Vol. 18 No. 17 August 18 - 31, 2014 Php 20.

00
Rights group calls for
end of impunity
AMID the pleasure
of many over the
capture of Retired
Army Major General
Jovito Palparan, a
human rights group
believes President
Benigno S. Aquino
I I I ( PNoy) must
redouble the gov-
ernments efforts
at rooting out the
culture of impu-
nity prevailing in
the country.
We laud their ef-
forts but we must
sayWe are wor-
ried very much in
the field that the
culture of impunity
remains, Teodoro
Max de Mesa,
who chairs the Phil-
ippine Alliance of
Impunity / A7
A3 C1
Ugnayan
The News Supplement of
Couples for Christ
B1
Only a joyful
witness will attract,
Pope tells religious
Four Filipino missionaries
brave outbreak of
Ebola virus in West Africa
Bishops back peoples
initiative vs pork barrel
By Roy Lagarde
A MUL T I S E C-
TORAL dri ve t o
abolish the pork bar-
rel system through
a peoples initia-
tive has received
the blessing of the
Catholic bishops
leadership.
Archbishop Socrates Vil-
legas, CBCP president, gave
a powerful boost of support
to the campaign against
what they take to be unjust
use of public funds.
All measures our citi-
zens take, provided these
are moral, peaceful and
lawful, aimed at curbing
corruption and the irre-
sponsible use of public
funds have our full sup-
port, Villegas said.
In fact, he emphasized,
many members of the cler-
gy and lay church leaders
are at the forefront of the
initiatives.
The archbishop issued
the statement amid moves
by the Aquino administra-
tions allies in Congress to
revise the Supreme Courts
constitutional interpreta-
tion of what is savings.
The SC earlier declared
both the Priority Devel-
opment Assistance Fund
(PDAF) and the Disburse-
ment Acceleration Program
(DAP) as unconstitutional.
We have been informed
of attempts to perpetuate the
system through the appro-
priation of lump sums in the
national budget under vari-
ous pretexts, said Villegas.
We therefore fully en-
dorse the peoples initiative
aimed at legislating the
proscription of funds made
available to officials and
subject to their discretion
alone, he added.
Villegas also criticized
the practice of classifying as
intelligence funds and
therefore beyond the scope
of audit and accountabil-
ity sizable amounts of
public money.
You cannot serve both
God and money. We choose
to serve God and we cannot
countenance the idolization
of money, especially when it
takes the form of unfettered
access to the money of the
people, he said.

Insertions
In a pastoral letter (See
full text in page B3) dated
Church launches
comprehensive
Yolanda program
THE Catholic Church in
the Philippines has been
rolling out as much as 9.7
million euros, or over P513
million, in a comprehensive
program for survivors of
super typhoon Yolanda.
Fr. Edu Gariguez, execu-
tive secretary of the Catho-
lic Bishops Conference of
the Philippines-National
Secretariat for Social Action
(CBCP-NASSA), confrmed
over Radyo Veritas recently
that nine dioceses in Pala-
wan, Cebu, and Panay will
beneft from the project.
He said, Each of these
nine dioceses has its own
target number of houses
which they have already
begun building.
Gariguez explained, Be-
ing a comprehensive pro-
gram, it is not just about
shelters, it also involves
giving beneficiaries the
means of livelihood.
The multimillion-peso
program, funded by dona-
tions from Caritas Interna-
tional and other church-
based organizations, is set
to include the rebuilding
of houses destroyed by the
calamity, livelihood assis-
tance for the survivors of
the typhoon, disaster risk
reduction efforts, and com-
munity organization over a
three-year period.
Gariguez shared his offce
is currently scouting for an
ideal resettlement site in the
Archdiocese of Palo in Leyte
where the Church proposes
to build a model commu-
nity with additional 500
new housing units.
We are very particular
about the site, thats why it
is taking us time to choose
one. Of course, we want
the land safe from flood,
and as close to the places
of livelihood as possible,
said the priest.
Tacloban City, the com-
mercial and political hub
of Leyte province in Re-
gion VIII, which took the
brunt of typhoon Yolanda,
leaving thousands of lo-
cals dead and many more
homeless in 2013, is under
the ecclesiastical jurisdic-
tion of the Archdiocese of
Palo headed by Archbishop
John Forrosuelo Du.
Besides CBCP-NASSA
and Caritas International,
many other Catholic agen-
cies like Caritas Manila
and Saint John the Baptist
Parish (Quiapo Church)
are actively engaged in the
rehabilitation of areas af-
fected by the typhoon.
This is a project by the
local Church and Caritas
Philippines, through the
kindness of Caritas Interna-
tional in different countries.
(Raymond A. Sebastin)
The Churchs comprehensive Yolanda rehabilitation program will include
shelter, livelihood and disaster preparedness over a three-year period.
CBCP News
CBCP declares Day of
Prayer for peace in Iraq
THE head of the Catholic hierarchy has
asked the Filipino bishops to join Pope
Francis in prayer and action for peace
in troubled parts of the world, including
Iraq.
In a statement, Archbishop Socrates
Villegas, CBCP president, said that
Christians in Iraq have been in a peril-
ous and life threatening situation in
recent days. (See page B3 for full text of
the statement)
As a gesture of spiritual unity with
our persecuted brethren in northern Iraq,
and in response to the call of the pope for
prayer, the CBCP has declared a day of
prayer for the restoration of peace in Iraq.
I request the archbishops and bish-
ops in the Philippines to offer all our
Masses on August 18 as Votive Mass
for peace and Reconciliation in Iraq,
Villegas said.
It is humbly requested that the arch-
bishops and bishops also disseminate
this information to all the priests and
mandate the priests to offer the same
prayers in all their Masses on August
18, he said.
Villegas added that it would be op-
portune for Catholic school students to be
asked to also pray the rosary in school on
same day for the healing of the troubled
country.
Let us be united with Pope Francis in
this quest for peace, he said. Let there
be peace!
Pope Francis is also to conduct a special
Mass for peace and reconciliation at the
Myeong-dong Cathedral in downtown
Seoul on August 18, the last day of his
apostolic visit to Korea. (CBCPNews)
CBCP head on Aquinos cha-cha:
No, no, no
THE head of the Catholic
Bishops Conference of the
Philippines said there is
zero probability that the
Church will support the
governments fresh push
for Charter change.
Archbishop Socrates Vil-
legas, CBCP President, said
they are against amend-
ing the Constitution if it is
premised on the wrong
reasons.
I cannot lend support to
constitutional amendments
that merely serve the pur-
poses of one offce-holder
or one class of persons,
Cardinal hopes papal visit
pushes Mindanao peace
A FILIPINO cardinal
expressed hope that
Pope Francis visit to
the country would help
advance the southern
Philippines peace pro-
cess.
Cardi nal Orl ando
Quevedo of Cotabato,
in a report over Catholic
News Service (CNS),
hopes that the popes
January 15 to 19 will
support peace and sta-
bility in Mindanao.
The CNS said that
Quevedo thinks the
papal visit and contin-
ued church engagement
in the peace agreement
and the Islamic presence
in the Philippines could
be helpful.
The cardinal spoke
Tuesday at an interna-
tional gathering of the
Knights of Columbus in
Orlando, Florida about
the peace talks between
the Philippine govern-
ment and the Moro Is-
lamic Liberation Front.
Signed peace agree-
ments do not guarantee
a just and lasting peace,
when the political and
economic causes of war
are aggravated by cul-
tural and religious bi-
ases and prejudices that
have been operative in
the minds and hearts of
Muslims and Christians
for four centuries, Que-
vedo said.
The only way to re-
spond to this injustice
is to look at their terri-
tory now as a product of
political realism: They
can no longer own the
entire area, therefore
the idea is a win-win
solution to make sure
national sovereignty is
preserved, he said, but
also to acknowledge this
culture, which is dis-
tinctly different (from)
THE Ministry of Ecol-
ogy of the Archdiocese of
Manila will be spearhead-
ing an ecological cam-
pai gn from September
to October that calls on
the Filipino faithful to be
more proactive in protect-
ing and preserving the
Initiative / A6
Cha-cha / A6
Mindanao / A7
Manila / A7 President Benigno Aquino III. UCAN
Orlando Cardinal Quevedo. CBCP NEWS
Manila launches green campaign
Papal sele: Legazpi Bishop Joel Baylon gets to pose for a sele with Pope Francis during the closing
mass of the 6th Asian Youth Day (AYD) held at South Koreas Haemi Fortress on August 17, 2014. More
than 2,000 delegates from Myanmar, Cambodia, Singapore, Philippines, East Timor, and Thailand were at
the event. Bishop Joel Baylon
A2 Vol. 18 No. 17
August 18 - 31, 2014
CBCP Monitor
SEOUL, South Korea, Aug 15, 2014Pope
Francis on Saturday beatifed Korean mar-
tyrs Paul Yun Ji-chung and 123 companions,
praising their great sacrifces and their call
to put Christ frst.
All of them lived and died for Christ,
and now they reign with him in joy and in
glory, the Pope said during Mass at Seouls
Gwanghwamun Gate.
The victory of the martyrs, their witness
to the power of Gods love, continues to bear
fruit today in Korea, in the Church which re-
ceived growth from their sacrifce, the pon-
tiff told a congregation of tens of thousands.
Our celebration of Blessed Paul and Com-
panions provides us with the opportunity
to return to the frst moments, the infancy
as it were, of the Church in Korea. It invites
you, the Catholics of Korea, to remember the
great things which God has wrought in this
land and to treasure the legacy of faith and
charity entrusted to you by your forebears.
Korean Christianity dates back to the 18th
century, when Korean scholars heard about
the spread of the faith in China. They traveled
to China to study the Christianity under Jesuit
missionaries. They returned to their home-
land to teach the faith, gaining thousands of
converts even in the absence of priests.
Korean authorities began to persecute
Christians and prohibited Catholic books.
Paul Yun Ji-chung and James Kwong
Sang-yon, both Catholics from a noble
background, were beheaded in 1791 for
violating Confucian rituals. Their execution
marked the start of a major persecution of
Korean laity.
Only one priest, from China, was among
the 124 martyrs beatifed Saturday.
The Popes official declaration of the
martyrs beatifcation prompted loud cheers
from the crowd as trumpets and drums
sounded in Gwanghwamun Square. The
massive television screens that fanked the
altar displayed paintings of the martyrs.
Pope Francis homily said the origins of
Korean Christianity show the importance,
the dignity and the beauty of lay Catholics
vocations.
In Gods mysterious providence, the
Christian faith was not brought to the shores
of Korea through missionaries; rather, it
entered through the hearts and minds of
the Korean people themselves, he said. It
was prompted by intellectual curiosity, the
search for religious truth. Through an initial
encounter with the Gospel, the frst Korean
Christians opened their minds to Jesus. They
wanted to know more about this Christ who
suffered, died, and rose from the dead.
Other Korean martyrs have been recog-
nized as saints. St. John Paul II canonized
103 Korean Martyrs on May 6, 1984 during
a visit to South Korea.
Pope Francis invoked these saints, An-
drew Kim Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang and
Companions, along with the newly beatifed
martyrs during his homily.
All of them lived and died for Christ,
and now they reign with him in joy and in
glory, he said.
The Pope discussed the Gospel reading
from the 17th chapter of the Gospel of John
and its relevance to the newly beatified
martyrs.
it is signifcant that, while Jesus asks
the Father to consecrate and protect us, he
does not ask him to take us out of the world,
Pope Francis said. We know that he sends
his disciples forth to be a leaven of holiness
and truth in the world: the salt of the earth,
the light of the world. In this, the martyrs
show us the way.
Koreas martyrs had to choose between
following Jesus or the world, he said. They
knew the cost of discipleship.
They were willing to make great sacrifces
and let themselves be stripped of whatever
kept them from Christ--possessions and
land, prestige and honor--for they knew
that Christ alone was their true treasure,
the Pope continued.
The Pope noted the temptation to com-
promise our faith, to water down the radical
demands of the Gospel and to conform to the
spirit of this age.
Yet the martyrs call out to us to put Christ
frst and to see all else in this world in rela-
tion to him and his eternal Kingdom. They
challenge us to think about what, if anything,
we ourselves would be willing to die for.
Pope Francis closed his homily with a
prayer:
May the prayers of all the Korean
martyrs, in union with those of Our Lady,
Mother of the Church, obtain for us the
grace of perseverance in faith and in every
good work, holiness and purity of heart, and
apostolic zeal in bearing witness to Jesus in
this beloved country, throughout Asia, and
to the ends of the earth. (CNA)
World News
Vatican Briefng
Pope beatifes 124 Korean martyrs,
praising their witness to Christ
Pope to Asian youth: Are you ready to say yes to Christ?
DAEJEON, South Korea, Aug
15, 2014In an Aug. 15 meeting
with Asian youth, Pope Francis
emphasized the need to respond
joyfully to Gods call in order
to carry the hope of Christ to a
world that desperately needs it.
Dear young friends, in this
generation the Lord is count-
ing on you! he told throngs
of young people from across
the Asian continent. Are you
ready to say yes to him? Are
you ready?
Just as the Lord made his
glory shine forth in the heroic
witness of the martyrs, so too he
wants to make his glory shine in
your lives, and through you, to
light up the life of this vast con-
tinent, the Pope encouraged.
He calls you to rise, to be
wide awake and alert, and to
see the things in life that really
matter. What is more, he is ask-
ing you to go out on the high-
ways and byways of this world,
knocking on the doors of other
peoples hearts, inviting them
to welcome him into their lives.
Pope Francis spoke to a gath-
ering of young people at Solmoe
Shrine, birthplace of the first
Korean-born priest, St. Andrew
Kim Taegon, who was martyred
in the 1800s. The gathering was
part of his Aug. 13-18 visit to
South Korea, which coincides
with the Sixth Asian Youth Day.
The Pope thanked the young
people for their joy and enthu-
siasm, as well as for the testi-
monies, hopes and challenges
that some of the individuals
presented to him at the meeting.
This great gathering of Asian
young people also allows us
to see something of what the
Church herself is meant to be
in Gods eternal plan, he said.
Together with young people
everywhere, you want to help
build a world where we all live
together in peace and friendship,
overcoming barriers, healing
divisions, rejecting violence and
prejudice.
God intends the Church to be
a seed of unity for the whole
human family, the Holy Father
explained. In Christ, all nations
and peoples are called to a unity
which does not destroy diversity
but acknowledges, reconciles
and enriches it.
But when we look at the world
today, and even when we ex-
amine our own hearts, we see
selfishness, injustice and hos-
tility, he said, pointing to the
problems of poverty and an
idolatry of wealth, power and
pleasure which come at a high
cost to human lives, as well as
spiritual poverty, loneliness
and quiet despair.
God seems to be removed
from the picture. It is almost
as though a spiritual desert is
beginning to spread throughout
our world, he lamented. It
affects the young too, robbing
them of hope and even, in all too
many cases, of life itself.
Yet this is the world into
which you are called to go forth
and bear witness to the Gospel
of hope, the Gospel of Jesus
Christ, and the promise of his
Kingdom.
While the situation of the
world may seem hopeless, the
pontiff said, we know that Christ
has conquered death, and that
his word has the power to touch
every heart, to conquer evil with
good, and to change and redeem
the world.
It is only the love of Christ
that can bring new life to every
human heart and can transform
every situation, even the most
apparently hopeless, he con-
tinued, explaining that this is
the message which young people
must share with those around
them at school, work, and in
their families and communities.
He entered your hearts on
the day of your Baptism; he
gave you his Spirit on the day
of your Confirmation; and he
strengthens you constantly by
his presence in the Eucharist,
so that you can be his witnesses
before the world.
Two-thirds of the way through
his prepared remarks, the Pope
announced that he wished to
speak to the young people spon-
taneously and from the heart,
but was not comfortable doing
so in English. Encouraged by the
eager applause of those present,
he set aside his text and began
speaking in Italian.
He responded to a question
posed by one of the young
women present about whether
she should continue on a path
of education or return home to
her family. Pope Francis said
that when the Lord calls us, he
always calls us to honor him,
whether it is through ordained
ministry or marriage.
You dont choose the road
you take. God chooses for you,
he said, explaining that it is
simply our role to listen to which
path God is calling us to take.
He invited the young people
to pray with him three times,
Lord, what do you want from
me?
The Pope also addressed a
question posed by another par-
ticipant about the lack of saints
and martyrs from Cambodia. He
assured the young woman that
the country has many saints, but
said that the Church has not of-
fcially recognized them through
the process of canonization. He
was met with enthusiastic ap-
plause as he promised that upon
returning to Italy, he would ask
the head of the Vaticans Congre-
gation for the Causes of Saints to
look into the matter.
In addition, he touched on the
temptations of materialism, em-
phasizing that if you try to buy
happiness, you will fnd that it is
only an illusion. The happiness
of love is the only joy that will
last, he said.
The Holy Father concluded
the two-hour gathering by giv-
ing the young people his bless-
ing and asking them to pray for
him. (CNA)
The faithful wave ags and greet the Holy Father during the beatication ceremony of 124 Korean martyrs. Preparatory
Committee for the 2014 Papal Visit to Korea.
North Korea could soon have its frst saint: Hong Yong-ho
PYONGYANG, North Korea, Aug
15, 2014North Korea could in time
have its frst canonized saint, since
last year the death of the Bishop of
Pyongyang, who was disappeared by
the government in 1949, was formally
acknowledged by the Vatican.
Shortly after the aknowledgment of
his death, the Korean bishops confer-
ence asked the Congregation for the
Causes of Saints for a nihil obstat to
the opening of the cause of beatifca-
tion for Bishop Francis Hong Yong-ho,
as well as 80 of his companions.
Bishop Hong was born in Pyong-
yang in 1906, and was ordained a
priest of the local Church in 1933,
while Korea was occupied by Japan.
In 1944 he was consecrated a bishop
and appointed vicar apostolic of Pyong-
yang--signifying that the local Church
was a mission territory--and the fol-
lowing year, when World War II ended,
Korea was divided into a northern zone,
occupied by the Soviet Union, and a
southern zone, occupied by the U.S.
The two zones would not be united,
and in 1948 the communist North Ko-
rea and capitalist South Korea were
formally established. Many Christians
fled the north; Cardinal Nicholas
Cheong Jin-suk, Archbishop Emeritus
of Seoul, told 30 Days in 2006 that by
1950, North Korea had killed or disap-
peared 166 priests and religious.
After 1949, when Bishop Hong was
imprisoned and then disappeared, the
Vaticans offcial yearbook continued to
acknowledge him as head of the Church
in Pyongyang, albeit as missing, until
2013, when he would have been 106.
Cardinal Cheong said the long-time
acknowledgement of the centenarian
as missing and not offcially dead, even
though nothing was known of him
after his forced disappearance, was a
gesture by the Holy See to point to the
tragedy that the Church in Korea has
suffered and is still going through.
The Holy See had even gone so far
as to elevate, in 1962, the Vicariate Ap-
ostolic of Pyongyang, effectively sup-
pressed by the North Korean regime, to
the status of the Diocese of Pyongyang.
The 2013 acknowledgement of
Bishop Hongs death allowed for the
opening of his cause of beatifcation.
Bishop Hongs beatifcation cause
is among the factors in the Church of
Koreas advocacy for the reunifcation
of the peninsula.
During his trip this week to South
Korea, Pope Francis has taken the op-
portunity to often address the issue
of reunification and reconciliation,
including asking the young people
gathered at the Solmoe shrine for a
silent prayer for reunifcation.
In recent years, the Archbishop of
Seoul has been appointed apostolic ad-
ministrator of the Pyongyang diocese;
the current cardinal archbishop, An-
drew Yeom Soo-jung, has advocated the
reconciliation between the Koreas since
his 2012 advent as shepherd of Seoul.
He chose to hold his installation
Mass June 25, the 62nd anniversary of
the beginning of the Korean War; ever
since, he has made reconciliation and
peace the key themes of his episcopacy.
According to Vatican Radios Docu-
mentation Service issued before the
papal trip to Korea, Cardinal Yeom
was able to make a short visit to the
Kaesong Industrial Region, a 25 square
mile zone in North Korea where both
North and South Koreans are allowed
to work, in May, 2014.
The development of Kaesong is the
most recent project of rapprochement
between the Koreas, which have re-
mained technically at war since the
signing of the 1953 armistice.
Cardinal Yeom visited the symbol
of cooperation between North and
South Korea, meeting workers there
and leaving them with a message of
hope and courage.
Vatican Radio also reported the
words of Fr. Timoteo Lee Eun-hyung,
a member of the Special Commission
for Reconciliation, a group established
by the Korean bishops to foster recon-
ciliation and to provide assistance to
North Korea.
The most important goal of our
commission is that of the evangeliza-
tion of the North Korea, where there
is no religious freedom, Fr. Lee said
to Vatican Radio.
He explained that frst of all, we
try to fnd a way to exchange at least
information, in order to share the love
we have, the one for the other. And
then we give assistance to the people
from North Korea.
It can be hoped that the goal of
evangelization of the North will be
advanced by Pope Francis Aug. 16
beatification of 124 martyrs from
across Korea.
And should the beatification of
Bishop Hong advance, the North Kore-
ans can be assured of having one more
intercessor in heaven. (CNA)
Pope backs intervention in Iraq to stop aggressor
Pope Francis supports international intervention in Iraq
and is willing to go to there personally if it will help end
the violence against Christians and other religious minori-
ties. In these cases where there is an unjust aggression,
I can only say that it is licit to stop the unjust aggressor,
Pope Francis told reporters. I underscore the verb stop. I
dont say to bomb or make war, (but) stop it, he said in
response to the question posed by CNA and EWTN News
Rome bureau chief Alan Holdren. Speaking to journalists
aboard the Aug. 18 plane flight back to Italy from South
Korea, the Pope noted the Holy Sees diplomatic efforts to
end the violence in Iraq, especially against Iraqi minorities.
Pope Francis also said that a papal visit to Iraq was one of
the possibilities. (CNA)
Vatican newspaper remembers Robin Williams
LOsservatore Romano, the Vatican newspaper, published a
brief Aug. 12 article on the death of Robin Williams, calling
the comedian and actor an unforgettable clown with a heart
of gold. The beloved actor was found dead Aug. 11 in his
northern California home. According to the local coroners
offce, the probable cause of death was suicide by asphyxia-
tion. The publication recalled Williams numerous memorable
roles--in both comedy and drama--including Good Morning,
Vietnam (1987), Dead Poets Society (1989), Hook (1991)
and Mrs. Doubtfre (1993). It also noted the Academy Award
that he won in 1998 for Best Supporting Actor in Good Will
Hunting. (CNA)
Church on front line against Ebola outbreak, official says
The Catholic Church plays a fundamental role in respond-
ing to the worst outbreak of Ebola infections in history, a
Holy See collaborator has explained. The Catholic Church
manages health facilities, and so it will be able to care for
Ebola-affected people whenever the structures have the ca-
pacity to keep the infected people in isolation, Monsignor
Robert J. Vitillo told CNA. Msgr. Vitillo is special advisor to
the Rome-based Catholic relief organization confederation
Caritas Internationalis on HIV/AIDS. He also heads Caritas
delegation to the United Nations in Geneva and collaborates
with the Holy See. He said that the Catholic Church is work-
ing on three levels to help respond to the epidemic: the cure
of infected people, preventive education to avoid a pandemic,
and pastoral education. (CNA)
New Iraqi envoy shows Popes desire for key diplomatic role
Pope Francis appointment Aug. 8 of a special envoy to Iraq
demonstrates his desire that diplomacy have an impact for
the persecuted minorities, particularly Christians, suffer-
ing as a result of the establishment of the Islamic State.
The Vatican announced Aug. 8 that Cardinal Fernando
Filoni, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangeliza-
tion of Peoples, was appointed Pope Francis personal
envoy to Iraq, to express his spiritual closeness to the
people who suffer and to bring them the solidarity of the
Church. The decision shows that the Holy Father trusts
in me, but it shows, moreover, Pope Francis concern for
the situation of Christians who are suffering, the fact
that they have been humiliated, that they had to suddenly
leave their homes and seek refuge elsewhere, Cardinal
Filoni commented. (CNA)
Pope mourns Italian journalist killed in Gaza Strip
Greeting reporters accompanying him to Korea Aug. 13,
Pope Francis mourned an Italian video journalist killed
earlier the same day in the Gaza Strip and urged journalists
to serve as messengers of peace. The pope listened with a
bowed head and grave expression as Jesuit Father Federico
Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, recounted the fate of Simone
Camilli, who worked for The Associated Press. Camilli and
a freelance Palestinian translator, Ali Shehda Abu Afash,
were killed along with three Palestinian policemen who
were attempting to defuse unexploded ordnance left over
from Israeli-Hamas fghting. Four other people, including
an AP photographer, were badly injured. Pope Francis then
led the journalists in 30 seconds of silent prayer for Camilli.
These are the consequences of war, thats the way it is, he
said afterward. (CNS)
Caritas Ukraine mobilizes to provide aid amid continued fighting
Caritas Ukraine and other humanitarian agencies in the
country met in mid-August to face two big challenges:
helping the thousands of displaced people find adequate
shelter for the fall and winter; and, particularly, finding
ways to deliver aid without getting shot at. Andrij Was-
kowycz, Caritas Ukraine president, said that while no one
has been able to verify in person reports of no running
water and dwindling food supplies in Luhansk, telephone
contacts with people in the city of about 200,000 people
indicate a pressing need for aid. But the big danger for
all humanitarian agencies is that theres fighting there,
and going in means to risk being shot at, he told CNS
on Aug. 18. News agencies reported the same day that a
rocket hit a convoy of civilians fleeing the town. It was
not immediately clear who was responsible. In Kharkiv,
about 200 miles northwest of Luhansk, Caritas set up an
emergency management center at the beginning of August
to help the displaced, Waskowycz said. (CNS)
A3 Vol. 18 No. 17
August 18 - 31, 2014
CBCP Monitor
News Features
Only a joyful witness will attract, Pope tells religious
KKOTTONGNAE, South
Korea, Aug 16, 2014Ad-
dressing the religious com-
munities of Korea, Pope
Francis urged a deep reli-
ance on the mercy of God
and a focus on community
life in transmitting the joy
of the Gospel to the world.
Only if our witness is
joyful will we attract men
and women to Christ, the
Holy Father told a gather-
ing of religious brothers
and sisters in South Korea.
And this joy is a gift
which is nourished by a
life of prayer, meditation
on the word of God, the cel-
ebration of the sacraments
and life in community, he
explained. When these are
lacking, weaknesses and
diffculties will emerge to
dampen the joy we knew
so well at the beginning of
our journey.
Pope Francis met Aug. 16
with religious communities
of Korea at the Training
Center School of Love in
Kkottongnae. The meeting
came during the Popes
Aug. 13-18 visit to South
Korea, with coincided with
the Sixth Asian Youth Day.
Earlier during the trip, he
met with youth from across
Asia and beatifed 124 Ko-
rean martyrs at a Mass
attended by an estimated 1
million people.
Thanking the religious
communities of Korea for
their efforts to build the
Kingdom of God, Pope
Francis observed that reli-
gious life is a great gift that
enriches the Church.
He called the religious to
refect on the central role
that joy must play in their
lives.
The firm conviction of
being loved by God is at the
center of your vocation: to be
for others a tangible sign of
the presence of Gods King-
dom, a foretaste of the eternal
joys of heaven, he said.
Although this joy is man-
ifest differently in various
situations, it always en-
dures despite diffculties,
because it is rooted in the
mystery of the Father s
mercy revealed in Christs
sacrifce on the cross, the
pontiff explained.
The religious are there-
fore called to become ex-
perts in divine mercy
through their community
life, he continued.
From experience I know
that community life is not
always easy, but it is a prov-
idential training ground for
the heart. It is unrealistic
not to expect conficts; mis-
understandings will arise
and they must be faced, he
said. But despite these chal-
lenges, it is in community
life that we are called to
grow in mercy, forbearance
and perfect charity.
The experience of Gods
mercy, nourished by prayer
and communi t y, must
shape all that you are, all
that you do, the Pope em-
phasized, pointing to the
religious vows of chastity,
poverty and obedience as
a joyful witness to Gods
love when they are prop-
erly rooted in his mercy.
Mature and generous
obedience requires that you
cling in prayer to Christ
who, taking the form of a
servant, learned obedience
through what he suffered,
Pope Francis remarked.
There are no shortcuts:
God desires our hearts
completely and this means
we have to let go and go
out of ourselves more and
more.
Chastity, he continued,
expresses your single-
minded dedication to the
love of God who is the
strength of our hearts.
Acknowledging that this
commitment is both per-
sonal and demanding, he
advised humble trust in
God, vigilance and perse-
verance to fght tempta-
tion in this area.
The vow of poverty al-
lows religious brothers
and sisters to recognize
Gods mercy not only as a
source of strength, but also
as a treasure, the Pope
said, encouraging them
to offer even their weary
hearts, burdened by sin,
to Christ in moments of
helplessness.
This fundamental need
of ours to be forgiven and
healed is itself a form of
poverty which we must
never lose sight of, no mat-
ter how many advances
we make in virtue, he
added.
The Holy Father cau-
tioned against distractions
and sandal, while noting
that poverty in consecrated
life is both a wall of pro-
tection and a mother
Seoul, South Korea - August 16, 2014: Pope Francis greets pilgrims as he arrives in Seouls Gwanghwamun Gate
for the Beatication Mass of 124 Korean martyrs on August 16, 2014. CNA
that guides along the right
path. The hypocrisy of
those consecrated men and
women who profess vows
of poverty, yet live like the
rich, wounds the souls of
the faithful and harms the
Church, he said.
