, growing in “For me, [one of the unhappiness. chairman of the CBCP
and sobriety that parents and guardians this isn’t just the grace before unity” as well as the threats is] the lack of The prelate pointed out Commission on Social
constantly live at home and at work. meals or the Rosary. There could “deepening of faith time to reflect. There is how as early as 1963, the Communications, John
• Material reminders. Decorate be prayers said spontaneously for through prayer and no more time to think. It’s Second Vatican Council Nery of the Philippine
the house, without overdoing it, special intentions or events. There through formation,” like everything should be was already calling on Daily Inquirer, and
with simple but elegant images is also the wonderful practice of constant digital exposure fast, [but] there are things the faithful, particularly Howie Severino of GMA
(i.e. our Lord, our Lady, St. Joseph gathering every evening, for less has a downside. that need to be studied, parents, to “to help the Network 7 as reactors.
and a particular saint the family than five or so minutes, to thank “…(T)here are also [and] thought about,” said youth learn moderation (Nirva’ana Ella
is close to, etc.) These are helpful God together for His graces, ask some threats. Being Tagle. and self-control in the Delacruz/CBCPNews)
material pointers that raise the the others’ pardon for some minor
spiritual temperature of the home, faults and to pray for more grace to Together / A1
as members strive to use them as love the next day.
people looking for verification,” has a social communications office, information and the right of people
Abortion / A3
he said. wow!” Tagle stressed. to receive information,” he added.
The cardinal expressed his And amid threats to press freedom, Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara
passionate and wants to remind who might be in a state of fear or appreciation for the efforts of the cardinal emphasized the Church’s of Pasig, chairman of the
people that “we are victims in this crisis because of an unexpected church media organizations to bring “conviction” for free speech and Church’s Commission on Social
too.” pregnancy, said his message to the light of the Gospel to various its importance for facilitating good Communications, backed efforts
When speaking about abortion, them would be “what are you afraid peripheries. governance and transparency. to uphold press freedom in the
he says men should just be of?” According to him, the media if “The right of the people to get country.
themselves: “Don’t talk about “I had that experience, I became properly utilized could be a potent information of course includes “If press freedom… it’s really
abortion differently that you talk a teen parent,” but looking back, force for the Church to drive social the freedom of the people to share clear that we should be free to speak
about everything else, don’t put it “what was I afraid of? … Being a change “since we are serving all over information, including the freedom the truth,” Vergara said.
off to the side. You are allowed, as father is such a beautiful gift ... the country”. of the press,” said Tagle. The two church leaders were
a man, to talk about an issue like there is no more beautiful thing “We could be one source of “This isn’t just an opinion. It’s joined by journalists John Nery and
a man.” in the world than being a father.” verification because the Church is our conviction that there should Howie Severino as reactors during
Jones said his message to people (Elise Harris/CNA) present everywhere and if a diocese be freedom of the people to share the forum.
CBCP Monitor january 22 - february 4, 2018 Vol. 22 No. 2 DIOCESAN NEWS A7

Leyte marks 3rd anniversary

of pope’s visit
Want to help Mayon evacuees?
Accommodate them, says priest
LEGAZPI, Albay— A Catholic
priest in Albay called on
parishioners to open their
homes to evacuees as large
volcanic eruption looms in
the province.
Fr. Rex Paul Arjona,
Director of the Diocese
of Legazpi’s Social Action
Center, hopes that more
people will participate in
the church’s Hararomna
Pagrangasa Orogna
Nangangaipo (Harong)
program.
Pope Francis waves to the crowd after the Mass at the Tacloban airport on Jan. 17,
2015, enroute to Palo, Leyte to visit other survivors of typhoon Yolanda. BENHUR He said that Harong, a
ARCAYAN/MALACAÑANG PHOTO BUREAU volunteer program initiated
back in 2014 when Mayon
homes,” Arjona said over
Radio Veritas.
“This is in order to help
in decongesting evacuation
centers and improve the well-
being of the evacuees, especially
those of the most vulnerable
population,” he said.
More than 30,000 people
have already fled their homes
as the lava from the restless
Mayon Volcano continued
to flow.
Arjona said the diocese
through its parishes is
working around the clock
to help those in need by Evacuees take refuge at a school in Camalig, Albay, January 16, 2018. JUN SANTIAGO
providing food, shelter and III, CSSR

