•A3 Synod

Pope closes Middle East

with impassioned •B1 Ourselves
‘We Must Never Resign
to the Absence
•C1 The Cross
A Supplement Publication of KC Life and
call for peace of Peace’ the Order of the Knights of Columbus

Caritas Filipinas appeals PPCRV seeks election

for food aid
THE social action arm of the Catholic Bish-
ops’ Conference of the Philippines made a
preliminary appeal for aid recently for victims
of typhoon “Juan” who are at risk of going
hungry.
The country’s strongest typhoon in four years
started to lash at least seven Northern Luzon
provinces and Metro Manila on October 18,
sending hundreds of families into evacuation
centers.
Caritas / A6
inquiry
A CATHOLIC Church-based poll watchdog is
seeking an investigation regarding the delayed
deliveries of voting materials that hampered
Monday’s village and youth council elections.
The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible
Voting is demanding the Commission on Elec-
tions to explain why such glitches occurred
despite assurances that the conduct of the polls
would be smooth sailing.
Henrietta de Villa, PPCRV national chair-
October 25 - November 7, 2010 Vol. 14 No. 22 Php 20.00 Inquiry / A6

Church groups call on gov’t: protect Filipino workers

VARIOUS Church-based groups
called on peace-loving Filipinos
and justice advocates to rally
behind Filipino workers and
push the Aquino government for
a more humane treatment and
worker-friendly environment.
In a statement sent to CBCP
Media Office, the Diocesan So-
cial Action of Iba, Urban Mis-
sionaries and the National Sec-
retariat of Social Action, Justice hats by Korean managers and in Subic Bay Freeport Zone. Industries and Construction, According to them, the previ-
and Peace expressed alarm over they work on contractual basis The groups remain hopeful Philippines, Inc. as we remind ous government failed to listen
reports of abuses, maltreatment and the salary is far less than the Aquino Administration will him of his promise: hindi sa bal- “to the cry of our workers”.
and violations of basic human what the company promised to move and listen to the workers’ uktot na daan kundi sa matuwid They said they are saddened
rights committed by Hanjin them, far less than their South clamor for better treatment and na daan ang ating dadaanan”, that high government officials
Heavy Industries and Construc- Korean counterparts,” the state- observance of health and safety so if the contract is onerous and in the previous administration
tion – Philippines Inc. company ment said. measures at HHIC-Phils. disadvantageous to the Filipino allowed the Korean company to
officials against Filipino work- Hanjin Heavy Industries and “Let us call upon President people, the government should violate laws and abuse the rights
ers. Construction – Philippines Inc. Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III to revise and amend the contract to of Filipino workers, just because
“They are slapped, kicked, (HHIC-Phils. Inc.), is a Korean review the investment contract protect the rights of our work- they have stakes in the company.
boxed, knocked heads or hard Shipbuilding company located of Hanjin Heavy Equipment ers,” they said. Protect / A6

‘Stop mining in our region’

—Eastern Visayas bishops
By Pinky Barrientos, FSP

SIX bishops from Eastern

Visayas have made an
impassioned plea on
government leaders to stop
mining in the region.
The mining aggression in Eastern
Visayas will only worsen the already
deteriorating state of the environment
and destroy the livelihood of the people,
they said.
“We call on our responsible leaders
in government, in the private sector
and all those who harbor intentions of
mining our region to listen to the voices
of our people, ‘Bring back the Beautiful
Land we had once; STOP MINING IN
OUR REGION’,” the bishops said in a
statement issued on Oct. 22.
Both government and private sectors
have shown keen interest to develop the
mining industry in the territory.
But the prelates criticized the “mis-
placed priorities” of some local leaders
accusing them of acting “more as agents
of the mining firms rather than agents
of the people.”
© Roy Lagarde / CBCP Media

The bishops noted in the statement

that several mining permits for explo-
ration and mining production sharing
agreements (MPSAs) have been hastily
issued in many parts of the region’s Honor guards stand at attention for the departure of Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams (center), apostolic nuncio to the Philippines, at the Borongan Airport in Eastern Samar, Oct. 22. Adams led the
Eucharistic celebration marking Borongan diocese’s 50th anniversary on the same day. Also in the photo are Borongan Bishop Crispin Varquez (from right), Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone and
islands of Samar, Leyte and Biliran. Borongan Mayor Ma. Fe Abunda.
Mining / A6

Cardinal Rosales pays tribute Pontiff announces new

to environmental advocate
MANILA Archbishop Gauden-
cio B. Cardinal Rosales paid trib-
ute to one of his parish priests in
the Diocese of Malaybalay who
was fatally ambushed by men
believed to have been hired by
illegal loggers 19 years ago.
The 78-year old prelate re-
called Fr. Nery Lito Satur as a
strong and credible advocate
“The incident took place at
about 12:30 p.m. 19 years ago,”
the prelate said as he under-
scored the need to protect the
environment for the benefit of
the succeeding generations.
Rosales has always fought for
environmental protection. The
subject has always been part of
his homilies and lectures before
Evangelization Synod
BENEDICT XVI announced
on October 24 the theme for
the next general assembly
of the Synod of Bishops: The
new evangelization.
The Pope made the an-
nouncement at the closing
Mass of the Special Assembly
for the Middle East of the Syn-
od of Bishops, and repeated it
www.indiatalkies.com

against illegal logging. the religious and academic com- before praying the Angelus at
© Roy Lagarde / CBCP Media

Satur then was only 29 years
old and one of Malaybalay’s
youngest priests. Media ac-
counts revealed the priest’s head
was smashed with a rifle butt
and later shot pointblank with
Rosales
a shotgun.
munities.
He said natural calamities
such as flooding and landslides
could have been avoided had the
forests remained as they should
be. Trees prevent soil erosion
Tribute / A6
midday with those gathered
in St. Peter’s Square.
The next Ordinary Gen-
eral Assembly of the Synod of
Bishops will be held in 2012,
and will be dedicated to the
theme “The New Evangeli-
zation for the Transmission
Pope Benedict XVI
Quoting Pope Paul VI, he
added, “The Church exists to
evangelize, that is to say, to
preach and to teach, to be the

Catholic ‘apathy’ saddens prelate

RETIRED Archbishop Oscar
Cruz expressed sadness over the
seeming apathy from Catholic
believers in the face of direct
and strong attacks against their
religion.
Cruz is particularly referring
to the attitude of the faithful in
defending the church over calls
for it to stop meddling over the
birth control issue.
“Truth to say, in this particular
case, the silence of these well
spread Catholic organizations
was deafening. They were al-
most all so peaceful and at ease
of the Christian Faith,” the
Pontiff said.
Noting that Oct. 24 marked
not only the end of the Mid-
during such a shameful episode east synod, which considered
in their church,” he said. the theme “Communion and
He said it is ironic that Witness,” but also World
many believers don’t seem Mission Sunday, which con-
to mind these direct at- sidered the theme “The Build-
tacks against their church, ing of Ecclesial Communion
considering that they have is the Key to Mission,” the
been fulfilling their Sun- Holy Father called attention
day obligations and in other to the similarities between
church-related activities. the themes.
“Oh yes, churches are full “Both invite us to look upon
on Sundays. People frequent the Church as a mystery of
novenas and processions in communion that, by its nature,
honor of their favorite Saints. is destined for the whole person,
But their faith appears both Illustration by Bladimer Usi and to all people,” he said.
Apathy / A6
channel of the gift of grace, to
reconcile sinners with God,
to perpetuate the sacrifice
of Christ in the Holy Mass,
which is the memorial of his
death and of his glorious res-
urrection.”
“The missionary task,” Bene-
dict XVI reflected, “is not to
bring about revolution in the
world but to transfigure it,
drawing power from Jesus
Christ who ‘convokes us at the
table of his Word and Eucharist,
to taste the gift of his Presence,
to form ourselves in his school
and live more and more con-
sciously united to him, Master
and Lord.’” (Zenit)

www.cbcponlineradio.com www.cbcphealthcare.org www.cbcpmedia.com

 World News
CBCP Monitor
A2 Vol. 14 No. 22
October 25 - November 7, 2010

Synod looks at 41 Vatican Briefing

proposals for Pope

Benedict XVI to visit Venice next May
Cardinal Angelo Scola said Benedict XVI will visit Venice
on May 7-8, also stopping in Aquilea, which is considered a
mother Church for many local Churches in northeast Italy,
Slovenia, Croatia and Austria. The papal visit will occur 26
years after Pope John Paul II’s visit to Venice, and almost 40
years after Pope Paul VI’s. Scola described the upcoming visit
ROME, Oct. 21, 2010—For
a call to “re-center an integral proclamation of Christ’s coming
now at least, the work of the
in the life of faith.” (Zenit)
synod on the Middle East is
focused on 41 proposals that,
after further revisions, will be Pope calls for major int’l reforms to deal with world hunger
presented to Benedict XVI this In his message for World Food Day on Oct. 16, Benedict XVI
Saturday. said persistent world hunger calls for international reforms
Among the most representa- that focus on long-term solutions as well as short-term emer-
tive topics included in these gency food aid. The pope said the theme of this year’s day,
proposals is ecumenical dia- “United Against Hunger,” should remind everyone of the
logue, interreligious dialogue responsibility to support the agricultural sector. Freedom from
with Muslims and Jews, and hunger, he said, means ensuring not only that enough food is
the decisive importance of the available, but also that everyone has daily access to it. (CNS)
Christian presence in the Mid-
dle East. New members for the Doctrinal Congregation
Regarding this last objective, The Pope has named two cardinals and two archbishops,
the synod fathers have been all coming from the Roman Curia, to the Congregation for
stressing a duty to protect the the Doctrine of the Faith. They are: Cardinal Peter Turkson,
identity of the Eastern Catholic president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace; Car-
Churches, to reinforce com- dinal Marc Ouellet, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops;
munion within the Catholic Archbishop Angelo Amato, president of the Congregation
Church among bishops, clergy for Saints’ Causes; and Archbishop Kurt Koch, president of
and faithful (ad intra) and with the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. (Zenit)
the other Churches and ecclesial

communities (ad extra).
The proposals call the world’s
attention to the problems linked
to emigration and immigra-
tion in the region and to the
promotion of religious liberty,
including that of worship and
conscience.
Noteworthy is constant ref-
erence to a need to intensify
cooperation among the Catholic
hierarchies in the Middle East
through meetings, initiatives of
solidarity, and the formation of
priests and laity. The proposals
also stress the importance of
media in transmitting the teach-
ings of the Church.
Trimming down
The proposal list was pre-
sented today at the 12th general
congregation of the Special As-
sembly for the Middle East of
the Synod of Bishops.
Along with the Pope, 162
synod fathers participated in
the assembly, coordinated by
the president-delegate on duty,
Patriarch Ignace Joseph III
(Ephrem) Younan of Antioch of
the Syrians.
Working groups had elabo-
rated 194 proposals, which
were unified and reduced to 41,
explained Archbishop Nikola
Eterović, secretary-general of
the synod.
The document is now be-
ing analyzed by the working
groups, which can propose pos-
sible amendments. A final list
will be presented on Saturday
morning, at the last general
congregation.
The synod will then close on
www.blogs.reuters.com
Chile miners’ flag hung in pontiff’s apartment
Benedict XVI hung in his apartment the flag signed by the 33
trapped Chilean miners, praying daily for their rescue, said Vati-
can spokesman and Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi. Lombardi
spoke of the miners’ plight and the Pope’s prayers during the
most recent edition of Vatican Television’s “Octava Dies.” The
Sunday with a solemn Eucharis- miners were all pulled to safety last Oct.13, after being trapped
tic celebration. below ground since Aug.5. On Oct. 7, the Pope was presented
The 41 proposals, articu- with a flag that had been signed by the 33. (Zenit)
lated in an introduction, three
chapters and a conclusion, Pope pledges Catholic support for bettering Korea
were read by special secre- Receiving the new Korean ambassador to the Holy See on Oct.
tary of the synod, Archbishop 17, Pope Benedict XVI praised the Republic of Korea’s work for
Joseph Soueif, archbishop of peace and its role as an “important player” on the world stage.
Cyprus of the Maronites, and He pledged the Church’s help to advance the common good,
by the general-relator, Cardinal- noting the inspiration the faithful take from the example of the
designate Antonios Naguib, Korean Martyrs. Ambassador Han Hong-soon presented letters
patriarch of Alexandria of the of credence to the Pontiff on Oct. 21 at the Vatican. (CNS)
Copts. (Zenit)
Pope tells seminarians abuse crisis cannot discredit
priestly mission

In wake of scandals, Irish

In a letter to the world’s seminarians, Pope Benedict XVI
said that in the face of widespread religious indifference and
the recent moral failings of clergy, the world needs priests
and pastors who can serve God and bring God to others. He
encouraged seminarians to overcome any doubts about the

bishops call for year of renewal

ROME, Italy, Oct. 23, 2010—The Irish
bishops have announced plans for a year
of prayer for renewal in the light of clergy
sexual abuse scandals that have roiled
the Church.
Using Pope Benedict XVI’s guidance as
the core of the initiative, the bishops hope
to promote healing within the Church
through reconciliation, adoration and
Scripture reading.
At the conclusion of their annual
meeting Oct. 19, the bishops indicated
that their program would be based on
suggestions made by Pope Benedict XVI
in the pastoral letter he sent to Ireland’s
Catholics in March.
Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent,
Nov. 28, the Irish Church will begin a year of
prayer, penance, and spiritual renewal.
In his March 19 letter, the Pope had invited
Irish Catholics to devote their ordinary Fri-
day penances to the intention of healing and
“the long-term process of restoration.” He
also encouraged them to fast, pray, read the
Scriptures, and works of mercy “to obtain the
grace of healing and renewal for the Church
in Ireland.”
He also encouraged them to go to confes-
sion more often and to spend more time in
prayer before the Eucharist.
The bishops said they will put these sug-
gestions into action, recognizing the need for
“profound renewal.” They proposed that the
“first step” in the process to be the observance
of the Year of St. Matthew.
The renewal will follow the Church’s
liturgical reading of the Gospel of Mat-
thew in the Sunday Mass celebrations.
This, the bishops explained, will be “an
opportunity for all to avail of Scripture-
based prayer to guide the renewal of
the Church in Ireland at this time.” In
addition, the bishops will encourage
Catholics to participate in Eucharistic ad-
oration, confession and Friday penance.
They will also pray the special prayer for
the Church of Ireland included at the end
of the Pope’s March letter.
In a statement, the bishops said they
welcomed the upcoming Vatican inves-
tigation of certain dioceses as well as
seminaries and religious congregations
in the country. They hoped that it “will
assist in purifying and healing the Church
in Ireland and will help to restore the trust
and hope of the faithful in our country.”
(CNA)
value of the priesthood and priestly celibacy that may have
been prompted by priests who “disfigured” their ministry by
sexually abusing children. He said that “even the most repre-
hensible abuse cannot discredit the priestly mission.” (CNS)
Pope praises Colombia’s Catholic roots
Benedict XVI is praising the “deep Catholic roots” of Colombia,
which he says are an “inexhaustible source of energy” and an
“inspiration to be committed to the noblest causes.” The Pope
said this on Oct. 18 when he received in audience Colombia’s
new ambassador to the Holy See, César Mauricio Velásquez
Ossa. The Pontiff recalled how the Church has marked the
development of Colombia, not only in the last 200 years, but
ever since the arrival of Spaniards in America. (Zenit)
Pope welcomes Slovenia’s moves on ‘erased’
Pope Benedict XVI said he is pleased with recent efforts by
Slovenia to address the problem of the “erased.” In an Oct. 22
address to Slovenia’s new Vatican ambassador Maja Marija
Lovrencic Svetek, the Pope referred to a recent law that would
allow the “erased” to apply for citizenship. “This is an impor-
tant step forwards in the attempt to solve the cases of those
people who lost the right to residency, work and health care
assistance,” the Pope said. (CNA)

Cardinal Van Thuân seen as model of hope Historical shrine draws Mandalay faith
MANDALAY, Oct. 25, 2010—The sacred Margaret Khyu, a parishioner.
ROME, Oct. 22, 2010--The diocesan when Cardinal van Thuân traveled to Marian Shrine is drawing more people The Marian Shrine, Mandalay archdio-
phase of the canonization process New York he would visit the Vietnam- to come and live in Chanthargone vil- cese is a popular pilgrimage site that draws
opened today in Rome for Cardinal ese Catholics who resided there, in the lage, 555 kilometers north of Yangon. over 1,000 visitors to the annual church feast
François Xavier Nguyen van Thuân parish of the Most Precious Blood, in the New arrivals say they are attracted by day, which falls on the Full Moon Day.
(1928-2002), who is remembered by his city’s Chinese neighborhood. the tranquility and spiritual benefit For this year, Full Moon Day falls on Oct.
countrymen as an example of hope. The priest recalled that Cardinal from church activities and presence of 23. So the Mass, procession, saying rosary
The opening ceremony took place van Thuân was a “very gentle and the Blessed Mother. and benediction will be held on the eve-
at midday in the Conciliation Hall of humble” person “with a good sense “When I was feeling troubled and ning of Oct. 22 and morning of Oct. 23.
the Lateran Palace in Rome, presided of humor.” He said that many young unhappy, I went to the Church, talked During World War II, fleeing villagers
over by Cardinal Agostino Vallini, the people “admired him and wanted to to Mother Mary and visit the Sacrament. dug a pit and buried the iron statue of
Pope’s vicar for the Diocese of Rome, imitate him.” Then all my troubles disappeared,” Our Lady of Lourdes because she was
and Cardinal Peter Turkson, current For Salesian Brother Domenico Nam, Sanda Htun, a villager said. too heavy to carry.
president of the Pontifical Council for the cardinal was “a great example of U Ngwe Gyi, a parishioner also dedi- The villagers finally recovered the statue
Justice and Peace. hope, after so many years in prison,” cated to Our Lady of Mary, said: “We after having dug many places in 1958.
Also, Cardinal Turkson presided over and he said that the Church in his get a chance to attend daily Mass and To their surprise the statue was in
a Eucharistic celebration in memory of country “finds itself in a very difficult for elderly people like me, we can spend upright position and not lying as de-
the Servant of God in the Roman church situation because of the Communist the rest of our life peacefully.” scribed by the villagers who buried it.
of Santa Maria della Scala, of which he regime.” Father David Kyaw Swa, a parish Moreover, the statue´s face was clean,
was the titular bishop. Attending the However, there are “many Catholic priest said older parishioners used to with no rust or dirt.
ceremony were members of the dicast- families that pray together. Devotion to spend a couple of months here. Now Chanthagone village was resurrected
ery, cardinals, bishops, relatives, friends Cardinal van Thuân is spreading among about 50 Catholic families live in Chan- in 1963 around that site and since then,
and others who had the opportunity to them,” and this generates “many voca- thargone. Ten years ago, there were 30 feasts of the Blessed Mother were cel-
know the cardinal during his life. tions” as fruits. families but now it has increased said ebrated regularly. (UCAN)
www.pcgp.it

The diocesan phase of the canoniza-
tion process will involve gathering
documentation of the life, writings,
virtues and sanctity of Cardinal van
Thuân.
While serving as the coadjutor arch-
bishop of Ho Chi Minh, the prelate
was arrested in 1975 and detained for
13 years in a Communist re-education
camp in Vietnam. In 1988, he was liber-
ated and forced into exile. Pope John
Paul II welcomed him to Vatican City
and entrusted him with responsibilities
in the Roman Curia.
The Vietnamese archbishop served as
vice-president of the Pontifical Council
for Justice and Peace in 1994, and was
its president from 1998 to 2002. He was
made a cardinal in 2001. He died in
September 2002.
Countrymen
The majority of the faithful who took
part in the celebrations for the opening
of Cardinal van Thuân’s canonization
cause were Vietnamese residents in
Rome. Vietnam has a Catholic popula-
tion of 7 million (6% of the population),
making it the second largest Catholic
population in Asia after the Philip-
pines.
ZENIT spoke with Sister Cecilia, who
knew the cardinal personally, and who
often visited him in his apartment in
Rome, where he always received his
compatriots with special kindness.
“When he fell ill we went to visit him
in the hospital,” she recalled. “His death
was a very hard moment although we
knew that the suffering he lived here on
earth had greater meaning. Truth and
forgiveness triumphed.”
Father Cuong Pham recalled that
For Sister Assunta, of the Institute of
Mary Help of Christians, what was most
admirable about Cardinal van Thuân
was his “immense charity,” as well as
his “very profound hope.”
He was a person who was able to
give “true justice: that of forgiveness,”
the religious said, adding that when she
was very young she saw him sometimes
in Saigon (today Ho Chi Minh City).
“I pray every day to imitate his vir-
tues in my consecrated life,” said Sister
Assunta.
After completing the diocesan phase,
the Vatican phase would begin which
would involve a commission of theo-
logians determining whether or not
Cardinal van Thuân lived the virtues
to a heroic degree. Should this be the
case, he would be declared Venerable. A
miracle through his intercession would
be then be needed for his cause to ad-
vance toward beatification. (Zenit)
Festival celebrates Korean interreligious unity
SEOUL, Oct. 25, 2010—Organizers of
an interreligious festival in Korea have
vowed to promote understanding
among various religions and called on
all faiths to work for peace.
“Though our country is multi-reli-
gious, we have showed mutual coop-
eration and harmony,” said Reverend
Rhee Kwang-sun, co-chairman of The
Korean Council of Religious Leaders
(KCRL) who organized the 14th Korean
Religious Culture Festival on Oct. 23.
KCRL comprises of leaders of Bud-
dhism, Catholicism, Confucianism,
Protestantism, Korean traditional reli-
gions as well as Chondogyo and Won
Buddhism, both founded in Korea.
“As religious people, we will try our
best to make our religions closer to so-
ciety,” Reverend Rhee added.
In his congratulatory message to
the festival, President Lee Myung-bak
asked the religions’ cooperation to help
spread love and harmony.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tour-
ism sponsored the event held at the National
Museum of Korea in Seoul, with the theme
Let’s Go Together with One Heart.
Each religion set up a booth display-
ing religious artifacts. Hands-on activi-
ties have also attracted visitors.
The Catholic booth offered rosary
bracelet-making while the Buddhist
booth let people paint a lotus mural.
Other highlights of the festival includ-
ed performances by singers, dancers and
magicians, along with a drawing contest
for elementary students. (UCAN)
 News Features
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 22
October 25 - November 7, 2010
A3

Pope closes Middle East Synod

with impassioned call for peace
VATICAN City, Oct. 24, 2010—
Peace is possible and urgent in
the Middle East, where wars,
violence and terrorism have
gone on for “too long,” said the
Pope at the concluding Mass
of the Vatican’s synod on the
Middle East. He invited prayers
for the region and assured its
Christian inhabitants that they
are “never alone.”
The synod, two weeks of
discussions on the state of Chris-
tians and the Church in the Mid-
dle East, concluded on Sunday
with a Eucharistic celebration
that showed the “unity in di-
versity” of the Catholic Church.
Joining Pope Benedict XVI in
the celebration of the Mass were
177 bishops from all over the
Middle East and neighboring
nations who had taken part in
the summit.
The meetings brought many
challenges, hopes and concerns
to light while maintaining a
focus on the synod’s theme:
“Communion and Witness: now
those who believed were of one
heart and soul.”
During the homily at the syn-
od’s closing Mass, Pope Benedict
called the encounter a “truly
extraordinary experience,” not
just for participants, “but for the
good of the Church.” He told
the many Synod Fathers that
they now return home from this
“powerful moment of ecclesial
communion” to their missions,
knowing that they are united
and remain in God’s love.
He hoped that the positive ex-
perience of being “united, heart
and soul, in faith, in hope and
in charity,” would be repeated
in Middle Eastern communities.
Guided by prayer and by living
true unity, he said, Catholics
in the region will also be able
to pursue dialogue with other
Christians more readily.
While Christians in the region
are few, the Pope observed,
“they are the bearers of the Good
News of the love of God for
man ... and it is the only Word
which is able to break that vi-
cious circle of vengeance, hate
and violence.” He prayed that
initiatives for peace might arise
solution to conflicts.
“We must never resign our-
selves to the absence of peace.
Peace is possible. Peace is ur-
gent,” he said.
It is also the “indispensable
condition for a life of dignity for
human beings and society” and
“the best remedy to avoid emi-
gration from the Middle East,”
he added.
Referring to Psalm 122’s call
to pray for the peace of Jerusa-
lem, he said “we pray for peace
in the Holy Land. We pray for
peace in the Middle East, un-
dertaking to try to ensure that
this gift of God to men of good-
will should spread through the
whole world.”
Christians can also contribute
to the promotion of “authentic
freedom of religion and con-
science” in the region, he said,
proposing this as a topic of
Christian-Muslim dialogue.
Turning to Christians in the
Middle East, headed: “may the
experience of these days assure
you that you are never alone,
that you are always accompa-

Among the matters receiv-
ing the most attention during
the sessions were communion
among the variety of Eastern
Catholic traditions; problematic
emigration from the Middle East;
and inter-religious relations and
dialogue. The topics of violence,
peace, and religious freedom
were also prominent.
from all levels of society.
“Conflicts, wars, violence and
terrorism have gone on for too
long in the Middle East,” he em-
phasized. “Peace, which is a gift
of God, is also the result of the
efforts of men of goodwill, of the
national and international insti-
tutions, in particular of the states
most involved in the search for a
www.commondatastorage.googleapis.com
nied by the Holy See and the
whole Church, which, having
been born in Jerusalem, spread
through the Middle East and
then the rest of the world.”
He also announced during the
homily that the next assembly of
bishops would take place in 2012
to examine “new evangeliza-
tion.” (CNA/EWTN News)

