•B1compulsory

Promoting
sexual •C1 DOCETE
A Catechetical Publication of
the Episcopal Commission on
•D1 Ugnayan
The News Supplement for
education at the UN Catechesis and Catholic Education
Couples for Christ

Prelate backs travel Bishop urges ‘conversion’

warning against RP
A CATHOLIC bishop from war-torn Mindanao
has backed foreign governments’ travel alert
warning of possible attacks in the Philippines,
saying it is needed to ensure public safety.
While President Aquino wants the travel
warnings lifted, Cotabato Auxiliary Bishop Jose
Colin Bagaforo said foreign governments have
duties to ensure the protection and security of
their people.
He said the United States, United Kingdom,
Travel / A6
among the youth
BORONGAN Bishop Crispin Varquez invited
the young people to undergo moral conversion
as the whole Christendom is about to enter the
season of Advent.
During the Eucharistic celebration to start the
3rd Regional Youth Day in Borongan, Varquez
asked young people reflect on the “reality” that
all mankind are pilgrims walking towards the
path of Christ.
“We are also reminded of the necessity of
November 8 - 21, 2010 Vol. 14 No. 23 Php 20.00 Conversion / A6

Lay groups up against RH bill

By Melo Acuna
RH bill
VARIOUS lay organizations
are now up in arms to
monitor and act against bills
supporters
that would enact population
control measures. are morally
Amid the possible passage of the
controversial reproductive health (RH)
bill, various lay groups have banded
‘lost’—Rosales
together to stand against all “threats” THOSE who support the reproduc-
to human life. tive health bill are “lost” and do not
In Lipa City, hundreds of people have proper formation of conscience,
joined a demonstration on Nov. 6 to the head of Manila Roman Catholic
show their indignation against artificial Church said.
contraception. Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales said
Posters and other print materials one of the country’s biggest problems
against abortion and the RH bill are also is the lack of values, which is prevalent
set to be distributed across the country among public officials.
by a group of parents. According to him, contraception is-
A prayer vigil is also set to be held on sue wouldn’t be much of an issue had
Nov. 20 by a coalition of lay groups in the country elected lawmakers with
a collective show of resistance against good conscience.
the measure. “There are consciences that are not
well formed. They were not brought up
Defend the culture of life properly and that is always certain,”
During the 17th Asia-Pacific Congress said Rosales.
on Faith, Life and Family in Makati The cardinal made the statement
City, a leader of one of the country’s on Nov. 8 in his homily during the
biggest Catholic organizations called closing Mass of the three-day 17th
on families to defend and uphold the Asia-Pacific Congress on Faith, Life
culture of life. and Family held at the Dusit Hotel in
Catholics, said Frank Padilla, servant Makati City.
general of the Couples for Christ— A well-formed Christian conscience,
Foundation for Family and Life, must he said, does not permit one to support
work to renew the family as it is threat- for a political program or a law which
ened from all sides by values contrary contradicts the fundamental contents
to church`s teachings. of faith and morals.
Padilla was one of the speakers to the The Manila archbishop stressed that
500 or so delegates to Congress at the those who are directly involved in
Dusit Thani Hotel held on Nov. 6 to 8. lawmaking bodies have a grave and
He noted that modern families are clear obligation to oppose any law that
now being destroyed because of di- attacks human life.
vorce, separation, living-in and value- Whatever the decision of the law-
less sex education, in vitro fertilization makers on the controversial measure,
and same-sex marriages. he said, would reflect on how they
Padilla also said many families are were brought up by their parents who
dysfunctional, some with one parent are the “first teacher of conscience.”
caring for the children while others may Healthy conscience formation de-
be two parents but of the same sex. pends on a trusting relation with the
Under such situations, he said, chil- parents, who must also learn how to be
dren will grow up dysfunctional. such a parent, he pointed out.
“Pretty soon, they are shooting their Rosales said it is great help for par-
© Roy Lagarde / CBCP Media

classmates or committing suicides or ents to maintain the good values at

just being a menace to society,” he
added.
He urged Catholic families to work to
defend and uphold the culture of life as
it is “God’s wonderful gift that starts in
Lay/ A6
home and start teaching kids as early
as possible.
“If you fail (in guiding your children
Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales delivers his homily during a Mass on November 8, the culmination of the three-day 17th Asia-Pacific
Congress on Faith, Life and Family at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City. The cardinal told the participants to mold their children’s conscience as
properly), you will reap the kind of
a key to a healthy society. people that you have now in most of
Lost / A7

Bishop ‘disappointed’ as gov’t

allows mass layoff
MANILA Auxiliary Bishop
Broderick Pabillo said he is
“disappointed” by the govern-
ment’s decision to allow the
Philippine Airlines’ planned
mass layoff of some 3,000 em-
ployees.
Pabillo said the recent deci-
sion of the Department of Labor
and Employment will deprive
the workers the just share of the
fruits of their labor.
than the ordinary workers,” he
said.
Pabillo chairs the National
Secretariat for Social Action,
Justice and Peace (Nassa), the
social action arm of the Catholic
Bishops’ Conference of the Phil-
ippines (CBCP).
According to him, it also means
that it is a policy of the Aquino
administration to continue the
labor-only contracting arrange-
nity of work comes from the la-
borers themselves and not from
the capital which is controlled
by capitalists.
In line with the thoughts of the
Second Plenary Council of the
Philippines, Pabillo stressed the
“priority of labor over capital.”
“The capital is needed but
labor should have the primacy.
Let’s give more importance to
the workers,” said Pabillo.
important for the government
than the dignity of people,” he
lamented.
Last week, Labor Secretary
Rosalinda Baldoz, in a written
directive, has allowed PAL’s
planned retrenchment and con-
tractualization.
With the decision, Baldoz also
affirmed the previous order of
then acting labor secretary Romeo
Lagman giving the green light on
File photo

“This clearly shows that the ments and casualization of labor “But in the case of the PAL PAL’s plan to outsource 3 non-core
policy of the present adminis- in the country. Employees’ Association (Palea), operations and lay off workers.
tration is to favor the capitalists The prelate said that the dig- it seems that profit is more Layoff / A6
Pabillo

No worries in Marine
Tuguegarao prelate appeals of flood aid
pullout in Basilan – prelate
THE military leadership has
found an ally in the Catholic
Church in its move to pullout
Marines from restive Basilan
province.
Isabela Bishop Martin
Jumoad said he is certain
the Armed Forces of the
Philippines (AFP) knows
what it is doing for the
File photo
We fully trust in the AFP that
what they are doing is right
regardless of who they are go-
ing to deploy here,” Jumoad
said.
The prelate of Basilan prov-
ince, birthplace of the Abu
Sayyaf terrorist group, said
they are much more con-
cerned that the peace situation
NINE people have so far
been confirmed dead while
thousands need urgent
humanitarian assistance in
Cagayan Valley as recent
heavy rains raved the re-
gion recently.
Tuguegarao Archbishop
Diosdado Talamayan called
for help on behalf of fami-
lies displaced by flooding
affecting northern Luzon. Isabela province. Reports
“If you could help us, you said that four people were
can send it to the chancery killed due to landslides,
of the Archdiocese of Tugue- and another four drowned,
garao,” Talamayan said over and one died due to hypo-
Catholic Church-run Radyo thermia.
Veritas. Local authorities also said
Talamayan said the weather that about 40,000 people or
in the region had recent- around 11,350 families were
ly improved but the heavy affected by the typhoon.
downpour submerged several “For the past few days

security of the people will be improved and the law and landslides caused by towns. we’ve been distributing
in Mindanao. will be applied. the tailend of a cold front All the fatalities were in Flood / A7
Jumoad
“We are not afraid. Marine / A7

www.youthpinoy.com www.cbcphealthcare.org www.cbcpnews.com

 World News
CBCP Monitor
A2 Vol. 14 No. 23
November 8 - 21, 2010

Bishop requests historic cathedral

no longer be referred to as mosque
CORDOBA, Spain, Nov. 5,
2010—Bishop Demetrio Fernan-
dez of Cordoba, Spain has asked
that the city’s historic cathedral
be referred to as a Catholic
church and not as a “mosque,”
in reference to its past.
In an October column, Bishop
Fernandez wrote, “Cathedral
or mosque? Undoubtedly a ca-
thedral. It is the main church of
the Diocese of Cordoba, where
the chair of the bishop is located,
thus the name ‘cathedral’.”
The bishop noted that the
Cathedral of Cordoba has been
a place of Catholic worship for
eight centuries. Saint King Ferdi-
nand III took over the city with-
out bloodshed on June 28, 1236,
and ordered the temple, which
had been built as a mosque, to be
consecrated, Bishop Fernandez
explained.
“It was saved from destruc-
tion because of the successful
The bishop noted that the
Muslims destroyed the basilica
“so a mosque could be built
instead.”
Bishop Fernandez acknowl-
edged the stir caused by his
column, telling the Diario de
Cordoba that he wrote it be-
cause “I knew it would be
reported around the world, so
that everybody would know
that the ancient mosque in
Cordoba is today a cathedral.
The ones offended are those
who think it’s wrong to call it
a cathedral.”
“The cathedral has been a
cathedral for eight centuries … I
don’t mind if it is called a former
mosque, but what I don’t want
is it to be called just a mosque,”
the bishop said, explaining that
he does not want to confuse visi-
tors to the city.
“The Catholic Church, and the
Bishop of Cordoba, are the first to

negotiations between Ferdinand
and the Muslim occupiers of the
city, who wanted to destroy it
rather than turning it over. When
the Muslims invaded in 711, it
was already a sacred place, as it
was the location of the ancient
Basilica of Saint Vincent the
Martyr.”
www.adairjones.files.wordpress.com
treat Muslims with respect and
friendliness. I am friends with
many in the Muslim world,”
he noted, adding he supports
inter-religious dialogue in an
atmosphere of mutual respect.
“People get upset, but this is
for the good of Cordoba,” he
stated. (CNA)

Holy Land Church official finds Vatican Briefing

no ‘anti-Zionist’ bias at synod
ROME, Italy, Oct. 28, 2010—Many Chris-
tians in the Middle East harbor “anti-
Zionist” resentments, but those resent-
ments are rooted political injustices and
not theology, according to a top Church
official in the Holy Land.
Franciscan Father Pierbattista Piz-
zaballa said the tensions were reflected
in the recent Synod for Bishops on the
Middle East, but he rejected charges
that the synod was biased against
Israel.
“I don’t think the Synod Fathers were
taken hostage by anyone,” he told the
Italian newspaper Il Foglio Oct. 27.
Father Pizzaballa is the Vatican-ap-
pointed custodian of the ancient Chris-
tian holy sites in Israel and Palestine. In
an interview with the paper’s Vatican
analyst Paolo Rodari, he responded to
charges made by Israel’s deputy foreign
minister, Danny Ayalon.
Ayalon charged that the synod had
become an “important forum for politi-
cal attacks” and was “taken hostage by an
anti-Israeli majority.”
“That the Arab world might have little
sympathy for Israel is evident,” Father
Pizzaballa said, noting that 90 percent of
Christians in the Middle East are of Arab
origins. He called it a “normal thing” that
this sentiment might surface “in some way”
during the synod’s discussions.
But the synod’s final message also in-
cluded condemnations of anti-Semitism and
anti-Judaism and a reminder that Christians
must study both the New and the Old Testa-
ments, he said.
It is “not a given,” that the synod fathers
of the Middle Eastern world would write
these words, he said.
Father Pizzaballa also pointed out that the
synod’s final message condemned all forms
of racism and “Islamaphobia,” and called
Jews, Muslims and Christians to greater
commitment to dialogue.
While individual bishops might express
their opinions on these issues, only the final
message of the synod reflects the official
position of the assembled Church lead-
ers, he stressed.
The synod’s message, Father Pizza-
balla said, is “not the voice of the Vatican
nor the Church.” It is rather “simply the
voice of the synod fathers.”
The synod’s final message offered little
new with respect to Israel, he added.
The gathering of bishops condemned
Israel’s continued occupation of Pales-
tine and any use of God’s name to justify
violence. These are positions “already
expressed in the past” by Church lead-
ers, he noted.
Accusations that the synod fathers
harbor an “anti-Zionist” bias are mis-
guided. Zionism, the belief that Israel has
the right to a homeland in the territory
promised to the Jews in the Bible, is a
“Western category,” Father Pizzaballa
said. “It is a way with which the West
tries to describe a situation.” (CNA/
EWTN News)
Pope appeals for aid to tsunami, flood victims
Indonesia has been rocked by simultaneous catastrophes
this week, leaving hundreds dead and many others dis-
placed. Pope Benedict XVI appealed on Oct. 27 for inter-
national aid to those stricken there and those displaced
by flooding in Benin, Africa, during his weekly general
audience in St. Peter’s Square. Pope Benedict expressed his
“deepest sympathy to the families of the victims for the loss
of their loved ones” and assured his “closeness in prayer”
to all Indonesians. (CNA)
Science leads to truth about God, humanity—Pontiff
In the 21st century must work for the “true good of man,”
the Pope told a group of scientists Oct. 28. The “positive
outcome” of this century largely depends on it. Noting the
great advances in science in the last century, he said that the
field can be neither categorized in the extreme of being able
to answer all questions of man’s existence nor as a source of
fear from the “sobering developments” it has created such
as nuclear weapons. (CNA)
Holy Father praying for drug addicts
Benedict XVI has announced his prayer intentions for the
month of November, calling for an increased focus on
victims of drug and other substance addictions as well as
prayers for the well being of the Church in Latin America.
The pope’s general prayer intention for November is: “That
victims of drugs or of other dependence may, thanks to the
support of the Christian community, find in the power of
our saving God strength for a radical life-change.” (CNA)

Bishops in the Holy Land call for Pope praises women who give Christian inspiration
to their families

three days of prayer for Iraq

JERUSALEM, Israel, Nov. 11,
2010—“Words of distress, con-
demnation and incrimination
are no longer enough in the face
of the horror that is taking place
repeatedly in Iraq, especially
with regard to Christians over
the past years and which reached
a pinnacle of savage insanity
with the massacre on Sunday” in
Baghdad, the bishops of the Holy
Land said in a statement released
yesterday in Jerusalem.
We “incline ourselves before
the bodies of these heroic mar-
tyrs, the sufferings of the inno-
cent wounded, the pain of the
relatives of the victims and the
injured,” the statement said.
“The Church of the Holy Land,
reaching out to her sister in Iraq,
appeals to the conscience of each
and every one in authority there,
starting with the Iraqi govern-
ment, to be vigilant in protecting
all her citizens, especially those
who have no protection, those
who have no weapons and no
militias, their only guilt being
that they maintain their faith,
in the land of their fathers and
grandfathers.”
“This land is their land since
time immemorial; they have sac-
rificed in its service, contributed
to its flourishing, and defended
it with everything they have.
The time has come for those
who are responsible to own up
to their responsibility, to stand
up to those who have lost any
sense of humanity, curbing their
insatiable thirst for blood and
reckoning with and punishing
anyone who plans or carries out
such criminal acts.”
The region’s Catholic ordinar-
ies also call on the Arab League,
the Organisation of the Islamic
Conference, the United Nations
and the Security Council, “before
it is too late”, to be cognizant of
“the danger of those who seek to
exploit religions for the purpose
of a clash of civilizations”.
In order to express their close-
ness to the victims, the bishops
announced three days of solidar-
ity with the suffering Church of
Iraq, days of prayer for the souls
of Iraqi martyrs, today, tomor-
row and Sunday, in every parish
church, monastery and convent
of the Holy Land.
“Our mission, as it was also
expressed in the Synod for the
Middle East two weeks ago, is
that we live Communion and
Witness, that we work together,
Christians and Muslims, in the
building up and awakening of
our countries and our peoples,
investing effort together in the
establishment of peace and sta-
bility, on the basis of mutual
trust”. (AsiaNews)
Benedict XVI praised the millions of Catholic women in
the world who inspire their husbands and children to live
truly Christian lives. At his weekly general audience Oct.
27, he said he wanted to recognize “the many women who,
day after day, enlighten their families with their witness of
Christian life.” “May the Spirit of the Lord raise up holy
Christian spouses today to show the world the beauty of
marriage lived according to the Gospel values: love, tender-
ness, mutual help, fruitfulness in generating and educating
children, openness and solidarity with the world, and par-
ticipation in the life of the church,” he said. (CNS)
Vatican hopes Iraq does not execute Tariq Aziz
The Vatican hopes the death penalty will not be carried out
against former Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz, 74,
said the Vatican spokesman. “The position of the Catholic
Church on the death penalty is known,” the spokesman,
Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, said Oct. 26, the day
the Iraqi high court sentenced Aziz to death by hanging.
“Therefore, it is truly to be hoped that the sentence against
Tariq Aziz will not be carried out, precisely in order to
favor reconciliation and the reconstruction of peace and
justice in Iraq after the great suffering it has undergone,”
he said. (CNS)

Carl Anderson dismantles divided Pope says bishops must educate faithful to vote
against abortion

America myth in new book

NEW HAVEN, Conn., Nov. 4, 2010—New
York Times bestselling author Carl Anderson
is arguing in his latest book that the idea of
Americans being divided on moral issues is a
myth. In fact, all that is required to move the
country forward is courage.
“We have a moral consensus on the econ-
omy, on the need for ethics in government—
and even on issues that seem intractable, like
abortion, where 8 in 10 Americans can agree
on certain restrictions,” Anderson says.
“What we need now,” he urges, “is for
people in key institutions to act with courage
on these transcendent values.”
Carl A. Anderson, the head of the Knights
of Columbus, makes his case in “Beyond A
House Divided: The Moral Consensus Ignored
By Washington, Wall Street and the Media,”
which was released on the same day as the
midterm election took place, making its mes-
Bishops must guide their faithful to use their vote to oppose
efforts to legalize abortion and euthanasia, Pope Benedict
XVI told bishops from Brazil. “Dear brother bishops, to
defend life we must not fear hostility or unpopularity, and
sage all the more timely. we must refuse any compromise or ambiguity which might
Anderson encourages Americans to view poli- conform us to the world’s way of thinking,” the pope said
tics not just as “red” and “blue” states at opposite Oct. 28 during a meeting with bishops from northeast Brazil.
ends of the political spectrum. That perspective The bishops were making their “ad limina” visits to report
focuses on the differences and then works to- on the status of their dioceses. (CNS)
ward compromise. Instead, Americans should
focus on the core moral beliefs that everyone Controversial angel’s order given Vatican OK
agrees on and then work toward compromise. The Vatican’s top doctrine office says a once-controversial
The book presents hard numbers that association that promotes veneration of the angels is now
debunk the myth of a polarized people and in full conformity with Church teaching. Opus Sanctorum
show that what division does exist is actually Angelorum was founded by Gabriele Bitterlich, an Aus-
between certain American institutions and the trian woman who claimed to have received visions of the
American people, whose values these institu- angels, including their names and their functions in Heaven.
tions often don’t share. The Vatican began investigating the movement shortly
Anderson shows that the Americans have after her death in 1978, when certain followers, including
an opportunity to begin a conversation “where priests and nuns, began circulating sensational theories of
the vast majority of the American people “spiritual warfare” between angels and demons based on
stand” and seek “the common ground already her visions. (CNA)
found in the common sense of consensus of the
electorate.”(CNA/EWTN News)

CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 23
November 8 - 21, 2010
Priestly conversion needed for credible
church reform, pope says
Pope Benedict speaks about sex
abuse scandals in new book
ROME, Italy, Nov. 3, 2010—The
world will have a more com-
plete idea of Pope Benedict XVI’s
thoughts on sexual abuse in the
Church when his interview with the
German journalist Peter Seewald is
published in a month.
With his
book “Light
o f t h e
World: The
Pope, The
Church and
the Signs of
The Times”
due for re-
lease on
Nov. 24, Ig-
natius Press
has released
some of the
questions
Seewald
posed to the
Pope.
Seewald
met with
Pope Bene-
dict XVI
during his
summer
vacation at
the pontifi-
cal villa at
Castel Gandolfo the last week in
July. Their discussions over the
course of that time are presented in
the volume which “tackles head-on
some of the greatest issues facing
the world of our time,” according
to the publishing company.
One of the most difficult issues
facing the Church this year was
the revelation of sexual abuse of
children by clergy and religious in
Malls promote use of reusable bags to
protect environment
MANILA, Oct. 30, 2010—In an effort
to convince Filipinos to use reusable
bags in their purchases and help pro-
tect the environment, major retailers in
the metropolis will refrain from giving
free plastics bags to clients at least once
a week.
Obliging to a request made by an en-
vironmental network, malls and super-
markets in Manila will dedicate every
Wednesday as “Reusable Bag Day”.
To force customers to use eco-friendly
reusable bags, retailers won’t provide
free plastic bags to clients, instead will
charge them for it if they insist on hav-
ing one.
Reusable bags are being sold in malls
and supermarkets, but many consum-
ers, especially those in tight budgets
find them rather costly.
Environmental network EcoWaste
Coalition said retailers may have to
News Features
www.peter-ould.net
Europe. The book not only presents The Holy Father also takes on
Pope Benedict’s thoughts on sexual other complicated questions within
abuse but also gives his answer about the Church today, such as the
whether he thought about resigning celibacy of priests, contraception,
over the scandals. women priests, same-sex relation-
The revelations of abuse resulted in ships and Communion for the
some calling for the Pope to resign for divorced and remarried.
Papal infal-
libility, the
possibility of a
Third Vatican
Council and
the question
of whether or
not genuine
dialogue is
possible with
Islam are also
confronted by
the Pope in the
wide-ranging
series of ques-
tions that count
nothing as ta-
boo.
Ignatius
Press says that
all people—
believers and
unbelievers—
will be fasci-
nated by the
content of the
book, which
his supposed inaction in the face of documents “a lively, fast-paced,
abuse when he served as the prefect challenging, even entertaining ex-
of the Congregation for the Doctrine change” between the two.
of the Faith and later as Pope. This is Seewald’s third book-
In response, many rose to defend the length interview with Joseph Ratz-
Pope, including Archbishop Timothy inger, but the first after his election
Dolan of New York. He said, “No one to the papacy. The two previous
has been more vigorous in cleansing volumes were “Salt of the Earth,”
the Church of the effects of this sicken- published in 1996, and “God and
ing sin than the man we now call Pope the World,” from 2002. (CNA/
Benedict XVI.” EWTN News)
slash down the price of reusable bags introduce eco-friendly bags in the hope
so consumers would be attracted to of preserving the environment.
use them. But she said unless they are given free
Sonia Mendoza of the network’s task or sold at a discounted price, people
force on plastics said the thought of may not feel inclined to use them.
spending much for a reusable bag could Mendoza has recommended the pro-
be a reason why consumers seem slow duction of “affordable and eco-friendly
in adapting the idea. bags” that are made from cloth and
“The cost of procuring reusable bags other locally-sourced materials.
may be getting in the way of popular- She said “a home-based, job generat-
izing reusable bags among the majority ing industry” of producing eco-friendly
of our consumers,” she said. bags can be promoted in the provinces
“Budget-conscious consumers, even “with support from the private and
if they appreciate the ecological benefits public sectors.”
of reusable bags, are put off buying any- Reusable bags will reduce environ-
thing expensive,” she observed. mental and health impacts that plastics
According to a study conducted by generate, the group said.
the network, reusable bags sold in many They also urged retailers to provide
retail stores in the metropolis range shoppers who bring their own eco-
from P25 to P295. friendly bags, with freebies, to instill in
Mendoza said the group certainly them the habit of bringing one when-
appreciates the efforts of retailers to ever they go shopping. (CBCPNews)
Mindanao mining in a fault line
ANTIPOLO City, Nov. 5,
2010—A coalition of environ-
mentalists have expressed con-
cern that a large mining compa-
ny in Mindanao will be digging
a hole on a fault line.
Environmental alliance, De-
Contributed Photo
fend Patrimony! Alliance and the
Kalikasan People’s Network for
the Environment (KPNE) feared
of a catastrophe in the making
when the groups found out that
Xtrata Queensland Ltd. And
VATICAN City, Nov. 4, 2010— Charles, who was archbishop of
Personal conversion and puri- Milan, was a major influence in
fication, especially for priests, the church’s counter-reformation
are critical steps in the process movement.
of true and credible reform of At the time, the church com-
the church, Pope Benedict XVI munity suffered from major
said. divisions, “doctrinal confusions,
The church community today faith and customs whose purity
is experiencing “trials and suf- was clouded, and the bad exam-
fering, and it shows the need ple of various sacred ministers,”
for purification and reform,” he said.
he said. “St. Charles did not limit him-
The pope made his remarks self to deploring or condemning”
in a written message on the oc- the problems or just hoping for
casion of the 400th anniversary others to change, he said. Rather,
of the Nov. 1 canonization of St. he began by reforming his own
Charles Borromeo. A copy of the life, relinquishing all wealth and
message, addressed to Cardinal comfort and filling his life with
Dionigi Tettamanzi of Milan, prayer, penance and dedication
was released to journalists Nov. to his flock, said the pope.
4, the feast of St. Charles. “He knew that a serious and
Pope Benedict recalled how St. credible reform had to begin
Pope calls for study,
diffusion of social doctrine
VATICAN City, Nov. 4, 2010—Bene-
dict XVI is underlining the need for
more centers to study and diffuse the
Church’s social doctrine.
The Pope stated this in a message sent
to Cardinal Peter Turkson, president
of the Pontifical Council for Justice in
Peace, on the occasion of that dicast-
ery’s plenary assembly. The two-day
meeting, which is under way in Rome,
ends Friday.
The Pontiff stated, “In order to global-
ize the social doctrine of the Church,
it seems opportune to multiply the
centers and institutes that are dedicated
to its study, diffusion and realization
throughout the world.”
He said, “My desire is that the Pon-
tifical Council for Justice and Peace
continue its work of aid to the ecclesial
community and all its components.”
“The dicastery must therefore contin-
ue this work not only in the elaboration
of updating the social doctrine of the
Church, but also in its experimentation,
with that method of discernment that I
indicated in ‘Caritas in Veritate,’ accord-
ing to which, living in communion with
Jesus Christ and among ourselves, we
are ‘found’ either by the truth of salva-
tion, or by the truth of a world that has
not been created by us, but which has
been given to us as home to share in
fraternity,” the Holy Father stated.
He noted, “In the wake of the prom-
ulgation of the Compendium and of the
encyclical ‘Caritas in Veritate,’ it is natural
that the Pontifical Council for Justice and
Peace dedicates itself to further reflection
on the elements of novelty and, in col-
Party list solon files genuine
agrarian reform bill
MANILA, Oct. 31, 2010—A party list
representative has filed a bill in Con-
gress seeking to institute a genuine
agrarian reform in the country and
creating the necessary mechanism for
its implementation.
Frustrated on the government’s
failure to deliver its promise to the
country’s farmers, Anakpawis Party
List Congressman Rafael Mariano said
he filed House Bill 00374 which asks for
an implementation of a genuine agrar-
ian reform program.
He said even with an increase in
budget of the Department of Agrarian
Reform for 2011, he remains pessimistic
the executive will deliver its mandate.
He added he joins farmers from Ha-
cienda Luisita and others who work in
other haciendas in calling for a genuine
agrarian reform program.
Accompanied by Hacienda Luisita
farmer leader Rodel Mesa and Negros-
based Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipi-
nas spokesperson Greg Ratin, Mariano
said the current government should
deliver its campaign promise of solving
the problems brought about by poverty
and injustice.
Mesa disclosed that farmers in his
village have reported the “surveys”
Indophil Resources’ Tampakan ducted by NIGS, the Tampakan
mining project will be excavating mining site is traversed by the
on a fault line. Philippine Fault and the Cota-
Catherine Abon, a geologist bato Fault.
from the University of the Phil- “The deposit lies within the
ippines-National Institute of Cotabato Fault Zone, a west-
Geological Sciences (NIGS) said northwest trending strike slip
the proposed area of excavation fault zone said Abon. The pres-
traverses a fault line and it poses ence of faults in the proposed
a big risk to the stability of the mine site presents a danger in the
mine tailing pond that will be facilities that will be constructed
built. for the mine operation such as
Based on the studies con- tailings pond dam,” said Abon.
A3
with the pastors” if it was to
have truly beneficial and lasting
effects on the people of God, said
Pope Benedict.
At every moment in history,
the most fundamental and ur-
gent task of the church is for
every member to convert and
get closer to God, he said.
St. Charles Borromeo is an
appropriate example of some-
one who, through personal and
communal conversion, was able
to “transform hearts” through
the power of prayer and pen-
ance.
The pope urged all priests and
deacons to turn their lives into
“a courageous journey toward
sainthood and to not fear the
exhilaration of Christ’s trusting
love.” (CNS)
laboration with other individuals, to the
search for the more adequate ways to con-
vey the contents of the social doctrine.”
Benedict XVI encouraged diffusing
the doctrine “not only of the Christian
traditional formative and educational
itineraries of every order and degree,
but also of the great centers of formation
of world thought — such as the great
organs of secular press, the universities
and the numerous centers of economic
and social reflection — which in recent
times have developed in every corner
of the world.”
Essential perspectives
The Pope affirmed, “It is by living
‘charity in truth’ that we will be able
to offer a more profound look to un-
derstand the great social questions and
indicate some essential perspectives for
their solution in a fully human sense.”
“Only with charity sustained by hope
and illumined by the light of faith and
reason, is it possible to achieve objec-
tives of man’s integral liberation and
universal justice,” he stated.
he Pontiff continued: “The life of
communities and of each of the believ-
ers —nourished by assiduous medita-
tion on the Word of God, by regular
participation in the sacraments and by
communion with wisdom that comes
from above — grows in its capacity of
prophecy and renewal of cultures and
public institutions.
“The ethos of peoples can thus enjoy a
truly solid foundation, which reinforces
social consensus and sustains proce-
dural rules.” (Zenit)
being conducted by still unidentified
persons on board vehicles with “RP-US
Balikatan Exercises.” He said plans were
afoot to build some infrastructures in
the village, which includes an evacua-
tion center.
The report comes at the heels of ear-
lier accounts of a Chinese softdrink giant
Hangzhou Wahaha Group Co., Ltd which
reportedly expressed interest in sourcing
its sugar from the controversial estate.
Ratin and Mesa called on the Su-
preme Court to rule with dispatch on
the legality of the stock distribution
option initiated by the Hacienda Luisita
management.
Mesa called on President Aquino to
lead landowners in the distribution of
farm lands to landless tillers because he
is a president of all Filipinos and not of
the landed gentry alone.
The sprawling 6435-hectare is at the
heart of Central Luzon and is owned by
the Cojuangco family.
President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino
III was earlier quoted as saying he
would not involve himself with the is-
sue so as not to be accused of using his
power to influence a favorable decision
pending with the Supreme Court. (Melo
M. Acuna)
Located in the boundaries of
South Cotabato, Davao del Sur,
Sultan Kudarat and Saranggani
Province, the Tampakan open-
pit mining project is expected to
produce at least 13 million tons
of copper and 15 million ounces
of gold, annually. It is said that
the Tampakan Mining Project, so
far, is the biggest mining project
in the Philippines at U$5.2 bil-
lion worth in investments. (Noel
Sales Barcelona)
 A4 Opinion CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 23
November 8 - 21, 2010

EDITORIAL

Let’s care for our seminarians

POPE Benedict XVI wrote a beautiful letter to seminarians last

October 18, and poured out his sentiments and desires for the
young men who are preparing themselves for the priesthood.
The priesthood will always be necessary since man will always
need God. The Pope reassures us in that letter that precisely
because of the growing secularization of the world today, priests,
good, holy priests are needed. Instead of becoming irrelevant,
they have become more urgently needed.
Thus, those preparing for the priesthood should be given the
appropriate attention, considering that the Church after the
scandals of clerical sex abuses has to recover from the severe
damage she suffered. Hopefully, the future batches of new priests
from the present seminarians would be an improvement.
There´s indeed a lot of bright spots in the Church today. But
ugly stains and blots, the unwelcome weeds are also present,
and they involve the clergy themselves. The letter of the Pope,
though couched in tactful language, should be considered under
the light of our Lord´s severe reproaches on the leading men in
his time whom he accused as hypocrites.
It cannot be denied that even up to now very disturbing cases of
priestly anomalies still proliferate. There´s alcoholism, gambling,
lack of prayer life, discipline and basic virtues of obedience,
poverty and chastity. Some priests even have children, and

Illustration by Bladimer Usi

many people know it except that no action is being done out of
a misplaced sense of compassion, etc.
At the height of the priestly scandals, many bishops even went to the
extent of making an appeal to actively gay priests to please get out.
There definitely is a need for some weeding out of bad elements,
obviously with due process. Justice cannot swerve from charity. But the
ongoing formation of seminarians and priests should be strengthened,
the loopholes plugged. There´s a crying need for a drastic shake-up.
There are reports that in many seminaries, the seminarians are left pretty Fr. James H. Kroeger, MM
much to fend for themselves as they are expected to live full freedom
in responsibility, but without due guidance from the authorities. It´s Proclaiming a Crucified
Living Mission King
a policy that has been twisted beyond recognition.
And so even homosexual practices are tolerated, unorthodox
doctrines are taught, a culture of pretension and hypocrisy is
promoted, etc. It´s a very painful picture. It´s like the seminary is left
to bleed to death. When classes or spiritual exercises are given, there´s TWO brief months ago during affirmed the “legitimate role of I would have to reply: A Man for coming in November at the end
a general feeling they are just playing games. Traces of agnosticism his missionary journey to the religion in the public square.” All Seasons. This successful 1960s of the liturgical year, is a wonder-
and skepticism can even be detected in these activities. United Kingdom, Pope Bene- One can validly assert that film was based on a play written ful opportunity for reflection on
dict XVI addressed Members of Thomas More, in his day, deeply by Robert Bolt. In explaining his our mission, on the depth of our
If we have to view these developments from another angle, we Parliament and a great gathering understood that religious faith, choice of Thomas More for the acceptance of Christ as our King,
can readily say that the devil must be behind all this. We should of men and women in public personal convictions, freedom of drama, Bolt gave this rationale: our Crucified King. Does he
not be surprised by this, but it would be funny if we don´t do life from across Britain. The conscience, and commitment to “A man takes an oath only when truly rule our lives, our thoughts,
our part to tackle this threat adequately. We have all the means. September 17, 2010 address was Christ’s values in both personal our public and private morality,
he wants to commit himself quite
We just have to put our mind and heart to it.
given in Westminster Hall, an and public life are all integral exceptionally to the statement, our desires? Has his reign in our
And that attitude, more or less official, of hiding these things historical location whose walls aspects of claiming that Christ is when he wants to make an iden- lives transformed our values and
because of discretion, tact, etc., should be buried. True, we need have echoed with many great truly one’s King. More served as tity between the truth of it and deepened our relationships?
to be discreet and charitable all the time, but we also need to do events of British history. the Lord Chancellor of England, his own virtue; he offers himself as Thomas More answered these
some strong action in imitation of Christ. Our time calls for it. The The trial of Saint Thomas More but resigned rather than sign an a guarantee.” Bolt believes that questions—with his life. Jesus
complicating developments we have now literally require it. occurred in that very place; he oath declaring Henry’s marriage “a clear sense of the self can only had truly become his King! In
was condemned to death for to Catherine of Aragon invalid. crystallize around something deep faith, More could even say
In that letter, the Pope mentioned some important points to be refusing to follow the rebellion He was imprisoned in 1534 and transcendental.” Thus, More to his executioner: “Friend, be
given utmost attention. The seminarians should be a true man of of King Henry VIII against papal beheaded on July 6, 1535. Sig- not afraid of your office. You
becomes “a Christian saint, as a
God. They should live a deep eucharistic life, and have a great
authority on divorce. Thomas nificantly, his letters from prison hero of selfhood,” a man with a send me to God.”
love for the sacrament of penance. They should love popular piety
well. They have to study the ecclesiastical sciences thoroughly, More adhered to God and his in the Tower of London reveal mission. Each day we Christians are
and work hard to attain genuine human maturity. personal conscience; his final a true sense of mission and a Thomas More explains his to renew our sense of mission.
words on the scaffold were: deep devotion to the suffering radical self-awareness, faith and We say the Our Father; we pray:
Obviously, these goals need daily administration. They just “The King’s good servant, but Christ. Indeed, for More, Christ commitment to his daughter Your Kingdom come! And, what
cannot be left simply as goals. They have to be planned out and God’s first.” was King, his suffering-crucified Margaret when she visits him kind of kingdom do we work,
worked out, their details adapted to the very concrete personal Benedict XVI noted: “The King. in prison: “When a man takes pray, and suffer for? As stated so
circumstances of each seminarian. Their spiritual life should dilemma which faced More in The Gospel for the Feast of an oath, Meg, he’s holding his beautifully in the Preface of the
be in good order. Once the first signs of slackening up appear, those difficult times, the peren- Christ the King (Luke 23:35-43) own self in his own hands. Like Feast of Christ the King, we ask
appropriate measures should be rushed. nial question of the relationship portrays Jesus as a crucified water. And if he opens his fin- God to establish “an eternal and
For sure, personal spiritual direction is a must here. But how between what is owed to Caesar king. Christ’s kingship, in the gers then—he needn’t hope to universal kingdom, a kingdom
many priests and seminarians go to it? How many really pray and what is owed to God, allows Christian perspective, is linked find himself again. Some men of truth and life, a kingdom of
and go to confession with true penance? me the opportunity to reflect with a “kingly” vision of being a aren’t capable of this, but I’d be holiness and grace, a kingdom
with you briefly on the proper humble and suffering servant. loathe to think your father one of justice, love and peace.” We
place of religious belief within If asked what movie I have seen of them.” commit ourselves to this most
the political process.” Benedict most frequently in my whole life, The feast of Christ the King, challenging mission!