Pope Francis also warned
against the temptation to
adopt a purely functional,
worldly mentality which
leads to placing our hope
in human means alone
and destroys the witness of
poverty which our Lord Je-
sus Christ lived and taught
us.
Calling the religious to
an awareness of their role
in shaping future vocations,
he urged them to do all
that you can to show that
the consecrated life is a
precious gift to the Church
and to the world. Do not
keep it to yourselves; share
it, bringing Christ to ev-
ery corner of this beloved
country.
Whether you are given
more to contemplation or to
the apostolic life, he said,
be zealous in your love of
the Church in Korea and
your desire to contribute,
through your own specifc
charism, to its mission of
proclaiming the Gospel and
building up Gods people
in unity, holiness and love.
(CNA)
Dont reduce the faith to easy answers, Pope
warns bishops
SEOUL, South Korea, Aug 16,
2014A deep understanding of our
identity as Christians is needed to
combat the modern tendency to
reduce the faith to superfciality,
Pope Francis told 68 bishops from
35 countries gathered during his
trip to South Korea.
Without a grounding in
Christ, the truths by which we
live our lives can gradually re-
cede, the practice of the virtues
can become formalistic, and
dialogue can be reduced to a
form of negotiation or an agree-
ment to disagree, he warned in
an Aug. 16 address at the shrine
in Haemi.
In his remarks, the Pope zeroed
in on the theme of Christian iden-
tity, outlining both major threats
to it in todays society as well as
ways the bishops can embrace it
and evangelize more fully.
Announced by the Vatican in
March, the Popes Aug. 13-18
trip follows an invitation from
the president of the Korean Re-
public, Park Geun-hye, and the
bishops of Korea.
During his time, the Pope trav-
eled from the capital city of Seoul
to Daejon, where he celebrated
the Sixth Asian Youth Day with
thousands of young people. He
also visited the rehabilitation
center for disabled persons in
Kkottongnae, made a trip to the
shrine in Haemi for a closing
Mass with Asian youth.
Speaking to the bishops on
Sunday, Pope Francis said that
the first and most insidious
threat to Christian identity lies
in the deceptive light of rela-
tivism which, obscures the
splendor of truth and, shaking
the earth beneath our feet, pulls
us toward the shifting sands of
confusion and despair.
Here I am not speaking about
relativism merely as a system of
thought, he clarifed, but about
that everyday practical relativ-
ism which almost imperceptibly
saps our sense of identity.
This dynamic spills into an-
other threat against Christian
identity, which is the temptation
to reduce the faith, and the hide
behind the security of simplify-
ing it into easy answers, ready
formulas, rules and regulations.
Faith by nature is not self-ab-
sorbed; it goes out, he stressed.
It seeks understanding; it gives
rise to testimony; it generates
mission.
Addressing the specifc chal-
lenges to the Asian Church, the
Pope emphasized that dialogue
is an essential part of the regions
mission.
But in undertaking the path
of dialogue with individuals
and cultures, what should be
our point of departure and the
fundamental point of reference
which guides us to our destina-
tion? Surely it is our own iden-
tity, our identity as Christians.
We cannot engage in real dia-
logue unless we are conscious of
our own identity, he said. Nor
can there be authentic dialogue
unless we are capable of open-
ing our minds and hearts, in
empathy and sincere receptivity,
to those with whom we speak.
Christian identity, he noted,
begs the questions of whether or
not it is being lived out in Church
catechesis and youth ministry,
service to the poor, and fostering
of vocations to the priesthood
and religious life.
Finally, together with a clear
sense of our own Christian
Kkottongnae, South Korea - August 17, 2014: Pope Francis visits the Kkottongnae House
of Hope on Aug. 17, 2014. Preparatory Committee for the 2014 Papal Visit to Korea
identity, authentic dialogue also
demands a capacity for empa-
thy, he said.
We are challenged to listen
not only to the words which oth-
ers speak, but to the unspoken
communication of their experi-
ences, their hopes and aspira-
tions, their struggles and their
deepest concerns.
When we look out at the
great Asian continent, with its
vast expanses of land, its an-
cient cultures and traditions,
we are aware that, in Gods
plan, your Christian communi-
ties are indeed a pusillus grex, a
small fock which nonetheless is
charged to bring the light of the
Gospel to the ends of the earth,
the Pope concluded.
May the Good Shepherd,
who knows and loves each of
his sheep, guide and strengthen
your efforts to build up their
unity with him and with all the
members of his fock throughout
the world. (CNA)
Joblessness in PH keep
OFWs in Libyapriest
QUEZON City, August 12,
2014Theres a simple reason
Overseas Filipino Workers
(OFWs) in Libya do not want
to return to the Philippines:
When they come home, they
come back to joblessness and
hunger, says a Filipino priest
assigned in Benghazi.
Most of them cannot decide
to leave because they are think-
ing more of the joblessness and
the hunger they might experi-
ence in the Philippines than
their own personal safety, said
Fr. Amado Baranquel, a Filipino
priest who heads the Mary Im-
macolata Parish in Benghazi.
Thousands of Filipinos are
opting to stay in Libya despite
ongoing violence and conflict
between the Libyan govern-
ment armed forces and militia
groups.
Over Radyo Veri t as, he
shared it saddens him to learn
that, given the real threat to
their lives in the Middle East,
fear of unemployment and
starvation in their own country
are what deter Filipinos from
finally leaving Libya.
Baranquel explained that
only the certainty of employ-
ment in their home country
will convince the thousands
of migrant workers in Libya to
consider repatriation.
The priest also appealed to
the government to assure the
OFWs, many of whom are
breadwinners, that the Philip-
pines is worth going home to,
even after the loss of their jobs
to the ongoing conflict there.
He underscored how impor-
tant it is that the government
offer job security to the OFWs
to persuade them to return
home.
Baranquel also invited the
Filipino people to offer prayers
for the safety of OFWs in Libya.
Please call people to pray
for peace and security here in
Libya, especially among the
OFWs, he said. (Raymond A.
Sebastin)
Bring back values in media
broadcaster
MANILA, August 10, 2014A
Catholic broadcaster called on
Filipino media practitioners to
inject value formation in various
television and radio programs
aired in the country to remind
the lay faithful about virtues
they must possess.
In the past, there are sev-
eral programs on television
that leave values to their view-
ers. Nowadays, why dont we
give emphasis to the same
cause and inject values to our
programs where people could
learn from? Bro. Jun Dr. Love
Banaag O.P. said in his Marian
Conference talk dubbed Under
Marys Guidance, the Lay Faith-
ful Agents of Social Transfor-
mation held last Saturday at
the San Carlos Seminary.
He said just like programs
aired in the past, television and
radio shows must shun trivi-
alities, promoting instead good
values among viewers.
You will not fnd the hand
of God in programs and talks
about the lives of showbiz per-
sonalities and programs that
promote immoral acts. Let us
ask Mary to help us contem-
plate on the face of the Lord,
he added.
Banaag, known as Dr. Love
for his popular radio show of the
same name in DZMM, is popu-
lar for giving love and spiritual
advice to average people with
troubled personal lives.
He noted that suggesting
solutions to peoples problems
shared in his radio show would
be futile if they will not receive
God in their lives.
We are putting to waste a
2-hour program if we will not
bring the Lord to people who are
[on] the verge of losing hope. The
truth is that the only solution to
every problem is nothing and no
one else but the Lord, Banaag
said in Filipino.
He also urged the people to
put their prayers in their hearts
and always seek the intercession
of the Blessed Virgin Mother in
all of their problems.
Let us not let go of Mary.
Whatever problems we face let
us run to her for she will never
abandon us, Banaag said.
(Jennifer M. Orillaza)
Pontifcal Council for Interreligious Dialogue slams Islamic
Caliphate crimes and barbarism
VATICAN CITY, Aug 12, 2014The Pontifcal
Council for Interreligious Dialogue deplores
in no uncertain terms the acts of violence by
the militants of the Islamic caliphate in the
Middle East, especially in Iraq and Syria.
The Vatican body calls on the members of
all religions and on the international commu-
nity to join in the condemnation. It also calls
on Islamic religious leaders to condemn the
use of religion as a false justifcation for ter-
rorism and to make the culture of coexistence
and dialogue that has developed in the past
few years more real and credible.
The full translation of the statement issued
by the Pontifcal Council is presented below.
The whole world has witnessed with in-
credulity what is now called the Restoration
of the Caliphate, which had been abolished
on October 29, 1923 by Kamal Ataturk,
founder of modern Turkey. Opposition to
this restoration by the majority of religious
institutions and Muslim politicians has not
prevented the Islamic State jihadists from
committing and continuing to commit un-
speakable criminal acts.
This Pontifcal Council, together with all
those engaged in interreligious dialogue,
followers of all religions, and all men and
women of good will, can only unambigu-
ously denounce and condemn these practices
which bring shame on humanity:
-the massacre of people on the sole basis
of their religious affliation;
-the despicable practice of beheading, cru-
cifying and hanging bodies in public places;
-the choice imposed on Christians and Ye-
zidis between conversion to Islam, payment
of a tax (jizya) or forced exile;
-the forced expulsion of tens of thousands
of people, including children, elderly, preg-
nant women and the sick;
-the abduction of girls and women belong-
ing to the Yezidis and Christian communities
as spoils of war (sabaya);
-the imposition of the barbaric practice of
infbulation;
-the destruction of places of worship and
Christian and Muslim burial places;
-the forced occupation or desecration of
churches and monasteries;
-the removal of crucifxes and other Chris-
tian religious symbols as well as those of
other religious communities;
-the destruction of a priceless Christian
religious and cultural heritage;
-indiscriminate violence aimed at terroriz-
ing people to force them to surrender or fee.
No cause, and certainly no religion, can
justify such barbarity. This constitutes an
extremely serious offense to humanity and to
God who is the Creator, as Pope Francis has
often reminded us. We cannot forget, how-
ever, that Christians and Muslims have lived
together it is true with ups and downs over
the centuries, building a culture of peaceful
coexistence and civilization of which they
are proud. Moreover, it is on this basis that,
in recent years, dialogue between Christians
and Muslims has continued and intensifed.
The dramatic plight of Christians, Yezidis
and other religious communities and ethnic
minorities in Iraq requires a clear and coura-
geous stance on the part of religious leaders,
especially Muslims, as well as those engaged
in interreligious dialogue and all people of
good will. All must be unanimous in con-
demning unequivocally these crimes and
in denouncing the use of religion to justify
them. If not, what credibility will religions,
their followers and their leaders have? What
credibility can the interreligious dialogue
that we have patiently pursued over recent
years have?
Religious leaders are also called to exercise
their infuence with the authorities to end
these crimes, to punish those who commit
them and to re-establish the rule of law
throughout the land, ensuring the return
home of those who have been displaced.
While recalling the need for an ethical man-
agement of human societies, these same
religious leaders must not fail to stress that
the support, funding and arming of terrorism
is morally reprehensible.
That said, the Pontifcal Council for Inter-
religious Dialogue is grateful to all those who
have already raised their voices to denounce
terrorism, especially that which uses religion
to justify it.
Let us therefore unite our voices with that
of Pope Francis: May the God of peace stir
up in each one of us a genuine desire for dia-
logue and reconciliation. Violence is never
defeated by violence. Violence is defeated
by peace. (AsiaNews)
A4 Vol. 18 No. 17
August 18 - 31, 2014
CBCP Monitor
EDITORIAL
Opinion
Pedro C. Quitorio
Editor-in-Chief
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Associate Editor
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News Editor
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TO build a Culture of Integrity and to radiate its beauty, we need
to foster values, build structures, and present role models that can
teach, support, and exemplify integrity lived out in the real world.
We need to honor persons who have shown honesty, selfessness,
courage, and fairness for the sake of others, even when seriously
tempted to act selfshly: the taxi driver who returns money left behind,
strangers who risk their lives to help others during natural disasters,
government workers who refuse to be bribed, the election volunteer
who vigilantly guards the ballot box. Their stories can inspire and
teach others that a life of integrity is neither impossible nor foolish but
is our true calling as citizens and as members of one human family.
We need to foster a spirit of solidarity among our people to replace
the clannish, exclusive mentality, and kanya-kanya attitudes that
prevent the formation of true communities of mutual help. We
need to be responsible for one another, particularly for the welfare
of the least of our brothers and sisters, not only during natural
disasters but also each day of our journey as a pilgrim people. 3)
We need to ground all our efforts at building a culture of integrity
on Love. No legislation, no system of rules or negotiation will
ever succeed in persuading peoples to live in unity and peace; no
line of reasoning will ever be able to surpass the appeal of love.
Love is a force capable of inspiring new ways of approaching
the problems of todays world, of profoundly renewing structures,
social organizations, legal systems from within.
As we previously emphasized for this Year of the Laity, The renewal
of our country thus demands of us all, and especially of you, our lay
faithful, a return to truthfulness and the fostering of the sense of the
common good. We must seek the truth, speak the truth, do the
truth and to do so in love, that is, in solidarity with and service
of others. When we cultivate the integrity of our holiness, relying
on the abundant grace of God, we give a powerful testimony to the
Author of Integrity, whose joy is to lead all humanity and creation
to the fullness and wholeness of God. We join Pope Francis in
observing that, the Churchdoes not grow through proselytism;
it grows through attraction, through witness.
--Lifted from The Joy of Integrity, a CBCP Pastoral
Exhortation on Integrity, 2014
THE alarm sounded by the Chaldean Archbishop of Mosul Amel
Shamon Nona, is chilling. Interviewed on August 9 by the Italian
daily Corriere della Sera, he warned that all Christians around
would face untold violence from Islamists the way, if not worse,
his diocese is undergoing now. The Islamic State, a caliphate
recently established in Iraq and Syria under its self-proclaimed
leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, is violently persecuting all non-
Sunni Muslims -- Christians, Yazidis, and Shia Muslims, forcing
them to convert, leave or be killed.
In the interview, Archbishop Nona said: Our sufferings today are
the prelude of those you, Europeans and Western Christians, will
also suffer in the near future... Your liberal and democratic principles
are worth nothing here. You must consider again our reality in the
Middle East, because you are welcoming in your countries an ever-
growing number of Muslims. Also you are in danger. You must take
strong and courageous decisions, even at the cost of contradicting
your principles.. You think all men are equal, but that is not true:
Islam does not say that all men are equal. Your values are not their
values.. If you do not understand this soon enough, you will become
the victims of the enemy you have welcomed in your home.
Too alarming indeed, to the point that one cannot easily brush it
off as a subjective overstatement of an alarmist. Interviewed over
Vatican Radio recently, the archbishop stressed further that the
Islamic State militants think that anyone who is different from
them does not deserve to live...They represent a great threat to
humanity. These groups dont just want to conquer a piece of
territory and stay there. Their objective is the whole world.
Cardinal Fernando Feloni who was Nuncio to the Philippines in
2006 and presently Pope Francis personal envoy to the suffering
people of Iraq is pleading to the international community to
liberate villages controlled by the Islamic State and to provide the
displaced with international protection. The Yezidi community
is suffering terrible because of the deaths they have had, the
kidnapping of their women and their houses being stolen. They
dont know where to go, the Cardinal said. According to the
United Nations, there are more than 1.2 million internally displaced
persons in Irag, and at least 10,000 Iraqi refugees in Syria as a
result of the Islamic State.
Pope Francis himself has called for prayer and action. He said
the use of force can be justifed to stop unjust aggressors such
as the Islamic State militants. He appealed to the U.N. to take
action to end the humanitarian tragedy now underway in Iraq.
In a recent interview, the Pope said: In these cases where there is
unjust aggression, I can only say that it is licit to stop the unjust
aggressor. I underscore the verb stop; I dont say bomb, make
war -- stop him. The means by which he may be stopped should be
evaluated. To stop the unjust aggressor is licit, but we nevertheless
need to remember how many times, using this excuse of stopping
an unjust aggressor, the powerful nations have dominated other
peoples, made a real war of conquest. A single nation cannot judge
how to stop this, how to stop an unjust aggressor. After the Second
World War, there arose the idea of the United Nations. That is
where we should discuss: Is there an unjust aggressor? It seems
there is. How do we stop him? But only that, nothing more.
The genocide in Iraq will have hard repercussions on the
contemporary givens of inter-religious dialogue--especially
when the agenda of the unjust aggressor is more than those of an
ordinary aggressor.
Fr. Roy Cimagala
Candidly Speaking
Candidly Speaking / A7
Building a culture of integrity
Stopping an aggressor
Bold in the
Power of the Spirit
Openness, tolerance,
patience
And Thats The Truth / A5
Evangelizing our families
Fr. James H. Kroeger, MM
Living Mission
Year of Laity Reections
THE evangelist Luke often describes the
mission of the Church, like the mission of
Jesus, as the work of the Spirit. On Pentecost
the disciples experienced the transforming
presence of the Holy Spirit, flling them with
courage to announce their experience of Je-
sus with great enthusiasm, to bear witness
with boldness.
The Greek word for boldness is par-
rhesia. It can also mean enthusiasm, energy,
or courage. In the Acts of the Apostles Luke
uses this word twelve times to character-
ize the dynamism and fearless witness of
the transformed apostles. The Spirit-given
virtue of boldness remains an essential
dimension of lay witness today.
Pope Francis in Evangelii Gaudium (259)
notes: The Holy Spirit also grants the
courage to proclaim the newness of the
Gospel with boldness (parrhesia) in every
time and place, even when it meets with
opposition.
Church of Martyrs and Witnesses. Our
Church has always understood herself as
ecclesia martyrum, the church of martyrs,
following the root meaning of martyr (Greek:
martyrein) which is to bear witness. Indeed,
martyrs are bold witnesses to Jesus and the
Christian faitheven to the point of death.
The Philippine Church has two lay martyr-
saints, Lorenzo Ruiz and Pedro Calungsod.
Both gave heroic witness to their faith, dying
as martyrs in Japan and Guam.
Following their example, we recall the
encouraging words of the Philippine bish-
ops to the Catholic faithful: Stand up for
Jesus not only in religious activities but in
your public and private life. Speak up for
Jesus and his Church in public discussions.
Do not be afraid to be identifed as Catholic
Christians. You have been called to be saints;
you are sent forth as heroes. Take courage.
Choose to be brave.
Lorenzo Ruiz. Filipino, Catholic, hus-
band, father, martyr: these words describe
Lorenzo Ruiz, born in Binondo, Manila of a
Tagala mother and a Chinese father. Lorenzo
had a wife, two sons and a daughter.
Lorenzo served as an escribano, a clerk who
prepared offcial documents. He joined a
Dominican missionary trip to Japan. Dis-
covered by the Japanese military authorities,
the group languished in jail for a year; they
were sentenced to death in September 1637.
Even in the face of horrendous cruelties,
he never wavered or renounced his faith.
Lorenzo boldly asserted: I am a Christian
and I will remain so until the hour of my
death. I must tell you with my whole
heart, as God is my witness, that I would
rather die a thousand deaths than renounce
my faith.
Pedro Calungsod. The offcial title given
to Saint Pedro Calungsod when he was can-
onized by Pope Benedict on October 21, 2012
is: Pedro Calungsod, Lay Catechist and Martyr.
In an eminent way Pedro boldly taught the
Christian faith both by word and example;
he was a faith-witnesseven to the point
of martyrdom.
Though only a teenager, Calungsod knew
his Christian faith. Today Calungsod would
probably be considered a volunteer cat-
echist who in one form or another assists
in the catechetical ministry.
Lorenzo and Pedro are exemplary models
to imitate! We pray for more bold lay wit-
nesses of our beautiful faith!
Teresa R. Tunay, OCDS
and thats the truth
IT is indeed very painful to learn that even
now, when we seem to have progressed a lot
in the area of culture, knowledge and tech-
nology, we still can witness massive cases
of primitive misunderstanding and barbaric
brutality in some parts of the world.
A case in point is whats happening in
some areas in Iraq. There today, ethnic
cleansing is taking place where some people
are eliminated simply by reason of their
religion, where even babies are not spared
from being beheaded.
We need to issue a big, loud and world-
wide call for openness, tolerance and pa-
tience among ourselves. Pope Francis has
spearheaded this call, and we should do
all what we can to heed it, starting always
with prayers and sacrifce before we think
of whatever political and even military so-
lutions may be needed for this unspeakable
problem.
Yes, we have to learn how to coexist
peacefully and fruitfully in spite of and even
because of our unavoidable differences and
conficts. Especially since we cannot avoid
getting a more complex and complicated
world as we go along our collective life, we
need to learn well the art and skills of open-
ness, tolerance and patience.
We should learn to make our differences,
conficts, mistakes, failures, offenses, etc. an
occasion to love each other more and more.
They are actually privileged occasions for us
to broaden and extend our capacity to love,
and to know the more subtle aspects and
dimensions of love. Even the worst scenarios
can offer us precious lessons.
Love has to prevail, because after every-
thing is said and done, it is love that contains
the ultimate of truth and justice that usually
are the reasons why we fght each other, even
to the point of killing each other.
And love means we need to be open to one
another, accepting each one the way he is,
including his defects, weaknesses, mistakes,
failures, not in the sense of approving whats
wrong with them, but in the sense that they
are frst and last our own brothers and sisters
whom we need to love regardless of the dif-
ferent conditions and adverse positions they
may have in life.
Anyway, what usually also happens is
that what we consider as wrong in others are
actually just matters of opinion, preferences
and tastes. They are not actually wrong and
bad in themselves. They are just different
from ours.
And so we just have to learn to be open-
minded, respectful, tolerant even as we try
to expound our own opinions, preferences
and taste too. We have know how to give
space for each one. The world is big enough
to accommodate all these differences.
And even when we think that whats
wrong in others are not simply matter of
opinion and taste but of things essential, we
still need to be open, tolerant and patient in
an appropriate manner.
We have to be ready to be heroic in these
cases, generous and magnanimous in our
behavior and reactions, willing to suffer
more than to win some victory if the ultimate
value of love would be compromised when
a certain course of action would be pursued.
In this, we have to follow closely the
example of Christ himself who bore all
the sins of men just to save us. He is the
standard, the pattern and the power in our
effort to be open, tolerant and patient with
everybody else.
Of course, this is possible only when
we have faith in Gods word and try to
conform our ways to Gods ways. But we
can start learning these indispensable traits
by pursuing them in our unavoidable daily
encounters and conflicts with others.
THE hardest people to evan-
gelize are our own family mem-
bers. That statement may
not reflect a state of national
calamity but I seem to be hear-
ing it more and more frequently
these days.
A nun friend embarrassing-
ly admits that she cannot do
anything to talk sense to her
womanizing brother. When I
visit the family, its like a fam-
ily reunion, everybody seems
very happy and well-behaved,
but behind closed doors my
mother and my sister-in-law
take turns in updating me about
my brothers exploits. I try to
jokingly bring this up with him,
but all Id get is Huwag kang
maniwala don, tsismis lang yon!
I know its not mere tsismis, but
what else can I do to help his
family when he himself doesnt
want help?
A lector from our parish
thinks she has a bigger problem:
her ward, a teenage niece, still
single, is openly sexually active,
but goes to Mass and receives
communion. I cant be sure
but I dont think she even goes
to confession. When I try to
politely remind her to confess,
and to inform her about waiting
for the right man, all she says is
Yes, tita, but I know she only
says that to shut me up. She has
one boyfriend after another, and
one time she opened her bag
in front of me, a foil-wrapped
thing fell outI know its not
candy, its a condom. Without
hesitation she put it back in her
bag and didnt seem to care that
Id seen it.
A married friend who is very
active in Marriage Encounter
laments that her cross is her
30-something daughter who has
stopped going to church, has
split up with her husband and
has a daughter with her live-
in boyfriend. She says, In all
aspects shes okay, shes smart,
enterprising, independent, but
when it comes to the issue of
her boyfriend she melts down,
and she talks like its nobodys
business! How can it not be our
business when her daughter
is my granddaughter? What
example is she giving to her
child? It shames me to think
my husband and I are respected
in our group, but cant lead our
own daughter to the right path.
From a middle-aged priest
comes this expression of dis-
appointment with his younger
brother: He is gay and cant
help it. I see how kilig he gets
around men, how he flirts with
them with his eyesand some-
times I suspect he fabricates
A5 Vol. 18 No. 17
August 18 - 31, 2014
CBCP Monitor
HIS Holiness Pope Francis
called on all the faithful to
pray incessantly for the res-
toration of peace and spiri-
tual unity for the persecuted
Christians in northern Iraq.
On Monday, August 18, 2014
at the end of his apostolic
visit to Korea, Pope Francis
presided over a Mass at the
Myeong Dong Cathedral for
peace and reconciliation.
I n sol i dari t y wi t h Pope
Francis, His Excellency, Most
Rev. Socrates Villegas, Presi-
dent of the Catholic Bishops
Conference of the Philippines
(CBCP) and Archbishop of
Lingayen-Dagupan, requested
his brothers-Archbishops and
Bishops to offer their Masses
on August 18 as Votive Masses
for Peace and Reconciliation in
Iraq and to pray for the Chris-
tians in northern Iraq. He also
requested them to circulate the
information to all the priests
to offer the same prayers in all
their Masses on August 18. The
school children were also asked
to pray the rosary in school on
the same day for the healing
of Iraq.
It may be recalled that during
the Angelus prayer on July 20,
Pope Francis cried with pain:
Our brothers and sisters are
persecuted, they are pushed out,
forced to leave their homes without
the opportunity to take anything
with them. To these families and
to these people I would like to
express my closeness and my
steadfast prayer. Dearest brothers
and sisters so persecuted, I know
how much you suffer; I know that
you are deprived of everything. I
am with you in your faith in Him
who conquered evil!
***
I am sharing with you this
prayer for peace in Iraq which
I am quoting from Facebook
page of Free for Catholics.
This prayer was written by the
Chaldean Catholic Patriarch of
Iraq, His Beatitude Louis Rafael
Sako: Lord, The plight of our
country is deep and the suffering
of Christians is severe and fright-
ening. Therefore, we ask you Lord
to spare our lives, and to grant
patience, and courage to continue
our witness of Christian values
with trust and hope. Lord, peace
is the foundation of life; Grant us
the peace and stability that will
enable us to live with each other
without fear and anxiety, and with
dignity and joy. Glory be to you
forever, Amen.
***
Early on, Pope Francis was
concerned about the worsen-
ing situation in Gaza and Syria.
Human rights violations were
common and most of the casu-
alties are children. In his visit
to Korea, Pope Francis again
prayed for peace and reconcili-
ation between North and South
Korea. Let us pray not only
for world peace, but also the
healing of our country so that
peace will reign forever among
us Filipinos.
***
The Diocese of Kalookan cel-
ebrated the Feast of its patron
saint San Roque. On the occa-
sion of his feast, the San Roque
Cathedral launched The Tree
of Generosity: Our Gift to San
Roque, a fund-raising project
for the reconstruction of the
Altar of the Cathedral. Every-
one is encouraged to pledge
financial assistance.
***
The Sangguniang Laiko ng
Pilipinas (Laiko) 2014-2016
Board of Trustees, led by its
President Dr. Amelita Dayrit-
Go, had a courtesy call to Most
Rev. Buenaventura Famadico,
Bishop of the Diocese of San
Pablo. They also met with the
Council of the Laity of San Pab-
lo headed by Bro. Danny Trini-
dad. The Diocese is preparing
for its Golden Anniversary in
2016 with Rev. Fr. Rey Hayag,
Diocesan Pastoral Director in
charge of the celebration. Also
present during the meeting
were Laiko officers EVP Marita
Wasan; VP for Ecclesiastical
Province of Manila Dr. Romy
Mendoza; Auditor Zeny Cap-
istrano; Immediate Past Presi-
dent Atty. Aurora Santiago;
Executive Assistant Joseph
Jesalva; Secretary/Personnel
Kate Buenconsejo and Laguna
Vice Governor Karen Agapay.
***
On the occasion of its Silver
Jubilee celebrations, The Sons
of Hol y Mary Immacul at e
(SHMI) will hold its Jubilee of
the Laity on August 21, 2014
Opinion
The Struggle against
Pork Barrel System
Prayer for Peace
50 Shades of Sin
Expendable mothers
Atty. Aurora A. Santiago
Duc in Altum
Fr. Francis Ongkingco
Whatever
Commentary
Melinda Tankard Reist
Fr. Amado L. Picardal, CSsR, SThD
Along The Way
Duc In Altum / A6
A YEAR ago, a huge multitude joined the
Million People March Against Pork Barrel in
Luneta. It was a spontaneous manifestation
of People Power triggered by widespread
indignation over by the expose of the Na-
poles pork barrel scam. Various cities all
over the country held similar marches and
rallies. People from all walks of life joined
the march--including priests and religious.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle delivered a
message which condemned pork barrel.
Consequently, Malacanang announced
that there will be no more PDAF. Later, the
Supreme Court declared PDAF and DAP
as unconstitutional. However, the struggle
against pork barrel has not ended.
Recently, CBCP President Archbishop
Socrates Villegas came out with a state-
ment supporting the Peoples Initiative for
the Abolition of the Pork Barrel System.
Archbishop Jose Palma wrote a pastoral
letter for the archdiocese of Cebu exhorting
the clergy and the faithful to support the
campaign against the pork barrel system
and inviting them to attend the official
launching of the Peoples Initiative in
Cebu and to gather signatures in support
of the Initiative. Likewise, various dioceses
are starting to mobilize the faithful in the
parishes, BECs and lay organizations to
support this campaign.