Letter to seminarians Fr. Lombardi: new saints

deepens Pope’s ooo
teaching on celibacy are ‘spiritual friends’ and
VATICAN City, Oct. 22, 2010—Earlier
this week, Pope Benedict XVI for the
first time publicly engaged the issue of
the relationship between the Church’s
celibacy requirements and the clergy
sexual abuse scandals.
In an unusually personal letter to the
world’s seminarians Oct. 18, the Pope
told them that it is understandable if
the scandals have caused them to ques-
tion their decision to become priests or
to choose to live a celibate life.
“Recently we have seen with great
dismay that some priests disfigured
their ministry by sexually abusing
children and young people,” the Pope
said.
He added: “As a result of all this,
many people, perhaps even some of
you, might ask whether it is good to
become a priest; whether the choice
balance of heart and mind, reason and
feeling, body and soul, and to be hu-
manly integrated.”
“This,” he said, “also involves the
integration of sexuality into the whole
personality. Sexuality is a gift of the
Creator yet it is also a task which
relates to a person’s growth towards
human maturity.”
When a man’s sexuality is not prop-
erly integrated, it becomes “banal and
destructive,” he said.
Throughout his pontificate, Pope
Benedict has repeatedly spoken of
celibacy as a “gift.”
In celebrating the close of the Year
for Priests on June 10, he said priests
were united with the “unique priest,”
Jesus Christ, mysteriously drawn
into the reality of Christ’s resurrec-
tion, to a new life “already beyond
guides to religious virtue
VATICAN City, Oct. 23, 2010—The exemplary way.” Thus, they be-
saints are “fascinating guides” to faith, come “spiritual friends for whoever
hope and love who show that ordi- encounters them and fascinating
nary people bring God’s comfort and guides to discovering the love of
light to the world, commented Vatican God, faith and hope,” he said.
spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi. “Canonizations are recognition that
On Oct. 17, Pope Benedict XVI can- the Spirit of God breathes through or-
onized the Church’s six newest saints dinary people, like Mary and Br. An-
in St. Peter Square. Fr. Lombardi dre, and [they] produce fruits of virtue
commented on this event during his that are sources of comfort and light
“Octava Dies” (Eighth Day) weekly for many others,” he continued.
television editorial this week. The declaration sainthood is a
This year’s canonizations were “true celebration,” he said, explain-
particularly special, he explained, ing that through this solemn rec-
because of the origins of two of the ognition saints spread their faith,
saints in the group, Sts. Mary MacK- hope and love, even if they are not
illop and Andre Bessette. They hail all universally popular.
from two nations with few canon- “This,” noted Fr. Lombardi, “is
www.seletlumieretv.org

of celibacy makes any sense as a truly
human way of life.”
The Pope’s frank engagement of the
question comes after a year of contro-
versies in Europe in which many have
publicly questioned whether there
might be a link between the celibacy
rule and the scandal.
Two bishops in Belgium in Sep-
tember raised the issue of admitting
married men to the priesthood in the
wake of the scandal that has rocked the
marriage.”
In this relationship with Christ, he
said, “celibacy is anticipation,” taking
the priest beyond this world and time
to the “world of the resurrection.” In
opening the doors to this “future of
God,” he said, celibacy is lived as a
witness to faith, a testimony of true
belief that God exists and is found in
one’s life.
For this reason it causes such “scan-
dal” in the secular world, he said.
ized saints, Australia and Canada.
Canadian and Australian pil-
grims flew their flags throughout
the square before and after the cer-
emony. They were joined in the cel-
ebration by many others from Spain,
Italy and Poland, the homelands of
the four other new saints.
In a canonization, said Fr. Lom-
bardi, the Church solemnly pro-
poses the Christian life of a person,
the most beautiful aspect of the
Church.”
In service to mankind, he said,
the Church helps people from all
Fr. Federico Lombardi
places to “walk to meet God along
the paths of holiness.” Turning to
recognizing something that is “already all people, he concluded, “we need
understood” among the people. This to learn to see the Church in this
understanding, he explained, is that perspective and continuously renew
“certain people,” the saints, “embody her, beginning with ourselves.”
the Gospel in an extraordinary and (CNA/EWTN News)

Caritas to PNoy: ‘Provide aid to the poor with dignity’

Church there. Earlier this year, Car-
dinal Christoph Schöborn of Vienna
suggested the Church needs an “un-
flinching examination” of the reasons
for the crisis, including a discussion
of “the issue of priestly celibacy and
the issue of personality development.”
The cardinal’s words were widely
misreported, forcing him to clarify
that he in no way was questioning the
celibacy rule.
The Church has consistently main-
tained that there is no evidence of any
relationship between celibacy and
deviant sexual behavior.
And in his new letter, the Pope
again emphasizes that the issue is not
the commitment to celibacy but the
maturity and personal development
of the priest.
“It is important for the priest, who
is called to accompany others through
the journey of life up to the threshold
of death,” he wrote, “to have the right
Celibacy is a “yes” that implies a type
of marriage, he explained. It is a proof
of loyalty and trust in God. Celibacy,
he said, “confirms the ‘yes’ of marriage
with its ‘yes’ to the future world” and
“is a great sign of faith, of the presence
of God.”
The Pope also spoke of the impor-
tance of celibacy during a congress for
priests organized by the Vatican’s Con-
gregation for Clergy on March 12.
Celibacy he said, is “an authentic
prophecy of the Kingdom, a sign of
consecration with undivided heart to
the Lord and to ‘the affairs of the Lord’,
the expression of their gift of self to
God and to others.”
Concluding the thought in his new
letter to seminarians, the Pope thanked
God for priests that bear witness to
the “authentic, pure and mature hu-
manity” that can be attained in the
priesthood—”specifically in the life of
celibacy.” (CNA/EWTN News)
MANILA, Oct. 18, 2010—Caritas Manila
expressed objection to the new program
of the Aquino administration that will
give monetary assistance to poor fami-
lies in the country.
Fr. Anton Pascual, Caritas Manila’s
executive director, claimed that the
program is not a long-term solution
and could only spur dependency to the
government.
“We are worried that this might breed
laziness and dependency from the gov-
ernment,” said Pascual.
He said that teaching the poor to the
dependent was not part of the key solu-
tion to the soaring cost of basic necessi-
ties, especially food.
Last Thursday, at least 52 congress-
men signed a manifest against the ap-
proval of P21 billion for the Conditional
Cash Transfer (CCT) program through
the Department of Social Welfare and
Development.
The program seeks to help about 2.3
million poor Filipino families, espe-
cially those with children and pregnant
women, with an allowance of up to
1,400 pesos a month per family.
“Let us provide assistance to the poor
with dignity,” said Pascual, adding that
the controversial dole-out program
lacks “moral dignity”.
While it has a good social dimen-
sion, he said, CCT must also carry an
“economic dimension” so that the ap-
proach would be for a “total human
development.”
“It is the church’s teachings that dig-
nity and respect for the human person
is needed… and they must labour with
their hands before they eat,” he said.
“The human person is the measure of
the dignity of work. Work confirms the
profound identity of men and women cre-
ated in the image and likeness of God.”
Pascual called on the government to
implement “work for pay program”
instead so that the beneficiaries of the
program could learn to be responsible
citizens.
He said poor people could have
dignity if they will work hard on
what they have to feed their families.
(CBCPNews)

Poll bets should run for service and not money, bishop says
MANILA, Oct. 24, 2010—Candidates
running for public office should be
motivated by their desire to serve the
people and not to enrich themselves, a
young bishop said.
Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos, in his
pastoral reflections on Oct. 25 Barangay
and SK elections, said “public officials
are called upon to serve especially those
who are less privileged, less fortunate,
and least taken care of.”
“Any position in government, espe-
cially those requiring a mandate from
the people, involves a responsibility and
duty to serve them,” he said.
Santos said that one’s position in
society or community should not lead
a person to feel superior on others, but
rather use one’s status in life to help
uplift other people’s lives.
And this is true to anyone holding a
responsible position “whether religious
or civic authority”, he said.
“These people are given and en-
trusted to us as opportunities to help
them, uplift them, promote their rights,
provide for their needs and improve
their lives,” the prelate added.
Santos urged voters to vote wisely on
Oct. 25 and choose candidates who are
truly motivated to serve.
The bishop said they should serve like
that of the Good Shepherd as mentioned
in the Gospel of Saint John, who “leads
and guides his flock to the right and
moral path.”
“Would you not choose a leader with
these positive traits? Would you not let
yourself be under his care, under this
kind of shepherd?” he asked.
He advised the public not to be
swayed by promises of politicians but
rather be inspired by their “good deeds,
credible and honest living.”
“Let us be attracted by selfless service
rather than giveaways. Let us be moti-
vated by what he can do for God and
for His people rather than to his own
and to himself,” he said.
Although the barangay and SK elec-
tions may be at the bottom of the “totem
pole of elections for public office”, the
bishop said, it is important to “begin
with the smallest things”.
“The Gospel said that he who could
be trusted in small things can be
trusted in big things. The proper and
moral exercise of our suffrage applies
to all elective posts,” he said. (Pinky
Barrientos/CBCPNews)
 A4 Opinion CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 22
October 25 - November 7, 2010

Illustration by Bladimer Usi

EDITORIAL

‘Irresponsible parenthood’

IN Facebook, a cursory comment was lodged at Good Morning CBCP

saying in “jejemon,” “wla na…konti na lng ki2tain nla kng konti na lng
bi2nyagan.” (No more… they will earn little if those to be baptized are
getting fewer). Obviously, the one who commented was referring, if
sarcastically, to the efforts of the Catholic Church to oppose the legislation
of the Reproductive Health Bill because, once legislated, it will mean
lesser population and, therefore, lesser revenues at baptisms.
Clearly, the comment—and there are thousands of them every day in
social networks—is meant to spite the church in its honest-to-goodness
crusade to save the country from a legislation that will do more harm
than good and from a global campaign of population reduction even
if the means clashing head-on with morals, religious beliefs and the
Philippine Constitution.
Although it is not true that the Church is blocking the Bill because of a
long shot reference to reduction of whatever revenues, it is true that the
RH Bill is really meant for population deceleration—at all cost. This is
the primary and the sole target. All the other provisions are mere riders
meant to put icing to the cake that is increasingly becoming palatable
to more and more people, sadly, even among other religious circles.
The trite equation that the ballooning population is the cause of poverty has
long been debunked, because really the glaring cause of poverty, at least in
this country, is population and resource mismanagement as the campaign
slogan “Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap,” tentatively showed.And this,
without even mentioning a bevy of countries in Africa, for instance, with less
population but still very poor or, on the other hand, in some Asian countries
with burgeoning populace but boasting of economic growth. Surprisingly
enough, people are still buying this argument—even the president of this
country, although understandably.
The quality of life argument is a derivative from the overpopulation-
equals-poverty theory. The RH Bill supporters now finds solace in
the responsible parenthood spin as if the Church, in objecting to the
RH Bill, is promoting the contrary, that is, “irresponsible parenthood”.
Truth to tell, and this may be disputed, it was the Catholic Church
that first used and campaigned for responsible parenthood down to
the parishes several decades back. At the end of the day, when all the
clouds of confusion and deception have settled, the current version of
the RH Bill, once approved, is going to be the most irresponsible kind Sr. Mary Pilar Verzosa, RGS
of parenthood this country will ever see.
There seem to be no greater irresponsibility than to cause the wholesale
Love the human fetus
destruction of values of kids from Grade V and above, and those of
their parents. Love Life
DO you know that the Latin pro-life education programs, the mother as well. Having child. However, he said, he
word “fetus” means “my little we have saved thousands of counseled so many women suspects that the fetus left on
one”? People seldom hear or babies from abortion. Before who had abortion, I know the pews or in a corner of the
Place of social doctrine in mission to evangelize read the word fetus except in I end the seminar, I always that the decision is an act of Church have been aborted and
Biology class and in medical invite the audience to pray desperation. Fear, confusion, the woman is too ashamed
courses. But those of us in the with me the Spiritual Adop- loneliness at being abandoned to come forward. I want to
FROM the truth of Jesus, urgent questions arise. Do we ever encounter pro-life movement are very fa- tion Prayer for the Unborn as by the father of the baby and believe that the woman, no
Jesus who is the very reason for our being Christian? How do we miliar with the different stages there are many Baby Joshuas matter what reason she had
encounter him? Does this personal encounter change our life, our an unsure future drive these
life in the family, our life in the community, our life in society? If we of development of human life out there in danger of abortion. girls and women to an act for aborting, still had some
believe in Jesus and love Him, have we become better persons, better in the womb—from fertiliza- We pray that the mother will that they will forever regret faith in her to entrust the
Christians, better citizens? Have we become better followers or disciples tion to birth, that is—from the be given the proper assistance in life. Many are led or even baby to God. What prayers
of Jesus? Has the fact of being Christians made our society become zygote to the embryo to the to bring her child to birth. forced to abort, then are left of remorse she was probably
more peaceful, more fraternal, more just? fetus to the newborn infant. And time and time again, we alone to suffer through the saying as she hurriedly left in
Such blunt disturbing questions bring to the fore the necessity of linking Some people might even cringe are told of how a woman who consequences—medical dam- order not to be noticed.
faith and life. They also indicate the intimate and inseparable oneness of at hearing the word fetus but almost aborted changed her age to their bodies, guilt, de- I cry for that baby and with
the Gospel of Love and the Gospel of Justice, i.e., the moral implications once they are told that it means mind and was glad she did pression, insomnia, illogical the mother. I always tell a
of the Lord’s Gospel in all dimensions of human life, individual, social, “my little one”, they warm up give birth to her baby. behavior sometimes leading to post-aborted woman how sor-
political, economic, cultural, and religious. to it. This is especially true I always feel sad when I hear alcohol, sex, drugs or smoking ry I am that I (or any of us) was
For this reason we set out before you these important realities of our faith: when we show the pro-life of a dead fetus left by the gar- addictions. not there when she needed us
films on fetal development, bage pile, inside a church or on Many years ago, when I during her pregnancy. Every
* “The Church’s social doctrine is an integral part of her evangelizing followed with showing the the sidewalk. Last month, we was just starting my pro-life human being created by God
ministry” (Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church [CSD], audience the plastic model of read of the story of the baby mission, I was informed that is not only the responsibility
2004, no. 66). Pope Paul VI had asked: “How in fact can one proclaim
the new commandment (of love) without promoting in justice and in a ten-week fetus that we have found in an airplane restroom. in Baclaran Church, bottles of the mother. We are all re-
peace the true, authentic advancement of man?” (Evangelii Nuntiandi named “Baby Joshua”. We And we also read a couple containing fetuses were left on sponsible in whatever capacity
[EN], 1975, no. 31). emphasize the fact that at ten of days ago of dead fetuses the pews. This led the priests we may have—that not one of
weeks, the fetus is fully formed in plastic bags left inside the to put up a Memorial for the these least of God’s brethren
* As “an essential part of the Christian message,” the social doctrine of human being and not just a Manila Cathedral and Quiapo Unborn Babies. The priest said might be abandoned.
the Church points out the direct consequences of that message in the
life of society and situates daily work and struggles for justice in the blob of blood and tissues. Church. There was public that if a woman had a miscar- Do you care to help us stop
context of bearing witness to Christ the Savior” (CSD, 67). Why call the model “Baby outrage and condemnation of riage, she would approach abortion? If you want a copy of
Joshua”? I first used that name whoever could be so heartless him holding a nicely wrapped the Spiritual Adoption Prayer
* “On the one hand, religion must not be restricted ‘to the purely private to link it with the name “Jesus”, as to abandon her own child in bottle and ask him to bless for Unborn Babies, contact
sphere’, on the other, the Christian message must not be relegated to meaning savior, since Joshua is such dastardly manner. our Pro-life office at 733-7027,
a purely other-worldly salvation incapable of shedding light on our her baby. In tears she would
earthly existence” (CSD 71, citing Pope John Paul II, Centesimus the Jewish version of Jesus, My sadness was not only relate how sorry she was that 0919-233-7783 or life@prolife.
Annus [CA], no. 5). Jesu or Hesus. Because of our for the death of baby, but for she lost this long-awaited org.ph
* Undoubtedly, to be true shepherds, we as Bishops have to teach the
integral Gospel, the gospel of the Lord with all its social implications.
Fr. Carmelo O. Diola, SSL
Companions on a
This is a non-negotiable task for the shepherd who is also the teacher of
his people. The social dimension of love is, after all, the clear implication
of the Lord’s teaching on the love of neighbor as an active solidarity with
those who are in need. Without this solidarity one cannot be welcomed
into the Reign of God (see Mt. 25:34-46; Jas. 2 and 5). journey Spaces of Hope
* At the same time, we as bishops do have to remind ourselves again and
again that in the Church there is a variety of roles. While “the primary
responsibility for the pastoral commitment to evangelize social realities “IS your barber still alive?” my friend ***** in the morning. I tried it and, together with
falls to the Bishop,” (CSD, 539), he is assisted by all members of the ribbed me after noticing my white-side Sam immediately strikes people as a renewed running, the gout was gone.
Church in a variety of ways. wall and crew cut usually reserved for man who is fit as a fiddle. The retired A physical-fitness rhythm had come
* Granting all the above and given the autonomy of the temporal sphere, it military trainees. “What happened?” he officer runs regularly to keep fit. He has back—this time to make the Holy Spirit more
remains a perennial teaching of the Church that she cannot take on a political continued. been at this since he was a plebe at the comfortable in the temple of one’s body.
task as her immediate responsibility. It is not her responsibility to provide I told him about the run I had that PMA in 1974.
any political blueprint for the just ordering of society (cf. DCE 28; PCP-II, morning with Kuya Sam, a retired PNP Running, he says, is a very good way *****
330-53). She has her own role to play in promoting justice, e.g., to influence general, my mentor and companion in to exercise since it is cheap, simple, and it Pastoral accompaniment is what our
life, public and private, with the integral Gospel, to form the social conscience
of her members, to provide a moral light that illumines, a spiritual force that the advocacy of running. He had gone to works! He points out that running requires friendship with Sam is all about. In De-
critiques social behavior and structures, denounces or purifies and reinforces his barber after the run and I had tagged no other equipment – a pair of running cember 2010, a workshop involving Dilaab
in the light of the Word of God (see PCP-II, 248). along. Just before my haircut, I gave the shoes will do. That running “works” is partners and volunteers came out with
barber the instruction to just follow the to be understood in different dimensions: the following definition of pastoral ac-
“template” of the pattern of my hair. Then physically, yes! But it also works as an companiment:
Shepherding and Prophesying in Hope: I went to sleep. advocacy. PASTORAL ACCOMPANIMENT IS
When I woke up, I nearly did not rec- Kuya Sam points out that runners need A REFUGE, SANCTUARY, OR SPACE
A CBCP Pastoral Letter on Social Concerns, 2006 ognize the guy I saw in the mirror. Then to be home early so they can sleep early WHERE PEOPLE COME ALONGSIDE IN
it dawned on me that my barber thought I and be awake early in the morning, the A JOURNEY TOGETHER TOWARDS IN-
wanted him to follow the pattern of Sam’s preferred time for running. This translates TEGRITY FOR THE COMMON GOOD.
haircut. My initial dismay very quickly into more time and, hopefully, more qual- IT IS A TRUST RELATIONSHIP GROW-
turned into a sigh of joy: after all, true ity time with one’s family. ING IN A JOURNEY OF FAITH, HOPE,
www.cbcpmonitor.com
cbcpmonitor@cbcpworld.net
friendships make people alike. In addition, the retired general found AND LOVE, A CALL TO ALL THE FAITH-
out, through an informal survey he con- FUL, INVOLVING DISCIPLINE AND
***** ducted all over the country, that those who SPECIAL SKILLS.
I first met Kuya Sam—then a Senior run do not take illegal drugs. The two do This definition is based on lived experi-
Superintendent, i.e. a full colonel, in the not go together. ences that were reflected upon by a group
Philippine National Police—in early 2004 Runners, therefore, do not engage in of Dilaab volunteers and partners that met
when we were preparing for a national drugs and have more family time. Not in December 2008 and January 2009. The
consultation on illegal drugs and the use bad. definition is simple enough but the impli-
of drug money to corrupt our pillars of cations are deep.
Pedro C. Quitorio Kris Bayos justice. ***** Pastoral accompaniment works. The
Features Editor Superintendent Tucay had been sent by But it was not these findings that made journey towards integrity for the common
Editor-in-Chief
the anti-drug unit of the PNP to represent me to take up running. Kuya Sam had actu- good can be undertaken by two individu-
Pinky Barrientos, FSP Gloria Fernando them in the event. Sam struck me as a very ally been encouraging me for some time to als. It is also possible for the companion-
diligent and intelligent officer, capable of consider a fitness regimen. I actually had a ship to spill over into the institutions that
PUBLICATION LAYOUT BY KRIS BAYOS

Associate Editor Marketing Supervisor

generous and courageous action. He had
Melo M. Acuña Ernani M. Ramos no need to prove himself anymore as his
Managing Editor Circulation Manager medals show.
Ever since that gathering, many things
Roy Q. Lagarde Marcelita Dominguez have happened between Sam and me.
News Editor Comptroller
I consider our friendship as a basis of
how “pastoral accompaniment” is de-
fined. Pastoral companions allow their
The CBCP Monitor is published fortnightly by the CBCP Communica- horizons to merge for mutual spiritual
tions Development Foundation, Inc., with editorial and business offices enrichment.
at 470 Gen. Luna St., Intramuros, Manila. P.O. Box 3601, 1076 MCPO. I am a better priest for this exchanging of
Editorial: (063) 404-2182. Business: (063)404-1612.; ISSN 1908-2940 places. I hope Sam became a better police-
man because of me.
fitness template as a college student which
I abandoned when I became “spiritual”
after a conversion experience after college.
Back then, it was to prove one’s virility that
one took up physical exercise.
In late 2008 and early 2009, there were
times when I could walk only with the help
of a cane. That I had the disease of nobility
did not lessen the pain: “They can have the
gout; let me remain a commoner,” I said
to myself.
Then someone suggested water therapy:
five glasses of lukewarm water first thing
the companions represent. Dilaab’s mode
of engagement with individuals and
groups is through pastoral accompaniment
since we are all in this together as part of
the problem and part of the solution. We
are all in need of God’s mercy.
Through pastoral accompaniment we
hope to continue our engagement with the
PNP as well as with politicians. We need to
move fast and decisively as opportunities
present themselves. The October 2010 ba-
rangay election is one such opportunity.
Companions, anyone?
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 22
October 25 - November 7, 2010
Oscar V. Cruz, DD
Views and Points
IT is becoming more and more
noticeable that the present ad-
ministration seems to be lost
in its self-proclaimed patrician
vision and self-assumed noble
mission. Briefly, it says one thing
without thinking what it really
means and what it actually im-
plies. It proclaims something,
not realistically aware of its in-
nate nature and consequences.
Clearly, this is in no way
meant neither to downgrade the
person concerned nor to demean
the capacity of his good chosen
friends and preferred close as-
sociates. It simply means that
there seems to be something
basically queer and illusory
between the words said and
the deeds that thereafter follow
in the course of time. There ap-
pears to be something strange
between the pronouncements
and the actual engagements of
the present administration—all
of which, sincerely and hope-
fully, would prove “hogwash”
in street, straight and strong
language.
Then: “Ang matuwid na
daan.”
Now: “Nasaan kaya yan?”
Then: “Kung walang corrupt,
walang mahirap!”
Now: “Dami ninyo, kaya ma-
hirap kayo!”
Then: “Kayo ang boss ko.”
Now: “Ako ang boss ninyo!
Opinion
The Aquino anti-
contraceptive
smorgasbord
Ano, binu-buenas kayo?”
Now, specifically in conjunc-
tion with the Philippine popula-
tion, before someone went to the
U.S.A. recently, his invocation was
clearly and repeatedly “Respon-
sible Parenthood”. Upon return
to the country, the battle cry can
be said to be along these lines:
“Come one and all. Choose your
contraceptives. Pills, injectables,
rubbers of various sizes, colors
and flavors. Take them, have them
free—courtesy of public funds.”
Never mind if it is population
like the OFWs who keep the
country economically afloat!
Never mind if Singapore is much
worried about its dwindling
population! Never mind if China
is an economic giant because
of its big population! Never
mind if certain contraceptives
are also abortifacient. Never
mind if chemical-based means
that counter conception, brings
about defective children when
the women who took them,
thereafter eventually decided to
have children.
Do not ask where the multi-
billion direct and indirect taxes
continuously paid by the mil-
lions of Filipinos from birth
to death go! Do not ask why
the PNP, the NBI, the ISAP—
and what have you—cannot
maintain social peace and right
order. Right now, it seems this
administration is heaping all the
blame on the poor population
for its lot.
A5
Commentary
Alessandra Nucci
The Teflon Pontiff
EVER since he was elected in April 2005, the media have been
expecting Pope Benedict XVI to be tripped up and rejected by
the masses that flocked to John Paul II, his outgoing, charis-
matic predecessor. But it hasn’t happened.
Indeed, possibly as a legacy of John Paul’s outreach to the
entire world, in the first few years of his papacy Benedict
drew even larger crowds than Karol Woytjla did. The crowds
have subsided a bit, but again and again, Pope Benedict has
advanced, gliding unharmed through hoops of fire, around
traps and past ambushes.
From the Convention of the Church in Italy, held at Verona
in 2006, which the media had ominously suggested might
burst the bubble of existing divisions within the Church, to the
controversy over the speech at Regensburg, which ended up in
meetings and inter-religious dialogue of the highest level, Josef
Ratzinger has consistently turned troubles into triumphs.
His trips to North America, Australia, France and most re-
cently the United Kingdom, were all preceded by months of
serious challenges and even provocation. Atheist campaigners

RH issue shows Fr. Roy Cimagala even called for his arrest upon his arrival in Britain. But every
dispute, every trip, has ended with the acclaim of the people,

confusion among
of the authorities and—most miraculously—of the media.
Even the priestly sex scandal turned into a boomerang,