Filipino Spirituality Rev. Euly B. Belizar, SThD

WHY is it of vital importance that we reflect on our spirituality as a
people? It is important because the quality of our spirituality tells us
who we are as a people. It confronts us with the question, if we are a
people who treasure the values of truth and justice and compassion,
have we then succeeded in creating a society that nourishes and
promotes these values which are dear to us and which express our
true selves? And if we have thus far failed to create a just, humane
and peaceful society, where do we draw the strength and inspiration
to engage in the arduous task of reform and renewal?
….Our history sadly tells us that we have failed to create a society
we can be proud of. The previous 3 CBCP pastoral letters give us a
picture of what kind of society we have produced as we enter a new
millennium. Our political structures and processes have not matured
for lack of transparency and accountability. Our economic policies and
programs have failed to lessen the gap between the rich and the poor.
Our cultural habits prevent us from nourishing values of compassion
and common courtesies that are the foundation of a civilization of love
and peace. We can conclude that our very spirituality is in need of
reform since in its present state it does not have the maturity and the
inner strength to transform our society and build up a new Filipino.
−CBCP Pastoral Letter on Filipino Spirituality, 1999
www.cbcpmonitor.com
cbcpmonitor@cbcpworld.net
Pedro C. Quitorio Kris Bayos
Editor-in-Chief Features Editor
Pinky Barrientos, FSP Gloria Fernando
Marketing Supervisor
PUBLICATION LAYOUT BY KRIS BAYOS
Pilgrims in pursuit of
penance and renewal
OUR diocese, the Diocese of Borongan, has
just celebrated her Jubilee Year this year.
Although the specific dates of the celebration
(October 21-22) are already past us, there are
truths that remain. Despite the particularity
of the ‘Jubilee’ in regard to us, there are also
things we share with other local Churches.
We would love to.
Probably the closest and most useful paral-
lel is the attitude we take re: our birthday.
True, there are a variety of ways by which
we Catholics celebrate it. Some organize big
parties while others simply go to church to
attend the Eucharist, but there’s no doubting
the importance of that day for us individu-
ally and for our families. The fact is that the
Jubilee of our diocese is actually her fiftieth
birthday, the anniversary of her foundation.
We celebrate the fifty years of grace and
blessing in which we have become a local
Church, and grown in our consciousness of
ourselves as such: that is, a portion of God’s
People in the world, headed by our own
bishop, a successor of the apostles. We may
be poor materially but, believe or not, we
are at par with the Diocese of Rome or the
Archdiocese of Manila. How? We are also,
like them, a local or particular Church with
all the marks of the Catholic Church. In other
words, in ourselves and in the whole Eastern
Samar the Church is actualized. Do they have
a bishop, the clergy, religious and a laity
willing and able to support the Church and
the task of evangelization? So do we. Do they
celebrate the Eucharist and the sacraments,
come, let us walk in the light of the Lord”
[Is 2:5]). I suggest you join us in taking time
to reflect on three realities marking our
consciousness and life as dioceses, as local/
particular Churches: our identity as a pilgrim
people, penance and renewal.
Pilgrims
Jose Mari Chan has a love song that also
says something about Christians: “We’re all
just merely passing through, doing what we
can do in a lifetime.” This goes to the heart
of who we are. In life we are pilgrims just
passing through. We are on a journey to a
promised land, the kingdom of God to be
fully realized in heaven. Tracing ourselves to
Abraham, our father in faith, we also take to
heart God’s command to our spiritual ances-
tor: “Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk
and from your father’s house to a land that I
will show you” (Gen 12:1)
Jesus himself makes us aware of our pil-
grim character as a people because, when he
calls us as his disciples, it is a call to “come
after me” (Mk 1:17), to walk with him on the
way that leads to the Father and salvation,
that is, the way of the cross. “Whoever does
not carry his own cross and come after me
cannot be my disciple” (Lk 14:27). To come
after someone is to be in movement, either
in a physical or moral-spiritual sense. When
we travel to Sulangan or to Lourdes, France
or to any holy place, it’s a reminder of our
journey to God. When we move also from
iniquity to grace, from darkness to light,
By the Roadside
this day, you will deny three times that you
know me” (Lk 22:34). Like Peter the other
disciples also ran away when Jesus was be-
ing arrested and being brought to trial, all
except John the beloved.
It’s no different in our time. We, modern
disciples in Eastern Samar and in the Philip-
pines who hold the Catholic Church as our
home and mother have stumbled in a lot of
ways. We call ourselves Catholic Christians
but we are among the most corrupt countries
of the world. On paper we hold that public
office is a public trust but in point of fact
many of our politicians treat public office as
a way to wealth and power for themselves
and their families. In our elections we sell or
buy votes and, in so doing, do not choose the
right leaders. Of course, there are exceptions
but they don’t count for much. We profess to
follow Jesus Christ as the Way, the Truth and
the Life. But most of the time we follow the
ways convenience, comfort, money, power
and prestige. We listen to the truths of the
gospel but believe the lies of the world, such
as that happiness lies in leading a selfish life
of pleasure for which we must have money
or power. Jesus is our life, we say, but we
have very little respect for the life of the
unborn, the sanctity of life itself, the sacred
character of sex and marriage, just rights of
the poor and those with different political,
social or religious beliefs to whom, many
times, we extend extra-judicial killings or
character assassinations. In a word, disciples
though we are, we are also sinners who at

Associate Editor
proclaim the gospel and build up Christian from being slaves to sin to being free children times let sin overtake us.
Melo M. Acuña Ernani M. Ramos communities? So do we. of God, we undertake a pilgrimage whose The fruit of our fall into sin as individu-
Managing Editor Circulation Manager The point is clear: We are the Catholic most profound sense is spiritual. als and as a nation is visible in our massive
Church in Eastern Samar just as the Diocese poverty, extra-judicial killings, pollution
Roy Q. Lagarde Marcelita Dominguez of Rome is the Catholic Church in Rome. This Penance and other acts of environmental depreda-
News Editor Comptroller
is doubtless a most wonderful gift of God A disciple is like a runner. It is regrettable tion, unemployment and the concentration
to us. We agree with Meister Eckhart that but a fact of life that a runner can stumble. of wealth in the hands of a few. For these
thanksgiving is our best prayerful response The same thing can be true to a disciple. reasons alone we need to heed Jesus’ call:
The CBCP Monitor is published fortnightly by the CBCP Communica- to the superabundance of God’s love. Take Peter and the rest of those Jesus called “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom
tions Development Foundation, Inc., with editorial and business offices To guide our activities and involvement to “come after him”. Despite Peter’s impas- of heaven is at hand. Repent and believe in
at 470 Gen. Luna St., Intramuros, Manila. P.O. Box 3601, 1076 MCPO. we chose an over-all theme for our celebra- sioned pledge that he was prepared to “go to the good news” (Mk 1:15). As Paul reminds
Editorial: (063) 404-2182. Business: (063)404-1612.; ISSN 1908-2940
tion: Walking in Pilgrimage on the Path of prison and die” with Jesus (Lk 22:33), Jesus us in his discourse at the Areopagus: “God
Penance and Renewal (“O house of Jacob, correctly foretold that “before the cock crows By the Roadside / A5
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 23
November 8 - 21, 2010
Fr. Russell Bantiles
POPE Benedict XVI, in his Letter
to the Seminarians, recounts his
experience in December 1941
when he 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.”
The Pope notes that today,
the situation is different. “Many
people nowadays also think that the
Catholic priesthood is not a ‘job’ for
the future, but one that belongs more
to the past.” One could often hear
Preserving the human
Cogito
even parents – after being con-
fided by their son that he wanted
to become a priest – would say:
“What can you get from that?”
But I think the Pope’s diagnosis
fits more appropriately in the first
world countries like USA, Spain,
Germany, etc. Though there are
particular similar cases in the Phil-
ippines, they are not yet so com-
mon. Stories like parents putting
obstacle on their son’s vocation
often end up in the Primetime
Drama special of a national TV.
Here in Spain, for instance,
a young lad’s decision to enter
the seminary would raise more
than one eyebrow. “What has
happened to that boy?” “Isn’t he
doing well with his career?” En-
couraging the seminarians, the
Pope says: “You, dear friends, have
decided to enter the seminary and to
Opinion
Priests still have a
future
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.”
Priests still have a future. In a
sense, this is what the Pope wants
to convey especially to the young
people in a highly industrialized
world. Oftentimes the vision of
a dark future for priests is what
prevents young candidates from
discovering their priestly voca-
tion. One’s personal concept of
success as defined in terms of
good and stable job, big salaries
and a comfortable life makes
the possibility of serving God
through His Church something
like a nightmare for some.
But the future of priests is not
determined by these parameters.
Authentically successful life is
Sr. Mary Pilar Verzosa, RGS
A5
Brian Caulfield
Half a World Away
more than just having big salaries,
a stable job and material comfort.
Real success is when you find au-
thentic meaning to your existence:
The hour of our death
why are you here and where are
“It’s amazing to think that we are looking at someone who in a few
you going. There is real joy in giv-
hours will see the face of God.”
ing one’s life for the good of others.
I think, in this sense, the priests still
THIS is a story of a young death, the search for life’s meaning,
and will always have a future.
and the seemingly slight but ultimately real consolation of our
The Pope’s reason for affirm-
Catholic faith.
ing that priests still have a future
Her name was Cristina, my wife’s cousin, but her friends
is decisive. He says, “People will
called her “Teeny” in the endearing Filipino way of framing
always have need of God, even in an
nicknames. She was lively, intelligent, full of fun and always
age marked by technical mastery of
the first of her friends to take a chance, whether trying some
the world and globalization: they
new cuisine or dating a non-Catholic guy.
will always need the God who has
She had a good job with a big New York company, owned
revealed himself in Jesus Christ,
a co-op in Manhattan, which she subleased, and another in
the God who gathers us together
Hoboken, where she lived. Two years ago, she was downsized
in the Universal Church in order
from her job with a year’s worth of severance pay and took
to learn with him and through him
the opportunity to travel before looking for a new job. She also
life’s true meaning and in order to
slowed down, got off the fast city track, and volunteered her
uphold and apply the standards of
time to help families and children. In retrospect, it was good
Cogito / A7
that she got to enjoy some innocent earthly adventures in her
final years.
Last May, Teeny was diagnosed with stage four cancer
that had spread to vital organs. Even with aggressive chemo
treatments, her chances were slim. Yet she battled each day
of the final five months of her life, and in the process became

body
HAVE you ever heard of the word “Plasti-
nation”? The first time I heard of it was last
week. I got a call from GMA 7 asking if they
could interview me for the Jessica Sojo Show
on the topic of “Preservation of the Human
Body”. I agreed, thinking it was simply
on preserving the fetus in bottles such as
those displayed in biology laboratories in
schools.
When the TV crew arrived, they said
they had just come from a place in The Fort,
Taguig, where an exhibit of dead human
bodies was going on. They described how
the exhibit was arranged by a group from
Korea and will be in the country for six
months. Students and the public in general
are invited to see it at P350 entrance fee per
person.
They vaguely described to me what they
were told—how the dead bodies are pre-
served in some kind of plastic with their
skins peeled off to expose the muscles and
bones, the lungs and other internal organs.
The technique is called “plastination” and
they can last for over a hundred years with-
out deteriorating.
They then set up their equipment and the
researcher-interviewer threw some questions
to me. I spoke lengthily on the pro-life values
Fr. Roy Cimagala
of respect for the dignity of human life and
therefore, each person should be treated with
care even after death. And this includes the
unborn babies. At present, we have a cam-
paign, encouraging schools to bury the fetuses
displayed in their laboratories since the stu-
dents have many alternative ways of learning
through videos, plastic, resin or rubberized
models, books and the internet. The cadavers
that medical students use in their anatomy
dissecting class should bury all the body parts
at the end of the semester and not just throw
them along with any garbage. I know that in
UST, it is their practice to have a Mass for the
Dead before they collect all the body parts from
the different tables in preparation for proper
burial. St. Paul University where I finished
my Nursing before I entered the convent, has
already buried all the fetuses in their labora-
tories. They have a beautiful Memorial for the
Dead beside the College Chapel.
I watched the Jessica Sojo show last Satur-
day with mixed emotions. I was amazed at
the technology used to preserve the bodies,
a technology invented by a German doctor.
They even showed clips of how the process
is done—soaking the dead body in some
chemicals for hours, then stripping the skin
off the body, then covering it with plastic
Communion in the
Lovelife more reflective and serious in the practice of her faith. That
was Teeny, always exploring more deeply and squeezing
something extra out of the moment.
Having just observed the Church’s feasts of All Saints and
chemicals. The exhibit showed the dead
All Souls, when we focus on the Four Last Things (death,
persons in various positions—some stand-
judgment, heaven, hell), I think it appropriate to contemplate
ing, others crawling or sitting. There were
one death in the context of what the Church teaches, and what
bodies with the abdomen exposed, or the
possible good it might do the rest of us.
lungs exposed. They showed different stages
The words quoted at the top of this column were spoken by
of development of the fetus. And there was
the priest who anointed Teeny and recited the Prayers for the
a woman with the abdomen skin open in
Dying at her bedside in the Catholic hospice. He had just of-
order to show a five month old baby inside
fered Mass for residents and families in the chapel and came to
the uterus. Dead baby, too, of course.
Teeny’s room, where she was surrounded by family members,
The organizers of the exhibit kept repeat-
including her parents, who had traveled from the Philippines.
ing that this was for educational purposes
We knew these were her last hours. She had been admitted to
and to help people appreciate the beauty and
the hospice on Thursday and it was now Saturday evening.
wonder of the human body. The only state-
Her eyes were open but glazed and unfocused. Her breathing
ment that was taken from my interview was
was regular but extremely labored. She was bone thin, unable
what I said about how unethical it is to make
to move even a finger. Yet we knew she was aware because
business out of the human bodies, like pros-
whenever someone whispered in her ear, or said something
titution and pornography. All these years,
funny, Teeny would change the pattern of her breathing. It
doctors and nurses have gone through their
sounded almost like laughter, and I believe it was. Even in
education without the need of such exhibits.
extremis, she was enjoying the company of family and friends,
The dead should be laid to rest.
who were not afraid to tell funny stories of past times in her
The show left me with a feeling of pity
presence. Someone brought a big pot of Filipino food into the
for all those dead persons and anger at how
room and everyone agreed that Teeny would have been the
science and technology have lost the spirit
first to dig in, so we all did.
of compassion and respect for the human
Still, there were tears, many tears. And helpless looks among
person.
us that said all in one glance: “Why … Not yet … How sad …
I do hope that school administrators will
So young … She’s in God’s hands.” We all did and said things
not send their students to that exhibit. I
in those last hours with only one thought in mind – what
wonder why our government allowed it into
would Teeny want?
our country.
I am blessed to have been present on a few occasions at the
bedside of a dying person when a priest entered the room. It
is, quite literally, like no other experience on the face of this
earth. All of the priests were different men—different ages and
years of priesthood, different shapes and weights, different
temperaments and personalities—yet when they entered the

Candidly Speaking
NOVEMBER, with its liturgical mise our personhood, and be-
celebration of the Solemnity of come something else. We would
All Saints and the Commemora- debase our human dignity,
tion of All the Faithful Departed, which by our nature cannot be
reminds all of us that we are lived passively and automati-
meant to live in communion with cally, but rather actively and
one another and with God. deliberatedly.
This is an essential and defin- That´s why our Catechism
ing element of our human nature teaches that—
and condition. We are not meant “The human person needs to
solely to be individual persons, live in society. Society is not for
but also to be social beings him an extraneous addition but
whose lives are by nature linked a requirement of his nature...
with one another not only physi- A society is a group of persons
cally, socially or politically, but bound together organically by
also spiritually. We are meant to a principle of unity that goes
enter into each other´s lives. beyond each one of them...”
That´s how it is, and we need (1879-1880)
to be more aware of this truth May this doctrine stir us deep-
and work it out, because, frank- ly and cause us to undertake a
ly, this aspect is often ignored, lifelong process of completing
not understood, and obviously and perfecting our personhood
not pursued. We would be ir- by assimilating and living well
reversibly handicapped if the the social and communion aspect
working principle of our life of our life!
does not include this truth, or In fact, we are not meant to be
treats it only marginally. social only in this life, but also in
As persons, our individuality our definitive, eternal life. This
is not supposed to contradict is where the social nature of our
our sociability and our life of life goes even deeper to reach
communion. While distinct from the level of communion of saints,
each other, they are meant to go where we enter into the lives of
together. They can only prosper each one of us by overcoming the
that way, since one without the barriers of time, space and even
other necessarily compromises death itself.
our life. This is made possible only
In short, we would compro- in God. Through his Spirit, we
digital age
receive all the good meant for
us individually and collectively.
That´s why our Catechism again
teaches that—
“Since all the faithful form one
body, the good of each is com-
municated to the others... We
must therefore believe that there
exists a communion of goods in
the Church. But the most impor-
tant member is Christ, since he
is the head...
“Therefore, the riches of Christ
are communicated to all mem-
bers through the sacraments. As
this Church is governed by one
and the same Spirit, all the goods
she has received necessarily be-
come a common fund.” (947)
There are many aspects of this
communion of saints which we
cannot tackle in this present col-
umn. But I invite everyone to study
them on his own. There’s “commu-
nion in holy things,” “communion
among holy persons,” “commu-
nion in the faith,” “communion of
the sacraments,” etc.
These are no theories, but
spiritual and supernatural truths
that need to be approached by
faith, and not only by reason or
the senses. Let’s try use all our
human resources to go deep into
these realities.
Lately, for example, I was
amazed to learn new things
regarding the digital culture
that can be useful to our social
and communion life. It’s well-
known that many of us get eas-
ily hooked into the computer,
internet, Facebook, etc.
Someone explained to me that
this is because people now fall
into a new technology-generated
phenomenon, the NIS or the
neural inter-active simulation. In
layman´s language, people now
live in a virtual reality that often
absorbs us that getting out from
there would require tremendous
will-power and effort.
Obviously, there is something
dangerous in this new develop-
ment, but we cannot deny that
it also offers us new benefits.
The challenge now is how to
humanize and Christianize it,
so that it can really contribute
to our betterment, especially in
the area of our social and com-
munion life.
My opinion as of now is that
we really need to help one anoth-
er so that we can develop the ap-
propriate guidelines and norms
of prudence. This is still much of
a virgin forest to be explored and
made use of. The learning curve
will have to be experienced. But
we should go on with it because
it is a good tool, if used properly,
to live communion.
room of the dying they were the living image of Jesus Christ
among us. There was no mistaking it; no denying it.
Father Larry entered Teeny’s room, greeted in a formal yet
kind manner the parents and siblings, and stepped to the head
of the bed to perform his duty. First, the Prayers for the Dying,
so simple yet true. These are not the words you would ordinar-
ily read for consolation, calling to mind death and judgment.
But in the context of the absolute, irreversible, incontestable
fact of a loved one’s death, they are most consoling, indeed.
Although the Church is often accused of failing to get its mes-
sage out in an updated idiom to the modern world, when it
comes to life’s final moments, the Church knows exactly what
to say. It has the only words that matter.
Father Larry then took out a little round container with
holy oil for anointing. Just a dip of a thumb pad was enough
as he applied the chrism to her forehead. There was a definite
power in the act, a hushed but perceptible rush of healing
and strength. This is how the Holy Spirit works among us, I
thought – strong and silent, yet perceptible to those with the
eyes of faith.
Then Father said the words that brought heaven to earth:
“We are looking at someone who in a few hours will see the
face of God.”
The somber mood in the room turned to one of hope—even
quiet joy. There was a realization that Teeny, whom we would
rightly mourn, was actually blessed, and running ahead of
us. She had stepped off the fast track of life for a 44-year-old
single professional woman, and made it to the finish line first.
Everyone there had to think about his or her own direction in
life, and how best to meet death as a gateway to heaven.
I am not one to proclaim every departed person a saint, as
we hear too often in the eulogies of funeral Masses these days.
Yet we must trust in the promises of our faith to think that
this was, indeed, a holy death. Teeny had gone to Confession
while she could speak, received Communion while she could
swallow, and was anointed in her final hours. She was not only
prepared in her heart to meet God, she was made ready by the
sacraments of the Church and the prayers of her loved ones.
May we all be so blessed at the hour of our death.

By the Roadside / A4

has overlooked the times of ignorance,
but now he demands that all people
repent” (Acts 17:30).
Catholic Catechism teaches that
penance means an interior movement
of a “contrite heart” (Ps 51:19). It’s not
purely our act. It’s a response to the ac-
tion of grace in our hearts, drawing us to
the love of God. Because we are drawn
to the splendor of God’s love, we real-
ize the horror of our sins and how the
horror is so real in the destruction they
bring us. Sin exacts both external and
internal destruction. The sin of corrup-
tion, for example, destroys justice in our
land. It creates massive poverty, home-
lessness, joblessness, gross inequality
and hopelessness. But it also destroys
the inner peace of the person who
commits corruption, no matter how
successfully he hides it from others. The
person who commits adultery destroys
the unity and peace of his/her family,
but he also ruins his own peace and
damages his/her union with his/her
spouse. The public official who betrays
the public trust by engaging in self-
serving transactions and using power
to hide the fact destroys the sanctity of
people’ confidence in their government
leaders and, again, the serenity of his/
her own conscience.
Penance to be genuine expresses itself
not only in terms of sorrow and abhor-
rence of sin. It also leads the disciple to
the wisdom and necessity of restoring
what he/she damaged or taken away
as well as the firm resolve not to sin
again in the future. Let’s take the bomb
analogy. Suppose we are soldiers and
we know completely how a bomb can
destroy life and property. But in battle
we get careless and a bomb explodes in
the vicinity without our taking proper
precautions. The result is, we get hit.
Fortunately we survive and we vow
never again to expose ourselves to
the dangers of a bomb. Sin is the true
spiritual bomb. Real penance entails
that we not only know its dangers but
also that we altogether get rid of sin in
our lives so as not to expose ourselves
to spiritual death.
However, there’s one caveat. We
don’t get rid of sin by our own efforts
alone. Christians are not Pelagians
(people who thought that human be-
ings can, by their own power, overcome
evil and sin). It is through the Holy
Spirit, the fruit of Jesus Christ’s work
of redemption, freely given to us who
believe, that we are empowered to rise
from sin and fight to win over sin and
its manifestations. That’s God’s grace
at work.
Renewal
Penance cannot stand alone. The
fight against sin and its manifestations
and consequences must have only one
outcome—victory. This can only be
assured by the action of Jesus the Re-
deemer himself. His victory becomes
our own when through the Holy Spirit
we renounce sin and undertake a new
life powered by his resurrection. St.
Peter, the first pope, reminds us of the
power of Christ’s resurrection to give
us a new birth. “Blessed be the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in
his mercy gave us a new birth to a living
hope through the resurrection of Jesus
Christ” (1 Pt 1:3).
Our renewal is based on this living
hope born of the resurrection of Jesus.
St. Paul distinguishes the point from
which we need to depart and the point
to which we need to arrive as far as
renewal is concerned. The first is our
likeness to the first Adam, the latter,
our destination, is the likeness to the
second Adam, Jesus Christ risen from
the dead. We must leave Adam who
led us to the fall; on the other hand, we
must embrace Jesus Christ, the second
Adam, who brought us victory over sin
and death. “As was the earthly one, so
also the earthly, and as the heavenly
one, so also the heavenly. Just as we
have borne the image of the earthly one
(Adam), we shall also bear the image
of the heavenly one (Christ)” (1 Cor
15:48-49). In other words, because of
the resurrection of Jesus, we can be like
By the Roadside / A7
 Local News
CBCP Monitor
A6 Vol. 14 No. 23
November 8 - 21, 2010

CBCP official cites progress in deaf awareness AN official of the Catholic
Church’s health care ministry
reported dramatic progress has
been made in raising awareness
and sensitizing about the needs
of the handicapped people, es-
pecially the deaf.
Fr. Luke Moortgat said the
campaign and programs of the
church and various organiza-
tions is having a significant
impact, particularly in raising
awareness.
The country is currently
celebrating Deaf Awareness
Week aimed at bringing at-
tention to deaf people, their
language and culture, their
contributions to the society
and their issues.
It’s not yet enough but there is
progress,” Moorgat said.
The priest said it’s no secret
that the deaf people have been
oppressed, marginalized and
under-represented.
The executive secretary of the
Commission on Health Care of
the Catholic Bishops’ Conference
of the Philippines added that
their sign languages have been
oppressed for the use in their
education.
“But now, more places already
accept an interpreter to sign for
the deaf… it’s not enough but
there is progress, and with your
help, we’ll make more progress,”
said Moortgat.
The church official, however,
ridicule them. I’ve seen people
who are mentally retarded who
are being ridiculed and are be-
ing rejected form our society,”
he said.
For many years, Moortgat
devoted his time not just to
handicapped but also to those
with multiple disabilities, the
mentally ill and those dying in
the streets.
Sadly and so often, he said,
they are not cared for properly
and many people don’t know
how to attend to them.
Moortgat, meanwhile, called
on the deaf people to exert more
efforts in reframing perceptions
of deaf people, and adopting
linguistic and cultural model of

© Roy Lagarde / CBCP Media

The event also serves as an op-
portunity to enlighten the public
about deaf people and their com-
munity, said Moortgat.
“We’ve seen progress, more
Deaf girls use sign language to communicate with other people during the Deaf Awareness Week celebration held at the people are coming. We have
Quezon City Circle, Nov. 7, 2010
more deaf in the schools now.
lamented that the country still
has a long way to go in terms of
enlightening the public about the
blind and the mentally retarded
people.
“We do not have enough
services for the blind... people
the community.
“Don’t say you cannot talk…
do your work! Make this an in-
clusive society where everybody
respects everybody, where each
person respects for others,” he
said. (CBCPNews)

Pabillo backs Deles

Prelate clears priest on molestation charges
CACERES Archbishop Leonardo Z. Legaspi The investigation initiated by church “out of nowhere, the 17-year old boy comes

amid quit calls

has cleared a member of the archdiocesan authorities revealed a complaint made with forward complaining and accusing Msgr.
clergy from charges of molesting a teen-age police authorities of an alleged sexual offense Berina.”
boy in a local motel. committed against the complainant who “Apparently, Msgr. Berina is innocent
In a statement sent to CBCP Media Of- identified the alleged perpetrator through and the accusation against him is false and
fice, the 74-year old prelate said apparent the plate number of a car. fabricated,” Legaspi said.
MANILA Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo has sided with
attempts to destroy and discredit the church As the police performed follow-up inves- He vowed to look into the possibility that
Presidential peace adviser Secretary Teresita Ging Deles
have been made by some sectors and indi- tigation, it was learned the plate number some malicious ploy against the church and
amid calls for her resignation.
viduals. belonged to a car owned by one Msgr. Peter its priests has been launched.
Pabillo said the motive for her ouster is “political” and
“The accused priest and the Archdiocese Berina. It was Msgr. Berina’s driver who The prelate further said the Archdiocese
was clearly aimed at disrupting the Palace’s efforts in end-
of Caceres vehemently deny the said accusa- admitted using the car without the priest’s of Caceres is prepared to take appropriate
ing insurgency in Mindanao.
tion,” Legaspi said in his statement. knowledge and permission. The driver said legal action against the people behind in
“We are hoping that the peace process will be spared from
“We are saddened by the fact that this false he entered the motel with a female com- what he described as “defamatory accusa-
politicking but the need for peace process in the country,”
and malicious accusation is being made at panion on the date and time of the alleged tions.”
said Pabillo who chairs the social action arm of the Catholic
the time when our priests are having their incident. He likewise called on the faithful “to be
Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.
annual clergy retreat,” he added as he asked The same driver said Msgr. Berina was cautious and discerning, and ultimately take
Deles are facing ouster calls from some lawmakers after
the faithful for prayers at this time. nowhere near the place of the incident, but the side of the truth.” (Melo M. Acuna)
she allegedly insulted Lanao del Norte 2nd District Rep.
Fatima Aliah Dimaporo who questioned the agency’s pro-
grams in the agency’s budget hearing.
In supporting Dimaporo, Davao del Sur 1st District Rep.
Marc Douglas Cagas moved to cut the budget of the Office
Del Castillo must quit out of delicadeza—Archbishop Cruz
of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process to one peso SUPREME Court (SC) Justice also said that if the beleaguered
from the proposed P235 million in 2011. Mariano Del Castillo should court official is concerned with
But Deles said she has no plans of stepping down because resign for the sake of the insti- the SC and his fellow justices,
after all, she claimed, those against her are not solely coming tution and its other officials, a “out of delicadeza,” he must
from the Mindanao block of legislators. retired prelate said. resign.
Deles said she could easily vacate her post if it was only Archbishop Oscar Cruz, Le- “The resignation is in the
for her own sake. However, she said, there are many Mus- gal Office chairman of the spirit of delicadeza,” said
lim groups, civil society organizations who wanted her to Catholic Bishops’ Conference Cruz.
remain in office. of the Philippines, said Castillo Del Castillo is currently un-
Bishop Pabillo also said he trusts Deles “because she is should quit his post to salvage der fire for allegedly plagiariz-
working hard to pursue the peace initiative of the Aquino the credibility of the Higher ing a portion of the 1976 deci-
administration.” (CBCPNews) Tribunal. sion of the European Court of
Del Castillo, the prelate said, Human Rights in his ponencia
had been involved in at least in the Ang Ladlad case vs.

Former PAGASA chief

two cases of plagiarism which Comelec, promulgated on April
has already tainted the honor 8, 2010.
and integrity of the SC. Attorney Harry Roque’s ac-

leaves gov’t, country

“It is very bad for the honor cusation came on the heels of
and dignity of the SC…For the the controversy hounding Del
good of the whole, the sus- Castillo’s ruling in the case of
pected members should resign. Vinuya vs. Executive Secretary,
THE familiar face and voice seen and heard on television The SC must be above but mere which were also allegedly lifted
and radio during inclement weather will no longer be part of Cruz
suspicion,” said Cruz. without attribution to the origi-
weather reports within the next few years, if not forever. The former CBCP president nal authors. (CBCPNews)
The controversial meteorologist, Dr. Frisco Nilo, has left
the country on Nov. 2 for Australia, according to a text Travel / A1
message he sent to CBCPNews.
Canada, Australia and New Zealand have concern raised by Malacañang to prevent the and the faithful, especially in Mindanao, to
“I have opted for early retirement because the present
all the reasons to be wary because of non- people from panicking. be alert on the possible terrorist attack.
government did not stop marginalizing me,” the former
stop abduction of foreigners especially in But according to Bagaforo, it would be bet- Isabela Bishop Martin Jumoad, for his part,
PAGASA chief said.
Mindanao. ter for the government to coordinate with in- expressed alarm on the foreign assessment
It will be recalled Nilo was unceremoniously booted out
“Prevention is better than cure! Let us be ternational partners in countering terrorism. of the threat.
of his position for the “wrong forecast” of typhoon Basyang
very vigilant and security conscious,” said The said five countries issued travel He also called on his flocks to exercise
which caught President Benigno Aquino’s ire.
Bagaforo over Church-run Radio Veritas. advisories this week warning against pos- “extra precautionary measure” and report
He was replaced by Department of Science and Technol-
“The travel advisory could help the people sible terrorist attacks in Manila, and areas to the authorities any suspicious activity to
ogy’s Research and Development head Graciano P. Yumul,
to be more vigilant and prepared for any frequented by foreigners like malls, airports the authorities in support to their efforts to
Jr.
eventualities,” he added. and even places of worship. discover, track and disrupt terrorist activity.
Nilo, who holds a PhD in Meteorology from the Univer-
The prelate said he also understands the The church leader also called on the clergy (CBCPNews)
sity of the Philippines has been in government service for
the past 26 years.
The former PAGASA chief joins the ranks of another Layoff / A1
familiar media figure, Mr. Nathaniel Cruz, who earlier left Like Lagman, Baldoz said ability of its operations. the mass lay off staged a protest of more protests to come if the
PAGASA to seek greener pastures, literally and figuratively, that it is PAL’s “management The decision, however, earned rally in front of DOLE’s main of- government will not withdraw
in Australia. (CBCPNews) prerogative” to reorganize its the ire of the Palea members. fice in Intramuros, Manila. its decision in favor of the PAL
corporate structure for the vi- Workers who will be affected by The demonstrators also vowed management. (CBCPNews)

Conversion / A1

constant renewal of hearts and
minds by walking on the path
of penance and conversion,” said
Varquez.
The prelate made the state-
ment on Oct. 27 in his homily
during a Mass, signaling the start
of the 3rd Regional Youth Day in
Borongan.
Around 700 youth were in
attendance with participants
coming from different dioceses
in Central and Eastern Samar
regions.
Varquez said the three-day
gathering hopes to continue the
journey of the young faithful to
grow in faith.
The Diocese of Naval has “Young Visayans: Come to- great things in life which the Calbayog and Catarman.
topped the number of delegates gether, Share the Word, Live world cannot give. That is why The Borongan diocese had
with 42, followed by the Arch- the Eucharist.” we should seek him, seek his just celebrated its Golden Ju-
diocese of Cebu with 32 partici- “Our theme points to us the face in his Word and in the bilee on October 22 with Pope
pants. reality that it is only Jesus who Eucharist.” Benedict XVI’s representative
The bishop said that for the is the embodiment of all that Several other participants of to the country, Archbishop Ed-
youth to realize conversion is ‘true, good, wholesome, and the event come from Archdio- ward Joseph Adams, and other
effectively, the answer lies in beautiful,’” he added. cese of Palo and the dioceses of Filipino bishops in attendance.
the theme of the gathering: “He alone can give us the Dumaguete, Tagbilaran, Maasin, (CBCPNews)

Lay / A1
the womb” and the enemy brings death
through abortion, contraception, steriliza-
tion and through embryonic stem cells,
euthanasia and assisted suicide and life’s
degradation through corruption, poverty,
and environmental destruction.
Strengthen ‘pro-life’ movement
Padilla called on the participants to
recognize the need to be informed and
equipped and know the ways of the en-
emy and see clearly the need to develop
one’s competencies and strategies.
He said one of the weaknesses of the
“pro-life movement” is the disunity and
lack of collaboration.
He encouraged the participants to be
“continually renewed in spirit” because
“we not only do good works but we
develop a vibrancy of faith.”
Lawyer Romulo Macalintal, mean-
while, said they will be doing their share
to strengthen the campaign against
RH bill.
In a Nov. 9, forum, Macalintal showed
the media some posters of different de-
signs which he brought from Vancouver
in Canada where he attended a “pro-
life” convention recently.
Macalintal said they will be replicated
in the country and will be distributed to
different provinces.
One poster titled “facts of life” de-
picts a 5-day old fetus which looks like
a “dot” but “already has a life and so
that’s why we have to care for it.”
“We don’t have the right to kill un-
born babies,” said Macalintal, a lector
of the Last Supper of Our Lord Parish
in Las Piñas City.
Other posters carry signs like “This
is a child, not a choice,” and “Abortion
stops a beating heart.”
Macalintal called on the parents and
those supporting the advocacy against
artificial contraception to act boldly to
stop the passage of the RH bill.
“All pro-lifers should make these kinds
of posters so that we will be able to empha-
size the value of human life,” he said.
The known election lawyer said the
people should do their own share and
must not just rely on the Catholic hier-
archy in fighting RH bill.
“Let’s show them (RH bill supporters)
that this is not just a fight of the church
but of the lay people,” said Macalintal.
Prayer Vigil
Organized by the Sangguniang Laiko
ng Pilipinas, the Nov. 20 prayer vigil
called “Prayers and Reflections on Hu-
man Life” will be held at the Manila
Cathedral from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Laiko National president Edgardo Ti-
rona said now is the time for the laity to
defend the Catholic faith “against those
who are trying to propagate the culture
of death in the guise of alleviating the
lives” of the poor.
“As a Church, we cannot just be com-
placent and allow this insidious attempt
to ruin the moral and spiritual fabric of
our society,” Tirona said.
The prayer assembly will also serve
as a spiritual prelude to a prayer vigil in
defense of life called by Pope Benedict
XVI on Nov. 27.
The pontiff has earlier called on all
Catholics to join the prayer vigil for “All
Nascent of Human Life” on the eve of
the first Sunday of Advent which will be
celebrated in all dioceses and parishes.
Tirona urged all lay organizations to
participate in both activities and affirm
their “commitment to the sacredness of
family and life.”
RH bill mandates the dispensing of
artificial birth control, including poten-
tial abortifacients.
The bill requires the government to
guarantee wide access to reproductive
health care services, methods, devices,
and supplies to the people.
The proposed measure also pushes
the use of “modern” methods of family
planning, including condoms, birth con-
trol pills, intra-uterine devices (IUDs),
and injectables.
In a country where government
hospitals have long been dealing with
scarce equipment and medicines, the
bill categorizes artificial family planning
supplies as “essential medicines.” (with
reports from Roy Lagarde)
 Diocesan News
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 23
November 8 - 21, 2010
A7

Prelate sees hope for farmers engaged

in sustainable agriculture BUTUAN City—Poor farmers
in Butuan can pin their hopes
in sustainable agriculture to
augment their livelihood as the
diocese embarked on a project
to propagate the new concept
in farming.
Butuan Bishop Juan de Dios
Pueblos said the training on
sustainable agriculture provides
farmers with newer insights
on farming methods, labor-
intensive chores but with lesser
capital outlays.
The 68-year old prelate said
while farmers learn newer and
more feasible farming tech-
niques, their wives also take part
in livelihood programs. With
wives earning additional income
for the family, they are more
respected and treated equally by
their husbands.
“We are not only concerned
with the augmentation of their
income but [also] their family
life,” he emphasized.
The project, which utilizes
organic materials in rice produc-
tion, is being funded by Misereor,
a development agency under the
auspices of the German Catholic
Bishops Organization.
Pueblos said the Bishops-Busi-
nessmen’s Conference through
businessman Jose Concepcion,
Jr. has expressed interest in
training poor farmers get highly-
AGRI-GOVERNANCE. Mayor Jun Pacalioga of Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur stresses on the importance of shifting to
organic agriculture during the recent Rice-Duck Farming Visitation in his municipality. Many dioceses, like Butuan and Cal-
priced premium agriculture
bayog in partnership with other institutions, are helping farmers shift into organic farming. (Photo by BONG D. FABE) programs.
“Farmers ceased to borrow
money from loan sharks as more
and more farmers expressed
interest in sustainable agricul-
ture,” the prelate said.
A three-hectare sustainable
agriculture “laboratory” in Ba-
rangay Pigdaulan which con-
tinued to attract farmers from
various villages and other parts
of Mindanao, utilizes organic
materials and very feasible tech-
nologies in rice production, hog
and goat raising, poultry-raising
and the introduction of fresh
water culture of a number of
fish species.
The facility hosted some 300
farmers from all over Mindanao
some three or four years ago
as the National Secretariat of
Social Action, Justice and Peace
assisted by the Department of
Agriculture seriously consid-
ered introducing sustainable
agriculture in various parts of
the country.
One of the farm’s trusted
“teachers” is Nelson Ordista, a
B.S. Criminology graduate who
finds it more beneficial to work
in the farm than pursue a profes-
sional career in government.
Asked how he got involved in
the demonstration farm run by
the Diocese of Butuan, Ordista
said he was first invited in 2005
to take part in the training and
began using the technology
he acquired in his own family
farm.
“I learned a lot from the train-
ings I had under Misereor and
when I applied the technology to
our family-owned farm, I opted
to return and acquire more skills
in agriculture,” he said.
He is tasked to oversee the
goat, poultry and carabao-raising
activities along with fresh-water
fish culture and composting uti-
lizing vermiculture.
Utilizing what Pueblos called
“Korean technology,” the pig-
gery housing eight heads and
some ten piglets does not emit
foul odor.
The prelate is thankful to
Misereor, which hopes the tech-
nology they introduced to poor
farmers would at least allevi-
ate or help them move out of
poverty.
“The profit for farmers en-
gaged in organic farming will
increase because they will no
longer be dependent on chemical
and commercial fertilizers and
pesticides,” Pueblos explained.
Farmers who have undergone
training at the facility are being
subjected to follow-up visits by
their coordinators and are asked
of problems they encounter in
their production.
The challenged being faced by
the sustainable agriculture tech-
nicians is how to survive without
further funding from Misereor
as the agency has shifted its at-
tention to some other projects
outside the Philippines. (Melo
M. Acuña)

Calbayog diocese, DA forge Briefing

sustainable agriculture program
CALBAYOG City—The Diocese of
Calbayog and the Department of
Agriculture have come up with key
commitments to promoting sustainable
agriculture development.
This developed during the recent
inauguration of the Social Action Cen-
ter Diocesan Demo Farm, which is a
recipient of the DA’s P9 million Green
House Project.
The special grant is expected to en-
hance the government program for food
security through assisting the needs of
Lost / A1
our institutions, including
Congress,” Rosales said
earning applause from the
audience.
Sanction
RH bill proponents are
suppressing vital informa-
tion about the controversial
reproductive health (RH)
bill, retired Cebu Archbish-
op Ricardo Cardinal Vidal
said.
On the sidelines of the
conference, Vidal said that
aside from pushing the use
of contraceptives to control
the country’s population, the
bill also seeks to “silence”
those who are against it.
“If it will be passed as a
law, we, bishops, will be
jobless. We cannot preach
against it anymore because
the church will be silenced
due to sanctions,” said Vid-
al.
“One sanction stated there
is that if it becomes a law,
anybody who would speak
against it will be fined or put
into prison… I have read the
bill. It’s very clear there.”
A copy of the proposed
measure states that among
the provisions is penalizing
those doing malicious disin-
formation of the bill.
It further states that the
Capiz clergy holds medical mission
ROXAS City—Hundreds of families here received bundles of joy,
free medical consultations and medicines. The medical mission was
the rural farmers. The Diocesan Demo Farm is located organized by the clergy of the Immaculate Conception Metropolitan
During the inauguration, Calbayog in Brgy Limarayon, in Oquendo District, Cathedral on Oct. 21 to 22 at the 3rd floor of the cathedral rectory. Fr.
Bishop Isabelo Abarquez formally ac- few kilometers away from Calbayog Job Bolivar, cathedral rector, said at least four volunteer doctors, who
cepted the partnership program with City. are eye, ear, nose and throat (EENT) specialists, came all the way from
state-of-the-art facilities for sustainable Cañeda, for his part, lauded the Metro Manila to Roxas City to help in the medical mission. (Bienvenido
agriculture. diocese specifically its social action P. Cortes)
DA Regional Director Leo Cañeda ministry for its component program on
was also present during the turnover sustainable and organic farming. Lipa holds prayer rally in defense of life
ceremony organized by the diocese. He mentioned that the Limarayon LIPA City—To express their indignation over efforts to introduce arti-
In attendance were other DA regional Green House of the Diocese of Cal- ficial methods of contraception and sex education among the country’s
and provincial officials, LGU and ba- bayog is now the DA’s biggest Green young adolescents, the Archdiocese of Lipa held a Marian Prayer Rally
rangay officials, as well as groups of House Farm facility in Region VIII. for Life on November 6 at the Lipa Youth and Cultural Center attended
various local farmers. (CBCPNews) by the archdiocese’s lay organizations, Catholic schools, the clergy and
religious communities. The rally concluded with a Eucharistic Mass at
the San Sebastian Cathedral at 3:00 led by Archbishop Ramon Arguelles.
(Melo M. Acuña)
offenders faces imprison- Dialogue would take place, the prel-
ment ranging from one to The Catholic Bishops’ ate said it has yet to be San Jose Diocese to hold first synod
six months, or a fine ranging Conference of the Philip- scheduled and they hope SAN JOSE City—The Diocese of San Jose de Nueva Ecija is set to hold
from P10,000 to P50,000, or pines will consult legal and to present the issue of RH its first synod to assess the local church’s meaningful accomplishments
both. medical experts as it gears on the aspects of demogra- and chart future plans and programs to ably respond to the changing
Vidal said RH bill propo- for a dialogue with Mala- phy, economics, legal and times. Dubbed as “Sinodo ng Mabuting Katiwala,” the Synod will be held
nents are suppressing the cañang on its population medical. from March 20-26, 2011 and will be attended by members of the clergy,
truth to paint themselves in policy. Odchimar admitted that representatives of religious men and women and selected leaders from
the best possible light. Bishop Nereo Odchimar, despite their efforts to es- the laity. (Melo M. Acuna)
“I don’t like to judge but CBCP President, said they tablish communication lines
that is the fact that they do would have to get the assis- with Aquino, this does not Migrante-ME warns of arbitrary raids in Saudi
not bring to the open,” he tance of lawyers and medical mean that everything would QUEZON City—Migrante Middle East has sounded the alarm over
told reporters at the 17th practitioners to seek their be fine. arbitrary raids in Saudi, in guise of the Kingdom’s anti-drug campaign,
Asia-Pacific Congress on opinion on reproductive He said the real fight is but only to crackdown illegal or undocumented migrant workers staying
Faith and Family in Makati health. at the House Representa- there. Migrante-ME regional coordinator John Monterona said they have
City. “We bishops are aware of tives and acknowledged been receiving several requests for assistance from families of OFWs who
Vidal said bishops and our limitations. Since our that there is an increase in have been arrested for allegations of possession of illegal or regulated
priests would be willing to major line is on morality, the number of lawmakers drugs. (Noel Sales Barcelona)
go to jail when the measure we would be enlisting help supporting the proposed re-
is enacted into law. from the lay people who productive health bill which
Bishop scores prayerful lotto bettors
“What am I going to do? would be with us represent- seeks to promote the use of
CALOOCAN City— Invoking God to win lotto and other forms of
Do you mean to say I will be ing their specific expertise,” contraceptives.
gambling for that matter is a ‘defective’ practice of religiosity, Bishop
silent already? I cannot do said Odchimar. But he said that whatever
Deogracias Iñiguez said. Gambling, he said, is incompatible with Chris-
that because I have to preach “This is also a presenta- the outcome, the Catholic
tianity and invoking God of good luck is flawed. “It’s sort of not exactly
about the 5th commandment tion that the majority of the Church would continue
right because there’s a right way of expressing spirituality and religious
of God: Thou shall not kill,” church in the Philippines is fighting for the protection
sentiments. It’s a defect,” he said. The prelate was reacting to reports
said the Cardinal. composed of lay people… of life.
that some bettors pray hard inside churches for signs so they could pick
RH bill author and House so that would be a concerted “For us it does not mat-
the winning combination in the lotto draw. (CBCPNews)
Minority Leader Edcel Lag- presentation of the position ter, whether we win or lose,
man, meanwhile, accused of the church not only by the we still have to preach the
the Catholic hierarchy of CBCP, but in the totality,” he gospel (and) preach the Aquino scored for apathetic stance on peace talks
running a black propaganda pointed out. position of the Catholic ANTIPOLO City—An Aglipayan priest scored President Aquino for
against RH bill. Odchimar told reporters Church so that it might not his alleged arrogance and non-committal stance towards resuming the
The Albay congressman on Nov. 6, the start of the be said that if the RH bill impending peace talks between the Philippine government and the
claimed that bishops are three-day 17th Asia-Pacific would pass, it is because National Democratic Front. Fr. Dionito Cabillas of the Samahan ng mga
only seeing “phantom Congress on Faith, Life and the bishops did not do any- Ex-detainees Laban sa Detensiyon at Aresto (Selda) said Aquino’s in-
jailers” as no one will be Family, held at the Dusit thing, that the bishops did difference is hindering the release of all political prisoners (PPs) in the
jailed for opposing the Thani Hotel in Makati City. not speak out” he added. country. (Noel Sales Barcelona)
RH bill. Asked when the dialogue (CBCPNews)