There are some people who ask why
should the Church support this campaign
when the Supreme Court already ruled the
PDAF and the DAP as unconstitutional. The
SC ruling has apparently abolished the pork
barrel system. Thus, any campaign to have it
abolished is moot and academic. However,
this is not really the case. Various groups
believe that Pork Barrel System has not been
dismantled--it persists under various names
and forms not only in the national level but
also in local government units.
What is really pork barrel? Whats wrong
with it? In simple terms, pork barrel is any
lump sum allocation coming from public
funds that is granted to any public offcial
(i.e.. president, senators, representatives,
governors, mayors, councilors, etc) which
can be used at their discretion without
strict accountability. This fund is to be used
for projects to benefit their constituents.
The public offcials do not directly handle
the funds. They just identify the projects,
benefciaries, and those that will implement
these. What kind of projects? Roads, bridges,
school-buildings, fertilizers, waiting shed,
basketball courts, scholarships, etc.
So what is wrong with that? In the frst
place, it is a source for graft and corruption.
It is easy for government offcials to proft
from the projects from the SOPs (the 10-20
percent kickbacks), fake benefciaries, fake
NGOs, etc. So they are able to accumulate
millions that they can use to maintain their
luxurious lifestyle and to fnance their re-
election campaign so that they will be able
to perpetuate themselves (and their family
dynasty) in power. The Napoles scam is just
a tip in the iceberg.
The pork barrel system is also at the heart
of patronage politics. The political culture
and system in the Philippines is based on a
patron-client relationship between the politi-
cians and their supporters and constituents.
It can win over more supporters.
It enables government offcials to dispense
favors to their supporters and constituents,
creating dependence and debt of gratitude
and thus ensure the advancement of their
agenda and their continuance in power.
With Pork Barrel System, the President can
pressure Congress and Senate to do his bid-
ding such as the passage of the RH Law
or the impeachment of a Chief Justice of the
Supreme Court. A Mayor can use his intel-
ligence fund to dispense favor to barangay
officials, give gifts (foodstuffs) to all his
constituents during Christmas, or even--God
forbid--finance illegal/clandestine anti-
crime projects (death squads?).
The pork barrel system is designed to en-
rich the government offcials and to perpetu-
ate them in power. It is part of the long-term
campaign of the incumbent offcial. Even if
some government offcials claim that they
do not engage in graft and corruption, the
pork barrel system still benefts them as it
continues patronage politics.
The pork barrel comes in various forms
and names--CDF, PDAF, DAP, intelligence
fund, etc. God knows what will be their next
incarnation. So, even if the SC can declare
these as unconstitutional, the politicians will
always fnd ways to keep them alive.
While the attention of the public has fo-
cused on the national level (PDAF, DAP) the
pork barrel system at the local level is also
still very much alive.
That is why there is a need for a Peoples
Initiative that will become part of the law
of the land thus completely eradicate pork
barrel system in any form or name and make
them illegal.
I COULD vividly read the concerned expres-
sion on his face as he asked, Father, surely
theres a grey area in this?
Now were talking colors! I kidded him
to lighten up the intense atmosphere.
Seriously Father, does it have to be black
and white?
Actually, there are what we can call grey
areas, I clarifed.
He showed some sign of relief.
But!
Jason tensed up as he heard the but.
Its more of case to case rather than just
confning moral concerns within shades which
only reveal ones poor desire to justify oneself.
I see your point, Father, he agreed.
Speaking of shades, Im now just re-
minded about the novel--now an over-hyped
movie--Fifty Shades of Grey.
I cant imagine how some try to project
immorality into the screen hoping to make
something abnormally repugnant into some-
thing conventionally acceptable, he said.
A novel is only a novel, but what is more
disappointing is the fact that people choose
to live their lives according to shades.
What do you mean, Father?
When people, which may very well
include you and myself, sadly tweak their
spiritual lives to their own advantage.
Advantage? he asked.
They make choices according to shades.
Varying grades of sin according to their grav-
ity or disorder.
Shades? Jason seemed more confused.
Its the attitude of thinking that as long as
one doesnt sin BIG-TIME then its alright
to sin.
But thats not right! He caught on.
Precisely! Were so fond of putting colors
into sin, as if a lighter shade would make
something sinful no longer a sin.
Are you saying, Father that we dont have
any allowance to sin?
Nope! The fact that we are sinners, that is,
prone to sin due to the effects of original sin,
isnt some sort of an allowance or license to
sin. Rather, our awareness of being capable
of sin ought to make us seek all the means
and the most sincere intentions to avoid
whatever could separate us from God.
So youre saying.
I think its best explained by St. Theresa
of Avilas advice to her nuns:
From any sin, however small, committed
with full knowledge, may God deliver us, es-
pecially since we are sinning against so great
a Sovereign and realizing that He is watching
us! That seems to me to be a sin committed
of premeditated malice; it is as though one
were to say: Lord, although this displeases
You, I shall do it. I know that You see it and
I know that You would not have me do it;
but, though I understand this, I would rather
follow my own whim and desire than Your
will. (Way of Perfection, Ch. 41)
Ouch! That is one powerful spiritual
punch, Father! Jason concluded.
Indeed, and her words are further rein-
forced by St. Josemara when in The Way,
How little love of God you have when you
yield without a fght because it is not a grave
sin! (no. 328)
So how do I explain to my friends that we
cant just comfortably fall into the famous
adage that we are only human?
Its true that we are only human, but its
never an excuse to sin. We fall, and fall we
must but not out of malice or calculations
craftily constricted to ones selfish desires
to test the limits of how far one can go
without sinning seriously. This mentality
clearly betrays a lack of love for God and
others.
So what can one do to stay clear of this
spiritual short-sightedness?
Listen to what I clipped from Baurs
wonderful masterpiece, In Silence with God.
He says:
Sin is always and in all its forms an of-
fense to God. If we wish to live for God we
must have no part in sin at all. We must make
any sacrifce rather than lay ourselves open
to conscious trespass. This means applying
unshakable willpower to withdrawing from
all situations that might lead to temptation.
()
Our program is clear and defnite. Every
intentional venial sin must be ruled out.
Furthermore, an equal vigilance must be
extended to the semi-voluntary venial sins in
order to repress and starve them. ()
The means to this end have been given to
us. We only need to use them. Here they are
again: prayer, right principles with regard to
small things and venial sins, devout and con-
stant reception of the sacrament of Penance,
watchfulness, and, above all, love. For this
is the culmination of the law (Rom13: 10).
Let us examine ourselves. What does
venial sin mean to me? What has been my
opinion of it in the past? What has been my
attitude toward it in the practical affairs of
daily life? What must I do or leave undone?
What can I improve?
The fundamental truth is that the ruin of
countless souls can be traced to venial sin
that was not taken seriously.
Checkmate!
[MOAN!!!] Not again! Father, can we play
another game?
Can you suggest any? I grinned.
One with other squares than black and
white?
Chinese checkers? I gave him a puz-
zling look.
ADELAIDE couple Mark and Matt, both 29, have acquired
Thai-designed newborns Tate and Estelle through commer-
cialised surrogacy overseas. According to Adelaides Sunday
Mail, the dual boy-girl delivery an hour apart by caesarean
section to separate surrogate women for gay parents is be-
lieved to be an Australian frst.
These babies have a complex genealogical history. They were
conceived from eggs extracted from a single Caucasian donor
woman (country not identifed), separately fertilized with
the mens sperm, then implanted into two Thai women who
acted as surrogate mothers. Commercial surrogacy is illegal
in Australia and adoption by gay people disallowed in South
Australia. The men spent A$80,000 to obtain the children.
Im not about to make a case that Mark and Matt wont love
the children or provide good homes for them. And its not
just gay men engaging in reproductive tourism in developing
countries--an estimated 500 couples a year are doing it, with
fgures showing a tripling in three years.
What most concerns me is the complete erasure of the
mother or mothers in these acts of global womb renting by
wealthy Westerners. This latest case highlights this mother
disappearance.
There is no mother in the story. A graph showed the two men
as Biological Fathers and the women as Surrogate 1 and
Surrogate 2. Elsewhere they are women not mothers.
We have decided we will not contact the donor but we
do have photos of her, which we will give to the children,
Matt said.
The birth mothers wont ever be contacted or shared in
photos even though it was their voices the babies heard and
responded to in-utero, their bodies who nourished and sus-
tained them and prepared for their arrival.
The mothers who grew and birthed Tate and Estelle are
eliminated from the childrens history, treated as nothing more
than disposable uteruses. The physical, emotional, spiritual
bonds between mother and child that develop during a preg-
nancy are rendered null and void by a monetary transaction.
Previously popular for surrogacy--with Australian citizen-
ship requests for children born there increasing more than 300
per cent over fve years, according to a report in The Age--India
is now apparently excluding gay couples, singles and de-facto
foreigners from the practice.
Thailand is looking like the new popular destination, with
surrogate baby breeding rings springing up. Baby 101 was
shut down in 2011, with 13 Vietnamese women, half of them
pregnant, freed. Australian citizenship requests for children
born there have increased by 54 per cent.
In Thailand, the hired mother is required to be single but
with previous children. Wouldnt her being single with chil-
dren make her even more vulnerable to exploitation? Could
she understand a contract and provide full informed consent?
Was it possible for her to change her mind at any time?
Would she be required to terminate when multiple embryos
were implanted and grew? What if the drugs and other pro-
cedures make her ill now or in future? Its unlikely she will
ever be followed up.
Today we have stricter and more humane laws and pro-
tocols around adoption, and the rights of birth mothers and
their children. But the global baby production industry profts
through circumventing these.
This industry is taking Australia back to the dark days of
mother-child separations and baby snatching at birth. But
glitzy technology and distorted ideas about the right of anyone
to a child, is clouding clear judgment and sensible policy-
making in todays surrogacy business.
Instead of young, single women in the mothers homes of
the 1950s, today it is Thai and Indian mothers who give birth
to babies who are immediately taken from them.
A new documentary Breeders: A Subclass of Women?,
produced by the US Centre for Bioethics and Culture Net-
work, explores some of the harms of surrogacy in general,
with women feeling used, exploited and unable to forget the
children they birthed in this global baby production industry.
Australian women have also spoken out about their damag-
ing experiences of surrogacy. Sydney surrogate birth mother
Shona Ryan told a Canberra conference: My subconscious, my
body, my emotions, knew Id given birth and were screaming
out for that baby. I kept having the urge to tell people, Ive
had a baby!
The Family Law Council is about to release a review of legal
issues of parentage including children born through surrogacy.
I hope this report will not erase the mothers or the right of any
child to know their mother.
(Melinda Tankard Reist is a columnist, blogger and commentator.
This article originally appeared in The Age and has been republished
at MercatorNet with permission.)
reasons to visit me in the semi-
nary because there hell surely
see a lot of young men. Hes 29,
has never had a girlfriend and
from the looks of it hell never
want to have one. He hangs
around with his BFFs, gays who
talk about their boylets and
who idolize Vice Ganda. Once
I tried to tell him that perhaps
God wishes to show him His
love, for him to enjoy a chaste
and celibate state even as a lay
person in order to show his
gay friends another way to be
happy, but I gave up. My talk
was obviously way above his
head.
Another priest tells of his
familys burden, a younger
brother aged 27, who has fin-
ished college but doesnt show
any ambition or aspiration
to grow up and live his own
life as an adult. The family is
well offthus nobody seems
to mind that hes unemployed
but just lives from day to day
getting high and bumming
around with his friends. God
know how else he supports his
drug abuse; he has an allow-
ance from our parents. I dread
to think hell grow old that way,
aimless and carefree, when
our parents are gone. Once
he seemed sober, so I had the
courage to ask him about his
plans for his future. He just
smiled and said, Father, dont
worry about me. Iba ka, iba ako.
What would you have said in
my place?
Its been said that family
means being there for one an-
other, but as these situations
show, some family members
may not want you to be there
for them at all. What are we
to do when the concern and
compassion we offerwhich
might be our only treasure
worth sharingis rejected by
our loved ones? Tough ques-
tion, indeed.
At times we think our God
talk is better heard by strang-
ers than by our own families.
At such frustrating moments
when we feel discouraged,
angry, or impatient, and dont
know what to do, its good to
take a deep breath and gaze
at (or think of) the figure on
the crucifx, and ask ourselves,
What would Love do? If we
truly want our families to know
that our God is a loving, living
God, there is only one thing we
can do: silently love, love again,
love on, and on, and on, and on.
And thats the truth.
And Thats The Truth / A4
A6 Vol. 18 No. 17
August 18 - 31, 2014
CBCP Monitor
Local News
at Fr. Joseph Frassinetti Semi-
nary, Multinational Village,
Paraaque City. There will
be two talks: Frassinetti and
the Laity by Rev. Fr. Dominic
Tabal , Counci l l or General ;
and The Filipino Catholic
Laity: Called to Be Saints
Send Fort h as Heroes by
Atty. Aurora Santiago, Im-
mediate Past President of the
Council of the Laity of the
Philippines. There will also
be t he unvei l i ng and pre-
sentation of Misericordia
by Rev. Fr. Paolo Pirlo, QCP
Director. The event will be
capped by the Holy Eucharist
to be presided by Most Rev.
Jesse Mercado, Bishop of the
Diocese of Paraaque.
***
Al so on August 21, The
CBCP, under the auspices of
the Episcopal Commission on
the Laity (ECLA), Episcopal
Commission on Family and
Life (ECFL) and the Episcopal
Commission on Youth (ECY),
the Don Bosco Center of Stud-
ies is holding a one-day theo-
logical-pastoral symposium
Saints and Heroes, No Less
as one of the highlights of the
Year of the Laity. The venue of
the event is Philsports Arena
(formerly Ultra), Pasig City
from 8 a.m. Admission is free.
Speakers are Mr. Bernie Ville-
gas, Mr. Frank Padilla, Fr. Bo
Sanchez, Mr. Mike Velarde, EJ
and Joy Aguila and Raoul Ron-
cal. Preparation for the Holy
Eucharist is being handled by
Laiko and the main celebrant
is CBCP President Archbishop
Socrates Villegas.
***
His Excellency Leonardo
Legaspi, OP, DD, Archbishop
Emeritus of Nueva Caceres
passed away on the Feast of
St. Dominic, patron saint of
the Dominicans and on his
37th Episcopal Anniversary.
He was a former president of
CBCP and the president of the
Second Plenary Council of the
Philippines (PCP-II). He was
the first Filipino Rector of UST
Central Seminary and first Fili-
pino Rector of UST.
***
I wish to greet Happy Epis-
copal Anniversary to Most
Rev. Deogracias Iiguez, Jr.,
D.D., Bishop Emeritus of the
Di ocese of Kal ookan: al so
Happy Sacerdotal Anniversary
to Monsignor Alex Amandy
and Fr. Salvador Curutchet of
Kalookan.
Duc In Altum / A5
Filipino Knights of
Columbus Honored for
Culture of Life Activities
KNIGHTS of Columbus St.
Joseph Council 12405 in San
Mateo, Rizal, Luzon, was
honored with the Interna-
tional Service Award for
Culture of Life Activities at
the Knights 132nd inter-
national convention for its
pro-life activities.
On March 25, wishing to
commemorate the Solem-
nity of the Annunciation
of the Lord and to extend
help to others, the council
spent the day offering free
ultrasounds, food and spiri-
tual assistance to fnancially
unstable pregnant mothers.
Seventy-nine women,
including 23 teenagers,
received the councils ser-
vices. In addition to the
medical services, the coun-
cil provided meals for the
women and the family
members who accompa-
nied them.
In the months since the
event, the council has con-
tinued to follow up with
the attendees and has pro-
vided additional services
for the women. The council
took particular care of the
youngest participant, a
15-year-old who gave birth
to her child in April. Since
then, the council has contin-
ued to support her and her
child both fnancially and
medically.
The Knights of Columbus St. Joseph Council 12405 in San Mateo, Rizal, Luzon receives a special award, the International Service Award for Culture of
Life Activities at the Knights 132nd international convention for its pro-life activities. KoC
The international awards
presented at our supreme
convention honor the years
most exemplary service proj-
ects at the council level,
said Knights of Columbus
Supreme Knight Carl An-
derson. The work of each
award winner helps under-
score the great good that can
be done when faith brings
men together in the service
of God and neighbor.
The Knights of Columbus
was founded in 1882 by
Father Michael McGivney,
a parish priest in New
Haven, Connecticut. With
charity as its central com-
mitment, the organization
has grown to 1.8 million
members worldwide. Dur-
ing the past year, Knights
donated more than $170
million and more than 70.5
million hours of service to
charitable causes. (Kaitlyn
Landgraf)
Church to host
dialogue on
suicide
MORE than just a personal
reality, suicide is a commu-
nity issue. This is the guid-
ing insight for the National
Dialogue on Suicide on
September 5 to 6, which is
being hosted by the Catho-
lic Bishops Conference of
the Philippines Episcopal
Commission on Culture.
Suicide is a sensitive
theme. It demands sincere
pastoral responses from
institutions, families and
individuals. It invites ev-
eryone to engage in loving
relationships and recognize
that it is only through love
that we can promote an
authentic culture of life,
Apostolic Nuncio to the
Philippines Archbishop
Giuseppe Pinto said.
The prevalence of sui-
cide cases in the country
prompts the Church to take
on a more active role in ad-
dressing this occurrence in
collaboration with families,
specialists, and media prac-
titioners, among others.
The 2-day conference, to
be held at the Santuario de
San Antonio Parish Hall,
Forbes Park, Makati City
from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
with the theme Preserv-
ing an Authentic Culture
of Life, will discuss the
current situation; care-
fronting suicide as a pas-
toral directive and aid;
and issues surrounding an
authentic culture of life.
Some of the speakers
include Fr. Dan Vicente
Cancino, Jr. MI, coordi-
nator of Episcopal Com-
mission on Health Care
programs, who will give
the talk Dialogue with
the Church on Suicide: A
Pastoral Aid; author and
inspirational speaker Ilsa
Reyes, who will talk about
Dialogue with the Family:
Healing the Family Tree;
and Fr. Norman Pena, SSP,
who will discuss Dia-
logue with Social Media:
Role of the Social Network
in Suicide.
Registration fee is PhP
1,000.00, inclusive of meals
and materials. Deadline for
registration is on August 30.
For more information,
interested parties may
contact 0928-771-1406 (Sr.
Ma. Anthony); 0915-684-
3877 (Michelle Punzalan);
(02) 527-1925 or email cbcp-
[email protected]. (CBCP
News)
Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Giuseppe Pinto (left). CBCP News
CBCP partners with DOH vs. killer virus
THE Catholic Bishops Conference of
the Philippines-Episcopal Commis-
sion on Health Care (CBCP-ECHC)
assures the public that the offce joins
the Department of Health (DOH) in
closely monitoring the impending
danger of Ebola virus, which had al-
ready killed hundreds in Africa and
might spark a probable worldwide
pandemic if left unchecked.
Fr. Dan Cancino, CBCP-ECHC
executive secretary, shared they
are confdent that DOH is taking
the necessary actions to ensure it
can handle a life-or-death situa-
tion in case the lethal virus enters
Philippine territory.
The priest said the facilities of
the Research Institute for Tropi-
cal Medicine (RITM), the hospital
specializing in diseases like the one
caused by Ebola, in Muntinlupa
City, must be prepared and kept
up-to-date.
According to Cancino, the most
the Filipino public can do at the
moment as a preventive measure
is to learn as much as they can on
the killer virus, especially the
symptoms associated with it, and
the places of outbreak, and to offer
prayers that will put a stop to the
onslaught.
The World Health Organiza-
tion (WHO) and the International
Health Emergency had earlier
raised the alarm on Ebola as it con-
tinues to be a serious health hazard,
particularly in African countries.
(Raymond A. Sebastin)
Glenda-hit families
to receive housing
materials
THE Diocese of Legaspi
said it will provide shelters
assistance to victims of ty-
phoon Glenda in Albay as
its effort has shifted from
relief assistance to recovery.
Fr. Rex Arjona, Social
Action Director, said that
shelter is emerging as a
key priority after typhoon
Glenda hundreds of homes
were damaged when ty-
phoon Glenda struck the
province last month.
He said the project is
particularly intended for
the poor typhoon victims
especially the farmers and
fshermen.
We already have tar-
get communities basically
those in the farming and
fshing communities where
the houses were really de-
stroyed by the typhoon,
Arjona said over Radio
Veritas on Monday.
Caritas Manila, the social
action arm of the Archdio-
cese of Manila, earlier gave
P2 million assistance for
the Legaspi dioceses relief
efforts for more than 8,000
families affected by the
typhoon.
We are preparing the
delivery of housing ma-
terials for families whose
houses were totally dam-
aged, he said.
The diocese also reiter-
ated its appeal for more
assistance to the areas af-
fected by Glenda, which
struck many areas in Lu-
zon. (CBCPNews)
Aug. 11, Cebu Archbishop
Jose Palma lamented that
despite the SC decision,
the proposed 2015 Gen-
eral Appropriations Act
reveals pork barrel inser-
tions.
This makes it clear that
those who beneft from the
present pork barrel system
will not let it go in practice,
Palma said.
It is in this context, ac-
cording to him, that he
supports the move of the
Peoples Initiative to Abol-
ish Pork Barrel (PIAP).
Since most legislators
are not willing to abolish all
pork barrel as a system, he
said the time has come to
use the remedy enshrined
in the 1987 Philippine Con-
stitution.
The sovereign people
themselves have the legal
and constitutional power
to craft a law that will truly
express the will of the peo-
ple, he said.
The pork barrel is a lump
sum amount given to any
branch or offce of govern-
ment, the specific use of
which is left to the discre-
tion of only one person and
his/her minions.
As a system, Palma said
it is open to corruption,
and misuse for political
patronage. The issue is
against the pork barrel as
a system, wherever and in
whatever form it might ex-
ist, he added.

5.4M signatures
Meanwhile, a Cebu-
based anti-pork coalition
is hopeful to gather the
needed signatures for a
peoples initiative to pass
a legislation that would to-
tally outlaw the pork barrel
system.
Msgr. Romulo Kintanar
of the Cebu Coal i ti on
Against the Pork Barrel
System said that they have
been working hard to get
the 5.4 million signatures
or the 10 percent of the total
voting population.
He said the support of
the bishops gave boost to
the campaign which also
seeks to prohibit and crimi-
nalize appropriation and
use of lump sum discretion-
ary funds and mandates
line item budgeting.
We are very hopeful
because we really rely so
much on the clout of the
bishops to facilitate the
organization of coalition in
the districts to be respon-
sible of the gathering of the
signatures, Kintanar said.
Actually the issue here
is not only getting the 10
percent as required by law,
but to see to it once the
peoples initiative is being
approved by the Commis-
sion on Elections, then it
will be approved by the
whole country with a ma-
jority vote, during the na-
tional referendum, he said.

Peoples Congress
On August 23, Cebu will
host a National Peoples
Congress that will ap-
prove the draft law.
Palma said it would then
be presented to the people
in Plaza Independencia for
the start of the national sig-
nature campaign, leading
to a referendum.
Asi de f rom Pal ma,
among those expected to
attend the event include
former Supreme Court
Chief Justice Reynato Puno.
This is a historic proj-
ect, he said. Once the
required votes are in, the
peoples initiative becomes
a law; not subject to veto by
the President.
My strong desire is
that the whole Archdio-
cese of Cebu becomes one
in supporting this advo-
cacy, which is also my own
personal advocacy, said
Palma.
Initiative / A1
Villegas said.
According to him, constitu-
tional amendments are justifed
only when they redound to the
beneft of the nation and address
long-festering problems arising
out of ambiguities in the Con-
stitution.
After years of rejecting Char-
ter change, President Benigno
Aquino III yesterday said he
is now open to the idea of ex-
tending his term and examin-
ing the power of the Supreme
Court.
The CBCP head said he is also
not convinced about curbing the
power of the High Court which
serves as the only recourse of
ordinary Filipinos against abuses
by those in power.
Against the heavy hand of the
State or transgressions of the
Constitution by politicians, judi-
cial review is the only recourse
of the hapless citizen, stressed
Villegas.
For his part, outspoken retired
Archbishop Oscar Cruz believes
that the sudden turn-around
of Aquinos stand on Charter
change is something suggested
by those who share his power
and blessings
I do not think that the Presi-
dent is totally responsible for
his option of a second term by
changing the Constitution, said
Cruz, archbishop emeritus of
Lingayen-Dagupan.
His bosses are those around
him. They are the ones control-
ling him, he said, adding that
Aquinos allies want another
term for him so they can con-
tinue their stay in their benefcial
offces.
Cruz, former CBCP president,
is among the signatories of the
first impeachment complaint
against Aquino.
The executive branch led by
Aquino has been at odds with
the SC because of decisions
that go head to head with the
pronouncements of the admin-
istration, as in the case of the
Disbursement Acceleration Pro-
gram (DAP).
Aquino, however, said he will
have to listen to his bosses (the
people) first if they still want
him to continue the supposed
reforms he started in the gov-
ernment.
Cruz warned the President of
his downfall if he continues to
pursue a second term.
I am of the conviction that as
of now, more and more people
will give poor ratings to the
president, more and more people
would like him to be out, and
more and more members of the
other political parties will work
harder for it, he said.
Other bishops
Asked of their opinion about
media reports of a possible
change in the constitution to re-
duce the judicial reach and pos-
sible term extension, the bishops
shared their views through text
messages.
Marbel Bishop Dinualdo Guti-
errez said theres no clamor in
South Cotabato and whatever
calls for constitutional change
and possible term extension
come from kapartido, kaklase,
kalaro, etc.
Calbayog Bishop Isabelo C.
Abarquez said when the issue
of constitutional change was frst
brought to President Aquinos
attention he said he is against it.
Why would he move for
Con-Con now that hes ending
his term? the bishop asked. He
said it would be better to wait
for a new president in 2016 if
our political leaders are really
serious on the issue.
Constitutional change should
be done not for personal or po-
litical interest but for the good of
the country and for the common
good, he concluded.
Jaro Archbishop and former
Catholic Bishops Conference of
the Philippines President (CBCP)
Angel N. Lagdameo said he does
not agree with charter change
especially with term exten-
sion of officials including the
president.
For Tagbilaran Bishop Leon-
ardo Medroso, the call for a con-
stitutional convention or special
assembly to change the countrys
charter just to accommodate an
agenda of one is an exorbitant
exercise.
Another bishop, Novaliches
Bisho Emeritus Teodoro Bacani,
Jr. said he feels sorry for Presi-
dent Aquino. He is hearing an
illusory clamor and shows his
term should not be extended,
he said.
Legazpi Bishop Emeritus Jose
Sorra said while he agrees to
changes in the countrys consti-
tution, he is against presidential
term extension.
Kalookan Bishop Emeritus
Deogracias Iniguez, Jr. said the
countrys Constitution may al-
ways be opened for amendments
but the motive for this par-
ticular move is questionable.
(CBCPNews / Melo M. Acuna)
Cha-cha / A1
A7 Vol. 18 No. 17
August 18 - 31, 2014
CBCP Monitor
Diocesan News
For example, when we express
our political opinions or views
related to anything social or
cultural or even religious, we
should try our best to be respect-
ful with one another.
Even in our sharpest dis-
agreements, we should see to
it that we remain courteous,
civil and friendly. We should
learn how to disagree agree-
ably, without poisoning the air
around and, much less, cutting
the bonds of friendship and
brotherhood.
To be avoided at all costs are
infammatory language, insults,
ad hominems, all kinds of falla-
cies, sarcasm, ironies, etc. These
do not advance our dialogues
and exchanges. Rather, they
hamper and undermine our
conversations.
We should see to it that we
have a good grip of our emotions,
our temper, our tongue, and
much more, our hand. Rather,
lets follow what St. Peter once
said:
If you are a speaker, speak in
words which seem to come from
Godso that in everything God
may receive the glory (1 Pt
4,10-11)
Candidly Speaking / A4
the Christian culture of the rest
of the country.
According to him, however,
a peace agreement between the
two parties may be imminent
but such a deal alone is not a
guarantee for achieving stability
in the region.
He reiterated that poverty and
injustice which include human
rights violations, corruption
and land conflict are the root
causes of confict in Mindanao
that must be addressed to attain
peace.
The root cause of the con-
fl i ct i s i nj usti ce, and after
studying Moro history I began
to believe they have lost their
own sovereignty, their own
identity as a distinct group
and because of that the gov-
ernment has neglected them
in terms of development,
Quevedo said.
The government and MILF
negotiators started a new round
of talks last week over the de-
layed fling of a measure that
would create a new Bangsamoro
political entity.
Observers feared of impasse in
the peace process as the two sides
continue to disagree on the provi-
sions of the proposed Bangsam-
oro Basic Law. (CBCPNews)
Mindanao / A1
environment for the benefit of
generations to come.
Bearing the theme Maging
Bayani! Mahalin, Ipagtanggol, at
Pagyamanin ang Sangnilikha!
this years Season of Creation
will be focusing on key ecologi-
cal issues faced by the country.
It will run for four consecutive
Sundays from September 1 to
October 5.
We would like to ask the
people to participate for their
(grandchildrens) sake, coor-
dinator of the Archdiocese of
Manila Ministry on Ecology Lou
Valencia Arsenio said during
the monthly Manila Archdioc-
esan General Pastoral Assembly
(MAGPAS) held at the St. Paul
University in Manila.
On September 1, a concel-
ebrated mass to will be offciated
by Manila Archbishop Luis An-
tonio Cardinal Tagle and other
bishops at the Baclaran Church
to formally open the event.