Catholics Candidly Speaking when it was revealed that it had been none other than Cardinal
Ratzinger who had insisted on rigorously cleaning house once
the abuses had come to light, under his watch at the Congrega-
LIKE a chemical compound called reagent, the stuck in the past. But, ok, let´s always give about contraception. tion for the Doctrine of the Faith. Ironically, the fact that it had
RH question exposes the range and scope of them the benefit of the doubt. To them, contraception is not intrinsically been he who had prevailed over more lenient policies, might
the confusion and disaffection among many They usually begin their arguments by evil, an echo of the liberals´ dissent on Hu- never have come to light had not part of the press insisted on
Catholic faithful toward their Church, her introducing themselves as moderates, not manae Vitae. Pope John Paul II reiterated the pinning the blame on him.
doctrine and discipline. Let´s hope it will also hardliners, who try to hew a saner, more ra- intrinsic evil of contraception in his Evan- One entertaining example of the uncanny reversals of booby
give us an idea of the solution to be applied. tional and compassionate position. With very gelium Vitae. How clever they are in glib traps was seen in March 2009 on Channel Three of RAI, the
There was an explosion of views, many of subtle maneuverings, they try to make them- talk, both cutting corners and straying into Italian state-run television. In her regular Sunday afternoon
them shooting from the hip, but a few also selves the exclusive owners of St. Augustine´s irrelevant nooks to make their point! show “In Half An Hour” (a bit like BBC World’s Hardtalk),
came up, from so-called theologians, with maxim: “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, They make a strong appeal for the voice anchorwoman Lucia Annunziata, formerly President of RAI it-
serious arguments that actually contained liberty; and in all things, charity.” of personal conscience as the final arbiter, self, interviewed US Jesuit Fr. Thomas J. Reese. She introduced
nothing more than sophistries. They point out to the public that their without much concern for its formation. him as a priest who had resigned as Editor-in-chief of America
The reckless comments are usually found presentation is not merely anecdotal in shrill Their favorite line is that in the end it´s just Magazine when Cardinal Ratzinger was elected pope.
in the media, with everyone, from editors tones, but scientific in calm, sober tones, an a question between the individual and God Annunziata, who had recently interviewed rebel theologian
and reporters to readers, giving their 2 cents obvious dig at those who convey the official that matters. All the intervening authorities, Hans Kung, introduced her guest as “hugely important”, “high
worth. The more serious and dangerous teaching of the Church by ornamenting it the Church Magisterium in particular, are calibre” and “immensely prestigious”. She clearly expected Fr.
ones are found in journals, in seminars and with stories. The implication is that they are easily set aside. Reese to tip the bucket on the Pope.
centers of higher learning. not fanatics, like those who oppose RH. They usually conclude their arguments by But her plan backfired. Not only did Fr. Reese not attack
Among the amusing arguments are the But they miss out many things as they saying that we should not make laws that the Pope, but he matter-of-factly validated every one of his
accusations that the Church wants to run focus only on their bias of making the RH discriminate against the others who may doctrinal positions. His criticisms were limited to reflecting
the whole country, wants to interfere in gov- acceptable. They paint the RH Bill, for ex- take the opposite view of what the Church that the Holy Father should surround himself with people
ernment affairs, wants to destroy society by ample, as a mixed bag, an assortment of leaders teach. Yes, even in matters of life who are more expert with the media.
encouraging civil disobedience, etc. good and bad elements that should not just and morality, they preach that we ought to Flustered, Annunziata broached one issue after another in
We don´t have to spend much time refut- be dismissed. In fact, it should be approved, be open, in a blatant display of what is now an increasingly pleading tone: “Surely on this matter you must
ing these arguments. They have a short shelf glossing over the essential issues while known as the tyranny of relativism. differ with the Pope?” and “You must be willing to at least
life, since they have no roots, or are like little sweetening its perceived bad elements. There´s no doubt that the Church authori- admit that not everyone approves of the Pope these days?”
rocks thrown at the Church, causing some Not only that, they now appear to be its ties have to wage at least a comprehensive Reese smilingly parried every lunge.
disturbance, but largely left where they fall most serious attorneys, defending it from any information campaign about the RH issue, Finally she played her trump card: “What about the little
with hardly anyone taking notice. Wild and question or protest raised against it, openly and to sustain an ongoing formation first girl in Brazil who was raped by her stepfather? Do you sup-
gratuitous, they pop in and out anytime and putting themselves at the other side of the among the clergy and then the rest of the port even the decision to excommunicate the family who took
just die under the sun or simply rot. Bishops´ position. That´s loyalty for them. faithful. her to an abortion clinic?” But Reese laughed pleasantly and
The more serious threats have to be taken They seem to be unaware of the global Church leaders need to summon the help pointed out: “I’m not an enemy of the Pope. I think he’s right
with more caution. They usually come from context in which this RH issue was born and of all Church organs and facilities to pursue on all of the issues you mentioned.” And then the mortal blow:
the ranks of the clergy, a truly disturbing developed—the ugly backroom geopolitics this plan. They have to weed out some bad “I like the Pope!”
phenomenon. With PhD´s and STD´s, they and commercial horsetrading done in its elements in strategic locations in the Church Thus a potentially disastrous interview turned into unex-
like to present themselves as the true light in name. While they are clearly against abor- structures, like the seminaries, parishes and pected publicity for the Pope, thanks to the ability of an honest
a world plunged in darkness or in a Church tion, at least, as of now, they are much at sea some so-called Catholic schools. priest, when the time came, to set aside past differences and
stand shoulder to shoulder with him—on prime time TV.
The attacks won’t stop, of course. But in the five and a half
years of Benedict’s Papacy, they have all led to an increase in
Melo M. Acuña the prestige of the Catholic Church.
The country’s ailing In a final irony, the man derided as “God’s rottweiler”, a
stern and distant intellectual, connects with the people, draw-
Issues and Concern tourism ing crowds from every age, background, and walk of life. Take
the traditional summer appearances in Castel Gandolfo. Quite
often Pope Benedict returns to Rome for the Wednesday audi-
ences, because the square could not hold all of the people who
THE Philippines pins its hopes after the hostage-taking incident. spick and span and the roads for more foreign tourists. Not in
sought to be there.
on tourism as a dollar-earner. Of Of course, close friends warned of were always safe 24/7. I never the Philippines.
Far from marking its demise, under Josef Ratzinger’s watch
course this was before the fateful possible consequences from being missed my early morning jogs After my ten-day trip, I re-
the Catholic Church has been recovering its reputation and,
August 23 hostage-taking inci- ostracized or be asked repeat- in Beijing, Chengdu and other turned to NAIA Terminal I only
along with it, the ability to spread its message. Whoever would
dent where eight foreign nation- edly of what really happened. Sichuan cities. to see long queues of Filipinos
have thought that this quintessential intellectual, 83 going on
als and the hostage-taker died. Our counterparts from CRI and Aside from Sichuan’s come-on, and foreigners weary from the
84, would rewrite the public relations textbooks?
What added to the government’s State Administration for Radio, the famed pandas and the numer- long air travel waiting to clear
woes was the fact the whole Film and Television were prudent ous museums and places of inter- their passports at the immigration
(Alessandra Nucci is an Italian writer and freelance journalist.
world had a glimpse of how we enough and talked about possible est, the forests remained forests section because of fewer immigra-
This commentary is published here under special arrangements with
responded to the crisis. closer working relations and news with no signs of illegal logging. tion personnel. The Immigration
Mercatornet)
The botched rescue operation exchange instead. They didn’t ask Local officials were hospitable Bureau’s departure and arrival
was seen through BBC, CNN and because the internet provided them and the food they served were cards should have tourist spots
Al Jazeera, thanks to the latest with everything they needed. sumptuous and unique. instead of Vicky Belo’s profile.
technology. Though Tourism Sec- Having been to China for the At their airports, immigration (Whoever thought of the idea?).
retary Alberto Lim remains opti- fourth time since 2001, I was nev- and security personnel knew their The air conditioning units need
mistic the international audience er surprised to see foreign tourists respective responsibilities. They replacements. We can surely get
would forget the incident in due on board various flights in and were attentive to locals and for- tourists to see the Philippines if
time, the country has to double its out of Beijing. The two-and-a- eigners alike. Their terminals are and when foreigners would say a
efforts in enticing foreign tourists half hour flight to Chengdu was clean and their duty-free shops’ few good words about their pleas-
to see the Philippines. a good eye-opener because I saw goods are reasonably priced. Taxis ant trip to Manila and suburbs
On invitation of China Radio In- how serious the Chinese were in have receipts and a recorded voice where the roads are clean and the
ternational and the Sichuan Tour- building infrastructures such as would advice tourists not to pay hotels are reasonable yet present-
ism Council, this corner had the airports and terminals, well-built what’s been recorded in the taxi able and where anybody will feel
chance to visit Beijing, Chengdu, roads and access to internet and meters and the receipt. In China, safe and free from muggers and
Leshan and Emei Shan, just a week mobile phones. Their hotels were cities compete against each other street urchins.

Brian Caulfield

Man Up! Half a World Away

I HAD promised never to use that phrase, but
everyone seems to be saying it these days. Even
Newsweek featured “Man Up!” on its cover
(Sept. 27), while concluding that men will have
to “rethink masculinity” in order to survive in
the new economy that stresses Facebook-type
sharing and soft skills over brawn.
And there’s some truth to this. The incessant
recession has hit men the hardest – the large
majority of job loss has been among males
who rely on physical strength to earn their
wage. America just doesn’t build all that much
anymore, apparently. Even the housing boom
- which had given contractors much of their
work over the past 15 years – has gone bust.
But “rethink masculinity”? I suspect that
men who try to do this will be disappointed
– or encouraged, perhaps—that masculinity
is pretty good the way it is. Oh yes, we can
rethink how our masculinity is to be ex-
pressed, but we should never seek to have it
suppressed. Masculinity is a precious jewel of
humanity, something that the world, frankly,
would be much poorer without.
It can definitely have its excesses—brash
displays that come about often when men are
unsure of their masculinity or feel it is under
attack. Yet when expressed as male virtue—
strength, character, protector, provider,
righteous warrior—masculinity has been the
great energy of history. Courage, self-sacrifice,
justice and truth are all expressions of mascu-
line virtue, as are invention, innovation and
idealism.
If you think you can “rethink masculinity” in
some laboratory or group therapy, just look at
the kiddie park, where the boys exhibit a lone
warrior ethic and the girls tend to associate to
communicate. The key is to harness and guide
the wonderful masculine energy of boys so that
they grow into men of strength and virtue—
men of strong and enduring virtue. But never
seek to suppress that masculine urge to rise
and conquer, to build and destroy.
I have two boys, ages 10 and 5. They are both
forces of nature. My mission as a father is to
lead them into the truth about themselves and
the world—starting with God and continuing
on to mankind and all creation. They have a
purpose and a place. My greatest mission—
and maybe the most difficult in our somewhat
feminized culture—is to teach them authentic
love. Love is not merely an emotion; love is
an act of the will. My two boys certainly have
very strong wills, so I know that they have
the capacity for great love—enough to set the
world aflame and change the course of history
for the better.
Rather than rethink or (worse) redefine
masculinity, we fathers would do well to
refine masculinity as fire refines gold to bring
greater value and beauty. The gold of my sons
is their souls.
 Local News
CBCP Monitor
A6 Vol. 14 No. 22
October 25 - November 7, 2010

Voters write on their ballots during the elec-

tions for village and youth council officials in
Barangay Agos in Bato town, Camarines Sur,
Oct. 25, 2010.

© Roy Lagarde / CBCP Media

Basilan’s Barangay and SK polls relatively peaceful
CBCP official to Noy:
IN a province marked by intense politi- Up for grabs were the posts of Baran- election paraphernalia caused the de-
cal rivalry a relatively peaceful elections gay Chairman and seven councilmen layed opening of polling centers.
is indeed something to thank for. for the SB and another set of chairman “While the voter turnout was good,

‘Review’ clemency process

Basilan Bishop Martin S. Jumoad of and seven councilmen for SK. the senior citizens found it hard to read
the Prelature of Isabela said he was very However, in Payao, Zamboanga the candidates’ names due to the small
thankful to God because as of midday Sibugay, massive vote-buying activities printed list of candidates,” the 53-year
on Oct. 25, he has not received any have been reported at the cost of P1,000 old prelate said.
report about untoward incidents in his per qualified voter. Threats and intimi- In Batanes, Bishop Camilo Gregorio said PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III’s
ecclesial province. dation forced a number of families from the polls turned out to be much better than power given under the Constitution in
“It’s very peaceful as of midday to- Barangay San Roque, Payao to flee their the May 10, 2010 national elections. granting executive clemency cannot be
day,” the prelate added. homes for fear of their lives. The prelate said election parapher- questioned.
The elections were not as emotional as Earlier, a barangay chairman ha- nalia were delivered on time. But in But given the speed with which the
the previous polls since close relatives vied rassed voters with a hand grenade. Itbayat, residents had to wait for the rebel soldiers were given amnesty, the
for contested positions, Jumoad said. Election Officer Judito Martinez and morning’s special plane to deliver the process should be reviewed for it to be
That could be the reasons for the Inspector Rolando Bartolome imme- election materials. more efficient, an official of the CBCP’s
peaceful elections and above-average diately proceeded to Barangay Balogo “Tahimik na tahimik ang eleksyon Commission on Prison Pastoral Care
turnout, he added. and pacified the opposing parties. No dito dahil nagtrabaho ang Parish Pas- said.
Qualified voters across the country arrests were reported. toral Council for Responsible Voting,” He said Aquino’s granting of amnesty
trooped to their respective polling “Still, we are on top of the situation,” Gregorio said. as a gesture for reconciliation to the
places on Oct. 25 to cast their votes for the election registrar insisted. He said favorable weather conditions mutineers should not be the basis in
the Sangguniang Barangay (SB) and In Malaybalay, Bishop Jose Cabantan also contributed for the good turnout of vot- releasing law offenders since it does not
Sangguniang Kabataan (SK). told CBCPNews the late delivery of ers. (Antonio Manaytay/Melo M. Acuna) constitute restorative justice.
“People should not just enter prison
Protect / A1 Apathy / A1 to be made to suffer… there has to be
some sort of restoration or rehabilita- Diamante
Some 26 workers died is 15 kilometers away. eclectic and superficial while viz: Shut up CBCP! Step tion,” said Diamante.
since 2006 from accidents at “Instead of adopting and their morals remain juve- aside Church! Shame on you In the case of the more than 300
the Hanjin facility were all implementing the Senate rec- nile,” said Cruz. Churchmen! Angry texts and soldiers who were involved in three but also during the past administra-
documented aside from in- ommendations, Hanjin ignored The former president of bitter calls suddenly invaded military uprisings against the Arroyo tions.”
juries and deaths, “that have them and made their grounds the Catholic Bishops Con- the tri-media,” said Cruz. administration, he said Aquino’s grant- He said it’s hard for Aquino to justify
been hidden by the company for stiffer penalties and suppres- ference of the Philippines “There were even light- ing of amnesty was apparently “not that he is not mocking the justice system
before the public.” sion of workers’ rights, includ- said this silence is nothing ning rallies made here and rehabilitation driven.” because of the more deserving “com-
The Senate Labor commit- ing the right to association. compared to the force shown there—all denouncing the “He should have basis. As I said, mon prisoners” that are still in jails for
tee conducted a series of in- Hanjin should be made by those who want to silence supposedly Church doctrine when there is mistake committed there several years already compared to the
vestigations on the chain of accountable for the injuries the church on the issue. thus perceived, shouting the should also be accountability,” Dia- rebel soldiers.
accidents which found the and deaths in the workplace, He also noted how “well- shameful sins of the clergy, mante said. “How would you explain that?
shipyard as prone to accidents they said. concerted efforts” were made and most of all, cursing the Asked whether he is convinced that Something’s really wrong here,” he
and detrimental to health. The groups urged the pub- as follow up to the act of CBCP for its alleged dicta- the decision was a political one, the said.
Recommendations were lic to write to President Aqui- tourist guide and reproduc- torial nature and pursuant CBCP official said, “definitely.” He called on the government to
made to Hanjin management no, Labor Secretary Rosalinda tive health (RH) bill advocate stance.” “I think it’s a political act. It’s a politi- institute the much needed reforms in
to adopt and implement D. Baldoz, Justice Secretary Carlos Celdran. To recall, Celdran dis- cal act of the president when [he] grants the country’s penal system as well as
tougher safety measures and Leila De Lima and Human “It is definitely amazing rupted an ecumenical service amnesty… because he wants to have the process of granting presidential
provide safety gadgets with Rights Chair Loretta Ann Ro- how such a notably well- at the Manila Cathedral last some sort of reconciliation with the pardon.
full-time doctors and health sales with the same message concerted effort could be Sept. 30 when he criticized soldiers,” he said. “There should be checks and balances
personnel aside from build- of concern for and on behalf staged—fast and effective— the Catholic hierarchy for “Whether we like it or not, the system in the system if we really want our par-
ing an emergency hospital of the Filipino workers at saying but one and only “meddling” in state’s affairs. of granting clemency is political by don policy to be untainted,” Diamante
because the nearest hospital Hanjin. (Melo M. Acuña) substantive and loud shout, (CBCPNews) nature... not only in this administration said. (CBCPNews)

Caritas / A1 Inquiry / A1 Tribute / A1

As of October 19, the Na-
tional Disaster Risk Reduc-
tion and Management Council
(NDRRMC) said “Juan” has left
10 people dead and nine others
injured.
The agency said four of the
fatalities were from Pangasinan,
three from Isabela, and one each
from Kalinga, Baguio City, and
Tuguegarao City.
Heavy rains and strong winds
have also plunged several prov-
inces into state of darkness
and affected communication
services.
The number of affected fami-
lies, meanwhile, has reached
1,689 or 7,951 persons in some
57 villages from the provinces of
La Union, Pangasinan, Isabela,
Aurora, Benguet, Kalinga and
Mountain Province.
According to the CBCP’s Cari-
tas Filipinas, at least 200 persons
are currently staying in 6 evacu-
ation centers in Baguio City as of
evening of Oct. 18.
Initial reports reaching the
agency also revealed that around
150 families have been evacuated
in Urdaneta.
Sr. Perpetua Bulawan, coor-
dinator for Nassa’s relief and
rehabilitation program, said they
are still waiting reports from the
affected dioceses for them to see
if and how the response needs to
be scaled up.
“Caritas Filipinas is now open
for donations for all those af-
fected by the typhoon. We are
also on the process of appeal-
ing to our Caritas International
partners,” Bulawan said during
a forum on Oct. 19.
“We appeal to the kind-heart-
ed people, organizations and
institutions to share whatever
donations they could give for
the victims.”
While Caritas also accepts re-
lief clothing, Bulawan said that
toiletries and food aid are the
main priority as of the moment.
“If the people get hungry,
they’ll become ill,” she said.
The Catholic Relief Services
said they will be working closely
with Caritas Filipinas, its local
partner, in assessing the dam-
age, meeting immediate needs
and planning for longer term
assistance.
Laura Sheahen, information
officer for CRS, the official in-
ternational humanitarian agency
of the US Catholic community,
vowed to respond immediately
in providing help to the affected
families.
“We are here to support them
in terms of aid and also technical
support whatever they need,”
Sheahen said. (Roy Lagarde)
person, said the level of de-
lays suffered in several areas
nationwide, which caused the
postponement of the elections in
at least 2, 2023 barangays, defi-
nitely warrants an inquiry.
De Villa said she is disap-
pointed with the conduct of the
manual elections which, accord-
ing to her, the Comelec is used
to do. “Never mind if it was
automated election system (be-
cause) it is completely new. We
would understand the glitches,”
she said.
“But for something like this,
something they have been doing
before, it is disturbing that this
should happen this way and
so close to election time,” said
De Villa.
The PPCRV official was set to
send a formal request for the poll
body to conduct a formal inquiry
on the matter today.
“Comelec should look at all
the angles and find the reason
why the delay happened,” she
said.
“Is it just inefficiency? Ac-
countability of what depart-
ment? Who were responsible if
there were perceived sabotage
undermining the credibility of
Comelec and the election itself?”
she also said.
De Villa added that some
glitches do really happen dur-
ing elections but the manner it
occurred on Oct. 25 was unac-
ceptable.
It’s second-rate, she said, and
that even the packing, deliveries
and printing of ballots came so
late in the day.
“There have always been
delays in election paraphernalia
but not like this… that it would
happen in the last minute,” De
Villa said. (CBCPNews)
and flash floods, he explained.
Asked if Fr. Satur’s death near-
ly two decades ago brought sig-
nificant lessons to Malaybalay’s
Catholic faithful, Cardinal Rosa-
les said more and more people
became aware of the destructive
effects of logging in the diocese.
“Then Environment Secretary
(Fulgencio) Factoran, Jr. came to
Malaybalay and supported us in
our campaign against illegal log-
ging,” the archbishop said.
Rosales was auxiliary bishop
of Manila when he was appoint-
ed coadjutor bishop of Malayba-
lay in June 9, 1982 at age 49. He
became bishop of Malaybalay at
52 years old and after eight years
was named Archbishop of Lipa
in Batangas Province. He became
Archbishop of Manila in Septem-
ber 15, 2003 succeeding Jaime L.
Cardinal Sin who retired at age
75. (Melo M. Acuña)

Mining / A1

They expressed alarm on the irre-
versible impact of extractive industries
especially on the islands of Manicani
and Homonhon in Eastern Samar and
Batag in Northern Samar which remain
imperiled by large and small-scale min-
ing operations.
“As shepherds of our flock, it is our
collective sentiments that the continuing
drive for development of the Eastern
Visayas region anchored on mining
as well as other extractive economic
pursuits, only reinforce the irreversible
trend of permanently damaging na-
ture’s endowments. As a consequence,
the many lines of opportunities upon
which our people can draw their life
sustenance will definitely be threatened
immensely,” the statement said.
The bishops said previous experi-
ences attest on the harmful effects of
mining on environment and livelihoods
and these should have at least imparted
some lessons on everyone.
Lamentable track record
Citing Bagacay in the Diocese of
Calbayog as an example, the prelates
said the mining company left the area
permanently devastated and the river
poisoned after having extracted all min-
erals from the ground.
“The people who had high hopes of
being lifted from their sorry state of
poverty were left to fend for themselves
and grapple with the realities that there
are no more fertile grounds to grow their
food or natural river systems to catch the
fishes for their day’s meal,” they said.
The prelates also noted the decade-
long struggle of the people in the islands
of Manicani, Homonhon and Batag
who have to make do with what was
left of the environment and livelihood
destroyed by mining.
Added to the damage done on the
environment is “the destruction of the
islands’ social fabric, [with] families
and communities [being] polarized,”
they said.
“What pervades has been the situa-
tion of unpeace and disharmony. People
in the islands have been constantly
threatened by another prospect of sys-
tematic destruction of the island they
call home,” they added.
The bishops reiterated that the so-
cial costs and irreversible destruction
caused by mining far outweigh its
perceived economic benefits.
Signatories of the pastoral statement
titled “A Call to Stop Mining in Eastern
Visayas Region” were Palo Archbishop
Jose S. Palma, Catarman Bishop Em-
manuel C. Trance, Borongan Bishop
Crispin B. Varquez, Maasin Bishop
Precioso D. Cantillas, Calbayog Bishop
Isabelo C. Abarquez, and Naval Bishop
Felomino G. Bactol.
Borongan clergy
Meanwhile, in a statement released on
October 13, the Borongan clergy led by
Bishop Crispin Varquez rapped the obvi-
ous attempt of Nickel Asia Corp. (NAC)
to have the suspension of mining opera-
tion in the island be lifted that would pave
for mineral extraction in Manicani.
“[We] reiterate our collective stand to
oppose the resumption of mining in the
island of Manicani in solidarity with the
people of the island who have suffered
long enough because of unmitigated
greed of the very people who vowed
to protect them; because of the wanton
disregard of their basic right to live
through the denial of their access to a
basic element that sustains their life;
and because, we cannot remain deaf and
blind to the excesses of mining while
our people suffer the consequences of
actions not of their own making,” the
statement partly read.
Mining will destroy agriculture and
fisheries, which are the main livelihoods
of the people, the clergy said.
With only an area of 1,165.89 hectares
and no major source of water except rain
water, Manicani communities will be
at a disadvantage if mining operations
continue, they furthered.
“What is more basic than any right,
more basic than the right of mining
firms, is the right of the people of
Manicani to live safely and peacefully
in their own island without the presence
of mining which endangers their very
lives,” the statement said.
The clergy also raised other issues
such as the company’s failure to com-
ply with the condition agreed with the
people of Manicani regarding the last
loading of mineral stockpile in 2004-
05, stating “That immediately after the
loading of the 150,000 MT nickel ore, all
open pit caused by the mining opera-
tions shall be rehabilitated” (No. 8 of SB
Resolution No. 32 series of 2004).
They said compliance to the above
condition is necessary at least before
any endorsement of the Guiuan Sang-
guniang Barangay should be made.
The Guiuan Sangguniang Barangay
is currently in the process of formulat-
ing a resolution to lift the suspension of
mining operation in Manicani.
So far, the barangay councils of Ba-
naag, Buenavista, Hamorawon and San
Jose, all in Manicani island, have already
passed a resolution seeking the same.
The Hinatuan Mining Corporation
(HMC) failed to assume the responsibili-
ties and consequences relative to mining,
the statement said, while pointing out
that the company left the island even
before the expiration of its permit.
“How then it would account for its fail-
ures and shortcomings?” the clergy asked.
In an effort to get the diocese soften
its stand against the loading of mineral
stockpiles, HMC offered to donate one
million for the spiritual and pastoral
endeavours of Borongan diocese, which
the bishop flatly declined.
But the company was able to buy
people’s support by handing out
P10,000 to every household, which led
to the loading of mineral stockpiles, the
statement said.
According to the clergy, the NAC has
been doing a maintenance program on
the “mined out areas in Manicani, spe-
cifically the settling ponds, periphery
canals and catchment basins” already
for several months now with some hired
locals doing the work.
The mining company has even taken
all the members of the island’s four
barangay councils for a field trip to Rio
Tuba, a mining area in Palawan.
The clergy made their collective stand
on the issue during their regular assem-
bly on October 13 held at the Bishop
Leonardo Y. Medroso Social Hall at the
Bishop’s Residence in Borongan.
 Diocesan News
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 22
October 25 - November 7, 2010
A7

4 bishops to DAR: Enforce CARP in Teves land

CAGAYAN DE ORO City— Fol-
lowing the awarding of a total
of 147 hectares of land to the
Sumilao farmers, four bishops
have called on Agrarian Reform
Secretary Gil delos Reyes to
“implement and re-enforce” the
law on Comprehensive Agrarian
Reform Program (CARP).
Cagayan de Oro Archbishop
Antonio Ledesma, Manila Aux-
iliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo,
Kalookan Bishop Deogracias
Iñiguez, and Legaspi Bishop Joel
Baylon asked DAR to “facilitate
the installation” of the 31 agrar-
ian reform beneficiaries (ARBs)
in the 62-hectare former Teves
land in Negros Oriental.
They said it is now high time
for DAR to install the ARBs into
the land that have already been
awarded to them under CARP.
“DAR, being the main agency
of the government to implement
agrarian reform, should inter-
vene and ensure the protection
of [the] farmers,” they said in a
letter to Delos Reyes.
“We expect you to uphold the
Baylon
Supreme Court decision and in-
stall the CLOA holders with con-
tinuing police protection to ensure
the safety of the farmers against a
resisting Teves,” they added.
The farmers were allegedly
driven away from the land by
former Rep. Herminio Teves and
his henchmen after they tried
to occupy the two contiguous
parcels of land consisting of 29
hectares in Barangay Villareal,
Bayawan City and 33 hectares
in Barangay Caranoche in Sta.
Catalina that were awarded to
them under CARP.
Iñiguez
The land in Bayawan City has
11 ARBs while the one in Sta.
Catalina has 19 ARBs.
These lands were voluntarily
offered for distribution under
CARP by former Sen. Lorenzo
Teves in 1988.
In 1997, DAR issued a collec-
tive Certificate of Land Owner-
ship Award (CLOA) in favor of
the ARBS of Caranoche. Two
years later, DAR issued a CLOA
to the Villareal ARBs.
But Lorenzo’s brother, the
former congressman, resisted
DAR’s decision.
December 2008.
DAR lawyer Eleazar Casi-
pong was shot and killed when
he was ambushed on his way
home on board his motorbike
along a highway in Sibulan near
Dumaguete City by two motor-
riding masked men on January
30, 2009.
Casipong was said to be help-
ing the farmers against former
Rep. Teves.
Ledesma Pabillo “We cannot allow lawless-
ness in Negros Oriental to make
He even lodged a case before tation and re-enforcement of the unfortunate farmers suffer and
the Supreme Court question- CARP law in Negros Oriental.” deprive them of justice,” the
ing DAR’s decision and urging “The Supreme Court [had] bishops added.
the High Tribunal to issue a already decided in favor of the The bishops’ letter was also
certiorari. CLOA holders with finality in signed by Sr. Cecille Bayona
But the Supreme Court ruled 2004, and yet in spite of this the of the Association of Major
in 2004 in favor of the ARBs. CLOA holders cannot take pos- Religious Superiors of the Phil-
After this, some pro-Teves session of the land due to harass- ippines (AMRSP), Sr. Angie
farmers filed separate petitions ment by the Teveses, including Villanueva of the AMRSP-JPICC,
for inclusion-exclusion against the killings of one farmer-leader former Sen. Aquilino Pimentel,
the Villareal and Caranoche and a DAR lawyer,” the bishops leaders of other Church-based
ARBs. said. organizations and peasant ad-
But bishops Ledesma, Pabillo, Arnaldo Hoyohoy, a son of vocate groups, and professors of
Iñiguez and Baylon said the issue CLOA holder Romaldo Hoyo- the University of the Philippines
is “not the exclusion or inclusion hoy was shot and killed by a lone and Ateneo University. (Bong
but simply the mere implemen- gunman in front of his house in D. Fabe)

Nuncio leads Borongan diocese jubilee celebration

BORONGAN, Eastern Samar— Hun-
dreds of faithful from 33 parishes of
Easter Samar flocked to the Cathedral
of the Nativity at the heart of the town
to join Bishop Crispin Varquez in wel-
coming the Papal nuncio Archbishop
Edward Joseph Adams and other prel-
ates from various parts of the country
on Oct. 22.
Paying tribute to the people for the
fruitful 50 years of the diocese, the nun-
cio said it is fitting and proper to thank
God for all His blessings.
“I accompany you in your hopes
and joys, in your sorrows and trials as
I extend my congratulations to your
shepherd Bishop Varquez; and with
him all my brother bishops whose pres-
ence in this celebration is the way the
local churches they represent also share
in this anniversary joy,” the apostolic
nuncio said.
© Roy Lagarde / CBCP Media
the teaching of the first bishop of
Rome, St. Peter whose words can be
summed up in his command “Build
the Church of God, continue building
it and you must continue building
it up.”
“And I say the same thing to you
people of Borongan: ‘Build the Church
up, continue building it,’” the 66-year
old prelate said.
He said the faithful can continue
building the Church in Borongan by
“keeping the commandments, witness-
ing to the beatitudes, practicing the vir-
tues, living the new life with God which
means a constant process of change in
your life for the better.”
Newly-appointed Archbishop of
Cebu and CBCP Vice President Arch-
bishop Jose S. Palma led the more than
20 other prelates from across the coun-
try who concelebrated with Archbishop

He also extended his greetings to the Adams.