By the Roadside / A5 Cogito / A5 Marine / A1

Jesus himself. The image of Jesus the
Risen Lord is our hope for real change
that truly conquers evil, sin and death
that stalk our islands like perpetually
menacing shadows.
How can the power of the resurrection
of Jesus be relevant to our need for a
new Philippines where we are renewed
as disciples, as a parish, as a diocese, as
a society, as a people? From a Christian
point of view the Spirit of the Risen Lord
will become the real source of our trans-
formation as individuals and as com-
munities from people being driven by
selfishness, greed and disunity to God’s
People in whom righteousness reigns.
“For his sake I have accepted the loss of
all things and I consider them so much
rubbish, that I may gain Christ…not hav-
ing any righteousness of my own…but
that which comes through faith in Christ,
the righteousness from God, depending
on faith, to know him and the power of
his resurrection…” (Phil 3:8-10).
Righteousness powered by the resur-
rection? This is the working principle of
individual and social renewal. It simply
means that my whole life, my whole self
and my acts are being suffused by light,
not by darkness, and that, as a society,
we allow ourselves to be led by the Holy
Spirit, not by the spirit of the world.
It means, as St. Paul further instructs
the Philippian Christians—isn’t it a
wonder that ‘Philippian’ and Filipino
are from the same root?—that we are
deeply concerned with “whatever is
true, whatever is honorable, whatever
is just, whatever is pure, whatever is
lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is
any excellence and if there is anything
worthy of praise…” (Phil 4:8). and always, until the end of time.”
true humanity.”
A priest’s life still has a future because
people will always need God to give
meaning to their existence. People will
still priests because they will always
need God. “Where people no longer per-
ceive 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.”
Lastly, priests still have a future because,
as the Pope rightly observes, “God is alive,
and he needs people to serve him and bring him
to others.” Perhaps, this is something that
seminarians must reflect every day. God
needs you to bring Him to others. Psy-
chologists say that one of man’s deepest
needs is the need to be needed. Well, here
it is: “It does make sense to become a priest: the
world needs priests, pastors, today, tomorrow
“It is okay as long as they follow
the rule of law, they respect every-
body, there will be no sacred cows
and they will uphold the law,” said
Jumoad.
The AFP completed over the week-
end the pullout of the 1st Marine
Brigade in Isabela, Basilan and will
be transferred to Central Mindanao,
stronghold of the Moro Islamic Lib-
eration Front (MILF).
The marine brigade will be re-
placed in Basilan by the same num-
ber of troops from the Special Op-
erations Task Force (SOTF) of the
Army’s Special Operations Com-
mand (Socom).
On Nov. 2, a military officer, who
refused to be named, warned of pos-
sible attacks by Abu Sayyaf bandits
and rogue MILF members because of
the marine pullout.
He said this move of the AFP might
allow the said groups to escape from
their containment area and carry out
atrocities. (CBCPNews)
Flood / A1
relief goods like canned goods, rice,
and canned goods to families who
been flooded out of their homes and
have nothing to eat,” Talamayan
said.
The prelate said local the govern-
ment and the Department of Social
Welfare and Development are also
leading the relief operations there.
As of Saturday, he said, many fam-
ilies were still sleeping on rooftops
because of the high water in some
areas in Tuguegarao. (CBCPNews)
 A8 People, Facts & Places CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 23
November 8 - 21, 2010

Philippine bishops to visit Pope

FILIPINO Catholic prelates will
head off to Rome starting next
month for their “ad limina”
visit”– during which they must
account for themselves to Vati-
can departments and the Pope.
Msgr. Juanito Figura, Secre-
tary General of Catholic Bishops’
Conference of the Philippines,
said the visit is a chance for the
prelates to report developments
and concerns of their respective
dioceses.
“It’s called quinquennial visit ad
limina apostolorum wherein the
bishops will meet the pope and
report on the state of their dioceses
Pope Benedict XVI is also ex-
pected to give his address to the
visiting members of the Philip-
pine bishops’ collegial body.
According to Figura, those
who would have the chance to
visit the pontiff include all the
98 active CBCP members which
were divided into three groups.
The first batch, composed of
prelates coming from 30 eccle-
siastical jurisdictions in Metro
Manila, and Central and North-
ern Luzon, is scheduled on Nov.
25 to Dec.6, 2010.
It will be followed on Feb.7 to
19, 2011 by all bishops assigned

© Roy Lagarde / CBCP Media

or prelatures,” Figura said.
“Aside from that they are
also encouraged to visit the
various dicasteries or offices of
the Roman Curia… the Sacred
Congregations and the Pontifical
Councils,” he added.
in the Bicol region, Visayas and
the Military Ordinariate.
The last batch to visit Rome
are bishops from Mindanao
including the Archbishop of
Lipa on Feb. 21 to March 5, 2011.
(CBCPNews)

Archbishop Capalla submits resignation to Pope ARCHBISHOP Fernando Capalla of
the Archdiocese of Davao announced
on Nov. 1 that he already submitted his
resignation to Pope Benedict XVI.
Canon law requires that bishops sub-
mit their resignations when they reach
their 75th year, the bishop said.
As Nov. 1 was his 76th birthday,
Capalla said he already sent his letter
last year through Archbishop Edward
Joseph Adams, the apostolic nuncio to
the Philippines.
However, this doesn’t mean that
FILE PHOTO
He said such resignation is not auto-
matic as there would still be a process
of finding his replacement.
Until the Holy Father assigns another
bishop to the archdiocese, Capalla will
continue to actively fulfill the responsi-
bilities of the post as he has been doing
for the past 14 years.
“The good American monsignor (Ad-
ams) clarified that the actual process of
selection would start on the first semes-
ter of 2011 so until then I would still be
your bishop,” Capalla said.
celebration at the San Alfonso Maria de
Liguori Parish at Greenhills, Buhangin,
in Davao City.
Archbishop Capalla, who served as
CBCP president from 2003 to 2005, is
known for his advocacy in promoting
interreligious dialogue and attaining
peace in war-torn Mindanao.
Among his notable achievements was
the convening of the Bishops-Ulama
Conference, a dialogue forum consist-
ing of Mindanao Catholic prelates,
Muslim religious leaders and Protestant
mon commitment to the peace process
in Southern Philippines.
At present, he is a member of the
Vatican-based Pontifical Council for
Interreligious Dialogue since 1988. He is
also an Honorary President of the World
Conference on Religion and Peace.
His campaign for peace has also
earned him several national awards
such as the San Lorenzo Ruiz Award
for Peace and Unity in 1991, Public
Service Award for Peace from the
Ateneo de Manila University in 1998

Capalla will be leaving the bishops’ The former president of the Catholic bishops. and the Aurora Aragon Quezon Peace
residence down F. Torres Street from the Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines In the spirit of interreligious dialogue, Award for this initiative in 2000.
Cathedral of San Pedro just yet. made the statement during his birthday the religious leaders affirm their com- (CBCPNews)

Manila archdiocese holds Marian exhibit

A MARIAN exhibit showcasing
older centers of devotion on the
Blessed Virgin within the Arch-
diocese of Manila was recently
opened at the archdiocesan’s
museum.
Titled “Mahal na Birhen: the
Veneration of Mary in Manila”,
the exhibit is being held until
Nov. 20 at the main hall of the
Museo ng Arkidiyosesis ng May-
nila (MANA) on the 3rd floor of
the Arzobispado de Manila in
Intramuros.
According to the archdiocesan
website, on display are prints
and images of venerated Marian
titles located in churches within
the archdiocese.
los Remedios in Malate, Nuestra
Sra. de la Consolacion y Correa
in Intramuros, Nuestra Sra. de
Loreto in Sampaloc and Nuestra
Sra. del Pilar in Sta. Cruz.
The Marian prints and images,
in a limited series of 20, were
done by artist-members of the
Printmakers Association of the
Philippines (PAP) headed by Ms.
Victoria Abaño.
According to MANA direc-
tor Fr. Albert Flores, the exhibit
“presents some aspects of the
veneration of Mary in Manila
that manifests the special close-
ness to our Lady that has marked
Philippine Catholic life since
the early evangelization by the
these titles”, he further said.
Manila Auxiliary Bishop Ber-
nardino Cortez formally opened
the exhibit assisted by Fr. Flores
and Ms. Abaño, with the partici-
pating artists in attendance.
An added feature to the event
was a special performance of the
Liturgikon Vocal Ensemble of
the University of Santo Tomas.
Rachy Cuna, a designer and
one of the commissioners of the
Manila Archdiocesan Commis-
sion for the Cultural Heritage of
the Church (MACC), helped in
putting up the exhibits.
PAP president Ms. Abaño said
that “their group’s collaboration
with the MANA on the exhibit
www.RCAM.org

The Marian devotions include Spanish missionaries to the pres- shows the role that art has al-
Nuestra Sra. de Guia in Ermita, ent time.” ways played in the Church’s pro-
Nuestra Sra. de los Desampara- The exhibit also aims to “pro- motion of devotion and prayer.”
dos in Sta. Ana, Nuestra Sra. de mote devotion to Mary under (CBCPNews)

Capiz hosts regional gathering of seminarians

Markings
INAUGURATED. Office of the CBCP’s Permanent Committee for the Cul-
AROUND 300 college seminar-
ians and 29 priest-formators
from the ecclesiastical provinces
of Jaro, Kalibo, Antique, Bacolod
, Kabankalan, San Carlos , and
tion among various seminaries
in Region VI.
With the theme, “Pilosopiyang
Pinoy, Uso Pa Ba?,” this year’s
assembly will be highlighted by
18 at 6 p.m. to be held at the
historic Church of Santa Monica
in Panay
On November 29, Kabankalan
Bishop Patricio Buzon, SDB will
Concepcion is also expected to
lead the 6:30 p.m. solemn ves-
pers at the seminary chapel on
November 19.
Panay parish priest Msgr.
tural Heritage of the Church, October 27, 2010, at the CBCP Compound, Capiz are set to gather for the a philosophical conference to be preside and preach the Eucharist Benjamin Advincula and Mayor
Intramuros, Manila. The agency is mandated to superintend all the restora- 10th Philosophy Gathering for conducted by Bro. Romualdo at the Chapel of Sancta Maria Dante Bermejo will lead the
tion, preservation of all heritage churches in the country and their adjunct Western Visayas on November Abulad, S.V.D, Ph.D. Mater et Regina Seminarium people in welcoming the college
structures. PCCHH Executive Secretary Fr. Ted Torralba said the opening of
an office is a major milestone for PCCHH, noting that there is an “augmenta- 18-20, 2010. Abulad is the chair of the Phi- in Cagay, Roxas City; while seminarians from Region VI on
tion” of their work especially with the entry of an accord between the Holy Hosting the event will be the losophy Department of the Uni- Jaro Auxiliary Bishop Gerardo November 18 at 4:30 p.m. The
See and the Philippine government on the care for old churches. PCCHH Sancta Maria Mater et Regina Semi- versity of San Carlos, Cebu, and Alminaza will lead the closing seminarians will also be treated
chairman and Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Julio Cortes led the blessing of their narium of the Archdiocese of Capiz a known proponent of Filipino liturgy on November 20 at 6:30 with a short historical tour of
new office located at the second floor inside the CBCP main headquarters
in Intramuros, Manila. Among those who graced the simple occasion were in Brgy. Cagay, Roxas City. Philosophy in the country. a.m. at the the seminary chapel Capiz and a mini sportsfest.
CBCP’s secretary general Msgr. Juanito Figura and assistant secretary gen- The seminary has prepared Capiz Archbishop Onesimo in Cagay. The parish of Santa Monica
eral Msgr. Joselito Asis. Ms. Elvira Go, who was appointed by Pope Benedict several activities that will foster Gordoncillo will be the main Rt. Rev. Msgr. Vicente Hilata, will also tender a dinner for all
XVI as auditor of the Synod on the Word of God in Rome and founder of the not just vocation to the priest- presider and preacher at the vicar general of Capiz and rec- the participants after the Holy
National Catholic Family Bible Quiz was also in attendance.
hood but also academic coopera- opening liturgy on November tor of Colegio dela Purisima Mass. (Fr. Regie Pamposa)
ELEVATED. St. Jude Thad-
deus Archdiocesan Shrine into

Borongan ‘Catholic TV’ goes on air

a National Shrine by Manila
Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal
Rosales during a concelebrated
Mass held on October 28, 2010.
Located at J.P. Laurel Street in
San Miguel, Manila, St. Jude
Shrine draws devotees from all “BORONGAN Catholic TV 13” is cable TV channel which is currently under the Gospel to local viewers.
walks of life, who ask for favors the name of a new cable television test broadcast. “The goal is to make good use of the
and other graces from the patron
saint of impossible cases. The channel managed by the Diocese of Borongan Bishop Crispin Varquez said mass media in order to accomplish the
first devotion to St. Jude was in- Borongan. the project was made to reach Catholics and mission of the Church in evangelization,”
troduced in 1959 by SVD priests Over the years, the diocese has been others searching for Christ. said Varquez.
Fr. Peter Tsao and Fr. Peter Yang. quick to adopt new technologies in its “Our mission is to reach out to the people The prelate added the creation of the
The number of devotees grew
in number through the years efforts to communicate with the people and others who are searching for meaning community channel was made possible
as news of numerous petitions and the wider community. in their lives or who have left the Church through the help and funding of Ay
granted by the saint circulated This included its account over social because they are confused,” Varquez said. Borongan Association, a group of Boron-
among parishioners. networking sites such as Facebook and The broadcasts, hosted by local cable TV ganons working in the US.
DIED. Fr. Stephen Baumbusch, 53, rector of Twitter which began early this year. In company will be aired seven days a week, The organization was born out of the
the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions 1991 the diocese has launched a 5KW 18 hours a day from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 mid- need of Boronganons residing in the
(PIME) seminary in Tagaytay City. Fr. Baum- AM radio station. night. tristate area of New York, New Jersey
busch was drowned while swimming with On October 21, the diocese, through its The community channel will soon feature and Connecticut and neighboring states,
a group of seminarians in Lubang island,
Mindoro, on October 28, 2010. Although an
Commission on Mass Media and Com- talk shows and other programs that would to coordinate the yearly preparations for
expert swimmer, the priest was swept away munications, launched its community inform and bring transformative power of the Borongan fiesta. (CBCPNews)
by a strong current and not able to make it to
the shore. The seminarians already reached
the beach when they realized their rector
was not with them. Baumbusch’s lifeless
body was found by a fisherman in the morn-
ing of October 30. The priest was on holiday
Pro-life Phils to hold seminar on true love, sexual abstinence
with the seminarians and had gone to visit Fr. A SEMINAR on the meaning of Foundation as part of its educa- pines’ Youth Coordinator and rishioners, teachers and guid-
Gian Carlo Bossi and Fr. Carrara in Lubang true love and the value of absti-
Island when the tragic accident happened.
tion and training activities. CFC-FFL’s International Coor- ance counsellors.
Born on December 23, 1956 in Ohio, USA, Fr. Baumbusch entered the PIME nence aimed at helping young Themed “True Love Waits… dinator for Kids and Life, will The seminar will be from
seminary in Newark in 1970. He was ordained priest on June 25, 1983 and people commit in a relationship Uso Pa Ba?”, the half-day semi- give a talk on how to make wise 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Par-
taught at Newark seminary for 6 years. He was later appointed superior of free of immorality will be held nar will discuss means on help- decisions when confronted with ticipants will be asked to pay
the Region of the United States, dealing with the formation of seminarians. at the Pope Pius Catholic XII ing young people enter into a “dilemmas involving love and
In 1998, he was assigned in PIME mission post in Mindanao, and later to
a registration fee of P300.00
Paranaque in the parish of Mary Queen of the Apostles. He was appointed Center on November 20. relationship while upholding relationships”. that would include snack, one
rector in Tagaytay in May 2009. The seminar is being orga- sexual abstinence. Expected to attend are young seminar kit and a certificate.
nized by Pro-Life Philippines Xavier Padilla, Pro-Life Philip- people, students, parents, pa- (CBCPNews)
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 23
November 8 - 21, 2010 Pastoral Concerns B1

Promoting compulsory
sexual education at the UN
A recent report to the United Nations sought to impose a ‘right to sexual education’

www.upload.wikimedia.org
By Vincenzina Santoro C. Concept and scope of the human Religious schools, which have Netherlands. Some observers might states, and unequivocally denounced the
right to education for sexuality provided high-quality education to have taken some comfort from the fact report in some of the strongest language
D. The right to sexual education: its millions of children across the globe for that at least in Portugal the topic “is dealt ever heard at the UN. The delegate was
IN most people’s minds, relationship to other rights and the need centuries, are censured for providing with in courses on biology, geography, “alarmed” that the rapporteur went
the United Nations is for a gender and diversity perspective sexual education tarnished by “undue philosophy and religion...” “beyond the scope of his mandate”, that
ecclesiastical influence.” As a remedy, Interestingly, the terms “mothers” he was “selective” and expressed his
associated with promoting The report turned out to be totally the report proposes “comprehensive and “fathers” are used only once each own point of view, and that he was “in
peace, fostering development, focused on sexual education. There was sexual education from the outset” of and “parents” three times in ways that violation of the code of conduct” that
feeding the hungry, providing not one sentence relating to education as schooling, to be continued in the form are negative: some parents, the report applies to special rapporteurs. He stated
peacekeeping troops, and it is commonly understood. The report of lifelong education. notes, create a “barrier” if they choose that the report was an attempt to create
promoted a concept of sexual education It also stresses the “importance of to exempt their children from sexual a new human right and pointed out that
defending human rights. as certain effete UN elites would want to the sexual diversity approach”, rejects education in schools, but parents are the rapporteur personally supported the
But there are many other impose it on the entire global population, abstinence-only programs for failing nevertheless expected to “provide 2006 Yogyakarta Principles on sexual
activities in the realm of rich and poor alike. to foster “informed and responsible appropriate direction and guidance on orientation and inserted his personal
social engineering at the UN This 21-page single-spaced report decision-making” and promotes “high- sexual and reproductive matters” that opinion into his report in violation of his
used the words “sexual” and “sexuality” quality scientific information that is does not interfere with the “rights of mandate. He concluded that the African
that most people never hear a total of 233 times! This is in line with unprejudiced and age-appropriate”. children”. Group “regrets this report.”
about. the elevation of the topic of sex by some According to the report, “sexual After the report was presented at The next response, from Trinidad
UN bodies to the status of sacred cow education should be considered a right the Third Committee meeting, 19 and Tobago on behalf of CARICOM
One example is that, for some time or golden calf. in itself”. In subtle ways it also promotes delegations spoke, some representing (the Caribbean Community), was also
now, a number of UN documents The report promotes universal sexual the concept of “the right to pleasure” entire regional groups. Indeed, the strongly negative. It took “umbrage” at
dealing with social the report, stated that the rapporteur had
affairs have made tried to “usurp” the rights of parents,
references to the said that he was in “contravention” of
“right to sexual and his mandate, and had “deprived us of
reproductive health” information” that apparently he should
or some variation have gathered. The report was deemed
thereof. Recently there “unacceptable.”
was an aggressive Another strong statement came from
attempt to extend the Mauretania on behalf of the Arab Group
concept to the area of rejecting the report “categorically”.
education. M o r o c c o
A document spoke for the
was prepared by OIC stating that
an “expert” on the rapporteur
education, a Costa had violated
Rican by the name his “mandate
of Vernor Muñoz and code of
Villalobos, who was conduct” and
the appointed UN madeanattempt
Special Rapporteur on to “redefine”
the Right to Education the right to
over the period July education,
2004 to July 2010. concluding
Rapporteurs are that “the OIC
appointed by the UN cannot accept
to investigate, monitor this report”.
and recommend After all
solutions to certain this emotion,
human rights the European
problems and are U n i o n
generally expected delegate
to be experts “of issued a
high moral character w i s h y -
and recognized w a s h y
competence in the field statement
of human rights.” while the United
Muñoz’s report Kingdom representative actually
was titled: Report of attempted to defend the report and
the United Nations oppose the “attackers”. Then, in what
Special Rapporteur on must have been the shortest speech
the right to education - ever delivered at the UN, the United
Note by the Secretary States representative took less than a
General (UN minute to support the right to education,
document A/65/162) mention that USAID had spent over $1
and presented to the billion on education, disagree with some
Third Committee of the report’s conclusions and assert
(which deals with that “there is no internationally agreed
social affairs) of the human right to sexual education.”
UN General Assembly Despite the overwhelming rejection by a
PHOTOS © Roy Lagarde / CBCP Media

on October 25th. large number of countries, this document

Despite its on the “right to (sexual) education” will
innocuous sounding remain in the annals of the UN, perhaps
title, the document to be quoted in future UN documents by
in question proved like minded zealots promoting the same
to be, in the view non-existent “rights.”
of many observers, The UN clearly isn’t just about
deceptive, devious promoting peace and development. It is
and disingenuous. Its also about advocating sexual deviance in
true nature is made direct violation of human dignity.
clear in the following points from the education with “special attention through sexual activity. spokespersons for the African Group, the
introduction to the table of contents: to diversity”—a euphemism for As part of a regional survey of sex Caribbean Community, the League of (Vincenzina Santoro is an international
homosexuality—without any link at education, the report states that in Arab States, and the Organization of the economist. She represents the American
A. Patriarchalism and control of all to procreation. It also promotes “a Europe there are 19 countries with some Islamic Conference (OIC) resoundingly Family Association of New York at the
sexuality right to family planning education” form of compulsory sexual education denounced the report. United Nations. This is published here
B. Sexuality, health and education: while denigrating parental rights and in schools. Programs, it says, start at The delegate from Malawi spoke on special publication arrangement with
three interdependent rights religious beliefs. age five in Portugal and at 13 in the first, representing the African Group of MercatorNet)
 B2 Updates CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 23
November 8 - 21, 2010

Rosary during Eucharistic adoration

(Father Edward McNamara, professor
of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum
university, answers the following query:)
Q: In a booklet titled, “Prayers &
Devotions for Eucharistic Holy Hour,”
Page 13 states: “It is not appropriate
to pray the rosary or other devotional
prayers to the saints. Benediction and
adoration are for the purpose of giving
our attention to the worship of Christ
the Lord.” The booklet was published by
Liguori Publications (in 2000) and has
both an imprimatur from the auxiliary
bishop of the Archdiocese of St. Louis,
Most Rev. Michael J. Sheridan, as well
as an imprimi potest from Richard
Thibodeau, C.Ss.R., provincial, Denver
Province of the Redemptorists. On the
other hand, another publication titled,
“Thirty-One Questions on Adoration
of the Blessed Sacrament: A Resource
of the Bishops’ Committee on the
Liturgy,” published by the U.S. bishops’
Committee on the Liturgy, states on
Page 12, in answering question No. 27
(i.e., “May the Rosary be prayed during
Eucharistic adoration?”), the following:
“Yes. The Rosary, ‘a prayer inspired by
the Gospel and centered on the mystery
of the Incarnation and the Redemption,’
‘should be considered a prayer of deep
Christological orientation,’ and may
rightly be counted among the prayers
designed to ‘direct the attention of
the faithful to the worship of Christ
the Lord.’ ... [T]he recitation of the
Rosary before the exposed Sacrament
should help lead the faithful back ‘to
a knowledge and love of the Lord
Jesus, to union with him, finding
great encouragement and support in
liturgical prayer before the Eucharist.’”
Thus, which do you believe is the
right and proper form of Eucharistic
adoration: with or without the recitation
of the rosary?—F.P., Black Eagle,
Montana
A: I can only suppose that, although
the pamphlet was published in 2000,
it might have simply reprinted earlier
material without being updated.
This is because on Jan. 15, 1997, the
Congregation for Divine Worship
published an official response to a
doubt (Prot no. 2287/96/L) in which it
clarified that it is permitted to publicly
pray the rosary before the Blessed
Sacrament exposed. This declaration
is the basis of the response of the U.S.
bishops’ Liturgy Committee favoring
the practice.
Although the statement is dated 1997
the response, along with an explanatory
note, was actually published much
later in Notitiae, the official organ of
the Congregation for Divine Worship,
and in Spanish (Notitiae [1998] 507-
511). Since this review is not widely
disseminated it is understandable that
the publishers of the pamphlet might
have missed it.
Before the Holy See’s intervention,
the appropriateness of praying the
rosary during exposition was a matter
of debate among liturgists. Some, in
good faith, saw it as an inordinate
mixing of Marian and Eucharistic
devotions. A small number criticized
the practice because they approved
neither the rosary nor adoration.
In January-February 1999 the
newsletter of the U.S. bishops’ Liturgy
Committee published an unofficial
translation of the Vatican congregation’s
notes explaining the reasoning behind
its decision. To wit:
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
and the Praying of the Rosary
I. Origin
1. The conciliar Constitution
Sacrosanctum Concilium, number
13, says: “Popular devotions of the
Christian people are to be highly
commended, provided they accord
with the laws and norms of the Church,
above all when they are ordered by the
Apostolic See ... But these devotions
should be so drawn up that they
harmonize with the liturgical seasons
in such a way as to be in accord with
the sacred liturgy, that they be in some
fashion derived from it, and lead the
people to it, since, in fact, the liturgy
by its very nature far surpasses any of
them.” The Catechism of the Catholic
Church adds to this citation from
Sacrosanctum Concilium: “These
expressions are a prolongation of the
liturgical life of the Church, but are not
substitutes for it.”
Eucharistic exposition is a celebration
related to the liturgy as understood
in the Instruction Eucharisticum
Mysterium, number 62, from the
Roman Ritual: Holy Communion and
Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass
and from the Ceremonial of Bishops
which dedicates chapter XXII to this
same topic.
The Holy Rosary is, without
doubt, one of the pious exercises
most recommended by ecclesiastical
authority.
(See also The Catechism of the
Catholic Church numbers 971, 1674,
2678, 2708).
A Catholic sensitivity never separates
Christ from his mother or vice versa.
2. The Apostolic Letter Vicesimus
quintus annus, number 18, says:
“Finally, to safeguard the reform and
ensure the promotion of the Liturgy it
is necessary to take account of popular
Christian devotion and its relation to
liturgical life. This popular devotion
should not be ignored or treated with
indifference or contempt, since it is rich
in values, and in itself it gives expression
to the religious attitude towards
God. But it needs to be continually
evangelized, so that the faith which it
expresses may become an ever more
mature and authentic act. Both the
pious exercises of the Christian people
and also other forms of devotion are
welcomed and encouraged provided
that they do not replace or intrude into
liturgical celebrations. An authentic
pastoral promotion of the Liturgy
will build upon the riches of popular
piety, purifying and directing them
towards the Liturgy as the offering of
the peoples.”
II. Relationship Between Eucharistic
Exposition and the Holy Rosary
One quote from each of the three most
important documents follows:
1. “During the exposition everything
should be so arranged that the faithful
can devote themselves attentively in
prayer to Christ Lord ...” (Instruction
Eucharisticum Mysterium,number
62)
2. “To encourage a prayerful spirit
there should be readings from Scripture
with a homily or brief exhortations
to develop a better understanding
of the Eucharistic mystery.” (Holy
Communion and Worship of the
Eucharist Outside Mass, number 95)
3. The Apostolic Exhortation Marialis
Cultus indicates that the rosary “as
a prayer inspired by the Gospel
and centered on the mystery of the
Incarnation and the Redemption
should be considered a prayer of deep
Christological orientation.” (Number
46)
III. At this time it is important to
note:
From the Second Vatican Council
until the present, the following have
been observed:
In the first two decades after the
Council, more or less, there arose within
the Catholic Church a tendency to
suppress adoration before the exposed
Blessed Sacrament within the Christian
community.
In recent years, prayer before the
exposed Blessed Sacrament has been
increasingly appreciated once more.
Two phenomena have been observed
with adoration of the Blessed Sacrament,
namely: adoration takes place according
to the same style and mentality and with
the same prayers as before the Council,
or it is celebrated in accordance with the
guidelines provided by the Church’s
documents.
Pastorally, this is an important time
© Roy Lagarde/CBCPMedia
to encourage the prayer of adoration
before the Blessed Sacrament according
to the spirit of the Church documents.
An opportunity to reorient this popular
practice should not be wasted.
The restoration of the rosary should
be promoted in its authentic form, that
is, with its Christological character.
At times, the traditional manner of
reciting the rosary would seem to be
limited to a recitation of the Our Father
and the Hail Mary. Currently in some
places the stating of the mysteries is
accompanied by a reading of a brief
biblical text to assist in meditation. This
is very positive. The Catechism of the
Catholic Church (Cf. 2708) indicated
that Christian prayer ought to go
further. It should lead to a knowledge
and love of the Lord Jesus, to union
with him, finding great encouragement
and support in liturgical prayer before
the Eucharist.
One should not expose the Eucharist
only to recite the rosary. However,
among the prayers that are used during
adoration, the recitation of the rosary
may certainly be included, emphasizing
the Christological aspects with biblical
readings relating to the mysteries, and
providing time for silent adoration and
meditation on them.
“During the exposition, the prayers,
songs, and readings should be arranged
so as to direct the attention of the
faithful to the worship of Christ the
Lord. To encourage a prayerful spirit,
there should be readings from the
Scriptures with a homily or brief
exhortations to develop a better
understanding of the Eucharistic
mystery.” (Holy Communion and
Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass,
number 95) In the area of popular piety
there is still much to be done so that
pious exercises will support liturgical
life and vice versa. There is a need to
educate the Christian community to
deepen the understanding of this pious
exercise in order to appreciate fully its
true worth.

When the Liturgy of the

(Father Edward McNamara, available. Sunday effectively makes the
professor of liturgy at the Regina This is not something new. Mass appear rushed.
Apostolorum university, answers In his explanation of the Mass 2) Use more music. Singing all
the following query:) addressed t o t he Roman

Eucharist is fast
Q: Even as young children
unable to fully grasp the depth
of the Eucharistic Prayer, we
were taught it was a very sacred
time where we knelt, avoided
distraction and focused our
attention on the priest and altar.
Decades later, I am saddened to
see the solemnity and sacredness
of it being lost. In an average Mass
lasting an hour, the first half-
hour goes in the readings and
homily. Usually, from the prayer
of the faithful to the concluding
“Great Amen,” the average time
taken in most parishes is about
6 minutes. In some places, the
announcements after Mass take
more time! What can be done to
slow down somewhat this pace
that is over “in the wink of an
eye”?—L.E., Mumbai, India
A: Our reader broaches an
important pastoral point. There
is frequently a lack of balance
in the celebration of Mass that
easily leaves the impression of
excess haste in the most sacred
moments.
This is not an easy question
to address. On the one hand,
the present structure of the
© Noli Yamsuan/RCAM
authorities, St. Justin Martyr
(circa A.D. 100-165) explained
that Scripture readings and
preaching continued as long as
the time available allowed. His
description of the subsequent
Eucharistic rite indicates that it
was relatively simple and brief,
although lived with an intensity
befitting a persecuted Church.
The question of balance is not,
therefore, one of attempting to
equalize the amount of time
dedicated to the various parts
of the Mass (something which
is neither possible nor desirable)
but of giving due weight to the
Eucharistic rites. I believe that
the difficulty can be overcome
with careful liturgical planning
in accordance with the solemnity
of the occasion. The present
liturgy allows for a wide range
of choices in the use of music and
rites that make it relatively easy
to avoid concentrating all effort
at solemnizing the Mass in the
Liturgy of the Word.
Briefly, I would suggest some
elements which can be used to
increase the faithful’s attention
and the sense of sacredness during
the Liturgy of the Eucharist:
1) Avoid the use of Eucharistic
or part of the ordinary of the Mass
such as the preface, the Sanctus,
the consecration, the mystery
of faith, the final doxology with
its great Amen, the Our Father
and its embolism, the Lamb of
God, etc., adds to the sense of
solemnity and underlines the
importance of the Eucharistic
rites.
3) Use incense and candles. On
solemn occasions incense may
be used at all foreseen moments.
Even if incense is not used for the
entrance, Gospel and offertory on
a normal Sunday, it may still be
used along with candles during
the Eucharistic Prayer. This
latter use adds nothing to the
length of the celebration and is
an optimal means of enhancing
the sense of the sacred and
concentrating attention on the
liturgical action.
4) Finally, the priest should
strive to overcome the routine
that can creep into frequently
proclaimed prayers and make
each Mass an authentic encounter
with God. Pope Pius XI (1922-
1939) once told someone newly
ordained that he hoped that
the priest’s first Mass would
be the least fervent of his life.
The Holy Father was not thus

Sunday Mass, with the Gloria,
three readings, homily, creed
and prayer of the faithful makes
it inevitable that the first two
parts take up the bulk of the time
Prayer II on a Sunday. While
not forbidden on feast days, this
prayer was specifically included
in the missal with daily Mass
in mind. Its sheer brevity on a
promoting priestly mediocrity
but challenging the young cleric
to seek ever increasing fervor in
celebrating the inestimable gift
of the Eucharist.

CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 23
November 8 - 21, 2010
Apostolic Letter in the form of Motu Proprio of the Supreme Pontiff Benedict XVI
establishing the Pontifical Council for promoting the New Evangelization
IT is the duty of the Church to proclaim
always and everywhere the Gospel of
Jesus Christ. He, the first and supreme
evangelizer, commanded the Apostles
on the day of his Ascension to the Father:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all
nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit, teaching them to observe all that
I have commanded you” (Mt 28:19-20).
Faithful to this mandate, the Church—a
people chosen by God to declare his
wonderful deeds (cf. 1 Peter 2:9)—ever
since she received the gift of the Holy
Spirit on the day of Pentecost (cf. Acts
2:14), has never tired of making known
to the whole world the beauty of the
Gospel as she preaches Jesus Christ, true
God and true man, the same “yesterday
and today and forever” (Heb 13:8),
who, by his death and Resurrection,
brought us salvation and fulfilled the
promise made of old. Hence the mission
of evangelization, a continuation of
the work desired by the Lord Jesus, is
necessary for the Church: it cannot be
overlooked; it is an expression of her
very nature.
In the course of history, this mission
has taken on new forms and employed
new strategies according to different
places, situations, and historical periods.
In our own time, it has been particularly
challenged by an abandonment of the
faith—a phenomenon progressively
more manifest in societies and cultures
which for centuries seemed to be
permeated by the Gospel. The social
changes we have witnessed in recent
decades have a long and complex history,
and they have profoundly altered our
way of looking at the world. We need
only think of the many advances in
science and technology, the expanding
possibilities with regard to life and
individual freedom, the profound
changes in the economic sphere, and the
mixing of races and cultures caused by
global-scale migration and an increasing
interdependence of peoples. All of this
has not been without consequences on the
religious dimension of human life as well.
If on the one hand humanity has derived
undeniable benefits from these changes,
and the Church has drawn from them
further incentives for bearing witness
to the hope that is within her (cf. 1 Pt
3:15), on the other hand there has been a
troubling loss of the sense of the sacred,
which has even called into question
foundations once deemed unshakeable
such as faith in a provident creator God,
the revelation of Jesus Christ as the one
Savior, and a common understanding
of basic human experiences: i.e., birth,
death, life in a family, and reference to
a natural moral law.
Even though some consider these
things a kind of liberation, there soon
follows an awareness that an interior
desert results whenever the human
being, wishing to be the sole architect
of his nature and destiny, finds himself
deprived of that which is the very
foundation of all things.
The Second Vatican Council already
included among its central topics the
question of the relationship between
the Church and the modern world.
In view of this conciliar teaching, my
Predecessors reflected further on the
need to find adequate ways to help the
people of our time to hear the living and
eternal Word of the Lord.
With foresight, the Servant of God Paul
VI noted that the task of evangelization,
Features
Ubicumque et Semper
“as a result of the frequent situations of
dechristianization in our day, also proves
equally necessary for innumerable
people who have been baptized but
who live quite outside Christian life,
for simple people who have a certain
faith but an imperfect knowledge of the
foundations of that faith, for intellectuals
who feel the need to know Jesus Christ
in a light different from the instruction
they received as children, and for many
others” (Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii
Nuntiandi, n. 52). Moreover, having in
mind those distant from the faith, he
added that the evangelizing action of the
Church “must constantly seek the proper
means and language for presenting, or
representing, to them God’s revelation
and faith in Jesus Christ” (ibid., n. 56).
The Venerable Servant of God John Paul
II made this urgent task a central point
of his far-reaching Magisterial teaching,
referring to it as the “new evangelization,”
which he systematically explored in
depth on numerous occasions—a task
that still bears upon the Church today,
particularly in regions Christianized long
ago. Although this task directly concerns
the Church’s way of relating ad extra, it
nevertheless presupposes first of all a
constant interior renewal, a continuous
passing, so to speak, from evangelized
to evangelizing. It is enough to recall
what was affirmed in the Post-Synodal
Apostolic Exhortation Christifideles
Laici: “Whole countries and nations
where religion and the Christian life
were formerly flourishing and capable
of fostering a viable and working
community of faith, are now put to a
hard test, and in some cases, are even
undergoing a radical transformation,
as a result of a constant spreading of an
indifference to religion, of secularism
and atheism. This particularly concerns
countries and nations of the so-called First
World, in which economic well-being and
consumerism, even if coexistent with a
tragic situation of poverty and misery,
inspires and sustains a life lived ‘as if God
did not exist’. This indifference to religion
and the practice of religion devoid of true
meaning in the face of life’s very serious
problems, are not less worrying and
upsetting when compared with declared
atheism. Sometimes the Christian faith
as well, while maintaining some of the
externals of its tradition and rituals, tends
to be separated from those moments of
human existence which have the most
significance, such as, birth, suffering
and death [...].
“On the other hand, in other regions
or nations many vital traditions of piety
and popular forms of Christian religion
are still conserved; but today this moral
and spiritual patrimony runs the risk
of being dispersed under the impact of
a multiplicity of processes, including
secularization and the spread of sects.
Only a re-evangelization can assure the
growth of a clear and deep faith, and
serve to make these traditions a force
for authentic freedom.
“Without doubt a mending of the
Christian fabric of society is urgently
needed in all parts of the world. But for
this to come about what is needed is to
first remake the Christian fabric of the
ecclesial community itself present in
these countries and nations” (n. 34).
Making my own the concerns of my
venerable Predecessors, I consider it
opportune to offer appropriate responses
so that the entire Church, allowing herself
to be regenerated by the power of the
Holy Spirit, may present herself to the
contemporary world with a missionary
impulse in order to promote the new
evangelization. Above all, this pertains
to Churches of ancient origin, which live
in different situations and have different
needs, and therefore require different
types of motivation for evangelization:
in certain territories, in fact, despite
the spread of secularization, Christian
practice still thrives and shows itself
deeply rooted in the soul of entire
populations; in other regions, however,
there is a clearly a distancing of society
from the faith in every respect, together
with a weaker ecclesial fabric, even
if not without elements of liveliness
that the Spirit never fails to awaken;
we also sadly know of some areas that
have almost completely abandoned the
Christian religion, where the light of the
faith is entrusted to the witness of small
communities: these lands, which need a
renewed first proclamation of the Gospel,
seem particularly resistant to many
aspects of the Christian message.
This variety of situations demands
careful discernment; to speak of a
“new evangelization” does not in fact
mean that a single formula should
be developed that would hold the
same for all circumstances. And yet
it is not difficult to see that what all
the Churches living in traditionally
Christian territories need is a renewed
missionary impulse, an expression of
a new, generous openness to the gift
www.asianews.it
of grace. Indeed we cannot forget that
the first task will always be to make
ourselves docile to the freely given
action of the Spirit of the Risen One who
accompanies all who are heralds of the
Gospel and opens the hearts of those who
listen. To proclaim fruitfully the Word
of the Gospel one is first asked to have
a profound experience of God.
As I stated in my first Encyclical Deus
Caritas Est: “Being Christian is not the
result of an ethical choice or a lofty
idea, but the encounter with an event, a
person, which gives life a new horizon
and a decisive direction” (n. 1). Likewise,
at the root of all evangelization lies not
a human plan of expansion, but rather
the desire to share the inestimable gift
that God has wished to give us, making
us sharers in his own life.
Therefore, in the light of these reflections,
having examined everything carefully and
having elicited the opinions of experts, I
establish and decree the following:
B3
Art. 1.
§ 1. The Pontifical Council for
Promoting the New Evangelization is
established as a Dicastery of the Roman
Curia in compliance with the Apostolic
Constitution Pastor Bonus.
§ 2. The Council pursues its own
ends both by encouraging reflection on
topics of the new evangelization, and
by identifying and promoting suitable
ways and means to accomplish it.
Art. 2.
The action of the Council, which is
carried out in collaboration with the
other Dicasteries and Organisms of the
Roman Curia, with respect for their
relative competencies, is at the service
of the particular Churches, especially in
those territories of Christian tradition
where the phenomenon of secularization
is more obviously apparent.
Art. 3.
Among the specific tasks of the
www.crs.org
Council are particularly the following:
1º. to examine in depth the theological
and pastoral meaning of the new
evangelization;
2º. to promote and to foster, in
close collaboration with the Bishops’
Conferences concerned—which may
establish ad hoc organisms—the study,
dissemination, and implementation
of the Papal Magisterium related
to topics connected with the new
evangelization;
3º. to make known and to support
initiatives linked to the new
evangelization that are already being
put into practice in various particular
Churches, and to promote the realization
of new projects by actively involving
the resources present in Institutes of
Consecrated Life and in Societies of
Apostolic Life, as well as in groups of the
faithful and in new communities;
4º. to study and to encourage the use
of modern forms of communication
as instruments for the new
evangelization;
5º. to promote the use of the Catechism
of the Catholic Church as an essential and
complete formulation of the content of
the faith for the people of our time.
Art. 4.
§ 1. The Council is directed by an
Archbishop President, assisted by a
Secretary, by an Under-Secretary and by
an appropriate number of Officials, in
accordance with the norms established
by the Apostolic Constitution Pastor
Bonus and by the General Regulations
of the Roman Curia.
§ 2. The Council will have its own
Members and may avail itself of its own
Consultors.
I order that all that has been established
by this Motu Proprio may have full and
permanent value, notwithstanding
anything to the contrary, even if it be
worthy of particular mention, and
I establish that it be promulgated
through publication in the daily
newspaper L’Osservatore Romano and
that it come into force on the day of its
promulgation.
Given at Castel Gandolfo on the 21st
day of September 2010, the Feast of Saint
Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist, the
sixth year of my Pontificate.
BENEDICTUS PP. XVI