PALO, Leyte—Three
years ago on Wednesday,
thousands of people gathered
in Leyte for the visit of Pope
Francis.
On Jan. 17, 2015, the pope
met with some survivors
of typhoon Yolanda and
church leaders in Palo, but
the highlight of his trip for
many people was his Mass at
the airport in Tacloban City.
Michael Mendroz, a
37-year-old driver from
Tacloban, was among the
volunteers who served during
the papal visit despite strong
rains brought by a storm.
Mendroz said he personally
saw the pope in a close
distance because he was one
of those that secured the
Pope through the human
chain.
“I personally saw Pope
Francis and I felt a different
feeling. It was an experience
I will never forget in my life,”
he said.
During the Mass and
wearing a yellow raincoat
over his vestments, Pope
Francis said he did not know
what he could say to address
the pain of the survivors of
Yolanda that left thousands
dead and millions homeless.
“I don’t know what to day
to you,” said the pontiff.
The pope recalled that as
he watched the catastrophe
unfold from Rome, “I felt that
I had to be here.”
“I am here to be with you.
A little bit late, I have to say.
But I’m here,” he said. “I
come to tell you that Jesus
is Lord. and He never lets us
down.”
Archbishop John Du of
Palo marked the papal visit
anniversary with a Mass at
the Pope Francis Center,
a facility located within
the archbishop’s residence
compound intended for the
orphans and elderly.
The prelate also led the
inauguration and blessing
of a newly-constructed
orphanage building.
A liturgical service was also
held t the Palo Metropolitan
Cathedral, where the pope
had an audience with the
priests and the religious in
2015.
Fr. Gilbert Urbina, the
cathedral’s rector, said he
could not forget the day
Pope Francis visited the
archdiocese.
“Despite of the strong rains
because of the typhoon when
he arrived, no body of us got
sick,” Urbina said.
Few days after the papal
visit, the bishop of Rome
was declared “Super Pope”
by the local government of
Tabontabon town for being
the first pontiff to visit Leyte.
(Nestor Abrematea/
CBCPNews)
Volcano last erupted, also emotional support.
aims to avoid overcrowding “They have opened soup elderly,” he added. food, water, blankets,
in evacuation centers. kitchens while also opening At the same time, the priest sleeping mats, mosquito
“We are campaigning, their facilities, like churches, is knocking on the doors of nets, among others.
especially to residences pastoral centers for the Catholics to gather aid for “We are appealing to
surrounding or nearby vulnerable evacuees, such evacuees as rivers of lava people who have these needs.
the evacuation centers, to as pregnant and lactating threaten thousands of homes. We don’t need clothes yet,”
welcome evacuees to their mothers, PWDs, and the Donations needed include he said. (CBCPNews)
Drug war / A1
death of three teenage drug suspects in Navotas and Malabon. many of the more than 16,000 ‘deaths
the hands of policemen. “The killings by the ‘bonnet gangs’ under investigation’ perpetrated by
But in December last year, President never really stopped after Tokhang was masked vigilantes have been resolved?
Rodrigo Duterte again ordered the return suspended the second time on October Why are the killers never apprehended,
to the Philippine National Police (PNP) 12, 2017,” he said. pursued, or caught by the police?”
the conduct of anti-drug operations in David has also asked for an update asked David.
the country. over the thousands of previous killings Government lawyers earlier declined
“Tokhang was suspended but the linked to the “Oplan Tokhang”. to comply with a Supreme Court request
killings of alleged drug suspects never According to him, the seeming absence to submit copies of police reports and
really stopped. What to expect with its of credible findings on the killings other documents especially on the death
third relaunching? Your guess is as good makes the return of the drug war more of some 4,000 suspects in supposedly
as mine,” David said. worrisome. legitimate drug operations.
Currently the second-in-command “How many of the 4,000 killed in Earlier, Solicitor General Jose Calida
in the bishops’ hierarchy, he said his ’legitimate police operations’ during told the SC that he would comply with
diocese recorded the killing of at least the first two Tokhangs really ‘fought its directive. He later withdrew his own
20 people since October in his diocese back’ (nanlaban) as claimed by the word citing national security. (Roy
which covers the cities of Caloocan, police? Have they found out? How Lagarde / CBCPNews)
Candidly Speaking / A4
work nowadays. unity among ourselves, the temporal and technical in this crucial aspect of our
When we would be more etc. We would strive for aspects of our work to God? life, especially in our relation
aware of this truth, even utmost competence and Do we realize that our work is to God and to others.
if we still can commit diligence. our usual way of giving glory Slowly but steadily,
errors due to our human We need to start with to God? And that it is our without letup, let’s help one
limitations and the many our own selves in learning usual way also of sanctifying another acquire this proper
temptations around, there and living by this basic ourselves and others? understanding and attitude
would be an effort to make truth of ourselves. Are our I believe we have to discuss toward our work and its
our work a source of real motivations and intentions these questions more often corresponding skills. What
goodness, of love and for working the right one? and more openly, if only to a world it is going to be if we
compassion, of energy for Do we know how to relate make ourselves more literate work in this way!
And That’s the Truth / A4