The launching will also fea-
ture exhibit booths showcasing
information materials on various
ecological issuessuch as the
Manila Bay Reclamation Proj-
ectas well as an essay writing
contest open to both elementary
and high school students.
If we love God, let us cooper-
ate with each other in making
this endeavor a success, since
we are also the ones who caused
the degeneration of our envi-
ronment, she said in Filipino.
(Jennifer Orillaza)
Manila / A1
Malnutrition in the Paradise of Palawan
PUERTO PRINCESA, Palawan
Meet the family of Digol and
Judylyn Alberto, members of the
Tagbanwang Puruanun indig-
enous community in Sitio Buyot,
Brgy. Decabobo, Coron, Palawan.
They look ordinary, average, yet
the specter of malnutrition is
constantly at their door.
They have been married for
fve years now and raising four
children, three boys and a girl-
-all through normal deliveries.
It is hard raising an indig-
enous family, shares Digol. But
we have our traditions and we
are happy following them all.
Malnutrition threat
However, according to the
Local Government Unit, these
traditions are the very reason
why Coron is now considered
the Palawan municipality with
the highest malnutrition preva-
lence rate (21.9%), according to
the 2013 national assessment of
the National Nutrition Council.
Municipal Information Offcer
Lyle Coronia said, All of the IP
kids in Coron are included in the
severely malnourished list of the
Municipal Nutrition Offce. He
added that the IP communities
greatly lack proper knowledge
and information on health and
nutrition, a fact they have pre-
sented during the Nutrition
Summit for Palawan munici-
palities held in frst quarter of
this year.
Dr. Allan Gintapan, the Mu-
nicipal Health Officer agreed,
saying, The IPs would rather go
fnd their next meal than attend
to our lectures.
Of the 6,550 children aged
0-6 years old, 1,118 (17.07%)
are considered underweight,
256 (3.90%) are severely un-
derweight and 60 (.92%) are
overweight.
Brgy. Malawig and Brgy. Tara
(with a local population of 100%
IPs) are with the hightest malnu-
trition prevalence rates, 33.85%
and 32.86% respectively. There
are six more IP communities in
the municipality facing the same
problem.
Though vaccination and
deworming activities are made
available in these areas, other
health services like pre-natal
and infant care succours are lack-
ing, Dr. Gintapan stressed. The
absence of these services from
the Local Government Unit add
to the concern.
Water, sanitation, hygiene
According to Gintapan, the
P100,000 budget for health
services were rechanneled to
personnel services instead.
Good that it was re-entered
for this years budget. However,
the fund wont be enough to pro-
vide other logistics like vitamins,
barangay health center facilities
and capable staff, he explained.
He also added that the LGU
should prioritize the setting-up
of sanitary toilets per households
in the identified communities
and the establishment of clean,
potable water systems.
Dr. Gintapan also pointed out
the need to increase the earning
capacity of each IP family.
They need to be educated
more than being told to plant
vegetables and eat protein-based
food. They need to earn properly
to provide properly for their
families, he said.
CBCP-NASSA through Cari-
tas Internationalis, would take
on these challenges through the
project REACH Philippines.
Utilizing the build back better
approach, the project seeks to
develop better livelihood op-
portunities for typhoon Yolanda
survivors, and to provide en-
hanced if not immediate access
to resilient houses, food security
and WASH (water, sanitation
and hygiene) facilities. The ini-
tiative also focuses on strength-
ening resilience and enhancing
participation and equity among
affected communities.
To these ends, the project aims
to beneft at least 17, 575 house-
holds or a total of 70,300 persons
selected through the conduct of
Participatory Disaster Risk As-
sessment (PDRA).
More than achieving all of the
project goals, REACH Philip-
pines would like to reduce the
number of children experiencing
the effects of poverty and poor
governance.
We know we have obli-
gations to our children and
we fulfill them to the best of
our abilities. Our government
also has its obligations to our
children. May they also fulfll
theirs, concluded the Tagbanwa
father, Digol Alberto. (Jing Rey
Henderson/CBCP-NASSA)
Some typhoon-damaged churches OK now
TACLOBAN CitySeveral parish churches
that were severely damaged by typhoon
Yolanda last year are now ready to offer
services again.
The people were really happy and
others became emotional that after some
months, their churches were rebuilt
again, Fr. Emerson Luego, Caritas Ma-
nila in-charge for Visayas and Mindanao
said.
According to him, repair on some 30
churches and chapels in Samar and Leyte
is now complete.
Work began early this year to restore at
least 38 damaged churches and chapels in
Samar and Leyte in a rehabilitation project
funded by the Caritas Manila.
Luego said the target is to fnish repair of
churches in the archdiocese of Palo and the
dioceses of Borongan and Calbayog before
November this year.
The funding for the project, he said,
came from the Bahay Pari Cooperative and
the P20 million proceeds from the Rise!
Rebuilding from the Ruins Concert held
last June.
Borongan Bishop Crispin Varquez earlier
lauded assistance and programs that would
help strengthen the faith of the typhoon
survivors. (CBCPNews)
Focus on Mindanao,
not on 2016 group
to Pnoy
QUEZON CityAdvocacy
group Promotion of Church
Peoples Response (PCPR) ex-
presses worry that many vital
issues and problems in Mind-
anao is being sidelined given
what it believes is the Aquino
administrations premature
obsession with the upcoming
2016 national elections.
This early, our govern-
ments attention is unfortu-
nately fxed on the elections
in 2016, PCPR Secretary
General Nardy Sabino said.
According to the group,
the government of President
Benigno S. Aquino III (PNoy)
must prioritize important
concerns like the one involv-
ing the Bangsamoro Juridi-
cal Entity.
Sabino laments that rep-
resentatives of the Philip-
pine government and Moro
Islamic Liberation Front
have yet to see eye to eye
regarding the decades-long
peace problem in the Muslim
south.
Sabino hopes the issue will
not reach a deadlock and
bring about a possible armed
confict while developments
are not forthcoming.
He expects both sides will
come to a resolution before
Aquinos term draws to a
close.
The logical consequence
of poverty and injustice is
war. As long as theres pov-
erty and injustice, there will
be war, Sabino explained.
He added that since he
wields most power, it is
incumbent upon the chief
executive to initiate lasting
reforms, which will fnally
root out the causes of armed
struggle in Mindanao. (Ray-
mond A. Sebastin)
After months of receiving the sacraments in rooess churches, the faithful now have 30 repaired churches and chapels in Samar and Leyte. CBCP News
Lipa prepares for natl Marian pilgrimage
LIPA CityWith the Blessed
Virgins birthday just a month
away, the Archdiocese of Lipa is
preparing a host of activities cul-
minating with the 11th National
Days of Prayer and Pilgrimage
to Lipa on September 12, 2014.
May I heartily invite all, es-
pecially promoters and devotees
of Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace,
to this occasion. Please invite
others too, and tell everyone. Let
us heed Marys call to prayer,
shared Lipa Archbishop Ramn
Argelles in his Facebook status
on July 22.
The Mediatrix of All Grace leads
the faithful in defending life,
Gods gift to us, Argelles said.
The prelate also promised that
these years festivities will be
more exhilarating.
According to Argelles, the
third Marian Regatta scheduled
on September 8 will take place at
Lake Taal if the weather permits.
But he explained that despite
the destruction of many boats by
typhoon Glenda, the fuvial pro-
cession of the Blessed Sacrament
and the two Batangas Marian im-
ages will take placewhatever
happensto beg God and
the Blessed Mother to possess
and fructify this beautiful and
historic lake.
According to Argelles, the
pilgrimage will start on Septem-
ber 7 at 5 a.m. with a motorcade
which will tour the image of Our
Lady, Mediatrix of All Grace
from the Mary, Mediatrix of All
Grace Parish Church, Antipolo
del Norte, Lipa City through the
towns of Padre Garcia, Rosario,
Devotees will again converge in Lipa, Batangas for the 11th National Days of Prayer and Pilgrimage to Lipa on September 12, 2014 in
honor of Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace. CBCP News
Human Rights Advocates, said.
According to him, as chief executive and
commanding chief of the Armed Forces,
president Aquino should be serious in
hunting down human rights violators so
that impunity can really be deleted [from]
our culture before he vacates Malacaang.
While praising authorities involved in the
nabbing of Palparan, he expressed reserva-
tion over ongoing military actions against
left-wing rebels.
I think it is a positive step, but at the same
time [there is] an overall balance in relation
to the human rights aspectWe are not mov-
ing or telling any shift at all in the so-called
center of human rights in the military or the
uniformed services, de Mesa added.
He also invited relatives and friends of
victims of torture and extrajudicial killings
allegedly masterminded by Palparan to come
out in the open and share what they know in
order to strengthen the case against the man
now known as Berdugo (The Butcher).
The Philippine Alliance of Human Rights
Advocates hopes there will be no room for
command conspiracy, or an institutional
cover-up, between high-ranking offcers of
the military, so that justice will take its course.
Palparan, who had gone into hiding in
2011, was captured Tuesday, August 12, by
members of the National Bureau of Investi-
gation (NBI) inside a rented room in Santa
Mesa, Manila. (Raymond A. Sebastin)
Taysan, and Batangas City to
join the other pilgrims coming
with the Image of Our Lady of
Caysasay from Labac, Taal, or
from the other parishes of the
Archdiocese of Lipa. Each parish
will take along a parish image of
Our Blessed Mother. Holy mass
will be celebrated at the Monte
Maria Dome, Pagkilatan, Batan-
gas City, at the place of Mary,
Mother of All Asia.
At 11:00 a.m., the motorcade
will head towards the Mountain
of Salvation, Batulao, Calaca,
Batangas. Procession and holy
mass will be offered in honor of
the Mother of Love, Peace and
Joy. After the Eucharist the im-
ages of Mary Mediatrix of All
Grace and Our Lady of Caysasay
will be brought by motorcade to
Talisay via Laurel.
According to Argelles,after
the 11:00 a.m. holy mass at San
Guillermo, Talisay, Batangas,
the two images will be brought
together for the festivities and
veneration until the morning of
September 10 at the San Padre
Pio Shrine, San Pedro, Santo
Toms, Batangas.
On September 10 the two
Batangas Marian images will be
ceremoniously taken to the Arch-
diocesan Shrine of Saint Joseph.
On September 11 the Marian
Days of Prayer will continue at
the San Sebastian Cathedral. On
September 12, the dawn proces-
sion will take the Blessed Sacra-
ment and the two Marian Images
from the Cathedral to the Church
of the Mediatrix of All Grace in
Antipolo del Norte. At 1:00 p.m.,
the Blessed Sacrament with the
two images will be transferred
in procession to the Carmel of
our Lady, Mary Mediatrix of All
Grace where more prayers and a
celebration of the Eucharist will
crown the festivities.
Fr. Shenan Boquet of Human
Life International (HLI) will
give his reflections on Mary
and Life on the Year of the La-
ity during the conferences in
the morning of September 9, 10,
and 11 to the priests, and again in
the afternoons to the public. On
September 11, Cebus Ricardo
Cardinal Vidal will preside over
the concluding holy mass at
3:30 p.m.
I hope all our Mediatrix
devotees and promoters will be
there to pray together and com-
mit ourselves still to the spread
of the devotion and to plead with
the Lord and the Holy Mother
to shower still on our country
the abundance of their heavenly
blessings, the prelate said.
For inquiries, call 043-7571534,
0906-4058545, 0927-9006468; or
email [email protected]
and [email protected].
(Raymond A. Sebastin)
Impunity / A1
Malnutrition threatens local communities like that of the Tagbanwang Puruanun people
in Palawan. CBCP-Nassa
Vol. 18 No. 17
August 18 - 31, 2014
CBCP Monitor
A8 People, Facts & Places
Laity invited to faith confab
HEEDING the Churchs call
for more lay involvement, a
secular institute chooses to be
brave, inviting the public to the
Catechetical Conference 2014
(CatCon 2014) to be held at St.
Dominic Hall, Santa Catalina
College, Legarda, Manila on
September 13 (Saturday).
The Catechetical Conference
2014 (CatCon 2014), which is
designed for the lay faithful, will
be held at the St. Dominic Hall,
Santa Catalina College, Legarda,
Manila on September 13 (Satur-
day). (Photo: CBCP News)
CatCon is a program which
aims to equip the lay faithful with
a more mature understanding
of the Catholic faith and a well-
balanced spirituality through
lifetime formation, shared Frater
Nestor Limqueco O.P., one of the
organizers of the event.
According to Limqueco there
is a need for the faithful to have
ongoing formation on matters
like doctrine, liturgy, ecclesi-
ology, biblical hermeneutics,
catechetics, morality, and other
theological disciplines.
Themed #BoomBanal, this
years CatCon seeks to respond
to a felt need for intensive and ex-
tensive formation of the lay faith-
ful in keeping with the Year of the
Laity, and the nine-year program
for the ffth centenary of Christian
presence in the Philippines.
Now on its fourth run, the an-
nual conference, a pet project of
the Company of Saint Dominic
(CSD), is geared towards lay
empowerment as envisioned by
the Catholic Bishops Conference
of the Philippines (CBCP) during
the 1992 Second Plenary Council
of the Philippines (PCP II), which
stresses the Universal Call To
Holiness, not only for the clergy
and religious, but also for the laity.
There is an urgent need for
CatCon because, as what Car-
dinal Tagle pointed out, there
are many practical atheists
in the Philippines today, and
most Filipinos who consider
themselves Catholic are only
nominally so, or what we call
KBL [Kasal, Binyag, at Libing]
Catholics. We at CSD should
take on this challenge of helping
out our priests in evangelizing
and catechizing these people,
Limqueco explained.
Quoting PCP II, Limqueco
stressed that while many Catho-
lic Filipinos are sacramental-
ized, only a handful are actually
evangelized.
CSD, an institute of conse-
crated seculars founded by the
late Fr. Pablo Fernandez O.P.,
has been canonically approved
and specially mandated by the
Archdiocese of Manila (RCAM)
to assist the clergy in their efforts
at renewed evangelization and
integral catechetical ministry.
According to Limqueco, par-
ticipants of CatCon will expect to
draw much spiritual enrichment
from the series of enlightening
talks prepared by renowned
experts in the felds of moral and
sacred theology, catechetics and
Thomistic philosophy, apologet-
ics and pastoral ministry.
Fr. Jos Antonio Aureada,
Dominican priest and educator,
and a respected authority on the
works of St. Thomas Aquinas,
will share his insights on lay
spirituality and its Biblical basis.
Msgr. Gerry O. Santos will
deliver a talk titled Baptism
and Confrmation: The Call to
Lay Missionary.
Lawyer Marwil N. Llasos, a
consecrated lay Dominican, is
set to enrich the participants
understanding of Christian vo-
cation and the Universal Call
to Holiness.
CatCon tickets are priced at
P150 for adults, and P50 for reli-
gious education students.
Registration starts at 7:30 a.m.
For inquiries, text or call: 0915-
5179-876 (Globe); 0939-4626-733
(Smart); 0922-3888-897 (Sun).
(Raymond A. Sebastin)
Jesuits to hold prayer-
concert for seminarians
IN a bid to raise funds for the
formation of future priests,
the Philippine province of the
Society of Jesus (S.J.), is set
to hold a benefit concert this
August titled Himig Heswita
Sings for San Jose, with the
special participation of Manila
Archbishop Lus Antonio G.
Cardinal Tagle.
Proceeds of the concert will go
to the San Jos Major Seminarys
endowment fund, and in sup-
porting its important work of
training and forming the young
priests who will eventually run
parishes and may someday
play key roles in the Philippine
Church.
For over 400 years, San Jos
Major Seminary has formed
hundreds of Filipino priests for
ministry in the dioceses all over
the Philippines.
This diocesan seminary aims
at forming men of virtue, learn-
ing, spirit, and serviceagents
of renewal of the Church and
society in the Philippines.
Some of the seminarys more
distinguished alumni include
Cardinal Tagle, Manila Bishop
Emeritus Gaudencio B. Car-
dinal Rosales, and Cotabato
Archbishop Orlando B. Cardinal
Quevedo.
The event, which is headed
b Jesuit composer Fr. Arnel
Aquino, will be held on August
23, Saturday, and on August 31,
Sunday, 7:00 p.m. at Leong Hall
inside the Ateneo de Manila
University campus, Katipunan
Avenue, Loyola Heights, Que-
zon City.
Tickets are priced at P5,000
and P3,000 and P1,000.
For ticket sale and reservation,
please contact the San Jos Fun-
draising Offce at 426-6091 (TL)
or +63 999 759-2465 (SMART) or
+63 927 715-2331 (GLOBE).
Interested parties may also
email sanjosedevelopmentof-
[email protected].
San Jose Major Seminary is in
need of fnancial help. (Raymond
A. Sebastin)
Free talk on exorcism back
on 2nd round
FILMS on exorcism are a sure-
fire hit. Not just in Hollywood,
but also among the faithful.
Due to insistent public demand,
a Catholic apologists group
reprised a talk on this most
controversial Catholic practice
on August 16, Saturday, 9:00
a.m. at the Santuario de San
Jos Parish, Buffalo corner
Duke Streets, East Greenhills,
Mandaluyong City.
Defensores Fidei Foundation
(DFF) organized an encore of the
talk Exorcism: Encounters with
the Paranormal and the Occult,
which was facilitated by no less
than Fr, Jos Francisco Jocis C.
Syqua, author of a bestselling
book series on exorcism, and
director of the Archdiocese of
Manilas Offce of Exorcism.
The recent success of Deliver
Us From Evil, and others before
it like The Exorcism of Emily
Rose and The Exorcistthe
one that started it allcan attest
to a deep-seated fascination with
the spirit world, which the DFF
hopes to educate with teachings
from the Catholic Church.
The talk enlightened partici-
pants on how exorcism is prac-
ticed in real life as opposed to
how it is depicted in flms and
on TV. (Raymond A. Sebastin)
Meet the Priests event honors Vianney
IN honor of the patron saint of priests, St.
John Mary Vianney, a seminary hosted a
Meet the Diocesan Priests (MDP) event
on August 5 where priests got the chance to
talk about their personal stories.
A yearly event organized by the Immacu-
late Conception Major Seminary (ICMAS),
the MDP is where seminarians hear invited
priests share about their own journey to the
priesthood.
Fr. Emmanuel Cruz, who thanked the in-
vited priests for their motivating words, said
St. John Mary Vianney revealed the secret to
the priestly life.
St. John Mary Vianneys holiness over-
fows until nowthe key to the holiness of
priests is Christ-centeredness, he said.
One of the invited priests, Fr. Cenon Den-
nis Santos, Parish Priest of San Ildefonso
Parish in San Ildefonso, Bulacan said priests
make Christ present. The Lord is pres-
ent through us and we are the presence of
Christ [in the Church], he said. He further
explained that the priests are tasked to build
the Church, the people of God.
In his opening words, Fr. Noel Jetajobe,
Chancellor of the Diocese of Cabanatuan and
Rector of Maria Assumpta Seminary quoted
St. Paul in his letter to the Corinthians say-
ing Think of us in this way, as servants of
Christ and stewards of Gods mysteries (1
Cor 4:1). He said that priesthood is instituted
by Christ for the Church.
The MDP was just one of the activities for
the week-long celebration themed Diocesan
Priests; Stewards and Servant Leaders of the
Church in honor of St. John Mary Vianney.
On August 4, the saints feast day, a con-
celebrated holy mass was presided over by
Msgr. Sabino Vengco for the ICMAS com-
munity. Msgr. Vengco, in his homily, told the
seminarians that priesthood entails reliance
on God.
From August 1 to 3, a triduum was
conducted in the seminary, including the
Prepadeutic Year, Philosophy and Theology
Departments. Activities included communal
prayers like the Liturgy of the Hours and the
Holy Eucharist. Sharing was also held dur-
ing the triduum wherein a seminarian was
tasked each day to share his thoughts and
experiences about the values of St. John Mary
Vianney, namely prayer, sacrifce and charity.
The relics of St. John Mary Vianney were
venerated after the holy mass. (ARCJ)
The Church celebrates the feast day of St. John Mary Vianney on August 4. CBCP News
Archbishop Legazpi dies at 78
FORMER Caceres Archbishop Leonardo
Z. Legaspi, one of the Dominican prelates,
passed away this morning, the Feast of St.
Dominic, after a long battle with cancer.
Nanding as referred to by his classmate
Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Emeritus
Oscar V. Cruz, died at the UST Hospital at
5:00 A.M. today at the age of 78.
He was born in Meycauayan, Bulacan on
November 25, 1935 and was ordained priest
of the Order of Friars Preachers on Devember
17,1960. He was later appointed Auxiliary
Bishop of Manila at age 41 on June 25, 1977
under Archbishop Jaime L. Cardinal Sin.
He was ordained to the episcopate on
August 8, 1977 by the Papal Nuncio to the
Philippine Archbishop Bruno Torpigliani
and Juan Velasco Diaz then Bishop of Xia-
men and Jesuit Bishop Federico Escaler, then
Bishop of Kidapawan.
Archbishop Legaspi was appointed Arch-
bishop of Caceres, then 47 years old, on
October 20, 1983 and retired on September
8, 2012 at age 76.
Archdiocese of Caceres Social Communi-
cations Director Fr. Louie Occiano, said the
late archbishop succumbed to lung cancer.
Known for his deep devotion to Our Lady
of Peafrancia, Bicolandias patroness, Arch-
bishop Legaspi spent hours before the miracu-
lous icon praying he survive the disease until
after the 300th anniversary celebration of the
devotion in September 2010. He was found to
be suffering from lung cancer in 2009.
Archbishop Legaspi was the frst Filipino
rector of the Pontifcal University of Santo
Tomas from 1971 to 1977.
Archbishop Cruz said the late Archbishop
Legazpi did his assignment and did it very
well indeed.
Novaliches Bishop Emeritus Teodoro
Bacani, Jr. described Archbishop Legaspi
as A giant among bishops a leader
with vision and integrity and with huge
achievements, especially initiating and
leading the Second Plenary Council of the
Philippines.
Jaro Archbishop Angel N. Lagdameo said it
was Archbishop Legaspi who led the country
to Church renewal as president of the Second
Plenary Council in 1991 when he served Presi-
dent of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the
Philippines from 1987 to 1991.
Fr. Benito Tuazon, Minister of the Arch-
diocese of Manilas Ecology Desk credits
the late Caceres prelate for his pastoral letter
entitled What is Happening to Our Beauti-
ful Land? in 1988.
His remains lie in state at the Chapel of
the University of Santo. Tomas in Manila
from today to Monday, August 11 and at the
Basilica of Our Lady of Peafrancia in Naga
City from Monday, August 11 to Wednesday,
August 13,2014.
He will be interred at the Santuario de
Santo Domingo after the 2:00 P.M. Funeral
Mass at the Sto. Domingo Church in Quezon
City in time for the Solemnity of the Assump-
tion of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Memorial contributions may be made to
The Fund for Retired and Sick priests during
the funeral wake in Naga City or The Fund for
the Educational Assistance of the Seminarians
of the Dominican Province of the Philippines
for the duration of the funeral wake in Manila.
In a statement released today, Caceres
Archbishop Rolando J. Tria-Tirona, OCD,
and the Brothers of the Dominican Province
of the Philippines, his family and friends
request the pious readers to pray for his
eternal rest. (Melo M. Acuna)
Manila Archbishop Emeritus Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales presides over the funeral mass for the late Caceres Archbishop Leonardo Z. Legaspi, OP at the Santo Domingo Church
in Quezon City. Over 20 bishops and a hundred priests concelebrated with the Cardinal Rosales. Melo M. Acua
Event to discuss womens
take on PH families
TAKING on Pope Francis chal-
lenge to broaden the oppor-
tunities for a stronger presence
of women in the Church, the
Loyola Schools Department of
Theology invites everyone to
A Symposium on the Filipino
Family: Catholic and Womens
Perspectives on September
13, Saturday, at the Leong Hall
Auditorium, Ateneo de Manila
University, from 8 a.m.to 12 p.m.
The symposium aims to study
and refect on the situation of
women, allowing them to voice
out their perspectives on many
issues affecting society today.
One topic the department
fnds most relevant to Filipino
women concerns the family.
Here, the new trends and
experiences of Filipino families
living in a setting where the rule
of a father fgure is hardly artic-
ulated are to be discussed from
various angles and disciplines.
This interdisciplinary ap-
proach will be employed in order
to bridge the gaps and intensify
present connections between
religious beliefs and the wealth
of knowledge from culture, the
secular arts, and sciences.
Results from the survey on
families gathered among local
churches in preparation for the
Synod on the Family in 2014
and 2015 are now being collated,
and is expected to provide some
insights on how Catholics can
respond to the challenge of Pope
Francis.
The talks are as follows:
The Catholic Church in the
Philippines: Some Perspectives on
Gender and Public Policy on the
Family by Eleanor R. Dionisio
Women, Family and the
Church in a Changing Society:
An Introduction to the Socio-
Cultural Issues by Mary Race-
lis, Ph.D
Gender and Family Dy-
namics: Building Climate Resil-
ience Among the Urban Poor
by Emma E. Porio, Ph.D
Gender Roles in the Con-
text of Feminization of Migra-
tion: Challenge to Papal Teach-
ings? by Agnes M. Brazal, Ph.D
Reactor: Fr. Ruben Tanseco, SJ
For those interested to register,
visit (bit.ly/familysymposium);
for inquiries, email spuen@at-
eneo.edu, visit the
LS Theology Department, 3/f
Dela Costa Building Ateneo de
Manila University or call (02) 426-
6001 loc. 5370 / theology.soh@at-
eneo.edu (Raymond A. Sebastin)
B1
Vol. 18 No. 17
August 18 - 31, 2014
CBCP Monitor
Ebola / B2
Pastoral Concerns
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By Bro. Tagoy Jakosalem,
OAR
THEY have chosen the path to
serve the people of Sierra Leone in
the face of the harrowing outbreak
of Ebola virus. The four (4) Filipino
missionaries are: Br. Jonathan
Jamero, OAR; Fr. Roy Baluarte,
OAR; Fr. Russell Lapidez, OAR
and Fr. Dennis Castillo, OAR;
they are accompanied by two
other Spanish missionaries: Fr.
Jose Luis Garayoa, OAR & Fr.
Rene Gonzales.
Mission beginnings
The Order of Augustinian
Recollects or Recoletos started
their missionary activity in Sierra
Leone, West Africa in the year
1997; administering the Our Lady
of Sierra Leone Parish in Kamabai,
Biriwa Chiefdom. Due to the civil
war, the missionaries suffered
the effects of the confict; after
defending and accompanying the
fock they were compelled to leave
Sierra Leone. After peace has been
restored in the country, the second
batch of Recoletos missionaries
returned in the year 2004.
There are about sixty small
Christian communities under
the communitys mission. The
Diocese of Makeni entrusted to the
missionaries the administration
of the thirty-three (33) primary
schools. Besides the work of
evangelization, the missionaries
are also engaged in charitable
works such as, medical help,
installation of water-wells in
remote villages, and other
humanitarian services to the
people who are in need.
Im proud of the brothers who
are brave enough on deciding
to stay amidst the danger, let us
support them with our prayers,
said Fr. Edgar Tubio, OAR, prior
of the mission, who got back to
the Philippines for vacation few
months before the Ebola outbreak.
Let us continue to intensify
our support to the Recoletos
missionaries who are working
with the Sierra Leonean people.
Lately, the missionaries created
preventive measures to contain
the outbreak, devising practical
strategies to quarantine affected
areas, and providing water-
cleanser in the chapels and
convent compound.
Decision to stay
Few days ago, after conferring
to each other we, the Augustinian
Recollect missionaries have
decided to remain steadfast to the
mission entrusted to us. We are
all afraid but we choose to be with
our people to continue to give
hope to them especially during
this time of diffculties. Preaching
the Gospel and at the same time
sensitizing the people about the
Ebola virus gives new meaning to
our work of evangelization. May
God protect us from Ebola virus
said Fr. Russel Lapidez, OAR.
The work of the Recoletos
missionaries in the Diocese
of Makeni mostly involved
in education and community
organizing, fomenting a holistic
development of faith-experience.
Actively engaging the people and
being part of the local community.
Fr. Lauro V. Larlar, OAR, the
Prior Provincial of the Province
of St. Ezekiel Moreno, in whose
jurisdiction the Sierra Leone
mission belongs, reiterated May
we ask the Augustinian Recollect
family and our people to please
offer prayers and sacrifces for the
people in West Africa, especially
to our missionaries stationed in
Sierra Leone, who are now in a
frightening situation due to the
deadliest Ebola virus outbreak.
Together we humbly beg the
help of Gods grace and mercy to
protect them from all harm and
allowing them to see His beam of
light in the midst of this darkness.
For this and in solidarity with our
suffering brothers and sisters,
may we ask you dear people of
God to pray with us that the good
Lord be their comfort and strength
in this time of uncertainty.
First hand experience, evaluating
realities
Fr. Lapidez provided this
reality-check experience in
his communication to fellow
Recoletos: It was early April
when I heard the Ebola outbreak
for the frst time, and from that
time on I tried to follow the
issue, since we are not really
far from Guinea, and my fear at
that time that the EVD will enter
Sierra Leone is now a reality.
Based on the testimonies of those
who were directly involved in
handling the cases and other
sources of information, these
are the contributing factors that
led to the rapid wide spread of
the Ebola Virus disease in Sierra
Leone in the span of six months.
First is the delayed imposition
of the government for stricter
movement of the people in the
borders of Sierra Leone after the
frst case of Ebola contagion in
neighboring countries (Guinea
and Liberia) erupted.