B4
Pastoral ministry in the context of the
empowerment of the laity
By Rev. Eutiquio B. Belizar, Jr.,
SThD
Introduction
When we prepare for Communion as
priests presiding over the Eucharist we
first divide the consecrated host into two
parts. The Body of Jesus, we explain this
act, is broken so that it may be shared.
So now, let me divide my reflection into
two parts, so that I may better share with
you my message. The first part would be
on Pastoral Ministry itself. The second
part would deal with how we might
empower the laity.
Pastoral Ministry
Like it or not, there’s one thing we
share with waiters and waitresses in
restaurants. We feed people. But the food
we serve is for people’s spirits while that
by our counterparts in restaurants is for
people’s bodies.
There’s another sharp difference.
Waiters and waitresses are required to
please us with their service. But they
are not required to love us. On the other
hand, priests are not only required to
serve God’s people by feeding his flock
with his Word and sacraments. They are
also required to do so from a pastor’s
love. This is the heart of what we call
‘pastoral ministry’, which essentially is
really living out Jesus Christ’s ‘pastoral
charity’. That is to say, a priest who
is a pastor or shepherd of the Lord’s
flock must, by definition, be a lover of
God and his people first. A so-called
‘servant-leader” without love is a living
contradiction. He is no better than a
waiter.
That is why our pastoral ministry is
based on our ‘configuration to Christ
the head’ (Presbyterorum Ordinis, no.
2). It is Jesus who first loved us with the
Father’s love. And the Father is the One
who so “loves the world that he gave us
his only Son so that those who believe
in him may not perish but may have
everlasting life” (Jn 3:16). Without this
love of the Father, visible in Jesus the
Son, our ministry becomes empty, at best
technical, at worst mechanical.
Suppose I was the best sculptor in
the whole of Leyte and Samar. And
you asked me to carve out your whole
figure to serve as a statue. Suppose I
perfectly carved out your whole bodily
figure including the measurements, your
face’s warts and all. Still the resulting
perfect figure is not your replacement.
It’s the same thing with us. Ordination
may have configured us into Christ
the head. But we do not replace Jesus
Christ the Good Shepherd. It’s not in
our mission to do this. Our mission is
not to be Christ’s substitutes but to be
“signs and instruments of his presence
and activity” (PCP II, 516). It’s not our
love that we bring but the Father’s love
visible in Jesus the Good Shepherd.
We need to ask: What does it mean
for a ministerial priest to be a ‘sign and
instrument’ of Christ’s presence and
activity? It is here that Vatican II answers:
“It is Christ himself who through
their (priest’s) signal service preaches
the Word of God, administers the
sacraments, incorporates new members
into his body and directs and guides
his people on their journey to eternal
salvation” (Presbyterorum Ordinis, no.
21). Suppose you write a letter by your
pen, paint a face by your brush and stand
by the sacristy in your cassock. Suppose
further that your pen, your brush and
your cassock claim to be you. That will
draw the biggest laugh. They are just
signs and instruments of your presence
and activity. Neither can we ministerial
priests therefore claim to be Christ or his
replacements. We are just instruments of
his presence and activity among God’s
Features
People and God’s world.
That is why our pastoral ministry must
not only be characterized by charity but
also by humility. When we say we are
configured into Christ the head, we must
understand Christ’s headship correctly.
It’s not about lording over others. It’s
about being a servant, a footwasher.
We are leaders. But we lead by being
servants. “The Son of Man did not come
to be served but to serve and to give his
life as a ransom for many” (Mk 10:45).
Often we are embarrassed by the
poverty and insignificance of our
country. Add to that too the poverty
and smallness of our people, the
people that we serve. Add to that even
further the poverty and smallness
of the way our people see and feel
about themselves. But, happily, in
the perspective of the Scriptural God,
poverty and insignificance characterize
his favorite people. Figures such as
the shepherd David, the prophets,
Samson, Gideon, Ruth and others in
the Old Testament as well as Mary,
Joseph, Elizabeth, Simeon, Anna and
the fishermen apostles, not to say Jesus
himself, were poor, insignificant people
during their time. But God’s majesty and
power completely shone in them. Their
humility helped them greatly in their
faith as well as in their love and service
of the poor to whom they proclaimed
God’s Word.
A Jesuit brother advised a newly-
ordained priest: “Forget your dignity.
Assume your responsibility.” It’s very
instructive how in the history of the
Church,whenweemphasizedthepriestly
ordination as a reception of “sacred
powers”, titles and priestly dignity were
the most prized commodities. But when,
as a result of Vatican II and PCP II, we
started looking at the priesthood from
the point of view of the Scriptures and
Jesus’ own words and deeds, ministry,
service and responsibility became the
buzz words.
It has taken us a long complicated
process to realize a simple interconnected
network of truths. One, that our pastoral
ministry is a service, a total giving of
self to God and to his people. Two, we
cannot truly serve without the love of
God in us. Three, we cannot truly love
without putting on the humility of the
small and insignificant, the anawim,
Jesus himself being the foremost among
them, who are God’s favorites.
Now why do we need the humility of
the anawim in our pastoral ministry?
The answer lies in the nature of our
‘ministerial priesthood’. It is so-called
‘ministerial’ because it is basically a
service. Because a servant serves his
master, the master realizes his identity
as master. In the same way, while “the
common priesthood of the faithful is
exercised by the unfolding of baptismal
grace—a life of faith, hope and charity,
a life according to the Spirit—the
ministerial priest is precisely ministerial
because he is a servant of the royal
priesthood that it may fulfill and become
itself, a priestly people called to offer
prayers and gifts to God the Father. For
this is how he becomes truly configured
to Christ the Head” (Lumen Gentium,
n.10; PO 2, 6).
How Do We Go About Empowering
the Laity?
Before we answer this all-important
question, we need to make some
clarifications. First, how do we
understand ‘empowering the laity’? Does
this mean that ministerial priests give the
lay faithful any sort or form of power?
The Second Plenary Council itself admits
that the new-found regularity of the
term ‘empowerment’ was an offshoot
of our Edsa People Power experience
(PCP II 325-326). Millions of Filipinos,
by their presence and shared convictions
against the Marcos regime’s excesses,
drove out the former strongman and
installed peacefully a new government
in a democratic way that awed the
world. Out of ‘People Power’ came the
popularity of the term ‘empowerment’
to mean promoting participation from
formerly marginalized groups, such
as the urban and rural poor etc. In
other words, applying ‘people power’
through the word ‘empowerment’
on our laity appears to be related to
encouraging their greater participation
in the Church’s life and mission.
But let’s make some things clear. We
priests do not give any power to our lay
faithful. Whatever power they have as
children of God comes directly from
God himself through the Holy Spirit’s
action in the sacrament of Baptism they
had received. The Archbishop Emeritus
of Palo, Archbishop Pedro R. Dean,
once observed, and rightly so, that the
term “lay empowerment” could be a
“misnomer” because there is no power
any human being can give the laity since
that power is already theirs by means of
their Baptism. In other words, all that we
do as their pastors is to recognize and
allow the realization of the power given
to them to be sons and daughters of the
Father (Jn 1:12).
How do we do this as their pastors?
Let me cite some of the ways.
1. By our Witnessing
Let me illustrate the ‘empowering’
nature of witnessing. A priest was
dismayed to see plenty of plastic
wrappers scattered indiscriminately on
© Pinky Barrientos / CBCP Media
the white-sand beach at Divinubo Island
(still part of Borongan). Without thinking
he started picking up the wrappers
and putting them into trash cans. At
one point, he looked around and was
so surprised to see children and young
people suddenly doing what he was
doing. He reflected that just as doing
wrong can be infectious, so is doing right.
When the lay faithful see their priests
praying, that can generate their own
prayerfulness. When priests are seen as
not too ‘money-conscious’, that edifies
people into doing service that is also
less concerned with monetary returns.
When priests struggle to be faithful
to the Lord in his ministry despite his
weaknesses, that is a positive push for
parishioners to also strive to be faithful to
the Lord in their distinct responsibilities
as Christians and as citizens of their
country.
2. By a Greater Recognition of the Laity’s
Christian Dignity as Catholics
We cannot deny a fact of history,
namely, our laity’s being sidelined for
a long time. Partly in reaction to the
excesses of the Protestant Reformation,
in which, for example, anybody could
just read and interpret the Scriptures,
lay men and women in the Catholic
Church were often found passive. Henry
Cardinal Newman once remarked
humorously that, during his time, lay
Catholics could only do three things:
“to sit up, to pay up and to shut up”.
One of the timely reforms of Vatican
II was the emphasis on the equality
of all the baptized in dignity and their
participation in the life and mission of
the Church.
Unfortunately Vatican II is taking a
long, long time being received. Many
lay Catholics still remain passive and
sidelined. One big factor is their priest.
Does he truly recognize their identity
and dignity, rooted in their Baptism,
in ways that go beyond mere words
during homilies, talks and chats? Does
he encourage them to live by their
identity and dignity by actively and
systematically forming them through
adult catechesis to be Christian witnesses
and missionaries? Let’s all ask ourselves
these questions and not be contented by
‘no’ for an answer.
3. By Enhancing the Poor’s Sense of their
Human and Christian Dignity
We minister to mostly poor people.
Even our so-called rich parishes are still
populated by the majority who are poor.
It is a fact that our poor are also mostly
sidelined in church life. Our BECs have
wonderfully turned the tide in many
places. But a lot more of our poor are
not reached by the BEC. For reasons
both legitimate and not, there is real
hesitation, if not resistance, even among
the clergy to go all out with BEC. One
reason is the hard work and constant
need to follow up on our poor who
constitute most BEC clusters. Unlike
faith communities that seem to have
internally galvanized mostly middle-
class lay Catholics into evangelization,
mission and proselytizing, the BEC
appears to need the steady active role of
the clergy to survive and thrive. I submit
that one thing we take for granted is the
low self-esteem and self-image of our
poor. There is no substitute to a good
catechesis on the real implications of
Baptism to respond to this situation.
But catechesis needs the help of priest-
encouraged solidarity-building between
the poor and better-off parishioners
of our communities. Forming faith
communities and other mandated
religious groups and organizations in
the BEC spirituality and tapping them
to participate in evangelizing, forming
and building BEC communities in which
the better-off interact with our poor as
brothers and sisters in one big family is
a step in the right direction.
4. By Cultivating a More Human and Christ-
like Relationship with People
Even unbeknownst to us, our laity
looks at us as men of power and
privilege. I am struck at how it seems
a big thing for people to discover that
their priest is “kind” and “considerate”.
Priests who are so perceived have the
ability to bring people out of their shells.
Conversely, priests who are seen as
cold and harsh drive even the educated
Catholics away from church and church
life. A lay parishioner mistreats an
ordinary-looking man. To her shock she
discovers the man is actually a priest.
She apologizes to him but blames him
for not wearing a clerical. The priest
answers: “Even if I did not wear a
clerical, all human beings are entitled
to be treated like human beings.” Well-
said, Father. But that doesn’t mean we
must abandon the clerical. It means,
however, that clerical is a sign that we
priest must be the first to act human
in the way we treat others because we
carry the presence of Jesus Christ in
our person. Jesus was most human not
only because he has shared everything
we humans have and are but also (and
especially) because he acknowledged the
humanity even of the downtrodden, the
poor and the outcasts, and treated them
as such. It must be very good to be truly
human because the Son of God became
one and acted like one. St. Irenaeus, in
fact, exclaimed that the glory of God is
the fully human person. That is what we
see in Jesus Christ in which perfect love
of God is completely one with perfect
love of people. There’s no reason for his
priest to be any less.
5. By Recognizing, Appreciating and
Maximizing the Laity’s Potentials
Some priests are happy to discover
parishioners with various talents and
abilities. Other priests feel threatened by
them. We must clearly reject the second
option as un-Christian and un-priestly.
Here’s why: To each human being,
especially to each baptized Christian, the
Holy Spirit showers gifts and charisms
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 23
November 8 - 21, 2010
according to God’s wisdom for the sake
of building up his kingdom on earth
and Christ’s Body. It is precisely for this
reason that we must spot, recognize,
appreciate, tap and maximize these
gifts and charisms for the sake of the
Church and the spread of the gospel. In
a concrete parish it’s not hard to see this
need. We need parishioners who can be
lectors, others who can be commentators,
still others who can be altar servers,
collectors, ushers/usherettes, song
leaders, psalmists, prayer leaders,
Communion ministers, caregivers,
catechists, preachers, etc. That is to say,
no one can be so empowering as a priest
who, with the help of his parishioners,
recognizes the Holy Spirit’s gifts in the
potentials and charisms of people and
taps them to the maximum for God’s
kingdom. I know a priest who observed
that any pastor who does not recognize,
appreciate and maximize his lay leaders
commits a practical heresy. I asked
what he meant by ‘practical heresy’. He
answered: “It means that, even if you
believe correctly that the Holy Spirit
enriches each baptized Christian with
his gifts and charisms, once that belief
is not put into practice, you become a
‘practical heretic’. The reason is that
your practice is the exact opposite of
your belief.”
6. By Accepting People’s Weaknesses and
Moving Forward Despite Them
All human beings, including priests,
have both strengths and weaknesses. For
most of us life goes smoothly as long as
our strengths dominate our weaknesses.
© Noli Yamsuan/RCAM
But in a pastor’s life weaknesses of
parishioners or his own could get more
attention for one reason or another.
Let’s try to be as concrete as we can. A
member of the Parish Pastoral Council
has a way of speaking and acting that
is annoying. Parishioners keep telling
the pastor how his homilies are bookish
(another way of saying ‘boring’) and his
voice so high-pitched and painful to the
ear. A confraternity member is always
late for meetings. A group of ladies
often backbite other parishioners and
the parish priest. A men’s group have a
drinking problem, sometimes dragging
the parish priest into their sessions. The
list could go on. We must distinguish
between weaknesses that are destructive
of people who have them and the people
around them, and weaknesses that are
simply distracting or annoying. For
the first we must do our best to give
people who have them the appropriate
help. For the second we must simply
remember and observe the word of
our elders regarding people who have
them: “Pasayloon”, that is, deserving
our forgiveness. St. Augustine once said
that of all the alms we can give, “none
is greater than that by which we forgive
from our heart…”
7. By Giving Second Chances
Sometimes life surprises us with
how doing a simple thing we take for
granted in our ministry could have
lasting consequences. For example, a
priest had a problem with his temper.
But he learned to hold it and cultivate
patience through an experience with
an altar server who habitually makes
mistakes at the altar. Every time he is
tempted to flare up over another mistake,
he recalls how the boy’s elder brother
joined the born-again group ‘U-Turn for
Christ’ because his own father tried to
forcefully make him stop coming home
late. The priest confessed that perhaps
one reason why the younger brother
has remained Catholic is the string of
‘second chances’ he extends to him
when he overlooks the boy’s mistakes.
Of course, these second chances have
only been effective because mistakes
Empowerment / B7
 Statements
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 23
November 8 - 21, 2010
B5

A Call to Stop Mining in Diocese of Legazpi

Eastern Visayas Region PASTORAL BULLETIN NO. 03, Series of 2010
To: Clergy, Religious, Lay Faithful
(A Collective Call of the Bishops of Eastern Visayas) Re: Corrupting our Minors, Corrupting the Future

“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it

would be better for him to have a great millstone hung around his
neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” (Mt 18,16)

REPORTS coming from all over leave no doubt as to the scope

and magnitude of corruption and cheating in the recent Barangay
and Sangguniang Kabataan elections. During our Clergy
General Assembly held last Tuesday, every priest present said
that vote-buying and selling were rampant in their respective
places of assignment and home towns. Radyo Veritas Legazpi
and other local radio stations, as well as our local PPCRV units
also confirmed this widespread terrible state of affairs.
Vote-buying is morally wrong. It is unfair to candidates
who have lesser means or who choose the path of principled
campaigning. It is unfair to the electorate because it puts undue
influence on their right to vote. It subverts the will of the people.
Vote-buying feeds the vicious cycle of graft and corruption as
politicians and their patrons later find ways to recoup their
election “investments” by stealing from government projects
and exacting political favors.
Vote-buying is illegal. Article 22, Section 261, of the Omnibus
Election Code (R.A. 881) cites vote-buying, vote-selling and
conspiracy to sell votes among election offenses punishable
by law.
Under the Local Government Code (Book 3, Section 384),
the barangay is the basic political unit of our society and
the primary unit responsible for implementing government
policies, programs and projects. It also serves as a forum where
the people’s voice may be heard and considered, and where
local disputes may be amicably settled.

IN 1988, the CBCP in its Pastoral Letter on
Ecology, “WHAT IS HAPPENING TO OUR
BEAUTIFUL LAND?” sounded off the alarm
about the perilous state of our country’s
natural endowments, that is, “...All the living
systems on land and in the seas are being
ruthlessly exploited. The damage to date
(then) is extensive and, sad to say, it is often
irreversible.” We, the bishops called on all
Filipinos to recognize the situation at hand
and that such situation shall be responded to
with utmost urgency. “...The task of preserving
and healing is a daunting one given human
greed and the relentless drive of our plundered
economy. But we must not lose HOPE. “
Indeed, our collective observations and
sentiments, then, were very profound and
prophetic. Our observations still very valid
and evident to this day, and our call for
action remains as urgent as ever. Most parts
of the country today are still in perilous state
because of too much development aggression,
particularly mining and logging.
For one, the Eastern Visayas region
has lately been the object of high level of
interest by certain sectors, both government
and private, to pursue aggressively the
development of mining industry in the
region. During a mining forum in Tacloban
in August this year, the Regional Director
of the Mines and Geosciences Board (MGB)
even boasted that the region will eventually
be the top mining region in the country
considering its vast mining potentials. In
fact, even prior to the said forum, several
mining permits to explore along with mining
production sharing agreements (MPSAs)
have been issued in many parts of the region
extending the three islands—Samar, Leyte
and Biliran. Moreover, small islands like
Manicani and Homonhon in Eastern Samar
and Batag Island in Northern Samar remain
threatened by mining operations. In Manicani
for instance, NickelAsia Corporation
(NAC) has since initiated moves to lift the
suspension of mining operations in the
island. In Homonhon, an historical island,
after a few months respite from massive
mining operations again is threatened by
the application of a large mining permit
by the Cambayas Mining, and the current
small-scale mining operations granted to
two permittees by the Local Mining Board.
Same is also happening in Batag lsland.
The mainland of Samar and Leyte are not
spared by the onslaught of mining permits
(e.g. exploration permits, MPSAS, permit to
extract among others) issued left and right
by the Local Mining Board (small-scale) and
the MGB (for large-scale).
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
nature’s endowments. As a consequence, the
many lines of opportunities upon which our
people can draw their life sustenance will
definitely be threatened immensely. We ask
ourselves, “Haven’t we learned the lessons of
the past?” In our own reckoning, our people
have so much to share about the adverse
effects of mining to their livelihood, to their
well-being as persons and as families, to the
quality of life in their communities and to their
very own dignity as people of God.
The mining experience in Bagacay is a
very clear and compelling example of how
bad mining is. After exploiting the area,
the mining company left it abandoned and
permanently destroyed. 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. The sorry state of
Taft River to this very day is a perfect symbol
of mining’s neglect and abandonment and
waste. The struggle of the people in the islands
of Manicani, Homonhon and Batag for more
than a decade now is another clear testament
that mining never lived up to its promise of
improving the quality of life of the people.
Instead, the islands’ source of livelihood
had been systematically destroyed—the
forests, farmlands, mangroves, river systems,
coral reefs among others. But more telling
is the destruction of the islands’ social
www.alyansatigilmina.net
The barangay is where people experience direct democracy in
action—a government by the people, of the people, for the people.
Sadly, during this recent barangay election a great number of
our people have chosen unwisely. They have chosen to set aside
Christian values and disrespect the law. Politicians shell out money
to buy votes and maintain loyalty. The voters expect—and in many
instances, demand—to be bribed into voting for candidates.
fabric—families and communities have
Even worse, the Sangguniang Kabataan election was not spared
been polarized. What pervades has been the
from the same sin of corruption and vote-buying. In some places
situation of unpeace and disharmony. People
vote-buying for the position of SK Chairman reached as high
in the islands have been constantly threatened
as P1,500.00. Young people were suspiciously “quartered” in
by another prospect of systematic destruction
various beach resorts and other places prior to and during election
of the island they call home.
day by political patrons. Most shocking were widespread stories
Compounding these lessons on the effects
of parents of SK candidates who funded, supported and pushed
of mining are the misplaced priorities of some
their children to bribe other youths into voting for them.
of our local leaders who have acted more as
When the next round of election this time for the SK Federation
agents of the mining firms rather than agents
President on the municipal, city and provincial levels come,
of the people. In many instances, highlighting
another level of vote-buying, “quartering” and corruption of
the benefits of mining and ignoring the “real”
youth leaders would almost certainly arise, involving bigger
costs are a concrete examples how people are
sums of money and more scandalous forms of bribery.
being misled or misinformed about mining.
What has happened to us as a people? What have we done
In many instances still, the financial levers
to our youth? With leaders like these, what kind of future do
of mining make their way to the different
we have in store for our country? And then we hear even from
levels of the decision flow to get favorable
honest, well-meaning people—perhaps reflecting the common
cognizance or acceptance.
sentiment nowadays—that we just have to get used to this
Weighing down the benefits and costs
sad situation that has become a way of life, a culture that has
of mining whether it is economic, social or
become impossible to change.
environmental; judging on the lessons of the
We, the Bishop and the Clergy of the Diocese of Legazpi,
past and prospects of the future generations;
condemn in the strongest terms this culture of vote-buying and
and, reflecting on our role as Stewards of
cheating that has corrupted our people, especially our youth.
God’s creation, we, the bishops of Eastern
It is un-Christian and unlawful for politicians to buy votes and
Visayas, call on our responsible leaders in
cheat during elections, and for voters to pressure candidates
government, in the private sector and all
into bribing them. It is un-Christian and unlawful for parents
those who harbor intentions of mining our
to push their children to buy the votes of their fellow youth and
region to listen to the voices of our people,
teach them to disrespect democratic institutions. It is against
“Bring back the Beautiful Land we had once;
the values of the Gospel to simply not care and consider the
STOP MINING IN OUR REGION.”
situation hopeless and impossible to change.
We are calling on our young people, with the help of our Youth
+JOSE S. PALMA, DD
Ministry and others who are involved in youth formation, to
Archbishop, Archdiocese of Palo
gather together in parishes, schools and communities to discuss
what has happened during the recent elections, discern where
+EMMANUEL C. TRANCE, DD
this culture is leading them, and ask guidance from the Spirit
Bishop, Diocese of Catarman
on how to win back the youth for Christ.
We are calling on our people in the parishes, especially
+CRISPIN B. VARQUEZ, DD
our lay leaders, to gather together in prayerful dialogue and
Bishop, Diocese of Borongan
examination of conscience about the conduct of the recent
elections and plan ways to counter what has become a trend in
+PRECIOSO D. CANTILLAS, SDB, DD
our political culture. Some may even find themselves needing
Bishop, Diocese of Maasin
to take a leave of absence for some time from active ministry or
position of leadership in the parish, if communal or personal
+ISABELO C. ABARQUEZ, DD
discernment calls for it, and to prevent further scandal and
Bishop, Diocese of Calbayog
facilitate healing in the community.
We are calling on concerned government agencies, especially
+FELOMINO G. BACTOL, DD
the COMELEC and the PNP, to be more vigilant and effective
Bishop, Diocese of Naval
in enforcing the law. We are renewing our commitment to
work with you towards making our elections truly clean,
October 22, 2010
honest and meaningful.
We are calling for the abolition of the Sangguniang Kabataan. This

Our Continuing Stand Against Mining in the

institution may have lofty goals and some positive contributions
but has been found generally wanting. It has failed in teaching the
young the values of democracy and the skills for good governance.
Far from being an empowering presence, it has become a corrupting

Island of Manicani, Guiuan, Eastern Samar
RECENT and upcoming events
relative to the mining issue in
the island of Manicani have
triggered so much anxiety among
residents who brought into our
attention their apprehensions
about the move of Nickel Asia
corp. (NAC) towards the lifting
of mining operation in the island
apparently to open it to a new
round of mineral extraction as
the following would indicate,
to wit:
The four barangay councils
in the island namely Banaag,
Buenavista, Hamorawon and
San Jose have passed a resolution
lifting the suspension of mining
operation in the island.
At present, the Sangguniang
Bayan of Guiuan has been in
the process of coming up with
a similar resolution endorsing
the same.
For several months now,
NAC has been implementing
its program of “Care and
Maintenance” in the mined out
areas in Manicani, specifically
the settling ponds, periphery
canals and catchment basins.
Moreover, NAC has hired some
local residents to work for the
program.
NAC had sponsored a field
trip for all the members of the
four barangay councils to Rio
Tuba, Palawan, a known mining
area.
The upcoming Barangay
elections on October 25, 2010
could be a major flashpoint
among parties advancing their
interests using their financial
muscle. And one major interest
is mining.
The above-mentioned events
reinforced our fears and
apprehensions regarding mining
in the Diocese of Borongan
and have rekindled our long
standing resolve that mining
should be permanently stopped
in the island of Manicani on the
following basis:
1. Wanton destruction of
the environment in the island:
BFAR-Guiuan Survey (1993);
Mangrove Reforestation Project
of DENR, Buenavista affected by
siltation (Report of the special
team of DENR, 2003); DENR
routinary inspection that showed
wastes from HMC contributing
factor to the siltation in the area
(Report of the special team of
DENR, 2003); and Assessment of
the Lateritic Stockpile in Manicani
lsland, a Research conducted by
the UP-Diliman commissioned
by the LGU of Guiuan, June 2008
proves the case in point here.
2. Manicani is a small island.
Manicani has an area of 1,165.89
hectares with no major water
sources. The island depends
most of its water needs on rain
water. With the impending
operation of mining, it is certain
that access to potable water will
be a problem for the people, one
of the basic life sustenance and
therefore touches on their basic
human right to live. Moreover,
Manicani will be certainly
unproductive and inhabitable
after NAC commences its mining
operation because mining really
destroys two major livelihoods—
agriculture and fisheries—of the
influence on our youth. The problem is not with our young people
but in the political structure and culture where the SK operates.
The voices of the young should not be stifled, there is a clear need
for youth representation in governance. The training of the young
local communities. What is more should not be stymied, there is a definite need for their political
basic than any right, more basic empowerment. But not in the manner and form of the current
than the right of mining firms, is SK. Mere reforms in the SK will not resolve its inherent flaws, its
the right of the people of Manicani recidivist nature and its sorry state of affairs. It has to be abolished,
to live safely and peacefully only then can we make way for better representation and genuine
in their own island without empowerment of the youth.
the presence of mining which Finally, we humbly acknowledge that, in more ways than
endangers their very lives. one, we are all carriers of this moral malaise and perpetrators
3. Non-compliance with the of these crimes against democracy and the moral fiber of our
condition relative to the last communities. Therefore, with humble hearts and contrite
Loading of Mineral stockpile. spirits, let us call on the heavens for forgiveness of these our
The people of Manicani agreed sins. May the Lord of mercy and righteousness help us amend
to the last loading of mineral our ways and restore what we have broken so that we shall
stockpile (2004-05) on condition endeavor with all our might to prevent such transgressions
“That immediately after the from happening again in future elections. Let us together as
loading of the 150,000 MT one closely monitor, in particular, the conduct of elections
nickel ore, all open pit caused of the SK Federation Presidents on the municipal, city and
by the mining operations shall provincial levels.
be rehabilitated” (No. 8 of SB May our Mother of Salvation, our patroness who has strengthened
Resolution No. 32 series of 2004). our hope and provided guidance during difficult times, lead us to
Before any act of endorsement faithfully follow her Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ.
by the SB-Guiuan regarding the
lifting of suspension of mining Sincerely yours in Christ,
operations, compliance of the
above condition should have +JOEL Z. BAYLON
been made in order to gain the Bishop of Legazpi
trust of the people. and the Clergy of the Diocese of Legazpi
4. Seeming avoidance of
Responsibility by HMC on its 29 October 2010
Stand / B7
 Ref lections
CBCP Monitor
B6 Vol. 14 No. 23
November 8 - 21, 2010

Jesus’ leadership as a scathing critique of

leadership in churches and in the world
By Msgr. Lope C. Robredillo,
SThD
TWO decades ago or thereabouts, I read a
book titled Night, written by a Hungarian
Jew—was it a certain Wiesel?—about the
execution of three men by the Gestapo
in front of thousands of spectators in a
Nazi concentration camp (in Auschwitz?
Buchenwald?). The three were mounted
onto the chairs, and when the nooses
were placed on their necks, two of
them shouted, “Long live freedom!”
while the third, a child, simply kept
silent. Then someone from among the
crowd commented, “Where is God?”
presumably asking why such a cruel
fate should befall on the threesome. At
a given signal from the head of the camp,
the chairs tipped over, and in a jiffy,
two of them were dead. The small boy,
however, was still alive, and for about an
hour, he hung there, suspended between
heaven and earth, suffering the agony
of dying slowly. Then, the same man
from the crowd, who probably could not
comprehend why such a child should
suffer agony, asked again, “Where is
God?” Then in answer to the question, a
voice was heard, “Where is God? There
he is—hanging on the gallows.”
That one sees God in a condemned child
hanging on the gallows, that is something
concealed from the eyes of many, for one
does not normally associated God with
defeat, or condemnation in the hands of
sinful men. Our image of God is one who
is always triumphant, always in control
of everything, and ever above human
contingency and suffering. The same
may be said of Kingship. In our common
understanding, a reigning king is always
associated with absolute authority and
power. A ruling king who acts like a
slave, is treated as a slave, who is in
fact a slave—that is something beyond
imagination. But that precisely what
Jesus is: a servant-king. It is therefore
understandable that, in today’s Gospel
(Luke 35-43), the Jews could not believe
Feast of Christ the King (Luke 23:35-43) November 21, 2010
in the kingship of Christ. If anything, Kings stand or fall on their conformity In today’s Gospel (Luke 23:35-43), not about the exercise of absolute authority
he was, in their perception, exactly or non-conformity with the life of Jesus. Luke focuses on the declaration of faith and power: “Earthly kings lord it over their
the opposite. That is why the leaders Because Jesus is a king, as the inscription by the good thief. Unlike the bad thief people. Those who exercise authority over
mocked him; if he were who shared his fate on them are called their benefactors. Yet,
a king, they thought, God the cross, but who uttered it cannot be that way with you. Let the
would not have allowed blasphemous words to greater among you be as the junior; the
him to die just like that; if Jesus, demanding that the leader as the servant” (Luke 22:25-26).
he were God’s anointed, latter should prove his Leadership is rather about searching for
he should have saved messiahship by saving the lost and saving them, like the good thief
himself (Luke 22:35). The them from the cross, he and Zacchaeus, the lost sheep, the lost coin,
soldiers, too, mocked looked on Jesus with the the lost son, the woman of ill-repute, etc.
him in the same vein, eyes of faith. Because of It is about forgiveness. It is about service
placing an inscription this faith encounter, he was in the manner of a slave (Luke 22:26). Far
over his head: “King of moved to acknowledge his from doing violence, a real leader allows
the Jews” (v 36). And sinfulness, and appealed himself to be derided, or even crucified
one of the criminals to the compassion of for the sake of the lost (Phil 2:11). As can
derided him, convinced Jesus: “Jesus, remember be gleaned from the 2nd Reading (Col
as he was that Jesus could me when you come into 1:12-20), Jesus is a leader who frees people
not have been the Christ your kingdom” (Luke from the power of darkness and brings
for he was powerless; to 23:42). He could make salvation to them by his own death, not by
prove his messiahship, this appeal because he absolute power or force: “He rescued us
Jesus should have saved knew, through the eyes of from the power of darkness and brought
himself and the two of faith, that Jesus is the real us into the kingdom of his beloved Son.
them who shared his King who could grant him Through him we have the redemption, the
fate (v 39). salvation. And his hope forgiveness of sins” (Col 1:13-14).
But Jesus’ kingship was not disappointed: Understandably enough, the attitude
can be perceived only “Truly I say to you, today, of the Bible toward human kingship
by those who have faith. you will be with me in or leadership is ambiguous. Although
Only one who has faith paradise” (Luke 23:43). there is a tradition that approves of the
can see the kingship of This recalls the words institution of kingship over Israel (1
Jesus in powerlessless, of Jesus to Zacchaeus, Sam 9:1-10:16; 11), a different strand of
weakness, pain and “Today, salvation has come tradition altogether rejects it. Precisely
suffering. And precisely to this house” (Luke 19:9). because it saw how kingship was
because he is a king—a Both Zacchaeus and the exercised by its pagan neighbors, Israel
crucified king—Luke good thief were notorious rejected it; in Jotham’s fable, only a
is subtly suggesting and lost, but, by their faith useless person would accept it (Jdgs
that rather trying to and by opening their lives 9:8-20). Historically, of course, Israel
understanding the to Jesus, they received had bad leaders (1 Kgs 16:25-28.30-
kingship of Jesus in salvation. And because he 33), as did Judah (2 Kgs 16:2-5). An
terms of what we know could dispense salvation to example of a despotic monarch who was
from kings who ruled those who have faith, Jesus guilty of apostasy and lawlessness was
in history, we have is thus a king. Manasseh (2 Kgs 21:1-18). That is why
to understand what it At the same time, Jesus’ some prophets like Samuel were not in
really means to be a king comportment is actually favor of its institution (2 Sam 8:101-8),
in terms of the kingship a scathing critique of and Jeremiah minced no words in his
of Jesus. That is to say, leadership, both secular indictment against Jehoiakim: “Your eyes
the analogue by which and ecclesiastical. Luke and hearts are set on nothing except on
we judge what actions are proper to a over his head itself reads, his kingship seems to be saying that now we have a new your own gain, on shedding innocent
king is none other than Jesus himself. from the cross is thus a critique of how paradigm of leadership: to be a leader is not blood, on practicing oppression and
It is the way Jesus rules that gives us secular kings and leaders must comport to subjugate and dominate people or do extortion” (Jer 22:11). Of course, Israel
the standard and meaning of kingship. themselves. them violence, subtle or not; leadership is Leadership / B7

Fr. Francis Ongkingco

WHATEVER Bishop Pat Alo

“DAD, where you’ve been all morning?” Jake
asked. “I was going to ask if you have any
special request for your big day tomorrow.”
“I just came from Church, Jake,” his father
replied. “I thought I needed some spiritual
preparation to celebrate the 75 years of my
life tomorrow.”
“Did you ask Father Bob for a blessing?”
“Yeah, that too, but I decided to do a general
confession,” his father sighed with relief.
“Hey, it’s as if you don’t go regularly,” his
son affectionately nudged his father.
“Yeah, but I felt I had to do something more
to make this one special, since through the years
one can feel a little burdened by life’s trials.”
“So how did you make this one special?”
Jake casually asked.
“You want to hear it?” his father was always
moved by his eldest son’s confidence, that
he treated him as a friend to converse about
almost anything.
“Well, if you’re up to it,” Jake said. “But
if you want to keep to yourself, I guess no
problem either.”
***
“Seventy-five years are quite a lot of years
of grace. I felt that making a general confession
would be worth the trip. But I’ve done this kind
of confession before, and I told myself that I
would not only examine my conscience but type
it out so that I wouldn’t forget my sins.”
“Whoa! That’s what I’d call a digital
confession,” Jake laughed.
“Asyouwellknow,I’mnottoogoodwiththePC.
Bo Sanchez
Typing conversion
Word is probably the only application I use.”
“Really? Well, I’m wondering who left the
Counter Strike game on last night when I
went down to leave some milk on the porch
for the cats.”
“He, he, he, I guess I just clicked the wrong
application,” his dad winked at him.
“Okay, so what about the digital
confession?”
“I sort of categorized my sins into groups
like: FAMILY, CHILDREN, SPIRITUAL LIFE,
WORK, etc.”
“Wow! That’s really the manager in you,
dad!”
“Since a general confession isn’t about stating
all of one’s sins over again in detail—because
these have already been forgiven before,--but
expressing a purer sorrow for having offended
God, I began to pray while I stared at the list:
‘But in all this, Lord, what is one thing that I
really have to work on?’”
“Hey, that’s cool, Dad,” Jake agreed. “You’ve
just made me realize that more important
than a list, would be seeing the principal
point or points we have to focus and work on.
Generalities,--that is, good intentions—really
get us nowhere.”
“So there… I was trying to figure my
conversion point. I resumed typing and all of
a sudden, maybe ‘coz I typed some keyboard
combination or something, the word selfish
beside the cursor suddenly became bold and
the font enlarged. Even though I know it must
have been something I’ve done, I was still so
moved because I saw plainly what our Lord
wanted to tell me: I have been selfish all these
years.”
“Hey, Dad,” Jake interrupted him, “I beg
to disagree. You’ve been a great dad to all
of us these past years, and of course a loving
husband to Mom. So how could you call
yourself selfish?”
“Jake, I guess it’s more of realizing that there
were some things that I kinda held back—and
perhaps, continue to do so—in giving myself
God and you guys. You know, like my overtime
on T.V. and on the golf course, my fits of
impatience here and there, my complaints,
and…,”
“Stop! Stop! I’m not hearing your confession,”
Jake joked.
“I’m not making one, ‘coz I’ve already gone.
What I’m saying is that God was telling me
never to be satisfied. I could love Him and
everyone more by being generous in the daily
ordinary conversions.”
“OKAY! Let’s go back to where we were,
Dad. Any special request for your big day
tomorrow?”
“Well…, since you’re asking…, I kinda
figured… that…, well…,”
“Come on, Dad, spit it out!”
“Well, what about an iPad, so I can digitally
engage myself with the world and God.”
“[SIGH!]
*FYI: The key combinations that can change
your selected text in Word is pressing together
[CTRL] + [SHIFT] + < or > (to either decrease
or increase font size). [CTRL] + B would make
selected text BOLD.
ENCOUNTERS
Who is telling
the truth?
IN the issues confronting society we must be intent on seeking the
truth. There’s some point in discussion or dialogue sharing as the
expression goes: truth comes from discussion. That is, of course,
when the participants are open and sincere at heart in seeking
for the truth. Most surely God’s word is right in the following Bible
quote: “Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock,
and the door will be opened to you. For the one who asks always
receives; the one who searches always finds; the one who knocks
will always have the door opened to him” (Mt. 7:7).
Certainly in this RH Bill issue, there are different angles to the truth.
Let’s not forget one basic presupposition, that truth is identifiable
or tantamount to reality. To tell the truth is tantamount to express
the fact or reality as it is. It’s not a matter of subjective emotions or
desires, since people may have different likes or feelings.
Let’s be sincere in standing for the truth, after all we are going to
be judged or pay for it eternally if we lead others to error, falsehood
and sin insinuating deceptive and superficial ideas that are based
on greed and selfish foundations. The Church’s stand is based on
protection of life, family values and unity, and the fact that man’s life
on earth is transitory and is destined to live ever happily with God after
loyally fulfilling His will here on earth. Every person will face God’s final
judgment, as Jesus describes it in the gospel of Matthew chapter 25,
verses 31-46, after having pursued and practiced true love of one’s
neighbor, respecting his or her rights to life, liberty and property; food,
clothing and shelter. “For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory
of His Father with his angels, and, when he does, he will reward each
one according to his works” (Mt. 16:27; cf. Mt. 25:46; ).
In such complicated and muddled issue where the interplay of human
interests and emotions come in, we must not forget that the Church’s inter-
vention throughout history has brought in the guidance of our faith based on
God’s word. There is a guarantee of truth from Jesus’ assurance when He
said to St. Peter, the first Pope: “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of
heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven;
whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven” (Mt.
16:19-20). In the light of faith where we humble ourselves before God’s
infallible wisdom, let’s not forget Jesus’ solemn advice and warning: “I tell
you solemnly, anyone who does not welcome the kingdom of God like a
little child will never enter it” (Lk. 18:17; Mk. 10:15; Mt. 18:1-4).
Many times we do not understand things of our faith. “My thoughts are

SOULFOOD
not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. As high as
the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways
and my thoughts above your thoughts” (Is. 55:8-9). Even the famous
stigmatist priest St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, Italy gave an advice which

What does it mean to pray

is good for bright people who think they know everything: “Faith is not
to be argued over; either you accept it with your eyes closed, admitting
the inadequacy of the human mind to understand its mysteries, or you
reject it. There is no middle way. The choice is up to you.”

according to God’s will?