CBCP official lauds creation of OFW Bank
BALANGA City—A special
bank opened this month for
overseas Filipino workers
would be of help to the OFWs
and their families, a Catholic
bishop said.
Balanga Bishop Ruperto
Santos, chairman of the
CBCP Episcopal Commission
on Migrants and Itinerant
People, said it would provide
more protection to the
remittances sent by the more
than 10 million OFWs around
the world.
“It is a valuable help as they
can save from higher remittance
fees of foreign banks in those
countries of work, and they can
be protected from investment
scams,” he said.
The government on Jan.
18 inaugurated the Overseas
Filipino Bank (OFB) in
Manila which offers a fast,
secured, and cheapest
remittance system.
“With OFB our migrant
Another Angle / A5
placed on “credere in Deum”
than on “credere Deum”
. . . it is “a legitimate way
of living the faith, a way of
feeling part of the Church
and a manner of being
missionaries”. It becomes
clear that for Pope Francis
they too are missionaries to
us, [priests and lay] and to be
one with our people in their
popular expression of faith,
“brings with itself the grace of
being a missionary, of coming
out of oneself and setting
out on pilgrimage “with our
people, and perhaps by doing
so we could just ignore its
negative manifestations that
necessarily goes with it.
In other words, to be
recipients of the jewels
hidden in popular mysticism
or by being evangelized by
workers are encouraged to
save, to keep their money to
earn interests and so they can
avoid unnecessary spending,”
Santos said.
The OFB was President
Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign
promise to help the Filipinos
working overseas, including
immigrants and those with
residence visas.
The President signed
Executive Order 44 in
September 2017, allowing the
Land Bank of the Philippines’
acquisition of the Philippine
Postal Savings Bank (PPSB).
The EO then authorized the
PPSB’s conversion into OFB,
which offers microfinance
and micro-insurance
products and services for
Filipinos abroad.
The government is also
planning to set up OFB in
foreign countries to make it
more accessible to Filipinos
abroad. (CBCPNews)
them, so to speak, we also
become evangelizers for
them, co-pilgrims with them
in discerning in a deeper
way together the treasures
hidden by God in these
cultural expressions of faith.
In fact the Pope suggests
that: “taking part in (other)
manifestations of popular
piety, also by taking one’s
children or inviting others,
is in itself an evangelizing
gesture”.
He exhorts: “Let us not
stifle or presume to control
this missionary power!” The
church then is invited not to
loose by default this “religious
power” to the whims and
caprices of secularism and
materialism. VIVA KAY
SENOR STO NIÑO! PIT
SENOR!
He once declared, with clenched
fist, that he would ride a jetski to
plant a Philippine flag on a contested
island grabbed by China. But now
he’s playing footsies with China and
tightening the noose on the United
States. Does he know what he’s doing,
or is it part of a clever strategy? He
once said he’d kill his own children if
he found out they were using drugs,
but is now mum on the six-billion
peso shabu shipment from China
that dragged his son’s name into the
controversy. Once rejecting being
compared to the loose-lipped US
president Donald Trump, he said “He’s
a bigot, I am not.”Months later, after a
friendly phone chat with Trump where
the latter expressed support for his
drug war, Duterte totally forgot that
he might be dealing with a “bigot”.
He carelessly makes promises he can’t
keep. Remember when he swore he’d
stop cussing because his daughter was
getting the flak in school on account of
her president-father’s laughable foul
mouth? He tried, his speech became
bland, but only for a week or so. And
also that incident when he said God
talked to him on the plane, and he
promised never to cuss again because
“a promise to God is a promise to the
Filipino people”? And that campaign
trail promise to rid the country of
drugs in three-to-six months? See the
pattern? Same banana.
He trivializes matters. He blurts out
something infuriating and then turns
around and says he’s just joking. Irate
over the pronouncement of US human
rights experts about the drug killings
being a crime under international law,
Duterte exploded into expletives, called
the experts “stupid”, and threatened to
pull out of the UN, only to say later he
was just joking. At a campaign rally
he said about the raped and murdered
Australian missionary: “Nakita ko ang
mukha, maganda… sabi ko sayang, na
rape, pinilahan nila. Galit ako dahil