Catholic faithful of Borongan with the
warm affection of the successor of St. Pe-
ter, His Holiness the Pope; to everyone
in the ecclesial province as he imparts
his blessing.
Archbishop Adams quoted from
The Diocese of Borongan was cre-
ated on October 22, 1960 and erected in
April 11, 1961 and comprises the entire
province of Eastern Samar with the
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin as titular
saint. (Melo M. Acuña)

MILF doubts gov’t sincerity in forging Briefing

peace in Mindanao
CAGAYAN DE ORO City—The
Moro Islamic Liberation Front
(MILF) has expressed doubts
on the Aquino administration’s
sincerity to achieve lasting peace
in Mindanao following the ar-
rest of one of its officials, whose
immediate release they are now
vehemently demanding.
Muhammad Ameen, chief of
the MILF Secretariat, said that
the arrest of Eduard Guerra was
“a grave violation of the ceasefire
agreement and the spirit of the
peace process between the Gov-
ernment of the Republic of the
Philippines and the MILF.”
“More seriously,” Ameen con-
tinued in a report posted on the
front’s website, “it puts into
doubt the sincerity of the Aquino
administration and exposes its
own so-called policy of the pri-
macy of the peace process as
empty words.”
Ameen said Guerra’s arrest ex-
poses “that the real policy of the
government in Mindanao is not
the ‘primacy of the peace process’
but to crush the MILF through
counter-insurgency measures,
including the arrests of its top
officials.”
Guerra was arrested Septem-
ber 22 at the Davao International
Airport on his way to Switzer-
land to attend the United Nations
Human Rights Council Meeting
scheduled on September 27 upon
the invitation of an international
non-government organization.
He is being held at a military base
in Manila.
His arrest, according to Ameen,
runs counter to the GRP-MILF
agreement that provides “safety
and security guarantee” to MILF
members who are directly in-
volved in the peace process.
But chief GRP peace negotia-
tor, lawyer Marvic Leonen, said
that there was no violations of
the peace agreements because
Guerra was not directly involved
in the negotiations and therefore
is not exempt from arrest and
prosecution.
Leonen said that Guerra was
arrested on the basis of a court
warrant issued September 1,
2010. Also, Guerra’s name was
never submitted as a direct ne-
gotiator of the MILF.
But Ameen insisted that Guer-
ra was a member of the MILF
Technical Committee during the
peace negotiations in Tripoli,
Libya in June 2001 and also in
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2002
and 2003.
Guerra was also one of the two-
man delegation of the MILF dur-
ing the OIC Minorities’ Confer-
ence in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia on April 18-19, 2009; and
he was also one of the members of
the three-man MILF delegation to
the Conference of the Organiza-
tion of Islamic Conference (OIC)
in Dushanbe, Tajikistan on May
1-20, 2010, Ameen added.
He said Guerra was chief of the
MILF’s Foreign Affairs Commit-
tee when he was arrested.
“As member of the MILF cen-
tral committee, which is the
principal of the MILF peace panel
and the ceasefire committee,
Eduard is covered by this guar-
antee. How can our negotiating
panel be confident about the talks
when their principals are being
arrested?” Ameen asked.
The MILF, in a resolution
signed by Ameen and attested
by MILF Vice Chair for Political
Affairs Ghazali Jaafar on Oct. 11
considers the arrest “as a direct
blow to the early resumption of
the negotiation in Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia.”
MILF Chairman Al Haj Mu-
rad Ebrahim raised the issue of
Guerra’s arrest to the Malaysian
Country Facilitator, Datuk Oth-
man bin Abdulrazak, saying it
has “serious implications to the
early resumption of the GRP-
MILF peace talks.”
The MILF Coordinating Com-
mittee on Cessation of Hostilities
CSOs input needed to achieve DAR’s goal—
(CCCH) also complained about
Pacturan
the arrest to their counterpart in
CAGAYAN DE ORO City—DAR Undersecretary for Sup-
the government and asked that
port Services Jerry Pacturan has urged civil society orga-
the charges against Guerra be
nizations to help the department develop the Philippine
dropped immediately leading to
countryside. Pacturan said DAR is now shifting its focus
his early release from detention.
to “something that has scale” and CSOs’ help are badly
The MILF has already formally
needed to pull this off. “We need to shift the work from
protested the arrest before the
small livelihood programs and agriculture productivity
Philippine government.
to something that has scale.” (Bong D. Fabe)
“We have filed a protest with
the Philippine government and in-
formed Malaysia about the arrest Member-consumers relieve power coop
of Brother Eduard Guerra,” said management team
Von Al Haq, MILF spokesman. LEGAZPI City– More than 100 member-consumers of
The MILF is talking peace Albay Electric Cooperative have unanimously voted for
with the government following the relief of the power cooperative’s management team
several skirmishes with govern- in a special assembly held Oct. 16 at the Pastoral Center
ment troops that resulted to of Legazpi Cathedral. By invoking their right to legislate
thousands of deaths on both sides as member-consumers, the multi-stakeholders signed the
and billions of pesos in damages call to relieve Engr. Alex Realoza, operation-in-charge,
through the years. and his team for mismanagement of the cooperative.
The peace negotiations was (Elmer James Bandol)
stalled in August 2008 after
disgruntled MILF commanders Manobo tribe decorates RP’s tallest tree for
attacked Kolambugan town in Christmas
Lanao del Norte following the SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur—The Manobo tribe is
Supreme Court’s ruling that set to “energize” the giant Toog tree or Philippine Rose-
struck down the Memorandum of wood to signal the official start of the Christmas season
Agreement on Ancestral Domain in Barangay Alegria, which hosts the “third tallest tree in
(MOA-AD), which would have the world.” The ritual will be led by famous Datu Bardo
given the MILF control over large Bando, a Manobo chieftain who was once the regional
areas in Mindanao if the residents commander of the New People’s Army in the Agusan
vote for it in a plebiscite. provinces. (Bong D. Fabe)
The upsurge of violence in 2008
displaced 750,000 people and left Sumilao farmers get remaining 10 hectares plus 3
nearly 400 people dead. (Bong more from DAR
D. Fabe) SUMILAO, Bukidnon—The long wait is finally over! The
famous Sumilao Farmers received on Oct. 10 the remain-

Church has say on RH Bill—Caceres prelate

NAGA City—Amid the on-going criticisms
directed at the Catholic Church hierarchy for
being vocal against the proposed Reproduc-
tive Health (RH) Bill, Caceres Archbishop
Leonardo Legaspi has issued a pastoral
letter seeking to clarify why the Church,
particularly the clergy, is intervening in the
contentious issue.
Legaspi was reacting to the “malicious and
tasteless name-calling and criticism” hurled at
the Church hierarchy for its firm stand on the
issue of responsible parenthood and the pas-
sage into law of the RH Bill which promotes and
would make available artificial contraceptives.
Citing the Constitution’s Preamble in
which the people implores the aid of God
in their pursuit of “a just and humane so-
ciety and establish a Government that shall
embody our ideals and aspirations,” the
prelate explained that it was “the duty of
the Church to remind the government of
her constitutional mandate to protect this
aspiration.”
The Archbishop furthered that it is the
Church’s mission from Christ which impels
it “to speak about social, economic or politi-
cal issues.”
The first of supposed three-part pastoral
letter, “Let the Stones Shout: On the Right
of the Church to Proclaim the Truth and her
Duty to lead the Faithful to True Freedom in
and for the Truth,” was read in almost all the
masses in the Archdiocese on Sunday.
Aside from its explanation of the Church’s
participation in political matters, the pastoral
letter also clarified its opposition to the RH
Bill now pending in Congress.
It questioned whether the proposed legis-
lation violates the Constitutional provision
in the Preamble of respecting the “people’s
spiritual aspirations.”
Moreover, it specifies the matter on re-
productive health as a moral issue which
involves concerns on “development, sexual
health, rights of women and children” requir-
ing “thorough study and careful analysis.”
The pastoral letter concluded with the
Archbishop’s assertion that the Church is
“a vital contributor in the political debate”
and is a “transformative resource.” (F. J.
Lagdameo)
ing 10 hectares, plus 3 hectares, of the disputed 144-hect-
are estate from DAR Secretary Gil Delos Reyes and USec.
Jerry Pacturan in a simple turn-over ceremony here. The
turnover came six months after they were awarded the 15
hectares of land outside the disputed 144 hectares estate
of the San Miguel Corp. and another 50 hectares within
the 144 hectares last April 16, 2010. (Bong D. Fabe)
Energy chief orders power utilities to fast track
power plants’ rehab
CAGAYAN DE ORO City— Energy Secretary Jose Rene
Almendras has ordered power utilities that bought
government assets to fast track the rehabilitation of
power plants to mitigate the worsening power crisis in the
country. “I have given two or three letters already to the
companies who have bought government assets, pleading
with them to please accelerate the rehabilitation,” he said
in a radio interview. (Bong D. Fabe)
 A8 People, Facts & Places CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 22
October 25 - November 7, 2010

Sentro Filipino Chaplaincy Yuppies called to

holds Family Day celebration

protect family and
life, counter RH Bill
THE Sentro Filipino Chaplaincy in Rome AN amicable and logical discussion on
has gathered Filipino families for prayer and the issues of human life and reproductive
cultural activities at the Shrine of Our Lady of health may yet bring clarity on the life is-
Fatima in an annual celebration called Family sues muddled by differing opinions and
Day. global politics.
The annual activity, which showcases the The Banahaw Cultural Center for Profes-
unique Filipino culture, its wonderful delica- sional Men held a roundtable discussion on
cies and cuisines, aims to foster closer bonding the issues of human life and reproductive
among Filipino families based in Rome. The health bill for young professionals on Octo-
families celebrate together the devotion to ber 23 at 152 N. Domingo Street in Cubao,
our Lady whom they believe to have always Quezon City.
journeyed with them as they work hard for Called ‘Life Summit: a round table dis-
a better future for their families left in the cussion on human life and family issues’,
Philippines. the symposium aimed to clearly define and
The crowd comprised of Overseas Filipino clarify the meaning of life in the family and
Workers, priests and missionaries serving the in society.
sacraments in various Filipino communities, Speakers during the discussion include Dr.
nuns from several congregations, and some Lito Sandejas of Kanlungan ng Buhay, Atty.
business sectors advocating their services to Dindo Graciano of Alliance of the Family,
millions of Filipinos working in Italy. Inc., Dr. Roberto de Vera of the University
A meditative praying of the rosary was held of Asia & the Pacific, and Mark Goroy of
at 10 a.m. followed by the 12 p.m. Holy Mass. Choose Life Coalition.
Msgr. Pierpaolo Felicolo, the Director of Mi- The activity was Banahaw’s initial inter-
grantes in the Diocese of Rome led the Eucha- vention in fighting pro-RH bill sentiments in
ristic celebration with 35 priest concelebrants. an amicable and logical manner.
Family Day is a yearly event organized by Through the discussion Banahaw hopes to
the Filipino Chaplaincy under the leadership build a more informed and intelligent citizen

Contributed Photo
of chief Chaplain and Scalabrinian Fr. Romy who can publicly speak about what life is
Velos. in both the offline and online world. It also
Velos expressed high hopes on OFW´s to help seeks to unhinge biased media and create a
keep the faith alive in their families through more pro-active and pro-life citizen.
loving dedication to service and Christian Young men who wanted to be part of an
witnessing. (Fr. Garret Alfonso Ulanimo) intelligent pro-life discussion came and at-
tended the activity.

Prison Awareness Week focuses

The Banahaw Cultural Center, established
in 1968, is a center for young professionals
who embrace the spirituality of the Opus
Dei.

on alternatives to imprisonment
THE Church’s celebration of the
Prison Awareness Week has focused
on the need to consider alternatives
to the country’s current punitive
criminal justice system and impris-
onment.
The Episcopal Commission on
Prison Pastoral Care (ECPPC) of the
Catholic Bishops Conference of the
Philippines (CBCP) spearheaded the
23rd Prison Awareness Week.
Themed as “Towards Justice That
Moves Beyond Punishment,” the
week-long celebration was held on
October 19-24, 2010.
Rodolfo Diamante, executive sec-
retary of ECPPC said, the week-long
celebration began with a thanksgiv-
ing mass officiated by Fr. Oliver
Dee, Director of the Philippine Jesuit
Prison Service. The mass was held on
October 18, 2010 at the CBCP Chapel
in Intramuros, Manila.
Conferences were held to inform
the public through the media of
the reform agenda on justice by the
church and non-government agen-
cies involved.
Diamante said it will also aid in
promoting the adoption of more
restorative interventions in the penal
system and the need to pass legisla-
tions that will enhance the dignity of
the prisoners.
The celebration ended with a
Eucharistic celebration presided by
Palawan Bishop Pedro Arigo at the
Maximum Security Compound, New
Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa City.
Organizers said separate masses
were also held by the VIPs in their
respective areas in observance of
the week-long celebration. (Kate
Laceda)
Meanwhile, to enlighten the public on
the misinformation caused by anti-life and
anti-family bills pending in Congress, Theo-
logical Centrum is making available again
its various Documentation Service issues on
family and life.
This effort is meant to provide people
guidance to make them more capable of de-
fending human life and the family. Requests
for publications can be made to Theological
Centrum, 5th Floor, Quad Alpha Centrum
Building, 125 Pioneer Street, Mandaluyong
City; telefax (02) 635 6113 or email: theologi-
calcentrum@yahoo.com. (Jan Ong)

Retreat for diocesan priests

to focus on Church laws
IN line with the current concern of Pope
Benedict XVI for the life in ministry of priests
in these challenging times, Theological
Centrum is holding a retreat for diocesan
priests to serve as a follow up of the aim of
the last year’s Year for Priests: “Faithfulness
of Christ, faithfulness of the Priest”.
Talks and workshops during the retreat
will focus on Church laws and procedures
that priests and lay faithful must be aware of
to guide the life and ministry of priests.
Held annually for some years now, the
retreat for diocesan priests was started by
Theological Centrum as part of its program
to assist the dioceses in their on-going forma-
tion programs for the secular clergy.
This was made possible through the Stu-
dium Theologiae Foundation Inc., an initia-
tive of a group of professionals, who were
eager to assist priests in their response to the
Second Vatican Council’s call to facilitate
their on-going formation.
The retreat is scheduled on November
15-18, 2010, in Tagaytay Conference Center,
in Mendez, Cavite.
Retreat preacher will be Rev. Fr. Daniel
Icatlo, J.C.D., a priest of the Prelature of
Opus Dei.
Together with various pastoral tasks in
the Prelature, particularly as Chaplain of
Southridge School, Fr. Icatlo also serves as a
Judge of the National Appellate Matrimonial
Tribunal of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference
of the Philippines.
Aside from the meditations to be given
by Fr. Icatlo, there will also be talks by Fr.
Francisco Aniban, J.C.D., of the Prelature of
Opus Dei.
Fr. Aniban is a Chaplain of Southridge
School and also a Judicial Vicar of the
Tribunal of First Instance of the Diocese of
Antipolo.
Diocesan priests who are in need of few days
of quiet and personal reflection are encouraged
to avail of this opportunity that would help
deepen their spiritual life and ministry.
Priests who have not yet made their re-
treat for the year 2010 and are interested
to join this group, may contact Theological
Centrum, 5th Floor, Quad Alpha Centrum
Building, 125 Pioneer Street, Mandaluyong,
Manila, 1505 Philippines; call Telefax (02) 635
6113 or E-mail: theologicalcentrum@yahoo.
com. (Fr. Mickey Cardenas)
Markings APPOINTED. Archbishop Jose Palma
as the new Archbishop of Cebu, October
15, 2010. Palo Archbishop Jose Palma
will replace Ricardo Cardinal Vidal whose
resignation was finally accepted by Pope
Benedict XVI. A vocal opponent of extra-
judicial killings in Samar Island, Palma was
then the bishop of Calbayog when retired
Army General Jovito Palparan was still
the commanding officer of the 8th Infantry
Division based in Catbalogan, Samar. At
that time, Palma did not mince words by
telling the public that the military under the
command of Palparan was responsible
on the numerous reports of human rights
violations there. He also pressed the gov-
ernment to pursue criminal prosecution
of the retired military officer. As bishop of
Calbayog, he joined the other bishops of
Samar crusading for environmental preservation and protection of the
island. It was in March 2006 when the 60-year old prelate was appointed
as archbishop of Palo in Leyte province. Palma was born in Dingle,
Iloilo on March 19, 1950. He studied his philosophy at St. Vincent Ferrer

Youth gathers to mark 20th FNYO anniversary

THE Federation of National
Youth Organizations (FNYO)
celebrated its 20th Anniversary
creating rapport and fellowship
among its young members.
Themed as “FNYO @ 20:
Major, Major Thank You, BRO!
(20- Taon ng Pagkakaisa, Kahit
Magkakaiba), the celebration
was held at the Auditorium of
Claret School of Quezon City
on Oct. 9.
The festivity aimed to
gather and build a spirit of
camaraderie among young
people from different catholic
youth organizations.
Talk shows, exhibits and
Eucharistic celebrations were
Seminary and his theology at St. Joseph Regional Seminary. He then
earned his Licentiate in Sacred Theology at the University of Sto. Tomas
in Manila, and his doctorate at the St. Thomas Aquinas Pontifical Univer-
sity in Rome. Palma was ordained priest for the Archdiocese of Jaro on
August 21, 1976. After a year as parochial vicar at the Jaro Cathedral,
he was given a teaching assignment in St. Vincent Ferrer Seminary. He
some of the activities held during then became rector of the St. Joseph Regional Seminary. At the same
the celebration. time he occupied several positions in the diocese. In 1997 he became the
The assembly was organized by parish priest of the Parish of St. Anthony of Padua in Jaro. In 1998, he
the FNYO coordinating council was named Auxiliary Bishop of Cebu by then Pope John Paul II. A year
later, he was transferred to the Diocese of Calbayog. Palma is currently
composed of the Chiro Pilipinas, serving his first term as vice president of the Catholic Bishops’ Confer-
Student Catholic Action of the ence of the Philippines.
Philippines, Salesian Youth
Movement, Institucion Teresiana CELEBRATED. Diocese of Borongan,
50th jubilee of foundation, October 22,
Youth and Franciscan Youth. 2010. Apostolic nuncio to the Philip-
Youth organizations that have pines Archbishop Edward Joseph
participated were the Columbian Adams led the Eucharistic celebra-
Squires; CLC; Institucion tion together with 20 other prelates
across the country. On October 22,
Teresiana Youth; Tarsician 1960 Pope John XXIII, created the
Youth; Singles for Christ; Youth Diocese of Borongan, installing Most
for Christ; Cannosian Youth Reverend Vicente Reyes, D.D., then
Movement; Focolare; Filipino- Auxiliary Bishop of Manila, as the First Residential Bishop of Borongan.
The diocese’s current bishop is Most Rev. Crispin Varquez. The diocese
Chinese Catholic Youth; Society comprises the entire province of Eastern Samar. It is divided into three
of St. Vincent de Paul; among regions, each consisting of 2 vicariates. It covers 26 parishes in 22 mu-
others. (Kate Laceda) nicipalities and 4 barrios, ministered to by 60 diocesan and 5 religious
priests. Borongan, the capital town of the province is also the seat of the

Advocates meet to discuss reforms in prison ministry

episcopal see. The Catholic faith was brought to the province through the
evangelization efforts of the early missionaries, notably the Jesuits and
later on the Franciscans and the Augustinians.

DIED. Engr. Jose (Pepe) Lugay, 82, October

ADVOCATES of reform for the prison
system are set to meet for their Annual Ex-
ecutive Board Meeting to promote human-
ization, revision and reform of the prison
system in the world.
The meeting also aims to encourage the
Church and the society of a “greater aware-
ness” of the Prison Pastoral Care and to form
pastoral information, courses and studies for
the prison pastoral ministry.
Organized by the CBCP’s Episcopal Com-
mission on Prison Pastoral Care (ECPPC), the
meeting with the International Commission
of Catholic Prison Pastoral Care (ICCPPC)
will be held on October 25-29, 2010 at the
Balay Indang in Cavite.
Rodolfo Diamante, Executive Secretary of
CBCP-ECPPC and Asia’s Representative for
ICCPPC will lead the delegation.
Attendees of the meeting are Dr. Christian
Kuhn of Austria, ICCPPC President; Rev.
Brian Gowans of Scotland, Vice President;
Gerard Loman of Netherlands, Secretary
General: Deacon and Fred Van Iersel of
Netherlands, Treasurer.
Fr. Peter Carroll, MSC of Australia, Ocea-
nia’s Representative; Fr. Jorge Ignacio Garcia
Cuerva of Argentina, Latin America’s Rep-
resentative; Sr. Jacky Atabong of Cameroon,
African Region Representative and Sr. Susan
Van Baalen, OP, North America Representa-
tive will also participate in the assembly.
Founded in 1950, ICCPPC is a non-gov-
ernment organization in consultative status
with the United Nations that is tasked to
animate the respective Episcopal Confer-
ences and local ordinary to establish and
further Prison Pastoral Care in offering the
best support.
During their stay in the country, the IC-
CPPC Executive Board will also have various
activities such as jail visitation and exposure
at the Correctional Institution for Women in
Mandaluyong City; Fellowship with CBCP-
ECPPC Chaplains and Volunteers in Prison
Service and government officials; and En-
gagements with members of the Philippine
Action for Youth and Offenders (PAYO) and
PRAISED, an inter-faith organization that is
working in various jails and prisons.
The Board hopes that through these activi-
ties the mission of sharing God’s love and
promoting justice that moves beyond pun-
ishment will be fulfilled. (Kate Laceda)
24, 2010. A Chemical Engineer by profession,
Engr. Lugay was the former Chairman of the
Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas. He and his
late wife Lina served as Chaircouple of the
Christian Family Movement. He was also
Director of the Ephpheta Foundation for the
Blind, Vice President of the Concerned Citizens
Against Pollution and was President of the
Philippine Solidarity Fund Foundation and the
Jubilee Homes for the Poor Foundation. Engr.
Lugay also served as Professional Manage-
ment Consultant of San Miguel Corporation,
Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital and the National Kidney and Transplant
Institute. He was CBCP-Laiko’s volunteer observer to the Bids and Awards
Committee of the Department of Interior and Local Government, Philhealth
Corporation, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Social Security System and
National Kidney and Transplant Institute. He was also the chair of Laiko’s
Advocacy on Good Governance. Through his column at the CBCP Monitor,
which he has maintained for the last four years, Engr. Lugay has shared
with his readers his rich and inspiring insights on how a lay person should
make a difference in this world.
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 22
October 25 - November 7, 2010
‘We Must Never Resign
Ourselves to the Absence
of Peace’
(Homily of Pope Benedict XVI delivered at St. Peter’s Basilica during the solemn closing
of the Special Assembly for the Middle East of the Synod of Bishops on October 24, 2010;
on the theme: “The Catholic Church in the Middle East: Communion and Witness.”)
Venerable Brothers,
Illustrious Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear brothers and sisters,
TWO weeks on from the opening
Celebration, we are gathered on ce
again on the Lord’s day, at the Altar of
the Confession in St. Peter’s Basilica, to
conclude the Special Assembly for the
Middle East of the Synod of Bishops. In
our hearts is a deep gratitude towards
God who has afforded us this truly
extraordinary experience, not just for
us, but for the good of the Church,
for the People of God who live in the
lands between the Mediterranean and
Mesopotamia. As Bishop of Rome, I
would like to pass on this gratitude
to you, Venerable Synod Fathers:
Cardinals, Patriarchs, Archbishops,
Bishops. I wish to especially thank the
Secretary General, the four Presidents
Delegate, the Relator General, the Special
Secretary and all the collaborators, who
have worked tirelessly in these days.
This morning we left the Synod Hall and
came to “the temple to pray”: in this, we
are touched directly by the parable of
the pharisee and the publican, told by
Jesus and recounted by the evangelist
St. Luke (cf. 18:9-14). We too may be
tempted, like the pharisee, to tell God of
our merits, perhaps thinking of our work
during these days. However, to rise up
to Heaven, prayer must emanate from
a poor, humble heart. And therefore we
too, at the conclusion of this ecclesial
event, wish to first and foremost give
thanks to God, not for our merits, but
for the gift that He has given us. We
recognize ourselves as small and in need
of salvation, of mercy; we recognize all
that comes from Him and that only with
his Grace we may realize what the Holy
Spirit told us. Only in this manner may
we “return home” truly enriched, made
more just and more able to walk in the
path of the Lord.
The First Reading and the responsorial
Psalm stress the theme of prayer,
emphasizing that it is much more
powerful to God’s heart when those
who pray are in a condition of need and
Pastoral Concerns
are afflicted. “The prayer of the humble
pierces the clouds” affirms Ecclesiasticus
(35:21); and the Psalmist adds: “Yahweh
is near to the broken-hearted, he helps
those whose spirit is crushed” (34:18).
Our thoughts go to our numerous
brothers and sisters who live in the
region of the Middle East and who find
themselves in trying situations, at times
very burdensome, both for the material
poverty and for the discouragement,
the state of tension and at times of fear.
Today the Word of God also offers us
a light of consoling hope, there where
He presents prayer, personified, that
“until he has eliminated the hordes of the
arrogant and broken the sceptres of the
wicked, until he has repaid all people as
their deeds deserve and human actions
as their intentions merit” (Ecc 35:21-22).
This link too, between prayer and justice
makes us think of many situations in the
world, particularly in the Middle East.
The cry of the poor and of the oppressed
finds an immediate echo in God, who
desires to intervene to open up a way
out, to restore a future of freedom, a
horizon of hope.
This faith in God who is near, who
frees his friends, is what the Apostle
Paul witnesses to in today’s epistle, in
the Second Letter to Timothy. Realizing
that the end of his earthly life was near,
Paul makes an assessment: “I have
fought the good fight to the end; I have
run the race to the finish; I have kept
the faith” (2 Tm 4:7). For each one of us,
dear brothers in the episcopacy, this is a
model to imitate: May Divine Goodness
allow us to make a similar judgment of
ourselves! St Paul continues, “the Lord
stood by me and gave me power, so that
through me the message might be fully
proclaimed for all the gentiles to hear”
(2 Tm 4:17). It is a word which resounds
with particular strength on this Sunday
in which we celebrate World Mission
Day! Communion with Jesus crucified
and risen, witness of his love. The
Apostle’s experience is a model for every
Christian, especially for us Shepherds.
We have shared a powerful moment of
ecclesial communion. We now leave each
other so that each may return to his own
mission, but we know that we remain
united, we remain in his love.
The Synodal Assembly which
concludes today has always kept in
mind the icon of the first Christian
community, described in the Acts of the
Apostles: “The whole group of believers
was united, heart and soul” (Acts 4:32).
It is a reality that we experienced in these
past days, in which we have shared the
joys and the pains, the concerns and the
hopes of Christians in the Middle East.
We experienced the unity of the Church
in the variety of Churches present in
that region. Led by the Holy Spirit,
we became “united, heart and soul” in
faith, in hope, and in charity, most of all
during Eucharistic celebrations, source
and summit of ecclesial communion,
and in the Liturgy of the Hours as well,
celebrated every morning according to
one of the seven Catholic rites of the
Middle East. We have thus enhanced
the liturgical, spiritual and theological
wealth of the Eastern Catholic Churches,
as well as of the Latin Church. It
involved an exchange of precious
gifts, from which all the Synodal
Fathers benefitted. It is hoped that this
positive experience repeats itself in the
respective communities of the Middle
East, encouraging the participation of
the faithful in liturgical celebrations
of other Catholic rites, thus opening
themselves to the dimensions of the
Universal Church.
Common prayer helped us to face
the challenges of the Catholic Church
in the Middle East as well. One of these
is communion within each sui iuris
Church, as well as in the relationships
between the various Catholic Churches
of different traditions. As today’s Gospel
reminded us (cf Lk 18:9-14), we need
humility, in order to recognize our
limitations, our errors and omissions, in
order to be able to truly be “united, heart
and soul”. A fuller communion within
the Catholic Church favors ecumenical
dialogue with other Churches and
ecclesial communities as well. The
Catholic Church reiterated in this
Synodal meeting its deep conviction to
pursuing such dialogue as well, so that
the prayer of the Lord Jesus might be
completely fulfilled: “May they all be
one” (Jn 17:21).
The words of the Lord Jesus may be
applied to Christians in the Middle East:
“There is no need to be afraid, little flock,
for it has pleased your Father to give you
the kingdom” (Lk 12:32). Indeed, even
if they are few, they are bearers of the
Good News of the love of God for man,
love which revealed itself in the Holy
Land in the person of Jesus Christ. This
Word of salvation, strengthened with the
grace of the Sacraments, resounds with
particular potency in the places in which,
by Divine Providence, it was written, and
it is the only Word which is able to break
that vicious circle of vengeance, hate, and
violence. From a purified heart, in peace
with God and neighbor, may intentions
and initiatives for peace at local, national,
and international levels be born. In these
actions, to whose accomplishment the
whole international community is called,
Christians as full-fledged citizens can
and must do their part with the spirit
of the Beatitudes, becoming builders of
peace and apostles of reconciliation to
the benefit of all society.
Conflicts, wars, violence and terrorism
have gone on for too long in the
Middle East. Peace, which is a gift of
God, is also the result of the efforts of
men of goodwill, of the national and
international institutions, in particular
of the states most involved in the search
for a solution to conflicts. We must never
resign ourselves to the absence of peace.
Peace is possible. Peace is urgent. Peace
is the indispensable condition for a life
of dignity for human beings and society.
Peace is also the best remedy to avoid
emigration from the Middle East. “Pray
for the peace of Jerusalem” we are told
in the Psalm (122:6). We pray for peace
in the Holy Land. We pray for peace in
the Middle East, undertaking to try to
ensure that this gift of God to men of
goodwill should spread through the
whole world.
Another contribution that Christians
B1
www.media.masslive.com
can bring to society is the promotion of
an authentic freedom of religion and
conscience, one of the fundamental
human rights that each state should
always respect. In numerous countries
of the Middle East there exists freedom
of belief, while the space given to the
freedom to practice religion is often quite
limited. Increasing this space of freedom
becomes essential to guarantee to all
the members of the various religious
communities the true freedom to live
and profess their faith. This topic could
become the subject of dialogue between
Christians and Muslims, a dialogue
whose urgency and usefulness was
reiterated by the Synodal Fathers.
During the work of the Synod what
was often underlined was the need to
offer the Gospel anew to people who do
not know it very well or who have even
moved away from the Church. What
was often evoked was the need for a
new evangelization for the Middle East
as well. This was quite a widespread
theme, especially in the countries where
Christianity has ancient roots. The
recent creation of the Pontifical Council
for Promoting the New Evangelization
also responds to this profound need. For
this reason, after having consulted the
episcopacy of the whole world and after
having listened to the Ordinary Council
of the General Secretariat of the Synod
of Bishops, I have decided to dedicate
the next Ordinary General Assembly,
in 2012, to the following theme: “Nova
evangelizatio ad christianam fidem
tradendam - The new evangelization for
the transmission of the Christian faith”.
Dear brothers and sisters of the Middle
East! May the experience of these days
assure you that you are never alone,
that you are always accompanied by the
Holy See and the whole Church, which,
having been born in Jerusalem, spread
through the Middle East and then the rest
of the world. We entrust the results of the
Special Assembly for the Middle East, as
well as the preparation for the Ordinary
General Assembly, to the Blessed Virgin
Mary, Mother of the Church and Queen
of Peace. Amen.
B2 Updates CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 22
October 25 - November 7, 2010