Second is the ignorance
and incredulity of some people
regarding the reality and dangers
of Ebola virus. There are those in
the villages whom we have tried
to sensitize about the existence
of EVD and warned not to eat
monkeys or bush meat that could
possibly be infected by the EVD
but they just shrug us off for
a simple reason that, from the
time of their ancestors up to this
moment they have been eating
monkeys and bush meats, and
so far they have not yet been
infected by the Ebola virus. It was
only when Doctor Sheik Umar
Khan, the only virologist in Sierra
Leone and the head of the task
force fghting EVD outbreak, got
infected of the virus and later on
died, that the people begun to
realize that Ebola virus is really
real and deadly.
Third is the traditional
washing or ritual cleansing of
the dead bodies which is usually
done in the house. The immediate
family members are the most
susceptible in contracting the
EVD. Just like the sixteen year
old boy who took care of his sick
mother and afterward died with
Ebola virus. Consequently, the
boy got infected also and later on
died as well.
Fourth is the poor health
facilities and shortage of trained
personnel that are capable of
handling Ebola infected patients.
In fact, three medical doctors and
over 20 nurses who took care
of the patients also got infected
and died. This terrible situation
stimulated some of the medical
staffs to abandon their work as
a protest to the government for
neglecting them in spite of their
sacrifces and putting their lives
in danger.
Fifth, the contributing factor is
the stigma of being infected by the
virus or just being suspected which
compelled the victims not to go to
the hospital or to seek any medical
help. As an alternative, the Ebola
virus carriers look for traditional
healers and consequently transmit
the disease to them. The stigma
also affects the family members,
like what happened to a woman
who was admitted to a hospital
in Freetown and been confrmed
positive of Ebola virus. The family
members tried to use force to
Four Filipino missionaries
brave outbreak of
Ebola virus in West Africa
Filipino missionary Fr. Russel Lapidez, OAR gathers the local kids for football matches.
Before long, the children of Sierra Leone have warmed up to Br. Jonathan Jamero, OAR shown here
at the mission convent.
Fr. Russel Lapidez, OAR takes time to check out the progress of construction on a clay chapel with
the builders in the Sierra Leone mission.
B2 Vol. 18 No. 17
August 18 - 31, 2014
CBCP Monitor
Updates
A second look at alienation of Church
property (Part II)
By Fr. Jaime B. Achacoso, J.C.D.
A QUESTION arose recently in one
of the Philippine dioceses, regarding
the projected sale of a piece of land,
to be effected under the authority of
the Apostolic Administrator, since the
diocese was in a state of sede vacante.
The sale was going to be to the tune of
PHP25 million, and was going to be used
for a resettlement project for displaced
informal settlers. The matter was
referred to the Episcopal Commission on
Canon Law as to its legality according
to Church Law.
As previously stated in Part I of this
article, there are two issues at stake here:
(1) the competent authority for alienation
of ecclesiastical goods, and (2) the limit
amounts for which such competence
applies.
Competent Authority for Granting
Permission to Alienate Ecclesiastical
Goods
By way of review of what had been
discussed regarding the frst issue, we
can note that the pertinent provisions
of the Universal Law for the alienation
of Church property are contained in
cc.1291, 1292, 1-2, 1293 of the Code;
c.1296 contains the provision for redress
of a possibly unlawful alienation. In
general, the Diocesan Bishop is the
competent authority for granting
permission to alienate ecclesiastical
goods, within the value limits set forth
by the episcopal conference.
Is the Apostolic Administrator
equivalent to the Diocesan Bishop? Part
I of this article concluded that because
he is just governing in a provisional or
temporary manner, the power of an
Administrator will naturally have its
limits. As c.427, 1 states, the over-all
power of an Administrator of a diocese
is equivalent to the power of a diocesan
Bishop. However, the canon also clearly
states that this power has limits as there
are matters, which are excepted by
their nature or by the law itself. All
of these are resumed in the general
principle of sede vacante, nihil innovetur
(When a see is vacant, nothing is to
be altered) as enunciated in c.428, 1.
Canon Law doctrine states that the
underlying reason and sense of c.428 is
that because of the provisional nature of
the Administrator, he is to take care that
the status quo of the diocese is preserved
or, that no big innovation is done; in fact,
nothing should be removed, destroyed
nor any document changed by him or by
others, which can be prejudicial either to
the diocese itself or to the rights of the
diocesan Bishop. This is the reason why
the Code takes pain in listing in some
canons the acts the Administrator can
either do, or not do, or do only after at
least a year of governance.
The Question of nihil innovetur
An interesting question arose after
the publication of Part I of this article:
What if an act of alienation was
decided in principle by the diocesan
bishope.g., through an MOA between
the diocese selling a piece of property
and a prospective buyerbut could
not be completed in his lifetime, and
subsequently is going to be completed
or executed only after his demise? Could
the diocesan Administrator give the
permission, after satisfying all other
requirement of Canon Law?
Since the execution of an MOA or
even just part of ite.g., the sale of a
diocesan property for a given amount,
but to a different buyerdoes not really
constitute a substantial change in the
state of the diocese under the authority of
the last diocesan bishop, it is my opinion
that it does not violate the principle of
sede vacante, nihil innovetur. In fact, it is
just upholding that principle, making
sure that the state of the diocese, as willed
by the previous bishop, is effectively
upheld.
The Limit Amounts for the Valid
Alienation of Ecclesiastical Property
Let us now tackle the second issue.
The ecclesiastical authority competent
to grant permission for the alienation of
ecclesiastical property is a function of the
value of the said property, as outlined in
the frst two sections of c.1292 as follows:
1. With due regard for the prescription
of c.638, 3 (case for Institutes of Consecrated
Life), when the value of the goods whose
alienation is proposed is within the
range of the minimum and maximum
amounts which are determined by the
Conference of Bishops for its region, the
competent authority is determined in the
groups own statutes when it is a question
of juridic persons who are not subject to the
diocesan bishop; otherwise, the competent
authority is the diocesan bishop with the
consent of the fnance council, the college
of consultors and the parties concerned.
The diocesan bishop also needs their consent
to alienate the goods of the diocese.
2. The permission of the Holy See is
also required for valid alienation when
it is a case of goods whose value exceeds
the maximum amount, goods donated to
the Church through a vow, or goods which
are especially valuable due to their artistic
or historical value.
Cutting through the legal jargon,
what Canon Law establishes is that
permission is required for the valid
alienation of Church property if the
value of such property falls below,
within or above a certain range to be
determined by the Episcopal Conference
(and approved by the Holy See). For
the Philippines, the CBCP had set the
following norms in 1985:
1
1) The permission of the diocesan
bishop, acting with the consent of the
fnance council, the board of consultors
and interested parties, is needed
whenever the values of the goods to
be alienated is between the minimum
US $20,000 or its peso equivalent and
the maximum US $100,000 or its peso
equivalent.
2) If the value of the goods is between
US $10,000 and US $20,000 or its peso
equivalent, the diocesan bishop should
hear the fnance council and the board
of consultors for a valid transaction.
3) The permission of the Apostolic
See is required for validity:
a) whenever the value of the
transaction exceeds the maximum set by
the episcopal conference for the region,
i.e., US $100,000;
b) if it is a case of alienation of
something given to the church by a
reason of a vow, or objects which are
precious by reason of their artistic or
historical signifcance (c.1292, 1),
regardless of their monetary value.
Most recently, to factor in the rate
of inflation since the aforementioned
value limits were determined in 1984,
the CBCPwith the recongitio of the
Holy Seeadjusted the maximum
limit for valid alienation of Church
property to five hundred thousand U.S.
dollars ($500,000) which is equivalent
to PHP 22,000,000 if we price the dollar
at P44.00.
These values do not apply to
alienation cases of religious institutes,
for which the maximum amount is fxed
by the Apostolic See for each region.
For the validity of an alienation which
value is below the maximum set by the
Apostolic See, the written permission
of the competent superior is required,
which can only be given with the consent
of the respective council (c. 638,3).
Invalid Alienation and Possible
Action
In all the above casesi.e., when it
is a case of alienating goods belonging
to the stable patrimony of the public
juridic person by lawful assignment,
and when the value of the goods is
greater than the lawfully established
value, the permission to be granted by
the competent authority is expressly
required for the act of alienation to
be valid. Therefore, if alienation were
completed without permission, the
transaction would be invalid and null
as a matter of law (c. 10).
In addition, c.1377 provides for
imposing a just penalty upon any person
responsible for alienation without the
required permission. That person would
normally be the Administrator, but in
cases where the permission required
exceeds the authority of the Local
Ordinaryi.e., permission required is
from the Holy Seeit could happen
that even the diocesan Bishop could be
the one charged.
Quid ad casum?
Based on the foregoing discussion and
in line with what had already been stated
in Part I of this article, it is my opinion
that the Apostolic Administrator should
not proceed with the projected sale of
diocesan land, unless:
(1) such a sale is just an executionin
substanceof what had already been
determined by the last diocesan bishop
before the state of sede vacante;
the amount does not exceed the limit
set by the CBCP and recognized by the
Holy (2) Seei.e., USD500,000 or its
PHP equivalent. Since the amount
mentioned in the case is only PHP
3,000,000 above the limit value (13.6%),
it might even be renegotiated so that the
effective sale could be PHP 22,000,000
and the remaining amount could be a
donation by the buyer; or the buyer could
shoulder all the incidental expenses of
the sale (legal fees, state taxes, etc.). In
other words, for as long as the effective
sale price is not above PHP 22,000,000
the sale could proceed without requiring
permission from the Holy See.
Nevertheless, if there is no urgency
involved, perhaps the full letter of
Canon Law can just be observed and
the requisite permission from the Holy
See secured.
Footnote:
1
Ref. CBCP, Complementary Norms of the Code
of Canon Law, given the RECOGNITIO by the
Sacred Congregation for Bishops (Decretum,
Prot. n.35/84, 27.IX.1985).
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remove the woman out of the
hospital. The condition got worse
after another frightful situation
happened in the Ebola treatment
Centre at Kenema, when a group
of people staged riot outside the
facility which was instigated by
a woman who broadcasted that
Ebola does not exist at all, and the
center is just a front of the medical
practitioners to make money by
harvesting organs and extracting
blood from the patients. Refecting
on the fow of events I surmised
that the utmost contributors
to the outbreak are the people
themselves.
Continuing heroism
The Fi l i pi no Recol et os
missionaries dedication to
mission is a continuing heroic
legacy especially in Sierra Leone,
in Africa. During the civil war
in the 1990s, three Missionaries
opted to stay with the people;
heroically defending women &
children at gunpoint. Fr. Raul
Buhay, OAR, Fr. Manny Lipardo,
OAR & Fr. Jose Luis Garayoa,
OAR together with the people
walked across miles and months
evading armed rebels and the
danger of execution, and being
able to survive and being freed.
The mark of the Recoletos
mission is: bringing the experience
of Christs love in the community.
In the name of the Recoletos
missionaries, Fr. Lapidez said
I reiterated the stand of the
Augustinian Recollects that we
are staying and we will continue
the mission entrusted to us by the
Church. And since we decided to
stay with the people whom we
are serving, we are then bound
to take part in the government
effort of informing the people of
the reality and the threat of Ebola
virus, as well as, how to protect
themselves from contracting it.
(Father Edward McNamara,
professor of liturgy and dean
of theology at the Regina
Apost ol orum uni versi t y,
answers the following query:)
Q: Is it permissible to omit
the Prayer of the Faithful at
a daily Mass or funeral? It
is permissible to have the
kiss of peace just before
the offertory? -- J.R., San
Antonio, Texas
A: In reintroducing the
Universal Prayer to the
liturgy in 1963 the Second
Vatican Council stated the
following in Sacrosanctum
Concilium, No. 53:
Especially on Sundays
and feasts of obligation
there is to be restored, after
the Gospel and the homily,
the common prayer or
the prayer of the faithful.
By this prayer, in which
the people are to take part,
intercession will be made
for holy Church, for the
civil authorities, for those
oppressed by various needs,
for all mankind, and for
the salvation of the entire
world.
Two years later, in 1965,
the Holy See was asked
this question: Whether
in Masses celebrated with
the people, the prayer of
the faithful is obligatory on
ferial days?
The response i n the
Vaticans typical laconic
style was: It does not oblige
on ferial days. It later
Ebola / B1
Prayer of the Faithful; Kiss of Peace
confirmed and amplified its
response in other documents,
wi t h s pe c i f i c r e f e r e nc e
to Sacrosanctum Concilium.
Therefore, although the
Prayer of the Faithful may be
profitably used on a daily basis,
it is obligatory only on Sundays
and holy days of obligation.
It is noteworthy, however,
that the most recent documents
do not make this distinction
between festivities and ferial
days but simply describe the
structure of the prayer. This
allows for their use on all
suitable occasions without
mandating an obligation.
Thus the General Instruction
of the Roman Missal (GIRM)
says:
69. In the Prayer of the
Faithful, the people respond in a
certain way to the word of God
which they have welcomed in
faith and, exercising the office
of their baptismal priesthood,
offer prayers to God for the
salvation of all. It is fitting that
such a prayer be included, as a
rule, in Masses celebrated with
a congregation, so that petitions
will be offered for the holy
Church, for civil authorities,
for those weighed down by
various needs, for all men and
women, and for the salvation
of the whole world.
70. As a rule, the series
of intentions is to be: a. For
the needs of the Church; b.
For public authorities and the
salvation of the whole world;
c. For those burdened by any
kind of difficulty; d. For the
local community. Nevertheless,
in a particular celebration, such
as Confirmation, Marriage, or a
Funeral, the series of intentions
may reflect more closely the
particular occasion.
71. It is for the priest
celebrant to direct this prayer
from the chair. He himself begins
it with a brief introduction, by
which he invites the faithful to
pray, and likewise he concludes
it with a prayer. The intentions
announced should be sober, be
composed freely but prudently,
and be succinct, and they
should express the prayer of
the entire community. The
intentions are announced from
the ambo or from another
suitable place, by the deacon
or by a cantor, a lector, or
one of the lay faithful. The
people, however, stand and
give expression to their prayer
either by an invocation said
together after each intention
or by praying in silence.
With respect to Masses for
the dead the GIRM says:
385. I n t he arrangi ng
and choosing of the variable
parts of the Mass for the
Dead, especially the Funeral
Mass (e.g., orations, readings,
Prayer of the Faithful), pastoral
considerations bearing upon
the deceased, the family, and
those attending should rightly
be taken into account.
This would mean that, while
the Prayer of the Faithful may be
licitly omitted at the funeral, it
is important to give full weight
to the pastoral needs of the
bereaved before deciding to do
so.
Wi t h r e ga r ds t o t he
s e c o n d q u e s t i o n , t h e
i ns t r uct i on Re de mpt i oni s
Sacramentum, No. 71, avers:
The practice of the Roman
Ri t e i s t o be mai nt ai ned
according to which the peace
is extended shortly before Holy
Communion. For according
to the tradition of the Roman
Rite, this practice does not
have the connotation either of
reconciliation or of a remission
of sins, but instead signifies
peace, communion and charity
before the reception of the Most
Holy Eucharist. It is rather the
Penitential Act to be carried
out at the beginning of Mass
(especially in its first form)
which has the character of
reconciliation among brothers
and sisters.
Even after this document,
and especially during the 2005
synod on the Eucharist, the
possibility of moving the sign
of peace was hotly debated.
At the end the bishops simply
asked for further study.
From what I have been able
to glean, an in-depth study
was carri ed out but wi th
inconclusive results. In general,
liturgical experts opposed
changing the position, and the
world bishops were divided.
So far no official decision has
been taken.
The principal difficulty with
respect to this proposed change,
at least as I see it, is underlined
in Redemptionis Sacramentum.
To change the position to the
offertory would entail a change
the meaning of the rite itself,
away from the peace that
comes to us from Christ
upon the altar, toward one of
reconciliation or remission of
sins.
However, if this were
done, what sense would
there be in making an act
of reconci l i ati on at the
beginning of Mass? Should
we not be reconciled with our
brothers in order to partake of
the table of the Word as well
as the table of the Eucharist?
It is true that some Eastern
liturgies do have the rite of
peace in the context of the
offertory. But in these rites the
bread and wine have already
been solemnly prepared
before the celebration, so
that the meaning of sharing
Christs peace is similar to
that of the Roman rite.
The venerable Ambrosian
rite used in the Archdiocese of
Milan also has the exchange
of peace at the offertory, but
this is a relative novelty even
for this rite.
Some Catholic groups have
also received permission for
this change from the Holy
See within the context of a
particular spiritual journey
that does not necessarily
apply to everybody.
Therefore, in conclusion,
except in those cases where
the Holy See has granted a
specific dispensation, it is not
permitted to change the place
of the exchange of peace.
It is always permitted to
omit it as it is an optional and
not an obligatory rite.
B3 Vol. 18 No. 17
August 18 - 31, 2014
CBCP Monitor
Statements
RIGHTLY appalled by what they take to be
the unjust use of public funds through the
pork-barrel system, some citizens have
taken the step the Constitution allows
of legislating anti-pork-barrel measures
through peoples initiative.
All measures our citizens take, provided
these are moral, peaceful and lawful, aimed
at curbing corruption and the irresponsible
use of public funds have our full support.
In fact, many of the members of our clergy
and our lay leaders are at the forefront of
these initiatives.
Since it seems that despite the wide-spread
perception that pork-barrel funds have
occasioned unconscionable irresponsibility
on the part of those who had access to them
and a defnitive ruling by the Supreme Court
that such funds are unconstitutional, we have
been informed of attempts to perpetuate the
system through the appropriation of lump
sums in the national budget under various
pretexts.
We therefore fully endorse the peoples
initiative aimed at legislating the proscription
of funds made available to offcials and
subject to their discretion alone. We likewise
look with displeasure at the practice of
classifying as intelligence fundsand
therefore beyond the scope of audit and
accountabilitysizable amounts of public
money.
You cannot serve both God and money.
We choose to serve God and we cannot
countenance the idolization of money,
especially when it takes the form of
unfettered access to the money of the people.
+ SOCRATES VILLEGAS
Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan
President, CBCP
August 8, 2014
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The CBCP President on the
Judiciary Development Fund
IN The Compendium of the
Social Doctrine of the Church
(Pontifcal Council for Justice and
Peace), we are taught: In a State
ruled by law the power to infict
punishment is correctly entrusted
to the courts. In defning the
proper relationships between the
legislative, executive and judicial
powers, the Constitutions of
modern States guarantee the
judicial power the necessary
independence in the realm of
law. (n. 402) The Compendium
here was citing an allocution of
St. John Paul II to Italian judges.
For the judiciary to be fair, it
must be free, and it cannot be free
if its members are harassed by
threats and intimidation and if
those who serve on the Bench and
as personnel of the court must be
in constant dread of a diminution
in benefts and privileges.
This is exactly the situation
that seems to be dawning on
the judiciary in the Philippines.
Of late, we have been troubled
by threats levelled particularly
against members of the Supreme
Court for what some legislators
perceive to be the refusal of the
Chief Justice to heed a summons
by Congress to appear, and for the
supposed misuse of the Judiciary
Development Fund created by
Presidential Decree No. 1949.
Respect the Judiciary
We urge respect for the
Judiciary, precisely because
it does not have the means to
defend itself. We urge it also
for the sake of the nation that
must always hold its judiciary
in highest regard and esteem.
The courtesies that are due
the heads of the governments
coordinate branches should, at
all times, be maintained and the
independence of the judiciary,
preserved. This is not only the
letter of the Constitution. It
is its spirit as well. It is also a
moral requirement, for judging,
which is the principal concern
of the courts, is the moral act of
distributive justice: allocating
rights and obligations.
Independence of the Judiciary
An independent judiciary is
the key safeguard of peoples
rights against the heavy hand
of the State and the caprice of
offcials and private individuals.
It is this protective institution
that is assailed when justices and
judges are needlessly threatened
with removal from offce when
politicians are displeased by
their decisions or the considered
positions they take!
Accountability to Constitutional
Bodies
The Judiciary Development
Fund, generated from docket
fees and other sources, has, by
law, been placed within the
administrative control of the
Chief Justice. Let it be so. This
is not to say that the Fund can
be used in whatever manner
the Chief Justice or the Supreme
Court may be pleased to use it.
The Constitution has so wisely
provided for a system by which
all government offices, the
judiciary included, are subject
to audit. But we consider it
repugnant to the very idea of
the autonomy that the judiciary
should enjoy for the Chief Justice
to be asked to account to a
congressional committee for the
use of the funds. Yes, the Chief
Justice owes it to the people to
give an accounting of the use of
the funds, but through the offce
tasked by the Constitution to
conduct such an audit.
We stand with the judiciary
in its struggle to maintain its
independence.
We stand with our Legislators
insofar as they endeavor to
revisit the expenditure of public
funds and as they take the
moral high-ground of setting
aside self-interest by rejecting
any scheme or devi ce by
which they gain access once
more to funds in ways already
held in contravention of the
Fundamental Law of the land.
+ SOCRATES VILLEGAS
Archbi shop of Li ngayen-
Dagupan
President, CBCP
August 9, 2014
Day of prayer for
peace in Iraq
THIS Monday August 18, 2014 at the conclusion
of his apostolic visit to Korea, Pope Francis will
preside at Mass at the Myeong Dong Cathedral
for Peace and Reconciliation. In recent days, we
have been made aware of the perilous and life
threatening situation that our Christian brethren
in northern Iraq are going through.
At the Angelus prayer on
July 20th, Pope Francis cried
with pain: Our brothers and
sisters are persecuted, they
are pushed out, forced to
leave their homes without the
opportunity to take anything
with them. To these families
and to these people I would
like to express my closeness
and my steadfast prayer.
Dearest brothers and sisters so
persecuted, I know how much
you suffer; I know that you are
deprived of everything. I am
with you in your faith in Him
who conquered evil!
The Pope also appeals to the
conscience of all people, and
to each and every believer he
repeats: May the God of peace
create in all an authentic desire
for dialogue and reconciliation.
Violence is not conquered with
violence. Violence is conquered
with peace! Let us pray in silence,
asking for peace; everyone, in
silence . Mary Queen of peace,
pray for us!
Theref ore as a gest ure
of spiritual unity with our
persecuted brethren in northern
Iraq and in response to the call
of the Holy Father that all the
faithful in the whole Church
raise a voice of ceaseless prayer
for the restoration of peace, I
request my brother archbishops
and bishops in the Philippines to
offer all our Masses on August
18 as Votive Mass for Peace
and Reconciliation in Iraq. It
is humbly requested that the
archbishops and bishops also
disseminate this information to
all the priests and mandate the
priests to offer the same prayers
in all their Masses on August 18.
It would be opportune for
our school children to be asked
to pray the rosary in school
on August 18 for the healing
of Iraq. Let us be united with
Pope Francis in this quest for
peace.
Let there be peace!
From the Catholic Bishops
Conference of the Philippines,
Manila, August 12, 2014
+SOCRATES B. VILLEGAS
Archbishop of Lingayen Dagupan
CBCP President
Statement of the Director of the
Press Offce on behalf of the
Holy Father
THE Holy Father is following with deep concern the dramatic news
reports coming from Northern Iraq, which involve defenseless
populations. Christian communities are particularly affected; a
people feeing from their villages because of the violence that rages
in these days, wreaking havoc on the entire region.
At the Angelus prayer on July 20th, Pope Francis cried with pain:
[O]ur brothers and sisters are persecuted, they are pushed out, forced
to leave their homes without the opportunity to take anything with
them. To these families and to these people I would like to express
my closeness and my steadfast prayer. Dearest brothers and sisters so
persecuted, I know how much you suffer, I know that you are deprived
of everything. I am with you in your faith in Him who conquered evil!.
In light of these terrible developments, the Holy Father renews
his spiritual closeness to all those who are suffering through this
painful trial, and makes the impassioned appeals of the local bishops
his own, asking together with them in behalf of their sorely tried
communities, that the whole Church and all the faithful raise up
with one voice a ceaseless prayer, imploring the Holy Spirit to send
the gift of peace.
His Holiness urgently calls on the international community to
protect all those affected or threatened by the violence, and to guarantee
all necessary assistance--especially the most urgently needed aid--to
the great multitude of people who have been driven from their homes,
whose fate depends entirely on the solidarity of others.
The Pope also appeals to the conscience of all people, and to each
and every believer he repeats: May the God of peace create in all
an authentic desire for dialogue and reconciliation. Violence is not
conquered with violence. Violence is conquered with peace! Let us
pray in silence, asking for peace; everyone, in silence . Mary Queen
of peace, pray for us! (Angelus, July 20, 2014)
-- (7 August 2014)
CBCP President on the Peoples Initiative against Pork Barrel
A group of young people join a mass protest against the pork barrel system on September 13, 2013 at the Quirino Grandstand
in Manila.
A Pastoral Letter on the
Peoples Initiative to abolish
the Pork Barrel System
To the Clergy, Religious, Seminarians and Laity of the Archdiocese
of Cebu:
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
Our love is not to be just words or mere talk, but something real
and active (1 John 3:18).
The PORK BARREL is a LUMP SUM AMOUNT given to any
branch or offce of government, the SPECIFIC USE of which is left to
the DISCRETION of ONLY ONE person, and his/her minions. This is
known as the pork barrel SYSTEM. As a system, it is OPEN to corruption,
and misuse for political patronage. The issue is AGAINST the PORK
BARREL as a SYSTEM, wherever and in whatever form it might exist.
The Supreme Court has ruled the Priority Development Assistance
Fund (PDAF) and the acts and practices in the Disbursement
Acceleration Program (DAP) as UNCONSTITUTIONAL. Yet, on closer
examination, the proposed 2015 General Appropriations Act reveals
PORK BARREL insertions. This makes it clear that those who beneft
from the present Pork Barrel System will not let it go IN PRACTICE.
It is in this context that I support the move of the Peoples Initiative
to Abolish Pork Barrel (PIAP). Since most legislators are not willing to
legislate to abolish ALL PORK BARREL as a SYSTEM, then, the time has
come to use the remedy enshrined in the 1987 Philippine Constitution.
The sovereign people themselves have the legal and CONSTITUTIONAL
power to craft a law that will truly express the will of the people.
On the 23rd of August 2014, Cebu will host a National Peoples
Congress that will approve the DRAFT LAW. Then, it would be
presented to the people in Plaza Independencia for the start of the
NATIONAL SIGNATURE CAMPAIGN, leading to a referendum.
Once the required votes are in, the PEOPLES INITIATIVE becomes
a LAW; not subject to veto by the President.
This is a historic project. I am endorsing the INVITATION to
the National Peoples Congress at the Cebu Mariners Court, on 23
August 2014, 8:00 a.m., to 3:00 p.m.
My strong desire is that the whole Archdiocese of Cebu becomes one
in supporting this advocacy, which is also my own personal advocacy.
Therefore, I invite the following to attend the above activity, so that
our lay people, in this Year of the Laity, will see us in solidarity with
them. The laity are the primary agents of political change.
I am inviting the following to the Peoples Congress on August
23, 2014, 8:00 am to 3:00 p.m.:
1. Episcopal Vicars
2. Clergy representatives from each district and vicariate
3. Lay representatives from each district and vicariate
I invite all the parishioners and all sectors of society, e.g. students,
professionals, workers, farmers, fsherfolks, the urban and rural poor, out-
of-school youth, government people and organizations, civic and peoples
organizations, business people and others to join the start of the SIGNATURE
CAMPAIGN on the same day at 2:30 p.m. at the Plaza Independencia.
I ask my Episcopal Vicars to facilitate the participation of our
Archdiocesan representatives, as co-hosts. Please update me of the
parishes participation and concrete activities in this advocacy for
good governance and political reforms.

With my paternal blessings, I remain
Yours in Christ,

+JOSE S. PALMA, D.D.
Archbishop of Cebu
August 11, 2014
B4 Vol. 18 No. 17
August 18 - 31, 2014
CBCP Monitor
Features
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Address of Pope Francis during the meeting
with the Asian Youth
DEAR Young Friends,
It is good for us to be here! (Mt
17:4). These words were spoken by
Saint Peter on Mount Tabor as he stood
in the presence of Jesus transfigured
in glory. Truly it is good for us to be
here, together, at this shrine of the
Korean Martyrs, in whom the Lords
glory was revealed at the dawn of the
Churchs life in this country. In this
great assembly, which brings together
young Christians from throughout
Asia, we can almost feel the glory of
Jesus present in our midst, present
in his Church which embraces every
nation, language and people, present
in the power of his Holy Spirit who
makes all things new, young and alive!
I thank you for your warm welcome:
your very warm welcome! I also thank
you for the gift of your enthusiasm,
your joyful songs, your testimonies of
faith, and your beautiful expressions
of the variety and richness of your
different cultures. In a special way,
I thank Mai, John and Marina, the
three young people who shared with
me your hopes, your problems and
concerns; I listened to them carefully,
and I will keep them in mind. I thank
Bishop Lazzaro You Heung-sik for his
words of introduction and I greet all
of you from my heart.
This afternoon I would like to reflect
with you on part of the theme of this
Sixth Asian Youth Day: The Glory of
the Martyrs Shines on You. Just as the
Lord made his glory shine forth in the
heroic witness of the martyrs, so too
he wants to make his glory shine in
your lives, and through you, to light
up the life of this vast continent. Today
Christ is knocking at the door of your
heart, of my heart. He calls you and
me to rise, to be wide awake and alert,
and to see the things in life that really
matter. What is more, he is asking you
and me to go out on the highways and
byways of this world, knocking on the
doors of other peoples hearts, inviting
them to welcome him into their lives.