na-rape siya, pero maganda, naisip ko,
dapat ang mayor ang pinauna nila.”
(I saw her face and I thought, ‘What a
pity... they raped her, they all lined up.
I was mad she was raped but she was so
beautiful. I thought, the mayor should
have been first.) His office defended his
“joke”, saying it was simply “how men
talk,” but later on issued an apology to
pacify furious female voters.
If people can’t tell when he’s joking
and when he’s not, it’s probably
because the man himself doesn’t
know how to make heads or tails
of the problems in his hands. He
sounded funny and bragging when
he said, campaigning, “If I make it to
the presidential palace, I will do just
what I did as mayor. You drug pushers,
hold-up men and do-nothings, you
better go out. Because I’ll kill you…I’ll
dump all of you into Manila Bay,
and fatten all the fish there.” But
thousands of drug related deaths later,
of mostly of drug users and pushers
who “resisted arrest” by the police,
we realize Duterte wasn’t joking about
fattening the fish in Manila Bay, by
feeding them the small fry. A funny
joker president? Scary, to say the least.
Joking or not, Duterte makes brash
off-the-cuff remarks that should easily
earn him the title of “Pambansang
Kahihiyan”. Anyone who causes him
displeasure he cusses as a “son of a
whore”—former US president Obama
and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon
(“a fool”) over human rights issues,
and Pope Francis (“you son of a whore,
go home and never come back”) for
indirectly causing him to get stuck in a
traffic jam. Du30’s mouth also spewed
obscenities when the European Union
urged his government to investigate
human rights abuses, calling the EU
hypocrites, giving them the dirty finger,
and accusing them of “atoning” for their
ancestors’ sins and “guilt feelings” over
occupying other countries in the past.
Are his intentions noble? Is he a
misguided maverick? He always says
he loves his country and would get
rid of anyone harming it or hurting
the Filipinos. But the drug users and
pushers are Filipinos, too. So why is he
vowing to kill the country’s alleged three
million drug addicts—“I’d be happy to
slaughter them as Hitler massacred
the Jews… to finish the problem of my
country and save the next generation.”
Or does he simply enjoy shocking polite
society, as when at a meeting with
businessmen, he bragged about being a
womanizer thus, “I was separated from
my wife. I’m not impotent. What am I
supposed to do? Let this hang forever?
When I take Viagra, it stands up.”
If the surveys are to be believed,
PRRD seems to be still enjoying a high
trust rating. Why? Is it because he
pushed for free education up to college,
higher salaries for soldiers and teachers,
more services for the poor, the purge
against corrupt officials, etc. etc.? I
for one, though not a fan nor a critic
of the man, think his warrior nature
served the country well when he put
his foot down on the terrorists during
the Marawi siege. The first video I saw
of it was of the ISIS recruits burning
the cathedral and bashing the images
inside. The fact that the terrorists are
well funded from abroad shows this
is a real threat to the country, and the
president for once acted as a president
should—with determination to fight
off the invaders. I shuddered to think
what could have happened had the one
sitting in Malacañang then been any of
his rivals—Roxas, Binay, Poe, or (RIP)
Santiago?
If everything is wrong about Duterte,
then not everything could be right
about the 16,000,000 Filipinos who
put him into office. They heard him
during his campaign. They knew he
was a womanizer. They enjoyed his
jokes and his cussing and counted on his
promises. And yet they voted for him.
Lest we forget that the Philippines is not
just its president, or the president and
his supporters, but is each and everyone
of us, we need to discern more in order
to make of ourselves the best we can
before the sake of our country and the
future of our children. How do we solve
the problem of Duterte? Accept that
in spite of our purest intentions there
are things we cannot change—surely
not the habits of conflicted leaders
that go against our grain or violate
our standards of decency—and so try
to focus on changing ourselves. We
can help ourselves through prayer and
obedience to the Father. How do we
solve the puzzle that’s Duterte? How
do we face the challenge that’s Duterte?
Like it or not he is a challenge to our
faith, our humility, our charity, and our
avowed desire for God’s will to be done.
And that’s the truth.
A8 PEOPLE, FACTS, AND PLACES january 22 - february 4, 2018 Vol. 22 No. 2 CBCP Monitor