The Judicial Vicar in the College

of Consultors of the Diocese
By Fr. Jaime Blanco
Achacoso, J.C.D.
I am the Judicial Vicar in my
diocese. Yesterday, I attended
a meeting of the Board of
Consultors of our diocese. The
bishop invited me to attend the
meeting, because he wanted me
to shed light on some cases.
After I presented my opinion, I
courteously left the room for them
to continue with another item in
the agenda. My question is: Is
the judicial vicar automatically
an ex officio member of the Board
of Consultors? Or is the judicial
vicar only just on call, at the
discretion of the Bishop? I would
appreciate any enlightenment
on this.
THIS question really touches
on a larger issue of the
Presbyteral Council (or
Council of Priests) of the
Diocese. Leaving this larger
matter for the next issues of
CBCP Monitor, we can briefly
tackle the question presented
to us, regarding the Board of
Consultors and the Judicial
Vicar’s membership in it.
The College of Consultors of
the Diocese
This matter is regulated in
can.502 of the Code of Canon
Law in the following terms:
§1. From among the
members of the council of
priests, the diocesan bishop
freely appoints not fewer
than six and not more than
twelve priests, who are for five
years to constitute the college
of consultors. To it belong
the functions determined
by law; on the expiry of the
five year period, however,
it continues to exercise its
functions until the new college
is constituted.
§2. The diocesan bishop
presides over the college of
consultors. If, however, the
see is impeded or vacant,
that person presides who in
the interim takes the bishop’s
place, or, if he has not yet bee
appointed, then the priest in
the college of consultors who
is senior by ordination.
§3. The Bishops’ Conference
can determine that the
functions of the college of
consultors be entrusted to the
cathedral chapter.
§4. Unless the law provides
otherwise, in a vicariate
or prefecture apostolic the
functions of the college of
consultors belong to the
council of mission mentioned
in c.495, §2.
The College of Consultors
can be considered as an
innovation of the Code, which
prescribes its constitution as a
permanent college of priests,
freely chosen by the bishop
from among the members of
the council of priests, in a
number not less than six but
not greater than twelve. The
rationale behind it was the
difficulty of convoking the
council of priests in all cases,
especially in the most urgent
matters; a smaller group
would facilitate greater agility
in consultation.
Its purpose is to assist the
bishop in cases established
by Law, and to appoint an
administrator of the diocese
during an impeded or vacant
see.
Specific Functions of the
College of Consultors
The specific functions of
the College of Consultors
provided for by the Code are
the following:
1) The diocesan
administrator needs its
consent to be able to proceed
(after the see has been vacant
a year) to the incardination
or excardination of clergy to
or from the diocese, and to
grant permission to transfer
to another diocese (c.272).
2) In the special case of c.377,
§3, it can be consulted for the
appointment of the diocesan
bishop or the coadjutor
bishop.
3) It receives the apostolic
letters coadjutor upon the
diocesan bishop taking of
his office, and likewise in the
case of the bishop when the
diocesan bishop is impeded
(c.382, §3 and c.44, §§1 & 3).
4) When the see is impeded,
and when that which is
prescribed in c.413, §1 is not
possible, it is the duty of the
College of Consultors to elect
a priest who will govern the
diocese (c.413, §2).
5) When the see is vacant
and if there are no auxiliary
bishops, and if the Holy See
has not provided otherwise,
it assumes the governance
of the diocese (c.419), and
it must choose a diocesan
Administrator within eight
days from the notice of the
vacancy of the see (c.421,
§1).
6) It informs the Holy See
of the death of the diocesan
bishop when there is no
auxiliary bishop (c.422).
7) It receives the possible
renunciation from office of
the diocesan administrator. In
this case (and in the case of the
death of the administrator) it
must select another, pursuant
to c.421 (cf. also c.430).
8) The diocesan
administrator (not the bishop)
must obtain its consent for
the removal of the chancellor
and the notaries of the curia
(c.485).
9) It must be heard for the
appointment of the diocesan
financial officer (c.494, §1) and
for his removal (c.494, §2).
10) It receives the profession
of faith of the diocesan
administrator (c.833, 4º). those who would constitute
11) The diocesan
administrator must obtain
its consent to issue dimissorial
letters to secular clerics who
must receive Holy Orders
(c.1018, §1,2º).
12) It must be heard by
the bishop for financial
administrative acts of a certain
value. The bishop has to obtain
its consent for extraordinary
administrative acts, besides
those specially indicated
by the universal law or the
founding statutes (c.1277).
13) The diocesan bishop must
obtain its consent to alienate
goods (whose value is between
the minimum and maximum
amounts as established by
the Bishops’ Conference) of
juridical persons not subject
to their own ordinary, when
the statutes do not indicate
a competent authority. Its
consent is also required for
the alienation of the goods
of the diocese (c.1292,§1; cf.
c.1295)
No Ex-Officio Members of
the College of Consultors
The Code of Canon Law
does not provide for any
ex-officio member of the
college of consultors. It is not
difficult to understand the
reason behind this: to give
the diocesan bishop maximum
leeway and freedom to choose
from among his presbyterium
his own senate, to give a
consultative vote on those
matters he chooses to refer
to them.
That having been said,
it nevertheless seems
prudent to assure that such
a close-knit consultative
body count on experts for
all the areas of pastoral
work and governance of the
diocese. Thus, considering the
importance of their respective
areas of competence in the
diocese, the following would
be useful and effective in that
body: the different vicars
(for their respective areas of
responsibility), the chancellor
(for archival matters), the
economic officer, the judicial
vicar. Nevertheless, since
the purpose of this body
is precisely to be readily
available for consultation by
the diocesan bishop and to
avoid possible conflicts of
interests and time constraints,
it would also seem wise to
include in this consultative
body other priests also
competent on the materials
corresponding to the above
diocesan officers─e.g.,
another expert in Canon
Law, other than the Judicial
Vicar; and another person
knowledgeable in finances,
other than the Finance Officer
of the diocese.
In the end, what is important
is that the body is competent to
give the bishop the necessary
counsel for the different acts
of governance he may need
to consult them with.

May They Be One

Anointing for mental Bible Campaign
disorders Help Put a Bible in Every Filipino Home

(Father Edward McNamara, professor

of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum
university, answers the following
query:)

Q: Could someone who has

mental problems/disorders
receive the anointing of the sick?
For example, people who battle
an illness such as anxiety/panic
disorder, bipolar, depression,
schizophrenia, etc. I would think
that these types of illness are not
in and of themselves necessarily
life-threatening, but they could be
and could lead to life-threatening
situations. I have a friend in Nova
Scotia who visited a shrine in
Quebec last summer. The shrine
held a special anointing of the sick,
but the priest announced that it

One in the Bible Cause,

was only for those truly ill and/
or with a life-threatening illness.
My friend was truly upset and
didn’t know whether to receive
the anointing. She has had cancer
and now suffers an anxiety/panic
One in the Community
P
disorder, always living in fear
of the cancer returning.—T.O., arish priest Rev. Fr. Gerard Ariston Perez, seeking to widen his borders in
Vermont the spread of God’s Word, brought the May They Be One (MTBO) Bible
Campaign not only to the Holy Guardian Angels Parish in Tuao, Cagayan
but also to the rest of the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao. Partnering with Biblical
A: In general the sacrament of
Formation teams, eight parishes started working together in June 2010 to distribute
the sick is reserved for serious (but some 2,500 MTBO Bibles in their communities. Heads of families, trained to lead
not necessarily life- threatening) the 7-step gospel sharing method led Bible sharing groups in their communities.
physical illness which significantly The Sambuhay (misalette) which contained the Sunday Gospel was previously
affects one’s health and well-being. the closest the people got to a Bible. Now, MTBO Bible recipients are privileged
It can also be administered before to have copies of the whole Bible that they say they now read regularly. They
a serious operation or one that recount that the regular Bible reading gave them a greater capacity to feel God’s
requires complete sedation, even if love and experience His grace and presence, especially in times of need and
the underlying condition is not in danger. The effects of the parishes’ united efforts in the MTBO Bible Distributions
itself life-threatening. It may also are now being felt in the community as the residents are now noticeably more
be administered to those over 65 open and generous to each other. They have also become actively involved in
if notably weakened, even if they the concerns of their parish and its work in the community.
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do not suffer from any particular

illness.
Historically the Church has not
administered this sacrament for less
serious illnesses, even if chronic.
Until relatively recently, mental
illnesses were not usually considered
as subjects for anointing.
Medical science, however, has
discovered that some hitherto mental
illnesses are in fact symptoms of
physical imbalances. For example,
the dementia associated with
Alzheimer’s is apparently mental,
but it is also a fatal, and still incurable,
disease.
Even if the serious mental
illness is not caused by known
physical phenomena, No. 53 of the
introduction to Pastoral Care of the
Sick: Rites of Anointing and Viaticum
(PCS) opens up the possibility of the
use the sacrament in such cases. To
wit: “Some types of mental sickness
are now classified as serious. Those
who are judged to have a serious mental
illness and who would be strengthened
by the sacrament may be anointed. The
anointing may be repeated in accordance
with the conditions for other kinds of
severe illness.”
The minister should proceed with
some caution with respect to anointing
for mental illness. There is no clear cut
standard to determine “seriousness.”
For this reason, such situations should
be handled on a case-by-case basis
and in consultation with the person’s
physician. As stated in PCS, No. 8: “A
prudent or reasonably sure judgment,
without scruple, is sufficient for deciding
on the serious of an illness. If necessary
a doctor may be consulted.”
Also PCS, No. 52: “Those who
receive this sacrament in the faith of
the Church will find it a true sign of
comfort and support in time of trial.
It will work to overcome the sickness
if this is God’s will.”
Finally, while it is possible that
anxiety and similar mental strains
could reach a stage of seriousness
that would warrant anointing, it
is also important to recall that the
Church’s habitual sources of grace
such as frequent recourse to the
sacraments of reconciliation and
Eucharist, closeness to the Blessed
Mother, as well as prayer and seeking
spiritual guidance are of great benefit
in helping us to overcome these
burdens or at least bear patiently the
trials permitted by God.
No. of Dioceses participating in the Bible
Campaign – 76 out of 86 Dioceses
Praise God for many new donors Bibles Distributed (Jan 2010 – Oct. 18,
and partners of MTBO as a
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result of the Bible campaign’s Bibles Distributed by Languages - Tagalog
September 30 2nd Anniversary (38,596 cps.), Cebuano (43,474 cps.)
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Please pray for the ongoing cps.), Hiligaynon (11,458 cps.), Bicol
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registration of churches, groups
and organizations as unity Pampango (1,303 cps.)
Parishes/Communities served: 488
centers for the Handwritten Unity
Total Bible Distribution: (Jan 2009 - Oct
Bible project which will begin in 18, 2010): 249,780 cps
January 2011. Target No. of Bibles for Distribution for
2010: 200,000 cps.
Total Funds Needed for Printing and
Transport of Bibles in 2010: P30M
To learn more about how you can be part of the Campaign and make significant
change, call us at PBS 526-7777, ECBA 527-9386 or visit www.bible.org.ph and www.
ecba-cbcp.com. Donations can be made by making a deposit to the following bank
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slip to 521-5803 or ECBA-CBCP Account #0251-021376 (BPI-Tayuman Branch)
Fax deposit slip to 527-9386. For credit card payments—go to PBS website (www.
bible.org.ph)
 Features
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 22
October 25 - November 7, 2010
B3

Diocesan Pastoral Reflection on

Barangay and SK Elections

© Dennis Dayao/CBCP Media

By Bishop Ruperto Cruz
Santos
WHEN the great Pope John Paul
II proclaimed Thomas More as
the Patron Saint of Statesmen
and Politicians, he affirmed that
the saint’s entire life was a living
witness to “the inalienable dignity
of the human conscience” and
his martyrdom was a touching
lesson in life that “man cannot
be separated from God, nor politics
from morality.”
The Pastoral Constitution
Gaudium et Spes (76) clearly
states that in our fulfillment of
civic duties, we must be “guided
by a Christian conscience.” The
Congregation for the Doctrine
of the Church likewise noted
that “a well-formed Christian
conscience does not permit one to
vote for a political program or an
individual law which contradicts
the fundamental contents of faith
and morals.”
With these as guiding principles
and with the forthcoming October
25 Barangay and SK Elections, let
me share with you my pastoral
reflections.
To aspire for public office
should be a desire, first and
foremost, to be of help to
others. It should be motivated
primarily by dedication to
serve; and to be of service means
willingness to give, to share
and to offer all one possesses,
rather than to amass power
and wealth for himself or for
his group. Public officials are
called upon to serve especially
those who are less privileged,
less fortunate, and least taken
care of. Our position in society,
community or place of work—
whether involving religious or
civic authority--does not mean
that we lord over those who
are under us, or that we feel
superior to them and demand
services from them. These
people are given and entrusted
to us as opportunities to help
them, uplift them, promote
their rights, provide for their
needs and improve their lives.
Saint Matthew reminds us that
Jesus came “not to be served but
to serve” (20, 28).
Any position in government,
especially those requiring a
mandate from the people,
involves a responsibility and
duty to serve them. This service
is like that of Good Shepherd
in the Gospel of Saint John (cfr.
John 10,11-15). A true shepherd
leads and guides his flock to
the right and moral path. He
defends and protects them. He
gives and sustains the life of his
flock. Would you not choose a
leader with these positive traits?
Would you not let yourself be
under his care, under this kind
of shepherd?
Guided by our well-formed
conscience let us use our right
to vote morally. Let us go for
quality rather than quantity.
Let us be moved by good deeds
rather than fine words. Let
us be challenged by legal and
good examples rather than fiery
speeches. Let us be inspired by a
credible and honest living rather
than external appearances. Let
us be carried away by noble
performances rather than bold
promises and showmanship. Let
us be attracted by selfless service
rather than giveaways. Let us be
motivated by what he can do for
God and for His people rather
than to his own and to himself.
The barangay and SK elections
may be the lowest in the totem
pole of elections for public office.
But we should begin with the
smallest things. The Gospel said
that he who could be trusted in
small things can be trusted in big
things. The proper and moral
exercise of our suffrage applies
to all elective posts. O Lord Jesus, as we go out
Before his martyrdom Thomas to vote, be with us and remind
More confessed that he was to us that:
die ‘in and for the faith of the Holy our vote is our right,
Catholic Church’ and he died as our vote is our choice,
‘king’s good servant, but God’s our vote must be based on the
first.’ dictates of our conscience,
and our vote decides our
Let this be our prayer for every future.
election: O Lord Jesus, as we go out to
vote please grant us the grace
Lord Jesus, our good Shepherd and wisdom
and benevolent Sower. to cast our vote for the glory
As we go out vote, walk with of God,
us to safety and to a moral for the good of our
decision. community,
Let us not be intimidated by for the welfare of everybody,
show of force. and
Let us not be carried away by for the bright future and
instant promises of jobs and false security of our children.
securities. We humbly pray O Lord Jesus,
Let us not be moved by a for a clean and honest election.
sense of gratitude or by padrino We humbly implore You O
system. Lord Jesus, our good Shepherd
Let us not be bought by money and benevolent Sower
or by promotions or assurances for a peaceful and responsible
of positions. Barangay and SK elections.

Contraceptive Campaign Can Backfire condoms, but by concurrent multipartner

By Dr. Bernardo M. Villegas
sexual activity. Those pushing condoms
as the only solution for the AIDS
ALTHOUGH I do not question their epidemic, ignore the psychology of
motives of fighting mass poverty with multipartner sexual activity.
artificial contraceptives, a good number Those who engage in sexual relations
of top executives in the Philippines with a number of partners, almost by
have to re-examine the facts about definition, tend to value their personal
the promotion of condom use in the gratification over the well-being of their
Philippines. Now that Thailand is very partners. Those most at risk engage in
much in the news because of the political sex with people they don’t know very
infighting among the major parties, well. Insisting condom use in such
it might be enlightening to consider situations implies a lack of trust, it breaks
what happened in that otherwise the mood, it interferes with the seduction
economically successful country because that is part of such encounters. The
of the massive promotion of condom use, Pope is right in worrying that condom
led by a leading business man, during promotion may actually increase the
the closing decades of the last century. problem, because condom promotion
Instead of reducing the incidence of campaigns necessarily spread a false sense
AIDS, Thailand has the highest number of security. The campaigns do not warn
of HIV-infected citizens in the East the prospective users that condoms, even
Asian region. What has happened to when used every time and correctly, will
Thailand demonstrate the validity of the only reduce the risk of infection but do not
much-criticized statement made by Pope entirely prevent the contraction of HPV,
Benedict XVI in his recent trip to Africa: which causes cancer and warts. Instead,
that condoms actually end up increasing they paint a picture of fun and freedom.
www.futura-sciences.com

the possibility of an AID epidemic in
some African countries.
In a well-researched article titled “AIDS
Prevention in Africa,” health writer Dale
O’Leary defended the Pope from his critics
in the Western press. He cites evidences
contained in a book titled Rethinking
AIDS Prevention by Edward Green.
Green had gone to Africa accepting the
conventional wisdom that condoms were
the solution for the AIDS epidemic. He
soon discovered, however, that massive
condom education and distribution
programs were not working. On the other
hand, a program promoting abstinence
before marriage and fidelity within
marriage in Uganda was successful.
His conclusion has been confirmed by
numerous other studies. In 2003, Norman
Hearst and Sanny Chen conducted a
condom effectiveness study for the U.N.’s
AID program. They concluded that in
many sub-Saharan African countries,
high condom use has yet to produce
demonstrable benefits. The sad experience
shows that high HIV transmission can
co-exist with high condom use.
An article in the prestigious British
medical journal The Lancet concluded:
“Massive increases in condom use
worldwide have not translated into
demonstrably improved HIV control
in the great majority of countries where
they have occurred.” Those promoting
condoms as the solution insist that
a correct and consistent condom use
reduces infections. The problem is that
no intervention or education program,
no matter how intense, has been able
to achieve anything close to consistent
condom use over time. No matter how
good the intentions of those in the
program, after a few months, use drops
significantly. This is true in Africa and
true among men who have sex with
men in the U.S. As a result, where
condoms are promoted as the answer,
the epidemic continues.
Why have massive condom education
and distribution campaigns failed to
slow the AIDS epidemic in Africa, while
a campaign stressing abstinence before
marriage and fidelity in marriage has had
positive results. The answer is found in
patterns of behavior. Both approaches
require substantial changes in behavior.
The difference is that while the decision
to practise abstinence and fidelity is made
with your clothes on, the decision to use
a condom is made with your clothes off,
in the heat of passion and often under
the influence of alcohol or drugs. The
decision not to engage in sex requires
discipline, will power, and is strongly
supported by both custom and religion.
While condom promoters encourage
people to use a condom every time, the
fact is that if both partners are HIV free
and monogamous, the risk of infection
is zero. The epidemic is not driven
by monogamous couples not using
According to the Lancet article cited above,
a vigorous condom-promotion activity
could increase rather than decrease
unprotected sexual exposure, if it has the
unintended effect of encouraging great
sexual promiscuity.
True enough, according to a study
published in the Journal of AIDS in
2005, men supplied with condoms
and properly educated about their use
reported a significantly higher number
of partners during the six months follow-
up period when compared with the six
months prior to their joining the study.
In this way, they increased their risk of
infection. All these findings support the
Pope’s statement in his trip to Africa:
condoms may sound like the solution to
the AIDS problem, but governments and
funders need to look at the results and
only support programs with a proven
record of success. For comments, my
email address is bvillegas@uap.edu.ph.
 Features
CBCP Monitor
B4 Vol. 14 No. 22
October 25 - November 7, 2010

RP bishop, Shrine rectors join world congress on

pastoral care of pilgrimage and shrines

By Fr. Edwin Corros
A DELEGATION of Shrine
rectors from the Philippines
led by Maasin Bishop Precioso
Cantillas had participated in
the Second World Congress on
the Pastoral Care of Pilgrimage
and Shrines held in Santiago
de Compostela, Spain last Sept.
27-30.
Bishop Cantillas, head of the
Commission for the Pastoral
Care of Migrants and Itinerant
People of the Catholic Bishops
Conference of the Philippines,
also chaired one of the round
table discussions during the
three-day ecclesiastical event.
The congress was organized
by the Pontifical Council for the
Pastoral Care of Migrants and
Itinerant People in collaboration
with the Archdiocese of
Santiago de Compostela, which
coincidentally, is celebrating its
holy year.
Convened at the Galacia
Congress and Exhibition Palace
after eighteen years since it was
first held in Rome in February 28,
1992, the congress had discussed
varied topics that aimed precisely
in appreciating the numerous
aspects and importance of the
pastoral care of pilgrimage and
shrines.
In his inaugural address,
Archbishop Antonio Maria
Veglio, president of the Pontifical
Council for the Pastoral Care
for Migrants said the aim of the
congress was to evangelize.
He noted that the Church had
come to realize this objective
over the past decades, and also
its understanding of shrines
has changed from a devotional
practice to an area of pastoral
care.
“We have become more aware
of this possibility over the last
decades, in which we have
passed from a devotional practice
to a pastoral of pilgrimage,
discovering that this moment
becomes an occasion for the
renewal of faith and also for a first
evangelization,” he said.
Santiago de Compostela
Archbishop Julian Barrio Barrio
explained pilgrimage from
the context of its archdiocesan
celebration of the holy year at
Santiago de Compostela which
celebrates “The Way of Santiago”
that leads to the Tomb of Apostle
James, in the city that bears his
name.
He also spoke of life as a
pilgrimage touching as well the
experience of a pilgrim to that of
the experience of the disciples on
the way to Emmaus.
“As he did with the disciples
of Emmaus, the Lord goes to
meet the pilgrim in his doubts
and uncertainties, even though
recognizing Him will be the result
of hearing and understanding
His Word and taking part in
the table of the Eucharist,” the
archbishop said.
Conducted in various
languages with simultaneous
translations, bishops, theologians
and rectors of famous shrines
from different parts of the
world took turns in presenting
their pastoral and theological
reflection on topics such as
pilgrimage to the shrines as area
of the Word and of Celebration; as
area of culture; as area of charity
and fraternity; and as area of
ecumenical and inter-religious
encounter.
At the conclusion of the
congress, Archbishop Vegliò
has encouraged his listeners to
work “so that the pilgrimage
and the shrine are really realms
of the Word, of celebration, of
charity, of ecclesial communion,
of Eucharistic communion and
of mission.”
The workshops for each topic
had brought all delegates to
exchange ideas and experiences
of their own respective shrines,
including topics that deal on the
“Diversity and collaboration in
welcoming or accompanying the
pilgrims’ return.”
Shrine rectors from the
Philippines who joined the
congress include Sto. Niño in
Cebu, Our Lady of Manaoag
in Pangasinan, Our Lady of
Peñafrancia in Bicol, Our Lady
of Antipolo in Rizal, Our Lady
of Guadalupe in Makati, Nuestra
Señora de Regla in Cebu, Jesus,
the Way, the Truth and the
Life in Pasay, Basilica of Poon
Nazareno in Quiapo, Sacred
Heart of Jesus in Makati, St. Jude
in Malacañang, Santo Sepolcro in
San Pedro, Laguna, Our Lady of
Fatima in Bulacan, and St. Joseph
in Cubao.
The congress has given them
the opportunity to meet and know
personally their counterparts of
the world’s famous shrines
such as the Our Lady Fatima in
Portugal, Our Lady of Lourdes in
France, Our Lady of Guadalupe in
Mexico and Our Lady of the Holy
Rosary of Pompei in Italy.
Other rectors were seen
distributing medals, small statues
and even commemorative coins
issued by their government
recognizing the significant
contribution of the shrines that
they represent.
For most participants from
the Philippines, the congress
has not only spiritually renewed
them of their roles as rectors
esp ec ia lly fr om t he ver y
profound discourses presented
by the resource persons, but
also permitted them to learn
from the positive practices and
innovations that other shrine
rectors have created especially
from those coming from the more
globally prominent and renowned
pilgrims’ destinations.
According to the organizers,
the congress’ participants came
from 75 countries from five
continents and had attracted 278
bishops, priests, religious and
lay people.
Besides Spain which hosted
the event and had about 40
Contributed photo
participants, the Philippine
Church ranked second for having
sent 21 delegates. Most countries
were able to send only one or two
delegates.
The Association of the Shrine
RectorsandPilgrimagePromoters
of the Philippines were among
those acknowledged by the
Vatican for having contributed to
the success of the congress.
“We want to express our
sincere gratitude to institutions
that by means of their economic
support made possible great part
of the organizational activity of
the II World Congress on the
Pastoral Care of Pilgrimages
and Shrines 2010,” it said in its
statement.
The Rectors are all active
members of the Association of the
Shrine Rectors and Pilgrimage
Promoters in the Philippines.
Besides participating in world
congresses organized by the
Vatican’s Pontifical Council for
the Pastoral Care of Migrants and
Itinerant People, the association
organizes regularly assembly for
its members and joins the Asian
congress held in various parts of
Asia. The recent Asian congress
was held in Japan last year.