HERE’S another great promise:
The Bible says, we are sure that
he hears us if we ask him for
anything that is according to his
will. (1 John 5:14)
But someone told me it wasn’t
too great. He asked me, “Bo, why
will I bother to pray for God’s
Will? If it’s God’s Will, then it’ll
happen whether I pray or not,
right?”
I’ve heard that question many
times.
It comes from a wrong concept
of God’s Will.
For many people, God’s Will
is about knowing “Whether to
migrate to the US or not,” or
“Whether to work in Company
A or Company B,” or “Whether
to buy Car A or Car B.”
Let me clarify this as loud as I
can: God’s Will isn’t about details.
We think it is. That’s why many
Christians get paralyzed. They
can’t move. Because they think
God’s Will is in the details. They’re
afraid of making mistakes.
If God wanted to micromanage
our lives, He should have created
robots. But He didn’t do that.
He created us with phenomenal
imagination, creativity, and
beautiful intelligence. Stuff He
would want us to use!
Here’s what I believe: God’s
Will isn’t about details but about
direction. About vision. About
mission.
He leaves the details to us.
So what is God’s Will?
Here’s my answer: In essence,
God’s Will is to love like Jesus.
This is God’s Will for your life.
To be another Jesus in the world.
To bring Heaven down on earth.
To be God’s embrace to the people
in your life.
How will you love like Jesus?
God leaves that up to you.
Indeed, He gives us so much
freedom.
Because He trusts us so
much.
Let me say it again: Prayer isn’t
changing God’s Will.
Prayer is changing our will.
Prayer is entering into the flow
of God’s Love that’s flowing like
a river around you. Prayer is
being that river of God’s Love to
the people around you. We pray
God-ordained prayers. We pray
God-appointed desires.
Remember history; one way or another, in spite of all efforts to conceal
it, the truth will come to be known. And the victory of Jesus Christ who
said: “If you live according to my teaching, you are truly my disciples;
then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (Jn. 8:32).
The lives of saints, their many miracles, are a testimony to that.
►God’s Law? ▬ Ignorance of the Law excuses no one.
►Pro choice? ▬ Being a rational animal, man has been given by
God the freedom to choose between heaven or hell, if he so chooses
to follow or violate God’s law – of love and justice. Yes, indeed there is
freedom of choice, but you are liable to pay the price of your obedience
or disobedience. The two finalities of man are only either an eternal
heavenly bliss or the eternal fires of hell. It’s not a matter of free or pro
choice but making the right choice that will bring us to our final destiny;
yes to be sure that the choice we make will bring us to the true final-
ity in God’s Kingdom of eternal happiness. Man’s life on earth being
transitory and a time of probation, the Church’s effort under Christ’s
instruction is to teach the truth and help the human person avoid the
eternal punishment of hell. To talk about hell is not to deceive humanity
but an appeal for humanity’s salvation so they may be able to avoid the
eternal punishment of hell fire with the devils after being duly warned.
Jesus says it: “It is the truth that sets you free” (Jn. 8:32).
 Social Concerns
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 23
November 8 - 21, 2010
B7
Church appeals assistance for victims of Typhoon Juan

By National Secretariat
for Social Action
DEATH toll from the onslaught
of Typhoon Juan (International
code name: Megi) has reached
19. Loss was pegged at P4.8
billion, with rice crops taking the
biggest hit. Over two hundred
municipalities from Region I, II
and III have experienced power
outages because of the damages
to grid towers brought by the
super typhoon.
Among the provinces in
northern Philippines that were
severely impacted by Juan,
Isabela bore the greatest brunt
of the typhoon’s destruction.
Some of its coastal towns
were decimated up to 90%.
The municipalities greatly hit
were Ilagan, Tumauini and
Gamu. A state of calamity has
been declared in these areas.
The province, found in the
northeast Philippines, was
Juan’s entry point when it struck
the Philippine archipelago on
Monday (October 18, 2010) with
ferocious winds of 140 miles (225
kilometers) per hour.
Affected Population
The typhoon affected more
than 300,000 people. There
are 11,236 individuals still in
evacuation centers, mostly in
Northern Luzon. Reports say
around 5,425 families were
left homeless, while 8,570
families were left with partially
damaged houses. These families
came from the provinces of
Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, La
Union, Pangasinan, Cagayan,
Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Ecija,
Tarlac, Zambales, Abra, Apayao,
Benguet, Ifugao and Kalinga.
There are 3,781 families in the
Diocese of Urdaneta, Pangasinan
that have been affected while
10,685 families in the Diocese
of San Fernando, La Union have
directly experienced the rage of
Typhoon Juan. The Apostolic
Vicariate of Bontoc-Lagawe
reported 66 totally damaged
houses and 215 families affected
in 28 barangays of the province.
Type of assistance and relief
needed
Relief goods for those
directly affected are needed
immediately. Sister Pepetua
Bulwana, coordinator of Relief
and Rehabilitation, said that
food and toiletries are the most
needed. Furthermore, Caritas
Philippines appeals to private
citizens, organizations and
institutions for assistance to
those victims with partially and
totally damaged houses.
Actions Taken by the
Church
The Social Action Directors
and staff of the dioceses affected
have started gathering data
about the extent of damages
caused by the typhoon. The
Social Action Directors and
staff of SAC centers in Cagayan,
Isabela, Mountain Province,
Ifugao and Baguio made visits
to their respective dioceses to
collect information.
www.img2.allvoices.com
CBCP’s National Secretariat
for Social Action (NASSA)
and Catholic Relief Services
worked hand in hand to conduct
possible rapid assessment and
response activities in the affected
provinces. The Emergency
Program Manager of CRS is
currently in the province of
Ifugao to monitor situations
after the typhoon while its
Country Director has been
moving around in areas affected
as well. The Emergency Services
Coordinator of NASSA is
currently with the CRS staff in
Isabela province monitoring the
situation in the area as well.

Empowerment / B4
were eventually corrected in a way the
priest judges to be consistent with the
gospel. The priest admits he was helped
by Jesus’ own injunction in Matthew’s
gospel about fraternal correction—to do
it step by step: first privately, then with
witnesses, then with the whole church
(Mt 18:15-20). The priest thought that if
he flared up, that would be known by the
whole Church and, in effect, reverse the
gospel process. Giving second chances
is wise.
8. By Consulting the Laity in Matters
Affecting Them and Their Parish
Community
Imagine coming to a presbyteral
assembly and hearing the archbishop
make this announcement: “Brothers, for
purposes of transparency and efficiency
in our financial system, I have decided
to send auditors from COA to all our
parishes effective next week…” I think
I will not be exaggerating if I say that
there will be, first, shock among the
clergy, then anxious clarifications,
then an uproar if not an openly livid
opposition (but not a ‘hostage crisis’, I
can be sure of that, because there will be
no financially viable hostages available).
The biggest and strongest reason behind
the opposition is this: There were no
consultations. We priests are so used to
being consulted that we do not hesitate in
pointing out how unfair and unjust it is
when there is no consultation in matters
affecting us as priests and pastors. On
the other hand, we need to ask if we
make consultations ourselves with the
people we serve in matters affecting
them and their communities. If we do,
we show concretely our recognition of
their dignity as members of the New
People of God, and the rights and duties
that come with it.
9. By Encouraging the Laity’s Participation
According to Their Charism and Field of
Competence
Filipino priests who have an experience
ministering in some parts of the United
States often tell a common story. During
weekdays they do almost everything
in church. They open the doors,
sometimes do some cleaning and physical
arrangement of the place, prepare bread,
wine and other Mass paraphernalia, set
up their own vestments, become the lector
especially when Mass-goers are mostly
elderly and also become their own altar
server as well. (Thank God they don’t
have to respond to their own declaration,
“The Lord be with you”, with “And also
with me”). What comes out clearly here
is how comical church life is when there
is little or no participation. The reason
why the Holy Spirit has gifted all the
faithful, lay and clerical, with diverse
gifts and charisms, is precisely that the
Lord wants all the baptized involved in
the building up of his kingdom on earth.
This is implied in Jesus’ command in the
gospels to all his disciples to preach the
Good News to all nations or to all creation.
However, involvement is only one aspect
of participation. The other aspect is that
this is done according to one’s charism
and field of competence. It is not right,
for instance, for a lector to be assigned
choir master (sometimes this happens) or
for a lawyer parishioner to be assigned
PPC auditor (sometimes it also happens)
or, again, for a novena prayer leader
to be Extraordinary Minister of Holy
Communion. A number of priests have
a special group of people close to him,
aside from the PPC, that advises him in
many matters in the parish. The question
a priest must always honestly answer
is: Are these people truly competent to
advise me in such and such a matter?
Nothing is more empowering than to
allow people to do their part in the whole
tapestry of church life and mission but
according to their charisms, abilities and
field of competence.
10. By Applying Honest but Compassionate
Evaluation of the Laity’s Performance
One natural mechanism in human life
is that when we do good or right, we get
praised and when we do wrong or fail,
we get criticized or censured. We call
this ‘feedback’. A praise is a ‘positive
feedback’; a censure or a disapproving
criticism is a ‘negative feedback’. We all
need a feedback after we perform a task
or a responsibility, especially because a
feedback can help us achieve a goal or
objective better. Even Jesus asked for a
feedback when he asked his disciples,
“Who do people say that the Son of
Man is?” (Mt 16:13). It is clear that he
wanted to know if people had a correct
idea of who he is and what his purpose/
mission is from his preaching and works.
When Peter gave him the correct answer,
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living
God” (Mt 16:16), Jesus responded with a
positive feedback, saying, “Blessed are
you, Simon son of Jonah, for flesh and
blood has not revealed this to you but
my Father in heaven” (Mt 16:17). In a
word, Jesus is saying, “You got it right,
Simon. My Father in heaven has given
you the grace of insight!”
What has this got to do with empowering
the laity?
Plenty. Our laity, many times after
doing their tasks, no matter how
simple, rarely get a feedback unless it
is a negative one when he/she fails,
especially from their parish priests.
We take for granted how empowering
an honest feedback can be. Think of
how empowered you become when the
bishop praises a well-done program or
project in your parish. If it works for us
priests, it certainly will work with our
laity as well. But there is a no-no here.
Let us not give dishonest feedback just
to make our lay brethren feel good about
themselves. A lie will eventually show
itself and only add to the problem.
Priests do better to be honest in giving
feedbacks to their lay parishioners
regarding mistakes committed. But one
could do so with compassion by focusing
not on the person but on the erroneous
act. Instead of saying, “You are a failure
as a lector”, it is much more helpful
and compassionate to privately tell the
person in question, “You showed good
effort but I noticed there were words
that you mispronounced, like ‘booth’,
‘fishes’ etc. Could you practice with
someone before the actual reading and
also lower down your voice tone? The
pitch was high I found it a bit painful
to the ear, listening to you.” Feedbacks
such as these are not condemning nor
judgmental. They rather focus on things
that can be corrected. Any person will
come out of it empowered to improve in
future performances of his/her task.
What have we been saying here?
A simple message to the clergy:
EMPOWER THE LAITY, EMPOWER
YOURSELVES.

Leadership / B6 Stand / B5

looked on David as an ideal
leader, one who shepherds the
people of Israel (2 Sam 5:3, 1st
Reading), but that is because the
Jews were of the belief that David
approximates the leader that God
had in mind: “He tended them
with a sincere heart, and with
skillful hands he guided them”
(Ps 78:72).
To be sure, Jesus, who in Luke
is David’s son (Luke 18:38; 20:41),
is the ideal king and leader. More
than David, he is the Leader God
had in mind, because the Spirit
of God is with him; in him all the
qualities that a leader must have
reside in him. And as crucified
leader, who gave his life for the
salvation of all, he continues to be
an embodiment of God’s critique
of our present dictators, presidents,
prime ministers, chief executives,
leaders in the Church and powers-
that-be who continue to take their
rule in terms of power, privilege
and domination, not in terms of
suffering and servanthood.
failures and shortcomings. When
HMC was granted the permit to
mine in Manicani, it assumed
all the responsibilities and
consequences relative to mining.
Now that HMC had left before the
expiration of its permit, how then
would it account for its failures
and shortcomings?
5. HMC made an attempt to
appease the Diocese, hoping that
it would soften its stand against
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.
Signed this 13th of October
2010 on the occasion of the
regular assembly of priests of

CBCPMonitor Name _________________________________________________

(Family Name) (Given Name) (Middle Name)
the loading of mineral stockpiles.
HMC through the Local chief
Executive of the Municipality
the Diocese of Borongan held at
the Bishop Leonardo Y. Medroso
Social Hall, Bishop’s Residence,
of Guiuan offered the Bishop Borongan, Eastern Samar.
SUBSCRIPTION RATES Mailing Address _______________________________________________ of Borongan P1,000,000.00
for the diocese’s spiritual and MOST REV. CRISPIN B.
_________________________________________________ pastoral endeavors. This was VARQUEZ, DD
Phone No.: ________ Fax No.: ________ E-mail: ___________ outrightly rejected by the Bishop. Bishop of Borongan
The CBCP Monitor is published However, HMC eventually
fortnightly by the CBCP Media Mode of Payment succeeded in buying out the MSGR. LOPE C. ROBREDILLO
Office, with editorial and busi-  Check/PMO enclosed  Cash Payment support of local residents when Vicar-General
ness offices at 470 Gen. Luna it distributedP10,000 for every
(Payable to: CBCP Communications Development Foundation Inc.) household paving the way
St., Intramuros, Manila. PO Box REV. FR. LEROY GELI
3601, 1076 MCPO for the loading of the mineral Secretary, Diocesan Pastoral
• Domestic _____________________________ stockpiles. Board
Therefore, we, the members
1 Year Php 500.00 Signature of the clergy of the Diocese of REV. FR. JUDERICK
2 Years Php 900.00 Borongan, reiterate our collective CALUMPIANO
• Foreign: Asia stand to oppose the resumption of Chairman, Diocesan Commission
1 Year US$ 55.00 mining in the island of Manicani on Social Action
• All Other US$ 80.00 PLEASE SEND TO: in solidarity with the people of
the island who have suffered long The Diocesan Clergy of
CBCP Monitor, P.O. Box 3601, Manila, Philippines enough because of unmitigated Borongan
470 Gen. Luna St., Intramuros, Manila, Philippines | Tel (632) 404-2182 • Telefax (632) 404-1612 greed of the very people who
Or e-mail this at cbcpmonitor@cbcpworld.com vowed to protect them; because October 13, 2010
 B8 Entertainment CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 23
November 8 - 21, 2010

Moral Assessment Technical Assessment

 Abhorrent  Poor
 Disturbing  Below average

 Acceptable  Average

 Wholesome  Above average

 Exemplary  E
xcellent

Mataas ang pangarap
ng baristang si Paolo (Gerard
Anderson) at makikilala niya sa
pinapasukangcoffeeshopsiAgnes
(Kim Chiu), isang probinsiyanang
nagpunta ng Maynila upang mag-
review sa nursing board exams.
Magkakalapit ang kanilang loob
habang unti-unting inaabot
ni Paolo ang kaniyang mga
pangarap.Magigingmatagumpay
si Paolo sa bagong karera bilang
real estate agent. Yun nga lang, sa
pagbabago ng kanyang mundo
ay hindi naman makasabay
si Agnes na nagiging ugat ng
madalas nilang pag-aaway.
Habang nararating ni Paolo ang
tugatog ng tagumpay ay unti-unti
namang napapalayo si Agnes
sa kanya. Dagdag pa dito ang
pagnanais ni Agnes na sundan
ang kanyang ina sa America.
May patunguhan pa kaya ang
pagmamahalan nila sa kabila ng
marami nilang pinagdadaanan?
Isang tipikal na kuwentong
pag-ibig ang Till My Heartaches
End na sinubukang bigyan ng
bagong-bihis sa pamamagitan
ng paggamit ng naiibang
paraan ng pagkukuwento.
Ang kuwentong pag-ibig ng
dalawang pangunahing tauhan
ay inilahad sa punto de vista ng
mga taong nakapaligid sa kanila.
Isang makabagong paraan ito
ng pagkukuwento. Yun nga
lang, halos hindi maramdaman
ang damdamin ng dalawang
bida. May pagka-malamlam
ang pagganap ni Anderson
at Chiu sa kabila ng kanilang
sinseridad pero may kilig pa rin
ang kanilang tambalan. Maayos
ang kuha ng kamera at malinis
naman ang daloy ng damdamin
ngunit tila nakakainip paminsan-
minsan ang paikot-ikot na
problema ng dalawang bida.
Marahil ay sinasadya naman
ito sa kuwento. Epektibo ang
mga pangalawang tauhan pero
hindi naman gaanong nabigyan
ng kuwento ang mga ito at
naging halos palamuti na lang.
Sa kabuuan ay nakaka-aliw at
nakakakilig pa rin ang pelikula
at ang pagsusubok nitong bigyan
ng bagong timpla ang isang tila
gasgas na kuwentong pag-ibig.
Ipinakita ng pelikula kung
paanong ang dalawang
ma g k a i b a n g p a g k a t a o a y
maaring magkatagpo sa pag-
ibig. Dumaan sa maraming unos
ang pagmamahalan nila Paolo
at Agnes dahil sa maraming
komplikasyon sa kanilang
paligid at sa pagkakaiba na rin
ng kanilang pananaw sa buhay
at pag-uugali. Totoong-totoo
ang mga problemang ito at
naging totoo rin ang pelikula sa
pagsasabing mahirap talaga itong
lutasin sa kabila ng pagnanais ng
isa’t-isa na magparaya. Ngunit
tunay na pag-ibig pa rin ang
natatanging pag-asang pwedeng
panghawakan sa bandang huli.
Marami ring argumento ang
pelikula na nararapat pag-isipan
ng manonood ukol sa kung ano
nga ba ang dapat mas bigyan
Title: Till My Heartaches End
Cast: Kim Chiu, Gerard Ander-
son, Mark Gil, Desiree del
Valle, Matet de Leon
Director: Jose Javier-Reyes
Screenplay: Jose Javier-
Reyes
Producer/ Distributor: Star
Cinema
Running Time:100 minutes
Location: Manila
Genre: Romance, Drama
Technical Assessment: 
Moral Assessment: 
Rating: For Viewers 14 years
old and above
ng halaga, pangarap o pag-
ibig? Maaari bang magtagpo
ang paghahangad ng yaman at
pagpapayabong ng relasyon?
Sa nagbabagong panahon at
nagbabagong mundo, saan nga
ba dapat ilugar ang puso? Sa
ipinakita ng pelikula, sinasabi
nitong pagmamahalan at relasyon
pa rin ang pinakamalaga sa
mundo ngunit hindi naman
nito lantarang ipinakita ang
nararapat na sakripisyong
kaabikat nito. May mga ilan
ding nakakababahalang mensahe
ang pelikula tulad ng maaaring
ipagsawalang-bahala na lang
ang ilang maseselang isyu sa
relasyon gaya ng pagsiping sa
iba. Bagama’t wala namang
ipinakitang maseselang eksena
bukod sa ilang halikan, masasabi
pa ring ang tema ng pelikula ay
nararapat lamang sa manonood
na may edad 14 pataas. (Rizalino
R. Pinlac, Jr.)

MAC en COLET Ni Bladimer Usi

Title: Eat, Pray, Love
Cast: Julia Roberts,
Billy Crudup,
James Franco,
Javier Bardem, Vi-
ola Davis, Richard
Jenkins, Christine
Hakim
Director: Ryan Murphy
Screenplay: Ryan Mur-
phy, Jennifer Salt
Producer/ Distributor:
Brad Pitt, Dede
Gardner, Jeremy
Kleiner, Julia Rob-

Buhay Parokya
erts, Stan Wlod-
kowski, Tabrez
Noorani/Columbia Look for
Pictures the images
Running Time: 133
minutes of Saint
Location: United Lorenzo
States Ruiz, Pope
Pius XII and
baptismal
candle.

For the many readers who liked Elizabeth Gilbert’s book, they will know that
the title refers to the twelve months that the writer took out of her life to take
stock, enjoy and marvel at the world, and to come kind of self-forgiveness
and acceptance. She spent four months in Rome (eat), four months in India
(pray) and four months in Bali (love). For those who did not read the book,
the film is an opportunity for them to accompany Liz on her geographical,
psychological and spiritual journey.
What makes the film easier for many audiences is the fact that Julia Roberts
plays Liz Gilbert. Twenty years ago, she was the glamorous Pretty Woman. Ten
years ago, she was the feisty saviour of victims, Erin Brockovich. Now she offers
a character for women in mid-life who want to take an initiative to discover
their better selves. Julia Roberts, looks beautiful at all times, but harried at first,
becoming more radiant and then, without make up, her older, even plainer,
self. Though we are conscious that it is Julia Roberts we are watching, she does
transform herself into Elisabeth Gilbert making the journey credible.
Though the film is long, the first episodes are rather hurried, too hurried
to really grasp the personalities of her husband who loves her (Billy Crudup)
but whom she divorces, of her younger, actor partner (James Franco). We
get glimpses (and during the journey some flashbacks) of the relationships
and why they failed. Viola Davis is solid as her best friend.
Then the film settles down to indulge us with the vistas of Rome and
plenty of food, glorious food, Italian-style. With good friends and learning
the difference between entertainment and real pleasure (Italians pointing
out that this is a mistake that busy Americans make), Liz puts on the kilos
with happy abandon. And, then she is in India.
At the ashram in India, Liz assumes the dress styles, the rituals, the manual
work of service (yes, that is Julia Roberts scrubbing floors), the silences,
the hospitality and the meditative space that leads her to a conclusion that
‘God is within me, as me’, a reflection worth some more reflection. The film
captures the colours of India, even at a wedding, and should entice happy
visitors to Italy to take a second look at their affluent world in comparison
with the poverty and hardships of India.
There is a standout sequence in the Indian episode, a clip that could stand alone for
use in seminars on alcoholism and self-improvement. The writing of the film takes
off and is brought to dramatic power by the performance of Richard Jenkins.
What do you do when you have purged yourself of some spiritual ailments?
Go to Bali, seek the help of a wise man and some alternative healing – and allow
yourself to fall in love. That requires inner freedom, an acknowledgement of
past failures but, most importantly, discovering self-forgiveness. In the beauty of
Bali and with Javier Bardem on hand, it is, after many difficulties, possible.
The trouble with Eat Pray Love is that one wants to respond to the character
and how she handles her journey rather than sit back and accept the film and Liz
Gilbert. This is very much a First World story, the aftermath of New Age fashions
and the discovery of Eastern mystic practices if not Eastern religion. Very few (very
few) women can take the time, let alone afford the time and expenses for such a
journey. This is the spiritual trek of a wealthy woman. While holiday and break
are necessary, and Liz is introduced to some mysticism and asceticism in India, we
ask, ‘to what purpose?’. By the time she has come to terms with herself and found
love, we wonder what the moral bases of her life consist of, what is the nature of
her integrity and the tension between some absolutes she has discovered and the
relative importance of principles to be held on to or discarded.
Many men in the audience have found sharing this journey a tedious
movie experience. Many women will be encouraged to follow Elizabeth
Gilbert in her search in as much as their means allow them. Her story, book
and film, is at least an attempt, in a pluralist world that has become even
more pluralist, to attempt a search for life values. (Peter Malone, Reposted
at www.cbcpcinema.blogspot.com)
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 23
November 8 - 21, 2010
DOCETE
A Catechetical Publication of the Episcopal Commission on Catechesis and Catholic Education
ECCCE holds 3rd
THE Episcopal Commission
ACCCRE Assembly had known the hour of night when the
on Catechesis and Catholic thief was coming, he would have stayed
Education (ECCCE) held its awake and not let his house be broken
into. So, too, you also must be prepared,
3rd Annual Assembly of the for at an hour you do not expect, the Son
Association of Catechetical of Man will come. “Who, then, is the
Centers and Colleges faithful and prudent servant, whom the
with Religious Education master has put in charge of his household
to distribute to them their food at the
(ACCCRE) last Jan. 20-22, 2010 proper time? Blessed is that servant
at the Marello Retreat House whom his master on his arrival finds
in Tagaytay City. doing so. Amen, I say to you, he will
put him in charge of all his property. But
This year’s theme is “FATHER. if that wicked servant says to himself,
CREATION. STEWARDS.” which ‘My master is long delayed, and begins
summarizes the following objectives: to beat his fellow servants, and eat and
to deepen the understanding of drink with drunkards, the servant’s
stewardship; to strengthen the CFC’s master will come on an unexpected
principle of Integration focusing on day and at an unknown hour and will
faith-life integration; and to help enrich punish him severely and assign him a
one’s catechetical/ religious education place with the hypocrites, where there
program by exploring the varied will be wailing and grinding of teeth.”
Catechists’ Basic Formation Programs. [Mt. 24,45-51]
The 43 listed participants are composed
of Heads of Catechetical Centers and Points for Reflection from the Gospel
Colleges/Universities with Religious Reading
Education coming from the different From the Good News according to St.
regions all over the country. From the Matthew we learn that stewardship has
Luzon region 14 Catechetical Centers to do with being “put in charge.” Our
and 13 colleges and universities with Rel Filipino culture also supports this close
Ed were represented, from the Visayas association between “pamamahala” and
region—6 Catechetical Centers and 4 “katiwala.” Indeed you put the one you
colleges/universities with Rel Ed were trust (katiwala) in charge (pamamahala)
represented. There was only a lone of what is important to you. Hence,
representative from Mindanao—from we can easily translate “steward” as
the Diocesan Catechetical Center in “katiwala” while “stewardship” can
Surigao. easily be “pamamahala.”
During the first day (January 20, 2010), The parable above teaches us that the
the participants were welcomed by katiwala is the one chosen by the master
ECCCE’s Assistant Executive Secretary, as in charge of “food distribution in the
Mo. Jesusa Enginco, OP. Afterwards, proper time.” While at first this may
they had an orientation which was seem as only pertaining to material
facilitated by Fr. Rowan Rebustillo. He goods like food, time and property; in
informed the group about ECCCE’s reality, however, being put in charge
upcoming activities for the next three also bears the responsibility of taking
years as well. care of one’s “fellow servants from
In the afternoon, the assembly was the same household.” Here we learn
introduced to the first conference which that stewardship is also about ordered
is “On Stewardship” facilitated by Fr. relationship with our fellow human
Venusto Suarez, the Assistant Director beings. It is not only about property or
of the Catechetical Foundation of the any inanimate or even unfeeling objects;
Archdiocese of Manila (CFAM). Here stewardship is also about harmonious or
is a glimpse of that conference: peaceful relations with our neighbor.
Above all, however, being “put in
First Conference: On Stewardship charge” means pananagutan before the
By Fr. Venusto Suarez (Assistant master who chose the steward with his
Director of CFAM) trust. This is perhaps the very heart of
the parable we have read above; and of
Christian Stewardship as a Way of Life course, for the Christian stewards, we are
The heart of the problem as we discern accountable before our Lord God. Hence
today amidst the realities of our nation we say in Filipino, “may pananagutan tayo
has to do with responsible and Christian sa Diyos!” Furthermore, accountability
Stewardship. Stewardship is a call of the determines our ultimate destiny. In
times and is a Christian response rooted the very end, our enjoyment of God’s
in the Gospel and the Teachings of the rewards [Mt. 24, 47]1 or our torment in
Catholic Church. punishment [Mt. 24, 51],2 is determined
by what we do with God’s trust that is
Christian Stewardship According to the given to us.
Gospel
Going back to the source—the Word Stewardship and our Christian
of God Commitments
Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore, Stewardship is the Christian response
stay awake! For you do not know on to discipleship in Jesus Christ. A
which day your Lord will come. Be steward is one who receives God’s gifts
sure of this: if the master of the house gratefully, tends them in a responsible
and accountable manner, shares them
in justice and love of others and
returns them with increase to the Lord.
(Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response,
NCCB-USCC).
All Christians, baptized in the name of
God the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit,
receive the following graces and tasks:
A. We are stewards of ourselves.
God created us in his own image and
his creating action is a gift that is being
given to us [Gen. 2, 26-28]. The very
first meaning of stewardship therefore
has to do with our responsibility given
by God with regard to who we are and
what we make of ourselves before him
[CCC 355].
B. Closely related and inseparable
from the first meaning of stewardship
is our responsibility before our neighbor
[Gen 2, 21-23]. This means that we are
also accountable to our fellow human
beings and our relationship with them
determines our ultimate end [Mt 25, 31-
46]. Human fulfillment and satisfaction
is found only in self-donation that is
accomplished in love. This is the very
reason why Jesus teaches us that the
most important commandments are:
love God and love your neighbor as
yourself [Mt 22, 36-40].
C. Stewardship is also about our
responsibility towards the Church.
Both the spiritual and material heritage
of the church are entrusted to us as her
faithful members [CCC 1476-77; 1 Pt
2, 5]. Christians, baptized in the name
of the Holy Trinity, are accountable to
the church who accepted them in faith
and trust [Eph 2, 19-20]. Therefore, one
with our being stewards of ourselves
and our neighbor, we are also stewards
of our church.
D. We are stewards of the poor. It is
imperative for the Christian Steward
to follow God’s example in giving
preference to the poor [OA, 23; PCP 312].
According to the Deacon and Martyr
Lawrence of Rome “the poor are true
treasure of the church.” Pope John XXIII
said that the common good dictates that
more attention must be given to the
less fortunate members of society [PT
56]. “We as a church indeed opt for all
men, women and children of the world
but above all, preferentially we opt like
Jesus for the ‘little ones,’ the poor and
marginalized of our societies [PCP 312;
SRS 39; PP 47].
E. Christians are also stewards of their
home country and are called by God to
be responsible citizens. Therefore it is
the task of all Christians to ensure that
not only the present but also the future
generations of humanity will enjoy
the benefit of the riches of creation.
The faithful is tasked to care for all
creation for the welfare of the following
generations.
Stewardship and Discipleship
Lastly, we need to remind ourselves
that the stewardship that we have been
discussing is Christian. We therefore
ought to remember in carrying out our
task of stewardship, these words uttered
by Jesus, “Whatsoever you do to the
least of my brothers and sisters you do
to me…” [Mt 25, 40; 45].
* We are also stewards of all creation.
Care for all creation is therefore the
responsibility of every faithful for the
just benefit of himself and his neighbor;
and our neighbor justly includes the
next generations of human beings [CCC
2402; GS 69].
* Ultimately and most wondrously,
the faithful is also a steward of his
relationship with God. Our relationship
with God ought to condition and
determine all the other stewardship and
commitments that were discussed.
Life and Spirituality of Christian
Stewards
Respect and accountability ought
to condition the life of the Christian
Steward. We ought to respect each
and every one of our responsibilities as
laid down above. We ought to respect
our relationship with our God, fellow
human beings, the church and all of
creation. God gives each and every single
one of these responsibilities to us in his
sacred trust.
***
After the afternoon break, they
proceeded with the Second Conference
which was a presentation of a CFC-based
Catechists’ Basic Formation Course
by Fr. William Parde, Director of the
Catechetical Institute in Naga City
Fr. Parde presented to the body the
draft of their Archdiocese’ CFC-Based
Catechists’ Basic Formation Course.
Highlights of the draft include:
Rational
* Creating a Basic Formation Course
for Volunteer Catechists presumes a
two-fold task, namely, “to know where
these catechists are at, and to be able to
discern more or less what the students
must strive to learn in order to give the
needed religious instruction.”
* The formation manual is actually for
facilitators who took the responsibility
of initiating these volunteers into the
basic of the Christian faith.
* It is an unpretentious attempt to
facilitate the initial training of would-
be catechists in the parishes, relative
to courses in Doctrine, Morals and
Worship.
* The CFC (Catechism for Filipino
Catholics) provides people who want
to study the Christian Faith with a book
that is understandable and suited to
the life and culture of Filipinos. While
this work adapts the content of CFC,
its method, and spirit to enhance the
training of catechists.
* The outline of the formation course
was presented based on two guiding
statements:
a. One very crucial task is how to
determine what should be emphasized
as the basic points in every lesson,
considering the background and
C1
capacity of would be catechists assimilate
the given subject matter.
b. A second basic consideration in
creating this formation course is its
direct and immediate relation to what
the catechists are actually called to do
in their classes for elementary and high
school students.
I. General Summary of CFC Topics. There
are 40 Topics in Christian Doctrine,
Morals and Worship that are within the
5 month Basic Formation Course or a
Two-year staggered Formation:
A. Introductory Topics (4 Lessons)
1. The Filipino Catholic’s Identity
2. God’s Revelation in Sacred
Scriptures and the Living Tradition of
the Church
3. Basic Introduction to the Old and
New Testaments
4. Faith: Our Response to God’s
Revelation
B. Topics in Christian Doctrine (15
Lessons)
We Believe in God: Father and Creator
1. God, the Father Almighty, Creator
of Heaven and Earth
2. Fall from Glory
We believe in Jesus Christ
1. Mission and Ministry of Jesus
Christ
2. The Person of Jesus
3. Christ has died, Christ is risen
4. Christ Ascended to Heaven and
Will Come Again
5. Mary: Mother of Jesus, Mother of
God
We believe in the Holy Spirit
6. The Presence, Action & Effects of
the Holy Spirit
7. Grace: God’s Presence in us
8. The Activities of Holy Spirit in
Christ, in the Church and in us
We believe in the Church
9. The Church: Nature and Mission
10. The Marks and Tasks of the
Church
11. The Communion of Saints and the
Biblical Images of the Church
We Believe in Life Everlasting
12. Death, Resurrection of the Body
and Life Everlasting
13. Heaven, Hell and Purgatory
C. Topics in Christian Morals (12
Lessons)
Foundations
1. Human Freedom
2. Conscience and Its Formation
3. Moral Norms in Christian Living
4. The Mystery of Wickedness: Sin
Love of God and Love of Neighbor
5.The First and Second
Commandments
 C2 DOCETE CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 23
November 8 - 21, 2010