Leyte town to name Duterte names new envoy

road after Pope to the Vatican
Francis MANILA—AS had been expected
for the past week, President Rodrigo
Duterte has nominated Grace
Relucio-Princesa as Philippine
Ambassador to the Holy See.
“NanayAmba,” as she is known
by friends, had spent more than 20
years in the Philippine Diplomatic
Service before she was named
Assistant Secretary of the Foreign
Affairs Department’s Legislative
Liaison Unit.
She was the first female Philippine
Ambassador to the United Arab
Emirates and had previous postings
in Iraq, USA, Egypt and Switzerland.
Bishop Ruperto Santos, chairman
of the CBCP’s Commission on
Migrants and Itinerant People, has Ambassador Grace Relucio-Princesa. DFA FILE PHOTO
welcomed the nomination, saying
that it’s an added “blessing” for “We welcome her appointment, very religious and honesty is their
Princesa “to work in Vatican and extends our cooperation and natural traits,” said Santos.
for the Vatican”. collaboration with her,” he said. “Surely it will be holy and happy
“NanayAmba is very known for In Italy, aside from the 57 Filipino relationships of NanayAmba Grace
our OFWs in UAE where she was centers all over the country, the with our OFWs, priests and religious
posted before. She has her heart for CBCP has at least five Filipino sisters,” he added.
OFWs, truly caring and working for chaplaincies in Rome, Milan, Princesa’s nomination must
their well-being,” Santos said. Bergamo, Padova and Florence. be approved by the bicameral
The bishop said that they are “Our OFWs fill the Italian Commission on Appointments
ready to work with Princesa, whose churches, and helping the parishes (CA). There has been no vocal
Pope Francis makes a surprise visit to a family in Palo, Leyte on January 17, 2015. BENHUR ARCAYAN/ nomination was announced by as pastoral workers. And our OFWs opposition to her appointment, so
MALACAÑANG PHOTO BUREAU Malacañang on Jan. 20. in Italy are very hardworking, far. (CBCPNews)

PALO, Leyte— The local government

here is discussing honoring Pope
Francis by naming a road after him.
visit to serve as a lasting and fitting
remembrance for the Holy Father’s
visit to Palo,” Agner said.
New Naval bishop assumes post
The pope visited the town and the Jorge Pulido, a resident of NAVAL, Biliran— Newly-
nearby city of Tacloban in January Tacloban, welcomed the move of ordained Bishop Rex
2015 to be in solidarity with the the Palo officials to name the road Ramirez has formally
survivors of typhoon Yolanda. to Pope Francis. took office as the new
Local officials have recommended “I believe there will be no other head of the Catholic
that the newly completed west pope that will come to Leyte in our diocese of Naval in
bypass road will be named after the lifetime, except Pope Francis. It is Biliran province.
81-year-old pontiff. now part of our history that once Ramirez was officially
This resolution will go before the upon a time a pope came to Leyte,” installed as the diocese’s
Palo town council for approval. Pulido said. second bishop in a solemn
Councilor Junie Agner said they The 3.66-km government road ceremony held at the Most
are also discussing the plan with project traverses through some Holy Rosary Cathedral on
concerned government agencies inland villages of the town— an Friday morning.
and the Archdiocese of Palo. alternative road for motorists The installation rite
“Mayor (Remedios) Petilla had told particularly those going to the took place three days after
me to look for a road to be named west side of Leyte. (Nestor his episcopal ordination
after the Pope shortly after the papal Abrematea/CBCPNews) in Palo, Leyte attended
by leading church figures
PHLPost issues stamps for Fatima centenary including Cardinal Luis
Antonio Tagle and Papal
Nuncio Archbishop Bishop Rex Ramirez (center) is greeted by his predecessor retired Bishop Filomeno Bactol (right) and Palo Archbishop
John Du during his installation at the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral as the second bishop of the Diocese of Naval,
Gabriele Cassia. January 12, 2018.
The 50-year-old
prelate succeeded by the clergy and the politicians. The Naval diocese is
Bishop FilomenoBactol people of Biliran since his “There are officials whom one of the four suffragans
who retired from the appointment last October I know do not meet eye-to- of the Archdiocese of
ministry after reaching 2017 by Pope Francis. eye. My role as a bishop is Palo with more than
the mandatory age of 75 Bishop Ramirez earlier clear to me. I will stand by 300,000 Catholics in 16
three years ago. He is now said he will detach from what the Church stands parishes administered
78 years old. political pressures for. I am there for the by around 30 priests.
Bactol said that Ramirez and not influenced by Church and as the Church’s (Nestor Abrematea/
had long been waited squabbles among local representative,” he said. CBCPNews)