This great gathering of Asian young
people also allows us to see something
of what the Church herself is meant to
be in Gods eternal plan. Together with
young people everywhere, you want
to help build a world where we all
live together in peace and friendship,
overcoming barriers, healing divisions,
rejecting violence and prejudice. And
this is exactly what God wants for
us. The Church is meant to be a seed
of unity for the whole human family.
In Christ, all nations and peoples are
called to a unity which does not destroy
diversity but acknowledges, reconciles
and enriches it.
How distant the spirit of the world
seems from that magnificent vision and
plan! How often the seeds of goodness
and hope which we try to sow seem
to be choked by weeds of selfishness,
hostility and injustice, not only all
around us, but also in our own hearts.
We are troubled by the growing gap
in our societies between rich and poor.
We see signs of an idolatry of wealth,
power and pleasure which come at a
high cost to human lives. Closer to
home, so many of our own friends
and contemporaries, even in the
midst of immense material prosperity,
are suffering from spiritual poverty,
loneliness and quiet despair. God
seems to be removed from the picture.
It is almost as though a spiritual desert
is beginning to spread throughout our
world. It affects the young too, robbing
them of hope and even, in all too many
cases, of life itself.
Yet this is the world into which
you are called to go forth and bear
witness to the Gospel of hope, the
Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the promise
of his Kingdom--this is your theme,
Marina, and I will speak about it
shortly. In the parables, Jesus tells
us that the Kingdom comes into the
world quietly, growing silently yet
surely wherever it is welcomed by
hearts open to its message of hope
and salvation. The Gospel teaches us
that the Spirit of Jesus can bring new
life to every human heart and can
transform every situation, even the
most apparently hopeless. Jesus can
transform all situations! This is the
message which you are called to share
with your contemporaries: at school, in
the workplace, in your families, your
universities and your communities.
Because Jesus rose from the dead,
we know that he has the words of
eternal life (Jn 6:68), that his word
has the power to touch every heart, to
conquer evil with good, and to change
and redeem the world.
Dear young f ri ends, i n t hi s
generation the Lord is counting
on you! He is counting on you! He
entered your hearts on the day of
your Baptism; he gave you his Spirit
on the day of your Confirmation; and
he strengthens you constantly by his
presence in the Eucharist, so that you
can be his witnesses before the world.
Are you ready to say yes? [Yes!] Are
you ready? [Yes!] Thank you! Are you
tired? [No!] Really? [Yes!]
A good friend of mine told me
yesterday: You cannot speak to the
young with paper; you must speak and
address young people spontaneously,
from the heart. But I have a great
difficulty: I have poor English! [No!,
No!] Yes, Yes! But if you wish, I can say
other things spontaneously. [Yes!] Are
you tired? [No!] May I go on? [Yes!] But
I will do so in Italian. [to the interpreter]
Will you translate? Thank you.
What Marina said really struck me:
about the conflict she felt in her life.
What to do in this situation? Take up
the path of consecrated life, religious
life, or study to be better able to help
others.
This is only an apparent conflict,
because when the Lord calls, he always
does so for the good of others, whether
it is through the religious life, the
consecrated life, or as a lay person, as
the father or mother of a family. The
goal is the same: to worship God and to
do good to others. What should Marina
do, and the many others of you who are
asking the same question? I once asked
it myself: What path should I choose?
But you do not have to choose any
path! The Lord must choose it! Jesus
has chosen it! You have to listen to him
and ask: Lord, what should I do?
This is the prayer that a young
person should make: Lord what do
you want from me? With prayer and
the advice of some good friends--laity,
priests, religious sisters, bishops, popes
(even the Pope can offer some good
advice!)--you can find the path that
the Lord wants for you.
Let us pray together! [to the
interpreter: Have them repeat in
Korean: Lord, what do you want from
my life? Three times.] Let us pray!
I am sure that the Lord will listen to
you. And to you, Marina, I am sure of it!
Thank you for your witness. [] Sorry!
I got the name wrong: the question was
asked by Mai, not by Marina!
Mai spoke about something else too:
martyrs, saints and witness. She told
us with some sadness and nostalgia
about her homeland, Cambodia.
There are still no saints there, but let
us hope Saints there are, and many
of them! But the Church has not yet
recognized, beatified or canonized
any of them. I thank you very much,
Mai, for expressing this. I promise that,
when return I home, I will speak to the
person in charge of these things, he is
a good man by the name of Angelo--he
is a good man, this Angelo--and I will
ask him to study this matter so as to
move it along. Thank you!
It is time to finish. Are you tired?
[No!] Shall I go on a little? [Yes!]
Then let us turn to Marina. Marina
proposed two questions not so much
two questions as two reflections and
a question about happiness. She told
us something very true: you cannot
purchase happiness. Whenever you
Bishops / B7
Youth / B7
Apostolic Journey of His Holiness Pope Francis to the Republic of Korea on the Occasion of the
6th Asian Youth Day, 13-18 August 2014
Address of Pope Francis during the meeting with
the bishops of Asia
I OFFER you a warm and fraternal
greeting in the Lord as we gather
together at this holy site where
so many Christians gave their
lives in fdelity to Christ. I have
been told that some are nameless
martyrs, since we do not know
all their names: they are saints
without a name. But this makes
me think about the many, many
holy Christians in our churches:
children and young people, men,
women, elderly persons so
very many of them! We do not
know their names, but they are
saints. It is good for us to think
of these ordinary people who
are persevering in their lives as
Christians, and the Lord alone
recognizes their sanctity. Their
testimony of charity has brought
blessings and graces not only
to the Church in Korea but also
beyond; may their prayers help
us to be faithful shepherds of
the souls entrusted to our care.
I thank Cardinal Gracias for
his kind words of welcome and
for the work of the Federation
of Asian Bishops Conferences
in fostering solidarity and
promoting effective pastoral
outreach in your local Churches.
On this vast continent which is
home to a great variety of cultures,
the Church is called to be versatile
and creative in her witness to
the Gospel through dialogue
and openness to all. This is the
challenge before you! Dialogue,
in fact, is an essential part of the
mission of the Church in Asia
(cf. Ecclesia in Asia, 29). But in
undertaking the path of dialogue
with individuals and cultures,
what should be our point of
departure and our fundamental
point of reference, which guides
us to our destination? Surely it
is our own identity, our identity
as Christians. We cannot engage
in real dialogue unless we are
conscious of our own identity.
We cant dialogue, we cant
start dialoguing from nothing,
from zero, from a foggy sense
of who we are. Nor can there
be authentic dialogue unless
we are capable of opening our
minds and hearts, in empathy
and sincere receptivity, to those
with whom we speak. In other
words, an attentiveness in which
the Holy Spirit is our guide. A
clear sense of ones own identity
and a capacity for empathy are
thus the point of departure for all
dialogue. If we are to speak freely,
openly and fruitfully with others,
we must be clear about who we
are, what God has done for us,
and what it is that he asks of us.
And if our communication is not
to be a monologue, there has to
be openness of heart and mind
to accepting individuals and
cultures. Fearlessly, for fear is the
enemy of this kind of openness.
The task of appropriating and
expressing our identity does not
always prove easy, however,
since--being sinners--we will
always be tempted by the spirit
of the world, which shows itself
in a variety of ways. I would like
to point to three of these. One is
the deceptive light of relativism,
which obscures the splendor
of truth and, shaking the earth
beneath our feet, pulls us toward
the shifting sands of confusion
and despair. It is a temptation
which nowadays also affects
Christian communities, causing
people to forget that in a world
of rapid and disorienting change,
there is much that is unchanging,
much that has its ultimate
foundation in Christ, who is
the same yesterday, and today,
and forever (Gaudium et Spes,
10; cf. Heb 13:8). Here I am not
speaking about relativism merely
as a system of thought, but about
that everyday practical relativism
which almost imperceptibly saps
our sense of identity.
A second way in which the
world threatens the solidity
of our Christian identity is
superfciality, a tendency to toy
with the latest fads, gadgets
and distractions, rather than
attending to the things that really
matter (cf. Phil 1:10). In a culture
which glorifes the ephemeral,
and offers so many avenues
of avoidance and escape, this
can present a serious pastoral
problem. For the ministers of
the Church, it can also make
itself felt in an enchantment with
pastoral programs and theories,
to the detriment of direct, fruitful
encounter with our faithful,
and others too, especially the
young who need solid catechesis
and sound spiritual guidance.
Without a grounding in Christ,
the truths by which we live our
lives can gradually recede, the
practice of the virtues can become
formalistic, and dialogue can be
reduced to a form of negotiation
or an agreement to disagree. An
agreement to disagree so as
not to make waves This sort of
superfciality does us great harm.
Then too, there is a third
temptation: that of the apparent
security to be found in hiding
behind easy answers, ready
formulas, rules and regulations.
Jesus clashed with people
who would hide behind laws,
regulations and easy answers
He called them hypocrites.
Faith by nature is not self-
absorbed; it goes out. It seeks
understanding; it gives rise to
testimony; it generates mission.
In this sense, faith enables us to
be both fearless and unassuming
in our witness of hope and
love. Saint Peter tells us that we
should be ever ready to respond
to all who ask the reason for the
hope within us (cf. 1 Pet 3:15).
Our identity as Christians is
ultimately seen in our quiet
efforts to worship God alone,
to love one another, to serve
one another, and to show by
our example not only what we
believe, but also what we hope
for, and the One in whom we put
our trust (cf. 2 Tim 1:12).
Once again, it is our living
faith in Christ which is our
deepest identity, our being rooted
in the Lord. If we have this,
everything else is secondary. It
is from this deep identity--our
being grounded in a living faith
in Christ--it is from this profound
reality that our dialogue begins,
and this is what we are asked
to share, sincerely, honestly
and without pretense, in the
dialogue of everyday life, in
the dialogue of charity, and in
those more formal opportunities
which may present themselves.
Because Christ is our life (cf. Phil
1:21), let us speak from him
and of him readily and without
hesitation or fear. The simplicity
of his word becomes evident in
the simplicity of our lives, in the
simplicity of our communication,
in the simplicity of our works of
loving service to our brothers and
sisters.
I would now touch on one
further aspect of our Christian
identity. It is fruitful. Because it is
born of, and constantly nourished
by, the grace of our dialogue with
the Lord and the promptings
of his Spirit, it bears a harvest
of justice, goodness and peace.
Let me ask you, then, about the
fruits which it is bearing in your
own lives and in the lives of the
communities entrusted to your
care. Does the Christian identity
of your particular Churches
shine forth in your programs of
catechesis and youth ministry, in
your service to the poor and those
languishing on the margins of our
prosperous societies, and in your
efforts to nourish vocations to the
priesthood and the religious life?
Does it make itself felt in their
fruitfulness? This is a question
I raise, for each of you to think
about.
Finally, together with a clear
sense of our own Christian
identity, authentic dialogue also
demands a capacity for empathy.
For dialogue to take place, there
has to be this empathy. We are
challenged to listen not only to
the words which others speak, but
to the unspoken communication
of their experiences, their hopes
and aspirations, their struggles
and their deepest concerns. Such
empathy must be the fruit of our
spiritual insight and personal
experience, which lead us to see
others as brothers and sisters, and
to hear, in and beyond their
words and actions, what their
hearts wish to communicate. In
this sense, dialogue demands of
us a truly contemplative spirit of
openness and receptivity to the
other. I cannot engage in dialogue
if I am closed to others. Openness?
Even more: acceptance! Come to
my house, enter my heart. My
heart welcomes you. It wants
to hear you. This capacity for
empathy enables a true human
dialogue in which words, ideas
and questions arise from an
experience of fraternity and
shared humanity. If we want to
She told us something
very true:
you cannot purchase
happiness.
Whenever you buy
happiness, you soon
realize that it has
vanished:
The happiness you buy
does not last. Only the
happiness of love is the
kind that lasts.
I cannot engage
in dialogue if
I am closed to
others. Openness?
Even more:
acceptance!
Come to my house,
enter my heart.
My heart
welcomes you.
Pope Francis greets pilgrims as he arrives in Seouls Gwanghwamun Gate for the Beatifcation
Mass of 124 Korean martyrs on August 16, 2014.
B5 Vol. 18 No. 17
August 18 - 31, 2014
CBCP Monitor
provides us with the opportunity
to return to the frst moments, the
infancy as it were, of the Church in
Korea. It invites you, the Catholics
of Korea, to remember the great
things which God has wrought in
this land and to treasure the legacy
of faith and charity entrusted to
you by your forebears.
I n God s mys t er i ous
providence, the Christian faith
was not brought to the shores
of Korea through missionaries;
rather, it entered through the
hearts and minds of the Korean
people themselves. It was
were truly one in mind and heart,
regardless of traditional social
differences, and held all things
in common (cf. Acts 4:32).
This history tells us much
about the importance, the dignity
and the beauty of the vocation
of the laity. I greet the many lay
faithful present, and in particular
the Christian families who daily
by their example teach the faith
and the reconciling love of Christ
to our young. In a special way, too,
I greet the many priests present;
by their dedicated ministry they
pass on the rich patrimony of faith
Features
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Homily of Pope Francis
at the Closing Mass for the
6th Asian Youth Day
DEAR Young Friends,
The glory of the martyrs shines upon
you! These words--a part of the theme of
the Sixth Asian Youth Day--console and
strengthen us all. Young people of Asia:
you are the heirs of a great testimony, a
precious witness to Christ. He is the light
of the world; he is the light of our lives!
The martyrs of Korea--and innumerable
others throughout Asia--handed over
their bodies to their persecutors; to
us they have handed on a perennial
witness that the light of Christs truth
dispels all darkness, and the love of
Christ is gloriously triumphant. With
the certainty of his victory over death,
and our participation in it, we can face
the challenge of Christian discipleship
today, in our own circumstances and
time.
The words which we have just
refected upon are a consolation. The
other part of this Days theme--Asian
Youth! Wake up!--speaks to you of a
duty, a responsibility. Let us consider
for a moment each of these words.
First, the word Asian. You have
gathered here in Korea from all parts of
Asia. Each of you has a unique place and
context where you are called to refect
Gods love. The Asian continent, imbued
with rich philosophical and religious
traditions, remains a great frontier for
your testimony to Christ, the way, and
the truth and the life (Jn 14:6). As young
people not only in Asia, but also as sons
and daughters of this great continent,
you have a right and a duty to take full
part in the life of your societies. Do not
be afraid to bring the wisdom of faith
to every aspect of social life!
As Asians too, you see and love, from
within, all that is beautiful, noble and
true in your cultures and traditions. Yet
as Christians, you also know that the
Gospel has the power to purify, elevate
and perfect this heritage. Through the
presence of the Holy Spirit given you
in Baptism and sealed within you at
Confrmation, and in union with your
pastors, you can appreciate the many
positive values of the diverse Asian
cultures. You are also able to discern
what is incompatible with your Catholic
faith, what is contrary to the life of grace
bestowed in Baptism, and what aspects
of contemporary culture are sinful,
corrupt, and lead to death.
Returning to the theme of this Day,
let us refect on a second word: Youth.
You and your friends are flled with the
optimism, energy and good will which
are so characteristic of this period of life.
Let Christ turn your natural optimism
into Christian hope, your energy into
moral virtue, your good will into
genuine self-sacrifcing love! This is the
path you are called to take. This is the
path to overcoming all that threatens
hope, virtue and love in your lives and
in your culture. In this way your youth
will be a gift to Jesus and to the world.
As young Christians, whether you
are workers or students, whether you
have already begun a career or have
answered the call to marriage, religious
life or the priesthood, you are not only
a part of the future of the Church;
you are also a necessary and beloved
part of the Churchs present! You are
Churchs present! Keep close to one
another, draw ever closer to God, and
with your bishops and priests spend
these years in building a holier, more
missionary and humble Church, a holier,
more missionary and humble Church, a
Church which loves and worships God
by seeking to serve the poor, the lonely,
the infrm and the marginalized.
In your Christian lives, you will fnd
many occasions that will tempt you,
like the disciples in todays Gospel, to
push away the stranger, the needy, the
poor and the broken-hearted. It is these
people especially who repeat the cry of
the woman of the Gospel: Lord, help
me!. The Canaanite womans plea is
the cry of everyone who searches for
love, acceptance, and friendship with
Christ. It is the cry of so many people
in our anonymous cities, the cry of so
many of your own contemporaries, and
the cry of all those martyrs who even
today suffer persecution and death for
the name of Jesus: Lord, help me! It
is often a cry which rises from our own
hearts as well: Lord, help me! Let us
respond, not like those who push away
people who make demands on us, as if
serving the needy gets in the way of our
being close to the Lord. No! We are to
be like Christ, who responds to every
plea for his help with love, mercy and
compassion.
Finally, the third part of this Days
theme--Wake up!--This word speaks
Haemi Castle, 17 August 2014
of a responsibility which the Lord gives
you. It is the duty to be vigilant, not to
allow the pressures, the temptations
and the sins of ourselves or others
to dull our sensitivity to the beauty
of holiness, to the joy of the Gospel.
Todays responsorial psalm invites us
constantly to be glad and sing for joy.
No one who sleeps can sing, dance or
rejoice. I dont like to see young people
who are sleeping. No! Wake up! Go! Go
Forward! Dear young people, God, our
God, has blessed us! (Ps 67:6); from
him we have received mercy (Rom
11:30). Assured of Gods love, go out to
the world so that, by the mercy shown
to you, they--your friends, co-workers,
neighbors, countrymen, everyone on
this great continent--may now receive
the mercy of God (cf. Rom 11:31). It is
by his mercy that we are saved.
Dear young people of Asia, it is my
hope that, in union with Christ and
the Church, you will take up this path,
which will surely bring you much joy.
Now, as we approach the table of the
Eucharist, let us turn to our Mother
Mary, who brought Jesus to the world.
Yes, Mother Mary, we long to have
Jesus; in your maternal affection help
us to bring him to others, to serve him
faithfully, and to honor him in every
time and place, in this country and
throughout Asia. Amen.
Asian youth, wake up!
No one who sleeps can sing, dance or rejoice. I dont like to see young people
who are sleeping. No! Wake up! Go! Go Forward! Dear young people,
God, our God, has blessed us!
If we follow the
lead of the martyrs
and take the Lord
at his word,
then we will
understand the
sublime freedom
and joy with
which they went to
their death.
Homily of Pope Francis at the Mass for the beatifcation of
Paul Yun Ji-Chung and 123 martyr companions
WHO shall separate us from the
love of Christ? (Rom 8:35). With
these words, Saint Paul speaks
of the glory of our faith in Jesus:
not only has Christ risen from the
dead and ascended to heaven, but
he has united us to himself and
he grants us a share in his eternal
life. Christ is victorious and his
victory is ours!
Today we celebrate this victory
in Paul Yun Ji-chung and his
123 companions. Their names
now stand alongside those of
the holy martyrs Andrew Kim
Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang and
companions, to whom I just paid
homage. All of them
lived and died for Christ, and
now they reign with him in joy
and in glory. With Saint Paul,
they tell us that, in the death and
resurrection of his Son, God has
granted us the greatest victory of
all. For neither death, nor life,
nor angels, nor principalities, nor
things present, nor things to come,
nor powers, nor height, nor depth,
nor anything else in all creation,
will be able to separate us from
the love of God in Christ Jesus
our Lord (Rom 8:38-39).
The victory of the martyrs,
their witness to the power of
Gods love, continues to bear fruit
today in Korea, in the Church
which received growth from
their sacrifce. Our celebration
of Blessed Paul and Companions
prompted by intellectual curiosity,
the search for religious truth.
Through an initial encounter
with the Gospel, the frst Korean
Christians opened their minds to
Jesus. They wanted to know more
about this Christ who suffered,
died, and rose from the dead.
Learning about Jesus soon led to
an encounter with the Lord, the
frst baptisms, the yearning for a
full sacramental and ecclesial life,
and the beginnings of missionary
outreach. It also bore fruit in
communities inspired by the early
Church, in which the believers
cultivated by past generations of
Korean Catholics.
Todays Gospel contains an
important message for all of us.
Jesus asks the Father to consecrate
us in truth, and to protect us from
the world.
First of all, it is signifcant that,
while Jesus asks the Father to
consecrate and protect us, he does
not ask him to take us out of the
world. We know that he sends
his disciples forth to be a leaven
of holiness and truth in the world:
the salt of the earth, the light of the
world. In this, the martyrs show
us the way.
Soon after the frst seeds of
faith were planted in this land,
the martyrs and the Christian
community had to choose
between following Jesus or the
world. They had heard the
Lords warning that the world
would hate them because of him
(Jn 17:14); they knew the cost
of discipleship. For many, this
meant persecution, and later
fight to the mountains, where
they formed Catholic villages.
They were willing to make great
sacrifces and let themselves be
stripped of whatever kept them
from Christ--possessions and
land, prestige and honor--for they
knew that Christ alone was their
true treasure.
So often we today can fnd our
faith challenged by the world, and
in countless ways we are asked to
compromise our faith, to water
down the radical demands of
the Gospel and to conform to the
spirit of this age. Yet the martyrs
call out to us to put Christ frst
and to see all else in this world
in relation to him and his eternal
Kingdom. They challenge us to
think about what, if anything, we
ourselves would be willing to die
for.
The example of the martyrs
also teaches us the importance
of charity in the life of faith. It
Beatifcation / B7
Pope Francis celebrates the Beatifcation Mass of 124 Korean martyrs in Seouls Gwanghwamun Gate on August 16, 2014.
B6 Vol. 18 No. 17
August 18 - 31, 2014
CBCP Monitor
Ref lections
Bishop Pat Alo
Bo Sanchez
ENCOUNTERS
SOULFOOD
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THE fact that we are supposed
to respect every human life
i s basi c enough f or t hat
concept that life is worth
living. However poor and
miserable, yet when offered
t o God Al mi ght y, ever y
sacrifice or suffering has an
immense value for ultimate
salvation. That is the basis
CAN you bring a tiny package to my
family in Manila?
No problem! I said to the petite
Filipina in front of me.
This happened many years ago in a
preaching trip in Europe when I still didnt
know about the balikbayan. In it, the
term tiny package means any object
in the universe which is any size slightly
smaller than planet earth.
When I arrived at the airport, her tiny
package was waiting for me: the suitcase
was bigger than my bag.
Sorry Bo, she said sheepishly, stepping
out of her suitcases shadow, I thought it
was tiny. But it kept growing bigger and
bigger and bigger
Wow. Its miraculous.
She then handed me an envelope just
in case you have excess baggage and left
me as quickly as a woman running away
from a rapist. I opened it and discovered
ten dollars in it. I hollered back at her,
Peter, the solid rock
21st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Mt 16:13-20 (A)
August 24, 2014
22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Mt 16:21-27 (A) August 31, 2014
22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Mt
16:21-27 (A)
August 31, 2014
By Fr. Sal Putzu, SDB
SIMON did nothing special
to attract Jesus attention
and deserve a preferential
treatment. He only put his
fshing boat at the disposal of the
Master, and accepted to carry out
Jesus questionable instruction
to cast the nets again when the
sun was already high on the
horizon--a most unlikely hour
for a good catch. (See Lk 5:4f.) Yet
Jesus loved him with special love.
There were reasons for that
Si mon was a s i mpl e,
unschooled fsherman. He was
well aware of all his limitations
and moral failures. (See Lk 5:8.)
But when the crucial moment
came to express his opinion
on Jesus, he showed a unique
perceptiveness which outshone
all others. He had no doubt: Jesus
was the Messiah, the Son of the
living God (Mt 16:16).
The learned and the clever
had formed their opinion about
the Christ from what they had
studied or heard. Their answers
could only be conjectural and
inadequate. But Simons deep
conviction--his faith--was rooted
in another kind of knowledge:
divine revelation. It was God
Himself who had implanted that
certitude in him. Hence, Jesus
reaction: Blest are you, Simon!
No mere man has revealed this
to you, but my heavenly Father
(Mt 16:17).
This fsherman from Bethsaida
was the object of the Fathers
special love. God knew him
through and through: his
weakness as well as his generosity
and sincerity. God had plans
for him. He who put the right
answer on his lips, would still
enlighten him, time and time
again, whenever needed for the
good of His Church.
Peter would outlive his Master
only by thirty years, but the
mission of being rock and
steersman of the Church would
outlive the fisherman from
Galilee till the end of time. It
would live on in his successors,
Pope after Pope, century after
century. Peter s role would
be fulfilled by others, called
by different given names, but
always bearing the same root
name of Peter/Rock. On each
of them, as on the fsherman
from Bethsaida, Jesus has been
conferring his authority to bind
and loose, and the strength
and wisdom needed to steer
the fragile but unsinkable boat
of the Church. Ever assailed
by hells fury, this Church is
ever victorious over reefs and
storms, as it is steered by the
God-steadied hand of Peters
successors.
The cost of discipleship
By Fr. Sal Putzu, SDB
WE often forget that the Lord has many
types of blessings. Some are obvious,
like when things go pretty well in life for
quite a time, and even for a long time--
smooth sailing on a glorious day . . . . Then
we congratulate ourselves and, of course,
we thank God too, always hoping that He
may continue to bless us . . . .
At other times Gods blessings may
come to us very much in disguise. For
a time (or even for too long a time!) we
may find it difficult to recognize them.
So, a day may come when we will feel our
shoulders burdened with a weight that
seems to crush us--the weight of suffering
in any or all of its forms: physical, moral,
spiritual . . . . And we may be brought to
ask if the Lord still cares for us
When t hi s happens, we shoul d
remember that there are blessings in
disguise That will be the moment of
truth. The moment when the real disciple
comes alive, in all humility and trust.
And a wonderful sunshine will break
through the dark clouds of sorrow and
of those who suffered before us . . . the
frailty of our strength and virtues. . . .
We will understand the meaning of the
words of Jesus when he spoke of crosses
to be taken up and carried patiently after
him as a sign of our faithfulness to him.
(See Mt 16:26.)
We will gradually discover that there are
values in life which are appreciated only
when we are brought low by suffering,
or while groaning under the weight of
our cross(es). But especially, we will
realize that those mishaps and failures
have drawn us closer to our Teacher. We
will discover that, now, we have come
to resemble him much more than when
things were going well.
In those days suffering will be seen for
what it was meant to be: a blessing that
tests, purifies, and strengthens. And the
crucifixes in our houses will no longer
be pious decorations, but our coat of
arms, the real source of our strength, of
our dignity, and our hope. Hope, indeed!
Because it is only in the cross of Christ
that our crosses take on meaning, acquire
supernatural value, and open our hearts to
the expectation of our resurrection day.
Conform or be
transformed?
By Fr. Joseph Pellegrino
TIMES have changed, Father. Im only doing what
is perfectly acceptable by our society. And with these
words, the elderly lady explained away her present living
condition. And with the same words, the young man
justified his wild lifestyle, and with the same words the
substance abuser justified his actions. And on and on and
on. Add in whatever immoral behavior you can think of,
and someone will say, Im only doing what is perfectly
acceptable by society.
But what society is that? To what society is this acceptable?
It is acceptable by the society that finds nothing wrong with
hedonism, putting ones pleasure before every other good
in life, including respect for others, respect for country,
respect for life. What is the society that so many claim
for themselves? It is the society that is at best amoral, but
which is mostly immoral. It is the society that is at best
pagan, but mostly atheistic. When a person hides his or her
immoral behavior behind the acceptable by our society,
argument, that person is invoking the society that St. Paul
calls this age, or, according to some translations, the
pattern of the world. This is the world that Jesus Christ
came to save. It is the world of selfishness, a world of pride,
a world where God is neither wanted nor present. It is a
world of darkness. It is a world to which we Christians
cannot belong.
I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to
offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to
God, your spiritual worship. Do not conform yourselves to
this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind,
that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good
and pleasing and perfect.
We were joined to a new world when we were baptized.
Each of us is a key part of the new world, the Kingdom of
God. There are hundred, perhaps thousands of people in
each of our lives who look to us to illuminate their darkness
with the Light of Christ. The problem is that we are enticed
by all that is around us to reject all that is within us. And
so we often straddle major issues in life.
We become like my friend Charlie Miller.
It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon at Don Bosco College
and Seminary in Newton, New Jersey, as Charlie, myself
and a small group of our friends walked by the little lake,
more of a pond really. We had an hour to kill between
Sunday Mass and dinner, not enough time to change out of
our suits, but perhaps too much time for Charlie to spend
walking around the property. When we came upon the
little dock with the row boats always available for our use,
Charlie said, Im going to take a boat out. Anyone want
to come? None of us wanted to mess up our suits so we
said, No, and watched Charlie go out onto the dock, untie
a boat, and put one foot in the boat while keeping his other
foot on the dock. (Like the rest of us, Charlie didnt know
a whole lot about boats.) Slowly the boat drifted from the
dock, on which Charlie still had one foot planted. At least,
he thought it was planted. As the boat drifted further and
further from the dock, Charlie was stretched out until he
lost his balance and fell into the lake. We applauded. (I
never said we were nice guys.) Then we fished him out.
Charlie got into his predicament because he refused to
commit. He had one foot on the dock and one in the boat.
And as a result he fell into the drink.
We often do this ourselves. We have one foot that we
are convinced is safely planted in Gods world, but then
we stretch out our other foot to another world, the world
of pagan society. And we also fall.
Even though we recognize our dignity as sons and
daughters of God, we often let ourselves get involved in
actions that are far less than holy. We think that we are
OK, because we are firmly planted on the Lords dock,
but the forces the other foot has stepped into draws us
away from the dock, and we end up in the drink. We
ask ourselves, How did I get involved in something
like that? Then, responding to Gods grace, we not
only seek forgiveness, but we give up the actions that
we thought would not be all that dangerous for our
spiritual lives.