CFA garners six trophies at 32nd Mati launches Vocation month

Catholic Mass Media Awards appeal and relevance, and goes against the legal expert Fr. Joaquin Bernas, S.J. The
By Sr. Marietta Alo, OND

By Terry Hermano THE diocese of Mati launched its observance of Vocation

ON the night of the 32nd Catholic Mass
Media Awards at the University of Sto. Tomas
Auditorium on October 13, guests from the
media industry were surprised when the
same people from one small group repeatedly
went up the stage to claim their awards.
The recipients belonged to a non-
mainstream media organization called the
Communication Foundation for Asia.
CFA’s total that evening: six trophies. It
was honored with two trophies for the CMMA
Hall of Fame: for Gospel Komiks, three-time
winner for Best Children’s Magazine, and
for www.cfamedia.org, the Best Website
winner for three consecutive years from
2007-2009. CFA also bagged
this year’s trophies for Best
Children’s Magazine (Baby
Jesus), Best Youth Magazine
(Gospel K Magazine) and Best
Comics Story (Noel de Leon’s
“My Favorite Christmas,”
published in Pambata). The
last trophy, for Best Secular
Music Album, went to Mga
Awit ng Mga Bagong Bida,
which is a unique collection of
the ten best songs composed
by students for the National
recently reported trend that the Philippine
komiks industry is fighting for survival.
Elevation to the Hall of Fame is a distinct
honor, but it also means that the multi-
awarded CFA magazine and website can
no longer be entries for the same category
this year and in future CMMAs. A previous
Hall of Fame Award was received in 2008 by
a CFA staff writer/editor for comics stories
published in Gospel Komiks.
The Catholic Mass Media Awards
Established in 1978, the Catholic Mass
Media Awards (CMMA) are intended “to
reward as well as to pay tribute to media
projects that enhance the total human
development of the Filipino audience through
Asian Catholic Communicators Inc (ACCI),
of which CFA is a member, hosted and
handed out the Cardinal Sin Book Awards in
six categories. In the mass media categories
for radio and television, the major networks
again dominated the awards.
But among the smaller media players,
CFA stands out with the most number of
awards received. CFA has worked long
and hard to maximize limited resources in
the innovative use of the media for a big
cause: what the Church calls “integral human
development.”
It has neither printing press nor radio-TV
broadcast facilities that the industry giants
do. And yet for over the past 40 years, CFA
has published various types of educational
materials, produced two full-
length developmental movies,
several radio drama and TV
series for values education, as
well as video documentaries
on social issues. Founded in
1968 by Fr. Cornelio Lagerwey,
a Dutch MSC priest, CFA’s
origins go back to 1960, when its
parent organization launched
the publication of the Philippine
edition of the Catholic Digest.
Today, CFA remains a lay
non-profit organization with a
Contributed photo
Month with a Eucharistic Mass and Benediction of the Blessed
Sacrament in three separate towns in the diocese.
The diocesan vocation team has chosen three strategic venues for
the launching: Lupon (Oct. 8) for the gulf town area, Mati (Oct. 9) for
the central area, and Baganga (Oct. 10) for the eastern coastal area.
Fr. Perfecto “Jojo” Urbuda, who headed the vocation team,
decided on the tri-venue setup in order to enable a wider, more
convenient participation on the part of young people, the academe
and the religious sector in the vicinities far from the diocesan
center where the annual launching used to take place.
The vocation theme, “Vocation Awareness in Prayer”,
was explained during the Mass. A program was also held to
introduce the members of different religious institutes, who in
turn delivered short messages to those present.
Explaining the vocation theme taken from the gospel context
of Luke 1:16-19, wherein the Virgin Mary “treasured all these
messages and continually pondered over them”, Fr. Urbuda said
the passage also served as reminder that October is the Marian
month of the Holy Rosary, and Mary will help each person
ponder on his/her vocation in life, particularly in responding
to the call of Jesus for more workers in his vineyard.
The launching activities drew in 15 visiting vocation promoters
from Davao, Tagum, Manila, Cebu, Bohol, Iloilo, South Cotabato,
Surigao and Basilan, along with representatives of existing 13
religious institutes in the diocese of Mati.
The vocation promoters avidly shared about their religious
communities and encouraged prospects to get in touch with them
through their given or posted addresses or mobile contact numbers.
In Mati on the 2nd day, the visiting vocation promoters
experienced a post-lunch, two-hour battery of spontaneous radio
interviews over DXHM to reach out to the remotest listener.

Youth Songwriting Contest Filipino MSC priest, Fr. Filoteo Theexchangeswiththeinterviewer,Sr.Maita,revealedcongregational

for Good Governance, a major
CFA project in late 2009.
CFA also had five finalists
in other categories: 1) Best
Children’s Story (by Cara
Funk in Gospel Komiks
Magazine); 2) Best Comic Story (one story
by Margie Cruz in Gospel Komiks Magazine
and 3) another story by Jericho Natividad,
also in Gospel Komiks Magazine); 4) Best
Children’s Magazine—Jesus Magazine; 5)
Best Youth Magazine—Pambata.
The CMMA Hall of Fame trophy for
Gospel Komiks comes after many years
of garnering more than a dozen awards,
citations and finalist nominations for its short
stories, comic strips and for the magazine
itself. Gospel Komiks is CFA’s most widely
recognized publication. Launched in 1980,
it leads the way in popularizing Sunday
Gospel readings, translating them into
contemporary illustrated stories. Its English
and Filipino editions reach more than a
hundred thousand subscribers nationwide,
most of them elementary school students.
Its longevity is a testament to its enduring
the competent and professional use of mass
media techniques.” The theme of this year’s
CMMA program was “New Media at the
Service of the Word.” Manila Archbishop
Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, who is also
the CMMA Honorary Chairman, gave the
opening message while Bishop Honesto
Ongtioco of the Diocese of Cubao gave the
keynote talk. The Catholic Mass Media
Awards Foundation rolled out a briskly-paced
program to accommodate a growing number
of contest categories. As program host that
night, the University of Sto. Tomas, which is
celebrating its quadricentennial anniversary
next year, presented entertaining intermission
numbers featuring its best talents, including
its internationally awarded choir and the well-
known Salinggawi Dance troupe.
During the same program, an individual
Serviam Award was given to writer and
Pelingon, as its president, and
with publishing as its main
operation. The Foundation
produces six bi-monthly
educational and faith-based
magazines, which are used by
thousands of elementary and high school
classrooms all over the country. CFA’s other
productions — its books, radio dramas and
television programs — have also received
trophies and citations from CMMA. CFA
has also developed expertise in new media,
making use not only of its award-winning
website, but also of social networks like
YouTube, Livestream and Facebook. And
year after year, with the help of grants
from its donor partners, this development
communication organization in Sta. Mesa
trains hundreds of Church and civil society
members in the use of new and traditional
media for their missions and advocacies.
Although receiving awards was exciting,
CFA officers agreed this was ‘icing on the
cake.’ “The most rewarding part of our
job,” said the executive director of CFA, “is
pursuing a mission we believe in.”
apostolic goals that focused on education, catechetics, healing, renewal,
reparation, family and life, pastoral services, sustainable agriculture,
and guidance and shelter for abused girls and women.
After the radio talks, the celebration of the Mass followed
at the St. Therese gym participated in by parishioners from
various parishes, and students, teachers and administrators
from private and public schools.
Seminarian Ronnie Orellanida with Joel Ouano rendered a
cheery, jovial co-emceeing at the musico-cultural programs after
every benediction led by deacon Rev. Rey Armasa.
Bishop Patricio H. Alo, in his vocation message, posed a
challenge to follow the example of the Little Flower, the “Way
of Spiritual Childhood” of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, the
patroness of the missions.
He explained that although St. Therese never went out of the
convent to serve in the active missions, she became a patron
of the missions through her “evangelical simplicity, childlike
reliance on the grace of God, spirit of sacrifice, and the practice
of love and compassion towards her companions.”
He also urged everyone to respect life and to follow the ruling
of the Church with regard to artificial contraceptives that are
mostly abortifacient.
In the end, Sr. Julie Ganza, CM, a Carmelite Missionary, expressed
thanks for the all-out support of everyone, including the host families
that volunteered to house the visiting vocation promoters.

CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 22
October 25 - November 7, 2010
Letter of His Holiness
Benedict XVI to Seminarians
Dear Seminarians,
When in December 1944 I was drafted for
military service, the company commander
asked each of us what we planned to do in the
future. I answered that I wanted to become a
Catholic priest. The lieutenant replied: “Then
you ought to look for something else. In the
new Germany priests are no longer needed”.
I knew that this “new Germany” was already
coming to an end, and that, after the enormous
devastation which that madness had brought
upon the country, priests would be needed
more than ever. Today the situation is
completely changed. In different ways, though,
many people nowadays also think that the
Catholic priesthood is not a “job” for the future,
but one that belongs more to the past.
You, dear friends, have decided to enter
the seminary and to prepare for priestly
ministry in the Catholic Church in spite of
such opinions and objections. You have done
a good thing. Because people will always
have need of God, even in an age marked
by technical mastery of the world and
globalization: they will always need the God
who has revealed himself in Jesus Christ, the
God who gathers us together in the universal
Church in order to learn with him and through
him life’s true meaning and in order to uphold
and apply the standards of true humanity.
Where people no longer perceive God, life
grows empty; nothing is ever enough. People
then seek escape in euphoria and violence;
these are the very things that increasingly
threaten young people. God is alive. He has
created every one of us and he knows us all.
He is so great that he
has time for the little
things in our lives:
“Every hair of your
head is numbered”.
God is alive, and he
needs people to serve
him and bring him to
others. It does makes
sense to become a
priest: the world needs
priests, pastors, today,
tomorrow and always,
until the end of time.
The seminary
is a community
journeying towards
priestly ministry. I
have said something
very important here:
one does not become
a priest on one’s own.
The “community of
disciples” is essential,
the fellowship of those
who desire to serve the
greater Church. In this
letter I would like to
point out – thinking
back to my own time in
the seminary – several
elements which I
consider important
for these years of your
journeying.
1. Anyone who
wishes to become a
priest must be first
and foremost a “man
of God”, to use the
expression of Saint
Paul (1 Tim 6:11). For
us God is not some
abstract hypothesis;
he is not some stranger
who left the scene after
the “big bang”. God
has revealed himself
in Jesus Christ. In the
face of Jesus Christ we see the face of God. In
his words we hear God himself speaking to
us. It follows that the most important thing
in our path towards priesthood and during
the whole of our priestly lives is our personal
relationship with God in Jesus Christ. The
priest is not the leader of a sort of association
whose membership he tries to maintain and
expand. He is God’s messenger to his people.
He wants to lead them to God and in this way to
foster authentic communion between all men
and women. That is why it is so important,
dear friends, that you learn to live in constant
intimacy with God. When the Lord tells us to
“pray constantly”, he is obviously not asking
us to recite endless prayers, but urging us
never to lose our inner closeness to God.
Praying means growing in this intimacy.
So it is important that our day should
begin and end with prayer; that we listen
to God as the Scriptures are read; that we
share with him our desires and our hopes,
our joys and our troubles, our failures and
our thanks for all his blessings, and thus keep
him ever before us as the point of reference
for our lives. In this way we grow aware of
our failings and learn to improve, but we
also come to appreciate all the beauty and
goodness which we daily take for granted
and so we grow in gratitude. With gratitude
comes joy for the fact that God is close to us
and that we can serve him.
2. For us God is not simply Word. In the
sacraments he gives himself to us in person,
through physical realities. At the heart of
our relationship with God and our way of
life is the Eucharist. Celebrating it devoutly,
and thus encountering Christ personally,
should be the centre of all our days. In Saint
Cyprian’s interpretation of the Gospel prayer,
“Give us this day our daily bread”, he says
among other things that “our” bread—the
Statements
bread which we receive as Christians in the
Church—is the Eucharistic Lord himself. In
this petition of the Our Father, then, we pray
that he may daily give us “our” bread; and
that it may always nourish our lives; that the
Risen Christ, who gives himself to us in the
Eucharist, may truly shape the whole of our
lives by the radiance of his divine love. The
proper celebration of the Eucharist involves
knowing, understanding and loving the
Church’s liturgy in its concrete form. In the
liturgy we pray with the faithful of every
age – the past, the present and the future are
joined in one great chorus of prayer. As I can
state from personal experience, it is inspiring
to learn how it all developed, what a great
experience of faith is reflected in the structure
of the Mass, and how it has been shaped by
the prayer of many generations.
3. The sacrament of Penance is also
important. It teaches me to see myself as
God sees me, and it forces me to be honest
with myself. It leads me to humility. The
Curé of Ars once said: “You think it makes
no sense to be absolved today, because you
know that tomorrow you will commit the
same sins over again. Yet,” he continues,
“God instantly forgets tomorrow’s sins in
order to give you his grace today.” Even
when we have to struggle continually with
the same failings, it is important to resist the
coarsening of our souls and the indifference
which would simply accept that this is the
way we are. It is important to keep pressing
forward, without scrupulosity, in the grateful
awareness that God forgives us ever anew—
yet also without the indifference that might
lead us to abandon altogether the struggle for
holiness and self-improvement. Moreover, by
letting myself be forgiven, I learn to forgive
others. In recognizing my own weakness, I
grow more tolerant and understanding of
the failings of my neighbor.
4. I urge you to retain an appreciation for
popular piety, which is different in every
culture yet always remains very similar, for
the human heart is ultimately one and the
same. Certainly, popular piety tends towards
the irrational, and can at times be somewhat
superficial. Yet it would be quite wrong to
dismiss it. Through that piety, the faith has
entered human hearts and become part of
the common patrimony of sentiments and
customs, shaping the life and emotions of the
community. Popular piety is thus one of the
Church’s great treasures. The faith has taken
on flesh and blood. Certainly popular piety
always needs to be purified and refocused,
yet it is worthy of our love and it truly makes
us into the “People of God”.
5. Above all, your time in the seminary
is also a time of study. The Christian faith
has an essentially rational and intellectual
dimension. Were it to lack that dimension, it
would not be itself. Paul speaks of a “standard
of teaching” to which we were entrusted in
Baptism (Rom 6:17). All of you know the
words of Saint Peter which the medieval
theologians saw as the justification for a
rational and scientific theology: “Always be
ready to make your defense to anyone who
demands from you an ‘accounting’ (logos) for
the hope that is in you” (1 Pet 3:15). Learning
how to make such a defense is one of the
primary responsibilities of your years in
the seminary. I can only plead with you: Be
committed to your studies! Take advantage
of your years of study! You will not regret
it. Certainly, the subjects which you are
studying can often seem far removed from the
practice of the Christian life and the pastoral
ministry. Yet it is completely mistaken to start
questioning their practical value by asking:
Will this be helpful to me in the future? Will
it be practically or pastorally useful?
The point is not simply to learn evidently
useful things, but to understand and
appreciate the internal structure of the faith
as a whole, so that it can become a response
to people’s questions, which on the surface
change from one generation to another yet
ultimately remain the same. For this reason
it is important to move beyond the changing
questions of the moment in order to grasp
the real questions, and so to understand how
the answers are real answers. It is important
to have a thorough knowledge of sacred
Scripture as a whole, in its unity as the Old
and the New Testaments: the shaping of texts,
their literary characteristics, the process by
which they came to form the canon of sacred
books, their dynamic inner unity, a unity
which may not be immediately apparent but
which in fact gives the individual texts their
full meaning. It is important to be familiar
with the Fathers and the great Councils in
which the Church appropriated, through
faith-filled reflection, the essential statements
of Scripture. I could easily go on. What we
call dogmatic theology is the understanding
of the individual contents of the faith in their
unity, indeed, in their ultimate simplicity:
each single element is, in the end, only an
unfolding of our faith in the one God who
has revealed himself
to us and continues
to do so. I do not
need to point out
the importance of
knowing the essential
issues of moral
theology and Catholic
social teaching.
The importance
nowadays of
ecumenical theology,
and of a knowledge of
the different Christian
communities, is
obvious; as is the
need for a basic
introduction to the
great religions, to say
nothingofphilosophy:
the understanding of
that human process
of questioning and
searching to which
faith seeks to respond.
But you should also
learn to understand
and—dare I say it—
to love canon law,
appreciating how
necessary it is and
valuing its practical
applications: a society
without law would
be a society without
rights. Law is the
condition of love. I
will not go on with
this list, but I simply
www.brianbcatholic.files.wordpress.com
say once more: love
the study of theology
and carry it out in the
clear realization that
theologyisanchoredin
the living community
of the Church, which,
with her authority, is
not the antithesis of
theological science
but its presupposition. Cut off from the
believing Church, theology would cease to be
itself and instead it would become a medley
of different disciplines lacking inner unity.
6. Your years in the seminary should also
be a time of growth towards human maturity.
It is important for the priest, who is called to
accompany others through the journey of life
up to the threshold of death, to have the right
balance of heart and mind, reason and feeling,
body and soul, and to be humanly integrated. To
the theological virtues the Christian tradition has
always joined the cardinal virtues derived from
human experience and philosophy, and, more
generally, from the sound ethical tradition of
humanity. Paul makes this point this very clearly
to the Philippians: “Finally, brothers, whatever
is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just,
whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever
is commendable, if there is any excellence and
if there is anything worthy of praise, think
about these things” (4:8). This also involves
the integration of sexuality into the whole
personality. Sexuality is a gift of the Creator
yet it is also a task which relates to a person’s
growth towards human maturity. When it is not
integrated within the person, sexuality becomes
banal and destructive. Today we can see many
examples of this in our society.
Recently we have seen with great dismay
that some priests disfigured their ministry by
sexually abusing children and young people.
Instead of guiding people to greater human
maturity and setting them an example, their
abusive behavior caused great damage for
which we feel profound shame and regret.
As a result of all this, many people, perhaps
even some of you, might ask whether it is
good to become a priest; whether the choice
of celibacy makes any sense as a truly human
way of life. Yet even the most reprehensible
Letter / B7
B5
Unity Statement
Give the land to
the tiller that all
may have food
WE, leaders and members of faith-based communities add
our united voice to the demand to address the inequity long
prevailing over the workers of Hacienda Luisita (HL).
We affirm that devoid of all technical parlance, the issue
is the quest for social justice that must be addressed through
genuine land reform. The decades-long problem in the HL has
been characterized by unrest. We remember the tragic massacre
in November 2004. We remember those leaders and supporters
of the farmers who were victims of extrajudicial killings,
among them two clerics—The Most Rev. Albert Ramento and
Fr. William Tadena.
We view the Compromise Agreement as flawed given the
questionable processes and highly inequitable terms that are
slowly coming into light. For one, the CA arbitrarily allots
one third of the remaining 4,102 hectares of agricultural land
for distribution through the Stock Distribution Option (SDO)
scheme instead of the outright distribution of the 6,500-hectare
sugar plantation to the 10,000 farm workers. Furthermore, the
CA upholds the onerous terms of the SDO scheme. Again,
stripped of its technical language, the SDO is essentially
non-distributive as it allows landlords to retain control over
the property thereby failing to improve the socio-economic
conditions of its supposedly beneficiaries. The SDO distorts
the essence of land reform, which is land distribution.
“The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof” (Psalm 24:10).
This passage is a strong reminder that the earth’s resources
including land are to be shared by all as we are all called to be
stewards. Those who toil the land to produce our food must
be recognized and given their due as responsible stewards.
They too, deserve prosperity. We also believe in the exposition
that “. . . the right to private property is subordinated to the
right to common use, to the fact that the goods are meant for
everyone” (Laborem Exercens No. 14).
We laud and support any or all initiatives to immediately
resolve the festering problem in our country where landlords
continue to hold large tracts of land while the vast majority
of the peasants and farm workers remain mired in poverty
and misery.
In the name of justice, we call on President Benigno Aquino,
III not to feign neutrality on this issue. His silence and inaction
sends a message of implicit endorsement to the compromise
agreement orchestrated by the Cojuangco-owned HLI. It is
within his power as president to ensure that social justice
prevail in his family-owned hacienda.
Most Rev. Broderick Pabillo, D.D.
CBCP-NASSA
Most Rev. Deogracias Iniguez, D.D.
Co-Chairperson, Ecumenical Bishops’ Forum
Rev. Fr. Rex RB Reyes
General Secretary, National Council of Churches in the Phils.
Most Rev. Godofredo David, IFI
Supreme Bishop, Iglesia Filipina Independiente
Rt. Rev. Ephraim S. Fajutagana, IFI
General Secretary, Iglesia Filipina Independiente
Bp. Solito Toquero
Co-Chairperson, Ecumenical Bishops’ Forum
Rt. Rev. Joselito T. Cruz, IFI
Bishop of Rizal and Pampanga, Iglesia Filipina Independiente
Rt. Rev. Pedro Ojascastro
Rt. Rev. Ronelio
Rev. Eleutero J. Revollido, IFI
Rector, Aglipay Central Theological Seminary
Open Letter to President
Benigno Simeon Aquino
III
Dear Mr. President,
We, the convenors of the Ephphata Forum and Religious
Discernment Group, greet you once again as you complete
your first one hundred days in office. We trust that our
first letter to you dated August 5, 2010 and received by
Undersecretary Ma. Lourdes Ong, of the Presidential
Assistant Office of the Special Assistant to the President
has reached you. As stated in that letter, we considered it
good that you called the people your “bosses” and declared
that you wanted to lead us in the path of Righteousness, “sa
daang matuwid”. In Isaiah we hear this reference to making
the way straight (Is 40:4) so that the glory of God may be
seen. Luke takes up this theme where Jesus quotes Isaiah
in his mission statement (Lk 4: 18-19): this is the challenge
for one to be righteous and make the way straight:
1. Preach good news to the poor: this means poverty
alleviation. Schemes such as the Conditional Cash Transfer
Program (CCT) have been shown to develop mendicancy
and do nothing about the underlying causes of poverty. The
money could be better spent creating jobs and improving
basic services such as health and education. We are
concerned that there is no budget for the National Food
Authority (NFA). If instead the budget was increased, the
farmers could sell their produce at a fair price and many
would no longer need dole outs such as the CCT.
2. Set prisoners free: we commend your asking Dept.
of Justice Secretary Leila De Lima to review the case of
the Morong 43, but the 388 political prisoners, including
the illegally detained 43 health workers should be freed
immediately. We are concerned at the continuing arrests,
particularly of peasant leaders on trumped up charges. We
call on you to be a righteous person and release all political
prisoners. We are extremely concerned that 16 leaders have
been extra judicially killed since you took office. This shows
that the culture of impunity implicating some members of the
military continues unabated. To pave the “daang matuwid”
Open / B7
 Ref lections
CBCP Monitor
B6 Vol. 14 No. 22
October 25 - November 7, 2010