Archbishop Palma marks 20th year as bishop with CFC

Thousands of Couples for Christ leaders gathered for the annual CFC Leaders’ Conference, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma
celebrated a Holy Mass together with priests from Metro Manila, Ecuador, France, and Israel, Jan. 13, 2018. PHOTO COURTESY OF RUEL TENERIFE

MANILA— The centenary year
of Our Lady of Fatima has been
commemorated with a national
stamp, the latest honor for the
patroness of the largest Catholic
country in Asia.
The Philippine Postal Corp.
(PHLPost) has released se-
tenant block of four stamps to
mark the series of apparitions of
the Blessed Mother to the three
shepherd children in Fatima,
Portugal.
The Virgin Mary appeared six
times to Lucia, and her cousins
Francisco, and his sister Jacinta
between May 13, 1917 and October
13 of the same year.
There are four designs of the
commemorative stamps featuring
the first apparition, the Our Lady of
Fatima herself, the last apparition
known as “the Miracle of the Sun”,
and the three visionaries.
The agency has printed 80,000
copies of the P12 denomination
of the block of four stamps which
is available for sale in post offices
around the country until December
13, 2018.
It said the layout of the stamps
was done by in-house graphic artist
Eunice Beatrix UyDabu.
The local Church has used the
image of Our Lady of Fatima in a huge
procession against extrajudicial
killings along the historic Edsa
highway last November.
Organized by the Catholic Bishops’
Conference of the Philippines, it
was a prayerful gathering for the
“healing” of the nation marred by
killings and political division as a
consequence of the government’s
controversial war on drugs.
(CBCPNews)
MANILA— Thousands of Couples for
Christ (CFC) leaders who converged
onJan. 13, in Pasay City had an
extra-special guest of honor at the
CFC Leaders’ Conference 2018 in
the person of Cebu Archbishop Jose
Palma, who marked two decades as
a bishop that day.
Leaders from Canada, the
U.S., Australia, Singapore, India,
Indonesia, the Middle East, Africa,
among others, gathered for this
year’s conference, which carried
the theme “Rekindle the Gift…
Fulfill Your Ministry” taken from 2
Timothy 1:6, 4:1-5.
“Speaking of gifts… Twenty years
ago, exactly this day, the 13th of
January, I was ordained a bishop
in Iloilo. Maybe you are wondering
why I’m here…[It’s] because I owe
a lot to CFC and I mean it,” said the
bishop, who was the main celebrant
for the Holy Mass before the main
sessions.
Recognizing the good
“I want to tell you precisely
that I want to unite myself to
you in this meaningful event…
All good things are gifts form
the Lord,” added Palma, who
celebrated the Eucharist together
with priests from Metro Manila,
Ecuador, Israel, France, among
others.
In reference to CFC’s theme for
2018, the prelate then called on
the faithful to “recognize the many
good things, the many gifts we
have received,” noting that such an
acknowledgment is precisely “the
basis” for rekindling those gifts.
According to Palma, rekindling
one’s gifts means to have God as
one’s focus.
“We rekindle [our gifts] when
daily we think of God, when we
realize that because we receive
this from the Lord then our first
responsibility is before the Lord, the
Giver of Gifts,” he explained.
‘Giver of Gifts’
The prelate then quoted St.
Augustine, who said, “You touched
me and I am set on fire. To attain
the peace which is Yours, o Lord.”
He stressed that rekindling
one’s gifts is only possible “if our
intention, if our mindset, if our
reference is the Lord, the Giver of
Gifts.”
The Mass was followed by the
main sessions, which were given by
CFC president Michael Ariola and
by MeloVillaroman, CFC chairman.
(Nirva’Ana Ella Delacruz/
CBCPNews)