6. The Third Commandment: Keep integrated (Dimension Integration). For
Holy the Lord’s Day example, the NNCDP warns that “only
7. The Fourth Commandment: by inter-relating the articles of the Creed
respecting parents and those in on Jesus Christ can an adequate grasp
authority of Jesus Christ’s person and mission be
8.TheFifthCommandment:Respecting communicated. In Morals, freedom,
God’s Gift of Life conscience and the commandments
9.TheSixthandNinthCommandments: have to be “integrated” in order to be
Respecting Human Sexuality properly grasped, and in Worship, all the
10. The Seventh and Tenth sacraments are unified and integrated
Commandments: Building Justice around the Eucharist as their center.”
11. The Eighth Commandment: (#370)
Respecting Truth
12. The Beatitudes and Christian * This integration may add a dimension
Virtues that is beyond the capacities of many
ordinary catechist formation programs.
D. Topics in Christian Worship (9 Much depends on what level the
Lessons) catechists will be operating:—what
is not relevant for the catechesis of
Foundations the early elementary years becomes
1. Catholic Prayer and Worship quite desirable for upper high school
2. Liturgy catechesis. Genuine understanding
3. The Sacramental Principle of anything, however, comes from
perceiving inter-relations. In catechesis,
The Seven Ritual Sacraments this means sensitivity to the inter-
4. Baptism and Confirmation: New connections exemplified above in the
Life in Christ NNCDP (#370).
5. Eucharist: Christ, the Living Bread
of Life * The special value of this dimension
6. Reconciliation and Anointing of the integration for catechists / religion
Sick: Christ’s Healing teachers is that it offers them wide
7. Matrimony and Holy Orders: possibilities for concrete “Student
Vocations and Commitment in Christ activities/assignments” that can develop
student capacities in “applying” the
Sacramentals and Filipino Folk Faith to their daily life.
Catholicism
8. Sacramentals in the Life of Filipino * Perhaps the most “operable”
Catholics integration as far as catechist formation
9. Filipino Folk Catholicism and goes is “Source Integration.” The
Marian Devotions NNCDP explains how “the primary
sources of catechesis—Scripture,
II. Presentation of the 40 Topics. Tradition and human experience—must
After the conference, the participants be used creatively and adapted to the
were ever eager to share their comments concrete catechesis being carried on.
and suggestions on the paper and so the This process… [must be] faithful to
scheduled workshop was cancelled. both God’s revelation and the human
factors involved in the catechesis.”
*** (#371) This ideal is recognized by all,
The Third Conference was presented yet its effective implementation is
in the morning of the second day, not easy to achieve. Each of the three
January 21, 2010. The topic is “On primary sources involves many one-
Methodology” and was presented sided methods that can frustrate an
by Dr. Lucille Natividad, Director of integral, holistic formation in the faith.
FIRE. The “experts” are not infrequently the
Dr. Natividad presented the topic unwitting causes of the difficulty. It’s
vis-à-vis Fr. Joseph L. Roche’s “Towards very important to recognize that the
a Review of Integration in Catechists”. point of view of the religious educator/
Here is an excerpt of the document: catechist is not identified with that of
the Biblical exegete, the systematic,
Integrated Catechesis moral or liturgical theologian, etc. The
* According to the NNCDP (New experts in their proper areas of research
National Catechetical Directory for the have priorities, methodologies and goals
Philippines), “integration, as the first that are not identical with those of the
principle of catechetical methodology, catechists/religious educators.
refers to the holistic, unified character
of all authentic catechesis. As such it * A practical indication of the special
has many “forms” or “applications.” uniqueness of the Religious educator’s
But in one way or another, all forms of perspective was manifested at the
integration are aimed at “closing the gap” publication of the Catechism of the
between the concrete catechesis—how Catholic Church. Many experts, while
the faith is being communicated—and admitting the valid aspects of the
the way faith is actually lived in daily catechism, could only offer a specialized
life by the ordinary Catholic Filipino” critique of CCC’s handling of their area
(#368). The goal is to emphasize faith’s of research. Few had any means for an
experiential dimension, to correct adequate evaluation of the whole work.
the common catechetical defects of But for the religious educator, a holistic
“head-knowledge only,” or mere “rote approach is absolutely necessary. First
memorization of formulas.” Faith is not with Scripture, whose study cannot be
just believing / thinking with the head, limited to the historical critical method
but doing (with hands) and praying/ alone. Second, for a balanced approach
worshipping (with the heart) as well— to Catholic doctrine, avoiding much of
“bringing Christ into the minds, wills the never-ending, no-consensus polemics
and hearts of today’s Filipino.” of individual theologians. Thirdly, as a
basic need for a clear, sound exposition
* Unfortunately, this primordial of the general principles of Catholic
ideal of “Life Integration” seems often morality (e.g., proposed in “Veritatis
to be presumed rather than pursued Splendor”), and finally for the newer
in catechist formation programs. Most approaches fostering active participation
formators are rightfully concerned in the liturgy and a fervent sacramental
primarily that the student catechists life in the Catholic community. This
accurately learn the content of their stress on the need for a holistic approach
courses which are objectively true makes serious demands on experience,
and basic for Christian living. But as prudence and courage of those in charge
experience has shown, the Good News” of catechist formation.
must be communicated in a way the
catechized can assimilate it, at their level * The final two integrations shift the
of experience and growth. focus from the Good News itself to the
recipients of the catechesis and their
* The NNCDP points out that environmental context. The NNCDP
one “primary means to achieve this describes “Subject Integration” as
“Life Integration,” called “Structural focusing on “how those being catechized
Integration,” is to focus on the structure actually assimilate and interiorize the
of the message itself – showing the catechetical instructions being given
distinction yet intrinsic relationship them (#372). It advises the catechist to
between the three essential dimensions “get in the shoes” of the catechized and
of the faith: doctrine (Creed), morals speak to them directly, in a clear way
(Commandments/virtues) and Worship they can understand, imbibe and make
(Prayer/ sacraments).” (369) This their own the particular content of the
breakdown of Christian Faith into its catechesis.” This confirms the current
three essential dimensions is a constant educational emphasis on “student
theme throughout the whole Directory. learning,” and develops the new
stress on the catechetical recognition
* Nevertheless, not a few difficulties of the extraordinary importance of the
have arisen in fostering operational imagination and personal affectivity in
competency in making effective use of communicating the faith.
these fundamental distinctions. Some
have complained that it destroy the * While there is broad consensus about
unity of Faith, apparently confusing the value and importance of this “Subject
unity which presumes distinction with Integration,” experience over the past
identity which denies it. Many more 25 years has indicated a surprising,
have had much difficulty in accurately, unexpected consistent weakness among
identifying what precisely falls under religion teachers in this integration.
doctrine, what under morals, and what Whatever may be its various causes and
under worship. Yet the need to recognize influences, the fact remains that most
clearly the difference between a Creedal catechists/religion teachers have not
truth, a commandment and a sacrament, been exercised in this way of focusing on
as well as the human acts of believing, how their students actually learn what
acting morally, and praying, surely they’re being taught. College educated
outweigh the above difficulties. Fostering student catechists undergoing their
effectively a personal living Faith in the formation studies, commonly admit
catechized surely demands a sense of, a that the religion teachers in their journey
feeling for, these three distinct realities in from elementary to college, rarely paid
the faithful following of Christ. any concern to such integration.
Some help has been sought in pursuing
a new “Apologetics of Beauty,” which
opens up catechesis to a broader and
deeper humanistic methodology. This,
in turn, broadens the focus from the
subjects’ personal capacities to their
concrete Environment or Context. Due
recognition is awarded to the social
sciences for their important contributions
toward improved understanding of the
catechetical context and the best means
for communicating the Gospel Message.
But the primacy of the Gospel itself
must be maintained if catechesis is be
a vibrant dimension of the Ministry of
the Word, not just an interdisciplinary
hybrid pursuit.
* Conclusion. The NNCDP concludes
its exposition of integrations by showing
how the principle of integration “can be
grounded in Scripture through the five
activities by which the apostolic Church
lived, celebrated and communicated the
mystery of the Risen Christ.” (#373) It
develops the narrative in Acts 2:42, 44-47
which describes the five central activities
carried on in the early Church’s life and
ministry: the Kerygma or proclamation
of the Good News of Jesus Christ;
didache or teaching of the Good New;
the leiturgia, or breaking of the bread
together and praising God; the koinonia,
or the community holding all things in
common; and finally, the diakonia, or the
witness of loving service of all in Christ.
These basic activities represent the basic
“Christian practices” which constitute
the “Christian way of life, and hence
the goal of all the integrations.
* A final connection that helps to
understand the value and purpose of
the integrations is their relationship to
“Systematic Catechesis” (#378) which
was described in detail by John Paul
II’s Catechesi Tradendae (#21). Each of
the individual elements provides a
new insight into the “integrations.” 1)
“Systematic” means improvised but
programmed to reach a precise goal;
2) dealing with essentials, without any
claim to tackle all disputed questions; 3)
yet sufficiently complete, not stopping
short at the initial proclamation; and
4) constituting an integral Christian
initiation. In actual practice, the
difference between “systematic” and
our ideal of “integration” occurs at
times when the catechesis is overly
systematic—exemplifying in a somewhat
distorted fashion the four qualities given
above—but not integrated in a balanced
manner because of concentrating only
on “head knowledge” to the detriment
of morals and worship.
***
After the morning break, they
proceeded with the Fourth Conference
“On the Revision of Catechists’ Basic
Formation Program” which was
presented by Dr. Flordeliza C. Reyes
D r . R e y e s p r e s e n t e d t h e
LADDERIZED BACHELOR
OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
PROGRAM:
Program Overview
This flexible, ladderized, four-year
undergraduate program is designed to
meet the needs and career options of
the participants. Participants may opt:
(a) only for the one-year Certificate in
Religious Education, (b) the Certificate
and the two-year Associate in Religious
Education, or (c) the complete, four-year
Bachelor in Religious Education.
Career Options
Holders of the Certificate in Religious
Education and/or the Associate
in Religious Education can teach
Catechism/Religion in the parish or, in
school settings if they have the necessary
credentials (LET passing mark/
completion of a teacher certification
program). Holders of Bachelor in
Religious Education degree can teach
in elementary or high school, although
some schools may require passing the
licensure examination as a requirement
for tenure. Degree holders can also
pursue a master’s degree in the field.
Certificate, associate, or degree
holders who opt to teach may be
particularly gifted to deal with particular
age groups. Thus, those who are inclined
to music, dance, and storytelling may
be particularly suitable to primary
grades. Those skilled in craft projects or
drama may relate well to intermediate
and secondary classes, while those
who can help others synthesize their
own experiences and the Tradition of
the Church may be effective religion
teachers or catechists for adults.
Program participants
The program is ideal for believers
whose creativity and imagination have
made them teachers, whether naturally,
as in the home or in the parish, or
professionally in the classroom.
Program Goals (3 units)
The ladderized Bachelor in religious
Education Program is intended to
produce catechists and teachers of
Religious Education who possess
and manifest in their personal and
professional lives the following
knowledge, attitudes, and skills:
2. Deep understanding of the person
of Christ and his message;
3. Basic knowledge of himself/herself
as a person and as a catechist/religion
teacher (with a special calling);
4. Fundamental understanding of the
levels of development and maturity of
the catechized; and
5. Critical awareness of the concrete
context of the Filipino culture and
society as influencing the actual work
of catechizing.
Attitudes:
The participants shall have grown
in:
1. Faith and commitment to live the life
of our Church and have made its way
of life and teachings their own;
2. Spiritual commitment to the
Church and personal beliefs in aspects
of the historic faith or of the Catholic
Tradition;
3. Intimate communion with the
Triune God in prayer;
4. Personal loving relationship with
Christ as expressed in his/her love for
the Eucharist;
5. Personal appreciation of the “ritual
sacraments” as “encounters with the
“Risen Christ” leading to a fervent
sacramental life;
6. Self-acceptance and sincere respect
for the dignity and freedom of every
person;
7. Pastoral love expressed in:
a. commitment to the gospel values
of truth, justice, pace and love;
b. solidarity with the poor;
c. practical concern for the creation
of a society that reflects the features of
the Kingdom;
d. openness, attentiveness, optimism,
and enthusiasm in bringing about God’s
Kingdom;
8. Missionary zeal in spreading the
Good News of God’s Kingdom;
9. Readiness to collaborate and work
with other pastoral workers in the
service of the local community; and
10. Deep desire for Christian unity,
expressed in willingness to engage
in open and respectful dialogue with
Christians of other denominations, as well
as with members of other religions.
Skills and Competencies:
They shall have acquired and
effectively apply the following skills in
their personal lives and in their teaching
ministry:
1. Capacity for reflection, discernment,
and interiorization;
2. Ability to apply effective pedagogical
methods in communicating the faith
a. in an inculturated manner, and
b. with creativity in using available
resources, including the modern means
of social communication;
2. Necessary pastoral skills to be
able to
a. inspire and motivate the ordinary
Filipino Catholic and family towards
active involvement in building a just
society;
b. promote the building of Christian
communities, and effect the integration
of faith and life.
3. Skills in communicating the faith
message;
4. Leadership skills that inspire
participation and co-responsibility;
and
5. Skills in planning and evaluating
catechetical activities.
PROGRAM STRUCTURE
Content Coverage:
Certificate in Religious Education
This one-year certificate program covers
the study of contemporary documents on
Catechetics and evangelization which
ground the educational ministry of the
Church, and prepares the participants to
lead others into the lifelong journey of
saying yes to faith with both mind and
heart. This certificate program is open
to all persons interested in education in
a religious context.
Theological Education and Personal
Development (21 units)
This cluster consists of the following
courses:
1. The Foundations of Christian Faith
and Catechesis (3 units)
2. Old Testament (3 units)
3. New Testament (3 units)
4. Christology (3 units)
5. Church: Community of Faith,
Witness and Service
Pedagogy and Development in
Religious Education (12 units)
The cluster consists of the following
courses:
1. Fundamentals of Catechetics (3
units)
2. Methodology in Catechetics (3
units)
3. Lesson Planning and Evaluation
(3 units)
4. Communication Skills Development
ASSOCIATE IN RELIGIOUS
EDUCATION
Program Description
The two-year Associate in Religious
them with the necessary knowledge,
understanding, skills, and attitudes to
teach Catechism/Religious Education
and for sacramental preparation. Thus,
the program includes instruction
in planning and teaching lessons,
organizing and supervising instructional
activities, and designing and developing
instructional materials.
This program provides participants
with a foundation from which to
understand the fundamentals of the Bible,
Christianity, Christian Theology, and the
Church. It covers the origin and contents
of the Bible; contemporary issues in
ministry, and development of proficiency
in oral and written communication which
is key to effectively communicating in
both personal and professional ministry
environments.
The program also focuses on the
theory and practice of providing
educational services to members of
faith communities, within the context
of the Catholic religion, and prepares
individuals to serve as religious
educators.
Content Coverage
1. Foundations of Christian Morality
(3 units)
2. Human Sexuality (3 units)
3. Foundations of Christian Spirituality
and Prayer (3 units)
4. The Beatitudes and Christian
Perfection (3 units)
5. The Sacraments (3 units)
6. Christian Anthropology and
Pastoral Psychology (3 units)
7. Role of the Family in Catechesis
(Christian Yes to the Family) (3 units)
8. Lesson Planning and Evaluation
(3 units)
9. Pastoral Sociology (3 units)
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Program Description
The Bachelor in Religious Education
program prepares participants in
educating students in the Catholic Faith,
by stressing the integration of Doctrine,
Morals, and Worship; as well as critical
formation in religious education, its
nature, and methodologies. Aside
from strengthening the instructional
skills of participants, it also offers
opportunities for developing their skills
in pastoral planning and management
and in administering religious education
programs and facilities. The program
likewise enables them to conduct applied
research in religious education.
Graduates of this program are fully
prepared for a wide range of church
ministry positions, as well as for
advanced studies at the graduate or
seminary level.
Content Coverage
1. Foundations of Religious Education
(3 units)
2. General Principles and Practices of
Catholic Faith (3 units)
3. Managing Religious Education (3
units)
4. Curriculum Design,
Implementation, and Evaluation (3
units)
5. Religious Education and Christian
Faith (3 units)
6. Methods of Research (3 units)
7. Teaching Methods in Religious
Education (3 units)
8. Catechetical Planning and
Organization (3 units)
9. Cultural Perspectives in Catechesis
(Christian yes to Environment and
Society) (3 units)
ELECTIVES (9 units; but not exceeding
3 units during any particular school
year) In service training program and
workshops
- For catechists, religious education
teachers
Adult education
(e.g. Scripture, catechist formation
courses, theology, teaching methods,
human development, skills for
Ministry)
Conferences
(National, Diocesan; presentations in
religious education, ministry, leadership
or spiritual development)
***
After the conference, the participants
were invited to do a workshop on
the Integration of the CBFC and the
Revisions on the CBFP. There was a
reporting of the results of the workshop
afterwards.
During the last day of the assembly
(Friday, January 22, 2010), the body
had a Business Meeting with Msgr.
Gerardo O. Santos - ACCCRE President
as the facilitator. The following are
the important topics discussed in the
meeting:
a. Report on the 1st and 2nd ACCCRE
Assemblies
b. Review of ACCCRE Articles of
Incorporation and By-Laws
c. Election of Officers
d. 2011 ACCCRE Annual Assembly
FOOTNOTES
Blessed is that servant whom his master on his
1

arrival finds doing so. Amen, I say to you, he will

* For formed catechists/religion
teachers, a further step is needed. For
within each of the three dimensions –
doctrine, morals and worship—there
are multiple elements that need to be
* This subject integration, of course,
connects directly with the first “Life
Integration” between the catechesis and
daily life, but now focused more sharply
on the students’ learning process itself.
Knowledge:
1. Adequate living knowledge of the
Word of God (the source from which
catechesis draws its message) transmitted
in Scripture and Tradition;
Education program serves as an
excellent stepping stone toward earning
a Bachelor in Religious Education degree.
It is meant to contribute to the theological
and pedagogical development of
qualified school teachers, and to equip
put him in charge of all his property.
2
The servant’s master will come on an unexpected
day and at an unknown hour and will punish him
severely and assign him a place with the hypo-
crites, where there will be wailing and grinding
of teeth.”
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 23
November 8 - 21, 2010
The 3rd Summer Catechetical
Institute for Priests
THE theme for this year’s
gathering of Diocesan
Catechetical Directors is:
FATHER. CREATION.
STEWARDSHIP. Extracted from
this theme are the following
objectives: to gather priests in
the spirit of communion-in-
mission with special focus on
catechesis as principal program
of the Church in the Philippines;
to undergo formation in the
framework of varied dimensions
of stewardship; to deepen
understanding of the Church of
the Poor in Church documents;
and to be more familiar with the
structure of a lesson plan—CFC
approach
There were 46 priests who
participated in this annual
Catechetical event in Baguio.
From the Luzon Region, 16 Arch/
Dioceses were represented, 9
from the Visayas Region and 8
from Mindanao.
After the welcome and
orientation on the first day (April
12, 2010), they immediately
proceeded with the First
Conference which is “Media
and Catechesis” and presented
by Mr. Bernard Canaberal.
From Mr. Canaberal’s
PowerPoint presentation
“Discerning the Impact of
Mass Media on Filipino Family
Values,” important points were
stressed:
The Family is the most threatened
of all species
The Family is the corner stone of
civilization.
Family is under attack (PJPII, 4th
WMF, 2003, Phil)
Man’s First Instinct is to
COMMUNICATE
Communicate Truth and Love
Prophets – They lead the
way.
They see the future.
They carry the cross.
They wear the crown.
They stand by the truth.
“Media is the wildest experiment
ever unleashed on mortal man
with no foreknowledge of what
it will do to us!” (Fr. James B.
Reuter, SJ)
Bad media is bad but the greater
evil is Media ignorance.
What Media sees, we see. What
Media ignores, we ignore.
Be critical about the content and
format.
Be critical about the marketing
strategies.
Be critical about their significant
impact on our value system.
Our task in the Information Age
is to be at the Service of Truth.
Awareness is the beginning of
Wisdom.
* An Open Forum was held after
the conference.
A Eucharistic Celebration
was held early morning of the
second day, April 13, 2010. Most
Rev. Carlito D. Censon, D.D.,
Bishop of Baguio was the main
celebrant. After breakfast, they
proceeded immediately with
the 2nd Conference which is
about Church of the poor in
Church Documents. Msgr. Ariel
Lagarejos was invited to share his
insights on this topic. Here are
relevant points in his sharing:
What does it mean to be the
Church of the poor? Why do we
have to be a Church of the poor?
Since the Sacred Scriptures is
the main source and center of
Catholic theology, it is important
to establish the meaning of this
vision through the scriptures.
I. SCRIPTURAL BASES OF THE
CHURCH OF THE POOR
The vision Church of the poor
is based upon God’s own concern
for the poor shown in the bible.
Biblical references on the poor
are numerous.
OLD TESTAMENT
A. Yahweh, Liberator of the
Oppressed
B. The Mosaic Covenant
C. The Old Testament
Prophets
NEW TESTAMENT
A. The Gospels
1. Jesus and the Poor
2. The Kingdom of God and
the Poor
3. The First Beatitude: “Blessed
are the poor” (Mt. 5, 3; Luke
6, 20)
4. Parable of the Sheep and
Goats (Mt. 25):
B. The Acts of the Apostles
(2, 42-46)
CONCLUDING
REFLECTIONS
The God of the bible is a God
of the poor.
God is on the side of the poor
because of His own disposition.
God’s being on the side of the
poor is not to be understood as
thereby being against all non-
poor.
The bible reveals that God
is concerned with the poor to
challenge the Church to do
likewise.
The whole biblical message is
that poverty has to be opposed
and that its main causes,
injustice and oppression, must
be counteracted.
This calls for unrelenting work
for the alleviation of poverty and
the promotion of justice.
This action for justice includes
a concrete willingness to share
what one has.
These revelations point to
the Church’s identity as the
Sacrament of Christ and the
challenge of being the Church
of the poor:
A Church that is concerned
for the poor—the least, the lost
and the last;
A Church that strives to
overcome the structures of
injustice in society;
A Church that lives as
community of brothers, “where
there is no poor among them.”
II. THEOLOGY OF THE
CHURCH OF THE POOR
What does it mean to be the
Church of the poor?
DOCETE
1. Poverty as a Moral
Challenge
Poverty is a moral problem
because it is caused by factors
outside the person of the poor.
Economic studies show that some
of the poor are poor because
someone else is exploiting
them.
The Church of the poor has a
moral responsibility of looking
into the problem, propose
solutions, and act in accordance
with evangelical norms outlined
by the Catholic social teaching.
2. The Mission of the Church
The Church’s moral
responsibility is to encourage
all reforms that hold the hope
of transforming the economic
arrangements into a fuller
systematic realization of the
Christian moral vision.
A. Meaning of the Church of the
Poor
1. Preference for the poor
The Church of the poor opts
for solidarity with the poor,
knowing that God does not want
a single person to be lacking in
the necessities of decent living,
in order to enable the poor
themselves to work out their own
liberation and development.
2. Advocacy for the poor
The Church has to block
legislative measures that
perpetuate shameful forms
of exploitation, especially to
the disadvantage of the most
vulnerable.
3. Social Transformation
The vision Church of the poor
calls for the moral responsibility
to overcome the causes of
poverty. It calls not merely for
more charity but also justice in
the structures of society.
The Church must insist that
the State provide a just economic
and social order by providing the
immediate needs of the people.
4. People Empowerment
The vision of the Church of
the poor finally indicates that
the poor themselves should be
empowered by the Church to be
the agents of social and political
transformation.
The Church empowers the
poor by educating them to act
for themselves.
B. Guidelines for Action
The Church’s concern for the
poor needs to be translated into
more specific programs and
effective policies; otherwise, the
principle remains vague and
sterile. The condition of the poor
must be addressed in practical
terms.
1. Fresh Appraisal of Poverty
The first step is a new cultural
consensus on what human
dignity requires in general, for
example, “that everyone has
a right to employment” (EJA
153).
2. Increased Charitable
Outreach
The most basic assistance
towards the poor is still the
Christian virtue of charity. The
Church thus must find new ways
of increasing its own charitable
outreach to the poor.
3. Influence of Public Policies
The Church of the poor must
strive to insist that public policy
takes cognizance of the plight
of the poor. The Church must
demand that the policies are
not slanted or manipulated for
political, ideological, or personal
motives.
4. Concrete Specific
Recommendations
Profit sharing.
Equitable distribution of
goods.
The right to employment and
just wages.
An active share in directing
the economy.
A just and equitable system
of taxation.
5. Moral Consensus
The Church of the poor should
mobilize the people, specially
the poor, to work for a just social
structure in order to eradicate
poverty and enable them “to
bear upon their power” to fight
for justice and freedom.
6. Prophetic Resistance
If the above-mentioned effort
fails to move the government
to implement necessary socio-
political changes for the benefit of
the common good, the Church of
the poor can empower the masses
towards a “prophetic resistance”
against the government.
CONCLUSION
1. The signs of the times have
moved the Church to focus its
attentiontothegrossphenomenon
of poverty that affects so many of
her members.
2. An analysis of the situation
has made it clear that poverty is a
moral problem since it is caused
by social sin, brought about by
unjust structures in society.
3. In the midst of sufferings
caused by social injustice, the
Church cannot remain passive,
for it will be untrue to its
prophetic mission of promoting
the Christian value of justice and
peace, which is the foretaste of
the eschaton.
An open forum was held after
the conference.
After the lunch break, Most Rev.
Socrates Villegas (Archbishop of
Lingayen-Dagupan and ECCCE
Chairman) presented the 3rd
Conference. Here is the complete
text of the presentation: Catholic social doctrine.
MARY AND CARITAS IN
VERITATE
Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas
Lingayen-Dagupan
We Filipinos love Mary with a
simple but ardent passion, and
believe her to be our intercessor,
our mother and our example,
the mother of Jesus, our Savior.
This regard for Mary is our
own Filipino Mariology, which
scholars say is an ongoing
process, “not simply a theological
field studied by a few scholars,
but a living love embraced
by millions of Catholics who
venerate the Blessed Virgin
Mary.” This active practice of
Marian love does not involve
merely her countless images and
innumerable titles but is born
out by the dogmas that have
been proclaimed by the Church
regarding her. It is not just about
her depiction in beautifully
carved statues and meticulously
rendered icons. The Mary of our
devotion is the Mary of the New
Testament, the “handmaid of the
Lord” who cried out to the angel
Gabriel, “Let it be done to me
according to your Word.” She
is the Mary of the manger, the
first to cradle the Redeemer in
her arms on the first Christmas
in Bethlehem. She brought forth
the Savior into the world, and
from then on she has been sought
by people of faith, to bring them
to Him.
Our centuries old Filipino
Mariology has brought us to
our Filipino Christology. Before
we understood the mystery of
Christ, we were first soaked in
the mystery of Mary. We became
a Christian country through
Mary. It is our being Marian as a
nation that has kept us Christian
through the centuries. Through
Mary’s eyes, through Mary’s
heart, we see and know Jesus.
We behold Jesus with the eyes of
Mary. We have kept Jesus in our
hearts because we have treasured
Mary in our souls. And Mary
will not allow us to be separated
from her Son.
Vittorio Messori, in his book
The Mary Hypothesis says,
Mariology is, in fact, Christology.
Her dogmas are but the
confirmation and bulwark of her
Son’s. Whenever Mary has been
neglected, sooner or later Christ
has also disappeared.” Messori
further observes, Everything that
the Church has said and says
about the Mother is, in fact, at
the service of Christ, in defense
of his humanity, and at the same
time, of his divinity.
Thus we see the triangle
Mariology, Christology and
Ecclesiology all coming together
for the perfect geometric shape.
Mariology was originally
ecclesiology. The Church is like
Mary. Mary is the prototype
of the Church. Now we are
ready to proceed to read the
latest encyclical with the eyes
of Mary.
MARY, THE WOMAN FOR
ALL
When we use the word Catholic,
we use it to mean universal. To
be universal is to encompass all,
to include all, to exclude no one
and nothing. To be Catholic is to
refuse to join any of two opposing
poles and instead to seek the
common ground and to hold on
to the things that unite us.
In our modern vocabulary, to
be Catholic is to be synthesis. To
be Catholic is not simply to be
a floating thesis proclaimed in
a vacuum. To be Catholic is not
simply to oppose all and to gain
identity as the opponent of all. To
C3
be Catholic is refuse to live simply
as a reactionary antithesis. In
the midst of conflicting opinions
and a barrage of distracting
noises, the Catholic heals, unites,
embraces all, lives for all and
dies for all. To be Catholic is to
be synthesis. To be Catholic is to
be universal.
Where does Catholicity come
from? Being Catholic comes from
two very important relationships:
special relationship with the
whole of humanity and a special
relationship to Jesus Christ, God
made flesh.
If the Church related only
and welcomed only a fraction
of humanity, it could no longer
claim to be Catholic, a synthesis.
If the Church related only to
humans, detached from the
divine, it could not call itself
Catholic, a synthesis. If the
Church were purely divine and
spiritual, it could not lay claim
to Catholicity because it would
be separated from reality and its
feet would not be in touch with
the ground.
It is insofar as the Church
embraces the whole of humanity
and embraces the human-divine
in Jesus Christ that we truly
live up to being Catholic, a
synthesis.
The foundation of the
Catholicity of the Church can
be found in the house of Nazareth
when the handmaid of the
Lord totally opened herself to
God. Her total embrace of God
symbolizes also the total embrace
of the Creator by his creature.
The birth of the Catholic Church
took place not at Pentecost but at
the annunciation. Mary’s fiat led
us to the synthesis between man
and divine. Mary’s fiat opened
for the whole of humanity
the possibility to embrace the
Creator. In the house of Nazareth,
Mary, the icon of the whole of
humanity, received the angel’s
greeting.
In Mary, the Catholicity of
the Church began. In Caritas
in Veritate, the Church as a
synthesis is carried on. The best
contribution of this encyclical
to the evolving social doctrine
of the Church is its focus on the
synthesis between action and
prayer. Its constant emphasis
on the inseparability of love
from truth and vice versa is its
most important contribution to
It is not a case of two typologies
of social doctrine, one pre-
conciliar and one post-conciliar,
differing from one another: on the
contrary, there is a single teaching,
consistent and at the same time ever
new. (Ch.1., n.12)
The Church forcefully
maintains this link between life
ethics and social ethics, fully
aware that “a society lacks solid
foundations when, on the one
hand, it asserts values such
as the dignity of the person,
justice and peace, but then, on
the other hand, radically acts
to the contrary by allowing or
tolerating a variety of ways in
 C4
which human life is devalued
and violated, especially where
it is weak or marginalized.” [Cf.
Evangelium Vitae] (Ch.1, n.15)
Deeds without knowledge are
blind, and knowledge without
love is sterile. (Ch.2, n.30)
Intelligence and love are
not in separate compartments:
love is rich in intelligence and
intelligence is full of love. (Ch.2,
n.30)
The development of peoples
depends, above all, on a
recognition that the human race is
a single family working together
in true communion, not simply a
group of subjects who happen to
live side by side [Cf. Evangelium
Vitae]. (Ch.5, n.53)
The truth of development
consists in its completeness: if it
does not involve the whole man
and every man, it is not true
development. (Ch.1, n.18)
Progress of a merely economic
and technological kind is
insufficient. Development needs
above all to be true and integral.
(Ch.2, n.23)
The principle of subsidiarity
must remain closely linked to
the principle of solidarity and
vice versa, since the former
without the latter gives way to
social privatism, while the latter
without the former gives way to
paternalist social assistance that
is demeaning to those in need.
(Ch.5, n.58)
Both Mary and Caritas in
Veritate proclaim the Church as
universal, as a synthesis of the
whole of humanity and synthesis
of human-divine. The Church is
for all, in all and gathers all.
MARY THE WOMAN OF
MYSTERY
In Mary, we see the interplay of
the mystery of love, the mystery
of suffering and the mystery of
life. Why God chose Mary to
be the mother of Jesus and not
another woman will always be
a mystery for us. The mystery of
God’s love leaves us in reverential
awe and wonder. This mystery is
too much to comprehend by the
limited minds and hearts that
we all have.
What makes this love more
mysterious is that it does not
spare the beloved from pain and
sufferings. In fact, the favour of
God is shown in allowing his
beloved to share in the cross of
Jesus his Son. Mary was closest to
Jesus at the foot of the cross.
In sharing the mystery of the
cross, we become sharers in the
mission to give life. We can only
give life through our readiness
and willingness to suffer and die.
The mystery of life says “If the
seed dies, it bears much fruit”.
We know Mary, yet we do
not know her. “Thus Mary, a
daughter of Adam, consenting
to the divine Word, became the
mother of Jesus, the one and
only Mediator. Embracing God’s
salvific will with a full heart and
impeded by no sin, she devoted
herself totally as a handmaid of
the Lord to the person and work
of her Son, under Him and with
Him, by the grace of almighty
God, serving the mystery of
redemption” (LG, no. 56).
The amazing mystery that we
experience to this day is that Mary
knows in her heart the many
answers to the questions of our
own hearts. It is this knowledge
that assures us that when crunch
time comes Jesus will deliver for
her. Jesus promised this when she
entrusted her to us through John
at the foot of the cross, if we, too,
entrust ourselves to her, “Here is
your mother.”
Because Mary is a woman of
mystery, she has become our
mother of faith. And it is with
faith that we must read Caritas
in Veritate. This encyclical is
not a sociological statement to
be analyzed by academicians.
Love is first and foremost a
mystery. Love is not a sentiment
but a person. God is love. Jesus
is love.
Truth, like love, is also
a mystery. Truth is not an
abstraction floating in the air.
The Truth is a person. The Truth
is Jesus. Those who cannot accept
in faith the mystery of God as love
will have great difficulty reading
this encyclical.
[Love] is a force that has its
origin in God, Eternal Love and
Absolute Truth. (Intro., n.1)
In Christ, charity in truth
becomes the Face of his Person,
a vocation for us to love our
brothers and sisters in the truth of
his plan… he himself is the Truth
(cf. Jn 14:6). (Intro., n.1)
“God is love” (Deus Caritas
Est): everything has its origin in
God’s love, everything is shaped
by it, everything is directed
towards it. (Intro., n.2)
Life in Christ is the first and
principal factor of development
[cf. Populorum Progressio].
(Intro., n.8)
Only in charity, illumined by
the light of reason and faith, is it
possible to pursue development
goals that possess a more humane
and humanizing value. (Intro.,
n.9)
To regard development as a
vocation is to recognize, on the
one hand, that it derives from
a transcendent call, and on the
other hand that it is incapable, on
its own, of supplying its ultimate
meaning. (Ch.1, n.16)
The Gospel is fundamental
for development, because in
the Gospel, Christ, “in the very
revelation of the mystery of the
Father and of his love, fully
reveals humanity to itself” [cf.
Gaudium et Spes]. (Ch.1, n.18)
MARY THE WOMAN
DISTURBED BY GOD
Mary was troubled at the
words of the angel. There were
so many questions that arose: she
knew not man, first of all. And
we can surmise that there was
tremendous confusion, searching
for answers. Maybe in that instant
her young life flashed before her
because she knew that with her
yes it would be changed forever.
We do not know how long she
wrestled with the message of
the angel, but it must have been
seemingly an eternity for her.
Maybe the life she would have
after she said yes also flashed
before her at that very moment,
including the suffering that her
son, who would be with her for
thirty three years, would severely
undergo.
Caritas in Veritate is a
disturbing encyclical. It raises
many questions and poses many
challenges. It pricks consciences
that have become cold and
lukewarm, secure and uncaring.
It calls for conversion. We desire
trouble free lives. But we must
not plot to defend ourselves
from the troubles of God. The
troubles that God sends into our
lives can only make us better.
By these troubles from God, we
Mr. Bernard Canaberal stresses the impact of Mass Media on Filipino Family
Values
Dr. Lucille Natividad discusses the methodology of religious education
become more and more like Jesus.
Caritas in Veritate is not a matter
for academic analysis but matter
for an assent of faith. Let Caritas
in Veritate disturb you.
The current crisis obliges
us to re-plan our journey,
to set ourselves new rules
and to discover new forms of
commitment, to build on positive
experiences and to reject negative
ones. The crisis thus becomes
an opportunity for discernment, in
which to shape a new vision for the
future. (Ch.2, n.21)
The world’s wealth is growing in
absolute terms, but inequalities are
on the increase… “The scandal
DOCETE
of glaring inequalities” [cf.
Populorum Progressio] continues.
Corruption and illegality are
unfortunately evident in the
conduct of the economic and
political class in rich countries,
both old and new, as well as in
poor ones. (Ch.2, n.22)
What [cultural] eclecticism and
cultural levelling have in common
is the separation of culture from
human nature. Thus, cultures
can no longer define themselves
within a nature that transcends
them [Cf. Veritatis Splendor], and
man ends up being reduced to
a mere cultural statistic. When
this happens, humanity runs
new risks of enslavement and
manipulation. (Ch.2, n.26)
A humanism which excludes
God is an inhuman humanism.
(Conc., n.78)
The economy needs ethics in
order to function correctly—not
any ethics whatsoever, but an
ethics which is people-centred.
(Ch.4, n.45)
FROM SYNTHESIS
TO MYSTERY TO
CONVERSION
Let me share with you this
story of Jesus that happened in
one of our parishes.
A priest was assigned by his
bishop to take photographs of
the soup kitchen sponsored by
the cathedral. Two hundred
food stubs were distributed
to poor people living near the
church. Not far from the food
distribution table, there were
four children who had no food
stubs but who wanted some food
for themselves. The eldest of the
four joined the line even if he
had no food stub. When he got
to the table, there was no food
left except a piece of banana.
The lay leader in charge of the
distribution gave the banana to
the little girl who immediately
rushed to her three waiting
siblings. There was brilliance in
the eyes of the four children as
they made a sign of the cross and
prayed before eating the small
banana. The eldest peeled the
banana and divided it into three
parts for her three siblings. What
was left for the eldest was the
banana peel. As her three siblings
enjoyed one third of the banana,
the eldest satisfied herself with
scraping with her teeth the inside
of the banana peel.
The priest told me he wanted to
take a photo of the beautiful scene
of love but he could not because
he was crying. My priest friend
was sure that if he would peep
through his camera, he would
see the face of Jesus. In the face
of this young girl, you see the full
meaning of Caritas in Veritate—a
synthesis of social teaching, a
mystery to be believed, a gospel
that disturbs.
THE PRIEST, MARY AND
CARITAS IN VERITATE
Although Mary was not called
by God to be a priest, Mary is the
perfect disciple to whom every
priest and seminarian must look
Msgr. Arnel Lagarejos shares his insights on what it means to be the Church
of the poor
up to for example.
If the Church is communio,
every priest then must be a man of
communion. The priest is fisher
of souls. The priest is sower of the
seed. The priest must be a man
of unity—a man who gathers.
In the priest’s life, the prayer at
the last supper “That all may be
one” must be fulfilled. United by
baptism, united in prayer, united
through charity, we will become
saints together. To be holy is our
one and only vision. Everything
and anything that leads us astray
from this path must be cast aside.
We are called to sanctify, to lead
and to teach. We are here not by
worthiness but by favor. None
of us is worthy, we were just
chosen in spite of. We do not
sanctify ourselves; God does.
We do not sanctify others; God
does. We are a community not
an organization. None of us is
master; all of us are disciples.
Priests are often times referred
to as men of mystery. They are
men of mystery because they
are men of faith. Only people
who have faith will be able to
understand the real meaning
of what it is to be a priest. Our
first and only power is the Lord
and our first and only way to
the Lord is love. We must pray
but it is not enough to pray. Our
prayer must make us think and
talk and listen and act and be like
Jesus—that is the apostolic action
that we need in the Church. Any
pastoral action or assembly that
does not come from prayer will
fail. Any prayer that does not lead
us to apostolic charity will wither.
Love without service is mere
sentimentalism. Service without
prayer is social activism.
The priest’s ministry is a mission
of conversion. Evangelization by
its nature is confrontational. We
cannot proclaim Jesus and waltz
with corruption in public or in
private. We cannot be rightly
called Christians and play games
with evil. Evangelization is a call
to die. Evangelization demands
conversion. Evangelization may
not be always pleasant. It can hurt
both preacher and hearer. It can
make the hearer take revenge on
the preacher. But evangelization
is the only way for the Church.
We would betray the Lord if we
won’t. Only the brave and the
loyal can truly evangelize. We
are stewards of the Gospel that
disturbs.
* Another Open Forum was
held after Archbishop Villegas’
talk.
* The Fourth Conference
was presented on the third day,
April 14, 2010. The speaker for
this conference was Dr. Lucille
Natividad (FIRE Director)
who made a presentation “On
Methodology – CFC-approach”.
The following is an excerpt of the
said conference:
NATURE, PURPOSE AND
METHODOLOGY OF
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
I. Catechesis: Nature, Purpose
and Methodology
A. Nature: a form of ministry
of the Word; Education in the
faith
B. Purpose
Human faith becomes living,
conscious and active through the
light of instruction (GCD 17).
“Put people not only in touch
but in communion, in intimacy,
with Jesus Christ; only he can lead
us to the love of the Father in the
Spirit and make us share in the life
of the Holy Trinity” (CT 5).
C. Methodology: faith “is imparted
in an organic and systematic
way initiating the hearers into
the fullness of Christian life”
(CT 18)
1. Life Integration
all forms of integration
are aimed at “closing the
gap” between the concrete
catechesis—how the faith is being
communicated—and the way
faith is actually lived in daily
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 23
November 8 - 21, 2010
life by the ordinary Catholic
Filipino”
Structure Integration
Problem: Difficulty in
accurately identifying what
precisely falls under doctrine,
what under morals, and what
under worship.
Response: Recognize clearly
the difference between a Creedal
truth, a commandment and a
sacrament, as well as the human
acts of believing, acting morally,
and praying, surely outweigh the
above difficulties.
Faith’s experiential dimension
is believing / thinking (with the
head),
doing (with hands)
and praying / worshipping (with
the heart) as well
Dimension Integration
a. Doctrine
Catholic doctrine is a liberating
message; saving truths that give
meaning and direction to life;
effectively communicating the
Gospel, the “Good News.”
b. Morals
Catholics see every moral
choice and decision as an
expression of love for God and
an actualization of commitment
to Christ. The students are taught
to see their personal relations and
acts in terms of Christ’s gospel
commandment of love, inspired
from within by the Holy Spirit,
who is sent by the Father and
the Risen Christ (Jn 15:26).
Stress on Church social doctrine
and “preferential option for the
poor.”
c. Worship
Problem: Filipino Catholics do
not see the need for growth in the
formation of a personal, mature
life of Christian prayer; many do
not go to Mass
Sacraments parallel our human
experiences
Development of the ability to
pray and participate actively in
the Church’s liturgy (CT 23).
Inculturated manner that
creatively draws on authentic
Filipino values and attitudes.
Ex. Celebration and
thanksgiving
Ex. “walang iwanan”
Understanding Christ’s life
sustaining gift of the Eucharist
and the other sacraments as
encounters with our Risen
Savior.
Source Integration
a. Sacred Scripture
Problem: the inadequacy of
the historical-critical approach
alone to effectively communicate
the “Good News” as inspiring,
uplifting, and saving. This
approach at times tends to
become overly technical, abstract,
impersonal, separated from the
livingFaithoftheordinaryFilipino
Catholic, and more focused on
information rather than on any
transformative formation called
for by Scripture.
Two basic functions of
Scripture: its critical role (truth
vs. idolatry and superstition) and
formative/transformative functions
(fostering transforming life in
the Spirit).
Nature of Scripture as a work of
art, as sacramental, as something
that sometimes needs to be
performed to be fully understood
and evaluated. To achieve
this involves one’s imagination
through which the deeper
meaning of Scripture’s symbolic
language can be grasped.
The purpose of Scripture is to
believe that Jesus the Son of God
is the Messiah.
b. Tradition
Problem: How to make
Church teaching “alive” and
inspirational for the daily living
out the Faith.
Making good use of Church
teaching is a real challenge
today—regarding both its
critical relation to Scripture and
especially its “practical use in
living the Faith today.”
c. Human experience
Problem: Personal or
individualistic experience
alone is inadequate to ground
the central Christian truths
of the Blessed Trinity and the
Incarnation; draws heavily on
the social sciences/mass media.
Students learn by doing.
The traditional position of
God’s revelation as the basic
source of Christian Faith seems
inescapable; new thrust for a truly
“pastoral,” “practical” theology
that embraces the “Good News
being communicated” and its
impact on Christian living.
* A workshop and presentation
of group reports were held
afterwards.
* Regional Meetings and
Planning were held on Thursday,
April 15, 2010 – the last day of
the assembly. Practical Concerns
were also discussed by the
ECCCE Chairman before they
adjourned the meeting.
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 23
November 8 - 21, 2010
ECCCE holds 10th AMCM in Dagupan City
THE 10th Annual Meeting of
Catechetical Ministers (AMCM),
which is an annual gathering of
Catechetical coordinators, was
held this time in Dagupan City last
July 12-15, 2010. The theme for this
year’s assembly is: CATECHESIS
FOR THE FAMILY, BY THE
FAMILY, WITH THE FAMILY.
Facilitators and participants of this
annual event were guided by the
following objectives: a) to celebrate
the twenty-fifth anniversary of
“Familiaris Consortio”; b) to advocate
for a more systematic catechesis on
the family; and c) to promote the
value of the family as an agent of
catechesis.
The participants were welcomed
during the first day (Monday, July
12, 2010) by Fr. Antonio Rey Quintas
followed by an Orientation/
Overview by Msgr. Gerardo Santos.
They immediately proceeded with
the First Conference which is on
Marriage and Family and is a
Summary of Familiaris Consortio and
presented by Fr. Melvin Castro.
Fr. Castro shares the following
in his talk:
I. Bright Spots and Shadows for
the Family Today
Marriage and family life touch
the human person in the realities
of daily existence. The Church is
called to be a prudent observer of
the challenges and opportunities
which face today’s family. In order
to accomplish this mission, the
Church must listen to the questions
and concerns of married couples. In
responding to the needs of young
married couples and families, the
Church must offer the truth of the
Gospel as a source of inexhaustible
grace. This truth is urgently needed
today because of the challenges
faced by families: divorce, abortion,
sterilization, contraception, the
decay of parental authority, and a
general weakening of the marriage
bond between husband and wife.
The spiritual and moral renewal of
marital and family life brings about
a much-needed elevation of society
in general.
II. The Plan of God for Marriage
and the Family
The human person was created by
God out of love, and each is called
to love within his or her vocation.
Love is the calling of each person.
Marriage and family life are special
opportunities to live the vocation
of love. The love between husband
and wife mirrors the love between
Christ and his Church - that is, this
love is sacrificial and life - giving.
Married life is enriched and becomes
a family, with the gift of children.
Virginity and celibacy do not deny
the dignity of married and family
life; rather, they highlight the call
to love and the need to wait in
patient hope for the Bridegroom -
Jesus Christ.
III. The Role of the Christian
Family: Become What You Are
The family is more than
an economic, biological, and
sociological entity. The family is
Part of God’s plan for creation and
salvation. It is within the family
that the human person comes to
be who he or she is and comes to
know the living God. Love within
the family reveals in a special way
the unbounded love of God. Family
love involves four general callings:
forming a community of persons;
sharing a love which serves life;
participating in the development
of society; and sharing in the life
and mission of the Church. In being
faithful to these four callings to love,
the family is a living proclamation
of the Gospel and the truth of Jesus
Christ. The family, likewise, helps to
morally renew the social order.
IV. Pastoral Care of the Family
The family is called to grow
through a constant conversion to
the will of God. Such a process of
conversion challenges the Church
to be a pastoral Church. That is,
the Church is called to care, in the
name of Jesus, for married couples
and for families. The Church must
encourage and support those
preparing for marriage and those
who daily accept the challenges to be
faithful to their marital vows. Those
who find themselves in difficult
marital and family situations (mixed
marriages, trial marriages, divorce,
separation, and domestic violence)
are in need of special pastoral care
by the Church. Pastoral ministry to
those in difficult situations flows
from the words and example of Jesus
to love and be close to the broken-
hearted, rejected, and suffering.
Conclusion
The encyclical ends on a highly
personal note from John Paul II
to married couples and families
throughout the world. In this time
of trial and grace, the Pope pledges
the full ministry of the Church in
service of marriage and family life.
In conclusion, the model of true
marriage and family life is the Holy
Family: St. Joseph is the upright
guardian of the family; Mary is
the one entrusted with the Word
made flesh; and Jesus is the child
who perfectly does the will of the
Father. The Pope prays that each
Family will be a holy family to the
glory of God.
There was an Open Forum
afterwards and followed by a
Eucharistic Celebration presided
by the Archbishop of Lingayen-
Dagupan and ECCCE Chairman,
Most Rev. Socrates B. Villegas, DD.
A Cultural Presentation followed
after dinner.
On Tuesday, July 13, 2010, they
started the day with a Eucharistic
Celebration with Most Rev.
Francisco de Leon, DD, Auxiliary
Bishop of Antipolo, as the main
presider. After breakfast, they
immediately proceeded with the 2nd
Conference which is “Catechesis by
the Family: The Role of the Christian
Family in Forming Basic Ecclesial
Communities (BECs)” presented
by Fr. Jesus Toto Mana-ay from the
Archdiocese of Jaro.
Here are some of the important
points stressed by Fr. Mana-ay:
Three particularly strong
influences that affect the
development of the human
person:
* the general culture
* the educational system
* the family environment
(Fr. John McClosky’s: Article on
the Family: Seedbed of Vocations)
* “vital cell of the society”—the
DOCETE
family is within our grasp! It is here
with us. It is actually us. −Pope
Benedict XVI: Message on the 6th
World Day of Family
* “It is not up in the sky…Nor is it
across the sea…No, it is something
very near to you, already in your
mouths and in your hearts; you
have only to carry it out.” (Dt
30:12a,13a,14)
* “Willed by God in the very
act of creation, marriage and the
family are interiorly ordained
to fulfillment in Christ and have
need of His graces in order to be
healed from the wounds of sin
and restored to their ‘beginning,’
i.e, to full understanding and the
full realization of God’s plan.”
(FC #3)
* Family Catechesis is an education
of the faith in the home where the
Christian parents stand as the
first teachers and witnesses of the
Christian message.
* It aims to lead their children
to an “intimate communion” with
Jesus Christ and with the rest of the
members of the family.
* Christian parents must provide
“moments” for this “intimate
communion” with Christ where faith
is awakened, cultivated, nourished
and strengthened.
* Parents’ daily instruction on the
faith through their daily example of
love, commitment and sacrifice.
* ‘The Church of the home’ remains
the one place “where children
and young people can receive an
authentic catechesis.”
* It is the “first community called
to announce the Gospel to the human
person during growth and to bring
him or her, through a progressive
education and catechesis, to full
human and Christian maturity.”
* “It is in the home where one
learns to truly live, to value life and
health, liberty and peace, justice and
truth, work, concord and respect.”
* The family then becomes the
locus where faith is born, nourished
and grows. (FC # 52, FC #3, Pope
Benedict XVI: Message on the 6th
World Day of Family)
The Family becomes the Seedbed
of Vocations
* The Christian family becomes
the primary and most excellent
seedbed of vocation to a life totally
consecrated to the service of the
Kingdom of God.
* There are two specific ways of
realizing this vocation:
* Marriage and virginity or
celibacy which is a “freely chosen
vocation of religious, priests and
the laity who have opted for ‘single
blessedness.”
* Christian parents must expose
their children to the different ways
of responding to God’s call. They
have to help their children to listen
to the call, to pray and to discern
and finally to freely and willingly
respond to it.
The Family as a Community in
Dialogue with God
* As the head and the light of this
Church in the home, parents must
have a specific responsibility of
educating their children in prayer.
* It is effectively realized through
their concrete example. When
parents pray together with their
children, it penetrates depths of
their hearts and leaves an imprint
that lasts forever.
* Prayer also makes concrete the
immortal word of Fr. Peyton; “the
family that prays together, stays
together (as an effect).”
The Family as a Community is at
the Service of Others
* Parents should form their
children with their vision pointed
into the not too-distant future when
their children will marry and have
children of their own.
* “They are preparing their
children to be responsible, faithful
adult Catholics and family persons
who will build up the Church,
society, and culture.”
* Christ wishes to realize his
Kingdom not only through those
in the priestly and religious life
but also through the laity. It will
be a Kingdom of truth and life, a
Kingdom of holiness and grace,
a Kingdom of justice, love and
peace.
* The Christian family is at the
service of the human person in the
world through subscribing to what
we call “human advancement”.
* “Another task for the family is
to form persons in love and also to
practice love in all its relationships,
so that it does not live closed in
on itself, but remain open to the
community, moved by a sense of
justice and concern for others, as
well as by a consciousness of its
responsibility towards the whole
of society” FC # 64).
* When this call is lived by each
member of the family, then we can
truly say that it is rightly to be called
the domestic Church … a community
where persons can experience God’s
presence in the world.
The fourfold Role of the Christian
Family in forming Basic Ecclesial
Communities (BECs)
* Through Family Catechesis:
parents stand as the first teachers
and witnesses of the Christian
message.
* Second, that the Christian
Family fosters the vocation of the
children.
* Third, that the Christian Family
as a community in Dialogue with
God (the locus where our Spiritual
Life starts, nurtured and eventually
develop).
* Fourth, that the Christian Family
as a community is at the service of
others
The 3rd Conference: Catechesis
by the Family followed shortly with
Mr. Frank Padilla as its speaker.
Mr. Padilla shared important
facts about the Couples for Christ
Foundation for Family and Life:
* Vision
We are an evangelistic and
missionary community committed
to become families empowered by
the Holy Spirit to renew the face of
the earth.
* Mission
We strive for holiness of life, as
we commit to renew the temporal
order through our work with the
poor, our work for justice, and our
work for life. We are a servant of
the Church, working to renew her
children through every generation
and throughout the world, until the
C5
Lord returns once again.
The CFC FFL Core Values
* Our Core Values describe who
we are and what we are called
to do in the world. They provide
parameters and constant guideposts
in our moving on in our life and
mission.
* Centered on Christ
* Evangelistic and Missionary
* Focused on Family
* Being Community
* Living a Preferential Option for
the Poor
* Exercising Servant Leadership
* Being a Servant to the Church
CFC FFL is also set to Fulfill their
Life and Mission through their
Kids for Family and Life (KFL).
While for the youth, they have the
CFC YFL Youth for Family and
Life (YFL) which was organized in
order to provide an environment for
the youth to HONOR God through
a life of holiness, to EMPOWER
them to ACT in humble service,
to encourage them to RELATE in
joy with their family, community
and the Church and to TESTIFY
God’s love. Singles for Family
and Life (SFL) are exclusively for
single people while the Handmaids
for Family and Life (HFL) is
the family ministry for women
(widows, separated or divorced,
single matured, wives of overseas
workers, single mothers, “alone”
in the Spirit) who seek deeper
spiritual growth. On the other hand,
the Servants for Family and Life
(SvFL) is a vibrant community of
men involved in evangelization &
social ministries.
The Subtle Attacks on the Family
Explained
The CFC FFL Response:
* Values formation in the family –
by, with and for the Filipino family
– Christ-centered
* Deepening relationships and
commitment within the family
* Filipino families reaching out
to other families, “bearing fruit”;
vocations
* Filipino families becoming
co-responsible in the work of
evangelization/re-evangelization
The 4th Conference: Catechesis
with the Family was presented by
the speakers from the Apostolate
for Family Consecration.
Important thoughts on the topic
were:
* What is CATECHESIS
(KATECHESIS)?
The word catechesis (katechesis)
from Catholic Encyclopedia
* Instruction by word of mouth,
especially by questioning and
answering.
* It is commonly used for
instruction in the elements of
religion, especially preparation for
initiation into Christianity.
* What is the meaning of FAMILY or
Christian Family?
The Christian family is
SUPERNATURAL! … because it
originates in a Sacrament.
* Through the sacrament of
Matrimony - Husband and wife
obtain an increase of sanctifying
 C6
graces and a claim upon those actual
graces which are necessary to the
proper fulfillment of all the duties
of family life, and the relations
between husband and wife. Parents
and children, are supernaturalized
and sanctified. (Taken from Catholic
Encyclopedia)
* The end and the ideal of the
Christian family are likewise
supernatural namely, the salvation
of parents and children, and the
union between Christ and His
Church as St. Paul Exhorts in his
letter to the Ephesians. (Taken from
Catholic Encyclopedia)
EXHORTATION from the Synod of
Bishop, held in Rome in September
Fr. Jesus Mana-ay speaks on
the Role of the Family in Forming
Basic Ecclesial Communities
26 to October 25 1980
The FAMILY as the first
community:
* Called to announce the Gospel
to the human person during the
growth and to bring her or him
through a progressive education
and catechesis, to full human and
Christian maturity.
* Emphasizing its four general
tasks of FAMILY:
(1) Forming a community of
persons;
(2) Serving life;
(3) Participating in the
DOCETE
development of society; and
(4) Sharing the life and mission
of the Church.
(Familiaris Consortio sec. 2)
PARENT’S MOST SOLEMN
OBLIGATION:
* To educate their offspring.
* Parents must be acknowledged
as the first and foremost educators
of their children
* The family is the first school
of those social virtues which
every society needs”… (Familiaris
Consortio sec. 36)
Parents are molders and educators
of their children by:
* Educating their minds through
formation in the Faith
Speaker from the Apostolate for Fr. Greg Gaston explains the
Family Consecration talks on Subtle Attacks Against Family and
Catechesis with the family Life (SAFE)
* Molding their hearts through
family prayer so Children may
gradually discover God and learn
how to have a personal dialogue
with Him.
Parents are building their faith
on ROCK of which no STORM can
harm them.
THE FAMILY IS A COMMUNITY
OF LOVE
The family is the first and
fundamental school of social
living:
* Children must be enriched not
only with a sense of true justice
* True Justice which alone leads to
respect for the personal dignity of
each individual, but also and more
powerfully by sense of true love,
understood as sincere solicitude and
disinterested service with regard to
others, especially the poorest and
those in most need.
* As a community of love, it finds
in self-giving the law that guides it
and makes it grow.
(Familiaris Consortio sec.37)
CATECHISM WITH THE
FAMILY
Catechesis with the Family is at
the very center of the family’s life
and activity…. BECAUSE… family
catechesis precedes, accompanies
Mr. Frank Padilla of the Couples
for Christ Foundation for Family
and Life shares on the organiza-
tion’s vision and mission
& enriches all other forms of
catechesis.
(Catechesi Tradendae,68).
* Whoever loves me will keep my
commandment and my Father will
love him and we will come to him
and make our dwelling with him.
(John14:23)
* Remain in my love, if you keep
my commandment you will remain
in my love, just I have kept my
Father’s commandment and remain
in his love…I told you this so that
my joy will be in you and your joy
will be complete. (John:15:9-10)
* This is my commandment love
one another as I have loved you.
(John:15:17)
KATESISMONG PAMPAMILYA
* As Catechist, we are placed at
the forefront of the battle for souls.
We need to work closely with our
Bishops and Priests and we labor
with them under the banner of our
Blessed Mother, who is in our midst,
active in the here and NOW. Mary
goes on before us always and going
on ahead of us.
* MOTHER MARY knows best
how to win the battle! She above all
else is destined to crush the head
of satan. She knows how to keep
us committed.
* Our Blessed Mother will
Fr. Antonio Ray Quintana delivers
the Welcome Address
multiply our merits and graces
and holiness in order to obtain
more graces for other and whole
world.
During the third day, July 14,
2010, they once again started the day
with a Eucharistic Celebration with
Most Rev. Artemio Rillera, SVD, DD,
Bishop of San Fernando, La Union/
Regional Catechetical Director as
the main presider.
After breakfast, the 5th and
final Conference was presented
with the theme: SAFE (Subtle
Attacks Against Family and Life)
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 23
November 8 - 21, 2010
by Fr. Greg Gaston. He made a
very comprehensive sharing on the
topic through a series of PowerPoint
presentations. One of the materials
he shared to the participants was a
copy of a Pastoral letter written by
the late Archbishop of Manila, His
Eminence Jaime Cardinal Sin on
July 9, 2001.
Here is an excerpt from the
said letter which we deem worth
publishing again because the issues
are very relevant and a national
concern at present (see adjacent
box):
Planning / Open Forum / Practical
Concerns also followed after the
conference.
Fr. Melvin Castro talks on Marriage
and Family
Participants were given ample
time for TOUR / SIGHTSEEING
around the Archdiocese during the
fourth day, July 15, 2010 after the
final Eucharistic celebration, with
Fr. Antonio Ray Quintans as the
main celebrant.
Almost 168 Catechetical
Coordinators who participated in
this year’s Catechetical gathering
represented 35 Archdioceses /
Dioceses in Luzon, 11 in the
Visayas region, 16 in Mindanao,
9 Catechetical Centers, and 9
Colleges/Universities with
Religious Education.
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 23
November 8 - 21, 2010
Subtle Attacks Against Family and Life
+Jaime L. Cardinal Sin, Archbishop of Manila
My dear People of God,
I am very much aware how much
you value the family, the Domestic
Church, and of the efforts you exert
to strengthen it. However, there are
indications of real and very subtle at-
tacks against the family that we can
no longer keep silent about, and of
which I would now like to make a quick
exposition.
The Philippine constitution specifies
in Art. II, Sec. 12, one of the functions
of the State: “The State recognizes the
sanctity of family life and shall protect
and strengthen the family as a basic
autonomous social institution. It shall
equally protect the life of the mother and
the life of the unborn from conception.
The natural and primary right and duty
of parents in the rearing of the youth
for civic efficiency and the development
of moral character shall receive the
support of the Government”.
The family is the basic unit of society.
Be assured that if the Filipino family is
destroyed, the Philippine society will
follow suit. We thus have to protect
and strengthen the family, both through
personal initiatives, and by helping the
government do so. Indeed, this is a
concern not only of the Church, but of
civil society as a whole.
Concept of Family
Pope John Paul II said that “The
family in the modern world, as much
as and perhaps more than any other
institution, has been beset by the
many profound and rapid changes
that have affected society and culture.
Many families are living this situation in
fidelity to those values that constitute
the foundation of the institution of the
family. Others have become uncer-
tain and bewildered over their role or
even doubtful and almost unaware
of the ultimate meaning and truth of
conjugal and family life” (Familiaris
Consortio 1).
Today, there are certain sectors of so-
ciety that wish to redefine the concept
of a “family” to include (with equal legal
status as the traditional father-mother-
children family) same-sex unions with
or without adopted children, single
parenthood, multiple partnership, and
adoption of animals. They accept as
variations within any family structure
adultery, divorce, incestuous sex, pre-
marital sex and even other forms of
partners of sex for the sole purpose of
achieving pleasure. We have to be fully
aware of these currents and be ready
to explain their detrimental effects on
the person and society.
Abortion and Contraception
We also cannot but condemn abor-
tion, or killing the baby in the mother’s
womb. Abortion is done through “hilot”
(or massage), certain medicines or
herbal concoctions, suction, hystero-
tomy, saline injection, various formula-
tions of the morning after abortive made
of Levonorgestrel, and other means.
Not to be left out is the abortion pill
called the “RU-486”, which is not simply
a “contraceptive” as some would de-
ceivingly claim, but rather was invented
precisely to remove the implanted baby
from the mother’s womb. The generic
name of RU-486 is mifepristone, a
chemical which blocks the action of
progesterone, the hormone required
to maintain a pregnancy – its mode
of action is thus to abort a pregnancy
that has already started.
Likewise, many people are unaware
that at conception, the moment when
the father’s sperm meets the mother’s
egg cell, a new life is formed. How can
this new being not be a human person?
And how can some people allow abor-
tion of this being by not allowing it to
implant onto the mother’s womb a few
days later, as in the use of contraceptive
pills (which have abortifacient effects),
or the intrauterine device (which is not
a contraceptive but abortifacient since
it does not stop the sperm from meet-
ing the egg)? Could the pills and IUD’s
even be declared unconstitutional,
as they go against Art. II, Sec. 12, of
our Constitution, which reads, “The
State… shall equally protect the life of
the mother and the life of the unborn
from conception”?
Some attempt to go around this
question by stating that “conception”,
that is, the beginning of life, refers
not to fertilization but to implantation,
which takes place around five days
later. Still, a review of the records
reveals that the intention was clear: “it
is when the ovum is fertilized by the
sperm that there is human life. Just
to repeat: first, there is obviously life
because it starts to nourish itself, it
starts to grow as any living being, and
it is human because at the moment
of fertilization, the chromosomes that
combined in the fertilized ovum are the
chromosomes that are uniquely found
in human beings and are not found in
any other living being” (Record of the
Constitutional Commission, Volume 4,
p. 668). Indeed, at fertilization a new
individual is formed, which is distinct in
its existence and genetic make-up from
both the father and the mother.
And if ever one still doubts whether
in the days between fertilization and
implantation there is already a human
person, then one should give the ben-
efit of the doubt and respect that being
as a human person, very much in the
same way that a hunter should not
shoot when doubting whether what is
behind the bushes is a human person
or an animal.
Abroad, some even go to the extent of
performing “partial-birth” or “brain-suc-
tion” abortion. They do this by delivering
a healthy, viable baby in breech position
(feet first), and when only the head re-
mains inside the woman’s vagina, they
pierce the baby’s nape with a pointed pair
of scissors and insert a tube connected to
the suction machine, to suck the baby’s
brains out. Then they harvest the dead
baby’s parts, such as brain cells, kidney,
heart valve, and so on. They have been
doing this since the 1970’s, and attempts
by the US Congress and Senate to ban
it failed in the 1990’s.
In abortion, the weak, defenseless child
is brutally murdered not just by anybody
but by those who are supposed to love
and care for the child most – the parents
and the doctors!
So many of our women have actually
become unknowing victims of abortion,
given the danger they are exposed to, both
during the procedure and after, in the form
of physical, physiological and psychologi-
cal effects. Likewise, they suffer from the
side effects of contraceptive pills (nausea,
vomiting, headaches, weight gain or loss,
hypertension, impaired vision, mood
changes and depression, higher inci-
dence of cancer, difficulty of conceiving
after discontinuing use, etc.), without even
having been informed by their doctors of
these ill effects and other burdens, and
of the natural methods which serve as
effective means to carry out the decision
whether to have a pregnancy or not.
Responsible Parenthood
The Church is very much one with the
couples in their parental responsibilities.
Thus, Pope Paul VI examines the topic
of responsible parenthood from its differ-
ent aspects: “In relation to the biological
processes, responsible parenthood
means the knowledge and respect of their
functions…In relation to the tendencies
of instinct or passion, responsible parent-
hood means that necessary dominion
which reason and will must exercise over
them. In relation to physical, economic,
psychological and social conditions,
responsible parenthood is exercised,
either by the deliberate and generous
decision to raise a numerous family, or
by the decision, made for grave motives
and with due respect for the moral law,
to avoid for the time being, or even for
an indeterminate period, a new birth…”
(Humanae Vitae 10).
Responsible parenthood then includes
making the decision whether to have
another child at present or not. Thus, to
think that the Church simply wants the
couples to have as many children as
they physically can (quoting Gen 1:22,
“God blessed them, saying, ‘Be fruitful
and multiply’”) is incorrect. The Church
teaches that the methods used to avoid
pregnancy should always respect the
moral law.
“Every action which, either in antici-
pation of the conjugal act, or in its ac-
complishment, or in the development
of its natural consequences, proposes,
whether as an end or as a means, to
render procreation impossible” is intrin-
sically immoral (Humanae Vitae 14).
Such contraceptive actions “separate the
two meanings [union between spouses
and procreation] that God the Creator
has inscribed in the being of man and
woman and in the dynamism of their
sexual communion”, whereby the couple
“act as ‘arbiters’ of the divine plan and
they ‘manipulate’ and degrade human
sexuality—and with it themselves and
their married partner—by altering its value
of ‘total’ self-giving. Thus the innate lan-
guage that expresses the total reciprocal
self-giving of husband and wife is overlaid,
through contraception, by an objectively
contradictory language, namely, that of
not giving oneself totally to the other. This
leads not only to a positive refusal to be
open to life but also to a falsification of
the inner truth of conjugal love, which
is called upon to give itself in personal
totality” (Familiaris Consortio 32).
On the other hand, avoiding pregnancy
by abstaining from sex when the woman
is fertile is morally acceptable. “By means
of recourse to periods of infertility, the
couple respect the inseparable connec-
tion between the unitive and procreative
meanings of human sexuality, they are
acting as ‘ministers’ of God’s plan and they
‘benefit from’ their sexuality according to
the original dynamism of ‘total’ self-giving,
without manipulation or alteration. The
choice of the natural rhythms involves
accepting the cycle of the person, that
is the woman, and thereby accepting
dialogue, reciprocal respect, shared re-
sponsibility and self-control… In this way
sexuality is respected and promoted in
its truly and fully human dimension, and
is never ‘used’ as an ‘object’ (Familiaris
Consortio 32).
It has to be remembered too that re-
course to infertile periods is acceptable
only when there are grave motives. Other-
wise, one would fall into the “contraceptive
mentality” by using the infertile periods
simply as an alternative to contraceptives,
with the purpose of avoiding pregnancy
even though the couple’s personal situ-
ation would allow them to receive from
God the gift of another child.
True, abstinence, which may reach a
week or so, could be a source of personal
struggle. But this struggle builds up char-
acter and trust, and assures the couple
that their love is not merely based on
sexual pleasure, but on total self-dona-
tion. Statistics from other countries show
that divorce rate is very low among non-
contraceptive users, compared with the
general population. Sometimes people
listen too much to criticisms against the
natural methods, criticisms coming from
DOCETE
those who do not use the method. Isn’t it
about time that we listened to those who
use the methods and know from experi-
ence that they are indeed effective?
Sex Education
And how can we not see the need to
reexamine the present form of sex edu-
cation in schools? It is the main vehicle
of the sexual revolution, which, simply
stated, means the removal of sex from
the intimacy of husband-wife relationship,
and bringing it out into the open. Sex is
now simply seen as a means of obtaining
pleasure, independent of the responsibility
to love the spouse for the rest of one’s
life, and independent of openness to life.
From this perspective, sex can take any
form at all, as long as it gives pleasure,
be it with one’s or with another’s spouse,
in premarital sex, with the same sex, by
oneself, with many partners, with minors,
or even with animals.
To eliminate the sense of sacredness
of sex, children are now made to undergo
processes of desensitization. They are
given all the information about sex, more
than what they actually need and can
handle, resulting in promiscuity, contra-
ceptive use, sexually transmitted diseases
and pregnancy, along with whatever
physical and psychological traumas that
may ensue. It is in sex education where
children are introduced at a very early age
(even in pre-school) to many anti-life and
anti-family concepts.
The result is that instead of protecting
the children from the environment, sex
education tends to promote promiscuity.
What concept of a family will a man or a
woman who has gone through different
sex partners have?
But the objection against sex education
is not simply with regards to the misuse of
sex. Parental authority over their children
is undermined. Oftentimes children are
led to think that parents know very little
about sex or consider sex as taboo. (In
cases where this is true, parents have
to be helped and made capable of ex-
plaining matters regarding sex to their
children.) The children begin to mistrust
their parents when it comes to sex and
intimate relationships, and by extension,
when it comes to other things. The true
guides are no longer the parents but their
peers (who in the future will be trained
in advising contraceptives and abortion)
and their teachers. So many other false
ideas are systematically injected into the
children’s minds using sex education:
what is pleasurable is always good, that
truth and goodness simply depend on
one’s personal preferences, New Age
principles, etc.
Pope John Paul II says, “Even amid
the difficulties of the work of education,
difficulties which are often greater today,
parents must trustingly and courageously
train their children in the essential values
of human life… Education in love as self-
giving is also the indispensable premise
for parents called to give their children a
clear and delicate sex education. Faced
with a culture that largely reduces human
sexuality to the level of something com-
mon place, since it interprets and lives it
in a reductive and impoverished way by
linking it solely with the body and with
selfish pleasure, the educational service
of parents must aim firmly at a training
in the area of sex that is truly and fully
personal: for sexuality is an enrichment
of the whole person – body, emotions
and soul – and it manifests its inmost
meaning in leading the person to the gift
of self in love.
“Sex education, which is a basic right
and duty of parents, must always be
carried out under their attentive guid-
ance, whether at home or in educational
centers chosen and controlled by them.
In this regard, the Church reaffirms the
law of subsidiarity, which the school is
bound to observe when it cooperates in
sex education, by entering into the same
spirit that animates the parents.
“… The Church is firmly opposed to
an often widespread form of imparting
sex information dissociated from moral
principles. That would merely be an intro-
duction to the experience of pleasure and
a stimulus leading to the loss of seren-
ity – while still in the years of innocence
[the “latency period”, which has to be
respected] – by opening the way to vice”
(Familiaris Consortio 37).
Population Control
The so-called “Small Family Size Norm”
proposes a maximum of two children per
family, the number needed to replace the
father and the mother when they eventu-
ally die. But in the long run such scheme
to stabilize the population will succeed
only if all children will in turn marry and
give birth. But since the contrary is true,
demographers say that an average of at
least 2.1 children per woman is needed
to maintain the population. It also has to
be considered that with the contracep-
tive mentality, the tendency is actually
for many couples to have only one or no
child, bringing down the average to around
1.8 or less children per woman. This will
assure the country of population aging
and underpopulation.
Over the last years many developed
countries have adapted the “Small Family
Size Norm” of two. Consequently, they
have been having only one or two children
per woman, and will eventually experi-
ence a decline in population. In some
countries as of now this is not yet taking
place because their people live longer
due to better medical care; but time will
come when their many old citizens will
finally die (and their population will shrink).
Less children would mean less workforce
(and thus the need for more working im-
migrants), a shrinking market (who will
buy toys, school supplies and children’s
wear?), more elderly citizens to support
with government and private money, and
so on. This could lead the country into
economic and security disasters, which
we have to avoid at all cost.
Such economic and security concerns
are the reasons why a good number of
highly developed countries invite their
citizens to have more children. This they
do by giving certain tax deductions and
monetary rewards starting with the second
or third child, encouraging earlier mar-
riage, and even providing a match-making
office to help the people to find a spouse.
Could it be that the population growth of
some developing countries actually poses
a threat to countries with very low birth
rates? And if so, could it be the reason why
population control is pushed in developing
countries, and usually set as a condition
for aid given to them? These questions
might be worth examining in detail.
Now, some say that what the world lacks
now is not really land area but food supply.
Actually, the world can produce sufficient
food. In fact, we read news articles stating
that when prices of milk, cereal or lamb
go down, Americans, Europeans and
Australians simply eliminate the neces-
sary quantity of these products (by killing
or dumping them into the ocean) to lower
supply and thus increase prices.
Still, others say that population growth
has to be matched by economic growth.
But why do we not achieve a greater eco-
nomic growth? Couldn’t it be because a
certain percentage of our national budget
does go to the people (in terms of projects
and services), but the remaining goes to
graft and corruption?
AIDS “Education”
And what could be made out of AIDS
education? It is sad that the incidence of
AIDS is increasing in our beloved country.
We have to be compassionate towards
AIDS patients. As with any other disease,
the best approach to stopping AIDS is
prevention. But could the transmission of
the AIDS virus (the HIV) really be stopped
by using what some call “safe sex”, that
is, the condom? Scientific studies show
that condoms may fail to stop sperm,
virus and other microorganisms causing
sexually-transmitted diseases due to
various reasons, such as breakage, leak-
age, slippage, old age, improper storage
and the naturally occurring minute pores
present in all latex materials.
Thus, maybe it would be best to re-
quest or even require condom advertis-
ers to state something like, “WARNING:
CONDOMS DO NOT GUARANTEE
PROTECTION FROM AIDS OR STD’S”.
Such a notice is not only scientifically ac-
curate, but is a necessary protection for
and even a right of unknowing consum-
ers. Remember that for the same reason
warnings are placed in other products,
such as “CIGARETTE SMOKING IS DAN-
GEROUS FOR YOUR HEALTH”, “DRINK
MODERATELY”, and, “BREASTMILK IS
BEST FOR BABIES UNTIL TWO YEARS
OLD”.
Along this line, it might also be good
to require chemical contraceptives to put
warnings such as, “PILLS HAVE BEEN
SHOWN TO INCREASE INCIDENCE
OF BREAST CANCER”, or, “PILLS
CAUSE ABORTION BY NOT ALLOWING
IMPLANTATION”. All this is a matter of
telling the truth! And the truth shall set
us free! Free from all the evils these
products bring, not only physically, but
also spiritually.
Now, practically the only ways in which
the HIV may be transmitted through sexual
contact are the following: (1) premarital
sex, (2) marital infidelity and (3) homo-
sexual acts. By sheer logic alone, it follows
that those who promote the condom to
stop AIDS in general also automatically
promote these three practices, because
these are the only situations wherein
the person “needs” the condom to stop
AIDS.
Couldn’t it be then that promoters of
“safe sex”, who know that it is not really
safe, could have other agenda, maybe
hidden, in mind? Why can we ask this
question? Because they know that con-
dom trust will not stop AIDS, but instead
will simply give false assurances, thus
increase non-spousal sexual exposure
and the risk of contracting the deadly virus
and sexually transmitted diseases.
Furthermore, if those promoting the
condom are really sincere in their desire
to stop AIDS, why do they almost never
promote the technique that is 100% sure?
Yes, we can stop AIDS here and now
through the S.O.S. method: “SEX ONLY
with SPOUSE”! That is, marital fidelity,
the only effective and cheapest way to
stop AIDS!
By the way, the condom and chastity
are two completely opposing approaches
to the AIDS problem. You earn from
the condom, but not from chastity. The
condom corrupts and weakens people,
chastity forms and strengthens them. The
condom destroys families and individuals,
chastity builds them up. The condom
spreads promiscuity, and thus sexually
transmitted diseases and AIDS, while
chastity battles them.
Divorce
“The strength of the nation is in the
family. Destroy the family by a bill like
divorce and all the other values will come
crumbling down”.
Divorce is often presented as an exit
from marital problems and a second
chance at marriage. Aside from the theo-
logical considerations on the unity and
indissolubility of marriage, a closer look at
the experiences of countries with divorce
will probably allow one to conclude that
indeed divorce is not a solution to failed
C7
marriages. Divorce takes its toll on
the children, the spouses, society at
large and even on marriage itself as
an institution.
Children are the primary losers in
divorce, as they lose one parent and
two grandparents, suffer psychologi-
cal trauma, and have increased risks
of suicide, obesity, problems in school,
drug addiction, early pregnancies,
abortions and other crimes.
Spouses lose each other and possi-
bly their children and many friends, and
may likewise undergo psychological
trauma, financial difficulties, humilia-
tion and other problems. Society suf-
fers from the breakdown of the family,
which is its basic unit. And in countries
where social services are readily avail-
able, the state has to spend more in
terms of aid to divorcees.
Behind a divorce law, there is always
the tendency for couples entering into
marriage not to give themselves totally
to each other, given that there is a
chance for them to easily part ways.
Without indissolubility, matrimony
cannot be considered as something
serious. More and more people would
decide not to get married at all and
simply live together without any as-
surance of stability – to the detriment
of the couples themselves and the
children, as well as of the members
of society as a whole.
We have to strengthen our families,
first of all through prayer. As the saying
goes, “the family that prays together
stays together”.
The lawmakers must seek ways to
protect the family and preserve our
cherished Filipino values, not destroy
them. Divorce will increase the number
of poor people in our midst. Divorce will
bring about more spiritually impover-
ished children because their spiritually
impoverished parents do not like to
keep their marital commitments.
Conclusion
It has been my intention in writ-
ing this message to make a general
presentation of the constant attacks
against family and life, attacks that
are orchestrated and are so subtle
and may thus easily pass unnoticed.
Given all these considerations, what
are we to do? Please allow me to
humbly make my appeals.
a. To all of us, please pray that
the culture of love and life will truly
overcome the anti-culture of death.
This battle does not merely touch
the human or society. It is the father
of all lies rebelling against the Author
of Life.
b. Likewise, let us intensify our
efforts to study Church teachings on
the family, even as we continue to
take advantage of all the scientific
and sociological data we can gather.
Misconceptions on the Church’s posi-
tions have to be corrected. Realistic
solutions have to be offered. Only by
being faithful to Christ’s message will
we be able to guide the family to its
fulfillment. It is my desire that the topics
outlined in this letter be disseminated
and seriously studied by all.
c. To our educators, teachers and
mentors, study the impact of these
issues on the people.
d. To our legislators and policy mak-
ers, I enjoin you to take cognizance
of basic laws of the land and enact
laws to apply constitutional provisions
protecting the family and life.
e. To our lay and civic organizations,
let us plan and coordinate our efforts
to disseminate as much information as
we can regarding these matters, either
through personal contacts, by organiz-
ing seminars and discussion groups (in
this regard, there is no need to come
up with additional activities; rather, the
regular meetings of these groups could
be utilized) or through the effective use
of the mass media. Those who can,
should help in the financial machinery
to professionalize the efforts to protect
and strengthen the family, as a volun-
teer army can never go far.
f. To our fathers and mothers, do
not forget that the family is the first
and last line of defense against the
ills that could affect the individual’s
character, for the family is the first
school of virtues and the place where
the individual grows to maturity.
g. To our youth, who are beginning
their journey towards marriage and
family life, discover the beauty and
grandeur of the vocation to love and
the service of love.
h. To the priests and religious, con-
tinue guiding the flock entrusted to you,
first of all through your example, and
also through your words. The ultimate
vaccine against all these ills is the
strengthening of our spiritual, doctrinal
and apostolic formation. I invite you all
to go back to the basics in your pastoral
activities. People who know their faith
through catechesis and study and truly
live it in prayer and apostolate will not
be easily misled.
May Mary, Queen of the Family and
Mother of Life guide us all.
+ Jaime L. Cardinal Sin
Archbishop of Manila
July 9, 2001
 C8 DOCETE CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 23
November 8 - 21, 2010