Striving after Life after Death

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year C (Luke 20:27-38) November 7, 2010
By Msgr. Lope C. Robredillo,
SThD
AS a consequence of the September 11,
2001 terror attacks on the United States
when three hijacked commercial planes
toppled the twin-towers in Manhattan
and wrecked havoc on the Pentagon,
the only Superpower in the world
launched a large-scale operations
against Osama bin Laden, his al
Qaida organization, and the Taliban
rulers of Afghanistan, who were being
blamed for the suicide attacks. The
US campaign was ostensibly directed
toward destroying international
terrorism, but from another point of
view, the campaign could also be seen
as aimed at the survival of America
as a nation. Survival, after all, is one
of the basic instincts of women, men,
peoples and nations.
Indeed, that we do everything within
our possibilities to assure that our
health does not fail, that we normally
look at suicide with repulsion and not,
despite the enormous problems we face,
as a good exit (except for a few who
some would judge as not in their normal
state of mind)—that merely indicates
that we all love life, however miserable
it might be, and we wish to survive. In
fact, many of us cling to life so much
that, even in the face of the inevitability
of death, we devise means by which
to prolong it: operation, transplant,
expensive medicine, to mention a
few. It may be noticed, too, that we
construct monuments, sire children
and create masterpieces in the hope
that, consciously or not, our name and
honor will live on long after we have
expired. Our human desire to live on
and be remembered by perpetually is
probably inseparable from our belief
that there should be life after death. The
pyramids of Egypt, judged from their
www.sugardoodle.net
in the belief that they would still serve
them in the next life; hence, the grave
of kings were provided with rooms. Of
course, in our time, there may be some
people who do not believe that one
survives after physical death, but one
can be sure that even they devise means
to perpetuate their memory. They will
not want to die like dogs.
That there are individuals who
deny that there is life after death—this
is nothing new under the sun, of
course. In Israel at the time of Jesus,
the Sadducees, a religio-political
“party” largely drawn from the priestly
class of the Jewish society, but which
included many lay aristocrats, were
such. They did not accept teachings
not found in the five books of Moses,
like the resurrection of the dead,
which represents a later development
in the Jewish faith. They rejected the
oral tradition of the Pharisees, which
included that belief. For them, if God
rewards a human person, he does so
in the present life, and they felt that
they were blessed by God, what with
their position of power and privilege
in economy and in social life. There
can be no reward after death since
there is, they claimed, no after life. In
today’s Gospel (Luke 20:27-38), Luke
mentions them for the first and the last
time. He portrays them as coming to
Jesus with a mocking question with the
intention of ridiculing the teaching of
the resurrection, which Jesus shared
with the Pharisees.
To demonstrate how absurd that
very belief was, some Sadducees cited
a hypothetical story that reflected the
practice of the time—the story of a
woman who was able to marry seven
brothers in succession, since, according
to the stipulation of the levirate law
(Deut 25:5-10), if a husband died
childless, his brother would have to
marry his wife. For the Sadducees,
the levirate law made the belief in the
point, they asked Jesus whose wife the
woman would be in the resurrection
(Luke 20:28-33). In response to their
question, Jesus used two arguments—
and a third may be added—that would
have been convincing to the Jews. The
first one was drawn from the nature of
resurrection life. He distinguished two
modes of human life—earthly existence
and resurrection life. In the former, it
is essential that men and women marry
to assure perpetuation of species in
face of the inevitability of death. In
the latter, procreation is no longer
appropriate because all will live like
angels, and the problem of successive
marital relationships is thus rendered
irrelevant.
The second argument was taken from
a passage of a book that was acceptable
to the Sadducees, because it was part
of the Pentateuch. After all, it was from
the Pentateuch that they tried to justify
their case. According to Moses, whose
authority the Sadducees accepted, God
is a God of the living, not of the dead
(Exod 3:6), and if the Pentateuch calls
God the Father of Abraham, Isaac and
Jacob, it follows that the threesome
are alive, not dead. But as the three
have died long ago, God must have
resurrected them, if Moses’ claim,
which the Sadducees submitted to, is
true. The 1st Reading (2 Macc 7:1-2.9-
14) puts forward another argument
for resurrection. It raises the question
of justice. When Antiochus Epiphanes
systematically persecuted the Jews,
introducing Hellenistic beliefs and
practices in the process, many Jews
were martyred for their opposition
to his program of Hellenization. The
death of these martyrs, however, gave
rise to the question of how God could
give justice to their lives, as they were
murdered for their faith in Yahweh.
The answer found in the belief that
God would vindicate them in the
resurrection of the just. Thus, the

structure, function and content, testify

to that belief in survival after death. resurrection ridiculous, for it assumes fourth of the seven brothers who were
In some countries in Africa, time was that there would be a fight in heaven tortured with whips and scourges by
when the wives, slaves and servants over women to whom brothers have the king to force them to eat pork in
of kings were buried alive with them been given in marriage. To stress their Striving / B7

Bo Sanchez

SOULFOOD Bishop Pat Alo

Quality time isn’t enough
I’VE also spent many hours talking with
parents whose kids are drifting away from God
and hanging out with the wrong crowd.
I know my next statement is very
simplistic.
But bear with me.
I believe kids get into trouble usually
because parents didn’t spend enough time
with them. Parents failed to unlock the
greatness of their children by not spending
both quantity and quality time with them.
All is not lost.
Reach out to them now.
Tell them you love them. Go out of your
way and spend time with them.
Fr. Francis Ongkingco
The other night, I went home totally
exhausted. I told the family I was going to
sleep early.
But after I dozed off on bed, my five-year
old son entered the room and wanted to jump
on a trampoline.
In his mind, my body was his giant
trampoline!
He’d step on me, walk on me, and jump
on me.
A part of me wanted to say, “Francis, not
now. Daddy is really tired.”
But the words couldn’t leave my lips.
Because I knew that a time would come
when he’ll no longer be playing with me in
ENCOUNTERS
this way. A day will come when he’s all grown
up and he won’t jump on me anymore. (At
least, I hope he won’t!) While we can play
together, I’ll do it. A common sense
approach
I’ve said “No” to my kids when they ask
for toys.
I’ve said “No” to my kids when they ask
for junk food.
I’ve said “No” to my kids when they ask
for gadgets.
But to this day, I’ve never said “No” when
(To the RH Bill)
they ask for my time. No matter how busy THE discussions on the RH Bill issue have so far attained
or how tired I am. national attention, as it concerns life, specifically the life of the
I urge you: Give 10,000 hours to your kids unborn. Since it is one prime right, I guess it should. However
and you unlock their greatness. we must put first things first. Many times the discussions
drift towards over-population, lack of food and classrooms
or other educational facilities, the poverty issues and others

WHATEVER
connected to above perspectives.
First of all, the basic rights of man are a non-negotiable
element that cannot be excluded—namely, life, liberty and
property. The table of life is not intended for control of the
guests to life, but rather to increase the food for people to have

Life embraces enough to eat, plus other needed facilities. As a principle, we

“FATHER! Rosina is dying,” the
staff assistant informed me.
I was about to cancel a previous
engagement to attend to her
when another priest said he could
administer the last sacraments
to her.
Rosina has been battling against
cancer for the past three years. I
was giving her communion often
because her dwindling immune
system didn’t allow her to go out
very often. She was accompanied
by her parents who, being both
quite advanced in age, also had
difficulty going to Mass.
That same day, after receiving
the viaticum and anointing of the
sick, Rosina took a one-way ticket
to Heaven. Her joy was engraved
by the distinctive gentle smile on
her face when she died peacefully.
This is what really matters in life:
going to Heaven.
That very same evening, as I
returned from a late confession
shift, it occurred to me to at least
visit her parents to console them.
Their neighbors weren’t
accustomed to seeing me visit
their house at such a late time.
I overheard someone whisper,
“Perhaps, Father doesn’t know that
Rosina already passed away.”
“Oh, yes,” I replied mentally,
“I know she has, and she’s now
in Heaven.”
I was a bit ashamed to see that
Rosina’s parents—though still
awake—were already tucked
in bed. When they learned I
had come unannounced, they
immediately got up.
I extended my condolences (or
congratulations, as Rosina’s dad
later corrected me because they
now had someone in Heaven to
pray for them) to the couple. The
father repeatedly thanked me
and the other priests who took
care of his daughter.
His wife came out a little later.
She didn’t bother to come out
without her walking stroller. I
observed, at least it seemed to
me, her grief. I could not think
of any other way to console her
than to embrace her.
An embrace of consolation
usually comes with your having
to rub the grieving person’s back.
As if to gesture our desire of
letting all that hurt and sorrow
come out. Instead, to my surprise,
she was the one doing this to me
while saying: “Everything will be
fine, Rosina is in Heaven!” This
was the week’s first embrace.
***
The second embrace for the
week took place during my
brother’s birthday. He and his
wife attended a Mass I celebrated
for them and some companions.
After the Mass, I embraced my
brother to greet him.
This eventful embrace is unique.
It makes the joy and love increase
in the persons embracing each
other. It expresses in gestures our
gratitude, when we say, “Thank
you for being God’s blessing
to us!”
***
The man’s once successful and
comfortable life had taken its
worse turn. It is not, as others
superstitiously conceive it to be,
a change of one’s fortune. Things
in life happen because God allows
them for a mysterious reason.
We have to simply learn to live
it without abandoning our faith
and love for Him.
“Father, this has happened
with my relatives… and our
daughter is sick of cancer… I
have no more money for her
treatment…,” he started crying.
After listening to him and
giving him a bit of advice, I then
told him, “…can I give you an
embrace.”
“I would really appreciate that,
Father,” he replied.
It was a brief but warm
embrace. A compassionate
embrace that doesn’t require
one to say, “Everything will be
fine.” It is accompanied by silence
and heart-prayer, embracing the
sorrow of the other.
***
Of life’s many embraces, these
are perhaps the most common
ones. We can be sure that our
Lord Himself was quite familiar
with them, and may have
expressed them on countless
occasions to share the joy of
others, to comfort the suffering
and dying.
But there is one embrace that
I believe “embraces” all, and
this I’ve learned from Rosina’s
mother. I thought that I was
the one who was supposed to
console her, but it was I who was
the one being consoled.
This is the embrace of
abandonment. It is surrendering
oneself to God’s will, because
He knows more than we do and
His ways –though sometimes
difficult to embrace– are always
in view of our own happiness
and perfection.
We must learn to embrace –with
a disposition of abandonment–
many of life’s joys and trials. It
is only in this way that we shall
learn to embrace God’s will here
on earth, and then one day when
we shall receive the Father’s
Heavenly embrace.
have to consider that things were made for man, not man to
be subjugated to things. God’s guidance through His infallible
word can direct us in the right way of acting.
Let’s remember that God can’t lie nor be mistaken. He had
said it clear: “I tell you not to worry about your life: What are
we to eat? or about your body: What are we to put on? For
your life is more than food and the body more than clothing.
Look at the crows: they neither sow nor reap: they have no
storehouses and no barns; yet God feeds them. How much
more important are you than the birds! Which of you for
all his worrying can make himself a bit taller? And if you
are not able to control such a little thing, why do you worry
about the rest? Look at the wild flowers: they do not spin or
weave; yet I tell you, even Solomon with all his wealth was
not clothed as one of these. But if in the fields God so clothes
the grass which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into
the oven, how much more will he clothe you, people of little
faith. As for you: do not set your heart on what you are to
eat and drink; stop worrying. Let all the nations of the world
run after these things; your Father knows that you need them.
Seek rather the Kingdom and these things will be given to
you as well” (Lk. 12: 22-31).
Even St. Teresa expresses her reasoning this way: “If God
provided for us in the past and until now is providing for us,
there is no reason to doubt that he will provide for us in the
future.”
 Social Concerns
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 22
October 25 - November 7, 2010
B7

Those who choose to go on mission

By Fr. Shay Cullen
IN October, Mission Sunday
is a day to remember the
thousands of courageous
dedicated people who have
chosen to do something to
help others, less fortunate
than them. They are people
who appreciate all they have
in life and go out beyond
their insular lives and family,
to share with others and to
give back what they have
received and work to make
this a happier and better
mission in life.
These people are on a
mission at home and abroad,
in their own communities
helping the disabled, the
sick, the homeless and these
dedicated people express
in action a belief in the
dignity and value of the
human person. They act with
compassion and concern and
a willingness to share their
resources, skills, time and
effort to help others live a more
dignified life. Their mission is
to wipe away tears, support
the depressed and lonely,
it because they know in their
heart and conscience it is the
right thing and good thing
to do and to find peace and
fulfillment.
They may not even have a
religious belief or belong to
a church but are spiritually
motivated whether they are
aware of it or not. Such love
is not material. It was brought
into the world in a powerful
and enduring way by Jesus
of Nazareth whose life of
sacrifice, teaching, friendship,
and self-sacrificing death still
inspire millions of people.

world. They are the relief
workers, the volunteers, the
fund raisers, campaigners,
the medical people and
development workers, all
are agents of change and
compassion working alone or
through secular agencies.
Then there are the
missionaries that serve
through the Church
organizations and missionary
societies. Countless thousands
over the past years have left
family and friends and gone
to remote countries and lived
incredibly dedicated lives of
hardship and deprivation and
sought no reward and asked
no recompense. Their lives of
selfless service are a challenge
to the rest of us seeking a
they struggle for justice and
peace, they bring food and
relief and help to the dying
and bring development and
health services and a better
quality of life to millions of
people. They help people to
be empowered, enable them
to help themselves be self-
reliant and lead sustainable
lives.
Others help people by
their mission to save the
environment, to nurture the
planet and to protect all living
creatures. All are the unsung
heroes, they don’t receive
fame and publicity, they work
quietly day by day and make
present that love for others
which is the highest form of
unselfish self-giving. Some do
His spirit never died but lives
on today in those who have
chosen to take up a mission
to serve the downtrodden,
the oppressed and unjustly
deprived.
They are the brave and
courageous that challenge
the forces of evil that exploit
and abuse the weak and
the vulnerable, the women
and children, and risk their
lives to protect them from
rapists and abusers, the
criminal coddlers, the corrupt
politicians and money moguls
that cause the suffering of
others.
Those on mission dedicate
themselves to integrity,
honesty and truth. They give
their resources to serve and
not to be served, but to live life
to the fullest for others. I know
many who have died for their
mission. Let us remember one
who represents the thousands
who died while on mission for
their people.
This past September was the
one year anniversary of the
death of Fr. Cecilio Lucero, a
brave man on a human rights
mission in Catubig, Northern
Samar, defending the rights of
the poor. He was ambushed
and shot by armed men. It is
alleged that on 16 June 2008 at
a military ceremony with the
Catubig Brigade, the President
of the Philippines that time,
President Gloria Macapagal-
Arroyo referred to Fr. Lucero
as “that communist priest”
in front of General Arthur
Tabaquero and other military
officials. By September that
year, Fr. Lucero was murdered
www.zestybliss.files.wordpress.com
by a death squad.
We recall the words of
Archbishop Oscar Romero of
El Salvador, himself shot and
murdered as he raised the cup
at mass. “Even when they call
us mad, when they call us
subversives and communists
and all the epithets they put on
us, we know we only preach
the subversive witness of the
Beatitudes, which have turned
everything upside down.”

Letter / B5 Open / B5

abuse cannot discredit the priestly
mission, which remains great and pure.
Thank God, all of us know exemplary
priests, men shaped by their faith, who
bear witness that one can attain to an
authentic, pure and mature humanity
in this state and specifically in the life of
celibacy. Admittedly, what has happened
should make us all the more watchful and
attentive, precisely in order to examine
ourselves earnestly, before God, as we
make our way towards priesthood, so
as to understand whether this is his
will for me. It is the responsibility of
your confessor and your superiors to
accompany you and help you along this
path of discernment. It is an essential
part of your journey to practise the
fundamental human virtues, with your
gaze fixed on the God who has revealed
himself in Christ, and to let yourselves
be purified by him ever anew.
7. The origins of a priestly vocation are
nowadays more varied and disparate
than in the past. Today the decision to
become a priest often takes shape after
one has already entered upon a secular
profession. Often it grows within the
Communities, particularly within the
Movements, which favour a communal
encounter with Christ and his Church,
spiritual experiences and joy in the
service of the faith. It also matures in very
personal encounters with the nobility and
the wretchedness of human existence. As
a result, candidates for the priesthood
often live on very different spiritual
continents. It can be difficult to recognize
the common elements of one’s future
mandate and its spiritual path. For this
very reason, the seminary is important
as a community which advances above
and beyond differences of spirituality.
The Movements are a magnificent thing.
You know how much I esteem them and
love them as a gift of the Holy Spirit to the
Church. Yet they must be evaluated by
their openness to what is truly Catholic,
to the life of the whole Church of Christ,
which for all her variety still remains one.
The seminary is a time when you learn
with one another and from one another.
In community life, which can at times be
difficult, you should learn generosity and
tolerance, not only bearing with, but also
enriching one another, so that each of you
will be able to contribute his own gifts
to the whole, even as all serve the same
Church, the same Lord. This school of
tolerance, indeed, of mutual acceptance
and mutual understanding in the unity
of Christ’s Body, is an important part of
your years in the seminary.
Dear seminarians, with these few
lines I have wanted to let you know
how often I think of you, especially in
these difficult tim es, and how close
I am to you in prayer. Please pray for
me, that I may exercise my ministry
well, as long as the Lord may wish. I
entrust your journey of preparation for
priesthood to the maternal protection
of Mary Most Holy, whose home was
a school of goodness and of grace. May
Almighty God bless you all, the Father,
the Son and the Holy Spirit.
From the Vatican, 18 October 2010, the
Feast of Saint Luke the Evangelist.
Yours devotedly in the Lord,
BENEDICTUS PP. XVI
the perpetrators of all extra judicial
killings must be held accountable
and the victims compensated. We
are disappointed that Oplan Bantay
Laya has been extended since it has
been documented that this Oplan has
given rise to the continuing human
rights violations.
3. Proclaim a Jubilee year: central to
the jubilee year in Lev 25, is the breaking
up of landed monopolies into small
family farms and providing services so
that the farmers become productive. We
regret that until now you have failed to
effect the distribution of their land to the
tenants of Hacienda Luisita, but have
instead tolerated the maneuverings
of family members to undermine the
social justice provisions of land reform
in the Constitution.
4. Be a peacemaker: this means
resuming Peace Talks with the
National Democratic Front of the
Philippines (NDFP) and the Moro
Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
Unless the basic causes of poverty
are addressed within the framework
of national sovereignty, there will be
no true development for the people
and no peace.
Finally, as the survey shows, you
retain much popularity among the
people. We call on you to follow
Jesus who sided with the poor and the
oppressed. Let them be your “bosses”:
they will continue to support you for as
long as they know you are really trying
to be righteous, as we, too, shall try.
As stated in our first letter we are
ready to pursue with you “ang daang
matuwid” but there is much to be done
to make this a reality.
In behalf of the Ephphata
Convenors,
Fr. Wilfredo Dulay, MJ
Fr. Gregorio Obejas, OSM
Fr. Quirico Pedregosa, Jr., OP
Sr. Pat Fox, NDS
Fr. Tito Maratas, MSC
Fr. Jose Dizon
17 October 2010

Striving / B6

violation of God’s law says: “It Our resurrection is thus linked

is my choice to die at the hands with the resurrection of Jesus:

CBCPMonitor Name _________________________________________________

(Family Name) (Given Name) (Middle Name)
of men with the God-given
hope of being restored to life
by him; but for you, there will
“If we have been united with
him through the likeness of his
death, so shall we be through
be no resurrection to life” (2 a like resurrection” (Rom 6:5).
SUBSCRIPTION RATES Mailing Address _______________________________________________ Macc 7:14b). In view of this, we can state
For Christians, of course, such that to raise monuments, raise
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Phone No.: ________ Fax No.: ________ E-mail: ___________ necessary. The evidence—and behind may be important to
The CBCP Monitor is published
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fortnightly by the CBCP Media Mode of Payment after death is the resurrection decisive is to live, after our
Office, with editorial and busi-  Check/PMO enclosed  Cash Payment of Jesus himself. That Christ sojourn on earth, forever with
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B8 Entertainment CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 22
October 25 - November 7, 2010

Moral Assessment Technical Assessment

 Abhorrent  Poor
 Disturbing  Below average

 Acceptable  Average

 Wholesome  Above average

 Exemplary  E
xcellent

Doug MacRay (Ben Affleck) is an
unrepentant criminal, the de facto
leader of a group of ruthless bank
robbers who pride themselves
in stealing what they want and
getting out clean. With no real
attachments, Doug never has to
fear losing anyone close to him.
But, that all changes on the gang’s
latest job, when they briefly take
a hostage, bank manager, Claire
Keesey (Rebecca Hall). They let
her go unharmed, but sometime
later she meets an unassuming
and rather charming man named
Doug... not realizing that he is
the same man who only days
earlier had terrorized her. The
instant attraction between them
gradually turns into a passionate
romance that threatens to take
them both down a dangerous,
and potentially deadly, path.
(Warner Bros).
Director and co-writer Affleck’s
screen version of Chuck Hogan’s
2004 novel “Prince of Thieves” is
meant to be a serious film , yet it is
able to cater to the crowd that finds
thrills in car chases and bloody
bank heists. The story is clear and
is enhanced by good direction and
tight editing. Cinematography is
well-conceived, imbuing a sense
of urgency and tension to high-
action footage and an intimate feel
to close ups that capture the depth
of each character’s portrayal.
Casting couldn’t have been better,
as proven by the flawless acting
of the lead characters. Affleck
has done a good directing job in
that he is able to pull together
otherwise ordinary elements into
a fresh, cohesive whole.
Can a man commit crimes with
impunity and still love anyone
else but himself? Can a lifetime
of violence be reversed by an
uttered intention to change?
It seems a tribute to the good
in man that one who has been
brought up in violence and
crime—inheriting his bank-
robbing “career” from his father
as part of a warped but accepted
cultural tradition, much like in
the olden days when fathers
and grandfathers molded their
progeny to their trade—still has
a modicum of human goodness
in him to resolve to turn his
back on evil and take the road to
decency. But the will to change
is tested and tried through time.
There are people who have
been killed, abused, betrayed
and denied—may the offender
simply dispose of them in the new
world he wants to create? In this
film, time and the future are left
to the viewer. Nonetheless, The
TITLE: The Town
CAST: Ben Affleck, Rebecca
Hall, Jeremy Renner,
Blake Lively, Pete
Postlethwaite, Chris
Cooper.
DIRECTOR: Ben Affleck
SCREENPLAY: Ben Affleck,
Peter Craig and Aaron
Stockard, based on the
novel “Prince of Thieves”
by Chuck Hogan
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Robert
Elswit
MUSIC: David Buckley, Harry
Gregson-Williams
GENRE: Drama-thriller
RUNNING TIME: 124 minutes
LOCATION: United States
DISTRIBUTOR: Warner Bros.
TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT:
½
MORAL ASSESSMENT:  ½
CBCP-CINEMA ratings: R 18
(Restricted to viewers
aged 18 and above)
Town gains merits in painfully
trying to depict the effect of the
“sins of our fathers” on us and in
giving hope to those who yearn
for a better world. A sensitive
and morally weighty film, but
its theme won’t interest young
teens, and its well-intended
message may be missed, if not
misconstrued, by immature
viewers. (Teresa R. Tunay)

MAC en COLET Ni Bladimer Usi

Buhay Parokya
Look for the images of
saints, Holy Rosary, and
Chalice. (Illustration by
Bladimer Usi)
TITLE: Life as we know it
CAST: Katherine Heigle, Josh Duhamel, Josh Lucas,
Christina Hendricks, Hayes MacArthur, Jean Smart,
Melissa McCarthy, Majandra Delfino, Faizon Love,
Will Sasso
DIRECTOR: Greg Berlanti
WRITERS: Ian Deitchman, Kristin Rusk Robinson
GENRE: Comedy-Drama
RUNNING TIME: 115 minutes
LOCATION: United States
DISTRIBUTOR: Warner Bros.
TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT: 
MORAL ASSESSMENT:  ½
CBCP-CINEMA Ratings: R 14 (For viewers aged 14 and
above)

H olly
B e r e n s o n
(Katherine Heigl)
is an up-and-
coming caterer
and Eric Messer
(Josh Duhamel)
is an aspiring
network sports
director. After
a disastrous
first (blind) date
arranged by
their best friends
Peter and Alison
Novack (Hayes
MacArthur
and Christina
Hendricks) the
only thing they
have in common
in their dislike for
each other and
their love for their
goddaughter
Sophie, the child of Peter and Alison. When Sophie’s parents
die in a car accident, Holly and Messer find themselves the
unwilling surrogate parents as stated in the Novacks’ will. Messer
and Holly are oil and water forced to live under the same roof
in raising a child not their own. When they realize Sophie is
an orphan and has nobody else in the world, they agree to put
aside their differences. Parenting is done in earnest as Holly and
Messer juggle career ambitions and competing social calendars
to honor their best friends’ wish. (Warner Bros.)
Fans of Katherine Heigl will love this movie—besides being
easy on the eyes, Heigl has good comic timing, which explains
why she is so much in demand for rom-coms. It’s good to
remember that Life As We Know It is a romantic comedy, a
genre that may include the facts of life and living but which also
may capitalize on these facts as props to justify the improbable
plot. The most factual thing about this movie is its portrayal of
details where it concerns the experience of sharing a home with
a baby: the sleepless nights, poop-and-vomit management,
feeding time tantrums, and god-knows-what-other tragedies
that can be caused by an unattended toddler.
Like most rom-coms, Life As We Know It comes across as
formulaic and in many instances may feel like an expanded
television 30-minuter; but unlike most rom-coms, it is premised
on love for others, concern for the helpless, trust and loyalty
among friends, and goodwill of neighbors. Points for reflection
are: 1) having to care for a baby when one is not prepared for
it, and 2) what a shared experience of raising an orphan can
do to erstwhile enemies. While being surrogate parents to a
toddler helps them mature as persons, proximity accelerates
physical intimacy between the pair, leading them to skip
courtship—which is what happens in so many Hollywood
movies, when boy and girl bed even before they get to know
each other’s name. Despite the laughs and the artifice, Life As
We Know It may still move you to be involved—especially
as Sophie begins to call her surrogate mother “mama”—to be
concerned about the future of so many Sophies in our midst.
(Teresa R. Tunay)
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 22
October 25 - November 7, 2010
C1
Participants of the Visayas Sales Meetings
pose with their thumbs up at the lobby of the
Sarosa International Hotel.