We Christians are called upon to offer our bodies as living
sacrifices to God. That means that we sacrifice the pagan
aspects of life in order to live for the Lord.
I didnt know Christianity would be this difficult, the
young couple who are doing their best to have a wholesome
relationship complains.
Wait, you mean that commitment to Christ demands
that I stay sober. Everyone I know gets drunk on Friday
nights, the senior in high school argues.
Two can live cheaper than one doesnt apply when
both are getting social security, Father. Are you telling me
that I am not living my Catholic faith because we wont
get married? If thats so, then the faith is demanding too
much, the retiree rationalizes.
You duped me Lord, and I allowed myself to be duped.
Jeremiah responds in the first reading. Commitment to
the Lord carries the cost of rejecting the world where He
is not present. So, like Jeremiah, we want God in our lives,
but we dont appreciate the cost of Christianity until that
cost becomes personal. Yet, like Jeremiah, we live for the
fire burning within our bones, the fire of Gods love. We
discouragement.
Then, with Gods grace, we will come
to understand many things: the sighs
Life is worth living
for our Lords commendation
for those who suffer in this
world.
How happy are the poor in
spirit; theirs is the kingdom
of heaven. Happy the gentle:
they shall have the earth for
their heritage. Happy those
who mourn: they shall be
comforted. Happy those who
kingdom of heaven. Happy are
you when people abuse you
and persecute you and speak
all kinds of calumny against
you on my account. Rejoice
and be glad, for your reward
will be great in heaven; this
is how they persecuted the
prophets before you (Mt.
5:3-12).
Learn To Say No Sometimes
Will this multiply miraculously too?
When I checked-in her suitcase, true
enough, the ticketing guy told me I
needed to pay excess baggage. Holding
the ten dollars with trembling fingers, I
asked how much it would cost. When he
showed the astronomical figure to me, I
had a paranormal experience right there
and then: I felt my soul leave my body
for a few seconds. (This happened when
I was still a poor missionary.)
When I came about, I inquired as calmly
as I could, Does this price also include the
purchase of the plane? Or do I get the plane
and own all the pilots and stewardesses
as well?
That experience taught me a very
important lesson in life: Learn to say no
sometimes.
Like one day, I received ten invitations
to preach. These invitations come daily
through email and snail mail and phone
calls.
As much as this pains me, I say no to
99% of these invitations.
Oh, how I love to preach! Everyday,
if possible. But if I say yes to all of
these invitations, I wont be able to see
my wife and kids anymore. Or I wont
be able to preach in my little spiritual
family, Light of Jesus, or write my books,
or support my various ministries for
the poor
I learned a very important principle:
Saying no is really saying a bigger yes
to what God wants me to do.
Hey, therere a million things you can do.
But what does God want for your life?
If you dont learn to say no to all the
myriad of options life offers you, you
wont be able to say yes to His specific
mission for your life.
Question: Do you have excess baggage
in your life?
Learn to say no to excess baggage.
Your yes depends on it.
Conform / B7
Offer your bodies as a living
sacrifce, holy and pleasing to God,
your spiritual worship. Do not
conform yourselves to this age but be
transformed by the renewal of your
mind, that you may discern what is
the will of God, what is good and
pleasing and perfect.
hunger and thirst for what is
right: they shall be satisfied.
Happy the merci ful : they
shall have mercy shown them.
Happy the pure in heart: they
shall see God. Happy the
peacemakers: they shall be
called sons of God. Happy
those who are persecuted in
the cause of right: theirs is the
B7 Vol. 18 No. 17
August 18 - 31, 2014
CBCP Monitor
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allow ourselves to be duped.
We want God.
A few years ago I attended
a number of talks given by a
wonderful devoted Catholic
man, Joe Farris. Joe is a big, tall,
Catholic husband and father
from North Carolina. He led
one of the Cove Crest Retreat
weeks that I helped out. Over
and over again Joe would say,
You have destroyed my life,
Lord. Joe is right. Having
God in our lives destroys all
other possibilities in life. The
decision we have to make is to
choose whose life do we want,
our life or His Life? If we want
His Life, then He will destroy
those parts of our lives where
He is not present.
The problem with you is that
you are thinking like the world
does, not like God does, Jesus
tells the disciple he had just
called his rock. Peter wanted
to prevent Jesus from dying.
Justice and injustice have their own zones
buy happiness, you soon realize
that i t has vani shed: The
happiness you buy does not
last. Only the happiness of love
is the kind that lasts.
The path of love is simple:
l ove God and l ove your
neighbor, your brother or sister,
the one at your side, who needs
love and so many other things.
But Father, how do I know that
I love God? Only if you love
your neighbor, if you do not
hate your neighbor and do not
harbor hatred in your heart, do
you love God. This is the sure
proof.
And then Marina went on
to ask a question, one which
I understand. It is a painful
questi on and I thank her
for asking it: the division of
brothers and sisters in the
Koreas. Are there two Koreas?
No, there is only one, but it is
divided; the family is divided.
This pain exists How can we
help the family to be reunited?
I would say these two things:
first, a word of advice, and then,
a word of hope.
First, my advice is to pray; to
pray for our brothers and sisters
in the North: Lord, we are one
family, help us. Help us to be
united. You can do it. Let there
not be winners and losers but
only one family, only brothers
and sisters. Now I invite you
all to pray together--after the
translation--in silence, for the
unity of the two Koreas. In
silence let us pray. [silence]
Now, a word of hope. What
is hope? There are so many
forms of hope, but here is one
which is really beautiful! Korea
is one; it is a family. You all
speak the same language, the
language of one family; you
are brothers and sisters who
speak the same language. [In
the Bible,] when the brothers
of Joseph went down to Egypt
to buy some food--they were
hungry, they had money, but
they had nothing to eat--they
went there to buy food and
they found a brother! How?
Because Joseph realized that
they spoke his language. Think
about your brothers and sisters
in the North: they speak the
same language and when a same
language is spoken in a family,
there is room for hope.
Just now we saw something
beautiful, that sketch of the
prodigal son, the son who left
home, spent all his money,
everything he had, betrayed his
father and his family, betrayed
everyt hi ng. At a cert ai n
moment, out of necessity, but
full of shame, he decided to
return. He thought about how
he would ask for his fathers
forgiveness. He thought he
would say: Father, I have
sinned, I have done all these
wrong things, so I want to be
your servant, not your son,
and lots of other fine things.
But the Gospel tells us that
the father saw his son coming
from afar. Why did he see him?
Because every day he used to
go out onto the terrace to see
if his son would return. The
father embraced him: he did
not let his son speak; he did
not let him say all that he had
rehearsed, and he did not allow
him to even ask for forgiveness.
Then he went off to organize a
party. This is the party that God
enjoys: whenever we return
home, whenever we return to
him. But Father, I am a sinful
man, a sinful woman. All the
better, he is waiting for you! All
the better, and he will throw a
party! Jesus himself tells us that
there will be more celebration
in heaven over one sinner who
turns back than for a hundred
of the righteous who remain at
home.
None of us knows what life
will bring us. And you, dear
young friends, are asking:
What is in store for me? We
are capable of doing bad things,
very bad things, but please, do
not despair: the Father is always
there waiting for us! Come back!
Come back! This is the word:
Come back! Come back home
because the Father is waiting for
me. And if I am a great sinner,
he will celebrate the more. And
you priests, please, embrace
sinners and be merciful.
To hear this is something
beautiful. It is something that
brings me great happiness,
to know that God never tires
of forgiving; he never tires of
waiting for us.
I ha d wr i t t e n t hr e e
suggestions but I have talked
about t hem: prayer, t he
Eucharist, and helping others,
for the poor.
Now it is time for me to go.
I look forward to seeing you
in these days and speaking to
you again when we gather for
Holy Mass on Sunday. For now,
let us thank the Lord for the
blessings of this time together
and ask him for the strength to
be faithful and joyful witnesses
of his love throughout Asia and
the entire world.
May Mary, our Mother,
watch over you and keep you
ever close to Jesus her Son. And
from his place in heaven, may
Saint John Paul II, who initiated
the World Youth Days, always
be your guide. With great
affection I give you my blessing.
And please, pray for me, dont
forget: pray for me! Thank you
very much!
get to the theological basis of this, we
have to go to the Father: he created us all;
all of us are children of one Father. This
capacity for empathy leads to a genuine
encounter--we have to progress toward
this culture of encounter--in which heart
speaks to heart. We are enriched by
the wisdom of the other and become
open to travelling together the path to
greater understanding, friendship and
solidarity. But, brother Pope, this is
what we are doing, but perhaps we are
converting no one or very few people
But you are doing it anyway: with your
identity, you are hearing the other. What
was the frst commandment of God our
Father to our father Abraham? Walk in
my presence and be blameless. And
so, with my identity and my empathy,
my openness, I walk with the other. I
dont try to make him come over to me,
I dont proselytize. Pope Benedict told
us clearly: The Church does not grow
by proselytizing, but by attracting. In
the meantime, let us walk in the Fathers
presence, let us be blameless; let us
practice this frst commandment. That
is where encounter, dialogue, will take
place. With identity, with openness. It is
a path to greater knowledge, friendship
and solidarity. As Saint John Paul II
rightly recognized, our commitment to
dialogue is grounded in the very logic
of the incarnation: in Jesus, God himself
became one of us, shared in our life
and spoke to us in our own language
(cf. Ecclesia in Asia, 29). In this spirit of
openness to others, I earnestly hope that
those countries of your continent with
whom the Holy See does not yet enjoy
a full relationship, may not hesitate to
further a dialogue for the beneft of all.
I am not referring to political dialogue
alone, but to fraternal dialogue
But these Christians dont come as
conquerors, they dont come to take
away our identity: they bring us their
own, but they want to walk with us. And
the Lord will grant his grace: sometimes
he will move hearts and someone will ask
was the purity of their witness to Christ,
expressed in an acceptance of the equal
dignity of all the baptized, which led them
to a form of fraternal life that challenged
the rigid social structures of their day.
It was their refusal to separate the twin
commandment of love of God and love
of neighbor, which impelled them to
such great solicitude for the needs of
the brethren. Their example has much
to say to us who live in societies where,
alongside immense wealth, dire poverty
is silently growing; where the cry of the
poor is seldom heeded; and where Christ
continues to call out to us, asking us to
love and serve him by tending to our
brothers and sisters in need.
If we follow the lead of the martyrs
and take the Lord at his word, then we
will understand the sublime freedom and
joy with which they went to their death.
We will also see todays celebration as
embracing the countless anonymous
martyrs, in this country and throughout
the world, who, especially in the last
century, gave their lives for Christ or
suffered grave persecution for his name.
Today is a day of great rejoicing for all
Koreans. The heritage of Blessed Paul
Yun Ji-chung and his companions--their
integrity in the search for truth, their
fdelity to the highest principles of the
religion which they chose to embrace, and
their testimony of charity and solidarity
with all--these are part of the rich history
of the Korean people. The legacy of the
martyrs can inspire all men and women
of good will to work in harmony for a
more just, free and reconciled society, thus
contributing to peace and the protection
of authentically human values in this
country and in our world.
May the prayers of all the Korean
martyrs, in union with those of Our Lady,
Mother of the Church, obtain for us the
grace of perseverance in faith and in every
good work, holiness and purity of heart,
and apostolic zeal in bearing witness to
Jesus in this beloved country, throughout
Asia, and to the ends of the earth. Amen.
for baptism, sometimes not. But always
let us walk together. This is the heart of
dialogue.
Dear brothers, I thank you for your
warm and fraternal welcome. When we
look out at the great Asian continent,
with its vast expanses of land, its ancient
cultures and traditions, we are aware
that, in Gods plan, your Christian
communities are indeed a pusillus grex, a
small fock which nonetheless is charged
to bring the light of the Gospel to the ends
of the earth. A true mustard seed! A very
small seed May the Good Shepherd,
who knows and loves each of his sheep,
guide and strengthen your efforts to build
up their unity with him and with all the
members of his fock throughout the
world. And now, together, let us entrust
your Churches, and the continent of Asia,
to Our Lady, so that as our Mother she
may teach us what only a mother can
teach: who you are, what your name is,
and how you get along with others in
life. Let us all pray to Our Lady.
Fr. Shay Cullen
IT is a cruel and hideous crime to
capture and enslave an innocent
human for any reason whatsoever.
But to make money and indulge
greed and avarice in forcing the poor
and vulnerable through intimidation,
threats and debt, to work for little or
no payment, is slavery.
Buying or using products made
with such labor is morally wrong.
The people who recruit the poor,
the hungry and jobless -- many of
whom are children --are the human
traffickers.
There are more than 20 million
people throughout the world who
are captive, victims of traffickers and
slavers according to the United States
of America (US) State Department
2014 Trafficking in Persons Report
this June. This shows how widespread
the crime is.
It is not an evil trade confined to the
poorest of Asian, South American and
African countries, but it is common
in developed nations too. In Europe
and the US, millions are trapped in
bonded labor by debt, threats and
intimidation.
They work in farms, in factories
and brothels. Many are trafficked
into European Union countries from
Eastern Europe and are easily lured
with the promises of good, high paying
jobs, but are then thrown into brothels
as sex slaves.
T h e h u g e me g a - b r o t h e l s
conveniently situated near European
international airports have hundreds
of young girls trapped as prostitutes.
Prostitution has been legalized in
most European countries and, while
this protects European Union women
who have freely chosen to be sex
workers from harassment and abuse
and gives them rights, it gives little or
no protection, medical help, or human
rights guarantees to undocumented
migrants.
Thats the status of the victims of
human trafficking. Their passports
and identity documents are taken
from them by traffickers, who can then
control, intimidate and threaten them.
This scenario goes on all over the
world. In The Philippines, it is much
the same. Trafficking in persons is so
rampant; corruption is widespread
so the suspects seldom get arrested
or convicted due to incompetent or
corrupt prosecutors and judges and
police.
While most of the judiciary can
be said to be fairly just and honest,
many prosecute or convict because
of bribery.
Despite the brave face of the
government claiming to have an
increase in its conviction rate, it is
The Philippines rates just above
the more notorious modern slavery
nations in the US report.
Local Philippine officials issue
licenses and operating permits to sex
bars and girly clubs.
This is where thousands of young
Filipinos, many underage minors who
are victims of trafficking and sexual
slavery, are bought and sold. It is the
meat market of minors.
The country is being accused of
condoning such heinous crimes by its
inaction, pitiful arrest record, a nearly
zero conviction rate and a corrupt
judicial system.
True or not as that may be, I have
experienced apathy-riddled courts
where the only swift decision is to
order coffee and donuts for morning
tea.
What is significant in US policy
is that anti-trafficking is now being
i nt egrat ed i nt o t he di pl omat i c
and development work and, more
importantly, the US policy is to insist
on the rule of law in protecting the
victims and bringing the abusers and
exploiters to justice.
From this point, advocates are urging
the US to develop an immigration rule
whereby the US will be listing the
corrupt police, prosecutors and judges
and barring them and their relatives
from entering the country.
John Kerry said, Wherever rule of
law is weak, where corruption is most
ingrained, and where populations
cant count on the protection of
governments and of law enforcement,
there you find zones of vulnerability
to trafficking.
However, he concluded by saying,
But wherever rule of law is strong,
where individuals are willing to speak
out and governments willing to listen,
we find zones of protection against
trafficking.
Women and children remain the most vulnerable victims of human
traffcking worldwide.
Jesus said that the devil would
want to prevent Gods plan
from taking place. He actually
called Peter a devil. Jesus was
more upset with Peter for this
comment than he was when
Peter denied him three times.
Why? What did Peter do that
was so wrong? He allowed
himself to be drawn from the
Kingdom of God. He was
conforming to the world.
We cannot allow this to
happen. A world that is in
darkness needs us to be its
light. People are looking for
hope. People are searching for
a reason for living. We can give
them that hope. We can give
them that reason for life. We can
be the Light of Christ for others.
We do not have to conform to a
world of darkness. We can be
transformed by God.
Then we will experience all
that is good and pleasing and
perfect. (Romans 12:2)
This is where thousands of young Filipinos,
many underage minors who are victims of
traffcking and sexual slavery,
are bought and sold.
It is the meat market of minors.
dismal.
That is why The Philippines is still
on the second level of notoriety on
the US Trafficking in Persons Report.
The sex i ndustry depends on
traffickers to supply young girls, so
there is need for an end to the sex
industry.
Human traffickers are wealthy and
are a big source of income for corrupt
officials. They keep on paying to stay
free and operate with impunity.
C1
Vol. 18 No. 17
August 18 - 31, 2014
CBCP Monitor
The News Supplement of
Couples for Christ
A Very Special Love
The CFC HOLD Marian Conference 2014
39 Years of Ligaya
COUPLES for Christ, represented by Chairman Joe Tale and his
wife Babylou and some CFC leaders, attended the thanksgiving
Mass and lunch hosted by the Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon (LNP)
Community on the occasion of their 39th Anniversary last July
25, 2014 at the LNP Center in Taguig City. Also present were
the leaders of Ligayas Partners in Missionthe BCBP, Familia,
the Institute for Pastoral Development, and Women for Christ,
to name a few. Dr. Arcado Tamayo, the head of the Federation
of Transparochial Charismatic Communities, with his group
graced the occasion as well.
The lunch was a time of fellowship and sharing with one
another. For some of the CFC leaders who attended, this
was the first time they were meeting the other leaders of
outreach and affiliate organizations. Jun Cruz of LNP was
the lively emcee of the affair and ensured that members from
the various communities had the opportunity to get to know
one other and the community they represented over lunch.
Among the LNP stalwarts present were Fr. Herb Schneider,
who celebrated the Mass, Vic Gutierrez, who also served as
CFCs executive director at one point, and Spanky Meer, the
Head Coordinator of LNP.
In his welcome address, Spanky Meer mentioned the various
groups are connected in pursuing a common cause and mission,
with the ultimate goal of glorifying the Lord. It was a special
time of togetherness for each one, especially when the stories
of victories were shared around the different tables about the
workings of the Lord in the various communities. The Holy
Spirit truly moved around and made everyone feel
united in Christ. Joe Tale shared his refections on
the Word of the Lord, Come and see, encourag-
ing all to see what the Lord has in store for every-
one through these connections. He continued,
The Lord is asking all of us to just take one step
forward and see, and as we come together we will
begin to see much more.
Cruz also invited everybody to LNPs upcom-
ing activity, The Harvest, on September 6 and
7 where CFC was tasked to present the work of
Global Evangelization. Also announced was the
coming Catchfre Rally on Christ the King Sun-
day, November 23, 2014 at the Araneta Coliseum
in Quezon City. Incidentally, this years rally is
headed by CFC, together with Ligaya ng Pangi-
noon.
Couples for Christs history can never be written without the
workings of the Lord through LNP. Thus, the CFC Community
continues to praise and thank the Lord for the blessing of Ang
Ligaya ng Panginoon.
By Shok Ariola
By Alma Alvarez
InSpIRed by the teachings of St.
Maximilian Kolbe, whose feast day
was celebrated last August 14, the CFC
Handmaids of the Lord honored the
Blessed Virgin Mary, Spouse of the
Holy Spirit, during the HOLD Mar-
ian Conference held last August 9,
2014. More than 2,000 HOLD leaders
and members from Metro Manila and
nearby provinces attended the annual
conference on Mama Mary, held at the
Aliw Theater in Pasay City.
Edythe Avendao, HOLD Coordi-
nator for Metro Manila, main speaker
of the conference, opened the session
explaining the special relationship
of the Blessed Mother with the third
Person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit.
This relationship of Mary as Spouse of
the Holy Spirit is unique, and not like
the marital relations between a man
and a woman as the faithful know it,
explained Avendao. But like in any
marriage, there is the presence of three
essential qualitites. First, there is love.
Mary being the favored one was chosen
even before her birth, having been con-
ceived without original sin. She being
the Immaculate Concepcion, Mary was
hand-picked to play a role in the salva-
tion of humankind.
The union brought about by married
love is the most intimate of all. The Holy
Spirit flled her and Mary was immersed
in the spirit, fully obedient to His will,
allowing Him to act fully in her life. This
intimacy in their relationship made pro-
creation possiblethe Holy Spirit, Lord
and Giver of Life, chose Marys womb
to be the dwelling place of the Savior.
Thus, the role of Mary, the Spouse of
the Spirit is more than just to bear and
give birth to the Son of God. Her role is
the fulfllment of Gods plan of salvation
by bringing forth Jesus the Redeemer.
She also brings men into communion
with Christ. (CCC)
Marys role as bearer of life, and light,
are manifested in many incidents in
her life in the Holy Spirit: the visitation
to Elizabeth (where the Spirit mani-
fested in quietness when the baby in
Elizabeths womb leapt upon hearing
Marys greeting); the birth of her Son
(light came into the world during Je-
sus birth); Jesuss presentation in the
temple (Simeon recognized Him as the
promised Messiah and prophesied that
she would have to share Him with both
Jews and gentiles); the wedding feast in
Cana (bring light in a bleak situation);
passion and death of Jesus (picture of
calmness as she witnessed the suffer-
ing and death of her Son became an
inspiration to the seemingly hopeless
disciples).
Personal testimonies from HOLD
leaders Ophel Tuazon, Maricel Lim,
and Letty Jayme illustrated the various
stages in the life of Mama Mary in their
own livesin silence, in adoration, in
obedience, in beholding and pondering
the events in her life, in walking with
eyes of faith, in letting go and letting
God. Mini-session speakers Myra Res-
picio, Elizabeth Marcelo, Bing Santos,
Baby Valle and Evelyn Ylagan led the
delegates to moments of refection on
each stage.
The Holy Spirit was the driving force
of Marys life, with Mary completely
yielding her will to His. The key to this
very special relationship is Marys faith.
We can never be the Spouse of the
Holy Spirit like Mary, but we are all
called to live in the power of the Holy
Spirit, Avendao stated. She added,
This can only be possible if we have
a deep and abiding relationship with
Him, founded in our faith in and
love of God. By surrendering to the
leadings of the Holy Spirit, we allow
ourselves to be transformed into the
sons and daughters God wants us to
be. Hence, like Mary, we should be
able to radiate the light of Christ to
others.
Tootsie Lopez leading the praisefest
Edythe Avendao
Maricel Lim Baby Valle
Myra Respicio Beth Marcelo Bing Santos
HOLD leaders
Evelyn Ylagan Letty Jayme
IT WAS truly an impressive ar-
ray of Clergymen trekking the
halls of the Radisson that week-
end. It was an SRO affair where
twenty-two pastors were hon-
ored with dinner at the Atrium
Hall. An assembly of leaders
and members of Couples for
Christ gave a rousing welcome
to express their support for their
dear pastors.
The 22 pastors honored during
the Clergy Appreciation night
were Fr. Gerald Cooper, Fr.
Avi Colaco, Fr. Greg Mulligan,
Fr. Raj Savariappan, Fr. Marc
Cramer, Fr. Joseph Vadassery,
Fr. Francis Mariappa, Fr. Paul
Kavanagh, Fr. Angelo Benedict
Urbanii, Fr. Roque Concepcion,
Fr. Nong Zamora, Fr. Abraham
Joseph Srambical, Fr. Jim Corri-
gan, Fr. Neil Lustado, Fr. Martin
pasala, Fr. Rainerio Sarce, Fr.
Darius Libiran, Fr. John Pinto
and Fr. paulson Kananaikal. Fr.
Paulson had to go back to Fort
McMurray to prepare for Mass
that same night.
Absent but still honored were
Fr. Nilo Macapinlac, Spiritual
Director of CFC Edmonton; Fr.
Clergy Appreciation
at Canada 20
th
Year
Antony Rajkumar Fernando of
St. Andrew Parish, Edmonton;
and Fr. Paul Moret of St. Mat-
thew Parish, Edmonton.
The honorees were escorted
to their seats by Area Heads in
their Filipiniana attire. CFC
Canada National Director Greg
Parillas welcomed the pastors
and acknowledged their work in
their respective parish as well as
their support for the evangeliza-
tion work of CFC.
In their honor, a magnifcent
black light presentation entitled
The Hand was performed. The
presentation was a depiction of
the sons of Melchizedek doing
the work of The Great High
Priest, as they celebrate the Holy
Mass holding the Precious Body
and Blood of our Lord, Jesus
Christ.
It was like an Oscar Awards
night for the members of the
clergy as each pastor was called
onstage and their individual
contribution acknowledged. As
a token of appreciation, Parillas,
assisted by eric de Los Reyes,
Country Coordinator for CFC
Canada/ C3
C2 Vol. 18 No. 17
August 18 - 31, 2014
CBCP Monitor
Ugnayan
Build My Church:
God's Marching Order
To hear the voice of God in ones life, one needs
to open his heart to surprise, otherwise, one can start
feeing from God. - Pope Francis
GOD calls each of us for His divine purpose, and it
is only by His grace can we respond to His calling.
The Lord uses us in His ways that simply fow, to
accomplish His divine plan through us and for us.
God Intervenes
Such was how the BUILd MY CHURCH pro-
gram came about. Different persons of the same
faith, each with the same vision of having a decent
and respectable place of worship, that is worthy
of our God, crossed each others paths. Divine
intervention staged the foundation of this BMC
program, as the miracle unfolded in our lives.
God Speaks Thru Haggai
A brother in the CFC community heard and
heeded Gods call. Through his exposure with the
different chapels where CLPs were conducted, a
brother, Pete Aventajado saw the sorry state of our
supposedly Place of Worship. Having served as
Palawan Provincial Head for three years, he was
deeply bothered and perplexed about the existing
conditions of the House of God. Dilapidated walls
& facade that could barely support torn down
roofs, either made of pawid (dried palm leaves)
or rusted corrugated GI sheets and roughly-done
concrete foorsdirt foors for some, were the
common features of Gods house in his area of
service. It dawned on him that we were busy tend-
ing to our own houses while we take for granted
the house of our Lord, which deserves all the
splendor, beauty and majesty beftting our God. A
spark continually ignites in his heart... something
must be done to uplift the existing conditions of
the House of God.
God Prepares Us For His Mission
God called me in a similar manner, as I was
tasked to help our parish in rebuilding one of our
chapels which was relocated due to reblocking,
which a process the government usually does to
correct placement of illegally built structures along
public roads. The said chapel was similar to what
Pete had seen, rusty roofs and grilles, cracked plas-
ter walls with its concrete cross chipped, awaiting
to crumble anytime. I, together with my husband
Lito Santos, have served the mission areas at Laura
and Payatas, QC. since 1996 (year we graduated
from CLP). We have been used to seeing run- down
chapels where CLPs and other activities of CFC
were being held. I too, felt a tug in my heart every
time we, as a couple, served in these chapelsthe
supposedly sacred & dignifed place where we
By Lito Santos
facebook.com/CFC.Global.Mission @CFChrist
The Ugnayan News Supplement is published by the Couples for Christ Global Mission Foundation, Inc.,
with editorial offces at 156 20th Avenue, 1109 Cubao, Quezon City.
Editorial trunk line: (+63 2) 709-4868 local 23
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The News Supplement
of Couples for Christ
CFC EXECUTIVE Director George Campos and
wife Cynthia led other CFC leaders of CFC Nepal
to a meeting with His Excellency, Bishop Paul
Simmick, new Bishop of the Vicariate of Nepal
last August 8 at the Bishops house located in the
outskirts of Kathmandu City. Campos, together
with the other leaders Mon and Tita Santiago,
CFC South Asia Regional Coordinators; Mar
and Au Japitana of CFC Bahrain; and country
coordinators for CFC Nepal, and Chiren Satyal,
CFC Nepal Family Ministries Head, updated
the Bishop about CFC, its vision and mission,
the family ministries and building the church of
the poor programs.
Gyan and Sujata Rai, country leaders of CFC
(Clockwise from top) Bro. George and Sis. Cynthia greeting Bishop Paul Simmick; Campos presenting the CFC mis-
sion kit to Bishop Paul; Bishop appreciating the contents of CFC mission kit; Bishop Paul blessing the leaders; Group
photo at the entrance of Bishops house
CFC Leaders Meet New
Bishop of Nepal
Nepal, also appraised Bishop of Paul of the cur-
rent status of CFC Nepal in terms of parish pres-
ence, number of members and its involvement in
the different parishes to support the parish priest.
Bishop Paul was given a copy of CFC mission
kit and showed so much interest in CFC that the
meeting lasted for almost 2 hours despite the fact
that he was leaving for South Korea for the Asian
Youth Day in the evening. During this meeting,
he also led the group into the Bishops chapel
where relics of St. John Paul II and Blessed Mother
Teresa were kept. He also gave a blessing to the
leaders. Fr. Richard Vas, administrative assistant
of the vicariate, was also present to welcome and
meet with CFC.
I WANT to work with you in in the family
renewal of the diocese, Archbishop Richard
Gagnon of Winnepeg told his Couples for Christ
(CFC) visitors. The CFC delegation, headed by
eric de los Reyes, Canada Country Coordinator,
and wife Carina; Arnel Simbulan, Central Re-
gion Head, and wife Marivic; and Ador Cabrera,
Manitoba Area Head, with wife Vicky, called
upon the Bishop last July 17, 2014.
Archbishop Gagnon expressed appreciation
in the life & mission of Couples for Christ, and
discussed with the group ways to work to-
gether in family renewal. In the light of New
Evangelization, the Archbishop wanted CFC
to bring its Christian Life Program specifically
to the more open young Caucasian couples
as well as to the Hispanics and First Nations
communities. For the Caucasians, new ways
were discussed like evangelizing through a
post-Cana retreat, youth and/ or social justice
programs of CFC.