Family: Be what you are called to be!

By Msgr. Gerardo Santos
THE Catechetical Month of
September pays special tribute
to the family of man and woman.
Thus, a catechesis of the family,
by the family, for the family is
the focus of our reflections. The
Annual Meeting of Catechetical
Ministers in Dagupan City last
July was an important event
highlighting the various ways
the family is to be served through
catechetical programs. From our
advocacy against the RH Bill to our
support of the alternative HB 10
sponsored by Congressman Roilo
Golez, the four day study and
reflection provided opportunities
for diocesan representatives to
share their catechetical practices
on family and life issues.
The Post Synodal Exhortation
of Pope John Paul II, FAMILIARIS
CONSORTIO has four pillars of
family life. They serve as points
of reference for the family to grow
in the image of the Holy Family
of Nazareth. They are: the family
as COMMUNION OF PERSONS;
the family in the service of Life;
the family as builder of the
Church and the family as agent
of social transformation. A word
on each.
The family is a “communion”
of persons. The family reflects the
mystery of the Blessed Trinity.
God is the family of persons
sharing in the love that brought
forth creation and redemption.
Communion is the mystery that
we celebrate: the love of the
Father and the Son is the Holy
Spirit. Unity is the fundamental
call of the family and this unity
is best achieved in the power of
love through sharing or self –
giving in sacrifice. The family is
called to “mirror” the mystery of
the Blessed Trinity through the
constant giving of their lives. This
is the vocation of the family.
The family is in the SERVICE of
LIFE. In other words, the family is
called to be PRO LIFE. This is the
challenge of the Church – that the
family is to proclaim life, celebrate
life and serve life. The dynamics
of life – giving and love – giving
is present in the family through a
series of activities meant to deepen
the “relational” value of persons.
There are so many “attacks”
that threaten the existence of the
family. The acronym DEATH
expresses this: D: divorce, E:
euthanasia, A: abortion, T: total
population control through
contraception and abortifacients
and h: homosexual marriages.
The SAFE program of the church
is a most welcome addition to the
family and life programs. They
help set up a mindset of sensitivity
and pro active response to the
on – going struggle to defend life
from conception to death. This is
our challenge: to help promote
a Culture of Life – an Ecology
of Life.
The family is the builder of
the Church. The family has
an ecclesial role: a believing
and evangelizing community, a
community in dialogue with God
and a community in the service of
the human person. The mission of
the Church is evangelization – the
proclamation of the Good News
of Salvation and Liberation. The
Christian couple is endowed with
the gift to live the faith and to
share the faith. That is why they
are the primordial educators of
the faith to the children that God
has given them. Learning is not
only the level of competence and
skills but the building character
imbued with virtues. Values are
not only taught but they caught.
The home is the school of learning
the “basics” of love, truth, justice
and freedom. The home is the
place where chastity and modesty
are learned in the way we make
ourselves. Learning is mind,
heart, hands and feet – learning
is wholistic! And the parents
are companions in the learning
growth of the child. The school
is the second community of the
child – “in loco parentis” (in the
place of parents). Due diligence
should be exercised by the school.
Thus, home – school partnership
is to be forged in the growing years
of the child. The child after all, is
“an adult in the making”!
The parish is the community
of families. It is the communion
of communities. The parents are
called to bring their family closer
to the Lord through their active
membership in the parish. The
parish for its part should provide
a wide variety of opportunities
for families to take active part.
From the Word to the Worship to
the Witness of life, the parish is
the concrete manifestation of the
church that is fully alive!
The family is an Agent of Social
Transformation. Christian faith
needs to be de – privatized! It
has a public character. It seeks
to help build a more humane
environment. The family is the
first and vital cell of society.
This is best lived in the vocation
of “hospitality”: our friendship
to neighbor and people of the
community. When the family
opens its doors to others, the
family becomes the sanctuary
of people, especially the poor
and the downcast. The training
ground of social involvement is
the home. Children are raised
to love country and people.
Children are raised in the values
of service and stewardship.
Foremost in the life of the family is
the “formation of a personal and
social conscience”. With respect
for human dignity comes the
church’s love of preference for
the poor. All these values form
the heart of the Church’s social
teachings! In a sense, a work ethic,
integrity and sense of discipline
and hard work are the building
blocks of a genuine family.
In conclusion, the family
possesses the dignity of the God
who loves and cares for us. I pray
that our families may be like the
home of Nazareth – the home of
Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
(Msgr. Gerardo O. Santos is
the Executive Secretary of the
Episcopal Commission on Catechesis
and Catholic Education (ECCCE)
and National CEAP Chairman
of Commission on Religious
Education)

Cat’l Core Group Planning held in November ‘09

A MEETING of Catechetical Directors
and Coordinators, ACCCRE Member-
Institutions and Formators was held
last November 5 and 6, 2009 at the
Dominican House of Prayer in Tagaytay
City. The main purpose of this meeting
is to finalize the Planning Program for
2009-2013. The 11 participants of this said
meeting were guided by the following
objectives:
a. to engage in a planning activity for
Christian formation using the pastoral
spiral approach;
b. to identify specific activities to
implement major programs of on-
going training for diocesan catechetical
directors and coordinators;
c. to strengthen the competency and
skills of program for Directors and
coordinators for more relevant and
responsive catechetical engagement;
d. to initiate certificate programs
of catechetical centers and prepare
Religious Education Certificate through
visitation from diocese/ECCCE
representation;
e. to strengthen linkages and
networking among Catechetical Centers
and colleges with RE together with
Diocesan office of Catechesis.
f.toreviewACCCREBy-Lawsspecifically
on functions of ACCCRE officers
g. to finalize program for ACCCRE
Annual Meeting on Jan. 20-22, 2010
at Marello Retreat House, Tagaytay
City; and
h. to prepare a draft program of
activities for AMCM on July 12-15, 2010
at Carmelite Missionaries Spirituality
Center, Tagaytay City.