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

Luzon Deputy joins

Luzon Deputy, Alonso L. Tan,
newly elected member of the
Supreme Board of Directors,
joined the Board’s quarterly
meeting last October 5-10,

the Supreme Board

2010 in Warsaw and Krakow,
Poland.
Tan assumed his post as a Supreme
Director last September 1, 2010, weeks
after the recent 128th Supreme Con-

Meeting in Poland
vention at the Marriott Wardman Park
Hotel in Washington, D.C. held from
August 3-5, 2010.
In the Philippines, Tan is the State
Deputy of the Luzon Jurisdiction of
the Knights of Columbus. He is also
the KCFAPI President, Director of the
Keys Realty and the President of the two
KC foundations, which are the KC Fr.
George J. Willman Charities, Inc and the
KC Philippines Foundation.
As Supreme Director, he will be part
of the advisory body of the Supreme
Knight of the Order of the Knights of
Columbus with headquarters at the
Columbus Plaza in New Haven, Con-
necticut, USA.
Aside from Tan, other Supreme KC
Officials were also given new roles and
responsibilities.
Emilio Moure, who has served as
Supreme Treasurer since October 2009,
is now the Supreme Secretary while
Charles E. Maurer Jr. is the new Su-
preme Treasurer.
Michael G. Conrad, past Nebraska
State Deputy is also one of the new New Supreme Director, Alonso L. Tan, seated fourth from right together with the other Supreme Board of Directors and their wives during the Board Meeting held in Warsaw and Krakow,
members of the Board of Directors. Poland from Oct. 5-10, 2010.
(Kate Laceda)

Justice Reyes
attends 60th
Men’s group vows to defend
Installation
of Burgos
church’s stand vs RH bill
Amid a raging birth control debate, initiated by the Church and even mass guide was protesting the church’s oppo- your rosaries out of our ovaries.”
a group of Catholic men is girding to protests to uphold and promote their sition to President Benigno Aquino III’s “The Knights of Columbus being

Assembly
protect and defend the church’s position anti-reproductive health bill stand. position on artificial contraception. pro-life, pro-family and pro-Church
on the RH Bill. Tan also criticized tourist guide Carlos The following day, a rally was held cannot just let these current onslaughts
The 250,000-strong Knights of Co- Celdran for “disrupting” an ecumenical at the gate of the main headquarters of against the Church pass without doing

Officers lumbus in the Philippines said they are

State Advocate Justice Jose C.
Reyes, Jr. graced the 60th Installa-
tion of Officers of the Padre Bur-
ready to mobilize its forces and oppose
a government plan to promote artificial
contraception.
Alonso Tan, K of C Luzon deputy,
said they would join any activities
service at the Manila Cathedral.
Celdran was arrested last Thursday
after he walked at the cathedral’s main
altar holding a placard with the name
“Damaso,” and shouting, “Stop getting
involved in politics.” The famous tourist
the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the
Philippines in Intramuros by pro-RH
bill supporters.
The demonstrators also went shouting
“unprintable words” and carried plac-
ards with the messages such as “Take
something,” said Tan. “I therefore en-
courage my Brother Knights to uphold
and promote our anti-RH bill stand
and defend and protect the bishops,
the priests and the church at large,” he
added. (CBCPNews)

Holy Trinity Memorial Chapel celebrates

gos Assembly (PBA) ACN 0984
last October 9, 2010. Reyes was
the Guest of Honor and Speaker
during the said installation. It was

28th anniversary on 10.10.10

held at Mariners’ Home in Malate,
Manila. The event was orga-
nized by the Knights of Columbus
Padre Burgos Assembly.
The installation started with a
fraternal mass celebrated by Fr.
William Araña, OSA while the
installation of officers was fa-
cilitated by SK Deovides F. Reyes,
Master of the 4th degree, District
IV (NCR).
The induction of committee
chairmen and service directors
was administered by SK Macar-
thur V. Maldia, Faithful Navi-
gator. Miguel T. Yu, Outgoing
Faithful Navigator, rendered his
valedictory address while Maldia
gave his inaugural address.
Meanwhile, Sate Program Di-
rector Bonifacio B. Martinez was
awarded by the Assembly as
As various groups and individu-
als celebrate 10.10.10, Holy Trinity
Memorial Chapels also had its own
revelry as it commemorated its 28th
year anniversary on October 10, 2010
with the celebration of a thanksgiving
mass held at HTMC building in Sucat
Road, Parañaque City. The mass was
presided over by its Spiritual Adviser
Rev. Father Steve Villanueva. The
officers and its workforce, led by its
incumbent President Atty. Henry
A. Reyes, feasted on a simple lunch
together with some members of the
Board of Directors and Knights of
Columbus.
In his short speech, Atty. Reyes ex-
pressed his heartfelt gratitude to all
those who joined in the celebration
and briefly presented his plans and
programs which he envisioned to at-
tain during his term as President. The
President’s directions are all geared
towards making HTMC a bigger and
better memorial service provider of the
future. As the company progresses, he
also sees its valuable human resources
prosper and grow.
Holy Trinity Memorial Chapels is a
HTMC Officers, employees and guests during the
subsidiary of the Knights of Columbus thanksgiving mass offered for the 28th Anniversary of
Fraternal Association of the Philippines, the Holy Trinity Memorial Chapels.
Inc. (Lolly Ulit)

Visayas sales meetings set in Cebu

member of PBA Guards with con-
tinuous service of 25 years.
The event culminated with an
awarding of plaques and cer-
tificates of appreciation to the
speaker and a closing remark The fraternal counselors in Visayas gathered in Cebu Fresh from a testimonial dinner tendered by the President Joseph P. Teodoro and FBSD Manager Gari
from Manolito B. Saligumba, PGK City to assess their present sales environment and to Luzon Jurisdiction for his election as Supreme Direc- M. San Sebastian.
Council 5681, District Deputy set measures for improvement. The meeting was held tor, Luzon Deputy and KCFAPI President Alonso About 40 field sales personnel including 2 fraternal
M46. (KC News) from October 22-23, 2010 at the Sarosa International L. Tan, led a battery of motivational speakers which benefits associates, 2 area managers and 3 team leaders
Hotel. include KCFAPI EVP Ma. Theresa G. Curia, FBG Vice participated in the sales activity. (FBG News)

C2
Frequently Asked Question
Dividends options
from benefit certificate
Q. Annually, I receive in
cash my dividends from my
benefit certificate (BC). What
other options do I have?
A. Aside from receiving
dividends in the form of cash,
the following are the other
dividend options you can
choose from:
Dividend Option B: Divi-
dends applied to reduce in-
surance contribution
The dividends released
will be used to reduce the
insurance contribution due
on your BC. In case your BC is
already fully-paid, for which
no more contributions will
be due, your dividends will
be left with the Association
to earn interest.
Dividend Option C: Leave
dividends to accumulate
interest
Your dividends are left with
the Association to earn inter-
est. The Association annually
sets a dividend accumulation
interest rate. The accumula-
tion rate is highly dependent
on the Association’s invest-
ment earnings on the previ-
ous year. Earned dividends
or accumulated dividends
can be withdrawn anytime.
Should you miss paying your
contribution beyond the grace
period, you authorize the
Association to withdraw an
amount from your accumu-
lated dividends and apply the
same amount to cover your
contribution due.
Dividend Option E: Divi-
dends used to buy paid-up
additional insurance
Your dividends are applied
The Cross
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 22
October 25 - November 7, 2010
to purchase non-participating
fully paid additional insur-
ance. Select this option if
you want to see your death
or living benefit increase or
grow without any evidence
of insurability. The amount
of additional insurance will
depend on the amount of de-
clared dividend, your attained
insurance age upon release
of dividends, and the plan of
your benefit certificate.
Dividend Option L: Divi-
dends applied to reduce out-
MOST REV. HONESTO F. ONGTIOCO, D.D of Cubao, presides over the Holy Eucharist during a Testimonial Dinner set in honor of Supreme Director Alonso L. Tan.
standing BC loan The Testimonial Dinner, which was organized and sponsored by KC Luzon was attended by friends and relatives of the honoree, KC Luzon Officials and employees,
If there is an outstanding Board members of KCFAPI, its Officers and selected employees and some members of the order of the Knights of Columbus. The said event was held last October
loan against your BC, the div- 21, 2010 at the Villa Immaculada in Intramuros, Manila.
FBG holds service
idends released can be used
to reduce the outstanding
BC loan, thereby, increasing
the chances of keeping your
BC in-force and maximizing
training for Luzon FCs
the death benefits due your
beneficiaries. If there is no
loan, your dividends will also
be left with the Association to
earn interest.
Additional notes: For op-
tions C and E, the Association
will use the accumulated divi-
dends or cash value of your
paid-up additional insurance
to reduce the outstanding loan
in case your BC’s cash value
is not enough to cover your
outstanding loan. In case you
failed to make any selection
in your BC application, the
default option is that your
dividends will be left to ac-
cumulate interest (Option C). Participants of the Fraternal Service Training (FST) together with (seated from left) Fraternal Benefits Services Manager, Gari M. San Sebastian, Vice President
- Fraternal Benefits Group, Joseph P. Teodoro, KCFAPI President, Alonso L. Tan (4th from left), Executive Vice President, Ma. Theresa G. Curia, KCFAPI
Should you desire to change Corporate Secretary, Ramon E. Rodrigo, Area Managers Conrado S. Dator, Jr. and Josefino F. Valencia.
your dividend option, please
request a dividend option
change from the BC Holders’ The Fraternal Benefits Group conducted a in view of strategizing the presentation of ternal Association of the Philippines, Inc
Relations Office (BRO). (Jose service training for the fraternal counselors. products and services of KCFAPI. (KCFAPI), contribution computation and
Felimon M. Abanador ) Dubbed as the “Fraternal Service Training,” Joseph P. Teodoro, Vice-President of the the familiarization of the standard operating
the training aims to motivate FCs to achieve Fraternal Benefits Group, and Gari M. San procedures (SOP) of the Association.
an improved sales performance. Sebastian, Fraternal Benefits Services Man- FBG is the sales and marketing department
The said training was held at the Fr. ager, were the lecturers and facilitators of of KCFAPI that is tasked to provide incen-
George J. Willmann, SJ Center in Intramuros, the training. tive programs, trainings, and other fraternal
Manila from October 19-20, 2010. Organiz- The topics discussed were the plans and activities for their agents called Fraternal
ers said the monthly training is being held products of the Knights of Columbus Fra- Counselors. (KCFAPI News)
Council of Honors Award Dufale bags anniver-
to end on October 30 sary sales drive
The KCFAPI Council of Hon- to cash prizes. Lorenzo D. Dufale, Sr. of the Dufale posted the highest
ors Award will end on October It is still anybody’s ball game Northwestern Luzon Thunders insurance contribution among
30, 2010. The sales promotion since no council or number of won the top cash prize in the almost 1,000 fraternal counsel-
is being offered to all coun- councils posted records that will KCFAPI’s 52ND Anniversary ors nationwide during the 3rd
cils nationwide. Top finishers regard them as sure winner(s). Sales Drive thereby putting quarter. Nine (9) other fraternal
measured by the number of Major changes in the present himself as a serious contender counselors won consolation
new paid lives from July 1st to standing will still happen on the in the contest for the 2010 FC of prizes of P5,000.00 each. (FBG
October 30, 2010 will be entitled last day. (FBG News) the Year Award. News)

CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 22
October 25 - November 7, 2010
The attempt of some legislators to
impose mandatory support of abortion
on taxpayers is illogical
By Supreme Knight Carl A.
Anderson
A troubling new development has
appeared in American politics. For de-
cades, Americans have been subjected
to the arguments of certain Catholic
politicians who argued that while
“personally opposed” to unjust policies
like abortion, they were nonetheless
unwilling to “impose” that view on the
rest of the country. This argument is
disingenuous, premised on the fact that
somehow a Catholic conscience has to
be put aside in the public square.
Now, the very people who argued
that they couldn’t bring their private
conscience into a secular public square
are poised to use the law to impose a
particular view on others. By working
and voting to include abortion coverage
in health care legislation, several Catho-
lic politicians stand to be the deciding
votes in forcing their fellow Catholics to
fund abortion through tax dollars.
While professing that they cannot
impose their consciences on anyone
else, these politicians seem to have little
hesitation about imposing an immoral
political view — one they claim to op-
pose in principle — on the consciences
of Catholic citizens.
Catholic politicians willing to forsake
The Cross
fellow Knight John F. Kennedy, who
while discussing his role as a Catholic
and candidate for president said: “If
the time should ever come — and I
do not concede any conflict to be even
remotely possible — when my office
would require me to either violate my
conscience or violate the national inter-
est, then I would resign the office; and I
hope any conscientious public servant
would do the same.”
While some might consider that
Catholic politicians have disagreed
with the public policy recommenda-
tions of their bishops in a variety of
areas, the key point is this: many issues
are prudential and open to reasonable
disagreement, but the inalienable right
to life in the context of abortion is not
— it is fundamental, and it may not be
compromised.
As Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger — now
Pope Benedict XVI — noted about Cath-
olic politicians in 2004: “not all moral
issues have the same moral weight as
abortion.”
He continued: “While the Church ex-
horts civil authorities to seek peace, not
war, and to exercise discretion and mercy
in imposing punishment on criminals,
it may still be permissible to take up
arms to repel an aggressor or to have
recourse to capital punishment. There
may be a legitimate diversity of opinion
C3
Catholic politicians must now con-
sider the effect of national legislation
mandating Catholic cooperation in
abortion. In his famous pro-life encycli-
cal, Evangelium Vitae, Pope John Paul II
wrote: “The passing of unjust laws often
raises difficult problems of conscience
for morally upright people with regard
to the issue of cooperation, since they
have a right to demand not to be forced
to take part in morally evil actions.”
He said further: “Christians, like all
people of good will, are called upon
under grave obligation of conscience
not to cooperate formally in practices
which, even if permitted by civil legisla-
tion, are contrary to God’s law. Indeed,
from the moral standpoint, it is never
licit to cooperate formally in evil. This
cooperation can never be justified either
by invoking respect for the freedom of
others or by appealing to the fact that
civil law permits it or requires it” (74).
It is doubly ironic that a law that would
force millions to violate their conscience
by paying their taxes — and would en-
tangle thousands of Catholic physicians,
nurses, hospitals and charities in the
evil of abortion — is being considered
at precisely a time when the majority of
Americans, in greater and greater num-
bers, identify themselves as pro-life.
Catholic public officials in Wash-
ington have the power to prevent this Atty. Rizal V. Katalbas, Jr.

From the Legal Standpoint

their consciences have come a long way even among Catholics about waging war moral tragedy from happening. They
from the legacy of the highest profile and applying the death penalty, but not should not hesitate to do so.
Catholic statesman in U.S. history, however with regard to abortion.” Vivat Jesus!

Joseph P. Teodoro

For Brother Knights by Brother Knights KCFAPI as

a Mutual
Benefit
KCFAPI’s Top FCs of the Decade Association
FROM 2001–2010, five fraternal counselors poured out their best efforts in helping brother knights and family members provide for them- THE Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Phils.,
selves and their loved ones secured financial future through the fraternal benefits program of the Order in the Philippines administered Inc. (KCFAPI) is an organization registered with the Insurance
by KCFAPI. Each one of them has earned for himself (or herself) the much coveted title of Fraternal Counselor of the Year during the first Commission as a Mutual Benefit Association (MBA). While it
decade of the second millennium. They were also consistent members of the Chairman’s circle and the Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ Knights has been said that there is no distinction between mutual insur-
of the Round Table. ance companies and mutual benefit societies, except where a
statute has created a difference, and while insurance principles
are applicable in the case of mutual benefit certificates, benefit
societies as usually constituted are materially different from
mutual insurance companies.
The following are the distinctions between a mutual benefit
association and a mutual insurance company:

Mutual Benefit Mutual (Commercial)

Association (MBA) Insurance Company

Coverage It is limited to mem- It is extended to the

bers of the organiza- public.
tion and immediate
family members.

Purpose Provides assistance Indemnity or security

Bonifacio M. Morales Danilo M. Tullao Reynaldo Q. Maria Teresa G. de la Lauro L. Evangelista and relief to its mem- against loss incurred
Council 9382 Council 9087 Segismundo Mota Council 12810 bers in times of dis- by the insured.
Central Luzon Northeastern Luzon Council 13058 Wife of Bro. Edmundo Central Luzon tress or misfortune.
Believers 1 Cavaliers Northwestern Luzon J. de la Mota Believers 1
Thunders Council 13058 Payments Payments made Payments to the pro-
Western Visayas to the provider for vider are referred to
Bulls coverage are called as “premium pay-
“contributions”. ments.”
KCFAPI salutes them in their firm commitment and adherence to the bedrock foundation of the Order which is the care for the widow
and children of departed members. We also recognize their devotion to their work in helping KCFAPI fulfill its avowed mission as the
Evidence of Proof of coverage is Insurance policies
second-to-none fraternal benefits program provider of Filipino knights and families.
Coverage referred to as Mem- are issued as proof
bership Benefit Cer- of coverage. The in-
tificates. Hence, a sured is referred to as

Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Philippines Inc., member is referred

to as the “Benefit
a “Policy holder”.

Certificate Holder”.
an established mutual benefits association is currently looking for:
Kind of It is a non-stock They are registered
Auditor The Knights of Columbus
Fraternal Association of the
corporation corporation. Mem-
bers of the Board
as Stock corpora-
tions. Members of
Accounting Staff Philippines Inc., is an established and
are referred to as
“Trustees”
the Board are referred
to as “Directors”.
BC Holders’ Relations Office Staff progressive mutual benefits association
operating for 52 years, has been highly Ownership Being a non-stock Ownership is repre-
Treasury Staff committed to provide mutual aid and
assistance to its members and their
corporation, there
are no stockholders.
sented in shares of
stocks and owners of
Customer Relations Assistant immediate families. All of its members
are co-owners of the
stocks are referred to
as “stockholders”.
If you are dedicated, service-oriented, and have the prom- KC Fraternal firmly believes that Association
ising potential to join us in our continuous drive to provide the continued progress and success
Excess of Savings attained in Income derived from
mutual aid, assistance and excellent service to our mem- of the association depends to a
Revenues a fiscal year by an operations in a fiscal
great extent on its human capital
bers. Kindly send your comprehensive resume’ thru fax MBA is apportioned year is distributed
for use in further- to its stockholders
number 527-2244 or hand-carry resume’ with a 2x2 photo KC Fraternal also believes that ance of its objectives through dividend
and transcript of records to: through training and a host of other and for distribution declaration and to
benefits if coupled with hard work, will to qualified mem- policy holders re-
help employees and the association bers. ferred to as policy
attain their goals and objectives. dividends.

Delivery of Processing of claims Processing takes a

In our continuous drive to provide
Service is generally faster longer period due
excellent service to our members, we since the deceased to measures taken to
are currently on the look-out for indi- (covered member) verify the identity of
viduals with promising potentials. He is known to the As- the deceased policy
must be dedicated, service oriented, sociation. holder.
KC Family... Our Concern and willing to undergo training .
Fr. George J. Willmann’s deep concern for the welfare
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS FRATERNAL Our compensation and employee of members of the Knights of Columbus and their families
prompted him to establish KCFAPI with the primary purpose
ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES, INC. benefits are comparable, if not
better than most companies of our of rendering mutual aid and assistance to members and their
immediate families and beneficiaries in times of distress and
Gen. Luna cor. Sta. Potenciana Sts., Intramuros, Manila same size and nature of business. misfortune.
You may also call 527 – 2223 local 202 for queries and look for Ms. Kristianne or Ms. Juno.
 The Cross
CBCP Monitor
C4 Vol. 14 No. 22
October 25 - November 7, 2010

Luzon Squires gather for

planning and recollection Aiming to tackle the programs
and activities of the Columbian
Squires for the next Columbian
year, the Diocesan Area Chair-
men of the Knights of Columbus-
Luzon Squires Committee have
assembled for Planning and
Recollection.
The gathering was held last
September 25-26, 2010 at the
Alagad ni Maria Retreat House
in Antipolo City.
Infanta Bishop emeritus Julio
Labayen, recollection master,
has provided some fraternal
reflections during the recollec-
tion.
An Oath-taking of State Squire
Officers and Committeemen was
also held with State Secretary
Arsenio Isidro Yap officiating.
Yap also gave an inspirational
message to the participants dur-
Photo shows State Secretary Arsenio Isidro Yap during the Oath-taking of State Squire Officers and Committeemen.
ing the recollection.
Enrico C. Nera, State Squires
Ceremonial Director, gave a talk
using a SWOT (strengths, weak-
nesses, opportunities, threats)
method of analysis.
The Columbian Squires which
is the youth organization of the
Knights of Columbus is one of
the most dynamic leadership
development organizations for
young Catholic men not only in
the Philippines but throughout
the world.
Presently it has more than
25,000 Catholic young men, ages
10 to 18, in over 1,400 circles
worldwide.
Circles are active in countries
like United States, Canada,
Mexico, Philippines, Puerto
Rico, Guatemala, Panama, Cuba,
the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands,
Guam, and on U.S. military
bases. (KC News)

A ‘nag-SICAP’ tells the Good News

Three months after the closing of
KCFAPI’S Social Improvement through
Community Action Program or SICAP
the Association still receives heart-
warming feedbacks regarding the
special project.
SICAP’s popularity among the resi-
dents of Barangay 658, Intramuros was
due to the positive responses shared by
many of its participants. Ms. Marlina
Tanlawan, one of SICAP’s most active
members, is one of the “tellers” of the
“good news”.
Marl, as she is fondly called by the
group, is 53 years old. Before joining SI-
CAP, she has already established herself
as a small entrepreneur selling native
bags and accessories in WOW Philip-
pines. While busy being a mother and
a businesswoman, Marl finds enough
time to participate in Cofradia Del Sto.
Niño De Cebu and regularly serves in
San Agustin church.
“Kasi alam mo, hanap buhay ka nang
hanap buhay kung wala naman pang-
ispirituwal wala pa rin iyon. Kailangan
isama natin iyan,” she said.
Many times Marl would drop by KC-
FAPI head office and cheerfully share
how she had surprised the people in
her parish with the simple recipe she
learned from SICAP.
“Natuwa sila,” she would say, “ibig
sabihin masaya sila sa natutunan ko.”
After every story, she would always
say how proud she was to be a part of the
said project and that many of her friends
were eager to become members too.
“Natutuwa sila na nai-share ko sa
kanila iyon kaya gusto rin nila magpa-
member. Na-engganyo sila sa magan-
dang pamamalita.”
The six-month program of SICAP
provided participants with seminars
on livelihood, health, wellness, Catholic
faith and social awareness. Marl would
often regard the project as a worth-
while activity that will help improve
their state of living. She said being a
member of SICAP also gives her an op-
portunity to encourage other women
in their community to spend their time
productively.
“Hikayatin ang mga nanay na mag-
attend ng meeting o mga programa na
ibibigay ng gobyerno para matuto sila
ng pangkabuhayan. Pangkabuhayan
ang importante ngayon. Iyong mga
natutunang maliit na bagay, pagsikapan
ninyo.”
Marl continues to take part in liveli-
hood programs set by private groups
or government units. She believes
that this will greatly help her with her
small business. When asked what’s the
secret behind her perseverance she said,
“Pagdarasal. Kung wala Siya, hindi
maibibigay sa atin ang tamang daan.”
(Interview with Ms. Marlina Tanlawan
Ms. Marlina Tanlawan with Human Resources & Corporate Communications Asst., Juno Amaris Mancenido
is available in KCFAPI Podcast at www. during an interview at the KCFAPI podcast studio.
kofc.org.ph.)

Luzon Deputy attends Official Functions

Barely one month from assuming his
position as KC Supreme Director, Luzon
Deputy and KCFAPI President, Alonso
L. Tan has attended a number of official
functions. He was elected to the position
during the last Supreme Council meeting
in August 2010 in Washington D.C. His
three year term of office started on Sep-
tember 1, 2010.
On September 26, 2010 he was the guest
speaker during the installation of officers of
Council 12810 in Bintog, Plaridel Bulacan.
The occasion coincided with the council’s
10th year anniversary celebration. District
Bro. Josefino F. Valencia, Area Manager-Northwestern Luzon Thunders, handed over deputy Rodolfo Y. Manumbas officiated
to Sis. Gracelyn J. Pasion checks worth P129,119.31 representing death benefits on
the life of the late Bro. Randolph P. Pasion. the installation of officers led by its Grand
Knight, Bro. Lauro Evangelista, who is also
one of the top KCFAPI fraternal counsel-
ors.
October 2 was another hectic day for the
Luzon Deputy. One morning of that day he
motored to Biñan City where he presided
over the Charter presentation of the Ernesto
T. Alzona Sr. Council 14957. Charter Grand
Knight Leonardo L. Manalo together with
the officers were also installed by District
Deputy Felix L. Galang Jr. The council was
named in honor of Sir Knight Ernesto T.
Alzona, Sr. who was an active member of
the order during his lifetime. Alzona served
as master of the Fourth Degree in Southern
Luzon Region.
Without a trace of weariness the Luzon
Deputy on the evening of the same day was
able to fulfill his commitment to grace the
54th Anniversary Celebration of San Pedro
Council 5234 and that at the same time in-
stallation of officers for the Columbian Year
2010-2011. The highlight of the occasion is
the presentation of the Holy Family portrait
to the family of Bro. Isidro and Sister Leah
Molina who won 3rd Runner up in the an-
nual search for the International Family of
the Year. The Luzon Deputy was assisted
by DD Raynaldo Flor and Grand Knight
Armando Nayve.
The following day Bro. Tan assisted by
his wife sister Tessie started to arrange his
luggage for a one week trip to Poland where
he is slated to attend his first in a series of
Supreme Board Meeting.

KCFAPI employees
recite novena to
Bro. André Bessette
A NOVENA to Bro. An-
dré was included in the
noon prayer sessions of
the KCFAPI employees,
which ran from October
11 to 17. The novena
followed the praying of
the holy rosary, which
is being done regularly
by the KCFAPI employ-
ees during their lunch
break.
The invitation to of-
Bro. Conrado S. Dator, Jr., Area Manager-Southern Luzon Lakers, handed over to Sis. Cristina N. Mercado a check worth P103,777.64 representing death benefits on the life of fer a prayer to Bro. An-
the late Bro. Manuel L. Mercado. Beside Sis. Mercado is Bro. Edwin B. Dawal, Manager of Benefit Certificate Holders’ Relations Office. dré came from Msgr.
Pedro C. Quitorio III
during his homily at

EM Eagles host Fraternal Service

the KCFAPI chapel.
On that same day, a
copy of the prayer was

Training and Joint Area Meeting sent to employees via

THE Eastern Mindanao Eagles led by their
head coach Fidel Blantucas hosted the re-
cent Fraternal Service Training (FST) and
Joint Area Meeting last September 25 and
26, 2010 at KCFAPI Service Office and Pa-
terno’s restaurant.
The two-day event was participated in by
fraternal counselors of Central Mindanao
Cowboys and North Cotabato Explorers.
Area Manager of the Cowboys, Lorenzo Lab-
rador and the team leader of the Explorer,
Nonato Acupan were also present.
Fraternal Service Training was conducted
by Gari San Sebastian, Manager of the Fra-
ternal Benefits Services and facilitated by
intra-mail; pocket-
sized prayer leaflets
were also placed at the cha-
before the St. Joseph altar. Be-
cause he wanted St. Joseph to
Adrian Boston, Fraternal Benefits Associate. Vice President of Fraternal Benefits Group
There were eight newly appointed fraternal talked about the various incentives program pel. be honored, in 1904 Bro. André
counselors who responded to the invitation for membership of the Order, namely the Bro. André s was born in began the campaign to erect a
of their respective area managers to continue Most Outstanding District Deputy, Council Mont-Saint-Grégoire, Quebec. chapel to honor the saint. In
the mission of the Order’s founder, Fr. Mi- of Honors and the Fr. George J. Willmann His great confidence in Saint 1924 construction of a basilica
chael J. McGivney. Search for Academic Excellence. These Joseph inspired him to recom- named Saint Joseph’s Oratory
KCFAPI’s Executive Vice President, Ms. awards are all initiated and being supported mend this saint’s devotion to began.
Theresa Curia opened the joint area meet- by KCFAPI. all those who were afflicted He was declared venerable in
ing on the second day with the updates and San Sebastian likewise discussed the in various ways. On his many 1978 and was beatified in 1982.
highlights of the Association. Curia also performance and productivity of each area visits to the sick in their homes, Pope Benedict XVI approved
challenged the salesforce to meet their indi- while the measures of improvement and he would recommend them in sainthood for Blessed André
vidual and group targets for the year. strategies for the remaining months of the prayer to St. Joseph, and would on February 19, 2010, with the
The possible venue for the 2010 Annual year were undertaken by FBA, AMs and anoint them lightly with oil formal canonization last Oc-
awards was also presented as part of the team leader. The salesforce committed to from the lamp in the college tober 17, 2010. (Juno Amaris
motivational campaign. Joseph Teodoro, meet their goal for this year. (FBG News) chapel which always burned Mancenido)