Archbishop Richard Joseph Gagnon was in-
stalled on Jan 3, 2014 as the 7th Archbishop of
Archbishop Gagnon of Winnepeg
Meets with CFC Leaders
BMC/ C3
AUGUST 6 is a signifcant day for the members of the clergy being the Feast day of their patron and
inspiration, St. John Mary Vianney. Born on May 8, 1786, St. John Vianney was the son of simple peas-
ants. Grace attracted him heavenward from the beginning. But it was only after much toil and trouble
in France that St. John Vianney was admitted to the priesthood. He was then seventeen years old, but
scarcely had any schooling. Study proved very diffcult for him and he did not show natural talent.
But his tutor was convinced that this upright and innocent youth would serve the Church well by his
holiness if not by his learning, and did not lose patience. It was through his intercession that the young
John was fnally granted admission to the seminary and ordained as a priest. As parish priest of Ars
for 41 years, he had a long struggle for the conversion of the people and their wayward ways. It took
many years but eventually, all hearts were conquered. Today, he is admired as the edifying example
of the pastor in the church and in his humble and modest manner of life.
IN THE Mass celebrated by Par-
aaque Bishop Jesse Mercado
D.D., last August 6, the cel-
ebration of the feast of St John
Mary Vianney, He exhorted the
FR, ROBeRT Rivera, SJ from the
Loyola House of Studies said
that St. John Vianney, the Cur
dArs, is a genuine inspiration
in his priestly life in two ways.
First, he is a fne example of what
can be accomplished when one
entrusts the whole self fully to
the Lord. John Vianney had
physical and intellectual obsta-
cles that many would consider
The Clergy Speaks
Church ordained ministers in
their role to empower the laity
through suitable formation pro-
grams; through the celebration
of the sacraments, especially
eucharist and Reconciliation
and by giving particular at-
tention to the formation and
spiritual accompaniment of lay
Christians and ecclesial groups
engaged in social and political
life (cf. Compendium of the
Social Doctrine of the Church,
n. 539). He reminded them that
parishioners expect them to be
present in their parishes, like
shepherds who never abandon
insurmountable. But because of
his abiding faith in God, he was
able to fulfll his aspirations to be
a priest, even though many of his
superiors and peers were saying
this could not be so. His was a
life that proclaims "with God,
all things are possible!" Second,
having been given this gift of the
priesthood, he utilized it fully to
care for God's people. The ac-
counts especially of the time he
would spend in the confessional
are legendary. He would stay
there practically the whole day,
with little regard to personal rest
and nourishment, so as to extend
God's mercy to the fock. people
would seek him out from far and
wide because of his gentle care
and the wisdom he brought to
the sacrament of reconciliation.
Fr Rivera said that St Vianney is
rightfully a patron and inspira-
tion to priests. They are con-
stantly reminded through St.
John Vianney that the priest-
hood is a gift from God, not a
priests personal project. He
said that Through him, I and
all of us priests are reminded
that with God on our side we
need not fear. But with God on
our side we are also tasked to
care for all, especially the least
in the world.
The life of St. John Vianney
is the story of a humble and
hol y man who barel y suc-
ceeded in becoming a priest,
but who converted thousands
of sinners. This ignorant priest
ended well and worthy to be
The Patron Saint of Priests.
To quote him, The saints did
not all begin well, but they all
ended well. St. John Vianney,
pray for us.
their focks. They are to be avail-
able and approachable as their
spiritual fathers and brothers
and to give good preaching,
whether through homilies, con-
ferences, recollections, retreats,
etc. He reminded them that the
laity look to the clergy as men
of prayer who, like our Lord,
will teach them how to pray.
These, he said, correspond to
what they promised during
their ordination. He asked them
to "stir into flame the gift of
God" that they received through
the imposition of hands quoting
2 Timothy 1:6.
Filipinos in Erbil Extend Humanitarian
Assistance to Iraqi Refugees
11 August 2014 - The Philippine Embassy in Bagh-
dad reported that Filipinos in erbil, Kurdistan in
northern Iraq have voluntarily shared their time
and money to help ameliorate the adverse condi-
tion of thousands of Iraqi refugees from Mosul
and Sinjar who are mainly Christians and ethnic
minorities that escaped the ISIS rebels brutality.
The relief and humanitarian assistance from
the Filipinos, who are mostly members of the
Couples for Christ in Iraq and UAE, answered
the immediate needs of the displaced Iraqis who
are taking refuge in Erbil, a region which remains
safe and calm despite the ongoing US airstrikes
that targeted the ISIS in areas outside Kurdistan.
For two days, the Filipino volunteers prepared
almost 2000 packs of sandwiches for lunch and din-
ner to Mar Elias and Mar Yosef Parish Churches.
They distributed rice, oil, noodles, eggs, biscuits
and hundreds of bottles of drinking water, among
other food items. They also handed out packs of
babys milk and diapers to nursing mothers and
personal hygiene kits.
More than 200 Iraqi families in Erbils refugee
camps and temporary shelters benefted from the
warm generosity of the Filipinos, who continue to
extend tirelessly their helping hands to the Iraqis
with that distinct Filipino smile. (Text and photos
from https://www.facebook.com/dfaphl)
George B. Campos
IC Oversight
Bernadette Cuevas
Editor-in-Chief
Alma M. Alvarez
Associate Editor
Evangeline C. Mecedilla
Circulation Staff
Deomar P. Oliveria
Layout Artist
Winnipeg as appointed by Pope Francis. He
was previously the 16th Bishop of Victoria
and chose as the motto for his Coat of Arms,
"To obey is to serve in love."
In February 2003, Pope John Paul II
named Father Gagnon a Prelate of Honour,
in recognition of his faithful service to the
Church and exemplary performance of his
duties who "rendered outstanding distin-
guished service in the Church in Vancouver
as a loving, effective, and dedicated pas-
tor, a man who is ever ready to meet new
challengesa servant ready to go wherever
called."
CFC also committed to work with the
Archdiocese on its 100th Year Anniversary
celebration sometime in May 2015. On the
other hand, Archbishop Gagnon expressed
his desire to celebrate mass during the CFC
National Conference in July 2015.
Before the meeting ended, His Excellency
bestowed his blessing to the CFC delegation
and to the whole CFC community.
C3
C3 Vol. 18 No. 17
August 18 - 31, 2014
CBCP Monitor
Ugnayan
God's Glory Revealed in Nepal!
How lovely are the mountains at feet of Him...
Who brings good news, good news...
Announcing peace, proclaiming news of happiness....
Our God reigns... Our God reigns....
IT WAS really a sight to behold, God's majestic
creation... When you see His handiwork, you can't
help but be in awe of its intricate design, wonder-
ful shapes, hues and colors, the mountains, hills,
plains and valleys, but most of all the strength and
character of the people living out their Catholic
Christian faith amid challenges and diffculties.
Nepal has a 30M population with more or less
about 10,000 Catholics, less than a hundred Filipi-
nos, some working at the United Nations and others
married to Nepal nationals. A country with pre-
dominantly Hindus and Buddhists, introducing the
Catholic faith to Nepalese is quite challenging, more
so Couples for Christ. But with God's blessing and
grace, the seeds planted by our CFC brethren from
Bahrain a few years ago grew bore fruit. Couples for
Christ touched the lives of the Nepalese and their
lives were never the same since then.
God never fails to inspire and enrich us every
time we go on mission. And our Nepal mission trip
was not an exception. Here, we could see that in
spite of the different beliefs of the people, bringing
them together is not impossible with God. Couples
for Christs openness to accept whoever God calls
strongly convey the message of welcoming every-
body. It was so heartwarming to know that even a
Hindu husband attended the Abba Father Week-
end, while his Catholic Nepalese wife attended the
Women's Conference. How the conference made
an impact on the life and attitude of the husband
was so inspiring as he shared his learnings and the
transformation taking place in him. Truly, when
God moves, we must expect surprises.
The simplicity of our Nepalese brethren, how
they appreciate what they have and humbly thank-
ing the Lord for these provisions remind us what
really matters in life.
In Nepal, the electric power supply is out between
15-20 hours each day. But this is not a hindrance for
our CFC brothers and sisters to come to teachings
and prayer meetings. CFC comes together in a dimly
lit room with battery-operated lights, sharing God's
love and faithfulness, quenching their thirst for His
word, acknowledging their true source of power
and light. Reverence and humility characterize the
way they present themselves to the Lord be it in
personal prayer or in the Holy Mass. Their piety
and deep faith in Christ as well as in His Blessed
Mother Mary bind us deeply together as one CFC
family, no matter what color or race.
By God's grace, CFC Nepal has taken into heart
the goal of being present and active in all its par-
ishes. A 30-minute courtesy call made with the
new and only Bishop of Nepal was extended to
two hours. Bishop Paul Simick, not knowing much
about CFC yet, asked a lot of questions. In the
end, the good Bishop opened the door for CFC to
present to all the priests our plans and programs.
God continues to pave the way for us to reach out
and touch more hearts. He opens more doors for us
to be His hands, His feet, His ears, His mouth. He
wants His presence be experienced and felt.
CFC Nepal is indeed the love child of God and
of our brethren from Bahrain who gave their yes to
God's call, dared to go on mission to this beautiful
country, willingly offered their time, talent and
treasure, generously shared that which they were
richly blessed with, the love of God.
The mission continues. Nepal now is blessed
with passionate purely local CFC leaders and
members who would be the bearers of Christ's glad
tidings in the Himalayas. Yes, our God reigns...
He truly reigns...
By George and Cynthia Campos
GKare Goes to Davao
ANCOP USA once again answered the cry
of our poor brethren last August 7-10, 2014,
when 32 missionaries were sent to Davao
Regional Hospital in Tagum, davao del
Norte for a surgical mission. The team was
headed by Dr. Bernardo Cueto, President of
Give Kare Health Foundation, Inc., and other
specialist and volunteers from accredited and
prestigious hospitals like the V. Luna Gen-
eral Hospital, UST Hospital, Makati Medical
Center, Veterans Memorial Medical Center,
Manila Doctors Medical Center, Holy Infant
Jesus Hospital, Batangas Regional Hospital,
FEU Hospital, Medical City and the UP PGH
Medical Center.
Upon their arrival at Davao International Air-
port, the mission went to the hospital, attended
By Nathan Gomez the Mass and made a courtesy call with Depart-
ment of Health Asec. dr. Romulo Busuego.
After which the team put on their gloves and
masks and performed minor and major surger-
ies such as thyroidectomy, hysterectomy, hem-
orrhoidectomy, fstilectomy, lumbar lipoma,
hernioplastry, mastectomy, lobectomy and
chloecsytectomy, just to name a few. Overall,
within a span of 3 days, they served 26 patients
for minor surgery, 34 patients for major surger-
ies. A total of 417 patients who underwent for
free an eye Refraction and received free reading
glasses according to their eye grades.
And to celebrate the victory of the surgical
mission, the team went for a fellowship and
honoring night. Before the team few back to
Manila, they paid a visit to the patients who
were admitted and had their exit conference
with Dr. Brain Dalit and Elvira Obero.
BMC/ C2
worship and commune with our God. I felt helpless
during those times not knowing what I could do
to correct those situations. Little did I know that
God had listened to my frustrations and given me
an opportunity much later to be assigned the task
of rebuilding our own chapel within the scope of
our parish to make things right for the House of
Goda house that is decent, respectable and con-
ducive place of worship that is appropriate for our
God. That chapel is named Our Lady Of Fatima.
God Calls Everyone For His Mission
The same circumstances and situations led one
to the other, the same vision of uplifting the exist-
ing conditions of our places of worship made the
sparks in our hearts ignite for a common purpose
and mission. Such were the ways where God calls
us. There are no coincidences in ones life, espe-
cially if it is Gods plan. Gods calling was very
clear... GOD wants us to rebuild His house, a place
worthy of Himthe King of Kings!
God Brings All Willing Together For His Mission
Soon after, some CFC leaders were consulted
and the vision of having a decent and dignifed
place of worship for our God started its course.
Pete spearheaded the program, scouting for
chapels that need renovation, refurbishing and
rehabilitation, to be the pilot project, without
even a name for the said program. But whats
in a NAME to start with, as long as the vision
was very clear - ReBUILd THe HOUSe OF THe
LORd. The vision and passion coupled with faith
& trust in the Lord were all that matters.
God Reveals His Mission
Located on a side street along Batasan Road, the
Our Lady of Fatima Chapel was a case of reblocking
by the Quezon City government. Its original site
was built on a government property, among the
residential structures, that gave way for a new alley.
The House of God was very typical of the chapels
we see on depressed communitiesdilapidated
and torn-down. Built and maintained through the
meager funds from Mass collections and donations
from kind-hearted parishioners in the area, it can
only do so much. As long as it served its function of
accommodating the people who gather for worship-
ping our Lorda roof over their heads; walls and
doors usually made of grilles, with the least cost
possible, thus sacrifcing an edifce of beauty and
majesty which the Lord our God deserves.
God Shows Us The Way
With its shell structure already done and no
funds at all to continue the construction, I was
resigned to the idea that it would just be another
case of the typical chapeljust an enclosure for
worshipping our God. Timely was the program,
by which Bro Pete was called by the Lord. God led
him to this lowly chapel, amongst the few others
he visited, and with much discernment, his search
for the pilot project has fnally ended. The vision
of having a chapel worthy of our God fnally came
into a reality, as donations in cash and in kind from
members of CFC from different sectors started
pouring in. Set your mind for what is BEST for
the Lordhuwag mong tipirin si Lord (dont
be stingy with God) as Pete would say, because
He deserves the best, after all, this is the House
of God. With all his eagerness and passion, Pete
made me realize that God answers our prayers
in His appointed time, never early and never
too late, and that miracles do happen. The Lord
made sure that the Our Lady of Fatima Chapel,
the pilot project, would not be just another case
of a typical chapel because He had specifcally
called Bro Pete to build His Church as was writ-
ten in the scriptures: And so I say to you, you are
Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church,
and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail
against it. (Matthew 16:17-18). Truly, a divine
promise from our God.
God Explains The Mission He Gives Us
BUILd MY CHURCH, a very appropriate name
for the CFCs new program. Simple, yet very clear. It
elevates a new standard in the physical dimension
of our faith as it completes our mission in Couples
for ChristBuilding the Church of the Home, and
Building the Church of the Poor. BMC strengthens
our vision of families in the Holy Spirit renewing the
face of the earth, as we take part in rebuilding the
physical structure into a place of worship that is re-
spectable and dignifed, a worthy House of our God.
God Blesses The Work When We Do His Mission
As Christians, we need to be our brothers keeper
even in the practice of our faith and be a blessing to
others. The help we did in sharing our time, talent
and treasures in rebuilding the pilot project, the
Our Lady of Fatima Chapel, made a big difference
in the lives of the parishioners. It gave them a sense
of belonging and pride, every time they heard Mass.
The number of churchgoers doubled even if the area
was reduced by half its original size. So inspired
was our parish priest and our Bishop that they have
made known their plans for other chapel projects
that we can consider to rebuild. I could not recall
a better time than this when our relationship with
our clergy was at its best because of the comple-
tion of this project. Indeed, the Lord blesses our
CFC community when we obey Him and involve
ourselves in programs that will glorify Him. What
a great opportunity to share our blessings and be
in solidarity with our less fortunate brothers and
sisters, with whom we share our faith and love for
Christ. Being a part of this Build My Church pro-
gram gave me a new sense of purpose and meaning
in my spiritual and Christian life. Let us all be a part
of BMC, rebuilding a chapel that is beautiful and
majestic- worthy of our God. May its beauty and
majesty lead us to a glimpse of heaven and own
special place prepared for us, by God.
Canada/ C1
THE recent India mission by CFC Singapore re-
vealed successive unforgettable experiences for a
CFC worker like me.
Our team waited for over a year for this oppor-
tunity to serve as mission volunteers to India. We
thought it wouldnt come, but nevertheless my
wife Ruth, perci and Tessie Limpiada, Jing Mantar-
ing, Jho dongallo, Rosse Sulla, Mario Masilang Jr.,
Oli Suaiso, and myself made ourselves available
helping out in any opportunity given. Suddenly
the news came with a quick turn of events that built
the excitement and readiness with Gods grace we
are available!
The mission team, nicknamed R.O.T.I. for "Reach
Out To India, was named after the staple bread
in Singapore, much like the bread of life. The team
anticipated the mission with enthusiasm. Needless
to say, we just wanted to scramble and go! We all
got the visa 1 day before the scheduled departure
in order to make the weekend CLP.
With joy in our hearts, we travelled together
the three and half hour fight to India, plus the
four-hour land trip in the dark night. The driver
was driving too fast, prompting the team to start
praying the Rosary, asking Our Lady for protection
and entrusting all to God. We arrived shaken, but
safely at the hotel about 3:00 AM and we were just
glad to see the images of the Sacred Heart of Jesus,
Our Mother of Perpetual Help and St. Agustin at
the lobby! God is truly good!
Our brother Michael, our gracious host, waited
for us till we were settled in. We rested for the
night, looking forward to what God had in store
for us in the coming days.
It was Gods gift that we were able to see the
shrine of the local martyr, Blessed Pilai, and pray to
Jesus and Mother Mary on the hill. We spent the day
Team R.O.T.I. Goes to India
By Chito del Rosario practicing songs, and praying some more, this time
to the Holy Spirit to fll us and Christ to protect us.
With Michael and India Country Coordinators
Hector Poppen and his wife Garnet, we paid our
visit to his grace, Bishop paul Raj of palayamkottai.
We had a good discussion about what the CLP is
all about and he was happy to welcome us with
the traditional Tamil customs, covering us with
cloth and praying over us.
Gods faithfulness did not end there. The bishop
graced the CLP with opening remarks and did the
Tamil translations for all the talks! For this we
were truly grateful since most of the participants
understand little English.
In this mission, the team also learned to be still
and let the Holy Spirit work His way. The parish
priest allowed us to use the place from 2pm to
8pm for the 6 talks, but despite the tight schedule,
amazingly we fnished all the talks on time. The
talks were truly Spirit-flled and the participants
were all joyful as they refected on the CLp.
The following day, we spent more time on group
discussions and building relationships. Language
was never a barrier as brothers and sisters excit-
edly poured out their hearts. Participants wrote
heart-warming affrmations of the CLp. We ended
the day with a solemn celebration of Holy Mass
in Tamil, fnishing off with our traditional CFC
fellowship via a sumptuous lunch.
And at the end of the day, as we went off again
for the four-hour van drive, we all praised and
thanked God for his goodness!
All the way we talked about the joy of service
despite the challenges as Gods plan for the mission
unfolded. We all felt the love of our CFC brethren.
We were humbled by the love and support of
Bishop paul Raj. And we were overwhelmed by
the unforgettable smiles of our new brothers and
sisters in Christ!
Canada, awarded a plaque of recognition to each
pastor.
An audiovisual presentation followed, detailing
the early beginnings of CFC in 1981. It also featured
the beginnings of CFC Canada from its non-proft
incorporation with the Ministry of Industry in
British Columbia on March 31, 1994. The highlight
of the presentation was the stories of the different
chapters belonging to the Western Provinces of
Canada in a slideshow.
The evening was capped by the laying of hands
over the pastors, led by Parillas. The pastors called
it a night but not for the couples who took to the
dance foor and boogied the night away.
C4
Vol. 18 No. 17
August 18 - 31, 2014
CBCP Monitor
Ugnayan
Couples for Christ: The New 'Pirates' of the Caribbean
Lord has used each one of them tremendously in showing
His love to His people.
Just like any adventure, the mission team has also experienced
diffculties to make it more fulflling. during their frst days, the
team experienced some discomfort. But being the missionar-
ies that they are, each one went out of their comfort zone and
claimed God's victory in this mission. The experience truly
helped the missionaries to appreciate life more.
And as a reward, God gave them the treasures of the Car-
ribeangood food, great music and many other things that
one will only experience in the region. Indeed, the Lord has
given them the best.
NEW brave souls of Couples for Christ missionaries
recently went on mission to Grenada in the Carribean.
This is the teams first mission trip but everything went
well through Gods grace. The missionaries not only
enlightened many young people from Trinidad, Tobago
and Grenada through the Theology of the Body session,
which is part of the 100% Free advocacy of CFC Youth for
Christ. They also conducted different workshops and a
Youth Conference. They likewise conducted activities for
the kids and held a one-day SFC conference and sports
fest for young adults. The mission team also participated
in some sessions of CFC Carribean Conference. Indeed, the
CFC Canada Eastern Regional
Conference The Beloved Weekend
oy Dalman, Noli Manuel, Eric delos
Reyes, Ricky Cuenca, and Rouquel
& Nina Ponte on hand to share the
messages of the weekend. Inspiring
sharers also related their struggles
and triumphs in their faith journeys,
adding life to the various talks.
Each session was prefaced by deep-
ly stirring creative numbers, songs
and dances calling us to joy, hope,
action, and reflection. It was beauti-
ful to see the combined efforts of the
Family Ministries in every aspect of
the weekend, from the preparation
of the creative segments to handling
logistics and production, ensuring
the smooth execution of the weekend
truly a testament to our community
working for and with each other not
only as individual families, but as the
wider CFC family.
The Saturday program concluded
wi t h t he Groove 70s ni ght , a
FROM July 25th to 27th, Mohawk
Colleges McIntyre Performing Arts
Centre in Hamilton, Ontario played
host to the eastern Region Beloved
Weekend. Nearly 900 delegates from
the Greater Toronto Area, Windsor,
St. Catharines, Ottawa, Montral,
and even as far away as New Jersey,
Kenya, China, and Indonesia, gath-
ered to witness to Gods love and the
guiding hand of Mary in CFC Canada
over the past years.
Opening night of the conference
featured the Choirs of Mary competi-
tion, where each delegation regaled
the crowd with their musical talents
as they performed covers of hymns,
rewritten classics to honour our
Blessed Mother, and even original
musical compositions.
CFC was blessed to have had Non-
By Renee Ardiente chance for brothers and sisters to
dance the night away in their best
disco finery. The room was a sea
of afros, bell-bottoms, and sequins
as each delegation presented 70s-
themed dance numbers, proving that
they can still bust a move with the
best of them!
Sunday began with the celebration
of the Mass with Bishop Douglas
Crosby of the Diocese of Hamilton,
whose message of hope carri ed
through the days session to the
afternoons praise fest led by Noli
Manuel. One of the most beautiful
moments of the weekend occurred
here, as spouses linked hands and
arms and worshipped the Lord to-
gether, singing out their love for God
and one anothera song of love from
the beloved to the Lover, and a per-
fect end to an amazing and blessed
weekend of love.
HOLD Leaders Visit SG for Retreat, Conference
HOLD International Coordinator Didi Galsim and HOLD ICore Singapore Coor-
dinator Sis Lynda Geraldez went for a pastoral visit to Singapore to conduct the
HeR (Handmaids enrichment Retreat) 4 and the echo of the 2014 HOLd ICOn
(All Women Conference).
HeR 4 is a strictly stay-in Silent Retreat, conducted by Galsim at the Montfort
Centre on 19-20 July 2014. The participants were composed of leaders from the
HOLd Singapore who have completed HeR 1,2 and 3, wives of national Council
and Chapter head and 2 leaders from Sibu Sarawak, Malaysia.
Singapore HER 4 participants and HOLD ICore leaders together with Rev
Fr Stephen Yim, the Spiritual Director of Couples for Christ Singapore, who
celebrated the Mass.
Brunei Holds Gods Beloved Catholic Womens Conference
WITH blessings and support from
the Apostolic Vicar of Brunei Darus-
salam, Rt. Rev. Bishop Cornelius Sim,
the echo-conference of the HOLD
Icon Gods Beloved, which is the
4th Catholic Womens Conference
in Brunei Darussalam, was held on
3 August 2014 at the Church of Our
Lady of the Assumption, Bandar Seri
Begawan. A total of 189 Catholic
women from the Vicariates three
parishes attended the conference. Edythe
Avendao, CFC HOLD ICore member,
and dale Villanueva, HOLd Regional
Coordinator for East Africa were speak-
ers. This event also jump-started the
activities for CFC Bruneis 20th Anni-
versary, which falls on September 2014.
In his welcome address, Bishop Cor-
nelius Sim referred to a book titled "The
Beloved of God", exhorting women
and men alike are truly loved by God,
and that the proper response should
be to love Him back. He added, The
best model for loving God back is our
Mother Mary, who showed us how to
really behold and ponder Gods mes-
sages and will for her life. He further
explained that Jesus knew how to love in
a "divine" way because He is God, but it
was through His mother, Mary, that he
learned how to love in a "human" way.
This is why Christians should always
look at Mother Mary as inspiration.
After a lively praise and worship
led by Ammie Alano, the morning ses-
sion began with Tess Aquino taking
By Debbie Cinco
the participants down memory lane, 3
years to be exact, when CFC started its
journey with the Blessed Virgin Mary.
She then led the HOLD sisters to behold
and ponder the events in each persons
life as Mary did. While in this posture
of beholding and pondering, Len Filio,
speaker for the next session, led every-
one to refect on the mission and vision
as followers of Jesus, on a personal and
community level, reflecting whether
each persons life manifests what is
proclaimed. A personal testimony from
Rosemarie Alon-Alon illustrated this.
In the last session for the morning, Dale
Villanueva and the sharing Luz Nirona,
showed how pondering leads to accept-
ance of Gods will in every stage of life.
However, distractions will always be
present in our daily life which can lead
the faithful away from God, as demon-
strated by sharer Ruby Ligutom.
Debbie Cinco led the afternoon praise
and worship, after which, the partici-
pants refected on the Seven Sorrows of
Mary, via Janet Dominguito. With every
sorrow, edith Recato pointed to how
each persons life, like Marys, bring
each to the foot of the cross. From
the cross, last session speaker Edythe
Avendano, guided the participants to
the empty tomb with Mary Magda-
lenea sinner, a follower, a saint, a
true beloved of God. By the examples
of Mary Magdalene and the sharings
by HOLD sisters Dale Villanueva and
Gemma Nuezca, the HOLD members
were encouraged that HOLD can and
will be transformed by Gods love as
long as each says yes to Him. Av-
endano also reminded how to attain
and maintain inward and outward
beauty as HOLD sisters, together
with Mdm. Mayie Ochoa, wife of Mr.
Nestor Ochoa, Philippine Ambassa-
dor in Brunei Darussalam, who all
wore beautiful attires for the specifc
roles women of God play paraded
onstage for the Beloved Walk.
The conference ended with a mini-
praisefest led by nanette Ramos and
a closing remark and blessing from
Assistant parish priest Rev Fr. Arin
Sugit.
THE atmosphere at the Radisson Ho-
tel was exciting as delegates from all
over Western Canada congregated at
the Edmonton venue for the Beloved
Weekend Conference. Traveling from
the ends of Victoria and as far as Win-
nipeg, the delegates came in droves to
fellowship with brothers and sisters
in Christ, and more importantly to be
nourished spiritually.
The gathering started with a concel-
ebrated Mass, with Fr. Raj Savariappan
of the St. Anthony Parish, Lloydminster
as main celebrant, assisted by Fr. Mar-
tin Pasala from Annunciation Church,
Edmonton and 8 other priests.
After a rousing musical number, CFC
National Director for Canada Greg Paril-
las, together with Noli Arzadon (West-
ern Region Coordinator) and Manny
Cerin (Area Director for Edmonton)
declared the Conference offcially open.
The festivities of the evening started
with the Parade of Colors. The duo
of Stephen & April Tamayo were the
dynamic emcees of the night.
The crowd was wowed with the
presentations for A Song for Mary.
Central Alberta, Red deer and Calgary
came up with original compositions.
After another concelebrated Mass of 8
priests led by Fr. Roque Concepcion of
Saskatoon, and assisted by Fr. Angelo
Benedict Urbanii from Yellowknife,
Nonoy Dalman took to the stage for the
Prologue on Day 2.
The frst talk was given by second
generation CFC member, Noli Manuel,
who spoke about his journey with the
Lord which started in YFC. He spoke
of the Family, being the unit of society
CFC Canada Western
Conference Held in Edmonton
By Marivie Dalman which should be a civilization of love
and prayer.
eric de Los Reyes, Country Coor-
dinator for Canada gave a message
of hope in Talk # 2: The Message of
the Manger. The New Mission, the
third talk, was given by Ricky Cuenca.
His stories about the many new and
creative ways to evangelize, whatever
the occasion, wherever the place and
whenever the opportunity arises was
echoed by Francis and Liz Almeida who
shared their as missionary workers in
Bhubaneswar, India.
Sunday started with the Holy Mass led
by Fr. Jim Corrigan and assisted by Fr.
Avinash Colaco. Fr Jim had this to say
of CFC: You wonder why we are sup-
portive of CFC? It is because you have
been so supportive of the work we do in
the parish.
Rouquel & nina ponte were the
speakers for Talk 4. Picking up from
their deepening prayer Retreat,
Rouquel encouraged the participants
to be open to the messages of God. Nina
recalled the many messages that God
gave to Couples for Christ, from the
very beginning when only a few couples
were committed to it. God said CFC
will win the world for Christ. God
now says, CFC will heal the world!
Moreover, she says God wants us to
work nameless and faceless, without
need for praise or recognition.
The Beloved Conference will go down
the annals of history in Canada because
the Western Conference in Edmonton
broke all records. It is considered the
largest regional gathering of Couples for
Christ in Canada. There were more than
a thousand delegates who came includ-
ing 22 priests from various parishes.