Joint ECCCE-CEAP Strategic

Planning set in December 2010
THE Catholic Bishops’
Conference of the Philippines’
Episcopal Commission
on Catechesis and Catholic
Education (CBCP-ECCCE), in
coordination with the Catholic
Educational Association of
the Philippines (CEAP) will
hold another Joint Strategic
Planning on December 1-3, 2010
at the Canossa Retreat House in
Tagaytay City.
The following are the major
objectives of this three-day
meeting: 1) to lay-out the
3-year planning of ECCCE’s
Catechetical and Religious
Educationprogramsandprojects;
2) to strengthen the collaboration
among catechetical centers and
colleges and universities with
religious education; and 3) to
organize members of a pool of
visiting team who will observe
the different catechetical centers
and colleges / universities
offering Religious Education. All
of these goals were envisioned
for the benefit of the Catholic
Educators and Catechists all
over the Philippines.
There will be around 35 to 40
participants who are expected to
attend this important gathering.
This exceptional group will be
composed of selected ECCCE
representatives from Luzon
(Bicol, in particular), Visayas, and
Mindanao, representatives from
the CEAP Rel-Ed Commission
and from the Association of
Colleges and Universities with
Religious Education (ACCCRE),
as well as other significant
personalities and experts from
the Catechetical and Catholic
Education field.
This rare assembly is
spearheaded by ECCCE
Executive Secretary and National
Director of CEAP Religious
Education Commission, Rev.
Msgr. Gerardo O. Santos in close
collaboration with the ECCCE
Chairman and Archbishop
of Lingayen-Dagupan, His
Excellency, Most Rev. Socrates
B. Villegas, D.D.
Annual activities
Aside from the programs
/ activities to be organized
resulting from this assembly,
ECCCE has already lined up its
activities for next year. They
are: a) the ASSOCIATION
OF CATECHETICAL
CENTERS AND COLLEGES
/ UNIVERSITIES WITH
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
(ACCCRE) annual meeting
set on January 26-29, 2011 and
to be held at the Sta. Catalina
Spirituality Center in Baguio
City; b) the annual SUMMER
CATECHETICAL INSTITUTE
FOR PRIESTS (SCIP) to be held
on April 26-29, 2011 also at
the Sta. Catalina Spirituality
Center in Baguio City. The
theme for the said gathering
is “Pastoral Planning and
Church Management”; c)
the POPE BENEDICT XVI
CATECHETICAL CONGRESS
which is set on May 4-6, 2011.
The venue for this assembly
will be at the Siena Hall of
Siena College, Del Monte
Avenue cor. Sto. Domingo St.
in Quezon City; and finally, d)
the ANNUAL MEETING OF
CATECHETICAL MINISTERS
(AMCM) to be held on July
12-15, 2011 in Naga City
(Archdiocese of Caceres). The
theme for next year’s meeting is
“Relationship: Bishop-Priest-
Catechist”.
Additional programs and
activities are expected to be
organized in the following
years as a result of this Strategic
Planning in December, 2010.
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 23
November 8 - 21, 2010
By Charly Laiz
CFC Defends Life
Couples for Christ, in keeping
with its new theme for 2011,
“Put On the Full Armor of God”
has actively joined the grow-
ing number of organizations
and groups who are now up in
arms against the “Reproduc-
tive Health and Population
Development Act of 2010,”
also called “An Act Providing
for a National Policy on Repro-
ductive Health, Responsible
Parenthood and Population
Development and for Other
Purposes.” The proposed bill,
refiled as House Bill 96, is
the latest and strongest threat
confronting the family today as
Philippine legislators are about
to pass it into law, and to make
sex education modules compul-
sory even for elementary grade
students. The bill’s principal
author is Congressman Edcel
Lagman.
Armed with the resolve to
fight for life, CFC joined the
17th Asia Pacific Congress
of Human Life International,
held last November 6-8 at the
Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati
City. With the theme, “Faith,
Life and Family,” the Congress
can be aptly described in three
words: informative, inspiring
and insightful.
Nineteen delegates from CFC
Manila attended with many
YFC Chronicles:
The Journey Continues...
By Fernando Academia Jr.
THE International Conference of
Youth for Christ early this year
focused on teaching the youth how
to live “To the Max.” Their journey
towards living a full life in Christ
was further reinforced during the
9th YFC Metro Manila Conference
last October 23-24, 2010 at the Uni-
versity of Rizal Systems (URS) Tanay
Rizal.
Dubbed the “YFC Chronicles,” the
conference was simultaneously held
on the same day in different regions
in the Philippines: in Zambales
for Central Luzon, in Batangas for
Southern Tagalog, in Palawan for
Palawan province, in Siquijor for
Central Visayas, in Guimaras for
Western Visayas, in General San-
tos for South Central Mindanao, in
Bukidnon for Northeastern Mind-
anao and in Basilan for Western
Mindanao.
The simultaneous conferences fol-
lowed the same program – opening
worship meant to welcome the del-
egates and set the tone of reverence
and thanksgiving for the entire two-
day event, competitions in dancing,
singing, art, sports and others, work-
shops, talks, sharings, more praise
and worship and the ultimate form
of worship, the Holy Mass.
The workshops were varied: on
photography; on the proper usage of
social media; R.O.C.K. ON! A work-
shop on Youth Reaching Out Christ
to Kids; SFC which was about moving
over to the next phase in our CFC life;
and “GuiDance,” short for “God, yoU
and I DANCE”).
The News Supplement of
Couples for Christ
As in any youth
conference, the much
awaited event was
the honest and very
open sharing of hearts
through the talks and
testimonies.
In Metro Manila
...
In the MM confer-
ence, the first talk
was delivered by Cris Lao, and was
entitled “YFC Chronicles,” a histori-
cal retelling of YFC’s journey through
the years, from the youth camps, to
the formation tracks, and through the
many advocacies that have deepened
the spiritual life of YFC members
such as the Liveloud praise concert,
the Greeneration campaign and many
D1
other members coming from the
provinces and even from Papua
New Guinea, Malaysia and
Kazakhstan, the host of next
year’s conference. Although
the foreign and provincial CFC
members attended as members
of their local dioceses, their par-
ticipation indicates that CFC is
very much into protecting and
defending Life and Family. The
congress was attended by more
than 1,000 delegates.
In addition to the congress
proper, six participants from
CFC also attended the Inter-
national Pro-life Training on
November 3-5 held at the same
venue. Notable Human Life
International personalities
provided their expertise and
valuable insights on the im-
plications of the proposed bill.
Dr. Ligaya Acosta spoke about
The Global Attacks against Life
and Family, Atty. Toto Villareal
presented “How Anti-Lifers
Work in Congress,” Raymund
de Souza spoke about “Contra-
ception and the Extinction of
Civilization.” Other speakers
were Dr. Brian Clowes, Atty Jo
Imbong and Fr. Melvin Castro.
The three-day training was
highlighted by daily celebra-
tions of the Holy Eucharist.
The congress proper got off
to a rousing start with a Mass
led by Archbishop Paciano
Aniceto, Director of the Epis-
Fights / D2
more. In her talk, life with tremendous impact” be-
Cris said that the cause, as he said, “Your journey with
“Lord has brought the Lord will not continue unless
us from goodness you do your part... to live a life full
to greatness” and of purpose.”
“from standard to The sharers affirmed the message
outstanding.” driven home by the talks. Jessa of
Robert Jaldon, in Central B, Danica of YFC PUP and
the second talk, af- Sam of South A, testified that in the
firmed that “…we journey everyone is and will be go-
who are here, we are ing through, there is God’s affirma-
the fruits of what tion that in Him, we are “destined
was God’s plan 18 for greatness,, that His love will see
years ago for YFC…” and stressed everyone through.
that for everyone to experience the The joyful spirit that permeated
journey of fullness, “We (need to) the entire weekend in all the simul-
continue the journey with trust… taneous conferences was bolstered
with hope and great expectations… through the lively and fervent wor-
with perseverance.” ship and praise that saw the youth
In the last talk on Sunday morning, dancing and singing with full aban-
Keken Cabaraban urged all the youth don. And of course, the celebration
present to live “a life of purpose, a YFC / D3
 D2 Ugnayan CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 23
November 8 - 21, 2010

CFC Teaching Night Focuses on Pro-Life

By Zeny Gimenez
In a related development, CFC sought
to inform its leadership, so that they
can in turn inform their members, of the
provisions and the dangers of the bill.
At the October teaching night of the Mis-
sion Core at the Irwin Shaw Theater in
Ateneo University, two noted and vocal
opponents of the bill were invited to talk
about the bill in greater detail.
One of the speakers was Dr. Ligaya A.
Acosta, the executive director of Human
Life International (HLI) Asia, and the re-
cipient of the Human Life International’s
prestigious Fr. Paul Marx Pro-Lifetime
Award in recognition of her unselfish
service in the cause of family and life. HLI
is the world’s largest pro-life organization.
It is a Catholic organization, founded in
1972 in the USA by Fr. Paul Marx, also the
founder of Pro-Life International.
The other speaker was Atty. Jo Imbong of
the University of the Philippines, a practic-
ing lawyer specializing in family law and
media law. She is the Executive Secretary of
the Legal Office of the CBCP, a consultant in
the Office of Women of the Episcopal Com-
mission of Family and Life and a convenor
of the St. Thomas More Society.
CFC Chairman Joe Tale, in his intro-
duction of the two speakers, spoke of the
storm that CFC recently went through.
Dr. Acosta called the “demonic” Re-
productive Health bill a bigger storm,
one that challenges the entire Philippine
society. She said “human life is under
attack under our very noses… and sadly,
our government and non-government
organizations who are supposed to take
charge of the health and welfare of the
people have also become, consciously
or unconsciously, the primary agents
of deception.” She cited as “enemies”
of pro-life such agencies as the United
Nations, the European Union, the US De-
partment of State, wealthy foundations,
international financing agencies, abortion
revolutionary groups and the media.
She called “deception” the coining of
“beautiful” names for what are intrinsi-
cally evil, such as “patients’ rights” for
mercy killing and ‘anti-discrimination”
for any act that opposes same sex mar-
riages. She spoke of the five elements
that make up the culture of death, using
“death” as the acronym for Divorce,
Euthanasia, Abortion, Total Population
Control and Homosexuality.
Dr. Acosta explained to her rapt audi-
ence that the law’s declaration of policy
contains dangerous elements, inserted
in innocuous statements such as: “The to our children to give in to their desires What is alarming about the proposed the book as stating that “thirty percent
State upholds and promotes responsible and to aim for self-gratification always, bill is that these pamphlets will form part of adolescents from age 14-19 engage
parenthood, informed choice, birth spac- a dangerous thing indeed since this will of what is proposed as mandatory sex in premarital sex. Of this 30%, only 26%
ing and respect for life in conformity with surely lead to a lack of discipline among education for six years, beginning from use unsafe sex.” She confessed to find-
universally recognized interna- ing the equation objectionable because it
tional human rights.” In a letter sends the “underlying message (that) if
to the Philippine government, in- there is such a thing as unsafe sex, there
ternational human rights groups is safe sex. And what is safe sex to young
have also made a dangerous and adolescents? Condoms, pills.”
arrogant request: “to remove She also cautioned CFC that there are
from the Working Group Report moves to teach, in Values Education, that
a recommendation by the Holy “religion is a social hindrance to adoles-
See which calls for ‘the protection cent rights.” In English courses, under the
of children in the womb’” for the guise of lessons on debate, the curriculum
reason that the recommendation requires that students debate on the pros
is supposedly “contrary to inter- and cons of the government mandat-
national human rights law.” ing Reproductive Health. It is easy to
To the horror of the parents deduce that the curriculum requirement
present, Dr. Acosta presented provides a venue for students, in their
two government-sponsored desire to get good grades, to research on
information kits now being cir- the subject and to, as the life-skills educa-
culated among the young – tion program states, undergo “behavior
the Department of Education’s change,” particularly if the students are
“Kikay Kit,” which stands for impressionable.
“Kaalama’t Impormasyon sa Atty. Imbong informed the assembly
Katawa’t Kalusugan Nating that the bill has a two-child policy which,
Youth,” and the Department of while it will supposedly not penalize
Health’s “Healthy – A Teen’s parents who opt to have more than two
Guide to a Healthy Lifestyle.” children, will nonetheless “effectively
Both pamphlets give explicit remove any ‘benefits’ after the second
instructions on condom use, child.” She recounted her own joy at
justification for masturbation and having seven children, and her refusal to
an active sex life, calling sexual Dr. Ligaya Acosta and Atty. Jo Imbong (fifth and fourth from right) with CFC leaders (from left) Lito and Linda follow her doctor’s recommendation not
Tayag, Joey and Tess Arguelles, Nini Villaroman, Melo Villaroman, Joe Tale and Oca Tagulinao.
urge as “a natural feeling of the to have any more children after the death
of her sixth child 24 hours after its birth.
Grade 5 up to 4th year high school. She is particularly proud of her youngest,
Moreover, the law would penalize a girl finally. According to her, “If I had
those who violate the mandatory sex stopped at six, I wouldn’t have this girl
education provision. who, at 18, has already published a maga-
She spoke about the inherent dan- zine, made a short documentary film, and
gers to our faith and to our parental a small commercial for Coca Cola.”
rights coming from the provisions of She enjoined CFC parents whose
House Bill 96, specifically the insidious children are in Catholic schools not to be
attempts by the bill to provide Filipino complacent because “Kasama po ang public
children with what it calls “life-skills at private schools. So you’re not safe even
education” or “Adolescent Reproduc- if your kids go to Catholic schools. It’s go-
tive Rights.” As DepEd Memo 261 ing to be mandatory.” She also said that
states, “The real objective and strategy if the bill is again taken up, “it will also
of the Life skills based education is to cover out-of-school youth and even youth
promote behavior change.” In any organizations such as Boy Scouts, Girl
other language, that refers to “indoc- Scouts, and your youth camps in Youth
trination” of our children to embrace for Christ. Wala pong lusot.”
principles that are opposed to our CFC indeed has a daunting task ahead
traditional, faith-based values. in our fight for life. All CFC members are
Atty Imbong, in her talk, empha- therefore enjoined to be actively involved
sized that the problem with the in this advocacy by signing petitions,
provisions of the bill, which seeks attending assemblies that may be called
CFC leaders worship prior to listening to the talks on Reproductive Health at the last Mission Core Teach- to mandate sex education in schools in our respective parishes and areas and
ing NIght.
from Grade 5 to 4th year high school by being vocal in proclaiming our Christ-
is that “sex education is integrated centeredness in every aspect of our life, but
body that should be fulfilled.” Dr Acosta our young that may extend to other in every subject.” She cited a Math particularly now, in this struggle to protect
echoed the parents’ sentiment that these emotional areas such as greed, anger, book which covers the “Demography our children from evils that masquerade as
pamphlets give explicit encouragement prejudice and hate. of Adolescent,” quoting one problem in “international human rights.”

Joe Yamamoto, CFC Director

THE rationale of the teambuild-
ing exercises that the Philippine
Missions have been conducting
in the various regions this year is
that these exercises are a relaxing
and refreshing way of getting
every leader to appreciate unity
of purpose and mission in the
community.
Each major island mission
group had its share of the ac-
tivities, done mostly outdoors
- Mindanao (Bukidnon) in May,
Luzon (Subic) in July and Visa-
yas (Guimaras) in August. While
there are commonalities in the
team building exercises, some-
how variations or refinements,
such as new sets of exercises or
activities, were injected depend-
ing on the terrain and venue and
even facilities that were available
or present. A very important
consideration as well was the
applicability of the activity.
Typically, the weekend un-
folds with a ‘personal ad’ where
everyone assesses himself and
identifies attributes that are
present in himself. The exercise
requires him to go around and
search for a ‘match,’ meaning
someone whose personal as-
sessment is almost similar or the
same as his. The individual and
group discussions that follow
then evaluate how these simi-
larities impact on the person and
on the group. For most, these
personal assessments and their
relation to the group dynamics
proved to be a revelation be-
cause it was the first time they
understood how these dynamics
influence the workings of the
CFC community.
FILL ‘ER UP EXERCISE
I would like to focus on one
particular exercise that best ex-
Fill ‘Er Up
emplifies this group dynamic.
This exercise was introduced
in the Guimaras teambuilding
activity, primarily because the
activity was conducted on the
beach, a most appropriate site.
Each teambuilding group
was composed of from 18 to 20
persons. Each group was given
an empty five-gallon plastic
container whose sides had been
pierced with 50 holes, each
group of 5 holes situated such
that the five fingers of one hand
can ‘cover’ all five holes at any
given time. Each participant
was tasked to cover ten holes
corresponding to his two hands.
In theory, five persons should be
able to cover all fifty holes, and
each of the five should search
for the most comfortable posi-
tion that would allow him to
continue plugging the holes at
least physical strain.
The team was then given 20
empty plastic drinking cups that
were to be filled with seawater
and poured into the container.
Considering the size of the cups
and the plastic container, one can
imagine how frenzied the rest
of the team became in running
to and from the water line just
to be able to fulfill the goal of
filling the container to the brim.
And to think that they only had
15 minutes to do so!
Each team had to figure out
the best strategy. Would it be
more expeditious to assign many
members to do relay duty in
trying to fill up the container?
Or, as some finally figured out,
would it be better to ensure
that the holes are kept plugged,
by ensuring that the “hole-
pluggers” are comfortable and/
or promptly replaced, so that no
water is wasted? This became
clear when, five minutes into
the activity, many complained of
cramped fingers and/or aching
backs from staying in unwieldy
positions.
The exercise clearly showed
the leadership capabilities and
initiative of some participants
who, upon assessing the situ-
ation, began issuing instruc-
tions, rotating personnel, solving
problems even before they arose,
readjusting strategy, changing
tactics.
INTERPRETATION
The exercise required the com-
pletion of two tasks - the need to
fill the plastic container and the
need to retain the water.
In the teambuilding exercise,
until a certain level is reached,
fetching water is easy and there-
fore could be leisurely done.
Reality bites when the water
level reaches the holes and, if
the fingers are not appropriately
placed, seawater begins to leak
out. The hole pluggers, in the
initial minutes, could be casual
about their task because there is
still no danger of leakage, but as
the tempo quickens, the pace of
the work increases and the wa-
ter level rises because the water
fetchers are quick and assiduous
in their task, they find that their
responsibility to plug the holes
becomes progressively challeng-
ing and difficult. They get tired,
develop cramps in their fingers
and legs, experience backaches,
and then tempers flare and pa-
tience wears out.
Keen observers as well as
involved participants could
not miss out on the connection
between the job of ‘water filling’
and their experience drawn from
their life and mission in CFC.
REALIZATION
In trying to relate this to the
life and mission of CFC, water-
fetching and filling the plastic
container is akin to the work
of evangelization and pastoral
formation. We evangelize by
recruiting participants to the
Christian Life Programs (putting
the water into the container). We
ensure that they remain in com-
munity and grow in the mission
and vision through our pastoral
formation (retaining the water).
These two-fold and related ac-
tivities identify the specific steps
in growing the community. The
start of it all is the ‘call’ (evange-
lization) and the response to the
‘Commission’ that is tailored to
the charism and character of the
community. Whichever way the
task is viewed, the basic identity
of CFC is one of evangelization.
Thus, the mission of “building
the Church of the Home” and
‘building the Church of the Poor’
revolves around the particular
nature of CFC as an evangelizing
and missionary community.
Situating the exercise at the
seashore reminds us of the first
encounter of Jesus with the first
apostles - four fishermen who
went on to become fishers of
men. This is the same journey
we take as disciples of Christ --
from comfortably fishing by the
seashore (influencing our own
circles) to casting the net into the
depths (going on mission).
Just like in the exercise, the
past 29 years of CFC have al-
lowed us to see leaders emerging.
Some are identified beforehand
by virtue of their preparation,
competence and maturity and
others because of their immedi-
ate response to dynamic and
changing circumstances.
The responsibility of hauling
the seawater and pouring it
into the container is recognized
and accepted by everyone but
the challenge of completing the
mission becomes real with the
need to retain the contents by
plugging the holes. Every step of
the exercise is about preparing,
clarifying, conditioning, empow-
ering, encouraging and best of all
by affirming. Community life is
working as one team, guided in
fulfilling one mission.
As realized in the course of the
activity, there are adjustments in
the work of the team - the ratios
of the ‘water fillers’ vis-a-vis the
‘hole pluggers’ will shift, depend-
ing on changing situations. This is
expected in a living, breathing and
dynamic community such as CFC.
THE MANDATE
The last Vatican-initiated con-
ference in Seoul, particularly the
closing remarks of Cardinal Sta-
nislaw Rylko, in September 2010
emphasized the two urgent tasks
of the lay faithful, namely:
1. The need for adequate for-
mation
2. The urgency of missionary
reawakening
FORMATION
In order to completely fulfill
his Christian nature, the lay
faithful must know his faith
well. An important document
to appreciate is the Christifidelis
Laici which insists on an integral
formation because it can lead to
unity of life, coherence between
faith and life, between life as
believer and citizen. Integral,
unified formation should em-
phasize spiritual, doctrinal and
social formation
The three key tools for lay
formation mentioned are:
1. The Catechism of the Catho-
lic Church
2. The Compendium of the
Catechism of the Catholic
Church and
3. The Compendium of the
Social Doctrine of the Church.
MISSIONARY REAWAKENING
The late Pope Paul VI stressed
in Evangelii Nuntiandi that the role
of the Church is to evangelize. We
members of the laity should real-
ize that this role and responsibil-
ity is not solely for the clergy but
is ours as well. For CFC leaders
and members, this call to evange-
lization is the core strength that
we believe in and live by.
The most basic proof of our
obedience to this call is the global
presence of CFC. From a small
group that simply desired personal
and couple-holiness, CFC, by ad-
hering to this call to evangelize,
has grown by leaps and bounds to
where it is now – an international
private lay association of the faith-
ful recognized by the Vatican, a
Philippine-born association that
has been “exported” and found
acceptance in many countries, a
movement that is recognized for
its Christ-oriented goals and activi-
ties, a way of life that has encour-
aged hundreds of thousands of
adherents to be transformed and
to shine as examples of how Christ
works in those who love Him.
As in the beach exercise, Christ
fills us up. It is our commitment
to answer His call to evangelize
and to shine as examples to oth-
ers that allow us to remain filled
and fulfilled in Him.

Fights / D1
copal Commission on Family and Life
of the CBCP, with seven bishop con-
celebrators, including His Eminence
Ricardo Cardinal Vidal and 15 priests.
The parade of delegates from over 10
countries in the Asia-Pacific Region
followed.
The congress discussed issues such
as Moral Relativism, The Anti-Life
Mentality, The New Age Movement,
Reproductive Death, Jesus in the Fam-
ily, The Blessings of Large Families,
End of Life Issues, Positioning the
Pro-life Cause and The Challenges of
the Culture of Death.
The closing Mass of the conference
on November 8 was concelebrated by
Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, Ricardo
Cardinal Vidal, CBCP President
Bishop Nereo Odchimar, CBCP Vice-
President Archbishop Jose Palma,
eight other bishops and ten priests.
The conference resolved to continue
to defend and advance the cause of
Family and Life and to fight legislation
that threaten to undermine them, par-
ticularly the Reproductive Health Bill
in the Philippines. There are at least
four other bills that have been filed in
the House, all of them leading towards
the same goals as House Bill 96.
CFC and the Asia-Pacific Prolifers
learned much, but much more has
to be done. Archbishop Paciano
Aniceto encapsulated the confer-
ence’s objectives when, during his
homily, he enjoined all the pro-life
organizations present to “continue
your ministry and be instruments of
life and faith.”
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 14 No. 23
November 8 - 21, 2010
Ugnayan D3

The IC Visit Camarines Norte

By Archimedes Yanto
CFC Chairman Joe Tale and Interna-
tional Council member Joey Arguelles
traveled to Daet, Camarines Norte on
the weekend of October 29 to 31 for a
pastoral visit but primarily to accept the
invitation of Bishop Gilbert Garcera of
the Diocese of Daet. The bishop had
extended the invitation last August, in
his desire to have a candid and honest
dialogue with CFC in order for him to
assess the performance of the local CFC
community in his diocese.
The meeting with the bishop was
held in the afternoon of October 30,
with the bishop graciously welcoming
the two IC members and the members
of the local provincial council and their
wives.
Joe Tale presented to the bishop the
mission, vision, structures, ministries,
thrusts and direction of CFC world-
wide. He also updated the bishop on
the recent challenges faced by CFC,
including the breaking away of a small
group who formed Foundation for
Family and Life (FFL), the “letting go”
of the GK ministry, and the very recent
decision to delist some Gawad Kalinga
leaders for their refusal to abide by
the stated vision and mission of CFC.
Joe Tale also briefed the bishop on the
relaunching of ANCOP as CFC’s work
with the poor.
The bishop expressed understanding
of the policies and principles the IC
implemented in the face of the chal-
lenges, and assured the CFC leaders
present that he will not recognize any
other group claiming to be CFC in his
diocese. He also manifested his desire
for CFC to align their programs with
that of the diocese to avoid conflicting
activities.
For his part, the bishop requested
CFC to help him address the social evils
of abortion and prostitution that seem
to be growing in the province. Bishop
Garcera expressed the wish that the IC
visit his diocese more frequently so that
the initiative for dialogue can be further
deepened.
Joe Tale apprised the bishop of the
fact that CFC is present in all the par-
ishes/municipalities of the province
and that all the CFC ministries are
firmly established. He also praised the
commitment being demonstrated by the
Joe Tale gives the exhortation at the Cam Norte general assembly.
local leadership.

CFC Cam Norte Supports “Build My
House”
On the morning of October 30, the
IC joined Provincial Area Head Vic
Alvarez and the provincial council at
the General Assembly held at Villa Mila
Hotel and Resort in the capital town of
Daet. It was attended by more than 200
leaders and members.
What made the assembly unique
was the very spontaneous show of
support for the Build My House cam-
paign which is aimed at raising funds
for the new CFC Head Office building
Bishop Gilbert Garcera takes time to pose for a souvenir photo with IC members Joe Tale and Joey in Cubao, Quezon City. At the end
Arguelles and the members of the Camarines Norte provincial council.
of the assembly, everyone was given
an envelope where they placed their
“brick” contributions (the minimum
requested contribution from each
member amounting to P100). The mem-
bers solemnly tacked their envelopes
onto a board shaped in the image of a
house. The ceremony generated at least
P20,149.00, over and above the amount
of around P75,000.00 previously remit-
ted by the provincial council. Everyone
expressed amazement that in such a
short period of time, the community
was able to generate that much, and the
hope that other areas and provinces will
follow their example of generosity and
commitment.
A Hectic Weekend
It was a busy weekend for the two IC
members as on the evening of the same
day, Joe Tale proceeded to the town of
Jose Panganiban, an hour’s drive from
Daet, and gave Talk 2 in a CLP being
conducted there with 27 couple-partici-
pants. Joey Arguelles meanwhile, gave
Talk 4 in another CLP at Villa Mila in
Daet with 20 couples attending.
The next day, Oct. 31, the two IC mem-
bers and the provincial council attended
the Mass officiated by Bishop Garcera
at the Camarines Norte State College
(CNSC) compound, the site of the Re-
gional Youth Conference (RYC).

CFC Leyte @ 20 CFC Capiz is 23!

By Margarita Jalandoni
WE usually celebrate milestones
measured in multiples of fives or
tens. Thus, 10, 15, 20, 25 years
(and so on till the golden and
diamond jubilees) are normally
celebrated with greater pomp
and preparation than the years
in between.
CFC Leyte therefore went all
the way in celebrating their 20th
year as part of the global CFC
community. The celebration,
which lasted an entire week, be-
gan on October 9, 2010 (Saturday)
with a whole day sports activity
featuring competitions in bad-
minton, table tennis, basketball,
bowling, billiards and chess.
An anniversary Recollection
was conducted on October 13,
2010 (Wednesday) at San Loren-
zo Parish Church, Valencia,
as preparation for the big day.
The recollection started with a
Holy Mass followed by wor-
ship enthusiastically led by Jojo
Sumalinog.
CFC Leyte Spiritual Director
Rev. Gerry Alcantara gave the
anniversary recollection. He
expounded on the anniversary
theme: “One Body, One Spirit,
One Hope in the Lord.” Fr. Gerry
emphasized that the Holy Trin-
ity is the perfect model of union
and that our community, as fol-
lowers of Christ, must exemplify
that same unity.
The big day was Saturday,
October 16 and the weather co-
operated. While other parts of
the country were experiencing or
threatened by typhoon weather,
Ormoc City woke up to clear
blue skies! Thus, the planned
motorcade around the city lead-
ing from and to the Ormoc City
Superdome went off without
a hitch, participated in by the
different family ministries of all
the CFC sectors in Leyte. South
A (Caridad, Baybay & Plaridel)
under the headship of Rey and
Cathy Mabulay was the biggest
delegation.
After the motorcade, Tommy
and Charivic Serafica and CFC
Provincial Area Director Jude
Abenoja heartily welcomed and
presented all participants by sec-
tor. Then it was time for the ma-
jor highlight of the anniversary, a
concelebrated anniversary Mass
officiated by the CFC Provincial
Spiritual Director Rev. Gerry
Alcantara. In his homily, Fr.
Gerry openly and strongly chal-
lenged the Couples for Christ to
take a strong stand against the
Reproductive Health Bill.
In his anniversary message,
Joven Floren, Provincial Area
Head, stressed that celebrating
an anniversary is a thanksgiv-
ing for God’s love shared to
us through CFC. He said that
“This anniversary takes an even
added significance when you
take into account the impact
CFC has made in the life of each
and everyone in the CFC-Leyte
family, and how our loving God
made use of us as instruments
of His love and blessing not
only to our own family but to
the greater family of CFC. I ap-
plaud the invaluable service that
CFC-Leyte has provided their
members for the past 20 years
and your continuing success
despite the storms that beset our
community. “
CFC International Council CFC Capiz celebrated 23 years of trellan, assisted by Fr. Freddie particularly through active
member Melo Villaroman ex- being in community last October Billanes, Fr. John Denosta, and participation in a signature
horted CFC Leyte to prepare 24, a celebration that was well Fr. Anthony Bautista. This was campaign. CFC chairman Joe
their hearts, hands and homes to attended despite the scheduled followed by worship, and the Tale and Executive Director
truly make “CFC Leyte Families barangay elections the following welcome message of Roy Do- Joe Yamamoto also sent their
in the Holy Spirit, helping Him day. Even those members who nato, Provincial Area Director recorded messages. It was a
renew the face of the earth...” were campaigning for their can- of Capiz. Joel Dayao, Provincial festive and lively celebration,
He further said, “As we prepare didacy or serving in the election Area Head of Capiz, gave the made more enjoyable as the
our heart, hands, and home, process attended. anniversary message. 29AD Musicionaries performed
trust that the Lord is preparing The celebrations started, fit- The province was challenged song numbers to the delight of
you for your true reward, one tingly enough, with a mass of- to evangelize and to support the audience who could not help
that will not fade and wither, ficiated by local CFC spiritual House Bill # 13: “Protection of but dance and groove to the
one that moths cannot destroy: adviser Fr. Bobby Rommel Es- the Unborn Child Act of 2010,” bouncy tunes.
HEAVEN with Christ
The 20th CFC Leyte anni-
versary culminated in a high
spirited Praisefest led by Art
Lingo; once upon a time Youth
for Christ, now a young member
of Couples for Christ sustaining,
continuing and spreading the
CFC Legacy.

CFC’s FNYO 20th Anniversary

Upcoming By Layle Ancheta City. The festivity aimed to gather and build
a spirit of camaraderie among young people

Activities
Mission Core Teaching Night:
November 17, Wednesday – Top-
ic: Christian Parenting – Venue:
Meralco Theater
December 7, Tuesday – Topic:
ANCOP, A New Horizon – Ven-
ue: Irwin Theater, Ateneo
(The IC wishes to announce that
the change in dates is due to the
availability of the venues.)
CFC and Family Ministries Activities:
January 15, Saturday - CFC Lead-
ers Conference – Araneta Center,
Quezon City
January 10-25 – YFC Oceania
Great Adventure Tour
January 22 – Liveloud 2011 –
venue to be announced
February 18-20 – SFC International
Leaders Conference – Camarines
Norte
LAST October 9, 2010, the Fulltime Pastoral
Workers of CFC Youth for Christ joined the
other member organizations of the Federation
of National Youth Organization (FNYO) to
celebrate their 20th FNYO Anniversary.
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
YFC / D1
of the Holy Mass was the highlight of
the celebration.
In the MM conference, Fr. Fran-
cis Lucas, Executive Secretary of
Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the
Philippines’ Episcopal Commission
on Social Communication and Mass
Media, officiated at the Mass and in
his homily, brought home the point
that the youth of today have a special
role to play in the community’s evan-
gelization mission.
Every year, Youth for Christ always
declare that that particular year’s
conference was the best, and this year
is no exception. As the yardstick of
success is lifted higher, the youth can
only affirm that the journey of liv-
ing life to the full in and with Christ
promises to be the best yet. (with
reports from Ellen Deferia)
from different Catholic youth organizations.
Talk shows, exhibits and Eucharistic celebra-
tions were some of the activities held during
the celebration.
The assembly was organized by the FNYO
coordinating council composed of the Chiro
Pilipinas, Student Catholic Action of the
Philippines, Salesian Youth Movement,
Institucion Teresiana Youth and Franciscan
Youth.
In Bukidnon..... Set Dance, Showchoir and Coordi- holiness and love. The sharers, Obet
nators Got Talent) were a big hit, as Gorospe, Stella Nob, Phem Mahinay,
The YFC journey continued in were the workshops, namely GUID- Sydney Fabrigar and Chit Banas
Northeastern Mindanao where 1,495 ANCE, a Dance Workshop given spoke of their individual journeys
youth delegates gathered last Octo- by Glenn Olmilla, Photography by and affirmed that indeed, the journey
ber 23-24 at the Central Mindanao Chingboi Laruan, Design Express by is fraught with struggles but also
University in Musuan, Maramag, Popi Alaba, Social Media by Cathy replete with joy and the comfort of
Bukidnon. The delegates came from Tusoy, Rock On by Chino Santos and knowing that God travels with us.
Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, SFC Crossover by Karen Mangulab. The next Northeastern Mindanao
Bukidnon, Camiguin, Misamis Orien- Fr. Darwin Alcontin presided at conference will be in Surigao del Sur.
tal, Surigao del Sur and Surigao del the Holy Mass that ended the first (By Che Contawe)
Norte. As in all the conferences held day’s sessions. He was also one of
in other regions and in Metro Ma- the sharers during the talks. In Camarines Norte...
nila, the conference theme was “YFC The speakers, Jeremy Quimpang,
Chronicles: The Journey Continues,” Eric Andilab and Christian Co- The YFC Chronicles conference for
anchored on Colossians 1:10: “to live lumbres brought home the central the Bicol region was held in Daet, Ca-
in a manner worthy of the Lord, so message of the conference -- that marines Norte, at the Camarines Norte
as to be fully pleasing in every good no matter how young YFC members State College (CNSC) compound..
work bearing fruit and growing in the are, they are all expected to traverse More than 600 youths coming from
knowledge of God.” the journey towards holiness and the six provinces of the Bicol Region
The creative competitions (Band, to follow Jesus Christ, the model of gathered for that three-day activity.
 Ugnayan
CBCP Monitor
D4 Vol. 14 No. 23
November 8 - 21, 2010

CFC South Africa Rally:

By Miggie Martinez
I Am God’s Gift
IT was perfect sunny weather in South
Africa; it was also the perfect time to
fight for life. Last October 8, 2010, CFC
members in South Africa joined the
clergy, nuns, and parishioners of all
ages for a Rosary Rally, entitled PRO-
LIFE: I AM GOD’S GIFT. The rally was
held simultaneously with other areas
in South Africa with each area focusing
on different pro-life themes -- Cape
Town focused on human trafficking,
Kokstad focused on anti-abortion and
Durban on the environment.
The rallies started with a Mass in the
respective areas: Christ the King Parish,
Wentworth, Durban, celebrated by Fr.
Andrew Knott, OMI; St. John the Baptist
Parish, Atlantis, Cape Town , celebrated
by Fr. Ivanhoe Allies, and St. Patrick’s
Cathedral, Kokstad, celebrated by Fr.
Liso. In Durban, the Mass was followed
by inspirational messages given by CFC
International Council member Rouquel
Ponte and CFC Chairman Joe Tale.
The Pro-Life walk commenced after
the Mass with the marchers from Cape
town carrying signs saying “Human
Trafficking is Modern Day Slavery”
and “Human Trafficking a Crime that
Shames us All.” The marchers from
Kokstad carried signs saying, “Killers
get Life Sentences, the Innocents get
Killed” with the children carrying signs
that said, “I Can Carry this Placard Be-
cause I Am Not Aborted” and “Because
You Didn’t Plan for Me Does Not Mean I
Must Pay with My Life.” All the Durban
marchers wore white t- shirts that said,
“PRO-LIFE: I AM GOD’S GIFT.”
Each area also undertook an activ-
ity to emphasize their shout for life. In
Cape Town, CFC members led by Area
leaders Daniel and Rachel Volkwyn
distributed rosaries and anti-human Samantha Napier, and parishioners in bring this message to more and more
trafficking and anti-abortion brochures Kokstad town scraped abortion ads and people in fervent prayer and in active
to bystanders and motorists. CFC Dur- stickers from walls and posts. participation in pro-life activities.
ban, led by National Director Keith and These events inspired many to reflect CFC has joined the rest of the faith-
Ursula Collings and the CFC IC and and to realize the importance of LIFE, ful in South Africa in issuing a call to
participated in by little children and the one of the greatest gifts God can ever everyone to continue to live out what
nuns from Mater Dei (Mother of God) give to us. CFC South Africa, together we were all sent here for, that is to be
Homes (a center for abused women and with all of the Archdioceses and pro- PRO-LIFE, to be A GIFT from GOD.
their children), planted seedlings. CFC life organizations of South Africa, will This is our identity, our way of life.
members, led by area heads Warren and continue to faithfully work together to

CFC/ANCOP Leaders Meet

CFC-GTA Leaders Gather to Plan for 2011
By Rico Tingin
MORE than 150 CFC leaders
representing CFC and all its Fam-
ily Ministries from the Greater
Toronto Area gathered last Sat-
urday, Oct 23, at Quiapo Quiapo
in Scarborough to plan and set
directions for year 2011. It was
a joyous occasion as the par-
ticipants reflected on the many
blessings and miracles that hap-
pened to our community over the
preceding nine months of 2010
and on how much more needs
to be done.
Jun Clarito, Regional Head for
Ontario and Quebec, opened the
session with a short exultation
centered around our theme for
2011, “Put on the full armor of
God (Eph 6:11).” He emphasized
that as we recover from the major
storms that has hit our commu-
nity in recent years, we must con-
tinue to be vigilant and on guard
against the evil one. Jun added
that as CFC members we are al-
ways in constant battle against the
enemy who uses every means to
distract us from what God wants
us to accomplish. As such, by
putting on the full armor of God,
we will be able to stand against
the schemes of the devil. He high-
lighted the fact that in CFC “there
are no non-combatants.”
Dax Magsisi, Greater Toronto
Area Head, followed with an
update on the various accom-
plishments. He focused on the
area’s evangelization efforts and
the need to expand these efforts
as there are many more parishes
and areas that need to be evan-
gelized.
Temi Pangilinan, COO of AN-
COP, gave leaders an update
on the various developments in
our work with the poor. Temi
focused on major accomplish-
ments and significant changes
that were implemented after the
council’s decision to let go of
GK. He also unveiled a new and
a more appealing ANCOP logo
that reflects the oneness of CFC
and ANCOP.
The highlight of the day was
the “CFC-ANCOP Miracles”
presentation by Ricky Cuenca,
President of CFC-ANCOP Foun-
dation. He highlighted the eight
miracles that God has given to
our CFC community and to our
work with the poor through AN-
COP. All the miracles are clear
manifestations of God’s anoint-
ing; CFC is on the right track, that
decisions and actions are guided
by the Holy Spirit and that CFC
will continue to remain strong in
years to come. Ricky expressed
the hope that these signs and
miracles are just the beginning
and that God will bless our com-
munity with so much more. At
the end of his talk he said, “We
should no longer doubt that we
are in the right community.”
In the afternoon all leaders sat
down to discuss, brainstorm and
set their directions and plan of
action for the coming year. The
session ended with a call for a
renewed commitment to CFC’s
mission of “Building the Church
of the Home and Building the
Church of the Poor”
In Georgia; Announce
Plans For 2011
By ANCOP U.S.A.
Communications
SOME 75 leaders of Couples
for Christ (CFC) and ANCOP
across the United States met in
Atlanta, Georgia last October
15-17 and mapped out plans for
2011. Also in attendance were
CFC/ANCOP leaders from
Manila who steered the three-
day conference and planning
sessions, namely: International
Council members Rouquel
Ponte and Jose Yamamoto, and
Ricky Cuenca, President and
CEO of ANCOP-Tekton.
Rouquel Ponte led the group
in a recollection/retreat at the
start of the conference and
discussed CFC’s theme in 2011:
“Put on the Full Armor of God”
Armed Forces of the Philip-
pines building ANCOP com-
munities for the families of
insurgents who would return
to the fold of government and
the granting of ANCOP schol-
arships to their children.
Another partnership sealed
was with Banco de Oro (BDO).
CFC/ANCOP will conduct
values formation seminars
in Bulacan for the victims of
Typhoon Ondoy who are re-
settled in that province.
Gov. Vilma Santos of Ba-
tangas has also entered into
partnership with ANCOP by
providing land in Batangas
for ANCOP communities
that will be developed for the
poorest Batanguenos.
Ricky announced the rising
number of dynamic and expe-

ANCOP Ground Launch In CFC South B (Ephesians 6: 11). Saying “The

way to fight evil is to put on the
rienced corporate leaders who
are offering their expertise and
full armor of God,” he urged time to ANCOP. He, like-
By Sonny and Governor of Rotary the members of CFC commu- wise, told his audience that
Alma Sta. Ana International District nity worldwide to renew their ANCOP’s Child Sponsorship
D-3830, gave an assur- covenant with God. Program will be implemented
ance of the continuous Joe Yamamoto emphasized shortly by CFC/ANCOP
CFC South B held support of Rotary to the accountability and responsi- groups in the Middle East, Ja-
the ground launch CFC work for the poor
of ANCOP in the program. He person-
sector last Sunday, ally pledged financial
October 3, 2010 at support to the construc-
the 2nd floor of the tion of a home.
Formation Center at Six (6) children and
the National Shrine youth received their
of Our Lady of the certificates of sponsor-
Miraculous Medal ship during a sym-
in Posadas Village, bolic ceremony. They
Muntinlupa City. are part of the ninety-
After the opening four (94) beneficiaries
worship led by CFC in ANCOP Canada
Singles for Christ, Village in Cubic Side bility as qualities that leaders pan, Australia and Singapore.
Mon de Leon, CFC who have received should emulate. He told the Japan CFC alone, according to
South B Sector Head, Mayor Jun Bernabe and Ricky Cuenca sign the Memoradum of Understanding between the City Government of sponsorships under participants, “We celebrate Ricky, is ready to sponsor 435
welcomed the partici- Paranaque and CFC ANCOP Tekton Foundation Inc. Witnessing the signing are (L-R) Rene Bello, Sun Valley Bgy
Chair Danny Santos, Joe Tale, Mon de Leon, and Engr Oca Fernandez of Paranaque City Umado.
the ANCOP Child next year our 30th anniversary. scholars.
pants to the assembly. Support Program. But even now, we are experi- During the ANCOP U.S.A.
He exhorted CFC South B members to inten- lenged everyone present to do their share in Rene also presented the current members encing blessing upon blessing, Board meeting after the ple-
sify the values formation program in all the this monumental task. of the CFC South B Sector ANCOP Team: affirmation after affirmation in nary sessions, Tony Ven-
work with the poor sites, especially in the Rene Bello, CFC SB ANCOP Head, gave a Rene and Mimi Bello (ANCOP Head Coor- all areas of our life and mission. tura, President of ANCOP
new ANCOP sites, as he honored through short presentation of the two (2) new ANCOP dinator); Sonny and Alma Sta. Ana (Sector We see before us a wider field U.S.A., presented an outline
prayers all the project directors, program Villages courtesy of Paranaque City Mayor Education Program Coordinator) assisted by of harvest for the Lord.” of a Five-Year Development
managers and members of caretaker teams Florencio “Jun” M. Bernabe, Jr. The first is Manny and Fe Garcia in the Child Support Meanwhile, Ricky Cuenca Road Map for ANCOP be-
for their selfless efforts in bringing Christ to the proposed ANCOP Model Village in Jesuit Program; Jimmy and Carol Brillante (Eco- referred to “miracles” happen- ginning in 2011.
the beneficiary families. Street, Sta. Ana Village in Bgy. Sun Valley, nomic Sustainability Program Coordinator); ing to ANCOP. Among them Tony announced that im-
CFC Chairman Joe Tale, in his inspirational which can accommodate thirty-nine (39) Albert and Leah Alfaro (Development of are the many partnerships that plementation of ANCOP’s
message, said that the CFC continues to receive homes. The other is called Sarikap Gonzales Communities Program Coordinator) assisted are pouring in from both pri- two major programs for the
so many blessings from the Lord. He specifi- and is located near Fortunata Village in Baran- by Alex and Ludy Bautista and Arnel and vate and government groups in poor, Child Sponsorship
cally mentioned the acquisition of a property gay San Isidro. About one hundred two (102) Jenel Pasia; Jun and Betty Ancheta (Finance the Philippines. He also cited Program (CSP) and Commu-
located in 20th Avenue in Cubao, which CFC homes can be built in this site. and Shared Services); Ernie and Tina Layusa the recent partnership agree- nity Development Program
will now call its permanent home. The participants witnessed the declaration (Prison Ministry) assisted by Mon and Austre ment with San Miguel Proper- (CDP), will be intensified
Ricky Cuenca, Chairman of CFC ANCOP of partnership between the City Government Saguinsin; and Levi and Cyra Abo (Environ- ties with the latter promising and expanded beginning
Tekton Foundation Inc., provided a histori- of Paranaque and CFC South B. A Memoran- ment). Joe Tale led the CFC South B members to donate houses to ANCOP next year. Likewise, he an-
cal perspective of CFC’s response to the call dum of Understanding between the parties in praying over the ANCOP Team. communities for every house nounced that ANCOP corps
of the Catholic Church to build the Church was signed by Mayor Jun for Paranaque City A mini-praisefest led by the CFC Youth sold by the company. teams will be organized
of the Poor through his talk aptly entitled and Ricky Cuenca for CFC. for Christ (CFC YFC) fittingly capped the He also mentioned the around the country.
“From ANCOP to ANCOP.” He also chal- Sid Garcia, who is also the current District launch ceremony.